QNB Corp. Reports Earnings for Second Quarter 2023


QUAKERTOWN, Pa., July 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QNB Corp. (the “Company” or “QNB”) (OTC Bulletin Board: QNBC), the parent company of QNB Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income for the second quarter of 2023 of $1,887,000, or $0.52 per share on a diluted basis. This compares to net income of $3,349,000, or $0.94 per share on a diluted basis, for the same period in 2022. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, QNB reported net income of $6,005,000, or $1.67 per share on a diluted basis. This compares to net income of $7,059,000, or $1.98 per share on a diluted basis, reported for the same period in 2022.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the annualized rate of return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity was 0.44% and 4.82%, respectively, compared with 0.79% and 9.28%, respectively, for the second quarter 2022.

The operating performance of the Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of QNB Corp., declined for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, in comparison with the same period in 2022 due to interest margin compression causing a $1,807,000 decline in net interest income, additional provision for credit losses on loans and commitments of $209,000 and an increase in non-interest expense of $663,000. The change in contribution from QNB Corp. for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, is primarily due to the change in fair value of the equities portfolio held at the holding company.

The following table presents disaggregated net income:

 Three months ended,     Six months ended,    
 6/30/2023  6/30/2022  Variance  6/30/2023  6/30/2022  Variance 
QNB Bank$1,947,000  $4,082,000  $(2,135,000) $6,234,000  $7,790,000  $(1,556,000)
QNB Corp (60,000)  (733,000)  673,000   (229,000)  (731,000)  502,000 
Consolidated net income$1,887,000  $3,349,000  $(1,462,000) $6,005,000  $7,059,000  $(1,054,000)
                        

Total assets as of June 30, 2023 were $1,650,586,000 compared with $1,668,497,000 at December 31, 2022. Total available-for-sale debt securities decreased $18,784,000, or 3.4%, to $527,741,000, primarily due to sales of $9,081,000 and paydowns. Loans receivable declined $9,641,000 to approximately $1,029,744,000, or 0.9%. Total deposits increased $31,396,000 to $1,449,765,000. Short-term borrowing declined $70,482,000, or 43.7%.

“The past 15 months, the banking and financial service industries have experienced significant increases in interest rates to slow the growth of our economy across our nation. The impact of these changes continues to be evident in our financial results and shows the headwinds community banks have been facing,” stated David W. Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Freeman continued, “However, QNB's ability to maintain a strong liquidity position, to retain and grow customer deposits, and reduce the bank’s short-term borrowing is a testament to the strength of our disciplined management even in these rapidly changing financial times. Furthermore, to strengthen our management of interest rate risk, we have entered into hedging contracts that will help mitigate the impact of increased interest rates moving forward. As always, we continue to focus on our customers, being diligent about loan quality, deposit growth, and investing in the communities and businesses we serve.”

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2023 totaled $9,333,000 and $19,750,000 respectively, a decrease of $1,770,000 and $2,089,000, respectively, from the same periods in 2022. Net interest margin was 2.27% for the second quarter of 2023 and 2.73% for the same period in 2022. Net interest margin was 2.41% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with 2.72% for the same period in 2022.

The yield on earning assets was 3.83% for the second quarter 2023, compared with 3.02% in the second quarter of 2022. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2023, yield on earning assets was 3.80%, compared with 3.00% for the same period in 2022. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 1.96% for the quarter and 1.75% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with 0.38% and 0.36% for the same periods in 2022, respectively.

Proceeds from average short-term borrowings and payments received on investment securities over the past year were invested in loans. Loan growth was primarily in commercial real estate, which comprised 41% of average earning assets in the six months of 2023 compared with 37% for the same period in 2022, and the increases in rates on both the commercial real estate loans and the commercial and industrial loans majorly contributed to the 105 basis-point increase in the yield on loans. The decline in the available-for-sale portfolio was primarily in mortgage-backed securities, which comprised 25% of average earnings assets in the six months of 2023 compared with 28% for the same period in 2022. The 126 basis-point increase in the rate paid on deposits and the 255 basis-point increase in the rate on short-term borrowing were the primary contributors to the increase in the cost of funds of 139 basis points, contributing to the decrease in net interest margin.

Asset Quality, Provision for Credit Losses on Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

QNB adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) (CECL) effective January 1, 2023. QNB recorded a decrease to its allowance for loan losses of $1,089,000 and an increase to its reserve for unused commitments of $5,000. The impact of this CECL adjustment, net of deferred taxes, of $857,000 was added to shareholders' equity.

