DUNMORE, Pa., July 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FNCB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FNCB; www.fncb.com), the parent company of Dunmore-based FNCB Bank, today reported net income of $4.0 million, or $0.20 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of $1.5 million, or 57.7% from $2.5 million, or $0.13 per basic and diluted share, for the comparable period of 2019. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 totaled $6.1 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted share, an increase of $0.9 million, or 17.4%, compared to $5.2 million, or $0.27 per basic and diluted share, for the same six months of 2019. The increase in second quarter and year-to-date 2020 earnings reflected increases in net interest income and non-interest income, coupled with a decrease in non-interest expense. Partially offsetting these positive factors was an increase in the provision for loan and lease losses. Additionally, the results for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2020 include the effect of $117.0 million in loans originated through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) of United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”), as well as COVID-19 related expenses of $183 thousand.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the annualized return on average assets was 1.21% and 0.96%, respectively, compared to 0.85% and 0.86%, respectively, for the same periods of 2019. The annualized return on average equity was 11.62% and 8.87%, respectively, for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020, and 8.19% and 8.89%, respectively, for the comparable periods of 2019. Dividend declared and paid were $0.055 per share for the second quarter and $0.11 per share for the year-to-date period of 2020, a 10.0% increase compared to $0.05 per share and $0.10 per share, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. The dividend pay-out ratio was 36.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 38.8% for the comparable period of 2019. Year-to-date 2020 dividends equated to an annualized dividend yield of approximately 3.8% based on the closing stock price of $5.75 per share at June 30, 2020.

Second quarter 2020 results as compared to the second quarter of 2019:

“We are extremely pleased with the results achieved by our Company for the second quarter of 2020,” stated Gerard A. Champi, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The solid performance reflects the underlying strength of our franchise and the hard work and dedication of the entire FNCB team. As essential employees, I am extremely proud of the effort put forth by our employees in assisting our customers and communities in navigating through the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic in a safe and sound manner. Our team worked around the clock to ensure our small business customers gained access to the resources available to be able to continue their livelihoods. On an additional note, I am pleased to announce that FNCB Bank is one of eleven lenders within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania participating in the Federal Reserve Board’s Main Street Lending Program. Participating in this important program is just another example of our commitment to assisting local businesses within our communities maintain their operations during this uncertain time. With the economy slowly beginning to re-open, all of our community offices are now open and we remain committed to delivering exceptional service while taking into consideration the safety of our customers and employees by requiring the wearing of masks and adhering to social distancing guidelines. However, we are keenly aware that circumstances surrounding the pandemic are evolving. We are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to adjust our operations as necessary to protect our customers and employees,” concluded Champi.

Summary Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, tax-equivalent net interest income increased $0.7 million, or 8.1% to $9.8 million from $9.1 million for the same three months of 2019. The second quarter increase was largely due to a $0.9 million, or 35.8%, decrease in interest expense, which primarily reflected a 42 basis point decrease in the cost of funds to 0.69% for the second quarter of 2020 from 1.11% for the same quarter of 2019. The cost of interest-bearing deposits fell 36 basis points to 0.65% for the second quarter of 2020 from 1.01% for the comparable quarter of 2019, while average borrowing costs decreased 164 basis points to 1.14% from 2.78% comparing the second quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively. Partially offsetting the reduction in interest expense was a $0.2 million, or 1.4%, decrease in tax-equivalent interest income, which was caused primarily by a 51 basis point decrease in the tax-equivalent yield on earning assets, partially mitigated by a $140.4 million, or 12.6%, increase in average earning assets. On a linked quarter basis, tax-equivalent net interest income increased $0.5 million, or 5.1% from $9.3 million for the first quarter of 2020, which was reflective of a $0.4 million decline in interest expense, coupled with a $0.1 million increase in tax-equivalent interest income. The tax-equivalent net interest margin fell 13 basis points to 3.12% from 3.25% comparing the second quarters of 2020 and 2019, and 23 basis points from 3.35% for the first quarter of 2020. The margin decline was impacted by the origination of PPP loans, which averaged $88.0 million at an average yield of 0.99% for the second quarter of 2020.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, tax-equivalent net interest income increased $1.0 million, or 5.3% to $19.1 million, from $18.1 million for the same six months of 2019. The increase in year-to-date tax-equivalent net interest income primarily reflected a $1.6 million, or 30.8%, reduction in interest expense caused by a decrease in funding costs, coupled with lower average balances of interest-bearing liabilities. Due to lower market interest rates, FNCB’s cost of funds for the six months ended June 30, decreased 32 basis points to 0.79% in 2020 from 1.11% in 2019. Additionally, average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $25.1 million, or 2.7%, comparing the year-to-date periods of 2020 and 2019. Partially offsetting the reduction in interest expense was a $0.6 million, or 2.7%, decrease in tax-equivalent interest income to $22.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from $23.3 million for the comparable six-month period of 2019. The tax-equivalent yield on loans decreased 38 basis points to 4.20% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 from 4.58% for the same six months of 2019. Partially mitigating the reduction in loan yields was a $46.0 million, or 5.5%, increase in average loan balances to $877.7 million from $831.7 million comparing the year-to-date periods of 2020 and 2019, respectively. On a year-to-date basis, the tax-equivalent net interest margin improved 4 basis points to 3.23% in 2020 compared to 3.19% in 2019. PPP loans averaged $44.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, with an average yield of 0.99%. For purposes of presenting net interest income, earning-asset yields and net interest margin information on a tax-equivalent basis, tax-free interest income is adjusted using the statutory federal corporate income tax rate of 21.0% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

