NEWPORT, NH--(Marketwired - Feb 2, 2016) - Lake Sunapee Bank Group ("we," "us," "our" or the "Company") (
"We are pleased with the Company's performance in 2015. While controlling growth throughout the year as part of capital management in advance of our final SBLF redemption, which occurred during the fourth quarter, we were able to produce strong earnings and increase the dividends paid to our investors. On the lending front, we outperformed our origination projections and increased our sales to the secondary market, which provided additional revenue. Within the existing portfolio, we successfully reduced our nonperforming loans by over 60%," President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Theroux, commented.
Theroux continued, "As we begin 2016, we continue to expand our position within our markets and emerging markets, particularly evidenced by our financial center opening in Concord, New Hampshire, scheduled for early this year. We believe our expertise within banking, insurance and wealth management will be a welcome asset to the market and will ultimately enhance the value of the franchise."
Full Year Highlights
Highlights of the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 include:
- Net income was $9.0 million, or $1.08 per diluted common share.
- Common Equity Tier I capital remained strong at 9.41%.
- Return on average common stockholders' equity of 6.67% and return on average assets of 0.61%.
- Book value per common share increased 2.19% to $16.32 as of December 31, 2015.
- Loans increased $10.6 million, or 0.88%, to $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2015.
- Loans totaling $354.2 million were originated.
- Our loan servicing portfolio increased $34.3 million to $445.9 million.
- Net loan charge-offs were $1.4 million, or 0.11% of average loans, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.
- As a percentage of total loans, nonperforming loans were 0.49%.
- Net interest margin was 2.87%.
- Noninterest expense was $46.2 million, a decrease of $441 thousand compared to the same period in 2014.
Fourth Quarter Highlights
Highlights of the three months ended December 31, 2015 (as compared to the prior quarter end and quarter to date) include:
- Net income was $2.2 million, or $0.26 per diluted common share.
- Total assets increased $27.8 million, or 1.86%, to $1.5 billion.
- Loans increased $21.3 million, or 1.78%, to $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2015.
- Loans totaling $88.8 million were originated.
- Our loan servicing portfolio increased $5.1 million to $445.9 million.
- Net loan charge-offs were $304 thousand, or 0.11% (annualized) of average loans, for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.
- Deposits decreased $20.4 million, or 1.80%, to $1.2 billion.
Earnings Summary for the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015
Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2015 was $2.2 million, an increase of $14 thousand, or 0.65%, compared to the third quarter of 2015. The increase in net income resulted from decreases of $219 thousand, or 1.86%, in non-interest expense and $358 thousand in provision for income taxes offset, in part, by a decrease of $614 thousand, or 5.89%, in net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses.
Net income of $9.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 decreased $1.0 million, or 10.07%, compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease in net income resulted from decreases of $816 thousand, or 1.99%, in net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses and $602 thousand, or 3.13%, in noninterest income offset, in part, by a decrease of $441 thousand, or 0.95%, in other expense.
Net Interest Income and Margin
Net interest and dividend income for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 decreased $19 thousand, or 0.18%, compared to the third quarter of 2015. Interest and dividend income increased $31 thousand, or 0.26%, to $12.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The increase includes a decrease of $41 thousand, or 0.35%, in interest and fees on loans due in large part to a decrease in the accretion of credit marks and an increase of $79 thousand, or 27.15%, in interest on taxable debt securities. Interest expense increased $50 thousand, or 3.05%, including a decrease of $27 thousand in interest on deposits and an increase of $69 thousand on advances and other borrowed money as cost of replacing short-term advances increased.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2015, our net interest margin increased to 3.07% compared to 2.99% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The average cost of deposits for the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased to 0.33% compared to 0.34% for the third quarter of 2015. The average cost of funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 was 0.52% compared to 0.51% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.
