Sussex Bancorp Reports a 28% Increase in Net Income Driven by Loan and Deposit Growth for the First Quarter 2017


ROCKAWAY, N.J., April 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sussex Bancorp (the “Company”) (Nasdaq:SBBX), the holding company for Sussex Bank (the “Bank”), today announced a 27.8% increase in net income to $2.0 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted common share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $1.6 million, or $0.34 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year. The improvement for the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the same period last year was mostly driven by a 19.5% increase in net interest income as a result of strong growth in average loans and deposits, which increased $142.0 million, or 25.4%, and $100.6 million, or 22.1%, respectively.  The aforementioned increases in net interest income were partly offset by higher interest expenses resulting mostly from the private placement of $15 million of subordinated notes completed in the fourth quarter of 2016 and an increase in interest bearing deposits. 

On April 11, 2017, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement and plan of merger pursuant to which the Company will acquire Community Bank of Bergen County, NJ (“Community”) in an all-stock transaction valued at $45.4 million (the “Merger”). Community will merge with and into Sussex Bank and each outstanding share of Community common stock will be exchanged for 0.97 shares of the Company’s common stock.  Based on financials as of December 31, 2016, the combined company will have approximately $1.2 billion in assets, $925 million in gross loans and $965 million in deposits upon completion of the Merger.  The Merger is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017.  The consummation of the Merger is subject to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company's shareholders and Community`s shareholders, receipt of all required regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions.

“I am very excited to report another quarter of strong financial performance for Sussex Bancorp as our business lines continue to produce outstanding results.  Our growth continues to be organically generated and our production pipelines remain robust, which support future targeted growth expectations,” said Anthony Labozzetta, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sussex Bank. Mr. Labozzetta also stated, "We continue to make great progress on our journey to becoming a high performing company and with the recently announced merger of Community Bank of Bergen County, NJ, our progression should be faster."  

“We are looking forward to our partnership with Peter Michelotti and Community Bank of Bergen County, NJ as we continue our growth, in one of the most desirable markets in the country, and create value for all our stakeholders,” stated Mr. Labozzetta.

Financial Performance
Net Income. For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company reported net income of $2.0 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $1.6 million, or $0.34 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year.  The increase in net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 was driven by a $1.1 million, or 19.5%, increase in net interest income resulting from strong loan and deposit growth of 23.9% and 21.1%, respectively, partially offset by a $215 thousand increase in interest expense related to the $15.0 million in a private placement subordinated note entered into during the fourth quarter of 2016. The aforementioned was partly offset by an increase in non-interest expenses of $367 thousand mostly due to costs to support the Company’s growth and an increase in the provision for loan losses of $196 thousand.   

The Company’s income before income taxes, including Tri-State Insurance Agency, increased $493 thousand, or 21.0%, to $2.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $2.3 million for the same period last year.  The Company’s income before income taxes, excluding Tri-State Insurance Agency, increased $508 thousand, or 33.6%.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis increased $1.2 million, or 20.2%, to $6.9 million for the first quarter of 2017, as compared to $5.7 million for the same period in 2016.  The increase in net interest income was largely due to a $156.4 million, or 23.4%, increase in average interest earning assets, principally loans receivable, which increased $142.0 million, or 25.4%. Included in the increase in net interest income was $234 thousand in prepayment penalties on $14.7 million of commercial loans.  The improvement in net interest income was partly offset by a decline in the net interest margin of 7 basis points to 3.39% for the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016.  The net interest margin decrease was mostly attributed to higher interest expense related to the $15.0 million subordinated note entered into in the fourth quarter of 2016 and an increase in interest rate paid on money market deposits.  

Provision for Loan Losses. Provision for loan losses increased $196 thousand to $407 thousand for the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income decreased $47 thousand, or 1.9%, to $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the same period last year.

Non-interest Expense. The Company’s non-interest expenses increased $367 thousand, or 6.5%, to $6.0 million for the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the same period last year. The increase for the first quarter of 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016, was largely due to increases in salaries and employee benefits of $205 thousand and professional fees of $103 thousand.    

The increase in salaries and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the same periods in 2016 was largely due to an increase in personnel to support our growth.   The increase in professional fees was largely due to an increase in legal fees related to various projects.

Financial Condition
At March 31, 2017, the Company’s total assets were $872.3 million, an increase of $23.6 million, or 2.8%, as compared to total assets of $848.7 million at December 31, 2016.  The increase in total assets was largely driven by growth in loans receivable of $23.5 million, or 3.4%. 

Total loans receivable, net of unearned income, increased $23.5 million, or 3.4%, to $718.8 million at March 31, 2017, as compared to $695.3 million at December 31, 2016.  During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company had $45.1 million in commercial loan production, which was partly offset by $14.7 million in commercial loan payoffs.

The Company’s total deposits increased $35.7 million, or 5.4%, to $696.6 million at March 31, 2017, from $660.9 million at December 31, 2016.  The growth in deposits was due to increases in interest bearing deposits of $38.0 million, or 7.2%, at March 31, 2017, as compared to December 31, 2016. Included in the aforementioned deposit total is $82.6 million in deposit balances with a cost of 0.65% attributed to our branch in Oradell, New Jersey, which opened in the beginning of March 2016. 

At March 31, 2017, the Company’s total stockholders’ equity was $62.4 million, an increase of $2.4 million when compared to December 31, 2016.  The increase was largely due to net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  At March 31, 2017, the leverage, Tier I risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and common equity Tier I capital ratios for the Bank were 10.41%, 12.93%, 13.91% and 12.93%, respectively, all in excess of the ratios required to be deemed “well-capitalized.”

Asset and Credit Quality
The ratio of NPAs, which include non-accrual loans, loans 90 days past due and still accruing, troubled debt restructured loans currently performing in accordance with renegotiated terms and foreclosed real estate, to total assets improved to 0.99% at March 31, 2017 from 1.10% at December 31, 2016.  NPAs decreased $744 thousand, or 8.0%, to $8.6 million at March 31, 2017, as compared to $9.3 million at December 31, 2016.  Non-accrual loans decreased $385 thousand, or 6.6%, to $5.4 million at March 31, 2017, as compared to $5.8 million at December 31, 2016.  Loans past due 30 to 89 days totaled $2.2 million at March, 31 2017, representing an increase of $326 thousand, or 17.7%,  as compared to $1.8 million at December 31, 2016. The top five non-accrual loan relationships total $3.4 million, which equates to 61.9% of total non-accrual loans and 39.1% of total NPAs at March 31, 2017.  The remaining non-accrual loans at March 31, 2017 have an average loan balance of $94 thousand. 

The Company continues to actively market its foreclosed real estate properties, which increased $97 thousand with the addition of one new property at $133 thousand offset by $36 thousand in write-downs to $2.5 million at March 31, 2017, as compared to $2.4 million at December 31, 2016.  At March 31, 2017, the Company’s foreclosed real estate properties had an average carrying value of approximately $308 thousand per property.

The allowance for loan losses increased by $101 thousand, or 1.5%, to $6.8 million, or 0.95% of total loans, at March 31, 2017, compared to $6.7 million, or 0.96% of total loans, at December 31, 2016. The Company recorded $407 thousand in provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  Additionally, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $306 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $11 thousand in net recoveries for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-accrual loans increased to 124.8% at March 31, 2017 from 114.8% at December 31, 2016.

About Sussex Bancorp
Sussex Bancorp is the holding company for Sussex Bank, which operates through its regional offices and corporate centers in Wantage and Rockaway, New Jersey, its eleven branch offices located in Andover, Augusta, Franklin, Hackettstown, Newton, Montague, Sparta, Vernon, Oradell and Wantage, New Jersey, and Astoria, New York, and a loan production office in Oradell, New Jersey, and for the Tri-State Insurance Agency, Inc., a full service insurance agency with locations in Augusta and Oradell, New Jersey.  In November 2016, SBBX earned the honor of being named one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in New Jersey by NJBIZ Magazine and was the highest ranked bank on the list.  Anthony Labozzetta, President and Chief Executive Officer of SBBX, was named American Banker’s Community Banker of the Year in 2016 and in February 2017, was recognized by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Business Leaders in Banking. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.sussexbank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward looking and are made pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements may be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "estimate," “assume,” "believe," "anticipate," "will," "forecast," "plan," "project" or similar words.  Such statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, changes to interest rates, the ability to control costs and expenses, general economic conditions, the success of the Company’s efforts to diversify its revenue base by developing additional sources of non-interest income while continuing to manage its existing fee-based business, risks associated with the quality of the Company’s assets and the ability of its borrowers to comply with repayment terms.  Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to those forward looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after this date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SUSSEX BANCORP
SUMMARY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(In Thousands, Except Percentages and Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
                  
         3/31/2017 VS.
  3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016 3/31/2016 12/31/2016
 BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS - Period End Balances               
Total securities $108,427  $100,229  $93,339   16.2 %  8.2 %
Total loans  718,800   695,257   580,051   23.9 %  3.4 %
Allowance for loan losses  (6,797)  (6,696)  (5,812)  16.9 %  1.5 %
Total assets  872,282   848,728   716,772   21.7 %  2.8 %
Total deposits  696,576   660,921   575,300   21.1 %  5.4 %
Total borrowings and junior subordinated debt  108,641   123,645   80,317   35.3 %  (12.1)%
Total shareholders' equity  62,422   60,072   55,682   12.1 %  3.9 %
                  
 FINANCIAL DATA - QUARTER ENDED:                  
Net interest income (tax equivalent) (a) $6,906  $6,704  $5,745   20.2 %  3.0 %
Provision for loan losses  407   237   211   92.9 %  71.7 %
Total other income  2,477   1,705   2,524   (1.9)%  45.3 %
Total other expenses  5,977   5,726   5,610   6.5 %  4.4 %
Income before provision for income taxes (tax equivalent)  2,999   2,446   2,448   22.5 %  22.6 %
Provision for income taxes  831   806   775   7.2 %  3.1 %
Taxable equivalent adjustment (a)  157   117   99   58.6 %  34.2 %
Net income $2,011  $1,523  $1,574   27.8 %  32.0 %
                  
Net income per common share - Basic $0.43  $0.33  $0.34   26.5 %  30.3 %
Net income per common share - Diluted $0.43  $0.32  $0.34   26.5 %  34.4 %
                  
Return on average assets  0.94 %0.74 %0.90 %4.3 %  27.3 %
Return on average equity  13.07 %10.14 %11.38 %14.8 %  28.9 %
Efficiency ratio (b)  64.78 %69.05 %68.67 %(5.7)%  (6.2)%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)  3.39 %3.35 %3.46 %(2.0)%  1.2 %
Avg. interest earning assets/Avg. interest bearing liabilities  1.23   1.25   1.23   0.2 %  (1.7)%
                  
 SHARE INFORMATION:                  
Book value per common share $13.04  $12.67  $11.91   9.5 %  3.0 %
Tangible book value per common share  12.46   12.08   11.31   10.2 %  3.1 %
Outstanding shares- period ending  4,785,159   4,741,068   4,675,976   2.3 %  0.9 %
Average diluted shares outstanding (year to date)  4,727,333   4,651,108   4,606,426   2.6 %  1.6 %
                  
 CAPITAL RATIOS:                  
Total equity to total assets  7.16 %7.08 %7.77 %(7.9)%  1.1 %
Leverage ratio (c)  10.41 %10.41 %9.18 %13.4 %  - %
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (c)  12.93 %12.87 %11.29 %14.5 %  0.5 %
Total risk-based capital ratio (c)  13.91 %13.86 %12.31 %13.0 %  0.4 %
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio (c)  12.93 %12.87 %11.29 %14.5 %  0.5 %
                  
 ASSET QUALITY:                  
Non-accrual loans $5,448  $5,833  $5,353   1.8 %  (6.6)%
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing  104   468   -   - %  (77.8)%
Troubled debt restructured loans ("TDRs") (d)  587   679   1,268   (53.7)%  (13.5)%
Foreclosed real estate  2,464   2,367   3,328   (26.0)%  4.1 %
Non-performing assets ("NPAs") $8,603  $9,347  $9,949   (13.5)%  (8.0)%
                  
Foreclosed real estate, criticized and classified assets $20,494  $20,450  $20,433   0.3 %  0.2 %
Loans past due 30 to 89 days $2,166  $1,840  $4,841   (55.3)%  17.7 %
(Recoveries) Charge-offs, net (quarterly) $306  $(128) $(11)  (2,881.8)%  (339.1)%
(Recoveries) Charge-offs, net as a % of average loans (annualized)  0.17 %(0.08)%(0.01)%(2,319.1)%  (331.6)%
Non-accrual loans to total loans  0.76 %0.84 %0.92 %(17.9)%  (9.7)%
NPAs to total assets  0.99 %1.10 %1.39 %(28.9)%  (10.4)%
NPAs excluding TDR loans (d) to total assets  0.92 %1.02 %1.21 %(24.1)%  (10.0)%
Non-accrual loans to total assets  0.62 %0.69 %0.75 %(16.4)%  (9.1)%
Allowance for loan losses as a % of non-accrual loans  124.76 %114.80 %108.57 %14.9 %  8.7 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans  0.95 %0.96 %1.00 %(5.6)%  (1.8)%
                  
(a) Full taxable equivalent basis, using a 39% effective tax rate and adjusted for TEFRA (Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act) interest expense disallowance
(b) Efficiency ratio calculated non-interest expense divided by net interest income plus non-interest income
(c) Sussex Bank capital ratios
(d) Troubled debt restructured loans currently performing in accordance with renegotiated terms

 

SUSSEX BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands)
     
ASSETSMarch 31, 2017  December 31, 2016
    
Cash and due from banks$3,051  $2,847
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks 4,637   11,791
Cash and cash equivalents 7,688   14,638
     
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks 100   100
Securities available for sale, at fair value 99,797   88,611
Securities held to maturity 8,630   11,618
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at cost 4,269   5,106
     
Loans receivable, net of unearned income 718,800   695,257
Less:  allowance for loan losses 6,797   6,696
Net loans receivable 712,003   688,561
     
Foreclosed real estate 2,464   2,367
Premises and equipment, net 8,505   8,728
Accrued interest receivable 2,006   2,058
Goodwill 2,820   2,820
Bank-owned life insurance 16,638   16,532
Other assets 7,362   7,589
     
Total Assets$872,282  $848,728
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
     
Liabilities:    
Deposits:    
Non-interest bearing$130,130  $132,434
Interest bearing 566,446   528,487
Total Deposits 696,576   660,921
     
Borrowings 80,800   95,805
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 4,643   4,090
Subordinated debentures 27,841   27,840
     
Total Liabilities 809,860   788,656
     
Total Stockholders' Equity 62,422   60,072
     
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity$872,282  $848,728
     

 

SUSSEX BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended March 31,
  2017   2016 
INTEREST INCOME    
    
Loans receivable, including fees$7,598  $6,145 
Securities:   
Taxable 341   376 
Tax-exempt 313   201 
Interest bearing deposits 16   4 
Total Interest Income 8,268   6,726 
    
INTEREST EXPENSE   
Deposits 717   575 
Borrowings 481   437 
Junior subordinated debentures 321   68 
Total Interest Expense 1,519   1,080 
    
Net Interest Income 6,749   5,646 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 407   211 
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses 6,342   5,435 
    
OTHER INCOME   
Service fees on deposit accounts 253   225 
ATM and debit card fees 180   187 
Bank owned life insurance 106   76 
Insurance commissions and fees 1,747   1,721 
Investment brokerage fees 3   27 
Gain on securities transactions 107   167 
(Loss) on disposal of fixed assets -   (13)
Other 81   134 
Total Other Income 2,477   2,524 
    
OTHER EXPENSES   
Salaries and employee benefits 3,558   3,353 
Occupancy, net 500   424 
Data processing 557   549 
Furniture and equipment 240   233 
Advertising and promotion 106   105 
Professional fees 277   174 
Director fees 107   59 
FDIC assessment 51   120 
Insurance 66   73 
Stationary and supplies 32   52 
Loan collection costs 24   32 
Expenses and write-downs related to foreclosed real estate 45   75 
Other 414   361 
Total Other Expenses 5,977   5,610 
    
Income before Income Taxes 2,842   2,349 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE  831   775 
Net Income $2,011  $1,574 
    
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):   
Unrealized gains on available for sale securities arising during the period$676  $985 
Fair value adjustments on derivatives 40   (400)
Reclassification adjustment for net gain on securities transactions included in net income (107)  (167)
Income tax related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) (244)  (167)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes 365   251 
Comprehensive income$2,376  $1,825 
    
EARNINGS PER SHARE   
    
Basic$0.43  $0.34 
Diluted$0.43  $0.34 

 

SUSSEX BANCORP 
COMPARATIVE AVERAGE BALANCES AND AVERAGE INTEREST RATES 
(Dollars In Thousands) 
(Unaudited) 
              
  Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2017
  2016
 
    Average   Average    Average   Average  
   Balance  Interest Rate (2)  Balance  Interest Rate (2) 
Earning Assets:             
Securities:             
Tax exempt (3) $47,443  $470  4.02% $30,236  $300  3.99% 
Taxable  62,767   341  2.20%  69,870   376  2.16% 
Total securities  110,210   811  2.98%  100,106   676  2.72% 
Total loans receivable (1) (4)  701,862   7,598  4.39%  559,879   6,145  4.41% 
Other interest-earning assets  12,940   16  0.50%  8,638   4  0.19% 
Total earning assets  825,012   8,425  4.14%  668,623   6,825  4.11% 
              
Non-interest earning assets  41,062       38,701      
Allowance for loan losses  (6,723)      (5,659)     
Total Assets $859,351      $701,665      
              
Sources of Funds:             
Interest bearing deposits:             
NOW $177,107  $119  0.27% $140,031  $71  0.20% 
Money market  73,935   124  0.68%  29,951   28  0.38% 
Savings  137,742   71  0.21%  138,528   70  0.20% 
Time  166,670   403  0.98%  146,344   406  1.12% 
Total interest bearing deposits  555,454   717  0.52%  454,854   575  0.51% 
Borrowed funds  85,919   481  2.27%  75,965   437  2.31% 
Subordinated debentures  27,840   321  4.68%  12,887   68  2.12% 
Total interest bearing liabilities  669,213   1,519  0.92%  543,706   1,080  0.80% 
              
Non-interest bearing liabilities:             
Demand deposits  124,991       98,264      
Other liabilities  3,591       4,381      
Total non-interest bearing liabilities  128,582       102,645      
Stockholders' equity  61,556       55,314      
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $859,351      $701,665      
              
Net Interest Income and Margin (5)    6,906  3.39%    5,745  3.46% 
Tax-equivalent basis adjustment    (157)      (99)   
Net Interest Income   $6,749      $5,646    
              
(1) Includes loan fee income
(2) Average rates on securities are calculated on amortized costs
(3) Full taxable equivalent basis, using a 39% effective tax rate and adjusted for TEFRA (Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act) interest expense disallowance 
(4) Loans outstanding include non-accrual loans
(5) Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest-earning assets
              

 

SUSSEX BANCORP
Segment Reporting
(Dollars In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
                  
                  
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 Banking and       Banking and      
 Financial Insurance    Financial Insurance   
 Services Services Total Services Services Total
Net interest income from external sources$6,749 $- $6,749 $5,646 $- $5,646
Other income from external sources 730  1,747  2,477  786  1,738  2,524
Depreciation and amortization 266  6  272  252  6  258
Income before income taxes 2,022  820  2,842  1,514  835  2,349
Income tax expense (1) 503  328  831  441  334  775
Total assets 865,832  6,450  872,282  709,893  6,879  716,772
                  
(1) Calculated at statutory tax rate of 40% for the insurance services segment



            

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