MATTOON, Ill., April 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:FMBH) (the “Company”) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

First Quarter Highlights

• Record quarterly net income of $8.4 million, or $0.66 diluted earnings per share
• Strong loan growth of $38.2 million, or 2.0%     
• Announced plan to close First BancTrust Corporation acquisition May 1^st, sooner than initially planned, helping drive cost savings in excess of original estimate

“We kicked off 2018 on a strong note with our highest quarterly net income ever,” said Joe Dively, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “The first quarter results were led by strong loan growth, in what has historically been a seasonally soft quarter, and our continued asset quality improvement leading to minimal net charge-offs.”

“The First BancTrust Corporation (“First Bank”) acquisition is expected to close on May 1^st and I could not be more pleased with the progress that has been made to date.  The cultural and organizational alignment is going well and we now expect to achieve cost savings in excess of our original estimates.  We are excited to join forces with First Bank and build upon the strong reputation and expand the products and services in the communities it serves,” Dively concluded.    

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2018 declined by $0.3 million, or 1.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2017.  The decrease was primarily driven by a $0.9 million reduction in total accretion income from the fourth quarter.  The first quarter of 2018 included a total of $0.6 million in accretion income.  Excluding the accretion reduction, net interest income increased by $0.6 million with growth in loan and investment income more than offsetting increases in deposit costs.  

In comparison to the first quarter of 2017, net interest income increased by $0.4 million, or 1.9%.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher interest rates, which were partially offset by higher deposit costs.   

Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, was 3.65% for the first quarter compared to 3.72% in the prior quarter and 3.63% in the first quarter last year.  The decline from the fourth quarter was driven by the lower tax rate impacting municipal securities and loans, which had a 7 basis point impact on the rate.  Excluding this change, the net interest margin would have been flat from the fourth quarter and an increase of 9 basis point from the prior year.  The year-over-year increase in the ratio was primarily due to higher yields on loans and investments, which outpaced the increase in cost of funds. 

Loan Portfolio

Total loans increased by $38.2 million, or 2.0%, in the quarter and ended at $1.98 billion compared to $1.94 billion at the end of the prior quarter.  The first quarter is typically a seasonally soft quarter due to the paydown in agriculture operating loans.  While these paydowns still occurred, growth in commercial real estate and commercial and industrial outpaced the declines.  Loans declined by $30.3 million in the first quarter of last year.      

Asset Quality

At March 31, 2018, nonperforming loans were 0.90% of total loans, which was consistent with the prior quarter.  Allowance for loan losses in the first quarter was 1.05% of total loans compared to 1.03% in the prior quarter, and the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 116.2% versus 114.1% in the prior quarter.  Non-performing loans were $17.9 million, which was an increase of $0.4 million versus the prior quarter and a decrease of $9.8 million from the first quarter of last year.      

Net charge-offs were $0.3 million during the first quarter compared to $1.0 million in the prior quarter.  The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.1 million during the first quarter compared to $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and $1.7 million in the first quarter of last year.         

Deposits

Total deposits ended the quarter at $2.29 billion, which represented an increase of $17.3 million from the prior quarter and a decrease of $37.6 million from the same quarter last year.  The Company’s average rate on cost of funds was 0.32% for the quarter compared to 0.29% in the fourth quarter and 0.22% in the first quarter of 2017.  The Company continues to maintain a strong core deposit base.      

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2018 was $7.5 million compared to $7.2 million in the fourth quarter and $7.5 million in the first quarter of last year.  Noninterest income is traditionally higher in the first quarter due to the timing of insurance commission revenues.  Year-over-year non-interest income increased in trust, brokerage and debit card revenue and was offset by declines in insurance and service charges.     

Noninterest Expenses    

Noninterest expense for the first quarter totaled $18.4 million, or $0.8 million lower than the previous quarter.  The current quarter included $0.3 million in acquisition related costs.  In the fourth quarter, the Company recorded a $0.5 million loss on the sale of a former First Clover Leaf credit and approximately $0.4 million of additional stock compensation expense.   

Noninterest expense also decreased by $0.8 million when compared to the first quarter of 2017.  During the first quarter of last year, the Company completed the bank merger and system conversion with First Clover Leaf recognizing $1.7 million of acquisition related costs.  The Company’s efficiency ratio, on a tax equivalent basis, for the first quarter 2018 was 57.2% compared to 60.1% for the same period last year.

 Regulatory Capital Levels and Dividend

The Company’s capital levels comfortably remained above the “well capitalized” levels and ended the period as follows: 

On April 25, 2018, the Board of Directors declared the Company’s next semi-annual dividend, on a pro-rated basis, of $0.05 for shareholders of record on June 1^st and payable on June 8^th.  On April 13^th, the Company issued a press release announcing a pro-rated semi-annual dividend of $0.29 payable on April 30^th in order to align the timing of dividend payments with the closing of its acquisition of First Bank.  The combined April 30^th and June 8^th dividends total $0.34, which represents an increase of 6.3% over the dividend paid in the first half of 2017.

Capital Raise

Under the previously announced ‘at-the-market’ equity offering, during the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company did not sell any shares.         

About First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc.: First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, N.A. (“First Mid Bank”), Mid-Illinois Data Services, Inc., and First Mid Insurance Group.  Our mission is to fulfill the financial needs of our communities with exceptional personal service, professionalism and integrity, and deliver meaningful value and results for customers and shareholders. 

First Mid Bank was first chartered in 1865 and has since grown into a $2.8 billion community-focused organization that provides financial services through a network of 52 banking centers in 37 Illinois and Missouri communities as well as a loan production office in Indiana.  More information about the Company is available on our website at www.firstmid.com.  Our stock is traded in The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol “FMBH”.

Non-GAAP Measures:  In addition to reports presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures.  The Company believes that such non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with information useful in understanding the Company’s financial performance.  Readers of this release, however, are urged to review these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with the GAAP results as reported.  These non-GAAP financial measures are detailed as supplemental tables and include “Net Interest Margin, tax equivalent,” Tangible Book Value per Common Share,” and “Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets”.  While the Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with a broader understanding of the capital adequacy, funding profile and financial trends of the Company, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.  These non-GAAP financial measures may also differ from the similar measures presented by other companies.   

Forward Looking Statements:  This document may contain certain forward-looking statements about First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (“First Mid”) and First BancTrust Corporation (“First Bank”), such as discussions of First Mid’s and First Bank’s pricing and fee trends, credit quality and outlook, liquidity, new business results, expansion plans, anticipated expenses and planned schedules. First Mid and First Bank intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1955. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of First Mid and First Bank, are identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. Actual results could differ materially from the results indicated by these statements because the realization of those results is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the proposed transactions between First Mid and First Bank will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that integration of the operations of First Bank with First Mid will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; the inability to complete the proposed transactions due to the failure to obtain the required stockholder approval; the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the proposed transactions, including receipt of required regulatory and other approvals; the failure of the proposed transactions to close for any other reason; the effect of the announcement of the transaction on customer relationships and operating results; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; changes in interest rates; general economic conditions and those in the market areas of First Mid and First Bank; legislative/regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality or composition of First Mid’s and First Bank’s loan or investment portfolios and the valuation of those investment portfolios; demand for loan products; deposit flows; competition, demand for financial services in the market areas of First Mid and First Bank; and accounting principles, policies and guidelines. Additional information concerning First Mid, including additional factors and risks that could materially affect First Mid’s financial results, are included in First Mid’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:  Aaron Holt
VP, Shareholder Relations
217-258-0463
aholt@firstmid.com

– Tables Follow –