Pacific Financial Corp Earns Record $2.6 Million, or $0.25 per Share for 2Q18, Up 14% from 1Q18 and 40% from 2Q17; Earns $4.9 Million, or $0.46 per Share for 1H18, Up 42% from 1H17

ABERDEEN, Wash., July 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Financial Corporation (OTCQB:PFLC), the holding company for Bank of the Pacific, today reported net income increased 14% to $2.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2018, compared to $2.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2018 and increased 40% compared to $1.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2017. For the first six months ended June 30, 2018, net income was $4.9 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, up 42% from $3.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the first six months of 2017.    

“Second quarter earnings were the most profitable quarter in our history and marks another significant step in strengthening our franchise.  Our net interest margin was above industry average at 4.51%, net interest income grew 9% year-over-year and 3% on a linked quarter basis and we continue to focus on expense control,” said Denise Portmann, President & Chief Executive Officer. “While benefitting from the recent reduction in the corporate tax rate, we also posted strong growth in net income before taxes, which was up 20% from the linked quarter.  Initiatives introduced over the past year to improve workflows, boost revenue and enhance operating efficiencies, continue to gain traction throughout the company.  Concurrently, we are investing in training and technology to broaden the skillsets of our staff and expand our product offerings.”  Key performance metrics advanced to a return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 1.19%, and a return on average common equity (“ROAE”) of 11.94%.

“Credit quality remains strong, and consequently no provision for loan losses was booked for the current quarter.  Our risk management guidelines continue to govern our loan growth.  We carefully monitor loan concentrations to stay well within regulatory guidelines, particularly in commercial real estate,” commented Portmann.  “Residential mortgage lending contributed $1.1 million to noninterest income during the quarter, up from the revenue earned in the prior quarter, but behind the amount for same quarter last year.  Rising interest rates and tight housing supply are dampening home financing activities within our markets.” 

Financial Highlights (as of, or for the period ended June 30, 2018, except as noted):

• Diluted earnings per share increased 19% to $0.25, compared to $0.21 for the first quarter of 2018, and 39% from $0.18 for the second quarter of 2017.   Diluted earnings per share grew 44% to $0.46 for the first six months of 2018, compared to $0.32 per diluted share for the first six months of 2017.
  
  
• Income before tax increased 20% to $3.2 million, compared to $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2018 and increased 18% compared to $2.7 million for the second quarter of 2017.  Income before tax increased 22% to $5.8 million for the first six months of 2018, compared to $4.8 million for the first six months of 2017.
  
  
• Return on average assets (“ROAA”) increased to 1.19% and return on average equity (“ROAE”) increased to 11.94%, compared to 1.05% and 10.76%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2018, and 0.87% and 8.93%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2017.  Return on average assets (“ROAA”) increased to 1.12% and return on average equity (“ROAE”) increased to 11.35%, compared to 0.81% and 8.46%, for the first six months of 2018 and 2017, respectively.
  
  
• Net interest income increased 3% to $9.1 million, compared to $8.9 million for the first quarter of 2018 and increased 9% compared to $8.4 million for the second quarter of 2017.  Net interest income totaled $18.0 million for the first six months of 2018, compared to $16.5 million for the first six months of 2017.
  
  
• Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”), expanded 7 basis points to 4.51%, compared to 4.44% in the preceding quarter and improved 18 basis points from 4.33% for the second quarter of 2017.  Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis (“NIMTE”), expanded 21 basis points to 4.48% for the first six months of 2018, compared to 4.27% for the first six months of 2017.
  
  
• Gross loans grew to $704.3 million versus $693.5 million, at March 31, 2018 and $671.5 million at June 30, 2017. 
  
  
• Total deposits were $767.5 million, compared to $785.2 million at March 31, 2018 and $764.5 million at June 30, 2017.  Non-interest-bearing deposits comprise 31% of total deposits.
  