QNB recorded $212,000 in provision for credit losses on loans in the second quarter of 2023 compared to no provision in the second quarter of 2022; and reversed $1,571,000 in provision for credit losses on loans for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to no provision for the six months ended June 30, 2022. QNB's allowance for credit losses on loans of $8,365,000 represents 0.81% of loans receivable at June 30, 2023, compared to $9,442,000, or 0.91% of loans receivable upon the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2023. Net loan charge-offs were $38,000 for the quarter and net recoveries of $494,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with recoveries of $66,000 and $113,000 for the same periods in 2022, primarily due to two commercial customers. Annualized net loan charge-offs for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 was 0.01% and annualized net loan recoveries of 0.03% for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, of average loans receivable, respectively. Annualized net loan recoveries for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 were 0.10% and 0.02% of average loans receivable, respectively.

Total non-performing loans, which represent loans on non-accrual status, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest and restructured loans, were $8,827,000, or 0.86% of loans receivable at June 30, 2023, compared with $9,121,000, or 0.88% of loans receivable at December 31, 2022, and $11,394,000, or 1.18% of loans receivable at June 30, 2022. In cases where there is a collateral shortfall on non-accrual loans, specific impairment reserves have been established based on updated collateral values even if the borrower continues to pay in accordance with the terms of the agreement. At June 30, 2023, $4,147,000, or approximately 86% of the loans classified as non-accrual, are current or past due less than 30 days. Commercial loans classified as substandard or doubtful loans totaled $14,806,000 at June 30, 2023, compared with $13,684,000 at December 31, 2022, and $18,836,000 at June 30, 2022.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income was $1,580,000 for the second quarter of 2023 compared with $639,000 for the same period in 2022. There was a net realized gain of $519,000 on the sale of investments for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 compared with a gain of $457,000 for the same period in 2022. Unrealized net loss on investment equity securities was $573,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 compared to a net loss of $1,446,000 for the same period in 2022. The equities portfolio comprises blue-chip large-capitalized stocks, providing a taxable equivalent dividend yield of 3.91%.

Fees for services to customers increased $11,000 to $414,000 for the second quarter of 2023 compared with the same period in 2022, due primarily to increased overdraft occurrences. ATM and debit card income decreased $1,000 to $704,000 for the same period, income is related to card usage. Retail brokerage and advisory income decreased $3,000 to $202,000.

Net gain on sales of loans decreased $5,000 when comparing the second quarter of 2023 with the same period in 2022, as there was a lower of cost or market adjustment on loans held for sale of $5,000 in the second quarter of 2023; there were no sales in the second quarters of 2023 or 2022. Other non-interest income increased $4,000 when comparing the two periods due primarily to credit card income.

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, non-interest income was $2,799,000 an increase of $549,000 compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the change in fair value of the equities portfolio of $938,000. Realized gain on sale of securities was $54,000, a decline of $439,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022. Net gain on sale of loans increased $1,000 when comparing the six months ended June 30, 2023 with the same period in 2022. Increases in non-interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 comprise: fees for services to customers, ATM and debit card fees, and retail brokerage and advisory income, which increased $29,000, $17,000, and $26,000, respectively. Other non-interest income decreased $23,000 due primarily to title insurance income declining $21,000.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense was $8,492,000 for the second quarter of 2023 compared with $7,746,000 for the same period in 2022. Salaries and benefits expense increased $570,000, or 13.6%, to $4,775,000 when comparing the two quarters. Salary expense and related payroll taxes increased $433,000, to $3,979,000 during the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Benefits expense increased $127,000, when comparing the two periods.

Net occupancy and furniture and equipment expense increased $193,000, to $1,467,000 for the second quarter of 2023 due to software maintenance costs. Other non-interest expense decreased $17,000 when comparing second quarter of 2023 with the same period in 2022 due to a $128,000 decrease in Bank shares tax, partly offset by a $116,000 increase in FDIC insurance.

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, non-interest expense was $16,692,000, an increase of $1,133,000, or 7.3%, compared to the same period in 2022.

Provision for income taxes decreased $322,000 to $325,000 in the second quarter of 2023 due to decreased pre-tax income, compared with the same period in 2022. The effective tax rates for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2023 were 14.7% and 19.4%, respectively, compared with 16.2% and 17.3%, respectively, for the same periods in 2022.

