AUGUSTA, Ga., April 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc. (OTCBB:GECR), parent company of First Bank of Georgia, today reported 2013 first quarter net income of $2,307,000 ($0.65 per diluted common share), compared to $1,284,000 ($0.36 per diluted common share) for the three months ended March 31, 2012. This net income represents a 16.36% return on average equity and a 1.94% return on average assets (both annualized). Book value totaled $16.40 per common share at March 31, 2013, up from $14.28 at March 31, 2012.
Remer Y. Brinson III, President and CEO of the Company, stated, "We are pleased to report a record quarter of net income. Due to the continued improvement in our asset quality, we have conservatively reduced our loan loss reserve, in accordance with sound banking practices and proper accounting standards. However, we continue to maintain a healthy loan loss reserve and see improvement in asset quality. In addition, non-interest income included an $806,000 benefit on an insurance policy owned by the bank."
"Deposit growth remains strong and grew 6.36% (annualized) during the first quarter of the year. Loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased slightly during the first quarter and totaled $266,430,000."
Brinson continued, "We are excited about the opening of our seventh branch location which is located in the Kroger shopping center in Evans, Ga. This office will be open in early May and we look forward to serving this vibrant market. Mrs. Phyllis Salazar, Vice President and Office Manager, will be relocating from our West Town Office to deliver the same outstanding service that she and First Bank are known for by our history."
Georgia-Carolina Bancshares' Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.045 per share of common stock payable on May 14, 2013, to shareholders of record as of May 7, 2013. "This dividend represents a 12.5% increase in the $0.04 cash dividend paid in each of the previous four quarters," Brinson stated. "This increased dividend is a reflection of the stability of Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc. and reflects a 1.28% return (annualized) on the last traded stock price of $14.10."
Georgia-Carolina Bancshares' common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "GECR". First Bank of Georgia conducts banking operations through offices in Richmond County (Augusta), Columbia County (Evans and Martinez), and McDuffie County (Thomson), Georgia and operates mortgage origination offices in Augusta and Savannah, Georgia.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "anticipates," "plans" or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, and are made on the basis of management's plans and current analyses of the Company, its business and the industry as a whole. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic and market conditions, competition, interest rate sensitivity and exposure to regulatory and legislative changes, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the Company or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
| GEORGIA-CAROLINA BANCSHARES, INC. | ||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
| (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||
| March 31, | December 31, | |
| 2013 | 2012 | |
| (Unaudited) | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| Cash and due from banks | $ 21,524 | $ 30,279 |
| Securities available-for-sale | 138,302 | 132,760 |
| Loans | 266,430 | 265,831 |
| Allowance for loan losses | (5,490) | (5,954) |
| Loans, net | 260,940 | 259,877 |
| Loans held for sale at fair value | 34,295 | 48,432 |
| Bank-owned life insurance | 10,085 | 10,001 |
| Bank premises and fixed assets | 9,119 | 8,790 |
| Accrued interest receivable | 1,754 | 1,772 |
| Other real estate owned, net of allowance | 5,235 | 5,876 |
| Federal Home Loan Bank stock | 697 | 1,865 |
| Other assets | 7,758 | 6,523 |
| Total assets | $ 489,709 | $ 506,175 |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||
| Deposits | ||
| Non-interest bearing | $ 71,995 | $ 70,880 |
| Interest-bearing: | ||
| NOW accounts | 55,326 | 57,482 |
| Savings | 63,594 | 64,236 |
| Money market accounts | 67,875 | 54,982 |
| Time deposits of $100,000, and over | 107,407 | 111,537 |
| Other time deposits | 57,385 | 57,839 |
| Total deposits | 423,582 | 416,956 |
| Federal Home Loan Bank and other borrowings | -- | 25,028 |
| Repurchase agreements | 2,959 | 3,333 |
| Other liabilities | 4,862 | 4,533 |
| Total liabilities | 431,403 | 449,850 |
| Shareholders' equity | ||
| Preferred stock, par value $.001; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued | -- | -- |
| Common stock, par value $.001; 9,000,000 shares authorized; 3,555,283 and 3,528,296 shares issued and outstanding | 4 | 4 |
| Additional paid-in-capital | 15,777 | 15,687 |
| Retained earnings | 41,342 | 39,177 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 1,183 | 1,457 |
| Total shareholders' equity | 58,306 | 56,325 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 489,709 | $ 506,175 |
| GEORGIA-CAROLINA BANCSHARES, INC. | ||
| Consolidated Statements of Income | ||
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||
| Three Months Ended | ||
| March 31, | ||
| Interest income | 2013 | 2012 |
| Interest and fees on loans | $ 3,884 | $ 4,611 |
| Interest on taxable securities | 514 | 514 |
| Interest on nontaxable securities | 116 | 111 |
| Interest on Federal funds sold and other interest | 6 | 20 |
| Total interest income | 4,520 | 5,256 |
| Interest expense | ||
| Interest on time deposits of $100,000 or more | 282 | 470 |
| Interest on other deposits | 281 | 377 |
| Interest on funds purchased and other borrowings | 6 | 225 |
| Total interest expense | 569 | 1,072 |
| Net interest income | 3,951 | 4,184 |
| Provision for loan losses | (602) | 305 |
| Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 4,553 | 3,879 |
| Noninterest income | ||
| Service charges on deposits | 370 | 356 |
| Mortgage banking activities | 2,004 | 2,108 |
| Gain on sale of securities | 13 | -- |
| Other income/loss | 1,402 | 457 |
| Total noninterest income | 3,789 | 2,921 |
| Noninterest expense | ||
| Salaries and employee benefits | 3,074 | 2,942 |
| Occupancy expenses | 368 | 397 |
| Other real estate expenses | 159 | 212 |
| Other expenses | 1,612 | 1,415 |
| Total noninterest expense | 5,213 | 4,966 |
| Income before income taxes | 3,129 | 1,834 |
| Income tax expense | 822 | 550 |
| Net income | $ 2,307 | $ 1,284 |
| Net income per share of common stock | ||
| Basic | $ 0.65 | $ 0.36 |
| Diluted | $ 0.65 | $ 0.36 |
| Dividends per share of common stock | $ 0.04 | $ -- |