Hanmi Financial Earns $8.0 Million, or $0.05 per Share in 2Q11; Continues Profitability for Third Consecutive Quarter

LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hanmi Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:HAFC), the holding company for Hanmi Bank, today reported it earned $8.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2011. These results include a $2.2 million non-recurring expense related to its unconsummated capital raising efforts which involve Woori Finance Holdings, Ltd. and a planned equity offering that it declined to complete. Hanmi's performance marks the third consecutive profitable quarter following the $10.4 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, earned in the first quarter of 2011 and $5.3 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, earned in the fourth quarter of 2010. In the first six months of 2011, Hanmi earned $18.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $78.7 million, or $1.54 per share in the first six months of 2010.

"Our second quarter further established the recovery of our core franchise with continued profitability and solid investor interest in the equity offering we previously initiated," said Jay S. Yoo, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Although the offering was fully subscribed, with excess demand, our Board of Directors was not satisfied with the pricing offered and did not believe it to be in the best interest of our shareholders to complete the offering at that time. Our capital ratios, including the Bank's tangible equity ratio, exceed all regulatory requirements, and our continuing profitability and the gradual improvement of our asset quality give us the flexibility to wait for more favorable market conditions."

Second Quarter and First Half 2011 Highlights (at or for the period ended June 30, 2011)

• Hanmi's second quarter net income of $8.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, was the third consecutive quarterly profit and brought earnings for the first half of 2011 to $18.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. These results include a one-time $2.2 million expense related to unconsummated capital raising efforts.
• Non-performing assets (NPAs) declined 40% year-over-year to $159.8 million, or 5.90% of total assets, from $266.2 million, or 9.13% of total assets in the second quarter of 2010. NPAs increased by $5.5 million from the immediately preceding quarter. The ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs) current on payments to total NPLs was 48.6% compared to 35.2% at March 31, 2011, and 23.9% at June 30, 2010.
• Delinquent loans in accrual status, which are 30 to 89 days past due, were $15.6 million, down from $20.7 million in the preceding quarter and down from $21.7 million a year ago, reflecting the positive trend of lesser loans migrating to delinquent status.
• There was no provision for credit losses recorded during the second quarter and first-half of 2011. Improving credit quality of the loan portfolio and reductions in net charge-offs allowed for the reduction of the allowance for loan losses this quarter. Total net charge-offs declined to $16.5 million in the second quarter of 2011 from $21.6 million in the first quarter of 2011, and down from $38.9 million in the second quarter of 2010. For the first half of 2011, net charge-offs totaled $38.1 million, down from $65.3 million in the first six months of 2010.
• The ratio of the loan loss allowance to gross loans stood at 5.16%, compared to 7.05% a year ago.
• Total assets were $2.71 billion, a decline of $168.8 million, or 5.9%, on a sequential quarter basis.
• Due to the success of recent marketing initiatives together with a reinvigorated loan production, core deposits, which are total deposits less time deposits greater than $100,000, increased to $1.52 billion, up $66.3 million, or 4.6%, on a sequential quarter basis. Core deposits as of June 30, 2011, increased by $61.4 million when compared to the prior year period. Total deposits decreased slightly by $32.6 million, or 1.3%, to $2.40 billion during the second quarter from $2.43 billion for the preceding quarter.
• Net interest margin (NIM) was 3.65% in the second quarter of 2011, down 1 basis point from 3.66% in the preceding quarter and up 9 basis points from 3.56% in the second quarter of 2010. Year-to-date NIM was up 4 basis points to 3.66% from 3.62% in the first six months of 2010.
• The Bank's tangible equity to tangible assets and total risk-based capital to assets were at 10.33% and 14.02%, respectively, at June 30, 2011.

Capital Management

At June 30, 2011, the Bank's total risk-based capital ratio was 14.02% compared to 13.00% at March 31, 2011, and 7.35% at June 30, 2010. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio at June 30, 2011, was 12.72% compared to 11.70% at March 31, 2011, and 6.02% at June 30, 2010. Tier 1 leverage ratio at June 30, 2011, was 9.70% compared to 9.08% at March 31, 2011, and 4.99% at June 30, 2010. The Bank's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio at June 30, 2011, was 10.33% compared to 9.10% at March 31, 2011, and 5.20% at June 30, 2010. All of the Bank's capital ratios were above the minimum regulatory standards for being considered to be "well-capitalized" for regulatory purposes. The Bank's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio at June 30, 2011, now exceeds the 9.5% requirement set forth in the Final Order issued to Hanmi Bank by the California Department of Financial Institutions.

Asset Quality

NPLs increased to $158.5 million at June 30, 2011, up 4.5% from $151.7 million at March 31, 2011, and are down 34.5% from $242.1 million at June 30, 2010. Of the total NPLs, non-performers current on payments were $76.9 million, or 48.6% compared to $53.4 million or 35.2% at March 31, 2011, and $57.8 million or 23.9% at June 30, 2010. In addition, $22.6 million, or 14.3% of the total NPLs, were recorded at the lower of cost or fair value as they were classified as held for sale. Out of the total NPLs, $13.4 million is guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the State of California.

The following table shows NPLs by loan category:

"While NPLs did not decline as anticipated in the second quarter, our top priority is to work down NPLs through proactive note sales and to move delinquent loans through the collection process," said J.H. Son, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. "The market conditions for note sales were temporarily softened in the second quarter. Consequently, we did not meet our target NPL sales in the quarter. With expectations that the NPL market will improve in the coming quarters, we plan to pursue a more intense note sales strategy."

Sale of OREO continued during the second quarter of 2011, with five properties valued at $2.4 million sold for net proceeds of $1.8 million, resulting in a $462,000 net loss. In the first half of 2011, Hanmi sold eight properties valued at $4.4 million for net proceeds of $3.6 million resulting in a net loss of $681,000. OREO totaled $1.3 million at June 30, 2011, down from $2.6 million at March 31, 2011, and down from $24.1 million at June 30, 2010.

"The number and severity of loans that are just beginning to show stress, specifically those less than 90 days delinquent, continues to decline," Son said. Delinquent loans on accrual status, which are not included in total NPLs, decreased to $15.6 million, or 0.74% of gross loans at June 30, 2011, down from $20.7 million, or 0.95% of gross loans at March 31, 2011.

The following table shows delinquent loans on accrual status by loan category: 

The following table shows Hanmi's credit quality trends since the second quarter of 2007: 

One of the factors that have contributed to the improvement of asset quality is the on-going program for loan sales. During the second quarter of 2011, Hanmi sold 21 NPLs valued at $17.0 million for net proceeds of $17.6 million. In the first half of 2011, it sold 39 NPLs valued at $44.4 million with net proceeds of $45.5 million. At June 30, 2011, loans held for sale (LHFS) totaled $44.1 million, a reduction of $3.5 million, or 7.4%, from $47.6 million at March 31, 2011. For the first half of 2011, LHFS increased by $7.2 million, or 30.1%, from $36.6 million to $44.1 million, reflecting efforts to improve asset quality through the disposition of problem assets. 

The following table presents the details of loans held for sale:

At June 30, 2011, the allowance for loan losses was $109.0 million or 5.16% of gross loans. The ratio of loan loss reserves to loans peaked in September of 2010 at 7.35%, and has steadily declined over the past few quarters as credit metrics improved. The ratio of loan loss allowance to non-performing loans at June 30, 2011, was down to 69% from 73% at June 30, 2010. Second quarter charge-offs, net of recoveries, were $16.5 million, compared to $21.6 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $38.9 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Hanmi did not record a provision for credit losses due to the overall improvement in credit quality and existing high levels of reserves. Of the total $109.0 million of reserves, $250,000 was allocated to cover off-balance sheet items bringing the off-balance sheet reserve total to $2.4 million. The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $37.5 million and $95.5 million in the second quarter and first half of 2010, respectively.  With the improvement in overall credit metrics, provision expense in relations to loans has been minimal for the past two quarters. This assessment also takes into account many factors, including net loan charge-offs, non-accrual loans, specific reserves, risk-rating migration and changes in the portfolio composition and size.

Balance Sheet

Total assets decreased to $2.71 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2011, down 5.9% from $2.88 billion at March 31, 2011, and down 7.0% from $2.91 billion at June 30, 2010. The second quarter decrease in total assets was attributable to reductions in both investment securities and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings. The main proceeds from the called bonds of $102.2 million in low yield callable agencies and from the sale of $95.6 million in longer duration bonds were used to pay off the $150 million of FHLB advance that came due in June 2011.

Gross loans, net of deferred loan fees, were $2.11 billion at June 30, 2011, down 2.8% from $2.17 billion at March 31, 2011, and down 15.6% from $2.50 billion at June 30, 2010. Average gross loans, net of deferred loan fees, decreased to $2.14 billion for the second quarter of 2011, down 18.2% from $2.61 billion for the second quarter of 2010, and declined 4.3% from $2.23 billion for the first quarter of 2011. The slight decline in loan balance in the second quarter of 2011 reflects continued progress in reducing the number of problem loans, partially offset by new loans originated and a lower level of charge-offs made in the quarter. 

Average investment securities portfolio more than tripled to $497.1 million for the second quarter of 2011 from $158.5 million for the second quarter of 2010. However, the investment portfolio decreased $148.1 million, or 27.5%, to $391 million at June 30, 2011, from $539.2 million at March 31, 2011. The decline was the direct result of Hanmi's rate risk minimization strategy where longer-duration securities were sold and shorter-duration securities were purchased in anticipation of rising rates. The securities portfolio contains mostly high-quality short and mid-term investments that are selected to provide a relatively stable source of interest income, while maintaining sufficient liquidity. U.S. Government agency bonds, mortgage backed securities and securities collateralized by residential mortgages guaranteed by U.S. Government sponsored entities account for 90% of the securities portfolio. "To minimize interest rate risk, we will continue to invest at the short end of the yield curve," said Yoo. 

Including secured off-balance sheet lines of credit, total available liquidity to Hanmi was $951 million at June 30, 2011, representing 35.1% of total assets and 39.7% of total deposits.

Average deposits decreased by 1.3% to $2.43 billion for the second quarter of 2011 compared to $2.46 billion for the preceding quarter, and decreased 7.3% from $2.62 billion for the second quarter of 2010. The reduction in average deposits was almost entirely due to the successful strategy to reduce time deposits, particularly non-retail deposits, including brokered time deposits and funds raised from rate listing services. 

The improvement in the deposit mix which resulted from our new marketing campaign and renewed loan production efforts, contributed to lower interest costs.  "With our new marketing campaign and proactive loan production efforts, we have gotten off to a great start in rebuilding our core deposit base.  Core deposits now account for 49.9% of total deposits, up from, 44.2% a year ago, with many of our former customers now returning to bank with us," said Yoo.

Total deposits decreased by 1.3% from the preceding quarter and decreased 6.9% year-over-year. Both the quarterly and annual decline in total deposits was primarily due to reductions in time deposits over $100,000, including a $98.9 million, or 10.1% decrease for the second quarter and $238.1 million, or 21.3% decrease for the year. Total deposits were $2.40 billion at June 30, 2011, compared to $2.43 billion at March 31, 2011, and $2.58 billion at June 30, 2010. There are no brokered deposits in the deposit mix at quarter-end.

Results of Operations

Net interest income, before the provision for credit losses, totaled $25.5 million for the second quarter of 2011, and $51.6 million for the first six months of 2011, down 2.4% in the quarter and 3.8% year over year. Interest and dividend income was down 3.7% in the second quarter of 2011 while interest expense fell 8.0%. Year to date, interest and dividend income was down 10.4% and interest expense fell 27.6%.

The average yield on the loan portfolio improved 19 basis points to 5.49% in the second quarter of 2011 compared to 5.30% in the second quarter of 2010, and was down 12 basis points from 5.61% in the first quarter of 2011. The yield decline in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the preceding quarter was due to increases in interest reversals on non-accrual loans and decreases in recoveries on loans moving out of non-accrual status. The average yield on loans for the first six months of 2011 was up 21 basis points to 5.55% from 5.34% for the first six months of 2010.  

The cost of average interest-bearing deposits in the second quarter of 2011 was down 9 basis points to 1.35% from 1.44% in the preceding quarter and down 37 basis points from 1.72% in the second quarter of 2010. Year-to-date, the cost of deposits was down 40 basis points to 1.40% from 1.80% for the first six months of 2010. As a result, NIM of 3.65% was almost flat in the second quarter of 2011 compared to 3.66% in the first quarter of 2011, and was up 9 basis points from 3.56% in the second quarter of 2010. For the first six months of 2011, NIM was up 4 basis points to 3.66% from 3.62% for the first six months of 2010. 

Non-interest income in the second quarter of 2011 was $6.0 million, up 9.2% from $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2011, and down 9.9% from $6.7 million in the second quarter of 2010. For the first six months of 2011, non-interest income was down 15.8% to $11.5 million from $13.7 million for the first six months of 2010. The year-over-year decrease in non-interest income is due to decreases in service charges on deposit accounts and net gains on sales of loans and securities. Service charges on deposit accounts decreased to $6.4 million for the first half of 2011 compared to $7.3 million for the first half of 2010, reflecting a decrease in NSF service charges, due to better balance management by customers and regulatory reforms on these fees. For the first half of 2011, Hanmi recognized $2.9 million valuation adjustment on LHFS, the majority of which was offset by $2.5 million gains from the sales of LHFS. The net amount of $415,000 was recorded as net loss on sales of loans. For the first half of 2011, Hanmi posted a net loss on sales of investment securities of $70,000 compared to a gain of $105,000 in the first half of 2010. 

Non-interest expense in the second quarter of 2011 increased to $22.9 million, up 8.7% from $21.1 million in the preceding quarter and down 7.6% from $24.8 million in the second quarter of 2010. For the first six months of 2011, non-interest expense decreased 13.8% to $43.9 million from $51.0 million in the first six months of 2010. The notable year-over-year improvements were primarily attributable to lower OREO expenses, FDIC deposit insurance assessments and other regulatory costs. These savings were partially offset by the $2.2 million in expenses associated with the unconsummated capital raising efforts. 

Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (4:30 p.m. ET) to discuss these results. This call will also be broadcast live via the internet. Investment professionals and all current and prospective shareholders are invited to access the live call by dialing (857) 350-1684 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time, using access code HANMI. To listen to the call online, either live or archived, visit the Investor Relations page of Hanmi's website at www.hanmi.com. Shortly after the call concludes, the replay will also be available at (617) 801-6888, using access code #15398023 where it will be archived until August 11, 2011.

About Hanmi Financial Corporation

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Hanmi Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hanmi Financial Corporation, provides services to the multi-ethnic communities of California, with 27 full-service offices in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Diego counties, and a loan production office in Washington State. Hanmi Bank specializes in commercial, SBA and trade finance lending, and is a recognized community leader. Hanmi Bank's mission is to provide a full range of quality products and premier services to its customers and to maximize shareholder value. Additional information is available at www.hanmi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward –looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements about anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, business strategies, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, capital and financing needs and availability, plans and objectives of management for future operations, developments regarding our capital plans and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation and statements of assumption underlying any of the foregoing. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. These factors include the following: inability to continue as a going concern; inability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms or at all; failure to maintain adequate levels of capital and liquidity to support our operations; the effect of regulatory orders we have entered into and potential future supervisory action against us or Hanmi Bank; general economic and business conditions internationally, nationally and in those areas in which we operate; volatility and deterioration in the credit and equity markets; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; availability of capital from private and government sources; demographic changes; competition for loans and deposits and failure to attract or retain loans and deposits; fluctuations in interest rates and a decline in the level of our interest rate spread; risks of natural disasters related to our real estate portfolio; risks associated with Small Business Administration loans; failure to attract or retain key employees; changes in governmental regulation, including, but not limited to, any increase in FDIC insurance premiums; ability to receive regulatory approval for Hanmi Bank to declare dividends to Hanmi Financial; adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, credit quality and the effect of credit quality on our provision for credit losses and allowance for loan losses; changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers and the ability of our borrowers to perform under the terms of their loans and other terms of credit agreements; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions we may make; our ability to control expenses; and changes in securities markets. In addition, we set forth certain risks in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including, in particular Item 1A of our Form 10K for the year ended March 31, 2011, as well as current and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission hereafter, which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. We undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets Ratio

Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is supplemental financial information determined by a method other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This non-GAAP measure is used by management in the analysis of Hanmi Bank and Hanmi Financial's capital strength. Tangible equity is calculated by subtracting goodwill and other intangible assets from total stockholders' equity. Banking and financial institution regulators also exclude goodwill and other intangible assets from total stockholders' equity when assessing the capital adequacy of a financial institution. Management believes the presentation of this financial measure excluding the impact of these items provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the capital strength of Hanmi Bank and Hanmi Financial. This disclosure should not be viewed as a substitution for results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

The following table reconciles this non-GAAP performance measure to the GAAP performance measure for the periods indicated: