First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2013 Results

ALPENA, Mich., May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- First Federal of Northern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFNM) (the "Company") reported consolidated net earnings of $68,000, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 compared to consolidated net earnings of $601,000, or $0.21 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  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 requires 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, 2013 include:

• Provision for loan losses of $144,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 as compared to $376,000 for the prior year period.
• Quarter over quarter decline in the Company's non interest expenses of $308,000 in the areas of compensation and employee benefits, suspension of our elective contribution to the 401(k) plan and health insurance premiums as a result of self insuring deductibles for employee insurance coverage.
• The continued growth of lower cost average core deposits by $5.6 million over the last 12 months.
• First Federal of Northern Michigan remains "well-capitalized" for regulatory purposes.

Michael W. Mahler, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, "We are pleased to see the lowest level of provision expense in six quarters.  It is a function of fewer deals in the foreclosure pipeline at the present time.  We are encouraged by this trend but ever mindful that this can change.  In general, however, we have seen improved delinquency across all loan categories as we begin the new year.  We are also pleased with the $3.0 million increase in commercial loan originations when compared to the same period one year earlier.  However, this was not enough to offset the decline in residential mortgage loan production which declined by $4.8 million over the same period.  Mortgage rates still remain at historic lows and we are hopeful that with the onset of warmer weather we will see an increase in real estate activity through the region."

Mahler continued, "We are pleased with our reduction in non interest expense for the quarter.  We saw a $308,000 decline or 13.4% when compared to the same quarter one year earlier.  $113,000 of this decline came in the area of employee compensation.  The savings comes from a reduction in the number of full time employees, changes to the health insurance plan and elimination of an elective contribution into employee 401(k) plans since the Bank failed to meet it financial objectives in 2012.  The other area of savings came from a reduction of other expenses which declined $125,000 period over period.  This 27.2% reduction came from savings related to foreclosure and collection actions along with the costs associated with disposition of Bank owned assets.   The savings would have been even better had we not spent over $65,000 in March related to legal and environmental costs associated with a single property we took back during the quarter."

Mahler further stated, "We look for 2013 to be a further continuation of the progress we made over the last three years toward core earnings improvement.  The sooner we can dispose of the problem assets and see an end to the charge-offs, the sooner we believe we will see recovery in earnings and value.  In the meantime, we continue to focus on what we can control and on pursuing lending opportunities within the communities we serve."

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets to total assets increased from 3.06% at March 31, 2012 to 3.42% at December 31, 2012 but decreased to 3.30% at March 31, 2013. Non-performing assets decreased by $290,000 from December 31, 2012 to March 31, 2013 and increased by $409,000 from March 31, 2012 to March 31, 2013. 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; securing judgments when feasible and
• Working with borrowers to find a means of reducing outstanding debt (such as through sales of collateral).

Financial Condition

Total assets of the Company at March 31, 2013 were $212.9 million, a decrease of $975,000, or 0.5%, from $213.8 million at December 31, 2012. Net loans receivable decreased $1.3 million to $137.6 million at March 31, 2013, mostly in the commercial and consumer loan portfolios. Our mortgage loan portfolio remained relatively unchanged period over period.

Deposits decreased $172,000 to $158.2 million at March 31, 2013 from December 31, 2012. FHLB advances decreased $1.5 million as proceeds from loan payments and payoffs, as well as cash on hand, were used to pay off maturing advances.

Stockholders' equity decreased slightly and was $24.4 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The decrease was due primarily to net earnings for the three-month period of $68,000 partially offset by a decrease of $100,000 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 $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 from $2.4 million for the year earlier period. The decrease in interest income resulted primarily from a $4.2 million decrease in average balances of our investment portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the same period a year earlier.  The decrease in investment securities resulted in a decrease in the overall yield on interest-earning assets of 52 basis points to 4.28% for the 2013 quarter from 4.80% for the 2012 quarter. The proceeds received from maturities and mortgage-backed security pay downs were used to payoff Federal Home Loan Bank advances during the three period ended March 31, 2013.

Interest expense decreased to $321,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 from $464,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The decrease in interest expense for the 2013 period was due primarily to a decrease in our overall cost of funds of 27 basis points period over period to 0.78% for the 2013 period from 1.05% for the 2012 period. The cost of our FHLB advances decreased 59 basis points period over period and the overall cost of our interest-bearing deposits decreased 17 basis points over the same time period.  

The Company's net interest margin decreased to 3.61% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 from 3.87% for the same period in 2012 as a result of the factors mentioned above.

The provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 was $144,000, as compared to $376,000 for the prior year period. During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we added 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. During the quarter ended March 31, 2013 we experienced fewer loans requiring specific reserves along with lower level of charge-offs. 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 at $$440,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and $447,000 for the 2012 period. Although mortgage rates have remained low our mortgage banking activities were $50,000 lower for the three months ended March 31, 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012.

Non interest expense decreased by $308,000 from $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 to $2.0 million for the 2013 period. Most notably, other expenses decreased by $125,000 period over period as we experienced an $111,000 decrease in real estate owned expenses related to troubled credits.  In addition, compensation and employee benefits decreased $113,000 period over period as we reduced staffing, suspended our accrual of the elective contribution to the Company's 401K plan and reduced health insurance premiums as a result of self insuring deductibles for employee insurance coverage.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2013 the Company recorded no tax expense, while after careful analysis at March 31, 2012, the Company reversed $866,000 of the valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset, resulting in a tax benefit of $886,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012.  However, during the fourth quarter of 2012 the $866,000 was reversed as a result of management's reevaluation of the DTA and determination that it was more likely than not that some or all of the DTA would not be realized during the period.

Safe Harbor Statement

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.