Lake City Bank Net Income and Earnings Per Share Set New Records

WARSAW, Ind., Jan. 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:LKFN), parent company of Lake City Bank, today reported record net income of $30.7 million for 2011. This performance represents a $6.1 million, or 25%, increase in net income versus $24.5 million for 2010. Diluted earnings per common share increased 42% to $1.88 for 2011, versus $1.32 in 2010.

The Company further reported net income of $8.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, which represented a 43% increase over $5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Diluted net income per share for the quarter increased 39% to $0.50 versus $0.36 for the comparable period of 2010. Net income for the linked third quarter of 2011 was $8.4 million.

Michael L. Kubacki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "As we reflect on 2011, we're very pleased with the Bank's growth and performance. With the recent opening of regional headquarters in Indianapolis and South Bend, Lake City Bank is positioned to continue its growth in our Indiana communities. Equally as gratifying is our performance for shareholders. We've continued to report strong earnings and experience good balance sheet growth during a period of economic uncertainty. We're proud to have the capital, balance sheet strength and asset quality to support this solid growth."

The Company also announced that the Board of Directors approved a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of $0.155 per share, payable on February 6, 2012 to shareholders of record as of January 25, 2012.

Kubacki continued, "We have not wavered from our mission to be the acknowledged leader in community banking in Indiana. We believe that we are in a great position to continue our expansion and further strengthen our reputation as an organization committed to serving its clients and communities. It's an exciting time of growth for the Lake City Bank Team." 

Average total loans for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $2.20 billion versus $2.08 billion for the fourth quarter of 2010 and $2.16 billion for the linked third quarter of 2011. Total loans outstanding grew $144 million, or 7%, from $2.09 billion as of December 31, 2010 to $2.23 billion as of December 31, 2011. Total loans increased by $53 million, or 2%, during the fourth quarter of 2011.

David M. Findlay, President and Chief Financial Officer stated, "In the past five years, loans have grown by $880 million, or 65%.   This loan growth has not been the result of acquisition or entry into new markets. Rather, it's resulted from targeted growth in our core Indiana markets by great client relationship teams. We've remained committed to contributing to Indiana's economic stability throughout this challenging period and look forward to continuing to play a role in our state's future economic growth."

The Company's net interest margin was 3.38% in the fourth quarter of 2011 versus 3.62% for the fourth quarter of 2010 and 3.48% in the linked third quarter of 2011. The year-over-year margin decline resulted primarily from reduced yields in the investment portfolio and slightly lower commercial loan yields as interest rates continue to be at historic lows.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company's net interest margin was 3.54% versus 3.73% for the comparable period in 2010.

The Company's provision for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2011 was $2.9 million versus $6.5 million in the same period of 2010. In the third quarter of 2011, the provision was $2.4 million.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company's provision for loan losses was $13.8 million versus $23.9 million for the comparable period in 2010. The provision decrease on a year-over-year basis was generally driven by the stabilization and improvement in key loan quality metrics, including significantly lower year-to-date net charge offs, adequate reserve coverage of nonperforming loans, continuing signs of stabilization in economic conditions in the Company's markets and general signs of improvement in our borrowers' performance and future prospects. The Company's allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2011 was $53.4 million compared to $45.0 million as of December 31, 2010 and $52.1 million as of September 30, 2011. The allowance for loan losses represented 2.39% of total loans as of December 31, 2011 versus 2.15% at December 31, 2010 and 2.39% as of September 30, 2011.

Net charge-offs totaled $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 versus $3.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2010 and $1.6 million during the third quarter of 2011.  The largest net charge off attributable to a single commercial credit during the quarter was $379,000. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net charge-offs were $5.4 million versus $11.0 million in 2010.    Nonperforming assets were $41.6 million as of December 31, 2011 versus $40.7 million as of December 31, 2010 and $36.2 million as of September 30, 2011. The increase in nonperforming loans during the quarter primarily resulted from the addition of three related commercial real estate loans totaling $7.3 million. The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets at December 31, 2011 was 1.44% versus 1.52% at December 31, 2010 and 1.28% at September 30, 2011. The allowance for loan losses represented 135% of nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2011 versus 157% at September 30, 2011 and 122% at December 31, 2010.

