Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2023 Results and Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.10 Per Share

OAK RIDGE, N.C., July 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. (“Oak Ridge”; or the “Company”) (OTCPink: BKOR), the parent company of Bank of Oak Ridge (the “Bank”), announced unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2023 and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share.

Second Quarter 2023 Performance and Accomplishments

• Earnings per share of $0.54, compared to $0.47 in the linked quarter and $0.63 for the second quarter of 2022.
• Return on equity of 10.84%, compared to 9.62% in the linked quarter and 13.52% for the second quarter of 2022.
• Dividends declared per common share of $0.10, unchanged from the linked quarter and up from $0.08 for the second quarter of 2022.
• Tangible book value per common share of $20.14 as of period end, compared to $19.94 at the end of the linked quarter and $18.77 at the end of the second quarter of 2022.
• Net interest margin of 3.89%, compared to 3.91% in the linked quarter and 3.66% for the second quarter of 2022.
• Efficiency ratio of 70.39%, compared to 71.60% in the linked quarter and 68.93% for the second quarter of 2022.
• American Banker’s Top 200 Publicly Traded Banks Under $2 Billion in Assets for 2022 for the eighth consecutive year.
• #4 out of 106 Small Business Administration (“SBA”) 7a lenders in SBA’s North Carolina District office of total year-to-date loan approvals through July 21, 2023.

Tom Wayne, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, reported, “Oak Ridge’s operating performance in the second quarter was solid considering the current economic conditions and the liquidity concerns in the banking industry. Despite the continued increase in market interest rates and concern over bank failures, asset quality was strong at the end of the quarter, our net interest margin was strong during the quarter, and our loans increased and deposits decreased just slightly from year end. Capital and liquidity levels remain strong. Oak Ridge remains focused on its full client relationships including long-term core deposit and lending solutions and other products and services that meet our customers’ financial objectives. We are incredibly proud of our team and appreciate their efforts in serving our clients and managing the Bank in a safe and sound manner.”

A quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share of common stock is payable on September 1, 2023, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 18, 2023, which represents the 19^th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by the Company. “We are pleased to pay another quarterly cash dividend to our stockholders,” said Mr. Wayne. “Paying stockholders a portion of our earnings reflects our continuing commitment to enhance stockholder value.”

Review of Balance Sheet at June 30, 2023, as compared to December 31, 2022

• Total assets increased $24.2 million, or 4.1%, to $613.5 million, from $589.3 million.
• Cash and cash equivalents decreased $16.0 million, or 31.9%, to $34.3 million, from $50.4 million.
• Securities available-for-sale increased $14.3 million, or 17.6%, to $95.2 million, from $80.9 million. Purchases of securities available-for-sale in 2023 of $40.1 million partially offset by sales, maturities, and repayments of $25.8 million accounted for the increase.
• Securities held-to-maturity increased $7.4 million, or 66.3%, to $18.6 million due to reclassifications of subordinated debenture investments in other banks and bank holding companies from loans receivable to held-to-maturity securities. The reclassifications were $10.9 million and $7.4 million in December of 2022 and June of 2023, respectively. The lowest, largest, and average balance of each subordinated debenture investment in one bank or bank holding company as of June 30, 2023, was $331,000, $1.5 million, and $909,000, respectively. The book average life of the subordinated debenture portfolio was 3.28 years as of June 30, 2023.
• Total net loans increased $20.4 million, or 3.8%, to $437.3 million, from $421.4 million.
  • The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.06% and 1.14% on June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
  • Nonperforming assets represented 0.10% of total assets on June 30, 2023, compared to 0.13% on December 31, 2022.
  • On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") methodology for establishing it allowance for loan loss. As a result of adopting this standard the Company’s retained earnings increased $24,000, the allowance for loan losses decreased $247,000, and the reserves for unfunded commitments increased $223,000.
• Total deposits decreased $4.0 million, or 0.8%, to $486.2 million, from $481.0 million. The ratio of estimated uninsured deposits to total deposits for the Bank was 18.5% at June 30, 2023, compared to 22.1% at December 31, 2022.
• Total borrowings from Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta advances and under the Federal Reserve Term Funding Program increased $24 million, or 80.0%, to $54 million, from $30 million.
• Stockholders’ equity increased $2.4 million, or 4.6%, to $55.0 million, from $52.6 million. Accumulated other comprehensive loss was $2.4 million, or 4.2% of total stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2023. The Bank’s Community Bank Leverage Ratio (“CBLR”) was 11.50% at June 30, 2023, compared to 11.27% at December 31, 2022. Financial institutions that follow the CBLR guidelines and have a CBLR of greater than 9% meet the well-capitalized regulatory requirement.
  

Review of Income Statement for the three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared same period ending June 30, 2022

• Net interest income increased $192,000 to $5.4 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the year-ago quarter. The net interest margin increased 23 basis points to 3.89% for the second quarter of 2023 compared to the year-ago quarter.
  • On June 12 and 22, 2023, the Bank entered into two interest rate swap agreements totaling approximately $25.0 million to hedge balance sheet interest rate sensitivity and protect selected securities in its available-for-sale portfolio against changes in fair value related to changes in the benchmark interest rate.
• The Company had a recovery of credit losses of $63,000 in the second quarter of 2023 compared to a provision for credit losses of $175,000 in the year-ago quarter. The primary risks inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio, including the adequacy of the allowance or reserve for loan losses, are based on management’s assumptions regarding, among other factors, general and local economic conditions, which are difficult to predict and are beyond the Bank’s control. In estimating these risks, and the related loss reserve levels, management also considers the financial conditions of specific borrowers and credit concentrations with specific borrowers, groups of borrowers, and industries.
• Noninterest income decreased $409,000 to $891,000 in the second quarter 2023 compared with the year-ago quarter. Significant contributors to the overall net decrease were:
  • Decrease of $389,000 in gain on sale of SBA loans. On most 2023 originations the Company is retaining the guaranteed portion of the loan whereas in 2022 the Company sold substantially all guaranteed portions of the loans.
  • Decreases of $49,000 in brokerage commissions on mortgage loans and income from Small Business Investment Corporation.
  • Increase of $91,000 in other service charges and fees due to increase in fee income from managing deposits sold through the Intrafi deposit network.
• Noninterest expense decreased $58,000, or 1.3%, to $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared with the year-ago quarter.

About Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc., and Bank of Oak Ridge
At Bank of Oak Ridge, we pride ourselves on knowing your name when you walk through our door. Whether in-person or through our digital offerings, managing your financial well-being is easy, safe, and convenient. We are the longest-running employee-owned community bank in the Triad and have served community members, local businesses, and non-profit organizations since 2000. Learn more about what makes Bank of Oak Ridge the Triad’s community bank by visiting one of our convenient locations in Greensboro, High Point, Summerfield & Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. (OTC Pink: BKOR) is the holding company for Bank of Oak Ridge. Bank of Oak Ridge is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Awards & Recognitions | Best Bank in the Triad | Triad’s Top Workplace Finalist | 2016 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Business Ethics | Triad’s Healthiest Employer Winner

Banking for Business & Personal | Mobile & Online Banking | Worldwide ATM | Debit, Credit + Rewards | Checking, Savings & Money Market | Loans + SBA | Mortgage | Insurance | Wealth Management

Let’s Talk | 336.644.9944 | www.BankofOakRidge.com | Extended Interactive Teller Machine Hours at all Triad Locations

Forward-looking Information This earnings release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of the Company and on the information available to management at the time that these disclosures were prepared. These statements can be identified by the use of words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and “believe,” variations of these words and other similar expressions. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the Company’s markets, (2) changes in the interest rate environment, (3) general national, regional or local economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and the possible impairment of collectability of loans, (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, (5) significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment and tax laws, and (6) the impact of changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws, rules and regulations. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2023 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2022 (Audited)
(Dollars in thousands)

	2023				2022
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	9,085			$	12,467
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		25,218				37,889
Total cash and cash equivalents		34,303				50,356
Securities available-for-sale		95,213				80,939
Securities held-to-maturity, fair values of $16,364 and $10,350 at June
30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively		18,566				11,161
Restricted stock, at cost		2,737				2,626
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $4,779 and
$4,851 at June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively		437,259				421,444
Property and equipment, net		8,756				9,192
Accrued interest receivable		2,125				1,996
Bank owned life insurance		6,134				6,095
Right-of-use assets – operating leases		2,610				1,183
Other assets		5,798				4,289
Total assets	$	613,501			$	589,281
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	$	110,637			$	120,263
Interest-bearing		366,301				360,722
Total deposits		476,938				480,985
Short-term FHLB Advances		32,000				30,000
Federal Reserve bank term funding program		22,000				-
Other short-term borrowings		286				418
Junior subordinated notes – trust preferred securities		8,248				8,248
Subordinated debentures		9,923				9,903
Lease liabilities – operating leases		2,610				1,183
Accrued interest payable		548				226
Other liabilities		5,902				5,675
Total liabilities		558,455				536,638
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, no par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized;
2,702,370 and 2,672,620 issued and outstanding
at June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively		26,471				26,207
Retained earnings		30,939				28,642
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,364	)			(2,206	)
Total stockholders’ equity		55,046				52,643
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	613,501			$	589,281

Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
For the three months ended June 30, 2023, and 2022
(Dollars in thousands)

	Three months ended												Six months ended June 30,
	June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				June 30, 2022				2023				2022
Interest and dividend income
Loans and fees on loans	$	5,780			$	5,916			$	5,051			$	11,696			$	10,539
Interest on deposits in banks		216				241				171				457				199
Restricted stock dividends		41				57				18				98				36
Interest on investment securities		1,368				839				408				2,206				764
Total interest and dividend income		7,405				7,053				5,648				14,457				11,538
Interest expense
Deposits		1,374				1,023				237				2,396				494
Short-term and long-term debt		645				670				217				1,315				428
Total interest expense		2,019				1,693				454				3,711				922
Net interest income		5,386				5,360				5,194				10,746				10,616
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses		(63	)			175				(107	)			111				(19	)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		5,449				5,185				5,301				10,635				10,635
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts		149				147				150				297				287
Brokerage commissions on mortgage loans		12				22				61				34				133
Insurance commissions		109				97				112				206				226
Gain on sale of investment securities		-				77				-				77				-
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans		96				232				485				328				514
Debit and credit card interchange income		299				292				308				591				585
Income from Small Business Investment Company		51				-				100				51				170
Income earned on bank owned life insurance		20				19				20				39				40
Other service charges and fees		155				166				64				320				124
Total noninterest income		891				1,052				1,300				1,943				2,079
Noninterest expense
Salaries		2,180				2,312				2,340				4,492				4,356
Employee benefits		264				309				304				573				551
Occupancy		261				308				251				569				547
Equipment		239				211				243				450				496
Data and item processing		468				470				408				938				854
Professional and advertising		345				357				294				702				584
Stationery and supplies		34				34				34				68				60
Telecommunications		129				126				104				255				211
FDIC assessment		132				74				53				206				107
Other expense		366				390				445				757				747
Total noninterest expense		4,418				4,591				4,476				9,010				8,513
Income before income taxes		1,922				1,646				2,125				3,568				4,201
Income tax expense		434				365				422				799				836
Net income and income available to common stockholders	$	1,488			$	1,281			$	1,703			$	2,769			$	3,365
Basic and diluted income per common share	$	0.54			$	0.47			$	0.63			$	1.02			$	1.25
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding		2,732,720				2,713,959				2,702,370				2,723,391				2,692,794

Selected Financial Data	June 30, 2023			March 31, 2023					December 31, 2022				September 30, 2022				June 30, 2022				March 31, 2022
Return on average common stockholders' equity1		10.84	%			9.62	%			12.98	%			12.35	%			13.52	%			13.07	%
Tangible book value per share	$	20.14			$	19.94			$	19.48			$	18.67			$	18.77			$	18.63
Return on average assets1		1.02	%			0.88	%			1.18	%			1.08	%			1.11	%			1.14	%
Net interest margin1		3.89	%			3.91	%			4.02	%			4.10	%			3.66	%			4.07	%
Efficiency ratio		70.39	%			71.60	%			69.64	%			66.76	%			68.93	%			65.10	%
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.10	%			0.11	%			0.13	%			0.15	%			0.14	%			0.16	%

¹Annualized

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