Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation (the "Company") (NASDAQ: ACFC), the holding company for Atlantic Coast Bank (the "Bank"), today reported earnings per share of $0.01, along with continued strong capital levels and superior asset quality as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014. This marked the first profitable quarter for the Company in more than five years.
Commenting on the first quarter, John K. Stephens, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Following a busy end to 2013, highlighted by the successful completion of our capital raise, as well as the steps we took to arrange the disposition of a significant portion of our nonperforming assets, we entered the new year with a much stronger financial foundation and greater enthusiasm for the growth prospects of our company. Just one quarter into the year, that optimism has proven to be well founded, as Atlantic Coast returned to profitability in the first quarter of 2014. Moreover, the strategic initiatives undertaken at the end of 2013 to improve asset quality already have begun to produce other tangible results on a linked-quarter basis, including a continued decline in nonperforming loans, and further reductions in the provision for portfolio loan losses and net charge-offs. At the same time, our allowance for portfolio loan losses remains at a strong level relative to our remaining nonperforming loans."
Significant highlights of the first quarter included:
- Net income improved to $0.2 million or $0.01 per diluted share versus a net loss of $2.0 million or $0.81 per diluted share in the year-earlier quarter.
- Nonperforming assets decreased 70% to $8.9 million or 1.26% of total assets at March 31, 2014, from $29.3 million or 3.92% of total assets at March 31, 2013, but increased 3% from $8.6 million or 1.17% of total assets at December 31, 2013.
- Total assets were $708.8 million at March 31, 2014, compared with $733.6 million at December 31, 2013, primarily due to the maturity of $26.5 million of the Company's repurchase agreements.
- Both of the Company's Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets ratio and its total risk-based capital ratio improved to 10.13% and 19.74%, respectively, and they exceeded the levels – 9% and 13%, respectively – required by a Consent Order (the "Order") entered into with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency effective August 10, 2012.
Stephens continued, "Along with these achievements, we have continued to strengthen our management team, against the backdrop of improving financial performance. We strive toward reviving our sales culture through the expansion of our sales force, and we remain optimistic about the outlook for the Company in the coming year and enthusiastic about the Bank's potential to strengthen its market position."
James D. Hogan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "I am impressed by the sense of purpose and direction that is being articulated from the top down and throughout the organization, as well as the confidence apparent at every level that we can regain our position as one of the area's leading community banks. As John has stated, we already have seen a turnaround in earnings and asset quality. It's also happened with net interest margin, and in the coming months, we should see growing momentum in these areas as we continue to redeploy our liquidity, and take advantage of our stronger balance sheet, and reduce our risk-related operating expenses."
Regulatory Capital | At | |||||||||
Key Capital Measures | March 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sept. 30, 2013 | June 30, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | |||||
Tier 1 (core) capital ratio (to adjusted total assets) | 10.13% | 9.73% | 4.88% | 4.83% | 5.03% | |||||
Total risk-based capital ratio (to risk-weighted assets) | 19.74% | 20.47% | 10.30% | 9.55% | 9.81% | |||||
Tier 1 (core) risk-based capital ratio | 18.49% | 19.22% | 9.04% | 8.29% | 8.54% | |||||
The increase in Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets as of March 31, 2014, was primarily due to the maturity of structured repurchase debt during the first quarter of 2014 that resulted in a decrease in assets and an increase in the fair value of investment securities, which positively affected equity and, therefore, capital ratios through accumulated other comprehensive income. The decrease in total risk-based capital and Tier 1 risk-based capital as of March 31, 2014, was primarily due to the increase in portfolio loans and other higher yielding assets, which resulted in a reduction of cash and cash equivalents.
Effective August 10, 2012, the Bank's Board of Directors agreed to the issuance of the Order. Among other things, the Order called for the Bank to achieve and maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio of 9% of adjusted total assets and a total risk-based capital ratio of 13% of risk-weighted assets by December 31, 2012. The Bank was in compliance with the capital levels required by the Order as of March 31, 2014.
Credit Quality | At | |||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sept. 30, 2013 | June 30, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nonperforming loans | $ | 3.4 | $ | 3.4 | $ | 13.6 | $ | 12.4 | $ | 19.2 | ||||||||||
Nonperforming loans to total portfolio loans | 0.85 | % | 0.89 | % | 3.49 | % | 3.12 | % | 4.58 | % | ||||||||||
Other real estate owned | $ | 5.5 | $ | 5.2 | $ | 11.5 | $ | 12.8 | $ | 10.1 | ||||||||||
Nonperforming assets | $ | 8.9 | $ | 8.6 | $ | 25.1 | $ | 25.2 | $ | 29.3 | ||||||||||
Nonperforming assets to total assets | 1.26 | % | 1.17 | % | 3.51 | % | 3.40 | % | 3.92 | % | ||||||||||
Troubled debt restructurings performing for less than 12 months under terms of modification | $ | 22.3 | $ | 21.8 | $ | 22.3 | $ | 21.4 | $ | 17.8 | ||||||||||
Total nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings performing for less than 12 months under terms of modification | $ | 31.2 | $ | 30.4 | $ | 47.4 | $ | 46.6 | $ | 47.1 | ||||||||||
Troubled debt restructurings performing for more than 12 months under terms of modification | $ | 12.3 | $ | 12.3 | $ | 12.3 | $ | 14.6 | $ | 13.4 | ||||||||||
Overall, the Company has continued to see improving credit quality during the past year as the pace of loans being reclassified to nonperforming has slowed, particularly in categories such as one- to four-family residential and home equity loans. The slight increase in nonperforming assets during the first quarter of 2014 primarily reflected an increase in OREO related to one loan. The number of troubled debt restructurings ("TDR") also increased slightly in the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to an increase in one- to four-family residential loans being modified.
Provision / Allowance for Loan Losses | At and for the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Provision for portfolio loan losses | $ | 0.5 | $ | 3.3 | $ | 1.2 | ||||||
Adjusted provision for portfolio loan losses* | $ | 0.5 | $ | 1.0 | $ | 1.2 | ||||||
Allowance for portfolio loan losses | $ | 7.0 | $ | 6.9 | $ | 10.5 | ||||||
Allowance for portfolio loan losses to total portfolio loans | 1.74 | % | 1.83 | % | 2.50 | % | ||||||
Allowance for portfolio loan losses to nonperforming loans | 205.80 | % | 205.44 | % | 54.62 | % | ||||||
Net charge-offs | $ | 0.4 | $ | 5.9 | $ | 1.7 | ||||||
Net charge-offs to average outstanding portfolio loans | 0.47 | % | 6.13 | % | 1.60 | % | ||||||
_________________________ | ||||||||||||
* See reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures at page 5 in this release. | ||||||||||||
The decline in provision for portfolio loan losses in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2013, reflected the December 2013 bulk sale of nonperforming assets and reduced nonperforming loans, along with a decline in early-stage delinquencies of one- to four-family residential and home equity loans. The decline in the provision for portfolio loan losses in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the first quarter of 2013 reflected reduced nonperforming loans and a decline in early-stage delinquencies of one- to four-family residential and home equity loans. The allowance for portfolio loan losses as of March 31, 2014, should be sufficient to absorb losses in portfolio loans at March 31, 2014. The decline in net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2014 compared with the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily reflected charge-offs of $4.7 million related to the bulk sale of nonperforming loans in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Net Interest Income | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Net interest income | $ | 4.2 | $ | 3.8 | $ | 4.3 | ||||||
Net interest margin | 2.43 | % | 2.23 | % | 2.42 | % | ||||||
Yield on investment securities | 2.09 | % | 1.90 | % | 1.28 | % | ||||||
Yield on loans | 5.83 | % | 5.82 | % | 5.77 | % | ||||||
Total cost of funds | 1.72 | % | 1.84 | % | 1.80 | % | ||||||
Average cost of deposits | 0.58 | % | 0.62 | % | 0.70 | % | ||||||
Rates paid on borrowed funds | 4.49 | % | 4.67 | % | 4.56 | % | ||||||
The increase in net interest margin during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 was primarily due to the Company redeploying excess liquidity maintained over the past year to grow its portfolio loans, coupled with the maturity repurchase agreements. The decline in net interest margin during 2013 primarily reflected a reduction in interest-earning assets outstanding, as the Company attempted to preserve capital throughout 2013, which was partially offset by reductions in the cost of deposits and lower interest expense for debt.
Noninterest Income / Noninterest Expense | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||
Noninterest income | $ | 1.5 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 1.7 | ||||||
Noninterest expense | $ | 4.9 | $ | 8.7 | $ | 6.9 | ||||||
Adjusted noninterest expense* | $ | 4.9 | $ | 5.0 | $ | 6.7 | ||||||
Efficiency ratio | 87.47 | % | 170.23 | % | 113.30 | % | ||||||
Adjusted efficiency ratio* | 87.47 | % | 96.80 | % | 110.71 | % | ||||||
_________________________ | ||||||||||||
* See reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures at page 5 in this release. | ||||||||||||
The increase in noninterest income during the first quarter of 2014 compared with the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily reflected gains on the sale of loans held-for-sale, of which there were none in the fourth quarter of 2013. The decrease in noninterest income during the first quarter of 2014 compared with the first quarter of 2013 primarily reflected lower gains on the sale of loans held-for-sale. The decrease in noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2014 compared with the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily reflected a $1.6 million loss on OREO related to a bulk sale of nonperforming assets in 2013, as well as a write-down of $2.2 million on OREO in 2013 the Company anticipates selling in the first half of 2014. The decrease in noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2014 compared with the first quarter of 2013 primarily reflected a $0.5 million prepayment penalty in the first quarter of 2013 associated with the prepayment of $25.0 million of FHLB advances and a decrease in foreclosed asset and collection expenses. Because of the Company's strengthened capital position, the Company expects to further reduce its risk-related operating expenses, like FDIC insurance costs, accounting costs, foreclosed asset and collection expenses, and D&O insurance costs, in 2014.
About the Company
Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is the holding company for Atlantic Coast Bank, a federally chartered and insured stock savings bank. It is a community-oriented financial institution serving northeastern Florida and southeastern Georgia markets. Investors may obtain additional information about Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation on the Internet at www.AtlanticCoastBank.net, under Investor Information.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements in this release that are not strictly historical are forward-looking and are based upon current expectations that may differ materially from actual results. These statements relate to future events or future predictions, including events or predictions relating to our future financial performance, and are generally identifiable by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "plan," "intend," "on condition," "target," "estimates," "preliminary," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussion of strategy or goals or other future events, circumstances or effects, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein. These risks and uncertainties involve general economic trends and changes in interest rates, increased competition, changes in demand for financial services, state of the banking industry generally, uncertainties associated with newly developed or acquired operations, and market disruptions. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ATLANTIC COAST FINANCIAL CORPORATION | ||||||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures | ||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) and income (loss) per diluted share in accordance with GAAP to adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted income (loss) per diluted share, both non-GAAP measures, in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. The Company provides non-GAAP earnings information to improve the comparability of its results, provide additional insight into the Company's results, and to allow readers to more clearly assess the fundamental operations of the Company. | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||
Provision for portfolio loan losses as reported | $ | 450 | $ | 3,287 | $ | 1,234 | ||||||
Less merger-related costs | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
Less incremental provision related to the bulk sale | -- | 2,337 | -- | |||||||||
Less other write-down of OREO | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
Adjusted provision for portfolio loan losses | $ | 450 | $ | 950 | $ | 1,234 | ||||||
Noninterest expense as reported | $ | 4,913 | $ | 8,719 | $ | 6,857 | ||||||
Less merger-related costs | -- | -- | 157 | |||||||||
Less loss on sale of OREO related to the bulk sale | -- | 1,602 | -- | |||||||||
Less other write-down of OREO | -- | 2,159 | -- | |||||||||
Adjusted noninterest expense | $ | 4,913 | $ | 4,958 | $ | 6,700 | ||||||
Net income (loss) as reported | $ | 206 | $ | (6,884 | ) | $ | (2,039 | ) | ||||
Less merger-related costs | -- | -- | 157 | |||||||||
Less incremental provision and loss on sale of OREO related to the bulk sale | -- | 3,939 | -- | |||||||||
Less other write-down of OREO | -- | 2,159 | -- | |||||||||
Adjusted net income (loss) | $ | 206 | $ | (786 | ) | $ | (1,882 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) per diluted share as reported | $ | 0.01 | $ | (1.05 | ) | $ | (0.81 | ) | ||||
Less merger-related costs | -- | -- | 0.06 | |||||||||
Less incremental provision and loss on sale of OREO related to the bulk sale | -- | 0.60 | -- | |||||||||
Less other write-down of OREO | -- | 0.33 | -- | |||||||||
Adjusted income (loss) per diluted share | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.12 | ) | $ | (0.75 | ) | ||||
Efficiency ratio as reported | 87.47 | % | 170.23 | % | 113.30 | % | ||||||
Less merger-related costs | -- | -- | 2.59 | % | ||||||||
Less incremental provision and loss on sale of OREO related to the bulk sale | -- | 31.28 | % | -- | ||||||||
Less other write-down of OREO | -- | 42.15 | % | -- | ||||||||
Adjusted efficiency ratio | 87.47 | % | 96.80 | % | 110.71 | % | ||||||
ATLANTIC COAST FINANCIAL CORPORATION | |||||||||||
Statements of Operations (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Interest and dividend income: | |||||||||||
Loans, including fees | $ | 5,879 | $ | 5,945 | $ | 6,961 | |||||
Securities and interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions | 1,046 | 955 | 574 | ||||||||
Total interest and dividend income | 6,925 | 6,900 | 7,535 | ||||||||
Interest expense: | |||||||||||
Deposits | 662 | 734 | 882 | ||||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank advances | 1,131 | 1,156 | 1,134 | ||||||||
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 975 | 1,209 | 1,182 | ||||||||
Total interest expense | 2,768 | 3,099 | 3,198 | ||||||||
Net interest income | 4,157 | 3,801 | 4,337 | ||||||||
Provision for portfolio loan losses | 450 | 3,287 | 1,234 | ||||||||
Net interest income after provision for portfolio loan losses | 3,707 | 514 | 3,103 | ||||||||
Noninterest income | 1,460 | 1,321 | 1,715 | ||||||||
Noninterest expense | 4,913 | 8,719 | 6,857 | ||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) | 254 | (6,884 | ) | (2,039 | ) | ||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 48 | -- | -- | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 206 | $ | (6,884 | ) | $ | (2,039 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted share | $ | 0.01 | $ | (1.05 | ) | $ | (0.81 | ) | |||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 15,391 | 6,566 | 2,504 | ||||||||
ATLANTIC COAST FINANCIAL CORPORATION | ||||||||||||
Balance Sheets (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||
March 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||
Cash and due from financial institutions | $ | 3,367 | $ | 2,889 | $ | 3,900 | ||||||
Short-term interest-earning deposits | 70,355 | 111,305 | 73,586 | |||||||||
Total cash and cash equivalents | 73,722 | 114,194 | 77,486 | |||||||||
Investment securities: | ||||||||||||
Securities available-for-sale | 157,225 | 159,732 | 154,371 | |||||||||
Securities held-to-maturity | 19,026 | 19,266 | -- | |||||||||
Total investment securities | 176,251 | 178,998 | 154,371 | |||||||||
