GREENSBORO, N.C., July 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc (Nasdaq:CLBH) today reported second quarter 2007 net income of $837,000, an increase of 23.5% over the $678,000 reported for the second quarter of 2006. Diluted earnings per share were $0.25 compared with $0.20 for the prior-year second quarter, an increase of 25.0%. Per share results were restated to reflect the impact of the six-for-five stock split in the second quarter of 2007. These results continue to reflect strong loan and solid deposit growth year-over-year, stable to improving net interest margins, and improving credit quality.
For the first six months of 2007, net income was $1,538,000 compared with $1,281,000 for the comparable 2006 period, an increase of 20.1% percent. Diluted earnings per share increased 18.4% over the 2006 period, from $0.38 to $0.45.
Second quarter 2007 net income reflects the expensing of FDIC insurance premiums of approximately $111,000 representing estimated assessments for the first six months of 2007. Since inception in late 1996, Carolina Bank has only paid FICO assessments to the FDIC, and has not paid any FDIC assessments. Based on recent legislation, all U.S. FDIC insured banks will pay FDIC assessments in addition to FICO assessments for the foreseeable future, with the exception that banks formed before 1996 were provided credits based on FDIC assessments paid prior to 1996. Additionally, the carrying value of an investment in a trust company was written down by $100,000 to $205,000 by an impairment charge against second quarter 2007 earnings. Partially offsetting the aforementioned two negative variances was recognition of $178,000 interest income in the second quarter of 2007 from the collection of $1,372,000 in non-performing loans plus interest.
For the quarter ending June 30, 2007, net interest income increased $631,000, or, 20.5% over the same quarter last year. The increased net interest income resulted primarily from strong loan growth over the past year. Provision for loan losses fell $70,000 to $215,000 during the second quarter of 2007 reflecting improved credit quality from a year ago. Total non-interest expense increased $460,000 to $2,491,000 during the second quarter of 2007 compared to the prior-year second quarter; however, $211,000 of the additional expense resulted from the aforementioned increase in FDIC Insurance premiums and the impairment charge in an investment in a trust company.
Robert T. Braswell, President and CEO of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. commented, "We have challenged our team of bankers to respond to the competitive pressures that we face daily in our markets, and, with the effects of operating within the confines of a very narrow net interest margin. Needless to say, they continue to rise to the occasion and tackle those challenges head on. As our economy continues to improve in the markets in which we serve, our history of providing solid quality customer service coupled with a team of experienced bankers allows us to capture more than our share of the market."
Assets at June 30, 2007 totaled $442.0 million compared with the $390.0 million twelve months ago, an increase of $52.0 million, or 13.3%. For the same twelve-month period, net loans increased $68.5 million, or 24.7%, and closed at $345.6 million at June 30, 2007. "Our strength, as always, rested in our commercial lending and this trend continues with another excellent quarter of growth, which clearly validates our success in meeting and, in numerous cases, exceeding the expectations of our customers and prospects." Deposits increased $54.0 million year-over-year, or 16.2% to $ 387.1 million at June 30, 2007.
Asset quality continues to improve. Nonperforming assets were $2.1 million, or 0.48% of assets at June 30, 2007, compared with $3.6 million or 0.92% of assets at June 30, 2006, and, $2.4 million at March 31, 2007. Net loan charge-offs during the second quarter of 2007 were only $2,000 compared to $141,000 for the first quarter of 2007. The allowance for loan losses was 1.21% of total loans and leases at June 30, 2007.
