ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Feb. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX:FMAO) today reported financial results for the 2016 fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

2016 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights Include (on a year-over-year basis unless noted): 

• 55 consecutive quarters of profitability
• Total loans increased 2.9% from 2016 third quarter
• Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 9.6% to $8,468,000
• Net income increased 15.2% to $3,194,000
• Basic and diluted earnings per share increased 15.0% to $0.69
• Noninterest income improved 7.2% to $2,899,000
• Return on average assets of 1.22%, up from 1.14%
• Return on average equity of 10.12%, up from 9.26%

2016 Full-Year Financial Highlights Include: 

• Total loans increased 10.8% to a record $760,149,000
• Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 10.0% to $32,383,000
• Net income increased 12.8% to a record $11,664,000
• Basic and diluted earnings per share increased 12.9% to a record $2.53
• Noninterest income improved 5.4% to $11,368,000
• Return on average assets of 1.14%, up from 1.08%
• Return on average equity of 9.38%, up from 8.80%
• Tangible book value per share increased 4.8% to $26.13

Paul S. Siebenmorgen, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We ended 2016 with record earnings, assets, and total loans, as well as declared a record $4,162,000 of dividends to our shareholders, an increase of 4.4% from the previous year.  2016’s record results reflect the successful execution of our growth-oriented business plan, the dedication of our associates, and the valuable financial products and solutions we offer our customers.  During 2016, we opened new F&M locations in Huntertown, Indiana and Bowling Green, Ohio, and have assembled strong teams of associates and managers to drive our growth potential in these exciting markets.  In addition, we continued to invest in expanding our online, digital, and mobile platforms, and recently announced an agreement with Intuit that makes integrating F&M business and personal accounts with QuickBooks an easy and seamless process.  We also announced a partnership with Bowling Green State University Athletics and Falcon Sports Properties to provide customers a cobranded F&M/BGSU Athletics Affinity Credit Card.  F&M will also receive sponsorships and various advertising opportunities at BG Athletic events.  As you can see, we are working hard to expand our organization and increase our market share. We were successful achieving our growth goals in 2016 and we are optimistic 2017 will be another good year for the bank.”

Income Statement
Net income for the 2016 fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016 was $3,194,000, or $0.69 per basic and diluted share, compared to $2,772,000, or $0.60 per basic and diluted share for the same period last year. The 15.2% improvement in net income for the 2016 fourth quarter was primarily due to a 9.6% increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, and a 7.2% increase in noninterest income, partially offset by a 3.9% increase in noninterest expense. 

Net income for the 2016 twelve months was $11,664,000, or $2.53 per basic and diluted share compared to $10,340,000, or $2.24 per basic and diluted share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.  The 12.8% improvement in net income for 2016 was primarily due to a 10.0% increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, and a 5.4% increase in noninterest income, which was partially offset by a 5.2% increase in noninterest expense. 

Loan Portfolio and Asset Quality
Total loans at December 31, 2016 were $760,149,000, compared to $685,878,000 at December 31, 2015, and $738,682,000 at September 30, 2016.  Total loans for 2016, compared to 2015, increased 10.8%, and were up 2.9% from the 2016 third quarter.  The year-over-year improvement resulted primarily from a 17.0% increase in commercial real estate loans, a 9.1% increase in commercial and industrial loans, a 19.5% increase in consumer loans, an 8.3% increase in agricultural real estate loans, and a 2.3% increase in agricultural loans. 

Asset quality remains strong as the company’s provision for loan losses for the 2016 fourth quarter was $197,000, compared to $85,000 for the 2015 fourth quarter.  The provision for loan losses for 2016 was $1,121,000, compared to $625,000 in 2015. The 2016 full year and fourth quarter higher provision was primarily due to the increase in total loans outstanding for both periods.  The allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 490.4% at December 31, 2016, compared to 293.8% at December 31, 2015.  Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $394,000, or 0.05% of average loans, compared to $473,000 or 0.08% of average loans, at December 31, 2015.

Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends
Tangible stockholders’ equity increased to $120,763,000 as of December 31, 2016, compared to $114,960,000 at December 31, 2015.  On a per share basis, tangible stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2016 was $26.13 compared with $24.93 at December 31, 2015. The increase in tangible stockholders’ equity is the result of growth in retained earnings due to increased profitability. At December 31, 2016, the company had a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.74%, compared to 11.98% at December 31, 2015. 

For 2016, the company declared cash dividends of $0.91 per share, which is a 4.6% increase over 2015’s dividend payment.  For 2016, the dividend payout ratio was 32.97% compared to 36.33% for the same period last year.

Mr. Siebenmorgen concluded, “F&M remains well positioned in its local markets, which continue to demonstrate favorable economic trends.  Positive economic trends combined with market share growth helped our loan portfolio improve 10.8% in 2016, which was driven primarily by strong demand for commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and consumer loans.  The growth in our loan portfolio during 2016 drove a 12.1% increase in total interest income, while total loans to total assets increased 260 basis points to 72.0% for the year.  While we are extremely pleased with our growth, we remain focused on managing risk, and I am encouraged with the year-over-year declines in nonperforming loans and charge-offs.  I would like to use this opportunity to thank all of our stakeholders for their support during this record year, and look forward to sharing our continued success with you in the future.” 

About Farmer & 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.com

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