GAHANNA, Ohio, Jan. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heartland BancCorp (“the company,” and “the bank”) (OTCQB:HLAN), today reported that, following a $879,000 life insurance benefit, earnings increased 69.6% to $2.8 million compared to the fourth quarter a year ago.  Heartland’s core earnings (excluding the life insurance benefit) increased 16.3% in the fourth quarter of 2015 to $1.9 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, compared to $1.7 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the year, Heartland’s earnings increased 33.7% year-over-year to $8.1 million. Core earnings for 2015 (excluding the life insurance benefit) increased 19.1% to $7.2 million, or $4.57 per diluted share, compared to $6.1 million, or $3.87 per diluted share, in 2014. 

The Company also announced its board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.3724 per share.  The dividend will be payable April 10, 2016, to shareholders of record as of March 25, 2016, providing a 3.1% current yield at current market prices. 

“2015 was a solid year of growth and prosperity for our organization. We produced record annual profits, robust loan growth, double digit deposit growth and sustained a healthy net interest margin at around 4%,” said G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President and CEO.  “The greater Columbus market continues to be one of the healthiest economies, not only in the region, but in the country, and we are well positioned to take advantage of this market with our brand of community banking.”

In November, Heartland completed a private placement to accredited investors of $5.4 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed and variable rate subordinated promissory notes, with a weighted interest rate of 4.896%.  The proceeds will give Heartland the opportunity to build out its business plan and meet the growing demand from clients and the marketplace.  “This capital raise was a cost effective way for us to raise regulatory capital, give a good return to our investors, and did not dilute current shareholders,” added McComb.

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights (at or for the period ended December 31, 2015)

• Net income was $2.8 million, up from $1.9 million in the preceding quarter and $1.7 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.
• Net interest margin remained strong at 3.99% compared to 3.96% in the preceding quarter and 3.89% in the fourth quarter a year ago.
• Annualized return on average assets was 1.59%.
• Annualized return on average equity was 17.51%.
• Total deposits increased 12.0% to $623.0 million from a year ago.
• Net loans increased 8.5% to $541.0 million from a year ago.
• Non-performing assets were $5.2 million, or 0.72% of total assets, at December 31, 2015, compared to $4.1 million, or 0.59%, three months earlier and $5.3 million, or 0.82%, one year earlier.
• Tangible book value per share increased 9.3% to $42.40 per share compared to $38.79 per share one year earlier.
• Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3724 per share, which represents a 3.31% yield based on the December 31, 2015 stock price. ($45.00).
• The internal rate of return based on growth in book value and dividends paid was 16.2% in 2015.

Balance Sheet Review

“Loan growth was robust again during the quarter, particularly in the agricultural and commercial and industrial (C&I) portfolios. With the demand we are seeing from new and existing customers, as well as the strength in our loan pipeline, we expect our loan production to remain strong throughout 2016,” said McComb.  Net loans increased 2.1% to $541.0 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $529.7 million at September 30, 2015 and increased 8.5% compared to $498.6 million at December 31, 2014.  

Total deposits increased 2.5% to $623.0 million at year end, compared to $608.0 million three months earlier and increased 12.0% compared to $556.2 million a year ago.  Demand accounts represented 22.3%, savings, NOW and money market accounts represented 35.2%, and CDs comprised 42.5% of the total deposit portfolio, at December 31, 2015. 

Total assets increased 4.2% to $729.6 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $700.5 million three months earlier and increased 12.3% compared to $649.7 million a year earlier.  Shareholders’ equity increased 4.0% to $66.8 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $64.2 million at September 30, 2015 and increased 10.0% compared to $60.7 million one year ago.  At year end, Heartland’s tangible book value increased 3.8% to $42.40 per share compared to $40.84 per share three months earlier and increased 9.3% from $38.79 per share one year earlier.

Operating Results

“Our net interest margin remains healthy and improved modestly during the quarter due to continued loan and deposit pricing discipline,” said McComb.  Heartland’s net interest margin was 3.99% in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to 3.96% in the preceding quarter and 3.87% in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the full year 2015, Heartland’s net interest margin was 4.02%, a two basis point improvement compared to a year ago.

Total revenues (net interest income before the provision for loan losses, plus non-interest income) increased 19.5% to $8.2 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $6.9 million in the fourth quarter a year ago, and increased 13.7% compared to $7.3 million in the preceding quarter.  For the year, total revenues increased 13.3% to $29.4 million, compared to $26.0 million in 2014.  Excluding the $879,000 benefit in excess of life insurance value, total revenues were $7.4 million in the fourth quarter and $28.5 million for the year.  Net interest income before the provision for loan loss increased 7.6% to $6.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $6.1 million in the fourth quarter a year ago, and increased 3.2% compared to $6.4 million in the preceding quarter.  For the year, net interest income before the provision for loan losses increased 11.4% to $25.4 million, compared to $22.8 million in 2014.

Heartland’s noninterest income was $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $874,000 in the third quarter and $780,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago.  The increase in noninterest income was primarily the result of a $879,000 benefit in excess of life insurance cash value from a policy payout.  For the year, noninterest income was $4.0 million compared to $3.1 million a year ago. In 2014, Heartland had substantial gains from sales of securities and foreclosed assets. 

Fourth quarter noninterest expenses were $4.5 million, compared to $4.3 million in the preceding quarter and $4.4 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the year, noninterest expenses were $17.6 million compared to $16.3 million in 2014.  The year-over-year increase is primarily attributable to costs associated with the new branch in Pickerington, Ohio.  Additionally, the increase in loan production for the year led to overall higher employee and incentive costs.

Credit Quality

"Nonaccrual loans and past due loans still accruing were up slightly during the quarter, primarily due to a few lending relationships that were slow in making payments," said McComb.  “However, there were no foreclosed assets on the books at the end of the year.  We believe these few problematic loans are isolated and not indicative of the overall quality of the loan portfolio.”

Nonaccrual loans were $3.3 million at December 31, 2015, which was a slight increase compared to $3.0 million three months earlier, and a decrease of 25.7% from $4.5 million a year earlier.  Loans past due 90 days and still accruing also increased to $1.9 million from $1.1 million at the end of the third quarter and $745,000 a year ago.  There were no other real estate owned (OREO) and other non-performing assets on the books at December 31, 2015, the same as at the preceding quarter end.  OREO was $108,000 at December 31, 2014.

Nonperforming assets (NPAs), consisting of nonperforming loans, OREO, and loans delinquent 90 days or more, were $5.2 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $4.1 million three months earlier, and decreased slightly when compared to $5.3 million a year ago. 

The fourth quarter provision for loan losses was $120,000, down from $160,000 in the preceding quarter.  This compares to $225,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the year, the provision for loan losses totaled $760,000 compared to $1.3 million in 2014.  As of December 31, 2015, the allowance for loan losses represented 172.2% of nonaccrual loans compared to 190.8% three months earlier, and 119.7% one year earlier.

Heartland’s net charge-offs were $54,000 in the fourth quarter compared to $8,000 in the preceding quarter, and $238,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago.  The allowance for loan losses was $5.7 million, or 1.04% of total loans at December 31, 2015, compared to $5.7 million, or 1.06% of total loans at September 30, 2015, and $5.4 million, or 1.06% of total loans a year ago.

About Heartland BancCorp

Heartland BancCorp is a registered Ohio bank holding company and the parent of Heartland Bank, which operates twelve full-service banking offices. Heartland Bank, founded in 1911, provides full service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; alternative investment services; insurance services; and other financial products and services.  Heartland Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve, a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Heartland BancCorp is currently quoted on the OTC Markets (OTCQB) under the symbol HLAN. Learn more about Heartland Bank at HeartlandBank.com.  

In May 2015, Heartland was ranked #77 on the American Banker magazine’s list of Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks and Thrifts based on three-year average return on equity (“ROE”) as of 12/31/14.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and operations. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company as of the date of this release.  It is important to note that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to implement its strategy and expand its lending operations.

Heartland BancCorp
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets		Dec. 31, 2015			Sept. 30, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
	Cash and due from banks	$	36,994,171		$	29,736,396		$	22,561,068
	Federal funds sold		-			-			-
	Cash and cash equivalents		36,994,171			29,736,396			22,561,068
	Available-for-sale securities		114,638,733			104,061,671			101,479,692
	Held-to-maturity securities, fair value $6,409,962 and $6,914,231 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively and $6,845,100 at September 30, 2015		6,044,094			6,498,787			6,454,963
	Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $5,715,827 and $5,350,637 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively and $5,649,773 at September 30, 2015		540,958,372			529,733,539			498,585,125
	Premises and equipment		13,506,350			13,458,703			12,653,144
	Nonmarketable equity securities		2,658,239			2,658,239			2,655,439
	Foreclosed assets held for sale		-			-			108,082
	Interest receivable		1,958,082			2,374,220			1,803,108
	Goodwill		417,353			417,353			417,353
	Deferred income taxes		1,574,075			1,574,075			1,574,075
	Life insurance assets		9,327,518			9,337,159			1,215,898
	Other		1,516,000			629,516			174,341
	Total assets	$	729,592,987		$	700,479,658		$	649,682,288
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities
	Deposits
	Demand	$	139,226,242		$	119,445,210		$	108,394,566
	Saving, NOW and money market		219,076,813			217,336,061			203,367,315
	Time		264,651,203			271,254,619			244,394,645
	Total deposits		622,954,258			608,035,890			556,156,526
	Short-term borrowings		29,150,118			23,620,874			28,395,316
	Long-term debt		5,460,000			-			-
	Interest payable and other liabilities		5,270,849			4,617,893			4,421,322
	Total liabilities		662,835,225			636,274,657			588,973,164
Shareholders' Equity
	Common stock, without par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares;  issued 2015 -  1,564,581 shares 2014 -  1,554,457 shares and September 2015 - 1,561,781 shares		23,872,599			23,725,023			23,558,806
	Retained earnings		41,991,488			39,765,320			36,160,565
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (expense)		893,675			714,658			989,753
	Treasury stock at Cost, Common; 2014- 1,665 shares		-			-			-
	Total shareholders' equity		66,757,762			64,205,001			60,709,124
	Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	729,592,987		$	700,479,658		$	649,682,288
	Book value per share	$	42.67		$	41.11		$	39.05

 

Heartland BancCorp
Consolidated Statements of Income
		Three Months Ended September 30,											Twelve Months Ended
Interest Income		Dec. 31, 2015					Sept. 30, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014			Dec. 31, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
	Loans	$		6,645,404			$	6,497,915		$	6,162,060		$	25,775,945		$	22,767,132
	Securities
	Taxable			424,204				335,461			324,614			1,376,312			1,256,494
	Tax-exempt			395,358				383,968			387,701			1,551,627			1,626,882
	Other			15,888				15,443			17,553			50,925			47,837
	Total interest income			7,480,854				7,232,787			6,891,928			28,754,809			25,698,345
Interest Expense
	Deposits			851,796				846,062			761,837			3,256,624			2,834,757
	Borrowings			39,234				3,291			3,970			49,252			16,601
	Total interest expense			891,030				849,353			765,807			3,305,876			2,851,358
Net Interest Income				6,589,824				6,383,434			6,126,121			25,448,933			22,846,987
Provision for Loan Losses				120,000				160,000			225,000			760,000			1,255,000
Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses				6,469,824				6,223,434			5,901,121			24,688,933			21,591,987
Noninterest income
	Service charges			477,606				500,789			475,385			1,925,467			1,980,529
	Net Gains and commissions on loan sales			34,621				123,793			32,691			241,742			121,695
	Net realized gains on available-for-sale securities			1,357				-			-			18,291			136,701
	Net realized gain/(loss) on sales of foreclosed assets			(0	)			5,250			55,828			5,308			209,901
	Benefit in excess of life insurance cash value			879,488				-			-			879,488			-
	Other			272,255				244,580			216,095			879,945			657,126
	Total noninterest income			1,665,326				874,412			779,999			3,950,240			3,105,952
Noninterest Expense
	Salaries and employee benefits			2,800,345				2,501,325			2,576,281			10,331,707			9,294,269
	Net occupancy and equipment expense			456,349				478,053			415,152			1,842,702			1,706,778
	Data processing fees			265,293				270,360			319,183			1,082,143			1,018,464
	Professional fees			64,706				140,972			186,695			498,406			772,812
	Marketing expense			134,990				135,000			199,286			545,990			598,036
	Printing and office supplies			31,786				33,805			42,527			158,877			165,248
	State franchise taxes			105,981				105,982			90,097			423,926			373,224
	FDIC Insurance premiums			93,000				111,000			91,836			411,000			342,089
	Other			593,635				564,992			486,753			2,261,155			2,060,441
	Total noninterest expense			4,546,085				4,341,489			4,407,810			17,555,906			16,331,361
Income before Income Tax				3,589,065				2,756,357			2,273,310			11,083,267			8,366,578
Provision for Income Taxes				780,246				813,343			617,225			2,955,567			2,285,364
Net Income		$		2,808,819			$	1,943,014		$	1,656,085		$	8,127,700		$	6,081,214
Basic Earnings Per Share		$		1.80			$	1.25		$	1.07		$	5.21		$	3.92
Diluted Earnings Per Share		$		1.77			$	1.22		$	1.05		$	5.13		$	3.87

 

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)(Unaudited)	Three Months Ended												Twelve Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015				Sept. 30, 2015				Dec. 31, 2014				Dec. 31, 2015				Dec. 31, 2014
Performance Ratios:
Return on average assets		1.59	%			1.14	%			1.04	%			1.18	%			0.99	%
Return on average equity		17.51	%			12.47	%			11.22	%			12.91	%			10.57	%
Net interest margin		3.99	%			3.96	%			3.87	%			4.02	%			4.00	%
Efficiency ratio		55.08	%			59.82	%			63.82	%			59.75	%			63.26	%
Asset Quality Ratios and Data:	As of or for the Three Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015				Sept. 30, 2015				Dec. 31, 2014
Non accrual loans	$	3,320			$	2,991				4,470
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing		1,919				1,126				745
Non-performing investment securities		-				-				-
OREO and other non-performing assets		-				-				108
Total non-performing assets	$	5,239			$	4,117			$	5,323
Non-performing assets to total assets		0.72	%			0.59	%			0.82	%
Net charge-offs quarter ending	$	54			$	8			$	238
Allowance for loan loss	$	5,716			$	5,650			$	5,351
Non accrual loans	$	3,320			$	2,962			$	4,470
Allowance for loan loss to non accrual loans		172.17	%			190.75	%			119.71	%
Allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding		1.04	%			1.06	%			1.06	%
Book Values:
Total shareholders' equity	$	66,758			$	64,205			$	60,709
Less, goodwill		417				417				417
Shareholders' equity less goodwill	$	66,341			$	63,788			$	60,292
Common shares outstanding		1,564,581				1,561,781				1,554,457
Less treasury shares		-				-				-
Common shares as adjusted		1,564,581				1,561,781				1,554,457
Book value per common share	$	42.67			$	41.11			$	39.05
Tangible book value per common share	$	42.40			$	40.84			$	38.79

Contacts: G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President & CEO					
Heartland BancCorp  614-337-4600	

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