Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Announces Record Profitability Including Diluted EPS of $0.52

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Oct. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) — Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”) announced its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2021.

“Organic commercial and consumer loan growth, the extension of Horizon’s Michigan franchise with our branch acquisition completed last month, record net interest income, Horizon’s low–cost deposit franchise, and our efficient operations all contributed to significant growth in pre–tax, pre–provision net income and bottom–line earnings,” Chairman and CEO Craig M. Dwight said. “We continue to conservatively manage our balance sheet while generating meaningful returns on excess liquidity, and we remain well positioned for more significant loan growth in our attractive and business–friendly Midwestern markets, which are seeing significant economic activity and favorable trends in a still–recovering economy.”

Third Quarter 2021 Highlights

• On September 17, 2021, completed previously announced acquisition of 14 branches in 11 Michigan counties, approximately $206.8 million in loans and $846.4 million in deposits, in a transaction designed to further extend Horizon’s retail franchise and further enhance its low–cost core deposit and funding capability to support lending in its Midwestern growth markets.
  
  
• Net income grew to a record $23.1 million, up 4.0% from the linked quarter and 13.6% from the year–ago period. Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.52 was up from $0.50 for the second quarter of 2021 and $0.46 for the third quarter of 2020.
  
  
• Pre–tax, pre–provision net income grew to a record $28.2 million, up 15.5% from the linked quarter and 5.8% from the year–ago period. This non–GAAP financial measure is utilized by banks to provide a greater understanding of pre–tax profitability before giving effect to credit loss expense. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Pre–Tax, Pre–Provision Income” table below.)
  
  
• Non–interest expense was $34.3 million in the quarter, or 2.09% of average assets on an annualized basis, compared to $33.4 million, or 2.18%, in the second quarter of 2021 and $33.4 million, or 2.30%, in the third quarter of 2020. Acquisition–related expenses totaled approximately $799,000 in the third quarter of 2021 and $242,000 in the linked quarter.
  
  
• The efficiency ratio for the period was 54.88% compared to 57.73% for the second quarter of 2021 and 55.59% for the third quarter of 2020. The adjusted efficiency ratio was 56.16% compared to 57.45% for the second quarter of 2021 and 56.64% for the third quarter of 2020. (See the “Non-GAAP Calculation and Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio and Adjusted Efficiency Ratio” table below.)
  

• A previously disclosed consolidation of 10 retail locations was completed on August 27 as part of Horizon’s rigorous annual branch performance review process, with employees reassigned to support other staffing needs and growth initiatives. Operating cost saves are largely expected to be redeployed into continued digital banking and technology investments.
  
  
• Net interest income grew to a record $46.5 million for the quarter, up 9.2% from the second quarter of 2021 and 7.3% from the third quarter of 2020. Reported net interest margin (“NIM”) was 3.17% and adjusted NIM was 3.12%, with reported NIM increasing by three basis points and adjusted NIM decreasing by one basis point from the second quarter of 2021. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Net Interest Margin” table for the definition of this non–GAAP calculation of adjusted NIM.) Approximately 16 basis points of the NIM and adjusted NIM is attributed to Federal Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) lending, offset by an estimated 16 basis point compression attributed to excess liquidity during the quarter. During the third quarter, Horizon increased the average balance of its investment portfolio by $471.8 million to leverage capital and focus on increasing net interest income.
  
  
• Total non–interest income was $16.0 million, including the recovery of $876,000 from an acquired charged–off loan, as well as a $2.4 million gain from the sale of the Company’s ESOP trustee accounts at the end of the quarter. The sale of these accounts is not expected to have any significant impact to the bottom line due to the related costs saves the Company will incur as it exited these account relationships. Non–interest income was $15.2 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $16.7 million, including a $1.1 million securities sale gain, in the third quarter of 2020.
  
  
• Horizon’s in–market consumer and commercial deposit relationships, including those on–boarded as part of its branch acquisition during the quarter, combined with strategic pricing moves to manage deposit growth and runoff of higher–priced time deposits, contributed to continued improvement in the cost of interest bearing liabilities, which declined to 0.38% in the quarter, compared to 0.45% in the second quarter of 2021 and 0.67% in the third quarter of 2020.
  
  
• Horizon recorded a quarterly provision expense of $1.1 million, reflecting a $2.0 million allocation for loans acquired in the Michigan branch acquisition, as well as, solid asset quality metrics at period end.
  
  
• Commercial loans, excluding PPP lending, grew by 2.3% organically and by 7.5% overall during the quarter to $2.1 billion at period end. Total loans, excluding PPP lending, grew organically 0.3% and 6.4% overall to $3.57 billion.
  
  
• Horizon’s book value per share increased to an all–time high of $16.28 while tangible book value per share decreased to $12.05. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Tangible Stockholders’ Equity and Tangible Book Value per Share” table below.) The decrease in tangible book value was a result of the repurchase of shares for approximately $7.6 million and $12.4 million of goodwill and intangible assets recorded during the third quarter.
  
  
• Horizon announced an increase to cash dividends to be paid on October 22, 2021 of 15.4% to $0.15 per share. As of September 30, 2021, in excess of $120.9 million in cash was maintained at the holding company, providing considerable future optionality to build shareholder value. This is Horizon’s second dividend increase in 2021.
  
  
• During the quarter, the Company repurchased 430,026 shares at an average cost of $17.74 per share for a total cost of $7.6 million. This resulted in a reduction in tangible book value of approximately $0.18 per share and an increase in EPS of $0.01 per share for the third quarter.
  
  

Summary

“Further improvement in our already low deposit and overall funding costs, coupled with higher average loan yields in the quarter, began to offset pressure from lower yielding investment securities, as evidenced in net interest margin expansion in the third quarter,” Mr. Dwight commented.

“The modest increase in non–performing, substandard and delinquent loans during the third quarter is fully attributed to the portfolio acquired as part of our September branch acquisition as total non–performing loans, excluding acquired loans, decreased $206,000 from June 30, 2021,” Mr. Dwight said. “In addition, we see opportunities to make significant progress on workouts on the acquired loan portfolio, by applying Horizon’s hands–on, personalized and attentive credit–management approach of working with these new borrowers and sponsors,” Mr. Dwight added.

Income Statement Highlights

Net income for the third quarter of 2021 was $23.1 million, or $0.52 diluted earnings per share, compared to $22.2 million, or $0.50, for the linked quarter and $20.3 million, or $0.46, for the prior year period. This represents the highest quarterly net income in the Company’s history.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2021 was $23.0 million, or $0.52 diluted earnings per share, compared to $22.2 million, or $0.50, for the linked quarter and $19.4 million, or $0.45, for the prior year period. Adjusted net income, which is not calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), is a measure that Horizon uses to provide a greater understanding of operating profitability.

The increase in net income for the third quarter of 2021 when compared to the second quarter of 2021 reflects an increase in net interest income of $3.9 million and an increase in non–interest income of $837,000, offset by an increase in credit loss expense of $2.6 million, an increase non–interest expense of $961,000 and an increase in income tax expense of $286,000.

Interest income includes the recognition of PPP interest and net loan processing fees totaling $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $2.7 million in the linked quarter. On September 30, 2021, the Company had $2.5 million in net deferred PPP loan processing fees outstanding and $92.3 million in PPP loans outstanding. PPP net deferred fees and loans outstanding at June 30, 2021 were $5.7 million and $169.4 million, respectively. The processing fees are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan, or accelerated at forgiveness.

Third quarter 2021 income from the gain on sale of mortgage loans totaled $4.1 million, down from $5.6 million in the linked quarter and down from $8.8 million in the prior year period.

Non–interest expense of $34.3 million in the third quarter of 2021 reflected a $1.2 million increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, an increase of $377,000 in other expense, an increase of $138,000 in data processing, an increase of $110,000 in outside services and consulting, and an increase of $63,000 in other losses, offset by a decrease in loan expense of $462,000, a decrease in FDIC deposit insurance expense of $221,000, a decrease in net occupancy expenses of $149,000 and a decrease in professional fees of $66,000, from the linked quarter. Acquisition related expenses in the third quarter of 2021 increased $557,000 from the linked quarter.

The increase in net income for the third quarter of 2021 when compared to the same prior year period reflects an increase in net interest income of $3.1 million, a decrease in credit loss expense of $940,000 and a decrease in income tax expense of $270,000, offset by an increase in non–interest expense of $942,000 and a decrease in non–interest income of $656,000.

Net income for the first nine months of 2021 was $65.7 million, or $1.49 diluted earnings per share, compared to $46.6 million, or $1.06 diluted earnings per share, for the first nine months of 2020. Adjusted net income for the first nine months of 2021 was $64.9 million, or $1.46 diluted earnings per share, compared to $45.0 million, or $1.02 diluted earnings per share, for the first nine months of 2020. The increase in net income for the first nine months of 2021 when compared to the same prior year period reflects a decrease in credit loss expense of $17.7 million, an increase in non–interest income of $5.2 million and an increase in net interest income of $4.4 million, offset by an increase in non–interest expense of $4.9 million and an increase in income tax expense of $3.4 million.

Horizon’s net interest margin increased to 3.17% for the third quarter of 2021 compared to 3.14% for the second quarter of 2021. The increase in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of seven basis points, offset by a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets of two basis points. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $645,000 higher during the third quarter of 2021 when compared to the second quarter of 2021.

