First Choice Bancorp Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend


Current Quarter Highlights

 Net income of $2.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted share
   
 Net income included after tax merger related expenses of $2.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share
   
 Net interest margin expands to 4.97%
   
 Organic loan growth of $40.7 million, or 20.7% annualized
   
 Organic deposit growth of $47.2 million, or 24.1% annualized, with noninterest-bearing deposits increasing to 42.3% of total deposits
   
 Quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 declared
   
 Acquisition of Pacific Commerce Bancorp (“PCB”) completed on July 31, 2018

Cerritos, CA, Oct. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Choice Bancorp, (“First Choice” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FCBP), today reported net income for the third quarter of 2018 of $2.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.4 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2018, and net income of $2.0 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2017. After-tax merger, integration and registration related costs of $2.7 million and $246 thousand reduced diluted earnings per share $0.26 and $0.04 for the third quarter and second quarter of 2018.

On October 29, 2018, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable on or about November 26, 2018 to shareholders of record on November 13, 2018.

“We are very pleased with the positive trends we are seeing across our operations,” said Peter Hui, Chairman of the Board of First Choice Bancorp. “Our strong performance enables us to consistently return capital to our shareholders in the form of a quarterly cash dividend. We appreciate the continued support of our shareholders as we execute on our growth strategies and build the First Choice Bank franchise.”

“We executed well in the third quarter, successfully completing our acquisition of Pacific Commerce Bancorp and making good progress on integrating their operations while generating strong organic balance sheet growth,” said Robert M. Franko, President and CEO of First Choice Bancorp. “We are seeing the positive benefits of the PCB acquisition in the form of a lower overall cost of funds and improved efficiencies driven by our larger scale. We also had a strong quarter of business development, generating $131.2 million in new loan commitments and effectively gathering new core deposits. This strong performance produced a significant improvement in our level of profitability, excluding merger, integration and public company registration costs. As we continue to realize the synergies from the PCB acquisition and capitalize on our larger presence in Southern California, we believe we will continue to drive solid earnings growth and enhance the value of our franchise going forward.”

Operating Results for the Third Quarter 2018

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2018 was $15.8 million, an increase of $5.0 million, from $10.8 million for the second quarter of 2018 as interest income increased $5.3 million and interest expense increased $297 thousand. The increase in interest income was due to higher average interest-earning assets of $343.5 million, primarily related to $399.8 million in net loans acquired in the PCB acquisition. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributed to the interest-bearing deposits added in the PCB acquisition offset by lower average short term borrowings.

Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2018 was 4.97%, an increase from 4.73% for the second quarter of 2018. The increase was driven by loans repricing to higher market interest rates, higher rates on new loan production, higher yield on the acquired loan portfolio and the improved funding mix. The third and second quarters of 2018 included accelerated discount accretion due to early payoffs of loans of $230 thousand and $907 thousand which expanded the net interest margin 7 basis points and 40 basis points, respectively. The accretion of net discounts on the acquired PCB loans contributed $923 thousand, or 29 basis points to the third quarter of 2018 net interest margin.

The loan yield was 6.32% for the third quarter compared to 6.17% for the second quarter of 2018. The discount accretion from acquired loans and accelerated discount accretion due to early loan payoffs increased the loan yield 42 basis points for the third quarter of 2018 and 45 basis points for the second quarter of 2018. The average cost of funds was 84 basis points for the third quarter of 2018 compared to 103 basis points for the second quarter of 2018. The lower cost of funds was attributed to the more favorable mix of deposits added in the PCB acquisition. Average noninterest-bearing deposits represented 37.8% of average total deposits for the third quarter of 2018, compared to 26.9% for the second quarter of 2018. In addition, the cash balances acquired from PCB were utilized to reduce FHLB borrowings during the third quarter of 2018.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income for the third quarter of 2018 was $705 thousand, a decrease of $74 thousand from $779 thousand for the second quarter of 2018 due to lower gain on sale of SBA loans and lower net servicing fees, which was largely offset by the partial quarter impact of fees generated from the acquired PCB’s operations. The Company sold $2.4 million in SBA loans, resulting in a gain on sale of $171 thousand in the third quarter of 2018 compared to $5.8 million in SBA loans sold, resulting in a gain on sale of $448 thousand in the second quarter of 2018. Net servicing fees decreased $87 thousand in the third quarter of 2018 due to higher servicing fee income of $119 thousand offset by higher servicing asset amortization of $206 thousand of which $173 thousand related to early loan pay-offs in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the prior quarter.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2018 was $12.4 million, an increase of $6.1 million or 95.7% from $6.3 million for the second quarter of 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to the partial quarter impact of the acquired PCB operations and higher merger, integration and public company registration costs of $3.4 million. Excluding merger, integration and public company registration costs, noninterest expense increased $2.6 million to $8.6 million, with increases in every overhead expense category including higher compensation and benefits, premises and occupancy, data processing and core deposit intangible amortization of $1.6 million, $324 thousand, $218 thousand, and $133 thousand, respectively.

The Company’s operating efficiency ratio was 74.9% in the third quarter of 2018, compared with 54.5% in the second quarter of 2018. Excluding the impact of the merger, integration and public company registration costs, the Company’s operating efficiency ratio was 51.9% in the third quarter of 2018, compared with 51.4% in the second quarter of 2018.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded income tax expense of $932 thousand for the third quarter of 2018, representing an effective tax rate of 26.4%, compared to 30.8% reported for the second quarter of 2018. The estimated annual effective tax rate for 2018 is 29.4%.

Loan Portfolio

Total loans held for investment were $1.2 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $441.9 million, or 56.4% from $783.5 million at June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to $414.9 million in gross loans gained in the PCB acquisition and $40.7 million of organic growth. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company originated $131.2 million in new loan commitments, which included $73.2 million in construction and commercial real estate loans, $46.1 million in SBA loans, and $11.7 million in commercial and industrial loans.

Deposits

Total deposits were $1.3 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $522.2 million or 66.5% from $785.0 million at June 30, 2018. Total non-maturity deposits totaled $1.0 billion, an increase of $498.3 million or 90.4% from June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition of PCB, which contributed $474.9 million of deposits at the time of acquisition, and organic deposit growth of $47.2 million, mainly in noninterest-bearing deposits. Period end noninterest-bearing deposits represented 42.3% of total deposits at September 30, 2018 compared to 27.0% at June 30, 2018.

Credit Quality

Non-performing loans totaled $1.2 million, or 0.1% of total assets, at September 30, 2018, compared with $1.6 million, or 0.2% of total assets, at June 30, 2018. The decrease in non-performing loans was primarily attributable to the partial charge offs in two SBA loans and a full charge-off of a commercial and industrial loan totaling $320 thousand in the third quarter of 2018.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $600 thousand for the third quarter of 2018 as a result of organic loan growth. Loan delinquencies totaled $5.4 million, or 0.4% of net loans held for investment at September 30, 2018, compared to no delinquencies at June 30, 2018; all delinquent loans were acquired in the PCB acquisition.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) was 0.87% of total loans held for investment and 881.4% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2018, compared with 1.32% and 657.5%, respectively, at June 30, 2018. The lower ALLL coverage ratio to total loans of 45 basis points is primarily due to the loans acquired from PCB that were recorded at fair market value, without a corresponding loan loss allowance. The net carrying value of loans acquired through the acquisition of PCB includes a remaining net discount of $10.9 million as of September 30, 2018, which represents 88 basis points of total gross loans.

Capital Ratios

At September 30, 2018, the Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements under Basel III and was considered to be a ‘‘well-capitalized’’ financial institution.

Bank Only September 30, 2018  June 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)  13.69%  14.73%  14.72%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)  12.79%  13.48%  13.46%
CET1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)  12.79%  13.48%  13.46%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)  13.50%  12.16%  11.75%

About First Choice Bancorp 

First Choice Bancorp is a community-based bank holding company headquartered in Cerritos, California, and it is the sole shareholder of First Choice Bank. As of September 30, 2018, the First Choice had total assets of approximately $1.6 billion. First Choice Bank, headquartered in Cerritos, California is a community-focused financial institution, serving primarily commercial and consumer clients in diverse communities and specializing in loans to small businesses, private banking clients, commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, and commercial real estate loans with a niche in providing financing for the hospitality industry. First Choice Bank is a Preferred Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender. Founded in 2005, First Choice Bank has quickly become a leading provider of financial services that enable our customers to grow, maintain strength, and achieve their business objectives. We strive to surpass our clients’ expectations through our efficiency and professionalism and are committed to being “First in Speed, Service, and Solutions.” First Choice Bancorp stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “FCBP.”

First Choice Bank’s website is www.FirstChoiceBankCA.com.

Disclosure

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial disclosures for tangible common equity and tangible assets and adjusted earnings. The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s operational performance and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of such financial performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters set forth herein (including the exhibits hereto) constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s current business plans and expectations and our future financial position and operating results. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and/or achievements to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, local, regional, national and international economic and market conditions and events and the impact they may have on us, our customers and our assets and liabilities; our ability to attract deposits and other sources of funding or liquidity; supply and demand for real estate and periodic deterioration in real estate prices and/or values in California or other states where we lend, including both residential and commercial real estate; a prolonged slowdown or decline in real estate construction, sales or leasing activities; changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers, depositors or key vendors or counterparties; changes in our levels of delinquent loans, nonperforming assets, allowance for loan losses and charge-offs; the costs or effects of acquisitions or dispositions we may make, whether we are able to obtain any required governmental approvals in connection with any such acquisitions or dispositions, and/or our ability to realize the contemplated financial or business benefits associated with any such acquisitions or dispositions; the effect of changes in laws, regulations and applicable judicial decisions (including laws, regulations and judicial decisions concerning financial reforms, taxes, banking capital levels, consumer, commercial or secured lending, securities and securities trading and hedging, compliance, employment, executive compensation, insurance, vendor management and information security) with which we and our subsidiaries must comply or believe we should comply; changes in estimates of future reserve requirements and minimum capital requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements, including changes in the Basel Committee framework establishing capital standards for credit, operations and market risk; inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations; changes in government interest rates or monetary policies; changes in the amount and availability of deposit insurance; cyber-security threats, including loss of system functionality or theft or loss of Company or customer data or money; political instability; acts of war or terrorism, or natural disasters, such as earthquakes, drought, or the effects of pandemic diseases; the timely development and acceptance of new banking products and services and the perceived overall value of these products and services by our customers and potential customers; the Company’s relationships with and reliance upon vendors with respect to the operation of certain of the Company’s key internal and external systems and applications; changes in commercial or consumer spending, borrowing and savings preferences or behaviors; technological changes and the expanding use of technology in banking (including the adoption of mobile banking and funds transfer applications); the ability to retain and increase market share, retain and grow customers and control expenses; changes in the competitive and regulatory environment among financial and bank holding companies, banks and other financial service providers; volatility in the credit and equity markets and its effect on the general economy or local or regional business conditions; fluctuations in the price of the Company’s common stock or other securities; and the resulting impact on the Company’s ability to raise capital or make acquisitions, the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted from time-to-time by our regulatory agencies, as well as by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard-setters; changes in our organization, management, compensation and benefit plans, and our ability to retain or expand our workforce, management team and/or our board of directors; the costs and effects of legal, compliance and regulatory actions, changes and developments, including the initiation and resolution of legal proceedings (such as securities, consumer or employee class action litigation), regulatory or other governmental inquiries or investigations, and/or the results of regulatory examinations or reviews; our ongoing relations with our various federal and state regulators, including the SEC, FDIC, FRB and California Department of Business Oversight; our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items and all other factors set forth in the Company’s public reports, including its registration statements as filed under Form S-4 and Form 8-A, and particularly the discussion of risk factors within those documents. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by law. Any statements about future operating results, such as those concerning accretion and dilution to the Company’s earnings or shareholders, are for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts, and actual results may differ.

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Income Statement Highlights and Selected Ratios (unaudited):
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

  For the three months ended  For the nine months ended 
  September30,  June 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2018  2017 (restated 1)  2018  2017(restated 1) 
Total interest income $18,189  $12,915  $10,754  $42,293  $29,452 
Total interest expense  2,393   2,096   1,604   6,127   4,481 
Net interest income  15,796   10,819   9,150   36,166   24,971 
Provision for loan losses  600   320   1,000   1,120   1,000 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  15,196   10,499   8,150   35,046   23,971 
Total noninterest income  705   779   1,433   2,047   4,126 
Total noninterest expense  12,365   6,317   6,174   25,359   17,254 
Income before taxes  3,536   4,961   3,409   11,734   10,843 
Income taxes  932   1,526   1,418   3,317   4,444 
NET INCOME $2,604  $3,435  $1,991  $8,417  $6,399 
                     
Selected financial and ratios:                    
Dividends declared per common share $0.20  $0.20  $0.20  $0.40  $0.40 
Net income per share-basic $0.26  $0.47  $0.28  $1.02  $0.89 
Net income per share-diluted 2 $0.25  $0.47  $0.28  $1.02  $0.88 
Weighted average shares - basic  10,144,954   7,172,020   7,111,331   8,170,234   7,098,560 
Weighted average shares - diluted 2  10,357,069   7,214,473   7,146,869   8,211,020   7,134,056 
Return on average assets (annualized)  0.78%  1.48%  0.88%  1.06%  0.97%
Return on average equity (annualized)  5.23%  12.51%  7.48%  8.06%  8.12%
Return on tangible equity 3 (annualized)  7.12%  12.51%  7.48%  9.25%  8.12%
Net interest margin  4.97%  4.73%  4.04%  4.73%  3.84%
Cost of deposits  0.81%  0.98%  0.79%  0.85%  0.77%
Cost of funds  0.84%  1.03%  0.80%  0.90%  0.78%
Efficiency ratio 2  74.93%  54.47%  58.34%  66.36%  59.30%

(1)Certain amounts have been restated to reflect adjustments related to the correction of an error.
(2)Diluted shares are calculated using the two-class method.
(3)Non-GAAP measure. See GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation.

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

  September 30,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  December 31,
2017 (restated 1)
 
          
ASSETS            
Cash and due from banks $12,140  $5,837  $5,405 
Interest-bearing deposits at other banks  178,834   115,317   97,727 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell  3,000       
Total cash and cash equivalents  193,974   121,154   103,132 
Investment securities, available-for-sale  28,473   29,732   35,002 
Investment securities, held-to-maturity  5,333   5,344   5,300 
Loans held for sale  26,122   11,466   10,599 
Total loans held for investment  1,225,376   783,487   741,713 
Allowance for loan losses  (10,656)  (10,376)  (10,497)
Total loans held for investment, net  1,214,720   773,111   731,216 
Federal Home Loan Bank, at cost  6,135   3,866   3,640 
Equity securities, at fair value  2,500   2,506    
Accrued interest receivable  4,996   3,274   3,108 
Premises and equipment  2,131   1,242   1,035 
Servicing assets  3,162   2,448   2,618 
Deferred taxes  7,740   4,727   4,495 
Goodwill  73,425       
Core deposit intangible  6,775       
Other assets  11,870   3,816   3,650 
TOTAL ASSETS $1,587,356  $962,686  $903,795 
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Deposits:            
Noninterest-bearing demand $553,253  $211,611  $235,584 
Money market, interest checking and savings  496,257   339,639   372,699 
Time deposits  257,600   233,707   164,396 
Total deposits  1,307,110   784,957   772,679 
Short term borrowings  15,000   60,000   20,000 
Senior secured debt  12,550   4,150   350 
Accrued interest payable  366   200   114 
Other liabilities  8,953   4,560   4,958 
Total liabilities  1,343,979   853,867   798,101 
Total shareholders’ equity  243,377   108,819   105,694 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $1,587,356  $962,686  $903,795 

(1)Certain amounts have been restated to reflect adjustments related to the correction of an error.

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

  For the Three Months Ended  For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  September 30,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  September 30,
2017 (restated 1)
  2018  2017 (restated 1) 
    
INTEREST INCOME                    
Interest and fees on loans $17,296  $12,320  $10,189  $40,237  $27,784 
Interest on investment securities  226   233   231   698   731 
Interest on deposits in financial institutions  621   294   278   1,176   733 
Dividends on FHLB and other stock  46   68   56   182   204 
Total interest income  18,189   12,915   10,754   42,293   29,452 
INTEREST EXPENSE                    
Interest on savings, interest checking and money market accounts  1,223   969   996   3,012   3,023 
Interest on time deposits  1,072   919   535   2,607   1,333 
Interest on borrowings  98   208   73   508   125 
Total interest expense  2,393   2,096   1,604   6,127   4,481 
Net interest income  15,796   10,819   9,150   36,166   24,971 
Provision for loan losses  600   320   1,000   1,120   1,000 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  15,196   10,499   8,150   35,046   23,971 
NONINTEREST INCOME                    
Gain on sale of loans  171   448   1,075   866   3,163 
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts  380   208   102   803   231 
Net servicing fees  39   126   211   318   571 
Other income (loss)  115   (3)  45   60   161 
Total noninterest income  705   779   1,433   2,047   4,126 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE                    
Salaries and employee benefits  5,143   3,578   3,921   12,837   11,265 
Occupancy and equipment  891   567   574   1,978   1,544 
Professional fees  400   378   413   1,082   611 
Data processing  666   448   398   1,536   1,084 
Office, postage and telecommunications  256   193   202   641   523 
Deposit insurance and regulatory assessments  143   86   97   339   316 
Loan related  142   101   80   327   238 
Customer service related  208   101   144   448   407 
Merger, integration and public company registration costs  3,797   356      4,527    
Amortization of core deposit intangible  133         133    
Other expenses  586   509   345   1,511   1,266 
Total noninterest expense  12,365   6,317   6,174   25,359   17,254 
Income before taxes  3,536   4,961   3,409   11,734   10,843 
Income taxes  932   1,526   1,418   3,317   4,444 
Net income $2,604  $3,435  $1,991  $8,417  $6,399 

(1)Certain amounts have been restated to reflect adjustments related to the correction of an error.

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary
 Average Balance Sheets

  Three Months Ended 
  September 30, 2018  June 30, 2018  September 30, 2017 
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income / Expense
  Yield / Cost  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income / Expense
  Yield / Cost  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income / Expense
  Yield / Cost 
   (in thousands) 
Interest-earning assets:    
Due from banks $130,537  $611   1.86% $74,325  $294   1.59% $86,141  $275   1.27%
Federal funds sold/resale agreements  1,989   10   1.99%        N/A   569   3   1.98%
Investment securities  37,064   226   2.42%  38,153   233   2.45%  40,779   231   2.24%
Loans (1)  1,085,572   17,296   6.32%  801,342   12,320   6.17%  767,839   10,189   5.26%
FHLB and other bank stock  6,180   46   2.95%  4,071   68   6.70%  3,933   56   5.63%
Total interest-earning assets  1,261,342   18,189   5.72%  917,891   12,915   5.64%  899,261   10,754   4.74%
                                     
Noninterest-earning assets  81,222           11,096           9,342         
Total assets $1,342,564          $928,987          $908,603         
                                     
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                    
Interest checking $132,492  $361   1.08% $141,598  $407   1.15% $249,027  $676   1.08%
Money market accounts  260,468   781   1.19%  151,248   455   1.21%  77,709   127   0.65%
Savings accounts  43,465   81   0.74%  50,978   107   0.84%  82,315   193   0.93%
Time deposits  193,837   843   1.73%  170,148   738   1.74%  109,413   321   1.16%
Brokered time deposits  70,031   229   1.30%  52,801   181   1.37%  52,877   214   1.61%
Total interest-bearing deposits  700,293   2,295   1.30%  566,773   1,888   1.34%  571,341   1,531   1.06%
Short term and other borrowings  5,514   30   2.16%  35,724   167   1.87%  24,199   73   1.19%
Senior secured notes  5,018   68   5.38%  3,218   41   5.11%        %
Total interest-bearing liabilities  710,825   2,393   1.34%  605,715   2,096   1.39%  595,540   1,604   1.07%
                                     
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                                    
Demand deposits  425,842           209,009           201,902         
Other liabilities  6,627           4,450           4,719         
Shareholders’ equity  199,270           109,813           106,442         
                                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $1,342,564          $928,987          $908,603         
                                     
Net interest spread     $15,796   4.38%     $10,819   4.25%     $9,150   3.67%
Net interest margin          4.97%          4.73%          4.04%
                                     
Total deposits $1,126,135  $2,295   0.81% $775,782  $1,888   0.98% $773,243  $1,531   0.79%
Total funding sources $1,136,667  $2,393   0.84% $814,724  $2,096   1.03% $797,442  $1,604   0.80%

(1) Average loans include net discounts and net deferred fees. Interest income on loans includes $143 thousand, $142 thousand, and $137 thousand related to the accretion of net deferred loans fees and $1.2 million, $989 thousand, and $(108) thousand related to accretion (amortization) of discounts (premiums) for the three months ended September 30, 2018, June 30, 2018, and September 30, 2017, respectively.

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Average Balance Sheets (continued)

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2018  2017 
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income / Expense
  Yield / Cost  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income / Expense
  Yield / Cost 
  (in thousands) 
Interest-earning assets:   
Due from banks $90,874  $1,166   1.72% $90,022  $698   1.04%
Federal funds sold/resale agreements  670   10   2%  2,970   35   1.57%
Investment securities  38,232   698   2.44%  43,367   731   2.25%
Loans (1)  888,208   40,237   6.06%  729,134   27,784   5.09%
FHLB and other bank stock  4,736   182   5.14%  3,863   204   7.07%
Total interest-earning assets  1,022,720   42,293   5.53%  869,356   29,452   4.53%
                         
Noninterest-earning assets  34,251           8,337         
Total assets $1,056,971          $877,693         
                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
Interest checking $154,908  $1,273   1.10% $252,302  $2,044   1.08%
Money market accounts  168,240   1,401   1.11%  75,914   367   0.65%
Savings accounts  54,589   338   0.83%  87,308   612   0.94%
Time deposits  162,648   2,028   1.67%  105,974   898   1.13%
Brokered time deposits  58,477   579   1.32%  42,384   435   1.37%
Total interest-bearing deposits  598,862   5,619   1.25%  563,882   4,356   1.03%
Short term and other borrowings  29,529   386   1.75%  15,152   125   1.09%
Senior secured notes  3,134   122   5.20%        %
Total interest-bearing liabilities  631,525   6,127   1.30%  579,034   4,481   1.03%
                         
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                        
Demand deposits  281,337           189,564         
Other liabilities  4,946           4,068         
Shareholders’ equity  139,163           105,027         
                         
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $1,056,971          $877,693         
                         
Net interest spread     $36,166   4.23%     $24,971   3.50%
Net interest margin          4.73%          3.84%
                         
Total deposits $880,199  $5,619   0.85% $753,446  $4,356   0.77%
Total funding sources $912,862  $6,127   0.90% $768,598  $4,481   0.78%

(1) Average loans include net discounts and deferred costs. Interest income on loans includes $315 thousand and $332 thousand related to the accretion of net deferred loans fees and $2.3 million and $(672) thousand related to accretion (amortization) of discounts (premiums) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Loans Composition

  September 30, 2018  June 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
  Amount  Percentage of Total  Amount  Percentage of Total  Amount  Percentage of Total 
  (in thousands) 
Construction and land development $172,136   14.0% $132,365   16.9% $114,746   15.5%
Real estate:                        
Residential  60,580   4.9%  51,681   6.6%  63,457   8.6%
Commercial real estate - owner occupied  181,053   14.8%  59,349   7.6%  52,728   7.1%
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied  392,348   32.1%  258,229   32.9%  251,132   33.8%
Commercial and industrial  270,867   22.1%  192,099   24.5%  169,342   22.8%
SBA loans  148,392   12.1%  89,764   11.5%  89,482   12.1%
Consumer     %     %  826   0.1%
Total loans held for investment $1,225,376   100.0% $783,487   100.0% $741,713   100.0%
Allowance for loan losses  (10,656)      (10,376)      (10,497)    
Total loans held for investment, net $1,214,720      $773,111      $731,216     

  September 30, 2018  June 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
  (in thousands) 
Gross loans (1) $1,239,442  $787,175  $745,887 
Unamortized net discounts(2)  (13,906)  (3,264)  (3,774)
Net unamortized deferred origination fees  (160)  (424)  (400)
Total loans held for investment $1,225,376  $783,487  $741,713 

 (1)Gross loans includes purchased credit impaired loans with a net carrying value of $3.0 million, or 0.24% of gross loans.
   
 (2)Unamortized net discounts includes discounts related to the retained portion of SBA loans and net discounts on acquired loans. At September 30, 2018 net discounts related to acquired loans totaled $11.3 million of which $10.9 million was associated with loans acquired in the PCB acquisition and expected to be accreted into interest income over a weighted average life of 6.0 years.

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

Allowance for Loan losses

  For the three months ended  For the nine months ended 
  September 30,
2018
  June 30,
2018
  September 30,
2017
  September 30,
2018
  September 30,
2017
 
  (in thousands) 
Balance, beginning of period $10,376  $10,010  $11,333  $10,497  $11,599 
Provision for loan losses  600   320   1,000   1,120   1,000 
Charge-offs  (358)  (21)  (1,548)  (1,133)  (1,814)
Recoveries  38   67   18   172   18 
Net (charge-offs) recoveries  (320)  46   (1,530)  (961)  (1,796)
Balance, end of period $10,656  $10,376  $10,803  $10,656  $10,803 
                     
Annualized net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans  (0.12)%  0.02%  (0.80)%  (0.14)%  (0.33)%

Credit Quality (1)

  September 30, 2018  June 30, 2018  December 31, 2017 
  (in thousands) 
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more $  $  $ 
Non-accrual loans  561   910    
Troubled debt restructurings on non-accrual  648   668   1,834 
Total nonperforming loans  1,209   1,578   1,834 
Foreclosed assets         
Total nonperforming assets $1,209  $1,578  $1,834 
Troubled debt restructurings - on accrual $339  $363  $ 
             
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans held for investment  0.20%  0.20%  0.25%
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total assets  0.16%  0.16%  0.20%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans held for investment  0.87%  1.32%  1.42%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans  881.39%  657.54%  572.36%
Accruing loans held for investment past due 30 - 89 days $5,398  $  $1,079 

(1) Excludes purchased credit impaired loans.

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

The following table represents the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of PCB, as of July 31, 2018.

  Fair Value 
  (in thousands) 
Assets acquired:    
Cash and cash equivalents $111,035 
Loans  399,822 
Investment in restricted stock, at cost  4,536 
Premises and equipment  719 
Servicing assets  1,054 
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance  4,712 
Deferred taxes  4,612 
Core deposit intangible  6,908 
Accrued interest receivable and other assets  3,099 
Total assets acquired $536,497 
     
Liabilities assumed:    
Deposits $474,925 
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities  1,724 
Total liabilities assumed  476,649 
Net assets acquired $59,848 
     
Purchase consideration:    
Fair value of shares of First Choice issued in the merger $125,902 
Fair value of equity awards exchanged  7,371 
Total purchase consideration  133,273 
Goodwill recognized $73,425 

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial disclosures for: (1) efficiency ratio, (2) return on average tangible equity, (3) tangible common equity ratio, and (4) tangible book value per share. The Company believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures assists investors in evaluating our financial results. In particular, the use of return on average tangible equity, tangible common equity ratio, and tangible book value per share is prevalent among banking regulators, investors and analysts. These non-GAAP measures should be taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and should not be considered a substitute of the GAAP measures.

The tables below present the reconciliations of these GAAP financial measures to the related non-GAAP financial measures:

  For the three months ended  For the nine months ended 
  September 30,  June 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2018  2018  2017  2018  2017 
  (in thousands) 
Efficiency Ratio                    
Noninterest expense (numerator) $12,365  $6,317  $6,174  $25,359  $17,254 
Less: merger, integration and public company registration costs  3,797   356      4,527    
Noninterest expense without merger, integration and public company registration costs(numerator) $8,568  $5,961  $6,174  $20,832  $17,254 
                     
Net interest income $15,796  $10,819  $9,150  $36,166  $24,971 
Plus: Noninterest income  705   779   1,433   2,047   4,126 
Total net interest income and noninterest income (denominator) $16,501  $11,598  $10,583  $38,213  $29,097 
Efficiency ratio  74.93%  54.47%  58.34%  66.36%  59.30%
Efficiency ratio without merger, integration and public company registration costs  51.92%  51.40%  58.34%  54.52%  59.30%
                     
Return on Average Tangible Equity                    
Net earnings $2,604  $3,435  $1,991  $8,417  $6,399 
                     
Average shareholders’ equity $199,270  $109,813  $106,442  $139,163  $105,027 
Less: Average intangible assets  53,078         17,887    
Average tangible common equity $146,192  $109,813  $106,442  $121,276  $105,027 
                     
Return on average equity  5.23%  12.51%  7.48%  8.06%  8.12%
Return on average tangible equity  7.12%  12.51%  7.48%  9.25%  8.12%

First Choice Bancorp and Subsidiary

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (continued)

Tangible Common Equity Ratio/ September 30,  June 30,  March 31,  December 31, 
Tangible Book Value Per Share 2018  2018  2018  2017 
  dollars in thousands, except per share amounts 
Shareholders’ equity $243,377  $108,819  $106,481  $105,694 
Less: Intangible assets  80,200          
Tangible common equity $163,177  $108,819  $106,481  $105,694 
                 
Total assets $1,587,356  $962,686  $947,676  $903,795 
Less: Intangible assets  80,200          
Tangible assets $1,507,156  $962,686  $947,676  $903,795 
                 
Equity to assets ratio  15.33%  11.30%  11.24%  11.69%
Tangible common equity ratio  10.83%  11.30%  11.24%  11.69%
                 
Book value per share $20.76  $15.00  $14.68  $14.56 
Tangible book value per share $13.92  $15.00  $14.68  $14.56 
Shares outstanding  11,720,551   7,253,787   7,251,584   7,260,119 

Contacts

First Choice Bancorp
Robert M. Franko, 562.345.9241
President & Chief Executive Officer
or
Lynn M. Hopkins, 562.263.8327
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer