Bay Street News

Bank of the James Announces Fourth Quarter, Full Year of 2023 Financial Results and Declaration of Increased Dividend

LYNCHBURG, Va., Feb. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:BOTJ), the parent company of Bank of the James (the “Bank”), a full-service commercial and retail bank, and Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc. (“PWW”), an SEC-registered investment advisor, today announced unaudited results of operations for the three and 12 month periods ended December 31, 2023. The Bank serves Region 2000 (the greater Lynchburg MSA) and the Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Roanoke, and Wytheville, Virginia markets.

Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was $2.06 million or $0.45 per basic and diluted share compared with $1.96 million or $0.42 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2022. Net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2023 was $8.70 million or $1.91 per basic and diluted share compared with $8.96 million or $1.91 per basic and diluted share for the 12 months ended December 31, 2022.

Robert R. Chapman III, CEO, commented: “Our Company’s proactive response to the numerous economic and market changes that occurred throughout 2023 contributed to strong earnings and positive financial and operating results. Operational efficiency, diligent expense management and a focus on asset quality ensured a financial performance that drove value for shareholders and assured product and service excellence for customers.

“Higher interest rates caused fundamental and rapid changes in the banking landscape. Slowing loan demand, rising interest expense, and market and regulatory concerns about banks’ liquidity created challenges that were quickly and effectively addressed by the Company and our experienced team of banking professionals.

“Our longstanding emphasis on security, liquidity, capital strength, asset quality and superior customer service, which makes for strong relationships, proved critical in 2023. By maintaining exceptional asset quality, we maximized the value of revenues generated. We required minimal provisioning for credit losses, experienced nominal loan charge-offs, and maintained low levels of non-performing and watch-list loans. We concluded 2023 with no foreclosed real estate (other real estate owned or “OREO”) on our books. This speaks to the financial health and strength of our customers, and to our credit management practices.

“Customers benefitted from the skilled service provided by our banking team and the wide range of reliable, secure electronic and web-based banking products for commercial and retail customers. Our capabilities contributed to high levels of commercial and retail customer retention. An emphasis on the value of relationship banking enabled us to retain deposits. The quality of our residential mortgage processing and service earned us new customers even in a slower homebuying market.

“Our accomplishments in 2023 were significant, and we feel our Company is well-positioned for the coming year. The communities we serve are, overall, demonstrating financial and economic health. While interest rates will continue to present challenges to growth, we anticipate our focus on productivity and quality will support our goal of financial strength and shareholder value.”

Fourth Quarter, 12 Months of 2023 Highlights

Fourth Quarter, 12 Months of 2023 Operational Review

Net interest income after provision for credit losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was $7.24 million compared with net interest income after provision for credit losses of $8.29 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. For the 12 months of 2023, net interest income after recovery of credit losses was $29.92 million compared with net interest income after recovery of credit losses of $30.60 million for the 12 months of 2022.

Total interest income increased to $10.49 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with $8.95 million a year earlier. For the 12 months of 2023, total interest income was $39.36 million compared with $31.85 million for the 12 months of 2022. Both 2023 periods reflected moderating loan activity and interest rate increases.

Interest rate adjustments related to variable rate loans along with an increase in the Fed Funds rate had a positive impact on the yields earned on interest earning assets. Management noted that margin compression continues to have an impact on profitability.

The yield on interest-earning assets in 2023 was 4.36% compared with 3.46% a year earlier, while the average loan yield increased to 5.05% from 4.30% a year earlier, reflecting the Company’s loan rate adjustments. The rate on interest-bearing deposits increased to 1.23% in 2023 from 0.18% a year earlier, and the cost of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2023 rose to 1.30% from 0.29% a year earlier.

The interest spread in 2023 remained relatively stable at 3.06% compared with 3.18% in 2022. Net interest margin in 2023 was 3.29% compared with 3.23% in 2022.

Total interest expense in the fourth quarter and 12 months of 2023 rose compared with the 2022 periods, reflecting increased levels of interest-bearing deposits and higher deposit rates commensurate with the prevailing interest rate environment. Total interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $3.15 million compared with $652,000 a year earlier, while total interest expense in the 12 months of 2023 was $9.62 million compared with $2.15 million a year earlier.

J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and CFO, noted: “Repricing commercial floating rate loans and generating mortgage loans consistent with prevailing rates helped offset the dramatic increase in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. In the coming year, we intend to maintain disciplined expense management and hold the line on time deposit rates and maturity length to maintain some balance between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.”

Noninterest income in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $3.18 million compared with $2.73 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. For the 12 months of 2023, noninterest income was $12.87 million compared with $13.24 million a year earlier. Noninterest income in both periods of 2023 demonstrated income contributions from debit card activity and commercial treasury services and a strong contribution to earnings by PWW’s investment management activity. Year-over-year comparisons of noninterest income reflect a decrease in gains on sale of loans as the Company’s mortgage division experienced a decrease in mortgage loan originations.

Noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 declined to $8.42 million compared with $8.62 million a year earlier. In the 12 months of 2023, noninterest expense was $32.51 million compared with $32.74 million in the 12 months of 2022. Noninterest expense in 2023 reflected a decrease in professional fees and outside expenses following the successful conclusion of a fraud loss matter and significantly lower expenses related to other real estate owned. This was partially offset by an increase in data processing fees in 2023.

In the fourth quarter the Company utilized a tax benefit for Virginia state income tax purposes that has accumulated as a result of parent company only (i.e., not consolidated) losses over time. This resulted in a one-time credit to income tax expense and led to a sharp decrease in the effective tax rate in 2023 as compared to 2022. The Company’s effective tax rate in 2023 was 15.32% as compared to 19.35% in 2022.

The Company demonstrated stable productivity in 2023, with return on average equity (ROAE) of 17.07% compared with 15.59% a year earlier and a return on average assets (ROAA) of 0.92% compared with 0.91% a year earlier. The efficiency ratio for the 12 months of 2023 was 76.29% compared with 76.23% for the 12 months of 2022.

Balance Sheet: Loan Activity, Asset Quality, Shareholder Value

Total assets were $969.37 million at December 31, 2023 compared with $928.57 million at December 31, 2022.

Loans, net of allowance for credit losses, were $601.92 million at December 31, 2023 compared with $605.37 million at December 31, 2022, primarily reflecting lower commercial lending activity partially offset by significant growth in the residential mortgage portfolio and increased residential and commercial construction loans.

Due to lower originations and payoffs, commercial real estate loans (owner-occupied and non-owner occupied and excluding construction loans) decreased to approximately $306.86 million at December 31, 2023 compared with $341.89 million at December 31, 2023. CRE loans stabilized from the third quarter of 2023 total of $305.72 million, and demonstrated a steadily decreasing rate of payoffs throughout 2023.

Commercial loans (primarily C&I loans) were $65.32 million at December 31, 2023 compared with $95.84 million at December 31, 2022. Although the decline reflected lower business credit demand, commercial loans were stable compared with $65.83 million at September 30, 2023. Commercial construction loans increased throughout 2023, rising to $21.97 million at December 31, 2023 from $12.14 million at December 31, 2022.

Residential mortgage and residential construction loans grew significantly throughout the year, increasing to a total of $138.66 million at December 31, 2023 compared with $63.75 million since December 31, 2022. Residential mortgages increased to $107.00 million at December 31, 2023, from $43.05 million at December 31, 2022, reflecting the Bank’s practice of retaining a majority of originated mortgages as prevailing interest rates increased.

Residential construction loans were $32.67 million at December 31, 2023 compared with $20.71 million at December 31, 2022 that reflected robust new home construction activity in the Bank’s markets. Total consumer loans were approximately $76.52 million at December 31, 2023, lower than a year earlier and reflecting higher interest rates.

Some of the variances in the loan classifications above were due to the Bank’s reclassification of loan categories in connection with the adoption of the current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology on January 1, 2023.

