Peoples Bancorp Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and 2010 Results

MARIETTA, Ohio, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Peoples Bancorp Inc. ("Peoples") (Nasdaq: PEBO) today announced results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.  In addition, Peoples reported that on January 24, 2011, it received notification from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury") that, after consultation with Peoples' Federal banking agency, it has granted Peoples' request for a partial redemption of the $39 million received under the TARP Capital Purchase Program.  The actual redemption, which is expected to occur in early February 2011, will involve Peoples repurchasing $21 million of its outstanding preferred shares and will reduce the annual dividends on Peoples' preferred shares by $1.1 million.  

"We are pleased to report our ability to repay a portion of our TARP capital, which will occur without raising any new equity capital due to our already strong capital and liquidity levels," said David L. Mead, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe this action is in the long-term best interest of our common shareholders since it reduces annual preferred dividends while maintaining a strong capital position."  

Net income available to common shareholders totaled $55,000 for the fourth quarter and $3.5 million for the year, representing earnings per diluted common share of $0.01 and $0.34, respectively.  Provision for loan losses and other loan-related credit losses were higher than historical levels throughout 2010, which had an adverse impact on fourth quarter and 2010 earnings.  In comparison, diluted earnings per common share were $0.07 and $0.22, respectively, for the same periods in 2009.

Summary points regarding fourth quarter and 2010 results:

• The provision for loan losses was $7 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 and $27 million for the entire year, while net charge-offs were $7 million, or 2.93% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the quarter and $27 million, or 2.66% of average loans, for the year.  Almost all of the fourth quarter charge-offs were attributable to write-downs on impaired loans resulting from continued general weakness in the commercial real estate market and overall economy.  The allowance for loan losses was $26.8 million, or 2.77% of gross loans and 66.1% of nonperforming loans, at year-end 2010 compared to 2.59% and 79.3%, respectively, at December 31, 2009.  
• In the fourth quarter, commercial real estate loans to six unrelated borrowers were placed on nonaccrual status due to the impact of ongoing economic problems in key market areas.  These loans had been classified as substandard in prior quarters and were charged-down to their estimated net realizable value of $5.2 million at year-end 2010.  As a result, nonperforming assets totaled $45.0 million and comprised 2.45% of total assets at December 31, 2010, versus $41.6 million and 2.21% at the prior quarter-end.  In contrast to this increase, other asset quality metrics improved in 2010, including reductions in overall loan delinquencies and the level of watch-rated commercial loans, which are credits with indicators of potential weakness.
• In the fourth quarter of 2010, Peoples incurred losses on loans held-for-sale and other real estate owned ("OREO") of $0.8 million.  These losses were the result of further declines in commercial real estate values experienced during the quarter.  In 2010, write-downs on loans held-for-sale and OREO totaled $3.2 million.  
• Net interest income and margin for the fourth quarter and year were negatively impacted by lower earning asset levels during 2010 due to commercial loan payoffs, coupled with lower reinvestment rates based upon current market interest rates.  Peoples experienced slight net interest margin expansion for the year due to management's efforts to reduce funding costs by growing low-cost deposits and repaying higher-cost borrowings.      
• Fourth quarter 2010 non-interest income grew 5% over the prior quarter and 4% versus the year ago quarter, due mostly to stronger mortgage banking activity. Another contributing factor to the year-over-year increase was a 21% growth in electronic banking revenue.  For the year, non-interest income was down slightly as increased income from trust, investment and electronic banking activities was offset by declines in other revenue categories.
• Operating expenses were controlled in 2010, with total non-interest expense down 3% year-over-year for both the fourth quarter and year.  Compared to the third quarter of 2010, fourth quarter non-interest expense was up 2%, due primarily to higher professional consulting fees related to various management projects.
• Total loan balances decreased $50 million in the fourth quarter due to unusually high commercial loan payoffs and seasonal paydowns on credit lines exceeding new production.  Compared to year-end 2009, total loans were down $91 million in 2010, primarily as a result of loan payoffs and, to a lesser extent, charge-offs.  
• Non-interest-bearing deposit balances grew $5 million during the fourth quarter and $17 million for the year.  These increases were more than offset by intentional reductions in higher-cost, non-core deposits, such as governmental public funds and certificates of deposit.  At year-end 2010, total retail deposit balances were 2% lower than both the prior quarter-end and year-end 2009.  
• Peoples' capital levels remained strong and substantially higher than the minimum regulatory amount needed to be considered "well capitalized".  The total Risk-Based Capital ratio was 18.21% at year-end 2010 compared to 16.80% at December 31, 2009, while the tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.17% and 7.22%, respectively.

"Low earnings for the fourth quarter were driven in large part by persistent asset quality issues," commented Mead. "Going into the quarter, we had anticipated loan credit losses could remain elevated as we intensified efforts to identify weakening credits and assess their collectability.  Loan charge-offs and write-downs on other nonperforming assets in the quarter, while slightly less than amounts in the third quarter, were higher than historical levels.  As previously noted, nonperforming assets increased during the quarter.  However, we have seen some improvement in the level of watch credits during the past several quarters.  The very sluggish recovery in our markets has also contributed to a smaller loan portfolio and lower net interest income for the quarter and year.  The impact of these items on earnings has overshadowed proactive efforts to increase non-interest income categories and to control operating costs."

Fourth quarter 2010 net interest income was $14.1 million compared to $15.3 million last quarter and $15.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2009.  The combination of declining loan balances and lower reinvestment rates have caused a decrease in interest income, which exceeded the reduction in interest expense.  The lower loan balances also compressed net interest margin, which was 3.44% for the fourth quarter of 2010 versus 3.58% for the linked quarter and 3.50% for the fourth quarter of 2009.  For the year, net interest income was down 3% in 2010 versus 2009, while net interest margin expanded 3 basis points as funding costs decreased more than earning asset yields.

"The flatter yield curve during the third quarter and much of the fourth quarter adversely impacted net interest income and margin, as excess funds had to be reinvested at lower rates," said Edward G. Sloane, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.  "Throughout 2010, we took steps to reduce funding costs to offset the lower asset yields, although opportunities were somewhat limited by the lack of significant high-cost liabilities maturing in recent quarters.  Still, we maintained strong asset liquidity to position the balance sheet for a return of TARP capital and future earning asset growth.  We also have remained disciplined in our approach to managing the balance sheet interest rate risk position, while adjusting funding mix away from high-cost deposits and wholesale borrowings to lower-cost, core deposits."

Non-interest income totaled $8.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, up 5% from the linked quarter and up 4% year-over-year.  Key drivers of these increases were higher mortgage banking income, trust and investment revenue and electronic banking income, which offset declines in other non-interest income categories.  For the year, total non-interest income was $31.6 million in 2010 versus $32.1 million in 2009, as growth in trust and investment income and electronic banking income was eclipsed by reductions in other non-interest income categories.  

"In 2010, we saw the benefits of a diversified revenue stream, as economic conditions and regulatory changes challenged certain revenue sources," commented Sloane.  "Fourth quarter non-interest income was bolstered by sizable gains on mortgage loan sales due to refinancing activity, plus higher debit card usage by our customers.  We also have been successful thus far in mitigating the impact of new overdraft fee regulations on our revenue stream.  On the other hand, insurance revenues were adversely affected in 2010 by lower commercial insurance activity due to the weak economy and competitive pricing of premiums by underwriters."  

Fourth quarter 2010 mortgage banking income was more than double the linked quarter and year ago amounts, as lower long-term mortgage rates during the fourth quarter resulted in substantial refinancing activity.  Despite the increased activity in the fourth quarter, mortgage banking income finished 2010 down 9% from the prior year, due mostly to higher long-term mortgage interest rates during much of the first half of 2010.  Increased debit card activity throughout 2010 has produced growth in electronic banking revenue, with fourth quarter revenue up 5% over the linked quarter and 21% over the fourth quarter of 2009.  For the year, electronic banking revenue increased 19% compared to 2009.  While fourth quarter deposit account service charges were consistent with the third quarter of 2010, Peoples has experienced lower volumes of overdrafts during 2010 due to changes in consumer behavior, resulting in year-over-year decreases in deposit account service charges of 10% and 8% for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively.  

Total non-interest expense for both the fourth quarter of 2010 and entire year were 3% lower than the same amount in 2009, due to cost control initiatives implemented during 2010.  These initiatives included limiting the exposure to escalating salary and benefit costs, which were held flat throughout the year.  For the year, Peoples' FDIC insurance costs were lower because the special assessment imposed on all banks in the second quarter of 2009 was not repeated.  However, the overall reduction in non-interest expense for 2010 was partially offset by higher costs associated with foreclosed real estate and problem loan workouts, such as fees for legal and valuation services.  On a linked quarter basis, total non-interest expense was up slightly due to higher professional fees for consulting services related to various management projects during the fourth quarter.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, total portfolio loan balances declined $50.2 million to $960.7 million at December 31.  Since year-end 2009, total portfolio loans have decreased $91.3 million.  These declines occurred primarily as a result of commercial loan payoffs and charge-offs exceeding new production.  Weak economic conditions in 2010 caused decreased demand for new loans.  Also during 2010, Peoples focused on managing commercial real estate loan exposures to enhance its overall balance sheet risk profile.  Both of these factors contributed to the lower loan balances compared to the prior year-end.  

"Our ability to maintain loan balances during the second half of 2010 was impacted by increased competition for quality loans, while the protracted weak economy in our market areas caused lower demand for new loans and elevated charge-offs," said Sloane.  "Other factors contributing to the reduction in loan balances in 2010 were actions taken to moderate commercial real estate concentrations and the continued customer demand for long-term, fixed rate mortgage loans, which we typically sell in the secondary market.  Despite current economic conditions, we remain committed to meeting the lending needs of our communities and growing loans in a disciplined manner.  Along these lines, we have added new commercial lenders in previously underserved market areas and continue to seek opportunities to grow consumer loans."

In 2010, Peoples experienced an improving trend in the level of watch-rated credits, which are loans possessing some credit deficiency or potential weakness.  These watch-rated credits declined 43% from December 31, 2009 to year-end 2010.  During the fourth quarter of 2010, commercial real estate loans to six unrelated relationships, with an aggregate outstanding balance of $9.5 million, became impaired and were placed on nonaccrual status.  These loans had been classified as substandard in prior quarters in response to credit deterioration.  As a result of impairment, the loans were charged-down by $4.2 million during the quarter based upon the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral.  The $5.2 million net increase in nonperforming assets was partially offset by write-downs on nonaccrual loans held-for-sale.  As a result, total nonperforming assets were $45.0 million, or 2.45% of total assets, at December 31, 2010, versus $41.6 million, or 2.21%, at September 30, 2010, and $40.7 million, or 2.03%, at year-end 2009.    

Peoples' allowance for loan losses was $26.8 million, or 2.77% of gross loans, at December 31, 2010, versus 2.68% at the prior quarter and 2.59% at year-end 2009.  The increase in allowance percentage was primarily attributable to elevated charge-offs in recent quarters, and was partially offset by the lower level of watch-rated credits.  Fourth quarter 2010 net loan charge-offs were $7.4 million, or 2.93% of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to $8.0 million, or 3.11%, last quarter and $5.7 million, or 2.14%, for the fourth quarter of 2009.  Write-downs on commercial real estate loans driven by the weak economy and declines in collateral values accounted for the majority of fourth quarter net charge-offs. For the year, net charge-offs were $27.4 million in 2010, or 2.66% of average loans, compared to $21.4 million, or 1.96%, in 2009.   To maintain the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, Peoples recorded a fourth quarter 2010 provision for loan losses of $7.0 million versus $8.0 million and $6.8 million for the linked quarter and prior year fourth quarter.  In 2010, the provision for loan losses totaled $26.9 million, up from $25.7 million in 2009.

"In the second half of 2010, we intensified our efforts to resolve existing problem loans, which produced higher credit losses in both the third and fourth quarters," commented Mead.  "The financial strain from an extremely difficult economy continues to overwhelm many of our commercial borrowers, while continued weakness in commercial real estate values is adversely affecting collateral values and the disposal of some problem assets.  These conditions hindered our efforts to reduce nonperforming assets and improve asset quality, which will remain a top priority for us.  We realize it will take time for our asset quality metrics to return to more historical levels but are encouraged by a modest improvement in loan delinquencies, as loans 30 to 90 days past due held around 1% during the fourth quarter, and a reduction in watch credits in 2010."

In 2010, Peoples successfully grew non-interest-bearing deposit balances, with increases of $5.4 million, or 10% annualized, in the fourth quarter and $17.1 million, or 9%, for the year.  Due to this growth in non-interest-bearing balances and lack of earning asset growth, management focused on reducing higher-cost, non-core deposits in 2010.  As a result, retail deposit balances decreased $30.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $30.6 million for the year, due to lower interest-bearing balances at December 31, 2010.  Government deposit balances, which historically have carried higher interest rates, decreased by $20.3 million in the fourth quarter and were down $28.2 million compared to year-end 2009, accounting for the majority of the reduction in interest-bearing balances.  Certificates of deposit balances were also lower at year-end 2010 compared to recent quarters due to less competitive pricing of these higher costing deposits.  Peoples also reduced borrowed funds by 33% in 2010, to $231.8 million at year-end.  A portion of this decrease was attributable to the prepayment of $60.0 million of wholesale repurchase agreements during the third quarter in order to de-leverage the balance sheet and improve the balance sheet risk profile.

"In 2010, we faced many challenges as we worked to position the company for the eventual return to more favorable economic conditions," summarized Mead. "Already in 2011, we have enhanced shareholder return with the recent approval to repay a portion of the $39 million TARP capital received in early 2009.  Although the TARP capital has afforded us greater ability to work through credit issues, we have always viewed it as temporary and will work to return those funds as soon as possible.  We also will be focused on executing strategies for future expansion of the company and growth in earnings."        

Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a diversified financial products and services company with $1.8 billion in assets, 47 locations and 40 ATMs in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.  Peoples makes available a complete line of banking, investment, insurance, and trust solutions through its financial service units – Peoples Bank, National Association; Peoples Financial Advisors (a division of Peoples Bank); and Peoples Insurance Agency, LLC.  Peoples' common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market® under the symbol "PEBO", and Peoples is a member of the Russell 3000 index of US publicly-traded companies.  Learn more about Peoples at www.peoplesbancorp.com.  

Conference Call to Discuss Earnings:

Peoples will conduct a facilitated conference call to discuss fourth quarter and 2010 results of operations today at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, with members of Peoples' executive management participating.  Analysts, media and individual investors are invited to participate in the conference call by calling (800) 860-2442.  A simultaneous Webcast of the conference call audio will be available online via the "Investor Relations" section of Peoples' website, www.peoplesbancorp.com.  Participants are encouraged to call or sign in at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time to ensure participation and, if required, to download and install the necessary software.  A replay of the call will be available on Peoples' website in the "Investor Relations" section for one year.

Safe Harbor Statement:

Certain statements made in this news release regarding Peoples' financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are identified by the fact they are not historical facts and include words such as "anticipate", "could", "may", "feel", "expect", "believe", "plan", and similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on all information available and its knowledge of Peoples' business and operations.  Additionally, Peoples' financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially.  These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) continued deterioration in the credit quality of Peoples' loan portfolio could occur due to a number of factors, such as adverse changes in economic conditions that impair the ability of borrowers to repay their loans, the underlying value of the collateral could prove less valuable than otherwise assumed and assumed cash flows may be worse than expected, which may adversely impact the provision for loan losses; (2) competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions may increase significantly, including product and pricing pressures and Peoples' ability to attract, develop and retain qualified professionals; (3) changes in the interest rate environment, which may adversely impact interest margins; (4) changes in prepayment speeds, loan originations, sale volumes and charge-offs, which may be less favorable than expected and adversely impact the amount of interest income generated; (5) general economic conditions and weakening in the real estate market, either nationally or in the states in which Peoples and its subsidiaries do business may be less favorable than expected, which could decrease the demand for loans, deposits and other financial services and increase loan delinquencies and defaults; (6) political developments, wars or other hostilities, which may disrupt or increase volatility in securities markets or other economic conditions; (7) legislative or regulatory changes or actions, including in particular the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and the regulations to be promulgated thereunder, which may adversely affect the business of Peoples and its subsidiaries; (8) changes in accounting standards, policies, estimates or procedures may adversely affect Peoples' reported financial condition or results of operations; (9) adverse changes in the conditions and trends in the financial markets, which may adversely affect the fair value of securities within Peoples' investment portfolio and interest rate sensitivity of Peoples' consolidated balance sheet; (10) a delayed or incomplete resolution of regulatory issues that could arise; (11) Peoples' ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries; (12) Peoples' ability to maintain required capital levels and adequate sources of funding and liquidity; (13) the impact of larger or similar financial institutions encountering problems, which may adversely affect the banking industry and/or Peoples; (14) the impact of reputational risk created by these developments on such matters as business generation and retention, funding and liquidity; (15) the costs and effects of regulatory and legal developments, including the outcome of regulatory or other governmental inquiries and legal proceedings and results of regulatory examinations; and (16) other risk factors relating to the banking industry or Peoples as detailed from time to time in Peoples' reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including those risk factors included in the disclosures under the heading "ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS" of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.  

Peoples encourages readers of this news release to understand forward-looking statements to be strategic objectives rather than absolute targets of future performance.  Peoples undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable legal requirements.  Copies of documents filed with the SEC are available free of charge at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and/or from Peoples' website.

As required by U.S. GAAP, Peoples is required to evaluate the impact of subsequent events through the filing date of its December 31, 2010 consolidated financial statements on Form 10-K with the SEC.  Accordingly, subsequent events could occur that may cause Peoples to update its critical accounting estimates and to revise its financial information from that which is contained in this news release.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following non-GAAP financial measures used by Peoples provide information useful to investors in understanding Peoples’ operating performance and trends, and facilitate comparisons with the performance of Peoples’ peers.  The following tables summarize the non-GAAP financial measures derived from amounts reported in Peoples’ financial statements:

SOURCE Peoples Bancorp Inc.