Horizon’s net interest margin decreased to 3.17% for the third quarter of 2021 compared to 3.39% for the third quarter of 2020. The decrease in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets of 44 basis points offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of 29 basis points.

Horizon’s net interest margin decreased to 3.20% for the first nine months of 2021 compared to 3.48% for the same prior year period. The decrease in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets of 60 basis points offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of 40 basis points.

The net interest margin was impacted during the third and second quarters of 2021 by PPP loans that were originated. Horizon estimates that the PPP loans increased the net interest margin by 16 and seven basis points for the third and second quarters of 2021, respectively. This assumes these PPP loans were not included in average interest earning assets or interest income and were primarily funded by the growth in non–interest bearing deposits.

The net interest margin was also impacted during the third and second quarters of 2021 by excess liquidity carried on the balance sheet through increased deposits. Horizon estimates that the excess liquidity compressed the net interest margin by 16 and 21 basis points for the third and second quarters of 2021, respectively. This assumes that the excess liquidity was not included in average interest earning assets or interest income and was excluded from non–interest bearing deposits.
  

Net interest margin, excluding acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments (“adjusted net interest margin”), was 3.12% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to 3.13% for the linked quarter and 3.27% for the third quarter of 2020. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $875,000, $230,000 and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

The adjusted net interest margin was 3.14% for the first nine months of 2021 compared to 3.36% for the same prior year period. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $2.7 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Lending Activity

Total loan balances were $3.66 billion, or $3.57 billion excluding PPP loans, on September 30, 2021. Total loans were $3.53 billion, or $3.36 billion excluding PPP loans, on June 30, 2021. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, consumer loans, excluding acquired loans, increased $11.1 million and commercial loans, excluding PPP loans and acquired loans, increased $45.3 million, offset by decreases in PPP loans of $77.2 million, mortgage warehouse loans of $35.4 million, residential mortgage loans, excluding acquired loans, of $10.1 million and loans held for sale of $2.4 million.

Residential mortgage lending activity for the three months ended September 30, 2021 generated $4.1 million in income from the gain on sale of mortgage loans, decreasing $1.5 million from the second quarter of 2021 and $4.7 million from the third quarter of 2020. Total origination volume for the third quarter of 2021, including loans placed into the portfolio, totaled $144.3 million, representing a decrease of 16.6% from second quarter 2021 levels, and a decrease of 30.3% from the third quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total originations, 39% of the volume was from refinances and 61% was from new purchases during the third quarter of 2021. Total origination volume of loans sold to the secondary market totaled $103.1 million, representing a decrease of 8.9% from the second quarter of 2021 and a decrease of 38.0% from the third quarter of 2020.

Revenue derived from Horizon's residential mortgage and mortgage warehouse lending activities was 9% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 12% for the linked quarter and 18% for the three months ended September 30, 2020.

Deposit Activity

Total deposit balances were $5.98 billion on September 30, 2021 compared to $4.78 billion on June 30, 2021, an increase of $1.20 billion. Excluding acquired deposits, total deposits increased $351.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021.

Expense Management

Total non–interest expense was $961,000 higher in the third quarter of 2021 when compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase in expenses was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $1.2 million due to the addition of revenue producing lenders and increasing the incentive bonus accrual. Excluding acquisition expenses, total non–interest expense increased by $404,000 in the third quarter of 2021 when compared to the second quarter of 2021.

Total non–interest expense was $942,000 higher in the third quarter of 2021 when compared to the third quarter of 2020. Excluding acquisition expenses, total non–interest expense increased by $143,000 in the third quarter when compared to the same prior year period.

Total non–interest expense was $4.9 million higher for the first nine months of 2021 when compared to the same prior year period. Increases in salaries and employee benefits, loan expenses and FDIC insurance expense were offset in part by a decrease in other expense. Excluding acquisition expenses, total non–interest expense increased $3.9 million for the first nine months of 2021 when compared to the same prior year period.
  
Annualized non–interest expense as a percent of average assets was 2.09%, 2.18% and 2.30% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. Annualized non–interest expense, excluding acquisition expenses, as a percent of average assets was 2.05%, 2.16% and 2.30% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

Annualized non–interest expense as a percent of average assets was 2.16% and 2.29% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Annualized non–interest expense, excluding acquisition expenses, as a percentage of average assets was 2.13% and 2.29% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Income tax expense totaled $4.1 million for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $320,000 when compared to the second quarter of 2021 and an increase of $1.8 million when compared to the third quarter of 2020. The increase in income tax expense in the third quarter of 2021 compared to both periods was primarily due to increases in income before tax expense.

Income tax expense totaled $11.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $3.4 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to an increase in income before taxes of $22.4 million.

Capital

The capital resources of the Company and the Company’s wholly–owned subsidiary bank, Horizon Bank (the “Bank”) exceeded regulatory capital ratios for “well capitalized” banks at September 30, 2021. Stockholders’ equity totaled $708.5 million at September 30, 2021 and the ratio of average stockholders’ equity to average assets was 11.45% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

The following table presents the actual regulatory capital dollar amounts and ratios of the Company and the Bank as of September 30, 2021.

Liquidity

The Bank maintains a stable base of core deposits provided by long–standing relationships with individuals and local businesses. These deposits are the principal source of liquidity for Horizon. Other sources of liquidity for Horizon include earnings, loan repayment, investment security sales and maturities, proceeds from the sale of residential mortgage loans, unpledged investment securities and borrowing relationships with correspondent banks, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (the “FHLB”). At September 30, 2021, in addition to liquidity available from the normal operating, funding, and investing activities of Horizon, the Bank had approximately $651.7 million in unused credit lines with various money center banks, including the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Discount Window. The Bank had approximately $1.7 billion of unpledged investment securities at September 30, 2021.

Branch Network and Customer Experience

Horizon continues to implement its disciplined approach to enhancing the efficiency of its branch network on an ongoing basis, while leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience. Following management's annual review of branch performance for potential closure and a third–party consulting firm’s review of the Bank's physical branch network and strategy, Horizon’s Board of Directors approved the permanent closure on August 27, 2021 of nine branch locations in Indiana and one office in Michigan. At the same time, the Bank continues to invest in its Midwest footprint. On September 17, 2021, Horizon Bank closed on the purchase of 14 TCF National Bank branches.

Use of Non–GAAP Financial Measures

Certain information set forth in this press release refers to financial measures determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, we have included non–GAAP financial measures relating to net income, diluted earnings per share, net interest margin, total loans and loan growth, the allowance for credit losses, tangible stockholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio, the return on average assets, the return on average equity and pre–tax, pre–provision income. In each case, we have identified special circumstances that we consider to be non–recurring and have excluded them. We believe that this shows the impact of such events as acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments, among others we have identified in our reconciliations. Horizon believes these non–GAAP financial measures are helpful to investors and provide a greater understanding of our business and financial results without giving effect to the purchase accounting impacts and one–time costs of acquisitions and non–recurring items. These measures are not necessarily comparable to similar measures that may be presented by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure. See the tables and other information below and contained elsewhere in this press release for reconciliations of the non–GAAP information identified herein and its most comparable GAAP measures.

Earnings Conference Call

As previously announced, Horizon will host a conference call to review its third quarter financial results and operating performance.

Participants may access the live conference call on October 28, 2021 at 7:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. ET) by dialing 866–235–9917 from the United States, 855–669–9657 from Canada or 412–902–4103 from international locations and requesting the “Horizon Bancorp Call.” Participants are asked to dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the call.

A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after the end of the conference through November 4, 2021. The replay may be accessed by dialing 877–344–7529 from the United States, 855–669–9658 from Canada or 412–317–0088 from other international locations, and entering the access code 10160473.

Investor Day

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. will hold a Virtual Investor Day on Thursday, December 2, 2021, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT (12 to 2 p.m. ET). Horizon’s senior management team will discuss the company’s disciplined operating culture, its retail digital experience and franchise, including its recent Michigan branch acquisition, and how it intends to capitalize on commercial and consumer growth opportunities in 2022 and beyond. Additional information, including details on how to register and access the live event and replay, will be made available through a news release to be issued in November.

About Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) is the $7.5 billion–asset bank holding company for Horizon Bank, which serves customers across diverse and economically attractive Midwestern markets through convenient digital and virtual tools, as well as its Indiana and Michigan branches. Horizon's retail offerings include prime residential, indirect auto, and other secured consumer lending to in–market customers, as well as a range of personal banking and wealth management solutions. Horizon also provides a comprehensive array of in–market business banking and treasury management services, with commercial lending representing over half of total loans. More information on Horizon, headquartered in Northwest Indiana's Michigan City, is available at horizonbank.com and investor.horizonbank.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward–looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies of Horizon Bancorp, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “Horizon”). For these statements, Horizon claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward–looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Horizon, including the information in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward–looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward–looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward–looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include risk factors relating to the banking industry and the other factors detailed from time to time in Horizon’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in Horizon’s Annual Report on Form 10–K and its quarterly reports on Form 10–Q. Further, statements about the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on our business, operations, financial performance, and prospects may constitute forward–looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impacts may differ, possibly materially, from what is reflected in those forward–looking statements due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable, and in many cases beyond our control, including the scope and duration of the pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic, and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on our customers, third parties, and us. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward–looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Horizon does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to update any forward–looking statement to reflect the events or circumstances after the date on which the forward–looking statement is made, or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.