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Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE DATED 09-20-2000
Contact:
Robert O. Bratton,
Chief Financial Officer
(704) 721-4473
or
Jan H. Hollar,
Director of Finance
(704) 721-4467
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2000
FIRST CHARTER ANTICIPATES MODERATION
IN REVENUE GROWTH
CONCORD, NC - First Charter Corporation (NASDAQ: FCTR) announced today that it
expects the growth in revenues and net earnings for the third quarter to
moderate from projected estimates. While revenues and earnings in the third
quarter will be higher than the same period in 1999, the pace of growth will be
somewhat slower than expected by management. Rising interest rates and
diminished economic growth have not only tempered loan growth, but also prompted
an increase in the provision for loan losses. These changes have been mitigated
by several non-recurring events. Based on these factors, third quarter earnings
are expected to be in the range of $9.1 million to $9.6 million, or $.29 to $.31
per share. Management believes that fourth quarter results will be consistent
with the third quarter. These changes are not expected to affect dividend
payments.
"Although the rise in interest rates and the subsequent slowing of the economy
are placing pressure on loan growth and net interest margin, we are confident in
our ability to respond swiftly and appropriately to market conditions," said
Lawrence M. Kimbrough, President and CEO. "The First Charter managers understand
that their incentive compensation is tied directly to the performance of the
company. When performance slows, incentive compensation automatically declines."
"While closely monitoring the effects of rising rates and the slowing economy on
the financial performance of our customers, we are also continuing our emphasis
on the fundamentals of growing core deposits, making sound credit decisions,
offering a full range of investment and insurance choices, and focusing on the
needs of our customers."
NET INTEREST MARGIN
Rising interest rates and the subsequent slowing of the economy are causing
First Charter to experience a softening in loan demand, prompting management to
re-evaluate the revenue forecast for the third quarter. Lower than anticipated
interest income and rising cost of funds have resulted in net interest margin
compression. During the six month period ending June 30,
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2000, loans grew at an annual rate of 12% while the third quarter annualized
growth is projected to be slightly less than 5%. The net interest margin is
projected to be approximately 4.00% for the quarter ended September 30, 2000,
down from 4.30% for the three months ended June 30, 2000.
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSS
Higher interest rates and slower economic growth have had an impact on the
financial performance of some customers. During the third quarter, between $7
million to $9 million in loans will be moved to nonaccrual status, bringing
total nonperforming loans (including loans 90 days past due and still accruing
interest) to between $23 million to $25 million. Because it is our practice to
make provisions to the allowance for loan losses to reflect current loan growth
and net loan losses, the total provision for loan losses for the quarter will be
approximately $2.2 million. The allowance for loan losses is anticipated to be
approximately 1.32% of loans at September 30, 2000 versus 1.28% at June 30,
2000.
NONRECURRING ITEMS
Extraordinary Gains. First Charter holds an interest in certain venture capital
fund limited partnerships. These limited partnerships are accounted for using
the equity method of accounting, which requires these assets to be marked to
market. It is anticipated that a gain of approximately $4.1 million will be
recognized during the third quarter of 2000. This type of gain is not
necessarily anticipated in future periods and could result in a loss if the
market values of the underlying venture capital investments decline. In
addition, First Charter anticipates recording a loss of $0.6 million in its
equity portfolio of bank stocks, which reflects the general decline in bank
stocks.
Real Estate Sales. As part of the integration of Carolina First BancShares, four
duplicate branch facilities were sold during the third quarter, resulting in a
net gain of $0.7 million.
Investment Portfolio. First Charter is restructuring the available-for-sale
securities portfolio by selling $95 million of lower yielding bonds and
reinvesting the proceeds from the sales into higher yielding bonds. Although the
portfolio restructuring is expected to result in a one-time loss of
approximately $2.8 million, First Charter expects it to increase ongoing
earnings by approximately $1.5 million annually.
CAROLINA FIRST BANCSHARES MERGER SYNERGIES
First Charter acquired Carolina First BancShares in April 2000, and the
conversion of the customers, systems and facilities was completed successfully
in June. The retention of key customers continues to be high. First Charter is
achieving the noninterest expense savings and service charge revenue
enhancements projected for the acquisition.
OTHER EVENTS
Acquisition of First Union Financial Centers. As previously announced, First
Charter has agreed to purchase four financial centers from First Union. Located
in four cities in western North Carolina, these centers will add approximately
$107 million in deposits and $12 million in loans. The acquisition is expected
to close in mid-fourth quarter, and is expected to be accretive to earnings in
2001.
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Insurance Agency Acquisition. On September 14, 2000, First Charter acquired its
sixth insurance agency, Business Insurer Services of Guilford County, Inc.,
located in Greensboro, NC. The transaction is expected to be accretive to
earnings in 2001.
CONFERENCE CALL
First Charter executive management will be available via telephone to discuss
the issues related to the contents of this press release on Thursday, September
21, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. To participate in this conference call, dial 888-404-8794
and use the conference code #7047214460.
CORPORATE PROFILE
First Charter Corporation is the holding company for First Charter National
Bank, a regional financial services company with assets of $2.8 billion that
operates 50 financial centers and 85 ATMs located in 14 counties throughout
North Carolina. First Charter provides businesses and individuals with a broad
range of financial services, including banking, comprehensive financial
planning, funds management, investments, insurance, mortgages and a full array
of employee benefit programs. Additional information about First Charter can be
found by visiting www.FirstCharter.com or by calling 1-800-601-8471. Common
stock for First Charter is traded under the symbol "FCTR" on The NASDAQ National
Market.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements are
subject to certain factors that may cause the company's results to vary from
those expected. These factors include changing economic and financial market
conditions, competition, ability to execute our business plan, items already
mentioned in this press release, and other factors described in our filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's
judgment only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to
publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events and
circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
