Capital City Bank Group Inc (CCBG) SEC Filing 10-K Annual report for the fiscal year ending Monday, December 31, 2018

Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 29, 2019) – Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCBG) today reported net income of $8.5 million, or $0.50 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to net income of $6.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2018, and $3,000, or $0.00 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2017.  Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2017 included a $4.1 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, income tax expense related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.   

For the full year 2018, net income totaled $26.2 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, compared to net income of $10.9 million, or $0.64 per diluted share for 2017.  Net income for 2018 included tax benefits totaling $3.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share related to 2017 plan year pension plan contributions made during 2018.         

Fourth Quarter 2018 HIGHLIGHTS

·    Earnings per diluted share of $0.50, included other real estate gain of $0.09 per share 

·    Continued growth in net interest income, up $0.7 million, or 3.1 % sequentially

·    Continued reduction in classified assets, 16% sequentially    

·    Tangible capital ratio of 7.58%

·    Repurchased 324,000 shares of common stock

Full Year 2018 HIGHLIGHTS

·    Earnings per diluted share of $1.54, included tax benefits of $0.19 per share and higher other real estate gains of $0.05 per share

·    Continued improvement in operating leverage driven by margin expansion

-        Net interest income up $9.5 million, or 11.5%

-        Net interest margin up 27 basis points to 3.64% 

-        Average loan growth of $100 million, or 6.2%

·    Continued reduction in classified assets, 28%

“2018 produced marked improvement and continues to move us closer to our historical performance levels,” said William G. Smith, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. “Record loan growth, a rising rate environment and tax reform were all major contributors to our earnings growth.  Asset sensitivity and a strong core deposit base produced a net interest margin of 3.64%, up 27 basis points year over year.  Lowering our efficiency ratio is a top priority and we have multiple strategies in place to grow revenues and reduce expenses.  Florida is growing and we are once again on offense following a number of years playing defense after the crisis.  We appreciate our shareowners’ confidence in our management team and will remain focused on implementing strategies that produce long-term value for our shareowners.”

Compared to the third quarter of 2018, the $3.3 million increase in operating profit reflected a $2.2 million decrease in noninterest expense, a $0.7 million increase in net interest income, and a $0.5 million reduction in the loan loss provision, partially offset by lower noninterest income of $0.1 million.  During the fourth quarter of 2018, we sold a banking office and realized a $2.0 million gain, which was reflected in noninterest expense (other real estate).

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2017, the $4.0 million increase in operating profit reflected a $2.9 million increase in net interest income, a $0.4 million decrease in noninterest expense, a $0.4 million reduction in the loan loss provision, and  higher noninterest income of $0.3 million.

For the full year 2018, the $6.6 million increase in operating profit compared to 2017 was attributable to a $9.5 million increase in net interest income, partially offset by a $2.0 million increase in noninterest expense, a $0.7 million increase in the loan loss provision, and lower noninterest income of $0.2 million.

Our return on average assets (“ROA”) was 1.18% and our return on average equity (“ROE”) was 11.10% for the fourth quarter of 2018.  These metrics were 0.84% and 7.98% for the third quarter of 2018, respectively, and 0.00% and 0.00% for the fourth quarter of 2017, respectively.  For the full year 2018, our ROA was 0.92% and our ROE was 8.89% compared to 0.39% and 3.83%, respectively, for 2017.

Discussion of Operating Results

Tax-equivalent net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $24.5 million compared to $23.8 million for the third quarter of 2018 and $21.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2017.  For the full year 2018, tax-equivalent net interest income totaled $93.2 million compared to $84.2 million for 2017.  The increase in tax-equivalent net interest income compared to all prior periods reflected higher interest rates and a favorable shift in the earning asset mix. Higher rates were earned on overnight funds, investment securities and loans, partially offset by a higher cost on our negotiated rate deposits.