Eagle Bancorp Montana Earns $763,000, or $0.20 per Diluted Share, in First Quarter; Declares Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.08 per Share

HELENA, Mont., April 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (NASDAQ:EBMT), (the “Company,” “Eagle”), the holding company of Opportunity Bank of Montana, today reported first quarter net income increased 17.9% to $763,000, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $647,000, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the first quarter a year ago.  In the preceding quarter, Eagle earned $1.4 million, or $0.37 per diluted share. 

Eagle’s board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share.  The dividend will be payable June 2, 2017 to shareholders of record May 12, 2017.  The current annualized yield is 1.77% at recent market prices.

“We started the year with another quarter of consistent profitability, supported by a stable net interest margin, strong loan and deposit growth, while maintaining asset quality,” said Peter J. Johnson, President and CEO. “Western Montana continues to benefit from a strong economy, and we are well positioned to grow the profitability of the bank and claim additional market share in our markets.”

First Quarter 2017 Highlights (at or for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, except where noted)

• Net income grew 17.9% to $763,000, or $0.20 per diluted share in the first quarter, compared to $647,000, or $0.17 per diluted share in the first quarter a year ago.
• Revenues (net interest income before the provision for loan losses, plus non-interest income) increased 11.9% to $8.7 million compared to $7.8 million in the same period a year ago. 
• Net interest margin was 3.61%, which was unchanged compared to the preceding quarter and a 26 basis point improvement compared to the first quarter a year ago.
• Total loans increased 15.6% to $488.9 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $422.9 million a year earlier. 
• Commercial real estate loans increased 20.6% to $234.5 million, or 48.0% of total loans at March 31, 2017, compared to $194.5 million, or 46.0% of total loans a year earlier.
• Total deposits increased 6.5% to $526.3 million at March 31, 2017, from $494.4 million a year earlier.
• Capital ratios remain strong with a tangible shareholders’ equity ratio of 11.42% at March 31, 2017.
• Declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share, providing a 1.77% current yield at recent market prices.

Balance Sheet Results

“Loan demand remains robust, particularly in the commercial real estate and C&I loan segments.  Our local economies are strong, and we expect the loan pipeline to continue to expand at this pace in the near future,” said Johnson.  Total loans increased 4.9% to $488.9 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $466.2 million three months earlier and increased 15.6% compared to $422.9 million a year earlier. 

Eagle originated $51.7 million in new residential mortgages during the quarter, excluding construction loans, and sold $56.6 million in residential mortgages, with an average gross margin on sale of mortgage loans of approximately 3.26%.  This production compares to residential mortgage originations of $96.5 million in the preceding quarter with sales of $90.6 million.

Commercial real estate loans increased 20.6% to $234.5 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $194.5 million a year earlier, while residential mortgage loans decreased modestly to $112.9 million compared to $113.4 million a year earlier.  Commercial loans increased 34.5% to $54.6 million, home equity loans increased 8.0% to $49.0 million and construction loans increased 53.9% to $24.1 million, compared to a year ago.  

Total deposits increased 6.5% to $526.3 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $494.4 million a year earlier and increased 2.6% compared to $512.8 million at December 31, 2016.  As of quarter-end, checking and money market accounts represent 53.8%, savings accounts represent 16.1%, and CDs comprise 30.1% of the total deposit portfolio.  

Eagle’s total assets increased 6.3% to $683.7 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $643.0 million a year earlier and increased 1.4% compared to $673.9 million three months earlier.  Shareholders’ equity increased modestly to $60.0 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $59.5 million three months earlier and increased 6.2% compared to $56.5 million one year earlier.  Tangible book value was $13.81 per share at March 31, 2017, compared to $13.65 per share at December 31, 2016, and $12.97 per share a year earlier. 

Operating Results

“The net interest margin remained unchanged from the preceding quarter, but increased significantly compared to the year ago quarter, largely due to the growth in interest earning assets over the past few months,” Johnson said.  Eagle’s net interest margin was 3.61% in the first quarter, which was unchanged compared to the preceding quarter, and increased 26 basis points compared to 3.35% in the first quarter a year ago.  Funding costs for the first quarter were up six basis points while asset yields were up 32 basis points compared to a year ago.  The investment securities portfolio decreased to $127.2 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $145.1 million a year ago, which had a positive impact on the average yields on earning assets. 

Eagle’s first quarter revenues increased 11.9% to $8.7 million compared to $7.8 million in the first quarter a year ago, but decreased compared to $10.2 million in the preceding quarter.  Net interest income before the provision for loan loss increased 12.6% to $5.5 million in the first quarter compared to $4.9 million in the first quarter one year ago, and decreased modestly compared to $5.6 million in the preceding quarter.

Noninterest income increased 10.8% to $3.2 million in the first quarter, compared to $2.9 million in the first quarter a year ago, but decreased compared to $4.6 million in the preceding quarter.  The net gain on sale of mortgage loans totaled $1.8 million in the first quarter, compared to $3.0 million in the preceding quarter and $1.7 million in the first quarter a year ago. 

First quarter noninterest expenses were $7.4 million, compared to $7.6 million in the preceding quarter and $6.5 million in the year ago quarter.  Higher compensation expenses contributed to the year-over-year increase. 

Credit Quality

Eagle’s first quarter provision for loan losses was $301,000, compared to $452,000 in the preceding quarter and $450,000 in the first quarter a year ago.  The allowance for loan losses represented 300.1% of nonperforming loans at March 31, 2017, compared to 414.1% three months earlier and 168.7% a year earlier.  Nonperforming loans (NPLs) were $1.7 million at the end of the first quarter, which was up compared to $1.2 million three months earlier, and down 27.6% compared to $2.3 million a year earlier.   

Net loan recoveries were $4,000 in the first quarter, compared to net charge offs of $332,000 in the preceding quarter and net charge-offs of $60,000 in the first quarter a year ago.  The allowance for loan losses was $5.1 million, or 1.04% of total loans at March 31, 2017, compared to $4.8 million, or 1.02% of total loans at December 31, 2016, and $3.9 million, or 0.93% of total loans a year ago.

Eagle’s total OREO and other repossessed assets was $668,000 at March 31, 2017, compared to $825,000 at December 31, 2016.  Nonperforming assets (NPAs), consisting of nonperforming loans, OREO and other repossessed assets, loans delinquent 90 days or more, and restructured loans, were $2.4 million at March 31, 2017 or 0.35% of total assets, compared to $2.0 million, or 0.29% of total assets three months earlier and $2.9 million, or 0.46% of total assets a year earlier. 

Capital Management

Eagle Bancorp Montana continues to be well capitalized with the ratio of shareholders’ equity to tangible asset of 11.42% at March 31, 2017.  (Shareholders’ equity, plus trust preferred securities, subordinated debt and senior debt, less goodwill and core deposit intangible to tangible assets).

On February 13, 2017, the Company completed the issuance of $10 million of senior unsecured debt.  The net proceeds of $9.8 million was used as capital contribution to its bank subsidiary to support both organic growth and opportunistic acquisitions should appropriate opportunities arise.

About the Company

Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Helena, Montana and is the holding company of Opportunity Bank, a community bank established in 1922 that serves consumers and small businesses in Montana through 13 banking offices. Additional information is available on the bank’s website at www.opportunitybank.com.  The shares of Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “EBMT.”

Forward Looking Statements

This release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and may be identified by the use of such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential." These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements of our goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements; general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected; competition among depository and other financial institutions; loan demand or residential and commercial real estate values in Montana; inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments; adverse changes in the securities markets; and other economic, governmental, competitive, regulatory and technological factors that may affect our operations. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. All information set forth in this press release is current as of the date of this release and the company undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.



Peter J. Johnson, President and CEO (406) 457-4006 Laura F. Clark, SVP and CFO (406) 457-4007