EX-99.1 2 tm2019413d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

Provident Bancorp, Inc. Reports Earnings for the March 31, 2020 Quarter

 

Company Release – 5/8/2020

 

Amesbury, Massachusetts — Provident Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NasdaqCM: PVBC), the holding company for The Provident Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 of $1.2 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to $2.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2019. As a result of the completion of the second-step conversion and related stock offering in October 2019, all historical share and per share information has been restated to reflect the 2.0212-to-one exchange ratio.

 

“I am deeply saddened by the devastating toll the COVID-19 crisis has placed on the health and well-being of our communities, including the effects on small businesses,” said David Mansfield, CEO. “These businesses are the backbone of our communities - they create jobs, lead innovation, reflect America’s diversity, help our communities flourish and represent our friends and neighbors. In these grave and uncertain times, it is critical that we do everything we can to help our local businesses continue to operate.”

 

“These are the times when a culture and organization get tested. Fortunately, our team responsible for pandemic training and execution were well-prepared and ready to take the necessary steps to ensure our customers, staff and operations would experience little-to-no disruption. Our partnership with COCC, our core provider, and our already existing virtual workstation infrastructure made for a smooth transition to remote working for over 120 of our employees. I am immensely proud of the work we have accomplished, the steadfast dedication, the “let’s do this” mindset and, most importantly, the immense depth of caring from the entire team at The Provident Bank.”

 

“Our fast response from the pandemic team created a smooth transition so that our lending team could quickly react to our customers’ needs who are experiencing financial difficulty due to COVID-19. Our team is responding around the clock for modification requests and applications for the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA’s”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).”

 

“Our earnings could be materially impacted as a result of the pandemic. We may have additional increased provisions for loan losses and decreased fee income as we work with our customers to aid in the stabilization of their businesses. With the successful second-step conversion in 2019, the Company has a strong capital position and we believe it is well positioned to withstand the potential losses due to the pandemic.”

 

Covid–19 Response

 

The outbreak of COVID-19 has adversely impacted a broad range of industries in which the Company’s customers operate and could impair their ability to fulfill their financial obligations. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic indicating that almost all public commerce and related business activities must be, to varying degrees, curtailed with the goal of decreasing the rate of new infections. The spread of the outbreak has caused significant disruption in the U.S. economy and has disrupted banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates.

 

Congress and the bank regulatory agencies have taken several actions designed to cushion the economic fallout. The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020. The goal of the CARES Act is to prevent severe economic downturn through various measures, including direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. In addition to the general impact of COVID-19, certain provisions of the CARES Act as well as other recent legislative and regulatory relief efforts are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operations.

 

 

 

  

The Company’s business depends upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. If the global response to contain COVID-19 escalates further or is unsuccessful, the Company could experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While it is not possible to know the full extent that the impact of COVID-19 will have on the Company’s operations, the Company will be disclosing potentially material items of which it is aware.

 

The following are areas that are impacting the Company:

 

·Working with affected customers to waive fees from a variety of sources, such as, but not limited to insufficient funds, account maintenance, minimum balance and ATM fees;
·Establishing modification programs in accordance with regulations to aid in providing economic relief to our borrowers by providing up to six month payment deferrals;
·Participation and origination of loans in the new 7(a) PPP authorized by the SBA to temporarily guarantee loans as part of the CARES Act; and
·Changes in the provision for loan losses as the Company evaluates the qualitative factors and potential losses within the portfolio.

 

Financial Results for March 31, 2020 Quarter

 

Net interest and dividend income before provision for loan losses increased by $1.9 million, or 18.8%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019. The growth in net interest and dividend income this quarter over the prior year’s first quarter is primarily the result of an increase in our average interest earning assets of $208.0 million, or 22.5%, offset by a decrease in net interest margin of 13 basis points to 4.27%.

 

Provisions for loan losses of $3.1 million were recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2019. The changes in the provision were based on management’s assessment of loan portfolio growth and composition changes, historical charge-off trends, levels of problem loans and other asset quality trends. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we had $269,000 in loan net charge-offs. The Company has reviewed certain qualitative factors in light of significant economic deterioration due to COVID-19. As businesses remain shut down, the Company continues to work with borrowers and offer relief in the form of short-term payment deferrals as well as originating PPP loans through the SBA. There remains significant uncertainty of the full impact of COVID-19 as there is no set timeline as to when our customers can return to operations. In reviewing the modifications performed as of March 31, 2020 and having an understanding as to the demand of modifications that are currently being considered, increased provisions were recognized to build a reserve to handle the potential impact that COVID-19 could have on our commercial customers.

 

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.46% as of March 31, 2020 compared to 1.42% as of December 31, 2019. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans was 66.2% as of March 31, 2020 compared to 237.6% as of December 31, 2019. Non-performing loans were $24.9 million, or 1.97% of total assets as of March 31, 2020, compared to $5.8 million, or 0.52% of total assets, as of December 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2020, non-performing loans consist primarily of one commercial relationship and one commercial real estate relationship. The commercial real estate loan relationship with a total balance of $18.6 million became impaired in 2019 and in 2020 a troubled debt restructuring was completed. The loan was placed on non-accrual until the relationship can demonstrate the ability to pay the loan under the restructured terms. The loan relationship was evaluated and specific reserves of $1.4 million were allocated as of March 31, 2020.

 

The commercial relationship totaling $1.9 million was originated through the BancAlliance network. BancAlliance has a membership of approximately 200 community banks that together participate in middle market commercial and industrial loans as a way to diversify their commercial portfolio. The impaired loan relationship was evaluated and specific reserves of $131,000 were allocated as of March 31, 2020.

 

 

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Bank accepted a short-sale, which was originated through the BancAlliance Network. The accepted short-sale resulted in a charge-off of $97,000 on a $490,000 loan relationship. As of March 31, 2020, the Bank has five BancAlliance loan relationships remaining totaling $6.7 million. Out of the five relationships, three totaling $3.3 million are pass rated and two totaling $3.4 million are substandard. One of the substandard relationships totaling $1.9 million is on non-accrual and deemed impaired. We have allocated specific reserves totaling $131,000 for this relationship. Our last BancAlliance loan origination was in February 2017, and at this time we are not anticipating originating any new loans through this network.

 

Noninterest income decreased $36,000, or 3.4%, and was $1.0 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in the gains on sales of securities of $113,000, or 100.0%, partially offset by an increase in other service charges and fees of $48,000, or 11.7%, and an increase of $23,000, or 7.0%, in customer service fees on deposit accounts.

 

Noninterest expense increased $1.6 million, or 23.1%, to $8.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase is primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, write-down of a notes receivable, and other expense, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy expense. The increase of $1.1 million, or 25.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 in salary and employee benefits was primarily due to a higher number of sales and operations positions compared to the same period in 2019, the addition of staff from the warehouse business line purchase, and our ESOP expense. The warehouse business line purchase increased salary and employee benefits by $171,000. ESOP expense increased $114,000 due to the acquisition of additional shares from our stock offering in October 2019. A write-down of a notes receivable was completed after the Company evaluated the collectability and determined that $500,000 is uncollectible. Other expense increased $103,000, or 15.2%, due to increased telecommunication expenses and loan workout expenses. Occupancy expense decreased $203,000, or 31.5%, primarily due to the acceleration of our leasehold improvements amortization related to the closure of our Hampton, New Hampshire branch in 2019.

 

As of March 31, 2020, total assets have increased $144.8 million, or 12.9%, to $1.27 billion compared to $1.12 billion at December 31, 2019. The primary reasons for the increase are increases in net loans, partially offset by a decrease cash and cash equivalents and in investments in available-for-sale securities. Net loans increased $170.0 million, or 17.7%, to $1.13 billion as of March 31, 2020 compared to $959.3 million at December 31, 2019. The increase in net loans was due to an increase in commercial loans of $179.7 million, or 39.8%, and an increase in construction and land development loans of $1.6 million, or 3.3%, partially offset by decreases in commercial real estate loans of $2.6 million, or 0.6%, residential real estate loans of $3.1 million, or 6.9%, and consumer loans of $2.2 million, or 17.3%. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $25.2 million, or 42.3%, resulted from the purchase of the warehouse business line in January 2020. The decrease in investments in available-for-sale securities of $2.7 million, or 6.5%, resulted primarily from principal pay downs on government mortgage-backed securities.

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities increased $143.0 million, or 16.1%, due to increased deposits and an increase in borrowings. Deposits were $893.5 million as of March 31, 2020, representing an increase of $43.6 million, or 5.1%, compared to December 31, 2019. The primary reason for the increase in deposits was due to an increase of $58.9 million, or 62.4%, in time deposits and an increase of $4.7 million, or 4.0%, in savings accounts, partially offset by a decrease in money market accounts of $15.9 million, or 5.9%, and NOW and demand deposits of $4.1 million, or 1.1%. The increase in time deposits is primarily due to increases in brokered certificates of deposit of $55.8 million, or 114.9%, and an increase of $2.8 million, or 32.8%, from Qwickrate, where we gather certificates of deposit nationwide by posting rates we will pay on these deposits. The increase in savings accounts is primarily due to municipal deposits. Money market deposits and NOW and demand deposits decreased due to the decrease in some of our high rate relationships within these categories. Borrowings increased $100.0 million, or 400.1%, to $125.0 million as of March 31, 2020 primarily due to funding loan growth.

 

As of March 31, 2020, shareholders’ equity was $232.7 million compared to $230.9 million at December 31, 2019, representing an increase of $1.7 million, or 0.7%. The increase was primarily due to year-to-date net income of $1.2 million, stock-based compensation expense of $261,000, and employee stock ownership plan shares earned of $250,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Provident Bancorp, Inc.

Provident Bancorp, Inc. is a Maryland corporation that was formed in 2019 to be the successor corporation to Provident Bancorp, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, and the holding company for The Provident Bank. The Provident Bank, a subsidiary of Provident Bancorp, Inc., is an innovative, commercial bank that finds solutions for our business and private clients. We are committed to strengthening the economic development of the regions we serve, by working closely with businesses and private clients and delivering superior products and high-touch services to meet their banking needs. The Provident has offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. All deposits are insured in full through a combination of insurance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). For more information about The Provident Bank please visit our website www.theprovidentbank.com or call 877-487-2977.

  

Forward-looking statements

 

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements, such as statements of the Company’s or the Bank’s plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as, “expects,” “subject,” “believe,” “will,” “intends,” “may,” “will be” or “would.” These statements are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s or the Bank’s control) and actual results may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements (which reflect management’s analysis of factors only as of the date of which they are given). These factors include: general economic conditions; trends in interest rates; the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans; and the ability of the Company or the Bank to effectively manage its growth and results of regulatory examinations, among other factors. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents of the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

Provident Bancorp, Inc.

Carol Houle, 603-334-1253

Executive Vice President/CFO

choule@theprovidentbank.com

 

 

 

 

Provident Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

   At   At 
   March 31,   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2020   2019 
Assets   (unaudited)      
Cash and due from banks  $8,662   $11,990 
Short-term investments   25,760    47,668 
Cash and cash equivalents   34,422    59,658 
Debt securities available-for-sale (at fair value)   39,081    41,790 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   2,736    1,416 
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $16,674 and $13,844 as of          
     March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively   1,129,282    959,286 
Bank owned life insurance   27,104    26,925 
Premises and equipment, net   14,934    14,728 
Accrued interest receivable   3,236    2,854 
Right-of-use assets   4,375    3,713 
Other assets   11,385    11,418 
Total assets  $1,266,555   $1,121,788 
           
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity          
Deposits:          
Noninterest-bearing  $244,728   $222,088 
Interest-bearing   648,804    627,817 
Total deposits   893,532    849,905 
Borrowings   125,010    24,998 
Operating lease liabilities   4,555    3,877 
Other liabilities   10,800    12,075 
Total liabilities   1,033,897    890,855 
Shareholders' equity:          
Preferred stock; authorized 50,000 shares:          
no shares issued and outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized;          
19,476,248 and 19,473,818 shares issued and outstanding          
at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively   195    195 
Additional paid-in capital   146,500    146,174 
Retained earnings   95,390    94,159 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   441    458 
Unearned compensation - ESOP   (9,868)   (10,053)
Total shareholders' equity   232,658    230,933 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $1,266,555   $1,121,788 

 

 

 

  

Provident Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Income Statements

 

   Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  2020   2019 
Interest and dividend income:  (unaudited) 
Interest and fees on loans  $13,760   $11,699 
Interest and dividends on securities   258    404 
Interest on short-term investments   71    26 
Total interest and dividend income   14,089    12,129 
Interest expense:          
Interest on deposits   1,646    1,437 
Interest on borrowings   371    534 
Total interest expense   2,017    1,971 
Net interest and dividend income   12,072    10,158 
Provision for loan losses   3,099    1,462 
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses   8,973    8,696 
Noninterest income:          
Customer service fees on deposit accounts   352    329 
Service charges and fees - other   460    412 
Gain on sale of securities, net   -    113 
Bank owned life insurance income   180    177 
Other income   18    15 
Total noninterest income   1,010    1,046 
Noninterest expense:          
Salaries and employee benefits   5,402    4,294 
Occupancy expense   441    644 
Equipment expense   137    106 
Data processing   201    203 
Marketing expense   64    55 
Professional fees   386    422 
Directors' compensation   194    181 
Software depreciation and implementation   200    163 
Write down of note receivable   500    - 
Other   781    678 
Total noninterest expense   8,306    6,746 
Income before income tax expense   1,677    2,996 
Income tax expense   446    778 
 Net income  $1,231   $2,218 
           
Earnings per share: (1)          
Basic  $0.07   $0.12 
Diluted  $0.07   $0.12 
           
Weighted Average Shares: (1)          
Basic   18,115,970    18,730,676 
Diluted   18,261,282    18,807,840 

 

(1)Amounts related to periods prior to the date of the Conversion (October 16, 2019) have been restated to give the retroactive recognition to the exchange ratio applied in the Conversion (2.0212-to-one).

 

 

 

 

Provident Bancorp, Inc.

Net Interest Income Analysis

 

   For the Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
       Interest           Interest     
   Average   Earned/   Yield/   Average   Earned/   Yield/ 
   Balance   Paid   Rate   Balance   Paid   Rate 
(Dollars in thousands)                        
Assets:                        
Interest-earning assets:                              
Loans  $1,068,525   $13,760    5.15%  $865,239   $11,699    5.41%
Short-term investments   19,176    71    1.48%   4,356    26    2.39%
Investment securities   41,031    237    2.31%   50,780    373    2.94%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   3,161    21    2.66%   3,533    31    3.51%
Total interest-earning assets   1,131,893    14,089    4.98%   923,908    12,129    5.25%
Non-interest earning assets   57,183              63,362           
                               
Total assets  $1,189,076             $987,270           
                               
                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Savings accounts  $121,106    105    0.35%  $118,032    108    0.37%
Money market accounts   255,883    705    1.10%   231,766    699    1.21%
NOW accounts   124,286    155    0.50%   115,977    116    0.40%
Certificates of deposit   133,819    681    2.04%   103,862    514    1.98%
Total interest-bearing deposits   635,094    1,646    1.04%   569,637    1,437    1.01%
Borrowings   78,869    371    1.88%   80,483    534    2.65%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   713,963    2,017    1.13%   650,120    1,971    1.21%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                              
Noninterest-bearing deposits   226,440              189,544           
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities   15,731              16,256           
Total liabilities   956,134              855,920           
Total equity   232,942              131,350           
Total liabilities and equity  $1,189,076             $987,270           
                               
Net interest income       $12,072             $10,158      
Interest rate spread (1)             3.85%             4.04%
Net interest-earning assets (2)  $417,930             $273,788           
Net interest margin (3)             4.27%             4.40%
Average interest-earning assets to                              
interest-bearing liabilities   158.54%             142.11%          

 

(1)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-bearing assets and the weighted average rate of interest-bearing liabilities.
(2)Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets

  

 

 

 

Provident Bancorp, Inc.

Selected Financial Highlights

 

   For the three 
   months ended 
   March 31, 
   2020   2019 
(unaudited)        
Performance Ratios:          
Return on average assets (1)   0.41%   0.90%
Return on average equity (1)   2.11%   6.75%
Interest rate spread (1) (3)   3.85%   4.04%
Net interest margin (1) (4)   4.27%   4.40%
Non-interest expense to average assets (1)   2.79%   2.73%
Efficiency ratio (5)   63.49%   60.82%
Average interest-earning assets to          
average interest-bearing liabilities   158.54%   142.11%
Average equity to average assets   19.59%   13.30%

 

 

 

 

 

   At   At   At 
   March 31,   December 31,   March 31, 
   2020   2019   2019 
Asset Quality               
Non-accrual loans:               
Real estate:               
Commercial  $21,199   $1,701   $519 
Residential   732    969    822 
Construction and land development   165    165    - 
Commercial   2,754    2,955    6,919 
Consumer   84    37    115 
Total non-accrual loans   24,934    5,827    8,375 
                
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more   -    -    - 
Other real estate owned   -    -    1,720 
Total non-performing assets  $24,934   $5,827   $10,095 
                
Asset Quality Ratios               
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans (2)   1.46%   1.42%   1.36%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans   66.87%   237.58%   141.58%
Non-performing loans as a percent of total loans (2)   2.18%   0.60%   0.96%
Non-performing loans as a percent of total assets   219.01%   51.03%   0.84%
Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets (6)   219.01%   51.03%   1.01%
                
Capital and Share Related (7)               
Stockholders' equity to total assets   18.4%   20.6%   12.8%
Book value per share  $11.95   $11.86   $6.59 
Market value per share  $8.62   $12.45   $11.21 
Shares outstanding   19,476,248    19,473,818    19,455,503 

 

(1)Annualized where appropriate.
(2)Loans are presented before the allowance but include deferred costs/fees.  Loans held-for-sale are excluded.
(3)Represents the difference between the weighted average yield on average interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets.
(5)Represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, excluding gains on securities available for sale, net.
(6)Non-performing assets consists of non-accrual loans plus loans accruing but 90 days overdue and OREO.
(7)Amounts related to periods prior to the date of the Conversion (October 16, 2019) have been restated to give the retroactive recognition to the exchange ratio applied in the Conversion (2.0212-to-one).