Preferred Bank Reports Record 2006 Earnings, Record Fourth Quarter Earnings, Record Growth in Loans and Deposits

Preferred Bank (Nasdaq: PFBC), an independent commercial bank focusing on the Chinese- American and diversified Southern California market, today reported record net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. Net income totaled $6.6 million, a 34% increase over net income of $4.9 million for the same period in 2005 while diluted earnings per share increased 32% to $0.94 for the quarter compared to $0.71 for the fourth quarter of 2005. Net income for the quarter was positively impacted by an adjustment to the Company's tax provision of $150,000 or $0.021 per diluted share resulting from a recently completed analysis of the Bank's Enterprise Zone tax credits from 2005.

Mr. Li Yu, Chairman and President of Preferred Bank commented, "2006 is our second year of operations since the Bank's IPO. I am pleased to note that we reported record growth in earnings, loans and deposits in each of the past eight quarters. Especially pleasing are our fourth quarter results under a challenging interest rate and competitive environment."

"Our fourth quarter loan growth was a very pleasant surprise. During the course of 2006 our quarterly loan averages were healthy and consistent and our loan yields remain steady. Historically the Bank has always had a larger fourth quarter growth in deposits but this year was a record for us. According to a recent Federal Reserve Bank report, total nationwide banking system transaction deposits decreased, yet we have managed to grow transaction deposits by 8.2% for the year. Our deposit costs were in line with our expectations."

"For the first time, our quarterly return on assets (ROA) reached over 2.0% and our efficiency ratio came in at 30.0%. We realize that these are only statistics but my staff and I are very pleased with these numbers."

Operating Results for the Quarter

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin. Net interest income before provision for loan and lease losses increased to $16.1 million, compared to $12.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2005. The 27.9% increase was due to the growth in the loan portfolio as well as previous increases in the Prime lending rate. The Company's net interest margin decreased slightly to 5.17% from 5.23% for the third quarter of 2006 but remained well ahead of the 4.81% for the fourth quarter 2005. The decrease in the fourth quarter net interest margin was due to an increase in the Bank's cost of deposits.

Noninterest Income. For the fourth quarter of 2006 noninterest income was $736,000 compared with $918,000 for the same quarter last year. The lower noninterest income this quarter was due mainly to a decrease in service charges on deposits of $94,000 which was because of an increase in earnings allowance on demand deposits that are on account analysis. In addition, other income decreased $88,000 in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005.

Noninterest Expense. Salaries and benefits increased by $499,000 to $3,105,000 for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to $2,606,000 in the fourth quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily due to staffing increases in the business development area. In addition, the fourth quarter of 2006 also includes approximately $195,000 of stock option expenses recorded in accordance with SFAS 123R, for which there was no corresponding expense in the fourth quarter of 2005. Professional services expense increased to $468,000 for the quarter compared to $431,000 recorded in the same period of 2005 due primarily to the Company's preparation to implement Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2004 as well as complying with the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act or, FDICIA.

Operating Efficiency Ratio. For the quarter, the operating efficiency ratio was 30.0% as compared to 35.2% for the same quarter in 2005. The year- over-year improvement is primarily attributable to the Company's ability to grow net interest income at a faster pace than noninterest expense.

Earnings per Diluted Share. Due to continued exercising of employees' stock option and increase in market price of the Company's stock, the average outstanding diluted shares increased to 7,086,982 from 7,071,423 shares from the third quarter of 2006. On a sequential quarter basis, net income increased 9.1% compared to the third quarter of 2006 while the earnings per diluted share increased 9.3% compared to the same period.

Operating Results for the Full Year 2006

Net income totaled $23.4 million or $3.32 diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to net income of $16.8 million or $2.48 per diluted share for the same period last year. This represents an increase in net income of 38.8% and an increase in diluted earnings per share of 33.9%.

The increase is primarily due to net interest income which increased by $14.9 million in 2006 over 2005 levels. Noninterest income decreased from $3,868,000 in 2005 to $3,028,000 in 2006. This was primarily due to service charges on deposits which decreased by $637,000 due primarily to a higher earnings credit rate given to customers on account analysis. In addition, the Bank realized $195,000 in rental income from other real estate owned in 2005.

Noninterest expense increased $2.4 million to $20.0 million in 2006 from $17.6 million in 2005. This was primarily due to an increase in salary & benefits expense of $2.0 million. The increase was primarily due to staffing increases in the business development area. In addition, 2006 also includes approximately $752,000 of stock option expenses recorded in accordance with SFAS 123R, for which there was no corresponding expense in 2005.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total gross loans and leases at December 31, 2006 was $997 million, a 29.4% increase over the $771 million at December 31, 2005. Commercial real estate loans increased $66.0 million or 17.7%, construction loans increased $99.4 million or 57.9% and commercial loans increased $52.0 million or 34.8%.

Total deposits as of December 31, 2006 were $1.16 billion, an increase of 19.1% over the $975 million at December 31, 2005. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased by $13.0 million or 6.2%, interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $21.0 million or 10.4% and time deposits increased by $151.7 million or 27.1%. Total assets were $1.35 billion, an 18.6% increase over the total of $1.13 billion as of December 31, 2005.

Asset Quality

As of December 31, 2006, total nonaccrual loans were $1.12 million compared to $0 as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. Total net charge-offs were $73,000 or an annualized 0.03% of average loans for the fourth quarter 2006 and $663,000, or 0.08% of total average loans for the year ended December 31, 2006. The allowance for loan loss at December 31, 2006 was $10.2 million or 1.03% of total loans compared to $8.9 million and 1.16%, respectively at December 31, 2005.

Capitalization

Preferred Bank continues to be "well capitalized" under all regulatory requirements, with a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.50% and a total risk based capital ratio of 12.33% at December 31, 2006.

Additional Information

The Bank also announced that while it will file with the FDIC a statement of management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting under Section 36 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act as well as an attestation by the Bank's external auditors of management's assessment for the year ended December 31, 2006, which report will be available for public inspection at the FDIC, it was unlikely that it would include with its Annual Report for 2006 on Form 10-K, expected to be filed with the FDIC in March, management's assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or the related attestation report of the Banks external auditors as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. The standards for management's assessment and the external auditor's attestation under Section 36 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act differ from those under Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act. The Bank deferred the work required for purposes of a Section 404 assessment based upon its understanding that as a non-accelerated filer as of year end 2005 it had another year before it was required to comply with this provision. Counsel has just advised us that based upon clarifying statements issued by the SEC in December 2006, however, the Bank's understanding must be modified. The Bank intends to file the 404 assessments as of year end 2006 by amendment to the Form 10-K as soon as possible.

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call with simultaneous webcast to discuss Preferred Bank's fourth quarter 2006 financial results will be held today, January 24 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern / 2:00 p.m. Pacific. Interested participants and investors may access the conference call by dialing (866) 250-2351 (domestic) or (303) 262-2211 (international). There will also be a live webcast of the call available at the Investor Relations section of Preferred Bank's web site at http://www.preferredbank.com. Web participants are encouraged to go to the web site at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

Preferred Bank's Chairman and CEO Li Yu, Chief Credit Officer Walt Duchanin and Chief Financial Officer Edward Czajka will be present to discuss Preferred Bank's financial results, business highlights and outlook. After the live webcast, a replay will remain available in the Investor Relations section of Preferred Bank's web site. A replay of the call will be available at 800-405-2236 (domestic) or 303-590-3000 (international) through February 3, 2007; the pass code is 11082352.

About Preferred Bank

Preferred Bank is one of the largest independent commercial banks in California focusing on the Chinese-American market. The bank is chartered by the State of California, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Company conducts its banking business from its main office in Los Angeles, California, and through ten full-service branch banking offices in Alhambra, Century City, Chino Hills, City of Industry, Torrance, Arcadia, Irvine, Diamond Bar, Santa Monica and Valencia, California. Preferred Bank offers a broad range of deposit and loan products and services to both commercial and consumer customers. The bank provides personalized deposit services as well as real estate finance, commercial loans and trade finance to small and mid- sized businesses, entrepreneurs, real estate developers, professionals and high net worth individuals. Preferred Bank continues to benefit from the significant migration to Southern California of ethnic Chinese from China and other areas of East Asia. While its business is not solely dependent on the Chinese-American market, it represents an important element of the bank's operating strategy, especially for its branch network and deposit products and services. Preferred Bank believes it is well positioned to compete effectively with the smaller Chinese-American community banks, the larger commercial banks and other major banks operating in Southern California by offering a high degree of personal service and responsiveness, experienced multi-lingual staff and substantial lending limits.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Bank's future financial and operating results, the Bank's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Bank's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: changes in economic conditions; changes in the California real estate market; the loss of senior management and other employees; natural disasters or recurring energy shortage; changes in interest rates; competition from other financial services companies; ineffective underwriting practices; inadequate allowance for loan and lease losses to cover actual losses; risks inherent in construction lending; adverse economic conditions in Asia; downturn in international trade; inability to attract deposits; inability to raise additional capital when needed or on favorable terms; inability to manage growth; inadequate communications, information, operating and financial control systems, technology from fourth party service providers; the U.S. government's monetary policies; government regulation; environmental liability with respect to properties to which the bank takes title; and the threat of terrorism. Additional factors that could cause the Bank's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Bank's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of the press release, and the Bank assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For additional information about Preferred Bank, please visit the Bank's website at http://www.preferredbank.com.

For Further Information:

AT THE COMPANY: AT FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD:

Edward J. Czajka Lasse Glassen

Senior Vice President General Information

Chief Financial Officer (310) 854-8313

(213) 891-1188 lglassen@financialrelationsboard.com

Financial Tables to Follow

PREFERRED BANK

Condensed Statements of Income

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except for net income per share and shares)

For the Three Months Ended

December 31, September 30,

2006 2005 2006

Interest income:

Loans, including fees $22,505 $15,104 $20,215

Investment securities 2,412 1,663 2,244

Fed funds sold and securities

purchased under resale

agreements 960 1,040 1,195

Total interest income 25,877 17,807 23,654

Interest expense:

Interest on deposits 9,574 5,051 8,177

FHLB borrowings 187 187 253

Fed funds purchased and

securities sold under

repurchase agreements 42 3 2

Total interest expense 9,803 5,241 8,432

Net interest income 16,074 12,566 15,222

Provision for credit losses 700 450 350

Net interest income after

provision for credit losses 15,374 12,116 14,872

Noninterest income:

Fees & service charges on

deposit accounts 432 526 382

Trade finance income 160 167 177

Other income 144 225 165

736 918 724

Noninterest expense:

Salary and employee benefits 3,105 2,606 3,146

Net occupancy expense 554 583 573

Professional services 468 431 493

Other expense 918 1,122 915

5,045 4,742 5,127

Income before provision

for income taxes 11,065 8,292 10,469

Provision for income taxes 4,431 3,358 4,390

Net income $6,634 $4,934 $6,079

Net income per share - basic $0.97 $0.74 $0.89

Net income per share - diluted $0.94 $0.71 $0.86

Shares used to compute per share

net income:

Basic 6,848,633 6,681,245 6,834,895

Diluted 7,086,982 6,953,753 7,071,423

PREFERRED BANK

Condensed Statements of Income

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except for net income per share and shares)

For The Year Ended

December 31,

2006 2005 % Change

Interest income:

Loans, including fees $77,186 $50,443 53.0

Investment securities 8,699 6,375 36.5

Fed funds sold 4,377 3,264 34.1

Total interest income 90,262 60,082 50.2

Interest expense:

Interest on deposits 30,558 15,574 96.2

FHLB borrowings 808 477 69.4

Fed funds purchased 58 11 n.m.

Total interest expense 31,424 16,062 95.6

Net interest income 58,838 44,020 33.7

Provision for credit losses 1,960 2,110 (7.1)

Net interest income after

provision for credit losses 56,878 41,910 35.7

Noninterest income:

Fees & service charges on

deposit accounts 1,660 2,297 (27.7)

Trade finance income 777 707 9.9

Net other real estate owned income -- 195 (100.0)

Other income 591 669 (11.7)

3,028 3,868 (21.7)

Noninterest expense:

Salary and employee benefits 12,216 10,252 19.2

Net occupancy expense 2,303 2,163 6.5

Professional services 1,948 1,534 27.0

Other expense 3,549 3,622 (2.0)

20,016 17,571 13.9

Income before provision

for income taxes 39,890 28,207 41.4

Provision for income taxes 16,539 11,382 45.3

Net income $23,351 $16,825 38.8

Net income per share - basic $3.44 $2.58 33.3

Net income per share - diluted $3.32 $2.48 33.9

Shares used to compute per share

net income:

Basic 6,796,343 6,521,763 4.2

Diluted 7,037,521 6,797,305 3.5

PREFERRED BANK

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

December 31, December 31,

2006 2005

Assets

Cash and due from banks $26,878 $25,123

Fed funds sold 103,700 158,300

Cash and cash equivalents 130,578 183,423

Investment securities available-for-sale,

at fair value 198,689 162,935

Loans and leases 997,317 771,143

Less allowance for credit losses (10,236) (8,939)

Less net deferred loan fees (1,759) (1,537)

Net loans and leases 985,322 760,667

Customers' liability on acceptances 268 628

Bank premises and equipment, net 1,711 1,835

Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) 7,896 7,637

Accrued interest receivable and other assets 24,377 19,595

Total assets $1,348,841 $1,136,720

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Liabilities:

Deposits $1,161,344 $975,467

Acceptances outstanding 268 628

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)

borrowings and fed funds purchased 20,000 21,500

Accrued expenses and other liabilities 21,297 15,279

Total liabilities 1,202,909 1,012,874

Stockholders' equity:

Common stock, no par value 69,626 67,411

Additional paid-in-capital 1,534 272

Retained earnings 75,219 57,305

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

Unrealized loss on securities

available-for-sale, net of tax (447) (1,142)

Total stockholders' equity 145,932 123,846

Total liabilities and stockholders'

equity $1,348,841 $1,136,720

PREFERRED BANK

Selected Financial Information

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except for ratios)

For the Year Ended

December 31, December 31,

2006 2005

Return on average assets 1.98% 1.67%

Return on average equity 17.38% 15.26%

Net interest margin

(non-taxable equivalent) 5.15% 4.54%

Noninterest expense to

average assets 1.51% 1.75%

Efficiency ratio 32.35% 36.69%

Net charge-offs to average loans 0.08% -0.02%

For the Three Months Ended

December 31, December 31, September 30,

2006 2005 2006

For the period:

Return on average assets 2.07% 1.82% 2.02%

Return on average equity 18.39% 16.04% 17.60%

Net interest margin

(non-taxable equivalent) 5.17% 4.81% 5.23%

Noninterest expense to

average assets 1.57% 1.75% 1.71%

Efficiency ratio 30.01% 35.17% 32.15%

Net charge-offs to average

loans (annualized) 0.03% 0.00% 0.03%

Period end:

Tier 1 leverage capital ratio 11.50% 11.63% 11.82%

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 11.52% 12.59% 11.71%

Total risk-based capital ratio 12.33% 13.51% 12.52%

Nonperforming assets to

total assets 0.08% 0.00% 0.07%

Nonaccrual loans to total loans 0.11% 0.00% 0.00%

Allowance for loan and lease

losses to total loans 1.03% 1.16% 1.05%

Allowance for loan and lease

losses to nonaccrual loans 913.93% n.m. n.m.

Average Balances:

Total loans and leases $969,877 $764,552 $879,805

Earning assets 1,233,616 1,035,412 1,154,529

Total assets 1,272,501 1,072,917 1,139,355

Total deposits 1,082,129 915,131 1,009,981

PREFERRED BANK

Selected Financial Information

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except for ratios)

December 31, December 31, September 30,

2006 2005 2006

Period End Balances:

Loans and Leases:

Real estate -

multifamily/commercial $438,280 $372,251 $401,423

Real estate - construction 271,021 171,646 236,981

Commercial 201,385 149,428 187,207

Trade finance 86,067 76,700 92,534

Other 564 1,119 826

Total gross loans and leases 997,317 771,144 918,971

Allowance for loan and

lease losses (10,236) (8,939) (9,609)

Net deferred loan fees (1,759) (1,537) (1,993)

Net loans and leases $985,322 $760,668 $907,369

Deposits:

Noninterest-bearing demand $224,982 $211,942 $221,193

Interest-bearing demand

and savings 224,105 202,986 201,102

Total core deposits 449,087 414,928 422,295

Time deposits 712,257 560,539 635,325

Total deposits $1,161,344 $975,467 $1,057,620

Author:  

Email:    

Topic:    

Content: