Meridian Reports 3Q 2018 Record Operating Results Driven by Strong Organic Growth in Net Interest Income, Loans and Deposits

MALVERN, Pa., Oct. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Corporation (Nasdaq: MRBK) today reported net income of $2.7 million, or $0.42 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2018, which generated a return on average assets and return on average equity of 1.16% and 10.16%, respectively.

Christopher J. Annas, Chairman and CEO, commented, "I am very pleased to report these record results. The significant investment we made in 2016 in new commercial lenders, new branches and other infrastructure is paying off. Net income available for common stockholders is up three-fold from the same period last year. Earnings per share, despite a near doubling of shares outstanding, is up 78% year-over-year. We expect to have our third straight year of greater than 20% commercial loan growth, capitalizing on the significant merger activity in the Philadelphia metro market. Annualizing the bank's third quarter net income adjusted for non-recurring items, we have hit the double-digit return on equity forecasted in our IPO presentations.

"Our principal fee businesses, wealth and mortgage, had excellent quarters and combined represent over 20% of our year-to-date earnings. We have managed the mortgage business profitably each year by capitalizing on market variations and matching expenses accordingly. Our wealth platform is growing assets under management through synergies with bank commercial customers and significant outreach efforts by advisors.

"Our customer self-service ratio continues to grow through improved use of technology, which gives us increasing operational leverage for growth. We are anticipating, with yet another large merger in the Philadelphia metro market, that disruption will create an environment for our further growth."

Select Condensed Financial Information

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Meridian believes that non-GAAP measures are meaningful because they reflect adjustments commonly made by management, investors, regulators and analysts to evaluate the adequacy of common equity and performance trends.  This non-GAAP disclosure has limitations as an analytical tool, should not be viewed as a substitute for performance and financial condition measures determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of Meridian's results as reported under GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

Meridian believes adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted ROAA and adjusted ROAE provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhances comparability of results with prior periods. Because management believes that these adjustments are not incurred as a result of ongoing operations, they are not as helpful a measure of the performance of our underlying business, particularly in light of their unpredictable nature and are difficult to forecast.  This supplemental presentation should not be construed as an inference that Meridian's future results will be unaffected by similar adjustments to these measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

Third Quarter Highlights

Net income for common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $2.7 million, and $5.8 million, respectively, increases $1.6 million or 146% and $3.9 million or 209% as compared to net income for common stockholders for the same periods in 2017.

• Total assets of $959.8 million as of September 30, 2018 increased $103.8 million, or 12.1% year-to-date.
• Total portfolio loans and leases as of September 30, 2018 increased $112.2 million, or 16.1% year-to-date.
• Total deposits of $781.9 million as of September 30, 2018 increased $154.8 million, or 24.7% year-to-date.
• Non-interest bearing deposits increased $24.4 million, or 24.3% year-to-date.
• Net interest income increased $1.1 million, or 14.1% and $3.1 million or 14.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 over the same periods in 2017.

Income Statement Summary

Net income available to common stockholders was $2.7 million, or $0.42 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2018 compared to $1.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for the same period in 2017.  The increase was largely attributable to an increase in net interest income of $1.1 million, in addition to a lower level of provision for loan loss and the elimination of dividends payable to preferred shareholders.  Non-interest income and non-interest expense both decreased $1.3 million, offsetting each other.  Net income available to common stockholders was $5.8 million, or $0.90 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $1.9 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, for the same period in 2017.

Net interest income increased $1.1 million, or 14.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to $8.4 million from $7.3 million for the same period in 2017. Net interest income increased $3.1 million, or 14.7%, to $24.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $21.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The growth in interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 reflects an increase in average interest earning assets of $147.1 million. The growth in interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 reflects an increase in average interest earning assets of $126.6 million.  Increases over both periods were partially offset by the decrease in the net interest margin.  The net interest margin was 3.72%, and 3.83%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to 3.91% and 3.94% for the same periods in 2017. The decrease in net interest margin reflects the pressure from the rising cost of funds, which has outpaced the favorable trend in yield on interest earning assets during the quarter. The provision for loan losses decreased $374 thousand to $291 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and $187 thousand to $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to strong asset quality and lower levels of net charge-offs for both periods year over year.

Total non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $9.2 million, down $1.3 million, or 12.3%, from the comparable period in 2017.  Total non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $24.9 million, down $2.6 million, or 9.6%, from the same period in 2017.  These overall decreases in non-interest income came primarily from our mortgage division. Mortgage banking revenue decreased over the periods due primarily to lower margins, which decreased 50 basis points and 26 basis points, for the three and nine months respectively.  This lower level of revenue was partially offset by increases in loans sold of $45.5 million and $10.0 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017. The overall decline in mortgage banking revenue was also offset slightly by hedging gains and fair value adjustments period over period.  Realized gains on derivatives related to mortgage banking, included in other non-interest income, increased $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to $534 thousand, compared to a loss of ($798) thousand for the same period in 2017. The increase in realized gains was offset somewhat by a $572 thousand decline in fair value adjustments related to mortgage banking to ($472) thousand from $100 thousand for the same period in 2017. Wealth management revenue was relatively flat for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to three months ended September 30, 2017, but up $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Total non-interest expense was $13.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, down $1.3 million, or 8.4%, from $15.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and $40.4 million for nine months ended September 30, 2018, down $2.7 million, or 6.2%, from the same period in the 2017. The decrease is mainly attributable to a reduction in salaries and employee benefits expense, as full-time equivalent employees, particularly in the mortgage division were reduced. In addition, variable loan expenses decreased reflecting the lower level of mortgage originations. Occupancy and equipment, data processing and advertising and promotion expenses were relatively flat for the comparable third quarters but increased for the year-to-date periods due largely to new business locations.  Professional and consulting expense for both periods included $230 thousand in costs related to the formation of the holding company. Other expenses were up over both periods presented. The increase year-over-year related to amortization of intangible assets and a one-time fair market value adjustment of $177 thousand to contingent assets, a $200 thousand reserve established for the open litigation as well as higher levels of other employee-related expenses, shares tax expense, and other expense.

Balance Sheet Summary

As of September 30, 2018, total assets were $959.8 million compared with $856.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and $803.9 million as of September 30, 2017. Total assets increased $103.8 million, or 12.1%, on a year-to-date basis primarily due to strong loan growth.  Total assets increased $14.4 million, or 1.5%, from the previous quarter, mostly due to an increase in portfolio loans of $24.9 million, partially offset by a reduction of $11.5 million in held-for-sale mortgage loans.

Total loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, grew $112.2 million, or 16.1%, to $806.8 million as of September 30, 2018, from $694.6 million as of December 31, 2017. It is an increase of $25.2 million, or 3.2%, from $781.6 million as of June 30, 2018. The increase in loans for both periods is attributable to several commercial categories as we continue to grow our presence in the Philadelphia market area. Commercial loans increased $46.5 million, or 22.2%, during the first nine months of the year.  Commercial real estate and commercial construction loans combined increased $52.9 million, or 14.4%, during the first nine months of the year. Residential loans held in portfolio increased $18.0 million, or 55.2%, during the first nine months as certain loan products or terms were targeted to hold in portfolio. Residential mortgage loans held for sale decreased $980 thousand, or 2.8%, to $34.0 million as of September 30, 2018 from December 31, 2017.

Deposits were $781.9 million as of September 30, 2018, up $154.8 million, or 24.7%, from December 31, 2017, and $98.7 million, or 14.4%, from June 30, 2018. Non-interest bearing deposits increased $24.4 million, or 24.3%, from December 31, 2017 and increased $17.9 million, or 16.8%, from June 30, 2018. New business relationships fueled the increases.  Money market accounts/savings accounts increased $49.9 million, or 22.0%, since December 31, 2017 and increased $61.2 million, or 28.5%, since June 30, 2018 while interest-bearing checking accounts increased $21.5 million, or 26.2%, during the year, and decreased $6.9 million or 6.3% quarter over quarter. Certificates of deposit increased $59.1 million, or 27.0%, during the past nine months and $26.5 million, or 10.5%, quarter over quarter, paying off borrowings as a result of wholesale funds management in the rising rate environment.

Consolidated stockholder's equity of the Corporation was $107.0 million, or 11.15% of total assets as of September 30, 2018, as compared to $101.4 million, or 11.84% of total assets as of December 31, 2017. As of September 30, 2018, the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 11.02%, the Tier 1 risk-based capital and common equity ratios were 12.03%, and total risk-based capital was 14.03%. Quarter-end numbers show a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 10.67%. Tangible book value per share was $15.91 as of September 30, 2018, compared with $15.00 as of December 31, 2017.

Asset Quality Summary

Asset quality remains strong. The Bank realized net charge-offs of 0.00% of total average loans for the quarter ending September 30, 2018, compared with net charge-offs of 0.07% for the quarter ending September 30, 2017. Total non-performing assets, including loans and other real estate property, were $2.9 million as of September 30, 2018, $3.6 million as of December 31, 2017, and $6.2 million as of September 30, 2017. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets as of September 30, 2018 was 0.30% compared to 0.42% as of December 31, 2017 and 0.78% as of September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2018, the ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding mortgages held for sale, was 0.96%.

About Meridian Corporation

Meridian Bank, the wholly owned subsidiary of Meridian Corporation, is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania with 23 offices in the greater Philadelphia Metro market. The Bank offers a full range of commercial and retail loan and deposit products, along with wealth management and electronic payment services. Meridian Mortgage, a division of the Bank, is a top tier provider of residential mortgage loans. For additional information, visit our website at www.meridianbanker.com.  Member FDIC.

"Safe Harbor" Statement

In addition to historical information, this press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to Meridian Corporation's strategies, goals, beliefs, expectations, estimates, intentions, capital raising efforts, financial condition and results of operations, future performance and business. Statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words "may," "could," "should," "pro forma," "looking forward," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," or similar expressions generally indicate a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which, in whole or in part, are beyond Meridian Corporation's control). Numerous competitive, economic, regulatory, legal and technological factors, among others, could cause Meridian Corporation's financial performance to differ materially from the goals, plans, objectives, intentions and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements.   Meridian Corporation cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive, and neither such factors nor any such forward-looking statement takes into account the impact of any future events. All forward-looking statements and information set forth herein are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions as of the date hereof and speak only as of the date they are made. For a more complete discussion of the assumptions, risks and uncertainties related to our business, you are encouraged to review Meridian Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and, for periods prior to the completion of the holding company reorganization, Meridian Bank's filings with the FDIC, including Meridian Bank's most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K that update or provide information in addition to the information included in the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings, if any. Meridian Corporation does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by Meridian Corporation or by or on behalf of Meridian Bank.

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Contact: Jessica Annas
[email protected]  
484.568.5035

SOURCE Meridian Bank