Michael A. Syrek, President of the Bank, commented: “There is continuing, albeit softer demand for commercial and retail loans. Current rates have definitely given businesses and potential homebuyers pause for thought. We plan to position the Bank for available opportunities and to emphasize the value to customers of our commercial treasury services, our relationship approach to banking, and our superior service. Diligent asset and credit management will continue to be a critical component of success in 2024.”

Asset quality has remained strong, with a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.06% at December 31, 2023 compared with 0.10% a year earlier. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans was 1.22% on December 31, 2023, compared with 1.02% on December 31, 2022.

Total nonperforming loans declined to $391,000 at December 31, 2023 compared with $633,000 at December 31, 2022. The Company had no OREO, compared with $566,000 a year earlier. As a result of having no OREO, total nonperforming assets were the same as nonperforming loans.

Total deposits at December 31, 2023 increased to $878.46 million from $848.14 million at December 31, 2022. Throughout the year, total deposits partially reflected a changing deposit mix from core deposits (noninterest-bearing demand, NOW, savings and money market accounts) to higher-interest time deposits. Time deposits increased to $205.96 million at December 31, 2023 compared with $132.76 a year earlier. The Company emphasized the importance of retaining deposits by paying competitive rates while managing interest expense. Lower-cost core deposits remained strong, representing 77% of total deposits.

The Company had strong liquidity in 2023, adding cash and cash equivalents and maintaining access to several off-balance sheet funding options. Entering 2024 with more than sufficient liquidity and funding capabilities, the Company intends to maintain current levels of liquidity.

Key measures of shareholder value demonstrated positive trends in 2023. Book value per share increased sharply to $13.21 at December 31, 2023 compared with $10.85 at December 31, 2022. Total stockholders’ equity rose to $60.04 million at December 31, 2023 from $50.23 million a year earlier and retained earnings were $36.68 million compared with $31.03 million in the prior year.

Although some balance sheet measures, including book value per share and stockholders’ equity, increased this quarter because of declining treasury rates, these measures continue to be negatively impacted by a decreased market value in the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio, reflecting the impact of higher interest rates beginning in 2022. These mark-to-market losses are excluded when calculating the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios. The available-for-sale securities portfolio is composed primarily of securities with implicit government guarantees, including U.S. Treasuries and U.S. agency obligations, and other highly-rated debt instruments. The Company does not expect to realize the unrealized losses as it has the intent and ability to hold the securities until their recovery, which may be at maturity. Management continues to diligently monitor the creditworthiness of the issuers of the debt instruments within its securities portfolio. The duration of the Company’s overall securities portfolio is approximately 5.75 years.

The Company’s positive financial performance supported its longstanding practice of paying a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders. The Company increased the dividend by 25% from the dividend paid in the fourth quarter of 2023. As previously noted, the Company’s now-completed stock repurchase programs have contributed to earnings and generated shareholder value.

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, Lexington, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Roanoke, Rustburg, and Wytheville. 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. The Company provides investment advisory services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor. 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, changes in the value of real estate securing loans made by the Bank as well as geopolitical conditions. 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.

FINANCIAL RESULTS FOLLOW

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

  December 31,   December 31,
Assets   2023       2022  
Cash and due from banks $ 25,613     $ 30,025  
Federal funds sold   49,225       31,737  
Total cash and cash equivalents   74,838       61,762  
       
Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $3,231 in 2023 and $3,135 in 2022)   3,622       3,639  
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value   216,510       185,787  
Restricted stock, at cost   1,541       1,387  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $7,412 in 2023 and $6,259 in 2022   601,921       605,366  
Loans held for sale   1,258       2,423  
Premises and equipment, net   18,141       17,974  
Interest receivable   2,835       2,736  
Cash value – bank owned life insurance   21,586       19,237  
Other real estate owned         566  
Customer relationship intangibles   7,285       7,845  
Goodwill   2,054       2,054  
Other assets   17,780       17,795  
Total assets $ 969,371     $ 928,571  
       
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
Deposits      
Noninterest bearing demand   134,275       154,884  
NOW, money market and savings   538,229       560,479  
Time deposits   205,955       132,775  
Total deposits   878,459       848,138  
       
Capital notes   10,042       10,037  
Other borrowings   9,890       10,457  
Interest payable   480       89  
Other liabilities   10,461       9,624  
Total liabilities $ 909,332     $ 878,345  
Commitments and Contingencies      
       
Stockholders’ equity      
Preferred stock; authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding $     $  
Common stock $2.14 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,543,338 and 4,628,657 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022   9,723       9,905  
Additional paid-in-capital   35,253       36,068  
Retained earnings   36,678       31,034  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (21,615 )     (26,781 )
Total stockholders’ equity $ 60,039     $ 50,226  
       
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 969,371     $ 928,571  
 

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

  For the Year Ended
  December 31,
Interest Income   2023       2022  
Loans $ 31,378     $ 26,175  
Securities      
US Government and agency obligations   1,273       1,235  
Mortgage backed securities   1,899       1,656  
Municipals – taxable   1,139       1,079  
Municipals – tax exempt   73       73  
Dividends   82       66  
Corporates   560       566  
Interest bearing deposits   496       282  
Federal Funds sold   2,462       721  
Total interest income $ 39,362     $ 31,853  
       
Interest Expense      
Deposits      
NOW, money market savings   2,984       555  
Time Deposits   5,796       732  
Federal Funds purchased          
FHLB borrowings   31        
Finance leases   86       96  
Capital notes   327       327  
Other borrowings   398       440  
Total interest expense   9,622       2,150  
       
Net interest income   29,740       29,703  
       
Recovery of loan losses   (179 )     (900 )
       
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses   29,919       30,603  
       
Noninterest income      
Gain on sales of loans held for sale   3,938       5,256  
Service charges, fees and commissions   3,901       3,591  
Wealth management fees   4,197       3,932  
Life insurance income   548       452  
Other   283       16  
Loss on sales and calls of securities, net         (3 )
       
Total noninterest income   12,867       13,244  
       
Noninterest expenses      
Salaries and employee benefits   18,311       17,682  
Occupancy   1,819       1,814  
Equipment   2,416       2,553  
Supplies   530       521  
Professional and other outside expenses   2,513       2,589  
Data processing   2,783       2,467  
Marketing   919       920  
Credit expense   805       923  
Other real estate expenses, net   40       214  
FDIC insurance expense   419       500  
Amortization of intangibles   560       560  
Other   1,392       1,994  
Amortization of tax credit investment          
Total noninterest expenses   32,507       32,737  
       
Income before income taxes   10,279       11,110  
       
Income tax expense   1,575       2,151  
       
Net Income $ 8,704     $ 8,959  
       
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted   4,562,374       4,698,041  
       
