Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. Earns $1.26 Million For Quarter Ending December 31, 2018; Announces Annual Dividend $0.20 Per Share; F. & M. Bancorp of Tomah Acquisition Announced on January 22, 2019; United Bank Acquisition Completed on October 19, 2018

EAU CLAIRE, Wis., Jan. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CZWI), the parent company of Citizens Community Federal N.A. (the “Bank”), today reported earnings of $1.26 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compared to $1.34 million, or $0.23 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.  The most recent quarter’s operations reflected the acquisition of United Bank, strong organic loan and deposit growth and improved asset quality. Headwinds in the quarter included higher provisions for loan losses related to loan growth, higher merger related compensation expenses due to severance costs, higher professional fees related to merger activity and the impact of changing our fiscal year end to December 31 from September 30.

On January 24, 2019, the Board of Directors approved an annual cash dividend of $0.20 per share, equal to the annual dividend paid in 2018. The dividend will be payable on March 8, 2019 to the shareholders of record on February 8, 2019.

Last week, the Company announced its agreement to acquire F. & M. Bancorp of Tomah, WI., a two-branch bank with approximately $195 million in assets, $138 million in loans and $148 million in deposits at September 30, 2018.  This follow-on acquisition, after United Bank, has a stable loan and deposit base and is approximately one hour southeast of Eau Claire.

“We continue to execute on our plan of transforming the Bank’s balance sheet composition into a commercial bank through organic loan and deposit growth and community bank acquisitions.  In the most recent quarter, we posted solid results showing organic loan growth of approximately $30 million and approximately $41 million in deposit growth,” said Stephen Bianchi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “The United Bank integration work is largely on track, as we approach the February conversion of systems, which will allow us to achieve expected operating synergies.”

Net income as adjusted (non-GAAP)1 was $2.2 million, or $0.20 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 compared to $1.76 million, or $0.30 per diluted shares for the quarter ending December 31, 2017.  Net income as adjusted (non-GAAP)1 excludes merger and branch closure expenditures, certain audit and financial reporting costs related to the change in year end and initial Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) implementation costs higher than forecasted ongoing run rate, and the net impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) which are itemized on the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)1“.

December 31, 2018 Highlights: (as of or for the periods ended December 31, 2018, compared to December 31, 2017 and/or September 30, 2018)

  • At December 31, 2018, total assets increased to $1.29 billion from $975.4 million at September 30, 2018.   The asset growth included the United Bank acquisition impact, as well as strong organic loan growth of $30 million.
  • The net interest margin (“NIM”) increased to 3.58% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 compared to 3.45% in the preceding quarter and 3.42% for the like quarter one year earlier. The 13bp increase includes the favorable impact of payoffs of acquired credit impaired loans of 8bp, increased accretion of 2bp due to United Bank and the favorable impact of United Bank.
  • The strong loan growth during the quarter required higher provisions for loan losses than past quarters.  Asset quality showed continued improvement.  Nonperforming assets decreased modestly by $435,000 and nonperforming loans to total loans dropped from 1.10% to 0.81%, delinquencies decreased and net loan charge offs were $94,000 for the quarter.
  • On October 19, 2018, the Company closed on the acquisition of United Bank, adding approximately $269 million in assets, $203 million in loans and $228 million in deposits as of September 30, 2018.  The acquisition also added a branch in Eau Claire and five branches in contiguous markets south of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
  • On December 3, 2018, the Company announced its intention to sell its sole Michigan office in Rochester Hills, MI to Lake Michigan Credit Union for a deposit premium of 7% with approximately $35 million in deposits.  We anticipate a second quarter closing.
  • Non-interest expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 included numerous expenses including severances related to the acquisition of approximately $352,000; professional fees associated with the acquisition of United Bank, branch closure and sale; and changing our fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31 in the amount of $724,000 and $128,000 in other non-interest expense.

Estimated Bank and Company capital ratios exceeded regulatory guidelines for a well-capitalized financial institution under the Basel III regulatory requirements at December 31, 2018:

    Citizens
Community
Federal N.A.
  Citizens
Community
Bancorp, Inc.
  To Be Well Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective Action
Provisions
Tier 1 leverage ratio (to adjusted total assets)   9.3%   7.9%   5.0%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)   11.9%   10.0%   8.0%
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)   11.9%   10.0%   6.5%
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)   12.6%   12.2%   10.0%

Balance Sheet and Asset Quality Review

Total assets were $1.29 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $975.4 million at September 30, 2018, and $943.0 million at December 31, 2017.  The asset growth is mainly due to the acquisition of United Bank.  Strong organic loan growth, discussed above, also contributed to this growth.

Total loans were $992.8 million at December 31, 2018 compared to $759.2 million at September 30, 2018 and $730.9 million one year earlier.  The $233 million increase in loans included loans acquired in the United Bank acquisition, as noted above, and strong organic loan growth.  The remaining loan growth consisted of strong origination activity by Citizens Community’s lending team as well as better than expected performance from United Bank.  Loan originations outpaced the reduction of indirect legacy loans of approximately $6.7 million, the reduction of 1-4 family loans at Citizens Community (exclusive of the 1-4 family loans acquired through the United Bank acquisition) of $8.7 million and the anticipated pay-off of an $8.2 million bridge loan.

At December 31, 2018, total gross Community Banking portfolio loans, consisting of commercial, agricultural and consumer loans, were $717.9 million, or 72% of gross loans while gross Legacy portfolio indirect paper and one-to-four family loans totaled $281.5 million, or 28% of gross loans.  One year earlier, the Community Bank portfolio loans totaled only 56% of gross loans.  The addition of United Bank loans as well as a focused effort to originate commercial, agricultural and consumer loans and the planned reduction of indirect and 1-4 family loans has enabled the Company to build a larger base of Community Banking portfolio loans.  Gross commercial and agricultural real estate secured loans totaled $536.1 million or 75% of the total Community Banking loan portfolio at December 31, 2018, or a 2.4% increase relative to September 30, 2018.

The allowance for loan and lease losses increased in the quarter ended December 31, 2018 to $7.60 million, representing 0.77% of total loans, compared to $6.75 million and 0.89% of total loans at September 30, 2018.  Approximately 40% of the Bank’s loan portfolio is acquired and marked to fair value as of the acquisition date, with a remaining $3.9 million purchase discount related to credit impaired acquired loans.  Net charge offs were $94,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 compared to $160,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Nonperforming assets declined to $10.7 million or 0.83% of total assets at December 31, 2018 compared to $11.1 million, or 1.14% of total assets at September 30, 2018.  The decreased ratio was the result of lower nonperforming assets, outweighing a modest addition of acquired nonperforming assets from the United Bank acquisition and a larger asset base.  In addition, our accruing loans past due 90 days or more decreased by $381,000.

Deposits increased $261.0 million to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2018, compared to $746.5 million at September 30, 2018, and increased $266.4 million compared to $741.1 million at December 31, 2017.  The increase in deposits is largely attributed to the United Bank acquisition, as previously noted.  The remaining deposit growth is attributed to retail certificate growth and growth in non-maturity commercial deposit relationships.  The acquisition of the United Bank deposits helped enhance the deposit composition profile of the Company’s portfolio.  Noninterest-bearing deposits increased to 15% of total deposits at December 31, 2018 from 12% at September 30, 2018.  Savings accounts increased to 19% of total deposits at December 31,2018, compared to 13% of total deposits at September 30, 2018.  Meanwhile, certificates of deposits decreased from 42% to 36% of total deposits, money market accounts decreased from 15% to 13% of total deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits decreased from 19% to 17% of total deposits.  The improving deposit mix reduces the Company’s reliance on higher-costing certificates of deposit.

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances increased to $109.8 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $63.0 million at September 30, 2018. The increased use of advances was primarily to fund the United Bank acquisition. Other borrowings remained at $24.6 million at December 31, 2018.

Total stockholders’ equity increased to $138.2 million at December 31, 2018 from $135.8 million one quarter earlier as the Company benefitted from the addition of earnings and a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive loss due to lower long term interest rates.  Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)2 was $9.07 at December 31, 2018 compared to $11.05 at September 30, 2018.  The anticipated decline in tangible book value was the result of the intangible asset created in the United Bank acquisition which closed in October. Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)2 as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP) was 7.95% compared to 12.56% at September 30, 2018 and 6.33% one year earlier.

Review of Operations

Net interest income was $10.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compared to $7.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and $7.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.  Besides the additional net interest income provided from the United Bank acquisition, the Company’s net interest margin benefited from $235,000 of interest income realized on the payoff of classified loans. These classified loans were related to loans acquired in a prior acquisition.  The net interest margin (“NIM”) increased to 3.58% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 compared to 3.45% in the preceding quarter and 3.42% for the like quarter one year earlier.  The 13bp increase includes the favorable impact of payoffs of acquired credit impaired loans of 8bp, increased accretion of 2bp due to United Bank and the favorable impact of United Bank.

