Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. Reports Results for First Quarter 2023; Declares 16 Cent Dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (SAL) announced its first quarter 2023 financial results, reporting a net income of $3.0 million or $0.52 per basic common share, a decrease from $4.1 million or $0.71 per share in Q4 2022. This quarterly income was impacted by $385 thousand in merger-related costs and $158 thousand for asset write-offs. Loan growth was solid at $22.1 million, or 1.8%, with non-performing assets at a low 0.14% of total assets. The tax equivalent net interest margin decreased to 2.99% from 3.28% in the previous quarter. Additionally, the Board approved a cash dividend of $0.16 per share, payable on May 26, 2023. The pending merger with NBT Bancorp has received shareholder approval, with completion expected soon, and management expressed confidence in the bank's capital structure and diversified deposit base.

Positive

• Net income of $3.0 million for Q1 2023 despite merger-related costs.
• Loan growth of $22.1 million, or 1.8%, in Q1 2023.
• Low non-performing assets at 0.14% of total assets.
• Approved quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share.

Negative

• Net income decreased from $4.1 million in Q4 2022 to $3.0 million in Q1 2023.
• Tax equivalent net interest margin declined from 3.28% in Q4 2022 to 2.99% in Q1 2023.

• Strategic Merger With NBT Approved by Salisbury Shareholders
  
• First Quarter Net Income of $0.52 per Basic Common Share and Return on Average Assets of 0.79% or $0.60 and 0.91%, Respectively, Excluding Non-Recurring Expenses
• First Quarter 2023 Loan Growth of $22.1 million, or 1.8%
• Non-performing Assets were 0.14% of Total Assets at March 31, 2023
• Common Equity Tier 1 and Tangible Common Equity Ratio of 12.16% and 7.63%, Respectively, at March 31, 2023 ¹
  

LAKEVILLE, Conn., April 26, 2023 (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 first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Net income available to common shareholders was $3.0 million, or $0.52 per basic common share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 (first quarter 2023), compared with $4.1 million, or $0.71 per basic common share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022 (fourth quarter 2022), and $3.5 million, or $0.62 per basic common share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (first quarter 2022). Net income for first quarter 2023 included pre-tax costs of $385 thousand related to Salisbury’s pending merger with NBT Bancorp (“NBT merger”) and $158 thousand to write off fixed assets in the Red Oaks Mill, New York branch, which will close on April 30, 2023. In aggregate, these costs reduced first quarter 2023 earnings per basic share and return on average assets by $0.08 and 0.12%, respectively.

Salisbury’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Cantele, Jr., stated, “Our financial results for the first quarter were impacted by the challenging banking and macro-economic environment. Despite these headwinds, Salisbury’s business model remains conservative, the Bank is well-capitalized and our deposit base is diversified. Additionally, the unrealized losses in our investment portfolio do not present a material risk to the Bank or to our customers. As we look forward and take a longer term perspective, we are excited that the strategic partnership with NBT has been approved by Salisbury shareholders. The merger is expected to close this quarter, subject to regulatory approval. While we work through the integration of these two high-performing franchises, Salisbury employees will remain focused on prudently managing the Bank’s capital and liquidity and providing outstanding service to our customers.”

Net Interest and Dividend Income

Tax equivalent net interest income of $11.3 million for the first quarter 2023 decreased $903 thousand, or 7.4%, versus fourth quarter 2022, and increased $834 thousand, or 8.0%, versus first quarter 2022. Tax equivalent interest income of $15.1 million for first quarter 2023 increased $755 thousand, or 5.3%, versus fourth quarter 2022 and increased $3.8 million, or 33.8%, from first quarter 2022. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities of $3.8 million for first quarter 2023 increased $1.7 million, or 77.5%, from fourth quarter 2022 and increased $3.0 million, or 367.5%, from first quarter 2022.

Average earning assets of $1.5 billion for first quarter 2023 increased $23.3 million, or 1.6%, from fourth quarter 2022, and increased $82.5 million, or 5.8%, versus first quarter 2022. Average earning assets for first quarter 2023 included average PPP loan balances of $0.2 million, net of deferred fees, compared with $0.4 million in fourth quarter 2022 and $18.7 million in first quarter 2022, respectively. Average total interest bearing liabilities of $1.0 billion for first quarter 2023 increased $45.9 million, or 4.7%, from fourth quarter 2022 and increased $70.6 million, or 7.4%, versus first quarter 2022. The increase in average total interest-bearing liabilities from the comparative periods primarily reflected higher brokered deposits, which Salisbury utilized to fund loan growth and to provide liquidity.

The tax equivalent net interest margin for first quarter 2023 was 2.99% compared with 3.28% for fourth quarter 2022 and 2.95% for first quarter 2022. Excluding PPP loans, the tax equivalent net interest margin for first quarter 2023 was 2.99% compared with 3.28% for fourth quarter 2022 and 2.86% for first quarter 2022. The decline in the tax equivalent net interest margin from the comparative quarters primarily reflected an increase in the cost of interest bearing deposits and borrowed funds as well as an increase in the amount of borrowed funds. See SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – Net Interest and Dividend Income on page 9 of this release for additional details.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income of $2.7 million for first quarter 2023 increased $75 thousand versus fourth quarter 2022 and decreased $401 thousand versus first quarter 2022.

Trust and Wealth Advisory fees of $1.2 million for first quarter 2023 increased $28 thousand from fourth quarter 2022 and decreased $88 thousand from first quarter 2022. The change in fee income versus the comparative quarters was primarily driven by asset management fees. Assets under administration were $1.30 billion at March 31, 2023 compared with $1.29 billion at December 31, 2022 and $1.05 billion at March 31, 2022. Discretionary assets under administration of $588.4 million at March 31, 2023 compared with $561.1 million at December 31, 2022 and $625.3 million at March 31, 2022. The variance from the comparative quarters primarily reflected changes in market valuations. Non-discretionary assets under administration of $712.7 million at March 31, 2023 decreased from $728.9 million at December 31, 2022 and increased from $423.9 million at March 31, 2022. The variance from the comparative periods primarily reflected changes in the valuation of certain partnership assets for an existing client relationship. The trust and wealth business records only a nominal annual fee on this relationship.

_____________________________

¹ The tangible common equity ratio is a non-GAAP measure. Management considers this ratio to be an important measure of risk. Refer to page 8 of this document for the reconciliation of the components of this calculation to U.S. GAAP.

Service charges and fees of $1.2 million for first quarter 2023 increased $16 thousand from fourth quarter 2022 and increased $97 thousand from first quarter 2022. The increase from fourth quarter 2022 primarily reflected higher deposit and loan fees, which were partially offset by lower interchange fees. The increase from first quarter 2022 primarily reflected higher deposit and higher interchange fees. Net fees from mortgage banking activities were below the comparative quarters. Salisbury did not sell any residential loans to FHLBB during first quarter 2023 and fourth quarter 2022 compared with sales of $5.5 million in first quarter 2022.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense of $9.1 million for first quarter 2023 increased $179 thousand from fourth quarter 2022 and increased $473 thousand versus first quarter 2022. Non-interest expense for first quarter 2023 and fourth quarter 2022 included costs of approximately $385 thousand and $497 thousand, respectively, associated with the pending NBT merger. Non-interest expense for first quarter 2023 also included a non-recurring charge of $158 thousand to write off fixed assets in the Red Oaks Mill, New York branch, which will be closed on April 30, 2023. Compensation expense of $5.2 million for first quarter 2023 decreased $143 thousand from fourth quarter 2022 and increased $433 thousand versus first quarter 2022. The increase in compensation expense from first quarter 2022 primarily reflected higher base salary expense and higher incentive accruals as well as lower deferred compensation expense.

Excluding compensation expense, other non-interest expenses for first quarter 2023 increased $322 thousand from fourth quarter 2022 and increased $40 thousand from first quarter 2022. The increase from comparative quarters primarily reflected higher professional fees associated with the NBT merger, and the write-off of fixed assets associated with the pending Red Oaks Mill, New York branch closure. First quarter 2022 included fraud related losses of $251 thousand.

The effective income tax rates for first quarter 2023, fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2022 were 20.0%, 20.1% and 18.6%, respectively.

Loans

Gross loans receivable of $1.3 billion for first quarter 2023 increased $22.1 million, or 1.8%, from fourth quarter 2022, and increased $171.5 million, or 15.9%, from first quarter 2022. Residential 5+ multifamily gross loans receivable at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 included a loan for approximately $16.0 million. At March 31, 2022 this loan, which had a gross balance of approximately $12.0 million, was reported in the commercial real estate category while the project was under construction. The ratio of gross loans to deposits for first quarter 2023 was 96.7% compared with 90.4% for fourth quarter 2022 and 83.6% for first quarter 2022. Balances by loan type for the comparative periods were as follows:

Loan Type ($ in thousands)	Q1 2023			Q4 2022			Q1 2022
Residential Real Estate (1-4 Family)	$	483,893		$	476,719		$	425,301
Residential 5+ Multifamily		91,772			80,400			53,376
Commercial Real Estate		433,379			421,147			376,088
Commercial & Industrial ex PPP Loans		185,376			190,191			163,832
PPP Loans		226			299			13,666
Commercial & Industrial – Total		185,602			190,490			177,498
Farm Land		3,451			4,081			2,778
Vacant Land		14,601			14,440			14,710
Municipal		17,577			19,693			14,263
Consumer		19,491			20,546			14,356
Deferred Costs/(Fees)		875			1,001			761
Gross Loans Receivable	$	1,250,641		$	1,228,517		$	1,079,131
Gross Loans Receivable ex PPP	$	1,250,415		$	1,228,218		$	1,065,465

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets of $2.2 million, or 0.14% of total assets at March 31, 2023, decreased $0.5 million from $2.7 million, or 0.17% of total assets at December 31, 2022, and decreased $0.6 million from $2.8 million, or 0.19% of total assets, at March 31, 2022.

The amount of total impaired and potential problem loans increased $0.2 million during the quarter to $10.9 million or 0.87% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2023 compared to $11.4 million, or 0.93% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2022 and $27.3 million, or 2.53% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2022. The decrease in the balance from first quarter 2022 primarily reflected management’s upgrade of the internal risk rating on certain hospitality related loans, which were previously downgraded due to concerns over COVID-19. These businesses demonstrated a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity and liquidity, which warranted the improvement in risk rating.

Accruing loans receivable 30-to-89 days past due of $2.2 million, or 0.18% of gross loans receivable, increased $0.9 million from $1.3 million, or 0.11% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2022, and decreased $0.1 million from $2.3 million, or 0.22% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2022.

On January 1, 2023, Salisbury adopted the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) accounting standard to estimate credit losses over the life of a loan. As a result of this implementation, Salisbury recorded a reduction of $0.9 million to retained earnings, an increase of $0.3 million to the allowance for credit (“ACL”) losses, an increase of $0.9 million to other liabilities for unfunded commitments reserves and an increase in deferred tax assets of $0.3 million. The ACL for first quarter 2023 was $16.0 million compared with $14.8 million for fourth quarter 2022 and $12.9 million for first quarter 2022. The provision expense was $0.9 million for first quarter 2022 compared with $0.5 million for fourth quarter 2022 and $0.4 million for first quarter 2022. The provision expense for first quarter 2023 primarily reflected loan growth during the quarter as well as the forecast of certain macro-economic factors, which underpin the Bank’s CECL model. Net loan charge-offs were $32 thousand for the first quarter 2023 compared with $13 thousand for fourth quarter 2022 and $410 thousand for the first quarter 2022.

Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, excluding PPP loans, was 1.28% for the first quarter 2023 versus 1.21% for both fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2022. Similarly, reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 714% for the first quarter 2023 versus 558% for fourth quarter 2022 and 467% for first quarter 2022.

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, Borrowings and Liquidity

Total deposits of $1.3 billion at March 31, 2023 decreased $65.4 million, or 4.8%, from December 31, 2022 and increased $2.6 million, or 0.2%, from March 31, 2022. Salisbury accumulates deposits from a diverse customer base. At March 31, 2023, the composition of Salisbury’s deposit balances was as follows: retail: 45%; commercial: 39%; municipalities: 8%; brokered funds: 4%; Wealth Advisory: 3%; and educational institutions: 1%. At March 31, 2023, the balance of Salisbury’s deposits that were not insured by the FDIC or not collateralized by marketable securities owned by Salisbury was approximately $344 million, or 27%, of total deposits.

At March 31, 2023, Salisbury had outstanding brokered deposits balances of $53.2 million compared with balances of $45.0 million at December 31, 2022. Salisbury did not have any outstanding brokered deposit balances at March 31, 2022. Brokered deposits are included in the certificates of deposit balances on Salisbury’s consolidated balance sheet. Management utilized brokered deposits in first quarter 2023 to fund loan growth and as a source of liquidity. Excluding brokered funds, Salisbury’s deposits declined $73.5 million, or 5.6%, from fourth quarter 2022 and declined $50.6 million, or 3.9%, from first quarter 2022. Average total deposits were $1.3 billion for first quarter 2023, fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2022. Average total deposits for first quarter 2023 included average brokered deposits of $47.9 million compared with $25.8 million for fourth quarter 2022 and $7.5 million for first quarter 2022.

Salisbury has access to various sources of liquidity, including the FHLBB and the Federal Reserve Bank. Salisbury had $100.0 million of outstanding advances from FHLBB at March 31, 2023 compared with $10.0 million at December 31, 2022 and $0.4 million at March 31, 2022, respectively. Salisbury’s excess borrowing capacity at FHLBB was approximately $145 million at March 31, 2023. Additionally, at March 31, 2023, Salisbury had approximately $100 million of eligible collateral that could be posted to the Federal Reserve to secure funds under the Bank Term Funding Program. Salisbury has not borrowed funds under this program.

Capital

Shareholders’ equity increased $4.0 million in first quarter to $132.4 million at March 31, 2023 as net income of $3.0 million, unrealized gains, net of taxes, in the available-for-sale securities (“AFS”) portfolio of $2.7 million and other activity of $0.1 million, were partially offset by common stock dividends paid of $0.9 million and a reduction of $0.9 million to retained earnings for the adoption of CECL. The unrealized losses, net of taxes, in the AFS portfolio were $18.0 million at March 31, 2023. Book value per common share of $22.79 at March 31, 2023 increased $0.66 from fourth quarter 2022 and increased $0.23 from first quarter 2022. Tangible book value per common share of $20.38 at March 31, 2023 increased $0.67 from fourth quarter 2022 and increased $0.28 from first quarter 2022. At March 31, 2023, the Bank’s tangible common equity ratio, which included the unrealized losses in the AFS portfolio noted above, was 7.63%.

The Bank’s regulatory capital ratios remain in compliance with regulatory “well capitalized” requirements. At March 31, 2023, the Bank’s Tier 1 leverage, total risk-based capital, and common equity tier 1 capital ratios were 9.98%, 13.41%, and 12.16%, respectively, compared with regulatory “well capitalized” minimums of 5.00%, 10.00%, and 6.5%, respectively. The unrealized losses in the AFS portfolio noted above do not affect the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios.

During first quarter 2023, Salisbury did not repurchase any of its outstanding common stock pursuant to its stock repurchase program, which was established in March 2021 and renewed in March 2022.

Dividend on Common Shares

On April 26, 2023, the Board of Directors of Salisbury approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share that will be paid on May 26, 2023 to shareholders of record as of May 12, 2023.

Other Matters

In July 2022, Salisbury management discovered that the Bank’s trust department terminated a trust account in May 2020 and distributed approximately $1.0 million that should have been retained in continuance of the trust account. In March 2023, Salisbury filed an amended complaint against the beneficiaries to recover the distributed proceeds and to reinstate the trust account. At this time, management believes that Salisbury’s exposure is not yet known or knowable and could potentially range from zero to approximately $0.8 million depending upon the facts and circumstances.

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. For more information, please visit www.salisburybank.com.

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 March 31, 2023, are available in the Shareholder Relations section of Salisbury’s website at salisburybank.com under About Us/Shareholder Relations/News & Market Information/Presentations.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)  

(in thousands, except share data)	March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	6,231		$	5,864
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks		43,613			44,675
Total cash and cash equivalents		49,844			50,539
Securities
Available-for-sale at fair value		187,598			187,410
Mutual funds at fair value		2,068			1,933
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at cost		5,030			1,285
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $16,009 and $14,846)		1,234,632			1,213,671
Bank premises and equipment, net		21,597			22,148
Goodwill		13,815			13,815
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $5,691 and $5,654)		188			227
Accrued interest receivable		6,383			6,797
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		30,571			30,379
Deferred taxes		8,234			8,492
Other assets		5,374			4,886
Total Assets	$	1,565,334		$	1,541,582
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits
Demand (non-interest bearing)	$	370,049		$	395,994
Demand (interest bearing)		218,902			231,486
Money market		296,974			343,965
Savings and other		236,755			233,578
Certificates of deposit		170,362			153,370
Total deposits		1,293,042			1,358,393
Repurchase agreements		3,230			7,228
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances		100,000			10,000
Subordinated debt		24,545			24,531
Note payable		117			128
Finance lease obligations		4,225			4,262
Accrued interest and other liabilities		7,820			8,685
Total Liabilities		1,432,979			1,413,227
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock - $0.10 per share par value
Authorized: 10,000,000;
Issued: 5,807,719 and 5,798,816
Outstanding: 5,807,719 and 5,798,816		581			580
Unearned compensation – restricted stock awards		(961	)		(1,144	)
Paid-in capital		47,396			47,466
Retained earnings		103,371			102,178
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net		(18,032	)		(20,725	)
Total Shareholders' Equity		132,355			128,355
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	1,565,334		$	1,541,582

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

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share amounts)		2023		2022
Interest and dividend income
Interest and fees on loans	$	13,250	$	10,163
Interest on debt securities
Taxable		1,068		724
Tax exempt		212		174
Other interest and dividends		393		57
Total interest and dividend income		14,923		11,118
Interest expense
Deposits		2,818		478
Repurchase agreements		16		3
Finance lease		40		41
Note payable		2		2
Subordinated debt		233		233
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances		687		55
Total interest expense		3,796		812
Net interest and dividend income		11,127		10,306
Provision for loan losses		924		363
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses		10,203		9,943
Non-interest income
Trust and wealth advisory		1,153		1,241
Service charges and fees		1,235		1,138
Mortgage banking activities, net		59		355
Gains (losses) on CRA mutual fund		20		(42	)
Gains on securities, net		-		210
Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income		192		162
Other		34		30
Total non-interest income		2,693		3,094
Non-interest expense
Salaries		3,721		3,479
Employee benefits		1,468		1,277
Premises and equipment		1,105		1,104
Loss on sale of assets		158		9
Information processing and services		831		685
Professional fees		945		787
Collections, OREO, and loan related		72		117
FDIC insurance		98		171
Marketing and community support		127		184
Amortization of intangibles		39		54
Other		562		786
Total non-interest expense		9,126		8,653
Income before income taxes		3,770		4,384
Income tax provision		752		816
Net income	$	3,018	$	3,568
Net income available to common shareholders	$	2,968	$	3,508
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.52	$	0.62
Diluted earnings per common share		0.52		0.62
Common dividends per share		0.16		0.16

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

At or for the quarters ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)	Q1 2023				Q4 2022				Q3 2022				Q2 2022				Q1 2022
Total assets	$	1,565,334			$	1,541,582			$	1,512,138			$	1,496,521			$	1,465,082
Loans receivable, net		1,234,632				1,213,671				1,176,493				1,135,758				1,066,216
Total securities		194,696				190,628				192,530				205,727				217,591
Deposits		1,293,042				1,358,393				1,325,204				1,316,539				1,290,474
FHLBB advances		100,000				10,000				20,000				-				419
Shareholders’ equity		132,355				128,355				123,160				127,303				130,066
Wealth assets under administration		1,301,162				1,289,918				1,232,272				1,261,244				1,049,240
Discretionary wealth assets under administration		588,414				561,050				522,109				546,506				625,346
Non-discretionary wealth assets under administration		712,748				728,868				710,163				714,738				423,894
Non-performing loans		2,241				2,663				1,860				4,229				2,765
Non-performing assets		2,241				2,663				1,860				4,229				2,765
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days		2,234				1,309				390				1,001				2,349
Net interest and dividend income		11,127				12,015				11,844				10,872				10,306
Net interest and dividend income, tax equivalent(1)		11,318				12,221				12,054				11,061				10,484
Provision expense for loan losses		924				525				695				1,100				363
Non-interest income		2,693				2,618				2,693				3,297				3,094
Non-interest expense		9,126				8,947				8,512				8,532				8,653
Income before income taxes		3,770				5,161				5,330				4,537				4,384
Income tax provision		752				1,037				994				692				816
Net income		3,018				4,124				4,336				3,845				3,568
Net income allocated to common shareholders		2,968				4,055				4,264				3,772				3,508
Per share data
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.52			$	0.71			$	0.75			$	0.67			$	0.62
Diluted earnings per common share		0.52				0.71				0.75				0.66				0.62
Dividends per common share		0.16				0.16				0.16				0.16				0.16
Book value per common share		22.79				22.13				21.29				22.01				22.56
Tangible book value per common share - Non-GAAP⁽2⁾		20.38				19.71				18.86				19.57				20.10
Common shares outstanding at end of period (in thousands)		5,808				5,799				5,784				5,784				5,765
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate basic earnings per share (in thousands)		5,702				5,688				5,687				5,666				5,636
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate diluted earnings per share (in thousands)		5,714				5,710				5,713				5,699				5,694
Profitability ratios
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)(1)		2.99	%			3.28	%			3.27	%			3.15	%			2.95	%
Efficiency ratio(2)		61.07				56.66				57.38				59.49				63.38
Effective income tax rate		19.95				20.10				18.65				15.25				18.60
Return on average assets		0.79				1.07				1.13				1.06				0.97
Return on average common shareholders’ equity		9.36				13.05				13.23				11.98				10.65
Credit quality ratios
Non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross		0.18	%			0.22	%			0.16	%			0.37	%			0.26	%
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross		0.18				0.11				0.03				0.09				0.22
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable, gross		1.28				1.21				1.20				1.19				1.20
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans		714.4				557.5				770.6				324.0				467.3
Non-performing assets to total assets		0.14				0.17				0.12				0.28				0.19
Capital ratios
Common shareholders' equity to assets		8.35	%			8.33	%			8.14	%			8.51	%			8.88	%
Tangible common shareholders' equity to tangible assets - Non-GAAP(2)		7.63				7.48				7.28				7.63				7.99
Tier 1 leverage capital(3)		9.98				9.99				9.83				10.04				9.66
Total risk-based capital(3)		13.41				13.43				13.24				13.28				13.98
Common equity tier 1 capital(3)		12.16				12.24				12.07				12.13				12.80

⁽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⁾ 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)	Q1 2023				Q4 2022					Q3 2022					Q2 2022						Q1 2022
Common Shareholders' Equity	$	132,355			$	128,355				$	123,160				$	127,303					$	130,066
Less: Goodwill		(13,815	)			(13,815		)			(13,815		)			(13,815			)			(13,815		)
Less: Intangible assets		(188	)			(227		)			(269		)			(314			)			(364		)
Tangible Common Shareholders' Equity	$	118,352			$	114,313				$	109,076				$	113,174					$	115,887
Total Assets	$	1,565,334			$	1,541,582				$	1,512,138				$	1,496,521					$	1,465,082
Less: Goodwill		(13,815	)			(13,815		)			(13,815		)			(13,815			)			(13,815		)
Less: Intangible assets		(188	)			(227		)			(269		)			(314			)			(364		)
Tangible Total Assets	$	1,551,331			$	1,527,540				$	1,498,054				$	1,482,392					$	1,450,903
Common Shares outstanding (in thousands)		5,808				5,799					5,784					5,784						5,765
Book value per Common Share – GAAP	$	22.79			$	22.13				$	21.29				$	22.01					$	22.56
Tangible book value per Common Share - Non-GAAP		20.38				19.71					18.86					19.57						20.10
Tangible common shareholders’ equity to tangible total assets - Non-GAAP		7.63	%			7.48		%			7.28		%			7.63			%			7.99		%
Consolidated:
Non-interest expense	$	9,126			$	8,947				$	8,512				$	8,532					$	8,653
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		(39	)			(42		)			(46		)			(50			)			(54		)
OREO recovery		-				-					15					-						-
Merger-related costs		(385	)			(497		)			-					-						-
Fixed asset write-off		(158	)			-					-					-						-
Fraud-related recovery (losses)		-				-					-					50						(251		)
Adjusted non-interest expense	$	8,544			$	8,408				$	8,481				$	8,532					$	8,348
Net interest and dividend income, tax equivalent	$	11,318			$	12,221				$	12,054				$	11,061					$	10,484
Non-interest income		2,693				2,618					2,693					3,297						3,094
(Gains) losses on securities		(20	)			1					47					75						(168		)
BOLI proceeds receivable		-				-					-					(89			)			-
Gains on sale of loans		-				-					(15		)			-						(239		)
Adjusted revenue	$	13,991			$	14,840				$	14,779				$	14,344					$	13,171
Efficiency Ratio – Non-GAAP(1)		61.07	%			56.66		%			57.38		%			59.49			%			63.38		%

⁽¹⁾ Excluding revenue and expenses associated with trust & wealth advisory, the efficiency ratios would be: Q1 2023: 59.08%; Q4 2022: 54.64%; Q3 2022: 55.28%; Q2 2022: 57.21%; Q1 2022: 61.83%.

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)	Q1 2023			Q4 2022			Q1 2022			Q1 2023			Q4 2022			Q1 2022			Q1 2023			Q4 2022			Q1 2022
Loans (a)(d)	$	1,236,778		$	1,209,184		$	1,079,610		$	13,367		$	12,726		$	10,277		4.29	%		4.16	%		3.79	%
Securities (c)(d)		214,246			217,963			208,140			1,353			1,279			962		2.53			2.35			1.85
FHLBB stock		3,436			1,416			1,434			19			15			7		2.29			4.29			2.05
Short term funds (b)		40,689			43,328			123,454			375			339			50		3.72			3.10			0.16
Total interest-earning assets		1,495,149			1,471,891			1,412,638			15,114			14,359			11,296		4.02			3.86			3.19
Other assets		55,022			52,855			74,795
Total assets	$	1,550,171		$	1,524,746		$	1,487,433
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	223,742		$	232,228		$	232,464			119			115			99		0.22			0.20			0.17
Money market accounts		320,015			331,451			321,198			1,270			915			126		1.61			1.10			0.16
Savings and other		232,162			246,650			233,092			402			291			64		0.70			0.47			0.11
Certificates of deposit		161,300			128,787			131,059			1,027			465			189		2.58			1.43			0.59
Total interest-bearing deposits		937,219			939,116			917,813			2,818			1,786			478		1.22			0.75			0.21
Repurchase agreements		3,961			6,615			7,146			16			20			3		1.65			1.18			0.14
Finance lease		5,397			5,475			5,097			40			40			41		2.96			2.94			3.23
Note payable		121			132			163			2			2			2		6.17			6.16			6.12
Subordinated debt (f)		24,536			24,523			24,480			233			233			233		3.80			3.80			3.81
FHLBB advances		57,056			6,576			2,974			687			57			55		4.82			3.37			7.46
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,028,290			982,437			957,673			3,796			2,138			812		1.49			0.86			0.34
Demand deposits		382,601			408,672			386,884
Other liabilities		8,427			8,233			7,036
Shareholders’ equity		130,853			125,404			135,840
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity	$	1,550,171		$	1,524,746		$	1,487,433
Net interest income										$	11,318		$	12,221		$	10,484
Spread on interest-bearing funds																			2.54			3.00			2.84
Net interest margin (e)																			2.99			3.28			2.95

 

(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 amortized cost.
(d)	Includes tax exempt income benefit of $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for Q1 2023, Q4 2022 and Q1 2022 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 2023 and 2022.
(e)	Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(f)	Net of issuance costs.

Source: Salisbury Bancorp, Inc.

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

FAQ

What is Salisbury Bancorp's net income for Q1 2023?

Salisbury Bancorp reported a net income of $3.0 million or $0.52 per basic common share for Q1 2023.

What impacts did the NBT merger have on Salisbury's financials?

The pending merger with NBT Bancorp resulted in $385 thousand in pre-tax costs affecting Q1 2023 earnings.

When will Salisbury pay its next dividend?

Salisbury will pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 on May 26, 2023, to shareholders of record as of May 12, 2023.

What is the status of non-performing assets at Salisbury?

Salisbury's non-performing assets were low at 0.14% of total assets as of March 31, 2023.

How has loan growth performed for Salisbury Bancorp?

Salisbury experienced a loan growth of $22.1 million, or 1.8%, during Q1 2023.