DUNMORE, Pa., April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fidelity D & D Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FDBC) and its banking subsidiary, The Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, announced its unaudited, consolidated financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024.
Unaudited Financial Information
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $5.1 million, or $0.88 diluted earnings per share, compared to $7.0 million, or $1.24 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The $1.9 million decline in net income resulted primarily from the $2.1 million decrease in net interest income led by higher interest expense. Non-interest expenses also increased $0.8 million partially offset by $0.5 million lower provision for income taxes and a $0.3 million reduction in the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments.
“Our performance in the first quarter of 2024 demonstrates our resilience and adaptability in navigating through challenging economic conditions,” stated Daniel J. Santaniello, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Despite the decline in net income related to the interest rate environment, our ongoing commitment to delivering value to our clients, our shareholders, our bankers, and the communities we serve has provided tremendous value. Our proactive measures to manage expenses and optimize resources have positioned us well for future growth opportunities. We are confident in our ability to drive sustainable results and create long-term shareholder value.”
Consolidated First Quarter Operating Results Overview
Net interest income was $14.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, a 12% decrease from the $17.0 million earned for the first quarter of 2023. The $2.1 million decline in net interest income resulted primarily from the increase of $5.4 million in interest expense primarily due to a 123 basis point increase in the rates paid on interest-bearing deposits which resulted in $5.3 million in additional interest expense. The Company also utilized $5.0 million more in average short-term borrowings during the first quarter of 2024 which contributed additional interest expense compared to the first quarter of 2023. Partially offsetting the higher interest expense, interest income grew $3.3 million primarily due to an $87.0 million increase in the average balance of loans and leases and a 47 basis point increase in fully-taxable equivalent (“FTE”) yields earned thereon, producing $3.2 million higher FTE interest income. Interest income from interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions increased $0.3 million primarily due to higher cash balances. Partially offsetting these increases to interest income, interest income on investments declined $0.1 million from carrying lower average balances.
The overall cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 2.51% for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 118 basis points from the 1.33% paid for the first quarter of 2023. The cost of funds increased 95 basis points to 1.93% for the first quarter of 2024 from 0.98% for the first quarter of 2023. The FTE yield on earning assets was 4.52% for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 46 basis points from the 4.06% for the first quarter of 2023. The Company’s FTE (non-GAAP measurement) net interest spread was 2.01% for the first quarter of 2024, down 72 basis points from the 2.73% recorded for the first quarter of 2023. FTE net interest margin decreased by 44 basis points to 2.69% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from 3.13% for the same 2023 period due to the increase in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities growing at a faster pace than the yields on interest-earning assets.
The provision for credit losses on loans was $0.1 million partially offset by a net benefit in the provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $50 thousand for the first quarter of 2024. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the provision for credit losses on loans declined $0.1 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in the provision for credit losses on loans was due to lower growth in the loan portfolio and a reduction in net charge-offs. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments decreased $0.3 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. The change in the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments was due to a reduction in unfunded commitments and a general decrease in loss rate and funding rate assumptions compared to the year earlier period.
Total non-interest income increased $0.1 million, or 2%, to $4.6 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $4.5 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in non-interest income was primarily attributable to $0.2 million higher trust income, which was partially offset by the prior year $0.1 million bank-owned life insurance gain on a death claim received during the first quarter of 2023.
Non-interest expenses increased $0.8 million, or 6%, for the first quarter of 2024 to $13.7 million from $12.9 million for the same quarter of 2023. The increase in non-interest expenses was primarily due to $0.6 million higher salaries and insurance expenses. There were also increases in professional services of $0.1 million and FDIC assessment of $0.1 million. Partially offsetting these increases, advertising and marketing expenses decreased by $0.2 million quarter-over-quarter from less advertising, donations and promotions.
The provision for income taxes decreased $0.5 million during the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to the lower level of operating income compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Consolidated Balance Sheet & Asset Quality Overview
The Company’s total assets totaled to $2.5 billion as of March 31, 2024, a decrease of $34 million from December 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents declined $39 million and the investment portfolio was reduced by $10 million. The decline in the investment portfolio was primarily due to $5 million in paydowns and a $2 million decrease in market value of available-for-sale securities. During the first three months of 2024, the market value of held-to-maturity securities also declined by $3 million, with $31 million in unrealized losses at March 31, 2024. These decreases were partially offset by $11 million in growth in the loans and leases portfolio during the first quarter of 2024. During the same time period, total liabilities decreased $36 million, or 2%. Reductions of $92 million in short-term borrowings were partially offset by deposit growth of $58 million with the excess cash balances utilized to pay down borrowings. Transactional deposit balances are down primarily from reductions in customers’ average account balances, stemming from investing part of their funds in higher yields and increased spending. This reduction was mitigated through promotional CD offerings during the first three months of 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the ratio of insured and collateralized deposits to total deposits was approximately 82%.
Shareholders’ equity increased $2.1 million, or 1%, to $191.6 million at March 31, 2024 from $189.5 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was caused by retained earnings improvement from net income of $5.1 million, partially offset by $2.2 million in cash dividends paid to shareholders. An additional $0.8 million was recorded from the issuance of common stock under the Company’s stock plans and stock-based compensation. Partially offsetting these increases, there was a $1.4 million, after tax, increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss from higher net unrealized losses recorded on available-for-sale investment securities. At March 31, 2024, there were no credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is excluded from regulatory capital ratios. The Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank remains above well capitalized limits with Tier 1 capital at 9.15% of total average assets as of March 31, 2024. Total risk-based capital was 14.68% of risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 risk-based capital was 13.47% of risk-weighted assets as of March 31, 2024. Tangible book value per share was $29.80 at March 31, 2024 compared to $29.57 at December 31, 2023. Tangible common equity was 6.98% of total assets at March 31, 2024 compared to 6.79% at December 31, 2023.
Asset Quality
Total non-performing assets were $3.8 million, or 0.15% of total assets, at March 31, 2024, compared to $3.3 million, or 0.13% of total assets, at December 31, 2023. Past due and non-accrual loans to total loans were 0.34% at March 31, 2024 compared to 0.46% at December 31, 2023. Net charge-offs to average total loans were 0.01% at March 31, 2024 compared to 0.04% at December 31, 2023.
About Fidelity D & D Bancorp, Inc. and The Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank
Fidelity D & D Bancorp, Inc. has built a strong history as trusted financial advisor to the clients served by The Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank (“Fidelity Bank”). Fidelity Bank continues its mission of exceeding client expectations through a unique banking experience. It operates 21 full-service offices throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lehigh and Northampton Counties and a Fidelity Bank Wealth Management Office in Schuylkill County. Fidelity Bank provides a digital banking experience online at www.bankatfidelity.com, through the Fidelity Mobile Banking app, and in the Client Care Center at 1-800-388-4380. Additionally, the Bank offers full-service Wealth Management & Brokerage Services, a Mortgage Center, and a full suite of personal and commercial banking products and services. Part of the Company’s vision is to serve as the best bank for the community, which was accomplished by having provided over 5,980 hours of volunteer time and over $1.4 million in donations to non-profit organizations directly within the markets served throughout 2023. Fidelity Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to the full extent permitted by law.
