CU Bancorp : Reports Record Third Quarter Earnings of $6.3 Million and Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.35

CU Bancorp (NASDAQ: CUNB), the parent company of wholly owned California United Bank, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2015.

The comparability of financial information for the third quarter of 2015 to the third quarter of 2014, is affected by the Company’s acquisition of 1^st Enterprise Bank (“1^st Enterprise”), which was accomplished by a merger of California United Bank with 1^st Enterprise (“the merger”), effective November 30, 2014.

Third Quarter 2015 Highlights

• Net income available to common shareholders increased to a record $6.0 million, up $1 million or 21% from the prior quarter
• Diluted earnings per share of $0.35, up 21% from the prior quarter
• Total revenues increased to $25.4 million, up $1.0 million or 4.2% from prior quarter
• Net interest income increased to $22.4 million, up $1.1 million or 5.3% from the prior quarter
• Efficiency ratio improved to 59% from 61% in the prior quarter
• Return on average tangible common equity of 11.5%, up from 10.0% in the prior quarter
• Return on average assets increased to 0.93%, up from 0.82% in the prior quarter
• Tangible book value per share increased $0.45 to $12.42 per share
• Total assets increased to $2.6 billion, up $133 million or 5.4% from the prior quarter or an annualized rate of 21.6%
• Total loans increased to $1.8 billion, up $58 million or 3.4% from the prior quarter or an annualized rate of 13.6%
• Total deposits increased to $2.3 billion, up $122 million or 5.7% from the prior quarter or an annualized rate of 22.8%
• Non-interest bearing demand deposits were 55% of total deposits
• Continued status as well-capitalized, the highest regulatory category

“I’m pleased to report another quarter of record earnings and the ongoing improvement in CUB’s profitability metrics,” said David Rainer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CU Bancorp and California United Bank. “While the quarter did have some one-time net benefits, our most important performance metrics have continued to improve every quarter since the merger and in the third quarter many reached their best levels in the Company’s history. Our third quarter efficiency ratio came down to an all-time low of 59% and our return on tangible common equity grew to an all-time high of 11.5%. Our return on average assets improved to a Company best of 0.93%, even as we grew total assets by 5.4% from the prior quarter, which was the result of an increase in core deposits—a key strategy for building long-term franchise value.”

“This marks the fourth quarter of double-digit loan growth since the merger and I’m especially pleased that this quarter’s growth was predominantly in our commercial and industrial loan portfolio, which is at the core of our relationship-based business banking franchise,” said K. Brian Horton, President of CU Bancorp and California United Bank. “Despite the ongoing challenging business conditions of a modestly growing economy and a very competitive lending environment, we are continuing our success in bringing in new banking relationships, as well as retaining customers of both legacy organizations. We continue to experience high levels of loan payoffs; however, CUB’s loan growth in the third quarter, which included an increase in C&I utilization, mitigated the impact of those payoffs.”

Third Quarter 2015 Summary Results

Net Income and Profitability Ratios

Net income for the third quarter of 2015 was $6.3 million and net income available to common shareholders was $6.0 million or $0.35 per fully diluted share, compared with net income of $2.5 million or $0.23 per fully diluted share for the third quarter of 2014. The year-over-year increase was primarily a result of the success of the merger. Merger-related expenses in the third quarter of 2015 were $211 thousand, compared to $631 thousand in the year-ago quarter. The loan loss provision for the third quarter of 2015 was $705 thousand, compared to $35 thousand in the year-ago quarter, primarily due to larger loan growth.

Core net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2015 was $6.1 million or $0.36 per fully diluted share, compared to core net income of $3.2 million or $0.28 per fully diluted share, for the third quarter of 2014.

Net income for the third quarter of 2015 was $6.3 million and net income available to common shareholders was $6.0 million or $0.35 per fully diluted share, compared with net income of $5.3 million and net income available to common shareholders of $5.0 million or $0.29 per fully diluted share in the second quarter of 2015. Third quarter 2015 merger-related expenses were $211 thousand and the loan loss provision was $705 thousand, comparable to expenses of $246 thousand and $683 thousand for the same items, respectively, in the second quarter of 2015. Net income in the third quarter of 2015 was enhanced due to various one-time events that included $881 thousand in discount and other aggregated associated payoff benefits earned on early loan payoffs, compared to $474 thousand in discounts earned on early loan payoffs in the prior quarter. Additionally, discrete tax benefits totaling $465 thousand and assorted additional miscellaneous items also benefited net income in the third quarter of 2015.

Core net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2015 was $6.1 million or $0.36 per fully diluted share, compared to core net income available to common shareholders of $5.1 million in the prior quarter or $0.30 per fully diluted share.

The Company calculates core net income available to common shareholders by adding back the tax-effected merger-related charges to GAAP earnings for the periods presented, because the Company believes the use of core net income available to common shareholders, a non-GAAP measure, facilitates the assessment of its banking operations and peer comparability. A reconciliation to GAAP is included in tabular form at the end of this release.

The following table shows certain of the Company’s performance ratios for the third quarter of 2015, the second quarter of 2015 and the third quarter of 2014, as well as a column calculating performance ratios based on core net income for all three quarters:

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income totaled $22.4 million for the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $9.6 million or 75% from the third quarter of 2014. The increase was primarily driven by the merger and strong net organic loan growth over the last year.

The Company’s net interest income was positively impacted in both the third quarter of 2015 and the third quarter of 2014 by the recognition of fair value discount earned on early payoffs of acquired loans. In the third quarter of 2015 the Company recorded $560 thousand in discount earned on early loan payoffs of acquired loans and other associated payoff benefits aggregating to $321 thousand, with a positive impact on the net interest margin of 15 basis points. In the third quarter of 2014 the Company recorded $403 thousand in discount earned on early loan payoffs of acquired loans, with a positive impact on the net interest margin of 12 basis points.

The net interest margin in the third quarter of 2015 was 3.79%, compared to 3.70% in the third quarter of 2014. While the Company has experienced compression in the yields on its loan portfolio, growth in average loans and a shift to more loans in the mix of earnings assets has helped support the net interest margin.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2015 increased $1.1 million or 5.3% from the second quarter of 2015. In the third quarter of 2015 the Company recorded $560 thousand in discount earned on early loan payoffs of acquired loans and other associated payoff benefits aggregating to $321 thousand, with a positive impact on the net interest margin of 15 basis points. In the second quarter of 2015 the Company recorded $474 thousand in discount earned on early loan payoffs of acquired loans, with a positive impact on the net interest margin of 9 basis points.

The net interest margin in the third quarter of 2015 was 3.79%, compared to 3.87% in the second quarter of 2015. The decrease was largely the result of growth in average deposits exceeding growth in average loans.

The core loan yield for the third quarter of 2015 was 4.76%, compared to 4.84% in the second quarter of 2015, largely due to compression in yields on real estate loans.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had $17.1 million of discount remaining on acquired accruing loans.

The Company’s cost of funds was 0.12% in the third quarter of 2015, a decrease from 0.14% in the third quarter of 2014 and 0.13% in the second quarter of 2015.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income was $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $984 thousand or 49% from $2.0 million in the same quarter of the prior year. The overall increase was primarily due to an increase of $528 thousand in deposit account service charge income as a result of the merger and a $309 thousand increase in the gain on sale of SBA loans.

Non-interest income in the third quarter of 2015 decreased by $107 thousand or 3.5% compared to the second quarter of 2015. Third quarter non-interest income’s other non-interest income had no transaction fee referral income or special dividend on capital stock from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, compared to $380 thousand and $296 thousand from these sources, respectively, in the second quarter of 2015. Third quarter other non-interest income also saw a $75 thousand decrease in SBA servicing fee income compared to the second quarter, as a result of unusually large payoffs. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $425 thousand in gain on sale of SBA loans compared to the prior quarter.

The quarterly dividend earned from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is included in the Company’s non-interest income. In light of the consistent increase in the quarterly dividend rate, the Company now accrues for the dividend as it is earned. Previously the Company recorded the dividend as income in the period received; as a result, the accrual of $200 thousand for the dividend earned in the third quarter, which will be received early in the fourth quarter of 2015, overlaps with the second quarter dividend payment of $200 thousand received and recorded as income early in the third quarter.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2015 was $15.1 million, an increase of $5.0 million, or 50% compared to non-interest expense of $10.0 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase in year-over-year non-interest expense is the result of the combined operations of the two banks after the merger in November 2014. The third quarter of 2015 included merger-related expenses of $211 thousand, compared to $631 thousand in the year ago period, and $358 thousand for three months of core deposit intangible amortization related to the merger.

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2015 was $15.1 million, an increase of $155 thousand, or 1% compared to non-interest expense of $14.9 million for the second quarter of 2015. In the third quarter of 2015 legal and professional expenses decreased by $244 thousand, due to a decline in the use of outside professional service providers during the quarter. Other operating expenses decreased by $238 thousand from the prior period, the largest piece of which was a decline of $61 thousand in the off balance sheet provision for credit losses, which is related to undisbursed lines of credit. While commercial and industrial utilization and total commitments did increase from the prior quarter, undisbursed totals remained constant. These declines were offset by a $461 thousand increase in salaries and employee benefits, primarily related to the additional accrual for employee bonuses based on the Company’s new business growth and improved profitability. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2015 the Company recorded a charge of $133 thousand for an OREO valuation write-down, compared to no write-downs in the prior quarter. Merger-related expenses in the third quarter of 2015 decreased by $35 thousand to $211 thousand, compared to $246 thousand in the prior quarter; the Company expects no further merger-related expenses.

As a result of the significant increase in loans and deposits, as well as the addition of new banking relationships since the merger, the Company’s efficiency ratio improved to 59% in the third quarter of 2015, from 61% in the second quarter and 64% in the first quarter. In the first quarter of 2014, the quarter prior to the merger announcement and in which neither legacy bank had any merger expenses, their efficiency ratios were 67% and 68%.

At September 30, 2015, the Company had 266 active full-time equivalent employees.

Income Tax

In the third quarter of 2015, the Company realized a combined one-time $465 thousand benefit primarily related to the filing of the final 1st Enterprise tax return and the CU Bancorp 2014 tax return. The Company’s effective tax rate without the discrete benefit is 39% year to date.

Balance Sheet

Assets

Total assets at September 30, 2015, were $2.6 billion, a year-over-year increase of $1.2 billion from September 30, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the addition of $782 million in assets from the 1^st Enterprise merger, as well as strong organic growth in total deposits.

Loans

Total loans were $1.8 billion at September 30, 2015, an increase of $58 million from the end of the prior quarter. This also represents an increase of $793 million from September 30, 2014. The increase in loans from the prior quarter was due to organic loan growth; the increase in loans from the year ago period was primarily due to the merger.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company had approximately $89 million of net organic loan production. Pay downs and payoffs in the acquired loan portfolios were approximately $31 million in the same quarter.

Included in net organic loan growth in the third quarter was an $18 million increase in the construction lending portfolio, which consists predominantly of residential construction projects in Los Angeles County.

Total commercial and industrial loans increased $51 million or 10% from the prior quarter. Total commercial and industrial lines of credit commitments increased 5% from the previous quarter, with utilization increasing to 47% from 45% in the prior quarter.

At September 30, 2015, commercial and industrial loans, and owner-occupied real estate loans combined were $933 million or 53% of total loans, compared to $886 million or 52% of total loans at June 30, 2015.

Deposits

Total deposits at September 30, 2015 were $2.3 billion, an increase of $122 million from the end of the prior quarter. The growth in deposits was mainly the result of existing customers experiencing a variety of cash generating events.

Total deposits increased $997 million from September 30, 2014. The increase from the prior year was primarily the result of the merger with 1^st Enterprise, as well as strong organic deposit growth in the first three quarters of 2015.

Non-interest bearing deposits at September 30, 2015 were $1.2 billion or 55% of total deposits, an all-time high for the Bank, compared to $1.1 billion or 53% of total deposits at June 30, 2015. The increase in average non-interest bearing deposits drove the cost of deposits for the quarter down to 0.10%, compared with 0.11% in the prior quarter.

Asset Quality

Total non-performing assets were $5.6 million, or 0.21% of total assets at September 30, 2015, compared with $5.8 million, or 0.24% of total assets, at June 30, 2015.

Total nonaccrual loans were $4.3 million, or 0.24% of total loans, at September 30, 2015, compared with $5.0 million, or 0.29% of total loans, at June 30, 2015. Of the total non-performing assets at September 30, 2015, the other real estate owned category consisted of two properties: a single-family residence located in Washington State, the value of which was written down by $133 thousand during the quarter and is now being carried on the books at $717 thousand, the estimated fair value less costs of disposition; and a hotel in southern Arizona being carried on the books at $575 thousand, the estimated fair value less costs of disposition. The sale of the property in Washington State is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of 2015.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded net recoveries of $136 thousand, compared with net recoveries of $194 thousand during the second quarter of 2015.

The Company recorded a loan loss provision of $705 thousand for the third quarter of 2015. The loan loss provision reflects strong organic loan growth during the quarter.

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans (excluding acquired loans that have been marked to fair value and their related allowance) was 1.30% at September 30, 2015, compared with 1.33% at June 30, 2015, and 1.43% at September 30, 2014.

Capital

CU Bancorp remained well capitalized at September 30, 2015 with total risk-weighted assets of $2,266,843,000. All of the Company’s capital ratios are above minimum regulatory standards for “well capitalized” institutions.

At September 30, 2015, tangible common equity was $209.5 million with common shares issued of 16,870,936 as of the same date, resulting in tangible book value per common share of $12.42. This compares to tangible common equity of $201.6 million with a tangible book value per common share of $11.97 at June 30, 2015. At September 30, 2014, prior to the merger, the per share tangible book value of CU Bancorp stock was $11.95.

Non-GAAP Financial Disclosures

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial disclosures. 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. Given the use of tangible common equity amounts and ratios is prevalent among banking regulators, investors and analysts, we disclose our tangible common equity ratio in addition to equity-to-assets ratio. Please refer to the tables at the end of this release for a presentation of performance ratios in accordance with GAAP and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the GAAP financial measures.

About CU Bancorp and California United Bank

CU Bancorp is the parent of California United Bank. Founded in 2005, California United Bank provides a full range of financial services, including credit and deposit products, cash management, and internet banking to businesses, non-profits, entrepreneurs, professionals and investors throughout Southern California from its headquarters office in Downtown Los Angeles and additional full-service offices in the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley, the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, South Bay, Orange County and the Inland Empire. California United Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender. To view CU Bancorp’s most recent financial information, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s Web site. Information on products and services may be obtained by calling 818-257-7700 or visiting the Company’s Web site at www.cunb.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking information about CU Bancorp (the “Company”) that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we assume no duty to update such statements. We caution readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: lower than expected revenues; credit quality deterioration or a reduction in real estate values which could cause an increase in the allowance for credit losses and a reduction in net earnings; increased competitive pressure among depository institutions; the Company’s ability to complete future acquisitions, successfully integrate acquired entities, or achieve expected beneficial synergies and/or operating efficiencies within expected time-frames or at all; the cost of additional capital is more than expected; a change in the interest rate environment reduces net interest margins; asset/liability repricing risks and liquidity risks; legal matters could be filed against the Company and could take longer or cost more than expected to resolve or may be resolved adversely to the Company; general economic conditions, either nationally or in the market areas in which the Company does or anticipates doing business, are less favorable than expected; environmental conditions, including natural disasters and drought, may disrupt our business, impede our operations, negatively impact the values of collateral securing the Company’s loans and leases or impair the ability of our borrowers to support their debt obligations; the economic and regulatory effects of the continuing war on terrorism and other events of war; legislative or regulatory requirements or changes adversely affecting the Company’s business; changes in the securities markets; regulatory approvals for any capital activities cannot be obtained on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; and, other risks that are described in CU Bancorp’s public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or if any of the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements proves to be incorrect, CU Bancorp’s results could differ materially from those expressed in, implied or projected by such forward-looking statements. CU Bancorp assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. For a more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties, investors and security holders are urged to read CU Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by CU Bancorp with the SEC. The documents filed by CU Bancorp with the SEC may be obtained at CU Bancorp’s website at www.cubancorp.com or at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge from CU Bancorp by directing a request to: CU Bancorp c/o California United Bank, 15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 100, Encino, CA 91436. Attention: Investor Relations. Telephone 818-257-7700.

As of September 30, 2015, there were no restructured loans or loans over 90 days past due and still accruing.

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