Hope Bancorp Reports 2017 First Quarter Financial Results


Q1 2017 Highlights:

  • New loan originations total $587.4 million, up 26% over 4Q 2017
  • Total deposits increase to $10.70 billion, notwithstanding the consolidation of 12 branches at year-end 2016
  • Signed definitive agreement to acquire Seattle-based U & I Financial Corp.
  • Net income totals $37.0 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share, including merger-related expenses of $947,000

LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hope Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:HOPE), the holding company of Bank of Hope (the “Bank”), today reported unaudited financial results for three months ended March 31, 2017.

The mergers of Wilshire Bancorp, Inc. (“Wilshire”) with and into BBCN Bancorp, Inc. (“BBCN”) and Wilshire Bank with and into BBCN Bank were completed on July 29, 2016, and the combined company began operations under the new banners of Hope Bancorp, Inc. and Bank of Hope effective July 30, 2016.  The 2017 first quarter and 2016 fourth quarter financial results reflect the full quarters of combined operations following the completion of the merger.  The 2016 first quarter reflects stand-alone operations of the former BBCN.  As a result, the Company’s 2017 first quarter may not be comparable to financial results for the year-ago first quarter.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net income totaled $37.0 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share, based on 135,689,816 weighted average diluted shares outstanding, and included pre-tax merger-related expenses of $947,000.  This compares with 2016 fourth quarter net income of $40.6 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share, based on 135,585,561 weighted average diluted shares outstanding, and included $3.0 million in merger-related expenses.  For the 2016 first quarter, net income totaled $23.6 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share, based on 79,613,245 weight average diluted shares outstanding, and included merger-related expenses of $1.2 million.  Excluding the merger-related expenses, core net income would have been $37.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted common share, for the 2017 first quarter, $42.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted common share, for the preceding 2016 fourth quarter, and $24.3 million, or $0.31 per diluted common share, for the 2016 first quarter.

Net income excluding pre-tax merger-related expenses is a non-GAAP financial measure.  Management reviews net income excluding merger-related expenses in evaluating the Company’s overall evaluation of its performance and has included this financial metric in response to market participant interest in the Company’s core earnings performance.  The accompanying financial information includes a reconciliation of core net income and earnings per share excluding merger-related expenses.

“Hope Bancorp’s 2017 first quarter results demonstrate the meaningful progress we have made on the integration of our merger of equals completed last year and capturing the synergies that we projected,” said Kevin S. Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Despite the seasonally slow first quarter, we were able to significantly increase our loan production across all of our lending areas. We originated $587 million in new loans during the first quarter, which amounted to a 26% increase from the preceding quarter, and improved loan pricing contributed to a 2 basis point improvement in our net interest margin. The cost saves following the completion of the first phase of branch consolidations at the end of 2016 are evident in our lower levels of noninterest expenses associated with our branch operations. Notwithstanding those branch closures, we are pleased to report core deposits increased by $117 million, or 7% on an annualized basis.

“Our financial results, however, were adversely impacted by several unusual expense items and elevated credit costs associated with our OREO portfolio and nonperforming loans. While we are disappointed that our earnings came in lighter than expected this quarter, we are confident that the results are not indicative of the future performance of the Company and that the initiatives we are taking today further strengthen our Bank’s prospects for the long term. We look forward to keeping our shareholders, employees and customers apprised of our ongoing progress and achievements,” said Kim.

Financial Highlights

(dollars in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)At or for the Three Months Ended
 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016
Net income$36,960  $40,630  $23,623 
Diluted earnings per share$0.27  $0.30  $0.30 
Net interest income before provision for loan losses$114,905  $117,209  $71,607 
Net interest margin 3.77%  3.75%  3.84%
Noninterest income$17,603  $18,192  $8,775 
Noninterest expense$66,293  $66,731  $40,049 
Net loans receivable$10,471,008  $10,463,989  $6,295,079 
Deposits$10,703,777  $10,642,035  $6,467,411 
Nonaccrual loans (1)$37,009  $40,074  $43,548 
ALLL to loans receivable 0.75%  0.75%  1.21%
ALLL to nonaccrual loans (1) 212.54%  197.99%  176.49%
ALLL to nonperforming assets (1) (2) 74.65%  71.32%  66.17%
Provision for loan losses$5,600  $800  $500 
Net charge offs$6,284  $1,433  $52 
ROA 1.11%  1.20%  1.20%
ROE 7.91%  8.72%  9.99%
Efficiency ratio 50.03%  49.28%  49.82%

(1) Excludes delinquent SBA loans that are guaranteed and currently in liquidation totaling $15.2 million, $15.9 million, and $15.4 million at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, respectively.
(2) Nonperforming assets exclude purchased credit-impaired loans totaling $17.3 million, $19.6 million and $13.1 million at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, respectively.

