SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc., (NASDAQ:GFED), the holding company (the “Company”) for Guaranty Bank (the “Bank”), today announces the following preliminary results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.  The results were negatively impacted by the expected $3.2 million of one-time, nonrecurring costs associated with its acquisition of Hometown Bancshares, Inc. (“Hometown”).  These additional costs incurred during the quarter included a significant core processing vendor contract termination of approximately $2 million.  Other acquisition costs included legal, professional, employee benefit and other data processing expense.

Net loss available to common shareholders for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 was ($343,000) and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) was ($0.08).  Excluding the acquisition costs discussed above, the Company would have reported net income and diluted EPS of $1,916,000 and $0.43, respectively.  For the second quarter of 2017, the Company reported net income of $1,593,000 and diluted EPS of $0.36, respectively.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company reported net income and EPS of $1,012,761 and $0.23, respectively.  Excluding the above acquisition costs, the Company would have reported net income and diluted EPS of $3,418,000 and $0.76, respectively.  For the six months ending June 30, 2017, the Company reported net income and EPS of $3,022,000 and $0.68, respectively.

Acquisition of Hometown, Headquartered in Carthage, Missouri

As previously announced, on April 2, 2018 (the “Acquisition Date”), the Company completed its $4.6 million cash purchase of Hometown.  Hometown’s subsidiary bank, Hometown Bank, National Association, was merged into Guaranty Bank on June 8, 2018.

Shaun A. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company stated, “We are entering an exciting new era.  The merger expands our footprint in Southwest Missouri and creates economies of scale to create the operational efficiencies found in a larger company. We are excited to finally have the Hometown team join our organization and are already encouraged by the growth opportunities in the Joplin MSA.  Once we get past the ‘noise in the numbers’ and the nonrecurring merger expenses, we are confident the results of the combined company will further enhance long-term shareholder value.”   

As of the Acquisition Date, Hometown’s balance sheet had total assets of $177.7 million, consisting primarily of loans totaling $150.4 million.  Total deposits were $161.0 million.  Preliminary purchase accounting adjustments were recorded as of the Acquisition Date, resulting in goodwill of $2.6 million.  A table below summarizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Hometown.

Select Quarterly Financial Data

Below are selected financial results for the Company’s second quarter of 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2018 and the second quarter of 2017. 

		Quarter ended
		June 30, 2018				March 31, 2018				June 30, 2017
		(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(343	)		$	1,356			$	1,593
	Diluted income (loss) per common share	$	(0.08	)		$	0.30			$	0.36
	Common shares outstanding		4,406,432				4,403,965				4,374,725
	Average common shares outstanding , diluted		4,471,893				4,466,786				4,426,411
	Annualized return on average assets		-0.14	%			0.70	%			0.85	%
	Annualized return on average equity		-1.48	%			7.25	%			8.68	%
	Net interest margin		3.54	%			3.28	%			3.34	%
	Efficiency ratio		102.99	%			74.50	%			62.95	%
	Tangible common equity to tangible assets		7.26	%			9.40	%			9.75	%
	Tangible book value per common share	$	15.73			$	17.22			$	16.76
	Nonperforming assets to total assets		1.42	%			1.21	%			1.47	%

The following were key items impacting the second quarter operating results as compared to the same quarter in 2017 and the financial condition results compared to December 31, 2017:

Net Interest income – Net interest income totaled $7,972,267 for the quarter as compared to $5,889,199 during the prior year quarter, an increase of 35%.  Net interest income attributable to Hometown totaled $1,250,672 for the quarter and net interest income attributable to purchase accounting adjustments, primarily the accretion of the loan discount, was $454,792.  Net interest margin was 3.54% as compared to 3.34% for the prior year quarter.  See the Analysis of Net Interest Income and Margin table below for the second quarter.

Asset Quality, Provision for Loan Loss Expense and Allowance for Loan Losses – The Company’s nonperforming assets increased to $13.6 million as of June 30, 2018 as compared to $10.2 million as of December 31, 2017. $3.9 million of this increase was due to the acquisition of Hometown.  Based on its reserve analysis and methodology, the Company recorded a provision for loan loss expense of $500,000 during the quarter, a decrease from the $575,000 recognized during the prior year quarter.  The provision for the quarter was primarily due to the increased reserves needed for growing loan balances for construction lending and various reserves on a few specific problem credits.  At June 30, 2018, the allowance for loan losses of $7.6 million was 0.97% of gross loans outstanding (excluding mortgage loans held for sale), representing a decrease from the 1.12% as of December 31, 2017.

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for acquisition accounting, the loans acquired through the acquisition of Hometown were recorded at fair value; therefore, there was no allowance associated with Hometown’s loans at acquisition.  Management continues to evaluate the allowance needed on the acquired Hometown loans factoring in the net remaining discount ($5.6 million at June 30, 2018).

Management believes the allowance for loan losses is at a sufficient level to provide for loan losses in the Bank’s existing loan portfolio.

Noninterest Income – Non-interest income increased $586,752 (43%) during the quarter primarily due to the Company’s increased income from sales of fixed-rate mortgage loans and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans, $194,000 combined.  The Company also experienced a significant increase of approximately $262,000 in service charges, primarily due to the Hometown acquisition.

Noninterest Expense – Non-interest expenses increased $5,654,721 (124%) due to a few significant factors discussed below. 

Due to the acquisition, $3,192,050 of one-time, nonrecurring merger costs were incurred during the quarter (further detailed above). 

Salaries and employee benefits increased $1,167,093 for the quarter and is primarily due to the Hometown acquisition, $604,000, and also the Company’s existing expansion in the Joplin, Missouri market, pre-acquisition.   

Occupancy expenses increased $552,511 for the quarter primarily due to the Company’s move to a new headquarters during the fourth quarter of 2017.  Lease expense on the new facility began in January 2018 and total expense was $154,867 for the quarter.  The remaining increase relates to depreciation on furniture and fixtures for the new facility and Hometown.

Amortization expense of the core deposit intangible from the Hometown acquisition was $220,000 for the quarter.  There was no amortization during the prior year quarter.

Capital – At June 30, 2018, stockholders’ equity increased to $75.2 million compared to $74.9 million at December 31, 2017.  On a per common share basis, tangible book value decreased to $15.73 at June 30, 2018 as compared to $17.10 as of December 31, 2017.  This reduction was due to the acquisition of Hometown.

From a regulatory capital standpoint, all capital ratios for the Bank remain strong and above regulatory requirements.

Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) Financial Measures

In addition to the GAAP financial results presented in this press release, the Company presents non-GAAP financial measures discussed below.  These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the Company’s current financial performance.  Additionally, Company management believes that this presentation enables meaningful comparison of financial performance in various periods.  However, the non-GAAP financial results presented should not be considered a substitute for results that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP.  A limitation of the non-GAAP financial measures presented is that the adjustments concern gains, losses or expenses that the Company does expect to continue to recognize; the adjustments of these items should not be construed as an inference that these gains or expenses are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring.  Therefore, Company management believes that both GAAP measures of its financial performance and the respective non-GAAP measures should be considered together. 

Operating Income
Operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts net income for the following non-operating items:

• Gains (losses) on sales of available-for-sale securities
• Gains (losses) on foreclosed assets held for sale
• Provision for loan loss expense
• Provision (credit) for income taxes
• Merger costs

A reconciliation of the Company’s net income to its operating income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 is set forth below.

		Quarter ended								Six months ended
		June 30, 2018				June 30, 2017				June 30, 2018				June 30, 2017
		(Dollar amounts are in thousands)
	Net income (loss)	$	(343	)		$	1,593			$	1,013			$	3,022
	Add back:
	Provision (credit) for income taxes		(454	)			521				(160	)			1,024
	Income (loss) before income taxes		(797	)			2,114				853				4,046
	Add back/(subtract):
	Gain (loss) on investment securities		10				(62	)			7				(62	)
	Net loss (gains) on foreclosed assets held for sale		(76	)			30				(121	)			(8	)
	Merger costs		3,192				-				3,420				-
	Provision for loan losses		500				575				725				1,050
			3,626				543				4,031				980
	Operating income	$	2,829			$	2,657			$	4,884			$	5,026

About Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.
Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:GFED) has a subsidiary corporation offering full banking services.  The principal subsidiary, Guaranty Bank, is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, and has 18 full-service branches in Greene, Christian, Jasper Newton and McDonald Counties and a Loan Production Office in Webster County.  Guaranty Bank is a member of the MoneyPass and TransFund ATM networks which provide its customers surcharge free access to over 24,000 ATMs nationwide. For more information visit the Guaranty Bank website: www.gbankmo.com. 

The Company may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements,” including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the SEC, in its reports to stockholders and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “expects,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions, that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control). The following factors, among others, could cause the Company’s financial performance to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements:

• the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations;
• the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve, inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations;
• the timely development of and acceptance of new products and services and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users, including the features, pricing and quality compared to competitors’ products and services;
• the willingness of users to substitute competitors’ products and services for our products and services;
• our success in gaining regulatory approval of our products and services, when required;
• the impact of changes in financial services laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance);
• technological changes;
• the ability to successfully manage and integrate any future acquisitions if and when our board of directors and management conclude any such acquisitions are appropriate;
• changes in consumer spending and saving habits;
• our success at managing the risks resulting from these factors; and
• other factors set forth in reports and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time.
  
  

	Financial Highlights:
		Quarter ended								Six months ended
	Operating Data:	June 30, 2018				June 30, 2017				June 30, 2018				June 30, 2017
		(Dollar amounts are in thousands, except per share data)
	Total interest income	$	10,379			$	7,242			$	18,335			$	14,013
	Total interest expense		2,407				1,352				4,332				2,526
	Net interest income		7,972				5,890				14,003				11,487
	Provision for loan losses		500				575				725				1,050
	Net interest income after
	provision for loan losses		7,472				5,315				13,278				10,437
	Noninterest income
	Service charges		552				290				869				558
	Gain on sale of loans held for sale		617				524				997				932
	Gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans		225				125				396				255
	Other income		560				428				1,011				851
			1,954				1,367				3,273				2,596
	Noninterest expense
	Salaries and employee benefits		4,102				2,935				7,275				5,792
	Occupancy		1,038				485				1,808				971
	Merger costs		3,192				-				3,420				-
	Amortization of core deposit intangible		220				-				220				-
	Other expense		1,671				1,148				2,975				2,224
			10,223				4,568				15,698				8,987
	Income (loss) before income taxes		(797	)			2,114				853				4,046
	Provision (credit) for income taxes		(454	)			521				(160	)			1,024
	Net income (loss) available for common shareholders	$	(343	)		$	1,593			$	1,013			$	3,022
	Net income (loss) per common share-basic	$	(0.08	)		$	0.36			$	0.23			$	0.69
	Net income (loss) per common share-diluted	$	(0.08	)		$	0.36			$	0.23			$	0.68
	Annualized return on average assets		-0.14	%			0.85	%			0.23	%			0.83	%
	Annualized return on average equity		-1.48	%			8.68	%			2.42	%			8.42	%
	Net interest margin		3.54	%			3.34	%			3.43	%			3.34	%
	Efficiency ratio		102.99	%			62.95	%			90.87	%			63.82	%
						At				At
	Financial Condition Data:					June 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Cash and cash equivalents					$	30,357			$	37,407
	Investments						89,581				81,495
	Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
	6/30/2018 - $7,573; 12/31/2017 - $7,107						774,289				631,527
	Goodwill						2,615				-
	Core deposit intangible						3,300				-
	Premises and equipment, net						22,307				10,607
	Bank owned life insurance						19,967				19,741
	Other assets						18,103				13,683
	Total assets					$	960,519			$	794,460
	Deposits					$	764,772			$	607,364
	Advances from correspondent banks						90,400				94,300
	Subordinated debentures						21,805				15,465
	Other borrowed funds						5,000				-
	Other liabilities						3,294				2,439
	Total liabilities						885,271				719,568
	Stockholders' equity						75,248				74,892
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity					$	960,519			$	794,460
	Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio						7.26	%			9.43	%
	Tangible book value per common share					$	15.73			$	17.10
	Nonperforming assets					$	13,609			$	10,245

Analysis of Net Interest Income and Margin:
	Three months ended 6/30/2018										Three months ended 6/30/2017
	Average Balance			Interest				Yield / Cost			Average Balance			Interest				Yield / Cost
ASSETS
Interest-earning:
Loans	$	797,034		$	9,819			4.94	%		$	608,269		$	6,744			4.45	%
Investment securities		88,755			528			2.39	%			88,267			454			2.06	%
Other assets		16,725			32			0.77	%			10,289			44			1.72	%
Total interest-earning		902,514			10,379			4.61	%			706,825			7,242			4.11	%
Noninterest-earning		64,965										39,043
	$	967,479									$	745,868
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Interest-bearing:
Savings accounts	$	43,012			26			0.24	%		$	29,509			14			0.19	%
Transaction accounts		425,153			1,126			1.06	%			340,975			459			0.54	%
Certificates of deposit		211,246			568			1.08	%			114,227			273			0.96	%
FHLB advances		77,991			406			2.09	%			104,255			450			1.73	%
Other borrowed funds		1,109			4			0.00	%			-			-			0.00	%
Subordinated debentures		21,651			277			5.13	%			15,465			156			4.05	%
Total interest-bearing		780,162			2,407			1.24	%			604,431			1,352			0.90	%
Noninterest-bearing		94,344										68,342
Total liabilities		874,506										672,773
Stockholders’ equity		92,973										73,095
	$	967,479									$	745,868
Net earning balance	$	122,352									$	102,394
Earning yield less costing rate								3.38	%									3.21	%
Net interest income, and net yield spread
on interest earning assets				$	7,972			3.54	%					$	5,890			3.34	%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to
interest-bearing liabilities					116	%									117	%

 

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.
Net Assets Acquired from Hometown
April 2, 2018
	April 2, 2018
		Acquired from				Fair Value				Fair
		Hometown				Adjustments				Value
Assets Acquired	(Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands)
Cash and Due From Banks		$	7,083			$	-			$	7,083
Investment Securities			7,521				-				7,521
Loans			150,390				(6,471	)			143,919
Allowance for Loan Losses			(2,348	)			2,348				-
Net Loans			148,042				(4,123	)			143,919
Fixed Assets			9,268				798				10,066
Foreclosed Assets held for sale			1,647				(400	)			1,247
Core Deposit Intangible			-				3,520				3,520
Other Assets			4,146				1,283				5,429
Total Assets Acquired		$	177,707			$	1,078			$	178,785
Liabilities Assumed
Deposits			161,001				247				161,248
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			2,000				-				2,000
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase			2,159				-				2,159
Other borrowings			3,000				-				3,000
Subordinated debentures			6,186				176				6,362
Other Liabilities			2,003				-				2,003
Total Liabilities Assumed			176,349			$	423				176,772
Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock			231				(231	)			-
Capital Surplus			18,936				(18,936	)			-
Retained Earnings			(17,587	)			17,587				-
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			(222	)			222				-
Treasury Stock			-				-				-
Total Stockholders' Equity Assumed			1,358			$	(1,358	)			-
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Assumed		$	177,707			$	(935	)		$	176,772
Net Assets Acquired										$	2,013
Purchase Price											4,628
Goodwill										$	2,615

Contacts:

Shaun A. Burke, President and CEO or Carter M. Peters, CFO
2144 E Republic Road, Suite F200
Springfield, MO  65804
417-520-4333