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, 2014. For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded net income of $6.6 million, or $0.30 per common share, compared to net income of $7.4 million, or $0.36 per common share, in the fourth quarter of 2013. 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. The Company acquired $185 million in loans and $184 million in deposits in the acquisition which closed on October 17, 2014.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the Company reported net income of $29.0 million, or $1.39 per common share, compared to net income in 2013 of $26.3 million, or $1.26 per common share. The primary drivers of the increase in net income in 2014 compared to 2013 were an increase in net interest income and a reduction in loan loss provision expense.

The Company also announced that the Board of Directors declared a first quarter common dividend of $0.13 per share at its January 19, 2015 meeting. This represents an increase of $.02 per share, or 18%, from the dividend paid during the previous quarter. The dividend is payable on March 16, 2015 to common shareholders of record as of March 6, 2015.

Mr. Brown commented on the fourth quarter, “I am pleased with our recent performance. Adjusting for the MBT Bancorp acquisition related expenses, our fourth quarter earnings were significantly higher than the same quarter last year. Increases in earning assets from the merger led to a 7% increase in net interest income. Additionally, net loans, excluding loans acquired in the merger, grew at a 4% annualized level, demonstrating our continued progress in expanding commercial customer relationships. I am also very pleased with the continued improvement in our asset quality. Non-performing assets (NPAs) declined 12% from the linked quarter to 1.0% of assets. As a result of the improvement, we had no loan loss provision expense for the quarter. Our NPAs further declined significantly in January 2015 when a large non-performing troubled debt restructure totaling $11.4 million returned to performing status. I am also pleased with our rebound in non-interest income compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, a 13% increase.”

Mr. Brown continued, “We were very pleased to close on the MBT Bancorp acquisition this quarter. The transition has gone very well and we have begun to see the anticipated strategic and financial benefits of the merger. I am very appreciative of the great effort provided by our employees and the former MBT Bancorp employees to make this merger so successful.”

Mr. Brown commented on the Company’s full year results, “We are very proud of our 2014 performance. Excluding acquisition related expenses, our 2014 earnings were approximately $31 million. This represents the highest level of earnings in the Company’s history. Higher earning assets, lower provision expense driven by improved asset quality, and disciplined expense management were the key drivers to our excellent year. I appreciate the diligence and focus of our MainSource team in helping us achieve these results.”

Mr. Brown concluded, “We are happy today to announce an 18% increase in the quarterly common dividend, from $.11 per common share to $.13. This is the fifth increase in two years and represents a 2.7% yield. This increase indicates our confidence in the current performance of the Company as well as our general outlook. We are very appreciative of the continued support of our shareholders.”

4TH QUARTER RESULTS

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income was $24.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $23.2 million for the same period a year ago. An increase in the earning asset base due to the acquisition of MBT Bancorp was the primary reason for the increase in net interest income. Net interest margin, on a fully-taxable equivalent basis, was 3.74% for the fourth quarter of 2014 which was fourteen basis points below the fourth quarter of 2013 and six basis points lower than the third quarter of 2014. 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 $11.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $10.3 million in the same period in 2013. Mortgage banking income, which was $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, increased by $0.8 million from the same period a year ago due to the Company’s entry into new markets and the hiring of additional mortgage loan originators. Other categories of non-interest income increased due to the acquisition of MBT Bancorp.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

The Company’s non-interest expense was $28.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $23.8 million for the same period in 2013. 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 $25.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in expenses was primarily related to an increase in employee costs due to the additional headcount at the MBT branches and an increase in incentive based compensation due to the Company’s strong performance in 2014.

FULL YEAR RESULTS

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income was $94.2 million for the full year 2014, which represents an increase of $2.9 million when compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. Net interest margin, on a fully-taxable equivalent basis, decreased from 3.92% in 2013 to 3.81% in 2014. As 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 $142 million in 2014 compared to 2013 as the Company experienced increased loan demand in the second half of 2013 and throughout 2014.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

The Company’s non-interest income was $43.3 million for the full year 2014 compared to $43.1 million for 2013. Excluding securities gains, non-interest income was $43.3 million in 2014 and $42.3 million in 2013. The primary driver of the increase in non-interest income year over year was an increase in interchange income of $0.5 million. In addition, losses on OREO sales were $0.4 million lower year over year.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

The Company’s non-interest expense was $99.5 million for the full year 2014 compared to $98.2 million for 2013. Excluding the previously discussed $3.1 million in costs related to the acquisition of MBT, the Company’s non-interest expenses would have been $96.4 million. During 2013, the Company incurred a non-operating expense of $2.2 million related to the prepayment of an FHLB advance. Excluding the FHLB cost, 2013 non-interest expenses would have been $96.0 million. An increase in employee related costs in 2014 was offset by a decrease in collection expenses. Employee costs increased in 2014 primarily due to the Company’s entry into new markets and the acquisition of MBT. Collection expenses decreased year over year due to the significant improvement in the Company’s overall asset quality and the resulting decrease in non-accrual loans.

