GABC - German American Bancorp Inc. (GABC) Posts Solid 4th Quarter and Annual 2023 Earnings; Declares 8% Cash Dividend Increase | Benzinga

JASPER, Ind., Jan. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- German American Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:GABC) reported solid annual earnings of $85.9 million, or $2.91 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing the second highest level of earnings per share in the Company's history. This level of reported annual earnings resulted in a 14.7% return on average shareholders' equity, marking the 19^th consecutive fiscal year in which the Company has delivered a double-digit return on shareholders' equity. The Company also announced the declaration of an 8% increase in its quarterly cash dividend, marking the 12^th consecutive year of increased cash dividends.

The Company's 2023 reported net income represented an increase of $4.1 million, or approximately 5% on a per share basis, over 2022 net income of $81.8 million, or $2.78 per share, which was impacted by the one-time merger costs related to the January 1, 2022 acquisition of Citizens Union Bancorp of Shelbyville, Inc.

The 2023 annual operating performance was highlighted by an expanded net interest margin of 13 basis points, which increased from 3.45% to 3.58% as rising deposit costs from continued Federal Reserve rate increases and shifting of deposit composition did not escalate meaningfully until the second half of 2023. The re-mixing of earning assets from the securities portfolio into the higher yielding loan portfolio also contributed positively to the increased margin.

In addition, the 2023 year was marked by solid organic loan growth across most lending categories, continued strong credit metrics, solid gains in non-interest income led by wealth management and interchange fees, and ongoing optimization of our non-interest expenses. The Company's operating results were also positively impacted by the execution of qualitative strategic initiatives such as meaningful talent acquisitions and ongoing technology/digital investment.

Given the tumultuous year in the banking industry led by economic uncertainty and multiple bank failures, German American remained well positioned for long term success with strong capital levels and solid liquidity. The Company's combined enterprise, which encompasses 75 banking offices across two contiguous states, continues to benefit from its diversified footprint of rural, suburban and urban markets providing a strong deposit franchise base as well as significant organic growth opportunities.

On a quarter over quarter basis, fourth quarter 2023 net income of $21.5 million and earnings per share of $0.73 were consistent with third quarter 2023 net income of $21.5 million, or $0.73 per share. Net interest margin declined from 3.57% to 3.43%, or 14 basis points, quarter over quarter. This compression was driven by a lower level of accretion of discounts on acquired loans that negatively impacted the net interest margin by 7 basis points and an overall increase in the cost of funds. The margin compression was partially offset by exceptional credit metrics, with no provision for credit losses being taken in the fourth quarter, largely as a result of a fully-reserved, non-performing commercial relationship being paid off.

In addition, the fourth quarter 2023 operating performance was highlighted by strong organic loan and deposit growth. Total loans increased $84 million, or approximately 9% on an annualized basis, and were broad-based across most loan categories and markets. Deposits increased $117 million, or 2% on a linked quarter basis, with non-interest bearing accounts remaining at a solid 28.4% of total deposits. Non-interest income growth of 5% and flat non-interest expenses, in each case on a linked-quarter basis, also contributed to the solid fourth quarter operating performance.

The Company also announced an 8% increase in the level of its regular quarterly cash dividend, as its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share, which will be payable on February 20, 2024 to shareholders of record as of February 10, 2024.

D. Neil Dauby, German American's Chairman & CEO stated, "We are extremely pleased with our operating results in 2023, especially given the challenging economic environment, as we continue our decades long trend of exceptional financial performance. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our relationship-focused team of professionals, we are confident that our strong community presence, healthy financial condition, and disciplined approach to risk management will continue to drive future profitability. We remain excited and committed to the vitality and future growth of our Indiana and Kentucky communities."

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total assets for the Company totaled $6.152 billion at December 31, 2023, representing an increase of $146.5 million compared with September 30, 2023 and a decline of $3.8 million compared with December 31, 2022. The increase in total assets at December 31, 2023 compared with September 30, 2023 was largely related to an increase in the market value of the securities portfolio and an increase in total loans.

Securities available for sale increased $119.9 million as of December 31, 2023 compared with September 30, 2023 and declined $164.8 million compared with December 31, 2022. The increase in the available for sale securities portfolio during the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with the end of the third quarter of 2023 was largely attributable to fair value adjustments on the portfolio related to a decline in market interest rates while the decline from the fourth quarter of 2022 was primarily the result of the Company's utilization of cash flows from the securities portfolio to fund loan growth. Total cash flow generated from the portfolio totaled approximately $31.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2023, reflecting principal and interest payments. Current projections indicate approximately $150.0 million in principal and interest cash flows from the portfolio over the next twelve months with rates unchanged.

December 31, 2023 total loans increased $84.3 million, or 9% on an annualized basis, compared with September 30, 2023 and increased $189.3 million, or 5%, compared with year-end 2022. The increase during the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with September 30, 2023 was broad-based across most segments of the portfolio. Commercial real estate loans increased $44.9 million, or 9% on an annualized basis, while agricultural loans grew $25.7 million, or 26% on an annualized basis, and retail loans grew by $18.1 million, or 10% on an annualized basis. Partially offsetting these increases was a modest decline in commercial and industrial loans of $4.4 million, or 3% on an annualized basis, as line of credit utilization remains muted.

The composition of the loan portfolio has remained relatively stable and diversified over the past several years, including 2023. The portfolio is most heavily concentrated in commercial real estate loans at 53% of the portfolio, followed by commercial and industrial loans at 17% of the portfolio, and agricultural loans at 11% of the portfolio. The Company's commercial lending is extended to various industries, including multi-family housing and lodging, agribusiness and manufacturing, as well as health care, wholesale, and retail services. The Company's commercial real estate portfolio has limited exposure to office real estate, with office exposure totaling approximately 4% of the total loan portfolio.

The Company's allowance for credit losses totaled $43.8 million at December 31, 2023 compared to $44.6 million at September 30, 2023 and $44.2 million at December 31, 2022. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.10% of period-end loans at December 31, 2023 compared with 1.15% at September 30, 2023 and 1.17% of period-end loans at December 31, 2022. The decline in the allowance for credit losses as of year-end 2023 was largely related to the resolution during the fourth quarter of 2023 of a single commercial borrowing relationship with minimal loss recognition for which the Company had established a significant reserve in previous periods.

Non-performing assets totaled $9.2 million at December 31, 2023, $12.4 million at September 30, 2023 and $14.3 million at December 31, 2022. Non-performing assets represented 0.15% of total assets at year-end 2023, 0.21% at September 30, 2023 and 0.23% at December 31, 2022. Non-performing loans totaled $9.2 million at December 31, 2023, $12.4 million at September 30, 2023 and $14.3 million at December 31, 2022. Non-performing loans represented 0.23% of total loans at December 31, 2023, 0.32% at September 30, 2023 and 0.38% at December 31, 2022. The decline in non-performing assets and loans at year-end 2023 was largely attributable to the payoff of the aforementioned single non-performing commercial credit relationship.

Year-end 2023 total deposits increased $117.1 million, or 2% on a linked quarter basis, compared to September 30, 2023 and declined $97.1 million, or 2%, compared with December 31, 2022. The increase at year-end 2023 compared to September 30, 2023 was largely attributable to seasonal inflows of public entity funds combined with an inflow of time deposits. The Company has continued to see customer movement from both interest bearing and non-interest bearing transactional accounts to time deposits due primarily to a higher interest rate environment. Non-interest bearing deposits have remained relatively stable as a percent of total deposits with December 31, 2023 non-interest deposits totaling 28% of total deposits compared with 29% at September 30, 2023 and 32% at year-end 2022.

A competitive market driven by the rise in interest rates has been a significant contributing factor to the decline in total deposits over the course of the past year. Additionally, a meaningful level of the outflow of deposits experienced during the past year was captured within the Company's wealth management group.

December 31, 2023 total borrowings declined $92.3 million compared to September 30, 2023 and declined $9.9 million compared with year-end 2022. The decline in total borrowings during the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with September 30, 2023 was largely attributable to a decline in short-term borrowings primarily related to growth in overall deposits during the fourth quarter of 2023.

At December 31, 2023, the capital levels for the Company and its subsidiary bank, German American Bank (the "Bank"), remained well in excess of the minimum amounts needed for capital adequacy purposes and the Bank's capital levels met the necessary requirements to be considered well-capitalized.

Results of Operations Highlights – Year ended December 31, 2023

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $85,888,000, or $2.91 per share, an increase of $4,063,000, or approximately 5% on a per share basis, from the year ended December 31, 2022 net income of $81,825,000, or $2.78 per share. The increase in net income during 2023, compared with 2022, was primarily attributable to increased non-interest income, a decline in non-interest expenses (which was driven by higher expenses in 2022 as a result of the January 1, 2022 acquisition of Citizens Union Bancorp of Shelbyville, Inc. ("CUB")), and a lower provision for credit losses. The positive impact of those items was partially offset by a decline in net interest income resulting primarily from a reduced level of earning assets, which was somewhat mitigated by an improved net interest margin. The 2022 results of operations included acquisition-related expenses of $12,323,000 ($9,372,000 or $0.32 per share, on an after tax basis) and also included Day 1 provision for credit losses under the CECL model of $6,300,000 ($4,725,000 or $0.16 per share, on an after tax basis).

During the year ended December 31, 2023, net interest income, on a non tax-equivalent basis, totaled $190,433,000, a decline of $10,151,000, or 5%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 net interest income of $200,584,000. The decline in net interest income during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily attributable to a decline in average earning assets, driven by a reduced level of deposits which was somewhat offset by an improved net interest margin resulting from the rise in market interest rates.

The tax equivalent net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 3.58% compared with 3.45% for the year ended December 31, 2022. Accretion of loan discounts on acquired loans contributed approximately 5 basis points to the net interest margin in 2023 and 7 basis points in 2022. Accretion of discounts on acquired loans totaled $2,814,000 during 2023 and $4,341,000 during 2022.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $2,550,000 compared with a provision for credit losses of $6,350,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. During 2022, the provision for credit losses included $6,300,000 for the Day 1 CECL addition to the allowance for credit loss related to the CUB acquisition.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest income increased $1,128,000, or 2%, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022.

Wealth management fees increased $1,635,000, or 16%, during 2023 compared with 2022. The increase during 2023 was largely attributable to increased assets under management within the Company's wealth management group as compared with 2022.

Insurance revenues declined $424,000, or 4%, during 2023 compared with 2022 which was primarily attributable to decreased contingency revenue. Contingency revenue during 2023 totaled $955,000 compared with $1,641,000 during 2022. Contingency revenue is reflective of claims and loss experience with insurance carriers that the Company represents through its property and casualty insurance agency.

Company owned life insurance decreased $533,000, or 24%, during 2023 compared with 2022. The decline in 2023 was primarily the result of a decrease in the death benefit claims received compared with 2022.

Interchange fee income increased $1,632,000, or 10%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in the level of fees during 2023 compared with 2022 was due to increased card utilization by customers.

Other operating income increased by $714,000, or 14%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase during 2023 was largely attributable to the gain on sale of real estate related to the consolidation of various branch office facilities.

Net gains on sales of loans declined $1,455,000, or 38%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was related to both a lower volume of loans sold and lower pricing levels. Loan sales totaled $109.0 million during 2023 compared with $168.1 million during 2022.

The Company realized $40,000 in gains on sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with $562,000 during the year ended December 31, 2022. The sales of securities, during both years, was a completed as part of modest shifts in the allocations within the securities portfolio.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest expense declined of $9,694,000, or 6%, compared to 2022. The year ended December 31, 2022 non-interest expenses included approximately $12,323,000 of non-recurring acquisition-related expenses for the acquisition of CUB.

Salaries and benefits declined $901,000, or 1%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline in salaries and benefits during 2023 compared with 2022 was largely related to approximately $1,480,000 of acquisition-related salary and benefit costs of a non-recurring nature in 2022 related to the CUB acquisition.

FDIC premiums increased $969,000, or 52%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with 2022. The increase during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily related to an industry-wide 2 basis point increase in the base FDIC premium assessment effective January 1, 2023.

Data processing fees declined $4,294,000, or 28%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was largely driven by acquisition-related costs associated with the CUB transaction, which totaled approximately $4,982,000 during 2022.

Professional fees declined $720,000, or 11%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily due to merger-related professional fees associated with the CUB acquisition that totaled approximately $1,802,000 in 2022 partially mitigated by increased legal and other professional fees.

Intangible amortization declined $871,000, or 23%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. Intangible amortization expense consists primarily of amortization associated with the core deposit intangible of acquired deposit portfolios. The decrease during 2023 compared with 2022 was primarily attributable to the accelerated amortization method for which the intangible assets are amortized.

Other operating expenses declined $3,864,000, or 16%, during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decline during 2023 compared with 2022 was attributable to acquisition-related costs that totaled approximately $3,862,000 in 2022. The acquisition-related costs were primarily vendor contract termination costs.

Results of Operations Highlights – Quarter ended December 31, 2023

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 totaled $21,507,000, or $0.73 per share, which was consistent with the third quarter 2023 net income of $21,451,000, or $0.73 per share, and a decline of 12% on a per share basis compared with the fourth quarter 2022 net income of $24,415,000, or $0.83 per share. The decline in net income in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 was largely driven by a reduced level of average earning assets and net interest margin resulting in a decline in net interest income.

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