FineMark Holdings, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2020 Earnings

FORT MYERS, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 20, 2021 / FineMark Holdings, Inc. (the "Holding Company"; OTCQX:FNBT), the parent company of FineMark National Bank & Trust (the "Bank"; collectively, "FineMark"), today announced fourth quarter 2020 net income of $6.3 million (or $0.69 per diluted share). This compares to net income of $4.3 million (or $0.49 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2019, a 45% increase. For the full year 2020, FineMark announced net income of $22.0 million (or $2.42 per diluted share). This compares to 2019's totals of $15.2 million (or $1.69 per diluted share), a 44% increase.

FineMark achieved record net income for both the full year 2020 and the fourth quarter. This accomplishment is especially notable given the headwinds created by record low interest rates and ongoing challenges from COVID-19. We attribute this success to our associates and their commitment to providing excellent service even under the most difficult of circumstances. With every pivot they rose to the occasion and as a result, our trust and investment business continued to expand, and our loan portfolio continued to grow.

Additionally, we accelerated our planned investments in technology and greatly expanded our ability to engage with clients and shareholders virtually in 2020. We used this technology to host a variety of events, including an online annual shareholders' meeting, virtual investor roundtables, and speaker sessions attended by clients located across the country.

FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the fourth quarter of 2020 on a year-over-year basis include:

  • Net income increased 45% to a record $6.3 million.
  • Diluted earnings per share increased 41% to $0.69.
  • Loans, net of allowance, increased 22% to $1.9 billion (up 17% excluding Paycheck Protection Program loans).
  • Total deposits increased 33% to $2.2 billion.
  • Net interest income increased 26% to $15.3 million.
  • Trust fees increased 11% to $5.6 million.
  • Assets under management and administration increased 14% to $5.1 billion (including $120 million of net client asset inflows, a 63% increase from the third quarter).

YEAR-END FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights for the entire year of 2020 include:

  • Net income increased 44% to a record $22.0 million.
  • Diluted earnings per share increased 43% to $2.42.
  • Net interest income increased 26% to $58.2 million.
  • Return on average assets (ROAA) was 0.89% (up from 0.76%); return on risk-weighted assets (ROWA) was 1.49% (up from 1.22%); return on average equity (ROAE) was 11.20% (up from 8.97%).
  • Net interest margin was 2.45% (up from 2.43%).
  • Cost of funds was 0.81% (down from 1.46%).
  • Nonperforming loans dropped to 0.07% of total loans, down from 0.12% in 2019.
  • Trust fees increased 12% to $20.9 million.

NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN

For the fourth quarter of 2020, FineMark's net interest income totaled $15.3 million, up 26% from the fourth quarter of 2019. This increase was attributable to a 22% year-over-year increase in the loan portfolio coupled with a decline in the Bank's cost of funds, despite the cost of the recent subordinate debt and the decrease in yields on earning assets. For the entire year, FineMark's net interest income totaled $58.2 million, up 26% from 2019.

In alignment with our values, we were pleased to help hundreds of small businesses successfully obtain loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Our principal motivation for participating in PPP was to assist our clients; however, a byproduct of the program was a positive effect on revenue (in 2020, we recognized $1 million in fees generated by these loans).

Against the backdrop of the Federal Reserve's policy to keep short-term rates near zero for most of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank's net interest margin for 2020 was 2.45%, up slightly from 2.43% in 2019. To support our capital position (due to strong balance sheet growth), we issued $21.3 million in 10-year subordinated debt. The rate on this debt is fixed at 4.25% for five years.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

A significant driver of FineMark's growth for the past several years, and an important source of revenue diversification, is our expanding trust and investment business. As of December 31, 2020, FineMark's assets under management and administration totaled $5.1 billion, a 14% increase from year-end 2019. As a result, trust fees totaled $20.9 million for the year, a 12% increase over 2019. While this growth was aided by strength in the equity markets in the second half of the year, it resulted primarily from the addition of new clients and our expanded relationships with existing clients.

Net asset inflows in the fourth quarter of 2020 were $120 million, a 63% increase versus the previous quarter. For the year, net asset inflows totaled $420 million. This reflects the Bank's ability to attract funds from new clients ($148 million) and expand relationships with existing clients ($272 million). Although less than the exceptional inflows experienced in 2019, the results are notable given the uncertainty created by the pandemic.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

As FineMark's business increases, we incur additional expenses to maintain high service levels. Our non-interest expense increased 11% in 2020 to $53.1 million. This uptick, due largely to our hiring of additional professionals and our investment in technology to support client service, is in line with FineMark's steady expansion. FineMark's efficiency ratio, which measures non-interest expense as a percent of revenues, improved in 2020 to 61.27% (from 69.12% in 2019), indicating our ability to manage expenses prudently as we expand.

CREDIT QUALITY

As FineMark grows, the Bank remains committed to maintaining high credit standards through our relationship-based approach to lending. Loans are underwritten based on an in-depth understanding of each potential borrower's needs and financial situation. As a result, the Bank has experienced minimal defaults on loans across all market cycles.

At the end of 2020, nonperforming loans were just $1.3 million, or 0.07% of the Bank's total loans. This is a further decline from the low rate of 0.12% at year-end 2019. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank's allowance for loan loss reserve was $20.8 million (or 1.11% of total loans outstanding) and includes $2.5 million held as a precaution due to the pandemic. Management believes that this reserve is sufficient to support the Bank's loan portfolio risk.

FineMark's management team is pleased with the credit quality of the Bank's loan portfolio and will continue to closely monitor economic conditions to determine whether additional provisions should be made. We believe our commitment to maintaining strong relationships, understanding our clients' individual situations, and working proactively with them to deliver creative solutions continues to serve our shareholders well.

CAPITAL

All of the Bank's capital ratios continue to exceed regulatory requirements for "well-capitalized" banks. As of December 31, 2020, the Bank's tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.19%. FineMark's (the consolidated entity) tier 1 leverage ratio was 7.48%, and the total risk-based capital ratio was 17.52%. Funds raised through the $21.3 million subordinated debt offering in the fourth quarter were used to pay down a line of credit at the holding company level and to augment the Bank's capital.

LOOKING AHEAD

As we look ahead to 2021, the most important drivers of the Bank's growth will always be our associates' unparalleled commitment to providing the highest level of personalized service to our clients and the strength of our balance sheet. We believe that these qualities will continue to create shareholder value in all types of environments now and in the years to come.

FineMark Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of FineMark National Bank & Trust. Founded in 2007, FineMark National Bank & Trust is a nationally chartered bank, headquartered in Florida. FineMark offers a full range of financial services, including personal and business banking, lending services, trust and investment services through its offices located in Florida, Arizona and South Carolina. The Corporation's common stock trades on the OTCQX under the symbol FNBT. Investor information is available on the Corporation's website at www.finemarkbank.com.

Forward-looking statements

This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "assume," "outlook," "will," "should," and other expressions that predict or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters. You should not rely on forward- looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. These risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Some of the factors that might cause these differences include: weakness in national, regional or international economic conditions or conditions affecting the banking or financial services industries or financial capital markets; volatility in national and international financial markets; reductions in net interest income resulting from interest rate volatility as well as changes in the balance and mix of loans and deposits; reductions in the market value or outflows of assets under administration; changes in the value of securities and other assets; reductions in loan demand; changes in loan collectability, default and charge-off rates; changes in the size and nature of our competition; changes in legislation or regulation and accounting principles, policies and guidelines; occurrences of cyber-attacks, hacking and identity theft; natural disasters; and changes in the assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements.

Further, the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company, its customers and the communities where it operates may adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition for an indefinite period of time. You should carefully review all of these factors and you should be aware that there might be other factors that could cause these differences.

These forward-looking statements were based on information, plans and estimates at the date of this report. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes.

FINEMARK HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Unaudited

    
  At December 31, 
Assets 2020  2019 
       
Cash and due from banks $227,921   51,038 
Debt securities available for sale  589,233   474,841 
Debt securities held to maturity  64,908   30,329 
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $20,782 in 2020        
and $15,838 in 2019  1,850,293   1,512,466 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock  16,155   12,912 
Federal Reserve Bank stock  4,397   4,029 
Premises and equipment, net  41,303   24,744 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  7,674   8,912 
Accrued interest receivable  7,604   6,402 
Deferred tax asset  -   2,054 
Bank-owned life insurance  34,963   34,118 
Other assets  6,965   7,130 
         
Total assets $2,851,416   2,168,975 
         
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity        
         
Liabilities:        
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits  352,281   208,016 
Savings, NOW and money-market deposits  1,788,441   1,368,311 
Time deposits  84,232   94,092 
         
Total deposits  2,224,954   1,670,419 
         
Official checks  5,883   6,694 
Other borrowings  5,612   2,390 
         
Federal Home Loan Bank advances  334,271   264,520 
Operating lease liabilities  7,849   9,115 
Subordinated debt  50,712   29,586 
Deferred tax payable  202   - 
Other liabilities  10,876   7,798 
         
Total liabilities  2,640,359   1,990,522 
         
         
         
Shareholders' equity:        
Common stock, $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized,        
8,955,427 and 8,856,646 shares issued and outstanding in 2020 and 2019  90   89 
Additional paid-in capital  122,629   120,955 
Retained earnings  80,120   58,164 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  8,218   (755)
         
Total shareholders' equity  211,057   178,453 
         
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $2,851,416   2,168,975 
         
Book Value per Share  23.57   20.15 
         

FINEMARK HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
Unaudited

        
   Three Months  Nine Months 
Periods ended December 31, 2020  2019  2020  2019 
Interest income:             
Loans  $16,265   15,549  $63,678   61,301 
Debt securities   2,664   2,729   11,377   9,402 
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank stock  138   281   670   714 
Other   109   253   813   881 
                 
Total interest income  19,176   18,812   76,538   72,298 
                 
Interest expense:                 
Deposits   1,035   4,341   7,962   17,913 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances  2,275   1,892   8,490   6,530 
Subordinated debt   554   453   1,912   1,811 
                 
Total interest expense  3,864   6,686   18,364   26,254 
                 
Net interest income  15,312   12,126   58,174   46,044 
                 
Provision for loan losses   610   429   4,986   1,488 
                 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  14,702   11,697   53,188   44,556 
                 
Noninterest income:                 
Trust fees   5,591   5,023   20,880   18,614 
Income from bank-owned life insurance  210   219   845   886 
Income from solar farms   71   68   312   330 
Gain on sale of debt securities available for sale  584   233   5,712   1,560 
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt  (160)  414   (160)  685 
Other fees and service charges  241   638   865   1,169 
                 
Total noninterest income  6,537   6,595   28,454   23,244 
                 
Noninterest expenses:                 
Salaries and employee benefits  8,098   7,948   31,835   29,452 
Occupancy   1,310   1,354   5,825   5,646 
Information systems   1,410   1,150   5,241   4,413 
Professional fees   520   323   1,568   1,334 
Marketing and business development  293   612   1,507   2,054 
Regulatory assessments   391   108   1,393   788 
Other   1,142   995   5,704   4,204 
                 
Total noninterest expense  13,164   12,490   53,073   47,891 
                 
Earnings before income taxes  8,075   5,802   28,569   19,909 
                 

Income taxes
   1,789   1,162   6,613   4,702 
                 
Net earnings  $6,286   4,640  $21,956   15,207 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic  8,942   8,854   8,925   8,855 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted  9,075   9,029   9,057   9,024 
                 
Per share information:                
Basic earnings per common share  $0.70   0.49  $2.46   1.72 
Diluted earnings per common share $0.69   0.49  $2.42   1.69 
                 

FineMark Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Financial Highlights
Fourth Quarter 2020
Unaudited

                      
$ in thousands except for share data 4th Qtr 2020    3rd Qtr 2020    2nd Qtr 2020    1st Qtr 2020    4th Qtr 2019    2020    2019 
$ Earnings                                  
Net Interest Income  15,312    15,205    15,032    12,625    12,126    58,174    46,044 
Provision for loan loss  610    630    2,563    1,183    429    4,986    1,488 
Non-interest Income  6,113    5,858    5,341    5,590    5,629    22,900    20,999 
Gain on sale of debt securities available for sale  584    1,066    1,371    2,691    233    5,712    1,560 
Debt extinguishment gains  (160)  -    -    -    414    (160)  685 
Non-interest Expense  13,164    14,069    12,814    13,026    12,490    53,072    47,891 
Earnings before income taxes  8,075    7,430    6,368    6,696    5,483    28,570    19,909 
Taxes  1,789    1,694    1,520    1,610    1,162    6,613    4,702 
Net Income  6,286    5,736    4,847    5,087    4,321    21,956    15,207 
Basic earnings per share  0.70    0.65    0.54    0.57    0.49    2.46    1.72 
Diluted earnings per share  0.69    0.63    0.54    0.56    0.49    2.42    1.69 
Performance Ratios                                                       
Return on average assets*    0.93%    0.90%    0.80%    0.92%    0.82%    0.89%    0.76%
Return on risk weighted assets*    1.60%    1.54%    1.34%    1.46%    1.32%    1.49%    1.22%
Return on average equity*    12.12%    11.35%    10.16%    11.11%    9.72%    11.20%    8.97%
Yield on earning assets*    2.95%    3.13%    3.32%    3.59%    3.74%    3.23%    3.82%
Cost of funds*    0.62%    0.67%    0.77%    1.26%    1.40%    0.81%    1.46%
Net Interest Margin*    2.36%    2.50%    2.58%    2.39%    2.41%    2.45%    2.43%
Efficiency ratio    60.24%    63.58%    58.92%    62.31%    67.87%    61.27%    69.12%
Capital                                                       
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio    7.48%    7.71%    7.89%    8.35%    8.51%    7.48%    8.51%
Common equity risk-based capital ratio    12.94%    13.20%    13.15%    14.10%    13.70%    12.94%    13.70%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio    12.94%    13.20%    13.15%    14.10%    13.70%    12.94%    13.70%
Total risk-based capital ratio    17.52%    16.57%    16.56%    17.67%    17.18%    17.52%    17.18%
Book value per share  23.57    23.01    22.08    20.74    20.15    23.57    20.15 
Tangible book value per share  23.57    23.01    22.08    20.74    20.15    23.57    20.15 
Asset Quality                                                       
Net charge-offs (recoveries)  37    3    9    (7)  (10)  42    116 
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average total loans    0.00%    0.00%    0.00%    0.00%    0.00%    0.00%    0.01%
Allowance for loan losses  20,782    20,209    19,582    17,028    15,838    20,782    15,838 
Allowance to total loans    1.11%    1.12%    1.12%    1.06%    1.04%    1.11%    1.04%
Nonperforming loans  1,279    1,098    1,560    1,184    1,798    1,279    1,798 
Other real estate owned  -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Nonperforming loans to total loans    0.07%    0.06%    0.09%    0.07%    0.12%    0.07%    0.12%
Nonperforming assets to total assets    0.04%    0.04%    0.06%    0.05%    0.08%    0.04%    0.08%
Loan Composition (% of Total Gross Loans)                                                       
1-4 Family    53.1%    53.3%    52.8%    55.9%    57.3%    53.1%    57.3%
Commercial Loans    13.5%    14.9%    15.3%    10.9%    10.0%    13.5%    10.0%
Commercial Real Estate    18.9%    19.4%    19.9%    21.0%    20.9%    18.9%    20.9%
Construction Loans    7.6%    6.8%    6.7%    6.6%    6.1%    7.6%    6.1%
Other Loans    7.0%    5.5%    5.3%    5.6%    5.7%    7.0%    5.7%
End of Period Balances                                                       
Assets  2,851,416    2,606,789    2,520,831    2,464,677    2,168,975    2,851,416    2,168,975 
Debt securities  654,141    619,016    618,569    577,917    505,170    654,141    505,170 
Loans, net of allowance  1,850,293    1,789,905    1,727,853    1,584,767    1,512,466    1,850,293    1,512,466 
Deposits  2,224,954    1,978,922    1,919,966    1,824,174    1,670,419    2,224,954    1,670,419 
Other borrowings  5,612    14,920    9,121    112,527    2,390    5,612    2,390 
Subordinated Debt  50,712    29,622    29,610    29,598    29,586    50,712    29,586 
FHLB Advances  334,271    354,334    314,396    294,458    264,520    334,271    264,520 
Shareholders Equity  211,057    205,627    197,174    185,119    178,453    211,057    178,453 
Trust and Investment                                                       
Fee Income 5,591    5,337    4,897    5,055    5,023    20,879    18,614 
Assets Under Administration                                                       
Balance at beginning of period  4,622,464    4,382,810    3,932,309    4,472,585    4,175,715    4,472,585    3,391,455 
Net investment appreciation (depreciation) & income  349,016    166,182    389,677    (706,530)  180,466    198,345    535,238 
Net client asset flows  119,928    73,472    60,824    166,253    116,404    420,477    545,892 
Balance at end of period  5,091,408    4,622,464    4,382,810    3,932,309    4,472,585    5,091,408    4,472,585 
Percentage of AUA that are managed    89%    90%    89%    88%    88%    89%    88%
Stock Valuation                                                       
Closing Market Price (OTCQX)  23.41    19.85    21.60    21.00    25.10    23.41    25.10 
Multiple of Tangible Book Value    0.99      0.86      0.98      1.01      1.25      0.99      1.25 
*annualized                            

SOURCE: FineMark Holdings, Inc.



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