HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company ("CBT" or "Bank") (Nasdaq:CTBC) reported net income of $188,000 for the fourth quarter and $560,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Bank also reported that total loans were $223.7 million at December 31, 2010, increasing $22.9 million from the prior year end.
Chairman and CEO David A. Lentini remarked, "We are pleased to report that CBT was profitable for the fourth quarter." Lentini added, "Our Management team continues to do the hard work necessary to move the Bank forward in this difficult economic environment. We are particularly proud of our loan growth in 2010. It is a result of our strong commitment to personal service and meeting our customers needs."
The Bank reported net income (loss) of $188,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2010 compared to ($135,000) in the immediately preceding quarter, and $232,000 for the comparable period a year earlier. After preferred dividends, net income (loss) available to common shareholders was $91,000 or $0.02 per diluted share, ($232,000) or ($0.06) per diluted share, and $135,000 or $0.04 per diluted share, respectively. The Bank reported net income of $560,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and $357,000 for the comparable period a year earlier. After preferred dividends, net income available to common shareholders was $172,000 or $0.05 per diluted share $174,000 or $0.05 per diluted share, respectively.
Operating Results for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2010. Net interest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 totaled $2.5 million, down $102,000 or 3.9%, from the immediately preceding quarter. The results for the current quarter were negatively impacted by the increase in nonaccrual loans and the decrease in the yield on average assets from 5.14% to 4.83%. Much of the decline in yields can be attributed to the foregone interest on nonaccrual loans and low interest rate environment's affect on the bond portfolio.
The provision for loan losses was $135,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 compared to $587,000 for the immediately preceding quarter. Net charge-offs for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 were $1,000 compared to $288,000 for the immediately preceding quarter.
Total noninterest income from all sources increased to $206,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 compared to $186,000 in the preceding quarter. Noninterest expenses totaled $2.4 million, rising $47,000, or 2.0%, from the prior quarter due primarily to staff additions and increased marketing costs.
Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2010. Net interest income for the year totaled $10.0 million, an increase of $1.4 million, from $8.6 million in the prior year. The net interest margin for the year was 3.83% compared to 3.94% in the prior year. The margin compression resulted from downward pressure on loan rates and low bond yields due to market conditions. CFO Anson Hall remarked "Our Business Development Officers continue to produce loans in these very trying times. Our ability to fund these loans by growing core deposits has assisted in keeping the net interest spread at a measure that adds to the bottom line."
The provision for loan losses was $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $677,000 in the prior year. Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $352,000 compared to $656,000 in the comparable period a year earlier.
Fee-based services totaled $340,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $280,000 for the prior year. The Bank realized gains of $60,000 on the sale of investment securities for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $197,000 in the prior year.
Noninterest expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 amounted to $9.2 million, compared to $8.4 million, increasing $794,000 or 9.5%, from 2009. Salaries and benefits increased $294,000 to $4.6 million from $4.3 million. Marketing costs increased $95,000 year over year to $422,000 as the Bank expanded its marketing approach across media outlets to attract core deposits. Professional services increased $108,000 to $648,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010 due to additional costs for specialized services such as consulting, legal, and the inception of servicing costs on a consumer loan portfolio. All other general and administrative costs increased $296,000 principally from collection efforts on impaired loans, OREO management costs, and the inception of compensation for directors.
Provisions for Loan Losses. The provisions for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2010 amounted to $135,000 compared to $587,000 in the immediately preceding quarter and $257,000 for the comparable period in 2009. Total loan loss provisions for the year ended 2010 were $1.0 million compared to $677,000 for 2009. The bank provides reserves for internally identified problem loans, for growth in performing loans and for risk factors in the portfolio. At December 31, 2010, the allowance was $3.4 million compared to $2.7 million at December 31, 2009 and the reserve ratio of total loans outstanding was 1.51% and 1.35%, respectively.
Asset Quality. We closely monitor all loan relationships and identify problem loans through an internal risk rating system, which is independently reviewed on an annual basis. Total nonaccrual loans were $8.8 million and represented 3.9% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2010, compared to $2.0 million, or 1.0% of total loans at December 31, 2009. CEO Lentini commented, "The prolonged recession has had a negative impact on a few of our commercial customers." Lentini added, "We mitigate our risk of loss through sound underwriting principles, strong collateral management, diversification among industries and we obtain government guarantees when available. We have seen some migration over time as our portfolio becomes more seasoned, but loan losses have been nominal. Loans charged off for 2010 were $377,000 or 0.17% of the portfolio compared to $656,000 or 0.33% of the portfolio in 2009." The coverage ratio which measures the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 38.5% at December 31, 2010.
Balance Sheet Performance. Total loans outstanding were $223.7 million at December 31, 2010, up $22.9 million from December 31, 2009. Short-term rates remained low throughout 2010, accordingly, management invested short-term funds to maximize its return on its investment portfolio. Investments increased $7.9 million and asset growth was funded through the use of cash and equivalents and supported through deposit growth. Deposits totaled $213.8 million compared to $200.8 million at the prior year end. Borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank Boston remained at $30.5 million. The Bank is considered well-capitalized with stockholders' equity of $24.9 million at December 31, 2010.
Caution concerning forward-looking statements:Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, due to a number of factors which include, without limitation, the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in the interest rates, the effects of competition, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those provided in any such forward-looking statements. CBT does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.
See financial statements accompanying this release for additional data.
CONTACT: David A. Lentini 860-748-4250 dlentini@thecbt.com