IBERIABANK Corporation Reports First Quarter Results

LAFAYETTE, La., April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IBERIABANK Corporation (NASDAQ: IBKC), holding company of the 127-year-old IBERIABANK (www.iberiabank.com), reported operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.  For the quarter, the Company reported income available to common shareholders of $22.0 million, or $0.75 fully diluted earnings per share.  In the first quarter of 2014, the Company incurred non-operating costs equal to $1.2 million on a after-tax basis, or $0.04 per share.  In addition, the Company reported $1.7 million in after-tax non-operating income, or $0.06 per share.  Excluding those items, EPS in the first quarter of 2014 was $0.73 per share on a non-GAAP operating basis, compared to $0.87 per share in the fourth quarter of 2013 (refer to press release supplemental table). The Company has a higher proportion of revenues derived from fee income businesses than many of its peers. Those businesses and other aspects of the Company's businesses are subject to significant seasonal, cyclical, and general economic influences.

Daryl G. Byrd, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "As we anticipated, our financial results were influenced by historical seasonal factors, including soft mortgage, title, and service charge revenues and seasonal expense increases.  In the first quarter of each year, we typically experience a moderation in organic loan growth.  Our period-end loan growth in the first quarter of this year slowed to an annualized growth rate of 8%.  Our commercial loan pipeline is very robust at approximately $700 million, and the mortgage loan locked pipeline has improved 21% over the last three weeks. We are pleased with our margin results and asset quality improvements during quarter. While masked by the seasonal influences, we remain focused on improving our operating efficiency and profitability in 2014.  Our financial results for the first quarter exceeded our internal forecast and budget expectations for the quarter, and our current forecast for operating EPS for 2014 is similar to the current consensus analyst estimates."

Highlights for the First Quarter of 2014 and March 31, 2014:

• The net interest margin increased two basis points on a linked quarter basis to 3.54%, which was above the upper-end of the previously disclosed guidance range of 3.40% to 3.45%. Based on interest rate risk modeling and other factors, management increased its expectations for the net interest margin in 2014 to be in the range of 3.45% to 3.50%.
• Seasonal influences affected operating non-interest income and expense in the first quarter of 2014. Operating non-interest income declined $4.8 million, or 12%, due primarily to seasonally and cyclically lower mortgage loan income and a reduction in capital markets income.  Operating non-interest expenses increased $3.2 million, or 3%, on a linked quarter basis due primarily to seasonally-influenced expenses, business development-related expenses, and the addition of acquired branches in Memphis.  The Company's tangible operating efficiency ratio increased from 69.9% in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 73.6% in the first quarter of 2014.  The Company forecasts a tangible efficiency ratio of approximately 68% for the remainder of 2014.
• Total loan growth was $149 million, or 2%, between quarter-ends (6% annualized rate), while loan growth excluding all assets covered under FDIC loss share agreements and other non-covered acquired assets (collectively, "Acquired Assets") increased $165 million, or 2%, between quarter-ends (8% annualized rate).
• Core deposits (defined as total deposits less acquired deposits and time deposits) increased $103 million, or 1%, between quarter-ends (4% annualized growth rate). Non-interest-bearing deposits excluding acquired deposits increased $114 million, or 4%, between quarter-ends.
• The Company's legacy asset quality improved significantly in the first quarter of 2014.  At March 31, 2014, nonperforming assets ("NPAs"), excluding Acquired Assets, equated to 0.49% of total assets, loans past due 30 days or more equated to 0.53% of total loans, and classified assets excluding Acquired Assets equated to 0.49% of total assets.
• Net charge-offs totaled $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2014, or an annualized 0.03% of average loans, compared to an average of 0.05% of average loans over the past nine quarters. The Company recorded a $2.1 million loan loss provision and a $0.4 million provision for unfunded loan commitments in the first quarter of 2014 for a total provision for credit losses of $2.5 million, compared to $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 on that same basis.
• On January 17, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the Memphis operations of Trust One Bank, a division of Synovus Bank.  The Company acquired four office locations, approximately $87 million in loans, and assumed approximately $191 million in deposits.  All aspects of the client and branch conversion process were successfully completed over the weekend of January 18-19, 2014.
• The Company received approvals from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions to acquire by merger Teche Holding Company ("Teche") based in New Iberia, Louisiana.  No divestiture was required in association with the approvals.  The Company anticipates closing the transaction on May 31, 2014, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of shareholder approval at a special meeting of Teche shareholders on May 28, 2014 in accordance with the proxy statement prospectus that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 16, 2014.  At December 31, 2013, Teche had total assets of $877 million, gross loans of $704 million, and total deposits of $648 million.
• On February 10, 2014, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire by merger First Private Holdings, Inc. ("First Private") based in Dallas, Texas.  The Company has filed required regulatory applications and filed a proxy statement prospectus with the SEC on March 28, 2014.  The Company anticipates closing the transaction on June 30, 2014, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals.  At December 31, 2013, First Private had total assets of $357 million, gross loans of $257 million, and total deposits of $318 million.