Operating Results for the 2017 First Quarter

The comparability of Hope Bancorp’s operating results with past performance is impacted by acquisition accounting adjustments and merger-related expenses associated with past and current acquisitions.  The Company provides the following supplemental information to facilitate a better understanding of financial performance.  Net interest income and operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016 include the following pre-tax acquisition accounting adjustments and merger-related expenses associated with past and current acquisitions:

(dollars in thousands) (unaudited)Three Months Ended
 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016
Accretion on purchased non-impaired loans$2,676  $3,355  $1,966 
Accretion on purchased credit-impaired loans 2,084   2,182   1,965 
Amortization of premium on low income housing tax credits (84)  (84)   
Amortization of premium on acquired FHLB borrowings 441   449   97 
Accretion of discount on acquired subordinated debt (259)  (260)  (44)
Amortization of premium on acquired time deposits and savings 3,476   3,478   24 
Total acquisition accounting adjustments$8,334  $9,120  $4,008 
Merger-related expenses (947)  (2,952)  (1,207)
Total$7,387  $6,168  $2,801 
            

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin.  Net interest income before provision for loan losses for the 2017 first quarter totaled $114.9 million, compared with $117.2 million in the preceding 2016 fourth quarter. In the year-ago first quarter, net interest income before provision for loan losses amounted to $71.6 million for BBCN on a stand-alone basis.

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
 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 change 3/31/2016 change
Net interest margin, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments3.49% 3.45% 0.04  3.58% (0.09)
Acquisition accounting adjustments0.28% 0.30% (0.02) 0.26% 0.02 
Net interest margin3.77% 3.75% 0.02  3.84% (0.07)
               

The net interest margin for the 2017 first quarter increased 2 basis points from the preceding fourth quarter, or 4 basis points on a core basis, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments. Compared with the year-ago first quarter, net interest margin decreased 7 basis points, or 9 basis points on a core basis.

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

 Three Months Ended
 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 change 3/31/2016 change
Weighted average yield on loans, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments4.63% 4.59% 0.04  4.64% (0.01)
Acquisition accounting adjustments0.19% 0.21% (0.02) 0.31% (0.12)
Weighted average yield on loans4.82% 4.80% 0.02  4.95% (0.13)
               

The weighted average yield on loans for the first quarter increased by 2 basis points when compared with the preceding 2016 fourth quarter, or 4 basis points on a core basis, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments. Compared with the 2016 first quarter, the weighted average yield on loans declined 13 basis points, or 1 basis point on a core basis.

The weighted average yield on new loans originated during the 2017 first quarter improved 11 basis points to 4.26% from 4.15% in the preceding 2016 fourth quarter. The weighted average yield on new loans in the year-ago first quarter was 4.29%.

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

 Three Months Ended
 3/31/2017 9/30/2016 change 3/31/2016 change
Weighted average cost of deposits, excluding the effect of acquisition accounting adjustments0.69% 0.68% 0.01  0.63% 0.06 
Acquisition accounting adjustments(0.14)% (0.13)% (0.01) % (0.14)
Weighted average cost of deposits0.55% 0.55%   0.63% (0.08)
               

The weighted average cost of deposits for the 2017 first quarter was stable with preceding fourth quarter at 55 basis points, and increased 1 basis point on a core basis, excluding the effect of premium amortization on time and savings deposits assumed in acquisitions. Compared with the year-ago first quarter, the weighted average cost of deposits declined 8 basis points, but increased 6 basis points on a core basis.

Noninterest IncomeNoninterest income for the 2017 first quarter totaled $17.6 million, compared with $18.2 million in the preceding 2016 fourth quarter and $8.8 million in the year-ago first quarter for BBCN on a stand-alone basis.  Variations in noninterest income for comparable periods largely reflect variations in gain on sale of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and gain on sale of other loans. Noninterest income for the 2017 first quarter included a $3.3 million gain on sale of SBA loans versus $3.7 million in the preceding fourth quarter. The Company posted a gain on sale of other loans in the 2017 first quarter of just $420,000, compared with $1.4 million in the 2016 fourth quarter.  The Company noted that the lower level of gain on sale of other loans, which represents gains from the sale of mortgage loans, reflects the seasonality in the mortgage industry and the initial impact of the rising interest rate environment. Noninterest income for the 2016 first quarter for BBCN on a standalone basis included $1.8 million gain on sale of SBA loans.

Noninterest Expense.  Total noninterest expense amounted to $66.3 million in the 2017 first quarter, $66.7 million in the preceding 2016 fourth quarter and $40.0 million in the year-ago first quarter for BBCN on a stand-alone basis. Excluding merger-related expenses of $947,000, $3.0 million and $1.2 million in the 2017 first quarter, 2016 fourth quarter and 2016 first quarter, respectively, total noninterest expense would have been $65.3 million, $63.8 million and $38.8 million.

Noninterest expense excluding merger-related expenses is a non-GAAP financial measure.  Management believes total noninterest expense excluding merger-related expenses more accurately reflects the Company’s results of operations in the overall evaluation of its performance.  A reconciliation of the noninterest expense excluding merger-related expenses is included in the accompanying financial tables.

Linked-quarter reductions in expenses related to occupancy, furniture and equipment and data processing and communications reflect the closure of 12 branches at the end of 2016. The benefit of these cost saves were offset in the first quarter of 2017 by higher-than-usual advertising and marketing fees associated with a major sponsorship event and elevated credit-related expenses.

The Company said it is on track to complete the second and final phase of its branch consolidation plan by the end of the second quarter, with the closure of six branches at the end of the 2017 first quarter, along with two additional branches scheduled to close at the end of April 2017 and one branch closure planned for late May 2017.

