EXHIBIT 99
NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jack Conlon
October 15, 2002 Chief Financial Officer
(740) 373-3155
PEOPLES BANCORP ANNOUNCES INCREASED
THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS
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MARIETTA, Ohio - Peoples Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: PEBO) announced net
income of $4,619,000, or $0.57 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2002,
up from $3,197,000, or $0.40 per diluted share, a year ago. Peoples' increased
third quarter earnings were due primarily to strong net interest income and
higher levels of non-interest revenue, which grew $2,356,000 and $1,530,000,
respectively. Return on average equity was 17.15% for the three months ended
September 30, 2002, versus 13.90% for the same period last year.
On a year-to-date basis, net income totaled $13,719,000 in 2002, up 56%
compared to $8,798,000 in 2001, and diluted earnings per share increased to
$1.70 from $1.09 a year ago. For the nine months ended September 30, 2002,
return on equity improved to 17.94% from 13.19% for the same period last year.
"Our earnings remained strong in the third quarter as a result of
solid revenue growth and the successful integration of the First Colony
Bancshares acquisition," said Robert E. Evans, Peoples' President and CEO.
"Although our increased earnings are due largely to improved net interest
income, we are pleased with the success of recent strategic initiatives and the
efforts of our associates to enhance non-interest revenues."
Net interest income totaled $13,138,000 for the third quarter of 2002,
up 22% compared to last year's third quarter total of $10,782,000 and up 5%
versus $12,511,000 for the second quarter of 2002. Net interest margin was 4.42%
for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, versus 4.10% a year ago and 4.54% last
quarter. On a year-to-date basis, net interest income grew 19% from $31,889,000
in 2001, to $37,808,000 in 2002, while net interest margin improved to 4.49%
compared to 4.05% a year ago.
"A key component of net interest income and margin improvement was
interest rates remaining at very low levels, which allowed Peoples' costs of
funds to drop more than its yield on assets," said Jack Conlon, Peoples' Chief
Financial Officer. "Also, a modest increase in earnings assets, due in part to
the mid-year First Colony acquisition, provided additional improvement. We will
continue to manage our interest rate risk position and focus on strategies that
will help mitigate the impact of future interest rate changes on Peoples'
earnings."
In the third quarter of 2002, non-interest income was $4,044,000, an
increase of 61% from a year ago, while on a year-to-date basis, non-interest
income was $10,960,000 through September 30, 2002, up 57% compared to last year.
Deposit account service charges totaled $1,958,000 in the third quarter of 2002,
up 127% from the same period last year. For the nine months ended September 30,
deposit account service charges grew 95% versus last year, totaling $4,999,000
in 2002. These improvements are the result of volume increases in overdraft and
non-sufficient funds fees attributable to the Overdraft Privilege program and
other changes to the assessment of cost recovery fees on deposit accounts
introduced in late 2001. Peoples' business owned life insurance ("BOLI")
generated tax-advantaged income of $384,000 for the three months ended September
30, 2002, up 59% from last year's third quarter. Through nine months of 2002,
BOLI income totaled $1,085,000 versus $242,000 a year ago, due to the timing of
Peoples' BOLI purchase in mid-2001. Strong annuity sales in 2002 produced higher
insurance and investment commissions, which grew 45% in the third quarter of
2002 and 41% through the first nine months of 2002 compared to the same periods
a year ago. Peoples' e-banking services generated revenues that were 30% higher
in the third quarter of 2002 and 21% higher on a year-to-date basis when
compared to the prior year, as clients increasingly use Peoples' ATM and debit
cards to complete transactions.
Non-interest expense totaled $9,752,000 in the third quarter of 2002,
up 20% from $8,117,000 a year ago, and $27,526,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2002, up 14% compared to $24,236,000 for the same period last
year. For the third quarter of 2002, salaries and benefits totaled $4,771,000,
an increase of 26% compared to $3,790,000 for 2001's third quarter. On a
year-to-date basis, salaries and benefits grew 23% in 2002, from $11,017,000 in
2001 to $13,601,000 in 2002. These increases are due largely to higher incentive
and medical plan expenses, as well as the addition of several new associates as
part of Peoples' acquisition of First Colony Bancshares in mid-2002 and
increases in salaries necessary to retain and recruit key personnel.
Professional fees were up 129% in the third quarter of 2002, totaling $533,000
compared to $233,000 in 2001's third quarter. On a year-to-date basis,
professional fees were $1,416,000 through September 30, 2002, an increase of
$660,000 (or 87%) from a year ago. Peoples' implementation of "Free Checking"
and "Overdraft Privilege" accounts for about 55% of the increase in professional
fees.
The non-interest income leverage ratio, defined as non-interest income
as a percentage of operating expenses (excluding intangible amortization),
serves as a measurement of efficiency and performance. Through the first nine
months of 2002, the non-interest income leverage ratio improved to 41.7% from
31.0% a year ago, due to strong non-interest revenues and controlled expense
growth.
"Our strategic goals include growing top-line revenues through
leveraging expenses, which is reflected in the improved non-interest income
leverage ratio," commented Conlon. "We continually monitor expenses to increase
earnings by efficiently delivering products and services to our clients, but we
will not sacrifice making investments in our associates and services that
enhance our ability to satisfy customer needs."
At September 30, 2002, loans totaled $867.6 million, up $5.3 million in
the third quarter and $94.8 million since year-end 2001. A significant portion
of the loan growth through nine months is attributable to Peoples acquiring
loans of approximately $67 million as part of the First Colony acquisition in
late second quarter. Peoples has also experienced modest organic growth in
commercial and real estate loan balances during the first nine months of 2002.
Peoples' asset quality improved slightly in the third quarter, with
nonperforming assets comprising 0.56% of total assets at September 30, 2002
versus 0.57% at June 30, 2002. The allowance for loan losses totaled $12.9
million at September 30, 2002 (or 171% of nonperforming loans) versus $12.4
million (or 225% of nonperforming loans) at year-end 2001. In the third quarter
of 2002, Peoples' provision for loan losses was $1,182,000, up from $675,000 a
year ago. On a year-to-date basis, the provision was $3,023,000 in 2002 compared
to $2,025,000 in 2001. The majority of these increases are due to provisions
related to the Overdraft Privilege program, which totaled $283,000 in the third
quarter of 2002 and $673,000 through nine months of 2002. The remaining increase
in the provision is a result of management's ongoing evaluation of the adequacy
for loan losses, loan growth and other factors affecting probable loan losses.
"Asset quality remains a primary focus in light of the ongoing economic
uncertainty," stated Conlon. "Our lenders are committed to underwriting
standards that produce high quality loans and our loan review process will help
us identify problem loans and manage, to the degree possible, the amount of any
future loss. We believe the current allowance for loan losses is adequate for
the overall quality, inherit risk and loan volume concentrations in the loan
portfolio." In the fourth quarter, Peoples' loan loss provision is expected to
remain near third quarter levels.
Net chargeoffs totaled $1,024,000 in the third quarter of 2002 and
$2,799,000 through nine months of 2002, compared to $545,000 and $1,637,000 for
the same periods a year ago, respectively. Net consumer and commercial loan
chargeoffs were $474,000 and $374,000 in the third quarter of 2002,
respectively, versus $319,000 and $159,000 in 2001's third quarter,
respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, commercial net
charge offs totaled $1,512,000 compared to $557,000 in 2001, while consumer
loans accounted for $960,000 and $346,000 of net chargeoffs for the same
periods, respectively.
At September 30, 2002, Peoples effective tax rate was 27.6% on a
year-to-date basis compared to 29.7% in 2001. The decrease in Peoples' effective
tax rate is largely attributable to growth in tax-advantaged investments, while
the adoption of FASB Statement No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets"
has also been a contributing factor.
"Overall, the third quarter results reflect our commitment to
enhancing Peoples' long-term value," summarized Evans. "We will continue our
efforts to build long-lasting relationships with our clients as part of Peoples'
goal to be the leading financial services provider in the markets we serve."
Peoples Bancorp Inc., a diversified financial products and services
company with $1.4 billion in assets, offers a complete line of banking,
investment, insurance, and trust solutions through Peoples Bank's 45 sales
offices and 30 ATMs in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Peoples' common shares
are traded on the NASDAQ national market under the symbol "PEBO" and a member of
the Russell 3000 index of US publicly traded companies. Learn more about Peoples
or enroll in Peoples' award winning Internet banking product, at
www.peoplesbancorp.com.
Conference Call to Discuss Earnings:
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Peoples will conduct a facilitated conference call to discuss the
results of operations for the third quarter of 2002 on October 16, 2002, at 3:00
p.m., local time, with members of Peoples' executive management participating.
The conference call, consisting of brief opening remarks followed by a question
and answer period, is open to the public; however, management asks that
questions be limited to investment analysts, interested members of the media and
shareholders. To participate in the call, please dial (877) 735-0939
approximately five minutes before the scheduled start of the conference call. A
complete transcript of the conference call will be placed on peoplesbancorp.com,
in the "Investor Relations" section under "Conference Call Transcripts".
Safe Harbor Statement:
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Except for the historical and present factual information contained in
this press release, the matters discussed in this press release, and other
statements identified by words such as "expects," "believes," "plans," and
similar expressions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
"safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited
to, the interest rate environment, the effect of federal and state banking and
tax regulations, the effect of technological changes, the effect of economic
conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and other risk
factors relating to the banking industry or Peoples as detailed from time to
time in Peoples' reports filed with the SEC. Although management believes that
the expectations in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable
assumptions within the bounds of management's knowledge of Peoples' business and
operations, it is possible that actual results may differ materially from these
projections. Peoples disclaims any responsibility to update these
forward-looking statements.