Net interest and dividend income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 decreased $665 thousand, or 1.59%, compared to the same period in 2014, driven by a reduction in interest and dividend income. Interest and dividend income decreased $595 thousand, or 1.22%, to $48.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. This decrease included decreases of $420 thousand, or 0.90%, in interest and fees on loans as the average yield declined by 20 basis points and $322 thousand, or 17.07%, in interest on debt securities as the average yield declined by 28 basis points, offset in part by an increase of $110 thousand, or 66.67%, in dividend income. Interest expense increased $70 thousand, or 1.03%, which included decreases of $551 thousand, or 12.34%, in interest on deposits and $399 thousand, or 28.16%, in interest on advances and other borrowed money, offset in part by an increase of $1.0 million in interest on debentures due to the issuance of $17.0 million of subordinated debt during the fourth quarter of 2014.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, our net interest margin decreased to 2.88% compared to 3.08% for the same period in 2014 including an 8 basis point impact related to the issuance of the aforementioned subordinated debt. The average yield on interest-earning assets for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 was 3.38% compared to 3.57% for the same period in 2014. The average cost of deposits for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 was 0.36% compared to 0.42% for the same period in 2014. The average cost of funds for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 was 0.53% compared to 0.54% for the same period in 2014.
Provision for Loan Losses
During the fourth quarter of 2015, we recognized an increase of $595 thousand in the provision for loan losses compared to the third quarter of 2015 in part due to changes of the underlying assumptions and methodologies utilized for allowance adequacy. Net loan charge-offs were $304 thousand, or 0.11% (annualized) of average loans, for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to net loan charge-offs of $344 thousand, or 0.11% (annualized) of average loans, for the third quarter of 2015. Provisions for loan losses, excluding those related to overdraft reserves, of $600 thousand were recorded during the fourth quarter of 2015. Provisions of $16 thousand, related to the overdraft reserves, were recorded during the fourth quarter of 2015.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, we recognized provision for loan losses of $1.1 million compared to $905 thousand for the same period in 2014. Net loan charge-offs were $1.4 million, or 0.11% (annualized) of average loans, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.
We believe our provisions are adequate for and reflective of the current portfolio composition, risk, and performance.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $4.4 million, an increase of $51 thousand, or 1.16%, compared to the third quarter of 2015. The increase reflects increases of $95 thousand in mortgage banking activities, $80 thousand in net gains on the sales of other real estate and property owned, and $37 thousand in trust and investment management fees, partially offset by fixed assets write-downs of $84 thousand related to the consolidation of two offices during the fourth quarter, losses on the sales of securities of $26 thousand as we extended our portfolio, and a decrease of $56 thousand in insurance commissions.
Noninterest income for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2015 was $18.6 million, a decrease of $602 thousand, or 3.13%, compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $204 thousand in customer service fees, $603 thousand in gains on sales of securities, net, and $241 thousand in net losses on other real estate and property owned. We recognized write-downs in premises and equipment of $87 thousand related to the consolidation of two branches during the fourth quarter of 2015. Decreases were partially offset by increases of $428 thousand, or 49.20%, in mortgage banking activities and $149 thousand, or 1.79%, in trust and investment management fee income compared to the same period in 2014.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased $219 thousand, or 1.86%, compared to the third quarter of 2015. The decrease included decreases of $49 thousand in salaries and employee benefits, $111 thousand in advertising and promotion, $27 thousand in outside services expense, $37 thousand in ATM processing fees expense, $23 thousand in supplies expense, and $18 thousand in amortization of intangible assets, partially offset by increases of $40 thousand in occupancy and equipment expense compared to the third quarter of 2015.
Noninterest expense for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2015 decreased $441 thousand, or 0.95%, compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease included decreases of $868 thousand in salaries and employee benefits, $68 thousand in depositors' insurance, $55 thousand in ATM processing fees, and $178 thousand in amortization of intangible assets, partially offset by increases of $126 thousand in occupancy and equipment expense, $57 thousand in advertising and promotion expense, and $360 thousand in other expenses, which include increases of $68 thousand in tax-qualified contributions, $100 thousand in periodic impairment on mortgage servicing rights, $86 thousand loss on tax partnerships, $159 thousand in deposit account-related losses, and $153 thousand in holding company expenses, compared to the same period in 2014, offset in part by decreases of $74 thousand in business insurance and $64 thousand in errors and omissions expenses.
