BERNARDSVILLE, N.J., April 21, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Somerset Hills Bancorp (Nasdaq:SOMH) (the "Company") parent company of Somerset Hills Bank (the "Bank") reported net income of $619,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, a 39.4% increase versus $444,000 earned during the first quarter of 2008. Diluted earnings per share were $0.10 for the first quarter of 2009 versus $0.08 for the first quarter of 2008.
Stewart E. McClure, Jr., President and CEO stated, "As many large and small banking institutions remain distressed, our philosophy of conservatism continues to serve our shareholders well. While no company or individual is completely immune to these severe economic conditions, today we are profitable, stand especially well-capitalized and very liquid, and our asset quality remains solid."
Diluted earnings per share for 2009 were negatively impacted by $0.02 due to the issuance of $7.4 million of "TARP Preferred" stock to the U.S. Treasury on January 16, 2009. As previously announced, the Company has applied to Treasury to repurchase all 7,414 shares of its TARP Preferred, and anticipates such repurchase will take place during the second quarter.
With regard to the anticipated redemption of the Company's TARP Preferred, Mr. McClure commented, "We are pleased to report that we have notified the Treasury and the Federal Reserve of our intention to repay the capital that we were approved for and issued earlier this year. Originally, strong community banks, such as ourselves, were encouraged to take the TARP money as a means to stimulate the economy and to provide a buffer against further deterioration in the economy. Unfortunately, greater restrictions on our operations and public perception of these funds as a "bailout", have the potential to put us at a competitive disadvantage with regard to customer and employee retention. We have sufficient capital and liquidity to complete the redemption and will continue to significantly exceed all "well capitalized" regulatory capital requirements. Upon repayment of this dilutive security, we will be released from several restrictions including the prohibition against cash dividend increases and stock repurchases."
Net interest income for the 2009 first quarter totaled $2,583,000, a decline of $79,000 from $2,662,000 earned in the year ago quarter. The net interest margin declined to 3.69% in the current quarter from 4.22% in the prior year quarter, while interest-earning assets increased by 11.8% over the same period. The reduced net interest income was anticipated due to management's strategic decision in the latter half of 2008 to remain more liquid than normal and to grow market share by offering attractively priced certificates of deposit. This deposit generation program, which was marketed strictly to the local communities the Bank serves, was successful in raising in excess of $27 million in new deposits and has contributed to our current strong liquidity position. As of March 31, 2009, our cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $46 million. We will continue to assess our overall liquidity position in the context of market conditions, and margin pressure is likely to persist until the majority of these deposits, which carry interest rates at or above 4%, mature beginning in June and throughout the second half of 2009.
Non-interest income increased by $606,000, to $1,071,000 in the first quarter of 2009, from $465,000 in the first quarter of 2008. As previously reported, the Company received $568,000 in tax free proceeds from a bank-owned life insurance policy as a result of the death of our founding Chief Financial Officer, Gerard Riker, on January 25, 2009. Non-interest income also benefited from higher mortgage banking activity and growth in our wealth management business. Excluding the life insurance proceeds, the Company's non-interest income was 8.2% higher in the first quarter of 2009 versus the first quarter of 2008.
Non-interest expense increased by $229,000 to $2,666,000 in the first quarter of 2009 from $2,437,000 in the first quarter of 2008. The increase was largely due to a non-recurring $183,000 expense for retirement plan liability due to Mr. Riker's death. Non-interest expense also increased as a result of higher audit and exam fees and FDIC deposit insurance assessments. Excluding the aforementioned non-recurring item, the Company's non-interest expenses increased by 1.9% in the current quarter from the same period one year ago, reflecting management's continued focus on controlling expenses.
The Company's asset quality remains solid in the midst of these difficult economic times. Non-performing loans at quarter end decreased to $127,000, representing 0.06% of total loans versus 0.65% at year-end 2008 and 1.35% at March 31, 2008. The Company had no other real estate owned at the end of the first quarter in both 2009 and 2008. Net charge-offs for the current quarter totaled $646,000 versus $144,000 for the first quarter of 2008. The charge-offs in both periods were predominantly due to a $2.8 million troubled credit that was previously identified during the latter half of 2007, and to which the Bank no longer has any exposure. Excluding the effect of this credit, the annualized net charge-off rates were 0.28% and zero for the first quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2008, respectively. The provision for loan losses was $450,000 during the first quarter of 2009 versus $70,000 in the prior year period. Since September 30, 2007, when the troubled credit was first identified, the Company's provision for loan losses has exceeded its net charge-offs by $408,000, raising the ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans by 18 basis points to 1.27%. The allowance for loan losses currently covers nonperforming loans by more than 20x.
The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share, payable May 29, 2009 to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2009.
Somerset Hills Bancorp is a bank holding company for Somerset Hills Bank, a full service commercial bank with offices in Bernardsville, Long Valley, Madison, Mendham, Morristown, and Summit, New Jersey. Somerset Hills Bank focuses its lending activities on small to medium sized businesses, high net worth individuals, professional practices, and consumer and retail customers. The Bank operates a licensed mortgage company subsidiary, Sullivan Financial Services, Inc. and also operates Somerset Hills Wealth Management Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary licensed to provide financial services, including financial planning, insurance (life and health), mutual funds and annuities for individuals and commercial accounts, and Somerset Hills Title Group, LLC, which, with its partner, Property Title Group, provides title services in connection with the closing of real estate transactions. The common stock of the company is traded on NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol SOMH. You can visit our website at www.somersethillsbank.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions. The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and the subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company's market area and accounting principles and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake -- and specifically disclaims any obligation -- to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
Somerset Hills Bancorp
Selected Consolidated Financial data
(Unaudited)
($ in thousands except per share data) Three Months Ended
March 31
2009 2008
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Income Statement Data:
Interest income $3,464 $3,951
Interest expense 881 1,289
-------- --------
Net interest income 2,583 2,662
Provision for loan losses 450 70
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Net interest income after prov. for loan losses 2,133 2,592
Non-interest income 1,071 465
Non-interest expense 2,666 2,437
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Income before income taxes 538 620
Income tax expense (81) 176
-------- --------
Net income $619 $444
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Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets $316,418 $288,933
Loans, net 204,721 201,276
Loans held for sale 2,453 3,048
Allowance for loan losses 2,623 3,126
Investment securities held to maturity 12,292 12,057
Investment securities held for sale 33,173 24,400
Deposits 258,181 239,203
Borrowings 11,000 11,000
Shareholders' equity 45,382 37,261
Performance Ratios:
Return on average assets 0.83% 0.65%
Return on average equity 5.74% 4.82%
Net interest margin 3.69% 4.22%
Efficiency ratio 73.0% 77.9%
Asset Quality:
Nonaccrual loans 127 2,759
OREO property 0 0
Net charge-offs 646 144
Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.27% 1.53%
Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.06% 1.35%
Per Share Data:
Earnings per share- Basic $0.10 $0.08
Earnings per share- Diluted $0.10 $0.08
Book value per share $7.37 $7.17
SOMERSET HILLS BANCORP
Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
------------ ------------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks $ 46,425 $ 19,997
Federal funds sold -- 1,500
------------ ------------
Total cash and cash equivalents 46,425 21,497
Loans held for sale,net 2,453 2,366
Investment securities held to maturity
(Approximate market value of $11,241 in
2009 and $11,608 2008) 12,292 12,293
Investments available for sale 33,173 36,816
Loans receivable 207,227 211,115
Less allowance for loan losses (2,623) (2,819)
Net deferred costs 117 131
------------ ------------
Net loans receivable 204,721 208,427
Premises and equipment,net 5,825 5,973
Bank owned life insurance 7,522 8,459
Accrued interest receivable 1,118 1,227
Restricted stock 871 871
Deferred tax asset 754 750
Other assets 1,264 984
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 316,418 $ 299,663
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing deposits-demand $ 53,019 $ 50,957
Interest bearing deposits
Now,M/M and savings 147,303 140,945
Certificates of deposit,under $100,000 32,666 32,774
Certificates of deposit, $100,000 and
over 25,193 25,084
------------ ------------
Total deposits 258,181 249,760
------------ ------------
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 11,000 11,000
Accrued interest payable 230 236
Taxes payable 101 135
Other liabilities 1,524 1,003
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 271,036 262,134
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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock- authorized, 1,000,000
shares of no par value; issued and
outstanding 7,414 shares in 2009 and
none in 2008 7,207 --
Common stock- authorized 9,000,000 shares
of no par value; issued and outstanding,
5,180,012 shares in 2009 and in 2008 37,572 37,361
Accumulated deficit (59) (326)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 662 494
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 45,382 37,529
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $ 316,418 $ 299,663
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SOMERSET HILLS BANCORP
Statements of Income
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Three months Three months
ended ended
March, 31, March, 31,
2009 2008
------------ ------------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Interest Income:
Loans, including fees $ 2,888 $ 3,437
Investment securities 563 472
Federal funds sold 2 36
Interest bearing deposits with other
banks 11 6
------------ ------------
Total interest income 3,464 3,951
Interest Expense:
Deposits 790 1,199
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 91 90
------------ ------------
Total interest expense 881 1,289
Net interest income 2,583 2,662
Provision for loan losses 450 70
------------ ------------
Net interest income after provision
for loan losses 2,133 2,592
------------ ------------
Non-Interest Income:
Service fees on deposit accounts 71 66
Gains on sales of mortgage loans,net 285 257
Bank owned life insurance 645 87
Other income 70 55
------------ ------------
Total Non-Interest Income 1,071 465
------------ ------------
Non-Interest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits 1,480 1,305
Occupancy expense 508 484
Advertising & business promotion 41 60
Stationery and supplies 65 43
Data processing 120 139
Other operating expense 452 406
------------ ------------
Total Non-Interest Expense 2,666 2,437
------------ ------------
Income before provision for taxes 538 620
(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes (81) 176
------------ ------------
Net income $ 619 $ 444
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Per share data
Net income basic $ 0.10 $ 0.08
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Net income diluted $ 0.10 $ 0.08
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