PEOPLES BANCORP INC.
First Quarter 2001 Earnings Release
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. - P.O. BOX 738 - MARIETTA, OHIO - 45750
www.peoplesbancorp.com
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:Jack Conlon
--------------------- Chief Financial Officer
April 23, 2001 (740) 373-3155
PEOPLES BANCORP ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
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MARIETTA, Ohio - Peoples Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: PEBO) announced
operating income of $2,708,000, or $0.41 per share, for the first quarter of
2001. This compares to operating income of $2,682,000, or $0.41 per share for
the fourth quarter of 2000, and $2,862,000, or $0.43 per share, for the first
quarter of 2000. On a cash basis, operating income per share totaled $0.47 for
the first quarter of 2001, compared to $0.47 in fourth quarter 2000 and $0.49
for the first quarter of 2000.
For the three months ended March 31, 2001, operating return on average
equity was 12.15% versus 13.62% in the fourth quarter of 2000, and 15.85% for
the first three months of 2000. Cash basis operating return on average equity
was 17.76% for the three months ended March 31, 2001 compared to 24.93% a year
ago and 20.34% in the fourth quarter of 2000. Cash basis earnings exclude the
effects of intangible assets and related amortization expenses.
"The financial services industry's performance has been challenged due
to the recent economic slowdown, net interest margin pressures, and other
competitive factors," said Robert E. Evans, Peoples' President and CEO. "First
quarter results have been impacted by these challenges, but we believe Peoples
is positioned for quality earnings going forward. While net profits did not grow
in the first quarter like we would have wanted, we performed well in two key
performance areas: revenue growth and asset quality."
Evans continued, "We expect recent interest rate cuts to enhance our
profitability going forward. The net interest margin compression that impacted
late 2000 results began trending in a positive direction during the latter part
of the first quarter of 2001. We will continue to explore new methods to enhance
our fee revenue generation through client relationships that serve each client's
needs in a professional, speedy manner."
On January 1, 2001, Peoples adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards Number 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Instruments" ("SFAS No. 133"), as required, resulting in net losses that
affected earnings in the first quarter of 2001. Pre-tax mark-to-market
adjustments on interest rate caps totaled $173,000, decreasing net income in the
first quarter of 2001 by $112,000, or $0.02 per share. From time to time,
management enters into interest rate contracts with unaffiliated financial
institutions as a means of managing the risk of changing interest rates. The
interest rate contracts, also known as "caps", "floors", or "hedges", are
off-balance sheet commitments, and are agreements to receive payments for
interest rate differentials between an index rate and a specified rate, computed
on notional amounts. Unrealized gains or losses and contribution to net profits
from these instruments were immaterial as of and for the year ended December 31,
2000.
Including the impact of SFAS No. 133 adoption, net income totaled
$2,596,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2001, compared to $2,862,000 the
same period last year. Earnings per diluted share were $0.39 for the first
quarter of 2001 compared to $0.43 a year ago. Cash basis earnings per share for
the first quarter of 2001 totaled $0.45 versus $0.49 for the first quarter of
2000.
"We think our first quarter operating results are better compared to
performance in the fourth quarter of 2000, or what we call the linked quarter,"
said Jack Conlon, Peoples' Chief Financial Officer. "The economic and interest
rate environment has significantly changed since March 2000, making comparisons
to first quarter 2000 less meaningful in terms of trend indicators. Compared to
our linked quarter and considering the challenges we faced in late 2000 and into
the first quarter of 2001, specifically the interest rate environment, we are
generally pleased with first quarter 2001 results and look forward to
enhancements to operating profits in future quarters."
In addition to the impact of adopting SFAS No. 133, several economic
factors, including the declining interest rate environment and the Lower Salem
Commercial Bank acquisition in February, resulted in increased stockholders'
equity, which contributed to lower ROE in the first quarter of 2001 and is
expected to similarly impact future reporting periods. The most significant of
these factors was the positive change in the market value of Peoples' investment
portfolio that caused an increase in stockholders' equity of approximately $3.7
million since year-end 2000.
"Due to our asset-liability interest rate position, our net interest
revenues are projected to modestly increase due to recent rate cuts," continued
Conlon. "However, the corresponding increase in the market value of our
investment portfolio has caused ROE enhancements to be quite a challenge in
2001. While ROE is certainly an important performance ratio, it is secondary to
our focus on earnings per share."
Non-interest income totaled $2,201,000 for the first quarter of 2001
compared to $2,129,000 a year ago. Service charges on deposits remain the
largest source of non-interest revenues, reaching $810,000 in 2001, up from
$752,000 in 2000. Much of the non-interest income growth resulted from increases
in investment and insurance commissions, particularly life insurance and annuity
sales. Peoples continues to expand its insurance and investment product
offerings and penetration in 2001, resulting in increased commission revenues.
Compared to last year's first quarter, insurance and investment commission
revenues doubled to $321,000 in 2001, an increase of $165,000.
Electronic banking revenues continue to grow because of increased debit
card usage by Peoples' clients. In the first quarter of 2001, electronic banking
revenues totaled $319,000 compared to $282,000 the previous year, an increase of
$37,000 or 13.1%. For the first quarter of 2001, income from fiduciary
activities totaled $614,000 versus $698,000 for the same period a year ago. The
declining value of the US stock market in late 2000 and continuing into early
2001 directly impacted the value of assets under management, the primary basis
for fiduciary revenues. Despite the current volatility in fees, management
believes fiduciary revenues can be a significant contributor to non-interest
income in 2001 and beyond.
Loan growth slowed in the first quarter of 2001 due primarily to
general economic conditions. The acquisition of Lower Salem Commercial Bank
accounted for loan growth of nearly $16 million in the first quarter of 2001.
Most of the acquired loans were real estate and personal loans.
During the first three months of 2001, Peoples' asset quality improved,
as reflected in the ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.36% at
March 31, 2001, compared to 0.46% at year-end 2000. Nonperforming loans
decreased $1.1 million in the first three months of 2001, as nonaccrual loans
decreased $950,000 to $3.3 million at March 31, 2001.
"One of our short-term goals is to maintain asset quality ratios at
current levels or better," commented Conlon. "Thanks to our aggressive steps in
the first quarter to improve the quality of our loan portfolio, we are confident
we have improved Peoples' risk position, which is vital in a time of economic
slowdown."
Net interest income, Peoples' largest revenue source, totaled
$10,573,000 on a fully-tax equivalent basis for the first quarter of 2001
compared to $10,358,000 the previous year, and $10,231,000 in the linked
quarter. The increased net interest income in 2001 is the result of balance
sheet growth during the last twelve months, as well as the Lower Salem
Commercial Bank acquisition in first quarter 2001. Through March 31, 2001, net
interest margin was 3.98% versus 4.25% a year ago, and 3.91% in the linked
quarter. Management anticipates that interest rate reductions in the first
quarter of 2001, combined with the Federal Reserve's 50 basis point reduction on
April 18, 2001, should result in net interest margin improvement for the
remainder of 2001.
As a result of less favorable loan loss experience and general economic
conditions in Peoples' markets and contiguous areas, provision for loan losses
increased to $675,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2001, compared to
$522,000 in the same period last year, and $600,000 in the linked quarter. At
March 31, 2001, the allowance for loan losses totaled $12.0 million, or 1.60% of
total loans, up $1.1 million since year-end 2000 when the allowance was 1.48% of
total loans. This increase is due largely to the allowance for loan losses of
nearly $1.0 million acquired in the Lower Salem Commercial Bank merger in the
first quarter of 2001.
Net chargeoffs totaled $543,000 in the first quarter of 2001 compared
to $158,000 in the first quarter of 2000. Commercial and consumer loan net
chargeoffs comprised a majority of Peoples net chargeoffs in the first quarter
of 2001, totaling $276,000, or 50.8% of total net chargeoffs, and $220,000, or
40.5% of total net chargeoffs, respectively.
"Our asset quality ratios have rebounded from year-end 2000
indicators," stated Conlon. "Peoples' net chargeoffs of $543,000 in the first
quarter of 2001 were lower than fourth quarter 2000's total of $876,000. We
think the second quarter of 2001 may have net chargeoffs somewhat similar to our
experience in the first three months of 2001, with an improving trend for the
final half of the year, dependent on economic conditions. We have aggressively
dealt with problem loans and are comfortable with the adequacy of our allowance
for loan losses. The recent actions by the Federal Reserve and anticipated move
by Congress to reduce taxes should help to stimulate the economy and help to
temper future chargeoffs in our industry."
Peoples has focused on controlling non-interest expense growth in 2001,
which increased $398,000 (or 5.3%) to $8.0 million compared to the first quarter
of 2000. Non-interest expenses were flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2000.
Salaries and benefits, Peoples' largest non-interest expense, totaled $3,585,000
for the first quarter of 2001, up slightly compared to the fourth quarter of
2000's total of $3,516,000, and up nearly $300,000 compared to the first quarter
of 2000. Commissions paid to insurance and investment associates, as well as
rising benefits expense such as medical insurance costs, contributed to the
increase. All of Peoples' other major non-interest expenses were flat compared
to recent periods, except slight increases of non-income based taxes.
A key performance indicator for Peoples is the non-interest income
leverage ratio (defined as non-interest income as a percent of operating
non-interest expense) as a measurement of efficiency. Securities and asset
disposal gains and losses are excluded from the ratio calculations as well as
intangible amortization and other non-recurring, non-operational transactions.
Through three months in 2001, Peoples' non-interest income leverage ratio was
29.8%, compared to 30.5% a year ago. Peoples' target in 2001 is 34%, although
non-interest income projections will remain a challenge due to decreased market
values of US equities, upon which most of Peoples' fiduciary revenues are based.
Growing top-line revenues without proportional increases in non-interest expense
is a focal point of Peoples' long-term strategy.
"Our emphasis in 2001 is continued growth of non-interest income while
at the same time controlling the growth of expenses," stated Conlon. "We believe
this focus will help to further reduce our reliance on net interest income,
which has been and will continue to be somewhat difficult to manage."
In the first quarter of 2001, Peoples continued to implement tax
reduction strategies. These strategies, which include investments in low-income
housing and historic tax credits, reduce Peoples' tax burden and lowering
effective tax rate, producing an effective tax rate of 30.5% in 2001 compared to
30.9% in 2000. The tax strategies employed are long-term and will continually
reduce Peoples' tax burden in future years.
Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a diversified financial services company with
$1.1 billion in assets. Peoples' lead subsidiary, Peoples Bank, NA, ("Peoples
Bank"), offers complete banking products and services through 40 financial
service locations and 27 ATMs in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Peoples Bank
also makes available other financial services through Peoples Investments, which
provides customer-tailored solutions for fiduciary needs, investment
alternatives, and asset management needs (securities are offered exclusively
through Raymond James Financial Services, member NASD/SIPC and an independent
broker/dealer located at Peoples Bank). Peoples Insurance also provides life,
property and casualty insurance products and services through Peoples Insurance
Agency, Inc. Peoples' common shares are traded through the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol PEBO. Learn more about Peoples or enroll in Peoples
OnLine Connection, Peoples Bank's Internet banking product, at
www.peoplesbancorp.com.
Conference Call to Discuss Earnings:
Peoples will conduct a conference call to discuss the results of
operations for the first quarter of 2001 on April 25, 2001, at 3:00 p.m. local
time. The conference call is open to the public; however, management asks that
questions be limited to investment analysts, interested members of the media and
shareholders. To participate in the call, please dial 1-800-525-1451
approximately five minutes before the scheduled start of the conference call.
The passcode for the call is 13978 followed by the pound sign. Members of
Peoples' executive management will participate in the conference call. Brief
opening remarks will be followed by a question and answer period. A transcript
of the discussion will be placed on www.peoplesbancorp.com, click on "Investor
Relations", then "Conference Call Transcripts".
Safe Harbor Statement:
Except for the historical and present factual information contained in
this press release, the matters discussed in this press release, and other
statements identified by words such as "expects," "believes," "plans," and
similar expressions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
"safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited
to, the interest rate environment, the effect of federal and state banking and
tax regulations, the effect of technological changes, the effect of economic
conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and other risk
factors relating to the banking industry or Peoples as detailed from time to
time in Peoples' reports filed with the SEC. Although management believes that
the expectations in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable
assumptions within the bounds of management's knowledge of Peoples' business and
operations, it is possible that actual results may differ materially from these
projections. Peoples disclaims any responsibility to update these
forward-looking statements.
