Capital City Bank Group, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CCBG) today reported net income of $0.8 million, or $0.05 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2013 compared to net income of $1.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2012 and a net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.07 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2012.

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2012, performance reflects lower operating revenues of $1.1 million and a $1.7 million increase in noninterest expense, partially offset by a $1.7 million reduction in the loan loss provision.

Compared to the first quarter of 2012, the increase in earnings was due to a lower loan loss provision of $3.7 million and lower noninterest expense of $1.4 million, which was partially offset by lower operating revenues of $1.7 million and higher income tax expense of $1.4 million.

"In the first quarter of 2013 we saw more of the positive trends we experienced coming out of the latter half of 2012 with the dramatic improvement in nonperforming assets," said William G. Smith, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "After declining 14.5% in 2012, nonperforming assets fell another 11.7% to $104 million in the first quarter alone. We have made clear progress in the disposition of other real estate owned and continue to believe our retail strategy – though it takes longer to execute – serves the best interests of our shareowners. While the operating environment remains choppy, economic indicators such as unemployment, population growth, housing and the overall level of real estate activity continue to improve, which we believe points toward greater stability to come. I am encouraged by the progress we've made despite a very challenging period and optimistic about the outlook ahead as we move forward through 2013."

The Return on Average Assets was 0.13% and the Return on Average Equity was 1.36% for the first quarter of 2013, compared to 0.29% and 2.95%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2012, and -0.18% and -1.84%, respectively, for the comparable quarter in 2012.

Discussion of Financial Condition

Average earning assets were $2.241 billion for the first quarter of 2013, an increase of $61.9 million, or 2.8% over the fourth quarter of 2012, and a decline of $27.4 million, or 1.2%, from the first quarter of 2012. The increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily reflects the higher level of deposits resulting from the seasonal influx of public funds. The decrease in earning assets when compared to the same prior year period is attributable to the continued decline of the loan portfolio resulting from the resolution of problem loans.

We maintained an average net overnight funds (deposits with banks plus fed funds sold less fed funds purchased) sold position of $448.4 million during the first quarter of 2013 compared to an average net overnight funds sold position of $366.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and an average overnight funds sold position of $373.0 million in the first quarter of 2012.  The higher balance when compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily reflects the decline in the loan portfolio and higher public funds. The increase when compared to the first quarter of 2012 again reflects the declining loan portfolio, partially offset by a lower level of deposits. 

The loan portfolio continues to decline and the deployment of the excess liquidity remains in overnight funds. Historically, we have maintained a slight overnight funds position. During the remainder of 2013, we will begin our efforts to reduce the current level of overnight funds.

When compared to the fourth and first quarters of 2012, average loans declined by $21.8 million and $100.0 million, respectively. Most loan categories have experienced declines with the reduction primarily in the commercial real estate and residential real estate categories. Our core loan portfolio continues to be impacted by normal amortization and a higher level of payoffs that have outpaced our new loan production. New loan production continues to be impacted by weak loan demand attributable to the trend toward consumers and businesses deleveraging, the lack of consumer confidence, and a persistently sluggish economy. Efforts to stimulate new loan growth are ongoing; during 2012 we modified lending programs in our business and commercial real estate areas to try and mitigate the significant impact that consumer and business deleveraging is having on our portfolio.    

Nonperforming assets (nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned "OREO") totaled $103.9 million at the end of the first quarter of 2013, a decrease of $13.8 million from the fourth quarter of 2012 and $33.0 million from the first quarter of 2012. Nonaccrual loans totaled $45.4 million at the end of the first quarter of 2013, a decrease of $18.8 million and $33.3 million, respectively, from the same prior year periods. Nonaccrual loan additions in the first quarter of 2013 totaled $7.7 million compared to $12.5 million and $19.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and first quarter of 2012, respectively. The balance of OREO totaled $58.4 million at the end of the first quarter of 2013, an increase of $5.0 million over the fourth quarter of 2012 and $0.3 million over the first quarter of 2012. For the first quarter of 2013 we added properties totaling $13.0 million, sold properties totaling $6.8 million, and recorded valuation adjustments totaling $1.2 million. Nonperforming assets represented 3.99% of total assets at March 31, 2013 compared to 4.47% at December 31, 2012 and 5.14% at March 31, 2012. 

Average total deposits were $2.103 billion for the first quarter of 2013, an increase of $51.9 million, or 2.5%, over the fourth quarter of 2012 and lower by $58.4 million, or 2.7%, from the first quarter of 2012.  The increase in deposits when compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 resulted primarily from the higher level of public funds partially offset by a reduction in certificates of deposit. When compared to the first quarter of 2012, the decline was a result of lower certificates of deposit and noninterest bearing accounts, while growth was experienced in savings and money market accounts.  

Our mix of deposits continues to improve as higher cost certificates of deposit are replaced with lower rate non-maturity deposits and noninterest bearing demand accounts.  Prudent pricing discipline will continue to be the key to managing our mix of deposits.  Therefore, we do not attempt to compete with higher rate paying competitors for deposits. 

Average borrowings increased by $9.6 million when compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of higher balances in repurchase agreements, and were higher by $8.2 million when compared to the first quarter of 2012, resulting from a higher level of federal home loan bank advances.

Discussion of Operating Results

Tax equivalent net interest income for the first quarter of 2013 was $20.1 million compared to $20.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $21.8 million for the first quarter of 2012.  The decrease in tax equivalent net interest income compared to the prior periods was due to a reduction in loan income primarily attributable to declining loan balances and unfavorable asset repricing, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense and a lower level of foregone interest on loans.  The lower interest expense is attributable to favorable repricing on FHLB advances and certificates of deposit which reflects both lower balances and favorable repricing.  

The decline in the loan portfolio, coupled with the low rate environment continues to put pressure on our net interest income.  Lowering our cost of funds, to the extent we can, and continuing to shift the mix of our deposits will help to partially mitigate the unfavorable impact of weak loan demand and repricing, although the impact is expected to be minimal. 

The net interest margin for the first quarter of 2013 was 3.64%, a decrease of fourteen basis points from the fourth quarter of 2012, and a decline of 23 basis points from the first quarter of 2012.  The decrease in the margin for both comparable periods is attributable to the shift in our earning asset mix and unfavorable asset repricing, partially offset by a lower average cost of funds.

The provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 2013 was $1.1 million compared to $2.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and $4.8 million for the first quarter of 2012. The decrease in the loan loss provision compared to both prior periods reflects a lower level of impaired loan additions and related reserves as well as improving trends in loan delinquencies, classified loans, and loan losses. Net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2013 totaled $2.4 million, or 0.66% (annualized), of average loans compared to $3.8 million, or 1.00%, for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $4.6 million, or 1.16%, in the first quarter of 2012. At quarter-end, the allowance for loan losses of $27.8 million was 1.90% of outstanding loans (net of overdrafts) and provided coverage of 61% of nonperforming loans compared to 1.93% and 45%, respectively, at December 31, 2012, and 1.98% and 40%, respectively, at March 31, 2012.

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2013 totaled $13.6 million, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 3.8%, from the fourth quarter of 2012 reflective of lower deposit fees of $0.6 million, trust fees of $0.1 million, and other income of $0.2 million, partially offset by higher retail brokerage fees of $0.2 million and mortgage banking fees of $0.1 million. The decrease in deposit fees was primarily due to an expected lower utilization of our overdraft protection service during the first quarter as clients receive tax refunds and to a lesser extent two less processing days in the current quarter. The decrease in trust fees reflects a lower level of assets under management primarily due to account distributions. Other income declined due to a lower level of gains from the sale of OREO properties. The increase in retail brokerage fees reflects a higher level of client trading activity. A higher level of loans funded and a higher margin realized for sold loans drove the increase in mortgage banking fees. Compared to the first quarter of 2012, noninterest income remained flat as higher retail brokerage fees of $0.2 million and mortgage banking fees of $0.2 million were offset by lower deposit fees of $0.2 million, bank card fees of $0.1 million, and other income of $0.1 million. Increased client trading activity drove the improvement in retail brokerage fees. The increase in mortgage fees was attributable to a higher level of loans funded and a higher margin for sold loans. The reduction in deposit fees was due to a higher level of charged off checking accounts. Bank card fees decline due to a lower level of card activity and the decrease in other income was attributable to a lower level of fees for our working capital finance product.                

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2013 totaled $31.2 million, an increase of $1.7 million, or 5.9%, over the fourth quarter of 2012 and a decrease of $1.4 million, or 4.3%, from the first quarter of 2012. The increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 was due to higher compensation expense of $1.0 million and an increase in OREO expense of $1.0 million, partially offset by lower furniture/equipment expense of $0.1 million and other expense of $0.2 million. The increase in compensation was driven by higher pension plan expense of $0.4 million, payroll taxes of $0.2 million, unemployment taxes of $0.2 million, cash incentive expense of $0.1 million, and employee insurance of $0.1 million. The increase in expense for our pension plan was primarily attributable to the utilization of a lower discount rate in 2013 due to lower long-term bond interest rates. The increase in payroll taxes reflects the reset of social security taxes and the increase in unemployment taxes is attributable to timing as a large portion of the annual premium is paid in the first quarter. Cash incentive expense increased due to the reset of these plans for 2013 performance metrics. The increase in employee insurance reflects the annual renewal of policies at a slightly higher premium rate. OREO expense increased due to a higher level of property valuation adjustments. The favorable variance in furniture/equipment expense was due to lower tangible taxes and the decrease in other expense reflects lower professional fees and advertising costs. The favorable variance in noninterest expense compared to the first quarter of 2012 was primarily attributable to a reduction in OREO expense of $0.6 million, compensation expense of $0.1 million, and other expense of $0.6 million. The reduction in OREO expense was due to a lower level of loss on sale from property dispositions. Lower employee salary expense, which is reflective of reduced headcount drove the decline in compensation. Decreases in professional fees, legal fees, and advertising costs drove the reduction in the other expense category.   Expense management continues to be a key strategic focus as we evaluate opportunities to optimize our delivery channels, review our vendor relationships, and better manage our discretionary expenses.      

About Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CCBG) is one of the largest publicly traded bank holding companies headquartered in Florida and has approximately $2.6 billion in assets. The Company provides a full range of banking services, including traditional deposit and credit services, asset management, trust, mortgage banking, merchant services, bankcards, data processing and securities brokerage services. The Company's bank subsidiary, Capital City Bank, was founded in 1895 and now has 66 full-service offices and 71 ATMs in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. For more information about Capital City Bank Group, Inc., visit www.ccbg.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Forward-looking statements in this Press Release are based on current plans and expectations that are subject to uncertainties and risks, which could cause the Company's future results to differ materially. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's actual results to differ: the Company's need and our ability to incur additional debt or equity financing; the accuracy of the Company's financial statement estimates and assumptions, including the estimate used for the Company's loan loss provision and deferred tax valuation allowance; continued depression of the market value of the Company that could result in an impairment of goodwill; legislative or regulatory changes, including the Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III; the strength of the U.S. economy and the local economies where the Company conducts operations; the frequency and magnitude of foreclosure of the Company's loans; restrictions on our operations, including the inability to pay dividends without our regulators' consent; the effects of the health and soundness of other financial institutions, including the FDIC's need to increase Deposit Insurance Fund assessments; the effects of the Company's lack of a diversified loan portfolio, including the risks of geographic and industry concentrations; harsh weather conditions and man-made disasters; fluctuations in inflation, interest rates, or monetary policies; changes in the stock market and other capital and real estate markets; customer acceptance of third-party products and services; increased competition and its effect on pricing, including the impact on our net interest margin from the repeal of Regulation Q; negative publicity and the impact on our reputation; technological changes; the effects of security breaches and computer viruses that may affect the Company's computer systems; changes in consumer spending and savings habits; the Company's growth and profitability; changes in accounting; and the Company's ability to manage the risks involved in the foregoing. Additional factors can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, and the Company's other filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Forward-looking statements in this Press Release speak only as of the date of the Press Release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or the reasons why actual results could differ.

CONTACT: For Information Contact:
         J. Kimbrough Davis
         Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
         850.402.7820

Released April 22, 2013