EX-99.1 2 v111342_ex99-1.htm
Exhibit 99.1

Shore Bancshares, Inc.
18 E. Dover Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
Phone 410-822-1400

PRESS RELEASE

Shore Bancshares Reaches $1 Billion in Assets during the First Quarter

Easton, Maryland (04/21/2008) - Shore Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ - SHBI) reported net income of $3.372 million or $0.40 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2008, compared to $3.340 million or $0.40 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2007 and $3.403 million or $0.41 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2007.

“We are pleased to report that we hit a significant milestone during the first quarter of 2008 in reaching $1 billion in total assets,” said W. Moorhead Vermilye, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Loan growth funded by deposit growth was the primary reason for the increase in total assets. Loan growth continued to be solid during the first quarter with strong demand. Despite Federal Reserve rate cuts of 200 basis points in the first quarter of 2008, for a total of 300 basis points in rate cuts since September 2007, we have maintained a strong net interest margin in 2008. The rate cuts had a significant and immediate impact on the overall yield on earning assets, especially the loan portfolio yield. The overall yield declined 44 basis points to 7.37 % when compared to the first quarter of 2007. On the funding side, it generally takes longer for rate cuts to reduce the overall cost of funds, especially in the time deposit portfolio. However, we do expect significant repricing opportunities in our time deposit portfolio over the next year, as the majority of these deposits mature within a one year time horizon. Deposit gathering continues to be a major challenge in this rate environment, but we are seeing evidence that new customers are coming to us because they prefer to work with a locally managed, locally headquartered company. Additionally, we recently hired several experienced bankers who should further add to our unusual depth of talent and help us bring in additional new commercial relationships. Nevertheless, we do expect continued pressure on our net interest margin in 2008.”

“Growth in noninterest income was good and amounted to 25.7% of total revenue for the quarter. Our capital resources are strong and should permit us to invest in our internal infrastructure as needed, as well as selected acquisition opportunities that may arise.”

“Our nonperforming assets and our loans past due 90 days and still accruing have declined since December 31, 2007 and we feel confident about our overall credit quality at this time.”

“On balance, the Delmarva Peninsula appears to be weathering the economic downturn reasonably well. Shore Bancshares is benefiting from the underlying strengths of our home market and the region’s proximity to many of the major metropolitan areas on the East Coast. As investors analyze where and when to re-enter the community banking sector, we believe they will concur that our franchise represents an attractive opportunity to purchase consistent performance and above-average prospects for future growth,” Vermilye said.

The Company’s return on average assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 was 1.38%, compared to 1.40% and 1.43% for the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively. The return on average stockholders’ equity was 10.96% for the first quarter of 2008, compared to 11.78% for the fourth quarter of 2007 and 12.09% for the first quarter of 2007.

At March 31, 2008, total assets were $1.004 billion, total deposits were $808.9 million, and total stockholders’ equity was $122.7 million, compared to $956.9 million, $765.9 million and $120.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007. The increase in total assets of approximately $47 million since December 31, 2007 was related to growth in deposits, which were invested primarily in loans. The growth in loans totaled $32.2 million during the first quarter of 2008 and were $808.6 million at March 31, 2008.

Review of Financial Results for the Quarter
Net interest income for the first quarter of 2008 was $10.0 million, which represented an increase of 1.3% over the $9.9 million earned during the same period last year. Increased loan volume was the reason for the increase. Net interest income decreased 3.8% from the fourth quarter of 2007 primarily due to decreased rates. The Company’s net interest margin remained relatively flat at 4.42% for the first quarter of 2008 when compared to the first quarter of 2007 but decreased 28 basis points when compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.

The provision for credit losses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was $462 thousand and $242 thousand, respectively. Net charge-offs were $87 thousand for the first quarter of 2008, compared to $36 thousand for the same period in 2007. The increased provision for the first quarter of 2008 when compared to the same period last year reflected the overall growth in the loan portfolio and current economic conditions. The provision for credit losses for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $465 thousand and net charge-offs were $135 thousand. Since December 31, 2007, nonperforming assets decreased $278 thousand and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing decreased $508 thousand. Management believes that the provision for credit losses and the resulting allowance were adequate at March 31, 2008.

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2008 increased $1.9 million when compared to the first quarter of 2007. The increase was primarily the result of the acquisition of two insurance agencies during the fourth quarter of 2007. Service charge income increased $182 thousand, insurance agency commissions increased $1.4 million and other noninterest income increased $244 thousand for the first quarter of 2008 when compared to the first quarter of 2007. Noninterest income increased $787 thousand from the fourth quarter of 2007 primarily due to an increase in insurance agency commissions.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2008 increased $1.7 million when compared to the first quarter of 2007. The increase was primarily attributable to the operating expenses of the two insurance agencies acquired during the fourth quarter of 2007. Salaries and benefits increased $1.1 million and other noninterest expenses increased $610 thousand for the first quarter of 2008 when compared to the first quarter of 2007. Noninterest expense increased $289 thousand from the fourth quarter of 2007 primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefits partially offset by a decrease in other noninterest expenses.

Shore Bancshares Information
Shore Bancshares, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Easton, Maryland and is the largest independent bank holding company located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It is the parent company of three banks, The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland, The Centreville National Bank of Maryland, and The Felton Bank; three insurance producer firms, The Avon-Dixon Agency, LLC, Elliott Wilson Insurance, LLC and Jack Martin and Associates, Inc; a wholesale insurance company, TSGIA, Inc; two insurance premium finance companies, Mubell Finance, LLC and ESFS, Inc.; a registered investment adviser firm, Wye Financial Services, LLC; and a mortgage broker subsidiary, Wye Mortgage Group, LLC.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements do not represent historical facts, but statements about management’s beliefs, plans and objectives. These statements are evidenced by terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Although these statements reflect management’s good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true. These projections involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the section of the periodic reports filed by Shore Bancshares, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled “Risk Factors”.
 
For further information contact: W. Moorhead Vermilye, President and CEO
 

                     
Financial Highlights
                      
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                  
                       
   
1st quarter
  
4th quarter
  
1st quarter
  
1Q 08
  
1Q 08
  
   
2008
  
2007
  
2007
  
compared to
  
compared to
  
   
(1Q 08)
  
(4Q 07)
  
(1Q 07)
  
4Q 07
  
1Q 07
  
PROFITABILITY FOR THE PERIOD
                      
Net interest income
  
$
10,030
  
$
10,426
  
$
9,905
    
(3.8
)%
  
1.3
%
Provision for credit losses
    
462
   
465
    
242
    
(0.6
)
  
90.9
 
Noninterest income
    
5,502
   
4,715
    
3,648
    
16.7
   
50.8
 
Noninterest expense
    
9,591
   
9,302
    
7,891
   
3.1
   
21.5
 
Income before income taxes
    
5,479
   
5,374
    
5,420
   
2.0
   
1.1
 
Income tax expense
    
2,107
   
2,034
    
2,017
   
3.6
   
4.5
 
Net income
  
$
3,372
  
$
3,340
  
$
3,403
    
1.0
    
(0.9
)
                                 
                                 
Return on average assets
    
1.38
%
  
1.40
%
  
1.43
%
  
(1.4
)%
  
(3.5
)%
Return on average equity
    
10.96
    
11.78
    
12.09
    
(7.0
)
  
(9.3
)
Net interest margin
    
4.42
    
4.70
    
4.47
    
(6.0
)
  
(1.1
)
Efficiency ratio - GAAP based
    
61.75
    
61.44
    
58.22
    
0.5
    
6.1
  
                                 
                                 
PER SHARE DATA
                                
Basic net income
  
$
0.40
  
$
0.40
  
$
0.41
    
-
%
  
(2.4
)%
Diluted net income
    
0.40
   
0.40
   
0.41
   
-
   
(2.4
)
Dividends paid
    
0.16
   
0.16
   
0.16
   
-
   
-
 
Book value at period end
    
14.62
   
14.35
   
13.54
   
1.9
   
8.0
 
Tangible book value at period end
    
11.96
    
11.68
    
11.94
    
2.4
    
0.2
  
Market value at period end
    
21.45
    
21.95
    
26.45
    
(2.3
)
  
(18.9
)
Market range:
                                
High
    
23.40
    
24.72
    
30.76
    
(5.3
)
  
(23.9
)
Low
    
20.00
    
20.00
    
23.54
   
-
   
(15.0
)
                                 
