ITASCA, IL — (Marketwire) — 01/23/13 — Today, First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “First Midwest”) (NASDAQ: FMBI), the holding company of First Midwest Bank (the “Bank”), reported results of operations and financial condition for the fourth quarter of 2012. Net income applicable to common shares for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $13.0 million, or $0.18 per share. This compares to a net loss applicable to common shares of $47.8 million, or $0.65 per share, for the third quarter of 2012 and net income applicable to common shares of $3.9 million, or $0.05 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2011.
For the full year of 2012, the Company had a net loss applicable to common shares of $20.7 million, or $0.28 per share. This compares to net income applicable to common shares of $25.4 million, or $0.35 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2011.
“2012 was a year of transition,” said Michael L. Scudder, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. “Through aggressive remediation, we met our goal of substantially reducing problem assets. While impactful to earnings, these steps greatly improved our credit risk profile. At the same time, core earnings remained solid in a tough business environment. Investments made to enhance and align our sales and operations teams contributed to diversified, underlying loan growth, significantly greater fee-based revenues, and balanced expense control.”
Mr. Scudder continued, “As a result of these actions, we enter 2013 a much stronger company. Continued business momentum, lower credit costs, and control of spending will serve to strengthen earnings. While evolving regulatory expectations and low interest rates will present challenges, our strong capital base, augmented by improved earnings, leaves us well positioned to pursue opportunities for growth and return value to our shareholders.”
During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company disposed of $172.5 million in original carrying value of certain non-performing and performing potential problem loans through multiple bulk loan sales. These transactions resulted in proceeds of $94.5 million and a gain, less commissions and other selling expenses, of $2.6 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company repurchased and retired $4.3 million of 6.95% junior subordinated debentures at a premium of 3.0% and $12.0 million of 5.85% subordinated notes at a premium of 5.0%. These transactions resulted in the recognition of a pre-tax loss of $814,000 and will reduce future annual interest expense by approximately $1.0 million.
Pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings of $28.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 decreased from the third quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2011. These reductions were driven mainly by lower net interest income and higher noninterest expense, excluding certain non-operating items, which was partially offset by gains on mortgage loan sales and an increase in other fee-based revenues.
For the full year of 2012, pre-tax, pre-provision operating earnings declined $10.9 million compared to 2011, resulting primarily from a reduction in net interest income, and was partially mitigated by an increase in fee-based revenues, gains on mortgage loan sales, and the recognition of net trading income for 2012 compared to losses for 2011.
Further discussion of net interest income and noninterest income and expense is presented in later sections of this release.
For the fourth quarter of 2012, average interest-earning assets declined $115.3 million from the third quarter of 2012 and $55.9 million from the fourth quarter of 2011. The linked-quarter decline in average loans was impacted by the transfer of loans to held-for-sale at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and the accelerated resolution of certain credits in the fourth quarter of 2012. In addition, $37.1 million of mortgage loans outstanding at September 30, 2012 were sold during the fourth quarter of 2012. Compared to December 31, 2011, a reduction in federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets and covered interest-earning assets more than offset a rise in investment securities and increased loan balances.
Average funding sources for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $42.5 million lower than the third quarter of 2012 and up $128.9 million from the fourth quarter of 2011. Seasonal declines in public demand deposits primarily contributed to the decrease in average funding sources from the third quarter of 2012. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, the increase in average demand and interest-bearing transaction deposits reflects acquisition activity that occurred in December 2011 and August 2012.
Tax-equivalent net interest margin for the current quarter was 3.84%, remaining stable compared to the third quarter of 2012 and declining 11 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. The decrease compared to December 31, 2011 was driven by a decline in market interest rates, which contributed to lower yields earned on investment securities and loans, and was mitigated by a reduction in rates paid on retail time deposits.
Interest earned on covered assets is generally recognized through the accretion of the discount taken on expected future cash flows. Changes in the yield on covered interest-earning assets from the third quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2011 were driven by revised estimates of future cash flows and accelerated amortization of the FDIC indemnification asset. In addition, the yield for the fourth quarter of 2011 benefited from the resolution of certain loans where the cash proceeds exceeded estimates.
Total fee-based revenues for the fourth quarter of 2012 grew 9.8% compared to the third quarter of 2012 and 12.0% from the fourth quarter of 2011. The increase in fee-based revenues from both prior periods presented was attributed primarily to gains on mortgage loan sales, an increase in service charges on business checking accounts, and higher debit card income. An increase in merchant fees driven by higher processing volumes also contributed to the growth compared to December 31, 2011.
As described in the “Significant Quarter Events” section, the Company completed bulk loan sales of certain non-performing and performing potential problem loans, which resulted in a gain, before commissions and other selling expenses, of $5.2 million. In addition, a pre-tax loss of $814,000 was recognized on the repurchase and retirement of junior subordinated debentures and subordinated notes during the fourth quarter of 2012.
Total noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased 5.0% compared to the third quarter of 2012 and 10.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.
Salaries and wages increased from the third quarter of 2012 due to a decrease in deferred salaries resulting from lower new loan volume, short-term staffing costs associated with the FDIC-assisted acquisition of Waukegan Savings Bank (“Waukegan Savings”), and higher short-term incentive compensation expense. This was partially mitigated by a reduction in general salaries expense from fewer full time employees.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2011, a $1.3 million correction of the 2010 actuarial pension expense calculation drove higher retirement and employee benefit expenses compared to December 31, 2012. The fourth quarter of 2012 also reflects an increase in post-employment benefits expense.
