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FIRST UNITED CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER 2023 EARNINGS
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FIRST UNITED CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER 2023 EARNINGS

OAKLAND, Md., Feb. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — First United Corporation (NASDAQ: FUNC), a bank holding company and the parent company of First United Bank & Trust (the “Bank”), today announced earnings results for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2023.  For the year ended December 31, 2023, consolidated net income was $15.1 million, or $2.25 per basic share and $2.24 per diluted share, compared to $25.0 million, or $3.77 per basic share and $3.76 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022.

According to Carissa Rodeheaver, Chairman, President and CEO, “2023 was a challenging year as we experienced industry turmoil, the impact of the rapidly increased rate environment and strong deposit competition.  Despite these challenges, we were able to limit the impact to our margin, achieve strong loan growth, maintain strong asset quality and execute several strategic items. In the fourth quarter, we accomplished a balance sheet restructuring and announced the consolidation of our branch network.  While these strategies had a short-term impact on our fourth quarter and year-to-date earnings, they position us well for greater efficiency and more positive ongoing future earnings.  I am proud of our associates and their continued commitment to providing customized financial solutions to our clients resulting in a strong 2023 total shareholder return of 23.6%.” Our team has successfully assisted our customers in navigating this volatile and unpredictable financial environment.”

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights:

  • Total assets at December 31, 2023 decreased by $22.3 million, or 1.2%, when compared to September 30, 2023 and increased by $57.7 million, or 3.1%, when compared to December 31, 2022. Significant changes during the fourth quarter included:



    • Cash balances decreased by $30.9 million when compared to September 30, 2023 and by $24.6 million when compared to December 31, 2022.
    • Investment securities decreased by $18.6 million when compared to September 30, 2023, and by $50.1 million when compared to December 31, 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Bank made a strategic decision to restructure its balance sheet and sold available-for-sale (“AFS”) investment securities totaling $20.4 million with a book value of $24.6 million, resulting in pretax loss of $4.2 million and an after-tax loss of $3.2 million.
    • Gross loans increased by $26.6 million when compared to September 30, 2023 and by $127.2 million when compared to December 31, 2022, as:
      • commercial balances increased by $19.6 million during the fourth quarter and by $70.5 million when compared to December 31, 2022;
      • residential mortgage balances increased by $8.2 million during the fourth quarter and by $55.5 million when compared to December 31, 2022; and
      • consumer loans decreased by $1.2 million during the fourth quarter and increased by $1.2 million when compared to December 31, 2022.
    • Deposits decreased by $24.1 million when compared to September 30, 2023 and by $19.8 million when compared to December 31, 2022. The Corporation had brokered deposits of $30.0 million as of December 31, 2023 compared to $60.7 million as of September 30, 2023. There were no brokered deposits at December 31, 2022.
    • Short-term borrowings decreased by $7.9 million when compared to September 30, 2023 and by $19.1 million when compared to December 31, 2022. The decrease in quarterly balances was due primarily to seasonal fluctuations of municipal customer balances in overnight investment sweep products. The decrease from December 31, 2022 was primarily related to one large municipal customer moving approximately $12.0 million in funds from an overnight investment sweep product to a non-interest-bearing deposit product as well as regular fluctuations in other municipal customer balances.
  • For the fourth quarter of 2023, consolidated net income, on a non-GAAP basis was $1.8 million, inclusive of a $3.3 million, net of tax, securities loss and $0.5 million, net of tax, of accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses related to the announcement of the closure of four branches in February 2024.



    • Net interest margin, on a non-GAAP, fully tax equivalent (“FTE”) basis, was 3.26% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.56% for year ended December 31, 2022.
    • Net interest margin, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, was 3.13% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 3.12% for the third quarter of 2023 and 3.63% for the fourth quarter of 2022.
    • Non-interest income, excluding net gains and losses, remained stable in the fourth quarter of 2023 when compared to the third quarter of 2023 and increased by $0.3 million when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 due to increases in wealth management income and debit card proceeds.
    • Non-interest expense decreased by $0.5 million when compared to the third quarter of 2023. This decrease was a result of a decrease of $0.5 million in net other real estate owned (“OREO”) expenses due to gains on sales of properties during the quarter, and a decrease of $0.6 million in salaries and benefits, related to reduced health insurance costs and reversal of accrued executive performance-based incentives. These reductions were offset by a $0.6 million increase in occupancy and equipment costs related to the acceleration of depreciation expense and lease termination expenses associated with the branch closures. When compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, non-interest expenses increased by $0.7 million. This increase was primarily due to the $0.6 million increase in occupancy and equipment costs related to the branch closures, a $0.2 million increase in salaries and benefits as a result of increased salary expense related to new hires during 2023, increased health insurance costs offset by reductions in executive incentives, a $0.3 million increase in employee benefit plan expense, and a $0.2 million increase in marketing expenses. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $0.6 million in net OREO expenses due to the recognition of gains on sales of properties during the fourth quarter of 2023.

Income Statement Overview

On a GAAP basis, net income was $1.8 million, inclusive of a $3.3 million, net of tax, loss on the sale of securities and $0.5 million, net of tax, accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses related to the branch closures, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $7.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 and $4.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted net income was $0.82 per share, non-GAAP, and $0.26 per share, GAAP, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to basic net income of $1.05 per share and diluted net income of $1.04 per share for the fourth quarter of 2022 and $0.67 per share for the third quarter of 2023.  Exclusive of these items, net income was $5.5 million on a non-GAAP basis.

The decrease in quarterly net income, year-over-year, was primarily driven by a restructuring of the investment portfolio leading to the recognition of a $3.3 million, net of tax, loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $0.5 million, net of tax, accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses related to the branch closures.   Additionally, net interest income decreased by $1.0 million year-over-year as a result of the lower net interest margin.   Interest expense increased by $5.8 million year-over-year, which was partially offset by an increase in interest income of $4.8 million.  The provision for credit losses was $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a credit to the provision of $0.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2022.  Salaries and employee benefits increased by $0.2 million due to an increase of $0.1 million in health insurance costs, as well as increased salary expense for new hires, merit increases effective April 1, 2023, partially offset by decreases in executive incentives and stock compensation.  Occupancy and equipment expenses increased by $0.6 million primarily related to the increased expenses recognized in conjunction with the announced branch closures.  Data processing expenses increased by $0.1 million, FDIC premiums increased by $0.1 million and miscellaneous expenses increased by $0.2 million primarily attributable to increased employee benefit plan expense.

