OLNEY, Md., Jan. 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., (Nasdaq:SASR) the parent company of Sandy Spring Bank, today announced net income for the fourth quarter of 2012 of $9.9 million ($.40 per diluted share) compared to net income of $7.3 million ($0.30 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2011 and net income of $11.0 million ($0.44 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2012.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 totaled $36.6 million ($1.48 per diluted share), compared to net income of $34.1 million ($1.41 per diluted share) for the prior year, an increase of 7%.

"The solid results for the fourth quarter and the full year were a result of the combination of increased loan growth and continued improvement to our funding mix," said Daniel J. Schrider, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Looking back on 2012, we benefited from two full quarters of the accretive effect on the net interest margin from the CommerceFirst acquisition combined with a stellar year in income from our mortgage banking activities."

"We are committed to providing outstanding value to our clients via quality financial products delivered through a consistently high level of service that they have come to expect," said Schrider. "Together with our strong capital and liquidity positions and improved credit quality, we believe we are well positioned for continued growth during the coming year."

Fourth Quarter Highlights:

  • Pre-tax pre-provision income, a non-GAAP measure, was $15.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, a 26% increase over the fourth quarter of 2011 and a 7% decrease compared to the third quarter of 2012.
  • The net interest margin was 3.53% for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to 3.51% for the fourth quarter of 2011 and 3.67% for the third quarter of 2012. The decrease compared to the prior quarter was due primarily to the accrual status of specific commercial loans together with declining yields in the residential construction and mortgage portfolios.
  • Non-interest income increased 8% for the quarter compared to the prior year quarter and remained virtually level compared to the third quarter of 2012. The increase over the prior year quarter was due primarily to higher income from mortgage banking activities.
  • Non-performing loans totaled $57.9 million at December 31, 2012 compared to $79.1 million at December 31, 2011 and $58.9 million at September 30, 2012. The coverage ratio of the allowance for loan and lease losses to non-performing loans increased to 74% at December 31, 2012 compared to a ratio of 62% at December 31, 2011 and 72% at September 30, 2012.
  • Total loans, excluding those acquired in the CommerceFirst acquisition, reflected a 6% increase over the prior year quarter due primarily to growth in commercial business, investor real estate and residential mortgage loans.

Review of Balance Sheet and Credit Quality

Total assets increased 7% to $4.0 billion at December 31, 2012 as compared to December 31, 2011. During the same period, total loans and leases increased 13% to $2.5 billion compared to the prior year end. This increase consisted of $155.0 million in loans from the acquisition of CommerceFirst and $136.4 million of internally-generated loan growth, primarily in the commercial loan and residential mortgage portfolios.

Customer funding sources, which include deposits and other short-term borrowings from customers, increased 9% compared to December 31, 2011. This increase was due primarily to a 25% increase in noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing checking accounts. The Company considers the growth in checking accounts to be an especially valuable metric as such accounts typically are the primary drivers of growth in multiple product banking relationships with clients. Excluding the deposits acquired in the CommerceFirst acquisition, total customer funding sources increased 5% while certificates of deposit declined 17% at December 31, 2012 compared to balances at December 31, 2011, as the Company managed its deposit mix to maintain the net interest margin.

Tangible common equity totaled $384.2 million at December 31, 2012 compared to $351.3 million at December 31, 2011 resulting in an increase in the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets from 9.68% at December 31, 2011 to 9.94% at December 31, 2012. This increase was due primarily to net income earned during 2012. At December 31, 2012, the Company had a total risk-based capital ratio of 15.40%, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 14.15% and a tier 1 leverage ratio of 10.98%.

Non-performing loans totaled $57.9 million at December 31, 2012 compared to $79.1 million at December 31, 2011 and $58.9 million at September 30, 2012. Overall credit quality continued to improve as a result of resolution of existing problem credits and limited migration of new credits to non-performing status.

The provision for loan and lease losses was $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $2.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 and $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2012. The decrease in the provision for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 was due primarily to a decline in both historical losses and the impact of non-performing loans at December 31, 2012. The increase in the provision for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2012 was largely due to an increase in the overall size of the loan portfolio together with an increase in specific reserves on selected loans.

Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, totaled $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to net charge-offs of $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2011 and net charge-offs of $2.9 million for the third quarter of 2012. The allowance for loan and lease losses represented 1.70% of outstanding loans and leases and 74% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2012 compared to 2.21% of outstanding loans and leases and 62% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2011 and 1.73% of outstanding loans and leases and 72% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2012. Non-performing loans includes accruing loans 90 days or more past due and restructured loans.

Income Statement Review

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by $2.5 million or 9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 due to an increase in average interest-earning assets from the CommerceFirst transaction and organic growth. Combined with a lower cost deposit mix, these factors resulted in an increase in the net interest margin to 3.53% for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 3.51% for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Non-interest income increased $0.8 million or 8% to $12.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $11.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. This increase was driven by growth in income from mortgage banking activities of $0.9 million due to higher loan origination volumes and higher average gains on sales, both due to historically low interest rates during the quarter.

Non-interest expenses remained virtually level at $27.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $27.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. This was driven by decreases in benefits expenses, commissions on sales of investment products and incentive compensation which largely offset a 5% increase in salaries. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio improved to 60.5% for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 65.1% for the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $8.3 million or 7% compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 due to an increase in average earning assets resulting from organic loan growth, loans acquired in the CommerceFirst acquisition and an increased level of noninterest-bearing deposits, which more than offset lower earning asset yields. These factors, together with a decline in the cost of funds, resulted in an increase in the net interest margin to 3.60% for 2012 compared to 3.57% for 2011.

