ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. Reports Record Third Quarter 2013 Earnings; Loan Portfolio Surpasses $1 Billion Milestone


ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Oct. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNOB) (the "Company" or "ConnectOne"), parent company of ConnectOne Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income available to common stockholders of $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2013, representing a 17.8% increase from $2.2 million earned during the third quarter of 2012. Net income available to common stockholders for the first nine months of 2013 was $7.4 million, a 28.8% increase from the prior year period.

Diluted earnings per share were $0.50 and $1.54, for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of 2013, respectively, compared with diluted earnings per share of $0.68 and $1.92 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively. Diluted earnings per share for 2013 reflect the Company's February 2013 initial public offering and issuance of 1.8 million shares of common stock. Diluted earnings per share for 2012 reflect preferred dividends of $2,000 for the third quarter and $0.4 million for the first nine months. All shares of preferred were converted into common in 2012 and had no impact on 2013 results.

Frank Sorrentino III, Chairman and CEO of ConnectOne, stated, "The third quarter of 2013 marks another period of solid growth and strong financial performance for the Company. We delivered record quarterly earnings, which have now increased for six consecutive quarterly periods. Our well-diversified loan portfolio grew to more than $1 billion at quarter-end, increasing by 21% from year-end 2012 and by 8% from June 30, 2013. Additionally, the Company's third quarter net interest margin of 3.93% widened by 4 basis points from the 3.89% reported in the second quarter 2013. Our commitment to operating efficiency remains on track. Reflecting the success of our strategy, our third quarter efficiency ratio of 48.1% improved slightly from 48.3% in the comparable 2012 third quarter and from 48.6% in the sequential 2013 second quarter. In addition, asset quality remains solid. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets remained below 1.00%, declining to 0.90% at September 30, 2013 from 0.97% at June 30, 2013."

Mr. Sorrentino, commenting on near-term organic growth prospects, stated, "Looking ahead, our pipeline of new commercial, construction, commercial real estate, and multi-family loans remains strong. During the third quarter, we submitted an application to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance to open a de novo branch in Newark, New Jersey. An attractive site for the planned new branch in Newark's Ironbound District has been selected, which will allow our lending and banking teams to capitalize on the area's high-density business demographic beginning in early 2014."

Earnings

Fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") net interest income for the third quarter of 2013 totaled $10.6 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 21.7%, from the year ago quarter. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in average interest-earning assets, which grew by 24.2% to $1.1 billion, and was partially offset by an 8 basis points contraction in the net interest margin, from 4.01% in the third quarter of 2012 to 3.93% in the third quarter of 2013. Average total loans increased by 29.7% to $1.0 billion in the third quarter of 2013 from the prior year period. FTE net interest income for the first nine months of 2013 totaled $29.8 million, an increase of $4.5 million, or 18.0%, from the year ago period. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in average interest-earning assets, which grew by 27.3% to $1.0 billion, and was partially offset by a 31 basis points contraction in the net interest margin, from 4.25% in the first nine months of 2012 to 3.94% in the first nine months of 2013. Average total loans increased by 29.6% to $931.1 million in the first nine months of 2013 from the prior year period. The net interest margin in the current quarter widened slightly, by 4 basis points, from the sequential second quarter of 2013, as prepayment fees increased and the level of low earning cash balances decreased. Management expects net interest income to increase as the loan portfolio grows, although any such increases will likely be moderated by net interest margin compression resulting from the maturity, prepayment or contractual re-pricing of loans and securities in this extended period of low interest rates.

Non-interest income represents a relatively small portion of the Bank's total revenue as management has historically made a strategic decision to de-emphasize fee income, focusing instead on customer growth and retention. During the third quarter of 2013, Management made a decision to invest in bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") in order to help offset the rising cost of employee benefits. Life insurance policies on key employees totaling $15 million were purchased at the end of August 2013, contributing $44,000 of BOLI income to 2013 operating results. Non-interest income totaled $293,000 and $853,000 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively, versus $294,000 and $815,000 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively. Growth in service and card-related fees, and the aforementioned BOLI income, were essentially offset by declines in gains on sale of residential mortgage loans.

Non-interest expenses for the third quarter 2013 increased by $0.9 million, or 20.4%, to $5.2 million from $4.3 million in the prior year third quarter. Non-interest expenses for the first nine months of 2013 increased by $2.0 million, or 15.0%, to $14.9 million from $12.9 million in the prior year period. The largest factor contributing to the increases in total non-interest expenses was salaries and employee benefits expense, which increased by $0.6 million to $2.6 million in the third quarter 2013 from $2.0 million in the third quarter 2012, and which increased by $1.3 million to $7.5 million in the first nine months of 2013 from $6.3 million in the first nine months of 2012. The increases were primarily due an increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees and higher incentive-based compensation. Also contributing to higher non-interest expenses were increased costs associated with being a publicly-traded entity, higher legal fees, and a general increase in other operating expenses related to a significantly increased volume of business. Management continues to focus on expense control, balancing its investment in infrastructure with prudent and sustainable growth.

