Enterprise Financial Reports Fourth Quarter 2016 and Year End Results

Reported Highlights

• 2016 net income of $48.8 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, up 27% from 2015
• Fourth quarter net income of $13.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, increased 15% over the linked quarter, and 28% from the prior year quarter
• Return on average assets of 1.36% for the quarter, and 1.29% for the year
• Portfolio loans grew 13% and commercial and industrial ("C&I") loans grew 10% during 2016
• Issued $50 million of fixed-to-floating subordinated debt with initial annual interest rate of 4.75%

Core Highlights¹

• 2016 core net income of $41.2 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, up 22% from 2015
• Fourth quarter core net income of $11.9 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, increased 20% over the linked quarter, and 19% from the prior year quarter
• Fourth quarter core net interest income of $32.2 million, up 8% annualized from the linked quarter, and 12% from the prior year quarter
• Core return on average assets of 1.19%  for the quarter, and 1.09% for the year

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enterprise Financial Services Corp (NASDAQ:EFSC) (the “Company” or "EFSC") reported net income of $48.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $10.4 million, or 27%, as compared to the prior year.  Net income per diluted share was $2.41 for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 28%, compared to $1.89 per diluted share for the prior year.  The Company recorded net income of $13.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 15%, compared to $11.8 million for the linked quarter, and an increase of 28%, compared to $10.7 million for the prior year quarter.  Net income per diluted share was $0.67 for the fourth quarter of 2016, an increase of 29%, compared to $0.52 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2015.

On a core basis¹, the Company reported net income of $41.2 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $33.8 million, or $1.66 per diluted share in 2015. Growth in net interest income contributed an additional $0.51 per share, partially offset by higher noninterest expense of $0.16 per share. Core net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $11.9 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared to $9.9 million, or $0.49 per diluted share for the linked quarter, and $10.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share in the prior year period. The increase over the linked and prior year quarters was due to an increase in net interest income from strong deposit and loan growth, as well as growth of fee income.

The Company's Board of Directors approved the Company's quarterly dividend of $0.11 per common share for the first quarter of 2017, payable on March 31, 2017 to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2017.

Peter Benoist, EFSC's Chief Executive Officer, commented, “2016 was another record year for Enterprise. We delivered return on average assets of 1.29%, of which 1.09% was from expanded core performance. Additionally, through our capital management efforts, we provided a 14% return on average tangible common equity to our shareholders.”

Benoist added, “We continued to demonstrate our ability to grow in each of our markets and specialty businesses, as portfolio loans grew 13% for the second year in a row, and we feel confident in our ability to continue our momentum into 2017. We look to achieve continued performance gains by further leveraging our investments in technology and people, as well as our credit discipline and superior customer service. Additionally, we are pleased to bring the customers and associates at Jefferson County Bancshares on board in early 2017. I’m extremely proud of all our associates and look forward to welcoming new ones to continue our success.”

Net Interest Income:  Net interest income for the fourth quarter increased $1.6 million from the linked third quarter, and $3.4 million from the prior year period, due to strong growth in portfolio loan balances funded by core deposit growth.  Total net interest income and margin continues to benefit, as well, from accelerated cash flows and accretion in the purchased credit impaired ("PCI") portfolio. Net interest margin, on a fully tax equivalent basis, was 3.79% for the fourth quarter of 2016, a decrease of one basis point compared to 3.80% in the linked third quarter, and a decrease of 12 basis points from 3.91% in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The yield on portfolio loans was 4.24% in the fourth quarter, a decrease of one basis point from the linked third quarter, but eight basis points higher than the fourth quarter of 2015.  The yield on PCI loans was 37.07% in the fourth quarter, as compared to 23.07% in the linked quarter, and 24.79% in the prior year period.

The cost of interest-bearing deposits was 0.49% in the fourth quarter of 2016, remaining stable with the linked third quarter, and one basis point higher than the fourth quarter of 2015.  The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.58% in the quarter, increasing six basis points from the linked quarter, and eight basis points from the fourth quarter of 2015.  The increase over both periods was largely due to higher interest expense from the issuance of $50 million of subordinated debt.  The Company issued $50 million of 10 year subordinated notes effective November 1, 2016 at a fixed rate of 4.75% for the first five years, then a floating rate of LIBOR + 3.387% thereafter.  