When compared to the third quarter of 2023, net income decreased by $2.8 million due primarily to $3.3 million, net of tax, in recognized losses from the restructuring of the investment portfolio during the fourth quarter, as previously discussed.  Net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 increased by $0.2 million driven by an increase in interest income of $1.0 million, partially offset by an increase of $0.8 million in interest expense.  Provision for credit losses increased by $0.2 million due to the continued strong loan growth, which was partially offset by the continued strong credit quality of our loan portfolio and decreased historical loss factors.  Gains on the sale of residential mortgages decreased by $0.1 million in the fourth quarter as we experienced a seasonal decline in the mortgage pipeline. Other operating income, including debit card income and trust and brokerage fees, increased by $0.1 million quarter-over-quarter.  Operating expenses decreased by $0.5 million.  Net OREO expenses decreased by $0.5 million due to gains on sales of OREO properties recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023.  Salaries and employee benefits decreased by $0.6 million primarily due to decreases in incentive compensation and health insurance costs during the quarter.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in occupancy and equipment expenses of $0.6 million due to increased expenses recognized in conjunction with the announced branch closures as discussed earlier.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income was $15.1 million on a GAAP basis, inclusive of a $3.3 million, net of tax, loss on the sale of securities and $0.5 million, net of tax, in increased expenses related to the branch closures, and $18.8 million on a non-GAAP basis compared to GAAP and non-GAAP basis income of $25.0 million in 2022.  The year-over-year $9.9 million decrease in GAAP net income was driven by an increase in total operating expenses of $7.1 million.  Salaries and employee benefits increased by $3.4 due primarily to increased salary expense of $2.0 million related to new hires, the competitive environment for labor and merit increases effective April 1, 2023, increased health insurance costs of $1.0 million associated with unusually high claims and decreases of $0.4 in deferred loan costs. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $0.7 million due primarily to accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses associated with the announced branch closures, data processing expense increased by $0.5 million due to the implementation of new technology, and FDIC assessments increased by $0.4 million.  Other miscellaneous expenses, such as loan service fees, dues and licenses, check fraud expenses, employee benefit plan expense, and miscellaneous expenses increased by $2.0 million and professional fees increased by $0.6 million due to the $0.8 million cash receipt related to reimbursement of litigation expenses that was credited to expenses in 2022.  Provision for credit losses increased by $2.2 million when compared to prior year due to increased loan growth during 2023 and qualitative factors with the implementation of Accounting Standards Update 2016-13:  Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (“CECL”).  Net losses on AFS securities increased by $4.2 million when compared to prior year due to the sale of securities in the fourth quarter of 2023.  Net interest income decreased by $0.8 million due to compression of the net interest margin as experienced industry-wide during 2023.  These increases were partially offset by increases in gains on sales of mortgages of $0.3 million, service charges on deposit accounts of $0.2 million, and $0.1 million increase in debit card income.  Income taxes were down by $3.7 million when comparing the two periods due primarily to reductions in pre-tax income.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, decreased by $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.  This decrease was driven by an increase of $5.8 million in interest expense due to an increase of 160 basis points on interest paid on deposit accounts as well as an increase of $85.6 million in average balances of interest-bearing deposit accounts when compared to the same period of 2022.  Increased deposit pricing resulted from the continued pressure on deposits as well as a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing deposits to interest-bearing accounts including the Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) product to ensure full FDIC insurance coverage.   Interest income increased by $4.7 million.   Interest income on loans increased by $4.2 million due to the increase of 80 basis points in overall yield on the loan portfolio as new loans were booked at higher rates as well as adjustable-rate loans repricing in correlation to the rising rate environment and an increase in average balances of $116.4 million.   Investment income decreased by $0.3 million primarily due to a decrease of $22.5 million in average balances as the Corporation made the strategic decision to reinvest cash proceeds from the investment restructure and other principal  paydowns of its investments in higher yielding loans.  The net interest margin for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was 3.13% compared to 3.63% for the three months ended December 31, 2022. 

Comparing the fourth quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2023, net interest income, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, increased by $0.2 million   This increase was driven by an increase of $1.0 million in interest income offset by a $0.8 million increase in interest expense.  Interest income on loans increased by $1.2 million related to an overall increase of 22 basis points in yield as well as an increase of $34.6 million in average loan balances.  Interest expense on deposits increased by $0.8 million due to an increase of 21 basis points in the average rate paid and an increase in average deposit balances of $39.3 million during the quarter.  The increase in deposits was primarily driven by the increase of $47.9 million in money market accounts, which was partially offset by a $12.3 million decrease in savings accounts as customers moved deposit balances into a higher-yielding money market products.  Additionally, brokered deposits decreased by an average balance of $12.8 million quarter-over-quarter, as $30.1 million of brokered deposits matured in December 2023. 

Comparing the year ended December 31, 2023 to the year ended December 31, 2022, net interest income, on a non-GAAP, FTE basis, decreased by $1.1 million.  Interest expense on deposits increased by $16.0 million due to an increase in balances of $120.3 million and an increase in yield of 141 basis points.  Interest expense on long-term borrowings increased $3.5 million related to $80.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings obtained during the first quarter of 2023 and an increase in interest rates on variable rate trust preferred borrowings.  The increased interest expense resulted in an overall increase of 151 basis points on interest bearing liabilities.   This increase was partially offset by an increase of $18.4 million in interest income.   The yield on earning assets increased 78 basis points to 4.63% in 2023 compared to 3.85% in 2022 in correlation with the rising interest rate environment, new loans booked at higher rates as well as adjustable rate loans repricing.  The net margin was 3.26% in 2023 compared to 3.56% in 2022.

Non-Interest Income

Other operating income, including net (losses)/gains, for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by $3.9 million when compared to the same period of 2022.  The Corporation recognized $4.2 million in losses related to the sale of AFS securities in the fourth quarter of 2023.  Management executed the balance sheet restructuring to reinvest lower-yielding securities to fund its strong loan demand which is expected to increase the yield on earning assets in future quarters.  These losses were partially offset by increases in service charges, wealth management income, and gains on sales of mortgages.

On a linked quarter basis, other operating income, including net (losses)/gains, decreased by $4.3 million due primarily to the $4.2 million in losses related to the sale of AFS securities as discussed above.   In addition, gains on sales of residential mortgages decreased $0.1 million compared to the prior quarter.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $0.1 million in wealth management income and an increase of $0.1 million in debit card income.

Other operating income for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $3.6 million when compared to 2022.  The $4.2 million loss related to the sale of AFS securities in 2023 was partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts, $0.1 million increase in wealth management income, and $0.3 million increase in gains on sales of residential mortgages.

Non-Interest Expense

Operating expenses increased by $0.7 million when comparing the fourth quarter of 2023 to the fourth quarter of 2022.  Occupancy and equipment expenses increased by $0.6 million related to depreciation and lease termination expenses recognized in conjunction with announced branch closures.  Salaries and employee benefits increased by $0.2 million, marketing expenses increased by $0.2 million, FDIC premiums increased by $0.1 million, data processing expenses increased by $0.1 million, and miscellaneous expenses increased by $0.2 million.   These increases were partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in net OREO expenses due to gains from sales of OREO recognized during 2023.

Comparing the fourth quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2023, operating expenses decreased by $0.5 million.  This decrease was primarily attributable to a $0.5 million decrease in net OREO expenses due to gains recognized in the sale of OREO properties during the fourth quarter of 2023 and a $0.6 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits due to decreased incentive compensation and health insurance costs.   These decreases were partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in occupancy and equipment expense primarily related to depreciation and lease termination expenses recognized in conjunction with the announced branch closures.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest expenses increased by $7.1 million when compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.  Salaries and employee benefits increased by $3.4 due primarily to increased salary expense of $2.0 million related to new hires, the competitive environment for labor and merit increases effective April 1, 2023, increased health insurance costs of $1.0 million associated with unusually high claims and decreases of $0.4 in deferred loan costs. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $0.7 million due to the expenses related to the branch closures, data processing expense increased by $0.5 million as a result of the implementation of a new sales management system, and FDIC assessments increased by $0.4 million.  Professional fees increased by $0.6 million related to increased audit expenses in correlation to the new CECL implementation and increased legal and professional expenses due to the receipt of an $0.8 million in proceeds credited to expense in 2022. Other miscellaneous expenses increased by $2.0 million primarily driven by increased check fraud related expenses of $0.5 million, increased employee benefit costs of $1.1 million, increased escrow account fees due to the rising rate environment, miscellaneous loan fees and an increase of $0.2 million in fees associated with the ICS product.

The effective income tax rates as a percentage of income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were 22.7% and 24.5%, respectively.  The decrease in the tax rate for the 2023 period was primarily related to a new low-income housing tax credit investment in 2022 that began generating tax credits during the fourth quarter of 2022.  This tax credit will continue through 2032.

Balance Sheet Overview

Total assets at December 31, 2023 were $1.9 billion, representing a $57.7 million increase since December 31, 2022.   During 2023, cash and interest-bearing deposits in other banks decreased by $24.6 million.  In the first quarter of 2023, management made the strategic decision to obtain $61.1 million in brokered certificates of deposit and $80.0 million in FHLB borrowings to strengthen on-balance sheet liquidity in light of the disruption in the banking industry.  $30.0 million of the brokered deposits were repaid in September 2023 and during the third quarter, in anticipation of increasing rates, management pre-funded the $30.7 million of brokered deposits set to mature and be repaid in the fourth quarter of 2023 at the same rate in order to maintain cash balances and control interest expense.  Total brokered deposits outstanding at December 31, 2023 were $30.0 million

The investment portfolio decreased by $50.1 million since December 31, 2022 driven by management’s strategic decision to restructure the balance sheet in the fourth quarter by selling $20.4 million of AFS securities and investing the proceeds into higher yielding loans for future earnings growth.  Also in the third quarter of 2023, management opted to redeem a $17.8 million tax increment bond (“TIF”) at par to boost liquidity. Loans increased by $127.2 million since December 31, 2022 due primarily to growth in the commercial and residential mortgage portfolios.   Premises and equipment decreased by $3.5 million primarily due to accelerated depreciation related to announced branch closures.  Other assets, including bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) and deferred tax assets, increased by $7.0 million during 2023, as pension assets increased by $3.2 million, deferred tax assets increased by $1.3 million, and BOLI increased by $1.3 million.

Total liabilities at December 31, 2023 were $1.7 billion, representing a $47.6 million increase since December 31, 2022.   Total deposits decreased by $19.8 million since December 31, 2022.    Interest-bearing demand deposits and money market accounts increased by $23.2 million and $20.5 million, respectively, due to a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing deposits to interest-bearing accounts including the ICS product to ensure full FDIC insurance coverage, where balances grew by approximately $104.0 million.  These increases were offset by decreases in non-interest-bearing deposits of $78.9 million and savings accounts of $59.5 million as we saw businesses and consumers utilizing cash due to the rising rate and inflationary environment.  Total certificates of deposit increased by $75.0 million primarily due to an increase of $30.0 million in brokered certificates of deposits and $45.0 million in retail certificates of deposit.  Short-term borrowings decreased by $19.1 million since December 31, 2022 primarily due to one municipal customer moving funds from an overnight investment product to a non-interest bearing deposit product in 2023 as well as regular fluctuations in municipal deposit balances.  Long-term borrowings increased by $80.0 million in 2023 when compared to December 31, 2022 due to the acquisition of $80.0 million in FHLB borrowings in the first quarter of 2023. 

Total AFS and held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities totaled $311.5 million at December 31, 2023, representing a $50.1 million decrease compared to December 31, 2022.   In the third quarter of 2023, management elected to redeem $17.8 million from a non-rated municipal TIF bond at par. During December of 2023, management made a strategic decision to restructure the balance sheet by selling sold available-for-sale (“AFS”) investment securities totaling $20.4 million with a book value of $24.6 million, resulting in an after-tax loss of $3.2 million.  The securities had a weighted average book yield of approximately 1.3% and a weighted average life of approximately 6.65 years.   The proceeds from the sale will be used to fund loans with a conservative approximate average rate of 7.85%.  The Bank projects that the earn-back period will be approximately 3.3 years.  Additional decreases in the investment portfolio were primarily related to normal principal amortization.   Proceeds from sales and principal amortization during 2023 were used primarily to enhance on-balance sheet liquidity and to fund loan growth throughout the year.

Outstanding loans of $1.4 billion at December 31, 2023 reflected growth of $127.2 million in 2023.  Since December 31, 2022, commercial real estate loans increased by $34.9 million, acquisition and development loans increased by $6.5 million and commercial and industrial loans increased by $29.2 million.  Growth in the commercial portfolios was driven by increased activity with existing clients as well as cultivating new business relationships.  Residential mortgage loans increased $55.5 million related to management’s strategic decision to book new mortgage loans at higher rates to our in-house portfolio. The consumer loan portfolio increased slightly by $1.2 million.  

New commercial loan production for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $36.3 million.  The pipeline of commercial loans as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $22.0 million.  At December 31, 2023, unfunded, committed commercial construction loans totaled approximately $29.6 million. Commercial amortization and payoffs were approximately $151.6 million through December 31, 2023 due primarily to pay-offs of short-term commercial loans as well as normal amortizations of the commercial loan portfolio.

New residential mortgage loan production for the fourth quarter of 2023 was approximately $17.8 million, with most of this production comprised of in-house loans.  The pipeline of in-house, portfolio loans as of December 31, 2023 was $7.0 million.  The residential mortgage production level declined in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to the increasing interest rates and seasonality of this line of business.  Unfunded commitments related to residential construction loans totaled $17.6 million on December 31, 2023.  Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, management began shifting more activity towards the secondary market.

Total deposits at December 31, 2023 decreased by $19.8 million when compared to December 31, 2022.  In March 2023, the Corporation obtained $61.1 million in new brokered deposits.  In August 2023, the Corporation obtained $30.0 million of brokered deposits to pre-fund the maturity of a $30.4 million brokered certificate of deposit that matured in September 2023.  In December 2023, $30.6 million in brokered deposits matured and were repaid.  In addition, retail certificates of deposit increased by $45.0 million due primarily to a promotional nine-month certificate of deposit product offered in 2023.  Interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $23.2 million and money market accounts increased by $20.5 million due to a shift in the deposit portfolio mix from non-interest-bearing accounts to interest-bearing accounts including the ICS product to ensure full FDIC insurance.  These increases were offset by decreases in non-interest-bearing deposits of $78.9 million and savings accounts of $59.5 million due to the shift to interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, two relationships having large, planned deposit withdrawals totaling $39.5 million during 2023 to fund business activity, the effects of consumer and commercial spending and the competitive market for deposits. 