                                 
AT PERIOD END
                                
Assets
  
$
1,003,836
  
$
956,911
  
$
960,350
    
4.9
%
  
4.5
%
Deposits
    
808,917
    
765,895
    
778,359
    
5.6
    
3.9
  
Loans
   
808,583
    
776,350
    
697,466
    
4.2
    
15.9
  
Securities
    
99,062
   
110,033
   
129,557
   
(10.0
)
  
(23.5
)
Stockholders' equity
    
122,699
   
120,235
   
113,382
   
2.0
   
8.2
 
                                 
                                 
CAPITAL AND CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
                                
Average equity to average assets
    
12.56
%
  
11.91
%
  
11.87
%
            
Allowance for credit losses to period-end  loans
    
0.98
   
0.97
   
0.93
             
Nonperforming assets to total assets
    
0.34
   
0.39
   
0.46
             
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans
    
0.04
   
0.06
   
0.02
             


Shore Bancshares, Inc.
                      
Consolidated Balance Sheets
                      
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                      
           
 
 
March 31, 2008
 
March 31,
2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
compared to
 
compared to
 
 
 
March 31,
2008
 
December 31,
2007
 
March 31,
2007
 
December 31,
2007
 
March 31,
2007
  
ASSETS
                      
Cash and due from banks
  
$
17,236
  
$
17,198
  
$
16,334
    
0.2
%
  
5.5
%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
    
6,928
   
3,036
   
29,423
   
128.2
   
(76.5
)
Federal funds sold
    
28,313
   
6,646
   
51,394
   
326.0
   
(44.9
)
Investments available-for-sale (at fair value)
    
86,056
   
97,137
   
115,595
   
(11.4
)
  
(25.6
)
Investments held-to-maturity
   
13,006
   
12,896
   
13,962
   
0.9
   
(6.8
)
                                 
Loans
    
808,583
   
776,350
   
697,466
   
4.2
   
15.9
 
Less: allowance for credit losses
    
(7,926
)
  
(7,551
)
  
(6,506
)
  
5.0
   
21.8
 
Loans, net
    
800,657
   
768,799
   
690,960
   
4.1
   
15.9
 
                                 
Premises and equipment, net
    
15,408
   
15,617
   
15,897
   
(1.3
)
  
(3.1
)
Accrued interest receivable
    
5,048
   
5,008
   
5,083
   
0.8
   
(0.7
)
Goodwill
    
15,954
   
15,954
   
11,939
   
-
   
33.6
 
Other intangible assets, net
    
6,307
   
6,436
   
1,486
   
(2.0
)
  
324.4
 
Other assets
    
8,923
   
8,184
   
8,277
   
9.0
   
7.8
 
                                 
Total assets
  
$
1,003,836
  
$
956,911
  
$
960,350
    
4.9
   
4.5
 
                                 
LIABILITIES
                                
Noninterest-bearing deposits
  
$
103,328
  
$
104,081
  
$
103,780
    
(0.7
)
  
(0.4
)
Interest-bearing deposits
    
705,589
   
661,814
   
674,579
   
6.6
   
4.6
 
Total deposits
    
808,917
   
765,895
   
778,359
   
5.6
   
3.9
 
                                 
Short-term borrowings
    
42,712
   
47,694
   
32,815
   
(10.4
)
  
30.2
 
Long-term debt
    
15,485
   
12,485
   
27,000
   
24.0
   
(42.6
)
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    
14,023
   
10,602
   
8,794
   
32.3
   
59.5
 
Total liabilities
    
881,137
   
836,676
   
846,968
   
5.3
   
4.0
 
                                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                
Common stock, par value $0.01; authorized
                               
35,000,000 shares
    
84
   
84
   
84
   
-
   
-
 
Additional paid in capital
    
29,578
   
29,539
   
29,462
   
0.1
   
0.4
 
Retained earnings
    
92,076
   
90,365
   
84,341
   
1.9
   
9.2
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    
961
   
247
   
(505
)
  
289.1
   
290.3
 
Total stockholders' equity
    
122,699
   
120,235
   
113,382
   
2.0
   
8.2
 
                                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  
$
1,003,836
  
$
956,911
  
$
960,350
    
4.9
   
4.5
 
                                 
Period-end shares outstanding
    
8,395
   
8,381
   
8,375
   
0.2
   
0.2
 
Book value per share
  
$
14.62
  
$
14.35
  
$
13.54
    
1.9
   
8.0
 


Shore Bancshares, Inc.
                      
Consolidated Statements of Income
                      
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                      
                       
           
 
 
1Q 08
 
1Q 08
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
compared to
 
compared to
 
 
 
1Q 08
 
4Q 07
 
1Q 07
 
4Q 07
 
1Q 07
  
INTEREST INCOME
                      
Interest and fees on loans
 
$
14,560
  
$
14,958
  
$
13,624
    
(2.7
)%
  
6.9
%
Interest and dividends on investment securities:
                                
Taxable
    
1,080
   
1,205
   
1,284
   
(10.4
)
  
(15.9
)
Tax-exempt
    
123
   
124
   
124
   
(0.8
)
  
(0.8
)
Interest on federal funds sold
    
122
   
120
   
520
   
1.7
   
(76.5
)
Interest on deposits with other banks
    
38
   
46
   
338
   
(17.4
)
  
(88.8
)
Total interest income
    
15,923
   
16,453
   
15,890
   
(3.2
)
  
0.2
 
                             
INTEREST EXPENSE
                                
Interest on deposits
    
5,343
   
5,429
   
5,368
   
(1.6
)
  
(0.5
)
Interest on short-term borrowings
    
366
   
522
   
246
   
(29.9
)
  
48.8
 
Interest on long-term debt
    
184
   
76
   
371
   
142.1
   
(50.4
)
Total interest expense
    
5,893
   
6,027
   
5,985
   
(2.2
)
  
(1.5
)
 
                                
NET INTEREST INCOME
    
10,030
   
10,426
   
9,905
   
(3.8
)
  
1.3
 
Provision for credit losses
    
462
   
465
   
242
   
(0.6
)
  
90.9
 
                                 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
                                
FOR CREDIT LOSSES
    
9,568
   
9,961
   
9,663
   
(3.9
)
  
(1.0
)
                             
NONINTEREST INCOME
                                
Service charges on deposit accounts
    
871
   
952
   
689
   
(8.5
)
  
26.4
 
Investment securities gains (losses)
    
-
   
4
   
-
   
(100.0
)
  
-
 
Insurance agency commissions
    
3,467
   
2,694
   
2,039
   
28.7
   
70.0
 
Other noninterest income
    
1,164
   
1,065
   
920
   
9.3
   
26.5
 
Total noninterest income
    
5,502
   
4,715
   
3,648
   
16.7
   
50.8
 
                                 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
                                
Salaries and employee benefits
    
5,984
   
5,520
   
4,933
   
8.4
   
21.3
 
Occupancy expense
   
499
   
518
   
510
   
(3.7
)
  
(2.2
)
Furniture and equipment expense
    
286
   
324
   
322
   
(11.7
)
  
(11.2
)
Data processing
    
470
   
467
   
432
   
0.6
   
8.8
 
Directors' fees
    
165
   
178
   
163
   
(7.3
)
  
1.2
 
Amortization of intangible assets
    
129
   
130
   
83
   
(0.8
)
  
55.4
 
Other noninterest expenses
    
2,058
   
2,165
   
1,448
   
(4.9
)
  
42.1
 
Total noninterest expense
    
9,591
   
9,302
   
7,891
   
3.1
   
21.5
 
                                 
Income before income taxes
    
5,479
   
5,374
   
5,420
   
2.0
   
1.1
 
Income tax expense
    
2,107
   
2,034
   
2,017
   
3.6
   
4.5
 
                                 
NET INCOME
  
$
3,372
  
$
3,340
  
$
3,403
    
1.0
   
(0.9
)
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
    
8,391
   
8,380
   
8,382
   
0.1
   
0.1
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
    
8,400
   
8,391
   
8,396
   
0.1
   
0.0
 
                                 
Basic net income per share
  
$
0.40
  
$
0.40
  
$
0.41
    
-
   
(2.4
)
Diluted net income per share
    
0.40
   
0.40
   
0.41
   
-
   
(2.4
)
Dividends paid per share
    
0.16
   
0.16
   
0.16
   
-
   
-