About the Company

QNB Corp. is the holding company for QNB Bank, which is headquartered in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. QNB Bank currently operates twelve branches in Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh Counties and offers commercial and retail banking services in the communities it serves. In addition, the Company provides securities and advisory services under the name of QNB Financial Services through a registered Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor, and title insurance as a member of Laurel Abstract Company LLC. More information about QNB Corp. and QNB Bank is available at QNBBank.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Actual results and trends could differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors. Such factors include the possibility that increased demand or prices for the Company’s financial services and products may not occur, changing economic and competitive conditions, technological developments, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including "Item lA. Risk Factors," set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

  
QNB Corp. 
Consolidated Selected Financial Data (unaudited) 
(Dollars in thousands)          
Balance Sheet (Period End)6/30/23 3/31/23 12/31/22 9/30/22 6/30/22 
Assets$1,650,586 $1,626,499 $1,668,497 $1,645,068 $1,646,695 
Cash and cash equivalents 34,824  14,201  15,899  17,218  17,094 
Investment securities          
Debt securities, AFS 527,741  537,904  546,525  555,710  609,567 
Equity securities 5,424  11,908  12,056  10,444  11,617 
Loans held-for-sale 810  388  -  -  - 
Loans receivable 1,029,744  1,011,956  1,039,385  1,008,306  963,414 
Allowance for loan losses (8,365) (8,191) (10,531) (11,338) (11,297)
Net loans 1,021,379  1,003,765  1,028,854  996,968  952,117 
Deposits 1,449,765  1,424,590  1,418,369  1,476,668  1,467,728 
Demand, non-interest bearing 212,396  212,259  231,849  236,167  240,281 
Interest-bearing demand, money market and savings 962,042  962,315  1,011,071  1,065,472  1,065,638 
Time 275,327  250,016  175,449  175,029  161,809 
Short-term borrowings 90,845  110,192  161,327  92,896  77,836 
Long-term debt 20,000  -  10,000  10,000  10,000 
Shareholders' equity 80,945  83,874  70,958  58,124  83,738 
           
Asset Quality Data (Period End)          
Non-accrual loans$4,794 $4,561 $4,820 $6,337 $7,085 
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing -  -  -  -  - 
Restructured loans 4,033  4,244  4,301  4,357  4,309 
Non-performing loans 8,827  8,805  9,121  10,694  11,394 
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets -  -  -  -  - 
Non-performing assets$8,827 $8,805 $9,121 $10,694 $11,394 
           
Allowance for loan losses$8,365 $8,191 $10,531 $11,338 $11,297 
           
Non-performing loans / Loans excluding held-for-sale 0.86% 0.87% 0.88% 1.06% 1.18%
Non-performing assets / Assets 0.53% 0.54% 0.55% 0.65% 0.69%
Allowance for loan losses / Loans excluding held-for-sale 0.81% 0.81% 1.01% 1.12% 1.17%


QNB Corp.
Consolidated Selected Financial Data (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)Three months ended, Six months ended,
For the period:6/30/233/31/2312/31/229/30/226/30/22 6/30/236/30/22
Interest income$15,865 $15,463 $14,739 $13,546 $12,327  $31,328 $24,136 
Interest expense 6,532  5,046  3,460  1,224  1,224   11,578  2,297 
Net interest income 9,333  10,417  11,279  12,322  11,103   19,750  21,839 
Provision for credit losses 209  (1,805) (850) -  -   (1,596) - 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses 9,124  12,222  12,129  12,322  11,103   21,346  21,839 
Non-interest income:        
Fees for services to customers 414  402  404  423  403   816  787 
ATM and debit card 704  659  704  669  705   1,363  1,346 
Retail brokerage and advisory income 202  234  184  194  205   436  410 
Net realized gain on investment securities 519  (465) (227) -  457   54  493 
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities (573) 57  1,602  (1,174) (1,446)  (516) (1,454)
Net (loss) gain on sale of loans (5) 6  -  6  -   1  - 
Other 319  326  330  366  315   645  668 
Total non-interest income 1,580  1,219  2,997  484  639   2,799  2,250 
Non-interest expense:        
Salaries and employee benefits 4,775  4,563  4,464  4,371  4,205   9,338  8,471 
Net occupancy and furniture and equipment 1,467  1,377  1,259  1,314  1,274   2,844  2,539 
Other 2,250  2,260  2,396  2,129  2,267   4,510  4,549 
Total non-interest expense 8,492  8,200  8,119  7,814  7,746   16,692  15,559 
Income before income taxes 2,212  5,241  7,007  4,992  3,996   7,453  8,530 
Provision for income taxes 325  1,123  1,560  634  647   1,448  1,471 
Net income$1,887 $4,118 $5,447 $4,358 $3,349  $6,005 $7,059 
         
