MBT Financial Corp. Announces Third Quarter 2012 Profit

MONROE, Mich., Oct. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MBT Financial Corp., MBTF, the parent company of Monroe Bank & Trust, reported a net profit of $1,388,000, or $0.08 per share (basic and diluted), in the third quarter of 2012, compared to the profit of $632,000, or $0.04 per share (basic and diluted) in the third quarter of 2011. The year to date profit is $2,858,000, or $0.16 per share (basic and diluted), compared to a loss of $4,193,000, or $0.24 per share in the first three quarters of 2011. This is the fifth consecutive quarterly profit for the company.

The net interest margin decreased from 3.16% in the third quarter of 2011 to 3.05% in the third quarter of 2012. The decrease in asset yields due to the prolonged low interest rate environment and the increased investment in securities due to the low loan demand contributed to the decrease in the net interest margin. Although average earning assets increased $1.6 million, the decrease in the net interest margin resulted in a decrease of $335,000, or 3.7% in the net interest income.

The provision for loan losses decreased from $2.7 million last year to $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to a decrease in the net charge offs from $3.5 million to $1.9 million, and due to a reduction in the allowance for loan losses to reflect an improvement in loan quality and a decrease in the size of the loan portfolio.

Non interest income, net of securities gains, increased $160,000, or 4.3% due to higher income from wealth management services and higher origination fees on mortgage loans sold, which increased 192.2% from $102,000 to $298,000 as mortgage loan activity has increased significantly in 2012. For the first nine months of 2012, mortgage loan origination fees have increased by 130.3%.

Total non interest expenses decreased $254,000, or 2.6% compared to the third quarter of 2011. The decrease in expenses was mainly due to lower losses on sales and write downs of Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) as well as lower OREO carrying costs. Real estate values have begun to increase slightly in the Bank's market area, diminishing the need to write down the carrying values of foreclosed properties held for sale and resulting in gains on sales of some properties following earlier write downs.

The Company remains in the process of an Internal Revenue Service audit for its 2007 through 2010 tax years. During the second quarter of 2012 we recorded a federal income tax expense to reflect the amount of a settlement that we offered to the IRS early in the third quarter of 2012. While we cannot predict the outcome of the IRS audit, or any appeal we may pursue as a result of an IRS assessment from the audit, we are optimistic that a settlement agreement will be reached without the need to record significant additional tax expense. Due to the company's large net operating loss carry forward, we are maintaining a valuation allowance of 100% of our deferred tax asset, which totaled $24.9 million at September 30, 2012. Income tax accounting standards require us to assess positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that we will be able to utilize our net operating loss (NOL) carry forward to determine the continued need for a full deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Following five consecutive profitable quarters, the amount of positive evidence indicating that we will be able to utilize our NOL carry forward is increasing. The recognition of the deferred tax asset is based on the expectation of generating future taxable income. If our analysis concludes that it is "more likely than not" that we will be able to recognize the deferred tax asset, we may record a tax benefit beginning in 2012 or 2013. The evaluation process is highly subjective as it not only relies on past performance but also projections of taxable income.

Total assets of the company decreased $2.0 million compared to December 31, 2011, with total loans decreasing $29.3 million and cash and investments increasing $30.3 million. Compared to a year ago, total assets decreased $9.3 million, or 0.7%, with total loans decreasing $52.2 million. Capital increased $3.4 million since the beginning of the year, and with the decrease in assets, the ratio of equity to assets increased from 6.12% at December 31, 2011 to 6.40% at September 30, 2012. The Tier 1 Leverage ratio, which is one of the primary ratios used by banking regulators, increased from 6.03% as of December 31, 2011 to 6.24% as of September 30, 2012. The Bank remains adequately capitalized as measured by applicable regulatory standards. The company's liquidity position remained very strong, with cash and investments increasing from 37.7% of assets at the end of 2011 to 40.2% at September 30, 2012.

Economic conditions in southeast Michigan continue to slowly improve, but this quarter we experienced an increase in both non-performing and problem loans. Non accrual loans increased $4.3 million during the quarter, but are down $13.3 million, or 23.0% compared to a year ago. We are continuing to see an improvement in real estate sales activity and prices, and that has helped us reduce the amount of Other Real Estate Owned over the past year. Our total OREO increased $1.0 million during the third quarter as a large credit relationship moved through the collection process, however, OREO decreased $5.0 million, or 26.4% compared to a year ago. Total problem assets, which include non performing assets and problem loans that are still performing, increased by $5.0 million from the second quarter, or 3.9%. However, total problem assets have reflected a net decrease of $10.3 million for the past twelve months, which is an improvement of 7.2% compared to a year ago.

H. Douglas Chaffin, President and CEO, commented, "We are pleased to report a fifth consecutive profit this quarter. While we are disappointed with the slight deterioration of our asset quality metrics this quarter, we do not believe this represents a reversal of the positive trends experienced over the past two years. As the economic conditions continue to slowly improve, we expect to see improvements in our asset quality resume and earnings growth to continue. Loan demand improved in the second quarter, and our existing commercial loan pipeline remains strong compared to a year ago. When loan growth resumes it will help our net interest margin and net interest income improve also. We continue to have a solid deposit base, a very liquid balance sheet, and adequate capital, so we are well positioned for increased lending activity."

Mr. Chaffin concluded, "Local and national economic indicators continue to be stable, although we are watching closely recent signs of a weakening in the recovery. While we remain concerned about the effect of global and national issues on our local economy, we are pleased with our progress for the first three quarters of 2012. We will continue to focus our efforts on improving asset quality, maintaining liquidity, seeking new sources of revenue and capital, and controlling expenses. Our current environment is still challenging, but we remain confident in our ability to maintain our position as the premier independent provider of financial services in the communities we serve."

Conference Call

MBT Financial Corp. will hold a conference call to discuss the third quarter results on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at the Investor Relations/Corporate Profile page of MBT Financial Corp.'s web site www.mbandt.com. The call can also be accessed in the United States by calling toll free (877) 317-6789. The toll free number for callers in Canada is (866) 605-3852 and international callers can access the call at (412) 317-6789. The event will be archived on the Company's web site and available for twelve months following the call.

About the Company

MBT Financial Corp. MBTF, a single bank holding company headquartered in Monroe, Michigan, is the parent company of Monroe Bank & Trust (MBT).

Founded in 1858, MBT is one of the largest community banks in Southeast Michigan. MBT is a full-service bank, offering a complete range of business and personal accounts, credit options, and phone and online banking services. MBT's Wealth Management Group is one of the largest and most respected in Southeastern Michigan. With 24 offices, 40 ATMs, and a comprehensive array of products and services, MBT prides itself in offering an incomparable banking experience for its customers. Visit MBT's web site at www.mbandt.com.  

The MBT Financial Corp. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4214

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are not based on historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements which are based on various assumptions (some of which are beyond the Company's control), may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of these terms. Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements, due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management, asset/liability management, change in the financial and securities markets, including changes with respect to the market value of our financial assets, the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity, and the ability of the Company to resolve or dispose of problem loans. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.