SAL - Salisbury Bancorp Inc. Reports Record Full Year 2021 Results and Increases Dividend

• Fourth Quarter and Record Full Year 2021 Net Income of $1.45 and $5.77 per Basic Common Share, Respectively
• Quarterly Cash Dividend Increases 3.2% to $0.32 Per Common Share in First Quarter 2022
• Non-performing Assets Improved to 0.27% of Total Assets from 0.44% at December 31, 2020
• Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios of 12.87% and 14.08%, Respectively
• Book Value and Tangible Book Value Per Common Share Increased 9% and 10%, Respectively in 2021
  

LAKEVILLE, Conn., Jan. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (“Salisbury”), (NASDAQ Capital Market: “SAL”), the holding company for Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”), announced results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021. The record results for 2021 reflected an increase in income available to common shareholders to $16.2 million, or $5.77 per basic common share, compared with $11.8 million, or $4.21 per basic common share in 2020.

Net income available to common shareholders was $4.1 million, or $1.45 per basic common share, for Salisbury’s fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021 (fourth quarter 2021), compared with $3.4 million, or $1.21 per basic common share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 (third quarter 2021), and $2.8 million, or $0.99 per basic common share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020 (fourth quarter 2020). Net income for full year 2021 included a pre-tax release of credit reserves of $0.7 million compared with a provision expense of $5.0 million in full year 2020.

Salisbury’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Cantele, Jr., stated, “although COVID-19 challenged us again in 2021, we reported record earnings for the third year in a row and our credit metrics continue to improve due to the dedication and hard work of our employees. In 2021, we also processed nearly $50 million of additional loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), bringing the total loan volume since the inception of this program to almost $150 million. As we enter the new year, we are cautiously optimistic that the business environment will remain favorable and we are focused on driving disciplined growth across our markets. In January 2022, we hired a third commercial lender as an integral part of this strategy and we also relocated our Poughkeepsie, New York branch to a more accessible location. Salisbury Bank is well-positioned to meet the needs of our customers, and our employees remain committed to providing outstanding customer service.”

Net Interest and Dividend Income

Tax equivalent net interest income of $10.7 million for the fourth quarter 2021 increased $0.4 million, or 3.8%, versus third quarter 2021, and increased $0.7 million, or 7.4% compared with fourth quarter 2020. Tax equivalent interest income of $11.5 million for fourth quarter 2021 increased $0.4 million, or 3.2%, versus third quarter 2021 and increased $0.6 million, or 5.5% from fourth quarter 2020.

The cost of interest-bearing liabilities of $0.8 million for fourth quarter 2021 was essentially unchanged from third quarter 2021 and declined $0.1 million, or 15.1% from fourth quarter 2020. The decrease in interest expense compared with fourth quarter 2020 primarily reflected lower deposit costs.

Average earning assets of $1.4 billion for fourth quarter 2021 increased $15.7 million, or 1.1%, from third quarter 2021, and increased $170.2 million, or 13.6%, versus fourth quarter 2020. The growth in average earning assets from fourth quarter 2020 primarily reflected higher average short-term fund balances due to deposit growth, higher average balances in the available-for-sale portfolio and higher average loan balances. Average earning assets for fourth quarter 2021 included average PPP loan balances of $32.0 million, net of deferred fees, compared with $51.8 million in third quarter 2021 and $93.4 million in fourth quarter 2020. Average total interest bearing liabilities of $1.0 billion for fourth quarter 2021 increased $3.2 million, or 0.3%, from third quarter 2021. Average total interest bearing liabilities for fourth quarter 2021 increased $87.0 million, or 10.1%, versus fourth quarter 2020 primarily due to higher average deposit and subordinated debt balances, which were partially offset by lower average Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) borrowings.

The tax equivalent net interest margin for fourth quarter 2021 was 2.99% compared with 2.92% for third quarter 2021 and 3.17% for fourth quarter 2020. Excluding PPP loans, the tax equivalent net interest margin for fourth quarter 2021 was 2.87% compared with 2.78% for third quarter 2021 and 3.13% for fourth quarter 2020. See SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Net Interest and Dividend Income on page 9 on this release for additional details.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income of $2.8 million for fourth quarter 2021 was essentially unchanged from third quarter 2021 and increased $371 thousand versus fourth quarter 2020.

Trust and Wealth Advisory fees of $1.3 million for fourth quarter 2021 were consistent with third quarter 2021 and increased $220 thousand versus fourth quarter 2020. The increase from fourth quarter 2020 primarily reflected higher asset-based fees. Assets under administration were $1.1 billion at December 31, 2021 compared with $973.2 million at September 30, 2021 and $944.3 million at December 31, 2020. Discretionary assets under administration of $657.8 million in fourth quarter 2021 increased from $608.2 million in third quarter 2021 and $555.0 million in fourth quarter 2020 primarily due to higher market valuations. Non-discretionary assets under administration of $425.4 million in fourth quarter 2021 increased from $365.0 million in third quarter 2021 and increased from $389.4 million in fourth quarter 2020 primarily due to the higher valuation of certain partnership assets for an existing non-discretionary client relationship for which the wealth management business records only a nominal annual fee.

Service charges and fees of $1.3 million for fourth quarter 2021 increased $75 thousand versus third quarter 2021 and increased $428 thousand versus fourth quarter 2020. The increase from third quarter 2021 primarily reflected higher loan prepayment fees whereas the increase from fourth quarter 2020 primarily reflected higher deposit fees. Salisbury waived approximately $200 thousand in deposit fees in fourth quarter 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Income from mortgage sales and servicing decreased slightly versus third quarter 2021 and decreased $351 thousand versus fourth quarter 2020. The decline from fourth quarter 2020 reflected the lower volume of residential mortgage loans sold to the FHLBB.

Non-interest income for the fourth quarter 2021 included BOLI income of $170 thousand compared with income of $135 thousand in third quarter 2021 and $110 thousand in fourth quarter 2020.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense of $8.5 million for fourth quarter 2021 increased $187 thousand versus third quarter 2021 and increased $417 thousand versus fourth quarter 2020. Compensation expense of $4.8 million for fourth quarter 2021 increased $103 thousand from third quarter 2021 and similarly increased slightly versus fourth quarter 2020. The increase from the comparative periods primarily reflected higher salary expense and higher production and incentive accruals, partly offset by lower benefits costs.

Excluding compensation, other non-interest expenses for fourth quarter 2021 increased $84 thousand from third quarter 2021 and increased $373 thousand from fourth quarter 2020. The increase from third quarter 2021 primarily reflected higher Director fees, higher marketing expense and higher FDIC insurance costs, partially offset by a pre-tax loss of $144 thousand recorded in third quarter 2021 on the sale of the building housing the Bank’s branch in Poughkeepsie, New York. In January 2022, Salisbury completed this sale and relocated the branch to leased space nearby. The increase in expenses from fourth quarter 2020 primarily reflected higher marketing costs associated with Salisbury’s web site redesign and branding initiatives as well as increased data processing costs, and higher Directors fees.

The effective income tax rates for fourth quarter 2021, third quarter 2021 and fourth quarter 2020 were 19.1%, 20.1% and 17.5%, respectively. The higher tax rate in 2021 primarily reflected a lower mix of tax-exempt income from municipal bonds, tax advantaged loans and bank-owned life insurance on a comparatively higher level of pre-tax income.

Full Year Results

2021 net income available to common shareholders was $16.2 million, or $5.77 per basic common share, compared with $11.8 million, or $4.21 per basic common share for 2020. Results for 2021 included a net release of credit reserves of $0.7 million compared with a provision of $5.0 million for 2020.

Tax equivalent net interest income of $41.3 million for 2021 increased $2.5 million, or 6.4%, from $38.8 million in 2020. Tax equivalent interest income of $44.8 million for 2021 increased $0.7 million, or 1.5%, from $44.1 million in 2020. In 2021 Salisbury recorded PPP interest income and net fee income of $0.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively, compared with $0.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in 2020. This increase in net PPP fee income was mostly offset by lower interest income on loans due to declining interest rates.

The cost of interest-bearing liabilities of $3.4 million for 2021 decreased $1.8 million, or 34.8%, from $5.3 million in 2020. The decrease primarily reflected lower deposit interest expense and lower interest expense on FHLBB advances, partially offset by higher interest expense on subordinated debt. Salisbury issued $25 million of subordinated debt in March 2021 and subsequently fully redeemed the outstanding $10 million of subordinated debt issued in 2015.

Average earning assets of $1.4 billion increased $186.5 million, or 15.8%, from $1.2 billion in 2020 and average total interest bearing liabilities of $932.5 million increased $111.4 million, or 13.6%, from $821.1 million in 2020. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2021 was 3.01% compared with 3.28% for 2020. Excluding PPP, the tax equivalent net interest margin for 2021 was 2.87% compared with 3.28% for 2020.

Non-interest income of $11.5 million for 2021 increased $1.2 million from $10.3 million in 2020. The increase primarily reflected higher trust and wealth fees, higher deposit and interchange fees, partially offset by lower gains on the sale and servicing of mortgage loans and a non-recurring BOLI gain of $601 thousand recorded in 2020. Salisbury waived approximately $754 thousand of deposit and transaction fees in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Salisbury sold $34.6 million of mortgage loans in 2021 compared with sales of $59.8 million in 2020.

Non-interest expense of $32.1 million for 2021 increased $3.1 million versus $29.0 million in 2020. The increase primarily reflected higher compensation, data processing and marketing costs. Non-interest expenses for 2021 also included a pre-tax loss of $144 thousand on the pending sale of the Poughkeepsie, New York building.

The effective tax rate for 2021 was 20.6% compared with 17.0% for 2020. The higher tax rate in 2021 reflected a lower mix of tax-exempt income from municipal bonds, tax advantaged loans and bank-owned life insurance on a comparatively higher level of pre-tax income. In addition, the tax rate for 2020 reflected $601 thousand of non-taxable BOLI proceeds received in that period.

Loans

Gross loans receivable of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2021 increased $9.0 million, or 0.8%, from third quarter 2021 and $38.2 million, or 3.7%, from fourth quarter 2020. Excluding PPP loans, gross loans receivable increased $24.1 million, or 2.3%, from third quarter 2021 and $99.3 million, or 10.4%, from fourth quarter 2020 reflecting strong growth in both the residential and commercial portfolios.

The increase in residential real estate balances during fourth quarter 2021 reflected continued strong origination volume and low sales volume to FHLBB. Approximately $4.2 million of residential loans were sold to FHLB Boston in fourth quarter 2021 compared with $1.8 million during third quarter 2021 and $14.6 million in fourth quarter 2020. Commercial real estate loan balances at December 31, 2021 were reduced by approximately $10.2 million due to the pay-off of two hotel loans during fourth quarter 2021. The ratio of gross loans to deposits for fourth quarter 2021 was 80.8% compared with 83.0% for third quarter 2021 and 92.2% for fourth quarter 2020. Balances by loan type for the comparative periods were as follows:

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets decreased $0.8 million during fourth quarter 2021 to $4.2 million, or 0.27% of total assets at December 31, 2021, from $5.0 million, or 0.34% of total assets at September 30, 2021, and decreased $1.4 million from $5.6 million, or 0.44% of total assets, at December 31, 2020.

The amount of total impaired and potential problem loans was $32.8 million, or 3.04% of gross loans receivable, at December 31, 2021 compared with $30.1 million, or 2.89% of gross loans receivable, at December 31, 2020. The increase from year-end 2020 primarily reflected the reduction of internal risk ratings on loans to certain borrowers in the hospitality and entertainment and recreation industries due to COVID-19.

Accruing loans receivable 30-to-89 days past due increased $0.4 million during fourth quarter 2021 to $1.3 million, or 0.12% of gross loans receivable, from $909 thousand, or 0.08% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2021, and decreased $5.5 million from $6.9 million, or 0.66% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2020.

The allowance for loan losses for fourth quarter 2021 was $13.0 million compared with $13.2 million for third quarter 2021 and $13.8 million for fourth quarter 2020. The fourth quarter 2021 included a net reserve release of $0.2 million compared with a provision expense of $0.4 million in third quarter 2021 and a provision expense of $0.8 million in the fourth quarter 2020. The net release of credit reserves in fourth quarter 2021 primarily reflected the transfer of the remaining loans in the discrete COVID-19 pool, which carries a higher level of reserves, back to their pre-pandemic loan pool because the borrowers were paying as agreed and the underlying businesses were substantially operating at pre-pandemic levels. The pay-off of certain commercial loans and internal risk rating upgrades in fourth quarter 2021 also contributed to the release of credit reserves, which was substantially offset by loan growth and changes to qualitative factors due to continued uncertainty over COVID-19 and other macro-economic trends. Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) were $3 thousand for the fourth quarter 2021, ($60) thousand for third quarter 2021 and $87 thousand for the fourth quarter 2020.

Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, excluding PPP loans, was 1.23% for the fourth quarter 2021, versus 1.28% for third quarter 2021 and 1.44% for fourth quarter 2020. Similarly, reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 309% for the fourth quarter 2021, versus 263% for third quarter 2021 and 244% for fourth quarter 2020.

Salisbury endeavors to work constructively to resolve non-performing loan issues with customers. Substantially all non-performing loans are collateralized with real estate and the repayment of such loans is largely dependent on the return of such loans to performing status or the liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral.

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits of $1.3 billion at December 30, 2021 increased $46.6 million, or 3.6%, from September 30, 2021 and increased $207.1 million, or 18.3%, from December 31, 2020. Deposits at December 31, 2021 included brokered deposits of $7.9 million compared with $7.9 million at September 30, 2021 and $18.0 million at December 31, 2020. Average total deposits for the fourth quarter 2021 were $1.3 billion compared with $1.3 billion for the third quarter 2021 and $1.1 billion for the fourth quarter 2020.

