TrustCo Announces Increased Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Earnings

Executive Snapshot:

• Continued solid financial results:
  -Key metrics for fourth quarter of 2016 results:
      -Net income of $10.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to $10.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2015
      -Return on average assets (ROA) of 0.89% compared to 0.86% in Q4/2015
      -Return on average equity (ROE) of 9.87% compared to 9.75% in Q4/2015
      -Efficiency ratio of 54.65% compared to 55.37% in Q4/2015 (Non-GAAP measure; see Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation for definition)

• Asset quality remains solid:
  -Asset quality measures improved compared to the fourth quarter of 2015
  -Nonperforming assets (NPAs) fell by $5.4 million compared to December 31, 2015
  -NPAs to total assets improved to 0.60%, compared to 0.73% at December 31, 2015
  -Quarterly net chargeoffs decreased to 0.08% of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to 0.21% for the fourth quarter of 2015, the lowest level since 2008
  

• Continued expansion of customer base:
  -Focus on capitalizing on opportunities presented by expanded branch network
  -Average deposits per branch grew $661 thousand from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016 on a same store basis
  -Average deposits per branch were $28.9 million at December 31, 2016
  -Average core deposits were $41 million higher in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015
  

• Loan portfolio reaches all-time high:
  -Average loans were up $123 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to fourth quarter of 2015
  -At $3.43 billion as of December 31, 2016, loans reached an all-time high

GLENVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TrustCo Bank Corp NY (TrustCo) (Nasdaq:TRST) today announced fourth quarter of 2016 net income of $10.8 million compared to $10.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, an increase of 6.1%.

Robert J. McCormick, President and Chief Executive Officer noted, “We are pleased to be able to report an increase in earnings in the fourth quarter of 2016 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.  Continued revenue growth coupled with moderating expense increases provided an encouraging end to the year.  Our focus on traditional lending criteria and conservative balance sheet management has enabled us to produce consistent earnings, maintain strong liquidity and capital and allowed us to continue to grow our business and take advantage of changes in market and competitive conditions.  In terms of our core business, we continue to add customer relationships which ultimately drive future growth.  We will continue to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented during 2017 and beyond.  Recent merger activity between our competitors, primarily the Key – First Niagara merger, provided us additional opportunities to add customers.”

TrustCo saw continued solid loan growth in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the prior year, led by an increase in residential mortgages.  Loan portfolio expansion was funded primarily by growth of our deposit base.  The continued shift toward loans helped offset the margin impact from continued comparatively low yields on cash and investments, although the recent move by the Federal Reserve to raise rates late in the fourth quarter will provide a benefit in the first quarter of 2017.  The growth in average deposits in the fourth quarter of 2016 versus the prior year was led by lower cost checking and savings deposits.  TrustCo’s strong liquidity position continues to allow the Company to take advantage of opportunities when interest rate conditions change.

For the fourth quarter of 2016, return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.89% and 9.87%, respectively, compared to 0.86% and 9.75% for the fourth quarter of 2015.  Diluted earnings per share were $0.113 for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $0.107 for the fourth quarter of 2015.  As discussed in recent quarters, increased operating costs in response to regulatory concerns have pushed overall expense levels higher.  However costs actually declined modestly in the second half of 2016 as compared to the first half and we anticipate being able to control expense growth effectively in 2017.  Some of the costs associated with regulatory issues will be recurring, but others will diminish over time.

For the full year 2016, diluted net income per share was $0.445, compared to $0.444 for the full year 2015.  Return on average assets and equity were 0.89% and 9.94% for 2016, compared to 0.89% and 10.41% for 2015.  The decline in return on equity was attributable to the 4.7% increase in shareholders’ equity from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016.

Average loans were up $122.8 million or 3.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016, over the same period in 2015.  Average residential loans, our primary lending focus, were up $155.7 million or 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016, over the same period in 2015.  Overall loan growth was constrained by a $13.8 million decline in commercial loans, which have become less attractive on a risk adjusted basis, and an $18.4 million decline in outstandings on home equity lines of credit, as well as a small decline in installment loans.  Average deposits were up $71.1 million or 1.7% for the fourth quarter of 2016 over the same period a year earlier.  The increase in deposits came from core deposit accounts, which consist of checking, savings and money market deposits, although checking and savings were entirely responsible for the growth within core deposits.  Average core deposits increased $40.7 million from the fourth quarter of 2015 to the fourth quarter of 2016, while average time deposit balances contributed $30.4 million of growth.  Within core, money market balances were actually down $50.5 million, while checking was up $73.7 million (including interest bearing and non-interest bearing balances) and savings were up $17.4 million.  Core deposits typically represent longer term customer relationships and are generally lower cost than time deposits.  The shift out of money market balances was also beneficial, as that category is the most expensive type of core deposit.  Mr. McCormick noted that, “The year-over-year growth of our loans and core deposit base reflect the long term strategic focus of the Company.”

“While some banks have backed away from branches, a customer friendly branch franchise continues to be the key to our long term plans.  We continue to make good progress expanding loans and deposits throughout our entire branch network.  We expect that trend to continue as the newer branches continue to mature.”

“At December 31, 2016, our average deposits per branch were $28.9 million, compared to $28.1 million a year earlier.  We have always designed our branches to be smaller and more cost effective than those built by many of our competitors.  We use open floor plans that help maximize the value of our branches.  We remain mindful that fully achieving our goals for newer branches will take time and continued work.  We believe success in growing customer relationships provides basic building blocks that will help drive profit growth for the coming years.”

