Chemung Financial Corporation Reports Annual Net Income of $25.0 million, or $5.28 per share, and Fourth Quarter 2023 Net Income of $3.8 million, or $0.80 per share

Rhea-AI Summary

Chemung Financial Corporation (CHMG) reported a net income of $25.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease from the previous year. The corporation celebrated its 190th anniversary in 2023, and its share value appreciated by 8.6% from December 31, 2022. The net interest margin was 2.85% for 2023, compared to 3.05% for the prior year. Non-interest income increased by 14.5%, while non-interest expense increased by 8.4%. The provision for credit losses increased by $3.9 million. The total equity to total assets ratio improved to 7.20% in 2023. Fourth quarter net interest income decreased by 0.6% compared to the previous quarter. The effective tax rate decreased to 20.6% for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported net income decrease for Chemung Financial Corporation from $28.8 million in 2022 to $25.0 million in 2023 and the subsequent quarter-on-quarter decline in Q4 2023, raises concerns about the company's profitability amidst economic headwinds. A critical observation is the rise in interest expense on deposits and borrowed funds, which has outpaced the increase in interest income from loans and securities. This dynamic is indicative of margin compression, a common challenge for financial institutions in a rising interest rate environment.

Despite these pressures, the bank's commercial loan growth of 11.1% is a positive sign, suggesting resilience in its core business activities. However, the increase in provision for credit losses to $3.3 million, from a credit of $0.6 million the previous year, points to potential concerns about asset quality and the need for increased reserves against loan defaults, which could be attributed to the economic outlook or specific credit events.

From a shareholder perspective, the dividend declaration and the 8.6% increase in share value are favorable, but must be weighed against the overall decline in net income and the potential for future earnings pressure. For long-term investors, the strategic realignments mentioned by the executive team may signal a commitment to operational efficiency and cost management, which could support profitability in the long run.

Market Research Analyst

Chemung Financial Corporation's performance reflects broader trends in the banking industry, where institutions grapple with the dual challenge of managing interest rate risk and maintaining loan quality. The increase in net interest income by a slight 0.4% year-over-year is relatively modest and when coupled with the 0.6% quarter-over-quarter decrease, it suggests that revenue growth from core banking operations is under strain.

The bank's strategy to drive revenue growth while managing costs is in line with industry norms, where efficiency ratios and non-interest income diversification are key focus areas. The 14.5% increase in non-interest income, driven by factors such as the employee retention tax credit and wealth management fee income, is a testament to the importance of non-interest revenue streams in a challenging interest rate environment.

Investors and analysts should monitor the bank's ability to sustain loan growth, particularly in the commercial sector and its success in navigating the competitive landscape for deposits. The deposit beta of 33%, which measures the sensitivity of deposit costs to changes in interest rates, will be a crucial metric as interest rates continue to evolve.

Economist

The economic context within which Chemung Financial Corporation operates is characterized by rising interest rates, which impacts both the cost of funds and the pricing of loan products. The bank's fully taxable equivalent net interest margin decrease from 3.05% to 2.85% is indicative of the broader margin pressures faced by the banking sector. This margin compression is a result of the faster increase in the cost of deposits and borrowed funds relative to the yield on assets, a common occurrence during rate hike cycles.

Furthermore, the bank's increase in provision for credit losses suggests a cautious approach to potential future loan defaults, which may reflect a less optimistic economic forecast. The Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) projections, such as the unemployment rate and GDP growth rate, are critical inputs in the bank's credit loss modeling and therefore serve as an indicator of economic sentiment.

The bank's response to these conditions, including its focus on expense management and strategic realignments, will be crucial in maintaining financial stability. Investors should consider the bank's strategic initiatives and their potential to mitigate the negative impacts of the economic environment on the bank's performance.

ELMIRA, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chemung Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) (Nasdaq: CHMG), the parent company of Chemung Canal Trust Company (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $25.0 million, or $5.28 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $28.8 million, or $6.13 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2022. Net income was $3.8 million, or $0.80 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $7.6 million, or $1.61 per share, for the third quarter of 2023, and $7.4 million, or $1.58 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2022.

"Our fourth quarter performance was challenged by certain credit related events that we do not believe are indicative of portfolio quality. Overall, our team delivered another strong year of financial results,” said Anders M. Tomson, President and CEO of the Corporation. "Net interest margins continue to stabilize in light of improved loan pricing and moderation of pressures on funding costs. Looking into 2024, we are committed to driving revenue growth while prudently managing our cost base," Tomson further stated.

Dale McKim III, Executive Vice President and CFO of the Corporation added, "We continue to focus on expense management and efficiencies throughout the organization, and have been diligent in pursuing new opportunities. In the fourth quarter, we undertook strategic realignments that will position us for improved long-term performance."

Fourth Quarter Highlights:

• Tangible common equity to tangible assets improved 94 basis points, from 5.51% to 6.45%.^{1 2}
• Commercial loan growth was 11.1% for the fiscal year. ¹
• Chemung Canal Trust Company celebrated its 190th anniversary in 2023.
  
  
• Share value appreciated by $3.93 to $49.80 at December 31, 2023, an increase of 8.6% from December 31, 2022.
  
  
• Dividends declared during the fourth quarter 2023 were $0.31 per share.
  

¹ Balance sheet comparisons are calculated as of December 31, 2023 versus December 31, 2022.

² See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations. The total equity to total assets ratio was 7.20% as of December 31, 2023 compared to 6.29% as of December 31, 2022.

2023 vs 2022

Net Interest Income:

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $74.5 million compared to $74.2 million for the prior year, an increase of $0.3 million, or 0.4%. This increase was primarily driven by increases of $29.2 million in interest income on loans, including fees, and $2.2 million in interest and dividend income on taxable securities, offset by increases of $29.3 million in interest expense on deposits, and $2.1 million in interest expense on borrowed funds. The Corporation has experienced a total deposit beta of 33% during the most recent interest rate cycle, anchored to the period ended December 31, 2021.¹

An increase of 99 basis points in the average yield on loans and a $252.4 million increase in average loan balances were primary drivers of the increase in interest income on loans, including fees. The increases were primarily concentrated in the commercial loan portfolio, as well as the indirect auto segment of the consumer loan portfolio. The increase in interest and dividend income on taxable securities was due primarily to a 48 basis points increase in the average yield on taxable securities, due to an increase in interest rates on existing variable rate securities, despite a decrease of $63.6 million in average balances of taxable securities, primarily due to paydowns on mortgage-backed and SBA pooled-loan securities.

The increase in interest expense on deposits was due primarily to a 167 basis points increase in average rates paid on interest-bearing deposits, which included brokered deposits, and deposit campaigns, primarily relating to time deposits. The increase in interest expense on borrowed funds was due primarily to an increase in interest rates of 266 basis points on overnight FHLBNY borrowings, and a $29.1 million increase in average balances on borrowed funds, when compared to the prior year.

Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.85% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.05% for the prior year. Average interest-earning assets increased $177.0 million in 2023, compared to the prior year. The average yield on interest-earning assets increased 98 basis points while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 173 basis points in 2023, when compared to the prior year, both due to the rising interest rate environment over the past two years.

Provision for Credit Losses:

Provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $3.3 million compared to a credit of $0.6 million for the prior year, an increase of $3.9 million. The increase was primarily due to a $0.9 million specific allocation on a commercial real estate relationship during 2023, and the impact on the allowance for credit losses methodology of the adoption of CECL as of January 1, 2023.

