• Net Income increased $1.2 million, or 15.1%, to $9.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 from $7.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022
• Net interest margin increased 8 basis points, or 2.2%, reaching 3.78% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 from 3.70% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
• Total Assets grew $159.9 million, or 7.0%, to $2.5 billion at September 30, 2023 from $2.3 billion at year-end 2022
• Total Loans grew $138.3 million, or 8.8%, to $1.7 billion at September 30, 2023 from $1.6 billion at year-end 2022
• Total Deposits rose $130.6 million, or 6.6%, to $2.1 billion at September 30, 2023 from $1.9 billion at year-end 2022
• Book value per share increased $1.01, or 4.1%, to $25.49 at September 30, 2023 from $24.48 at December 31, 2022
• Trust and investment advisory income rose $338 thousand, or 15%, to approximately $2.6 million, for Q3 2023 from $2.3 million for Q3 2022

MIDDLETOWN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 25, 2023 / Orange County Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:OBT), parent company of Orange Bank & Trust Co. (the "Bank") and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. ("HVIA"), today announced net income of $9.0 million, or $1.61 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023. This compares with net income of $7.9 million, or $1.40 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in earnings per share, basic and diluted, was the result of continued strong growth in net interest income during the current period, reflecting increased interest income associated with loans, investments, and cash balances as well as a reduction in expense related to provision for credit losses.

Book value per share rose $1.01, or 4.1%, from $24.48 at December 31, 2022 to $25.49 at September 30, 2023. Tangible book value per share also increased $1.06, or 4.6%, from $23.28 at December 31, 2022 to $24.34 at September 30, 2023 (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation" below for additional detail).These increases were due primarily to increased earnings during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

"I am pleased to report the Bank has produced another extraordinary quarter," Company President and CEO Michael Gilfeather announced. "Though we remain guarded against the Fed's ongoing inflation fighting efforts and its potential impact on regional economic activity, including the pressure rising rates place on our ability to gather deposits while maintaining strong net interest rate margins, we so far have been able to navigate these challenges with considerable success."

"For the third quarter of 2023, we generated net income of $9.0 million, a $1.2 million increase over the same period last year. Like last quarter, our performance continues to be driven by a sizable increase in interest income resulting from overall growth in our loan portfolio, as well as an increase in average yield on our interest-earning assets. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2023, the average balance of our loan portfolio grew $285.8 million, or 20.7%, to $1.7 billion, while the average yield rose 106 basis points to 5.64% versus the same period last year. We've been able to accomplish this because economic activity and loan demand from clients throughout our operating region remains strong despite the significant increase in interest rates. We recognize higher rates may ultimately impact loan demand, but continue to work closely with clients and believe we are well positioned to adjust loan growth in response to changing market and business conditions.

As with the entire banking industry, year-to-date deposit growth has remained challenged by the breadth of yield alternatives available. While inconsistent over time, we have seen favorable deposit growth during the year primarily due to ongoing focus throughout the Bank to source organic deposits despite current interest rate pressure. Total deposits at quarter end were up $130.6 million, or 6.6%, to $2.1 billion from $1.9 billion at year-end 2022. Our Bank-wide commitment to deposit growth is also reflected in our consistently low cost of deposits, which stood at an average rate of 1.03% at quarter end, up from 0.39% during the fourth quarter of 2022. Notwithstanding the increase in deposit costs due to rising interest rates, we were able to expand net interest margin from 3.70% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 to 3.78% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. This is a key metric for the Bank and I am proud of our team's ability to effectively manage core and non-interest-bearing deposits and overall costs in a manner which, like oversight of our loan portfolio, reflects the depth of dialogue we maintain with our clients and breadth of services we offer.

Our Wealth Management division also maintained its strong performance trends during the quarter. Trust and investment advisory income rose 15%, to $2.6 million, for Q3 2023 versus the same period last year. Given the volatility and mixed performance of debt and equity markets during the period, this highlights the impressive job our investment subsidiary, Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, has done managing assets and growing revenue.

Each passing quarter further validates the holistic, hands-on approach we bring to client service and our assessment of market conditions and opportunities. While challenges remain and will continue to require vigilant oversight, including deposit uncertainty and a potentially stricter regulatory environment in response to recent industry events, the past several quarters should demonstrate that Orange Bank and Trust has the vision, the balance sheet, deposit gathering ability, and dexterity to adapt to challenging and often changing circumstances. Our foundation in business banking should continue to generate consistent income over time and gives us the ability to transition between strategic growth and/or stability as market conditions require. As always, credit for this stems from the dedication and experience of our employees. I thank them again for their role in delivering uncompromising service to our clients and results like our most recent quarter to our shareholders."

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Review

Net Income

Net income for the third quarter of 2023 was $9.0 million, an increase of $1.2 million, or 15.1%, over net income of $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2022. The increase represents a combination of higher net interest income as well as the impact of a decrease in provision for credit losses versus the same quarter last year. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $21.4 million as compared to $15.3 million for the same period in 2022.

Net Interest Income

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, net interest income rose $1.1 million, or 5.1%, to $22.5 million, versus $21.4 million during the same period last year. The increase was driven primarily by a $6.6 million increase in interest and fees on loans during the current period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net interest income increased $11.0 million, or 19.9%, over the first nine months of 2022.

Total interest income rose $7.3 million, or 31.8%, to $30.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $22.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase reflected 36.3% growth in interest and fees associated with loans, a 10.6% increase in interest income from taxable investment securities, and a 35.3% increase in interest income related to fed funds interest and balances held at correspondent banks. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, total interest income rose $27.6 million, or 47.1%, to $86.2 million as compared to $58.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Total interest expense increased $6.2 million during the third quarter of 2023, to $7.6 million, as compared to $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2022. The increase represented the continued effect of rising interest rates and the impact of higher costing FHLB borrowings and brokered deposits as additional sources of funding. Interest expense associated with FHLB advances drawn during the current quarter totaled $1.9 million. We had no such borrowings or related expense in the third quarter of 2022. Interest expense related to brokered deposits reached $1.8 million during third quarter 2023 as compared to $18 thousand during third quarter 2022. Interest expense associated with savings and NOW accounts totaled $3.5 million during the third quarter of 2023 as compared to $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2022. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, total interest expense rose $16.6 million, to $20.0 million, as compared to $3.3 million for the same period last year.

Provision for Credit Losses

As of January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the current expected credit losses methodology ("CECL") accounting standard, which includes loans individually evaluated, as well as loans evaluated on a pooled basis to assess the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The Bank seeks to estimate lifetime losses in its loan and investment portfolio by using expected discounted cash flows and supplemental qualitative considerations, including relevant economic considerations, portfolio concentrations, and other external factors, as well as evaluating investment securities held by the Bank.

The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $837 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This decrease reflects the impact of the methodology associated with estimated lifetime losses and types of loans closed during the quarter. The allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.51% as of September 30, 2023 versus 1.39% as of December 31, 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the provision for credit losses totaled $7.4 million, as compared to $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The 2023 provision includes the effect of a $5 million reserve associated with the write-off of an investment in Signature Bank subordinated debt. No additional reserves for investment securities were recorded during 2023.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income rose $287 thousand, or 9.8%, to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. This growth was related to increased fee income within each of the Company's fee income categories, including investment advisory income, trust income, and service charges on deposit accounts. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, non-interest income increased approximately $761 thousand, to $9.7 million, as compared to $8.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense was $13.6 million for the third quarter of 2023, reflecting an increase of $1.0 million, or 8.2%, as compared to $12.6 million for the same period in 2022. The increase in non-interest expense for the current three-month period was the result of continued investment in Company growth. This investment consists primarily of increases in compensation, occupancy, information technology, and deposit insurance costs. Our efficiency ratio increased to 52.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, from 51.6% for the same period in 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, our efficiency ratio improved to 55.4% from 57.5% for the same period in 2022. Non-interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 reached $42.1 million, reflecting a $5.2 million increase over non-interest expense of $36.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Income Tax Expense

Provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $2.3 million, compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was directly related to higher income before taxes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the provision for income taxes was $5.1 million, as compared to $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Our effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2023 was 20.0%, as compared to 19.1% for the same period in 2022. Our effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 was 19.3%, as compared to 18.5% for the same period in 2022.

Financial Condition

Total consolidated assets increased $159.9 million, or 7.0%, from $2.3 billion at December 31, 2022 to $2.5 billion at September 30, 2023. The increase reflects continued growth in loans, deposits, and cash during the quarter.

Total cash and due from banks increased from $86.1 million at December 31, 2022, to $158.7 million at September 30, 2023, an increase of approximately $72.6 million, or 84.4%. This increase resulted primarily from increases in deposit balances and borrowings. The increase in borrowings reflected a strategic decision to bolster and maintain higher cash levels during the first nine months of 2023.

Total investment securities fell $53.3 million, or 9.8%, from $543.0 million at December 31, 2022 to $489.7 million at September 30, 2023. The decrease represented a combination of investment maturities and sales, decline in fair value, and a write-off associated with Signature Bank subordinated debt resulting from that bank's failure during the first nine months of 2023.

Total loans increased $138.3 million, or 8.8%, from $1.6 billion at December 31, 2022 to $1.7 billion at September 30, 2023. The increase was due primarily to $127.9 million of commercial real estate loan growth and $8.1 million of commercial and industrial loan growth. PPP loans decreased to $227 thousand at September 30, 2023 from $1.7 million at December 31, 2022.

Total deposits increased $130.6 million, to $2.1 billion at September 30, 2023, from $2.0 billion at December 31, 2022. This increase was driven by $42.1 million of growth in core deposits, as well as the effect of approximately $88.5 million of growth in time deposits associated with brokered deposits which the Company increased as a precautionary measure to strengthen cash on hand. Deposit composition at September 30, 2023 included 50.6% in demand deposit accounts (including NOW accounts). Uninsured deposits, net of fully collateralized municipal relationships, remain stable and represent approximately 38% of total deposits at September 30, 2023, as compared to 43% of total deposits at December 31, 2022.

Stockholders' equity experienced an increase of approximately $5.8 million during the first nine months of 2023, to $143.9 million at September 30, 2023 from $138.1 million at December 31, 2022. The increase was due mainly to $21.4 million of net income during the first nine months of 2023, partially offset by an increase in unrealized losses of approximately $10.5 million on the market value of investment securities within the Company's equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"), net of taxes.

At September 30, 2023, the Bank maintained capital ratios in excess of regulatory standards for well capitalized institutions. The Bank's Tier 1 capital-to-average-assets ratio was 9.26%, both common equity and Tier 1 capital-to-risk-weighted-assets were 12.69%, and total-capital-to-risk-weighted-assets was 13.94%.

Loan Quality

At September 30, 2023, the Bank had total non-performing loans of $9.5 million, or 0.56% of total loans. Total non-accrual loans represented approximately $6.9 million of loans at September 30, 2023, compared to $6.1 million at December 31, 2022.

Liquidity

Management believes the Bank has the necessary liquidity to meet normal business needs. The Bank uses a variety of resources to manage its liquidity position. These include short term investments, cash from lending and investing activities, core-deposit growth, and non-core funding sources, such as time deposits exceeding $100,000, brokered deposits, FHLBNY advances, and other borrowings. As of September 30, 2023, the Bank's cash and due from banks totaled $158.7 million. The Bank maintains an investment portfolio of securities available for sale, comprised mainly of US Government agency and treasury securities, Small Business Administration loan pools, mortgage-backed securities, and municipal bonds. Although the portfolio generates interest income for the Bank, it also serves as an available source of liquidity and funding. As of September 30, 2023, the Bank's investment in securities available for sale was $478.7 million, of which $49.0 million was not pledged as collateral. Additionally, as of September 30, 2023, the Bank's overnight advance line capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York was $608.8 million, of which $85.0 million was used to collateralize municipal deposits and $156.0 million was utilized for FHLBNY advances, overnight and long term. As of September 30, 2023, the Bank's unused borrowing capacity at the FHLBNY was $367.8 million. The Bank also maintains additional borrowing capacity of $25 million with other correspondent banks. Additional funding is available to the Bank through the Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP") and discount window lending by the Federal Reserve. The Bank maintains approximately $104.2 million of collateral under the BTFP but did not utilize this funding source during the first nine months of 2023.

The Bank also considers brokered deposits an element of its deposit strategy. As of September 30, 2023, the Bank had brokered deposit arrangements with various terms totaling $131.4 million.

About Orange County Bancorp, Inc.

Orange County Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Orange Bank & Trust Company and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. Orange Bank & Trust Company is an independent bank that began with the vision of 14 founders over 125 years ago. It has grown through innovation and an unwavering commitment to its community and business clientele to almost $2.5 billion in total assets. Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor in Goshen, NY. It was founded in 1996 and acquired by the Company in 2012.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to the real estate and economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, inflation, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, increased levels of loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures, credit risk management, asset-liability management, cybersecurity risks, the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity.

The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

For further information:

Michael Lesler
SVP & Chief Financial Officer
mlesler@orangebanktrust.com
Phone: (845) 341-5111

SOURCE: Orange County Bancorp, Inc.