Asset quality and loan loss reserve measures improved versus December 31, 2015.  Nonperforming loans (NPLs) were $25.1 million at December 31, 2016, compared to $28.3 million at December 31, 2015.  NPLs were equal to 0.73% of total loans at December 31, 2016, compared to 0.86% at December 31, 2015.  The coverage ratio, or allowance for loan losses to NPLs, was 175.1% at December 31, 2016, compared to 158.4% at December 31, 2015.  Nonperforming assets (NPAs) were $29.3 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $34.7 million at December 31, 2015.  The ratio of loan loss allowance to total loans was 1.28% as of December 31, 2016, compared to 1.36% at December 31, 2015 and reflects both the improvement in asset quality and economic conditions in our lending areas.  The allowance for loan losses was $43.9 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $44.8 million at December 31, 2015.  Net chargeoffs for the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased versus the fourth quarter of 2015, falling to $660 thousand from $1.7 million in the year earlier period.  The annualized net chargeoff ratio was 0.08% for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to 0.21% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and was at the lowest level since the first quarter of 2008.  The provision for loan losses was $600 thousand, compared to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2016 was 3.13%, up four basis points from the third quarter of 2016 and down a basis point versus the fourth quarter of 2015. 

At December 31, 2016 the equity to asset ratio was 8.89%, compared to 8.73% at December 31, 2015.  The tangible equity ratio was 8.88% compared to 8.72% at December 31, 2015.  GAAP book value per share at December 31, 2016 was $4.52 compared to $4.34 a year earlier and tangible book value per share was $4.51 and $4.33, respectively.  Tangible equity ratio and tangible book value per share are non-GAAP measures and are discussed in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation.

TrustCo Bank Corp NY is a $4.9 billion savings and loan holding company and through its subsidiary, Trustco Bank, operated 145 offices in New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Florida at December 31, 2016.

In addition, the Bank’s Financial Services Department offers a full range of investment services, retirement planning and trust and estate administration services. The common shares of TrustCo are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol TRST.

A conference call to discuss Fourth Quarter 2016 results will be held at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on January 24, 2017.  Those wishing to participate in the call may dial toll-free 1-888-339-0764 .  International callers must dial 1-412-902-4195.   Please ask to be joined into the TrustCo Bank Corp NY / TRST call.  A replay of the call will be available for thirty days by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (1-412-317-0088 for international callers), Conference Number 10099604. The call will also be audio webcast at: http://services.choruscall.com/links/trst170124.html, and will be available for one year.

Safe Harbor Statement 
All statements in this news release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our expectations for our performance during 2017 and for the growth of loans and deposits throughout our branch network, our ability to capitalize on economic changes in the areas in which we operate and the extent to which higher expenses to fulfill operating and regulatory requirements recur or diminish over time.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially for TrustCo from those discussed. TrustCo wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect TrustCo’s actual results and could cause TrustCo’s actual financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in any forward-looking statement:  our ability to continue to originate a significant volume of one-to-four family mortgage loans in our market areas; our ability to continue to maintain noninterest expense and other overhead costs at reasonable levels relative to income; our ability to comply with the supervisory agreement entered into with Trustco Bank’s regulator and potential regulatory actions if we fail to comply; restrictions or conditions imposed by our regulators on our operations that may make it more difficult for us to achieve our goals; the future earnings and capital levels of Trustco Bank and the continued ability of Trustco Bank under regulatory rules and the supervisory agreement to distribute capital to TrustCo, which could affect our ability to pay dividends; results of examinations of Trustco Bank and TrustCo by our respective regulators; our ability to make accurate assumptions and judgments regarding the credit risks associated with lending and investing activities; the effect of changes in financial services laws and regulations and the impact of other governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board, inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; the perceived overall value of our products and services by users, including in comparison to competitors’ products and services and the willingness of current and prospective customers to substitute competitors’ products and services for our products and services; real estate and collateral values; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the FASB or PCAOB; changes in local market areas and general business and economic trends, as well as changes in consumer spending and saving habits; our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing and managing our business; and other risks and uncertainties under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or other securities filings.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation

Tangible book value per share and tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets at period end are non-GAAP financial measures derived from GAAP-based amounts. We calculate tangible equity and tangible assets by excluding the balance of intangible assets from shareholders’ equity and total assets, respectively. We calculate tangible book value per share by dividing tangible equity by common shares outstanding, as compared to book value per common share, which we calculate by dividing shareholders’ equity by common shares outstanding. We calculate tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets at period end by dividing tangible equity by tangible assets at period end. We believe that this is consistent with the treatment by bank regulatory agencies, which exclude intangible assets from the calculation of risk-based capital ratios. 

The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure of expense control relative to revenue from net interest income and fee income.  We calculate the efficiency ratio by dividing total noninterest expenses as determined under GAAP, but excluding other real estate expense, net, by net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) and total noninterest income as determined under GAAP, but excluding net gains on the sale of nonperforming loans and securities from this calculation.  We believe that this provides a reasonable measure of primary banking expenses relative to primary banking revenue.

We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information that is important to investors and that is useful in understanding our financial position, results and ratios. Our management internally assesses our performance based, in part, on these measures.  However, these non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for an analysis based on GAAP measures. As other companies may use different calculations for these measures, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures of tangible common equity, tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio, net income and net income per share to the underlying GAAP numbers is set forth below.