National Commerce Corporation Announces 2018 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year End Earnings

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — National Commerce Corporation (Nasdaq: NCOM) (the “Company” or “NCC”), the parent company of National Bank of Commerce, today reported fourth quarter 2018 net income to common shareholders of $10.7 million, compared to $1.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Diluted net earnings per share were $0.51 in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $0.59 in the third quarter of 2018 and $0.07 in the fourth quarter of 2017.  The 2017 results include a write-down of the Company’s deferred tax asset (“DTA”) due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which increased income tax expense for the 2017 fourth quarter and full year by $6.2 million.  The DTA write-down reduced fourth quarter 2017 diluted net earnings per share by approximately $0.41.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, NCC earned $42.4 million, or $2.21 in diluted net earnings per share, compared to $20.1 million, or $1.41 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2017.   The DTA write-down reduced 2017 diluted net earnings per share by approximately $0.44.

NCC’s 2018 fourth quarter and full year results include $2.4 million and $5.4 million, respectively, in after-tax merger- and conversion-related expenses, reducing diluted net earnings per share by approximately $0.11 and $0.28 for the 2018 fourth quarter and full year, respectively.  Additionally, the Company recorded additional incentive compensation expense in the fourth quarter totaling $3.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share after tax, which included payments made to certain executive officers in December 2018 in lieu of equity incentive awards that would otherwise be granted in January 2019 in accordance with the Company’s annual equity grant schedule, which awards will not be granted due to the pending merger with CenterState Bank Corporation (“CenterState”).

“We are pleased to close out 2018 with a quarter of solid growth and profitability,” said Richard Murray, IV, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “We are encouraged by the low double-digit growth rate and the consistency in the net interest margin.  We are also pleased to experience another quarter and year of low credit losses.  We are excited about our pending merger with CenterState and the ability to serve our customers with a broader product set and a larger balance sheet that will result from the merger.  Our team is excited about the opportunity, and we remain focused on doing our part to ensure a successful merger and integration.”

Several important measures from the 2018 fourth quarter and full year are as follows:

  • Net Interest Margin (taxable equivalent) of 4.74% for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 4.75% for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The fourth quarter 2018 margin increased 0.05%, compared to 4.69% reported for the third quarter of 2018, and increased 0.11%, compared to 4.63% reported for the fourth quarter of 2017.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, the margin increased by 0.31% compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.  Excluding the impact of accretion income, the 2018 fourth quarter margin was flat compared with the 2018 third quarter.  Loan yields and interest-earning asset yields during the fourth quarter of 2018 improved by 0.14% and 0.15%, respectively, from the third quarter of 2018.  These earning asset yield improvements were offset by an increase in interest-bearing deposit costs of 0.14% during the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2018.  Total deposit costs during the fourth quarter of 2018 (including noninterest-bearing deposit balances) increased 0.10% compared to the third quarter of 2018.  Fourth quarter 2018 total interest-bearing liability costs increased 0.15% compared to the third quarter of 2018. 
     
  • Return on Average Assets (“ROAA”) of 1.02% for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to 0.15% for the fourth quarter of 2017.  For the year, ROAA was 1.19%, compared to 0.81% in 2017.  The 2017 ROAA figures were negatively impacted by the DTA write-down.
     
  • Return on Average Equity (“ROAE”) of 6.14% for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to 0.99% for the fourth quarter of 2017.  For the year, ROAE was 7.23%, compared to 5.65% in 2017.  The 2017 ROAE figures were negatively impacted by the DTA write-down.
     
  • Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (“ROATCE”) of 10.06% for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 11.47% for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to 1.41% for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 8.10% for the year ended December 31, 2017.  The 2017 ROATCE figures were negatively impacted by the DTA write-down.
     
  • Fourth quarter and full year 2018 loan growth (excluding mortgage loans held-for-sale) of $87.6 million and $1.18 billion, respectively.  The 2018 fourth quarter loan growth represents a 10.8% annualized growth rate.  Non-acquired loans grew $178.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2018 and $498.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The full year loan growth figures for 2018 include loans acquired in the Company’s acquisitions of FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc., Premier Community Bank of Florida and Landmark Bancshares, Inc.  
     
  • Increase in deposits of $100.6 million during the 2018 fourth quarter, representing a 12.0% annualized growth rate, and $1.15 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018.  The full year deposit growth figures for 2018 include deposits acquired in the Company’s acquisitions of FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc., Premier Community Bank of Florida and Landmark Bancshares, Inc.
     
  • During the fourth quarter of 2018, mortgage production totaled $109.7 million, compared to $121.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2017.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, mortgage production volume totaled $490.8 million, compared to $507.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.  The 2018 mortgage production was negatively impacted by rising rates.  For the 2018 fourth quarter, approximately $70 million of production was sold in the secondary market.  The mortgage division reported break-even profitability for the fourth quarter of 2018 and pre-tax profit of $360 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2018.
     
  • The factoring division reported a record quarter and year for revenues and profits. During the fourth quarter of 2018, purchased volume in the factoring division totaled $304.6 million, compared to $267.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2017.   For the year ended December 31, 2018, purchase volume totaled $1.21 billion, compared to the $1.03 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. Factoring net charge-offs were $344 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2018 (less than 0.03% of purchase volume), and the division reported net recoveries of $321 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2018. 
     
  • The Company had a record quarter and full year in the merchant sponsorship business, with 2018 fourth quarter revenue of $835 thousand, bringing 2018 full year merchant sponsorship revenue to $3.0 million. 
     
  • The Company’s tax rate in the 2018 fourth quarter benefited from the exercise of options by employees, net of some non-deductible compensation, resulting in a net reduction in income tax expense of approximately $700 thousand.
     
  • Increase in non-acquired non-performing assets to $5.7 million, from $1.1 million at September 30, 2018.  The increase was almost entirely associated with one commercial borrower that filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy during the fourth quarter of 2018.  The loan is secured by real estate with an appraised value in excess of the loan balance.  Total nonperforming assets, including acquired nonperforming assets, were 0.37% of loans plus other real estate at December 31, 2018.
     
  • Annualized net charge-offs of 0.02% of average loans outstanding for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 0.05% for the year ended December 31, 2018.
     
  • Provision for loan losses of $1.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2018, the same amount recorded during the fourth quarter of 2017.  Provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled $4.7 million, compared to $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
     
  • At December 31, 2018, the Company’s tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.85%, essentially flat compared to 10.89% at December 31, 2017.  At December 31, 2018, the Company’s common equity Tier 1 ratio was 13.10%, an increase of 0.56% from December 31, 2017.  At December 31, 2018, total risk-based capital was 14.81%, up 0.44% from December 31, 2017.  At December 31, 2018, the Company’s tangible book value per share was $20.63, an increase of $1.58 from $19.05 at December 31, 2017.  At December 31, 2018, the Company’s book value per share was $33.57.

A copy of this news release may be accessed by visiting www.nationalbankofcommerce.com, and then clicking on the “Investor Relations” link under the “Learn More” tab located on that webpage.  The Company will not host a live audio webcast conference this quarter.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the financial measures presented in this press release and included in the accompanying unaudited financial statements are not measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).  These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net earnings per diluted share, return on average assets (excluding merger/conversion-related expenses), return on average tangible common equity (excluding merger/conversion-related expenses), tangible common equity, average tangible common equity, return on average tangible common equity, tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio and operating efficiency ratio.  The Company’s management uses the non-GAAP financial measures set forth below in its analysis of the Company’s performance.

  • “Adjusted net earnings per diluted share” is defined as net income to common shareholders adjusted for the after-tax effect of merger/conversion-related expenses during the period divided by diluted shares outstanding.
     
  • “Return on average assets (excluding merger/conversion-related expenses)” is defined as net income to common shareholders adjusted for the after-tax effect of merger/conversion-related expenses during the period divided by average assets for the period.
     
  • “Return on average tangible common equity (excluding merger/conversion-related expenses)” is defined as net income to common shareholders adjusted for the after-tax effect of merger/conversion-related expenses during the period divided by average tangible common equity for the period.

The Company’s management believes that these measures provide useful information to management and investors because they eliminate the impact of merger/conversion-related expenses from each period to provide a meaningful comparison to other periods and other companies that might not have this category of expenses.  The Company’s management believes that it is appropriate to exclude merger/conversion-related expenses in its presentation because the costs vary based on factors specific to each acquisition and are not indicative of the costs of operating the Company’s core business.

  • “Tangible common equity” is defined as total shareholders’ equity less goodwill, other intangible assets and minority interest not included in intangible assets. 
  • “Average tangible common equity” is defined as the average of tangible common equity for the applicable period.
  • “Return on average tangible common equity,” or ROATCE, is defined as net income available to common shareholders divided by average tangible common equity.
  • “Tangible book value per share” is defined as tangible common equity divided by total common shares outstanding.  This measure is important to investors interested in changes from period to period in book value per share, exclusive of changes in intangible assets.

The Company’s management believes that these measures, each of which utilizes the concept of tangible common equity rather than total common equity, provide useful information to management and investors because they eliminate the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets created in an acquisition. These measures are commonly used by investors when assessing financial institutions.

  •  “Efficiency ratio” is defined as noninterest expense divided by operating revenue (which is equal to net interest income plus noninterest income), excluding one-time gains and losses on sales of securities. This measure is important to investors looking for a measure of efficiency in productivity based on the amount of revenue generated for each dollar spent.
  • “Operating efficiency ratio” is defined as noninterest expense divided by operating revenue, excluding one-time gains and losses on sales of securities and one-time gains and expenses related to merger and acquisition activities. This measure is important to investors looking for a measure of efficiency in productivity based on the amount of revenue generated for each dollar spent.             

The Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors that is supplementary to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP; however, the Company acknowledges that these non-GAAP financial measures have a number of limitations.  As such, the Company cautions readers that these disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, and that these disclosures are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that other companies use.  These non-GAAP financial measures exclude various items detailed in the attached “Non-GAAP Reconciliation.”

About National Commerce Corporation

National Commerce Corporation (Nasdaq: NCOM), a Delaware corporation, is a financial holding company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.  Its wholly-owned subsidiary, National Bank of Commerce, provides a broad array of financial services for commercial and consumer customers through seven full-service banking offices in Alabama, twenty-four full-service banking offices in Florida and five full-service banking offices in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area.  National Bank of Commerce conducts business under a number of trade names unique to its local markets, including United Legacy Bank, Reunion Bank of Florida, Private Bank of Buckhead, Private Bank of Decatur, PrivatePlus Mortgage, Patriot Bank, FirstAtlantic Bank, Premier Community Bank of Florida and First Landmark Bank.

