Arrow Third-Quarter Net Income Up 10.1%; Double-Digit Loan Growth Continues

-- Third-quarter net income increased 10.1% year over year to $7.4 million.

GLENS FALLS, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Arrow Financial Corporation (NasdaqGS: AROW) announced operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017. Net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $7.4 million, an increase of $678 thousand, or 10.1%, from net income of $6.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter was $0.53, an increase of 10.4% from diluted EPS of $0.48 during the comparable 2016 quarter.

Annualized key profitability ratios continue to remain strong, as measured by a return on average equity (ROE) of 12.07% and a return on average assets (ROA) of 1.08% for the third quarter, compared to 11.75% and 1.06% a year earlier.

Arrow President and CEO Thomas J. Murphy stated, "Our solid performance on the lending side, as well as our strategic expansion into new markets, contributed again to new records for total assets, total deposits, total loans, total equity and assets under trust administration, all while maintaining healthy profitability and asset quality ratios. I am proud of the entire team for their contributions toward our success."

During the third quarter, Arrow subsidiary Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company completed the final steps toward establishing its 10th branch, located in Schenectady. The new office opened October 10, 2017 and expands the brand's presence in the Capital District. Also in the third quarter, Arrow's lead subsidiary, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, legally merged its two property and casualty insurance agencies; they are now operating as one unified business line as Upstate Agency LLC.

The following expands upon third-quarter results:

Net Interest Income: In the third quarter of 2017, net interest income on a GAAP basis increased to $19.7 million, up 9.9% over the $17.9 million total in the comparable quarter of 2016. On a tax-equivalent (non-GAAP) basis, net interest income increased by 9.6%, compared to the third quarter of 2016. Net interest margin, measured on a tax-equivalent (non-GAAP) basis, increased slightly to 3.15% from 3.12% in the prior-year quarter.

Loan Growth: Over the 12 months ended September 30, 2017, total loans increased to a record high of $1.9 billion, up $201.6 million, or 11.8%, from the September 30, 2016 level. Over the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, total loans grew $155.5 million, or 8.9%. During the third quarter of 2017, total loans grew by $30.2 million, or 1.6% as compared to the second quarter of 2017. There was growth in all three major loan segments: commercial, consumer and residential real estate.

During the third quarter of 2017, the consumer loan portfolio grew $13.3 million, or 2.3%, to $592 million at period-end. This balance exceeded the prior year's by $68.3 million, or 13.0%. The increase was primarily a result of growth in the indirect automobile lending program. Total outstanding commercial loans decreased 0.4% during the third quarter to $566.1 million on September 30, 2017, but was up $34.0 million, or 6.4%, from September 30, 2016. The residential real estate loan portfolio increased $18.9 million, or 2.6%, during the third quarter of 2017 to $750.7 million, up $99.2 million, or 15.2%, over the balance at September 30, 2016.

Deposit Growth: At September 30, 2017, deposit balances reached $2.3 billion, up $93.9 million, or 4.2%, from the prior-year level. Deposit growth was spread across both personal and business accounts. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased $66.8 million, or 17.5%, from the prior-year level, which had a positive impact on net interest margin. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits represented 19.4% of total deposits at September 30, 2017, compared to 17.2% at the 2016 quarter-end.

Assets Under Management: Assets under trust administration and investment management reached a record high of $1.4 billion at September 30, 2017. Assets under trust administration increased by $127.6 million, or 9.9%, from the balance at September 30, 2016, primarily due to the performance of the equity markets.

Asset Quality: Asset quality remained strong at September 30, 2017, as measured by continuing comparatively low levels of nonperforming assets and net charge-offs. Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2017, were $9.0 million, up $1.2 million, or 15.6%, from the prior-year level. Net charge-offs, expressed as an annualized percentage of average loans outstanding, were 0.11% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, up slightly from the prior-year quarter level of 0.07%.

Allowance for loan losses was $17.7 million at September 30, 2017, which represented 0.93% of loans outstanding. The provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2017 was $800 thousand, up $320 thousand from the provision for the comparable 2016 quarter. The provision for loan losses for the year-to-date was $1.58 million, up $29.0 thousand from the prior year amount of $1.55 million.

Noninterest Income: Noninterest income for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, increased 0.4% from the comparable 2016 quarter. Income from fiduciary activities increased during the quarter by $193 thousand, or 10.0%, over the amount for the third quarter of 2016. Income from fiduciary activities year to date increased $430 thousand, or 7.3%, over the year-to-date amount for September 30, 2016.

Noninterest Expense: Salaries and employee benefits increased in the third quarter of 2017 by $558 thousand, or 6.4%, over the same 2016 quarter. This increase was driven primarily by a $376 thousand, or 5.8%, increase in the salary expense, due in part to staffing expansion as well as normal increases for existing employees. Employee benefit expenses increased by $184 thousand, or 10.2%, primarily due to increases in medical costs.

Cash and Stock Dividends: On September 15, 2017, we distributed a cash dividend to shareholders of $0.250 which was subsequently restated to $0.243 per share adjusting for the 3% stock dividend distributed on September 28, 2017. The cash dividend was 3% higher than the cash dividend paid in the third quarter of 2016 when adjusted for the 3% stock dividend.

Capital: Total stockholders' equity was a record $244.6 million at period-end, up $15.4 million, or 6.7%, from the prior-year. This increase exceeded the 6.4% increase in total assets over the same period. Overall regulatory capital ratios also remained strong in 2017. At September 30, 2017, the Company's Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio was estimated to be 12.70% and the Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was estimated to be 14.77%. These capital levels at the Company and both its subsidiary banks continue to significantly exceed the "well capitalized" regulatory standard.

Provision for Income Taxes: The effective income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were 29.1% and 30.0%, respectively. The decrease in the 2017 period relates primarily to current accounting standards for equity compensation under which income tax benefits from stock options exercised in the period reduced the effective tax rate from the prior year period. Under the previous accounting standards, the tax benefits would have impacted equity directly. The year-to-date impact on earnings per share was less than $0.01.

Industry Recognition: Both of the Company's two banking subsidiaries maintained their BauerFinancial, Inc. 5-Star Superior Bank rating. Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company have continued to earn this designation for the last 43 and 35 quarters, respectively.

——————

Arrow Financial Corporation is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Glens Falls, New York, serving the financial needs of northeastern New York. The Company is the parent of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company. Other subsidiaries include North Country Investment Advisers, Inc.; Upstate Agency, LLC, specializing in property and casualty insurance; and Capital Financial Group, Inc., specializing in the sale and servicing of group health plans.

In addition to presenting information in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), this news release contains financial information determined by methods other than GAAP (non-GAAP). The following measures used in this release, which are commonly utilized by financial institutions, have not been specifically exempted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and may constitute "non-GAAP financial measures" within the meaning of the SEC's rules. Certain non-GAAP financial measures include: tangible equity, return on tangible equity, tax-equivalent adjustment and related net interest income - tax equivalent, and the efficiency ratio. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company from time to time are useful in evaluating the Company's performance and that such information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for or superior to the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures presented by other companies. See the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures in the section "Selected Quarterly Information."

The information contained in this news release may contain statements that are not historical in nature but rather are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections about the future. These statements may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, involving a degree of uncertainty and attendant risk. In the case of all forward-looking statements, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the statements predict or forecast, explicitly or by implication. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. This News Release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)




















Three Months Ended
September 30,


Nine Months Ended
September 30,



2017


2016


2017


2016

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME









Interest and Fees on Loans


$

17,996



$

15,833



$

51,693



$

46,565


Interest on Deposits at Banks


104



34



242



100


Interest and Dividends on Investment Securities:









Fully Taxable


1,924



1,889



5,927



5,994


Exempt from Federal Taxes


1,575



1,526



4,660



4,486


Total Interest and Dividend Income


21,599



19,282



62,522



57,145


INTEREST EXPENSE









Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts


376



320



1,088



941


Savings Deposits


356



231



963



677


Time Deposits over $250,000


66



61



187



133


Other Time Deposits


241



231



702



677


Federal Funds Purchased and

  Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase


13



9



29



24


Federal Home Loan Bank Advances


700



390



1,651



1,013


Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to

  Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts


197



163



564



487


Total Interest Expense


1,949



1,405



5,184



3,952


NET INTEREST INCOME


19,650



17,877



57,338



53,193


Provision for Loan Losses


800



480



1,580



1,550


NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR
LOAN LOSSES


18,850



17,397



55,758



51,643


NONINTEREST INCOME









Income From Fiduciary Activities


2,116



1,923



6,284



5,854


Fees for Other Services to Customers


2,453



2,491



7,122



7,144


Insurance Commissions


2,113



2,127



6,426



6,468


Net Gain on Securities Transactions


10





10



144


Net Gain on Sales of Loans


182



310



431



649


Other Operating Income


267



263



620



925


Total Noninterest Income


7,141



7,114



20,893



21,184


NONINTEREST EXPENSE









Salaries and Employee Benefits


9,251



8,693



27,343



25,223


Occupancy Expenses, Net


2,371



2,425



7,410



7,223


FDIC Assessments


225



217



679



844


Other Operating Expense


3,701



3,747



11,229



11,047


Total Noninterest Expense


15,548



15,082



46,661



44,337


INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES


10,443



9,429



29,990



28,490


Provision for Income Taxes


3,027



2,691



8,735



8,556


NET INCOME


$

7,416



$

6,738



$

21,255



$

19,934


Average Shares Outstanding 1:









