DUNMORE, Pa., April 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fidelity D & D Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:FDBC) and its banking subsidiary Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, announced net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 of $2.5 million, or $0.67 diluted earnings per share, compared to $2.0 million, or $0.53 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.  The $0.5 million, or 28%, improvement resulted primarily from $0.6 million higher net interest income combined with $0.2 million more non-interest income and a $0.2 million reduction in the provision for income taxes, partially offset by $0.4 million higher operating expenses.  The Company experienced $56.2 million, or 7%, growth in average interest-earning assets funded by $76.8 million growth in average deposits and $5.7 million growth in average shareholders’ equity after the $18.1 million paydown in average borrowings.  This balance sheet growth lifted income before income taxes by $0.4 million, or 14%.  Return on average assets (ROA) and return on average equity (ROE) were 1.17% and 11.75%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2018 and 0.99% and 9.85%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2017.

“Fidelity Bank’s strong first quarter financial results set the stage for a successful 2018.” stated Daniel J. Santaniello, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “The continued growth in earnings, capital, core deposit, and net interest margin are the highlights of the first quarter.  Fidelity Bank is well positioned as we continue to invest in our strategic priorities to increase market share, deepen client relationships, and leverage technology to create long-term shareholder value.”

On August 15, 2017, the Company declared a three-for-two stock split effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend on its common stock outstanding to shareholders of record as of September 18, 2017 and distributed the shares on September 28, 2017.  All share and per share information included in this earnings release for all periods has been retroactively adjusted to reflect this stock split.

First Quarter Operating Results Overview

Net interest income was $7.3 million for the first quarter of 2018, a $0.6 million, or 9%, increase over the $6.7 million earned for the first quarter of 2017.  The net interest income growth resulted from a $56.2 million increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets and a four basis point higher fully tax-equivalent (FTE) yield earned thereon which increased interest income by $0.8 million.  The loan portfolio had the biggest impact producing $0.5 million more interest income.  Yields on average quarterly balances of $321.8 million in floating loans at March 31, 2018 benefited from 75 basis points in short-term rate increases by the Federal Reserve since the first quarter of 2017, and mitigated the effect of lower yields earned on indirect consumer loans which experienced the most growth in the loan portfolio.  The investment portfolio benefited from the Company investing in $27.5 million more, on average, mortgage backed securities which caused interest income on investments to increase $0.2 million.  Partially offsetting the increase in net interest income from higher interest income, interest expense increased $0.2 million as the average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $56.1 million and the rates paid on these deposits increased 11 basis points.  The Company’s lower tax rate in 2018 due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act decreased the FTE yields on nontaxable interest-earning assets and had the effect of reducing FTE net interest rate spread and margin by seven basis points and eight basis points, respectively.  As a result of the negative impact of the FTE adjustment from the lower tax rate, net interest spread was 3.52% for the first quarter of 2018, or six basis points lower than the 3.58% recorded for the same 2017 quarter.  Over the same time period, the Company’s FTE net interest margin decreased by four basis points to 3.68% from 3.72%.

The provision for loan losses was $300 thousand for the first quarter of 2018, a $25 thousand decrease compared to $325 thousand for the first quarter of 2017.  The decrease in the provision aligned with a slowing rate of loan growth during the first quarter of 2018 versus 2017.  The allowance for loan losses was 1.47% of total loans at March 31, 2018 compared with 1.54% at March 31, 2017.  The decrease was attributable to stronger asset quality.

Total other income was $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2018 and $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2017.  The $0.2 million, or 8%, increase in other income was primarily due to $0.2 million in additional trust fees from accounts assumed at the end of the first quarter of 2017 and a $68 thousand estate fee recognized during the first quarter of 2018.  Higher interchange fees of $69 thousand, earnings on bank-owned life insurance of $45 thousand and financial service fees of $31 thousand were offset by $98 thousand fewer gains on loan sales, $48 thousand less service charges on loans and $64 thousand in unrealized losses recognized on the fair value change of equity securities.

Other expenses increased $0.4 million, or 7%, for the first quarter of 2018 to $6.2 million from $5.8 million for the same 2017 quarter.  The increase was primarily due to $0.3 million higher salaries and benefits expenses from $0.2 million in added salaries, $0.1 million more incentive compensation expense and $0.1 million in additional expenses related to a post-retirement benefit plan.  Data processing and communications expense also increased approximately $0.1 million.

The provision for income taxes decreased $0.2 million from $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2017 to $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2018.  The decrease was due to the Company's lower corporate tax rate in 2018.

Consolidated Balance Sheet & Asset Quality Overview

The Company’s total assets increased $33.8 million, or 4%, to $897.4 million at March 31, 2018 from $863.6 million at December 31, 2017.  This asset growth resulted primarily from $20.5 million more in cash and cash equivalents, an $8.4 million increase in securities and $2.3 million net growth in the loan portfolio.  Asset growth was mostly funded by a $45.1 million increase in deposits less $12.4 million used to pay down borrowings.  During the first quarter, deposits typically grow due to the seasonal timing of public tax deposits.  During the first quarter of 2018, the Company experienced deposit growth due to this seasonal activity and also due to a new large business relationship.  The Company continued to focus on increasing assets using its relationship management strategy to grow loans and deposits and achieve profitable returns.  The Company has begun its Luzerne County expansion plans with construction underway on the Back Mountain branch and the filing for regulatory approval to add a branch location in Mountain Top, PA.

Total non-performing assets were $7.1 million, or 0.79% of total assets, at March 31, 2018 compared to $6.3 million, or 0.73% of total assets, at December 31, 2017.  This $0.8 million increase in non-performing assets was due primarily to the modification of two loans to one customer in a troubled debt restructuring and the addition of several properties to foreclosed assets held-for-sale during the first quarter of 2018.  Despite the increase in non-performing assets, net charge-offs to average total loans decreased to 0.05% at March 31, 2018 compared to 0.26% at December 31, 2017 and 0.09% at March 31, 2017. 

Shareholders’ equity increased $0.1 million, or less than 1%, to $87.5 million at March 31, 2018 from $87.4 million at December 31, 2017.  Net income growth of $2.5 million was partially offset by a $2.0 million, after tax, reduction in net unrealized gains from the investment portfolio.  An additional $0.5 million recorded from the issuance of common stock under the Company’s stock plans and stock based compensation expense from these plans, was offset by $0.9 million in cash dividends paid to shareholders.  The Company remains well capitalized and is positioned for continued growth with total shareholders’ equity at 9.75% of total assets at March 31, 2018.  Book value per share was $23.32 at March 31, 2018 compared to $23.40 at December 31, 2017.

Fidelity D & D Bancorp, Inc. has built a strong history as trusted financial advisors to the customers served by The Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, and is proud to be an active member of the community of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  The Company serves Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties through The Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank’s 10 community banking office locations providing personal and business banking products and services, including wealth management assistance through fiduciary activities with the Bank’s full trust powers; as well as offering a full array of asset management services.  The Bank provides 24 hour, 7 day a week service to customers through branch offices, online at www.bankatfidelity.com, and through the Customer Care Center at 800-388-4380.  The Bank's deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to the full extent permitted by law.

Forward-looking statements

Certain of the matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as such may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

The Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

• the effects of economic conditions on current customers, specifically the effect of the economy on loan customers’ ability to repay loans;
• the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation;
• the impact of new or changes in existing laws and regulations, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and the regulations promulgated there under;
• impacts of the capital and liquidity requirements of the Basel III standards and other regulatory pronouncements, regulations and rules;
• governmental monetary and fiscal policies, as well as legislative and regulatory changes;
• effects of short- and long-term federal budget and tax negotiations and their effect on economic and business conditions;
• the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters;
• the risks of changes in interest rates on the level and composition of deposits, loan demand, and the values of loan collateral, securities and interest rate protection agreements, as well as interest rate risks;
• the effects of competition from other commercial banks, thrifts, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, credit unions, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market and other mutual funds and other financial institutions operating in our market area and elsewhere, including institutions operating locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, together with such competitors offering banking products and services by mail, telephone, computer and the internet;
• technological changes;
• the interruption or breach in security of our information systems and other technological risks and attacks resulting in failures or disruptions in customer account management, general ledger processing and loan or deposit updates and potential impacts resulting therefrom including additional costs, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and financial losses;
• acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses;
• the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves for loan losses and estimations of values of collateral and various financial assets and liabilities;
• volatilities in the securities markets;
• acts of war or terrorism;
• disruption of credit and equity markets; and
• the risk that our analyses of these risks and forces could be incorrect and/or that the strategies developed to address them could be unsuccessful.

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect analyses only as of the date of this release.  The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

For more information please visit our investor relations web site located through www.bankatfidelity.com.

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