Macatawa Bank Corporation Reports First Quarter Results

HOLLAND, Mich., April 29, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Macatawa Bank Corporation (Nasdaq:MCBC) today announced its results for the first quarter 2010. The Company's results for the quarter included:

• Net loss of $21.1 million, driven by elevated levels of loan loss provisions and costs to administer nonperforming assets
• Continued building of loan loss reserves - allowance for loan loss coverage increased to 4.23 percent of total loans and 59.3 percent of non-performing loans
• Fifth consecutive quarter of improvement in net interest margin – now at 3.22 percent, highest level since the second quarter of 2007
• Remained "adequately capitalized" under applicable regulatory capital requirements
• Further execution of initiatives to right-size the Bank and preserve capital, including asset, wholesale funding and controllable cost reductions
• Implemented plans to strengthen loan administration and meet conditions of the previously announced regulatory Consent Order
• Deposit accounts remain insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amount permitted by law

The Company reported a net loss available to common shares of $21.1 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2010, compared to a net loss of $9.2 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2009. On a consecutive quarter basis, the net loss was relatively flat compared with the 2009 fourth quarter,  excluding the $11.4 million one-time federal income tax benefit included in the fourth quarter results.  Net loss for the first quarter 2009 was $5.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share. 

"This was a contrasting quarter as we grew our net interest margin, but also realized continued losses in our real estate loan portfolios. As in previous quarters, most of these losses came from the declines in value of real estate that is securing many of the Bank's problem credits. Significant write-downs in the valuation of these problem assets, along with what we believe to be improving real estate markets, give us the opportunity to accelerate the disposition of these assets. Moving these assets out of the Bank remains one of our top priorities. Despite another difficult quarter, we are seeing signs of improvement in the real estate markets. Real estate valuations in our markets are showing signs of stabilization, and purchase activity is increasing. We are more encouraged than at any point during this economic cycle based on the increasing interest from potential investors in real estate projects." said Ronald L. Haan, CEO of Macatawa Bank Corporation. The Bank sold nearly $6.0 million in its other real estate owned portfolio during the first quarter 2010 compared to $7.5 million for all of 2009. 

As reported in a press release issued on February 24, 2010 and more fully discussed in the Company's Form 10-K filing for 2009, Macatawa Bank entered into a Consent Order with its banking regulators to strengthen operations, primarily in its loan administration activities, and improve its capital position. Under the leadership of Board Chairman Richard L. Postma, the Board of Directors continued to implement improved business and banking principles during the quarter. Experienced personnel were added to the Bank's risk management functions, including individuals in its Special Asset and Loan Review departments. New and more disciplined lending and loan risk management policies and new procedures for loan administration and loan review were implemented during the quarter. The Bank also continued to make progress during the quarter at accelerating workout strategies with its more stressed loan customers and completing its independent review of all commercial credits.

In addition to its focus on improving asset quality, the Company continues to implement strategic initiatives to improve its core operating performance. "Our quarterly net interest margin is at its strongest level and our quarterly controllable overhead costs are at their lowest level in over two years. We have also reduced out of market funding in our Balance Sheet by nearly $200 million as we continue to right-size our franchise," commented Haan.  "Even though the operating environment for banking is far from normal, conditions appear to be more stable than they were in 2008 and 2009. We are establishing appropriate resources and creating a well disciplined banking culture to prepare us for better performance in the future."

Operating Results

Net interest income for the first quarter 2010 totaled $13.0 million, a decrease of $378,000 from the fourth quarter of 2009 and an increase of $232,000 from the first quarter of 2009.  The net interest margin increased to 3.22 percent, up 18 basis points from 3.04 percent on a consecutive quarter basis and up 56 basis points from 2.66 percent in the first quarter 2009; representing a $9.2 million annualized increase in net interest income for the first quarter of 2010.  

"Net interest margin continues to improve and is now at the highest level it has been in nearly three years," said Haan. "Our success in managing our interest rate risk has been overshadowed by the financial impact of our loan losses, but we remain focused on managing key metrics such as these in an effort to strengthen Macatawa over the long term."

