Ledyard Financial Group Reports Record Quarterly Earnings

Ledyard Financial Group, Inc. (ticker symbol LFGP), the holding company for Ledyard National Bank, is proud to announce record earnings for the first quarter of 2022. This is the ninth consecutive quarter of record earnings and while uncertainty continues in the economy, these results are evidence of the strength of our core businesses and financial condition. Despite these challenges, our attention remains on strengthening our financial position and continuing to make progress on our strategic initiatives.

Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was $2,044,552 or $0.63 per share compared to $1,835,871 or $0.58 per share for the same period in 2021, an increase of $208,681 or 11%. The underlying results for the Company were extremely positive. The Company is well positioned to navigate any difficulties that we may encounter in the future, and we remain focused on supporting our core businesses. Volatility in the capital markets has not had a significant impact on our most recent financial results.

Total revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was $8,684,640 compared to $­­8,258,981 for the same period in 2021, for an increase of $425,658 or 5%. Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was $4,694,029 compared to $4,445,272 for the same period in 2021, for an increase of $248,757 or 6%. The increase in our net interest income was due primarily to the increase in investments and interest-bearing deposits and the ability to manage the cost of our deposits and borrowings.

Ledyard Financial Advisors, a division of Ledyard National Bank, reported revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, of $3,368,700 compared to $3,080,256 for the same period in 2021, an increase of $288,444 or 9%. Assets under management ended the first quarter at $1.90 billion, an increase of approximately $112 million over the prior year. Since the end of 2021, the equity markets have been mostly down and interest rates are up. These trends have contributed to a decline in AUM since the end of 2021 of $75 million.

Non-interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was $6,484,409 compared to $6,248,271 for the same period in 2021, an increase of $236,138 or 4%. The increase in non-interest expense relates to salary and benefit expenses and expenses related to software.

At March 31, 2022, the Company’s shareholders’ equity stood at $52.7 million compared to $66.2 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease in shareholders’ equity is due to the decline in Other Comprehensive Income, which was in an unrealized loss position of $13.4 million at March 31, 2022 contrasted with an unrealized gain position of $6.4 million at March 31, 2021. The change in this account was directly related to the change in values on securities and derivative contracts due to changes in interest rates. The value in this account is excluded when calculating our regulatory capital ratios. All of the Company’s capital ratios are well in excess of the amount required by the Federal Reserve for a bank holding company to be considered “well capitalized” and we have significant levels of liquidity resources available to support our operations during these times. At March 31, 2022, the Company’s book value per share stood at $15.74 compared to $19.93 for the same period in 2021. The decline in the book value per share is directly related to the decline in Other Comprehensive Income.

Loans, net of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2022, were $351.5 million compared to $364.7 million for the same period last year, for a decrease of $13.2 million or 4%. The decline in loans relates primarily to the Cares Act loans forgiven and to other loans that prepaid early. Total deposits at March 31, 2022, were $667.6 million compared to $601.5 million, an increase of $66.1 million or 11% from the same period last year. Included in this deposit growth is $71 million of brokered deposits, which provide funding at lower costs than current wholesale borrowing alternatives. Total assets of the Company were $759.1 million at March 31, 2022, an increase of $65.2 million over the prior year. The balance sheet growth was due to investments purchased during the past year. The increase in interest rates has negatively impacted the carrying value of our investment securities which caused total assets to decline. The valuation account for investment securities was at an unrealized loss of $21.3 million at March 31, 2022.

The total Allowance was $7.47 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $8.04 million at March 31, 2021. Total non-performing assets were $1.6 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $1.4 million for the comparable period in 2021.

On March 29, 2022, the Company completed a private placement of $18 million of fixed to floating subordinated notes due April 1, 2032 - The notes are noncallable for five years and carry an initial fixed rate of 4.00%. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including support for continued organic growth and strategic initiatives.

The Company’s annual meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on May 26, 2022, at the Hanover Inn, in Hanover New Hampshire.

Ledyard Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the holding company for Ledyard National Bank. Ledyard National Bank, founded in 1991, is a full-service community bank offering a broad range of banking, investment, and wealth management services.

Ledyard Financial Group, Inc. shares can be bought and sold through the NASD sanctioned “OTC Markets” under the trading symbol LFGP. Shares may be traded through an individual’s broker. For more information, please refer to the “Investor Relations” section of the bank’s website at www.ledyardbank.com or contact the Company’s CFO, Gregory D. Steverson.

Forward-Looking Statements: Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations for growth and income forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, loan production, competitive pressure in the banking industry, balance sheet management, net interest margin variations, the effect of changes in equity prices on assets under management, the ability to control costs and expenses, changes in the interest rate environment, financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors.

Note: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period information to conform to the current period presentation.

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