First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2012 Results

ALPENA, Mich., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFNM) (the "Company") reported consolidated net earnings of $601,000, or $0.21 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 compared to consolidated net earnings of $161,000, or $0.06 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.  Operating results for the first quarter of 2012 included the recognition of an $886,000 deferred tax benefit related to Net Operating Loss (NOL) carry-forwards in accordance with GAAP accounting which require the benefit to be recognized when it is more likely than not the NOL will be utilized within the carry-forward period.

The Company's results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 include:

• The Company experienced an operating loss of $286,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, which was offset by a partial reversal of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, as discussed further below.
• Provision for Loan Losses was $376,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $67,000 for the prior year period.
• Quarter over quarter decline in the Company's net interest margin (from 3.95% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 to 3.87% for the quarter ended March 31, 2012) due primarily to a 37 basis point reduction in the yield on our interest-earning assets period over period, due mainly to a shift in the composition of our interest-earning assets.
• Continued strong mortgage banking activity and market share growth
• Significant improvement in commercial lending opportunities
• First Federal of Northern Michigan remains "well-capitalized" for regulatory purposes.

Michael W. Mahler, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "We were disappointed by the operating loss for the quarter, however we believe this to be a one-off event centered around non-recurring issues related to provision needs and REO write downs.  Our provision expense was higher than anticipated as a result of three long standing substandard credits that were downgraded during the quarter.  Two of the loans were moved into non-accrual status while the third was reclassified as a TDR.  In spite of these three credits, we saw our asset quality metrics improve for the quarter to the lowest levels in 5 years which speaks to fact that the balance sheet continues to improve from an asset quality perspective.  In addition, we took further write downs on certain pieces of REO whose listings expired near the end of the quarter.  While we evaluate the carrying value of these properties each quarter, we do not expect to see write downs on this order of magnitude the balance of the year.  Management believes the remaining classified credits are on stronger financial footings and are hopeful that they will not pose any problems for the Bank based upon what we know today."

Mahler continued, "On the flip side, our mortgage banking income exceeded our expectations between our growing market share and the continued favorable interest rate environment.  During the first quarter the Bank was voted 'Best Mortgage Provider' in our home market.  We are also encouraged by the significant increase in commercial loan demand and in the growth of our commercial loan pipeline.  We have not seen this level of borrowing interest among commercial customers in several years.  The pent up demand and deferred capital spending in our markets has created a great opportunity for us to issue commitments to lend to multiple strong borrowers in the markets we serve.  This meets with our strategic objective to grow the balance sheet and increase top line revenues to offset the margin pressures we face going forward in this interest rate environment."

Mahler further stated, "We look for 2012 to be a further continuation of the progress we have made over the last two years toward core earnings improvement and profitability growth which will build on our mission to enhance shareholder value.  The progress we made in 2010 and 2011 allowed for the recognition of a portion of our deferred tax asset."

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets to total assets has decreased markedly from 4.66% at March 31, 2011 to 3.11% at December 31, 2011 and 3.06% at March 31, 2012. Non-performing assets decreased by $128,000 from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012 and by $3.4 million from March 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012. The Company continues to closely monitor non-performing assets and has taken a variety of steps to reduce the level thereof, such as:

• Timely pursuit of foreclosure and/or repossession options coupled with quick and aggressive marketing efforts of repossessed assets;
• Restructuring loans, where feasible, to assist borrowers in working through this financially challenging time;
• Allowing borrowers to structure short-sales of properties, where appropriate and feasible; and
• Working with borrowers to find a means of reducing outstanding debt (such as through sales of collateral).

Non-performing assets were positively impacted by the sale of several pieces of both commercial and residential REO during the period from March 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

Financial Condition

Total assets of the Company at March 31, 2012 were $216.1 million, a decrease of $914,000, or 0.4%, from assets of $217.0 million at December 31, 2011. Net loans receivable decreased $1.7 million to $139.2 million at March 31, 2012, mostly in the commercial loan portfolio. We have staved off shrinkage of our residential mortgage portfolio by selective placing in our portfolio certain high-quality 10- and 15-year fixed rate residential mortgage loans.

Deposits increased $457,000 to $151.1 million at March 31, 2012. FHLB advances decreased $1.8 million as proceeds from loan payments and payoffs, as well as cash on hand, were used to pay off maturing advances.

Stockholders' equity was $25.1 million at March 31, 2012 compared to $24.6 million at December 31, 2011. The increase was due primarily to net earnings for the three-month period of $601,000 partially offset by a decrease of $44,000 in the unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment securities. First Federal of Northern Michigan's regulatory capital remains at levels in excess of regulatory requirements, as shown in the table below. 

Results of Operations

Interest income decreased to $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $2.6 million for the year earlier period. The decrease in interest income was due mainly to a shift in our interest-earning asset composition period over period from loans to lower-yielding investment securities. From March 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012, the average balance of our residential mortgage loans decreased $4.0 million as we sold a majority of these loans into the secondary market at the expense of balance sheet growth during the period. In addition, the average balance of our commercial and consumer loans decreased $13.0 million period over period and the average balance of our investment portfolio increased by $17.3 million.  The shift from loans to investment securities resulted in a decrease in the overall yield on interest-earning assets of 37 basis points period over period. The shift occurred as loans paid off and the proceeds were deployed into investment securities.

Interest expense decreased to $464,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $605,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The decrease in interest expense for the three-month period was due primarily to a decrease in our overall cost of funds of 32 basis points period over period. The cost of our FHLB advances decreased 27 basis points period over period and the overall cost of our interest-bearing deposits decreased 40 basis points over the same time period.  

The Company's net interest margin decreased to 3.87% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 from 3.95% for the same period in 2011 as a result of the factors mentioned above.

The provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 was $376,000, as compared to $67,000 for the prior year period. During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, we moved a large commercial loan out of construction status into our general pool of commercial loans, which allowed us to reduce the amount of general reserves we needed to record. Construction loans carry a higher degree of risk and therefore a higher level of reserve. This resulted in a lower than anticipated provision during the quarter ended March 31, 2011.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we added a specific reserves of approximately $200,000 on two commercial credit relationships which we had reclassified as Troubled Debt Restructurings and recorded specific reserves of approximately $200,000 on several residential mortgage loans which had progressed in the foreclosure process during the quarter. The provision was based on management's review of the components of the overall loan portfolio, the status of non-performing loans and various subjective factors.

Non interest income was relatively unchanged for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2012. Due to continued historically low mortgage rates, mortgage banking activities income has remained strong year over year.

Non interest expense increased by $93,000 from $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $2.3 million for the 2012 period. Most notably, compensation and employee benefits increased by $103,000 period over period as we added a commercial lender and Treasury Management professional and due to the reinstatement of the elective contribution to the Company's 401(k) plan, for which the Company has begun accruing.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, after careful analysis, the Company reversed $886,000 million of the valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.  The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that it will be able to recover this portion of the deferred tax asset based on its analysis that positive indicators for future earnings outweigh negative indicators.

Selected Performance Ratios

This news release and other releases and reports issued by the Company, including reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, may contain "forward-looking statements." The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company is including this statement for purposes of taking advantage of the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

SOURCE First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc.