EX-99.1 2 pryeres.htm YEAR END RESULTS 1/2/05 Year End Results 1/2/05

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
Contact: Sandra Novick
               Corporate Secretary
               (631) 537-1001, ext. 263
 

 
BRIDGE BANCORP, INC. ANNOUNCES YEAR END 2004 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Bridge Continues Trend of Record Earnings


(Bridgehampton, NY - January 28, 2005)  Bridge Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ/OTCBB: BDGE), the holding company of The Bridgehampton National Bank (the “Bank”), announced the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company continued its trend of record earnings, posting net income of $10,377,000 for 2004, up 8.1% over $9,598,000 for 2003. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.64 per share for 2004 from $1.53 per share for the prior year. Share and per share amounts have been adjusted for the three-for-two stock split, in the form of a stock dividend, effective July 9, 2004.

Earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 increased to $2,547,000, 14.4% over the same period last year.

Thomas J. Tobin, President and Chief Executive Officer commented on the Company’s year-end results, “We are proud to report results of operations that reflect the high performance standards we consistently strive for. We met significant challenges successfully producing returns on average equity of 22.8% and average assets of 1.89%. Sound balance sheet management contributed to growth in net interest income of 5.2% or $1,205,000 over the prior year. Non interest income grew 15.4% primarily from the successful operation of Bridge Abstract, demonstrating the relevance of our efforts to diversify our income stream. Total assets grew 7.0% despite ever increasing competition in our markets. Our capital levels position us well for future growth.”

Mr. Tobin continued, “For the year we added $300,000 to the allowance for loan losses on loan growth of 8.4% or $22,946,000 over the prior year end. Total deposits were up 2.7% to $469,311,000 at December 31, 2004 compared to December 31, 2003. Total average deposits grew 9.0% year over year. Looking forward, we are committed to growing our franchise through branch expansion, as well as building share in existing markets. While 2004 presented economic, regulatory and competitive hurdles, we recognize that there are additional challenges on the landscape in 2005. We will need to continue the Company’s growth trends to offset anticipated lower interest margins, while at the same time we expect that competition for loans and deposits will continue to intensify. Achievement of our growth goals demands continued focus on the Bank’s value-added business model, and we will proactively explore new opportunities for non interest income generation.”


 
     

 

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
Contact: Sandra Novick
               Corporate Secretary
               (631) 537-1001, ext. 263
 
 
 
The Annual Meeting of Bridge Bancorp, Inc. shareholders will be held on April 29, 2005 at 11:00 a.m., in the Community Room, Bridgehampton National Bank, 2200 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, NY.

The Bridgehampton National operates retail branches in Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Greenport Village, Hampton Bays, Mattituck, Montauk, Peconic Landing in Greenport, Sag Harbor, Southampton, Southampton Village, and Southold. The Bank is currently in the process of establishing its twelfth branch office in Westhampton Beach, NY.
 
Please see the attached Five Year Summary of Operations for selected financial data.

This press release may contain statements relating to the future results of the Company (including certain projections and business trends) that are considered “forward looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). Such forward-looking statements, in addition to historical information, which involve risk and uncertainties, are based on the beliefs, assumptions and expectations of management of the Company. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “will,” “potential,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “estimates,” “likely,” and variations of such similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, possible or assumed estimates with respect to the financial condition, expected or anticipated revenue, and results of operations and business of the Company, revenue growth in retail banking, lending and other areas; origination volume in the Company’s consumer, commercial and other lending businesses; current and future capital management programs; non-interest income levels, including fees from services and product sales; tangible capital generation; market share; expense levels; and other business operations and strategies. For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA.

Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, prevailing economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, demand for loan products, demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality and composition of the Bank’s loan and investment portfolios, changes in management’s business strategies, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, changes in real estate values and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting the Bank’s operations, markets, products, services and prices. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.


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Five-Year Summary of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data and financial ratios)
(Unaudited)
 

December 31,
   
2004
   
2003
   
2002
   
2001
   
2000
 
Selected Financial Data:
                               
Securities available for sale
 
$
204,021
 
$
195,341
 
$
182,416
 
$
127,102
 
$
115,537
 
Securities held to maturity
   
21,213
   
14,396
   
11,023
   
16,159
   
11,314
 
Total loans
   
296,134
   
273,188
   
248,388
   
215,362
   
201,092
 
Total assets
   
547,200
   
511,613
   
463,986
   
393,523
   
354,642
 
Total deposits
   
469,311
   
457,159
   
406,409
   
357,155
   
313,379
 
Total stockholders’ equity
   
47,213
   
42,794
   
39,971
   
32,861
   
28,788
 
                                 
Year Ended December 31,
                               
Selected Operating Data:
                               
Total interest income
 
$
26,923
 
$
25,968
 
$
26,486
 
$
27,009
 
$
25,458
 
Total interest expense
   
2,351
   
2,601
   
4,490
   
7,868
   
8,753
 
Net interest income
   
24,572
   
23,367
   
21,996
   
19,141
   
16,705
 
Provision for loan losses
   
300
   
-
   
220
   
323
   
105
 
 
                               
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
   
24,272
   
23,367
   
21,776
   
18,818
   
16,600
 
Total other income
   
5,440
   
4,716
   
3,405
   
2,419
   
1,734
 
Total other expenses
   
13,564
   
12,997
   
11,942
   
11,198
   
10,234
 
 
                               
Income before income taxes
   
16,148
   
15,086
   
13,239
   
10,039
   
8,100
 
Provision for income taxes
   
5,771
   
5,488
   
4,722
   
3,292
   
2,464
 
Net income
 
$
10,377
 
$
9,598
 
$
8,517
 
$
6,747
 
$
5,636
 
                                 
December 31,
                               
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:
                               
Return on average equity
   
22.82
%
 
22.58
%
 
23.93
%
 
21.41
%
 
22.41
%
Return on average assets
   
1.89
%
 
1.91
%
 
1.90
%
 
1.73
%
 
1.62
%
Average equity to average assets
   
8.30
%
 
8.46
%
 
7.96
%
 
8.06
%
 
7.23
%
Dividend payout ratio (1)
   
43.39
%
 
50.98
%
 
29.57
%
 
34.27
%
 
36.83
%
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
1.64
 
$
1.53
 
$
1.37
 
$
1.07
 
$
0.88
 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
1.66
 
$
1.55
 
$
1.38
 
$
1.07
 
$
0.89
 
Cash dividends declared per common share (1)
 
$
0.72
 
$
0.78
 
$
0.41
 
$
0.37
 
$
0.33
 
 
(1)    On December 15, 2003, the Company declared a special dividend of approximately $1,660,000, or $0.27 per share.
 
Amounts have been restated for a three-for-two stock split, in the form of a stock dividend, effective July 9, 2004.