EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON JANUARY 21, 2004 Press Release Issued on January 21, 2004

Exhibit 99.1

 

[LOGO OF FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP]

Foothill Independent Bancorp

  

Contact: George Langley

626.963.8551

 

PRESS RELEASE – January 21, 2004

 

FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP REPORTS RECORD PROFITS

IN THE QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

 

CREDIT QUALITY REMAINS OUTSTANDING

 

GLENDORA, CA – Foothill Independent Bancorp (Nasdaq: FOOT), the parent holding company of Foothill Independent Bank, today reported that a continued focus on building core deposits resulted in record profits in the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2003. Fourth quarter net income increased 18% to $2.2 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, from $1.9 million, or $0.27 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2002. For the full year, net income grew 9% to $8.4 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, compared to $7.7 million, or $1.09 per diluted share in 2002. All per share data has been adjusted to reflect the 9% stock dividend payable January 29, 2004 to shareholders of record on January 8, 2004.

 

“A record fourth quarter was a fitting end to an excellent year for Foothill and its stockholders,” stated George Langley, President and CEO. “We have always been focused on building shareholder value, and 2003 was no exception. We celebrated our 30th anniversary by increasing our regular quarterly cash dividend in May 2003 to $.12 per quarter, and then increased it again in October to $.13 per share in conjunction with paying a special cash dividend of $.20 per share. We also declared a stock dividend, were added to the Russell 2000 index, and were recognized for our community revitalization efforts.”

 

Annualized return on average equity (ROE) improved to 15.0% in the fourth quarter of 2003, from 13.2% a year ago. For the year, ROE improved to 14.4% from 14.1% in 2002. Annualized return on average assets was 1.28% for the fourth quarter and 1.29% for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to 1.26% and 1.34%, respectively, for the corresponding periods of 2002.

 

“We have continued to lower our cost of funds by building core deposits, which consist of no-cost demand and lower-cost savings and money market deposits,” Langley said. “This strategy has enabled us to grow profits despite a difficult interest rate environment, and builds a platform for further success once rates begin to rise. While our net interest margin has trended downward, it remains among the best in our peer group of banks.” Net interest margin was 5.21% in the fourth quarter and 5.27% for all of 2003, compared to 5.49% in the fourth quarter, and 5.70% for the full year, ended December 31, in 2002.

 

Core deposits increased 19% to $537 million, representing 88% of total deposits at December 31, 2003 compared to $450 million, or 84% of deposits at December 31, 2002. Time deposits, which command higher rates of interest than on core deposits, decreased 12% in 2003 to $75 million, from $85 million a year ago. Total deposits were $612 million at December 31, 2003, up 14% from $534 million a year ago. Total assets increased 13% to $686 million at December 31, 2003, from $604 million a year ago, with total loans growing 4% to $460 million, from $442 million at year-end 2002.

 

“While loan production remains strong, loan portfolio growth has been slowed by significant prepayments,” Langley said. “We will continue to stay the course, striving to generate new loans while maintaining our underwriting standards.” Credit quality remained excellent as non-performing assets (NPAs) decreased to $626,000, or 0.09% of total assets, at year-end, compared to $2.9 million, or 0.49% of assets at December 31, 2002. The reserve for loan losses increased to $4.9 million at the end of 2003, representing 1.08% of gross loans and far exceeding NPAs. The bank recorded a net recovery of $25,000 in the fourth quarter of 2003 and net charge-offs of just $16,000 for the entirety of 2003, compared to a recovery of $6,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago and charge-offs of $47,000 for 2002.

 

“We will continue to look for acquisition opportunities that will fuel growth and make fiscal sense,” Langley said. “Unless such an opportunity presents itself, we will probably add a branch or two this year instead, either filling in gaps within our market to the south or expanding our presence to the east. As a result, I expect that our operating expenses may trend higher in 2004, although we are diligently working to cut costs and drive down our efficiency ratio.” The efficiency ratio was 63.9% in both the fourth quarter and 2003, compared to 62.8% in the fourth quarter a year ago and 62.7% for 2002.


Interest income rose 6% in the fourth quarter, largely due to an expanded securities portfolio, while interest expense was driven down 14% by continued core deposit growth and declining interest rates. As a result, net interest income grew 10% to $8.2 million, compared to $7.5 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. Other operating income was flat at $1.4 million in the quarter, including a slight decrease in fees on deposits. A small rise in salaries and benefits led to a 3% increase in operating expenses, to $6.0 million in the quarter, from $5.9 million in the final quarter of 2002.

 

The same drivers impacted results for the year ended December 31, 2003, during which net interest income grew 5% to $31.4 million from, $29.8 million the prior year. Other operating income declined slightly to $5.6 million, from $5.7 million in 2002, and other operating expenses increased by 2% to $23.5 million for 2003, from $22.9 million in the previous year.

 

Shareholders’ equity grew to $61 million at year-end from $58 million a year earlier, even after the payment of dividends and repurchases of 185,000 shares of common stock in 2003. Book value increased to $9.07 per share at December 31, 2003, from $8.76 per share a year earlier. Capital ratios continue to be above the “Well-Capitalized” guidelines established by U.S. Bank Regulatory Agencies. The Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 9.8% and the Total Risk-based Capital Ratio was 14.07% at December 31, 2003.

 

About Foothill Independent Bancorp

 

Foothill Independent Bancorp is a one-bank holding company that owns and operates Foothill Independent Bank. This wholly owned bank subsidiary currently operates 12 commercial banking offices in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Foothill Independent Bank has consistently earned the highest ratings for safety and soundness from such bank rating firms as Findley Reports, Bauer Financial Services, and Veribanc.

 

Forward Looking Information

 

This Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and often include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements are estimates of, or expectations or beliefs regarding, our future financial condition or financial performance that are based on current information. Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our ability to grow earnings per share, expand net interest margin and maintain asset quality and, therefore, could cause our future financial condition or operating results to differ significantly from our current expectations and beliefs. Certain of those risks and uncertainties are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers of this Release are urged to read the cautionary statements, which are set forth under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Forward Looking Information and Uncertainties Regarding Future Financial Performance” in Part II of that Report. Due to these uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this Release, which speak only as of this date. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

2


FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

 

Dollars in thousands, except per share data

 

     Three Months ended
December 31,


   Percent
Change


    Twelve Months ended
December 31,


   Percent
Change


 
     2003

   2002

     2003

   2002

  

Interest Income

                                        

Interest on loans & leases

   $ 7,886    $ 7,859          $ 31,683    $ 31,330       

Interest on securities

     1,197      613            3,515      2,857       

Interest on federal funds sold

     88      124            360      430       

Interest other

     27      47            122      194       
    

  

        

  

      

Total Interest Income

     9,198      8,643    6 %     35,680      34,811    2 %

Interest Expense

                                        

Deposits

     905      1,143            3,910      5,000       

FHLB advances and other

     89      14            369      39       
    

  

        

  

      

Total Interest Expense

     994      1,157    (14 )%     4,279      5,039    (15 )%

Net interest income

     8,204      7,486    10 %     31,401      29,772    5 %

Provision of loan losses

     110      100    10 %     410      460    (11 )%
    

  

        

  

      

Net interest income after provision of loan losses

     8,094      7,386    10 %     30,991      29,312    6 %

Other Operating Income

                                        

Fees on deposits

     1,269      1,346            5,000      5,214       

Gain on sales of SBA loans

     2      1            5      3       

Other

     140      88            604      477       
    

  

        

  

      

Total Other Operating Income

     1,411      1,435    (2 %)     5,609      5,694    (1 )%

Other Operating Expense

                                        

Salaries and employee benefits

     3,003      2,846            11,822      11,397       

Occupancy and equipment

     988      981            4,033      4,046       

Other

     2,050      2,039            7,598      7,491       
    

  

        

  

      

Total Other Operating Expenses

     6,041      5,866    3 %     23,453      22,934    2 %

Income before taxes

     3,464      2,955            13,147      12,072       

Income taxes

     1,244      1,076            4,726      4,378       
    

  

        

  

      

NET INCOME

   $ 2,220    $ 1,879    18 %   $ 8,421    $ 7,694    9 %
    

  

        

  

      

Earnings per common share – Basic

   $ 0.33    $ 0.29    14 %   $ 1.27    $ 1.17    9 %
    

  

        

  

      

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic

     6,696,483      6,568,693            6,613,752      6,563,390       
    

  

        

  

      

Earnings per common share – Diluted

   $ 0.31    $ 0.27    15 %   $ 1.18    $ 1.09    8 %
    

  

        

  

      

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Diluted

     7,140,984      7,073,474            7,140,834      7,060,255       
    

  

        

  

      

* Per share data for the quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 have been retroactively adjusted for stock dividends paid subsequent to December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

3


FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

     December 31,

    Percentage  
     2003

    2002

    Change

 
ASSETS:                       

Noninterest earning demand deposits and cash on hand

   $ 34,565     $ 32,665        

Federal funds sold and overnight repurchase agreements

     18,500       26,300        

Interest-earning deposits

     7,425       7,922        
    


 


     

Total Cash and Cash Equivalents

     60,490       66,887     (10 )%

Securities available for sale

     136,650       71,499        

Securities held to maturity

     8,900       9,279        
    


 


     

Total Securities

     145,550       80,788     80 %

Loans and leases receivable

     460,046       442,060     4 %

Reserve For loan losses

     (4,947 )     (4,619 )      
    


 


     

Loans & Leases Receivable, Net

     455,101       437,441     4 %

Accrued interest receivable

     2,824       2,243        

Other real estate owned

     —         387        

Premises and equipment

     5,061       5,498        

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock, at cost

     374       357        

Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stock, at cost

     351       229        

Other assets

     16,143       10,750        
    


 


     

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 685,894     $ 604,570     13 %
    


 


     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:                       
LIABILITIES:                       

Non-interest bearing demand deposits

   $ 225,845     $ 198,286        

Savings & NOW deposits

     151,868       138,430        

Money market deposits

     155,717       113,081        

Time deposits

     74,601       84,765        
    


 


     

Total Deposits

     612,031       534,562     14 %

Accrued employee benefits

     3,154       2,792        

Accrued interest and other liabilities

     1,921       1,640        

Other debt

     8,000       8,000        
    


 


     

Total Liabilities

     625,106       534,562     14 %

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                      

Common stock $0.001 par value-authorized: 25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 6,703,601 and 6,575,210 shares, respectively

     7       6        

Additional paid-in capital

     67,194       52,438        

Retained earnings (deficit)

     (6,578 )     4,868        

Accumulated other comprehensive income net of taxes

     165       264        
    


 


     

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     60,788       57,576     6 %
    


 


     

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 683,164     $ 604,570     13 %
    


 


     


FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RATIOS (unaudited)

 

     Three Months
Ended
December 31,


    Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Return on Average Assets*

   1.28 %*   1.26 %*   1.29 %   1.34 %

Return on Average Equity*

   14.98 %*   13.23 %*   14.38 %   14.06 %

Efficiency Ratio*

   63.88 %   62.79 %   63.93 %   62.68 %

Annualized Operating Expense/Average Assets*

   3.50 %*   3.92 %*   3.60 %   4.00 %

Net Interest Margin

   5.21 %*   5.49 %*   5.27 %   5.70 %

Tier 1 Capital Ratio*

   9.80 %   10.88 %   9.80 %   10.88 %

Risk Adjusted Capital Ratio*

   14.07 %   14.19 %   14.07 %   14.19 %

* These ratios have been annualized.

 

OTHER CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,


    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net Loans and Leases

   $ 455,101     $ 437,441     $ 455,101     $ 437,441  

Non-Performing/Non-Accrual Loans*

                                

Amounts

   $ 626     $ 2,551     $ 626     $ 2,551  

As a Percentage of Gross Loans

     0.14 %     0.58 %     0.14 %     0.58 %

Real Estate Owned – Loans

   $ —       $ 387     $ —       $ 387  

Total Non-Performing Assets

                                

Amounts

   $ 626     $ 2,938     $ 626     $ 2,938  

Percentage of Total Assets

     0.09 %     0.49 %     0.09 %     0.49 %

Loan Loss Reserves

                                

Amounts

   $ 4,947     $ 4,619     $ 4,947     $ 4,619  

As a Percentage of Gross Loans

     1.08 %     1.04 %     1.08 %     1.04 %

Loan Loss Provision

   $ 110     $ 100     $ 410     $ 460  

Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries)

   $ (25 )   $ (6 )   $ 16     $ 47  

* Non-Accrual loans are loans that have made no payments of principal or interest for more than 90 days.

 

     At December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

 

Book Value Per Share

   $ 9.07 **   $ 8.76 **

** Adjusted for stock dividends payable subsequent to December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

5


FOOTHILL INDEPENDENT BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31


   

Twelve Months Ended

December 31


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 
ASSETS                                 

Earning assets:

                                

Interest-earning deposits

   $ 8,324     $ 8,453     $ 8,320     $ 7,544  

Federal funds sold and overnight repurchase agreements

     22,196       34,802       21,773       27,504  

Investment securities

     160,516       69,779       121,584       69,868  

Loans and leases (net of unearned income)

     444,910       439,042       449,654       423,759  
    


 


 


 


Total earning assets

     618,876       552,076       601,331       528,675  

Loan loss reserve

     (4,884 )     (4,518 )     (4,711 )     (4,378 )

Non-earning assets

     59,860       50,967       55,324       49,537  
    


 


 


 


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 690,922     $ 598,525     $ 651,944     $ 573,834  
    


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                                 

Interest-bearing liabilities

                                

Deposits:

                                

Savings and interest bearing transaction accounts

   $ 312,464     $ 254,036     $ 288,756     $ 242,305  

Certificates of deposit, $100,000 or more

     31,606       34,588       32,254       34,676  

Other time deposits

     45,218       51,613       48,358       54,148  
    


 


 


 


Total interest-bearing deposits

     397,288       340,237       369,368       331,129  

Other interest-bearing liabilities

     8,000       2,754       8,000       667  
    


 


 


 


Total interest bearing liabilities

     397,288       342,991       377,368       331,796  

Non-interest liabilities:

                                

Demand deposits

     228,414       194,195       211,153       181,679  

Other non-interest liabilities

     5,951       4,521       4,843       5,655  
    


 


 


 


Total liabilities

     631,653       541,707       593,364       519,130  

Stockholders’ equity

     59,269       56,818       58,580       54,704  
    


 


 


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 690,922     $ 598,525     $ 651,944     $ 573,834