Northwest Bancorporation, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2014 Financial Results

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SPOKANE, Wash., April 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northwest Bancorporation, Inc. NBCT (the "Company"), the holding company of Inland Northwest Bank (the "Bank" or "INB"), today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

Net income for the first quarter of 2014 was $588 thousand, compared to $605 thousand for the corresponding period in 2013. After preferred stock dividends and related accretion adjustments of zero and $169 thousand for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively, net income available to common shareholders was $588 thousand for the first quarter this year compared to $436 thousand for the first quarter last year, representing an increase of $152 thousand, or 35%. There were no preferred stock dividends or related accretion adjustments during the first quarter of 2014 because the Company redeemed all of its outstanding preferred stock in December 2013. The Company again achieved earnings per diluted share of $0.14 per share for the first quarter of 2014, the same as for the first quarter of 2013, even though the Company had about one million more shares outstanding at March 31, 2014 (4,117,673 shares) than it did on March 31, 2013 (3,089,957 shares).

Financial highlights

  • Achieved ninth consecutive quarter of profitability, with net income of $588 thousand.
  • Nonperforming assets decreased 54% year over year.
  • Noninterest bearing deposits increased 9.5% year over year.
  • The number of checking and savings accounts increased by 5% year over year.
  • Loans grew by $8.6 million, or 2.9%, during the first quarter and are up by $41.3 million year over year.
  • Book value of Company stock increased 2.2% during the first quarter, to $8.68 per share.

Balance sheet

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had total assets of $398.5 million, compared to $394.2 million on December 31, 2013 and $391.8 million on March 31, 2013. This represents an increase of $4.3 million, or 1.1%, over year end and an increase of $6.7 million, or 1.7%, year over year.

The investment portfolio was $52.6 million as of March 31, 2014, down $1.7 million, or 3.2%, from $54.4 million at December 31, 2013.  The decrease reflects a shift in the deployment of capital from investments to loans. The net unrealized gain in the portfolio was $1.2 million, which was 24% higher than the $929 thousand net unrealized gain at year-end 2013.

The net loan portfolio was $305.5 million on March 31, 2014.  This was up $8.6 million, or 2.9%, from year end and was up $41.3 million, or 15.6%, from March 31, 2013, when the loan portfolio was $264.2 million. The increase from prior periods primarily reflects increased commercial lending activity. "I am very pleased that we have been able to grow our loan portfolio," President and CEO Randall Fewel commented, "because that translates to increased interest income."

Deposits at March 31, 2014 were $336.5 million, an increase of $15.9 million, or 5.0%, compared to December 31, 2013, and an increase of $2.1 million, or 0.6%, compared to March 31, 2013. Core deposits (all deposits except time deposits) ended the quarter at $258.7 million, which is 76.9% of total deposits.  This represents an increase of $2.9 million, or 1.1%, since the beginning of the year and an increase of $2.4 million, or 1.0%, over the $256.3 million level on March 31, 2013.

Noninterest bearing deposits, a subset of core deposits, were $85.7 million at quarter end, representing 25.5% of total deposits.  This compares to noninterest bearing deposits of $78.2 million, or 23.4% of total deposits, at March 31, 2013, and to $83.1 million, or 25.9% of total deposits, at year-end 2013.  The level of noninterest bearing deposits at quarter end represented growth of $7.5 million, or 9.5%, compared to March 31, 2013.

Asset quality, provision and allowance for loan losses

The Bank's nonperforming assets ("NPAs") were $4.8 million at quarter end, representing 1.19% of total assets. NPAs are defined as loans on which the Bank has stopped accruing interest and includes foreclosed real estate. NPAs at the end of 2013 were $5.3 million, representing 1.34% of total assets, and at March 31, 2013, NPAs were $10.3 million, representing 2.62% of total assets. "Converting nonperforming assets to performing, or earning, assets also helps increase interest income," Fewel said. "This helps offset the pressure on our net interest margin and on our noninterest income. It also helps because there are legal expenses and other collection costs associated with NPAs, so reducing NPAs has even more of a positive effect for us."

Net charge-offs were $149 thousand for the three-month period ending on March 31, 2014, compared to $180 thousand for the comparable period in 2013. The provision for loan losses was $250 thousand for the three -month period ending on March 31, 2014, compared to $244 thousand for the comparable period in 2013. As of March 31, 2014, the allowance for loan losses ("ALLL") was $5.9 million, or 1.93% of gross loans.  This is slightly higher than on December 31, 2013, when it was $5.8 million and represented 1.91% of the loan portfolio, and is $580 thousand higher than a year ago when the ALLL was $5.3 million and represented 1.97% of gross loans.

Capital

Shareholders' equity increased $800 thousand during the first quarter of 2014. The increase reflects earnings retention and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income. The book value of the Company stock was $8.68 per share of common stock on March 31, 2014, up $0.19, or 2.2%, over the $8.49 per share book value on December 31, 2013.

The Bank continues to maintain capital levels in excess of the requirements to be categorized as "well-capitalized" under applicable regulatory standards. The Bank's Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets ratio at March 31, 2014 was 11.2%, compared to 10.7% on March 31, 2013; the regulatory minimum to be considered well-capitalized is 5.0%. The Bank's total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio at March 31, 2014 was 13.6% compared to 14.2% on March 31, 2013; the regulatory threshold for this ratio for a bank to be considered well-capitalized is 10.0%.

Total revenue

Total revenue for the Company was $4.4 million for the first quarter of 2014, compared to $5.0 million for the first quarter of 2013, representing a decrease of $555 thousand, or 11.1%. Total revenue is defined as net interest income plus noninterest income. Net interest income was down $47 thousand and noninterest income was down $508 thousand in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. "The big decline in total revenue year over year was largely due to a huge drop off in mortgage refinance activity," Fewel commented. "Our gains from sale of mortgage loans dropped from $504 thousand in the first quarter last year to $159 thousand in the first quarter this year – a decline of 68%."

Net interest income

Net interest income was $3.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $47 thousand, or 1.3%, from the comparable period in 2013. Included in the first quarter of 2013 is $273 thousand in nonrecurring loan interest income. The net interest margin (interest income minus interest expense, divided by average earning assets) decreased from 4.11% in the first quarter of 2013 to 4.03% in the first quarter of 2014.

Noninterest income

Noninterest income decreased by $508 thousand, or 39.4%, from $1.3 million in the first quarter last year, to $780 thousand in the first quarter this year. Noninterest income was 0.79% of average assets in the first quarter this year, compared to 1.30% last year. This decrease was related to lower service charges on deposits, lower gains from sales of loans, lower gains realized on investment securities, and lower operating income generated from foreclosed real estate properties. The Bank recorded $21 thousand in realized gains on investment securities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, compared to $106 thousand in realized gains for the comparable period of 2013.

Noninterest expense

Noninterest expense for the first quarter decreased by $514 thousand, or 13.2%, from $3.9 million last year to $3.4 million this year. As a percentage of average assets, noninterest expense decreased from 3.94% in the first quarter of 2013 to 3.44% for the comparable period in 2014. Nearly all categories of noninterest expenses were down year over year, with the most significant reductions resulting from lower costs related to operating, maintaining or selling foreclosed real estate properties.

Summary

Fewel summarized the quarterly results by saying, "After the outstanding year we had in 2013, it is particularly gratifying to achieve net earnings in the first quarter this year that are 35% better than the first quarter last year. Fully redeeming all the preferred stock in December that we had issued in 2009 under the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program is a big monkey off our back. Not only did we eliminate the dividend and related costs of $169 thousand per quarter, but we avoided the dividend increase from 5% to 9% that was scheduled to happen in February this year. Our net savings going forward will be about $165 thousand per quarter."

Fewel concluded by saying, "While we are extremely pleased with our first quarter results, I would be remiss in not noting that there are many challenges facing community banks today, including the overzealous regulatory environment and its disproportionate impact on smaller banks, the tepid housing market, and the possibility of a rapid move upward in interest rates. We are doing everything we can at INB to deal with these issues and to position the Bank for growth and improved earnings."

About Northwest Bancorporation, Inc.

Northwest Bancorporation, Inc. is the parent company of Inland Northwest Bank, a state-chartered community bank which operates seven branches in Spokane County, Washington, and four branches in Kootenai County, Idaho. INB specializes in meeting the financial needs of individuals and small to medium-sized businesses, including professional corporations, by providing a full line of commercial, retail, mortgage and private banking products and services. More information about INB can be found on its website at www.inb.com. The Company's stock is listed on the OTC Markets, www.otcmarkets.com, under the symbol NBCT.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements that are not historical facts and that are intended to be "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this release that are not historical facts and pertain to the Company's future operating results.  When used in this release, the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements, because such statements are inherently subject to significant assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. These include but are not limited to: the possibility of adverse economic developments that may, among other things, increase default and delinquency risks in the Company's loan portfolios; shifts in interest rates; shifts in the rate of inflation; shifts in the demand for the Company's loan and other products; unforeseen increases in costs and expenses; changes in accounting policies; changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; and changes in laws, regulations and the competitive environment.  Unless legally required, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Northwest Bancorporation, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(Unaudited)
       
       
  Mar. 31 Dec. 31, Mar. 31
(dollars in thousands) 2014 2013 2013
       
Assets:      
Cash and due from banks  $ 13,487  $ 13,951  $ 12,845
Interest bearing deposits  1,240  2,129  11,274
Time deposits held for investment  2,655  2,655  2,895
Securities available for sale  49,975  51,706  69,406
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost  1,183  1,194  1,227
Loans receivable, net  305,550  296,938  264,234
Loans held for sale  288  1,139  3,574
Premises and equipment, net  15,376  15,614  16,469
Accrued interest receivable  1,371  1,261  1,503
Foreclosed real estate  1,315  1,675  2,289
Bank-owned life insurance  4,190  4,160  4,069
Other assets  1,906  1,781  2,037
Total assets  $ 398,536  $ 394,203  $ 391,822
       
Liabilities:      
Deposits:      
Noninterest bearing deposits  $ 85,679  $ 83,063  $ 78,222
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits  173,043  172,754  178,062
Time deposits  77,801  64,807  78,110
   336,523  320,624  334,394
Accrued interest payable  127  131  686
Federal funds purchased  --   12,170  -- 
Borrowed funds  22,362  23,256  12,952
Other liabilities  3,767  3,065  5,417
Total liabilities  362,779  359,246  353,449
       
Shareholders' equity:      
Preferred stock  --   --   10,934
Common stock  32,718  32,657  26,125
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)  2,277  1,687  (476)
Accumulated other comprehensive income  762  613  1,790
Total shareholders' equity  35,757  34,957  38,373
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $ 398,536  $ 394,203  $ 391,822
 
Northwest Bancorporation, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
       
       
  Three Months Ended
  Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Mar. 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2014 2013 2013
       
Interest and dividend income:      
Loans receivable  $ 3,792  $ 3,750  $ 3,787
Investment securities  393  378  434
Other  10  14  16
Total interest and dividend income  4,195  4,142  4,237
       
Interest expense:      
Deposits  343  348  448
Borrowed funds  198  163  88
Total interest expense  541  511  536
       
Net interest income  3,654  3,631  3,701
       
Provision for loan losses  250  646  244
       
Noninterest income:      
Service charges on deposits  226  265  256
Gains from sale of loans, net  159  237  504
Gain on investment securities, net  21  2  106
Other noninterest income  374  411  422
Total noninterest income  780  915  1,288
       
Noninterest expense:      
Salaries and employee benefits  1,782  1,729  1,838
Occupancy and equipment  341  310  353
Depreciation and amortization  293  296  308
Advertising and promotion  102  91  84
FDIC assessments  66  38  128
Loss (gain) on foreclosed real estate, net  (63)  (318)  81
Other noninterest expense  864  964  1,107
Total noninterest expense  3,385  3,110  3,899
       
Income before income taxes  799  790  846
Income tax expense  211  218  241
NET INCOME  $ 588  $ 572  $ 605
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion, net  --   166  169
Net income available to common shares  $ 588  $ 406  $ 436
       
Earnings per common share - basic  $ 0.14  $ 0.12  $ 0.14
Earnings per common share - diluted  $ 0.14  $ 0.12  $ 0.14
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic  4,117,673  3,336,652  3,089,957
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted  4,189,288  3,398,990  3,141,777
 
Northwest Bancorporation, Inc.
Key Financial Ratios and Data
(Unaudited)
       
       
  Three Months Ended
  Mar. 31 Dec. 31, Mar. 31
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2014 2013 2013
       
PERFORMANCE RATIOS (annualized)      
Return on average assets 0.60% 0.41% 0.44%
Return on average equity 6.65% 4.37% 4.57%
Yield on earning assets 4.62% 4.57% 4.70%
Cost of funds 0.82% 0.77% 0.80%
Net interest margin 4.03% 4.01% 4.11%
Noninterest income to average assets 0.79% 0.92% 1.30%
Noninterest expense to average assets 3.44% 3.14% 3.94%
Provision expense to average assets 0.25% 0.65% 0.25%
Efficiency ratio(1) 76.3% 68.4% 78.2%
       
       
  Mar. 31 Dec. 31, Mar. 31
  2014 2013 2013
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS AND DATA      
Nonaccrual loans $3,446 $3,614 $7,981
Foreclosed real estate $1,315 $1,675 $2,289
Nonperforming assets $4,761 $5,289 $10,270
Loans 30-89 days past due and on accrual $3,719 $1,279 $1,209
Restructured loans $8,392 $8,375 $8,611
Allowance for loan losses $5,904 $5,803 $5,324
Nonperforming assets to total assets 1.19% 1.34% 2.62%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.93% 1.91% 1.97%
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans 171.33% 160.57% 66.71%
Net charge-offs $149 (2)   $180 (2)
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized) 0.19% (2)   0.26% (2)
       
       
CAPITAL RATIOS AND DATA      
Common shares outstanding at period end  4,117,673  4,117,673  3,089,957
Book value per common share $8.68 $8.49 $8.88
Tangible common equity $35,757 $34,957 $27,439
Shareholders' equity to total assets 9.0% 8.9% 9.8%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets (3) 13.6% 13.4% 14.2%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (3) 12.4% 12.1% 13.0%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (3) 11.2% 11.0% 10.7%
       
       
DEPOSIT RATIOS AND DATA      
Core deposits (4) $258,722 $255,817 $256,284
Core deposits to total deposits 76.9% 79.8% 76.6%
Noninterest bearing deposits to total deposits 25.5% 25.9% 23.4%
Net loan to deposit ratio 90.8% 92.6% 79.0%
       
       
Notes:      
(1) Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and noninterest income).
(2) Net charge-offs for the three-month period.
(3) Regulatory capital ratios are reported for Inland Northwest Bank.
(4) Core deposits include all deposits except time deposits.
CONTACT: For more information contact: Randall L. Fewel, President and CEO Holly Poquette, Chief Financial Officer 509.456.8888 nbct@inb.com
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