First Choice Bancorp Announces Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results


Current Quarter Highlights

 Net income of $6.8 million, or $0.58 per diluted share
 Net interest margin of 5.14%
 Return on average assets and average equity of 1.73% and 10.86%
 Total loans held for investment increased $62.4 million, or 19.6% annualized
 Noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased $11.6 million and represented 43.6% of total deposits at June 30, 2019

Cerritos, CA, July 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Choice Bancorp (NASDAQ: FCBP) (the "Company"), the holding company of First Choice Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income of $6.8 million for the second quarter of 2019, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $7.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2019.

“We are pleased to deliver another strong quarter for our shareholders,” said Peter Hui, Chairman of the Board of the Company. “Combined with our historical dividends and our current stock buyback program, we believe our strong operating performance continues to enhance shareholder value.”

“Our larger scale and geographic presence are positively impacting our business development efforts and our ability to attract high quality customers to First Choice Bank,” said Robert M. Franko, President and CEO of the Company. “We also continue to see healthy economic conditions throughout our Southern California markets, which is producing solid loan demand. We had a strong quarter of loan originations that contributed to our annualized year-to-date loan growth rate of nearly 14%, with well-balanced production across our major lending areas. The combination of strong balance sheet growth, a core net interest margin of 4.96%, and disciplined expense management is driving improved efficiencies throughout the Company and producing a high level of return on assets and equity. We continue to closely monitor the Federal Reserve's management of interest rates in order to appropriately plan and execute our strategy for the remainder of the year.”

STATEMENT OF INCOME

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2019 totaled $18.8 million, a decrease of $356 thousand from $19.2 million for the first quarter of 2019 due to higher interest expense of $736 thousand, partially offset by higher interest income of $380 thousand. The increase in interest income was due to strong loan growth and one additional day in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of 2019. Average loans increased $53.4 million to $1.33 billion for the second quarter. The increase in interest expense is attributed to higher average interest-bearing liabilities, a higher overall cost of such funds, and one additional day in the second quarter. Average interest-bearing deposits and borrowings increased $75.7 million to support loan growth. Deposit interest expense increased $473 thousand, due mostly to the cost associated with an increase in brokered time deposits, and borrowings interest expense increased $263 thousand.

Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin for the second quarter of 2019 decreased 36 basis points to 5.14% from 5.50% for the first quarter of 2019 due to lower discount accretion and prepayment penalties on loans and higher funding costs. The loan yield decreased 20 basis points to 6.42% for the second quarter of 2019 from 6.62% for the first quarter of 2019 due to lower scheduled and accelerated accretion of discounts on loans and prepayment penalties of $655 thousand as shown in the table below. The cost of funds increased 18 basis points to 1.03% for the second quarter of 2019 compared to 0.85% for the first quarter of 2019 due in part to average brokered time deposits and borrowings representing a higher percentage of total average funding sources. Average brokered time deposits and total borrowings increased $67.9 million and $41.8 million and average interest-bearing nonmaturity deposits and average noninterest-bearing demand deposits decreased $14.2 million and $27.7 million. The cost of interest-bearing deposits increased 19 basis points to 1.58% due to the mix of deposits and the higher cost of such deposits. During the second quarter of 2019, average noninterest-bearing demand deposits totaled $534.2 million, or 43.6% of total deposits, compared to $561.9 million, or 46.1% of total deposits, for the first quarter of 2019. The total cost of deposits increased 14 basis points to 0.89% from 0.75%.

The core net interest margin decreased 16 basis points to 4.96% for the second quarter compared to 5.12% for the first quarter of 2019 due to higher funding costs. The core loan yield increased 2 basis points to 6.23% for the second quarter compared to the first quarter of 2019. The following charts show how the net interest margin and loan yield are impacted by scheduled discount accretion on acquired loans and accelerated accretion and prepayment penalties from early loan payoffs for the periods indicated:

  Three Months Ended 
  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  Variance 
Net interest income and net interest margin Net Interest Income  Net Interest Margin  Net Interest Income  Net Interest Margin  Net Interest Income  Net Interest Margin 
  (dollars in thousands) 
As reported $18,836   5.14% $19,192   5.50% $(356)  (0.36)%
Less: scheduled accretion income  499   0.14%  526   0.15%  (27)  (0.01)%
Less: accelerated accretion and prepayment penalties  155   0.04%  783   0.23%  (628)  (0.19)%
Core (non-GAAP) $18,182   4.96% $17,883   5.12% $299   (0.16)%


  Three Months Ended 
  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  Variance 
Loan interest income and loan yield Loan Interest Income  Loan Yield  Loan Interest Income  Loan Yield  Loan Interest Income  Loan Yield 
  (dollars in thousands) 
As reported $21,344   6.42% $20,916   6.62% $428   (0.20)%
Less: scheduled accretion income  499   0.15%  526   0.17%  (27)  (0.02)%
Less: accelerated accretion and prepayment penalties  155   0.04%  783   0.24%  (628)  (0.20)%
Core (non-GAAP) $20,690   6.23% $19,607   6.21% $1,083   0.02%

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2019 was $2.3 million, an increase of $200 thousand from $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2019 due to higher gains on sale of SBA loans, service charges and fees on deposit accounts and net servicing fees, offset by lower other income. SBA loans sold totaled $16.4 million resulting in a gain on sale of loans of $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2019 compared to $18.6 million in SBA loans sold and a gain on sale of loans of $928 thousand in the first quarter of 2019. Other income for the first quarter of 2019 included a Bank Enterprise Award of $233 thousand from the U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund to recognize the Bank's efforts in providing affordable housing development and small business loans within distressed communities; there was no similar income in the current quarter.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense decreased $95 thousand to $10.6 million for the second quarter of 2019 from $10.7 million for the first quarter of 2019. This decrease was due to lower occupancy and equipment expense of $442 thousand and lower deposit insurance and regulatory assessments of $75 thousand, offset by higher salaries and employee benefits of $634 thousand. The decrease in occupancy expenses was due to first quarter impairment charges related to the right-of-use assets for operating leases and fixed assets for the branch consolidations of $400 thousand; there were no impairment charges in the current quarter. The decrease in deposit insurance and regulatory assessments was due primarily to a decrease in FDIC assessment rates. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was due to higher commissions and incentives related to loan and deposit growth, higher salary expense attributed to additional staff, annual pay increases being included for a full quarter, and higher restricted stock expense, offset by lower payroll tax expense.

The operating efficiency ratio was 50.1% in the second quarter of 2019, compared with 50.2% in the first quarter of 2019.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $3.2 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared to $3.3 million for the first quarter of 2019. The effective tax rate was at 31.9% for the second quarter of 2019 and 31.7% for the first quarter of 2019. The effective tax rate for the full year of 2019 is expected to be approximately 31.0%.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Loan Portfolio

Total loans held for investment increased $62.4 million, or 4.90%, to $1.34 billion at June 30, 2019. The increase was driven by new loan commitments across most of the Company's major lending areas of $135.2 million, including $72.2 million in construction and commercial real estate loans, $41.3 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $21.7 million in SBA loans.

Deposits

Total deposits increased $40.7 million, or 3.3%, to $1.26 billion at June 30, 2019 due to higher noninterest-bearing demand deposits of $11.6 million and higher time deposits of $51.4 million, partially offset by lower interest-bearing non-maturity deposits of $22.3 million. Brokered time deposits increased $52.0 million to $152.3 million, of which $134.5 million are callable or mature within six months. Noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $547.4 million and represented 43.6% of total deposits at June 30, 2019 compared to $535.9 million and 44.1% of total deposits at March 31, 2019.

Credit Quality

Non-performing loans totaled $2.7 million at June 30, 2019 and $1.7 million at March 31, 2019, and represented 0.15% and 0.10% of total assets. Net recoveries for the second quarter of 2019 were $77 thousand, or 0.02% of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to net recoveries of $20 thousand for the first quarter of 2019.

Loan delinquencies (30-89 days) totaled $909 thousand, or 0.07% of total loans held for investment at June 30, 2019, compared to $2.6 million, or 0.20% of total loans held for investment at March 31, 2019.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $550 thousand for the second quarter of 2019. The provision for loan losses related primarily to net loan portfolio growth. The allowance for loan losses represented 0.90% of total loans held for investment and 449.9% of nonperforming loans at June 30, 2019, compared with 0.90% and 684.2% at March 31, 2019. At June 30, 2019, the net carrying value of acquired loans totaled $304.0 million and included a remaining net discount of $8.1 million. Such discount is available to absorb losses on the acquired loans and represented 0.60% of total gross loans held for investment.

CAPITAL POSITION

Capital Ratios

At June 30, 2019, the Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements under Basel III and was considered to be a “well-capitalized” financial institution.

Bank Only June 30, 2019
Preliminary
  December 31, 2018 
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)  14.09%  14.18%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)  13.15%  13.26%
CET1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)  13.15%  13.26%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)  12.55%  12.03%

Stock Repurchase Program

During the second quarter of 2019, the Company repurchased 12,824 shares at an average price of $21.30 and a total cost of $273 thousand under the stock repurchase program announced in December 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company repurchased 328,770 shares at an average price of $21.54 and a total cost of $7.1 million. The remaining number of shares authorized to be repurchased under this program was 834,947 shares at June 30, 2019.

Timing of Dividend Declarations

Beginning with the second quarter of 2019, the Company has moved up the timing of the release of its quarterly financial results. Accordingly, any announcement of quarterly dividend declarations is no longer expected to coincide with the release of quarterly financial results.

About First Choice Bancorp

First Choice Bancorp, headquartered in Cerritos, California, is the sole shareholder of, and the registered bank holding company for, First Choice Bank. As of June 30, 2019, First Choice Bancorp had total consolidated assets of $1.73 billion. First Choice Bank, also headquartered in Cerritos, California, is a community-based financial institution that serves primarily commercial and consumer clients in diverse communities and specializes in loans to small-to medium-sized businesses and private banking clients, commercial and industrial loans, and commercial real estate loans with a specialization in providing financial solutions for the hospitality industry. First Choice Bank is a Preferred Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender. First Choice Bank conducts business through 9 full-service branches, and 2 lending offices located in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. Founded in 2005, First Choice Bank has quickly become a leading provider of financial services that enable our customers to grow, maintain strength, and achieve their business objectives. We strive to surpass our clients’ expectations through our efficiency, personalized services and financial solutions and professionalism and are committed to being “First in Speed, Service, and Solutions.” First Choice Bancorp stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “FCBP.”

First Choice Bank’s website is www.FirstChoiceBankCA.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's operational performance and to enhance investors' overall understanding of such financial performance, permit investors to effectively analyze financial trends of our business activities, and enhance comparability with peers across the financial services sector. These non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial information. A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures is included in the accompanying financial tables.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company including, without limitation, plans, strategies and goals, and statements about the Company’s expectations regarding revenue and asset growth, financial performance and profitability, loan and deposit growth, yields and returns, loan diversification and credit management, shareholder value creation and tax rates. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be the same as those anticipated by management. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including the risk factors described in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by law. Any statements about future operating results, such as those concerning accretion and dilution to the Company's earnings or shareholders, are for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts, and actual results may differ.

Contacts
First Choice Bancorp
Robert M. Franko, 562.345.9241
President & Chief Executive Officer
or
Lynn M. Hopkins, 562.263.8327
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer


First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Financial Highlights and Selected Ratios (unaudited):

  At or for the Three Months Ended  At or for the Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  June 30, 2018  June 30, 2019  June 30, 2018 
  (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 
Total interest and dividend income $22,219  $21,839  $12,915  $44,058  $24,104 
Total interest expense  3,383   2,647   2,096   6,030   3,733 
Net interest income  18,836   19,192   10,819   38,028   20,371 
Provision for loan losses  550   350   320   900   520 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  18,286   18,842   10,499   37,128   19,851 
Total noninterest income  2,322   2,122   787   4,444   1,356 
Total noninterest expense  10,605   10,700   6,325   21,305   13,008 
Income before taxes  10,003   10,264   4,961   20,267   8,199 
Income taxes  3,192   3,256   1,526   6,448   2,385 
NET INCOME $6,811  $7,008  $3,435  $13,819  $5,814 
                     
Total assets $1,730,433  $1,649,759  $962,686  $1,730,433  $962,686 
Total loans held for investment  1,336,015   1,273,577   783,487   1,336,015   783,487 
Total deposits  1,255,878   1,215,170   784,957   1,255,878   784,957 
Noninterest-bearing deposits  547,434   535,867   211,611   547,434   211,611 
Dividends declared per common share $0.20  $0.20  $0.20  $0.40  $0.40 
Net income per share-diluted $0.58  $0.59  $0.47  $1.17  $0.80 
Return on average assets  1.73%  1.87%  1.48%  1.80%  1.29%
Return on average equity  10.86%  11.45%  12.55%  11.15%  10.80%
Return on average tangible common equity (1)  15.89%  16.89%  12.55%  16.38%  10.80%
Net interest margin  5.14%  5.50%  4.73%  5.32%  4.56%
Core net interest margin (1)  4.96%  5.12%  4.32%  5.04%  4.34%
Average loan yield  6.42%  6.62%  6.17%  6.52%  5.87%
Core average loan yield (1)  6.23%  6.21%  5.70%  6.21%  5.63%
Cost of deposits  0.89%  0.75%  0.98%  0.82%  0.89%
Cost of funds  1.03%  0.85%  1.03%  0.94%  0.94%
Efficiency ratio (1)  50.1%  50.2%  54.5%  50.2%  59.9%
Noninterest-bearing deposits to total deposits  43.6%  44.1%  27.0%  43.6%  27.0%
Equity to assets ratio  14.69%  15.04%  11.30%  14.69%  11.30%
Tangible common equity ratio (1)  10.57%  10.72%  11.30%  10.57%  11.30%
Book value per share $21.65  $21.30  $15.00  $21.65  $15.00 
Tangible book value per share (1) $14.87  $14.45  $15.00  $14.87  $15.00 

(1) Non-GAAP measure. See GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation.


First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  December 31, 2018 
  (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 
ASSETS         
Cash and due from banks $9,340  $10,352  $17,874 
Interest-bearing deposits at other banks  228,263   197,330   176,502 
Federal funds sold     3,000   3,000 
Total cash and cash equivalents  237,603   210,682   197,376 
Investment securities, available-for-sale  28,558   29,064   29,543 
Investment securities, held-to-maturity  5,076   5,311   5,322 
Equity securities, at fair value  2,647   2,590   2,538 
Restricted stock investments, at cost  12,927   12,867   12,855 
Loans held for sale  8,428   18,147   28,022 
Total loans held for investment  1,336,015   1,273,577   1,250,981 
Allowance for loan losses  (12,053)  (11,426)  (11,056)
Total loans held for investment, net  1,323,962   1,262,151   1,239,925 
Accrued interest receivable  5,643   5,560   5,069 
Premises and equipment  1,742   1,673   1,973 
Servicing asset  3,482   3,351   3,186 
Deferred taxes  6,625   6,875   8,666 
Goodwill  73,425   73,425   73,425 
Core deposit intangible  6,183   6,380   6,576 
Other assets  14,132   11,683   8,025 
TOTAL ASSETS $1,730,433  $1,649,759  $1,622,501 
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Deposits:            
Noninterest-bearing demand $547,434  $535,867  $546,713 
Money market, interest checking and savings  400,943   423,220   465,123 
Time deposits  307,501   256,083   240,503 
Total deposits  1,255,878   1,215,170   1,252,339 
Short term borrowings  195,000   160,000   104,998 
Senior secured debt  12,800   14,200   8,450 
Other liabilities  12,634   12,254   8,645 
Total liabilities  1,476,312   1,401,624   1,374,432 
Total shareholders’ equity  254,121   248,135   248,069 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $1,730,433  $1,649,759  $1,622,501 
             
Shares outstanding  11,737,441   11,650,020   11,726,074 
Book value per share $21.65  $21.30  $21.16 
Tangible book value per share (1) $14.87  $14.45  $14.33 

(1) Non-GAAP measure. See GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation.


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)

  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended June 30, 
  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  June 30, 2018  2019  2018 
  (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 
INTEREST and DIVIDEND INCOME                    
Interest and fees on loans $21,344  $20,916  $12,320  $42,260  $22,941 
Interest on investment securities  215   236   233   451   472 
Interest on deposits in financial institutions  454   445   294   899   554 
Dividends on FHLB and other stock  206   242   68   448   137 
Total interest and dividend income  22,219   21,839   12,915   44,058   24,104 
INTEREST EXPENSE                    
Interest on savings, interest checking and money market accounts  1,254   1,239   969   2,493   1,788 
Interest on time deposits  1,463   1,005   919   2,468   1,535 
Interest on borrowings  666   403   208   1,069   410 
Total interest expense  3,383   2,647   2,096   6,030   3,733 
Net interest income  18,836   19,192   10,819   38,028   20,371 
Provision for loan losses  550   350   320   900   520 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  18,286   18,842   10,499   37,128   19,851 
NONINTEREST INCOME                    
Gain on sale of loans  1,271   928   448   2,199   695 
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts  564   540   208   1,104   423 
Net servicing fees  287   234   126   521   279 
Other income (loss)  200   420   5   620   (41)
Total noninterest income  2,322   2,122   787   4,444   1,356 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE                    
Salaries and employee benefits  6,857   6,223   3,482   13,080   7,502 
Occupancy and equipment  987   1,429   575   2,416   1,101 
Data processing  639   604   448   1,243   869 
Professional fees  426   419   378   845   682 
Office, postage and telecommunications  255   272   193   527   385 
Deposit insurance and regulatory assessments  120   195   86   315   197 
Loan related  71   214   101   285   185 
Customer service related  273   477   101   750   241 
Merger, integration and public company registration costs        356      730 
Amortization of core deposit intangible  197   196      393    
Other expenses  780   671   605   1,451   1,116 
Total noninterest expense  10,605   10,700   6,325   21,305   13,008 
Income before taxes  10,003   10,264   4,961   20,267   8,199 
Income taxes  3,192   3,256   1,526   6,448   2,385 
Net income $6,811  $7,008  $3,435  $13,819  $5,814 
                     
Net income per share-diluted $0.58  $0.59  $0.47  $1.17  $0.80 
Weighted average shares - diluted  11,675,057   11,813,018   7,214,473   11,741,910   7,207,295 


First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Average Balance Sheets and Yield Analysis

  Three Months Ended 
  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  June 30, 2018 
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income /
Expense
  Yield /
Cost
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income /
Expense
  Yield /
Cost
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income /
Expense
  Yield /
Cost
 
Interest-earning assets: (dollars in thousands) 
Loans (1) $1,334,188  $21,344   6.42% $1,280,743  $20,916   6.62% $801,342  $12,320   6.17%
Investment securities  36,337   215   2.37%  37,094   236   2.58%  38,153   233   2.45%
Due from banks  83,183   442   2.13%  80,800   427   2.14%  74,325   294   1.59%
Federal funds sold/resale agreements  2,018   12   2.39%  3,000   18   2.43%        %
FHLB and other bank stock  13,932   206   5.93%  13,891   242   7.07%  4,071   68   6.70%
Total interest-earning assets  1,469,658   22,219   6.06%  1,415,528   21,839   6.26%  917,891   12,915   5.64%
                                     
Noninterest-earning assets  110,082           107,736           10,875         
Total assets $1,579,740          $1,523,264          $928,766         
                                     
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                    
Interest checking $111,116  $298   1.08% $118,882  $309   1.05% $141,598  $407   1.15%
Money market accounts  271,067   900   1.33%  271,980   868   1.29%  151,248   455   1.21%
Savings accounts  28,825   56   0.78%  34,357   62   0.73%  50,978   107   0.84%
Time deposits  150,601   674   1.80%  170,365   730   1.74%  170,148   738   1.74%
Brokered time deposits  128,555   789   2.46%  60,699   275   1.84%  52,801   181   1.37%
Total interest-bearing deposits  690,164   2,717   1.58%  656,283   2,244   1.39%  566,773   1,888   1.34%
Short term and other borrowings  77,442   484   2.51%  36,123   230   2.58%  35,724   167   1.86%
Senior secured notes  12,398   182   5.89%  11,901   173   5.90%  3,218   41   5.11%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  780,004   3,383   1.74%  704,307   2,647   1.52%  605,715   2,096   1.39%
                                     
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                                    
Demand deposits  534,192           561,868           209,009         
Other liabilities  13,882           8,921           4,229         
Shareholders’ equity  251,662           248,168           109,813         
                                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $1,579,740          $1,523,264          $928,766         
                                     
Net interest spread     $18,836   4.32%     $19,192   4.74%     $10,819   4.25%
Net interest margin          5.14%          5.50%          4.73%
                                     
Total deposits $1,224,356  $2,717   0.89% $1,218,151  $2,244   0.75% $775,782  $1,888   0.98%
Total funding sources $1,314,196  $3,383   1.03% $1,266,175  $2,647   0.85% $814,724  $2,096   1.03%

(1) Average loans include net discounts and net deferred fees. Interest income on loans includes $236 thousand, $231 thousand, and $142 thousand related to the accretion of net deferred loan fees and $760 thousand, $984 thousand, and $989 thousand related to accretion of discounts for the three months ended June 30, 2019, March 31, 2019, and June 30, 2018.

  Six Months Ended June 30, 
  2019  2018 
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income /
Expense
  Yield /
Cost
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income /
Expense
  Yield /
Cost
 
Interest-earning assets: (dollars in thousands) 
Loans (1) $1,307,613  $42,260   6.52% $787,892  $22,941   5.87%
Investment securities  36,714   451   2.48%  38,826   472   2.45%
Due from banks  81,998   869   2.14%  70,712   554   1.58%
Federal funds sold/resale agreements  2,506   30   2.41%        %
FHLB and other bank stock  13,912   448   6.49%  4,002   137   6.90%
Total interest-earning assets  1,442,743   44,058   6.16%  901,432   24,104   5.39%
                         
Noninterest-earning assets  108,915           10,275         
  $1,551,658          $911,707         
                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
Interest checking $114,978  $607   1.06% $166,302  $912   1.11%
Money market accounts  271,521   1,768   1.31%  121,362   619   1.03%
Savings accounts  31,575   118   0.75%  60,243   257   0.86%
Time deposits  160,429   1,404   1.76%  147,198   1,186   1.62%
Brokered time deposits  94,814   1,064   2.26%  52,201   349   1.35%
Total interest-bearing deposits  673,317   4,961   1.49%  547,306   3,323   1.22%
Short term and other borrowings  56,897   714   2.53%  41,735   356   1.71%
Senior secured notes  12,151   355   5.89%  2,176   54   5.00%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  742,365   6,030   1.64%  591,217   3,733   1.27%
                         
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                        
Demand deposits  547,954           207,887         
Other liabilities  11,415           3,994         
Shareholders’ equity  249,924           108,609         
                         
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $1,551,658          $911,707         
                         
Net interest spread     $38,028   4.52%     $20,371   4.12%
Net interest margin          5.32%          4.56%
                         
Total deposits $1,221,271  $4,961   0.82% $755,193  $3,323   0.89%
Total funding sources $1,290,319  $6,030   0.94% $799,104  $3,733   0.94%

(1) Average loans include net discounts and deferred costs. Interest income on loans includes $467 thousand and $172 thousand related to the accretion of net deferred loan fees and $1.7 million and $1.2 million related to accretion of discounts for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.


First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Loan Composition

  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  December 31, 2018 
  Amount  Percentage
of Total
  Amount  Percentage
of Total
  Amount  Percentage
of Total
 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Construction and land development $196,034   14.7% $185,798   14.6% $184,177   14.7%
Real estate:                        
Residential  51,512   3.9%  54,841   4.3%  57,443   4.6%
Commercial real estate - owner occupied  180,161   13.5%  186,696   14.7%  179,494   14.3%
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied  404,177   30.2%  382,115   30.0%  401,665   32.2%
Commercial and industrial  332,709   24.9%  307,175   24.1%  281,718   22.5%
SBA loans  171,300   12.8%  156,781   12.3%  146,462   11.7%
Consumer  159   %  163   %  159   %
Total loans held for investment, net of discounts $1,336,052   100.0% $1,273,569   100.0% $1,251,118   100.0%
Net deferred loan costs(fees)  (37)      8       (137)    
Total loans held for investment $1,336,015      $1,273,577      $1,250,981     
Allowance for loan losses  (12,053)      (11,426)      (11,056)    
Total loans held for investment, net $1,323,962      $1,262,151      $1,239,925     

Total loans held for investment

  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  December 31, 2018 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Gross loans held for investment (1) $1,347,687  $1,285,699  $1,263,891 
Unamortized net discounts(2)  (11,635)  (12,130)  (12,773)
Net unamortized deferred origination costs(fees)  (37)  8   (137)
Total loans held for investment $1,336,015  $1,273,577  $1,250,981 


 (1)Gross loans includes purchased credit impaired loans with a net carrying value of $2.3 million, or 0.17% of gross loans at June 30, 2019, $2.6 million, or 0.20% of gross loans at March 31, 2019, and $2.6 million, or 0.21% of gross loans at December 31, 2018.
   
 (2)Unamortized net discounts include discounts related to the retained portion of SBA loans and net discounts on Non-PCI acquired loans. At June 30, 2019 net discounts related to acquired loans of $8.1 million was associated with loans acquired in the PCB acquisition and expected to be accreted into interest income over a weighted average life of 5.3 years. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, net discounts related to acquired loans of $8.7 million and $9.5 million was associated with the PCB acquisition.


First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Allowance for Loan losses

  For the Three Months Ended  For the Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  June 30, 2018  June 30, 2019  June 30, 2018 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Balance, beginning of period $11,426  $11,056  $10,010  $11,056  $10,497 
Provision for loan losses  550   350   320   900   520 
Charge-offs  (122)  (2)  (21)  (124)  (775)
Recoveries  199   22   67   221   134 
Net recoveries (charge-offs)  77   20   46   97   (641)
Balance, end of period $12,053  $11,426  $10,376  $12,053  $10,376 
                     
Annualized net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans  0.02%  0.01%  0.02%  0.01%  (0.16)%

Credit Quality (1)

  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  December 31, 2018 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more $  $  $ 
Non-accrual loans  2,504   1,091   1,128 
Troubled debt restructurings on non-accrual  175   579   594 
Total nonperforming loans  2,679   1,670   1,722 
Foreclosed assets         
Total nonperforming assets $2,679  $1,670  $1,722 
Troubled debt restructurings - on accrual $720  $325  $327 
             
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans held for investment  0.20%  0.13%  0.14%
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total assets  0.15%  0.10%  0.11%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans held for investment  0.90%  0.90%  0.88%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans  449.91%  684.19%  642.04%
Accruing loans held for investment past due 30 - 89 days $909  $2,602  $484 

(1) Excludes purchased credit impaired loans with a carrying value of $2.3 million, $2.6 million and $2.6 million at June 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.


First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial disclosures for: (1) efficiency ratio, (2) adjusted efficiency ratio, (3) core net interest income, (4) core net interest margin, (5) core loan interest income, (6) core average loan yield, (7) adjusted net income, (8) adjusted return on average assets, (9) adjusted return on average equity, (10) return on average tangible common equity, (11) adjusted return on average tangible common equity, (12) tangible common equity ratio, and (13) tangible book value per share. The Company believes the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures assists investors in evaluating our financial results. In particular, the use of return on average tangible common equity, tangible common equity ratio, and tangible book value per share is prevalent among banking regulators, investors and analysts. These non-GAAP measures should be taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and should not be considered a substitute of the GAAP measures.

The tables below present the reconciliations of certain GAAP financial measures to the related non-GAAP financial measures:

  For the Three Months Ended  For the Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  June 30, 2018  June 30, 2019  June 30, 2018 
Efficiency Ratio (dollars in thousands) 
Noninterest expense (numerator) $10,605  $10,700  $6,325  $21,305  $13,008 
Less: merger, integration and public company registration costs        356      730 
Adjusted noninterest expense (numerator) $10,605  $10,700  $5,969  $21,305  $12,278 
                     
Net interest income $18,836  $19,192  $10,819  $38,028  $20,371 
Plus: Noninterest income  2,322   2,122   787   4,444   1,356 
Total net interest income and noninterest income (denominator) $21,158  $21,314  $11,606  $42,472  $21,727 
Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)  50.1%  50.2%  54.5%  50.2%  59.9%
Adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)  50.1%  50.2%  51.4%  50.2%  56.5%
                     
Net Interest Margin                    
Net interest income $18,836  $19,192  $10,819  $38,028  $20,371 
Less: scheduled accretion income  499   526      1,025    
Less: accelerated accretion and prepayment penalties  155   783   936   938   954 
Core net interest income (non-GAAP) $18,182   17,883   9,883   36,065   19,417 
                     
Average total interest-earning assets $1,469,658  $1,415,528  $917,891  $1,442,743  $901,432 
Net interest margin  5.14%  5.50%  4.73%  5.32%  4.56%
Core net interest margin (non-GAAP)  4.96%  5.12%  4.32%  5.04%  4.34%
                     
Average loan yield                    
Loan interest income $21,344  $20,916  $12,320  $42,260  $22,941 
Less: scheduled accretion income  499   526      1,025    
Less: accelerated accretion and prepayment penalties  155   783   936   938   954 
Core loan interest income (non-GAAP) $20,690  $19,607  $11,384  $40,297  $21,987 
                     
Average loan balance $1,334,188  $1,280,743  $801,342  $1,307,613  $787,892 
Average loan yield  6.42%  6.62%  6.17%  6.52%  5.87%
Core average loan yield (non-GAAP)  6.23%  6.21%  5.70%  6.21%  5.63%


  For the Three Months Ended  For the Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  June 30, 2018  June 30, 2019  June 30, 2018 
  (dollars in thousands) 
Return on Average Assets, Equity, Tangible Equity                    
Net income $6,811  $7,008  $3,435  $13,819  $5,814 
Add: After-tax merger, integration and public company registration costs        356      708 
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) $6,811  $7,008  $3,791  $13,819  $6,522 
                     
Average assets $1,579,740  $1,523,264  $928,766  $1,551,658  $911,707 
Average shareholders’ equity  251,662   248,168   109,813   249,924   108,609 
Less: Average intangible assets  79,731   79,928      79,829    
Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $171,931  $168,240  $109,813  $170,095  $108,609 
                     
Return on average assets  1.73%  1.87%  1.48%  1.80%  1.29%
Adjusted return on average assets (non-GAAP)  1.73%  1.87%  1.64%  1.80%  1.44%
                     
Return on average equity  10.86%  11.45%  12.55%  11.15%  10.80%
Adjusted return on average equity (non-GAAP)  10.86%  11.45%  13.85%  11.15%  12.11%
                     
Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)  15.89%  16.89%  12.55%  16.38%  10.80%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)  15.89%  16.89%  13.85%  16.38%  12.11%


  June 30, 2019  March 31, 2019  December 31, 2018 
Tangible Common Equity Ratio/Tangible Book Value Per Share (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 
Shareholders’ equity $254,121  $248,135  $248,069 
Less: Intangible assets  79,608   79,805   80,001 
Tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $174,513  $168,330  $168,068 
             
Total assets $1,730,433  $1,649,759  $1,622,501 
Less: Intangible assets  79,608   79,805   80,001 
Tangible assets (non-GAAP) $1,650,825  $1,569,954  $1,542,500 
             
Equity to assets ratio  14.69%  15.04%  15.29%
Tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio (non-GAAP)  10.57%  10.72%  10.90%
             
Shares outstanding  11,737,441   11,650,020   11,726,074 
Book value per share $21.65  $21.30  $21.16 
Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) $14.87  $14.45  $14.33