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Westamerica Bancorporation Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 15 Apr 2021 10:50:35 America/New_York
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westamerica Bancorporation (Nasdaq: WABC), parent company of Westamerica Bank, generated net income for the first quarter 2021 of $20.1 million and diluted earnings per common share ("EPS") of $0.75. First quarter 2021 results include “make-whole” interest income on corporate bonds redeemed prior to maturity, which increased EPS $0.02. These results compare to net income of $23.8 million and EPS of $0.89 for the fourth quarter 2020, which included a gain on sale of a closed branch building, “make-whole” interest income on corporate bonds redeemed before maturity, and a customary adjustment to the tax provision for filed 2019 tax returns, which increased EPS $0.15.
“Westamerica continues to support our customers during the pandemic. We have kept our branches open to continue providing full-service, and during the first quarter 2021, we originated $91 million in loans under the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program. Operating expenses have remained stable with first quarter 2020 pre-pandemic levels, and in the first quarter 2021 operating expenses represented only 47 percent of revenues on a fully-taxable equivalent basis. The predominance of checking and savings accounts within Westamerica’s deposit base resulted in a very low 0.03 percent annualized cost of funding our loan and bond portfolios during the first quarter 2021. Credit quality remained stable with nonperforming loans of $4.1 million at March 31, 2021,” said Chairman, President and CEO David Payne. “First quarter 2021 results generated an annualized 11.1 percent return on average common equity, and shareholders were paid a $0.41 per common share dividend during the quarter,” concluded Payne.
Net interest income on a fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) basis was $42.6 million for the first quarter 2021, including “make-whole” interest income on corporate bonds redeemed prior to maturity of $700 thousand. First quarter 2021 net interest income (FTE) compares to $43.3 million for the fourth quarter 2020, which included “make-whole” interest income on corporate bonds redeemed prior to maturity of $1.9 million. Average total deposits grew $92 million from the fourth quarter 2020 to the first quarter 2021. Checking and savings deposits represented ninety-seven percent of the Company’s average deposit base during the first quarter 2021 resulting in a 0.03 percent annualized cost of funding interest-earning assets.
At March 31, 2021, nonperforming loans totaled $4.1 million and the allowance for credit losses on loans was $23.5 million. The Company continues to work with loan customers requesting deferral of loan payments due to economic weakness caused by the pandemic. At March 31, 2021, loans with deferred payments included consumer loans totaling $1.8 million and one hospitality industry commercial real estate loan totaling $2.3 million (the commercial real estate loan borrower re-commenced payments on April 1, 2021).
Noninterest income for the first quarter 2021 totaled $10.2 million, compared to noninterest income for the fourth quarter 2020 of $14.0 million, which included a $3.5 million gain on sale of a closed branch building.
Noninterest expense for the first quarter 2021 was $24.9 million compared to $24.5 million for the fourth quarter 2020, and $24.7 million for the first quarter 2020.
Westamerica Bancorporation’s wholly owned subsidiary Westamerica Bank, operates commercial banking and trust offices throughout Northern and Central California.
Westamerica Bancorporation Web Address: www.westamerica.com
For additional information contact: Westamerica Bancorporation
1108 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Robert A. Thorson – SVP & Treasurer
707-863-6840
investments@westamerica.com
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:The following appears in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements about the Company, including descriptions of plans or objectives of its management for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other measures of economic performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may."
Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors — many of which are beyond the Company's control — could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company's most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual report for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed on Form 10-K and quarterly report for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 filed on Form 10-Q, describe some of these factors, including certain credit, interest rate, operational, liquidity and market risks associated with the Company's business and operations. Other factors described in these reports include changes in business and economic conditions, competition, fiscal and monetary policies, disintermediation, cyber security risks, legislation including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2011, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, and mergers and acquisitions.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date forward-looking statements are made.
