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Exhibit 99.1

 

Contact:   

D. Anthony Peay – (804) 832-2112

Senior Vice President/ Chief Financial Officer

 

Distribute to:   

Virginia State/Local Newslines, NY Times, AP, Reuters, S&P, Moody,

Dow Jones, Investor Relations Service

 

October 16, 2003    4:30 p.m.    Traded: NASDAQ    Symbol: UBSH

UNION BANKSHARES REPORTS INCREASE IN 3rd QUARTER EARNINGS

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Bowling Green, Virginia)—Union Bankshares (Nasdaq: UBSH—News) is pleased to report net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 of $4,195,000, an increase of 4.6 % from $4,011,000 a year ago. Earnings per share on a diluted basis increased by 5.8% to $.55 from $.52 for the same quarter in 2002. Return on average equity for the quarter was 14.66%, and return on average assets for the same period was 1.37 %, as compared to 15.72% and 1.53%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2002.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, net income increased to $12.5 million from $10.5 million for the same period in 2002, an increase of 18.6%. Over this same period, earnings per share on a diluted basis increased 18.1% to $1.63 from $1.38 for the same period in 2002. Return on average equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 15.08%, while return on average assets for the same period was 1.43%, compared to 14.78% and 1.40% respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

For the third quarter net income for the mortgage banking segment increased to $830,000, an increase of $375,000 or 82.4% from $455,000 in the same quarter of 2002. For the quarter, net income for the community banking segment was $3.4 million, a decrease of $191,000 or 5.4% from $3.6 million for the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, net income for the community bank segment increased to $10.2 million from $9.5 million at September 30, 2002 , while the mortgage segment increased to $2.3 million from $984,000 for the same period in 2002.

 

For the Company, net interest income was up $651,000 or 6.3% from the third quarter of 2002. Average earning assets grew to $1.141 billion compared to $979.2 million in the prior year quarter providing the Company with a higher earnings base compared to last year. This volume growth offset a decrease of 43 basis points in the net interest margin (FTE) which decreased to 4.03% in the third quarter of 2003, down from 4.46% in the same quarter of 2002, and down from 4.20% in the second quarter of 2003.

 

Loans increased 21.9% or $150.6 million from the third quarter of 2002 and 17.1% or $122.2 million from the end of 2002. Loans for the third quarter compared to the second quarter of 2003 increased 6.1% or $48.2 million. Yields on loans (FTE) decreased from 7.37% during the third quarter of 2002 and from 6.81% in the second quarter 2003 to 6.45% for the third quarter of 2003. The cost of funds also declined, from 2.99% in the third quarter of 2002 and 2.70% for the second quarter of 2003 to 2.53% in the third quarter of 2003. Loan yields declined by 36 basis points between the second and third quarters of 2003 while deposits and other borrowings declined by only 17 basis points which led to the narrowed margin. Deposit levels were up $137.1 million, or16.1%, from the third quarter of 2002 and $31.1 million, or 3.3%, from the second quarter of 2003.


For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the provision for loan losses was $903,000 up $253,000 from $650,000 a year earlier. This increased provision is attributable to strong loan growth and the impact of a single credit relationship reported in the second quarter of 2003. At the end of June, two credits totaling $8.1 million were placed on non-accrual status with $550,000 in loan loss reserves allocated. The Company continues to work with the borrower to protect its interest, but has allocated an additional $335,000 in loan loss reserves to this relationship. Despite this problem asset, overall asset quality remains strong. At September 30, 2003, nonperforming assets totaled $9.5 million, but $1.4 million excluding the above credit. The allowance for loan losses is up slightly at 1.32% of gross loans from 1.30% a year earlier.

 

Noninterest income for the third quarter increased $2.0 million or 41.5% from a year ago and reflected a $1.4 million or 49.8% increase in gains on sales of loans. Service charges on deposit accounts showed an increase of $600,000 or 55.6% for the same period, reflecting the 25.9% increase in noninterest bearing deposit accounts and a full quarter’s impact of a new overdraft protection product introduced during the prior quarter.

 

Noninterest expense for the third quarter 2003 increased by $1.9 million or 20.9% from a year ago while assets grew by 13.6%. A significant portion of the growth in expenses was related to increased commissions ($663,000) on mortgage loan sales and to expenses associated with both the Thornburg branch which opened in August 2002, the loan production offices in Manassas and Richmond and new product advertisements. The Company continues to focus on expense controls to create greater operating efficiencies as it grows, but realizes that infrastructure growth and market expansion in the future will impact expenses before adding meaningful income.

 

“We are pleased with the overall performance of the Company for the first nine months of 2003, particularly in a challenging economic environment”, said President G. William Beale. “Our mortgage segment has produced tremendous results and favorably impacted the Corporation’s profitability again in the third quarter. The community bank segment continues to report strong profits amid a number of growth initiatives.

 

“As expected, the movement in long-term rates slowed mortgage loan production in September and we expect it will reduce net income in the mortgage segment in the fourth quarter of 2003. Refinance activity accounted for 48% of our $171 million in mortgage originations during the quarter, down from 55% in the second quarter. These refinance levels are less than industry averages and reflect a greater focus by our lenders on recurring business with builders and realtors which we hope will translate to continued strong levels of non-refinance originations.

 

“The community banking sector has continued to perform well. The effect of the final rate cut by the Fed was absorbed by reduced asset yields in the third quarter. Strong competition for loan assets, driven by excess liquidity in banks also diluted bank asset yields. We expect the net interest margin to be stable during the fourth quarter and, because our balance sheet is currently asset sensitive, the margin should improve in a rising rate environment.

 

“We continue to invest in people and additional locations to take advantage of opportunities created by recent mergers in our market. These include a new full-service branch at Parham and Three Chopt, adjacent to our Loan Production Office, which received regulatory approval in August and is expected to open in late 2003. We have also leased space in a Fas Mart convenience store located on Pouncey Tract Road also in the West End of Richmond and, subject to regulatory approval, expect to open it in November 2003. While we expect these initiatives and the previously announced branch additions on Pole Green Road and on Rt 360 in Mechanicsville to create some short-term drag on earnings, we expect they will contribute greatly to the long term growth and profitability of our Company.”

 


At September 30, 2003 total assets were $1.215 billion, up 13.6% from $1.070 billion at September 30, 2002. Deposits increased to $989.2 million, up $137.1 million or 16.1% over $852.1 million at the end of the third quarter 2002 while loans totaled $837.0 million, up $150.6 million or 21.9% over third quarter 2002 levels. Securities declined to $239.4 million at September 30, 2003 compared to $265.6 million a year earlier. The Company’s capital position remains strong with an equity-to-assets ratio of 9.5 %.

 

Union Bankshares is one of the largest community banking organizations based in Virginia, providing full service banking to the Central, Rappahannock, Williamsburg and Northern Neck regions of Virginia through its bank subsidiaries, Union Bank & Trust (19 locations in the counties of Caroline, Hanover, King George, King William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Westmoreland and the City of Fredericksburg), Northern Neck State Bank (9 locations in the counties of Richmond, Westmoreland, Essex, Northumberland and Lancaster), Rappahannock National Bank in Washington, Virginia and Bank of Williamsburg in Williamsburg and Newport News. Union Bank & Trust also operates loan production offices in Manassas and Richmond, Virginia. The new Richmond Loan Production Office is located at Parham and Three Chopt Roads, close to the Regency Square shopping mall. In addition, Union Investment Services, Inc. provides full brokerage services and Mortgage Capital Investors provides a full line of mortgage products.

 

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of federal securities laws, that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Statements herein are based on certain assumptions and analyses by the Company and are factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: changes in interest rates; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; significant changes in economic conditions; significant changes in regulatory requirements; and significant changes in securities markets. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and the cautionary language in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K report and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Union Bankshares Corporation does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

 


Key Financial Data


   For the three months ended

    For the nine months ended

 
     September 30,

    September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                                

Interest income

   $ 16,945     $ 16,441     $ 50,222     $ 48,427  

Interest expense

     5,967       6,114       18,051       18,421  
    


 


 


 


Net interest income

     10,978       10,327       32,171       30,006  

Provision for loan losses

     903       650       1,935       2,219  
    


 


 


 


Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     10,075       9,677       30,236       27,787  

Noninterest income

     6,683       4,724       17,570       12,384  

Noninterest expenses

     10,959       9,067       30,503       26,365  
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     5,799       5,334       17,303       13,806  

Income tax expense

     1,604       1,323       4,828       3,284  
    


 


 


 


Net income

     4,195       4,011       12,475       10,522  
    


 


 


 


Interest earned on loans (Fully Tax Equivalent)

   $ 14,109     $ 12,911     $ 40,828     $ 37,787  

Interest earned on securities (FTE)

     3,436       4,144       11,222       12,551  

Interest earned on earning assets (FTE)

     17,558       17,118       52,162       50,512  

Net interest income (FTE)

     11,595       11,004       34,121       32,091  

Net income (FTE)

     4,881       4,759       14,631       12,815  

Interest expense on certificate of deposits

     4,390       4,207       13,238       12,763  

Interest expense on interest bearing deposits

     4,908       5,048       15,030       15,297  

Core deposit intangible amortization

     143       148       432       444  

Net income—community banking segment

   $ 3,365     $ 3,556     $ 10,181     $ 9,538  

Net income—mortgage banking segment

     830       455       2,294       984  

KEY PERFORMANCE RATIOS

                                

Return on average assets (ROA)

     1.37 %     1.53 %     1.43 %     1.40 %

Return on average equity (ROE)

     14.66 %     15.72 %     15.08 %     14.78 %

Efficiency ratio

     62.05 %     60.25 %     61.32 %     62.20 %

Efficiency ratio (excluding mortgage segment)

     59.05 %     56.36 %     58.83 %     58.26 %

Net interest margin (FTE)

     4.03 %     4.46 %     4.16 %     4.55 %

Yield on earning assets (FTE)

     6.10 %     6.94 %     6.36 %     7.15 %

Cost of interest bearing liabilities

     2.53 %     2.99 %     2.67 %     3.11 %

PER SHARE DATA

                                

Net income per share—basic

   $ 0.55     $ 0.53     $ 1.64     $ 1.39  

Net income per share—diluted

     0.55       0.52       1.63       1.38  

Cash EPS

     0.56       0.53       1.67       1.42  

Cash dividends paid (semi-annual payment)

     —         —         0.29       0.25  

Book value per share

     15.17       13.80       15.17       13.80  

Tangible book value per share

     14.39       12.94       14.39       12.94  

 


FINANCIAL CONDITION

                                

Assets

   $ 1,215,430     $ 1,070,371     $ 1,215,430     $ 1,070,371  

Loans, net of unearned income

     836,984       686,405       836,984       686,405  

Earning assets

     1,140,589       1,001,531       1,140,589       1,001,531  

Goodwill

     864       864       864       864  

Other intangibles

     5,068       5,649       5,068       5,649  

Deposits

     989,204       852,123       989,204       852,123  

Stockholders’ equity

     115,376       104,322       115,376       104,322  

AVERAGES

                                

Assets

   $ 1,211,132     $ 1,042,238     $ 1,162,963     $ 1,006,858  

Loans, net of unearned income

     816,453       675,039       768,748       646,877  

Loans held for sale

     68,916       25,390       51,718       22,492  

Securities

     246,335       261,389       258,654       259,246  

Earning assets

     1,141,480       979,232       1,096,204       943,940  

Deposits

     965,187       827,044       936,253       803,602  

Certificates of deposit

     489,929       421,705       480,557       412,508  

Interest bearing deposits

     815,835       708,757       799,043       691,852  

Borrowings

     119,710       103,999       104,052       99,958  

Interest bearing liabilities

     935,545       812,756       903,095       791,810  

Stockholders’ equity

     113,513       101,209       110,639       95,178  

ASSET QUALITY

                                

Beginning balance Allowance for loan loss

   $ 10,252     $ 8,434     $ 9,179     $ 7,336  

plus provision for loan loss

     903       649       1,935       2,219  

less charge offs

     (292 )     (290 )     (745 )     (993 )

plus recoveries

     202       153       696       384  
    


 


 


 


Allowance for loan losses

     11,065       8,946       11,065       8,946  

Allowance as % of total loans

     1.32 %     1.30 %     1.32 %     1.30 %

Nonaccrual loans

   $ 9,100     $ 530     $ 9,100     $ 530  

Foreclosed properties & real estate investments

     444       781       444       781  
    


 


 


 


Total nonperforming assets

     9,544       1,311       9,544       1,311  

Loans past due 90 days and accruing interest

     1,038       1,408       1,038       1,408  
    


 


 


 


Total nonperforming assets plus 90 days

     10,582       2,719       10,582       2,719  

Nonperforming assets to loans plus foreclosed properties

     1.14 %     0.19 %     1.14 %     0.19 %

OTHER DATA

                                

Market value per share at period-end

   $ 30.37     $ 24.93     $ 30.37     $ 24.93  

Price to book value ratio

     2.00       1.81       2.00       1.81  

Price to earnings ratio

     13.97       13.55       13.97       13.55  

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic

     7,606,890       7,560,347       7,598,994       7,549,556  

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

     7,685,285       7,634,621       7,668,239       7,613,550  

Shares outstanding at end of period

     7,607,677       7,560,817       7,607,677       7,560,817  

Shares repurchased

     —         —         1,000       —    

Average price of repurchased shares

     —         —         24.07       —    

Mortgage loan originations

     171,279,806       100,219,729       443,986,110       258,308,705  

% of originations that are refinances

     48.6 %     35.6 %     53.9 %     33.7 %

End of period full time equivalent employees

     477       439       477       439  

Number of full service branches

     31       31       31       31  

Number of Bank subsidiaries

     4       4       4       4  

Number of ATMs

     31       30       31       30  

 


UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION

        Comparative Balance Sheets

 
                 Change

 
(Dollars in thousands)    09/30/2003

    09/30/2002

    $

    %

 

ASSETS

                              

Cash and due from banks

   $ 27,224     $ 27,621     $ (397 )   -1.44 %

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

     4,740       4,618       122     2.64 %

Money market investments

     105       199       (94 )   n/m  

Federal funds sold

     18,728       4,964       13,764     n/m  
    


 


 


 

Total cash and cash equivalents

     50,797       37,402       13,395     35.81 %
    


 


 


 

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     239,405       265,601       (26,196 )   -9.86 %
    


 


 


 

Total securities

     239,405       265,601       (26,196 )   -9.86 %
    


 


 


 

Loans held for sale

     40,627       39,744       883     2.22 %

Loans, net of unearned income

     836,984       686,405       150,579     21.94 %

Less allowance for loan losses

     (11,065 )     (8,946 )     (2,119 )   23.69 %
    


 


 


 

Net loans

     825,919       677,459       148,460     21.91 %
    


 


 


 

Bank premises and equipment, net

     25,624       21,587       4,037     18.70 %

Other real estate owned

     444       781       (337 )   -43.15 %

Other assets

     32,614       27,797       4,817     17.33 %
    


 


 


 

Total assets

   $ 1,215,430     $ 1,070,371     $ 145,059     13.55 %
    


 


 


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                              

Noninterest bearing demand deposits

   $ 164,943     $ 131,018     $ 33,925     25.89 %

Interest-bearing deposits:

                              

NOW accounts

     140,853       120,887       19,966     16.52 %

Money market accounts

     97,423       83,607       13,816     16.52 %

Savings accounts

     91,676       81,453       10,223     12.55 %

Time deposits of $100,000 and over

     165,507       137,675       27,832     20.22 %

Other time deposits

     328,802       297,483       31,319     10.53 %
    


 


 


 

Total interest-bearing deposits

     824,261       721,105       103,156     14.31 %
    


 


 


 

Total deposits

     989,204       852,123       137,081     16.09 %
    


 


 


 

Customer repurchase agreements

     36,757       39,919       (3,162 )   -7.92 %

Long-term borrowings

     66,498       62,010       4,488     7.24 %
    


 


 


 

Total borrowings

     103,255       101,929       1,326     1.30 %

Other liabilities

     7,595       11,997       (4,402 )   -36.69 %
    


 


 


 

Total liabilities

     1,100,054       966,049       134,005     13.87 %
    


 


 


 

Stockholders’ equity

                              

Common stock

     15,215       15,122       93     0.61 %

Surplus

     1,828       1,024       804     78.52 %

Retained earnings

     92,271       80,057       12,214     15.26 %

Unrealized gain on securities available

                              

for sale, net of deferred taxes

     6,062       8,119       (2,057 )   -25.34 %
    


 


 


 

Total stockholders’ equity

     115,376       104,322       11,054     10.60 %
    


 


 


 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,215,430     $ 1,070,371     $ 145,059     13.55 %
    


 


 


 

 


Union Bankshares Corporation

Comparative Income Statements


 

     Three Months Ended

   Change

 

(in thousands)


   09/30/2003

   09/30/2002

   $

    %

 

Interest income:

                            

Interest and fees on loans

   $ 14,033    $ 12,827    $ 1,206     9.4 %

Interest on Federal funds sold

     8      58      (50 )   -86.2 %

Interest on interest bearing deposits with other banks

     5      5      —       0.0 %

Interest on money market investments

     —        1      (1 )   N/M  

Interest on investments:

                            

Taxable

     1,855      2,396      (541 )   -22.6 %

Tax exempt

     1,044      1,154      (110 )   -9.5 %
    

  

  


 

Total interest income

     16,945      16,441      504     3.1 %
    

  

  


 

Interest expense:

                            

Interest on deposits

     4,908      5,048      (140 )   -2.8 %

Interest on Federal funds

     38      —        38     N/M  

Interest on short-term borrowings

     80      136      (56 )   -41.2 %

Interest on long-term borrowings

     941      930      11     1.2 %
    

  

  


 

Total interest expense

     5,967      6,114      (147 )   -2.4 %
    

  

  


 

Net interest income

     10,978      10,327      651     6.3 %

Provision for loan losses

     903      650      253     38.9 %

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     10,075      9,677      398     4.1 %
    

  

  


 

Noninterest income:

                            

Service charges on deposit accounts

     1,679      1,079      600     55.6 %

Other service charges and fees

     635      657      (22 )   -3.3 %

Gains (losses) on securities transactions, net

     —        1      (1 )   N/M  

Gain on sales of loans

     4,084      2,722      1,362     50.0 %

Gains (losses) on other real estate owned and bank premises, net

     10      77      (67 )   -87.0 %

Other operating income

     275      188      87     46.3 %
    

  

  


 

Total noninterest income

     6,683      4,724      1,959     41.5 %
    

  

  


 

Noninterest expenses:

                            

Salaries and benefits

     6,920      5,510      1,410     25.6 %

Occupancy expenses

     687      589      98     16.6 %

Furniture and equipment expenses

     669      639      30     4.7 %

Other operating expenses

     2,683      2,329      354     15.2 %
    

  

  


 

Total noninterest expenses

     10,959      9,067      1,892     20.9 %
    

  

  


 

Income before income taxes

     5,799      5,334      465     8.7 %

Income tax expense

     1,604      1,323      281     21.2 %
    

  

  


 

Net income

   $ 4,195    $ 4,011    $ 184     4.6 %
    

  

  


 


Union Bankshares Corporation

AVERAGE BALANCES, INCOME AND EXPENSES, YIELDS AND RATES (TAXABLE EQUIVALENT BASIS)

 

     For the three months ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 
    

Average

Balance


   

Interest

Income/

Expense


  

Yield/

Rate


   

Average

Balance


   

Interest

Income/

Expense


  

Yield/

Rate


 
     (Dollars in thousands)                        

Assets:

                                          

Securities:

                                          

Taxable

   $ 162,768     $ 1,854    4.52 %   $ 169,358     $ 2,396    5.61 %

Tax-exempt(1)

     83,568       1,582    7.51 %     92,031       1,747    7.53 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total securities

     246,336       3,436    5.53 %     261,389       4,143    6.29 %

Loans, net

     816,453       13,271    6.45 %     675,039       12,554    7.38 %

Loans held for sale

     68,916       838    4.82 %     25,390       357    5.58 %

Federal funds sold

     7,329       8    0.43 %     16,013       58    1.44 %

Money market investments

     140       —      0.00 %     120       1    3.31 %

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

     2,306       5    0.86 %     1,280       5    1.55 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total earning assets

     1,141,480       17,558    6.10 %     979,231       17,118    6.94 %

Allowance for loan losses

     (10,592 )                  (8,614 )             

Total non-earning assets

     80,243                    71,621               
    


              


            

Total assets

   $ 1,211,131                  $ 1,042,238               
    


              


            

Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity:

                                          

Interest-bearing deposits:

                                          

Checking

   $ 138,556       120    0.34 %   $ 122,684       259    0.84 %

Money market savings

     96,110       222    0.92 %     84,763       309    1.45 %

Regular savings

     91,240       170    0.74 %     79,604       265    1.32 %

Certificates of deposit:

                                          

$100,000 and over

     163,326       1,569    3.81 %     133,987       1,392    4.12 %

Under $100,000

     326,603       2,827    3.43 %     287,718       2,823    3.89 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total interest-bearing deposits

     815,835       4,908    2.39 %     708,756       5,048    2.83 %

Other borrowings

     119,710       1,055    3.50 %     103,999       1,066    4.07 %
    


 

        


 

      

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     935,545       5,963    2.53 %     812,755       6,114    2.98 %

Noninterest bearing liabilities:

                                          

Demand deposits

     149,352                    118,288               

Other liabilities

     12,721                    9,986               
    


              


            

Total liabilities

     1,097,618                    941,029               

Stockholders’ equity

     113,513                    101,209               
    


              


            

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,211,131                  $ 1,042,238               
    


              


            

Net interest income

           $ 11,595                  $ 11,004       
            

                

      

Interest rate spread

                  3.57 %                  3.95 %

Interest expense as a percent of average earning assets

                  2.07 %                  2.48 %

Net interest margin

                  4.03 %                  4.46 %

 

(1) Income and yields are reported on a taxable equivalent basis.