Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Reports Earnings of $4.1 Million or $1.28 per Share for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025

HAMPSTEAD, Md., Oct. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”), the parent company of Farmers and Merchants Bank (the “Bank” and, together with the Company, “we”, “us” and “our”), announced that net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $4.1 million, or $1.28 per common share (basic and diluted) compared to $3.4 million, or $1.09 per common share (basic and diluted), for the same period in 2024. The Company’s return on average equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was 9.24% compared to 8.53% for the same period in 2024. The Company’s return on average assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 was 0.65% and 0.57%, respectively.

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was $1.7 million, or $0.53 per common share (basic and diluted) compared to $1.1 million, or $0.36 per common share (basic and diluted), for the third quarter of 2024. The Company’s return on average equity during the three months ended September 30, 2025 was 11.23% compared to 8.05% for the same period in 2024. The Company’s return on average assets during the three months ended September 30, 2025 was 0.80% compared to 0.56% for the same period in 2024.

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was $2.4 million higher when compared to the same period in 2024 due to a widening net yield on interest-earning assets of 2.98% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to 2.67% for the same period in 2024. The yield on earning assets increased to 5.19% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 4.86% for the same period in 2024. The cost of interest bearing liabilities decreased to 2.70% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, down from 2.71% for the same period in 2024. Average interest earning assets were $804.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to $775.9 million for the same period in 2024. Gross interest income increased by $3.0 million to $31.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up from $28.1 million for the same period in 2024. Average interest bearing liabilities increased by $33.3 million to $657.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 from $624.5 million for the same period in 2024. Total interest expense increased $600 thousand to $13.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to $12.7 million for the same period in 2024.

The Company recorded a $595 thousand provision for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. There was no provision recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increase in the provision was related to the write down of two loans, both of which were foreclosed upon.

Noninterest income increased by $191 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 when compared to the same period in 2024. The increase was due to several factors, including a $85 thousand increase in mortgage banking revenue, a $28 thousand increase in bank owned life insurance income, a $126 thousand increase in gain on settlement of fair value hedge, and a $109 thousand increase in fees and commissions. Noninterest expense was $1.3 million higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 when compared to the same period in 2024, due primarily to a $617 thousand increase in salaries and benefits and a $379 thousand combined increase in occupancy and furniture and equipment costs. ATM and debit card expenses decreased by $67 thousand, primarily due to conversion related costs incurred in 2024. Also, the Bank’s FDIC assessment expense increased by $184 thousand due to higher FDIC assessment rates. Professional services increased by $35 thousand due to the higher legal fees in 2025 related to stockholder matters. These increases were offset by $94 thousand in lower service charges on deposits and a $70 thousand decrease of non-recurring gain on insurance settlement recognized in 2024.

Total assets increased to $869.6 million at September 30, 2025 from $844.6 million at December 31, 2024. Loans, net of the allowance for credit losses, increased to $622.5 million at September 30, 2025 from $583.0 million at December 31, 2024. Investments in debt securities decreased to $142.3 million at September 30, 2025 from $146.2 million at December 31, 2024. Deposits decreased to $734.1 million at September 30, 2025 from $758.8 million at December 31, 2024. Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other long-term debt increased by $45.9 million to $62.2 million as of September 30, 2025, up from $16.3 million at December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to the Company utilizing Federal Home Loan Bank advances to repay $40 million of maturing brokered CDs. Additionally, the Company issued $12.5 million in subordinated debt during September 2025. The proceeds of which were used to repay the Company’s maturing term loan of approximately $10 million as well to add an interest reserve and increasing the Bank’s capital. The Company’s tangible equity was $56.1 million at September 30, 2025 compared to $49.2 million at December 31, 2024.

The book value of the Company’s common stock increased to $19.72 per share at September 30, 2025 from $17.77 per share at December 31, 2024. Book value per share at September 30, 2025 is reflective of the $13.0 million unrealized loss, net of income taxes, on the Bank’s available for sale (“AFS”) securities portfolio as a result of the rise in interest rates since the time of purchase. Changes in the market value of the AFS securities portfolio, net of income taxes, are reflected in the Company’s equity, but are not included in the income statement. Management does not believe there is any indication of credit deterioration in any of the bonds and we intend to hold these securities to maturity, so no actual losses are anticipated. The securities portfolio is comprised of 62% government agency mortgage backed securities which are fully guaranteed, 20% investment grade non agency mortgage backed securities, 14% investment grade corporate and municipal bonds, and 4% subordinated debt of other community banks. Unrealized gains and losses do not impact regulatory capital because the Bank elected many years ago to not include in the calculation of regulatory capital changes in the market value of the AFS securities portfolio regardless of whether they are positive or negative.

Gary A. Harris, President and CEO, commented “The decrease in interest rates over the past year, along with the repricing of the existing loan portfolio, has allowed our net yield on interest-earning assets to expand. We have strategically taken advantage of the lower interest rates by exercising call options on certain funding sources and replacing them with lower cost funds. Loan production is robust with over $39.5 million in net loan growth through September 30, 2025. Our asset quality remains strong with zero non-accrual loans as of September 30, 2025. The Towson Commercial Banking office, which opened in June of 2024, has exceeded our expectations with total deposits over $44 million as of September 30, 2025 coupled with strong loan growth. We remain focused on reducing costs while expanding income-generating opportunities. Investments made over the past two years in talent and infrastructure are beginning to yield positive returns, positioning us well for continued growth.”

About the Company

The Company is a financial holding company and the parent company of the Bank. The Bank was chartered in Maryland in 1919 and has over 100 years of service to the community. The Bank serves the deposit and financing needs of both consumers and businesses in Carroll and Baltimore Counties along the Route 30, Route 795, Route 140, Route 26, and Route 45 corridors. The main office is located in Upperco, Maryland, with eight additional branches in Owings Mills, Hampstead, Greenmount, Reisterstown, Westminster, Eldersburg, and Towson. Certain broker-dealers make a market in the common stock of Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc., and trades are reported through the OTC Markets Group’s OTCID Market under the symbol “FMFG”.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements (as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be the same as those anticipated by management. These statements are evidenced by terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Although these statements reflect management’s good faith beliefs and projections, they are not guarantees of future performance and they may not prove true. These projections involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those addressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the section of the periodic reports filed by Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled “Risk Factors”.

Contact: Mr. Gary A. Harris
President and Chief Executive Officer
(410) 374-1510, ext. 1104