  
• Asset quality remains solid: 
  
  
  • Loans 30 – 89 days’ delinquent, not on nonaccrual status, were minimal at 0.06% of gross loans outstanding. 
  • Net recoveries totaled $2,000, or 0.00% of average gross loans in the second quarter of 2018, compared to net recoveries of $49,000, or 0.03% of average gross loans in first quarter of 2018, and net charge-offs of $127,000, or 0.08% of average gross loans, in second quarter of 2017. 
  • Nonperforming assets were $1.4 million, or 0.16% of total assets, as compared to $1.7 million, or 0.22% of total assets at March 31, 2018, and $1.1 million, or 0.12% of total assets at June 30, 2017. 
  • Adversely classified loans were $9.3 million, or 1.32% of gross loans, versus $9.5 million, or 1.37% of gross loans, at March 31, 2018, and $6.5 million, or 0.97% of gross loans, at June 30, 2017. 
  • There was no provision for loan losses for the second quarter of 2018, the preceding quarter and the second quarter of 2017.  Provision expense of $122,000 was incurred for the first half of 2017. 
  • The allowance for loan losses to gross loans stood at 1.30% at June 30, 2018, 1.32% at March 31, 2018, and 1.35% at June 30, 2017. 
    
    
• The Company’s consolidated capital ratios exceeded regulatory guidelines, and the Bank’s capital ratios exceeded the regulatory guidelines for a well-capitalized financial institution under current regulatory requirements.

Operating Results

Total assets declined from the linked quarter, due to typical deposit seasonality of tourism markets in coastal Washington and Oregon, and the withdrawal of $12 million in deposits associated with relationship for which the Bank declined to offer a credit facility as requested. Loans grew modestly during the period. Total assets were up slightly year-over-year, primarily due to the increase in loans funded by growth in deposits and retained earnings. Liquidity remains strong, including unused borrowing capacity. Capital ratios continue to exceed the thresholds to be considered “Well-Capitalized” under published regulatory standards.

Net interest income increased on a linked quarter basis, despite no change in average earning assets, as earning asset yields outpaced funding costs as a result of the recent rise in interest rates.  Net interest income increased from the like quarter a year ago and from the first six months of 2017, as a result of growth in earning assets along with the impact of rising interest rates.  This growth in earning assets stems from loan production generated predominately in Western Washington and Oregon. 

Interest expense increased from the first quarter of 2018 and second quarter a year ago, primarily due to rate increases in LIBOR-based junior subordinated debentures and public funds during the periods.  This was partially offset by non-renewal of higher-cost brokered certificates of deposit.  Interest expense increased for the first half of 2018 as compared to the first half of 2017 for similar reasons.   

Pre-tax, pre-credit operating income (non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2018 increased from the linked quarter, primarily due to growth in net interest income, deposit service charges and related fee income, and gain on sale of real estate loans.  Noninterest expenses remained unchanged from the linked and year-over-year quarter.  Gain on sale of real estate loans was down in the current quarter and year-to-date period versus second quarter and first half of 2017, as rise in interest rates and tight housing supply have impacted mortgage loan production. In addition, noninterest income for the first six months of 2018 was down versus the first half of 2017.  This was primarily due to one-time income of $340,000 earned from the sale of commercial loans and monetized fees from pricing of loans over the swap curve in the second quarter of 2017.  This was partially mitigated by increases in deposit service charges and related fee income in the current period. Noninterest expenses for the first six months of 2018 grew slightly compared to the like period in 2017, as increases in compensation and technology expense were offset by a decline in professional fees paid to a firm providing process improvement consulting in the second quarter of 2017.

The following tables provide the reconciliation of net income to pre-tax, pre-credit operating income (non-GAAP):

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income grew on a linked quarter basis, primarily due to an increase in deposit service charges, fee income from increases in ATM/debit card activity and revenue from the sale of residential mortgage loans. Deposit service charges were increased earlier in the year consistent with product pricing in the market.  However, noninterest income declined compared to the year-over-year quarter, mainly due to higher revenue from sale of residential mortgage loans in the prior period. In addition, the prior period contained one-time income of $340,000 earned from the sale of commercial loans and monetized fees from pricing of loans over the swap curve.  This was partially offset by the increase in deposit service and related fees as previously described.  “Recent increases in mortgage rates have moderated demand for refinancing.  Interest in purchase financing remains strong, with robust demand chasing a limited supply of housing in several of our Western Washington and Oregon markets.  While the coastal communities and those along the I-5 corridor in Washington and Oregon are seeing notable activity, our lending exposure to the extremely vibrant greater Seattle and Portland markets is modest.  Supply constraints from increased governmental regulations governing real estate development over the past several years, and resulting increases in housing prices, have dampened mortgage financing activity,” Portmann noted.

For the first half of 2018, noninterest income was down versus the first six months of 2017.  This was primarily a result of a decline in revenue from the sale of residential mortgage loans for reasons noted above, the one-time income of $340,000 earned in 2017 from the sale of commercial loans and monetized fees from pricing of loans over the swap curve, as previously mentioned.  This was partially offset by the increase in deposit service and related fees from growth in ATM/debit card activity versus the comparable period in the prior year, due to the impact of recent promotional activities to expand debit card usage. 

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expenses remained unchanged from the linked and the year-over-year quarter.  Increases in technology expense from the linked quarter were offset by decreases in shareholder, FDIC assessment and travel expenses.  Increases in personnel and technology expenses from the prior year quarter were offset by declines in professional fees associated with $350,000 in expenses for process improvement and revenue enhancement consulting engagement begun in second quarter of 2017.  In addition, a portion of the tax expense savings from the recently enacted tax reform legislation was redeployed in the form of increased equipment and employee training investments during the current period. Data processing and software expense also increased versus the prior periods with the continued introduction of technology solutions to augment cyber-security and enhance productivity. 

Noninterest expenses for the first six months of 2018 grew compared to the like period in 2017, as increases in compensation and technology expense were offset by a decline in professional fees paid to a firm providing process improvement consulting, as noted above.

Income Tax Provision

For the second quarter of 2018, Pacific Financial recorded $570,000 in state and federal income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 17.9%, reflecting the new lower federal corporate rate. For the first quarter of 2018, the tax expense was $364,000 in state and federal income tax expense for an effective tax rate of 13.7%. For the second quarter of 2017, the tax expense was $844,000 in state and federal income tax expense, for an effective tax rate of 31.2%. In addition to the lower federal tax rates resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted at the end of 2017, Pacific Financial also pays Oregon corporate income tax on profits and Washington Business and Occupation tax on revenues.

LIQUIDITY

“Liquidity remains strong based on existing levels of combined cash equivalents, investment securities and unused borrowing capacity. Seasonal outflow of deposits typical for this time of year impacted total deposits during the quarter. However, noninterest-bearing deposits grew slightly from the second quarter a year ago.  This was despite a $12 million reduction in deposit balances associated with relationship for which the Bank declined to offer a credit facility as requested,” said Douglas N. Biddle, EVP and Chief Financial Officer. “Our investment securities include a large component of fully amortized U.S. agency collateralized mortgage and mortgage-backed securities, for which we expect to have limited extension risk. The securities portfolio also contains municipal securities rated A or better.” The expected modified duration (adjusted for calls, consensus pre-payment speeds and rate adjustment dates) of the investment portfolio was 3.9 years at June 30, 2018, 4.1 years at March 31, 2018, and 3.9 years at March 31, 2017.

The Bank had $9.5 million in outstanding borrowings against its $188.4 million in established borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB) at June 30, 2018. The Bank had $8.5 million and $8.6 million in outstanding borrowings with the FHLB at March 31, 2018, and June 30, 2017, respectively. The Bank’s borrowing facility with the FHLB is subject to collateral and stock ownership requirements. The Bank also has available a discount window primary credit line with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco of approximately $47.0 million, subject to collateral requirements, and $16.0 million from correspondent banks, with no balance outstanding on any of these facilities.

LOANS

The loan portfolio continues to be well-diversified with balances in most lending categories, which have been originated predominately within our Western Washington and Oregon markets. Increases in loans were generated in most categories during the current quarter, with the exception of multi-family loans. Declines in this segment occurred due to the normal completion and payoff of the project financed.    The portfolio includes $29.8 million in LIBOR-based and $153.7 million in Wall Street Journal Prime-based floating rate commercial and commercial real estate loans.  The portfolio also includes $16.8 million in purchased government-guaranteed commercial and commercial real estate loans and $60.0 million in indirect consumer loans to finance luxury and classic cars as a part of a strategy to diversify the loan portfolio. The indirect consumer loans have been made to individuals with high credit scores and have exhibited very low losses to date. The Company manages new loan origination volume using concentration limits that establish maximum exposure levels by designated industry segment, real estate product types, geography and single borrower limits.  The Bank’s recent portfolio growth includes commercial real estate loans, which are carefully managed to meet regulatory guidelines. 