Core net interest margin¹, defined as net interest margin (fully tax equivalent), including contractual interest on PCI loans, but excluding the incremental accretion on these loans, was as follows:

Core net interest income¹ increased 8% on an annualized basis, compared to the linked third quarter, and increased 12% when compared to the prior year period, due primarily to growth in portfolio loan balances funded by core deposits. Core net interest margin¹ declined ten basis points when compared to the linked quarter, largely due to the subordinated debt issuance, and six basis points from the prior year quarter.  When compared to the prior year period, portfolio loan and core deposit growth, along with stronger portfolio yields, mitigated the impact of the debt issuance on net interest margin.  The Company continues to manage its balance sheet to grow core net interest income and expects to maintain or improve core net interest margin over the coming quarters; however, pressure on funding costs and continued reductions in PCI loan balances could negate the expected trends in core net interest margin.

Portfolio Loans:  Portfolio loans totaled $3.1 billion at December 31, 2016, increasing $81 million, or 11% annualized, compared to the linked quarter.  On a year over year basis, portfolio loans increased $368 million, or 13%, and the Company grew loans in all major categories. The Company expects portfolio loan growth, excluding the impact of the pending acquisition of Jefferson County Bancshares, Inc. ("JCB"), at or above 10% for 2017.

Commercial and industrial ("C&I") loans increased $33.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the linked quarter.  C&I loans represented 52% of the Company's loan portfolio at December 31, 2016, compared to 53% at September 30, 2016, and 54% at December 31, 2015.  C&I loans increased $148 million, or 10%, since December 31, 2015.

The Company continues to focus on originating high-quality C&I relationships, as they typically have variable interest rates and allow for cross selling opportunities involving other banking products.  The Company's specialized lending products, particularly enterprise value lending and life insurance premium finance, have contributed to the growth in the C&I category.  C&I loan growth also supports management's efforts to maintain the Company's asset sensitive interest rate risk position.  At December 31, 2016, 63% of the Company's portfolio loans had variable interest rates, compared to 64% at September 30, 2016 and 62% at December 31, 2015.

The following table presents portfolio loans with selected specialized lending detail for the most recent five quarters.

PCI Loans:  PCI loans totaled $39.8 million at December 31, 2016, a decrease of $7.7 million, or 16%, from the linked third quarter, and $35.0 million, or 47% from the prior year, primarily as a result of principal paydowns and accelerated loan payoffs.

PCI loans contributed $2.9 million of net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $2.0 million in the linked quarter, and $0.6 million in the prior year period.  PCI loans contributed $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $4.6 million for the prior year.  At December 31, 2016 the remaining accretable yield on the portfolio was estimated to be $13 million, and the non-accretable difference was approximately $19 million.  Accelerated cash flows and other incremental accretion from PCI loans was $3.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, $2.3 million for the linked quarter, and $3.4 million for the prior year quarter.  Accelerated cash flows and other incremental accretion from PCI loans was $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $12.8 million for the prior year. The Company estimates 2017 income from accelerated cash flows and other incremental accretion to be between $5 million and $7 million.

Asset Quality:  The following table presents the categories of nonperforming assets and related ratios for the most recent five quarters.

Nonperforming loans were $14.9 million at December 31, 2016, a decrease of $5.0 million, or 25%, from $19.9 million at September 30, 2016, and an increase of $5.8 million, or 64%, from $9.1 million at December 31, 2015.  During the quarter ended December 31, 2016, there were $2.0 million of charge-offs, $3.4 million of paydowns and other principal reductions, $0.1 million of assets transferred to other real estate, and $0.5 million of additions to nonperforming loans.  The net additions to nonperforming loans were primarily related to two unrelated accounts.

The Company reported provision for portfolio loan losses of $1.0 million, compared to $3.0 million in the linked quarter, and $0.5 million in the prior year period.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company reported provision for portfolio loan losses of $5.6 million, compared to $4.9 million for the prior year period.  The Company believes the provision is reflective of growth in the portfolio and maintaining a prudent credit risk posture.

Other real estate totaled $1.0 million at December 31, 2016, a decrease of $2.0 million from September 30, 2016, and a decrease of $7.4 million from December 31, 2015.  During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company sold $1.6 million of other real estate for a gain of $1.2 million.  At December 31, 2016, nonperforming assets declined to 0.39% of total assets, compared to 0.59% at September 30, 2016, and 0.48% at December 31, 2015.

Deposits:  Total deposits at December 31, 2016 were $3.2 billion, an increase of $109 million, or 14% annualized, from September 30, 2016, and an increase of $449 million, or 16%, from December 31, 2015.  Core deposits, defined as total deposits excluding time deposits, were $2.8 billion at December 31, 2016, an increase of $123 million, or 19% on an annualized basis, from the linked quarter, and an increase of $332 million, or 14%, from the prior year period. The increase in deposits reflects the Company's enhanced deposit gathering efforts in both commercial and business banking and seasonally strong customer deposit balances.

Noninterest-bearing deposits increased $105 million compared to September 30, 2016, and increased $149 million compared to December 31, 2015.  The composition of noninterest-bearing deposits increased to 26.8% of total deposits at December 31, 2016, compared to 24.4% at September 30, 2016 and 25.8% at December 31, 2015.

Noninterest Income:  Deposit service charges for the fourth quarter of 2016 of $2.2 million remained stable when compared to the linked quarter, and grew 8% compared to the prior year quarter, due to new and expanded deposit customer relationships. Wealth management revenues were relatively stable at $1.7 million compared to the linked third quarter and the prior year period.

Trust assets under management were $1.0 billion at December 31, 2016, an increase of $104 million when compared to the linked quarter, and an increase of $161 million, or 18%, when compared to the prior year end.  The increase over the linked and prior year quarters was primarily due to market performance as well as the addition of new clients. Trust assets under administration were $1.7 billion at December 31, 2016, an increase of $117 million, or 30% annualized, when compared to the linked quarter, and an increase of $175 million, or 12%, when compared to December 31, 2015.

Gains from state tax credit brokerage activities, net of fair value market adjustments, were $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $0.2 million for the linked third quarter, and $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.  Sales of state tax credits can vary by quarter, but generally occur in the first and fourth quarters of the year depending on client demand and availability of the tax credits.

Other noninterest income of $2.1 million decreased 29% from the linked quarter, but increased 28% from the prior year period.  The decrease from the linked quarter was due to a decline in fees earned from certain recoveries, mortgage banking activities, and swap fee income.  The increase from the prior year period was largely due to an increase in card fee income.

Noninterest Expenses:  Noninterest expenses were $23.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, $20.8 million for the linked quarter, and $22.9 million for the prior year period. The $2.4 million increase from the linked quarter was due to $1.1 million of merger related expenses for the Company's pending merger with JCB, and $1.0 million related to lease buyouts of two unused facilities. Noninterest expenses were $86.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $82.2 million for the prior year.

Core noninterest expenses¹, which exclude certain non-comparable expenses including the previously mentioned JCB merger expenses, facilities charges, and expenses directly related to PCI loans and assets, were $21.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, $20.2 million for the linked quarter, $20.0 million for the prior year period. The increase from the prior year quarter was primarily due to an increase in employee compensation and benefits from the addition of client service personnel to facilitate growth as well as additional incentive accruals.  Core noninterest expenses¹ for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $82.2 million, and $77.5 million for the prior year. The Company's core efficiency ratio¹ was 52.7% for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to 52.8% for the linked quarter, and 56.1% for the prior year period, and reflects overall expense management and revenue growth trends.

Excluding the pending JCB merger, the Company continues to expect total noninterest expenses to be between $19.5 million and $21.5 million per quarter.

Capital:  The total risk based capital ratio¹ was 13.48% at December 31, 2016, compared to 12.01% at September 30, 2016, and 11.85% at December 31, 2015. The increase from the linked and prior year quarters was largely due to the $50 million subordinated debt issuance discussed previously.  Regulatory guidance allows for this subordinated debt to be treated as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes for a period of time.  The Company's common equity tier 1 capital ratio¹ was 10.99% at December 31, 2016, compared to 10.82% at September 30, 2016, and 10.61% at December 31, 2015.

