Orange County Bancorp, Inc. Announces Record First Quarter Earnings

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The substantial 187.6% year-over-year increase in net income to $9.3 million is a clear indicator of Orange County Bancorp's robust financial performance, largely attributed to an uptick in net interest income, carefully managed operating expenses and a notable recovery from Signature Bank's subordinated debt. A highlight for investors is the growth in trust and investment advisory income, up by 21.6%, signifying a successful expansion in their wealth management segment. It's pertinent to note the net interest margin compression, albeit a modest decrease of 14 basis points year-over-year, reflecting the broader interest rate challenges faced by financial institutions. The bank's strategic approach to loan origination, which mitigated loan repayments with new, higher-rate loans, demonstrates prudent asset management. Furthermore, the growth in deposits, particularly lower-cost core deposits, by 5.4% to $2.2 billion suggests strong liquidity management and a reduced reliance on pricier FHLBNY credit lines. This is a positive sign of the bank's ability to attract and retain depositors while effectively navigating a rising rate environment. However, investors should weigh the potential impacts of current interest rates on future deposit costs and net interest margins. The book value per share increase of 1.9% to $29.81 also reinforces the underlying value accrual for shareholders.

From a broader market perspective, Orange County Bancorp's robust earnings amid challenging interest rate dynamics could be indicative of their competitive market positioning and operational efficiency. The bank's efficiency ratio, although increased to 60.5%, still within a reasonable range, points to a conscious effort in cost management even as they invest in growth. This suggests a potentially attractive investment profile as it balances growth with expense control. The increase in non-interest income is particularly noteworthy, as it diversifies revenue streams beyond traditional banking operations and could be a cushion against net interest margin pressures. However, the anticipated recovery from Signature Bank's subordinated debt is a one-off event that may not be indicative of future performance. Investors should consider the sustainability of earnings growth minus such extraordinary items. The rise in provision for income taxes in line with increased earnings is a natural outflow, reflecting the bank's higher operational profitability. Overall, the bank's performance indicates a strong quarter but warrants careful examination of how repeatable these results are when stripped of one-time benefits.

05/01/2024 - 04:12 PM

MIDDLETOWN NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 1, 2024 / Highlights include

Net Income of $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased $6.1 million, or 187.6%, as compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023
Total Deposits grew $110.7 million, or 5.4%, reaching $2.2 billion at March 31, 2024 as compared to $2.0 billion at December 31, 2023.
Net interest margin of 3.64% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 decreased 14 basis points, or 3.7%, versus 3.78% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023
Trust and investment advisory income rose $513 thousand, or 21.6%, to $2.9 million, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 from $2.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
Total Loans of $1.7 billion at March 31, 2024 were relatively unchanged from year-end 2023
Book value per share increased $0.55, or 1.9%, reaching $29.81 at March 31, 2024 as compared to $29.26 at December 31, 2023

MIDDLETOWN NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 1, 2024 / Orange County Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:OBT), parent company of Orange Bank & Trust Co. (the "Bank") and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. ("HVIA"), today announced net income of $9.3 million, or $1.65 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. This represents a $6.1 million, or 187.6%, increase in net income as compared to $3.2 million, or $0.57 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase in earnings was the result of continued growth in net interest income, managed operating expenses, and a reduction in expense related to provision for credit losses, as well as the recovery of $1.9 million from the sale of Signature Bank subordinated debt previously written off. The quarter also included an increase in non-interest income of approximately 16.3%, or $516 thousand, to $3.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 as compared to $3.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Book value per share rose $0.55, or 1.9%, from $29.26 at December 31, 2023 to $29.81 at March 31, 2024. Tangible book value per share also increased $0.56, or 2.0%, from $28.12 at December 31, 2023 to $28.68 at March 31, 2024 (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation" below for additional detail). These increases were the result of earnings growth during the quarter offset by an increase in unrealized losses in the investment portfolio attributed to interest rate changes during the first quarter of 2024.

"Though now a full year into a very dynamic and challenging interest rate environment, I am pleased to report the Bank continues to perform well, producing yet another record quarterly result," said Orange Bank President and CEO Michael Gilfeather. "While optimism remains for the Federal Reserve to begin reducing interest rates later this year, we are assuming a more conservative posture which we believe will benefit the Bank regardless of the rate environment. In Q1 2024, the Bank earned $9.3 million versus $3.2 million in the same quarter last year. Contributing to these earnings was a $1.9 million recovery on an investment position in Signature Bank subordinated debt which we wrote off in Q1 2023 following that institution's failure. It was a conservative approach to managing a risk, which has now resulted in the benefit to earnings of a recovery.

Q1 2024 also saw a resurgence of deposit growth, with total deposits increasing $110.7 million, or 5.4%, to $2.2 billion at March 31, 2024, versus $2.0 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily the result of growth in lower cost core deposits. The combined growth of core and brokered deposits helped pay down a significant portion of our more expensive FHLBNY credit line. FHLBNY borrowings, short term, at quarter end stood at $28 million, down from $224.5 million at year end 2023. Overall, our average cost of deposits remained relatively low at 1.34%. While today's higher interest rate environment will continue to pressure deposit rates and margins, we believe active management and strategic execution will enable us to continue to mitigate these pressures. Moreover, through our relationship banking and tight management of net interest margin, we can continue to be a leading performer within the industry.

In addition to active risk and cost management, we continue to carefully manage loan origination, which largely offset loan repayments during the quarter. This enabled us to replace older, lower rate loans with new vintage and higher rate product. In addition to the growth of lower cost deposits, managing our loan portfolio in this manner has allowed us to temper the margin compression that has impacted the entire banking industry. This resulted in our net interest margin decreasing only 14 basis points, to 3.64% when compared to the same quarter last year and 8 basis points versus the fourth quarter 2023. Our loan portfolio stood at $1.7 billion as of March 31, 2024.

Our Wealth Management division also enjoyed a terrific quarter. Trust and investment advisory income rose $513 thousand, or 21.6%, to $2.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, from $2.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. This growth was split almost equally between new asset and new client acquisition as well as market performance. As part of non-interest income, Wealth Management provides the Bank an ancillary source of revenue while providing clients with additional value-added resources. The latter ties directly into our trusted advisor strategy, helping create deeper, longer lasting relationships between Orange Bank and its clients.

I am proud of our team's ability to execute across our platform in a challenging rate environment, with record results for the quarter all the more impressive. Our unwavering commitment to clients, familiarity with the markets we serve, and focus on cost management and execution allow us to remain nimble in the face of uncertainty and continue to effectively manage margins and generate profitability. This is a tribute to our employees, and I thank them and our clients and shareholders for their ongoing trust, support, and business."

First Quarter 2024 Financial Review

Net Income

Net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $9.3 million, an increase of $6.1 million, or 187.6%, from net income of $3.2 million for the first quarter of 2023. This increase represents a combination of higher net interest income and increased noninterest income versus the same quarter last year. In addition, net income for the first quarter of 2024 was positively impacted by a net credit related to the provision for credit losses as a result of a recovery associated with the write-off of Signature Bank subordinated debt during the first quarter of 2023.

Net Interest Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net interest income rose $462 thousand, or 2.2%, to $21.6 million versus $21.1 million during the same period last year. Coupled with an increase in total interest income of $4.7 million, total interest expense increased $4.3 million due to higher deposit and borrowing costs in the current period.

Total interest income rose $4.7 million, or 17.9%, to $31.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $26.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase reflected 17.3% growth in interest and fees associated with loans, a 5.0% increase in income from taxable investment securities, and a 94.1% increase in income related to fed funds interest and balances held at correspondent banks.

Total interest expense increased $4.3 million during the first quarter of 2024, to $9.5 million, as compared to $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increase represented the continued impact of rising interest rates on customer deposits as well as higher cost associated with FHLB borrowings and brokered deposits as alternate sources of funding. Interest expense associated with savings and NOW accounts totaled $4.6 million during the first quarter of 2024 as compared to $2.4 million during the first quarter of 2023. Interest expense from FHLB advances and borrowings during the current quarter totaled $2.3 million as compared to $2.1 million during the first quarter of 2023. Interest expense related to brokered deposits totaled $2.3 million during the first quarter of 2024 as compared to $387 thousand during the first quarter of 2023.

Provision for Credit Losses

As of January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the current expected credit losses methodology ("CECL") accounting standard, which includes loans individually evaluated, as well as loans evaluated on a pooled basis to assess the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The Bank seeks to estimate lifetime losses in its loan and investment portfolio by using expected discounted cash flows and supplemental qualitative considerations, including relevant economic considerations, portfolio concentrations, and other external factors, as well as evaluating investment securities held by the Bank.

The Company recognized a net credit related to the provision for credit losses of $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to a provision of $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. This decrease includes the recognition of a $1.9 million recovery associated with the write-off of Signature Bank subordinated debt during 2023 as well as the impact of the methodology associated with estimated lifetime losses and loans outstanding at the end of the quarter. The recovery was received as proceeds from the sale of the subordinated debt securities and as part of that transaction, management evaluated the need for an Allowance for Credit Losses ("ACL") associated with investment securities. The evaluation determined that an ACL was not required for the portfolio and, accordingly, the amount was reversed from the provision and reduced the ACL on investment securities to zero. The 2023 provision includes the effect of a $5 million reserve associated with the write-off of an investment in Signature Bank subordinated debt. The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.47% as of March 31, 2024 versus 1.44% as of December 31, 2023. No additional reserves for investment securities were recorded during 2023.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income rose $516 thousand, or 16.3%, to $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. This growth was related to increased fee income within each of the Company's fee income categories, including investment advisory, trust, and service charges on deposit accounts.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense was $15.3 million for the first quarter of 2024, reflecting an increase of $1.3 million, or 9.1%, as compared to $14.0 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in non-interest expense for the three-month period continues to reflect the Company's investment in growth. This investment consists primarily of increases in compensation, occupancy, information technology, and deposit insurance costs. Our efficiency ratio increased to 60.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from 57.7% for the same period in 2023.

Income Tax Expense

Provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $2.3 million, compared to $696 thousand for the same period in 2023. The increase was directly related to provisions associated with the Company's increased earnings for the quarter. Our effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 was 20.0%, as compared to 17.7% for the same period in 2023.

Financial Condition

Total consolidated assets decreased slightly by $33.0 million, or 1.3%, and remained relatively level at $2.5 billion at December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024. The decrease reflected a slight contraction in loans and cash during the first quarter of 2024.

Total cash and due from banks decreased from $147.4 million at December 31, 2023, to $144.7 million at March 31, 2024, a decrease of approximately $2.7 million, or 1.8%. This decrease resulted primarily from increases in deposit balances and a decrease in borrowings.

Total investment securities fell $22.7 million, or 4.5%, from $504.5 million at December 31, 2023 to $481.8 million at March 31, 2024. The decrease was driven primarily by investment maturities during the first three months of 2024.

Total loans decreased $14.5 million, or 0.83%, to $1.7 billion at March 31, 2024. The decrease was due primarily to payoff of approximately $13.5 million related to commercial and industrial loans.

Total deposits increased $110.7 million, to $2.2 billion at March 31, 2024 from approximately $2.0 billion at December 31, 2023. This increase was due primarily to $67.9 million of growth in interest bearing demand deposits; $68.9 million increase in money market accounts; $15.8 million growth in savings accounts; and $22.1 million increase in time deposits mainly associated with brokered deposits which the Bank utilized to increase cash balances and reduce borrowings during the first quarter. The increases in deposits were offset by a $63.3 million decrease in noninterest-bearing demand accounts during the quarter. Deposit composition at March 31, 2024 included 46.9% in demand deposit accounts (including NOW accounts) as a percentage of total deposits. Uninsured deposits, net of fully collateralized municipal relationships, remain stable and represent approximately 37% of total deposits at March 31, 2024 and at December 31, 2023.

FHLBNY short-term borrowings were $28.0 million at March 31, 2024 down from $224.5 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in borrowings was driven mainly by increased deposits which outpaced loan growth during the quarter and allowed for paydowns of borrowings while maintaining consistent levels of cash at March 31, 2024.

Stockholders' equity increased $3.3 million, or 2.0%, to $168.7 million at March 31, 2024 from $165.4 million at December 31, 2023. The increase was due primarily to $9.3 million of net income during first quarter 2024 partially offset by an increase in unrealized losses of approximately $5.0 million on the market value of investment securities within the Company's equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"), net of taxes.

At March 31, 2024, the Bank maintained capital ratios in excess of regulatory standards for well capitalized institutions. The Bank's Tier 1 capital-to-average-assets ratio was 9.72%, both common equity and Tier 1 capital-to-risk-weighted-assets were 13.49%, and total-capital-to-risk-weighted-assets was 14.74%.

Wealth Management

At March 31, 2024, our Wealth Management Division, which includes trust and investment advisory, totaled $1.7 billion in assets under management or advisory as compared to $1.6 billion at December 31, 2023, reflecting an increase of 5.9%. Trust and investment advisory income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 totaled $2.9 million and represented an increase of 21.6%, or $513 thousand, as compared to $2.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

The breakdown of trust and investment advisory assets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, is as follows:

Loan Quality

At March 31, 2024, the Bank had total non-performing loans of $5.8 million, or 0.33% of total loans. Total non-accrual loans represented approximately $5.8 million of loans at March 31, 2024, compared to $4.4 million at December 31, 2023.

Liquidity

Management believes the Bank has the necessary liquidity to meet normal business needs. The Bank uses a variety of resources to manage its liquidity position. These include short term investments, cash from lending and investing activities, core-deposit growth, and non-core funding sources, such as time deposits exceeding $250,000, brokered deposits, FHLBNY advances, and other borrowings. As of March 31, 2024, the Bank's cash and due from banks totaled $144.7 million. The Bank maintains an investment portfolio of securities available for sale, comprised mainly of US Government agency and treasury securities, Small Business Administration loan pools, mortgage-backed securities, and municipal bonds. Although the portfolio generates interest income for the Bank, it also serves as an available source of liquidity and funding. As of March 31, 2024, the Bank's investment in securities available for sale was $476.1 million, of which $111.3 million was not pledged as collateral. Additionally as of March 31, 2024, the Bank's overnight advance line capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York was $622.4 million, of which $108.0 million was used to collateralize municipal deposits and $38.0 million was utilized for overnight and long term FHLBNY advances. As of March 31, 2024, the Bank's unused borrowing capacity at the FHLBNY was $476.4 million. The Bank also maintains additional borrowing capacity of $25 million with other correspondent banks. Additional funding is available to the Bank through the discount window lending by the Federal Reserve. At March 31, 2024, the Bank utilized $50 million of funding through the Bank Term Funding Program from the Federal Reserve under a one-year facility.

The Bank also considers brokered deposits an element of its deposit strategy. As of March 31, 2024, the Bank had brokered deposit arrangements with various terms totaling $207.1 million.

About Orange County Bancorp, Inc.

Orange County Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Orange Bank & Trust Company and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. Orange Bank & Trust Company is an independent bank that began with the vision of 14 founders over 125 years ago. It has grown through innovation and an unwavering commitment to its community and business clientele to approximately $2.5 billion in total assets. Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor in Goshen, NY. It was founded in 1996 and acquired by the Company in 2012.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to the real estate and economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, inflation, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, increased levels of loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures, credit risk management, asset-liability management, cybersecurity risks, geopolitical conflicts, public health issues, the financial and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity.

The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

For further information:
Michael Lesler
EVP & Chief Financial Officer
mlesler@orangebanktrust.com
Phone: (845) 341-5111