Non-interest income increased $3.5 million or 8% to $47.0 million for 2012 as compared to $43.5 million for 2011. This increase was due primarily to an increase of $2.8 million or 87% in income from mortgage banking activities due to higher volumes and increased average gains from refinancing activity. Revenue from wealth management services increased $0.3 million or 2% due primarily to higher assets under management while Visa check fees increased $0.3 million or 7% due to an increased volume of electronic transactions.

Non-interest expenses were $109.9 million for 2012 compared to $105.1 million for 2011, an increase of $4.8 million or 5%. Excluding one-time merger expenses of $2.5 million in 2012, non-interest expenses increased 2% over the prior year. This increase was driven by a 4% increase in salaries and benefits expense, excluding merger expenses, due to merit salary increases, a larger staff and higher cost of health benefits. These expenses were partially offset by a 19% decrease in FDIC insurance premiums due to a change in calculation of such premiums effective in the third quarter of 2011. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio was 60.9% for 2012 compared to 63.8% for 2011.

Conference Call

The Company's management will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year results today at 2:00 P.M. (ET). A live Web cast of the conference call is available through the Investor Relations section of the Sandy Spring Web site at www.sandyspringbank.com. Participants may call 1-888-317-6016. A password is not necessary. Visitors to the Web site are advised to log on 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled start of the call. An internet-based replay will be available at the Web site until 9:00 am (ET) February 25, 2013. A replay of the teleconference will be available through the same time period by calling 1-877-344-7529 under conference call number 10023201.

About Sandy Spring Bancorp/Sandy Spring Bank

With $4.0 billion in assets, Sandy Spring Bancorp is the holding company for Sandy Spring Bank and its principal subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation and West Financial Services, Inc. Sandy Spring Bancorp is the largest publicly traded banking company headquartered and operating in Maryland. Sandy Spring is a community banking organization that focuses its lending and other services on businesses and consumers in the local market area. Independent and community-oriented, Sandy Spring Bank was founded in 1868 and offers a broad range of commercial banking, retail banking and trust services through 49 community offices in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. Through its subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of insurance and investment management services. Visit www.sandyspringbank.com to locate an ATM near you or for more information about Sandy Spring Bank.

The Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4138

Forward-Looking Statements

Sandy Spring Bancorp makes forward-looking statements in this news release and in the conference call regarding this news release. These forward-looking statements may include: statements of goals, intentions, earnings expectations, and other expectations; estimates of risks and of future costs and benefits; assessments of probable loan and lease losses; assessments of market risk; and statements of the ability to achieve financial and other goals.

Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project" and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Sandy Spring Bancorp does not assume any duty and does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those that Sandy Spring Bancorp anticipated in its forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

Sandy Spring Bancorp's forward-looking statements are subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of the Company's loan or investment portfolios; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; the Company's ability to retain key members of management; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties. Sandy Spring Bancorp provides greater detail regarding some of these factors in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, including in the Risk Factors section of that report, and in its other SEC reports. Sandy Spring Bancorp's forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those that it may discuss elsewhere in this news release or in its filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
December 31, % December 31, %
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change
Results of Operations:
Net interest income  $ 30,920  $ 28,452 9%  $ 121,219  $ 112,946 7%
Provision for loan and lease losses  1,168 2,282 (49) 3,649 1,428 156
Non-interest income  12,247  11,370 8  46,956  43,500 8
Non-interest expenses  27,219  27,323  --  109,927  105,071 5
Income before income taxes  14,780  10,217 45  54,599  49,947 9
Net income   9,881  7,258 36  36,554  34,102 7
Pre-tax pre-provision pre-merger expense income   $ 15,740  $ 12,499 26  $ 60,748  $ 51,375 18
Return on average assets  1.01%  0.79%  0.97%  0.95%
Return on average common equity  8.14%  6.54%  7.85%  8.07%
Net interest margin  3.53%  3.51%  3.60%  3.57%
Efficiency ratio - GAAP (1)  63.06%  68.61%  65.36%  67.16%
Efficiency ratio - Non-GAAP (1)  60.54%  65.10%  60.94%  63.75%
Per share data:
Basic net income  $ 0.40  $ 0.30 33%  $ 1.49  $ 1.42 5%
Diluted net income  $ 0.40  0.30 33  1.48 1.41 5
Average fully diluted shares  24,971,249  24,141,084 3  24,657,149  24,149,205 2
Dividends declared per share  $ 0.14  0.10 40  $ 0.48 0.34 41
Book value per share  19.41 18.52 5  19.41 18.52 5
Tangible book value per share  15.43 14.58 6  15.43 14.58 6
Outstanding shares  24,905,392  24,091,042 3  24,905,392  24,091,042 3
Financial Condition at period-end:
Investment securities  $ 1,075,032  $ 1,164,699 (8)%  $ 1,075,032  $ 1,164,699 (8)%
Loans and leases  2,531,128  2,239,692 13  2,531,128  2,239,692 13
Interest-earning assets  3,669,175  3,452,214 6  3,669,175  3,452,214 6
Assets  3,955,206  3,711,370 7  3,955,206  3,711,370 7
Deposits  2,913,034  2,656,520 10  2,913,034  2,656,520 10
Interest-bearing liabilities  2,592,606  2,590,165  --  2,592,606  2,590,165  --
Stockholders' equity  483,512  446,109 8  483,512  446,109 8
Capital ratios:
Tier 1 leverage   10.98% 10.84%  10.98%  10.84%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets  14.15% 14.57%  14.15%  14.57%
Total regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets  15.40% 15.83%  15.40%  15.83%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (2)  9.94% 9.68%  9.94%  9.68%
Average equity to average assets  12.35% 12.07%  12.32%  11.80%
Credit quality ratios:
Allowance for loan and lease losses to loans and leases  1.70%  2.21%  1.70%  2.21%
Non-performing loans to total loans  2.29%  3.53%  2.29%  3.53%
Non-performing assets to total assets  1.61%  2.25%  1.61%  2.25%
Allowance for loan and lease losses to non-performing loans  74.18%  62.46%  74.18%  62.46%
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans and leases (3)  0.13%  0.47%  0.42%  0.66%
(1) The GAAP efficiency ratio is non-interest expenses divided by net interest income plus non-interest income from the Consolidated Statements of Income. The traditional, non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes intangible asset amortization and merger expenses from non-interest expense; securities gains (losses) from non-interest income; OTTI; and the tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income. See the Reconciliation Table included with these Financial Highlights.
(2) The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is a non-GAAP ratio that divides assets excluding intangible assets into stockholders' equity after deducting intangible assets and other comprehensive gains (losses). See the Reconciliation Table included with these Financial Highlights.
(3) Calculation utilizes average loans and leases, excluding residential mortgage loans held-for-sale.
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
RECONCILIATION TABLE - UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
December 31, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Pre-tax pre-provision pre-merger expense income:
Net income  $ 9,881  $ 7,258  $ 36,554  $ 34,102
Plus non-GAAP adjustment:
Merger expenses  (208)  --   2,500  -- 
Income taxes  4,899  2,959  18,045  15,845
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses  1,168  2,282  3,649  1,428
Pre-tax pre-provision pre-merger expense income  $ 15,740  $ 12,499  $ 60,748  $ 51,375
GAAP efficiency ratio:
Non-interest expenses   $ 27,219  $ 27,323  $ 109,927  $ 105,071
Net interest income plus non-interest income  $ 43,167  $ 39,822  $ 168,175  $ 156,446
GAAP Efficiency ratio 63.06% 68.61% 65.36% 67.16%
Non-GAAP efficiency ratio:
Non-interest expenses   $ 27,219  $ 27,323  $ 109,927  $ 105,071
Less non-GAAP adjustment:
Amortization of intangible assets  478  461  1,881  1,845
Merger expenses  (208)  --   2,500  -- 
Non-interest expenses -- as adjusted  $ 26,949  $ 26,862  $ 105,546  $ 103,226
Net interest income plus non-interest income   $ 43,167  $ 39,822  $ 168,175  $ 156,446
Plus non-GAAP adjustment:
Tax-equivalent income  1,334  1,448  5,374  5,602
Less non-GAAP adjustments:
Securities gains  --   9  459  292
OTTI recognized in earnings  (14)  --  (109)  (160)
Net interest income plus non-interest income - as adjusted  $ 44,515  $ 41,261  $ 173,199  $ 161,916
Non-GAAP Efficiency ratio 60.54% 65.10% 60.94% 63.75%
Tangible common equity ratio:
Total stockholders' equity  $ 483,512  $ 446,109  $ 483,512  $ 446,109
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  (11,312)  (13,248)  (11,312)  (13,248)
Goodwill  (84,808)  (76,816)  (84,808)  (76,816)
Other intangible assets, net  (3,163)  (4,734)  (3,163)  (4,734)
Tangible common equity  $ 384,229  $ 351,311  $ 384,229  $ 351,311
Total assets  $ 3,955,206  $ 3,711,370  $ 3,955,206  $ 3,711,370
Goodwill  (84,808)  (76,816)  (84,808)  (76,816)
Other intangible assets, net  (3,163)  (4,734)  (3,163)  (4,734)
Tangible assets  $ 3,867,235  $ 3,629,820  $ 3,867,235  $ 3,629,820
Tangible common equity ratio 9.94% 9.68% 9.94% 9.68%
Outstanding common shares  24,905,392  24,091,042  24,905,392  24,091,042
Tangible book value per common share  $ 15.43  $ 14.58  $ 15.43  $ 14.58
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION - UNAUDITED
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2012 2011
Assets
Cash and due from banks  $ 59,540  $ 49,832
Federal funds sold  466  1,006
Interest-bearing deposits with banks  26,400  21,476
Cash and cash equivalents  86,406  72,314
Residential mortgage loans held for sale (at fair value)   36,149  25,341
Investments available-for-sale (at fair value)  825,582  951,301
Investments held-to-maturity --- fair value of $222,024 and $184,167 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively  215,814  178,465
Other equity securities  33,636  34,933
Total loans and leases  2,531,128  2,239,692
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses  (42,957)  (49,426)
Net loans and leases  2,488,171  2,190,266
Premises and equipment, net  48,326  48,483
Other real estate owned  5,926  4,431
Accrued interest receivable  12,392  12,898
Goodwill  84,808  76,816
Other intangible assets, net   3,163  4,734
Other assets  114,833  111,388
Total assets  $ 3,955,206  $ 3,711,370
Liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits  $ 847,415  $ 650,377
Interest-bearing deposits  2,065,619  2,006,143
Total deposits  2,913,034  2,656,520
Securities sold under retail repurchase agreements and federal funds purchased  86,929  143,613
Advances from FHLB  405,058  405,408
Subordinated debentures  35,000  35,000
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities  31,673  24,720
Total liabilities  3,471,694  3,265,261
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock --- par value $1.00; shares authorized 50,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 24,905,392 and 24,091,042 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively  24,905  24,091
Additional paid in capital  191,689  177,828
Retained earnings  255,606  230,942
Accumulated other comprehensive income  11,312  13,248
Total stockholders' equity  483,512  446,109
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 3,955,206  $ 3,711,370
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Interest Income:
Interest and fees on loans and leases  $ 29,410  $ 26,758  $ 115,574  $ 107,355
Interest on loans held for sale  254  189  841  577
Interest on deposits with banks  28  15  111  77
Interest and dividends on investment securities:
Taxable  4,142  5,314  17,951  22,096
Exempt from federal income taxes  2,368  2,431  9,392  9,363
Interest on federal funds sold  --  1  1  2
Total interest income  36,202  34,708  143,870  139,470
Interest Expense:
Interest on deposits  1,650  2,329  7,357  11,002
Interest on retail repurchase agreements and federal funds purchased  46  57  204  212
Interest on advances from FHLB  3,359  3,628  14,131  14,397
Interest on subordinated debt  227  242  959  913
Total interest expense  5,282  6,256  22,651  26,524
Net interest income  30,920  28,452  121,219  112,946
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses  1,168  2,282  3,649  1,428
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses  29,752  26,170  117,570  111,518
Non-interest Income:
Investment securities gains  --  9  459  292
Total other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses  (14)  --  (109)  (178)
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes  --  --  --  18
Net OTTI recognized in earnings  (14)  --  (109)  (160)
Service charges on deposit accounts  2,197  2,394  8,910  9,527
Mortgage banking activities  1,738  824  6,032  3,228
Wealth management income  4,000  4,041  15,949  15,646
Insurance agency commissions  1,334  1,473  4,490  4,650
Income from bank owned life insurance  662  674  2,616  2,636
Visa check fees  1,043  927  3,887  3,637
Other income  1,287  1,028  4,722  4,044
Total non-interest income  12,247  11,370  46,956  43,500
Non-interest Expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits  15,405  15,433  62,509  59,625
Occupancy expense of premises  3,115  2,802  12,010  11,519
Equipment expenses  1,189  1,292  4,871  4,705
Marketing  827  727  2,651  2,389
Outside data services  836  1,092  5,019  4,159
FDIC insurance  601  698  2,573  3,187
Amortization of intangible assets  478  461  1,881  1,845
Other expenses  4,768  4,818  18,413  17,642
Total non-interest expenses  27,219  27,323  109,927  105,071
Income before income taxes  14,780  10,217  54,599  49,947
Income tax expense  4,899  2,959  18,045  15,845
Net income  $ 9,881  $ 7,258  $ 36,554  $ 34,102
Net Income Per Share Amounts:
Basic net income per share  $ 0.40  $ 0.30  $ 1.49  $ 1.42
Diluted net income per share  $ 0.40  $ 0.30  $ 1.48  $ 1.41
Dividends declared per share  $ 0.14  $ 0.10  $ 0.48  $ 0.34
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
HISTORICAL TRENDS - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA - UNAUDITED
2012 2011
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Profitability for the quarter:
Tax-equivalent interest income  $ 37,536  $ 38,819  $ 36,898  $ 35,991  $ 36,156  $ 36,424  $ 36,435  $ 36,057
Interest expense  5,282 5,710 5,749 5,910 6,256 6,674 6,854 6,740
Tax-equivalent net interest income  32,254 33,109 31,149 30,081 29,900 29,750 29,581 29,317
Tax-equivalent adjustment  1,334 1,324 1,340 1,376 1,448 1,420 1,427 1,307
Provision for loan and lease losses  1,168 232 1,585 664 2,282 (3,520) 1,151 1,515
Non-interest income  12,247 12,242 11,493 10,974 11,370 11,336 10,802 9,992
Non-interest expenses  27,219 27,167 28,858 26,683 27,323 25,848 25,838 26,062
Income before income taxes  14,780 16,628 10,859 12,332 10,217 17,338 11,967 10,425
Income tax expense   4,899 5,638 3,652 3,856 2,959 6,081 3,671 3,134
Net income   $ 9,881  $ 10,990  $ 7,207  $ 8,476  $ 7,258  $ 11,257  $ 8,296  $ 7,291
Financial performance:
Pre-tax pre-provision pre-merger expense income  $ 15,740  $ 16,996  $ 14,642  $ 13,370  $ 12,499  $ 13,818  $ 13,118  $ 11,940
Return on average assets 1.01% 1.13% 0.78% 0.94% 0.79% 1.24% 0.93% 0.84%
Return on average common equity 8.14% 9.22% 6.34% 7.60% 6.54% 10.42% 8.03% 7.26%
Net interest margin 3.53% 3.67% 3.62% 3.56% 3.51% 3.53% 3.58% 3.65%
Efficiency ratio - GAAP (1) 63.06% 61.70% 69.87% 67.25% 68.61% 65.16% 66.33% 68.58%
Efficiency ratio - Non-GAAP (1) 60.54% 58.91% 61.54% 63.88% 65.10% 62.02% 62.82% 65.09%
Per share data:
Basic net income per share  $ 0.40  $ 0.44  $ 0.30  $ 0.35  $ 0.30  $ 0.47  $ 0.34  $ 0.30
Diluted net income per share  0.40  $ 0.44  $ 0.30  $ 0.35  $ 0.30  $ 0.47  $ 0.34  $ 0.30
Average fully diluted shares 24,971,249 24,949,205 24,423,236 24,180,501 24,141,084 24,142,137 24,130,357 24,115,906
Dividends declared per common share  $ 0.14  $ 0.12  $ 0.12  $ 0.10  $ 0.10  $ 0.08  $ 0.08  $ 0.08
Non-interest income:
Securities gains  $ --  $ 296  $ 90  $ 73  $ 9  $ 231  $ 32  $ 20
Net OTTI recognized in earnings  (14)  (23)  (8)  (64)  --  (76)  (43)  (41)
Service charges on deposit accounts  2,197 2,230 2,283 2,200 2,394  2,444  2,437  2,252
Mortgage banking activities  1,738 1,981 1,288 1,025 824  1,141  808  455
Wealth management income  4,000 3,858 4,034 4,057 4,041  3,937  4,023  3,645
Insurance agency commissions  1,334 1,020 934 1,202 1,473  1,044  953  1,180
Income from bank owned life insurance  662 660 660 634 674  662  654  646
Visa check fees  1,043 984 962 898 927  927  949  834
Other income  1,287 1,236 1,250 949 1,028  1,026  989  1,001
Total non-interest income  $ 12,247  $ 12,242  $ 11,493  $ 10,974  $ 11,370  $ 11,336  $ 10,802  $ 9,992
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits  $ 15,405  $ 15,476  $ 15,927  $ 15,701  $ 15,433  $ 14,892  $ 14,676  $ 14,624
Occupancy expense of premises  3,115  3,106  2,943  2,846  2,802  2,784 2,790 3,143
Equipment expenses  1,189  1,237  1,255  1,190  1,292  1,143 1,128 1,142
Marketing  827  764  565  495  727  468 709 485
Outside data services  836  1,076  1,828  1,279  1,092  1,073 999 995
FDIC insurance  601  667  653  652  698  709 736 1,044
Amortization of intangible assets  478  476  466  461  461  461 462 461
Professional fees 1,584 1,282 2,156  1,287 1,414  1,314 1,088 1,126
Other real estate owned expenses 316 174 351  64 604  383 726 699
Other expenses 2,868 2,909 2,714  2,708 2,800  2,621 2,524 2,343
Total non-interest expense  $ 27,219  $ 27,167  $ 28,858  $ 26,683  $ 27,323  $ 25,848  $ 25,838  $ 26,062
(1) The GAAP efficiency ratio is non-interest expenses divided by net interest income plus non-interest income from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The traditional, non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes intangible asset amortization and merger expenses from non-interest expense; excludes securities gains; OTTI losses from non-interest income; and adds the tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income. See the Reconciliation Table included with these Financial Highlights.
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
HISTORICAL TRENDS - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA - UNAUDITED
2012 2011
(Dollars in thousands) Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Balance sheets at quarter end:
Residential mortgage loans  $ 523,364  $ 499,806  $ 472,426  $ 465,204  $ 448,662  $ 440,606  $ 445,605  $ 444,519
Residential construction loans 120,314 128,606 130,791 122,841 108,699 90,727 81,425 84,939
Commercial ADC loans 151,933 133,007 151,620 149,814 160,946 141,576 149,215 151,135
Commercial investor real estate loans 456,888 447,536 443,237 392,626 371,948 357,358 353,749 355,967
Commercial owner occupied real estate loans 571,510 579,711 579,812 525,022 522,076 519,837 511,271 509,215
Commercial business loans 346,708 322,087 334,040 253,827 260,327 226,528 225,624 231,448
Leasing 3,421 4,233 5,618 5,843 6,954 8,484 10,200 12,477
Consumer loans 356,990 353,999 357,534 356,215 360,080 360,287 360,831 360,349
Total loans and leases 2,531,128 2,468,985 2,475,078 2,271,392 2,239,692 2,145,403 2,137,920 2,150,049
Allowance for loan and lease losses (42,957) (42,618) (45,265) (45,061) (49,426) (49,720) (55,246) (58,918)
Investment securities 1,075,032 1,074,918 1,006,743 1,067,462 1,164,699 1,174,180 1,128,589 1,087,620
Interest-earning assets 3,669,175 3,614,310 3,584,480 3,416,136 3,452,214 3,370,360 3,322,317 3,283,819
Total assets 3,955,206 3,887,427 3,855,177 3,668,273 3,711,370 3,626,043 3,612,016 3,549,533
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 847,415 818,674 763,566 685,770 650,377 643,169 648,605 619,905
Total deposits 2,913,034 2,880,262 2,852,055 2,681,075 2,656,520 2,640,324 2,657,861 2,599,634
Customer repurchase agreements 51,929 58,306 64,779 73,130 63,613 79,529 65,214 75,516
Total interest-bearing liabilities 2,592,606 2,560,040 2,593,501 2,508,756 2,590,164 2,517,180 2,515,053 2,495,916
Total stockholders' equity 483,512 481,810 471,464 451,917 446,109 440,791 423,684 409,076
Quarterly average balance sheets:
Residential mortgage loans  $ 542,095  $ 510,475  $ 488,644  $ 474,149  $ 463,754  $ 453,645  $ 455,803  $ 458,329
Residential construction loans  125,640  133,236  125,582  116,630  99,983 89,128 84,144 85,891
Commercial ADC loans  137,679  142,870  151,374  159,769  153,598 145,835 149,773 149,071
Commercial investor real estate loans  453,074  445,012  410,258  377,072  353,975 350,925 352,668 340,008
Commercial owner occupied real estate loans  577,693  580,994  539,590  518,763  521,212 515,185 509,273 500,875
Commercial business loans  322,501  332,364  284,271  258,099  231,773 225,041 225,646 236,949
Leasing  3,773  4,858  5,528  6,325  7,671 9,269 11,154 14,009
Consumer loans  356,452  357,135  359,008  358,783  361,888 360,875 362,098 367,261
Total loans and leases  2,518,907  2,506,945  2,364,255  2,269,590  2,193,854 2,149,903 2,150,559 2,152,393
Investment securities 1,072,278 1,038,586 1,052,502  1,086,295 1,173,418 1,168,712 1,121,325 1,054,740
Interest-earning assets 3,639,605 3,599,715 3,453,590  3,389,843 3,392,773 3,355,937 3,305,059 3,237,556
Total assets 3,908,479 3,863,951 3,708,622  3,637,674 3,647,291 3,610,219 3,566,278 3,500,807
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 824,188 774,215 699,638  641,477 655,381 631,192 607,092 582,441
Total deposits 2,891,120 2,857,523 2,714,980  2,642,634 2,658,676 2,640,729 2,607,854 2,548,117
Customer repurchase agreements  60,941  62,693  66,674  65,195 74,267 72,646 70,313 79,067
Total interest-bearing liabilities 2,571,937 2,587,815 2,526,541  2,523,394 2,525,128 2,524,728 2,519,114 2,485,451
Total stockholders' equity 482,621 474,231 457,338  448,406 440,154 428,511 414,624 407,007
Financial Measures
Average equity to average assets 12.35% 12.27% 12.33% 12.33% 12.07% 11.87% 11.63% 11.63%
Investment securities to earning assets 29.30% 29.74% 28.09% 31.25% 33.74% 34.84% 33.97% 33.12%
Loans to earnings assets 68.98% 68.31% 69.05% 66.49% 64.88% 63.66% 64.35% 65.47%
Loans to assets 63.99% 63.51% 64.20% 61.92% 60.35% 59.17% 59.19% 60.57%
Loans to deposits 86.89% 85.72% 86.78% 84.72% 84.31% 81.26% 80.44% 82.71%
Capital measures:
Tier 1 leverage  10.98% 10.99% 11.21% 11.05% 10.84% 10.79% 10.64% 10.63%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets 14.15% 14.31% 14.12% 14.89% 14.57% 14.96% 14.75% 14.21%
Total regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets 15.40% 15.56% 15.36% 16.14% 15.83% 16.21% 16.01% 15.48%
Book value per share  $ 19.41  $ 19.35  $ 18.94  $ 18.72  $ 18.52  $ 18.31  $ 17.58  $ 16.99
Outstanding shares  24,905,392  24,896,136  24,886,724  24,143,985  24,091,042  24,079,204 24,095,123 24,084,423
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
LOAN PORTFOLIO QUALITY DETAIL - UNAUDITED
2012 2011
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, September 30, June 30,  March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,  March 31,
Non-Performing Assets:
Loans and leases 90 days past due:
Commercial business  $ 24  $ 44  $ 70  $ 40  $ --   $ --   $ --   $ -- 
Commercial real estate:
Commercial AD&C  --  --  342  --  --  --  --  --
Commercial investor real estate  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --
Commercial owner occupied real estate  209  --  --  --  --  --  --  --
Leasing  --  127  96  --  2  63  20  24
Consumer  14  18  5  89  165  373  337  169
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgage  --  116  91  167  167  2,291  3,820  4,616
Residential construction  --  --  --  --  243  --  --  2,367
Total loans and leases 90 days past due  247  305  604  296  577  2,727  4,177  7,176
Non-accrual loans and leases:
Commercial business  4,611  4,919  4,583  6,542  7,226  8,038  8,288  9,649
Commercial real estate:
Commercial AD&C  6,332  8,957  13,055  14,303  18,702  24,481  26,133  28,310
Commercial investor real estate  11,843  12,345  13,327  13,893  16,963  16,118  2,975  2,519
Commercial owner occupied real estate  13,681  13,742  15,146  16,295  14,709  11,847  13,019  12,304
Leasing  865  834  872  858  853  956  1,017  1,529
Consumer  2,410  1,607  1,651  1,700  1,786  1,478  590  720
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgage  4,681  3,644  2,600  4,818  5,722  6,081  6,295  6,652
Residential construction  3,125  3,236  4,333  4,929  5,719  5,034  5,701  5,222
Total non-accrual loans and lease  47,548  49,284  55,567  63,338  71,680  74,033  64,018  66,905
Total restructured loans - accruing  10,110  9,277  8,285  8,547  6,881  6,088  8,299  14,266
Total non-performing loans and leases  57,905  58,866  64,456  72,181  79,138  82,848  76,494  88,347
Other assets and real estate owned (OREO)  5,926  9,291  9,553  4,834  4,431  7,938  6,951  7,960
Total non-performing assets  $ 63,831  $ 68,157  $ 74,009  $ 77,015  $ 83,569  $ 90,786  $ 83,445  $ 96,307
 For the quarter ended, 
 December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011
Analysis of Non-accrual Loan and Lease Activity:
Balance at beginning of period  $ 49,284  $ 55,567  $ 63,338  $ 71,680  $ 74,033  $ 64,018  $ 66,905  $ 63,327
Non-accrual balances transferred to OREO  (400)  (232)  (2,131)  --  (511)  (142)  (791)  (535)
Non-accrual balances charged-off  (979)  (3,697)  (1,663)  (4,965)  (2,758)  (1,375)  (2,112)  (2,701)
Net payments or draws  (3,852)  (6,342)  (4,149)  (5,061)  (6,724)  (4,839)  (8,016)  (2,531)
Loans placed on non-accrual  5,023  3,988  1,261  1,809  8,640  17,226  8,032  9,526
Non-accrual loans brought current  (1,528)  --  (1,089)  (125)  (1,000)  (855)  --  (181)
Balance at end of period  $ 47,548  $ 49,284  $ 55,567  $ 63,338  $ 71,680  $ 74,033  $ 64,018  $ 66,905
Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses:
Balance at beginning of period  $ 42,618  $ 45,265  $ 45,061  $ 49,426  $ 49,720  $ 55,246  $ 58,918  $ 62,135
Provision for loan and lease losses  1,168  232  1,585  664  2,282  (3,520)  1,151  1,515
Less loans charged-off, net of recoveries:
Commercial business  (76)  (225)  (185)  (39)  (65)  397  769  790
Commercial real estate:
Commercial AD&C  (248)  1,983  (59)  1,076  275  151  253  (137)
Commercial investor real estate  110  123  140  3,219  335  30  504  (4)
Commercial owner occupied real estate  --  653  484  --  329  45  113  --
Leasing  --  (17)  (3)  5  181  85  455  333
Consumer  384  111  228  348  352  375  713  1,091
Residential real estate:
Residential mortgage  508  253  713  420  792  751  1,319  2,095
Residential construction  151  (2)  63  --  377  172  697  564
Net charge-offs  829  2,879  1,381  5,029  2,576  2,006  4,823  4,732
Balance at end of period  $ 42,957  $ 42,618  $ 45,265  $ 45,061  $ 49,426  $ 49,720  $ 55,246  $ 58,918
Asset Quality Ratios:
Non-performing loans to total loans 2.29% 2.38% 2.60% 3.18% 3.53% 3.86% 3.58% 4.11%
Non-performing assets to total assets 1.61% 1.75% 1.92% 2.10% 2.25% 2.50% 2.31% 2.71%
Allowance for loan losses to loans 1.70% 1.73% 1.83% 1.98% 2.21% 2.32% 2.58% 2.74%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans 74.18% 72.40% 70.23% 62.43% 62.46% 60.01% 72.22% 66.69%
Net charge-offs in quarter to average loans 0.13% 0.46% 0.23% 0.89% 0.47% 0.37% 0.90% 0.89%
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS AND RATES - UNAUDITED
Three Months Ended December 31,
2012 2011
 Annualized  Annualized 
Average  (1)  Average Average  (1)  Average
(Dollars in thousands and tax-equivalent) Balances Interest Yield/Rate Balances Interest Yield/Rate
Assets
Residential mortgage loans (2)  $ 542,095  $ 5,278 3.93%  $ 463,754  $ 5,224 4.53%
Residential construction loans 125,640 1,076 3.41 99,983 962 3.82
Commercial ADC loans 137,679 1,866 5.39 153,598 2,006 5.18
Commercial investor real estate loans 453,074 6,242 5.48 353,975 4,977 5.53
Commercial owner occupied real estate loans 577,693 7,514 5.26 521,212 7,511 5.75
Commercial business loans 322,501 4,523 5.43 231,773 2,851 4.88
Leasing 3,773 54 5.62 7,671 131 6.83
Consumer loans 356,452 3,111 3.50 361,888 3,285 3.62
Total loans and leases (3) 2,518,907 29,664 4.71 2,193,854 26,947 4.89
Taxable securities 768,412 4,493 2.34 902,211 5,661 2.51
Tax-exempt securities (4) 303,866 3,351 4.41 271,207 3,532 5.21
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 47,954 28 0.22 24,374 15 0.25
Federal funds sold 466  --  0.22 1,127  1 0.12
Total interest-earning assets 3,639,605 37,536 4.11 3,392,773 36,156 4.24
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses (42,741) (51,126)
Cash and due from banks 48,803 46,121
Premises and equipment, net 48,626 48,800
Other assets 214,186 210,723
Total assets  $3,908,479  $3,647,291
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $ 400,175  88 0.09%  $ 352,244  86 0.10%
Regular savings deposits 220,814  44 0.08 188,877  41 0.09
Money market savings deposits 900,991 472 0.21 871,923 682 0.31
Time deposits 544,952 1,046 0.76 590,250 1,520 1.02
Total interest-bearing deposits 2,066,932 1,650 0.32 2,003,294 2,329 0.46
Other borrowings 64,908 46 0.28 81,387 57 0.27
Advances from FHLB 405,097 3,359 3.30 405,447 3,628 3.55
Subordinated debentures 35,000 227 2.59 35,000 242 2.77
Total interest-bearing liabilities 2,571,937 5,282 0.82 2,525,128 6,256 0.98
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 824,188 655,381
Other liabilities 29,733 26,628
Stockholders' equity 482,621 440,154
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $3,908,479  $3,647,291
Net interest income and spread  $ 32,254 3.29%  $ 29,900 3.26%
Less: tax-equivalent adjustment  1,334  1,448
Net interest income  $ 30,920  $ 28,452
Interest income/earning assets 4.11% 4.24%
Interest expense/earning assets 0.58 0.73
Net interest margin 3.53% 3.51%
(1) Tax-equivalent income has been adjusted using the combined marginal federal and state rate of 39.88% for 2012 and 2011. The annualized taxable-equivalent adjustments utilized in the above table to compute yields aggregated to $1.3 million and $1.4 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
(2) Includes residential mortgage loans held for sale. Home equity loans and lines are classified as consumer loans.
(3) Non-accrual loans are included in the average balances.
(4) Includes only investments that are exempt from federal taxes.
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES, YIELDS AND RATES - UNAUDITED
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2012 2011
 Annualized  Annualized 
Average  (1)  Average Average  (1)  Average
(Dollars in thousands and tax-equivalent) Balances Interest Yield/Rate Balances Interest Yield/Rate
Assets
Residential mortgage loans (2)  $ 503,963  $ 21,281 4.22%  $ 457,886  $ 21,971 4.80%
Residential construction loans 125,295 4,581 3.66 89,823 3,410 3.80
Commercial ADC loans 147,881 7,721 5.22 149,571 6,819 4.56
Commercial investor real estate loans 421,505 23,167 5.50 349,447 20,213 5.78
Commercial owner occupied real estate loans 554,397 30,236 5.45 511,692 30,197 5.90
Commercial business loans 299,462 16,511 5.51 229,825 11,344 4.94
Leasing 5,117 326 6.36 10,505 707 6.73
Consumer loans 357,839 12,592 3.52 363,010 13,271 3.68
Total loans and leases (3) 2,415,459 116,415 4.82 2,161,759 107,932 5.00
Taxable securities 774,030 19,254 2.49 885,023 23,471 2.65
Tax-exempt securities (4) 288,347 13,463 4.67 244,958 13,590 5.55
Interest-bearing deposits with banks 42,668 111 0.26 30,270 77 0.25
Federal funds sold 724  1 0.18 1,337  2 0.14
Total interest-earning assets 3,521,228 149,244 4.24 3,323,347 145,072 4.37
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses (46,260) (56,770)
Cash and due from banks 46,588 45,721
Premises and equipment, net 48,875 49,047
Other assets 209,653 220,221
Total assets  $3,780,084  $3,581,566
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $ 385,004  344 0.09%  $ 340,110  364 0.11%
Regular savings deposits 212,659  199 0.09 184,050 183 0.10
Money market savings deposits 877,546 1,943 0.22 859,608 3,547 0.41
Time deposits 566,658 4,871 0.86 611,192 6,908 1.13
Total interest-bearing deposits 2,041,867 7,357 0.36 1,994,960 11,002 0.55
Other borrowings 70,477 204 0.29 78,207 212 0.27
Advances from FHLB 405,227 14,131 3.49 405,577 14,397 3.55
Subordinated debentures 35,000 959 2.74 35,000 913 2.61
Total interest-bearing liabilities 2,552,571 22,651 0.89 2,513,744 26,524 1.06
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 735,231 619,260
Other liabilities 26,563 25,881
Stockholders' equity 465,719 422,681
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $3,780,084  $3,581,566
Net interest income and spread  $ 126,593 3.35%  $ 118,548 3.31%
Less: tax-equivalent adjustment  5,374  5,602
Net interest income  $ 121,219  $ 112,946
Interest income/earning assets 4.24% 4.37%
Interest expense/earning assets 0.64 0.80
Net interest margin 3.60% 3.57%
(1) Tax-equivalent income has been adjusted using the combined marginal federal and state rate of 39.88% for 2012 and 2011. The annualized taxable-equivalent adjustments utilized in the above table to compute yields aggregated to $5.4 million and $5.6 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
(2) Includes residential mortgage loans held for sale. Home equity loans and lines are classified as consumer loans.
(3) Non-accrual loans are included in the average balances.
(4) Includes only investments that are exempt from federal taxes.

CONTACT: Daniel J. Schrider, President & Chief Executive Officer, or
         Philip J. Mantua, E.V.P. & Chief Financial Officer
         Sandy Spring Bancorp
         17801 Georgia Avenue
         Olney, Maryland 20832
         1-800-399-5919
         Email: DSchrider@sandyspringbank.com
                PMantua@sandyspringbank.com
         Web site: www.sandyspringbank.com
Source: Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
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