QCR HOLDINGS INC quarterly report, Q1 FY2017

QCR Holdings, Inc. — Q1 2017 Form 10-Q

Business context and reporting period. Unaudited results cover the three months ended March 31, 2017; balance-sheet comparisons are to December 31, 2016, unless noted. QCR is a financial holding company operating four commercial banks and a commercial leasing business. Community State Bank (CSB), acquired in August 2016, is included in Q1 2017 results but not in Q1 2016 income comparisons, limiting comparability.

Key financial metrics

MetricQ1 2017Comparison / detail
Interest and dividend income$31.3 millionUp 33% year over year
Net interest income$27.7 millionUp 34% year over year; down 6% from Q4 2016
Net interest margin3.90% tax-equivalentUp 31 basis points year over year; down from 4.02% in Q4 2016
Noninterest income / expense$7.3 million / $21.3 millionIncome up 7%; expense up 25% year over year
Provision for loan/lease losses$2.1 millionBroadly flat year over year
Net income / diluted EPS$9.2 million / $0.68Compared with $6.4 million / $0.53 in Q1 2016
Cash flowsOperating +$10.8 million; investing −$102.6 million; financing +$77.5 millionCash and due from banks ended at $56.3 million
Assets / loans$3.38 billion / $2.44 billion grossAssets up $79.1 million and gross loans/leases up $30.4 million from year-end
Deposits$2.81 billionUp $136.7 million from year-end; annualized growth 20.5%
Borrowings$231.5 millionDown approximately $59.4 million from year-end
Equity / regulatory capital$295.8 million; company CET1 ratio 9.64%All subsidiary banks met the “well capitalized” requirements

Material changes versus comparable periods

  • Net income rose 44% and diluted EPS rose from $0.53 to $0.68 year over year. CSB’s addition contributed materially to growth in earning assets, interest income, fees, and operating costs.
  • Net interest income growth reflected CSB, loan growth, and redeployment of securities into loans. The quarter-over-quarter decline reflected lower acquisition-related accretion and two fewer days in Q1.
  • Noninterest expense increased 25% year over year, principally due to CSB’s cost structure; salaries, occupancy, and professional/data-processing costs were among the increases.
  • Gross loans/leases grew 5% annualized in Q1, while deposits grew strongly and borrowings declined. Loans/leases were 71% of assets at quarter-end.
  • Nonperforming assets were $27.3 million, relatively unchanged from year-end but higher than $18.7 million a year earlier; NPAs were 0.81% of assets. The allowance was $32.1 million, or 1.32% of loans/leases (1.64% including the remaining acquired-loan discount).

Outlook, management commentary, and risks

  • Management aims for full-year organic loan and lease growth of 10%–12%, following the slower 5% annualized Q1 pace. These are stated objectives, not formal earnings guidance.
  • Long-term targets include tax-equivalent NIM above 3.85%, ROAA above 1.10%, NPAs below 0.75% of assets, wholesale funding below 15% of assets, and noninterest-bearing deposits above 30% of assets. At Q1 end, NIM was 3.90%, ROAA 1.12%, NPAs/assets 0.81%, wholesale funding/assets 9%, and noninterest-bearing deposits/assets 23%.
  • Management intends to continue reducing wholesale funding, growing core deposits, pursuing acquisitions, and building fee businesses. It cited strong SBA/USDA loan pipelines, while noting that gains on guaranteed-loan sales and swap fees can fluctuate. Q1 gains on guaranteed-loan sales and swap fees totaled approximately $1.1 million.
  • Credit risks include potential deterioration in borrower cash flows and economic conditions; criticized and classified loans increased modestly during the quarter. The allowance depends on management judgments and may require additional provisions. Two related TDRs redefaulted during the quarter.
  • Interest-rate movements could affect net interest income and securities values. Management’s modeled year-one net-interest-income impacts were within policy limits for the disclosed rate scenarios. Municipal securities were a substantial portfolio component, and portfolio duration was 6.1 years.
  • Q1 income tax expense included a $533,000 benefit from adopting ASU 2016-09, reducing the effective tax rate to 20.6% from 24.1%. Management reported no material change in risk factors; no material pending legal proceedings were disclosed. Disclosure controls were deemed effective.

Most important facts for investors to verify

  • How much of year-over-year earnings and margin growth is sustainable after separating CSB’s contribution and purchase-accounting accretion.
  • Whether loan growth accelerates toward the 10%–12% annual objective and whether deposit growth is stable, particularly correspondent and brokered deposits.
  • Whether credit quality improves: track NPAs, criticized/classified loans, TDR redefaults, charge-offs, and the allowance alongside acquired-loan discounts.
  • Whether expense growth moderates and fee income remains resilient despite volatility in swap fees and guaranteed-loan sale gains.
  • How interest-rate changes affect funding costs, NIM, securities values, and the company’s ability to continue reducing wholesale borrowings.