EX-99 3 doc2.txt Page 1 of 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXHIBIT 99 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ATTENTION: FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS EDITORS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Daryl R. Forsythe, CEO Michael J. Chewens, CFO NBT Bancorp Inc. 52 South Broad Street Norwich, NY 13815 607-337-6416 NBT BANCORP ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS AND STOCK BUYBACK; DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND NORWICH, NY (April 28, 2003) - NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBT) (NASDAQ: NBTB) today reported net income for the three months ended March 31, 2003 of $11.6 million, up $0.5 million from net income of $11.1 million reported for the same period in 2002. Net income per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2003 was $0.35, up $0.02 or 6% from the $0.33 per diluted share earned in the same period in 2002. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 1.27% and 16.05%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2003, compared with 1.25% and 16.62%, respectively, for the same period in 2002. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2003 were driven primarily by strong growth in total noninterest income, which increased 18% or $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. Additionally, credit quality continued to improve during the three months ended March 31, 2003. Total nonperforming loans decreased to $18.4 million at March 31, 2003, down from $39.8 million at March 31, 2002 and $26.4 million at December 31, 2002. In commenting on the results, NBT Chairman, President and CEO Daryl R. Forsythe stated, "We are pleased with the solid earnings increase the Company experienced in the first quarter. The Company produced these results despite continued downward pressure on net interest margins resulting from the historically low interest rate environment. Significant growth in noninterest income generated by our ongoing efforts to maximize our delivery of high quality service in our market areas has helped us to mitigate margin compression. Additionally, the progress made in reducing the level of nonperforming loans in this uncertain economic environment is comforting. Our disciplined, conservative process for Page 2 of 10 monitoring loan performance has served us well and protects the value of the Company to our stockholders." LOAN AND LEASE QUALITY AND PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES At March 31, 2003, the key indicators of credit quality improved significantly from December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2002. Nonperforming loans totaled $18.4 million at March 31, 2003, and represented 0.78% of total loans and leases, down from $26.4 million and 1.12% at December 31, 2002 and $39.8 million and 1.72% at March 31, 2002. Annualized net charge-offs to average loans for the three months ended March 31, 2003, were 0.17%, down from the 0.25% annualized ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2002, and down significantly from the year-to-date December 31, 2002 rate of 0.58%. The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total loans and leases was 1.73% at March 31, 2003 compared to 1.70% at December 31, 2002 and 1.95% at March 31, 2002. The ratio of the allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans was 223.00% at March 31, 2003, compared to 152.18% at December 31, 2002 and 113.85% at March 31, 2002. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, the provision for loan and lease losses totaled $1.9 million, down slightly from the $2.0 million provided in the same period in 2002. The provision for loan and lease losses represents the charge against current earnings that is determined by Management, through a disciplined credit review process, as the amount needed to maintain an allowance that is sufficient to absorb loan and lease losses inherent in the Company's current loan and lease portfolio. NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2003, decreased 1% to $36.0 million from $36.3 million in the same period for 2002. The Company's net interest margin was 4.38% for the three months ended March 31, 2003, compared to 4.54% for the same period a year ago but actually increased from 4.35% for the three months ended December 31, 2002. The compression in net interest margin in the first quarter compared to last year resulted from earning assets repricing down at a faster rate than interest-bearing liabilities. This resulted primarily from accelerating pre-payments from mortgage-related loans and securities, which in turn were reinvested at lower rates. For the remainder of 2003, the Company expects its net interest margin to continue to compress from first quarter 2003 levels if the interest rate environment remains at current levels or lower. Mr. Forsythe commented "To mitigate margin compression, the Company is focused on efforts to further reduce deposit costs, increase loan growth at levels above previous quarters which should increase net interest income, and have a continued focus on growing non-interest sources of income." Page 3 of 10 NONINTEREST INCOME Noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2003 totaled $8.7 million, up $1.3 million or 18%, from the $7.4 million reported in the same period of 2002. Net securities transactions resulted in a slight gain for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and a $0.5 million loss for the same period in 2002. Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003, a $0.6 million, or 18% increase over the $3.1 million reported in the same period in 2002. The increase in service charges on deposit accounts was driven by the combination of continued growth in core deposit products as well as several pricing adjustments implemented during 2002. Other income increased $0.5 million to $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 from $2.3 million for the same period a year ago. The increase in other income was driven primarily by strong growth in consumer banking fees as well as strong growth in ATM fees. NONINTEREST EXPENSE Total noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2003 increased $0.7 million when compared to the same period in 2002. Salaries and employee benefits increased $0.3 million, due primarily to higher incentive compensation costs. Other expense increased $0.7 million due primarily to a write-down related to a nonmarketable equity security in 2003. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in loan collection expenses and other real estate owned ("OREO") transactions of $0.6 million, due primarily to gains from the sale of OREO. BALANCE SHEET Total assets were $3.8 billion at March 31, 2003, up $0.2 billion from the $3.6 billion at March 31, 2002. Loans and leases were $2.4 billion at March 31, 2003, up 2% from the $2.3 billion at March 31, 2002. The modest loan growth experienced over 2002 reflects the effects of a stagnant economy as well as the Company's continued focus on improving the overall credit quality of the loan and lease portfolio. The Company's reductions in time deposits from $1.4 billion at March 31, 2002 to $1.3 billion at March 31, 2003, was offset by a $0.2 billion or 12% increase in core deposits. This resulted in total deposits increasing $0.1 billion from $2.9 billion at March 31, 2002 to $3.0 billion at March 31, 2003. Stockholders' equity was $291.6 million, representing a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 6.71%, at March 31, 2003, compared to $268.4 million or a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 6.70%, at March 31, 2002. Page 4 of 10 STOCK BUY BACK NBT announced today that it intends to repurchase up to an additional one million shares (approximately 3%) of its outstanding common stock from time to time over the next 12 months in open market and privately negotiated transactions. Under the program no shares will knowingly be repurchased from officers and directors of NBT or from persons who hold in excess of five percent of its outstanding shares of common stock. Mr. Forsythe commented "The Board of Directors believes the repurchase program is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders in view of the current price level of the Company's common stock compared to alternate uses of these monies given the current interest rate environment." Currently, there are 193,554 shares remaining under a previous authorization that will be repurchased prior to the commencement of the new program. The Company repurchased a total of 330,813 shares in the three months ended March 31, 2003, at an average price of $17.49 per share. Total cash paid for these repurchases was $5.8 million. Total shares outstanding at March 31, 2003 were 32.4 million shares, compared to 33.2 million shares at March 31, 2002. DIVIDEND DECLARED The NBT Board of Directors declared a second quarter 2003 cash dividend of $0.17 per share at a meeting held today. The dividend will be paid on June 15, 2003, to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2003. CORPORATE OVERVIEW NBT is a financial services holding company headquartered in Norwich, NY, with combined assets of $3.8 billion at March 31, 2003. The Company primarily operates through one full-service community bank with three geographic divisions and through a financial services company. NBT Bank, N.A. has 109 locations, including 43 NBT Bank offices and 26 Central National Bank offices in upstate New York and 40 Pennstar Bank offices in northeastern Pennsylvania. NBT also provides financial services related products through two companies, M. Griffith, Inc. and Colonial Financial Services, Inc. More information about NBT's banking divisions can be obtained on the Internet at www.nbtbank.com, --------------- www.pennstarbank.com and www.canajocnb.com. -------------------- ----------------- Page 5 of 10 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of NBT Bancorp and its subsidiaries and on the information available to management at the time that these statements were made. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond NBT's control, that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly; (2) revenues may be lower than expected; (3) changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins; (4) general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and/or a reduced demand for credit; (5) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards and tax laws, may adversely affect the businesses in which NBT is engaged; (6) competitors may have greater financial resources and develop products that enable such competitors to compete more successfully than NBT; and (7) adverse changes may occur in the securities markets or with respect to inflation. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, NBT does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent circumstances or events. FINANCIAL TABLES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGES (6-10).
