“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a severe impact on the economy. As a result, we are focused on supporting our communities, proactively controlling asset quality, and strengthening our balance sheet. I believe this conservative approach will allow us to continue to successfully navigate near-term economic uncertainty, while providing the Company with flexibility to pursue long-term growth opportunities.”
“On behalf of Middlefield’s leadership team and Board of Directors, I would like to thank our customers, employees, communities, and shareholders for their support throughout this challenging period,” concluded Mr. Caldwell.
Income Statement
For the 2020 full year, net interest income increased 4.8% to $43.4 million, compared to $41.4 million for the same period last year. The net interest margin for the 2020 twelve-month period was 3.54%, compared to 3.68% for the same period last year. Net interest income for the 2020 fourth quarter was $11.3 million, compared to $10.3 million for the 2019 fourth quarter. The 9.3% increase in net interest income for the 2020 fourth quarter was largely a result of a 45.8% decrease in total interest expense. The net interest margin for the 2020 fourth quarter was 3.49%, compared to 3.65% for the same period of 2019.
For the 2020 full year, noninterest income increased 23.7% to $6.0 million, compared to $4.8 million for the same period last year. Noninterest income for the 2020 fourth quarter was $1.6 million, compared to $1.3 million for the 2019 fourth quarter.
For the 2020 full year, noninterest expense decreased 0.8% to $29.8 million, compared to $30.0 million last year. For the 2020 fourth quarter, noninterest expense was $7.8 million, compared to $7.4 million for the same period last year.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020, was $8.3 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, compared to $12.7 million, or $1.95 per diluted share for the same period last year. The decline in net income for the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to a $9.0 million increase in the provision for loan losses as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and the resolution of an isolated commercial loan that occurred in the 2020 third quarter. Net income for the 2020 fourth quarter, was $2.5 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared to $3.1 million, or $0.48 per diluted share for the same period last year. The 2020 fourth quarter provision for loan losses increased $1.6 million from the prior year period.
Core earnings measured by pre-tax, pre-provision for loan losses(1) income, increased 21.0% to $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $16.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Pre-tax, pre-provision for loan losses(1) income for the 2020 fourth quarter increased 19.4% to $5.1 million, compared to $4.2 million for the same period last year.
Balance Sheet
Total assets at December 31, 2020, increased 17.7% to $1.39 billion, from $1.18 billion at December 31, 2019. Net loans at December 31, 2020, were $1.09 billion, compared to $977.5 million at December 31, 2019. The 11.6% year-over-year increase in total net loans was primarily a result of PPP loans originated during the second and third quarters, as well as organic loan growth that occurred throughout the year.
Total deposits at December 31, 2020, were $1.23 billion, compared to $1.02 billion at December 31, 2019. The 20.0% year-over-year increase in deposits was primarily a result of higher interest-bearing deposits. The investment portfolio, which is entirely classified as available for sale, was $114.4 million at December 31, 2020, compared with $105.7 million at December 31, 2019.
Donald L. Stacy, Chief Financial Officer stated, “Throughout 2020, we focused on building our allowance for loan losses, which increased 98.9% over the prior year period to $13.5 million at December 31, 2020. In addition, our allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 171.28% at December 31, 2020, compared to our allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans of 76.22% at December 31, 2019. This is the highest our allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans reserve has been in over 13 years. Over the near-term, we will continue to fund our allowance and increase our reserve which we believe is necessary to reserve for potential incurred losses in the portfolio associated with the COVID-19 crisis.”