GREENSBORO, N.C., July 19, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLBH) today reported a record second quarter; net income was $678,000, an increase of 68.7 percent over the $402,000 reported for the second quarter of 2005. Diluted earnings per share were $0.24 compared with $0.14 for the prior-year period, an increase of 71.4 percent. Per share results were restated to reflect the impact of the six-for-five stock split in the fourth quarter of 2005. Continued growth in earning assets and improved asset quality contributed to the strong quarter.
For the first six months of 2006, net income was $1,281,000 compared with $934,000 for the comparable 2005 period, an increase of 37.2 percent. Diluted earnings per share increased 39.4 percent over the 2005 period, from $0.33 to $0.46.
Robert T. Braswell, President and CEO of Carolina Bank Holdings, commented, "Performance this quarter and for the first half of 2006 is a reflection of our company's exceptional growth strategies and our commitment to performance excellence. We continue to benefit from robust growth in both high quality loans and low-cost deposits, and we have worked diligently to return non-performing assets to a level more in keeping with our historical experience."
Total revenue, consisting of net interest income and non-interest income, increased $705,000, or 25.9 percent, to $3.4 million for the second quarter of 2006 compared with $2.7 million for the second quarter of 2005. Net interest income grew $669,000, or 27.8 percent, to $3.1 million compared with $2.4 million for the year-ago quarter, reflecting an 18.7 percent increase in average earning assets and a 24 basis point improvement in the net interest margin to 3.39 percent. Mr. Braswell noted that the growth in earning assets and improvement in net interest margin over several quarters is a credit to the quality of our lenders and branch personnel who have successfully applied our customer-focused business model to build relationships."
Non-interest income for the second quarter increased $36,000, or 11.4 percent, to $352,000, primarily as the result of a $29,000, or 37.2 percent, increase in mortgage banking income.
Non-interest expense totaled $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2006, an increase of 22.8 percent over the $1.7 million reported for the second quarter of 2005. The increase reflects corporate growth over the past twelve months, including the third quarter 2005 opening of a loan production office in Burlington and ongoing construction of the High Point office, which is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of this year. The efficiency ratio for the second quarter of 2006 was 59.28 percent compared with 60.52 percent for the previous quarter, and 60.79 percent for the prior-year period.
Assets at June 31, 2006 totaled $390.0 million compared with $324.5 million twelve months ago, an increase of 20.2 percent. Loans held for investment grew $48.2 million, or 20.8 percent, during the past twelve months, reaching $280.4 million at period-end. Commercial real estate loans accounted for the majority of this growth; they increased $167.0 million, or 21.7 percent, over the past twelve months and now account for 59.4 percent of the loan portfolio.
Deposits increased $62.9 million, or 23.3 percent over the past year, reaching $333.2 million at June 30, 2006. Transaction and savings accounts (DDA, NOW, MMDA and Savings) grew $48.9 million, or 37.9 percent, over the past twelve months and now account for $178.0 million or 53.4 percent of total deposits. This compares with $129.0 million or 47.8 percent of deposits twelve months ago.
Asset quality has markedly improved. Mr. Braswell added, "Our efforts to reduce the level of problem loans is meeting with success. Since March 31, 2006, we reduced nonperforming assets by nearly $2 million, and by an additional $755,000 since the close of second quarter. We anticipate further reductions near-term." Nonperforming assets were $3.6 million or 0.92 percent of assets at June 30, 2006 compared with $5.6 million or 1.46 percent of assets at March 31, 2006, and $5.1 million or 1.57 percent of assets at June 30, 2005. Net charge-offs for the second quarter of 2006 were 0.74 percent compared with zero for the previous quarter, and 0.56 percent of average loans for the prior-year second quarter. The allowance for loan losses was 1.20 percent of total loans and leases at June 30, 2006, reflecting the improvement in asset quality
Shareholders' equity totaled $23.8 million at June 30, 2006, up $1.8 million from twelve months ago. Shares outstanding at March 31, 2006 were 2,721,384. Mr. Braswell concluded, "We are optimistic about opportunities for continued growth and improved performance in our markets. The Piedmont Triad is experiencing a rebound, and Carolina Bank continues to benefit."
About the Company
Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc., the holding company for Carolina Bank, operates five full- service branches in North Carolina: three in Greensboro, one in Asheboro, and a newly established office in Burlington. Further information is available on the Company's web site: www.carolinabank.com.
The Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2257
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events. These statements are only predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include risks of managing our growth, substantial changes in financial markets, regulatory changes, changes in interest rates, loss of deposits and loan demand to other financial institutions, and changes in real estate values and the real estate market. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Financial Highlights Second Quarter 2006 (unaudited) Quarterly ----------------------------------------------------- 2nd Qtr 1st Qtr 4th Qtr 3rd Qtr 2nd Qtr 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 ----------------------------------------------------- ($ in thousands except for share data) EARNINGS Net interest income $ 3,074 2,864 2,836 2,576 2,405 Provision for loan loss $ 285 370 331 245 450 NonInterest income $ 352 426 327 279 316 NonInterest expense $ 2,031 1,991 1,963 1,695 1,654 Net income $ 678 603 555 548 402 Basic earnings per share $ 0.25 0.22 0.20 0.20 0.15 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.24 0.22 0.20 0.20 0.14 Average shares outstanding 2,720,584 2,720,496 2,720,491 2,720,336 2,719,750 Average diluted shares outstanding 2,809,911 2,804,564 2,794,686 2,796,181 2,797,046 PERFORMANCE RATIOS Return on average assets(a) 0.71% 0.66% 0.64% 0.68% 0.51% Return on average common equity(a) 11.53% 10.46% 9.85% 9.85% 7.42% Net interest margin (fully- tax equivalent)(a) 3.40% 3.26% 3.41% 3.32% 3.15% Efficiency ratio 59.28% 60.52% 62.06% 59.37% 60.79% No. full-time equivalent employees - period end 62 59 59 57 53 CAPITAL Equity to ending assets 6.10% 6.14% 6.24% 6.78% 6.76% Tier 1 leverage capital ratio n/a 8.65% 8.98% 9.39% 9.32% Tier 1 risk- based capital ratio n/a 10.17% 10.36% 11.17% 10.97% Total risk- based capital ratio n/a 11.32% 12.17% 13.14% 13.11% Book value per share $ 8.74 8.57 8.38 8.25 8.06 ASSET QUALITY Net charge- offs $ 513 (2) 65 497 330 Net charge- offs to average loans(a) 0.74% 0.00% 0.10% 0.83% 0.56% Allowance for loan losses $ 3,354 3,582 3,210 2,944 3,196 Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.20% 1.30% 1.22% 1.23% 1.38% Nonperforming loans $ 3,140 5,430 2,834 3,252 4,410 Restructured loans $ 0 0 2,474 2,574 48 Other real estate owned $ 453 111 111 37 652 Nonperforming loans to total loans 1.12% 1.97% 2.02% 2.43% 1.92% Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.92% 1.46% 1.48% 1.77% 1.57% END OF PERIOD BALANCES Total assets $ 389,978 379,692 365,170 331,359 324,524 Total earning assets $ 367,246 357,423 344,522 309,913 300,386 Total loans $ 280,366 275,866 262,609 239,294 232,180 Total deposits $ 333,148 323,399 306,334 276,893 270,229 Stockholders' equity $ 23,795 23,313 22,787 22,453 21,949 AVERAGE BALANCES Total assets $ 383,008 366,335 346,434 323,461 317,878 Total earning assets $ 361,521 351,541 332,575 310,297 305,297 Total loans $ 277,142 274,728 256,904 239,340 235,144 Total interest- bearing deposits $ 296,385 281,328 262,342 243,509 240,503 Stockholders' equity $ 23,526 23,070 22,532 22,265 21,676 Year-To-Date ---------------------- 2006 2005 --------- --------- EARNINGS Net interest income 5,938 4,916 Provision for loan loss 655 730 NonInterest income 778 624 NonInterest expense 4,022 3,288 Net income 1,281 934 Basic earnings per share 0.47 0.34 Diluted earnings per share 0.46 0.33 Average shares outstanding 2,720,540 2,713,319 Average diluted shares outstanding 2,809,867 2,796,341 PERFORMANCE RATIOS Return on average