TOMPKINS FINANCIAL CORP annual report, FY2011

Tompkins Financial Corporation — 2011 Form 10-K

Reporting period: Fiscal year ended December 31, 2011; filed March 8, 2012. Tompkins is a New York-based financial holding company operating three community banks and providing insurance, wealth management, trust, and brokerage services.

Financial performance and condition

  • Revenue and earnings: Net interest income was $111.4 million, down 0.3% from 2010; noninterest income rose 4.0% to $48.0 million. Net income attributable to Tompkins was $35.4 million, up 4.7%; diluted EPS increased 2.9% to $3.20.
  • Margins and returns: Taxable-equivalent net interest margin declined to 3.72% from 3.86%. Return on average assets was 1.07% (1.06% in 2010); return on average equity was 12.02% (12.72%). The efficiency ratio improved to 60.3% from 60.9%.
  • Fourth quarter: Net income was $9.4 million and diluted EPS was $0.84, up 5.6% and 3.7%, respectively, year over year. Noninterest income fell 8.8%, including lower investment-services and other income; expenses declined 3.9%.
  • Balance sheet: Assets were $3.40 billion, up 4.3%; loans were $1.98 billion, up 3.7%; deposits were $2.66 billion, up 6.6%. Shareholders’ equity increased 9.4% to $299.1 million.
  • Credit quality: Nonperforming loans and leases declined 8.6% to $41.4 million, or 2.09% of loans, from 2.37%. Net charge-offs increased to $9.2 million from $5.0 million; the allowance was $27.6 million, or 1.39% of loans, versus 1.46%.
  • Cash flow: Operating activities provided $72.0 million; investing activities used $152.6 million; financing activities provided $80.5 million. Cash and cash equivalents ended at $49.6 million, essentially unchanged.
  • Debt and liquidity: Other borrowings were $186.1 million, repurchase agreements and federal funds purchased totaled $169.1 million, and trust preferred debentures were $25.1 million. Unused FHLB borrowing capacity was $973.7 million. Management said available liquidity was adequate in the normal course of business.
  • Capital and dividends: The consolidated total risk-based capital ratio was 14.2% and Tier 1 risk-based ratio was 12.9%; the company and bank subsidiaries were categorized as well capitalized. Annual dividends were $1.40 per share, up from $1.33.

Material changes versus 2010

  • Earnings improved, supported mainly by higher fee income and lower noninterest expense. Net interest income was nearly flat as falling asset yields offset lower funding costs.
  • Average earning-asset yields fell 39 basis points, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities fell 28 basis points. Growth in earning assets was concentrated in lower-yielding securities amid soft loan demand.
  • Noninterest income gains included card-services income, up 18.1%, and insurance commissions, up 6.3%. Deposit service charges remained affected by overdraft-fee regulations.
  • Loan charge-offs included a $5.0 million charge-off on one commercial real estate relationship. Despite higher charge-offs, year-end nonperforming loans and internally classified credits improved.
  • Tompkins Insurance acquired Olver & Associates in June 2011 for consideration valued at $3.2 million. The acquisition added $2.3 million of goodwill.

Outlook, risks, and unusual items

  • Outlook: No quantitative earnings or revenue guidance is provided. Management described loan demand as soft and noted that continued low rates could pressure asset yields and net interest margin. The interest-rate simulation showed a relatively flat 2012 base case; modeled net interest income declined 0.48% under a 100-basis-point rate decrease and 0.18% under a 200-basis-point increase.
  • Pending merger: On January 25, 2012, Tompkins agreed to acquire VIST Financial Corp., which had $1.4 billion of assets at year-end 2011. Closing was anticipated in the third quarter of 2012, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and other conditions. A shareholder lawsuit sought to enjoin the transaction; Tompkins said claims against it were without merit and intended to defend them.
  • Credit and concentration risks: Commercial and commercial real estate loans totaled $1.1 billion, 57.0% of total loans. Commercial real estate made up 63.7% of nonperforming loans. Results remain exposed to borrower cash flows, collateral values, regional economic conditions, and agricultural risks.
  • Other notable exposures: The company recorded $65,000 of securities impairment losses in earnings in 2011 and identified possible further impairment risk in certain non-government mortgage-backed securities. Pension and post-retirement plan remeasurement contributed to a larger accumulated other comprehensive loss. A $450,000 liability remained for potential Visa litigation-related losses.
  • Regulatory condition: Mahopac National Bank was subject to higher OCC capital requirements; it exceeded them at year-end. Dodd-Frank implementation and other regulatory changes could increase compliance costs.
  • Audit and controls: KPMG issued unqualified opinions on the financial statements and internal control over financial reporting; management also concluded disclosure controls were effective.

Important facts for investors to verify

  1. Progress, approvals, integration plans, and any litigation developments relating to the VIST merger.
  2. Whether credit trends continue to improve, particularly commercial real estate delinquencies, classified loans, and charge-offs after the $5.0 million CRE charge-off.
  3. Future net interest margin and funding costs as assets reprice in a low-rate environment and loan demand changes.
  4. Allowance adequacy, collateral valuations, and potential additional securities impairment or pension-related effects.
  5. Capital and liquidity after dividends, acquisition financing, and any changes in subsidiary dividend capacity or regulatory requirements.