For the second quarter, non-interest income increased $923 thousand to $2.5 million in 2020 compared to $1.6 million in 2019. The 58.5% increase was primarily due to higher net gains on the sale of available-for-sale securities, coupled with increases in loan referral fees and net gains on the sale of mortgage loans held for sale. FNCB realized net gains on the sale of available-for-sale debt securities of $922 thousand for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $759 thousand, or 466.6%, compared to $163 thousand for the same quarter of 2019. Loan referral fees, which include commissions received from a correspondent bank related to an off-balance sheet commercial interest-rate hedge program and the referral of FHA residential mortgage loans to a third-party broker, increased $208 thousand, or 3466.7% to $214 thousand for the second quarter of 2020 from $6 thousand for the same quarter of 2019. Comparing the second quarters of 2020 and 2019, net gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans held for sale increased $110 thousand, or 150.7%, to $183 thousand in 2020 compared to $73 thousand in 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, non-interest income increased $1.1 million, or 35.6%, to $4.2 million from $3.1 million for the same period of 2019. Similarly, the increase in non-interest income for the year-to-date period was due to increases in net gains on the sale of available-for-sale securities, loan referral fees and net gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans held for sale. Additionally, deposit service charges increased $127 thousand, or 9.0%, which reflected enhancements made to FNCB’s fee structure implemented in the fourth quarter of 2019.

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, non-interest expense decreased by $698 thousand, or 9.8%, to $6.4 million from $7.1 million for the comparable three months of 2019. Non-interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020, decreased $918 thousand, or 6.3%, to $13.6 million from $14.5 million for the same six months of 2019. The decrease in the three- and six-month periods primarily reflected decreases in salaries and employee benefits, data processing costs and other operating expenses, which were partially offset by increases in occupancy and equipment expenses and bank shares tax. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, FNCB incurred COVID-19 related costs, including stay-at-home pay, computer-related equipment to enable employees to work remotely, cleaning and sanitizing facilities and safety supplies, totaling $183 thousand, which is included in non-interest expense.

The increases in net interest income and non-interest income, coupled with the reduction in non-interest expense, resulted in an improvement in FNCB’s efficiency ratio year over year to 56.53% for the second quarter of 2020 from 68.12% for the same quarter of 2019.

