OSWEGO, NY--(Marketwire - October 30, 2009) - Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., the mid-tier holding
company of Pathfinder Bank, (
"The Company is experiencing positive trends in earnings, growth and asset quality," according to Thomas W. Schneider, President and CEO. "The continued execution of our business plan has positioned the Company to take advantage of an expanding margin while prudently managing credit, liquidity and interest rate risk in this highly uncertain economic environment. Prior period comparatives are hindered by losses taken in the third quarter of 2008 on other than temporary impairment charges in our investment portfolio. However at September 30 2009, we have attained record levels in total deposits, total loans, and total assets, while recording near record level earnings."
"In September, the Company closed on a transaction with the United States Treasury whereby the Company received $6.8 million in capital in exchange for preferred stock and warrants as part of the Treasury Department's Capital Purchase Program (CPP)," Schneider stated. "Participation in the CPP provides the Company a reasonable and pragmatic source of capital that will be used to continue the growth and diversification of our lending portfolio to the residents and small businesses within our expanding market area."
Net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 increased 8% when compared to the same period during 2008. The increase in net interest income was the result of a decrease in interest expense of $486,000, or 26%, partially offset by a decrease in interest income of $268,000. Net interest rate spread increased to 3.51% for the third quarter of 2009, from 3.29% for the same period in 2008. Average interest-earning assets increased 2% to $329 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, as compared to $321 million for the same quarter in 2008. The yield on interest-earning assets decreased 49 basis points to 5.35% compared to 5.84% for the same period in 2008. The increase in average earning assets is primarily attributable to a $13.9 million increase in the average balance of the loan portfolio and a $9.3 million increase in the average balance of interest-earning deposits, offset by a decrease in the average balance of the investment securities portfolio of $15.3 million. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $8.8 million and the associated cost of funds decreased 72 basis points to 1.83% from 2.55% for the same period in 2008. The increase in average interest-bearing liabilities resulted from a $25.5 million increase in deposits, offset by a $16.7 million decrease in the average balance of borrowed funds.
Provision for loan losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 decreased to $247,000 from $270,000 for the same period in 2008. Allowance for loan losses to period end loans increased to 1.16% at September 30, 2009, as compared to 0.99% at December 31, 2008. Nonperforming loans to period end loans increased to 0.97% at September 30, 2009, from 0.93% at December 31, 2008. Management believes the financial strength of the individual borrowers, combined with the related value of any underlying collateral, will not result in any recorded loss beyond currently established reserves.
Non-interest income, exclusive of net gains and losses from securities, loans and foreclosed real estate, and other-than-temporary impairment charges, increased to $726,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to $718,000 for the same quarter in the prior year.
Net gains and losses from the sales of securities, loans and foreclosed real estate increased to net gains of $246,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, as compared to a net loss of $1.9 million when compared to the same quarter of 2008. The increase in net securities gain and losses is the result of the gains recognized on the sale of four government and agency securities, two mortgage backed securities and one corporate bond, compared to the other-than-temporary impairment charges totaling $1.8 million recorded in the same quarter of 2008. The increase in gains from the sale of net loans and foreclosed real estate is the result of the sale of fixed rate loans into the secondary market, offset by the loss on sale of two foreclosed real estate properties, compared to the loss on sale of three foreclosed real estate properties in the same quarter of 2008.
Non-interest expenses increased $402,000, or 16.3%, when compared to the same period in the prior year. $202,000 of the increase was due to an increase in FDIC assessments. An increase in salaries and employee benefits of $118,000 was due to a $60,000 increase in pension plan expense with the remaining increase primarily the result of salary increases. Professional and other services increased $81,000, which is due to the combination of a $50,000 increase in advertising expenses incurred in connection with the Bank's 150th anniversary celebration, and $31,000 in other professional services due to legal fees associated with the company's participation in the US Treasury Departments Capital Purchase Plan.
Government Sponsored Programs
On September 11, 2009, Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Treasury pursuant to which Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. issued and sold to the Treasury 6,771 shares of fixed rate cumulative perpetual preferred stock and warrants to purchase 154,354 shares of the Company's common stock for a total price of $6,771,000. The preferred stock pays cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years and thereafter at a rate of 9% per annum. The preferred stock is generally non-voting. The warrants have a ten-year term and are immediately exercisable at a price of $6.58 per share. The board and management believe that in the present national economic risk environment that enhancing the Company's capital ratios is both prudent and potentially opportunistic as we move into the next business cycle. The increase to capital will continue to support the company's lending activities to individuals, families, and businesses in our communities.
The Company is participating in the FDIC's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, including the transaction account guarantee program, which insures all non-interest bearing transaction accounts regardless of dollar amount.
About Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. is the mid-tier holding company of Pathfinder Bank, a New York chartered savings bank headquartered in Oswego, New York. The Bank has seven full service offices located in its market area consisting of Oswego County. Financial highlights for Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. are attached. Presently, the only business conducted by Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. is the 100% ownership of Pathfinder Bank and Pathfinder Statutory Trust II.
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations regarding economic, legislative, and regulatory issues that may impact the Company's earnings in future periods. Factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, pricing, products, and services.
PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
For the three months For the nine months
ended September 30, ended September 30,
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
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2009 2008 2009 2008
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Condensed Income Statement
Interest and dividend
income $ 4,391 $ 4,659 $ 13,262 $ 13,665
Interest expense 1,392 1,878 4,673 5,835
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net interest income 2,999 2,781 8,589 7,830
Provision for loan losses 247 270 654 550
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Net interest income after
provision for loan
losses 2,752 2,511 7,935 7,280
Noninterest income
excluding net gains
(losses) on
securities, loans and
foreclosed real estate 726 718 2,015 2,069
Net gain (losses) on
securities, loans and
foreclosed real estate 246 (1,893) 101 (2,229)
Noninterest expense 2,864 2,462 8,254 7,408
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Income before taxes 860 (1,126) 1,797 (288)
Provision (Benefit) for
income taxes 293 (288) 620 (82)
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Net Income (Loss) $ 567 $ (838) $ 1,177 $ (206)
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Key Earnings Ratios
Return on average assets 0.63% -0.97% 0.44% -0.08%
Return on average equity 10.09% -15.65% 7.52% -1.25%
Net interest margin (tax
equivalent) 3.77% 3.50% 3.49% 3.38%
Share and Per Share Data
Basic weighted average
shares outstanding 2,484,832 2,484,832 2,484,832 2,483,944
Basic earnings per share $ 0.22 $ (0.34) $ 0.46 $ (0.08)
Diluted earnings per share 0.22 (0.34) 0.46 (0.08)
Cash dividends per share 0.0300 0.1025 0.0900 0.3075
Book value per share - 11.45 8.33
September December September
30, 31, 30,
2009 2008 2008
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Selected Balance Sheet Data
Assets $ 364,982 $ 352,760 $ 352,788
Earning assets 333,873 324,872 321,397
Total loans 254,425 249,872 243,223
Deposits 292,618 269,438 264,753
Borrowed Funds 34,000 51,975 57,155
Loan Loss Reserves 2,960 2,472 2,241
Trust Preferred Debt 5,155 5,155 5,155
Shareholders' equity 28,450 19,495 20,591
Asset Quality Ratios
Net loan charge-offs
(annualized) to average
loans 0.09% 0.02% -0.01%
Allowance for loan losses
to period end loans 1.16% 0.99% 0.92%
Allowance for loan losses
to nonperforming loans 120.42% 106.41% 83.71%
Nonperforming loans to
period end loans 0.97% 0.93% 1.10%
Nonperforming assets to
total assets 0.79% 0.75% 0.85%
Contact Information: CONTACT: Thomas W. Schneider President, CEO James A. Dowd Senior Vice President, CFO Telephone: (315) 343-0057