Earnings per common share – basic and diluted $ 1.91     $ 1.91  
 

Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

Selected Data: Three
months
ending
Dec 31,
2023
Three
months
ending
Dec 31,
2022
Change Year
to
date
Dec 31,
2023
Year
to
date
Dec 31,
2022
Change
Interest income $ 10,489   $ 8,945     17.26 % $ 39,362   $ 31,853     23.57 %
Interest expense   3,149     652     382.98 %   9,622     2,150     347.53 %
Net interest income   7,340     8,293     -11.49 %   29,740     29,703     0.12 %
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses   99       n/a   (179 )   (900 )   -80.11 %
Noninterest income   3,178     2,725     16.62 %   12,867     13,244     -2.85 %
Noninterest expense   8,416     8,618     -2.34 %   32,507     32,737     -0.70 %
Income taxes (benefit) expense   (56 )   442     -112.67 %   1,575     2,151     -26.78 %
Net income   2,059     1,958     5.16 %   8,704     8,959     -2.85 %
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted   4,543,338     4,628,657     (85,319 )   4,562,374     4,698,041     (135,667 )
Basic and diluted net income per share $ 0.45   $ 0.42   $ 0.03   $ 1.91   $ 1.91   $  
Balance Sheet at period end: Dec 31,
2023
Dec 31,
2022
Change Dec 31,
2022
Dec 31,
2021
Change
Loans, net $ 601,921   $ 605,366     -0.57 % $ 605,366   $ 576,469     5.01 %
Loans held for sale   1,258     2,423     -48.08 %   2,423     1,628     48.83 %
Total securities   220,132     189,426     16.21 %   189,426     164,922     14.86 %
Total deposits   878,459     848,138     3.58 %   848,138     887,056     -4.39 %
Stockholders’ equity   60,039     50,226     19.54 %   50,226     69,429     -27.66 %
Total assets   969,371     928,571     4.39 %   928,571     987,634     -5.98 %
Shares outstanding   4,543,338     4,628,657     (85,319 )   4,628,657     4,740,657     (112,000 )
Book value per share $ 13.21   $ 10.85   $ 2.36   $ 10.85   $ 14.65   $ (3.80 )
Daily averages: Three
months
ending
Dec 31,
2023
Three
months
ending
Dec 31,
2022
Change Year
to
date
Dec 31,
2023
Year
to
date
Dec 31,
2022
Change
Loans $ 609,800   $ 618,948     -1.48 % $ 616,047   $ 604,990     1.83 %
Loans held for sale   3,406     3,722     -8.49 %   3,512     3,913     -10.25 %
Total securities (amortized cost)   236,267     229,884     2.78 %   226,637     223,137     1.57 %
Total deposits   882,277     867,569     1.70 %   867,269     888,292     -2.37 %
Stockholders’ equity   50,097     48,207     3.92 %   50,977     57,478     -11.31 %
Interest earning assets   921,665     897,711     2.67 %   903,491     919,992     -1.79 %
Interest bearing liabilities   753,144     737,375     2.14 %   738,335     746,479     -1.09 %
Total assets   963,511     950,558     1.36 %   950,276     980,507     -3.08 %
Financial Ratios: Three
months
ending
Dec 31,
2023
Three
months
ending
Dec 31,
2022
Change Year
to
date
Dec 31,
2023
Year
to
date
Dec 31,
2022
Change
Return on average assets   0.85 %   0.82 %   0.03     0.92 %   0.91 %   0.01  
Return on average equity   16.31 %   16.11 %   0.20     17.07 %   15.59 %   1.48  
Net interest margin   3.18 %   3.67 %   (0.49 )   3.29 %   3.23 %   0.06  
Efficiency ratio   80.02 %   78.22 %   1.80     76.29 %   76.23 %   0.06  
Average equity to average assets   5.20 %   5.07 %   0.13     5.36 %   5.86 %   (0.50 )
Allowance for credit losses: Three
months
ending
Dec 31,
2023
Three
months
ending
Dec 31,
2022
Change Year
to
date
Dec 31,
2023
Year
To
date
Dec 31,
2022
Change
Beginning balance $ 7,320   $ 6,394     14.48 % $ 6,259   $ 6,915     -9.49 %
Retained earnings adjustment related to impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13           n/a     1,245         n/a  
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses   123         n/a     (65 )   (900 )   -92.78 %
Charge-offs   (40 )   (152 )   -73.68 %   (236 )   (162 )   45.68 %
Recoveries   9     17     -47.06 %   209     406     -48.52 %
Ending balance   7,412     6,259     18.42 %   7,412     6,259     18.42 %
Nonperforming assets: Dec 31,
2023
Dec 31,
2022
Change Dec 31,
2022
Dec 31,
2021
Change
Total nonperforming loans $ 391   $ 633     -38.23 % $ 633   $ 954     -33.65 %
Other real estate owned       566     -100.00 %   566     761     -25.62 %
Total nonperforming assets   391     1,199     -67.39 %   1,199     1,715     -30.09 %
Asset quality ratios: Dec 31,
2023
Dec 31,
2022
Change Dec 31,
2022
Dec 31,
2021
Change
Nonperforming loans to total loans   0.06 %   0.10 %   (0.04 )   0.10 %   0.16 %   (0.06 )
Allowance for credit losses to total loans   1.22 %   1.02 %   0.19     1.02 %   1.19 %   (0.16 )
Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans   1895.65 %   988.78 %   906.87     988.78 %   724.84 %   263.94  


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