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. (Nasdaq: PEBO)
Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended
(in $000's, except share data) March 31,
2001 2000
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PER SHARE DATA
Operating income per share (a) (b):
Basic $ 0.41 $ 0.43
Diluted $ 0.41 $ 0.43
Cash basis earnings - diluted (c) $ 0.47 $ 0.49
Net income per share (b):
Basic $ 0.40 $ 0.43
Diluted $ 0.39 $ 0.43
Cash basis earnings - diluted (c) $ 0.45 $ 0.49
Dividends declared per share $ 0.14 $ 0.14
Book value per share (b) $ 13.68 $ 11.07
Tangible book value per share (b) (c) $ 10.83 $ 8.07
Dividend payout as a percentage of net income 35.71% 32.56%
Actual shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) 6,584,242 6,537,180
Weighted average shares outstanding (b):
Basic 6,531,986 6,602,504
Diluted 6,619,399 6,705,526
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average equity (a) 12.15% 15.85%
Cash basis return on average equity (a) (c) 17.76% 24.93%
Return on average assets (a) 0.91% 1.08%
Cash basis return on average assets (a) (c) 1.07% 1.26%
Efficiency ratio (d) 57.81% 55.92%
Non-interest income leverage ratio (e) 29.8% 30.5%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) 3.98% 4.25%
Net loan chargeoffs as a percentage of average loans 0.07% 0.02%
NET CHARGEOFFS
Gross chargeoffs $ 642 $ 266
Recoveries $ 99 $ 108
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Net chargeoffs $ 543 $ 158
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(a) Excludes after tax impact of $112,000 related to adoption of SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Instruments".
(b) Adjusted for stock dividends.
(c) Excludes after-tax impact of intangible amortization expense and/or balance
sheet impact of intangible assets acquired through use of purchase
accounting for acquisitions.
(d) Non-interest expense (less intangible amortization and non-direct
operational expenses) as a percentage of fully tax equivalent net interest
income plus non-interest income. All non-recurring items are removed from
the calculation.
(e) Non-interest income (less securities and asset disposal gains) as a
percentage of non-interest expense (less intangible amortization and
non-direct operational expenses). All non-recurring items are removed from
the calculation.
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
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Three Months Ended
(in $000's) March 31,
2001 2000
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Interest income $ 22,120 $ 20,112
Interest expense 11,809 10,008
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Net interest income 10,311 10,104
Provision for loan losses 675 522
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Net interest income after provision for loan losses 9,636 9,582
Net gain (loss) on securities transactions 2 (11)
Net gain (loss) on asset disposals 20 (6)
Net mark-to-market adjustment on interest rate caps (173) --
Non-interest income:
Service charges on deposits 810 752
Trust revenues 614 698
Insurance commissions 321 156
Electronic banking revenues 319 282
Other non-interest income 137 241
--------- -----------
Total non-interest income 2,201 2,129
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and benefits 3,585 3,293
Occupancy and equipment 945 976
Trust preferred 652 655
Amortization of intangibles 566 571
Data processing and software 247 245
Other non-interest expense 1,956 1,813
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Total non-interest expense 7,951 7,553
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Income before income taxes 3,735 4,141
Income taxes 1,139 1,279
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Net income $ 2,596 $ 2,862
--------- -----------
Fully tax equivalent net interest income $ 10,573 $ 10,358
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
----------------------------
Three Months Ended
(in $000's) March 31,
2001 2000
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CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES
Average gross loans $ 740,399 $ 662,899
Average earning assets 1,062,987 977,489
Average intangibles 18,116 19,885
Average total assets 1,137,709 1,056,160
Average non-interest bearing deposits 83,650 80,323
Average interest bearing deposits:
Savings 75,769 88,758
Interest-bearing demand deposits 266,570 219,938
Time deposits 345,282 341,377
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Total average interest bearing deposits 687,621 650,073
Average stockholders' equity $ 85,490 $ 72,225
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PEOPLES BANCORP INC. SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2001 2000 2000
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
LOAN PORTFOLIO (in $000's, end of period)
Commercial, financial, and agricultural $ 309,313 $ 310,558 $ 271,077
Real estate, construction 26,970 20,267 18,419
Real estate, mortgage 293,350 283,323 259,928
Consumer 123,212 122,817 123,312
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total loans $ 752,845 $ 736,965 $ 672,736
ASSET QUALITY
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans 1.60% 1.48% 1.58%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
nonperforming loans (a) 295.0% 212.6% 515.7%
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans (a) 0.54% 0.70% 0.31%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets (b) 0.36% 0.46% 0.22%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total loans and
other real estate owned
real estate owned (b) 0.55% 0.71% 0.35%
Nonperforming assets (in $000's, end of period):
Loans 90 days or more past due $ 230 $ 344 $ 505
Renegotiated loans $ 518 $ 518 $ 684
Nonaccrual loans $ 3,330 $ 4,280 $ 872
Other real estate owned $ 57 $ 86 $ 261
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total nonperforming assets $ 4,135 $ 5,228 $ 2,322
REGULATORY CAPITAL (in $000's, end of period)
Tier 1 risk-based capital 12.98% 12.83% 12.64%
Total risk-based capital ratio (Tier 1 and Tier 2) 14.32% 14.21% 14.30%
Leverage ratio 8.89% 8.69% 8.46%
Tier 1 capital $ 99,645 $ 97,056 $ 89,118
Total capital (Tier 1 and Tier 2) $ 110,004 $ 107,428 $ 100,839
Total risk-weighted assets $ 767,952 $ 756,195 $ 705,124
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA (in $000's, end of period)
Trust assets under management $ 480,328 $ 498,563 $ 553,655
One year cumulative repricing gap $ (21,433) $ (26,132) $ (67,767)
Employees (full-time equivalent) 392 388 383
Full service offices 36 32 32
Supermarket offices 4 4 1
ATMs 27 25 25
Announced treasury share plans: (c)
Total shares in plan 125,000 165,000 165,000
Shares purchased (d) 307 8,995 43,260
Average price (d) $ 17.13 $ 13.78 $ 16.69
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
(a) Nonperforming loans include loans 90 days past due and accruing,
renegotiated loans, and nonaccrual loans.
(b) Nonperforming assets include nonperforming loans, and other real estate
owned.
(c) 2001 data reflects 2001 Stock Repurchase Program of 125,000 shares (or 2%
of outstanding shares); 2000 data reflects 2000 Stock Repurchase Program
of 165,000 shares (or 2.5% of outstanding shares). All share amounts
adjusted for stock dividends.
(d) Reflects treasury shares purchased and average price paid for the three
month period ended on the date indicated.
PEOPLES BANCORP INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
------------------ ----------------
(in $000's) March 31, December 31,
2001 2000
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ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 44,390 $ 28,449
Available-for-sale investment securities, at estimated fair value (amortized
cost of $323,447 and $335,111 at March 31, 2001 and
December 31, 2000, respectively) 324,508 330,521
Loans, net of unearned interest 752,845 736,965
Allowance for loan losses (12,029) (10,930)
----------------- -----------------
Net loans 740,816 726,035
Bank premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 15,665 15,565
Goodwill 16,778 15,702
Other intangibles 2,015 2,146
Other real estate owned 57 86
Other assets 15,840 17,330
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TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,160,069 $ 1,135,834
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LIABILITIES
Non-interest bearing deposits $ 87,817 $ 84,974
Interest bearing deposits 721,173 672,647
----------------- -----------------
Total deposits 808,990 757,621
Federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements,
and other short term borrowings 83,472 119,915
Long-term borrowings 140,876 138,511
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 7,604 7,572
----------------- -----------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,040,942 1,023,619
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in junior subordinated debentures 29,029 29,021
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, no par value (12,000,000 shares authorized, 6,692,865 shares
issued at March 31, 2001, and
6,679,028 shares issued at December 31, 2000) 66,607 66,364
Accumulated comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes 689 (2,983)
Retained earnings 25,050 23,381
Treasury stock, at cost (108,623 shares at March 31, 2001,
and 189,357 shares at December 31, 2000) (2,248) (3,568)
----------------- -----------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 90,098 83,194
----------------- -----------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 1,160,069 $ 1,135,834
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END OF RELEASE