Horizon Bancorp, Inc. Announces Record Earnings for 2021 and Fourth Quarter Results including Strong Profitability, Higher Net Interest Income, Growing Commercial and Consumer Loans, and Disciplined Expense Management

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Jan. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) — Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”) announced its unaudited financial results for the three and twelve months ending December 31, 2021.

“Horizon capped 2021 with record annual earnings and net interest income, as well as continued growth in commercial and consumer loans through the fourth quarter, mortgage production well in–line with our expectations, strong asset quality metrics and continued disciplined expense management,” Chairman and CEO Craig M. Dwight said. “We enter 2022 with strong pipelines to support our loan growth goals for the year, successfully integrated a new team of advisors and customers onboarded through the September acquisition of 14 branches and low–cost deposits to expand Horizon’s Michigan franchise, and a balance sheet that is very well positioned for increasing short term interest rates.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Highlights

  • Net income totaled $87.1 million, or $1.98 per diluted share for the 12 months of 2021 and $21.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted share in the fourth quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.54 for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $0.52 for the third quarter of 2021 and $0.52 for the fourth quarter of 2020. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Diluted Earnings Per Share” table for the definition of this non–GAAP calculation of adjusted diluted earnings per share.)
  • Net interest income grew to a record $50.0 million for the quarter, up 7.4% from the third quarter of 2021 and 14.6% from the fourth quarter of 2020. Reported net interest margin (“NIM”) was 2.97% and adjusted NIM was 2.86%, with reported NIM decreasing by 20 basis points and adjusted NIM decreasing by 26 basis points from the third quarter of 2021. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Net Interest Margin” table for the definition of this non–GAAP calculation of adjusted NIM.) Approximately 10 basis points of the NIM and adjusted NIM is attributed to Federal Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) lending, offset by an estimated 32 basis point compression attributed to excess liquidity during the quarter. During the fourth quarter, Horizon increased the average balance of its investment portfolio by $458.9 million to leverage capital and focus on increasing net interest income.
  • The Company was asset sensitive as of December 31, 2021, resulting from the liquidity on the balance sheet, adjustable rate assets and the low beta’s on deposit pricing based on expected deposit rates. Based on parallel rate shocks to the balance sheet, at a 100 basis point shock and 200 basis point shock, net interest income increases approximately $10.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively.
  • Commercial loans, excluding PPP and acquired loans, grew by 2.4% during the quarter and 2.4% during 2021 to a record $2.13 billion at period end.
  • Consumer loans, excluding acquired loans, grew by 1.9% during the fourth quarter and 2.7% during 2021 to a record $727.3 million at period end, with record production of $397.1 million.
  • Residential mortgage loans, excluding acquired loans, declined in–line with expectations by 1.5% during the fourth quarter and 13.8% during 2021 to $594.4 million at period end, as the addition of new producers and the launch of a new jumbo mortgage product aimed at second home buyers in Horizon’s very attractive second–home markets began to mitigate the impact of the industry–wide slowdown in mortgage lending from recent historic levels. Mortgage loan revenues only constituted 10.8% of total revenue in 2021.
  • Non–interest expense was $39.4 million in the quarter, including ongoing operating expenses associated with the Michigan branch acquisition that closed on September 17. Excluding acquisition–related expenses and non–recurring Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) settlement expense, non–interest expense was $36.6 million, representing 1.95% of average assets on an annualized basis in the quarter, compared to $33.6 million, or 2.05%, in the third quarter of 2021 and $36.5 million, or 2.47%, in the fourth quarter of 2020. Acquisition–related expenses totaled approximately $884,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $799,000 in the linked quarter. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Non–Interest Expense” table for the definition of this non–GAAP calculation of adjusted non–interest expense.)
  • Horizon accrued $1.9 million of expense in December for a mediation settlement related to a dispute with the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) concerning valuations and sale transactions related to Horizon’s ESOP trustee business. Horizon is no longer in the ESOP trustee business and sold all accounts to a third party on September 30, 2021 and recorded a $2.3 million gain on the sale in the third quarter.
  • The efficiency ratio for the period was 62.69% compared to 54.88% for the third quarter of 2021 and 57.54% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The adjusted efficiency ratio, excluding acquisition–related expense and non–recurring settlement costs, was 58.25% compared to 56.16% for the third quarter of 2021 and 56.48% for the fourth quarter of 2020. (See the “Non-GAAP Calculation and Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio and Adjusted Efficiency Ratio” table below.)
  • Horizon’s in–market consumer and commercial deposit relationships, including those on–boarded as part of its branch acquisition near the end of the third quarter, combined with strategic pricing moves to manage deposit growth and runoff of higher–priced time deposits, contributed to continued improvement in the cost of interest bearing liabilities, which declined to 0.31% in the quarter, compared to 0.38% in the third quarter of 2021 and 0.94% in the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Horizon recorded a provision release of $2.1 million in the quarter, compared to a provision expense of $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $3.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, as non–performing loans declined to $19.0 million, or 0.53% of total loans, on December 31, 2021.
  • Horizon’s book value per share and tangible book value increased to all–time highs of $16.61 and $12.58. (See the “Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Tangible Stockholders’ Equity and Tangible Book Value per Share” table below.) Held to Maturity (“HTM”) securities were increased in the fourth quarter through a transfer from Available for Sale (“AFS”) securities and purchases to 57.2% of the investment portfolio. This increase in HTM securities will help manage the impact of unrealized losses to tangible capital in a rising rate environment.
  • The integration of 14 branches purchased from TCF National Bank that closed on September 17, 2021 is complete and was very successful. The deposit runoff has stabilized at approximately 8% with the plan to begin to rebuild this runoff as we enter into 2022. The financial impact of this transaction to date is in line with management’s projections.

Summary

    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin     2021       2021       2020  
Net interest income   $ 49,976     $ 46,544     $ 43,622  
Net interest margin     2.97 %     3.17 %     3.34 %
Adjusted net interest margin     2.86 %     3.12 %     3.44 %

“Horizon’s net interest income of approximately $50.0 million in the fourth quarter was an all–time high and was achieved despite margin compression during the quarter due to pressure from lower yielding investment securities and higher levels of cash,” Mr. Dwight commented. “We are well–positioned for a rising interest rate environment and believe that a 200 basis point increase in the federal funds rate would increase net interest income by approximately $20.0 million.”

    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
Asset Yields and Funding Costs   2021   2021   2020
Interest earning assets   3.20 %   3.46 %   4.05 %
Interest bearing liabilities   0.31 %   0.38 %   0.94 %

    For the Three Months Ended
Non–interest Income and   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
Mortgage Banking Income   2021   2021   2020
Total non–interest income   $ 12,828   $ 16,044   $ 19,733
Gain on sale of mortgage loans     4,167     4,088     7,815
Mortgage servicing income net of impairment     300     336     327

    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
Non–interest Expense   2021   2021   2020
Total non–interest expense   $ 39,370     $ 34,349     $ 36,453  
Annualized non–interest expense to average assets     2.09 %     2.09 %     2.47 %

    For the Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
Credit Quality   2021   2021   2020
Allowance for credit losses to total loans   1.51 %   1.55 %   1.47 %
Non–performing loans to total loans   0.53 %   0.80 %   0.69 %
Percent of net charge–offs to average loans outstanding for the period   0.04 %   0.00 %   0.01 %

Allowance for   December 31,   Net Reserve   December 31,
Credit Losses     2020     1Q21   2Q21   3Q21   4Q21     2021  
Commercial   $ 42,210     $ 770     $ (1,214 )   $ 1,355     $ (2,346 )   $ 40,775  
Retail Mortgage     4,620       (391 )     (121 )     (371 )     119       3,856  
Warehouse     1,267       (104 )     (8 )     (101 )     5       1,059  
Consumer     8,930       (116 )     (194 )     247       (271 )     8,596  
Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”)   $ 57,027     $ 159     $ (1,537 )   $ 1,130     $ (2,493 )   $ 54,286  
ACL / Total Loans     1.47 %                     1.51 %
Acquired Loan Discount (“ALD”)   $ 11,494     $ (221 )   $ (815 )   $ (27 )   $ (1,334 )   $ 9,097  

“We reported strong asset quality metrics, including reductions in non–performing loans from both the linked and year–ago quarter–ends, with non–performing loans making up just 0.53% of total loans at December 31, 2021,” Mr. Dwight said. “We were pleased to be able to make progress on workouts on loans acquired as part of our September branch acquisition and see continued opportunity to work with these new borrowers and sponsors through our hands–on credit–management.”

Income Statement Highlights

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $21.4 million, or $0.49 diluted earnings per share, compared to $23.1 million, or $0.52, for the linked quarter and $21.9 million, or $0.50, for the prior year period.

Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $23.7 million, or $0.54 diluted earnings per share, compared to $23.0 million, or $0.52, for the linked quarter and $22.8 million, or $0.52, for the prior year period. Adjusted net income, which is not calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), is a measure that Horizon uses to provide a greater understanding of operating profitability.

The decrease in net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 when compared to the third quarter of 2021 reflects an increase in non–interest expense of $5.0 million and a decrease in non–interest income of $3.2 million, offset by an increase in net interest income of $3.4 million and a decrease in credit loss expense of $3.2 million.

Interest income includes the recognition of PPP interest and net loan processing fees totaling $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $3.5 million in the linked quarter. On December 31, 2021, the Company had $561,000 in net deferred PPP loan processing fees outstanding and $25.8 million in PPP loans outstanding. PPP net deferred fees and loans outstanding at September 30, 2021 were $2.5 million and $92.3 million, respectively. The processing fees are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan, or accelerated at forgiveness.

Fourth quarter 2021 income from the gain on sale of mortgage loans totaled $4.2 million, up from $4.1 million in the linked quarter and down from $7.8 million in the prior year period.

Non–interest expense of $39.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflected a $1.9 million increase in other losses, an increase of $1.6 million in salaries and employee benefits expense, an increase of $519,000 in FDIC deposit insurance expense, an increase of $518,000 in other expense, an increase of $269,000 in net occupancy expense, an increase of $158,000 in loan expense and an increase of $146,000 in data processing, offset by a decrease in outside services and consultants expense of $133,000, from the linked quarter. Acquisition related expenses in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased $85,000 from the linked quarter.

The decrease in net income for the fourth quarter of 2021 when compared to the same prior year period reflects a decrease in non–interest income of $6.9 million, an increase in non–interest expense of $2.9 million and an increase in income tax expense of $2.1 million, offset by an increase in net interest income of $6.4 million and a decrease in credit loss expense of $5.1 million.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $87.1 million, or $1.98 diluted earnings per share, compared to $68.5 million, or $1.55 diluted earnings per share, for the year ended December 31, 2020. Adjusted net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $88.6 million, or $2.00 diluted earnings per share, compared to $67.8 million, or $1.53 diluted earnings per share, for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 when compared to the same prior year period reflects a decrease in credit loss expense of $22.8 million and an increase in net interest income of $10.8 million, offset by an increase in non–interest expense of $7.8 million, an increase in income tax expense of $5.5 million and a decrease in non–interest income of $1.7 million.

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Net Income
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020       2021       2020  
Net income as reported   $ 21,425     $ 23,071     $ 22,173     $ 20,422     $ 21,893     $ 87,091     $ 68,499  
Acquisition expenses     884       799       242                   1,925        
Tax effect     (184 )     (166 )     (51 )                 (401 )      
Net income excluding acquisition expenses     22,125       23,704       22,364       20,422       21,893       88,615       68,499  
Credit loss expense acquired loans           2,034                         2,034        
Tax effect           (427 )                       (427 )      
Net income excluding credit loss expense acquired loans     22,125       25,311       22,364       20,422       21,893       90,222       68,499  
Gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts           (2,329 )                       (2,329 )      
Tax effect           489                         489        
Net income excluding gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts     22,125       23,471       22,364       20,422       21,893       88,382       68,499  
ESOP settlement expenses     1,900                               1,900        
Tax effect     (315 )                             (315 )      
Net income excluding ESOP settlement expenses     23,710       23,471       22,364       20,422       21,893       89,967       68,499  
(Gain) / loss on sale of investment securities                       (914 )     (2,622 )     (914 )     (4,297 )
Tax effect                       192       551       192       902  
Net income excluding (gain) / loss on sale of investment securities     23,710       23,471       22,364       19,700       19,822       89,245       65,104  
Death benefit on bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”)           (517 )     (266 )                 (783 )     (264 )
Net income excluding death benefit on BOLI     23,710       22,954       22,098       19,700       19,822       88,462       64,840  
Prepayment penalties on borrowings                 125             3,804       125       3,804  
Tax effect                 (26 )           (799 )     (26 )     (799 )
Net income excluding prepayment penalties on borrowings     23,710       22,954       22,197       19,700       22,827       88,561       67,845  
Adjusted net income   $ 23,710     $ 22,954     $ 22,197     $ 19,700     $ 22,827     $ 88,561     $ 67,845  

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Diluted Earnings per Share
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020       2021       2020  
Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) as reported   $ 0.49     $ 0.52     $ 0.50     $ 0.46     $ 0.50     $ 1.98     $ 1.55  
Acquisition expenses     0.02       0.02       0.01                   0.04        
Tax effect                                          
Diluted EPS excluding acquisition expenses     0.51       0.54       0.51       0.46       0.50       2.02       1.55  
Credit loss expense acquired loans           0.05                         0.05        
Tax effect           (0.01 )                       (0.01 )      
Diluted EPS excluding credit loss expense acquired loans     0.51       0.58       0.51       0.46       0.50       2.06       1.55  
Gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts           (0.05 )                       (0.05 )      
Tax effect           0.01                         0.01        
Diluted EPS excluding gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts     0.51       0.54       0.51       0.46       0.50       2.02       1.55  
ESOP settlement expenses     0.04                               0.04        
Tax effect     (0.01 )                             (0.01 )      
Diluted EPS excluding ESOP settlement expenses     0.54       0.54       0.51       0.46       0.50       2.05       1.55  
(Gain) / loss on sale of investment securities                       (0.02 )     (0.06 )     (0.02 )     (0.10 )
Tax effect                             0.01             0.02  
Diluted EPS excluding (gain) / loss on sale of investment securities     0.54       0.54       0.51       0.44       0.45       2.03       1.47  
Death benefit on bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”)           (0.02 )     (0.01 )                 (0.03 )     (0.01 )
Diluted EPS excluding death benefit on BOLI     0.54       0.52       0.50       0.44       0.45       2.00       1.46  
Prepayment penalties on borrowings                             0.09             0.09  
Tax effect                             (0.02 )           (0.02 )
Diluted EPS excluding prepayment penalties on borrowings     0.54       0.52       0.50       0.44       0.52       2.00       1.53  
Adjusted diluted EPS   $ 0.54     $ 0.52     $ 0.50     $ 0.44     $ 0.52     $ 2.00     $ 1.53  

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Pre–Tax, Pre–Provision Income
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020       2021       2020  
Pre–tax income   $ 25,505     $ 27,127     $ 25,943     $ 23,872     $ 23,860     $ 102,447     $ 78,369  
Credit loss expense     (2,071 )     1,112       (1,492 )     367       3,042       (2,084 )     20,751  
Pre–tax, pre–provision income   $ 23,434     $ 28,239     $ 24,451     $ 24,239     $ 26,902     $ 100,363     $ 99,120  
                             
Pre–tax, pre–provision income   $ 23,434     $ 28,239     $ 24,451     $ 24,239     $ 26,902     $ 100,363     $ 99,120  
Acquisition expenses     884       799       242                   1,925        
Gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts           (2,329 )                       (2,329 )      
ESOP settlement expenses     1,900                               1,900        
(Gain) / loss on sale of investment securities                       (914 )     (2,622 )     (914 )     (4,297 )
Death benefit on BOLI           (517 )     (266 )                 (783 )     (264 )
Prepayment penalties on borrowings                 125             3,804       125       3,804  
Adjusted pre–tax, pre–provision income   $ 26,218     $ 26,192     $ 24,552     $ 23,325     $ 28,084     $ 100,162     $ 94,559  

Horizon’s net interest margin decreased to 2.97% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 3.17% for the third quarter of 2021. The decrease in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets of 26 basis points, offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of seven basis points. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $944,000 higher during the fourth quarter of 2021 when compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Horizon’s net interest margin decreased to 2.97% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 3.34% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The decrease in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets of 85 basis points offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of 63 basis points.

