CHAMPAIGN, Ill., April 24, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Message from our President & CEO
First Busey Corporation's (Nasdaq:BUSE) net income for the first quarter of 2012 was $7.6 million and net income available to common stockholders was $6.7 million, or $0.08 per fully-diluted common share, as compared to net income of $5.7 million and net income available to common stockholders of $4.5 million, or $0.05 per fully-diluted common share for the fourth quarter of 2011. In comparison, the Company reported net income for the first quarter of 2011 of $9.1 million and net income available to common stockholders of $7.3 million, or $0.09 per fully-diluted common share.
Our year-over-year results were impacted positively by our exit from the TARP program in August 2011, which reduced the cost of preferred stock dividends by $0.3 million. Also contributing to our lower preferred stock dividends was the March 2011 conversion of our Series B preferred stock, which had $0.5 million of associated preferred dividend costs in the first quarter of 2011. These reductions in preferred stock dividends favorably impacted net income available to common stockholders in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the first quarter of 2011. In conjunction with our exit from the TARP program, we issued preferred stock to the U.S. Department of Treasury through the Small Business Lending Fund, which we believe aligns with our objective to further enhance our business lending efforts, especially to qualifying small businesses.
At the end of the first quarter of 2012, Busey Bank continued to exceed the capital adequacy requirements necessary to be considered "well-capitalized" under the regulatory guidance. Additionally, Tangible Common Equity (TCE) increased to $310.4 million at March 31, 2012 from $306.5 million at December 31, 2011 and $292.3 million at March 31, 2011. TCE represented 8.85% of tangible assets at March 31, 2012 compared to 9.09% at December 31, 2011 and 8.38% at March 31, 2011.
On April 27, 2012, we will pay a cash dividend of $0.04 per common share to stockholders of record as of April 20, 2012. The Company has consistently paid dividends to its common shareholders every quarter since its stock began trading on the NASDAQ exchange in 1998.
Asset Quality: With great effort and focus, we continue to drive positive trends across a range of credit indicators. We expect continued gradual improvement in our overall asset quality during 2012; however, this continues to be dependent upon market-specific economic conditions. The key metrics are as follows:
Operating Performance: We made great strides to strengthen our balance sheet in 2011, and, as we move into 2012, the Company is dedicated to continuing efforts which are actively underway to support organic growth. Our net income increased to $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to $5.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, but declined from $9.1 million in the first quarter of 2011.
The fluctuation in net income resulted from a year-over-year increase in other non-interest income, offset by a decline in net interest income and increased salary and wages and employee benefits. While our expenses increased as we continued to build out the infrastructure to support our growth strategy, the impact on earnings was mitigated by short term gains from private equity funds. Thus, we were able to maintain a steady earnings flow for our shareholders during the quarter.
Our business outreach across our footprint has increased substantially, and we are encouraged by the volumes building in our loan pipeline. We expect these efforts to drive new loan growth in upcoming quarters. Furthermore, our core deposits increased to $2.7 billion at March 31, 2012, from $2.5 billion at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011. In addition, as of March 31, 2012, our services per household has increased approximately 19%, to nearly five services per household as compared to March 31, 2011.
These factors and other key metrics are as follows:
Overview and Strategy: In recent periods we have been focused on reinforcing elements of strength and have produced solid capital, liquidity, and credit metrics while still maintaining leading market share in the principal communities we serve.
As we shift from traditional banking models to more robust, dynamic relationship building, we have naturally transitioned away from certain less profitable styles of business. We recognize that our industry as a whole is facing challenges to quality asset growth, which has intensified competition and will require us to apply new competencies and make additional investments in order to earn the business of our clients and communities.
We put plans in place to meet these challenges through the adoption of cutting edge sales tools, products, and fresh talent that would add to the service suite of our existing professional team. We are realistic that this investment will take time to produce results and have embraced the discipline it will require to put forth the hard work to get it done and do it well.
As a financial services provider, we aspire to be a good partner and steady resource in the economic recovery of our communities. As small business has historically led the way out of recession, our focus has been to retrench and rebuild our service offerings in this area so that we can help provide the impetus for local business as they create new jobs, and in doing so, expand our job footprint for our communities as well.
With a clear objective to support continued progress, and a track record for doing what we say we are going to do, we dedicate ourselves to growth – growth which is built upon financial strength and aimed at long-term profitability – as a priority for the continued success of our Pillars: our customers, associates, communities and shareholders.
