Elmira Savings Bank Reports Third Quarter Earnings

ELMIRA, N.Y., Oct. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Elmira Savings Bank (NASDAQ:ESBK)HighlightsNet income was $948,000 and $2,875,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $901,000 and $2,546,000 for the same periods in 2019.Diluted earnings per share were $.27 per share and $.82 per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $.26 per share and $.73 per share for the same periods in 2019.Return on average assets was .55% and .60% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to .58% and .56% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.Return on average equity was 6.27% and 6.44% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 6.08% and 5.80% for the same periods in 2019.
“We continue to be concerned about the economic impact the pandemic is having in our region,” said Thomas M Carr, President and CEO.  Carr continued, “We are focused on 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 $2,875,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $329,000 or 13% from the $2,546,000 of net income recorded for the same period in 2019. This increase was the net result of an increase in noninterest income of $1,603,000 and an increase in net interest income of $1,000, offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses of $531,000, an increase in noninterest expense of $521,000, and an increase in tax expense of $223,000.Net income totaled $948,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $47,000 or 5% from the $901,000 recorded for the same period in 2019. This increase was the net result of an increase in noninterest income of $817,000, offset by a decrease in net interest income of $220,000, an increase in noninterest expense of $305,000, an increase in the provision for loan losses of $200,000, and an increase in tax expense of $45,000.The increase in noninterest income for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2020 reflects higher levels of other expense. The higher levels of other expense for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are in part related to higher levels of residential mortgage originations in 2020 and also includes the impact of a one-time FDIC small bank assessment credit of $143,000 recognized during the third quarter of 2019.For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2020 were both $.82 per share compared to $.73 per share for both for the same period in 2019. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were both $.27 per share compared to $.26 per share for both for the same period in 2019.Net Interest MarginThe net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 2.98% compared to 3.05% for the same period in 2019. The yield on average earning assets was 4.13% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 4.31% for the same period in 2019. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 1.32% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 1.46% for the same period in 2019.The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was 2.81% compared to 2.97% for the same period in 2019. The average yield on earning assets was 3.91% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 4.31% for the same period in 2019. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 1.20% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 1.55% for the same period in 2019.AssetsTotal assets increased $67.2 million or 11.1% to $674.0 million at September 30, 2020 compared to $606.8 million at December 31, 2019. Loans, including loans held for sale, increased 0.1% to $520.9 million at September 30, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. The available-for-sale investment portfolio decreased $5.3 million from December 31, 2019 to September 30, 2020. Total cash and cash equivalents were $85.4 million at September 30, 2020, an increase of $73.4 million from December 31, 2019 when cash totaled $12.0 million.Nonperforming LoansThe nonperforming loans to total loans ratio was 1.03% at September 30, 2020 and 0.82% at December 31, 2019. Net loan charge-offs to average loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 0.06% and was 0.10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The allowance for loan losses was 1.06% of total loans at September 30, 2020 and 0.88% of total loans at December 31, 2019.LiabilitiesDeposits totaled $551.3 million at September 30, 2020, an increase of $39.1 million or 7.6% from the December 31, 2019 total of $512.2 million. Borrowed funds totaled $54.9 million as of September 30, 2020, an increase of $25.9 million from December 31, 2019 when borrowed funds totaled $29.0 million.Shareholders’ EquityShareholders’ equity increased $1,349,000 to $60.0 million at September 30, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. The current level of shareholders’ equity equates to a book value per share of $17.01 at September 30, 2020, compared to $16.67 at December 31, 2019. Dividends paid for common shareholders were $0.15 and $0.53 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $0.23 and $0.69 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.Elmira Savings Bank, with $674.0 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