BBCN Bancorp Reports 2014 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Financial Results


Q4 2014 Summary:

  • Net income totals $22.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted common share
  • New loan originations for the quarter total $304 million
  • Loans receivable increase to $5.57 billion, reflecting a 2% increase over September 30, 2014 and a 10% increase over December 31, 2013
  • Total deposits increase to $5.69 billion, reflecting a 3% increase during the quarter and an 11% increase for the full year
  • Total assets increase to $7.14 billion, reflecting a 3% increase over the preceding quarter and a 10% increase for 2014

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BBCN Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:BBCN), the holding company of BBCN Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income of $22.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2014. This reflects a 6% increase over net income of $21.4 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share, for the preceding 2014 third quarter and a 26% increase over $18.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted common share, for the year-ago fourth quarter.

For the full year, net income totaled $88.6 million, or $1.11 per diluted common shares, reflecting an 8% increase over net income of $81.8 million, or $1.03 per diluted common share, for 2013.

"BBCN delivered a solid 2014 fourth quarter, notwithstanding the headwinds of the low interest rate environment and diminishing purchase accounting benefit," said Kevin S. Kim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BBCN Bancorp, Inc. "New loan production amounted to $304 million for the final quarter of the year, contributing to a 10% increase in loans receivable over year-end 2013. In total, we originated $1.33 billion in new loans during 2014, an increase of 17% over $1.14 billion in 2013. Deposits also grew at a strong pace, up 3% during the quarter and 11% for the full year. The higher cash and cash equivalent balance at year end as a result of the strong deposit growth contributed to the continuing pressures on our net interest margin. Overall, we are pleased with the earnings growth for the quarter and full year, particularly in light of the considerable investments that we are making to transform the franchise to a more diversified financial institution.

"2014 was a year of building stability and fortifying the foundation of BBCN. We strengthened the executive management and Board of Directors with a number of key additions, which significantly enhanced our experience and leadership capabilities. In addition to the increased financial support of our customers and communities, as well as the progress in expanding our product offering, we marked a new chapter in the history of BBCN by becoming the first Korean-American bank to establish a presence in Korea. This is a very exciting time for us as we believe BBCN is about to embark on a journey to new frontiers in the years ahead. On behalf of the entire Board and management team, we reaffirm our commitment to enhancing the value for our customers, employees and shareholders, and look forward to keeping everyone apprised of BBCN's ongoing progress," said Kim. 

Financial Highlights

(dollars in thousands, except per share data) At or for the Three Months Ended
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013
Net income  $ 22,687  $ 21,420  $ 18,071
Diluted earnings per share  $ 0.29  $ 0.27  $ 0.23
Net interest income before provision for loan losses  $ 66,234  $ 67,907  $ 66,876
Net interest margin 3.90% 4.15% 4.45%
Noninterest income  $ 12,050  $ 11,369  $ 11,356
Noninterest expense  $ 39,010  $ 39,420  $ 38,164
Net loans receivable  $ 5,499,449  $ 5,364,612  $ 5,006,856
Deposits  $ 5,693,452  $ 5,509,754  $ 5,148,057
Nonaccrual loans (1)  $ 46,352  $ 39,564  $ 39,154
ALLL to loans receivable 1.22% 1.26% 1.33%
ALLL to nonaccrual loans (1) 146.18% 172.46% 171.94%
ALLL to nonperforming assets (1) (2) 53.87% 57.44% 69.15%
Provision for loan losses  $ 2,360  $ 4,256  $ 10,950
Net charge offs  $ 2,834  $ 2,894  $ 9,345
ROA 1.28% 1.25% 1.13%
ROE 10.42% 9.97% 8.92%
Efficiency ratio 49.83% 49.73% 48.78%

(1) Excludes delinquent SBA loans that are guaranteed and currently in liquidation totaling $28.9 million, $28.1 million and $27.5 million at December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

(2) Nonperforming assets exclude acquired credit impaired loans totaling $30.4 million, $32.7 million and $43.8 million at December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Operating Results for the 2014 Fourth Quarter

The comparability of BBCN's operating results with past performance is impacted by acquisition accounting adjustments related to past acquisitions. The Company provides the following supplemental information to facilitate a better understanding of past financial performance. Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013 include the following pre-tax acquisition accounting adjustments related to past acquisitions:

(Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013
Accretion of discount on acquired performing loans  $ 3,190.00  $ 4,157.00  $ 4,873.00
Accretion of discount on acquired credit impaired loans 1,670 1,863 2,480
Amortization of premium on acquired FHLB borrowings 96 95 94
Accretion of discount on acquired subordinated debt (41) (41) (107)
Amortization of premium on acquired time deposits 105 125 369
Increase to pre-tax income  $ 5,020  $ 6,199  $ 7,709

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin. Net interest income before provision for loan losses for the 2014 fourth quarter amounted to $66.2 million, compared with $67.9 million in the preceding third quarter of 2014 and $66.9 million in the prior-year fourth quarter. The Company attributed the decreases in net interest income, notwithstanding the solid expansion of its loans receivable over prior periods, to diminishing acquisition accounting adjustments, reversals of interest income related to nonaccrual loans and lower yields on interest earning assets. Overall, average loans receivable for the 2014 fourth quarter rose 1% over the preceding third quarter and increased 10% over the fourth quarter of 2013.

The net interest margin (net interest income divided by average interest earning assets) and the impact of acquisition accounting adjustments are summarized in the following table:

  Three Months Ended
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 change 12/31/2013 change
Net interest margin, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments 3.57% 3.73% (0.16)% 3.87% (0.30)%
Acquisition accounting adjustments 0.33 0.42 (0.09) 0.58 (0.25)
Net interest margin 3.90% 4.15% (0.25)% 4.45% (0.55)%

The net interest margin for the 2014 fourth quarter declined 25 basis points from the preceding third quarter to 3.90% and declined 16 basis points on a core basis, when excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments. Compared with the year-ago fourth quarter, net interest margin for the 2014 fourth quarter declined 55 basis points and decreased 30 basis points on a core basis excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments. The Company attributed the pressures on net interest margin to decreases in the weighted average yield on loans and a higher mix of cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet.

The weighted average yield on loans and the impact of acquisition accounting adjustments are summarized in the following table:

  Three Months Ended
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 change 12/31/2013 change
Weighted average yield on loans, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments 4.71% 4.78% (0.07)% 4.90% (0.19)%
Acquisition accounting adjustments 0.40 0.51 (0.11) 0.69 (0.29)
Weighted average yield on loans 5.11% 5.29% (0.18)% 5.59% (0.48)%

The weighted average yield on loans for the 2014 fourth quarter declined 18 basis points to 5.11% from the preceding third quarter. On a core basis excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments, the weighted average yield on loans declined only 7 basis points. The weighted average yield on new loans originated during the 2014 fourth quarter increased to 4.39% from 4.31% in the preceding third quarter. Variable rate loans accounted for 52% of new loan originations for the 2014 fourth quarter, with fixed rate loans representing 48%. The Company noted that the 2014 fourth quarter was the second consecutive period in which variable rate loan volumes exceeded fixed rate loans. Compared with the prior-year period, the weighted average yield on loans for the 2014 fourth quarter decreased 48 basis points and 19 basis points on a core basis, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments.

The composition of fixed and variable rate loans and the associated weighted average contractual rates are summarized in the following table:

  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 change 12/31/2013 change
Fixed rate loans          
 As a percentage of total loans 52% 51% 1% 48% 4%
 Weighted average contractual rate 4.75% 4.79% (0.04)% 4.99% (0.24)%
Variable rate loans          
 As a percentage of total loans 48% 49% (1)% 52% (4)%
 Weighted average contractual rate 4.17% 4.25% (0.08)% 4.37% (0.20)%

The declines in the weighted average contractual rate for the 2014 fourth quarter versus prior periods reflect what continues to be a highly competitive rate environment for fixed rate and variable rate commercial real estate loans in the current interest rate environment.

The weighted average cost of deposits and the impact of acquisition accounting adjustments are summarized in the following table:

  Three Months Ended
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 change 12/31/2013 change
Weighted average cost of deposits, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments 0.56% 0.55% 0.01% 0.52% 0.04%
Acquisition accounting adjustments (0.01) (0.01) (0.02) 0.01
Weighted average cost of deposits 0.55% 0.54% 0.01% 0.50% 0.05%

The weighted average cost of deposits for the 2014 fourth quarter rose by 1 basis point over the preceding third quarter both on a reported basis and on a core basis, excluding the effect of amortization of premium on time deposits assumed in acquisitions. Compared with the prior-year period, the weighted average cost of deposits for the 2014 fourth quarter increased 5 basis points and rose 4 basis points on a core basis, excluding the effect of premium amortization on time deposits assumed in acquisitions.

Noninterest Income Total noninterest income for the 2014 fourth quarter rose 6% to $12.1 million from $11.4 million in both the preceding 2014 third and prior-year fourth quarters. The increase in noninterest income is largely attributable to the higher gain on sale of SBA loans in the 2014 fourth quarter, which amounted to $4.1 million, versus $3.6 million for the 2014 third quarter and $2.7 million for the year-ago fourth quarter.

Noninterest Expense.  Total noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2014 declined 1% to $39.0 million from $39.4 million in the preceding 2014 third quarter, but increased 2% when compared with $38.2 million in the fourth quarter a year ago.

Salaries and employee benefits expense for the 2014 fourth quarter was relatively flat with the preceding third quarter, but increased 9% over the 2013 fourth quarter, reflecting an increase in FTEs to support BBCN's growing franchise and investments in new products and services to become a more diversified financial institution. The total number of FTEs as of December 31, 2014 was 915, compared with 911 as of September 30, 2014 and 835 as of December 31, 2013.

Credit related expenses, which previously were included in other expenses, amounted to $3.0 million for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared with $3.5 million in the preceding third quarter and $2.6 million in the year-ago fourth quarter.

Income Tax Provision. The effective tax rate for the 2014 third quarter was 38.5%, compared with 39.8% for the preceding 2014 third quarter and 37.9% for the 2013 fourth quarter. 

Balance Sheet Summary

Loans receivable totaled $5.57 billion at December 31, 2014, reflecting a 2% increase over $5.43 billion at September 30, 2014, and a 10% increase for the full year over $5.07 billion at December 31, 2013.

Total new loan originations during the fourth quarter of 2014 amounted to $304.1 million, including SBA loan originations of $57.3 million. Sales of SBA loans to the secondary market and gains derived from those sales are based substantially on the production of SBA 7(a) loans. Production of SBA 7(a) loans amounted to $48.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with $40.0 million for the preceding 2014 third quarter. During the 2014 fourth quarter, the Company sold $48.4 million of its SBA loans held for sale.

Aggregate pay offs and pay downs for the 2014 fourth quarter amounted to $262.2 million for the quarter, compared with $312.0 million for the preceding third quarter and $209.7 million for the year-ago fourth quarter.

Total deposits amounted to $5.69 billion at December 31, 2014, reflecting a 3% increase over $5.51 billion at September 30, 2014, and an 11% increase over $5.15 billion at year-end 2013. The increase in total deposits from September 30, 2014 reflects a 3% increase in noninterest bearing demand deposits and an 8% increase in money market account balances, offset in part by strategic reductions in wholesale time deposits. Noninterest bearing deposits at December 31, 2014 totaled $1.54 billion and accounted for 27% of total deposits.

Credit Quality

The provision for loan losses for the 2014 fourth quarter was $2.4 million, compared with $4.3 million for the preceding 2014 third quarter and $11.0 million for the prior-year fourth quarter.

For a more detailed understanding of the changes in the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses ("ALLL"), the composition of the ALLL has been segmented for disclosure purposes between loans accounted for under the amortized cost method (referred to as "Legacy Loans") and loans acquired through the Center Financial, Pacific International and Foster transactions (referred to as "Acquired Loans"). The Acquired Loans are further segregated between performing and credit impaired loans.

The composition of the ALLL as of December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013 is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013
Legacy Loans (1)  $ 58,644  $ 60,073  $ 59,978
Acquired Loans - Performing (2) 1,767 1,973 2,564
Acquired Loans - Credit Impaired (2) 7,347 6,186 4,778
Total ALLL  $ 67,758  $ 68,232  $ 67,320
       
Loans Receivable  $ 5,567,207  $ 5,432,844  $ 5,074,176
ALLL coverage ratio 1.22% 1.26% 1.33%

(1) Legacy Loans include loans originated by the Bank's predecessor bank, loans originated by BBCN and loans that were acquired and that have been refinanced as new loans.

(2) Acquired Loans were marked to fair value at acquisition date, and the allowance for loan losses reflect provisions for credit deterioration since the acquisition date.

Following are the components of criticized loan balances as of December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013:

(Dollars in thousands) 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013
Special Mention (1)  $ 122,335  $ 113,395  $ 89,488
Classified (1) 224,062 231,768 266,360
 Criticized  $ 346,397  $ 345,163  $ 355,848

(1)  Balances include Acquired Loans which were marked to fair value on the date of acquisition.

The Company defines nonperforming loans to include delinquent loans past due 90 days or more on nonaccrual status, plus delinquent loans past due 90 days or more on accrual status (excluding acquired credit impaired loans) and accruing restructured loans.

Nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2014 totaled $46.4 million, or 0.83% of loans receivable, compared with $39.6 million, or 0.73% of loans receivable, at September 30, 2014 and $39.2 million, or 0.77% of loans receivable, at December 31, 2013. Accruing restructured loans totaled $57.1 million at December 31, 2014, compared with $56.1 million at September 30, 2014 and $33.9 million at December 31, 2013. Total nonperforming loans at December 31, 2014 amounted to $103.8 million, or 1.87% of loans receivable, compared with $95.6 million, or 1.76% of loans receivable, at September 30, 2014 and $73.1 million, or 1.44% of loans receivable, at December 31, 2013.

Nonperforming assets, including other real estate owned, totaled $125.8 million at December 31, 2014, or 1.76% of total assets, compared with $118.8 million, or 1.71% of total assets, at September 30, 2014, and $97.4 million, or 1.50% of total assets, at December 31, 2013.

Net loan charge-offs for the 2014 fourth quarter totaled $2.8 million and equaled 0.21% of average loans receivable on an annualized basis. This compares with net loan charge offs of $2.9 million and equaled 0.21% of average loans receivable on an annualized basis, for the preceding 2014 third quarter and $9.3 million, or 0.75% of average loans receivable on an annualized basis, for the year-ago fourth quarter.

The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2014 was $67.8 million, or 1.22% of loans receivable (excluding loans held for sale), compared with $68.2 million, or 1.26%, at September 30, 2014 and $67.3 million, or 1.33%, at December 31, 2013.   The coverage ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans (excluding acquired credit impaired loans) was 65.25% at December 31, 2014, versus 71.35% at September 30, 2014 and 92.14% at December 31, 2013.

Impaired loans (defined as loans for which it is probable that not all principal and interest payments due will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms and restructured loans) totaled $127.1 million at December 31, 2014, compared with $130.7 million at September 30, 2014 and $116.3 million at December 31, 2013. 

Capital

At December 31, 2014, the Company continued to exceed all regulatory capital requirements to be classified as a "well-capitalized" institution, as summarized in the following table.

  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013
Leverage Ratio 11.62% 11.80% 11.97%
Tier 1 Risk-based Ratio 13.64% 13.72% 13.66%
Total Risk-based Ratio 14.80% 14.93% 14.90%

Tangible common equity per share and as a percentage of tangible assets are summarized in the following table:

  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013
Tangible common equity per share (1) $9.72 $9.49 $8.79
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1) 10.98% 11.07% 10.97%

(1)  Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents common equity less goodwill and net other intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and net other intangible assets. Management reviews tangible common equity to tangible assets in evaluating the Company's capital levels and has included this ratio in response to market participant interest in tangible common equity as a measure of capital. The accompanying financial information includes a reconciliation of the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets with stockholders' equity and total assets.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will host an investor conference call on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time / 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time to review financial results for the 2014 fourth quarter and full year. Investors and analysts are invited to access the conference call by dialing 866-235-9917 (domestic) or 412-902-4103 (international), and asking for the "BBCN Bancorp Conference Call." Other interested parties are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call available at the Investor Relations section of BBCN Bancorp's website at www.BBCNbank.com. After the live webcast, a replay will remain available in the Investor Relations section of BBCN Bancorp's website for one year. A replay of the call will be available at 877-344-7529 (domestic) or 412-317-0088 (international) through February 4, 2015, passcode 10058570.

About BBCN Bancorp, Inc.

BBCN Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company of BBCN Bank, the largest Korean-American bank in the nation with $7.1 billion in assets as of December 31, 2014. Headquartered in Los Angeles and serving a diverse mix of customers mirroring its communities, BBCN operates 50 branches in California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Washington and Virginia; six loan production offices in Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Northern California and Annandale, Virginia; and a representative office in Seoul, Korea. BBCN specializes in core business banking products for small and medium-sized businesses, with an emphasis in commercial real estate and business lending, SBA lending and international trade financing. BBCN Bank is a California-chartered bank and its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. BBCN is an Equal Opportunity Lender.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about future operations and projected financial results that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services, and pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect the Company's financial results and business, described in documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and particularly the discussions of business considerations and certain factors that may affect results of operations and stock price set forth therein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements.

(tables follow)

           
BBCN Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Selected Financial Data
Unaudited (Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data) 
           
           
Assets 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 % change 12/31/2013 % change
           
Cash and due from banks  462,160  $ 443,320 4%  $ 316,705 46%
Securities available for sale, at fair value  796,523  710,625 12%  705,751 13%
Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank stock and other investments  28,708  28,744 0%  28,324 1%
Loans held for sale, at the lower of cost or fair value  26,296  45,695 -42%  44,115 -40%
Loans receivable  5,567,207  5,432,844 2%  5,074,176 10%
Allowance for loan losses  (67,758)  (68,232) 1%  (67,320) -1%
 Net loans receivable  5,499,449  5,364,612 3%  5,006,856 10%
Accrued interest receivable  13,634  13,142 4%  13,403 2%
Premises and equipment, net  30,722  30,999 -1%  30,894 -1%
Bank owned life insurance  45,927  45,644 1%  44,770 3%
Goodwill  105,401  105,401 0%  105,401 0%
Other intangible assets, net  14,228  13,735 4%  14,099 1%
Other assets  117,282  125,889 -7%  164,881 -29%
 Total assets  7,140,330  $ 6,927,806 3%  $ 6,475,199 10%
           
Liabilities          
           
Deposits  5,693,452  $ 5,509,754 3%  $ 5,148,057 11%
Borrowings from Federal Home Loan Bank  480,975  467,071 3%  421,352 14%
Subordinated debentures  42,158  42,117 0%  57,410 -27%
Accrued interest payable  5,855  6,173 -5%  4,821 21%
Other liabilities  35,117  38,043 -8%  34,185 3%
 Total liabilities  6,257,557  6,063,158 3%  5,665,825 10%
           
Stockholders' Equity          
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized, 150,000,000 shares at December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013; issued and outstanding, 79,503,552, 79,497,331, and 79,441,525 shares and at December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively  79  79 0%  79 0%
Capital surplus  541,589  541,406 0%  540,876 0%
Retained earnings  339,400  324,664 5%  278,604 22%
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net  1,705  (1,501) 214%  (10,185) 117%
 Total stockholders' equity  882,773  864,648 2%  809,374 9%
           
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 7,140,330  $ 6,927,806 3%  $ 6,475,199 10%
                 
                 
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 % change 12/31/2013 % change 12/31/2014 12/31/2013 % change
                 
Interest income:                
 Interest and fees on loans  $ 70,999  $ 72,437 -2%  $ 70,435 1%  $ 283,817  $ 266,684 6%
 Interest on securities  3,973  3,999 -1%  3,971 0%  16,144  14,726 10%
 Interest on federal funds sold and other investments  795  648 23%  510 56%  2,696  1,663 62%
 Total interest income  75,767  77,084 -2%  74,916 1%  302,657  283,073 7%
                 
Interest expense:                
 Interest on deposits  7,797  7,419 5%  6,307 24%  29,178  23,321 25%
 Interest on other borrowings  1,736  1,758 -1%  1,733 0%  6,882  6,697 3%
 Total interest expense  9,533  9,177 4%  8,040 19%  36,060  30,018 20%
                 
Net interest income before provision for loan losses  66,234  67,907 -2%  66,876 -1%  266,597  253,055 5%
Provision for loan losses  2,360  4,256 -45%  10,950 -78%  12,638  20,000 -37%
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  63,874  63,651 0%  55,926 14%  253,959  233,055 9%
                 
Noninterest income:                
 Service fees on deposit accounts  3,398  3,456 -2%  3,720 -9%  13,686  12,838 7%
 Net gains on sales of SBA loans  4,062  3,578 14%  2,699 51%  13,174  11,515 14%
 Net gains on sales of other loans  --   --  0%  --  0%  --   62 -100%
 Net gains on sales of securities available-for-sale  --   --  0%  --  0%  --   54 -100%
 Net gains (loss) on sales of OREO  47  29 62%  (45) 204%  513  (102) 603%
 Other income and fees  4,543  4,306 6%  4,982 -9%  17,634  18,346 -4%
 Total noninterest income  12,050  11,369 6%  11,356 6%  45,007  42,713 5%
                 
Noninterest expense:                
 Salaries and employee benefits  19,273  19,346 0%  17,719 9%  75,701  66,805 13%
 Occupancy  5,070  4,722 7%  4,470 13%  19,130  17,676 8%
 Furniture and equipment  2,190  1,916 14%  1,895 16%  8,132  6,809 19%
 Advertising and marketing  1,295  1,535 -16%  1,328 -2%  5,426  5,184 5%
 Data processing and communications  2,270  2,206 3%  2,107 8%  8,896  7,595 17%
 Professional fees  1,687  1,567 8%  1,010 67%  5,882  5,194 13%
 FDIC assessment  1,115  1,135 -2%  939 19%  4,353  3,309 32%
 Merger and integration expenses  32  66 -52%  2,540 -99%  322  5,161 -94%
 Credit related expenses  2,997  3,531 -15%  2,331 29%  10,966  8,895 23%
 Other  3,081  3,396 -9%  3,825 -19%  13,636  14,986 -9%
 Total noninterest expense  39,010  39,420 -1%  38,164 2%  152,444  141,614 8%
Income before income taxes  36,914  35,600 4%  29,118 27%  146,522  134,154 9%
Income tax provision  14,227  14,180 0%  11,047 29%  57,907  52,399 11%
Net income   $ 22,687  $ 21,420 6%  $ 18,071 26%  $ 88,615  $ 81,755 8%
                 
Earnings Per Common Share:                
 Basic  $ 0.29  $ 0.27    $ 0.23    $ 1.11  $ 1.03  
 Diluted  $ 0.29  $ 0.27    $ 0.23    $ 1.11  $ 1.03  
                 
Average Shares Outstanding:                
 Basic  79,500,638  79,493,917    79,350,797    79,493,742  79,036,729  
 Diluted  79,596,391  79,601,075    79,520,193    79,611,037  79,260,703  
                 
                 
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended  
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/2013  
                 
Net Income  $ 22,687  $ 21,420  $ 22,312  $ 22,196  $ 18,071  $ 88,615  $ 81,755  
Add back: Income tax  14,227  14,180  14,935  14,564  11,047  57,907  52,399  
Add back: Provision for loan losses  2,360  4,256  2,996  3,026  10,950  12,638  20,000  
Pre-tax, pre-provision income (PTPP) 1  $ 39,274  $ 39,856  $ 40,243  $ 39,786  $ 40,068  $ 159,160  $ 154,154  
PTPP to average assets (annualized) 2.21% 2.32% 2.36% 2.44% 2.51% 2.33% 2.55%  
                 
1 While pre-tax, pre-provision income is a non-GAAP performance measure, we believe it is a useful measure in analyzing underlying performance trends. It is the level of earnings adjusted to exclude the impact of income tax and provision expense.
                 
                 
  At or for the Three Months Ended
(Annualized)
    At or for the Twelve Months Ended
(Annualized)
 
Profitability measures: 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013     12/31/2014 12/31/2013  
 ROA  1.28% 1.25% 1.13%     1.30% 1.35%  
 ROE  10.42% 9.97% 8.92%     10.44% 10.37%  
 Return on average tangible equity 2 11.91% 11.43% 10.51%     12.00% 12.01%  
 Net interest margin 3.90% 4.15% 4.45%     4.13% 4.46%  
 Efficiency ratio 49.83% 49.73% 48.78%     48.92% 47.88%  
                 
2 Average tangible equity is calculated by subtracting average goodwill and average core deposit intangibles assets from average stockholders' equity. This is non-GAAP measure that we believe provides investors wth information that is useful in understanding our financial performance and position.
                   
                   
  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013
                   
    Interest Annualized   Interest Annualized   Interest  Annualized 
  Average Income/ Average Average Income/ Average Average Income/  Average 
  Balance Expense Yield/Cost Balance Expense Yield/Cost Balance Expense  Yield/Cost 
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS:                  
                   
 Loans receivable, including loans held for sale   $ 5,508,850  $ 70,999 5.11%  $ 5,434,815  $ 72,437 5.29%  $ 4,999,586  $ 70,435 5.59%
 Securities available for sale   716,245  3,973 2.22%  734,282  3,999 2.18%  702,886  3,971 2.26%
 FRB and FHLB stock and other investments   520,225  795 0.60%  332,643  648 0.76%  258,270  510 0.77%
Total interest earning assets  $ 6,745,320  $ 75,767 4.46%  $ 6,501,740  $ 77,084 4.71%  $ 5,960,742  $ 74,916 4.99%
                   
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES:                  
 Deposits:                  
 Demand, interest-bearing   $ 1,686,608  $ 2,936 0.69%  $ 1,492,175  $ 2,558 0.68%  $ 1,327,322  $ 2,082 0.62%
 Savings   199,387  459 0.91%  202,785  496 0.97%  226,638  657 1.15%
 Time deposits:                  
 $100,000 or more  1,606,508  3,185 0.79%  1,601,436  3,094 0.77%  1,468,459  2,413 0.65%
 Other  649,961  1,217 0.74%  677,474  1,270 0.74%  662,029  1,155 0.69%
 Total time deposits  2,256,469  4,402 0.77%  2,278,910  4,365 0.76%  2,130,488  3,568 0.66%
 Total interest bearing deposits  4,142,464  7,797 0.75%  3,973,870  7,419 0.74%  3,684,448  6,307 0.68%
 FHLB advances  481,340  1,351 1.11%  462,434  1,373 1.18%  420,319  1,204 1.14%
 Other borrowings  40,578  385 3.72%  40,533  385 3.72%  56,453  529 3.67%
Total interest bearing liabilities  4,664,382  $ 9,533 0.81%  4,476,837  $ 9,177 0.81%  4,161,220  $ 8,040 0.77%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits  1,514,678      1,483,966      1,379,230    
Total funding liabilities/cost of funds  $ 6,179,060   0.61%  $ 5,960,803   0.61%  $ 5,540,450   0.58%
Net interest income/net interest spread    $ 66,234 3.65%    $ 67,907 3.89%    $ 66,876 4.22%
Net interest margin     3.90%     4.15%     4.45%
Net interest margin, excluding effect of nonaccrual loan income (expense) 3.91%     4.14%     4.47%
Net interest margin, excluding effect of nonaccrual loan income (expense) and prepayment fee income 3.89%     4.10%     4.44%
                   
Nonaccrual loan income (reversed) recognized  $ (164)      $ 63      $ (280)  
Prepayment fee income received    206      608      537  
 Net    $ 42      $ 671      $ 257  
                   
Cost of deposits:                  
 Noninterest bearing demand deposits  $ 1,514,678  $ --     $ 1,437,860  $ --     $ 1,379,230  $ --   
 Interest bearing deposits  4,142,464  7,797 0.75%  4,012,725  7,272 0.73%  3,684,448  6,307 0.68%
Total deposits  $ 5,657,142  $ 7,797 0.55%  $ 5,450,585  $ 7,272 0.54%  $ 5,063,678  $ 6,307 0.50%
                 
                 
  Twelve Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended     
  12/31/2014 12/31/2013    
                 
    Interest Annualized    Interest  Annualized    
  Average Income/ Average Average  Income/  Average    
  Balance Expense Yield/Cost Balance  Expense  Yield/Cost    
INTEREST EARNING ASSETS:                
                 
 Loans receivable, including loans held for sale   $ 5,355,243  $ 283,817 5.30%  $ 4,692,089  $ 266,684 5.68%    
 Securities available for sale   717,775  16,144 2.25%  703,812  14,726 2.09%    
 FRB and FHLB stock and other investments   385,298  2,676 0.68%  276,109  1,663 0.59%    
 Federal funds sold   3,342  20 0.60%  --   --  NA    
Total interest earning assets  $ 6,461,657  $ 302,657 4.68%  $ 5,672,010  $ 283,073 4.99%    
                 
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES:                
 Deposits:                
 Demand, interest-bearing   $ 1,514,386  $ 10,270 0.68%  $ 1,289,082  $ 7,818 0.61%    
 Savings   206,667  2,094 1.01%  200,735  2,800 1.39%    
 Time deposits:                
 $100,000 or more  1,598,960  11,942 0.75%  1,317,178  8,254 0.63%    
 Other  671,766  4,871 0.73%  671,670  4,449 0.66%    
 Total time deposits  2,270,726  16,813 0.74%  1,988,848  12,703 0.64%    
 Total interest bearing deposits  3,991,779  29,178 0.73%  3,478,665  23,321 0.67%    
 FHLB advances  452,923  5,245 1.16%  421,729  4,899 1.16%    
 Other borrowings  43,459  1,637 3.72%  47,678  1,798 3.72%    
Total interest bearing liabilities  4,488,162  $ 36,060 0.80%  3,948,072  $ 30,018 0.76%    
Non-interest bearing demand deposits  1,448,141      1,260,596        
Total funding liabilities / cost of funds  $ 5,936,303   0.61%  $ 5,208,668   0.58%    
Net interest income / net interest spread    $ 266,597 3.88%    $ 253,055 4.23%    
Net interest margin     4.13%     4.46%    
Net interest margin, excluding effect of nonaccrual loan income (expense)   4.13%     4.47%    
Net interest margin, excluding effect of nonaccrual loan income (expense) and prepayment fee income 4.10%     4.44%    
                 
Nonaccrual loan income (reversed) recognized    $ (26)      $ (274)      
Prepayment fee income received    1,729      1,485      
 Net    $ 1,703      $ 1,211      
                 
Cost of deposits:                
 Non-interest bearing demand deposits  $ 1,448,141  $ --     $ 1,260,596  $ --       
 Interest bearing deposits  3,991,779  29,178 0.73%  3,478,665  23,321 0.67%    
Total deposits  $ 5,439,920  $ 29,178 0.54%  $ 4,739,261  $ 23,321 0.49%    
                 
                 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 % change 12/31/2013 % change 12/31/2014 12/31/2013 % change
AVERAGE BALANCES                
Loans receivable, including loans held for sale   $ 5,508,850  $ 5,434,815 1%  $ 4,999,586 10%  $ 5,355,243  $ 4,692,089 14%
Investments  1,236,470  1,066,925 16%  961,156 29%  1,106,415  979,921 13%
Interest earning assets  6,745,320  6,501,740 4%  5,960,742 13%  6,461,657  5,672,010 14%
Total assets  7,099,418  6,867,468 3%  6,393,648 11%  6,830,244  6,042,674 13%
                 
Interest bearing deposits  4,142,464  3,973,870 4%  3,684,448 12%  3,991,779  3,478,665 15%
Interest bearing liabilities  4,664,382  4,476,837 4%  4,161,220 12%  4,488,162  3,948,072 14%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits  1,514,678  1,483,966 2%  1,379,230 10%  1,448,141  1,260,596 15%
Stockholders' equity  871,291  859,606 1%  810,563 7%  848,443  788,570 8%
Net interest earning assets  2,080,938  2,024,903 3%  1,799,522 16%  1,973,495  1,723,938 14%
                 
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 % change 12/31/2013 % change      
LOAN PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION:                 
Commercial loans  $ 1,038,383  $ 1,023,924 1%  $ 1,073,778 -3%      
Real estate loans  4,441,864  4,317,960 3%  3,904,059 14%      
Consumer and other loans  89,850  92,362 -3%  98,507 -9%      
 Loans outstanding  5,570,097  5,434,246 2%  5,076,344 10%      
Unamortized deferred loan fees - net of costs  (2,890)  (1,402) -106%  (2,168) -33%      
 Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs  5,567,207  5,432,844 2%  5,074,176 10%      
Allowance for loan losses  (67,758)  (68,232) 1%  (67,320) -1%      
 Loan receivable, net  $ 5,499,449  $ 5,364,612 3%  $ 5,006,856 10%      
                 
REAL ESTATE LOANS BY PROPERTY TYPE: 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 % change 12/31/2013 % change      
Retail buildings  $ 1,244,133  $ 1,233,161 1%  $ 1,140,103 9%      
Hotels/motels  889,411  846,921 5%  720,175 23%      
Gas stations/car washes  603,961  582,725 4%  522,198 16%      
Mixed-use facilities  334,068  353,395 -5%  312,156 7%      
Warehouses  450,356  443,418 2%  383,979 17%      
Multifamily  205,280  197,902 4%  181,503 13%      
Other  714,655  660,438 8%  643,945 11%      
Total  $ 4,441,864  $ 4,317,960 3%  $ 3,904,059 14%      
                 
DEPOSIT COMPOSITION 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 % change 12/31/2013 % change      
 Noninterest bearing demand deposits  $ 1,543,018  $ 1,503,275 3%  $ 1,399,454 10%      
 Money market and other  1,663,855  1,537,467 8%  1,376,068 21%      
 Saving deposits  198,205  199,953 -1%  222,446 -11%      
 Time deposits of $100,000 or more  1,667,367  1,595,213 5%  1,499,248 11%      
 Other time deposits  621,007  673,846 -8%  650,841 -5%      
 Total deposit balances  $ 5,693,452  $ 5,509,754 3%  $ 5,148,057 11%      
                 
DEPOSIT COMPOSITION (%) 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013          
 Noninterest bearing demand deposits 27.1% 27.3% 27.2%          
 Money market and other 29.2% 27.9% 26.7%          
 Saving deposits 3.5% 3.6% 4.3%          
 Time deposits of $100,000 or more 29.3% 29.0% 29.1%          
 Other time deposits 10.9% 12.2% 12.7%          
 Total deposit balances 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%          
                 
                 
CAPITAL RATIOS  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013          
 Total stockholders' equity  $ 882,773  $ 864,648  $ 809,374          
 Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio  13.64% 13.72% 13.66%          
 Total risk-based capital ratio  14.80% 14.93% 14.90%          
 Tier 1 leverage ratio  11.62% 11.80% 11.97%          
 Total risk weighted assets  $ 5,957,617  $ 5,807,854  5,498,694          
 Book value per common share  $ 11.10  $ 10.87  $ 10.18          
 Tangible common equity to tangible assets3 11.00% 11.07% 10.97%          
 Tangible common equity per share3  $ 9.72  $ 9.49  $ 8.79          
                 
3 Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents common equity less goodwill and core deposit intangible assets, net divided by total assets less goodwill and core deposit intangible assets, net. Management reviews tangible common equity to tangible assets in evaluating the Company's capital levels and has included this ratio in response to market participant interest in tangible common equity as a measure of capital. 
               
Reonciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures:        
               
  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 12/31/2013        
Total stockholders' equity  $ 882,773  $ 864,648  $ 809,374        
Less: Common stock warrant  (378)  (378)  (378)        
 Goodwill and core deposit intangible assets, net  (109,288)  (109,612)  (110,585)        
Tangible common equity  $ 773,107  $ 754,658  $ 698,411        
               
Total assets  $ 7,140,330  $ 6,927,806  $ 6,475,199        
Less: Goodwill and core deposit intangible assets, net  (109,288)  (109,612)  (110,585)        
Tangible assets  $ 7,031,042  $ 6,818,194  $ 6,364,614        
               
Common shares outstanding 79,503,552  79,497,331  79,441,525        
               
 Tangible common equity to tangible assets 11.00% 11.07% 10.97%        
 Tangible common equity per share  $ 9.72  $ 9.49  $ 8.79        
               
               
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES: 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/2013
Balance at beginning of period  $ 68,232  $ 66,870  $ 65,699  $ 67,320  $ 65,715  $ 67,320  $ 66,941
Provision for loan losses  2,360  4,256  2,996  3,026  10,950  12,638  20,000
Recoveries  3,225  772  946  616  605  5,559  2,448
Charge offs   (6,059)  (3,666)  (2,771)  (5,263)  (9,950)  (17,759)  (22,069)
Balance at end of period  $ 67,758  $ 68,232  $ 66,870  $ 65,699  $ 67,320  $ 67,758  $ 67,320
Net charge offs/average gross loans (annualized) 0.21% 0.21% 0.14% 0.36% 0.75% 0.23% 0.42%
               
  Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
NET CHARGED OFF LOANS BY TYPE 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/2013
               
Real estate loans  $ (265)  $ 1,100  $ 765  $ 154  $ 288  $ 1,754  $ 8,175
Commercial loans  3,104  1,803  1,255  4,414  9,139  $ 10,576  11,092
Consumer loans  (5)  (9)  (195)  79  (82)  $ (130)  (146)
 Charge offs excluding Acquired Credit Impaired Loans  2,834  2,894  1,825  4,647  9,345  12,200  19,121
Charge offs on Acquired Credit Impaired Loans  --   --   --   --   --   --   500
 Total net charge offs  $ 2,834  $ 2,894  $ 1,825  $ 4,647  $ 9,345  $ 12,200  $ 19,621
               
               
               
NONPERFORMING ASSETS 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013    
Delinquent loans on nonaccrual status4  $ 46,352  $ 39,564  $ 42,651  $ 47,314  $ 39,154    
Delinquent loans 90 days or more on accrual status5  361  --   --   --   5    
Accruing restructured loans  57,128  56,061  43,906  37,527  33,903    
Total nonperforming loans  103,841  95,625  86,557  84,841  73,062    
Other real estate owned  21,938  23,162  20,610  20,001  24,288    
Total nonperforming assets  $ 125,779  $ 118,787  $ 107,167  $ 104,842  $ 97,350    
Nonperforming assets/total assets 1.76% 1.71% 1.56% 1.57% 1.50%    
Nonperforming assets/loans receivable & OREO 2.25% 2.18% 2.00% 2.01% 1.91%    
Nonperforming assets/total capital 14.25% 13.74% 12.57% 12.60% 12.03%    
Nonperforming loans/loans receivable 1.87% 1.76% 1.62% 1.63% 1.44%    
Nonaccrual loans/loans receivable 0.83% 0.73% 0.80% 0.91% 0.77%    
Allowance for loan losses/loans receivable 1.22% 1.26% 1.25% 1.27% 1.33%    
Allowance for loan losses/nonaccrual loans 146.18% 172.46% 156.78% 138.86% 171.94%    
Allowance for loan losses/nonperforming loans 65.25% 71.35% 77.26% 77.44% 92.14%    
Allowance for loan losses/nonperforming assets 53.87% 57.44% 62.40% 62.66% 69.15%    
               
4 Excludes delinquent SBA loans that are guaranteed and currently in liquidation totaling $28.9 million, $28.1 million, $30.0 million, $31.2 million and $27.5 million at December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, June 30, 2014, March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. 
5 Excludes Acquired Credit Impaired Loans totaling $30.4 million, $32.7 million, $43.7 million, $46.0 million and $43.8 million at December 31, 2014, September 30, 2014, June 30, 2014, March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
           
BREAKDOWN OF ACCRUING RESTRUCTURED LOANS BY TYPE: 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013
Retail buildings  $ 6,050  $ 5,979  $ 6,021  $ 5,542  $ 5,576
Hotels/motels  8,172  8,246  8,323  8,401  8,477
Gas stations/car washes  --   --   --   --   -- 
Mixed-use facilities  789  792  797  796  802
Warehouses  5,880  5,939  5,922  812  482
Multifamily  --   --   --   --   -- 
Other6  36,237  35,105  22,843  21,976  18,566
Total  $ 57,128  $ 56,061  $ 43,906  $ 37,527  $ 33,903
6 Includes commercial business and other loans          
           
           
DELINQUENT LOANS LESS THAN 90 DAYS PAST DUE 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013
           
Legacy          
30 - 59 days  $ 2,084  $ 3,936  $ 3,170  $ 1,700  $ 2,209
60 - 89 days  1,812  1,284  210  445  266
 Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due - legacy  $ 3,896  $ 5,220  $ 3,380  $ 2,145  $ 2,475
           
Acquired          
30 - 59 days  $ 1,806  $ 6,911  $ 6,403  $ 4,916  $ 5,113
60 - 89 days  436  283  640  3  2,506
 Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due - acquired  $ 2,242  $ 7,194  $ 7,043  $ 4,919  $ 7,619
           
 Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due  $ 6,138  $ 12,414  $ 10,423  $ 7,064  $ 10,094
           
DELINQUENT LOANS LESS THAN 90 DAYS PAST DUE BY TYPE 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013
           
Legacy          
Real estate loans  $ 2,475  $ 2,768  $ 1,675  $ 760  $ 1,375
Commercial loans  1,385  2,221  1,640  1,338  1,024
Consumer loans  36  231  65  47  76
 Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due - legacy  $ 3,896  $ 5,220  $ 3,380  $ 2,145  $ 2,475
           
Acquired          
Real estate loans  $ 1,747  $ 6,297  $ 6,051  $ 4,036  $ 6,034
Commercial loans  382  884  860  598  1,228
Consumer loans  113  13  132  285  357
 Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due - acquired  $ 2,242  $ 7,194  $ 7,043  $ 4,919  $ 7,619
           
 Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due  $ 6,138  $ 12,414  $ 10,423  $ 7,064  $ 10,094
           
           
NONACCRUAL LOANS BY TYPE 12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013
           
Real estate loans  $ 30,988  $ 29,001  $ 27,815  $ 34,070  $ 28,083
Commercial loans  14,302  9,486  13,553  12,216  10,141
Consumer loans  1,062  1,077  1,283  1,028  930
 Total non-accrual loans  $ 46,352  $ 39,564  $ 42,651  $ 47,314  $ 39,154
           
CRITICIZED LOANS  12/31/2014 9/30/2014 6/30/2014 3/31/2014 12/31/2013
Legacy          
Special mention  $ 96,092  $ 88,314  $ 55,659  $ 52,159  $ 46,480
Substandard  114,369  113,865  112,357  111,529  120,163
Doubtful  39  470  1,227  3,332  359
Loss  --   --   --   --   -- 
 Total criticized loans - legacy  $ 210,500  $ 202,649  $ 169,243  $ 167,020  $ 167,002
           
Acquired          
Special mention  $ 26,243  $ 25,081  $ 36,811  $ 41,395  $ 43,009
Substandard  107,506  114,347  124,618  134,660  138,337
Doubtful  2,148  3,086  3,980  2,376  6,100
Loss  --   --   76  1,445  1,402
 Total criticized loans - acquired  $ 135,897  $ 142,514  $ 165,485  $ 179,876  $ 188,848
           
 Total criticized loans  $ 346,397  $ 345,163  $ 334,728  $ 346,896  $ 355,850


            

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