Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Net Earnings


Second Quarter 2010 Results - Compared to Second Quarter 2009:

  • Continued profitability with net earnings of $1.6 million or $0.44 per share
  • Net interest margin increased by 18 basis points
  • Noninterest income improved due to significant decline in other-than-temporary impairment charges
  • Credit quality continued to compare favorably to industry peers; nonperforming assets to total assets of 1.98%
  • Strengthened loan loss reserve to 1.75% of total loans at June 30, 2010, compared to 1.24% at June 30, 2009
  • Maintained strong balance sheet with a tangible common equity ratio of 7.38%

AUBURN, Ala., July 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auburn National Bancorporation (Nasdaq:AUBN) reported net earnings of approximately $1.6 million, or $0.44 per share, for the second quarter of 2010, compared to $0.9 million, or $0.25 per share, for the second quarter of 2009.  Net earnings for the first six months of 2010 were $3.2 million, or $0.88 per share, compared to $1.2 million, or $0.32 per share, for the same period in 2009.

Excluding the effects of non-operating items such as securities gains (losses) and expenses related to other real estate owned and prepayment penalties on long-term debt, second quarter 2010 operating net earnings were approximately $1.5 million, or $0.40 per share, compared to second quarter 2009 operating net earnings of approximately $1.7 million, or $0.46 per share. 

E.L. Spencer, Jr., President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, commented: "In addition to maintaining strong capital and liquidity, the Company continues to generate solid profits in a difficult operating environment. We believe the Company is well positioned for continued profitability in 2010."

Net interest income (tax-equivalent) was $5.1 million for the second quarter of 2010, an increase of approximately 4% from the second quarter of 2009. Net interest income (tax-equivalent) increased primarily due to net interest margin expansion. Average loans were $378.5 million in the second quarter of 2010, an increase of $4.0 million, or 1% from the second quarter of 2009. Average deposits were $606.0 million in the second quarter of 2010, a decrease of $5.2 million, or 1%, from the second quarter of 2009.

Mr. Spencer continued, "The Company has been able to maintain its volume of total loans outstanding despite industry trends to the contrary. While loan growth will remain a challenge for the foreseeable future, we believe the Company is well positioned for growth as the economy and loan demand improve."

The provision for loan losses during the second quarter of 2010 was $750,000, compared to $700,000 in the second quarter of 2009. The Company's annualized net charge-off ratio was 0.76% in the second quarter of 2010, compared to 0.63% in the second quarter of 2009

Nonperforming assets decreased on a linked-quarter basis. Nonperforming assets were 1.98% of total assets at June 30, 2010, compared to 2.28% of total assets at March 31, 2010.

Mr. Spencer continued, "We continue to work diligently to resolve and reduce our nonperforming assets. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company reported a net decrease in nonperforming assets of $2.5 million or 14% when compared to the first quarter of 2010. More importantly, the majority of the decrease was due to payments received and not charge-offs or write-downs."

Operating noninterest income (which excludes non-operating items mentioned below) was approximately $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared to $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2009. This change is primarily due to a decrease in mortgage lending income, reflecting a significant decrease in the level of mortgage refinance activity during the second quarter of 2010 compared to the record levels reported during the second quarter of 2009. 

Total noninterest income, including non-operating items, was approximately $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared to $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2009.  The increase in total noninterest income is primarily due to a decrease in other-than-temporary impairment charges reflected within net securities gains (losses). The Company recorded no other-than-temporary impairment charges in the second quarter of 2010, compared to approximately $1.3 million of other-than-temporary impairment charges in the second quarter of 2009. Other-than-temporary impairment charges recognized in earnings during the second quarter of 2009 primarily related to the Company's investments in pooled trust preferred securities and the common stock and trust preferred securities of Silverton Financial Services, Inc.

Operating noninterest expense (which excludes non-operating items mentioned below) was approximately $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared to $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2009. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in FDIC and other regulatory assessments of $0.3 million. FDIC and other regulatory assessments expense for the second quarter of 2009 included a one-time special assessment charge from the FDIC.

Total noninterest expense, including non-operating items, was approximately $4.8 million during the second quarter of 2010, compared to $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2009. The increase in total noninterest expense is primarily due to an increase in other real estate owned expense of $0.9 million and prepayment penalties on long-term debt of $0.3 million. These charges were partially offset by a decrease in FDIC and other regulatory assessments expense of $0.3 million previously discussed. The increase in other real estate owned expense primarily related to write-downs of the carrying value of certain foreclosed (OREO) properties based on current appraisals.   

