San Jose, CA - February 13, 2006 — Heritage Commerce Corp (Nasdaq: HTBK), parent company of Heritage Bank of Commerce, today reported record results for 2005, reflecting improved operating efficiencies and an increase in net interest margin. Net income increased 70% to $14.4 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, compared to $8.5 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2004. Fourth quarter net income rose 61% to $4.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, from $2.6 million, or $0.23 per diluted share for the same period in 2004.
The returns on average assets and average equity for 2005 were 1.27% and 13.73%, respectively, compared to returns of 0.80% and 9.04%, respectively, for 2004. Annualized returns on average assets and average equity for the fourth quarter of 2005 were 1.46% and 15.41%, respectively, compared with returns of 0.95% and 10.76%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2004.
“Our focus in the first part of 2005 was to streamline operations and improve efficiencies throughout the system. The success of those efforts is reflected in our results for the year,” said Walt Kaczmarek, Chief Executive Officer. “In the second half of 2005, we recruited a number of highly experienced banking professionals to fill key management positions and strengthen our sales, marketing and operational leadership. In 2006, our focus will be to resume growth in loans and deposits.”
Financial Highlights:
4Q05 vs. 4Q04 and 3Q05
| · | Net interest margin increased to 4.82%, up 43 basis points from 4Q04 and up 22 basis points from 3Q05. |
| · | Net interest income increased to $12.8 million, a 14% increase from 4Q04 and up 5% from 3Q05. |
| · | The efficiency ratio improved to 57.04% from 80.85% in 4Q04 and 58.78% in 3Q05. |
| · | Diluted earnings per share of $0.35 were up 52% from 4Q04 and the same as 3Q05. |
2005 vs. 2004
| · | Net interest margin increased to 4.58%, up 36 basis points from 2004. |
| · | Diluted earnings per share of $1.19 were up 68% from 2004. |
| · | The efficiency ratio improved to 61.52% from 76.07% in 2004. |
| · | Returns on average assets and average equity increased to 1.27% and 13.73%, respectively, up 59% and 52% from 2004. |
Operating Results
Net interest income increased 17% to $47.8 million in 2005 from $41.0 million in 2004, as a result of an increase in average earning assets and increase in key market interest rates in 2005. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 14% to $12.8 million from $11.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. The net interest margin was 4.58% in 2005 compared with 4.22% in 2004. The net interest margin improved to 4.82% in the fourth quarter of 2005 from 4.39% in the fourth quarter of 2004.
Operating results for the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2005, continue to reflect the reclassifications of four revenue items. The net effect of these reclassifications reduced net interest income, increased noninterest income, decreased noninterest expense, and reduced net interest margin from results originally reported. The effects of the reclassified items are as follows:
Item Reclassified | Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2004 | Year Ended December 31, 2004 | Original Classification | New Classification |
Loan Origination Cost Amortization | $ 382,000 | $ 1,422,000 | Noninterest Expense | Interest Income |
| Service Fees | $ 236,000 | $ 944,000 | Interest Income | Noninterest Income |
| Servicing Rights Amortization | $ 250,000 | $ 827,000 | Interest Income | Noninterest Income |
| Late Charges on Loans | $ 59,000 | $ 193,000 | Interest Income | Noninterest Income |
Fourth quarter noninterest income declined from a year earlier with lower deposit-based fee income, reduced gains from sale of loans, and lower equipment leasing income, partially offset by higher servicing income and an increase in cash surrender value of life insurance. Fourth quarter noninterest income was $2.20 million, down 8%, when compared to $2.40 million for the fourth quarter of 2004, down 1%, when compared to $2.22 million for the third quarter of 2005. The sale of leased equipment earlier this year resulted in no equipment leasing income for the fourth quarter of 2005.
Reflecting the successful cost control measures implemented during the year, the efficiency ratio improved to 57.04% in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to 80.85% in the fourth quarter of 2004 and 58.78% in the third quarter of 2005. In 2005, the efficiency ratio improved to 61.52% from 76.07% a year ago.
In 2005, noninterest income decreased 11% to $9.4 million from $10.5 million a year ago. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower gains from sales of securities, the elimination of equipment leasing and the closure of the mortgage brokerage division.
Fourth quarter noninterest expense declined 22% to $8.6 million compared to $11.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2004 and increased 1% compared to third quarter of 2005. In 2005, noninterest expense declined 10% to $35.2 million from $39.2 million a year ago. Compensation expense increased 6% and 5%, respectively, from the fourth quarter a year ago and the third quarter of 2005. Compensation expense declined 2% in 2005 compared to 2004.
In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company recognized additional expenses of $1.05 million, representing the present value of term insurance for participants in the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, substantially all of whom have split dollar life insurance agreements with the Company. Typically, under the split dollar life insurance agreements, the insureds’ beneficiary receives 80% of the excess of the death benefit over the cash surrender value of the policy. This accounting adjustment was undertaken after the Company’s review of split dollar life insurance agreements and recognition that the Company has contractually agreed with each participant to provide life insurance on an ongoing basis without interruption. In order to replace this coverage, the Company would have to obtain term insurance for the remainder of the insureds’ expected lives, if the Company ever terminated its company owned life insurance. This one-time charge reflects the term insurance cost for all insureds.
The Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”), whose mission is to assist the Financial Accounting Standards Board by providing accounting guidance on issues where there is diversity in practice and/or differing views about the application of generally accepted accounting principles, has added split dollar life insurance arrangements to its agenda for 2006. The EITF is expected to arrive at a consensus and issue more accounting guidance on this matter during 2006, which may require implementation of new accounting guidance for split dollar life insurance agreements.
Balance Sheet, Capital Management and Credit Quality
At December 31, 2005, total assets increased 2% to $1.13 billion from $1.11 billion at December 31, 2004. Total deposits increased 2% to $940 million at December 31, 2005 from $919 million at December 31, 2004.
“Last week, we announced the sale of the Capital Group loan portfolio for approximately $30 million which will result in a first quarter 2006 gain on sale of approximately $670,000.” said Mr. Kaczmarek. The portfolio consisted primarily of "factoring" type loans. In the fourth quarter of 2005, there were $32 million of these types of loans, net of loan loss reserve, which were moved from commercial loans into loans held-for-sale. Primarily as a result of this reclassification, gross loans decreased 5% to $688 million at December 31, 2005, compared to $725 million at December 31, 2004. Land and construction loans accounted for 22% of the portfolio, while real estate mortgage loans and commercial loans represented 41% and 37%, respectively, of loans at December 31, 2005. A year ago, land and construction loans were 16%, real estate mortgage loans were 42% and commercial loans were 41% of the total loan portfolio. Real estate mortgage loans, primarily loans secured by the first mortgages on commercial property, totaled $279 million at December 31, 2005, an 8% decrease from the same period in 2004 while land and construction loans totaled $150 million at December 31, 2005, a 27% increase.
Nonperforming assets (NPAs) totaled $3.7 million, or 0.32% of total assets at December 31, 2005, compared to $1.3 million, or 0.12% of total assets, at December 31, 2004, and $2.7 million, or 0.23% of total assets, at September 30, 2005. Net charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2005 were $176,000, or 0.10% of average loans, compared to net recoveries of $531,000 and $130,000, respectively, or 0.29% and 0.07%, of average loans in the fourth quarter of 2004 and the third quarter of 2005. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2005, was $10.2 million, or 1.48% of total loans, and represented 278% of nonperforming loans. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2004, was $12.5 million, or 1.72% of total loans, and represented 940% of nonperforming loans. The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2005, was $11.1 million, or 1.51% of total loans, and represented 409% of nonperforming loans.
Shareholders’ equity increased 13% to $112 million, or $9.45 book value per share, at December 31, 2005, compared to $99 million, or $8.45 book value per share, a year earlier, and $107 million, or $9.09 book value per share at September 30, 2005. Capital ratios continue to be above the well-capitalized guidelines established by regulatory agencies. The Company’s leverage ratio at December 31, 2005, was 11.55%, compared to 10.87% at December 31, 2004 and 11.23% at September 30, 2005.
Heritage Commerce Corp, a bank holding company established in February 1998, is the parent company of Heritage Bank of Commerce, established in 1994 and headquartered in San Jose with offices in Los Gatos, Fremont, Danville, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Mountain View, and Los Altos. Heritage Bank of Commerce is also an SBA Preferred Lender, operating from offices in San Jose, Fresno, Santa Cruz, Elk Grove, Watsonville and Pittsburg, California.
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