Income tax expense was $1.7 million for the third quarter 2013 and $5.1 million for the first nine months of 2013 versus $1.5 million for the third quarter 2012 and $4.2 million for the first nine months 2012. The effective tax rates were 40.2% and 40.9% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively, versus 40.4% and 40.4% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively. Effective tax rates for 2013 reflect an increase in earnings which placed the Company into the higher 35% federal bracket. The increase in statutory rates was offset by an increase in non-taxable revenue in the third quarter of 2013. On October 1, 2013, the Company reorganized its operating structure in order to improve tax efficiency. The Company's effective tax rate is projected to decline in future periods by approximately 5 percentage points, resulting from a combination of an increase in revenue from non-taxable sources and a reorganized operating structure; however, the effective tax rate in future periods is likely to fluctuate and will depend upon future levels of taxable and non-taxable revenue.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets, which includes nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned, totaled $10.1 million, or 0.90% of total assets, at September 30, 2013, roughly flat from $10.0 million, or 0.97% of total assets, at June 30, 2013 and up from $5.6 million, or 0.64% of total assets, at September 30, 2012. The allowance for loan losses was $14.7 million, representing 1.42% of loans receivable and 166.2% of nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2013. At June 30, 2013, the allowance was $14.0 million representing 1.46% of loans receivable and 146.5% of nonaccrual loans, and at September 30, 2012 the allowance was $12.2 million representing 1.52% of loans receivable and 217.9% of nonaccrual loans. The provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2013 increased to $1.3 million from $1.0 million for both the second quarter of 2013 and the third quarter of 2012. The provision for loan losses has remained relatively constant, although the level is contingent upon many factors including, but not limited to, loan growth, the Company's historical loss experience, macroeconomic conditions and reserves required for specific credits. The annualized rate of net loan charge-offs was 0.25% for the third quarter 2013, 0.26% for the second quarter 2013 and zero for the third quarter 2012.

Financial Condition

At September 30, 2013, total assets were $1.1 billion, a $200.0 million increase from December 31, 2012. The increase in total assets was due primarily to a $182.2 million increase, to $1.0 billion, in loans receivable, a $3.4 million increase, to $24.7 million, in securities, and $15.0 million in BOLI purchases. The growth in assets was funded by a $128.4 million increase in deposits, an $18.2 million increase in Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, $7.4 million in retained earnings, and $47.8 million in net proceeds from the Company's first quarter 2013 initial public equity offering.

Capital

Stockholders' equity totaled $127.2 million as of September 30, 2013, an increase of $54.9 million from $72.4 million as of year-end 2012, due primarily to retained earnings and the Company's first quarter 2013 equity offering. Accumulated other comprehensive earnings declined by $0.5 million as the increase in the general level of interest rates over the course of 2013 to date resulted in a decline in market values in our relatively small securities portfolio. As of September 30, 2013, the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 11.24% and $24.95, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the Company's tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 7.76% and $22.77, respectively.

About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

ConnectOne is a New Jersey corporation and a registered bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that was formed in 2008 to serve as the holding company for ConnectOne Bank ("the Bank"). The Bank is a community-based, full-service New Jersey-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2005. The Bank operates from its headquarters located at 301 Sylvan Avenue in the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County, New Jersey, and through its seven other banking offices.

For more information visit https://www.ConnectOneBank.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 its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in Item 1A – Risk Factors of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, and 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.

     
     
CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC.    
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)    
(dollars in thousands)    
     
  September 30, December 31,
  2013 2012
Cash and due from banks  $ 3,383  $ 3,242
Interest-bearing deposits with banks  46,169  47,387
 Cash and cash equivalents  49,552  50,629
     
Securities available for sale  23,450  19,252
Securities held to maturity, fair value of $1,274 at 2013 and $2,084 at 2012  1,218  1,985
Loans held for sale  --  405
     
Loans receivable  1,031,070  848,842
Less: Allowance for loan losses  (14,666)  (13,246)
 Net loans receivable  1,016,404  835,596
     
Investment in restricted stock, at cost  5,834  4,744
Bank premises and equipment, net  7,808  7,904
Accrued interest receivable  3,704  3,361
Other real estate owned  1,303  433
Goodwill  260  260
Bank owned life insurance  15,044  --
Other assets  5,358  5,357
 Total assets  $ 1,129,935  $ 929,926
     
Liabilities    
Deposits    
 Noninterest-bearing  $ 193,492  $ 170,355
 Interest-bearing  704,243  598,963
 Total deposits  897,735  769,318
Long-term borrowings  97,816  79,568
Accrued interest payable  2,750  2,803
Capital lease obligation  3,129  3,185
Other liabilities  1,268  2,690
 Total liabilities  1,002,698  857,564
     
Commitments and Contingencies    
     
Stockholders' Equity    
Common stock, no par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012; issued and outstanding 5,089,392 at September 30, 2013 and 3,166,217 at December 31, 2012  99,118  51,205
Retained earnings  28,081  20,661
Accumulated other comprehensive income  38  496
 Total stockholders' equity  127,237  72,362
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 1,129,935  $ 929,926
         
         
CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC.        
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)      
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)        
         
   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2013 2012 2013 2012
Interest income        
 Loans receivable, including fees  $ 11,923  $ 9,955  $ 33,758  $ 29,076
 Securities  210  311  584  833
 Other interest income  25  23  80  53
 Total interest income  12,158  10,289  34,422  29,962
Interest expense        
 Deposits  1,215  1,214  3,510  3,579
 Long-term borrowings  346  349  1,010  1,001
 Capital lease  47  48  142  145
 Total interest expense  1,608  1,611  4,662  4,725
         
Net interest income  10,550  8,678  29,760  25,237
Provision for loan losses  1,300  950  3,175  2,840
 Net interest income after provision for loan losses  9,250  7,728  26,585  22,397
Non-interest income        
 Service fees  136  88  299  281
 Gains on sales of loans  54  126  215  338
 Income on bank owned life insurance  44  --  44  --
 Gains on sales of securities  --  --  --  --
 Other income  59  80  295  196
 Total non-interest income  293  294  853  815
         
Non-interest expenses        
 Salaries and employee benefits  2,584  2,024  7,510  6,252
 Occupancy and equipment  806  746  2,296  2,156
 Professional fees  454  237  1,045  777
 Advertising and promotion  106  168  375  352
 Data processing  507  425  1,398  1,242
 Other expenses  763  735  2,262  2,162
 Total non-interest expenses  5,220  4,335  14,886  12,941
Income before income tax expense  4,323  3,687  12,552  10,271
Income tax expense  1,736  1,488  5,132  4,154
Net income  2,587  2,199  7,420  6,117
Dividends on preferred shares  --  2  --  354
Net income available to common stockholders  $ 2,587  $ 2,197  $ 7,420  $ 5,763
         
Earnings per common share:        
 Basic  $ 0.52  $ 0.70  $ 1.58  $ 2.26
 Diluted  0.50  0.68  1.54  1.92
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
 Basic  5,011,045  3,145,625  4,691,793  2,546,996
 Diluted  5,158,704  3,256,092  4,828,408  3,184,927
       
       
CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC.      
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)    
       
  Three Months Ended
  September 30, June 30, September 30,
  2013 2013 2012
Performance ratios:      
 Return on average assets 0.95% 0.98% 1.01%
 Return on average stockholders' equity 8.10% 8.06% 13.13%
 Net interest margin 3.93% 3.89% 4.01%
 Efficiency ratio (1) 48.1% 48.6% 48.3%
       
  As of
  September 30, June 30, September 30,
  2013 2013 2012
Capital ratios:      
 Leverage ratio 11.76% 12.19% 7.96%
 Risk-based Tier 1 capital ratio 12.86% 13.69% 9.52%
 Risk-based total capital ratio 14.29% 15.11% 10.77%
 Tangible common equity to tangible assets 11.24% 12.07% 7.92%
       
Annualized net loan charge-offs as a % of average loans 0.25% 0.26% 0.00%
       
Tangible book value per common share  $ 24.95  $ 24.76  $ 22.15
       
Asset quality:      
 Nonaccrual loans  $ 8,822  $ 9,545  $ 5,622
 Other real estate owned  1,303  433  --
 Total non-performing assets  $ 10,125  $ 9,978  $ 5,622
       
 Performing troubled debt restructured loans  $ 2,942  $ 2,947  $ 4,733
 Loans past due 90 days and still accruing  539  1,189  --
       
 Nonaccrual loans as a % of loans receivable 0.86% 1.00% 0.70%
 Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets 0.90% 0.97% 0.64%
 Allowance for loan losses as a % of loans receivable 1.42% 1.46% 1.52%
 Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonaccrual loans  166.2% 146.5% 217.9%
       
(1) Efficiency ratio is not a measure recognized under generally accepted accounting principles and is defined as total non-interest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income and total non-interest income (excluding securities gains/(losses)).
             
             
CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC.            
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS ON A FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS          
(dollars in thousands)            
  For the Three Months Ended
  September 30, 2013 September 30, 2012
  Average    Average Average    Average
Interest-earning assets: Balance Interest Rate (7) Balance Interest Rate (7)
Investment securities (1) (2)  $ 28,589  $ 218 3.03%  $ 28,982  $ 311 4.27%
Loans receivable (3) (4)  994,722  11,923 4.76%  767,164  9,955 5.16%
Interest-bearing deposits with banks  42,812  25 0.23%  62,394  23 0.15%
 Total interest-earning assets  1,066,123  12,166 4.53%  858,540  10,289 4.77%
Allowance for loan losses  (14,393)      (11,655)    
Non-interest earning assets  28,008      21,826    
 Total assets  $ 1,079,738      $ 868,711    
             
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Savings, NOW, Money Market, Interest Checking  $ 336,980  242 0.28%  $ 306,516  311 0.40%
Time deposits  342,719  973 1.13%  213,744  903 1.68%
 Total interest-bearing deposits  679,699  1,215 0.71%  520,260  1,214 0.93%
             
Borrowings  81,218  346 1.69%  77,871  349 1.78%
Capital lease obligation  3,141  47 5.94%  3,233  48 5.91%
 Total interest-bearing liabilities  764,058  1,608 0.83%  601,364  1,611 1.07%
Noninterest-bearing deposits  183,381      125,723    
Other liabilities  5,626      3,230    
Stockholders' equity  126,673      66,645    
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 1,079,738      $ 796,962    
             
Net interest income/interest rate spread (5)    $ 10,558 3.69%    $ 8,678 3.70%
Tax equivalent affect    (8)      --  
Net interest income, as reported    $ 10,550      $ 8,678  
             
Net interest margin (6)     3.93%     4.01%
             
(1) Average balances are calculated on amortized cost.
(2) Interest income is presented on a tax equivalent basis using a 35 percent federal tax rate.
(3) Includes loan fee income.
(4) Loans receivable include non-accrual loans.
(5) Represents difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average cost of interest bearing liabilities and is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis.
(6) Represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(7) Rates are annualized.
             
             
CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC.            
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS ON A FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS          
(dollars in thousands)            
  For the Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2013 September 30, 2012
  Average    Average Average    Average
Interest-earning assets: Balance Interest Rate (7) Balance Interest Rate (5)
Investment securities (1) (2)  $ 26,747  $ 592 2.96%  $ 32,589  $ 833 3.41%
Loans receivable (3) (4)  931,145  33,758 4.85%  718,270  29,076 5.41%
Interest-bearing deposits with banks  52,403  80 0.20%  42,869  53 0.17%
 Total interest-earning assets  1,010,295  34,430 4.56%  793,728  29,962 5.04%
Allowance for loan losses  (13,955)      (10,721)    
Non-interest earning assets  21,953      23,019    
 Total assets  $ 1,018,293      $ 806,026    
             
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Savings, NOW, Money Market, Interest Checking  $ 332,451  758 0.30%  $ 307,671  1,101 0.48%
Time deposits  308,581  2,752 1.19%  218,112  2,478 1.52%
 Total interest-bearing deposits  641,032  3,510 0.73%  525,783  3,579 0.91%
             
Borrowings  78,079  1,010 1.73%  76,728  1,001 1.74%
Capital lease obligation  3,160  142 6.01%  3,233  145 5.99%
 Total interest-bearing liabilities  722,271  4,662 0.86%  605,744  4,725 1.04%
Noninterest-bearing deposits  181,641      130,617    
Other liabilities  4,725      4,139    
Stockholders' equity  109,656      65,526    
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 1,018,293      $ 806,026    
             
             
Net interest income/interest rate spread (5)    $ 29,768 3.69%    $ 25,237 4.00%
Tax equivalent affect    (8)      --  
Net interest income, as reported    $ 29,760      $ 25,237  
             
Net interest margin (6)     3.94%     4.25%
             
(1) Average balances are calculated on amortized cost.
(2) Interest income is presented on a tax equivalent basis using a 35 percent federal tax rate.
(3) Includes loan fee income.
(4) Loans receivable include non-accrual loans.
(5) Represents difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average cost of interest bearing liabilities and is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis.
(6) Represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(7) Rates are annualized.


            

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