NARBERTH, PA--(Marketwired - Oct 22, 2014) - Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc. ("Company") (NASDAQ: RBPAA), parent company of Royal Bank America ("Royal Bank"), is pleased to report net income of $1.4 million, or earnings attributable to the Company of $0.05 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2014 compared to net income of $342,000, or a loss attributable to the Company of $0.01 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company earned net income of $4.3 million, or earnings attributable to the Company of $0.15 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $343,000, or a loss attributable to the Company of $0.14 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2013.

Third quarter financial highlights include:

• Net income improved $1.1 million from the comparable 2013 period.
• Net interest margin grew 31 basis points from the comparable period in 2013.
• Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.78% and 9.67%, respectively.
• Net interest income increased 10% from the comparable 2013 period.
• Non-interest expenses declined 15% from the equivalent period in 2013.
• Loan growth was 5% from June 30, 2014.

Financial highlights for the first nine months of 2014 include:

• Net income improved $4.6 million from the comparable 2013 period.
• Net interest margin grew 39 basis points from the comparable period in 2013.
• Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.78% and 10.60%, respectively.
• Net interest income increased 13% from the comparable 2013 period.
• Non-interest expenses declined 21% from the equivalent period in 2013.
• Loan growth was 8% from December 31, 2013.

Financial results reflect continued evolvement in core business

The Company's Chief Executive Officer Kevin Tylus noted, "The announcement today of our third quarter results demonstrates the commitment and focus of Royal Bank in creating sustainable growth and continued improvement in our financial results. Loan growth, cost control discipline, and progress in overall asset quality have contributed to core earnings growth. We are experiencing success in expanding our commercial and retail relationships, while promoting our new brand through redesigned products and modern technology. Also, we are pleased that the additional common equity raised through the shareholder rights offering improved tangible common equity."

The $1.1 million quarterly improvement was mainly related to the following items:

• Net interest income grew $498,000, or 10%.
• Due to the improvement in overall credit quality, the Company was able to record a credit for loan and lease losses of $51,000 compared to a provision for loan and lease losses of $218,000 for the comparable period in 2013.
• Other real estate owned ("OREO") expenses and impairment decreased $690,000, or 82%.
• Problem loan expenses declined $60,000, or 46%.
• The 2014 third quarter included $238,000 in net gains on the sale of investment securities.

The $4.6 million improvement for the first nine months of 2014 from the same period in 2013 was mainly related to the following items:

• Net interest income grew $1.9 million, or 13%.
• The credit for loan and lease losses improved $569,000 (from a credit of $196,000 to a credit of $765,000) due to the continued positive progress in loan credit quality.
• Salaries and benefits declined $493,000, or 6%.
• OREO expenses and impairment fell $849,000, or 49%.
• Professional and legal fees dropped $475,000, or 23%.
• Problem loan expenses declined $334,000, or 60%.
• The first nine months of 2013 included a legal settlement expense related to a tax lien subsidiary, of which the Company's share was $990,000 and $230,000 in restructuring charges.

Partially offsetting these noteworthy items for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were reductions of $419,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, in gains on the sale of premises and equipment and decreases of $456,000 and $576,000, respectively, in net gains on the sale of OREO. The Company's leasing subsidiary again contributed positively to the quarterly and year-to-date financial results.

Loans and leases held for investment at September 30, 2014 totaled $397.2 million compared to $366.5 million at December 31, 2013. The 8% net loan growth of $30.7 million was achieved notwithstanding an approximate $28.7 million decline in classified loans due to payoffs and pay downs, including payoffs of out of market loans. The commercial loan pipeline continues to strengthen. Investment securities available for sale decreased $43.3 million while total cash and cash equivalents grew $5.1 million from the levels at December 31, 2013. While deposits declined $13.2 million from $529.0 million at December 31, 2013, the deposit composition improved. Total checking and savings accounts increased $5.4 million while money market accounts and certificates of deposit declined $18.6 million. Total borrowings decreased $10.3 million since December 31, 2013. Shareholders' equity increased $14.7 million as a result of the $6.0 million completion of the shareholder rights offering, a $4.3 million recovery in the accumulated other comprehensive loss, and the 2014 year-to-date net income.

