MainSource Notes Annual Profit Increase
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGreensburg-based MainSource Financial Group Inc. (Nasdaq: MSFG) is reporting full-year net income of $29 million, compared to $26.3 million in 2013. Chief Executive Officer Archie Brown Jr. says the company achieved the highest level of earnings in its history. January 28, 2015
News Release
GREENSBURG, Ind. – Archie M. Brown, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of MainSource Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSFG) announced today the unaudited financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014. For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded net income of $6.6 million, or $0.30 per common share, compared to net income of $7.4 million, or $0.36 per common share, in the fourth quarter of 2013. During the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company incurred a $3.1 million pre-tax charge ($2.2 million on an after-tax basis) related to its acquisition of MBT Bancorp. The Company acquired $185 million in loans and $184 million in deposits in the acquisition which closed on October 17, 2014.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the Company reported net income of $29.0 million, or $1.39 per common share, compared to net income in 2013 of $26.3 million, or $1.26 per common share. The primary drivers of the increase in net income in 2014 compared to 2013 were an increase in net interest income and a reduction in loan loss provision expense.
The Company also announced that the Board of Directors declared a first quarter common dividend of $0.13 per share at its January 19, 2015 meeting. This represents an increase of $.02 per share, or 18%, from the dividend paid during the previous quarter. The dividend is payable on March 16, 2015 to common shareholders of record as of March 6, 2015.
Mr. Brown commented on the fourth quarter, “I am pleased with our recent performance. Adjusting for the MBT Bancorp acquisition related expenses, our fourth quarter earnings were significantly higher than the same quarter last year. Increases in earning assets from the merger led to a 7% increase in net interest income. Additionally, net loans, excluding loans acquired in the merger, grew at a 4% annualized level, demonstrating our continued progress in expanding commercial customer relationships. I am also very pleased with the continued improvement in our asset quality. Non-performing assets (NPAs) declined 12% from the linked quarter to 1.0% of assets. As a result of the improvement, we had no loan loss provision expense for the quarter. Our NPAs further declined significantly in January 2015 when a large non-performing troubled debt restructure totaling $11.4 million returned to performing status. I am also pleased with our rebound in non-interest income compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, a 13% increase.”
Mr. Brown continued, “We were very pleased to close on the MBT Bancorp acquisition this quarter. The transition has gone very well and we have begun to see the anticipated strategic and financial benefits of the merger. I am very appreciative of the great effort provided by our employees and the former MBT Bancorp employees to make this merger so successful.”
Mr. Brown commented on the Company’s full year results, “We are very proud of our 2014 performance. Excluding acquisition related expenses, our 2014 earnings were approximately $31 million. This represents the highest level of earnings in the Company’s history. Higher earning assets, lower provision expense driven by improved asset quality, and disciplined expense management were the key drivers to our excellent year. I appreciate the diligence and focus of our MainSource team in helping us achieve these results.”
Mr. Brown concluded, “We are happy today to announce an 18% increase in the quarterly common dividend, from $.11 per common share to $.13. This is the fifth increase in two years and represents a 2.7% yield. This increase indicates our confidence in the current performance of the Company as well as our general outlook. We are very appreciative of the continued support of our shareholders.”
4TH QUARTER RESULTS
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income was $24.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $23.2 million for the same period a year ago. An increase in the earning asset base due to the acquisition of MBT Bancorp was the primary reason for the increase in net interest income. Net interest margin, on a fully-taxable equivalent basis, was 3.74% for the fourth quarter of 2014 which was fourteen basis points below the fourth quarter of 2013 and six basis points lower than the third quarter of 2014. The Company’s net interest margin decreased from a year ago due to the repricing of the asset side of the balance sheet. While deposit and other funding costs have decreased over the same period, many of these accounts have reached, or are approaching, their floors.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
The Company’s non-interest income was $11.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $10.3 million in the same period in 2013. Mortgage banking income, which was $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, increased by $0.8 million from the same period a year ago due to the Company’s entry into new markets and the hiring of additional mortgage loan originators. Other categories of non-interest income increased due to the acquisition of MBT Bancorp.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
The Company’s non-interest expense was $28.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $23.8 million for the same period in 2013. As previously discussed, during the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company incurred $3.1 million in costs related to the acquisition of MBT Bancorp. Excluding these expenses, total non-interest expense would have been $25.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in expenses was primarily related to an increase in employee costs due to the additional headcount at the MBT branches and an increase in incentive based compensation due to the Company’s strong performance in 2014.
FULL YEAR RESULTS
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income was $94.2 million for the full year 2014, which represents an increase of $2.9 million when compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. Net interest margin, on a fully-taxable equivalent basis, decreased from 3.92% in 2013 to 3.81% in 2014. As rates have remained at historic lows for an extended period of time, the Company’s asset base has continued to reprice lower. The Company’s cost of funds also decreased over the same period but to a lesser extent. Offsetting the decrease in the Company’s net interest margin, average earning assets increased by $142 million in 2014 compared to 2013 as the Company experienced increased loan demand in the second half of 2013 and throughout 2014.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
The Company’s non-interest income was $43.3 million for the full year 2014 compared to $43.1 million for 2013. Excluding securities gains, non-interest income was $43.3 million in 2014 and $42.3 million in 2013. The primary driver of the increase in non-interest income year over year was an increase in interchange income of $0.5 million. In addition, losses on OREO sales were $0.4 million lower year over year.
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
The Company’s non-interest expense was $99.5 million for the full year 2014 compared to $98.2 million for 2013. Excluding the previously discussed $3.1 million in costs related to the acquisition of MBT, the Company’s non-interest expenses would have been $96.4 million. During 2013, the Company incurred a non-operating expense of $2.2 million related to the prepayment of an FHLB advance. Excluding the FHLB cost, 2013 non-interest expenses would have been $96.0 million. An increase in employee related costs in 2014 was offset by a decrease in collection expenses. Employee costs increased in 2014 primarily due to the Company’s entry into new markets and the acquisition of MBT. Collection expenses decreased year over year due