Elmira Savings Bank Reports 2020 Earnings

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Elmira Savings Bank (NASDAQ:ESBK)HighlightsNet income was $1,284,000 and $4,159,000 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to $940,000 and $3,486,000 for the same periods in 2019.Diluted earnings per share were $.37 per share and $1.19 per share for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to $.27 per share and $1.00 per share for the same periods in 2019.  Return on average assets was .78% and .64% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to .61% and .57% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019.Return on average equity was 8.40% and 6.94% for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to 6.33% and 5.93% for the same periods in 2019.
“We are pleased to report an increase in earnings year-to-year, while at the same time having increased our loan loss reserves largely in response to the economic uncertainty resulting from the ongoing pandemic,” said Thomas M Carr, President and CEO.  Carr continued, “We continue to be concerned about the economic impact in our region from the pandemic, but we are dedicated to continuing to provide the financial services needed in the communities we serve, balancing those efforts with prudent safety measures to minimize potential COVID health risks to our customers and staff.”Net IncomeNet income totaled $4,159,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $673,000 or 19% from the $3,486,000 of net income recorded for the same period in 2019. This increase was the net result of an increase in noninterest income of $2,486,000 and an increase in net interest income of $152,000, offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses of $706,000, an increase in noninterest expense of $855,000, and an increase in tax expense of $404,000.Net income totaled $1,284,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $344,000 or 37% from the $940,000 recorded for the same period in 2019. This increase was the net result of an increase in noninterest income of $1,148,000 and an increase in net interest income of $151,000, offset by an increase in noninterest expense of $599,000, an increase in the provision for loan losses of $175,000, and an increase in tax expense of $181,000.The increase in noninterest income for both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 is primarily due to increases in the gain on sale of loans, reflecting higher levels of residential mortgages originated for sale to the secondary markets compared to the same periods in 2019. The increase in noninterest expense for both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 reflects higher levels of salaries and benefits and other expense. The higher levels of salaries and benefits and other expense for both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 are in part related to higher levels of residential mortgage originations in 2020. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 the increase in other expense also includes the impact of a one-time FDIC small bank assessment credit of $143,000 recognized in 2019.For both the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the increases in the provision for loan losses reflect management’s consideration of the uncertainty of ongoing economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic slowdown.Basic and diluted earnings per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were both $1.19 per share compared to $1.00 per share for both for the same period in 2019. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2020 were both $.37 per share compared to $.27 per share for both for the same period in 2019.Net Interest MarginThe net interest margin for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was 3.06% compared to 3.04% for the same period in 2019. The yield on average earning assets was 4.13% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to 4.31% for the same period in 2019. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 1.23% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to 1.48% for the same period in 2019.The net interest margin for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was 3.24% compared to 3.01% for the same period in 2019. The average yield on earning assets was 4.13% for the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to 4.30% for the same period in 2019. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.97% for the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to 1.54% for the same period in 2019.AssetsTotal assets increased $37.8 million or 6.2% to $644.6 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $606.8 million at December 31, 2019. Loans, including loans held for sale, decreased 6% to $489.2 million at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. The available-for-sale investment portfolio decreased $5.7 million from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Total cash and cash equivalents were $89.2 million at December 31, 2020, an increase of $77.2 million from December 31, 2019 when cash totaled $12.0 million. The $77.2 million increase in cash resulted primarily from a $31.0 million decrease in loans, including loans held for sale, and an increase of $34.8 million in deposits.Nonperforming LoansThe nonperforming loans to total loans ratio was 1.07% at December 31, 2020 and 0.82% at December 31, 2019. Net loan charge-offs to average loans for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was 0.05% and was 0.11% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The allowance for loan losses was 1.19% of total loans at December 31, 2020 and 0.88% of total loans at December 31, 2019.LiabilitiesDeposits totaled $547.0 million at December 31, 2020, an increase of $34.8 million or 6.8% from the December 31, 2019 total of $512.2 million. The $34.8 million increase in deposits consists of a $27.4 million increase in noninterest bearing accounts, a $12.2 million increase in savings accounts, a $12.2 million increase in interest bearing transaction accounts, and an $11.2 million increase in money market accounts, partially offset by a $28.2 million decrease in time deposits. Borrowed funds totaled $29.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.Shareholders’ EquityShareholders’ equity increased $2,150,000 to $60.8 million at December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. The current level of shareholders’ equity equates to a book value per share of $17.23 at December 31, 2020, compared to $16.67 at December 31, 2019. Dividends paid for common shareholders were $0.15 and $0.68 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and $0.23 and $0.92 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019.Elmira Savings Bank, with $644.6 million in total assets, is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and is a state-chartered bank with five offices in Chemung County, NY; three offices in Tompkins County, NY; two offices in Steuben County, NY; one office in Cayuga County, NY; one office in Schuyler County; and a loan center in Broome County, NY.Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are forward looking statements that involve the risks and uncertainties, including the timely availability and acceptance of Bank products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the management of growth, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Bank’s regulatory reports.


For further information contact:
Thomas M. Carr, President & CEO
Elmira Savings Bank
333 East Water Street
Elmira, New York 14901
(607) 735-8660
tcarr@elmirasavingsbank.com