Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NICOLET BANKSHARES, INC. ANNOUNCES 2018 EARNINGS AND NEW BOARD MEMBER
•Net income of $10.9 million, 19% above fourth quarter 2017
•Net income of $41.0 million for 2018, 24% higher than 2017
•Earnings per diluted common share of $1.11 for fourth quarter and $4.12 for 2018
•Return on average assets of 1.44% for fourth quarter and 1.38% for 2018
•Growth of 4% in loans and 6% in deposits since year end 2017
•Continued exceptional asset quality
•Rachel Campos-Duffy joins the Board of Directors
Green Bay, Wisconsin, January 15, 2019 - Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCBS) (“Nicolet”) announced fourth quarter 2018 net income of $10.9 million and earnings per diluted common share of $1.11, compared to $10.9 million and $1.09 for third quarter 2018, and $9.1 million and $0.88 for fourth quarter 2017, respectively. Annualized quarterly return on average assets was 1.44%, 1.45% and 1.27%, for fourth quarter 2018, third quarter 2018 and fourth quarter 2017, respectively.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $41.0 million, 24% higher than $33.1 million for 2017. Earnings per diluted common share were $4.12 for 2018, 24% higher than $3.33 for 2017. Return on average assets was 1.38% for 2018 and 1.25% for 2017.
“2018 was an exceptional year. Solid growth, margin discipline and sterling asset quality led the way,” said Bob Atwell, Chairman and CEO of Nicolet.
“The rapid pace of our acquisition activity between 2013 and 2017 caused some to wonder whether our exceptional profitability was sustainable without more deals,” Atwell reflected. “Our last acquisition closed in April 2017 and our profitability continues to surge. We have ongoing acquisition discussions, but our strategies remain focused and the terms of deals need to make sense for our shareholders. Substantial ownership interests of our leadership and board help us to remain disciplined.”
“The last 20 merger-free months have given us a very welcome opportunity to drive further excellence into our franchise. We are very pleased with our organic growth momentum across our locations and products,” Atwell said.
“We remained focused on customers and the customer experience, including website redesign, branch facility upgrades, and market leadership alignment,” said Mike Daniels, President and CEO of Nicolet National Bank. “We are especially proud of how our revenue line leaders managed the movement of deposit and loan rates in the consistently rising rate environment. With better predictive analytics, we have worked hard to preserve our margin consistent with our commitment to pricing integrity for our loyal customers,” Daniels said.
Today, the Board of Directors expanded its membership by one to sixteen total directors and named Rachel Campos-Duffy to fill the director position until she stands for election at the next annual shareholder meeting, currently set for May 13, 2019.
“We are very excited to have Rachel join our Board. Her background offers a unique perspective that will fit well with the culture we have built at Nicolet,” said Atwell. “As a national and cable television host and
The following information was filed by Nicolet Bankshares Inc (NCBS) on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 as an 8K 2.02 statement, which is an earnings press release pertaining to results of operations and financial condition. It may be helpful to assess the quality of management by comparing the information in the press release to the information in the accompanying 10-K Annual Report statement of earnings and operation as management may choose to highlight particular information in the press release.