We thank our associates for their efforts, our customers for their business and you, our stockholders, for your continued support of Busey.
\s\ Van A. Dukeman
President & Chief Executive Officer
First Busey Corporation
| SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | ||||
| (dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||
| March 31, | December 31, | September 30, | March 31, | |
| 2012 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | |
| EARNINGS & PER SHARE DATA | ||||
| Net income | $ 7,643 | $ 5,746 | $ 7,570 | $ 9,110 |
| Income available to common stockholders1 | 6,735 | 4,512 | 6,521 | 7,334 |
| Revenue2 | 43,578 | 41,318 | 42,445 | 43,888 |
| Fully-diluted income per share | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.09 |
| Cash dividends paid per share | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 |
| Net income by operating segment | ||||
| Busey Bank | $ 6,030 | $ 5,520 | $ 7,068 | $ 8,820 |
| Busey Wealth Management | 863 | 678 | 749 | 694 |
| FirsTech | 265 | 184 | 381 | 450 |
| AVERAGE BALANCES | ||||
| Assets | $ 3,465,407 | $ 3,394,410 | $ 3,420,878 | $ 3,590,108 |
| Earning assets | 3,183,248 | 3,108,069 | 3,138,274 | 3,294,097 |
| Deposits | 2,815,795 | 2,768,045 | 2,769,255 | 2,898,517 |
| Interest-bearing liabilities | 2,526,097 | 2,483,787 | 2,505,838 | 2,654,425 |
| Stockholders' equity - common | 337,665 | 334,179 | 331,387 | 289,475 |
| Tangible stockholders' equity - common | 301,274 | 296,924 | 293,243 | 249,563 |
| PERFORMANCE RATIOS | ||||
| Return on average assets3 | 0.78% | 0.53% | 0.76% | 0.83% |
| Return on average common equity3 | 8.02% | 5.36% | 7.81% | 10.27% |
| Return on average tangible common equity3 | 8.99% | 6.03% | 8.82% | 11.92% |
| Net interest margin3 | 3.31% | 3.44% | 3.57% | 3.55% |
| Efficiency ratio4 | 59.79% | 64.83% | 57.87% | 55.87% |
| Non-interest revenue as a % of total revenues2 | 41.03% | 35.92% | 34.68% | 35.41% |
| ASSET QUALITY | ||||
| Gross loans | $ 2,006,157 | $ 2,051,344 | $ 2,099,314 | $ 2,232,849 |
| Allowance for loan losses | 53,835 | 58,506 | 63,915 | 74,849 |
| Net charge-offs | 9,671 | 10,409 | 10,414 | 6,189 |
| Allowance for loan losses to loans | 2.68% | 2.85% | 3.04% | 3.35% |
| Allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans | 157.75% | 151.91% | 148.73% | 122.89% |
| Non-performing loans | ||||
| Non-accrual loans | 33,763 | 38,340 | 41,987 | 56,829 |
| Loans 90+ days past due | 363 | 173 | 986 | 4,078 |
| Geographically | ||||
| Downstate Illinois/ Indiana | 25,675 | 27,748 | 29,733 | 37,527 |
| Florida | 8,451 | 10,765 | 13,240 | 23,380 |
| Loans 30-89 days past due | 15,930 | 4,712 | 8,247 | 18,419 |
| Other non-performing assets | 8,719 | 8,452 | 11,577 | 7,193 |
| 1 Net income available to common stockholders, net of preferred dividend and TARP discount accretion | ||||
| 2 Total revenue, net of interest expense and security gains | ||||
| 3 Quarterly ratios annualized and calculated on net income available to common stockholders | ||||
| 4 Net of security gains and intangible charges | ||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||
| (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) | March 31, | December 31, | March 31, |
| 2012 | 2011 | 2011 | |
| Assets | |||
| Cash and due from banks | $ 385,124 | $ 315,053 | $ 412,152 |
| Investment securities | 940,747 | 831,749 | 664,930 |
| Net loans, including loans held for sale | 1,952,322 | 1,992,838 | 2,157,999 |
| Premises and equipment | 69,410 | 69,398 | 72,518 |
| Goodwill and other intangibles | 35,877 | 36,704 | 39,358 |
| Other assets | 153,510 | 156,380 | 171,008 |
| Total assets | $ 3,536,990 | $ 3,402,122 | $ 3,517,965 |
| Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity | |||
| Non-interest bearing deposits | $ 522,356 | $ 503,118 | $ 484,480 |
| Interest-bearing deposits | 2,357,871 | 2,260,336 | 2,369,516 |
| Total deposits | $ 2,880,227 | $ 2,763,454 | $ 2,853,996 |
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 144,709 | 127,867 | 120,734 |
| Long-term debt | 19,417 | 19,417 | 36,409 |
| Junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts | 55,000 | 55,000 | 55,000 |
| Other liabilities | 24,971 | 27,117 | 27,895 |
| Total liabilities | $ 3,124,324 | $ 2,992,855 | $ 3,094,034 |
| Total stockholders' equity | $ 412,666 | $ 409,267 | $ 423,931 |
| Total liabilities & stockholders' equity | $ 3,536,990 | $ 3,402,122 | $ 3,517,965 |
| Per Share Data | |||
| Book value per common share | $ 3.92 | $ 3.89 | $ 3.74 |
| Tangible book value per common share1 | $ 3.51 | $ 3.46 | $ 3.29 |
| Ending number of common shares outstanding | 86,626 | 86,617 | 86,597 |
| 1 Total common equity less goodwill and other intangibles divided by shares outstanding as of period end | |||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||
| (Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| 2012 | 2011 | |
| Interest and fees on loans | $ 25,526 | $ 30,508 |
| Interest on investment securities | 4,570 | 4,398 |
| Total interest income | $ 30,096 | $ 34,906 |
| Interest on deposits | 3,748 | 5,259 |
| Interest on short-term borrowings | 87 | 121 |
| Interest on long-term debt | 226 | 496 |
| Interest on junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts | 337 | 683 |
| Total interest expense | $ 4,398 | $ 6,559 |
| Net interest income | $ 25,698 | $ 28,347 |
| Provision for loan losses | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Net interest income after provision for loan losses | $ 20,698 | $ 23,347 |
| Trust fees | 5,195 | 4,548 |
| Commissions and brokers' fees | 506 | 441 |
| Fees for customer services | 4,192 | 4,329 |
| Remittance processing | 2,167 | 2,381 |
| Gain on sales of loans | 2,413 | 2,632 |
| Net security gains (losses) | -- | (2) |
| Other | 3,407 | 1,210 |
| Total non-interest income | $ 17,880 | $ 15,539 |
| Salaries and wages | 12,111 | 9,560 |
| Employee benefits | 2,896 | 2,759 |
| Net occupancy expense | 2,205 | 2,415 |
| Furniture and equipment expense | 1,272 | 1,324 |
| Data processing expense | 2,159 | 2,110 |
| Amortization expense | 827 | 884 |
| Regulatory expense | 626 | 1,847 |
| OREO expense | 5 | 212 |
| Other operating expenses | 5,101 | 4,554 |
| Total non-interest expense | $ 27,202 | $ 25,665 |
| Income before income taxes | $ 11,376 | $ 13,221 |
| Income taxes | 3,733 | 4,111 |
| Net income | $ 7,643 | $ 9,110 |
| Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion | $ 908 | $ 1,776 |
| Income available for common stockholders | $ 6,735 | $ 7,334 |
| Per Share Data | ||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ 0.08 | $ 0.09 |
| Fully-diluted earnings per common share | $ 0.08 | $ 0.09 |
| Diluted average common shares outstanding | 86,630 | 81,356 |
Corporate Profile
First Busey Corporation is a $3.5 billion financial holding company headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Busey Bank, First Busey Corporation's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois and has thirty-one full service and four limited service banking centers serving downstate Illinois, a full service banking center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and seven full service banking centers serving southwest Florida. Busey Bank had total assets of $3.5 billion as of March 31, 2012.
Busey Wealth Management is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Busey Corporation. Through Busey Trust Company, Busey Wealth Management provides asset management, investment and fiduciary services to individuals, businesses and foundations. As of March 31, 2012, Busey Wealth Management managed approximately $4.0 billion in assets.
Through Busey Bank, First Busey Corporation owns a retail payment processing subsidiary, FirsTech, Inc., which processes over 22 million transactions per year through online bill payments, lockbox processing and walk-in payments through its 3,100 agent locations in 38 states.
Busey Bank also provides electronic delivery of financial services through its website, www.busey.com.
Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company's management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should" or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. A number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks; (iii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company's general business; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company's assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii) the loss of key executives or employees; (viii) changes in consumer spending; (ix) unexpected results of acquisitions; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and (xi) changes in accounting policies and practices. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company's financial results, is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: David B. White, CFO
217-365-4047 