WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac; NYSE: AGM and AGM.A), the nation's secondary market provider that increases the availability and affordability of credit for the benefit of rural America, today announced its results for the fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights

• Provided $1.3 billion in liquidity and lending capacity in fourth quarter 2020;
• Net income attributable to common stockholders was $29.4 million, or $2.73 per diluted common share;
• Core earnings, a non-GAAP measure, grew 8% from the prior-year period to $26.4 million, or $2.45 per diluted common share;
• Net interest income grew $6.9 million year-over-year to $56.3 million;
• Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, increased 18% from the prior-year period to $54.5 million;
• 90-day delinquencies were 0.21% of total outstanding business volume as of December 31, 2020;
• Continued strong liquidity position, as evidenced by year-end cash position of $1.0 billion; and
• Executed total COVID-19 payment deferments for $432.0 million of unpaid principal balance related to Farm & Ranch loans, Farm & Ranch LTSPCs, and USDA Securities to provide relief to borrowers from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

Full Year 2020 Highlights

• Net business volume growth year-over-year of $0.8 billion to total outstanding business volume of $21.9 billion;
• Net income attributable to common stockholders was $89.2 million, or $8.27 per diluted common share;
• Core Earnings, a non-GAAP measure, increased 7% from the prior-year period to $100.6 million;
• Net interest income increased 10% from the prior year period to $190.6 million;
• Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, grew $28.3 million year-over-year to $197.0 million;
• Strengthened overall capital position through the issuances of $79.5 million of 5.750% Series E non-cumulative preferred stock and $120.0 million of 5.250% Series F non-cumulative preferred stock; and
• Used the net proceeds from the Series F preferred stock issuance to redeem all outstanding shares of the $60.0 million 5.875% Series A preferred stock.

Subsequent to December 31, 2020

• On February 23, 2020, Farmer Mac's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.88 per common share for first quarter 2021.
• Reflects an increase of $0.08 per common share, or 10%, over the quarterly dividend payout in 2020

"I'm proud to report that Farmer Mac delivered record financial results in 2020 by staying focused on its core mission of helping agricultural and rural communities attain the low-cost financing they need," said President & Chief Executive Officer Brad Nordholm. "Farmer Mac's business model inherently centers around the betterment of rural America, and we continue to demonstrate the diversification and stability we provide throughout the inevitable agricultural economic cycles, as well as unprecedented operating environment of 2020.  This is reflected in our consistent earnings results and strong capital position which have once again allowed us to increase our quarterly dividend to $0.88 per share, which represents a 10% increase relative to last year. As we look ahead to 2021, we believe we are well-positioned to successfully continue to execute upon our mission while remaining diligent and prudent as we navigate our way through these uncertain times."

Fourth Quarter 2020 Results

Business Volume

Our outstanding business volume was $21.9 billion as of December 31, 2020, a net decrease of $65.2 million from September 30, 2020 after taking into account all new business, maturities, and repayments on existing assets.  This net decrease was comprised of a $580.1 million net decrease in Institutional Credit, partially offset by increases of $331.8 million in Farm & Ranch, $131.5 million in Rural Utilities and $51.6 million in USDA Guarantees.

The Farm & Ranch line of business experienced net growth of $331.8 million during fourth quarter 2020 attributable to net increases of $308.5 million in outstanding loan purchase volume, $10.6 million of loans held in consolidated trusts, and $12.7 million in loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.  The net growth in fourth quarter 2020 reflected our ability to retain borrowers in a competitive interest rate environment as well as proactively engaging with lenders to focus on customer acquisition and retention strategies in an increasingly competitive environment.

Outstanding business volume in our Rural Utilities line of business increased by $131.5 million during fourth quarter 2020, primarily due to $151.1 million of new loans purchased, including a $44.3 million solar project financing as part of our renewable energy strategic initiative.  The increase was offset by a $19.5 million net decrease in LTSPCs. 

