Financial Institutions, Inc. Announces First Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:FISI) reported strong first-quarter 2021 results, with net income soaring to $20.7 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to $1.1 million, or $0.05 in Q1 2020. The significant improvement was due to a credit loss provision benefit of $2.0 million, contrasting with a $13.9 million provision in the prior year. Record pre-tax pre-provision income reached $24.1 million, boosted by cost savings from an enterprise standardization program. The Company also reported growth in net interest income, which totaled $37.9 million, and completed the acquisition of Landmark Group to diversify revenue.

Positive

• Net income increased to $20.7 million from $1.1 million YoY.
• Earnings per diluted share rose to $1.27 from $0.05 YoY.
• Pre-tax pre-provision income reached a record $24.1 million.
• Net interest income rose to $37.9 million, up $4.7 million YoY.
• Completed acquisition of Landmark Group to diversify revenue.

Negative

• Net interest margin decreased from 3.31% in Q1 2020 to 3.29% in Q1 2021.
• Noninterest income increase affected by lower service charges on deposits.

WARSAW, N.Y., April 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:FISI) (the “Company” “we” or “us”), parent company of Five Star Bank (the “Bank”), SDN Insurance Agency, LLC (“SDN”), Courier Capital, LLC (“Courier Capital”) and HNP Capital, LLC (“HNP Capital”), today reported financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Net income for the quarter was $20.7 million compared to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2020. After preferred dividends, net income available to common shareholders was $20.3 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to $762 thousand, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2020.

Net income for both periods was significantly impacted by provision for credit losses. In the first quarter of 2020, provision of $13.9 million was driven by the adoption of the current expected credit loss standard (“CECL”) and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic environment. The designated loss driver for the Company’s CECL model is the national unemployment forecast, which spiked in early 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. In the first quarter of 2021, provision was a benefit of $2.0 million due to continued improvement in the national unemployment forecast and positive trends in qualitative factors, resulting in a release of credit loss reserves.

Pre-tax pre-provision income⁽¹⁾ for the quarter was the highest in Company history at $24.1 million, an increase of $8.7 million from the first quarter of 2020.

“We are very pleased to report another solid quarter for our Company, reflecting strong underlying performance across our businesses,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Martin K. Birmingham. “In addition to the positive provision impact, we reported continued growth in net interest income and noninterest income. We are also benefitting from cost savings as an outcome of the enterprise standardization program. These positive factors contributed to an efficiency ratio below 53% and record pre-tax pre-provision income for the quarter.

“The pace of activity has not slowed in 2021. We continue to assist new and existing customers with the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), helping them obtain approximately $96 million of new loans and completing the forgiveness process for approximately $87 million of loans in the first quarter. We completed the acquisition of Landmark Group, significantly increasing awareness of our insurance offerings in the Rochester market and supporting our strategy of diversifying revenue. We also repurchased more than 230 thousand shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program at favorable pricing.

“As infection rates decline in our markets and vaccination rates rise, we are seeing signs of an expanded re-opening of the economy. I remain cautiously optimistic about the strength and timing of the economic recovery. We believe that our strong balance sheet, diversified business model and talented associates position us to perform well in this environment. The continued health, safety and financial well-being of our customers, associates and communities remains a key focus of the Company.”

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer W. Jack Plants II added, “Net interest margin was 3.29% for the quarter. Net interest income and net interest margin (“NIM”) benefited from the positive impact of PPP loan forgiveness and recognition of approximately $2.9 million of deferred fees in the quarter. Excluding all impacts of PPP loans, NIM was 3.15% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 3.14% for the fourth quarter of 2020. NIM continues to be pressured by the interest rate environment and the lower respective yield of our excess liquidity position, driven by the increase in total deposits, up $929 million from the year earlier period.”

Stock Repurchase Program

On November 4, 2020, the Company announced a stock repurchase program for up to 801,879 shares of common stock, or approximately 5% of the Company’s outstanding common shares. Shares may be repurchased in open market transactions and pursuant to any trading plan adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The timing and number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, and other corporate liquidity requirements and priorities. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any shares and it may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

No shares were repurchased in 2020 under this program. Year-to-date, the Company has repurchased 238,439 shares for an average repurchase price of $24.30 per share, inclusive of transaction costs.

Insurance Subsidiary Acquisition

On February 1, 2021, the Company’s insurance subsidiary SDN completed the acquisition of assets of Landmark Group (“Landmark”). A staple of the Rochester community since 1984, Landmark was an independent insurance brokerage firm delivering insurance, surety and risk management solutions across many business sectors including construction, manufacturing, real estate and technology, as well as individual personal insurance. Landmark Founder and Chairman Kelly M. Shea and President Christopher K. Shea remain with SDN to lead Rochester operations and continue their long-term relationship with clients.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income was $37.9 million for the quarter, an increase of $1.7 million from the fourth quarter of 2020 and $4.7 million higher than the first quarter of 2020.

• Average interest-earning assets for the quarter were $4.67 billion, $35.1 million higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $616.3 million higher than the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily the result of changes in the level of Federal Reserve interest-earning cash, $53.9 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $63.7 million higher than the first quarter of 2020; an increase in investment securities, $51.6 million higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $134.7 million higher than the first quarter of 2020; and growth in loans, $37.4 million higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $417.8 million higher than the first quarter of 2020. The average balance of PPP loans net of deferred fees was $248.5 million in the first quarter of 2021 and $262.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
  

Net interest margin was 3.29% as compared to 3.13% in the fourth quarter of 2020 and 3.31% in the first quarter of 2020. Excluding the impact of lower-yielding PPP loans and related loan origination fees amortized over the term of the loan or upon loan forgiveness, net interest margin was 3.15% in the first quarter of 2021 and 3.14% in the fourth quarter of 2020.

• Our net interest margin has been impacted by the interest rate environment that reflects a flatter yield curve and lower rates. In the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, our excess liquidity position placed further pressure on net interest margin. Excess liquidity has been deployed into the investment securities portfolio, albeit at lower comparative yields, based on current market conditions.
  

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income was $13.0 million for the quarter, an increase of $1.6 million from the fourth quarter of 2020 and an increase of $3.0 million from the first quarter of 2020.

• Service charges on deposits of $1.3 million was $197 thousand lower than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $295 thousand lower than the first quarter of 2020. Insufficient fund fees after the first quarter of 2020 remain lower than historic levels due to higher consumer account balances, likely due to the positive impact of stimulus programs. These fees are typically higher in the fourth quarter than the first quarter.
• Insurance income of $1.4 million was $518 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 due to contingent revenue received in the first quarter each year combined with the impact of the February 2021 acquisition of Landmark. Income was relatively flat as compared to the first quarter of 2020.
• Card interchange income of $2.0 million was relatively unchanged as compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and $356 thousand higher than the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 on customer behavior in the last half of March 2020.
• Investment advisory fees of $2.8 million was $177 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $526 thousand higher than the first quarter of 2020 as a result of an increase in assets under management driven by a combination of market gains, new customer accounts and contributions to existing accounts.
• Income from investments in limited partnerships of $855 thousand was $615 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $642 thousand higher than the first quarter of 2020. The Company has made several investments in limited partnerships, primarily small business investment companies, and accounts for these investments under the equity method. Income from these investments fluctuates based on the maturity and performance of the underlying investments.
• Income from derivative instruments, net was $1.9 million, $971 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $1.1 million higher than the first quarter of 2020. Income from derivative instruments, net is based on the number and value of interest rate swap transactions executed during the quarter combined with the impact of changes in the fair market value of borrower-facing trades, which were positively impacted by the recent increase in longer-term interest rates.
• Net gain on sale of loans held for sale of $1.1 million was $519 thousand lower than the fourth quarter of 2020 as a result of a decrease in volume of residential real estate loans and $826 thousand higher than the first quarter of 2020 due to higher loan volume combined with an increase in transaction margin.
  

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense was $26.7 million in the quarter compared to $26.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $27.7 million in the first quarter of 2020.

• Salaries and employee benefits expense of $14.5 million was $302 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2020, primarily due to investments in personnel and the timing of merit increases effective in early March. The decrease of $549 thousand from the first quarter of 2020 reflects a streamlining of retail branches to better align with shifting customer needs and preferences, including the 2020 closure of seven branches.
• Professional services expense of $1.9 million was $543 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $257 thousand lower than the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to the timing and level of audit fees and fees for consulting and advisory projects, including the Company’s improvement initiatives. Expenses related to improvement initiatives totaled $180 thousand in the first quarter of 2021, $56 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $599 thousand in the first quarter of 2020.
• Computer and data processing expense of $3.1 million was $98 thousand higher than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $448 thousand higher than the first quarter of 2020 due to investments in technology. The year-over-year increase also reflects costs related to the Bank’s online and mobile platform, Five Star Bank Digital Banking, launched in the second quarter of 2020.
• FDIC assessments were $765 thousand in the quarter compared to $737 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $372 thousand in the first quarter of 2020. The increase as compared to the first quarter of 2020 was the result of an increase in total assets combined with the impact of a $70 thousand credit from 2018 that was utilized in the first quarter of 2020.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $5.3 million for the quarter compared to $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $322 thousand in the first quarter of 2020. The Company recognized federal and state tax benefits related to tax credit investments placed in service and/or amortized during the first quarter of 2021, fourth quarter of 2020, and first quarter of 2020, resulting in income tax expense reductions of approximately $244 thousand, $915 thousand and $197 thousand, respectively.

