Riverview Financial Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Riverview Financial Corporation ("Riverview") (OTCQX: RIVE), the financial holding company for Riverview Bank, today reported unaudited financial results at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.  Riverview reported net income of $401 thousand, or $0.08 per basic and diluted weighted average common share, for the third quarter of 2017, compared to net income of $971 thousand, or $0.30 per basic and diluted weighted average common share, for the comparable period of 2016.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Riverview reported net income of $13 thousand, or $0.03 per basic and diluted weighted average common share, compared to $2,579 thousand, or $0.80 per basic and diluted weighted average common share, for the same period last year. The reduction in comparable net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was a direct result of incurring certain costs related to implementing strategic initiatives to enhance shareholder value through asset growth provided by organic and inorganic opportunities. On January 20, 2017, Riverview announced the successful completion of a $17.0 million private placement of common and preferred securities. The additional capital afforded Riverview the ability to significantly grow its loan portfolio through hiring multiple teams of experienced and established lenders to serve new and existing markets. More notably the capital raise allowed Riverview to acquire CBT Financial Corp., the parent company of CBT Bank, in a stock transaction valued at approximately $54.6 million effective October 1, 2017.  This merger created a combined community banking franchise with approximately $1.2 billion of assets that provides enhanced products and services through 33 banking and financial service locations covering 12 Pennsylvania counties.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Loans, net grew $150.8 million or 36.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

• Quarterly loan growth in 2017 totaled $55.1 million or 13.5% in the first quarter, $40.3 million or 8.7% in the second quarter and $55.4 million or 11.0% in the third quarter.

• Deposits increased $122.4 million, or 27.0%, to $575.0 million at the end of the third quarter of 2017 from $452.6 at year end 2016.

• For the quarters of 2017, deposits grew $43.9 million or 9.7% in the first quarter, $27.4 million or 5.5% in the second  quarter and $51.1 million or 9.7% in the third quarter,

• Stockholders' equity increased $15.5 million to $57.4 million, or 8.4% of total assets, at September 30, 2017 as a result of the capital offering that occurred earlier in 2017.

• Asset quality continues to trend positively as nonperforming assets as a percentage of loans, net and other real estate owned declined to 1.26% at September 30, 2017 compared to 1.41% at June 30, 2017 and 2.15% at September 30, 2016.

• Tax-equivalent net interest income continued to display linked quarter improvement in 2017 increasing from $4.5 million in the first quarter, to $ 5.0 million in the second quarter and $5.5 million in the third quarter. 

• For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, noninterest income from fiduciary and wealth management activities improved $133 thousand or 14.3%.

"We completed the merger with CBT Financial Corp. effective October 1, 2017 and are pleased to welcome their customers, shareholders, and employees to Riverview.  We are confident that shareholders will recognize the exceptional value created through the combination of two community banks having long established histories of providing excellent service and extensive community support to Central and Southwestern Pennsylvania. This merger was a logical step in our announced strategy to expand throughout Central Pennsylvania and into markets with attractive demographics and long-term growth potential. The addition of our new lending teams has provided net loan growth of more than $55.4 million in the third quarter and $150.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017," stated Kirk D. Fox, Chief Executive Officer. "In addition to the completion of the merger, we are pleased to announce the opening of a new branch office in Williamsport, PA, which is our entrance into the Lycoming County market," concluded Fox.  

Brett D. Fulk, President, added, "The strategic initiatives set into motion during early 2017, as well as associated expenses, positioned us to take advantage of both organic and merger related growth opportunities.  Organic growth and resultant revenue generation to date has exceeded our expectations as a direct result of the talented team members we have added throughout our footprint, including State College, the greater Harrisburg metropolitan area, and Berks County, all of which continue to be productive given the ongoing competitor disruption within these markets."  Fulk continued, "year-to-date 2017 asset generation positioned us to quickly overcome the significant investments made in the personnel, infrastructure and overhead necessary to capitalize on future profitable asset generation opportunities.  However, while profitable growth will remain a key component of our strategic plan we remain focused on proper credit structure, underwriting parameters and maintaining a high quality credit culture, evidenced by continuing positive trends in our credit quality metrics."   Fulk concluded, "despite the obvious growth story over the past several years at Riverview, and the continuation of that story during 2017, we understand that for the immediate future our focus must be internal, and will remain so for as long as it takes to ensure the successful integration of CBT Financial Corp and CBT Bank with and into Riverview Financial Corporation and Riverview Bank.  We believe this strategic business combination truly enhances our ability to continue providing our valued shareholders attractive, long term returns on their investment in Riverview.  However, we know that successful integration, which requires focus, is necessary to achieve the desired results."