Public Information April 15, 2021 WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS March 31, 2021 1. Net Income Summary. (in thousands except per-share amounts) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE) $ 42,583 $ 40,547 5.0 % $ 43,292 Provision for Credit Losses - 4,300 n/m - Noninterest Income 10,189 11,648 -12.5 % 13,959 Noninterest Expense 24,906 24,664 1.0 % 24,545 Income Before Taxes (FTE) 27,866 23,231 20.0 % 32,706 Income Tax Provision (FTE) 7,719 6,269 23.1 % 8,868 Net Income $ 20,147 $ 16,962 18.8 % $ 23,838 Average Common Shares Outstanding 26,821 27,068 -0.9 % 26,838 Diluted Average Common Shares 26,842 27,139 -1.1 % 26,849 Operating Ratios: Basic Earnings Per Common Share $ 0.75 $ 0.63 19.0 % $ 0.89 Diluted Earnings Per Common Share 0.75 0.63 19.0 % 0.89 Return On Assets (a) 1.23 % 1.21 % 1.44 % Return On Common Equity (a) 11.1 % 9.7 % 13.2 % Net Interest Margin (FTE) (a) 2.74 % 3.10 % 2.81 % Efficiency Ratio (FTE) 47.2 % 47.3 % 42.9 % Dividends Paid Per Common Share $ 0.41 $ 0.41 0.0 % $ 0.41 Common Dividend Payout Ratio 55 % 66 % 46 % 2. Net Interest Income. (dollars in thousands) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Interest and Fee Income (FTE) $ 43,058 $ 40,989 5.0 % $ 43,773 Interest Expense 475 442 7.5 % 481 Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE) $ 42,583 $ 40,547 5.0 % $ 43,292 Average Earning Assets $ 6,244,622 $ 5,242,142 19.1 % $ 6,156,749 Average Interest- Bearing Liabilities 3,130,227 2,648,581 18.2 % 3,034,240 Yield on Earning Assets (FTE) (a) 2.77 % 3.13 % 2.84 % Cost of Funds (a) 0.03 % 0.03 % 0.03 % Net Interest Margin (FTE) (a) 2.74 % 3.10 % 2.81 % Interest Expense/ Interest-Bearing Liabilities (a) 0.06 % 0.07 % 0.06 % Net Interest Spread (FTE) (a) 2.71 % 3.06 % 2.78 % 3. Loans & Other Earning Assets. (average volume, dollars in thousands) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Total Assets $ 6,650,164 $ 5,655,460 17.6 % $ 6,562,753 Total Earning Assets 6,244,622 5,242,142 19.1 % 6,156,749 Total Loans 1,251,540 1,123,934 11.4 % 1,286,480 Total Commercial Loans 395,473 223,383 77.0 % 426,564 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans 188,971 - n/m 227,828 Commercial Loans 206,502 223,383 -7.6 % 198,736 Commercial RE Loans 559,191 579,743 -3.5 % 561,394 Consumer Loans 296,876 320,808 -7.5 % 298,522 Total Investment Securities 4,440,621 3,845,885 15.5 % 4,430,592 Debt Securities Available For Sale 3,947,549 3,135,743 25.9 % 3,884,451 Debt Securities Held To Maturity 493,072 710,142 -30.6 % 546,141 Total Interest-Bearing Cash 552,461 272,323 102.9 % 439,677 Loans/Deposits 21.8 % 23.3 % 22.7 % 4. Deposits, Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities & Equity. (average volume, dollars in thousands) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Total Deposits $ 5,748,070 $ 4,828,988 19.0 % $ 5,655,768 Noninterest Demand 2,713,632 2,222,737 22.1 % 2,736,348 Interest-Bearing Transaction 1,130,760 941,720 20.1 % 1,071,576 Savings 1,746,815 1,496,362 16.7 % 1,688,031 Time greater than $100K 71,241 73,849 -3.5 % 71,306 Time less than $100K 85,622 94,320 -9.2 % 88,507 Total Short-Term Borrowings 95,575 42,330 125.8 % 114,820 Other Borrowed Funds 214 - n/m - Shareholders' Equity 735,496 705,330 4.3 % 720,473 Demand Deposits/ Total Deposits 47.2 % 46.0 % 48.4 % Transaction & Savings Deposits / Total Deposits 97.3 % 96.5 % 97.2 % 5. Interest Yields Earned & Rates Paid. (dollars in thousands) Q1'2021 Average Income/ Yield (a) / Volume Expense Rate (a) Interest & Fee Income Earned Total Earning Assets (FTE) $ 6,244,622 $ 43,058 2.77 % Total Loans (FTE) 1,251,540 14,684 4.76 % Total Commercial Loans (FTE) 395,473 4,005 4.11 % PPP Loans 188,971 1,853 3.98 % Commercial Loans (FTE) 206,502 2,152 4.23 % Commercial RE Loans 559,191 7,341 5.32 % Consumer Loans 296,876 3,338 4.56 % Total Investments (FTE) 4,440,621 28,236 2.54 % Total Interest-Bearing Cash 552,461 138 0.10 % Interest Expense Paid Total Earning Assets 6,244,622 475 0.03 % Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities 3,130,227 475 0.06 % Total Interest-Bearing Deposits 3,034,438 459 0.06 % Interest-Bearing Transaction 1,130,760 89 0.03 % Savings 1,746,815 250 0.06 % Time less than $100K 85,622 42 0.20 % Time greater than $100K 71,241 78 0.44 % Total Short-Term Borrowings 95,575 16 0.07 % Other Borrowed Funds 214 - 0.35 % Net Interest Income and Margin (FTE) $ 42,583 2.74 % Q1'2020 Average Income/ Yield (a) / Volume Expense Rate (a) Interest & Fee Income Earned Total Earning Assets (FTE) $ 5,242,142 $ 40,989 3.13 % Total Loans (FTE) 1,123,934 13,910 4.98 % Commercial Loans (FTE) 223,383 2,776 5.00 % Commercial RE Loans 579,743 7,599 5.27 % Consumer Loans 320,808 3,535 4.43 % Total Investments (FTE) 3,845,885 26,223 2.73 % Total Interest-Bearing Cash 272,323 856 1.24 % Interest Expense Paid Total Earning Assets 5,242,142 442 0.03 % Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities 2,648,581 442 0.07 % Total Interest-Bearing Deposits 2,606,251 434 0.07 % Interest-Bearing Transaction 941,720 84 0.04 % Savings 1,496,362 217 0.06 % Time less than $100K 94,320 54 0.23 % Time greater than $100K 73,849 79 0.43 % Total Short-Term Borrowings 42,330 8 0.07 % Net Interest Income and Margin (FTE) $ 40,547 3.10 % 6. Noninterest Income. (dollars in thousands except per-share amounts) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Service Charges on Deposits $ 3,304 $ 4,248 -22.2 % $ 3,452 Merchant Processing Services 2,560 2,358 8.6 % 2,713 Debit Card Fees 1,601 1,468 9.0 % 1,643 Trust Fees 801 777 3.1 % 765 ATM Processing Fees 601 579 3.8 % 570 Other Service Fees 469 506 -7.2 % 457 Financial Services Commissions 70 125 -44.0 % 66 Gains on Sales of Real Property - - n/m 3,536 Other Noninterest Income (5) 783 1,587 -50.7 % 757 Total Noninterest Income $ 10,189 $ 11,648 -12.5 % $ 13,959 Total Revenue (FTE) $ 52,772 $ 52,195 1.1 % $ 57,251 Noninterest Income/Revenue (FTE) 19.3 % 22.3 % 24.4 % Service Charges/Avg. Deposits (a) 0.23 % 0.35 % 0.24 % Total Revenues (FTE) Per Avg. Common Share (a) $ 7.98 $ 7.76 2.9 % $ 8.49 7. Noninterest Expense. (dollars in thousands) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Salaries & Benefits $ 12,665 $ 13,018 -2.7 % $ 12,291 Occupancy and Equipment 4,880 4,932 -1.1 % 4,900 Outsourced Data Processing 2,390 2,405 -0.6 % 2,359 Professional Fees 942 389 142.2 % 722 Courier Service 504 491 2.6 % 502 Amortization of Identifiable Intangibles 69 73 -5.5 % 69 Other Noninterest Expense 3,456 3,356 3.0 % 3,702 Total Noninterest Expense $ 24,906 $ 24,664 1.0 % $ 24,545 Noninterest Expense/ Avg. Earning Assets (a) 1.62 % 1.89 % 1.59 % Noninterest Expense/Revenues (FTE) 47.2 % 47.3 % 42.9 % 8. Allowance for Credit Losses. (dollars in thousands) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Average Total Loans $ 1,251,540 $ 1,123,934 11.4 % $ 1,286,480 Beginning of Period Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans (ACLL) $ 23,854 $ 19,484 22.4 % $ 24,142 Adoption of ASU 2016-13(1) - 2,017 n/m - Beginning of Period ACLL 23,854 21,501 10.9 % 24,142 Provision for Credit Losses - 4,300 n/m 7 Net ACLL Losses (371 ) (997 ) -62.8 % (295 ) End of Period ACLL $ 23,483 $ 24,804 -5.3 % $ 23,854 Gross ACLL Recoveries / Gross ACLL Losses 60 % 37 % 69 % Net ACLL Losses / Avg. Total Loans (a) 0.12 % 0.36 % 0.09 % (dollars in thousands) % 3/31/21 3/31/20 Change 12/31/20 Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans $ 23,483 $ 24,804 -5.3 % $ 23,854 Allowance for Credit Losses on HTM Securities (2) 9 16 -44.6 % 9 Total Allowance for Credit Losses $ 23,492 $ 24,820 -5.4 % $ 23,863 Allowance for Unfunded Credit Commitments 101 53 90.0 % 101 9. Credit Quality. (dollars in thousands) % 3/31/21 3/31/20 Change 12/31/20 Nonperforming Loans: Nonperforming Nonaccrual $ 402 $ 419 -4.1 % $ 526 Performing Nonaccrual 3,569 3,933 -9.3 % 3,803 Total Nonaccrual Loans 3,971 4,352 -8.8 % 4,329 90+ Days Past Due Accruing Loans 132 178 -25.8 % 450 Total 4,103 4,530 -9.4 % 4,779 Repossessed Loan Collateral - 43 n/m - Total Nonperforming Assets $ 4,103 $ 4,573 -10.3 % $ 4,779 Total Loans Outstanding $ 1,293,756 $ 1,121,243 15.4 % $ 1,256,243 Total Assets 6,912,481 5,628,126 22.8 % 6,747,931 Loans: Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans $ 23,483 $ 24,804 -5.3 % $ 23,854 Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans / Loans 1.82 % 2.21 % 1.90 % Nonperforming Loans/Total Loans 0.32 % 0.40 % 0.38 % 10. Capital. (in thousands, except per-share amounts) % 3/31/21 3/31/20 Change 12/31/20 Shareholders' Equity $ 812,132 $ 705,546 15.1 % $ 844,809 Total Assets 6,912,481 5,628,126 22.8 % 6,747,931 Shareholders' Equity/ Total Assets 11.75 % 12.54 % 12.52 % Shareholders' Equity/ Total Loans 62.77 % 62.93 % 67.25 % Tangible Common Equity Ratio 10.15 % 10.58 % 10.90 % Common Shares Outstanding 26,864 26,932 -0.3 % 26,807 Common Equity Per Share $ 30.23 $ 26.20 15.4 % $ 31.51 Market Value Per Common Share 62.78 58.78 6.8 % 55.29 (shares in thousands) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Total Shares Repurchased 4 180 n/m 91 Average Repurchase Price $ 61.09 $ 51.52 n/m $ 52.22 Net Shares (Issued) Repurchased (57 ) 130 n/m 91 11. Period-End Balance Sheets. (unaudited, dollars in thousands) % 3/31/21 3/31/20 Change 12/31/20 Assets: Cash and Due from Banks $ 866,457 $ 304,628 184.4 % $ 621,275 Investment Securities: Debt Securities Available For Sale 3,990,570 3,210,689 24.3 % 4,063,185 Debt Securities Held To Maturity (3) 469,259 681,821 -31.2 % 515,589 Loans 1,293,756 1,121,243 15.4 % 1,256,243 Allowance For Credit Losses on Loans (23,483 ) (24,804 ) -5.3 % (23,854 ) Total Loans, net 1,270,273 1,096,439 15.9 % 1,232,389 Other Real Estate Owned - 43 n/m - Premises and Equipment, net 32,216 35,403 -9.0 % 32,813 Identifiable Intangibles, net 1,035 1,318 -21.5 % 1,105 Goodwill 121,673 121,673 0.0 % 121,673 Other Assets 160,998 176,112 -8.6 % 159,903 Total Assets $ 6,912,481 $ 5,628,126 22.8 % $ 6,747,931 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity: Deposits: Noninterest-Bearing $ 2,798,542 $ 2,183,283 28.2 % $ 2,725,177 Interest-Bearing Transaction 1,179,484 936,516 25.9 % 1,102,601 Savings 1,791,636 1,514,431 18.3 % 1,703,812 Time 154,171 165,196 -6.7 % 156,389 Total Deposits 5,923,833 4,799,426 23.4 % 5,687,979 Short-Term Borrowed Funds 95,479 52,664 81.3 % 102,545 Other Borrowed Funds 1,681 - n/m - Other Liabilities 79,356 70,490 12.6 % 112,598 Total Liabilities 6,100,349 4,922,580 23.9 % 5,903,122 Shareholders' Equity: Common Equity: Paid-In Capital 469,885 466,472 0.7 % 466,041 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income 68,901 171 n/m 114,412 Retained Earnings 273,346 238,903 14.4 % 264,356 Total Shareholders' Equity 812,132 705,546 15.1 % 844,809 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 6,912,481 $ 5,628,126 22.8 % $ 6,747,931 12. Income Statements. (unaudited, in thousands except per-share amounts) % Q1'2021 Q1'2020 Change Q4'2020 Interest & Fee Income: Loans $ 14,581 $ 13,809 5.6 % $ 14,999 Investment Securities: Equity Securities 110 103 6.9 % 110 Debt Securities Available For Sale (4) 24,889 21,315 16.8 % 24,947 Debt Securities Held To Maturity 2,598 3,908 -33.5 % 2,793 Interest-Bearing Cash 138 856 -83.9 % 112 Total Interest & Fee Income 42,316 39,991 5.8 % 42,961 Interest Expense: Transaction Deposits 89 84 6.5 % 90 Savings Deposits 250 217 15.0 % 246 Time Deposits 120 133 -9.9 % 126 Short-Term Borrowed Funds 16 8 99.9 % 19 Total Interest Expense 475 442 7.4 % 481 Net Interest Income 41,841 39,549 5.8 % 42,480 Provision for Credit Losses - 4,300 n/m - Noninterest Income: Service Charges 3,304 4,248 -22.2 % 3,452 Merchant Processing Services 2,560 2,358 8.6 % 2,713 Debit Card Fees 1,601 1,468 9.0 % 1,643 Trust Fees 801 777 3.1 % 765 ATM Processing Fees 601 579 3.8 % 570 Other Service Fees 469 506 -7.2 % 457 Financial Services Commissions 70 125 -44.0 % 66 Gains on Sales of Real Property - - n/m 3,536 Other Noninterest Income (5) 783 1,587 -50.7 % 757 Total Noninterest Income 10,189 11,648 -12.5 % 13,959 Noninterest Expense: Salaries and Benefits 12,665 13,018 -2.7 % 12,291 Occupancy and Equipment 4,880 4,932 -1.1 % 4,900 Outsourced Data Processing 2,390 2,405 -0.6 % 2,359 Professional Fees 942 389 142.2 % 722 Courier Service 504 491 2.6 % 502 Amortization of Identifiable Intangibles 69 73 -5.5 % 69 Other Noninterest Expense 3,456 3,356 3.0 % 3,702 Total Noninterest Expense 24,906 24,664 1.0 % 24,545 Income Before Income Taxes 27,124 22,233 22.0 % 31,894 Income Tax Provision 6,977 5,271 32.4 % 8,056 Net Income $ 20,147 $ 16,962 18.8 % $ 23,838 Average Common Shares Outstanding 26,821 27,068 -0.9 % 26,838 Diluted Common Shares Outstanding 26,842 27,139 -1.1 % 26,849 Per Common Share Data: Basic Earnings $ 0.75 $ 0.63 19.0 % $ 0.89 Diluted Earnings 0.75 0.63 19.0 % 0.89 Dividends Paid 0.41 0.41 0.0 % 0.41 Footnotes and Abbreviations: (1) Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("CECL"), resulting in a period opening adjustment to the allowance for credit losses for loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, other liabilities, deferred tax assets, and shareholders' equity. (2) In the fourth quarter 2020, the Company recorded a $7 thousand reversal of provision for credit losses on Debt Securities Held To Maturity and the balance of the allowance for credit losses on Debt Securities Held To Maturity was reduced from $16 thousand at September 30, 2020 to $9 thousand at December 31, 2020. (3) The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, effective January 1, 2020. Debt Securities Held To Maturity of $469,259 thousand at March 31, 2021, $515,589 thousand at December 31, 2020 and $681,821 thousand at March 31, 2020 are net of related reserve for expected credit losses of $9 thousand, $9 thousand and $16 thousand, respectively. (4) Interest income on Debt Securities Available For Sale included make-whole interest income on called corporate bonds of $700 thousand in the first quarter 2021 and $1.9 million in the fourth quarter 2020. (5) The Company received $603 thousand in excess of amounts charged-off in prior periods on a purchased loan during the first quarter 2020, representing the recovery of a purchased loan credit-risk discount. (FTE) Fully Taxable Equivalent. The Company presents its net interest margin and net interest income on a FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate. Management believes the FTE basis is valuable to the reader because the Company’s loan and investment securities portfolios contain a relatively large portion of municipal loans and securities that are federally tax exempt. The Company’s tax exempt loans and securities composition may not be similar to that of other banks, therefore in order to reflect the impact of the federally tax exempt loans and securities on the net interest margin and net interest income for comparability with other banks, the Company presents its net interest margin and net interest income on a FTE basis. (a) Annualized Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.