MBRG Middleburg Financial Corp.

MIDDLEBURG, Va., Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Middleburg Financial Corporation (the "Company") (Nasdaq: MBRG), today announced net income of $2.12 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, or $0.30 per diluted share.

"The performance in the third quarter was a product of several positive trends at the Company," commented Gary R. Shook, President and CEO of Middleburg Financial Corporation.  He continued, "Net interest income increased despite the challenging yield environment as we lowered borrowing costs and added non-interest bearing deposits.  Additionally, non-interest expenses fell as we eliminated substantial fixed costs related to Southern Trust Mortgage and implemented expense control discipline at the bank.  Nonperforming assets declined 36.91% from December 2013 and delinquent loans fell by 96.29% over the same period.  Middleburg Investment Group's assets under management increased by 5.88% during the quarter and the fee income will help offset any margin compression.

"As we approach a century of providing financial services to the communities in which we operate, we are committed to profitable growth and to delivering results for our shareholders."

Third Quarter 2014 Highlights:

• Net income of $2.12 million or $0.30 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, an increase of 14.34% compared to net income of $1.86 million or $0.26 per diluted share for the previous quarter and an increase of 31.66% compared to net income of $1.61 million or $0.23 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2013;
• Net interest margin of 3.36% compared to 3.38% for the previous quarter and 3.33% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013;
• Cost of funds of 45 bp for the quarter, a decrease of 7 bp from the previous quarter and a decrease of 14 bp from the quarter ended September 30, 2013;
• Net interest income was $9.55 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, an increase of 0.37% compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 2.41% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013;
• Non-interest expenses of $8.39 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of 24.62% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 36.93% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013;
• Efficiency ratio of 68.82% for the quarter compared to 78.99% for the previous quarter and 81.19% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013;
• Total assets were $1.21 billion as of quarter end, a decrease of 3.59% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 1.63% from December 31, 2013;
• Total deposits were $986.57 million as of quarter end, a decrease of 1.69% compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 0.42% from December 31, 2013;
• Loans held-for-investment were $728.75 million as of quarter end, a decrease of 0.05% compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 0.04% from December 31, 2013;
• Credit quality improved with nonaccrual loans totaling $7.33 million as of September 30, 2014, a decrease of 29.55% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 62.88% from December 31, 2013;
• The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets was 1.50% at September 30, 2014 compared to 1.57% at June 30, 2014, 2.33% at December 31, 2013 and 2.51% at September 30, 2013;
• Capital ratios continue to be strong: Tangible Common Equity Ratio of 9.72%, Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 17.30%, Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 16.04%, and a Tier 1 Leverage Ratio of 9.71% at September 30, 2014.

TOTAL REVENUE
Total revenue, which is comprised of net interest income (before provision for loan losses) and non-interest income, was $11.83 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of 14.21% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 23.45% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Net Interest Income
The Company recorded net interest income of $9.55 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, representing an increase of 0.37% compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 2.41% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013.  The net interest margin declined to 3.36%, compared to 3.38% for the previous quarter and an increase compared to 3.33% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

The following factors contributed to the changes in the net interest margin for the quarter:

• Yields on earning assets declined by 9 bp compared to the previous quarter primarily due to a 4 bp decrease in loan yields and a 9 bp decrease in yields on investments.
• Loan yields were lower, primarily as a result of:
  • continued decline in mortgage loans held for sale and;
  • payoffs in commercial and 1-4 family loans and lower yields on loans booked during the quarter, which had the collective effect of lowering the effective yield on the loan portfolio.
• Yields on investments decreased as some fixed rate securities were sold and lower yielding floating rate securities were added in a continuing effort to increase the asset sensitivity of the balance sheet.
• Cost of funds declined by 7 bp to 45 bp as the Company paid off $35.00 million of maturing FHLB advances and added non-interest bearing deposits.

The decline in yields on earning assets resulted in total interest income of $10.79 million for the quarter, lower by 1.38% compared to the previous quarter.  The decrease in interest income was more than offset by a 13.00% decline in interest expense for the quarter compared to the previous quarter.  This led to slightly higher net interest income during the third quarter.

Total interest income for the quarter declined by 1.50% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013 due to lower yields on earning assets.  Loan yields were lower by 9 bp while yields on securities were higher by 14 bp with yields on earning assets lower by 10 bp across quarters. The decline in interest income was more than offset by a 23.81% decrease in interest expense.  Average earning assets during the third quarter of 2014 were slightly higher compared to the same quarter in 2013.  Despite the slightly higher levels of average earning assets, the greater net interest income for the quarter resulted in a net interest margin that was 3 bp higher than in the third quarter of 2013.

Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income was lower by 46.64% and 62.79% compared to the previous quarter and the quarter ended September 30, 2013, respectively.  The primary reason for the decline in non-interest income compared to the prior quarter and the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was reduced revenue from the sale of mortgage loans.  The Company sold its majority interest in Southern Trust Mortgage during the second quarter of 2014.  The drop in mortgage revenue was partially offset by fees generated by the Company's wealth management group.  Fees earned by Middleburg Investment Group ("MIG") increased by 9.06% compared to the previous quarter and were higher by 16.93% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013.  Fee income is based primarily upon the market value of the accounts under administration which were $1.78 billion at September 30, 2014 compared to $1.50 billion at September 30, 2013.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Non-interest expense fell by 24.62% compared to the previous quarter and declined by 36.93% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013.  Principal categories of non-interest expense that changed were the following:

• Salaries and employee benefit expense decreased by 25.90% compared to the previous quarter and was lower by 42.70% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013. The primary reasons for lower salary and employee benefit expenses were the sale of the Company's majority interest in Southern Trust Mortgage on May 15, 2014 and staff reductions at the bank.
• Advertising expenses increased by 3.82% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 57.23% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013. The Company continues to streamline campaign and product promotions.
• Costs related to other real estate owned (OREO) declined by 375.00% compared to the previous quarter and by 107.93% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013 as ongoing expenses to maintain the properties fell and net gains of $238,000 were recognized on OREO in 2014.
• Occupancy and equipment expense decreased by 24.84% compared to the previous quarter and was lower by 30.66% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013. The primary reason for lower expenses in this category was the sale of Southern Trust Mortgage on May 15, 2014. Expenses attributable to Southern Trust Mortgage were consolidated in the Company's financial statements through the date of the sale.
• Other expenses decreased by 27.59% compared to the previous quarter and were lower by 22.81% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Primary reasons for declines in expenses in this category were the sale of Southern Trust Mortgage on May 15, 2014. The significant components in this category include expenses related to deposit processing, fees for advisory services, telephone and professional fees.

Although the sale of Southern Trust Mortgage reduced the Company's revenue, the decline in non-interest expenses was greater and the efficiency ratio for the third quarter of 2014 improved to 68.82% compared to 78.99% for the previous quarter.

ASSET QUALITY
Asset quality continued to improve during the third quarter.  The provision increased to $550,000 for the quarter compared to $72,000 for the previous quarter and a provision of $3,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 as the Company added to specific reserves for certain loans in the third quarter of 2014.

• Loans that were delinquent for more than 90 days and still accruing declined to $30,000 as of September 30, 2014 from $808,000 as of December 31, 2013 and $636,000 as of September 30, 2013.
• Nonaccrual loans declined to $7.33 million as of September 30, 2014 from $19.75 million as of December 31, 2013 and $20.53 million as of September 30, 2013, representing a decrease of 62.88% and 64.28%, respectively.
• Troubled debt restructurings that were performing as agreed totaled $4.52 million at September 30, 2014 compared to $4.67 million at December 31, 2013 and $4.82 million at September 30, 2013, representing a decrease of 3.25% and 6.18%, respectively.
• Other real estate owned (OREO) balances were $5.06 million at September 30, 2014 compared to $3.42 million at December 31, 2013 and $4.53 million at September 30, 2013 representing an increase of 47.90% and 11.79%, respectively. Other repossessed assets were $1.13 million at September 30, 2014.
• Total nonperforming assets were $18.08 million or 1.50% of total assets at September 30, 2014 compared to $28.66 million or 2.33% to total assets at December 31, 2013 and $30.51 million or 2.51% of total assets at September 30, 2013.

The allowance for loans losses was $11.42 million or 1.57% of total loans at September 30, 2014 compared to $11.51 million or 1.58% of total loans at the end of the previous quarter and $13.38 million or 1.87% of total loans at September 30, 2013.

CONSOLIDATED ASSETS
Total consolidated assets at September 30, 2014 were $1.21 billion, a decrease of 1.63% since December 31, 2013.  Changes in major asset categories were as follows:

• Cash balances and deposits at other banks increased by $11.78 million compared to December 31, 2013.
• Securities increased by $6.61 million compared to December 31, 2013.
• Loans held for investment increased by $272,000 from December 31, 2013.

CONSOLIDATED LIABILITIES
Total consolidated liabilities at September 30, 2014 were $1.09 billion, a decrease of 2.33% compared to December 31, 2013.  The most significant change in liabilities was the decrease of $35.00 million in Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings.  Total deposits increased by $4.17 million from December 31, 2013 to $986.57 million as of quarter end September 30, 2014.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND CAPITAL
Shareholders' equity attributable to Middleburg Financial Corporation shareholders at September 30, 2014 was $120.92 million, compared to $112.58 million at December 31, 2013.  Retained earnings at September 30, 2014 were $54.94 million compared to $50.69 million at December 31, 2013. The book value of the Company's common stock at September 30, 2014 was $16.97 per share versus $15.90 per share at December 31, 2013.

The Company's capital ratios remain well above regulatory minimum capital ratios as of September 30, 2014:

• Tier 1 Leverage ratio was 9.71%, 5.71% over the regulatory minimum of 4.0%.
• Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 16.04%, 12.04% over the regulatory minimum of 4.0%.
• Total Risk Based Capital Ratio was 17.30%, 9.30% over the regulatory minimum of 8.0%.

Caution about Forward Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this discussion may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These forward-looking statements relate to the Company's future operations and are generally identified by phrases such as "the Company expects," "the Company believes" or words of similar import.  Although the Company believes that its expectations with respect to the forward-looking statements are based upon reliable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results, performance or achievements of the Company will not differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For details on factors that could affect expectations, see the risk factors and other cautionary language included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Middleburg Financial Corporation
Middleburg Financial Corporation is headquartered in Middleburg, Virginia and has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Middleburg Bank and Middleburg Investment Group, Inc.  Middleburg Bank serves communities in Virginia with financial centers in Ashburn, Gainesville, Leesburg, Marshall, Middleburg, Purcellville, Reston, Richmond, Warrenton and Williamsburg.  Middleburg Investment Group owns Middleburg Trust Company, which is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia with offices in Middleburg, Alexandria and Williamsburg.