Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCBB: FMBL) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2013.

"Our strong loan growth in 2013 reflects the hard work and results-driven focus of F&M's newly expanded lending team," said Henry Walker, president of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach. "The Bank's position of strength was further enhanced during the year with additional strategic hires, as well as the opening of two new branches - Corona del Mar and Downey.

"F&M is entering 2014 with the financial health, vigor and core values that have been hallmarks of the Bank since its inception in 1907," Walker added.

Income Statement

For the 2013 fourth quarter, total interest income was $43.5 million, compared with $40.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. Total interest income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $163.2 million, compared with $171.1 million reported for 2012.

Interest expense for the 2013 fourth quarter was $1.6 million, essentially in line with interest expense for the same quarter in 2012. Interest expense for the full 2013 year declined to $6.2 million from $7.0 million in 2012, reflecting the protracted low interest rate environment.

Farmers & Merchants' net interest income for the 2013 fourth quarter was $41.9 million, compared with net interest income of $38.8 million for the same quarter of 2012. Net interest income for 2013 was $157.0 million, versus $164.1 million in 2012.

Farmers & Merchants' net interest margin was 3.30% for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared with 3.65% in the previous year.

The Bank did not have a provision for loan losses in 2013, nor in 2012, amid continued strength in the quality of its loan portfolio. The Bank's allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans outstanding was 2.09% at December 31, 2013, compared with 2.57% at December 31, 2012.

Non-interest income was $7.2 million for the 2013 fourth quarter, compared with $6.2 million in the 2012 fourth quarter. Non-interest income for the full 2013 year totaled $37.8 million, versus $26.6 million for 2012.

Non-interest expense for the 2013 fourth quarter was $27.2 million, compared with $26.4 million for the same period last year. Non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $104.3 million, compared with $98.5 million last year.

The Bank's net income for the 2013 fourth quarter was $15.0 million, or $114.41 per diluted share, compared with $13.2 million, or $101.13 per diluted share, in the 2012 fourth quarter. The Bank's net income for 2013 was $62.2 million, or $474.80 per diluted share, compared with $63.4 million, or $484.13 per diluted share, for 2012.

Balance Sheet

At December 31, 2013, net loans totaled $2.40 billion, compared with $1.93 billion at December 31, 2012. The Bank's deposits grew to $3.83 billion at the end of 2013, from $3.69 billion at December 31, 2012. Non-interest bearing deposits represented 38.5% of total deposits at December 31, 2013, versus 40.0% of total deposits at December 31, 2012. Total assets increased to $5.21 billion at the close of 2013 from $5.00 billion at December 31, 2012.

At December 31, 2013, Farmers & Merchants Bank remained "well-capitalized" under all regulatory categories, with a total risk-based capital ratio of 27.45%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 26.20%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 14.48%. The minimum ratios for capital adequacy for a well-capitalized bank are 10.00%, 6.00% and 5.00%, respectively.

"Our solid loan growth was approached with the conservative lending standards that are fundamental to F&M's strength," said Daniel Walker, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. "Additionally, our new branch openings are indicative of the opportunities we see in Southern California, as we continue to serve a region where a strong and stable banking partner is a key ingredient of an economy on the mend."

About Farmers & Merchants Bank

Founded in Long Beach in 1907 by C.J. Walker, Farmers & Merchants Bank has 23 branches in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The Bank specializes in commercial and small business banking along with business loan programs. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach is a California state chartered bank with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Member FDIC) and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about F&M, please visit www.fmb.com.

 
FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK OF LONG BEACH
Income Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share data)
       
Three Months Ended Dec. 31, Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31,
2013 2012 2013 2012
 
Interest income:
 
Loans $ 28,351 $ 26,060 $ 105,163 $ 112,157
Securities available-for-sale 1,778 2,364 8,067 10,794
Securities held-to-maturity 13,323 11,720 49,441 47,112
Deposits with banks 31 286 488 1,051
 
Total interest income 43,483 40,430 163,159 171,114
 
Interest expense:
 
Deposits 1,296 1,328 5,049 5,840
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 277 292 1,116 1,147
 
Total interest expense 1,573 1,620 6,165 6,987
 
Net interest income 41,910 38,810 156,994 164,127
 
Provision for loan losses - - - -
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 41,910 38,810 156,994 164,127
 
Non-interest income:
 
Service charges on deposit accounts 1,151 1,136 4,554 4,598
Gains on sale of securities 261 303 1,308 345
Other real estate owned income 482 293 3,757 2,797
Merchant bankcard income 2,348 2,178 9,358 8,822
Other income 2,942 2,291 18,837 10,071
 
Total non-interest income 7,184 6,201 37,814 26,633
 
Non-interest expense:
 
Salaries and employee benefits 15,726 13,012 55,986 48,271
FDIC and other insurance expense 123 1,667 4,825 6,479
Occupancy expense 1,944 1,732 6,987 6,500
Equipment expense 1,434 1,552 6,026 5,634
Other real estate owned expense 285 1,033 528 4,476
Amortization of public welfare investments 2,020 1,866 8,082 7,762
Merchant bankcard expense 1,929 1,749 7,493 6,821
Legal and professional services 885 953 3,604 2,882
Marketing expense 790 998 3,770 3,424
Other expense 2,101 1,790 6,961 6,268
 
Total non-interest expense 27,237 26,352 104,262 98,517
 
Income before income tax expense 21,857 18,659 90,546 92,243
 
Income tax expense 6,878 5,420 28,382 28,856
 
Net income $ 14,979 $ 13,239 $ 62,164 $ 63,387
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share $ 114.41 $ 101.13 $ 474.80 $ 484.13
 
 
FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK OF LONG BEACH
Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In thousands except share and per share data)
   
Dec. 31, 2013 Dec. 31, 2012
 
Assets
 
Cash and due from banks:
Noninterest-bearing balances $ 65,261 $ 60,914
Interest-bearing balances 20,755 253,087
Securities available-for-sale 427,942 630,055
Securities held-to-maturity 2,145,289 1,942,085
Loan held for sale 465 2,364
Gross loans 2,454,302 1,982,076
Less allowance for loan losses (51,251 ) (50,994 )
Less unamortized deferred loan fees, net (1,704 ) (364 )
Net loans 2,401,347   1,930,718  

Other real estate owned, net

14,502 17,696
Public welfare investments 27,722 35,804
Bank premises and equipment, net 66,212 60,504
Net deferred tax assets 23,512 26,060
Other assets 21,579   29,674  
 
Total assets $ 5,214,586   $ 4,988,962  
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
Liabilities:
 
Deposits:
Demand, non-interest bearing $ 1,475,888 $ 1,474,215
Demand, interest bearing 413,291 346,991
Savings and money market savings 1,080,774 1,011,029
Time deposits 861,489   853,631  
 
Total deposits 3,831,442 3,685,866
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements 595,991 551,293
Other liabilities 27,986   34,543  
 
Total liabilities 4,455,419   4,271,702  
 
Stockholders' Equity:
 
Common Stock, par value $20; authorized 250,000
shares; issued and outstanding 130,928 shares 2,619 2,619
Additional paid-in capital 12,044 12,044
Retained earnings 742,408 695,169
Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,096   7,427  
 
Total stockholders' equity 759,167   717,259  
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 5,214,586   $ 4,988,961  
 

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach
John Hinrichs
Executive Vice President
562-437-0011, ext. 5035
or
PondelWilkinson Inc.
Evan Pondel
Investor Relations
310-279-5980
investor@pondel.com