FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OptimumBank ("Bank"), the operating unit of OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPHC) is proud to announce that the Bank has matched or exceeded key peer performance metrics.
OptimumBank's asset size is $132.6 million. This is on the low side of the Southeast Florida bank peer group. The banks in this group range in asset size from $23 million to $15.6 billion and have total combined assets of $75.8 billion. The peer information was not available earlier as all first quarter Call Reports had not been filed and categorized.
However, even while being at the low end in asset size, the bank's net interest margin has climbed from 2.44% a year ago to 3.54% today, which exceeds the peer average of 3.36%.
Chairman Gubin said "not only did the Bank have its first quarterly profit in five years, but operating metrics continue to improve as compared to peers." On balance sheet liquidity is slightly lower than group levels at 25.3% of total deposits compared to the peer average of 28.8% but is expected to exceed that level shortly due to improved cash management practices.
Further, analysis from Vining Sparks places the Bank's investment portfolio as a top tier performer for banks of this size. In addition, the Bank has had no charge offs in 2014 and maintains an above peer level of reserves for bad debt (ALLL) at 2.78% as compared to peers of 1.29%.
OptimumBank continues to review ways to increase efficiencies, improve asset quality, raise revenue, lower cost of funds and improve the customer experience. Technology will play a key part in the turnaround story as mobile solutions are deployed and affinity groups targeted for business development.
The Company offers a wide array of lending and retail banking products to individuals and businesses in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties through its executive offices and three branch offices in Broward County, Florida.
This press release includes forward-looking statements and OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. intends for such statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements describe OptimumBank Holdings, Inc.'s expectations regarding future events. Future events are difficult to predict and are subject to risk and uncertainty which could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely. OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or amend any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.