Southwest Bancorp Inc. Reports Net Income of $4.1 Million for the Second Quarter of 2012

STILLWATER, Okla., July 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:OKSB) (Nasdaq:OKSBP), ("Southwest"), today reported earnings for the second quarter of 2012 of $4.1 million, compared to a loss of ($3.0) million for the second quarter of 2011. Net income available to common shareholders was $3.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2012, compared to a net loss available to common shareholders of ($4.0) million, or ($0.21) per diluted share for the second quarter of 2011.

Southwest reported earnings for the first half of 2012 of $9.3 million, compared to a loss of ($0.5) million for the first half of 2011. Net income available to common shareholders was $7.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the first half of 2012, compared to a net loss available to common shareholders of ($2.6) million, or ($0.13) per diluted share, for the first half of 2011.

Rick Green, President and CEO, stated, "Our second quarter was one of continued profitability and regulatory achievements. We are pleased that the total of nonperforming assets plus potential problem loans is down and loan losses continue to decline. These factors, in addition to our smaller loan portfolio, reduced the required loan loss provision, which contributed to our performance. The reduction in loans also resulted in a decrease in net interest income. While we anticipate that further portfolio decreases may occur, we are working to stabilize loan revenue and volume by generating new loans prudently and profitably by focusing on customers in our primary markets.

"As of June 30, 2012, the capital ratios of Southwest and each of its banking subsidiaries continued to substantially exceed the ratios for regulatory classification as "well-capitalized", our nonperforming assets were 2.51% of our noncovered portfolio loans, and our allowance for loan losses was 2.92% of noncovered portfolio loans."

Mr. Green also noted, "We have continued to achieve our regulatory goals. In May 2012, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released Stillwater National from the formal regulatory agreement and the individual minimum capital agreement entered in January 2010. Earlier this month, with the consent of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, we terminated supervisory resolutions that we had adopted at its request in July 2009. Termination of these actions will reduce our regulatory burdens.

"We earlier announced our intention to bring current all dividends on our trust preferred securities and our Series B Preferred Stock owned by the Department of the Treasury. We now have brought current all the trust preferred securities and will bring the Series B Preferred Stock current in the next several days in accordance with its terms.

"Our Series B Preferred Stock carries with it significant burdens, and its dividend rate is scheduled to increase from 5% to 9% after 2013. With the termination of our regulatory agreements and resolutions and our payment of all dividends due, we now have as a top priority the redemption of our Series B Preferred Stock.

"Earlier this year, we reported that I plan to retire as President and CEO in January 2013. I am glad to report that our Board of Directors has made significant progress in identifying President and CEO candidates, has narrowed the field to a pool of highly-qualified finalists, and is proceeding to find the best fit expeditiously."

Key items for the quarter were as follows:

Unless otherwise indicated, the following discussion excludes "covered" assets, which are subject to loss sharing agreements with the FDIC. For information on covered versus noncovered assets, please see the accompanying unaudited financial statement and tables.

• Nonperforming loans were $20.7 million, 1.38% of portfolio loans, as of June 30, 2012, an increase of $6.3 million from $14.4 million, 0.92% of portfolio loans, as of March 31, 2012. This increase is primarily the result of one healthcare related loan in our Texas market.
• Nonperforming assets were $38.0 million, or 2.51% of portfolio loans and other real estate, as of June 30, 2012, an increase of $4.2 million (12%) from $33.8 million, or 2.12% of portfolio loans and other real estate, as of March 31, 2012. The increase in nonperforming assets during the second quarter of 2012 is attributable to placing $12.2 million in loans on nonaccrual, offset in part by the receipt of $3.8 million in resolutions and payments on nonperforming loans, the receipt of $1.1 million from sales of other real estate, net charge-offs of $2.2 million in nonperforming loans, and the recognition of impairments in other real estate assets of $1.0 million, which resulted in the Kansas Banking segment second quarter loss.
• Potential problem loans were $111.1 million as of June 30, 2012, a decrease of $15.2 million (12%) from $126.3 million as of March 31, 2012. The decrease in potential problem loans resulted from $15.9 million in resolutions and paydowns, $11.8 million in movement to nonaccrual, and $8.6 million in upgrades, offset in part by the identification of $21.1 million in additional potential problem loans.
• The allowance for loan losses was $43.8 million at June 30, 2012, a decrease of $1.2 million (3%) from March 31, 2012. The allowance for loan losses to portfolio loans was 2.92% as of June 30, 2012 compared to 2.87% as of March 31, 2012. The allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 211.43% as of June 30, 2012 compared to 312.14% as of March 31, 2012.
• Portfolio loans decreased $72.2 million (5%) from March 31, 2012. The decline was anticipated due in part to the change in our lending focus away from larger average size loans.
• The capital ratios of Southwest and each of its banking subsidiaries, as of June 30, 2012, met the criteria for regulatory classification as "well-capitalized". Southwest's total regulatory capital was $404.3 million, for a total risk-based capital ratio of 23.52%, and Tier 1 capital was $382.3 million, for a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 22.24%. Southwest's capital exceeded the minimum to be classified as "well-capitalized" by $232.3 million. Stillwater National Bank, Southwest's principal banking subsidiary, had total regulatory capital of $329.2 million, for a total risk-based capital ratio of 21.42%, and Tier 1 capital of $294.7 million, for a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 19.17%. Stillwater National Bank exceeded the minimum to be classified as "well-capitalized" by $175.5 million. Designation as a well-capitalized institution under regulations does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Federal bank regulators.  
• At June 30, 2012, the holding company had $22.3 million in available cash.

Financial Overview

Condition: At June 30, 2012 total assets were $2.3 billion, down $113.2 million, or 5%, from December 31, 2011, and total loans were $1.6 billion, down $210.1 million, or 12%, from December 31, 2011.

At June 30, 2012 the noncovered allowance for loan losses was $43.8 million, a decrease of 1% from December 31, 2011. The noncovered allowance for loan losses to noncovered portfolio loans was 2.92% as of June 30, 2012 compared to 2.62% as of December 31, 2011.

Investment securities increased $65.0 million, or 24%, to $340.4 million as of June 30, 2012, from $275.4 million as of December 31, 2011. The increase is primarily the result of a $31.5 million, or 17%, increase in government agency guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities, a $19.4 million, or 30%, increase in U.S. government and agency securities, a $12.7 million, or 48%, increase in municipal securities, and $1.2 million in other mortgage-backed securities. The investment portfolio is managed to provide safety, liquidity, and collateral for public funds and borrowings. Southwest plans to continue to invest in treasury, U.S. agency, and high grade municipal securities. The investment portfolio continues to be managed in compliance with the current investment policy, including the average duration of the portfolio not exceeding four years.   

Total core funding, which includes all non-brokered deposits and sweep repurchase agreements, comprised 98% of total funding as of June 30, 2012, compared to 94% at December 31, 2011. Core funding by segment is as follows as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively: $1,359.6 million and $1,426.2 million in Oklahoma banking, $155.1 million and $156.2 million in Texas banking, $273.2 million and $273.6 million in Kansas banking, and $27.4 million and $3.9 million in the secondary market and other operations segments. Wholesale funding, including FHLB borrowings, federal funds purchased, and brokered deposits, accounted for 2% of total funding at June 30, 2012, compared to 6% at December 31, 2011.  Please see Table 7 for details on these non-GAAP financial measures.

Second Quarter Results:

Summary: For the second quarter of 2012, net income available to common shareholders was $3.0 million, compared to a net loss available to common shareholders of ($4.0) million for the second quarter of 2011. The $7.0 million increase in our net income available to common shareholders from second quarter 2011 is the result of a $20.1 million decrease in the provision for loan losses, offset in part by a $5.2 million decrease in net interest income, a $6.0 million increase in income tax expense, and a $1.8 million increase in noninterest expense.

The second quarter 2012 effective tax rate was 37.12%.    

Net Interest Income: Net interest income totaled $19.7 million for the second quarter of 2012, compared to $25.0 million for the second quarter of 2011, a decrease of $5.2 million, or 21%, and to $20.8 million for the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 5%. Lower average loan volume was the primary cause of each of these decreases. Net interest margin was 3.71% for the second quarter of 2012, compared to 3.79% for the second quarter of 2011 and 3.82% for the first quarter of 2012. 

Provision for Loan Losses and Net Charge-offs: The provision for loan losses totaled $32,000 for the second quarter of 2012, compared to $20.1 million for second quarter of 2011 and $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2012. Net charge-offs totaled $1.2 million, or 0.31% (annualized) of average portfolio loans for the second quarter of 2012, compared to $26.9 million, or 4.76% (annualized) of average portfolio loans for the second quarter of 2011 and $1.3 million, or 0.32% (annualized) of average portfolio loans for the first quarter of 2012. The provision for loan losses is the amount of expense that is required to maintain the allowance for losses at an appropriate level based upon the inherent risks in the loan portfolio after the effects of net charge-offs for the period.

Noninterest Income: Noninterest income totaled $3.6 million for the second quarter of 2012, compared to $3.6 million for the second quarter of 2011 and $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2012. 

Noninterest Expense: Noninterest expense totaled $16.8 million for the second quarter of 2012, compared to $15.0 million for the second quarter of 2011 and $14.3 million for the first quarter of 2012.  

The $1.8 million increase from second quarter of 2011 consists of a $2.0 million increase in general and administrative expense, which is primarily the result of the prior year settlement of Oklahoma state tax claims for less than the amount accrued, a $0.4 million increase in personnel expense, and a $0.3 million increase in the provision for unfunded loan commitments, offset in part by a $0.5 million decrease in other real estate expense, a $0.2 million decrease in FDIC and other insurance expense, and a $0.1 million decrease in occupancy expense.

The $2.5 million increase from first quarter of 2012 consists of a $1.7 million increase in other real estate expense due to the fair value write-down of properties and increased expenses, a $0.4 million increase in general and administrative expense due to a second quarter write-down of an investment carried at cost, and a $0.3 million increase in the provision for unfunded loan commitments.

Year-to-date Results:

Summary: Net income available to common shareholders was $7.1 million as of June 30, 2012, compared to a net loss available to common shareholders of ($2.6) million as of June 30, 2011. The $9.7 million increase in our net income available to common shareholders from 2011 is the result of a $27.4 million decrease in the provision for loan losses and a $0.3 million increase in noninterest income, offset in part by a $9.8 million decrease in net interest income, a $7.6 million increase in income tax expense, and a $0.5 million increase in noninterest expense.

The year-to-date effective tax rate was 37.33% as of June 30, 2012.    

Net Interest Income: Net interest income totaled $40.6 million for the first six months of 2012, compared to $50.4 million for the first six months of 2011, a decrease of $9.8 million, or 19%. Lower loan volume was the primary cause of this decrease. Year-to-date net interest margin was 3.77%, compared to 3.78% for 2011.    

Provision for Loan Losses and Net Charge-offs: The provision for loan losses totaled $1.7 million for the first six months of 2012, compared to $29.2 million for the first six months of 2011. Net charge-offs totaled $2.5 million, or 0.32% (annualized) of average portfolio loans year-to-date as of June 30, 2012, compared to $39.8 million, or 3.49% (annualized) of average portfolio loans for the same period 2011. The provision for loan losses is the amount of expense that is required to maintain the allowance for losses at an appropriate level based upon the inherent risks in the loan portfolio after the effects of net charge-offs for the period.

Noninterest Income: Noninterest income totaled $7.1 million for the first six months of 2012, compared to $6.9 million for the first six months of 2011. The increase in noninterest income was primarily the result of a $0.5 million increase in gain on sale of loans, offset in part by a $0.3 million decline in service charges and fees.

Noninterest Expense: Noninterest expense totaled $31.1 million for the first six months of 2012, compared to $30.6 million for the first six months of 2011.  The increase consists of a $1.6 million increase in general and administrative expense, which is primarily the result of the prior year settlement of Oklahoma state tax claims for less than the amount accrued, a $0.4 million increase in the provision for unfunded loan commitments, and a $0.1 million increase in personnel expense, offset in part by a $0.7 million decrease in FDIC and other insurance expense, a $0.6 million decrease in other real estate expense, and a $0.3 million decrease in occupancy expense.

Southwest Bancorp and Subsidiaries

Southwest is the bank holding company for Stillwater National Bank and Trust Company ("Stillwater National") and Bank of Kansas. Through its subsidiaries, Southwest offers commercial and consumer lending, deposit and investment services, specialized cash management, and other financial services from offices in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, and on the Internet, through SNB DirectBanker®. We were organized in 1981 as the holding company for Stillwater National, which was chartered in 1894. At June 30, 2012 we had total assets of $2.3 billion, deposits of $1.8 billion, and shareholders' equity of $314.6 million.

Our area of expertise focuses on the special financial needs of healthcare and health professionals, businesses and their managers and owners, and commercial and commercial real estate borrowers. We established a strategic focus on healthcare lending in 1974. We provide credit and other services, such as deposits, cash management, and document imaging for physicians and other healthcare practitioners to start or develop their practices and finance the development and purchase of medical offices, clinics, surgical care centers, hospitals, and similar facilities. As of June 30, 2012, approximately $536.1 million, or 35%, of our noncovered loans were loans to individuals and businesses in the healthcare industry. We conduct regular market reviews of our current and potential healthcare lending and the appropriate concentrations within healthcare based upon economic and regulatory conditions.

We also focus on commercial real estate mortgage and construction credits. We do not focus on one-to-four family residential development loans or "spec" residential property credits. Additionally, subprime residential lending has never been a part of our business strategy, and our exposure to subprime mortgage loans and subprime lenders is minimal. One-to-four family mortgages account for less than 5% of total noncovered loans. As of June 30, 2012 approximately $1.1 billion, or 75%, of our noncovered loans were commercial real estate mortgage and construction loans, including $361.5 million of loans to individuals and businesses in the healthcare industry. 

Southwest's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol OKSB. Southwest's public trust preferred securities are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol OKSBP.

The Southwest Bancorp, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8074

Caution About Forward-Looking Statements

We make forward-looking statements in this news release that are subject to risks and uncertainties. We intend these statements to be covered by the safe harbor provision for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements include: 

• Statements of Southwest's goals, intentions, and expectations;
• Estimates of risks and of future costs and benefits;
• Expectations regarding our future financial performance and the financial performance of our operating segments;
• Expectations regarding regulatory actions;
• Expectations regarding our ability to utilize tax loss benefits;
• Assessments of loan quality, probable loan losses, and the amount and timing of loan payoffs;
• Estimates of the value of assets held for sale or available for sale; and
• Statements of our ability to achieve financial and other goals.

These forward-looking statements are subject to significant uncertainties because they are based upon: the amount and timing of future changes in interest rates, market behavior, and other economic conditions; future laws, regulations, and accounting principles; changes in regulatory standards and examination policies, and a variety of other matters. These other matters include, among other things, the direct and indirect effects of economic conditions on interest rates, credit quality, loan demand, liquidity, and monetary and supervisory policies of banking regulators. Because of these uncertainties, the actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, Southwest's past growth and performance do not necessarily indicate our future results. For other factors, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates and projections contained in forward-looking statements, please read the "Risk Factors" contained in Southwest's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The cautionary statements in this release also identify important factors and possible events that involve risk and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of differences in actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting such statements, except as required by law.

Southwest is required under generally accepted accounting principles to evaluate subsequent events and their impact, if any, on its financial statements as of June 30, 2012 through the date its financial statements are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The June 30, 2012 financial statements included in this release will be adjusted if necessary to properly reflect the impact of subsequent events on estimates used to prepare those statements.