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First Merchants Corporation Announces Improved Second Quarter 2013 Earnings

FRME
First Merchants Corporation Announces Improved Second Quarter 2013 Earnings

First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) has reported second quarter 2013 earnings per share of $0.34 compared to $0.28 during the same period in 2012. Net income available to common stockholders increased by $1.9 million totaling $10.0 million compared to $8.1 million during the same period in 2012. Year-to-date earnings per share totaled $0.72 compared to core earnings of $0.53 in the first half of 2012. Reported earnings for the first half of 2012 totaled $0.74 as the Corporation recorded a gain on its FDIC purchase of SCB Bank in Shelbyville, Indiana of $0.21 per share in the first quarter of 2012.

Michael C. Rechin, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “First Merchants continues to maintain earnings momentum despite modest margin compression. Loan volume growth is steady, all credit related metrics, including non-accrual assets, continue to show improvement and core net income is progressively better quarter-after-quarter. The quality of First Merchants credit statistics when combined with our earnings strength has allowed us to improve our capital structure as evidenced by the July redemption of $34.0 million in SBLF preferred stock.”

Total assets equaled $4.3 billion as of quarter-end and loans were $2.9 billion, an increase of $122.4 million or 4.4 percent over the same period in 2012. The Corporation's commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate loans increased by $105.4 million and $53.6 million, respectively. Residential real estate loans declined by $20.8 million during the same period as the Corporation continues to focus this line of business on fee for service mortgage loans. The Corporation's loan-to-deposit ratio is 87.6 percent and the loan-to-asset ratio is 67.3 percent.

Net-interest income totaled $36.7 million for the quarter as net-interest margin totaled 3.88 percent. Yields on earning assets totaled 4.29 percent and the cost of supporting liabilities totaled 0.41 percent. Net-interest income totaled $38.1 million during the same quarter in 2012 as net interest margin totaled 4.11 percent. Of the $1.4 million reduction in net interest income, $314,000 was related to a reduction in fair value accounting in 2013. Year-to-date net-interest income totaled $76.1 million compared to $74.2 million during the first half of 2012. The $2.5 million interest recapture recognized in the first quarter of 2013 accounted for all of the increase.

Provision expense totaled $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2013, compared to $4.5 million in 2012. Net charge-offs totaled $2.3 million for the second quarter, down from $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2012. Due to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, year-to-date provision expense totaled $4.1 million versus $5.3 million of net charge-off's. The allowance for loan losses totaled $68.2 million, or 2.32 percent of total loans and 175 percent of non-accrual loans. Non-performing assets declined by $26.1 million, or 32.1 percent year-over-year, and now total $55.1 million.

Non-interest income totaled $14.1 million for the quarter, an increase over the second quarter 2012 total of $13.2 million. Year-to-date non-interest income totaled $27.9 million compared to $35.8 in 2012, which included a $9.1 million gain on the FDIC modified whole bank transaction in the first quarter of 2012. Non-interest expense totaled $33.7 million for the quarter, down $438,000 from the second quarter of 2012. Year-to-date non-interest expense totaled $68.4 million up just one third of a percent from the first half of 2012.

As of June 30, 2013, the Corporation's total risk-based capital equaled 15.69 percent, Tier 1 common risk-based capital equaled 10.13 percent, and tangible common equity ratio totaled 7.74 percent.

CONFERENCE CALL

First Merchants Corporation will conduct a second quarter earnings conference call and web cast at 2:30 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, July 25, 2013.

To participate, dial (Toll Free) 888-317-6016 and reference First Merchants Corporation's second quarter earnings release. International callers please call +1 412-317-6016. A replay of the call will be available until July 25, 2014. To access a replay of the call, US participants should dial (Toll Free) 877-344-7529 or for International participants, dial +1 412-317-0088. The replay passcode is 10030162.

In order to view the web cast and presentation slides, please go to http://services.choruscall.com/links/frme130725.html during the time of the call.

During the call, Forward-Looking Statements about the relative business outlook may be made. These Forward-Looking Statements and all other statements made during the call that do not concern historical facts, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may materially affect actual results.

Specific Forward-Looking Statements include, but are not limited to, any indications regarding the Financial Services industry, the economy and future growth of the balance sheet or income statement.

Detailed financial results are reported on the attached pages.

About First Merchants Corporation

First Merchants Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation is comprised of First Merchants Bank, N.A., which also operates as Lafayette Bank & Trust, Commerce National Bank, and First Merchants Trust Company as divisions of First Merchants Bank, N.A. First Merchants Corporation also operates First Merchants Insurance Group, a full-service property casualty, personal lines, and healthcare insurance agency.

First Merchants Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. Quotations are carried in daily newspapers and can be found on the company’s Internet web page (http://www.firstmerchants.com).

   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands) June 30,
2013 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 69,404 $ 68,493
Interest-bearing time deposits 59,898 41,760
Investment securities 908,992 944,321
Mortgage loans held for sale 14,531 15,278
Loans 2,920,080 2,797,634
Less: Allowance for loan losses (68,202 ) (70,143 )
Net loans 2,851,878 2,727,491
Premises and equipment 54,165 51,335
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock 32,790 33,033
Interest receivable 15,186 16,506
Core deposit intangibles and goodwill 148,759 150,006
Cash surrender value of life insurance 126,710 124,018
Other real estate owned 11,765 14,183
Tax asset, deferred and receivable 30,959 32,003
Other assets 13,227   13,996  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 4,338,264   $ 4,232,423  
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing $ 741,095 $ 684,101
Interest-bearing 2,591,698   2,604,797  
Total Deposits 3,332,793 3,288,898
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased 57,085 652
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 161,779 160,127
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 92,743 96,847
Subordinated debentures and term loans 111,778   115,951  
Total Borrowings 423,385 373,577
Interest payable 1,150 2,168
Other liabilities 41,643   32,104  
Total Liabilities 3,798,971 3,696,747
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, no-par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 500,000 shares
Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B
Issued and outstanding - 68,087 and 90,782.94 shares 68,087 90,783
Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 600 shares
Issued and outstanding - 125 shares 125 125
Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
Authorized -- 50,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding - 28,801,848 and 28,643,264 shares 3,600 3,580
Additional paid-in capital 257,626 255,632
Retained earnings 225,034 188,863
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (15,179 ) (3,307 )
Total Stockholders' Equity 539,293   535,676  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 4,338,264   $ 4,232,423  
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) June 30, June 30,
2013   2012 2013   2012
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable:
Taxable $ 34,018 $ 36,652 $ 71,177 $ 72,500
Tax-exempt 113 123 230 240
Investment securities:
Taxable 3,577 4,468 7,195 9,042
Tax-exempt 2,515 2,551 4,969 5,113
Deposits with financial institutions 62 28 81 53
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock 368   347   739   690  
Total Interest Income 40,653   44,169   84,391   87,638  
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits 2,599 3,939 5,490 8,049
Federal funds purchased 1 12 12 24
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 208 197 402 492
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 462 637 921 1,631
Subordinated debentures and term loans 733   1,331   1,458   3,273  
Total Interest Expense 4,003   6,116   8,283   13,469  
NET INTEREST INCOME 36,650 38,053 76,108 74,169
Provision for loan losses 1,997   4,545   4,099   9,420  
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 34,653   33,508   72,009   64,749  
OTHER INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts 2,912 2,893 5,641 5,712
Fiduciary activities 2,264 1,938 4,371 3,921
Other customer fees 2,816 3,150 5,596 5,736
Commission income 1,748 1,485 3,920 3,152
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance 610 662 1,310 2,040
Net gains and fees on sales of loans 2,457 2,314 4,835 4,266
Net realized gains on sales of available for sale securities 239 502 487 1,291
Gain on FDIC modified whole bank transaction 9,124
Other income 1,013   221   1,776   581  
Total Other Income 14,059   13,165   27,936   35,823  
OTHER EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits 20,536 19,641 41,327 38,995
Net occupancy 2,267 2,473 4,869 5,124
Equipment 1,742 1,656 3,516 3,461
Marketing 535 564 1,002 1,006
Outside data processing fees 1,391 1,506 2,871 2,882
Printing and office supplies 311 294 642 561
Core deposit amortization 383 480 770 949
FDIC assessments 674 862 1,418 1,979
Other real estate owned and credit-related expenses 1,479 2,122 3,345 4,308
Other expenses 4,424   4,582   8,682   8,943  
Total Other Expenses 33,742   34,180   68,442   68,208  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX 14,970 12,493 31,503 32,364
Income tax expense 4,155   3,288   8,823   8,788  
NET INCOME 10,815 9,205 22,680 23,576
Preferred stock dividends (852 ) (1,135 ) (1,709 ) (2,270 )
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 9,963   $ 8,070   $ 20,971   $ 21,306  
Per Share Data:
Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 0.35 $ 0.28 $ 0.73 $ 0.74
Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 0.34 $ 0.28 $ 0.72 $ 0.74
Cash Dividends Paid $ 0.05 $ 0.03 $ 0.08 $ 0.04
Average Diluted Shares Outstanding (in thousands) 29,024 28,815 28,997 28,782
       
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012
NET CHARGE OFF'S $ 2,332 $ 4,771 $ 5,263 $ 10,175
 
AVERAGE BALANCES:
Total Assets $ 4,329,579 $ 4,249,931 $ 4,289,490 $ 4,226,443
Total Loans 2,909,688 2,801,375 2,909,901 2,782,631
Total Earning Assets 3,922,303 3,837,738 3,883,239 3,813,587
Total Deposits 3,385,922 3,318,065 3,351,508 3,240,748
Total Stockholders' Equity 542,921 531,578 538,384 524,676
 
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on Average Assets 0.92 % 0.76 % 0.98 % 1.01 %
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity 7.34 6.07 7.79 8.12
Return on Average Common Stockholders' Equity 8.40 7.32 8.93 9.82
Average Earning Assets to Average Assets 90.59 90.30 90.53 90.23
Allowance for Loan Losses as % of Total Loans 2.32 2.49 2.32 2.49
Net Charge Off's as % of Average Loans (Annualized) 0.32 0.68 0.36 0.73
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets 12.54 12.51 12.55 12.41
Tax Equivalent Yield on Earning Assets 4.29 4.75 4.49 4.75
Cost of Supporting Liabilities 0.41 0.64 0.43 0.71
Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Earning Assets 3.88 4.11 4.06 4.04
         
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
(Dollars In Thousands) June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,
2013 2013 2012 2012 2012
Non-Accrual Loans $ 38,971 $ 46,761 $ 53,399 $ 56,999 $ 63,127
Renegotiated Loans 4,407   5,445   12,681   6,871   3,921  
Non-Performing Loans (NPL) 43,378 52,206 66,080 63,870 67,048
Other Real Estate Owned 11,765   13,130   13,263   13,780   14,183  
Non-Performing Assets (NPA) 55,143 65,336 79,343 77,650 81,231
90+ Days Delinquent 1,072   959   2,037   1,974   665  
NPAS & 90 Day Delinquent $ 56,215   $ 66,295   $ 81,380   $ 79,624   $ 81,896  
 
Loan Loss Reserve $ 68,202 $ 68,537 $ 69,366 $ 69,493 $ 70,143
Quarterly Net Charge-offs 2,332 2,931 4,632 5,259 4,771
NPAs / Actual Assets % 1.27 % 1.54 % 1.84 % 1.83 % 1.92 %
NPAs & 90 Day / Actual Assets % 1.30 % 1.56 % 1.89 % 1.87 % 1.93 %
NPAs / Actual Loans and REO % 1.87 % 2.24 % 2.70 % 2.70 % 2.87 %
Loan Loss Reserves / Actual Loans (%) 2.32 % 2.36 % 2.37 % 2.43 % 2.49 %
Net Charge Off's as % of Average Loans (Annualized) 0.32 % 0.40 % 0.65 % 0.74 % 0.68 %
         
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands) June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,
2013 2013 2012 2012 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 69,404 $ 51,592 $ 101,460 $ 57,027 $ 68,493
Interest-bearing time deposits 59,898 60,407 38,443 35,324 41,760
Investment securities 908,992 869,563 874,363 928,716 944,321
Mortgage loans held for sale 14,531 26,555 22,300 27,711 15,278
Loans 2,920,080 2,879,542 2,902,209 2,836,324 2,797,634
Less: Allowance for loan losses (68,202 ) (68,537 ) (69,366 ) (69,493 ) (70,143 )
Net loans 2,851,878 2,811,005 2,832,843 2,766,831 2,727,491
Premises and equipment 54,165 53,762 52,749 51,373 51,335
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock 32,790 32,777 32,785 32,824 33,033
Interest receivable 15,186 15,346 16,367 17,519 16,506
Core deposit intangibles and goodwill 148,759 149,142 149,529 150,019 150,006
Cash surrender value of life insurance 126,710 126,098 125,397 124,702 124,018
Other real estate owned 11,765 13,130 13,263 13,780 14,183
Tax asset, deferred and receivable 30,959 27,597 30,867 29,344 32,003
Other assets 13,227   15,856   14,455   14,998   13,996  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 4,338,264   $ 4,252,830   $ 4,304,821   $ 4,250,168   $ 4,232,423  
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing 741,095 763,965 $ 801,597 $ 679,818 $ 684,101
Interest-bearing 2,591,698   2,546,843   2,544,786   2,514,933   2,604,797  
Total Deposits 3,332,793 3,310,808 3,346,383 3,194,751 3,288,898
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased 57,085 18,862 57,024 652
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 161,779 161,813 141,828 153,454 160,127
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 92,743 93,169 94,238 145,467 96,847
Subordinated debentures and term loans 111,778   111,778   112,161   112,169   115,951  
Total Borrowings 423,385 366,760 367,089 468,114 373,577
Interest payable 1,150 1,348 1,841 1,591 2,168
Other liabilities 41,643   35,356   37,272   38,857   32,104  
Total Liabilities 3,798,971 3,714,272 3,752,585 3,703,313 3,696,747
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, no-par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 500,000 shares
Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B
Issued and outstanding 68,087 68,087 90,783 90,783 90,783
Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value, $1,000 liquidation value:
Authorized -- 600 shares
Issued and outstanding 125 125 125 125 125
Common Stock, $.125 stated value:
Authorized -- 50,000,000 shares
Issued and outstanding 3,600 3,598 3,587 3,584 3,580
Additional paid-in capital 257,626 256,966 256,843 256,290 255,632
Retained earnings 225,034 216,530 206,397 198,094 188,863
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (15,179 ) (6,748 ) (5,499 ) (2,021 ) (3,307 )
Total Stockholders' Equity 539,293   538,558   552,236   546,855   535,676  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 4,338,264   $ 4,252,830   $ 4,304,821   $ 4,250,168   $ 4,232,423  
         
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,
2013 2013 2012 2012 2012
INTEREST INCOME
Loans receivable:
Taxable $ 34,018 $ 37,159 $ 36,085 $ 38,160 $ 36,652
Tax-exempt 113 117 122 118 123
Investment securities:
Taxable 3,577 3,618 3,809 4,176 4,468
Tax-exempt 2,515 2,454 2,544 2,532 2,551
Deposits with financial institutions 62 19 31 16 28
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock 368   371   373   345   347  
Total Interest Income 40,653   43,738   42,964   45,347   44,169  
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits 2,599 2,891 3,234 3,517 3,939
Federal funds purchased 1 11 7 38 12
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 208 194 204 211 197
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 462 459 501 492 637
Subordinated debentures and term loans 733   725   753   1,187   1,331  
Total Interest Expense 4,003   4,280   4,699   5,445   6,116  
NET INTEREST INCOME 36,650 39,458 38,265 39,902 38,053
Provision for loan losses 1,997   2,102   4,505   4,609   4,545  
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 34,653   37,356   33,760   35,293   33,508  
OTHER INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts 2,912 2,729 2,962 2,913 2,893
Fiduciary activities 2,264 2,107 1,984 1,986 1,938
Other customer fees 2,816 2,780 2,757 2,740 3,150
Commission income 1,748 2,172 1,454 1,618 1,485
Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance 610 700 693 685 662
Net gains and fees on sales of loans 2,457 2,378 3,513 2,849 2,314
Net realized gains on sales of available for sale securities 239 248 255 843 502
Other income 1,013   763   588   639   221  
Total Other Income 14,059   13,877   14,206   14,273   13,165  
OTHER EXPENSES
Salaries and employee benefits 20,536 20,791 20,320 20,083 19,641
Net occupancy 2,267 2,602 2,494 2,568 2,473
Equipment 1,742 1,774 1,942 1,798 1,656
Marketing 535 467 616 536 564
Outside data processing fees 1,391 1,480 1,361 1,413 1,506
Printing and office supplies 311 331 321 287 294
Core deposit amortization 383 387 489 489 480
FDIC assessments 674 744 738 792 862
Other real estate owned and credit-related expenses 1,479 1,866 1,766 2,104 2,122
Other expenses 4,424   4,258   4,456   4,334   4,582  
Total Other Expenses 33,742   34,700   34,503   34,404   34,180  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX 14,970 16,533 13,463 15,162 12,493
Income tax expense 4,155   4,668   3,153   3,926   3,288  
NET INCOME 10,815 11,865 10,310 11,236 9,205
Preferred stock dividends (852 ) (857 ) (1,135 ) (1,134 ) (1,135 )
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 9,963   $ 11,008   $ 9,175   $ 10,102   $ 8,070  
 
Per Share Data:
Basic Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 0.35 $ 0.38 $ 0.32 $ 0.35 $ 0.29
Diluted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders $ 0.34 $ 0.38 $ 0.32 $ 0.35 $ 0.28
Cash Dividends Paid $ 0.05 $ 0.03 $ 0.03 $ 0.03 $ 0.03
Average Diluted Shares Outstanding (in thousands) 29,024 28,971 28,930 28,888 28,815
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on Average Assets 0.92 % 1.04 % 0.85 % 0.95 % 0.76 %
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity 7.34 8.25 6.66 7.47 6.07
Return on Average Common Stockholders' Equity 8.40 9.47 7.97 8.98 7.32
Average Earning Assets to Average Assets 90.59 90.46 90.28 90.36 90.30
Allowance for Loan Losses as % of Total Loans 2.32 2.36 2.37 2.43 2.49
Net Charge Off's as % of Average Loans (Annualized) 0.32 0.40 0.65 0.74 0.68
Average Stockholders' Equity to Average Assets 12.54 12.56 12.84 12.77 12.51
Tax Equivalent Yield on Earning Assets 4.29 4.70 4.58 4.89 4.75
Cost of Supporting Liabilities 0.41 0.45 0.48 0.57 0.64
Net Interest Margin (FTE) on Earning Assets 3.88 4.25 4.10 4.32 4.11
         
LOANS
(Dollars In Thousands) June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,
2013 2013 2012 2012 2012
Commercial and industrial loans $ 657,764 $ 637,952 $ 622,579 $ 592,517 $ 552,353
Agricultural production financing and other loans to farmers 105,175 104,284 112,527 107,166 106,135
Real estate loans:
Construction 101,909 75,877 98,639 93,610 99,588
Commercial and farmland 1,272,761 1,280,611 1,266,682 1,241,054 1,219,114
Residential 460,108 467,629 473,537 475,272 480,917
Home Equity 203,788 201,767 203,406 204,888 207,250
Individuals' loans for household and other personal expenditures 79,258 73,314 75,748 77,171 83,933
Lease financing receivables, net of unearned income 1,828 2,013 2,590 2,970 2,976
Other loans 37,489   36,095   46,501   41,676   45,368  
Loans 2,920,080 2,879,542 2,902,209 2,836,324 2,797,634
Allowance for loan losses (68,202 ) (68,537 ) (69,366 ) (69,493 ) (70,143 )
NET LOANS $ 2,851,878   $ 2,811,005   $ 2,832,843   $ 2,766,831   $ 2,727,491  
 
DEPOSITS
(Dollars In Thousands) June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,
2013 2013 2012 2012 2012
Demand deposits $ 1,648,712 $ 1,590,709 $ 1,646,756 $ 1,455,568 $ 1,521,194
Savings deposits 916,481 891,061 831,952 837,409 822,299
Certificates and other time deposits of $100,000 or more 205,467 224,505 236,470 256,077 261,156
Other certificates and time deposits 448,885 481,446 502,927 527,304 546,182
Brokered deposits 113,248   123,087   128,278   118,393   138,067  
TOTAL DEPOSITS $ 3,332,793   $ 3,310,808   $ 3,346,383   $ 3,194,751   $ 3,288,898