Bank of Santa Clarita Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

SANTA CLARITA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bank of Santa Clarita (OTCBB: BSCA.OB) today announced financial results for its third quarter of 2009.

Bank of Santa Clarita, the only commercial bank headquartered in the Santa Clarita Valley, reported that its earnings have continued to improve over 2008, as net earnings for the third quarter of 2009 totaled $218,000 compared to third quarter 2008 earnings of $50,000; similarly, earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $348,000 as compared to the $201,000 reported for the first nine months of 2008. The Bank reported year over year increases in net interest income of $187,000 and $494,000 for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009, as compared to those periods of 2008, representing growth in net interest income of 14% and 13%, respectively.

During the first nine months of 2009 the Bank experienced a 21% growth in its deposits and a 5% growth in its loan portfolio. Consistent with the loan growth and the ongoing evaluation of prevailing economic conditions, during the first quarter of 2009 the Bank increased its allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans to approximately 1.35% from approximately 1.21% at December 31, 2008. The year-to-date results also include the recognition of $396,000 of the income tax benefits resulting from the Bank’s net operating losses recorded during its initial years of operations.

As previously reported, during the first quarter of 2009 the Bank opened its third full-service branch office, located in Eastern Santa Clarita Valley. This office is intended to serve retail consumers as well as small businesses, and is the first Bank branch office to focus on that retail consumer banking segment. The third quarter and year-to-date results include more than $140,000 and $350,000, respectively, of operating expenses directly related to this new branch, which the Bank considers to be an investment in the development of this market segment. Additionally, during the first nine months of 2008, the Bank recorded $74,000 of FDIC deposit insurance premiums, whereas this amount more than doubled for the first nine months of 2009, to $198,000; moreover, during the first nine months of 2008, the Bank recorded $45,000 of dividends on FHLB of San Francisco stock, whereas this amount was reduced to $3,000 during the same period of 2009, largely the result of a requirement that the FHLB bolster its retained earnings due to factors generally emanating from the economic situation. The combination of the increased FDIC premiums and the reduced FHLB dividends had the effect of reducing the Bank’s earnings reported for the first nine months of 2009 by $166,000 as compared to the first nine months of 2008.

“We are very pleased with our continued positive performance through the third quarter of 2009,” said James D. Hicken, President and Chief Executive Officer. “During the third quarter our net interest margin continued to improve based on management’s efforts to position the Bank for today’s interest rate environment. The growth in both loans and deposits primarily reflects an expanding market opportunity and the benefit the Bank has in being the Santa Clarita Valley’s only locally headquartered commercial bank.”

At September 30, 2009, shareholders’ equity was $19.6 million and the Bank’s total risk-based regulatory capital ratio was 15.91%, significantly exceeding the “well-capitalized” level of 10% prescribed under regulatory requirements. Moreover, the Bank continues to maintain substantial liquidity positions, retaining significant balances of liquidity as well as available collateralized borrowings and other potential sources of liquidity.

Bank of Santa Clarita, founded in 2004, is the only independent, full service commercial bank headquartered in Santa Clarita and generally serves the needs of retail consumers, small to mid-sized businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs, and high-net worth individuals. The Bank provides local, experienced decision-making and the personalized service that growing businesses need on a daily basis. Bank clients have direct access to executive management and professional staff members to address their SBA and other credit requirements, and also technology-based services that include online bill-paying, remote capture depositing, check imaging and initiating online wire transfers, among other cash management facilities, which services enable local businesses to effectively and efficiently manage their cash and credit needs.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to the Bank’s current expectations regarding deposit and loan growth, operating results and the strength of the local economy. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed, suggested or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the impact of changes in interest rates, a decline in economic conditions and increased competition among financial service providers as these factors may impact the Bank’s operating results, its ability to attract deposit and loan customers, the quality of the Bank’s earning assets and government regulation. The Bank does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Bank of Santa Clarita
James D. Hicken
President
Chief Executive Officer
661-362-6001