Evans Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Evans”) (NYSE American: EVBN), a community financial services company serving Western New York since 1920, today reported results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021. Results include the acquisition of Fairport Savings Bank (“FSB”), effective May 1, 2020.

SECOND QUARTER 2021 HIGHLIGHTS (compared with prior-year period unless otherwise noted)

• Net interest income increased 23% to $18.4 million reflecting higher interest-earning assets and accelerated amortization of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) fees
• Loan portfolio increased 4%, excluding PPP loans, on solid commercial real estate and residential mortgage originations
• Results include $0.8 million release of allowance for loan losses due to improved credit quality across the portfolio and continued positive macroeconomic trends
• Total deposits of $1.88 billion, increased 4%

Net income was $6.3 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021, compared with $4.9 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2021 and $0.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in last year’s second quarter. The increase from the prior-year period included higher net interest income of $3.4 million reflecting higher interest-earning assets and fees earned in connection with PPP, along with a $1.4 million decrease in provision for loan loss reflecting improved economic trends and conditions related to the Coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”). Also incurred in the prior-year period was $2.8 million of higher non-interest expenses, largely related to the FSB merger. The change in net income from the sequential quarter reflected a $1.8 million increase in net interest income primarily from fees earned in connection with PPP loans and commercial prepayment fees recognized during the quarter. In addition, provision for loan loss decreased $1.1 million from the first quarter of 2021.

Return on average equity was 14.72% for the second quarter of 2021, compared with 11.48% in the first quarter of 2021 and 1.19% in the second quarter of 2020.

“Evans delivered record earnings for the quarter reflecting a strong emergence from the pandemic as the economy recovers. We exhibited strength in capturing the pent-up demand in both commercial and consumer lending and regained the momentum that had been building pre-COVID. These results were driven by flexibility, responsiveness and engagement with clients and prospective clients throughout this period,” said David J. Nasca, President and CEO of Evans Bancorp, Inc.

“During these adverse economic conditions we have been able to serve and expand our client base, increase our market presence in Rochester and deepen relationships. As the economy continues to rebound, we are excited and well-positioned as a strong resource to support our clients in their growth and expansion plans and grow our franchise.”

Net interest income increased $1.8 million, or 11%, from the sequential first quarter, and $3.4 million, or 23%, from prior-year second quarter. The change over both periods reflected an increase in fees earned in connection with PPP and commercial prepayments. The increase from the prior-year period also reflected higher interest-earning assets. As PPP loans are forgiven, the Company is accelerating the recognition of fees that were being amortized over the original life of the loan. PPP fees recognized in interest income were $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2021, $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2021 and $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2020.

Second quarter net interest margin of 3.62% increased 19 basis points from the first quarter of 2021, reflecting the accelerated PPP fee amortization and commercial prepayment income. Net interest margin increased 26 basis points from the second quarter of 2020 due to higher interest-earning assets, PPP fee amortization, commercial prepayment income and reduced interest expense as the Company continued to align rates on deposits. The yield on loans increased 26 basis points when compared with the first quarter of 2021 and increased 10 basis points when compared with the second quarter of 2020. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 0.34% compared with 0.39% in the first quarter of 2021 and 0.65% in the second quarter of 2020.

The $0.8 million release of allowance for loan losses reflects a decrease of $0.7 million in specific reserves associated with a single commercial customer relationship, improvement of non-performing assets and continued positive macroeconomic trends, partially offset by loan growth during the quarter. Evans has deferred the adoption of the Current Expected Credit Loss Impairment Model (CECL), as permitted by its classification as a Smaller Reporting Company by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company continues to classify loans to clients within the hotel industry as criticized given their level of seasonality and ongoing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. At June 30, 2021, criticized assets totaled $146.2 million, with the hotel portfolio comprising 54% of that amount. The Company continues to monitor each client in that industry including on-going conversations with the borrowers. The $4.8 million decrease in non-performing assets compared with the first quarter of 2021 reflects a $2.8 million commercial real estate loan that was moved back to accruing status during the quarter and a $2.1 million payoff of a commercial loan within the hotel industry. The increase from the prior-year period reflects loans that were moved to nonaccrual status, primarily within commercial real estate.

“Credit quality continues to improve with non-performing assets declining 16% from the sequential quarter and, when combined with an improved economic outlook, allowed us to release $760 thousand of allowance for loan losses during the quarter,” stated John Connerton, Chief Financial Officer of Evans Bank. “We continue to closely monitor the hotel portfolio and are beginning to see modest improvements as the economy recovers and summer travel increases. We are further optimistic given the expected opening of the U.S. – Canada border as many of the locations rely on cross-border traffic. Ultimately, the hotel portfolio continues to be well-collateralized, and we believe that we are appropriately reserved.”

The increase in deposit service charges compared with prior year’s second quarter was due to the temporary suspension of certain fees during the second quarter of 2020 to assist customers affected by COVID-19.

The increase in insurance service and fee revenue from the sequential first quarter reflects seasonally higher policy renewals for institutional clients.

The decrease in other income from the sequential first quarter was largely due to changes in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights.

Total non-interest expense increased $0.8 million, or 6%, from the first quarter of 2021, but decreased from last year’s second quarter, as that period included FSB merger-related expenses of $5.0 million.

Salaries and employee benefits increased 4% from the first quarter of 2021 largely due to annual merit increases and the capitalization of salary cost related to the origination of PPP loans in the prior period. The year-over-year change also included prior period capitalization of salary cost related to PPP loan originations, as well as incentive accruals and the addition of personnel related to the FSB acquisition and strategic hires to support the Company’s continued growth.

The increase in technology and communications from the sequential first quarter was due to higher software costs, volume related ATM card fees and online banking activity.

The increase in other expenses from the second quarter of 2020 included higher loan fees and charitable contributions.

The Company’s GAAP efficiency ratio, or noninterest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, was 66.7% in the second quarter of 2021, 67.9% in the first quarter of 2021, and 93.9% in the second quarter of 2020. The Company’s non-GAAP efficiency ratio, excluding amortization expense, gains and losses from investment securities, and merger-related expenses, was 66.1% compared with 67.2% in the first quarter of 2021 and 67.3% in last year’s second quarter.

Income tax expense was $2.0 million, or an effective tax rate of 24.4%, for the second quarter of 2021 compared with 25.2% in the first quarter of 2021 and 16.7% in last year’s second quarter. Excluding the impact of a 2020 historic tax credit transaction, the effective tax rate was 25.9% in the second quarter of 2020.

Balance Sheet Highlights

Total assets were $2.16 billion as of June 30, 2021, an increase of 1% from $2.14 billion at March 31, 2021, and up 5% from $2.07 billion at June 30, 2020. The increase from the prior year was due to an increase in investment securities, interest-bearing deposits at banks, and loan growth. Since last year’s second quarter, commercial real estate loans have increased $60 million and residential mortgages $26 million. Commercial and Industrial loans decreased $75 million from the second quarter of 2020. Of the decline, $49 million was a result of the change in PPP loan balances reflecting the SBA forgiveness of $152 million of PPP loans offset by $103 million of PPP loan originations.

Investment securities were $234 million at June 30, 2021, $39 million higher than the end of the first quarter of 2021, and $64 million higher than at the end of last year’s second quarter. The increases reflect the use of excess cash balances. The primary objectives of the Company’s investment portfolio are to provide liquidity, secure municipal deposits, and maximize income while preserving the safety of principal.

Total deposits of $1.88 billion increased $12 million, or 1%, from March 31, 2021, and were up $75 million, or 4%, from the end of last year’s second quarter. The increase from the prior year reflects an accumulation of liquidity by commercial customers in response to the pandemic, including deposits related to PPP loans, and increases in consumer deposits from government stimulus payments and lower consumer spending.

Capital Management

The Company has consistently maintained regulatory capital ratios measurably above the Federal “well capitalized” standard, including a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8.23% at June 30, 2021 compared with 8.19% at March 31, 2021 and 8.44% at June 30, 2020. Book value per share was $32.28 at June 30, 2021 compared with $30.76 at March 31, 2021 and $30.13 at June 30, 2020.

Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 4:45 p.m. ET. Management will review the financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2021, as well as the Company’s strategy and outlook. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation.

The conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8471. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored at www.evansbancorp.com.

A telephonic replay will be available from 7:45 p.m. ET on the day of the teleconference until Thursday, August 5, 2021. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13721244, or access the webcast replay at www.evansbancorp.com, where a transcript will be posted once available.

About Evans Bancorp, Inc.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company and the parent company of Evans Bank, N.A., a commercial bank with $2.2 billion in assets and $1.9 billion in deposits at June 30, 2021. Evans is a full-service community bank with 20 financial centers providing comprehensive financial services to consumer, business and municipal customers throughout Western New York. Evans Insurance Agency, a wholly owned subsidiary, provides life insurance, employee benefits, and property and casualty insurance through ten offices in the Western New York region. Evans Investment Services provides non-deposit investment products, such as annuities and mutual funds.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. and Evans Bank routinely post news and other important information on their websites, at www.evansbancorp.com and www.evansbank.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future business, revenue and earnings. These statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance, events or results. There are risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of Evans Bancorp to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include the impacts from COVID-19, competitive pressures among financial services companies, interest rate trends, general economic conditions, changes in legislation or regulatory requirements, effectiveness at achieving stated goals and strategies, and difficulties in achieving operating efficiencies. These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in Evans Bancorp’s Annual and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Evans Bancorp undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new, updated information, future events or otherwise.

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