Accretion for acquired loans, excluding payoffs, increased by $40,000 to $182,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, due to the United Bank acquisition.  Total accretion for acquired loans was $142,000 for both the preceding quarter ended September 30, 2018 and for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.  This interest income accretion positively benefited net interest margin by 6bp for each of these quarters.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, $950,000 of provision for loan losses was recorded, reflecting strong organic loan growth and low charge off activity, compared to $100,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2017.

Total non-interest income was $2.53 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 compared to $1.99 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and $1.94 million one year earlier.  The higher level of non-interest income primarily relates to the United Bank acquisition.  The largest increases in non-interest income over the quarter came from gain on sale of mortgage loans of $154,000, loan servicing income of $142,000, service charges on deposit accounts of $130,000 and loan fees and services charges of $109,000.

“Our operations have incurred one-time expenses in the quarter due to merger expenses from United Bank and F. & M. Bancorp, branch sale costs and the change in our fiscal year end,” said Jim Broucek, Chief Financial Officer.  “The current quarter reflects about 77% of a full quarter of United Bank’s earnings. Our first quarter 2019 will be favorably impacted by the pickup due to a full quarter of United Bank’s earnings, a modest start to cost save realizations and the full quarter impact from our strong organic loan growth this past quarter. Conversion costs, contract terminations and additional year-end financial reporting expenses due to the change in our year end, will more than offset this benefit.”

Merger related expenses incurred this quarter and included in the consolidated statement of operations consisted of the following: (1) $352,000 recorded in compensation and benefits, (2) $580,000 recorded in professional services and (3) $125,000 recorded in other non-interest expense.  Branch closure costs incurred this quarter consisted of $9,000 recorded in professional services and $3,000 recorded in other non-interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.  Audit and financial reporting expenses, related to our year end change, consisted of $135,000 recorded in professional services in the consolidated statement of operations during the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Total non-interest expense was $9.79 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 compared to $7.64 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and $7.14 million one year earlier.  Total non-interest expense for the current quarter reflects higher compensation and benefit expenses which increased to $4.95 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 from $3.78 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

The $1.17 million in compensation and benefits expense increase relates to compensation and benefits expense of approximately $800,000 and severance and retention bonuses of approximately $352 related to the United Bank acquisition, partially offset by lower benefits costs.

Data processing expenses increased to $993,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 from $771,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the United Bank acquisition.

As part of the acquisition of United Bank, the Company recorded a core deposit intangible of $3.4 million, which is amortized on a straight-line basis over a 4-year period.  For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the amortization of intangible assets increased to $325,000 from $161,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

The amortization of mortgage service rights increased to $175,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 from $85,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 due to the addition of serviced mortgage loans associated with the United Bank acquisition.

Professional fees increased over the quarter due to engaging third-party contractors associated with the United Bank acquisition, the F. & M. Bancorp acquisition, the sale of the Michigan branch office and expenses associated with changing the fiscal year end to December 31 from September 30, as reflected in the “Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)” table on page 9.  Professional fees increased to $1.12 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 from $577,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and $688,000 one year earlier.  The Company recognized approximately $490,000 in professional fees related to the United Bank acquisition, approximately $90,000 in professional fees for the F. & M. Bancorp acquisition, approximately $9,000 in professional fees related to the Michigan branch sale and approximately $135,000 in professional fees associated with changing the fiscal year end.

Provisions for income taxes were $561,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 compared to $736,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 and $883,000 for the quarter ended one year earlier.  The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was 30.8% compared to 40.1% one quarter earlier.  The higher effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was partially the result of tax non-deductible expenses related to the United Bank acquisition and the true-up of the Company’s tax position. Tax expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, includes the impact of $461,000 of tax non-deductible merger expenses.

These financial results are preliminary until the Form 10-K/T is filed in March 2019.

About the Company

Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: “CZWI”) is the holding company of the Bank, a national bank based in Altoona, Wisconsin, currently serving customers primarily in Wisconsin and Minnesota through 26 branch locations, along with one branch in Michigan which the Company has a signed agreement to sell.  Its primary markets include the Chippewa Valley Region in Wisconsin, the Twin Cities and Mankato markets in Minnesota, and various rural communities around these areas. The Bank offers traditional community banking services to businesses, Ag operators and consumers, including one-to-four family mortgages.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties arising in the operations and business environment of the Company and the Bank. These uncertainties include the satisfaction of the conditions to closing the proposed merger in the anticipated timeframe or at all; the failure to obtain necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed merger; the ability to successfully integrate the businesses; disruption from the proposed merger making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the negative effects of the announcement or the consummation of the proposed merger on the market price of CZWI common stock; significant transaction costs and unknown liabilities; litigation or regulatory actions related to the proposed transaction; conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally; the possibility of a deterioration in the residential real estate markets; interest rate risk; lending risk; the sufficiency of loan allowances; changes in the fair value or ratings downgrades of our securities; competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions; our ability to realize the benefits of net deferred tax assets; our ability to maintain or increase our market share; acts of terrorism and political or military actions by the United States or other governments; legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, adversely affecting the Company or the Bank; increases in FDIC insurance premiums or special assessments by the FDIC; disintermediation risk; our inability to obtain needed liquidity; our ability to raise capital needed to fund growth or meet regulatory requirements; the possibility that our internal controls and procedures could fail or be circumvented; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; our ability to keep pace with technological change; cybersecurity risks; risks posed by acquisitions and other expansion opportunities; difficulties and delays in integrating the acquired business operations or fully realizing the cost savings and other benefits; changes in federal or state tax laws; litigation risk; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and their impact on financial performance; restrictions on our ability to pay dividends; and the potential volatility of our stock price.  Stockholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and other risks that may affect the Company’s performance are discussed further in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Form 10-K, for the year ended September 30, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 10, 2018 and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, such as net income as adjusted, tangible book value per share and tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets, which management believes may be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position and comparing results over different periods.

Net income as adjusted is a non-GAAP measure that eliminates the impact of certain expenses such as acquisition and branch closure costs and related data processing termination fees, legal costs, severance pay, accelerated depreciation expense and lease termination fees and the net impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities.  Merger related charges represent expenses to either satisfy contractual obligations of acquired entities without any useful benefit to the Company or to convert and consolidate customer records onto the Company platforms.  These costs are unique to each transaction based on the contracts in existence at the merger date.  Tangible book value per share and tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets are non-GAAP measures that eliminate the impact of preferred stock equity, goodwill and intangible assets on our financial position.  Management believes these measures are useful in assessing the strength of our financial position.

Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in this press release. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other banks and financial institutions.

Contact: Steve Bianchi, CEO
(715)-836-9994


CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(in thousands)

    December 31, 2018   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017
Assets            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 45,778     $ 34,494     $ 47,215  
Other interest bearing deposits   7,460     7,180     7,155  
Securities available for sale “AFS”   146,725     118,482     96,548  
Securities held to maturity “HTM”   4,850     4,619     5,227  
Non-marketable equity securities, at cost   11,261     7,218     8,151  
Loans receivable   992,771     759,247     730,918  
Allowance for loan losses   (7,604 )   (6,748 )   (5,859 )
Loans receivable, net   985,167     752,499     725,059  
Loans held for sale   1,927     1,917     2,179  
Mortgage servicing rights   4,486     1,840     1,866  
Office properties and equipment, net   13,513     10,034     8,517  
Accrued interest receivable   4,307     3,600     3,189  
Intangible assets   7,904     4,805     5,287  
Goodwill   30,933     10,444     10,444  
Foreclosed and repossessed assets, net   2,570     2,768     7,031  
Bank owned life insurance   17,792     11,661     11,424  
Other assets   3,551     3,848     3,740  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 1,288,224     $ 975,409     $ 943,032  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity            
Liabilities:            
Deposits   $ 1,007,512     $ 746,529     $ 741,069  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances   109,813     63,000     94,000  
Other borrowings   24,647     24,619     29,899  
Other liabilities   8,065     5,414     3,610  
Total liabilities   1,150,037     839,562     868,578  
Stockholders’ equity:            
Common stock— $0.01 par value, authorized 30,000,000; 10,953,512; 10,913,853; and 5,883,603 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   109     109     59  
Additional paid-in capital   125,512     125,063     63,348  
Retained earnings   15,264     14,003     12,104  
Unearned deferred compensation   (857 )   (622 )   (391 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,841 )   (2,706 )   (666 )
Total stockholders’ equity   138,187     135,847     74,454  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 1,288,224     $ 975,409     $ 943,032  

 Note: Certain items previously reported were reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.


CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31, 2018   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2018
Interest and dividend income:                
Interest and fees on loans   $ 11,839     $ 9,414     $ 8,721     $ 35,539  
Interest on investments   1,208     948     691     3,357  
Total interest and dividend income   13,047     10,362     9,412     38,896  
Interest expense:                
Interest on deposits   2,131     1,659     1,202     5,543  
Interest on FHLB borrowed funds   482     323     261     1,310  
Interest on other borrowed funds   394     440     422     1,740  
Total interest expense   3,007     2,422     1,885     8,593  
Net interest income before provision for loan losses   10,040     7,940     7,527     30,303  
Provision for loan losses   950     450     100     1,300  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   9,090     7,490     7,427     29,003  
Non-interest income:                
Service charges on deposit accounts   619     489     460     1,792  
Interchange income   336     338     306     1,284  
Loan servicing income   510     368     328     1,379  
Gain on sale of mortgage loans   388     234     294     943  
Loan fees and service charges   273     164     154     521  
Insurance commission income   162     180     166     720  
Losses on available for sale securities               (17 )
Other   238     216     231     748  
Total non-interest income   2,526     1,989     1,939     7,370  
Non-interest expense:                
Compensation and benefits   4,946     3,778     3,555     14,979  
Occupancy   808     776     705     2,975  
Office   464     468     438     1,715  
Data processing   993     771     704     2,928  
Amortization of intangible assets   325     161     162     645  
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights   175     85     90     335  
Advertising, marketing and public relations   226     265     149     745  
FDIC premium assessment   144     121     142     472  
Professional services   1,118     577     688     2,323  
(Gains) losses on repossessed assets, net   (30 )   71     13     535  
Other   625     571     497     2,112  
Total non-interest expense   9,794     7,644     7,143     29,764  
Income before provision for income taxes   1,822     1,835     2,223     6,609  
Provision for income taxes   561     736     883     2,326  
Net income attributable to common stockholders   $ 1,261     $ 1,099     $ 1,340     $ 4,283  
Per share information:                
Basic earnings   $ 0.12     $ 0.18     $ 0.23     $ 0.72  
Diluted earnings   $ 0.12     $ 0.10     $ 0.23     $ 0.58  
Cash dividends paid   $     $     $     $ 0.20  
Book value per share at end of period   $ 12.62     $ 12.45     $ 12.65     $ 12.45  
Tangible book value per share at end of period (non-GAAP)   $ 9.07     $ 11.05     $ 9.98     $ 11.05  

Note: Certain items previously reported were reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.


Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP):

    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months
Ended
    December 31, 2018   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017   September 30, 2018
     
     
GAAP earnings before income taxes   $ 1,822     $ 1,835     $ 2,223     $ 6,609  
Merger related costs (1)   1,057     131     94     463  
Branch closure costs (2)   12     2     7     26  
Audit and Financial Reporting (3)   135              
Net income as adjusted before income taxes (4)   3,026     1,968     2,324     7,098  
Provision for income tax on net income as adjusted (5)   832     482     569     1,739  
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (6)       63         338  
Total Provision for income tax   832     545     569     2,077  
Net income as adjusted after income taxes (non-GAAP) (4)   $ 2,194     $ 1,423     $ 1,755     $ 5,021  
GAAP diluted earnings per share, net of tax   $ 0.12     $ 0.10     $ 0.23     $ 0.58  
Merger related costs, net of tax (1)   0.07     0.01     0.02     0.06  
Branch closure costs, net of tax                
Audit and Financial Reporting   0.01              
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 tax provision (6)       0.01     0.05     0.04  
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted, net of tax (non-GAAP)   $ 0.20     $ 0.12     $ 0.30     $ 0.68  
                 
Average diluted shares outstanding   10,967,386     10,950,980     5,920,899     7,335,247  

In addition this table does not take into account the impact of our accelerated loan growth and the impact on provision.  For example, if the Company were to grow loans at 1.50% each quarter or 6% per year, if all other factors remain the same, our provision expense would have been approximately $500,000 or $450,000 more in pretax income or an additional $0.04 per diluted share.  We do not expect to repeat this rapid loan growth in the next quarter.

(1) Costs incurred are included as data processing, advertising, marketing and public relations, professional fees, compensation  and other non-interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations and include costs of $461,000 and $118,000 for the quarters ended December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively, and $350,000 for the year ended September 30, 2018, which are nondeductible expenses for federal income tax purposes.
(2) Branch closure costs include severance pay recorded in compensation and benefits, accelerated depreciation expense and lease termination fees included in occupancy and other costs included in other non-interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.  In addition, legal costs related to the sale of the sole Michigan branch, are recorded in professional services and included in these Branch closure costs.
(3) Audit and financial reporting costs include professional fees related to initial SOX compliance and additional audit and professional fees related to the change in our year end from September 30 to December 31.
(4) Net income as adjusted is a non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances the market’s ability to assess the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities.
(5) Provision for income tax on net income as adjusted is calculated at 26.0% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 and at 24.5% for all quarters in fiscal 2018, which represents our federal statutory tax rate for each respective period presented.
(6) As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, we recorded a one-time net tax provision of $275,000 and $63,000 in December 2017 and September 2018, respectively, totaling $338,000 in fiscal 2018.  These tax entries are included in provision for income taxes expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

Reconciliation of tangible book value per share (non-GAAP):

Tangible book value per share at end of period   December 31,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017
Total stockholders’ equity   $ 138,187     $ 135,847     $ 74,454  
Less:  Preferred stock            
Less:  Goodwill   (30,933 )   (10,444 )   (10,444 )
Less:  Intangible assets   (7,904 )   (4,805 )   (5,287 )
Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   $ 99,350     $ 120,598     $ 58,723  
Ending common shares outstanding   10,953,512     10,913,853     5,883,603  
Book value per share   $ 12.62     $ 12.45     $ 12.65  
Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)   $ 9.07     $ 11.05     $    
 

Reconciliation of tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP):

Tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets at end of period   December 31,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017
Total stockholders’ equity   $ 138,187     $ 135,847     $ 74,454  
Less:  Preferred stock            
Less:  Goodwill   (30,933 )   (10,444 )   (10,444 )
Less:  Intangible assets   (7,904 )   (4,805 )   (5,287 )
Tangible common equity (non-GAAP)   $ 99,350     $ 120,598     $ 58,723  
Total Assets   $ 1,288,224     $ 975,409     $ 943,032  
Less:  Preferred stock            
Less:  Goodwill   (30,933 )   (10,444 )   (10,444 )
Less:  Intangible assets   (7,904 )   (4,805 )   (5,287 )
Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)   $ 1,249,387     $ 960,160     $ 927,301  
Total stockholders’ equity to total assets ratio   10.73 %   13.93 %   7.90 %
Tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)   7.95 %   12.56 %   6.33 %

1 Net income as adjusted is a non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.

2 Tangible book value per share and tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets are non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the Company’s financial position. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)” and “Reconciliation of tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP).”


Nonperforming Assets:

    December 31,
2018
and Three
Months Ended
  September 30,
2018
and Three
Months Ended
  September 30,
2018
and Twelve
Months Ended
Nonperforming assets:            
Nonaccrual loans   $ 7,354     $ 7,210     $ 7,210  
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more   736     1,117     1,117  
Total nonperforming loans (“NPLs”)   8,090     8,327     8,327  
Other real estate owned (“OREO”)   2,522     2,749     2,749  
Other collateral owned   48     19     19  
Total nonperforming assets (“NPAs”)   $ 10,660     $ 11,095     $ 11,095  
Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”)   $ 8,722     $ 8,418     $ 8,418  
Nonaccrual TDRs   $ 2,667     $ 2,687     $ 2,687  
Average outstanding loan balance   $ 965,171     $ 754,442     $ 735,602  
Loans, end of period   $ 992,771     $ 759,247     $ 759,247  
Total assets, end of period   $ 1,288,224     $ 975,409     $ 975,409  
Allowance for loan losses (“ALL”), at beginning of period   $ 6,748     $ 6,458     $ 5,942  
Loans charged off:            
Residential real estate   (43 )   (82 )   (202 )
Commercial/Agricultural real estate           (74 )
Consumer non-real estate   (79 )   (85 )   (379 )
Commercial/Agricultural non-real estate       (47 )   (52 )
Total loans charged off   (122 )   (214 )   (707 )
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:            
Residential real estate   4     28     80  
Commercial/Agricultural real estate            
Consumer non-real estate   24     25     121  
Commercial/Agricultural non-real estate       1     12  
Total recoveries of loans previously charged off:   28     54     213  
Net loans charged off (“NCOs”)   (94 )   (160 )   (494 )
Additions to ALL via provision for loan losses charged to operations   950     450     1,300  
ALL, at end of period   $ 7,604     $ 6,748     $ 6,748  
Ratios:            
ALL to NCOs (annualized)   2,022.34 %   1,054.38 %   1,365.99 %
NCOs (annualized) to average loans   0.04 %   0.08 %   0.07 %
ALL to total loans   0.77 %   0.89 %   0.89 %
NPLs to total loans   0.81 %   1.10 %   1.10 %
NPAs to total assets   0.83 %   1.14 %   1.14 %
                   


Nonaccrual Loans Rollforward:

  Quarter Ended
  December 31,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017
Balance, beginning of period $ 7,210     $ 6,627     $ 7,452  
Additions 906     2,030     287  
Acquired nonaccrual loans 941          
Charge offs (40 )   (68 )   (74 )
Transfers to OREO (201 )   (400 )   (52 )
Return to accrual status     (93 )    
Payments received (1,429 )   (676 )   (1,207 )
Other, net (33 )   (210 )   (18 )
Balance, end of period $ 7,354     $ 7,210     $ 6,388  
 


Other Real Estate Owned Rollforward:

  Quarter Ended
  September 30,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017
Balance, beginning of period $ 2,749     $ 5,328     $ 5,962  
Loans transferred in 201     400     52  
Acquired OREO          
Branch properties transferred in         1,444  
Branch properties sales     (1,245 )    
Sales (210 )   (1,762 )   (394 )
Write-downs     (127 )   (16 )
Other, net (218 )   155     (52 )
Balance, end of period $ 2,522     $ 2,749     $ 6,996  
 


Troubled Debt Restructurings in Accrual Status

  December 31, 2018   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017
  Number of
Modifications
  Recorded
Investment
  Number of
Modifications
  Recorded
Investment
  Number of
Modifications
  Recorded
Investment
Troubled debt restructurings:  Accrual Status                      
Residential real estate 34     $ 3,319     34     $ 3,495     29     $ 3,076  
Commercial/Agricultural real estate 15     2,209     14     1,646     10     2,143  
Consumer non-real estate 13     99     14     109     17     156  
Commercial/Agricultural non-real estate 2     428     3     481     4     561  
Total loans 64     $ 6,055     65     $ 5,731     60     $ 5,936  
 


Loan Composition – Detail

To help better understand the Bank’s loan trends, we have added the table below.  The loan categories and amounts shown are the same as on the following page and are presented in a different format.  The Community Banking loan portfolios reflect the Bank’s strategy to grow its commercial banking business and consumer lending.  The Legacy loan portfolios reflect the Bank’s strategy to sell substantially all newly originated one to four family loans in the secondary market and the discontinuation of originated and purchased indirect paper loans, effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

    December 31, 2018   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017
Community Banking Loan Portfolios:            
Commercial/Agricultural real estate:            
Commercial real estate   $ 357,959     $ 216,703     $ 171,643  
Agricultural real estate   86,015     70,517     65,027  
Multi-family real estate   69,400     48,061     32,576  
Construction and land development   22,691     17,739     19,838  
Commercial/Agricultural non-real estate:            
Commercial non-real estate   112,427     76,254     58,823  
Agricultural non-real estate   36,327     26,549     23,710  
Residential real estate:            
Purchased HELOC loans   12,883     13,729     16,968  
Consumer non-real estate:            
Other consumer   20,214     18,844     19,242  
Total Community Banking Loan Portfolios   717,916     488,396     407,827  
             
Legacy Loan Portfolios:            
Residential real estate:            
One to four family   209,926     196,052     221,077  
Consumer non-real estate:            
Originated indirect paper   56,585     60,991     79,492  
Purchased indirect paper   15,006     17,254     26,210  
Total Legacy Loan Portfolios   281,517     274,297     326,779  
Gross loans   $ 999,433     $ 762,693     $ 734,606  

Loan Composition   December 31, 2018   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017
Originated Loans:            
Residential real estate:            
One to four family   $ 121,053     $ 122,797     $ 128,396  
Purchased HELOC loans   12,883     13,729     16,968  
Commercial/Agricultural real estate:            
Commercial real estate   200,875     168,319     110,815  
Agricultural real estate   29,589     27,017     11,580  
Multi-family real estate   61,574     44,767     30,868  
Construction and land development   15,812     14,648     12,682  
Consumer non-real estate:            
Originated indirect paper   56,585     60,991     79,492  
Purchased indirect paper   15,006     17,254     26,210  
Other Consumer   15,553     15,959     14,465  
Commercial/Agricultural non-real estate:            
Commercial non-real estate   73,518     62,196     39,594  
Agricultural non-real estate   17,341     17,514     12,649  
Total originated loans   $ 619,789     $ 565,191     $ 483,719  
Acquired Loans:            
Residential real estate:            
One to four family   $ 88,873     $ 73,255     $ 92,681  
Commercial/Agricultural real estate:            
Commercial real estate   157,084     48,384     60,828  
Agricultural real estate   56,426     43,500     53,447  
Multi-family real estate   7,826     3,294     1,708  
Construction and land development   6,879     3,091     7,156  
Consumer non-real estate:            
Other Consumer   4,661     2,885     4,777  
Commercial/Agricultural non-real estate:            
Commercial non-real estate   38,909     14,058     19,229  
Agricultural non-real estate   18,986     9,035     11,061  
Total acquired loans   $ 379,644     $ 197,502     $ 250,887  
Total Loans:            
Residential real estate:            
One to four family   $ 209,926     $ 196,052     $ 221,077  
Purchased HELOC loans   12,883     13,729     16,968  
Commercial/Agricultural real estate:            
Commercial real estate   357,959     216,703     171,643  
Agricultural real estate   86,015     70,517     65,027  
Multi-family real estate   69,400     48,061     32,576  
Construction and land development   22,691     17,739     19,838  
Consumer non-real estate:            
Originated indirect paper   56,585     60,991     79,492  
Purchased indirect paper   15,006     17,254     26,210  
Other Consumer   20,214     18,844     19,242  
Commercial/Agricultural non-real estate:            
Commercial non-real estate   112,427     76,254     58,823  
Agricultural non-real estate   36,327     26,549     23,710  
Gross loans   $ 999,433     $ 762,693     $ 734,606  
Unearned net deferred fees and costs and loans in process   409     557     1,252  
Unamortized discount on acquired loans   (7,071 )   (4,003 )   (4,940 )
Total loans receivable   $ 992,771     $ 759,247     $ 730,918  
 
 


Deposit Composition:

    December 31,
 2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
 2017
Non-interest bearing demand deposits   $ 155,405     $ 87,495     $ 78,685  
Interest bearing demand deposits   169,310     139,276     149,058  
Savings accounts   192,310     97,329     98,941  
Money market accounts   126,021     109,314     125,831  
Certificate accounts   364,466     313,115     288,554  
Total deposits   $ 1,007,512     $ 746,529     $ 741,069  
 


Average balances, Interest Yields and Rates:

    Three months ended December 31, 2018   Three months ended September 30, 2018   Three months ended December 31, 2017
    Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Average
Yield/
Rate (1)
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Average
Yield/
Rate (1)
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Average
Yield/
Rate (1)
Average interest earning assets:                                    
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 43,084     $ 195     1.86 %   $ 24,468     $ 117     1.90 %   $ 30,848     $ 67     0.86 %
Loans receivable   965,171     11,839     5.09 %   754,442     9,414     4.95 %   733,203     8,721     4.72 %
Interest bearing deposits   7,268     40     2.21 %   7,971     42     2.09 %   7,714     32     1.65 %
Investment securities (1)   145,114     861     2.47 %   124,991     674     2.30 %   100,737     513     2.23 %
Non-marketable equity securities, at cost   7,974     112     5.57 %   7,581     115     6.02 %   7,336     79     4.27 %
Total interest earning assets (1)   $ 1,168,611     $ 13,047     4.63 %   $ 919,453     $ 10,362     4.49 %   $ 879,838     $ 9,412     4.27 %
Average interest bearing liabilities:                                    
Savings accounts   $ 184,130     $ 145     0.36 %   $ 93,551     $ 59     0.25 %   $ 96,230     $ 22     0.09 %
Demand deposits   168,222     166     0.40 %   146,372     142     0.38 %   146,838     90     0.24 %
Money market accounts   146,341     367     1.08 %   116,597     213     0.72 %   123,459     167     0.54 %
CD’s   313,847     1,329     1.70 %   277,125     1,145     1.64 %   263,429     839     1.26 %
IRA’s   38,990     124     1.30 %   33,029     100     1.20 %   34,992     84     0.95 %
Total deposits   $ 851,530     $ 2,131     1.03 %   $ 666,674     $ 1,659     0.99 %   $ 664,948     $ 1,202     0.72 %
FHLB advances and other borrowings   100,964     876     3.48 %   96,448     763     3.14 %   116,359     683     2.33 %
Total interest bearing liabilities   $ 952,494     $ 3,007     1.29 %   $ 763,122     $ 2,422     1.26 %   $ 781,307     $ 1,885     0.96 %
Net interest income       $ 10,040             $ 7,940             $ 7,527      
Interest rate spread           3.34 %           3.23 %           3.31 %
Net interest margin (1)           3.58 %           3.45 %           3.42 %
Average interest earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities           1.23             1.20             1.13  

(1) Fully taxable equivalent (FTE).  The average yield on tax exempt securities is computed on a tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 and 24.5% for the quarters ended September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.  The FTE adjustment to net interest income included in the rate calculations totaled $43,000, $51,000 and $53,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.


CITIZENS COMMUNITY FEDERAL N.A.
Selected Capital Composition Highlights (unaudited)

    Estimated
December 31,
2018
  September 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017
  To Be Well Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective Action
Provisions
Tier 1 leverage ratio (to adjusted total assets)   9.3%   9.2%   9.3%   5.0%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)   11.9%   12.2%   12.5%   8.0%
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)   11.9%   12.2%   12.5%   6.5%
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)   12.6%   13.1%   13.4%   10.0%