Patriot Reports 2020 Year end Results

STAMFORD, Conn., April 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (“Patriot,” “Bancorp” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PNBK), the parent company of Patriot Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), today announced a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.35 basic and diluted loss per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to a net loss of $87 thousand reported in the third quarter of 2020. The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $3.8 million, or $0.97 per fully diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $2.8 million, or $0.72 per fully diluted shares in the fiscal year 2019. The Bank’s loan loss provision on a year over year basis is down $2.8 million, or 56.3% to $2.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

During the fourth quarter, Patriot recorded a $1.9 million charge associated with the establishment of a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets and charges relating to a previous acquisition in the amount of $834 thousand. The income tax provision in the fourth quarter of 2020 was also impacted by a benefit for income taxes of $1.1 million due to reversal of an uncertain tax position.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Patriot has kept all branches open while at the same time leveraging its non-contact ATM’s and Live Banker ATMs. Patriot continues to optimize on-line banking services and expand customer call center staffing. The investments to enhance the digital platform and the customer service experience have been well tested during 2020 and the global pandemic. Patriot’s mobile deposits were up 124% and use of its mobile app banking was up 25%.

Throughout 2020 the Bank provided CARES Act payment relief on approximately $232.4 million of loans. A significant percentage of the loans deferred as a result of the CARES Act have now resumed normal payments. The balance of loans remaining on deferral in conjunction with the CARES Act had declined to $52.6 million at December 31, 2020 and subsequently declined to $37.8 million at March 30, 2021.

Patriot President & CEO Robert Russell stated: “The Bank is fortunate to have committed and dedicated employees who are resilient and resourceful. The Bank, thanks to efforts of its staff, focused on service and process improvements throughout a very challenging year. We continue to observe positive improvements related to loans previously on deferral, net interest margin and noninterest expense. The leadership team continues to evaluate and upgrade its staff and processes as evidenced by its recent upgrade to its SBA staff.” Mr. Russell added: “We believe the changes that have been implemented and a culture of accountability position the Bank for a strong 2021 and beyond. We remain focused on the delivery of excellent customer service with products that support our communities.”    

Financial Results:

As of December 31, 2020, total assets were $880.7 million compared to $979.8 million as of December 31, 2019. Net loans totaled $719.6 million versus $802.0 million as of December 31, 2019. Total deposits were $685.7 million and $769.5 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The change in loans and total assets represents the intentional resizing of the Bank’s balance sheet as the current economic uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are assessed. The Company continues to originate loans, but at a slower pace than in the past, and has seen loan maturities and loan payoffs outpace loan originations during the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Bank remains focused on its cost of funds and funding sources. The overall decline in deposits of $83.9 million was the result of a planned decline in higher cost brokered deposits of $188.6 million partially offset by an increase in core and prepaid deposits in the amount of $104.7 million.

These balance sheet changes have significantly strengthened the Bank’s capital ratios and at the same time improved its net interest margin. These foundational changes position Patriot for a return to profitability in 2021 as margins are expected to continue to improve and the slowdown in business activity is expected to gradually rebound from the impact of the pandemic and return to more normalized levels.

Year-to-date December 31, 2020 net interest income was $24.2 million and declined $1.3 million, or 5.0% from year-to-date December 31, 2019. Net interest income for the fourth quarters of 2020 and 2019 was unchanged at $6.2 million for the respective periods. Net interest margin showed strong improvement as a lower cost of funds resulted in a 2.93% margin in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared with 2.65% for the fourth quarter of 2019.

Compared to the prior year, net interest income was negatively impacted by a lower average loan balance, and an increase in the rate paid on FHLB borrowings associated with the conversion of certain borrowings from a low variable teaser rate to higher fixed rate. Overall, net interest income reflects the impact of lower market rates connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patriot recorded a provision for loan losses of $2.2 million and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The year over year decline represents a decline of 56% compared to the year-to-date December 31, 2019. The decrease in provision for loan loss for the year ended 2020 was attributable to a reduced loan portfolio in 2020, stronger governance around credit administration and oversight of nonperforming assets. In addition, the 2019 provision included the impact of a single commercial loan charge-off as previously reported.   

The Allowance for Loan Losses at December 31, 2020 totaled 1.45% of total loans compared with 1.25% at December 31, 2019. The increase in the Allowance as a percent of loans in 2020 compared to 2019, reflects additional provisions associated with the estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and local business community in 2020 and a slightly lower loan portfolio.

Noninterest income was $2.0 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively representing a decline of 20%. The decrease in noninterest income for the year-to-date period was due largely to reduced deposit fees and charges of $171 thousand and lower levels of gains on sales of SBA loans of $325 thousand associated with delays in executing the sale of those loans in 2020.

Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $28.1 million versus $26.7 million representing an increase of 5% from a year earlier. The increase was primarily due to higher project expenses and a non-cash intangible write-off aggregating $834 thousand relating to a prior period acquisition, and higher salaries and benefits costs.

The income tax benefit was $337 thousand for 2020 and reflects the establishment of a valuation allowance partially offsetting a reversal of a prior tax reserve as noted previously. The tax benefit recorded in 2019 was $899 thousand.

As of December 31, 2020, shareholders’ equity was $63.2 million, compared with $67.0 million at December 31, 2019. Patriot’s book value per share was $16.03 at December 31, 2020, compared with $17.04 at December 31, 2019. The Bank’s capital ratios continue to be strong, maintaining its “well capitalized” regulatory status. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank’s Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.80%, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.25% and total risk-based capital ratio was 12.50%.

Patriot Bank is headquartered in Stamford and operates 9 branch locations: in Scarsdale, NY; and Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Milford, Norwalk, Orange, Stamford, Westport, CT with Express Banking locations at Bridgeport/ Housatonic Community College, downtown New Haven and Trumbull at Westfield Mall. The Bank also maintains SBA lending offices in Stamford, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, along with a Rhode Island operations center.

About the Company:
Founded in 1994, and now celebrating its 26th year, Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (“Patriot” or “Bancorp”) is the parent holding company of Patriot Bank N.A. (“Bank”), a nationally chartered bank headquartered in Stamford, CT. Patriot operates with full service branches in Connecticut and New York and provides lending products and services nationally. Patriot’s mission is to serve its local community and nationwide customer base by providing a growing array of banking solutions to meet the needs of individuals and small businesses owners. Patriot places great value in the integrity of its people and how it conducts business. An emphasis on building strong client relationships and community involvement are cornerstones of our philosophy as we seek to maximize shareholder value.

“Safe Harbor” Statement Under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Certain statements contained in Bancorp’s public statements, including this one, may be forward looking and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) changes in prevailing interest rates which would affect the interest earned on the Company’s interest earning assets and the interest paid on its interest bearing liabilities; (2) the timing of re-pricing of the Company’s interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities; (3) the effect of changes in governmental monetary policy; (4) the effect of changes in regulations applicable to the Company and the Bank and the conduct of its business; (5) changes in competition among financial service companies, including possible further encroachment of non-banks on services traditionally provided by banks; (6) the ability of competitors that are larger than the Company to provide products and services which it is impracticable for the Company to provide; (7) the state of the economy and real estate values in the Company’s market areas, and the consequent effect on the quality of the Company’s loans; (8) demand for loans and deposits in our market area; (9) recent governmental initiatives that are expected to have a profound effect on the financial services industry and could dramatically change the competitive environment of the Company; (10) other legislative or regulatory changes, including those related to residential mortgages, changes in accounting standards, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) premiums that may adversely affect the Company; (11) the application of generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied; (12) the fact that one period of reported results may not be indicative of future periods; (13) the state of the economy in the greater New York metropolitan area and its particular effect on the Company's customers, vendors and communities and other such factors, including risk factors, as may be described in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); (14) political, social, legal and economic instability, civil unrest, war, catastrophic events, acts of terrorism; (15) widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases, including the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak; (16) changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses; (17) our ability to access cost-effective funding; (18) our ability to implement and change our business strategies; (19) changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios; (20) technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected; (21) our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic environment; (22) our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities; (23) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; (24) our ability to retain key employees; and (25) our compensation expense associated with equity allocated or awarded to our employees.