Meridian Bank Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

MALVERN, Pa., May 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Bank (Nasdaq: MRBK) today reported net income of $1.3 million, or $0.20 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2018, which generated a return on average assets and return on average equity of 0.61% and 5.07%, respectively.

Christopher J. Annas, Chairman and CEO, commented: "Our strong loan growth continued through the first quarter with commercial/industrial and real estate having equally good performance. Meridian's outreach efforts and building reputation is bringing consistent opportunities in a dynamic market. The new Philadelphia location, opened in April, will bring more loan and deposit potential in a growing metro location."

First Quarter Highlights

• Loans increased $45.8 million or 6.6% during the quarter and $112.6 million or 17.9% since March 31, 2017.
• Total deposits increased $52.2 million or 8.3% during the quarter and $113.5 million or 20.1% year over year.
• We opened our new Philadelphia office at 1760 Market Street.
• Borrowings decreased $22.2 million, or 20.5%, during the quarter. Subordinated debt was reduced by $4 million, or 30.1%, due to the partial payoff of certain debt instruments.
• Asset quality remained strong as net charge-offs were only 0.02% of total average loans for the first quarter of 2018. Non-performing loans were 0.38% of total loans at March 31, 2018.
• On a year-over-year basis, net income available to common stockholders increased $1.5 million.

Income Statement Summary

Net income attributable to common stockholders was $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to a net loss of $186 thousand, or ($0.05) per diluted share, for the same period in 2017.  The increase was largely attributable to the loss of $870 thousand incurred by the mortgage division in the first quarter of 2017, compared to the loss of $136 thousand in 2018. In addition, $289 thousand in preferred dividends were eliminated after repurchasing all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock in the previous quarter.

Total interest income for the three months ending March 31, 2018 was $9.8 million, which represented a $1.7 million, or 20.9%, increase compared with the three months ending March 31, 2017.  The increase in income was attributable to a $109.1 million increase in average earning assets, year over year, helped by an increase of 15 basis points in yield on earning assets, to 4.95% from 4.74% for same period in 2017. The commercial loan portfolio and home equity loan portfolio yields, in particular, rose 39 and 45 basis points, respectively.

Total interest expense rose $728 thousand or 52.9% to $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared with $1.4 million for the first quarter of 2017. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of $107.8 million, year over year, as well as an overall increase of 35 basis points in the cost of interest-bearing funds reflective of the overall increase in market rates.

Net interest income increased $964 thousand, or 14.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $7.7 million from $6.7 million for the same period in 2017. The net-interest margin remained strong for the first quarter of 2018 at 3.89%, compared with 3.94% for the first quarter of 2017. The strength in the Bank's net-interest margin reflects the size and asset quality of the loan portfolio, as well as the $13.2 million or 13.9% increase in average non-interest bearing deposits period over period.  The provision for loan losses increased $395 thousand to $554 thousand for the first quarter 2018 compared to $159 thousand for the same period in 2017 due primarily to the significant level of loan growth in the current quarter.

Total non-interest income for the first quarter of 2018 was $7.1 million, up $120 thousand or 1.7% from the first quarter of 2017.  The overall increase in non-interest income came primarily from our mortgage and wealth management divisions. Wealth management revenue increased $975 thousand to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $103 thousand for the same period in 2017, due to the acquisition in our Wealth Division in the second quarter of 2017.  Mortgage banking fee revenue decreased $855 thousand, or 13.1%, from $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $5.7 million for three months ended March 31, 2018.  This decrease was due to lower levels of loans sold, which was $127.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $142.7 million for the same period in 2017.  This was partially offset by an increase in the margin of 13 basis points. 

Non-interest expense was $12.6 million for the first quarter of 2018, down $832 thousand, or 6.2%, from $13.4 million in the first quarter of 2017.  The decrease is mainly attributable to a reduction in salaries and employee benefits expense, which decreased $1.2 million or 12.3%, as full- time equivalent employees, particularly in the mortgage division were reduced. In addition, loan expenses decreased $173 thousand, or 6.3% reflecting the lower level of mortgage originations. Occupancy and business development expenses, which increased $82 thousand or 9.3% and $159 thousand or 37.7%, respectively, were up due primarily to the new business locations.  Professional fees increased $112 thousand or 30.4% due to increased legal and accounting related to public filings.  Other expenses were up period over period by $139 thousand or 12.1%. The increase was primarily as the result of higher levels of communication, software and other employee related expenses which amounted to an additional $83 thousand combined year over year, as well as $68 thousand of amortization of intangibles related to the acquisition in our Wealth Division.

Balance Sheet Summary

As of March 31, 2018, total assets were $883.5 million compared with $856.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and $748.7 million as of March 31, 2017. Total assets increased $134.8 million, or 18.0%, on a year-over-year basis primarily due to strong loan growth.  Total assets increased $27.5 million, or 3.2%, on a quarter-over-quarter basis mostly due to net new loans of $45.8 million, partially offset by lower levels of cash and the seasonal pay down of the held-for-sale mortgage portfolio.

Total loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, grew $45.8 million, or 6.6%, to $740.4 million as of March 31, 2018, from $694.6 million as of December 31, 2017. It is an increase of $112.6 million, or 17.9%, from $627.8 million as of March 31, 2017. The increase in loans for all periods is attributable to several commercial categories as the Bank continues to grow its presence in the Philadelphia market area. Commercial loans increased $21.1 million, or 10.6%, year over year and $15.8 million, or 7.5%, during the quarter.  Commercial real estate and commercial construction loans combined increased $90.4 million, or 29.7%, year over year and $16.2 million, or 14.9%, in the first quarter.

Residential loans held in portfolio increased $4.6 million, or 14.0%, in the first quarter and $4.8 million, or 14.9%, year over year as certain loan products or terms were targeted to hold in portfolio. The residential mortgage loans-for-sale portfolio was $30.9 million, $35.0 million and $27.9 million as of March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively, reflecting the seasonality of the cycle.

Deposits were $679.3 million as of March 31, 2018, up $52.2 million, or 8.3%, from the prior quarter and $113.5 million, or 20.0%, from March 31, 2017. Non-interest bearing deposits increased $5.1 million, or 5.1%, from December 31, 2017 and increased $12.4 million, or 13.3%, from March 31, 2017. New business relationships fueled the increases.  Money market accounts/savings accounts decreased $13.1 million, or 5.8%, since December 31, 2017 and $12.2 million, or 5.4%, since March 31, 2017 while interest-bearing checking accounts increased $28.0 million, or 34.3%, during the quarter, and $32.3 million or 41.7% year over year reflecting the customer's preference for checking accounts over money market accounts. Certificates of deposit increased $32.1 million, or 14.7%, during the quarter and $81.0 million, or 47.8%, year over year as a result of wholesale funds management in the rising rate environment.

Capital ratios remain strong, reflecting the capital raise in the fourth quarter. At March 31, 2018, the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 11.69%, Tier 1 risk-based capital was 12.36%, common equity Tier 1 risk based capital was 12.36% and total risk-based capital was 14.46%. Quarter-end numbers show a total shareholder equity-to-total assets ratio of 11.59% and a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 11.03%. Tangible book value per share was $15.16 as of March 31, 2018, compared with $15.00 as of December 31, 2017, and $15.49 as of March 31, 2017.

Asset Quality Summary

Asset quality remained strong. The Bank realized net charge-offs of 0.02% of total average loans for the quarter ending March 31, 2018, compared with net charge-offs of 0.09% for the quarter ending December 31, 2017. Total non-performing assets, including loans and other real estate property, were $3.4 million as of March 31, 2018, $3.6 million at December 31, 2016, and $4.4 million as of March 31, 2017. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets for quarter end was 0.38% compared to 0.42% as of December 31, 2017. The non-performing loans were 0.38% of total loans as of March 31, 2018, compared to 0.43% as of December 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2018, the ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding mortgages available for sale, was 0.99%.

About Meridian Bank

Meridian Bank, is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania with 23 offices in the greater Philadelphia Metro market. The Bank offers a full range of commercial and retail loan and deposit products, along with wealth management and electronic payment services. Meridian Mortgage, a division of the Bank, is a top tier provider of residential mortgage loans. For additional information visit our website at www.meridianbanker.com.  Member FDIC.

Chris Annas
484-568-5001
cannas@meridianbanker.com

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SOURCE Meridian Bank