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. (Nasdaq: PEBO)
Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
(in $000's, except share data) September 30, September 30,
2002 2001 2002 2001
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PER SHARE DATA (a)
Basic earnings per share:
Income before extraordinary gains $ 0.58 $ 0.41 $ 1.69 $ 1.11
Net income $ 0.58 $ 0.41 $ 1.74 $ 1.11
Diluted earnings per share:
Income before extraordinary gains $ 0.57 $ 0.40 $ 1.65 $ 1.09
Net income $ 0.57 $ 0.40 $ 1.70 $ 1.09
Dividends declared per share $ 0.15 $ 0.14 $ 0.44 $ 0.38
Book value per share $ 14.15 $ 12.01 $ 14.15 $ 12.01
Tangible book value per share (b) $ 10.40 $ 9.76 $ 10.40 $ 9.76
Dividend payout as a percentage of net income 25.87% 34.09% 25.32% 34.18%
Actual shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) 7,903,646 7,824,731 7,903,646 7,824,731
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 7,896,663 7,889,519 7,870,408 7,914,815
Diluted 8,150,003 8,033,685 8,084,233 8,035,157
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average equity 17.15% 13.90% 17.94% 13.19%
Return on average assets 1.37% 1.09% 1.45% 1.01%
Non-interest income leverage ratio (c) 43.62% 33.36% 41.71% 31.04%
Efficiency ratio (d) 52.61% 55.56% 52.58% 56.74%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) 4.42% 4.10% 4.49% 4.05%
Net loan chargeoffs as a percentage of average loans 0.12% 0.07% 0.34% 0.22%
NET CHARGEOFFS
Gross chargeoffs $ 1,223 $ 642 $ 3,323 $ 1,985
Recoveries $ 199 $ 97 $ 524 $ 348
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Net chargeoffs $ 1,024 $ 545 $ 2,799 $ 1,637
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<FN>
(a) Adjusted for 10% stock dividends issued June 28, 2002 and September 12,
2001.
(b) Excludes balance sheet impact of intangible assets acquired through use of
purchase accounting for acquisitions.
(c) Non-interest income (less securities and asset disposal gains) as a
percentage of non-interest expense (less intangible amortization).
(d) Non-interest expense (less intangible amortization) as a percentage of
fully tax equivalent net interest income plus non-interest income.
</FN>
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
(in $000's) 2002 2001 2002 2001
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Interest income $ 21,683 $ 21,456 $ 62,310 $ 65,568
Interest expense 8,545 10,674 24,502 33,679
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Net interest income 13,138 10,782 37,808 31,889
Provision for loan losses 1,182 675 3,023 2,025
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Net interest income after provision for loan losses 11,956 10,107 34,785 29,864
Net gain on securities transactions 51 26 102 27
Gain on sale of loans 22 - 22 -
Net (loss) gain on asset disposals - (12) (14) 13
Net mark-to-market adjustment on interest rate caps - - - (131)
Non-interest income:
Service charges on deposits 1,958 863 4,999 2,559
Fiduciary revenues 626 626 1,882 1,868
Insurance and investment commissions 532 368 1,518 1,077
Electronic banking revenues 464 356 1,246 1,032
Business owned life insurance 384 242 1,085 242
Other non-interest income 80 59 230 207
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Total non-interest income 4,044 2,514 10,960 6,985
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and benefits 4,771 3,790 13,601 11,017
Occupancy and equipment 988 885 2,854 2,792
Trust preferred 643 665 1,827 1,976
Professional fees 533 233 1,416 756
Data processing and software 251 279 868 757
Amortization of goodwill 273 457 820 1,354
Marketing 242 154 778 430
Amortization of other intangible assets 208 125 431 376
Other non-interest expense 1,843 1,529 4,931 4,778
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Total non-interest expense 9,752 8,117 27,526 24,236
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Income before income taxes 6,321 4,518 18,329 12,522
Income taxes 1,702 1,321 5,020 3,724
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Income before extraordinary gains 4,619 3,197 13,309 8,798
Extraordinary gain on early debt extinguishment,
net of tax expense of $221 - - 410 -
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Net income $ 4,619 $ 3,197 $ 13,719 $ 8,798
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Fully tax equivalent net interest income $ 13,577 $ 11,049 $ 39,007 $ 32,679
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
(in $000's) 2002 2001 2002 2001
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CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES
Average gross loans $ 863,924 $ 756,414 $ 813,296 $ 749,957
Average earning assets 1,227,514 1,080,000 1,159,519 1,077,350
Average intangible assets 28,625 17,885 21,379 18,169
Average total assets 1,346,722 1,175,334 1,264,047 1,159,462
Average non-interest bearing deposits 105,604 87,230 99,096 86,418
Average interest bearing deposits:
Savings 128,870 77,796 107,579 77,340
Interest-bearing demand deposits 287,434 277,615 279,259 273,032
Time deposits 415,473 388,642 384,463 369,529
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Total average interest bearing deposits 831,777 744,053 771,301 719,901
Average stockholders' equity $ 107,747 $ 91,974 $ 101,982 $ 88,951
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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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September 30, December 31, September 30,
2002 2001 2001
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LOAN PORTFOLIO (in $000's, end of period)
Commercial, financial, and agricultural $ 386,413 $ 343,800 $ 315,607
Real estate, construction 20,348 14,530 21,077
Real estate, mortgage 341,131 295,944 295,747
Consumer 119,735 118,582 123,752
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Total loans $ 867,627 $ 772,856 $ 756,183
ASSET QUALITY
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans 1.49% 1.60% 1.62%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
nonperforming loans (a) 171.2% 225.0% 273.6%
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans (a) 0.87% 0.71% 0.59%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets (b) 0.56% 0.48% 0.39%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total loans and
other real estate owned
real estate owned (b) 0.88% 0.73% 0.61%
Nonperforming assets (in $000's, end of period):
Loans 90 days or more past due $ 635 $ 686 $ 551
Renegotiated loans $ 2,439 $ 425 $ 146
Nonaccrual loans $ 4,455 $ 4,380 $ 3,794
Other real estate owned $ 124 $ 181 $ 93
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Total nonperforming assets $ 7,653 $ 5,672 $ 4,584
REGULATORY CAPITAL (in $000's, end of period)
Tier 1 risk-based capital 11.59% 12.86% 12.92%
Total risk-based capital ratio (Tier 1 and Tier 2) 12.95% 14.21% 14.26%
Leverage ratio 7.96% 9.18% 8.86%
Tier 1 capital $ 104,028 $ 105,065 $ 102,421
Total capital (Tier 1 and Tier 2) $ 116,245 $ 116,114 $ 112,993
Total risk-weighted assets $ 897,457 $ 816,907 $ 792,477
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA (in $000's, end of period)
Trust assets under management $ 485,074 $ 539,487 $ 477,012
Employees (full-time equivalent) 458 403 397
Full service offices 39 34 34
Supermarket offices 4 4 4
ATMs (c) 29 25 25
Announced treasury share plans: (d)
Total shares in plan 192,500 151,250 151,250
Shares purchased (e) - 12,383 75,064
Average price (e) $ - $ 16.03 $ 17.91
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<FN>
(a) Nonperforming loans include loans 90 days past due and accruing,
renegotiated loans, and nonaccrual loans.
(b) Nonperforming assets include nonperforming loans, and other real estate
owned.
(c) Does not include ATM added in McConnelsville, Ohio, in October 2002.
(d) 2002 data reflects 2002 Stock Repurchase Program of 192,500 shares (or 2.5%
of outstanding shares); 2001 data reflects 2001 Stock Repurchase Program of
151,250 shares (or 2% of outstanding shares). All share amounts adjusted for
stock dividends.
(e) Reflects treasury shares purchased and average price paid for the
three-month period ended on the date indicated.
</FN>
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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(in $000's) September 30, December 31,
2002 2001
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ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 37,609 $ 32,838
Available-for-sale investment securities, at estimated fair value
(amortized cost of $369,391 at September 30, 2002, and $329,081 at
December 31, 2001) 380,600 330,364
Loans, net of unearned interest 867,627 772,856
Allowance for loan losses (12,886) (12,357)
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Net loans 854,741 760,499
Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 18,166 16,369
Goodwill 24,517 15,388
Other intangible assets 5,112 1,622
Other real estate owned 124 181
Other assets 37,452 36,705
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TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,358,321 $ 1,193,966
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LIABILITIES
Non-interest bearing deposits $ 108,995 $ 96,533
Interest bearing deposits 842,743 717,835
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Total deposits 951,738 814,368
Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements,
and other short term borrowings 50,350 56,052
Long-term borrowings 205,680 192,448
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 9,685 8,188
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TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,217,453 1,071,056
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in junior subordinated debentures 29,068 29,056
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, no par value (12,000,000 shares authorized, 7,969,386 shares
issued at September 30, 2002, and
7,289,266 shares issued at December 31, 2001) 96,876 78,664
Accumulated comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes 7,292 834
Retained earnings 8,814 17,735
Treasury stock, at cost (65,740 shares at September 30, 2002,
and 178,344 shares at December 31, 2001) (1,182) (3,379)
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TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 111,800 93,854
TOTAL LIABILITIES, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS, AND
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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 1,358,321 $ 1,193,966
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END OF RELEASE