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Bank of the James Announces Fourth Quarter, Full Year 2018 Financial Results and Declaration of Dividend

January 25, 2019 12:00 PM

LYNCHBURG, Va., Jan. 25, 2019 (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 Region 2000 (Greater Lynchburg MSA), and the Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Roanoke, Virginia markets, today announced unaudited results for the three months and 12 months ended December 31, 2018.

Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $1.48 million or $0.34 per diluted share, compared with $360,000 or $0.08 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2017. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2018, net income was $5.30 million or $1.21 per diluted share, compared with $2.92 million or $0.67 per diluted share for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017. Net income in the fourth quarter and full year 2017 results included the $871,000 write-down of the Company’s deferred tax assets resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017.

Robert R. Chapman III, President and CEO commented: “The Company’s financial performance in 2018 demonstrated strong and balanced contributions from all our retail, commercial, mortgage, and investment and insurance operations. We are achieving our goals for growth supported by a diversity of interest income and noninterest income sources.

“Our core Region 2000 market exhibited strength, which was enhanced in 2018 by an expanded presence in Appomattox, and a new Blacksburg mortgage office that serves the New River Valley market. Accelerating activity resulting from the geographic expansion into Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Roanoke has enhanced revenue diversity and opened doors to growth opportunities. We are grateful for the outstanding performance by our banking team, which has been the key to driving business and retaining clients. Prudent expense management, continued asset quality, and capital management supported our goal of increasing earnings and building the Company’s value.”

Highlights

Chapman continued: “A highlight of 2018 was the Company’s deposit growth, particularly lower-cost core deposits, which enabled us to fund increased lending activity with internal resources and minimal reliance on higher-cost borrowings. In the coming year, we anticipate establishing several offices in selective locations to enhance our deposit gathering capabilities. During the past several years, our past investments in people, technology and facilities have supported productivity and growth reflected in the Company’s 2018 earnings, providing confidence in our strategy of prudent long-term growth.”

Fourth Quarter, 12 Months of 2018 Operational Review

Total interest income was $7.11 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, up 14% from $6.24 million a year earlier, primarily resulting from loan growth and adjustable rate loans that repriced to reflect rising interest rates throughout the year.

Net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2018 was $6.05 million, a 12% increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, total interest income rose sharply to $26.97 million from $23.67 million a year earlier and net interest income was up 12% in 2018 compared with 2017. Interest expense in the fourth quarter and 12 months of 2018 increased compared with both periods in 2017, primarily reflecting a larger deposit base and an uptick in rates. The average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits was 0.72% in 2018 compared with 0.63% in 2017, and the Company had minimal borrowings in 2018.

“Our focus continues to be growing lower-cost core deposits to fund lending, and despite slight rate increases throughout the year, we succeeded in managing interest expense costs and were able to support lending activity with minimal use of short-term borrowings, which became considerably more expensive in 2018,” noted J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and CFO. “Although some competitors were offering higher rates on time deposits, we maintained a disciplined approach to adding time deposits.”

Net interest income after provision for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2018 was $5.86 million compared with $5.16 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Net interest income after provision for loan losses for the 12 months of 2018 was $22.46 million compared with $19.68 million for the 12 months of 2017. The decrease in the Company’s provision for loan losses in both the three and 12 months of 2018 compared with comparable periods in 2017, primarily reflects the strength of the Company’s asset quality. For the 12 months of 2018, the loan loss provision was $716,000, down 28% from $993,000 for the 12 months of 2017.

Commercial lending growth, increased rates, and relative stability in the interest rate spread contributed to a 3.80% net interest margin in the fourth quarter of 2018, up from 3.64% a year earlier. The net interest margin for the 12 months of 2018 expanded to 3.75% from 3.67% for the 12 months of 2017. The average rate spread for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 was 3.60% and average rates on total earning assets were 4.36% compared with 4.20% for the 12 months ended December 31, 2017.

Noninterest income, including gains from the sale of residential mortgages to the secondary market, revenue contributions from BOTJ Investment Services, and income from the Bank's line of treasury management services for commercial customers supported continued positive annual growth. Noninterest income in 2018 was $5.24 million, up 11% from $4.73 million in 2017.

Strong multi-family and single-family mortgage originations led to a record year for the Company’s mortgage division. Gains on sale from the sale of residential mortgages to the secondary market was the leading contributor to noninterest income, generating $2.92 million of income during 2018, up from $2.43 million in 2017. Service charges and fee income, including contributions from treasury services and investment management, were $2.02 million in 2018, up from $1.89 million in 2017.

Noninterest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $5.30 million compared with $4.91 million a year earlier, and for the 12 months of 2018 was $21.06 million compared with $19.05 million for the 12 months of 2017. The increase reflected increased personnel expenses from an expanded team of producing individuals, and higher occupancy, professional and data processing costs as the Company added new offices to better support business activity and generate productive growth.

During 2019, the Company plans to establish three full-service locations to generate additional business and gather deposits, and to relocate its Charlottesville limited service office, converting it to a full-service location in downtown Charlottesville. “We anticipate this investment will have a negative six to eight cent impact on after tax earnings per share during the year,” Chapman explained. “While giving customers access to the full range of Bank of the James services and capabilities, the size and staffing of these locations will emphasize efficient operation.”

The Company plans to open an office in Lexington, Virginia, serving the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista, and Rockingham County in the Shenandoah Valley. It plans to establish an office in Rustburg, the county seat of Campbell County, expanding the Company’s presence in the Region 2000 MSA, and add a second full-service office in Roanoke, which Chapman said has proven to be a very strong market for Bank of the James.

Balance Sheet Review: Growth, Asset Quality

Total assets rose to a Company-record $674.90 million at year-end 2018, rising 8% from $626.34 million at year-end 2017. The primary driver of asset growth continues to be loans held for investment, net of the allowance for loan losses, which totaled $530.02 million, up from $491.02 million at December 31, 2017. Loans held for sale were $1.67 million. Fair value of securities available-for-sale was $52.73 million compared with $55.31 million at December 31, 2017.

The Company’s commercial loan portfolio provided the Company with balanced performance and growth. Non-owner occupied commercial real estate (primarily commercial and investment property), increased 42% to $80.21 million at December 31, 2018 from $56.48 million a year earlier. Owner-occupied commercial real estate of $102.71 million was up 6% from a year earlier, and mortgages on multi-family properties increased 30% at December 31, 2018 from a year earlier. Construction and land loans, which were strong throughout 2018, were $34.37 million, down 16% from a year earlier as a number of projects were completed and loans paid down. However, a significant number of these construction projects were retained as commercial real estate loans through permanent financing. Agricultural and consumer loans experienced double-digit growth compared with a year earlier, and residential mortgages and home equity loans were relatively stable.

Total deposits at December 31, 2018 rose to $612.11 million from $567.49 million at December 31, 2017. Much of the deposit growth reflected increased noninterest bearing demand accounts, which grew 23% to $91.36 million at December 31, 2018 from $74.10 million at December 31, 2017, and core interest bearing accounts (NOW, saving and money market), which increased to $422.72 million in 2018 from $389.09 million in 2017. Core deposits comprised approximately 69% of total deposits.

Asset quality remained strong, with a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.55% at December 31, 2018, compared with 0.87% at December 31, 2017. Nonperforming loans declined 32% at year-end 2018 versus year-end 2017, loan charge-offs declined 49% year over year, and other real estate owned (OREO) declined 8%. The Company’s allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio declined to 0.86% at December 31, 2018 from 0.96% at December 31, 2017, reflecting continued strong loan quality.

The Company grew measures of stockholder value. Total stockholders’ equity was $55.14 million at December 31, 2018, up from $51.67 million at December 31, 2017. Retained earnings increased to $16.52 million, up from $12.27 million at December 31, 2017. Tangible book value per share increased to $12.59 at December 31, 2018 from $11.80 at December 31, 2017. The Bank's regulatory capital ratios continued to exceed accepted regulatory standards for a well-capitalized institution.

Chapman concluded: “We are enthusiastic about the Company’s prospects in the near term. The region’s economy has been stable and generally strong, businesses and nonprofit organizations have been active and growing, and housing markets have ranged from sound to robust. While the banking market remains competitive, we feel our commitment to providing superior service, supported by a range of sophisticated products and capabilities, has established Bank of the James as a leading choice for retail and commercial banking. We look forward to continuing on the path of delivering sound performance and building the Company’s value for customers 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 currently services customers in Virginia from offices located in Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Blacksburg, 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.[email protected]

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOLLOW

Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and SubsidiariesDollar amounts in thousands, except per share dataUnaudited

Selected Data:ThreemonthsendingDec 31,2018ThreemonthsendingDec 31,2017ChangeYeartodateDec 31,2018YeartodateDec 31,2017Change
Interest income$7,111$6,235 14.05%$26,971$23,665 13.97%
Interest expense 1,059 825 28.36% 3,795 2,993 26.80%
Net interest income 6,052 5,410 11.87% 23,176 20,672 12.11%
Provision for loan losses 189 248 -23.79% 716 993 -27.90%
Noninterest income 1,288 1,376 -6.40% 5,235 4,727 10.75%
Noninterest expense 5,296 4,912 7.82% 21,064 19,046 10.60%
Income taxes 380 1,266 -69.98% 1,329 2,438 -45.49%
Net income 1,475 360 309.72% 5,302 2,922 81.45%
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 4,378,436 4,378,436 - 4,378,436 4,378,436 -
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 4,378,436 4,378,519 (83) 4,378,459 4,378,521 (62)
Basic net income per share$0.34$0.08$0.26 $1.21$0.67$0.54
Fully diluted net income per share$0.34$0.08$0.26 $1.21$0.67$0.54

Balance Sheet at period end:Dec 31,2018Dec 31,2017ChangeDec 31,2017Dec 31,2016Change
Loans, net$530,016$491,0227.94%$491,022$464,353 5.74%
Loans held for sale 1,670 2,626-36.41% 2,626 3,833 -31.49%
Total securities 56,427 61,025-7.53% 61,025 44,075 38.46%
Total deposits 612,043 567,4937.85% 567,493 523,112 8.48%
Stockholders' equity 55,143 51,6656.73% 51,665 49,421 4.54%
Total assets 674,897 626,3417.75% 626,341 574,195 9.08%
Shares outstanding 4,378,436 4,378,436- 4,378,436 4,378,436 -
Book value per share$12.59$11.800.79 $11.80$11.29$0.51

Daily averages:ThreemonthsendingDec 31,2018ThreemonthsendingDec 31,2017ChangeYeartodateDec 31,2018YeartodateDec 31,2017Change
Loans, net$525,960$493,9786.47%$515,200$480,1387.30%
Loans held for sale 3,262 3,575-8.76% 3,138 2,62819.41%
Total securities 59,647 59,719-0.12% 60,880 54,91310.87%
Total deposits 610,612 569,2437.27% 595,434 543,7839.50%
Stockholders' equity 56,077 52,7016.41% 54,461 51,7895.16%
Interest earning assets 632,245 589,9387.17% 618,812 563,5389.81%
Interest bearing liabilities 524,878 498,8585.22% 499,499 478,4594.40%
Total assets 673,113 628,0697.17% 656,938 601,8209.16%

Financial Ratios:ThreemonthsendingDec 31,2018ThreemonthsendingDec 31,2017ChangeYeartodateDec 31,2018YeartodateDec 31,2017Change
Return on average assets0.87%0.23%0.64 0.81%0.49%0.32
Return on average equity10.44%2.71%7.73 9.74%5.64%4.10
Net interest margin3.80%3.64%0.16 3.75%3.67%0.08
Efficiency ratio72.15%72.38%(0.23)74.14%74.99%(0.85)
Average equity to average assets8.33%8.39%(0.06)8.29%8.61%(0.32)

Allowance for loan losses:ThreemonthsendingDec 31,2018ThreemonthsendingDec 31,2017ChangeYeartodateDec 31,2018YeartodateDec 31,2017Change
Beginning balance$4,561$6,020-24.24%$4,752$5,716-16.86%
Provision for losses 189 248-23.79% 716 993-27.90%
Charge-offs (185) (1,543)-88.01% (1,064) (2,094)-49.19%
Recoveries 16 27-40.74% 177 13729.20%
Ending balance 4,581 4,752-3.60% 4,581 4,752-3.60%

Nonperforming assets:Dec 31,2018Dec 31,2017ChangeDec 31,2017Dec 31,2016Change
Total nonperforming loans$2,939$4,308-31.78%$4,308$2,55068.94%
Other real estate owned 2,431 2,650-8.26% 2,650 2,37011.81%
Total nonperforming assets 5,370 6,958-22.82% 6,958 4,92041.42%
Troubled debt restructurings - (performing portion) 424 440-3.64% 440 455-3.30%

Asset quality ratios:Dec 31,2018Dec 31,2017ChangeDec 31,2017Dec 31,2016Change
Nonperforming loans to total loans0.55%0.87%(0.32)0.87%0.54%0.33
Allowance for loan losses to total loans0.86%0.96%(0.10)0.96%1.22%(0.26)
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans155.87%110.31%45.56 110.31%224.16%(113.85)

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

Assets(unaudited)12/31/18 12/31/17
Cash and due from banks$26,725 $20,267
Federal funds sold 23,600 16,751
Total cash and cash equivalents 50,325 37,018
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $3,515 in 2018 and $5,619 in 2017) 3,700 5,713
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value 52,727 55,312
Restricted stock, at cost 1,462 1,505
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $4,581 in 2018 and $4,752 in 2017 530,016 491,022
Loans held for sale 1,670 2,626
Premises and equipment, net 13,233 11,890
Software, net 193 165
Interest receivable 1,742 1,713
Cash value - bank owned life insurance 13,359 13,018
Other real estate owned 2,431 2,650
Income taxes receivable 1,102 1,366
Deferred tax asset 1,755 1,418
Other assets 1,182 925
Total assets$674,897 $626,341
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Deposits
Noninterest bearing demand 91,356 74,102
NOW, money market and savings 331,298 307,987
Time 189,389 185,404
Total deposits 612,043 567,493
Capital notes 5,000 5,000
Interest payable 127 111
Other liabilities 2,584 2,072
Total liabilities$619,754 $574,676
Stockholders' equity
Common stock $2.14 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
4,378,436 as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 9,370 9,370
Additional paid-in-capital 31,495 31,495
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,243) (1,469)
Retained earnings 16,521 12,269
Total stockholders' equity$55,143 $51,665
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$674,897 $626,341

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

Interest IncomeFor the Three MonthsEnded December 31, For the YearEnded December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Loans$6,507 $5,745 $24,836 $22,081
Securities
US Government and agency obligations 189 185 760 550
Mortgage backed securities 60 85 256 299
Municipals 83 84 331 342
Dividends 34 31 74 73
Other (Corporates) 24 24 94 105
Interest bearing deposits 76 29 227 82
Federal Funds sold 138 52 393 133
Total interest income 7,111 6,235 26,971 23,665
Interest Expense
Deposits
NOW, money market savings 277 192 961 722
Time Deposits 650 501 2,291 1,788
FHLB borrowings - - 17 -
Reverse repurchase agreements - - - 13
Brokered time deposits 82 82 326 283
Capital notes 50 50 200 187
Total interest expense 1,059 825 3,795 2,993
Net interest income 6,052 5,410 23,176 20,672
Provision for loan losses 189 248 716 993
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 5,863 5,162 22,460 19,679
Noninterest income
Gains on sale of loans held for sale 658 771 2,918 2,434
Service charges, fees and commissions 495 485 1,871 1,759
Increase in cash value of life insurance 85 86 341 345
Other 50 34 105 76
Gain on sales of available-for-sale securities - - - 113
Total noninterest income 1,288 1,376 5,235 4,727

Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits 2,881 2,698 11,279 10,012
Occupancy 379 366 1,522 1,493
Equipment 409 375 1,600 1,521
Supplies 135 130 548 520
Professional, data processing, and other outside expense 813 683 3,226 2,795
Marketing 119 143 611 739
Credit expense 150 114 528 467
Other real estate expenses (9) 10 227 88
FDIC insurance expense 99 90 398 375
Other 320 303 1,125 1,036
Total noninterest expenses 5,296 4,912 21,064 19,046
Income before income taxes 1,855 1,626 6,631 5,360
Income tax expense 380 1,266 1,329 2,438
Net Income$1,475 $360 $5,302 $2,922
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 4,378,436 4,378,436 4,378,436 4,378,436
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 4,378,436 4,378,519 4,378,459 4,378,521
Net income per common share - basic$0.34 $0.08 $1.21 $0.67
Net income per common share - diluted$0.34 $0.08 $1.21 $0.67

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Source: Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc.

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