Basic


13,889



13,810



13,889



13,775


Diluted


13,966



13,901



13,981



13,842


Per Common Share:









Basic Earnings


$

0.53



$

0.49



$

1.53



$

1.45


Diluted Earnings


0.53



0.48



1.52



1.44







1 Share and per share data have been restated for the September 28, 2017, 3% stock dividend.





 

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)














September 30,
2017


December 31,
2016


September 30,
2016

ASSETS






Cash and Due From Banks

$

55,683



$

43,024



$

66,556


Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks

24,983



14,331



35,503


Investment Securities:






Available-for-Sale

315,459



346,996



339,190


Held-to-Maturity (Approximate Fair Value of $343,899 at September 30, 2017; $343,751 at December 31, 2016; and $347,441 at September 30, 2016)

341,526



345,427



338,238


Other Investments

6,704



10,912



5,371


Loans

1,908,799



1,753,268



1,707,216


Allowance for Loan Losses

(17,695)



(17,012)



(16,975)


Net Loans

1,891,104



1,736,256



1,690,241


Premises and Equipment, Net

26,432



26,938



26,718


Goodwill

21,873



21,873



21,873


Other Intangible Assets, Net

2,395



2,696



2,802


Other Assets

58,303



56,789



53,993


Total Assets

$

2,744,462



$

2,605,242



$

2,580,485


LIABILITIES






Noninterest-Bearing Deposits

$

448,515



$

387,280



$

381,760


Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts

967,250



877,988



993,221


Savings Deposits

696,805



651,965



629,201


Time Deposits over $250,000

28,464



32,878



45,237


Other Time Deposits

166,082



166,435



163,768


Total Deposits

2,307,116



2,116,546



2,213,187


Federal Funds Purchased and

  Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

61,419



35,836



38,589


Federal Home Loan Bank Overnight Advances

33,000



123,000




Federal Home Loan Bank Term Advances

55,000



55,000



55,000


Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts

20,000



20,000



20,000


Other Liabilities

23,279



22,008



24,501


Total Liabilities

2,499,814



2,372,390



2,351,277


STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY






Preferred Stock, $5 Par Value; 1,000,000 Shares Authorized






Common Stock, $1 Par Value; 20,000,000 Shares Authorized (18,481,301 Shares Issued and Outstanding at September 30, 2017; 17,943,201 at
December 31, 2016 and 17,943,201 at September 30, 2016)

18,481



17,943



17,943


Additional Paid-in Capital

289,294



270,880



269,680


Retained Earnings

22,581



28,644



25,400


Unallocated ESOP Shares (20,050 Shares at September 30, 2017; 19,466 Shares at December 31, 2016 and 38,396 Shares at September 30, 2016)

(400)



(400)



(750)


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

(6,135)



(6,834)



(5,442)


Treasury Stock, at Cost (4,570,291 Shares at September 30, 2017; 4,441,093 Shares at December 31, 2016 and 4,479,257 Shares at September 30, 2016)

(79,173)



(77,381)



(77,623)


Total Stockholders' Equity

244,648



232,852



229,208


Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$

2,744,462



$

2,605,242



$

2,580,485


 

Arrow Financial Corporation

Selected Quarterly Information

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)





















Quarter Ended

9/30/2017



6/30/2017



3/31/2017



12/31/2016



9/30/2016


Net Income

7,416



7,208



6,631



6,600



6,738


Transactions Recorded in Net Income (Net of Tax):










Net (Loss) Gain on Securities Transactions

6







(101)














Share and Per Share Data:1










Period End Shares Outstanding

13,891



13,900



13,886



13,887



13,828


Basic Average Shares Outstanding

13,889



13,890



13,889



13,844



13,810


Diluted Average Shares Outstanding

13,966



13,975



14,001



13,972



13,901


Basic Earnings Per Share

$

0.53



$

0.52



$

0.48



$

0.48



$

0.49


Diluted Earnings Per Share

0.53



0.52



0.47



0.47



0.48


Cash Dividend Per Share

0.243



0.243



0.243



0.243



0.236












Selected Quarterly Average Balances:










  Interest-Bearing Deposits at Banks

27,143



24,480



23,565



34,731



21,635


  Investment Securities

677,368



684,570



695,615



684,906



696,712


  Loans

1,892,766



1,842,543



1,781,113



1,726,738



1,680,850


  Deposits

2,193,778



2,206,365



2,161,798



2,160,156



2,063,832


  Other Borrowed Funds

262,864



207,270



205,436



157,044



209,946


  Shareholders' Equity

243,801



239,396



235,257



230,198



228,048


  Total Assets

2,725,653



2,677,843



2,626,470



2,572,425



2,528,124


Return on Average Assets, annualized

1.08

%


1.08

%


1.02

%


1.02

%


1.06

%

Return on Average Equity, annualized

12.07

%


12.08

%


11.43

%


11.41

%


11.75

%

Return on Average Tangible Equity, annualized

13.40

%


13.45

%


12.76

%


12.77

%


13.18

%

Average Earning Assets

2,597,277



2,551,593



2,500,293



2,446,375



2,399,197


Average Paying Liabilities

2,012,802



2,005,421



1,977,628



1,933,974



1,892,583


Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent3

22,565



21,875



20,945



20,709



20,222


Interest Expense

1,949



1,699



1,536



1,404



1,405


Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent3

20,616



20,176



19,409



19,305



18,817


Tax-Equivalent Adjustment3

966



949



948



939



940


Net Interest Margin, annualized 3

3.15

%


3.17

%


3.15

%


3.14

%


3.12

%











Efficiency Ratio Calculation: 4










Noninterest Expense

15,548



15,637



15,475



15,272



15,082


Less: Intangible Asset Amortization

69



70



71



73



74


Net Noninterest Expense

15,479



15,567



15,404



15,199



15,008


Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent

20,616



20,176



19,409



19,305



18,817


Noninterest Income

7,141



7,057



6,695



6,648



7,114


Less: Net Securities (Loss) Gain

10







(166)




Net Gross Income

27,747



27,233



26,104



26,119



25,931


Efficiency Ratio

55.79

%


57.16

%


59.01

%


58.19

%


57.88

%











Period-End Capital Information:










Total Stockholders' Equity (i.e. Book Value)

244,648



240,752



236,111



232,852



229,208


Book Value per Share 1

17.61



17.32



17.00



16.77



16.58


Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, net

24,268



24,355



24,448



24,569



24,675


Tangible Book Value per Share 1,2

15.86



15.57



15.24



15.00



14.79












Capital Ratios:5






Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

9.33

%


9.35

%


9.37

%


9.47

%


9.44

%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio 

12.70

%


12.68

%


12.84

%


12.97

%


12.80

%

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio

13.79

%


13.79

%


13.99

%


14.14

%


13.98

%

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio

14.77

%


14.77

%


14.98

%


15.15

%


14.99

%











Assets Under Trust Administration

  and Investment Management

$

1,411,608



$

1,356,262



$

1,333,690



$

1,301,408



$

1,284,051


 

Arrow Financial Corporation

Selected Quarterly Information - Continued

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts - Unaudited)


Footnotes:




















1.

Share and Per Share Data have been restated for the September 28, 2017, 3% stock dividend.



2.

Tangible Book Value and Tangible Equity exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net from total equity.  These are non-GAAP financial measures which we believe provide investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance.



9/30/2017


6/30/2017


3/31/2017


12/31/2016


9/30/2016


Total Stockholders' Equity (GAAP)

244,648



240,752



236,111



232,852



229,208



Less: Goodwill and Other Intangible assets, net

24,268



24,355



24,448



24,569



24,675



Tangible Equity (Non-GAAP)

$

220,380



$

216,397



$

211,663



$

208,283



$

204,533














Period End Shares Outstanding

13,891



13,900



13,886



13,887



13,828



Tangible Book Value per Share (Non-GAAP)

$

15.86



$

15.57



$

15.24



$

15.00



$

14.79













3.

Net Interest Margin is the ratio of our annualized tax-equivalent net interest income to average earning assets. This is also a non-GAAP financial measure which we believe provides investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance.



9/30/2017


6/30/2017


3/31/2017


12/31/2016


9/30/2016


Net Interest Income (GAAP)

19,650



19,227



18,461



18,366



17,877



Add: Tax-Equivalent adjustment (Non-GAAP)

966



949



948



939



940



Net Interest Income - Tax Equivalent (Non-GAAP)

$

20,616



$

20,176



$

19,409



$

19,305



$

18,817



Average Earning Assets

2,597,277



2,551,593



2,500,293



2,446,375



2,399,197



Net Interest Margin (Non-GAAP)*

3.15

%


3.17

%


3.15

%


3.14

%


3.12

%












4.

Financial Institutions often use the "efficiency ratio", a non-GAAP ratio, as a measure of expense control. We believe the efficiency ratio provides investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance. We define our efficiency ratio as the ratio of our noninterest expense to our net gross income (which equals our tax-equivalent net interest income plus noninterest income, as adjusted).












5.

For the current quarter, all of the regulatory capital ratios in the table above, as well as the Total Risk-Weighted Assets and Common Equity Tier 1 Capital amounts listed in the table below, are estimates based on, and calculated in accordance with, bank regulatory capital rules. All prior quarters reflect actual results. The September 30, 2017 CET1 ratio listed in the tables (i.e., 12.70%) exceeds the sum of the required minimum CET1 ratio plus the fully phased-in Capital Conservation Buffer (i.e., 7.00%).

 



9/30/2017


6/30/2017


3/31/2017


12/31/2016


9/30/2016


Total Risk Weighted Assets

1,830,730



1,802,455



1,747,318



1,707,829



1,690,646



Common Equity Tier 1 Capital

232,473



228,586



224,369



221,472



216,382



Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio

12.70

%


12.68

%


12.84

%


12.97

%


12.80

%



* Quarterly ratios have been annualized







         

Arrow Financial Corporation

Consolidated Financial Information

(Dollars in Thousands - Unaudited)













Quarter Ended:

09/30/2017


12/31/2016


9/30/2016

Loan Portfolio






Commercial Loans

$

125,360



$

105,155



$

103,054


Commercial Real Estate Loans

440,715



431,646



429,011


  Subtotal Commercial Loan Portfolio

566,075



536,801



532,065


Consumer Loans

592,029



537,361



523,703


Residential Real Estate Loans

750,695



679,106



651,448


Total Loans

$

1,908,799



$

1,753,268



$

1,707,216


Allowance for Loan Losses






Allowance for Loan Losses, Beginning of Quarter

$

17,442



$

16,975



$

16,798


Loans Charged-off

(622)



(486)



(367)


Less Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off

75



40



64


Net Loans Charged-off

(547)



(446)



(303)


Provision for Loan Losses

800



483



480


Allowance for Loan Losses, End of Quarter

$

17,695



$

17,012



$

16,975


Nonperforming Assets






Nonaccrual Loans

$

5,482



$

4,193



$

6,107


Loans Past Due 90 or More Days and Accruing

967



1,201



548


Loans Restructured and in Compliance with Modified Terms

828



106



107


Total Nonperforming Loans

7,277



5,500



6,762


Repossessed Assets

62



101



149


Other Real Estate Owned

1,651



1,585



868


Total Nonperforming Assets

$

8,990



$

7,186



$

7,779


Key Asset Quality Ratios






Net Loans Charged-off to Average Loans,

   Quarter-to-date Annualized

0.11

%


0.10

%


0.07

%

Provision for Loan Losses to Average Loans,

  Quarter-to-date Annualized

0.17

%


0.11

%


0.11

%

Allowance for Loan Losses to Period-End Loans

0.93

%


0.97

%


0.99

%

Allowance for Loan Losses to Period-End Nonperforming Loans

243.16

%


309.31

%


251.04

%

Nonperforming Loans to Period-End Loans

0.38

%


0.31

%


0.40

%

Nonperforming Assets to Period-End Assets

0.33

%


0.28

%


0.30

%

Nine-Month Period Ended:






Allowance for Loan Losses






Allowance for Loan Losses, Beginning of Year

$

17,012





$

16,038


Loans Charged-off

(1,196)





(784)


Less Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off

300





171


Net Loans Charged-off

(896)





(613)


Provision for Loan Losses

1,579





1,550


Allowance for Loan Losses, End of Period

$

17,695





$

16,975


Key Asset Quality Ratios






Net Loans Charged-off to Average Loans, Annualized

0.07

%




0.05

%

Provision for Loan Losses to Average Loans, Annualized

0.11

%




0.13

%

 

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arrow-third-quarter-net-income-up-101-double-digit-loan-growth-continues-300541090.html

SOURCE Arrow Financial Corporation