About the Company
Carolina Bank, the banking subsidiary of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc began banking operations in November 25, 1996. The parent company is a North Carolina corporation organized in 2000. The bank is engaged in lending and deposit gathering activities in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina, with operations in three counties: Guilford, Alamance and Randolph. The bank has six full-service banking locations, three in Greensboro, one in Asheboro, one in High Point, and one in Burlington, North Carolina. The bank has announced plans to build a new corporate headquarters in downtown Greensboro, with expected occupancy in late 2008. The Company's stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol CLBH. Further information is available on the Company's web site: www.carolinabank.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These statements are only predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include risks of managing our growth, substantial changes in financial markets, regulatory changes, changes in interest rates, loss of deposits and loan demand to other financial institutions, and changes in real estate values and the real estate market. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Carolina Bank Holdings undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Consolidated Balance Sheets At June 30, 2007 and 2006 and December 31, 2006 (unaudited) June 30, December 31, 2007 2006 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands) ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 4,306 $ 4,398 $ 4,762 Short-term investments and interest-earning deposits 39 1,298 221 Federal funds sold 2,113 12,506 -- ---------------------- --------- Total cash and cash equivalents 6,458 18,202 4,983 Securities available for sale, at fair value 66,429 72,360 71,054 Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost 3,396 3,856 3,637 Loans 349,782 280,366 315,732 Allowance for loan losses (4,225) (3,354) (3,898) ---------------------- --------- Net loans 345,557 277,012 311,834 Premises and equipment, net 10,645 8,399 10,078 Other assets 9,490 10,149 10,006 ---------------------- --------- Total assets $ 441,975 $ 389,978 $ 411,592 ====================== ========= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 31,191 $ 29,533 $ 26,984 Interest-bearing 355,917 303,615 333,431 ---------------------- --------- Total deposits 387,108 333,148 360,415 Short-term borrowings 3,093 2,703 3,605 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 11,595 18,265 8,908 Junior subordinated debentures 10,310 10,310 10,310 Other liabilities 2,761 1,757 2,425 ---------------------- --------- Total liabilities 414,867 366,183 385,663 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock and paid-in-capital, no par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding - 3,266,896 shares at June 30, 2007, 2,721,384 shares at June 30, 2006 and 2,722,388 shares at December 31, 2006 3,267 2,721 2,722 Additional paid-in capital 15,053 15,588 15,597 Retained earnings 9,389 6,321 7,851 Stock in director rabbi trust (464) (390) (453) Directors deferred fees obligation 464 390 453 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) (601) (835) (241) ---------------------- --------- Total stockholders' equity 27,108 23,795 25,929 ---------------------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 441,975 $ 389,978 $ 411,592 ====================== ========= Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Consolidated Statements of Operations For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited) For the For the Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, ---------------------- ---------------------- 2007 2006 2007 2006 ---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- (in thousands, except per share data) Interest income: Loans $ 7,323 $ 5,615 $ 14,034 $ 10,827 Securities - taxable 804 781 1,639 1,456 Securities - non- taxable 19 -- 19 -- Interest from federal funds sold 66 163 125 251 Other interest income 1 3 7 19 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest income 8,213 6,562 15,824 12,553 Interest expense: Deposits 4,166 1,482 8,081 5,755 FHLB advances and other 151 1,570 362 507 Junior subordinated debentures 191 436 379 353 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total interest expense 4,508 3,488 8,822 6,615 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest income 3,705 3,074 7,002 5,938 Provision for loan losses 215 285 470 655 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses 3,490 2,789 6,532 5,283 Noninterest income: Service charges 181 152 353 311 Mortgage banking income 59 107 124 170 Other 100 93 221 297 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total noninterest income 340 352 698 778 Noninterest expense: Salaries and benefits 1,264 1,070 2,563 2,142 Occupancy and equipment 303 259 607 524 Professional fees 184 190 371 392 Outside data processing 136 144 300 295 Advertising and promotion 126 133 242 205 Stationery, printing and supplies 110 95 226 181 Impairment of non- marketable securities 100 -- 100 -- Other 268 140 364 283 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total noninterest expense 2,491 2,031 4,773 4,022 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 1,339 1,110 2,457 2,039 Income taxes expense 502 432 919 758 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income $ 837 $ 678 $ 1,538 $ 1,281 ========== ========== ========== ========== Basic earnings per common share $ 0.26 $ 0.21 $ 0.47 $ 0.39 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.25 $ 0.20 $ 0.45 $ 0.38 Average common shares outstanding 3,266,866 3,264,701 3,266,866 3,264,648 Average common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding 3,408,938 3,371,893 3,410,626 3,371,841 Total Shares outstanding at end of period 3,266,896 3,265,661 3,266,896 3,265,661 All per share information has been presented or restated to reflect the effect of the six-for-five stock split in 2007. Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Financial Highlights Second Quarter 2007 (unaudited) ($ in thousands except for share data) Quarterly --------------------------------------------------- 2nd Qtr. 1st Qtr. 4th Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 2nd Qtr 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 --------------------------------------------------- EARNINGS Net interest income $ 3,705 3,297 3,101 3,149 3,074 Provision for loan loss $ 215 255 310 231 285 NonInterest income $ 340 358 335 660 352 NonInterest expense $ 2,491 2,282 2,393 1,966 2,031 Net income $ 837 701 555 974 678 Basic earnings per share $ 0.26 0.21 0.17 0.30 0.21 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.25 0.21 0.16 0.29 0.20 Average shares outstanding 3,266,866 3,266,866 3,266,866 3,266,066 3,264,701 Average diluted shares outstanding 3,408,938 3,412,313 3,408,367 3,380,233 3,371,893 PERFORMANCE RATIOS Return on average assets * 0.76% 0.66% 0.56% 0.99% 0.71% Return on average common equity * 12.39% 10.65% 8.68% 15.95% 11.53% Net interest margin (fully-tax equivalent) * 3.53% 3.28% 3.20% 3.36% 3.40% Efficiency ratio 59.11% 62.44% 62.22% 56.03% 59.28% # full-time equivalent employees - period end 77 74 69 62 62 CAPITAL Equity to ending assets 6.13% 6.11% 6.30% 6.26% 6.10% Tier 1 leverage capital ratio N.A. N.A. 8.76% N.A. N.A. Tier 1 risk- based capital ratio N.A. N.A. 9.97% N.A. N.A. Total risk- based capital ratio N.A. N.A. 11.45% 11.92% N.A. Book value per share $ 8.30 8.20 7.94 7.69 7.29 ASSET QUALITY Net charge- offs $ 2 141 18 (21) 513 Net charge- offs to average loans * 0.00% 0.17% 0.02% -0.03% 0.74% Allowance for loan losses $ 4,225 4,012 3,898 3,606 3,354 Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.21% 1.21% 1.23% 1.25% 1.20% Nonperforming loans $ 2,139 2,385 2,388 2,626 3,140 Restructured loans $ 0 45 45 227 0 Other real estate owned $ 0 0 0 0 453 Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.61% 0.73% 0.77% 0.99% 1.12% Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.48% 0.55% 0.59% 0.71% 0.92% END OF PERIOD BALANCES Total assets $ 441,975 438,675 411,592 401,224 389,978 Total earning assets $ 421,759 415,904 390,644 378,080 367,246 Total loans $ 349,782 332,112 315,732 288,557 280,366 Total deposits $ 387,108 391,936 360,415 348,939 333,148 Stockholders' equity $ 27,108 26,788 25,929 25,134 23,795 AVERAGE BALANCES Total assets $ 437,731 424,839 398,427 393,605 383,008 Total earning assets $ 419,834 401,683 387,233 375,362 361,521 Total loans $ 345,115 326,161 306,272 288,433 277,142 Total interest- bearing deposits $ 355,810 340,430 318,398 307,500 296,385 Stockholders' equity $ 27,011 26,324 25,579 24,421 23,526 Year Ended ------------------------ 2006 2005 ---------- ---------- EARNINGS Net interest income $ 12,189 10,228 Provision for loan loss $ 1,196 1,306 NonInterest income $ 1,773 1,230 NonInterest expense $ 8,381 6,946 Net income $ 2,811 2,037 Basic earnings per share $ 0.86 0.62 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.83 0.61 Average shares outstanding 3,265,557 3,260,239 Average diluted shares outstanding 3,383,070 3,355,064 PERFORMANCE RATIOS Return on average assets * 0.73% 0.63% Return on average common equity * 11.63% 9.29% Net interest margin (fully-tax equivalent) * 3.30% 3.28% Efficiency ratio 59.48% 60.42% # full-time equivalent employees - period end 69 59 CAPITAL Equity to ending assets 6.30% 6.24% Tier 1 leverage capital ratio 8.76% 8.98% Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 9.97% 10.36% Total risk-based capital ratio 11.45% 12.17% Book value per share $ 7.94 6.98 ASSET QUALITY Net charge-offs $ 508 904 Net charge-offs to average loans * 0.18% 0.38% Allowance for loan losses $ 3,898 3,210 Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.23% 1.22% Nonperforming loans $ 2,388 2,834 Restructured loans $ 45 2,474 Other real estate owned $ 0 111 Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.77% 2.02% Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.59% 1.48% END OF PERIOD BALANCES Total assets $ 411,592 365,170 Total earning assets $ 390,644 347,356 Total loans $ 315,732 262,609 Total deposits $ 360,415 306,344 Stockholders' equity $ 25,929 22,787 AVERAGE BALANCES Total assets $ 384,252 325,866 Total earning assets $ 369,298 312,244 Total loans $ 286,644 239,868 Total interest-bearing deposits $ 300,897 246,781 Stockholders' equity $ 24,165 21,918 * annualized for all periods presented All per share information has been presented or restated to reflect the effect of the six-for-five stock split in the second quarter of 2007.