EX-99.1 2 ex_808234.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 ex_808234.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2025

  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
     

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc.                                   

4510 Lower Beckleysville Rd, Suite H                                             

Hampstead, Maryland 21074

 

Contact: Mr. Gary A. Harris

President and Chief Executive Officer

(410) 374-1510, ext. 1104

                                                                                                     

 

FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANCSHARES, INC. REPORTS EARNINGS OF $1.2 MILLION, OR $0.37 PER SHARE, FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025

 

HAMPSTEAD, MARYLAND (April 29, 2025) – Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), the parent company of Farmers and Merchants Bank (the “Bank” and, together with the Company, “we”, “us” and “our”), announced that net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 was $1.2 million, or $0.37 per common share (basic and diluted), compared to $1.2 million, or $0.39 per common share (basic and diluted), for the same period in 2024. The Company’s return on average equity during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 was 8.22% compared to 9.40% for the same period in 2024. The Company’s return on average assets during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 was 0.57% compared to 0.61% for the same period in 2024.

 

Net interest income was $5.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $321 thousand over the $5.2 million reported for the same period in 2024. The increase was due to a 35 basis point increase in the yield on earning assets to 5.03% for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to 4.68% for the same period in 2024. Average earning assets increased $10.6 million to $790.6 million as of March 31, 2025. Average loans increased to $593.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, an increase of $59.1 million over the $534.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The combination of higher yields on earning assets plus higher average earning asset balances was the primary reason for the increase. Offsetting the increase in interest income was the higher cost of funds in 2025. The average interest rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was 2.70% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to 2.48% for the same period in 2024. Average interest bearing liabilities increased to $650.0 million, an increase of $23.0 million when compared to the $627.0 million reported as of March 31, 2024.

 

A provision for credit losses of $30 thousand was recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to no provision for credit loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The Company’s loan portfolio continues to perform at a high level with just four non-accrual loans totaling $2.6 million and two loans more than 30 days delinquent totaling $577 thousand at March 31, 2025.

 

Noninterest income increased slightly to $514 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to $504 thousand for the same period in 2024. Mortgage banking income increased $24 thousand, income on bank owned life insurance increased $15 thousand, gains on the sale of investment securities increased $94 thousand, and other fees and commissions increased $37 thousand. The increases were offset by a decrease in service charges of $30 thousand and a decrease in insurance proceeds of $143 thousand due to the non-recurring receipt of insurance proceeds during the first quarter of 2024 in connection with storm damage to the Bank’s office building in Upperco, Maryland.

 

 

 

Noninterest expense was $386 thousand higher for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 when compared to the same period in 2024. This increase was due primarily to a $175 thousand increase in occupancy and furniture and equipment costs, a $101 thousand increase in FDIC premiums, a $33 thousand increase in ATM related costs, and a $96 thousand increase in other expenses. The increase in other expenses was due primarily to legal fees incurred for stockholder matters and additional costs related to the Company’s captive insurance company subsidiary. The Bank’s FDIC assessment expense increased due to higher asset size and higher FDIC assessment rates. The increase in occupancy and furniture and equipment was due primarily to depreciation on the renovations and new equipment for the Bank’s Upperco, Maryland location which was placed in service at the end of the first quarter of 2024 and the Bank’s new Towson, Maryland location that was placed in service during the second quarter of 2024. The increase in ATM related expenses was due to vendor price increases.

 

Income taxes decreased by $30 thousand during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 when compared to the same period in 2024 due to lower earnings before taxes. The effective tax rate decreased to 21.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 from 22.1% for the same period last year due to an increase in the amount of nontaxable income included in pretax income year over year.

 

Total assets were $817.6 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $844.6 million at December 31, 2024. Compared to December 31, 2024, total loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, increased $17.1 million to $600.0 million at March 31, 2025. Offsetting the increase in loans was a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $42.0 million. The decrease was primarily due to the funding of new loans of $17.1 million, a decrease in deposits of $23.2 million, and the repayment of $5.0 million of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings. Deposits decreased to $735.6 million at March 31, 2025 from $758.8 million at December 31, 2024. The Company’s tangible equity was $51.5 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $49.2 million at December 31, 2024.

 

The book value of the Company’s common stock increased to $18.44 per share at March 31, 2025 from $17.77 per share at December 31, 2024. Book value per share at March 31, 2025 was inclusive of the $15.6 million unrealized loss, net of income taxes, on the Bank’s available for sale (“AFS”) investment portfolio as a result of higher interest rates. Changes in the market value of the AFS investment portfolio, net of income taxes, are reflected in the Company’s equity, but are not included in the income statement. The AFS investment portfolio is comprised of 72% government agency mortgage backed securities which are fully guaranteed, 22% investment grade non agency mortgage backed securities, less than 1% investment grade corporate and municipal bonds, and 5% subordinated debt of other community banks. There is no indication of credit deterioration in any of the bonds and we intend to hold these investments to maturity, so no actual losses are anticipated. The unrealized loss in the AFS investment portfolio did not impact regulatory capital because the Bank elected many years ago to not include changes in the market value of the AFS investment portfolio in the calculation of regulatory capital regardless of whether they are positive or negative.

 

Our Federal Home Loan Bank facility, other borrowing lines available, unpledged securities, brokered deposit access, and cash and cash equivalents provided us with access to approximately $337.8 million of liquidity as of March 31, 2025.

 

Gary A. Harris, President and CEO, commented “Our loan growth remains strong with a $17.1 million increase in net loans over the past quarter. We previously announced the opening of the new Towson Commercial Banking Office. Since its inception in June 2024, the office has produced over $29 million in new commercial loans and $8 million in new relationship deposits through March 31, 2025. We believe that this new office will be instrumental in both loan and deposit growth in 2025. Our asset growth along with the Federal Reserve’s three interest rate decreases over the past seven months have led to positive gains in our net interest margin. Asset quality remains high and our liquidity position remains strong. We continue to believe that Farmers and Merchants is well positioned to grow earnings in 2025.”

 

About the Company

 

The Company is a financial holding company and the parent company of the Bank. The Bank was chartered in Maryland in 1919 and has over 100 years of service to the community. The Bank serves the deposit and financing needs of both consumers and businesses in Carroll and Baltimore Counties along the Route 30, Route 795, Route 140, Route 26, and Route 45 corridors. The main office is located in Upperco, Maryland, with seven additional Maryland branches in Owings Mills, Hampstead, Greenmount, Reisterstown, Westminster, Eldersburg, and Towson. Certain broker-dealers make a market in the common stock of Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc., and trades are reported through the OTC Markets Group’s Pink Market under the symbol “FMFG”.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements (as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be the same as those anticipated by management. These statements are evidenced by terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Although these statements reflect management’s good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true. These projections involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the section of the periodic reports filed by Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled “Risk Factors”.

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

Dollars in thousands except per share and share data

 

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2025

   

2024

 
                 
Assets                
                 

Cash and due from banks

  $ 21,779     $ 63,962  

Federal funds sold and other interest-bearing deposits

    918       697  

Cash and cash equivalents

    22,697       64,659  

Certificates of deposit in other banks

    100       100  

Securities available for sale, at fair value

    123,780       125,713  

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost less allowance for credit losses of $62.5 thousand and $35.6 thousand

    21,135       20,499  

Equity security, at fair value

    530       518  

Restricted stock, at cost

    715       921  

Mortgage loans held for sale

    240       157  

Loans, less allowance for credit losses of $4.3 million and $4.3 million

    600,048       582,993  

Premises and equipment, net

    7,316       7,349  

Accrued interest receivable

    2,376       2,439  

Deferred income taxes, net

    7,246       7,606  

Other real estate owned, net

    1,176       1,176  

Bank owned life insurance

    15,429       15,324  

Goodwill and other intangibles, net

    7,024       7,026  

Other assets

    7,746       8,163  

Total assets

  $ 817,558     $ 844,643  
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

               
                 

Deposits

               

Noninterest-bearing

  $ 104,379     $ 107,197  

Interest-bearing

    631,219       651,609  

Total deposits

    735,598       758,806  

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

    5,482       5,564  

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta advances

    -       5,000  

Long-term debt, net of issuance costs

    10,858       11,329  

Accrued interest payable

    766       1,003  

Other liabilities

    6,306       6,669  

Total liabilities

    759,010       788,371  

Stockholders' equity

               

Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,175,347 shares in 2025 and 3,166,653 shares in 2024

    32       32  

Additional paid-in capital

    31,294       31,136  

Retained earnings

    42,777       41,613  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (15,555 )     (16,509 )

Total stockholders' equity

    58,548       56,272  

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 817,558     $ 844,643  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

Dollars in thousands except per share and share data

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2025

   

2024

 
                 

Interest income

               

Loans, including fees

  $ 8,366     $ 6,882  

Investment securities - taxable

    1,051       1,579  

Investment securities - tax exempt

    156       137  

Federal funds sold and other interest earning assets

    313       468  

Total interest income

    9,886       9,066  
                 

Interest expense

               

Deposits

    4,249       3,101  

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

    17       23  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    12       13  

Federal Reserve Bank advances

    -       622  

Long-term debt

    113       134  

Total interest expense

    4,391       3,893  

Net interest income

    5,495       5,174  
                 

Provision for credit losses

    30       -  
                 

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

    5,465       5,174  
                 

Noninterest income

               

Service charges on deposit accounts

    165       195  

Mortgage banking income

    29       5  

Bank owned life insurance income

    105       90  

Fair value adjustment of equity security

    9       (4 )

Gain on sale of investment securities

    94       -  

Gain on insurance proceeds, net

    -       143  

Other fees and commissions

    112       75  

Total noninterest income

    514       504  
                 

Noninterest expense

               

Salaries

    2,207       1,976  

Employee benefits

    382       606  

Occupancy

    328       246  

Furniture and equipment

    335       242  

Professional services

    173       205  

Automated teller machine and debit card expenses

    168       135  

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premiums

    199       98  

Postage, delivery, and armored carrier

    78       82  

Advertising

    56       48  

Other real estate owned expense

    5       3  

Other

    567       471  

Total noninterest expense

    4,498       4,112  
                 

Income before income taxes

    1,481       1,566  

Income taxes

    316       346  

Net income

  $ 1,165     $ 1,220  
                 

Earnings per common share - basic

  $ 0.37     $ 0.39  

Earnings per common share - diluted

  $ 0.37     $ 0.39  

 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

 

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

(Unaudited)

 

Dollars in thousands except per share data

 
                         
   

As of or For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2025

   

2024

   

2023

 
                         

OPERATING DATA

                       
                         

Interest income

  $ 9,886     $ 9,066     $ 7,051.53  

Interest expense

    4,391       3,892       1,395  

Net interest income

    5,495       5,174       5,657  

Provision for credit losses

    30       -       (270 )

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

    5,465       5,174       5,927  

Noninterest income

    514       504       382  

Noninterest expense

    4,498       4,112       3,757  

Income before income taxes

    1,481       1,566       2,552  

Income taxes

    316       346       651  

Net income

  $ 1,165     $ 1,220     $ 1,901  
                         

PER SHARE DATA

                       
                         

Net income (Basic and diluted)

  $ 0.37     $ 0.39     $ 0.62  

Dividends

  $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00  

Book value

  $ 18.44     $ 17.03     $ 16.53  
                         

KEY RATIOS

                       
                         

Return on average assets

    0.57 %     0.61 %     1.05 %

Return on average equity

    8.22 %     9.40 %     15.49 %

Efficiency ratio

    75.23 %     72.42 %     59.55 %

Dividend payout ratio

    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %

Net yield on interest-earning assets

    2.81 %     2.69 %     3.24 %

Tier 1 capital leverage ratio

    9.48 %     9.39 %     9.97 %

 

 

 

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

(Unaudited)

 

Dollars in thousands except per share data

 

   

As of or For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2025

   

2024

   

2023

 
                         

AT PERIOD END

                       
                         

Total assets

  $ 817,558     $ 794,593     $ 722,679  

Gross loans

    604,352       541,398       525,485  

Cash and cash equivalents

    22,697       25,633       9,566  

Securities

    145,569       182,325       146,300  

Deposits

    735,598       655,978       637,309  

Borrowings

    10,858       71,742       24,625  

Stockholders' equity

    58,548       53,077       50,757  
                         

SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES

 
                         

Total assets

  $ 816,760     $ 799,841     $ 723,106  

Gross loans

    593,653       534,566       525,516  

Cash and cash equivalents

    26,648       37,224       8,719  

Securities

    169,215       208,134       169,873  

Deposits

    634,274       550,010       501,185  

Borrowings

    4,946       69,551       36,124  

Stockholders' equity

    54,127       51,928       49,071  
                         

ASSET QUALITY

                       
                         

Nonperforming assets

  $ 3,789     $ 1,898     $ 1,898  
                         

Nonperforming assets/total assets

    0.46 %     0.24 %     0.26 %
                         

Allowance for credit losses/total loans

    0.71 %     0.80 %     0.87 %