MBRG Middleburg Financial Corp.

MIDDLEBURG, Va., April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Middleburg Financial Corporation (the "Company") (Nasdaq: MBRG), today announced financial results for its first quarter 2016, including net income of $2.06 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

First quarter 2016 highlights include:

• Net income for the first quarter of 2016 was $2.06 million or $0.29 per diluted share compared to $781,000 or $0.11 per diluted share for the previous quarter and $2.45 million or $0.34 per diluted share for the same period in 2015.
• Net interest margin was 3.24% in the first quarter of 2016, higher by 7 basis points ("bp") compared to the previous quarter and lower by 16 bp compared to the same period in 2015.
• Cost of funds was 39 bp compared to 37 bp in the previous quarter and unchanged when compared to the same period in 2015.
• Total revenue increased to $12.20 million compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 3.48% compared to the same period in 2015.
• Net interest income increased to $9.75 million, higher by 2.94% compared to the previous quarter and 1.23% higher than the same period in 2015.
• Non-interest expense was $9.26 million, higher by 10.53% compared to the previous quarter and higher by 4.00% compared to the same period in 2015.
• The efficiency ratio was 73.22%, compared to an efficiency ratio of 67.21% for the previous quarter and 68.35% for the same period in 2015.
• Loans held-for-investment were $824.55 million on March 31, 2016 compared to $805.68 million on December 31, 2015, representing an annualized growth rate of 9.42%.
• Total assets increased to $1.35 billion, higher by 4.11% since December 31, 2015.
• Total deposits were $1.08 billion, an increase of 4.14% since December 31, 2015.
• Nonaccrual loans declined by 19.51% in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
• The allowance for loan losses was 1.37% of total loans, unchanged from December 31, 2015.
• Dividends per share increased 30% to $0.13 per share in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $0.10 per share for the same period in 2015.
• Capital ratios continue to be strong: Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 17.47%, Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 16.22%, Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of 15.56% and Tier 1 Leverage Ratio of 9.40% at March 31, 2016.

"We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter as robust loan and deposit growth and disciplined expense management resulted in a considerable increase in net income over the prior quarter.  Additionally, wealth management revenues continue to recover along with the market and we expect to see continued improvement in our results as trends in our operating markets continue to be positive," said Gary R. Shook, President and CEO of Middleburg Financial Corporation.  "Moving forward, we feel confident in our ability to drive shareholder value by continuing to execute on our strategic initiatives to enhance profitability, improve efficiency and manage risk.  In addition, we are pleased to continue returning capital to shareholders via our stock repurchase program and strong focus on dividends."

STRATEGIC FOCUS FOR 2016
Throughout 2016, the Company plans to focus on a number of strategic initiatives intended to grow the business and enhance shareholder value, including:

Enhance Profitability

• Expand net interest margin
• Increase the loans to deposits ratio
• Lower cost of funds further through growth in non-interest bearing deposits
• Replace higher cost borrowings with core deposits
• Growth in fee income from our wealth management subsidiary

Improve Efficiency

• Lower operating costs by continuing to exercise good expense control
• More efficient use of resources

Focus on Asset Quality

• Lower nonaccrual loans relative to total loans
• Efficient management of other real estate owned properties

TOTAL REVENUE
Total revenue, which is composed of net interest income and non-interest income (before any provision for loan and lease losses), was $12.20 million for the first quarter of 2016, higher by 1.12% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 3.48% compared to the same period in 2015.

Net Interest Income
The Company recorded net interest income of $9.75 million for the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 2.94% compared to the previous quarter and higher by 1.23% compared to the same period in 2015.  The net interest margin in the first of 2016 was 3.24%, higher by 7 bp compared to the previous quarter and 16 bp lower than the same period in 2015.

The following factors contributed to the changes in net interest margin during the first quarter of 2016 compared to the previous quarter:

• Yields on earning assets increased by 8 bp compared to the previous quarter.
• Yields on investment securities increased by 12 bp compared to the previous quarter, as premium amortization slowed and higher yielding securities were added to the investment portfolio.
• Yields on loans increased by 8 bp compared to the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2015, we reversed some accrued interest which reduced loan yields by approximately 9 bp. Excluding that reversal, the change in loan yields would have been flat between the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.
• Cost of funds increased slightly to 39 bp, compared to 37 bp in the previous quarter due to higher interest expenses related to short term FHLB borrowings that we had incurred to accommodate seasonal activity in core deposits. We expect to retire those borrowings as they mature and replace them with core deposits.

The following table analyzes changes in net interest income comparing the first quarter of 2016 to the previous quarter and to the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Comparing the first quarter of 2016 to the previous quarter, the table shows the increase in interest income for investments was driven by growth in the securities portfolio and an increase in yields as premium amortization slowed and higher yielding investments were added to the balance sheet.  We continue to add securities that are less sensitive to prepayments while retaining a balance between fixed and floating rate investments.  The increase in interest income from loans was due to strong growth in loan balances.  The changes in interest income in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same quarter in 2015 reflected similar factors, namely increased interest income from investments driven by higher securities balances and lower premium amortization while the lower interest income from loans was largely due to lower loan rates that more than offset growth in loan balances. Competition for good credits continues to pressure loan rates.

Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income declined by 5.51% compared to the previous quarter and was lower by 18.55% compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

• Total revenue generated by our wealth management group, Middleburg Investment Group ("MIG") was $1.16 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, relatively unchanged compared to the previous quarter and lower by 4.93% compared to the same quarter in 2015. Fee income is based primarily upon the market value of assets under administration which were $1.89 billion at March 31, 2016 and $1.99 billion at March 31, 2015.
• Other operating income was $222,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, a decrease of 57.87% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 73.63% compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2015. In the first quarter of 2015, there was a substantial recovery of expenses related to a loan that had previously been charged off. Excluding this recovery of expenses, other operating income in the first quarter of 2015 would have been $277,000. Other operating income generally includes revenue from prepayment penalties, safe deposit charges, wire fees and other miscellaneous adjustments.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Non-interest expense increased by 10.53% compared to the previous quarter and by 4.00% compared to the same period in 2015.  Principal categories of non-interest expense that changed were the following: 

• Salaries and employee benefit expenses increased by 27.61% when compared to the previous quarter and decreased by 0.74% when compared to the same period in 2015. Salaries and employee benefit expenses were lower in the fourth quarter of 2015 as we aligned compensation to the achievement of income and growth targets, which were negatively impacted by the $3 million loan charge-off recorded in the fourth quarter. The increase in salaries and benefits expenses in the first quarter of 2016 reflects normal levels of incentive accruals and salary adjustments that occurred in the first quarter.
• Costs related to other real estate owned (OREO) increased when compared to the prior quarter and also when compared to the same period in 2015. In the current quarter, we recorded a valuation adjustment of $189,000 for one property resulting from an updated appraisal.
• Computer expense decreased to $720,000 for the current quarter compared to $801,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 and increased from $490,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in computer operations expense compared to the previous quarter was primarily related to costs associated with conversion to a new on-line banking platform in the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase in computer operations expenses compared to the same period in 2015 was primarily due to a termination fee for converting to the new on-line banking platform.
• Other miscellaneous operating expenses decreased by 20.96% compared to the prior quarter and increased slightly by $112,000 when compared to the same period in 2015. This category includes meals and entertainment expenses, advisory expenses and legal costs.

ASSET QUALITY
Total nonperforming assets were $25.06 million as of March 31, 2016 compared to $25.51 million at December 31, 2015 and $18.43 million at March 31, 2015.   The primary changes in nonperforming asset balances were:

• Nonaccrual loans declined by 11.81% to $7.75 million as of March 31, 2016 compared to $8.78 million as of December 31, 2015 and declined 19.51% when compared to $9.63 million as of March 31, 2015. The decline in nonaccrual loans compared to the prior quarter was primarily due to one loan that had been on nonaccrual that paid off in the first quarter of 2016 and one loan that was in foreclosure that was transferred to OREO during the quarter.
• Restructured loans that were accruing were $12.03 million as of March 31, 2016 compared to $12.06 million and $4.26 million as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively. The increase in restructured loans that were accruing was due to the restructuring of two loans that were part of a single relationship during the second quarter of 2015.
• Other real estate owned were $3.73 million as of March 31, 2016 compared to $3.35 million and $3.40 million as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively.
• Loans past due 90+ days and still accruing $511,000 as of March 31, 2016 compared to $278,000 and $74,000 as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively.

The Company increased its allowance for loan and lease losses ("ALLL") slightly to $11.33 million or 1.37% of total loans at March 31, 2016 compared to $11.05 million or 1.37% of total loans at December 31, 2015.  The increase was due to loan growth which increased general reserves.  The provision for loan losses decreased to $300,000 in the first quarter of 2016 compared to a provision of $2.7 million in the previous quarter and a provision of $450,000 for the same period in 2015.

CONSOLIDATED ASSETS
Total consolidated assets at March 31, 2016 were $1.35 billion, higher by 4.11% since December 31, 2015.  Changes in major asset categories were as follows:

• Cash balances and deposits with other banks increased by $26.49 million compared to December 31, 2015.
• The Company deployed some of its excess liquidity into growing its securities portfolio which increased by $7.47 million compared to December 31, 2015.
• Loans held-for-investment grew to $824.55 million as of March 31, 2016 compared to $805.68 million on December 31, 2015, an increase of $18.87 million from December 31, 2015.

CONSOLIDATED LIABILITIES
Total consolidated liabilities at March 31, 2016 were $1.22 billion, an increase of 4.40% compared to December 31, 2015.  Deposit growth continues to be strong with total deposits increasing by $43.10 million from December 31, 2015 to $1.08 billion as of March 31, 2016.  Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") borrowings increased by $10.00 million from December 31, 2015 to $95.00 million at March 31, 2016.  The majority of FHLB borrowings mature in less than one year.  We expect to retire those advances as they mature and replace them with core deposits.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND CAPITAL
Shareholders' equity at March 31, 2016 was $125.23 million, compared to $123.55 million at December 31, 2015.  Retained earnings at March 31, 2016 were $61.53 million compared to $60.39 million at December 31, 2015.  On September 15, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the Company's common stock, or approximately 8% of the Company's outstanding shares. The repurchase program was effective immediately and runs through December 31, 2017. This program replaces the previous repurchase program adopted in 1999, pursuant to which the Company had 24,084 shares remaining eligible for repurchase.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company had repurchased a total of 104,300 shares, totaling $1.91 million of the repurchase authorization for a weighted average price of $18.33.  The tangible book value of the Company's common stock at March 31, 2016 was $17.14 per share versus $16.93 per share at December 31, 2015.

The Company's capital ratios remain well above regulatory minimum capital ratios as of March 31, 2016:

• Tier 1 Leverage ratio was 9.40%, 5.40% over the regulatory minimum of 4.00% to be well capitalized.
• Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio was 15.56%, 8.56% over the regulatory minimum of 7.00% to be well capitalized.
• Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 16.22%, 7.72% over the regulatory minimum of 8.50% to be well capitalized.
• Total Risk Based Capital Ratio was 17.47%, 6.97% over the regulatory minimum of 10.50% to be well capitalized.

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, 2015, 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.