STURGEON BAY, Wis., Jan. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Baylake Corp. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:BYLK), holding company for Baylake Bank (the "Bank"), which provides full service banking and financial services from 21 locations in Northeast Wisconsin, today announced results for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2014.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company's net income was $2.24 million or $0.24 per diluted share, compared with $2.32 million or $0.25 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the twelve months of 2014, net income was $8.92 million or $0.97 per diluted share, up 11% compared with net income of $8.01 million or $0.87 per diluted share for the twelve months of 2013. Results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 included a net reduction to the Company's 2014 net income of approximately $0.20 million relating to a tax strategy reorganization of United Financial Services, Inc. ("UFS"), a data processing and e-banking entity in which the Company indirectly holds a 49.8% equity stake through its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank. The reorganization was launched in the third quarter of 2014 in order to provide a more favorable tax structure to UFS and its shareholders. The transaction was completed in the fourth quarter of 2014 with the Bank agreeing to reimburse $0.66 million to UFS's other 49.8% shareholder for the disproportionate share of the tax liability borne by that shareholder in the overall restructuring transaction. Additionally, the Bank incurred costs of approximately $0.12 million and was able to reduce income tax expense by $0.58 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 due to the ability to reverse a previously recorded deferred tax liability relating to UFS.

Robert J. Cera, President and CEO, commented, "In many ways, 2014 was a break-through year for the Company. Total assets climbed to $1.02 billion, after declining below a billion for a period of time as the Company strived to refocus its efforts on higher performing markets and exited certain non-core markets. Throughout 2014, we demonstrated prudent interest expense management and improved asset quality, each of which contributed to the increase in net interest income for the year. Initiatives to broaden Baylake's reach in attractive markets were reflected in year-over-year loan and deposit growth."

"We have expanded our size and scale, particularly in the Green Bay and Appleton, Wisconsin metro areas, and are focused on winning new business and building deeper banking relationships with existing customers. Additions to our commercial banking and wealth management teams, and an expanded line of treasury services for business customers present opportunities to build fee based income. Our organization built significant momentum going into 2015, which we expect will result in the financial benefits reflecting our efforts in 2014 to position the Company for quality and sustainable growth."

FOURTH QUARTER, TWELVE MONTHS 2014 HIGHLIGHTS


    --  Return on average assets ("ROAA") for the twelve months of 2014
        increased to 0.91% from 0.83% for the same period in 2013. Return on
        average equity ("ROAE") rose to 8.99% for the twelve months ended
        December 31, 2014 from 8.55% for the twelve months ended December 31,
        2013.
    --  Total stockholders' equity increased to $105.50 million at December 31,
        2014, up 12% compared with $93.88 million a year ago.
    --  Total gross loans outstanding at December 31, 2014 were $679.36 million,
        up from $617.96 million at December 31, 2013 reflecting diversified loan
        growth in commercial & industrial ("C&I") and commercial real estate
        lending as well as residential mortgages.
    --  Net interest income after provision for loan losses grew to $8.24
        million for the fourth quarter of 2014, up 4% from $7.96 million for the
        fourth quarter of 2013, while net interest income after provision for
        loan losses for the twelve months of 2014 rose to $31.43 million, up 9%
        compared to the same period of 2013.  Net interest income after
        provision for loan losses was positively impacted in both the three and
        twelve month periods of 2014 by no loan loss provision being recorded
        and reductions in total interest expense compared to the same periods in
        2013.
    --  The Company trimmed total interest expense by 31% in the fourth quarter
        of 2014 versus the fourth quarter of 2013 and by 27% during the twelve
        months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, reflecting prudent
        rate management of time deposits, increased levels of lower-cost core
        deposits, and opportunistic use of attractively priced wholesale
        borrowings.
    --  The efficiency ratio improved to 68.19% for the fourth quarter of 2014,
        down from 70.67% from the fourth quarter of 2013 after adjusting for
        one-time expenses or income and unusual items (see note 9 on the
        following data schedule).
    --  Non-interest income in 2014 was highlighted by 29% growth ($0.27
        million) in net income from the Company's equity stake in UFS.
    --  Continued focus on asset quality and risk management resulted in a
        decline in the Company's ratio of non-performing assets to total assets
        to 0.92% at December 31, 2014 compared to 1.30% at December 31, 2013.
        The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs for the fourth quarter of
        2014 to average loans was 0.0% compared to 0.15% in the fourth quarter
        of 2013. The Company's allowance for loan losses ("AFLL") to
        non-performing loans ratio was 136.78% at December 31, 2014 compared to
        115.02% at December 31, 2013.
    --  The Company was well capitalized for regulatory purposes at December 31,
        2014, with capital ratios increasing year-over-year. The Company's Tier
        1 risk-based capital ratio was 14.96%, total risk based capital ratio
        was 16.14% and Tier 1 leverage ratio was 11.27%.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Income Statement Highlights

Total interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2014 was $8.90 million, relatively unchanged compared to $8.91 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, while total interest expense declined to $0.66 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with $0.95 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Net interest income after loan loss provision was $8.24 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, increasing from $7.96 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Year-over-year fourth quarter results reflected interest expense management and no loan loss provision recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014. Cera noted that although pressure on interest margins in the current low-interest rate environment and competition for quality loans continues, prudent interest expense management of maintaining a low cost of funding has enabled the Company to significantly mitigate the downward pressure on loan yields.

Net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2014 was 3.74%, down slightly from 3.77% a year ago. The Company's net interest spread was 3.67% for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to 3.68% for the comparable quarter in 2013. The Company's interest bearing cost of liabilities in the fourth quarter of 2014 was 36 basis points, compared to 53 basis points a year ago.

Total non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $2.56 million, a 3% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily reflecting lower net gains from the sale of securities. However, in a comparison of the fourth quarter of 2014 to the fourth quarter of 2013, gains from loan sales increased to $0.20 million from $0.11 million. Additionally, the fourth quarter of 2013 included $0.12 million of gains resulting from the sale of deposits associated with closing of branches, which were not repeated in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Total non-interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2014 was $8.05 million, up 9.7% compared with $7.34 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, with the increase primarily reflecting the $0.66 million one-time, after-tax expense related to the UFS reorganization and related professional fees included in other operating expense, partially offset by a $0.58 million reduction of income tax expense resulting from the reversal of deferred tax liabilities associated with the reorganization. The UFS reorganization is expected to result in a more favorable tax structure for the Bank's ownership going forward. Salaries and employee benefits expenses rose 5% during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, primarily reflecting the addition of key personnel in commercial banking and wealth management. Occupancy costs increased 21% when comparing fourth quarter 2014 to the same period in 2013. The higher costs in 2014 are primarily attributable to a loss of rental income and related reimbursement for operating costs and real estate taxes, which had the impact of lowering net occupancy expenses during the prior year.

Twelve Months of 2014 Income Statement Highlights

Total interest income was $34.74 million for the twelve month period of 2014, which was consistent with the comparable period of 2013. Total interest expense declined to $3.31 million for the twelve months of 2014 compared to $4.54 million for the twelve months of 2013, reflecting disciplined interest expense management. Net interest income after provision for loan losses was $31.43 million for the current twelve-month period compared to $28.80 million for the same period a year ago, reflecting the positive contributions of lower total interest expense and no provision for loan losses recorded during the twelve months of 2014.

Total non-interest income for the twelve months of 2014 was $9.07 million; down from $9.83 million for the twelve months of 2013, primarily reflecting lower gains on sales of residential mortgage loans, reduced gains from the sale of securities and no gains from the sale of deposits recorded in 2013.

Non-interest expense for the twelve months of 2014 was $28.32 million compared to $27.30 million for the twelve months of 2013 primarily resulting from an increase in occupancy expense, reflecting the Bank's investment in the Appleton branch during 2014.

Balance Sheet, Asset Quality Highlights

At December 31, 2014, total assets were $1.02 billion compared with $996.78 million at December 31, 2013. Shareholders' equity-to-assets ratio increased to 10.33% at December 31, 2014 from 9.42% as of the same date in 2013.

Total gross loans increased to $679.36 million at December 31, 2014 compared to $617.96 million at December 31, 2013. The increase from December 31, 2013 reflected the Bank's continued emphasis on expanding its commercial lending business. Cera noted the Bank has demonstrated success growing its commercial lending business, particularly through its recent efforts to enhance its professional practice specialty business line. Growth occurred in the residential lending portfolio as well.

