Arrow Reports $5.2 Million Profit, Solid Second Quarter Results

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Jul 18, 2013, 12:25 ET

GLENS FALLS, N.Y., July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Arrow Financial Corporation (NasdaqGS® – AROW) announced operating results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013. Net income for the second quarter of 2013 was $5.2 million, a decrease of $387 thousand, or 6.9%, from net income of $5.6 million for the second quarter of 2012. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $0.43, an 8.5% decrease from the comparable 2012 quarter, when diluted EPS was $0.47. Return on average assets for the second quarter of 2013 was 0.99%, and return on average equity for the 2013 second quarter was 11.68%. Both of these key profitability ratios have consistently compared very favorably to our peer group, which we define as all U.S. bank holding companies having $1.0 to $3.0 billion in total assets. Net income for the first six months of 2013 was $10.4 million, a decrease of $494 thousand, or 4.5%, from net income of $10.9 million for the first six months of 2012. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the six-month period was $0.86, a 5.5% decrease from the comparable 2012 period, when diluted EPS was $0.91.

At June 30, 2013, Arrow reached record highs for total loans and demand deposits, and remained near the record highs for total assets, total deposits, total equity, and assets under trust administration set at March 31, 2013. In addition, both of our subsidiary banks are growing their branch networks. Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company opened a new office in the Clifton Park area of southern Saratoga County, New York, on April 1, and Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company will open a new branch near Exit 18 of the Northway in Queensbury, New York, this fall.

Arrow President and CEO Thomas J. Murphy stated, "Actions by the Federal Reserve to keep short-term interest rates at historically low levels and drive long-term rates down as well have presented an ongoing challenge for community banks. Given the very low interest rate environment, we are pleased with these results, particularly the solid returns on average assets and average equity, our excellent asset quality, strong capital, and record highs in total loans and demand deposits. While our net interest margin narrowed in the second quarter, we are committed to our conservative business model and continue to grow."

The following list presents highlights of our second-quarter results:

Cash Dividend: A cash dividend of $.25 per share was paid to shareholders in the second quarter of 2013, 2% higher than the cash dividend paid in the second quarter of 2012. That dividend, based on the daily average of our closing stock price for the second quarter of 2013, represented an annualized yield of over 4.0%.
Trust Assets and Related Noninterest Income: Assets under trust administration and investment management at June 30, 2013, were $1.074 billion, an increase of $53.8 million, or 5.3%, from the June 30, 2012, balance of $1.020 billion. The growth in balances was generally attributable to the addition of new accounts and positive investment returns. Income from fiduciary activities increased by $109 thousand, or 3.4%, for the first six months of 2013, as compared to the 2012 period.
Balance Sheet Changes: Total assets at June 30, 2013, were $2.083 billion, an increase of $116.2 million, or 5.9%, from the $1.967 billion balance at June 30, 2012, and 3.0% above the total assets of $2.023 billion at December 31, 2012. Our loan portfolio rose to a record $1.2 billion, up $58.1 million, or 5.1%, from the June 30, 2012, level, and an increase of $32.4 million, or 2.8%, from the level at December 31, 2012. During the first six months of 2013, we originated over $62 million of residential real estate loans, an increase of 20.7% from approximately $51 million of residential real estate loans originated in the comparable period for 2012. However, for interest rate risk management purposes, we continued to sell most of these originations to the secondary market, primarily to a government-sponsored entity, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Therefore, the outstanding balance for our residential real estate loan portfolio at June 30, 2013, although higher than the outstanding balance in December 31, 2012, was actually lower than our balance at June 30, 2012. We retained servicing rights on the mortgages we sold, which will generate servicing fee income over the life of these loans. Our gain on the sale of residential real estate loan originations in the second quarter of 2013 was slightly less than our gain on sale of such originations in the comparable 2012 quarter. We experienced an increase in the outstanding balance of automobile loans during the first six months of 2013. And although we experienced modest activity in our commercial loan portfolio in the first half of the year, the new commercial loan balances were essentially offset by repayments principally due to the payoff of one large commercial loan.
Asset Quality: Asset quality remained strong at June 30, 2013, as measured by our low level of nonperforming assets and low level of net charge-offs. Nonperforming assets of $8.0 million at quarter-end represented only 0.38% of period-end assets, far below recent industry averages, and down six basis points from our 0.44% ratio as of June 30, 2012. Net loan losses for the second quarter of 2013, expressed as an annualized percentage of average loans outstanding, were 0.01%, These asset quality ratios continue to be significantly better than recently reported industry averages.