DEPOSITS

Total deposits decreased from the linked quarter, due to seasonal factors and the withdrawal of funds by a commercial client, as noted above. Time deposits continue to decline as a component of funding as retail depositors do not look to lock in relatively low interest rates for an extended period. In addition, balances of brokered deposits also declined during these periods. The proportion of noninterest bearing deposits to total deposits remained stable year-over-year. 

Brokered certificates of deposit totaled $37.2 million, down from $39.6 million at March 31, 2018 and $47.1 million at June 30, 2017. The brokered deposits were acquired during the latter part of 2015 with fixed rates with terms ranging from 2 to 5 years. “These deposits were obtained to lock in historically low rates to enhance the Bank’s interest rate risk mitigation strategies,” explained Biddle.

CAPITAL

Pacific Financial Corporation (“Company”), and its subsidiary Bank of the Pacific (“Bank”), met the thresholds to be considered “Well-Capitalized” under regulatory standards for total risk-based capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, common equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 leverage capital. All ratios have increased compared to the linked and prior year quarters primarily due to the retention of earnings.  This is despite the impact on capital of the unrealized gain/(loss) on investment securities classified as “Available for Sale”, which was $(1.5 million), $(1.2 million) and $271,000 as of June 30, 2018, March 31, 2018, and June 30, 2017, respectively.  In addition, the decline in tangible assets as compared to the linked quarter contributed to a 13-basis point increase in the Tangible Common Equity Ratio.

The total risk-based capital ratios of the Company include $13.4 million of junior subordinated debentures, all of which qualified as Tier 1 capital under guidance issued by the Federal Reserve. As provided in the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company expects to continue to rely on these junior subordinated debentures as part of its regulatory capital.

The following table summarizes the capital measures of the Company and the Bank respectively, at the dates listed below.

Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin expanded on a linked quarter and year-over-year basis, primarily due to increases in average loan balances and yields. Recent increases in interest rates initiated by the Federal Reserve had a positive impact on asset yields during the period.  Net interest margin for the current year to date period improved as compared to the prior year for similar reasons.

Cost of deposits remained relatively unchanged as compared to the linked quarter and year-over-year periods. The non-renewal of higher-cost long-term fixed rate brokered deposits favorably impacted funding costs during these respective periods. Improvement in loan and investment security yields offset increases in the cost of LIBOR-based junior subordinated debentures as a result of rising interest rates in the current quarter as compared to the linked and year-over-year periods.

The following tables set forth information regarding average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant yields or cost, and the net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis. Loans held for sale and non-accrual loans are included in total loans.

ASSET QUALITY

Asset quality remained strong with non-performing assets declining in the quarter and remaining at very low levels.  Total 30-89-day delinquencies remained below 0.50%, a positive leading indicator of future credit quality.   Adversely classified loans decreased from various paydowns, including a $655,000 reduction in a dairy farm relationship from the sale of business assets and a $540,000 reduction in an electrical contractor relationship via refinancing by another lender.  These reductions were offset by a $2.1 downgrade of a mechanical contractor relationship due to an unprofitable fiscal year.  Adversely classified loans to total gross loans was 1.32% the end of the quarter compared to 1.37% in the linked quarter and 0.97% in the year ago quarter. 

Nonperforming assets decreased from the linked quarter, primarily due to the sale of a $150,000 residence held as other real estate owned at no loss.  As a result, there was a slight decrease in the percentage of nonperforming assets to total assets. However, nonperforming assets remained above the amount year-over-year, primarily due to the placement of a $400,000 loan to finance an exotic automobile placed on nonaccrual in the fourth quarter of 2017. 

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The allowance for loan losses has been managed in concert with recent loan growth, credit quality and market conditions. With changes in the loan portfolio composition over the past several years and overall improvement in credit quality, loss factors used in estimates to establish reserve levels have declined commensurately.
    
There were net recoveries in the current and linked quarter. This compares to minimal net charge offs recorded in the prior year quarter and first six months of 2017. These charge-offs were comprised of various loans, all of which were modest in size.  “The low level of charge-offs and ratio of net loan charge-offs to average gross loans demonstrate the solid credit quality of the portfolio,” said Biddle. The overall risk profile of the loan portfolio continues to be modest, demonstrating the solid credit risk management framework in place. The trend of future provisions for loan losses will depend primarily on economic conditions, growth in the loan portfolio, level of adversely-classified assets and changes in collateral values.