Increased loan volume, and changes to model inputs, including a decline in the prepayment rates of many of the model's loan pools, drove the increase. Declining prepayments impact the application of discounted cash flows by increasing the principal subject to discounting in later periods. Additionally, management increased the qualitative adjustment rate applied to the consumer loan portfolio, considering changes in economic conditions that may not be reflected in the FOMC's forecasted data points, but may adversely impact consumers' financial strength. These increases were offset by relatively favorable changes in the FOMC's forecasted data points. Between December 2022 & December 2023, the FOMC's unemployment projection for year-end 2024 decreased from 4.6% to 4.1%, while the FOMC's projection for year-end U.S. GDP annual growth rate decreased from 1.6% to 1.4%. However, the year-end 2023 projected GDP growth rate, which impacted the model throughout the year, improved from 0.5% to 2.6% during this period.

Non-Interest Income:

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $24.5 million compared to $21.4 million for the prior year, an increase of $3.1 million, or 14.5%. The increase was due primarily to increases of $2.4 million in other non- interest income, $0.5 million in the change in fair value of equity investments, and $0.2 million in wealth management group fee income.

The increase in other non-interest income was primarily due to the $2.4 million recognition of an employee retention tax credit (ERTC) in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in the change in fair value of equity investments was primarily due to an improvement in the market value of assets held for the Corporation's deferred compensation plan. The increase in wealth management group fee income was primarily attributed to an increase in the market value of total assets under management or administration, due to improved conditions in equity markets in 2023, compared to conditions in 2022.

Non-Interest Expense:
Non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $64.2 million compared to $59.3 million in the prior year, an increase of $4.9 million, or 8.4%. This increase was primarily driven by increases in salaries and wages of $1.8 million, other components of periodic pension and postretirement benefits of $1.0 million, data processing of $0.9 million, FDIC insurance of $0.8 million, and other non-interest expense of $0.8 million, offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in pension and other employee benefits.

The increase in salaries and wages was primarily attributable to an increase in the market value of the Corporation's deferred compensation plan and base salary increases, while the increase in other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits was attributable to actuarial revisions to the Corporation's pension plans. The increase in data processing was primarily attributable to ongoing enhancements to cybersecurity capabilities, the outsourcing of debit card dispute processing to a third-party vendor, and an increase in wealth management software expenses. FDIC insurance expense increased due to an increase in the assessment rate effective January 1, 2023, while the increase in other non-interest expense was primarily attributable to the recapture of $0.2 million in accrued telecommunication expenses during the prior year, as well as an increase in non-loan charge-offs during the current year. Pension and other employee benefits decreased primarily due to a decrease in employee healthcare expenses.

Income Tax Expense:

Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $6.5 million compared with $8.1 million for the prior year, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 19.8%. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased to 20.6% compared to 22.0% for the prior year. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income.

¹ Anchored period represents the quarter ended December 31, 2021, and the total deposit beta is calculated using the change in the Federal Funds Effective Rate between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2023.

4th Quarter 2023 vs 3rd Quarter 2023

Net Interest Income:

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $17.9 million compared to $18.0 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 0.6%, driven primarily by increases of $0.6 million in interest expense on deposits and $0.5 million in interest expense on borrowed funds, offset by an increase of $1.1 million in interest income on loans, including fees.

An increase of 15 basis points in the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits, including brokered deposits, was primarily responsible for the increase in interest expense on deposits. This was a deceleration of 28 basis points when compared to the 43 basis points increase between the second and third quarters of 2023, and was the smallest increase since the 1 basis point increase between the first and second quarters of 2022, effectively the beginning of the current rising interest rate cycle. Competitive pressures on pricing and expectations among existing clients continued to meaningfully impact total deposit costs during the current period. The cost of customer time deposits increased 50 basis points during the current quarter, compared to the prior quarter, and comprised 19.3% of total deposits as of December 31, 2023, compared to 16.8% at the end of the prior quarter. The increase in customer time deposit balances was primarily due to the continuation of CD campaigns, as well as an increase in public fund time deposits.

The increase in interest expense on borrowed funds was due primarily to a $35.5 million increase in the average balance of FHLBNY borrowings, and a 10 basis points increase in the average rate paid on FHLBNY borrowings. The Corporation increased its use of overnight borrowings during the quarter, reducing its reliance on brokered deposits for operational flexibility, while taking advantage of higher municipal deposits at the beginning of the quarter.

An increase in interest income on loans, including fees, was due primarily to a $50.1 million increase in average commercial loan balances, when compared to the prior quarter, and a 10 basis points increase in the average yield on total loans, again reflecting increases concentrated in the commercial portfolio, due to improved pricing on originations, when compared to the prior quarter. Residential mortgage average balances decreased $3.2 million in the current quarter, and consumer loans were flat, when compared to the prior quarter.

Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.69% in the current quarter compared to 2.73% in the prior quarter. Net interest margin compression slowed in the current period, declining only 4 basis points, when compared to the 14 basis points of compression experienced between the second and third quarters of 2023. Balances of average interest- earning assets increased $27.6 million in the current quarter, when compared to the prior quarter, and the average yield on interest-earning assets increased 10 basis points to 4.50%, when compared to the prior quarter. For the current quarter, the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 21 basis points to 2.68%, compared to the prior quarter. The 21 basis points increase experienced in the current quarter ended a period of five consecutive quarter-over-quarter increases of at least 25 basis points, extending to the beginning of the current rising interest rate cycle beginning at end of the first quarter of 2022.

Provision for Credit Losses:

Provision for credit losses increased $1.9 million during the current quarter, when compared to the prior quarter. The increase in provision for credit losses was attributable to a $0.9 million specific allocation on a commercial real estate relationship, and changes in variables used in the Corporation's allowance for credit losses model. Changes included a decrease in prepayment rates, as well as smaller changes in the application of FOMC forecasted data points. The 2023 year-end forecasted unemployment rate of 3.8% was 0.3% lower than the 4.1% 2024 year-end figure, benefiting the model in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income:

Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $5.9 million, compared to $7.8 million for the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $1.9 million or 24.4%. This was driven primarily by a decrease of $2.4 million in other non-interest income, due to the recognition of the employee retention tax credit (ERTC) which the Corporation recognized during the prior quarter. Excluding the impact of the ERTC, non-interest income increased $0.4 million, primarily attributable to increases of $0.3 million in the change in fair value of equity investments and $0.2 million in wealth management group fee income. The increase in the change in fair value of equity investments was attributable to an increase in the market value of assets held for the Corporation's deferred compensation plan. The increase in wealth management group fee income was primarily attributable to fee income recognized on final distributions of multiple larger trust arrangements.

Non-Interest Expense:

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $16.8 million, compared to $15.7 million for the prior quarter, an increase of $1.1 million, or 7.3%. The increase was driven primarily by increases of $0.7 million in other non-interest expense and $0.3 million in salaries and wages.

The increase in other non-interest expense was primarily attributable to an increase in charitable donations, while the increase in salaries and wages was primarily attributable to an increase in the market value of the Corporation's deferred compensation plan and severance charges related to the realignment of certain back office functions.

Income Tax Expense:

Income tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $0.8 million compared to $2.1 million for the prior quarter, a decrease of $1.2 million. The effective tax rate for the current quarter decreased to 18.1% from 21.2% in the prior quarter. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily attributable to a decrease in pretax income.

4th Quarter 2023 vs 4th Quarter 2022

Net Interest Income:

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $17.9 million compared to $20.9 million for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $3.0 million, or 14.2%, driven primarily by increases of $8.0 million in interest expense on deposits and $0.5 million in interest expense paid on borrowed funds, offset by an increase of $5.6 million in interest income on loans, including fees, when compared to the same period in the prior year. Interest income on taxable securities was flat between the fourth quarters of 2022 and 2023.

The increase in interest expense on deposits was due primarily to a 177 basis points increase in the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits, which included brokered deposits, and an increase of $92.2 million in the average balance of customer interest-bearing deposits. The average balance of brokered deposits increased $41.8 million between the fourth quarters of 2022 and 2023. This increase was the result of a shift in the deposit mix towards higher cost accounts, when compared to the same period in the prior year, due to the rising interest rate environment, and pricing expectations amongst customers. The increase in interest expense on borrowed funds was due primarily to an increase in interest rates, and a $31.2 million increase in the average balance of FHLBNY borrowings in the current quarter, when compared to the same period in the prior year.