Salaries and employee benefits expense for the 2017 first quarter was flat with the preceding fourth quarter at $34.2 million.  This compares with salaries and employee benefits expense of $21.6 million for BBCN on a stand-alone basis in the 2016 first quarter. The total number of FTEs, excluding employees on leave, as of March 31, 2017 was 1,352, down modestly from 1,372 as of December 31, 2016. At March 31, 2016, the total number of FTEs for the former BBCN was 941.

Income Tax Provision.  The effective tax rate for the 2017 first quarter was 39.0%, compared with 40.1% for the preceding 2016 fourth quarter and 40.7% for the first quarter a year ago.

Balance Sheet Summary

Loans receivable totaled $10.55 billion at March 31, 2017, compared with $10.54 billion at December 31, 2016, and $6.37 billion at March 31, 2016.

Total new loan originations during the 2017 first quarter increased 26% over the seasonally higher preceding fourth quarter and amounted to $587.4 million, including residential mortgage loan originations of $58.0 million and SBA loan originations of $75.3 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 totaled $51.9 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared with $42.2 million for the preceding 2016 fourth quarter and $37.6 million for the year-ago first quarter.  During the 2017 first quarter, the Company sold $44.9 million of its SBA loans held for sale, compared with $50.3 million in the preceding fourth quarter and $23.8 million in the first quarter a year ago.

Aggregate pay offs and pay downs in the 2017 first quarter amounted to $414.6 million, compared with $417.3 million for the preceding 2016 fourth quarter.  In the year-ago first quarter, aggregate pay offs and paydowns for BBCN on a stand-alone basis totaled $201.9 million.

Total deposits at March 31, 2017 increased to $10.70 billion from $10.64 billion at December 31, 2016, notwithstanding the closure of 12 branches at year-end 2016 under the first phase of the Company’s branch consolidation plan.  The increase in deposits reflects higher balances in noninterest bearing deposits and money market accounts, partially offset by reductions in time deposits under $100,000.  Total deposits at March 31, 2016 for the stand-alone BBCN amounted to $6.47 billion.

Credit Quality

The provision for loan losses for the 2017 first quarter was $5.6 million, compared with $800,000 for the preceding 2016 fourth quarter and $500,000 for the year-ago first 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 Wilshire Bancorp, Center Financial, Pacific International and Foster Bankshares transactions (referred to as “purchased loans”).  The purchased loans are further segregated between non-impaired and credit-impaired loans.

The composition of the ALLL as of March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016 is as follows:

(dollars in thousands) (unaudited)3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016
Legacy loans (1)$64,055  $66,399  $64,016 
Purchased non-impaired loans (2) 2,468   814   963 
Purchased credit-impaired loans (2) 12,136   12,130   11,877 
Total ALLL$78,659  $79,343  $76,856 
         
Loans receivable$10,549,667  $10,543,332  $6,371,935 
ALLL coverage ratio 0.75%  0.75%  1.21%
            

(1)  Legacy loans include loans originated by the Bank’s predecessor bank, loans originated by Bank of Hope and loans that were acquired and that have been refinanced as new loans.
(2)  Purchased 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 March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016:

(dollars in thousands) (unaudited)3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016
Special Mention (1)$225,968 $243,656 $104,042
Classified (1) 309,996  313,055  203,398
Criticized$535,964 $556,711 $307,440

(1)  Balances include purchased 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, delinquent loans past due 90 days or more on accrual status (excluding purchased credit-impaired loans) and accruing restructured loans.  Nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2017 declined to $37.0 million, or 0.35% of loans receivable, from $40.1 million, or 0.38% of loans receivable, at December 31, 2016 and $43.5 million, or 0.68% of loans receivable, at March 31, 2016. Accruing restructured loans totaled $49.0 million at March 31, 2017, compared with $48.9 million at December 31, 2016 and $52.8 million at March 31, 2016.  Total nonperforming loans at March 31, 2017 declined to $86.3 million, or 0.82% of loans receivable, from $89.3 million, or 0.85% of loans receivable, at December 31, 2016 and $96.4 million, or 1.51% of loans receivable, at March 31, 2016.

Nonperforming assets, including nonperforming loans and OREO, declined to $105.4 million at March 31, 2017, from $111.2 million at December 31, 2016 and $116.1 million at March 31, 2016.  As a percentage of total assets, nonperforming assets improved to 0.78% at March 31, 2017 from 0.83% at December 31, 2016 and 1.44% at March 31, 2016.

For the 2017 first quarter, net charge offs totaled $6.3 million, or 0.24% of average loans receivable on an annualized basis, and included the charge off of a $3.0 million commercial credit relationship. In addition, charge offs aggregating approximately $3.6 million included smaller impairment charge offs caused by various circumstances like business closures or property vacancies leading to their nonperformance in the first quarter. In comparison, net charge offs for the preceding 2016 fourth quarter totaled $1.4 million, or 0.05% of average loans receivable on an annualized basis and $52,000, or 0.00% of average loans receivable on an annualized basis, for the year-ago first quarter.

The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2017 was $78.7 million, or 0.75% of loans receivable (excluding loans held for sale), compared with $79.3 million, or 0.75%, at December 31, 2016 and $76.9 million, or 1.21%, at March 31, 2016.   The coverage ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans (excluding purchased credit-impaired loans) was 91.18% at March 31, 2017, versus 88.90% at December 31, 2016 and 79.77% at March 31, 2016.

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) totaled $129.6 million at March 31, 2017, compared with $140.4 million at December 31, 2016 and $140.4 million at March 31, 2016.

Capital

At March 31, 2017, the Company continued to exceed all regulatory capital requirements to be classified as a “well-capitalized” institution, as summarized in the following table:

 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016 Minimum Guideline
for “Well-Capitalized”
Institution
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital12.29% 12.10% 11.96% 6.50%
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio11.75% 11.49% 11.44% 5.00%
Tier 1 Risk-based Ratio13.12% 12.92% 12.54% 8.00%
Total Risk-based Ratio13.83% 13.64% 13.64% 10.00%
            

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

 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016
Tangible common equity per share (1)$10.32  $10.15  $10.73 
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1) 10.75%  10.60%  10.73%

(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.

Form 10-K Filing

The Company has not yet filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  While the Company currently does not expect to report in its Annual Report on Form 10-K any material changes to its financial results from those previously reported in the January 24, 2017 press release for the Company’s financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, there can be no assurances that changes will not be made as the audit process is completed.  The Company presently expects to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before May 12, 2017.

Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

During the course of the audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which audit is ongoing as of the date hereof, management identified certain material weaknesses in the system of internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The following deficiencies relate to internal controls specific to the accounting for the merger with Wilshire Bancorp, Inc. (“Wilshire”):

  • deficiencies in internal controls, specifically related to the existence of loans, and monitoring of credit risk ratings of loans acquired as of the July 29, 2016 closing of the merger with Wilshire;
  • deficiencies in the documentation of information technology general controls related to the systems conversion process following the merger with Wilshire; and
  • deficiencies related to staffing within the Company to handle the increase in required documentation of the combined system of internal controls over financial reporting resulting from the merger with Wilshire.

The following deficiency relates to internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016:

  • deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting due to the reclassifications made to the consolidated statement of cashflows in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Management determined that these significant control deficiencies constituted material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management also acknowledges that additional control deficiencies may be identified, and that such control deficiencies could constitute additional material weaknesses.

Management, with the oversight of the audit committee, has taken, and continues to take steps that management and the audit committee believe will remediate the identified material weaknesses. As part of these steps:

  • management reviewed the material weaknesses with our audit committee and senior management;
  • management engaged an independent third party loan review firm subsequent to the closing of the merger with Wilshire to evaluate the existence of loans and adequacy of loan grades for the Wilshire loan portfolio as of June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016. Therefore, management is comfortable with the existence of loans and adequacy of loan grades for the Wilshire loan portfolio as of December 31, 2016;
  • management intends for future mergers and acquisitions, to perform, or have a third party perform, testing for the existence of loans and the adequacy of loan grades as of the exact transaction date in addition to due diligence and loans reviews that we normally perform;
  • management intends for future mergers and acquisitions, to enhance the documentation of IT general controls in place for the process of conversion;
  • management engaged an outside third party to assist with matters related to internal controls and recently hired a SOX compliance officer who will oversee issues related to the Company’s internal controls and other SOX related matters with the continued assistance of the third party; and
  • management will enhance its controls over financial reporting to seek to prevent any future reclassifications of the consolidated statement of cashflows.

Management believes that these changes will contribute significantly to the remediation of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. Additional changes may be implemented if determined necessary to remediate the identified material weaknesses and/or if additional material weaknesses are discovered. Although the Company’s remediation efforts are well underway and are expected to be completed in the near future, the Company’s material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until new internal controls are operational for a period of time and are tested, and management concludes that these controls are operating effectively.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will host an investor conference call on Friday, April 28, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time / 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time to review financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.  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 “Hope Bancorp Call.”  Other interested parties are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call available at the Investor Relations section of Hope Bancorp’s website at www.ir-hopebancorp.com.   After the live webcast, a replay will remain available in the Investor Relations section of Hope Bancorp’s website for one year.  A telephonic replay of the call will be available at 877-344-7529 (domestic) or 412-317-0088 (international) for one week through May 5, 2017, replay access code 10104107.

About Hope Bancorp, Inc.

Hope Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company of Bank of Hope, the first and only super regional Korean-American bank in the United States with $13.5 billion in total assets as of March 31, 2017. Formed through the merger of BBCN Bank and Wilshire Bank, the top two commercial lenders in the market, Bank of Hope is headquartered in Los Angeles and serves a multi-ethnic population of customers across the nation. Bank of Hope operates 67 full-service branches in California, Washington, Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia and Alabama. The Bank also operates SBA loan production offices in Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, and Portland, Oregon; a commercial loan production office in Fremont, California; residential mortgage loan production offices in California; and a representative office in Seoul, Korea. Bank of Hope specializes in core business banking products for small and medium-sized businesses, with an emphasis in commercial real estate and commercial lending, SBA lending and international trade financing. Bank of Hope is a California-chartered bank, and its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. Bank of Hope is an Equal Opportunity Lender. For additional information, please go to bankofhope.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which are the statements contained herein that are not historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and management assumptions about the future performance of the Company, the businesses and markets in which the Company operates and is expected to operate, as well as the timing and substance of certain public disclosures regarding the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and internal controls over financial reporting. These statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to assess, and  are not guarantees of future performance.  Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements as a result of such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to the following: the Company’s inability to remediate its presently identified material weaknesses or to do so in a timely manner, the possibility that additional material weaknesses may arise in the future, and that a material weakness may have an impact on our reported financial results; the effect of acquisitions that the Company may make, if any, including, without limitation, the failure to achieve the expected revenue growth and/or expense savings from its acquisitions; inability to consummate the Company’s proposed merger with U & I Financial Corp. on the terms it has proposed; and failure to realize the benefits from the merger with U & I Financial Corp. that the Company currently expects if the merger is consummated. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and other information that could 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. 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)


Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
Assets3/31/2017 12/31/2016 % change 3/31/2016 % change
Cash and due from banks$461,068  $437,334  5% $236,101  95%
Securities available for sale, at fair value1,583,946  1,556,740  2% 1,087,897  46%
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock and other investments65,161  66,166  (2)% 68,329  (5)%
Loans held for sale, at the lower of cost or fair value19,141  22,785  (16)% 13,843  38%
Loans receivable10,549,667  10,543,332  % 6,371,935  66%
Allowance for loan losses(78,659) (79,343) 1% (76,856) (2)%
Net loans receivable10,471,008  10,463,989  % 6,295,079  66%
Accrued interest receivable25,683  26,880  (4)% 15,660  64%
Premises and equipment, net54,425  55,316  (2)% 35,134  55%
Bank owned life insurance74,090  73,696  1% 47,292  57%
Goodwill463,975  462,997  % 105,401  340%
Servicing assets25,941  26,457  (2)% 11,856  119%
Other intangible assets, net18,550  19,226  (4)% 2,607  612%
Other assets202,875  229,836  (12)% 144,553  40%
Total assets$13,465,863  $13,441,422  % $8,063,752  67%
                  
Liabilities                 
Deposits$10,703,777  $10,642,035  1% $6,467,411  66%
Borrowings from FHLB703,850  754,290  (7)% 530,495  33%
Subordinated debentures100,067  99,808  % 42,371  136%
Accrued interest payable10,592  10,863  (2)% 6,746  57%
Other liabilities68,780  78,953  (13)% 54,747  26%
Total liabilities11,587,066  11,585,949  % 7,101,770  63%
                  
Stockholders’ Equity                 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized, 150,000,000 shares at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, and March 31, 2016; issued and outstanding, 135,248,185, 135,240,079, and 79,597,106 shares at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, and March 31, 2016, respectively.$135  $135  % $80  69%
Capital surplus1,401,275  1,400,490  % 541,625  159%
Retained earnings490,236  469,505  4% 413,122  19%
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net(12,849) (14,657) 12% 7,155  (280)%
Total stockholders’ equity1,878,797  1,855,473  1% 961,982  95%
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$13,465,863  $13,441,422  % $8,063,752  67%
          



Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
Unaudited (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 Three Months Ended
 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 % change 3/31/2016 % change
Interest income:         
Interest and fees on loans$123,294  $125,791  (2)% $77,118  60%
Interest on securities8,113  7,391  10% 5,677  43%
Interest on federal funds sold and other investments1,336  2,205  (39)% 666  101%
Total interest income132,743  135,387  (2)% 83,461  59%
                  
Interest expense:                 
Interest on deposits14,511  14,815  (2)% 9,907  46%
Interest on other borrowings3,327  3,363  (1)% 1,947  71%
Total interest expense17,838  18,178  (2)% 11,854  50%
                  
Net interest income before provision for loan losses114,905  117,209  (2)% 71,607  60%
Provision for loan losses5,600  800  600% 500  1,020%
Net interest income after provision for loan losses109,305  116,409  (6)% 71,107  54%
                  
Noninterest income:                 
Service fees on deposit accounts5,338  5,601  (5)% 2,683  99%
Net gains on sales of SBA loans3,250  3,660  (11)% 1,825  78%
Net gains on sales of other loans420  1,401  (70)%   100%
Net gains on sales of securities available for sale  2  (100)%   %
Other income and fees8,595  7,528  14% 4,267  101%
Total noninterest income17,603  18,192  (3)% 8,775  101%
                  
Noninterest expense:                 
Salaries and employee benefits34,169  34,162  % 21,569  58%
Occupancy7,194  7,948  (9)% 4,817  49%
Furniture and equipment3,413  3,805  (10)% 2,287  49%
Advertising and marketing3,424  2,475  38% 1,136  201%
Data processing and communications3,606  3,904  (8)% 2,171  66%
Professional fees2,609  2,301  13% 1,083  141%
FDIC assessment1,010  468  116% 1,038  (3)%
Credit related expenses1,883  812  132% 421  347%
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) expense, net997  1,354  (26)% 1,428  (30)%
Merger-related expenses947  2,952  (68)% 1,207  (22)%
Other7,041  6,550  7% 2,892  143%
Total noninterest expense66,293  66,731  (1)% 40,049  66%
Income before income taxes60,615  67,870  (11)% 39,833  52%
Income tax provision23,655  27,240  (13)% 16,210  46%
Net income$36,960  $40,630  (9)% $23,623  56%
          
Earnings Per Common Share:         
Basic$0.27  $0.30    $0.30   
Diluted$0.27  $0.30    $0.30   
          
Average Shares Outstanding:         
Basic135,248,018  135,238,928    79,583,188   
Diluted135,689,816  135,585,561    79,613,245   



Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
Unaudited
 
 For the Three Months Ended
(Annualized)
Profitability measures:3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016
ROA1.11% 1.20% 1.20%
ROE7.91% 8.72% 9.99%
Return on average tangible equity 110.66% 11.77% 11.28%
Net interest margin3.77% 3.75% 3.84%
Efficiency ratio50.03% 49.28% 49.82%
      
Average tangible equity is calculated by subtracting average goodwill and average core deposit intangible assets from average stockholders’ equity. This is a non-GAAP measure that we believe provides investors with information that is useful in understanding our financial performance and position.
 



Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
Unaudited (dollars in thousands)
 
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016
   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$10,381,771  $123,294  4.82% $10,427,538  $125,791  4.80% $6,270,679  $77,118  4.95%
Securities available for sale1,567,497  8,113  2.10% 1,586,560  7,391  1.85% 1,016,865  5,677  2.25%
FRB and FHLB stock and other investments423,955  1,336  1.28% 433,212  2,205  2.02% 217,048  666  1.23%
Total interest earning assets$12,373,223  $132,743  4.35% $12,447,310  $135,387  4.33% $7,504,592  $83,461  4.47%
                                 
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES:                                
Deposits:                                
Demand, interest bearing$3,436,984  $7,191  0.85% $3,414,158  $7,054  0.82% $1,968,637  $4,004  0.82%
Savings293,609  287  0.40% 303,064  319  0.42% 186,462  366  0.79%
Time deposits:                                
$100,000 or more2,976,937  5,107  0.70% 3,035,499  5,325  0.70% 1,806,609  4,056  0.90%
Other1,032,242  1,926  0.76% 1,085,254  2,117  0.78% 699,431  1,481  0.85%
Total time deposits4,009,179  7,033  0.71% 4,120,753  7,442  0.72% 2,506,040  5,537  0.89%
Total interest bearing deposits7,739,772  14,511  0.76% 7,837,975  14,815  0.75% 4,661,139  9,907  0.85%
FHLB advances662,472  2,139  1.31% 681,757  2,190  1.28% 532,206  1,523  1.15%
Other borrowings95,911  1,188  4.95% 95,650  1,173  4.80% 40,813  424  4.11%
Total interest bearing liabilities8,498,155  $17,838  0.85% 8,615,382  $18,178  0.84% 5,234,158  $11,854  0.91%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits2,868,339       2,918,156      1,629,565      
Total funding liabilities/cost of funds$11,366,494    0.64% $11,533,538    0.63% $6,863,723    0.69%
Net interest income/net interest spread  $114,905  3.50%   $117,209  3.49%   $71,607  3.56%
Net interest margin    3.77%     3.75%     3.84%
Cost of deposits:                                
Noninterest bearing demand deposits$2,868,339  $     $2,918,156  $    $1,629,565  $    
Interest bearing deposits7,739,772  14,511  0.76% 7,837,975  14,815  0.75% 4,661,139  9,907  0.85%
Total deposits$10,608,111  $14,511  0.55% $10,756,131  $14,815  0.55% $6,290,704  $9,907  0.63%



Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
Unaudited (dollars in thousands)
 
  Three Months Ended
AVERAGE BALANCES:3/31/2017 12/31/2016 % change 3/31/2016 % change
Loans receivable, including loans held for sale$10,381,771  $10,427,538  % $6,270,679  66%
Investments1,991,452  2,019,772  (1)% 1,233,913  61%
Interest earning assets12,373,223  12,447,310  (1)% 7,504,592  65%
Total assets13,335,554  13,506,836  (1)% 7,875,940  69%
                  
Interest bearing deposits7,739,772  7,837,975  (1)% 4,661,139  66%
Interest bearing liabilities8,498,155  8,615,382  (1)% 5,234,158  62%
Noninterest bearing demand deposits2,868,339  2,918,156  (2)% 1,629,565  76%
Stockholders’ equity1,869,006  1,864,766  % 945,634  98%
Net interest earning assets3,875,068  3,831,928  1% 2,270,434  71%
                  
LOAN PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION:3/31/2017 12/31/2016 % change 3/31/2016 % change
Commercial loans$1,840,193  $1,986,949  (7)% $1,118,420  65%
Real estate loans8,291,188  8,154,570  2% 5,132,517  62%
Consumer and other loans420,169  403,470  4% 124,064  239%
Loans outstanding10,551,550  10,544,989  % 6,375,001  66%
Unamortized deferred loan fees - net of costs(1,883) (1,657) (14)% (3,066) 39%
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs10,549,667  10,543,332  % 6,371,935  66%
Allowance for loan losses(78,659) (79,343) 1% (76,856) (2)%
Loan receivable, net$10,471,008  $10,463,989  % $6,295,079  66%
                  
REAL ESTATE LOANS BY PROPERTY TYPE:3/31/2017 12/31/2016 % change 3/31/2016 % change
Retail buildings$2,213,627  $2,163,075  2% $1,339,676  65%
Hotels/motels1,593,758  1,605,787  (1)% 1,079,649  48%
Gas stations/car washes938,158  946,364  (1)% 689,883  36%
Mixed-use facilities596,074  563,484  6% 381,955  56%
Warehouses899,009  892,100  1% 530,353  70%
Multifamily443,632  423,084  5% 251,780  76%
Other1,606,930  1,560,676  3% 859,221  87%
Total$8,291,188  $8,154,570  2% $5,132,517  62%
                  
DEPOSIT COMPOSITION3/31/2017 12/31/2016 % change 3/31/2016 % change
Noninterest bearing demand deposits$2,963,947  $2,900,241  2% $1,695,040  75%
Money market and other3,481,231  3,401,446  2% 1,951,561  78%
Saving deposits289,924  301,906  (4)% 181,779  59%
Time deposits of $100,000 or more2,984,078  2,982,256  % 1,885,842  58%
Other time deposits984,597  1,056,186  (7)% 753,189  31%
Total deposit balances$10,703,777  $10,642,035  1% $6,467,411  66%
                  
DEPOSIT COMPOSITION (%)3/31/2017 12/31/2016   3/31/2016  
Noninterest bearing demand deposits27.7% 27.3%   26.2%  
Money market and other32.5% 32.0%   30.2%  
Saving deposits2.7% 2.8%   2.8%  
Time deposits of $100,000 or more27.9% 28.0%   29.2%  
Other time deposits9.2% 9.9%   11.6%  
Total deposit balances100.0% 100.0%   100.0%  



Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
Unaudited (dollars in thousands)
 
CAPITAL RATIOS:3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016    
Total stockholders’ equity$1,878,797  $1,855,473  $961,982     
Common Equity Tier 1 ratio12.29% 12.10% 11.96%    
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio13.12% 12.92% 12.54%    
Total risk-based capital ratio13.83% 13.64% 13.64%    
Tier 1 leverage ratio11.75% 11.49% 11.44%    
Total risk weighted assets$11,545,191  $11,575,944  $7,093,779     
Book value per common share$13.89  $13.72  $12.09     
Tangible common equity to tangible assets 210.75% 10.60% 10.73%    
Tangible common equity per share 2$10.32  $10.15  $10.73     
          
2  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.
          
Reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures:    
 Three Months Ended  
NONINTEREST EXPENSE BEFORE MERGER-RELATED COSTS3/31/2017 12/31/2016 3/31/2016    
Total noninterest expense$66,293  $66,731  $40,049     
Less: merger-related costs947  2,952  1,207     
Total noninterest expense, excluding merger-related expense$65,346  $63,779  $38,842     
          
CORE EPS LESS MERGER RELATED EXPENSES         
Net income$36,960  $40,630  $23,623     
Less: merger-related costs947  2,952  1,207     
Tax provision adjustment(370) (1,185) (491)    
Net income, excluding merger-related expense$37,537  $42,397  $24,339     
          
Weighted average common shares diluted135,689,816  135,585,561  79,613,245     
Core EPS excluding merger-related expenses$0.28  $0.31  $0.31     
          
TANGIBLE COMMON EQUITY         
Total stockholders’ equity$1,878,797  $1,855,473  $961,982     
Less:  Common stock warrant         
Less:  Goodwill and core deposit intangible assets, net(482,525) (482,223) (108,008)    
Tangible common equity$1,396,272  $1,373,250  $853,974     
          
Total assets$13,465,863  $13,441,422  $8,063,752     
Less:  Goodwill and core deposit intangible assets, net(482,525) (482,223) (108,008)    
Tangible assets$12,983,338  $12,959,199  $7,955,744     
          
Common shares outstanding135,248,185  135,240,079  79,597,106     
          
Tangible common equity to tangible assets10.75% 10.60% 10.73%    
Tangible common equity per share$10.32  $10.15  $10.73     
          
  
  
Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
 Unaudited (dollars in thousands) 
          
 Three Months Ended
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:3/31/2017 12/31/2016 9/30/2016 6/30/2016 3/31/2016
Balance at beginning of period$79,343  $79,976  $76,425  $76,856  $76,408 
Provision for loan losses5,600  800  6,500  1,200  500 
Recoveries321  452  1,010  664  769 
Charge offs(6,605) (1,885) (3,959) (2,295) (821)
Balance at end of period$78,659  $79,343  $79,976  $76,425  $76,856 
Net charge offs/average loans receivable (annualized)0.24% 0.05% 0.13% 0.10% %
          
 Three Months Ended
NET CHARGED OFF (RECOVERED) LOANS  BY TYPE:3/31/2017 12/31/2016 9/30/2016 6/30/2016 3/31/2016
Real estate loans$1,444  $(45) $127  $18  $(390)
Commercial loans4,564  1,000  2,663  1,649  379 
Consumer loans276  478  159  (36) 63 
Total net charge offs$6,284  $1,433  $2,949  $1,631  $52 



Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
Unaudited (dollars in thousands)
 
