News

Release

Evans Bancorp, Inc.  One Grimsby Drive Hamburg, NY  14075

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to
Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

HAMBURG, NY, October 30, 2017 – Evans Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Evans”) (NYSE American: EVBN), a community financial services company serving Western New York since 1920, today reported its results of operations for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.

THIRD QUARTER 2017 HIGHLIGHTS (compared with prior-year period unless otherwise noted)

· Record net income of $3.7 million, up 68%, or $1.5 million; Earnings per diluted share grew 49% to $0.76

· Net interest income increased 22% to $11.1 million

· Insurance revenue of $2.2 million increased 17%

· Robust loan growth: loan portfolio of $998 million up $22 million in the quarter, or 9% on an annualized basis

· Strong core deposit growth as average non-interest bearing demand deposits had an annualized growth rate of 17% in the quarter

· Significant improvement in performance metrics with efficiency ratio improving to 66.2% from 70.2% and return on average stockholders’ equity increasing to 12.71% from 9.23%

Net income was $3.7 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017, compared with
$2.6 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2017 and $2.2 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, in last year’s third quarter.  The increase over both comparative periods primarily reflects higher net interest income and a lower provision for loan losses.  Return on average equity was 12.71% for the third quarter of 2017 compared with 9.13% in the second quarter and 9.23% in the third quarter of 2016.

“Our continued exceptional performance is evidence of the success of our community focused, relationship driven business model. We have invested in people and systems in our existing and new business platforms to capture broader segments of the market, deepen relationships and enhance profitability. For the quarter and year to date we have demonstrated meaningful results in all business categories,” said David J. Nasca, President and CEO of Evans Bancorp.

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

October 30, 2017

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Net Interest Income
($ in thousands)
	3Q 2017		2Q 2017		3Q 2016
Interest income	$	12,574	$	11,462	$	10,241
Interest expense		1,479		1,344		1,172
Net interest income		11,095		10,118		9,069
Provision for loan losses		161		410		1,006
Net interest income after provision	$	10,934	$	9,708	$	8,063

Net interest income increased $1.0 million, or 10%, from the second quarter of 2017 and $2.0 million, or 22%, from the prior-year third quarter.  The increase was driven by average interest-earnings assets growth, particularly loans, as well as a widening of the net interest margin.  Loan growth was driven by continued success in commercial lending.  Average commercial loans, including commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans, were $789 million in the third quarter, 3% higher than $763 million in the second quarter and 11% higher than $712 million in the 2016 third quarter.   

Net interest income benefited $0.4 million in the quarter from the payoff in full of two unrelated loans that were formerly in nonaccrual status.  At the time of the payoff, $0.4 million in interest payments previously received were recognized as income.  The benefit contributed 14 basis points toward the quarter’s net interest margin and
16 basis points toward the average loan yield during the quarter.

Third quarter net interest margin of 3.91% increased 17 basis points from the 2017 second quarter and 26 basis points from the third quarter of 2016.  Loan yields benefited from variable loan re-pricing due to an increase in the prime rate as the Federal Reserve increased its target rate by 75 basis points since late in 2016, including
25 basis points at its June meeting.  Funding costs increased during the quarter as the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.69% compared with 0.65% in the second quarter of 2017 and 0.61% in the third quarter of 2016.  Some of the increase in funding costs was due to an increase in time deposits rates given higher market rates and increased competition.  The average cost of time deposits was 1.30% in the third quarter of 2017 compared with 1.28% in the second quarter of 2017 and 1.21% in the third quarter of 2016. 

John B. Connerton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, noted, “Net interest margin has improved with our variable rate loan portfolio benefiting from the recent Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.  While funding costs have ticked up slightly this quarter, we have measurably grown our government banking practice and succeeded in attracting low-cost core commercial demand deposits in an effort to mitigate rising funding rates.” 

The $0.2 million provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2017 reflects loan growth in the quarter, offset by a decrease in criticized loans and a decrease in specific reserves on impaired loans.  The third quarter provision for loan losses is lower than the $0.4 million recorded in the second quarter of 2017 and $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2016.  Both of the comparative periods experienced higher net loan growth and an increase in criticized loans.

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

October 30, 2017

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Asset Quality
($ in thousands)
	3Q 2017			2Q 2017			3Q 2016
Total non-performing loans	$	13,389		$	13,901		$	15,279
Total net loan charge-offs (recoveries)		157			(189)			67
Non-performing loans/ Total loans		1.34	%		1.42	%		1.67	%
Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs/ Average loans		0.06	%		(0.08)	%		0.03	%
Allowance for loan losses/ Total loans		1.42	%		1.45	%		1.50	%

Mr. Connerton added, “Asset quality continues to be strong as the nonperforming loan ratio decreased from the prior quarter end and the charge-off ratio remained very low at only 6 basis points of average loans.  While the economic environment remains sound, we maintain vigilance in applying prudent underwriting standards as we grow our loan portfolio.”

Non-Interest Income
($ in thousands)
	3Q 2017		2Q 2017		3Q 2016
Deposit service charges	$	448	$	428	$	475
Insurance service and fee revenue		2,169		1,912		1,855
Bank-owned life insurance		128		142		144
Loss on tax credit investment		(1,338)		(919)		-
Refundable NY state historic tax credit		972		647		-
Other income		986		879		861
Total non-interest income	$	3,365	$	3,089	$	3,335

The year-over-year increase in insurance revenue was driven by continued growth in commercial lines insurance commissions and personal lines revenue bolstered by revenue from two recent insurance agency acquisitions.  Additionally, employee benefits revenue, an important focus for the Company after hiring a couple industry veterans, experienced significant growth in the quarter, particularly when compared with the prior year’s third quarter.  Part of the increase from the second quarter of 2017 was seasonal in nature as commercial lines revenue has a large number of policies that renew in July. 

Evans’ community focus and support extends to financing historic rehabilitation projects in the City of Buffalo and the Company enhances its yield by investing in the related tax credits.  When a project is completed, Evans begins to recognize tax benefits with an associated reduction in the investment.  In the current quarter, the positive impact to net income was $0.3 million as a $1.0 million refundable New York State tax credit was recorded in non-interest income and a corresponding $0.6 million tax benefit was realized in income tax expense, offset by a $1.3 million write-off on the investment.  The write-off was contemplated during the pricing of the initial investment in the tax credit project, which ensures that the Company earns its desired return on investment.  The Company will recognize an additional $0.2 million tax benefit from these projects in the fourth quarter of 2017 to complete the transaction.

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

October 30, 2017

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Non-Interest Expense
($ in thousands)
	3Q 2017		2Q 2017		3Q 2016
Salaries and employee benefits	$	6,343	$	6,030	$	5,402
Occupancy		805		775		732
Advertising and public relations		311		216		232
Professional services		514		550		535
Technology and communications		730		804		504
Amortization of intangibles		28		28		-
FDIC insurance		195		129		201
Other expenses		910		785		1,105
Total non-interest expenses	$	9,836	$	9,317	$	8,711

Third quarter non-interest expenses increased 13% from the prior-year period and 6% from the second quarter.  The most significant component of the increase was higher salaries and benefits costs.  The increase in salaries and benefits reflects strategic personnel hires to support the Company’s continued growth, as well as an increase in incentive compensation, benefits costs and severance expenses.

Technology and communications expenses increased from the prior-year period due to a new online banking platform that was implemented in the second quarter of 2017 and a new core banking system that was converted in 2016.   

The Company’s efficiency ratio in the third quarter of 2017 improved to 66.2% from 68.9% in the second quarter of 2017 and 70.2% in last year’s third quarter.  The reduction reflects the Company’s significant net interest income growth.

Income tax expense was $0.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 16.6%, for the third quarter of 2017 compared with $0.9 million, or 24.8%, in the second quarter of 2017 and $0.5 million, or 17.5%, in last year’s third quarter.  The effective tax rate for each of the quarters reflects the benefit of the previously noted tax credit investment transactions.  Excluding the impact of the historic tax credits, the effective tax rates were 29.0%, 29.3%, and 31.7% in the third quarter of 2017, the second quarter of 2017, and the third quarter of 2016, respectively.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total assets were $1.22 billion as of September 30, 2017, an increase of 3% from $1.18 billion on June 30, 2017 and 12% from $1.08 billion at September 30, 2016, reflecting the Company’s strong loan growth.  Loan growth from the end of last year’s third quarter was $85 million, or 9%, to $998 million and was predominantly in the commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loan portfolios.  The $22 million in loan growth in the third quarter represented a 9% annualized growth rate. 

Investment securities were $153 million at September 30, 2017, $10 million higher than the end of this year’s second quarter and $48 million higher than at the end of last year’s third quarter.  Management plans to leverage the capital generated by the common stock issuance in the first quarter of 2017 with loan growth.  In the short term, investment securities were purchased to generate more immediate returns.

Total deposits grew $13 million to $1.03 billion since June 30, 2017, which equates to a 5% annualized rate of growth, and were $134 million, or 15%, higher than the balance at the end of last year’s third quarter.  Consumer deposit growth, particularly in NOW and savings products, has slowed as consumer preferences move toward term products with higher rates.  While time deposits increased only $2 million since the end of the second quarter, they were $49 million, or 41%, higher when compared with the end of last year’s third quarter.  To counter the shift in consumer preferences, the Company has supplemented its savings deposit portfolio with an enhanced government banking program.  Municipal savings deposits grew $6 million during the quarter and $49 million in the past year.  Average demand deposits in the third quarter of 2017 of $214 million were 4%

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

October 30, 2017

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higher than the second quarter of 2017 and 14% higher than last year’s third quarter.  Most of the demand deposit growth was attributable to commercial customers.

Capital Management

The Company consistently maintains regulatory capital ratios measurably above the Federal “well capitalized” standard, including a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 10.38% at September 30, 2017 compared with 10.57% at
June 30, 2017 and 9.55% at September 30, 2016.  The year-over-year increase reflects the impact of the Company’s common stock offering in January 2017 that resulted in the issuance of 440,000 shares of common stock and netted proceeds of $14.1 million.  Book value per share increased to $24.60 at September 30, 2017 compared with $24.21 at June 30, 2017 and $22.20 at September 30, 2016. 

Outlook

Mr. Nasca concluded, “We enter the fourth quarter with tremendous momentum and have already achieved record results for the year. We continue to see strong commercial loan demand, expansion of the customer base, rebounding insurance results, robust performance in employee benefits and impressive municipal business penetration, along with a continued focus on efficiency. The Company is in an excellent position to deliver results and capitalize on opportunities within our markets.”

Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 4:45 p.m. ET. Management will review the financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2017, as well as the Company’s strategy and outlook.  A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. 

The conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8471.  Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored at www.evansbancorp.com.

A telephonic replay will be available from 7:45 p.m. ET on the day of the teleconference until Monday,
November 6, 2017.  To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13665158, or access the webcast replay at www.evansbancorp.com, where a transcript will be posted once available.

About Evans Bancorp, Inc.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company and the parent company of Evans Bank, N.A., a commercial bank with $1.2 billion in assets and $1.0 billion in deposits at September 30, 2017.  Evans is a full-service community bank, with 14 branches providing comprehensive financial services to consumer, business and municipal customers throughout Western New York.  Evans Bancorp's wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, The Evans Agency, LLC, provides life insurance, employee benefits, and property and casualty insurance through seven insurance offices in the Western New York region.  Evans Investment Services provides non-deposit investment products, such as annuities and mutual funds.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. and Evans Bank routinely post news and other important information on their websites, at www.evansbancorp.com and www.evansbank.com.

Safe Harbor Statement:  This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future business, revenue and earnings.  These statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance, events or results.  There are risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of Evans Bancorp to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements.  Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include competitive pressures among financial services companies, interest rate trends, general economic conditions, changes in legislation or regulatory requirements, effectiveness at achieving stated goals and strategies, and difficulties in achieving operating efficiencies.  These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in Evans Bancorp’s Annual and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.  Evans Bancorp undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new, updated information, future events or otherwise.

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

October 30, 2017

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For more information contact:	-OR-
John B. Connerton Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	Deborah K. Pawlowski Kei Advisors LLC
Phone: (716) 926-2000 Email: jconner@evansbank.com	Phone:  (716) 843-3908 Email:  dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

October 30, 2017

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EVANS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)
	9/30/2017			6/30/2017			3/31/2017			12/31/2016			9/30/2016
ASSETS
Investment Securities	$	152,787		$	142,597		$	116,304		$	97,205		$	104,859
Loans		998,005			976,493			945,583			942,512			912,852
Allowance for loan losses		(14,182)			(14,178)			(13,579)			(13,916)			(13,712)
Goodwill and intangible assets		8,581			8,609			8,638			8,406			8,101
All other assets		74,963			69,325			82,714			66,502			72,563
Total assets	$	1,220,154		$	1,182,846		$	1,139,660		$	1,100,709		$	1,084,663
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Demand deposits		216,250			207,348			194,747			201,741			195,869
NOW deposits		96,741			99,131			103,907			88,632			87,047
Savings deposits		552,559			547,760			531,408			508,652			496,926
Time deposits		166,769			164,817			147,915			140,949			118,123
Total deposits		1,032,319			1,019,056			977,977			939,974			897,965
Borrowings		54,310			35,411			33,009			49,689			74,136
Other liabilities		16,033			12,816			16,047			14,298			17,364
Total stockholders' equity		117,492			115,563			112,627			96,748			95,198
SHARES AND CAPITAL RATIOS
Common shares outstanding		4,776,360			4,773,005			4,763,696			4,300,634			4,287,400
Book value per share	$	24.60		$	24.21		$	23.64		$	22.50		$	22.20
Tier 1 leverage ratio		10.38	%		10.57	%		10.76	%		9.49	%		9.55	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		12.33	%		12.39	%		12.58	%		10.82	%		10.82	%
Total risk-based capital ratio		13.59	%		13.64	%		13.83	%		12.07	%		12.07	%
ASSET QUALITY DATA
Total non-performing loans	$	13,389		$	13,901		$	12,285		$	12,020		$	15,279
Total net loan (recoveries) charge-offs		157			(189)			(98)			167			67
Non-performing loans/Total loans		1.34	%		1.42	%		1.30	%		1.28	%		1.67	%
Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs/Average loans		0.06	%		(0.08)	%		(0.04)	%		0.07	%		0.03	%
Allowance for loans losses/Total loans		1.42	%		1.45	%		1.44	%		1.48	%		1.50	%

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

October 30, 2017

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EVANS BANCORP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED OPERATIONS DATA  (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
	2017			2017			2017			2016			2016
	Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter
Interest income		12,574			11,462			10,918			10,664			10,241
Interest expense		1,479			1,344			1,274			1,261			1,172
Net interest income		11,095			10,118			9,644			9,403			9,069
Provision (credit) for loan losses		161			410			(435)			371			1,006
Net interest income after provision		10,934			9,708			10,079			9,032			8,063
Deposit service charges		448			428			390			429			475
Insurance service and fee revenue		2,169			1,912			2,168			1,344			1,855
Bank-owned life insurance		128			142			130			135			144
Loss on tax credit investment		(1,338)			(919)			-			(883)			-
Refundable NY state historic tax credit		972			647			-			609			-
Other income		986			879			834			1,009			861
Total non-interest income		3,365			3,089			3,522			2,643			3,335
Salaries and employee benefits		6,343			6,030			5,716			5,838			5,402
Occupancy		805			775			775			744			732
Advertising and public relations		311			216			190			315			232
Professional services		514			550			602			445			535
Technology and communications		730			804			607			621			504
Amortization of intangibles		28			28			28			-			-
FDIC insurance		195			129			227			210			201
Other expenses		910			785			910			965			1,105
Total non-interest expenses		9,836			9,317			9,055			9,138			8,711
Income before income taxes		4,463			3,480			4,546			2,537			2,687
Income tax provision		740			862			1,400			198			471
Net income		3,723			2,618			3,146			2,339			2,216
PER SHARE DATA
Net income per common share-diluted	$	0.76		$	0.54		$	0.66		$	0.53		$	0.51
Cash dividends per common share	$	0.40		$	-		$	0.40		$	-		$	0.38
Weighted average number of diluted shares		4,896,967			4,880,454			4,757,062			4,390,553			4,362,479
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average total assets		1.24	%		0.90	%		1.14	%		0.86	%		0.84	%
Return on average stockholders' equity		12.71	%		9.13	%		11.59	%		9.70	%		9.23	%
Efficiency ratio		66.15	%		68.91	%		68.56	%		74.17	%		70.23	%

Evans Bancorp Net Income Increases 68% to Record $3.7 Million in the 2017 Third Quarter

October 30, 2017

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EVANS BANCORP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES AND YIELDS/RATES  (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
	2017			2017			2017			2016			2016
	Third Quarter			Second Quarter			First Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter
AVERAGE BALANCES
Loans, net	$	970,988		$	941,446		$	924,612		$	915,095		$	875,999
Investment securities		152,991			127,692			107,024			105,319			112,025
Interest-bearing deposits at banks		1,713			16,840			5,943			1,537			1,162
Total interest-earning assets		1,125,692			1,085,978			1,037,579			1,021,951			989,186
Non interest-earning assets		72,887			71,310			70,724			71,247			69,489
Total Assets	$	1,198,579		$	1,157,288		$	1,108,303		$	1,093,198		$	1,058,675
NOW		91,962			97,422			94,088			85,279			86,428
Savings		545,900			540,995			510,632			504,394			487,168
Time deposits		163,087			152,112			144,888			131,479			115,644
Total interest-bearing deposits		800,949			790,529			749,608			721,152			689,240
Other borrowings		51,224			32,813			38,748			61,076			69,307
Total interest-bearing liabilities		852,173			823,342			788,356			782,228			758,547
Demand deposits		214,228			205,361			196,331			198,616			187,201
Other non-interest bearing liabilities		15,035			13,860			15,053			15,873			16,860
Stockholders' equity		117,143			114,725			108,563			96,481			96,067
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,198,579		$	1,157,288		$	1,108,303		$	1,093,198		$	1,058,675
YIELD/RATE
Loans, net		4.76	%		4.54	%		4.49	%		4.39	%		4.37	%
Investment securities		2.35	%		2.43	%		2.50	%		2.12	%		2.20	%
Interest-bearing deposits at banks		1.62	%		1.02	%		0.82	%		0.52	%		0.34	%
Total interest-earning assets		4.43	%		4.23	%		4.27	%		4.15	%		4.12	%
NOW		0.22	%		0.22	%		0.22	%		0.23	%		0.23	%
Savings		0.48	%		0.48	%		0.48	%		0.48	%		0.47	%
Time deposits		1.30	%		1.28	%		1.27	%		1.25	%		1.21	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		0.62	%		0.60	%		0.60	%		0.59	%		0.56	%
Other borrowings		1.76	%		1.88	%		1.65	%		1.26	%		1.12	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		0.69	%		0.65	%		0.66	%		0.64	%		0.61	%
Interest rate spread		3.74	%		3.58	%		3.61	%		3.51	%		3.51	%
Contribution of interest-free funds		0.17	%		0.16	%		0.16	%		0.15	%		0.14	%
Net interest margin		3.91	%		3.74	%		3.77	%		3.66	%		3.65	%