EX-99.1 2 v310449_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:
April 24, 2012 Patrick L. Alexander 
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  Mark A. Herpich
  Chief Financial Officer
  (785) 565-2000

 

Landmark Bancorp, Inc. Announces Results for the First Quarter of 2012

Declares Cash Dividend of $0.19 per Share for Landmark Stockholders

 

(Manhattan, KS, April 24, 2012) – Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: LARK), a bank holding company serving 17 communities across Kansas, reported net earnings of $1.7 million ($0.62 per diluted share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to $978,000 ($0.35 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2011. Management will host a conference call to discuss these results on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. (CT). Investors may participate via telephone by dialing (877) 317-6789. A replay of the call will be available through May 27, 2012, by dialing (877) 344-7529 and using conference number 10012660.

 

Additionally, Landmark’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.19 per share, to be paid May 21, 2012, to common stockholders of record on May 9, 2012.

 

Patrick L. Alexander, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased to report record net earnings of $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2012. This 76.6% increase in net earnings was primarily the result of a $585,000 increase in gains on sales of loans, as low mortgage rates enticed consumers to refinance one-to-four family mortgage loans, as well as $164,000 of net gains on investment securities. Even without the increased gains on sales of loans and the net gains on investment securities, net earnings would have increased approximately 28%. While our total deposits increased 8.4% to $492.3 million, loan demand remained soft in the first quarter of 2012, resulting in net loans outstanding decreasing 3.6% to $298.9 million. Our ratio of non-performing loans to gross loans was 0.64% at March 31, 2012, compared to 0.45% at year-end 2011, as our focus on asset quality has continued to keep problem assets at very manageable levels. During 2011, we invested in initiatives to improve processes and bank profitability, and we are seeing positive results from these changes. Additionally, we are excited about the April 1, 2012, closing of our acquisition of The Wellsville Bank, which expands our already strong presence in Kansas. While it is difficult to forecast future events, we believe our strong capital position and risk management practices position us well for future growth in assets and earnings.”

 

First Quarter Financial Highlights

 

Net interest income was $4.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $178,000, or 4.1%, from the first quarter of 2011. Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, decreased from 3.80% during the first quarter of 2011 to 3.62% during the first quarter of 2012. The increase in net interest income was a result of our average interest-earning asset balances increasing from $496.6 million during the first quarter of 2011 to $534.6 million during the first quarter of 2012. During the first quarter of 2012, our net interest margin declined primarily as a result of holding higher levels of investment securities and cash and cash equivalents, which typically earn lower yields than loans, as our average deposit balances increased and our average loan balances outstanding decreased. The provision for loan losses decreased from $400,000 in the first quarter of 2011 to $300,000 in the first quarter of 2012.

 

Total non-interest income increased $635,000, or 31.2%, to $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. The increase in non-interest income was primarily the result of a $585,000 increase in our gains on sales of loans, as the volume of loans sold in the secondary market was higher in the first quarter of 2012 compared to a year earlier.

 

During the first quarter of 2012, we recognized $227,000 in gains on sales of investment securities as a result of selling approximately $5.5 million of mortgage-backed investment securities. Partially offsetting the gains on sales of investment securities was a credit-related, other-than-temporary impairment loss of $63,000 recognized during the first quarter of 2012 on one of our investments in a pooled trust preferred security. No such gains or losses were realized during the first quarter of 2011.

 

 
 

 

Non-interest expense decreased $102,000, or 2.1%, to $4.7 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to a year earlier. The decrease in non-interest expense was primarily the result of declines of $83,000 in federal deposit insurance premiums and $38,000 in advertising. Partially offsetting these declines was an increase of $32,000 in amortization of intangibles as the amortization of our mortgage servicing rights was higher in the first quarter of 2012 than the same period of 2011. During the first quarter of 2012, we recorded income tax expense of $572,000, compared to $142,000 during the same period of 2011. Our effective tax rate increased from 12.7% in the first quarter of 2011 to 24.9% in the first quarter of 2012 as a result of higher taxable income, while tax-exempt income remained stable between the periods.

 

Balance Sheet Highlights

 

Total assets increased 3.6% to $619.5 million at March 31, 2012, from $598.2 million at December 31, 2011. Stockholders’ equity increased to $60.1 million (book value of $21.59 per share) at March 31, 2012, from $59.1 million (book value of $21.24 per share) at December 31, 2011. The ratio of equity to total assets decreased to 9.70% at March 31, 2012, from 9.88% at December 31, 2011, and our ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets decreased to 7.48% from 7.59% for the same periods. Net loans decreased 3.6% to $298.9 million at March 31, 2012, compared to $310.1 million at December 31, 2011. Our investment securities increased 9.3% from $204.9 million at December 31, 2011, to $224.0 million at March 31, 2012, as we invested the excess liquidity generated by the $38.2 million increase in deposits during the first quarter of 2012.

 

At March 31, 2012, the allowance for loan losses was $5.0 million, or 1.65% of gross loans outstanding, compared to $4.7 million, or 1.50% of gross loans outstanding, at December 31, 2011. Non-performing loans increased to $2.0 million, or 0.64% of gross loans, at March 31, 2012, from $1.4 million, or 0.45% of gross loans, at December 31, 2011. We recorded net loan recoveries of $7,000 during the first quarter of 2012 compared to net loan charge-offs of $985,000 during the same period of 2011.

 

About Landmark

 

Landmark Bancorp, Inc., the holding company for Landmark National Bank, is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “LARK.” Headquartered in Manhattan, Kansas, Landmark National Bank is a community banking organization dedicated to providing quality financial and banking services. Landmark National Bank has 22 locations in 17 communities across Kansas: Manhattan (2), Auburn, Dodge City (2), Fort Scott, Garden City, Great Bend (2), Hoisington, Junction City, LaCrosse, Lawrence (2), Louisburg, Osage City, Osawatomie, Paola, Topeka (2), Wamego and Wellsville, Kansas. Visit www.banklandmark.com for more information.

 

Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Landmark Bancorp, Inc (the “Company”). Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this press release, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. A number of factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning our general business; (iii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of our assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi)  the economic impact of armed conflict or terrorist acts involving the United States; (vii) the loss of key executives or employees; (viii) changes in consumer spending; (ix) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation; (x) changes in accounting policies and practices; (xi) ability to manage credit risk, forecast loan losses and maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses; (xii) declines in the value of our investment portfolio; (xiii) the ability to raise additional capital; and (xiv) declines in real estate values. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additional information concerning Landmark Bancorp, Inc. and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 
 

 

Financial Highlights

(Dollars in thousands)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited):            
   March 31,   December 31,   March 31, 
   2012   2011   2011 
ASSETS:            
 Cash and cash equivalents  $28,824   $17,501   $10,540 
 Investment securities   224,039    204,885    189,531 
 Loans, net   298,905    310,081    309,514 
 Loans held for sale   10,244    9,754    3,351 
 Premises and equipment, net   14,955    14,692    15,038 
 Bank owned life insurance   16,309    16,163    15,718 
 Goodwill   12,894    12,894    12,894 
 Other intangible assets, net   1,994    1,923    2,123 
 Other assets   11,385    10,347    13,026 
    TOTAL ASSETS  $619,549   $598,240   $571,735 
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:               
 Deposits  $492,345   $454,134   $449,093 
 Federal Home Loan Bank and other borrowings   59,345    76,597    61,118 
 Other liabilities   7,770    8,389    6,946 
    Total liabilities   559,460    539,120    517,157 
 Stockholders' equity   60,089    59,120    54,578 
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $619,549   $598,240   $571,735 
                
LOANS (unaudited):               
                
One-to-four family residential real estate  $76,450   $79,108   $77,654 
Construction and land   20,544    21,672    23,703 
Commercial real estate   92,488    93,786    93,817 
Commercial   56,099    57,006    59,863 
Agriculture   35,042    39,052    36,404 
Municipal   10,065    10,366    8,437 
Consumer   13,040    13,584    13,913 
Net deferred loan costs and loans in process   191    214    105 
Allowance for loan losses   (5,014)   (4,707)   (4,382)
 Loans, net  $298,905   $310,081   $309,514 
                
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS (unaudited):               
                
Non-accrual loans  $1,951   $1,419   $2,095 
Accruing loans over 90 days past due   -    -    146 
Non-performing investment securities   1,035    1,104    1,125 
Real estate owned   2,283    2,264    2,912 
 Total non-performing assets  $5,269   $4,787   $6,278 
                
RATIOS (unaudited):               
                
Loans 30-89 days delinquent and still accruing to gross loans outstanding   0.48%   0.71%   0.41%
Total non-performing loans to gross loans outstanding   0.64%   0.45%   0.71%
Total non-performing assets to total assets   0.85%   0.80%   1.10%
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans outstanding   1.65%   1.50%   1.40%
Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans   257.00%   331.71%   195.54%
Equity to total assets   9.70%   9.88%   9.55%
Tangible equity to tangible assets (1)   7.48%   7.59%   7.11%

 

(1) Tangible equity to tangible assets ratio is calculated as stockholders' equity reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets divided by total assets reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets.

 

 
 

  

Financial Highlights (continued)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited):        
         
   Three months ended March 31, 
   2012   2011 
Interest income:        
  Loans  $4,238   $4,357 
  Investment securities and other   1,293    1,204 
    Total interest income   5,531    5,561 
           
Interest expense:          
  Deposits   592    760 
  Borrowed funds   447    487 
    Total interest expense   1,039    1,247 
           
Net interest income   4,492    4,314 
Provision for loan losses   300    400 
  Net interest income after provision for loan losses   4,192    3,914 
           
Non-interest income:          
  Fees and service charges   1,174    1,137 
  Gains on sales of loans, net   1,204    619 
  Bank owned life insurance   151    144 
  Other   143    137 
    Total non-interest income   2,672    2,037 
           
Investment securities:          
   Net impairment losses   (63)   - 
   Gains on sales of investment securities   227    - 
       Investment securities gains (losses), net   164    - 
           
Non-interest expense:          
  Compensation and benefits   2,386    2,374 
  Occupancy and equipment   702    708 
  Professional fees   273    285 
  Amortization of intangibles   211    179 
  Data processing   195    198 
  Advertising   121    159 
  Federal deposit insurance premiums   92    175 
  Foreclosure and real estate owned expense   11    25 
  Other   738    728 
    Total non-interest expense   4,729    4,831 
           
Earnings before income taxes   2,299    1,120 
Income tax expense   572    142 
Net earnings  $1,727   $978 
           
Net earnings per share (1)          
 Basic  $0.62   $0.35 
 Diluted   0.62    0.35 
           
Book value per share (1)  $21.59   $19.69 
           
Shares outstanding at end of period (1)   2,782,826    2,771,423 
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (1)   2,782,826    2,770,706 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (1)   2,794,358    2,771,395 
           
OTHER DATA (unaudited):          
Return on average assets (2)   1.15%   0.70%
Return on average equity (2)   11.62%   7.32%
Net interest margin (2) (3)   3.62%   3.80%

 

(1)Share and per share values at or for the periods ended March 31, 2011 have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2011.
(2)Information for the three months ended March 31 is annualized.
(3)Net interest margin is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.