INCOME STATEMENT REVIEW

Tax-equivalent net interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30 were $5.5 million and $15.0 million in 2017 compared to $4.8 million and $14.0 million in 2016, respectively.  The increase in tax equivalent net interest income was primarily attributable to a favorable volume variance from an increase in average interest earning assets exceeding the growth of average interest bearing liabilities. Partially offsetting the positive impact of net average asset growth was an unfavorable rate variance caused by a decline in the tax-equivalent net interest margin. The increase in interest earning assets exceeded the growth of average interest bearing liabilities by $15.2 million comparing the third quarters of 2017 and 2016. For the three months ended September 30, the tax-equivalent net interest margin decreased to 3.57% in 2017 from 3.99% in 2016. Average earning assets increased $76.1 million while average interest bearing liabilities increased $56.4 million comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Loans, net averaged $478.0 million in 2017 and $402.9 million in 2016. Average investments totaled $71.3 million in 2017 and $72.1 million in 2016. The tax-equivalent net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, declined 27 basis points from 3.85% for the comparable period of 2016. The tax-equivalent yield on the loan portfolio decreased to 0.21% in 2017 compared to 4.56% in 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, the tax-equivalent yield on earning assets decreased to 4.16% in 2017 from 4.30% in 2016. The cost of funds increased 16 basis points in 2017 from 0.53% in 2016. The tax-equivalent net interest margin decreased slightly by 1 basis point to 3.57% in the third quarter of 2017 from 3.58% in the second quarter of 2017.  Average earning assets increased $52.4 million while average interest bearing liabilities increased $55.5 million comparing the third and second quarters of 2017.

For the quarter ended September 30, the provision for loan losses increased to $610 thousand in 2017 from $29 thousand in 2016. The provision for loan losses totaled $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $284 thousand in 2016. The increase in the provision for loan losses in 2017 was primarily influenced by significant loan growth originated through the successful hiring of teams of lenders.  

For the three months ended September 30, noninterest income totaled $835 thousand in 2017, a decrease of $188 thousand from $1,023 thousand in 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in net gains recognized on the sale of available-for-sale investment securities. Wealth management income decreased $15 thousand while mortgage banking income decreased $5 thousand comparing the third quarters of 2017 and 2016. For the nine months ended, noninterest income decreased to $2.4 million in 2017 from $2.7 million in 2016. The year over year decrease of $378 thousand in net gains recognized on the sale of available-for-sale investment securities was partially offset by improvements in wealth management income of $100 thousand.

For the quarter ended September 30, noninterest expense increased $834 thousand to $5.2 million in 2017 from $4.3 million in 2016. Noninterest expense increased $2.7 million, or 21.3%, to $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, from $12.7 million for the same period last year. The majority of the increase in salaries and employee benefit expense was the result of hiring lending teams and related costs, as well as the opening of new, full service offices in Temple, Berks County, Pennsylvania and Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Additions to leased facilities for these newly opened offices along with offices to support the lending teams were primarily responsible for the $278 thousand, or 17.2%, increase in occupancy and equipment costs. The increase in other expenses comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was a result of incurring merger related costs of $375 thousand in 2017.

BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

Total assets, loans, net and deposits totaled $681.4 million, $560.2 million, and $575.0 million, respectively, at September 30, 2017. Loans, net increased $55.4 million, or 11.0% in the third quarter of 2017 and $150.8 million, or 36.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Growth in commercial loans was primarily responsible for the majority of the improvement. Total deposits increased $51.1 million, or 9.7%, in the third quarter of 2017 and $122.4 million, or 27.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Noninterest-bearing deposits increased $2.3 million, while interest-bearing deposits increased $120.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. An improvement in the volume of money market accounts was primarily responsible for the increase in interest-bearing deposits.

Stockholders' equity totaled $57.4 million, or $11.73 per common share, at September 30, 2017, as compared to $41.9 million, or $12.95 per common share, at December 31, 2016. The year-to-date increase in equity in 2017 was the result of the completion of the sale of approximately $17.0 million in common and preferred equity, before expenses, to accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers through a private placement. Effective as of the close of business on June 22, 2017, Riverview filed an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to authorize a class of non-voting common stock after obtaining shareholder approval on June 21, 2017. As a result, each share of Series A preferred stock was automatically converted into one share of non-voting common stock as of the effective date. The non-voting common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects with, each other share of common stock of Riverview, except that holders of non-voting common stock do not have voting rights. Tangible stockholders' equity per common share decreased to $10.47 per share at September 30, 2017, compared to $10.84 per share at year-end 2016. Dividends declared for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 amounted to $0.41 per share. The annualized dividend yield based on the closing price of $13.20 per share on September 30, 2017 was 4.2%.

ASSET QUALITY REVIEW

Nonperforming assets were $7.1 million, or 1.3% of loans, net and foreclosed assets at September 30, 2017, an improvement from $8.2 million, or 2.0%, at December 31, 2016, and $8.6 million, or 2.2%, at September 30, 2016. Adjusting for accruing restructured loans, non-performing assets were $1.9 million, or 0.3% of loans, net and foreclosed assets at September 30, 2017, $2.4 million or 0.6% at December 31, 2016, and $2.6 million, or 0.7%, at September 30, 2016. The allowance for loan losses equaled $5.4 million, or 0.96% of loans, net at September 30, 2017, compared to $3.7 million, or 0.91% of loans, net at December 31, 2016, and $3.6 million, or 0.91% of loans, net, at September 30, 2016. Loans charged-off, net of recoveries, for the three and nine months ended September 30, equaled $40 thousand and $62 thousand in 2017, respectively, compared to $1 thousand and $1.0 million for the comparable periods last year.

Riverview Financial Corporation is the parent company of Riverview Bank and its operating divisions Halifax Bank, Marysville Bank, Citizens Neighborhood Bank, CBT Bank, Riverview Wealth Management, CBT Investment Services, Inc. and CBT Financial and Trust Management. An independent community bank, Riverview Bank serves the  Pennsylvania market area of Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Dauphin, Huntingdon, Lebanon, Lycoming, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill and Somerset Counties through 30 community banking offices and 3 limited purpose offices. Each office, interdependent with the community, offers a comprehensive array of financial products and services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and government entities. The Wealth Management and Trust divisions with assets under management exceeding $350 million provides trust and investment advisory services to the general public. Riverview's business philosophy includes offering direct access to senior management and other officers and providing friendly, informed and courteous service, local and timely decision making, flexible and reasonable operating procedures and consistently applied credit policies. The Company's common stock trades on the OTCQX Market under the symbol "RIVE". The Investor Relations site can be accessed at https://www.riverviewbankpa.com/.

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements:

We make statements in this press release, and we may from time to time make other statements regarding our outlook or expectations for future financial or operating results and/or other matters regarding or affecting Riverview Financial Corporation, Riverview Bank, and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Riverview") that may be considered "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," "intend" and "potential." For these statements, Riverview claims the protection of the statutory safe harbors for forward-looking statements.

Riverview cautions you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to: prevailing economic and political conditions, particularly in our market area; credit risk associated with our lending activities; changes in interest rates, loan demand, real estate values and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, and guidelines; changes in any applicable law, rule, regulation or practice with respect to tax or legal issues; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting Riverview' operations, pricing, products and services and other factors that may be described in Riverview' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

In addition to these risks, acquisitions and business combinations present risks other than those presented by the nature of the business acquired. Acquisitions and business combinations may be substantially more expensive to complete than originally anticipated, and the anticipated benefits may be significantly harder-or take longer-to achieve than expected. As regulated financial institutions, our pursuit of attractive acquisition and business combination opportunities could be negatively impacted by regulatory delays or other regulatory issues. Regulatory and/or legal issues related to the pre­acquisition operations of an acquired or combined business may cause reputational harm to Riverview following the acquisition or combination, and integration of the acquired or combined business with ours may result in additional future costs arising as a result of those issues.

The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, Riverview assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

In addition to evaluating its results of operations in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), Riverview routinely presents and supplements its evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as tangible stockholders' equity and core net income ratios. The reported results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, contain items which Riverview considers non-core, namely net gains on sales of investment securities available-for-sale and acquisition related expenses. Riverview presents the non-GAAP financial measures because it believes that these measures provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in Riverview's results of operation.  Presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is consistent with how Riverview evaluates its performance internally and these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in evaluation of companies in Riverview's industry. Where non-GAAP measures are used in this press release, reconciliations to the comparable GAAP measures are provided in the accompanying tables. The non-GAAP financial measures Riverview uses may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures of other financial institutions.  These non-GAAP financial measures would not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures, and Riverview strongly encourages a review of its condensed consolidated financial statements in their entirety.  Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are presented in the tabular material that follows.

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SOURCE Riverview Financial Corporation