OREO expenses declined from both prior periods presented due to a gain on the sale of a vacant commercial lot during the fourth quarter of 2012. In addition, the elevated levels of valuation adjustments during the third quarter of 2012 resulted from declines in the values of one commercial property and one vacant land parcel.
Fourth quarter 2012 loan remediation costs were elevated due to expenses of $2.5 million related to the previously discussed bulk loan sales. This increase in expense was partially mitigated by declines in real estate taxes paid on non-performing loans in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Other professional services increased compared to the third quarter of 2012 and the fourth quarter of 2011 due to higher personnel recruitment expenses, the acceleration of certain capitalized costs, and increased attorney fees related to various legal proceedings.
Net occupancy and equipment expense increased from both prior periods presented driven by the timing of general improvements to facilities and equipment, operating expenses for former Waukegan Savings branches prior to conversion, and increased real estate tax expenses. These expenses were partially offset by lower utilities costs from mild weather conditions.
Higher technology and related costs for the fourth quarter of 2012 resulted from conversion expenses related to Waukegan Savings.
The accelerated amortization of the FDIC indemnification asset results from an adjustment in the timing and amount of future cash flows expected to be received from the FDIC under the loss sharing agreements based on management-s periodic estimates of future cash flows from covered loans. This charge benefited the yield on covered interest earning assets in the fourth quarter of 2012 and is expected to result in higher interest income on covered assets in future periods.
Valuation adjustments of $1.3 million on a former banking office transferred to OREO in the fourth quarter of 2012 contributed to the variance from both prior periods presented.
Total loans, excluding covered loans, of $5.2 billion declined modestly compared to September 30, 2012, as continued growth in the commercial and industrial (“C&I”) and agricultural portfolios was more than offset by the accelerated resolution of certain credits. In addition, $37.1 million of mortgage loans outstanding at September 30, 2012 were sold during the fourth quarter of 2012.
Compared to December 31, 2011, total loans, excluding covered loans, increased $101.6 million, reflecting growth primarily in the C&I, agricultural, and 1-4 family portfolios. Loans acquired in the Waukegan Savings transaction during the third quarter of 2012 and continued origination efforts drove the rise in 1-4 family mortgages. During the previous twelve months, decreases in the construction portfolios were mostly driven by efforts to reduce lending exposure to less favorable categories. The completion of the bulk loan sales during the fourth quarter of 2012 resulted in the disposition of $172.5 million in original carrying value of certain non-performing and performing potential problem loans, which also contributed to declines across the loan portfolio.
The combination of special mention loans and substandard loans was consistent with September 30, 2012 and declined $184.2 million, or 45.7%, from December 31, 2011. The improvement from December 31, 2011 was driven by the completion of the bulk loan sales during the fourth quarter of 2012, in addition to ongoing remediation activities. As of December 31, 2012, special mention, substandard, and non-accrual loans totaled $303.6 million, compared to $577.8 million at December 31, 2011.
Non-performing assets, excluding covered loans and covered OREO, were $140.0 million at December 31, 2012, decreasing $15.0 million from September 30, 2012 and $108.3 million from December 31, 2011.
Net loan charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $7.7 million, down $117.8 million, or 93.8%, from the third quarter of 2012 and $23.5 million, or 75.3%, from December 31, 2011. The higher level of charge-offs in the third quarter of 2012 resulted from accelerated credit remediation actions taken by management for select credits.
The Company-s regulatory capital ratios increased compared to the third quarter of 2012 due to increased earnings, which more than offset the impact of the repurchase and retirement of $16.3 million of junior subordinated debentures and subordinated notes.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company-s regulatory ratios exceeded all regulatory mandated ratios for characterization as “well-capitalized.” The Board of Directors reviews the Company-s capital plan each quarter, giving consideration to the current and expected operating environment as well as an evaluation of various capital alternatives.
First Midwest is the premier relationship-based banking franchise in the dynamic Chicagoland banking market. As one of the Chicago metropolitan area-s largest independent bank holding companies, First Midwest provides the full range of business and retail banking and wealth management services through approximately 95 offices located in communities in metropolitan Chicago, northwest Indiana, central and western Illinois, and eastern Iowa. First Midwest has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune as one of Chicago-s Top Workplaces for the third consecutive year by being named a National Standard Top Workplace. Additionally, Forbes has recognized First Midwest as one of America-s Most Trustworthy Companies for 2012.
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company-s beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company-s control. It is possible that actual results and the Company-s financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect the Company-s future results, see “Risk Factors” in the Company-s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements represent management-s best judgment as of the date hereof based on currently available information. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release after the date hereof.
A conference call to discuss the Company-s results, outlook, and related matters will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 10:00 AM (ET). Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (888) 317-6016 (U.S. domestic) or (412) 317-6016 (international) and ask for the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Earnings Conference Call. The number should be dialed 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call. There is no charge to access the call. The conference call will also be accessible as an audio webcast through the Investor Relations section of the Company-s website, . For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the Company-s website or by dialing (877) 344-7529 (U.S. domestic) or (412) 317-0088 (international) conference I.D. 10022875 beginning one hour after completion of the live call until 9:00 A.M. (ET) on January 31, 2013. Please direct any questions regarding obtaining access to the conference call to First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Investor Relations, via e-mail, at .
Accompanying this press release is the following unaudited financial information:
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
This press release, the accompanying financial statements and tables, and certain additional unaudited Selected Financial Information are available through the “Investor Relations” section of First Midwest-s website at .
(Investors)
EVP and Chief Financial Officer
(630) 875-7347
(Media)
SVP and Corporate Relations Officer
(630) 875-7533
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.
One Pierce Place, Suite 1500
Itasca, Illinois 60143-9768
(630) 875-7450