Carolina Financial Corporation Reports Results for First Quarter of 2019


CHARLESTON, S.C., April 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carolina Financial Corporation (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CARO) today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2019.

Financial highlights at and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, include:

• Net income for Q1 2019 increased 258.6% to $14.5 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, from $4.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share for Q1 2018.

  • Accretion income from acquired loans for Q1 2019 was $1.5 million compared to $2.9 million for Q1 2018.
  • Provision for loan losses during Q1 2019 was $700,000. There was no provision for loan losses recorded during Q1 2018 primarily due to the net recoveries experienced and asset quality.

• Operating earnings for Q1 2019, which exclude certain non-operating income and expenses, decreased 1.8% to $14.7 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, from $14.9 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for Q1 2018.

• Operating earnings for Q1 2019 have been adjusted to eliminate the following significant items:

  • The fair value loss on interest rate swaps of $1.4 million due to the continued impact of falling long-term interest rates during the quarter on the valuation of longer-duration derivatives that do not meet hedge accounting requirements. The Company uses standalone interest rate swaps to more closely match the interest rate characteristics of assets and liabilities and to mitigate the risks arising from timing mismatches between assets and liabilities including duration mismatches, which includes securities. The balance sheet fair value of securities increased $6.7 million at the end of Q1 2019 compared to Q4 2018.
  • The gain on sale of securities of $1.2 million.

• Performance ratios Q1 2019 compared to Q1 2018:

  • Return on average assets was 1.52% compared to 0.46%.
  • Operating return on average assets was 1.53% compared to 1.70%.
  • Return on average tangible equity was 13.32% compared to 4.90%.
  • Operating return on average tangible equity was 13.44% compared to 18.06%.

• Loans receivable, gross grew $66.3 million from December 31, 2018, or at an annualized rate of 10.5%.

• Total deposits increased $98.9 million from December 31, 2018.

• On December 3, 2018, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had approved a plan to repurchase up to $25,000,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions over the next three years. The Company began stock repurchases on December 4, 2018. During the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 129,000 shares at an average price of $32.33. Cumulatively since December 4, 2018, the Company repurchased approximately 304,000 shares at an average price of $31.35.

“We continue to see the impact of solid organic growth and prior acquisitions on earnings. Overall, results for the first quarter of 2019 continued to improve with an increase of 258.6% in net income to $14.5 million compared to the first quarter of 2018,” stated Jerry Rexroad, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Financial Results

Carolina Financial Corporation

• The Company reported an increase in net income for Q1 2019 to $14.5 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, as compared to $4.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for Q1 2018.

  • Included in net income for Q1 2019 and Q1 2018 was accretion income from acquired loans of $1.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Provision for loan losses during Q1 2019 was $700,000. There was no provision for loan losses recorded during Q1 2018.

• Operating earnings for Q1 2019, which exclude certain non-operating income and expenses, decreased 1.8% to $14.7 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, from $14.9 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, from Q1 2018.

  • Included in net income for Q1 2019 was a fair value loss on interest rate swaps of $1.4 million due to the continued impact of falling long-term interest rates on the valuation of longer-duration derivatives that do not meet hedge accounting requirements. Interest rate swaps that are not designated as hedges are primarily used to more closely match the interest rate characteristics of assets and liabilities and to mitigate the risks arising from timing mismatches between assets and liabilities including duration mismatches, which includes securities. The balance sheet fair value of securities increased $6.7 million at the end of Q1 2019 compared to Q4 2018. Q1 2019 also reflects a $1.2 million gain on sale of securities. Included in net income for Q1 2018 were merger-related expenses of $14.7 million.

• The Company’s net interest margin-tax equivalent (NIM) decreased to 4.00% for Q1 2019 compared to 4.20% for Q1 2018. Q1 2019 included accretion income from acquired loans of $1.5 million (18 bps to NIM) and early payoff fees of $99,000 (1bps to NIM) compared to Q1 2018 accretion income from acquired loans of $2.9 million (38 bps to NIM) and early payoff fees of $244,000 (3 bps to NIM).

• Excluding accretion income from acquired loans and early payoff fees, Q1 2019 net interest margin was 3.81% compared to 3.84% in Q4 2018.

• The Company reported book value per common share of $26.56 and $25.83 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Tangible book value per common share was $20.10 and $19.36 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

• At March 31, 2019, the Company’s regulatory capital ratios exceeded the minimum levels currently required. Stockholders’ equity totaled $589.2 million as of March 31, 2019 compared to $575.3 million at December 31, 2018. Tangible equity to tangible assets at March 31, 2019 was 12.05% compared to 11.83% at December 31, 2018.

• During Q1 2019, the Company repurchased approximately 129,000 shares at an average price of $32.33.

Banking Segment

  • Banking segment net income increased 271.0% to $14.8 million for Q1 2019 compared to $4.0 million for Q1 2018. Included in net income for Q1 2019 and Q1 2018 was accretion income from acquired loans of $1.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Included in net income for Q1 2018 were merger-related expenses of $14.7 million.
  • Banking segment operating earnings remained flat at $14.9 million for Q1 2019 and Q1 2018.
  • Provision for loan losses during Q1 2019 was $700,000. The provision for loan losses during Q1 2019 was primarily driven by organic loan growth. There was no provision for loan losses recorded during Q1 2018 primarily due to the net recoveries experienced and asset quality.
  • Other non-interest expense for Q1 2019 included a loss on sale and expense of other real estate owned of approximately $186,000. 
  • Non-performing assets (NPA) were 0.34% and 0.35% of total assets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
  • Loans receivable, gross increased at an annualized rate of 10.5% to $2.6 billion at March 31, 2019 compared to $2.5 billion at December 31, 2018.
  • Total deposits increased $98.9 million since December 31, 2018.

Wholesale Mortgage Banking Segment

  • Net income for the wholesale mortgage banking segment was $390,000 for Q1 2019 compared to $562,000 for Q1 2018. The decrease in Q1 2019 was primarily driven by a decrease in origination activity and closings  impacting mortgage banking income.
  • Net margin was 2.04% for Q1 2019 compared to 1.74% for Q1 2018. Originations for Q1 2019 and 2018 were $140.3 million and $180.5 million, respectively.

Dividend Declared

On April 24, 2019 the Company declared a $0.09 dividend per common share, payable on July 5, 2019, to stockholders of record on June 14, 2019.

Conference Call

A conference call will be held at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time on April 25, 2019. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (866) 464-9448 or (213) 660-0874 and requesting the Carolina Financial Corporation earnings call. The conference ID number is 6047389. Listeners should dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.  The live webcast and presentation slides will be available on www.haveanicebank.com under Investor Relations.

A replay of the webcast will be available on www.haveanicebank.com under Investor Relations, News and Market Information and Presentations approximately three hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 and requesting conference number 6047389.

About Carolina Financial Corporation

Carolina Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CARO) is the holding company of CresCom Bank, which also owns and operates Atlanta-based Crescent Mortgage Company.  As of March 31, 2019, Carolina Financial Corporation had approximately $3.8 billion in total assets and Crescent Mortgage Company was approved to originate loans in 48 states, partnering with community banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers.

Addendum to News Release – Use of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Such statements should be read along with the accompanying tables, which provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures. This news release and the accompanying tables discuss financial measures, including but not limited to, core deposits, tangible book value, operating earnings, net interest margin-core and yield on loans receivable-core, which are non-GAAP measures. We believe that such non-GAAP measures are useful because they enhance the ability of investors and management to evaluate and compare the Company’s operating results from period to period in a meaningful manner. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under GAAP. Investors should consider the Company’s performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the company. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

