WILMINGTON, N.C., Aug. 4, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Cape Fear Bank Corporation (the "Company") (Nasdaq:CAPE) today reported a net loss of ($599,000) or ($0.16) per diluted share for the second quarter of 2008 compared with net income of $499,000 or $0.13 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2007. For the first six months of 2008, the Company recorded a net loss of ($1.0) million, or ($0.27) per diluted share, compared with net income of $933,000, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the prior year period. The decline in earnings in the first half of 2008 reflects the combined impact of compression of the net interest margin, increased provisions for loan losses, increased operating expenses and expenses associated with compliance as a result of dissident shareholder proxy battle proceedings.
Cameron Coburn, Chairman, President and CEO of Cape Fear Bank Corporation, stated, "This has been an extremely difficult year for the banking industry. Declining real estate values and deteriorating credit quality have impacted many borrowers, causing them to become delinquent. Earlier this year, we added to our team an experienced credit administrator to work exclusively with these problem assets to expedite their resolution. Along with the negative impact on earnings due to unsettled conditions in our markets, our resources have recently been stretched by the increased expenses and time associated with the ongoing dissident shareholder proxy battle."
"On a positive note, we are beginning to attract the non-maturity deposits we need to fund our loan portfolio at more reasonable rates. Also, expenses associated with the expansion of our branch network should begin to moderate as our recent expansion efforts will end with the completion of our permanent Sunset Beach facility during the third quarter of 2008," added Mr. Coburn.
Results from Operations
Total revenue, composed of net interest income and noninterest income, was $6.0 million for the first half of 2008, a decline of $1.1 million, or 18.6 percent, from same period of 2007. Net interest income was $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, down 20.9 percent from the six months ended June 30, 2007 from the net impact of an 82 basis point decline in the net interest margin to 2.27 percent, partially offset by a 7.3 percent increase in average earning assets. Mr. Coburn added, "Initially following the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, our variable rate loans repriced immediately, while our time deposits have been repricing as they mature. The growing levels of non-maturity deposits generated through our expanded branch network, as well as the substantial level of time deposits that will mature and reprice at considerably lower rates in July and August, should begin to strengthen our net interest margin."
Noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $888,000, up $236,000 or 36.2 percent from the same period in 2007. Most of the improvement was derived from a higher level of service fees and charges primarily due to the implementation of an overdraft privilege program; these fees increased $208,000 or 62.3 percent to $542,000.
Thus far for 2008, a total provision for loan losses of $1.2 million was recorded versus only $75,000 for the first half of 2007, a reflection of the decline in real estate market conditions. The allowance for loan losses was 1.52 percent of total loans at June 30, 2008 compared with 1.39 percent at June 30, 2007
Noninterest expense totaled $6.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, an increase of $1.1 million, or 18.1 percent, above the year-ago period. Salaries and employee benefits have stabilized with an increase of only one full-time equivalent employee above the year-ago period. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $252,000 over the prior year due to three new branches opened in 2007 - one each in May, August and November. The other expense category, which increased $771,000 or 43.8 percent year-over-year to $2.5 million, included increased FDIC premiums, growth-related expenses, and legal and other professional fees related to the ongoing dissident shareholder proxy battle.
Balance Sheet Growth and Asset Quality
Total assets were $496.0 million at June 30, 2008, up $31.7 million, or 6.8 percent, from December 31, 2007. Loans outstanding increased over the past six months by $18.7 million, or 5.0 percent, to $389.3 million. Commercial Real Estate (CRE) loans led the increase, up $10.7 million or 9.1 percent since December 31, 2007. Construction & Development (C&D) loans increased $3.0 million or 2.0 percent, and 1-4 Family Real Estate and Home Equity loans rose $3.6 million or 4.1 percent since year-end 2007. Approximately 95 percent of the loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate.
Nonperforming assets, including Other Real Estate Owned (OREO), totaled $11.6 million, or 2.34 percent of assets at June 30, 2008, compared with $8.5 million, or 1.82 percent of assets for the linked quarter, and $1.3 million, or 0.30 percent of assets, twelve months ago. C&D loans of $6.3 million (which includes $3.3 million in restructured loans that are currently performing according to the restructured terms) accounted for the majority of nonperforming loans, followed by $1.9 million of CRE loans at June 30, 2008. Excluding the restructured loans, nonperforming loans declined $944,000 from the linked quarter.
Net charge-offs were $1.0 million for the first six months of 2008, or 0.54 percent of average loans (annualized), with $676,000 of net charge offs recorded in the second quarter of 2008; this compares with net recoveries of $135,000 for the prior-year six month period, of which $8,000 of net recoveries were recorded in the second quarter of 2007.
Deposits totaled $408.1 million at June 30, 2008, up $21.4 million, or 5.5 percent, from year-end 2007. Time and brokered deposits grew less than one percent over the past six-months, while non-maturity deposits increased $18.7 million or 19.5 percent; non-maturity deposits total $114.2 million and constitute 28.0 percent of deposits at June 30, 2008 compared with 24.7 percent at December 31, 2007. Core deposits, which also include retail time deposits under $100,000, were $207.7 million at June 30, 2008, representing 50.9 percent of total deposits.
Shareholders' equity at June 30, 2008 was $27.0 million as compared to $28.5 million at December 31, 2007. As of June 30, 2008, the Company remained at well-capitalized levels with a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.43 percent. Shares outstanding at period-end were 3,841,785.
Mr. Coburn stated, "While we continue to face economic pressures, we are confident that this region has a vibrant future and will recover over time. Cape Fear Bank has established an excellent reputation in our community and has a strong foundation upon which to build our future together."
About the Company
Cape Fear Bank (the "Bank"), was established in 1998 as a community bank, developed and managed by local residents of the communities it serves, who are committed to improving the quality of their local banking experience. Cape Fear Bank Corporation, the parent company, was formed in June 2005. The Bank serves the southeastern North Carolina market area with eight full-service banking offices, including three in New Hanover County, two in Pender County, and three in Brunswick County. The Company's stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol 'CAPE'.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Report and its exhibits contain statements relating to Cape Fear Bank Corporation (the Company) and its financial condition, results of operations, plans, strategies, branch expansion plans, trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments, expectations or beliefs about future events or results, and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts. Those statements may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "forecasts," "potential" or "continue," or similar terms or the negative of these terms, or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of management about future events. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Copies of those reports are available directly through the Commission's website at www.sec.gov. Other factors that could influence the accuracy of those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (a) the financial success or changing strategies of the Company's customers; (b) customer acceptance of services, products and fee structure; (c) changes in competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions or in its ability to compete effectively against larger financial institutions in its banking market; (d) actions of government regulators, or changes in laws, regulations or accounting standards, that adversely affect its business; (e) its ability to manage growth and to underwrite increasing volumes of loans; (f) the impact on profits of increased staffing and expenses resulting from expansion; (g) changes in the interest rate environment and the level of market interest rates that reduce net interest margin and/or the volumes and values of loans made and securities held; (h) weather and similar conditions, particularly the effect of hurricanes on banking and operations facilities and on its customers and the coastal communities in which it conducts business; (i) changes in general economic or business conditions and the real estate market in its banking market (particularly changes that affect its loan portfolio, the abilities of borrowers to repay their loans, and the values of loan collateral); (j) other developments or changes in the Company's business that it does not expect; and (k) the impact on financial institutions in general of recent adverse conditions in the banking industry and the credit and securities markets. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. The Company has no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements.
CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION FIVE-QUARTER PERFORMANCE SUMMARY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (In thousands, For the Quarter Ended except per ------------------------------------------------------ share data) 6/30/08 3/31/08 12/31/07 9/30/07 6/30/07 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Performance Highlights Earnings: Total revenue (Net int. income + nonint. income) $ 2,872 $ 3,144 $ 3,518 $ 3,676 $ 3,617 Net interest income $ 2,429 $ 2,698 $ 3,029 $ 3,348 $ 3,276 Provision for loan losses $ 375 $ 793 $ 970 $ 50 $ -- Non- interest income $ 443 $ 446 $ 489 $ 328 $ 341 Non- interest expense $ 3,533 $ 3,366 $ 2,635 $ 3,193 $ 2,976 Net (loss) income $ (599) $ (441) $ 53 $ 359 $ 499 Per Share Data: Basic earnings per share $ (0.16) $ (0.12) $ 0.01 $ 0.10 $ 0.13 Diluted earnings per share $ (0.16) $ (0.12) $ 0.01 $ 0.09 $ 0.13 Book value per share $ 7.03 $ 7.38 $ 7.56 $ 7.49 $ 7.28 Perform- ance Ratios: Return on average assets -0.50% -0.38% 0.05% 0.32% 0.45% Return on average equity -8.41% -6.19% 0.74% 5.17% 7.22% Net interest margin, taxable equival- ent 2.14% 2.41% 2.72% 3.11% 3.08% Effic- iency ratio 123.02% 107.06% 74.90% 86.86% 82.28% Non- interest income to total revenue 15.42% 14.19% 13.90% 8.92% 9.43% Capital & Liquidity: Total equity to total assets 5.45% 6.03% 6.14% 6.22% 6.21% Total loans to total deposits 95.40% 94.24% 95.85% 93.78% 91.94% Regul- atory leverage ratio 7.79% 8.04% 8.58% 8.64% 8.58% Tier 1 capital ratio 9.00% 9.60% 9.87% 10.07% 10.42% Total risk- based capital ratio 10.43% 10.99% 11.21% 11.43% 11.80% Asset Quality: Net loan charge- offs (recov- eries) $ 676 $ 348 $ (5) $ -- $ (8) Net loan charge- offs (recov- eries) to average loans 0.70% 0.37% -0.01% 0.00% -0.01% Nonper- forming loans +90 days past due $ 9,041 $ 6,677 $ 8,309 $ 177 $ 1,320 Other real estate and reposs- essed assets $ 2,578 $ 1,846 $ -- $ 2 $ -- Nonper- forming assets +90 days past due $ 11,619 $ 8,523 $ 8,309 $ 179 $ 1,320 NPAs + loans 90 days past due to total assets 2.34% 1.82% 1.79% 0.04% 0.30% Allowance for loan losses $ 5,915 $ 6,216 $ 5,771 $ 4,795 $ 4,746 Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.52% 1.66% 1.56% 1.34% 1.39% Allowance for loan losses to NPAs 50.91% 72.93% 69.45% 2678.77% 359.55% Period End Balances: Assets $ 496,038 $ 469,570 $ 464,313 $ 453,478 $ 441,342 Total earning assets (before allow- ance) $ 470,149 $ 449,580 $ 444,926 $ 434,163 $ 420,102 Total Loans (before res- erves) $ 389,343 $ 375,284 $ 370,678 $ 357,962 $ 341,030 Deposits $ 408,119 $ 398,217 $ 386,738 $ 381,697 $ 370,915 Stock- holders' equity $ 27,016 $ 28,338 $ 28,491 $ 28,199 $ 27,427 Full- time equiv- alent employ- ees 100 102 105 101 99 Shares out- standing 3,841,785 3,841,785 3,766,295 3,766,295 3,766,020 Average Balances: Assets $ 480,735 $ 470,222 $ 461,122 $ 447,870 $ 446,653 Earning assets $ 456,920 $ 450,732 $ 441,581 $ 427,670 $ 426,682 Total Loans (before reserves)$ 385,198 $ 373,546 $ 365,068 $ 349,568 $ 344,742 Deposits $ 398,039 $ 391,492 $ 384,041 $ 375,058 $ 374,978 Stock- holders' equity $ 28,505 $ 28,500 $ 28,592 $ 27,771 $ 27,633 Shares outstand- ing, basic - wtd 3,841,785 3,806,971 3,766,295 3,766,224 3,765,955 Shares outstand- ing, diluted - wtd 3,841,785 3,806,971 3,855,925 3,833,457 3,844,366 CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION FIVE-QUARTER PERFORMANCE SUMMARY --------------------------------------------------------------------- Year to Date --------------------------- (In thousands, except per share data) 6/30/08 6/30/07 ----------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Performance Highlights Earnings: Total revenue (Net int. income + nonint. income) $ 6,017 $ 7,139 Net interest income $ 5,129 $ 6,487 Provision for loan losses $ 1,168 $ 75 Noninterest income $ 888 $ 652 Noninterest expense $ 6,900 $ 5,844 Net (loss) income $ (1,040) $ 933 Per Share Data: Basic earnings per share $ (0.27) $ 0.25 Diluted earnings per share $ (0.27) $ 0.24 Book value per share $ 7.03 $ 7.28 Performance Ratios: Return on average assets -0.44% 0.42% Return on average equity -7.30% 6.81% Net interest margin, taxable equivalent 2.27% 3.09% Efficiency ratio 114.68% 81.86% Non-interest income to total revenue 14.76% 9.13% Capital & Liquidity: Total equity to total assets 5.45% 6.21% Total loans to total deposits 95.40% 91.94% Regulatory leverage ratio 7.79% 8.58% Tier 1 capital ratio 9.00% 10.41% Total risk-based capital ratio 10.43% 11.80% Asset Quality: Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) $ 1,024 $ (135) Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans 0.54% -0.08% Nonperforming loans +90 days past due $ 9,041 $ 1,320 Other real estate and repossessed assets $ 2,578 $ -- Nonperforming assets +90 days past due $ 11,619 $ 1,320 NPAs + loans 90 days past due to total assets 2.34% 0.30% Allowance for loan losses $ 5,915 $ 4,746 Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.52% 1.39% Allowance for loan losses to NPAs 50.91% 359.55% Period End Balances: Assets $ 496,038 $ 441,342 Total earning assets (before allowance) $ 470,149 $ 420,102 Total Loans (before reserves) $ 389,343 $ 341,030 Deposits $ 408,119 $ 370,915 Stockholders' equity $ 27,016 $ 27,427 Full-time equivalent employees 100 99 Shares outstanding 3,841,785 3,766,020 Average Balances: Assets $ 475,478 $ 441,858 Earning assets $ 453,826 $ 422,892 Total Loans (before reserves) $ 379,372 $ 342,167 Deposits $ 394,767 $ 370,010 Stockholders' equity $ 28,503 $ 27,393 Shares outstanding, basic - wtd 3,824,061 3,765,901 Shares outstanding, diluted - wtd 3,824,061 3,850,956 CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, ----------------------- ---------------------- 2008 2007 2008 2007 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- (In thousands, except share and per share data) INTEREST INCOME Loans $ 5,928 $ 7,107 $ 12,403 $ 14,019 Investment securities available for sale 797 827 1,615 1,635 FHLB Stock 38 32 74 62 Other interest- earning assets 24 103 58 200 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL INTEREST INCOME 6,787 8,069 14,150 15,916 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- INTEREST EXPENSE Money market, NOW and savings deposits 453 646 931 1,194 Time deposits 3,459 3,593 7,093 7,139 Short-term borrowings 55 2 106 44 Long-term borrowings 391 552 891 1,052 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE 4,358 4,793 9,021 9,429 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NET INTEREST INCOME 2,429 3,276 5,129 6,487 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 375 -- 1,168 75 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 2,054 3,276 3,961 6,412 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NON-INTEREST INCOME Service fees and charges 278 169 542 334 Gain/(loss) on sale of investments 12 (7) 20 (4) Income from bank owned life insurance 114 99 212 181 Other 39 80 114 141 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NON-INTEREST INCOME 443 341 888 652 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NON INTEREST EXPENSE Salaries and employee benefits 1,624 1,661 3,243 3,210 Occupancy and equipment 572 450 1,125 873 Other 1,337 865 2,532 1,761 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE 3,533 2,976 6,900 5,844 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (1,036) 641 (2,051) 1,220 INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE (437) 142 (1,011) 287 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NET (LOSS) INCOME $ (599) $ 499 $ (1,040) $ 933 ========== ========== ========== ========== NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE Basic $ (0.16) $ 0.13 $ (0.27) 0.25 ========== ========== ========== ========== Diluted $ (0.16) $ 0.13 $ (0.27) 0.24 ========== ========== ========== ========== WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING Basic 3,841,785 3,765,955 3,824,061 3,765,901 Effect of dilutive stock options -- 78,411 -- 85,055 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Diluted 3,841,785 3,844,366 3,824,061 3,850,956 ========== ========== ========== ========== CAPE FEAR BANK CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS --------------------------------------------------------------------- June 30, 2008 December 31, (Unaudited) 2007* --------- --------- (In thousands, except share data) ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 8,380 $ 6,257 Interest earning deposits in other banks 10,458 1,413 Fed funds sold 1,726 25 Investment securities available for sale, at fair value 65,473 70,227 Time deposits in other banks 199 199 Loans 389,343 370,678 Allowance for loan losses (5,915) (5,771) --------- --------- NET LOANS 383,428 364,907 Accrued interest receivable 2,126 2,343 Premises and equipment, net 3,865 3,580 Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, at cost 2,950 2,384 Foreclosed real estate and repossessions 2,578 -- Bank owned life insurance 9,993 9,876 Other assets 4,862 3,102 --------- --------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 496,038 $ 464,313 ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits Demand $ 28,415 $ 28,042 Savings 3,838 5,276 Money market and NOW 81,996 62,249 Time 293,870 291,171 --------- --------- TOTAL DEPOSITS 408,119 386,738 Short-term borrowings 30,000 17,000 Long-term borrowings 27,310 29,310 Accrued interest payable 685 772 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 2,908 2,002 --------- --------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 469,022 435,822 --------- --------- Shareholders' Equity Common stock, $3.50 par value, 12,500,000 shares authorized; 3,841,785 and 3,766,295 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively 13,446 13,182 Additional paid-in capital 14,363 14,048 Accumulated retained earnings (48) 1,609 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (745) (348) --------- --------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 27,016 28,491 --------- --------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 496,038 $ 464,313 ========= ========= * Derived from audited financial statements