2019 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Highlights:
Fourth quarter net income of $3.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, down from $12.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted share from the prior quarter; Full year 2019 net income of $32.8 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, compared with $57.9 million, or $1.79 per diluted share in 2018.Net income for the quarter included a $6.9 million specific provision for loan and lease losses related to a previously identified $39.7 million troubled loan relationship; at year-end the specific allowance stood at $22.6 million.Loans and leases receivable of $4.61 billion, up 3.6% in the fourth quarter on an annualized basis and up 0.2% year-over-year.New loan and lease production of $381.4 million, the highest quarterly loan and lease production since 2015.Deposits of $4.70 billion, up 0.8% in the fourth quarter on an annualized basis and down 1.0% year-over-year.Nonperforming assets at 1.15% of total assets compared with 1.18% from the prior quarter; net charge-offs of 0.02% for the year and an allowance to loans and leases of 1.33% at year-end.Fourth quarter net interest income was $43.9 million, down 0.3% from the prior quarter; for the full year, net interest income was $175.9 million compared with $181.0 million last year.Fourth quarter net interest margin was 3.32%, down 4 basis points from the prior quarter; net interest margin for the full year was 3.37% compared with 3.57% last year.Fourth quarter noninterest income was $6.7 million, down 2.2% from the prior quarter; for the full year, noninterest income was $27.6 million compared with $24.5 million last year.Fourth quarter noninterest expense of $34.1 million, inclusive of a $1.7 million impairment charge on bank premises to be sold, up $1.4 million, or 4.5% from the prior quarter; noninterest expense for the full year was $125.9 million compared with $117.6 million last year.Repurchased approximately 1.2%, or 375,000 shares, of Hanmi common stock under the previously announced share repurchase program; tangible common equity ratio remains strong at 9.98%.LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hanmi Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: HAFC, or “Hanmi”), the parent company of Hanmi Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income for the 2019 fourth quarter of $3.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared with $12.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted share for the 2019 third quarter and $11.4 million, or $0.37 per diluted share for the 2018 fourth quarter. 2019 fourth quarter net income included a $6.9 million specific provision for loan and lease losses related to the previously identified $39.7 million troubled loan relationship.For the 2019 year, net income was $32.8 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, compared with $57.9 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, for 2018.Bonnie Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Hanmi’s performance in the fourth quarter was highlighted by excellent growth in loan and lease production along with an improving mix of deposits. Total loan and lease production volume of $381.4 million increased more than 75% from the prior quarter and nearly 55% from the fourth quarter last year. Despite the strong loan and lease production, payoffs more than doubled from the prior quarter, which resulted in loan and lease growth in the fourth quarter of 3.6% on an annualized basis. In addition, we benefitted during the year from an 8.3% increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits along with a 13.6% reduction in time deposits that helped mitigate competitive pressure on loan yields.”Ms. Lee continued, “Net income for the quarter included a $6.9 million specific provision related to the previously identified $39.7 million troubled loan relationship. We continue to work with the borrower on an orderly resolution to the relationship and the borrower has continued payments, reducing the relationship to $39.7 million from $40.7 million at midyear. With the loans comprising this relationship maturing on December 31, 2019, we received current appraisals on the personal property securing the relationship and have provided for a specific allowance at the lower range of the appraised values. Notwithstanding this particular relationship, Hanmi’s overall credit quality metrics remain strong.”Ms. Lee concluded, “As we look ahead to 2020, given our strong deposit franchise and loan and lease pipeline I believe Hanmi is well-positioned to deliver profitable growth throughout the year.”Quarterly Highlights
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Results of Operations
Net interest income was $43.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with $44.1 million for the third quarter of 2019. Fourth quarter interest and fees on loans and leases decreased 2.9%, or $1.7 million, from the preceding quarter primarily due to an 11 basis point reduction in average yields, which was a function of the decline in the overnight rate by 25 basis points. This was partially offset by a decrease in total interest expense of 7.5%, or $1.4 million, from the preceding quarter due primarily to lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits. Fourth quarter loan prepayment penalties were $0.7 million compared with $0.3 million for the third quarter.Net interest income of $175.9 million for the full year in 2019 decreased 2.8% compared with $181.0 million for the full year in 2018. The year-over-year decline in net interest income reflects an 11 basis point increase in average yield on higher average interest-earnings assets that was more than offset by a 48 basis point increase in average rate paid on average interest-bearing deposits.
Net interest margin was 3.32% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with 3.36% for the third quarter of 2019, principally reflecting a 15 basis point decline in the yield on earning assets offset by a 16 basis point decline in the cost of interest-bearing deposits. For the full year, net interest margin was 3.37% for 2019 compared with 3.57% for 2018.The average earning asset yield was 4.59% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with 4.74% for the third quarter of 2019. The 15 basis point decline reflects in part the 25 basis point decline in the overnight rate. Full year yields increased 11 basis points year-over-year to 4.73%.The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 1.89% for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared with 2.04% for the third quarter of 2019. The lower cost of interest-bearing liabilities was driven by a reduction in the general level of interest rates. For 2019, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 1.99% compared with 1.55% for the full year 2018, reflecting a decreasing interest rate environment in the second half of 2019.
For the fourth quarter of 2019, the loan and lease loss provision was $10.8 million compared with $1.6 million for the preceding quarter, and $3.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The 2019 fourth quarter provision included a $6.9 million specific provision for a previously identified troubled loan relationship. The loan and lease loss provision for the full year 2019 was $30.2 million compared with $4.0 million for 2018. 2019 included a $22.6 million specific provision for the previously identified troubled loan relationship.Fourth quarter noninterest income decreased 2.2% to $6.7 million from $6.9 million for the third quarter, primarily due to a $0.3 million decrease in gain on sale of SBA loans. Gains on sales of SBA loans were $1.5 million for the fourth quarter 2019, down from $1.8 million for the preceding quarter reflecting lower trade premiums of 7.60% compared with 9.15%. The volume of SBA loans sold for the 2019 fourth quarter and third quarter were $24.9 million and $24.3 million, respectively. Servicing income reflected a higher level of amortization arising from elevated pay-offs, and other income included $0.5 million from the accretion of purchase discount related to matured leases.Noninterest income was $27.6 million for the full year 2019 compared with $24.5 million for 2018 primarily due to higher gain on sale of SBA loans and securities and a $1.2 million gain on sale of bank premises. During the fourth quarter, noninterest expense increased 4.5% to $34.1 million from $32.6 million in the third quarter principally due to a $1.7 million impairment loss on former bank premises to be sold and a $0.6 million increase in the provision for off balance sheet items arising from an increase in commitments to extend credit and an increase in related estimated loss factors.Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $125.9 million, reflecting an increase of $8.3 million from the year ended December 31, 2018 stemming mostly from the $1.7 million impairment loss, higher professional fees principally related to the reporting delay and CECL implementation, and increased investments in technology. The efficiency ratio for full year 2019 was 61.89% compared to 57.20% for the prior year. For the full years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the provision for income taxes was $14.6 million and $26.1 million, respectively, representing effective tax rates of 30.8% and 31.1%, respectively.Financial Position
Total assets were $5.54 billion at December 31, 2019, a 0.2% increase from $5.53 billion at September 30, 2019.Loans and leases receivable, before the allowance for loan and lease losses, were $4.61 billion at December 31, 2019, up 0.9% from $4.57 billion at the end of the prior quarter. Loans held for sale, representing the guaranteed portion of SBA loans, were $6.0 million at December 31, 2019 compared with $6.6 million at the end of the third quarter.Loans and leases receivable, before the allowance for loan and lease losses at year-end 2019, were up 0.1% from $4.60 billion at December 31, 2018.For the fourth quarter of 2019, commercial real estate loans as a percentage of loans and leases receivable decreased to 70.0% compared with 70.8% for the same period last year. Commercial and industrial loans and leases receivable each reached 10.5% of the portfolio; a year ago, they were 9.3% and 8.7% respectively.New loan and lease production for the 2019 fourth quarter was $381.4 million at an average rate of 5.08%, while the average rate of loans paid off during the same period was 5.01%.Deposits increased by 0.2% to $4.70 billion at the end of the fourth quarter from $4.69 billion at the end of the preceding quarter. The average loan-to-deposit ratio at December 31, 2019 was 96.1% compared with 97.6% in the third quarter.Deposits decreased by 1.0% from $4.75 billion at the end of the fourth quarter last year, driven primarily by a decrease of 13.6% in time deposits, partially offset by an increase of 8.3% in noninterest-bearing demand deposits. Time deposits accounted for 33.1% of the deposit portfolio.At December 31, 2019, stockholders’ equity was $563.3 million, compared with $574.5 million at September 30, 2019. Tangible common stockholders’ equity was $551.4 million, or 9.98% of tangible assets, compared with $562.6 million, or 10.20% of tangible assets at the end of the third quarter. Tangible book value per share decreased to $17.90 from $18.05 in the prior quarter. During the 2019 fourth quarter, Hanmi repurchased 375,000 shares at a weighted average price of $19.63.
Hanmi continues to be well capitalized for regulatory purposes, with a preliminary Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.77% and a Total risk-based capital ratio of 14.99% at December 31, 2019, versus 11.91% and 15.07%, respectively, for the third quarter.
Asset Quality
Loans and leases 30 to 89 days past due and still accruing were 0.22% of loans and leases at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019, compared with 0.18% at the end of the third quarter.Classified loans were $94.0 million at December 31, 2019 compared with $80.7 million at the end of the third quarter, while special mention loans were $26.6 million at the end of the fourth quarter compared with $27.4 million at September 30, 2019. The increase in classified loans reflects the addition of a $10.7 million branded hotel construction loan due to project delays; project completion is estimated to be late summer or early fall of 2020.Nonperforming loans and leases were $63.8 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019, or 1.38% of loans and leases compared with $64.7 million for the third quarter, or 1.42% of the portfolio.Nonperforming assets were $63.8 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019, or 1.15% of assets, compared with $65.1 million, or 1.18% of assets, at the end of the prior quarter.The troubled loan relationship identified in the 2019 second quarter, included in both the classified and nonaccrual categories above, was $39.7 million at December 31, 2019, compared with $40.0 million at September 30, 2019, and $40.7 million at June 30, 2019. The decline reflects payments applied to the loans outstanding; there have been no charge-offs. The specific allowance for this troubled loan relationship increased to $22.6 million at year-end from $15.7 million at September 30, 2019.Gross charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $1.0 million compared with $0.9 million for the preceding quarter. Recoveries of previously charged-off loans for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $1.0 million compared with $0.6 million for the preceding quarter. As a result, there were net charge offs of $55,000 for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared with net charge offs of $276,000 for the preceding quarter. For the fourth quarter of 2019, net charge offs represented 0.00% of average loans and leases compared to net charge offs of 0.02% for the preceding quarter.The allowance for loan and lease losses was $61.4 million as of December 31, 2019, generating an allowance for loan and lease losses to loans and leases of 1.33% compared with 1.11% in the prior quarter.
Corporate Developments
On October 24, 2019 Hanmi’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on its common stock for the 2019 fourth quarter of $0.24 per share. The dividend was paid on November 27, 2019, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 4, 2019.On January 23, 2020 Hanmi’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on its common stock for the 2020 first quarter of $0.24 per share. The dividend will be paid on February 27, 2020, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 3, 2020.In January 2019, Hanmi announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 5%, or 1.5 million shares, of its outstanding common stock. During the fourth quarter, Hanmi made initial purchases under this authorization for 375,000 shares at an average price of $19.63 for an aggregate investment of approximately $7.4 million. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 1.1 million shares remained available for future purchases under the current stock repurchase program.Conference Call
Management will host a conference call today, January 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) to discuss these results. This call will also be broadcast live via the internet. Investment professionals and all current and prospective stockholders are invited to access the live call by dialing 1-877-407-9039 before 2:00 p.m. PT, using access code HANMI. To listen to the call online, either live or archived, visit the Investor Relations page of Hanmi’s website at www.hanmi.com.About Hanmi Financial Corporation
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Hanmi Financial Corporation owns Hanmi Bank, which serves multi-ethnic communities through its network of 35 full-service branches and 9 loan production offices in California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Washington and Georgia. Hanmi Bank specializes in real estate, commercial, SBA and trade finance lending to small and middle market businesses. Additional information is available at www.hanmi.com.Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward–looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements about anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, business strategies, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, capital and financing needs and availability, plans and objectives of management for future operations, developments regarding our capital plans, strategic alternatives for a possible business combination, merger or sale transaction, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation and statements of assumption underlying any of the foregoing. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include the following: failure to maintain adequate levels of capital and liquidity to support our operations; the effect of potential future supervisory action against us or Hanmi Bank; our ability to remediate any material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting; general economic and business conditions internationally, nationally and in those areas in which we operate; volatility and deterioration in the credit and equity markets; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; availability of capital from private and government sources; demographic changes; competition for loans and deposits and failure to attract or retain loans and deposits; fluctuations in interest rates and a decline in the level of our interest rate spread; risks of natural disasters; a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks; the failure to maintain current technologies; inability to successfully implement future information technology enhancements; difficult business and economic conditions that can adversely affect our industry and business, including competition and lack of soundness of other financial institutions, fraudulent activity and negative publicity; risks associated with Small Business Administration loans; failure to attract or retain key employees; our ability to access cost-effective funding; fluctuations in real estate values; changes in accounting policies and practices; the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies impacting the value of the products of our borrowers; changes in governmental regulation, including, but not limited to, any increase in FDIC insurance premiums; ability of Hanmi Bank to make distributions to Hanmi Financial Corporation, which is restricted by certain factors, including Hanmi Bank’s retained earnings, net income, prior distributions made, and certain other financial tests; ability to identify a suitable strategic partner or to consummate a strategic transaction; adequacy of our allowance for loan and lease losses; credit quality and the effect of credit quality on our provision for loan and lease losses and allowance for loan and lease losses; changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers and the ability of our borrowers to perform under the terms of their loans and other terms of credit agreements; our ability to control expenses; changes in securities markets; and risks as it relates to cyber security against our information technology and those of our third party providers and vendors. In addition, we set forth certain risks in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K that we will file hereafter, which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. We undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements except as required by law.Investor Contacts:
Romolo (Ron) Santarosa
Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
213-427-5636Lasse Glassen
Investor Relations / Addo Investor Relations
310-829-5400
Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresTangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets RatioTangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is supplemental financial information determined by a method other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This non-GAAP measure is used by management in the analysis of Hanmi’s capital strength. Tangible common equity is calculated by subtracting goodwill and other intangible assets from stockholders’ equity. Banking and financial institution regulators also exclude goodwill and other intangible assets from stockholders’ equity when assessing the capital adequacy of a financial institution. Management believes the presentation of this financial measure excluding the impact of these items provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the capital strength of Hanmi. This disclosure should not be viewed as a substitution for results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor is it necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.The following table reconciles this non-GAAP performance measure to the GAAP performance measure for the periods indicated:
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