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Bank of the James Announces Second Quarter, First Half of 2024 Financial Results and Declaration of Dividend
Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 26 Jul 2024 12:00:01 America/New_York
LYNCHBURG, Va., July 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:BOTJ), the parent company of Bank of the James (the “Bank”), a full-service commercial and retail bank, and Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc. (“PWW”), an SEC-registered investment advisor, today announced unaudited results of operations for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2024. The Bank serves Region 2000 (the greater Lynchburg MSA) and the Blacksburg, Buchanan, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Nellysford, Roanoke, and Wytheville, Virginia markets.
Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $2.15 million or $0.47 per basic and diluted share compared with $2.53 million or $0.56 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $4.34 million or $0.95 per share compared with $4.52 million or $0.99 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Robert R. Chapman III, CEO of the Bank, commented: “The Company’s earnings performance continued to demonstrate success in responding to prevailing market conditions, providing financial solutions for our commercial and retail customers and efficiently managing our operations. We grew loans and deposits, interest income and noninterest income year-over-year, while maintaining exceptional liquidity and asset quality.
“Maintaining a balanced revenue stream from a diverse range of banking and investment advisory services has helped the Company manage the impact of a higher interest rate environment on margins. While higher rates have significantly increased the Bank’s interest expense, it has also provided opportunities for us to generate higher returns from our own investment portfolio to maintain strong earnings and grow shareholder value.
“During the second quarter of 2024, there were encouraging signs that stabilizing interest rates, slowing inflation and continued economic health in our served markets is supporting positive trends. We are seeing increased commercial lending demand, an uptick in residential mortgage volume and origination fees, and deposit growth.
“Business conditions and residential real estate activity in our served markets has been healthy throughout this period of interest rate change. Now, as borrowers adjust to a ‘new normal’, our experienced banking team members are well-positioned to provide meaningful financial solutions and superior service and support.
“We continue to see the benefits of our focus on nurturing banking relationships. Use of our commercial cash management services and digital banking capabilities continues to grow. Linking deposit management, debit and credit services and borrowing capabilities gives commercial customers value. Residential mortgage customers and retail banking benefit from our efficient service, digital capabilities and integrated financial offerings.
“Securing and retaining deposits to support lending activity remains a priority, as reflected by the opening of two new locations – one in June and one in July- and deposit growth during the first half of 2024. The competitive landscape in several of our served markets continues to be positive for Bank of the James as national and large regional banks, as well as some smaller providers, reduce services and leave a void that we are more than able to fill.
“We believe our strong performance and positive economic indicators are encouraging as we progress through the second half of 2024 and will continue to support the Company’s financial strength and ability to build shareholder value.”
Second Quarter and First Half 2024 Highlights
- Total interest income of $10.94 million in the second quarter increased 14% compared with $9.58 million a year earlier. In the first half of 2024, total interest income rose 15% to $21.44 million compared with $18.68 million a year earlier. The growth primarily reflected commercial loan interest rates, the addition of mortgages at higher rates, and a higher yield on Fed Funds sold.
- Net interest income after recovery of credit losses was $7.21 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared with $7.60 million a year earlier. In the first half of 2024, net interest income after recovery of credit losses was $14.72 million compared with $15.10 million in the first half of 2023.
- In both the second quarter and first half of 2024, net interest margin was 3.02% and interest spread was 2.68%. While the margin and spread declined from a year earlier, management noted both measures were stabilizing in the second quarter of 2024.
- Total noninterest income for the second quarter of 2024 rose 22% to $4.19 million from $3.44 million for the second quarter of 2023, and was up 16% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period a year earlier. Growth primarily reflected gains on sale of loans held for sale, a gain on an investment in a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC), fee income generated by commercial treasury services and wealth management fee income from PWW, which contributed approximately $0.09 per share to second quarter earnings and approximately $0.17 per share in the first half of 2024.
- Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, increased to $616.09 million at June 30, 2024 compared with $601.92 million at December 31, 2023, primarily reflecting modest growth in commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans.
- Asset quality remained strong, with a ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.13% at June 30, 2024, minimal levels of nonperforming loans, and zero other real estate owned (OREO).
