BALTIMORE, April 25, 2012/PRNewswire/ -- 1st Mariner Bancorp (OTCBB: FMAR), parent company of 1st Mariner Bank, reported net income of $1.8 millionfor the first quarter of 2012, compared to a net loss of $7.3 millionfor the first quarter of 2011.

Mark A. Keidel, 1st Mariner's interim Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are encouraged by the progress we have made in improving our operating results. Overall economic conditions in our market have improved as unemployment levels eased and values of homes and commercial properties appear to have stabilized. As a result, we are seeing more customers keeping up with their loan payments and we have been able to resolve more of our non-performing assets. Additionally, we experienced strong revenues from mortgage banking activities and experienced substantial increases in both refinancing volume and loans to purchase homes, while the continuation of low market interest rates has reduced deposit costs and increased our net interest margin. Lastly, we continue to make progress in reducing our controllable non-interest expenses."

Mr. Keidel continued, "As we move into the second quarter, we remain focused on improving all aspects of our operations and continue to execute on current opportunities in mortgage banking. We remain committed to improving our capital levels and are working diligently to satisfy the requirements in our regulatory agreements."

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2012 was $7.6 millioncompared to $6.8 millionin the first quarter of 2011. The net interest margin improved to 3.17% in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 2.84% in the first quarter of 2011. The improvement was due to lower interest rates paid on deposits. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the average interest rate paid on deposits was 1.36%, and for the three months ended March 31, 2011, the rate was 1.82%, while interest expense on deposits was $3.1 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2012compared to $4.5 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2011. Gross interest income was $11.6 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2012versus $12.2 millionin the same period of 2011. Lower levels of loans were the primary cause of the decrease. Average earning assets were $952.2 millionand $948.4 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2012and 2011, respectively. The increase was due to higher average loans held for sale that resulted from the higher mortgage banking activity. 

The provision for loan losses was $1.0 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2012compared to $800 thousandthree months ended March 31, 2011. Net charge-offs were $1.3 millionduring the quarter ended March 31, 2012compared to $818 thousandin the same quarter of 2011. Costs related to foreclosed properties, including write-downs due to declining appraised values, amounted to $1.3 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2012compared to $1.8 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2011. These combined credit- related costs amounted to $2.3 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2012versus $2.6 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2011. 

Non-interest income was $10.4 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2012, which is an increase of $7.3 millionfrom the $3.1 millionthat was reported in the first quarter of 2011.  The increase from the prior year was due to the high volume of refinancing and sales activity produced by the mortgage division. Gross revenues from the mortgage banking activities was $9.0 millionfor the quarter ended March 31, 2012versus $935 thousandin the quarter ended March 31, 2011.                                                                     

Non-interest expenses were $15.3 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2012compared to $16.4 millionfor the three months ended March 31, 2011. Controllable costs such as salaries and benefits, occupancy, and furniture, fixtures and equipment expenses decreased by $600 thousandin the three months ended March 31, 2012compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011. Although professional fees related to regulatory compliance, loan workouts, and efforts related to increasing capital levels were $373thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2012, they included a recovery of $691 thousandin legal fees from the settlement of a lawsuit.  Costs associated with foreclosed properties decreased $500 thousandin the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Amounts paid for FDIC insurance premiums remain high with $1.0 millionpaid in the three months ended March 31, 2012and $973 thousandpaid in the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Comparing balance sheet data as of March 31, 2012and 2011, total assets decreased 7% to $1.18 billion, from the prior year's $1.27 billion. The decrease is primarily attributable to an $86.9 millionplanned decrease in loans.

  • Average earning assets were $952.2 millionfor the first quarter of 2012, which was a $3.8 millionincrease over the first quarter 2011 balance of $948.4 million. The increase was due to higher average loans held for sale that resulted from the higher mortgage banking activity.
  • Total loans outstanding were $680.5 millionas of March 31, 2012. This is an 11% decrease from the $767.4 millionreported in prior year. This was due to loan maturities, loan sales, and reduced loan production.
  • Total loans held for sale increased $141.1 million, or 298%, to $188.5 millionas of March 31, 2012. This was due to the high mortgage division production achieved in the three months ended March 31, 2102. Refinancing volume has been strong as mortgage interest rates have remained low.
  • The allowance for loan losses at the end of the first quarter of 2012 was $13.5 million, a decrease of 4% over the prior year's $14.1 million. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was increased to 1.99% as of March 31, 2012, compared to 1.84% as of March 31, 2011.
  • Total deposits decreased 7% from $1.09 billionas of March 31, 2011to $1.01 billionas of March 31, 2012. Money market and NOW accounts decreased $14.9 million, from $143.0 millionas of March 31, 2011to $128.1 millionas of March 31, 2012. Savings accounts decreased $232 thousandfrom $59.9 millionas of March 31, 2011to $59.7 millionas of March 31, 2012. Certificates of deposit were $713.5 millionas of March 31, 2012, representing a decrease of $61.7 million, or 8%, from the $775.2 millionas of March 31, 2011. The decrease in interest bearing deposits was primarily due to lower rates being offered on these deposit products in 2012 versus 2011.
  • As of March 31, 2012, 1st Mariner Bank's capital ratios were as follows: Total Risk Based Capital 5.7%; Tier 1 Risk Based Capital 4.4%; and Tier 1 Leverage 3.2%. 

1st Mariner Bancorp is a bank holding Company with total assets of $1.18 billion.  Its wholly owned banking subsidiary, 1st Mariner Bank, operates 21 full service bank branches in Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, Howard, Talbot, and Carrollcounties in Maryland, and the City of Baltimore. 1st Mariner Mortgage, a division of 1st Mariner Bank, operates retail offices in Central Marylandand the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  1st Mariner also operates direct marketing mortgage operations in Baltimore.  1st Mariner Bancorp's common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "FMAR.OB".  1st Mariner's Website address is www.1stMarinerBancorp.com, which includes comprehensive level investor information.

In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the Company's plans and expectations regarding the Company's efforts to meet regulatory capital requirements established by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, revenue growth, anticipated expenses, profitability of mortgage banking operations, and other unknown outcomes.  The Company's actual results could differ materially from management's expectations.  Factors that could contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to increase its capital levels and those of 1st Mariner Bank, volatility in the financial markets, changes in regulations applicable to the Company's business,  its concentration in real estate lending, increased competition, changes in technology, particularly Internet banking, impact of interest rates, and the possibility of economic recession or slowdown (which could impact credit quality, adequacy of loan loss reserve and loan growth).Greater detail regarding these  factors is provided in the forward looking statements and  Risk Factors  sections included in the reports filed by the Company with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Our forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss elsewhere in this news release, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our web site and at the SEC's web site, www.sec.gov.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

First Mariner Bancorp

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)



For the three months ended March 31,



2012

2011

$ Change

% Change

Summary of Earnings:






Net interest income

$       7,566

$       6,804

762

11%


Provision for loan losses

1,000

800

200

25%


Noninterest income

10,379

3,062

7,317

239%


Noninterest expense

15,331

16,375

(1,044)

-6%


Net income/(loss) before income taxes

1,614

(7,309)

8,923

122%


Income tax expense/(benefit)

(205)

-

(205)

-100%


Net income/(loss)

1,819

(7,309)

9,128

125%







Profitability and Productivity:






Net interest margin

3.17%

2.84%

-

12%


Net overhead ratio

1.67%

4.09%

-

-59%


Efficiency ratio

85.43%

165.97%

-

49%


Mortgage loan production

461,317

188,940

272,377

144%


Average deposits per branch

46,056

49,335

(3,279)

-7%







Per Share Data:






Basic earnings per share 

$         0.10

$       (0.40)

0.49

124%


Diluted earnings per share

$         0.10

$       (0.40)

0.49

124%


Book value per share

$        (1.22)

$       (0.18)

(1.04)

-574%


Number of shares outstanding

18,860,482

18,532,929

327,553

2%


Average basic number of shares

18,860,482

18,407,820

452,662

2%


Average diluted number of shares

18,860,482

18,407,820

452,662

2%







Summary of Financial Condition:






At Period End:






Assets

$ 1,179,190

$1,265,980

(86,790)

-7%


Investment Securities

22,841

59,388

(36,547)

-62%


Loans

680,498

767,396

(86,898)

-11%


Deposits

1,013,241

1,085,375

(72,134)

-7%


Borrowings and TRUPs

173,450

170,049

3,401

2%


Stockholders' equity

(22,976)

(3,348)

(19,628)

-586%








Average for the period:






Assets

$ 1,177,181

$1,290,519

(113,338)

-9%


Investment Securities

22,733

33,721

(10,988)

-33%


Loans

697,432

795,697

(98,265)

-12%


Deposits

1,012,716

1,106,858

(94,142)

-9%


Borrowings and TRUPs

175,045

169,755

5,290

3%


Stockholders' equity

(24,557)

1,519

(26,076)

-1717%







Capital Ratios: First Mariner Bank






Leverage

3.2%

4.4%

-

-27%


Tier 1 Capital to risk weighted assets

4.4%

6.7%

-

-34%


Total Capital to risk weighted assets

5.7%

7.9%

-

-28%







Asset Quality Statistics and Ratios:






Net Chargeoffs

1,280

818

462

56%


Non-performing assets

62,580

71,339

(8,759)

-12%


90 Days or more delinquent loans

5,007

4,886

121

2%


Annualized net chargeoffs to average loans

0.73%

0.41%

-

79%


Non-performing assets to total assets

5.31%

5.64%

-

-6%


90 Days or more delinquent loans to total loans

0.74%

0.64%

-

16%


Allowance for loan losses to total loans

1.99%

1.84%

-

8%







CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

First Mariner Bancorp

(Dollars in thousands)

For the three months




ended March 31,




2012

2011


Interest Income:





Loans

$     11,283

$     11,698



Investments and interest-bearing deposits

336

490


Total Interest Income

11,619

12,188







Interest Expense:





Deposits

3,088

4,503



Borrowings

965

881


Total Interest Expense

4,053

5,384







Net Interest Income Before Provision for Loan Losses

7,566

6,804







Provision for Loan Losses

1,000

800







Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses

6,566

6,004







Noninterest Income:





Total other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") charges

(460)

640



Less: Portion included in other comprehensive income

-

(640)



Net OTTI charges on securities available for sale

(460)

-



Mortgage banking revenue

8,950

935



ATM Fees

718

771



Service fees on deposits

680

735



Commissions on sales of nondeposit investment products

62

118



Income from bank owned life insurance

293

335



Other

136

168


Total Noninterest Income

10,379

3,062







Noninterest Expense:





Salaries and employee benefits

5,779

6,270



Occupancy

2,222

2,176



Furniture, fixtures and equipment

362

485



Professional services

373

1,164



Advertising

188

136



Data processing

432

455



ATM servicing expenses

226

208



Costs of other real estate owned

1,274

1,759



FDIC insurance premiums 

1,048

973



Service and maintenance

591

652



Other

2,836

2,097


Total Noninterest Expense

15,331

16,375







Net income/(loss) before income taxes

1,614

(7,309)


Income tax expense/(benefit)

(205)

-







Net income/(loss)

$       1,819

$      (7,309)







CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)

First Mariner Bancorp

(Dollars in thousands)



As of March 31,





2012

2011

$ Change 

% Change

Assets:






Cash and due from banks

$121,294

$233,914

(112,620)

-48%


Interest-bearing deposits 

42,259

39,437

2,822

7%


Available-for-sale investment securities, at fair value

22,841

59,388

(36,547)

-62%


Loans held for sale

188,462

47,354

141,108

298%


Loans receivable

680,498

767,396

(86,898)

-11%


Allowance for loan losses

(13,521)

(14,097)

576

-4%


Loans, net

666,977

753,299

(86,322)

-11%


Real estate acquired through foreclosure

25,531

28,317

(2,786)

-10%


Restricted stock investments, at cost

7,085

7,095

(10)

0%


Premises and equipment, net

37,637

40,360

(2,723)

-7%


Accrued interest receivable

3,861

3,886

(25)

-1%


Bank owned life insurance

37,771

36,522

1,249

3%


Prepaid expenses and other assets

25,472

16,408

9,064

55%

Total Assets

$ 1,179,190

$1,265,980

(86,790)

-7%







Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:





Liabilities:






Deposits

$ 1,013,241

$1,085,375

(72,134)

-7%


Borrowings

121,382

117,981

3,401

3%


Junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures

52,068

52,068

-

0%


Accrued expenses and other liabilities

15,475

13,904

1,571

11%

Total Liabilities

1,202,166

1,269,328

(67,162)

-5%







Stockholders' Equity






Common Stock

939

923

16

2%


Additional paid-in-capital

80,018

79,753

265

0%


Retained earnings

(101,634)

(80,519)

(21,115)

-26%


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,299)

(3,505)

1,206

34%

Total Stockholders Equity

(22,976)

(3,348)

(19,628)

-586%

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$ 1,179,190

$1,265,980

(86,790)

-7%







CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS AND RATES (UNAUDITED)



First Mariner Bancorp





(Dollars in thousands)







For the three months ended March 31,



2012

2011



Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/



Balance

Rate

Balance

Rate

Assets:






Loans






Commercial Loans and LOC

$     54,424

5.17%

$       69,555

5.20%


Commercial Mortgages

319,617

5.80%

351,292

6.26%


Commercial Construction

55,194

5.77%

57,187

5.50%


Consumer Residential Construction

16,074

4.57%

28,700

5.19%


Residential Mortgages

121,490

5.88%

140,688

5.04%


Consumer

130,633

4.60%

148,275

4.46%


Total Loans

697,432

5.51%

795,697

5.52%








Loans held for sale

177,561

3.78%

68,315

4.26%


Trading and available for sale securities, at fair value

22,733

4.91%

33,721

4.28%


Interest bearing deposits

47,289

0.49%

43,612

1.18%


Restricted stock investments, at cost

7,163

0.00%

7,095

0.00%








Total earning assets

952,178

4.88%

948,440

5.15%








Allowance for loan losses

(14,056)


(14,356)



Cash and other non earning assets

239,059


356,435








Total Assets

$ 1,177,181


$  1,290,519








Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:






Interest bearing deposits






NOW deposits

5,732

0.98%

6,615

0.57%


Savings deposits

57,069

0.19%

57,892

0.19%


Money market deposits

127,233

0.51%

132,242

0.56%


Time deposits

719,952

1.61%

806,224

2.16%


Total interest bearing deposits

909,986

1.36%

1,002,973

1.82%








Borrowings and TRUPs

175,045

2.22%

169,755

2.11%








Total interest bearing liabilities

1,085,031

1.50%

1,172,728

1.86%








Noninterest bearing demand deposits

102,730


103,885



Other liabilities

13,977


12,387



Stockholders' Equity

(24,557)


1,519








Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$ 1,177,181


$  1,290,519








Net Interest Spread


3.38%


3.29%







Net Interest Margin


3.17%


2.84%

SOURCE 1st Mariner Bancorp

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