Average earning assets for the first quarter 2010 declined $120.1 million from the fourth quarter 2009 and $310.2 million from the first quarter 2009, having a downward impact on net interest income. The decline in assets continues to reflect the Bank's focus on liquidity improvement, capital preservation and a reduction in credit exposure within certain segments. 

Non-interest income of $3.5 million for the first quarter 2010 was relatively flat on a consecutive quarter basis and down from $5.3 million for the first quarter 2009. The decrease was primarily from a reduction of $1.4 million in mortgage banking revenue. Mortgage loan sales volumes have decreased significantly from levels in the first quarter of 2009 when mortgage refinancing activity was strong as a result of lower interest rates. 

Non-interest expense was $17.9 million for the first quarter 2010 compared to $15.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 and $14.5 million for the first quarter 2009. Costs associated with the administration and disposition of problem loans and non-performing assets were $5.5 million in the current quarter compared to $3.3 million in the fourth quarter 2009 and $2.2 million in the first quarter 2009. FDIC insurance assessments increased to $1.3 million in the current quarter compared to $1.0 million in the fourth quarter 2009 and $771,000 in the first quarter 2009, as a result of higher assessment rates implemented by the FDIC. When excluding nonperforming asset costs and FDIC assessments, non-interest expense was $11.1 million for the quarter, down from $11.3 million in the fourth quarter 2009 and $11.6 million in the first quarter 2009. Salaries and employee benefits were down $693,000 compared to the prior year quarter, as a result of a reduction in overall staffing levels consistent with the Company right-sizing its operations to respond to the impact of the prolonged economic weakness.

Asset Quality

The provision for loan losses of $19.7 million for the first quarter 2010 was down $1.9 million on a consecutive quarter basis and up $9.2 million from $10.5 million in the first quarter 2009. Net charge-offs were $13.6 million compared to $15.0 million for the fourth quarter 2009 and $9.7 million for the first quarter 2009. During the fourth quarter 2009 and into 2010, the Company continued to complete a full independent re-evaluation of its loan portfolio at the direction of the Board of Directors. The elevated levels of provisions for loan losses and net charge-offs in the past two quarters reflect these efforts.

The amount of provision for loan losses in excess of net charge-offs increased the coverage of the allowance as a percent of total loans. The loan loss reserve of $60.8 million was 4.23 percent of total loans at March 31, 2010 compared with 3.62 percent at year end 2009 and 2.30 percent at March 31, 2009. The loan loss reserve also increased to 59.3 percent of non-performing loans at March 31, 2010 compared to 52.6 percent at year end 2009 and 34.4 percent at March 31, 2009.

At March 31, 2010, the Company's non-performing loans were $102.5 million or 7.13 percent of total loans compared to $103.9 million or 6.88% at December 31, 2009.

"We continue to build our loan loss reserves.  Until we experience more significant reductions in our charge-off and non-performing loan levels, our approach to loan loss reserves will be cautious as we remain focused on reflecting the values of these assets at appropriate levels, and moving the non-performing assets out of the Bank," said Haan. A further break-down of non-performing loans is shown in the table below.

Total non-performing assets were $148.4 million, or 8.64 percent of total assets, at March 31, 2010. A break-down of non-performing assets is shown in the table below.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital

Total assets were $1.72 billion at March 31, 2010, a decrease of $111.7 million from $1.83 billion at December 31, 2009. Total loans were $1.44 billion at March 31, 2010, down $72.7 million from $1.51 billion at December 31, 2009.

Commercial loans decreased by $59.5 million representing the majority of the decline since December 31, 2009. The commercial real estate portfolio declined by $34.3 million due to continued effort to reduce exposure in these segments. Commercial and industrial loans declined by $25.2 million due to a general decline in business activity. 

Of the decline in commercial real estate, $22.6 million was from loans to residential developers, the portfolio that has caused the majority of stress within the Company's loan portfolio. 

