8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 31, 2020

KENTUCKY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in Charter)

Kentucky	000-52598	61-0993464
(State or other	(Commission	(IRS Employer
jurisdiction of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

P.O. Box 157, Paris, Kentucky
(Address of principal executive offices) 40362-0157
(Zip code)

(859)987-1795

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17CFR230.425)

☐  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	KTYB	OTCQX

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ◻

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

The Registrant expects to mail to its shareholders the Registrant's quarterly financial information for the fourth quarter of 2019 on or about February 14, 2020.  A copy of this mailing is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 - Release dated January 31, 2020 of quarterly financial information as of December 31, 2019.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the discussion in this Report may include certain forward looking statements based upon management expectations.  Actual results and experience could differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.  Factors which could cause future results to differ from these expectations include the following:  change in economic conditions in the markets we serve; changes in laws or regulatory enforcement; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in  interest rates; demand for financial services; the impact of our continuing growth strategy; and other factors, including various “risk factors” set forth in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in other reports we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Our annual report on Form 10-K and these other reports are available publicly on the SEC website, www.sec.gov, and on the Company's website, www.kybank.com.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

April
	KENTUCKY BANCSHARES, INC.
Date: January 31, 2020	By	/s/ Gregory J. Dawson
		Gregory J. Dawson
		Chief Financial Officer

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Earnings Report – December 31, 2019

Record Earnings and Record Assets

Dear Shareholders:

We are pleased to announce record earnings and record assets for your company.  Year-to-date net income was $13.1 million for the period ending December 31, 2019 compared to $12.4 million for the period ending December 31, 2018, reflecting an increase of 5.8%.  Year-to-date diluted earnings per share was $2.21 and $2.09, for December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  Total assets were $1.11 billion as of December 31, 2019 compared to $1.09 billion as of December 31, 2018.

The increase in year-to-date net income from prior year was driven by the following factors:  an increase in net interest income primarily due to higher average loan balances offset by higher funding cost, and by higher provision expense due to loan growth, and higher non-interest income lifted by gains on securities combined with lower tax expense due to changes to corporate state income tax rates.

In addition to the loan growth year over year, included in the balance sheet change was a purposeful increase in our loan to deposit ratio to 88% as of December 31, 2019 from 81% as of December 31, 2018.  This change reflects the desire to have proportionally more of our earning assets in loans which are higher yields relative to securities and other investments.

Our strategy of disciplined loan growth paired with the pursuit of incremental income continues to bear fruit as evidenced by the increase in year-to-date earnings and has allowed us to invest in your company.  As an example, we opened our newest branch, located on the corner of Polo Club and Man-O-War in Lexington, on January 6, 2020.  In addition, we are currently constructing a branch near the corner of Tates Creek and Man-O-War in Lexington which we anticipate opening in the third quarter of 2020.  Although requiring additional capital, increasing the Bank’s presence in our largest market is vital to our long-term growth strategy.

While we are pleased with year-to-date net income, there is pressure on future earnings.  Specifically, the Federal Reserve’s reductions in interest rates, has compressed net interest margin while non-interest expenses have increased in accordance with our long-term growth. These factors, combined with increasing global economic weaknesses and geopolitical uncertainty, could negatively impact growth rates and ultimately earnings for your company. 

For 2020, we plan to focus on meeting our customers’ loan demand needs while paying attention to declining rates and economic uncertainties.  At the same time, we will continue to pursue opportunities for profitable growth, strategic expansion, and improved efficiency to accomplish what is in the long-term best interest of our shareholders, customers, and employees.  As always, thank you for your continued support.

/s/Louis Prichard

Louis Prichard

President, CEO

UNAUDITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands)

					Percentage
	12/31/2019		12/31/2018		Change
Assets
Cash & Due From Banks	$	21,922	$	25,835	(15.1)	%
Federal Funds Sold		260		266	(2.3)
Interest Bearing Time Deposits		2,375		2,175	9.2
Securities		265,330		315,369	(15.9)
Loans Held for Sale		2,144		1,203	78.2
Loans		744,313		686,144	8.5
Reserve for Loan Losses		8,460		8,127	4.1
Net Loans		735,853		678,017	8.5
Bank Owned Life Insurance		18,165		10,198	78.1
Other Assets		64,741		52,949	22.3
Total Assets	$	1,110,790	$	1,086,012	2.3	%
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
Deposits
Demand	$	235,268	$	231,429	1.7	%
Savings & Interest Checking		395,680		427,967	(7.5)
Certificates of Deposit		211,705		191,046	10.8
Total Deposits		842,653		850,442	(0.9)
Repurchase Agreements		5,994		8,077	(25.8)
Other Borrowed Funds		123,635		110,387	12.0
Other Liabilities		19,245		10,313	86.6
Total Liabilities		991,527		979,219	1.3
Stockholders' Equity		119,263		106,793	11.7
Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity	$	1,110,790	$	1,086,012	2.3	%

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(in thousands)

	Years Ending								Three Months Ending
							Percentage								Percentage
	12/31/2019			12/31/2018			Change		12/31/2019			12/31/2018			Change
Interest Income	$	45,532		$	42,632		6.8	%	$	11,481		$	11,121		3.2	%
Interest Expense		8,983			6,802		32.1			2,240			2,060		8.7
Net Interest Income		36,549			35,830		2.0			9,241			9,061		2.0
Loan Loss Provision		1,250			500		150.0			425			100		325.0
Net Interest Income After Provision		35,299			35,330		(0.1)			8,816			8,961		(1.6)
Other Income		14,239			13,136		8.4			3,844			3,145		22.2
Other Expenses		35,308			34,382		2.7			9,035			8,842		2.2
Income Before Taxes		14,230			14,084		1.0			3,625			3,264		11.1
Income Taxes		1,077			1,654		(34.9)			136			328		(58.5)
Net Income	$	13,153		$	12,430		5.8	%	$	3,489		$	2,936		18.8	%
Selected Ratios
Return on Average Assets		1.20	%		1.18	%				1.24	%		1.10	%
Return on Average Equity		11.52			12.36					11.82			11.42
Earnings Per Share	$	2.21		$	2.09				$	0.59		$	0.49
Earnings Per Share - assuming dilution		2.21			2.09					0.59			0.49
Cash Dividends Per Share		0.680			0.625					0.170			0.160
Book Value Per Share		20.17			17.93
Tangible Book Value Per Share		17.78			15.54

Market Price	High		Low		Close
Fourth Quarter '19	$	23.50	$	23.11	$	23.50
Third Quarter '19	$	24.60	$	23.03	$	23.30