Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. Reports Record Full Year 2020 Results; Declares 29 Cent Dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

Salisbury Bancorp reported record fourth quarter and full-year 2020 results, with net income of $2.8 million ($0.99 per share) for Q4 and $11.8 million ($4.21 per share) for the year. Notable metrics include a 9% increase in book value to $43.88 per share and a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 12.3%. The Bank declared a quarterly dividend of $0.29, payable on February 26, 2021. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, the Bank successfully managed loan deferrals and processed $100 million in PPP loans, demonstrating resilience and commitment to community support.

Positive

• Record full-year net income of $11.8 million ($4.21 per share), up from $11.0 million in 2019.
• Quarterly dividend declared at $0.29 per share, indicating confidence in financial stability.

Negative

• Non-performing assets increased to 0.44% of total assets, up from 0.35% in 2019.
• Loan loss provision for full year 2020 surged to $5.0 million compared to $1.0 million in 2019.

• Fourth Quarter and Record Full Year 2020 Net Income of $0.99 and $4.21 per Basic Common Share, Respectively
• Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Capital Ratios of 12.3% and 13.6%, Respectively
• Non-Performing Assets were 0.44% of Total Assets Compared with 0.35% at December 31, 2019
• Book Value and Tangible Book Value Per Common Share Increased 9% and 11% to $43.88 and $38.78 per Common Share, Respectively in 2020

LAKEVILLE, Conn., Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (“Salisbury”), (NASDAQ Capital Market: “SAL”), the holding company for Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”), announced results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020.

The record results for 2020 reflected an increase in income available to common shareholders to $11.8 million, or $4.21 per basic common share, compared with $11.0 million, or $3.95 per basic common share in 2019.

Net income allocated to common shareholders was $2.8 million, or $0.99 per basic common share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 (fourth quarter 2020), compared with $4.3 million, or $1.53 per common share (basic), for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 (third quarter 2020), and $3.0 million, or $1.06 per basic common share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019 (fourth quarter 2019). Results for fourth quarter 2020 included a loan loss provision of $840 thousand compared to $686 thousand in third quarter 2020 and $417 thousand in fourth quarter 2019.

Salisbury’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Cantele, Jr., stated, “2020 was a challenging year for many in the communities in which we operate. I am extremely proud of the resiliency of our employees who navigated the pandemic to provide outstanding service to our customers. During 2020, we processed $100 million of loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) in support of our customers and local communities and we worked with our commercial and residential customers to address their needs for temporary payment deferrals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased that as of year-end, there are no outstanding residential or consumer loans on deferral and only fifteen commercial loans remain in some sort of deferral. We reported record earnings for the year as a result of the dedication and hard work of our employees as we experienced record volume in our residential lending business. Unfortunately, COVID-19 will continue to challenge us in 2021. As we enter the new year, we remain focused on providing outstanding customer service and supporting our local communities while prudently growing the bank and enhancing profitability.”

Net-Interest and Dividend Income

Tax equivalent net interest income of $10.0 million for the fourth quarter 2020 decreased $108 thousand, or 1.1%, versus third quarter 2020, and increased $1.2 million, or 13.1%, versus fourth quarter 2019. Tax equivalent interest income of $10.9 million for fourth quarter 2020 decreased $232 thousand, or 2.1%, versus third quarter 2020 and was essentially unchanged compared to fourth quarter 2019. Fourth quarter 2020 interest income included PPP fees and interest of $855 thousand compared with $651 thousand in third quarter 2020. The cost of interest bearing liabilities of $1.0 million for fourth quarter 2020 decreased $124 thousand, or 11.5%, compared to third quarter 2020 and declined $1.1 million, or 53.3% from fourth quarter 2019.

Average earning assets of $1.3 billion for fourth quarter 2020 increased $31.0 million, or 2.5%, versus third quarter 2020, and increased $198.7 million, or 18.9%, versus fourth quarter 2019. Average earning assets for fourth quarter 2020 included average PPP loan balances of $93.4 million, net of deferred fees. Average total interest bearing liabilities of $0.9 billion for fourth quarter 2020 increased $30.1 million, or 3.6%, versus third quarter 2020 and increased $116.9 million, or 15.6%, versus fourth quarter 2019. The increase from fourth quarter 2019 primarily reflected the funding of PPP loans.

The tax equivalent net interest margin for the fourth quarter 2020 was 3.17% compared with 3.29% for the third quarter 2020 and 3.34% for the fourth quarter 2019. See SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Net Interest and Dividend Income on pages 8-9 of this release for additional details.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income of $2.5 million for fourth quarter 2020 decreased $810 thousand compared with third quarter 2020 and increased $57 thousand compared to fourth quarter 2019. Non-interest income for third quarter 2020 included a non-recurring non-taxable BOLI gain of $601 thousand due to the death of a covered former employee.

Trust and Wealth Advisory fees of $1.1 million were essentially unchanged compared to third quarter 2020 and up slightly from fourth quarter 2019. Assets under administration were $944.3 million as of December 31, 2020 compared with $748.2 million at September 30, 2020 and $777.5 million as of December 31, 2019. Discretionary assets under administration of $555.0 million in fourth quarter 2020 increased from $515.0 million in third quarter 2020 and $498.7 million in fourth quarter 2019. The growth from prior quarters primarily reflected higher market valuations. Non-discretionary assets under administration were $389.4 million as of fourth quarter 2020 compared with $233.2 million in third quarter 2020 and $278.8 million in fourth quarter 2019. The increase from prior quarters primarily reflected higher valuations and net new business activity. The trust and wealth business records nominal annual fees on non-discretionary assets under administration.

Service charges and fees of $858 thousand for fourth quarter 2020 increased $147 thousand versus third quarter 2020 and decreased $234 thousand versus fourth quarter 2019. The increase from third quarter 2020 was primarily due to the reinstatement of deposit fees in late fourth quarter 2020 whereas the decline from fourth quarter 2019 reflected higher deposit fees in the prior year quarter. To help support the financial needs of our customers and the communities in our markets, the Bank waived approximately $200 thousand and $754 thousand of deposit and transaction fees in the fourth quarter and the twelve month period ended December 31, 2020, respectively.

Income from sales and servicing of mortgage loans of $439 thousand in fourth quarter 2020 decreased $297 thousand versus third quarter 2020 and increased $297 thousand from fourth quarter 2019. Mortgage loans of $10.5 million were sold during the fourth quarter 2020 compared with sales of $26.6 million for third quarter 2020 and $3.6 million in fourth quarter 2019.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense of $8.1 million for fourth quarter 2020 increased $0.8 million versus third quarter 2020 and increased $1.0 million versus fourth quarter 2019. Compensation expense of $4.7 million for fourth quarter 2020 increased $0.6 million from third quarter 2020 and increased $0.7 million versus fourth quarter 2019. The increase from third quarter 2020 and fourth quarter 2019 primarily reflected higher salary expense and incentive compensation as well as higher production accruals, which were driven by increased loan origination volume. Compensation expense for fourth quarter 2019 included a one-time reduction of $328 thousand due to the modification of key terms of agreements related to BOLI policies.

Excluding compensation, other non-interest expenses of $3.3 million for fourth quarter 2020 increased $228 thousand from third quarter 2020 and increased $263 thousand from fourth quarter 2019. The increase from third quarter 2020 primarily reflected higher premises and equipment and professional fees. The increase from fourth quarter 2019 primarily reflected higher professional fees as well as an FDIC assessment credit recorded in the prior year fourth quarter.

The effective income tax rates for fourth quarter 2020, third quarter 2020 and fourth quarter 2019 were 17.5%, 17.3% and 16.1%, respectively. The tax rate in third quarter 2020 and fourth quarter 2019 primarily reflected the non-taxable BOLI proceeds and non-taxable compensation credit related to BOLI recorded in those respective periods.

Full Year Results

Full year 2020 net income available to common shareholders was $11.8 million, or $4.21 per basic common share, compared with $11.0 million, or $3.95 per basic common share for full year 2019. Results for full year 2020 included a loan loss provision of $5.0 million compared with $1.0 million for full year 2019.

Tax equivalent net interest income of $38.8 million for 2020 increased $4.1 million, or 11.9%, from $34.7 million in 2019. Average earning assets of $1.2 billion increased $120.3 million, or 11.4%, from 2019 and average total interest bearing liabilities of $821.1 million increased $51.3 million, or 6.7%, from $769.8 million in 2019. The tax equivalent net interest margin for 2020 was 3.28% compared with 3.27% for 2019.

Non-interest income of $10.3 million for 2020 increased $1.0 million from 2019. The increase primarily reflected higher gains on the sale and servicing of mortgage loans and non-recurring BOLI gains, which were offset by waived deposit fees. Mortgage loans of $59.8 million were sold during full year 2020 compared with sales of $6.4 million for full year 2019.

The effective tax rate for 2020 was 17.0% compared with 17.5% for 2019. The tax rate for 2020 and 2019 reflected the non-taxable BOLI proceeds received and the BOLI compensation credit recorded in those respective periods.

Loans

Gross loans outstanding as of December 31, 2020 of $1.0 billion included net PPP loans of $84.9 million, which are categorized as commercial & industrial loans in the below table. Excluding PPP loans, gross loans receivable were $956.5 million at December 31, 2020, compared with $947.0 million at September 30, 2020, and $936.3 million at December 31, 2019. Including PPP loans, the ratio of gross loans to deposits for fourth quarter 2020 was 92.2% compared with 95.4% for third quarter 2020 and 101.8% for fourth quarter 2019. Balances by loan type for the comparative periods were as follows:

Loan Type	Q4 2020				Q3 2020				Q4 2019
Residential Real Estate	$	425,677			$	429,221			$	427,441
Commercial Real Estate		342,563				333,412				298,261
Commercial & Industrial		227,148				237,448				169,411
Farm Land		3,198				3,295				3,641
Vacant Land		14,079				13,694				7,893
Municipal		21,512				20,797				21,914
Consumer		7,687				7,686				6,385
Deferred (Fees) Costs		(372	)			(959	)			1,362
Gross Loans Receivable	$	1,041,492			$	1,044,594			$	936,308

Asset Quality

In March 2020, Salisbury implemented a loan payment deferral program which allowed residential, commercial and consumer borrowers, who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to defer loan payments for up to three months. Customers may also apply for additional deferments. As of December 31, 2020, loan payments were deferred on 15 commercial loans ($30 million loan balance). There were no outstanding deferrals related to residential and consumer loans as of December 31, 2020.

Non-performing assets increased $1.0 million during fourth quarter 2020 to $5.6 million, or 0.44% of total assets at December 31, 2020, from $4.7 million, or 0.36% of total assets at September 30, 2020, and increased $1.7 million from $3.9 million, or 0.35% of total assets, at December 31, 2019. The increase from third quarter 2020 was primarily driven by one commercial loan for which Salisbury is no longer accruing interest.

The amount of total impaired and potential problem loans increased $3.3 million during the fourth quarter 2020 to $30.1 million, or 2.89% of gross loans receivable, at December 31, 2020 compared to $26.8 million, or 2.55% of gross loans receivable, at September 30, 2020, and increased $8.8 million from $21.3 million, or 2.27% of gross loans receivable, at December 31, 2019. The increase from third quarter 2020 primarily related to one borrower in the hospitality industry whose business has been adversely affected by COVID-19. Salisbury is currently deferring loan payments for this borrower.

Accruing loans receivable 30-to-89 days past due increased $5.2 million during fourth quarter 2020 to $6.9 million, or 0.66% of gross loans receivable, from $1.6 million, or 0.16% of gross loans receivable at September 30, 2020, and increased $4.8 million from $2.1 million, or 0.22% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2019. The increase from third quarter 2020 included loans of $2.7 million that matured in fourth quarter 2020, most of which are expected to renew in first quarter 2021.

The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2020 was $13.8 million compared with $13.0 million at September 30, 2020 and $8.9 million at December 31, 2019. The provision for loan losses expense was $0.8 million for fourth quarter 2020 versus $0.7 million for third quarter 2020, and $0.4 million for fourth quarter 2019. The provision for fourth quarter reflected management’s assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on certain qualitative and environmental factors and impaired loans. Net loan charge-offs were $87 thousand for the fourth quarter 2020, $56 thousand for third quarter 2020 and $368 thousand for the fourth quarter 2019. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 1.32% for the fourth quarter 2020, versus 1.24% for third quarter 2020 and 0.95% for fourth quarter 2019. Excluding PPP loans and deferred net fees, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans was 1.44% for fourth quarter 2020 compared with 1.37% for third quarter 2020.

Salisbury endeavors to work constructively to resolve its non-performing loan issues with customers. Substantially all non-performing loans are collateralized with real estate and the repayment of such loans is largely dependent on the return of such loans to performing status or the liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral.

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2020 increased $33.9 million from September 30, 2020 and increased $209.6 million from December 31, 2019. Deposits at December 31, 2020 included brokered deposits, including CDARS one-way buys, of $18.0 million compared with $18.0 million at September 30, 2020 and $2.9 million at December 31, 2019. Average total deposits for fourth quarter 2020 were $1.1 billion compared with $1.1 billion at September 30, 2020 and $932.4 million at December 31, 2019. Average total deposits for fourth quarter 2020 included average brokered deposits of $18.0 million compared with $24.9 million for third quarter 2020 and $22.1 million for fourth quarter 2019.

FHLB advances of $12.6 million at December 31, 2020 decreased $31.2 million from September 30, 2020 and decreased $38.2 million from December 31, 2019. Salisbury’s excess borrowing capacity at FHLBB was approximately $255 million at December 31, 2020.

Capital

Book value per common share increased $0.89 during the fourth quarter 2020 to $43.88 per share and increased $3.66 from the fourth quarter 2019. Tangible book value per common share increased $0.91 during fourth quarter 2020 to $38.78 and increased $3.80 from the fourth quarter 2019.

Shareholders’ equity increased $2.5 million in fourth quarter 2020 to $124.8 million at December 31, 2020 as net income of $2.8 million, unrealized gains in the Available-For-Sale portfolio of $0.3 million, and the issuance of restricted stock awards of $0.2 million were partly offset by common stock dividends paid of $0.8 million.

The Bank’s regulatory capital ratios remain in compliance with regulatory “well capitalized” requirements. At December 31, 2020, the Bank’s Tier 1 leverage, total risk-based capital, and common equity tier 1 capital ratios were 8.90%, 13.57%, and 12.31%, respectively, compared with regulatory “well capitalized” minimums of 5.00%, 10.00%, and 6.5%, respectively.

Dividends on Common Shares

The Board of Directors of Salisbury declared a $0.29 per common share quarterly cash dividend at its January 27, 2021 meeting. The dividend will be paid on February 26, 2021 to shareholders of record as of February 12, 2021.

Background

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Salisbury Bank and Trust Company, a Connecticut chartered commercial bank serving the communities of northwestern Connecticut and proximate communities in New York and Massachusetts, since 1848, through full service branches in Canaan, Lakeville, Salisbury and Sharon, Connecticut; Great Barrington, South Egremont and Sheffield, Massachusetts; and Dover Plains, Fishkill, Millerton, Newburgh, New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, and Red Oaks Mill, New York. The Bank offers a broad spectrum of consumer and business banking products and services as well as trust and wealth advisory services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain statements relating to Salisbury’s and the Bank’s future results that are considered “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of management as well as the assumptions and estimates made by management using information currently available to management. Since these statements reflect the views of management concerning future events, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including among others: changes in market interest rates and general and regional economic conditions; changes in laws and regulations; changes in accounting principles; and the quality or composition of the loan and investment portfolios, technological changes and cybersecurity matters, and other factors that may be described in Salisbury’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual report on Form 10-K, which are available at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov) and to which reference is hereby made. Forward-looking statements made by Salisbury in this news release speak only as of the date they are made. Events or other facts that could cause Salisbury’s actual results to differ may arise from time to time and Salisbury cannot predict all such events and factors. Salisbury undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement unless as may be required by law.

Investor presentation slides, which include a review of financial results and trends through the period ended December 31, 2020, are available in the Shareholder Relations section of Salisbury’s website at salisburybank.com under Shareholder Relations/News & Market Information/Presentations simultaneously with this Release.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands, except share data)	December 31, 2020			December 31, 2019
ASSETS	(unaudited)
Cash and due from banks	$	10,599		$	7,406
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks		82,563			19,479
Total cash and cash equivalents		93,162			26,885
Interest bearing Time Deposits with Financial Institutions		750			750
Securities
Available-for-sale at fair value		98,411			91,801
CRA mutual fund at fair value		917			882
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at cost		1,713			3,242
Loans held-for-sale		2,735			332
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $13,754 and $8,895)		1,027,738			927,413
Other real estate owned		-			314
Bank premises and equipment, net		20,355			17,385
Goodwill		13,815			13,815
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $5,206 and $4,884)		674			995
Accrued interest receivable		6,373			3,415
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		21,182			20,580
Deferred taxes		2,412			1,249
Other assets		3,423			3,155
Total Assets	$	1,293,660		$	1,112,448
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits
Demand (non-interest bearing)	$	310,769		$	237,852
Demand (interest bearing)		218,869			153,314
Money market		278,146			239,504
Savings and other		189,776			161,112
Certificates of deposit		131,514			127,724
Total deposits		1,129,074			919,506
Repurchase agreements		7,116			8,530
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances		12,639			50,887
Subordinated debt		9,883			9,859
Note payable		208			246
Finance lease obligations		1,673			1,718
Accrued interest and other liabilities		8,315			8,047
Total Liabilities		1,168,908			998,793
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock - $0.10 per share par value
Authorized: 5,000,000
Issued: 2,843,292 and 2,825,912
Outstanding: 2,843,292 and 2,825,912		284			283
Unearned compensation - restricted stock awards		(774	)		(795	)
Paid-in capital		45,266			44,490
Retained earnings		76,972			68,320
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net		3,004			1,357
Total Shareholders' Equity		124,752			113,655
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	1,293,660		$	1,112,448

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

	Three months ended						Twelve months ended
Periods ended December 31, (in thousands except share data)		2020			2019			2020		2019
Interest and dividend income
Interest and fees on loans	$	10,135		$	9,883		$	40,796	$	39,742
Interest on debt securities
Taxable		411			490			1,671		2,223
Tax exempt		159			190			672		545
Other interest and dividends		65			142			295		903
Total interest and dividend income		10,770			10,705			43,434		43,413
Interest expense
Deposits		629			1,650			3,890		7,324
Repurchase agreements		3			8			20		24
Finance lease		35			36			141		170
Note payable		3			4			14		16
Subordinated debt		150			156			618		624
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances		133			186			605		1,143
Total interest expense		953			2,040			5,288		9,301
Net interest and dividend income		9,817			8,665			38,146		34,112
Provision for loan losses		840			417			5,038		955
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses		8,977			8,248			33,108		33,157
Non-interest income
Trust and wealth advisory		1,066			1,022			4,194		3,995
Service charges and fees		858			1,092			3,072		4,028
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net		422			67			1,442		116
Mortgage servicing, net		17			75			179		307
(Losses) gains on CRA mutual fund		(3	)		(4	)		19		25
(Losses) gains on available-for-sale securities, net		(21	)		-			196		263
BOLI income and gains		110			139			1,096		392
Other		27			28			125		124
Total non-interest income		2,476			2,419			10,323		9,250
Non-interest expense
Salaries		3,453			3,055			11,828		12,048
Employee benefits		1,289			976			4,533		4,384
Premises and equipment		1,122			1,066			4,019		4,016
Data processing		544			581			2,211		2,201
Professional fees		721			523			2,741		2,213
OREO gains, losses and write-downs, net		-			3			-		408
Collections and other real estate owned		111			108			323		436
FDIC insurance		135			(33	)		466		261
Marketing and community support		154			171			573		619
Amortization of intangibles		74			91			321		388
Other		451			539			2,023		1,938
Total non-interest expense		8,054			7,080			29,038		28,912
Income before income taxes		3,399			3,587			14,393		13,495
Income tax provision		596			578			2,453		2,359
Net income	$	2,803		$	3,009		$	11,940	$	11,136
Net income available to common stock	$	2,764		$	2,960		$	11,775	$	10,976
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.99		$	1.06		$	4.21	$	3.95
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.98		$	1.06		$	4.20	$	3.93
Common dividends per share	$	0.29		$	0.28		$	1.16	$	1.12

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)

At or for the quarters ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)	Q4 2020			Q3 2020				Q2 2020			Q1 2020			Q4 2019
Total assets	$	1,293,660		$	1,292,760			$	1,287,137		$	1,145,751		$	1,112,448
Loans receivable, net		1,027,738			1,031,593				1,039,524			949,142			927,413
Total securities		101,043			99,794				93,717			94,966			95,924
Deposits		1,129,074			1,095,141				1,085,599			965,620			919,506
FHLBB advances		12,639			43,880				55,118			40,932			50,887
Shareholders’ equity		124,752			122,240				118,444			116,143			113,655
Wealth assets under administration		944,349			748,188				704,052			639,457			777,503
Discretionary wealth assets under administration		554,997			514,988				480,456			425,359			498,737
Non-discretionary wealth assets under administration		389,352			233,200				223,596			214,098			278,766
Non-performing loans		5,648			4,681				4,815			3,188			3,621
Non-performing assets		5,648			4,681				4,815			3,188			3,934
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days		6,850			1,638				2,656			6,109			2,077
Net interest and dividend income		9,817			9,925				9,617			8,787			8,665
Net interest and dividend income, tax equivalent(1)		9,993			10,101				9,786			8,954			8,839
Provision for loan losses		840			686				1,806			1,706			417
Non-interest income		2,476			3,286				2,316			2,245			2,419
Non-interest expense		8,054			7,259				6,789			6,936			7,080
Income before income taxes		3,399			5,266				3,338			2,390			3,587
Income tax provision		596			910				604			343			578
Net income		2,803			4,356				2,734			2,047			3,009
Net income allocated to common shareholders		2,764			4,288				2,691			2,013			2,960
Per share data
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.99		$	1.53			$	0.96		$	0.72		$	1.06
Diluted earnings per common share		0.98			1.53				0.96			0.72			1.06
Dividends per common share		0.29			0.29				0.29			0.29			0.28
Book value per common share		43.88			42.99				41.66			41.05			40.22
Tangible book value per common share - Non-GAAP ⁽2⁾		38.78			37.87				36.51			35.85			34.98
Common shares outstanding at end of period (in thousands)		2,843			2,843				2,843			2,829			2,826
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate basic earnings per share (in thousands)		2,803			2,799				2,796			2,788			2,781
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate diluted earnings per share (in thousands)		2,811			2,807				2,803			2,797			2,794
Profitability ratios
Net interest margin (tax equivalent) (1)		3.17	%		3.29		%		3.31	%		3.35	%		3.34	%
Efficiency ratio (3)		63.88			56.33				56.23			61.36			61.81
Effective income tax rate		17.52			17.28				18.11			14.35			16.11
Return on average assets		0.85			1.34				0.89			0.73			1.07
Return on average common shareholders’ equity		8.97			14.31				9.36			7.07			10.56
Credit quality ratios
Non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross		0.54	%		0.45		%		0.46	%		0.33	%		0.39	%
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross		0.66			0.16				0.25			0.64			0.22
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable, gross		1.32			1.24				1.18			1.11			0.95
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans		243.5			277.8				256.9			333.0			245.64
Non-performing assets to total assets		0.44			0.36				0.37			0.28			0.35
Capital ratios
Common shareholders' equity to assets		9.64	%		9.46		%		9.20	%		10.14	%		10.22	%
Tangible common shareholders' equity to tangible assets - Non-GAAP(2)		8.62			8.42				8.16			8.97			9.01
Tier 1 leverage capital (4)		8.90			8.93				8.95			9.65			9.60
Total risk-based capital (4)		13.57			13.60				13.15			12.97			12.84
Common equity tier 1 capital (4)		12.31			12.35				11.90			11.79			11.83

⁽¹⁾ Adjusted to reflect the U.S. federal statutory benefit on income derived from tax-exempt securities and loans.
⁽²⁾ Refer to schedule labeled “Supplemental Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.
⁽³⁾ Calculated as follows: Noninterest expense before OREO expense, amortization of intangibles, and goodwill impairments as a percent of net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) and noninterest revenues, excluding gains from securities transactions and litigation expenses.
⁽⁴⁾ Represents the capital ratios of the Bank.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)

At or for the quarters ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)	Q4 2020			Q3 2020				Q2 2020				Q1 2020					Q4 2019
Common Shareholders' Equity	$	124,752		$	122,240			$	118,444			$	116,143				$	113,655
Less: Goodwill		(13,815	)		(13,815		)		(13,815		)		(13,815			)		(13,815		)
Less: Intangible assets		(674	)		(748		)		(825		)		(908			)		(995		)
Tangible Common Shareholders' Equity	$	110,263		$	107,677			$	103,804			$	101,420				$	98,845
Total Assets	$	1,293,660		$	1,292,760			$	1,287,137			$	1,145,751				$	1,112,448
Less: Goodwill		(13,815	)		(13,815		)		(13,815		)		(13,815			)		(13,815		)
Less: Intangible assets		(674	)		(748		)		(825		)		(908			)		(995		)
Tangible Total Assets	$	1,279,171		$	1,278,197			$	1,272,497			$	1,131,028				$	1,097,638
Common Shares outstanding		2,843			2,843				2,843				2,829					2,826
Book value per Common Share – GAAP	$	43.88		$	42.99			$	41.66			$	41.05				$	40.22
Tangible book value per Common Share - Non-GAAP		38.78			37.87				36.51				35.85					34.98
Tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible total assets - Non-GAAP		8.62	%		8.42		%		8.16		%		8.97			%		9.01		%
Consolidated:
Non-interest expense	$	8,054		$	7,259			$	6,789			$	6,936				$	7,080
Less: Amortization of core deposit intangibles		(74	)		(78		)		(83		)		(87			)		(91		)
Less: Foreclosed property expense including OREO gains, losses and Write downs		-			2				(7		)		13					(27		)
Adjusted non-interest expense	$	7,980		$	7,183			$	6,699			$	6,862				$	6,962
Net interest and dividend income, tax equivalent	$	9,993		$	10,101			$	9,786			$	8,955				$	8,839
Non-interest income		2,476			3,286				2,316				2,245					2,419
Losses (gains) on securities		24			(34		)		(188		)		(15			)		4
BOLI proceeds		-			(601		)		-				-					-
Adjusted revenue	$	12,493		$	12,752			$	11,914			$	11,185				$	11,262
Efficiency Ratio – Non-GAAP 1		63.88	%		56.33		%		56.23		%		61.36			%		61.81		%

¹ Excluding revenue and expenses associated with trust & wealth advisory, the efficiency ratios would be: Q4 2020: 62.62%; Q3 2020: 54.76%; Q2 2020: 54.29%; Q1 2020: 59.83%; Q4 2019: 60.19%. If Q4 2020 results were normalized to exclude the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue would be adjusted to include waived deposit fees of $196 thousand and exclude PPP loan interest and fee income of $239 thousand and $615 thousand, respectively. The resulting normalized efficiency ratio for Q4 2020 would have been 67.44% or 66.82%, excluding trust & wealth advisory.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Net Interest and Dividend Income (unaudited)

At or for the quarters ended	Average Balance							Income / Expense								Average Yield / Rate
(dollars in thousands)	Q4 2020				Q3 2020	Q4 2019		Q4 2020			Q3 2020				Q4 2019	Q4 2020			Q3 2020		Q4 2019
Loans (a)(d)	$	1,043,613	$	1,049,313		$	928,787	$	10,257		$	10,485	$	9,998		3.90		%	3.97	%	4.31	%
Securities (c)(d)		92,633		89,220			92,626		624			606		739		2.70			2.72		3.19
FHLBB stock		2,594		3,440			2,695		34			34		44		5.28			3.96		6.53
Short term funds (b)		112,463		78,306			28,474		31			53		98		0.11			0.27		1.38
Total earning assets		1,251,303		1,220,279			1,052,582		10,946			11,178		10,879		3.48			3.64		4.13
Other assets		63,937		64,943			62,458
Total assets	$	1,315,240	$	1,285,222		$	1,115,040
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	212,375	$	195,253		$	157,180		110			110		144		0.21			0.22		0.37
Money market accounts		288,629		258,257			236,335		150			195		601		0.21			0.30		1.02
Savings and other		188,080		176,963			166,516		59			69		288		0.12			0.15		0.69
Certificates of deposit		130,809		135,238			144,678		310			390		617		0.94			1.15		1.71
Total interest-bearing deposits		819,893		765,711			704,709		629			764		1,650		0.31			0.40		0.94
Repurchase agreements		9,220		12,218			6,246		3			6		8		0.15			0.20		0.51
Capital lease		2,897		2,928			3,109		35			35		36		4.81			4.80		4.63
Note payable		212		221			249		3			3		4		6.10			6.08		6.43
Subordinated debt (f)		9,879		9,872			9,854		150			156		156		6.06			6.32		6.33
FHLBB advances		23,491		44,522			24,549		133			113		186		2.21			0.99		3.03
Total interest-bearing liabilities		865,592		835,472			748,716		953			1,077		2,040		0.44			0.51		1.09
Demand deposits		318,370		321,392			246,175
Other liabilities		7,267		7,592			7,109
Shareholders’ equity		124,011		120,766			113,040
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity	$	1,315,240	$	1,285,222		$	1,115,040
Net interest income								$	9,993		$	10,101	$	8,839
Spread on interest-bearing funds																3.04			3.13		3.04
Net interest margin (e)																3.17			3.29		3.34

(a)	Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)	Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
(c)	Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
(d)	Includes tax exempt income benefit of $176,000, $176,000 and $174,000, respectively, for Q4 2020, Q3 2020 and Q4 2019 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis. The income benefit reflected the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21.0% for 2020 and 2019.
(e)	Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(f)	Net of issuance costs.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Net Interest and Dividend Income (unaudited)

Twelve months ended December 31,	Average Balance				Income / Expense				Average Yield / Rate
(dollars in thousands)		2020		2019		2020		2019	2020		2019
Loans (a)(d)	$	1,019,999	$	922,906	$	41,267	$	40,176	4.02	%	4.35	%
Securities (c)(d)		89,616		96,150		2,563		2,940	2.86		3.06
FHLBB stock		3,163		3,287		141		227	4.45		6.91
Short term funds (b)		65,935		36,109		154		675	0.23		1.87
Total earning assets		1,178,713		1,058,452		44,125		44,018	3.73		4.16
Other assets		63,434		58,204
Total assets	$	1,242,147	$	1,116,656
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	183,870	$	155,463		441		602	0.24		0.39
Money market accounts		256,402		222,090		1,145		2,333	0.45		1.05
Savings and other		175,204		175,011		464		1,517	0.26		0.87
Certificates of deposit		144,489		159,862		1,840		2,872	1.27		1.80
Total interest-bearing deposits		759,965		712,426		3,890		7,324	0.51		1.03
Repurchase agreements		7,986		4,913		20		24	0.25		0.49
Capital lease		2,965		4,010		141		170	4.75		4.24
Note payable		226		262		14		16	6.08		6.11
Subordinated debt (net of issuance costs)		9,870		9,847		618		624	6.26		6.34
FHLBB advances		40,093		38,303		605		1,143	1.49		2.98
Total interest-bearing liabilities		821,105		769,761		5,288		9,301	0.64		1.21
Demand deposits		294,588		231,221
Other liabilities		6,956		6,699
Shareholders’ equity		119,498		108,975
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity	$	1,242,147	$	1,116,656
Net interest income					$	38,837	$	34,718
Spread on interest-bearing funds									3.09		2.95
Net interest margin (e)									3.28		3.27

(a)	Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)	Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
(c)	Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
(d)	Includes tax exempt income benefit of $690,000 and $605,000, respectively for 2020 and 2019 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis. The income benefit reflected the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21.0% for 2020 and 2019.
(e)	Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets

Source: Salisbury Bancorp, Inc.

Salisbury Contact: Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
860-435-9801 or rcantele@salisburybank.com

FAQ

What were Salisbury Bancorp's Q4 2020 earnings?

Salisbury Bancorp reported net income of $2.8 million, or $0.99 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020.

When will Salisbury Bancorp's dividend be paid?

The dividend of $0.29 per share will be paid on February 26, 2021, to shareholders of record as of February 12, 2021.

How much was the annual net income for Salisbury Bancorp in 2020?

The net income available to common shareholders for 2020 was $11.8 million, or $4.21 per basic common share.

What is the impact of COVID-19 on Salisbury Bancorp's loan portfolio?

As of December 31, 2020, non-performing assets increased to 0.44%, and the bank had a provision for loan losses of $5.0 million due to the pandemic.

What is the current Common Equity Tier 1 ratio for Salisbury Bancorp?

The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio stands at 12.3% as of December 31, 2020.