The allowance for loan losses increased by $861,000, or 8% to $13.4 million, or 0.99% of total loans at September 30, 2020, compared to $12.5 million, or 0.96% at June 30, 2020 and $10.4 million, or 1.12% of total loans at September 30, 2019. The increase in the allowance percentage in the quarter ended September 30, 2020 compared to June 30, 2020 reflects continued build in qualitative reserves in response to general macroeconomic impacts related to COVID-19. The decrease in the allowance percentage compared to September 30, 2019 reflects the impact of PPP loans, which are guaranteed by the SBA. Excluding PPP loans, the allowance was 1.35% at September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
“Given our conservatively underwritten portfolio and minimal exposure to industries most significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing generally stable trends in asset quality,” said Thomas A. Sa, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of California BanCorp. “During the third quarter, we saw a decline in non-performing loans and almost all of our deferred loans returned to a regular payment schedule. We continue to be well reserved, and following the issuance of $20 million in subordinated debt, we have further strengthened our capital position and we are well positioned to manage through the continued uncertainty resulting from the pandemic.”
Net Interest Income and Margin – three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019.
Net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 was $11.2 million, an increase of $403,000 or 4%, over $10.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, and an increase of $755,000, or 7%, over $10.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The increase in net interest income compared to the prior quarter of 2020 was primarily attributable to an increase in interest income as the result of growth in earning assets, offset by lower yields on earning assets. Compared to the third quarter of 2019, the increase resulted from growth in earning assets and amortization of fees received on PPP loans offset, in part, by decline in short-term interest rates and higher liquidity.
Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $32.2 million, an increase of $1.8 million or 6% over $30.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase in net interest income compared to the first nine months of 2019 was primarily attributable to an increase in interest income as the result of amortization of loan fees collected on PPP loans, and an increase in the volume of average earning assets offset by lower yields on earning assets resulting from a decline in short-term interest rates and higher liquidity.
The Company’s net interest margin for the quarter was 2.41% compared to 2.59% for the prior quarter in 2020 and 4.19% for the same period in 2019. The decrease in margin compared to the prior quarter and the same period last year was primarily the result of the impact of PPP loans funded in addition to a decrease in short-term interest rates.
Non-Interest Income – three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019.
The Company’s non-interest income for the quarters ended September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019 was $1.0 million, $777,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. The increase in noninterest income related to the prior quarter was primarily due to an increase in loan related fees. The decrease in noninterest income compared to the third quarter of 2019 primarily related to a decrease in gains on loan sales.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, non-interest income of $3.1 million was flat to $3.1 million for the first nine months of 2019.
Non-Interest Expense – three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019.
The Company’s non-interest expense for the quarters ended September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019 was $10.5 million, $6.4 million, and $8.4 million, respectively.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2020 non-interest expense increased $4.1 million compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and $2.1 million compared to the second quarter of 2019. These increases were primarily due to deferred loan origination costs as described in the discussion of “Impact of and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”. Excluding the impact of deferred loan origination costs, non-interest expense increased $294,000 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and $2.2 million compared to the third quarter of 2019. The increase compared to the second quarter was primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits, facilities and equipment, offset by a decrease in professional fees. Compared to the third quarter of 2019 the increase was primarily due to legal and professional fees associated with public company readiness and FDICIA implementation, and an increase in salaries and benefits related to hiring to support strategic expansion.
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