IBERIABANK Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter Results

LAFAYETTE, La., Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IBERIABANK Corporation (NASDAQ: IBKC), holding company of the 126-year-old IBERIABANK (www.iberiabank.com), reported operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013.  For the quarter, the Company reported income available to common shareholders of $25.1 million, or $0.86 fully diluted earnings per share.  In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company incurred costs to implement previously disclosed earnings improvement initiatives and other non-operating costs equal to $0.2 million on a pre-tax basis, or $0.01 per share on an after-tax basis.  Excluding those items, EPS in the fourth quarter of 2013 was $0.87 per share on a non-GAAP operating basis, compared to $0.83 per share in the third quarter of 2013 (refer to press release supplemental table).

Daryl G. Byrd, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our financial results showed continued improvement in operating leverage in the fourth quarter of 2013, exhibiting both revenue improvement and significant operating expense reductions.  In addition, we experienced tremendous client loan growth spread across a number of markets.  Our client deposit mix continues to improve as well, with noninterest bearing deposits growing by nearly one-third during 2013, reaching 24% of total deposits at year-end 2013, compared to 18% one year ago.  We are delighted with the progress we continue to achieve for our clients and our shareholders and pleased we exceeded our EPS target for the fourth quarter."

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2013 and December 31, 2013:

• The net interest margin increased 15 basis points on a linked quarter basis to 3.52%, which was above the upper-end of the previously disclosed guidance of 3.35%. Based on interest rate risk modeling and other factors, management currently expects the net interest margin to be in the range of approximately 3.40% to 3.45% in the first quarter of 2014.
• The Company's profitability improvement initiatives continued in the fourth quarter of 2013. Operating expenses declined $3 million, or 3%, on a linked quarter basis.  The Company's tangible operating efficiency ratio declined from 73.0% in the third quarter of 2013 to 69.9% in the fourth quarter of 2013.
• Gross loan growth was $449 million, or 5%, between quarter-ends (20% annualized rate), while loan growth excluding all assets covered under FDIC loss share agreements and other non-covered acquired assets (collectively "Acquired Assets") increased $568 million, or 7%, between quarter-ends (29% annualized rate).
• The Company's legacy asset quality continued to be strong in the fourth quarter of 2013.  At December 31, 2013, nonperforming assets ("NPAs"), excluding Acquired Assets, equated to 0.61% of total assets, loans past due 30 days or more equated to 0.80% of total loans, and classified assets excluding Acquired Assets equated to 0.69% of total assets.
• The Company recorded a $4.7 million loan loss provision in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2013.  Net charge-offs totaled $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, or an annualized 0.06% of average loans, compared to an average of 0.05% of average loans over the past eight quarters.
• Capital ratios remained strong. At December 31, 2013, the Company's tangible common equity ratio was 8.55%, Tier 1 common ratio was 10.55%, and total risk based capital ratio was 12.82%.
• On January 13, 2014, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire by merger Teche Holding Company ("Teche") based in New Iberia, Louisiana.  At September 30, 2013, Teche had total assets of $857 million, gross loans of $686 million, and total deposits of $651 million.  The Company anticipates closing the transaction in the second quarter of 2014, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and the approval of Teche's shareholders.
• On January 17, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of the Memphis operations of Trust One Bank, a division of Synovus Bank.  The Company acquired four office locations, approximately $90 million in loans, and assumed approximately $194 million in deposits.  All aspects of the client and branch conversion process were successfully completed over the weekend of January 18-19, 2014.

Operating Results

On a linked quarter basis, average earning assets increased $179 million, or 1%, as average loans increased $197 million, or 2%, average investment securities increased $36 million, or 2%, and other earning assets declined $54 million, or 9%. Also on a linked quarter basis, the average earning asset yield increased 13 basis points, and the cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased two basis points.  As a result, the tax-equivalent net interest spread and margin each increased 15 basis points.  Tax-equivalent net interest income increased $5.9 million, or 6%, as average earning assets increased and the net interest margin expanded.

The average investment yield improved 23 basis points during the fourth quarter of 2013 as a result of reduced bond premium amortization of $1.2 million, which the Company expects to continue based on the current level of interest rates.

The non-covered loan yield increased four basis points as some consumer loan yields improved between quarters.  The covered loan yield (net of loss share receivable amortization) increased 62 basis points, which offset a decline in average covered loan volume of $120 million, or 14%, and as a result, the associated covered income remained stable on a linked quarter basis.  Offsetting the decline in volume was $1.9 million in net covered and non-covered interest income due to pool closing events in the fourth quarter. The covered income in the fourth quarter of 2013 was consistent with management's expectations. 

For the first quarter of 2014, the Company projects the prospective yield on the covered loan portfolio net of the indemnification asset ("IA") to approximate 3.73%, compared to 4.28% in the fourth quarter.  The average balance of the net covered loan portfolio is projected to decline approximately $110 million, based on current cash flow assumptions and estimates.  Net income on the covered loan portfolio is projected to decline $1.8 million between the fourth quarter of 2013 and first quarter of 2014.  The Company projects the net covered income to equate to 7% of total net interest income in 2014, compared to 11% in 2013.

On a period-end basis, the IA declined $43 million, or 21%, from $205 million at September 30, 2013 to $162 million at December 31, 2013.  The portion of the IA collectible from the FDIC decreased $27 million, or 41%, while the collectible portion from other real estate owned ("OREO") and customers declined $16 million, or 11%.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $1.4 million, or 0.06% of average loans on an annualized basis and a provision for loan losses of $4.7 million, up $2.7 million, or 133% compared to the third quarter of 2013.

Aggregate noninterest income decreased $4.5 million, or 10%, on a linked quarter basis.  The primary changes in noninterest income on a linked quarter basis were:

• Decreased mortgage income of $2.8 million, or 19%; and
• Decreased title revenue of $1.2 million, or 21%; partially offset by
• Increased capital markets revenue of $1.0 million.

Assets under management at IBERIA Wealth Advisors ("IWA") were $1.1 billion at December 31, 2013, stable compared to September 30, 2013, but up 14% compared to one year ago.  Revenues for IWA decreased 7% on a linked quarter basis, but up 26% for the full year of 2013, compared to one year ago. IBERIA Financial Services revenues declined 4% on a linked quarter basis, and declined 1% for the full year of 2013 compared to the prior year.  IBERIA Capital Partners experienced significantly higher investment banking revenue in the fourth quarter and at year-end, had achieved its stated goal of having 100 energy-related firms under research coverage.

The Company experienced a reduced level of interest rate derivative activity executed on behalf of clients, and, thus, a decrease in customer derivative commission income in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The $2.8 million decline in mortgage income was the result of lower production and sales volumes, due primarily to the changing interest rate environment. The decline in income was partially offset by a $1.1 million reduction in mortgage commission and mortgage production incentives expense (included in noninterest expense).

In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company originated $404 million in residential mortgage loans, down $103 million, or 20%, on a linked quarter basis.  Client loan refinancing opportunities accounted for approximately 19% of mortgage loan applications in the fourth quarter of 2013, unchanged compared to the third quarter of 2013, and approximately 15% between December 31, 2013, and January 17, 2014.  The Company sold $380 million in mortgage loans during the fourth quarter of 2013, down $172 million, or 31%, on a linked quarter basis.  Margins on the sale of mortgage loans remained stable on a linked quarter basis.  The mortgage origination pipeline was approximately $110 million at December 31, 2013, compared to $182 million at September 30, 2013, and was approximately $123 million at January 17, 2014.  The mortgage business primarily focuses on retail mortgage loans originated by the Company; less than 0.5% of originations in 2013 were purchased through correspondent mortgage loan providers (primarily for community reinvestment-related loan opportunities).

Noninterest expense decreased $5 million, or 5%, on a linked quarter basis and included the following linked-quarter changes:

• Decreased provision for unfunded lending commitments of $2.4 million;
• Decreased impairment of long-lived assets of $1.2 million;
• Decreased mortgage commissions and production incentives of $1.1 million;
• Decreased marketing and business development expense of $0.7 million;
• Decreased hospitalization and payroll tax expense of $0.7 million;
• Decreased provision for FDIC claw-back liability of $0.7 million;
• Decreased occupancy and equipment expense of $0.5 million;
• Decreased ATM/debit card expense of $0.4 million; partially offset by
• Increased benefit costs due to higher value of the Company's stock price of $1.5 million; and
• Increased OREO property costs of $1.3 million;

Excluding non-operating expenses, total expenses declined $3 million, or 3%, from $106 million in the third quarter of 2013 to $102 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company continues to review its operating metrics for future opportunities to improve revenues and reduce expenses.

Loans

Total loans increased $449 million, or 5%, between September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013.  The loan portfolio associated with FDIC-assisted acquisitions at December 31, 2013, decreased $87 million, or 11%, compared to September 30, 2013.  Excluding Acquired Assets, total loans increased $568 million, or 7% (29% annualized rate), during the fourth quarter. Legacy commercial loans increased $500 million, or 9% (which included $34 million in business banking loan growth, up 4%, or 18% annualized rate), legacy consumer loans increased $45 million, or 2%, and legacy mortgage loans increased $24 million, or 6%, during the quarter.  Loan origination and renewal growth during the fourth quarter of 2013 were strongest in the Houston, New Orleans, Birmingham, Memphis, and Baton Rouge markets.  Loan origination and renewal mix in the fourth quarter of 2013 was 37% fixed rate and 63% floating rate and total loans outstanding (excluding nonaccruals) were 49% fixed and 51% floating.  Loans and commitments originated and/or renewed during the fourth quarter of 2013 totaled $1.4 billion (up 19% on a linked quarter basis).  Energy-related loans outstanding totaled $764 million at December 31, 2013, up $90 million, or 13%, compared to September 30, 2013, and equated to approximately 8% of total loans. The Company had no student loans outstanding at December 31, 2013.

Deposits

Total deposits decreased $214 million, or 2%, from September 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013.  Noninterest bearing deposits increased $47 million, or 2%, and equated to 24% of total deposits at December 31, 2013, while NOW accounts increased $146 million, or 7%.

In contrast, money market and savings account volume decreased $254 million, or 6%, between September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013.  Time deposits declined $153 million, or 8% between quarter-ends.  Period-end deposit growth during the fourth quarter of 2013 was strongest in the Lafayette, Birmingham, Northeast Arkansas, and Northwest Arkansas markets.

On an average balance and linked quarter basis, noninterest-bearing deposits increased $234 million, or 10%, and interest-bearing deposits decreased $127 million, or 1%.  The rate on average interest-bearing deposits in the fourth quarter of 2013 was 0.39%, a decrease of one basis point on a linked quarter basis.  Approximately $1.6 billion in time deposits are scheduled to re-price over the next 12 months at a weighted average cost of 0.55%.  An additional $0.2 billion in time deposits are scheduled to re-price over the following 12 months at a weighted average cost of 1.11%.  During the fourth quarter of 2013, new and re-priced time deposits were booked at an average cost of 0.32%.  The Company experienced a time deposit retention rate of 79% in the fourth quarter of 2013 with an average 38 basis point reduction in rate.