Operating Results

On a linked quarter basis, average earning assets increased $234 million, or 2%, as average loans increased $379 million, or 4%, average indemnification asset ("IA") declined $34 million, or 18%, average investment securities decreased $16 million, or 1%, and other earning assets declined $94 million, or 26%. Also on a linked quarter basis, the average earning asset yield remained stable, and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased three basis points.  As a result, the tax-equivalent net interest spread increased three basis points and the net interest margin increased two basis points.  Tax-equivalent net interest income increased $0.9 million, or 1%, as average earning assets increased and the net interest margin expanded.

The non-covered loan yield decreased five basis points, while the net covered loan yield (net of IA amortization) decreased 25 basis points.  The average covered loan volume declined $60 million, or 8%.  As a result of the reduction in yield and volume, the associated net covered income declined $1.3 million on a linked quarter basis, which was slightly better than management's expectations. 

For the second quarter of 2014, the Company projects the prospective yield on the covered loan portfolio net of the IA amortization to approximate 2.73%, compared to 3.18% in the first quarter.  The average balance of the net covered loan portfolio is projected to decline approximately $63 million, based on current cash flow assumptions and estimates.  Net income on the covered loan portfolio is projected to decline $1.3 million between the first and second quarters of 2014.  The Company projects the net covered income to equate to less than 6% of total net interest income in 2014, compared to 11% in 2013.

On a period-end basis, the IA declined $21 million, or 13%, from $162 million at December 31, 2013, to $141 million at March 31, 2014.  The portion of the IA collectible from the FDIC decreased $2.1 million, or 6%, while the collectible portion from other real estate owned ("OREO") and customers declined $24.3 million, or 20%.

Aggregate non-interest income decreased $3.0 million, or 8%, on a linked quarter basis.  The primary changes in non-interest income on a linked quarter basis were:

• Decreased mortgage income of $2.2 million, or 18%;
• Decreased service charge income of $0.4 million, or 6%;
• Decreased title revenue of $0.2 million, or 4%; and
• Decreased capital markets revenue of $1.1 million; partially offset by
• Increased BOLI income of $1.5 million (considered non-operating income).

The $2.2 million decline in mortgage income was the result of lower production and sales volumes, due primarily to cyclical conditions impacting the mortgage business in general, unfavorable weather conditions for home purchases in the first quarter of 2014, and seasonal slowness in many markets in which the mortgage business operates. The decline in income was partially offset by a $1.0 million reduction in mortgage commission and production incentives expense (included in non-interest expense).

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company originated $313 million in residential mortgage loans, down $90 million, or 22%, on a linked quarter basis.  Client loan refinancing opportunities accounted for approximately 16% of mortgage loan applications in the first quarter of 2014, compared to 19% in the fourth quarter of 2013, and approximately 17% between March 31, 2014, and April 18, 2014.  The Company sold $311 million in mortgage loans during the first quarter of 2014, down $66 million, or 18%, on a linked quarter basis.  The gain on sale margin for mortgage loans decreased by 65 basis points on a linked quarter basis, while the market value adjustment on loans held in the pipeline and warehouse increased $3.0 million on a linked quarter basis during the first quarter of 2014.  The mortgage origination locked pipeline increased 43% during the first quarter of 2014, from $110 million at December 31, 2013, to $157 million at March 31, 2014.  At April 18, 2014, the locked pipeline was $190 million, or a 21% increase compared to March 31, 2014.  The mortgage business primarily focuses on retail mortgage loans originated by the Company.  Less than 0.5% of total originations in 2013 were purchased through correspondent mortgage loan providers.  These mortgage loans were primarily for community reinvestment-related loan opportunities.

The decline in service charge income of 6% on a linked quarter basis was influenced by fewer calendar days and consumer spending seasonality pattern differences between the quarters.

Assets under management at IBERIA Wealth Advisors ("IWA") were $1.2 billion at March 31, 2014, up 7% compared to December 31, 2013.  Revenues for IWA increased 2% on a linked quarter basis, and were up 15% compared to the first quarter of 2013.  IBERIA Financial Services revenues increased 8% on a linked quarter basis, as transaction levels increased 11% over the period.  IBERIA Capital Partners experienced lower investment banking and institutional brokerage revenues in the first quarter of 2014, compared to record revenues in the fourth quarter of 2013.

On a linked quarter basis, the Company experienced an increased level of interest rate derivative activity executed on behalf of clients, resulting in a modest increase in customer derivative commission income in the first quarter of 2014.

Non-interest expense increased $5 million, or 5%, on a linked quarter basis and included the following linked-quarter changes:

• Increased payroll tax expense of $1.8 million;
• Increased provision for unfunded lending commitments of $1.2 million;
• Increased marketing and business development expense of $1.2 million; and
• Increased FDIC insurance premiums of $0.6 million; and
• Increased operating expenses associated with the acquired branches in Memphis of $0.5 million; partially offset by
• Decreased mortgage commissions and production incentives of $1.0 million.

Excluding non-operating expenses, total expenses increased $3.2 million, or 3%, from $102 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 to $106 million in the first quarter of 2014.  The Company continues to review its operating metrics for future opportunities to improve revenues and reduce expenses.

Loans

Total loans increased $149 million, or 2%, between December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014.  The loan portfolio associated with FDIC-assisted acquisitions at March 31, 2014, decreased $56 million, or 8%, compared to December 31, 2013.  Excluding Acquired Assets, total loans increased $165 million, or 2% (8% annualized rate), during the first quarter. Legacy commercial loans increased $101 million, or 2% (which included $36 million in business banking loan growth, up 6%, or 23% annualized rate), legacy consumer loans increased $50 million, or 3%, and legacy mortgage loans increased $15 million, or 3%, during the quarter.  Loan origination and renewal growth during the first quarter of 2014 were strongest in the Houston, New Orleans, Naples, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge markets.  Loan origination and renewal mix in the first quarter of 2014 was 56% fixed rate and 44% floating rate, and total loans outstanding (excluding nonaccruals) were 50% fixed and 50% floating.  Loans and commitments originated and/or renewed during the first quarter of 2014 totaled $855 million (down 39% on a linked quarter basis).  Energy-related loans outstanding totaled $806 million at March 31, 2014, up $42 million, or 5%, compared to December 31, 2013, and equated to approximately 9% of total loans. The Company had no student loans outstanding at March 31, 2014.

Deposits

Total deposits increased $162 million, or 1%, from December 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014, while core deposits increased $103 million, or 1%.  Excluding acquired deposits, total deposits decreased $13 million, or less than 1%. Non-interest-bearing deposits increased $153 million, or 6% ($114 million, or 4%, excluding acquired deposits), and equated to 25% of total deposits at March 31, 2014.  NOW accounts decreased $89 million, or 4%, while money market and savings account volume increased $180 million, or 4%, between December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014 ($110 million, or 3%, excluding acquired deposits.)  Time deposits declined $82 million, or 5% between quarter-ends.  Period-end deposit growth during the first quarter of 2014 was strongest in the Lake Charles, Naples, Birmingham, and Little Rock markets.

On an average balance and linked quarter basis, non-interest-bearing deposits increased $50 million, or 2%, and interest-bearing deposits decreased $70 million, or 1%.  The rate on average interest-bearing deposits in the first quarter of 2014 was 0.36%, a decrease of three basis points on a linked quarter basis.

Other Assets And Funding

Excess liquidity averaged $115 million in the first quarter of 2014, down $90 million, or 44%, on a linked quarter basis.  The investment portfolio remained stable at $2.1 billion on average in the first quarter of 2014.  Also, on a period-end basis, the investment portfolio equated to $2.1 billion, or 15% of total assets at March 31, 2014, down slightly compared to 16% at December 31, 2013.  The investment portfolio had a modified duration of 3.9 years at March 31, 2014, unchanged compared to December 31, 2013.  At current prepayment speeds, the investment portfolio is projected to create cash flows of approximately $586 million over the next 21 months, or 28% of the total investment portfolio.  The Company estimates that a potential increase in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points at March 31, 2014 would extend the duration of the investment portfolio by 0.5 and 0.7 years, respectively.  The investment portfolio improved from a $28 million unrealized loss at December 31, 2013, to a $10 million unrealized loss at March 31, 2014.  The average yield on investment securities increased one basis point on a linked quarter basis to 2.22% in the first quarter of 2014.  The Company holds in its investment portfolio primarily government agency securities.  Municipal securities comprised only 9% of total investments at March 31, 2014.  The Company holds for investment no sovereign debt, corporate debt or equity securities, trust preferred securities, or derivative exposure to foreign counterparties.

On a linked quarter basis, average long-term debt remained stable, and the cost of debt increased five basis points to 3.42%.  The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities was 0.44% in the first quarter of 2014, a decrease of three basis points on a linked quarter basis.

Asset Quality

To provide additional consistency and transparency for financial reporting of Acquired Assets, the Company divides Acquired Assets into five distinct categories:

1. Legacy assets that were originated and not acquired;
2. Acquired Assets that are scheduled to lose FDIC loss share coverage over the next 12 months;
3. Acquired Assets that will continue to be covered under FDIC loss share coverage beyond the next 12 months;
4. Acquired Assets not covered under FDIC loss share agreements using SOP accounting treatment (in accordance with ASC Topic 310-30); and
5. Acquired Assets not covered under FDIC loss share agreements not using SOP accounting treatment.

Legacy NPAs at March 31, 2014 were $59 million, down $14 million, or 19%, compared to December 31, 2013.  NPAs equated to 0.49% of total assets at March 31, 2014, compared to 0.61% of total assets at December 31, 2013.  Loans past due 30 days or more (including non-accruing loans) decreased $22 million, or 33%, and represented 0.53% of total loans at March 31, 2014, compared to 0.80% at December 31, 2013.  Classified assets decreased $23 million, or 28%, during the first quarter of 2014.

Table F provides a breakdown of Acquired Assets under the other four categories pertaining to Acquired Assets and the asset quality performance measures associated with Acquired Assets in each category. 

Capital Position

The Company maintains favorable capital strength.  At March 31, 2014, the Company reported a tangible common equity ratio of 8.61%, up six basis points compared to December 31, 2013.  At March 31, 2014, the Company's preliminary Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.61%, down nine basis points compared to December 31, 2013.  The Company's preliminary total risk-based capital ratio at March 31, 2014 was 12.69%, down 13 basis points compared to December 31, 2013.  The decline in the risk-based capital ratio was due in part to FDIC-loan pay downs that carried a 20% risk weighting, into non-covered loans that carried a higher risk weighting.

On October 26, 2011, the Company announced a share repurchase program totaling 900,000 shares of common stock. No shares were repurchased under this program during the first quarter of 2014.  A total of 46,692 shares remain under the currently authorized share repurchase program.

At March 31, 2014, book value per share was $52.04, up $0.64 per share compared to December 31, 2013. Tangible book value per share was $37.59, up $0.42 per share compared to December 31, 2013.  Based on the closing stock price of the Company's common stock of $67.28 per share on April 23, 2014, this price equated to 1.29 times March 31, 2014 book value and 1.79 times March 31, 2014 tangible book value per share.

On March 18, 2014, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.34 per share. This dividend level equated to an annualized dividend rate of $1.36 per share and an indicated dividend yield of 2.02%.

IBERIABANK Corporation

The Company is a financial holding company with 266 combined offices, including 171 bank branch offices and four loan production offices in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, and Florida, 22 title insurance offices in Arkansas and Louisiana, and mortgage representatives in 60 locations in 11 states.  The Company has eight locations with representatives of IBERIA Wealth Advisors in four states, and one IBERIA Capital Partners, L.L.C. office in New Orleans.

The Company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "IBKC."  The Company's market capitalization was approximately $2.0 billion, based on the NASDAQ Global Select Market closing stock price on April 23, 2014.

The following 11 investment firms currently provide equity research coverage on the Company:

• Bank of America Merrill Lynch
• FIG Partners, LLC
• Jefferies & Co., Inc.
• Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
• Merion Capital Group
• Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
• Robert W. Baird & Company
• Stephens, Inc.
• Sterne, Agee & Leach
• SunTrust Robinson-Humphrey
• Wunderlich Securities

Conference Call

In association with this earnings release, the Company will host a live conference call to discuss the financial results for the quarter just completed. The telephone conference call will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Central Time by dialing 1-800-230-1092. The confirmation code for the call is 322788.  A replay of the call will be available until midnight Central Time on May 1, 2014 by dialing 1-800-475-6701. The confirmation code for the replay is 322788.  The Company has prepared a PowerPoint presentation that supplements information contained in this press release.  The PowerPoint presentation may be accessed on the Company's web site, www.iberiabank.com, under "Investor Relations" and then "Presentations."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. The Company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in their analysis of the Company's performance. These measures typically adjust GAAP performance measures to exclude the effects of the amortization of intangibles and include the tax benefit associated with revenue items that are tax-exempt, as well as adjust income available to common shareholders for certain significant activities or transactions that in management's opinion can distort period-to-period comparisons of the Company's performance. Since the presentation of these GAAP performance measures and their impact differ between companies, management believes presentations of these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company's core businesses. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.  Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP disclosures are included as tables at the end of this release.  Refer to press release supplemental table for this reconciliation.

Caution About Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  In general, forward-looking statements usually use words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "will," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue" and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, including statements related to the expected timing of the closing of the proposed merger, the expected returns and other benefits of the proposed mergers with First Private and Teche to shareholders, expected improvement in operating efficiency resulting from the proposed mergers, estimated expense reductions resulting from the transactions and the timing of achievement of such reductions, the impact on and timing of the recovery of the impact on tangible book value, and the effect of the mergers on IBKC's capital ratios.  Forward-looking statements represent management's beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance.  Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements, and there can be no assurances that: the proposed mergers will close when expected, the expected returns and other benefits of the proposed mergers to shareholders will be achieved, the expected operating efficiencies will result, estimated expense reductions resulting from the transactions will occur as and when expected, the impact on tangible book value will be recovered or as expected or that the effect on IBKC's capital ratios will be as expected.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the possibility that expected benefits may not materialize in the time frames expected or at all, or may be more costly to achieve; that the merger transactions may not be timely completed, if at all; that prior to completion of the merger transactions or thereafter, the parties' respective businesses may not perform as expected due to transaction-related uncertainties or other factors; that the parties are unable to implement successful integration strategies; that the required regulatory, shareholder, or other closing conditions are not satisfied in a timely manner, or at all; reputational risks and the reaction of the parties' customers to the merger transactions; diversion of management time to merger-related issues; and other factors and risk influences contained in the cautionary language included under the headings "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" in IBKC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, and other documents subsequently filed by IBKC with the SEC.  Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. IBKC, Teche, and First Private undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For any forward-looking statements made in this press release or any related documents, IBKC, Teche, and First Private claim protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

This communication is being made in respect of the proposed merger transactions involving IBKC, Teche, and First Private. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed mergers, IBKC filed with the SEC registration statements on Form S-4 that included proxy statements/prospectuses for the shareholders of Teche and First Private. IBKC also filed other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed merger transactions with Teche and First Private. Teche and First Private will mail the final proxy statements/prospectuses to their respective shareholders. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENTS/PROSPECTUSES REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. The proxy statements/prospectuses, as well as other filings containing information about IBKC, Teche, and First Private, are available without charge, at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statements/prospectuses and the filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in the proxy statements/prospectuses can also be obtained, when available, without charge, from  IBKC's website (http://www.iberiabank.com), under the heading "Investor Information" on Teche's website, at http://www.teche.com and on First Private's website, at http://www.firstprivatetx.com.

IBKC, Teche, and First Private, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Teche and First Private in respect of the proposed merger transactions. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of IBKC is set forth in the definitive proxy statement for IBKC's 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on April 7, 2014, and in Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with the SEC by its officers and directors.  Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Teche and First Private who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of Teche and First Private in connection with their respective proposed transactions will be included in the proxy statements/prospectuses for special meetings of shareholders for Teche and First Private, which were filed by IBKC with the SEC.  Additional information regarding the interests of such participants are included in the proxy statements/prospectuses and other relevant documents regarding the proposed merger transactions filed with the SEC when they become available.  

SOURCE IBERIABANK Corporation