1st Mariner Bancorp Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

BALTIMORE, Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 1^st Mariner Bancorp (OTCBB: FMAR), parent company of 1^st Mariner Bank, reported net income of $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2012, compared to a net loss of $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net income was $15.4 million compared to a loss of $26.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Mark A. Keidel, 1^st Mariner's Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our positive momentum in earnings continued as we experienced improvements in operating results across all segments of operating performance measures.  A record number of mortgage originations during the quarter and for the first nine months of 2012 drove a 110% increase in non-interest income in the third quarter of 2012. While mortgage led the way in operating performance improvement for the third quarter, we also experienced higher net interest income, lower charge offs and credit related expenses, and reduced operating expenses."

Mr. Keidel added, "Along with the improved financial performance, 1^st Mariner successfully consolidated administrative units in its Canton headquarters in the third quarter which will reduce future occupancy costs and recently completed a successful conversion of its data processing platform that will enhance customer capabilities and improve back office efficiencies. These initiatives required extraordinary commitment and skill from our employees, and lay the groundwork for improved customer service and lower operating costs."

Mr. Keidel continued, "Our improved profitability has increased our regulatory capital ratios, but these ratios remain below the levels required by regulatory orders and we continue to work diligently to increase capital to levels required in our regulatory agreements."

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2012 was $8.1million compared to $7.1million in the third quarter of 2011. While the net interest margin decreased to 3.01% in the third quarter of 2012, compared to 3.13% in the third quarter of 2011, higher balances of mortgage loans held for sale resulted in higher net interest income. The decrease in net margin was due to a higher mix of residential mortgages held for sale. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the average rate earned on residential mortgage warehouse loans was 3.54% and for the three months ended September 30, 2011, the rate was 4.88%. Other loan categories also saw their yields decrease too as the overall interest rate environment has remained low. The average interest rate earned on all loans was 5.24% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 5.48% for the three months ended September 30, 2011. The decrease in the yield on loans was partially offset by decreases in rates paid on deposits. Interest expense on deposits was $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. The average rate paid on deposits decreased to 1.17% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, down from 1.64% for the three months ended September 30, 2011. The largest decrease in the rates paid on deposits was in the certificate of deposit category. The average rate paid on certificates of deposit was 1.36% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, down from 1.96% for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Gross interest income was $11.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 versus $11.7 million in the same period of 2011. Although the average yield on earning assets decreased to 4.47% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from 5.14% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, the growth in the volume of residential mortgage loans held for sale contributed to the overall increase in interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Average residential mortgage loans held for sale were $320.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 versus $73.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Total average earning assets were $1.1 billion and $897.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net interest income was $22.9 million compared to $20.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The net interest margin was 3.08% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 versus 2.94% for the same period in 2011. The increase was due to the higher volume of residential mortgage loans held for sale and lower interest rates paid on deposits. The average interest rate paid on deposits was 1.27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 versus 1.74% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Interest expense on deposits was $8.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $12.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Gross interest income was $34.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 versus $35.5 million in the same period of 2011. Lower levels of portfolio loans were the primary cause of the decrease. Average portfolio loans were $671.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 versus $762.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Average residential mortgage loans held for sale were $234.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $65.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Total average earning assets were $981.8 million and $921.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  

The provision for loan losses was zero for the three months ended September 30, 2012 versus $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Net charge-offs decreased to $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Costs related to foreclosed properties, including write-downs due to declining appraised values, amounted to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Combined credit- related costs (provision for loan losses and costs of foreclosed properties) amounted to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 versus $8.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Improving portfolio credit quality and a stabilizing real estate market in our operating region contributed to the improvement in credit costs. 

The provision for loan losses was $572 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $11.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Net charge offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $2.3 million, a significant decrease from the $11.6 million incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Costs related to foreclosed properties, including write-downs due to declining appraised values, amounted to $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 versus $6.6 million recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Combined credit- related costs amounted to $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $18.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Improving portfolio credit quality and a stabilizing real estate market in our operating region contributed to the improvement in credit costs. As of September 30, 2012, the non-performing assets were $56.6 million, a 16% improvement over the $67.2 million of non-performing assets as of September 30, 2011.

Non-interest income was $16.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, which is an increase of $8.6 million from the $7.7 million that was reported in the third quarter of 2011. The increase was due to high mortgage banking revenue resulting from the large volume of residential mortgage originations.  Gross revenue from the mortgage banking activities increased more than threefold, with $15.4 million recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2012 versus $4.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2011. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, gross mortgage loan production volume was $742.2 million compared to $297.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, non-interest income was $39.5 million, which is a $23.9 million improvement over the $15.5 million recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Increased gross mortgage banking revenue was the primary reason for the increase. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the gross revenue from mortgage banking activities was $35.5 million, a significant increase over the $7.9 million that was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Mortgage loan production volume was $1.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 versus $688.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Additionally, the company experienced increased spreads on loans sold.

Non-interest expenses were $16.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $17.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. There were reductions in occupancy expense due to office consolidation and the sublet of remaining office space. Occupancy expenses were $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Professional fees related to regulatory compliance, loan workouts, and efforts related to increasing capital levels were $973 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2012 versus $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Costs related to foreclosed properties, including write-downs due to declining appraised values, amounted to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Amounts paid for FDIC insurance premiums remain high with $1.0 million incurred in the three months ended September 30, 2012 and $878 thousand incurred in the three months ended September 30, 2011. Corporate insurance increased during the quarter as the renewal premiums became effective in August. For the three months ended September 30, 2012 corporate insurance expense was $695 thousand compared to $388 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, non-interest expenses were $46.7 million, which is an 8.1% decrease over the $50.8 million recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Costs related to foreclosed properties, including write-downs due to declining appraised values, amounted to $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 versus $6.6 million recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. FDIC insurance premiums remain high with $3.1 million incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and $3.4 million incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Corporate insurance increased during the quarter as the renewal premiums became effective in August. Corporate insurance expense was $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Comparing balance sheet data as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, total assets increased 8% to $1.29 billion, from the prior year's $1.20 billion. The increase is due to a $245.4 million increase in loans held for sale that resulted from the high level of mortgage banking activity.

• Average earning assets were $1.06 billion for the third quarter of 2012, which was a $158.8 million increase over the third quarter 2011 balance of $897.3 million. The increase was due to higher average loans held for sale that resulted from the higher mortgage banking activity.
  
  
• Total loans outstanding were $643.5 million as of September 30, 2012, down 13% from the $736.7 million reported in prior year. This was due to loan maturities, loan sales, and reduced portfolio loan production.
  
  
• Total loans held for sale were $371.6 million as of September 30, 2012, up 194% over the $126.2 million held for sale as of September 30, 2011. The increase was due to the high mortgage division production achieved in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2102. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, gross mortgage loan production volume was $1.8 billion.
  
  
• The allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2012 was $12.1 million, a decrease of 14% over the prior year's $14.1 million. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.88% as of September 30, 2012, compared to 1.92% as of September 30, 2011.
  
  
• Total deposits increased 7% from $1.03 billion as of September 30, 2011 to $1.11 billion as of September 30, 2012. Money market and NOW accounts increased $20.0 million, from $131.4 million as of September 30, 2011 to $151.4 million as of September 30, 2012. Savings accounts decreased $1.1 million from $57.0 million as of September 30, 2011 to $55.9 million as of September 30, 2012. Certificates of deposit were $798.6 million as of September 30, 2012, representing an increase of $58.3 million, or 7%, from the $740.3 million as of September 30, 2011.
  
  
• As of September 30, 2012, 1^st Mariner Bank's capital ratios were as follows: Total Risk Based Capital 7.1%; Tier 1 Risk Based Capital 5.8%; and Leverage 4.1%. 

1st Mariner Bancorp is a bank holding company with total assets of $1.29 billion.  Its wholly owned banking subsidiary, 1st Mariner Bank, operates 21 full service bank branches in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, Howard, Talbot, and Carroll counties in Maryland, and the City of Baltimore. 1st Mariner Mortgage, a division of 1st Mariner Bank, operates retail offices in Central Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and portions of Northern Virginia. 1st Mariner also operates direct marketing mortgage operations in Baltimore.  1st Mariner Bancorp's common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "FMAR".  1st Mariner's Website address is www.1stMarinerBancorp.com, which includes comprehensive level investor information.

In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the Company's plans and expectations regarding the Company's efforts to meet regulatory capital requirements established by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, revenue growth, anticipated expenses, profitability of mortgage banking operations, and other unknown outcomes.  The Company's actual results could differ materially from management's expectations.  Factors that could contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to increase its capital levels and those of 1st Mariner Bank, volatility in the financial markets, changes in regulations applicable to the Company's business,  its concentration in real estate lending, increased competition, changes in technology, particularly Internet banking, impact of interest rates, and the possibility of economic recession or slowdown (which could impact credit quality, adequacy of loan loss reserve and loan growth).Greater detail regarding these  factors is provided in the forward looking statements and  Risk Factors  sections included in the reports filed by the Company with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2012. Our forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss elsewhere in this news release, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our web site and at the SEC's web site, www.sec.gov.

SOURCE 1st Mariner Bancorp