ARCHBOLD, Ohio, July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX:FMAO) today reported financial results for the 2016 second quarter and year-to-date ended June 30, 2016.

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

• 53 consecutive quarters of profitability
• Total assets up 8.4% to $1,021,275,000
• Total loans increased 17.9% to $731,691,000
• Net interest income after provision for loan losses increased 10.6% to $8,001,000
• Net income increased 14.5% to $2,974,000
• Earnings per basic and diluted shares increased 16.1% to $0.65
• Declared quarterly dividend increased 4.5% to $0.23 per share
• Noninterest income improved 6.9% to $2,884,000

“Favorable business and financial momentum continued in the 2016 second quarter as we ended the period with record total assets and loans outstanding, while earnings increased 16.1% to $0.65 per share,” stated Paul S. Siebenmorgen, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our growing financial results demonstrate the success our strong community banking franchise is having throughout our Northwestern Ohio and Northeastern Indiana markets.  In addition, our customer centric approach is helping us grow share within our markets, while our local economies are benefitting from low unemployment rates, and stable manufacturing and agricultural demand.”

Income Statement
Net income for the 2016 second quarter ended June 30, 2016 was $2,974,000, or $0.65 per basic and diluted share compared to $2,597,000, or $0.56 per basic and diluted share for the same period last year. The 14.5% improvement in net income for the 2016 second quarter was primarily due to a 10.6% increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, and a 6.9% increase in noninterest income, partially offset by a 4.3% increase in noninterest expense. 

Net income for the 2016 first half was $5,455,000, or $1.18 per basic and diluted share compared to $4,948,000, or $1.07 per basic and diluted share for the period ended June 30, 2015.  The 10.2% improvement in net income for the 2016 six-month period was primarily due to an 8.9% increase in net interest income after provision for loan losses, and a 5.7% increase in noninterest income, partially offset by a 5.4% increase in noninterest expense. 

Loan Portfolio and Asset Quality
Total loans at June 30, 2016 increased 17.9% to a record $731,691,000, compared to $620,591,000 at June 30, 2015, and up 6.7% from $685,878,000 at December 31, 2015.  Year-over-year loan growth was strong across the company’s lending areas and included a 28.0% increase in commercial real estate loans, a 21.2% increase in consumer loans, a 16.6% increase in agricultural real estate loans, a 12.2% increase in agricultural, a 9.5% increase in commercial and industrial loans, and a 2.6% increase in consumer real estate loans, offset by a 20.1% reduction in industrial development bonds. 

The company’s provision for loan losses for the 2016 second quarter was $339,000, compared to $183,000 for the 2015 second quarter.  Year-to-date, the provision for loan losses was $616,000, compared to $297,000 for the same period last year.  The second quarter and year-to-date increase in provision expense was a result of the significant growth the company has experienced in its loan portfolio. 

F&M’s loan quality remains strong as the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 424.9% at June 30, 2016, compared to 193.5% at June 30, 2015.  Net charge-offs for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016 were $131,000, or 0.02% of average loans, compared to $233,000 or 0.04% of average loans, at June 30, 2015.  Year-to-date, net charge-offs were $180,000, or 0.01% of average loans outstanding, compared to $275,000, or 0.04% of average loans outstanding for the same period last year. 

Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends
Tangible stockholders’ equity increased to $119,913,000 at June 30, 2016, compared to $114,960,000 at December 31, 2015, and $111,594,000 at June 30, 2015.  On a per share basis, tangible stockholders’ equity at June 30, 2016 was $26.04, compared with $24.92 at December 31, 2015, and $24.23 at June 30, 2015. The increase in tangible stockholders’ equity is the result of growth in retained earnings due to increased profitability.  At June 30, 2016, the company had a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.74%, compared to 11.90% at June 30, 2015. 

For the 2016 second quarter, the company declared cash dividends of $0.23 per share, which represented a dividend payout ratio of 35.3% compared to 38.8% for the same period last year.

Mr. Siebenmorgen concluded, “We remain committed to conservatively managing risk and I am encouraged by the exceptionally low charge-off rate in the second quarter.  In addition, I am pleased with the sequential increase in profitability we achieved during the 2016 second quarter as our return on average assets increased 19 basis points to 1.18% and return on average equity increased 153 basis points to 9.71%.  As a result of the second quarter’s improvement in profitability, F&M’s board of directors approved a 4.5% increase in our quarterly dividend, representing the 17^th consecutive year we have increased our dividend payment.  Finally, we are investing in growing our branches and in May 2016 announced construction of our 24^th branch office in Bowling Green, Ohio, which we anticipate opening in the third quarter.  Once completed, this office will represent the second new branch opened this year.  While it will take several quarters for each branch to get to scale, we are excited about the long-term potential of our new Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Bowling Green, Ohio markets.” 

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 23 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. 

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME & COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited; in thousands of dollars, except per share data)

 FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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