Portfolio loans, net of allowance of $6,950, $6,946 and $10,466, respectively | 391,426 | 371,956 | 407,473 | |||||||||
Other loans: | ||||||||||||
Held-for-sale | 872 | 1,656 | 2,770 | |||||||||
Warehouse | 20,740 | 20,523 | 54,055 | |||||||||
Total other loans | 21,612 | 22,179 | 56,825 | |||||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost | 5,612 | 5,879 | 5,879 | |||||||||
Land, premises and equipment, net | 14,247 | 14,253 | 14,436 | |||||||||
Bank owned life insurance | 16,233 | 16,143 | 15,863 | |||||||||
Other real estate owned | 5,518 | 5,225 | 10,139 | |||||||||
Accrued interest receivable | 1,835 | 1,826 | 1,949 | |||||||||
Other assets | 2,301 | 2,980 | 3,157 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 708,757 | $ | 733,633 | $ | 747,578 | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||
Deposits: | ||||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing demand | $ | 39,931 | $ | 34,782 | $ | 46,249 | ||||||
Interest-bearing demand | 71,906 | 68,954 | 74,495 | |||||||||
Savings and money markets | 172,107 | 172,552 | 174,692 | |||||||||
Time | 175,485 | 183,810 | 206,918 | |||||||||
Total deposits | 459,429 | 460,098 | 502,354 | |||||||||
Securities sold under agreements to purchase | 66,300 | 92,800 | 92,800 | |||||||||
Federal Home Loan Bank advances | 110,000 | 110,000 | 110,000 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 4,822 | 5,210 | 5,077 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 640,551 | 668,108 | 710,231 | |||||||||
Common stock, additional paid-in capital, retained deficit, and other equity | 73,255 | 73,084 | 37,547 | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (5,049 | ) | (7,559 | ) | (200 | ) | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 68,206 | 65,525 | 37,347 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 708,757 | $ | 733,633 | $ | 747,578 | ||||||
ATLANTIC COAST FINANCIAL CORPORATION | ||||||||
Selected Consolidated Financial Ratios and Other Data (Unaudited) | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||
At and for the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Interest rate | ||||||||
Net interest spread | 2.20 | % | 2.28 | % | ||||
Net interest margin | 2.43 | % | 2.42 | % | ||||
Average balances | ||||||||
Portfolio loans receivable, net | $ | 380,303 | $ | 419,995 | ||||
Total interest-earning assets | 683,426 | 715,949 | ||||||
Total assets | 720,320 | 752,802 | ||||||
Deposits | 458,915 | 506,204 | ||||||
Total interest-bearing liabilities | 608,359 | 664,956 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 652,596 | 713,871 | ||||||
Stockholders' equity | 67,724 | 38,931 | ||||||
Performance ratios (annualized) | ||||||||
Return on average total assets | 0.11 | % | -1.08 | % | ||||
Return on average stockholders' equity | 1.22 | % | -20.95 | % | ||||
Ratio of operating expenses to average total assets | 2.73 | % | 3.64 | % | ||||
Efficiency ratio* | 87.47 | % | 113.30 | % | ||||
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | 112.34 | % | 107.67 | % | ||||
Credit quality ratios | ||||||||
Nonperforming loans | $ | 3,377 | $ | 19,160 | ||||
Foreclosed assets | 5,518 | 10,139 | ||||||
Impaired loans | 22,169 | 34,191 | ||||||
Nonperforming assets to total assets | 1.26 | % | 3.92 | % | ||||
Nonperforming loans to total portfolio loans | 0.85 | % | 4.58 | % | ||||
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans | 205.80 | % | 54.62 | % | ||||
Allowance for loan losses to total portfolio loans | 1.74 | % | 2.50 | % | ||||
Net charge-offs to average outstanding portfolio loans (annualized) | 0.47 | % | 1.60 | % | ||||
Capital ratios | ||||||||
Tangible stockholders' equity to tangible assets** | 9.62 | % | 4.99 | % | ||||
Average stockholders' equity to average total assets | 9.40 | % | 5.17 | % | ||||
_________________________ | ||||||||
* Efficiency ratio measures the banks use of capital to generate revenues (noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income). | ||||||||
** Non-GAAP measure. |
Contacts:
James D. Hogan, 904-998-5540
Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer