Tidelands Bancshares Announces Second Quarter Results

Highlights Include Branch and Customer Deposit Growth and Strengthened Capital Position


MT. PLEASANT, S.C., July 25, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:TDBK), holding company for Tidelands Bank, announced today results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. "During the quarter, the Bank reached several strategic milestones that we believe position us for continued success. Most importantly," explained Chief Executive Officer, Robert E. Coffee, Jr., "we completed the sale of $6.0 million of trust preferred securities, which allows us to maintain a well-capitalized position for future growth. Consistent with our objectives, we opened a new branch in Bluffton, SC and are now preparing for the upcoming grand opening of our seventh branch, located in Murrells Inlet. This opening early in the third quarter completes the initial round of expansion and demonstrates our ability to accomplish the strategic objectives set forth by our management team."

The new banking locations and the resulting increase in professional staff have contributed to the growth of both our loan and deposit accounts. As a result, we have added 264 new loan accounts and 3,491 new deposit accounts during the first six months of 2008. Our new branch locations contributed to annualized asset growth of 34.9% during the first half of 2008 and a corresponding increase in interest income of 14.1% compared to June 30, 2007. For the quarter ended June 30, 2008, year-to-date growth for loans and deposits was $41.6 million and $98.7 million, respectively, with assets increasing $89.5 million to reach $601.7 million at quarter end.

Recent actions by the Federal Reserve Board to reduce the federal funds rate from 6.25% a year ago to 2.00% at the end of June 30, 2008 have resulted in tightened margins in the financial market. For the period ended June 30, 2008, our net interest margin was 2.65% compared to 3.24% at June 30, 2007. Primarily as a result of the decrease in the net interest margin, the Company recorded a net loss of $464,799 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to a net profit of $128,098 for the period ended June 30, 2007. On a per share basis, our loss amounted to $0.12 and $0.11 on a basic and diluted basis, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

While there has been significant attention on the problems in the sub prime mortgage markets, our portfolio does not have a material exposure to these higher risk credits as we focus on providing credit and deposit products for proven customer relationships. We do not originate or hold any subprime loans and adhere to strict internal and regulatory guidelines with regard to our credit underwriting standards. Although our credit-related issues increased in comparison to previous periods, we are working to resolve each situation. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, non-accrual and charged-off loans amounted to $2.9 million, and $172,000, respectively. The entire balance of other real estate owned at December 31, 2007, approximately $90,000, was satisfactorily resolved early during the second quarter without any additional loss. At June 30, 2008, our ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.48% and our ratio of net charge-offs to average loans of 0.04% continue to compare favorably to the industry. Our provision for loan losses for the second quarter totaled $314,000, reflecting the loan growth experienced year-to-date. At June 30, 2008, the allowance for loan losses amounted to 1.10% of total loans.

During the second quarter, Tidelands generated significant increases in retail deposits through its six full-service branch locations. The bank's reliance on brokered deposits decreased $61.5 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2008 while the bank generated $77.2 million in customer time deposits and $17.2 million in interest checking deposits. We anticipate this trend continuing throughout the year as a result of our expansion into the Hilton Head/Bluffton and Murrells Inlet markets. Simultaneously, we have reduced our overall dependence on other wholesale borrowings, which should allow us to lower our cost of funds and increase core deposits. Specifically, securities sold under repurchase agreements and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank decreased by a combined $15.0 million since December 31, 2007.

Despite the challenges present in the current financial market, there are also many unique opportunities to excel and exceed through the normal course of operations. As we continue to address these events, we believe that our capital base and strong credit culture strategically position Tidelands to capitalize on these opportunities and attract new customer relationships. Our focus remains consistent on the future growth and expansion within our geographic footprint.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, such as a downturn in the economy, greater than expected noninterest expenses, volatile credit and financial markets, potential deterioration in real estate values, regulatory changes and excessive loan losses, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of certain factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause or contribute to our actual results differing materially from future results expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by our company or any person that future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by our company will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

Our summary consolidated financial data as of and for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 are unaudited but, in the opinion of our management, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations for such periods in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.



               Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
                 Consolidated Statements of Operations
                              (Unaudited)

                    Six Months Ended           Three Months Ended
                        June 30,                    June 30,
               --------------------------  --------------------------
                   2008          2007          2008          2007
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Interest
  income:
 Loans,
  including    $ 13,783,616  $ 12,983,547  $  6,677,908  $  6,823,373
 Securities
  available
  for sale,
  taxable         2,481,591       968,042     1,314,734       499,233
 Securities
  available
  for sale,
  non-taxable       149,486       159,092        70,679       102,516
 Federal funds
  sold              187,876       432,126       125,499       280,768
 Other
  interest
  income              1,914         4,146           576         2,938
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Total
  interest
  income         16,604,483    14,546,953     8,189,396     7,708,828
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Interest
  expense:
 Time deposits
  $100,000 and
  over              951,913       185,725       546,163        89,725
 Other
  deposits        7,253,837     7,343,465     3,433,765     4,072,976
 Other
  borrowings      1,503,883     1,054,455       666,278       485,864
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Total
  interest
  expense         9,709,633     8,583,645     4,646,206     4,648,565
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Net interest
  income          6,894,850     5,963,308     3,543,190     3,060,263
 Provision for
  loan losses       777,000     1,025,000       314,000       510,000
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Net interest
  income after
 provision for
  loan losses     6,117,850     4,938,308     3,229,190     2,550,263
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------

 Noninterest
  income:
 Service
  charges on
  deposit
  accounts           18,312        17,076         8,755         9,270
 Residential
  mortgage
  origination
  income            280,128       442,984       139,814       201,156
 Gain on sale
  of securities
  available
  for sale           32,154         2,864            --            --

 Gain on sale
  of real
  estate             23,351            --         2,832            --
 Other service
  fees and
  commissions       149,935        85,014        86,616        43,982
 Bank owned
  life
  insurance         226,229       143,460       129,229        73,515
 Other               14,786         8,632         9,581         3,940
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Total
  noninterest
  income            744,895       700,030       376,827       331,863
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Noninterest
  expense:
 Salaries and
  employee
  benefits        4,404,340     3,207,462     2,289,191     1,698,092
 Net occupancy      659,784       380,338       334,427       205,157
 Furniture and
  equipment         334,099       174,684       176,574        92,260
 Other
  operating       2,279,801     1,668,756     1,232,785       962,199
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Total
  noninterest
  expense         7,678,024     5,431,240     4,032,977     2,957,708
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Income (loss)
  before income
  taxes            (815,279)      207,098      (426,960)      (75,582)
 Income tax
  expense
  (benefit)        (350,480)       79,000      (195,480)      (28,000)
               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Net income
  (loss)       $   (464,799) $    128,098  $   (231,480) $    (47,582)
               ============  ============  ============  ============
 Earnings
  (loss) per
  common share
 Basic
  earnings
  (loss) per
  share        $      (0.12) $       0.03  $      (0.06) $      (0.01)
               ============  ============  ============  ============
 Diluted
  earnings
  (loss) per
  share        $      (0.11) $       0.03  $      (0.06) $      (0.01)
               ============  ============  ============  ============
 Weighted
  average
  common
  shares
  outstanding
 Basic            4,056,416     4,274,466     4,044,186     4,276,468
               ============  ============  ============  ============
 Diluted          4,073,489     4,274,466     4,053,326     4,276,468
               ============  ============  ============  ============


               Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
                      Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                          June 30,       December 31,
                                           2008             2007
                                       -------------    -------------
  Assets:                               (Unaudited)       (Audited)
  Cash and cash equivalents:
  Cash and due from banks              $   2,964,503    $     724,957
  Federal funds sold                       7,625,000        1,945,000
                                       -------------    -------------

  Total cash and cash equivalents         10,589,503        2,669,957
                                       -------------    -------------

  Securities available for sale          120,647,662       88,036,109
  Nonmarketable equity securities          2,196,140        2,060,940
                                       -------------    -------------

  Total securities                       122,843,802       90,097,049
                                       -------------    -------------

  Mortgage loans held for sale               655,967        1,426,800

  Loans receivable                       432,986,674      391,349,869
  Less allowance for loan losses           4,763,165        4,158,324
                                       -------------    -------------

  Loans, net                             428,223,509      387,191,545
                                       -------------    -------------

  Premises, furniture and equipment,
   net                                    19,587,077       17,759,388
  Accrued interest receivable              3,049,974        3,164,124
  Bank owned life insurance               13,077,047        7,849,156
  Other assets                             3,694,244        2,111,572
                                       -------------    -------------

  Total assets                         $ 601,721,123    $ 512,269,591
                                       =============    =============

  Liabilities:
  Deposits:
  Noninterest-bearing transaction
   accounts                            $  12,649,686    $  10,191,152
  Interest-bearing transaction
   accounts                               25,566,735        8,460,166
  Savings and money market               152,436,066      199,833,835
  Time deposits $100,000 and over         71,573,801       29,876,086
  Other time deposits                    224,641,285      139,808,202
                                       -------------    -------------

  Total deposits                         486,867,573      388,169,441
                                       -------------    -------------
  Securities sold under agreements
   to repurchase                          30,000,000       41,040,000
  Junior subordinated debentures          14,434,000        8,248,000
  Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank    25,000,000       29,000,000
  ESOP borrowings                          2,750,000        2,427,500
  Accrued interest payable                 1,505,727        1,341,161
  Other liabilities                        1,604,979        1,088,319
                                       -------------    -------------

  Total liabilities                      562,162,279      471,314,421
                                       -------------    -------------

  Commitments and contingencies                   --               --

  Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value,
   10,000,000 shares authorized,
   none issued                                    --               --
 Common stock, $.01 par value,
  10,000,000 shares authorized;
  4,277,176 and 4,277,176 shares
  issued and outstanding at June 30,
  2008 and December 31, 2007,
  respectively                                42,772           42,772
 Unearned ESOP shares                     (2,721,340)      (2,427,500)
 Capital surplus                          43,118,044       42,788,666
 Retained earnings (deficit)                (415,635)          49,164
 Accumulated other comprehensive
  income (loss)                             (464,997)         502,068
                                       -------------    -------------

   Total shareholders' equity             39,558,844       40,955,170
                                       -------------    -------------

   Total liabilities and shareholders'
    equity                             $ 601,721,123    $ 512,269,591
                                       =============    =============


               Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

Per Share Data:      Six Months Ended           Three Months Ended
                         June 30,                    June 30,
                    2008          2007          2008          2007
                 ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
    Net income,
     basic       $    (0.12)   $     0.03    $    (0.06)   $    (0.01)

    Net income,
     diluted     $    (0.11)   $     0.03    $    (0.06)   $    (0.01)

    Book value   $     9.25    $     9.72    $     9.25    $     9.72
   Weighted
    average
    number of
    shares
    outstanding:
      Basic       4,056,416     4,274,466     4,044,186     4,276,468
      Diluted     4,073,489     4,274,466     4,053,326     4,276,468

 Performance
  Ratios:
    Return on
     average
     assets (1)       (0.17%)        0.07%        (0.16%)       (0.05%)
    Return on
     average
     equity (1)       (2.30%)        0.62%        (2.30%)       (0.45%)
    Net
     interest
     margin (1)        2.65%         3.24%         2.60%         3.09%
    Efficiency
     ratio (2)       100.50%        81.51%       102.88%        87.19%


                                                   At June 30,
 Asset Quality Data:                          2008             2007
                                           ---------        ---------
 Loans 90 days or more past due and                        
  still accruing interest                  $      --        $      --
 Loans restructured or otherwise                           
  impaired(5)                                     --               --
 Nonaccrual loans                          2,901,061          501,094
 Loan charge-offs year to date, net                        
  recoveries                                 172,159          222,106
 Other real estate owned                          --               --
                                                           
   Nonperforming assets to total                           
    loans (4)                                   0.67%            0.15%
   Nonperforming assets to total                           
    assets(4)                                   0.48%            0.12%
   Net charge-offs year to date to                         
    average total loans(3)                      0.04%            0.07%
   Allowance for loan losses to                            
    nonperforming loans                       164.19%          409.17%
   Allowance for loan losses to total                      
    loans (3)                                   1.10%            1.25%
                                                           
                                                   At June 30,
 Capital Ratios:                              2008             2007
                                           ---------        ---------
   Period end tangible equity to                           
    tangible assets                             6.57%            9.72%
   Leverage ratio                               7.92%           11.56%
   Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio              9.81%           13.46%
   Total risk-based capital ratio              11.44%           14.64%
                                                           
 Growth Ratios and Other Data:                             
   Percentage change in assets(1)              35.12%           54.52%
   Percentage change in loans(1) (3)           21.40%           50.33%
   Percentage change in deposits(1)            51.13%           70.95%
   Loans to deposit ratio (3)                  88.93%           97.46%

 ------------------------------------

 1 - Annualized for the six and three month periods, respectively.  
 2 - Computed by dividing non-interest expense by the sum of net
     interest income and non-interest income.   
 3 - Includes nonperforming loans.   
 4 - Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans, loans 90 days or
     more past due and still accruing interest, loans restructured or
     otherwise impaired, and other real estate owned
 5 - Loans restructure or otherwise impaired do not include
     nonaccrual loans.

            

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