Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2019 Net Income of $8.7 Million


LOWELL, Mass., April 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enterprise Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company" or "Enterprise") (NASDAQ: EBTC), parent of Enterprise Bank, announced net income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 of $8.7 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 27%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018.  Diluted earnings per share were $0.74 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of 28%, compared to $0.58 for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

As previously announced on April 16, 2019, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share to be paid on June 3, 2019 to shareholders of record as of May 13, 2019.

Chief Executive Officer Jack Clancy commented, "Over the past twelve months, total assets increased 8%, total loans increased 4% and customer deposits have increased 14% as compared to March 31, 2018.  The increase in customer deposits includes several relationships which had large short-term balance increases in the quarter.  Loan and deposit growth, along with a reduction in the loan loss provision due to improved credit metrics compared to the March 2018 quarter, were the key drivers to our earnings increase as compared to the first quarter of 2018."

Mr. Clancy added, "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 our growth.  This includes operating from a sense of purpose to serve our fellow team members, customers and communities.  Our top priority and focus has been, and always will be, ongoing investment in our greatest asset: our people.  We also remain focused on organic growth and continually planning for and investing in our future with an emphasis on people, technology, digital transformation, branch renovations and market expansion."

Founder and Chairman of the Board George Duncan commented, "We are profoundly grateful for the trust and confidence placed in us by those who create our success—our shareholders, our customers, our team members, and the communities we are privileged to serve—and who embrace our mission as a genuine community bank to create a lasting and positive impact in our world.  All of us at Enterprise Bank have an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment in what we have achieved to date—a branch network consisting of 24 locations in 19 communities, assets in excess of $3 billion, assets under management in excess of $4 billion and 118 consecutive profitable quarters—and we are extremely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead."

Results of Operations

Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 amounted to $28.1 million, an increase of $2.1 million, or 8%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The increase in net interest income was due largely to interest-earning asset growth, primarily in loans.  Average loan balances (including loans held for sale) increased $98.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same 2018 period average.  Tax equivalent net interest margin was 3.98% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 3.95% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 there was a negative provision to the allowance for loan losses of $400 thousand, compared to a provision of $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The primary factor in the decrease in the year-to-date provision for loan losses compared to the prior year was a reduction in the balance of the allowance for loan losses allocated to impaired, adversely classified, and criticized loans of $81 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to an increase of $1.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Also affecting the provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the prior year were:

  • Net recoveries of $280 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to net recoveries of $9 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
     
  • Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans amounted to 0.46% at both March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018.
     
  • The ratio of adversely classified loans ("substandard," "doubtful," "loss") to total loans amounted to 1.45% at March 31, 2019, compared to 1.19% at March 31, 2018.  However, the reserves allocated to these loans declined $472 thousand over the same period due to generally improved collateral values on impaired loans.
     
  • Loan growth for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was relatively flat, compared to loan growth of $20.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The allowance for loan losses allocated to general reserves for non-classified loans declined $39 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to an increase of $233 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio was 1.41% at March 31, 2019, 1.42% at December 31, 2018 and 1.51% at March 31, 2018.

Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 amounted to $3.8 million and was relatively flat compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018.  Increases in deposit and interchange fees and other income, primarily as a result of market value adjustment gains on equity securities, were partially offset by lower wealth management fees.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, non-interest expense amounted to $20.9 million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 7%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018.  Increases in non-interest expense over the first quarter of 2018 primarily related to the Company's strategic growth, digital and market initiatives, particularly salaries and employee benefits expenses and technology and telecommunications expenses, partially offset by lower FDIC deposit insurance expenses in the first quarter of 2019.

Key Financial Highlights

  • Total assets amounted to $3.07 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $2.96 billion at December 31, 2018, an increase of $109.4 million, or 4%.
     
  • Total loans amounted to $2.38 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $2.39 billion at December 31, 2018, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 0.1%.
     
  • Customer deposits (total deposits excluding brokered deposits) were $2.73 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $2.51 billion at December 31, 2018, an increase of $217.7 million, or 9%.
     
  • Investment assets under management amounted to $848.4 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $800.8 million at December 31, 2018, an increase of $47.7 million, or 6%.
     
  • Total assets under management amounted to $4.01 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $3.85 billion at December 31, 2018, an increase of $158.1 million, or 4%.

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.  Enterprise Bank 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, digital banking options, and insurance services.  Enterprise Bank also provides a range of wealth management, wealth services 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, Nashoba 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 (2), Acton, Andover, Billerica (2), Chelmsford (2), Dracut, Fitchburg, Lawrence, Leominster, Methuen, Tewksbury (2), Tyngsborough and Westford and in the New Hampshire communities of Derry, Hudson, Nashua (2), 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 in, 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 and market expansion opportunities, changes in non-interest expenditures or in the anticipated benefits of such expenditures, the receipt of required regulatory approvals, and changes in tax laws.  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) March 31,
 2019
 December 31,
 2018
 March 31,
 2018
Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents:      
Cash and due from banks $35,715  $43,865  $34,703 
Interest-earning deposits 99,547  19,255  22,175 
Total cash and cash equivalents 135,262  63,120  56,878 
Investments:      
Debt securities at fair value 458,765  431,473  412,213 
Equity securities at fair value 2,049  1,448  295 
Total investment securities at fair value 460,814  432,921  412,508 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock 1,491  5,357  2,370 
Loans held for sale 332  701   
Loans, less allowance for loan losses of $33,729 at March 31, 2019, $33,849 at December 31, 2018, and $34,524 at March 31, 2018 2,350,908  2,353,657  2,255,649 
Premises and equipment, net 38,446  37,588  37,212 
Lease right-of-use asset 18,851     
Accrued interest receivable 12,619  11,462  11,210 
Deferred income taxes, net 10,632  11,747  12,858 
Bank-owned life insurance 30,300  30,138  29,634 
Prepaid income taxes   732   
Prepaid expenses and other assets 8,470  11,279  10,953 
Goodwill 5,656  5,656  5,656 
Total assets $3,073,781  $2,964,358  $2,834,928 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      
Liabilities      
Deposits:      
Customer deposits $2,725,667  $2,507,999  $2,385,895 
Brokered deposits 30,499  56,783  185,494 
Total deposits 2,756,166  2,564,782  2,571,389 
Borrowed funds 488  100,492   
Subordinated debt 14,863  14,860  14,850 
Lease liability 17,871     
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 16,431  27,948  16,400 
Income taxes payable 809    53 
Accrued interest payable 1,092  979  596 
Total liabilities 2,807,720  2,709,061  2,603,288 
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; 11,798,114 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019, 11,708,218 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018, and 11,682,914 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 118  117  117 
Additional paid-in capital 92,089  91,281  89,159 
Retained earnings 172,004  165,183  148,212 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 1,850  (1,284) (5,848)
Total stockholders' equity 266,061  255,297  231,640 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $3,073,781  $2,964,358  $2,834,928 
             

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

 Three months ended
 March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)2019 2018
Interest and dividend income:   
Loans and loans held for sale$29,616  $26,150 
Investment securities3,222  2,487 
Other interest-earning assets459  134 
Total interest and dividend income33,297  28,771 
Interest expense:   
Deposits4,706  2,236 
Borrowed funds279  292 
Subordinated debt228  228 
Total interest expense5,213  2,756 
Net interest income28,084  26,015 
Provision for loan losses(400) 1,600 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses28,484  24,415 
Non-interest income:   
Wealth management fees1,299  1,408 
Deposit and interchange fees1,564  1,489 
Income on bank-owned life insurance, net162  168 
Net (losses) gains on sales of investment securities(1) 1 
Gains on sales of loans36  84 
Other income776  641 
Total non-interest income3,836  3,791 
Non-interest expense:   
Salaries and employee benefits13,471  12,108 
Occupancy and equipment expenses2,212  2,157 
Technology and telecommunications expenses1,726  1,553 
Advertising and public relations expenses715  720 
Audit, legal and other professional fees423  507 
Deposit insurance premiums351  500 
Supplies and postage expenses224  232 
Other operating expenses1,728  1,670 
Total non-interest expense20,850  19,447 
Income before income taxes11,470  8,759 
Provision for income taxes2,774  1,934 
Net income$8,696  $6,825 
    
Basic earnings per share$0.74  $0.59 
Diluted earnings per share$0.74  $0.58 
    
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding11,730,482  11,628,587 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding11,783,405  11,700,854 
      

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

  At or for the
three months ended
 At or for the
year ended
 At or for the
three months ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 March 31, 2018
       
BALANCE SHEET AND OTHER DATA      
Total assets $3,073,781  $2,964,358  $2,834,928 
Loans serviced for others 90,200  89,232  88,816 
Investment assets under management 848,412  800,751  846,853 
Total assets under management $4,012,393  $3,854,341  $3,770,597 
       
Book value per share $22.55  $21.80  $19.83 
Dividends paid per common share $0.16  $0.58  $0.145 
Total capital to risk weighted assets 11.89% 11.77% 11.48%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 10.06% 9.93% 9.62%
Tier 1 capital to average assets 8.57% 8.56% 8.24%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets 10.06% 9.93% 9.62%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.41% 1.42% 1.51%
Non-performing assets $11,304  $11,784  $10,558 
Non-performing assets to total assets 0.37% 0.40% 0.37%
       
INCOME STATEMENT DATA (annualized)      
Return on average total assets 1.17% 1.00% 0.98%
Return on average stockholders' equity 13.59% 12.15% 12.00%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)(1) 3.98% 3.97% 3.95%
          

(1) Tax equivalent net interest margin is net interest income adjusted for the tax equivalent effect associated with tax exempt loan and investment income, expressed as a percentage of average interest earning assets.

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