Net Interest Margin

For the third quarter of 2014, the net interest margin of 3.25% grew 31 basis points from the equivalent quarter in 2013. Net interest income increased $498,000 and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, from their comparable periods in 2013. The quarterly and yearly increase in net interest income was primarily attributed to an increase in the interest income earned on investments, improvement in the mix of earning assets and a reduction in interest expense. Quarter over quarter average interest-bearing deposits declined $6.0 million and included a $12.0 million reduction in higher-cost time deposits partially offset by a $4.5 million increase in NOW and money market accounts. Average non-interest bearing demand deposits grew $4.7 million. While average interest-earning assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 decreased $5.9 million from the comparable quarter in 2013, the average yield on such assets increased 17 basis points. Average loans increased $12.6 million and average investments decreased $24.6 million. Average interest-earning cash increased $6.1 million in anticipation of future loan fundings. For the third quarter of 2014, the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 1.12% compared to 1.26% for the 2013 comparable quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 the net interest margin was 3.25% compared to 2.86% for the same period in 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 average interest-earning assets declined $5.7 million from the same period in 2013; however, the average yield on such assets grew 25 basis points. Period over period average loans increased $10.4 million while average cash and investments declined $3.1 million and $13.0 million, respectively, primarily to fund the growth in loans. Despite the decline in average investments, the average yield on such investments grew 74 basis points. This increase in the investment average yield resulted from a decrease in premium amortization due to a reduction in principal prepayments. Period over period the average interest rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities declined 16 basis points.

Asset quality trends

Nonperforming loans were $10.8 million, $10.2 million and $13.5 million at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, and the ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans was 2.7%, 2.8%, and 3.6% for the same periods. Asset quality trends led to a reduction in credit quality expenses, which include OREO and loan collection expenses, of $750,000 in the third quarter of 2014 when compared to the third quarter of 2013 and a reduction of $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 from the comparable period in 2013. Additionally for the first nine months of 2014, the credit for loan and lease losses increased $569,000 from a credit of $196,000 for the first nine months of 2013 to a credit of $765,000. During 2014, classified and impaired loans declined nearly $29.1 million due to pay downs, payoffs and upgrades. Non-performing assets were $20.4 million, $19.8 million and $27.4 million at September 30, 2014, December 31, 2013, and September 30, 2013, respectively.

Shareholder rights offering completed

In August, the Company successfully completed a shareholder rights offering that was over-subscribed by nearly three times in the oversubscription portion of the offering. The Company issued approximately 5,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock in the offering and received gross proceeds from the offering of approximately $6.0 million, which improved tangible common equity.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc., headquartered in Narberth, Pennsylvania, is the parent company of Royal Bank America, which for the past 50 years has played a lead role in the growth and development of our region by empowering small businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals to achieve their financial goals and enrich our communities. More information on Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc., Royal Bank America and its subsidiaries can be found at www.royalbankamerica.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The foregoing material may contain forward-looking statements. We caution that such statements may be subject to a number of uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially; therefore, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc. does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. For a discussion of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from the results discussed in any such forward-looking statements, see the filings made by Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report -- Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

ROYAL BANCSHARES OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.
CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENTS
(unaudited, dollars in thousands, except per share data)

			Three months								Nine months
			ended September 30th								ended September 30th
			2014				2013				2014				2013
Interest income			$	7,191			$	6,960			$	21,551			$	20,455
Interest expense				1,623				1,890				4,870				5,667
Net Interest Income				5,568				5,070				16,681				14,788
(Credit) provision for loan and lease losses				(51	)			218				(765	)			(196	)
Net interest income after provision				5,619				4,852				17,446				14,984
Non-interest income				1,204				1,937				2,792				4,306
Non-interest expense				5,375				6,290				15,728				19,997
Income (loss) before taxes				1,448				499				4,510				(707	)
Income taxes				-				-				-				-
Net Income (Loss)				1,448				499				4,510				(707	)
Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest				25				157				212				(364	)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Royal Bancshares			$	1,423			$	342			$	4,298			$	(343	)
	Less Preferred stock Series A accumulated dividend and accretion		$	152			$	520			$	1,644			$	1,553
Net income (loss) to common shareholders			$	1,271			$	(178	)		$	2,654			$	(1,896	)
Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic and Diluted			$	0.05			$	(0.01	)		$	0.15			$	(0.14	)

SELECTED RATIOS:

		Three months								Nine months
		ended September 30th								ended September 30th
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Return on Average Assets			0.78	%			0.18	%			0.78	%			-0.06	%
Return on Average Equity			9.67	%			2.60	%			10.60	%			-0.82	%
Average Equity to Assets			8.06	%			7.09	%			7.40	%			7.49	%
Book Value Per Share		$	1.45			$	1.38			$	1.45			$	1.38
		At				At
		September 30,				December 31,
Capital ratios (US GAAP):		2014				2013
Royal Bank Tier I Leverage			10.4	%			9.8	%
Royal Bank Total Risk Based Capital			16.6	%			16.6	%
Company Tier I Leverage			11.8	%			9.9	%
Company Total Risk Based Capital			19.4	%			18.2	%

