Atlantic Coast Financial Corp (fka ACFC)

[Enterprising Investor]

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation Announces Profit for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 (2/02/15)

Atlantic Coast Bank Expects Its Solid Loan Growth for 2014 to Continue in the Coming Year

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation ("Atlantic Coast" or the "Company")(NASDAQ: ACFC), the holding company for Atlantic Coast Bank (the "Bank"), today reported earnings per share of $0.03 and $0.09 for the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively.

Commenting on the fourth quarter and the full year of 2014, John K. Stephens, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased to have concluded 2014 with a solid performance in many key areas of our business. One of the most attractive signs of our stronger operational platform, following our successful recapitalization in December 2013, was the renewed expansion of our loan portfolio, which grew progressively throughout the year to end 2014 with an increase of 24%. This growth, together with an ongoing improvement in credit quality and a firming net interest margin, was integral to the Company's return to profitability in 2014, as Atlantic Coast reported earnings in each quarter. We believe these results and our success in meeting our operational and growth objectives demonstrate that Atlantic Coast remains firmly on a path to become the premier community bank in our market, an objective grounded by motivated and highly engaged employees, superior product offerings, and increased community involvement. With an attractive lending pipeline at year's end and other exciting opportunities for revenue growth ahead, we believe we are well positioned to extend into 2015 the success we have achieved during the past year."

Significant highlights of the fourth quarter of 2014 and the full year included:

• Net income improved to $0.4 million or $0.03 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, from a net loss of $6.9 million or $1.05 per diluted share for the year-earlier quarter. Excluding a loss associated with a December 2013 bulk sale of a significant portion of the Company's non-performing assets, the adjusted net loss for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $0.8 million or $0.12 per diluted share (adjusted net loss and adjusted loss per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures; see reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures at page 6 in this release).

• Net income improved to $1.3 million or $0.09 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2014, versus a net loss of $11.4 million or $3.23 per diluted share for 2013. Excluding costs associated with a proposed merger that stockholders rejected in June 2013, along with the aforementioned loss on the bulk sale of non-performing assets, the adjusted net loss for 2013 was $4.0 million or $1.13 per diluted share.

• Total loans (including portfolio loans, held-for-sale loans, and warehouse loans) increased to $488.1 million at December 31, 2014, and $394.1 million at December 31, 2013.

• Nonperforming assets decreased 3% to $8.4 million or 1.20% of total assets at December 31, 2014, from $8.6 million or 1.17% of total assets at December 31, 2013.

• Total assets declined to $706.5 million at December 31, 2014, compared with $733.6 million at December 31, 2013, primarily due to a planned reduction in higher cost certificates of deposit. Wholesale borrowings also were lower at the end of 2014.

• The Company's ratios of Tier 1 (core) capital to adjusted total assets and total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets were 10.35% and 17.64%, respectively, and each ratio continued to exceed the levels – 9% and 13%, respectively – required by the Bank's Consent Order (the "Order") entered into with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC") effective August 10, 2012.

Stephens added, "This was another strong quarter for Atlantic Coast, as interest income reached the highest level of the year despite an unrelenting low interest rate environment. In spite of these conditions, we were able to steadily expand our net interest margin in each quarter of 2014. Based on an outlook for ongoing growth in revenue, and with appropriate measures in place to control expenses, I believe we are poised for continued success in 2015."

[tables deleted]

The decrease in total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 (core) risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets as of December 31, 2014, compared with those at December 31, 2013, was primarily due to an increase in risk-weighted assets as the Bank continued to shift its asset base to higher interest-earning loans with higher risk weighting, partially offset by an increase in the fair value of investment securities, which had a positive impact on equity and, therefore, on the capital ratios through accumulated other comprehensive income. The increase in Tier 1 (core) capital to adjusted total assets as of December 31, 2014, compared with those at December 31, 2013, was primarily due to a decrease in adjusted total assets, and an increase in the fair value of investment securities, which had a positive impact on equity and, therefore, on the capital ratio through accumulated other comprehensive income.

Overall, the Company has continued to see steady credit quality during the past 12 months as the pace of loans being reclassified to nonperforming and other real estate owned ("OREO") has stabilized. Nonperforming assets declined slightly at December 31, 2014, compared with December 31, 2013, as the disposition of OREO during 2014 exceeded increases in nonperforming loans and transfers to OREO during the same period.

The decline in the provision for portfolio loan losses in the fourth quarter and full year 2014 compared with the fourth quarter and full year 2013 reflected improving economic conditions, which have led to a decline in net charge-offs over the past 12 months, including a decline in early-stage delinquencies of one- to four-family residential and home equity loans. The increase in the allowance for portfolio loan losses at December 31, 2014, compared with the year-earlier period primarily reflected loan growth, which was due to an approximately equal mix of organic growth and loan purchases, partially offset by principal amortization and increased prepayments of one- to four-family residential mortgages and home equity loans. Management believes the allowance for portfolio loan losses as of December 31, 2014, is sufficient to absorb losses in portfolio loans as of the end of the year. The decline in net charge-offs for the fourth quarter and full year 2014 compared with the fourth quarter and full year 2013 reflected a decrease in charge-offs in all of the Company's loan categories, with the most significant decreases in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the full year 2014 attributable to one- to-four family residential loans, home equity loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans and manufactured home loans.

The increase in net interest margin during the fourth quarter and full year 2014 compared with the fourth quarter and full year 2013 was primarily due to an increase in higher-margin interest-earning assets outstanding, as the Company redeployed excess liquidity to grow its portfolio loans, held-for-sale loans, and warehouse loans. Additionally, the Company benefitted from an increase in noninterest-bearing deposits, and the maturity of high-cost repurchase agreements. Throughout 2013, prior to completing a capital raise in December 2013, the Company attempted to preserve capital, a plan that included limiting its investments in portfolio loans.

The increase in noninterest income during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with the fourth quarter of 2013, as well as the increase in noninterest income during the full year 2014 compared with the full year 2013, primarily reflected higher gains on loans held-for-sale and higher gains on sales of securities available-for-sale. The increase in noninterest income during the full year 2014 was partially offset by a decrease in service charges and fees, and a decrease in commission income.

The increase in adjusted noninterest expense during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily reflected the addition of approximately 40 employees in various areas of the Company throughout the year, including branch operations and lending, to enhance customer service and promote loan and deposit growth. The Company believes it is now adequately staffed for its current business needs and anticipates little, if any, further additions to its current employee headcount in the near future. The increase in adjusted noninterest expense during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with the third quarter of 2014 primarily reflected the full salary impact of employees that were added during the third quarter of 2014.

The decrease in adjusted noninterest expense for the full year 2014 compared with the full year 2013 primarily reflected a decrease in FDIC insurance costs, collection expenses, D&O insurance costs, and taxes, which were partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits related to the Company's higher headcount. Because of the Company's strengthened capital position, the Company expects its risk-related operating expenses, including, but not limited to, OCC assessments, FDIC insurance costs, accounting costs, foreclosed asset and collection expenses, and D&O insurance costs, will continue to decline in 2015.

During the first nine months of 2014, the Company recorded income tax expense based on an expected rate applied to the anticipated taxable income. Late in 2014 Congress passed the Extenders bill, which extended the deduction for bonus depreciation and Section 179 immediate expensing through December 31, 2014. As a result of this change in the law, the Company was able to estimate an increased deduction for bonus depreciation that reduced taxable income sufficiently to eliminate the previously recorded tax expense of $0.2 million.

About the Company

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation is the holding company for Atlantic Coast Bank, a federally chartered and insured stock savings bank. It is a community-oriented financial institution serving northeastern Florida and southeastern Georgia markets. Investors may obtain additional information about Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation on the Internet at www.AtlanticCoastBank.net, under Investor Relations.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150202006263/en/Atlantic-Coast-Financial-Corporation-Announces-Profit-Fourth#.VNAXCoktGUk