[April 09, 2019]

Century Bancorp, Inc. Announces Increased Earnings for Q1 2019 up 22.2%; Asset Growth to Record $5.3 BB; Regular Dividend Declared

Century Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNBKA) (www.centurybank.com) ("the Company") today announced net income of $9.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, or $1.69 per Class A share diluted, an increase of 22.2% compared to net income of $7.7 million, or $1.38 per Class A share diluted, for the same period a year ago. Total assets increased 2.8% from $5.16 billion at December 31, 2018 to $5.31 billion at March 31, 2019.

Net interest income totaled $23.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 compared to $22.5 million for the same period in 2018. The 4.3% increase in net interest income for the period is primarily due to an increase in average earning assets. The net interest margin decreased from 2.19% on a fully taxable equivalent basis in 2018 to 2.11% for the same period in 2019. This was primarily the result of increased rates paid on deposits. The average balances of earning assets increased by 8.7% combined with an average yield increase of 0.40%, resulting in an increase in interest income of $7.6 million. The average balance of interest bearing liabilities increased 7.7% combined with an average cost of funds increase of 0.61%, resulting in an increase in interest expense of $6.7 million.

The Company's effective tax rate decreased from 6.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 to (1.3%) for the same period in 2019. This was primarily as a result of a reduction in tax accruals related to sequestration of the refundable portion of our alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryforward. On January 14, 2019, the IRS updated its announcement "Effect of Sequestration on the Alternative Minimum Tax Credit for Corporations" to clarify that refundable AMT credits under Section 53(e) of the Internal Revenue Code are not subject to sequestration for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Therefore, the full amount of the AMT credit carryover will be refunded to the Company.

At March 31, 2019, total equity was $309.3 million compared to $300.4 million at December 31, 2018. The Company's equity increased primarily as a result of earnings, offset somewhat by dividends paid.

The Company's leverage ratio stood at 6.92% at March 31, 2019, compared to 6.91% at December 31, 2018. The increase in the leverage ratio was due to an increase in stockholders' equity, offset somewhat by an increase in quarterly average assets. Book value as of March 31, 2019 was $55.55 per share compared to $53.96 at December 31, 2018.

The Company's allowance for loan losses was $28.8 million or 1.25% of loans outstanding at March 31, 2019 compared to $28.5 million or 1.25% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2018, and $26.7 million or 1.22% of loans outstanding at March 31, 2018. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding has increased from the same period last year, primarily as a result of changes in qualitative factors related to general economic factors pertaining to certain industries. Non-performing assets totaled $3.7 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $3.5 million at December 31, 2018, and $1.4 million at March 31, 2018. Nonperforming assets increased from the same period last year, mainly as a result of one residential real estate property classified as other real estate owned.

The Company's Board of Directors voted a regular quarterly dividend of 12.00 cents ($0.12) per share on the Company's Class A common stock, and 6.00 cents ($0.06) per share on the Company's Class B common stock. The dividends were declared payable May 15, 2019 to stockholders of record on May 1, 2019.

The Company, through its subsidiary bank, Century Bank and Trust Company, a state chartered full service commercial bank, operating twenty-seven full-service branches in the Greater Boston area, offers a full range of Business, Personal and Institutional Services.

Century Bank and Trust Company is a member of the FDIC and is an Equal Housing Lender.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. Actual results may differ from those contemplated by these statements. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190409005924/en/

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