Stock Yards Bancorp Reports Record Earnings for First Quarter 2019 of $15.6 Million or $0.68 Per Diluted Share

Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYBT), parent company of Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company, with offices in the Louisville, Indianapolis and Cincinnati metropolitan markets, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019. Total revenue, comprising net interest income and non-interest income, increased 7% to $40.7 million for the first quarter of 2019 from $38.2 million for the first quarter of 2018. Net income before income taxes increased 6% to $17.5 million for the first quarter of 2019 from $16.5 million for the year-earlier quarter. Net income for the first quarter of 2019, which includes a state income tax benefit discussed below, rose 17% to $15.6 million or $0.68 per diluted share from $13.4 million or $0.58 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2018.

Key factors affecting the Company's results for the first quarter of 2019 included:

• Average loans increased $88.2 million year over year, contributing to an 18% increase in interest income on a comparable quarter basis, while total average deposits increased 7% to support loan growth;
• Continued robust loan production was offset by a high level of loan payoffs;
• Net interest margin rose 10 basis points compared with the same quarter of 2018 consistent with higher yields on loans, loan prepayment penalties and an increase in non-interest bearing deposits;
• Credit quality metrics remained strong, as the Company experienced its second consecutive quarter of net loan loss recoveries;
• The Wealth Management and Trust Group (WM&T) posted consistent performance against a strong first quarter last year;
• Card income and Treasury Management fees, bolstered by increased usage and expanding customer bases, continue to stand out as diversifying revenue streams; and
• The effective income tax rate declined to 10.5% primarily due to the recognition of a state deferred tax asset related to the repeal of the Kentucky Franchise Tax as of 2021, the effect of which added $0.06 to net income per diluted share for the first quarter 2019.

"Stock Yards Bancorp registered another strong quarter with the opening of 2019," said James A. (Ja) Hillebrand, Chief Executive Officer. "Key elements supporting the Company's results included near-record loan production during the quarter paired with solid year-over-year growth in average loans and deposits, the continuation of very sound credit quality metrics, and an ongoing improvement in net interest margin. These positive factors not only helped us again achieve record earnings, both before and after income tax expense, they also underscored the substantial and fundamental strength of our business model. The Company's history of success and consistent performance owes much to a diversified revenue stream that emanates from the broad range of products and services we offer, along with the geographic diversification we have achieved by expansion to two major metro markets. These strategies, and our successful implementation of them, continue to differentiate Stock Yards Bancorp among community bank peers and provide us with a solid platform from which to grow.

"Loan production in the first quarter of 2019 was very strong, among the best quarterly performances in our company's history, yet we also encountered a record level of loan payoffs – mainly related to collateral sales – that offset that progress," Hillebrand continued. "A familiar trend over the past few years and a natural aspect of a buoyant economy, high loan payoffs reflect attractive opportunities for our customers to monetize assets through opportunistic asset sales. Additionally, we are seeing aggressive permanent financing competition from non-traditional lending institutions. However, we remain focused on the formation of lasting customer relationships – building one relationship at a time – that frequently span multiple generations. Considering our historic focus on these core areas, we recognize the pattern of payoffs that come with this territory and know the opportunities as well. We value the chance to develop long-lasting client associations that entail both lending and deposits, which helps us retain customers across economic cycles like we see now." Hillebrand noted that while the Company has achieved exceptional loan production in pursuit of prudent growth in a competitive environment, it also remains committed to a conservative credit quality culture, as evidenced by key metrics that remain at historically strong levels.

As to revenue diversity, Hillebrand pointed out that the WM&T Group, which has $3.0 billion of assets under management, provided 49% of the Company's non-interest income for the first quarter of 2019. Against a strong first quarter of 2018, WM&T again posted solid results and enjoyed ongoing new business acquisition. Also, revenue from debit and credit cards, along with treasury management fees, combined to account for 26% of first quarter non-interest income. These diverse sources remain key to long-term stability in revenue growth by offsetting soft conditions that occur in other areas, like those currently experienced in mortgage banking, which faces a continued industry-wide slowdown due to higher rates and a tight housing market.

Hillebrand also noted that the Company remains on track to complete the acquisition of King Bancorp and its subsidiary King Southern Bank on the close of business April 30, 2019. The transaction, which will add customers in the Louisville market and extend the Company's reach to neighboring Nelson County, has received regulatory approval and remains subject only to customary closing conditions.

"As we have previously disclosed, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Nancy Davis will retire from the Company on April 30, 2019. On behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone at Stock Yards Bancorp, I would like to thank Nancy for the significant contributions she has made to the Company over her 27-year tenure, helping us grow from $222 million in assets in 1991 to $3.3 billion in assets today. Nancy has played a vital role in our growth and success, positioning us among the strongest and highest performing community banks in the nation. We wish Nancy nothing but the best in her retirement.”

In closing, Hillebrand said, "Our outstanding results for the first quarter reflect both the vibrant economies within our footprint and our solid execution of long-term strategies. Equally important are the hard work and dedication put forth by our team in delivering an unrivaled banking experience for our customers, and for this I am grateful. We look toward the remainder of the year with a sense of confidence and optimism, supported by attractive business fundamentals, a strong loan production pipeline and the opportunity to welcome new customers from King Southern Bank with a broader range of services. Considering these factors, we remain well positioned to extend our track record of top- and bottom-line growth in 2019."

First Quarter 2019 Compared with First Quarter 2018

Total assets remained level at $3.3 billion.

• This was primarily due to a 0.5% increase in the Company's loan portfolio, which rose $13.3 million.

Total deposits increased $179.2 million or 7% to $2.8 billion.

• This primarily reflected an increase in time deposits and demand deposits.
• Core deposits, which exclude brokered deposits and time deposits greater than $250,000, represented 97% of total deposits.

Asset quality, which has remained exceptional and has trended within a narrow range over the past several years, remains strong. While the Company is pleased with this performance, management recognizes the cyclical nature of banking and believes asset quality metrics will normalize over the long term, which will eventually result in higher provisioning for loan and lease losses.

• Non-performing loans (NPLs) were $3.8 million or 0.15% of total loans outstanding versus $12.3 million or 0.49% of total loans outstanding.
• Non-performing assets (NPAs), which include NPLs along with other real estate owned and repossessed assets, were $4.6 million or 0.14% of total assets versus $12.6 million or 0.38% of total assets.
• Based on a net loan loss recovery of $330 thousand versus net charge-offs of $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2018, combined with other considerations, including the overall level of risk in the portfolio, the Company provided $600 thousand for loan and lease losses in the first quarter of 2019 versus $735 thousand in the first quarter of 2018.
• The allowance for loan and lease losses relative to total end-of-period loans increased nine basis points to 1.05% from 0.96%.

The Company remained "well capitalized" – the highest capital rating for financial institutions.

• Total equity to assets was 11.52% and tangible common equity ratio was 11.47%, both improving from 10.28% and 10.23%, respectively (tangible common equity is a non-GAAP financial measure (2)).
• Even with its strong capital position, the Company continues to consistently achieve industry-leading returns on equity due to its superior earnings performance.
• Stock Yards Bancorp continues to pursue and consider strategies to enhance stockholder value, including a substantial and sustained dividend payout ratio. In February 2019, the Company's Board of Directors continued the higher rate of $0.25 per common share initially set in August 2018. With the August increase, Stock Yards Bancorp has raised its quarterly dividend rate a total of 11 times since 2013, including two increases during 2018 and each of the previous four years.
• The Company also opportunistically pursues strategic fill-in or adjacent-market acquisitions to augment organic growth and its capital allocation strategies. In December 2018, the Company announced its planned acquisition of King Bancorp, the holding company for King Southern Bank.

Net interest income – the Company's largest source of revenue – increased approximately $2.3 million or 9% to $29.7 million.

• Interest income rose $5.3 million or 18%. This increase was primarily driven by higher market interest rates and average loan volumes;
• As anticipated, interest expense increased 121% during the first quarter due to growth of deposits – primarily time deposits – resulting from a deposit-gathering campaign last year, along with higher costs on those deposits. That campaign, together with ongoing competition for deposits, could cause funding costs to increase further in 2019.
• Net interest margin increased 10 basis points to 3.89%. This primarily reflected the positive impact of increases in the prime rate, which was 75 basis points higher in the first quarter of 2019 versus the same period of 2018 and higher loan prepayment penalties;
• Approximately 40% of the Company's current loan portfolio is priced at variable rates, so any future rate increases will benefit this part of the portfolio. The remainder of the portfolio is priced at fixed rates. As these loans renew and the Bank originates new fixed-rate loans, pricing could be higher, but pricing will be subject to competitive conditions, prevailing interest rates and a flattening or inverted yield curve.

Non-interest income increased $153 thousand or 1.4% to $11.1 million.

• Increases in fees from debit and credit cards, treasury management fees, as well as other non-interest income were partially offset by lower deposit service charges, mortgage banking income, as well as a slight decrease in WM&T service fees.

Non-interest expenses increased $1.6 million or 8% to $22.6 million.

• The increase primarily reflected an increase in compensation expenses resulting from the addition of new employees to support growth and regular annual salary increases;
• Technology and communication expenses increased due to ongoing investments in hardware and software, as well as higher processing fees for debit and credit cards that mirror growing fee income from debit and credit cards;
• Other non-interest expense increased primarily because of a gain on the sale of other real estate owned that was included in the first quarter of 2018.

The Company's effective tax rate declined to 10.5% from 18.5% primarily because of the recognition of a state deferred tax asset following legislative action to repeal of the Kentucky Franchise Tax in 2021.

• Beginning in 2021, Kentucky franchise tax will be replaced with an income-based tax at a rate of 5%, which is expected to result in higher state taxes to the Company compared with the former capital-based franchise tax that has been historically included in non-interest expenses.

First Quarter 2019 Compared with Fourth Quarter 2018

Total loans declined $22 million or 1%.

• Strong loan production in the first quarter of 2019 was more than offset by a historic level of loan payoffs.

Total deposits decreased $42 million or 2%.

• This primarily was due to a seasonal decrease in interest bearing and non-interest bearing demand deposits.

Asset quality remained at historically strong levels.

• NPLs were $3.8 million or 0.15% of total loans outstanding versus $3.4 million or 0.13% of total loans outstanding.
• NPAs were $4.6 million or 0.14% of total assets versus $4.4 million or 0.13% of total assets.
• Net loan loss recoveries were $330 thousand versus $312 thousand, the second consecutive quarter of net recoveries.
• The Company recorded a provision for loan and lease losses of $600 thousand; there was no provision in the fourth quarter of 2018.
• The allowance for loan and lease losses relative to total end-of-period loans was 1.05%, an increase of five basis points from the fourth quarter of 2018.

Net interest income declined 1%.

• Interest income rose $25 thousand or 0.1%.
• Interest expense rose $280 thousand or 6% primarily due to higher funding costs.
• Net interest margin increased five basis points to 3.89%.

Non-interest income decreased 4%.

• Increases in WM&T service fees and other non-interest income were offset by declines in deposit service charges, treasury management fees and bank owned life insurance, with the prior quarter reflecting the rare receipt of life insurance proceeds.

Non-interest expenses declined 8%.

• This decrease reflected primarily lower amortization/impairment of investments in tax credit partnerships caused by the irregular timing of such opportunities, which causes corresponding expenses and tax benefits to vary widely, along with lower legal and professional fees.

About the Company

Louisville, Kentucky-based Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc., with $3.3 billion in assets, was incorporated in 1988 as a bank holding company. It is the parent company of Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company, which was established in 1904. The Company's common shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol SYBT.

This report contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the Company's management believes the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of these assumptions could be inaccurate. Therefore, there can be no assurance the forward-looking statements included herein will prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: economic conditions both generally and more specifically in the markets in which the Company and its subsidiary operates; competition for the Company's customers from other providers of financial services; government legislation and regulation, which change and over which the Company has no control; changes in interest rates; material unforeseen changes in liquidity, results of operations, or financial condition of the Company's customers; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. See Risk Factors outlined in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Additionally, these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing and benefits of the proposed acquisition of King Bancorp, Inc., including future financial and operating results, cost savings, enhanced revenues, and accretion/dilution to reported earnings that may be realized from the acquisition, as well as other statements of expectations regarding the acquisition and other statements of goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding its business plan and growth strategies; statements regarding the asset quality of King Bancorp's loan and investment portfolios; and estimates of King Bancorp's risks and future costs and benefits, whether with respect to the acquisition or otherwise.

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