BHB - Bar Harbor Bankshares Reports First Quarter Results; Declares Dividend

BAR HARBOR, ME / ACCESSWIRE / April 21, 2022 / Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American:BHB) reported first quarter 2022 net income of $9.1 million or $0.60 per diluted share compared to $9.5 million or $0.63 per diluted share in the same quarter of 2021. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) accretion contributed $0.01 per share in the first quarter of 2022 compared to $0.07 in the same quarter of 2021. Core earnings per diluted share (non-GAAP) for the same periods were $0.62 and $0.68, which excludes one-time severance and contract negotiation costs.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS (ratios compared to the first quarter 2021)

• 1.00% return on assets or 1.02% on a core basis (non-GAAP)
• 21% annualized commercial loan growth
• 87% loan to deposit ratio
• 2.95% net interest margin, compared to 2.88%
• 11% increase in fee-based revenue
• 0.25% non-performing asset ratio to total assets, compared to 0.38%

President and Chief Executive Officer, Curtis C. Simard stated, "The Company had a strong start to the year as we effectively positioned ourselves to grow loans, expanded net interest margin, increased fee-based income, controlled expenses driving positive operating leverage for the quarter, and maintained our credit quality and solid capital levels. Commercial loan growth was very strong for the quarter, and may fluctuate based on timing of loan closings and payoffs. However, at 21% annualized, loan growth was a reflection of strong pipelines heading into the year that remain robust. The growth and pipelines are a healthy mix of real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans and increases in utilization rates to 30% on existing lines of credit. The lending activity during the quarter highlights the strength of our teams' experience and client relationships as we continue to navigate an uncertain economic and rate environment with dynamic variables that could shift in either direction. We have an enviable revenue stream, allowing for flexibility in any rate environment, and our lending customers carry leading profiles as we refuse to push out the risk curve. The asset sensitivity of our balance sheet positions us to expect to further benefit from any potential Fed rate hikes."

"We self-funded loans during the quarter by deploying excess cash as total deposit growth remained flat. Core deposit accounts grew 5% annualized in the quarter, which offset a strategic run-off in wholesale time deposits. We continue to see growth in our core deposits as we attract new customers and gain market share, as well as deepen our existing relationships, allowing for minimal reliance on wholesale borrowings. A total of 500 net new accounts were opened in the quarter."

"Moving to earnings, net interest margin (NIM) expanded to 2.95% for the first quarter 2022, up from 2.88% in the same quarter of 2021. Core NIM (non-GAAP) was 2.93% and 2.78% for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively and was 2.69% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Of the 24 basis point increase from the fourth quarter 16 basis points relates to the use of cash to fund loan growth and 8 basis points was the result of previously announced deleveraging strategies."

"Credit quality continues to be strong across our loan portfolio. The provision for loan losses this quarter reflects a build to the allowance on higher loan growth, balanced with improvements in non-accrual loans, delinquencies, specific reserves and beneficial shifts in product mix. Net recoveries on previously charged off loans were $95 thousand compared with net charge offs of $168 thousand in the first quarter of 2021."

Mr. Simard continued, "Compared with a year ago, fee-based revenue increased 11%, reflecting a deepening and expanding customer deposit base, growth in trust and investment management fees and higher treasury management fees. Our wealth management business continues to perform very well despite the broader market volatility. We continue to attract additional assets from customers, successfully retain transfer across generations, and win new business based on a high service level and risk based approach. Mortgage banking revenue was in line with expectations given the decline in refinancing activity and tighter gain on sale margins given excess capacity in the industry. Given the shift in the mortgage banking environment, we opportunistically managed our mortgage production between on balance sheet and for sale through our secondary market platform."

"Our tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) was $18.72 compared with $19.86 at year-end 2021 or a decrease of 5.7%, as a result of the mark-to-market adjustments in our securities portfolio given the rising rate environment. This dilution is temporary and reasonable given the relatively short duration risk of the securities portfolio. Excluding securities adjustments, tangible book value per share was up 7% on an annualized basis to $20.07 from $19.73 at year-end 2021."

Mr. Simard concluded, "Based on our performance, strong capital levels and the Board of Directors' confidence in our execution of our strategic priorities, we are pleased to announce an increase to our quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share to $0.26 per share, or a yield of 3.63%. In closing, we celebrated our 135^th anniversary in the first quarter and are proud to carry our Downeast Maine ideals to our more than 50 locations across all of northern New England."

DIVIDEND DECLARED

The Board of Directors voted to declare a cash dividend of $0.26 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 17, 2022, payable on June 17, 2022. This dividend equates to a 3.63% annualized yield based on the $28.62 closing price of the Company's common stock at the end of the first quarter of 2022.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Loans were $2.6 billion at the end of the first quarter. Excluding PPP loans, commercial loans increased $85.7 million primarily due to new loans with existing customers in the commercial leasing and hotel accommodation industries. Total residential loans increased $47.4 million from the end of the fourth quarter 2021, as we opted to put originations on the balance sheet instead of selling into the secondary market. While residential loans increased, origination volume was significantly down from quarterly periods in 2021 due to lower refinancing activity.

The allowance for credit losses was $23.2 million for the first quarter, compared to $22.7 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2021. A steadying economic forecast and disciplined approach to credit quality resulted in an allowance to total loans coverage ratio of 0.87% compared to 0.90% at the end of the fourth quarter 2021. The first quarter 2022 charged off loans resulted in a net recovery of $95 thousand compared to $144 thousand in the fourth quarter 2021. Non-accruing loans for the first quarter 2022 decreased to $9.2 million from $10.2 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2021. The ratio of accruing past due loans to total loans was 0.25% of total loans at the end of the first quarter 2022 from 0.32% at the end of the fourth quarter 2021.

Total deposits were $3.0 billion at the end of the first quarter 2022 and fourth quarter 2021. Core deposits grew $32.8 million, or 5% on an annualized basis, during the quarter as nearly 500 net new customer accounts were opened. The loan to deposit ratio was 87% compared to 83% at the end of the fourth quarter 2021, given the outsized loan growth this quarter. Time deposits decreased $33.6 million during the quarter primarily due to $22.0 million of wholesale deposits that matured in the first quarter. The remaining decrease is attributable to customers continuing to move funds to transactional accounts upon contractual maturity.

The Company's book value per share was $27.11 at March 31, 2022, compared with $28.27 at the end of the fourth quarter 2021. Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP measure) was $18.72 at the end of the first quarter 2022, compared to $19.86 at the end of the fourth quarter 2021. Other comprehensive income included unrealized loss on securities totaling $20.2 million in the first quarter 2022 compared to a gain of $2.0 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2021.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net income in the first quarter 2022 was $9.1 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, compared to $9.5 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in the same quarter of 2021. Core earnings (non-GAAP) totaled $9.3 million or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $10.2 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the same quarter of 2021. Non-core items (non-GAAP) reduced net income by $185 thousand in the first quarter 2022 and $684 thousand in the same period of 2021.

Net interest margin was 2.95% compared to 2.88% in the same period of 2021. Acceleration of PPP loan fee amortization due to forgiveness contributed two basis points to NIM in the first quarter 2022 and 10 basis point in the same period of 2021. Interest-bearing cash balances, held mostly at the Federal Reserve Bank, reduced NIM by 12 basis points in the first quarter 2022 and 15 basis points in the first quarter 2021. The yield on earning assets totaled 3.21% compared to 3.46% in the first quarter 2021. Excluding the impact of PPP and excess cash, the yield on earning assets totaled 3.32% and 3.55% for the same periods. The yield on loans was 3.54% in the first quarter 2022, and 3.85% in the first quarter of 2021. Excluding PPP loans the yield on loans was 3.51% in the first quarter of 2022 and 3.73% in the first quarter 2021. Costs of interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 0.35% from 0.72% in the first quarter 2021 due to lower deposit rates and reduced wholesale borrowings.

The provision for credit losses for the quarter was $377 thousand, compared to a recapture of $489 thousand in the first quarter of 2021. The provision in the first quarter 2022 is attributable to loan growth offset in part by improved credit quality metrics.

Non-interest income in the first quarter 2022 was $9.3 million, compared to $10.2 million in the same quarter of 2021. Customer service fees were $3.6 million in the first quarter compared to $3.0 million in the same period of 2021. The increase is due to nearly 500 net new accounts that were opened during the quarter and a higher volume of customer activity and transactions. Wealth management income grew to $3.8 million from $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2021 due to a 5% increase in assets under management. Mortgage banking income was $624 thousand, compared to $2.6 million in the same period of 2021 reflecting higher on balance sheet activity and lower residential loan originations.

Non-interest expense was $21.9 million in the first quarter 2022 from $22.5 million in the same quarter of 2021. Salaries and benefits expense decreased to $12.1 million compared to $12.2 million in the same quarter of 2021. A reduction of full-time equivalents to 495 from 538 in the first quarter of 2021 resulted in lower salary and benefit expense. However, that benefit was almost completely offset by less loan origination cost deferrals on lower residential loan volume as compared to the first quarter 2021. The efficiency ratio excluding the effects of PPP improved to 62.76%, down from 64.40% for the same respective periods. Non-core expenses (non-GAAP) in the first quarter 2021 totaled $250 thousand and consisted of a $75 thousand gain on the sale of premises and equipment as the Company continues to optimize its branch footprint as well as one time severance and contract negotiation costs. In the same quarter of 2021, non-core expenses (non-GAAP) totaled $897 million and included charges from early retirements and reductions in workforce programs.

BACKGROUND

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Founded in 1887, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is a true community bank serving the financial needs of its clients for over 135 years. Bar Harbor provides full-service community banking with office locations in all three Northern New England states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. For more information, visit www.barharbor.bank.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements under the headings "FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS" and "RESULTS OF OPERATIONS" contained in this document, that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this earnings release the words "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "plan," "potential," "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "expect," "target" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but these terms are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including among other things, changes in general economic and business conditions, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, legislative and regulatory change, changes in the financial markets, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to those discussed in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Because of these and other uncertainties, the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company's past results of operations do not necessarily indicate future results. You should not place undue reliance on any of the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. The Company is not undertaking an obligation to update forward-looking statements, even though its situation may change in the future, except as required under federal securities law. The Company qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This document contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP measures are intended to provide the reader with additional supplemental perspectives on operating results, performance trends, and financial condition. Non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures; they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company's GAAP financial information. A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures is provided below. In all cases, it should be understood that non-GAAP measures do not depict amounts that accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders. An item which management excludes when computing non-GAAP core earnings can be of substantial importance to the Company's results for any particular quarter or year. The Company's non-GAAP core earnings information set forth is not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP information which may be presented by other companies. Each non-GAAP measure used by the Company in this report as supplemental financial data should be considered in conjunction with the Company's GAAP financial information.

The Company utilizes the non-GAAP measure of core earnings in evaluating operating trends, including components for core revenue and expense. These measures exclude amounts which the Company views as unrelated to its normalized operations, including gains/losses on securities, premises, equipment and other real estate owned, acquisition costs, restructuring costs, legal settlements, and systems conversion costs. Non-GAAP adjustments are presented net of an adjustment for income tax expense.

The Company also calculates core earnings per share based on its measure of core earnings. The Company views these amounts as important to understanding its operating trends, particularly due to the impact of accounting standards related to acquisition activity. Analysts also rely on these measures in estimating and evaluating the Company's performance. Management also believes that the computation of non-GAAP core earnings and core earnings per share may facilitate the comparison of the Company to other companies in the financial services industry. The Company also adjusts certain equity related measures to exclude intangible assets due to the importance of these measures to the investment community.

CONTACTS

Josephine Iannelli; EVP, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer; (207) 288-3314

BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES
SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - UNAUDITED

1. Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures in table I-J for additional information.
2. All performance ratios are based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.
3. Fully taxable equivalent considers the impact of tax-advantaged investment securities and loans.
4. Core net interest margin excludes Paycheck Protection Program loans.
5. Earning assets includes non-accruing loans and interest-bearing deposits with other banks. Securities are valued at amortized cost.

BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED

BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES
CONSOLIDATED LOAN & DEPOSIT ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED

LOAN ANALYSIS

DEPOSIT ANALYSIS

*Indicates ratios of 100% or greater.

BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED

BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (5 Quarter Trend) - UNAUDITED