- Total deposits were $884.90 million at June 30, 2024 compared with $878.46 million at December 31, 2023.
- Shareholder value measures at June 30, 2024 included continued growth from December 31, 2023 in total stockholders’ equity and retained earnings. Book value per share increased to $13.58 at June 30, 2024 from $13.21 at December 31, 2023.
- The Company opened a new branch in Buchanan, Virginia at the end of the second quarter and another in Nellysford, Virginia at the beginning of the third quarter to further expand outreach and deposit-gathering capabilities.
- On July 16, 2024, the Company’s board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per common share to stockholders of record as of September 6, 2024, to be paid on September 20, 2024.
Second Quarter, First Half of 2024 Operational Review
Net interest income after recovery of credit losses for the second quarter of 2024 was $7.21 million compared with $7.60 million a year earlier. In the first half of 2024, net interest income after recovery of credit losses was $14.72 million compared with $15.10 million a year earlier. The provision recovery in the first half of 2024 was $676,000 compared with $114,000 in the first half of 2023.
Total interest income was $10.94 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $9.58 million a year earlier. First half 2024 total interest income was $21.44 million compared with $18.68 million in the prior year’s first half. The year-over-year increase primarily reflected the Company’s ongoing upward adjustments to variable rate commercial loans and new loans reflecting the prevailing rate environment.
The Company has continued to make appropriate upward interest rate adjustments in variable rate commercial loans and mortgage loans to keep pace with prevailing rates. Investment portfolio management has enabled the Company to capitalize on attractive Fed funds rates. These actions have had a positive impact on yields. The yield on loans in the second quarter of 2024 was 5.41% compared with 4.99% a year earlier, and the yield on total earning assets was 4.66% in the second quarter of 2024, up from 4.31% a year earlier.
Rates on interest-bearing deposits and total interest-bearing liabilities have increased during the past quarters, causing continued pressure on margins. The net interest margin in the second quarter of 2024 was 3.02% and the interest spread was 2.68%. Both reflected the impact of a higher interest rate environment as compared to the prior year.
J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and CFO of the Bank commented: “We expect continued pressure on margins and an ongoing need to offer competitive rates on deposits to attract and retain depositors. However, as the interest rate environment appears to have stabilized, our best approximate forecasting indicates modest margin expansion in coming quarters.”
Total interest expense in the second quarter and first half of 2024 increased compared with the prior periods of 2023, primarily reflecting higher deposit rates commensurate with the prevailing interest rate environment, and growth of interest-bearing time deposits.
Noninterest income in the second quarter of 2024 rose 22% to $4.19 million compared with $3.44 million in the second quarter of 2023. In the first half of 2024, noninterest income rose 16% to $7.50 million from $6.49 million a year earlier. Noninterest income reflected income contributions from debit card activity, a gain on an investment in an SBIC, commercial treasury services and mortgage division along with a strong contribution to earnings by PWW’s investment management activity. Gains on sale of loans held for sale were $2.20 million in the first half of 2024, up from $2.08 million in the first half of 2023.
Noninterest expense in the first half of 2024 was $16.83 million compared with $15.95 million a year earlier. The increase primarily reflected additional personnel costs related to staffing new locations, and the decision to begin accruing for anticipated year-end performance-based compensation ahead of the fourth quarter.
Balance Sheet: Strong Cash Position, Asset Quality, Stability
Total assets were $978.01 million at June 30, 2024, compared with $969.37 million at December 31, 2023, with the increase primarily reflecting loan growth.
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses, were $616.09 million at June 30, 2024 compared with $601.92 million at December 31, 2023, primarily reflecting stable commercial lending activity and moderate growth of commercial real estate loans and retained higher-rate residential mortgages.
Commercial real estate loans (owner-occupied and non-owner occupied and excluding construction loans) were approximately $319.10 million compared with $306.86 million at December 31, 2023, reflecting a decreasing rate of loan payoffs and new loans. Of this amount, commercial non-owner occupied was approximately $184,010,000 and commercial owner occupied as approximately $135,092,000. We closely monitor our concentrations in these segments. Loans secured by large office buildings do not make up a significant portion of our non-owner occupied commercial real estate segment.
Commercial construction/land loans and residential construction/land loans of $49.46 million at June 30, 2024 were slightly lower from $53.64 million at December 31, 2023. The Company continued experiencing positive activity and health in commercial and residential construction projects. Commercial and industrial loans were $64.92 million at June 30, 2024 compared with $65.32 million at December 31, 2023, reflecting a continued trend of stability during the first half of 2024.
Residential mortgage loans were $112.73 million at June 30, 2024 and were up slightly from $106.99 million at December 31, 2023 as the Bank maintained a balance between retaining originated mortgages and selling others to the secondary market. Consumer lending (open-end and closed-end) was $76.83 million at June 30, 2024 – essentially unchanged from totals at December 31, 2023 and down from $80.04 million a year earlier.
Ongoing high asset quality continues to have a positive impact on the Company’s financial performance. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans at June 30, 2024 was 0.13% compared with 0.06% at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans decreased to 1.12% at June 30, 2024 from 1.22% on December 31, 2023. Despite an increase in loan balances, the amount of additional provision otherwise needed to reflect loan growth was offset in part by recoveries of approximately $149,000. Total nonperforming loans were $797,000 at June 30, 2024. As a result of having no OREO, total nonperforming assets were the same as total nonperforming loans.
Total deposits were $884.90 million at June 30, 2024, compared with $878.46 million at December 31, 2023. Noninterest bearing demand deposits and time deposits grew, and NOW, money market and savings totals declined moderately.
Key measures of shareholder value continued trending positively. Book value per share was $13.58 compared with $13.21 at December 31, 2023. Total stockholders’ equity was up slightly to $61.71 million from $60.04 million at December 31, 2023. Retained earnings at June 30, 2024 were $40.10 million compared with $36.68 million at December 31, 2023.
Some balance sheet measures are impacted by treasury rate fluctuations and fair market valuation measurements in the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio and are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss. These mark-to-market losses are excluded when calculating the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios. The available-for-sale securities portfolio is composed primarily of securities with explicit or implicit government guarantees, including U.S. Treasuries and U.S. agency obligations, and other highly-rated debt instruments. The Company does not expect to realize the unrealized losses as it has the intent and ability to hold the securities until their recovery, which may be at maturity. Management continues to diligently monitor the creditworthiness of the issuers of the debt instruments within its securities portfolio.
About the Company
Bank of the James, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. opened for business in July 1999 and is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Bank currently services customers in Virginia from offices located in Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Forest, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Roanoke, Rustburg, Wytheville, Buchanan and Nellysford. The Bank offers full investment and insurance services through its BOTJ Investment Services division and BOTJ Insurance, Inc. subsidiary. The Bank provides mortgage loan origination through Bank of the James Mortgage, a division of Bank of the James. The Company provides investment advisory services through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. common stock is listed under the symbol “BOTJ” on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC. Additional information on the Company is available at www.bankofthejames.bank.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan” and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, competition, general economic conditions, potential changes in interest rates, changes in the value of real estate securing loans made by the Bank as well as geopolitical conditions. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: J. Todd Scruggs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (434) 846-2000.
FINANCIAL RESULTS FOLLOW
Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)(unaudited) Assets 6/30/2024 12/31/2023 Cash and due from banks $ 22,526 $ 25,613 Federal funds sold 52,101 49,225 Total cash and cash equivalents 74,627 74,838 Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $3,172 as
of June 30, 2024 and $3,231 as of December 31, 2023)3,614 3,622 Securities available-for-sale, at fair value 206,177 216,510 Restricted stock, at cost 1,570 1,541 Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $6,951 as
of June 30, 2024 and $7,412 as of December 31, 2023616,088 601,921 Loans held for sale 4,835 1,258 Premises and equipment, net 18,043 18,141 Interest receivable 2,920 2,835 Cash value - bank owned life insurance 22,528 21,586 Customer relationship Intangible 7,005 7,285 Goodwill 2,054 2,054 Income taxes receivable - 128 Deferred tax asset 8,673 8,206 Other assets 9,877 9,446 Total assets $ 978,011 $ 969,371 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Deposits Noninterest bearing demand $ 136,022 $ 134,275 NOW, money market and savings 520,847 538,229 Time 228,033 205,955 Total deposits 884,902 878,459 Capital notes, net 10,045 10,042 Other borrowings 9,593 9,890 Interest payable 553 480 Other liabilities 11,212 10,461 Total liabilities $ 916,305 $ 909,332 Stockholders' equity Common stock $2.14 par value;
authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding4,543,338 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 9,723 9,723 Additional paid-in-capital 35,253 35,253 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (23,373 ) (21,615 ) Retained earnings 40,103 36,678 Total stockholders' equity $ 61,706 $ 60,039 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 978,011 $ 969,371 Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)For the Three Months For the Six Months Ended June 30, Ended June 30, Interest Income 2024 2023 2024 2023 Loans $ 8,347 $ 7,835 $ 16,371 $ 15,261 Securities US Government and agency obligations 361 321 699 641 Mortgage backed securities 723 406 1,532 820 Municipals 307 304 611 604 Dividends 35 33 47 41 Corporates 136 141 271 284 Interest bearing deposits 192 93 325 241 Federal Funds sold 834 450 1,588 789 Total interest income 10,935 9,583 21,444 18,681 Interest Expense Deposits NOW, money market savings 1,383 662 2,658 1,022 Time Deposits 2,266 1,374 4,356 2,235 FHLB borrowings - - - 31 Finance leases 20 21 40 44 Other borrowings 94 100 186 199 Capital notes 81 81 163 163 Total interest expense 3,844 2,238 7,403 3,694 Net interest income 7,091 7,345 14,041 14,987 Recovery of credit losses (123 ) (254 ) (676 ) (114 ) Net interest income after recovery of credit losses 7,214 7,599 14,717 15,101 Noninterest income Gains on sale of loans held for sale 1,273 1,153 2,200 2,076 Service charges, fees and commissions 986 955 1,939 1,938 Wealth management fees 1,176 1,042 2,339 2,048 Life insurance income 183 134 342 266 Other 533 160 638 160 Gain on sales of available-for-sale securities 40 - 40 - Total noninterest income 4,191 3,444 7,498 6,488 Noninterest expenses Salaries and employee benefits 4,892 4,345 9,337 8,613 Occupancy 486 459 979 931 Equipment 632 636 1,239 1,312 Supplies 121 133 266 281 Professional, data processing, and other outside expense 1,443 1,412 2,995 2,783 Marketing 231 285 261 479 Credit expense 234 209 422 405 Other real estate expenses, net - 7 - 33 FDIC insurance expense 126 91 235 195 Amortization of intangibles 140 234 280 373 Other 434 65 813 546 Total noninterest expenses 8,739 7,876 16,827 15,951 Income before income taxes 2,666 3,167 5,388 5,638 Income tax expense 518 633 1,053 1,120 Net Income $ 2,148 $ 2,534 $ 4,335 $ 4,518 Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted 4,543,338 4,545,173 4,543,338 4,581,726 Net income per common share - basic and diluted $ 0.47 $ 0.56 $ 0.95 $ 0.99 Bank of the James Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data
