LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - March 17, 2009) - Promérica Bank (
OTCBB:
PMRA) today reported
results for its second full year of operations that were highlighted by
growth of total assets to $73.5 million, growth of the loan portfolio to
$55.8 million and an increase in deposits to $51.5 million.
Total assets increased by $16.8 million to $73.5 million, a 30% increase
for the year ended December 31, 2008. Strong loan growth of $18.5 million
represented a solid 50% increase in the Bank's loan portfolio for the year
ended December 31, 2008. Total loans at December 31, 2008 were $55.8
million compared with $37.3 million at December 31, 2007.
Promérica Bank recently announced the appointments of John H. Quinn as
President and CEO effective February 23, 2009, and of Stephen M. Rolfe as
Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. They join Frank Smith
who continues to serve Promérica Bank as the Chief Financial Officer.
"After an extensive search, the Board selected Mr. Quinn as the ideal
candidate because of his vast knowledge and experience with our target
clientele, products and services, and the Southern California region. Mr.
Quinn is well-versed in small business banking, having led three banks in
national and international settings. Mr. Rolfe will oversee all
credit-related activities including credit approval, credit policy, loan
servicing and lending compliance. Mr. Rolfe comes to the Bank with
diversified experience in risk management including assignments in credit
approval and administration, commercial loan workouts and risk examination.
Mr. Smith continues to capably manage the overall financial, investment
strategies and the compliance of the institution. The Executive team's
combination of strong leadership, relationship-managing skills and sound
financial management will be invaluable to our investors and clients
alike," affirmed Chairwoman Maria Contreras-Sweet.
"I am honored by the confidence the Board has in me and I am excited by the
possibilities for Promérica Bank. I look forward to building upon the
robust reputation the Bank has created in the Los Angeles community.
Promérica Bank represents a unique and exciting opportunity to focus on
improving the lives of our small business, non-profit and professional
communities in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. In the midst of
wide-ranging instability in the banking industry, Promérica Bank continues
to offer its clients safety and peace of mind knowing that their Bank has
capital well in excess of regulatory requirements to be 'well capitalized,'
while maintaining strong liquidity and FDIC insurance to the maximum
allowed by law," stated Mr. Quinn. "We believe our strength and stability
offer security for our clients in these uncertain times, and our size
enhances our customer service qualities." He continued, "We are well
positioned to continue to provide capital to the small to medium sized
company market place. We are also part of the exciting redevelopment and
expansion of the downtown Los Angeles market, with approximately $1.4
billion in new projects under construction right outside our front door.
Certainly challenges in the economy will be with us all for some time to
come, but we believe those challenges will also provide opportunities for
our customers, for prudent lending and for the expansion of our banking
franchise."
Mr. Quinn added, "The entire Promérica Bank team, including its staff,
Directors and Chairwoman, Maria Contreras-Sweet, is dedicated to providing
superior customer service and thereby delivering value to our customers,
depositors and stakeholders. I look forward to helping Promérica Bank
achieve its strategic objectives."
Total capital at year end 2008 was $21.2 million. The Bank's Tier 1
Leverage Ratio of 29.5% exceeds all regulatory requirements and guidelines
to be "well capitalized."
The Bank reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $2.9
million. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 included the
recognition of $311,000 of stock based compensation expense as required by
SFAS 123R, which required the expensing of the value of stock options
granted. This is a non-cash expense and does not have a net impact to the
capital of the Bank as the amount expensed increases the Bank's capital
accounts. Another significant factor was a provision for loan losses for
the year of $637,000, driven by the strong loan growth which required a
sufficient loan loss provision to protect the Bank from potential future
losses.
The allowance for loan losses was $943,000 at December 31, 2008, an
increase of $476,000 from December 31, 2007. The ratio of the allowance for
loan losses to total loans was 1.7% at December 31, 2008 which compared
favorably to industry standards.
Promérica Bank provides a full range of financial services, including
credit and deposit products, cash management, and internet banking for
business and high net worth individuals from its headquarters office at 888
S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Information on products and
services may be obtained by calling (213) 613-5000 or visiting the Bank's
website at
www.PROMERICAbank.com.
NOTE:
This news release contains forward-looking statements about the Bank for
which the Bank claims the protection of the safe harbor provisions
contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are based on management's knowledge and belief
as of today and include information concerning the Bank's possible or
assumed future financial condition, and its results of operations, business
and earnings outlook. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties. A number of factors, some of which are beyond the Bank's
ability to control or predict, could cause future results to differ
materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements.
These factors include (1) changes in accounting policies or procedures as
may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or regulatory
agencies, (2) changes in interest rates, (3) significant changes in banking
laws or regulations, (4) increased competition in the Bank's markets, (5)
other-than-expected credit losses due to real estate cycles or other
economic events, (6) earthquake or other natural disasters affecting the
condition of real estate collateral or the business environment. In
addition, Management cannot predict at this time the extent of the recent
economic downturn, and a slowing or worsening could adversely affect our
performance in a number of ways including decreased demand for our products
and services and increased credit losses. Likewise, changes in deposit
interest rates, among other things, could slow the rate of growth or put
pressure on current deposit levels. Forward-looking statements speak only
as of the date they are made, and the Bank does not undertake to update
forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur
after the date the statements are made.
PROMÉRICA BANK BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, December 31,
2008 2007
----------- -----------
Audited Audited
Assets:
Cash and Due From Banks $ 1,239 $ 498
Federal Funds Sold 11,230 17,365
Time Deposits in Other Financial Institutions 4,180 0
----------- -----------
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents 16,649 17,863
----------- -----------
Loans Net of Deferred Loan Fees/Costs 55,804 37,282
Allowance for Loan Losses 943 476
----------- -----------
Loans Net of Allowance for Loan Losses 54,861 36,806
Premises and Equipment, net 1,184 1,548
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock 134 0
Accrued Interest Receivable and Other Assets 660 518
----------- -----------
Total Assets $ 73,488 $ 56,735
----------- -----------
Liabilities:
Non-Interest-Bearing Demand Deposits $ 8,479 $ 4,839
Interest-Bearing Demand Deposits (NOW
Deposits) 3,320 2,569
Savings and Money Market 12,888 9,407
Certificates of Deposit 26,841 15,661
----------- -----------
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits 43,049 27,637
----------- -----------
Total Deposits 51,528 32,476
Accrued Interest Payable and Other Liabilities 759 512
----------- -----------
Total Liabilities 52,287 32,988
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock 27,245 27,245
Additional Paid in Capital 904 592
Accumulated Deficit (6,948) (4,090)
----------- -----------
Total Shareholders' Equity 21,201 23,747
----------- -----------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 73,488 $ 56,735
----------- -----------
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio 29.5% 44.5%
Tier 1 Risk-based Capital Ratio 36.2% 53.3%
Total Risk-based Capital Ratio 37.5% 54.5%
PROMÉRICA BANK STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Periods Indicated
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2008 2007
----------- -----------
Audited Audited
Interest Income:
Interest and Fees on Loans $ 3,594 $ 1,638
Interest on Federal Funds Sold 354 940
Interest on Balances at Other Financial
Institutions 65 0
----------- -----------
Total Interest Income 4,013 2,578
Interest Expense:
Interest on Deposit Accounts 1,025 533
----------- -----------
Net Interest Income 2,988 2,045
Provison for Loan Losses 637 444
----------- -----------
Net Interest Income After Provision 2,351 1,601
for Loan Losses
Non-Interest Income:
Non-Interest Income 125 65
Non-Interest Expense:
Salaries and Employee Benefits 2,994 2,135
Stock Based Compensation Expense 311 592
Occupancy Expense 910 818
Operating Expense 1,117 999
----------- -----------
Total Non-Interest Expense 5,332 4,544
Net Loss from Bank Operations (2,856) (2,878)
----------- -----------
Pre-tax Net Loss (2,856) (2,878)
Provision for Income Taxes 1 0
Net Loss $ (2,857) $ (2,878)
----------- -----------
Loss per share - basic and diluted loss
per share $ (1.04) $ (1.04)
----------- -----------
Contact Information: Contact:
Promérica Bank
Maria Contreras-Sweet
Chairwoman
213.787.2802
John H. Quinn
CEO / President
213.787.2803
Frank E. Smith
CFO
213.787.2804