FITZGERALD, Ga., April 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CBAN), today reported net income of $1,078,000, or $0.11 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2009, down 51.29 percent from first quarter 2008 net income of $2,213,000, or $0.31 per diluted share. The continued downturn of the housing and real estate market that began in 2007 and the economy in general has contributed to financial results well below our historic standards. Challenges in the housing and real estate market continued to have a significant impact on our loan portfolio and earnings in the first quarter. The Company's net income was impacted primarily from increased provisions for loan losses. "Credit quality issues and a slowing economy have created an unprecedented operating environment for the banking industry. Though first quarter earnings are disappointing, our solid core earnings continue to provide strong support for loss provisions needed to cover our problem loan losses. We remain committed to aggressively moving through this down economic cycle in a timely and prudent manner," said Al D. Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Company continues to closely monitor our real estate dependent loans and focus on asset quality. Non-performing assets increased to $53.1 million, or 5.45 percent of total loans and other real estate owned as of March 31, 2009. This compares to $48.2 million, or 4.95 percent as of December 31, 2008 and $18.2 million, or 1.92 percent as of March 31, 2008. The increase in non-performing assets ties directly to the elevated risk in our residential and land development loan portfolio and has resulted in increased loan loss provisions in 2009 compared to 2008; thus a significant negative impact on our 2009 net income. The first quarter 2009 provision for loan losses were $4,225,000 compared to $1,071,000 for the same period in 2008. Unusually high levels of loan loss provision have been required as company management addresses asset quality deterioration associated with the continued economic downturn.
In the first quarter of 2009 net charge-offs were $2,245,000, or 0.23 percent of average loans as compared to net charge-offs of $1,364,000, or 0.14 percent of average loans in first quarter 2008. The loan loss reserve was $19 million on March 31, 2009, or 1.97 percent of total loans compared to $15.2 million or 1.61 percent on March 31, 2008. Management believes that recent contributions to Allowance for Loan Losses adequately address the increase in non-performing assets and the related increase in classified assets. "While the economy has given little indication of stabilizing, our strategy will be the same to recognize and move problem assets through our process as quickly as possible," said Ross. "We expect problem assets and charge-offs to be elevated above historical levels as we work through our problem assets, but our strong capital position enables us to absorb losses without impairing the company's financial soundness."
Another significant factor negatively impacting earnings has been the reduction of net interest income. Net interest income decreased to $9,060,000 in first quarter 2009 compared to $9,605,000 in first quarter 2008. This reduction ties directly to the aggressive posture taken by Federal Reserve as they lowered interest rates an almost unprecedented 400 basis points during 2008 to combat the downturn in the real estate market and recessionary fears. The significant rate reduction along with the impact of loans being placed on non-accrual status in which interest receivable is reversed and interest accrual discontinued resulted in Colony's net interest margin declining to 3.06 percent in first quarter 2009 compared to 3.44 percent in first quarter 2008. We expect margin improvement in 2009 as we re-price our liabilities in response to the current interest rate environment. Also the Company began efforts during 2008 to establish floors on variable rate loans to minimize the impact of sharp declines in indexes on which the Company normally sets loan pricing.
On a positive note, noninterest income was boosted significantly during first quarter 2009 as the Company executed a bond swap to restructure its bond portfolio. Colony realized gross gains on the sale of securities of $2,317,000, or after tax income of $1,529,000. The transaction allowed Colony to sell mortgage-backed securities at a gain to build capital to protect against non-performing loans in the loan portfolio; to take advantage of mortgage-backed pricing due to unprecedented market factors; to add exposure to ARM mortgage-backed securities with 2-4 years of lock out before adjustment period; and to better position for a rising rate environment in the future.
During 2008 the Company merged all of its operations into one sole operating subsidiary which allowed the Company to implement operational enhancements. First quarter 2009 noninterest expense was $7,361,000, or a reduction of 5.11 percent from first quarter 2008 noninterest expense of $7,757,000. This improvement was accomplished while at the same time Colony experienced an increase in FDIC insurance assessment to $404 thousand in first quarter 2009 compared to $118 thousand in first quarter 2008 and repossession/foreclosure expense increased to $231 thousand from $44 thousand in the same period.
The Company had total assets of $1,283,005,000, gross loans of $962,822,000, total deposits of $1,011,695,000 and total equity of $109,527,000 at March 31, 2009. Common shareholders' equity to total assets was 6.41 percent at March 31, 2009 compared to 7.26 percent at March 31, 2008.
Colony continues to maintain a strong capital position, which was strengthened by the completion of the sale on January 9, 2009 of $28 million in preferred stock and warrants to the U.S. Treasury through its Capital Purchase Program. At March 31, 2009, the company's capital ratios were as follows: Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital of 11.83 percent, Leverage ratio of 9.04 percent and Total Risk-Based Capital of 14.86 percent. Utilization of these funds during first quarter 2009 were new and renewed loan originations totaling $198 million, of which $79 million represented new loan extensions either funded or committed. Also, new mortgage-backed securities purchased during first quarter 2009 resulted in a net increase of mortgage-backed security holdings of approximately $38 million.
During the quarter the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0975 per share compared to $0.0975 declared in first quarter 2008. Though earnings declined from 2008 due to aggressively addressing problem loans during this economic downturn, the capital position of Colony allowed the board to remain comfortable holding the dividend payout at its current level. To be categorized as "well-capitalized" by regulatory requirements, a company must maintain a 10 percent total capital to risk-based assets ratio. At March 31, 2009, Colony remained in excess of the regulatory requirement as its total capital to risk-based assets ratio was 14.86 percent.
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia that consists of one operating subsidiary, Colony Bank. The Company conducts a general full service commercial, consumer and mortgage banking business through thirty offices located in the middle and south Georgia cities of Fitzgerald, Warner Robins, Centerville, Ashburn, Leesburg, Cordele, Albany, Thomaston, Columbus, Sylvester, Tifton, Moultrie, Douglas, Broxton, Savannah, Eastman, Chester, Soperton, Rochelle, Pitts, Quitman and Valdosta, Georgia.
Colony Bankcorp, Inc. Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "CBAN".
Certain statements contained in the preceding release that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified. In addition, certain statements may be contained in the Company's future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of the Company that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statement of plans and objectives of Colony Bankcorp, Inc. or its management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "targeted" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
COLONY BANKCORP, INC. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE EARNINGS SUMMARY 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08 -------- -------- -------- -------- Net Interest Income $9,060 $9,605 $9,060 $9,605 Provision for Loan Losses 4,225 1,071 4,225 1,071 Non-interest Income 3,962 2,371 3,962 2,371 Non-interest Expense 7,361 7,757 7,361 7,757 Income Taxes 358 935 358 935 Net Income 1,078 2,213 1,078 2,213 Preferred Stock Dividend 315 -- 315 -- Net Income Available to Common Shareholders 763 2,213 763 2,213 QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE PER COMMON SHARE SUMMARY 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08 -------- -------- -------- -------- Common Shares Outstanding 7,231,163 7,216,113 7,231,163 7,216,113 Weighted Average Basic Shares 7,202,865 7,191,861 7,202,865 7,191,861 Weighted Average Diluted Shares 7,202,865 7,191,861 7,202,865 7,191,861 Earnings Per Basic Share (b) $0.11 $0.31 $0.11 $0.31 Earnings Per Diluted Share (b) $0.11 $0.31 $0.11 $0.11 Dividends Declared Per Share $0.09 $0.09 $0.09 $0.0975 Common Book Value Per Share $11.38 $11.92 $11.38 $11.92 Tangible Book Value Per Share $11.00 $11.53 $11.00 $11.53 QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE OPERATING RATIOS (1) 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08 -------- -------- -------- -------- Net Interest Margin (a) 3.06% 3.44% 3.06% 3.44% Return on Average Assets (b) 0.24% 0.74% 0.24% 0.74% Return on Average Common Equity (b) 3.63% 10.38% 3.63% 10.38% Efficiency (c) 68.25% 67.45% 68.25% 67.45% (1) Annualized (a) Computed using fully taxable-equivalent net income (b) Computed using net income available to shareholders (c) Computed by dividing non-interest expense by the sum of fully taxable-equivalent net interest income and non-interest income and excluding any security gains/losses. QUARTER ENDED 03/31/09 03/31/08 ENDING BALANCES -------- -------- Total Assets $1,283,005 $1,185,226 Loans, Net of Reserves 943,674 927,958 Allowance for Loan Losses 18,996 15,220 Goodwill 2,412 2,412 Intangible Assets 358 393 Deposits 1,011,695 993,556 Common Shareholders' Equity 82,277 86,014 Common Equity to Total Assets 6.41% 7.26% QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE AVERAGE BALANCES 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total Assets $1,268,612 $1,190,063 $1,268,612 $1,190,063 Loans, Net of Reserves 939,326 931,352 939,326 931,352 Deposits 999,172 998,685 999,172 998,685 Common Shareholders' Equity 84,118 85,260 84,118 85,260 QUARTER ENDED YEAR-TO-DATE ASSET QUALITY 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08 -------- -------- -------- -------- Nonperforming Loans $40,166 $14,438 $40,166 $14,438 Nonperforming Assets 53,130 18,196 53,130 18,196 Net Loan Chg-offs (Recoveries) 2,245 1,364 2,245 1,364 Reserve for Loan Loss to Gross Loans 1.97% 1.61% 1.97% 1.61% Reserve for Loan Loss to Non-performing Loans 47.29% 105.42% 47.29% 105.42% Reserve for Loan Loss to Non-performing Assets 35.75% 83.64% 35.75% 83.64% Net Loan Chg-offs (Recoveries) to Avg Gross Loans 0.23% 0.14% 0.23% 0.14% Nonperforming Loans to Gross Loans 4.17% 1.53% 4.17% 1.53% Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets 4.14% 1.54% 4.14% 1.54% Nonperforming Assets to Total Loans And Other Real Estate 5.45% 1.92% 5.45% 1.92% Quarterly Comparative Data (in thousands, except per share data) 1Q2009 4Q2008 3Q2008 2Q2008 1Q2008 Assets $1,283,005 $1,252,782 $1,215,330 $1,211,212 $1,185,226 Loans 943,674 943,841 952,504 936,608 927,958 Deposits 1,011,695 1,006,992 977,752 976,322 993,556 Common Share- holders' Equity 82,277 83,215 82,806 83,823 86,014 Net Income 1,078 (670) 194 292 2,213 Net Income Available to Common Shareholders 763 (670) 194 292 2,213 Net Income Per Share 0.11 (0.09) 0.03 0.04 0.31 Dividends Declared Per Share 0.0975 0.0975 0.0975 0.0975 0.0975 Key Performance Ratios 1Q2009 4Q2008 3Q2008 2Q2008 1Q2008 Return on Assets (1) 0.24% (0.22)% 0.06% 0.10% 0.74% Return on Equity (1) 3.63% (3.25)% 0.93% 1.36% 10.38% Common Equity to Total Assets 6.41% 6.64% 6.81% 6.92% 7.26% Net Interest Margin 3.06% 3.18% 3.34% 3.24% 3.44% (1) Computed using net income available to shareholders Consolidated Balance Sheets Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (in thousands) Mar. 31, Mar. 31, 2009 2008 ---------- ---------- (unaudited) (audited) ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Due from Banks $21,485 $24,457 Federal Funds Sold -- 12,697 21,485 37,154 ------ ------ Interest-Bearing Deposits 373 1,279 --- ----- Investment Securities Available for Sale, at Fair Value 244,549 156,004 Held for Maturity, at Cost (Fair Value of $64 and $73 as of Mar. 31, 2008 and Mar 31, 2007, Respectively) 62 68 -- -- 244,611 156,072 ------- ------- Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost 6,345 5,395 ----- ----- Loans 962,822 943,412 Allowance for Loan Losses (18,996) (15,220) Unearned Interest and Fees (152) (234) ----- ----- 943,674 927,958 ------- ------- Premises and Equipment 29,579 28,527 ------ ------ Other Real Estate 12,964 3,758 ------ ----- Goodwill 2,412 2,412 ----- ----- Other Intangible Assets 358 393 --- --- Other Assets 21,204 22,278 ------ ------ Total Assets $1,283,005 $1,185,226 ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits Noninterest-Bearing $70,365 $76,600 Interest-Bearing 941,330 916,956 ------- ------- 1,011,695 993,556 --------- ------- Borrowed Money Federal Funds Purchased 1,178 2,917 Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase 40,000 -- Subordinated Debentures 24,229 24,229 Other Borrowed Money 91,000 70,900 ------ ------ 156,407 98,046 ------- ------ Other Liabilities 5,376 7,610 ----- ----- Stockholders' Equity Preferred Stock, Par Value $1,000; Authorized 10,000,000 Shares, Issued 28,000 Shares 27,250 -- Common Stock, Par Value $1; Authorized 20,000,000 Shares, Issued 7,231,163 and 7,216,113 Shares 7,231 7,216 Paid in Capital 25,407 24,601 Retained Earnings 51,326 53,596 Restricted Stock- Unearned Compensation (314) (410) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (1,373) 1,011 ------- ------ 109,527 86,014 ------- ------ Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $1,283,005 $1,185,226 ========== ========== Consolidated Statements of Income Colony Bankcorp, Inc. (in thousands except per share data) Quarter Year-to-Date Three Months Ended Three Months Ended 03/31/09 03/31/08 03/31/09 03/31/08 -------- -------- -------- -------- (unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited) Interest Income Loans, Including Fees $14,197 $18,351 $14,197 $18,351 Federal Funds Sold 5 155 5 155 Deposits with Other Banks -- 11 -- 11 Investment Securities U.S. Government Agencies 2,047 1,679 2,047 1,679 State, County and Municipal 88 138 88 138 Corporate Obligations/ Asset-Backed Sec 123 94 123 94 Dividends on Other Investments -- 84 -- 84 -- -- -- -- 16,460 20,512 16,460 20,512 ------ ------ ------ ------ Interest Expense Deposits 6,173 9,672 6,173 9,672 Federal Funds Purchased and Repurchase Agreements 232 27 232 27 Borrowed Money 995 1,208 995 1,208 --- ----- --- ----- 7,400 10,907 7,400 10,907 ----- ------ ----- ------ Net Interest Income 9,060 9,605 9,060 9,605 Provision for Loan Losses 4,225 1,071 4,225 1,071 ----- ----- ----- ----- Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses 4,835 8,534 4,835 8,534 ----- ----- ----- ----- Noninterest Income Service Charges on Deposits 988 1,165 988 1,165 Other Service Charges, Commissions and Fees 236 254 236 254 Mortgage Fee Income 102 169 102 169 Securities Gains 2,317 570 2,317 570 Other 319 213 319 213 --- --- --- --- 3,962 2,371 3,962 2,371 ----- ----- ----- ----- Noninterest Expense Salaries and Employee Benefits 3,807 4,403 3,807 4,403 Occupancy and Equipment 1,009 1,007 1,009 1,007 Other 2,545 2,347 2,545 2,347 ----- ----- ----- ----- 7,361 7,757 7,361 7,757 ----- ----- ----- ----- Income Before Income Taxes 1,436 3,148 1,436 3,148 Income Taxes 358 935 358 935 --- --- --- --- Net Income $1,078 $2,213 $1,078 $2,213 ------ ------ ------ ------ Preferred Stock Dividends 315 -- 315 -- Net Income Available to Common Shareholders $763 $2,213 $763 $2,213 ==== ====== ==== ====== Net Income Per Share of Common Stock Basic $0.11 $0.31 $0.11 $0.31 ===== ===== ===== ===== Diluted $0.11 $0.31 $0.11 $0.31 ===== ===== ===== ===== Weighted Average Basic Shares Outstanding 7,202,865 7,191,861 7,202,865 7,191,861 ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted Average Diluted Shares Outstanding 7,202,865 7,191,861 7,202,865 7,191,861 ========= ========= ========= =========