Farmers National Banc Corp (OTCBB: FMNB), holding company of the Farmers National Bank
of Canfield, today reported basic and diluted earnings per share of $.14 for the fourth
quarter of 2005 compared to $.01 for the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income for the
quarter was $1.863 million versus $134 thousand in the same quarter of 2004. These significant
increases over the prior year were primarily due to a non-cash after tax charge of $2.1
million to record the other-than-temporary impairment on the bankés investment in Freddie
Mac and Fannie Mae preferred stocks in the fourth quarter of 2004.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, Farmers National Banc Corp. recorded net
income of $8.060 million or $.62 diluted earnings per share compared with $7.181 million
or $.55 per share for 2004. Returns on average equity and average assets for the full
year were 10.40% and .97%, respectively, compared to 9.07% and .88% for 2004.
Core earnings are a supplementary financial measure that excludes certain unusual or
nonrecurring items of revenue or expense. Core earnings in the prior year quarter exclude
the non-cash after tax charge of $2.1 to record an other-than-temporary impairment of
securities. For the full year, core earnings decreased from $9.302 million in 2004 to
$8.060 million in 2005. Core diluted earnings per share were $0.62 in 2005 compared to
$0.72 in 2004. These results translate to a core return on average equity and average
assets of 10.40% and .97% for 2005 compared to 11.75% and 1.15% in 2004, respectively.
The companyés total assets recorded at year-end 2005 were $827.069 million, an increase
of $9.230 million over the $817.839 million in total assets recorded at December 31, 2004.
Net loans at December 31, 2005 were $506.054 million, up 5.5% over the $479.535 million
in net loans at December 31, 2004. Total deposits at December 31, 2005 were $630.800
million, or 1.4% greater than the deposit level of $622.224 million recorded at December
31, 2004.
Net Interest Income --- Net interest income was $6.605 million for the fourth quarter of
2005, which compares to $6.833 million in the preceding quarter and $7.139 million in the
fourth quarter of 2004. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, net interest income
was $27.245 million compared to $29.000 million for the same twelve-month period in 2004.
The net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, was 3.67% for the twelve
months ended December 31, 2005, compared to 3.94% at this same time in 2004, and 3.72%
through September 30, 2005. While the company was able to increase the balances and yields
on average earning assets during this past year, the decline in the net interest margin was
impacted by the sustained flat yield curve between short term and long term rates, which
held down asset yields, and the rising liability costs as local competition aggressively
increased deposit rates.
Non-Interest Income --- Non-interest income, including gains on the sale of securities,
was $1.063 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to $1.188 million in the
preceding quarter and $986 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2004. For the twelve-month
period ended December 31, 2005, non-interest income was $4.386 million, an increase of
$624 thousand over the same period in 2004. The comparison to the prior year and same
quarterly period in 2004 excludes the $3.225 million pre-tax impairment of securities
charge recorded in 2004.
Operating Expenses --- Non-interest expenses totaled $5.101 million for the fourth
quarter of 2005, which compares to $4.637 million for the fourth quarter of 2004 and $5.066
million for the third quarter of 2005. For the year ended December 31, 2005, operating
expenses increased by 6.7% from $18.947 million in 2004 to $20.212 million for the same
period in 2005. The companyés efficiency ratio for the twelve months ended December 31,
2005 was 64.49%, as compared to 57.84% in the prior year. The year-over-year increases
in operating expenses can be partially attributed to normal growth and expansion reasons,
but the majority of the increase during the past year is a result of increases in the
employee medical group insurance expenses.
Asset Quality --- At the end of the fourth quarter, the non-performing loans/total loan
ratio was .39%, compared to .27% at this same time in 2004. As of December 31, 2005, total
non-performing loans were $2.017 million, compared to $1.332 million at this same time in
2004. On December 31, 2005, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses (ALLL) to
non-performing loans was 291%, compared to 461% in December 2004 and 386% in September 2005.
During the second half of 2005, the company experienced a flurry of consumer bankruptcy
filings as consumers rushed to file bankruptcy petitions before the October 17 change in
the nationés bankruptcy law, which will make it more difficult for consumers to discharge
their debts in the future. Net chargeoffs decreased from $1.410 million in 2004 to $933
thousand in 2005. For the full year, the net charge off/average loan ratio was .19%,
improving from .30% reported at the end of 2004.
Consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory guidelines, the
company uses a systematic methodology to estimate its allowance for loan losses. The
methodology takes into consideration not only charge-offs but also the quality of the
companyés loans and the types and amounts of loans comprising the loan portfolio, while
considering adjustments and estimates based on various environmental factors. As of
December 31, 2005, the ALLL/total loan ratio was 1.14% compared to 1.27% at the end of 2004.
Farmers National Banc Corp. is the bank holding company for the Farmers National Bank
of Canfield. Farmers operates sixteen banking offices throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and
Columbiana Counties. The bank offers a wide range of banking and investment services to
companies and individuals, and maintains a website at www.fnbcanfield.com.
Explanation of Certain Non-GAAP Measures
This press release contains certain financial information determined by methods other
than with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Specifically, we have provided
financial measures which are based on core earnings rather than net income. Ratios and other
financial measures with the word Core in their title were computed using core earnings rather
than net income. Core earnings excludes merger, integration and restructuring expense,
extraordinary income or expense, income or expense from discontinued operations, and income,
expense, gains and losses that are not reflective of ongoing operations or that we do not
expect to reoccur. We believe that this information is useful to both investors and to
management and can aid them in understanding the Companyés current performance, performance
trends and financial condition. A reconciliation from GAAP net income to the non-GAAP measure
of core income is shown in the consolidated financial highlights.
This earnings announcement presents a brief analysis of the assets and liability structure
of the Corporation and a brief discussion of the results of operations for each of the periods
presented. Certain statements in this announcement that relate to Farmers National Banc
Corp.'s plans, objectives, or future performance may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements
are based on management's current expectations. Actual strategies and results in future
periods may differ materially from those currently expected because of various risks and
uncertainties.
Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are interest
rates, changes in the mix of the companyés business, competitive pressures, general economic
conditions and the risk factors detailed in the companyés other periodic reports and
registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
