Company Snapshot: CBMD  Print This Story  Email This Story  Save this Link View PR Newswire's RSS Feed  Blogs Discussing this News Release  Search Blogs that Mention this News Release  Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services Click this link to view linked Blogging Services


Columbia Bancorp Reports a 21.7% Increase in Net Income for the Year Ended December 31, 2005

    COLUMBIA, Md., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Columbia Bancorp
(Nasdaq: CBMD), parent company of The Columbia Bank (the "Bank"), today
announced net income for the year ended December 31, 2005 of $16.17 million
compared to $13.29 million for the same period during 2004, an increase of
21.7%.  Fully diluted earnings per share increased 24.4%, from $1.80 in 2004
to $2.24 in 2005.  Returns on average equity were 17.48% and 14.88% for the
years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  Return on average
assets was 1.28% for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to 1.21% for
the same period in 2004.
    Exclusive of one-time charges related to the Company's pending merger with
Fulton Financial Corporation and to employment restructuring initiatives, net
income, diluted earnings per share, return on average equity and return on
average assets for the year ended December 31, 2005 were $16.98 million, $2.35
per diluted share, 18.36% and 1.35%, respectively.  Compared to 2004, net
income and diluted earnings per share, exclusive of one-time charges,
increased 27.8% and 30.6%, respectively.
    Net income for the fourth quarter 2005 totaled $4.33 million compared to
$3.67 million for the fourth quarter 2004, a 17.9% increase.  Fully diluted
earnings per share for the quarter increased 20.0% to $.60 for 2005 from $.50
for 2004.  Returns on average equity for the fourth quarter 2005 and 2004 were
17.93% and 15.99%, respectively.  Returns on average assets for the fourth
quarter 2005 and 2004 were 1.32% and 1.25%, respectively.
    Exclusive of one-time charges previously noted, net income for the fourth
quarter 2005 totaled $4.99 million, or $.69 per diluted share, representing an
increase of 35.9% compared to the same period in 2004.  Return on average
equity and return on average assets for the fourth quarter 2005 exclusive of
one-time charges were 20.68% and 1.52%.

    FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
    -- Net interest income (FTE) increased $2.91 million, or 22.6%, over the
       fourth quarter of 2004.
    -- Return on average equity and return on average assets, exclusive of
       one-time charges, increased to 20.68% and 1.52%, respectively, for the
       fourth quarter of 2005 compared to 15.99% and 1.25%, reported for the
       fourth quarter of 2004.
    -- The net interest margin (FTE) improved to 5.02% during the fourth
       quarter of 2005 as compared to 4.57% during fourth quarter 2004 and
       4.75% during the third quarter of 2005.
    -- The efficiency ratio (FTE), exclusive of one-time charges, improved to
       50.76% for the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to 58.12% for the same
       period of 2004.
    -- Total assets ($1.32 billion), loans, net of unearned income ($1.05
       billion) and customer funding sources ($1.16 billion) reached record
       levels at December 31, 2005 and represented growth on a year-to-year
       basis of 11.7%, 10.7% and 12.9%, respectively.
    -- Non-performing assets decreased to .02% of total assets at December 31,
       2005 compared to .05% at December 31, 2004.

    DETAILED REVIEW OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
    Total assets at December 31, 2005 were $1.32 billion, representing growth
of $137.76 million, or 11.7%, since December 31, 2004.  Loans, net of unearned
income, totaled $1.05 billion compared to $950.17 million at December 31,
2004, representing growth of $102.11 million, or 10.7%.  Growth in the loan
portfolio during 2005 was driven by the Company's continued success in the
real estate development and construction and commercial and industrial lending
markets, which netted increases in the respective portfolios of $65.08 million
(18.8%) and $51.29 million (22.6%).  Growth in the consumer loan portfolio,
mainly consisting of second mortgage and real estate equity lines of credit,
contributed an additional $2.42 million (1.2%). The commercial real estate
portfolio declined by $19.08 million (11.6%), primarily due to aggressive
market competition relative to pricing terms and deal structuring. Customer
funding sources, representing deposits plus other short-term borrowings from
core customers, increased 12.9% to $1.16 billion at December 31, 2005.
Shareholders' equity rose to $97.32 million, or 5.4%, at December 31, 2005.
    Operating performance during 2005 was primarily driven by an increase in
net interest income (FTE) of 22.6% during the fourth quarter 2005 and 22.8%
during the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the corresponding
periods of 2004.  The increase in net interest income resulted from continued
growth in earning assets, most specifically, the loan portfolio.  The Company
remained asset sensitive at December 31, 2005 and benefited from a series of
short-term rate increases during the quarter and throughout the year.  As a
result, the net interest margin (FTE) increased .45% during the fourth quarter
2005 as compared to the fourth quarter 2004 and .31% during the year ended
December 31, 2005 as compared to 2004.  The potential ongoing benefit to the
Company from a rising interest rate environment may be muted by the increasing
pressure of market forces on the Company's overall cost of funding sources.
    Non-interest income increased $121,000, or 8.2%, for the fourth quarter
and $36,000, or .5%, for the year 2005 as compared to the same periods in
2004.  The modest performance was influenced by a decline in deposit service
charges, including lower fees charged on overdraft deposit accounts and
commercial account analysis charges.  Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of
costs increased $89,000 during the fourth quarter 2005 and $108,000 during the
year 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004.  Commission revenue on
financial services sales declined $37,000 compared to the fourth quarter 2004,
but was up $60,000, or 10.2%, for the year compared to 2004.  Other non-
interest income increased $78,000 and $430,000 for the fourth quarter and year
2005, respectively, compared to 2004, principally due to fees generated from
the prepayment of several large commercial loan relationships.
    Non-interest expense rose 19.0% and 15.4% for the fourth quarter and year
ended December 31, 2005, respectively, as compared to the corresponding
periods in 2004.  The increase for the quarter and the year was primarily due
to an increase in salary and benefit expense reflecting additional staffing
costs and increased costs associated with the Company's Deferred Compensation
Plan, which are largely determined by appreciation in the Company's stock.
Expenses incurred in preparation for the Company's merger with Fulton
Financial Corporation totaling $271,000 for the quarter and $517,000 for the
year also contributed to the overall non-interest expense increase.  In
addition, the Company recorded $828,000 in compensation costs during the
fourth quarter 2005 as a result of employment restructuring.  Despite the
overall increase in operating expenses, the efficiency ratio (FTE) improved to
55.80% (53.70% exclusive of one-time charges) for the year ended December 31,
2005 compared to 58.01% for the same period in 2004.
    Asset quality remained strong at December 31, 2005, with non-performing
assets and past-due loans totaling $292,000.  As of December 31, 2005, non-
performing assets and past-due loans represented only .02% of total assets.
The ratio of non-performing loans and past-due loans to total loans improved
from .07% at December 31, 2004 to .03% at December 31, 2005.  Net charge-offs
totaled $323,000 during the fourth quarter of 2005.  Net charge-offs for the
year ended December 31, 2005 totaled $792,000 compared to net recoveries of
$27,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004.  At December 31, 2005, the
allowance for credit losses totaled $12.73 million, or 1.21% of loans, net of
unearned income, compared to $11.58 million, or 1.22% of net loans at December
31, 2004.

    ABOUT COLUMBIA BANCORP
    Columbia Bancorp, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, is a bank holding
company and parent company of The Columbia Bank, a commercial bank. The
Columbia Bank currently operates twenty-five banking offices in the
Baltimore/Washington Corridor and provides a full range of financial services
to consumers and businesses.  Columbia Bancorp's Common Stock is traded on the
National Market tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market(SM) under the symbol "CBMD".
    On July 26, 2005, the Company entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan
of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Fulton Financial Corporation
("Fulton"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company will merge (the
"Merger") with and into Fulton, with Fulton surviving, and all of the
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company ("Company Common Stock")
will be converted into the right to receive shares of common stock of Fulton
("Fulton Common Stock"), cash, or a combination of both. Following the Merger,
the Company's wholly-owned banking subsidiary, The Columbia Bank, a Maryland
corporation (the "Bank") and certain other subsidiaries of the Company and the
Bank will continue operations as subsidiaries of Fulton. Under the terms of
the Merger Agreement, each share of Company Common Stock will be, at the
Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger and at the
election of the holder exchanged for (i) 2.325 shares of Fulton Common Stock;
(ii) cash of $42.48; or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii). This election is
subject to proration so that, in the aggregate, a minimum of 20% and a maximum
of 50% of total consideration for the shares of Company Common Stock will be
paid in cash.
    Completion of the Merger is subject to customary conditions.  In
connection with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the
Company issued Fulton a warrant to acquire up to 1,881,809 shares (subject to
adjustment) of Company Common Stock at an exercise price of $37.26 per share,
such warrant to be exercisable only upon the occurrence of certain events in
connection with a competing acquisition proposal. Assuming that all remaining
conditions are satisfied without unexpected delay, it is anticipated that the
Merger will be consummated on February 1, 2006.

