NewBridge Reports Increased Earnings

GREENSBORO, N.C., Oct. 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewBridge Bancorp (Nasdaq:NBBC) today reported increased earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 over the quarter ended September 30, 2012. Net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2013 totaled $2.8 million, compared to a $33.2 million loss reported in the third quarter of 2012. Earnings per diluted common share were $0.10 compared to ($2.12) per share a year ago. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, net income available to common shareholders totaled $17.7 million, compared to a loss of $32.2 million reported for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. Earnings per diluted common share for the nine months were $0.61 compared to ($2.06) per share reported a year ago. For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded a one-time tax expense to reduce the Company's deferred tax asset by $740,000 resulting from a reduction in North Carolina corporate tax rates; however, the nine-month period results include the reversal of a previously recorded valuation allowance against the Company's deferred tax asset. The three and nine-month periods a year ago were affected by expense related to a plan to dispose of problem assets.

"NewBridge is now focused on growing our franchise organically and, as attractive opportunities become available, through acquisition partnerships and entry into new growth markets through the establishment of loan production offices. In 2012 we invested in resolving our asset quality issues. This has allowed the Company to apply its resources to initiatives we believe will enhance shareholder value. We have invested heavily in talented lenders with advanced credit acumen and histories of proven success and directed investments into the largest metropolitan areas in North Carolina, including Charlotte, Raleigh, the Piedmont Triad and the Greater Wilmington market. We have converted loan production offices to full-service branches with complete commercial lending teams in the hearts of the Charlotte and Raleigh financial districts. Consequently, it is a pleasure to report significant progress in our strategic growth efforts. For the period ended September 30th, loans held for investment increased $66.7 million, or 5.6%, and for the year to date increased $110.9 million, or 9.6%. In addition to robust organic loan growth, on October 1, 2013, the Company closed its acquisition of Security Savings Bank, a $212.5 million institution operating in the Greater Wilmington market. NewBridge Bank is now a $2.0 billion institution with 36 branches and a number of loan production offices throughout North Carolina. Already one of the largest community banks in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, NewBridge Bank is now one of the largest community banks in the Greater Wilmington market," said Pressley A. Ridgill, President and Chief Executive Officer of NewBridge.

Third Quarter 2013 Highlights

• Net income available to common shareholders for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was $2.8 million, an increase of $36.0 million compared to the same period a year ago.

• Pre-tax net income (excluding security gains) totaled $5.4 million for the quarter, continuing an increasing trend from $4.5 million in the first quarter and $5.0 million in the second quarter of the year.

• Net interest income increased $118,000 for the quarter but declined $1.9 million for the year.

• Provision for credit losses totaled $33,000 for the quarter and $2.0 million for the year, a decline of 94.1% from the prior year.

• Noninterest income increased $312,000, or 7.5%, for the quarter and $1.2 million, or 9.9%, for the year.

• Other real estate owned ("OREO") expense totaled $152,000 for the quarter and a gain of $285,000 for the year, compared to an expense of $15.6 million the prior year.

• Noninterest expense (excluding OREO related expense) declined $1.8 million, or 11.2%, for the quarter and $604,000, or 1.4%, for the year.

• Asset quality continued to improve.

• Nonperforming assets declined $12.5 million, or 46.7%, from December 31, 2012.

• Nonperforming assets to total assets declined to 0.79% from 1.56% at December 31, 2012.

• Allowance for credit losses increased to 220.0% of nonperforming loans from 124.7% at December 31, 2012.

• Core retained loans increased 15.5% on an annualized basis compared to December 31, 2012.

• Core retained loans (loans held for investment less classified loans) increased $69.9 million for the quarter, or 23.8% annualized.

• The Charlotte and Raleigh operations continued to provide lift to loan production.

• Net interest margin declined 12 basis points to 3.90% for the quarter compared to the same period a year ago. 

• Noninterest-bearing deposits increased $16.2 million for the quarter and $35.2 million for the year, an annualized growth rate of 22.9% for the year.

• Interest-bearing deposit costs declined to 0.25% for the quarter, down 10 basis points compared to the same period a year ago. 

• Loan yields declined 29 basis points to 4.52% for the quarter compared to the same period a year ago. 

• Third quarter capital levels remained high.

• Leverage capital was 9.47% at September 30, 2013 and 9.51% at June 30, 2013.

• Tier 1 risk-based capital was 11.82% at September 30, 2013 and 11.59% at June 30, 2013.

• Total capital was 13.09% at September 30, 2013 and 12.87% at June 30, 2013. 

• On October 1, 2013, the Company announced completion of its acquisition of Security Savings Bank.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased $118,000 to $15.8 million for the quarter ending September 30, 2013 compared to the quarter ending September 30, 2012. For the nine-month period, net interest income declined $1.9 million to $46.3 million compared to the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. The reduction for the year to date period was due primarily to compression of the net interest margin, which declined 18 basis points to 3.93% for the nine-month period compared to the prior year. For the three-month period, the net interest margin declined 12 basis points to 3.90%, but this was more than offset by an increase in average loans outstanding. Liability costs fell 10 basis points in the three month comparisons; however, earning asset yields fell 21 basis points.  The Bank's loan portfolio experienced the greatest decline. Loan yields were 4.52% for the 2013 third quarter, a reduction of 29 basis points compared to the same period a year ago, due to the sustained low interest rate environment. The net interest margin decreased 7 basis points from 3.97% in the 2013 second quarter to 3.90% for the 2013 third quarter due to a lower yield on new and renewed loans in the loan portfolio.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income totaled $4.5 million during the third quarter, a $312,000 improvement over the prior year's third quarter. The most recent quarter benefited from $458,000 in gains on sales of securities. The Company's largest source of fee income is retail banking revenue, which is up 13.3% for the quarter and 10.2% for the year; however, the Company's mortgage banking revenue has declined substantially as a large portion of our mortgage banking business consists of refinancings and was down $430,000 for the quarter. The Company's trust and wealth management services improved 5.7% for the quarter and 7.3% for the year as the division continues to increase assets under management to $215.5 million at September 30, 2013 from $190.4 million at September 30, 2012.

Noninterest Expense & Taxes

Noninterest expense totaled $14.4 million for the third quarter and $42.0 million for the nine-month period. Compared to the prior year, noninterest expense decreased $16.5 million due primarily to lower OREO related losses and expense. Excluding the impact of OREO related expense, noninterest expense for the year to date was down $604,000. In the prior year third quarter, the Company recorded $1.9 million of one-time occupancy and other noninterest expense. Personnel expense for the quarter and year were up $539,000 and $1.6 million, respectively. The increases in personnel expense were due primarily to the hiring of commercial lenders in the Raleigh and Charlotte markets and the addition of key lending personnel in the Piedmont Triad market. In the 2013 second quarter, the Company benefited from the reversal of $6.6 million of the valuation allowance previously established against its deferred tax asset as management determined it was more likely than not that the Company would be able to fully utilize the assets associated with previous net operating losses. A key factor in the decision was the Company's financial performance since the completion of its asset disposition plan in 2012. In addition, in the third quarter 2013, the state of North Carolina reduced its corporate income tax rates, and, as a result, the Company expensed $740,000 to adjust the value of its deferred tax assets.

Balance Sheet

Total assets increased $72.2 million for the quarter and $93.6 million for the year to $1.80 billion at September 30, 2013. Loans held for investment increased $66.7 million, or 5.6%. For the year, loans held for investment increased $110.9 million, or 9.6%. For the quarter, total deposits increased $46.5 million to $1.41 billion. Noninterest-bearing deposits increased $16.2 million, or 7.2%, for the quarter and $35.2 million, or 17.1%, for the year. Core deposits, excluding time deposits, totaled 73.5% of total deposits at September 30, 2013. Tangible common equity increased $2.3 million for the quarter and $61.0 million for the year. This change in equity was due primarily to $17.6 million of retained earnings and the addition of $56.3 million of common equity for the year from the conversion of preferred stock, which were partially offset by a $7.8 million reduction in equity from the repurchase of the TARP warrant and a $6.0 million decline in accumulated other comprehensive income for the year.  The Company has decided to eliminate tax planning strategies from the calculation of the disallowed deferred tax asset used in determining the regulatory capital levels of the Company and the Bank.  The Company has revised its methodology accordingly, and prior period capital percentages have been revised.

Asset Quality

In the third quarter of 2013, asset quality continued to improve. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets declined to 0.79% from 1.56% at December 31, 2012. Nonperforming loans totaled $11.5 million, and OREO totaled $2.7 million at September 30, 2013. The allowance for credit losses was $25.4 million at September 30, 2013, or 220.0% of nonperforming loans, compared to $26.6 million, or 124.7%, at December 31, 2012. Total classified assets, which includes nonperforming assets and other potential problem assets, totaled $33.3 million, or 18.3% of the Bank's total capital, at September 30, 2013. Classified assets totaled 30.5% of the Bank's total capital at December 31, 2012.

Outlook

We anticipate continued robust loan growth in the remainder of 2013 and into 2014. We believe that the Company's prior four quarters are indicators of our future core earnings potential. We also believe our acquisition of Security Savings Bank will increase the Company's net income, and Security Savings former operations are anticipated to represent approximately 10% of next year's earnings. For the remainder of 2013, the Company expects to have a more normalized tax expense. The low interest rate environment and intense competition for quality loans remain as our key challenges. Consequently, margin pressure is likely to continue. The yield on new and renewed loans has averaged 4.09% for the year to date period and is increasingly variable in nature. We intend to meet these challenges by continuing to grow the loan portfolio, remaining disciplined with our cost controls and continuing to maximize fee income opportunities. We will consider growth through acquisitions that are consistent with our disciplined strategic vision and present realistic opportunities for quality earnings enhancement. 

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Tangible common shareholders' equity percentages have become a focus of some investors. Because tangible common shareholders' equity is not formally defined by GAAP, this measure is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure, and other entities may calculate it differently. Since analysts and banking regulators may assess our capital adequacy using tangible common shareholders' equity, management believes that it is useful to provide investors with the ability to assess the Company's capital adequacy on the same basis.

About NewBridge Bancorp

NewBridge Bancorp is the bank holding company for NewBridge Bank, a full service, state-chartered community bank headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.  The stock of NewBridge Bancorp trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "NBBC."

As one of the largest community banks in North Carolina, NewBridge Bank serves small to midsize businesses, professionals and consumers with a comprehensive array of financial services, including retail and commercial banking, private banking, wealth management and mortgage banking.  Upon the closing of the Security Savings Bank acquisition, NewBridge Bank has assets of approximately $2.0 billion and 36 branches and several loan production offices throughout North Carolina.

Disclosures About Forward Looking Statements

The discussions included in this document and its exhibits may contain forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. For the purposes of these discussions, any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualifying words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "plans," "projects," or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of NewBridge and its management about future events. The accuracy of such forward looking statements could be affected by factors including, but not limited to, the financial success or changing conditions or strategies of NewBridge's customers or vendors, fluctuations in interest rates, actions of government regulators, the availability of capital and personnel or general economic conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by forward looking statements are discussed in NewBridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. NewBridge undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements following the date of this press release.