Lighthouse Bank Reports Strong Performance in Q3 2015

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Locally owned Lighthouse Bank LGHT today released unaudited financial results for the quarter-ended September 30, 2015.  The Bank posted a $611 thousand profit for the period, as compared to $536 thousand during Q2 2015.  Profit for the first nine months of 2015 was $1.64 million.  This represented the 25th successive quarter of profitable operations for the eight-year-old Bank.  For the period, total shareholders' equity grew by $503 thousand.   Year-over-year, shareholders' equity increased $1.84 million, or 7%, to $26.9 million.  Loans outstanding dropped slightly during the period due to construction loan payoffs, however new loan commitments increased by $10.6 million.  Year-over-year loans increased $14 million, or 12%.  Deposits increased $2.4 million during Q3 2015, ending at $148 million, up 8% year-over-year.  Overall positive performance continued to be driven by the Bank's control of overhead expenses and consistent growth.  

The Bank's loan loss reserve of 2.48% of gross loans remained significantly above the industry average for banks of all sizes.  The Bank had no nonperforming loans, no nonperforming assets and no past due loans in excess of 30 days at period end. Lighthouse Bank has not taken a loan loss in over three years and has experienced only a single loan loss since opening in 2007.

During the 3^rd quarter, the Bank continued the construction expansion of its future headquarters site at 2020 N. Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz. The property, which was purchased by the Bank in January 2014, is located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz.  Full completion of the facility is anticipated by year-end with occupancy expected in Q1 2016.   In addition, the Bank continued with expansion plans for its first branch location that will be situated in Silicon Valley.  The location at 19240 Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino, is adjacent to the new Main St. Cupertino Business Center and close to the 3.1 million sq. ft. Apple headquarters building now under construction.  The Bank will take possession of the Stevens Creek Blvd. site in early 2016. The contiguous nature of the Silicon Valley market to that of Santa Cruz, staff experience working in that market, as well as community bank consolidations, have combined to provide a unique growth opportunity for Lighthouse Bank in Silicon Valley.

In August 2015, the Bank paid a $0.075 per share regular quarterly cash dividend. In January 2015, the Bank paid a $.40 per share special cash dividend to shareholders.  This followed two prior stock dividends granted in 2011 and 2013.  Since opening, Lighthouse Bank's consistently strong financial results continue to place it at the top of the industry in a variety of categories including asset quality, capital adequacy, return on equity and operational efficiency.  SNL Financial ranked Lighthouse Bank as the 8^th highest performing community bank in the nation based on 2014 performance, of the 4316 banks of asset size under 1/2 billion dollars.  DepositAccounts.com ranked Lighthouse Bank as the 10^th healthiest bank in the nation for 2015, of 6900 total banking institutions.  Lighthouse Bank stock, (LGHT) is actively traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board via the Bank's market makers and online and full-service brokerage providers.  More information on the Bank's stock and historical financial performance may be located on the Bank's website at http://lighthousebank.net/Company/StockInformation/tabid/2477/Default.aspx. 

The Bank is rated by Bauer Financial as Five-Star "Superior" for strong financial performance, the top rating given by the independent bank rating firm. Lighthouse Bank is the only locally owned institution in Santa Cruz County with a Five-Star rating.  The Findley Reports, a well known banking publication named the Bank as a "Super Premier" performing bank, their highest ranking, and FMC Consulting named Lighthouse Bank the top rated state chartered bank on the Central Coast. Lighthouse Bank has no financial relationship with any of these rating agencies.

ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE BANK:
Lighthouse Bank is a locally owned and operated full-service commercial bank located in Santa Cruz, Ca.  The Bank offers a full array of banking products and services to businesses, professionals, individuals, developers and commercial property owners. The Bank is dedicated to providing exceptional personalized service and access to decision makers who are close at hand.  The Bank offers a unique worldwide ATM fee rebate program and complimentary business courier service which expands the geographical reach of its banking office location throughout Santa Cruz County and the Silicon Valley. Lighthouse Bank is committed to operating an open, ethical and financially successful company without engaging in the corporate excesses that have characterized the financial services industry.  All decisions are intended to contribute to the long-term success of its clients, employees, owners and the communities it serves. The Bank received no TARP funds and has neither accepted nor requested government assistance of any kind.  Lighthouse Bank has never been subject to either formal or informal regulatory action.  

Lighthouse Bank is located at 111 Mission Street in Downtown Santa Cruz, CA. Lighthouse Bank's common stock is listed on the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Bulletin Board under the stock symbol LGHT.  More Information on the Bank may be obtained through its website www.lighthousebank.net or by calling 831-600-4000.

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SOURCE Lighthouse Bank