Findlay added, "Our economy remains fragile, as demonstrated by current unemployment levels and a relative absence of economic expansion in our markets. As a result, we continue to closely monitor our borrowers' strength and maintain a strong loan loss reserve. Clearly, many of our clients are experiencing improved financial performance, but the lingering effects of the recent recession continue to negatively impact some borrowers' performance. We believe that we have strong loan loss reserve coverage of nonperforming loans and look forward to continued improvements in economic conditions."

The Company's noninterest income increased 9% to $5.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, versus $5.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 but decreased from $5.9 million for the third quarter of 2011. On a year-over-year basis, noninterest income was positively impacted by a $1.1 million decrease in other than temporary impairment on several non-agency mortgage backed securities in the Company's investment portfolio. Other than temporary impairment, which is a non-cash item, was $132,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011, versus $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Non-interest income was negatively impacted by a $242,000 decrease in mortgage banking income. In addition service charges on deposit accounts decreased by $159,000. This decline resulted from lower nonsufficient fund charges of $212,000 versus the fourth quarter of 2010. 

The Company's noninterest expense increased $152,000, or 1%, to $13.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 versus $13.3 million in the comparable quarter of 2010. On a linked quarter basis, non-interest expense was $13.5 million in the third quarter of 2011. On a year-over-year basis, data processing fees decreased $166,000 due to the Company's conversion to a new core processor during the second quarter of 2011. Other expense decreased $142,000 primarily due to lower FDIC deposit insurance premiums. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $359,000 in the three-month period ended December 31, 2011 versus the same period of 2010.  These increases were driven by staff additions and normal merit increases. In addition, the Company's performance based compensation expense increased due to our strong performance and the resulting increased recognition levels. The Company's efficiency ratio for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 48%, compared to a ratio of 47% for the comparable quarter of 2010 and 47% for the linked third quarter period. 

The Company's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 9.36% at December 31, 2011 compared to 9.10% at December 31, 2010 and 9.40% at September 30, 2011. Average total deposits for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 were $2.42 billion versus $2.32 billion for the third quarter of 2011 and $2.27 billion for the fourth quarter of 2010.

Lakeland Financial Corporation is a $2.9 billion bank holding company headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana. Lake City Bank serves Indiana with 45 branches located in the following Indiana counties: Kosciusko, Elkhart, Allen, St. Joseph, DeKalb, Fulton, Hamilton, Huntington, LaGrange, Marshall, Noble, Pulaski and Whitley.

Lakeland Financial Corporation may be accessed on the home page of its subsidiary, Lake City Bank, at . The Company's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under "LKFN". Market makers in Lakeland Financial Corporation common shares include Automated Trading Desk Financial Services, LLC, B-Trade Services, LLC, Citadel Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Holdings, Inc., Domestic Securities, Inc., E*TRADE Capital Markets LLC, Goldman Sachs & Company, Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc., Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Knight Capital Americas, L.P., Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., Sterne Agee & Leach, Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc., Susquehanna Capital Group and UBS Securities LLC.

In addition to the results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. Lakeland Financial believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful to understanding Lakeland Financial's financial performance. Additionally, these non-GAAP measures are used by management for planning and forecasting purposes, including measures based on "tangible common equity" which is "common stockholders' equity" excluding intangible assets, net of deferred tax. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP equivalent is included in the attached financial tables where the non-GAAP measure is presented.

This document contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the Company's management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should" or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that could materially affect the Company's financial results, is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on form 10-K.

LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION FOURTH QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited - Dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
END OF PERIOD BALANCES	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Assets	$ 2,889,688		$ 2,827,438		$ 2,681,926		$ 2,889,688		$ 2,681,926
Deposits	2,412,696		2,356,359		2,201,025		2,412,696		2,201,025
Loans	2,233,709		2,181,008		2,089,959		2,233,709		2,089,959
Allowance for Loan Losses	53,400		52,073		45,007		53,400		45,007
Total Equity	273,289		268,847		247,086		273,289		247,086
Tangible Common Equity	270,078		265,590		243,779		270,078		243,779
AVERAGE BALANCES
Total Assets	$ 2,896,422		$ 2,790,191		$ 2,727,958		$ 2,792,715		$ 2,652,623
Earning Assets	2,718,707		2,640,298		2,598,620		2,642,158		2,522,360
Investments	464,975		457,360		444,292		447,620		430,615
Loans	2,196,356		2,160,007		2,081,535		2,148,046		2,049,209
Total Deposits	2,424,444		2,316,323		2,266,681		2,325,963		2,132,607
Interest Bearing Deposits	2,089,130		1,998,402		1,972,667		2,015,439		1,866,183
Interest Bearing Liabilities	2,274,381		2,192,141		2,169,913		2,206,658		2,107,351
Total Equity	270,740		264,460		248,194		260,335		262,861
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Net Interest Income	$ 22,780		$ 22,821		$ 23,323		$ 92,080		$ 92,653
Net Interest Income-Fully Tax Equivalent	23,166		23,198		23,666		93,611		94,027
Provision for Loan Losses	2,900		2,400		6,521		13,800		23,947
Noninterest Income	5,538		5,923		5,091		22,205		21,509
Noninterest Expense	13,485		13,479		13,333		55,105		53,435
Net Income	8,261		8,447		5,782		30,662		24,543
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	8,261		8,447		5,782		30,662		21,356
PER SHARE DATA
Basic Net Income Per Common Share	$ 0.51		$ 0.52		$ 0.36		$ 1.89		$ 1.32
Diluted Net Income Per Common Share	0.50		0.52		0.36		1.88		1.32
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share	0.155		0.155		0.155		0.62		0.62
Book Value Per Common Share (equity per share issued)	16.85		16.58		15.28		16.85		15.28
Market Value - High	26.48		23.94		22.28		26.48		22.28
Market Value - Low	19.67		19.40		18.34		19.40		17.00
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	16,214,006		16,208,889		16,145,823		16,204,952		16,120,606
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	16,361,607		16,324,058		16,240,353		16,324,644		16,213,747
KEY RATIOS
Return on Average Assets	1.13	%	1.20	%	0.84	%	1.10	%	0.93	%
Return on Average Total Equity	12.11		12.67		9.24		11.78		9.34
Efficiency (Noninterest Expense / Net Interest Income plus Noninterest Income)	47.62		46.89		46.92		48.22		46.81
Average Equity to Average Assets	9.35		9.48		9.10		9.32		9.91
Net Interest Margin	3.38		3.48		3.62		3.54		3.73
Net Charge Offs to Average Loans	0.28		0.29		0.67		0.25		0.54
Loan Loss Reserve to Loans	2.39		2.39		2.15		2.39		2.15
Loan Loss Reserve to Nonperforming Loans	135.27		156.61		121.90		135.27		121.90
Loan Loss Reserve to Nonperforming Loans and Performing TDR's	86.61		93.52		98.99		86.61		98.99
Nonperforming Loans to Loans	1.77		1.52		1.77		1.77		1.77
Nonperforming Assets to Assets	1.44		1.28		1.52		1.44		1.52
Tier 1 Leverage	10.13		10.29		9.93		10.13		9.93
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital	12.31		12.33		12.00		12.31		12.00
Total Capital	13.57		13.59		13.26		13.57		13.26
Tangible Capital	9.36		9.40		9.10		9.36		9.10
ASSET QUALITY
Loans Past Due 30 - 89 Days	$ 4,230		$ 3,357		$ 3,212		$ 4,230		$ 3,212
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More	52		61		330		52		330
Non-accrual Loans	39,425		33,190		36,591		39,425		36,591
Nonperforming Loans (includes nonperforming TDR's)	39,477		33,251		36,921		39,477		36,921
Other Real Estate Owned	2,075		2,889		3,695		2,075		3,695
Other Nonperforming Assets	33		25		42		33		42
Total Nonperforming Assets	41,584		36,165		40,659		41,584		40,659
Nonperforming Troubled Debt Restructurings (included in nonperforming loans)	34,272		9,300		6,091		34,272		6,091
Performing Troubled Debt Restructurings	22,177		22,428		8,547		22,177		8,547
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings	56,449		31,728		14,638		56,449		14,638
Impaired Loans	63,518		57,659		48,015		63,518		48,015
Total Watch List Loans	166,701		166,499		169,269		166,701		169,269
Gross Charge Offs	1,781		2,099		3,646		6,829		11,742
Recoveries	208		511		120		1,422		729
Net Charge Offs/(Recoveries)	1,573		1,588		3,526		5,407		11,013

LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS As of December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands, except share data)
	December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 56,909		$ 42,513
Short-term investments	47,675		17,628
Total cash and cash equivalents	104,584		60,141
Securities available for sale (carried at fair value)	467,391		442,620
Real estate mortgage loans held for sale	2,953		5,606
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $53,400 and $45,007	2,180,309		2,044,952
Land, premises and equipment, net	34,736		30,405
Bank owned life insurance	39,959		38,826
Accrued income receivable	9,612		9,074
Goodwill	4,970		4,970
Other intangible assets	99		153
Other assets	45,075		45,179
Total assets	$  2,889,688		$ 2,681,926
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Noninterest bearing deposits	$ 356,682		$ 305,107
Interest bearing deposits	2,056,014		1,895,918
Total deposits	2,412,696		2,201,025
Short-term borrowings
Federal funds purchased	10,000		0
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	131,990		142,015
U.S. Treasury demand notes	0		2,037
Other short-term borrowings	0		30,000
Total short-term borrowings	141,990		174,052
Accrued expenses payable	13,550		11,476
Other liabilities	2,195		2,318
Long-term borrowings	15,040		15,041
Subordinated debentures	30,928		30,928
Total liabilities	2,616,399		2,434,840
EQUITY
Common stock: 90,000,000 shares authorized, no par value
16,217,019 shares issued and 16,145,772 outstanding as of December 31, 2011
16,169,119 shares issued and 16,078,420 outstanding as of December 31, 2010	87,380		85,766
Retained earnings	181,903		161,299
Accumulated other comprehensive income	5,139		1,350
Treasury stock, at cost (2011 - 71,247 shares, 2010 - 90,699 shares)	(1,222)		(1,418)
Total stockholders' equity	273,200		246,997
Noncontrolling interest	89		89
Total equity	273,289		247,086
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,889,688		$ 2,681,926

LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME For the Three Months and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands except for share and per share data) (unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,				Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
NET INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans
Taxable	$ 26,381		$ 26,529		$ 104,936		$ 104,205
Tax exempt	114		26		471		86
Interest and dividends on securities
Taxable	2,940		4,032		13,575		16,406
Tax exempt	688		686		2,756		2,708
Interest on short-term investments	40		60		154		120
Total interest income	30,163		31,333		121,892		123,525
Interest on deposits	6,867		7,365		27,735		28,007
Interest on borrowings
Short-term	135		140		612		727
Long-term	381		505		1,465		2,138
Total interest expense	7,383		8,010		29,812		30,872
NET INTEREST INCOME	22,780		23,323		92,080		92,653
Provision for loan losses	2,900		6,521		13,800		23,947
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES	19,880		16,802		78,280		68,706
NONINTEREST INCOME
Wealth advisory fees	849		838		3,462		3,247
Investment brokerage fees	467		574		2,560		2,266
Service charges on deposit accounts	2,012		2,171		7,950		8,436
Loan, insurance and service fees	1,254		1,206		4,849		4,300
Merchant card fee income	245		235		1,020		1,081
Other income	437		669		1,817		2,175
Mortgage banking income	406		648		1,000		1,587
Net securities gains (losses)	0		0		(167)		4
Other than temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities:
Total impairment losses recognized on securities	(132)		(1,379)		(286)		(1,716)
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income	0		129		0		129
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	(132)		(1,250)		(286)		(1,587)
Total noninterest income	5,538		5,091		22,205		21,509
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits	8,005		7,646		32,807		30,375
Occupancy expense	733		700		3,106		2,899
Equipment costs	604		522		2,204		2,090
Data processing fees and supplies	835		1,001		3,655		3,931
Credit card interchange	0		14		2		158
Other expense	3,308		3,450		13,331		13,982
Total noninterest expense	13,485		13,333		55,105		53,435
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE	11,933		8,560		45,380		36,780
Income tax expense	3,672		2,778		14,718		12,237
NET INCOME	$ 8,261		$ 5,782		$ 30,662		$ 24,543
Dividends and accretion of discount on preferred stock	0		0		0		3,187
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$ 8,261		$ 5,782		$ 30,662		$  21,356
BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES	16,214,006		16,145,823		16,204,952		16,120,606
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	$ 0.51		$ 0.36		$ 1.89		$ 1.32
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES	16,361,607		16,240,353		16,324,644		16,213,747
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	$ 0.50		$ 0.36		$ 1.88		$ 1.32

LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
LOAN DETAIL
FOURTH QUARTER 2011
(unaudited in thousands)
	December 31, 2011			September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
Commercial and industrial loans:
Working capital lines of credit loans	$ 373,768	16.7	%	$  382,202	17.5	%	$ 281,546	13.5	%
Non-working capital loans	377,388	16.9		380,125	17.4		384,138	18.4
Total commercial and industrial loans	751,156	33.6		762,327	34.9		665,684	31.8
Commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans:
Construction and land development loans	82,284	3.7		110,493	5.1		106,980	5.1
Owner occupied loans	346,669	15.5		335,514	15.4		329,760	15.8
Nonowner occupied loans	385,090	17.2		363,777	16.7		355,393	17.0
Multifamily loans	38,477	1.7		19,578	0.9		24,158	1.2
Total commercial real estate and multi-family residential loans	852,520	38.2		829,362	38.0		816,291	39.0
Agri-business and agricultural loans:
Loans secured by farmland	118,224	5.3		101,978	4.7		111,961	5.4
Loans for agricultural production	119,705	5.4		92,414	4.2		117,518	5.6
Total agri-business and agricultural loans	237,929	10.7		194,392	8.9		229,479	11.0
Other commercial loans	58,278	2.6		58,208	2.7		38,778	1.9
Total commercial loans	1,899,883	85.0		1,844,289	84.6		1,750,232	83.7
Consumer 1-4 family mortgage loans:
Closed end first mortgage loans	106,999	4.8		107,026	4.9		103,118	4.9
Open end and junior lien loans	175,694	7.9		177,940	8.2		182,325	8.7
Residential construction and land development loans	5,462	0.2		4,380	0.2		4,140	0.2
Total consumer 1-4 family mortgage loans	288,155	12.9		289,346	13.3		289,583	13.8
Other consumer loans	45,999	2.1		47,623	2.2		51,123	2.4
Total consumer loans	334,154	15.0		336,969	15.4		340,706	16.3
Subtotal	2,234,037	100.0	%	2,181,258	100.0	%	2,090,938	100.0	%
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(53,400)			(52,073)			(45,007)
Net deferred loan fees	(328)			(250)			(979)
Loans, net	$2,180,309			$2,128,935			$2,044,952

Note: As a result of FASB ASU 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, the Company has revised this table in order to present the data with greater granularity. This disaggregation will be substantially the same as those used in disclosures of credit quality. 

CONTACT: David M. Findlay
         President and
         Chief Financial Officer
         [phone]
         [e-mail]

Source: Lake City Bank