CBT Reports 2010 Off to a Good Start, First Quarter Net Income $246,000


HARTFORD, Conn., April 28, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company ("CBT" or "Bank") (Nasdaq:CTBC) reported net income of $246,000 for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $27,000 for the comparable period a year earlier. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, after accounting for both dividends and accretion on preferred stock, the Bank reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $149,000 or $0.04 per share (basic and diluted) compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of ($2,000), for the comparable period a year earlier. The Bank also reported that total assets exceeded $266 million, up from $260 million reported at year end 2009.

"It was a solid quarter for our bank," reported Chairman and CEO David A. Lentini. "We had growth in all the important metrics including loans, deposits and net income." Lentini added, "We continue to operate in one of the worst economic climates in my memory. The Bank continues to be well-positioned to help Connecticut's businesses and families with their financial needs."

Operating Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2010Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, increased $541,000 or 28% over the same period in 2009. Growth in earning assets, despite a lower yield, and lower interest rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities combined to lift the net interest margin 30 basis points to 3.97%.

Income from fee based services amounted to $149,000 in the quarter, compared to $125,000 in the first quarter of 2009.  For the three month period ended March 31, 2009, the Bank also reported net gains on sales of securities of $39,000. There have been no security sales reported in 2010.      

First quarter operating expenses were $2,223,000, an increase of $239,000, from the same period last year. Compensation costs, including staff additions, benefits, and related taxes, rose $148,000, for the three month period ended March 31, 2010. FDIC insurance premiums rose $56,000, for the three month period ending March 31, 2010 compared to the prior year. Planned spending for marketing and other professional services was up $13,000 and $27,000, respectively, compared to the same period in the prior year. Increases in all other general and administrative costs were offset by lower occupancy costs related to fully depreciated equipment and software.   

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 2010 was $155,000. Growth in the loan portfolio and internally identified problem loans were the principal factors in determining the need for provisions. The reserve ratio stood at 1.37% of loans outstanding compared to 1.35% at December 31, 2009. Mr. Lentini stated, "Our additions to reserves continue to reflect our conservative nature and our consistent portfolio management. While there may be signs of the beginning of an economic recovery, this conservative approach in reserving for possible loan losses will continue throughout 2010." At March 31, 2010, the allowance was $2.8 million compared to $2.7 million at December 31, 2009.  

Asset Quality.  We closely monitor all loan relationships and identify problem loans through an internal risk rating system, which is independently reviewed on an annual basis. Charged-off loans amounted to $48,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to $29,000 for the comparable period a year earlier. Total nonaccrual loans were $1.8 million and represented .87% of total loans outstanding at March 31, 2010, compared to $1.6 million, or 1.08% of total loans at December 31, 2009. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 157% at March 31, 2010. CBT had no loans that were past due more than 90 days and still accruing as of March 31, 2010.   

Balance Sheet Performance. Total assets were $266.7 million at March 31, 2010, up $6.4 million from December 31, 2009. The increase was centered on growth in the loan portfolio of $4.4 million and increases in cash and cash equivalents of $1.2 million compared to December 31, 2009.  Securities available for sale declined $1.5 million as a result of principal payments on mortgage-backed securities and sales of securities. Deposits increased $7.0 million while short-term borrowings declined $1.1 million. Borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank Boston remained consistent at $30.5 million. The Bank is considered well-capitalized with stockholders' equity of $24.7 million at March 31, 2010.

Selected Performance Data
Quarter Ended
Dollars in thousands, except per share data Mar 31,
2009
Jun 30,
2009
Sept 30,
2009
Dec 31,
2009
Mar 31,
2010
           
Total assets (EOP)  $ 223,420  $ 241,645  $ 238,263  $ 260,254  $ 266,661
           
Net income (loss)  $ 27  $ (106)  $ 204  $ 232  $ 246
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders  $ (2)  $ (135)  $ 176  $ 135  $ 149
Net interest margin 3.69% 3.80% 4.13% 4.06% 3.97%
Net interest spread 3.15% 3.41% 3.72% 3.77% 3.62%
Ratio of total stockholders' equity to total assets (EOP) 10.48% 9.69% 10.22% 9.24% 9.25%
Weighted avg shares outstanding (1)  3,572  3,572  3,572  3,572  3,604
Income (loss) per common share (basic and diluted)  $ --   $ (0.04)  $ 0.05  $ 0.04  $ 0.04
Book value per common share (EOP)  $ 5.19  $ 5.19  $ 5.44  $ 5.36  $ 5.43
Allowance for loan losses to total loans (EOP) 1.51% 1.56% 1.55% 1.35% 1.37%
Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.88% 2.03% 1.36% 1.08% 0.87%
           
(1) Prior periods restated in accordance with adoption of ASC 260-10-45-49A (Formerly EITF 06-3-1) 

Caution concerning forward-looking statements:

Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, due to a number of factors which include, without limitation, the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in the interest rates, the effects of competition, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those provided in any such forward-looking statements. CBT does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.                                                                                    

See financial statements accompanying this release for additional data.

THE CONNECTICUT BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  2010 2009
(Dollars in thousands; except per share data)    
Interest and dividend income:    
 Loans, including fees   $ 3,048  $ 2,703
 Debt securities  268  358
 Federal funds sold/other  19  6
 Total interest and dividend income  3,335  3,067
Interest expense:    
 Deposits  592  851
 Borrowed funds   268  282
 Total interest expense  860  1,133
Net interest income  2,475  1,934
Provision for loan losses  155  87
 Net interest income, after provision for loan losses  2,320  1,847
     
Noninterest income:    
 Service charges and fees  78  66
 Brokerage commissions  71  59
 Gains from sales of available-for-sale securities, net  --  39
 Total noninterest income  149  164
     
Noninterest expenses:    
 Salaries and benefits  1,171  1,023
 Occupancy and equipment  435  468
 Data processing  78  78
 Marketing  93  80
 Professional services  149  122
 FDIC insurance premiums  97  41
 Other general and administrative  200  172
 Total noninterest expenses  2,223  1,984
Net income  246  27
     
Preferred stock dividend and accretion  (97)  (29)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders  $ 149  $ (2)
     
Per share information:    
Basic  $ 0.04  $ -- 
Diluted  $ 0.04  $ -- 
Average common shares issued and outstanding (in thousands)  3,604  3,572
Average diluted common shares issued and outstanding (in thousands)  3,604  3,572
THE CONNECTICUT BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
  March 31, 2010 December 31, 2009 March 31, 2009
(Dollars in thousands)      
Cash and due from banks   $ 4,314  $ 4,317  $ 8,268
Federal funds sold  24,000  22,800  --
 Cash and cash equivalents  28,314  27,117  8,268
       
Certificates of deposit  78  78  78
Securities available for sale, at fair value  27,574  27,431  29,024
Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost  724  724  710
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost  2,057  2,057  2,057
Loans held for sale  --  --  402
       
Loans  205,228  200,780  181,552
Less: allowance for loan losses  (2,809)  (2,702)  (2,739)
Loans, net  202,419  198,078  178,813
       
Premises and equipment, net  2,005  2,096  2,433
Accrued interest receivable  1,095  933  944
Prepaid FDIC insurance  995  1,069  --
Other assets   1,400  671  691
   $ 266,661  $ 260,254  $ 223,420
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
       
Noninterest-bearing deposits  $ 30,294  $ 34,442  $ 27,116
Interest-bearing deposits  177,486  166,330  137,045
Short-term borrowings  2,893  3,988  4,667
Long-term debt  30,450  30,450  30,450
Other liabilities  874  991  722
 Total liabilities  241,997  236,201  200,000
       
Stockholders' equity;      
Preferred stock, no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 5,448 shares issued and outstanding; aggregate liquidation preference of $5,448  5,448  5,448  5,448
 Discount on preferred stock  (460)  (489)  (575)
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; Issued and outstanding: 3,620,950 shares at March 31, 2010 and 3,572,450 at December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009  3,621  3,572  3,572
 Common stock warrants  1,405  1,405  1,405
 Additional paid-in capital  30,032  29,858  29,801
 Restricted stock unearned compensation  (207)  (29)  (110)
 Retained deficit  (15,295)  (15,444)  (15,620)
 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  120  (268)  (501)
 Total stockholders' equity   24,664  24,053  23,420
   $ 266,661  $ 260,254  $ 223,420

            

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