CORNELIUS, N.C., July 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aquesta Financial Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“Aquesta”) (stock trading symbol:AQFH) announced today record operating income for the second quarter of 2015 (three month period ending June 30, 2015). For the second quarter of 2015, Aquesta had unaudited net income of $590,000 (23 cents per share) compared to net income of $446,000 for the second quarter of 2014 (17 cents per share), or a 32 percent increase.
Aquesta’s total assets increased to $269.1 million at June 30, 2015 compared to $263.6 million at December 31, 2014, or an annualized increase of 8 percent. Total loans increased to $184.1 million at June 30, 2015 from $172.2 million at December 31, 2014, or annualized growth of 28 percent.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, net income was $1,091,000 versus net income in the same period of 2014 of $874,000, an increase of 25 percent. Jim Engel, CEO and President of Aquesta noted that, “Our strong loan growth has allowed Aquesta to continue to show solid earnings growth both comparing quarter over quarter and year over year figures.”
Jim Engel stated, “This quarter represents a record for Aquesta with our best return on shareholder equity since our formation in 2006. With loan growth that dramatically outpaces peers, we believe Aquesta is really starting to hit its stride. I am extremely grateful for the hard work of the Aquesta team and the loyalty of the Aquesta customers.”
Engel noted that, “Aquesta Bank recently completed the acquisition of a branch in the Southpark area of Charlotte. We are excited about the opportunity to provide a truly customized banking experience to a market that may currently know little of Aquesta. This is just the first step to our Charlotte growth plans.”
Aquesta has a branch in Davidson, two in Cornelius, a branch in Huntersville and two branches in Mooresville. Aquesta Insurance Services, Inc., an independent agency, has offices in Cornelius, Mooresville, Huntersville and Wilmington. Aquesta Insurance offers a full line of commercial and personal property & casualty insurance from all major carriers.
Aquesta also provided the following financial highlights for comparison:
| 6/30/15 | 12/31/14 | |||
| unaudited | audited | |||
| (dollars in thousands) | ||||
| Financial Highlights | ||||
| Total Assets | 269,115 | 263,566 | ||
| Total Loans | 184,135 | 172,250 | ||
| Total Core Deposits | 126,689 | 119,409 | ||
| Total Deposits | 201,467 | 206,013 | ||
| Nonaccrual Loans | 2,889 | 1,570 | ||
| Other Real Estate Owned | 1,108 | 1,140 | ||
| Total Shareholders Equity | 23,636 | 22,748 | ||
| NPAs* as a % of Assets | 1.61 | 1.17 | ||
| ALLL** as a % of Loans | 1.47 | 1.44 | ||
| Shares Outstanding | 2,562 | 2,562 | ||
| Book Value Per Share | 9.22 | 8.88 | ||
| Tangible Book Value Per Share | 8.53 | 8.16 | ||
| 6/30/15 | 6/30/14 | |||
| YTD | YTD | |||
| Non Interest Income*** | 1,833 | 1,602 | ||
| Noninterest Expense | 4,756 | 4,322 | ||
| Net Interest Income | 4,705 | 4,267 | ||
| Provision for Loan Losses | 136 | 172 | ||
| Net Income | 1,091 | 874 | ||
| Earnings Per Share - Basic | 0.43 | 0.34 | ||
| Earnings Per Share - Diluted | 0.42 | 0.33 | ||
*NPA’s consist of loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing, nonaccrual loans, troubled debt restructurings and other real estate owned.
**ALLL is the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses
***Excludes gains/losses on the sale of securities.
For additional information, please contact Kristin Couch (Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) or Jim Engel (Chief Executive Officer and President) at 704-439-4343 or visit us online at www.aquesta.com.
Information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements that might involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include without limitation, the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, and changes in interest rates.