GAHANNA, Ohio, Jan. 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heartland BancCorp (“the company,” and “the bank”) (OTCQB:HLAN), today reported that, following a $879,000 life insurance benefit, earnings increased 69.6% to $2.8 million compared to the fourth quarter a year ago.  Heartland’s core earnings (excluding the life insurance benefit) increased 16.3% in the fourth quarter of 2015 to $1.9 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, compared to $1.7 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the year, Heartland’s earnings increased 33.7% year-over-year to $8.1 million. Core earnings for 2015 (excluding the life insurance benefit) increased 19.1% to $7.2 million, or $4.57 per diluted share, compared to $6.1 million, or $3.87 per diluted share, in 2014. 

The Company also announced its board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.3724 per share.  The dividend will be payable April 10, 2016, to shareholders of record as of March 25, 2016, providing a 3.1% current yield at current market prices. 

“2015 was a solid year of growth and prosperity for our organization. We produced record annual profits, robust loan growth, double digit deposit growth and sustained a healthy net interest margin at around 4%,” said G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President and CEO.  “The greater Columbus market continues to be one of the healthiest economies, not only in the region, but in the country, and we are well positioned to take advantage of this market with our brand of community banking.”

In November, Heartland completed a private placement to accredited investors of $5.4 million in aggregate principal amount of fixed and variable rate subordinated promissory notes, with a weighted interest rate of 4.896%.  The proceeds will give Heartland the opportunity to build out its business plan and meet the growing demand from clients and the marketplace.  “This capital raise was a cost effective way for us to raise regulatory capital, give a good return to our investors, and did not dilute current shareholders,” added McComb.

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights (at or for the period ended December 31, 2015)

• Net income was $2.8 million, up from $1.9 million in the preceding quarter and $1.7 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.
• Net interest margin remained strong at 3.99% compared to 3.96% in the preceding quarter and 3.89% in the fourth quarter a year ago.
• Annualized return on average assets was 1.59%.
• Annualized return on average equity was 17.51%.
• Total deposits increased 12.0% to $623.0 million from a year ago.
• Net loans increased 8.5% to $541.0 million from a year ago.
• Non-performing assets were $5.2 million, or 0.72% of total assets, at December 31, 2015, compared to $4.1 million, or 0.59%, three months earlier and $5.3 million, or 0.82%, one year earlier.
• Tangible book value per share increased 9.3% to $42.40 per share compared to $38.79 per share one year earlier.
• Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3724 per share, which represents a 3.31% yield based on the December 31, 2015 stock price. ($45.00).
• The internal rate of return based on growth in book value and dividends paid was 16.2% in 2015.

Balance Sheet Review

“Loan growth was robust again during the quarter, particularly in the agricultural and commercial and industrial (C&I) portfolios. With the demand we are seeing from new and existing customers, as well as the strength in our loan pipeline, we expect our loan production to remain strong throughout 2016,” said McComb.  Net loans increased 2.1% to $541.0 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $529.7 million at September 30, 2015 and increased 8.5% compared to $498.6 million at December 31, 2014.  

Total deposits increased 2.5% to $623.0 million at year end, compared to $608.0 million three months earlier and increased 12.0% compared to $556.2 million a year ago.  Demand accounts represented 22.3%, savings, NOW and money market accounts represented 35.2%, and CDs comprised 42.5% of the total deposit portfolio, at December 31, 2015. 

Total assets increased 4.2% to $729.6 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $700.5 million three months earlier and increased 12.3% compared to $649.7 million a year earlier.  Shareholders’ equity increased 4.0% to $66.8 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $64.2 million at September 30, 2015 and increased 10.0% compared to $60.7 million one year ago.  At year end, Heartland’s tangible book value increased 3.8% to $42.40 per share compared to $40.84 per share three months earlier and increased 9.3% from $38.79 per share one year earlier.

Operating Results

“Our net interest margin remains healthy and improved modestly during the quarter due to continued loan and deposit pricing discipline,” said McComb.  Heartland’s net interest margin was 3.99% in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to 3.96% in the preceding quarter and 3.87% in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the full year 2015, Heartland’s net interest margin was 4.02%, a two basis point improvement compared to a year ago.

Total revenues (net interest income before the provision for loan losses, plus non-interest income) increased 19.5% to $8.2 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $6.9 million in the fourth quarter a year ago, and increased 13.7% compared to $7.3 million in the preceding quarter.  For the year, total revenues increased 13.3% to $29.4 million, compared to $26.0 million in 2014.  Excluding the $879,000 benefit in excess of life insurance value, total revenues were $7.4 million in the fourth quarter and $28.5 million for the year.  Net interest income before the provision for loan loss increased 7.6% to $6.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $6.1 million in the fourth quarter a year ago, and increased 3.2% compared to $6.4 million in the preceding quarter.  For the year, net interest income before the provision for loan losses increased 11.4% to $25.4 million, compared to $22.8 million in 2014.

Heartland’s noninterest income was $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $874,000 in the third quarter and $780,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago.  The increase in noninterest income was primarily the result of a $879,000 benefit in excess of life insurance cash value from a policy payout.  For the year, noninterest income was $4.0 million compared to $3.1 million a year ago. In 2014, Heartland had substantial gains from sales of securities and foreclosed assets. 

Fourth quarter noninterest expenses were $4.5 million, compared to $4.3 million in the preceding quarter and $4.4 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the year, noninterest expenses were $17.6 million compared to $16.3 million in 2014.  The year-over-year increase is primarily attributable to costs associated with the new branch in Pickerington, Ohio.  Additionally, the increase in loan production for the year led to overall higher employee and incentive costs.

Credit Quality

"Nonaccrual loans and past due loans still accruing were up slightly during the quarter, primarily due to a few lending relationships that were slow in making payments," said McComb.  “However, there were no foreclosed assets on the books at the end of the year.  We believe these few problematic loans are isolated and not indicative of the overall quality of the loan portfolio.”

Nonaccrual loans were $3.3 million at December 31, 2015, which was a slight increase compared to $3.0 million three months earlier, and a decrease of 25.7% from $4.5 million a year earlier.  Loans past due 90 days and still accruing also increased to $1.9 million from $1.1 million at the end of the third quarter and $745,000 a year ago.  There were no other real estate owned (OREO) and other non-performing assets on the books at December 31, 2015, the same as at the preceding quarter end.  OREO was $108,000 at December 31, 2014.

Nonperforming assets (NPAs), consisting of nonperforming loans, OREO, and loans delinquent 90 days or more, were $5.2 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $4.1 million three months earlier, and decreased slightly when compared to $5.3 million a year ago. 

The fourth quarter provision for loan losses was $120,000, down from $160,000 in the preceding quarter.  This compares to $225,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For the year, the provision for loan losses totaled $760,000 compared to $1.3 million in 2014.  As of December 31, 2015, the allowance for loan losses represented 172.2% of nonaccrual loans compared to 190.8% three months earlier, and 119.7% one year earlier.

Heartland’s net charge-offs were $54,000 in the fourth quarter compared to $8,000 in the preceding quarter, and $238,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago.  The allowance for loan losses was $5.7 million, or 1.04% of total loans at December 31, 2015, compared to $5.7 million, or 1.06% of total loans at September 30, 2015, and $5.4 million, or 1.06% of total loans a year ago.

About Heartland BancCorp

Heartland BancCorp is a registered Ohio bank holding company and the parent of Heartland Bank, which operates twelve full-service banking offices. Heartland Bank, founded in 1911, provides full service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; alternative investment services; insurance services; and other financial products and services.  Heartland Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve, a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Heartland BancCorp is currently quoted on the OTC Markets (OTCQB) under the symbol HLAN. Learn more about Heartland Bank at HeartlandBank.com.  

In May 2015, Heartland was ranked #77 on the American Banker magazine’s list of Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks and Thrifts based on three-year average return on equity (“ROE”) as of 12/31/14.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and operations. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company as of the date of this release.  It is important to note that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to implement its strategy and expand its lending operations.

Contacts: G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President & CEO					
Heartland BancCorp  614-337-4600