GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLBH) today reported third quarter 2007 net income of $800,000, an increase of 1.3% from $790,000 reported for the third quarter of 2006 (after excluding a gain of $183,000 from the sale of a repossessed asset and a dividend distribution of $117,000 related to an investment in a limited partnership investment company, adjusted for taxes, in the 2006 period). Diluted earnings per share were $0.24 in the third quarter of 2007 compared to $0.23 in the third quarter of 2006, excluding the aforementioned income items, adjusted for taxes, in 2006. Net income was $974,000 and diluted earnings per share were $0.29 for the third quarter of 2006 including the aforementioned income items. Per share results were restated to reflect the impact of the six-for-five stock split in the second quarter of 2007.
Excluding the aforementioned income items in 2006, adjusted for taxes, net income for the first nine months of 2007 increased $267,000 over the same period in 2006, or 12.9%., to $2,338,000, or $.69 per diluted share. Net income was $2,255,000, or $0.67 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2006 including all items.
Third quarter 2007 results continued to reflect strong loan and solid deposit growth. Loans held for investment increased 29.1% and deposits increased 17.2% from a year ago to $372.6 million and $409.1 million respectively, at September 30, 2007. Loans held for investment grew 6.5% and deposits grew 5.7% during the third quarter of 2007. Assets at September 30, 2007 totaled $468.3 million compared with $401.2 million twelve months ago, an increase of 16.7%.
Carolina Bank President and CEO, Robert T. Braswell commented, "Our third quarter 2007 results were positive considering the additional overhead associated with the startup of our new Carolina Bank Wholesale Mortgage Division and the staffing increase and associated expenses with the opening of our new full service office in Burlington. We also absorbed a six-fold increase in FDIC insurance premiums during the third quarter and first nine months of 2007. Generally, all FDIC banks experienced higher FDIC assessments in 2007; however, banks accepting deposits before 1997 were given one-time credits based on amounts previously paid into the insurance fund, effectively delaying their higher premiums until after 2007."
Braswell also commented, "The continuation of our strong loan and deposit growth demonstrates that our style of banking is being widely accepted in our newer markets, just as well as it is in Greensboro. Our net loan growth of 30% over the past year caps off the strongest single quarter loan growth in the past sixteen quarters. With the opening of a full service office in Burlington, deposits have begun to grow to complement the growth in loans from our successful loan production office for the past two years. Carolina Bank Wholesale Mortgage, after sixty days in operation, closed $2 million in loans during the third quarter of 2007, and their loan pipeline is continuing to build. We anticipate solid and improving revenue growth from Carolina Bank Wholesale Mortgage over the coming months. During the quarter, we commenced construction of our new corporate office and banking center in downtown Greensboro which we anticipate opening in late 2008."
For the quarter ending September 30, 2007, net interest income increased $478,000, or 15.2% over the same quarter last year. The increased net interest income resulted primarily from strong loan and deposit growth over the past year. The net interest margin was stable at 3.31% for the third quarter of 2007 compared to 3.35% for the third quarter of 2006. The net interest margin was 3.37% for the second quarter of 2007 after excluding $178,000 of interest income realized on the collection of a non-performing loan.
Non performing assets to total assets increased from .71% at September 30, 2006 and .48% at June 30, 2007 to .99% at September 30, 2007. The increase in non-performing assets in the latest quarter is primarily centered in one loan relationship that is fully secured by properly margined real estate, and foreclosure proceedings are well underway. At this time, we do not expect any additional loss over what is currently reserved. However, we have been informed of potential bankruptcy proceedings by the borrower, which could delay resolution of this matter. Despite this potential delay, we expect resolution on other non-performing assets during the fourth quarter of 2007, and barring material additions, anticipate a decline in non-performing assets by December 31, 2007.
About the Company
Carolina Bank, the banking subsidiary of Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc began banking operations on 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 is building 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 September 30, 2007 and 2006 and December 31, 2006 (unaudited) September 30, December 31, 2007 2006 2006 --------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands) ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 6,629 $ 5,644 $ 4,762 Short-term investments and interest-earning deposits 80 311 221 Federal funds sold -- 13,589 -- --------------------- --------- Total cash and cash equivalents 6,709 19,544 4,983 Securities available for sale, at fair value 66,552 74,494 71,054 Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost 3,264 3,755 3,637 Loans held for sale 2,007 -- -- Loans held for investment 372,595 288,557 315,732 Allowance for loan losses (4,476) (3,606) (3,898) --------------------- --------- Net loans 370,126 284,951 311,834 Premises and equipment, net 11,803 8,566 10,078 Other assets 9,873 9,914 10,006 --------------------- --------- Total assets $ 468,327 $ 401,224 $ 411,592 ===================== ========= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Deposits: Noninterest-bearing $ 30,105 $ 28,068 $ 26,984 Interest-bearing 378,989 320,871 333,431 --------------------- --------- Total deposits 409,094 348,939 360,415 Short-term borrowings 8,471 2,652 3,605 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 8,588 12,115 8,908 Junior subordinated debentures 10,310 10,310 10,310 Other liabilities 3,377 2,074 2,425 --------------------- --------- Total liabilities 439,840 376,090 385,663 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock and paid-in-capital, no par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding - 3,281,250 shares at September 30, 2007, 3,266,866 shares at September 30, 2006 and at December 31, 2006 3,281 2,722 2,722 Additional paid-in capital 15,152 15,597 15,597 Retained earnings 10,189 7,295 7,851 Stock in director rabbi trust (492) (418) (453) Directors deferred fees obligation 492 418 453 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) (135) (480) (241) --------------------- --------- Total stockholders' equity 28,487 25,134 25,929 --------------------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 468,327 $ 401,224 $ 411,592 ===================== ========= Carolina Bank Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Consolidated Statements of Operations For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited) For the For the Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, -------------------- ------------------ 2007 2006 2007 2006 ------------------------- -------------------- ------------------ (in thousands, except per share data) Interest income: Loans $ 7,526 $ 6,024 $ 21,560 $ 16,851 Securities - taxable 787 874 2,426 2,330 Securities - non-taxable 43 -- 62 -- Interest from federal funds sold 61 125 186 376 Other interest income 23 11 30 30 -------------------- -------------------- Total interest income 8,440 7,034 24,264 19,587 Interest expense: Deposits 4,426 3,433 12,507 9,188 FHLB advances and other 191 254 553 762 Junior subordinated debentures 196 198 575 550 -------------------- -------------------- Total interest expense 4,813 3,885 13,635 10,500 -------------------- -------------------- Net interest income 3,627 3,149 10,629 9,087 Provision for loan losses 272 231 742 886 -------------------- -------------------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses 3,355 2,918 9,887 8,201 Noninterest income: Service charges 191 183 544 494 Mortgage banking income 76 101 200 271 Repossessed asset gains (losses) (1) 183 (1) 183 Other 120 193 341 490 -------------------- -------------------- Total noninterest income 386 660 1,084 1,438 Noninterest expense: Salaries and benefits 1,401 1,046 3,964 3,188 Occupancy and equipment 351 286 958 810 Professional fees 140 170 511 562 Outside data processing 144 139 444 434 Advertising and promotion 113 127 355 332 Stationery, printing and supplies 114 80 340 261 Impairment of non- marketable securities -- -- 100 -- Other 196 118 560 401 -------------------- -------------------- Total noninterest expense 2,459 1,966 7,232 5,988 -------------------- -------------------- Income before income taxes 1,282 1,612 3,739 3,651 Income taxes expense 482 638 1,401 1,396 -------------------- -------------------- Net income $ 800 $ 974 $ 2,338 $ 2,255 ==================== ==================== Basic earnings per common share $ 0.24 $ 0.30 $ 0.72 $ 0.69 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.24 $ 0.29 $ 0.69 $ 0.67 Average common shares outstanding 3,273,806 3,266,066 3,269,179 3,265,121 Average common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding 3,392,116 3,380,233 3,404,456 3,374,638 Total Shares outstanding at end of period 3,281,250 3,266,866 3,281,250 3,266,866 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 Third Quarter 2007 (unaudited) ($ in thousands except for share data) Quarterly ---------------------------------------------------- 3rd Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 1st Qtr. 4th Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 2007 2007 2007 2006 2006 ----------------------------------------------------- EARNINGS Net interest income $ 3,627 3,705 3,297 3,101 3,149 Provision for loan loss $ 272 215 255 310 231 NonInterest income $ 386 340 358 335 660 NonInterest expense $ 2,459 2,491 2,282 2,393 1,966 Net income $ 800 837 701 555 974 Basic earnings per share $ 0.24 0.26 0.21 0.17 0.30 Diluted earn- ings per share $ 0.24 0.25 0.21 0.16 0.29 Average shares outstanding 3,273,806 3,266,866 3,266,866 3,266,866 3,266,066 Average di- luted shares outstanding 3,392,116 3,408,938 3,412,313 3,408,367 3,380,233 PERFORMANCE RATIOS Return on average assets * 0.70% 0.76% 0.66% 0.56% 0.99% Return on average common equity * 11.55% 12.39% 10.65% 8.68% 15.95% Net interest margin (fully- tax equi- valent) * 3.31% 3.53% 3.28% 3.20% 3.35% Efficiency ratio 61.28% 59.11% 62.44% 62.22% 56.03% # full-time equivalent employees - period end 86 77 74 69 62 CAPITAL Equity to ending assets 6.08% 6.13% 6.11% 6.30% 6.26% Tier 1 leverage capital ratio n/a n/a n/a 8.76% n/a Tier 1 risk- based capital ratio n/a n/a n/a 9.97% n/a Total risk- based capital ratio n/a n/a n/a 11.45% 11.92% Book value per share $ 8.68 8.30 8.20 7.94 7.69 ASSET QUALITY Net charge- offs $ 21 2 141 18 (21) Net charge- offs to average loans * 0.02% 0.00% 0.17% 0.02% -0.03% Allowance for loan losses $ 4,476 4,225 4,012 3,898 3,606 Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.19% 1.21% 1.21% 1.23% 1.25% Nonperforming loans $ 4,443 2,139 2,385 2,388 2,626 Restructured loans $ 0 0 45 45 227 Other real estate owned $ 190 0 0 0 0 Nonperforming loans to total loans 1.19% 0.61% 0.73% 0.77% 0.99% Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.99% 0.48% 0.55% 0.59% 0.71% END OF PERIOD BALANCES Total assets $ 468,327 441,975 438,675 411,592 401,224 Total earning assets $ 444,498 421,759 415,904 390,644 378,080 Total loans $ 374,602 349,782 332,112 315,732 288,557 Total deposits $ 409,094 387,108 391,936 360,415 348,939 Stockholders' equity $ 28,487 27,108 26,788 25,929 25,134 AVERAGE BALANCES Total assets $ 458,152 437,731 424,839 398,427 393,605 Total earning assets $ 440,045 419,834 401,683 387,233 375,652 Total loans $ 363,801 345,115 326,161 306,272 288,433 Total interest- bearing deposits $ 371,395 355,810 340,430 318,398 307,500 Stockholders' equity $ 27,706 27,011 26,324 25,579 24,421 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