Our USDA Guarantees line of business experienced net growth of $51.6 million in fourth quarter 2020.  This net increase reflected the continued growth in customer relationships and the ability to more effectively meet customer demands in an increasingly competitive interest rate environment.

The $580.1 million net decrease in the Institutional Credit line of business during fourth quarter 2020 was primarily due to two large counterparties who reduced their amount of outstanding credit in connection with scheduled maturities and payments on multiple AgVantage bonds.  Changes in quarterly AgVantage securities volume are primarily driven by the generally larger transaction sizes for that product, scheduled maturity amounts for a particular quarter, the liquidity needs of Farmer Mac's AgVantage counterparties, and changes in the pricing and availability of wholesale funding.

Spreads

Net interest income for fourth quarter 2020 was $56.3 million, a $6.9 million increase compared to $49.4 million in the prior-year period, primarily driven by net growth across most lines of business.  Net interest yield was 0.96% in fourth quarter 2020 compared to 0.95% in the year-ago period.

Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, for fourth quarter 2020 was $54.5 million, an $8.5 million increase from $46.0 million in the prior year period.  This increase was primarily attributable to growth in outstanding business volume, which increased net effective spread by approximately $6.1 million due to net business volume growth across most lines of business, excluding Institutional Credit, and a $2.3 million decrease in non-GAAP funding costs. In percentage terms, net effective spread was 0.98% for fourth quarter 2020, as compared to 0.95% in fourth quarter 2019.  The increase of 0.03% was primarily attributable to net volume growth and scheduled maturities and payments on multiple AgVantage bonds earning a lower spread.

Earnings

Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for fourth quarter 2020 were $29.4 million ($2.73 per diluted common share), compared to $29.1 million ($2.70 per diluted common share) in fourth quarter 2019. The $0.3 million year-over-year increase in net income attributable to common stockholders was primarily due to a $5.5 million after-tax increase in net interest income, partially offset by a $2.6 million after-tax increase in operating expenses, a $0.8 million after-tax increase decrease in the fair value of undesignated financial derivatives due to fluctuations in long-term interest rates, and a $1.8 million increase in preferred stock dividends. 

Farmer Mac enters into financial derivatives transactions to hedge interest rate risks inherent in its business and carries its financial derivatives at fair value in its consolidated financial statements. As these fluctuations are not expected to have a cumulative impact on Farmer Mac's earnings, Farmer Mac uses non-GAAP core earnings as a useful alternative measure to understand the business.

Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings for fourth quarter 2020 were $26.4 million ($2.45 per diluted common share), compared to $24.5 million ($2.27 per diluted common share) in fourth quarter 2019. The $1.9 million year-over-year increase in core earnings was primarily due to a $6.7 million after-tax increase in net effective spread, partially offset by a $2.6 million after-tax increase in operating expenses, and a $1.8 million increase in preferred stock dividends.

Fiscal Year 2020 Results

Our outstanding business volume was $21.9 billion as of December 31, 2020, a net increase of $806.2 million from December 31, 2019 after taking into account all new business, maturities, and repayments on existing assets.  This increase was driven by net growth of $804.2 million in Farm & Ranch, $536.3 million in Rural Utilities, and $166.5 million in USDA Guarantees, partially offset by a net decrease of $700.9 million in the Institutional Credit line of business.

The $804.2 million net increase in our Farm & Ranch line of business was comprised of a $1.2 billion net increase in outstanding loan purchase volume that was partially offset by net decreases of $313.9 million in loans held in consolidated trusts and $95.7 million in loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. The net growth in 2020 reflected our ability to retain borrowers in a decreasing interest rate environment by proactively engaging with borrowers and adjusting their rates and loan sizes to reflect current market conditions and their specific funding needs. We broadened and deepened our market share as evidenced by gross new loan purchase volume increasing 82%, or $1.1 billion, versus 2019.  Of this gross new loan purchase volume, 80% is attributable to active lenders (lenders selling Farmer Mac volume in 2020 and 2019) and 20% is attributable to new or previously inactive lenders.

Our USDA Guarantees line of business grew by $166.5 million in 2020.  Our gross volume of $777.9 million was the highest gross volume that we have ever recorded in any calendar year. This growth reflected the positive effect of adjustments that we made to our product structure in the second half of 2019 to more effectively meet customer demands in an increasingly competitive rate environment and in response to increased loan limits permitted by the 2018 Farm Bill,

The $536.3 million net growth in our Rural Utilities line of business reflected a $589.1 million net increase in outstanding loan purchase volume that was partially offset by a $52.9 net decrease in loans under LTSPCs. During 2020, we funded $64.3 million of loans as part of our renewable energy strategic initiative, in solar and wind projects.

The $700.9 million net decrease in the Institutional Credit line of business during 2020 was due primarily to three large counterparties who reduced their amount of outstanding credit in connection with scheduled maturities and payments on multiple AgVantage bonds.  The year-over-year changes in AgVantage securities volume are primarily driven by the generally larger transaction sizes for that product, scheduled maturity amounts, the liquidity needs of Farmer Mac's AgVantage counterparties, and changes in the pricing and availability of wholesale funding.

Spreads

Net interest income for 2020 was $190.6 million, a $17.5 million increase compared to $173.1 million in 2019, primarily driven by net growth across most lines of business. Net interest yield was 0.85% in 2020 compared to 0.87% in 2019.

Net effective spread, a non-GAAP measure, increased 17% to $197.0 million in 2020, compared to $168.6 million in 2019. The increase was primarily due to new business volume, which increased net effective spread by approximately $23.2 million, and a $4.6 million decrease in non-GAAP funding costs. In percentage terms, net effective spread improved 0.02% to 0.93% in 2020, compared to 0.91% in 2019 primarily due to new business volume.

Earnings

Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders for 2020 were $89.2 million ($8.27 per diluted common share), compared to $93.7 million ($8.69 per diluted common share) in 2019. The difference was primarily due to a $7.5 million after-tax increase in operating expenses, a $4.4 million after-tax decrease in the fair value of undesignated financial derivatives due to fluctuations in long-term interest rates, a $3.9 million increase in preferred stock dividends, and a $3.6 million after-tax increase in the total provision for credit losses. These decreases were partially offset by a $13.8 million after-tax increase in net interest income and a $1.3 million after-tax increase in other income.

Farmer Mac's non-GAAP core earnings for 2020 were $100.6 million ($9.33 per diluted common share), compared to $93.7 million ($8.70 per diluted common share) in 2019. The year-over-year increase in core earnings was primarily due to a $22.4 million after-tax increase in net effective spread. This increase was partially offset by a $7.5 million after-tax increase in operating expenses, a $3.9 million increase in preferred stock dividends, and a $3.6 million after-tax increase in the total provision for credit losses.

See "Use of Non-GAAP Measures" below for more information about core earnings, core earnings per share, and net effective spread and for reconciliations of the comparable GAAP measures to these non-GAAP measures.

Credit

As of December 31, 2020, Farmer Mac's total allowance for losses was $17.6 million, compared to $12.6 million as of December 31, 2019.  In fourth quarter 2020, our forecasts continue to include the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic factors such as land values, gross domestic product, credit spreads, and unemployment.  The total provision for losses in fourth quarter 2020 was approximately $3.0 million, primarily related to a specialized poultry loan, partially offset by improvements in credit quality.  The provision was more than offset by the charge-off of $5.4 million related to that specialized poultry loan because a portion of the loan was deemed to be uncollectible.  Across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, Farmer Mac's allowance for losses represented 0.08% of total outstanding business volume as of December 31, 2020, compared to 0.06% as of December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2020, Farmer Mac's Farm & Ranch substandard assets were $291.5 million, compared to $310.0 million as of December 31, 2019.  The $18.5 million decrease in substandard assets was primarily driven by credit upgrades in our on-balance sheet portfolio, partially offset by credit downgrades in our off-balance sheet portfolio during the year. 

As of December 31, 2020, Farmer Mac's 90-day delinquencies were $46.2 million (0.54% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio), compared to $61.0 million (0.78% of the Farm & Ranch portfolio) as of December 31, 2019.  The year-over-year decrease in 90-day delinquencies is primarily driven by three commodity groups – permanent plantings, livestock, and part-time farms. The decreases in those commodity groups were partially offset by increases related to the agricultural storage & processing loan secured by a specialized poultry facility and multiple crop loans.  Across all of Farmer Mac's lines of business, 90-day delinquencies represented 0.21% of total outstanding business volume as of December 31, 2020, compared to 0.29% as of December 31, 2019.  Loans under COVID-19 deferment are not considered past due and are not included in our delinquent loan statistics. Farmer Mac believes that it remains adequately collateralized on its delinquent loans.

Capital

As of December 31, 2020, Farmer Mac's core capital level was $1.0 billion, which was $325.5 million above the minimum capital level required by our statutory charter.  This compares to $815.4 million as of December 31, 2019, which was $196.7 million above the minimum capital requirement.  Farmer Mac's Tier 1 capital ratio was 14.1% as of December 31, 2020.  The increase in capital in excess of the minimum capital level required was primarily due to the issuance of the Series E Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock and the increase in retained earnings, partially offset by growth in our outstanding business volume and the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock. 

Dividends

On February 23, 2021, Farmer Mac's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.88 per share on all three classes of common stock - Class A voting common stock (NYSE: AGM.A), Class B voting common stock (not listed on any exchange), and Class C non-voting common stock (NYSE; AGM).  This quarterly dividend will be payable on March 31, 2021 to holders of record of common stock as of March 16, 2021.  This is the tenth consecutive year that Farmer Mac has increased its quarterly common stock dividend, and Farmer Mac believes that the most recent increase is supported by Farmer Mac's earnings potential and overall capital position.

Farmer Mac's board of directors also declared a dividend on each of Farmer Mac's four classes of preferred stock. The quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share of 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative referred Stock, Series C (NYSE: AGM.PR.C), $0.35625 per share of 5.700% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D (NYSE: AGM.PR.D),  $0.359375 per share of 5.750% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E (NYSE: AGM.PR.E), and $0.328125 per share of 5.250% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (NYSE: AGM.PR.F) is for the period from but not including January 17, 2021 to and including April 17, 2021. The preferred dividends will be payable on April 17, 2021 to holders of record as of April 1, 2021.

Earnings Conference Call Information

The conference call to discuss Farmer Mac's 2020 financial results will be held beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, February 25 and can be accessed by telephone or live webcast as follows:

Telephone (Domestic): (888) 346-2616
Telephone (International): (412) 902-4254
Webcast: https://www.farmermac.com/investors/events-presentations/

When dialing in to the call, please ask for the "Farmer Mac Earnings Conference Call." The call can be heard live and will also be available for replay on Farmer Mac's website for two weeks following the conclusion of the call.

More complete information about Farmer Mac's performance for 2020 is in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed today with the SEC.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In the accompanying analysis of its financial information, Farmer Mac uses the following non-GAAP measures: "core earnings," "core earnings per share," and "net effective spread." Farmer Mac uses these non-GAAP measures to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, they are useful alternative measures in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends. The non-GAAP financial measures that Farmer Mac uses may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of these non-GAAP measures is intended to be supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Core earnings and core earnings per share principally differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding the effects of fair value fluctuations. These fluctuations are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is expected.

Core earnings and core earnings per share also differ from net income attributable to common stockholders and earnings per common share, respectively, by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that Farmer Mac believes are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business.  For example, we have excluded from core earnings losses on retirement of preferred stock and the re-measurement of the deferred tax asset.

Farmer Mac uses net effective spread to measure the net spread Farmer Mac earns between its interest-earning assets and the related net funding costs of these assets. Net effective spread differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it excludes: (1) the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value that are amortized as adjustments to yield in interest income over the contractual or estimated remaining lives of the underlying assets; (2) interest income and interest expense related to consolidated trusts with beneficial interests owned by third parties, which are presented on Farmer Mac's consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost"; and (3) the fair value changes of financial derivatives and the corresponding assets or liabilities designated in a fair value hedge accounting relationship. 

Net effective spread also principally differs from net interest income and net interest yield because it includes: (1) the accrual of income and expense related to the contractual amounts due on financial derivatives that are not designated in hedge accounting relationships ("undesignated financial derivatives"); and (2) the net effects of terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives.  More information about Farmer Mac's use of non-GAAP measures is available in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations" in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed February 25, 2021 with the SEC.

For a reconciliation of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and of earnings per common share to core earnings per share, and net interest income and net interest yield to net effective spread, see "Reconciliations" below.

Forward-Looking Statements

Management's expectations for Farmer Mac's future necessarily involve assumptions and estimates and the evaluation of risks and uncertainties. Various factors or events, both known and unknown, could cause Farmer Mac's actual results to differ materially from the expectations as expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this release, including uncertainties about:

• the duration, spread, and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic;
• the actions taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including government actions to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume, the possibility of future disruptions to economic recovery caused by additional outbreaks, regulatory measures or voluntary actions that may be put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, and the duration and efficacy of such restrictions;
• the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business operations of agricultural and rural borrowers, the capital markets, and Farmer Mac's business operations;
• the availability to Farmer Mac of debt and equity financing and, if available, the reasonableness of rates and terms;
• legislative or regulatory developments that could affect Farmer Mac, its sources of business, or the agricultural or rural utilities industries;
• fluctuations in the fair value of assets held by Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries;
• the level of lender interest in Farmer Mac's products and the secondary market provided by Farmer Mac;
• the general rate of growth in agricultural mortgage and rural utilities indebtedness;
• the effect of economic conditions and geopolitics on agricultural mortgage or rural utilities lending, borrower repayment capacity, or collateral values, including fluctuations in interest rates, changes in U.S. trade policies, fluctuations in export demand for U.S. agricultural products, and volatility in commodity prices;
• the degree to which Farmer Mac is exposed to interest rate risk resulting from fluctuations in Farmer Mac's borrowing costs relative to market indexes;
• developments in the financial markets, including possible investor, analyst, and rating agency reactions to events involving government-sponsored enterprises, including Farmer Mac;
• the effect of any changes in Farmer Mac's executive leadership; and
• other factors that could have a negative effect on agricultural mortgage lending or borrower repayment capacity, including the effects of weather and fluctuations in agricultural real estate values.

Other risk factors are discussed in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed today with the SEC. Considering these potential risks and uncertainties, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements expressed in this release. The forward-looking statements contained in this release represent management's expectations as of the date of this release. Farmer Mac undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of revisions to any forward-looking statements included in this release to reflect new information or any future events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by applicable law. The information in this release is not necessarily indicative of future results.

About Farmer Mac

Farmer Mac is a vital part of the agricultural credit markets and was created to increase access to and reduce the cost of credit for the benefit of American agricultural and rural communities. As the nation's secondary market for agricultural credit, we provide financial solutions to a broad spectrum of the agricultural community, including agricultural lenders, agribusinesses, and other institutions that can benefit from access to flexible, low-cost financing and risk management tools. Farmer Mac's customers benefit from our low cost of funds, low overhead costs, and high operational efficiency.  More information about Farmer Mac (including the Annual Report on Form 10-K referenced above) is available on Farmer Mac's website at www.farmermac.com.

Reconciliations

Reconciliations of Farmer Mac's net income attributable to common stockholders to core earnings and core earnings per share are presented in the following tables along with information about the composition of core earnings for the periods indicated: 

The following table presents a reconciliation of net interest income and net yield to net effective spread for the periods indicated:

The following table presents core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three months ended December 31, 2020:

Supplemental Information

The following table sets forth information about outstanding volume in each of Farmer Mac's four lines of business as of the dates indicated:

The following table presents the quarterly net effective spread by segment: