First Business Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company” or “First Business Bank”) (Nasdaq:FBIZ) reported record net interest income and stable non-interest income, resulting in net income of $6.1 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.71, in the fourth quarter 2020. First Business Bank’s strong financial results reflected improved asset quality as non-performing assets declined by $10.0 million, or 27.3%, attributable to loan payoffs and $6.7 million in charge-offs partially offset by the release of $5.2 million in related specific reserves.

“First Business Bank’s commitment to investing in talent contributed to our record revenue in the fourth quarter and very attractive positioning for strong and sustainable earnings growth in 2021 and beyond,” President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Chambas said. “Record in-market deposits at year end contributed to meaningful fourth quarter funding cost reductions and net interest margin stability while providing ample liquidity to fund our exceptional double-digit loan growth of 12% for the year, excluding PPP loans.” Chambas added, “We are also very pleased with the improvement in asset quality during the quarter and our outlook on credit going forward is positive.”

Summary results as of and for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020:

  • Net income totaled $6.1 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.71, in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $4.3 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.50, in the third quarter of 2020 and $5.8 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.67, in the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • Annualized return on average assets and annualized return on average equity measured 0.93% and 11.92%, respectively, compared to 0.68% and 8.58% for the linked quarter and 1.09% and 11.93% for the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • The Company had $228.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans outstanding, down $103.5 million compared to the third quarter of 2020, and recognized $3.3 million in associated processing fee income, compared to $1.1 million and $859,000 in PPP processing fees in the third and second quarters of 2020, respectively.
  • Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings, which excludes certain one-time and discrete items as defined in the Non-GAAP Reconciliations at the end of this release, totaled a record $11.7 million, up 25.6% from the third quarter of 2020 and up 29.4% from the fourth quarter of 2019. Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted return on average assets was 1.80% compared to 1.47% and 1.72% for the linked and prior year quarters, respectively.
  • Gross loans and leases receivable, excluding net PPP loans, were $1.921 billion as of December 31, 2020, up 16.4% annualized from the third quarter of 2020 and 12.0% from the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • COVID-19 related loan deferrals outstanding declined by $104.5 million during the quarter to $27.0 million, or 1.4% of gross loans and leases, excluding gross PPP loans, at period end.
  • Non-performing assets decreased $10.0 million, or 27.3%, to $26.7 million, or 1.04% of total assets, compared to $36.7 million, or 1.41%, at September 30, 2020 and $23.5 million, or 1.12%, at December 31, 2019. Non-performing assets to total assets, excluding net PPP loans was 1.14%, compared to 1.61%, at September 30, 2020.
  • The allowance for loan and lease losses decreased $2.3 million, or 7.5%, compared to September 30, 2020, primarily due to a $5.2 million decrease in specific reserves. This decrease was partially offset by a $2.9 million increase in general reserves, principally driven by loan growth and the uncertainty of the economic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The allowance for loan and lease losses was 1.33% of total loans as of December 31, 2020, compared to 1.41% and 1.14% at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Excluding net PPP loans, the allowance for loan and lease losses decreased to 1.48% of total loans as of December 31, 2020, compared to 1.67% as of September 30, 2020.
  • Provision for loan and lease losses totaled $4.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • In January of 2021, the Company received a recovery of approximately $2.0 million on a loan charged off in a prior year. While this recovery will have a positive impact on the Company’s provision for loan and lease losses in the first quarter of 2021, it is not necessarily indicative of a trend or a reflection of the Company’s ultimate provision for the first quarter.
  • Robust liquidity position includes record in-market deposits of $1.683 billion, up $15.8 million from September 30, 2020, and $304.1 million from December 31, 2019.
  • Net interest margin was 3.69% in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to 3.14% in the third quarter of 2020 and 3.73% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted net interest margin, which excludes certain one-time and discrete items as defined in the Non-GAAP Reconciliations at the end of this release, was 3.25% in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to 3.24% in the third quarter of 2020 and 3.41% in the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • Fees in lieu of interest, defined as prepayment fees, asset-based loan fees, non-accrual interest, and loan fee amortization, totaled $4.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Loan fee amortization includes PPP processing fee income of $3.3 million and $1.1 million in the fourth and third quarters of 2020, respectively.
  • Top line revenue, defined as net interest income plus non-interest income, totaled a record $29.3 million, up 50.4% annualized from the third quarter of 2020 and 14.2% from the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • Non-interest income totaled $6.8 million, or 23.2% of total revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $7.4 million, or 28.5% of total revenue in the third quarter of 2020 and $7.2 million, or 28.0% of total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • Non-interest expense was $17.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $16.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $16.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Operating expense, which excludes certain one-time and discrete items as defined in the Non-GAAP Reconciliations at the end of this release, totaled $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $16.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $16.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • The efficiency ratio, which excludes certain one-time and discrete items as defined in the Non-GAAP Reconciliations at the end of this release, improved to 60.02% in the fourth quarter of 2020, down from 64.16% and 64.77% in the linked and prior year quarters, respectively. Quarterly efficiency ratios in 2021 are not expected to continue at the level experienced in the fourth quarter of 2020, but are anticipated to be more in line with levels reported in the periods of comparison.
  • On January 28, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a new share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $5 million of the Company’s common stock over a period of approximately twelve months, ending on January 31, 2022. The Company suspended its prior share repurchase program in March 2020 due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the previous plan, which was initiated in September 2019 and expired September 30, 2020, the Company had repurchased $3.5 million of the $5 million authorized in the Company’s common stock.

“The Board and management believe the Company’s shares are undervalued, given the record of performance and the opportunities we see for our commercial banking, specialty finance, private wealth and consulting businesses,” President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Chambas said. “Through this share repurchase program we have the ability to opportunistically purchase Company shares in the open market, while continuing to meet the needs of our clients. Our team is laser-focused on building lasting relationships with businesses, business executives, and high net worth individuals, and we intend to remain an important source of strength and stability for growing numbers of clients during this pivotal year of economic recovery across our Wisconsin, Kansas City and other attractive Midwestern markets.”

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited)

 

As of and for the Three Months Ended

 

As of and for the Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

 

December 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Net interest income

 

$

22,512

 

 

$

18,621

 

 

$

18,474

 

 

$

77,071

 

 

$

69,856

 

Adjusted non-interest income (1)

 

6,799

 

 

7,408

 

 

7,231

 

 

26,944

 

 

23,469

 

Operating revenue (1)

 

29,311

 

 

26,029

 

 

25,705

 

 

104,015

 

 

93,325

 

Operating expense (1)

 

17,591

 

 

16,700

 

 

16,649

 

 

65,619

 

 

62,149

 

Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings (1)

 

11,720

 

 

9,329

 

 

9,056

 

 

38,396

 

 

31,176

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for loan and lease losses

 

4,322

 

 

3,835

 

 

1,472

 

 

16,808

 

 

2,085

 

Net loss (gain) on foreclosed properties

 

54

 

 

(121

)

 

(17

)

 

383

 

 

224

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

8

 

 

9

 

 

7

 

 

35

 

 

40

 

SBA recourse (benefit) provision

 

(330

)

 

57

 

 

21

 

 

(278

)

 

188

 

Tax credit investment impairment

 

328

 

 

113

 

 

113

 

 

2,395

 

 

4,094

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

744

 

 

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss on sale of securities

 

 

 

 

 

(42

)

 

(4

)

 

(46

)

Income before income tax expense

 

7,338

 

 

5,436

 

 

7,418

 

 

18,305

 

 

24,499

 

Income tax expense

 

1,254

 

 

1,143

 

 

1,650

 

 

1,327

 

 

1,175

 

Net income

 

$

6,084

 

 

$

4,293

 

 

$

5,768

 

 

$

16,978

 

 

$

23,324

 

Earnings per share, diluted

 

$

0.71

 

 

$

0.50

 

 

$

0.67

 

 

$

1.97

 

 

$

2.68

 

Book value per share

 

$

24.06

 

 

$

23.45

 

 

$

22.67

 

 

$

24.06

 

 

$

22.67

 

Tangible book value per share (1)

 

$

22.66

 

 

$

22.05

 

 

$

21.27

 

 

$

22.66

 

 

$

21.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest margin

 

3.69

%

 

3.14

%

 

3.73

%

 

3.40

%

 

3.61

%

Adjusted net interest margin (1)

 

3.25

%

 

3.24

%

 

3.41

%

 

3.28

%

 

3.33

%

Efficiency ratio (1)

 

60.02

%

 

64.16

%

 

64.77

%

 

63.09

%

 

66.59

%

Return on average assets

 

0.93

%

 

0.68

%

 

1.09

%

 

0.70

%

 

1.14

%

Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted return on average assets (1)

 

1.80

%

 

1.47

%

 

1.72

%

 

1.59

%

 

1.52

%

Return on average equity

 

11.92

%

 

8.58

%

 

11.93

%

 

8.64

%

 

12.55

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period-end loans and leases receivable

 

$

2,145,970

 

 

$

2,170,299

 

 

$

1,714,635

 

 

$

2,145,970

 

 

$

1,714,635

 

Period-end loans and leases receivable, excluding net PPP loans

 

$

1,920,647

 

 

$

1,844,818

 

 

$

1,714,635

 

 

$

1,920,647

 

 

$

1,714,635

 

Average loans and leases receivable

 

$

2,185,662

 

 

$

2,139,439

 

 

$

1,744,308

 

 

$

2,011,322

 

 

$

1,703,971

 

Period-end in-market deposits

 

$

1,683,008

 

 

$

1,667,245

 

 

$

1,378,903

 

 

$

1,683,008

 

 

$

1,378,903

 

Average in-market deposits

 

$

1,690,433

 

 

$

1,644,704

 

 

$

1,350,107

 

 

$

1,568,502

 

 

$

1,271,128

 

Allowance for loan and lease losses

 

$

28,521

 

 

$

30,817

 

 

$

19,520

 

 

$

28,521

 

 

$

19,520

 

Non-performing assets

 

$

26,651

 

 

$

36,663

 

 

$

23,532

 

 

$

26,651

 

 

$

23,532

 

Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases

 

1.33

%

 

1.41

%

 

1.14

%

 

1.33

%

 

1.14

%

Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases, excluding net PPP loans

 

1.48

%

 

1.67

%

 

1.14

%

 

1.48

%

 

1.14

%

Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets

 

1.04

%

 

1.41

%

 

1.12

%

 

1.04

%

 

1.12

%

Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets, excluding net PPP loans

 

1.14

%

 

1.61

%

 

1.12

%

 

1.14

%

 

1.12

%

(1)

This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes these measures are meaningful because they reflect adjustments commonly made by management, investors, regulators, and analysts to evaluate financial performance, provide greater understanding of ongoing operations, and enhance comparability of results with prior periods. See the section titled Non-GAAP Reconciliations at the end of this release for a reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures.

COVID-19 Update

Paycheck Protection Program

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $228.9 million in PPP loans outstanding and $3.5 million in deferred processing fees outstanding. The processing fees are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan, or accelerated when forgiven and repaid, as an adjustment of yield using the interest method. In the fourth quarter, the Company recognized $3.3 million of PPP processing fees in interest income from the federal program launched in 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized $5.3 million in PPP fees, recording 60% of the $8.8 million in deferred Small Business Administration (“SBA”) processing fees for loans originated in 2020. The SBA provides a guaranty to the lender of 100% of principal and interest, unless the lender violated an obligation under the agreement. As loan losses are expected to be immaterial, if any at all, due to the guaranty, management excluded the gross PPP loans from the allowance for loan and lease losses calculation.

In January 2021, the Company began accepting applications for the SBA’s second phase of the PPP program, with an emphasis on supporting in-market businesses and non-profit organizations.

Liquidity Sources

Management has reviewed all primary and secondary sources of liquidity in preparation for any unforeseen funding needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritized based on available capacity, term flexibility, and cost. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had the following sources of liquidity, including the Company’s ability to participate in the Federal Reserve’s Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”):

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Short-term investments

 

$

27,371

 

 

$

50,995

 

PPPLF availability

 

225,323

 

 

 

Collateral value of unencumbered loans (FHLB borrowing availability)

 

250,127

 

 

212,516

 

Market value of unencumbered securities (Fed Discount Window and FHLB borrowing availability)

 

137,357

 

 

174,661

 

Total sources of liquidity

 

$

640,178

 

 

$

438,172

 

In addition to the above primary sources of liquidity, as of December 31, 2020, the Company also had access to $53.5 million in federal funds lines with various correspondent banks and significant experience accessing the highly liquid brokered deposit market.

Capital Strength

The Company’s capital ratios continued to exceed the highest required regulatory benchmark levels.

  • Total capital to risk-weighted assets at December 31, 2020 was 11.25%, tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 8.96%, tier 1 leverage capital to adjusted average assets was 7.99%, and common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 8.53%. Tangible common equity to tangible assets was 7.60%. Excluding net PPP loans, tier 1 leverage capital to adjusted average assets and tangible common equity to tangible assets were 8.97% and 8.33%, respectively.
  • As previously announced, during the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.165 per share. The dividend was paid on November 12, 2020 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2020. Measured against fourth quarter 2020 diluted earnings per share of $0.71, the dividend represents a 23.2% payout ratio. The Board of Directors routinely considers dividend declarations as part of its normal course of business.

Deferral Requests

The Company provided loan modifications deferring payments up to six months to certain borrowers impacted by COVID-19 who were current in their payments at the inception of the Company’s loan modification program. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had deferred loans outstanding of $27.0 million, or 1.4% of gross loans and leases, excluding gross PPP loans, compared to $131.5 million, or 7.1% as of September 30, 2020 and $323.2 million, or 18.6% as of June 30, 2020. The following tables represent a breakdown of the deferred loan balances by industry segment and collateral type:

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

Collateral Type

Industries Description

 

Balance

 

Real Estate

 

Non Real Estate

Accommodation and Food Services

 

$

12,229

 

 

$

12,229

 

 

$

 

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

 

5,975

 

 

5,975

 

 

 

Manufacturing

 

3,398

 

 

 

 

3,398

 

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

 

3,095

 

 

1,051

 

 

2,044

 

Transportation and Warehousing

 

573

 

 

 

 

573

 

Construction

 

447

 

 

447

 

 

 

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

 

383

 

 

 

 

383

 

Other Services (except Public Administration)

 

367

 

 

212

 

 

155

 

Health Care and Social Assistance

 

205

 

 

 

 

205

 

Educational Services

 

195

 

 

195

 

 

 

Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services

 

143

 

 

 

 

143

 

Total deferred loan balances

 

$

27,010

 

 

$

20,109

 

 

$

6,901

 

Exposure to Stressed Industries

Certain industries are widely expected to be particularly impacted by social distancing, quarantines, and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the following:

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2020

 

September 30, 2020

 

June 30, 2020

Industries:

 

Balance

 

% Gross Loans
and Leases (1)

 

Balance

 

% Gross Loans
and Leases (1)

 

Balance

 

% Gross Loans
and Leases (1)

Retail (2)

 

$

62,719

 

 

3.3

%

 

$

66,696

 

 

3.6

%

 

$

70,028

 

 

4.0

%

Hospitality

 

80,832

 

 

4.2

%

 

78,786

 

 

4.3

%

 

73,502

 

 

4.2

%

Entertainment

 

14,208

 

 

0.7

%

 

16,323

 

 

0.9

%

 

16,675

 

 

1.0

%

Restaurants & Food Service

 

24,854

 

 

1.3

%

 

26,728

 

 

1.4

%

 

24,884

 

 

1.4

%

Total outstanding exposure

 

$

182,613

 

 

9.5

%

 

$

188,533

 

 

10.2

%

 

$

185,089

 

 

10.6

%

(1)

Excluding net PPP loans.

(2)

Includes $48.9 million, $52.0 million, and $51.7 million in loans secured by commercial real estate as of December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020, and June 30, 2020, respectively.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no meaningful direct exposure to the energy sector, airline industry, or retail consumer, and does not participate in shared national credits.

Because of the significant uncertainties related to the ultimate duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on our clients and prospects, and on the national and local economy as a whole, there can be no assurances as to how the pandemic may ultimately affect the Company’s loan portfolio.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Compared to Third Quarter 2020

Net interest income increased $3.9 million, or 20.9%, to $22.5 million.

  • Net interest income benefited from both an increase in average loans and leases and fees received in lieu of interest. Fees in lieu of interest, which can vary from quarter to quarter based on client-driven activity, totaled $4.7 million, compared to $1.5 million. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, net interest income increased $653,000, or 3.8%.
  • Average loans and leases receivable, excluding net PPP loans in both periods of comparison, increased $87.0 million, or 19.2% annualized, to $1.903 billion.
  • The yield on average interest-earning assets increased 47 basis points to 4.22% from 3.75%. Excluding average net PPP loans, the PPP loan interest income of $718,000, and the aforementioned fees in lieu of interest, the yield earned on average interest-earning assets decreased 13 basis points to 3.76% from 3.89%. The rate paid for average total bank funding decreased nine basis points to 0.45% from 0.54%. Total bank funding is defined as total deposits plus Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances, Federal Reserve Discount Window advances, and Federal Reserve PPPLF advances.
  • Net interest margin increased 55 basis points to 3.69% from 3.14%. Adjusted net interest margin, excluding fees in lieu of interest and other recurring but volatile components of net interest margin, increased to 3.25% from 3.24%.

Provision for loan and leases losses increased $487,000, or 12.7%, to $4.3 million.

  • The increase in provision for loan and lease losses included $6.7 million in charge-offs, partially offset by the release of $5.2 million in related specific reserves.
  • Changes in the general reserve increased the provision for loan and lease losses $1.3 million due to historical loss rate updates from net charge-off activity, $1.0 million due to qualitative factor changes in our commercial real estate portfolio, and $639,000 due to loan growth.
  • In January of 2021, the Company received a recovery of approximately $2.0 million on a loan charged off in a prior year. While this recovery will have a positive impact on the Company’s provision for loan and lease losses in the first quarter of 2021, it is not necessarily indicative of a trend or a reflection of the Company’s ultimate provision for the first quarter.

Non-interest income decreased $609,000, or 8.2%, to $6.8 million.

  • Commercial loan interest rate swap fee income decreased $1.4 million, or 55.9%, to $1.1 million compared to $2.4 million. Interest rate swaps continue to be an attractive product for the Company’s commercial borrowers, although associated fee income can vary from period to period based on client demand and the interest rate environment in any given quarter.
  • Gains on sale of SBA loans increased $540,000, or 71.1%, to $1.3 million compared to $760,000. The Company’s pipeline continues to grow period over period and management believes the gain on sale of traditional SBA loans (i.e., SBA loans unrelated to PPP loans), while variable based on timing of closings, will continue to increase annually at a measured pace over time.
  • Private wealth management fee income increased $41,000, or 1.9% to $2.2 million. Trust assets under management and administration measured a record $2.249 billion at December 31, 2020, up $231.5 million, or 45.9% annualized, primarily due to increased equity market values.
  • Other fee income increased $238,000, or 35.2%, to $914,000 compared to $676,000. The increase is primarily due to gain on sale of state tax credits totaling $275,000 in the quarter.

Non-interest expense increased $893,000, or 5.3%, to $17.7 million.

  • Compensation expense increased $288,000, or 2.4%, to $12.1 million mainly due to an increase in the Company’s performance-based incentive compensation accrual based on estimated full year 2020 results. Despite an elevated provision for loan and lease losses tempering the Company’s return on average assets, record loans, deposits, and fee income drove superior revenue growth and efficiency in 2020 when compared to the Company’s performance targets. In addition, average full-time equivalent employees increased to 301 for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to 295 for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the majority of which were producers.
  • The Company recognized $216,000 in expense due to the remaining impairment of a federal historic tax credit investment, which corresponded with the recognition of a $270,000 tax credit during the quarter. No federal historic tax credit investments were recognized in the third quarter of 2020.
  • The Company established a $461,000 credit valuation adjustment (“CVA”) related to the commercial loan interest rate swap program. The CVA represents a change in the market value of the Company’s commercial loan interest rate swaps to estimate potential borrower credit risk within the portfolio. The CVA can vary from period to period based on the size of the portfolio, credit metrics, and the interest rate environment in any given quarter. There was no CVA as of September 30, 2020.

Total period-end loans and leases receivable, excluding net PPP loans in both periods of comparison, increased $75.8 million, or 16.4% annualized, to $1.921 billion.

  • Commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, excluding net PPP loans, increased $42.1 million, or 36.4% annualized. Management believes the timely investments in producers in our counter cyclical commercial banking products, such as asset-based lending and accounts receivable financing, have positioned C&I lending to increase throughout the current economic cycle.
  • Commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans increased $32.6 million, or 9.8% annualized, with growth coming from owner occupied and multi-family properties. Recent success in driving above-average CRE growth comes as established commercial lenders hired over the past 18 months were able to bring many of their high-quality relationships with them to the Bank.

“Despite economic headwinds and uncertainty in 2020 from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, our business banking team remained steadfast in pursuing new relationships and going deeper with existing relationships,” said Chambas. “This commitment resulted in well above-industry loan growth across our lending products, particularly in traditional commercial lending, small business, and accounts receivable financing.” Chambas continued, “While economic uncertainty lingers in 2021, we believe our proactive investment in talent over the past two years, including in our counter cyclical specialty finance business lines, positions us well to continue our trend of double-digit loan growth moving forward and to meet our long-standing net interest margin goal of 3.50%.”

Total period-end in-market deposits increased $15.8 million to $1.683 billion and the average rate paid decreased seven basis points to 0.20%.

  • Transaction accounts and money market accounts increased $39.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively, while certificates of deposits decreased $28.7 million.
  • Client preferences continued to shift away from term deposits due to the low interest rate environment, while management attributes the continued increase in transaction accounts to successful business development efforts and our existing clients’ preference for safety and soundness amid the economic uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Period-end wholesale funding, including FHLB advances, Federal Reserve Discount Window advances, Federal Reserve PPPLF advances, brokered deposit, and deposits gathered through internet deposit listing services, decreased $46.2 million to $567.0 million.

  • Wholesale deposits increased $18.4 million to $172.5 million, mainly due to adding non-maturity brokered deposits at a favorable rate compared to alternative funding sources. Excluding these deposits, wholesale deposits decreased as the existing portfolio runoff is replaced by in-market deposits and lower cost FHLB advances to match-fund long-term fixed rate loans and fund loan growth. The average rate paid on wholesale deposits decreased 37 basis points to 0.96% and the weighted average original maturity of brokered certificates of deposit decreased to 4.1 years from 4.3 years.
  • FHLB advances decreased $35.0 million to $394.5 million. The average rate paid on FHLB advances decreased 13 basis points to 1.30% and the weighted average original maturity increased to 5.5 years from 5.1 years.
  • During the second quarter of 2020, management tested the availability of the Federal Reserve PPPLF due to the uncertainty of when PPP loans would be required to close and fund. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no PPPLF advances outstanding.

Non-performing assets decreased $10.0 million, or 27.3%, to $26.7 million, or 1.04% of total assets, compared to $36.7 million, or 1.41% of total assets. The reduction in non-performing assets was principally due to the successful exit of a $4.3 million legacy SBA loan in the manufacturing industry, $3.3 million charge-off of previously reserved legacy SBA loan in the restaurant industry, and a $2.8 million charge-off of a previously reserved conventional loan in the hospitality industry. Excluding net PPP loans, non-performing assets were 1.14% of total assets, compared to 1.61% as of September 30, 2020.

The allowance for loan and lease losses decreased $2.3 million, or 7.5%, compared to September 30, 2020 primarily due to a $5.2 million release of specific reserve corresponding with $6.6 million in net charge-offs. The decrease in specific reserve was partially offset by a $2.9 million increase in the general reserve principally due to historical loss rate updates from net charge-off activity, qualitative factor changes in our commercial real estate portfolio, and loan growth.

  • The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.33% compared to 1.41%.
  • Excluding net PPP loans, the allowance for loan and leases losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.48%, compared to 1.67% as of September 30, 2020.

Fourth Quarter 2020 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2019

Net interest income increased $4.0 million, or 21.9%, to $22.5 million.

  • Net interest income benefited from an increase in average loans and leases, increase in fees received in lieu of interest, and significant reduction in interest expense paid on deposits. Fees in lieu of interest totaled $4.7 million, compared to $1.8 million. Excluding fees in lieu of interest, net interest income increased $1.1 million, or 6.8%.
  • Average loans and leases receivable, excluding PPP loans in both periods of comparison, increased $159.1 million, or 9.1%, to $1.903 billion.
  • The yield earned on average interest-earning assets decreased 95 basis points to 4.22% from 5.17%. Excluding average net PPP loans, related interest income of $718,000, and the aforementioned fees in lieu of interest, the yield earned on average interest-earning assets decreased 104 basis points to 3.76% from 4.80%. The rate paid for average total bank funding decreased 97 basis points to 0.45% from 1.42%. The average effective federal funds rate decreased 156 basis points to 0.09% from 1.65%.
  • Net interest margin decreased four basis points to 3.69% from 3.73%. Adjusted net interest margin decreased 16 basis points to 3.25% from 3.41%.

Non-interest income decreased $390,000, or 5.4%, to $6.8 million.

  • Commercial loan interest rate swap fee income decreased $1.2 million to $1.1 million compared to $2.3 million.
  • Gains on sale of SBA loans increased $835,000 to $1.3 million compared to $465,000.
  • Private wealth management fee income increased $135,000, or 6.5%, to $2.2 million. Trust assets under management and administration measured a record $2.249 billion at December 31, 2020, up $356.8 million, or 18.9%.
  • Other fee income decreased $272,000, or 22.9%, to $914,000 compared to $1.2 million. The decrease is primarily due to the decrease in returns on investments in mezzanine funds.

Non-interest expense increased $878,000, or 5.2%, to $17.7 million. Operating expense increased $942,000, or 5.7%, to $17.6 million.

  • Compensation expense increased $1.1 million, or 10.1%, to $12.1 million. Average full-time equivalent employees increased to 301, up 9.8% for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, compared to 274 for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.
  • Marketing expense decreased $199,000, or 32.6%, to $411,000 due to temporary postponement of various marketing plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Company recognized $216,000 in expense due to the remaining impairment of a federal historic tax credit investment, which corresponded with the recognition of a $270,000 tax credit during the quarter, compared to no tax credit activity in the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • Other non-interest expense decreased $518,000, or 32.8%, to $1.1 million. The decrease was principally due to a one-time right-of-use impairment of $299,000 recognized during the fourth quarter of 2019 from vacating and subleasing unused office space in our Kansas City market. In addition, general business-related expenses decreased due to the Company’s adherence to COVID-19 restrictions.

Total period-end loans and leases receivable, excluding net PPP loans in both periods of comparison, increased $206.0 million, or 12.0%, to $1.921 billion.

  • C&I loans, excluding net PPP loans, increased $3.6 million, or 0.7%.
  • CRE loans increased $205.0 million, or 17.8%, driven by an increase across all CRE categories.

Total period-end in-market deposits increased $304.1 million, or 22.1%, to $1.683 billion and the average rate paid decreased 94 basis points to 0.20%.

  • Transaction accounts increased $409.3 million and money market accounts decreased $32.9 million.
  • Certificates of deposits decreased $72.3 million as client preferences continued to shift towards more liquid products due to the low interest rate environment.

Period-end wholesale funding increased $120.5 million to $567.0 million.

  • Wholesale deposits increased $21.0 million to $172.5 million mainly due to adding non-maturity brokered deposits at a favorable rate compared to alternative funding sources. Excluding these deposits, wholesale deposits decreased as the existing portfolio runoff is replaced by in-market deposits and lower cost FHLB advances to match-fund long-term fixed rate loans and fund loan growth. The average rate paid on brokered certificates of deposit decreased 145 basis points to 0.96% and the weighted average original maturity decreased to 4.1 years from 5.3 years.
  • FHLB advances increased $99.5 million to $394.5 million. The average rate paid on FHLB advances decreased 79 basis points to 1.30% and the weighted average original maturity increased to 5.5 years from 5.4 years.

Non-performing assets increased modestly to $26.7 million, or 1.04% of total assets, compared to $23.5 million, or 1.12% of total assets. Excluding net PPP loans, non-performing assets were 1.14% of total assets.

The allowance for loan and lease losses increased 46.1% primarily due to an increase in the general and specific reserve driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.33% compared to 1.14%.
  • Excluding net PPP loans, the allowance for loan and leases losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases was 1.48%.

About First Business Financial Services, Inc.

First Business Financial Services, Inc., (Nasdaq: FBIZ) is the parent company of First Business Bank. First Business Bank specializes in business banking, including commercial banking and specialty finance, private wealth, and bank consulting services, and through its refined focus, delivers unmatched expertise, accessibility, and responsiveness. Specialty finance solutions are delivered through First Business Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary First Business Specialty Finance, LLC. For additional information, visit firstbusiness.bank.

This release may include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect First Business Bank’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information, but rather are related to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Those statements are based on general assumptions and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs, and projections expressed in such statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including among other things:

  • Adverse changes in the economy or business conditions, either nationally or in our markets, including, without limitation, the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global, national, and local economy.
  • The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Corporation’s credit quality, revenue, and business operations.
  • Competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions nationally and in our markets.
  • Increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies.
  • Our ability to manage growth effectively, including the successful expansion of our client service, administrative infrastructure, and internal management systems.
  • Fluctuations in interest rates and market prices.
  • Changes in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to us and our subsidiaries.
  • Changes in tax requirements, including tax rate changes, new tax laws, and revised tax law interpretations.
  • Fraud, including client and system failure or breaches of our network security, including our internet banking activities.
  • Failure to comply with the applicable SBA regulations in order to maintain the eligibility of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans.

For further information about the factors that could affect the Company’s future results, please see the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SELECTED FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

56,909

 

 

$

51,728

 

 

$

42,391

 

 

$

94,986

 

 

$

67,102

 

Securities available-for-sale, at fair value

 

183,925

 

 

179,274

 

 

171,680

 

 

175,564

 

 

173,133

 

Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost

 

26,374

 

 

28,897

 

 

29,826

 

 

30,774

 

 

32,700

 

Loans held for sale

 

8,695

 

 

15,049

 

 

13,672

 

 

6,331

 

 

5,205

 

Loans and leases receivable

 

2,145,970

 

 

2,170,299

 

 

2,056,863

 

 

1,743,399

 

 

1,714,635

 

Allowance for loan and lease losses

 

(28,521

)

 

(30,817

)

 

(27,464

)

 

(22,748

)

 

(19,520

)

Loans and leases receivable, net

 

2,117,449

 

 

2,139,482

 

 

2,029,399

 

 

1,720,651

 

 

1,695,115

 

Premises and equipment, net

 

1,998

 

 

2,130

 

 

2,266

 

 

2,427

 

 

2,557

 

Foreclosed properties

 

34

 

 

613

 

 

1,389

 

 

1,669

 

 

2,919

 

Right-of-use assets

 

5,814

 

 

6,141

 

 

6,272

 

 

6,590

 

 

6,906

 

Bank-owned life insurance

 

52,188

 

 

51,798

 

 

51,433

 

 

51,056

 

 

42,761

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost

 

13,578

 

 

15,153

 

 

13,470

 

 

9,733

 

 

7,953

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

12,018

 

 

12,024

 

 

11,925

 

 

11,872

 

 

11,922

 

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

 

88,855

 

 

99,558

 

 

95,091

 

 

84,721

 

 

48,506

 

Total assets

 

$

2,567,837

 

 

$

2,601,847

 

 

$

2,468,814

 

 

$

2,196,374

 

 

$

2,096,779

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In-market deposits

 

$

1,683,008

 

 

$

1,667,245

 

 

$

1,620,616

 

 

$

1,383,299

 

 

$

1,378,903

 

Wholesale deposits

 

172,508

 

 

154,130

 

 

89,759

 

 

116,827

 

 

151,476

 

Total deposits

 

1,855,516

 

 

1,821,375

 

 

1,710,375

 

 

1,500,126

 

 

1,530,379

 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings

 

419,167

 

 

483,517

 

 

465,007

 

 

412,892

 

 

319,382

 

Junior subordinated notes

 

10,062

 

 

10,058

 

 

10,054

 

 

10,051

 

 

10,047

 

Lease liabilities

 

6,386

 

 

6,728

 

 

6,877

 

 

7,211

 

 

7,541

 

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities

 

70,544

 

 

79,384

 

 

78,939

 

 

70,437

 

 

35,274

 

Total liabilities

 

2,361,675

 

 

2,401,062

 

 

2,271,252

 

 

2,000,717

 

 

1,902,623

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

206,162

 

 

200,785

 

 

197,562

 

 

195,657

 

 

194,156

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

2,567,837

 

 

$

2,601,847

 

 

$

2,468,814

 

 

$

2,196,374

 

 

$

2,096,779

 

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

As of and for the Three Months Ended

 

As of and for the Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

 

December 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Total interest income

 

$

25,770

 

 

$

22,276

 

 

$

22,761

 

 

$

23,372

 

 

$

25,613

 

 

$

94,179

 

 

$

102,040

 

Total interest expense

 

3,258

 

 

3,655

 

 

3,873

 

 

6,322

 

 

7,139

 

 

17,108

 

 

32,184

 

Net interest income

 

22,512

 

 

18,621

 

 

18,888

 

 

17,050

 

 

18,474

 

 

77,071

 

 

69,856

 

Provision for loan and lease losses

 

4,322

 

 

3,835

 

 

5,469

 

 

3,182

 

 

1,472

 

 

16,808

 

 

2,085

 

Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses

 

18,190

 

 

14,786

 

 

13,419

 

 

13,868

 

 

17,002

 

 

60,263

 

 

67,771

 

Private wealth management service fees

 

2,208

 

 

2,167

 

 

2,124

 

 

2,112

 

 

2,073

 

 

8,611

 

 

8,197

 

Gain on sale of SBA loans

 

1,300

 

 

760

 

 

574

 

 

265

 

 

465

 

 

2,899

 

 

1,459

 

Service charges on deposits

 

887

 

 

