Mercantile Bank Corporation Reports Strong Second Quarter 2016 Results

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercantile Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: MBWM) ("Mercantile") reported net income of $7.4 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2016, compared with net income of $6.6 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the respective prior-year period.  Net income during the first six months of 2016 totaled $16.0 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared to $13.2 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, during the first six months of 2015.

The second quarter was highlighted by:

• Strong earnings performance and capital position
• Increased net interest margin
• Strong asset quality, as reflected by low levels of nonperforming assets and loans in the 30- to 89-days delinquent category
• New commercial term loan originations of approximately $193 million
• Sustained strength in commercial loan pipeline

"Mercantile continued its solid 2016 performance with an excellent quarter that reflects our bank's position as an industry leader in our markets," said Michael Price, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercantile.  "Our sound earnings performance and balance sheet and sustained strength in commercial loan originations make us very confident that the strong results achieved during the first half of the year can be extended throughout the remainder of 2016."

Operating Results

Total revenue, which consists of net interest income and noninterest income, was $31.2 million during the second quarter of 2016, up $2.1 million or 7.2 percent from the prior-year second quarter.  Net interest income during the second quarter of 2016 was $27.1 million, up $2.1 million or 8.2 percent from the second quarter of 2015, primarily reflecting an increased net interest margin and a higher level of earning assets.

The net interest margin was 4.01 percent in the second quarter of 2016, up from 3.83 percent in the prior-year second quarter due to an increased yield on average earning assets.  The higher yield primarily resulted from both an increased yield on securities and a change in earning asset mix.  The increased yield on securities was mainly due to a significant level of accelerated discount accretion on called U.S. Government agency bonds being recorded as interest income.  The accelerated discount accretion totaled $1.5 million during the second quarter of 2016 and $1.8 million during the first six months of 2016, positively impacting the net interest margin by 22 basis points and 13 basis points in the respective periods.  A nominal level of accelerated discount on called U.S. Government agency bonds was recorded as interest income during the comparable 2015 periods.

The net interest margin has been relatively stable over the past eight quarters, ranging from 3.79 percent to 4.01 percent.  Mercantile's yield on loans has generally declined during this time period, consistent with the industry and primarily due to the ongoing low interest rate environment and competitive industry pressures.  In Mercantile's case, however, the negative impact of the lower loan yield has been largely offset by assets shifting out of the low-yielding securities portfolio and into the higher-yielding loan portfolio, thus capitalizing on an opportunity growing out of the 2014 merger with Firstbank Corporation.  Average loans represented about 86 percent of average earning assets during the second quarter of 2016, up from approximately 81 percent during the second quarter of 2015.  The reallocation of earning assets strategy was completed during the second quarter of 2016 as the level of investments reached the internal policy guideline.

As indicated in previous quarters, net interest income and the net interest margin during the second quarter of 2016 and the prior-year second quarter were affected by purchase accounting accretion and amortization entries associated with the fair value measurements recorded effective June 1, 2014.  An increase in interest income on loans totaling $0.9 million and an increase in interest expense on subordinated debentures totaling $0.2 million were recorded during the second quarter of 2016.  An increase in interest income on loans totaling $1.5 million and decreases in interest expense on deposits and FHLB advances aggregating $0.6 million were recorded during the second quarter of 2015.  In addition, an increase in interest expense on subordinated debentures totaling $0.2 million was recorded during the same time period.  Mercantile expects to continue to record adjustments in interest income on loans and interest expense on subordinated debentures in future periods; however, the adjustments to interest expense on deposits and FHLB advances ended in July and June of 2015, respectively.  The resulting increase in interest expense negatively impacted the net interest margin by approximately eight to ten basis points after July 31, 2015.

Mercantile recorded a $1.1 million provision for loan losses during the second quarter of 2016 compared to a negative $0.6 million provision during the respective 2015 period.  The provision expense recorded during the second quarter of 2016 primarily reflects ongoing loan growth and increased allocations related to environmental factors, while the negative provision recorded during the prior-year second quarter resulted from multiple factors, including recoveries of previously charged-off loans, reversals of specific reserves, a reduced level of loan-rating downgrades and ongoing loan-rating upgrades.

Noninterest income during the second quarter of 2016 was $4.1 million, up slightly from the $4.0 million in noninterest income recorded during the second quarter of 2015.  A higher level of service charges on accounts, in large part reflecting an ongoing project to ensure all depositors are in a product that best meets their needs and is priced appropriately, was substantially offset by decreased mortgage banking income.  The decline in mortgage banking income primarily reflects a decreased level of refinance activity.

Noninterest expense totaled $19.2 million during the second quarter of 2016, down $1.2 million or 5.7 percent from the respective 2015 period, primarily due to lower salary and benefit expenses and nonperforming asset costs.  Salary and benefit costs totaled $10.8 million during the current-year second quarter, down $0.3 million or 2.5 percent from the prior-year second quarter primarily due to decreased bonus accrual.  Nonperforming asset costs during the second quarter of 2016 were $0.3 million lower than the amount expensed during the second quarter of 2015.