NONPERFORMING ASSETS3/31/2017 12/31/2016 9/30/2016 6/30/2016 3/31/2016
Delinquent loans on nonaccrual status 3$37,009  $40,074  $40,602  $42,398  $43,548 
Delinquent loans 90 days or more on accrual status 4275  305  192  147  45 
Accruing restructured loans48,984  48,874  48,701  50,837  52,760 
Total nonperforming loans86,268  89,253  89,495  93,382  96,353 
Other real estate owned19,096  21,990  27,457  16,392  19,794 
Total nonperforming assets$105,364  $111,243  $116,952  $109,774  $116,147 
Nonperforming assets/total assets0.78% 0.83% 0.87% 1.32% 1.44%
Nonperforming assets/loans receivable & OREO1.00% 1.05% 1.10% 1.66% 1.82%
Nonperforming assets/total capital5.61% 6.00% 6.31% 11.30% 12.07%
Nonperforming loans/loans receivable0.82% 0.85% 0.85% 1.42% 1.51%
Nonaccrual loans/loans receivable0.35% 0.38% 0.38% 0.64% 0.68%
Allowance for loan losses/loans receivable0.75% 0.75% 0.76% 1.16% 1.21%
Allowance for loan losses/nonaccrual loans212.54% 197.99% 196.98% 180.26% 176.49%
Allowance for loan losses/nonperforming loans91.18% 88.90% 89.36% 81.84% 79.77%
Allowance for loan losses/nonperforming assets74.65% 71.32% 68.38% 69.62% 66.17%
          
3  Excludes delinquent SBA loans that are guaranteed and currently in liquidation totaling $15.2 million, $15.9 million, $14.1 million, $15.5 million, and $15.4 million, at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2016, September 30, 2016, June 30, 2016, and March 31, 2016, respectively.
4  Excludes Acquired Credit Impaired Loans totaling $17.3 million, $19.6 million, $16.4 million, $13.8 million, and $13.1 million at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, September 30, 2016, June 30, 2016, and March 31, 2016, respectively.
          
BREAKDOWN OF ACCRUING RESTRUCTURED LOANS BY TYPE:3/31/2017 12/31/2016 9/30/2016 6/30/2016 3/31/2016
Retail buildings$5,794  $5,832  $5,876  $4,565  $4,598 
Hotels/motels1,300  1,305  1,315  1,324  1,336 
Gas stations/car washes    829  835  840 
Mixed-use facilities134  889  895  1,111  1,117 
Warehouses5,321  5,379  5,449  5,512  5,575 
Other 536,435  35,469  34,337  37,490  39,294 
Total$48,984  $48,874  $48,701  $50,837  $52,760 
          
Includes commercial business and other loans         
          
          
DELINQUENT LOANS LESS THAN 90 DAYS PAST DUE3/31/2017 12/31/2016 9/30/2016 6/30/2016 3/31/2016
Legacy         
30 - 59 days$10,199  $6,254  $3,580  $2,920  $4,488 
60 - 89 days3,978  6,719  1,100  1,427  1,510 
Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due - legacy$14,177  $12,973  $4,680  $4,347  $5,998 
          
Acquired         
30 - 59 days$5,248  $4,015  $3,451  $2,735  $1,456 
60 - 89 days1,007  1,049  1,168  345  47 
Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due - acquired$6,255  $5,064  $4,619  $3,080  $1,503 
          
Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due$20,432  $18,037  $9,299  $7,427  $7,501 
          


Hope Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data
Unaudited (dollars in thousands)
 
DELINQUENT LOANS LESS THAN 90 DAYS PAST DUE BY TYPE  3/31/2017 12/31/2016 9/30/2016 6/30/2016 3/31/2016
Legacy           
Real estate loans  $12,575  $10,896  $2,678  $2,047  $1,624 
Commercial loans  1,404  2,010  1,866  2,215  1,441 
Consumer loans  198  67  136  85  2,933 
Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due - legacy  $14,177  $12,973  $4,680  $4,347  $5,998 
            
Acquired           
Real estate loans  $5,211  $2,721  $3,761  $2,557  $1,189 
Commercial loans  360  1,987  858  211  314 
Consumer loans  684  356    312   
Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due - acquired  $6,255  $5,064  $4,619  $3,080  $1,503 
            
Total delinquent loans less than 90 days past due  $20,432  $18,037  $9,299  $7,427  $7,501 
            
            
NONACCRUAL LOANS  BY TYPE  3/31/2017 12/31/2016 9/30/2016 6/30/2016 3/31/2016
Real estate loans  $26,550  $27,522  $24,055  $25,306  $26,123 
Commercial loans  10,117  11,773  15,742  16,270  16,842 
Consumer loans  342  779  805  822  583 
Total nonaccrual loans  $37,009  $40,074  $40,602  $42,398  $43,548 
            
CRITICIZED LOANS  3/31/2017 12/31/2016 9/30/2016 6/30/2016 3/31/2016
Legacy           
Special mention  $127,432  $127,562  $168,289  $80,923  $87,025 
Substandard  167,747  162,942  124,938  128,885  129,314 
Doubtful  233  95  441  108  133 
Loss           
Total criticized loans - legacy  $295,412  $290,599  $293,668  $209,916  $216,472 
            
Acquired           
Special mention  $98,536  $116,094  $140,604  $19,447  $17,017 
Substandard  139,964  148,164  131,398  67,261  71,954 
Doubtful  2,052  1,854  2,624  2,603  1,997 
Loss      (133)    
Total criticized loans - acquired  $240,552  $266,112  $274,493  $89,311  $90,968 
            
Total criticized loans  $535,964  $556,711  $568,161  $299,227  $307,440 

 


            

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