Camden National Corporation Reports a 17% Increase in First Quarter 2017 Net Income Over First Quarter 2016

CAMDEN, Maine, April 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Camden National Corporation (NASDAQ: CAC; "Camden National" or the "Company"), a $3.9 billion bank holding company headquartered in Camden, Maine, reported net income for the first quarter of 2017 of $10.1 million and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") of $0.64 per share, representing an increase over the first quarter of 2016 of 17% and 14%, respectively. For the first quarter of 2017, the Company's return on average assets was 1.05%, return on average tangible equity¹ was 14.37%, and efficiency ratio¹ was 58.00%.

"Last year was a record year for Camden National as we were able to deliver on the financial commitments made and report record earnings, all while seeing through the successful integration of two great companies — and the start to 2017 is shaping up to be no different," said Gregory A. Dufour, President and Chief Executive Officer of Camden National. "Net income increased 17% and diluted EPS increased 14% for the first quarter of 2017 over the same period last year. Our solid performance reflects the investments and strategic decision-making we've made over the past 18 months."

Dufour added, "In the first quarter of 2017, we introduced our new online mortgage application system, MortgageTouch, that provides customers with a simple and efficient way to complete mortgage applications online. This is just one example of how we continue to leverage technology to grow our business, all while making the experience easier and more customer-friendly."

FIRST QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Net income increased $1.4 million, or 17%, to $10.1 million compared to the first quarter of 2016, and decreased $826,000, or 8%, compared to last quarter.
• Diluted EPS increased $0.08 per share, or 14%, to $0.64 per share compared to the first quarter of 2016, and decreased $0.06 per share, or 9%, compared to last quarter.
• The return on average assets was 1.05% and on average tangible equity¹ was 14.37%, and the efficiency ratio¹ was 58.00% for the first quarter.
• Loan growth (excluding loans held for sale) for the first quarter of 2017 was 2% (8% annualized).

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets at March 31, 2017 increased $74.2 million, or 2%, to $3.9 billion since December 31, 2016. Our asset growth for the first quarter of 2017 was driven by loan growth (excluding loans held for sale) of $50.6 million, or 2%, and a $45.4 million, or 5%, increase in our investments portfolio.

First quarter 2017 loan growth (excluding loans held for sale) was centered within commercial real estate, which increased $45.7 million, or 4%, and residential real estate, which increased $17.1 million, or 2%, since year-end. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company originated $85.1 million of residential mortgages and sold 44% of its production. Partially offsetting the growth within commercial real estate and residential mortgages was a decrease in the Healthcare Professional Funding Corporation ("HPFC") loan portfolio of $4.5 million as it continues to run-off and a decrease of $7.7 million in the consumer loan portfolio in the first quarter of 2017.

Total deposits at March 31, 2017 were $2.9 billion, representing an increase of $108.7 million since year-end. Core deposits (demand, interest checking, savings and money market) during the first quarter of 2017 increased $42.9 million, or 2%, to $2.1 billion at March 31, 2017. Brokered deposits increased $75.9 million to $348.6 million in the first quarter of 2017 as the Company utilized it as a source to fund its asset growth.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

¹ This is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to "Reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures" for further details.

Average deposits (excluding brokered deposits) for the first quarter of 2017 of $2.5 billion increased $47.3 million, or 2%, compared to the first quarter of 2016 and decreased $74.2 million, or 3%, compared to last quarter. The Company's deposits typically reach a seasonal high in the fourth quarter and decrease in the first quarter of each calendar year due to the cyclical nature of our deposit flows within our markets.

Overall, the Company's asset quality within its loan portfolio remains stable at March 31, 2017 with non-performing assets to total assets increasing 1 basis point to 0.68% and non-performing loans to total loans increasing 2 basis points to 0.99% since year-end. The modest increase was primarily driven by an increase in HPFC non-accrual loans of $807,000 since year-end, which was driven by one loan relationship. At March 31, 2017, loans 30-89 days past due to total loans increased 2 basis points to 0.26% since year-end.

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Camden National Bank, continue to maintain risk-based capital ratios in excess of the regulatory levels required for an institution to be considered "well capitalized." At March 31, 2017, the Company's total risk-based capital ratio, Tier I risk-based capital ratio, common equity Tier I risk-based capital ratio, and Tier I leverage capital ratio were 14.05%, 12.60%, 11.15%, and 8.90%, respectively.

FINANCIAL OPERATING RESULTS

FIRST QUARTER 2017 COMPARED TO FIRST QUARTER 2016:

Total revenues² for the first quarter of 2017 increased $558,000, or 2%, to $36.4 million over the same period last year. The increase was driven by an increase in non-interest income of $655,000, or 8%, to $8.6 million, while net interest income decreased $97,000 to $27.9 million.

Non-interest income of $8.6 million for the first quarter of 2017 increased 8% compared to the first quarter of 2016 primarily due to the increase in mortgage banking income of $745,000 and an increase in bank-owned life insurance income of $155,000, partially offset by a decrease in other income of $391,000 primarily due to exiting a sub-servicer contract effective December 31, 2016.

• In the first quarter of 2016, our mortgage servicing rights ("MSR") assets decreased due to the lower interest rates driving an increase in amortization costs and valuation adjustments, which resulted in related net costs for the quarter of $303,000. In the first quarter of 2017, mortgage interest rates increased driving lower MSR asset amortization and prepayments in comparison to the same period last year, which resulted in related net revenues for the quarter of $148,000.
• In the first quarter of 2017, the Company sold $43.0 million of residential mortgages that resulted in net gains of $1.3 million, compared to $819,000 of net gains recognized in the first quarter of 2016 on loan sales of $38.9 million.
• The Company made an additional $16.7 million investment in bank-owned life insurance in the second quarter of 2016 driving the increase in related income of $155,000 in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year.

Net interest income on a fully-taxable basis for the first quarter of 2017 was $28.4 million, representing a decrease of $102,000 compared to the first quarter of 2016. The decrease was due to:

• A decrease in our net interest margin on a fully-taxable basis of 17 basis points to 3.18%, primarily due to a $976,000 decrease in fair value mark accretion from purchase accounting and collection of previously charged-off acquired loans compared to the first quarter of 2016. Excluding the effects of such, our adjusted net interest margin¹ for the first quarter of 2017 decreased 5 basis points to 3.09% compared to the first quarter of 2016. The decrease was driven by a 3 basis points decrease in the yield on interest-earnings assets and 2 basis points increase in the cost of funds.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

¹   This is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to "Reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures" for further details.
²   Revenue is defined as the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.

• Partially offsetting the decrease in our net interest margin was an increase in average interest-earning assets of $179.1 million, or 5%, which was driven by an increase in average loans of $126.6 million and investments of $52.5 million compared to the first quarter of 2016.

The provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2017 decreased $293,000, or 34%, to $579,000 compared to the first quarter of 2016 driven by:

• Net recoveries during the first quarter of 2017 of $24,000 compared to net charge-offs for the first quarter of 2016 of $697,000.
• Partially offset by higher loan growth in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year.

Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2017 decreased $1.5 million, or 6%, to $21.4 million, compared to the first quarter of 2016. The decrease was driven by:

• A decrease in other real estate owned and collection costs of $700,000, primarily due to a decrease in sub-servicing costs of $419,000 upon exiting a sub-servicing contract and a decrease in collection costs of $190,000.
• Merger-related costs of $644,000 in the first quarter of 2016 that did not reoccur in the first quarter of 2017.
• A decrease in other expenses of $380,000 due to the normalization of business operations in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016, which was the first full quarter post-merger with SBM Financial, Inc., and other cost reductions occurring throughout 2016, including closing two banking centers and HPFC, and other departmental restructuring post-merger.
• Partially offset by an increase in compensation and related benefits cost of 5% driven by an increase in cash and equity incentives and commissions totaling $332,000 and health insurance costs of $135,000. Salary and wage costs for the first quarter of 2017 were consistent with the first quarter of 2016, which highlights the cost savings achieved from the closing of two banking centers and other department restructuring post-merger that offset normal merit increases and new hires across our revenue production teams in the first quarter of 2017.

FIRST QUARTER 2017 COMPARED TO FOURTH QUARTER 2016:

Net income for the first quarter of 2017 was $10.1 million, compared to $10.9 million last quarter, representing a decrease of $826,000, or 8%. Diluted EPS for the first quarter of 2017 was $0.64 per share compared to $0.70 per share last quarter, representing a decrease of $0.06 per share, or 9%.

Total revenues² for the first quarter of 2017 were $36.4 million, compared to $38.4 million last quarter, representing a decrease of $2.0 million, or 5%. The decrease was driven by a decrease in non-interest income of $1.6 million, or 16%, and a decrease in net interest income of $389,000, or 1%.