Mr. Price continued: "While our net interest margin was positively impacted by the recording of accelerated discount accretion on called U.S. Government agency bonds, we are very pleased with the strength and stability of our core net interest margin, reflecting our continued focus on loan pricing discipline and strong asset quality.  Our net interest income is expected to benefit from any further rate hikes initiated by the Federal Open Market Committee in light of our balance sheet structure.  We continue to identify opportunities to enhance fee income and are now realizing the full cost savings associated with the cost efficiency program that was announced in the latter part of 2015, both of which should positively impact operating results during the remainder of 2016."   

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2016, total assets were $3.00 billion, up $96.4 million or 3.3 percent from December 31, 2015; total loans increased $102 million, or 4.5 percent, to $2.38 billion over the same time period, representing an annualized growth rate of approximately 9 percent.  During the twelve months ended June 30, 2016, total loans were up $208 million or 9.6 percent.  Approximately $193 million in commercial term loans to new and existing borrowers were originated during the second quarter of 2016, as ongoing sales and relationship building efforts resulted in increased lending opportunities.  As of June 30, 2016, unfunded commitments on commercial construction and development loans totaled approximately $92 million, which are expected to be largely funded over the next twelve months. 

Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Mercantile, noted: "As reflected by the increased level of new commercial term loan originations during the second quarter of 2016, our lending staff continues to develop new relationships in our market areas and serve the credit needs of our existing customers.  We remain focused on loan pricing discipline and quality, and based on the strength of our current loan pipeline, we are confident that we can continue to grow the portfolio in future periods.  We are particularly pleased with the growth of the commercial loan portfolio, and we have recently implemented strategic initiatives to increase our market presence in the residential mortgage and consumer loan areas.  These initiatives, including the hiring of loan originators, the introduction of new and enhanced loan products, loan specials, and increased marketing efforts, should positively impact these portfolios in upcoming periods."  

Commercial-related real estate loans continue to comprise a majority of Mercantile's loan portfolio, representing about 55 percent of total loans as of June 30, 2016.  Non-owner occupied commercial real estate ("CRE") loans and owner-occupied CRE loans equaled approximately 30 percent and 18 percent of total loans, respectively, as of June 30, 2016.  Commercial and industrial loans represented approximately 32 percent of total loans as of June 30, 2016. 

As of June 30, 2016, total deposits were $2.28 billion, up $4.3 million from December 31, 2015, and $0.9 million from June 30, 2015.   Local deposits were up $29.1 million since year-end 2015 and $40.1 million over the past twelve months; growth in local deposits was primarily driven by new commercial loan relationships.  Wholesale funds were $275 million, or approximately 11 percent of total funds, as of June 30, 2016, compared to $189 million, or approximately 8 percent of total funds, as of December 31, 2015, and $184 million, or approximately 7 percent of total funds, as of June 30, 2015.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets at June 30, 2016 were $6.0 million, compared to $6.3 million as of March 31, 2016, and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2015; at each period-end, nonperforming assets represented 0.2% of total assets.  The level of past due loans remains nominal, and the number and aggregate dollar amount of loan relationships on the internal watch list continue to decline.  Net loan charge-offs were $0.3 million during the second quarter of 2016, less than $0.1 million in the linked quarter, and $3.9 million in the prior-year second quarter.

Capital Position

Shareholders' equity totaled $345 million as of June 30, 2016, an increase of $10.8 million from year-end 2015.  The Bank's capital position remains above "well-capitalized" with a total risk-based capital ratio of 13.1 percent as of June 30, 2016, compared to 13.5 percent at December 31, 2015.  At June 30, 2016, the Bank had approximately $82 million in excess of the 10.0 percent minimum regulatory threshold required to be considered a "well-capitalized" institution.  Mercantile reported 16,271,061 total shares outstanding at June 30, 2016.

As part of a $20 million common stock repurchase program announced in January of 2015, Mercantile repurchased approximately 168,000 shares for $3.7 million, or a weighted average all-in cost per share of $22.23, during the first six months of 2016; since the program's inception, Mercantile repurchased approximately 956,000 shares, or nearly 6 percent of total shares outstanding at year-end 2014, for $19.5 million, or a weighted average all-in cost per share of $20.38, representing approximately 97 percent of the originally authorized program.  Future share repurchases totaling $15.5 million can be made under the program, which was expanded by $15 million earlier this year. 

Mr. Price concluded: "Our community banking philosophy, including our focus on building and developing value-added relationships with customers in our market areas, and commitment to meeting growth objectives in a disciplined manner continue to produce strong operating results.  We remain committed to increasing shareholder return as reflected by the increased quarterly cash dividend and ongoing common stock repurchase program.  We are confident that Mercantile will continue its strong financial performance in the latter half of 2016 and beyond, and we believe that our sound financial condition positions us to meet growth targets and further enhance shareholder value."

About Mercantile Bank Corporation

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mercantile Bank Corporation is the bank holding company for Mercantile Bank of Michigan.  Mercantile provides banking services to businesses, individuals and governmental units, and differentiates itself on the basis of service quality and the expertise of its banking staff. Mercantile has assets of approximately $3.0 billion and operates 48 banking offices serving communities in central and western Michigan.  Mercantile Bank Corporation's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "MBWM."

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains comments or information that constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results expressed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and nontraditional competitors; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies, and assessments; the impact of technological advances; governmental and regulatory policy changes; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; changes in local real estate values; changes in the national and local economies; and other factors, including risk factors, disclosed from time to time in filings made by Mercantile with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mercantile undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Mercantile Bank Corporation