Additionally, National Bank of Commerce owns a majority stake in Corporate Billing, LLC, a transaction-based finance company headquartered in Decatur, Alabama that provides factoring, invoicing, collection and accounts receivable management services to transportation companies and automotive parts and service providers throughout the United States and parts of Canada.

National Commerce Corporation files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Copies of its filings may be obtained through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or at www.nationalbankofcommerce.com.  More information about National Commerce Corporation and National Bank of Commerce may be obtained at www.nationalbankofcommerce.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements for which NCC claims the protection of the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified as such. In addition, certain statements may be contained in NCC’s future filings with the SEC, in press releases and in oral and written statements made by NCC or with NCC’s approval that are not statements of historical fact and that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (a) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (b) statements of NCC’s plans, objectives and expectations or those of its management or Board of Directors, including those relating to the pending merger with CenterState; (c) statements of future economic performance; and (d) statements of assumptions underlying such statements.  Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “targeted,” “continue,” “remain,” “will,” “should,” “may” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in NCC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and described in any subsequent reports that NCC has filed with the SEC.  With respect to the pending merger with CenterState, these risks include, among others: (1) the risk that the cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be realized or take longer than anticipated to be realized; (2) disruption from the merger with customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners; (3) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (4) the risk of successful integration of NCC’s businesses into CenterState; (5) the failure to obtain required governmental approvals of the merger; (6) the failure to obtain the necessary stockholder approvals in connection with the merger; (7) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the merger; (8) reputational risk and the reaction of each company’s customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the merger; (9) the failure of the closing conditions in the merger agreement to be satisfied, or any unexpected delay in closing the merger; (10) the risk that the integration of NCC’s operations into the operations of CenterState will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; (11) the possibility that the merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; and (12) general competitive, economic, political and market conditions.  There are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements, and these forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events.  NCC undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In that respect, NCC cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.

Additional Information About the Merger with CenterState and Where to Find It

CenterState has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC to register the shares of CenterState’s common stock that will be issued to NCC’s stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. The registration statement includes a joint proxy statement of CenterState and NCC and a prospectus of CenterState. A definitive joint proxy statement-prospectus will be sent to the stockholders of each of CenterState and NCC in connection with the proposed merger. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE (AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS) BECAUSE SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC on its website at www.sec.gov.  Investors and security holders may also obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by CenterState on its website at www.centerstatebanks.com and by NCC on its website at www.nationalbankofcommerce.com.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders of CenterState and NCC are urged to read carefully the entire registration statement and joint proxy statement-prospectus when it becomes available, including any amendments thereto, because such documents will contain important information about the proposed transaction.  Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.

CenterState, NCC and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of each of CenterState and NCC in connection with the proposed merger.  Information regarding the directors and executive officers of CenterState and NCC and other persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of CenterState or of NCC in connection with the proposed merger will be included in the joint proxy statement-prospectus for each of CenterState’s and NCC’s special meeting of stockholders, which will be filed by CenterState and NCC with the SEC.  Information about the directors and officers of CenterState and their ownership of CenterState common stock can also be found in CenterState’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on March 12, 2018, and other documents subsequently filed by CenterState with the SEC.  Information about the directors and officers of NCC and their ownership of NCC common stock can also be found in NCC’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on April 20, 2018, and other documents subsequently filed by NCC with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants will be included in the joint proxy statement-prospectus and other relevant documents regarding the merger filed with the SEC when they become available.                             

 
 
NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION
Unaudited Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts and percentages or as otherwise noted)
                     
    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2018     2018     2018     2018     2017  
Earnings Summary                    
Interest income   $  51,430   $  46,195   $  37,713   $  36,320   $  30,224  
Interest expense      7,533      6,174      4,310      3,420      2,824  
Net interest income      43,897      40,021      33,403      32,900      27,400  
Provision for loan losses      1,548      1,001      856      1,318      1,478  
Gain (loss) on sale of securities      –      –      2      191      (119 )
Other noninterest income (1)      5,130      4,768      4,673      4,517      4,744  
Merger/conversion-related expenses (2)      2,810      897      542      2,396      1,172  
Additional incentive compensation expenses (3)      3,776      –      –      –      –  
Other noninterest expense (4)      26,799      26,199      22,077      21,579      17,838  
  Income before income taxes      14,094      16,692      14,603      12,315      11,537  
Income tax expense      2,672      4,040      3,303      2,776      3,890  
Deferred tax asset write-down      –      –      –      –      6,231  
  Total income tax expense      2,672      4,040      3,303      2,776      10,121  
  Net income before minority interest      11,422      12,652      11,300      9,539      1,416  
  Net income attributable to minority interest      721      676      616      456      413  
Net income to common shareholders   $  10,701   $  11,976   $  10,684   $  9,083   $  1,003  
                     
Weighted average common and diluted shares outstanding                  
  Basic      20,676,626      19,838,772      17,236,525      17,209,551      14,783,597  
  Diluted      21,169,085      20,360,770      17,642,926      17,612,298      15,173,984  
                     
Net earnings per common share                    
  Basic   $  0.52   $  0.60   $  0.62   $  0.53   $  0.07  
  Diluted   $  0.51   $  0.59   $  0.61   $  0.52   $  0.07  
                     
Adjusted net earnings per diluted share (excluding                    
  merger/conversion-related expenses)   $  0.62   $  0.63   $  0.63   $  0.62   $  0.12  
                     
                     

    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,  
Selected Performance Ratios     2018       2018     2018     2018     2017  
Return on average assets (ROAA) (5)      1.02      1.23 %    1.36 %    1.18 %    0.15
ROAA (excluding merger/conversion-related expenses)      1.24        1.31      1.42      1.42      0.28  
Return on average equity (ROAE)      6.14        7.40      8.39      7.35      0.99  
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE)      10.06        12.09      12.73      11.27      1.41  
ROATCE (excluding merger/conversion-related expenses)      12.28        12.85      13.26      13.54      2.55  
Net interest margin – taxable equivalent      4.74        4.69      4.77      4.80      4.63  
Efficiency ratio      68.10        60.50      59.40      64.08      59.14  
Operating efficiency ratio (4)      62.36        58.49      57.98      57.67      55.49  
Noninterest income / average assets (annualized)      0.49        0.49      0.60      0.59      0.72  
Noninterest expense / average assets (annualized)      2.82        2.78      2.88      3.12      2.88  
Yield on loans      5.88        5.74      5.74      5.66      5.45  
Cost of total deposits      0.80      0.70 %    0.60 %    0.47 %    0.43
                       
                       
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,  
Factoring Metrics     2018       2018     2018     2018     2017  
Recourse purchased volume   $  129,388     $  132,531   $  127,680   $  115,970   $  108,628  
Non-recourse purchased volume      175,220        182,742      181,835      167,015      158,565  
Total purchased volume   $  304,608     $  315,273   $  309,515   $  282,985   $  267,193  
Average turn (days)      44.79        44.56      42.85      42.25      43.59  
Net (recoveries) charge-offs / total purchased volume      (0.11 )%      0.03 %    0.06 %    0.14 %    0.18
Average discount rate      1.53      1.64 %    1.63 %    1.64 %    1.59
                       
                       
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,  
Mortgage Metrics     2018       2018     2018     2018     2017  
Total production ($)   $  109,740     $  116,540   $  149,640   $  114,850   $  120,969  
 Refinance (%)      31.4      23.4 %    17.0 %    27.8 %    22.1
 Purchases (%)      68.6      76.6 %    83.0 %    72.2 %    77.9
                       
    As of  
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,  
Balance Sheet Highlights     2018       2018     2018     2018     2017  
Cash and cash equivalents   $  217,130     $  200,291   $  217,773   $  132,825   $  235,288  
Total investment securities      212,561        211,182      161,542      169,868      111,396  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale      15,031        15,533      24,455      21,077      29,191  
Acquired purchased credit-impaired loans      39,536        40,922      26,942      29,359      25,696  
Acquired non-purchased credit-impaired loans      1,198,058        1,262,636      714,359      783,556      538,276  
Nonacquired loans held for investment (6)      1,953,685        1,774,835      1,614,376      1,531,475      1,455,376  
CBI loans (factoring receivables)      126,686        151,985      141,455      136,194      118,710  
Total gross loans held for investment      3,317,965        3,230,378      2,497,132      2,480,584      2,138,058  
Allowance for loan losses      18,176        16,759      15,997      15,839      14,985  
Total intangibles      267,984        269,297      173,590      174,225      117,849  
Total assets      4,210,541        4,103,345      3,214,367      3,113,766      2,737,676  
Total deposits      3,432,289        3,331,682      2,643,713      2,551,517      2,285,831  
FHLB advances      2,000        2,000      7,000      7,000      7,000  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase      18,851        18,340      –      –      –  
Subordinated debt      37,235        37,211      24,580      24,567      24,553  
Total liabilities      3,513,483        3,418,534      2,697,563      2,608,040      2,337,718  
Minority interest      7,655        7,611      7,551      7,391      7,348  
Common stock      208        206      172      172      148  
Total shareholders’ equity      697,058        684,811      516,804      505,726      399,958  
Tangible common equity   $  428,353     $  414,837   $  342,597   $  331,044   $  281,695  
End of period common shares outstanding      20,762,084        20,649,948      17,246,659      17,229,043      14,788,436  
                       
                       
    As of and For the Three Months Ended  
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,  
Asset Quality Analysis     2018       2018     2018     2018     2017  
Nonacquired                      
Nonaccrual loans   $  4,807     $  231   $  294   $  367   $  82  
Other real estate and repossessed assets      75        340      340      –      –  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing      818        484      408      723      677  
Total nonacquired nonperforming assets   $  5,700     $  1,055   $  1,042   $  1,090   $  759  
                       
Acquired                      
Nonaccrual loans   $  5,612     $  4,050   $  2,461   $  2,412   $  2,640  
Other real estate and repossessed assets      899        999      999      999      1,094  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing      –        –      –      –      –  
Total acquired nonperforming assets   $  6,511     $  5,049   $  3,460   $  3,411   $  3,734  
                       
