BATON ROUGE, La., Jan. 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Investar Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: ISTR) (the “Company”), the holding company for Investar Bank (the “Bank”), today announced financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The Company reported net income of $3.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $4.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, and $3.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.On a non-GAAP basis, core earnings per diluted common share for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $0.39 compared to $0.48 for the third quarter of 2019 and $0.45 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. Core earnings exclude certain non-operating items including, but not limited to, acquisition expense and gain or loss on the sale of investment securities, net (refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures table for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP metrics).Investar Holding Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer John D’Angelo said:“We were pleased with all of our accomplishments during the fourth quarter. We experienced strong organic loan and deposit growth while maintaining excellent credit quality. This growth was on top of the acquired loan and deposit balances obtained from the Bank of York acquisition which closed during the quarter, the opening of new branches in both the Lafayette and Lake Charles markets, and the strengthening of our capital position by completing a $25.0 million subordinated debt offering and raising $30.0 million through the sale of our common stock.Although we achieved a great deal during the quarter, our earnings were negatively impacted by additional provision expense of $0.2 million resulting from our strong loan growth which occurred late in the quarter, additional interest expense of $0.2 million on our $25.0 million subordinated debt, $0.2 million of legal expenses related to an acquired asset, $0.2 million of noninterest expense for our two new branches, and $0.3 million of additional expense for Louisiana Bank Shares Tax related to our growth.The quarter was full of positive activity, and we feel that we have positioned the Company for a successful 2020. We exceeded both our loan and deposit growth goals for the year, stabilized the net interest margin, and fortified our balance sheet with additional capital.”Fourth Quarter HighlightsTotal revenues, or interest and noninterest income, for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 totaled $25.1 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 2.5%, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2019, and an increase of $4.3 million, or 20.8%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2018.Total loans increased $105.6 million, or 6.7%, to $1.69 billion at December 31, 2019, compared to $1.59 billion at September 30, 2019, and increased $291.2 million, or 20.8% compared to $1.40 billion at December 31, 2018. Excluding the loans acquired from Bank of York, or $47.4 million at December 31, 2019, total loans increased $58.2 million, or 3.7%, compared to September 30, 2019. Excluding the loans acquired from Bank of York and Mainland Bank, or $114.2 million at December 31, 2019, total loans increased $176.9 million, or 12.6% compared to December 31, 2018.The business lending portfolio, which consists of loans secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate properties and commercial and industrial loans, was $676.1 million at December 31, 2019, an increase of $43.7 million, or 6.9%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $632.4 million at September 30, 2019, and an increase of $167.0 million, or 32.8%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $509.1 million at December 31, 2018.Total deposits increased $122.3 million, or 7.7%, to $1.71 billion at December 31, 2019, compared to $1.59 billion at September 30, 2019, and increased $346.0 million, or 25.4%, compared to $1.36 billion at December 31, 2018. The Company acquired approximately $84.8 million in deposits from Bank of York in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $107.6 million in deposits from Mainland Bank in the first quarter of 2019. Excluding the acquired balances, total deposits at December 31, 2019 increased $37.5 million, or 2.4%, compared to September 30, 2019, and increased $153.5 million, or 11.3%, compared to December 31, 2018.The Bank opened two new branch locations during the fourth quarter of 2019. One branch is located in Lafayette, Louisiana and expanded the Bank’s presence to five branches in the Acadiana market. The second branch opened in Westlake, Louisiana and is the Bank’s first branch in the Lake Charles market.On November 1, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Bank of York in York, Alabama. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Bank of York common stock were converted into aggregate cash merger consideration of $15.0 million. On November 1, 2019, Bank of York had approximately $101 million in assets, $46 million in loans, $85 million in total deposits, and $11 million in stockholders’ equity.On November 12, 2019, the Company completed a private placement of $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes to certain qualified institutional and other accredited investors. The notes initially bear interest at 5.125% per annum from and including November 12, 2019 to but excluding December 30, 2024, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears. From and including December 30, 2024, to but excluding the maturity date or earlier redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual floating rate equal to the three-month LIBOR (or alternative rate determined in accordance with the terms of the notes if the three-month LIBOR cannot be determined), plus 3.490%, with interest payable quarterly in arrears. The Company may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, on or after December 30, 2024 and are not subject to redemption at the option of holders. The notes are structured to qualify as tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the notes offering to fund future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes, including investments in the Bank.On December 20, 2019, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) to acquire Cheaha Financial Group, Inc. (“Cheaha”), headquartered in Oxford, Alabama, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cheaha Bank. The terms of the Agreement provide that Cheaha shareholders will receive $80.00 in cash consideration for each of their shares of Cheaha common stock, for an aggregate value of approximately $41.1 million. At September 30, 2019, Cheaha Bank had approximately $206.7 million in assets, $117.2 million in net loans, $177.1 million in deposits and $27.5 million in stockholder’s equity. Cheaha Bank offers a full range of banking products and services to individuals and small businesses from four branch locations in Calhoun County, Alabama. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2020 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of Cheaha.In connection with the Cheaha transaction, on December 19, 2019, Investar executed a stock purchase agreement with selected institutional and other accredited investors with respect to a private placement of 1,290,323 shares of its common stock at an offering price of $23.25 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $30.0 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to support the acquisition of Cheaha and for general corporate purposes, including organic growth and other potential acquisitions.LoansTotal loans were $1.69 billion at December 31, 2019, an increase of $105.6 million, or 6.7%, compared to September 30, 2019, and an increase of $291.2 million, or 20.8%, compared to December 31, 2018. Excluding the loans acquired from Bank of York, or $47.4 million at December 31, 2019, total loans increased $58.2 million, or 3.7%, compared to September 30, 2019. Excluding the loans acquired from both Bank of York and Mainland Bank, or $114.2 million at December 31, 2019, total loans increased $176.9 million, or 12.6%, compared to December 31, 2018. We experienced the greatest loan growth in the commercial real estate portfolio for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 and the commercial and industrial portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2019 as we remain focused on relationship banking and growing our commercial loan portfolios.The following table sets forth the composition of the total loan portfolio as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).At December 31, 2019, the Company’s total business lending portfolio, which consists of loans secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate properties and commercial and industrial loans, was $676.1 million, an increase of $43.7 million, or 6.9%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $632.4 million at September 30, 2019, and an increase of $167.0 million, or 32.8%, compared to the business lending portfolio of $509.1 million at December 31, 2018. The increase in the business lending portfolio is mainly attributable to the growth in commercial and industrial loans primarily resulting from increased production of our Commercial and Industrial Division.Consumer loans, including indirect auto loans of $15.8 million, totaled $29.4 million at December 31, 2019, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 2.5%, compared to $30.2 million, including indirect auto loans of $17.9 million, at September 30, 2019, and a decrease of $16.5 million, or 35.9%, compared to $46.0 million, including indirect auto loans of $30.8 million, at December 31, 2018. The decrease in consumer loans is mainly attributable to the scheduled paydowns of this portfolio and is consistent with our business strategy.Credit QualityNonperforming loans were $6.3 million, or 0.37% of total loans, at December 31, 2019, an increase of $0.6 million compared to $5.7 million, or 0.36% of total loans, at September 30, 2019, and an increase of $0.4 million compared to $5.9 million, or 0.42% of total loans, at December 31, 2018. Included in nonperforming loans are loans acquired in 2017 and 2019 with a balance of $4.6 million at December 31, 2019, or 73% of nonperforming loans.The allowance for loan losses was $10.7 million, or 171.1% and 0.63% of nonperforming and total loans, respectively, at December 31, 2019, compared to $10.3 million, or 182.4% and 0.65%, respectively, at September 30, 2019, and $9.5 million, or 158.9% and 0.67%, respectively, at December 31, 2018.The provision for loan losses was $0.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The changes in the provision for loan losses compared to the quarters ended September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, are primarily attributable to the changes in incremental loan growth, excluding acquired loan balances, as credit quality and other factors impacting our allowance and related provision were relatively unchanged period over period.DepositsTotal deposits at December 31, 2019 were $1.71 billion, an increase of $122.3 million, or 7.7%, compared to September 30, 2019, and an increase of $346.0 million, or 25.4%, compared to December 31, 2018. The Company acquired approximately $84.8 million in deposits from Bank of York in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $107.6 million in deposits from Mainland Bank in the first quarter of 2019. The remaining increase is due to organic growth.The following table sets forth the composition of deposits as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).Noninterest-bearing demand deposits at December 31, 2019 increased $60.9 million, or 20.9%, compared to September 30, 2019, and $134.4 million, or 61.8%, compared to December 31, 2018. Interest-bearing demand deposits increased $30.1 million, or 9.9%, compared to September 30, 2019 and $40.3 million, or 13.6%, compared to December 31, 2018. While some of this growth resulted from acquisitions, we continue to focus on relationship banking and growing our commercial relationships while improving our deposit mix with growth in noninterest-bearing deposits as a percentage of total deposits.Net Interest IncomeNet interest income for the fourth quarter of 2019 totaled $17.0 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 3.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2019, and an increase of $2.2 million, or 14.6%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. Included in net interest income for the quarters ended December 31, 2019, September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans. Also included in net interest income for the quarters ended December 31, 2019, September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018 are interest recoveries of $56.4 thousand, $24.3 thousand, and $0.1 million, respectively, on acquired loans.The increase in net interest income in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the same quarter in 2018 was primarily driven by growth in loan and securities balances and the yields earned on those balances, partially offset by an increase in the volume and cost of interest-bearing liabilities as we funded the increase in interest-earning assets with increased deposits and borrowings. Interest income for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 increased $3.6 million due to increases in the volume of interest-earning assets. This increase was partially offset by increases in interest expense of $0.7 million due to an increase in volume and $0.7 million due to an increase in cost of interest-bearing liabilities compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.The Company’s net interest margin was 3.44% for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to 3.48% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and 3.53% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. The yield on interest-earning assets was 4.77% for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to 4.86% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and 4.75% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was driven by a $0.2 million decrease in interest accretion as well as a decrease in the yield on investment securities.The decrease in net interest margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was driven by a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by an improvement in our cost of funds. The decrease in net interest margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was driven by an increase in the cost of funds required to fund the increase in assets.Exclusive of the interest income accretion from the acquisition of loans, discussed above, as well as interest recoveries of $56.4 thousand, $24.3 thousand, and $0.1 million in the quarters ended December 31, 2019, September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively, net interest margin remained stable at 3.39% for the quarters ended December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, and decreased compared to 3.43% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. The adjusted yield on interest-earning assets was 4.72% for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to 4.77% and 4.65% for the quarters ended September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.The cost of deposits decreased four basis points to 1.57% for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to 1.61% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and increased 25 basis points compared to 1.32% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in the cost of deposits compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2019 reflects the decrease in rates paid for our interest-bearing demand deposits. The increase in the cost of deposits compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 resulted from the increase in the volume and rates paid for time deposits. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Federal Reserve increased the target range for the federal funds rate by 100 basis points, which affected the rates that the Bank offered on its time deposits in order to remain competitive in our markets and attract new deposits. The Federal Reserve did not begin lowering rates until August 1, 2019. The Bank experienced significant time deposit growth at the higher rates, which contributed to the increase in the cost of time deposits paid in 2019.The overall costs of funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 decreased four basis points to 1.69% compared to 1.73% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and increased 19 basis points compared to 1.50% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in the cost of funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2019 resulted from both lower cost of deposits and short-term borrowings. The increase in the cost of funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 is mainly a result of an increase in the cost of deposits, but is also driven by the increased cost of borrowed funds, including the subordinated debt issued in November 2019, used to finance loan and investment activity.Noninterest IncomeNoninterest income for the fourth and third quarters of 2019 totaled $1.6 million, an increase of $0.8 million, or 88.4%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase in noninterest income compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 is mainly attributable to a $0.4 million increase in the fair value of equity securities, after recognizing a $0.3 million loss in the quarter ended December 31, 2018. There were also increases in service charges on deposit accounts and other operating income driven by the Bank’s growth since the quarter ended December 31, 2018.Noninterest ExpenseNoninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2019 totaled $13.6 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 16.7%, compared to the third quarter of 2019, and an increase of $2.7 million, or 25.0%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.The increase in noninterest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2019 is mainly attributable to the $0.8 million increases in both acquisition expenses and other operating expenses. During the quarter ended December 31, 2019, $1.0 million was recorded in acquisition expense primarily related to the Bank of York acquisition. The increase in other operating expenses was primarily driven by an increase in bank shares taxes, as well as other expenses resulting from the Company’s growth.The increase in noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the fourth quarter of 2018 is primarily attributable to the $1.5 million and $0.7 million increases in salaries and employee benefits and acquisition expenses, respectively. The increase in salaries and employee benefits is mainly attributable to the increase in the number of employees as a result of our growth. With the acquisitions of Mainland Bank and Bank of York, which added five branch locations and related staff, as well as the opening of two new branches in the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company ended 2019 with 324 full-time equivalent employees, compared to 285 at December 31, 2018. The increase in acquisition expense is attributable to the increased acquisition activity in 2019.Included in noninterest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 is approximately $0.2 million of legal expense related to the collection efforts from a borrower whose loan was acquired in 2017 and is currently in bankruptcy. Additional expense may be incurred in future quarters until the bankruptcy proceedings are finalized.TaxesThe Company recorded income tax expense of $0.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, which equates to an effective tax rate of 20.2%, an increase from the effective tax rates of 19.2% and 19.5% for the quarters ended September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Management expects the Company’s effective tax rate to approximate 20% in 2020.Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common ShareThe Company reported basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.33 and $0.32, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $0.13 and $0.14, respectively, compared to basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.46 for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, and a decrease of $0.02, compared to basic and diluted earnings per common share of $0.35 and $0.34, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.About Investar Holding CorporationInvestar Holding Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, provides full banking services, excluding trust services, through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Investar Bank, National Association, a national bank. The Bank serves several markets across south Louisiana with 23 branches, the greater Houston market in southeast Texas with three branches, and the west Alabama market with two branches. At December 31, 2019, the Company had 324 full-time equivalent employees and total assets of $2.1 billion.Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresThis press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP. These measures and ratios include “tangible common equity,” “tangible assets,” “tangible equity to tangible assets,” “tangible book value per common share,” “core noninterest income,” “core earnings before noninterest expense,” “core noninterest expense,” “core earnings before income tax expense,” “core income tax expense,” “core earnings,” “core efficiency ratio,” “core return on average assets,” “core return on average equity,” “core basic earnings per share,” and “core diluted earnings per share.” Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding the Company’s financial results, and the Company believes that its presentation, together with the accompanying reconciliations, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company’s business and allow investors to view performance in a manner similar to management, the entire financial services sector, bank stock analysts and bank regulators. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and the Company strongly encourages investors to review its consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this press release to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included at the end of the financial statement tables.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. The Company generally identifies forward-looking statements by terminology such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the historical performance of the Company and its subsidiaries or on the Company’s current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the future plans, estimates or expectations by the Company will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company’s operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the Company’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company’s actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following, any one or more of which could materially affect the outcome of future events:business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry in particular, whether nationally, regionally or in the markets in which we operate;
our ability to achieve organic loan and deposit growth, and the composition of that growth;our ability to identify and enter into agreements to combine with attractive acquisition candidates, finance acquisitions, complete acquisitions after definitive agreements are entered into, and successfully integrate acquired operations;
changes (or the lack of changes) in interest rates, yield curves and interest rate spread relationships that affect our loan and deposit pricing;
possible cessation or market replacement of LIBOR and the related effect on our LIBOR-based financial products and contracts, including, but not limited to, hedging products, debt obligations, investments and loans;
the extent of continuing client demand for the high level of personalized service that is a key element of our banking approach as well as our ability to execute our strategy generally;
our dependence on our management team, and our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including adverse developments in borrower industries or in the repayment ability of individual borrowers;
inaccuracy of the assumptions and estimates we make in establishing reserves for probable loan losses and other estimates;
the concentration of our business within our geographic areas of operation in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama;
concentration of credit exposure; and
the satisfaction of the conditions to closing the pending acquisition of Cheaha Bank and the ability to subsequently integrate it effectively.These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risk factors can be found in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and in the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).For further information contact:Investar Holding Corporation
Chris Hufft
Chief Financial Officer
(225) 227-2215
[email protected]
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