Orrstown Financial (ORRF) Reports Q4 EPS of $0.60

Orrstown Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: ORRF), the parent company of Orrstown Bank, announced earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2021. Net income totaled $6.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared with $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and $10.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Diluted earnings per share totaled $0.60 for the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared with $0.65 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and $0.91 for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Thomas R. Quinn, Jr., President & CEO, commented, “Orrstown generated record earnings in 2021 in a challenging and unprecedented operating environment. The past two years have highlighted the dedication and commitment of our employees to both the Company and the communities we serve. In the fourth quarter, our exceptional commercial lending team continued to originate loans at a tremendous pace with the momentum expected to continue into 2022. The deployment of excess cash into higher earning assets drove a substantial improvement in our net interest margin. We expect that commercial loan production will contribute significantly towards offsetting a decline in PPP income in 2022. Orrstown continues to benefit from the new relationships formed through the SBA PPP program. Our team will be rewarded for our record performance in 2021 and this resulted in elevated expenses in the fourth quarter. We will continue to invest in our people and infrastructure as opportunities arise to build on the growth trajectory of the Company.”

Mr. Quinn continued, “Despite a strong economic recovery in 2021 and anticipated market interest rate increases over the next year, many challenges remain nationwide including the continued impact of COVID-19, wage pressures and inflation. In this unique environment, Orrstown is making every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees and clients. As we proactively work through these concerns, the Company remains well positioned for a rising rate environment and we anticipate another successful year in 2022. This should further enable us to transform the Company through an increased focus on automation and digital banking.”

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Balance Sheet

Loans

Loans held for investment, which includes SBA PPP loans, increased by $40.2 million from September 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021, or 8% annualized, as the impact of SBA PPP loan forgiveness was offset by net commercial loan production. Excluding SBA PPP loans, total loans increased by $110.2 million from September 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021, or 26% annualized. SBA PPP loans, net of deferred fees and costs, declined by $70.0 million to $189.9 million at December 31, 2021 from $259.9 million at September 30, 2021 due to forgiveness activity. Commercial loans, excluding SBA PPP loans, increased by $110.5 million, or 34% annualized, from September 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021. The commercial loan pipeline is strong heading into the first quarter of 2022.

The remaining gross balance of SBA PPP loans is $195.3 million at December 31, 2021. Net deferred SBA PPP fees of $5.5 million remain at December 31, 2021, which are expected to mostly be earned by the end of 2022.

Home equity lines of credit increased by $6.7 million, or 17% annualized, in the fourth quarter of 2021. Residential mortgage loans declined by $4.5 million, or 9% annualized, in the three months ended December 31, 2021. Other installment loans decreased by $1.5 million, or 30% annualized, in the three months ended December 31, 2021. Consumer portfolio net runoff has slowed since the beginning of 2021. Overall loan growth, excluding SBA PPP loans, was 14% for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Investment Securities

Investment securities increased by $27.6 million to $479.7 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $452.1 million at September 30, 2021. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Bank purchased mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities totaling $38.1 million. See Appendix C for a summary of the Bank's investment securities at December 31, 2021, highlighting the concentrations, credit ratings and credit enhancement levels of the portfolio at such date.

Deposits

Deposits decreased by $37.2 million, or 6% annualized, remaining at $2.5 billion at December 31, 2021 compared to September 30, 2021. In the fourth quarter of 2021, interest-bearing demand deposits decreased by $33.1 million, or 14.0% annualized and certificates of deposit decreased by $25.4 million, or 31% annualized. These decreases were partially offset by increases in noninterest-bearing demand deposits of $7.9 million, or 6% annualized and money market and savings deposits of $13.4 million, or 8% annualized. Deposits rose by $108.0 million, or 5%, from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 due primarily to SBA PPP loan funding combined with clients continuing to maintain deposit balances in excess of historical norms. The Bank's loan-to-deposit ratio was 80% at December 31, 2021, an increase of 2% from September 30, 2021. On a longer-term basis, the Bank is targeting a loan-to-deposit ratio of 90%.

Income Statement

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income increased by $2.0 million to $22.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021. The net interest margin increased to 3.35% in the fourth quarter of 2021 from 3.03% in the third quarter of 2021. The increase in net interest margin was a result of an increase in interest income from SBA PPP loan forgiveness (12 basis points) and commercial loan production (4 basis points), a decrease in average cash (11 basis points) and a decrease in cost of funds (3 basis points).

For the three months ended December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, there were $66.9 million and $98.2 million of SBA PPP loans forgiven, respectively. Interest income recognized on SBA PPP loans totaled $3.8 million in the three months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $3.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021. This increase is due to the accretion and forgiveness of the remaining SBA PPP loans with higher fees.

The cost of deposits was 0.12% in the fourth quarter of 2021, which is down from 0.15% in the third quarter of 2021 and 0.33% in the fourth quarter of 2020. Rate reductions in the first and third quarters of 2021 combined with the continued maturity of higher yielding certificates of deposit drove this decrease.

Average cash and cash equivalents decreased from $347.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 to $250.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2021. The decrease reflects the Company’s strategy to reduce excess cash balances through increased commercial loan production.

Provision for Loan Losses

Asset quality metrics remained strong and trended positively in the fourth quarter. The allowance for loan losses totaled $21.2 million at December 31, 2021, compared with $20.0 million at September 30, 2021, due to continued commercial loan growth. Total classified loans decreased by $3.8 million, or 14%, to $23.1 million at December 31, 2021 from $26.9 million at September 30, 2021.

Net recoveries were $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to net recoveries of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Nonperforming loans decreased by $2.6 million to $6.5 million at December 31, 2021 from $9.1 million at September 30, 2021 due to the payoff of one loan. Nonperforming loans were 0.33% of gross loans at December 31, 2021 and 0.47% of gross loans at September 30, 2021. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans was 328% at December 31, 2021 compared to 219% at September 30, 2021. The allowance for loan losses to non-SBA guaranteed loans(1) remained steady at 1.2% at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021. Management believes the allowance for loan losses to be adequate based on current asset quality metrics.

Commercial loan growth drove provision expense of $1.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2021. This compares to provision expense of $0.4 million and $0.3 million recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The provision for loan losses in the third quarter of 2021 included a COVID-19 reserve reversal of $1.0 million.

(1) Non-GAAP measure. See Appendix B for additional information.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income totaled $7.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared with $7.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 and $7.2 million in the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Investment securities gains decreased by $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The decrease reflects gains on the sales of $72.8 million of asset-backed securities in the third quarter of 2021 compared to no such sales during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Total wealth management income was $2.9 million for both the three months ended December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 compared to $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Assets under management have increased by $149.1 million to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2021 from $1.7 billion at December 31, 2020.

Mortgage banking income decreased by $0.1 million from the third quarter of 2021 to $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. There was a decrease of $0.3 million in the fair value of the residential mortgage loans held for sale and interest rate lock commitments due a reduced pipeline during the fourth quarter. Offsetting this was a reduction of $0.3 million in the mortgage servicing rights valuation allowance. Mortgage loans sold totaled $43.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared with $48.0 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $60.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. As of December 31, 2021, the Bank serviced $502.5 million of residential mortgage loans, which is up by $13.9 million from September 30, 2021. Mortgage banking income was $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Other income increased by $0.2 million to $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2021. The fourth quarter included $0.3 million in gains from the sales of two properties, while the third quarter included $0.2 million in tax credits from the Bank's investment in solar renewable energy partnerships.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses increased by $1.3 million to $20.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2021 from the three months ended September 30, 2021.

Salaries and benefits increased by $0.6 million to $12.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 from the three months ended September 30, 2021. The increase was primarily attributed to performance-based incentive compensation earned in the period of $0.5 million resulting from strong individual production, Company performance exceeding targets and other employee incentives, and a liability of $0.3 million recorded for the carryover of paid time off, which increases were partially offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in employee benefit costs.

For the three months ended December 31, 2021, professional services expense increased $0.1 million to $0.7 million from the three months ended September 30, 2021 due to legal and consulting services.

Taxes other than income increased by $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 from the three months ended September 30, 2021 due to an increase in Pennsylvania Bank Shares Tax expense and decrease in tax credits associated with contributions to the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.

Other operating expenses decreased by $0.1 million to $2.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 from the three months ended September 30, 2021. During the third quarter of 2021, the Company recognized a $0.5 million loss from the termination of a cash flow hedge derivative. For the three months ended December 31, 2021, there was an increase in the unfunded commitment reserve of $0.2 million due to the increase in commercial construction lines compared to no reserve in the three months ended September 30, 2021.

Income Taxes

The Company's effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 21.1% compared with 18.9% for the third quarter of 2021. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the effective tax rates were 19.6% and 18.6%, respectively. The Company's effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are less than the 21% federal statutory rate due to tax-exempt income, including interest earned on tax-exempt loans and securities and income from life insurance policies, as well as tax credits. The higher effective tax rate is consistent with higher levels of pre-tax income and the impact it had on our tax rate for the year.

Capital

Shareholders’ equity totaled $271.7 million at December 31, 2021, an increase of $3.1 million from $268.6 million at September 30, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to net income, partially offset by dividends paid and a decrease in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities. Tangible book value per share(1) has grown from $19.93 per share at December 31, 2020 to $22.32 per share at December 31, 2021, an increase of 12.0%.

The Company's tangible common equity ratio increased to 8.8% at December 31, 2021 from 8.6% at September 30, 2021. The Company's Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.5% at December 31, 2021 and 8.3% at September 30, 2021. The Company's total risk-based capital ratio was 15.0% at December 31, 2021 and 15.6% at September 30, 2021 as the Company has been deploying its cash into commercial lending.

The Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share, payable February 8, 2022, to shareholders of record as of February 1, 2022. The dividend payout ratio totaled 31% for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to 29% for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The Company continues to believe that capital is adequate at this time to support the risks inherent in the balance sheet, as well as growth requirements.

(1) Non-GAAP measure. See Appendix B for additional information.

(1) This balance includes $189.9 million, $259.9 million, $355.6 million, $504.3 million and $403.3 million of SBA PPP loans, net of deferred fees and costs, at December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Appendix A- Supplemental Reporting of Unusual Items

The following table presents unusual items that impacted each period shown. These items are presented to enable investors to better understand the magnitude of certain significant items on reported GAAP results in the context of the Company's growth and acquisition activities.

Appendix B- Supplemental Reporting of Non-GAAP Measures and GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations

As a result of acquisitions, the Company has intangible assets consisting of goodwill and core deposit and other intangible assets totaling $22.9 million and $24.2 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Additionally, the Company incurred approximately $1.3 million in charges associated with branch consolidation efforts during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Management believes providing certain “non-GAAP” financial information will assist investors in their understanding of the effect of acquisition activity on reported results, particularly to overcome comparability issues related to the influence of intangibles (principally goodwill) created in acquisitions. Management also believes providing certain other “non-GAAP” financial information will assist investors in their understanding of the effect on recent financial results of non-recurring charges associated with increasing operational efficiencies for the long-term, and provide investors with clarity on its allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio. The Company believes that excluding SBA PPP loans, due to its credit enhancement, from loans held for investment is useful to investors due to the size and effect on the total and ratio.

Tangible book value per common share and allowance to non-SBA guaranteed loans, as used by the Company in this earnings release, are determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). While we believe this information is a useful supplement to GAAP based measures presented in this earnings release, readers are cautioned that this non-GAAP disclosure has limitations as an analytical tool, should not be viewed as a substitute for financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results and financial condition as reported under GAAP, nor are such measures necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. This supplemental presentation should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by similar adjustments to be determined in accordance with GAAP.

The following tables present the computation of each non-GAAP based measure:

(dollars in thousands, except per share information)

Appendix C- Investment Portfolio Concentrations

The following table summarizes the credit ratings and collateral associated with the Company's investment portfolio, excluding equity securities, at December 31, 2021:

(dollars in thousands)