GLEN BURNIE, Md., April 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glen Burnie Bancorp ("Bancorp") (NASDAQ:GLBZ), the bank holding company for The Bank of Glen Burnie ("Bank"), today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. Net income for the first quarter was $3,000, or $0 per basic and diluted common share, as compared to $0.44 million, or $0.15 per basic and diluted common share for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. On March 31, 2024, Bancorp had total assets of $369.9 million. Bancorp, the oldest independent commercial bank in Anne Arundel County, will pay its 127th consecutive quarterly dividend on May 6, 2024. "Our first quarter 2024 earnings were negatively impacted by our increased deposit and borrowing costs. On a positive note, deposit balances increased just over 3% in the first quarter as we leveraged new products and services to appeal to new clients and grow existing client relationships. While economic conditions remain uncertain, we will continue to prioritize prudent risk management as we look to generate new loan production at higher market rates, while focusing on adding new banking relationships with clients that need multiple products and services that we can provide. We expect 2024 to be another difficult operating environment for the Company given our heavy reliance on spread business. We are focused on executing against our long-term strategic plan and realizing the value from expanded treasury management capabilities and providing premier relationship banking services. Accordingly, our approach to loan and deposit growth will continue throughout 2024," said Mark C. Hanna, President and Chief Executive Officer. "High interest rates continue to drive competition for loans and deposits. While these challenges will persist in 2024, we continue to focus our efforts on growing our core banking business. We plan to add resources to drive deposit growth, enhance our small business lending capabilities, and make strategic adjustments to our operating structure to provide more value to both business and retail customers. These actions will significantly enhance our infrastructure and allow us to better serve our communities." Commenting on the first quarter results, Mr. Hanna continued, "The Company's performance during the first quarter of 2024 was heavily impacted by the continuation of an inverted yield curve and rigorous competition for core deposits. Higher interest rate levels will keep pressure on loan growth and deposit retention, which impacts our net interest margin. While interest rates may decrease in the future, we believe that the competition for loans and deposits will remain strong as we navigate through this cycle. While we continue to focus on the steps to improve our profitability, I am proud of the progress made during the first quarter toward our strategic objectives." In closing, Mr. Hanna added, "In these very unusual times, our strength and resolve enable us to take exceptional care of our customers, employees, and communities. Based on our capital levels, conservative underwriting policies, on- and off-balance sheet liquidity, strong loan diversification, and current economic conditions within the markets we serve, management expects to navigate the uncertainties and remain well-capitalized. I would like to thank our dedicated Glen Burnie Bancorp employees for all that they do to support our customers, communities, and shareholders – it is because of them that we remain well-positioned to execute on our strategic plan during this uncertain period." Highlights for the First Three Months of 2024 Net interest income decreased $606,000, or 19.08% to $2.6 million through March 31, 2024, as compared to $3.2 million during the prior-year first quarter. The decrease resulted from a $726,000 increase in interest expense. The increase in interest on deposits was driven by the higher cost of money market deposit balances. The increase in interest on borrowings was driven by a $40.0 million increase in short term borrowings due to the elevated level of deposit runoff in 2023. The Company expects that its strong liquidity and capital positions, along with the Bank's total regulatory capital to risk weighted assets of 18.30% on March 31, 2024, as compared to 17.57% for the same period of 2023, will provide ample capacity for future growth. Return on average assets for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, was 0.00%, as compared to 0.47% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. Return on average equity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, was 0.06%, as compared to 9.90% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. Lower net income partially offset by a lower average asset balance primarily drove the lower return on average assets, while lower net income and a higher average equity balance primarily drove the lower return on average equity. On March 31, 2024, the Bank remained above all "well-capitalized" regulatory requirement levels. The Bank's tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was approximately 17.14% on March 31, 2024, as compared to 17.37% on December 31, 2023. Liquidity remained strong due to managed cash and cash equivalents, borrowing lines with the FHLB of Atlanta, the Federal Reserve and correspondent banks, and the size and composition of the bond portfolio. Balance Sheet Review Total assets were $369.9 million on March 31, 2024, an increase of $18.1 million or 5.13%, from $351.8 million on December 31, 2023. Cash and cash equivalents increased $27.4 million or 179.69%, from December 31, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Investment securities were $128.7 million on March 31, 2024, a decrease of $10.7 million or 7.67%, from $139.4 million on December 31, 2023. Loans, net of deferred fees and costs, were $178.0 million on March 31, 2024, an increase of $1.6 million or 0.93%, from $176.3 million on December 31, 2023. Total deposits were $309.2 million on March 31, 2024, an increase of $9.2 million or 3.05%, from $300.1 million on December 31, 2023. Noninterest-bearing deposits were $115.2 million on March 31, 2024, a decrease of $1.7 million or 1.50%, from $116.9 million on December 31, 2023. Interest-bearing deposits were $194.0 million on March 31, 2024, an increase of $10.9 million or 5.96%, from $183.1 million on December 31, 2023. Total borrowings were $40.0 million on March 31, 2024, an increase of $10.0 million, or 33.33% from $30.0 million on December 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2024, total stockholders' equity was $18.1 million (4.90% of total assets), equivalent to a book value of $6.28 per common share. Total stockholders' equity on December 31, 2023, was $19.3 million (5.49% of total assets), equivalent to a book value of $6.70 per common share. The reduction in the ratio of stockholders' equity to total assets was due to higher asset balances, along with decreases to equity from the decline in market value of the Company's available-for-sale securities portfolio. Included in stockholders' equity on March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, were unrealized losses (net of taxes) on the Company's available-for-sale investment securities totaling $19.3 million and $18.4 million, respectively. This increase in unrealized losses primarily resulted from increasing market interest rates during the first quarter of 2024, which decreased the fair value of the investment securities. Changes in unrealized losses on the investment portfolio are attributed to changes in interest rates, not credit quality. The Company does not intend to sell, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell, any securities held at an unrealized loss. Asset quality, which has trended within a narrow range over the past several years, remains sound on March 31, 2024. Nonperforming assets, which consist of nonaccrual loans, restructured loans to borrowers with financial difficulty, accruing loans past due 90 days or more, and other real estate owned, represented 0.10% of total assets on March 31, 2024, as compared to 0.15% on December 31, 2023, demonstrating positive asset quality trends across the portfolio. The allowance for credit losses on loans was $2.0 million, or 1.14% of total loans, as of March 31, 2024, as compared to $2.2 million, or 1.22% of total loans, as of December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments was $497,000 as of March 31, 2024, as compared to $473,000 as of December 31, 2023. Review of Financial Results For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 Net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, was $3,000, as compared to $435,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. The decrease is primarily the result of a $431,000 increase in interest expense on short-term borrowings, a $295,000 increase in interest expense on deposits and a $211,000 increase in the provision for credit losses on loans, partially offset by an increase of $128,000 in loan interest income and fees and a $317,000 decrease in the provision for income taxes. The Company's need to defend its deposit base as well as grow interest-earning asset balances necessitated a strategic change in direction. Net interest income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, totaled $2.6 million, as compared to $3.2 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. The $606,000 decrease in net interest income was primarily due to the $726,000 increase in interest expense related to higher balances and rates on money market deposits and short-term borrowings. Average earning-asset balances were $362.0 million on March 31, 2024, as compared to $378.2 million during the prior-year first quarter. Deposit runoff drove the decline in average interest-earning assets. Net interest margin for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, was 2.86%, as compared to 3.41% for the same period of 2023, a decrease of 0.55%. The decrease in the net interest margin is due to increases in average deposit costs and short-term borrowing costs, partially offset by increases in yields on investment securities, loans, and interest-bearing deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank. Loan yields increased from 4.58% to 5.06% between the two periods while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased from 0.20% to 1.51% between the two periods. The average balance of interest-earning assets decreased $16.3 million while the yield increased 0.26% from 3.52% to 3.78%, when comparing the three-month periods ending March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The average balance of interest-bearing funds increased $8.1 million. The average balance of noninterest-bearing funds decreased $24.4 million, and the cost of funds increased 0.87%, when comparing the three-month periods ending March 31, 2024, and 2023. The provision for credit loss allowance on loans for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, was $169,000, as compared to a release of $42,000 for the same period of 2023. The increase for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, when compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, primarily reflects a $5.8 million decrease in the reservable balance of the loan portfolio and a $334,000 increase in net charge offs. Noninterest income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, was $229,000, as compared to $245,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, noninterest expense totaled $2.86 million, a decrease of $83,000 compared to $2.94 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. On a year-over-year comparative basis, noninterest expenses decreased due to an $80,000 decrease in salary and employee benefits. Salary and employee benefits expenses decreased due to reductions in group insurance costs and bonus pension/expense. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, income tax benefit was $232,000, as compared with income tax expense of $86,000 for the same period a year earlier. The $232,000 income tax benefit includes $87,000 associated with amended Maryland tax returns for tax years 2022 and 2021. Glen Burnie Bancorp Information Glen Burnie Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Founded in 1949, The Bank of Glen Burnie® is a locally owned community bank with 8 branch offices serving Anne Arundel County. The Bank is engaged in the commercial and retail banking business including the acceptance of demand and time deposits, and the origination of loans to individuals, associations, partnerships, and corporations. The Bank's real estate financing consists of residential first and second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit and commercial mortgage loans. The Bank also originates automobile loans through arrangements with local automobile dealers. Additional information is available at www.thebankofglenburnie.com. Forward-Looking Statements The statements contained herein that are not historical financial information may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results in the future to differ materially from its historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. These statements are evidenced by terms such as "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "expect," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions. Although these statements reflect management's good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. GLEN BURNIE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS           (dollars in thousands)                                     March 31,   March 31,   December 31,     2024       2023       2023     (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (audited) ASSETS           Cash and due from banks $ 9,091     $ 1,959     $ 1,940   Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions   33,537       12,633       13,301   Total Cash and Cash Equivalents   42,628       14,592       15,241               Investment securities available for sale, at fair value   128,727       144,726       139,427   Restricted equity securities, at cost   246       191       1,217               Loans, net of deferred fees and costs   177,950       184,141       176,307   Less: Allowance for credit losses(1)   (2,035 )     (2,161 )     (2,157 ) Loans, net   175,915       181,980       174,150               Premises and equipment, net   2,928       3,171       3,046   Bank owned life insurance   8,700       8,532       8,657   Deferred tax assets, net   8,255       8,142       7,897   Accrued interest receivable   1,281       1,259       1,192   Accrued taxes receivable   340       8       121   Prepaid expenses   460       479       475   Other assets   390       333       390   Total Assets $ 369,870     $ 363,413     $ 351,813               LIABILITIES           Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 115,167     $ 136,324     $ 116,922   Interest-bearing deposits   194,064       206,690       183,145   Total Deposits   309,231       343,014       300,067               Short-term borrowings   40,000       -       30,000   Defined pension liability   327       318       324   Accrued expenses and other liabilities   2,183       1,846       2,097   Total Liabilities   351,741       345,178       332,488               STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY           Common stock, par value $1, authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,887,467, 2,868,504, and 2,882,627 shares as of March 31, 2024, March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2023, respectively.                                           2,887       2,869       2,883   Additional paid-in capital   10,989       10,888       10,964   Retained earnings   23,575       23,727       23,859   Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (19,322 )     (19,249 )     (18,381 ) Total Stockholders' Equity   18,129       18,235       19,325   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 369,870     $ 363,413     $ 351,813                 GLEN BURNIE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)                  Three Months Ended March 31,         2024       2023