Overall loan delinquency rates remain very low and, unlike many of our peers, we have not incurred and do not expect to incur significant losses in our existing residential real estate portfolio, even though we, like other area banks, serve a community in which some customers are experiencing financial stress. Our allowance for loan losses amounted to $14.7 million at June 30, 2013, which represented 1.22% of loans outstanding, eleven basis points below our ratio one year earlier and eight basis points below our ratio at December 31, 2012.
Capital: Total shareholders' equity was $177.6 million at period-end, an increase of $5.7 million, or 3.3%, above the June 30, 2012, balance. Arrow's capital ratios continued to remain strong, as reflected by a Tier 1 leverage ratio at the holding company level of 9.19% at quarter-end, up from 9.09% at June 30, 2012. Arrow's total risk-based capital ratio was 15.98%, down slightly from 16.34% a year ago. The capital ratios of the Company and its subsidiary banks continue to significantly exceed the "well capitalized" regulatory standard, which is the highest current regulatory category.
Peer Group: Many of our key operating ratios have consistently compared very favorably to our peer group, which we define as all U.S. bank holding companies having $1.0 to $3.0 billion in total assets, as identified in the Federal Reserve Bank's "Bank Holding Company Performance Report" (FRB Report). The most current peer data available in the FRB Report is for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, in which our return on average equity (ROE) was 11.72%, as compared to 8.11% for our peer group. Our ratio of loans 90 days past due and accruing plus nonaccrual loans to total loans was 0.47% as of March 31, 2013, as compared to 2.01% for our peer group. Our annualized net loan losses for the quarter ending March 31, 2013, were 0.27%, which was slightly higher than the peer result of 0.25%, but included one large commercial charge-off of $753 thousand in the first quarter of 2013 that was individually evaluated for impairment and fully reserved within our allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2012. Moreover, our annualized loss ratio for the first six months, even including the large charge-off in the first quarter, was down to 0.14%, which we expect will return us to the category of above-average performers for this metric. Our operating results and asset quality ratios have withstood the economic stress of recent years much better than most banks in our national peer group.
Securities Transactions: We recognized securities gains in both the 2013 and 2012 periods. Included in our 2013 second quarter results were securities gains of $8 thousand, net of tax, while our 2012 second quarter results included securities gains of $86 thousand, net of tax. In both periods, the net gains represented less than $0.01 per share for the respective quarter. For the year-to-date periods, net securities gains represented $0.027 and $0.032 per share for the respective 2013 and 2012 periods.
Net Interest Income and Margin: Similar to most institutions within the banking industry, the Company has experienced decreases in its net interest income and margin in recent periods as a result of operating in this historically low interest rate environment. On a tax-equivalent basis, our net interest income in the second quarter of 2013, as compared to the second quarter of 2012, decreased $463 thousand, or 3.0%. Our tax-equivalent net interest margin fell from 3.26% in the second quarter of 2012 to 2.99% for the second quarter of 2013. Net interest margin for the second quarter of 2013 was also down from the 3.13% margin for the first quarter of 2013. While the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities decreased significantly from the second quarter of 2012 to the second quarter of 2013, our yield on earning assets decreased by an even greater degree. Our average cost of funds in the second quarter of 2013 fell by 0.30% basis points to 0.54%, down from 0.84% in the second quarter of 2012, while our average yield on earning assets in the second quarter of 2013 decreased by 0.52% basis points, to 3.44% from 3.96% in the second quarter of 2012.

Arrow Financial Corporation is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Glens Falls, New York, serving the financial needs of northeastern New York. The Company is the parent of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company. Other subsidiaries include North Country Investment Advisers, Inc.; three property and casualty insurance agencies: Loomis & LaPann, Inc., Upstate Agency, LLC, and McPhillips Insurance Agency, a division of Glens Falls National Insurance Agencies, LLC; and Capital Financial Group, Inc., an insurance agency specializing in the sale and servicing of group health plans.

The information contained in this News Release may contain statements that are not historical in nature but rather are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections about the future. These statements may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, involving a degree of uncertainty and attendant risk. In the case of all forward-looking statements, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the statements predict or forecast, explicitly or by implication. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. This News Release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
Interest and Fees on Loans	$	12,650	$	13,628	$	25,433	$	27,586
Interest on Deposits at Banks	19		36		46		57
Interest and Dividends on Investment Securities:
Fully Taxable	1,639		2,480		3,435		5,118
Exempt from Federal Taxes	1,501		1,389		2,891		2,710
Total Interest and Dividend Income	15,809		17,533		31,805		35,471
INTEREST EXPENSE
NOW Accounts	786		976		1,564		2,035
Savings Deposits	277		329		545		686
Time Deposits of $100,000 or More	305		569		624		1,177
Other Time Deposits	505		1,074		1,059		2,220
Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase	6		5		9		11
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances	199		172		372		369
Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts	145		154		289		313
Total Interest Expense	2,223		3,279		4,462		6,811
NET INTEREST INCOME	13,586		14,254		27,343		28,660
Provision for Loan Losses	100		240		200		520
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES	13,486		14,014		27,143		28,140
NONINTEREST INCOME
Income From Fiduciary Activities	1,758		1,601		3,332		3,223
Fees for Other Services to Customers	2,371		2,054		4,653		4,014
Insurance Commissions	2,176		2,107		4,204		3,996
Net Gain on Securities Transactions	13		143		540		645
Net Gain on Sales of Loans	498		537		1,105		894
Other Operating Income	255		366		411		595
Total Noninterest Income	7,071		6,808		14,245		13,367
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and Employee Benefits	7,637		7,794		15,258		15,697
Occupancy Expenses, Net	2,119		1,970		4,395		3,994
FDIC Assessments	267		256		531		511
Other Operating Expense	3,251		2,631		6,501		5,595
Total Noninterest Expense	13,274		12,651		26,685		25,797
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	7,283		8,171		14,703		15,710
Provision for Income Taxes	2,076		2,577		4,315		4,828
NET INCOME	$	5,207	$	5,594	$	10,388	$	10,882
Average Shares Outstanding ¹:
Basic	12,021		11,994		12,026		12,000
Diluted	12,038		12,009		12,044		12,019
Per Common Share:
Basic Earnings	$	0.43	$	0.47	$	0.86	$	0.91
Diluted Earnings	0.43		0.47		0.86		0.91
¹ Share and per share data have been restated for the September 27, 2012 2% stock dividend.

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)

	June 30, 2013		December 31, 2012		June 30, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and Due From Banks	$	32,706	$	37,076	$	31,391
Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks	11,894		11,756		26,360
Investment Securities:
Available-for-Sale	501,574		478,698		431,010
Held-to-Maturity (Approximate Fair Value of $252,691 at June 30, 2013, $248,252 at December 31, 2012, and $261,574 at June 30, 2012)	248,914		239,803		252,902
Other Investments	6,136		5,792		4,479
Loans	1,204,734		1,172,341		1,146,641
Allowance for Loan Losses	(14,678)		(15,298)		(15,211)
Net Loans	1,190,056		1,157,043		1,131,430
Premises and Equipment, Net	29,301		28,897		24,823
Other Real Estate and Repossessed Assets, Net	1,175		1,034		837
Goodwill	22,003		22,003		22,003
Other Intangible Assets, Net	4,384		4,492		4,608
Accrued Interest Receivable	5,708		5,486		5,712
Other Assets	29,318		30,716		31,421
Total Assets	$	2,083,169	$	2,022,796	$	1,966,976
LIABILITIES
Noninterest-Bearing Deposits	$	261,910	$	247,232	$	248,224
NOW Accounts	754,371		758,287		691,001
Savings Deposits	494,586		442,363		437,568
Time Deposits of $100,000 or More	87,369		93,375		108,277
Other Time Deposits	181,669		189,898		219,813
Total Deposits	1,779,905		1,731,155		1,704,883
Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase	14,738		12,678		16,097
Federal Home Loan Bank Overnight Advances	40,000		29,000		—
Federal Home Loan Bank Term Advances	30,000		30,000		30,000
Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts	20,000		20,000		20,000
Accrued Interest Payable	493		584		898
Other Liabilities	20,426		23,554		23,158
Total Liabilities	1,905,562		1,846,971		1,795,036
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $5 Par Value; 1,000,000 Shares Authorized	—		—		—
Common Stock, $1 Par Value; 20,000,000 Shares Authorized (16,416,163 Shares Issued at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and 16,094,277 Shares Issued at June 30, 2012)	16,416		16,416		16,094
Additional Paid-in Capital	219,772		218,650		209,354
Retained Earnings	30,625		26,251		28,951
Unallocated ESOP Shares (95,172 Shares at June 30, 2013, 102,890 Shares at December 31, 2012 and 105,211 Shares at June 30, 2012)	(1,900)		(2,150)		(2,250)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(11,739)		(8,462)		(6,289)
Treasury Stock, at Cost (4,277,680 Shares at June 30, 2013, 4,288,617 Shares at December 31, 2012, and 4,223,388 Shares at June 30, 2012)	(75,567)		(74,880)		(73,920)
Total Stockholders' Equity	177,607		175,825		171,940
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	2,083,169	$	2,022,796	$	1,966,976

Arrow Financial Corporation Selected Quarterly Information (Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)

Quarter Ended	6/30/2013		3/31/2013		12/31/2012		9/30/2012		6/30/2012
Net Income	$	5,207	$	5,181	$	5,549	$	5,748	$	5,594
Transactions Recorded in Net Income (Net of Tax):
Net Gain on Securities Transactions	8		318		94		39		86
Net Gain on Sales of Loans	301		367		476		362		324
Reversal of VISA Litigation Reserve	—		—		—		—		178
Share and Per Share Data:¹
Period End Shares Outstanding	12,043		12,010		12,025		12,034		12,001
Basic Average Shares Outstanding	12,021		12,031		12,014		12,012		11,994
Diluted Average Shares Outstanding	12,038		12,049		12,032		12,032		12,009
Basic Earnings Per Share	$	0.43	$	0.43	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	0.47
Diluted Earnings Per Share	0.43		0.43		0.46		0.48		0.47
Cash Dividend Per Share	0.25		0.25		0.25		0.25		0.25
Selected Quarterly Average Balances:
Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks	$	26,552	$	41,145	$	40,065	$	33,332	$	55,023
Investment Securities	771,345		711,848		745,150		670,328		682,589
Loans	1,185,125		1,169,870		1,160,226		1,148,771		1,143,666
Deposits	1,801,501		1,773,126		1,781,778		1,701,599		1,733,320
Other Borrowed Funds	94,761		64,622		80,357		68,667		66,022
Shareholders' Equity	178,878		176,874		176,514		174,069		170,199
Total Assets	2,099,468		2,039,314		2,064,602		1,971,215		1,994,883
Return on Average Assets	0.99%		1.03%		1.07%		1.16%		1.13%
Return on Average Equity	11.68%		11.88%		12.51%		13.14%		13.22%
Return on Tangible Equity²	13.70%		13.97%		14.72%		15.50%		15.67%
Average Earning Assets	$	1,983,022	$	1,922,863	$	1,945,441	$	1,852,431	$	1,881,278
Average Paying Liabilities	1,641,580		1,590,401		1,612,959		1,511,634		1,565,692
Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent	16,989		17,059		17,787		18,168		18,508
Interest Expense	2,223		2,239		2,503		2,643		3,279
Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent	14,766		14,820		15,284		15,525		15,229
Tax-Equivalent Adjustment	1,180		1,063		1,047		1,000		975
Net Interest Margin³	2.99%		3.13%		3.13%		3.33%		3.26%
Efficiency Ratio Calculation:
Noninterest Expense	$	13,274	$	13,411	$	13,117	$	12,922	$	12,651
Less: Intangible Asset Amortization	(112)		(124)		(126)		(126)		(127)
Net Noninterest Expense	$	13,162	$	13,287	$	12,991	$	12,796	$	12,524
Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent	$	14,766	$	14,820	$	15,284	$	15,525	$	15,229
Noninterest Income	7,071		7,174		6,897		6,835		6,808
Less: Net Securities Gains	(13)		(527)		(156)		(64)		(143)
Net Gross Income	$	21,824	$	21,467	$	22,025	$	22,296	$	21,894
Efficiency Ratio	60.31%		61.90%		58.98%		57.39%		57.20%
Period-End Capital Information:
Total Stockholders' Equity (i.e. Book Value)	$	177,607	$	177,803	$	175,825	$	176,314	$	171,940
Book Value per Share	14.75		14.80		14.62		14.65		14.33
Intangible Assets	26,387		26,460		26,495		26,546		26,611
Tangible Book Value per Share ²	12.56		12.60		12.42		12.45		12.11
Capital Ratios:
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio	9.19%		9.30%		9.10%		9.41%		9.09%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio	14.83%		15.15%		15.02%		15.20%		15.08%
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio	15.98%		16.34%		16.26%		16.45%		16.34%
Assets Under Trust Administration and Investment Management	$	1,073,523	$	1,094,708	$	1,045,972	$	1,051,176	$	1,019,702

¹Share and Per Share Data have been restated for the September 27, 2012 2% stock dividend.
² Tangible Book Value and Tangible Equity exclude intangible assets from total equity. These are non-GAAP financial measures which we believe provide investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance.
³ Net Interest Margin is the ratio of our annualized tax-equivalent net interest income to average earning assets. This is also a non-GAAP financial measure which we believe provides investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance.

Arrow Financial Corporation Consolidated Financial Information (Dollars in Thousands - Unaudited)

Quarter Ended:	6/30/2013		12/31/2012		6/30/2012
Loan Portfolio
Commercial Loans	$	87,549	$	105,536	$	101,294
Commercial Construction Loans	30,980		29,149		17,628
Commercial Real Estate Loans	259,799		245,177		235,861
Other Consumer Loans	7,456		6,684		6,543
Consumer Automobile Loans	375,060		349,100		334,098
Residential Real Estate Loans	443,890		436,695		451,217
Total Loans	$	1,204,734	$	1,172,341	$	1,146,641
Allowance for Loan Losses
Allowance for Loan Losses, Beginning of Quarter	$	14,603	$	15,247	$	15,053
Loans Charged-off	92		178		136
Less Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off	67		54		54
Net Loans Charged-off	25		124		82
Provision for Loan Losses	100		175		240
Allowance for Loan Losses, End of Quarter	$	14,678	$	15,298	$	15,211
Nonperforming Assets
Nonaccrual Loans	$	5,591	$	6,633	$	6,822
Loans Past Due 90 or More Days and Accruing	760		920		504
Loans Restructured and in Compliance with Modified Terms	461		483		510
Total Nonperforming Loans	6,812		8,036		7,836
Repossessed Assets	34		64		25
Other Real Estate Owned	1,141		970		812
Total Nonperforming Assets	$	7,987	$	9,070	$	8,673
Key Asset Quality Ratios
Net Loans Charged-off to Average Loans, Quarter-to-date Annualized	0.01%		0.04%		0.03%
Provision for Loan Losses to Average Loans, Quarter-to-date Annualized	0.03%		0.06%		0.08%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Period-End Loans	1.22%		1.30%		1.33%
Allowance for Loan Losses to Period-End Nonperforming Loans	215.47%		190.37%		194.11%
Nonperforming Loans to Period-End Loans	0.57%		0.69%		0.68%
Nonperforming Assets to Period-End Assets	0.38%		0.45%		0.44%
Six Month Period Ended
Allowance for Loan Losses
Allowance for Loan Losses, Beginning of Year	$	15,298			$	15,003
Loans Charged-off	982				433
Less Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off	162				121
Net Loans Charged-off	820				312
Provision for Loan Losses	200				520
Allowance for Loan Losses, End of Period	$	14,678			$	15,211
Key Asset Quality Ratios
Net Loans Charged-off to Average Loans, Annualized	0.14%				0.06%
Provision for Loan Losses to Average Loans, Annualized	0.03%				0.09%