Advances from FHLBB were $7.7 million at December 31, 2021 compared with $8.9 million and $12.6 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Salisbury’s excess borrowing capacity at FHLBB was approximately $251 million at December 31, 2021.

Capital

Shareholders’ equity increased $3.0 million in the fourth quarter to $136.6 million at December 31, 2021 as net income of $4.1 million and restricted stock activity of $0.2 million were partly offset by common stock dividends paid of $0.9 million and unrealized losses in the available-for-sale securities portfolio of $0.4 million. Book value per common share increased $1.07 during the fourth quarter 2021 to $47.73 per share and increased $3.85 from the fourth quarter 2020. Tangible book value per common share increased $1.09 during fourth quarter 2021 to $42.76 and increased $3.98 from fourth quarter 2020.

The Bank’s regulatory capital ratios remain in compliance with regulatory “well capitalized” requirements. At December 31, 2021, the Bank’s Tier 1 leverage, total risk-based capital, and common equity tier 1 capital ratios were 9.42%, 14.08%, and 12.87%, respectively, compared with regulatory “well capitalized” minimums of 5.00%, 10.00%, and 6.5%, respectively.

During fourth quarter 2021, Salisbury did not repurchase any of its outstanding common stock pursuant to its stock repurchase plan adopted in March 2021, which authorizes Salisbury to repurchase Salisbury’s common stock in amounts up to an aggregate of five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Salisbury’s common stock from time to time over a period of twelve (12) months.

Dividend on Common Shares

The Board of Directors of Salisbury approved a $0.01 increase in the quarterly dividend at its January 26, 2022 meeting. The quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per common share will be paid on February 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of February 11, 2022.

Background

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Salisbury Bank and Trust Company, a Connecticut chartered commercial bank serving the communities of northwestern Connecticut and proximate communities in New York and Massachusetts, since 1848, through full service branches in Canaan, Lakeville, Salisbury and Sharon, Connecticut; Great Barrington, South Egremont and Sheffield, Massachusetts; and Dover Plains, Fishkill, Millerton, Newburgh, New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, and Red Oaks Mill, New York. The Bank offers a broad spectrum of consumer and business banking products and services, as well as trust and wealth advisory services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain statements relating to Salisbury’s and the Bank’s future results that are considered “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of management as well as the assumptions and estimates made by management using information currently available to management. Since these statements reflect the views of management concerning future events, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including among others: changes in market interest rates and general and regional economic conditions; changes in laws and regulations; changes in accounting principles; and the quality or composition of the loan and investment portfolios, technological changes and cybersecurity matters, and other factors that may be described in Salisbury’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10-K, which are available at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov) and to which reference is hereby made. Forward-looking statements made by Salisbury in this news release speak only as of the date they are made. Events or other facts that could cause Salisbury’s actual results to differ may arise from time to time and Salisbury cannot predict all such events and factors. Salisbury undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement unless as may be required by law.

Investor presentation slides, which include a review of financial results and trends through the period ended December 31, 2021, are available in the Shareholder Relations section of Salisbury’s website at salisburybank.com under Shareholder Relations/News & Market Information/Presentations.

Salisbury Contact: Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
860-435-9801 or rcantele@salisburybank.com

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)

⁽¹⁾ Adjusted to reflect the U.S. federal statutory benefit on income derived from tax-exempt securities and loans.
⁽²⁾ Refer to schedule labeled “Supplemental Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
^{( 3 )} Calculated as follows: Noninterest expense before OREO expense, amortization of intangibles, and goodwill impairments as a percent of net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) and noninterest revenues, excluding gains from securities transactions and litigation expenses.
^{( 4 )} Represents the capital ratios of the Bank.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

¹ Excluding revenue and expenses associated with trust & wealth advisory, the efficiency ratios would be: Q4 2021: 60.62%; Q3 2021: 60.70%; Q2 2021: 61.59%; Q1 2020: 51.97%; Q4 2020: 62.62%.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Net Interest and Dividend Income (unaudited)

(a) Includes non-accrual loans.
(b) Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
(c) Average balances of securities are based on amortized cost.
(d) Includes tax exempt income benefit of $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for Q4 2021, Q3 2021 and Q4 2020 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis. The income benefit reflected the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21.0% for 2021 and 2020.
(e) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(f) Net of issuance costs.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Net Interest and Dividend Income (unaudited)

(a) Includes non-accrual loans.
(b) Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
(c) Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
(d) Includes tax exempt income benefit of $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively for 2021 and 2020 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis. The income benefit reflected the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21.0% for 2021 and 2020.
(e) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(f) Net of issuance costs.