Please refer to the Non-GAAP reconciliation tables later in this release for additional information. 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective.  Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements with respect to our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts, and other statements identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” and “projects,” as well as similar expressions.  Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  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 following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly and have an effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; (2) the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations may be different than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in the credit quality or a reduced demand for credit, including the resultant effect on the Company’s loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses; (3) the rate of delinquencies and amounts of charge-offs, the level of allowance for loan loss, the rates of loan growth, or adverse changes in asset quality in our loan portfolio, which may result in increased credit risk-related losses and expenses; (4) the risk that the preliminary financial information reported herein and our current preliminary analysis will be different when our review is finalized; (5) changes in the U.S. legal and regulatory framework including, but not limited to, the Dodd-Frank Act and regulations adopted thereunder; (6) adverse conditions in the stock market, the public debt market and other capital markets (including changes in interest rate conditions) could have a negative impact on the Company; (7) the business related to acquisitions may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected; (8) the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from acquisitions may not be fully realized within expected timeframes; (9) disruption from acquisitions may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with clients, associates, or suppliers; and (10) the impact of hurricanes and other natural disasters on our loan portfolio and the economic prospects of our coastal markets.  Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in our reports (such as our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

CAROLINA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
       
  March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
  (Unaudited)  (Audited) 
       
       
  (Dollars in thousands) 
ASSETS        
Cash and due from banks $25,757   28,857 
Interest-bearing cash  34,251   33,276 
Cash and cash equivalents  60,008   62,133 
Securities available-for-sale  813,257   842,801 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost  18,349   21,696 
Other investments  3,473   3,450 
Derivative assets  3,176   4,032 
Loans held for sale  23,799   16,972 
Loans receivable, gross  2,590,610   2,524,336 
Allowance for loan losses  (15,021)  (14,463)
Loans receivable, net  2,575,589   2,509,873 
         
Premises and equipment, net  60,547   60,866 
Right of use operating lease asset  18,004    
Accrued interest receivable  13,618   13,494 
Real estate acquired through foreclosure, net  1,335   1,534 
Deferred tax assets, net  4,270   5,786 
Mortgage servicing rights  32,033   32,933 
Cash value life insurance  58,896   58,728 
Core deposit intangible  15,713   16,462 
Goodwill  127,592   127,592 
Other assets  12,521   12,396 
Total assets $3,842,180   3,790,748 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Liabilities:        
Noninterest-bearing deposits $575,990   547,022 
Interest-bearing deposits  2,241,080   2,171,171 
Total deposits  2,817,070   2,718,193 
Short-term borrowed funds  321,000   405,500 
Long-term debt  59,480   59,436 
Right of use operating lease liability  18,296    
Derivative liabilities  2,492   1,232 
Drafts outstanding  7,610   8,129 
Advances from borrowers for insurance and taxes  5,934   4,100 
Accrued interest payable  2,371   1,591 
Reserve for mortgage repurchase losses  1,192   1,292 
Dividends payable to stockholders  1,785   1,576 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  15,800   14,414 
Total liabilities  3,253,030   3,215,463 
Stockholders’ equity:        
Preferred stock      
Common stock  223   224 
Additional paid-in capital  404,869   408,224 
Retained earnings  179,845   167,173 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  4,213   (336)
Total stockholders’ equity  589,150   575,285 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $3,842,180   3,790,748 
         


CAROLINA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
  For the Three Months 
  Ended March 31, 
  2019  2018 
       
  (In thousands, except share data) 
Interest income        
Loans $34,977   31,663 
Investment securities  7,355   5,707 
Dividends from Federal Home Loan Bank stock  262   175 
Other interest income  187   131 
Total interest income  42,781   37,676 
Interest expense        
Deposits  6,303   3,642 
Short-term borrowed funds  2,316   1,253 
Long-term debt  691   650 
Total interest expense  9,310   5,545 
Net interest income  33,471   32,131 
Provision for loan losses  700    
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  32,771   32,131 
Noninterest income        
Mortgage banking income  3,418   3,801 
Deposit service charges  1,667   2,024 
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities  1,194   (697)
Fair value adjustments on interest rate swaps  (1,371)  803 
Net increase in cash value life insurance  398   390 
Mortgage loan servicing income  2,638   2,025 
Debit card income, net  975   927 
Other  952   775 
Total noninterest income  9,871   10,048 
Noninterest expense        
Salaries and employee benefits  13,471   13,668 
Occupancy and equipment  4,121   3,652 
Marketing and public relations  426   376 
FDIC insurance  255   255 
Recovery of mortgage loan repurchase losses  (100)  (150)
Legal expense  86   76 
Other real estate expense (income), net  186   (94)
Mortgage subservicing expense  706   565 
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights  1,236   979 
Amortization of core deposit intangible  749   806 
Merger-related expenses     14,710 
Other  3,011   2,755 
Total noninterest expense  24,147   37,598 
Income before income taxes  18,495   4,581 
Income tax expense  3,950   525 
Net income $14,545   4,056 
         
Earnings per common share:        
Basic $0.66   0.19 
Diluted $0.65   0.19 
Dividends per common share $0.07   0.05 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
Basic  22,193,861   20,908,225 
Diluted  22,381,809   21,119,316 
         


CAROLINA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
                
  At or for the Three Months Ended 
Selected Financial Data: March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  March 31,
2018
 
                
Selected Average Balances:                    
Total assets $3,826,116   3,700,795   3,663,915   3,627,402   3,522,407 
Investment securities and FHLB stock  833,720   838,834   831,793   809,625   770,161 
Loans receivable, net  2,535,192   2,428,603   2,402,075   2,401,075   2,322,203 
Loans held for sale  13,754   20,120   23,692   23,137   21,645 
Deposits  2,751,913   2,760,156   2,735,346   2,677,401   2,616,640 
Stockholders’ equity  580,300   569,528   559,401   497,694   477,830 
                     
Performance Ratios (annualized):                    
Return on average stockholders’ equity  10.03  10.85%  10.87%  12.03%  3.40%
Return on average tangible equity (Non-GAAP)  13.32%  14.53%  14.68%  17.02%  4.90%
Return on average assets  1.52%  1.67%  1.66%  1.65%  0.46%
Operating return on average stockholders’ equity (Non-GAAP)  10.11%  11.88%  10.99%  12.54%  12.51%
Operating return on average tangible equity (Non-GAAP)  13.44%  15.92%  14.85%  17.74%  18.06%
Operating return on average assets (Non-GAAP)  1.53%  1.83%  1.68%  1.72%  1.70%
Average earning assets to average total assets  89.72%  89.64%  89.59%  89.82%  89.28%
Average loans receivable to average deposits  92.12%  87.99%  87.82%  89.68%  88.75%
Average stockholders’ equity to average assets  15.17%  15.39%  15.27%  13.72%  13.57%
Net interest margin-tax equivalent (1)  4.00%  4.23%  4.15%  4.11%  4.20%
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans receivable  0.02%  (0.02)%  0.02%  0.04%  (0.21)%
Nonperforming assets to period end loans receivable  0.50%  0.53%  0.49%  0.42%  0.45%
Nonperforming assets to total assets  0.34%  0.35%  0.32%  0.28%  0.30%
Nonperforming loans to total loans  0.45%  0.47%  0.43%  0.35%  0.36%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of gross loans receivable (end of period) (2)  0.58%  0.57%  0.55%  0.54%  0.53%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of gross non-acquired loans receivable (Non-GAAP)  0.77%  0.79%  0.80%  0.80%  0.85%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans (2)  129.74%  123.13%  129.26%  153.84%  146.93%
                     
Nonperforming Assets, excluding purchased credit impaired:                    
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing $   20   32   19    
Nonaccrual loans  11,578   11,721   10,501   8,423   8,649 
Total nonperforming loans  11,578   11,741   10,533   8,442   8,649 
Real estate acquired through foreclosure, net  1,335   1,534   1,601   1,726   1,963 
Total nonperforming assets $12,913   13,275   12,134   10,168   10,612 

(1) Net interest margin-tax equivalent reflects tax-exempt income on a tax-equivalent basis.
(2) Acquired loans represent 24.9%, 27.2%, 30.5%, 33.5% and 36.8%, of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. 

Carolina Financial Corporation         
Segment Information         
(Unaudited)         
(Dollars in thousands)   
  For the Three Months Ended  Increase
(Decrease)
 
  March 31,  Three 
  2019  2018  Months 
Segment net income:            
Community banking $14,781   3,984   10,797 
Wholesale mortgage banking  390   562   (172)
Other  (636)  (497)  (139)
Eliminations  10   7   3 
Total net income $14,545   4,056   10,489 


                
  For the Three Months Ended 
  March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  March 31,
2018
 
Segment net income:                    
Community banking $14,781   15,449   15,263   14,928   3,984 
Wholesale mortgage banking  390   599   555   598   562 
Other  (636)  (594)  (606)  (568)  (497)
Eliminations  10   (10)  (8)  8   7 
Total net income $14,545   15,444   15,204   14,966   4,056 


                
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 
  Community  Mortgage          
  Banking  Banking  Other  Eliminations  Total 
Interest income $42,476   390   15   (100)  42,781 
Interest expense  8,756   128   556   (130)  9,310 
Net interest income (expense)  33,720   262   (541)  30   33,471 
Provision for loan losses  700            700 
Noninterest income from external customers  4,556   5,296   19      9,871 
Intersegment noninterest income  242   18      (260)   
Noninterest expense  18,991   4,846   310      24,147 
Intersegment noninterest expense     240   2   (242)   
Income (loss) before income taxes  18,827   490   (834)  12   18,495 
Income tax expense (benefit)  4,046   100   (198)  2   3,950 
Net income (loss) $14,781   390   (636)  10   14,545 


    
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 
  Community  Mortgage          
  Banking  Banking  Other  Eliminations  Total 
Interest income $37,257   431   13   (25)  37,676 
Interest expense  5,084   53   461   (53)  5,545 
Net interest income (expense)  32,173   378   (448)  28   32,131 
Provision for loan losses               
Noninterest income from external customers  5,059   4,924   65      10,048 
Intersegment noninterest income  242   17      (259)   
Noninterest expense  32,929   4,389   280      37,598 
Intersegment noninterest expense     240   2   (242)   
Income (loss) before income taxes  4,545   690   (665)  11   4,581 
Income tax expense (benefit)  561   128   (168)  4   525 
Net income (loss) $3,984   562   (497)  7   4,056 


                   
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 
  Loan Originations  Mortgage Banking Income  Margin 
  2019  2018  2019  2018  2019  2018 
Additional segment information:                      
Community banking $20,438   31,427   559   653  2.74 2.08%
Wholesale mortgage banking  140,251   180,494   2,859   3,148  2.04% 1.74%
Total $160,689   211,921   3,418   3,801  2.13% 1.79%




Carolina Financial Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP
Financial Measures - Consolidated
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
   
  At the Month Ended
  March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,
  2019 2018 2018 2018 2018
           
Core deposits:           
Noninterest-bearing demand accounts $575,990 547,022 567,394 577,568 547,744
Interest-bearing demand accounts  581,424 566,527 579,522 584,719 558,942
Savings accounts  188,725 192,322 190,946 198,571 212,249
Money market accounts  458,575 431,246 453,957 458,558 463,676
Total core deposits (Non-GAAP)  1,804,714 1,737,117 1,791,819 1,819,416 1,782,611
            
Certificates of deposit:           
Less than $250,000  923,709 875,749 863,290 788,693 791,789
$250,000 or more  88,647 105,327 104,514 100,689 102,569
Total certificates of deposit  1,012,356 981,076 967,804 889,382 894,358
Total deposits $2,817,070 2,718,193 2,759,623 2,708,798 2,676,969


                
  At the Month Ended 
  March 31,  December 31,  September 30,  June 30,  March 31, 
  2019  2018  2018  2018  2018 
                
Tangible book value per share:                
Total stockholders’ equity $589,150  575,285  564,027  551,784  475,046 
Less intangible assets  (143,305) (144,054) (144,817) (145,595) (146,387)
Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) $445,845  431,231  419,210  406,189  328,659 
                 
Issued and outstanding shares  22,296,372  22,387,009  22,570,445  22,570,182  21,057,539 
Less nonvested restricted stock awards  (111,578) (117,966) (135,045) (137,345) (136,395)
Period end dilutive shares  22,184,794  22,269,043  22,435,400  22,432,837  20,921,144 
                 
Total stockholders’ equity $589,150  575,285  564,027  551,784  475,046 
Divided by period end dilutive shares  22,184,794  22,269,043  22,435,400  22,432,837  20,921,144 
Common book value per share $26.56  25.83  25.14  24.60  22.71 
                 
Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) $445,845  431,231  419,210  406,189  328,659 
Divided by period end dilutive shares  22,184,794  22,269,043  22,435,400  22,432,837  20,921,144 
Tangible common book value per share (Non-GAAP) $20.10  19.36  18.69  18.11  15.71 


  At the Month Ended 
  March 31,  December 31,  September 30,  June 30,  March 31, 
  2019  2018  2018  2018  2018 
Acquired and non-acquired loans:                
Acquired loans receivable $644,461  686,401  749,442  813,688  877,012 
Non-acquired gross loans receivable  1,946,149  1,837,935  1,708,022  1,613,533  1,503,006 
Total gross loans receivable $2,590,610  2,524,336  2,457,464  2,427,221  2,380,018 
% Acquired  24.88 27.19% 30.50% 33.52% 36.85%
                 
Non-acquired loans $1,946,149  1,837,935  1,708,022  1,613,533  1,503,006 
Allowance for loan losses  15,021  14,463  13,615  12,987  12,708 
Allowance for loan losses to non-acquired loans (Non-GAAP)  0.77% 0.79% 0.80% 0.80% 0.85%
                 
Total gross loans receivable $2,590,610  2,524,336  2,457,464  2,427,221  2,380,018 
Allowance for loan losses  15,021  14,463  13,615  12,987  12,708 
Allowance for loan losses to total gross loans receivable  0.58% 0.57% 0.55% 0.54% 0.53%


Carolina Financial Corporation     
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Consolidated   
(Unaudited)   
(In thousands, except share data)
                
  For the Three Months Ended 
  March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  March 31,
2018
 
As Reported:                
Income before income taxes $18,495  19,425  19,431  19,002  4,581 
Tax expense  3,950  3,981  4,227  4,036  525 
Net Income $14,545  15,444  15,204  14,966  4,056 
                 
Net interest margin-tax equivalent (2) $33,899  35,349  34,298  33,320  32,571 
Purchased loan accretion and early payoff charges and deferred fees  (1,617) (3,283) (2,831) (2,226) (3,151)
Net interest margin - core (3) (Non-GAAP) $32,282  32,066  31,467  31,094  29,420 
                 
Loans receivable interest income $34,813  34,969  33,357  32,497  31,458 
Purchased loan accretion and early payoff charges and deferred fees  (1,617) (3,283) (2,831) (2,226) (3,151)
Loans receivable interest income - core (3) (Non-GAAP) $33,196  31,686  30,526  30,271  28,307 
                 
Average equity $580,300  569,528  559,401  497,694  477,830 
Average tangible equity (Non-GAAP)  436,630  425,105  414,205  351,703  331,047 
Average assets  3,826,116  3,700,795  3,663,915  3,627,401  3,522,407 
Average loans receivable  2,535,192  2,428,603  2,402,075  2,401,075  2,322,203 
Average interest earning assets  3,432,818  3,322,894  3,282,426  3,253,708  3,144,910 
                 
Return on average assets  1.52 1.67% 1.66% 1.65% 0.46%
Return on average equity  10.03 10.85% 10.87% 12.03% 3.40%
Return on average tangible equity (Non-GAAP)  13.32 14.53% 14.68% 17.02% 4.90%
Tangible equity to tangible assets  12.05 11.83% 11.72% 11.45% 9.65%
Net interest margin-tax equivalent (2)  4.00 4.23% 4.15% 4.11% 4.20%
Net interest margin-core (3) (Non-GAAP)  3.81% 3.84% 3.80% 3.83% 3.79%
Yield on loans receivable-core (3) (Non-GAAP)  5.31% 5.18% 5.04% 5.06% 4.94%
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                
Basic  22,193,861  22,416,190  22,678,681  21,243,094  20,908,225 
Diluted  22,381,809  22,587,466  22,898,983  21,454,039  21,119,316 
Earnings per common share:                
Basic $0.66  0.69  0.67  0.70  0.19 
Diluted $0.65  0.68  0.66  0.70  0.19 
                 
Operating Earnings and Performance Ratios:                
Income before income taxes $18,495  19,425  19,431  19,002  4,581 
(Gain)/loss on sale of securities  (1,194) (346) 849  746  697 
Fair value adjustments on interest rate swaps  1,371  2,222  (628) (451) (803)
Merger related expenses        506  14,710 
Operating earnings before income taxes  18,672  21,301  19,652  19,803  19,185 
Tax expense (1)  4,001  4,379  4,279  4,205  4,242 
Operating earnings (Non-GAAP) $14,671  16,922  15,373  15,598  14,943 
                 
Average equity $580,300  569,528  559,401  497,694  477,830 
Less average intangible assets  (143,670) (144,423) (145,196) (145,991) (146,783)
Average tangible common equity (Non-GAAP) $436,630  425,105  414,205  351,703  331,047 
                 
Average assets $3,826,116  3,700,795  3,663,915  3,627,401  3,522,407 
Less average intangible assets  (143,670) (144,423) (145,196) (145,991) (146,783)
Average tangible assets (Non-GAAP) $3,682,446  3,556,372  3,518,719  3,481,410  3,375,624 
                 
Operating return on average assets (Non-GAAP)  1.53% 1.83% 1.68% 1.72% 1.70%
Operating return on average equity (Non-GAAP)  10.11% 11.88% 10.99% 12.54% 12.51%
Operating return on average tangible assets (Non-GAAP)  1.59% 1.90% 1.75% 1.79% 1.77%
Operating return on average tangible equity (Non-GAAP)  13.44% 15.92% 14.85% 17.74% 18.06%
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                
Basic  22,193,861  22,416,190  22,678,681  21,243,094  20,908,225 
Diluted  22,381,809  22,587,466  22,898,983  21,454,039  21,119,316 
Operating earnings per common share:                
Basic (Non-GAAP) $0.66  0.75  0.68  0.73  0.71 
Diluted (Non-GAAP) $0.66  0.75  0.67  0.73  0.71 

(1) Tax expense is determined using the effective tax rate adjusted to eliminate the impact of the non-operating items.
(2) Net interest margin-tax equivalent reflects tax-exempt income on a tax-equivalent basis.
(3) Net interest margin-core and yield on loans receivable - core excludes the impact of purchase accounting accretion, loan payoff charges and related deferred fees recognized related to early loan repayments.  

                
Carolina Financial Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP
Financial Measures - Community
Banking Segment 
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
                
  For the Three Months Ended 
  March 31,
2019
  December 31,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  March 31,
2018
 
Segment net income:                
Community banking $14,781  15,449  15,263  14,928  3,984 
Wholesale mortgage banking  390  599  555  598  562 
Other  (636) (594) (606) (568) (497)
Eliminations  10  (10) (8) 8  7 
Total net income $14,545  15,444  15,204  14,966  4,056 
                 
Community banking segment operating earnings:                
Income before income taxes $18,827  19,424  19,517  18,924  4,545 
Tax expense (1)  4,046  3,975  4,254  3,996  561 
Bank segment net income $14,781  15,449  15,263  14,928  3,984 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                
Basic  22,193,861  22,416,190  22,678,681  21,243,094  20,908,225 
Diluted  22,381,809  22,587,466  22,898,983  21,454,039  21,119,316 
                 
Bank segment earnings per common share:                
Basic $0.67  0.69  0.67  0.70  0.19 
Diluted $0.66  0.68  0.67  0.70  0.19 
                 
Bank segment income before taxes $18,827  19,424  19,517  18,924  4,545 
(Gain) loss on sale of securities  (1,194) (346) 849  746  692 
Fair value adjustments on interest rate swaps  1,371  2,222  (628) (451) (755)
Merger related expenses        506  14,710 
Operating earnings before income taxes  19,004  21,300  19,738  19,725  19,192 
Tax expense (1)  4,096  4,371  4,306  4,152  4,288 
Operating bank segment earnings (Non-GAAP) $14,908  16,929  15,432  15,573  14,904 
                 
Operating bank segment earnings per common share:                
Basic (Non-GAAP) $0.67  0.76  0.68  0.73  0.71 
Diluted (Non-GAAP) $0.67  0.75  0.67  0.73  0.71 

(1) Tax expense is determined using the effective tax rate adjusted to eliminate the impact of the non-operating items.

For More Information, Contact:
William A. Gehman III, EVP and CFO, 843.723.7700