Page 6 of 10 NBT BANCORP INC. SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited) Net Percent 2003 2002 Change Change ------------ ------------ ---------- -------- (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, Net Income $ 11,566 $ 11,077 $ 489 4% Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.35 $ 0.33 $ 0.02 6% Weighted Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding 32,783,269 33,295,093 (511,824) -2% Return on Average Assets 1.27% 1.25% 0.02% 2% Return on Average Equity 16.05% 16.62% -0.57% -3% Net Interest Margin 4.38% 4.54% -0.16% -4% ======================================================================================================= BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, Loans $ 2,374,079 $ 2,317,644 $ 56,435 2% Earning Assets $ 3,468,637 $ 3,370,121 $ 98,516 3% Total Assets $ 3,751,747 $ 3,595,300 $ 156,447 4% Deposits $ 2,955,893 $ 2,865,810 $ 90,083 3% StockholdersEquity $ 291,620 $ 268,445 $ 23,175 9% ======================================================================================================= AVERAGE BALANCES QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, Loans $ 2,354,636 $ 2,322,129 $ 32,507 1% Securities AFS (excluding unrealized gains or losses) $ 977,901 $ 888,450 $ 89,451 10% Securities HTM $ 80,342 $ 103,328 ($22,986) -22% Trading Securities $ 195 $ 128 $ 67 52% Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock $ 23,482 $ 21,045 $ 2,437 12% Short-Term Interest Bearing Accounts $ 4,990 $ 13,050 ($8,060) -62% Total Earning Assets $ 3,441,546 $ 3,348,130 $ 93,416 3% Total Assets $ 3,697,543 $ 3,581,885 $ 115,658 3% Interest Bearing Deposits $ 2,475,306 $ 2,459,781 $ 15,525 1% Non-Interest Bearing Deposits $ 430,097 $ 405,401 $ 24,696 6% Short-Term Borrowings $ 98,499 $ 86,661 $ 11,838 14% Long-Term Debt $ 345,674 $ 308,378 $ 37,296 12% Total Interest Bearing Liabilities $ 2,919,479 $ 2,854,820 $ 64,659 2% StockholdersEquity $ 292,543 $ 270,376 $ 22,167 8% =======================================================================================================
Page 7 of 10 NBT BANCORP INC. SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) Net Percent 2003 2002 Change Change ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ -------- (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) ASSET QUALITY AT MARCH 31, Nonaccrual Loans $ 17,078 $ 38,775 ($21,697) -56% 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing $ 1,074 $ 483 $ 591 122% Troubled Debt Restructuring Loans $ 297 $ 531 ($234) -44% Total Nonperforming Loans $ 18,449 $ 39,789 ($21,340) -54% Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) $ 2,609 $ 1,960 $ 649 33% Total Nonperforming Loans and OREO $ 21,058 $ 41,749 ($20,691) -50% Nonperforming Securities $ 925 $ 1,957 ($1,032) -53% Total Nonperforming Assets $ 21,983 $ 43,706 ($21,723) -50% Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses $ 41,141 $ 45,299 ($4,158) -9% Year-to-Date (YTD) Net Charge-Offs $ 966 $ 1,458 ($492) -34% Allowance to Loans and Leases 1.73% 1.95% -0.22% -11% Total Nonperforming Loans to Loans and Leases 0.78% 1.72% -0.94% -55% Total Nonperforming Assets to Assets 0.59% 1.22% -0.63% -52% Allowance to Nonperforming Loans 223.00% 113.85% 109.15% 96% Annualized Net Charge-Offs to YTD Average Loans and Leases 0.17% 0.25% -0.08% -32% =================================================================================================================== CAPITAL Equity to Assets 7.77% 7.47% 0.30% 4% Book Value Per Share $ 9.00 $ 8.09 $ 0.91 11% Tangible Book Value Per Share $ 7.50 $ 6.61 $ 0.89 13% Tier 1 Leverage Ratio 6.71% 6.70% 0.01% 0% Tier 1 Capital Ratio 9.77% 9.97% -0.20% -2% Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio 11.02% 11.23% -0.21% -2% =================================================================================================================== --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUARTERLY COMMON STOCK PRICE* 2003 2002 2001 Quarter End High Low High Low High Low -------- ------- --------- ------- --------- ------- March 31 $18.60 $16.76 $15.15 $13.15 $17.50 $13.25 June 30 19.32 14.00 25.42** 14.30 September 30 18.50 16.36 17.30 13.50 December 31 18.60 14.76 15.99 12.55 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *historical NBT Bancorp Inc. only **This price was reported on June 29, 2001, a day on which the Nasdaq Stock Market experienced computerized trading disruptions which, among other things, forced it to extend its regular trading session and cancel its late trading session. Subsequently the Nasdaq Stock Market recalculated and republished several closing stock prices (not including NBT Bancorp Inc., for which reported a closing price of $19.30). Excluding trading on June 29, 2001, the high sales price for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 was $16.75.
Page 8 of 10 NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MARCH 31, March 31, CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands) (Unaudited) ASSETS Cash and due from banks $ 123,709 $ 93,864 Short term interest bearing accounts 5,907 7,135 Trading securities, at fair value 188 155 Securities available for sale, at fair value 1,008,310 921,750 Securities held to maturity (fair value of $84,151 and $100,250, 82,155 101,099 at March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively) Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock 23,122 21,630 Loans and leases 2,374,079 2,317,644 Less allowance for loan and lease losses 41,141 45,299 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net loans and leases 2,332,938 2,272,345 Premises and equipment, net 61,609 60,875 Goodwill 46,121 46,121 Intangible assets, net 2,636 2,797 Other assets 65,052 67,529 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 3,751,747 $3,595,300 =========================================================================================== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits: Demand (noninterest bearing) $ 449,051 $ 404,186 Savings, NOW, and money market 1,249,424 1,109,598 Time 1,257,418 1,352,026 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total deposits 2,955,893 2,865,810 Short-term borrowings 95,103 81,162 Long-term debt 345,345 325,933 Other liabilities 46,786 36,950 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities 3,443,127 3,309,855 Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in Company's junior subordinated debentures 17,000 17,000 Total stockholders' equity 291,620 268,445 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES, GUARANTEED PREFERRED BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN COMPANYJUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND STOCKHOLDERSEQUITY $ 3,751,747 $3,595,300 ===========================================================================================
Page 9 of 10 Three months ended NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES March 31, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 2003 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) INTEREST, FEE AND DIVIDEND INCOME: Loans and leases $ 39,615 $ 42,227 Securities available for sale 11,805 13,629 Securities held to maturity 889 1,184 Securities trading 2 2 Other 324 280 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest, fee and dividend income 52,635 57,322 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTEREST EXPENSE: Deposits 12,612 16,991 Short-term borrowings 289 348 Long-term debt 3,705 3,638 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest expense 16,606 20,977 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net interest income 36,029 36,345 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,940 2,011 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses 34,089 34,334 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NONINTEREST INCOME: Trust 892 819 Service charges on deposit accounts 3,603 3,050 Broker/dealer and insurance revenue 1,392 1,495 Net securities gains (losses) 27 (502) Gain on sale of a branch, net - 220 Other 2,828 2,329 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total noninterest income 8,742 7,411 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NONINTEREST EXPENSE: Salaries and employee benefits 12,659 12,374 Office supplies and postage 1,073 897 Occupancy 2,526 2,169 Equipment 1,766 1,714 Professional fees and outside services 1,302 1,615 Data processing and communications 2,721 2,565 Amortization of intangible assets 162 225 Capital securities 191 216 Loan collection and other real estate owned 280 927 Other operating 3,212 2,510 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total noninterest expense 25,892 25,212 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 16,939 16,533 Income taxes 5,373 5,456 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET INCOME $ 11,566 $ 11,077 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings Per Share: Basic $ 0.36 $ 0.33 Diluted $ 0.35 $ 0.33 =============================================================================
2002 results have been restated to give effect to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 147.
Page 10 of 10 NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 1Q 4Q 3Q 2Q 1Q QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 2003 2002 2002 2002 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (in thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) INTEREST, FEE AND DIVIDEND INCOME: Loans $ 39,615 $41,598 $41,970 $41,390 $42,227 Securities available for sale 11,805 12,329 13,778 14,668 13,629 Securities held to maturity 889 951 1,010 1,115 1,184 Trading securities 2 2 2 2 2 Other 324 519 251 315 280 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total interest, fee and dividend income 52,635 55,399 57,011 57,490 57,322 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INTEREST EXPENSE: Deposits 12,612 14,328 15,748 16,265 16,991 Short-term borrowings 289 282 417 287 348 Long-term debt 3,705 4,103 4,139 3,856 3,638 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total interest expense 16,606 18,713 20,304 20,408 20,977 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net interest income 36,029 36,686 36,707 37,082 36,345 Provision for loan and lease losses 1,940 2,546 2,424 2,092 2,011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net interest income after provision for loan losses 34,089 34,140 34,283 34,990 34,334 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NONINTEREST INCOME: Trust 892 860 743 804 819 Service charges on deposit accounts 3,603 4,055 3,531 3,239 3,050 Broker/dealer and insurance fees 1,392 1,409 1,393 1,483 1,495 Net securities (losses) gains 27 26 (6) 69 (502) Gain on sale of a branch, net - - - - 220 Other 2,828 1,917 2,380 2,207 2,329 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total noninterest income 8,742 8,267 8,041 7,802 7,411 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NONINTEREST EXPENSE: Salaries and employee benefits 12,659 11,621 11,720 12,497 12,374 Office supplies and postage 1,073 1,206 1,116 1,227 897 Occupancy 2,526 2,036 2,032 2,096 2,169 Equipment 1,766 1,862 1,672 1,818 1,714 Professional fees and outside services 1,302 1,746 1,446 1,782 1,615 Data processing and communications 2,721 2,725 2,705 2,598 2,565 Amortization of intangible assets 162 164 177 208 225 Capital securities 191 172 221 230 216 Merger, acquisition and reorganization (recovery) costs - - (130) - - Loan collection and other real estate owned 280 601 570 748 927 Other operating 3,212 3,728 3,791 2,858 2,510 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total noninterest expense 25,892 25,861 25,320 26,062 25,212 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income (loss) before income taxes 16,939 16,546 17,004 16,730 16,533 Income taxes 5,373 5,302 5,592 5,464 5,456 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NET INCOME $ 11,566 $11,244 $11,412 $11,266 $11,077 ============================================================================================================ Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.36 $ 0.34 $ 0.35 $ 0.34 $ 0.33 Diluted $ 0.35 $ 0.34 $ 0.34 $ 0.34 $ 0.33 ============================================================================================================ 2002 quarterly results have been restated to give effect to the adoption of SFAS No. 147.