In the second quarter of 2010, the Company paid cash dividends of $0.195 per share.  At June 30, 2010, the Bank's regulatory capital was well above the minimum amounts required to be "well capitalized."

About Auburn National Bancorporation

Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. (the "Company") is the parent company of AuburnBank (the "Bank"), with total assets of approximately $784 million. The Bank is an Alabama state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has operated continuously since 1907. Both the Company and the Bank are headquartered in Auburn, Alabama. The Bank conducts its business in East Alabama, including Lee County and surrounding areas. The Bank operates full-service branches in Auburn, Opelika, Hurtsboro and Notasulga, Alabama. In-store branches are located in the Auburn and Opelika Kroger stores, as well as in the Wal-Mart SuperCenter stores in Auburn, Opelika, and Phenix City, Alabama. Mortgage loan offices are located in Phenix City, Valley and Mountain Brook, Alabama. Additional information about the Company and the Bank may be found by visiting www.auburnbank.com

The Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4903

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements about future financial and operating results, costs and revenues, economic conditions in our markets, loan demand, net interest margin, securities valuations and performance, loan performance, nonperforming assets, charge-offs, collateral values, and credit quality conditions, as well as statements with respect to our objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements, with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or the Bank to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You should not expect us to update any forward-looking statements.

All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and otherwise in our SEC reports and filings.

Explanation of Certain Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). The attached financial highlights provide reconciliations between GAAP net earnings and operating net earnings, which exclude gains or losses on items deemed not to reflect core operations, as well as tax-equivalent net interest income and net interest margin. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of the Company's performance and believes presentations of "operating" and tax-equivalent financial measures provide useful supplemental information, a clearer understanding of the Company's performance, and that operating net earnings better reflect the Company's core operating activities. Management utilizes non-GAAP measures in the calculation of certain of the Company's ratios, in particular, to analyze on a consistent basis over time the performance of what it considers to be its core operations. The Company believes the non-GAAP measures enhance investors' understanding of the Company's business and performance. These measures are also useful in understanding performance trends and facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. The limitations associated with operating measures are the risk that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items comprising these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently. The Company provides reconciliations between GAAP and these non-GAAP measures. These disclosures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP.

                             
                             
Financial Highlights (unaudited)*                            
  Quarter ended June 30 Year ended June 30                    
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2010 2009 2010 2009                    
Results of Operations                            
Net interest income (a)  $ 5,126  $ 4,923  $ 10,394  $ 9,807                    
Less: tax-equivalent adjustment  438  404  875  763                    
Net interest income (GAAP)  4,688  4,519  9,519  9,044                    
Noninterest income  2,792  1,263  5,088  1,174                    
Total revenue  7,480  5,782  14,607  10,218                    
Provision for loan losses  750  700  2,200  1,250                    
Noninterest expense  4,809  3,924  8,445  7,477                    
Income tax expense   314  226  738  313                    
Net earnings   $ 1,607  $ 932  $ 3,224  $ 1,178                    
                             
Per share data:                            
Basic and diluted net earnings:                            
GAAP  $ 0.44 $ 0.25 $ 0.88 $ 0.32                    
Operating (b) 0.40 0.46 0.68 0.96                    
Cash dividends declared $ 0.195 $ 0.190 $ 0.195 $ 0.380                    
Weighted average shares outstanding:                            
Basic and diluted 3,642,877 3,644,491 3,642,996 3,645,652                    
Shares outstanding, at period end 3,642,693 3,644,097 3,642,693 3,644,097                    
Book value  $ 16.21 $ 14.53 $ 16.21 $ 14.53                    
Common stock price:                            
High $ 21.00 $ 30.00 $ 21.95 $ 30.00                    
Low 16.86 21.75 16.86 18.07                    
Period-end: $ 18.80 $ 28.50 $ 18.80 $ 28.50                    
To earnings ratio 15.41x 25.22x 15.41x 25.22x                    
To book value 116% 196% 116% 196%                    
Performance ratios:                            
Return on average equity:                            
GAAP 10.96% 6.63% 11.13% 4.12%                    
Operating (b) 10.01% 11.90% 8.50% 12.26%                    
Return on average assets:                            
GAAP 0.82% 0.46% 0.82% 0.30%                    
Operating (b) 0.75% 0.83% 0.63% 0.89%                    
Dividend payout ratio 44.32% 76.00% 44.32% 118.75%                    
Other financial data:                            
Net interest margin (a) 2.82% 2.64% 2.88% 2.68%                    
Effective income tax rate 16.35% 19.52% 18.63% 20.99%                    
Efficiency ratio (c) 55.50% 56.11% 55.19% 53.88%                    
Asset Quality:                            
Nonperforming assets:                            
Nonperforming (nonaccrual) loans $ 9,151 $ 645 $ 9,151 $ 645                    
Other real estate owned 6,341 5,149 6,341 5,149                    
Total nonperforming assets $ 15,492 $ 5,794 $ 15,492 $ 5,794                    
Net charge-offs $ 716 $ 586 $ 2,115 $ 1,002                    
                             
Allowance for loan losses as a % of:                            
Loans 1.75% 1.24% 1.75% 1.24%                    
Nonperforming loans 72% 720% 72% 720%                    
Nonperforming assets as a % of:                             
Loans and foreclosed properties 4.05% 1.53% 4.05% 1.53%                    
Total assets 1.98% 0.72% 1.98% 0.72%                    
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans 2.43% 0.17% 2.43% 0.17%                    
Net charge-offs (annualized) as a % of average loans 0.76% 0.63% 1.12% 0.54%                    
Selected average balances:                            
Securities $ 326,553 $ 353,168 $ 328,813 $ 345,843                    
Loans, net of unearned income 378,491 374,465 378,790 373,588                    
Total assets 785,286 803,903 784,737 791,667                    
Total deposits 606,041 611,224 602,550 596,158                    
Long-term debt 114,880 120,997 116,604 122,174                    
Total stockholders' equity 58,648 56,265 57,932 57,150                    
Selected period end balances:                            
Securities $ 333,107 $ 349,472 $ 333,107 $ 349,472                    
Loans, net of unearned income 376,624 373,221 376,624 373,221                    
Allowance for loan losses 6,580 4,646 6,580 4,646                    
Total assets 784,124 800,910 784,124 800,910                    
Total deposits 605,755 616,442 605,755 616,442                    
Long-term debt 113,340 118,358 113,340 118,358                    
Total stockholders' equity 59,042 52,948 59,042 52,948                    
                             
*Certain amounts reported in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.                  
(a) Tax equivalent. See "Explanation of Certain Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Measures (unaudited)."                
(b) Operating measures. See "Explanation of Certain Unaudited Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Measures (unaudited)."              
(c) Efficiency ratio is the result of operating noninterest expense divided by the sum of operating noninterest income and tax-equivalent net interest income.                  
                             
                             
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Measures (unaudited):                          
                             
  Quarter ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
                   
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2010 2009 2010 2009                    
Net earnings, as reported (GAAP) $ 1,607 $ 932 $ 3,224 $ 1,178                    
Non-operating items (net of 37% tax):                            
Securities (gains) losses, net (a)  (902) 724  (1,563) 2,321                    
Other real estate owned  574 18  612 5                    
Prepayment penalty on long-term debt  188 --   188 --                     
Operating net earnings $ 1,467 $ 1,674 $ 2,461 $ 3,504                    
                             
Net interest income, as reported (GAAP) $ 4,688 $ 4,519 $ 9,519 $ 9,044                    
Tax-equivalent adjustment 438 404 875 763                    
Net interest income (tax-equivalent) $ 5,126 $ 4,923 $ 10,394 $ 9,807                    
                             
Noninterest income, as reported (GAAP) $ 2,792  $ 1,263 $ 5,088  $ 1,174                    
Non-operating items:                            
Securities (gains) losses, net  (1,431) 758  (2,481) 2,881                    
Operating noninterest income $ 1,361 $ 2,021 $ 2,607 $ 4,055                    
                             
Total Revenue, as reported (GAAP) $ 7,480 $ 5,782 $ 14,607 $10,218                    
Tax-equivalent adjustment 438 404 875 763                    
Non-operating items:                            
Securities (gains) losses, net  (1,431) 758  (2,481) 2,881                    
Total Operating Revenue (tax-equivalent) $ 6,487 $ 6,944 $ 13,001 $ 13,862                    
                             
Noninterest expense, as reported (GAAP) $ 4,809  $ 3,924 $ 8,445  $ 7,477                    
Non-operating items:                            
Other real estate owned  (911)  (28)  (972)  (8)                    
Prepayment penalty on long-term debt  (298) --   (298) --                     
Operating noninterest expense $ 3,600 $ 3,896 $ 7,175 $ 7,469                    
                             
Total stockholders' equity (GAAP) $ 59,042 $ 52,948 $ 59,042 $ 52,948                    
Unrealized (gains) losses on available for                             
sale securities, net of tax  (1,174) 3,305  (1,174) 3,305                    
Tangible Common Equity $ 57,868 $ 56,253 $ 57,868 $ 56,253                    
                             
(a) Any securities losses for which no tax benefit is recorded are included at the gross amount.                    


            

Contact Data