Total deposits were $765.54 million at December 31, 2014 compared to $744.21 million at December 31, 2013. The growth reflected deposits acquired in conjunction with the Appleton branch purchase in the first quarter of 2014, as well as organic deposit growth, particularly in non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts associated with new and expanded commercial banking relationships.

Asset quality improved year-over-year, with total non-performing assets, including loans and other real estate property, declining to $9.42 million at December 31, 2014 from $12.96 million at December 31, 2013. Non-performing assets to total assets were 0.92% at December 31, 2014 compared with 1.30% at December 31, 2013. Non-performing loan totals were $5.16 million at December 31, 2014, down from $6.66 million at December 31, 2013. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans declined to 0.76% at December 31, 2014 compared with 1.08% at December 31, 2013.

Capital ratios continue to exceed accepted regulatory standards for well capitalized institutions. Shareholders' equity to assets increased to 10.33% at December 31, 2014 from 9.42% a year earlier. Certain measures of shareholder value were impacted by an increase in the Company's total shares outstanding, which increased to 9.05 million shares at December 31, 2014 from 7.81 million shares at December 31, 2013, reflecting $7.75 million of subordinated debentures that were converted into 1.56 million shares during the year. Additionally, 0.34 million shares were repurchased by the Company during the year under its Stock Repurchase Program originally approved by the Company's board of directors in May 2013. Book value per share was $11.65 and tangible book value per share was $10.84 at December 31, 2014 compared with $12.02 and $11.17 a year prior, reflecting the conversion of subordinated debentures into common stock. The Company enhanced shareholder value during the year, increasing its quarterly cash dividend to common shareholders to $0.08 per share beginning in the third quarter of 2014. Total dividends paid in 2014 increased to $0.30 per share compared to $0.22 per share in 2013. The Company's common stock dividend yield during 2014, based on book value at December 31, 2014 was at 2.58%.

Cera concluded: "We anticipate an expanding commercial banking operation and the resulting revenue impact, with a strong focus on our key Green Bay and Appleton markets. We expect investments made in new personnel additions to drive revenue growth in the coming year. All our served markets continue to show economic stability, with business and economic expansion occurring that provides opportunities for new business. We believe there is significant potential to build value for our shareholders going forward."

Baylake Corp., headquartered in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is the bank holding company for Baylake Bank. Through Baylake Bank, Baylake Corp. provides a variety of banking and financial services from 21 financial centers located throughout Northeast Wisconsin, in Brown, Door, Kewaunee, and Outagamie Counties.

The following appears in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This press release contains both financial measures based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and non-GAAP based financial measures, which are used where management believes it to be helpful in understanding the Company's results of operations or financial position and in comparing the Company's results of operations and financial position over different periods. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in this press release. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

This news release contains forward-looking statements about the financial condition, results of operations and business of Baylake Corp. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "would," "should," "could" or "may."

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Baylake Corp., could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. These factors, which are described in this press release and in the annual and quarterly reports filed by Baylake Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 under "Item 1A. Risk Factors," include certain credit, market, operational, liquidity and interest rate risks associated with the Company's business and operations. Other factors include changes in general business and economic conditions, developments (including collection efforts) relating to the identified non-performing loans and other problem loans and assets, world events (especially those which could affect our customers' tourism-related businesses), competition, fiscal and monetary policies and legislation.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Baylake Corp. does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

Baylake Corp. and Subsidiaries
Summary Financial Data

The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial and other data for Baylake Corp. at the dates and for the periods indicated. The selected consolidated financial and other data at December 31, 2014 has not been audited, but in the opinion of management of Baylake Corp. reflects all necessary adjustments for a fair presentation of results as of the dates and for the periods covered.



    Selected Financial
     Condition Data        December 31, 2014      December 31, 2013

    (at end of period)
     December 2014
     numbers are
     UNAUDITED
    ------------------

                         (dollars in thousands,
                          except share and per
                              share data)

    Total assets                       $1,021,623                $996,776

    Investment
     securities (1)                       208,524                 230,883

    Total gross loans                     679,357                 617,960

    Total deposits                        765,542                 744,212

    Borrowings (2)                        125,324                 125,148

    Subordinated
     debentures                            16,100                  16,100

    Convertible
     debentures                             1,650                   9,400

    Stockholders' equity                  105,504                  93,881

    Non-performing
     loans (3)                              5,155                   6,658

