Pacific Financial Corp Earns $2.7 Million, or $0.26 per Diluted Share, for First Quarter 2024, Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.14 per Share

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Pacific Financial Corporation
Pacific Financial Corporation

ABERDEEN, Wash., April 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Financial Corporation (OTCQX: PFLC), (“Pacific Financial”) or the (“Company”), the holding company for Bank of the Pacific (the “Bank”), reported net income of $2.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $2.9 million, or $0.28 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2023, and $4.1 million, or $0.39 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2023. All results are unaudited.   

The board of directors of Pacific Financial declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share on April 24, 2024. The dividend will be payable on May 24, 2024 to shareholders of record on May 10, 2024.

“We are pleased with our first quarter results, which is a good start to the year; operating earnings were solid, loan growth outpaced deposit growth during the quarter, our net interest margin expanded, and asset quality remained strong,” said Denise Portmann, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Although net interest income declined quarter-over-quarter, primarily as a result of decreased interest earning deposit balances, our net interest margin remains strong and continued to expand as growth in earning asset yields outpaced increases in deposit cost of funds. This expansion in net interest margin was fueled by higher rates on loan production resulting in a loan yield of 5.97%, a 17 basis points improvement from the prior quarter, while cost of funds increased only 7 basis points to 0.90%, despite continued rate pressure.”

“Our lending team continues to successfully meet the credit needs of our customers and new clients while employing strong underwriting practices.   Loan origination volumes remained steady and net loans receivable increased by $8.9 million during the quarter.   While the possibility of a slowing economy and a continued higher interest rate environment still exist, we remain optimistic regarding the overall strength of our loan portfolio and the economic opportunities for growth in our markets,” said Portmann. “Our team continues to work diligently and we are focused on making progress on our strategic initiatives.”

First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

  • Return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 0.95%, compared to 1.02% for the fourth quarter 2023, and 1.33% for the first quarter 2023.

  • Return on average equity (“ROAE”) was 9.32%, compared to 10.88% from the preceding quarter, and 15.63% from the first quarter a year earlier.

  • Net interest income was $11.4 million, compared to $11.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, and $13.1 million for the first quarter 2023.

  • Net interest margin (“NIM”) expanded 4 basis points to 4.38%, compared to 4.34% from the preceding quarter, and contracted 13 basis points from 4.51% for the first quarter a year ago.

  • Provision for credit losses was $33,000 compared to $111,000 for the preceding quarter and $157,000 in the first quarter a year ago.

  • Gross loans balances grew by $8.9 million, or 1%, to $694.2 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $685.3 million at December 31, 2023, and increased by $48.6 million, or 8%, from $645.6 million at March 31, 2023.

  • Total deposits declined $13.5 million to $995.8 million, compared to $1.01 billion at December 31, 2023, and declined 10% from $1.11 billion at March 31, 2023. Core deposits represented 88% of total deposits, with non-interest bearing deposits representing 41% of total deposits at March 31, 2024.

  • Coverage of short-term funds available to uninsured and uncollateralized deposits was 251% at March 31, 2024 compared to 243% at December 31, 2023. Uninsured or uncollateralized deposits were 22% of total deposits at March 31, 2024 and 23% at December 31, 2023.

  • Asset quality remains solid with nonperforming assets to total assets at 0.13%, compared to nonperforming assets to total assets at 0.06% for the preceding quarter, and 0.08% at March 31, 2023.

  • At March 31, 2024, Pacific Financial continued to exceed regulatory well-capitalized requirements with a leverage ratio of 11.6% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 17.6%.