Bank of the James Announces Third Quarter, Nine Months 2017 Financial Results and Declaration of Dividend

LYNCHBURG, Va., Oct. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:BOTJ), the parent company of Bank of the James, a full-service commercial and retail bank serving the greater Lynchburg area (Region 2000), and the Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Roanoke, Virginia markets, today announced unaudited results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $1.02 million or $0.23 per diluted share compared with $1.06 million or $0.24 per diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $2.56 million or $0.59 per diluted share compared with $2.99 million or $0.68 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Highlights

• Interest income from earning assets, fueled primarily by increased commercial and construction lending, rose 11% in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, and was up 9% for the nine months of 2017 compared to the nine months of 2016.
• Net interest income before provision for loan losses rose 9% for the third quarter and 7% for the nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods of 2016.
• In the third quarter of 2017, noninterest income increased to $1.32 million from $1.28 million a year earlier, primarily reflecting increased fee income from business-related electronic treasury management services and growth in gains on sale of residential mortgage loans.
• Commercial & Industrial (C&I) lending increased 21% at September 30, 2017 from September 30, 2016. A larger portfolio of commercial loans contributed to Company-record net loans of $493.76 million, reflecting 6% growth since December 31, 2016, and 8% growth since September 30, 2016.
• Total assets rose to a Company-record $619.34 million, up 8% from $574.20 million at December 31, 2016.
• Asset quality ratios reflected continuing loan portfolio strength.
• New Appomattox, Virginia banking facility slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2017.
• Measures of shareholder value have consistently increased, as total stockholders’ equity grew 5% since December 31, 2016, retained earnings rose 17% since year-end 2016, and book value per share rose to $11.83 at September 30, 2017 compared with $11.29 per share at December 31, 2016.
• Based on the results achieved in the third quarter, on October 17, 2017 the Company’s board of directors approved a $0.06 per share dividend payable to stockholders of record on December 1, 2017, to be paid on December 15, 2017.

Robert R. Chapman III, President and CEO, commented: “Our third quarter results provided the clearest indication to-date of the positive impact of our Company’s growth strategy. Our established presence in Charlottesville, Roanoke and Harrisonburg is driving loan and deposit growth, complementing a continuing solid performance of our operations in Region 2000. Deposit growth was a highlight of the quarter, reflecting the value of attracting deposits in these markets as part of a client relationship.

“Our loan total now includes approximately $90 million of loans from these three markets, and the contributions are reflected in the Company’s expanded interest income. Commercial banking in these markets has been growing, as have residential mortgage originations. We continue to focus on production and productivity throughout the organization, which we anticipate will be evident in earnings growth and building value for shareholders.”

Third Quarter 2017 Operational Review

Total interest income was $6.07 million in the third quarter of 2017, growing 11% compared with total interest income of $5.48 million in the third quarter of 2016, reflecting net loan growth. The average rate earned on loans, including fees, was 4.60% in the third quarter of 2017, up from 4.52% in the third quarter of 2016, and slightly higher than the average rates in the first and second quarters of 2017. The average rate earned on total earning assets in the third quarter of 2017 was 4.24%, reflecting relative stability in consecutive quarter comparisons.

Total interest expense was $786,000 in the third quarter of 2017 compared with $610,000 in the third quarter of 2016, and was up from $711,000 in the second quarter of 2017. The year-over-year increase partially reflected interest paid on capital notes issued in February 2017 and growth of interest-bearing accounts. The average rate paid on interest bearing accounts was 0.68% in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 0.61% in the third quarter of 2016. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s net interest margin was 3.69% and net interest spread was 3.52%.

Net interest income increased to $5.28 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $4.87 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, primarily reflecting loan growth. Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $5.08 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with $4.72 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The Company’s provision for loan losses was $200,000 for the third quarter of 2017 compared with $145,000 in the comparable period of 2016, with the increase primarily resulting from loan growth.

Noninterest income, including gains from the sale of residential mortgages to the secondary market, and income from the bank's line of treasury management services for commercial customers was $1.32 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared with $1.28 million in the third quarter of 2016. Income from service charges, fees and commissions, driven primarily by growth in fee income from treasury management services, increased to $479,000 in the third quarter of 2017 from $373,000 a year earlier. Gains on sale of loans held for sale rose to $694,000 compared with $593,000.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in gains on sales of securities from $218,000 in 2016 to $51,000 in 2017.

“The Company’s residential mortgage origination activity was strong,” said J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and CFO. “It continues to underscore the value of providing exceptional customer service and timely processing to earn business, combined with managing interest rate risk by selling longer-term, fixed rate loans to the secondary market. This strategy has enabled us to use all our experience in mortgage lending, combined with an appropriate strategy to manage rate risk in a low interest and uncertain market.”

Noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $4.91 million compared with $4.45 million a year earlier, with the increase primarily reflecting the Company’s investment in an expanded banking team and market expansion.

Nine Months of 2017 Operational Overview

Total interest income of $17.43 million in the nine months of 2017 rose 9% compared to $16.01 million in the nine months of 2016, led by 9% increase in income received on loans. Net interest income in the nine months of 2017 increased to $15.26 million from $14.30 million in the nine months of 2016, primarily reflecting increased total interest income, partially offset by increased total interest expense related to capital notes issued and growth in time deposits and related interest. Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased to $14.52 million from $13.70 million a year earlier. The provision for loan losses was $745,000 compared with $595,000 a year earlier.

The Company's net interest margin was 3.68% in the first nine months of 2017 compared with 3.80% a year earlier, and net interest spread was 3.52% compared with 3.66% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Average rates earned on loans, including fees, was 4.53% in the first nine months of 2017 and average rate earned on total earning assets was 4.20%, which were consistent with the margin and spread in the first half of 2017.

Noninterest income was $3.45 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with $3.61 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Noninterest income reflected higher year-over-year income from service charges, fees and commissions, with lower income from residential mortgages sold to the secondary market. Residential mortgage originations (and subsequent loan sales) accelerated in the third quarter of 2017, reflecting accelerated home buying activity and increasing contributions from the Roanoke, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg markets.  Gains on sales of securities also decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to $113,000 from $446,000 for the same period a year ago.

Noninterest expense also increased during the first nine months of 2017, reflecting increases in all categories.  The overall increase was related to the investment in expansion into Roanoke, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.

Balance Sheet Review: Growth, Asset Quality

Total assets rose 8% to $619.34 million at September 30, 2017 from $574.20 million at December 31, 2016, and were up 11% from a year ago.  The primary driver of asset growth continues to be loans held for investment, net of the allowance for loan losses, which totaled $493.76 million compared with $464.35 million at December 31, 2016.

“Market expansion and our ability to grow commercial & industrial, commercial real estate and construction lending have been critical to building our loan portfolio, particularly because we are retaining a relatively small number of residential mortgage loans,” said Chapman. “We believe our suite of loan, deposit and cash management options is giving us a distinct competitive advantage, and our team continues to do an outstanding job supporting these offerings. We are earning new business and are enjoying high levels of client retention.”

The Company’s commercial loan portfolio (primarily C&I) increased 21% to $101.58 million at September 30, 2017 from $84.28 million at September 30, 2016. Management noted the types of C&I loans reflect a diverse range of operating capital, equipment and facilities, and contributions from all the Company’s served markets. Owner occupied real estate loans, led by commercial real estate (CRE) lending, increased by $7.44 million year-over-year to $138.33 million, non-owner occupied real estate (primarily commercial and investment property) increased 5% year-over year, and total construction loans grew 15% to $26.33 million year-over-year.

Michael A. Syrek, Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer, noted: “Our focus in CRE has been larger properties such as office buildings, medical offices and apartment complexes. These properties tend to be very stable, and allow us to bring our full set of capabilities into play. We have deep experience in construction lending, which tends to be seasonal, and a strong relationships with a large and growing group of builders. Recent construction lending activity has been primarily focused on residential construction.”

Total deposits at September 30, 2017 were $560.52 million compared with $523.11 million at December 31, 2016. Noninterest bearing deposits, primarily reflecting increased commercial banking relationship business throughout the franchise, were $122.20 million compared with $102.65 million at December 31, 2016. Interest bearing demand and savings deposits were $255.78 million, essentially unchanged from year-end 2016, and time deposits increased to $182.53 million from $165.03 million at year-end 2016. Core deposits accounted for 67% of total deposits.

Asset quality was sound, with a nonperforming loans to total loans ratio of 0.47%, down from 0.54% at December 31, 2016. At September 30, 2017, the Company's allowance for loan losses was $6.02 million compared with $4.95 million a year earlier. The increase primarily reflected the Company’s larger loan portfolio, with an allowance for loan losses to total loans of 1.20% compared with 1.22% at December 31, 2016 and 1.07% at September 30, 2016. Total nonperforming assets of $4.97 million were relatively unchanged from year-end 2016 and a year earlier. The Bank's regulatory capital ratios continued to exceed accepted regulatory standards for a well-capitalized institution.

The Company grew measures of stockholder value. Total stockholders’ equity was $51.79 million compared with $49.42 million at December 31, 2016, retained earnings grew to $11.93 million from $10.16 million, and tangible book value per share increased to $11.83 from $11.29.

“Even through a period of significant investment in building our team of bankers and expanding our franchise, it has been a true credit to our people that we have consistently grown value for our shareholders,” said Chapman. “Granted, the bottom line has reflected our investments, but the value we are creating has consistently been evident, as has the ongoing quality of assets as we have grown.

“Although fourth quarter is historically slower in terms of business activity, we have good momentum and a pipeline of loans and relationship activity that gives us confidence in a strong end to the year and, we believe, good momentum going into 2018. We greatly appreciate the impressive efforts of our employees, and the ongoing support of clients and shareholders.”

About the Company

Bank of the James, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. opened for business in July 1999 and is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. The bank operates 13 banking offices and two limited services offices in Virginia serving Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Charlottesville, Forest, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, and Roanoke. The bank offers full investment and insurance services through its BOTJ Investment Services division and BOTJ Insurance, Inc. subsidiary.  The bank provides mortgage loan origination through Bank of the James Mortgage, a division of Bank of the James. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. common stock is listed under the symbol “BOTJ” on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC.  Additional information on the Company is available at www.bankofthejames.bank.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "plan" and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the "Company") undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, competition, general economic conditions, potential changes in interest rates, and changes in the value of real estate securing loans made by Bank of the James (the "Bank"), a subsidiary of the Company. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and previously filed by the Bank (as predecessor of the Company) with the Federal Reserve Board.

CONTACT: J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (434) 846-2000.
tscruggs@bankofthejames.com

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOLLOW

Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data
unaudited

Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)