ARCHBOLD, Ohio, July 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:FMAO) today reported financial results for the 2017 second quarter and year-to-date June 30, 2017.

2017 Second Quarter Financial Highlights Include (on a year-over-year basis unless noted):

• 57 consecutive quarters of profitability
• Total assets up 4.4% to $1,066,175,000
• Total loans increased 8.3% to $790,838,000
• Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 10.6% to $8,846,000
• Net income increased 8.4% to $3,223,000
• Earnings per basic and diluted shares increased 7.7% to $0.70
• Declared quarterly dividend increased 8.7% to $0.25 per share
• Return on average assets was 1.21%, up from 1.17%
• Return on average equity was 9.96%, up from 9.61%

“Record total loans outstanding and higher rates drove a 7.7% increase in F&M’s diluted earnings per share for the 2017 second quarter,” stated Paul S. Siebenmorgen, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “In addition, during the second quarter F&M achieved several significant milestones including appearing in American Banker Magazine’s Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks and Thrifts, listing our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market, joining the Russell 3000^® index, and increasing the second quarter declared cash dividend by 8.7% to $0.25 per share.  F&M’s strong year-to-date results reflect the platform we have created to drive sustainable and profitable growth.  With leading market share in many of our communities, we are focused on increasing our presence in larger, higher growth markets.  To this end, our new branches in Bowling Green, Ohio and Huntertown, Indiana are operating in line with our expectations.  Both branches have strong, experienced, and motivated teams that are quickly establishing themselves within their local communities.” 

Income Statement
Net income for the 2017 second quarter ended June 30, 2017 was $3,223,000, or $0.70 per basic and diluted share compared to $2,974,000, or $0.65 per basic and diluted share for the same period last year. The 8.4% improvement in net income for the 2017 second quarter was primarily due to a 10.6% increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, partially offset by a slight decline in noninterest income, and by a small increase in noninterest expenses.  Net income for the 2017 first half was $6,062,000, or $1.31 per basic and diluted share compared to $5,455,000, or $1.18 per basic and diluted share for the first half of 2016. 

Loan Portfolio and Asset Quality
Total loans at June 30, 2017 increased 8.3% to a record $790,838,000, compared to $729,915,000 at June 30, 2016, and up 4.0% from $758,820,000 at December 31, 2016.  Year-over-year loan growth was strong across many of the company’s lending areas and included a 17.8% increase in commercial and industrial loans, a 16.2% increase in consumer loans, an 11.2% increase in industrial development bonds, a 10.3% increase in commercial real estate loans, a 6.3% increase in agricultural real estate loans, and a 0.4% increase in agricultural loans, partially offset by a 4.7% reduction in consumer real estate loans. 

The company’s provision for loan losses for the 2017 second quarter was $25,000, compared to $339,000 for the 2016 second quarter. Year-to-date, the provision for loan losses was $98,000, compared to $616,000 for the same period last year. The second quarter and year-to-date decrease in provision expense was a result of low charge offs, and stable asset quality within the company’s loan portfolio. 

F&M’s loan quality remains strong as the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 502.2% at June 30, 2017, compared to 424.9% at June 30, 2016.  Net charge-offs for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 were $17,000, or 0.00% of average loans, compared to $131,000 or 0.02% of average loans, at June 30, 2016. Year-to-date, net charge-offs were $24,000, or 0.00% of average loans outstanding, compared to $180,000, or 0.01% of average loans outstanding for the same period last year. 

Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends
Tangible stockholders’ equity increased to $126,582,000 at June 30, 2017, compared to $120,763,000 at December 31, 2016, and $119,913,000 at June 30, 2016.  On a per share basis, tangible stockholders’ equity at June 30, 2017 was $27.39, compared with $26.13 at December 31, 2016, and $26.04 at June 30, 2016. The increase in tangible stockholders’ equity is the result of growth in retained earnings due to increased profitability. At June 30, 2017, the company had a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.96%, compared to 11.74% at June 30, 2016. 

For the 2017 second quarter, the company declared cash dividends of $0.25 per share.  The dividend payout ratio at June 30, 2017 was 35.5% compared to 35.3% for the same period last year.

Mr. Siebenmorgen concluded, “F&M remains committed to becoming our customers’ Bank for Life.  As a result, we must successfully manage growth with credit risk, and F&M continues to report strong asset quality.  At June 30, 2017, non-performing assets declined 28.2% and net charge-offs declined 87.0% from the prior year period, while our loan portfolio has increased 8.3%.  Continued loan growth, proactive cost management, and strong asset quality, has helped improve profitability. Reflecting continued improvements in profitability and F&M’s focus on creating value for shareholders, F&M’s board of directors approved an 8.7% increase in our quarterly dividend, representing the 18^th consecutive year we have increased our dividend payment. As you can see, operating and financial momentum remained strong in the second quarter and we expect 2017 will be another good year for the bank.”

About Farmers & Merchants State Bank:
The Farmers & Merchants State Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana since 1897. The Farmers & Merchants State Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services through its 24 offices. Our locations are in Fulton, Defiance, Henry, Lucas, Williams, and Wood counties in Northwest Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in DeKalb, Allen and Steuben counties.

Safe harbor statement
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. ("F&M") wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management's expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions or capital market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M's SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov.

Company Contact:
Marty Filogamo
Senior Vice President – Marketing Manager
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
(419) 445-3501 ext. 15435
mfilogamo@fm.bank

Investor and Media Contact:
Andrew M. Berger
Managing Director
SM Berger & Company, Inc. 
(216) 464-6400
andrew@smberger.com