Cascade Financial Reports First Quarter Results, Reports Strong Checking Deposit Growth; Risk Based Capital Ratio at 11%

EVERETT, Wash., April 28, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cascade Financial Corporation (Cascade or Company) (Nasdaq:CASB), parent company of Cascade Bank (Bank), today announced a first quarter 2010 net loss of $32.1 million. Including accruals for preferred stock dividends and accretion of the issuance discount on preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury, Cascade reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $32.8 million, or $2.69 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2010, compared to a loss of $5.4 million, or $0.45 per diluted common share, for the first quarter a year ago. Dividend accruals on preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury under the Capital Purchase Program for the first quarter of 2010 totaled $499,000, and the accretion of the issuance discount on preferred stock for the quarter was $112,000.

Significant financial statement items for the first quarter of 2010 include:

• Provision for loan losses of $31.3 million;
• Net charge-offs of $31.2 million;
• Provision for income tax expense of $3.2 million resulting from recording a deferred tax valuation allowance;
• The total allowance for loan losses increased to 2.26%, up from 2.16% three months earlier and 2.01% a year ago;
• Nonperforming loans ended the quarter at $96.7 million, a decline of 9% on a sequential quarter basis;
• Nonperforming assets ended the quarter at $124 million, or 7.34% of total assets;
• Total deposits increased $32.5 million, or 3% on a sequential quarter basis;
• The cost of deposits for the first quarter was 1.47%, a decrease of 8 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2009;
• Loan portfolio mix improved with a 20% reduction in real estate construction loans compared to three months earlier, and a 40% reduction from a year ago. Land acquisition and development/land loans are a component of this portfolio and declined to $108 million, down 26% from three months earlier, and down 59% from one year ago;
• Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.75%;
• Total risk-based capital of 11.00%.

Earlier this month, Cascade announced that it had entered into agreements to sell 397 residential lots associated with its two largest land acquisition and development loans, further reducing the Company's exposure to builder lots designated for residential development, and expected an increased loan loss provision in the first quarter of 2010. The subsequent increase in the company's provision expense for the quarter above the previously estimated range is the result of additional appraisals requiring adjustments based on the most up-to-date market information.

On the first of the two agreements, the Company recorded a $6.0 million charge on a $13.1 million loan that the Bank had foreclosed on. The collateral for the loan consisted of 263 lots, which were converted to real estate owned (REO) in March 2010.  The Bank has entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of these lots, half of which are scheduled to close in the second quarter, and the remaining lots are expected to close in the third quarter. 

On the second of the two agreements, the Company recorded an $8.8 million charge on a $17.2 million land acquisition and development loan that the Bank has now foreclosed upon. The collateral for the loan included 134 lots located in King County that were converted to REO in April 2010. The Bank has executed a letter of intent to enter into a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of these lots, which is expected to close in the second quarter.  Both transactions are subject to customary closing conditions and there can be no guarantee they will close as Cascade currently anticipates.

Cascade maintained capital ratios above regulatory levels for well-capitalized banks.

Associated with the increased loan loss provision expense, Cascade determined that a deferred tax asset valuation allowance was necessary. First quarter results include an income tax expense of $3.2 million as the net result of recording the deferred tax valuation allowance. 

"Despite a difficult environment for community banks, our team has kept its focus on strengthening our operations by taking share from competitors, growing our deposit base and working through our loan portfolio to reduce Cascade's exposure to real estate construction loans," said Carol K. Nelson, President and CEO. "The financial results we experienced in the quarter were almost entirely attributable to the deterioration in local real estate values."

As of March 31, 2010, the land acquisition and development portfolio had declined to $108.4 million and accounted for 46% of Cascade's total nonperforming loans. 

Asset Quality

The first quarter provision for loan losses was $31.3 million, with net charge-offs of $31.2 million. The provision for loan losses was $8.0 million for the preceding quarter and $13.9 million for the first quarter of 2009. The total allowance for loan losses, which includes a $69,000 allowance for off-balance sheet loan commitments, now stands at $26.1 million, or 2.26% of total loans at quarter end, up slightly from $26.0 million, or 2.16% of total loans at December 31, 2009, and $25.1 million, or 2.01% of total loans a year ago.

"Housing and land prices have not yet stabilized in the Pacific Northwest, resulting in lower lot values," stated Rob Disotell, Chief Credit Officer. "In addition to the two previously mentioned loans, we recorded additional charge-offs of approximately $16.4 million on other loans to reflect updated appraisals on real estate collateral securing loans in our portfolio. With the rapid changes occurring in real estate values, we are continuously updating appraisals to reflect the latest and most up-to-date information. While we never welcome declining asset values, we are pleased to have nearly resolved our two largest residential land assets."

Nonperforming loans declined by 9% during the quarter to $96.7 million, or 8.37% of total loans at March 31, 2010, compared to $106.1 million or 8.82% of total loans three months earlier. REO and other repossessed assets increased $8.6 million during the quarter as Cascade successfully acquired title to properties securing nonperforming loans. REO and other repossessed assets totaled $27.4 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $18.8 million three months earlier. In addition to the transactions mentioned above, an additional $5.1 million in REO is currently under contract for sale. 

The following table shows nonperforming loans versus total loans in each category:

"During the first quarter, we moved quickly to convert nonperforming loans to REO and actively market and liquidate these properties. A total of $39.3 million in loans were placed on nonaccrual status, $11.2 million were converted to REO status, $6.3 million were paid off or paid down during the quarter, $14.8 million were charged off in connection with pending sales transactions, and additional charge-offs of $16.4 were recorded as a result of new appraisals received in the period," said Disotell.

Additions of $39.3 million to nonperforming loans were centered in:

• $16.7 million in spec construction loans including $2.4 million in advances on existing spec construction loans to fund the completion of single-family homes as a part of successful work-out strategies;
• $15.8 million in additions to land acquisition and development/land loans.

Paydowns of $6.3 million in loans on nonaccrual status during the quarter were centered in:

• $5.2 million in spec construction loans through the sale of completed homes;
• $648,000 in land acquisition & development/land through the sale of completed homes and payments.

The following table shows the migration of nonperforming loans through the portfolio in each category (3/31/10 compared to 12/31/09).

The following table shows the change in REO and other repossessed assets during the quarter:

Nonperforming assets were 7.34% of total assets at March 31, 2010, compared to 7.33% at the end of the preceding quarter, and 3.60% a year ago. Loans delinquent 31-89 days and still accruing totaled $3.5 million, or 0.30% of total loans at March 31, 2010, compared to $2.8 million, or 0.23% of total loans at December 31, 2009 and $33.7 million, or 2.69% of total loans at March 31, 2009. Cascade had two loans totaling $309,000 that were 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest at March 31, 2010. 

Loan Portfolio

Total loans decreased from a year ago as Cascade aggressively reduced its real estate construction loan concentration.  Total loans decreased 8%, or $94.9 million, on a year-over-year basis to $1.16 billion at March 31, 2010.

The following table shows the changes in the loan portfolio in each category (3/31/10 compared to 12/31/09 and 3/31/09).

Business loans decreased 4% from the prior year to $457 million. Included in the business loan portfolio are $23.0 million in land loans, most of which represents land used by customers in conjunction with their businesses. Total R/E construction loans outstanding decreased 40% to $205 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $343 million a year ago. Within this category, spec construction declined 53% to $52.1 million and land acquisition & development/land decreased 41% to $108 million at March 31, 2010 compared to one year ago. Commercial real estate loans increased 4% from the prior year to $183 million. Multifamily loans decreased 7% from the prior year to $89.9 million. Home equity and consumer loans increased 2% to $31.3 million, while residential loans grew 49% to $189 million, compared to a year ago. Growth in residential loans came primarily from the success of the Builder Sales Program used to facilitate the sale of newly constructed homes to qualified buyers.

Further details on changes during the first quarter are as follows:

The $6.6 million reclassification from construction to multifamily loans represented a 66 unit apartment project where construction was completed and the project successfully leased. 

Investment Portfolio and Liquidity

Strong deposit growth has led to increased on-balance sheet liquidity.  The investment portfolio increased $7.6 million over the prior year, and increased $16.2 million from the prior quarter to $292 million.  Most of the quarterly increase was due to the increase in securities available-for-sale as a result of net securities purchased. Interest-earning deposits, including deposits at the Federal Reserve, were $152 million as of March 31, 2010, up considerably from $42.2 million a year earlier.  "The increase in balances at the Federal Reserve reflects our commitment to enhancing on-balance sheet liquidity," said Nelson. "When we see opportunities for greater risk-adjusted returns than those currently available from the Federal Reserve, we will capitalize on those, provided that the investments can continue to satisfy our liquidity needs."  Nelson added, "The average life of our investment portfolio, excluding our Federal Reserve deposits, is approximately 3.5 years.  This is within the two to four year range we believe provides the best risk/reward balance at this point in time."

Deposit Growth

Total deposits were up $157 million, or 15% compared to a year ago. Total checking account balances were up $197 million, or 72% over the past twelve months with personal checking account balances increasing 173% or $224 million during the same period. "The robust growth in personal checking accounts over the past twelve months is due to the success of our Main Street Checking product which has helped lower our funding costs," said Nelson.  Business checking accounts were down $27.3 million on a year-over-year basis due to a planned reduction in public funds checking accounts in anticipation of the eventual expiration of the FDIC TAG program which will return the insurance limit to $250,000 on these interest bearing checking accounts.  CDs were down $37.1 million on a year-over-year basis.

The following table shows deposits in each category (3/31/10 compared to 12/31/09 and 3/31/09).  

Capital

As of March 31, 2010, total stockholders' equity was $104 million. Book value was $5.51 per common share at March 31, 2010, compared to $9.86 a year ago and tangible book value was $4.43 per common share at quarter-end compared to $7.80 a year ago. Cascade's capital ratios are above regulatory levels for well-capitalized banks with a risk-based capital ratio of 11.00% and a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.75% as of March 31, 2010. Cascade's tangible capital to assets ratio was 3.21% at quarter-end compared to 5.78% a year earlier.

In June 2009, Cascade announced that it would temporarily suspend its regular quarterly cash dividend on common stock to preserve capital. In September 2009, the Bank received notice from the FDIC that it would be required to obtain a non-objection from the FDIC and the State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions before paying any cash dividend or any other form of payment or distribution representing a reduction to the Bank's capital.

Operating Results

Net interest income for the first quarter was down 13% to $9.7 million compared to $11.1 million for the first quarter of 2009, due primarily to higher levels of nonperforming loans and the reversal of previously accrued interest totaling $312,000, and higher interest-earning balances at the Federal Reserve Bank as we sought to enhance our on-balance sheet liquidity.

Total other income was $1.9 million for the quarter, compared to $3.7 million for the first quarter a year ago. The decline in total other income compared to the prior year's first quarter was primarily due to a fair value gain on Trust Preferred Securities of $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2009. Checking and service fees were up 10% over the first quarter a year ago. 

Total other expenses were $9.3 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $8.6 million in the first quarter a year ago.  Compensation expense increased 2% primarily due to the opening of a new branch in Edmonds in May 2009 and increased health insurance costs.  These compensation increases were partially offset by a decrease in directors' fees.  Increases of $463,000 in FDIC insurance premiums and a $931,000 increase in REO and real estate in acquisition (REA) expenses, including writedowns, accounted for most of the difference in other expenses.   The increased expenses in the current quarter, compared to one year ago, were mostly offset by charges taken in the first quarter of 2009 including an $858,000 OTTI charge and a $368,000 assessment paid to the Washington Public Depository Protection Commission related to the failure of The Bank of Clark County. 

"In light of the loss for the quarter we have taken the additional step of suspending the Bank's 401(k) match which will provide an annualized savings of approximately $360,000," said Nelson. "Our talented and dedicated employees are committed to taking the necessary steps to help Cascade return to profitability."

The efficiency ratio was 79.7% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 47.7% in the preceding quarter and 58.4% in the first quarter a year ago. This ratio was impacted by the reduction in interest income from nonperforming loans and higher costs associated with REO and legal expenses.

Net Interest Margin

Cascade's net interest margin was 2.60% for the first quarter of 2010, compared to 2.79% in the immediate prior quarter and 3.03% for the first quarter a year ago. "The net interest margin continues to be negatively impacted by the drag from nonperforming loans, including the first quarter reversal of $312,000 in previously accrued interest, and the higher, low yielding balances at the Federal Reserve Bank," said Nelson. The yield on earning assets declined by 22 basis points compared to the preceding quarter, while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined by five basis points. Excluding the reversal of interest, the net interest margin would have been 2.64% for the quarter.   

The following table depicts Cascade's yield on earning assets, its cost of funds on paying liabilities and the resulting spread and margin:

Recent Developments

On April 22, 2010 Cascade announced that it had appointed Marion R. (Robin) Foote to its Board of Directors, and she will stand for election at the company's next annual meeting of shareholders on Tuesday, June 22, 2010. Ms. Foote replaces Katherine Lombardo, whose term was scheduled to expire at the 2010 annual meeting.

Ms. Foote, a resident of Bellingham, Washington, is currently a Managing Director and Partner at New York based Novantas, LLC, an international consulting company serving the financial services industry. She has worked for more than 28 years in the industry, including a 16 year career in commercial banking, holding senior executive level positions at Bank of America and First Chicago/NBD (now part of JP Morgan Chase). She has over 12 years of experience as a Managing Director in firms specializing in consulting with financial services companies focusing on creating value through profitable deposit and loan growth, targeted market and wallet share gains, distinctive relationship development programs, and improved customer loyalty, profitability and experience. 

She has held board positions with a wide range of business, civic and community groups, including current service as a director of Saturna Trust Company, a subsidiary of Saturna Capital, headquartered in Bellingham, Washington. Ms. Foote also serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, Bellingham, Washington. She is an advisory director of privately-held Diacor, Inc. She is a former director of CFSBdirect (now part of E*Trade) and chaired its Audit and Compensation Committee while it had public ownership. 

Ms. Foote earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Economics Honors Program from Smith College, where she graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa in 1967 and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School where she graduated with High Distinction as a Baker Scholar in 1969.

In January 2010 Cascade reported that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FDIC and Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. The Company believes it has complied with all of the terms of the MOU, however, in light of the current challenging operating environment, along with our elevated level of nonperforming assets and adversely classified assets and our recent operating results, we expect Cascade Bank to enter into a Consent Order with the FDIC and Washington State DFI during the second quarter. We expect that under the Order, Cascade Bank will be required, among other things, to improve asset quality and reduce classified assets; to improve profitability; and to increase Tier 1 capital.

We also expect the Company will enter into a similar Order with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. 

In light of this expectation, the Company plans to actively engage in efforts to raise additional capital, and plans to request shareholder approval of an increase in authorized shares at the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for June 22, 2010.

Conference Call

Cascade's management team will host an analyst call on Thursday, April 29, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. PDT (2:00 p.m. EDT) to discuss first quarter results. Interested investors may listen to the call live or via replay at www.cascadebank.com under shareholder information. Investment professionals are invited to dial (480) 629-9724, using access code 4272631 to participate in the live call. A replay will be available for a week at (303) 590-3030, using access code 4272631.

About Cascade Financial

Established in 1916, Cascade Bank, the only operating subsidiary of Cascade Financial Corporation, is a state chartered commercial bank headquartered in Everett, Washington. Cascade Bank has proudly served the Puget Sound region for over 90 years and operates 22 full service branches in Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mukilteo, Shoreline, Smokey Point, Issaquah, Clearview, Woodinville, Lake Stevens, Bellevue, Snohomish, North Bend, Burlington and Edmonds.  

In October 2009, Cascade Bank was named Favorite Snohomish County Company in the fourth annual NW.Jobs.com People's Picks awards. In June 2009, Cascade was ranked #55 on the Seattle Times' Northwest 100 list of public companies.  In April 2010, Cascade was ranked #8 on the Puget Sound Business Journal's list of largest bank companies headquartered in the Puget Sound area.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

This news release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These measures include tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio and tangible capital/assets ratio. These measures should not be construed as a substitute for GAAP measures; they should be read and used in conjunction with Cascade's GAAP financial information. A reconciliation of the included non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures is included elsewhere in this release. 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act. CASB's actual results may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "may increase," "may fluctuate," and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," and "could." These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, economic conditions, portfolio growth, the credit performance of the portfolios, including bankruptcies, and seasonal factors; changes in general economic conditions including the performance of financial markets, prevailing inflation and interest rates, realized gains from sales of investments, gains from asset sales, and losses on commercial lending activities; results of various investment activities; the effects of competitors' pricing policies, of changes in laws and regulations on competition and of demographic changes on target market populations' savings and financial planning needs; industry changes in information technology systems on which we are highly dependent; failure of acquisitions to produce revenue enhancements or cost savings at levels or within the time frames originally anticipated or unforeseen integration difficulties; the adoption by CASB of an FFIEC policy that provides guidance on the reporting of delinquent consumer loans and the timing of associated credit charge-offs for financial institution subsidiaries; and the resolution of legal proceedings and related matters. In addition, the banking industry in general is subject to various monetary and fiscal policies and regulations, which include those determined by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and state regulators, whose policies and regulations could affect CASB's results. These statements are representative only on the date hereof, and CASB undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made.