Asset Quality

Total non-performing loans were $6.7 million, or 0.71% of total loans, at June 30, 2020, an increase of $1.4 million, or 27.1%, compared to $5.3 million, or 0.65% of total loans, at June 30, 2019. The year-over-year increase was due to several smaller-balance commercial credits that were placed on nonaccrual status. On a linked quarter basis, non-performing loans decreased $1.8 million, or 21.4%, from $8.6 million, or 1.03% of total loans, at March 31, 2020. The decrease in non-performing loans from the end of the previous quarter end primarily reflected the return of two large commercial loan relationships to accrual status. FNCB’s loan delinquency rate (total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans) was 0.89% at June 30, 2020 compared to 1.46% at December 31, 2019 and 0.99% at June 30, 2019. FNCB recorded net recoveries of $286 thousand during the second quarter of 2020 due to a substantial recovery received on a previously charged-off loan. Annualized net loans charged off (recovered), as a percentage of average loans, was (0.12%) for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to 0.32% for the second quarter of 2019. Despite receipt of the large recovery and the improvement in non-performing assets and delinquency rate, FNCB recorded a provision for loan and lease losses of $0.8 million for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $0.5 million, or 139.5%, from $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the provision for loan and lease losses was $2.0 million, an increase of $1.8 million, from $0.2 million for the same six months of 2019. The increase in credit provisioning in 2020 was primarily related to economic disruption and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The allowance for loan and lease losses was $11.0 million, or 1.16% of total loans at June 30, 2020, compared to $8.9 million, or 1.08% of total loans at December 31, 2019 and $8.9 million, or 1.10%, at June 30, 2019. At June 30, 2020, FNCB provided short-term, COVID-19 related payment deferment for 905 loans with aggregate balance totaling $176.6 million, or 18.6%, of gross loans outstanding. Additionally, of the 905 loans, there were 12 loans with an aggregate balance of $7.0 million, or 0.7% of gross loans outstanding, that were provided a second short-term payment deferment as of June 30, 2020. All of the loans that were granted a payment deferment were current and in good standing at December 31, 2019.

Financial Condition

Total assets increased $214.6 million, or 17.8%, to $1.418 billion at June 30, 2020 from $1.204 billion at December 31, 2019. The change in the balance sheet primarily reflected increases in net loans, available-for-sale debt securities and cash and cash equivalents. Net loans were $937.4 million at June 30, 2020, an increase of $117.9 million, or 14.4%, from $819.5 million at December 31, 2019. The increase in loans primarily reflected the origination and funding of PPP loans, of which $117.0 million were outstanding at June 30, 2020. Available-for-sale debt securities increased $32.8 million, or 12.0%, to $305.6 million at June 30, 2020 from $272.8 million at December 31, 2019. Cash and cash equivalents were $101.5 million at June 30, 2020, an increase of $66.9 million, or 193.6%, compared to $34.6 million at December 31, 2019. Total deposits increased $167.9 million, or 16.8%, to $1.170 billion at June 30, 2020 from $1.002 billion at December 31, 2019. Non-interest-bearing deposits increased $87.4 million, or 48.7%, while interest-bearing deposits rose $80.5 million, or 9.8%, comparing balances outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Total borrowed funds increased $32.2 million, or 56.2%, to $89.4 million at June 30, 2020 from $57.2 million at December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily the result of receipt of $36.2 million in funding through the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF).

Total shareholders’ equity increased $11.8 million, or 8.8%, to $145.4 million at June 30, 2020 from $133.6 million at December 31, 2019. Factoring into the capital improvement was net income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 of $6.1 million and a $7.7 million positive change in accumulated other comprehensive income related primarily to appreciation in the fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of deferred taxes, partially offset by dividends declared of $2.2 million. FNCB's tangible book value improved $0.57, or 8.6%, to $7.19 per share at June 30, 2020 from $6.62 per share at December 31, 2019, and $0.75 per share, or 11.6%, year over year from $6.44 per share at June 30, 2019. FNCB Bank’s total risk-based capital and Tier I leverage ratios improved to 15.68% and 10.60%, respectively, at June 30, 2020 compared to 14.77% and 10.36%, respectively, at December 31, 2019.

Availability of Filings

Copies of FNCB’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on form 10-Q will be provided upon request from: Shareholder Relations, FNCB Bancorp, Inc., 102 East Drinker Street, Dunmore, PA 18512 or by calling (570) 348-6419. FNCB’s SEC filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are also available free of charge on the Investor Relations page of FNCB’s website, www.fncb.com, and on the SEC website at: http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html

About FNCB Bancorp, Inc.:

FNCB Bancorp, Inc. is the bank holding company of FNCB Bank. Locally-based for 110 years, FNCB Bank continues as a premier community bank in Northeastern Pennsylvania – offering a full suite of personal, small business and commercial banking solutions with industry-leading mobile, online and in-branch products and services. FNCB currently operates through 17 community offices located in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne Counties and a limited purpose office in Lehigh County, and remains dedicated to making its customers’ banking experience simply better. For more information about FNCB, visit www.fncb.com.