Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. Completes its 30th Year and Announces 2018 Net Income of $28.9 Million 


LOWELL, Mass., Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company" or "Enterprise") (NASDAQ: EBTC), parent of Enterprise Bank, announced net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $28.9 million, an increase of $9.5 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  Diluted earnings per share were $2.46 for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $1.66 for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $6.5 million, an increase of $3.8 million compared to the same three-month period in 2017.  Diluted earnings per share were $0.55 for the three months ended December 31, 2018, compared to $0.23 for the same three-month period in 2017.

As previously announced on January 15, 2019, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share to be paid on March 4, 2019 to shareholders of record as of February 11, 2019.

Chief Executive Officer Jack Clancy commented, "The increase in our fourth quarter and full year 2018 earnings compared to 2017 is largely attributable to our continued growth and lower tax expense in 2018 due to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "2017 Tax Act").  Total assets and total loans both increased 5% and customer deposits have increased 9% compared to December 31, 2017.  The collective efforts and contributions of our dedicated Enterprise team, including active community involvement, relationship building, a customer-focused mindset, and ongoing enhancements to our leading-edge product and service offerings, continue to drive this growth.  We are proud to be recognized for the 7th consecutive year on the Boston Globe's Top Places to Work list among large-sized companies in Massachusetts, with our 2018 ranking at number 3.  Strategically, our focus is on our long-term success and our goal to be the best and most impactful independent community bank in America.  This includes adhering to our mission to serve a higher purpose and make a positive contribution to society.  To achieve this, our top priority has been and always will be ongoing investment in our greatest asset: our people.  We remain focused on organic growth and continually planning for and investing in our future with an emphasis on people, technology, digital transformation, branch investment, and adding new branch locations."

Founder and Chairman of the Board George Duncan commented, "Thirty years ago, on January 3, 1989, we opened the doors of Enterprise Bank with the simple goal of being a locally-owned commercial bank committed to the success of our customers, communities, shareholders and team members.  Together, we have achieved so much in so many ways.  We now have 24 branch locations, are close to exceeding both $3.0 billion in total assets and $4.0 billion in assets under management and have been profitable every quarter since 1990.  We have been a partner to all our communities and have contributed significantly in both financial and human capital.  Yet, there is still so much to achieve.  Today, as on day one, we remain steadfastly independent and completely and deeply committed to all our stakeholders and the communities in which we operate and I am very confident the next thirty years will be even more special than the first thirty years."

Results of Operations

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $108.8 million, an increase of $11.3 million, or 12%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  Net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $28.2 million, an increase of $2.2 million, or 8%, compared to the same period in 2017.  The increase in net interest income was due largely to loan growth.  Average loan balances (including loans held for sale) increased $173.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $107.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, compared to the same 2017 respective period averages.  Tax equivalent net interest margin ("margin") was 3.97% for both the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.  Margin was 4.03% for the three months ended December 31, 2018, compared to 4.05% for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

For the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the provision to the allowance for loan losses amounted to $2.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively.  During the three months ended December 31, 2018, there was a reduction to the allowance for loan losses of $400 thousand, compared to a reduction of $200 thousand during the three months ended December 31, 2017.

The primary factor in the increase in the year-to-date provision for loan losses compared to the prior year was an increase in the balance of the allowance for loan losses allocated to impaired and classified loans of $857 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to a decrease of $1.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.  This increase in 2018 was primarily due to credit deterioration of several impaired and classified commercial relationships for which management determined additional provisions were necessary based on review of underlying collateral values, individual business circumstances, and credit metrics.  The allowance allocated to general reserves for non-classified loans was relatively flat at December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017, as provisions necessary for loan growth were offset by generally improved economic metrics.

Also affecting the provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the prior year were:

  • Net charge-offs of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to net recoveries of $143 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2017.
     
  • Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans amounted to 0.49% at December 31, 2018, compared to 0.40% at December 31, 2017.
     
  • The ratio of adversely classified loans (substandard, doubtful, loss) to total loans amounted to 1.49% at December 31, 2018, compared to 1.16% at December 31, 2017.
     
  • Loan growth for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $117.6 million, compared to $247.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.

The allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio was 1.42% at December 31, 2018, compared to 1.45% at December 31, 2017.

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $12.0 million, a decrease of $3.7 million, or 24%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  Non-interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $742 thousand, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 82%, compared to the same quarter in the prior year.  Decreases in both quarterly and year-to-date non-interest income compared to the same prior year periods primarily resulted from a December 2018 partial restructure of the bond portfolio undertaken to improve future earnings by selling lower yielding bonds and reinvesting into slightly longer, higher yielding bonds.  The discretionary restructure resulted in realized losses of $2.9 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, non-interest expense amounted to $80.9 million, an increase of $4.7 million, or 6%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  Non-interest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $20.6 million, an increase of $1.5 million, or 8%, compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Increases in both quarterly and year-to-date non-interest expenses over the same periods in the prior year primarily related to the Company's strategic growth and market initiatives, particularly salaries and employee benefits expenses and occupancy and equipment expenses.  The year ended December 31, 2018 also included higher advertising and public relations expenses, which included the Company's Celebration of Excellence, a bi-annual community recognition event, in the second quarter of 2018.

The provision for income taxes amounted to $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $7.4 million, or 46%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  The provision for income taxes for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $2.2 million, a decrease of $6.3 million, or 74%, compared to the same quarter in the prior year.  Decreases in both the quarterly and year-to-date income tax provision compared to the same prior year periods were primarily due to a tax expense adjustment for the Bank's net deferred tax assets in 2017 of $4.8 million and the lower 2018 tax rate, both resulting from the 2017 Tax Act.  Partially offsetting these decreases were lower tax benefits from equity compensation deductions in the current year (which amounted to $302 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $922 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2017) and higher taxable income levels.

Key Financial Highlights

  • Total assets amounted to $2.96 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $2.82 billion at December 31, 2017, an increase of $146.8 million, or 5%.  Since September 30, 2018, total assets have increased $73.8 million, or 3%.
     
  • Total loans amounted to $2.39 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $2.27 billion at December 31, 2017, an increase of $117.6 million, or 5%.  Since September 30, 2018, total loans have increased $77.0 million, or 3%.
     
  • Customer deposits (total deposits excluding brokered deposits) were $2.51 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $2.29 billion at December 31, 2017, an increase of $214.1 million, or 9%.  Since September 30, 2018, customer deposits have increased $20.1 million, or 1%.
     
  • Investment assets under management amounted to $800.8 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $845.0 million at December 31, 2017, a decrease of $44.2 million, or 5%.  Since September 30, 2018, investment assets under management have decreased $82.3 million, or 9%.  The decrease in investment assets under management was primarily due to fluctuations in the financial markets.
     
  • Total assets under management amounted to $3.85 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $3.75 billion at December 31, 2017, an increase of $102.7 million, or 3%.  Since September 30, 2018, total assets under management have decreased $11.2 million, or 0.3%.

Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. is a Massachusetts corporation that conducts substantially all of its operations through Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, commonly referred to as Enterprise Bank, and has reported 117 consecutive profitable quarters.  The Company is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and investing in commercial loans and investment securities.  Through Enterprise Bank and its subsidiaries, the Company offers a range of commercial, residential and consumer loan products, deposit products and cash management services, electronic banking options, and insurance services.  The Company also provides a range of investment advisory, wealth management and trust services delivered via two channels, Enterprise Wealth Management and Enterprise Wealth Services.  The Company's headquarters and Enterprise Bank's main office are located at 222 Merrimack Street in Lowell, Massachusetts.  The Company's primary market area is the Greater Merrimack Valley and North Central regions of Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire (Southern Hillsborough and Rockingham counties).  Enterprise Bank has 24 full-service branches located in the Massachusetts communities of Lowell, Acton, Andover, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Fitchburg, Lawrence, Leominster, Methuen, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough and Westford and in the New Hampshire communities of Derry, Hudson, Nashua, Pelham, Salem and Windham.

This earnings release contains statements about future events that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by references to a future period or periods or by the use of the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "assume," "will," "should," "plan," and other similar terms or expressions.  Forward-looking statements should not be relied on because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company.  These risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results, performance, and achievements of the Company to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, competition, the receipt of required regulatory approvals, and changes in tax laws including, among other risks, potential future tax rate changes, and the risk that costs associated with the 2017 Tax Act and changes to the deferred tax assets and liabilities may be greater than expected.  For more information about these factors, please see our reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K on file with the SEC, including the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."  Any forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty, and specifically disclaim any duty, to update or revise any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands) December 31,
 2018
 December 31,
 2017
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents:    
Cash and due from banks $43,865  $40,310 
Interest-earning deposits 19,255  14,496 
Total cash and cash equivalents 63,120  54,806 
Investment securities at fair value 432,921  405,206 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock 5,357  5,215 
Loans held for sale 701  208 
Loans, less allowance for loan losses of $33,849 at December 31, 2018, and $32,915 at December 31, 2017 2,353,657  2,236,989 
Premises and equipment, net 37,588  37,022 
Accrued interest receivable 11,462  10,614 
Deferred income taxes, net 11,747  10,751 
Bank-owned life insurance 30,138  29,466 
Prepaid income taxes 732  1,301 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 11,279  20,330 
Goodwill 5,656  5,656 
Total assets $2,964,358  $2,817,564 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Liabilities    
Deposits:    
Customer deposits $2,507,999  $2,293,872 
Brokered deposits 56,783  147,490 
Total deposits 2,564,782  2,441,362 
Borrowed funds 100,492  89,000 
Subordinated debt 14,860  14,847 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 27,948  40,067 
Accrued interest payable 979  478 
Total liabilities 2,709,061  2,585,754 
Commitments and Contingencies    
Stockholders' Equity    
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued    
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 11,708,218 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018, and 11,609,853 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 117  116 
Additional paid-in capital 91,281  88,205 
Retained earnings 165,183  143,073 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (1,284) 416 
Total stockholders' equity 255,297  231,810 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $2,964,358  $2,817,564 


ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)

 Three months ended Year ended
 December 31, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)2018 2017 2018 2017
Interest and dividend income:       
Loans and loans held for sale$29,304  $26,015  $111,090  $96,559 
Investment securities2,893  2,144  10,728  8,045 
Other interest-earning assets267  126  1,085  428 
Total interest and dividend income32,464  28,285  122,903  105,032 
Interest expense:       
Deposits3,990  1,878  12,760  5,995 
Borrowed funds51  168  383  590 
Subordinated debt233  233  925  925 
Total interest expense4,274  2,279  14,068  7,510 
Net interest income28,190  26,006  108,835  97,522 
Provision for loan losses(400) (200) 2,250  1,430 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses28,590  26,206  106,585  96,092 
Non-interest income:       
Investment advisory fees1,410  1,346  5,624  5,149 
Deposit and interchange fees1,626  1,622  6,234  6,011 
Income on bank-owned life insurance, net167  174  672  701 
Net (losses) gains on sales of investment securities(2,917) 231  (2,950) 716 
Gains on sales of loans81  101  260  460 
Other income375  683  2,150  2,637 
Total non-interest income742  4,157  11,990  15,674 
Non-interest expense:       
Salaries and employee benefits12,912  11,718  51,257  48,379 
Occupancy and equipment expenses2,222  2,083  8,526  7,960 
Technology and telecommunications expenses1,622  1,583  6,382  6,372 
Advertising and public relations expenses949  842  3,367  2,855 
Audit, legal and other professional fees364  507  1,725  1,565 
Deposit insurance premiums433  405  1,697  1,535 
Supplies and postage expenses255  273  989  999 
Other operating expenses1,891  1,727  6,935  6,480 
Total non-interest expense20,648  19,138  80,878  76,145 
Income before income taxes8,684  11,225  37,697  35,621 
Provision for income taxes2,184  8,505  8,816  16,228 
Net income$6,500  $2,720  $28,881  $19,393 
        
Basic earnings per share$0.56  $0.23  $2.47  $1.68 
Diluted earnings per share$0.55  $0.23  $2.46  $1.66 
        
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding11,703,337  11,602,188  11,679,520  11,568,430 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding11,763,444  11,685,151  11,750,462  11,651,763 


ENTERPRISE BANCORP, INC.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Ratios
(unaudited)

  At or for the
year ended

 At or for the
year ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
     
BALANCE SHEET AND OTHER DATA    
Total assets $2,964,358  $2,817,564 
Loans serviced for others 89,232  89,059 
Investment assets under management 800,751  844,977 
Total assets under management $3,854,341  $3,751,600 
     
Book value per share $21.80  $19.97 
Dividends paid per common share $0.58  $0.54 
Total capital to risk weighted assets 11.77% 11.21%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 9.93% 9.34%
Tier 1 capital to average assets 8.56% 8.22%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 9.93% 9.34%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.42% 1.45%
Non-performing assets $11,784  $9,032 
Non-performing assets to total assets 0.40% 0.32%
     
INCOME STATEMENT DATA    
Return on average total assets 1.00% 0.73%
Return on average stockholders' equity 12.15% 8.58%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent) 3.97% 3.97%

Contact Info: James A. Marcotte, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (978) 656-5614