unauditedSelected Data: Three
months
ended
Jun 30,
2024Three
months
ended
Jun 30,
2023Change Year
to
date
Jun 30,
2024Year
to
date
Jun 30,
2023Change Interest income $ 10,935 $ 9,583 14.11 % $ 21,444 $ 18,681 14.79 % Interest expense 3,844 2,238 71.76 % 7,403 3,694 100.41 % Net interest income 7,091 7,345 -3.46 % 14,041 14,987 -6.31 % Provision for (recovery of) credit losses (123 ) (254 ) -51.57 % (676 ) (114 ) 492.98 % Noninterest income 4,191 3,444 21.69 % 7,498 6,488 15.57 % Noninterest expense 8,739 7,876 10.96 % 16,827 15,951 5.49 % Income taxes 518 633 -18.17 % 1,053 1,120 -5.98 % Net income 2,148 2,534 -15.23 % 4,335 4,518 -4.05 % Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted 4,543,338 4,545,173 (1,835 ) 4,543,338 4,581,726 (38,388 ) Basic and diluted net income per share $ 0.47 $ 0.56 $ (0.09 ) $ 0.95 $ 0.99 $ (0.04 ) Balance Sheet at period end: Jun 30,
2024Dec 31,
2023Change Jun 30,
2023Dec 31,
2022Change Loans, net $ 616,088 $ 601,921 2.35 % $ 610,418 $ 605,366 0.83 % Loans held for sale 4,835 1,258 284.34 % 6,160 2,423 154.23 % Total securities 209,791 220,132 -4.70 % 190,255 189,426 0.44 % Total deposits 884,902 878,459 0.73 % 867,092 848,138 2.23 % Stockholders' equity 61,706 60,039 2.78 % 52,732 50,226 4.99 % Total assets 978,011 969,371 0.89 % 950,896 928,571 2.40 % Shares outstanding 4,543,338 4,543,338 - 4,543,338 4,628,657 (85,319 ) Book value per share $ 13.58 $ 13.21 $ 0.37 $ 11.61 $ 10.85 $ 0.76 Daily averages: Three
months
ended
Jun 30,
2024Three
months
ended
Jun 30,
2023Change Year
to
date
Jun 30,
2024Year
to
date
Jun 30,
2023Change Loans $ 614,579 $ 624,947 -1.66 % $ 611,375 $ 621,268 -1.59 % Loans held for sale 4,134 3,766 9.77 % 3,307 3,104 6.54 % Total securities (book value) 242,349 222,680 8.83 % 245,549 223,605 9.81 % Total deposits 897,749 861,928 4.16 % 891,152 858,429 3.81 % Stockholders' equity 60,197 51,712 16.41 % 60,045 50,618 18.62 % Interest earning assets 941,099 892,900 5.40 % 934,396 889,540 5.04 % Interest bearing liabilities 778,210 733,998 6.02 % 771,969 729,698 5.79 % Total assets 994,871 944,883 5.29 % 982,441 941,593 4.34 % Financial Ratios: Three
months
ended
Jun 30,
2024Three
months
ended
Jun 30,
2023Change Year
to
date
Jun 30,
2024Year
to
date
Jun 30,
2023Change Return on average assets 0.87 % 1.08 % (0.21 ) 0.89 % 0.97 % (0.08 ) Return on average equity 14.35 % 19.65 % (5.30 ) 14.52 % 18.00 % (3.48 ) Net interest margin 3.02 % 3.30 % (0.28 ) 3.02 % 3.40 % (0.38 ) Efficiency ratio 77.46 % 73.00 % 4.46 78.12 % 74.28 % 3.84 Average equity to average assets 6.05 % 5.47 % 0.58 6.11 % 5.38 % 0.73 Allowance for credit losses: Three
months
ended
Jun 30,
2024Three
months
ended
Jun 30,
2023Change Year
to
date
Jun 30,
2024Year
to
date
Jun 30,
2023Change Beginning balance $ 6,920 $ 7,715 -10.30 % $ 7,412 $ 6,259 18.42 % Retained earnings adjustment related to impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13 - - N/A - 1,245 -100.00 % Recovery of credit losses* (99 ) (198 ) -50.00 % (600 ) (58 ) 934.48 % Charge-offs (19 ) (19 ) 0.00 % (84 ) (52 ) 61.54 % Recoveries 149 88 69.32 % 223 192 16.15 % Ending balance 6,951 7,586 -8.37 % 6,951 7,586 -8.37 % * Does not include allowance portion related to unfunded commitments Nonperforming assets: Jun 30,
2024Dec 31,
2023Change Jun 30,
2023Dec 31,
2022Change Total nonperforming loans $ 797 $ 391 103.84 % $ 415 $ 633 -34.44 % Other real estate owned - - N/A 566 566 0.00 % Total nonperforming assets 797 391 103.84 % 981 1,199 -18.18 % Asset quality ratios: Jun 30,
2024Dec 31,
2023Change Jun 30,
2023Dec 31,
2022Change Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.13 % 0.06 % 0.07 0.07 % 0.10 % (0.03 ) Allowance for credit losses to total loans 1.12 % 1.21 % 0.09 1.23 % 1.02 % 0.20 Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans 872.15 % 1895.65 % (1,023.51 ) 1827.95 % 988.78 % 839.17 