Interest income on loans, including fees, increased primarily due to a $168.9 million increase in average loan balances, concentrated primarily in the commercial portfolio, when compared to the same period in the prior year. Pricing of commercial originations between the fourth quarters of 2022 and 2023 had a favorable impact on interest income on loans, and the Corporation anticipates it will continue to benefit from these new loans, even as the current rising interest rate cycle likely ends. The average yield on the commercial loan portfolio increased 76 basis points between these periods.

Average consumer loans, supported by growth in the indirect auto portfolio, increased $29.7 million, while the average yield on consumer loans increased 100 basis points, primarily due to originations of higher rate indirect auto loans, and increases in interest rates on variable rate home equity loans. Average balances of mortgage loans decreased $5.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2023, when compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to adverse conditions for prospective borrowers in the residential real estate market, while the yield on mortgage loans increased 21 basis points between these periods.

Interest and dividend income on taxable securities was comparable between the fourth quarters of 2022 and 2023. During this period, the average yield on taxable securities increased 17 basis points, due to an increase in interest rates on variable rate securities. This increase was offset by a decrease of $58.7 million in the average balance of taxable securities, when compared to the same period in the prior year, due to paydowns on securities held in the portfolio between the fourth quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2023.

Fully taxable equivalent net interest margin was 2.69% for the fourth quarter 2023, compared to 3.26% for the same period in the prior year. The Corporation exhibited a greater level of liability sensitivity in the current year, after reaching an inflection point at the end of 2022. Throughout the prior year, liability repricing lagged asset repricing, leading to a period of net interest margin expansion that ended in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Average interest-earning assets increased $103.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. The average yield on interest-earning assets increased 68 basis points to 4.50%, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 180 basis points to 2.68%, for the three months ended December 31, 2023, when compared to the same period in the prior year, due to the rising interest rate environment, as well as a shift in the overall deposit mix to higher-cost account types, compared to the same period in the prior year.

Provision for Credit Losses:

Provision for credit losses increased $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in the provision was primarily attributable to a $0.9 million specific allocation relating to a commercial real estate relationship, as well as changes in the variables being applied to the allowance for credit losses model, including prepayment rates and changes in economic forecasted data. Provisioning in the fourth quarter of 2022 was attributable to loan growth, as well as qualitative provisioning relating to loan concentrations and anticipated deterioration in national economic conditions.

Non-Interest Income:

Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $5.9 million compared to $5.4 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.5 million, or 8.4%. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $0.3 million in wealth management group fee income. The increase in wealth management group fee income was primarily attributable to an increase in assets under management in the fourth quarter of the current year, compared to the same period in the prior year, as well as income recognized attributable to final distributions on multiple larger trust arrangements.

Non-Interest Expense:

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $16.8 million compared to $15.7 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $1.1 million, or 7.2%. The increase can be mostly attributed to increases of $0.6 million in salaries and wages, $0.4 million in other non-interest expense, $0.3 million in other components of net periodic pension and post retirement benefits, and $0.3 million in data processing, offset by a decrease of $0.4 million in loan expense.

Salaries and wages increased primarily due to base salary and wage increases, an increase in expense related to the Corporation's award program during the current quarter, when compared to the same period in the prior year, and severance charges related to the realignment of certain back office functions, in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in other non-interest expense was primarily attributable to increases in non-loan charge offs. Other components of net periodic pension and post retirement benefits increased primarily due to actuarial revisions. Data processing expense increased primarily due to a vendor credit received on wealth management software during the fourth quarter of the prior year. Loan expense decreased primarily due to a decrease in the volume of indirect auto originations, compared to the same period in the prior year.

Income Tax Expense:

Income tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to $0.8 million compared to $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The effective tax rate for the current period was 18.1%, compared to 21.8% for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily attributable to a decrease in pretax income in the current period, compared to the same period in the prior year.

Asset Quality

Non-performing loans totaled $10.4 million as of December 31, 2023, or 0.53% of total loans, compared to $8.2 million, or 0.45% of total loans as of December 31, 2022. The increase in non-performing loans was primarily attributable to the addition of one commercial real estate relationship, totaling $3.1 million, comprised of a well-collateralized $2.2 million participation in a construction project and a $0.9 million credit secured by a negative pledge on real property, for which a full reserve allocation was made. This increase was partially offset by the removal of a large commercial and industrial loan from non-performing status, as well as paydown activity on existing non-performing loans. Non-performing assets, which are comprised of non-performing loans and other real estate owned, were $10.7 million, or 0.40% of total assets, as of December 31, 2023, compared to $8.4 million, or 0.32% of total assets, as of December 31, 2022. The increase in non- performing assets can be attributed to the increase in non-performing loans. The Corporation experienced a modest increase in delinquent loans in its consumer lending portfolio, consistent with seasonal trends, although overall delinquencies remain at or below historically normal levels. Management continues to monitor the credit quality of individual relationships closely.

Management performs an ongoing assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses based on its current expected credit losses (CECL) methodology, which includes loans individually analyzed, as well as loans analyzed on a pooled basis. The Corporation's methodology estimates the lifetime losses in its loan portfolio by utilizing an expected discounted cash flow approach. Based on FOMC forecasted data points, the model is supplemented by qualitative considerations including relevant economic influences, portfolio concentrations, and other external factors. The Corporation adopted the CECL accounting standard on January 1, 2023.

The allowance for credit losses was $22.5 million as of December 31, 2023, and the allowance for loan losses was $19.7 million as of December 31, 2022. The allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, a component of other liabilities, was $0.9 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase in the allowance for credit losses was driven by a $1.5 million adjustment recognized upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), the specific allocation of $0.9 million on an aforementioned commercial real estate relationship, provisioning related to loan growth, changes in model variables, and qualitative considerations. The $1.5 million one-time implementation adjustment was comprised of $1.1 million reflecting the establishment of an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments, and a $0.4 million increase in the allowance for credit losses, reflecting the change in methodology.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, in addition to the $0.9 million specific allocation made in relation to a commercial real estate relationship, the Corporation allocated additional amounts to its allowance for credit losses in accordance with its CECL methodology. One of the inputs utilized by the model is an assumed prepayment rate, calculated at the pool level, and based on a three-year rolling historical average of the Corporation's own prepayment experience. During 2023, prepayment levels declined across most pools of loans, but was especially prevalent amongst residential mortgages. Prepayment speeds had a meaningful impact on the allowance during the fourth quarter. Prepayment assumptions and modeled present value of cash flows have a direct relationship. As prepayment assumptions decline, the modeled present value of cash flows declines, increasing the assumed allowance requirements. Additionally, loan growth, and to a lesser degree, changes in FOMC economic forecasted data points, increased reserve requirements during the fourth quarter.

The allowance for credit losses was 216.28% of non-performing loans as of December 31, 2023, and the ratio of the allowance for credit losses to loans was 1.14% as of December 31, 2023. The allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 240.39% as of December 31, 2022, and the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.07% as of December 31, 2022.

Balance Sheet Activity

Total assets were $2.711 billion as of December 31, 2023 compared to $2.646 billion as of December 31, 2022, an increase of $65.0 million, or 2.5%. The increase can be mostly attributed to an increase of $143.2 million in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs. This increase was offset by decreases of $52.9 million in total investment securities, $19.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, $1.3 million in accrued interest receivable and other assets, and an increase of $2.9 million in the allowance for credit losses.

The increase in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs, was concentrated in the commercial loan portfolio, which increased $138.1 million, or 11.1%. Commercial demand for financing continues to be strong across the Corporation's footprint, led by commercial real estate activity in the Albany, NY metro area. Consumer loans increased $12.8 million, or 4.3%, primarily driven by strong origination activity in the indirect auto segment. These increases were offset by a decrease in the residential mortgage portfolio of $7.7 million, or 2.7%, due to new loans being sold into the secondary market, as well as continued constrained market conditions for residential real estate throughout the year, suppressing demand.

Total investment securities decreased primarily due to a decrease of $48.6 million in securities available for sale. Net paydowns on securities available for sale during the year totaled $59.8 million, primarily attributable to paydowns on mortgage-backed securities and SBA pooled-loan securities, partially offset by an increase in the market value of $11.5 million, due to favorable changes in fixed income market valuations during the year. Securities held to maturity decreased $1.6 million due to the sale of securities held by Chemung Risk Management, relating to its dissolution, and FHLB stock decreased $2.7 million due to lower FHLBNY overnight advance borrowing activity as of the end of the current period, when compared to the prior year-end.

The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to an increase in loans, net of deferred origination fees and costs, and a decrease in advances and other debt, offset by an increase in deposits, and cash flow from the available for sale securities portfolio. The decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets was primarily due to a decrease in interest rate swap assets of $2.6 million, due to a decrease in the market value of swaps, and offset by an increase in accrued interest receivable of $1.2 million, primarily on loans.

Total liabilities were $2.515 billion as of December 31, 2023 compared to $2.479 billion as of December 31, 2022, an increase of $36.1 million, or 1.5%. The increase in total liabilities can primarily be attributed to an increase of $102.2 million in deposits, offset by decreases of $63.9 million in FHLBNY overnight advances and $1.1 million in accrued interest payable and other liabilities

Total deposits increased 4.4% during 2023, primarily due to an increase of $209.9 million in total time deposits, or 52.2%, which includes customer time deposits and brokered deposits. Customer time deposits increased $140.5 million, while brokered deposits increased $69.4 million. Additionally, interest-bearing demand deposits increased $19.5 million. These increases were offset by decreases of $80.2 million in non-interest bearing demand deposits, $29.9 million in savings deposits, and $17.1 million in money market deposits. Non-interest bearing deposits comprised 26.9% and 31.5% of total deposits as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

The decrease in FHLBNY overnight advances was due to a decrease in overnight borrowing activity compared to the prior year. The decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities was primarily due to a decrease in the interest rate swap liability of $2.6 million due to a decrease in the market value of swaps, offset by an increase in accrued interest payable of $2.1 million, primarily on deposits.

Total shareholders’ equity was $195.2 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $166.4 million as of December 31, 2022, an increase of $28.9 million, or 17.3%, primarily driven by an increase of $18.1 million in retained earnings and a decrease of $9.2 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The increase in retained earnings was due primarily to net income of $25.0 million, offset by $5.8 million in dividends declared and a $1.1 million one-time adjustment due to the implementation of CECL. The improvement in accumulated other comprehensive loss was primarily due to an improvement in the fair value of available for sale securities, when compared to the prior year.

The total equity to total assets ratio was 7.20% as of December 31, 2023, compared to 6.29% as of December 31, 2022. The tangible equity to tangible assets ratio was 6.45% as of December 31, 2023 compared to 5.51% as of December 31, 2022 ¹. Book value per share increased to $41.07 as of December 31, 2023 from $35.32 as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank’s capital ratios were in excess of those required to be considered well- capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

¹ See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations

Liquidity

Management believes the Corporation has the necessary liquidity to allow for flexibility in meeting its various business needs. The Corporation uses a variety of resources to manage its liquidity. These include short term investments, cash flow from lending and investing activities, core-deposit growth and non-core funding sources, such as time deposits of $250,000 or greater, brokered deposits, and FHLBNY advances. As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation's cash and cash equivalents balance was $36.8 million. The Corporation also maintains an investment portfolio of securities available for sale, comprised primarily of US Government treasury securities, SBA loan pools, mortgage-backed securities, and municipal bonds. Although this portfolio generates interest income for the Corporation, it also serves as an available source of liquidity and capital if the need should arise. As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation's investment in securities available for sale was $584.0 million, $329.0 million of which was not pledged as collateral. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, the Bank's overnight advance line capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York was $224.1 million, of which $55.3 million in US Government treasury securities was considered unpledged. $31.9 million of this total capacity was utilized as of December 31, 2023. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis for liquidity purposes or on a long-term basis to fund asset growth. Additional funding was available to the Corporation through the Bank Term Funding Program (BTFP) and Discount Window Lending provided by the Federal Reserve, however the Corporation did not utilize these sources during 2023. Subsequent to the periods presented, the Corporation received approval for, and has pledged collateral at the Federal Reserve for the purpose of utilizing the BTFP.

As of December 31, 2023, uninsured deposits totaled $655.7 million, or 27.0% of total deposits, including $153.2 million of municipal deposits that were collateralized by pledged assets. As of December 31, 2022, uninsured deposits totaled $700.9 million, or 30.1% of total deposits, including $152.9 million of municipal deposits that were collateralized by pledged assets. Due to their fluidity, the Corporation closely monitors uninsured deposit levels when considering liquidity management strategies.

The Corporation considers brokered deposits to be an element of its deposit strategy, and anticipates that it will continue utilizing brokered deposits as a secondary source of funding in support of growth. As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation has entered into brokered deposit arrangements with multiple brokers. As of December 31, 2023, brokered deposits carried terms between 3 and 48 months, with staggered maturities, totaling $142.8 million. Excluding brokered deposits, total deposits decreased $11.8 million when compared to the prior quarter-end. Decreases from the prior quarter-end were impacted by the cyclical nature of public funds deposits, which decreased $21.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2023.

Other Items

The market value of total assets under management or administration in our Wealth Management Group was $2.242 billion as of December 31, 2023, including $381.3 million of assets under management or administration for the Corporation, compared to $2.053 billion as of December 31, 2022, including $346.5 million of assets under management or administration for the Corporation, an increase of $189.4 million, or 9.2%, due primarily to broad improvements in financial markets during the year.

As previously announced on January 8, 2021, the Corporation announced that the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program. Under the repurchase program, the Corporation may repurchase up to 250,000 shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of its then outstanding shares. The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through block trades, and pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As of December 31, 2023, a total of 49,184 shares of common stock at a total cost of $2.0 million were repurchased by the Corporation under its share repurchase program. No shares were repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2023. The weighted average cost was $40.42 per share repurchased. Remaining buyback authority under the share repurchase program was 200,816 shares at December 31, 2023.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, Chemung Risk Management, Inc., which served as a wholly owned captive insurance company based in the State of Nevada, was dissolved by the Corporation effective December 6, 2023. The dissolution of Chemung Risk Management did not have a significant impact to financial results for the period ended December 31, 2023.

About Chemung Financial Corporation

Chemung Financial Corporation is a $2.7 billion financial services holding company headquartered in Elmira, New York and operates 31 retail offices through its principal subsidiary, Chemung Canal Trust Company, a full service community bank with trust powers. Established in 1833, Chemung Canal Trust Company is the oldest locally-owned and managed community bank in New York State. Chemung Financial Corporation is also the parent of CFS Group, Inc., a financial services subsidiary offering non-traditional services including mutual funds, annuities, brokerage services, tax preparation services and insurance.

This press release may be found at: www.chemungcanal.com under Investor Relations.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Corporation intends its forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in this press release. All statements regarding the Corporation's expected financial position and operating results, the Corporation's business strategy, the Corporation's financial plans, forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to the Corporation's industry and similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by the Corporation's use of forward-looking words such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," or "intend." The Corporation cannot promise that its expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. The Corporation's actual results could be materially different from expectations because of various factors, including changes in economic conditions or interest rates, credit risk, inflation, cyber security risks, difficulties in managing the Corporation’s growth, competition, changes in law or the regulatory environment, and changes in general business and economic trends.