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands)

				At September 30, 2014				At December 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents				$	21,933			$	16,844
Investment securities, at fair value					265,390				308,727
Other investment, at cost					2,250				2,250
Federal Home Loan Bank stock					3,678				4,204
Loans and leases held for sale					1,018				1,446
Loans and leases
	Commercial real estate				181,415				160,030
	Construction and land development				41,676				45,261
	Commercial and industrial				70,743				79,589
	Residential real estate				44,261				25,535
	Leases				48,588				42,524
	Tax certificates				8,230				12,716
	Consumer				2,263				826
Loans and leases					397,176				366,481
Allowance for loan and lease losses					(11,482	)			(13,671	)
Loans and leases (net)					385,694				352,810
Premises and equipment (net)					4,803				4,475
Other real estate owned (net)					9,593				9,617
Accrued interest receivable					5,554				7,054
Other assets					23,556				24,827
		Total Assets		$	723,469			$	732,254
Deposits				$	515,786			$	528,964
Borrowings					97,540				107,881
Other liabilities					21,836				21,830
Subordinated debentures					25,774				25,774
Royal Bancshares shareholders' equity					62,258				47,534
Noncontrolling interest					275				271
		Total Equity			62,533				47,805
		Total Liabilities and Equity		$	723,469			$	732,254

NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN
(unaudited, in thousands except percentages)

				For the three months ended									For the three months ended
				September 30, 2014									September 30, 2013
				Average Balance			Interest			Yield			Average Balance			Interest			Yield
Cash equivalents				$	12,152		$	6		0.20	%		$	6,072		$	6		0.39	%
Investment securities					280,579			1,734		2.45	%			305,152			1,528		1.99	%
Loans					386,308			5,451		5.60	%			373,722			5,426		5.76	%
Total interest-earning assets					679,039			7,191		4.20	%			684,946			6,960		4.03	%
Non-interest earning assets					45,335									52,532
		Total average assets		$	724,374								$	737,478
Interest-bearing deposits
	NOW and money markets			$	207,731		$	161		0.31	%		$	203,189		$	149		0.29	%
	Savings				19,449			8		0.16	%			17,958			9		0.20	%
	Time deposits				225,679			731		1.29	%			237,689			825		1.38	%
Total interest-bearing deposits					452,859			900		0.79	%			458,836			983		0.85	%
Borrowings					123,743			723		2.32	%			134,186			907		2.68	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities					576,602			1,623		1.12	%			593,022			1,890		1.26	%
Non-interest bearing deposits					66,251									61,513
Other liabilities					23,150									30,669
Shareholders' equity					58,371									52,274
		Total average liabilities and equity		$	724,374								$	737,478
		Net interest margin					$	5,568		3.25	%					$	5,070		2.94	%
				For the nine months ended									For the nine months ended
				September 30, 2014									September 30, 2013
				Average Balance			Interest			Yield			Average Balance			Interest			Yield
Cash equivalents				$	8,964		$	16		0.24	%		$	12,083		$	21		0.23	%
Investment securities					303,485			5,610		2.47	%			316,474			4,103		1.73	%
Loans					374,270			15,925		5.69	%			363,909			16,331		6.00	%
Total interest-earning assets					686,719			21,551		4.20	%			692,466			20,455		3.95	%
Non-interest earning assets					46,165									55,782
		Total average assets		$	732,884								$	748,248
Interest-bearing deposits
	NOW and money markets			$	209,772		$	494		0.31	%		$	211,529		$	464		0.29	%
	Savings				18,620			24		0.17	%			17,911			28		0.21	%
	Time deposits				230,688			2,194		1.27	%			239,460			2,569		1.43	%
Total interest-bearing deposits					459,080			2,712		0.79	%			468,900			3,061		0.87	%
Borrowings					130,452			2,158		2.21	%			134,068			2,606		2.60	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities					589,532			4,870		1.10	%			602,968			5,667		1.26	%
Non-interest bearing deposits					64,832									59,595
Other liabilities					24,316									29,579
Shareholders' equity					54,204									56,106
		Total average liabilities and equity		$	732,884								$	748,248
		Net interest margin					$	16,681		3.25	%					$	14,788		2.86	%