assets(a) 0.68% 0.59% Return on average common equity(a) 9.29% 8.71% Net interest margin (fully-tax equivalent)(a) 3.28% 3.24% Efficiency ratio 59.89% 59.35% No. full-time equivalent employees - period end 59 53 CAPITAL Equity to ending assets 6.10% 6.76% Tier 1 leverage capital ratio n/a 9.32% Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio n/a 10.97% Total risk-based capital ratio n/a 13.11% Book value per share 8.74 8.06 ASSET QUALITY Net charge-offs 511 342 Net charge-offs to average loans (a) 0.37% 0.30% Allowance for loan losses 3,354 3,196 Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.20% 1.38% Nonperforming loans 3,140 4,410 Restructured loans 0 48 Other real estate owned 453 652 Nonperforming loans to total loans 1.12% 1.92% Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.92% 1.57% END OF PERIOD BALANCES Total assets 389,978 324,524 Total earning assets 367,246 300,386 Total loans 280,366 232,180 Total deposits 333,148 270,229 Stockholders' equity 23,795 21,949 AVERAGE BALANCES Total assets 374,672 316,785 Total earning assets 356,531 303,053 Total loans 275,935 231,615 Total interest-bearing deposits 288,857 226,262 Stockholders' equity 23,298 21,438 (a) annualized for all periods presented All per share information has been presented or restated to reflect the effect of the six-for-five stock splits in 2005. n/a = not available Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Consolidated Statements of Operations For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited) For the For the Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, --------------------- --------------------- 2006 2005 2006 2005 ---------------------- --------------------- --------------------- (in thousands, except per share data) Interest income: Loans $ 5,615 $ 3,770 $ 10,827 $ 7,357 Securities - taxable 781 501 1,456 962 Interest from federal funds sold 163 85 251 212 Other interest income 3 9 19 10 --------------------- --------------------- Total interest income 6,562 4,365 12,553 8,541 Interest expense: Deposits 1,482 1,654 5,755 3,156 FHLB advances and other 1,570 168 507 317 Junior subordinated debentures 436 138 353 252 --------------------- --------------------- Total interest expense 3,488 1,960 6,615 3,725 --------------------- --------------------- Net interest income 3,074 2,405 5,938 4,816 Provision for loan losses 285 450 655 730 --------------------- --------------------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses 2,789 1,955 5,283 4,086 Noninterest income: Service charges 152 157 311 303 Mortgage banking income 107 78 170 136 Other 93 81 297 185 --------------------- --------------------- Total noninterest income 352 316 778 624 Noninterest expense: Salaries and benefits 1,070 798 2,142 1,667 Occupancy and equipment 259 219 524 437 Professional fees 190 202 392 388 Outside data processing 144 129 295 259 Advertising and promotion 133 95 205 157 Stationery, printing and supplies 95 81 181 148 Other 140 130 283 232 --------------------- --------------------- Total noninterest expense 2,031 1,654 4,022 3,288 --------------------- --------------------- Income before income taxes 1,110 617 2,039 1,422 Income taxes expense 432 215 758 488 --------------------- --------------------- Net income $ 678 $ 402 $ 1,281 $ 934 ===================== ===================== Basic earnings per common share $ 0.25 $ 0.15 $ 0.47 $ 0.34 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.24 $ 0.14 $ 0.46 $ 0.33 Average common shares outstanding 2,720,584 2,719,750 2,720,540 2,713,318 Average common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding 2,809,823 2,797,046 2,809,867 2,763,341 Total Shares outstanding at end of period 2,721,384 2,719,750 2,721,384 2,719,750 All per share information has been presented or restated to reflect the effect of the six-for-five stock splits in 2005. Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Consolidated Balance Sheets At June 30, 2006 and 2005, and December 31, 2006 (unaudited) June 30, December 31, 2006 2005 2005 --------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands) ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 4,398 $ 6,289 $ 4,470 Short-term investments and interest-earning deposits 1,298 75 12,770 Federal funds sold 12,506 15,789 3,519 -------------------- -------- Total cash and cash equivalents 18,202 22,153 20,759 Securities available for sale, at fair value 72,360 52,480 64,461 Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost 3,856 4,272 3,997 Loans 280,366 232,180 262,609 Allowance for loan losses (3,354) (3,196) (3,210) -------------------- -------- Net loans 277,012 228,984 259,399 Premises and equipment, net 8,399 7,746 7,728 Other assets 10,149 8,889 8,826 -------------------- -------- Total assets $389,978 $324,524 $365,170 ==================== ======== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 29,533 $ 25,297 $ 27,168 Interest-bearing 303,615 244,932 279,166 -------------------- -------- Total deposits 333,148 270,229 306,334 Short-term borrowings 2,703 1,779 2844 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 18,265 18,335 21,300 Junior subordinated debentures 10,310 10,310 10,310 Other liabilities 1,757 1,922 1595 -------------------- -------- Total liabilities 366,183 302,575 342,383 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock and paid-in-capital, no par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding - 2,721,384 and 2,266,458 shares at June 30, 2006 and 2005; 2,720,496 at December 31, 2005 2,721 2,266 2,720 Additional paid-in capital 15,588 16,022 15,580 Retained earnings 6,321 3,938 5,040 Stock in directors rabbi trust (390) (278) (333) Directors deferred fees obligation 390 278 333 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (835) (277) (553) -------------------- -------- Total stockholders' equity 23,795 21,949 22,787 -------------------- -------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $389,978 $324,524 $365,170 ==================== ======== Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Analysis of Loans At June 30, 2006 and 2005, and December 31, 2005 and 2004 June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 Amount Percent Amount Percent ----------------- ----------------- Loans Secured by Real Estate: Construction and Land Development $ 58,502 20.87% $ 37,878 16.31% 1-4 Family Residential Properties 59,763 21.32% 46,031 19.83% Multifamily Residential Properties 8,230 2.94% 8,847 3.81% Nonfarm Nonresidential Properties 100,306 35.78% 90,497 38.97% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total Loans Secured by Real Estate 226,801 80.91% 183,253 78.92% Commercial and Industrial Loans 48,152 17.17% 42,921 18.49% Consumer 3,438 1.23% 4,888 2.11% All Other Loans 1,975 0.70% 1,118 0.05% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total Loans $280,366 100.00% $232,180 100.00% ======== ====== ======== ====== -------------------------------------- At December 31, -------------------------------------- 2005 2004 ----------------- ----------------- Amount Percent Amount Percent ----------------- ----------------- (Dollars in thousands) Loans Secured by Real Estate: Construction and Land Development $ 52,666 20.05% $ 36,386 16.28% 1-4 Family Residential Properties 49,794 18.96% 44,325 19.83% Multifamily Residential Properties 9,967 3.80% 14,164 6.34% Nonfarm Nonresidential Properties 96,710 36.83% 78,909 35.31% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total Loans Secured by Real Estate 209,137 79.64% 173,784 77.76% Commercial and Industrial Loans 47,144 17.95% 43,132 19.30% Consumer 3,989 1.52% 4,955 2.22% All Other Loans 2,339 0.89% 1,599 0.71% -------- ------ -------- ------ Total Loans $262,609 100.00% $223,470 100.00% ======== ====== ======== ======