F.N.B. Corporation Reports Net Income of $23.5 Million in Fourth Quarter 2010

HERMITAGE, Pa., Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010.  Net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $23.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to third quarter of 2010 net income of $17.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, and fourth quarter of 2009 net income of $4.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.  Net income available to common shareholders for the full year of 2010 totaled $74.7 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, compared to $32.8 million, or $0.32 per diluted common share, for the full year ended December 31, 2009.

The fourth quarter of 2010 includes a $6.9 million (after-tax) one-time credit to pension expense for previously unrecognized gains due to amending the F.N.B. Corporation pension plan.  As a result of the amendment, resources have been shifted to enhance the 401(k) plan available to all employees and the volatility of future pension costs has been reduced.  Additionally, the fourth quarter of 2010 includes $0.4 million (after-tax) in Comm Bancorp, Inc. merger-related costs.  These items on a net basis increased net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 by $6.5 million or $0.06 per diluted share.  

“We are very pleased to deliver solid fourth quarter results to end a successful year,” said Stephen J. Gurgovits, Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation.  “The fourth quarter reflects our continued accomplishments in growing loans, deposits and treasury management balances, maintaining a stable net interest margin and continuing good credit quality results in our Pennsylvania and Regency portfolios.  Additionally, we begin 2011 with good momentum and an expanded footprint in northeastern Pennsylvania with the recently completed acquisition of Comm Bancorp, Inc.”

F.N.B. Corporation’s performance ratios this quarter were as follows: return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP measure) was 19.28%; return on average equity was 8.74%; return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP measure) was 1.15% and return on average assets was 1.03%.  A reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures is included in the tables that accompany this press release.  

Net Interest Income

Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the fourth quarter of 2010 totaled $74.5 million, increasing 3.2% annualized from the third quarter of 2010.  This linked-quarter growth reflects a 4.2% annualized increase in average earning assets with growth in both loans and investments.  Average investments increased $36.0 million over the third quarter as increased liquidity was invested in short-duration, high-quality securities.  The fourth quarter net interest margin of 3.77% remained stable compared to the third quarter.

“Our commercial and retail bankers continue to be successful in winning new customer relationships and deepening existing relationships as this quarter marks the seventh consecutive quarter of growth in our Pennsylvania commercial portfolio and the sixth consecutive quarter of total loan growth,” said Mr. Gurgovits.

Total average loans for the fourth quarter of 2010 totaled $6.0 billion and increased on a linked-quarter basis by $46.5 million, or 3.1% annualized.  Growth in the average home equity lending portfolio (comprised of lines of credit and direct installment loans) of $39.2 million, or 10.8% annualized, was the primary driver of the increase reflecting successful promotional initiatives and customer preferences for home equity lines of credit in the low interest rate environment.  All loan portfolios increased in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the prior quarter, except for our indirect lending portfolio which experienced a normal seasonal decline.

Average commercial loans for the fourth quarter totaled $3.3 billion with growth in the Pennsylvania commercial loan portfolio of $19.2 million, or 2.5% annualized, primarily reflecting market share gains.  This growth was partially offset by continued reductions in the Florida portfolio.  On a period-end basis, Pennsylvania commercial loans grew $56.9 million, or 7.3% annualized, at December 31, 2010 compared to September 30, 2010, reflecting strong production levels to close out the year.

Average deposits and treasury management balances for the fourth quarter totaled $7.3 billion and grew $81.6 million, or 4.5% annualized, on a linked-quarter basis reflecting growth in transaction deposits due to new customer acquisition and higher average balances partially offset by a decline in time deposits.  During the fourth quarter of 2010, our funding mix continued to improve with average transaction deposits increasing $100.2 million, or 9.1% annualized, and average treasury management balances growing $23.0 million or 13.8% annualized.  Given our overall liquidity position and contributing to the lower cost of funds in the fourth quarter of 2010, higher cost average time deposits declined as intended by $41.7 million, or 7.5% annualized, compared to the third quarter.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income totaled $29.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, increasing $1.7 million or 6.3% from $27.8 million in the third quarter of 2010, reflecting increased fee income in several categories.

The higher level of fee income reflects higher mortgage-related gains due to strong residential mortgage volume, and higher trust income driven by organic growth and improved market conditions.  The fourth quarter of 2010 also includes a $0.7 million gain related to the successful harvesting by F.N.B. Capital Corporation of a mezzanine finance relationship, representing the second successful harvesting in 2010.  Partially offsetting these gains in fee income, the decline in service charges on a linked-quarter basis includes a decrease in overdraft fee revenue reflecting the first full quarter of Regulation E.  In total, non-interest income represented 28% of revenue for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to 27% for the third quarter of 2010.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense totaled $58.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $64.2 million in the third quarter of 2010.  As a result of a pension plan amendment, the fourth quarter of 2010 includes a $10.5 million one-time credit to pension expense for previously unrecognized gains.  The amendment is expected to reduce the volatility of future pension costs while shifting resources to an enhanced 401(k) plan.  These actions provide employees increased flexibility consistent with industry practices.  Also included in non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2010 are $0.5 million in Comm Bancorp, Inc. merger-related costs.  When excluding these items, non-interest expense totaled $68.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to the third quarter of 2010, also includes a $1.5 million increase in Florida land-related other real estate owned (OREO) costs primarily resulting from property valuation adjustments.  Additionally, personnel costs include revisions to quarterly and annual profitability and performance-based accruals for incentive compensation and accruals for discretionary employer 401(k) contributions due to exceeding annual goals due to business performance.

Credit Quality

“We remain very pleased with the performance of our Pennsylvania and Regency loan portfolios with both portfolios continuing to perform well.  Our focus in the Florida portfolio remains the land-related segment, which performed slightly better than our expectations and represents only 1.0% of total loans at quarter end,” remarked Mr. Gurgovits.

In total, the provision for loan losses equaled $10.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, while net charge-offs totaled $21.3 million.  Based on our analysis of the trends in credit quality, reserves for the Pennsylvania and Regency portfolios were maintained at the same percentage of loans as reported at September 30, 2010, as provision covered net charge-offs and supported loan growth for both portfolios in the fourth quarter.  For the Florida portfolio, net loan charge-offs of $12.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 exceeded provision for loan losses of $1.3 million, reflecting the completion of the annual reappraisal process during the fourth quarter for the Florida land-related segment and the corresponding utilization of previously provided reserves.

The Pennsylvania loan portfolio‘s credit quality metrics for the fourth quarter of 2010 reflect continued solid performance.  The Pennsylvania loan portfolio totaled $5.7 billion at December 31, 2010 (94.1% of the total loan portfolio) and delivered credit quality metrics characterized by continued improvements in total past due and non-accrual loans to total loans and non-performing assets to total assets.  The slight increase in net loan charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to the prior quarter, reflects $1.8 million in charge-offs from two credits obtained through prior acquisitions, utilizing previously provided reserves.  Net charge-offs for the fourth quarter totaled $6.9 million or 0.48% annualized of average loans, bringing net charge-offs for the full year 2010 to 0.36% of average loans, representative of historically good results.  At December 31, 2010, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans remained unchanged from September 30, 2010 at 1.43%.

The Florida loan portfolio totaled $195.3 million at December 31, 2010 (3.2% of the total loan portfolio) with the land-related portion of the portfolio decreasing $16.6 million to $62.8 million or only 1.0% of total loans at December 31, 2010.  Activity for the fourth quarter of 2010 included $12.9 million in charge-offs mainly related to reappraisals of Florida land-related credits and continued loan repayments.  The reappraisal results during the fourth quarter were slightly better than our expectations.  Reflecting fourth quarter of 2010 charge-offs and payments received, Florida non-performing loans and OREO decreased $16.7 million to $76.1 million or 35.2% of total Florida loans and OREO at December 31, 2010.  At December 31, 2010, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans for the Florida portfolio equaled 8.95%, reflecting utilization of previously provided reserves.

Capital Position

The Corporation’s capital ratios continue to exceed federal bank regulatory agency “well capitalized” thresholds.  As of December 31, 2010, the Corporation’s regulatory capital ratios improved from September 30, 2010 reflecting higher retained net income.  At December 31, 2010, the total risk-based capital ratio was 13.1%, the tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.6% and the leverage ratio was 8.7%.  The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP measure) improved to 6.01% at December 31, 2010 from 5.96% at September 30, 2010.  The tangible book value per share (non-GAAP measure) increased 2 cents during the quarter to $4.40 and the dividend payout ratio for the quarter was 59%.

Full Year 2010 Results

F.N.B. Corporation’s full year of 2010 net income increased to $74.7 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, compared to full year of 2009 net income available to common shareholders of $32.8 million, or $0.32 per diluted common share.  For 2010, return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP measure) was 16.02%, return on average equity was 7.06%, return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP measure) was 0.95% and return on average assets was 0.84%.

Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis totaled $291.6 million for 2010, an increase of $18.3 million or 6.7% over 2009, reflecting growth in average earning assets of 3.7% and a 12 basis point expansion of the net interest margin to 3.77%.  The margin expansion reflects lower deposit and borrowing costs driven by an improved funding mix in a low interest rate environment, partially offset by lower yields on earning assets.

For the full year of 2010, compared to 2009, average earning assets increased through growth in average loans of $137.4 million or 2.4%, and growth in average investments of $140.5 million, or 8.7%, reflecting the investment of increased balance sheet liquidity in short-duration, high-quality securities.  Full year 2010 average loan growth was driven by average commercial loan growth of $95.2 million, or 3.0%, accomplished primarily by market share expansion through new client acquisition.  Additionally, during 2010 average consumer loans grew $19.6 million, or 0.8%, reflecting growth in the average home equity lending portfolio driven by successful promotional initiatives in 2010.  Average other loans grew $22.6 million, or 29.1%, due to growth in the commercial equipment-leasing portfolio of $19.3 million, or 41.4%.

For the full year of 2010, average deposits and treasury management balances increased $479.9 million or 7.2%, with low-cost average transaction balances growing $371.2 million or 9.3%, and average treasury management balances growing $167.6 million or 35.5%.  The strong deposits and treasury management growth reflects our success in expanding market share through new client acquisition and higher depositor average balances.

Non-interest income totaled $116.0 million for 2010, an increase of 9.9% compared to 2009.  Fee income on a year-over-year basis includes a 7.7% increase in trust-related revenue, primarily reflecting improved market conditions, and 22.9% higher mortgage-related gains.    In addition, 2010 included higher gains on the sale of securities, higher recoveries on impaired loans acquired through acquisitions, gains related to the successful harvesting of two mezzanine financing relationships by F.N.B. Capital Corporation and lower other-than-temporary impairment charges.  Partially offsetting these gains in fee income, service charges declined 1.7% due to decreased overdraft fee revenue resulting from changes in customer behavior and Regulation E implementation on August 15, 2010.  The 2010 Regulation E-related negative impact to fee revenue was partially mitigated by increases in other service charges.  In addition, 2010 reflected lower insurance commissions and fees of 5.4%, primarily a result of decreased contingent fee revenue, and lower securities commissions and fees of 8.3%, as annuity sales were negatively impacted by the low interest rate environment.  

Non-interest expense totaled $251.1 million for 2010, a decrease of 1.7% compared to 2009.  During 2010, personnel costs declined 0.5% due to the previously mentioned one-time $10.5 million credit to pension expense.  Absent this reduction, personnel costs for 2010 increased reflecting higher salaries and employee benefits associated with various revenue-generating initiatives such as the addition of an asset-based lending group and an expanded private banking group, as well as higher incentive compensation resulting from business performance.  Additionally, 2010 results include pre-payment charges associated with the repayment of FHLB debt partially offset by lower FDIC insurance premiums due to the special assessment in 2009.  F.N.B. Corporation’s efficiency ratio improved to 60.0% for 2010, compared to 65.5% for 2009, reflecting our continued focus on growing revenue and controlling expenses and the benefit of the 2010 reduction in pension expense due to the plan amendment.

While credit quality results for 2010 significantly improved compared to 2009, credit-related costs remained elevated compared to historical levels primarily due to the performance of the Florida land-related loan portfolio. Net loan charge-offs for 2010 improved 38 basis points, to 0.77% of total loans, compared to 1.15% of total loans for 2009.  The improvement reflects lower charge-offs in the Florida portfolio in 2010 and continued good performance for the Pennsylvania and Regency portfolios. The provision for loan losses for 2010 totaled $47.3 million, an improvement of $19.5 million compared to $66.8 million for 2009 and primarily reflects lower Florida-related provision for loan losses of $18.0 million for 2010 compared to 2009.

The full year of 2009 included $8.3 million in costs associated with the preferred stock sold to the U.S. Treasury pursuant to the Capital Purchase Plan (CPP) in January 2009 and subsequently redeemed in September 2009.

Conference Call

F.N.B. Corporation will host its quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2010 financial results on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 8:00 AM EST.  Participating callers may access the call by dialing (888) 208-1332 or (913) 981-5551 for international callers; the confirmation number is 4628644.  The listen-only audio Webcast may be accessed through the “Shareholder and Investor Relations” section of the Corporation’s Web site at www.fnbcorporation.com.

A replay of the call will be available from 11:00 AM EST the day of the call until midnight EST on Tuesday, February 1, 2011.  The replay is accessible by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers; the confirmation number is 4628644.  The call transcript and Webcast will be available on the “Shareholder and Investor Relations” section of F.N.B. Corporation’s Web site at www.fnbcorporation.com.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation, headquartered in Hermitage, PA, is a diversified financial services company with total assets of $9.6 billion as of January 1, 2011 (including the completed acquisition of Comm Bancorp, Inc.).  F.N.B. Corporation is a leading provider of commercial and retail banking, leasing, wealth management, insurance, merchant banking and consumer finance services in Pennsylvania and Ohio, where it owns and operates First National Bank of Pennsylvania, First National Trust Company, First National Investment Services Company, LLC, F.N.B. Investment Advisors, Inc., First National Insurance Agency, LLC, F.N.B. Capital Corporation, LLC, Regency Finance Company and F.N.B. Commercial Leasing.  It also operates consumer finance offices in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release of F.N.B. Corporation and the reports F.N.B. Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission often contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, relating to present or future trends or factors affecting the banking industry and, specifically, the financial operations, markets and products of F.N.B. Corporation.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “outlook”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “will”, “should”, “project”, “goal”, and other similar words and expressions.  These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties.  There are a number of important factors that could cause F.N.B. Corporation’s future results to differ materially from historical performance or projected performance.  These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant increase in competitive pressures among financial institutions; (2) changes in the interest rate environment that may reduce net interest margins; (3) changes in prepayment speeds, loan sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (4) general economic conditions; (5) various monetary and fiscal policies and regulations of the U.S. Government that may adversely affect the businesses in which F.N.B. Corporation is engaged; (6) technological issues which may adversely affect F.N.B. Corporation’s financial operations or customers; (7) changes in the securities markets; (8) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration statements F.N.B. Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are on file with the SEC, and are available on our shareholder and investor relations website at www.fnbcorporation.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov; (9) housing prices; (10) job market; (11) consumer confidence and spending habits or (12) estimates of fair value of certain F.N.B. Corporation assets and liabilities.  All information provided in this release and in the attachments is based on information presently available and F.N.B. Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

DATA SHEETS FOLLOW

SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation