Horizon Bancorp Announces Record Quarterly and Six-Month Earnings

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., July 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ:HBNC) – Horizon Bancorp (“Horizon”) today announced its unaudited financial results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017.  All share data has been adjusted to reflect Horizon’s three-for-two stock split effective November 14, 2016.

SUMMARY:

• Net income for the second quarter of 2017 increased 43.4% to $9.1 million or $0.41 diluted earnings per share compared to $6.3 million or $0.35 diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2016.
• Net income, excluding acquisition-related expenses, gain on sale of investment securities and purchase accounting adjustments (“core net income”), for the second quarter of 2017 increased 24.2% to $8.6 million or $0.39 diluted earnings per share compared to $6.9 million or $0.38 diluted earnings per share for the same period of 2016.
• Net income for the first six months of 2017 was $17.3 million or $0.77 diluted earnings per share compared to $11.7 million or $0.64 diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2016.
• Core net income for the first six months of 2017 increased 30.7% to $16.1 million or $0.71 diluted earnings per share compared to $12.3 million or $0.68 diluted earnings per share for the same period of 2016.
• Return on average assets was 1.12% for the second quarter of 2017 compared to 0.94% for the same period in 2016.
• Commercial loans, excluding acquired commercial loans, increased by an annualized rate of 13.4%, or $71.1 million, during the first six months of 2017.
• Consumer loans, excluding acquired consumer loans, increased by an annualized rate of 25.9%, or $51.2 million, during the first six months of 2017.
• Total loans, excluding acquired loans, increased by an annualized rate of 11.7%, or $124.3 million, during the first six months of 2017.
• Net interest income for the second quarter of 2017 increased $6.3 million, or 30.3%, compared to the same period in 2016.
• Net interest margin was 3.84% for the second quarter of 2017 compared to 3.80% for the prior quarter and 3.48% for the second quarter of 2016. The improvement in net interest margin was due to Horizon executing a strategy to reduce expensive funding costs in the fourth quarter of 2016, an increase in average interest-earning assets and an increase in loan yields.
• Net interest margin, excluding the impact of purchase accounting adjustments (“core net interest margin”), was 3.71% for the second quarter of 2017 compared to 3.66% for the prior quarter and 3.42% for the same period in 2016.
• Horizon’s tangible book value per share rose to $12.20 at June 30, 2017, compared to $11.48 at December 31, 2016.
• Horizon’s Grand Rapids, Michigan loan production office converted into a full-service branch during the second quarter of 2017.
• On May 4, 2017, Horizon announced its entrance into central Ohio by opening a loan production office located in Dublin, Ohio, in the Columbus metropolitan area, which will provide a full-range of commercial products and services.
• On May 23, 2017, Horizon announced the pending acquisition of Lafayette Community Bancorp (“Lafayette”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lafayette Community Bank, headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana.
• On June 13, 2017, Horizon’s Board of Directors announced the approval of an 18% increase in the Company’s quarterly cash dividend from $0.11 to $0.13 per share, payable on July 21, 2017 to shareholders of record on July 7, 2017.
• On June 14, 2017, Horizon announced the pending acquisition of Wolverine Bancorp, Inc. (“Wolverine”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Wolverine Bank, headquartered in Midland, Michigan.
• On June 26, 2017, Horizon announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, Horizon Bank, N.A., converted from a national bank to an Indiana state-chartered non-member bank. The charter conversion became effective following the close of business on June 23, 2017 and the converted bank now operates under the name Horizon Bank.

Craig Dwight, Chairman and CEO, commented: “Horizon continued to expand upon its growth story during the second quarter of 2017 with the announcement of two acquisitions, solid organic loan growth, the opening of a full-service branch in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a loan production office in Dublin, Ohio, a vibrant suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Additionally, Horizon Bank converted from a national bank to an Indiana state-chartered non-member bank during the quarter which should result in a pre-tax cost savings of approximately $432,000 annually. A portion of the cost savings from the charter conversion will be allocated to the state bank associations and expanded internal audit.”

Dwight continued, “Horizon experienced strong loan growth during the first six months of 2017, primarily in commercial and consumer loans. Our growth markets of Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis and Kalamazoo, combined to produce total loan growth of $83.1 million during this time period. The loan growth in these markets spurred commercial loan growth, excluding acquired commercial loans, to an annualized growth rate of 13.4% during the first six months of 2017. Consumer loans, excluding acquired consumer loans, increased at an annualized growth rate of 25.9% during the first six months of 2017 due to an increased focus on the management of direct consumer loans and the addition of a seasoned consumer loan portfolio manager during the third quarter of 2016. Residential mortgage loans experienced an increase of $18.1 million, or an annualized growth of 6.8%, during the first six months of 2017. The increases in commercial, consumer and mortgage loans were offset by a decrease in mortgage warehouse loans of $12.0 million from December 31, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Excluding loans acquired through acquisition, total loans increased by 11.7% on an annualized basis. We believe Horizon is well positioned to continue our growth story by strengthening our existing market share and capitalizing on the recent investments in our growth markets.”

Mr. Dwight stated, “Horizon realized core net income of $8.6 million and $16.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, a strong increase of 24.2% and 30.7%, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016. Core net interest margin for the second quarter of 2017 was 3.71%, an increase from 3.66% for the prior quarter and 3.42% for the same period in 2016. Horizon’s core net interest margin for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased 27 basis points to 3.67% when compared to the same period in 2016. Total non-interest income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 when compared to the same periods in 2016 by $1.1 million and $882,000, respectively, primarily due to a decrease in gains on sale of mortgage loans. This decrease in income was due to a decrease in the volume of originations and an increase in the percentage of those originations being retained in our portfolio when comparing 2017 to 2016. Continued growth in service charges on deposit accounts, interchange fees and fiduciary activities partially offset the decrease in gains on sale of mortgage loans. These non-interest income sources offer a significant growth opportunity and will lessen the impact of mortgage revenue volatility. Horizon’s strategy of revenue diversification through commercial loan growth and non-mortgage related fee income is evident in our results. At its peak for the year ended December 31, 2012, mortgage warehouse and gain on sale of mortgage loans revenue comprised 24.5% of Horizon’s total revenue base (interest income and non-interest income). For the year ending December 31, 2016 and the six months ending June 30, 2017, mortgage warehouse and gain on sale of mortgage loans revenue as a percentage of total revenue declined to 13.5% and 8.46%, respectively.”

On May 23, 2017, Horizon entered into an agreement to acquire Lafayette and its wholly owned subsidiary, Lafayette Community Bank, in a cash and stock merger. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017, subject to regulatory and Lafayette shareholder approval. Lafayette Community Bank serves Tippecanoe County, Indiana through four full-service locations. As of March 31, 2017, Lafayette had total assets of $172.1 million.

On June 13, 2017, Horizon entered into an agreement to acquire Wolverine and its wholly owned subsidiary, Wolverine Bank, in a cash and stock merger. The acquisition is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2017, subject to regulatory and Wolverine shareholder approval. Wolverine Bank serves Midland and Saginaw Counties, Michigan through three full-service locations and one loan production office in Troy, Michigan in Oakland County. As of March 31, 2017, Wolverine had total assets of $379.3 million.

Mr. Dwight concluded, “We are very pleased to be partnering with these outstanding institutions and their talented and experienced teams. Lafayette Community Bancorp provides Horizon entry into the attractive Lafayette market and will fill a market gap between Indianapolis and Northwest Indiana. Wolverine Bancorp strengthens Horizon’s presence in the state of Michigan and provides entry into the key markets of the Great Lakes Bay Region and Oakland County. Over the years, both leadership teams have strived to provide customer focused advice and a commitment to community banking which complements Horizon’s customer focused philosophy and core values. We believe Horizon is well positioned to efficiently integrate each institution and take advantage of growth opportunities within the market each institution serves.” 

Income Statement Highlights

Net income for the second quarter of 2017 was $9.1 million or $0.41 diluted earnings per share compared to $8.2 million or $0.37 diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2017. The increase in net income and diluted earnings per share from the previous quarter reflects increases in net interest income and non-interest income of $1.6 million and $653,000, respectively, offset by increases in non-interest expense and income tax expense of $967,000 and $468,000, respectively.

Net income for the second quarter of 2017 was $9.1 million or $0.41 diluted earnings per share compared to $6.3 million or $0.35 diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2016.  The increase in net income and diluted earnings per share from the same period of 2016 reflects an increase in net interest income of $6.3 million offset by a decrease in non-interest income of $1.1 million and increases in non-interest expense and income tax expense of $1.5 million and $895,000, respectively.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 totaled $17.3 million or $0.77 diluted earnings per share compared to $11.7 million or $0.64 diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2016. The increase in net income and diluted earnings per share reflects an increase in net interest income of $12.2 million offset by a decrease in non-interest income of $882,000 and increases in non-interest expense and income tax expense of $3.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

The increases in diluted earnings per share when comparing 2017 periods to 2016 periods was partially offset by an increase in dilutive shares outstanding as a result of the stock issued in the Kosciusko Financial, Inc. and LaPorte Bancorp, Inc. acquisitions in 2016. Core net income for the second quarter of 2017 was $8.6 million or $0.39 diluted earnings per share compared to $6.9 million or $0.38 diluted earnings per share for the same period of 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, core net income was $16.1 million or $0.71 diluted earnings per share compared to $12.3 million or $0.68 diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2016.

Horizon’s net interest margin was 3.84% for the second quarter of 2017, up from 3.80% for the prior quarter and 3.48% for same period of 2016.  The increase in the net interest margin for the second quarter of 2017 was primarily due to an increase of 15 basis points in loan yields when compared to the prior quarter. The increase in the net interest margin compared to the same period of 2016 was due to an increase in loan yields of 25 basis points and a decrease in the cost of borrowings of 24 basis points. Excluding acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments, the margin would have been 3.71% for the second quarter of 2017 compared to 3.66% for the first quarter of 2017 and 3.42% for the same period of 2016. Interest income from acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments was $939,000, $1.0 million and $397,000, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016, respectively.

Horizon’s net interest margin for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was 3.81% compared to 3.47% for the same period in 2016. The increase in the net interest margin was primarily due to an increase in loan yields of 14 basis points which was offset by a decrease in the yield earned on non-taxable securities of 24 basis points. Also, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 16 basis points primarily due to a decrease in the cost of borrowings of 24 basis points. Excluding acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments, the margin would have been 3.67% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 3.40% for the same period in 2016. Interest income from acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments was $2.0 million and $944,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Lending Activity

Total loans increased $127.7 million from $2.144 billion as of December 31, 2016 to $2.271 billion as of June 30, 2017 as commercial loans increased by $73.8 million, residential mortgage loans increased by $18.1 million and consumer loans increased by $51.8 million. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in mortgage warehouse loans of $12.0 million.  Total loans, excluding acquired loans, mortgage warehouse loans and loans held for sale, increased by an annualized rate of 14.1%, or $140.3 million, during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Loan balances in the growth markets of Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis and Kalamazoo totaled $480.2 million as of June 30, 2017. Combined, these markets contributed $83.1 million, or 20.9%, in loan growth during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Residential mortgage lending activity for the three months ended June 30, 2017 generated $2.2 million in income from the gain on sale of mortgage loans, an increase of $236,000 from the previous quarter and a decrease of $852,000 from the same period in 2016. Residential mortgage lending activity for the six months ended June 30, 2017 generated $4.2 million in income from the gain on sale of mortgage loans, a decrease of $989,000 from the same period in 2016. Total origination volume for the second quarter of 2017, including loans placed into portfolio, totaled $110.4 million, representing an increase of 67.5% from the previous quarter and a decrease of 17.0% from the same period in 2016. Total origination volume for the six months ended June 30, 2017, including loans placed into portfolio, totaled $176.3 million, a decrease of 17.0% compared to the same period in 2016. The decrease in mortgage loan origination volume was primarily due to an increase in mortgage loan interest rates when comparing 2017 to 2016. Purchase money mortgage originations during the second quarter of 2017 represented 78.4% of total originations compared to 69.8% of originations during the previous quarter and 78.2% during the second quarter of 2016. Purchase money mortgage originations for the six months ended June 30, 2017 represented 75.1% of originations compared to 73.4% for the same period in 2016.

The provision for loan losses totaled $330,000 for the second and first quarters of 2017 compared to $232,000 for the second quarter of 2016. The increase in the provision for loan losses in the second quarter of 2017 was due to the increase in gross loans when compared to the same period in 2016. The provision for loan losses totaled $660,000 and $764,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in the provision for loan losses was due to a decrease in net charge-offs when comparing the 2017 and 2016 periods.

The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans decreased to 0.66% as of June 30, 2017 from 0.69% as of December 31, 2016 due to an increase in gross loans.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding loans with credit-related purchase accounting adjustments, was 0.82% as of June 30, 2017 compared to 0.91% as of December 31, 2016.  Loan loss reserves and credit-related loan discounts on acquired loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.18% as of June 30, 2017 compared to 1.39% as of December 31, 2016.

Non-performing loans to total loans increased 1 basis point to 0.51% at June 30, 2017 from 0.50% at December 31, 2016.  Non-performing loans totaled $11.6 million as of June 30, 2017, an increase of $880,000 from $10.7 million as of December 31, 2016.  Compared to December 31, 2016, non-performing commercial loans increased by $362,000, non-performing real estate loans increased by $263,000 and non-performing consumer loans increased $255,000. 

Expense Management

Total non-interest expense was $1.5 million higher in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.  Excluding merger-related expenses of $200,000 and $1.9 million recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, total non-interest expense increased $3.2 million, or 16.9%. The increase was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $2.1 million, net occupancy expenses of $295,000, data processing expenses of $368,000, and other expenses of $252,000 reflecting overall company growth, market expansion and recent acquisitions. Outside services and consultant expense and professional fee expense decreased by $933,000 and $212,000, respectively, in the second quarter of 2017 when compared to the same period of 2016 primarily due to one-time expenses related to the Kosciusko Financial, Inc. and LaPorte Bancorp, Inc. acquisitions in 2016. FDIC insurance expense decreased $166,000 in the second quarter of 2017 when compared to the same period of 2016 as the assessment rate schedule was reduced effective for assessment payments due in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2017. Loan expense decreased $159,000 in the second quarter of 2017 when compared to the same prior year period of 2016 primarily due to a decrease in loan collection expenses.

Total non-interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $3.8 million, or 9.4%, when compared to the same period in 2016. Excluding merger-related expenses of $200,000 and $2.5 million recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, total non-interest expense increased $6.1 million, or 16.2%. The increase was primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits of $3.8 million, net occupancy expenses of $811,000, data processing expenses of $570,000 and other expenses of $683,000 reflecting overall company growth, market expansion and recent acquisitions. Outside services and consultant expense and professional fee expense decreased $810,000 and $430,000, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 when compared to the same period of 2016 primarily due to one-time expenses related to the Kosciusko Financial, Inc. and LaPorte Bancorp, Inc. acquisitions in 2016. FDIC insurance expense decreased $308,000 during the first six months of 2017 when compared to the same period in 2016 due to the reduced assessment rate schedule. Other losses decreased $275,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 when compared to the same 2016 period due to lower debit card fraud-related expenses. Loan expense was $247,000 lower for the six months ended June 30, 2017 when compared to the same period of 2016 primarily due to a decrease in loan collection expenses.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain information set forth in this press release refers to financial measures determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP.  Specifically, we have included non-GAAP financial measures of the net interest margin and the allowance for loan and lease losses excluding the impact of acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments, total loans and loan growth, and net income and diluted earnings per share excluding the impact of one-time costs related to acquisitions, acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments and other events that are considered to be non-recurring.  Horizon believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are helpful to investors and provide a greater understanding of our business without giving effect to the purchase accounting impacts and one-time costs of acquisitions and non-core items, although these measures are not necessarily comparable to similar measures that may be presented by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure.  See the tables and other information contained elsewhere in this press release for reconciliations of the non-GAAP figures identified herein and their most comparable GAAP measures.

About Horizon

Horizon Bancorp is an independent, commercial bank holding company serving northern and central Indiana, southwest and central Michigan, and central Ohio through its commercial banking subsidiary Horizon Bank. Horizon also offers mortgage-banking services throughout the Midwest. Horizon Bancorp may be reached online at www.horizonbank.com.  Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol HBNC.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies of Horizon.  For these statements, Horizon claims the protections of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Statements in this press release should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Horizon, including the information in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance.  The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.  We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. 

Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.  Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include risk factors relating to the banking industry and the other factors detailed from time to time in Horizon’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in its Form 10-K.  Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Horizon does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the events or circumstances after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made, or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.

Additional Information for Shareholders

Communications in this document do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval.

In connection with the proposed merger with Lafayette Community Bancorp, Horizon has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that includes a proxy statement of Lafayette Community Bancorp and a prospectus of Horizon, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. Shareholders and investors are urged to read the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the merger and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they contain important information. A free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Horizon, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from Horizon at www.horizonbank.com under the tab “About Us – Investor Relations – Documents – SEC Filings.”

The information available through Horizon’s website is not and shall not be deemed part of this document or incorporated by reference into other filings Horizon makes with the SEC.

In connection with the proposed merger with Wolverine Bancorp, Inc. (“Wolverine Bancorp”), Horizon will file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement of Wolverine Bancorp and a prospectus of Horizon, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. Shareholders and investors are urged to read the Registration Statement and the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the merger when it becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information. A free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus (when it becomes available), as well as other filing containing information about Horizon and Wolverine Bancorp, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, from Horizon at www.horizonbank.com under the tab “About Us – Investor Relations – Documents – SEC Filings,” or from Wolverine Bancorp at www.wolverinebank.com under the tab “Investor Information – SEC Filings.” The information available through Horizon’s and Wolverine Bancorp’s websites is not and shall not be deemed part of this filing or incorporated by reference into other filings Horizon or Wolverine Bancorp make with the SEC.

Horizon, Lafayette Community Bancorp and Wolverine Bancorp and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Lafayette Community Bancorp and Wolverine Bancorp in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of Horizon is set forth in Horizon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017, and in the proxy statement for Horizon’s 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on March 17, 2017. Information about the directors and executive officers of Wolverine Bancorp is set forth in Wolverine Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2017, and in the proxy statement for Wolverine Bancorp’s 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on April 17, 2017. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the Lafayette Community Bancorp merger and by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the Wolverine Bancorp merger when it becomes available. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.