Horizon’s net interest margin decreased to 3.13% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 3.44% for the same prior year period. The decrease in net interest margin reflects a decrease in the yield on interest earning assets of 68 basis points offset by a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities of 95 basis points.

The net interest margin was impacted during the fourth and third quarters of 2021 by PPP loans that were originated. Horizon estimates that the PPP loans increased the net interest margin by 10 and 16 basis points for the fourth and third quarters of 2021, respectively. This assumes these PPP loans were not included in average interest earning assets or interest income and were primarily funded by the growth in non–interest bearing deposits.

The net interest margin was also impacted during the fourth and third quarters of 2021 by excess liquidity carried on the balance sheet through increased deposits. Horizon estimates that the excess liquidity compressed the net interest margin by 32 and 16 basis points for the fourth and third quarters of 2021, respectively. This assumes that the excess liquidity was not included in average interest earning assets or interest income and was excluded from non–interest bearing deposits.
  

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Net Interest Margin
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020       2021       2020  
Net interest income as reported   $ 49,976     $ 46,544     $ 42,632     $ 42,538     $ 43,622     $ 181,690     $ 170,940  
Average interest earning assets     6,938,258       6,033,088       5,659,384       5,439,634       5,365,888       6,021,740       5,120,106  
Net interest income as a percentage of average interest earning assets (“Net Interest Margin”)     2.97 %     3.17 %     3.14 %     3.29 %     3.34 %     3.13 %     3.44 %
                             
Net interest income as reported   $ 49,976     $ 46,544     $ 42,632     $ 42,538     $ 43,622     $ 181,690     $ 170,940  
Acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments (“PAUs”)     (1,819 )     (875 )     (230 )     (1,579 )     (2,461 )     (4,503 )     (6,936 )
Prepayment penalties on borrowings                 125             3,804       125       3,804  
Adjusted net interest income   $ 48,157     $ 45,669     $ 42,527     $ 40,959     $ 44,965     $ 177,187     $ 164,004  
Adjusted net interest margin     2.86 %     3.12 %     3.13 %     3.17 %     3.44 %     3.06 %     3.38 %

Net interest margin, excluding acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments (“adjusted net interest margin”), was 2.86% for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 3.12% for the linked quarter and 3.44% for the fourth quarter of 2020. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $1.8 million, $875,000 and $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

The adjusted net interest margin was 3.06% for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 3.38% for the same prior year period. Interest income from acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments was $4.5 million and $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Lending Activity

Total loan balances were $3.60 billion, or $3.57 billion excluding PPP loans, on December 31, 2021. Total loans were $3.66 billion, or $3.57 billion excluding PPP loans, on September 30, 2021. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, commercial loans, excluding PPP loans, increased $50.7 million, consumer loans increased $13.8 million and loans held for sale increased $7.8 million, offset by decreases in PPP loans of $66.4 million, mortgage warehouse loans of $60.9 million and residential mortgage loans of $9.2 million.

Loan Growth by Type, Excluding Acquired Loans
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    December 31,   September 30,   Amount   QTD   Annualized
    2021   2021   Change   % Change   % Change
Commercial, excluding PPP loans   $ 2,131,644   $ 2,080,943   $ 50,701     2.4 %   9.7 %
PPP loans     25,844     92,257     (66,413 )   (72.0 )%   (285.6 )%
Residential mortgage     594,382     603,540     (9,158 )   (1.5 )%   (6.0 )%
Consumer     727,259     713,432     13,827     1.9 %   7.7 %
Subtotal     3,479,129     3,490,172     (11,043 )   (0.3 )%   (1.3 )%
Loans held for sale     12,579     4,811     7,768     161.5 %   640.6 %
Mortgage warehouse     109,031     169,909     (60,878 )   (35.8 )%   (142.2 )%
Total loans   $ 3,600,739   $ 3,664,892   $ (64,153 )   (1.8 )%   (6.9 )%
                     
Total loans, excluding PPP loans   $ 3,574,895   $ 3,572,635   $ 2,260     0.1 %   0.3 %

Total loan balances were $3.60 billion, or $3.57 billion excluding PPP loans, on December 31, 2021. Total loans were $3.88 billion, or $3.67 billion excluding PPP loans, on December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, commercial loans, excluding PPP and acquired loans, increased $46.9 million and consumer loans, excluding acquired loans, increased $17.8 million, offset by decreases in mortgage warehouse loans of $286.6 million, PPP loans of $183.0 million and residential mortgage loans, excluding acquired loans, of $86.4 million.

Loan Growth by Type, Excluding Acquired Loans
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    December 31,   December 31,   Amount   Acquired   Amount   YTD
    2021   2020   Change   Loans   Change   % Change
Commercial, excluding PPP loans   $ 2,131,644   $ 1,983,389   $ 148,255     $ (101,327 )   $ 46,928     2.4 %
PPP loans     25,844     208,882     (183,038 )           (183,038 )   (87.6 )%
Residential mortgage     594,382     624,286     (29,904 )     (56,499 )     (86,403 )   (13.8 )%
Consumer     727,259     655,200     72,059       (54,212 )     17,847     2.7 %
Subtotal     3,479,129     3,471,757     7,372       (212,038 )     (204,666 )   (5.9 )%
Loans held for sale     12,579     13,538     (959 )           (959 )   (7.1 )%
Mortgage warehouse     109,031     395,626     (286,595 )           (286,595 )   (72.4 )%
Total loans   $ 3,600,739   $ 3,880,921   $ (280,182 )   $ (212,038 )   $ (492,220 )   (12.7 )%
                         
Total loans, excluding PPP loans   $ 3,574,895   $ 3,672,039   $ (97,144 )   $ (212,038 )   $ (309,182 )   (8.4 )%

Residential mortgage lending activity for the three months ended December 31, 2021 generated $4.2 million in income from the gain on sale of mortgage loans, increasing $79,000 from the third quarter of 2021 and decreasing $3.6 million from the fourth quarter of 2020. Total origination volume for the fourth quarter of 2021, including loans placed into the portfolio, totaled $150.3 million, representing an increase of 4.1% from third quarter 2021 levels, and a decrease of 19.2% from the fourth quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total originations, 48% of the volume was from refinances and 52% was from new purchases during the fourth quarter of 2021. Total origination volume of loans sold to the secondary market totaled $95.9 million, representing a decrease of 7.0% from the third quarter of 2021 and a decrease of 39.2% from the fourth quarter of 2020.

The percentage of revenue derived from Horizon’s residential mortgage and mortgage warehouse lending activities was 9% for the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to 9% for the linked quarter and 16% for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Deposit Activity

Total deposit balances were $5.80 billion on December 31, 2021 compared to $5.98 billion on September 30, 2021, a decrease of $176.9 million primarily due to lower municipal deposit balances.

Deposit Growth by Type, Excluding Acquired Deposits
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
  December 31,   September 30,   Amount   QTD   Annualized
  2021   2021   Change   % Change   % Change
Non–interest bearing $ 1,360,338   $ 1,324,757   $ 35,581     2.7 %   10.7 %
Interest bearing   3,711,767     3,875,882     (164,115 )   (4.2 )%   (16.8 )%
Time deposits   730,886     779,260     (48,374 )   (6.2 )%   (24.6 )%
Total deposits $ 5,802,991   $ 5,979,899   $ (176,908 )   (3.0 )%   (11.7 )%

Expense Management

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Non–Interest Expense
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,        
      2021       2021     Adjusted
Non–interest Expense   Actual   Acquisition &

Non–Recurring Expenses
  Adjusted   Actual   Acquisition

&

Non–Recurring

Expenses
  Adjusted   Amount

Change
  Percent

Change
Salaries and employee benefits   $ 20,549     $ (202 )   $ 20,347     $ 18,901     $ (25 )   $ 18,876     $ 1,471     7.8 %
Net occupancy expenses     3,204             3,204       2,935       (13 )     2,922       282     9.7 %
Data processing     2,672       (1 )     2,671       2,526       (17 )     2,509       162     6.5 %
Professional fees     562       (45 )     517       522       (53 )     469       48     10.2 %
Outside services and consultants     2,197       (162 )     2,035       2,330       (401 )     1,929       106     5.5 %
Loan expense     2,803       (83 )     2,720       2,645             2,645       75     2.8 %
FDIC insurance expense     798       (6 )     792       279             279       513     183.9 %
Other losses     1,925       (1,904 )     21       69       (1 )     68       (47 )   (69.1 )%
Other expense     4,660       (381 )     4,279       4,142       (289 )     3,853       426     11.1 %
Total non–interest expense   $ 39,370     $ (2,784 )   $ 36,586     $ 34,349     $ (799 )   $ 33,550     $ 3,036     9.0 %
Annualized non–interest expense to average assets     2.09 %         1.95 %     2.09 %         2.05 %        

Total non–interest expense was $5.0 million higher in the fourth quarter of 2021 when compared to the third quarter of 2021. The increase in expenses was primarily due to an increase in other losses of $1.9 million from the ESOP settlement, an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $1.6 million due to the addition of revenue producing lenders, increasing the incentive bonus accrual and a full quarter of cost for the acquired branches, an increase in FDIC insurance expense of $519,000 and an increase in other expense of $518,000. Excluding acquisition expenses and non–recurring ESOP settlement expenses, total non–interest expense increased by $3.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 when compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Horizon accrued $1.9 million of expense in December for a mediation settlement related to a dispute with the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) concerning valuations and sale transactions related to Horizon’s ESOP trustee business. Horizon is no longer in the ESOP trustee business and sold all accounts to a third party on September 30, 2021.

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Non–Interest Expense
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended
    December 31,   December 31,        
      2021       2020     Adjusted
Non–interest Expense   Actual   Acquisition

&

Non–Recurring

Expenses
  Adjusted   Actual   Acquisition

&

Non–Recurring

Expenses
  Adjusted   Amount

Change
  Percent

Change
Salaries and employee benefits   $ 20,549     $ (202 )   $ 20,347     $ 20,030     $   $ 20,030     $ 317     1.6 %
Net occupancy expenses     3,204             3,204       3,262           3,262       (58 )   (1.8 )%
Data processing     2,672       (1 )     2,671       2,126           2,126       545     25.6 %
Professional fees     562       (45 )     517       691           691       (174 )   (25.2 )%
Outside services and consultants     2,197       (162 )     2,035       2,083           2,083       (48 )   (2.3 )%
Loan expense     2,803       (83 )     2,720       2,961           2,961       (241 )   (8.1 )%
FDIC insurance expense     798       (6 )     792       900           900       (108 )   (12.0 )%
Other losses     1,925       (1,904 )     21       735           735       (714 )   (97.1 )%
Other expense     4,660       (381 )     4,279       3,665           3,665       614     16.8 %
Total non–interest expense   $ 39,370     $ (2,784 )   $ 36,586     $ 36,453     $   $ 36,453     $ 133     0.4 %
Annualized non–interest expense to average assets     2.09 %         1.95 %     2.47 %         2.47 %        

Total non–interest expense was $2.9 million higher in the fourth quarter of 2021 when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase in expenses was primarily due to an increase in other losses of $1.2 million, an increase in other expense of $995,000, an increase in data processing of $546,000 and an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $519,000, offset by a decrease in loan expense of $158,000 and a decrease in professional fees of $129,000. Excluding acquisition expenses and non–recurring ESOP settlement expenses, total non–interest expense increased by $133,000 in the fourth quarter when compared to the same prior year period.

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Non–Interest Expense
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   December 31,        
      2021       2020     Adjusted
Non–interest Expense   Actual   Acquisition

&

Non–Recurring

Expenses
  Adjusted   Actual   Acquisition

&

Non–Recurring

Expenses
  Adjusted   Amount

Change
  Percent

Change
Salaries and employee benefits   $ 74,051     $ (227 )   $ 73,824     $ 71,082     $   $ 71,082     $ 2,742     3.9 %
Net occupancy expenses     12,541       (13 )     12,528       12,811           12,811       (283 )   (2.2 )%
Data processing     9,962       (18 )     9,944       9,200           9,200       744     8.1 %
Professional fees     2,216       (149 )     2,067       2,433           2,433       (366 )   (15.0 )%
Outside services and consultants     8,449       (750 )     7,699       7,318           7,318       381     5.2 %
Loan expense     11,377       (83 )     11,294       10,628           10,628       666     6.3 %
FDIC insurance expense     2,377       (6 )     2,371       1,855           1,855       516     27.8 %
Other losses     2,283       (1,905 )     378       1,162           1,162       (784 )   (67.5 )%
Other expense     16,023       (674 )     15,349       14,952           14,952       397     2.7 %
Total non–interest expense   $ 139,279     $ (3,825 )   $ 135,454     $ 131,441     $   $ 131,441     $ 4,013     3.1 %
Annualized non–interest expense to average assets     2.14 %         2.08 %     2.34 %         2.34 %        

Total non–interest expense was $7.8 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2021 when compared to the same prior year period. The year–over–increase was due to increases in salaries and employee benefits, outside services and consultants, other losses, other expense, data processing and loan expense. Excluding acquisition expenses and non–recurring ESOP settlement expenses, total non–interest expense increased $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 when compared to the same prior year period.
  
Annualized non–interest expense as a percent of average assets was 2.09%, 2.09% and 2.47% for the three months ended December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Annualized non–interest expense, excluding acquisition expenses and non–recurring ESOP settlement expenses, as a percent of average assets was 1.95%, 2.05% and 2.47% for the three months ended December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Annualized non–interest expense as a percent of average assets was 2.14% and 2.34% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Annualized non–interest expense, excluding acquisition expenses and non–recurring ESOP settlement expenses, as a percentage of average assets was 2.08% and 2.34% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Income tax expense totaled $4.1 million for the fourth and third quarters of 2021. Income tax expense was $2.1 million higher when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase in income tax expense when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 was primarily due to timing of certain tax credits.

Income tax expense totaled $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $5.5 million when compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to an increase in income before taxes of $24.1 million.

Capital

The capital resources of the Company and the Company’s wholly–owned subsidiary bank, Horizon Bank (the “Bank”) exceeded regulatory capital ratios for “well capitalized” banks at December 31, 2021. Stockholders’ equity totaled $723.2 million at December 31, 2021 and the ratio of average stockholders’ equity to average assets was 11.61% for the year ended December 31, 2021.

The following table presents the actual regulatory capital dollar amounts and ratios of the Company and the Bank as of December 31, 2021.

    Actual   Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes   Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes with Capital Buffer   Well Capitalized

Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
    Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio
Total capital (to risk–weighted assets)                                
Consolidated   $ 716,171   15.39 %   $ 372,279   8.00 %   $ 488,616   10.50 %   N/A   N/A  
Bank     667,881   14.37 %     371,820   8.00 %     488,013   10.50 %   $ 464,775   10.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to risk–weighted assets)                                
Consolidated     657,976   14.14 %     279,198   6.00 %     395,530   8.50 %   N/A   N/A  
Bank     609,686   13.11 %     279,032   6.00 %     395,296   8.50 %     372,043   8.00 %
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk–weighted assets)                                
Consolidated     543,726   11.68 %     209,483   4.50 %     325,863   7.00 %   N/A   N/A  
Bank     609,686   13.11 %     209,274   4.50 %     325,538   7.00 %     302,285   6.50 %
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)                                
Consolidated     657,976   9.21 %     285,766   4.00 %     285,766   4.00 %   N/A   N/A  
Bank     609,686   8.54 %     285,567   4.00 %     285,567   4.00 %     356,959   5.00 %

Liquidity

The Bank maintains a stable base of core deposits provided by long–standing relationships with individuals and local businesses. These deposits are the principal source of liquidity for Horizon. Other sources of liquidity for Horizon include earnings, loan repayments, investment security sales and maturities, proceeds from the sale of residential mortgage loans, unpledged investment securities and borrowing relationships with correspondent banks, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (the “FHLB”). At December 31, 2021, in addition to liquidity available from the normal operating, funding, and investing activities of Horizon, the Bank had approximately $672.7 million in unused credit lines with various money center banks, including the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Discount Window. The Bank also had approximately $2.0 billion of unpledged investment securities at December 31, 2021.

Use of Non–GAAP Financial Measures

Certain information set forth in this press release refers to financial measures determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. Specifically, we have included non–GAAP financial measures relating to net income, diluted earnings per share, net interest margin, total loans and loan growth, the allowance for credit losses, tangible stockholders’ equity, tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio, the return on average assets, the return on average equity and pre–tax, pre–provision income. In each case, we have identified special circumstances that we consider to be non–recurring and have excluded them. We believe that this shows the impact of such events as acquisition–related purchase accounting adjustments, among others we have identified in our reconciliations. Horizon believes these non–GAAP financial measures are helpful to investors and provide a greater understanding of our business and financial results without giving effect to the purchase accounting impacts and one–time costs of acquisitions and non–recurring items. These measures are not necessarily comparable to similar measures that may be presented by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure. See the tables and other information below and contained elsewhere in this press release for reconciliations of the non–GAAP information identified herein and its most comparable GAAP measures.

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Tangible Stockholders’ Equity and Tangible Book Value per Share
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
     
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
    2021   2021   2021   2021   2020
Total stockholders’ equity   $ 723,209   $ 708,542   $ 710,374   $ 689,379   $ 692,216
Less: Intangible assets     175,513     183,938     172,398     173,296     174,193
Total tangible stockholders’ equity   $ 547,696   $ 524,604   $ 537,976   $ 516,083   $ 518,023
Common shares outstanding     43,547,942     43,520,694     43,950,720     43,949,189     43,880,562
Book value per common share   $ 16.61   $ 16.28   $ 16.16   $ 15.69   $ 15.78
Tangible book value per common share   $ 12.58   $ 12.05   $ 12.24   $ 11.74   $ 11.81

Non–GAAP Calculation and Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio and Adjusted Efficiency Ratio
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020       2021       2020  
Non–interest expense as reported   $ 39,370     $ 34,349     $ 33,388     $ 32,172     $ 36,453     $ 139,279     $ 131,441  
Net interest income as reported     49,976       46,544       42,632       42,538       43,622       181,690       170,940  
Non–interest income as reported   $ 12,828     $ 16,044     $ 15,207     $ 13,873     $ 19,733     $ 57,952     $ 59,621  
Non–interest expense / (Net interest income + Non–interest income) (“Efficiency Ratio”)     62.69 %     54.88 %     57.73 %     57.03 %     57.54 %     58.12 %     57.01 %
                             
Non–interest expense as reported   $ 39,370     $ 34,349     $ 33,388     $ 32,172     $ 36,453     $ 139,279     $ 131,441  
Acquisition expenses     (884 )     (799 )     (242 )                 (1,925 )      
ESOP settlement expenses     (1,900 )                             (1,900 )      
Non–interest expense excluding acquisition expenses and ESOP settlement expenses     36,586       33,550       33,146       32,172       36,453       135,454       131,441  
Net interest income as reported     49,976       46,544       42,632       42,538       43,622       181,690       170,940  
Prepayment penalties on borrowings                 125             3,804       125       3,804  
Net interest income excluding prepayment penalties on borrowings     49,976       46,544       42,757       42,538       47,426       181,815       174,744  
Non–interest income as reported     12,828       16,044       15,207       13,873       19,733       57,952       59,621  
Gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts           (2,329 )                       (2,329 )      
(Gain) / loss on sale of investment securities                       (914 )     (2,622 )     (914 )     (4,297 )
Death benefit on BOLI           (517 )     (266 )                 (783 )     (264 )
Non–interest income excluding (gain) / loss on sale of investment securities and death benefit on BOLI   $ 12,828     $ 13,198     $ 14,941     $ 12,959     $ 17,111     $ 53,926     $ 55,060  
Adjusted efficiency ratio     58.25 %     56.16 %     57.45 %     57.97 %     56.48 %     57.46 %     57.20 %

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Return on Average Assets
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020       2021       2020  
Average assets   $ 7,461,343     $ 6,507,673     $ 6,142,507     $ 5,936,149     $ 5,864,086     $ 6,514,251     $ 5,628,783  
Return on average assets (“ROAA”) as reported     1.14 %     1.41 %     1.45 %     1.40 %     1.49 %     1.34 %     1.22 %
Acquisition expenses     0.05       0.05       0.02                   0.03        
Tax effect     (0.01 )     (0.01 )                       (0.01 )      
ROAA excluding acquisition expenses     1.18       1.45       1.47       1.40       1.49       1.36       1.22  
Credit loss expense acquired loans           0.12                         0.03        
Tax effect           (0.03 )                       (0.01 )      
ROAA excluding credit loss expense on acquired loans     1.18       1.54       1.47       1.40       1.49       1.38       1.22  
Gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts           (0.14 )                       (0.04 )      
Tax effect           0.03                         0.01        
ROAA excluding gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts     1.18       1.43       1.47       1.40       1.49       1.35       1.22  
ESOP settlement expenses     0.10                               0.03        
Tax effect     (0.02 )                                    
ROAA excluding ESOP settlement expenses     1.26       1.43       1.47       1.40       1.49       1.38       1.22  
(Gain) / loss on sale of investment securities                       (0.06 )     (0.18 )     (0.01 )     (0.08 )
Tax effect                       0.01       0.04             0.02  
ROAA excluding (gain) / loss on sale of investment securities     1.26       1.43       1.47       1.35       1.35       1.37       1.16  
Death benefit on BOLI           (0.03 )     (0.02 )                 (0.01 )      
ROAA excluding death benefit on BOLI     1.26       1.40       1.45       1.35       1.35       1.36       1.16  
Prepayment penalties on borrowings                 0.01             0.26             0.07  
Tax effect                             (0.05 )           (0.01 )
ROAA excluding prepayment penalties on borrowings     1.26       1.40       1.46       1.35       1.56       1.36       1.22  
Adjusted ROAA     1.26 %     1.40 %     1.46 %     1.35 %     1.56 %     1.36 %     1.22 %

Non–GAAP Reconciliation of Return on Average Common Equity
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020       2021       2020  
Average common equity   $ 719,643     $ 724,412     $ 706,652     $ 697,401     $ 680,857     $ 712,122     $ 665,466  
Return on average common equity (“ROACE”) as reported     11.81 %     12.64 %     12.59 %     11.88 %     12.79 %     12.23 %     10.29 %
Acquisition expenses     0.49       0.44       0.14                   0.27        
Tax effect     (0.10 )     (0.09 )     (0.03 )                 (0.06 )      
ROACE excluding acquisition expenses     12.20       12.99       12.70       11.88       12.79       12.44       10.29  
Credit loss expense acquired loans           1.11                         0.29        
Tax effect           (0.23 )                       (0.06 )      
ROACE excluding credit loss expense acquired loans     12.20       13.87       12.70       11.88       12.79       12.67       10.29  
Gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts           (1.28 )                       (0.33 )      
Tax effect           0.27                         0.07        
ROACE excluding gain on sale of ESOP trustee accounts     12.20       12.86       12.70       11.88       12.79       12.41       10.29  
ESOP settlement expenses     1.05                               0.27        
Tax effect     (0.17 )                             (0.04 )      
ROACE excluding ESOP settlement expenses     13.08       12.86       12.70       11.88       12.79       12.64       10.29  
(Gain) / loss on sale of investment securities                       (0.53 )     (1.53 )     (0.13 )     (0.65 )
Tax effect                       0.11       0.32       0.03       0.14  
ROACE excluding (gain) / loss on sale of investment securities     13.08       12.86       12.70       11.46       11.58       12.54       9.78  
Death benefit on BOLI           (0.28 )     (0.15 )                 (0.11 )     (0.04 )
ROACE excluding death benefit on BOLI     13.08       12.58       12.55       11.46       11.58       12.43       9.74  
Prepayment penalties on borrowings                 0.07             2.22       0.02       0.57  
Tax effect                 (0.01 )           (0.47 )           (0.12 )
ROACE excluding prepayment penalties on borrowings     13.08 %     12.58 %     12.61 %     11.46 %     13.33 %     12.45 %     10.19 %
Adjusted ROACE     13.08 %     12.58 %     12.61 %     11.46 %     13.33 %     12.45 %     10.19 %

Earnings Conference Call

As previously announced, Horizon will host a conference call to review its fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results and operating performance.

Participants may access the live conference call on January 27, 2022 at 7:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. ET) by dialing 833–974–2379 from the United States, 866–450–4696 from Canada or 412–317–5772 from international locations and requesting the “Horizon Bancorp Call.” Participants are asked to dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the call.

A telephone replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after the end of the conference through February 3, 2022. The replay may be accessed by dialing 877–344–7529 from the United States, 855–669–9658 from Canada or 412–317–0088 from other international locations, and entering the access code 8295135.

About Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ GS: HBNC) is the $7.4 billion–asset bank holding company for Horizon Bank, which serves customers across diverse and economically attractive Midwestern markets through convenient digital and virtual tools, as well as its Indiana and Michigan branches. Horizon’s retail offerings include prime residential, indirect auto, and other secured consumer lending to in–market customers, as well as a range of personal banking and wealth management solutions. Horizon also provides a comprehensive array of in–market business banking and treasury management services, with commercial lending representing over half of total loans. More information on Horizon, headquartered in Northwest Indiana’s Michigan City, is available at horizonbank.com and investor.horizonbank.com. 

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward–looking statements regarding the financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies of Horizon Bancorp, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “Horizon”). For these statements, Horizon claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward–looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release should be considered in conjunction with the other information available about Horizon, including the information in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward–looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward–looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward–looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include risk factors relating to the banking industry and the other factors detailed from time to time in Horizon’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in Horizon’s Annual Report on Form 10–K and its quarterly reports on Form 10–Q. Further, statements about the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic on our business, operations, financial performance, and prospects may constitute forward–looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impacts may differ, possibly materially, from what is reflected in those forward–looking statements due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable, and in many cases beyond our control, including the scope and duration of the pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic, and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on our customers, third parties, and us. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward–looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Horizon does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to update any forward–looking statement to reflect the events or circumstances after the date on which the forward–looking statement is made, or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.

Contact: Mark E. Secor
  Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (219) 873-2611
Fax: (219) 874-9280
Date: January 26, 2022

Financial Highlights
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
     
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
    2021   2021   2021   2021   2020
Balance sheet:                    
Total assets   $ 7,355,432   $ 7,534,240   $ 6,109,227   $ 6,055,528   $ 5,886,614
Interest earning deposits & federal funds sold     502,364     872,540     209,304     444,239     158,979
Interest earning time deposits     4,782     5,767     6,994     7,983     8,965
Investment securities     2,713,255     2,438,874     1,844,470     1,423,825     1,302,701
Commercial loans     2,157,488     2,173,200     2,104,627     2,177,858     2,192,271
Mortgage warehouse loans     109,031     169,909     205,311     266,246     395,626
Residential mortgage loans     594,382     603,540     559,437     581,929     624,286
Consumer loans     727,259     713,432     650,144     638,403     655,200
Earning assets     6,845,580     7,006,513     5,610,538     5,571,304     5,374,589
Non–interest bearing deposit accounts     1,360,338     1,324,757     1,102,950     1,133,412     1,053,242
Interest bearing transaction accounts     3,711,767     3,875,882     3,105,328     2,947,438     2,802,673
Time deposits     730,886     779,260     573,348     640,966     675,218
Borrowings     656,282     670,753     439,094     481,488     475,000
Subordinated notes     58,750     58,713     58,676     58,640     58,603
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts     56,785     56,722     56,662     56,604     56,548
Total stockholders’ equity     723,209     708,542     710,374     689,379     692,216

Financial Highlights
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data and Ratios, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020  
Income statement:                    
Net interest income   $ 49,976     $ 46,544     $ 42,632     $ 42,538     $ 43,622  
Credit loss expense (recovery)     (2,071 )     1,112       (1,492 )     367       3,042  
Non–interest income     12,828       16,044       15,207       13,873       19,733  
Non–interest expense     39,370       34,349       33,388       32,172       36,453  
Income tax expense     4,080       4,056       3,770       3,450       1,967  
Net income   $ 21,425     $ 23,071     $ 22,173     $ 20,422     $ 21,893  
                     
Per share data:                    
Basic earnings per share   $ 0.49     $ 0.53     $ 0.50     $ 0.46     $ 0.50  
Diluted earnings per share     0.49       0.52       0.50       0.46       0.50  
Cash dividends declared per common share     0.15       0.15       0.13       0.13       0.12  
Book value per common share     16.61       16.28       16.16       15.69       15.78  
Tangible book value per common share     12.58       12.05       12.24       11.74       11.81  
Market value – high     21.14       18.47       19.13       19.94       15.86  
Market value – low   $ 18.01     $ 15.83     $ 16.98     $ 15.43     $ 10.16  
Weighted average shares outstanding – Basis     43,534,298       43,810,729       43,950,501       43,919,549       43,862,435  
Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted     43,733,416       43,958,870       44,111,103       44,072,581       43,903,881  
                     
Key ratios:                    
Return on average assets     1.14 %     1.41 %     1.45 %     1.40 %     1.49 %
Return on average common stockholders’ equity     11.81       12.64       12.59       11.88       12.79  
Net interest margin     2.97       3.17       3.14       3.29       3.34  
Allowance for credit losses to total loans     1.51       1.55       1.58       1.56       1.47  
Average equity to average assets     9.64       11.13       11.50       11.75       11.61  
Efficiency ratio     62.69       54.88       57.73       57.03       57.54  
Annualized non–interest expense to average assets     2.09       2.09       2.18       2.20       2.47  
Bank only capital ratios:                    
Tier 1 capital to average assets     8.54       8.38       8.79       8.81       8.71  
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets     13.11       11.86       12.80       12.71       11.29  
Total capital to risk weighted assets     14.37       12.97       14.09       13.86       12.21  

Financial Highlights
(Dollars in Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data and Ratios, Unaudited)
    Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2020  
Income statement:        
Net interest income   $ 181,690     $ 170,940  
Credit loss expense (recovery)     (2,084 )     20,751  
Non–interest income     57,952       59,621  
Non–interest expense     139,279       131,441  
Income tax expense     15,356       9,870  
Net income   $ 87,091     $ 68,499  
         
Per share data:        
Basic earnings per share   $ 1.99     $ 1.56  
Diluted earnings per share     1.98       1.55  
Cash dividends declared per common share     0.56       0.48  
Book value per common share     16.61       15.78  
Tangible book value per common share     12.58       11.81  
Market value – high     21.14       18.79  
Market value – low   $ 15.43     $ 7.97  
Weighted average shares outstanding – Basis     43,802,733       44,044,737  
Weighted average shares outstanding – Diluted     43,955,280       44,123,208  
         
Key ratios:        
Return on average assets     1.34 %     1.22 %
Return on average common stockholders’ equity     12.23       10.29  
Net interest margin     3.13       3.44  
Allowance for credit losses to total loans     1.51       1.47  
Average equity to average assets     10.93       11.82  
Efficiency ratio     58.12       57.01  
Annualized non–interest expense to average assets     2.14       2.34  
Bank only capital ratios:        
Tier 1 capital to average assets     8.54       8.71  
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets     13.11       11.29  
Total capital to risk weighted assets     14.37       12.21  

Financial Highlights
(Dollars in Thousands Except Ratios, Unaudited)
     
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020  
Loan data:                    
Substandard loans   $ 56,968     $ 91,317     $ 82,488     $ 86,472     $ 98,874  
30 to 89 days delinquent     8,536       3,997       3,336       5,099       6,938  
                     
Non–performing loans:                    
90 days and greater delinquent – accruing interest     146       200             267       262  
Trouble debt restructures – accruing interest     2,390       2,433       1,853       1,828       1,793  
Trouble debt restructures – non–accrual     1,522       1,604       2,294       2,271       2,610  
Non–accrual loans     14,961       25,137       18,175       20,700       22,142  
Total non–performing loans   $ 19,019     $ 29,374     $ 22,322     $ 25,066     $ 26,807  
Non–performing loans to total loans     0.53 %     0.80 %     0.63 %     0.68 %     0.69 %

Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
     
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
    2021   2021   2021   2021   2020
Commercial   $ 40,775   $ 43,121   $ 41,766   $ 42,980   $ 42,210
Residential mortgage     3,856     3,737     4,108     4,229     4,620
Mortgage warehouse     1,059     1,054     1,155     1,163     1,267
Consumer     8,596     8,867     8,620     8,814     8,930
Total   $ 54,286   $ 56,779   $ 55,649   $ 57,186   $ 57,027

Net Charge–offs (Recoveries)
(Dollars in Thousands Except Ratios, Unaudited)
     
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020  
Commercial   $ 926     $ (25 )   $ 40     $ 158     $ 23  
Residential mortgage     126       (29 )     (23 )     (65 )     (10 )
Mortgage warehouse                              
Consumer     360       36       22       115       216  
Total   $ 1,412     $ (18 )   $ 39     $ 208     $ 229  
Percent of net charge–offs (recoveries) to average loans outstanding for the period     0.04 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.01 %     0.01 %

Total Non–performing Loans
(Dollars in Thousands Except Ratios, Unaudited)
     
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
      2021       2021       2021       2021       2020  
Commercial   $ 7,509     $ 16,121     $ 10,345     $ 12,802     $ 14,348  
Residential mortgage     8,005       8,641       7,841       7,916       7,994  
Mortgage warehouse                              
Consumer     3,505       4,612       4,136       4,348       4,465  
Total   $ 19,019     $ 29,374     $ 22,322     $ 25,066     $ 26,807  
Non–performing loans to total loans     0.53 %     0.80 %     0.63 %     0.68 %     0.69 %

Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
     
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
    2021   2021   2021   2021   2020
Commercial   $ 2,861   $ 2,861   $ 1,400   $ 1,696   $ 1,908
Residential mortgage     695     117     37     37    
Mortgage warehouse                    
Consumer     5     29     46        
Total   $ 3,561   $ 3,007   $ 1,483   $ 1,733   $ 1,908

Average Balance Sheets
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended
    December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
    Average

Balance
  Interest   Average

Rate
  Average

Balance
  Interest   Average

Rate
Assets                        
Interest earning assets                        
Federal funds sold   $ 654,225     $ 251   0.15 %   $ 112,139     $ 29   0.10 %
Interest earning deposits     22,537       32   0.56 %     28,507       52   0.73 %
Investment securities – taxable     1,405,689       6,208   1.75 %     408,412       1,489   1.45 %
Investment securities – non–taxable (1)     1,224,911       6,456   2.65 %     866,182       4,919   2.86 %
Loans receivable (2) (3)     3,630,896       41,171   4.52 %     3,950,648       46,745   4.72 %
Total interest earning assets     6,938,258       54,118   3.20 %     5,365,888       53,234   4.05 %
Non–interest earning assets                        
Cash and due from banks     102,273               79,753          
Allowance for credit losses     (56,540 )             (56,657 )        
Other assets     477,352               475,102          
Total average assets   $ 7,461,343             $ 5,864,086          
                         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                        
Interest bearing liabilities                        
Interest bearing deposits   $ 4,543,989     $ 1,663   0.15 %   $ 3,450,824     $ 2,718   0.31 %
Borrowings     663,506       1,061   0.63 %     511,306       5,456   4.25 %
Subordinated notes     58,728       881   5.95 %     58,581       871   5.91 %
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts     56,745       537   3.75 %     56,512       567   3.99 %
Total interest bearing liabilities     5,322,968       4,142   0.31 %     4,077,223       9,612   0.94 %
Non–interest bearing liabilities                        
Demand deposits     1,366,621               1,037,232          
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities     52,111               68,774          
Stockholders’ equity     719,643               680,857          
Total average liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 7,461,343             $ 5,864,086          
                         
Net interest income / spread       $ 49,976   2.89 %       $ 43,622   3.11 %
Net interest income as a percent of average interest earning assets (1)           2.97 %           3.34 %
                         
(1) Securities balances represent daily average balances for the fair value of securities. The average rate is calculated based on the daily average balance for the amortized cost of securities. The average rate is presented on a tax equivalent basis.
(2) Includes fees on loans. The inclusion of loan fees does not have a material effect on the average interest rate.
(3) Non–accruing loans for the purpose of the computation above are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding. Loan totals are shown net of unearned income and deferred loan fees. The average rate is presented on a tax equivalent basis.

Average Balance Sheets
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
    Twelve Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
    December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020
    Average

Balance
  Interest   Average

Rate
  Average

Balance
  Interest   Average

Rate
Assets                        
Interest earning assets                        
Federal funds sold   $ 398,528     $ 535   0.13 %   $ 61,408     $ 154   0.25 %
Interest earning deposits     25,993       160   0.62 %     25,943       268   1.03 %
Investment securities – taxable     884,244       14,437   1.63 %     459,551       8,071   1.76 %
Investment securities – non–taxable (1)     1,086,942       23,246   2.71 %     706,092       17,213   3.09 %
Loans receivable (2) (3)     3,626,033       161,617   4.47 %     3,867,112       179,672   4.66 %
Total interest earning assets     6,021,740       199,995   3.43 %     5,120,106       205,378   4.11 %
Non–interest earning assets                        
Cash and due from banks     89,993               84,065          
Allowance for credit losses     (56,798 )             (46,329 )        
Other assets     459,316               470,941          
Total average assets   $ 6,514,251             $ 5,628,783          
                         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                        
Interest bearing liabilities                        
Interest bearing deposits   $ 3,897,750     $ 7,867   0.20 %   $ 3,327,917     $ 18,556   0.56 %
Borrowings     548,889       4,701   0.86 %     559,953       11,430   2.04 %
Subordinated notes     58,672       3,522   6.00 %     30,610       1,824   5.96 %
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts     56,657       2,215   3.91 %     56,427       2,628   4.66 %
Total interest bearing liabilities     4,561,968       18,305   0.40 %     3,974,907       34,438   0.87 %
Non–interest bearing liabilities                        
Demand deposits     1,188,275               919,449          
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities     51,886               68,961          
Stockholders’ equity     712,122               665,466          
Total average liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 6,514,251             $ 5,628,783          
                         
Net interest income / spread       $ 181,690   3.03 %       $ 170,940   3.24 %
Net interest income as a percent of average interest earning assets (1)           3.13 %           3.44 %
                         
(1) Securities balances represent daily average balances for the fair value of securities. The average rate is calculated based on the daily average balance for the amortized cost of securities. The average rate is presented on a tax equivalent basis.
(2) Includes fees on loans. The inclusion of loan fees does not have a material effect on the average interest rate.
(3) Non–accruing loans for the purpose of the computation above are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding. Loan totals are shown net of unearned income and deferred loan fees. The average rate is presented on a tax equivalent basis.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in Thousands)
         
    December 31,

2021
  December 31,

2020
    (Unaudited)    
Assets        
Cash and due from banks   $ 593,508   $ 249,711
Interest earning time deposits     4,782     8,965
Investment securities, available for sale     1,160,812     1,134,025
Investment securities, held to maturity (fair value $1,558,981 and $179,990)     1,552,443     168,676
Loans held for sale     12,579     13,538
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $54,286 and $57,027     3,533,874     3,810,356
Premises and equipment, net     93,441     92,416
Federal Home Loan Bank stock     24,440     23,023
Goodwill     154,572     151,238
Other intangible assets     20,941     22,955
Interest receivable     26,137     21,396
Cash value of life insurance     97,150     96,751
Other assets     80,753     93,564
Total assets   $ 7,355,432   $ 5,886,614
         
Liabilities        
Deposits        
Non–interest bearing   $ 1,360,338   $ 1,053,242
Interest bearing     4,442,653     3,477,891
Total deposits     5,802,991     4,531,133
Borrowings     656,282     475,000
Subordinated notes     58,750     58,603
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts     56,785     56,548
Interest payable     2,235     2,712
Other liabilities     55,180     70,402
Total liabilities     6,632,223     5,194,398
Commitments and contingent liabilities        
Stockholders’ equity        
Preferred stock, Authorized, 1,000,000 shares, Issued 0 shares        
Common stock, no par value, Authorized 99,000,000 shares
Issued 43,636,784 and 43,905,631 shares,
Outstanding 43,547,942 and 43,880,562 shares
       
Additional paid–in capital     352,122     362,945
Retained earnings     363,742     301,419
Accumulated other comprehensive income     7,345     27,852
Total stockholders’ equity     723,209     692,216
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 7,355,432   $ 5,886,614

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended
    December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
    2021   2021   2021   2021   2020
Interest income                    
Loans receivable   $ 41,171     $ 40,392   $ 39,236     $ 40,818   $ 46,745
Investment securities – taxable     6,491       4,565     2,528       1,548     1,570
Investment securities – non–taxable     6,456       5,911     5,656       5,223     4,919
Total interest income     54,118       50,868     47,420       47,589     53,234
Interest expense                    
Deposits     1,663       1,808     2,053       2,343     2,718
Borrowed funds     1,061       1,075     1,296       1,269     5,456
Subordinated notes     881       880     881       880     871
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts     537       561     558       559     567
Total interest expense     4,142       4,324     4,788       5,051     9,612
Net interest income     49,976       46,544     42,632       42,538     43,622
Credit loss expense (recovery)     (2,071 )     1,112     (1,492 )     367     3,042
Net interest income after credit loss expense (recovery)     52,047       45,432     44,124       42,171     40,580
Non–interest Income                    
Service charges on deposit accounts     2,510       2,291     2,157       2,234     2,360
Wire transfer fees     205       210     222       255     301
Interchange fees     3,082       2,587     2,892       2,340     2,645
Fiduciary activities     1,591       2,124     1,961       1,743     2,747
Gains / (losses) on sale of investment securities                     914     2,622
Gain on sale of mortgage loans     4,167       4,088     5,612       5,296     7,815
Mortgage servicing income net of impairment     300       336     1,503       213     327
Increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance     547       534     502       511     566
Death benefit on bank owned life insurance           517     266          
Other income     426       3,357     92       367     350
Total non–interest income     12,828       16,044     15,207       13,873     19,733
Non–interest expense                    
Salaries and employee benefits     20,549       18,901     17,730       16,871     20,030
Net occupancy expenses     3,204       2,935     3,084       3,318     3,262
Data processing     2,672       2,526     2,388       2,376     2,126
Professional fees     562       522     588       544     691
Outside services and consultants     2,197       2,330     2,220       1,702     2,083
Loan expense     2,803       2,645     3,107       2,822     2,961
FDIC insurance expense     798       279     500       800     900
Other losses     1,925       69     6       283     735
Other expenses     4,660       4,142     3,765       3,456     3,665
Total non–interest expense     39,370       34,349     33,388       32,172     36,453
Income before income taxes     25,505       27,127     25,943       23,872     23,860
Income tax expense     4,080       4,056     3,770       3,450     1,967
Net income   $ 21,425     $ 23,071   $ 22,173     $ 20,422   $ 21,893
Basic earnings per share   $ 0.49     $ 0.52   $ 0.50     $ 0.46   $ 0.50
Diluted earnings per share     0.49       0.52     0.50       0.46     0.50

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data, Unaudited)
    Twelve Months Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
      2021       2020  
Interest income        
Loans receivable   $ 161,617     $ 179,672  
Investment securities – taxable     15,132       8,493  
Investment securities – non–taxable     23,246       17,213  
Total interest income     199,995       205,378  
Interest expense        
Deposits     7,867       18,556  
Borrowed funds     4,701       11,430  
Subordinated notes     3,522       1,824  
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts     2,215       2,628  
Total interest expense     18,305       34,438  
Net interest income     181,690       170,940  
Credit loss expense (recovery)     (2,084 )     20,751  
Net interest income after credit loss expense (recovery)     183,774       150,189  
Non–interest Income        
Service charges on deposit accounts     9,192       8,848  
Wire transfer fees     892       1,000  
Interchange fees     10,901       9,306  
Fiduciary activities     7,419       9,145  
Gains / (losses) on sale of investment securities     914       4,297  
Gain on sale of mortgage loans     19,163       26,721  
Mortgage servicing income net of impairment     2,352       (3,716 )
Increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance     2,094       2,243  
Death benefit on bank owned life insurance     783       264  
Other income     4,242       1,513  
Total non–interest income     57,952       59,621  
Non–interest expense        
Salaries and employee benefits     74,051       71,082  
Net occupancy expenses     12,541       12,811  
Data processing     9,962       9,200  
Professional fees     2,216       2,433  
Outside services and consultants     8,449       7,318  
Loan expense     11,377       10,628  
FDIC insurance expense     2,377       1,855  
Other losses     2,283       1,162  
Other expenses     16,023       14,952  
Total non–interest expense     139,279       131,441  
Income before income taxes     102,447       78,369  
Income tax expense     15,356       9,870  
Net income   $ 87,091     $ 68,499  
Basic earnings per share   $ 1.99     $ 1.56  
Diluted earnings per share     1.98       1.55