Evans Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Evans”) (NYSE American: EVBN), a community financial services company serving Western New York since 1920, today reported results of operations for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Total loan balances of $1.7 billion up 2% in the quarter and 5% year-over-year
• Net income of $3.6 million reflected continued net interest margin pressure, partially offset by prudent expense management
• Total non-interest expense declined 9% to $14.4 million over last year’s third quarter
• Net interest margin of 2.79% declined 31 basis points sequentially, of which 8 basis points was attributable to the reversal of interest income from one non-accrual commercial loan in the quarter

Net income was $3.6 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023, compared with $4.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2023 and $5.9 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, in last year’s third quarter. The change from the second quarter of 2023 reflected a decrease in net interest income, increased provision for credit losses and higher non-interest expense, partially offset by higher non-interest income. The change from the prior year’s third quarter was largely due to a reduction in net interest income and lower non-interest income, partially offset by lower non-interest expense and provision for credit losses. Return on average equity was 9.06% for the third quarter of 2023, compared with 12.25% in the second quarter of 2023 and 14.15% in the third quarter of 2022.

David J. Nasca, President and CEO of Evans Bancorp, Inc., said, “Third quarter results were solid from a growth and operating performance standpoint and position the Company strongly in a challenging business environment. The net interest margin continued to be pressured by rate headwinds, especially related to funding costs, as anticipated. The margin was also impacted by a reversal of interest income from one large, longtime credit client. Absent that reduction, our margin was in line with expectations. Deposits and liquidity are stable. In addition, our associates have performed well in lending and business development despite market dynamics, making inroads with new clients and cementing existing relationships, as evidenced by our 8% annualized loan growth in the quarter. We continue to take proactive steps to manage costs and expenditures by focusing on operating efficiency and providing exceptional experience to our valued clients.”

Net interest income of $14.3 million was down $1.4 million, or 9%, from the second quarter and $4.9 million, or 26%, from last year’s third quarter as a result of higher interest expense related to the increased cost of interest-bearing liabilities produced by competitive pricing on deposits.

Third quarter net interest margin of 2.79% declined 31 basis points over the trailing second quarter and 93 basis points from the prior-year period. Impacting net interest margin by 8 basis points was the reversal of approximately $0.4 million of interest income primarily resulting from one large commercial loan that was put on non-accrual status during the quarter. The yield on loans remained flat compared with the second quarter but improved 78 basis points year-over-year. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 2.59% compared with 2.18% in the second quarter of 2023 and 0.36% in the third quarter of 2022.

The $0.5 million provision for credit losses in the current quarter was largely due to loan growth.

“Our balance sheet remains strong as spot deposit levels were up slightly in the quarter, and while there are product shifts still occurring, we are broadly seeing more stabilization,” commented John Connerton, Chief Financial Officer of Evans Bank. “Our loan pipeline continues to be solid at $67 million, and is centered on high quality credits, which is reflected in our credit performance as we continue to navigate the current market by adhering to our prudent underwriting standards.”

Total non-interest income increased $0.9 million, or 18%, from the second quarter of 2023, but was down $0.2 million, or 4%, from last year’s third quarter on the strength of insurance revenues offset by deposit service charges and other income decreases.

The change in deposit service charges since last year’s third quarter was largely due to the Bank’s implementation of reduced overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees during the fourth quarter of 2022.

The increase in insurance service and fee revenue from the sequential second quarter reflects seasonally higher commercial lines insurance commissions and profit-sharing revenue. The increase from the prior year was primarily due to increased personal lines commissions resulting from higher premiums.

Other income decreased $0.3 million from last year’s third quarter primarily due to a $0.2 million final payment received in connection with a historic tax credit investment during the third quarter of 2022.

Total non-interest expense increased $0.2 million, or 2%, from the second quarter of 2023, but was down $1.4 million, or 9%, from last year’s third quarter.

Salaries and employee benefits were down $1.7 million, or 16%, from last year’s comparative period, largely due to lower incentive accruals of $1.3 million and reduced staff expenses through consolidation of branches and back-office operations. These decreases were partially offset by merit increases and strategic hires. When compared with the second quarter, salaries and employee benefits were relatively flat due to cost management efforts.

Technology and communications increased $0.2 million from last year’s third quarter primarily due to higher software costs.

The Company’s GAAP efficiency ratio, or noninterest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, was 72.7% in the third quarter of 2023, 69.5% in the second quarter of 2023, and 63.3% in the third quarter of 2022.

Income tax expense was $1.3 million, for an effective tax rate of 26.2%, in the third quarter of 2023 compared with 22.0% in the second quarter of 2023 and 25.2% in last year’s third quarter.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total assets were $2.17 billion as of September 30, 2023, an increase of less than 1% since June 30, 2023, and were up 2% from $2.13 billion at September 30, 2022. The change from last year’s third quarter was due to an increase in loan balances of $78 million, or 5%, partially offset by a reduction in investment securities of $40 million, or 11%. The loan balance increase reflects higher commercial real estate loans of $88 million and residential mortgages of $7 million, partially offset by commercial and industrial loans which decreased $15 million.

Investment securities were $337 million at September 30, 2023, $17 million lower than the end of the second quarter of 2023 and $40 million lower than the end of last year’s third quarter. The decrease reflects changes in unrealized gains and losses on investment securities and maturities within the available-for-sale investment portfolio. The primary objectives of the Company’s investment portfolio are to provide liquidity, secure municipal deposits, and maximize income while preserving the safety of principal.

Total deposits of $1.81 billion increased $19 million, or 1%, from June 30, 2023, but decreased $68 million, or 4%, from the end of last year’s third quarter. The change from last year’s third quarter reflected deposit decreases in consumer savings of $158 million, demand deposits of $112 million, commercial savings of $60 million, and brokered deposits of $6 million. Offsetting those decreases were higher consumer time deposits of $204 million, NOW deposits of $61 million and municipal savings of $3 million.

While the Company has not experienced a significant outflow of deposits, in the event of such occurrences, it has access to alternate sources of funding to meet withdrawal demands. As of September 30, 2023, Evans had $19 million in overnight borrowings at the FHLB. Given the current collateral available at FHLB, advances up to $312 million can be drawn on the FHLB via the Company’s overnight line of credit. Additionally, Evans has the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve and participates in the Bank Term Funding Program. At September 30, 2023, Evans had $126 million in short-term borrowings with the Federal Reserve and $35.1 million in additional availability to borrow against collateral.

Capital Management

The Company has consistently maintained regulatory capital ratios measurably above the Federal “well capitalized” standard, including a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.40% at September 30, 2023 compared with 9.43% at June 30, 2023 and 9.00% at September 30, 2022.

Book value per share was $27.52 at September 30, 2023 compared with $29.12 at June 30, 2023 and $27.20 at September 30, 2022. Reflected in the book value changes are the Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest rate hikes that have resulted in significant unrealized losses on investment securities, which reduced book value per share at September 30, 2023 by $1.61 when compared with the linked quarter. Such unrealized gains and losses are due to changes in interest rates and represent the difference, net of applicable income tax effect, between the estimated fair value and amortized cost of investment securities classified as available-for-sale.

Tangible book value per share was $25.04 at September 30, 2023 compared with $26.61 at June 30, 2023 and $24.65 at September 30, 2022.

In October 2023, the Company paid a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.66 per common share. Cash dividends totaled $1.32 per common share during 2023, up 5% over 2022.

Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 4:45 p.m. ET. Management will review the financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2023, as well as the Company’s strategy and outlook. A question and answer session will follow.

The conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8471. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored at www.evansbancorp.com.

A telephonic replay will be available from 8:00 p.m. ET on the day of the teleconference until Thursday, November 9, 2023. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13741201, or access the webcast replay at www.evansbancorp.com, where a transcript will be posted once available.

About Evans Bancorp, Inc.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company and the parent company of Evans Bank, N.A., a commercial bank with $2.2 billion in assets and $1.8 billion in deposits at September 30, 2023. Evans is a full-service community bank with 18 branches providing comprehensive financial services to consumer, business and municipal customers throughout Western New York. Evans Insurance Agency, a wholly owned subsidiary, provides life insurance, employee benefits, and property and casualty insurance through eight offices in the Western New York region. Evans Investment Services provides non-deposit investment products, such as annuities and mutual funds.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. and Evans Bank routinely post news and other important information on their websites, at www.evansbancorp.com and www.evansbank.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future business, revenue and earnings. These statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance, events or results. There are risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of Evans Bancorp to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include the impacts from COVID-19, competitive pressures among financial services companies, interest rate trends, general economic conditions, changes in legislation or regulatory requirements, effectiveness at achieving stated goals and strategies, and difficulties in achieving operating efficiencies. These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in Evans Bancorp’s Annual and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Evans Bancorp undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new, updated information, future events or otherwise.

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