Date: 7/14/2017

Title: Ames National Corporation Announces 2017 Q2 Earnings Results (7/14/17)

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
ANNOUNCES 2017 SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS RESULTS

 

Second Quarter 2017 Results:

For the quarter ended June 30, 2017, net income for Ames National Corporation (the Company) totaled $3,472,000 or $0.37 per share, compared to $4,099,000 or $0.44 per share earned in 2016. The decline in earnings is primarily the result of an increased provision for loan losses and higher deposit interest expense, offset in part by an increase in loan interest income. The higher volume in the loan portfolio had a positive effect, resulting in increased loan interest income. Average net loans for the three months were $61 million higher for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 compared to a year earlier. The increase in loan volume occurred primarily in Ames and Des Moines metro markets.

While loan interest income was $469,000 higher than second quarter 2016, interest expense also moved up $391,000 resulting in only a slight increase in net interest income. Second quarter net interest income totaled $10,066,000, an increase of $74,000, or 0.7%, compared to the same quarter a year ago. All deposit categories had higher average balances except time deposits. Deposit interest rates increased in conjunction with general market interest rates, as the Federal Reserve Bank increased short term interest rate targets by 0.50% since December, 2016. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.25% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 3.36% for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 primarily as the result of lower loan yields and higher deposit interest rates.

A provision for loan losses of $767,000 was recognized in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to $14,000 in the second quarter of 2016. An increase in specific reserves for one commercial credit was the primary factor for the higher provision for loan losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Net loan charge offs totaled $479,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 compared to net loan recoveries of $19,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. The increase in the specific reserve and the majority of the net charge-off amounts related to commercial operating loans with construction contractors. While the current provision for loan losses are not related to agricultural loans, Company management is seeing weakness in the Iowa agricultural economy as a result of the current low grain prices; however, crop growing conditions for the Company’s market areas have been generally favorable as of the end of the current quarter.

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2017 totaled $2,025,000 as compared to $1,926,000, an increase of 5.2%, for the same period in 2016. The increase in noninterest income is primarily due the collection of $73,000 on a court judgement previously deemed uncollectable by First Bank prior to the Company’s acquisition in 2014.

Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2017 totaled $6,399,000 compared to $6,121,000 recorded in 2016, an increase of 4.6%, which was primarily due to normal salary and benefit increases and higher other operating expenses. The efficiency ratio was 52.93% for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to 51.36% in 2016.

Six Months 2017 Results:

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net income the Company totaled $7,082,000 or $0.76 per share, compared to $7,906,000 or $0.85 per share earned in 2016. The decline in earnings is primarily the result of an increased provision for loan losses and higher deposit interest expense, offset in part by an increase in loan interest income. Average net loans for the six months were $56 million higher for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to a year earlier. The higher loan volume was the primary factor leading to the improved loan interest income.

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net interest income totaled $19,949,000, an increase of $121,000, or 0.6%, compared to the same period a year ago. Offsetting the higher loan interest income was an increase in deposit interest expense. All deposit categories had higher balances except time deposits. Deposit interest rates increased in conjunction with general market interest rates, as the Federal Reserve Bank increased short term interest rate targets by 0.50% since December, 2016. The Company’s net interest margin was 3.22% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 3.36% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 as the result of lower loan yields and higher deposit interest rates.

A provision for loan losses of $1,164,000 was recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $206,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016. An increase in the specific reserve for one commercial credit and growth in the loan portfolio were the primary factors for the higher provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Net loan charge offs totaled $482,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to net loan charge offs of $59,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in the specific reserve and the majority of the charge-off amount related to commercial operating loans with construction contractors. While the current provision for loan losses are not related to agricultural loans, Company management is seeing weakness in the Iowa agricultural economy as a result of the current low grain prices; however, crop growing conditions for the Company’s market areas have been generally favorable as of the end of the current quarter.

Noninterest income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 totaled $4,106,000 as compared to $4,025,000 for the same period in 2016, an increase of 2%. The increase in noninterest income is primarily due to higher level of security gains and the collection of $73,000 on a court judgement previously deemed uncollectable by First Bank prior to the Company’s acquisition in 2014. Tempering these increases in noninterest income was lower wealth management income attributable to lower one time estate fees partially offset by an increase in wealth management income from a higher level of assets under management in 2017 compared to one year ago.

Noninterest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 totaled $12,876,000 compared to $12,555,000 recorded in 2016, an increase of 2.6%, which was primarily due to normal salary and benefit increases, data processing costs and higher other operating expenses. The efficiency ratio was 53.53% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 52.64% in 2016.

Balance Sheet Review:

As of June 30, 2017, total assets were $1,369,626,000, a $40.8 million increase in assets compared to June 30, 2016. The increase in assets was due primarily to an increase in the loan portfolio, which was funded by an increase in deposits and to a lesser extent a decrease in securities.

Securities available-for-sale as of June 30, 2017 declined to $518,914,000 from $528,801,000 as of June 30, 2016. The decrease in securities available-for-sale is primarily due to maturities of municipal investments and lower unrealized gain in the investment portfolio as higher market interest rates caused a decline in the fair value of the investment portfolio.

Net loans as of June 30, 2017 increased 8%, to $768,208,000, as compared to $712,941,000 as of June 30, 2016. Loan demand remained favorable in 2017, as most markets provided good additional lending opportunities, in particular the Ames and Des Moines metro markets. Impaired loans were $5,170,000, $5,077,000 and $2,469,000 as of June 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, respectively. The allowance for loan losses on June 30, 2017 totaled $11,189,000, or 1.44% of gross loans, compared to $10,135,000 or 1.40% of gross loans as of June 30, 2016. The provisions for loan losses in 2017 was necessary due to increases in the specific reserves and growth in the loan portfolio.

Deposits totaled $1,126,771,000 on June 30, 2017, compared to $1,065,364,000 recorded at June 30, 2016. The increase in deposits is primarily due to increases in retail and public demand deposit balances and retail money market balances, offset in part by a decrease in time deposits.

The largest source of funding for the Company besides deposits is securities sold under agreements to repurchase which totaled $38,683,000 as of June 30, 2017 as compared to $41,946,000 recorded as of June 30, 2016.

The Company’s stockholders’ equity represented 12.5% of total assets as of June 30, 2017 with all of the Company’s five affiliate banks considered well-capitalized as defined by federal capital regulations. Total stockholders’ equity was $171,643,000 as of June 30, 2017, compared to $170,087,000 as of June 30, 2016. The increase in stockholders’ equity was the result of the retention of net income in excess of dividends, offset in part by the after tax impact of depreciation in the fair value of securities available for sale.

Shareholder Information:

Return on average assets was 1.01% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, compared to 1.23% for the same period in 2016. Return on average equity was 8.17% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, compared to the 9.82% in 2016.

Return on average assets was 1.03% for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 1.19% for the same period in 2016. Return on average equity was 8.41% for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the 9.55% in 2016.

The Company’s stock, which is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol ATLO, closed at $30.60 on June 30, 2017. During the second quarter of 2017, the price ranged from $29.45 to $32.00.

On May 10, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on common stock, payable on August 15, 2017 to stockholders of record as of August 1, 2017, equal to $0.22 per share.

 

Click to review the Consolidated Balance Sheets & Statements of Income.

 

About Ames National Corporation

Ames National Corporation is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol, ATLO. The Corporation affiliate banks, all located in central Iowa, include: First National Bank, Ames, Boone Bank & Trust Co., Boone, State Bank & Trust Co., Nevada, Reliance State Bank, Story City, and United Bank & Trust, Marshalltown. Information regarding the process for purchasing stock can be obtained through Richard Nelson at First Point Wealth Management, (515) 663-3074.

For further information contact:
Thomas H. Pohlman, President and CEO
(515) 232-6251 or [email protected]