The tangible common equity ratio¹ was 8.76% at December 31, 2016, versus 8.99% at September 30, 2016, and 8.88% at December 31, 2015.  The decrease in the tangible common equity ratio as compared to the linked quarter and prior year quarter was primarily due to a decline in the fair value of the investment portfolio from the recent increase in interest rates. 

Capital ratios for the current quarter are based on the Basel III regulatory capital framework as applied to the Company’s current businesses and operations, and are subject to, among other things, completion and filing of the Company’s regulatory reports. The attached tables contain a reconciliation of these ratios to U.S. GAAP financial measures.

Use of Non-GAAP financial measures¹
The Company's accounting and reporting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, the Company provides other financial measures, such as core net income and core net interest margin, and other core performance measures, regulatory capital ratios, and the tangible common equity ratio, in this release that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

The Company considers its core performance measures presented in this earnings release and the included tables as important measures of financial performance, even though they are non-GAAP measures, as they provide supplemental information by which to evaluate the impact of PCI loans and related income and expenses, the impact of certain non-comparable items, and the Company's operating performance on an ongoing basis.  Core performance measures include contractual interest on PCI loans, but exclude incremental accretion on these loans.  Core performance measures also exclude the change in FDIC receivable, gain or loss on sale of other real estate from PCI loans, and expenses directly related to PCI loans and other assets formerly covered under FDIC loss share agreements.  Core performance measures also exclude certain other income and expense items, such as executive separation costs, merger related expenses, facilities charges, and the gain or loss on sale of investment securities, the Company believes to be not indicative of or useful to measure the Company's operating performance on an ongoing basis. The Company believes that the tangible common equity ratio provides useful information to investors about the Company's capital strength even though it is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure and is not part of the regulatory capital requirements to which the Company is subject.

The Company believes these non-GAAP measures and ratios, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and ratios, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's performance and capital strength. The Company's management uses, and believes that investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP measures and ratios in assessing the Company's operating results and related trends and when forecasting future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures and ratios should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or preferable to, ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP.  In the attached tables, the Company has provided a reconciliation of, where applicable, the most comparable GAAP financial measures and ratios to the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, or a reconciliation of the non-GAAP calculation of the financial measure for the periods indicated.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 2:30 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.  During the call, management will review the fourth quarter of 2016 results and related matters. This press release as well as a related slide presentation will be accessible on the Company's website at www.enterprisebank.com under “Investor Relations” beginning prior to the scheduled broadcast of the conference call. The call can be accessed via this same website page, or via telephone at 1-800-533-7619 (Conference ID #5788209.) A recorded replay of the conference call will be available on the website two hours after the call's completion. Visit http://bit.ly/EFSC2016Earnings and register to receive a dial in number, passcode, and pin number.  The replay will be available for approximately two weeks following the conference call.

Enterprise Financial Services Corp operates commercial banking and wealth management businesses in metropolitan St. Louis, Kansas City, and Phoenix. The Company is primarily focused on serving the needs of privately held businesses, their owner families, executives and professionals.

Forward-looking Statements
Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company's plans, expectations, and projections of future financial and operating results, as well as statements regarding the Company's plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of announced transactions (including the Company's announced, pending merger with JCB). The Company uses words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "could," "continue," "anticipate," and “intend”, and variations of such words and similar expressions, in this release to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated from such statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to efficiently integrate acquisitions into its operations, retain the customers of these businesses and grow the acquired operations, credit risk, changes in the appraised valuation of real estate securing impaired loans, outcomes of litigation and other contingencies, exposure to general and local economic conditions, risks associated with rapid increases or decreases in prevailing interest rates, consolidation in the banking industry, competition from banks and other financial institutions, the Company's ability to attract and retain relationship officers and other key personnel, burdens imposed by federal and state regulation, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in accounting regulation or standards applicable to banks, as well as other risk factors described in the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events unless required under the federal securities laws.

Additional Information about the Merger and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed merger transaction, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file no. 333-214990) with the SEC that includes a Proxy Statement of JCB, and a Prospectus of the Company, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. Shareholders are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the merger and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information.

A free copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about the Company and JCB, may be obtained at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. The Company, JCB, and some of their directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of JCB in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on March 16, 2016. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed merger. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

¹ A non-GAAP measure.  Refer to discussion & reconciliation of these measures in the accompanying financial tables.