    Non-performing
     assets (3)                             9,421                  12,956

    Restructured loans,
     accruing                               8,656                   9,009

    Shares outstanding                  9,054,821               7,809,997

    Book value per share                   $11.65                  $12.02

    Tangible book value
     per share                             $10.84                  $11.17


                                   As of and for   As of and for the
                                     the Three       Twelve Months
                                    Months Ended         Ended

                                   December 31,      December 31,

                                    (dollars in       (dollars in
                                     thousands,        thousands,
                                     except per     except per share
                                    share data)          data)

    Selected Operations Data -
     UNAUDITED                     2014       2013    2014        2013
    --------------------------     ----       ----    ----        ----

    Total interest income        $8,895     $8,908 $34,743     $34,740

    Total interest expense          659        953   3,313       4,540
                                    ---        ---   -----       -----

    Net interest income before
     provision for loan losses    8,236      7,955  31,430      30,200

    Provision for loan losses         -         -      -      1,400
                                    ---       ---    ---      -----

    Net interest income after
     provision for loan losses    8,236      7,955  31,430      28,800


    Total non-interest income     2,556      2,646   9,067       9,830

    Total non-interest expense    8,052      7,341  28,322      27,302
                                  -----      -----  ------      ------


    Income before income taxes    2,740      3,260  12,175      11,328

    Income tax expense              498        942   3,252       3,319
                                    ---        ---   -----       -----

    Net income                   $2,242     $2,318  $8,923      $8,009
                                 ======     ======  ======      ======


    Selected Operations Data -
     UNAUDITED
    --------------------------

    Per Share Data: (4)
    ------------------

    Net income per share (basic)  $0.25      $0.30   $1.07       $1.01

    Net income per share
     (diluted)                    $0.24      $0.25   $0.97       $0.87

    Cash dividends per common
     share                        $0.08      $0.07   $0.30       $0.22

    Book value per share         $11.65     $12.02  $11.65      $12.02



                               As of and for the     As of and for the
                              Three Months Ended       Twelve Months
                                                          Ended

                                 December 31,          December 31,

                                 2014         2013      2014         2013
                                 ----         ----      ----         ----

    Performance Ratios: (5)
    ----------------------

    Return on average total
     assets                     0.90%       0.96%    0.91%       0.83%

    Return on average total
     shareholders' equity       8.46%       9.82%    8.99%       8.55%

    Net interest margin (6)     3.74%       3.77%    3.63%       3.58%

    Net interest spread (6)     3.67%       3.68%    3.55%       3.48%

    Efficiency ratio (9)       68.19%      70.67%   67.30%      67.57%

    Non-interest income to
     average assets             1.03%       1.10%    0.93%       1.02%

    Non-interest expense to
     average assets             3.24%       3.05%    2.89%       2.84%

    Net overhead ratio (7)      2.21%       1.95%    1.96%       1.82%

    Average loan-to-average
     deposit ratio             87.53%      82.88%   86.29%      79.28%

    Average interest-earning
     assets to average
     interest-bearing
     liabilities              125.69%     120.84%  121.98%     119.10%


    Asset Quality Ratios:
     (3)(5)
    ---------------------

    Non-performing loans to
     total loans                0.76%       1.08%    0.76%       1.08%

    Allowance for loan losses
     to:

         Total loans            1.04%       1.24%    1.04%       1.24%

         Non-performing loans 136.78%     115.02%  136.78%     115.02%

    Net charge-offs to
     average loans
     (annualized)               0.00%       0.15%    0.10%       0.48%

    Non-performing assets to
     total assets               0.92%       1.30%    0.92%       1.30%


    Capital Ratios: (5)(8)
    ---------------------

    Stockholders' equity to
     assets                    10.33%       9.42%   10.33%       9.42%

    Tier 1 risk-based capital  14.96%      14.26%   14.96%      14.26%

    Total risk-based capital   16.14%      16.71%   16.14%      16.71%

    Tier 1 leverage ratio      11.27%      10.48%   11.27%      10.48%


    Other:
    ------

    Number of bank
     subsidiaries                   1            1         1            1

    Number of banking
     facilities                    21           20        21           20

    Number of full-time
     equivalent employees         243          258       243          258



                     As of and for the    As of and for the
                        Three Months     Twelve Months Ended
                           Ended

                       December 31,         December 31,

                        (dollars in          (dollars in
                         thousands)           thousands)


                                    2014                  2013     2014      2013
                                    ----                  ----     ----      ----

     Efficiency
     Ratio:
     GAAP to
     Non-
     GAAP
     reconciliation:
     (9)
     ---------------

    Non-
     interest
     Expense                      $8,052                $7,341  $28,322   $27,302

    Less:
     Payment
     under
     UFS tax
     strategy
     make-
     whole
     agreement                       661                     -     661         -
                                     ---                   ---     ---       ---

    Non-
     interest
     Expense
     (non-
     GAAP)                        $7,391                $7,341  $27,661   $27,302
                                  ======                ======  =======   =======


    Net
     Interest
     Income                       $8,236                $7,955  $31,430   $30,200

    Plus:
     Tax
     equivalent
     adjustment
     relating
     to tax
     exempt
     loans
     and
     investment
     securities                      260                   266    1,052     1,070
                                     ---                   ---    -----     -----

    Non-
     interest
     Income
     (non-
     GAAP)                        $8,496                $8,221  $32,482   $31,270
                                  ======                ======  =======   =======


    Non-
     interest
     Income                       $2,556                $2,646   $9,067    $9,830

    Less:
     net
     gains
     (losses)
     on sale
     of
     investments                     214                   365      446       574

    Less:
     net
     gains
     (losses)
     on
     disposal
     of
     fixed
     assets                            -                  (7)       1       (3)

    Less:
     net
     gains
     on sale
     of
     deposits                          -                  122        -      122
                                     ---                  ---      ---      ---

    Non-
     interest
     Income
     (non-
     GAAP)                        $2,342                $2,166   $8,620    $9,137
                                  ======                ======   ======    ======



     Efficiency
     Ratio                        74.61%               69.25%  69.94%   68.20%

     Efficiency
     Ratio
     (non-
     GAAP) -
     tax
     equivalent                   68.19%               70.67%  67.30%   67.57%


    (1)              Includes securities classified as
                     available for sale.

    (2)              Consists of Federal Home Loan Bank
                     advances, federal funds purchased,
                     and collateralized borrowings.

    (3)              Non-performing loans consist of
                     non-accrual loans and guaranteed
                     loans 90 days or more past due but
                     still accruing interest.  Non-
                     performing assets consist of non-
                     performing loans and other real
                     estate owned.

    (4)              Earnings per share are based on the
                     weighted average number of shares
                     outstanding for the period.
                     Diluted earnings per share is
                     based on the dilutive effect of
                     shares that would be issued if
                     outstanding stock options were
                     exercised, stock awards were fully
                     vested and promissory notes were
                     converted in addition to the
                     weighted average number of shares
                     outstanding for the period.

    (5)              With the exception of end of period
                     ratios, all ratios are based on
                     average daily balances and are
                     annualized where appropriate.

    (6)              Net interest margin represents net
                     interest income as a percentage of
                     average interest-earning assets.
                     Net interest rate spread
                     represents the difference between
                     the weighted average yield on
                     interest-earning assets and the
                     weighted average cost of interest-
                     bearing liabilities.

    (7)              Net overhead ratio represents the
                     difference between non-interest
                     expense and non-interest income,
                     divided by average assets.

    (8)              The capital ratios are presented on
                     a consolidated basis.

    (9)              Efficiency ratio is calculated as
                     follows: non-interest expense
                     less significant, non-recurring
                     expenses divided by the sum of
                     tax-equivalent net interest
                     income plus non-interest income,
                     excluding net investment security
                     gains, net gains on sale of fixed
                     assets and land held for sale and
                     significant, non-recurring income
                     items.  This efficiency ratio is
                     presented on a tax-equivalent
                     basis, which adjusts net interest
                     income for the tax-favored status
                     of certain loans and investment
                     securities.  Management believes
                     this measure to be the preferred
                     industry measurement of net
                     interest income as it enhances the
                     comparability of such income
                     arising from both taxable and non-
                     taxable sources.  However, as
                     calculated, this efficiency ratio
                     is not considered to be in
                     accordance with Generally Accepted
                     Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and
                     as such, a reconciliation of GAAP
                     to non-GAAP is presented as well.

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SOURCE Baylake Corp.