UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 19, 2023
(Date of earliest event reported)

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
000-26099
94-3327828
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

111 West Pine Street,Lodi, California 95240
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(209) 367-2300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changes since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
None
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐



Item 2.02
 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On October 19, 2023, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp issued a press release concerning financial results for the third quarter and year-to-date ending September 30, 2023, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 99 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 9.01
 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)
Exhibit:


99
Press release concerning financial results for the third quarter and year-to-date ending September 30, 2023.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP




By
/s/ Bart R. Olson



 


Bart R. Olson


Executive Vice President


& Chief Financial Officer



Date:  October 19, 2023






Exhibit 99


Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (FMCB)
Reports Record Third Quarter and
Year-to-Date Earnings

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights
 
Net income of $22.0 million, or $29.23 per share; up 12.8% or 16.0% on a per share basis from third quarter 2022;
 
Net income of $86.9 million, or $114.13 per share on a trailing twelve-month basis;
 
Achieved a return on average assets of 1.65% and a return on average equity of 16.80%;
 
Growth in deposits of 2.38% and loans of 1.88% compared to the second quarter 2023; with no brokered deposits;
 
Strong liquidity position with $668.4 million in cash (or 12.4% of total assets), $106.5 million in available-for-sale investment securities and a borrowing capacity of $2.2 billion with no outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2023;
 
Strong capital position with a total risk-based capital ratio of 13.97%, common equity tier 1 ratio of 12.48%, tier 1 leverage ratio of 10.22% and a tangible common equity ratio of 9.64%;
 
Credit quality remains strong and the total allowance for credit losses strengthened to 2.14%.
 
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTCQX: FMCB) (the “Company” or “FMCB”), the parent company of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California (the “Bank” or “F&M Bank”), reported third quarter net income of $22.0 million, or $29.23 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2023 compared with $19.5 million, or $25.20 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2022 an increase of 12.8% or 16.0% on a per share basis.  Annualized return on average assets was 1.65% and return on average equity was 16.80% for the third quarter of 2023 compared with 1.45% and 16.64% in the third quarter of 2022. The expense efficiency ratio for the third quarter was 42.89% compared with 46.86% in the third quarter of 2022.
 
Net income for the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 was a record $66.9 million, or $88.06 per diluted common share compared with $55.0 million, or $70.47 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2022 an increase of 21.5% or 25.0% on a per share basis. Annualized return on average assets was 1.70% and return on average equity was 17.43% for the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 compared with 1.37% and 15.75% for the same period a year earlier. The nine-months ended September 30, 2023 included net losses of $5.7 million on the sale of securities to reposition the investment portfolio and a $4.3 million death benefit gain on bank-owned life insurance, both in the first quarter.


CEO Commentary
 
Kent Steinwert, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased with the Company’s financial performance in the third quarter of 2023 highlighted by net income of $22.0 million and record year-to-date net income of $66.9 million.  Our earnings per share over the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $114.13, up 25.83% compared with $90.70 per share for the same trailing period a year ago. Our results reflect the dedication and efforts of all our employees and their focus on being a strong and stable partner for our customers and communities.  By growing deposits, we increased our already strong liquidity position and balance sheet at quarter end with $668.4 million in cash, $106.5 million of available-for-sale investments, no outstanding borrowings and access to $2.2 billion in borrowing capacity. Our regulatory capital levels continued to increase during the third quarter and our capital position remains strong and significantly above the regulatory thresholds for well-capitalized. Additionally, our tangible common equity ratio increased to 9.64%. Our total deposits, all of which are core deposits since we have no brokered deposits, grew $110.5 million or 2.38% during the third quarter compared to the second quarter of 2023 and our cost of deposits of 1.01% for the third quarter highlights our disciplined approach to effectively managing our deposit costs.  Our loan portfolio grew $65.5 million or 1.88% during third quarter compared to the second quarter of 2023 as we continue to lend and serve the needs of our customers and local communities. Credit quality continues to remain strong with net recoveries of $274,000 for the first nine-months of 2023 while our total allowance for credit losses strengthened to 2.14%. Our Company remains in excellent financial condition and is well positioned to meet any challenges that might arise in the future as we have for the past 107 years.”
 
Earnings
 
Net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was $53.4 million, an increase of $3.0 million, or 5.9%, when compared with $50.5 million in the same quarter in 2022. The Company’s net interest margin increased to 4.20% in the third quarter of 2023 compared with 3.95% in the third quarter of 2022. Loan yields increased to 5.87% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to 5.06% in the third quarter of 2022.
 

Net interest income for the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 was $161.6 million, an increase of $24.2 million, or 17.6%, when compared with the $137.4 million for the same period in 2022. The Company’s net interest margin increased to 4.32% for the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 compared with 3.61% for the same period in 2022.
 
Net income over the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2023 was $86.9 million compared with $71.0 million for the same trailing period a year earlier.  Earnings per share over the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $114.13, up 25.83% compared with $90.70 per share for the same trailing period a year ago and $83.33 per share for the same period two years ago.
 
Balance Sheet
 
Total assets at quarter-end grew $125.0 million or 2.4% to $5.4 billion compared to June 30, 2023. Total loans and leases outstanding were $3.6 billion, an increase of $65.5 million or 1.88% from June 30, 2023 and an increase of $233.3 million or 7.02% from September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2023 the total investment securities portfolio was $932.5 million a decrease of $20.6 million from June 30, 2023 as the Company chose to reinvest cash flows from the investment portfolio into funding loan growth and further increasing cash balances at the Federal Reserve. The investment portfolio is comprised of $106.5 million in available for sale securities and $826.0 million in held to maturity securities. Accumulated other comprehensive losses in the available for sale securities portfolio increased $3.6 million to $20.2 million as of September 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2023. Total deposits increased $110.5 million, or 2.38% to $4.7 billion at September 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2023. Our deposit growth during the quarter continues to be organic from our customer base, as we have no brokered deposits. Our loan to deposit ratio was 75.1% as of September 30, 2023 down slightly from 75.5% as of June 30, 2023 and up from 67.9% as of September 30, 2022.
 
Credit Quality
 
The Company’s credit quality remained strong with only $4.5 million of non-performing loans and leases as of September 30, 2023 and a delinquency ratio of 0.19% of total loans with the increase in non-performing loans due to one borrower. The Company recorded a provision for credit losses on loans of $3.0 million during the third quarter of 2023 resulting in an allowance for credit losses of $74.2 million, or 2.08% of total loans and leases as of September 30, 2023 up slightly from 2.03% as of June 30, 2023. The total allowance for credit losses on loans, leases and unfunded commitments as of September 30, 2023 is $76.2 million or 2.14%. Net recoveries were $47,000 in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $38,000 in the third quarter of 2022. Net recoveries were $274,000 for the first nine-months of 2023 compared to $4,000 for the first nine-months of 2022. Net recoveries over the trailing twelve months were $91,000.
 

Capital
 
The Company’s and Bank’s regulatory capital ratios remain strong and increased from June 30, 2023.  At September 30, 2023, the Company’s preliminary total risk-based capital ratio was 13.97%, the common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 12.48% and the tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 10.22% an increase from 13.71%, 12.22% and 10.21% as of June 30, 2023, respectively.  At September 30, 2023, all F&M Bank capital ratios exceeded the regulatory requirements to be classified as “well capitalized”.  At September 30, 2023, the tangible common equity ratio was 9.64% an increase of 131 basis points from the 8.33% as of September 30, 2022.  Tangible book value per share increased to $687.57 at September 30, 2023, up 16.73% compared with $589.03 a year ago.
 
During the third quarter, the Company repurchased 2,510 shares bringing the total to 16,324 shares for the nine-months ended September 30, 2023. The Company has repurchased a total of 17,126 shares or $17.0 million under the $20.0 million share repurchase program authorized in November 2022.
 
About Farmers & Merchants Bancorp
 
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, trades on the OTCQX under the symbol FMCB, is the parent company of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California, also known as F&M Bank.   Founded in 1916, F&M Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank, which proudly serves California through 32 convenient locations. F&M Bank is financially strong, with over $5.4 billion in assets, and is consistently recognized as one of the nation's safest banks by national bank rating firms. The Bank has maintained a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial for 31 consecutive years, longer than any other commercial bank in the State of California.
 
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp was recently named by Bank Director’s Magazine as the #1 best performing bank in the nation across all asset categories in their annual “Ranking Banking” study of the top performing banks for 2022. The selection of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp as the best performing bank in 2022 was based on using five metrics to assess performance from data compiled by Piper Sandler & Co. using S&P Global Market Intelligence data.
 
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp has paid dividends for 88 consecutive years and has increased dividends for 58 consecutive years. As a result, Farmers & Merchants Bancorp is a member of a select group of only 50 publicly traded companies referred to as “Dividend Kings”, and is ranked 15th in that group.
 

F&M Bank is the 14th largest bank lender to agriculture in the United States. F&M Bank operates in the mid-Central Valley of California including, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus, and Merced counties and the east region of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Napa, Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
 
F&M Bank offers a full complement of loan, deposit, equipment leasing and treasury management products to businesses, as well as a full suite of consumer banking products. The FDIC awarded F&M Bank the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" in their 2022 CRA evaluation.
 
F&M Bank was named the “Best Community Bank in California” by Newsweek magazine, in October 2021. Newsweek’s ranking recognizes those financial institutions that best serve their customers’ needs in each state.  This recognition speaks to the superior customer service the F&M Bank team members provide to its clients.
 
F&M Bank was inducted into the National Agriculture Science Center’s “Ag Hall of Fame” at the end of 2021 for providing resources, financial advice, guidance, and support to the agribusiness communities as well as to students in the next generation of agribusiness workforce. F&M Bank is dedicated to helping California remain the premier agricultural region in the world and will continue to work with the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and processors. F&M Bank remains committed to servicing the needs of agribusiness in California as has been the case since its founding 107 years ago.
 

Forward-Looking Statements
 
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations regarding the Company’s financial performance.    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,” “intend,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may”. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding loan and deposit production (including any growth representations), balance sheet management, levels of net interest margin, the ability to control costs and expenses, the competitive environment, financial and regulatory policies of the United States government, water management issues in California and general economic conditions, inflation, recessions, natural disasters, economic uncertainty in the United States, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, real estate values, costs or effects of acquisitions, competition, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, legislation or regulation, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors (including external fraud and cybersecurity threats) affecting the Company's operations, pricing, products and services. These and other important factors are detailed in the Company’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs, and various other securities law filings made periodically by the Company, copies of which are available from the Company’s website.  The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                             
   
Three-Months Ended
   
Nine-Months Ended
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
September 30,
2023
   
June 30,
2023
   
September 30,
2022
   
September 30,
2023
   
September 30,
2022
 
Earnings and Profitability:
                             
Interest income
 
$
65,713
   
$
61,017
   
$
51,713
   
$
186,362
   
$
140,502
 
Interest expense
   
12,272
     
8,595
     
1,256
     
24,777
     
3,117
 
Net interest income
   
53,441
     
52,422
     
50,457
     
161,585
     
137,385
 
Provision for credit losses
   
3,000
     
2,557
     
1,500
     
7,057
     
3,000
 
Noninterest income
   
3,606
     
5,447
     
1,559
     
12,513
     
9,383
 
Noninterest expense
   
24,468
     
26,822
     
24,375
     
79,473
     
71,194
 
Income before taxes
   
29,579
     
28,490
     
26,141
     
87,568
     
72,574
 
Net income
 
$
22,034
   
$
21,308
   
$
19,536
   
$
66,889
   
$
55,037
 
                                         
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
29.23
   
$
28.03
   
$
25.20
   
$
88.06
   
$
70.47
 
Return on average assets
   
1.65
%
   
1.65
%
   
1.45
%
   
1.70
%
   
1.37
%
Return on average equity
   
16.80
%
   
16.60
%
   
16.64
%
   
17.43
%
   
15.75
%
                                         
Loan yield
   
5.87
%
   
5.75
%
   
5.06
%
   
5.77
%
   
4.86
%
Cost of average total deposits - core deposits
   
1.01
%
   
0.74
%
   
0.09
%
   
0.70
%
   
0.08
%
Net interest margin - tax equivalent
   
4.20
%
   
4.27
%
   
3.95
%
   
4.32
%
   
3.61
%
Effective tax rate
   
25.51
%
   
25.21
%
   
25.27
%
   
23.61
%
   
24.16
%
Efficiency ratio
   
42.89
%
   
46.35
%
   
46.86
%
   
45.65
%
   
48.51
%
Book value per share
 
$
705.60
   
$
682.16
   
$
607.37
   
$
705.60
   
$
607.37
 
                                         
Balance Sheet:
                                       
Total assets
 
$
5,375,375
   
$
5,250,378
   
$
5,466,781
   
$
5,375,375
   
$
5,466,781
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
668,361
     
586,972
     
882,883
     
668,361
     
882,883
 
Total securities
   
932,508
     
953,089
     
1,030,119
     
932,508
     
1,030,119
 
of which available for sale
   
106,493
     
114,643
     
177,454
     
106,493
     
177,454
 
of which held to maturity
   
826,015
     
838,446
     
852,665
     
826,015
     
852,665
 
Gross Loans
   
3,567,807
     
3,502,064
     
3,332,472
     
3,567,807
     
3,332,472
 
Allowance for credit losses - Loans
   
74,159
     
71,112
     
63,617
     
74,159
     
63,617
 
Total deposits
   
4,748,767
     
4,638,313
     
4,909,257
     
4,748,767
     
4,909,257
 
Borrowings
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Subordinated debentures
   
10,310
     
10,310
     
10,310
     
10,310
     
10,310
 
Total shareholders' equity
 
$
530,623
   
$
514,709
   
$
468,178
   
$
530,623
   
$
468,178
 
                                         
Loan-to-deposit ratio
   
75.13
%
   
75.50
%
   
67.88
%
   
75.13
%
   
67.88
%
Percentage of checking deposits to total deposits
   
51.72
%
   
52.09
%
   
60.32
%
   
51.72
%
   
60.32
%
                                         
Capital ratios (Bancorp) (1)
                                       
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
   
12.48
%
   
12.22
%
   
11.82
%
   
12.48
%
   
11.82
%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
   
12.72
%
   
12.46
%
   
12.06
%
   
12.72
%
   
12.06
%
Risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets
   
13.97
%
   
13.71
%
   
13.32
%
   
13.97
%
   
13.32
%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio
   
10.22
%
   
10.21
%
   
9.12
%
   
10.22
%
   
9.12
%
Tangible Common Equity Ratio (2)
   
9.64
%
   
9.57
%
   
8.33
%
   
9.64
%
   
8.33
%
                                         
(1) Capital information is preliminary for September 30, 2023
                         
(2) Non-GAAP measurement
                                       
                                         
Non-GAAP measurement reconciliation:
                     
(Dollars in thousands)
 
September 30,
2023
   
June 30,
2023
   
September 30,
2022
                 
                                         
Shareholders' equity
 
$
530,623
   
$
514,709
   
$
468,178
                 
Less:  Intangible assets
   
13,563
     
13,705
     
14,140
                 
Tangible common equity
 
$
517,060
   
$
501,004
   
$
454,038
                 
                                         
Total Assets
 
$
5,375,375
   
$
5,250,378
   
$
5,466,781
                 
Less:  Intangible assets
   
13,563
     
13,705
     
14,140
                 
Tangible assets
 
$
5,361,812
   
$
5,236,673
   
$
5,452,641
                 
                                         
Tangible common equity ratio(1)
   
9.64
%
   
9.57
%
   
8.33
%
               

(1)   Tangible common equity divided by tangible assets



v3.23.3
Document and Entity Information
Oct. 19, 2023
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date Oct. 19, 2023
Entity File Number 000-26099
Entity Registrant Name Farmers & Merchants Bancorp
Entity Central Index Key 0001085913
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
Entity Tax Identification Number 94-3327828
Entity Address, Address Line One 111 West Pine Street
Entity Address, City or Town Lodi
Entity Address, State or Province CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 95240
City Area Code 209
Local Phone Number 367-2300
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false

Farmers and Merchants Ba... (QX) (USOTC:FMCB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024 Click Here for more Farmers and Merchants Ba... (QX) Charts.
Farmers and Merchants Ba... (QX) (USOTC:FMCB)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024 Click Here for more Farmers and Merchants Ba... (QX) Charts.