The book value of the Corporation’s common stock was $24.38 per share at December 31, 2023 compared to $22.77 per share at December 31, 2022.  At December 31, 2023, there were 6,639,888 of basic outstanding shares and 6,653,200 of diluted outstanding shares of common stock.  The increase in the book value at December 31, 2023 was due to the undistributed net income of $9.6 million during 2023, which was partially offset by a decrease in shareholders’ equity of $2.2 million, net of tax, due to the adoption of CECL (Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326). Accumulated other comprehensive income increased by $3.2 million due primarily to changes in the increased fair values of the Corporation’s available for sale investment securities, the reduction of the Corporation’s investment portfolio from the sale of investments in the fourth quarter and pension assets during the year.  In 2023, the Corporation purchased and retired 82,098 shares of the Corporation’s common stock at an average price of $16.79 per share pursuant to the previously announced stock repurchase program.   The program, the term of which expires on August 18, 2024 unless sooner terminated or extended by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, may be further utilized as the Board and management deem appropriate.

Asset Quality

On January 1, 2023, the Corporation adopted CECL, which replaced the incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss model.  As a result of the CECL adoption, the Corporation recorded a transition adjustment of $2.2 million, net of $0.7 million in tax, to retained earnings as of January 1, 2023 for the cumulative effect of the adoption of CECL.  The Corporation recorded a $2.0 million increase to the ACL related to loans and a $0.9 million increase to the allowance for credit losses (the “ACL”) on off balance sheet exposures.

For periods prior to the adoption of CECL, the Corporation recognized credit losses for loans that were collectively evaluated for impairment based on an incurred loss approach, which limited our measurement of credit losses to credit events that were estimated to have already occurred.  The allowance for loan losses (the “ALL”) under the incurred model was a valuation allowance for probable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  Management made the determination by taking into consideration historical loan loss experience, diversification of the loan portfolio, amount of secured and unsecured loans, banking industry standards and averages, and general economic conditions.  Credit losses were charged against the ALL when the loan balance was confirmed uncollectible.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, were credited to the ALL.  Ultimate losses varied from current estimates.  The estimates were reviewed periodically and as adjustments became necessary, they were reported in earnings in the periods in which they become reasonably estimable.

The ACL was $17.5 million at December 31, 2023 compared to an ALL of $14.6 million at December 31, 2022.  The provision for credit losses was $0.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to a credit to provision of $0.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.  The provision expense recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily related to strong loan growth and increases in qualitative risk factors related to the uncertainty of the economy, inflation levels, and rising interest rates, which was partially offset by the reduction of historical loss factors related to the strength of our overall portfolio.  Net charge-offs of $0.2 million were recorded for the quarters ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.  The ratio of the ACL to loans outstanding was 1.24% at December 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023 and 1.14% at December 31, 2022. 

The ratio of year-to-date net charge offs to average loans for the year ending December 31, 2023 was an annualized 0.07%, compared to net charge offs to average loans of 0.06% for 2022.  Details of the ratio, by loan type, are shown below.  Our special assets team continues to effectively collect on charged-off loans, resulting in ongoing overall low net charge-off ratios.

Ratio of Net (Charge Offs)/Recoveries to Average Loans


12/31/2023

12/31/2022

Loan Type

(Charge Off) / Recovery

(Charge Off) / Recovery

Commercial Real Estate

(0.02 %)

0.00 %

Acquisition & Development

0.01 %

0.00 %

Commercial & Industrial

(0.09 %)

(0.02 %)

Residential Mortgage

0.00 %

0.03 %

Consumer

(1.04 %)

(1.23 %)

Total Net (Charge Offs)/Recoveries

(0.07 %)

(0.06 %)


Non-accrual loans totaled $4.0 million at December 31, 2023 and $3.5 million at December 31, 2022.  OREO balances decreased by $0.2 million to $4.5 million since December 31, 2022 due to sales of OREO properties in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was partially offset by the addition of a new OREO property during the second quarter of 2023.  OREO is comprised primarily of $4.0 for one property which has been marked to market and is currently under contract with a targeted settlement in the second quarter of 2024.

Non-accrual loans that have been subject to partial charge-offs totaled $0.1 million at December 31, 2023 and $0.2 million at December 31, 2022.  Loans secured by 1-4 family residential real estate properties in the process of foreclosure totaled $1.8 million at December 31, 2023.  There were no loans subject to foreclosure at December 31, 2022.   As a percentage of the loan portfolio, accruing loans past due 30 days or more were 0.24% at December 31, 2023 compared to 0.27% at September 30, 2023 and 0.16% at December 31, 2022. 

ABOUT FIRST UNITED CORPORATION

First United Corporation is a Maryland corporation chartered in 1985 and a financial holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that elected financial holding company status in 2021.  The Corporation’s primary business is serving as the parent company of First United Bank & Trust, a Maryland trust company (the “Bank”), First United Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”) and First United Statutory Trust II (“Trust II” and together with Trust I, “the Trusts”), both Connecticut statutory business trusts.  The Trusts were formed for the purpose of selling trust preferred securities that qualified as Tier 1 capital.  The Bank has two consumer finance company subsidiaries- Oak First Loan Center, Inc., a West Virginia corporation, and OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company – and two subsidiaries that it uses to hold real estate acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure – First OREO Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, and FUBT OREO I, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company.  In addition, the Bank owns 99.9% of the limited partnership interests in Liberty Mews Limited Partnership, a Maryland limited partnership formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Garrett County, Maryland (“Limited Mews”), and a 99.9% non-voting membership interest in MCC FUBT Fund, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Allegany County, Maryland (the “MCC Fund”).   The Corporation’s website is www.mybank.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements do not represent historical facts, but are statements about management’s beliefs, plans and objectives about the future, as well as its assumptions and judgments concerning such beliefs, plans and objectives.  These statements are evidenced by terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions.  Although these statements reflect management’s good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true.  The beliefs, plans and objectives on which forward-looking statements are based involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements.  For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the section of the periodic reports that First United Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled “Risk Factors”. In addition, investors should understand that the Corporation is required under generally accepted accounting principles to evaluate subsequent events through the filing of the consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 and the impact that any such events have on our critical accounting assumptions and estimates made as of December 31, 2023, which could require us to make adjustments to the amounts reflected in this press release.

 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION

Oakland, MD

Stock Symbol :  FUNC

Financial Highlights – Unaudited











(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)












Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended




December 31, 


December 31,


December 31, 


December 31,




2023


2022


2023


2022

Results of Operations:









      Interest income 


$                 22,191


$                 17,359


$                 81,156


$                  62,422

      Interest expense 


7,997


2,179


24,286


4,789

      Net interest income


14,194


15,180


56,870


57,633

      Provision/(credit) for credit/loan losses


419


(736)


1,620


(627)

      Other operating income


4,793


4,479


18,331


17,878

      Net (losses)/gains


(4,184)


11


(3,862)


172

      Other operating expense


12,309


11,590


50,243


43,129

      Income before taxes


$                   2,075


$                   8,816


$                 19,476


$                  33,181

      Income tax expense


317


1,847


4,416


8,133

      Net income


$                   1,758


$                   6,969


$                 15,060


$                  25,048











Per share data:









      Basic net income per share


$                     0.26


$                     1.05


$                     2.25


$                      3.77

      Diluted net income per share


$                     0.26


$                     1.04


$                     2.24


$                      3.76

      Dividends declared per share


$                     0.20


$                     0.18


$                     0.80


$                      0.63

      Book value


$                   24.38


$                   22.77





      Diluted book value


$                   24.33


$                   22.68





      Tangible book value per share


$                   22.56


$                   20.91





      Diluted Tangible book value per share


$                   22.51


$                   20.87















      Closing market value


$                   23.51


$                   19.65





      Market Range:









          High


$                   23.51


$                   20.56





          Low


$                   16.12


$                   16.74















Shares outstanding at period end: Basic


6,639,888


6,666,428





Shares outstanding at period end: Diluted


6,653,200


6,692,039















Performance ratios: (Year to Date Period End, annualized)









Return on average assets



0.78 %


1.39 %





Return on average shareholders’ equity



9.68 %


18.19 %





Net interest margin (Non-GAAP), includes tax exempt income of $792 and $942



3.26 %


3.56 %





Net interest margin GAAP



3.22 %


3.50 %





Efficiency ratio – non-GAAP (1)


65.12 %


56.27 %















(1) Efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing total operating expenses by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and other operating income, less gains/(losses) on sales of securities and/or fixed assets.


December 31, 


December 31








2023


2022





Financial Condition at period end:









Assets


$           1,905,860


$           1,848,169





Earning assets


$           1,725,236


$           1,643,964





Gross loans


$           1,406,667


$           1,279,494





      Commercial Real Estate


$              493,703


$              458,831





      Acquisition and Development


$                77,060


$                70,596





      Commercial and Industrial


$              274,604


$              245,396





      Residential Mortgage


$              499,871


$              444,411





      Consumer


$                61,429


$                60,260





Investment securities


$              311,466


$              361,548





Total deposits


$           1,550,977


$           1,570,733





      Noninterest bearing


$              427,670


$              506,613





      Interest bearing


$           1,123,307


$           1,064,120





Shareholders’ equity


$              161,873


$              151,793








.

















Capital ratios:



















      Tier 1 to risk weighted assets


14.42 %


15.06 %





      Common Equity Tier 1 to risk weighted assets


12.44 %


12.95 %





      Tier 1 Leverage


11.30 %


11.46 %





      Total risk based capital


15.64 %


16.12 %















Asset quality:



















Net charge-offs for the quarter


$                    (195)


$                    (164)





Nonperforming assets: (Period End)









      Nonaccrual loans


$                  3,956


$                  3,495





      Loans 90 days past due and accruing


543


307















       Total nonperforming loans and 90 day past due


$                  4,499


$                  3,802















      Modified/Restructured loans


$                          –


$                  3,028





      Other real estate owned


$                  4,493


$                  4,733















Allowance for credit losses to gross loans


1.24 %


1.14 %





Allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans


441.86 %


418.77 %





Allowance for credit losses to non-performing assets


194.40 %


171.48 %





Non-performing and 90 day past due loans to total loans


0.32 %


0.30 %





Non-performing loans and 90 day past due loans to total assets


0.24 %


0.21 %





Non-accrual loans to total loans


0.28 %


0.27 %





Non-performing assets to total assets



0.47 %


0.46 %





 

FIRST UNITED CORPORATION

Oakland, MD

Stock Symbol :  FUNC

Financial Highlights – Unaudited


































December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,


December 31, 

September 30, 

June 30,

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

2023

2023

2023

2023


2022

2022

2022

2022

Results of Operations:










      Interest income 

$             22,191

$                 21,164

$         19,972

$         17,829


$                17,359

$               16,185

$            14,731

$            14,147

      Interest expense 

7,997

7,180

5,798

3,311


2,179

1,044

760

806

      Net interest income

14,194

13,984

14,174

14,518


15,180

15,141

13,971

13,341

      Provision/(credit) for credit/loan losses

419

263

395

543


(736)

(101)

631

(421)

      Other operating income

4,793

4,716

4,483

4,339


4,479

4,604

4,413

4,382

      Net gains


(4,184)

182

86

54


11

96

13

52

      Other operating expense

12,309

12,785

12,511

12,638


11,590

10,329

10,630

10,580

      Income before taxes

$                2,075

$                   5,834

$            5,837

$           5,730


$                 8,816

$                 9,613

$              7,136

$              7,616

      Income tax expense

317

1,321

1,423

1,355


1,847

2,677

1,708

1,901

      Net income


$                1,758

$                   4,513

$            4,414

$           4,375


$                 6,969

$                 6,936

$              5,428

$              5,715













Per share data:











      Basic net income per share 

$                   0.26

$                      0.67

$               0.66

$              0.66


$                    1.05

$                   1.04

$                 0.82

$                 0.86

      Diluted net income per share

$                   0.26

$                      0.67

$               0.66

$              0.65


$                    1.04

$                   1.04

$                 0.82

$                 0.86

      Dividends declared per share

$                   0.20

$                      0.20

$               0.20

$              0.20


$                    0.18

$                   0.15

$                 0.15

$                 0.15

      Book value


$                 24.38

$                    23.08

$             23.12

$            22.85


$                  22.77

$                 19.83

$               19.97

$               20.65

      Diluted book value

$                 24.33

$                    23.03

$             23.07

$            22.81


$                  22.68

$                 19.80

$               19.93

$               20.63

      Tangible book value per share

$                 22.56

$                    21.27

$             21.29

$            21.01


$                  20.91

$                 18.03

$               18.17

$               18.83

      Diluted Tangible book value per share

$                 22.51

$                    21.22

$             21.25

$            20.96


$                  20.87

$                 18.00

$               18.14

$               18.82













      Closing market value

$                 23.51

$                    16.23

$             14.26

$            16.89


$                  19.65

$                 16.55

$               18.76

$               22.53

      Market Range:










         High


$                 23.51

$                    17.34

$             17.01

$            20.41


$                  20.56

$                 19.27

$               23.80

$               24.50

         Low


$                 16.12

$                    13.70

$             12.56

$            16.75


$                  16.74

$                 16.18

$               17.50

$               18.81













Shares outstanding at period end: Basic 

6,639,888

6,715,170

6,711,422

6,688,710


6,666,428

6,659,390

6,656,395

6,637,979

Shares outstanding at period end: Diluted

6,653,200

6,728,482

6,724,734

6,703,252


6,692,039

6,669,785

6,666,790

6,649,604













Performance ratios: (Year to Date Period End, annualized)










Return on average assets



0.78 %

0.93 %

0.95 %

0.94 %


1.39 %

1.35 %

1.26 %

1.31 %

Return on average shareholders’ equity



9.68 %

11.44 %

11.43 %

11.87 %


18.19 %

17.66 %

16.25 %

16.49 %

Net interest margin (Non-GAAP), includes tax exempt income of $76 and $241



3.26 %

3.30 %

3.39 %

3.53 %


3.56 %

3.53 %

3.46 %

3.40 %

Net interest margin GAAP



3.22 %

3.25 %

3.34 %

3.48 %


3.50 %

3.47 %

3.40 %

3.34 %

Efficiency ratio – non-GAAP (1)

65.12 %

66.41 %

66.00 %

67.02 %


56.27 %

51.49 %

57.11 %

58.81 %













(1) Efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing total operating expenses by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and other operating income, less gains/(losses) on sales of securities and/or fixed assets.

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,


December 31, 

September 30, 

June 30,

March 31,




2023

2023

2023

2023


2022

2022

2022

2022

Financial Condition at period end:










Assets


$          1,905,860

$             1,928,201

$      1,928,393

$     1,937,442


$           1,848,169

$          1,803,642

$        1,752,455

$        1,760,325

Earning assets


$          1,725,236

$             1,717,244

$      1,707,522

$     1,652,688


$           1,643,964

$          1,647,303

$        1,608,094

$        1,572,737

Gross loans


$          1,406,667

$             1,380,019

$      1,350,038

$     1,289,080


$           1,279,494

$          1,277,924

$        1,233,613

$        1,181,401

      Commercial Real Estate

$             493,703

$                491,284

$         483,485

$        453,356


$              458,831

$             437,973

$           421,942

$           391,136

      Acquisition and Development

$               77,060

$                  79,796

$           79,003

$          76,980


$                70,596

$               83,107

$           116,115

$           133,031

      Commercial and Industrial

$             274,604

$                254,650

$         249,683

$        241,959


$              245,396

$             269,004

$           225,640

$           194,914

      Residential Mortgage

$             499,871

$                491,686

$         475,540

$        456,198


$              444,411

$             427,093

$           406,293

$           399,704

      Consumer


$               61,429

$                  62,603

$           62,327

$          60,587


$                60,260

$               60,747

$             63,623

$             62,616

Investment securities

$             311,466

$                330,053

$         350,844

$        357,061


$              361,548

$             366,484

$           373,455

$           385,265

Total deposits


$          1,550,977

$             1,575,069

$      1,579,959

$     1,591,285


$           1,570,733

$          1,511,118

$        1,484,354

$        1,507,555

      Noninterest bearing

$             427,670

$                429,691

$         466,628

$        468,554


$              506,613

$             474,444

$           527,761

$           530,901

      Interest bearing

$          1,123,307

$             1,145,378

$      1,113,331

$     1,122,731


$           1,064,120

$          1,036,674

$           956,593

$           976,654

Shareholders’ equity

$             161,873

$                154,990

$         155,156

$        152,868


$              151,793

$             132,044

$           132,892

$           137,038













Capital ratios:























    Tier 1 to risk weighted assets

14.42 %

14.60 %

14.40 %

14.90 %


15.06 %

14.40 %

14.31 %

14.55 %

    Common Equity Tier 1 to risk weighted assets

12.44 %

12.60 %

12.40 %

12.82 %


12.95 %

12.36 %

12.27 %

12.45 %

    Tier 1 Leverage

11.30 %

11.25 %

11.25 %

11.47 %


11.46 %

11.23 %

11.23 %

10.94 %

    Total risk based capital

15.64 %

15.81 %

15.60 %

16.15 %


16.12 %

15.50 %

15.46 %

15.71 %













Asset quality:























Net (charge-offs)/recoveries for the quarter

$                  (195)

$                       (83)

$              (398)

$             (245)


$                   (164)

$                    (89)

$                (179)

$                 (244)

Nonperforming assets: (Period End)










      Nonaccrual loans

$                3,956

$                   3,479

$            2,972

$           3,258


$                 3,495

$                1,943

$              2,149

$               2,332

      Loans 90 days past due and accruing

543

145

160

87


307

569

$                 325

37









0




      Total nonperforming loans and 90 day past due

$                 4,499

$                    3,624

$             3,132

$           3,345


$                 3,802

$                2,512

$              2,474

$               2,369













      Modified/restructured loans

$                         –

$                            –

$                     –

$                   –


$                 3,028

$                3,354

$              3,226

$               3,228

      Other real estate owned

$                 4,493

$                    4,878

$             4,482

$           4,598


$                 4,733

$                4,733

$              4,517

$               4,477













Allowance for credit losses to gross loans

1.24 %

1.24 %

1.25 %

1.31 %


1.14 %

1.22 %

1.28 %

1.29 %

Allowance for credit losses to non-accrual loans

441.86 %

492.84 %

568.81 %

517.83 %


418.77 %

799.85 %

732.29 %

655.75 %

Allowance for credit losses to non-performing assets

194.40 %

473.12 %

539.79 %

212.40 %


171.48 %

214.51 %

225.10 %

223.37 %

Non-performing and 90 day past due loans to total loans

0.32 %

0.26 %

0.23 %

0.26 %


0.30 %

0.20 %

0.20 %

0.20 %

Non-performing loans and 90 day past due loans to total assets

0.24 %

0.19 %

0.16 %

0.17 %


0.21 %

0.14 %

0.14 %

0.13 %

Non-accrual loans to total loans

0.28 %

0.25 %

0.22 %

0.25 %


0.27 %

0.15 %

0.17 %

0.20 %

Non-performing assets to total assets



0.47 %

0.44 %

0.39 %

0.41 %


0.46 %

0.40 %

0.40 %

0.39 %

 

Consolidated Statement of Condition






















(Dollars in thousands – Unaudited)


December 31,

2023


September 30,

2023


June 30,  2023


March 31, 2023

December 31,

2022












Assets











Cash and due from banks

$

48,343

$

78,939

$

86,901

$

154,022

$

72,420

Interest bearing deposits in banks


1,410


1,713


1,650


1,873


1,895

Cash and cash equivalents


49,753


80,652


88,551


155,895


74,315

Investment securities – available for sale (at fair value)


97,169


114,370


120,085


123,978


125,889

Investment securities – held to maturity (at cost)


214,297


215,683


230,759


233,083


235,659

Restricted investment in bank stock, at cost


5,250


5,251


4,490


4,490


1,027

Loans held for sale


443


208


500


184


Loans


1,406,667


1,380,019


1,350,038


1,289,080


1,279,494

Unearned fees


(340)


(371)


(327)


(257)


(174)

Allowance for credit losses


(17,480)


(17,146)


(16,905)


(16,871)


(14,636)

Net loans


1,388,847


1,362,502


1,332,806


1,271,952


1,264,684

Premises and equipment, net


31,459


32,766


33,532


34,207


34,948

Goodwill and other intangible assets


12,103


12,185


12,268


12,350


12,433

Bank owned life insurance


47,607


47,282


46,963


46,652


46,346

Deferred tax assets


11,948


13,020


11,771


11,356


10,605

Other real estate owned, net


4,493


4,878


4,842


4,598


4,733

Operating lease asset


1,367


1,905


1,990


2,072


1,898

Accrued interest receivable and other assets


41,124


37,499


39,836


36,625


35,632

Total Assets

$

1,905,860

$

1,928,201

$

1,928,393

$

1,937,442

$

1,848,169

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity











Liabilities:











Non-interest bearing deposits

$

427,670

$

429,691

$

466,628

$

468,554

$

506,613

Interest bearing deposits


1,123,307


1,145,378


1,113,331


1,122,731


1,064,120

Total deposits


1,550,977


1,575,069


1,579,959


1,591,285


1,570,733

Short-term borrowings


45,418


53,330


50,078


52,030


64,565

Long-term borrowings


110,929


110,929


110,929


110,929


30,929

Operating lease liability


1,556


2,347


2,443


2,536


2,373

Allowance for credit loss on off balance sheet exposures


873


985


1,089


1,128


133

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities


32,904


29,207


27,397


25,332


26,444

Dividends payable


1,330


1,344


1,342


1,334


1,199

Total Liabilities


1,743,987


1,773,211


1,773,237


1,784,574


1,696,376

Shareholders’ Equity:  











Common Stock – par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,715,170 shares at September 30, 2023 and 6,666,428 at December 31, 2022


66


67


67


67


67

Surplus


23,734


25,029


24,901


24,529


24,409

Retained earnings


173,900


173,467


170,298


167,229


166,343

Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(35,827)


(43,573)


(40,110)


(38,957)


(39,026)

Total Shareholders’ Equity


161,873


154,990


155,156


152,868


151,793

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$

1,905,860

$

1,928,201

$

1,928,393

$

1,937,442

$

1,848,169

 

Historical Income Statement





























2023

2022



Year to Date


Q4


Q3

Q2

Q1


Year to Date


Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

In thousands

(Unaudited)

Interest income





















Interest and fees on loans

$

69,569

$

19,290

$

18,055

$

16,780

$

15,444

$

54,448

$

15,097

$

14,058

$

12,861

$

12,432

Interest on investment securities





















Taxable


7,173


1,834


1,792


1,779


1,768


6,252


1,719


1,587


1,540


1,406

Exempt from federal income tax


714


53


123


268


270


1,106


272


273


279


282

Total investment income


7,887


1,887


1,915


2,047


2,038


7,358


1,991


1,860


1,819


1,688

Other


3,700


1,014


1,194


1,145


347


616


271


267


51


27

Total interest income


81,156


22,191


21,164


19,972


17,829


62,422


17,359


16,185


14,731


14,147

Interest expense





















Interest on deposits


19,198


6,498


5,672


4,350


2,678


3,226


1,729


621


401


475

Interest on short-term borrowings


147


54


33


29


31


112


26


47


21


18

Interest on long-term borrowings


4,941


1,445


1,475


1,419


602


1,451


424


376


338


313

Total interest expense


24,286


7,997


7,180


5,798


3,311


4,789


2,179


1,044


760


806

Net interest income


56,870


14,194


13,984


14,174


14,518


57,633


15,180


15,141


13,971


13,341

Credit loss expense





















Loans


1,700


530


322


434


414


(643)


(740)


(108)


624


(419)

Debt securities held to maturity


45



45








Off balance sheet credit exposures


(125)


(111)


(104)


(39)


129


16


4


7


7


(2)

Provision/(credit) for credit/loan losses


1,620


419


263


395


543


(627)


(736)


(101)


631


(421)

Net interest income after provision for loan losses


55,250


13,775


13,721


13,779


13,975


58,260


15,916


15,242


13,340


13,762

Other operating income





















Net (losses)/gains on investments, available for sale


(4,214)


(4,214)





3





3

Net (losses)/gains on investments, held to maturity







91


(2)


93



Gains on sale of residential mortgage loans


381


59


182


86


54


45


14


3


7


21

Gains/(losses) on disposal of fixed assets


(29)


(29)





33


(1)



6


28

Net gains


(3,862)


(4,184)


182


86


54


172


11


96


13


52

Other Income





















Service charges on deposit accounts


2,198


567


569


546


516


1,981


530


523


463


465

Other service charges


929


223


230


244


232


925


239


241


232


213

Trust department


8,282


2,148


2,139


2,025


1,970


8,244


2,006


2,005


2,044


2,189

Debit card income


4,101


1,120


995


1,031


955


3,958


1,036


1,053


983


886

Bank owned life insurance


1,261


325


320


311


305


1,196


305


302


297


292

Brokerage commissions


1,160


360


245


258


297


1,049


244


272


313


220

Other


400


50


218


68


64


525


119


208


81


117

Total other income


18,331


4,793


4,716


4,483


4,339


17,878


4,479


4,604


4,413


4,382

Total other operating income


14,469


609


4,898


4,569


4,393


18,050


4,490


4,700


4,426


4,434

Other operating expenses





















Salaries and employee benefits


27,503


6,391


6,957


6,865


7,290


24,130


6,239


6,130


5,793


5,968

FDIC premiums


992


268


254


277


193


636


157


150


155


174

Equipment


4,356


1,188


1,029


1,047


1,092


4,163


1,053


1,037


1,029


1,044

Occupancy


3,445


1,171


747


743


784


2,906


734


734


711


727

Data processing


3,980


1,054


1,011


946


969


3,444


928


890


805


821

Marketing


762


288


220


137


117


543


134


152


151


106

Professional services


2,160


630


490


522


518


1,538


665


(211)


564


520

Contract labor


643


172


173


159


139


618


136


159


158


165

Telephone


466


125


115


116


110


482


117


112


139


114

Other real estate owned


(89)


(370)


139


18


124


590


215


128


152


95

Investor relations


345


73


83


132


57


300


42


39


123


96

Contributions


229


12


74


79


64


288


104


121


42


21

Other


5,451


1,307


1,493


1,470


1,181


3,491


1,066


888


808


729

Total other operating expenses


50,243


12,309


12,785


12,511


12,638


43,129


11,590


10,329


10,630


10,580

Income before income tax expense


19,476


2,075


5,834


5,837


5,730


33,181


8,816


9,613


7,136


7,616

Provision for income tax expense


4,416


317


1,321


1,423


1,355


8,133


1,847


2,677


1,708


1,901

Net Income

$

15,060

$

1,758

$

4,513

$

4,414

$

4,375

$

25,048

$

6,969

$

6,936

$

5,428

$

5,715

Basic net income per common share

$

2.25

$

0.26

$

0.67

$

0.66

$

0.66

$

3.77

$

1.05

$

1.04

$

0.82

$

0.86

Diluted net income per common share

$

2.24

$

0.26

$

0.67

$

0.66

$

0.65

$

3.76

$

1.04

$

1.04

$

0.82

$

0.86

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding


6,649


6,649


6,714


6,704


6,675


6,666


6,666


6,658


6,650


6,628

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding


6,663


6,663


6,728


6,718


6,697


6,692


6,692


6,669


6,661


6,636

Dividends declared per common share

$

0.80

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.63

$

0.18

$

0.15

$

0.15

$

0.15

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

Reconciliation of as reported (GAAP) and non-GAAP financial measures














The following tables below provide a reconciliation of certain financial measures calculated under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) (as reported) and non-GAAP. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the United States. The Company’s management believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with a greater understanding of the Company’s operating results in addition to the results measured in accordance with GAAP. While management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance, this information should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP or considered to be more important than financial results determined in accordance with GAAP.


The following non-GAAP financial measures exclude losses on the sale of Available for Sale securities and accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses related to the branch closures.




Twelve months ended

December 31, 


Three months ended

December 31,



2023


2022


2023


2022

(in thousands, except for per share amount)













Net income – as reported


$

15,060


$

25,048


$

1,758


$

6,969

Adjustments:













     Loss on sale of securities



4,214





4,214



    Accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses



623





623



     Income tax effect of adjustments



(1,097)





(1,097)



Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)


$

18,800


$

25,048


$

5,498


$

6,969














Diluted earnings per share – as reported


$

2.24


$

3.76


$

0.26


$

1.04

Adjustments:













     Loss on sale of securities



0.63





0.63



    Accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses



0.09





0.09



    Income tax effect of adjustments



(0.16)





(0.16)



Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)


$

2.80


$

3.76


$

0.82


$

1.04





























As of or for the twelve months ended









December 31, 







(in thousands, except per share data)


2023


2022







Per Share Data













Basic net income per share (1) – as reported


$

2.25


$

3.77







Basic net income per share (1) – non-GAAP



2.81



3.77







Diluted net income per share (1) – as reported


$

2.24


$

3.76







Diluted net income per share (1) – non-GAAP



2.80



3.76







Basic book value per share 


$

24.38


$

22.77







Diluted book value per share 


$

24.33


$

22.68

































Significant Ratios:


























Return on Average Assets (1) – as reported



0.78 %



1.39 %







     Loss on sale of securities



0.22 %









    Accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses



0.03 %









    Income tax effect of adjustments



(0.06 %)









Adjusted Return on Average Assets (1) (non-GAAP)



0.97 %



1.39 %




















Return on Average Equity (1) – as reported



9.68 %



18.19 %







     Loss on sale of securities



2.71 %









    Accelerated depreciation and lease termination expenses



0.40 %









    Income tax effect of adjustments



(0.71 %)









Adjusted Return on Average Equity (1) (non-GAAP)



12.08 %



18.19 %




















(1) See reconcilation of this non-GAAP financial measure provided elsewhere herein.






 



Three Months Ended




December 31,




2023


2022


(dollars in thousands)


Average

Balance


Interest


Average

Yield/Rate


Average

Balance


Interest


Average

Yield/Rate


Assets


















Loans


$

1,398,393


$

19,308


5.48

%

$

1,281,958


$

15,114


4.68

%

Investment Securities:


















     Taxable



332,545



1,834


2.19

%

336,727



1,719


2.03

%

     Non taxable



8,107



96


4.70

%

26,457



487


7.30

%

     Total



340,652



1,930


2.25

%


363,184



2,206


2.41

%

Federal funds sold



60,400



907


5.96

%

35,403



247


2.77

%

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks



1,867



22


4.68

%

1,568



12


3.04

%

Other interest earning assets



5,251



85


6.42

%

1,027



12


4.64

%

Total earning assets



1,806,563



22,252


4.89

%


1,683,140



17,591


4.15

%

Allowance for loan losses



(17,304)








(15,446)







Non-earning assets



194,309








177,581







Total Assets


$

1,983,568







$

1,845,275







Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity


















Interest-bearing demand deposits


$

366,450


$

1,440


1.56

%

$

316,361


$

486


0.61

%

Interest-bearing money markets



365,439



3,135


3.40

%

367,866



909


0.98

%

Savings deposits



196,777



51


0.10

%

253,674



84


0.13

%

Time deposits – retail



163,253



1,122


2.73

%

124,417



250


0.80

%

Time deposits – brokered



56,006



751


5.32

%




%

Short-term borrowings



43,693



55


0.50

%

66,399



26


0.16

%

Long-term borrowings



110,929



1,445


5.17

%

30,929



424


5.44

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities



1,302,547



7,999


2.44

%


1,159,646



2,179


0.75

%

Non-interest-bearing deposits



487,012








508,906







Other liabilities



35,957








36,499







Shareholders’ Equity



158,052








140,224







Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity


$

1,983,568







$

1,845,275







Net interest income and spread





$

14,253


2.44

%



$

15,412


3.40

%

Net interest margin








3.13

%






3.63

%

 



Twelve Months Ended




December 31, 




2023


2022


(dollars in thousands)


Average

Balance


Interest


Average

Yield/

Rate


Average

Balance


Interest


Average

Yield/

Rate


Assets


















Loans


$

1,340,118


$

69,631


5.20

%

$

1,223,388


$

54,513


4.46

%

Investment Securities:


















     Taxable



335,888



7,173


2.14

%


348,516



6,252


1.79

%

     Non taxable



18,471



1,279


6.92

%


26,952



1,981


7.35

%

     Total



354,359



8,452


2.39

%


375,468



8,233


2.19

%

Federal funds sold



65,131



3,409


5.23

%


44,207



555


1.26

%

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks



2,585



92


3.56

%


3,061



24


0.78

%

Other interest earning assets



4,048

#


198


4.89

%


1,027



37


3.60

%

Total earning assets



1,766,241



81,782


4.63

%


1,647,151



63,362


3.85

%

Allowance for loan losses



(16,561)








(15,568)







Non-earning assets



199,474








170,128







Total Assets


$

1,949,154







$

1,801,711







Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity


















Interest-bearing demand deposits


$

362,070


$

4,815


1.30

%

$

301,183


$

855


0.28

%

Interest-bearing money markets



333,274



8,672


2.60

%


312,978



1,256


0.40

%

Savings deposits



219,516



240


0.11

%


250,624



154


0.06

%

Time deposits – retail



141,921



2,872


2.02

%


138,865



961


0.69

%

Time deposits – brokered



49,209



2,600


5.28

%





%

Short-term borrowings



47,968



147


0.31

%


63,182



112


0.18

%

Long-term borrowings



94,271



4,941


5.24

%


30,929



1,451


4.69

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities



1,248,229



24,287


1.95

%


1,097,761



4,789


0.44

%

Non-interest-bearing deposits



512,496








533,096







Other liabilities



32,320








33,169







Shareholders’ Equity



156,109








137,685







Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity


$

1,949,154







$

1,801,711







Net interest income and spread





$

57,495


2.68

%




$

58,573


3.41

%

Net interest margin








3.26

%







3.56

%

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-united-corporation-announces-fourth-quarter-2023-earnings-302053475.html

SOURCE First United Corporation

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