881

 

 

829

 

 

818

 

 

789

 

 

3,415

 

 

3,104

 

Loan fees

 

412

 

 

478

 

 

451

 

 

485

 

 

451

 

 

1,826

 

 

1,767

 

Net loss on sale of securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

(42

)

 

(4

)

 

(46

)

Swap fees

 

1,078

 

 

2,446

 

 

1,655

 

 

1,681

 

 

2,267

 

 

6,860

 

 

4,165

 

Other non-interest income

 

914

 

 

676

 

 

686

 

 

1,057

 

 

1,186

 

 

3,333

 

 

4,777

 

Total non-interest income

 

6,799

 

 

7,408

 

 

6,319

 

 

6,414

 

 

7,189

 

 

26,940

 

 

23,423

 

Compensation

 

12,145

 

 

11,857

 

 

10,796

 

 

11,052

 

 

11,030

 

 

45,850

 

 

42,021

 

Occupancy

 

556

 

 

570

 

 

554

 

 

572

 

 

563

 

 

2,252

 

 

2,293

 

Professional fees

 

909

 

 

943

 

 

859

 

 

819

 

 

957

 

 

3,530

 

 

3,703

 

Data processing

 

668

 

 

679

 

 

710

 

 

677

 

 

639

 

 

2,734

 

 

2,562

 

Marketing

 

411

 

 

356

 

 

352

 

 

461

 

 

610

 

 

1,580

 

 

2,221

 

Equipment

 

294

 

 

310

 

 

304

 

 

291

 

 

292

 

 

1,199

 

 

1,230

 

Computer software

 

1,028

 

 

1,017

 

 

966

 

 

889

 

 

929

 

 

3,900

 

 

3,414

 

FDIC insurance

 

479

 

 

312

 

 

239

 

 

208

 

 

46

 

 

1,238

 

 

641

 

Collateral liquidation cost

 

47

 

 

45

 

 

115

 

 

121

 

 

10

 

 

328

 

 

119

 

Net loss (gain) on foreclosed properties

 

54

 

 

(121

)

 

348

 

 

102

 

 

(17

)

 

383

 

 

224

 

Tax credit investment impairment

 

328

 

 

113

 

 

1,841

 

 

113

 

 

113

 

 

2,395

 

 

4,094

 

SBA recourse (benefit) provision

 

(330

)

 

57

 

 

(30

)

 

25

 

 

21

 

 

(278

)

 

188

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

744

 

 

 

 

 

 

744

 

 

 

Other non-interest expense

 

1,062

 

 

620

 

 

545

 

 

816

 

 

1,580

 

 

3,043

 

 

3,985

 

Total non-interest expense

 

17,651

 

 

16,758

 

 

18,343

 

 

16,146

 

 

16,773

 

 

68,898

 

 

66,695

 

Income before income tax expense (benefit)

 

7,338

 

 

5,436

 

 

1,395

 

 

4,136

 

 

7,418

 

 

18,305

 

 

24,499

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

1,254

 

 

1,143

 

 

(1,928

)

 

858

 

 

1,650

 

 

1,327

 

 

1,175

 

Net income

 

$

6,084

 

 

$

4,293

 

 

$

3,323

 

 

$

3,278

 

 

$

5,768

 

 

$

16,978

 

 

$

23,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings

 

$

0.71

 

 

$

0.50

 

 

$

0.38

 

 

$

0.38

 

 

$

0.67

 

 

$

1.97

 

 

$

2.68

 

Diluted earnings

 

0.71

 

 

0.50

 

 

0.38

 

 

0.38

 

 

0.67

 

 

1.97

 

 

2.68

 

Dividends declared

 

0.165

 

 

0.165

 

 

0.165

 

 

0.165

 

 

0.15

 

 

0.66

 

 

0.60

 

Book value

 

24.06

 

 

23.45

 

 

23.04

 

 

22.83

 

 

22.67

 

 

24.06

 

 

22.67

 

Tangible book value

 

22.66

 

 

22.05

 

 

21.65

 

 

21.44

 

 

21.27

 

 

22.66

 

 

21.27

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding(1)

 

8,417,216

 

 

8,404,084

 

 

8,392,197

 

 

8,388,666

 

 

8,442,675

 

 

8,384,464

 

 

8,515,375

 

Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding(1)

 

8,417,216

 

 

8,404,084

 

 

8,392,197

 

 

8,388,666

 

 

8,442,675

 

 

8,384,464

 

 

8,515,375

 

(1)

Excluding participating securities.

NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS

(Unaudited)

 

For the Three Months Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2020

 

September 30, 2020

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/Rate(4)

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/Rate(4)

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/Rate(4)

Interest-earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate and other mortgage loans(1)

 

$

1,353,333

 

 

$

12,875

 

 

3.81

%

 

$

1,282,132

 

 

$

12,340

 

 

3.85

%

 

$

1,161,802

 

 

$

14,319

 

 

4.93

%

Commercial and industrial loans(1)

 

768,869

 

 

11,149

 

 

5.80

%

 

791,909

 

 

8,133

 

 

4.11

%

 

523,237

 

 

9,239

 

 

7.06

%

Direct financing leases(1)

 

25,071

 

 

278

 

 

4.44

%

 

26,129

 

 

258

 

 

3.95

%

 

28,439

 

 

308

 

 

4.33

%

Consumer and other loans(1)

 

38,389

 

 

355

 

 

3.70

%

 

39,269

 

 

374

 

 

3.81

%

 

30,830

 

 

330

 

 

4.28

%

Total loans and leases receivable(1)

 

2,185,662

 

 

24,657

 

 

4.51

%

 

2,139,439

 

 

21,105

 

 

3.95

%

 

1,744,308

 

 

24,196

 

 

5.55

%

Mortgage-related securities(2)

 

170,400

 

 

742

 

 

1.74

%

 

167,326

 

 

833

 

 

1.99

%

 

172,539

 

 

1,047

 

 

2.43

%

Other investment securities(3)

 

39,647

 

 

183

 

 

1.85

%

 

34,004

 

 

171

 

 

2.01

%

 

23,132

 

 

126

 

 

2.18

%

FHLB stock

 

14,608

 

 

179

 

 

4.90

%

 

12,835

 

 

161

 

 

5.02

%

 

7,958

 

 

97

 

 

4.88

%

Short-term investments

 

31,418

 

 

9

 

 

0.11

%

 

21,287

 

 

6

 

 

0.11

%

 

32,985

 

 

147

 

 

1.78

%

Total interest-earning assets

 

2,441,735

 

 

25,770

 

 

4.22

%

 

2,374,891

 

 

22,276

 

 

3.75

%

 

1,980,922

 

 

25,613

 

 

5.17

%

Non-interest-earning assets

 

162,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

165,844

 

 

 

 

 

 

126,443

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

2,603,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,540,735

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,107,365

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction accounts

 

$

482,670

 

 

250

 

 

0.21

%

 

$

445,687

 

 

259

 

 

0.23

%

 

$

221,446

 

 

629

 

 

1.14

%

Money market

 

655,581

 

 

287

 

 

0.18

%

 

642,881

 

 

318

 

 

0.20

%

 

676,255

 

 

2,345

 

 

1.39

%

Certificates of deposit

 

78,693

 

 

308

 

 

1.57

%

 

110,891

 

 

513

 

 

1.85

%

 

146,128

 

 

888

 

 

2.43

%

Wholesale deposits

 

171,718

 

 

414

 

 

0.96

%

 

160,067

 

 

533

 

 

1.33

%

 

172,033

 

 

1,036

 

 

2.41

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

1,388,662

 

 

1,259

 

 

0.36

%

 

1,359,526

 

 

1,623

 

 

0.48

%

 

1,215,862

 

 

4,898

 

 

1.61

%

FHLB advances

 

404,174

 

 

1,309

 

 

1.30

%

 

379,915

 

 

1,356

 

 

1.43

%

 

304,049

 

 

1,590

 

 

2.09

%

Federal Reserve PPPLF

 

10,297

 

 

9

 

 

0.35

%

 

29,605

 

 

26

 

 

0.35

%

 

 

 

 

 

%

Other borrowings

 

24,419

 

 

400

 

 

6.55

%

 

24,403

 

 

370

 

 

6.06

%

 

24,462

 

 

371

 

 

6.07

%

Junior subordinated notes

 

10,059

 

 

281

 

 

11.17

%

 

10,056

 

 

280

 

 

11.14

%

 

10,045

 

 

280

 

 

11.15

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

1,837,611

 

 

3,258

 

 

0.71

%

 

1,803,505

 

 

3,655

 

 

0.81

%

 

1,554,418

 

 

7,139

 

 

1.84

%

Non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts

 

473,489

 

 

 

 

 

 

445,245

 

 

 

 

 

 

306,278

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities

 

88,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

91,810

 

 

 

 

 

 

53,271

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

2,399,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,340,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,913,967

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

204,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

193,398

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

2,603,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,540,735

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,107,365

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

 

$

22,512

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,621

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,474

 

 

 

Interest rate spread

 

 

 

 

 

3.51

%

 

 

 

 

 

2.94

%

 

 

 

 

 

3.33

%

Net interest-earning assets

 

$

604,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

571,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

426,504

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest margin

 

 

 

 

 

3.69

%

 

 

 

 

 

3.14

%

 

 

 

 

 

3.73

%

(1)

The average balances of loans and leases include non-accrual loans and leases and loans held for sale. Interest income related to non-accrual loans and leases is recognized when collected. Interest income includes net loan fees collected in lieu of interest.

(2)

Includes amortized cost basis of assets available for sale and held to maturity.

(3)

Yields on tax-exempt municipal obligations are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis in this table.

(4)

Represents annualized yields/rates.

NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

 

For the Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2020

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/Rate

 

Average
Balance

 

Interest

 

Average
Yield/Rate

Interest-earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate and other mortgage loans(1)

 

$

1,245,886

 

 

$

51,188

 

 

4.11

%

 

$

1,142,201

 

 

$

58,330

 

 

5.11

%

Commercial and industrial loans(1)

 

701,328

 

 

35,487

 

 

5.06

%

 

500,058

 

 

35,251

 

 

7.05

%

Direct financing leases(1)

 

26,564

 

 

1,039

 

 

3.91

%

 

30,462

 

 

1,276

 

 

4.19

%

Consumer and other loans(1)

 

37,544

 

 

1,446

 

 

3.85

%

 

31,250

 

 

1,372

 

 

4.39

%

Total loans and leases receivable(1)

 

2,011,322

 

 

89,160

 

 

4.43

%

 

1,703,971

 

 

96,229

 

 

5.65

%

Mortgage-related securities(2)

 

173,084

 

 

3,548

 

 

2.05

%

 

161,969

 

 

4,069

 

 

2.51

%

Other investment securities(3)

 

31,809

 

 

639

 

 

2.01

%

 

26,661

 

 

568

 

 

2.13

%

FHLB and FRB stock

 

11,576

 

 

671

 

 

5.80

%

 

7,398

 

 

357

 

 

4.83

%

Short-term investments

 

37,314

 

 

161

 

 

0.43

%

 

35,344

 

 

817

 

 

2.31

%

Total interest-earning assets

 

2,265,105

 

 

94,179

 

 

4.16

%

 

1,935,343

 

 

102,040

 

 

5.27

%

Non-interest-earning assets

 

154,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

113,692

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

2,419,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,049,035

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction accounts

 

$

392,577

 

 

1,448

 

 

0.37

%

 

$

222,244

 

 

3,408

 

 

1.53

%

Money market

 

651,402

 

 

2,842

 

 

0.44

%

 

617,341

 

 

10,576

 

 

1.71

%

Certificates of deposit

 

111,698

 

 

2,198

 

 

1.97

%

 

156,048

 

 

3,852

 

 

2.47

%

Wholesale deposits

 

142,591

 

 

2,434

 

 

1.71

%

 

225,302

 

 

5,122

 

 

2.27

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

 

1,298,268

 

 

8,922

 

 

0.69

%

 

1,220,935

 

 

22,958

 

 

1.88

%

FHLB advances

 

379,891

 

 

5,507

 

 

1.45

%

 

286,464

 

 

6,219

 

 

2.17

%

Federal Reserve PPPLF

 

15,207

 

 

54

 

 

0.36

%

 

 

 

 

 

%

Other borrowings

 

24,472

 

 

1,509

 

 

6.17

%

 

25,236

 

 

1,895

 

 

7.51

%

Junior subordinated notes

 

10,054

 

 

1,116

 

 

11.10

%

 

10,040

 

 

1,112

 

 

11.08

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

1,727,892

 

 

17,108

 

 

0.99

%

 

1,542,675

 

 

32,184

 

 

2.09

%

Non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts

 

412,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

275,495

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-interest-bearing liabilities

 

82,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,047

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

2,223,054

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,863,217

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

196,562

 

 

 

 

 

 

185,818

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

2,419,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,049,035

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

 

$

77,071

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

69,856

 

 

 

Interest rate spread

 

 

 

 

 

3.17

%

 

 

 

 

 

3.19

%

Net interest-earning assets

 

$

537,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

392,668

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest margin

 

 

 

 

 

3.40

%

 

 

 

 

 

3.61

%

(1)

The average balances of loans and leases include non-accrual loans and leases and loans held for sale. Interest income related to non-accrual loans and leases is recognized when collected. Interest income includes net loan fees collected in lieu of interest.

(2)

Includes amortized cost basis of assets available for sale and held to maturity.

(3)

Yields on tax-exempt municipal obligations are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis in this table.

PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSS COMPOSITION

(Unaudited)

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

For the Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

 

December 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Change in general reserve due to subjective factor changes

 

$

1,008

 

 

$

(766

)

 

$

2,388

 

 

$

2,831

 

 

$

(117

)

 

$

5,460

 

 

$

(378

)

Change in general reserve due to historical loss factor changes

 

1,274

 

 

(16

)

 

(54

)

 

(255

)

 

406

 

 

949

 

 

(391

)

Charge-offs

 

6,685

 

 

505

 

 

817

 

 

131

 

 

2,194

 

 

8,139

 

 

3,356

 

Recoveries

 

(68

)

 

(23

)

 

(64

)

 

(177

)

 

(73

)

 

(332

)

 

(366

)

Change in specific reserves on impaired loans, net

 

(5,216

)

 

2,974

 

 

2,122

 

 

436

 

 

(954

)

 

316

 

 

(1,032

)

Change due to loan growth, net

 

639

 

 

1,161

 

 

260

 

 

216

 

 

16

 

 

2,276

 

 

896

 

Total provision for loan and lease losses

 

$

4,322

 

 

$

3,835

 

 

$

5,469

 

 

$

3,182

 

 

$

1,472

 

 

$

16,808

 

 

$

2,085

 

PERFORMANCE RATIOS

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

For the Year Ended

(Unaudited)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

 

December 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Return on average assets (annualized)

 

0.93

%

 

0.68

%

 

0.55

%

 

0.62

%

 

1.09

%

 

0.70

%

 

1.14

%

Return on average equity (annualized)

 

11.92

%

 

8.58

%

 

6.70

%

 

7.14

%

 

11.93

%

 

8.64

%

 

12.55

%

Efficiency ratio

 

60.02

%

 

64.16

%

 

61.22

%

 

67.74

%

 

64.77

%

 

63.09

%

 

66.59

%

Interest rate spread

 

3.51

%

 

2.94

%

 

3.12

%

 

3.10

%

 

3.33

%

 

3.17

%

 

3.19

%

Net interest margin

 

3.69

%

 

3.14

%

 

3.34

%

 

3.44

%

 

3.73

%

 

3.40

%

 

3.61

%

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

 

132.88

%

 

131.68

%

 

132.82

%

 

126.41

%

 

127.44

%

 

131.09

%

 

125.45

%

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Non-accrual loans and leases

 

$

26,617

 

 

$

36,050

 

 

$

24,095

 

 

$

27,897

 

 

$

20,613

 

Foreclosed properties

 

34

 

 

613

 

 

1,389

 

 

1,669

 

 

2,919

 

Total non-performing assets

 

26,651

 

 

36,663

 

 

25,484

 

 

29,566

 

 

23,532

 

Performing troubled debt restructurings

 

46

 

 

47

 

 

49

 

 

134

 

 

140

 

Total impaired assets

 

$

26,697

 

 

$

36,710

 

 

$

25,533

 

 

$

29,700

 

 

$

23,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accrual loans and leases as a percent of total gross loans and leases

 

1.24

%

 

1.66

%

 

1.17

%

 

1.60

%

 

1.20

%

Non-performing assets as a percent of total gross loans and leases plus foreclosed properties

 

1.24

%

 

1.68

%

 

1.23

%

 

1.69

%

 

1.37

%

Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets

 

1.04

%

 

1.41

%

 

1.03

%

 

1.35

%

 

1.12

%

Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases

 

1.33

%

 

1.41

%

 

1.33

%

 

1.30

%

 

1.14

%

Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of non-accrual loans and leases

 

107.15

%

 

85.48

%

 

113.98

%

 

81.54

%

 

94.70

%

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS - EXCLUDING NET PPP LOANS (1)

(Unaudited)

 

As of

 

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Non-accrual loans and leases as a percent of total gross loans and leases

 

1.38

%

 

1.95

%

 

1.38

%

 

1.60

%

 

1.20

%

Non-performing assets as a percent of total gross loans and leases plus foreclosed properties

 

1.38

%

 

1.98

%

 

1.46

%

 

1.69

%

 

1.37

%

Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets

 

1.14

%

 

1.61

%

 

1.19

%

 

1.35

%

 

1.12

%

Allowance for loan and lease losses as a percent of total gross loans and leases

 

1.48

%

 

1.67

%

 

1.57

%

 

1.30

%

 

1.14

%

(1)

Net PPP loans outstanding as of December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020, and June 30, 2020, were $225.3 million, $325.5 million, and $320.0 million, respectively. The other periods presented did not have any PPP loans outstanding.

NET CHARGE-OFFS (RECOVERIES)

(Unaudited)

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

For the Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

 

December 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Charge-offs

 

$

6,685

 

 

$

505

 

 

$

817

 

 

$

131

 

 

$

2,194

 

 

$

8,139

 

 

$

3,356

 

Recoveries

 

(68

)

 

(23

)

 

(64

)

 

(177

)

 

(73

)

 

(332

)

 

(366

)

Net charge-offs (recoveries)

 

$

6,617

 

 

$

482

 

 

$

753

 

 

$

(46

)

 

$

2,121

 

 

$

7,807

 

 

$

2,990

 

Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percent of average gross loans and leases (annualized)

 

1.21

%

 

0.09

%

 

0.15

%

 

(0.01

)%

 

0.49

%

 

0.39

%

 

0.18

%

Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percent of average gross loans and leases, excluding average net PPP loans(1)

 

1.39

%

 

0.11

%

 

0.17

%

 

(0.01

)%

 

0.49

%

 

0.43

%

 

0.18

%

(1)

Average net PPP loans outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020, and June 30, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2020, were $282.3 million, $323.1 million, $252.8 million, and $215.0 million, respectively. The other periods presented did not have any PPP loans outstanding.

CAPITAL RATIOS

 

 

As of and for the Three Months Ended

(Unaudited)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

 

11.25

%

 

11.42

%

 

11.97

%

 

11.74

%

 

12.01

%

Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets

 

8.96

%

 

9.09

%

 

9.57

%

 

9.45

%

 

9.77

%

Common equity tier I capital to risk-weighted assets

 

8.53

%

 

8.64

%

 

9.08

%

 

8.96

%

 

9.27

%

Tier I capital to adjusted assets

 

7.99

%

 

8.04

%

 

8.29

%

 

9.33

%

 

9.27

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

 

7.60

%

 

7.29

%

 

7.56

%

 

8.41

%

 

8.74

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets, excluding net PPP loans

 

8.33

%

 

8.34

%

 

8.69

%

 

8.41

%

 

8.74

%

LOAN AND LEASE RECEIVABLE COMPOSITION

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Commercial real estate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate - owner occupied

 

$

253,882

 

 

$

240,706

 

 

$

229,994

 

 

$

224,075

 

 

$

226,614

 

Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied

 

564,532

 

 

565,781

 

 

533,211

 

 

511,363

 

 

516,652

 

Land development

 

49,839

 

 

50,864

 

 

44,299

 

 

48,045

 

 

51,097

 

Construction

 

141,043

 

 

142,726

 

 

133,375

 

 

131,060

 

 

109,057

 

Multi-family

 

311,556

 

 

287,583

 

 

244,496

 

 

211,594

 

 

217,322

 

1-4 family

 

38,284

 

 

38,857

 

 

36,823

 

 

34,220

 

 

33,359

 

Total commercial real estate

 

1,359,136

 

 

1,326,517

 

 

1,222,198

 

 

1,160,357

 

 

1,154,101

 

Commercial and industrial

 

732,318

 

 

790,349

 

 

781,239

 

 

519,900

 

 

503,402

 

Direct financing leases, net

 

22,331

 

 

24,743

 

 

25,525

 

 

26,833

 

 

28,203

 

Consumer and other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity and second mortgages

 

7,833

 

 

7,106

 

 

6,706

 

 

6,513

 

 

7,006

 

Other

 

28,897

 

 

29,341

 

 

29,737

 

 

30,416

 

 

22,664

 

Total consumer and other

 

36,730

 

 

36,447

 

 

36,443

 

 

36,929

 

 

29,670

 

Total gross loans and leases receivable

 

2,150,515

 

 

2,178,056

 

 

2,065,405

 

 

1,744,019

 

 

1,715,376

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for loan and lease losses

 

28,521

 

 

30,817

 

 

27,464

 

 

22,748

 

 

19,520

 

Deferred loan fees

 

4,545

 

 

7,757

 

 

8,542

 

 

620

 

 

741

 

Loans and leases receivable, net

 

$

2,117,449

 

 

$

2,139,482

 

 

$

2,029,399

 

 

$

1,720,651

 

 

$

1,695,115

 

LEGACY SBA 7(a) AND EXPRESS LOAN COMPOSITION (1)

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Performing loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off-balance sheet loans

 

$

23,354

 

 

$

26,017

 

 

$

28,843

 

 

$

31,212

 

 

$

35,029

 

On-balance sheet loans

 

11,117

 

 

15,175

 

 

16,554

 

 

17,935

 

 

19,697

 

Gross loans

 

34,471

 

 

41,192

 

 

45,397

 

 

49,147

 

 

54,726

 

Non-performing loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off-balance sheet loans

 

1,931

 

 

2,574

 

 

1,640

 

 

4,887

 

 

7,290

 

On-balance sheet loans

 

7,435

 

 

9,561

 

 

9,725

 

 

13,833

 

 

12,037

 

Gross loans

 

9,366

 

 

12,135

 

 

11,365

 

 

18,720

 

 

19,327

 

Total loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off-balance sheet loans

 

25,285

 

 

28,591

 

 

30,483

 

 

36,099

 

 

42,319

 

On-balance sheet loans

 

18,552

 

 

24,736

 

 

26,279

 

 

31,768

 

 

31,734

 

Gross loans

 

$

43,837

 

 

$

53,327

 

 

$

56,762

 

 

$

67,867

 

 

$

74,053

 

(1)

Defined as SBA 7(a) and Express loans originated in 2016 and prior.

DEPOSIT COMPOSITION

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Non-interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

$

472,818

 

 

$

452,268

 

 

$

433,760

 

 

$

301,657

 

 

$

293,573

 

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

503,992

 

 

484,761

 

 

413,214

 

 

343,064

 

 

273,909

 

Money market accounts

 

641,504

 

 

636,872

 

 

656,741

 

 

609,883

 

 

674,409

 

Certificates of deposit

 

64,694

 

 

93,344

 

 

116,901

 

 

128,695

 

 

137,012

 

Wholesale deposits

 

172,508

 

 

154,130

 

 

89,759

 

 

116,827

 

 

151,476

 

Total deposits

 

$

1,855,516

 

 

$

1,821,375

 

 

$

1,710,375

 

 

$

1,500,126

 

 

$

1,530,379

 

TRUST ASSETS COMPOSITION

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Trust assets under management

 

$

2,061,772

 

 

$

1,841,986

 

 

$

1,704,019

 

 

$

1,519,632

 

 

$

1,726,538

 

Trust assets under administration

 

187,228

 

 

175,521

 

 

169,388

 

 

144,822

 

 

165,660

 

Total trust assets

 

$

2,249,000

 

 

$

2,017,507

 

 

$

1,873,407

 

 

$

1,664,454

 

 

$

1,892,198

 

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

Certain financial information provided in this release is determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (United States) (“GAAP”). Although the Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide a greater understanding of its business, these measures are not necessarily comparable to similar measures that may be presented by other companies.

TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE

“Tangible book value per share” is a non-GAAP measure representing tangible common equity divided by total common shares outstanding. “Tangible common equity” itself is a non-GAAP measure representing common stockholders’ equity reduced by intangible assets, if any. The Company’s management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in period-to-period changes in book value per common share exclusive of changes in intangible assets. The information provided below reconciles tangible book value per share and tangible common equity to their most comparable GAAP measures.

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Common stockholders’ equity

 

$

206,162

 

 

$

200,785

 

 

$

197,562

 

 

$

195,657

 

 

$

194,156

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

(12,018

)

 

(12,024

)

 

(11,925

)

 

(11,872

)

 

(11,922

)

Tangible common equity

 

$

194,144

 

 

$

188,761

 

 

$

185,637

 

 

$

183,785

 

 

$

182,234

 

Common shares outstanding

 

8,566,960

 

 

8,561,714

 

 

8,575,134

 

 

8,571,134

 

 

8,566,044

 

Book value per share

 

$

24.06

 

 

$

23.45

 

 

$

23.04

 

 

$

22.83

 

 

$

22.67

 

Tangible book value per share

 

22.66

 

 

22.05

 

 

21.65

 

 

21.44

 

 

21.27

 

TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY TO TANGIBLE ASSETS

“Tangible common equity to tangible assets” is defined as the ratio of common stockholders’ equity reduced by intangible assets, if any, divided by total assets reduced by intangible assets, if any. The Company’s management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in the relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets. The information below reconciles tangible common equity and tangible assets to their most comparable GAAP measures.

(Unaudited)

 

As of

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Common stockholders’ equity

 

$

206,162

 

 

$

200,785

 

 

$

197,562

 

 

$

195,657

 

 

$

194,156

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

(12,018

)

 

(12,024

)

 

(11,925

)

 

(11,872

)

 

(11,922

)

Tangible common equity

 

$

194,144

 

 

$

188,761

 

 

$

185,637

 

 

$

183,785

 

 

$

182,234

 

Total assets

 

$

2,567,837

 

 

$

2,601,847

 

 

$

2,468,814

 

 

$

2,196,374

 

 

$

2,096,779

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

(12,018

)

 

(12,024

)

 

(11,925

)

 

(11,872

)

 

(11,922

)

Tangible assets

 

$

2,555,819

 

 

$

2,589,823

 

 

$

2,456,889

 

 

$

2,184,502

 

 

$

2,084,857

 

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

 

7.60

%

 

7.29

%

 

7.56

%

 

8.41

%

 

8.74

%

Period-end net PPP loans

 

225,323

 

 

325,481

 

 

320,036

 

 

 

 

 

Tangible assets, excluding net PPP loans

 

$

2,330,496

 

 

$

2,264,342

 

 

$

2,136,853

 

 

$

2,184,502

 

 

$

2,084,857

 

Tangible common equity to tangible assets, excluding net PPP loans

 

8.33

%

 

8.34

%

 

8.69

%

 

8.41

%

 

8.74

%

EFFICIENCY RATIO & PRE-TAX, PRE-PROVISION ADJUSTED EARNINGS

“Efficiency ratio” is a non-GAAP measure representing non-interest expense excluding the effects of the SBA recourse provision, impairment of tax credit investments, losses or gains on foreclosed properties, amortization of other intangible assets and other discrete items, if any, divided by operating revenue, which is equal to net interest income plus non-interest income less realized gains or losses on securities, if any. “Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings” is defined as operating revenue less operating expense. In the judgment of the Company’s management, the adjustments made to non-interest expense and non-interest income allow investors and analysts to better assess the Company’s operating expenses in relation to its core operating revenue by removing the volatility that is associated with certain one-time items and other discrete items. The information provided below reconciles the efficiency ratio and pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings to its most comparable GAAP measure.

(Unaudited)

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

For the Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

 

December 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Total non-interest expense

 

$

17,651

 

 

$

16,758

 

 

$

18,343

 

 

$

16,146

 

 

$

16,773

 

 

$

68,898

 

 

$

66,695

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (gain) on foreclosed properties

 

54

 

 

(121

)

 

348

 

 

102

 

 

(17

)

 

383

 

 

224

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

8

 

 

9

 

 

9

 

 

9

 

 

7

 

 

35

 

 

40

 

SBA recourse (benefit) provision

 

(330

)

 

57

 

 

(30

)

 

25

 

 

21

 

 

(278

)

 

188

 

Tax credit investment impairment

 

328

 

 

113

 

 

1,841

 

 

113

 

 

113

 

 

2,395

 

 

4,094

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

744

 

 

 

 

 

 

744

 

 

 

Total operating expense (a)

 

$

17,591

 

 

$

16,700

 

 

$

15,431

 

 

$

15,897

 

 

$

16,649

 

 

$

65,619

 

 

$

62,149

 

Net interest income

 

$

22,512

 

 

$

18,621

 

 

$

18,888

 

 

$

17,050

 

 

$

18,474

 

 

$

77,071

 

 

$

69,856

 

Total non-interest income

 

6,799

 

 

7,408

 

 

6,319

 

 

6,414

 

 

7,189

 

 

26,940

 

 

23,423

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss on sale of securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

(42

)

 

(4

)

 

(46

)

Adjusted non-interest income

 

6,799

 

 

7,408

 

 

6,319

 

 

6,418

 

 

7,231

 

 

26,944

 

 

23,469

 

Total operating revenue (b)

 

$

29,311

 

 

$

26,029

 

 

$

25,207

 

 

$

23,468

 

 

$

25,705

 

 

$

104,015

 

 

$

93,325

 

Efficiency ratio

 

60.02

%

 

64.16

%

 

61.22

%

 

67.74

%

 

64.77

%

 

63.09

%

 

66.59

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted earnings (b - a)

 

$

11,720

 

 

$

9,329

 

 

$

9,776

 

 

$

7,571

 

 

$

9,056

 

 

$

38,396

 

 

$

31,176

 

Average total assets

 

$

2,603,745

 

 

$

2,540,735

 

 

$

2,425,767

 

 

$

2,104,862

 

 

$

2,107,365

 

 

$

2,419,616

 

 

$

2,049,035

 

Pre-tax, pre-provision adjusted return on average assets

 

1.80

%

 

1.47

%

 

1.61

%

 

1.44

%

 

1.72

%

 

1.59

%

 

1.52

%

ADJUSTED NET INTEREST MARGIN

“Adjusted Net Interest Margin” is a non-GAAP measure representing net interest income excluding the fees in lieu of interest and other recurring but volatile components of net interest margin divided by average interest-earning assets less average net PPP loans, if any, and other recurring but volatile components of average interest-earning assets. Fees in lieu of interest are defined as prepayment fees, asset-based loan fees, non-accrual interest, and loan fee amortization. In the judgment of the Company’s management, the adjustments made to net interest income allow investors and analysts to better assess the Company’s net interest income in relation to its core client-facing loan and deposit rate changes by removing the volatility that is associated with these recurring but volatile components. The information provided below reconciles the net interest margin to its most comparable GAAP measure.

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended

 

For the Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

December 31,
2020

 

September 30,
2020

 

June 30,
2020

 

March 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

 

December 31,
2020

 

December 31,
2019

Interest income

$

25,770

 

 

$

22,276

 

 

$

22,761

 

 

$

23,372

 

 

$

25,613

 

 

$

94,179

 

 

$

102,040

 

Interest expense

3,258

 

 

3,655

 

 

3,873

 

 

6,322

 

 

7,139

 

 

17,108

 

 

32,184

 

Net interest income (a)

22,512

 

 

18,621

 

 

18,888

 

 

17,050

 

 

18,474

 

 

77,071

 

 

69,856

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees in lieu of interest

4,749

 

 

1,511

 

 

2,257

 

 

798

 

 

1,840

 

 

9,315

 

 

6,479

 

PPP loan interest income

718

 

 

833

 

 

647

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,198

 

 

 

FRB interest income and FHLB dividend income

188

 

 

167

 

 

134

 

 

301

 

 

208

 

 

789

 

 

934

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRB PPPLF interest expense

9

 

 

26

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

Adjusted net interest income (b)

$

16,866

 

 

$

16,136

 

 

$

15,868

 

 

$

15,951

 

 

$

16,426

 

 

$

64,823

 

 

$

62,443

 

Average interest-earning assets (c)

$

2,441,735

 

 

$

2,374,891

 

 

$

2,258,759

 

 

$

1,981,887

 

 

$

1,980,922

 

 

$

2,265,105

 

 

$

1,935,343

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average net PPP loans

282,259

 

 

323,082

 

 

252,834

 

 

 

 

 

 

215,025

 

 

 

Average FRB cash and FHLB stock

45,611

 

 

33,756

 

 

69,176

 

 

37,989

 

 

34,565

 

 

46,595

 

 

34,149

 

Average non-accrual loans and leases

36,013

 

 

26,931

 

 

25,386

 

 

22,209

 

 

21,738

 

 

27,656

 

 

23,937

 

Adjusted average interest-earning assets (d)

$

2,077,852

 

 

$

1,991,122

 

 

$

1,911,363

 

 

$

1,921,689

 

 

$

1,924,619

 

 

$

1,975,829

 

 

$

1,877,257

 

Net interest margin (a / c)

3.69

%

 

3.14

%

 

3.34

%

 

3.44

%

 

3.73

%

 

3.40

%

 

3.61

%

Adjusted net interest margin (b / d)

3.25

%

 

3.24

%

 

3.32

%

 

3.32

%

 

3.41

%

 

3.28

%

 

3.33

%