    NON-GAAP PRESENTATION
    This press release includes disclosure and discussion of the net interest
margin and efficiency ratio that are reported on a fully tax-equivalent basis
("FTE").  In addition, net income, diluted earnings per share, the efficiency
ratio, return on average assets and return on average equity are presented
exclusive of one-time charges.  These amounts and ratios are non-GAAP
financial measures as defined in Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
Regulation G and Item 10 of SEC Regulation S-K.  Management believes that
these measures are better indicators of operating performance than the GAAP-
based ratios and better tools for managing net interest income, non-interest
income, and non-interest expenses. A complete reconciliation of the GAAP-based
and non-GAAP information included in this press release is provided in the
following schedules.  Non-GAAP information presented by other companies may
not be comparable to that presented herein, since each company may define non-
GAAP measures differently.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    Certain statements contained in this Press Release are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The forward-looking statements are based on Columbia Bancorp's current intent,
belief and expectations.  These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that are
difficult to predict.  Actual results may differ materially from these
forward-looking statements because of interest rate fluctuations, a
deterioration of economic conditions in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan
area, a downturn in the real estate market, losses from impaired loans, an
increase in non-performing assets, potential exposure to environmental laws,
federal and state bank laws and regulations, the highly competitive nature of
the banking industry, a loss of key personnel, changes in accounting standards
and other risks described in this filing and the Company's other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Existing and prospective investors
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of today's date.  Columbia Bancorp undertakes no
obligation to update or revise the information contained in this filing
whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or
otherwise.  Past results of operations may not be indicative of future
results.


                               COLUMBIA BANCORP
                             Financial Highlights
                (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                                             As of and Twelve Months Ended
                                                      December 31,
                                           --------------------------------
                                             2005         2004     % Change
                                           --------------------------------
    SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS:
        Tax equivalent interest income      $79,185      $58,683      34.9%
        Interest expense                     21,835       11,963      82.5%
           Tax equivalent net interest
            income                           57,350       46,720      22.8%
        Tax equivalent adjustment             1,358        1,137      19.4%
            Net interest income              55,992       45,583      22.8%
        Provision for credit losses           1,941          728     166.6%
        Noninterest income                    6,834        6,798       0.5%
        Noninterest expense                  35,813       31,045      15.4%
        Noninterest expense
            before one-time charges (a)      34,468       31,045      11.0%
            Income before taxes              25,072       20,608      21.7%
        Income tax provision                  8,906        7,323      21.6%
        Net income                           16,166       13,285      21.7%
        Net income before one-time
         charges (a)                         16,980       13,285      27.8%

    PER SHARE DATA:
        Net income:
            Basic                             $2.33        $1.86      25.3%
            Diluted                            2.24         1.80      24.4%
        Net income before one-time
         charges (a):
            Basic                             $2.44        $1.86      31.2%
            Diluted                            2.35         1.80      30.6%
        Average number of shares
         outstanding:
            Basic                         6,945,118    7,148,420      (2.8%)
            Diluted                       7,225,638    7,391,371      (2.2%)
        Book value, at period end            $14.02       $12.98       8.0%
        Tangible book value, at period
         end                                  14.02        12.98       8.0%
        Cash dividends declared               $0.70        $0.62      12.9%

    PERIOD END DATA:
        Loans, net of unearned income    $1,052,276     $950,170      10.7%
        Investment securities held-to-
         maturity and securities
         available-for-sale                 188,854      164,150      15.0%
        Assets                            1,316,763    1,179,006      11.7%
        Noninterest-bearing deposits        270,073      256,132       5.4%
        Interest-bearing deposits           715,756      656,446       9.0%
            Total deposits                  985,829      912,578       8.0%
        Customer funding sources (b)      1,157,357    1,025,403      12.9%
        Stockholders' equity                 97,318       92,348       5.4%

    PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
        Return on average assets               1.28%        1.21%
        Return on average assets before
         one-time charges (a)                  1.35%        1.21%
        Return on average stockholders'
         equity                               17.48%       14.88%
        Return on average stockholders'
         equity before one-time charges (a)   18.36%       14.88%
        Net interest margin                    4.64%        4.33%
        Net interest margin (FTE)              4.75%        4.44%
        Efficiency ratio (FTE)(c)             55.80%       58.01%
        Efficiency ratio (FTE), before
            one-time charges (a)(c)           53.70%       58.01%

    CAPITAL RATIOS:
        Period-end capital to risk-
         weighted assets:
            Tier 1                            10.05%        9.74%
            Total                             11.19%       10.85%
        Period-end tier 1 leverage ratio       8.68%        8.75%

    ASSET QUALITY:
        Allowance for credit losses to
         loans, net of unearned income, at
         period-end                            1.21%        1.22%
        Net recoveries (charge-offs)          $(792)         $27     (100.0%)
        Annualized net recoveries
         (charge-offs) to average
         loans, net of unearned
         income                               (0.08%)       0.00%
        Nonperforming assets:
            Nonaccrual loans                   $137         $614      (77.7%)
            Loans 90+ days past due and
             accruing                           155           31      400.0%
            Other real estate owned               -            -         na
                                               -----------------
                Total nonperforming
                 assets                        $292         $645      (54.7%)
                                               -----------------
        Nonperforming and past due loans
         to total loans, net of unearned
         income, at period-end                 0.03%        0.07%
        Nonperforming assets and past due
         loans to total assets, at period-
         end                                   0.02%        0.05%

    NONINTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE
     BREAKDOWN:
        Noninterest income:
            Fees charged for services        $3,215       $3,718      (13.5%)
            Gains on sales of mortgage
             loans, net of costs              1,545        1,437        7.5%
            Net gain on other real estate
             owned                                -           59     (100.0%)
            Commissions earned on
             financial services sales           649          589       10.2%
            Other noninterest income          1,425          995       43.2%
                                            --------------------
                                             $6,834       $6,798        0.5%
                                            --------------------
        Noninterest expenses:
            Salaries and employee
             benefits                       $20,790      $16,931       22.8%
            Occupancy                         3,893        3,829        1.7%
            Equipment                         1,729        1,912       (9.6%)
            Data processing                   1,774        1,969       (9.9%)
            Marketing                         1,275          929       37.2%
            Professional fees                 1,283          945       35.8%
            Postage                             408          379        7.7%
            Stationery and supplies             439          491      (10.6%)
            Cash management services            469          548      (14.4%)
            Other noninterest expenses        3,753        3,112       20.6%
                                           ---------------------
                                            $35,813      $31,045       15.4%
                                           ---------------------

    AVERAGE BALANCES:
        Federal funds sold and
            interest-bearing deposits (d)   $13,522      $20,635      (34.5%)
        Investment securities held-to-
         maturity and securities
         available-for-sale                 176,094      130,865       34.6%
        Loans, net of unearned income     1,010,537      894,961       12.9%
        Loans originated for sale (d)         7,857        6,328       24.2%
        Total earning assets              1,208,010    1,052,789       14.7%
        Total assets                      1,261,426    1,100,098       14.7%
        Interest-bearing deposits:
            NOW accounts                     85,808       88,127       (2.6%)
            Savings / money market          181,572      199,618       (9.0%)
            Time deposits                   440,998      347,351       27.0%
        Noninterest-bearing deposits        249,896      221,810       12.7%
        Total deposits                      958,274      856,906       11.8%
        Short-term borrowings (d)           168,057      123,092       36.5%
        Long-term borrowings                 35,106       23,236       51.1%
        Total interest-bearing
         liabilities                        911,541      781,424       16.7%
        Stockholders' equity                 92,472       89,262        3.6%

    YIELD ANALYSIS:
        Federal funds sold and
            interest-bearing deposits (d)      2.94%        1.16%
        Investment securities held-to-
         maturity and securities
         available-for-sale (FTE)              3.86%        4.16%
        Loans, net of unearned income
         (FTE)                                 7.07%        5.88%
        Total yield on earning assets
         (FTE)                                 6.55%        5.57%
        Interest-bearing deposits
            NOW accounts                       0.17%        0.15%
            Savings and money market
             accounts                          0.86%        0.40%
            Time deposits                      3.00%        2.42%
        Short-term borrowings                  2.95%        1.14%
        Long-term borrowings                   5.46%        5.24%
        Total cost of interest-bearing
         liabilities                           2.40%        1.53%

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (a) One-time charges include year-to-date merger-related expenses
        of $313,000, net of tax, related to the pending merger of Columbia
        Bancorp with and into Fulton Financial Corporation, and $501,000,
        net of tax, related to employment restructuring costs incurred in the
        fourth quarter of 2005.  Merger-related expenses totaled $164,000
        in the fourth quarter of 2005, net of tax.
    (b) Deposits plus customer-related short-term borrowings in the form of
        commercial paper and repurchase agreements.
    (c) The efficiency ratio (FTE) is defined as total noninterest expense as
        a percentage of net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, plus
        noninterest income.
    (d) Variances reflect significant fluctuations in account balances due to
        the nature of the accounts.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Certain reclassifications of information previously reported have been made to
                      conform with current presentation.


                               COLUMBIA BANCORP
                             Financial Highlights
                (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                                             As of and Three Months Ended
                                                     December 31,
                                            --------------------------------
                                             2005         2004      % Change
                                            --------------------------------

    SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS:
        Tax equivalent interest income      $22,275      $16,376      36.0%
        Interest expense                      6,486        3,497      85.5%
           Tax equivalent net interest
            income                           15,789       12,879      22.6%
        Tax equivalent adjustment               372          326      14.1%
            Net interest income              15,417       12,553      22.8%
        Provision for credit losses             500           36    1288.9%
        Noninterest income                    1,596        1,475       8.2%
        Noninterest expense                   9,924        8,343      19.0%
        Noninterest expense
            before one-time charges (a)       8,825        8,343       5.8%
            Income before taxes               6,589        5,649      16.6%
        Income tax provision                  2,260        1,976      14.4%
        Net income                            4,329        3,673      17.9%
        Net income before one-time
         charges (a)                          4,993        3,673      35.9%

    PER SHARE DATA:
        Net income:
            Basic                             $0.62        $0.52      19.2%
            Diluted                            0.60         0.50      20.0%
        Net income before one-time
         charges (a):
            Basic                             $0.72        $0.52      38.5%
            Diluted                            0.69         0.50      38.0%
        Average number of shares
         outstanding:
            Basic                         6,938,097    7,113,768      (2.5%)
            Diluted                       7,244,939    7,371,541      (1.7%)
        Book value, at period end
        Tangible book value, at period
         end
        Cash dividends declared               $0.19        $0.17      11.8%

    PERIOD END DATA:
        Loans, net of unearned income
        Investment securities held-to-
         maturity and
           securities available-for-sale
        Assets
        Noninterest-bearing deposits
        Interest-bearing deposits
            Total deposits
        Customer funding sources (b)
        Stockholders' equity

    PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
        Return on average assets               1.32%        1.25%
        Return on average assets before
         one-time charges (a)                  1.52%        1.25%
        Return on average stockholders'
         equity                               17.93%       15.99%
        Return on average stockholders'
         equity before one-time charges (a)   20.68%       15.99%
        Net interest margin                    4.90%        4.46%
        Net interest margin (FTE)              5.02%        4.57%
        Efficiency ratio (FTE)(c)             57.08%       58.12%
        Efficiency ratio (FTE), before
            one-time charges (a)(c)           50.76%       58.12%

    CAPITAL RATIOS:
        Period-end capital to risk-
         weighted assets:
            Tier 1
            Total
        Period-end tier 1 leverage ratio

    ASSET QUALITY:
        Allowance for credit losses to
         loans, net of unearned income, at
         period-end
        Net recoveries (charge-offs)          $(323)         $33    (100.0%)
        Annualized net recoveries
         (charge-offs) to average
              loans, net of unearned
               income                         (0.12%)       0.01%
        Nonperforming assets:
            Nonaccrual loans
            Loans 90+ days past due and
             accruing
            Other real estate owned
                Total nonperforming
                 assets
        Nonperforming and past due loans
         to total loans, net of unearned
         income, at period-end
        Nonperforming assets and past due
         loans to total assets, at period-
         end

    NONINTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE
     BREAKDOWN:
        Noninterest income:
            Fees charged for services          $765         $774      (1.2%)
            Gains on sales of mortgage
             loans, net of costs                376          287      31.0%
            Net gain on other real estate
             owned                                -            -        na
            Commissions earned on
             financial services sales           129          166     (22.3%)
            Other noninterest income            326          248      31.5%
                                            ---------------------
                                             $1,596       $1,475       8.2%
                                            ---------------------
        Noninterest expenses:
            Salaries and employee
             benefits                        $6,060       $4,865      24.6%
            Occupancy                         1,002        1,082      (7.4%)
            Equipment                           421          426      (1.2%)
            Data processing                     479          394      21.6%
            Marketing                           269          193      39.4%
            Professional fees                   386          344      12.2%
            Postage                              84           99     (15.2%)
            Stationery and supplies              95          157     (39.5%)
            Cash management services            121          137     (11.7%)
            Other noninterest expenses        1,007          646      55.9%
                                            ---------------------
                                             $9,924       $8,343      19.0%
                                            ---------------------

    AVERAGE BALANCES:
        Federal funds sold and
            interest-bearing deposits (d)   $10,854      $15,512     (30.0%)
        Investment securities held-to-
         maturity and securities
         available-for-sale                 188,742      157,348      20.0%
        Loans, net of unearned income     1,040,649      940,368      10.7%
        Loans originated for sale (d)         8,303        7,068      17.5%
        Total earning assets              1,248,548    1,120,296      11.4%
        Total assets                      1,304,728    1,167,536      11.8%
        Interest-bearing deposits:
            NOW accounts                     83,363       87,742      (5.0%)
            Savings / money market          174,987      201,479     (13.1%)
            Time deposits                   463,582      364,888      27.0%
        Noninterest-bearing deposits        258,528      245,886       5.1%
        Total deposits                      980,460      899,995       8.9%
        Short-term borrowings (d)           183,328      139,635      31.3%
        Long-term borrowings                 36,496       26,231      39.1%
        Total interest-bearing
         liabilities                        941,756      819,975      14.9%
        Stockholders' equity                 95,797       91,367       4.8%

    YIELD ANALYSIS:
        Federal funds sold and
            interest-bearing deposits (d)      3.80%        1.59%
        Investment securities held-to-
         maturity and securities
         available-for-sale (FTE)              3.92%        3.92%
        Loans, net of unearned income
         (FTE)                                 7.68%        6.20%
        Total yield on earning assets
         (FTE)                                 7.08%        5.81%

        Interest-bearing deposits
            NOW accounts                       0.17%        0.16%
            Savings and money market
             accounts                          1.19%        0.47%
            Time deposits                      3.20%        2.48%
        Short-term borrowings                  3.58%        1.74%
        Long-term borrowings                   5.75%        5.22%
        Total cost of interest-bearing
         liabilities                           2.73%        1.70%

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (a) One-time charges include year-to-date merger-related expenses
        of $313,000, net of tax, related to the pending merger of Columbia
        Bancorp with and into Fulton Financial Corporation, and $501,000,
        net of tax, related to employment restructuring costs incurred in the
        fourth quarter of 2005.  Merger-related expenses totaled $164,000
        in the fourth quarter of 2005, net of tax.
    (b) Deposits plus customer-related short-term borrowings in the form of
        commercial paper and repurchase agreements.
    (c) The efficiency ratio (FTE) is defined as total noninterest expense as
        a percentage of net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, plus
        noninterest income.
    (d) Variances reflect significant fluctuations in account balances due to
        the nature of the accounts.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Certain reclassifications of information previously reported have been made to
                      conform with current presentation.



                                COLUMBIA BANCORP
                      Consolidated Statements of Condition
                  (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                            December 31,      December 31,
                                                2005              2004
                                          --------------------------------
                                            (unaudited)        (audited)
    Assets
    Cash and due from banks                   $42,223           $30,012
    Interest-bearing deposits with banks          206               208
    Federal funds sold                          6,867             9,904
    Investment securities held-to-
     maturity                                 107,826           116,170
    Securities available-for-sale              81,028            47,980
    Residential mortgage loans originated
     for sale                                   7,760             8,698

    Loan receivables:
        Real estate - development and
         construction                         410,457           345,375
        Commercial                            278,053           226,763
        Real estate - mortgage:
            Residential                        20,088            17,272
            Commercial                        144,908           163,985
        Consumer, principally second
         mortgage loans and residential
         equity lines of credit               198,622           196,198
        Other                                     578               668
                                           ------------------------------
    Total loans                             1,052,706           950,261
          Less: Unearned income, net of
           origination costs                     (430)              (91)
                    Allowance for credit
                     losses                   (12,732)          (11,583)
                                           -------------------------------
    Loans, net                              1,039,544           938,587

    Property and equipment, net                 6,914             6,647
    Prepaid expenses and other assets          24,395            20,800
                                           -------------------------------
              Total assets                 $1,316,763        $1,179,006
                                           ===============================

    Liabilities
    Deposits:
          Noninterest-bearing demand
           deposits                          $270,073          $256,132
          Interest-bearing deposits           715,756           656,446
                                           -------------------------------
              Total deposits                  985,829           912,578
    Short-term borrowings                     189,083           135,825
    Subordinated debentures                    16,496            10,310
    Long-term borrowings                       20,000            20,000
    Accrued expenses and other
     liabilities                                8,037             7,945
                                           -------------------------------
              Total liabilities             1,219,445         1,086,658
                                           -------------------------------

    Stockholders' equity
    Common stock, $.01 par value per
     share; authorized 10,000,000 shares;
     outstanding 6,940,705 and 7,114,267
     shares, respectively                          69                71
    Additional paid-in capital                 39,449            45,739
    Retained earnings                          57,735            46,419
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                        65               119
                                           -------------------------------
              Total stockholders' equity       97,318            92,348
                                           -------------------------------
              Total liabilities and
               stockholders' equity        $1,316,763        $1,179,006
                                           ===============================

          Certain reclassifications of information previously reported
              have been made to conform with current presentation.



                                 COLUMBIA BANCORP
                        Consolidated Statements of Income
                  (dollars in thousands, except per share data)


                                      Twelve Months Ended  Three Months Ended
                                          December 31,        December 31,
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                       2005      2004       2005       2004
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                   (unaudited) (audited)(unaudited)(unaudited)

    Interest income:
        Loans                        $70,983    $52,245   $20,024    $14,528
        Investment securities          6,446      5,062     1,775      1,459
        Federal funds sold and
         interest-bearing
         deposits with banks             398        239       104         63
                                   -------------------------------------------
              Total interest income   77,827     57,546    21,903     16,050
                                   -------------------------------------------
    Interest expense:
        Deposits                      14,954      9,340     4,304      2,544
        Borrowings                     6,881      2,623     2,182        953
                                   -------------------------------------------
              Total interest expense  21,835     11,963     6,486      3,497
                                   -------------------------------------------
              Net interest income     55,992     45,583    15,417     12,553
    Provision for credit losses        1,941        728       500         36
                                   -------------------------------------------
              Net interest income after
                  provision for credit
                   losses             54,051     44,855    14,917     12,517
                                   -------------------------------------------
    Noninterest income:
        Fees charged for services      3,215      3,718       765        774
        Gains on sales of mortgage
         loans, net of costs           1,545      1,437       376        287
        Net gain on other real estate
         owned                             -         59         -          -
        Commissions earned on financial
         services sales                  649        589       129        166
        Other                          1,425        995       326        248
              Total noninterest income 6,834      6,798     1,596      1,475
    Noninterest expense:
        Salaries and employee
         benefits                     20,790     16,931     6,060      4,865
        Occupancy                      3,893      3,829     1,002      1,082
        Equipment                      1,729      1,912       421        426
        Data processing                1,774      1,969       479        394
        Marketing                      1,275        929       269        193
        Professional fees              1,283        945       386        344
        Postage                          408        379        84         99
        Stationery and supplies          439        491        95        157
        Cash management services         469        548       121        137
        Other                          3,753      3,112     1,007        646
                                   -------------------------------------------
              Total noninterest
               expense                35,813     31,045     9,924      8,343
                                   -------------------------------------------
              Income before income
               taxes                  25,072     20,608     6,589      5,649
    Income tax provision               8,906      7,323     2,260      1,976
                                   -------------------------------------------
              Net income             $16,166    $13,285    $4,329     $3,673
                                   ===========================================
    Per common share data:
        Net income:  Basic             $2.33      $1.86     $0.62      $0.52
                     Diluted            2.24       1.80      0.60       0.50

        Cash dividends declared        $0.70      $0.62     $0.19      $0.17


          Certain reclassifications of information previously reported
               have been made to conform with current presentation.



                                 COLUMBIA BANCORP
           Reconciliation of GAAP-based Operating Performance Measures
                     and Core Operating Performance Measures
                  (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                      Twelve Months Ended  Three Months Ended
                                          December 31,        December 31,
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                       2005      2004       2005       2004
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                        (unaudited)           (unaudited)
    GAAP-based Operating Performance
     Measures:
    Net interest income               $55,992   $45,583    $15,417    $12,553
    Provision for credit losses         1,941       728        500         36
    Noninterest income                  6,834     6,798      1,596      1,475
    Noninterest expense                35,813    31,045      9,924      8,343
    Income before taxes                25,072    20,608      6,589      5,649
    Income tax provision                8,906     7,323      2,260      1,976
    Net income                         16,166    13,285      4,329      3,673

    Return on average assets             1.28%     1.21%      1.32%      1.25%
    Return on average equity            17.48%    14.88%     17.93%     15.99%
    Net interest margin                  4.64%     4.33%      4.90%      4.46%
    Efficiency ratio                    57.00%    59.27%     58.33%     59.47%

    Net income per share - diluted      $2.24     $1.80      $0.60      $0.50
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Non-GAAP adjustments
    Interest income on tax-exempt
     loans                             $1,001      $759       $283       $234
    Interest income on tax-exempt
     securities                           357       378         89         92
                                      -------------------  -------------------
    Total tax equivalent adjustment -
     net interest income               $1,358    $1,137       $372       $326
                                      ===================  ===================

    Merger-related expenses              $517    $    -       $271       $  -
    Less related taxes                    204         -        107          -
                                      -------------------  -------------------
    Merger-related expenses, net of tax   313         -        164          -
                                      -------------------  -------------------

    Employment restructuring costs        828         -        828          -
    Less related taxes                    327         -        327          -
                                      -------------------  -------------------
    Employment restructuring costs        501         -        501          -
                                      -------------------  -------------------

    One-time charges, net of tax         $814    $    -       $665       $  -
                                      ===================  ===================
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Core Operating Performance Measures:(a)(b)
    Net interest income - tax
     equivalent                       $57,350   $46,720    $15,789    $12,879
    Tax equivalent adjustment          (1,358)   (1,137)      (372)      (326)
                                      ------------------  --------------------
    Net interest income                55,992    45,583     15,417     12,553
    Provision for credit losses         1,941       728        500         36
    Noninterest income                  6,834     6,798      1,596      1,475
    Noninterest expense, before
     one-time charges                  34,468    31,045      8,825      8,343
    Income before taxes                26,417    20,608      7,688      5,649
    Income tax provision, before tax
     effect of one-time charges         9,437     7,323      2,695      1,976
    Net income, before one-time
     charges                           16,980    13,285      4,993      3,673

    Return on average assets, before
        merger-related expenses          1.35%     1.21%      1.52%      1.25%
    Return on average equity, before
        merger-related expenses         18.36%    14.88%     20.68%     15.99%
    Net interest margin (FTE)            4.75%     4.44%      5.02%      4.57%
    Efficiency ratio (FTE)              55.80%    58.01%     57.08%     58.12%
    Efficiency ratio (FTE), before one-
     time charges                       53.70%    58.01%     50.76%     58.12%

    Net income per share, before merger-
        related expenses - diluted      $2.35     $1.80      $0.69      $0.50
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (a) Core operating performance reflects GAAP-based performance presented
        on a fully tax-equivalent basis, exclusive of non-recurring items,
        where applicable.  Non-recurring items in 2005 represent merger-
        related expenses associated with the pending merger of Columbia
        Bancorp with and into Fulton Financial Corporation, as well as
        expenses related to employment restructuring that took place in the
        fourth quarter of 2005.

    (b) The efficiency ratio (FTE) is defined as total noninterest expense as
        a percentage of net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, plus
        noninterest income.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Certain reclassifications of information previously reported
               have been made to conform with current presentation.



SOURCE Columbia Bancorp




Back to Topback to top

Related links:
  • http://www.columbank.com
    Company News On-Call:
  • http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/127921.html
    CONTACT:
    John A. Scaldara, Jr., President and COO of
    Columbia Bancorp, +1-410-423-8012