Exhibit 99.1
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| Unity Bancorp, Inc. |
| 64 Old Highway 22 |
| Clinton, NJ 08809 |
| 800 618-BANK |
| www.unitybank.com |
NewsNewsNewsNewsNews
For Immediate Release:
July 19, 2006
News Media & Financial Analyst Contact:
Alan Bedner, EVP
Chief Financial Officer
(908) 713-4308
Unity Bancorp Reports 7.2% increase in Second Quarter Earnings
Clinton, NJ - Unity Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNTY), parent company of Unity Bank, reported net income of $1.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, a 7.2% increase compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Return on average assets and average common equity for the second quarter of 2006 were 1.03% and 15.39%, respectively, as compared to 1.13% and 16.50%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2005.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, net income was $3.3 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, a 16.1% increase from the $2.8 million, or $0.42 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. Return on average assets and average common equity for the six months ended June 30, 2006, were 1.05% and 15.82%, respectively, as compared to 1.08% and 15.62%, respectively, for the prior year’s comparable period.
“We are pleased with operating results for the second quarter of 2006 and continue to remain optimistic about full year earnings for 2006,” said Unity President and Chief Executive Officer, James A. Hughes. “The Company continues to execute its long-term plan by building a high quality community banking organization. In July of 2006 the Company ranked 20th out of 200 publicly traded community banks in the country based on a three year average of return on equity, as published in USBANKER.”
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Net interest income was $6.0 million for the second quarter of 2006, a 14.6% increase compared to a year ago. The increase in net interest income was due primarily to an increase in interest-earning assets, partially offset by a decrease in net interest margin. Net interest margin was 3.99% for the second quarter of 2006, compared to 4.12% for the second quarter of 2005. The Federal Reserve Bank has raised rates 17 times, or 425 basis points, since 2004. These increases have resulted in a flat yield curve and a challenging interest-rate environment. Despite this environment, the Company was able to grow net interest income. The effect of the flat yield curve may cause the net interest margin to further contract during the remainder of 2006.
The provision for loan losses for the second quarter of 2006 was $250 thousand, compared to $350 thousand for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Net loan charge-offs for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 were $113 thousand, compared to net-charge offs of $53 thousand for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
Total non-interest income for the second quarter of 2006 was $1.6 million, down 25.0% from the same period a year ago. Service charges on deposits for the second quarter decreased 6.8% compared to the second quarter of 2005. Service and loan fees for the second quarter of 2006 decreased 35.6% from a year ago, due to a decrease in prepayment fees on commercial loans and loan processing fees. Gains on sales of SBA loans amounted to $558 thousand for the second quarter of 2006, compared to $741 thousand for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Other income for the second quarter of 2006 decreased $111 thousand as compared to the same period last year, due primarily to a decrease in loan referral fees.
Total non-interest expenses for the second quarter of 2006 were $5.0 million, an increase of 7.7% from the prior year’s comparable quarter. The increase from the prior year’s comparable quarter was primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits, processing and communications, furniture and equipment, and occupancy expense, partially offset by decreases in professional fees, loan servicing costs, advertising and other expenses. Compensation and benefits increased 15.1%, due to increased head count, merit increases and rising health insurance costs. Processing and communications increased 13.1%, due to increased transactional volume. Furniture and equipment and occupancy costs increased 16.5% and 28.9% respectively. Increases in head count, furniture and equipment and occupancy expenses were due, in part, to the addition of a new branch in the fourth quarter of 2005. In addition, the refurbishment of the existing branch network contributed to the increases in equipment and occupancy expenses. Loan servicing costs decreased 67.5%, due to the collection of expenses on delinquent loans.
Total assets at June 30, 2006 were $670.9 million, a 16.2% increase from June 30, 2005. The increase in assets from the prior year was primarily due to growth in the Company’s loan portfolio. Total loans at June 30, 2006 were $484.6 million, a 17.9% increase from June 30, 2005. The growth in the loan portfolio occurred primarily in Commercial and SBA lending. Commercial loans increased $68.0 million, or 29.6%; SBA loans increased $12.3 million, or 17.3%; residential mortgage loans decreased 12.2% from the prior year due to paydowns in the portfolio and the Company choosing to sell new originations; and consumer loans increased $1.2 million, or 2.7%.
At June 30, 2006, the allowance for loan losses was $7.3 million, or 1.50% of total loans, compared to 1.52% at June 30, 2005. Non-performing assets at June 30, 2006 were $2.6 million,
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or 0.53% of total loans and OREO, as compared to $4.8 million or 1.16% of total loans and OREO from a year ago. There were no loans past due greater than 90 days and still accruing as of June 30, 2006.
Total deposits at June 30, 2006, were $576.4 million; a 20.8% increase from June 30, 2005. This increase was primarily the result of growth in savings accounts, demand and time deposits, partially offset by the decline in interest bearing checking accounts. Demand deposit accounts increased $1.9 million, or 2.4% from June 30, 2005. Savings accounts increased $38.5 million, or 25.8% from June 30, 2005, due to a high-yield savings product. Time deposits increased $89.5 million, or 88.8%, from June 30, 2005.
“Our Forks Township Pennsylvania branch will open in the third quarter of 2006” said Mr. Hughes, “We now have three branches in process: Washington and Middlesex in New Jersey and the Forks Township branch, as we are successfully moving forward with our targeted branch expansion plans along the I-78 corridor into the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania,” said Mr. Hughes.
Total shareholders’ equity was $43.4 million at June 30, 2006, a 13.1% increase from June 30, 2005. The increase in shareholders’ equity was primarily due to retained profits, partially offset by the payment of cash dividends and a decline in other comprehensive income.
As of June 30, 2006, the Company’s Tier I leverage ratio was 8.22%, Tier I risk-based capital ratio was 9.85%, and total risk-based capital ratio was 11.10%. All regulatory capital ratios exceeded the well-capitalized, federal capital adequacy requirements as of June 30, 2006.
Unity Bancorp, Inc. is a financial service organization headquartered in Clinton, New Jersey, with approximately $671 million in assets and $576 million in deposits. Unity Bank provides financial services to retail, corporate and small business customers through its 14 retail service centers located in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Union and Warren counties in New Jersey. For additional information about Unity visit our website at www.unitybank.com or call 800 618-BANK.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, either expressed or implied, which are provided to assist the reader in understanding anticipated future financial performance. These statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management, which are subject to factors beyond the company’s control and could impede its ability to achieve these goals. These factors include general economic conditions, trends in interest rates, the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and results of regulatory exams, among other factors.
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