Skyline Bankshares, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Results

FLOYD, Va. and INDEPENDENCE, Va., Nov. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skyline Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company”) (OTC QX: SLBK) - the holding company for Skyline National Bank (the "Bank”) - announced its results of operations for the third quarter of 2024.  

As previously announced, the Company acquired Johnson County Bank ("JCB”) on September 1, 2024, with the Company as the surviving corporation. For accounting purposes, the Company is considered the acquiror and JCB is considered the acquiree in the transaction. As such, all information contained herein as of and for periods prior to September 1, 2024 reflects the operations of the Company prior to the merger.

The Company recorded net income of $1.1 million, or $0.19 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to net income of $1.8 million, or $0.33 per share, for the second quarter of 2024 and net income of $2.1 million, or $0.37 per share, for the same period in 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net income was $4.9 million, or $0.89 per share, compared to net income of $7.5 million, or $1.35 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Third quarter 2024 earnings represented an annualized return on average assets ("ROAA”) of 0.37% and an annualized return on average equity ("ROAE”) of 4.82%, compared to 0.81% and 10.66%, respectively, for the same period last year. Excluding merger related expenses of $1.1 million relating to the acquisition of Johnson County Bank, net income would have been $2.0 million, or $0.36 per share for the third quarter of 2024. This would represent an annualized ROAA and ROAE of 0.70% and 9.06%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2024.   Upon completion of our acquisition of Johnson County Bank, the Company also recorded a provision for credit losses of $813 thousand as required under the Current Expected Credit Losses Methodology in accordance with accounting guidelines.

President and CEO Blake Edwards stated, "The third quarter was marked by several positive achievements. Earnings were strong, especially when adjusted for direct merger-related costs and additional loan loss provisions.   During the quarter our loan growth excluding the JCB loans acquired was $32.5 million, which is an annualized rate of 15.57%. Our net interest income increased in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024, while our net interest margin increased to 3.78% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 3.72% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Net income also increased from the second to the third quarter when adjusted for nonrecurring, merger-related costs.”   

Edwards continued, "We successfully completed the acquisition of Johnson County Bank during the third quarter of 2024 and recently completed the core systems conversion with the goal of having full integration accomplished by year-end. This is an exciting chapter in the history of our bank, and we are excited to bring our commitment to excellence and dedication to the businesses and people of Johnson County, Tennessee. We look forward to creating a positive impact in Tennessee while continuing to offer an unmatched customer experience in our existing markets. I believe we remain well positioned for growth and success in the future and know that our employees will continue to deliver on our brand promise of being "Always our Best” for our customers each and every day.”

Highlights

• In connection with the acquisition of JCB, effective September 1, 2024, the Company acquired $154.1 million in assets at fair value, including $87.2 million in loans. The Company also assumed $133.8 million of liabilities at fair value, including $125.3 million of total deposits with a core deposit intangible asset recorded of $3.4 million, and goodwill of $4.6 million
• Net income was $1.1 million, or $0.19 per share, in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $2.1 million, or $0.37 per share, in the third quarter of 2023.
• Net interest margin ("NIM”) was 3.78% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 3.72% in the second quarter of 2024, and 3.66% in the third quarter of 2023.
• Total assets increased $160.7 million, or 15.36%, to $1.21 billion at September 30, 2024 from $1.05 billion at December 31, 2023.
• Net loans were $945.3 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $134.3 million, or 16.57%, when compared to $811.0 million at December 31, 2023. Excluding the $87.2 million in loans acquired as part of the JCB merger, loans increased by $48.1 million, or 5.90%, for the first nine months of 2024.
• Total deposits were $1.09 billion at September 30, 2024, an increase of $157.2 million, or 16.92%, from $928.7 million at December 31, 2023. Excluding the $125.3 million of total deposits acquired as part of the JCB merger, total deposits increased by $31.8 million, or 3.43%, for the first nine months of 2024.
• During the quarter, the Company incurred $1.1 million in merger related expenses related to the acquisition of JCB. Excluding these merger related expenses, net income would have been $2.0 million, or $0.36 per share for the third quarter of 2024.
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Net interest income after provision for credit losses in the third quarter of 2024 was $9.2 million compared to $8.5 million in the third quarter of 2023. Total interest income was $13.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, representing an increase of $2.7 million, or 24.89%, in comparison to the third quarter of 2023. Interest income on loans increased in the quarterly comparison by $2.6 million, primarily due to organic loan growth of $87.7 million from September 30, 2023 to September 30, 2024, as well as interest rate increases during the same time period. Management anticipates that this loan growth, in addition to higher rates in the current year, will continue to have a positive impact on both earning assets and loan yields. Interest expense on deposits increased by $1.5 million in the quarterly comparison as a result of rate increases on deposit offerings, especially on time deposits due to deposit competition and a migration from lower cost deposits to time deposits. Management anticipates that interest expense on deposits will increase in the near term as competitive pressures for deposits may result in continued increases in rates on deposit offerings, especially on time deposits. Interest on borrowings increased by $24 thousand, primarily due to short-term FHLB advances to fund loan growth.

For the first nine months of 2024, net interest income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses was $27.0 million compared to $26.7 million for the first nine months of 2023. Interest income increased by $6.5 million, primarily due to an increase of $6.4 million in interest income on loans. Interest expense on deposits increased by $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period last year. As previously discussed, this is a reflection of the increased competitive pressures for deposits. Interest on borrowings increased by $387 thousand in the nine-month comparison, due to short-term borrowings to help fund loan growth.

Third quarter 2024 and 2023 noninterest income was comparable at $1.9 million for both quarters. Included in noninterest income for the third quarter of 2023 was $69 thousand related to life insurance income, and a gain of $197 thousand on the sale leaseback of a branch location was recorded in other income for the third quarter of 2023. Excluding these items, noninterest income increased by $200 thousand for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023, primarily as a result of an increase in service charges and fees of $80 thousand and an increase of $71 thousand in mortgage origination fees as mortgage origination volume increased compared to the year ago period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, noninterest income was comparable at $5.2 million for both periods. Included in noninterest income for the first nine months of 2024 was $221 thousand from life insurance contracts and a net realized security loss of $141 thousand. The net security loss resulted from the recognition of unamortized premiums on a called bond. Included in noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was income of $129 thousand related to loan hedge fees from a correspondent bank that was recorded in other income, the $197 thousand gain on the sale leaseback discussed above, $69 thousand from life insurance contracts and security losses of $16 thousand. Excluding these items noninterest income increased by $308 thousand for the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023, primarily as a result on an increase in service charges and fees of $239 thousand and an increase of $20 thousand in mortgage origination fees.  

Noninterest expense in the third quarter of 2024 was $9.6 million compared with $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2023, an increase of $1.7 million, or 21.80%. There was an increase in salary and benefit costs of $170 thousand due to personnel additions and routine salary adjustments, as well as increased benefit costs. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $24 thousand and data processing increased by $138 thousand in the quarterly comparisons primarily due to branch expansion costs. Also included in noninterest expense in the third quarter of 2024 was $1.1 million in merger related expenses related to the acquisition of Johnson County Bank.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, total noninterest expenses increased by $3.4 million compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to employee costs and branch costs associated with branch expansion discussed above. Salary and benefit cost increased by $577 thousand. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased by $470 thousand, and data processing increased by $458 thousand from the first nine months of 2023 to 2024. Merger related expenses related to the acquisition of Johnson County Bank were $1.5 million for the first nine months of 2024.

Net income before taxes decreased by $1.1 million in the quarterly comparison causing a decrease in income tax expense of $134 thousand. In the nine-month comparison, net income before taxes decreased by $3.1 million, resulting in a decrease in income tax expense of $459 thousand.

Balance Sheet Review

As a result of the JCB merger total assets increased in the third quarter of 2024 by $142.1 million, or 13.35%, to $1.21 billion at September 30, 2024 from $1.06 billion at June 30, 2024, and increased by $160.7 million, or 15.36%, from $1.05 billion at December 31, 2023. Total assets increased by $189.4 million, or 18.62%, when compared to $1.02 billion at September 30, 2023.  

Total loans increased during the third quarter by $119.5 million, or 14.34%, to $953.1 million at September 30, 2024 from $833.6 million at June 30, 2024, and increased by $135.4 million, or 16.56%, compared to $817.7 million at December 31, 2023. Total loans increased by $155.3 million, or 19.47%, when compared to $797.8 million at September 30, 2023.   Excluding the $87.2 million in loans acquired as part of the JCB merger, core loan growth was $32.5 million during the third quarter of 2024, which is an annualized rate of 15.57%.  

Asset quality has remained strong, with a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.18% at September 30, 2024 compared to 0.21% at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses remained comparable at approximately 0.82% of total loans as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Investment securities increased by $3.2 million during the third quarter to $123.9 million at September 30, 2024 from $120.7 million at June 30, 2024, and decreased by $3.5 million from $127.4 million at December 31, 2023. Investment securities increased by $2.1 million, when compared to $121.8 million at September 30, 2023. The increase in the second quarter of 2024 was the result of $2.1 million in paydowns, and an decrease in unrealized losses of $5.4 million as a result of the decrease in interest rates during the quarter.

Total deposits increased in the third quarter of 2024 by $137.8 million, or 14.53%, to $1.09 billion at September 30, 2024 from $948.1 million at June 30, 2024, and increased $157.2 million, or 16.92%, compared to $928.7 million at December 31, 2023. When compared to $908.1 million at September 30, 2023, total deposits increased by $177.8 million, or 19.58%.  

Excluding the $125.3 million of total deposits acquired as part of the JCB merger, total deposits increased by $12.5 million, or 1.32%, during the quarter. Excluding the deposits acquired in the JCB merger, noninterest bearing deposits increased by $10.7 million and interest-bearing deposits increased by $1.8 million during the quarter. Excluding the deposits acquired in the JCB merger, lower cost interest bearing deposits decreased by $5.9 million during the quarter, and time deposits increased by $7.7 million, as customers continue to look for higher returns on their deposits.

Total stockholders' equity increased by $4.1 million, or 4.87% to $88.6 million at September 30, 2024, from $84.5 million three months earlier, and increased $5.7 million, or 6.93%, from $82.9 million at December 31, 2023. Total stockholders' equity increased by $14.0 million, or 18.74%, when compared to $74.6 million at September 30, 2023. The change during the quarter was due to earnings of $1.1 million, $4.3 million in other comprehensive gains, and dividends paid of $1.3 million during the quarter.  

Forward-looking statements

This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 as amended. These include statements as to expectations regarding future financial performance and any other statements regarding future results or expectations. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," or "project" or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results, or the actual effect of future plans or strategies, is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to: changes in interest rates; general economic and financial market conditions; the effect of changes in banking, tax and other laws and regulations and interpretations or guidance thereunder; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality and composition of the loan and securities portfolios; demand for loan products; deposit flows; competition; demand for financial services in the Company's market area; the implementation of new technologies; the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; accounting principles, policies, and guidelines; disruptions to customer and employee relationships and business operations caused by the Johnson County Bank acquisition; the ability to implement integration plans associated with the acquisition, which integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the ability to achieve the cost savings and synergies contemplated by the acquisition within the expected timeframe, or at all; and other factors identified in Item 1A, "Risk Factors,” in the Company's Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and, the Company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We undertake no obligation to update or clarify these forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information contact:

Blake Edwards, President & CEO - 276-773-2811

Lori Vaught, EVP & CFO - 276-773-2811

(See Attached Financial Statements for quarter ending September 30, 2024)