Other Assets And Funding

Excess liquidity averaged $205 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, down $8 million, or 4%, on a linked quarter basis.  The investment portfolio remained stable at $2.1 billion on average in the fourth quarter of 2013.  Also, on a period-end basis, the investment portfolio equated to $2.1 billion, or 16% of total assets at December 31, 2013, unchanged compared to September 30, 2013.  The investment portfolio had a modified duration of 3.9 years at December 31, 2013, up compared to 3.5 years at September 30, 2013.  At current prepayment speeds, the investment portfolio is projected to create cash flows of approximately $379 million over the next 12 months, or 18% of the total investment portfolio.  The Company estimates that a potential increase in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points at December 31, 2013 would extend the duration of the investment portfolio by 0.4 and 0.5 years, respectively.  The investment portfolio went from a $3 million unrealized loss at September 30, 2013, to a $28 million unrealized loss at December 31, 2013.  The average yield on investment securities increased 23 basis points on a linked quarter basis to 2.21% in the fourth quarter of 2013.  The Company holds in its investment portfolio primarily government agency securities.  Municipal securities comprised only 9% of total investments at December 31, 2013.  The Company holds for investment no sovereign debt, corporate debt or equity securities, trust preferred securities, or derivative exposure to foreign counterparties.

On a linked quarter basis, average long-term debt decreased $1 million, or less than 1%, and the cost of debt remained stable at 3.37%.  The cost of average interest bearing liabilities was 0.47% in the fourth quarter of 2013, a decrease of two basis points on a linked quarter basis.

Asset Quality

To provide additional consistency and transparency for financial reporting of Acquired Assets, the Company divides Acquired Assets into five distinct categories:

1. Legacy assets that were originated and not acquired;
2. Acquired Assets that are scheduled to lose FDIC loss share coverage over the next 12 months;
3. Acquired Assets that will continue to be covered under FDIC loss share coverage beyond the next 12 months;
4. Acquired Assets not covered under FDIC loss share agreements using SOP accounting treatment (in accordance with ASC Topic 310-30); and
5. Acquired Assets not covered under FDIC loss share agreements not using SOP accounting treatment.

Legacy NPAs at December 31, 2013 were $73 million, down 4% compared to September 30, 2013.  NPAs equated to 0.61% of total assets at December 31, 2013, compared to 0.66% of total assets at September 30, 2013.  Loans past due 30 days or more (including nonaccruing loans) increased $8 million, or 15%, and represented 0.80% of total loans at December 31, 2013, compared to 0.75% at September 30, 2013.  Classified assets increased $4 million, or 5%, during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Table F provides a breakdown of Acquired Assets under the other four categories pertaining to Acquired Assets and the asset quality performance measures associated with Acquired Assets in each category.

Capital Position

The Company maintains favorable capital strength.  At December 31, 2013, the Company reported a tangible common equity ratio of 8.55%, down nine basis points compared to September 30, 2013.  At December 31, 2013, the Company's preliminary Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.70%, up five basis points compared to September 30, 2013.  The Company's preliminary total risk-based capital ratio at December 31, 2013 was 12.82%, down 46 basis points compared to September 30, 2013.  The decline in the risk-based capital ratio was due in part to the redeployment of cash and FDIC-loan pay downs that carried a zero percent and 20% risk weighting, respectively, into non-covered loans that carried a higher risk weighting.

On October 26, 2011, the Company announced a share repurchase program totaling 900,000 shares of common stock. No shares were repurchased under this program during the fourth quarter of 2013.  A total of 46,692 shares remain under the currently authorized share repurchase program.

At December 31, 2013, book value per share was $51.40, up $0.10 per share compared to September 30, 2013. Tangible book value per share was $37.17, up $0.17 per share compared to September 30, 2013.  Based on the closing stock price of the Company's common stock of $62.63 per share on January 28, 2014, this price equated to 1.22 times December 31, 2013 book value and 1.68 times December 31, 2013 tangible book value per share.

On December 9, 2013, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.34 per share. This dividend level equated to an annualized dividend rate of $1.36 per share and an indicated dividend yield of 2.17%.

IBERIABANK Corporation

The Company is a financial holding company with 267 combined offices, including 172 bank branch offices and four loan production offices in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, and Florida, 21 title insurance offices in Arkansas and Louisiana, and mortgage representatives in 61 locations in 12 states.  The Company has eight locations with representatives of IBERIA Wealth Advisors in four states, and one IBERIA Capital Partners, L.L.C. office in New Orleans.

The Company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "IBKC."  The Company's market capitalization was approximately $1.9 billion, based on the NASDAQ Global Select Market closing stock price on January 28, 2014.

