Tennessee Commerce Bancorp Reports Net Income of $1.7 Million for First Quarter


Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.24 Compared to a Loss of $0.56 for the Same Period Last Year

Margin Improves for Fifth Consecutive Quarter to 4.25%

FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 21, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tennessee Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:TNCC), parent company of Tennessee Commerce Bank, reported the following quarterly highlights for the first quarter of 2010.

Quarterly Highlights

  • Net income for the first quarter of 2010, before the preferred dividend, was $1.7 million compared to a net loss of $2.2 million reported for the first quarter of 2009.
  • Diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter of 2010 was $0.24 compared to a loss of $0.56 for the first quarter of 2009.
  • Net interest income of $13.2 million represents an improvement of 34.6% when compared to the first quarter of 2009 net interest income of $9.8 million.
  • Efficiency ratio improves to 46.7% for the first quarter of 2010 when compared to a 50.0% efficiency ratio reported for the first quarter of 2009. 

Net interest income of $13.2 million for the first quarter of 2010 represents an improvement of 34.6% when compared to $9.8 million for the first quarter of 2009. As a result of the improvement in net interest income, the net interest margin has improved to 4.25% during the first quarter of 2010 compared to 3.39% during the same period last year and 4.18% in the fourth quarter of 2009. Funding costs for deposits decreased 124 basis points when compared to the first quarter of 2009 while the yield on loans decreased only 15 basis points. Funding costs decreased 23 basis points while yield on loans decreased only eight basis points from the fourth quarter of 2009. These positive changes contributed to the 86 basis points increase in our net margin when compared to the first quarter of 2009 and seven basis point improvement when compared to the fourth quarter of 2009.

"This represents the fifth consecutive quarter of net interest margin expansion and is a direct reflection of our continued focus on driving down the cost of funds and maintaining loan yields," stated Mike Sapp, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tennessee Commerce Bancorp.

Total loans were up 1% from the fourth quarter to $1.2 billion while total assets and total deposits were essentially flat at $1.4 billion. This reflects the company's strategy of slowing growth in order to enhance its capital position given the current economic climate.

Non-performing assets increased to $41.5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2010 compared to $39.0 million for the first quarter of 2009 which represents the peak level of 2009 and, $21.3 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009. Repossessed assets, mainly transportation assets, increased by $3.0 million from the fourth quarter of 2009 to $39.9 million. "We were not surprised by the increase in non-performing assets during the quarter as our non-performing assets typically increase during the first quarter and subsequently decrease throughout the remainder of the year," continued Mr. Sapp.  "The first quarter historically represents the toughest quarter for the transportation sensitive assets in our portfolio. In addition to the seasonal factors the remainder of the increase was from three separate loan situations in which we are secured and have established appropriate reserves."

The loan loss provision of $4.6 million for the first quarter of 2010 exceeded the net charge offs of $4.4 million, resulting in a loan loss provision to net charge-off ratio of 104.5%. The allowance for loan losses for the first quarter of 2010 was $20.1 million or 1.7% of total loans. The coverage ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans for the first quarter of 2010 was 49%.  Even though the ratio declined from the previous quarter, we expect it to steadily increase throughout the year and return to the coverage levels that we saw at the end of year as non-performers declined."

Non-interest income was approximately $687,000 for the first quarter of 2010 compared with a non-interest loss of $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 and approximately $27,000 in the first quarter of 2009. The improvement in non-interest income for the first quarter of 2010 was primarily due to fees associated with a leveraged lease slightly offset by an increase in losses on repossessions and loan buybacks exceeding gains on loan sales. We began to see a pickup in sales of loan pools and loan participations in the first quarter of 2010 which generated approximately $202,000 in gains.

Non-interest expenses increased to $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2010 when compared to $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2009. The increase is mainly attributed to the following: approximately $472,000 attributed to increased loan expense and collection costs, approximately $433,000 in personnel expenses due to the addition of ten employees since the first quarter of 2009, and approximately $230,000 attributed to increased data processing fees. The increase in non-interest expense was in line with our expectations. Our overhead expense ratio as a percentage of assets places us in the top 5th percentile of our peer group as defined by the Uniform Bank Performance Report as of December 31, 2009.

The efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2010 was 46.7% compared to 50.0% in the first quarter of 2009 and continues to be among one of the best efficiency ratios in the industry based on the information in the Uniform Bank Performance Report as of December 31, 2009.

The holding company and the bank continue to exceed the well capitalized regulatory guidelines of 10.00% for total risk-based capital and 6.00% for Tier 1 capital. Total risk-based capital was 10.82% for the holding company and 10.72% for the bank. Tier 1 capital was 9.57% for the holding company and 9.46% for the bank.. Tangible book value at the end of the quarter increased to $12.06 from $11.81 at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009. Tangible common equity increased to 4.96% at March 31, 2010 up from 4.81% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009.

In conclusion, Mr. Sapp stated, "We were pleased that our first-quarter earnings generated additional capital resulting in strengthening ratios.  Continued earnings and managing balance sheet growth will allow us to continue this trend. We are seeing delinquencies stabilize and expect to see reductions in our portfolio of repossessed assets over the next several months as demand for trucks and trailers appears to be strengthening. The increase in non-performing assets was a result of seasonal factors, on one hand and on several specific loan situations for which we have clearly defined workout plans and qualified staff to execute those plans, on the other. Finally, we are confident that our investments in people and technology during the past year will pay dividends as the overall economy continues to improve."

Fourth Quarter Conference Call

Tennessee Commerce will provide an online, real-time webcast and rebroadcast of its first quarter earnings conference call to be held at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on April 21, 2010. The live broadcast will be available online at http://www.tncommercebank.com under the Investor Relations tab.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call's completion on our website at http://www.tncommercebank.com under the Investor Relations tab or by dialing one of the following Dial-In Numbers and the Conference ID shown below:

Encore Dial In #: (800) 642-1687

Encore Dial In #: (706) 645-9291

Conference ID number: 68528917

Web PIN: 7422

The recording will be available on our website from: 04/21/2010 14:00 to 05/05/2010 23:59

About Tennessee Commerce Bancorp, Inc.

Tennessee Commerce Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Tennessee Commerce Bank. The Company celebrated its tenth anniversary on January 14, 2010. The Bank provides a wide range of banking services and is primarily focused on business accounts. Its corporate and banking offices are located in Franklin, Tennessee, and it has loan production offices in Atlanta, Birmingham and Minneapolis. Tennessee Commerce Bancorp's stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol TNCC.

Additional information concerning Tennessee Commerce can be accessed at www.tncommercebank.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of Tennessee Commerce Bancorp's financial condition, results of operations, asset and credit quality trends and ratio of allowance to non-performing loans and profitability. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "outlook," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "project,"  "intend," "could" and "should," and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements express management's current expectations or forecasts of future events and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties and there are a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, market, economic, operational, liquidity, credit and interest rate risks associated with Tennessee Commerce's business, competition, government legislation and policies, ability of Tennessee Commerce to execute its business plan, changes in the economy which could materially impact credit quality trends and the ability to generate loans and gather deposits, failure or circumvention of our internal controls, failure or disruption of our information systems, significant changes in accounting, tax or regulatory practices or requirements, new legal obligations or liabilities or unfavorable resolutions of litigation, other matters discussed in this press release and other factors identified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release, and Tennessee Commerce undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or conditions after the date of this release. Tennessee Commerce is not responsible for updating the information contained in this press release beyond the published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet services.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reported amounts are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Company's management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information, which consists of measurements and ratios based on tangible equity and tangible assets, is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company's financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies.

The Company also uses an efficiency ratio that is a non-GAAP financial measure. The ratio that the Company uses excludes amortization of core deposit intangibles, expenses on other real estate owned and other repossessed assets and, where applicable, long-term debt prepayment fees. Income for the non-GAAP ratio is increased by the favorable effect of tax-exempt income and excludes securities gains and losses, which can vary from period to period. The Company uses this ratio because it believes the ratio provides a better comparison of period to period operating performance.

TENNESSEE COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
MARCH 31, 2010 (UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 2009
     
(Dollars in thousands, except share data) 2010 2009 (1)
ASSETS    
Cash and due from banks $6,710 $22,864
Federal funds sold  9,710  15,010
Cash and cash equivalents  16,420  37,874
     
Securities available for sale  96,506  93,668
     
Loans  1,186,171  1,171,301
Allowance for loan losses  (20,110)  (19,913)
Net loans  1,166,061  1,151,388
     
Premises and equipment, net  2,058  1,967
Accrued interest receivable  10,321  9,711
Restricted equity securities  2,169  2,169
Income tax receivable  --   68
Bank-owned life insurance  25,860  25,673
Other assets  63,456  60,914
Total assets  $ 1,382,851  $ 1,383,432
     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY    
Liabilities    
Deposits    
Non-interest-bearing $23,108 $30,111
Interest-bearing  1,216,727  1,212,431
Total deposits  1,239,835  1,242,542
     
Accrued interest payable  1,558  1,430
Accrued dividend payable  188  187
Short-term borrowings  12,073  14,000
Other liabilities  7,592  5,783
Long-term subordinated debt  23,198  23,198
Total liabilities  1,284,444  1,287,140
Shareholders equity    
Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized; 30,000 shares of $0.50 par value Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual, Series A issued and outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009  15,000  15,000
Common stock, $0.50 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2010 and at December 31, 2009; 5,648,384 and 4,731,696 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively  2,823  2,823
Common stock warrant  453  453
Additional paid-in capital  63,368  63,247
Retained earnings  17,410  16,056
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income  (647)  (1,287)
Total shareholders equity  98,407  96,292
     
Total liabilities and shareholders equity $1,382,851 $1,383,432

(1) The balance sheet at December 31, 2009 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

TENNESSEE COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009
(UNAUDITED)
     
(Dollars in thousands except share data) 2010 2009
Interest income    
Loans, including fees $19,264 $17,896
Securities  1,237  1,555
Federal funds sold  2  5
Total interest income  20,503  19,456
     
Interest expense    
Deposits  6,721  9,129
Other  533  487
Total interest expense  7,254  9,616
     
Net interest income  13,249  9,840
     
Provision for loan losses  4,600  8,514
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  8,649  1,326
     
Non-interest income    
Service charges on deposit accounts  27  43
Securities gains  419  418
Loss on sale of loans  (210)  (360)
Loss on repossession  (875)  (211)
Other  1,326  137
Total non-interest (loss) income  687  27
     
Non-interest expense    
Salaries and employee benefits  2,715  2,349
Occupancy and equipment  477  410
Data processing fees  534  304
FDIC expense  546  477
Professional fees  551  390
Other  1,686  1,003
Total non-interest expense  6,509  4,933
     
Income (loss) before income taxes  2,827  (3,580)
     
Income tax expense (benefit)   1,098  (1,364)
Net income (loss)  1,729  (2,216)
Preferred dividends  (375)  (444)
     
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $1,354 $(2,660)
     
Earnings (loss) per share (EPS):    
Basic EPS $0.24 $(0.56)
Diluted EPS  0.24  (0.56)
     
Weighted average shares outstanding:    
Basic 5,647,369 4,738,638
Diluted 5,700,743 4,738,638
 
Tennessee Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
Financial Highlights
 
(Dollars in thousands except ratios and share data)
       
  2010 2009 % Change
For the Quarter Ending March 31,      
Earnings:      
Net Interest Income  $13,249  $9,840 34.64%
Non-Interest Income  687  27 2444.44%
Provision for Loan Losses  4,600  8,514 -45.97%
Operating Expense  6,509  4,933 31.95%
Operating Income  2,827  (3,580) 178.97%
Applicable Tax  1,098  (1,364) 180.50%
Net Income (loss)  1,729  (2,216) 178.02%
Preferred Dividends  375  444 -15.54%
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders $1,354 $(2,660) 150.90%
       
At March 31      
Total Assets $1,382,851 $1,275,134 8.45%
Net Loans  1,166,061 1,088,518 7.12%
Earning Assets  1,272,277 1,188,556 7.04%
Allowance for Loan Losses  20,110 15,424 30.38%
Deposits  1,239,835 1,095,307 13.20%
Shareholders' Equity $98,407 $101,747 -3.28%
       
Total Shares Outstanding  5,648,384  4,731,696 19.37%
       
Significant Ratios - 1st Quarter      
Net Interest Margin 4.25% 3.39% 25.37%
Return on Average Assets 0.40% -0.86% -146.51%
Return on Average Common Equity 8.13% -15.22% -153.42%
Efficiency Ratio 46.71% 49.99% -6.56%
Loan Loss Reserve/Loans 1.70% 1.40% 21.43%
Capital/Assets 7.12% 7.69% -7.41%
Basic Earnings per Share - YTD $0.24 $(0.56) -142.86%
Diluted Earnings per Share - YTD $0.24 $(0.56) -142.86%
 
TENNESSEE COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
LOAN DATA
           
(amounts in thousands)          
  3/31/2010 12/31/2009 9/30/2009 6/30/2009 3/31/2009
LOAN BALANCES BY TYPE:          
Commercial and Industrial  $651,382  $649,475  $637,016  $639,287  $635,943
Consumer  3,581  3,476  3,421  3,827  3,628
Real Estate:          
Construction  135,416  142,109  206,512  216,208  202,034
1-4 Family  44,339  42,425  40,033  37,988  38,257
Other  268,119  259,220  198,653  175,510  172,771
Total Real Estate  447,874  443,754  445,198  429,706  413,062
Other  83,334  74,596  74,070  74,299  51,309
Total  $1,186,171  $1,171,301  $1,159,705  $1,147,119  $1,103,942
           
ASSET QUALITY DATA:          
Nonaccrual Loans  $34,792  $19,151  $28,854  $23,332  $24,342
Loans 90+ Days Past Due  6,232  1,328  1,332  2,240  9,605
Total Non-Performing Loans  41,024  20,479  30,186  25,572  33,947
Other Real Estate Owned  480  814  1,254  5,635  5,045
Total Non-Performing Assets  $41,504  $21,293  $31,440  $31,207  $38,992
           
Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans 3.5% 1.7% 2.6% 2.2% 3.1%
Non-Performing Assets to Total Loans and OREO 3.5% 1.8% 2.7% 2.7% 3.5%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Non-Performing Loans 49.0% 97.2% 65.2% 74.1% 45.4%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Loans 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7% 1.4%
Loans 30+ Days Past Due to Total Loans (loans not included in non-performing loans) 4.5% 4.5% 3.0% 3.3% 4.9%
Net Chargeoffs to Average Gross Loans  0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 0.9% 0.6%
           
           
NET CHARGE-OFFS FOR QUARTER   $4,403  $3,927  $4,498  $9,611  $6,544
           
Transportation & Other Equipment :          
Nonaccrual Loans (included above)   $21,019  $11,596  $10,486  $2,850  $7,838
Loans 90+ Days Past Due (included above)   5,868  1,328  1,311  2,240  1,196
Repossessions  $29,299  $24,980  $21,262  $16,363  $11,657
 
TENNESSEE COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
  2010 Q1 2009 Q4 2009 Q3 2009 Q2 2009 Q1  
Total Assets   $1,382,851  $1,383,432  $1,335,751  $1,339,539  $1,275,134  
Total Net Loans   1,166,061  1,151,388  1,140,015  1,128,181  1,088,518  
Total Deposits   1,239,835  1,242,541  1,202,285  1,203,681  1,095,307  
Reserves/ Loans (%) 1.70% 1.70% 1.70% 1.65% 1.40%  
Common Equity   66,644  66,523  63,163  61,141  68,472  
Tangible Common Equity   66,644  66,523  63,163  61,141  68,472  
Net Interest Income   13,249  13,201  11,424  10,451  9,840  
Operating Revenue   13,936  11,825  12,777  8,890  9,867  
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders  1,354  1,276  1,161  (6,901)  (2,660)  
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share  $0.24  $0.27  $0.25  $(1.46)  $(0.56)  
ROAA 0.40% 0.38% 0.34% -2.13% -0.86%  
ROACE 8.13% 7.94% 7.46% -42.50% -15.22%  
Net Interest Margin 4.25% 4.18% 3.61% 3.45% 3.39%  
Tangible Common Equity/ Total Assets 4.82% 4.81% 4.73% 4.56% 5.37%  
Total Capital Ratio - Bank 10.72% 10.63% 10.68% 10.53% 10.61%  
Total Capital Ratio - Corporation 10.82% 10.81% 10.59% 10.49% 11.40%  
             
Pre-tax, Pre-Provision Income  7,427  11,758  7,758  2,505  4,934  
Net Income  1,729  1,651  1,536  (6,549)  (2,216)  
Net Income Available to Common SH  1,354  1,276  1,161  (6,901)  (2,660)  
Average assets  1,371,526  1,307,205  1,294,717  1,270,035  1,241,497  
Average Common Equity  67,526  63,718  61,754  65,128  70,274  
             
PT,PP ROAA 0.13% 0.90% 0.45% 0.10% 0.10%  
  90 365 273 181 91  
  365 365 365 365 365  
ROAA 0.10% 0.10% 0.09% -0.54% -0.21%  
ROEE 2.01% 2.00% 1.88% -10.60% -3.79%  


            

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