HBNC - Horizon Bancorp Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Oct. 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) — Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”) announced its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2020.

“Horizon is successfully navigating through these challenging times, thanks to our team’s unwavering focus on our communities, customers and our culture of accountability and operating discipline,” Chairman and CEO Craig M. Dwight said. “In the third quarter, we saw a healthy recovery in earnings and meaningful growth in pre–tax, pre–provision income, as Horizon maintained sound asset quality metrics and continued to conservatively build reserves, tightly managed operating expenses, stabilized net interest income and margin, and benefited from very strong performance from our mortgage business. In addition, in future periods, we expect to benefit from efforts initiated in the early fourth quarter to deleverage and optimize returns on earning assets.”

Third Quarter 2020 Highlights

• Earned net income of $20.3 million, or $0.46 diluted earnings per share, compared to $14.6 million, or $0.33 diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2020 and $20.5 million, or $0.46 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2019.
  
• Grew pre–tax, pre–provision net income to $26.7 million for the quarter, compared to $23.7 million for the second quarter of 2020 and $24.9 million for the third quarter of 2019. This non–GAAP financial measure is utilized by banks to provide a greater understanding of pre–tax profitability before giving effect to credit loss expense. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Pre–Tax, Pre–Provision Net Income” table below.)
  
• Reported return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 1.40% and return on average common equity (“ROACE”) of 12.08% in the quarter, as well as adjusted ROAA of 1.34% and adjusted ROACE of 11.55%, excluding the impact of gains on sale of investment securities, net of tax. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Return on Average Assets and Return on Average Common Equity” tables below.)
  
• Increased the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) 2.2% during the quarter and 218.8% year–to–date to $56.3 million at period end, representing 1.39% of total loans, reflecting implementation of the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) accounting method and prudent increases in the Company’s general reserves. ACL at period end also represented 1.51% of loans excluding $310.8 million in Federal Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, and 192.1% of non–performing loans.
  
• Maintained solid asset quality metrics, including non–performing and delinquent loans representing 0.72% and 0.15% of total loans, respectively, at September 30, 2020, while net charge–offs were 0.02% of average loans for the period.
  
• COVID–19 deferral levels improved to 4.1% of total loans at period end, from 14.3% on June 30, 2020.
  
• Reported non–interest expense of $33.4 million, representing 2.30% of average assets on an annualized basis compared to 2.18% for the second quarter of 2020 and 2.34% for the third quarter of 2019.
  
• Improved the efficiency ratio in the period to 55.59% compared to 56.23% for the second quarter of 2020. (See the “Non–GAAP Calculation and Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio and Adjusted Efficiency Ratio” tables below.)
  
• Generated record gain on mortgage loan sales of $8.8 million, up 33.1% from the linked quarter and 226.2% from the prior year period, and originated $207.1 million in mortgage loans during the quarter, down 18.1% from the record second quarter of 2020 and up 71.0% from the third quarter of 2019.
  
• Reported net interest margin of 3.39% and adjusted net interest margin of 3.27%, with each declining by 8 basis points from the second quarter of 2020. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Net Interest Margin” table for the definition of this non–GAAP calculation). An estimated 1 basis points of compression is attributed to PPP lending and an estimated 10 basis points of compression is attributed to subordinated notes during the quarter, for both net interest margin and adjusted net interest margin.
  
• Horizon’s tangible book value per share increased from $10.63 at December 31, 2019 to $11.29 at September 30, 2020, which includes the accounting adjustment for CECL as of January 1, 2020. This represents the highest tangible book value per share in the Company’s history. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Tangible Stockholders’ Equity and Tangible Book Value per Share” tables below.)
  
• Maintained strong liquidity position including approximately $1.3 billion in cash and investment securities, which is approximately 22.4% of total assets, and approximately $928.0 million in unused availability on lines of credit, at September 30, 2020.

Summary

Mr. Dwight commented, “Our team continues to actively manage our net interest margin by focusing on interest spreads for all loan portfolios and lowering deposit rates. As a result, Horizon’s third quarter net interest margin declined only 8 basis points from the second quarter of this year which includes an additional estimated 1 basis points of compression from PPP lending and an additional estimated 10 basis points of compression attributed to subordinated notes.”

Horizon’s asset quality metrics continued to remain favorable through the third quarter, with low levels of delinquency and other real estate owned and a moderate increase in non–performing loans. Horizon’s reserve build reflects adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020 and the increase in our quarterly allocations to cover potential future loan losses related to economic factors and the nature and characteristics of our loan portfolios, primarily related to the impact on non–essential businesses caused by COVID–19 closures and the slow pace of reopening and economic recovery. Through September 30, 2020, Horizon has not recorded any material specific loan losses attributed to COVID–19 closures.

Income Statement Highlights

Net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $20.3 million, or $0.46 diluted earnings per share, compared to $14.6 million, or $0.33, for the linked quarter and $20.5 million, or $0.46, for the prior year period.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $19.4 million, or $0.45 diluted earnings per share, compared to $14.4 million, or $0.32, for the linked quarter and $20.3 million, or $0.45, for the prior year period. Adjusted net income, which is not calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), is a measure that Horizon uses to provide a greater understanding of operating profitability.

The increase in net income for the third quarter of 2020 when compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflects an increase in non–interest income of $5.6 million, an increase of $401,000 in net interest income and a decrease in credit loss expense of $5.0 million, offset by an increase in non–interest expense of $3.0 million and an increase in tax expense of $2.3 million.

Third quarter 2020 non–interest income was reduced by a non–cash mortgage servicing asset impairment of $1.5 million recorded to reflect the national increase in mortgage prepayment speeds and past due levels and determined based on a third–party valuation of Horizon’s mortgage servicing asset. This was more than offset by record income from the gain on sale of mortgage loans, which grew to a record $8.8 million in the third quarter of 2020, up from $6.6 million in the linked quarter and $2.7 million in the prior year period.

Non–interest expense of $33.4 million in the third quarter of 2020 reflected a $3.2 million increase in salaries and employee benefits expense from the linked quarter. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense reflected a catch-up in bonus related expense and the deferral of approximately $1.1 million in PPP loan origination costs in the second quarter of 2020, which will be amortized over the life of the PPP loans and would be recognized when the loans are forgiven or paid off.

The decrease in net income for the third quarter of 2020 when compared to the same prior year period reflects an increase in non–interest expense of $3.3 million, an increase in credit loss expense of $1.7 million and an increase in income tax expense of $322,000, offset by an increase in non–interest income of $5.2 million.

Net income for the first nine months of 2020 was $46.6 million, or $1.06 diluted earnings per share, compared to $48.0 million, or $1.11 diluted earnings per share, for the first nine months of 2019. Adjusted net income for the first nine months of 2020 was $45.0 million, or $1.02 diluted earnings per share, compared to $52.1 million, or $1.21 diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2019. The decrease in net income for the first nine months of 2020 when compared to the same prior year period reflects an increase in the provision for credit loss expense of $16.1 million and an increase in non–interest expense of $3.6 million, offset by an increase in net interest income of $8.0 million, an increase in non–interest income of $8.8 million and a decrease in tax expense of $1.5 million.

Horizon’s net interest margin decreased to 3.39% for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 3.47% for the second quarter of 2020. The decrease in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the yield of interest earning assets of 15 basis points, offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of 7 basis points. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $65,000 lower during the third quarter of 2020 when compared to the second quarter of 2020.

Horizon’s net interest margin decreased to 3.39% for the third quarter of 2020 when compared to 3.82% for the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets of 97 basis points offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of 68 basis points.

Horizon’s net interest margin decreased to 3.48% for the first nine months of 2020 when compared to 3.72% for the same prior year period. The decrease in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets of 68 basis points offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of 55 basis points.

The net interest margin was impacted during the second and third quarters of 2020 due to the PPP loans that were originated. Horizon estimates that the PPP loans compressed the net interest margin by 3 and 4 basis points for the second and third quarters, respectively. This assumes these PPP loans were not included in average interest earning assets or interest income and were primarily funded by the growth in non–interest bearing deposits. The compression to the net interest margin for the first nine months of 2020 using the same assumptions was estimated to be 3 basis points.

The net interest margin was also impacted during the second and third quarters of 2020 due to the issuance of $60.0 million in subordinated notes in June 2020. Horizon estimates that the subordinated notes compressed the net interest margin by 1 and 10 basis points for the second and third quarters, respectively. This assumes the subordinated notes were not included in average interest bearing liabilities or interest expense and were primarily offset by a reduction in cash. The compression to the net interest margin for the first nine months of 2020 using the same assumptions was estimated to be 4 basis points.

Net interest margin, excluding acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments (“adjusted net interest margin”), was 3.27% for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 3.35% for the prior quarter and 3.67% for the third quarter of 2019. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $1.5 million, $1.6 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

Adjusted net interest margin was 3.36% for the first nine months of 2020 compared to 3.58% for the same prior year period. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $4.5 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Lending Activity

Total loans were $4.04 billion, or $3.73 billion excluding PPP loans, on September 30, 2020. Total loans were $3.99 billion on June 30, 2020, $3.64 billion on December 31, 2019 and $3.67 billion on September 30, 2019. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, commercial loans increased $275.0 million, mortgage warehouse loans increased $224.4 million, and loans held for sale increased $9.0 million, offset by a decrease in residential mortgage loans of $95.5 million and a decrease in consumer loans of $10.3 million.

Residential mortgage lending activity for the three months ended September 30, 2020 generated a record $8.8 million in income from the gain on sale of mortgage loans, an increase of $2.2 million from the second quarter of 2020 and $6.1 million from the third quarter of 2019. Total origination volume for the third quarter of 2020, including loans placed into the portfolio, totaled $207.1 million, representing a decrease of 18.1% from record second quarter 2020 levels, and an increase of 71.0% from the third quarter of 2019. As a percentage of total originations, 50% of the volume was for refinances and 50% was for new purchases during the third quarter of 2020. Total origination volume of loans sold to the secondary market totaled $166.4 million, representing a decrease of 13.5% from the second quarter of 2020 and an increase of 75.1% from the third quarter of 2019.

Expense Management

Total non–interest expense was $3.0 million higher in the third quarter of 2020 when compared to the second quarter of 2020. Increased salaries and employee benefits reflected higher performance–based compensation accruals following improved financial performance in the second half of this year, as well as the second quarter deferral of approximately $1.1 million in PPP loan origination costs that will be amortized over the life of the PPP loans and recognized when the loans are forgiven or paid off. Higher FDIC insurance expense reflected significant growth in deposits through the end of the third quarter of 2020. Loan expense and professional fees were partially offset by decreases in other expense, outside services and consultants and data processing.

Total non–interest expense was $3.3 million higher in the third quarter of 2020 when compared to the third quarter of 2019. Increases in salaries and employee benefits, FDIC insurance expense, loan expense and professional fees were offset in part by a decrease in other expense.

Total non–interest expense was $3.6 million higher for the first nine months of 2020 when compared to the same prior year period. Increases in salaries and employee benefits, loan expenses, data processing, FDIC insurance expense and net occupancy expenses were offset in part by decreases in outside services and consultants expense and other expense.

Annualized non–interest expense as a percent of average assets were 2.30%, 2.18% and 2.34% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

Annualized non–interest expense as a percent of average assets were 2.29% and 2.53% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Annualized non–interest expense, excluding merger expenses, as a percent of average assets were 2.29% and 2.38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Income tax expense totaled $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2020, an increase of $2.3 million when compared to the second quarter of 2020 and an increase of $322,000 when compared to the third quarter of 2019. The increase in income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2020 and the third quarter of 2019 was primarily due to increases in income before taxes of $8.0 million and $97,000, respectively.

Income tax expense totaled $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of $1.5 million when compared to the same prior year period. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in income before taxes of $2.9 million.

Capital

The capital resources of the Company and Horizon Bank (the “Bank”) exceeded regulatory capital ratios for “well capitalized” banks at September 30, 2020. Stockholders’ equity totaled $670.3 million at September 30, 2020 and the ratio of average stockholders’ equity to average assets was 11.90% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Capital levels benefited from the Company’s previously disclosed public offering of subordinated notes raising $60.0 million in June 2020. Horizon’s fortress balance sheet at September 30, 2020 maintained adequate regulatory capital ratios when stress testing for highly adverse scenarios.

The following table presents the actual regulatory capital dollar amounts and ratios of the Company and the Bank as of September 30, 2020.

“The strength and resilience of Horizon’s business is demonstrated by the Company’s strong operating fundamentals, ability to consistently generate retained earnings and growth in tangible book value per share and the Company’s healthy capital position overall,” said Mr. Dwight. “Accordingly, we will continue to be opportunistic with share repurchases under our current buyback authorization, and we remain committed to maintaining our current quarterly cash dividend.”

Liquidity

The Bank maintains a stable base of core deposits provided by long–standing relationships with individuals and local businesses. These deposits are the principal source of liquidity for Horizon. Other sources of liquidity for Horizon include earnings, loan repayment, investment security sales and maturities, proceeds from the sale of residential mortgage loans, unpledged investment securities and borrowing relationships with correspondent banks, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (the “FHLB”). At September 30, 2020, in addition to liquidity available from the normal operating, funding, and investing activities of Horizon, the Bank had approximately $928.0 million in unused credit lines with various money center banks, including the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Discount Window. The Bank had approximately $517.2 million of unpledged investment securities at September 30, 2020.

Branch Network and Customer Experience

Horizon continues to implement its disciplined approach to enhancing the efficiency of its branch network on an ongoing basis, while leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience. At the same time, the Bank continues to invest in growth opportunities within its Midwest footprint, converting its Troy, Michigan loan production office into a full–service branch during the third quarter of 2020.

During the third quarter, Horizon also fully implemented live online chat support. During the fourth quarter the Bank expects to implement fully online and mobile enabled deposit account opening capabilities, for the convenience of new and prospective customers.

Use of Non–GAAP Financial Measures

Certain information set forth in this press release refers to financial measures determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, we have included non–GAAP financial measures relating to net income, diluted earnings per share, net interest margin, total loans and loan growth, the allowance for credit losses, tangible stockholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio, the return on average assets, the return on average equity and pre–tax, pre–provision income. In each case, we have identified special circumstances that we consider to be non–recurring and have excluded them. We believe that this shows the impact of such events as acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments, among others we have identified in our reconciliations. Horizon believes these non–GAAP financial measures are helpful to investors and provide a greater understanding of our business without giving effect to the purchase accounting impacts and one–time costs of acquisitions and non–recurring items. These measures are not necessarily comparable to similar measures that may be presented by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure. See the tables and other information below and contained elsewhere in this press release for reconciliations of the non–GAAP figures identified herein and their most comparable GAAP measures.