Income Tax Provision
Income tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased $358 thousand, or 39.56%, to $547 thousand compared to the third quarter of 2015 primarily due to the recognition of a low income housing tax credit during the fourth quarter. Our effective tax rate was 20.20% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.
Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 increased $34 thousand to $3.6 million compared to the same period in 2014. Our effective tax rate was 28.49% for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2015.
Loans and Credit Quality
During the fourth quarter of 2015, loans increased $21.3 million, or 1.78%, to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2015 compared to September 30, 2015. The fourth quarter increase reflects increases of $1.2 million in conventional real estate loans, $2.4 million in home equity loans, $15.3 million in commercial real estate, and $9.4 million in commercial real estate and land loans, partially offset by decreases of $5.6 million in land and construction loans and $1.2 million in consumer loans.
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, loans increased $10.6 million, or 0.88%, compared to December 31, 2014. The year-to-date increase reflects increases of $3.1 million in home equity loans, $10.3 million in commercial real estate loans, and $8.7 million in commercial and municipal loans partially offset by decreases of $4.3 million in conventional real estate loans, $4.1 million in construction and land loans, and $2.7 million in consumer loans.
At December 31, 2015, nonperforming loans totaled $6.0 million, or 0.49% of total loans, compared to $8.1 million, or 0.67% of total loans, at September 30, 2015 and $7.3 million, or 0.69% of total loans, at December 31, 2014. The allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans at December 31, 2015 was 147.51% compared to 106.89% at September 30, 2015 and 126.50% at December 31, 2014.
Deposits and Funding
Deposits increased $20.4 million, or 1.80%, to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2015 compared to September 30, 2015. Non-maturity deposits increased $33.6 million during the fourth quarter while time deposits decreased $13.2 million including the maturity of $10.0 million in brokered deposits. Our interest-bearing deposits increased $28.9 million, or 2.89%, and noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $8.4 million comparing balances at December 31, 2015 to balances at September 30, 2015.
Deposits increased $4.6 million, or 0.40%, compared to December 31, 2014. Our noninterest-bearing deposits increased $10.5 million, or 8.92%, and interest-bearing deposits decreased $5.9 million, or 0.57%, including a decrease of $51.4 million in time deposits, comparing balances at December 31, 2015 to balances at December 31, 2014.
SBLF Redemption
We redeemed $8.0 million of our outstanding preferred securities issued under the U.S. Treasury's Small Business Lending Fund ("SBLF") program on December 3, 2015. The redemption was funded with retained earnings. Following this redemption, we have no preferred securities outstanding under the SBLF program.
Quarterly Dividend
On January 14, 2016, the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share, which was paid on January 29, 2016 to stockholders of record as of January 25, 2016.
About Lake Sunapee Bank Group
Lake Sunapee Bank Group is the holding company of Lake Sunapee Bank, a federally chartered savings bank that provides a wide range of life-cycle banking and financial services. Lake Sunapee Bank has four wholly owned subsidiaries: Lake Sunapee Financial Services Corp.; Lake Sunapee Group, Inc., which owns and maintains all buildings and investment properties; McCrillis & Eldredge Insurance, Inc., a full-line independent insurance agency; and Charter Holding Corp., which wholly owns Charter Trust Company, a trust services and wealth management company. Lake Sunapee Bank Group, through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, operates 29 offices in New Hampshire in Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Sullivan counties and 15 offices in Vermont in Orange, Rutland and Windsor counties.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements contained in this press release, which speak only as of the date made. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our views as of the date of this release. The Company and the Bank do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
Lake Sunapee Bank Group | ||||||||||||||||
Selected Financial Highlights | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
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(Dollars in thousands except for per share data) | 2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 2,161 | $ | 2,849 | $ | 9,029 | $ | 10,040 | ||||||||
Per Common Share Data: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic Earnings | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 1.19 | ||||||||
Diluted Earnings (1) | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 1.19 | ||||||||
Dividends Paid | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.54 | $ | 0.52 | ||||||||
Dividend Payout Ratio | 53.84 | % | 38.24 | % | 50.00 | % | 43.70 | % | ||||||||
As of | |||||||||
(Dollars in thousands except for per share data) | December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | |||||||
Total Assets | $ | 1,518,521 | $ | 1,503,786 | |||||
Total Securities (2) | 130,161 | 126,460 | |||||||
Loans, Net | 1,217,461 | 1,206,845 | |||||||
Total Deposits | 1,157,352 | 1,152,714 | |||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances | 150,000 | 140,992 | |||||||
Stockholders' Equity | 136,708 | 139,836 | |||||||
Book Value per Common Share | $ | 16.32 | $ | 15.97 | |||||
Common Shares Outstanding | 8,376,841 | 8,258,031 | |||||||
Bank Leverage (Tier I) Capital | 9.02 | % | 8.43 | % | |||||
Common Equity (Tier I) Capital, consolidated | 9.41 | % | n/a (3 | ) | |||||
Number of Offices: | |||||||||
Banking Offices (4) | 34 | 36 | |||||||
Insurance Offices | 3 | 3 | |||||||
Trust Offices | 7 | 7 | |||||||
(1) | Diluted earnings per share are calculated using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period, including common stock equivalents, as appropriate. |
(2) | Includes available-for-sale securities shown at fair value and Federal Home Loan Bank stock at cost. |
(3) | Prior to BASEL III implementation, effective in 2015, the Company did not disclose consolidated capital ratios. |
(4) | The Bank consolidated offices in Vermont and New Hampshire during the fourth quarter of 2015. |
Lake Sunapee Bank Group | |||||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | 2015 | 2014 | |||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||||
Cash and due from banks | $ | 16,426 | $ | 24,957 | |||||||
Overnight deposits | 26,140 | 26,163 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 42,566 | 51,120 | |||||||||
Interest-bearing time deposits with other banks | - | 747 | |||||||||
Securities available-for-sale | 120,198 | 115,698 | |||||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank stock | 9,963 | 10,762 | |||||||||
Loans held-for-sale | 2,188 | 2,000 | |||||||||
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $8.9 million as of December 31, 2015 and $9.3 million as of December 31, 2014 | 1,217,461 | 1,206,845 | |||||||||
Accrued interest receivable | 2,431 | 2,576 | |||||||||
Bank premises and equipment, net | 24,421 | 24,391 | |||||||||
Investments in real estate | 3,392 | 3,533 | |||||||||
Other real estate owned | 904 | 251 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 44,576 | 44,576 | |||||||||
Other intangible assets | 7,822 | 9,332 | |||||||||
Bank-owned life insurance | 30,833 | 20,187 | |||||||||
Other assets | 11,766 | 11,768 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,518,521 | $ | 1,503,786 | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
Deposits: | |||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing | $ | 128,399 | $ | 117,889 | |||||||
Interest-bearing | 1,028,953 | 1,034,825 | |||||||||
Total deposits | 1,157,352 | 1,152,714 | |||||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank advances | 150,000 | 140,992 | |||||||||
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 17,957 | 16,756 | |||||||||
Subordinated debentures | 37,620 | 37,620 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 18,884 | 15,868 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 1,381,813 | 1,363,950 | |||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share: 2,500,000 shares authorized, non-cumulative perpetual Series B; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 8,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014; liquidation value $1,000 per share | -- | -- | |||||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value per share: 30,000,000 shares authorized, 8,811,170 shares issued, and 8,376,841 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 10,000,000 shares authorized, 8,692,360 shares issued, and 8,258,031 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 | 88 | 87 | |||||||||
Paid-in capital | 80,252 | 86,561 | |||||||||
Retained earnings | 68,344 | 63,876 | |||||||||
Unearned restricted stock awards | (1,375 | ) | (598 | ) | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (3,850 | ) | (3,339 | ) | |||||||
Treasury stock, 434,329 shares as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, at cost | (6,751 | ) | (6,751 | ) | |||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 136,708 | 139,836 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,518,521 | $ | 1,503,786 | |||||||
Lake Sunapee Bank Group | ||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except for per share data) | December 31, 2015 |
December 31, 2014 |
December 31, 2015 |
December 31, 2014 |
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Interest and dividend income | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest and fees on loans | $ | 11,558 | $ | 11,794 | $ | 46,227 | $ | 46,647 | ||||||||||
Interest on debt securities: | ||||||||||||||||||
Taxable | 370 | 327 | 1,232 | 1,362 | ||||||||||||||
Tax exempt | 79 | 88 | 332 | 489 | ||||||||||||||
Dividends | 91 | 43 | 275 | 165 | ||||||||||||||
Other | 15 | 19 | 67 | 65 | ||||||||||||||
Total interest and dividend income | 12,113 | 12,271 | 48,133 | 48,728 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest on deposits | 914 | 1,139 | 3,913 | 4,464 | ||||||||||||||
Interest on advances and other borrowed money | 281 | 356 | 1,018 | 1,417 | ||||||||||||||
Interest on debentures | 473 | 371 | 1,867 | 855 | ||||||||||||||
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 21 | 17 | 71 | 63 | ||||||||||||||
Total interest expense | 1,689 | 1,883 | 6,869 | 6,799 | ||||||||||||||
Net interest and dividend income | 10,424 | 10,388 | 41,264 | 41,929 | ||||||||||||||
Provision for loan losses | 616 | 169 | 1,056 | 905 | ||||||||||||||
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses | 9,808 | 10,219 | 40,208 | 41,024 | ||||||||||||||
Noninterest income | ||||||||||||||||||
Customer service fees | 1,494 | 1,509 | 5,818 | 6,022 | ||||||||||||||
(Loss) gain on sales of securities, net | (26 | ) | 194 | 347 | 950 | |||||||||||||
Mortgage banking activities | 291 | 310 | 1,298 | 870 | ||||||||||||||
Net gain (loss) on other real estate and property owned | 14 | (8 | ) | (55 | ) | 186 | ||||||||||||
Net loss on sales and disposals of premises and equipment | (84 | ) | (17 | ) | (87 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||||||||
Rental income | 180 | 188 | 693 | 717 | ||||||||||||||
Trust and investment management fee income | 2,130 | 2,154 | 8,468 | 8,319 | ||||||||||||||
Insurance and brokerage service income | 288 | 315 | 1,452 | 1,476 | ||||||||||||||
Bank owned life insurance income | 148 | 182 | 598 | 635 | ||||||||||||||
Other income | 2 | 1 | 92 | 56 | ||||||||||||||
Total noninterest income | 4,437 | 4,828 | 18,624 | 19,226 | ||||||||||||||
Noninterest expenses | ||||||||||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 6,074 | 6,643 | 24,208 | 25,076 | ||||||||||||||
Occupancy and equipment | 1,525 | 1,493 | 6,225 | 6,099 | ||||||||||||||
Advertising and promotion | 186 | 223 | 923 | 866 | ||||||||||||||
Depositors' insurance | 230 | 221 | 926 | 994 | ||||||||||||||
Outside services | 675 | 582 | 2,560 | 2,455 | ||||||||||||||
Professional services | 351 | 253 | 1,365 | 1,254 | ||||||||||||||
ATM processing fees | 166 | 193 | 788 | 843 | ||||||||||||||
Supplies | 126 | 141 | 547 | 568 | ||||||||||||||
Telephone expense | 265 | 265 | 1,077 | 1,087 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 358 | 403 | 1,510 | 1,688 | ||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 1,581 | 1,419 | 6,076 | 5,716 | ||||||||||||||
Total noninterest expense | 11,537 | 11,836 | 46,205 | 46,646 | ||||||||||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 2,708 | 3,211 | 12,627 | 13,604 | ||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 547 | 362 | 3,598 | 3,564 | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 2,161 | $ | 2,849 | $ | 9,029 | $ | 10,040 | ||||||||||
Net income applicable to common stock | $ | 2,123 | $ | 2,829 | $ | 8,878 | $ | 9,810 | ||||||||||
Earnings per common share, basic | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 1.19 | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of shares, basic | 8,275,880 | 8,249,793 | 8,245,233 | 8,235,213 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings per common share, assuming dilution | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 1.19 | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of shares, assuming dilution | 8,281,936 | 8,264,808 | 8,255,826 | 8,246,528 | ||||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.54 | $ | 0.52 |
Contact Information:
For additional information contact:
Laura Jacobi
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
603-863-0886