Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2026 Results and 14% Increase in Quarterly Cash Dividend

OAK RIDGE, N.C., May 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. (“Oak Ridge”; or the “Company”) (OTCPink: BKOR), the parent company of Bank of Oak Ridge (the “Bank”), announced unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2026 and an increase of $0.02, or 14%, in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.16 per common share.

First Quarter 2026 Highlights

• Earnings per share of $0.53 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to $0.57 for the same period in 2025.

• Annualized return on average equity of 8.24% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to 10.04% for the same period in 2025.

• Dividends declared per common share of $0.16 for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to $0.14 for the same period in 2025.

• Tangible book value per common share of $25.99 as of March 31, 2026, compared to $23.50 as of March 31, 2025.

• Net interest margin of 3.98% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to 3.97% for the same period in 2025.

• Efficiency ratio of 64.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to 66.8% for the same period in 2025.

• Loans receivable of $515.1 million as of March 31, 2026, down 2.5% from $528.5 million as of March 31, 2025.

• Nonperforming assets to total assets of 1.42% as of March 31, 2026, compared to 0.67% as of March 31, 2025.

• Nonperforming assets were $9.4 million at March 31, 2026, including 16 Small Business Administration (SBA) loans with guaranteed balances of $6.9 million and nonguaranteed balances of $2.1 million; these balances are carried at net realizable value, reflecting prior write-downs to fair value less estimated costs to sell recognized through the provision for credit losses, and inclusive of expected recoveries from the SBA guarantee.

• Securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity of $94.3 million as of March 31, 2026, down 4.7% from $98.9 million as of March 31, 2025.

• Total deposits of $541.6 million as of March 31, 2026, down 0.2% from $542.5 million as of March 31, 2025.

• Total short-and long-term borrowings, junior subordinated notes, and subordinated debentures of $35.2 million as of March 31, 2026, down 49.8% from $70.2 million as of March 31, 2025.

• Total stockholders’ equity of $72.0 million as of March 31, 2026, up 12.0% from $64.3 million as of March 31, 2025. At March 31, 2026, the Bank’s Community Bank Leverage Ratio was 12.3%, up from 11.1% as of March 31, 2025.
  

Tom Wayne, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "While our earnings of $0.53 per share for the first quarter of 2026 were slightly lower than the $0.57 reported in the same period in 2025, our core performance remains strong, as evidenced by our decision to increase our quarterly cash dividend by 14%. The quarterly results were primarily impacted by three non-recurring items: a one-time interest income correction of $291,000, a proactive $700,000 provision for credit losses, and a $224,000 gain on the sale of securities. Regarding the provision for credit losses, $279,000 was related to specific write-downs on SBA loans, while the remaining $421,000 represented a one-time general provision adjustment to align our qualitative factors with industry loss rates for performing SBA loans. Although loan and deposit growth remained relatively flat year-over-year, we significantly strengthened our balance sheet by reducing total borrowings by nearly 50% and reducing wholesale high-cost deposits by $7.5 million, which lowered our interest expense. Most importantly, our non-SBA loan portfolio continues to demonstrate strong payment performance and credit quality. These accomplishments are a credit to our dedicated employees and the strategic guidance of our Board of Directors, and we remain deeply committed to the enduring success of our stockholders and the communities we serve."

The $0.02, or 14%, increase in the Company’s quarterly cash dividend to $0.16 per share of common stock will be paid on June 9, 2026, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 26, 2026. “We are proud of our record of regularly increasing our quarterly cash dividend to our stockholders,” said Mr. Wayne. “Paying stockholders a portion of our earnings reflects our continuing commitment to enhance stockholder value.”

The change in net income for the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 was driven primarily by the three factors noted above: the one-time interest income correction (as explained in more detail below), the increased provision for credit losses, and the non-recurring gain on the sale of securities. The Bank’s fundamental performance remains strong, characterized by a stable net interest margin and a significant reduction in wholesale funding costs. Additionally, the credit quality of the Bank’s non-SBA loan portfolio remains a significant source of strength, continuing to demonstrate excellent payment performance.

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, net interest income was $6.2 million and $6.3 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the net interest margin was 3.98% and 3.97%, respectively. The primary reason for the slight decrease in net interest income was a one‑time correction and write off of interest income related to an incorrect interest rate entered in 2022 on a single loan with an outstanding balance of $1.5 million as of March 31, 2026, The impact of the error increased gradually over time and totaled $291,000. Once identified, we confirmed the issue was isolated to that one loan, corrected it in full, and implemented enhanced monitoring and review procedures to help prevent similar issues in the future.

For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company recorded provisions for credit losses of $700,000 and $304,000, respectively. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.25% and 1.05% on March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Nonperforming assets represented 1.42% of total assets on March 31, 2026, compared to 0.67% on March 31, 2025. Nonperforming assets were $9.4 million at March 31, 2026, including 16 SBA loans with guaranteed balances of $6.9 million and nonguaranteed balances of $2.1 million; these balances are carried at net realizable value, reflecting prior write-downs to fair value less estimated costs to sell recognized through the provision for credit losses, and inclusive of expected recoveries from the SBA guarantee. Of the total nonperforming SBA loans, the Bank has submitted guarantee purchase requests to the SBA for the repayment of the guaranteed portion of loans totaling $987,000. An additional $3.5 million of loans are in the final stage of documentation preparation prior to the formal guarantee purchase request being submitted to the SBA. The remaining $4.5 million in nonperforming SBA loans are being actively serviced and managed through workout efforts with the borrowers to maximize repayment; these loans have not reached the stage of initiating the SBA guarantee claim process, as the Bank continues to work toward a collaborative resolution.

Noninterest income totaled $1.0 million and $759,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Although there were increases and decreases in components of noninterest income from 2025 to 2026, the most significant contribution to the overall net increase was a gain on the sale of a security of $224,000 with other smaller increases and decreases contributing to the remainder of the change.

Noninterest expense totaled $4.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

About Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. and Bank of Oak Ridge
We pride ourselves on knowing your name when you walk through our door. Whether in-person or through our digital offerings, managing your financial well-being is easy, safe, and convenient. We are the longest-running employee-owned community bank in the Triad and have served community members, local businesses, and non-profit organizations since 2000. Learn more about what makes Bank of Oak Ridge the Triad’s community bank by visiting one of our convenient locations in Greensboro, High Point, Summerfield, and Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. (OTC Pink: BKOR) is the holding company for Bank of Oak Ridge. Bank of Oak Ridge is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Awards & Recognitions | Best Bank in the Triad | Triad’s Top Workplace Finalist | 2016 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Business Ethics | Triad’s Healthiest Employer Winner

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Forward-looking Information This earnings release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of the Company and on the information available to management at the time that these disclosures were prepared. These statements can be identified by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and “believe,” variations of these words and other similar expressions. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, (1) competition in the Company’s markets, (2) changes in the interest rate environment, (3) general national, regional or local economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality and the possible impairment of collectability of loans, (4) legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, (5) significant changes in the federal and state legal and regulatory environment and tax laws, and (6) the impact of changes in monetary and fiscal policies, laws, rules and regulations. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contact: Skylar Mearing, Marketing Director
Phone: 336.662.4840