OREANDA-NEWS. Union Bankshares Corporation (the "Company" or "Union") (NASDAQ:UBSH) today reported net income of $20.8 million and earnings per share of $0.48 for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016. The quarterly results represent an increase of $3.0 million, or 16.6%, in net income and an increase of $0.08, or 20.0%, in earnings per share from the fourth quarter of 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2016, net income was $77.5 million and earnings per share was $1.77, an increase of $10.4 million, or 15.5%, and $0.28, or 18.8%, respectively, compared to the results for the year ended December 31, 2015.

"2016 was a year of growth and change for Union," said John C. Asbury, president and chief executive officer for Union Bankshares Corporation. "With double digit gains in net income, earnings per share and loans for the year, the company showed impressive growth in 2016 and demonstrated the earnings power of the bank. Union made meaningful progress on its goal of achieving top tier financial performance by posting solid gains in our return on assets and return on tangible common equity profitability ratios from the prior year. Improving efficiency, along with diversifying the loan portfolio, growing core deposits to fund loan growth, and finalizing the work already underway to cross the $10 billion threshold will be focus areas for Union in 2017.

I also want to personally thank Billy Beale for his service and dedication to Union over the past 25 years and for the remarkably smooth leadership transition. The company is well positioned to continue to deliver long term shareholder value thanks to Billy's leadership and we look forward to his continuing contributions to the Company as a board member and an advisor going forward."

Select highlights for the fourth quarter and full year of 2016 include:

Net income for the community bank segment was $20.4 million, or $0.47 per share, for the fourth quarter, compared to $17.9 million, or $0.40 per share, for the same quarter in 2015. Net income for the community bank segment for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $75.7 million, or $1.73 per share, compared to net income of $67.3 million, or $1.49 per share for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The mortgage segment reported net income of $382,000, or $0.01 per share, for the fourth quarter, compared to a net loss of $90,000 in the fourth quarter 2015. Net income for the mortgage segment for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $1.8 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to a net loss of $202,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Return on Average Assets ("ROA") was 0.99% for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 compared to ROA of 1.00% for the prior quarter and 0.93% for the fourth quarter of 2015. Return on Average Tangible Common Equity ("ROTCE") was 12.05% for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 compared to ROTCE of 12.00% for the prior quarter and 10.38% for the fourth quarter of 2015.

Loans held for investment grew $158.1 million, or 10.3% (annualized), from September 30, 2016 and increased $635.6 million, or 11.2%, from December 31, 2015. Average loans increased $180.4 million, or 12.0% (annualized), from the prior quarter and increased $601.7 million, or 10.7%, from the same quarter in the prior year.

Period-end deposits increased $121.0 million, or 7.7% (annualized), from September 30, 2016 and grew $415.6 million, or 7.0%, from December 31, 2015. Average deposits increased $105.1 million, or 6.8% (annualized), from the prior quarter and increased $404.6 million, or 6.9%, from the same quarter in the prior year.

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company issued $150.0 million of fixed-to-floating rate subordinated debt with a maturity date of December 15, 2026. The notes were sold at par resulting in net proceeds, after discounts and offering expenses, of approximately $148.0 million.