GREENSBURG, Ind., Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Archie M. Brown, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of MainSource Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSFG) announced today the unaudited financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2015. For the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded net income of $9.1 million, or $0.42 per common share, compared to net income of $6.6 million, or $0.30 per common share, in the fourth quarter of 2014. During the fourth quarter of 2015 the Company incurred costs of $114 thousand related to its acquisition of five branches from Old National Bank ("ONB") and $250 thousand related to its announcement of the closing of four branches. During the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company incurred a $3.1 million pre-tax charge ($2.2 million on an after-tax basis) related to its acquisition of MBT Bancorp.

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For the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, the Company reported net income of $35.5 million, or $1.62 per common share, compared to net income in 2014 of $29.0 million, or $1.39 per common share. The primary drivers of the increase in net income in 2015 compared to 2014 were an increase in net interest income and the full-year impact of the acquisition of MBT Bancorp.

The Company also announced that the Board of Directors declared a first quarter common dividend of $0.15 per share at its January 25, 2016 meeting. This represents an increase of $.01 per share, or 7%, from the dividend paid during the previous quarter. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2016 to common shareholders of record as of March 5, 2016.

Mr. Brown commented, "I am very pleased with our fourth quarter and full year results. Excluding non-operating expenses related to the third quarter branch acquisition and branch closures, our net income for the quarter and year was at the highest level in the Company's history. Our late 2014 acquisition of MBT Bancorp and August, 2015 purchase of five branches, combined with strong loan growth and checking account acquisition, were the primary contributors to our record performance. As a result, we are very pleased to announce another dividend increase. This 7% increase brings our annualized dividend to $.60 per common share and a current dividend yield of 3%."

Mr. Brown continued, "We experienced strong revenue growth in 2015. Net revenue for the fourth quarter increased 7% from the same period one year ago and was 11% higher year over year. We are very pleased with loan growth for the quarter and year. Loans grew at an annualized pace of 15% for the quarter and helped us finish the year with growth of 10%. Most of the loan growth in 2015 was organic and is the result of our strategy to expand into nearby higher growth areas in the last several years. One of our largest successes for the year was growth in non-interest bearing checking account balances. For the year, checking account balances grew by 24%. We are equally encouraged by our fee income growth. For the quarter, non-interest income was up 9% over the fourth quarter of 2014. Significant increases in service charge and interchange income more than offset a decline in mortgage banking revenue. For the year, non-interest income was 17% higher than the prior year as we experienced large increases in most fee categories."

Mr. Brown continued, "Asset quality continued to improve during the quarter and year as we remain focused on prudent loan growth and attentive management of our loan portfolio. Non-performing assets (including troubled debt restructurings) declined 7% from September 30th and 43% from December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2015, NPAs as a percentage of total assets were .53%. Similarly, loan delinquency and charge-offs from the company continue to be at cycle lows."

Mr. Brown concluded, "During the quarter, we announced our agreement to acquire Cheviot Financial Corp, a $579 million asset institution headquartered in Cincinnati. This acquisition greatly enhances our presence in the Greater Cincinnati area and is consistent with our strategy to systematically expand in the three large metropolitan areas that are very close to our headquarters. The integration planning is well underway and, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, we hope to complete the merger in the second quarter of 2016."

4th QUARTER RESULTS

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income was $26.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $24.9 million for the same period a year ago. An increase in the earning asset base due primarily to the organic loan growth for the year was the primary reason for the increase in net interest income. Net interest margin, on a fully-taxable equivalent basis, was 3.68% for the fourth quarter of 2015 which was seven basis points below the fourth quarter of 2014 and four basis points lower than the third quarter of 2015. The Company's net interest margin decreased from a year ago due to the repricing of the asset side of the balance sheet. While deposit and other funding costs have decreased over the same period, many of these accounts have reached, or are approaching, their floors.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

The Company's non-interest income was $12.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $11.6 million in the same period in 2014. Increases in service charges on deposit accounts and interchange income were partially offset by a decrease in mortgage banking income. Service charges increased from the same period a year ago as the Company grew its checking account base on an organic basis by five percent. The increase in checking accounts also contributed to the increase in interchange income. In addition the Company changed its debit card provider from Visa to MasterCard during 2015. Mortgage banking income decreased by $0.5 million from the same period a year ago due to the overall decrease in refinancing activity.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

The Company's non-interest expense was $26.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $28.0 million for the same period in 2014. As previously discussed, during the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company incurred $3.1 million in costs related to the acquisition of MBT Bancorp. Excluding these expenses, total non-interest expense would have been $24.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. During the fourth quarter of 2015 the Company incurred costs of $114 thousand related to its acquisition of five branches from ONB and $250 thousand related to its announcement of the closing of four branches. The increase in expenses in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily related to an increase in employee costs due to the acquisition of the ONB branches in the third quarter of 2015 and normal merit increases.

FULL YEAR RESULTS

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income was $102.7 million for the full year 2015, which represents an increase of $8.2 million when compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. Net interest margin, on a fully-taxable equivalent basis, decreased from 3.82% in 2014 to 3.74% in 2015. As interest rates have remained at historic lows for an extended period of time, the Company's asset base has continued to reprice lower. The Company's cost of funds also decreased over the same period but to a lesser extent. Offsetting the decrease in the Company's net interest margin, average earning assets increased by $293 million in 2015 compared to 2014 as the Company realized the full year effect of the MBT Bancorp acquisition, the partial year effect of the ONB branch purchase and $160 million in organic loan growth in 2015.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

The Company's non-interest income was $50.3 million for the full year 2015 compared to $43.0 million for 2014. All major categories of fee income increased year over year. The primary driver of the increase in non-interest income year over year was the full year effect of the MBT Bancorp acquisition. In addition, the Company changed its debit card provider in 2015 from Visa to MasterCard which had a positive impact on interchange income.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

The Company's non-interest expense was $105.6 million for the full year 2015 compared to $99.2 million for 2014. During 2015, the Company incurred non-operating expenses of $2.4 million related to the prepayment of an FHLB advance and $0.7 million related to the acquired ONB branches. Excluding these costs, 2015 non-interest expenses would have been $102.5 million. Excluding the previously discussed $3.1 million in costs related to the acquisition of MBT, the Company's non-interest expenses would have been $96.1 million in 2014. The increase in non-interest expenses year over year was primarily due to the full year effect of the MBT Bancorp acquisition and the partial year effect of the acquired ONB branches.

ASSET QUALITY

Non-performing assets (NPA's) were $18.0 million as of December 31, 2015, a decrease of $13.5 million from year-end 2014 and a decrease of $1.3 million on a linked-quarter basis. NPA's represented 0.53% of total assets as of December 31, 2015 compared to 0.58% as of September 30, 2015 and 1.01% as of December 31, 2014. Net charge-offs were $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 and represented 0.16% of average loans on an annualized basis. The Company incurred $825 thousand of loan loss provision expense for the fourth quarter of 2015. This was primarily due to the charge-offs during the quarter and the loan growth realized during the quarter. Offsetting these amounts was an overall improvement in credit quality as all categories of problem loans decreased on a linked-quarter basis. For the full year 2015, net charge-offs were $2.9 million or 0.14% of average loans. The Company's allowance for loan losses as a percent of total outstanding loans was 1.02% as of December 31, 2015 compared to 1.18% as of December 31, 2014. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses as a percent of outstanding loans year over year was primarily related to the overall improvement in the Company's credit quality.



                                                                                        MAINSOURCE FINANCIAL GROUP

                                                                                                (unaudited)

                                                                               (Dollars in thousands except per share data)


                                                Three months ended December 31                         Twelve months ended December 31
                                                ------------------------------                         -------------------------------

                                                                          2015                                2014                         2015   2014
                                                                          ----                                ----                         ----   ----

    Income Statement Summary

    Interest Income                                                                          $28,437                                   $27,163         $111,110 $103,095

    Interest Expense                                                     2,198                               2,246                        8,385  8,607
                                                                         -----                               -----                        -----  -----

    Net Interest Income                                                 26,239                              24,917                      102,725 94,488

    Provision for Loan Losses                                              825                                   -                       1,625  1,500

    Noninterest Income:

    Trust and investment product fees                                    1,283                               1,209                        4,947  4,712

    Mortgage banking                                                     1,621                               2,099                        8,355  6,754

    Service charges on deposit accounts                                  5,818                               5,377                       22,039 20,698

    Securities gains/(losses)                                               26                                  28                          386     24

    Interchange income                                                   2,794                               1,919                        9,239  7,590

    Other                                                                1,126                                 956                        5,306  3,229
                                                                         -----                                 ---                        -----  -----

    Total Noninterest Income                                            12,668                              11,588                       50,272 43,007

    Noninterest Expense:

    Employee                                                            14,556                              13,860                       57,741 54,132

    Occupancy & equipment                                                5,029                               4,666                       19,686 17,965

    Intangible amortization                                                370                                 437                        1,640  1,690

    Marketing                                                              780                               1,060                        3,193  3,187

    Collection expenses                                                    404                                 343                        1,173  1,330

    FDIC assessment                                                        410                                 435                        1,655  1,620

    Acquisition-related expenses                                           114                               3,119                          731  3,119

    Consultant expenses                                                    356                                 350                        1,106  1,400

    FHLB advance prepayment penalty                                          -                                  -                       2,364      -

    Other                                                                4,196                               3,765                       16,308 14,777
                                                                         -----                               -----                       ------ ------

    Total Noninterest Expense                                           26,215                              28,035                      105,597 99,220
                                                                        ------                              ------                      ------- ------

    Earnings Before Income Taxes                                        11,867                               8,470                       45,775 36,775

    Provision for Income Taxes                                           2,759                               1,910                       10,233  7,779
                                                                         -----                               -----                       ------  -----

    Net Income Available to Common Shareholders                                               $9,108                                    $6,560          $35,542  $28,996
                                                                                              ======                                    ======          =======  =======



                                       Three months ended December 31            Twelve months ended December 31
                                       ------------------------------            -------------------------------

                                                                 2015                  2014                             2015      2014
                                                                 ----                  ----                             ----      ----

    Average Balance Sheet Data

    Gross Loans                                                       $2,101,336                                 $1,903,402            $2,023,763 $1,750,974

    Earning Assets                                          3,050,472             2,813,751                        2,940,092 2,647,506

    Total Assets                                            3,346,918             3,103,907                        3,244,979 2,922,629

    Noninterest Bearing Deposits                              623,868               503,172                          576,341   463,198

    Interest Bearing Deposits                               2,050,084             1,949,118                        2,001,078 1,827,275

    Total Interest Bearing Liabilities                      2,328,708             2,217,609                        2,263,185 2,103,241

    Shareholders' Equity                                      379,379               352,300                          371,919   329,240



                                         Three months ended December 31           Twelve months ended December 31
                                         ------------------------------           -------------------------------

                                                  2015                       2014                  2015                 2014
                                                  ----                       ----                  ----                 ----

    Per Share Data

    Diluted Earnings Per CommonShare                         $0.42                               $0.30                       $1.62 $1.39

    Cash Dividends Per Common Share               0.14                       0.11                  0.54                 0.42

    Market Value - High                          23.79                      20.92                 23.79                20.92

    Market Value - Low                           20.15                      16.76                 18.71                15.78

    Average Outstanding Shares (diluted)    21,890,850                 21,659,887            21,909,370           20,854,068



                                   Three months ended December 31         Twelve months ended December 31
                                   ------------------------------         -------------------------------

                                        2015                         2014                         2015         2014
                                        ----                         ----                         ----         ----

    Key Ratios (annualized)

    Return on Average Assets           1.08%                       0.84%                       1.10%       0.99%

    Return on Average Equity           9.52%                       7.39%                       9.56%       8.81%

    Net Interest Margin                3.68%                       3.75%                       3.74%       3.82%

    Efficiency Ratio                  63.96%                      73.43%                      65.91%      68.79%

    Net Overhead to Average Assets     1.61%                       2.10%                       1.70%       1.92%



                                                December 31            September 30  June 30     March 31                December 31

                                                       2015                     2015        2015         2015                       2014
                                                       ----                     ----        ----         ----                       ----

    Balance Sheet Highlights

    Total Loans (Including Loans Held for Sale)             $2,162,925               $2,086,313               $2,002,979                 $1,990,169 $1,966,047

    Allowance for Loan Losses                        22,020                   22,023      22,473       22,638                     23,250

    Total Securities                                925,279                  909,498     859,736      871,080                    867,760

    Goodwill and Intangible Assets                   80,615                   80,985      77,707       78,126                     78,546

    Total Assets                                  3,385,408                3,336,615   3,240,194    3,152,830                  3,122,516

    Noninterest Bearing Deposits                    641,439                  606,218     568,365      550,497                    513,393

    Interest Bearing Deposits                     2,009,336                2,001,380   1,966,702    1,924,737                  1,954,928

    Other Borrowings                                310,727                  296,655     195,745      276,719                    255,652

    Shareholders' Equity                            381,360                  378,056     367,991      368,931                    360,662



                                              December 31         September 30  June 30    March 31            December 31

                                                      2015                 2015       2015         2015                   2014
                                                      ----                 ----       ----         ----                   ----

    Other Balance Sheet Data

    Tangible Book Value Per Common Share                   $13.94                  $13.76               $13.42                 $13.40 $13.01

    Loan Loss Reserve to Loans                       1.02%               1.06%     1.12%       1.14%                 1.18%

    Loan Loss Reserve to Non-performing Loans      171.46%             162.14%   141.59%     161.97%               171.01%

    Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets             0.44%               0.48%     0.55%       0.51%                 0.52%

    NPA's (w/ TDR's) to Total Assets                 0.53%               0.58%     0.68%       0.63%                 1.01%

    Tangible Common Equity/Tangible Assets           9.10%               9.12%     9.18%       9.46%                 9.27%

    Outstanding Shares                          21,579,575           21,589,959 21,624,684   21,694,815             21,687,525



                                                         December 31         September 30  June 30    March 31             December 31

                                                                2015                  2015       2015         2015                    2014
                                                                ----                  ----       ----         ----                    ----

    Asset Quality

    Special Mention Loans                                            $19,019                 $21,522               $21,975                   $30,823   $34,922

    Substandard Loans (Accruing)                               7,157                 7,978     10,992       13,069                  22,926

    New Non-accrual Loans (for the 3 months ended)             2,078                 2,417      4,987        3,068                   3,707


    Loans Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing              $       -                    $75                   $40                  $      -  $     -

    Non-accrual Loans                                         12,843                13,508     15,832       13,977                  13,596

    Other Real Estate Owned                                    1,959                 2,437      2,065        2,201                   2,688
                                                               -----                 -----      -----        -----                   -----

    Total Nonperforming Assets (NPA's)                               $14,802                 $16,020               $17,937                   $16,178   $16,284

    Troubled Debt Restructurings (Accruing)                    3,196                 3,310      4,160        3,603                  15,243
                                                               -----                 -----      -----        -----                  ------

    Total NPA's with Troubled Debt Restructurings                    $17,998                 $19,330               $22,097                   $19,781   $31,527
                                                                     =======                 =======               =======                   =======   =======


    Net Charge-offs - QTD                                               $828                  $1,250                  $165                      $612    $1,299

    Net Charge-offs as a % of average loans (annualized)       0.16%                0.24%     0.03%       0.13%                  0.27%

(1) Tangible common equity, tangible assets and tangible book value per share are non-GAAP financial measures calculated using GAAP amounts. Tangible common equity is calculated by excluding the balance of preferred stock, goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of stockholders' equity. Tangible assets are calculated by excluding the balance of goodwill and other intangible assets from the calculation of total assets. Tangible book value per share is calculated by dividing tangible common equity by the number of shares outstanding. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors that is useful in understanding its financial condition. Because not all companies use the same calculation of tangible common equity and tangible assets, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures calculated by other companies. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below (dollars in thousands, except per share data).



                                           December 31          September 30  June 30     March 31            December 31

                                                  2015                   2015        2015         2015                   2014
                                                  ----                   ----        ----         ----                   ----

    Shareholders' Equity                               $381,360                 $378,056      367,991                368,931  360,662

    Less: Intangible Assets                     80,615                 80,985      77,707       78,126                 78,546
                                                ------                 ------      ------       ------                 ------

    Tangible Common Equity                     300,745                297,071     290,284      290,805                282,116


    Total Assets                             3,385,408              3,336,615   3,240,194    3,152,830              3,122,516

    Less: Intangible Assets                     80,615                 80,985      77,707       78,126                 78,546
                                                ------                 ------      ------       ------                 ------

    Tangible Assets                          3,304,793              3,255,630   3,162,487    3,074,704              3,043,970


    Ending Shares Outstanding               21,579,575             21,589,959  21,624,684   21,694,815             21,687,525


    Tangible Book Value Per Common Share                 $13.94                   $13.76               $13.42                 $13.40  $13.01

    Tangible Common Equity/Tangible Assets       9.10%                 9.12%      9.18%       9.46%                 9.27%

MainSource Financial Group is listed on the NASDAQ National Market (under the symbol: "MSFG") and is a community-focused, financial holding company with assets of approximately $3.4 billion. The Company operates 85 full-service offices throughout Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its banking subsidiary, MainSource Bank, headquartered in Greensburg, Indiana. Through its non-banking subsidiary, MainSource Title LLC, the Company provides various related financial services.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the discussion in this press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are covered by the safe harbor provisions of such sections. These statements are based upon management expectations, goals and projections, which are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties (many of which are beyond management's control). Factors which could cause future results to differ materially from these expectations include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions; legislative and regulatory initiatives; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; deposit flows; the costs of funds; general market rates of interest; interest rates on competing investments; demand for loan products; demand for financial services; changes in accounting policies or guidelines; changes in the quality or composition of the Company's loan and investment portfolios; the Company's ability to integrate acquisitions; and other factors, including various "risk factors" as set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are available publicly on the SEC website, www.sec.gov, and on the Company's website, www.mainsourcefinancial.com.

Additional Information for Cheviot Shareholders

In connection with the proposed merger, MainSource will file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a Proxy Statement of Cheviot and a Prospectus of MainSource (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. CHEVIOT SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED MERGER WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. A free copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about MainSource and Cheviot, may be obtained at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, from MainSource at www.mainsourcebank.com under the tab "Investor Relations" and from Cheviot at www.cheviotsavings.com under the tab "Investor Relations". Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from MainSource upon written request to MainSource Financial Group, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 2105 North State Road 3 Bypass, Greensburg, Indiana 47240 or by calling (812) 663-6734 or from Cheviot upon written request to Cheviot Financial Corp., Attn: Investor Relations, 3723 Glenmore Avenue, Cheviot, Ohio 45211 or by calling (513) 661-0457.

MainSource and Cheviot and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Cheviot in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of MainSource is set forth in the proxy statement for MainSource's 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on March 25, 2015. Information about the directors and executive officers of Cheviot is set forth in the proxy statement for Cheviot's 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on March 12, 2015. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

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SOURCE MainSource Financial Group, Inc.