The effective tax rate was 20.5% for the quarter compared to 10.9% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 22.2% for the first quarter of 2020. The Company’s effective tax rates differ from statutory rates because of interest income from tax-exempt securities, earnings on company owned life insurance and the impact of tax credit investments.

Balance Sheet and Capital Management

Total assets were $5.33 billion at March 31, 2021, up $416.8 million from December 31, 2020, and up $857.3 million from March 31, 2020.

Investment securities were $1.01 billion at March 31, 2021, up $109.6 million from December 31, 2020, and up $218.5 million from March 31, 2020. The Company’s initial 2020 investment strategy was to reinvest cash flow from the portfolio; however, the focus was redirected to deploying excess liquidity into cash flowing agency mortgage backed securities given the elevated cash position experienced across the banking system. Increased purchase activity in the first quarter of 2021 resulted from the continued execution of the strategy to reallocate excess Federal Reserve cash balances into collateral eligible agency mortgage backed securities that demonstrated higher yields, on a relative basis.

Total loans were $3.65 billion at March 31, 2020, up $59.2 million, or 1.6%, from December 31, and up $417.2 million, or 12.9%, from March 31, 2020.

• Commercial business loans totaled $816.9 million, up $22.8 million, or 2.9%, from December 31, 2020, and up $228.1 million, or 38.7%, from March 31, 2020. PPP loans net of deferred fees were $255.6 million and $248.0 million at March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively, and are included in commercial business loans. Accordingly, commercial business loans excluding the impact of PPP increased 2.8% from December 31, 2020, and decreased 4.7% from March 31, 2020.
• Commercial mortgage loans totaled $1.28 billion, up $22.9 million, or 1.8%, from December 31, 2020, and up $169.5 million, or 15.3%, from March 31, 2020.
• Residential real estate loans totaled $601.6 million, up $1.8 million, or 0.3%, from December 31, 2020, and up $21.8 million, or 3.8%, from March 31, 2020.
• Consumer indirect loans totaled $857.8 million, up $17.4 million, or 2.1%, from December 31, 2020 and up $14.1 million, or 1.7%, from March 31, 2020.

Total deposits were $4.72 billion at March 31, 2021, $437.6 million higher than December 31, 2020, and $928.8 million higher than March 31, 2020. The increase from December 31, 2020, was the result of a seasonal increase in public deposits combined with growth in the non-public and reciprocal deposit portfolios. The increase from March 31, 2020, was due to growth in non-public, reciprocal and public deposits. Public deposit balances represented 24% of total deposits at March 31, 2021, compared to 20% of total deposits at December 31, 2020, and 27% at March 31, 2020.

There were no short-term borrowings outstanding at March 31, 2021, a decrease of $5.3 million and $109.5 million from December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively. The decline is the result of the Company’s decision to utilize brokered deposits as a cost-effective alternative to Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings. Short-term borrowings and brokered deposits have historically been utilized to manage the seasonality of public deposits. In February 2020, the Company entered a long-term brokered sweep arrangement as a stable alternative borrowing source to diversify the wholesale funding base.

Shareholders’ equity was $466.3 million at March 31, 2021, compared to $468.4 million at December 31, 2020, and $439.4 million at March 31, 2020. Common book value per share was $28.36 at March 31, 2021, an increase of $0.24 or 0.9% from $28.12 at December 31, 2020, and an increase of $2.01 or 7.6% from $26.35 at March 31, 2020. Tangible common book value per share⁽¹⁾ was $23.66 at March 31, 2021, an increase of $0.14 or 0.6% from $23.52 at December 31, 2020, and an increase of $1.97 or 9.1% from $21.69 at March 31, 2020.

The common equity to assets ratio was 8.42% at March 31, 2021, compared to 9.18% at December 31, 2020, and 9.44% at March 31, 2020. Tangible common equity to tangible assets⁽¹⁾, or the TCE ratio, was 7.13%, 7.80% and 7.90% at March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively. The primary driver of declines in both ratios compared to prior periods was the significant increase in total assets, specifically the increase in liquidity. The ratios were impacted to a lesser degree by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with unrealized losses in the available for sale securities portfolio and the impact of share repurchases during the first quarter of 2021, partially offset by the positive impact of earnings.

During the first quarter of 2021, the Company declared a common stock dividend of $0.27 per common share, an increase of 3.8% over the previous dividend. The dividend returned 21% of first quarter net income to common shareholders.

The Company’s regulatory capital ratios at March 31, 2021, compared to the prior quarter and prior year:

• Leverage Ratio was 8.35%, compared to 8.25% and 8.78% at December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively.
• Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 10.22%, compared to 10.18% and 10.05% at December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively.
• Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 10.66%, compared to 10.63% and 10.53% at December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively.
• Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio was 13.53%, compared to 13.61% and 12.54% at December 31, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively.

Credit Quality

Non-performing loans were $9.7 million at March 31, 2021, compared to $9.5 million at December 31, 2020, and $12.4 million at March 31, 2020. Net charge-offs were $887 thousand in the quarter, $1.5 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2020 and $9.3 million lower than the first quarter of 2020. Higher first quarter 2020 non-performing loans and charge-offs were the result of one commercial credit that was downgraded and partially charged-off. The borrower’s business was related to the hospitality industry and the downgrade and charge-off were precipitated by the impact of COVID-19. The ratio of annualized net charge-offs to total average loans was 0.10% in the current quarter, 0.27% in the fourth quarter of 2020 and 1.27% in the first quarter of 2020.

Foreclosed assets at March 31, 2021, were $3.0 million, unchanged from December 31, 2020, and an increase of $2.2 million from March 31, 2020. The increase from March 31, 2020, is attributable to the commercial credit previously described; the loan was partially charged off during the first quarter of 2020 and foreclosure occurred in the third quarter.

At March 31, 2021, the allowance for credit losses - loans to total loans ratio was 1.36% compared to 1.46% at December 31, 2020, and 1.34% at March 31, 2020. PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. Excluding PPP loans, the March 31, 2020, allowance for credit losses - loans to total loans ratio⁽¹⁾ was 1.47%, a decrease of ten basis points from 1.57% at December 31, 2020.

Provision (benefit) for credit losses - loans was a $1.7 million benefit in the quarter compared to provisions of $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $13.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. Changes in the allowance for unfunded commitments, also included in provision (benefit) for credit losses, were a $276 thousand decrease in the first quarter of 2021 and increases of $73 thousand and $493 thousand in the fourth and first quarters of 2020, respectively.

The Company has remained strategically focused on the importance of credit discipline, allocating what we believe are the necessary resources to credit and risk management functions as the loan portfolio has grown. The total non-performing loans to total loans ratio was 0.27% at March 31, 2021, 0.26% at December 31, 2020, and 0.38% at March 31, 2020. The ratio of allowance for credit losses - loans to non-performing loans was 514% at March 31, 2021, compared to 551% at December 31, 2020, and 350% at March 31, 2020.

Subsequent Events

The Company is required, under generally accepted accounting principles, to evaluate subsequent events through the filing of its consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, on Form 10-Q. As a result, the Company will continue to evaluate the impact of any subsequent events on critical accounting assumptions and estimates made as of March 31, 2021, and will adjust amounts preliminarily reported, if necessary.

Conference Call

The Company will host an earnings conference call and audio webcast on April 29, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be hosted by Martin K. Birmingham, President and Chief Executive Officer, and W. Jack Plants II, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The live webcast will be available in listen-only mode on the Company’s website at www.fiiwarsaw.com. Within the United States, listeners may also access the call by dialing 1-888-346-9290 and requesting the Financial Institutions, Inc. call. The webcast replay will be available on the Company’s website for at least 30 days.

About Financial Institutions, Inc.

Financial Institutions, Inc. provides diversified financial services through its subsidiaries Five Star Bank, SDN, Courier Capital and HNP Capital. Five Star Bank provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking and lending services to individuals, municipalities and businesses through a network of more than 45 offices throughout Western and Central New York State. SDN provides a broad range of insurance services to personal and business clients. Courier Capital and HNP Capital provide customized investment management, investment consulting and retirement plan services to individuals, businesses, institutions, foundations and retirement plans. Financial Institutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries employ approximately 600 individuals. The Company’s stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol FISI. Additional information is available at www.fiiwarsaw.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

In addition to results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures is included in Appendix A to this document.

The Company believes that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, performance trends and financial position. Our management uses these measures for internal planning and forecasting purposes and we believe that our presentation and discussion, together with the accompanying reconciliations, allows investors, security analysts and other interested parties to view our performance and the factors and trends affecting our business in a manner similar to management. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP measures and we strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company. Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not uniformly applied and are not audited. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve significant risks and uncertainties. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” Statements herein are based on certain assumptions and analyses by the Company and factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s customers, business, and results of operations as well as the economy in Western New York and the United States, the Company’s ability to implement its strategic plan, whether the Company experiences greater credit losses than expected, whether the Company experiences breaches of its, or third party, information systems, the attitudes and preferences of the Company’s customers, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate and profitably operate Landmark Group and other acquisitions, the competitive environment, fluctuations in the fair value of securities in its investment portfolio, changes in the regulatory environment and the Company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, changes in interest rates, and general economic and credit market conditions nationally and regionally. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and the cautionary language in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the SEC. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this press release.

⁽¹⁾ See Appendix A — Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the computation of this Non-GAAP measure.

For additional information contact:

Shelly J. Doran
Director of Investor and External Relations
585-627-1362
sjdoran@five-starbank.com 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
		2021				2020
		March 31,				December 31,				September 30,				June 30,				March 31,
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	344,790			$	93,878			$	282,070			$	119,610			$	152,168
Investment securities:
Available for sale			753,489				628,059				515,971				469,413				444,845
Held-to-maturity, net			256,127				271,966				290,946				309,872				346,239
Total investment securities			1,009,616				900,025				806,917				779,285				791,084
Loans held for sale			5,685				4,305				7,076				6,654				3,822
Loans:
Commercial business			816,936				794,148				818,135				818,691				588,868
Commercial mortgage			1,276,841				1,253,901				1,202,046				1,140,326				1,107,376
Residential real estate loans			601,609				599,800				596,902				585,035				579,800
Residential real estate lines			85,362				89,805				94,017				97,427				102,113
Consumer indirect			857,804				840,421				840,579				828,105				843,668
Other consumer			15,834				17,063				16,860				16,237				15,402
Total loans			3,654,386				3,595,138				3,568,539				3,485,821				3,237,227
Allowance for credit losses - loans			49,828				52,420				49,395				46,316				43,356
Total loans, net			3,604,558				3,542,718				3,519,144				3,439,505				3,193,871
Total interest-earning assets			4,963,264				4,520,416				4,577,057				4,314,490				4,116,688
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net			74,528				73,789				74,062				74,342				74,629
Total assets			5,329,056				4,912,306				4,959,201				4,680,930				4,471,768
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand			1,099,608				1,018,549				1,013,176				1,008,958				732,917
Interest-bearing demand			873,390				731,885				786,059				727,676				724,670
Savings and money market			1,826,621				1,642,340				1,724,463				1,368,805				1,270,253
Time deposits			916,395				885,593				841,230				888,569				1,059,345
Total deposits			4,716,014				4,278,367				4,364,928				3,994,008				3,787,185
Short-term borrowings			-				5,300				5,300				105,300				109,500
Long-term borrowings, net			73,679				73,623				39,258				39,308				39,291
Total interest-bearing liabilities			3,690,085				3,338,741				3,396,310				3,129,658				3,203,059
Shareholders’ equity			466,284				468,363				456,361				448,045				439,393
Common shareholders’ equity			448,962				451,035				439,033				430,717				422,065
Tangible common equity (1)			374,434				377,246				364,971				356,375				347,436
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		$	(10,572	)		$	2,128			$	(209	)		$	(496	)		$	(2,082	)
Common shares outstanding			15,829				16,042				16,038				16,038				16,020
Treasury shares			271				58				62				62				80
CAPITAL RATIOS AND PER SHARE DATA:
Leverage ratio			8.35	%			8.25	%			8.42	%			8.49	%			8.78	%
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio			10.22	%			10.18	%			10.19	%			10.27	%			10.05	%
Tier 1 capital ratio			10.66	%			10.63	%			10.66	%			10.76	%			10.53	%
Total risk-based capital ratio			13.53	%			13.61	%			12.74	%			12.83	%			12.54	%
Common equity to assets			8.42	%			9.18	%			8.85	%			9.20	%			9.44	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)			7.13	%			7.80	%			7.47	%			7.74	%			7.90	%
Common book value per share		$	28.36			$	28.12			$	27.38			$	26.86			$	26.35
Tangible common book value per share (1)		$	23.66			$	23.52			$	22.76			$	22.22			$	21.69
___________ (1) See Appendix A — Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the computation of this Non-GAAP measure.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
		2021				2020
		First				Fourth				Third				Second				First
		Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter
SELECTED INCOME STATEMENT
DATA:
Interest income		$	41,273			$	40,168			$	39,719			$	39,759			$	41,653
Interest expense			3,416				3,987				4,220				5,578				8,529
Net interest income			37,857				36,181				35,499				34,181				33,124
Provision (benefit) for credit losses			(1,981	)			5,495				4,028				3,746				13,915
Net interest income after provision
for credit losses			39,838				30,686				31,471				30,435				19,209
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposits			1,292				1,489				1,254				480				1,587
Insurance income			1,396				878				1,357				819				1,349
Card interchange income			1,958				1,960				1,943				1,776				1,602
Investment advisory			2,772				2,595				2,443				2,251				2,246
Company owned life insurance			657				505				470				462				465
Investments in limited partnerships			855				240				(105	)			(244	)			213
Loan servicing			97				143				49				50				7
Income from derivative
instruments, net			1,875				904				1,931				1,940				746
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale			1,078				1,597				1,397				612				252
Net gain on investment securities			74				150				554				674				221
Net gain (loss) on other assets			(5	)			(69	)			(55	)			(1	)			64
Net loss on tax credit investments			(85	)			(155	)			(40	)			(40	)			(40	)
Other			995				1,099				1,019				934				1,198
Total noninterest income			12,959				11,336				12,217				9,713				9,910
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits			14,465				14,163				15,085				15,074				15,014
Occupancy and equipment			3,382				3,248				3,263				3,388				3,756
Professional services			1,895				1,352				1,242				1,580				2,152
Computer and data processing			3,121				3,023				3,250				2,699				2,673
Supplies and postage			484				442				463				517				553
FDIC assessments			765				737				594				539				372
Advertising and promotions			324				554				955				545				555
Amortization of intangibles			271				273				280				287				294
Restructuring charges			-				130				1,362				-				-
Other			2,033				2,612				1,981				1,946				2,301
Total noninterest expense			26,740				26,534				28,475				26,575				27,670
Income before income taxes			26,057				15,488				15,213				13,573				1,449
Income tax expense			5,347				1,688				2,940				2,441				322
Net income			20,710				13,800				12,273				11,132				1,127
Preferred stock dividends			365				365				365				366				365
Net income available to common
shareholders		$	20,345			$	13,435			$	11,908			$	10,766			$	762
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Earnings per share – basic		$	1.28			$	0.84			$	0.74			$	0.67			$	0.05
Earnings per share – diluted		$	1.27			$	0.84			$	0.74			$	0.67			$	0.05
Cash dividends declared on common stock		$	0.27			$	0.26			$	0.26			$	0.26			$	0.26
Common dividend payout ratio			21.09	%			30.95	%			35.14	%			38.81	%			520.00	%
Dividend yield (annualized)			3.62	%			4.60	%			6.72	%			5.60	%			5.76	%
Return on average assets			1.66	%			1.10	%			1.02	%			0.97	%			0.10	%
Return on average equity			17.92	%			11.86	%			10.72	%			10.05	%			1.03	%
Return on average common equity			18.28	%			12.00	%			10.82	%			10.11	%			0.72	%
Return on average tangible common
equity (1)			21.88	%			14.38	%			13.02	%			12.25	%			0.88	%
Efficiency ratio (2)			52.51	%			55.79	%			60.12	%			61.16	%			64.26	%
Effective tax rate			20.5	%			10.9	%			19.3	%			18.0	%			22.2	%

                 
⁽¹⁾  See Appendix A – Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the computation of this Non-GAAP measure.
⁽²⁾  The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by net revenue, i.e., the sum of net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) and noninterest income before net gains on investment securities. This is a banking industry measure not required by GAAP.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands)
		2021				2020
		First				Fourth				Third				Second				First
		Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter
SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES:
Federal funds sold and interest-
earning deposits		$	123,042			$	176,950			$	121,929			$	92,214			$	59,309
Investment securities (1)			914,569				862,956				769,673				766,636				779,894
Loans:
Commercial business			798,866				803,536				808,582				757,588				570,886
Commercial mortgage			1,284,290				1,243,035				1,180,747				1,133,832				1,100,660
Residential real estate loans			602,866				599,773				590,483				581,651				578,407
Residential real estate lines			87,681				91,856				95,288				99,543				102,680
Consumer indirect			842,873				840,210				830,647				827,030				846,800
Other consumer			16,167				16,948				16,445				15,155				15,466
Total loans			3,632,743				3,595,358				3,522,192				3,414,799				3,214,899
Total interest-earning assets			4,670,354				4,635,264				4,413,794				4,273,649				4,054,102
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net			74,214				73,942				74,220				74,504				74,797
Total assets			5,045,180				4,992,886				4,775,333				4,624,360				4,376,125
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand			790,996				774,688				704,550				712,300				667,533
Savings and money market			1,724,577				1,722,938				1,574,068				1,329,632				1,143,628
Time deposits			863,924				871,103				867,479				984,832				1,116,736
Short-term borrowings			1,178				9,188				57,856				110,272				169,827
Long-term borrowings, net			73,636				71,481				39,314				39,297				39,279
Total interest-bearing liabilities			3,454,311				3,449,398				3,243,267				3,176,333				3,137,003
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits			1,044,733				997,607				987,908				912,238				721,975
Total deposits			4,424,230				4,366,336				4,134,005				3,939,002				3,649,872
Total liabilities			4,576,545				4,530,043				4,320,057				4,178,921				3,934,909
Shareholders’ equity			468,635				462,843				455,276				445,439				441,216
Common equity			451,311				445,515				437,948				428,111				423,888
Tangible common equity (2)		$	377,097			$	371,573			$	363,728			$	353,607			$	349,091
Common shares outstanding:
Basic			15,889				16,032				16,031				16,018				16,006
Diluted			15,972				16,078				16,058				16,047				16,069
SELECTED AVERAGE YIELDS: (Tax equivalent basis)
Investment securities			1.91	%			2.06	%			2.23	%			2.49	%			2.48	%
Loans			4.13	%			3.97	%			4.02	%			4.14	%			4.61	%
Total interest-earning assets			3.59	%			3.46	%			3.60	%			3.76	%			4.15	%
Interest-bearing demand			0.13	%			0.13	%			0.14	%			0.14	%			0.21	%
Savings and money market			0.21	%			0.25	%			0.28	%			0.31	%			0.56	%
Time deposits			0.51	%			0.66	%			0.92	%			1.39	%			1.83	%
Short-term borrowings			41.07	%			8.49	%			1.60	%			1.03	%			2.11	%
Long-term borrowings, net			5.77	%			5.76	%			6.31	%			6.29	%			6.29	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			0.40	%			0.46	%			0.52	%			0.71	%			1.09	%
Net interest rate spread			3.19	%			3.00	%			3.08	%			3.05	%			3.06	%
Net interest margin			3.29	%			3.13	%			3.22	%			3.23	%			3.31	%

                
⁽¹⁾   Includes investment securities at adjusted amortized cost.
⁽²⁾   See Appendix A – Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the computation of this Non-GAAP measure.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. Selected Financial Information (Unaudited) (Amounts in thousands)
		2021				2020
		First				Fourth				Third				Second				First
		Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter
ASSET QUALITY DATA:
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans
Beginning balance, prior to
adoption of CECL		$	52,420			$	49,395			$	46,316			$	43,356			$	30,482
Impact of adopting CECL			-				-				-				-				9,594
Beginning balance, after
adoption of CECL			52,420				49,395				46,316				43,356				40,076
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries):
Commercial business			(152	)			747				(88	)			(1,458	)			8,183
Commercial mortgage			203				80				603				1,072				-
Residential real estate loans			6				(3	)			(7	)			(6	)			88
Residential real estate lines			70				-				-				-				(3	)
Consumer indirect			743				1,462				(115	)			1,175				1,756
Other consumer			17				112				95				3				119
Total net charge-offs			887				2,398				488				786				10,143
Provision (benefit) for credit losses - loans			(1,705	)			5,423				3,567				3,746				13,423
Ending balance		$	49,828			$	52,420			$	49,395			$	46,316			$	43,356
Net charge-offs (recoveries)
to average loans (annualized):
Commercial business			-0.08	%			0.37	%			-0.04	%			-0.77	%			5.77	%
Commercial mortgage			0.06	%			0.03	%			0.20	%			0.38	%			0.00	%
Residential real estate loans			0.00	%			0.00	%			0.00	%			0.00	%			0.06	%
Residential real estate lines			0.32	%			0.00	%			0.00	%			0.00	%			-0.01	%
Consumer indirect			0.36	%			0.69	%			-0.05	%			0.57	%			0.83	%
Other consumer			0.44	%			2.64	%			2.31	%			0.08	%			3.09	%
Total loans			0.10	%			0.27	%			0.06	%			0.09	%			1.27	%
Supplemental information (1)
Non-performing loans:
Commercial business		$	1,742			$	1,975			$	2,628			$	4,918			$	5,507
Commercial mortgage			3,402				2,906				3,372				4,140				2,984
Residential real estate loans			2,519				2,587				3,305				2,992				1,971
Residential real estate lines			256				323				207				177				143
Consumer indirect			1,482				1,495				1,244				868				1,777
Other consumer			287				231				147				87				2
Total non-performing loans			9,688				9,517				10,903				13,182				12,384
Foreclosed assets			2,966				2,966				2,999				679				749
Total non-performing assets		$	12,654			$	12,483			$	13,902			$	13,861			$	13,133
Total non-performing loans
to total loans			0.27	%			0.26	%			0.31	%			0.38	%			0.38	%
Total non-performing assets
to total assets			0.24	%			0.25	%			0.28	%			0.30	%			0.29	%
Allowance for credit losses - loans
to total loans			1.36	%			1.46	%			1.38	%			1.33	%			1.34	%
Allowance for credit losses - loans
to non-performing loans			514	%			551	%			453	%			351	%			350	%
(1)   At period end.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. Appendix A — Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts)
		2021				2020
		First				Fourth				Third				Second				First
		Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter
Ending tangible assets:
Total assets		$	5,329,056			$	4,912,306			$	4,959,201			$	4,680,930			$	4,471,768
Less: Goodwill and other intangible
assets, net			74,528				73,789				74,062				74,342				74,629
Tangible assets		$	5,254,528			$	4,838,517			$	4,885,139			$	4,606,588			$	4,397,139
Ending tangible common equity:
Common shareholders’ equity		$	448,962			$	451,035			$	439,033			$	430,717			$	422,065
Less: Goodwill and other intangible
assets, net			74,528				73,789				74,062				74,342				74,629
Tangible common equity		$	374,434			$	377,246			$	364,971			$	356,375			$	347,436
Tangible common equity to tangible
assets (1)			7.13	%			7.80	%			7.47	%			7.74	%			7.90	%
Common shares outstanding			15,829				16,042				16,038				16,038				16,020
Tangible common book value per
share (2)		$	23.66			$	23.52			$	22.76			$	22.22			$	21.69
Average tangible assets:
Average assets		$	5,045,180			$	4,992,886			$	4,775,333			$	4,624,360			$	4,376,125
Less: Average goodwill and other
intangible assets, net			74,214				73,942				74,220				74,504				74,797
Average tangible assets		$	4,970,966			$	4,918,944			$	4,701,113			$	4,549,856			$	4,301,328
Average tangible common equity:
Average common equity		$	451,311			$	445,515			$	437,948			$	428,111			$	423,888
Less: Average goodwill and other
intangible assets, net			74,214				73,942				74,220				74,504				74,797
Average tangible common equity		$	377,097			$	371,573			$	363,728			$	353,607			$	349,091
Net income available to
common shareholders		$	20,345			$	13,435			$	11,908			$	10,766			$	762
Return on average tangible common
equity (3)			21.88	%			14.38	%			13.02	%			12.25	%			0.88	%
Pre-tax pre-provision income:
Net income		$	20,710			$	13,800			$	12,273			$	11,132			$	1,127
Add: Income tax expense			5,347				1,688				2,940				2,441				322
Add: Provision (benefit) for credit losses			(1,981	)			5,495				4,028				3,746				13,915
Pre-tax pre-provision income		$	24,076			$	20,983			$	19,241			$	17,319			$	15,364
Total loans excluding PPP loans:
Total loans		$	3,654,386			$	3,595,138			$	3,568,539			$	3,485,821
Less: Total PPP loans			255,595				247,951				264,138				261,468
Total loans excluding PPP loans		$	3,398,791			$	3,347,187			$	3,304,401			$	3,224,352
Allowance for credit losses - loans		$	49,828			$	52,420			$	49,395			$	46,316
Allowance for credit losses - loans to
total loans excluding PPP loans (4)			1.47	%			1.57	%			1.49	%			1.44	%

                
⁽¹⁾  Tangible common equity divided by tangible assets.
⁽²⁾  Tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding.
⁽³⁾  Net income available to common shareholders (annualized) divided by average tangible common equity.
⁽⁴⁾  Allowance for credit losses – loans divided by total loans excluding PPP loans.

 

FAQ

What were the net income results for FISI in Q1 2021?

In Q1 2021, Financial Institutions, Inc. (FISI) reported net income of $20.7 million, a significant increase from $1.1 million in Q1 2020.

How much did FISI earn per share in the first quarter of 2021?

FISI reported earnings of $1.27 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $0.05 in the same quarter last year.

What impact did the credit loss provision have on FISI's finances in Q1 2021?

In Q1 2021, FISI experienced a credit loss provision benefit of $2.0 million, compared to a provision of $13.9 million in Q1 2020.

What was FISI's net interest income for Q1 2021?

FISI's net interest income for Q1 2021 was $37.9 million, an increase of $4.7 million from Q1 2020.

What acquisition did FISI complete in early 2021?

FISI completed the acquisition of Landmark Group on February 1, 2021, to enhance its insurance offerings and diversify revenue.