0001914605false00019146052024-07-252024-07-25

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

 

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

 

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): July 25, 2024

 

ECB BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Maryland

001-41456

88-1502079

(State or Other Jurisdiction

(Commission

(IRS Employer

of Incorporation or Organization)

File Number)

Identification No.)

 

419 Broadway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(617) 387-1110

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed 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

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

ECBK

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

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 July 25, 2024, ECB Bancorp, Inc., the holding company for Everett Co-operative Bank, issued a press release announcing its financial results at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

99.1

 

Press release dated July 25, 2024

 

 

 

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 


 

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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

ECB BANCORP, INC.

Date: July 25, 2024 By: /s/Brandon N. Lavertu

Brandon N. Lavertu

Chief Financial Officer

 


For Immediate Release

Date: July 25, 2024

 

 

 

Contact:

Richard J. O’Neil, Jr.

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Phone:

617-387-1110

Email:

rjoneil@everettbank.com

 

ECB Bancorp, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results

EVERETT, MA, July 25, 2024 - ECB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ-ECBK) (the “Company”), the holding company for Everett Co-operative Bank (the “Bank”), a state-chartered co-operative bank headquartered in Everett, Massachusetts, today reported net income of $791,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $1.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $634,000 in net income. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company reported net income of $1.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $2.3 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $914,000 in net income.

Richard J. O’Neil, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our second quarter results indicate positive movement across our major asset classes. In an environment of increasing economic uncertainty our continuing attention to, and focus on, our customers, expenses, credit and responsible growth continue to be our guiding principles."

NET INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME

Net interest and dividend income before provision for credit losses was $6.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, a decrease of $386,000, or 6.0%, from $6.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the net interest margin, as increases in earning asset yields were more than offset by increased funding costs. Our net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was 1.82% as compared to 2.18% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The provision for credit losses increased to $292,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 from $0 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The provision for credit losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was driven by loan growth. The $0 provision for credit losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 included a provision for loan losses, offset by a benefit to the provision for off balance sheet commitments. The combination of these items resulted in a decrease of $678,000, or 10.6%, in net interest and dividend income after provision for credit losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

 

Net interest and dividend income before provision for credit losses was $11.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, a decrease of $852,000, or 6.7%, from $12.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the net interest margin, as increases in earning asset yields were more than offset by increased funding costs. Our net interest margin for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was 1.83% as compared to 2.28% for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The provision for credit losses decreased $441,000, to $438,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, from $879,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease in the provision for credit losses was driven by lower loan growth during the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. The combination of these items resulted in a decrease of $411,000, or 3.5%, in net interest and dividend income after provision for credit losses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023.

NONINTEREST INCOME

Noninterest income increased $49,000, or 20.4%, to $289,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 from $240,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The increase was driven by increases in income from bank-owned life insurance, net gains on sales of loans and customer service fees.

 

Noninterest income increased $124,000, or 26.4%, to $594,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 from $470,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was driven by increases in net gains on sales of loans, income from bank-owned life insurance and customer service fees.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Noninterest expense increased $236,000, or 5.0%, to $4.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 from $4.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Significant changes are as follows:


Salaries and employee benefits increased $307,000, or 10.9%, driven by $242,000 in stock based compensation recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2024, related to the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan. There were no stock based compensation costs in the quarter ended June 30, 2023 related to this plan;
Director compensation increased $90,000, or 75.6%, driven by $82,000 in stock based compensation recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2024, related to the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan. There were no stock based compensation costs in the quarter ended June 30, 2023 related to this plan;
Advertising and promotions decreased $102,000, or 49.0%. We have strategically reduced certain advertising costs in an effort to manage overall noninterest expenses;
Professional fees decreased $64,000, or 21.7%, primarily due to higher legal and consulting costs during the 2023 period related to operating a new publicly traded company; and
FDIC deposit insurance expense decreased $88,000, or 31.2%. During the second quarter of 2023 there were increases in the assessment rates charged by the FDIC.

 

Noninterest expense increased $968,000, or 10.5%, to $10.2 million for six months ended June 30, 2024 from $9.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Significant changes are as follows:

Salaries and employee benefits increased $732,000, or 12.8%, driven by $484,000 in stock based compensation recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2024, related to the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan. There were no stock based compensation costs in the six months ended June 30, 2023 related to this plan;
Director compensation increased $176,000, or 73.3%, driven by $165,000 in stock based compensation recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2024, related to the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan. There were no stock based compensation costs in the six months ended June 30, 2023 related to this plan; and
Advertising and promotions decreased $139,000, or 37.0%. We have strategically reduced certain advertising costs in an effort to manage overall noninterest expenses.

INCOME TAXES

We recorded a provision for income tax expense of $272,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to a provision for income tax expense of $503,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, reflecting effective tax rates of 25.6% and 26.1%, respectively.

 

We recorded a provision for income tax expense of $482,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to a provision for income tax expense of $823,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, reflecting effective tax rates of 25.4% and 26.1%, respectively.

BALANCE SHEET

Total assets increased $55.6 million, or 4.3%, to $1.34 billion at June 30, 2024 from $1.28 billion at December 31, 2023.

Total net loans increased $63.1 million, or 6.1%, to $1.10 billion at June 30, 2024 from $1.04 billion at December 31, 2023.

Multi-family real estate loans increased $28.8 million, or 10.0%, to $316.2 million at June 30, 2024 from $287.4 million at December 31, 2023.
Commercial real estate loans increased $14.5 million, or 7.4%, to $210.9 million at June 30, 2024 from $196.4 million at December 31, 2023.
Residential real estate loans increased $8.2 million, or 2.0%, to $418.3 million at June 30, 2024 from $410.1 million at December 31, 2023.
Commercial loans increased $5.0 million, or 53.9%, to $14.2 million at June 30, 2024 from $9.2 million at December 31, 2023.
Home equity lines of credit increased $4.6 million, or 14.0%, to $38.0 million at June 30, 2024 from $33.4 million at December 31, 2023.
Construction loans increased $2.6 million, or 2.3%, to $114.6 million at June 30, 2024 from $112.0 million at December 31, 2023.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $7.6 million, or 6.4%, to $111.4 million at June 30, 2024 from $119.0 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was driven by loan growth.

Deposits increased $64.6 million, or 7.4%, to $932.8 million at June 30, 2024 from $868.2 million at December 31, 2023.


Certificates of deposit increased $66.1 million, or 13.3%, to $564.6 million at June 30, 2024 from $498.5 million at December 31, 2023.
Money market deposit accounts increased $26.7 million, or 20.3%, to $158.1 million at June 30, 2024 from $131.4 million at December 31, 2023.
Savings accounts decreased $25.2 million, or 18.4%, to $112.6 million at June 30, 2024 from $137.8 million at December 31, 2023.
Interest bearing checking accounts decreased $2.4 million, or 10.8%, to $19.8 million at June 30, 2024 from $22.2 million at December 31, 2023.
Demand deposit accounts decreased $541,000, or 0.7%, to $77.8 million at June 30, 2024 from $78.3 million at December 31, 2023.

 

FHLB advances decreased $10.0 million, or 4.3%, to $224.0 million at June 30, 2024 from $234.0 million at December 31, 2023.

Total shareholders' equity increased $1.6 million, or 0.9%, to $166.5 million as of June 30, 2024 from $164.9 million as of December 31, 2023. This increase is primarily the result of earnings of $1.4 million and an increase of $427,000 in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The increase in AOCI was driven by an increase in the fair value of cash flow hedges entered into during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Partially offsetting these increases to shareholders' equity was a decrease in additional paid-in capital of $457,000. This decrease was driven by $1.2 million in shares repurchased under our share repurchase plan, partially offset by an increase in additional paid in capital of $699,000 related to stock based compensation and ESOP shares committed to be released. Our book value per share increased $0.34 to $18.09 at June 30, 2024 from $17.75 at December 31, 2023.

ASSET QUALITY

Asset quality remains strong. The allowance for credit losses in total and as a percentage of total loans as of June 30, 2024 was $9.0 million and 0.81%, respectively, as compared to $8.6 million and 0.82%, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 the Company recorded net charge offs of $3,000 and $0, respectively. Total non-performing assets were $1.2 million, or 0.09%, of total assets as of June 30, 2024 and $1.2 million, or 0.09% of total assets, as of December 31, 2023.

 



 

Company Profile

ECB Bancorp, Inc. is headquartered in Everett, Massachusetts and is the holding company for Everett Co-operative Bank. The Bank provides financial services to individuals, families, municipalities and businesses through its three full-service branch offices located in Everett, Lynnfield and Woburn, Massachusetts. The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "ECBK." For more information, visit the Company's website at www.everettbank.com.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of management, as well as the assumptions made using information currently available to management. Since these statements reflect the views of management concerning future events, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a result, actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words like "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include changes in the interest rate environment, changes in general economic conditions, the Company's ability to continue to increase loans and deposit growth, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the businesses in which the Company is engaged and changes in the securities market. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


ECB Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheets

June 30, 2024 (unaudited) and December 31, 2023

(in thousands except share data)

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

 

$

2,783

 

 

$

3,786

 

Short-term investments

 

 

108,659

 

 

 

115,250

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

 

 

111,442

 

 

 

119,036

 

Investments in available-for-sale securities (at fair value)

 

 

 

 

 

5,003

 

Investments in held-to-maturity securities, at cost (fair values of $74,047 at June 30,
   2024 (unaudited) and $70,590 at December 31, 2023)

 

 

80,458

 

 

 

76,979

 

Loans held-for-sale

 

 

624

 

 

 

 

Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $9,025 at June 30, 2024 (unaudited)
   and $8,591 at December 31, 2023

 

 

1,102,886

 

 

 

1,039,789

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost

 

 

9,600

 

 

 

9,892

 

Premises and equipment, net

 

 

3,663

 

 

 

3,754

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

4,211

 

 

 

3,766

 

Deferred tax asset, net

 

 

4,604

 

 

 

4,767

 

Bank-owned life insurance

 

 

14,706

 

 

 

14,472

 

Other assets

 

 

3,744

 

 

 

2,877

 

Total assets

 

$

1,335,938

 

 

$

1,280,335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

$

77,801

 

 

$

78,342

 

Interest-bearing

 

 

854,976

 

 

 

789,872

 

Total deposits

 

 

932,777

 

 

 

868,214

 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

 

 

224,000

 

 

 

234,000

 

Other liabilities

 

 

12,697

 

 

 

13,220

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,169,474

 

 

 

1,115,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01; Authorized: 1,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 0 shares and 0 shares, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01; Authorized: 30,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 9,200,219 shares and 9,291,810 shares, respectively

 

 

92

 

 

 

93

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

86,974

 

 

 

87,431

 

Retained earnings

 

 

85,266

 

 

 

83,854

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

556

 

 

 

129

 

Unallocated common shares held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

 

(6,424

)

 

 

(6,606

)

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

166,464

 

 

 

164,901

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

1,335,938

 

 

$

1,280,335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' Equity Ratios

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book value per common share

 

$

18.09

 

 

$

17.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory Capital Ratios (Everett Co-operative Bank)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital to risk weighted assets

 

 

16.94

%

 

 

17.30

%

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

 

 

15.85

%

 

 

16.22

%

Tier 1 capital to average assets

 

 

10.78

%

 

 

11.31

%

 


ECB Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited)

(in thousands except share data)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Six months ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Interest and dividend income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

 

$

14,174

 

 

$

12,122

 

 

$

27,619

 

 

$

23,049

 

Interest and dividends on securities

 

 

779

 

 

 

667

 

 

 

1,543

 

 

 

1,227

 

Other interest income

 

 

1,433

 

 

 

862

 

 

 

2,917

 

 

 

1,437

 

Total interest and dividend income

 

 

16,386

 

 

 

13,651

 

 

 

32,079

 

 

 

25,713

 

Interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on deposits

 

 

8,159

 

 

 

5,055

 

 

 

15,684

 

 

 

8,973

 

Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances

 

 

2,214

 

 

 

2,197

 

 

 

4,482

 

 

 

3,975

 

Total interest expense

 

 

10,373

 

 

 

7,252

 

 

 

20,166

 

 

 

12,948

 

Net interest and dividend income

 

 

6,013

 

 

 

6,399

 

 

 

11,913

 

 

 

12,765

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

292

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

879

 

Net interest and dividend income after provision for credit losses

 

 

5,721

 

 

 

6,399

 

 

 

11,475

 

 

 

11,886

 

Noninterest income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer service fees

 

 

143

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

251

 

Income from bank-owned life insurance

 

 

117

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

234

 

 

 

197

 

Net gain on sales of loans

 

 

19

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

5

 

Other income

 

 

10

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

17

 

Total noninterest income

 

 

289

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

594

 

 

 

470

 

Noninterest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

 

3,130

 

 

 

2,823

 

 

 

6,441

 

 

 

5,709

 

Director compensation

 

 

209

 

 

 

119

 

 

 

416

 

 

 

240

 

Occupancy and equipment expense

 

 

263

 

 

 

248

 

 

 

538

 

 

 

452

 

Data processing

 

 

285

 

 

 

293

 

 

 

596

 

 

 

535

 

Computer software and licensing

 

 

75

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

128

 

Advertising and promotions

 

 

106

 

 

 

208

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

376

 

Professional fees

 

 

231

 

 

 

295

 

 

 

591

 

 

 

658

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance

 

 

194

 

 

 

282

 

 

 

372

 

 

 

407

 

Other expense

 

 

454

 

 

 

372

 

 

 

824

 

 

 

702

 

Total noninterest expense

 

 

4,947

 

 

 

4,711

 

 

 

10,175

 

 

 

9,207

 

Income before income tax expense

 

 

1,063

 

 

 

1,928

 

 

 

1,894

 

 

 

3,149

 

Income tax expense

 

 

272

 

 

 

503

 

 

 

482

 

 

 

823

 

Net income

 

$

791

 

 

$

1,425

 

 

$

1,412

 

 

$

2,326

 

Share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic

 

 

8,265,579

 

 

 

8,490,128

 

 

 

8,282,677

 

 

 

8,485,610

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

 

 

8,342,516

 

 

 

8,490,128

 

 

 

8,358,818

 

 

 

8,485,610

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.27

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.27

 

 


v3.24.2
Document and Entity Information
Jul. 25, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date Jul. 25, 2024
Securities Act File Number 001-41456
Entity Registrant Name ECB BANCORP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key 0001914605
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code MD
Entity Tax Identification Number 88-1502079
Entity Address, Address Line One 419 Broadway
Entity Address, City or Town Everett
Entity Address, State or Province MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 02149
City Area Code 617
Local Phone Number 387-1110
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol ECBK
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company true
Entity Ex Transition Period false
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false

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