Camden National Corporation Announces a 2.8% Increase in 2007 Year-to-Date Per Share Earnings

Business Wire,  Oct 30, 2007  

Tags: earnings

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CAMDEN, Maine -- Robert W. Daigle, president and Chief Executive Officer of Camden National Corporation (AMEX: CAC; the "Company"), today announced year-to-date earnings per diluted share for 2007 of $2.24, a $0.06, or 2.8%, increase over the first nine months of 2006, which reflects the favorable impact of the Company's common stock repurchase activity. The third quarter 2007 earnings per diluted share were $0.77, which was equal to the $0.77 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, returns on average equity and average assets were 18.08% and 1.13%, respectively, compared to 18.23% and 1.19% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Year-to-date net income was $14.7 million, a decline of $609,000, or 4.0%, compared to $15.3 million for the first nine months of 2006. Net income for the third quarter of 2007 was $5.0 million, a 2.7% decrease from the $5.1 million reported for the third quarter of 2006. The decline was primarily due to decreased net interest income, which was adversely impacted by declining commercial real estate balances and higher funding costs, partially offset by an increase in non-interest income.

The Company's total assets at September 30, 2007 were $1.7 billion, flat compared to total assets at September 30, 2006. Investments increased $60.9 million to $458.4 million at September 30, 2007, while total loans at September 30, 2007 were $1.2 billion, down $69.8 million compared to total loans at September 30, 2006. The decline in loan balances reflects a continued conservative posture in the Company's commercial real estate lending activity due to an environment of increased competition highlighted by relaxed credit structures and low long-term fixed rate commitments, which the Company feels does not provide an adequate reward for the inherent risks. The Company remains committed to commercial real estate lending and has observed the market beginning a return to more rational pricing and structuring practices as a result of the recent credit market turmoil and retrenchment by various conduits, special investment vehicles and other lenders. Total deposits of $1.2 billion at September 30, 2007 declined $42.7 million from the same period a year ago primarily reflecting the maturity and non-replacement of $76.1 million of brokered certificates of deposit. Core deposits of $1.1 billion (total deposits excluding brokered certificates of deposit) at September 30, 2007 increased $33.4 million over the same period a year ago.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2007 decreased 7.5% to $12.2 million, compared to $13.2 million for the same period of 2006. The run-off in commercial real estate balances, as well as higher funding costs, lowered the net interest margin, which was 3.06% for the first nine months of 2007 versus 3.39% for the same period of 2006.

During the third quarter of 2007, the Company made no provision to the allowance for loan and lease losses ("ALLL") compared to $552,000 provided for the same quarter of 2006. The decline in the provision to the ALLL was a result of an improvement in non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans, which at 0.50% at September 30, 2007, compared favorably to 0.68% at September 30, 2006, and an overall decline in outstanding loan balances quarter-on-quarter. The ALLL was 1.19% of total loans outstanding at September 30, 2007, compared to 1.16% of loans outstanding on the same date in 2006.

Non-interest income of $3.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 was up 5.4% from the same quarter a year ago. This was primarily the result of an increase in income from fiduciary services at Acadia Trust, N.A., brokerage and insurance commission income at Acadia Financial Consultants, and growth in debit card activity.

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2007 was $8.4 million, an increase of $222,000, or 2.7%, over the same quarter in the prior year largely due to normal salary adjustments, increased premises and equipment costs, and technology improvement initiatives. The Company's efficiency ratio (non-interest expense/net interest income and non-interest income) for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 was 54.77%, compared to 50.60% for the third quarter of 2006.

At September 30, 2007, the Company's total risk-based capital ratio of 13.49% and tier 1 capital ratio of 12.28% compared favorably to the minimum ratios of 10.0% and 6.0%, respectively, required by the Federal Reserve for a bank holding company to be considered "well capitalized."

The Company reported earlier that the Board of Directors approved a dividend, payable on October 31, 2007 for shareholders of record on October 15, 2007, of $0.24 per share, which is a 9.1% increase over the dividend paid at the same time last year.

As previously announced, the Company's transaction to acquire Union Bankshares Company is expected to close in the early part of the first quarter of 2008, subject to Union Bankshares Company's shareholder approval and regulatory approval.