HELENA, Mont., Jan. 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (NASDAQ:EBMT), (the “Company,” “Eagle”), the holding company of Opportunity Bank of Montana, today reported net income was $881,000, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $521,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the preceding quarter.  In the fourth quarter of 2014, Eagle earned $924,000, or $0.24 per diluted share, which included a $512,000 income tax benefit. 

For all of 2015, Eagle’s earnings were $2.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, compared to $2.6 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in 2014, which included a $881,000 income tax benefit.  For 2015, pretax profits increased 58.5% to $2.7 million from $1.7 million in 2014.  There were several “non-core” items affecting both 2015 and 2014 results. (See page 4 – “Non-GAAP Financial Information”)

“The diversification of Montana’s economy in our markets has allowed us to achieve strong financial performance in 2015.  Our bank and brand are well positioned to continue those results in the coming year,” said Peter J. Johnson, President and CEO.  “We will continue to focus our efforts on gathering core deposits, growing the loan portfolio and expanding our customer base.  We believe that our franchise is starting to generate forward momentum, and we are encouraged by the outlook for our business in the next few years.”

Eagle’s board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.0775 per share.  The dividend will be payable March 4, 2016 to shareholders of record February 12, 2016. The current annualized yield is 2.64% at recent market prices.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Highlights (at or for the three month period ended December 31, 2015, except where noted)

• Net income was $881,000, or $0.22 per diluted share in the fourth quarter, compared to $924,000, or $0.24 per diluted share in the same period a year ago.
• Pretax profits increased 97.6% to $814,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015 from $412,000 in the year ago quarter and grew 49.9% from $543,000 the third quarter of 2015.  For 2015, pretax profits increased 58.5% to $2.7 million from $1.7 million in 2014.
• EPS of $0.67 per diluted share in 2015 is a record for the Company.
• Revenues (net interest income before the provision for loan losses, plus non-interest income) increased 10.7% to $7.6 million compared to $6.8 million in the same period a year ago. 
• Net interest margin was 3.41% in the fourth quarter, compared to 3.47% in the same period a year earlier.
• Total loans increased 27.8% to $407.3 million compared to $318.7 million a year earlier. 
• Commercial real estate loans increased 44.6% to $167.9 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $116.1 million a year earlier.
• Total deposits increased 9.5% to $483.2 million at December 31, 2015, from $441.4 million a year earlier.
• Capital ratios remain strong with a tangible shareholders equity ratio of 10.07% at December 31, 2015.
• Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0775 per share, providing a 2.6% current yield at recent market prices.

Balance Sheet Results

Total assets increased 12.5% to $630.3 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $560.2 million a year earlier, and increased 3.1% compared to $611.4 million three months earlier. 

“New loan activity is improving across all categories, particularly in commercial real estate and mortgage lending.  We don’t see any sign of the pace slowing down,” said Johnson.  Total loans increased 4.0% to $407.3 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $391.5 million three months earlier and increased 27.8% compared to $318.7 million a year earlier. 

Eagle originated $63.5 million in new residential mortgages during the quarter, excluding construction loans, and sold $54.1 million in residential mortgages, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 2.97%.  This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $77.8 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $59.5 million.

Commercial real estate loans increased 44.6% to $167.9 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $116.1 million a year earlier, while residential mortgage loans increased 14.2% to $118.1 million compared to $103.4 million a year earlier.  Home equity loans increased 13.0% to $45.3 million, commercial loans increased 9.8% to $39.1 million, and construction loans increased 126.2% to $23.0 million, compared to a year ago.  

Total deposits increased 9.5% to $483.2 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $441.4 million a year earlier and were up modestly compared to $481.1 million at September 30, 2015.  As of year-end, checking and money market accounts represent 53.6%, savings accounts represent 14.8%, and CDs comprise 31.6% of the total deposit portfolio.  

Eagle’s shareholders’ equity improved to $55.5 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $54.4 million three months earlier and $54.5 million one year earlier.  Tangible book value was $12.67 per share at December 31, 2015, compared to $12.40 per share at September 30, 2015 and $12.07 per share a year earlier.  The year-over-year increase continues to be a result of steady growth in earnings.

Credit Quality

The fourth quarter provision for loan losses was $343,000, compared to $310,000 in the preceding quarter and $300,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the year, Eagle’s provision for loan losses totaled $1.3 million, compared to $811,000 in 2014.   As of December 31, 2015, the allowance for loan losses represented 139.3% of nonperforming loans compared to 216.6% three months earlier and 242.6% a year earlier.

“During the quarter we had $1.5 million that moved into nonaccrual status.  The increase was due primarily to one large residential mortgage loan and one large commercial real estate loan moving into nonaccrual this quarter.  Both loans are in workout and we are optimistic for a resolution by next quarter,” said Johnson.  At December 31, 2015, nonperforming loans (NPLs) were $2.5 million, compared to $1.5 million three months earlier, and $1.0 million a year ago.   

Eagle’s net charge-offs totaled $23,000 in the fourth quarter, compared to $30,000 in the preceding quarter and $150,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago.  The allowance for loan losses was $3.6 million, or 0.88% of total loans at December 31, 2015, compared to $3.2 million, or 0.83% of total loans at September 30, 2015, and $2.5 million, or 0.77% of total loans a year ago.

OREO and other repossessed assets was $595,000 at December 31, 2015, which was down slightly compared to $619,000 at September 30, 2015.  Nonperforming assets (NPAs), consisting of nonperforming loans, OREO and other repossessed assets, loans delinquent 90 days or more, and restructured loans, were $3.1 million at December 31, 2015, or 0.50% of total assets, compared to $2.1 million, or 0.35% of assets three months earlier and $1.6 million, or 0.30% of assets a year earlier. 

Operating Results

Eagle’s fourth quarter revenues increased 2.9% to $7.6 million compared to $7.3 million in the preceding quarter and increased 10.7% compared to $6.8 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the year ended December 31, 2015, revenues increased 14.7% to $29.8 million compared to $26.0 million in 2014.  Net interest income before the provision for loan loss increased 9.8% to $4.9 million in the fourth quarter compared to $4.4 million in both the preceding quarter and in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the year, Eagle’s net interest income increased 9.8% to $18.0 million compared to $16.4 million a year earlier.

“Our net interest margin improved nicely this quarter, as the growth in interest income has more than surpassed the additional interest expense from the subordinated debt issuance in the middle of 2015,” Johnson said.  Eagle’s net interest margin was 3.41% in the fourth quarter compared to 3.28% in the preceding quarter and 3.47% in the fourth quarter a year ago.  Funding costs for the quarter were up eleven basis points while asset yields increased three basis points compared to a year ago.  The investment securities portfolio decreased to $145.7 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $161.8 million a year ago, which increased average yields on earning asset balances moderately. For the year, Eagle’s net interest margin was 3.38% compared to 3.25% in 2014.

Eagle’s noninterest income increased 10.6% to $2.7 million in the fourth quarter compared to $2.4 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.  In the preceding quarter Eagle’s noninterest income was $2.9 million.  For the year, noninterest income increased 22.9% to $11.8 million compared to $9.6 million in 2014.

Fourth quarter noninterest expenses were $6.4 million, compared to $6.5 million in the preceding quarter and $6.1 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.  In 2015, noninterest expense increased to $25.7 million compared to $23.4 million in 2014.  The year-over-year increase is primarily attributable to higher employee and incentive costs due to higher loan production.

Stock Repurchase

During the quarter, the company repurchased 15,000 shares of EBMT stock at an average price of $11.75 per share.

Capital Management

Eagle Bancorp Montana continues to be well capitalized with the ratio of shareholders’ equity to tangible asset of 10.07% at December 31, 2015.  (Shareholders’ equity, plus trust preferred securities and subordinated debt, less goodwill and core deposit intangible to tangible assets).

During the second quarter of 2015, Eagle issued $10.0 million in subordinated debt.  The subordinated notes were issued on June 19, 2015, bear a fixed rate of interest of 6.75% per annum, payable quarterly, and mature on June 19, 2025.  The net cash proceeds from the sale of the subordinated notes were $9.9 million, and the subordinated notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.  The net proceeds from the offering are being used for general corporate purposes, to support organic growth and fund acquisitions should appropriate opportunities arise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures.  Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with information useful in understanding the Company’s financial performance; however, readers of this report are urged to review these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP results as reported.

About the Company

Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Helena, Montana and is the holding company of Opportunity Bank, a community bank established in 1922 that serves consumers and small businesses in Southern Montana through 13 banking offices. Additional information is available on the bank’s website at www.opportunitybank.com.  The shares of Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “EBMT.”

Forward Looking Statements

This release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and may be identified by the use of such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential." These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements of our goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements; general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected; competition among depository and other financial institutions; loan demand or residential and commercial real estate values in Montana; inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments; adverse changes in the securities markets; and other economic, governmental, competitive, regulatory and technological factors that may affect our operations. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. All information set forth in this press release is current as of the date of this release and the company undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.

Peter J. Johnson, President and CEO
(406) 457-4006 
Laura F. Clark, SVP and CFO
(406) 457-4007

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