Share and Per Share Data:        
Net income - basic$0.52 $1.15 $1.52 $1.22 $0.94  $1.67 $1.99 
Net income - diluted$0.52 $1.15 $1.53 $1.22 $0.94  $1.67 $1.98 
Book value$22.42 $23.32 $19.78 $16.25 $23.47  $22.42 $23.47 
Cash dividends$0.37 $0.37 $0.36 $0.36 $0.36  $0.74 $0.72 
Average common shares outstanding -basic 3,598,545  3,588,363  3,577,587  3,567,987  3,559,185   3,593,482  3,556,037 
Average common shares outstanding -diluted 3,598,545  3,588,363  3,567,987  3,559,185  3,554,456   3,593,482  3,556,568 
Selected Ratios:        
Return on average assets 0.44% 0.97% 1.24% 1.00% 0.79%  0.70% 0.84%
Return on average shareholders' equity 4.82% 10.81% 14.38% 11.74% 9.28%  7.78% 9.93%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent) 2.27% 2.55% 2.68% 2.72% 2.73%  2.41% 2.79%
Efficiency ratio (tax equivalent) 76.78% 69.57% 56.20% 64.88% 64.98%  73.06% 63.63%
Average shareholders' equity to total average assets 9.12% 8.99% 8.65% 8.43% 8.53%  9.06% 8.49%
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)$38 $(532)$(43)$(41)$(66) $(494)$(113)
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) - annualized / Average loans excluding held-for-sale 0.01% -0.21% -0.02% -0.02% -0.03%  -0.10% -0.02%
Balance Sheet (Average)        
Assets$1,719,368 $1,719,167 $1,737,679 $1,727,132 $1,700,600  $1,719,268 $1,688,061 
Investment securities (AFS & Equities) 636,110  649,231  673,117  691,010  710,856   642,635  710,485 
Loans receivable 1,026,881  1,021,265  1,020,102  984,968  944,773   1,024,088  931,760 
Deposits 1,427,238  1,414,764  1,462,654  1,475,668  1,458,921   1,421,035  1,451,526 
Shareholders' equity 156,890  154,503  150,281  147,296  144,688   155,704  143,344 


QNB Corp. (Consolidated)
Average Balances, Rate, and Interest Income and Expense Summary (Tax-Equivalent Basis)
        
 Three Months Ended
 June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022
 AverageAverage  AverageAverage 
 BalanceRateInterest BalanceRateInterest
Assets       
Investment securities:       
U.S. Treasury$3,398 4.81%$41 $872 0.97%$2
U.S. Government agencies 101,945 1.11  283  101,936 1.11  283
State and municipal 109,345 2.38  651  130,329 2.40  783
Mortgage-backed and CMOs 406,442 1.76  1,786  458,622 1.59  1,820
Corporate debt securities 6,625 4.42  73  6,688 4.36  73
Equities 8,355 4.65  97  12,409 3.22  100
Total investment securities 636,110 1.84  2,931  710,856 1.72  3,061
Loans:       
Commercial real estate 696,223 4.72  8,201  621,225 4.07  6,307
Residential real estate 107,402 3.66  984  104,323 3.32  866
Home equity loans 57,601 6.44  925  54,421 3.73  506
Commercial and industrial 142,438 7.14  2,538  140,840 4.34  1,525
Consumer loans 3,918 7.22  70  4,621 5.14  59
Tax-exempt loans 19,742 3.50  172  19,343 3.39  163
Total loans, net of unearned income* 1,027,324 5.03  12,890  944,773 4.00  9,426
Other earning assets 11,555 6.69  192  4,045 1.93  19
Total earning assets 1,674,989 3.83  16,013  1,659,674 3.02  12,506
Cash and due from banks 13,547     13,716   
Allowance for loan losses (8,297)    (11,266)  
Other assets 39,129     38,476   
Total assets$1,719,368    $1,700,600   
        
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity       
Interest-bearing deposits:       
Interest-bearing demand$305,067 0.43% 325 $348,518 0.20% 174
Municipals 114,965 4.36  1,251  109,055 0.43  117
Money market 175,243 2.39  1,044  143,285 0.35  125
Savings 359,733 1.22  1,093  448,915 0.34  383
Time < $100 111,455 2.27  631  90,874 0.75  170
Time $100 through $250 109,462 3.49  953  46,204 0.67  77
Time > $250 38,005 2.82  267  25,489 0.70  45
Total interest-bearing deposits 1,213,930 1.84  5,564  1,212,340 0.36  1,091
Short-term borrowings 108,117 2.90  783  79,402 0.47  93
Long-term debt 16,813 4.35  185  10,000 1.57  40
Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,338,860 1.96  6,532  1,301,742 0.38  1,224
Non-interest-bearing deposits 213,308     246,581   
Other liabilities 10,310     7,589   
Shareholders' equity 156,890     144,688   
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,719,368    $1,700,600   
Net interest rate spread 1.87%   2.64% 
Margin/net interest income 2.27%$9,481  2.73%$11,282
Tax-exempt securities and loans were adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis and are based on the Federal corporate tax rate of 21%
Non-accrual loans and investment securities are included in earning assets.
* Includes loans held-for-sale


QNB Corp. (Consolidated) 
Average Balances, Rate, and Interest Income and Expense Summary (Tax-Equivalent Basis) 
              
 Six Months Ended 
 June 30, 2023  June 30, 2022 
 Average Average    Average Average   
 Balance Rate Interest  Balance Rate Interest 
Assets             
Investment securities:             
U.S. Treasury$1,842  4.57%$42  $483  0.95%$2 
U.S. Government agencies 101,944  1.11  566   100,963  1.10  553 
State and municipal 110,243  2.31  1,272   130,061  2.40  1,564 
Mortgage-backed and CMOs 411,760  1.69  3,471   459,872  1.54  3,539 
Corporate debt securities 6,631  4.41  146   6,694  4.35  146 
Equities 10,215  3.91  198   12,412  3.21  198 
Total investment securities 642,635    5,695   710,485  1.69  6,002 
Loans:             
Commercial real estate 688,959  4.63  15,803   609,508  4.06  12,264 
Residential real estate 106,555  1.80  1,921   102,885  1.64  1,684 
Home equity loans 57,126  6.34  1,795   54,519  3.55  959 
Commercial and industrial 147,568  7.70  5,634   140,715  4.46  3,110 
Consumer loans 4,003  6.97  138   4,678  5.10  118 
Tax-exempt loans 20,164  3.49  349   19,455  3.40  328 
Total loans, net of unearned income* 1,024,375  5.05  25,640   931,760  4.00  18,463 
Other earning assets 9,290  6.32  291   5,359  1.34  35 
Total earning assets 1,676,300  3.80  31,626   1,647,604  3.00  24,500 
Cash and due from banks 13,216       13,401     
Allowance for loan losses (9,113)      (11,236)    
Other assets 38,865       38,292     
Total assets$1,719,268      $1,688,061     
              
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity             
Interest-bearing deposits:             
Interest-bearing demand$311,306  0.41% 627  $343,435  0.19% 320 
Municipals 113,468  4.13  2,326   112,765  0.37  208 
Money market 153,058  1.83  1,386   142,296  0.33  231 
Savings 382,775  1.14  2,170   443,311  0.32  704 
Time < $100 106,360  1.92  1,013   91,779  0.78  354 
Time $100 through $250 103,570  3.27  1,680   47,363  0.69  162 
Time > $250 32,894  2.39  390   25,231  0.70  87 
Total interest-bearing deposits 1,203,431  1.61  9,592   1,206,180  0.35  2,066 
Short-term borrowings 121,443  2.95  1,778   75,462  0.41  152 
Long-term debt 11,354  3.64  208   10,000  1.57  79 
Total interest-bearing liabilities 1,336,228  1.75  11,578   1,291,642  0.36  2,297 
Non-interest-bearing deposits 217,604       245,346     
Other liabilities 9,732       7,729     
Shareholders' equity 155,704       143,344     
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,719,268      $1,688,061     
Net interest rate spread   2.05%      2.64%  
Margin/net interest income   2.41%$20,048     2.72%$22,203 
Tax-exempt securities and loans were adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis and are based on the Federal corporate tax rate of 21% 
Non-accrual loans and investment securities are included in earning assets. 
* Includes loans held-for-sale             
 

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