LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 12, 2016) - ProAmérica Bank (OTCQB: PMRA) today reported Net Income for the fourth quarter of 2015 of $85,000, or $0.03 per diluted common share. Net Income was $551,000, or $0.17 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2015. Total assets increased 11% to $183.6 million as of December 31, 2015, as compared to the prior year. "We are pleased that the Bank had strong growth in our deposits and loans during the period," stated Sal Varela, Interim President and CEO, "We continue to increase our customer accounts and grow our relationships in the business community." 

"We look forward to expanding ProAmérica Bank's footprint as we prepare for the pending merger with Pacific Commerce Bank," stated Chairwoman Maria S. Salinas.

2015 Fourth Quarter/Annual Highlights

  • Adjusted income from operations (income before provisions for loan losses and income taxes) was $144,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to $648,000 in the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted income from operations was $922,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $1,403,000 in 2014.

  • Fourth quarter 2015 Net Income was $85,000 compared to Net Income of $182,000 in the prior year fourth quarter. Net Income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $551,000, compared to $626,000 in 2014. Both periods in 2015 were impacted by $256,000 in expenses related to the pending merger.

  • Total Assets at December 31, 2015 were $183.6 million, an increase of $18.4 million or 11% from December 31, 2014.

  • Total Loans at December 31, 2015 increased to $137.7 million, an increase of $20.2 million or 17% from December 31, 2014.

  • Total Deposits at December 31, 2015 increased to $153.5 million, an increase of $17.4 million or 13% from December 31, 2014.

  • Nonperforming assets were $545,000 at December 31, 2015, representing 0.3% of assets.

Capital ratios were in excess of all minimums required to be "Well Capitalized" by regulatory agencies, with a Tier 1 Leverage Ratio of 14.8% and a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 19.8% at December 31, 2015. Regulatory "Well Capitalized" definitions are 5% for the Tier 1 Leverage Ratio and 10% for the Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio.

Financial Results
 Net Income for the three months ended December 31, 2015 was $85,000, compared to $182,000 in 2014. Net Income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $551,000, compared to $626,000 in 2014. The decrease in net income in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to expenses related to the pending merger. 

Adjusted income from operations (income before provisions for loan losses and income taxes) was $144,000 for the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to $648,000 for the same period in 2014. In the fourth quarter of 2014, adjusted income from operations included the impact of reversing a $339,000 contingent liability for the Bank's guarantee of the credit card balances of one of the Bank's troubled clients previously expensed in the third quarter of 2014. Adjusted income from operations in the fourth quarter of 2015 also included $256,000 in expenses related to the pending merger contributing to the increase from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted income from operations was $922,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to $1,403,000 in the previous year. The increase in Operating Expense in 2015 compared to 2014 was due to the aforementioned $256,000 in expenses related to the pending merger and a decrease in gains on sales of SBA loans to $11,000 in 2015 compared to $232,000 in 2014. Management believes adjusted income from operations is a better measure of core earnings performance.

For the 2015 fourth quarter, Net Interest Income before the Provision for Loan Losses increased by $2,000 compared to the 2014 fourth quarter. The Net Interest Margin declined to 3.45% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, down from 4.01% for the 2014 fourth quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2015, Net Interest Income before the Provision for Loan Losses increased by $73,000 compared to 2014. The Net Interest Margin decreased to 3.82% for the year ended December 31, 2015, down from 4.24% for 2014. The decrease in both periods in 2015 was due to a decline in the yield on loans as a result of the loan portfolio repricing at lower interest rates and a greater percentage of assets in lower-yielding Federal funds sold in 2015 compared to 2014. 

No Provisions for Loan Losses were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015 versus $340,000 in the same period in 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015, no Provisions for Loan Losses were recorded due to improved asset quality compared to $340,000 recorded in 2014.

Non-interest Income declined $6,000, or 8% in the fourth quarter 2015 versus 2014. Non-interest Income decreased $320,000, or 36% for the year ended December 31, 2015 versus 2014 primarily due to a decrease in gains on the sales of SBA loans. Gains on sales of SBA loans were $11,000 in 2015 compared to $232,000 in 2014. Non-interest Income was also lower in 2015 compared to 2014 due to the receipt of a $265,000 Bank Enterprise Award in 2015 versus $353,000 in 2014. The Award was the maximum that any bank received for 2015, and the decreased grant was not due to a decline in lending performance in the lower income census tracts. 

Non-interest Expense for the 2015 fourth quarter was $1,539,000, compared with $1,039,000 for the 2014 fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2014, Operating Expense included the impact of reversing a $339,000 contingent liability for the Bank's guarantee of the credit card balances of one of the Bank's troubled clients previously expensed in the third quarter of 2014. Operating expense in the fourth quarter of 2015 included $256,000 in expenses related to the pending merger contributing to the increase from the same period in the prior year. Non-interest Expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $6,154,000 compared with $5,920,000 in 2014. The increase in Operating Expense in 2015 compared to 2014 was due to the aforementioned $256,000 in expenses related to the pending merger that was recorded in 2015. 

The efficiency ratio was 91% for the 2015 fourth quarter, compared with 62% for the same period in 2014. The fourth quarter of 2014 included the impact of reversing a $339,000 contingent liability for the Bank's guarantee of the credit card balances of one of the Bank's troubled clients previously expensed in the third quarter of 2014. The fourth quarter of 2015 included $256,000 in expenses related to the pending merger, contributing to the increase from the same period in the prior year. The efficiency ratio was 87% for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to 81% in 2014. The increase in the efficiency ratio was due to the aforementioned $256,000 in 2015 expenses related to the pending merger and decrease in gains on the sales of SBA loans to $11,000 in 2015 from $232,000 in 2014.

Loans, before the allowance for loan losses, increased 17% to $137.7 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $117.5 million at December 31, 2014.

Total Deposits increased 13% to $153.5 million at December 31 2015, compared to $136.1 million at December 31, 2014.

Asset Quality
 Nonperforming Assets (the sum of loans past due 90 days and accruing, nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned) increased to $545,000, or 0.3% of total assets at December 31, 2015, compared with $1,911,000 or 1.2% of total assets at December 31, 2014. All of the nonperforming loans at December 31, 2015 are current in their payments. 

The Allowance for Loan Losses was $2.2 million, or 1.6% of loans, at December 31, 2015, compared with $2.1 million, or 1.8% of loans, at December 31, 2014.

The Bank had net recoveries to average loans outstanding of 0.08% for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to net charge-offs to average loans outstanding of 0.61% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Capital Resources
 Total Shareholders' Equity increased to $28.8 million at December 31, 2015, up from $28.1 million at December 31, 2014. The Bank's book value available to common shareholders per common share increased to $8.85 at December 31, 2015 from $8.78 at December 31, 2014.

At December 31, 2015, the Bank's Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio was 14.8% versus 16.0% at December 31, 2014. The Total Risk-based Capital Ratio was 19.8% as of December 31, 2015 versus 20.5% at December 31, 2014.

Merger Update
 In December, ProAmérica Bank and Los Angeles based Pacific Commerce Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pacific Commerce Bancorp (OTC: PCBC), announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to merge the two banks into Pacific Commerce Bank. The Bank is going through the regulatory approval process. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter. "The combination of the two banks is very exciting," stated Sal Varela. "This merger brings value to our shareholders and creates an opportunity to expand products and services, the ability to offer larger loans, and to serve a greater geographic area."

ProAmérica Bank provides a full range of financial services, including credit and deposit products, SBA loan products, cash management, and internet banking for businesses, professionals, nonprofits and high net worth individuals from its headquarters office at 888 West Sixth Street, Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017-2728. Information on products and services may be obtained by calling (213) 613-5000 or visiting the Bank's website at www.PROAMERICABANK.com.

NOTE:

This news release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about ProAmérica Bank's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those described above and the following: ProAmérica Bank's timely implementation of new products and services, technological changes, changes in consumer spending and savings habits and other risks discussed from time to time in ProAmérica Bank's reports and filings with banking regulatory agencies. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic and international economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and ProAmérica Bank does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

                 
         
PROAMÉRICA BANK BALANCE SHEETS        
(Dollars in thousands)        
                 
                 
                 
 December 31,    December 31,    %  
 2015    2014    Change  
  Unaudited     Audited        
                     
Assets:                    
  Cash and Due From Banks $ 2,573     $ 1,190     116.2 %
  Federal Funds Sold   31,275       29,645     5.5 %
  Interest-bearing Balances at Other Financial Institutions   9,097       13,516     -32.7 %
   Total Cash and Cash Equivalents  42,945      44,351    -3.2%
                     
  Loans Net of Deferred Loan Fees/Costs   137,754       117,520     17.2 %
  Allowance for Loan Losses   2,215       2,119     4.5 %
   Loans Net of Allowance for Loan Losses  135,539      115,401    17.5%
  Premises and Equipment, net   642       785     -18.2 %
  Federal Home Loan Bank Stock   599       568     5.5 %
  Other Real Estate Owned   0       0     NA  
  Accrued Interest Receivable and Other Assets   3,892       4,109     -5.3 %
                     
   Total Assets$183,617    $165,214    11.1%
                     
Liabilities:                    
  Noninterest-bearing Demand Deposits $ 36,182     $ 28,655     26.3 %
                     
  Interest-bearing Demand Deposits (NOW Deposits)   4,321       3,666     17.9 %
  Savings and Money Market   32,915       29,637     11.1 %
  Certificates of Deposit   80,103       74,115     8.1 %
   Total Interest-bearing Deposits  117,339      107,418    9.2%
   Total Deposits  153,521      136,073    12.8%
                     
  Other Borrowings   0       0     NA  
  Accrued Interest Payable and Other Liabilities   1,255       1,065     17.8 %
                     
Total Liabilities  154,776      137,138    12.9%
                     
Shareholders' Equity:                    
  Common Stock   27,503       27,308     0.7 %
  Additional Paid in Capital   1,976       1,957     1.0 %
  Accumulated Deficit   (4,388 )     (4,939 )   -11.2 %
  SBLF Preferred Stock   3,750       3,750     0.0 %
   Total Shareholders' Equity  28,841      28,076    2.7%
                     
   Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$183,617    $165,214    11.1%
                     
   Tier 1 leverage  14.77%    16.00%      
   Common equity tier 1 capital  16.44%    N/A        
   Tier 1 risk-based capital  18.54%    19.25%      
   Total risk-based capital  19.80%    20.50%      
                             
                             
       
PROAMÉRICA BANK STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS      
For the Periods Indicated      
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)      
                             
                             
   Three Months    Twelve Months  
For The Period Ended December 31,  2015  2014  % Change    2015  2014  % Change  
    Unaudited   Audited         Unaudited   Audited      
                                     
Interest Income:                                    
  Interest and Fees on Loans   $ 1,710   $ 1,688   1 %   $ 6,872   $ 6,745   2 %
  Interest on Federal Funds Sold     30     18   67 %     80     56   43 %
  Interest on Balances at Other Financial Institutions     14     15   -7 %     63     56   13 %
  Dividends on FHLB and PCBB Stock     18     15   20 %     79     47   68 %
   Total Interest Income    1,772    1,736  2%    7,094    6,904  3%
                                     
Interest Expense:                                    
Interest on Deposit Accounts     163     129   26 %     582     465   25 %
                                     
 Net Interest Income    1,609    1,607  0%    6,512    6,439  1%
                                     
Provision for Loan Losses     0     340   NA       0     340   -100 %
                                     
 Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses    1,609    1,267  27%    6,512    6,099  7%
                                     
Noninterest Income:                                    
  Gain on Sale of SBA Loans     0     0   NA       11     232   -95 %
  Noninterest Income     74     80   -8 %     553     652   -15 %
   Total Non-Interest Income     74     80  -8%     564     884  -36%
                                     
Noninterest Expense:                                    
  Salaries and Employee Benefits     743     779   -5 %     3,582     3,637   -2 %
  Stock Based Compensation Expense     0     10   -100 %     56     84   -33 %
  Occupancy Expense     159     154   3 %     621     605   3 %
  Operating Expense     637     96   564 %     1,895     1,594   19 %
   Total Non-Interest Expense    1,539    1,039  48%    6,154    5,920  4%
                                     
 Pre-tax Income    144    308  -53%    922    1,063  -13%
                                     
Provision for Income Taxes     59     126  -53%     371     437  -15%
                                     
 Net Income  $85  $182  -53%  $551  $626  -12%
                                     
 Earnings Per Share - basic  $0.03  $0.07  -59%  $0.18  $0.23  -19%
                                     
 Earnings Per Share - diluted  $0.03  $0.06  -60%  $0.17  $0.22  -21%
                         
     
     
PROAMÉRICA BANK FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS    
For the Periods Indicated    
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)    
                         
   Three Months  Twelve Months
For The Period Ended December 31,  2015  2014  % Change  2015  2014  % Change
    Unaudited   Audited       Unaudited   Audited    
Per Share:                                
  Net income, basic   $ 0.03   $ 0.07   -59.2%   $ 0.18   $ 0.23   -18.7%
  Net income, diluted   $ 0.03   $ 0.06   -60.2%   $ 0.17   $ 0.22   -20.8%
  Book value - Common   $ 8.85   $ 8.78   0.8%                
                                 
Common Shares Outstanding                                
  End of period     2,836,000     2,771,000   2.3%     2,836,000     2,771,000   2.3%
  Average for period     2,836,000     2,771,000   2.3%     2,794,845     2,771,000   0.9%
                                 
Financial Ratios:                                
  Performance Ratios:                                
    Return on average assets     0.18%     0.44%   -59.1%     0.31%     0.40%   -22.5%
    Return on average common equity     1.35%     3.00%   -55.0%     2.23%     2.61%   -14.6%
    Net interest margin     3.45%     4.01%   -14.0%     3.82%     4.24%   -9.9%
    Efficiency ratio     91.44%     61.59%   48.5%     86.97%     80.84%   7.6%
                                 
  Capital Adequacy Ratios (Period-end):                                
    Tier 1 leverage     14.77%     16.00%   -7.7%                
    Common equity tier 1 capital     16.44%     N/A   NA                
    Tier 1 risk-based capital     18.54%     19.25%   -3.7%                
    Total risk-based capital     19.80%     20.50%   -3.4%                
                                 
Asset Quality Ratios:                                
  Allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans     1.61%     1.80%   -10.6%                
  Allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans     406.38%     110.91%   266.4%                
  Nonperforming loans to total loans     0.40%     1.63%   -75.5%                
  Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.30%     1.16%   -74.1%                
  Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (annualized)     -0.08%     0.88%   -109.1%     -0.08%     0.61%   -113.1%
                                 
Asset Quality Measures:                                
  Nonaccrual loans (1)     545     165   230.3%                
  Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing           1,746   NA                
  Other real estate owned     0     0   NA                
    Total nonperforming assets     545     1,911   -71.5%                
                                 
(1) Nonaccrual loans less than 30 days past due     545     165   230.3%