HAMPTON, Va., April 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Old Point Financial Corporation (the "Company" or "Old Point") (NASDAQ "OPOF") reported net income of $1.7 million and diluted earnings per common share of $0.34 for the first quarter of 2024 compared to net income of $1.5 million and diluted earnings per common share of $0.29 for the fourth quarter of 2023, and net income of $3.1 million and diluted earnings per common share of $0.62 for the first quarter of 2023. Robert Shuford, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of the Company and Old Point National Bank (the "Bank") commented, "Old Point's first quarter results demonstrate that our strong balance sheet, outstanding credit culture, and high performing loan portfolio, have the Company positioned to withstand a challenging operating climate. The Company remains confident in continuing to create long term value for our shareholders while navigating this difficult environment. Our loan portfolio continues to perform exceptionally well. Overall, while others have experienced losses in their real estate portfolios, ours has had a net recovery in each of the past three calendar years. In addition, our indirect auto loan portfolio is buoyed by our Prime borrower base, with an average credit score of over 740. Notwithstanding our asset quality, like all financial institutions, we are impacted by continued inflationary pressures and economic conditions increasing our costs to do business.  Accordingly, during the first quarter, we continued a series of initiatives that began in late 2023, to reduce noninterest expense.  Once fully implemented, these initiatives are expected to reduce noninterest expense by approximately $5.0 million on an annualized pre-tax basis (excluding one-time costs), with substantial benefit to earnings beginning in the third quarter of 2024." Key highlights of the first quarter are as follows: The noninterest expense reduction initiatives are expected to reduce noninterest expense by approximately $5.0 million on an annualized pre-tax basis (excluding one-time costs). Part of these initiatives is the difficult, but important, decision to reduce our employee headcount by approximately 12%, saving approximately $3.7 million annually (excluding one-time costs) and having a meaningful impact on the Company's earnings and efficiency ratios going forward. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company incurred one-time costs of $345 thousand related to these initiatives. These initiatives are expected to have a minimal positive impact on the Company's earnings in the second quarter of 2024 due to additional one-time costs, but earnings should begin to reflect the impact of these initiatives in the third quarter of 2024 with substantially all benefits realized by mid-2025. Total assets were $1.4 billion at March 31, 2024, decreasing $893 thousand or 0.06% from December 31, 2023. Net loans held for investment were $1.1 billion at March 31, 2024, decreasing $12.1 million, or 1.1%, from December 31, 2023. Total deposits decreased $2.1 million, or 0.2%, from December 31, 2023. Return on average equity (ROE) was at 6.4% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 5.9% for the fourth quarter of 2023, 5.3% for the third quarter of 2023, and 12.5% for the first quarter of 2023. Net income improved $234 thousand, or 15.8%, to $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2024 from $1.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net income improved $356 thousand, or 26.1% from $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2023. Net income decreased $1.4 million, or 44.3%, from $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. Net interest margin (NIM) was 3.45% in both the first quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 4.02% in the first quarter of 2023. NIM on a fully tax-equivalent basis (FTE) (non-GAAP) was 3.46% in both the first quarter of 2024 and the linked quarter compared to 4.04% in the first quarter of 2023. Net interest income for the first quarter of 2024, decreased $321 thousand, or 2.7%, compared to the prior quarter and $1.3 million, or 9.9%, compared to the first quarter of 2023. Provision for credit losses of $80 thousand was recognized for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $1.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $376 thousand for the first quarter of 2023. Non-performing assets stayed flat at $2.2 million or 0.15% of total assets at March 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023. Liquidity as of March 31, 2024, defined as cash and cash equivalents, unpledged securities, and available secured borrowing capacity, totaled $379.2 million, representing 26.2% of total assets compared to $342.5 million, representing 23.7% of total assets as of December 31, 2023. For more information about financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. Balance Sheet and Asset QualityTotal assets of $1.4 billion as of March 31, 2024 decreased $893 thousand from December 31, 2023. Net loans held for investment decreased $12.1 million, or 1.1% from December 31, 2023 to $1.1 billion at March 31, 2024, driven by the following: decreases to consumer and commercial loans of $12.3 million and $7.4 million respectively, partially offset by increases to construction loans of $3.2 million, residential real estate loans of $3.6 million, and commercial real estate loans of $1.3 million. Securities available-for-sale, at fair value, decreased $4.5 million from December 31, 2023 to $199.8 million at March 31, 2024. Total deposits of $1.2 billion as of March 31, 2024 decreased $2.1 million, or 0.2%, from December 31, 2023. Savings deposits decreased $23.0 million, or 3.5%, time deposits decreased $2.3 million, or 0.9%, and noninterest-bearing deposits increased $23.1 million, or 7.0%. Overnight repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, and subordinated notes decreased $666 thousand to $100.8 million at March 31, 2024 from $101.5 million at December 31, 2023, as the Company used excess liquidity to pay down high cost borrowed funds. The Company's total stockholders' equity at March 31, 2024 increased $852 thousand, or 0.8%, from December 31, 2023 to $107.6 million. The increase was primarily related to earnings, partially offset by unrealized losses in the market value of securities available-for-sale, which are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, and cash dividend payments. The unrealized loss in market value of securities available-for-sale was a result of rising market interest rates rather than credit quality issues.  The Company does not expect these unrealized losses to affect the earnings or regulatory capital of the Company or its subsidiaries. The Bank remains well capitalized with a Tier 1 Capital ratio of 11.72% at March 31, 2024 as compared to 11.45% at December 31, 2023. The Bank's leverage ratio was 9.76% at March 31, 2024 as compared to 9.46% at December 31, 2023.  Non-performing assets (NPAs) totaled $2.2 million as of March 31, 2024 compared to $2.0 million as of March 31, 2023 and $2.2 million at December 31, 2023. NPAs as a percentage of total assets was 0.15% at March 31, 2024, compared to 0.14% at March 31, 2023 and 0.15% at December 31, 2023. Non-accrual loans were $194 thousand at March 31, 2024, a decrease from $980 thousand at March 31, 2023 and an increase from $188 thousand at December 31, 2023. The decrease in non-accrual loans from the prior year comparative quarter was related to resolution of one large commercial relationship. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest decreased $902 thousand to $878 thousand at March 31, 2024 from $1.8 million at December 31, 2023 but increased $156 thousand from $722 thousand at March 31, 2023. Repossessed assets were $1.1 million at March 31, 2024 compared to $215 thousand at December 31, 2023 and $279 thousand at March 31, 2023. The increase in repossessed assets from the prior periods was driven by the resolution of certain loans that were previously past due. The Company recognized a provision for credit losses of $80 thousand during the first quarter of 2024 compared to $1.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2023 and $376 thousand during the first quarter of 2023. The provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2024 included a provision of $78 thousand for loans and $2 thousand for unfunded commitments. The allowance for credit losses (ACL) at March 31, 2024 was $12.2 million including an allowance for credit losses on loans of $11.9 million and the allowance for unfunded commitments of $239 thousand. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses on loans during the first quarter of 2024 was due primarily to reduction in the size of the portfolio, primarily the consumer automobile segment (within the consumer segment). The consumer automobile segment declined $12.2 million, or 7.6% during the first quarter of 2024. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of loans held for investment was 1.12% at March 31, 2024 compared to 1.07% at March 31, 2023 and 1.13% at December 31, 2023. Quarterly annualized net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding was 0.12% for the first quarter of 2024, compared to 0.39% for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 0.07% for the first quarter of 2023. The decline in charge-offs was related to improved performance and reduction in size of the consumer automobile segment. As of March 31, 2024, asset quality remains very strong with no significant changes in the overall credit quality of the loan portfolio.  Management believes the level of the allowance for credit losses is sufficient to absorb expected losses in the loan portfolio; however, if elevated levels of risk are identified, provision for credit losses may increase in future periods.    As of December 31, 2023, loans past due 30 days or more as a percent of the indirect dealer automobile portfolio, which includes consumer and commercial loans, increased to 3.2%.  In response, the Company intensified collection efforts and slowed the pace of new loan originations in that portfolio. As a result, at March 31, 2024, the indirect dealer automobile portfolio balance was reduced by $17.8 million, or 9.4% to $172.0 million and loans past due 30 days or more decreased to 2.2% of the reduced balance.  The indirect dealer automobile portfolio consists of prime loans to purchase new and used late model automobiles.  The weighted average borrower credit score at origination was over 740 as of March 31, 2024 and only 6.2% of the portfolio balance consists of loans to borrowers with a credit score below 650 at origination. Net Interest IncomeNet interest income for the first quarter of 2024 was $11.5 million, decreases of $321 thousand, or 2.7%, from the prior quarter and $1.3 million, or 9.9%, from the first quarter of 2023. The decrease from the linked quarter was due to lower average earning asset balances offset by lower average interest-bearing liabilities. The decrease from the prior-year comparative quarter was due primarily to higher average interest-bearing liabilities at higher average rates partially offset by higher average yields on earning asset balances due to the effect of rising market interest rates. The Net Interest Margin (NIM) for the first quarter of 2024 and fourth quarter of 2023 was 3.45%, a decrease from 4.02% for the prior year quarter. On a fully tax-equivalent basis (FTE) (non-GAAP), NIM was 3.46%, for both the first quarter of 2024 and fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 4.04% for the first quarter of 2023.  Average earning asset balances increased $50.9 million at March 31, 2024 compared to March 31, 2023 with yields on average earning assets increasing 43 basis points due to deployment of liquidity into higher earning assets and the effects of the rising interest rate environment.  Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $121.8 million at March 31, 2024 compared to March 31, 2023 with costs increasing 129 basis points.  The higher interest cost on liabilities was due to higher interest rates on money market and time deposits as well as additional borrowing costs associated with short term FHLB advances during the period to help fund loan growth, partially offset by increases in noninterest-bearing demand deposits and declines in savings and time deposits. Average loans increased $21.0 million, or 2.0%, for the first quarter compared to the same period of 2023.  Average yields on loans and investment securities were 41 basis points and 26 basis points higher in the first quarter of 2024 due primarily to the effects of rising interest rates. During 2023, market interest rates increased, and while the Company expects asset yields to continue to rise, the cost of funds are also expected to rise. The extent to which rising interest rates will ultimately affect the Company's NIM is uncertain. For more information about these FTE financial measures, please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures," below. Noninterest IncomeTotal noninterest income was $3.2 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $3.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2023. Decreases during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the linked quarter were driven by decreases in fiduciary and asset management fees and mortgage banking income. The decrease compared to the first quarter of 2023 was driven by decreases in other service charges, commissions and fees and mortgage banking income, partially offset by increases in fiduciary and asset management fees. The decrease in mortgage banking income for the first quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023 was due to declines in volume of mortgage originations attributable to changes in mortgage market conditions. Noninterest ExpenseNoninterest expense totaled $12.7 million for the first quarter of 2024 compared to $12.2 million for the first and fourth quarters of 2023. The increase in expenses from the linked quarter of $492 thousand was related to increases in salaries and employee benefits and data processing costs, partially offset by decreases in customer development, occupancy and equipment, and other operating expenses. The linked quarter included a reduction to incentive compensation expense that did not occur in the first quarter of 2024. The increase in expenses over the prior year quarter was primarily driven by increased salaries and employee benefit expense, data processing, and other operating expenses, partially offset by declines in expenses for customer development and professional services.  The increase in salaries and employee benefits in the first quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by higher average headcount and one-time costs related to the cost savings initiatives. The noninterest expense reduction initiatives reduced this employee headcount late in the first quarter of 2024 and into the second quarter by approximately 12%.     Capital Management and DividendsFor the first quarter of 2024, the Company declared dividends of $0.14 per share. The dividend represents a payout ratio of 41.1% of earnings per share for the first quarter of 2024. The Board of Directors of the Company continually reviews the amount of cash dividends per share and the resulting dividend payout ratio in light of changes in economic conditions, current and future capital requirements, and expected future earnings. Total consolidated equity increased $852 thousand at March 31, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023, due primarily to net income during the quarter, partially offset by unrealized losses in the market value of securities available-for-sale, which are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, and cash dividend payments. The Company's securities available-for-sale are fixed income debt securities, and their unrealized loss position is a result of increases in market interest rates rather than credit quality issues. The Company expects to recover its investments in debt securities through scheduled payments of principal and interest and unrealized losses are not expected to affect the earnings or regulatory capital of the Company or its subsidiaries. At March 31, 2024, the book value per share of the Company's common stock was $21.35, and tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) was $20.99. For more information about non-GAAP financial measures, please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures," below. Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresIn reporting the results as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company has provided supplemental financial measures on a fully tax-equivalent, tangible, or adjusted basis. These non-GAAP financial measures are a supplement to GAAP, which is used to prepare the Company's financial statements, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the Company's non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to non-GAAP financial measures of other companies. The Company uses the non-GAAP financial measures discussed herein in its analysis of the Company's performance. The Company's management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results of operations with prior periods presented without the impact of items or events that may obscure trends in the Company's underlying performance.  A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company to evaluate and measure the Company's performance to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is presented below. Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this press release, including without limitation, statements made in Mr. Shuford's quotation and statements regarding the Company's expense reduction initiative, which use language such as "believes," "expects," "plans," "may," "will," "should," "projects," "contemplates," "anticipates," "forecasts," "intends" and similar expressions, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of Old Point's management, as well as estimates and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management, as of the time such statements are made. These statements are also subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. These statements are inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the underlying beliefs, estimates, or assumptions will prove to be accurate. Actual results, performance, achievements, or trends could differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such statements. The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on the Company or its businesses or operations. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, without limitation, statements regarding: future financial performance; future financial and economic conditions, industry conditions, and loan demand; Old Point's strategic focuses; impacts of economic uncertainties; performance of the loan and securities portfolios; revenue generation, efficiency and expense reduction initiatives, including the estimated effects thereof; deposit growth; levels and sources of liquidity; future levels of the allowance for loan losses, charge-offs or net recoveries; levels of or changes in interest rates and potential impacts on Old Point's NIM; changes in NIM and items affecting NIM; expected impact of unrealized losses on earnings and regulatory capital of Old Point or the Bank; and statements that include other projections, predictions, expectations, or beliefs about future events or results, or otherwise are not statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements are due to factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of Old Point including, but not limited to, changes in or the effects of: interest rates and yields, such as increases or volatility in interest rates, and their impacts on macroeconomic conditions, customer and client behavior, Old Point's funding costs and Old Point's loan and securities portfolios; inflation and its impacts on economic growth and customer and client behavior; adverse developments in the financial services industry, such as the bank failures in 2023, responsive measures to mitigate and manage such developments, related supervisory and regulatory actions and costs, and related impacts on customer and client behavior; the sufficiency of liquidity and regulatory capital; general economic and business conditions in the United States generally and particularly in the Company's service area, including higher inflation, slowdowns in economic growth, unemployment levels, supply chain disruptions, and the impacts on customer and client behavior; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; conditions in the banking industry and the financial condition and capital adequacy of other participants in the banking industry, and market, supervisory and regulatory reactions thereto; the quality or the composition of the loan or securities portfolios and changes therein; effectiveness of expense control initiatives; an insufficient ACL or volatility in the ACL resulting from the CECL methodology, either alone or as may be affected by inflation, changing interest rates or other factors; the value of securities held in the Company's investment portfolios; the Company's technology, efficiency, and other strategic initiatives; the legislative/regulatory climate, regulatory initiatives with respect to financial institutions, products and services; the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB") and the regulatory and enforcement activities of the CFPB; potential claims, damages and fines related to litigation or government actions; demand for loan products; future levels of government defense spending, particularly in the Company's service areas; uncertainty over future federal spending or budget priorities, particularly in connection with the Department of Defense, on the Company's service area; the impact of changes in the political landscape and related policy changes, including monetary, regulatory, and trade policies; the potential adverse effects of unusual and infrequently occurring events, such as weather-related disasters, terrorist acts, geopolitical conflicts (such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas) or public health events, and governmental and societal responses to the foregoing, on, among other things, the Company's operations, liquidity, and credit quality; demand for loan products and the impact of changes in demand on loan growth; changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities; the effects of management's investment strategy and strategy to manage the NIM; the U.S. government's guarantee of repayment of small business loans purchased by Old Point; the level of net charge-offs on loans; deposit flows; the performance of the Company's dealer lending program; the strength of the Company's counterparties; the Company's ability to compete in the market for financial services and increased competition from both banks and non-banks, including fintech companies; demand for financial services in Old Point's service area; technological risks and developments; implementation of new technologies; the Company's ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; any interruption or breach of security in the Company's information systems or those of the Company's third party vendors or other service providers; cyber threats, attacks and events; reliance on third parties for key services; the use of inaccurate assumptions in management's modeling systems; the real estate market; the demand in the secondary residential mortgage loan markets; expansion of the Company's product offerings; changes in accounting principles, standards, policies guidelines, and interpretations and elections made by the Company thereunder, and the related impact on the Company's financial statements; changes in management; and other factors detailed in Old Point's publicly filed documents, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of date they are made. The Company does not intend or assume any obligation to update, revise or clarify any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time or on behalf of the Company, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. In addition, past results of operations are not necessarily ...