Selected asset quality ratios                      
Nonperforming assets / Assets      0.29      0.15 %    0.14 %    0.14 %    0.16
Nonperforming assets / (Loans + OREO + repossessed assets)    0.37        0.19      0.18      0.18      0.21  
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (annualized)      0.02        0.03      0.11      0.08      0.14  
Allowance for loan losses to total loans      0.55        0.52      0.64      0.64      0.70  
Nonacquired nonperforming assets / (Nonacquired loans +                    
  nonacquired OREO + nonacquired repossessed assets) (6)    0.29        0.06      0.06      0.07      0.05  
Allowance for loan losses / (Nonacquired nonaccrual loans +                    
  nonacquired loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing)    323.13        2,343.92      2,278.77      1,453.12      1,974.31  
                       

 

    As of
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
Additional Information – Allowance for Loan Losses   2018       2018     2018       2018     2017  
Allowance for loan losses excluding CBI loans (factoring receivables)    17,576        16,159      15,397        15,239      14,385  
Nonacquired loans held for investment (6)      1,953,685        1,774,835      1,614,376        1,531,475      1,455,376  
Allowance for loan losses allocated to CBI loans (factoring receivables)    600        600      600        600      600  
CBI loans (factoring receivables)      126,686        151,985      141,455        136,194      118,710  
                     
    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
Taxable Equivalent Yields/Rates     2018       2018     2018       2018     2017  
Interest income:                    
  Loans      5.88      5.74 %    5.74      5.66 %    5.45
  Mortgage loans held-for-sale      4.68        4.92      3.71        4.85      2.96  
  Interest on securities:                    
  Taxable      3.45        3.10      3.14        3.11      3.09  
  Non-taxable      4.07        4.01      4.23        4.06      4.81  
Cash balances in other banks      2.27        2.13      1.80        1.55      1.37  
Funds sold      –        –      –        1.38      –  
Total interest-earning assets      5.56        5.41      5.38        5.29      5.10  
                     
Interest expense:                    
  Interest on deposits      1.11        0.97      0.84        0.67      0.62  
  Interest on FHLB advances      4.17        2.98      4.13        4.11      4.02  
  Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase    1.48        1.07      –        –      –  
  Interest on subordinated debt      6.50        6.47      6.30        6.41      6.27  
  Total interest-bearing liabilities      1.20        1.05      0.93        0.76      0.73  
  Net interest spread      4.36        4.36      4.45        4.53      4.37  
  Net interest margin      4.74      4.69 %    4.77      4.80 %    4.63
                     
    As of
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2018       2018     2018       2018     2017  
Shareholders’ Equity and Capital Ratios                    
Tier 1 leverage ratio      10.85      11.40 %    11.24      10.98 %    10.89
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio      13.10        13.03      13.43        13.03      12.54  
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio      13.10        13.03      13.43        13.03      12.54  
Total risk-based capital ratio      14.81        14.74      15.06        14.66      14.37  
Equity / Assets      16.56        16.69      16.08        16.24      14.61  
Tangible common equity to tangible assets      10.86      10.82 %    11.27      11.26 %    10.75
Book value per share   $  33.57     $  33.16   $  29.97     $  29.35   $  27.05  
Tangible book value per share   $  20.63     $  20.09   $  19.86     $  19.21   $  19.05  
                     
    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2018       2018     2018       2018     2017  
Detail of Noninterest Income                    
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts   $  1,165     $  1,166   $  1,029     $  1,012   $  733  
Mortgage origination and fee income      1,882        1,825      2,262        1,895      2,450  
Merchant sponsorship revenue      835        749      675        720      592  
Income from bank-owned life insurance      340        323      276        286      210  
Wealth management fees      27        16      15        15      11  
(Loss) gain on sale of other real estate      (83 )      –      (32 )      171      (66 )
Gain (loss) on sale of investments      –        –      2        191      (119 )
Other noninterest income      964        689      448        418      814  
  Total noninterest income   $  5,130     $  4,768   $  4,675     $  4,708   $  4,625  
                     
    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2018       2018     2018       2018     2017  
Detail of Noninterest Expense                    
Salaries and employee benefits   $  18,872     $  14,336   $  12,498     $  12,460   $  10,016  
Commission-based compensation      1,753        1,876      1,825        1,501      1,700  
Occupancy and equipment, net      2,536        2,439      2,025        1,994      1,649  
Data processing expenses      2,520        1,820      1,369        3,356      1,437  
Advertising and marketing expenses      340        296      361        268      349  
Legal fees      1,001        384      496        160      219  
FDIC insurance assessments      265        267      226        281      145  
Property and casualty insurance premiums      217        232      251        224      253  
Accounting and audit expenses      328        388      332        335      209  
Consulting and other professional expenses      1,450        1,347      568        538      888  
Telecommunications expenses      350        295      227        229      217  
ORE, Repo asset and other collection expenses      80        61      71        69      75  
Core deposit intangible amortization      1,466        1,306      738        739      393  
Other noninterest expense      2,207        2,049      1,632        1,821      1,460  
  Total noninterest expense   $  33,385     $  27,096   $  22,619     $  23,975   $  19,010  
    As of
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
Non-GAAP Reconciliation     2018       2018     2018       2018     2017  
Total shareholders’ equity   $  697,058     $  684,811   $  516,804     $  505,726   $  399,958  
Less: intangible assets      267,984        269,297      173,590        174,225      117,849  
Less: minority interest not included in intangible assets      721        677      617        457      414  
Tangible common equity   $  428,353     $  414,837   $  342,597     $  331,044   $  281,695  
Common shares outstanding at year or period end      20,762,084        20,649,948      17,246,659        17,229,043      14,788,436  
Tangible book value per share   $  20.63     $  20.09   $  19.86     $  19.21   $  19.05  
Total assets at end of period   $  4,210,541     $  4,103,345   $  3,214,367     $  3,113,766   $  2,737,676  
Less: intangible assets      267,984        269,297      173,590        174,225      117,849  
Adjusted total assets at end of period   $  3,942,557     $  3,834,048   $  3,040,777     $  2,939,541   $  2,619,827  
Tangible common equity to tangible assets      10.86      10.82 %    11.27      11.26 %    10.75
                     
    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2018       2018     2018       2018     2017  
Non-GAAP Reconciliation                    
Net income to common shareholders   $  10,701     $  11,976   $  10,684     $  9,083   $  1,003  
Plus: merger/conversion-related expenses (net of tax)      2,353        752      445        1,826      815  
Adjusted net income to common shareholders   $  13,054     $  12,728   $  11,129     $  10,909   $  1,818  
Net earnings per common share   $  0.51     $  0.59   $  0.61     $  0.52   $  0.07  
Effect to adjust for merger/conversion-related  expenses                    
  (net of tax)      0.11        0.04      0.02        0.10      0.05  
Adjusted net earnings per diluted share   $  0.62     $  0.63   $  0.63     $  0.62   $  0.12  
Total average shareholders’ equity   $  690,986     $  642,367   $  510,958     $  500,901   $  402,317  
Less: average intangible assets      268,619        248,900      173,953        173,766      119,415  
Less: average minority interest not included                    
  in intangible assets      465        435      366        326      357  
Average tangible common equity   $  421,902     $  393,032   $  336,639     $  326,809   $  282,545  
Net income to common shareholders      10,701        11,976      10,684        9,083      1,003  
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE)      10.06      12.09 %    12.73      11.27 %    1.41
Return on average tangible common equity      10.06      12.09 %    12.73      11.27 %    1.41
Effect of merger/conversion-related expenses (net of tax)      2.22        0.76      0.53        2.27      1.14  
ROATCE (excluding merger/conversion-related expenses)      12.28      12.85 %    13.26      13.54 %    2.55
Return on average assets      1.02      1.23 %    1.36      1.18 %    0.15  
Effect of merger/conversion-related expenses (net of tax)      0.22        0.08      0.06        0.24      0.12  
ROAA (excluding merger/conversion related-expenses)      1.24      1.31 %    1.42      1.42 %    0.28
Efficiency ratio:                    
Net interest income   $  43,897     $  40,021   $  33,403     $  32,900   $  27,400  
Total noninterest income      5,130        4,768      4,675        4,708      4,625  
Less:  Gain (loss) on sale of securities      –        –      2        191      (119 )
Operating revenue   $  49,027     $  44,789   $  38,076     $  37,417   $  32,144  
Expenses:                    
Total noninterest expenses   $  33,385     $  27,096   $  22,619     $  23,975   $  19,010  
Efficiency ratio      68.10      60.50 %    59.40      64.08 %    59.14
Operating efficiency ratio:                    
Net interest income   $  43,897     $  40,021   $  33,403     $  32,900   $  27,400  
Total noninterest income      5,130        4,768      4,675        4,708      4,625  
Less:  Gain (loss) on sale of securities      –        –      2        191      (119 )
Operating revenue   $  49,027     $  44,789   $  38,076     $  37,417   $  32,144  
Expenses:                    
Total noninterest expenses   $  33,385     $  27,096   $  22,619     $  23,975   $  19,010  
Less: merger/conversion-related expenses      2,810        897      542        2,396      1,172  
Adjusted noninterest expenses   $  30,575     $  26,199   $  22,077     $  21,579   $  17,838  
Operating efficiency ratio      62.36      58.49 %    57.98      57.67 %    55.49
                     
(1) Excludes securities gains                    
(2) After-tax impact of merger/conversion-related expenses of $2,353, $752, $445, $1,826 and $815, respectively, for the periods presented    
(3) After-tax impact of additional compensation expenses of $2,823 shown in three months ended December 2018          
(4) Excludes merger/conversion-related expenses                    
(5) Net income to common shareholders / average assets                    
(6) Excludes CBI loans (factoring receivables)                    

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION  
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets  
(In thousands, except share and per share data)  
       
Assets  
  December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017  
 Cash and due from banks  $   50,628   $   36,246  
 Interest-bearing deposits with banks      166,502       199,042  
  Cash and cash equivalents      217,130       235,288  
 Investment securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $24,821 and $25,932 at December 31, 2018       
  and December 31, 2017, respectively)      25,045       25,562  
 Investment securities available-for-sale      187,516       85,834  
 Other investments      16,946       11,350  
 Mortgage loans held-for-sale      15,031       29,191  
 Loans, net of unearned income      3,317,965       2,138,058  
 Less: allowance for loan losses      18,176       14,985  
  Loans, net      3,299,789       2,123,073  
 Premises and equipment, net      86,658       52,455  
 Accrued interest receivable      10,348       6,157  
 Bank-owned life insurance      55,114       31,584  
 Other real estate      974       1,094  
 Deferred tax assets, net      17,405       12,041  
 Goodwill      249,612       113,394  
 Core deposit intangible, net      18,372       4,455  
 Other assets      10,601       6,198  
  Total assets  $   4,210,541   $   2,737,676  
       
 Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   
 Deposits:       
  Noninterest-bearing demand  $   929,820   $   697,144  
  Interest-bearing demand      692,725       362,266  
  Savings and money market      1,315,337       951,846  
  Time      494,407       274,575  
  Total deposits      3,432,289       2,285,831  
 Federal Home Loan Bank advances      2,000       7,000  
 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase      18,851       –  
 Subordinated debt      37,235       24,553  
 Accrued interest payable      1,437       900  
 Other liabilities      21,671       19,434  
  Total liabilities      3,513,483       2,337,718  
       
 Shareholders’ equity:       
  Preferred stock, 250,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding      –       –  
  Common stock, $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 20,762,084 and 14,788,436       
  shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively      208       148  
  Additional paid-in capital      604,965       347,999  
  Retained earnings      86,433       43,989  
  Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income      (2,203 )     474  
  Total shareholders’ equity attributable to National Commerce Corporation      689,403       392,610  
  Noncontrolling interest      7,655       7,348  
  Total shareholders’ equity      697,058       399,958  
  Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $   4,210,541   $   2,737,676  
       

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION  
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Earnings  
(In thousands, except share and per share data)  
             
  For the Three Months Ended   For the Twelve Months Ended  
  December 31,   December 31,  
    2018     2017       2018   2017    
Interest and dividend income:            
  Interest and fees on loans $   48,505   $   28,834     $   162,332 $   104,194    
  Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities     1,776       756         5,654     2,627    
  Interest on non-taxable investment securities     181       191         751     783    
  Interest on interest-bearing deposits and federal funds sold     968       443         2,921     2,187    
  Total interest income     51,430       30,224         171,658     109,791    
Interest expense:            
  Interest on deposits     6,831       2,365         19,205     8,530    
  Interest on FHLB advances     21       71         190     283    
  Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase     71       –         121     1    
  Interest on subordinated debt     610       388         1,921     1,553    
  Total interest expense     7,533       2,824         21,437     10,367    
  Net interest income     43,897       27,400         150,221     99,424    
Provision for loan losses     1,548       1,478         4,723     3,894    
  Net interest income after provision for loan losses     42,349       25,922         145,498     95,530    
Other income:            
  Service charges and fees on deposit accounts     1,165       733         4,372     2,711    
  Mortgage origination and fee income     1,882       2,450         7,864     11,529    
  Merchant sponsorship revenue     835       592         2,979     2,560    
  Income from bank-owned life insurance     340       210         1,225     855    
  Wealth management fees     27       11         73     47    
  Gain (loss) on other real estate     (83 )     (66 )       56     44    
  Gain on sale of investment securities available-for-sale     –       (119 )       193     (91 )  
  Other     964       814         2,519     2,056    
  Total other income     5,130       4,625         19,281     19,711    
Other expense:            
  Salaries and employee benefits     18,872       10,016         58,166     39,556    
  Commission-based compensation     1,753       1,700         6,955     6,855    
  Occupancy and equipment, net     2,536       1,649         8,994     6,209    
  Core deposit intangible amortization     1,466       393         4,249     1,455    
  Other operating expense     8,758       5,252         28,711     19,120    
  Total other expense     33,385       19,010         107,075     73,195    
  Earnings before income taxes     14,094       11,537         57,704     42,046    
Income tax expense     2,672       10,121         12,791     20,071    
  Net earnings      11,422       1,416         44,913     21,975    
  Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest     721       413         2,469     1,907    
  Net earnings attributable to National Commerce Corporation $   10,701   $   1,003     $   42,444 $   20,068    
             
Weighted average common and diluted shares outstanding            
  Basic     20,676,626       14,783,597         18,753,066     13,800,595    
  Diluted     21,169,085       15,173,984         19,230,190     14,193,433    
             
Basic earnings per common share $   0.52   $   0.07     $   2.26 $   1.45    
Diluted earnings per common share $   0.51   $   0.07     $   2.21 $   1.41    

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION  
Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis  
   
                                 
  For the Three Months Ended  
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017  
Interest-earning assets Average Balance Interest Income/ Expense Average Yield/ Rate Average Balance Interest Income/ Expense Average Yield/ Rate Average Balance Interest Income/ Expense Average Yield/ Rate Average Balance Interest Income/ Expense Average Yield/ Rate Average Balance Interest Income/ Expense Average Yield/ Rate  
Loans $   3,263,797 $   48,332 5.88 % $   3,002,640 $   43,459 5.74 % $   2,480,578 $   35,501 5.74 % $   2,451,352 $   34,220 5.66 % $   2,091,443 $   28,704 5.45 %  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale     14,909     176  4.68        18,935     235  4.92        23,247     215  3.71        17,402     208  4.85        18,237     136  2.96     
Securities:                                
  Taxable securities     204,498     1,776  3.45        191,157     1,496  3.10        155,062     1,212  3.14        152,748     1,170  3.11        97,175     756  3.09     
  Tax-exempt securities     23,595     242  4.07        25,102     254  4.01        24,393     257  4.23        25,169     252  4.06        25,005     303  4.81     
Cash balances in other banks     169,235     968  2.27        152,715     818  2.13        132,868     596  1.80        138,358     529  1.55        128,606     443  1.37     
Funds sold     –     –  0.00        –     –  0.00        –     –  0.00        2,946     10  1.38        –     –  0.00     
  Total interest-earning assets     3,676,034 $   51,494  5.56        3,390,549 $   46,262  5.41        2,816,148 $   37,781  5.38        2,787,975 $   36,389  5.29        2,360,466 $   30,342  5.10     
Noninterest-earning assets     485,083         475,094         333,297         328,605         255,239      
  Total assets $   4,161,117     $   3,865,643     $   3,149,445     $   3,116,580     $   2,615,705      
                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities                                
Interest-bearing transaction accounts $   605,295 $   984 0.64 % $   644,863 $   877 0.54 % $   517,769 $   632 0.49 % $   423,537 $   322 0.31 % $   331,876 $   277 0.33 %  
Savings and money market deposits     1,311,434     3,893  1.18        1,162,707     3,114  1.06        975,986     2,182  0.90        1,038,751     1,816  0.71        884,660     1,381  0.62     
Time deposits     520,994     1,954  1.49        470,211     1,570  1.32        342,890     1,038  1.21        327,011     823  1.02        285,669     707  0.98     
Federal Home Loan Bank     2,000     21  4.17        3,467     26  2.98        7,000     72  4.13        7,000     71  4.11        7,000     71  4.02     
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase     19,041     71  1.48        18,457     50  1.07        –     –  0.00        –     –  0.00        381     –  0.00     
Subordinated debt     37,235     610  6.50        32,950     537  6.47        24,574     386  6.30        24,560     388  6.41        24,547     388  6.27     
  Total interest-bearing liabilities     2,495,999 $   7,533  1.20        2,332,655 $   6,174  1.05        1,868,219 $   4,310  0.93        1,820,859 $   3,420  0.76        1,534,133 $  2,824  0.73     
Noninterest-bearing deposits     946,572         866,974         746,940         772,358         657,786      
  Total funding sources     3,442,571         3,199,629         2,615,159         2,593,217         2,191,919      
Noninterest-bearing liabilities     27,560         23,647         23,328         22,462         21,469      
Shareholders’ equity     690,986         642,367         510,958         500,901         402,317      
  $  4,161,117     $ 3,865,643     $  3,149,445     $   3,116,580     $   2,615,705      
Net interest rate spread     4.36 %     4.36 %     4.45 %     4.53 %     4.37 %  
Net interest income/margin (taxable equivalent)       43,961 4.74 %       40,088 4.69 %       33,471 4.77 %       32,969 4.80 %       27,518 4.63 %  
Tax equivalent adjustment       64         67         68         69         118    
Net interest income/margin   $ 43,897 4.74 %   $  40,021 4.68 %   $   33,403 4.76 %   $ 32,900 4.79 %   $ 27,400 4.61 %  
                                 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION
Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
             
  For the Twelve Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Interest-earning assets Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average Yield/
Rate
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average Yield/
Rate
Loans $   2,802,374 $   161,512 5.76 % $   1,918,634 $   103,539 5.40 %
Mortgage loans held for sale     18,617     834  4.48        18,779     679  3.62   
Securities:            
  Taxable securities     176,050     5,654  3.21        89,492     2,627  2.94   
  Tax-exempt securities     24,562     1,005  4.09        25,420     1,243  4.89   
Cash balances in other banks     148,391     2,911  1.96        198,689     2,187  1.10   
Funds sold     726     10  1.38        –     –  0.00   
  Total interest-earning assets     3,170,720 $   171,926  5.42        2,251,014 $   110,275  4.90   
Non-interest earning assets     406,140         230,482    
  Total assets $   3,576,860     $   2,481,496    
             
Interest-bearing liabilities            
Interest-bearing transactions accounts $   548,630 $   2,815 0.51 % $   330,057 $   944 0.29 %
Savings and money market deposits     1,123,078     11,005  0.98        834,664     4,848  0.58   
Time deposits     415,958     5,385  1.29        288,851     2,738  0.95   
Federal Home Loan Bank advances     4,849     190  3.92        7,000     283  4.04   
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase     9,452     121  1.28        651     1  0.15   
Subordinated debt     29,873     1,921  6.43        24,527     1,553  6.33   
  Total interest-bearing liabilities     2,131,840 $   21,437  1.01        1,485,750 $   10,367  0.70   
Non-interest bearing deposits     833,781         621,819    
  Total funding sources     2,965,621         2,107,569    
Non-interest bearing liabilities     24,262         18,549    
Shareholders’ equity     586,977         355,378    
  $   3,576,860     $   2,481,496    
Net interest rate spread     4.41 %     4.20 %
Net interest income/margin (taxable equivalent)       150,489 4.75 %       99,908 4.44 %
Tax equivalent adjustment       268         484  
Net interest income/margin   $   150,221 4.74 %   $   99,424 4.42 %
             
CONTACT: Contact:
National Commerce Corporation

William E. Matthews, V                                               
President and Chief Financial Officer        
(205) 313-8100               

Lowell Womack, Jr.    
Director of Financial Reporting
(205) 313-8100