The following 13 investment firms currently provide equity research coverage on the Company:

• Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• FIG Partners, LLC
• Jefferies & Co., Inc.
• Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
• Merion Capital Group
• Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.
• Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
• Robert W. Baird & Company
• Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P.
• Stephens, Inc.
• Sterne, Agee & Leach
• SunTrust Robinson-Humphrey
• Wunderlich Securities

Conference Call

In association with this earnings release, the Company will host a live conference call to discuss the financial results for the quarter just completed. The telephone conference call will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Central Time by dialing 1-800-230-1074. The confirmation code for the call is 315173.  A replay of the call will be available until midnight Central Time on February 5, 2014 by dialing 1-800-475-6701. The confirmation code for the replay is 315173.  The Company has prepared a PowerPoint presentation that supplements information contained in this press release.  The PowerPoint presentation may be accessed on the Company's web site, www.iberiabank.com, under "Investor Relations" and then "Presentations."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. The Company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in their analysis of the Company's performance. These measures typically adjust GAAP performance measures to exclude the effects of the amortization of intangibles and include the tax benefit associated with revenue items that are tax-exempt, as well as adjust income available to common shareholders for certain significant activities or transactions that are infrequent in nature. Since the presentation of these GAAP performance measures and their impact differ between companies, management believes presentations of these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company's core businesses. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.  Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP disclosures are included as tables at the end of this release.  Refer to press release supplemental table for this reconciliation.

Caution About Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  In general, forward-looking statements usually use words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, including statements related to the expected timing of the closing of the proposed merger, the expected returns and other benefits of the proposed merger to shareholders, expected improvement in operating efficiency resulting from the merger, estimated expense reductions resulting from the transaction and the timing of achievement of such reductions, the impact on and timing of the recovery of the impact on tangible book value, and the effect of the merger on the Company's capital ratios.  Forward-looking statements represent management's beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance.  Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements and there can be no assurances that: the proposed merger will close when expected, the expected returns and other benefits of the proposed merger to shareholders will be achieved, the expected operating efficiency will result, estimated expense reductions resulting from the transaction will occur as and when expected, the impact on tangible book value will be recovered or as expected or that the effect on the Company's capital ratios will be as expected.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the possibility that expected benefits may not materialize in the time frame expected or at all, or may be more costly to achieve; that the merger transaction may not be timely completed, if at all; that prior to completion of the merger transaction or thereafter, the Company's and Teche's respective businesses may not perform as expected due to transaction-related uncertainties or other factors; that the parties are unable to implement successful integration strategies; that the required regulatory, shareholder, or other closing conditions are not satisfied in a timely manner, or at all; reputational risks and the reaction of the parties' customers to the merger transaction; diversion of management time to merger-related issues; and other factors and risk influences contained in the cautionary language included under the headings "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, and Form 10-Qs for the quarters ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013 and other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the SEC and under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in Teche's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, and other documents subsequently filed by Teche with the SEC.  Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Neither the Company nor Teche undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For any forward-looking statements made in this press release or any related documents, the Company and Teche claim protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

This communication is being made in respect of the proposed merger transaction involving the Company and Teche. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed merger, the Company will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement/prospectus for the shareholders of Teche. The Company also plans to file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed merger transaction. Teche will mail the final proxy statement/prospectus to its shareholders. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. The proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about the Company and Teche, will be available without charge, at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, when available, without charge, from the Company's website (http://www.iberiabank.com), under the heading "Investor Information" and on Teche's website at http://www.teche.com.

The Company and Teche, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Teche in respect of the proposed merger transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in the definitive proxy statement for the Company's 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on April 12, 2013 and in Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with the SEC by its officers and directors.  Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Teche is set forth in the definitive proxy statement for Teche's 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on December 30, 2013 and in Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with the SEC by its officers and directors.  Additional information regarding the interests of such participants will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents regarding the proposed merger transaction filed with the SEC when they become available.

SOURCE IBERIABANK Corporation