The composition of the commercial loan portfolio is shown in the table below: 
 

The reduction in loans since year end 2009 allowed the Company to reduce wholesale funding, including out-of-market deposits from brokers by $42.1 million and other borrowed funds by $46.0 million. Total deposits were $1.37 billion at March 31, 2010, down $45.6 million from $1.42 billion at December 31, 2009, primarily from the decline in brokered deposits. Of the Company's remaining in-market deposits, a decline of $16.4 million in institutional money market accounts related to planned distributions was offset by solid growth in local checking, savings and certificate of deposit balances. Customer deposit accounts remain fully insured to the highest levels available under the FDIC insurance programs.  "The recent extension of the FDIC's Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) program to protect larger deposits is another positive for our customers and, along with our internal operating initiatives, further solidifies our financial position," said Haan.

Two of the three regulatory capital ratios for Macatawa Bank, including the tier one risk-based capital ratio and the tier one leverage capital ratio, were maintained at levels in excess of those required for "well capitalized" institutions under regulatory capital guidelines. Despite these ratios, the Bank was categorized as "adequately capitalized" as its total risk-based capital ratio of 8.14 percent was below the 10.0 percent minimum for "well capitalized" status. In addition, because the Bank is subject to the Consent Order, the Bank cannot be categorized as "well capitalized" regardless of actual capital levels.

"As we have stated previously, although improvement in our operating results may be uneven during 2010, we continue to expect the overall trend to be positive," Haan said. "The Board of Directors, management team, and employees are determined to restore Macatawa Bank to profitability."

About Macatawa Bank

Headquartered in Holland, Michigan, Macatawa Bank Corporation is the parent company for Macatawa Bank. Through its banking subsidiary, the Company offers a full range of banking, investment and trust services to individuals, businesses, and governmental entities from a network of 26 full service branches located in communities in Kent County, Ottawa County, and northern Allegan County. Services include commercial, consumer and real estate financing; business and personal deposit services, ATM's and Internet banking services, trust and employee benefit plan services, and various investment services. The Company emphasizes its local management team and decision making, along with providing customers excellent service and superior financial products.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current beliefs, expectations, assumptions, estimates, projections, plans and intentions. Such statements are based upon current beliefs and expectations and involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements include, among others, statements related to real estate valuation, improvements in the real estate markets, future levels of non-performing loans, the rate of asset dispositions, adequacy of our capital, capital raising activities, dividends, future growth and funding sources, future liquidity levels, future profitability levels, the effects on earnings of changes in interest rates and the future level of other revenue sources. Management's determination of the provision and allowance for loan losses, the appropriate carrying value of intangible assets (including goodwill, mortgage servicing rights and deferred tax assets) and the fair value of investment securities (including whether any impairment on any investment security is temporary or other-than-temporary and the amount of any impairment) involves judgments that are inherently forward-looking. All of the information concerning interest rate sensitivity is forward-looking. Our ability to fully comply with our Consent Order, improve regulatory capital ratios, successfully implement new programs and initiatives, increase efficiencies, address regulatory issues, improve internal controls over financial reporting, maintain our current level of deposits and other sources of funding, maintain liquidity, respond to declines in collateral values and credit quality, continue as a going concern and improve profitability is not entirely within our control and is not assured. The future effect of changes in the real estate, financial and credit markets and the national and regional economy on the banking industry, generally, and Macatawa Bank Corporation, specifically, are also inherently uncertain. Failure to comply with the agreements in our Consent Order could result in further regulatory action which could have a material adverse effect on Macatawa Bank Corporation and its shareholders. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("risk factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extend, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Macatawa Bank Corporation does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that may arise after the date of the forward-looking statements.

Risk factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in "Item 1A - Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and our Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2010; the timing and level of asset growth; changes in market interest rates, changes in FDIC assessment rates, changes in banking laws and regulations; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies and assessments; the impact of technological advances and issues; the impact of possible future litigation; governmental and regulatory policy changes; changes in the quality and composition of our loan portfolio; changes in value and credit quality of investment securities; the local and global effects of current and future military actions; and current uncertainties and fluctuations in the financial markets and stocks of financial services providers due to concerns about credit availability and concerns about the Michigan economy in particular. These and other factors are representative of the risk factors that may emerge and could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a preceding forward-looking statement.