Information concerning these and other factors, including Risk Factors, can be found in the Corporation’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov, on the Corporation's website at http://www.chemungcanal.com or upon request from the Corporate Secretary at (607) 737-3746. Except as otherwise required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Chemung Financial Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
		Dec. 31,				Sept. 30,				June 30,				March 31,				Dec. 31,
(in thousands)			2023				2023				2023				2023				2022
ASSETS
Cash and due from financial institutions		$	22,247			$	52,563			$	25,499			$	25,109			$	29,309
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions			14,600				23,017				28,727				9,532				26,560
Total cash and cash equivalents			36,847				75,580				54,226				34,641				55,869
Equity investments			3,046				2,811				2,841				2,949				2,830
Securities available for sale			583,993				569,004				604,313				626,055				632,589
Securities held to maturity			785				1,804				1,804				1,932				2,424
FHLB and FRB stock, at cost			5,498				4,053				6,328				7,913				8,197
Total investment securities			590,276				574,861				612,445				635,900				643,210
Commercial			1,387,321				1,341,017				1,302,333				1,280,804				1,249,206
Mortgage			277,992				281,361				285,084				285,944				285,672
Consumer			307,351				308,310				306,489				306,953				294,570
Loans, net of deferred loan fees			1,972,664				1,930,688				1,893,906				1,873,701				1,829,448
Allowance for credit losses			(22,517	)			(20,252	)			(20,172	)			(20,075	)			(19,659	)
Loans, net			1,950,147				1,910,436				1,873,734				1,853,626				1,809,789
Loans held for sale			-				-				785				-				-
Premises and equipment, net			14,571				15,036				15,496				15,867				16,113
Operating lease right-of-use assets			5,648				5,850				6,050				6,250				6,449
Goodwill			21,824				21,824				21,824				21,824				21,824
Accrued interest receivable and other assets			88,170				101,436				87,272				83,126				89,469
Total assets		$	2,710,529			$	2,707,834			$	2,674,673			$	2,654,183			$	2,645,553
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits		$	653,166			$	683,348			$	671,643			$	690,596			$	733,329
Interest-bearing demand deposits			291,139				310,885				273,379				287,242				271,645
Money market accounts			623,714				626,256				629,986				631,052				640,840
Savings deposits			249,144				261,822				269,700				271,445				279,029
Time deposits			612,264				591,188				545,486				452,094				402,384
Total deposits			2,429,427				2,473,499				2,390,194				2,332,429				2,327,227
Advances and other debt			34,970				3,120				53,949				93,328				99,137
Operating lease liabilities			5,827				6,028				6,228				6,427				6,620
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities			45,064				55,123				46,876				44,658				46,181
Total liabilities			2,515,288				2,537,770				2,497,247				2,476,842				2,479,165
Shareholders' equity
Common stock			53				53				53				53				53
Additional-paid-in capital			47,773				47,974				47,740				47,387				47,331
Retained earnings			229,930				227,596				221,412				216,593				211,859
Treasury stock, at cost			(16,502	)			(16,880	)			(17,033	)			(17,219	)			(17,598	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(66,013	)			(88,679	)			(74,746	)			(69,473	)			(75,257	)
Total shareholders' equity			195,241				170,064				177,426				177,341				166,388
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	2,710,529			$	2,707,834			$	2,674,673			$	2,654,183			$	2,645,553
Period-end shares outstanding			4,754				4,738				4,732				4,726				4,711

Chemung Financial Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended December 31,							Percent			Twelve Months Ended December 31,								Percent
(in thousands, except per share data)		2023				2022			Change				2023				2022			Change
Interest and dividend income:
Loans, including fees	$	26,115			$	20,510			27.3			$	97,228			$	68,051			42.9
Taxable securities		3,533				3,563			(0.8	)			14,283				12,096			18.1
Tax exempt securities		257				263			(2.3	)			1,035				1,068			(3.1	)
Interest-earning deposits		128				144			(11.1	)			528				260			103.1
Total interest and dividend income		30,033				24,480			22.7				113,074				81,475			38.8
Interest expense:
Deposits		11,349				3,333			240.5				35,926				6,655			439.8
Borrowed funds		786				276			184.8				2,691				641			319.8
Total interest expense		12,135				3,609			236.2				38,617				7,296			429.3
Net interest income		17,898				20,871			(14.2	)			74,457				74,179			0.4
Provision (credit) for credit losses		2,300				1,080			113.0				3,262				(554	)		688.8
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		15,598				19,791			(21.2	)			71,195				74,733			(4.7	)
Non-interest income:
Wealth management group fee income		2,744				2,492			10.1				10,460				10,280			1.8
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,001				999			0.2				3,919				3,788			3.5
Interchange revenue from debit card transactions		1,138				1,141			(0.3	)			4,606				4,603			0.1
Net gains on securities transactions		(39	)			—			N/M				(39	)			—			N/M
Change in fair value of equity investments		202				99			104.0				103				(349	)		129.5
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale		54				1			N/M				144				107			34.6
Net gains (losses) on sales of other real estate owned		23				(8	)		(387.5	)			37				60			(38.3	)
Income from bank owned life insurance		11				12			(8.3	)			43				46			(6.5	)
Other		737				682			8.1				5,276				2,901			81.9
Total non-interest income		5,871				5,418			8.4				24,549				21,436			14.5
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and wages		6,803				6,225			9.3				26,832				25,054			7.1
Pension and other employee benefits		1,901				1,989			(4.4	)			7,368				7,668			(3.9	)
Other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefits		(154	)			(424	)		63.7				(676	)			(1,648	)		59.0
Net occupancy		1,395				1,474			(5.4	)			5,637				5,539			1.8
Furniture and equipment		496				566			(12.4	)			1,728				1,906			(9.3	)
Data processing		2,506				2,177			15.1				9,840				8,919			10.3
Professional services		697				544			28.1				2,293				2,171			5.6
Amortization of intangible assets		—				—			—				—				15			(100.0	)
Marketing and advertising		203				215			(5.6	)			923				941			(1.9	)
Other real estate owned expense		(69	)			12			N/M				(20	)			(5	)		(300.0	)
FDIC insurance		520				369			40.9				2,128				1,356			56.9
Loan expense		258				674			(61.7	)			1,047				1,001			4.6
Other		2,270				1,872			21.3				7,143				6,363			12.3
Total non-interest expense		16,826				15,693			7.2				64,243				59,280			8.4
Income before income tax expense		4,643				9,516			(51.2	)			31,501				36,889			(14.6	)
Income tax expense		841				2,077			(59.5	)			6,501				8,106			(19.8	)
Net income	$	3,802			$	7,439			(48.9	)		$	25,000			$	28,783			(13.1	)
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$	0.80			$	1.58						$	5.28			$	6.13
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.31			$	0.31						$	1.24			$	1.24
Average basic and diluted shares outstanding		4,743				4,698							4,732				4,693
N/M - Not Meaningful

Chemung Financial Corporation		As of or for the Three Months Ended																				As of or for the Twelve Months Ended
Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited)		Dec. 31,				Sept. 30,				June 30,				March 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)			2023				2023				2023				2023				2022				2023				2022
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Interest income		$	30,033			$	29,015			$	27,796			$	26,230			$	24,480			$	113,074			$	81,475
Interest expense			12,135				10,998				9,201				6,283				3,609				38,617				7,296
Net interest income			17,898				18,017				18,595				19,947				20,871				74,457				74,179
Provision (credit) for credit losses (g)			2,300				449				236				277				1,080				3,262				(554	)
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			15,598				17,568				18,359				19,670				19,791				71,195				74,733
Non-interest income			5,871				7,808				5,447				5,423				5,418				24,549				21,436
Non-interest expense			16,826				15,668				15,913				15,836				15,693				64,243				59,280
Income before income tax expense			4,643				9,708				7,893				9,257				9,516				31,501				36,889
Income tax expense			841				2,060				1,613				1,987				2,077				6,501				8,106
Net income		$	3,802			$	7,648			$	6,280			$	7,270			$	7,439			$	25,000			$	28,783
Basic and diluted earnings per share		$	0.80			$	1.61			$	1.33			$	1.54			$	1.58			$	5.28			$	6.13
Average basic and diluted shares outstanding			4,743				4,736				4,729				4,721				4,698				4,732				4,693
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets			0.56	%			1.14	%			0.95	%			1.12	%			1.15	%			0.94	%			1.15	%
Return on average equity			8.63	%			16.89	%			13.97	%			16.97	%			18.36	%			14.11	%			15.93	%
Return on average tangible equity (a)			9.86	%			19.22	%			15.89	%			19.40	%			21.25	%			16.09	%			18.12	%
Efficiency ratio (unadjusted) (f)			70.79	%			60.67	%			66.19	%			62.42	%			59.69	%			64.89	%			62.00	%
Efficiency ratio (adjusted) (a) (b)			70.42	%			66.55	%			65.94	%			62.18	%			59.44	%			66.20	%			61.71	%
Non-interest expense to average assets			2.48	%			2.33	%			2.41	%			2.44	%			2.42	%			2.41	%			2.36	%
Loans to deposits			81.20	%			78.05	%			79.24	%			80.33	%			78.61	%			81.20	%			78.61	%
YIELDS / RATES - Fully Taxable Equivalent
Yield on loans			5.31	%			5.21	%			5.09	%			4.90	%			4.57	%			5.13	%			4.14	%
Yield on investments			2.24	%			2.22	%			2.22	%			2.18	%			2.09	%			2.21	%			1.71	%
Yield on interest-earning assets			4.50	%			4.40	%			4.29	%			4.12	%			3.82	%			4.33	%			3.35	%
Cost of interest-bearing deposits			2.59	%			2.44	%			2.01	%			1.34	%			0.82	%			2.11	%			0.44	%
Cost of borrowings			5.52	%			5.25	%			5.13	%			4.91	%			4.30	%			5.18	%			2.76	%
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities			2.68	%			2.47	%			2.11	%			1.49	%			0.88	%			2.20	%			0.47	%
Interest rate spread			1.82	%			1.93	%			2.18	%			2.63	%			2.94	%			2.13	%			2.88	%
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent			2.69	%			2.73	%			2.87	%			3.14	%			3.26	%			2.85	%			3.05	%
CAPITAL
Total equity to total assets at end of period			7.20	%			6.28	%			6.63	%			6.68	%			6.29	%			7.20	%			6.29	%
Tangible equity to tangible assets at end of period (a)			6.45	%			5.52	%			5.87	%			5.91	%			5.51	%			6.45	%			5.51	%
Book value per share		$	41.07			$	35.90			$	37.49			$	37.53			$	35.32			$	41.07			$	35.32
Tangible book value per share (a)			36.48				31.29				32.88				32.91				30.69				36.48				30.69
Period-end market value per share			49.80				39.61				38.41				41.50				45.87				49.80				45.87
Dividends declared per share			0.31				0.31				0.31				0.31				0.31				1.24				1.24
AVERAGE BALANCES
Loans and loans held for sale (c)		$	1,956,022			$	1,909,100			$	1,880,224			$	1,849,310			$	1,787,103			$	1,898,986			$	1,646,576
Interest earning assets			2,654,638				2,627,012				2,609,893				2,592,709				2,550,834				2,621,251				2,444,287
Total assets			2,688,536				2,664,570				2,649,399				2,627,088				2,574,639				2,660,329				2,496,099
Deposits			2,397,663				2,410,931				2,363,847				2,337,476				2,347,719				2,377,736				2,255,326
Total equity			174,868				179,700				180,357				173,786				160,740				177,187				180,684
Tangible equity (a)			153,044				157,876				158,533				151,962				138,916				155,363				158,857
ASSET QUALITY
Net charge-offs (recoveries)		$	171			$	356			$	146			$	269			$	52			$	941			$	813
Non-performing loans (d)			10,411				6,826				7,304				7,731				8,178				10,411				8,178
Non-performing assets (e)			10,738				7,055				7,471				7,927				8,373				10,738				8,373
Allowance for credit losses (g)			22,517				20,252				20,172				20,075				19,659				22,517				19,659
Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans			0.03	%			0.07	%			0.03	%			0.06	%			0.01	%			0.05	%			0.05	%
Non-performing loans to total loans			0.53	%			0.35	%			0.39	%			0.41	%			0.45	%			0.53	%			0.45	%
Non-performing assets to total assets			0.40	%			0.26	%			0.28	%			0.30	%			0.32	%			0.40	%			0.32	%
Allowance for credit losses to total loans (g)			1.14	%			1.05	%			1.07	%			1.07	%			1.07	%			1.14	%			1.07	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans (g)			216.28	%			296.69	%			276.17	%			259.66	%			240.39	%			216.28	%			240.39	%
(a) See the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.
(b) Efficiency ratio (adjusted) is non-interest expense less amortization of intangible assets divided by the total of fully taxable equivalent net interest income plus non-interest income less recognition of the employee retention tax credit (ERTC).
(c) Loans and loans held for sale do not reflect the allowance for credit losses.
(d) Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans only.
(e) Non-performing assets include non-performing loans plus other real estate owned.
(f) Efficiency ratio (unadjusted) is non-interest expense divided by the total of net interest income plus non-interest income.
(g) Corporation adopted CECL January 1, 2023.

Chemung Financial Corporation
Average Consolidated Balance Sheets & Net Interest Income Analysis and Rate/Volume Analysis of Net Interest Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended December 31, 2023											Three Months Ended December 31, 2022											Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 vs. 2022
(in thousands)		Average Balance				Interest				Yield / Rate			Average Balance				Interest				Yield / Rate			Total Change				Due to Volume				Due to Rate
Interest earning assets:
Commercial loans		$	1,369,198			$	19,649			5.69	%		$	1,224,684			$	15,233			4.93	%		$	4,416			$	1,915			$	2,501
Mortgage loans			279,361				2,531			3.59	%			284,695				2,428			3.38	%			103				(46	)			149
Consumer loans			307,463				3,991			5.15	%			277,724				2,904			4.15	%			1,087				334				753
Taxable securities			647,650				3,537			2.17	%			706,392				3,567			2.00	%			(30	)			(314	)			284
Tax-exempt securities			40,339				284			2.79	%			41,101				316			3.05	%			(32	)			(6	)			(26	)
Interest-earning deposits			10,627				128			4.78	%			16,238				144			3.52	%			(16	)			(59	)			43
Total interest earning assets			2,654,638				30,120			4.50	%			2,550,834				24,592			3.82	%			5,528				1,824				3,704
Non-interest earnings assets:
Cash and due from banks			25,142											25,032
Other assets			29,153											17,620
Allowance for credit losses (3)			(20,397	)										(18,847	)
Total assets		$	2,688,536										$	2,574,639
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking		$	285,733			$	1,176			1.63	%		$	290,471			$	193			0.26	%		$	983			$	(3	)		$	986
Savings and money market			900,367				4,383			1.93	%			953,115				1,212			0.50	%			3,171				(70	)			3,241
Time deposits			447,273				4,374			3.88	%			297,542				1,354			1.81	%			3,020				923				2,097
Brokered deposits			104,043				1,416			5.40	%			62,273				573			3.65	%			843				491				352
FHLBNY overnight advances			53,390				758			5.63	%			22,215				247			4.40	%			511				426				85
Long-term capital leases			3,074				28			3.61	%			3,350				30			3.58	%			(2	)			(2	)			—
Total interest-bearing liabilities			1,793,880				12,135			2.68	%			1,628,966				3,609			0.88	%			8,526				1,765				6,761
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits			660,247											744,318
Other liabilities			59,541											40,615
Total liabilities			2,513,668											2,413,899
Shareholders' equity			174,868											160,740
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		$	2,688,536										$	2,574,639
Fully taxable equivalent net interest income							17,985											20,983						$	(2,998	)		$	59			$	(3,057	)
Net interest rate spread (1)										1.82	%										2.94	%
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent (2)										2.69	%										3.26	%
Taxable equivalent adjustment							(87	)										(112	)
Net interest income						$	17,898										$	20,871
(1) Net interest rate spread is the difference in the average yield on interest-earning assets less the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
(2) Net interest margin is the ratio of fully taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(3) The Corporation implemented CECL as of January 1, 2023.

Chemung Financial Corporation
Average Consolidated Balance Sheets & Net Interest Income Analysis and Rate/Volume Analysis of Net Interest Income (Unaudited)
	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023											Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022											Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 vs. 2022
(in thousands)	Average Balance				Interest				Yield / Rate			Average Balance				Interest				Yield / Rate			Total Change				Due to Volume				Due to Rate
Interest earning assets:
Commercial loans	$	1,309,692			$	72,698			5.55	%		$	1,143,908			$	50,146			4.38	%		$	22,552			$	7,932			$	14,620
Mortgage loans		283,093				10,084			3.56	%			274,067				9,226			3.37	%			858				316				542
Consumer loans		306,201				14,664			4.79	%			228,601				8,857			3.87	%			5,807				3,415				2,392
Taxable securities		671,345				14,295			2.13	%			734,898				12,107			1.65	%			2,188				(1,115	)			3,303
Tax-exempt securities		40,506				1,171			2.89	%			41,915				1,304			3.11	%			(133	)			(43	)			(90	)
Interest-earning deposits		10,414				528			5.07	%			20,898				260			1.24	%			268				(186	)			454
Total interest earning assets		2,621,251				113,440			4.33	%			2,444,287				81,900			3.35	%			31,540				10,319				21,221
Non-interest earnings assets:
Cash and due from banks		25,419											24,497
Other assets		33,871											46,768
Allowance for credit losses (3)		(20,212	)										(19,453	)
Total assets	$	2,660,329										$	2,496,099
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing checking	$	286,097			$	3,136			1.10	%		$	278,946			$	412			0.15	%		$	2,724			$	11			$	2,713
Savings and money market		899,996				13,027			1.45	%			949,597				2,241			0.24	%			10,786				(125	)			10,911
Time deposits		375,545				12,414			3.31	%			253,433				2,733			1.08	%			9,681				1,832				7,849
Brokered deposits		140,845				7,349			5.22	%			44,229				1,269			2.87	%			6,080				4,422				1,658
FHLBNY overnight advances		48,851				2,577			5.28	%			19,759				518			2.62	%			2,059				1,219				840
Long-term capital leases		3,177				114			3.59	%			3,449				123			3.58	%			(9	)			(8	)			(1	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,754,511				38,617			2.20	%			1,549,413				7,296			0.47	%			31,321				7,351				23,970
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits		675,253											729,121
Other liabilities		53,378											36,881
Total liabilities		2,483,142											2,315,415
Shareholders' equity		177,187											180,684
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	2,660,329										$	2,496,099
Fully taxable equivalent net interest income						74,823											74,604						$	219			$	2,968			$	(2,749	)
Net interest rate spread (1)									2.13	%										2.88	%
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent (2)									2.85	%										3.05	%
Taxable equivalent adjustment						(366	)										(425	)
Net interest income					$	74,457										$	74,179
(1) Net interest rate spread is the difference in the average yield on interest-earning assets less the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
(2) Net interest margin is the ratio of fully taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(3) The Corporation implemented CECL as of January 1, 2023

Chemung Financial Corporation

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations (Unaudited)

The Corporation prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. See the Corporation’s unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income contained within this press release. That presentation provides the reader with an understanding of the Corporation’s results that can be tracked consistently from period-to-period and enables a comparison of the Corporation’s performance with other companies’ GAAP financial statements.

In addition to analyzing the Corporation’s results on a reported basis, management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, because it believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors about the underlying operational performance and trends of the Corporation and, therefore, facilitate a comparison of the Corporation with the performance of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Corporation may not be comparable to similarly named non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

The SEC has adopted Regulation G, which applies to all public disclosures, including earnings releases, made by registered companies that contain “non-GAAP financial measures.” Under Regulation G, companies making public disclosures containing non-GAAP financial measures must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure and a statement of the Corporation’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure as part of its financial disclosures. The SEC has exempted from the definition of “non-GAAP financial measures” certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP. When these exempted measures are included in public disclosures, supplemental information is not required. The following measures used in this Report, which are commonly utilized by financial institutions, have not been specifically exempted by the SEC and may constitute "non-GAAP financial measures" within the meaning of the SEC's rules, although we are unable to state with certainty that the SEC would so regard them.

Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income is commonly presented on a tax-equivalent basis. That is, to the extent that some component of the institution's net interest income, which is presented on a before-tax basis, is exempt from taxation (e.g., is received by the institution as a result of its holdings of state or municipal obligations), an amount equal to the tax benefit derived from that component is added to the actual before-tax net interest income total. This adjustment is considered helpful in comparing one financial institution's net interest income to that of other institutions or in analyzing any institution’s net interest income trend line over time, to correct any analytical distortion that might otherwise arise from the fact that financial institutions vary widely in the proportions of their portfolios that are invested in tax-exempt securities, and that even a single institution may significantly alter over time the proportion of its own portfolio that is invested in tax-exempt obligations. Moreover, net interest income is itself a component of a second financial measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average interest-earning assets. For purposes of this measure as well, fully taxable equivalent net interest income is generally used by financial institutions, as opposed to actual net interest income, again to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to institution and to better demonstrate a single institution’s performance over time. The Corporation follows these practices.

																						As of or for the
		As of or for the Three Months Ended																				Twelve Months Ended
		Dec. 31,				Sept. 30,				June 30,				March 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
(in thousands, except ratio data)			2023				2023				2023				2023				2022				2023				2022
NET INTEREST MARGIN - FULLY TAXABLE EQUIVALENT
Net interest income (GAAP)		$	17,898			$	18,017			$	18,595			$	19,947			$	20,871			$	74,457			$	74,179
Fully taxable equivalent adjustment			87				87				92				98				112				366				425
Fully taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)		$	17,985			$	18,104			$	18,687			$	20,045			$	20,983			$	74,823			$	74,604
Average interest-earning assets (GAAP)		$	2,654,638			$	2,627,012			$	2,609,893			$	2,592,709			$	2,550,834			$	2,621,251			$	2,444,287
Net interest margin - fully taxable equivalent (non-GAAP)			2.69	%			2.73	%			2.87	%			3.14	%			3.26	%			2.85	%			3.05	%

Efficiency Ratio

The unadjusted efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and non-interest income). The adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure which represents the Corporation’s ability to turn resources into revenue and is calculated as non-interest expense divided by total revenue (fully taxable equivalent net interest income and non- interest income), adjusted for one-time occurrences and amortization. This measure is meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s productivity measured by the amount of revenue generated for each dollar spent.

																						As of or for the
		As of or for the Three Months Ended																				Twelve Months Ended
		Dec. 31,				Sept. 30,				June 30,				March 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
(in thousands, except ratio data)			2023				2023				2023				2023				2022				2023				2022
EFFICIENCY RATIO
Net interest income (GAAP)		$	17,898			$	18,017			$	18,595			$	19,947			$	20,871			$	74,457			$	74,179
Fully taxable equivalent adjustment			87				87				92				98				112				366				425
Fully taxable equivalent net interest income (non-GAAP)		$	17,985			$	18,104			$	18,687			$	20,045			$	20,983			$	74,823			$	74,604
Non-interest income (GAAP)		$	5,871			$	7,808			$	5,447			$	5,423			$	5,418			$	24,549			$	21,436
Less: net (gains) losses on security transactions			39				—				—				—				—				39				—
Less: recognition of employee retention tax credit		$	—			$	(2,370	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(2,370	)
Adjusted non-interest income (non-GAAP)		$	5,910			$	5,438			$	5,447			$	5,423			$	5,418			$	22,218			$	21,436
Non-interest expense (GAAP)		$	16,826			$	15,668			$	15,913			$	15,836			$	15,693			$	64,243			$	59,280
Less: amortization of intangible assets			—				—				—				—				—				—				(15	)
Adjusted non-interest expense (non-GAAP)		$	16,826			$	15,668			$	15,913			$	15,836			$	15,693			$	64,243			$	59,265
Efficiency ratio (unadjusted)			70.79	%			60.67	%			66.19	%			62.42	%			59.69	%			64.89	%			62.00	%
Efficiency ratio (adjusted)			70.42	%			66.55	%			65.94	%			62.18	%			59.44	%			66.20	%			61.71	%

Tangible Equity and Tangible Assets (Period-End)

Tangible equity, tangible assets, and tangible book value per share are each non-GAAP financial measures. Tangible equity represents the Corporation’s stockholders’ equity, less goodwill and intangible assets. Tangible assets represents the Corporation’s total assets, less goodwill and other intangible assets. Tangible book value per share represents the Corporation’s tangible equity divided by common shares at period-end. These measures are meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s use of equity.

																						As of or for the
		As of or for the Three Months Ended																				Twelve Months Ended
		Dec. 31,				Sept. 30,				June 30,				March 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
(in thousands, except per share and ratio data)			2023				2023				2023				2023				2022				2023				2022
TANGIBLE EQUITY AND TANGIBLE ASSETS
(PERIOD END)
Total shareholders' equity (GAAP)		$	195,241			$	170,064			$	177,426			$	177,341			$	166,388			$	195,241			$	166,388
Less: intangible assets			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)
Tangible equity (non-GAAP)		$	173,417			$	148,240			$	155,602			$	155,517			$	144,564			$	173,417			$	144,564
Total assets (GAAP)		$	2,710,529			$	2,707,834			$	2,674,673			$	2,654,183			$	2,645,553			$	2,710,529			$	2,645,553
Less: intangible assets			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)
Tangible assets (non-GAAP)		$	2,688,705			$	2,686,010			$	2,652,849			$	2,632,359			$	2,623,729			$	2,688,705			$	2,623,729
Total equity to total assets at end of period (GAAP)			7.20	%			6.28	%			6.63	%			6.68	%			6.29	%			7.20	%			6.29	%
Book value per share (GAAP)		$	41.07			$	35.90			$	37.49			$	37.53			$	35.32			$	41.07			$	35.32
Tangible equity to tangible assets at
end of period (non-GAAP)			6.45	%			5.52	%			5.87	%			5.91	%			5.51	%			6.45	%			5.51	%
Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)		$	36.48			$	31.29			$	32.88			$	32.91			$	30.69			$	36.48			$	30.69

Tangible Equity (Average)

Average tangible equity and return on average tangible equity are each non-GAAP financial measures. Average tangible equity represents the Corporation’s average stockholders’ equity, less average goodwill and intangible assets for the period. Return on average tangible equity measures the Corporation’s earnings as a percentage of average tangible equity. These measures are meaningful to the Corporation, as well as investors and analysts, in assessing the Corporation’s use of equity.

																						As of or for the
		As of or for the Three Months Ended																				Twelve Months Ended
		Dec. 31,				Sept. 30,				June 30,				March 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
(in thousands, except ratio data)			2023				2023				2023				2023				2022				2023				2022
TANGIBLE EQUITY (AVERAGE)
Total average shareholders' equity (GAAP)		$	174,868			$	179,700			$	180,357			$	173,786			$	160,740			$	177,187			$	180,684
Less: average intangible assets			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,824	)			(21,827	)
Average tangible equity (non-GAAP)		$	153,044			$	157,876			$	158,533			$	151,962			$	138,916			$	155,363			$	158,857
Return on average equity (GAAP)			8.63	%			16.89	%			13.97	%			16.97	%			18.36	%			14.11	%			15.93	%
Return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP)			9.86	%			19.22	%			15.89	%			19.40	%			21.25	%			16.09	%			18.12	%

Adjustments for Certain Items of Income or Expense

In addition to disclosures of certain GAAP financial measures, including net income, EPS, ROA, and ROE, we may also provide comparative disclosures that adjust these GAAP financial measures for a particular period by removing from the calculation thereof the impact of certain transactions or other material items of income or expense occurring during the period, including certain nonrecurring items. The Corporation believes that the resulting non-GAAP financial measures may improve an understanding of its results of operations by separating out any such transactions or items that may have had a disproportionate positive or negative impact on the Corporation’s financial results during the particular period in question. In the Corporation’s presentation of any such non-GAAP (adjusted) financial measures not specifically discussed in the preceding paragraphs, the Corporation supplies the supplemental financial information and explanations required under Regulation G.

																						As of or for the
		As of or for the Three Months Ended																				Twelve Months Ended
		Dec. 31,				Sept. 30,				June 30,				March 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,				Dec. 31,
(in thousands, except per share and ratio data)			2023				2023				2023				2023				2022				2023				2022
NON-GAAP NET INCOME
Reported net income (GAAP)		$	3,802			$	7,648			$	6,280			$	7,270			$	7,439			$	25,000			$	28,783
Net (gains) losses on security transactions (net of tax)			29				—				—				—				—				29				—
Recognition of employee retention tax credit			—				(1,873	)			—				—				—				(1,873	)
Net income (non-GAAP)		$	3,831			$	5,775			$	6,280			$	7,270			$	7,439			$	23,156			$	28,783
Average basic and diluted shares outstanding			4,743				4,736				4,729				4,721				4,698				4,732				4,693
Reported basic and diluted earnings per share (GAAP)		$	0.80			$	1.61			$	1.33			$	1.54			$	1.58			$	5.28			$	6.13
Reported return on average assets (GAAP)			0.56	%			1.14	%			0.95	%			1.12	%			1.15	%			0.94	%			1.15	%
Reported return on average equity (GAAP)			8.63	%			16.89	%			13.97	%			16.97	%			18.36	%			14.11	%			15.93	%
Basic and diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)		$	0.81			$	1.21			$	1.33			$	1.54			$	1.58			$	4.89			$	6.13
Return on average assets (non-GAAP)			0.57	%			0.86	%			0.95	%			1.12	%			1.15	%			0.87	%			1.15	%
Return on average equity (non-GAAP)			8.69	%			12.75	%			13.97	%			16.97	%			18.36	%			13.07	%			15.93	%

Category: Financial

Source: Chemung Financial Corp

For further information contact:
Dale M. McKim, III, EVP and CFO
dmckim@chemungcanal.com 
Phone: 607-737-3714

FAQ

What was the net income of Chemung Financial Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2023?

The net income was $25.0 million.

How much did the share value of Chemung Financial Corporation appreciate by at the end of 2023?

The share value appreciated by 8.6% from December 31, 2022.

What was the net interest margin for Chemung Financial Corporation in 2023?

The net interest margin was 2.85% for 2023.

What was the increase in non-interest income for Chemung Financial Corporation in 2023?

Non-interest income increased by 14.5%.

What was the increase in non-interest expense for Chemung Financial Corporation in 2023?

Non-interest expense increased by 8.4%.

What was the provision for credit losses for Chemung Financial Corporation in 2023?

The provision for credit losses was $3.3 million.

What was the total equity to total assets ratio for Chemung Financial Corporation in 2023?

The total equity to total assets ratio improved to 7.20% in 2023.

How much did the net interest income decrease by in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter?

Net interest income decreased by 0.6% compared to the previous quarter.

What was the effective tax rate for Chemung Financial Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2023?

The effective tax rate decreased to 20.6% for the year ended December 31, 2023.