Bank of Botetourt announced good news for 2020

Bank of Botetourt Surpasses 2020 Budget Expectations; Board Votes to Increase Dividend

BUCHANAN, VIRGINIA. January 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ —

 Buchanan-based Bank of Botetourt (OTCPK: BORT) announced today that it has filed its Call Report with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and reports the following unaudited financial results for year ended December 31, 2020. Net income for the fiscal year ended 2020 amounted to $4,631,000, exceeding budget expectations. This amount compares to $4,979,000 for the same period of 2019, representing a decrease of $348,000 or 7.0%. The decrease in annual earnings is primarily attributed to a larger contribution to the allowance loan losses necessitated by loan growth and the economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 health pandemic.

Both basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to $2.68 at December 31, 2020 compared to $2.90 one year prior. Book value was $30.17 at December 31, 2020 as compared to $28.12 at December 31, 2019. As a result of the solid financial performance, the Board of Directors voted to increase the quarterly dividend payment from $0.175 to $0.18 per share, or $0.72 per share annualized which is payable on February 18, 2021 to shareholders of record February 11, 2021. This represents an increase in dividend payment of 2.8%. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Bank reported net income amounting to $1,326,000 or $0.77 per basic share in the fourth quarter. This amount compares to a net income of $1,238,000 or $0.72 per basic share, for the same period last year. At December 31, 2020 total consolidated assets amounted to $597,280,000, an increase of 21.5% above total assets at December 31, 2019 of $491,660,000, an increase of $105,620,000. Loan demand and growth exceeded 2020 budget expectations. Total net loans increased $33,992,000 or 8.1% from $421,417,000 at December 31, 2019 to $455,409,000 at December 31, 2020.

Total deposits at December 31, 2020 amounted to $535,547,000, compared to $433,111,000 at December 31, 2019, an increase of 23.7% or $102,436,000. At December 31, 2020, select financial highlights include: • Return on average assets of 0.83% • Return on average equity of 8.89% • Net loan growth of 8.1% • Total deposit growth of 23.7% • Total asset growth of 21.5% • Community Bank Leverage Ratio of 9.26% • Strong liquidity position • Outstanding Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans of $26.2 million at December 31, 2020 with deferred PPP loan servicing fees balance of $744,000 • Eight consecutive years of increased dividend payments (if dividend increase passes)

President & CEO, G. Lyn Hayth, III stated “given the unprecedented circumstances of 2020 along with the significant economic consequences of the global health pandemic, we are thrilled with the solid financial performance of 2020. Although earnings are down 7% from 2019, it was a conscious and prudent decision by our Bank to reserve $1,150,000 more in our allowance for loan loss in 2020 over 2019 due to the uncertainty surrounding the economic impact on our borrowers. Yet, strong loan demand and historic deposit growth allowed our Bank to surpass earnings expectations. As a result, the Board of Directors voted to increase the dividend payment to our shareholders.”

–Submitted by Mary Ann Miller VP Business Banking and Community Relations