Enterprise Financial Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

Enterprise Financial Services Corp (Nasdaq: EFSC) (the “Company” or “EFSC”) reported net income of $18.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, an increase of $2.3 million compared to the linked first quarter (“linked quarter”) and a decrease of $3.8 million from the prior year quarter. Earnings per diluted share (“EPS”) was $0.68 for the current quarter, compared to $0.67 and $0.95 for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively. Merger-related expenses from the Trinity Capital Corporation (“Trinity”) acquisition reduced net income by $10.3 million pretax ($8.0 million after tax), or $0.30 per diluted share in the current quarter. Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, in the current quarter was 3.86%, compared to 3.87% in the linked quarter and 3.77% in the prior year quarter. Core net interest margin,1 on a tax equivalent basis, expanded slightly in the current quarter to 3.80%, as compared to 3.79% in the linked quarter and 3.75% in the prior year quarter.

ROAA, return on average common equity (“ROAE”) and return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”) were 1.05%, 9.09%, and 12.92%, respectively in the second quarter of 2019. The impact of merger related expenses reduced ROAA, ROAE, and ROATCE by 0.45%, 3.93% and 5.60%, respectively. Excluding merger-related expenses, the adjusted ROAA, adjusted ROAE, and adjusted ROATCE were 1.50%, 13.02%, and 18.52%, respectively for the second quarter of 2019.1

The Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per common share, an increase from $0.15 for the prior quarter, payable on September 27, 2019 to shareholders of record as of September 13, 2019.

Jim Lally, EFSC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The core fundamentals of our Company remain strong and are reflected in our financial results for the period. The second quarter results were highlighted by strong loan growth in our specialized lending and commercial real estate portfolios, and included the first full quarter of Trinity’s operations. We are excited to have successfully completed the primary system integration of Trinity in the second quarter and look forward to the continued revenue generation and cost saving opportunities from the transaction.”

Mr. Lally continued, “The realized growth in our net interest income combined with our operating leverage puts us in a solid position as we move forward. Although the interest rate environment has been challenging in recent months, we have managed our balance sheet to provide a stable margin over the last several quarters. I expect we will continue to deliver strong financial results based on the depth and strength of our relationship managers, our disciplined credit culture and our geographic diversification.”

1 Adjusted EPS, core net interest margin, ROATCE, adjusted ROAA, adjusted ROAE and adjusted ROATCE are non-GAAP measures. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of these measures in the accompanying financial tables.

Net Interest Income

The Company closed its acquisition of Trinity on March 8, 2019. The results of operations of Trinity are included in our consolidated results from this date forward and are excluded from preceding periods.

Net interest income for the second quarter increased $9.4 million to $61.7 million from $52.3 million in the linked quarter, and increased $14.7 million from the prior year period. The increase is primarily due to the inclusion of Trinity for the entire second quarter. Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, was 3.86% for the second quarter, compared to 3.87% in the linked quarter, and 3.77% in the second quarter of 2018.

Quarterly core net interest income and core net interest margin noted in the table below exclude incremental accretion on non-core acquired loans, which were acquired from the FDIC and previously covered by loss share agreements.

2 Core net interest income and core net interest margin are non-GAAP measures. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of these measures in the accompanying financial tables.

Average Balance Sheets

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as, the corresponding interest rates earned and paid, all on a tax equivalent basis. Averages for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 only reflect the Trinity acquired balances effective as of March 8, 2019.

2 Core net interest income and core net interest margin are non-GAAP measures. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of these measures in the accompanying financial tables.

Net interest margin decreased one basis point from the linked quarter to 3.86% during the current quarter. Core net interest margin2 increased one basis point from the linked-quarter to 3.80% during the current quarter. Net interest margin and core net interest margin benefited from the impact of a full quarter of funding costs on Trinity deposits and was partially constrained from the increase in the average investment portfolio resulting from the Trinity acquisition. The yield on loans, excluding incremental accretion on non-core acquired loans, increased three basis points to 5.42% from 5.39%, while the yield on securities increased 11 basis points to 2.95% from 2.84%. The cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased 12 basis points from the linked quarter to 1.21% primarily due to the relatively lower cost of Trinity acquired deposits. The cost of total interest-bearing liabilities decreased seven basis points to 1.42% for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 from 1.49% for the linked quarter.

The Company manages its balance sheet to defend against pressures on core net interest margin, which could be negatively impacted by continued competition for deposits, a persistent flat yield curve, and potential downward movement in short-term rates.

Loans

The following table presents total loans for the most recent five quarters:

Loans totaled $5.1 billion at June 30, 2019, increasing $132 million, or 11% annualized, compared to the linked quarter. On a year-over-year basis, loans increased $874 million primarily due to the Trinity acquisition. We expect loan growth in 2019 to be a high single digit percentage, excluding Trinity acquired loans.

2 Core net interest income and core net interest margin are non-GAAP measures. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of these measures in the accompanying financial tables.

The Company continues to focus on originating high-quality C&I relationships, as they typically have variable interest rates and allow for cross selling opportunities involving other banking products. C&I loan growth, coupled with fixed rate CRE lending, supports management’s efforts to maintain a flexible asset sensitive interest rate risk position.

Asset Quality

The following table presents the categories of nonperforming assets and related ratios for the most recent five quarters:

Nonperforming loans increased $10.2 million to $19.8 million at June 30, 2019 from $9.6 million at March 31, 2019 primarily due to two nonaccrual loans totaling $7.9 million and two loans 90 days past due and still accruing interest of $4.0 million. The addition of these nonperforming loans in the second quarter did not result in any additional provision for loan losses, as the credits are well secured and the Company expects a positive resolution in the coming quarters. These increases were offset by a $1.2 million charge-off on a nonperforming loan in the second quarter.

Other real estate increased during the quarter ended June 30, 2019 primarily due to the foreclosure of a $5.4 million commercial property that was a purchased credit impaired loan from our acquisition of Jefferson County Bancshares Inc., partially offset by sales of $2.2 million. The foreclosure of this property did not result in a write down of the asset.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.7 million compared to $1.5 million for the linked quarter and $0.4 million for the prior year quarter, respectively. The provision is reflective of loan growth during the period. The decrease in the ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans in 2019, from 1.00% at the end of 2018 to 0.85% in the current quarter, is primarily due to the acquisition of Trinity loans that were recorded at fair value and do not have a corresponding allowance for loan losses. In addition, the level of specific reserves in 2019 decreased due to two relationships that were charged off. The Company has recorded a credit mark on the Trinity loan portfolio of $24.4 million as of the acquisition date.

Deposits

The following table presents deposits broken out by type for the most recent five quarters:

Total deposits at June 30, 2019 were $5.6 billion, an increase of $22 million from March 31, 2019, and an increase of $1.3 billion from June 30, 2018, primarily due to the Trinity acquisition.

Core deposits, defined as total deposits excluding certificates of deposits, were $4.7 billion at June 30, 2019, an increase of $4 million from the linked quarter. Noninterest-bearing deposits were $1.2 billion at June 30, 2019, a decrease of $5 million compared to March 31, 2019, and an increase of $131 million compared to June 30, 2018. The total cost of deposits decreased eight basis points to 0.94% for the current quarter compared to 1.02% and 0.73% in the linked and prior year quarters, respectively. The decrease in the cost of deposits is primarily from the addition of Trinity’s relatively lower-cost deposit portfolio.

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 was $12.0 million, an increase of $2.7 million, or 30% from the linked quarter, and an increase of $2.3 million, or 23% from the prior year quarter. The increase from the linked quarter was driven by contributions from Trinity of $2.3 million, primarily related to wealth management and card services revenue of $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively. In addition, activity in tax credit services increased income $0.4 million and $0.5 million over the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.

The Company expects growth in noninterest income of a high single digit percentage for 2019 over 2018 levels, exclusive of the impact of the Trinity acquisition.

Noninterest Expenses

Noninterest expenses were $49.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, compared to $39.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, and $29.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. The increase from the linked quarter and prior year period was primarily due to merger-related expenses and a full quarter of operating expenses following the acquisition of Trinity. Merger-related expenses in the quarter increased $3.0 million and $10.3 million over the linked and prior year periods, respectively. With the completion of the integration of Trinity’s core system in the second quarter, the Company anticipates that it will continue to realize cost-savings in its noninterest expense run-rate during the third and fourth quarter of 2019. The Company expects its noninterest expense to range between $37 million and $39 million during each of these periods.

The Company’s core efficiency ratio3 was 53.3% for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, compared to 54.1% for the linked quarter and 52.4% for the prior year period, and reflects a full quarter of increased revenue as well as an increase in operating expenses associated with the acquisition of Trinity.

3 Core efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to discussion and reconciliation of this measure in the accompanying financial tables.

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was 20% for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 compared to 20% and 18% for the linked quarter and prior year quarter, respectively. Merger-related tax items in the current quarter increased income tax expense $0.2 million.

The Company expects its effective tax rate for the full year of 2019 to be approximately 18% - 20%. The low end of the range assumes tax planning strategies are executed to achieve that result.

Capital

The following table presents various EFSC capital ratios:

Capital ratios for the current quarter are based on the Basel III regulatory capital framework as applied to the Company’s current businesses and operations, and are subject to, among other things, completion and filing of the Company’s regulatory reports and ongoing regulatory review and implementation guidance.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, the Company provides other financial measures, such as adjusted EPS, core net interest income, core net interest margin, tangible common equity, core efficiency ratios, ROATCE, adjusted ROAA, adjusted ROAE, and adjusted ROATCE, and the tangible common equity ratio, in this release that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

The Company considers its adjusted EPS, core net interest income, core net interest margin, core efficiency ratio, adjusted ROAA, adjusted ROAE, ROATCE, adjusted ROATCE, and the tangible common equity ratio, collectively “core performance measures,” presented in this earnings release and the included tables as important measures of financial performance, even though they are non-GAAP measures, as they provide supplemental information by which to evaluate the impact of non-core acquired loans, which were acquired from the FDIC and previously covered by loss share agreements, and the related income and expenses, the impact of certain non-comparable items, and the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. Core performance measures include contractual interest on non-core acquired loans, but exclude incremental accretion on these loans. Core performance measures also exclude expenses directly related to non-core acquired loans. Core performance measures also exclude certain other income and expense items, such as merger related expenses, facilities charges, and the gain or loss on sale of investment securities, the Company believes to be not indicative of or useful to measure the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. The attached tables contain a reconciliation of these core performance measures to the GAAP measures. The Company believes that the tangible common equity ratio provides useful information to investors about the Company’s capital strength even though it is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure and is not part of the regulatory capital requirements to which the Company is subject.

The Company believes these non-GAAP measures and ratios, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and ratios, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance and capital strength. The Company’s management uses, and believes that investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP measures and ratios in assessing the Company’s operating results and related trends and when forecasting future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures and ratios should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or preferable to, ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP. In the attached tables, the Company has provided a reconciliation of, where applicable, the most comparable GAAP financial measures and ratios to the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, or a reconciliation of the non-GAAP calculation of the financial measures for the periods indicated.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 2:30 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. During the call, management will review the second quarter of 2019 results and related matters. This press release as well as a related slide presentation will be accessible on the Company’s website at www.enterprisebank.com under “Investor Relations” prior to the scheduled broadcast of the conference call. The call can be accessed via this same website page, or via telephone at 1-877-260-1479 (Conference ID #1823032). A recorded replay of the conference call will be available on the website two hours after the call’s completion. Visit http://bit.ly/EFSC2Q2019earnings and register to receive a dial in number, passcode, and pin number. The replay will be available for approximately two weeks following the conference call.

About Enterprise

Enterprise Financial Services Corp (Nasdaq: EFSC), with approximately $7 billion in assets, is a financial holding company headquartered in Clayton, Missouri. Enterprise Bank & Trust, a Missouri state-chartered trust company with banking powers and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enterprise, operates 34 branch offices in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. Enterprise Bank & Trust offers a range of business and personal banking services and wealth management services. Enterprise Trust, a division of Enterprise Bank & Trust, provides financial planning, estate planning, investment management and trust services to businesses, individuals, institutions, retirement plans and non-profit organizations. Additional information is available at www.enterprisebank.com.

Enterprise Financial Services Corp’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “EFSC.” Please visit our website at www.enterprisebank.com to see our regularly posted material information.

Forward-looking Statements

Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including, without limitation, plans, strategies and goals, and statements about the Company’s expectations regarding revenue and asset growth, financial performance and profitability, loan and deposit growth, yields and returns, loan diversification and credit management, shareholder value creation and the impact of the acquisition of Trinity and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Los Alamos National Bank, and other acquisitions.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s plans, expectations, and projections of future financial and operating results, as well as statements regarding the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of announced transactions. The Company uses words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “could,” “continue,” and “intend”, and variations of such words and similar expressions, in this release to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to efficiently integrate acquisitions, including the Trinity acquisition, into its operations, retain the customers of these businesses and grow the acquired operations, as well as credit risk, changes in the appraised valuation of real estate securing impaired loans, outcomes of litigation and other contingencies, exposure to general and local economic conditions, risks associated with rapid increases or decreases in prevailing interest rates, consolidation in the banking industry, competition from banks and other financial institutions, the Company’s ability to attract and retain relationship officers and other key personnel, burdens imposed by federal and state regulation, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in accounting regulation or standards applicable to banks, as well as other risk factors described in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events unless required under the federal securities laws.

Average Balance Sheets

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as, the corresponding interest rates earned and paid, all on a tax equivalent basis.