MIDDLEBURG, Va., Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Middleburg Financial Corporation (the "Company") (Nasdaq: MBRG), today announced net income of $1.61 million or $0.23 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2013.

Gary R. Shook, president and CEO of Middleburg Financial Corporation noted, "The third quarter ushered in a decline in the refinance activity for Southern Trust Mortgage which, in turn, resulted in corporate earnings coming in slightly below the second quarter of 2013 and the third quarter of 2012.  While the mortgage business experienced declines due to an uptick in mortgage rates, overall loan growth, as well as our loan pipeline continued to strengthen in the third quarter.  Moreover, Middleburg Investment Group experienced success in growing revenues, contributing to improved bottom line earnings experienced throughout 2012, continuing into 2013.  Additionally, our ongoing commitment to improve efficiency throughout the Company continued to exhibit incremental improvements in limiting our overall expense growth.  Finally, we were pleased to experience another substantial decline in our non-performing assets."

Third Quarter 2013 Highlights:

• Net income of $1.61 million or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $1.71 million or $0.24 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2012, a decrease of 6.01% when comparing calendar quarters;
• Net interest margin of 3.33%, compared to 3.40% for the previous quarter and 3.28% for the third quarter of 2012;
• Total revenue of $15.45 million, a decrease of 5.93% compared to the second quarter of 2013 and 11.90% compared to the third quarter of 2012;
• Total assets of $1.22 billion, unchanged compared to June 30, 2013;
• Deposits decreased by $3.31 million or 0.34% since June 30, 2013;
• Loans held-for-investment increased by $9.11 million or 1.29% since June 30, 2013;
• The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 2.51% as of September 30, 2013 compared to 2.80% at June 30, 2013 and 3.22% at September 30, 2012;
• Capital ratios continue to be strong: Tangible Common Equity Ratio of 8.81%, Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 15.83%, Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 14.58%, and a Tier 1 Leverage Ratio of 9.36% at September 30, 2013.

Total Revenue

Total revenue, which is comprised of Net Interest Income (before a provision for loan losses) and Non Interest Income, was $15.45 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2013, representing a decrease of  5.93% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of $2.09 million or 11.90% from the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Net interest income was $9.32 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013, which was relatively unchanged from the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and an increase of 1.12% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012. The yield on average earning assets was 3.89% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to 3.97% for the previous quarter and 4.03% for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  Loan yields decreased by 18 basis point while the yield for the securities portfolio decreased by 4 basis points when comparing the quarter end September 30, 2013 to the same quarter of 2012, which represent the primary components of the change in the yield on average earning assets.   

The average annualized cost of interest bearing liabilities was 0.71% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, compared to 0.72% in the previous quarter, and 0.93% for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, representing a decrease of 1 basis point from the previous quarter and a decrease of 22 basis points from the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  Annualized costs for interest bearing retail deposits decreased by 3 basis points from the previous quarter to 0.61% from 0.64% and decreased by 23 basis points from the same quarter last year.  The decline in the annualized cost of interest bearing retail deposits from both the previous quarter and the same quarter last year was due to reduced interest expenses broadly across deposit categories, including interest checking, savings and time deposits.  The annualized cost for wholesale borrowings (excluding brokered deposits) was 1.33%, unchanged compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 19 basis points compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012. 

Cost of funds is calculated by dividing annualized total interest expense by the sum of average interest bearing liabilities and average demand deposits. Cost of funds was 0.59% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to 0.61% for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, a decrease of 2 basis points. Cost of funds decreased  20 basis points compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was 3.33%, compared to 3.40% for the previous quarter, and 3.28% for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  Management continues to reduce funding costs, where possible, to produce a stable net interest margin given the continued low interest rate environment. Management does not expect significant changes in the net interest margin for the remainder of 2013.  

The Company's net interest margin is not a measurement under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, but it is a common measure used by the financial services industry to determine how profitably earning assets are funded. The Company's net interest margin is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by total average earning assets.  Tax equivalent net interest income is calculated by grossing up interest income for the amounts that are non-taxable (i.e., municipal income) then subtracting interest expense. The tax rate utilized is 34.0%. Details on the calculation of the net interest margin are included in the "Key Statistics" table.

The following table presents dollar and percentage changes in components of non-interest income for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:

Non-interest income decreased by $952,000 or 13.45% when comparing the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to the previous quarter and decreased by 26.33% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012. The primary component of non-interest income is gains on mortgage loan sales, which decreased by 7.16% when comparing the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to the previous quarter and decreased by 32.45% when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  The decline in gains on mortgage loan sales was due to the decline in origination volume both in the purchase and refinance segments of the mortgage industry.  Gains on mortgage loan sales included in the accompanying statements of income are presented net of originator commissions incurred to originate the loans.  

Southern Trust Mortgage closed $189.48 million in mortgage loans during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to $209.76 million closed during the previous quarter, and $251.10 million closed during the quarter ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of 9.67% compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 24.56% when comparing the same calendar quarter of 2012.  Due to the decline in loan origination volume as of September 30, 2013, management has taken measures to reduce overhead in order to align expenses with the decline in loan originations and revenue from mortgage sales.  These measures include an approximate 10% reduction in headcount and planned reductions in salary expenses throughout the mortgage company.  

The revenues and expenses of Southern Trust Mortgage are reflected in the Company's financial statements on a consolidated basis following generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.  The outstanding equity interest not held by the Company is reported on the Company's balance sheets as "Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary" and the earnings or loss attributable to the non-controlling interest is reported on the Company's statements of income as "Net (income) / loss attributable to non-controlling interest."

Total revenue generated by our wealth management group, Middleburg Investment Group ("MIG") was $1.12 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, unchanged from the previous quarter and an increase of 6.67% from $1.05 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. Middleburg Investment Group is comprised of Middleburg Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and Middleburg Investment Services, which is a division of Middleburg Bank.  Fee income is based primarily upon the market value of the accounts under administration. Total consolidated assets under administration by MIG were $1.50 billion at September 30, 2013 and $1.47 billion at September 30, 2012.

Net gains on securities available for sale were $23,000 during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to gains of $326,000 during the previous quarter and gains of $164,000 during the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Other operating income was $78,000 during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to $392,000 during the previous quarter and $236,000 during the quarter ended September 30, 2012. The primary reason for the decrease in other operating income during the third quarter 2013 was due to a non-recurring loss recorded in other income related to the disposition of property held for a potential branch location.  Other operating income includes credit card fees, data processing fees and other miscellaneous income during the reporting period.  

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents dollar and percentage changes in components of non-interest expense for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:

Total non-interest expense in the third quarter of 2013 increased 1.50% compared to the previous quarter and decreased by $531,000 or 3.84% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  

Salaries and employee benefit expenses increased by $58,000 or 0.75% when comparing the third quarter of 2013 to the previous quarter. Salaries and employee benefits increased by $474,000 or 6.51% compared the third quarter of 2012.  The primary component of this increase was an increase in full-time equivalent employees from 363 as of September 30, 2012 to 386 as of September 30, 2013.    

Expenses related to Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") increased by $274,000 when comparing the third quarter of 2013 to the previous quarter and decreased by $1.10 million compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012. Changes in the level of OREO related expenses is determined by the volume of OREO properties recorded during the reporting periods, valuation allowances associated with the fair market value of the properties, the condition and maintenance of the properties and losses incurred on the sale of properties. 

Advertising expenses declined 26.90% compared to the previous quarter and declined $334,000 or 51.23% from the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  Advertising expenses are cyclical and are impacted by product offerings and promotions, new financial service center locations and community outreach.  The primary reason for lower advertising expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2013 was due to the increased advertising expenses in 2012 related to the Bank's entrance into the Richmond market. 

Computer operations expenses remained relatively unchanged when compared to the previous quarter and increased  41.61% from the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  The primary reason for the increase in expenses year over year was due to the higher costs related to computer maintenance, additional expenses related to a new anti-money laundering monitoring and tracking software, and continued increases in expenses related to our on-line banking products. 

Federal deposit insurance expenses decreased 44.81% compared to the previous quarter and decreased 43.13% from the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  The primary reason for decreased expenses in this category was related to the refund of the Bank's unused prepaid FDIC insurance premium.  This refund decreased related expenses proportionately.

Other operating expenses increased by $73,000 or 3.42% from the previous quarter and increased by $327,000 or 17.37% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  The increase in other operating expenses, when comparing the quarter end September 30, 2013 to September 30, 2012, was primarily related to an increase in recruiting expenses for senior level positions, an increase in the Bank's accrual for unfunded commitments, and normal client related losses.

The Company's efficiency ratio was 81.19% for the third quarter of 2013, compared to an efficiency ratio of 69.27% for the third quarter of 2012.  The efficiency ratio is not a measurement under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company calculates its efficiency ratio by dividing non-interest expense (adjusted for amortization of intangibles, other real estate expenses, and non-recurring one-time charges) by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and non-interest income excluding gains and losses on the investment portfolio.  The tax rate utilized in calculating tax equivalent amounts is 34%. The Company calculates and reviews this ratio as a means of evaluating operational efficiency. 

Asset Quality and Provision for Loan Losses

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $3,000 in the third quarter compared to a provision of $184,000 for the previous quarter and a provision of $635,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  The Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) was $13.38 million representing 1.87% of loans held for investment at September 30, 2013 compared to $13.62 million representing 1.93% of loans held for investment at June 30, 2013.  

Loans that were delinquent for more than 90 days and still accruing interest were $636,000 as of September 30, 2013 compared to $829,000 as of June 30, 2013, and $860,000 as of September 30, 2012, representing a decrease of 23.28% compared to the previous quarter and a 26.05% decrease compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Non-accrual loans were $20.53 million at the end of the third quarter of 2013 compared to $20.38 million as of June 30, 2013 and $22.68 million at September 30, 2012, representing an increase of 0.73% during the third quarter of 2013 and a decrease of 9.51% since September 30, 2012. Troubled debt restructurings that were performing as agreed were $4.82 million at the end of the third quarter of 2013, compared to $5.37 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, representing a decrease of 10.18% during the quarter.  Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) was $4.53 million as of September 30, 2013 compared to $7.57 million as of June 30, 2013, representing a decrease of 40.16% during the third quarter of 2013. Total non-performing assets were $30.51 million or 2.51% of total assets at September 30, 2013, compared to $34.14 million or 2.80% of total assets as of June 30, 2013 and $39.78 million or 3.22% of total assets as of September 30, 2012.

Net loan charge-offs during the third quarter of 2013 were $237,000 compared to net loan charge-offs of $76,000 for the previous quarter and $1.66 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Total Consolidated Assets

Total assets at September 30, 2013 were $1.22 billion, lower by $21.45 million or 1.73% from December 31, 2012 and lower by $20.63 million or 1.67% compared to September 30, 2012.

Total loans held for investment increased by $9.11 million or 1.29% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the previous quarter.  Loans held for investment increased by $23.74 million or 3.43% from September 30, 2012.  The securities portfolio (excluding restricted stock) increased by $8.25 million or 2.58% in the third quarter of 2013 relative to the previous quarter.  Balances of mortgages held for sale decreased by $23.47 million or 35.93% at September 30, 2013 compared to the previous quarter end balance.  Cash balances and deposits at other banks increased by 7.13% at the end of the third quarter of 2013 compared to the previous quarter.

Deposits and Other Borrowings

Total deposits decreased by $3.31 million or 0.34% from the previous quarter.  FHLB advances were $85.0 million at September 30, 2013, unchanged compared to the previous quarter.

The Company has an interest bearing product, known as Tredegar Institutional Select, that integrates the use of the cash within client accounts at Middleburg Trust Company for overnight funding at the Bank.  The overall balance of this product was $29.65 million at September 30, 2013, $28.96 million for the previous quarter, $54.58 million as of December 31, 2012 and $56.43 million as of September 30, 2012.  The primary reason for the declining balances is due to cash going back into the market as a result of a more favorable marketplace and increasing investor confidence.

Equity and Capital

Shareholders' equity attributable to Middleburg Financial Corporation shareholders at September 30, 2013 was $112.44 million, compared to $112.94 million as of June 30, 2013 and $112.54 million at September 30, 2012.  Retained earnings at September 30, 2013 were $50.06 million compared to $48.95 million at June 30, 2013 and $45.17 million at September 30, 2012. The book value of the Company's common stock at September 30, 2013 was $15.86 per share versus $15.93 per share at June 30, 2013. The decline in shareholders' equity during the third quarter was primarily due to a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) of $1.77 million resulting from unrealized losses in available for sale securities and the increase of the Company's dividend from $0.05 per share as of June 30, 2013 to $0.07 per share as of September 30, 2013.

The Company's total risk-based capital ratio increased to 15.83% as of September 30, 2013 from 15.41% at June 30, 2013 and 15.35% from December 31, 2012.  The Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio increased from 14.15% at June 30, 2013 to 14.58% at September 30, 2013 and increased from 14.09% at December 31, 2012.  The Tier 1 Leverage Ratio increased to 9.36% at September 30, 2013 from 9.32% at June 30, 2013 and 9.10% at December 31, 2012.  

As depicted in the following table, the Company's risk-based capital ratios remain well above regulatory minimum capital ratios:

Caution about Forward Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this discussion may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These forward-looking statements relate to the Company's future operations and are generally identified by phrases such as "the Company expects," "the Company believes" or words of similar import.  Although the Company believes that its expectations with respect to the forward-looking statements are based upon reliable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results, performance or achievements of the Company will not differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For details on factors that could affect expectations, see the risk factors and other cautionary language included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

About Middleburg Financial Corporation

Middleburg Financial Corporation is headquartered in Middleburg, Virginia and has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Middleburg Bank and Middleburg Investment Group, Inc. Middleburg Bank serves communities in Virginia with financial centers in Ashburn, Gainesville, Leesburg, Marshall, Middleburg, Purcellville, Reston,  Richmond, Warrenton and Williamsburg. Middleburg Investment Group owns Middleburg Trust Company, which is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia with offices in Middleburg, Alexandria and Williamsburg. Middleburg Financial Corporation is also the majority owner of Southern Trust Mortgage, which is based in Virginia Beach and provides mortgages through offices in Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.