Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania -- Univest Bank and Trust Co. -- Reports First Quarter Earnings


SOUDERTON, Pa., April 23, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania ("Univest") (Nasdaq:UVSP), parent company of Univest Bank and Trust Co. and its insurance, investments and equipment financing subsidiaries, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Univest reported net income of $5.7 million or $0.35 diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a 6% increase from reported net income of $5.4 million or $0.32 diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Loans

Gross loans and leases increased $19.0 million or 1% from December 31, 2013 and $73.1 million or 5% from March 31, 2013. The growth in loans from December 31, 2013 was primarily in commercial business loans. The growth from March 31, 2013 occurred in commercial and residential real estate loans and equipment financing as economic conditions have slowly improved. While the longer-term economic outlook remains positive, household income and spending levels continue to remain stagnant. In the short-term, we anticipate that this will restrain overall credit demand and the utilization of available credit lines by both businesses and consumers.

Deposits

Total deposits declined $4.7 million from December 31, 2013 primarily due to a decrease in public funds partially offset by increases in non-interest bearing demand and savings deposits. Total deposits increased $25.2 million from March 31, 2013; the lower interest rate environment continues to result in a shift in consumer deposits from time deposits to noninterest-bearing and savings deposits.

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income of $17.9 million for the first quarter of 2014 was consistent with the same period in 2013. The net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis for the first quarter of 2014 increased 14 basis points to 3.96%, compared to 3.82% for both the fourth and first quarters of 2013. The increase in the first quarter net interest margin from the prior year was primarily attributable to the redemption of Univest's trust preferred securities and termination of the related interest rate swap during the second quarter of 2013, maturities of higher yielding time deposits, a decline in the rate paid on time deposits and a reduction in lower yielding investment securities.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 was $12.1 million, an increase of $666 thousand or 6% from the comparable period in the prior year. Investment advisory commission and fee income increased $1.2 million for the quarter primarily due to the acquisition of Girard Partners effective January 1, 2014. Insurance commission and fee income increased $809 thousand for the quarter, primarily due to an increase in contingency revenues and the acquisition of the John T. Fretz Insurance Agency on May 1, 2013. These favorable increases were partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in the net gain on mortgage banking activities. Higher interest rates have reduced refinance activity while the harsh winter we experienced restrained purchase activity, leading to a 79% decline in funded loan volume in the first quarter of 2014 from the comparable period in 2013.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 was $20.9 million, an increase of $647 thousand or 3% compared to the first quarter of 2013. Intangible expenses increased $551 thousand and salaries and benefit expense increased $811 thousand primarily attributable to the Girard and Fretz acquisitions. These unfavorable variances were partially offset by a decrease in commission expense of $525 thousand mainly due to the decline in mortgage banking activity. Premises and equipment expenses increased $507 thousand mainly due to increased costs related to computer equipment and software, snow removal, a new leased office location in the Lehigh Valley and the Girard acquisition. In addition, non-interest expense during the first quarter of 2013 included restructuring charges of $539 thousand.

Asset Quality and Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

Non-accrual loans and leases, including non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans, decreased to $19.3 million at March 31, 2014, from $23.2 million at December 31, 2013 and $28.9 million at March 31, 2013. The $3.9 million decrease in non-accrual loans from December 31, 2013 was mainly due to the sale of a commercial real estate loan for $2.5 million and the payoff of another commercial real estate loan for $1.3 million. Net loan and lease charge-offs were $1.4 million during the first quarter of 2014, compared to $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2013. Non-accrual loans and leases as a percentage of total loans and leases held for investment were 1.24% at March 31, 2014 compared to 1.51% at December 31, 2013 and 1.94% at March 31, 2013.

Accruing troubled debt restructured loans decreased to $7.0 million at March 31, 2014 from $7.9 million at December 31, 2013 and $13.0 million at March 31, 2013. The decrease of $6.0 million from March 31, 2013 was primarily due to the payoff in December 2013 of a large shared national commercial real estate credit with an outstanding principal balance of $5.8 million.

The provision for loan and lease losses was $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2014, compared to $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2013. The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans and leases held for investment was 1.57% at March 31, 2014 compared to 1.59% at December 31, 2013 and 1.70% at March 31, 2013. The allowance for loan and lease losses to nonaccrual loans and leases held for investment equaled 127.38% at March 31, 2014 compared to 105.42% at December 31, 2013 and 87.31% at March 31, 2013.

Capital

Univest continues to remain well-capitalized at March 31, 2014. Total risk-based capital at March 31, 2014 was 13.27%, well in excess of the regulatory minimum for well-capitalized status of 10%.

Share Repurchase Plan

During the quarter, Univest repurchased 110,671 shares of common stock at a cost of $2.0 million under its 2013 Board approved share repurchase program. Shares available for future repurchases under the plan totaled 689,329 at March 31, 2014. Total shares outstanding at March 31, 2014 were 16,249,152.

Dividend

On February 26, 2014, Univest declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on April 1, 2014. This represented a 3.83% annualized yield based on the closing price of Univest's stock on the date the dividend was paid.

About Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania

Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania (UVSP), including its wholly-owned subsidiary, Univest Bank and Trust Co., has $2.2 billion in assets and over $3.0 billion in assets under management and supervision through its Wealth Management lines of business. Headquartered in Souderton, Pa. and founded in 1876, the Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a full range of financial solutions for individuals, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Univest delivers these services through a network of 40 offices in southeastern Pennsylvania extending to the Lehigh Valley, Maryland and online at www.univest.net.

This press release of Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania and the reports Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania files with the Securities and Exchange Commission often contain "forward-looking statements" relating to present or future trends or factors affecting the banking industry and, specifically, the financial operations, markets and products of Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania's future results to differ materially from historical performance or projected performance. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant increase in competitive pressures among financial institutions; (2) changes in the interest rate environment that may reduce net interest margins; (3) changes in prepayment speeds, loan sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (4) general economic conditions; (5) legislative or regulatory changes that may adversely affect the businesses in which Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania is engaged; (6) technological issues which may adversely affect Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania's financial operations or customers; (7) changes in the securities markets or (8) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration statements Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania
Consolidated Selected Financial Data
March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)          
           
Balance Sheet (Period End) 03/31/14 12/31/13 09/30/13 06/30/13 03/31/13
Assets  $ 2,201,194  $ 2,191,559  $ 2,252,996  $ 2,255,601  $ 2,263,036
Investment securities  381,724  402,284  462,573  485,460  508,751
Loans held for sale  1,856  2,267  3,489  3,609  3,606
Loans and leases held for investment, gross  1,560,446  1,541,484  1,526,241  1,499,993  1,487,375
Allowance for loan and lease losses  24,567  24,494  24,835  24,718  25,222
Loans and leases held for investment, net  1,535,879  1,516,990  1,501,406  1,475,275  1,462,153
Total deposits  1,839,760  1,844,498  1,889,046  1,873,051  1,814,610
Noninterest-bearing deposits  426,430  411,714  394,983  398,906  380,447
NOW, money market and savings  1,145,994  1,161,995  1,204,281  1,175,129  1,127,643
Time deposits  267,336  270,789  289,782  299,016  306,520
Borrowings  41,486  37,256  46,733  66,007  124,895
Shareholders' equity  283,296  280,506  274,754  279,588  284,784
           
Balance Sheet (Average) For the three months ended,
  03/31/14 12/31/13 09/30/13 06/30/13 03/31/13
Assets  $ 2,172,551  $ 2,208,995  $ 2,233,124  $ 2,251,298  $ 2,233,147
Investment securities   390,630  447,672  479,442  495,154  497,032
Loans and leases, gross  1,550,346  1,527,330  1,506,850  1,478,309  1,484,043
Deposits  1,823,589  1,858,905  1,875,578  1,812,100  1,790,108
Shareholders' equity  282,574  275,983  280,245  284,491  285,558
           
Asset Quality Data (Period End)          
  03/31/14 12/31/13 09/30/13 06/30/13 03/31/13
           
Nonaccrual loans and leases, including nonaccrual troubled debt restructured loans and leases  $ 19,287  $ 23,235  $ 23,974  $ 25,207  $ 28,887
Accruing loans and leases 90 days or more past due  581  413  1,954  521  366
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans and leases  7,036  7,943  14,106  13,696  13,037
Other real estate owned  1,650  1,650  1,650  1,650  3,616
Nonperforming assets  28,554  33,241  41,684  41,074  45,906
Allowance for loan and lease losses  24,567  24,494  24,835  24,718  25,222
Nonaccrual loans and leases / Loans and leases held for investment 1.24% 1.51% 1.57% 1.68% 1.94%
Nonperforming loans and leases / Loans and leases held for investment 1.72% 2.05% 2.62% 2.63% 2.84%
Allowance for loan and lease losses / Loans and leases held for investment 1.57% 1.59% 1.63% 1.65% 1.70%
Allowance for loan and lease losses / Nonaccrual loans and leases held for investment 127.38% 105.42% 103.59% 98.06% 87.31%
Allowance for loan and lease losses / Nonperforming loans and leases held for investment 91.31% 77.53% 62.03% 62.70% 59.64%
           
  For the three months ended,
  03/31/14 12/31/13 09/30/13 06/30/13 03/31/13
Net loan and lease charge-offs  $ 1,402  $ 1,955  $ 3,977  $ 3,950  $ 1,598
Net loan and lease charge-offs (annualized)/Average loans and leases 0.37% 0.51% 1.05% 1.07% 0.44%
 
Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania
Consolidated Selected Financial Data
March 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)          
  For the three months ended,
For the period: 03/31/14 12/31/13 09/30/13 06/30/13 03/31/13
Interest income  $ 18,946  $ 19,172  $ 19,457  $ 19,461  $ 19,489
Interest expense  998  1,080  1,138  1,353  1,546
Net interest income  17,948  18,092  18,319  18,108  17,943
Provision for loan and lease losses  1,475  1,614  4,094  3,446  2,074
Net interest income after provision  16,473  16,478  14,225  14,662  15,869
Noninterest income:          
Trust fee income  1,899  2,054  1,736  1,779  1,734
Service charges on deposit accounts  1,014  1,118  1,149  1,098  1,086
Investment advisory commission and fee income  3,049  1,988  1,740  2,018  1,896
Insurance commission and fee income  3,332  2,172  2,309  2,391  2,523
Bank owned life insurance income  378  496  1,555  413  504
Net gain on sales of investment securities  142  439  1,426  1,339  185
Net gain on mortgage banking activities  349  476  935  1,416  1,696
Net gain (loss) on sales and write downs of other real estate owned  --   176  198  252  -- 
Loss on termination of interest rate swap  --   --   --   (1,866)  -- 
Other income  1,978  2,197  2,154  2,151  1,851
Total noninterest income  12,141  11,116  13,202  10,991  11,475
Noninterest expense:          
Salaries and benefits  10,671  10,542  9,761  9,359  9,860
Commissions  1,590  1,983  2,026  2,388  2,115
Premises and equipment  3,088  2,836  2,697  2,620  2,581
Professional fees  852  1,184  771  836  767
Intangible expenses  760  356  275  (683)  209
Restructuring charges  --   --   (5)  --   539
Other expense  3,922  4,722  4,463  4,766  4,165
Total noninterest expense  20,883  21,623  19,988  19,286  20,236
Income before taxes  7,731  5,971  7,439  6,367  7,108
Income taxes  2,005  1,049  1,400  1,537  1,710
Net income  $ 5,726  $ 4,922  $ 6,039  $ 4,830  $ 5,398
           
Per common share data:          
Book value per share  $ 17.43  $ 17.22  $ 16.87  $ 16.76  $ 16.99
Net income per share:          
Basic  $ 0.35  $ 0.30  $ 0.36  $ 0.29  $ 0.32
Diluted  $ 0.35  $ 0.30  $ 0.36  $ 0.29  $ 0.32
Dividends declared per share  $ 0.20  $ 0.20  $ 0.20  $ 0.20  $ 0.20
Weighted average shares outstanding  16,256,047  16,283,466  16,657,916  16,696,362  16,788,152
Period end shares outstanding  16,249,152  16,287,812  16,288,597  16,683,009  16,762,695
 
Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania
Consolidated Selected Financial Data
March 31, 2014
           
  For the three months ended,
Profitability Ratios (annualized) 03/31/14 12/31/13 09/30/13 06/30/13 03/31/13
           
Return on average assets 1.07% 0.88% 1.07% 0.86% 0.98%
Return on average shareholders' equity 8.22% 7.08% 8.55% 6.81% 7.67%
Net interest margin (FTE) 3.96% 3.82% 3.83% 3.78% 3.82%
Efficiency ratio (1) 66.19% 70.43% 59.53% 63.24% 65.61%
           
Capitalization Ratios          
           
Dividends declared to net income 56.72% 66.17% 55.24% 69.05% 62.21%
Shareholders' equity to assets (Period End) 12.87% 12.80% 12.20% 12.40% 12.58%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets 9.74% 10.10% 9.55% 9.76% 10.08%
           
Regulatory Capital Ratios (Period End)  (2)          
Tier 1 leverage ratio 10.64% 10.85% 10.63% 10.61% 11.71%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 12.00% 12.63% 12.47% 12.67% 14.10%
Total risk-based capital ratio 13.27% 13.90% 13.73% 13.95% 15.37%
           
(1) Total operating expenses to net interest income before loan loss provision plus non-interest income adjusted for tax equivalent income.
           
(2) In accordance with regulatory guidance, the trust preferred securities were removed from Tier 1 Capital at June 30, 2013.
 
Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: Interest Rates and Interest Differential
  For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Tax Equivalent Basis 2014 2013
  Average Income/ Average Average Income/ Average
  Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate
Assets:            
Interest-earning deposits with other banks  $ 25,403  $ 14  0.22%   $ 48,347  $ 35  0.29% 
U.S. Government obligations  131,302  331  1.02  174,408  477  1.11
Obligations of state and political subdivisions  107,756  1,456  5.48  121,686  1,579  5.26
Other debt and equity securities  151,572  720  1.93  200,938  895  1.81
Total interest-earning deposits and investments  416,033  2,521  2.46  545,379  2,986  2.22
             
Commercial, financial, and agricultural loans  392,173  3,898  4.03  438,434  4,676  4.33
Real estate—commercial and construction loans  591,064  6,888  4.73  544,865  6,658  4.96
Real estate—residential loans  282,002  2,558  3.68  257,435  2,455  3.87
Loans to individuals  38,646  584  6.13  42,781  596  5.65
Municipal loans and leases  175,149  2,121  4.91  134,450  1,716  5.18
Lease financings  71,312  1,632  9.28  66,078  1,557  9.56
Gross loans and leases  1,550,346  17,681  4.63  1,484,043  17,658  4.83
Total interest-earning assets  1,966,379  20,202  4.17  2,029,422  20,644  4.13
Cash and due from banks  29,949      32,275    
Reserve for loan and lease losses  (25,326)      (25,245)    
Premises and equipment, net  34,250      33,046    
Other assets  167,299      163,649    
Total assets  $ 2,172,551      $ 2,233,147    
             
Liabilities:            
Interest-bearing checking deposits  $ 313,666  $ 43  0.06  $ 244,089  $ 36  0.06
Money market savings  289,101  67  0.09  325,677  80  0.10
Regular savings  543,107  79  0.06  534,701  76  0.06
Time deposits  268,952  803  1.21  323,982  1,048  1.31
Total time and interest-bearing deposits  1,414,826  992  0.28  1,428,449  1,240  0.35
             
Short-term borrowings  39,631  6  0.06  102,444  17  0.07
Subordinated notes and capital securities  --   --   --   20,982  289  5.59
Total borrowings  39,631  6  0.06  123,426  306  1.01
Total interest-bearing liabilities  1,454,457  998  0.28  1,551,875  1,546  0.40
Noninterest-bearing deposits  408,763      361,659    
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  26,757      34,055    
Total liabilities  1,889,977      1,947,589    
             
Shareholders' Equity:            
Common stock  91,332      91,332    
Additional paid-in capital  65,270      64,721    
Retained earnings and other equity  125,972      129,505    
Total shareholders' equity  282,574      285,558    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $ 2,172,551      $ 2,233,147    
Net interest income    $ 19,204      $ 19,098  
             
Net interest spread      3.89      3.73
Effect of net interest-free funding sources      0.07      0.09
Net interest margin      3.96%       3.82% 
             
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 135.20%     130.77%    
             
Notes: For rate calculation purposes, average loan and lease categories include unearned discount.
             Nonaccrual loans and leases have been included in the average loan and lease balances.
             Loans held for sale have been included in the average loan balances.
             Tax-equivalent amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 have been calculated using the Corporation's federal applicable rate of 35.0%.


            

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