• Non-interest income decreased primarily due to exiting a sub-servicing contract effective December 31, 2016 that resulted in a reduction in related income on a linked quarter-basis of $873,000, as well as one-time proceeds received of $577,000 upon liquidation of a mortgage insurance exchange in the fourth quarter of 2016.
• Net interest income on a fully-taxable basis decreased $402,000 to $28.4 million primarily due to a $203,000 decrease in fair value mark accretion from purchase accounting and collection of previously charged-off acquired loans compared to last quarter. Excluding the effects of such, our adjusted net interest margin¹ for the first quarter of 2017 was 3.09%, compared to 3.14% last quarter. This decrease reflects a 5 basis points increase in funding cost driven by a shift in funding mix from deposits to overnight borrowings at a higher interest rates.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

¹  This is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to "Reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures" for further details.
²   Revenue is defined as the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.

The provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2017 was $579,000, compared to $255,000 last quarter, representing an increase of $324,000. The increase reflects greater loan growth in the first quarter of 2017, compared to last quarter, partially offset by a decrease in annualized net charge-offs compared to last quarter of 0.07%.

Non-interest expense for the first quarter of 2017 was $21.4 million, compared to $22.5 million last quarter, representing a decrease of $1.1 million, or 5%. The decrease was primarily driven by:

• A decrease in sub-servicing costs of $950,000 upon exiting a sub-servicing contract and final settlement in the first quarter of 2017.
• A decrease in compensation and related-benefit costs of 2% due to:
• A decrease in cash and equity incentives and commissions costs totaling $319,000.
• A decrease in salary costs of $101,000, which includes the cost savings from exiting a sub-servicing contract and closing two branches in the fourth quarter of 2016.
• Partially offset by an increase in health insurance costs of $158,000.
• Partially offset by higher consulting and professional fees of $220,000 attributable to ongoing strategic development and initiatives and higher net occupancy costs of $210,000, primarily attributable to snow removal costs throughout the first quarter of 2017.

FIRST QUARTER 2017 DIVIDEND

The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.23 per share, payable on April 28, 2017, to shareholders of record as of April 14, 2017. This distribution represents an annualized dividend yield of 2.09%, based on the March 31, 2017 closing price of Camden National's common stock at $44.04 per share as reported by NASDAQ.

CONFERENCE CALL

Camden National will host a conference call and webcast at 1:00 p.m. eastern time on April 25, 2017 to discuss our first quarter 2017 financial results and outlook. Participants should dial in to the call 10 - 15 minutes before it begins. Information about the conference call is as follows:

Live dial-in (domestic):   (888) 349-0139
Live dial-in (international):  (412) 542-4154
Live webcast:  http://services.choruscall.com/links/cac170425.html

A link to the live webcast will be will be available on Camden National's website under "Investor Relations" at www.CamdenNational.com prior to the meeting, and a replay of the webcast will be available on Camden National's website following the conference call. The transcript of the conference call will also be available on Camden National's website approximately two days after the conference call.

ABOUT CAMDEN NATIONAL CORPORATION

Camden National Corporation (NASDAQ: CAC), founded in 1875 and headquartered in Camden, Maine, is the largest publicly traded bank holding company in Northern New England with $3.9 billion in assets and nearly 650 employees. Camden National Bank, its subsidiary, is a full-service community bank that offers an array of consumer and business financial products and services, accompanied by the latest in digital banking technology to empower customers to bank the way they want. The Bank provides personalized service through a network of 60 banking centers, 76 ATMs, and lending offices in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, all complimented by 24/7 live phone support. Comprehensive wealth management, investment, and financial planning services are delivered by Camden National Wealth Management. To learn more, visit www.CamdenNational.com. Member FDIC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including certain plans, expectations, goals, projections and other statements, which are subject to numerous risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words like "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, changes in general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the business in which Camden National is engaged, changes in the securities markets and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in in Camden National's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as updated by other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Camden National does not have any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

USE OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

In addition to evaluating the Company's results of operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), management supplements this evaluation with certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as the efficiency, and tangible common equity ratios; adjusted net interest margin; tangible book value per share; and tax-equivalent net interest income. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures help investors in understanding the Company's operating performance and trends and allow for better performance comparisons to other financial institutions. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures remove the impact of unusual items that may obscure trends in the Company's underlying performance. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP operating results, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other financial institutions. Reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure can be found in this document.

ANNUALIZED DATA

Certain returns, yields and performance ratios are presented on an "annualized" basis. This is done for analytical and decision-making purposes to better discern underlying performance trends when compared to full-year or year-over-year amounts.

Reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures