Fidelity D & D Bancorp, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

DUNMORE, Pa., Oct. 25, 2023 (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 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023.

Unaudited Financial Information

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was $5.3 million, or $0.93 diluted earnings per share, compared to $7.6 million, or $1.36 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The $2.3 million decline in net income resulted primarily from the $3.9 million decline in net interest income led by higher interest expense, partially offset by $0.6 million lower provision for income taxes, $0.4 million more non-interest income, a $0.3 million net benefit in the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments and $0.3 million lower non-interest expenses. 

“Despite the challenging operating environment, the bank produced strong loan growth, grew non-interest income, maintained excellent asset quality, and controlled expenses.” stated Daniel J. Santaniello, President and Chief Executive Officer. "While the rising costs of deposits and borrowed funds resulted in decreased earnings from a year ago, we remain focused on executing our strategic plan and leveraging the strength of the balance sheet to continue to serve our clients. Fidelity Bank is well positioned for the future and committed to our clients and the communities we serve."

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net income was $17.7 million, or $3.11 diluted earnings per share, compared to $22.8 million, or $4.03 diluted earnings per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The $5.1 million, or 22% decline in net income stemmed from the $6.8 million reduction in net interest income and $0.6 million higher non-interest expenses partially offset by $1.3 million lower provision for income taxes, $0.6 million higher non-interest income and $0.3 million less in provision for credit losses on loans and unfunded loan commitments.

Consolidated Third Quarter Operating Results Overview

Net interest income was $14.6 million for the third quarter of 2023, a 21% decrease from the $18.5 million earned for the third quarter of 2022. The $3.9 million decline in net interest income resulted primarily from the increase of $7.4 million in interest expense primarily due to a 171 basis point increase in the rates paid on interest-bearing deposits which resulted in $6.9 million in additional interest expense. The Company also required $37.6 million more in average borrowings during the third quarter of 2023 which contributed $0.4 million in additional interest expense compared to the third quarter of 2022. Partially offsetting the higher interest expense, interest income grew $3.5 million primarily due to a $129.1 million increase in the average balance of loans and leases and a 69 basis point increase in fully-taxable equivalent ("FTE") yields earned thereon, producing $4.2 million higher FTE interest income. Partially offsetting the increase to interest income in the loan portfolio, interest income on investments and interest-bearing deposits declined $0.6 million primarily due to lower average balances.

The overall cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 2.17% for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 177 basis points from the 0.40% paid for the third quarter of 2022. The cost of funds increased 134 basis points to 1.63% for the third quarter of 2023 from 0.29% for the third quarter of 2022. The Company’s FTE (non-GAAP measurement) net interest spread was 2.01% for the third quarter of 2023, down 119 basis points from the 3.20% recorded for the third quarter of 2022. FTE net interest margin decreased by 69 basis points to 2.63% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 from 3.32% for the same 2022 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 $0.5 million partially offset by a net benefit in the provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2023. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the increase in the provision for credit losses on loans was due to growth and change in composition of the loan portfolio. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the $0.3 million net benefit in the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments was due to a reduction in unfunded commitments during the quarter.

Total non-interest income increased $0.4 million, or 11%, to $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $3.9 million for the third quarter of 2022. The increase in non-interest income was primarily attributable to $0.2 million higher trust income, $0.1 million in additional fee income on deposits, $0.1 million higher gain on loans sales and $0.1 million more in interchange fees.

Non-interest expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 2%, for the third quarter of 2023 to $12.8 million from $13.1 million for the same quarter of 2022. The decline in non-interest expenses was primarily due to $0.5 million lower salaries and employee benefit expenses and $0.3 million less advertising and marketing expenses. Partially offsetting these decreases, premises and equipment expenses increased by $0.4 million quarter-over-quarter from additional depreciation, equipment maintenance and software subscription related expenses.

The provision for income taxes decreased $0.6 million during the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to the lower level of operating income compared to the third quarter of 2022.

Consolidated Year-To-Date Operating Results Overview

Net interest income was $47.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $53.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The $6.8 million, or 13%, reduction was the result of interest expense growing faster than interest income. On the asset side, the loan portfolio caused interest income growth by producing $12.6 million more interest income from an increase of 71 basis points in FTE loan yields on $138.1 million in higher average balances. Interest income in the commercial portfolio increased $6.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same 2022 period, despite recognition of $1.2 million less Small Business Administration ("SBA") fees attributable to Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans over the same time period. Interest income from investments decreased $0.9 million from the $62.9 million lower average balance in the portfolio. On the funding side, interest expense increased by $18.4 million primarily due to a higher rate paid on interest-bearing deposits. The Company also required $50.2 million more in average short-term borrowings which added $1.8 million in interest expense. FTE net interest spread was 2.33% for the first nine months of 2023, or 86 basis points lower than the 3.19% recorded for the first nine months of 2022. Over the same time period, the Company’s FTE net interest margin decreased by 42 basis points to 2.86% from 3.28%.

The provision for credit losses on loans was $1.4 million which was partially offset by a net benefit in the provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $0.1 million for the first nine months of 2023. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (CECL). The provision for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2023 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the net benefit in the provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments was due to a reduction in unfunded commitments during the year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans was due to growth and change in composition of the loan portfolio.

Total non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $13.3 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 5%, from $12.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in other income was primarily due to $0.4 million more service charges on deposits, $0.3 million in recoveries from acquired charged-off loans, $0.3 million in additional trust fiduciary fees, $0.2 million higher commercial fees and $0.2 million more debit card interchange fees. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases as follows: $0.7 million lower gains on loan sales and $0.2 million less service charges on loans due primarily to a decline in residential mortgage activity.

Non-interest expenses totaled $39.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $0.6 million, or 1%, from $38.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The largest drivers of this increase were a $1.0 million increase in premises and equipment expenses, $0.6 million in additional professional services, $0.3 million more fraud losses, and a $0.3 million increase in FDIC assessment expenses. These increases were partially offset by $1.3 million less salaries and employee benefit expenses and $0.5 million lower PA shares tax expense. 

The provision for income taxes decreased $1.3 million during first nine months of 2023 compared to the same 2022 period due to a $0.4 million increase in tax credits and the lower income before taxes. 

Consolidated Balance Sheet & Asset Quality Overview

The Company’s total assets grew to $2.5 billion as of September 30, 2023, an increase of $98 million from $2.4 billion as of December 31, 2022. Growth in the loan portfolio of $80 million and $81 million of cash and cash equivalents was partially offset by a reduction of the investment portfolio of $67 million. The decline in the investment portfolio was primarily due to sales of $31 million in securities, $19 million in paydowns and a $15 million decrease in market value of available-for-sale securities. During the first nine months of 2023, the market value of held-to-maturity securities also declined by $9 million, with $46 million in unrealized losses at September 30, 2023. During the same time period, total liabilities increased $96 million, or 4%. Growth of $111 million in short-term borrowings replaced deposit declines of $15 million with the remaining balance used to fund loan growth with the excess increasing cash balances. Transactional deposit balances are down primarily from customers' investing part of their funds in higher yields and increased consumer spending. The reduction was partially mitigated through the promotional CD offerings during the first nine months of 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the ratio of insured and collateralized deposits to total deposits was approximately 78%.

Shareholders’ equity increased $2.5 million, or 2%, to $165.4 million at September 30, 2023 from $162.9 million at December 31, 2022. The increase was caused by retained earnings improvement from net income of $17.7 million, partially offset by $6.2 million in cash dividends paid to shareholders. An additional $2.6 million was recorded from the issuance of common stock under the Company’s stock plans and stock-based compensation expense. Partially offsetting these increases, a cumulative-effect adjustment was made for adoption of ASU 2016-13 during the first quarter of 2023 which reduced retained earnings by $1.3 million. Additionally, there was a $10.4 million, after tax, decline in accumulated other comprehensive income from higher net unrealized losses recorded on available-for-sale investment securities. At September 30, 2023, 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 Company remains well capitalized with Tier 1 capital at 9.22% of total average assets as of September 30, 2023. Total risk-based capital was 14.76% of risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 risk-based capital was 13.58% of risk-weighted assets as of September 30, 2023. Tangible book value per share was $25.37 at September 30, 2023 compared to $25.18 at December 31, 2022. Tangible common equity was 5.89% of total assets at September 30, 2023 compared to 6.01% at December 31, 2022.

Asset Quality

Total non-performing assets were $3.4 million, or 0.14% of total assets, at September 30, 2023, compared to $2.7 million, or 0.12% of total assets, at December 31, 2022. Past due and non-accrual loans to total loans were 0.32% at September 30, 2023 compared to 0.28% at December 31, 2022. Net charge-offs to average total loans were 0.04% at September 30, 2023 compared to 0.04% at December 31, 2022. 

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, along with a limited production commercial office in Luzerne County 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 an array of personal and business 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 4,100 hours of volunteer time and over $1.7 million in donations to non-profit organizations directly within the markets served throughout 2022. Fidelity Bank's deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to the full extent permitted by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures to provide information useful to the reader in understanding its operating performance and trends, and to facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. Management uses these measures internally to assess and better understand our underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities. The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures and key performance indicators may differ from the non-GAAP financial measures and key performance indicators other financial institutions use to measure their performance and trends. Non-GAAP financial measures should be supplemental to GAAP used to prepare the Company’s operating results and should not be read in isolation or relied upon as a substitute for GAAP measures. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP are presented in the tables below.

Interest income was adjusted to recognize the income from tax exempt interest-earning assets as if the interest was taxable, fully-taxable equivalent (FTE), in order to calculate certain ratios within this document. This treatment allows a uniform comparison among yields on interest-earning assets. Interest income was FTE adjusted, using the corporate federal tax rate of 21% for 2023 and 2022.

Forward-looking statements

Certain of the matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as such may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

The Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect analyses only as of the date of this release. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

For more information please visit our investor relations web site located through www.bankatfidelity.com.