The First Bancorp Reports Results For 2022; EPS Up $0.23 To $3.53 Per Share, An Increase Of 7% YoY

The First Bancorp (NASDAQ:FNLC), parent company of First National Bank, today announced operating results for the year ended December 31, 2022. Unaudited net income was $39.0 million, an increase of 7.5% from the $36.3 million reported for the year ended December 31, 2021. Net of non-recurring Payroll Protection Program (PPP) revenue, unaudited net income for 2022 was up 14.6% over 2021. Earnings per common share on a fully diluted basis were up $0.23 to $3.53 per share, an increase of 7.0% from the prior year. The Company also announced operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2022. Unaudited net income was $9.2 million, a decrease of 3.7% from the final three months of 2021. Net of non-recurring PPP revenue, unaudited net income for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was up 6.3% from the same period in 2021. Earnings per share on a fully diluted basis for the fourth quarter of 2022 were $0.83, down $0.04 or 4.6% from the fourth quarter of 2021.

"I'm pleased to report that The First Bancorp closed 2022 with record annual earnings of $39.0 million," commented Tony C. McKim, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Driving our 2022 earnings performance was a 14.9% year-over-year increase in net interest income before loan loss provision which resulted from loan growth of $267.0 million or 16.2% for the year. Our net interest margin for the year was 3.15%, up from 2.95% in 2021. The increase in annual net interest income helped to mitigate a sharp reduction in mortgage banking revenue from the prior year. Operating costs remained largely in check as demonstrated by an efficiency ratio of 45.96% for the year."

Mr. McKim continued, "In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company had net income of $9.2 million as compared to net income of $9.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. On a pre-tax, pre-provision basis (PTPP) (non-GAAP), net income for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $11.6 million compared to $9.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, when a reverse provision for loan losses of $2.0 million was recorded. Net interest income before loan loss provision in the fourth quarter of 2022 increased 10.1% from the fourth quarter of 2021, a period which included $1.1 million in interest income attributable to PPP compared to zero in the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-interest income declined $952,000 period-to-period attributable to mortgage banking revenue and recognition of certain one-time gains in the fourth quarter of 2021. Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased by $1.1 million from the fourth quarter of 2021, the result of one-time expenses associated with the sale of loans recorded in the prior year period, and increased compensation costs.

"Reflecting upon the year just concluded, a number of accomplishments stand out. We opened our eighteenth office in Brewer, Maine and look forward to serving that community for many years to come. A new online banking and mobile banking platform was introduced to enhance user experience and engagement. The Bank funded a total of $713 million in new loans in 2022 to benefit businesses and consumers across our footprint. Through donations, sponsorships and volunteerism we continue to support numerous causes and events throughout the State, and we were proud to announce a $300,000 long-term commitment to the Maine Lobsterman's Association. Finally, we were pleased to be honored as a Piper Sandler Companies Sm-All Star for 2022, the only company in New England to be so honored. These accomplishments and many more are made possible by our team of more than 270 bankers whose efforts on behalf of our customers and communities continue to stand out each and every day."

2022 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net income increased 7.5% over 2021, setting a new high-mark for annual earnings.
• Pre-tax, pre-provision net income (non-GAAP) increased 12.9% compared to 2021.
• Total assets increased $212.1 million, ending the year at $2.74 billion.
• Total loans outstanding at December 31, 2022 were $1.91 billion, up $267.0 million or 16.2%, year-over-year.
• Total deposits as of December 31, 2022 totaled $2.38 billion, an increase of $255.6 million or 12.0% year-over-year.
• Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP) was 45.96% for 2022, down from 47.81% in 2021 (the GAAP Efficiency Ratio was 47.19% for the year, down from 49.19% in 2021).

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets at December 31, 2022 were $2.74 billion, up $212.1 million from the prior year end. Earning assets increased $190.5 million year-over-year, as loan balances grew $267.0 million, interest-bearing cash balances declined by $63.0 million and investments declined by $13.7 million. Loan portfolio growth in 2022 was led by commercial real estate and construction loans which increased $137.7 million, including $25.5 million in the fourth quarter. Residential mortgage and construction loans increased $81.3 million year-over-year, other commercial loans increased $54.8 million and home equity line of credit balances increased by $2.9 million. Overall loan growth excluding PPP totaled $289.0 million, or 17.8% for the year. PPP loan balances were near zero at year-end 2022.

Total deposits at December 31, 2022 were $2.38 billion, up $255.6 million or 12.0% from December 31, 2021. Low-cost deposits decreased $31.6 million year-over-year centered in demand and NOW balances. Certificate of deposit balances increased $301.5 million year-over-year, while borrowed funds decreased by $32.9 million.

The Company's capital position remained strong as of December 31, 2022, with an estimated total risk-based capital ratio of 13.65%, and an estimated leverage capital ratio of 9.01%. These measures compare to 14.27% and 8.63% respectively as of December 31, 2021. The Company's tangible book value was $17.93 per share as of December 31, 2022, a decrease from $19.52 a year earlier, and up from $17.13 as of September 30, 2022. The period to period changes are the result of changes in the unrealized loss position on available for sale securities. Removing the effect of these unrealized losses, the adjusted tangible book value (non-GAAP) as of these dates would have been $21.98 as of December 31, 2022, $19.68 as of December 31, 2021, and $21.44 as of September 30, 2022.

ASSET QUALITY & PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

Asset quality continues to be strong and stable. As of December 31, 2022, the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 0.06%, improved from 0.23% a year earlier. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans stood at 0.09%, improved from 0.35% at December 31, 2021. Net charge-offs as a percentage of loans were 0.03% as of December 31, 2022, up slightly from 0.02% in 2021 and down from 0.10% in 2020. Past due loans were 0.08% of total loans as of December 31, 2022, down from 0.26% of total loans at December 31, 2021.

The allowance for loan losses stood at 0.87% of total loans as of December 31, 2022, down modestly from 0.94% of total loans at December 31, 2021. Management considers the allowance to be at an appropriate level given the strong asset quality metrics at year-end. As reported in the Company's earnings release for the third quarter of 2022, the Bank has no remaining active COVID-19 related modifications in its loan portfolio.

OPERATING RESULTS

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $39.0 million, up $2.7 million or 7.5% from the year ended December 31, 2021. On a fully diluted earnings per share basis, 2022 earnings were $3.53, up $0.23 or 7.0% from the prior year. The Company's Return on Average Assets for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 1.49% , up slightly from 1.48% for the year ended December 31, 2021. On a PTPP (non-GAAP) basis, 2022 Return on Average Assets was 1.87%, up from 1.78% the prior year. Return on Average Tangible Common Equity was 19.15% for the year ended December 31, 2022, up from 17.64% for the year ended December 31, 2021. On a PTPP basis (non-GAAP), Return on Average Tangible Common Equity for 2022 was 24.13%, up from 21.18% in 2021. The Company's Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP) was 45.96% for the year ended December 31, 2022, improved from 47.81% in 2021. (GAAP Efficiency Ratio was 47.19% for the year ended December 31, 2022, down from 49.19% in 2021.)

Contributing factors to the Company's 2022 annual and fourth quarter results included:

• Earning asset growth coupled with a wider balance sheet spread led to a $9.9 million increase in tax-equivalent net interest income year-over-year, an increase of 14.4%. In the fourth quarter of 2022, tax equivalent net interest income was up $1.8 million from the same period in 2021, an increase of 10.0%. The period-to-period increases include net reductions in PPP related interest income of $2.7 million for the year and $1.1 million in the fourth quarter.
• Net interest margins improved to 3.09% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 and 3.15% for the year then ended, as compared to 3.00% and 2.95% respectively for the same periods in 2021.
• Non-interest income before net securities gains was $16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, down $2.5 million or 12.9% from 2021. The decrease in non-interest income is primarily attributable to a 72.8% reduction in mortgage banking revenue from 2021, as higher interest rates dramatically slowed refinance activity from the elevated levels of the prior two years, and negatively impacted both gain on sale income and mortgage servicing rights valuation. Debit card revenue increased 21.9% year-over-year, while a 1.6% increase in revenues was achieved by First National Wealth Management, the Bank's trust and investment management division, despite adverse market conditions.
• Non-interest expense for 2022 was $43.9 million, up $1.8 million or 4.2% from 2021. Employee salary and benefit expense increased 10.2% from the prior year, partially the result of increased staffing associated with the Bank's opening of a new branch. Occupancy expense, furniture & equipment expense, and FDIC insurance premiums each had modest dollar increases from 2021. Other operating expenses decreased 9.1% year-to-year attributable to loan sale expenses recognized in the fourth quarter of 2021.

DIVIDEND

On December 15, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter dividend of $0.34 per share. The fourth quarter dividend represents a payout to shareholders of 40.48% of earnings per share for the period, and will be paid on January 20, 2023 to shareholders of record as of January 9, 2023.