ASSET QUALITY

Non-performing assets (NPA’s) were $31.5 million as of December 31, 2014, an increase of $0.9 million from year-end 2013 and a decrease of $4.1 million on a linked-quarter basis. NPA’s represented 1.00% of total assets as of December 31, 2014 compared to 1.23% as of September 30, 2014 and 1.07% as of December 31, 2013. Net charge-offs were $1.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 and represented 0.27% of average loans on an annualized basis. The Company incurred no loan loss provision expense for the fourth quarter of 2014. This was primarily due to the linked-quarter improvement in overall credit quality and the composition of the Company’s non-accrual loans. For the full year 2014, net charge-offs were $5.9 million or 0.33% of average loans. The Company’s allowance for loan losses as a percent of total outstanding loans was 1.19% as of December 31, 2014 compared to 1.65% as of December 31, 2013. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses as a percent of outstanding loans year over year was primarily related to the acquisition of the MBT loans which are carried on the balance sheet at fair value with little or no allowance for loan losses. In addition the Company’s non-accrual loans decreased from $22.3 million at the end of 2013 to $13.6 million at the end of 2014 which resulted in a $0.5 million decrease in specific reserves.

   
MAINSOURCE FINANCIAL GROUP

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

 
Income Statement Summary
 
Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
2014   2013 2014   2013
Interest Income $ 27,087 $ 25,550 $ 102,815 $ 101,279
Interest Expense 2,246 2,336 8,607 9,979
Net Interest Income 24,841 23,214 94,208 91,300
Provision for Loan Losses — 800 1,500 4,534
Noninterest Income:
Trust and investment product fees 1,209 1,214 4,712 4,756
Mortgage banking 2,099 1,303 6,754 6,799
Service charges on deposit accounts 5,377 5,299 20,698 20,427
Securities gains/(losses) 28 — 24 835
Interchange income 1,919 1,739 7,590 7,056
OREO gains/(losses) (106 ) (183 ) (153 ) (539 )
Other 1,138 948 3,662 3,795
Total Noninterest Income 11,664 10,320 43,287 43,129
Noninterest Expense:
Employee 13,860 12,758 54,132 52,165
Occupancy & equipment 4,666 4,377 17,965 17,070
Intangible amortization 437 455 1,690 1,868
Marketing 1,060 1,004 3,187 3,660
Collection expenses 343 866 1,330 3,300
FDIC assessment 435 376 1,620 1,711
FHLB advance prepayment penalty — — — 2,239
Acquisition expenses 3,119 — 3,119 —
Consultant expenses 350 357 1,400 1,582
Other 4,077 3,566 15,089 14,636
Total Noninterest Expense 28,347 23,759 99,532 98,231
Earnings Before Income Taxes 8,158 8,975 36,463 31,664
Provision for Income Taxes 1,598 1,577 7,467 5,319
Net Income $ 6,560 $ 7,398 $ 28,996 $ 26,345
Preferred Dividends & Accretion — — — (504 )
Redemption of Preferred Shares — — — (148 )
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders $ 6,560 $ 7,398 $ 28,996 $ 25,693
 
     

Average Balance Sheet Data

 
Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
2014   2013 2014   2013
Gross Loans $ 1,903,402 $ 1,648,446 $ 1,750,974 $ 1,597,698
Earning Assets 2,813,751 2,557,306 2,647,506 2,505,838
Total Assets 3,103,907 2,830,722 2,922,629 2,786,651
Noninterest Bearing Deposits 503,172 423,338 463,198 414,084
Interest Bearing Deposits 1,949,118 1,805,187 1,827,275 1,786,806
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities 2,217,609 2,074,958 2,103,241 2,028,806
Shareholders’ Equity 352,300 308,153 329,240 315,499
 
     

Per Share Data

 
Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
2014   2013 2014   2013

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

$ 0.30 $ 0.36 $ 1.39 $ 1.26
Cash Dividends Per Common Share 0.11 0.08 0.42 0.28
Market Value - High 20.92 18.05 20.92 18.05
Market Value - Low 16.76 14.05 15.78 12.02
Average Outstanding Shares (diluted) 21,659,887 20,520,494 20,854,068 20,432,852
 
     

Key Ratios (annualized)

 
Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
2014   2013 2014   2013
Return on Average Assets 0.84 % 1.04 % 0.99 % 0.95 %
Return on Average Equity 7.39 % 9.52 % 8.81 % 8.35 %
Net Interest Margin 3.74 % 3.88 % 3.81 % 3.92 %
Efficiency Ratio 74.25 % 67.28 % 69.01 % 69.45 %
Net Overhead to Average Assets 2.13 % 1.88 % 1.92 % 1.98 %
 
                   

Balance Sheet Highlights

 
December 31 September 30 June 30 March 31 December 31
2014 2014 2014 2014 2013
Total Loans (Excluding Loans Held for Sale) $ 1,957,765 $ 1,753,224 $ 1,700,798 $ 1,687,551 $ 1,671,926
Allowance for Loan Losses 23,250 24,549 23,867 27,247 27,609
Total Securities 867,760 840,101 852,374 881,104 891,106
Goodwill and Intangible Assets 78,546 68,772 69,161 69,593 70,025
Total Assets 3,141,038 2,899,952 2,861,017 2,872,379 2,859,864
Noninterest Bearing Deposits 513,393 464,058 455,496 459,541 436,550
Interest Bearing Deposits 1,954,928 1,757,641 1,800,849 1,766,284 1,764,078
Other Borrowings 255,652 281,582 220,663 265,663 294,252
Shareholders’ Equity 360,662 332,790 327,381 315,559 305,526
 
         

Other Balance Sheet Data

 
December 31 September 30 June 30 March 31 December 31
2014 2014 2014 2014 2013
Tangible Book Value Per Common Share $ 13.01 $ 12.90 $ 12.62 $ 12.03 $ 11.53
Loan Loss Reserve to Loans 1.19 % 1.40 % 1.40 % 1.61 % 1.65 %
Loan Loss Reserve to Non-performing Loans 171.01 % 151.80 % 141.86 % 135.75 % 123.50 %
Nonperforming Assets to Total Assets 0.52 % 0.67 % 0.72 % 0.83 % 0.93 %
NPA’s (w/ TDR’s) to Total Assets 1.00 % 1.23 % 1.29 % 0.97 % 1.07 %
Tangible Common Equity Ratio 9.21 % 9.33 % 9.25 % 8.78 % 8.44 %
Outstanding Shares 21,687,525 20,460,763 20,458,763 20,445,951 20,417,224
 
         

Asset Quality

 
December 31 September 30 June 30 March 31 December 31
2014 2014 2014 2014 2013
Special Mention Loans $ 34,922 $ 25,319 $ 37,917 $ 53,019 $ 56,960
Substandard Loans (Accruing) 22,926 22,647 24,344 29,429 27,277
New Non-accrual Loans (for the 3 months ended) 3,707 4,251 1,626 2,963 2,312
 
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing $ — $ 59 $ — $ — $ 14
Non-accrual Loans 13,596 16,113 16,824 20,071 22,341
Other Real Estate Owned 2,688 3,190 3,723 3,841 4,120
Total Nonperforming Assets (NPA’s) $ 16,284 $ 19,362 $ 20,547 $ 23,912 $ 26,475
Troubled Debt Restructurings (Accruing) 15,243 16,274 16,408 4,041 4,188
Total NPA’s with Troubled Debt Restructurings $ 31,527 $ 35,636 $ 36,955 $ 27,953 $ 30,663
 
Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) - QTD $ 1,299 $ (682 ) $ 4,130 $ 1,112 $ 1,040

Net Charge-offs as a % of average loans (annualized)

 0.27 % -0.16 % 0.98 % 0.27 % 0.25 %

____________________________

(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
2014 2014 2014 2014 2013
Shareholders’ Equity $ 360,662 $ 332,790 $ 327,381 $ 315,559 $ 305,526
Less: Intangible Assets 78,546 68,772 69,161 69,593 70,025
Tangible Common Equity 282,116 264,018 258,220 245,966 235,501
 
Total Assets 3,141,038 2,899,952 2,861,017 2,872,379 2,859,864
Less: Intangible Assets 78,546 68,772 69,161 69,593 70,025
Tangible Assets 3,062,492 2,831,180 2,791,856 2,802,786 2,789,839
 
Ending Shares Outstanding 21,687,525 20,460,763 20,458,763 20,445,951 20,417,224
 
Tangible Book Value Per Share $ 13.01 $ 12.90 $ 12.62 $ 12.03 $ 11.53
Tangible Common Equity/Tangible Assets 9.21 % 9.33 % 9.25 % 8.78 % 8.44 %
 

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 $3.1 billion. The Company operates 80 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.