American Business Bank Reports Record Annual and Quarterly Earnings

Core loans increased by $136 million or 24% annualized in the quarter

Full Year 2022 Highlights

  • Total loans, excluding PPP loans, increased $496 million or 26% over prior year

  • Non-interest bearing demand deposits were 53% of total deposits

  • Cost of average deposits of 0.14%, an increase of 0.09% over prior year quarter

  • Nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.18%

  • Near nil delinquencies in 30-89 day loan category

  • Record net income of $48.6 million

  • Net interest income increased by $18 million or 17% over the prior year

  • Continued status as well-capitalized, the highest regulatory category

Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights

  • Total core loans, excluding PPP loans, increased $136 million or 6% over prior quarter

  • Net interest income increased 31%, excluding accelerated PPP fees, over prior year quarter

  • Net interest margin increased to 3.6%, from 3.4% at September 30, 2022

  • Net income increased $4.3 million or 44% over prior year quarter

  • Tangible book value per share increased by $1.97 to $28.39 over prior quarter

LOS ANGELES, January 27, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AMERICAN BUSINESS BANK (OTCQX: AMBZ) today reported net income of $14.0 million or $1.51 per fully diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $13.3 million or $1.44 per fully diluted share for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 5%. For the quarter ended December 31, 2022, net income associated with the PPP program was $52 thousand or $0.01 per fully diluted share compared to $1.3 million or $0.14 per fully diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. For the year ending December 31, 2022, net income was $48.6 million or $5.28 per fully diluted share, compared to $39.2 million or $4.33 per fully diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2022, net income associated with the PPP program was $2.9 million or $0.31 per fully diluted share compared to $12.4 million or $1.37 per fully diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Story continues

“Our team is pleased to report record annual net income for 2022 as well as achieving a 1.46% return on average assets for the fourth quarter. These are wonderful milestones for our Bank, but many factors are changing quickly, especially interest rates over the past several months. In the last year, we have benefitted from rising interest rates, but this is starting to have an adverse effect as the government draws liquidity from the financial system at super competitive rates. As a result, at year end 2022, our deposits decreased $207 million or 6% from a year ago, and we are borrowing overnight to fill that gap. We continue to be a strong core deposit franchise and will be leaning into that strength, focusing on gathering core deposits to replace those borrowings.

Core loans grew at a healthy pace in the quarter. With a continued focus on outstanding credit quality, the loan pipeline remains solid but has been impacted by the higher rate environment and slowing economy. We look forward to 2023 and continuing to deliver superior service and solutions throughout the entire economic cycle for small to mid-size businesses in Southern California,” commented Leon Blankstein, ABB’s President, CEO, and Director.

For the quarter ending December 31, 2022, net interest income was $34.6 million, a 7% increase over the third quarter of 2022. Interest income on loans increased by $2.9 million due to core loan growth and higher interest rates. For the quarter ending December 31, 2022, the cost of deposits was 0.14% representing an increase of 0.09% compared to the quarter ending September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

The provision for loan losses was $1.2 million in the quarter commensurate with core loan growth. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans, excluding PPP loans, was 1.22% at December 31, 2022.

For the full year 2022, the increase in net income over 2021 was primarily due to a $12.2 million increase in interest income on loans and a $6.2 million increase in interest on investment securities. This was offset by a $2.6 million increase in provision for loan losses commensurate with core loan growth and a $1.8 million increase in salary expense.

Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 3.60% compared to 3.40% in the third quarter of 2022 and 2.82% in the fourth quarter of 2021 reflecting the higher yield on earning assets. Excluding the impact of PPP loans, the net interest margin was 3.60% for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 3.38% for the third quarter of 2022. As of December 31, 2022, 62% of the loan portfolio was fixed rate. Of the variable rate loans, approximately half are indexed to prime of which $393 million are adjustable within 90 days of a change in prime.

Net Interest Income

For the quarter ended December 31, 2022, net interest income increased by $2.3 million, or 7%, compared to the third quarter of 2022 and increased by $7.0 million, or 26%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2021. This is the result of the Bank’s strong core loan growth and increases in market rates on loans and investment securities offset by the reduction in PPP loan income.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, net interest income was $125.1 million compared to $107.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $18 million or 17% is due to additional interest on core loans of $25.7 million and additional interest on investment securities of $6.2 million offset by the $13.5 million reduction in PPP loan income.

(Figures in $000s, except per share amounts)

As of or For the
Twelve Months Ended:

As of or For the
Three Months Ended:

December
2022

December
2021

December
2022

September
2022

December
2021

PPP Total Loans, net

$

9,505

$

143,584

$

9,505

$

10,066

$

143,584

1% Coupon Interest

$

482

$

4,086

$

26

$

35

$

418

Amortized fees

298

1,924

20

25

254

Accelerated fees

3,286

11,589

28

297

1,118

Total PPP loan income

$

4,066

$

17,599

$

73

$

356

$

1,789

Total PPP loan income after tax

$

2,867

$

12,413

$

52

$

251

$

1,262

Total PPP loan income after tax per
share – diluted

$

0.31

$

1.37

$

0.01

$

0.03

$

0.14

As of January 19, 2023, approximately 99% of PPP loans have been forgiven. Of the thirteen remaining PPP loans, four are in the forgiveness review or submission process.

Non-Interest Income

Other non-interest income increased for the quarter and year-to-date periods primarily due to fees for cash management services. The increase in total non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily due to the increase in fees from deposit and cash management services offset by the decline in the valuation of COLI policies that are invested in mutual funds.

Non-Interest Expense

For the quarter ending December 31, 2022, total non-interest expense increased $0.8 million and $1.3 million compared to the third quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021, respectively. These increases are primarily due to salaries related to additional employees. Bonuses and commissions have fluctuated with actual results between the periods. In addition other increases are due to an increase in legal costs and non recurring software expenses. The efficiency ratio was 45% for the fourth and third quarter of 2022, compared to 51% for the fourth quarter of 2021.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, non-interest expense increased $1.9 million or 3% compared to the prior year, mainly due to increases in salaries and employee benefits and professional services offset by the decrease in settlement expense related to a legal matter which occurred in the second quarter of 2021.

There were 225 full time equivalent employees at December 31, 2022 compared to 204 a year ago and 211 at September 30, 2022. The Bank has 40 relationship managers in eight offices representing an increase of three from a year ago and remains unchanged from the prior quarter. The Bank has invested in back office personnel commensurate with the increase in core loans over the last two years.

Balance Sheet

From September 30, 2022 to December 31, 2022, total core loans, excluding PPP loans, increased $136 million, or 6%. During the fourth quarter of 2022, Commercial Real Estate (CRE) loans increased by $78 million, primarily due to an increase of $52 million in owner-occupied CRE and $44 million in non-owner-occupied CRE offset by a decrease of $18 million in Construction & Land loans mainly due to three loan payoffs.

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

(Figures in $000s)

RE – Owner Occupied

$

1,011,913

$

959,677

RE – Non Owner Occupied

660,600

616,271

Construction & Land

49,398

67,833

Total CRE Loans

$

1,721,911

$

1,643,780

In addition, Residential Real Estate loans increased by $28 million due to $18 million in loan growth and a reclassification of $10 million from CRE. C&I loans increased by $20 million due to an increase in line utilization. At December 31, 2022, the utilization rate for the Bank’s commercial lines of credit increased to 31% from 30% at September 30, 2022.

Investment securities decreased during the fourth quarter to $1.3 billion. As of December 31, 2022, the duration of the available-for-sale securities portfolio decreased to 5.4 years from 5.6 years as of September 30, 2022. Accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased to $81.2 million as of December 31, 2022 from $84.7 million as of September 30, 2022 as market rates relevant to securities pricing decreased. The duration on the held-to-maturity portfolio which holds a significant amount of municipal securities is 7.7 years.

During 2022, total assets decreased $71.5 million, or 1.8%, total deposits decreased by $207 million, or 5.8% and overnight borrowings grew by $162 million. Total loans, excluding PPP loans, grew $496 million, or 26%.

At December 31, 2022, the tangible common equity ratio increased from September 30, 2022 to 6.6%, benefitting from fourth quarter net income and a lower Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. Loan growth over the last year has increased risk-weighted assets resulting in a decline in risk-based capital ratios, which remain well above regulatory requirements.

Asset Quality

The following table presents asset quality overview as of the dates indicated:

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

(Figures in $000s)

Non-performing assets (NPA)

$

6,927

$

2,337

Loans 90+ Days Past Due and Still Accruing

Total NPA

$

6,927

$

2,337

NPA as a % of total assets, excluding PPP

0.18

%

0.06

%

Past Due as a % of total Loans, excluding PPP

0.00

%

0.00

%

Criticized as a % of total Loans, excluding PPP

1.59

%

2.33

%

Classified as a % of total Loans, excluding PPP

0.42

%

0.35

%

During the fourth quarter, NPA increased by $4.6 million to $6.9 million with the addition of three C&I loan relationships in unrelated industries. As of December 31, 2022, the NPA had a $487 thousand specific reserve related to six C&I impaired loan relationships of which the majority have a partial guarantee by the state or the SBA. There were no charge offs in the fourth quarter of 2022 and only one during the year.

The following table represents the allowance for loan losses as of and for the dates and periods indicated:

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

December 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

(Figures in $000s)

Beginning Balance

$

28,439

$

27,608

$

25,062

$

22,931

Charge-offs

(23

)

(23

)

(278

)

Recoveries

27

18

81

456

Net (charge-offs) / recoveries

$

27

$

(5

)

$

58

$

178

Provision

1,169

836

4,515

1,953

Ending Balance

$

29,635

$

28,439

$

29,635

$

25,062

Allowance as a % of total assets, excluding PPP

1.21

%

1.24

%

1.21

%

1.30

%

All PPP loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA and as such, no allowance for loan losses is allocated to these loans. The Bank is required to adopt CECL, or Current Expected Credit Loss, on January 1, 2023 and preliminary analysis will likely result in a decrease to the Allowance for Loan Losses. There are no loans on a loan payment deferment program.

ABOUT AMERICAN BUSINESS BANK

American Business Bank, headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, offers a wide range of financial services to the business marketplace. Clients include wholesalers, manufacturers, service businesses, professionals and non-profits. American Business Bank has seven Loan Production Offices in strategic locations including: North Orange County in Anaheim, Orange County in Irvine, South Bay in Torrance, San Fernando Valley in Woodland Hills, Riverside County in Corona, Inland Empire in Ontario and LA Coastal in Long Beach.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains certain forward-looking information about American Business Bank that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include future financial and operating results, expectations, intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on information available at the time of this communication and are based on current beliefs and expectations of the Bank’s management and are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including various risk factors. We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

American Business Bank

Figures in $000, except share and per share amounts

BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

December

September

December

2022

2022

2021

Assets:

Cash and Due from Banks

$

34,644

$

79,490

$

33,246

Interest Earning Deposits in Other Financial Institutions

1,931

13,420

195,624

Investment Securities:

US Agencies

123,164

133,686

185,170

Mortgage Backed Securities

439,376

447,488

808,496

State and Municipals

101,788

99,441

231,917

US Treasuries

Corporate Bonds

15,021

15,205

12,903

Securities Available-for-Sale, at Fair Value

679,349

695,820

1,238,486

Mortgage Backed Securities

190,525

193,640

State and Municipals

394,219

394,929

298,651

Securities Held-to-Maturity, at Amortized Cost

584,744

588,569

298,651

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost

15,000

15,000

11,779

Total Investment Securities

1,279,093

1,299,389

1,548,916

Loans Receivable:

Commercial Real Estate

1,721,911

1,643,780

1,371,475

Commercial and Industrial

514,787

494,681

444,009

SBA Payroll Protection Program

9,505

10,066

143,584

Residential Real Estate

179,452

151,514

112,817

Installment and Other

14,547

5,186

5,897

Total Loans Receivable

2,440,202

2,305,227

2,077,782

Allowance for Loan Losses

(29,635

)

(28,439

)

(25,062

)

Loans Receivable, Net

2,410,567

2,276,788

2,052,720

Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net

5,605

5,645

6,580

Bank/Corporate Owned Life Insurance

27,668

28,282

28,851

Other Assets

81,254

80,405

46,339

Total Assets

$

3,840,762

$

3,783,419

$

3,912,276

Liabilities:

Non-Interest Bearing Demand Deposits

$

1,808,570

$

1,894,054

$

1,934,444

Interest Bearing Transaction Accounts

314,747

322,945

287,224

Money Market and Savings Deposits

1,225,619

1,249,575

1,337,035

Certificates of Deposit

41,858

43,530

39,445

Total Deposits

3,390,794

3,510,104

3,598,148

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances / Other Borrowings

161,500

Other Liabilities

34,018

37,218

35,574

Total Liabilities

$

3,586,312

$

3,547,322

$

3,633,722

Shareholders’ Equity:

Common Stock

$

205,558

$

204,682

$

202,199

Retained Earnings

130,080

116,128

81,521

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)

(81,188

)

(84,713

)

(5,166

)

Total Shareholders’ Equity

$

254,450

$

236,097

$

278,554

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$

3,840,762

$

3,783,419

$

3,912,276

Standby Letters of Credit

$

38,459

$

42,067

$

35,891

Per Share Information:

Common Shares Outstanding

8,963,108

8,937,069

8,832,797

Book Value Per Share

$

28.39

$

26.42

$

31.54

Tangible Book Value Per Share

$

28.39

$

26.42

$

31.54

American Business Bank

Figures in $000, except share and per share amounts

INCOME STATEMENTS (unaudited)

For the three months ended:

December

September

December

2022

2022

2021

Interest Income:

Interest and Fees on Loans

$

28,068

$

25,134

$

20,729

Interest on Investment Securities

7,658

7,181

7,158

Interest on Interest Earning Deposits

in Other Financial Institutions

366

467

135

Total Interest Income

36,092

32,782

28,022

Interest Expense:

Interest on Interest Bearing Transaction Accounts

120

40

33

Interest on Money Market and Savings Deposits

1,145

383

377

Interest on Certificates of Deposits

20

10

10

Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

and Other Borrowings

159

16

Total Interest Expense

1,444

449

420

Net Interest Income

34,648

32,333

27,602

Provision for Loan Losses

1,169

836

1,485

Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses

33,479

31,497

26,117

Non-Interest Income:

Deposit Fees

1,003

1,056

912

International Fees

328

318

357

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investment Securities, Net

(32

)

24

(18

)

Gain on Sale of SBA Loans, Net

Bank/Corporate Owned Life Insurance Income (Expense)

181

270

308

Other

629

461

280

Total Non-Interest Income

2,109

2,129

1,839

Non-Interest Expense:

Salaries and Employee Benefits

10,873

10,854

10,459

Occupancy and Equipment

1,153

1,243

1,157

Professional Services

2,032

1,716

1,462

Promotion Expenses

633

618

800

Other

1,698

1,198

1,176

Total Non-Interest Expense

16,389

15,629

15,054

Earnings before income taxes

19,199

17,997

12,902

Income Tax Expense

5,247

4,747

3,240

NET INCOME

$

13,952

$

13,250

$

9,662

Per Share Information:

Earnings Per Share – Basic

$

1.53

$

1.45

$

1.07

Earnings Per Share – Diluted

$

1.51

$

1.44

$

1.06

Weighted Average Shares – Basic

9,131,068

9,110,176

9,002,011

Weighted Average Shares – Diluted

9,219,807

9,200,981

9,143,933

American Business Bank

Figures in $000, except share and per share amounts

INCOME STATEMENTS (unaudited)

For the twelve months ended:

December

December

2022

2021

Interest Income:

Interest and Fees on Loans

$

98,995

$

86,800

Interest on Investment Securities

27,778

21,617

Interest on Interest Earning Deposits

in Other Financial Institutions

975

462

Total Interest Income

127,748

108,879

Interest Expense:

Interest on Interest Bearing Transaction Accounts

217

152

Interest on Money Market and Savings Deposits

2,158

1,621

Interest on Certificates of Deposits

51

47

Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

and Other Borrowings

267

Total Interest Expense

2,693

1,820

Net Interest Income

125,055

107,059

Provision for Loan Losses

4,515

1,953

Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses

120,540

105,106

Non-Interest Income:

Deposit Fees

4,038

3,314

International Fees

1,361

1,210

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investment Securities, Net

(75

)

(33

)

Gain on Sale of SBA Loans, Net

Bank/Corporate Owned Life Insurance Income (Expense)

(387

)

1,113

Other

1,788

921

Total Non-Interest Income

6,725

6,525

Non-Interest Expense:

Salaries and Employee Benefits

41,689

39,867

Occupancy and Equipment

4,675

4,589

Professional Services

7,172

6,043

Promotion Expenses

1,974

1,734

Other

5,233

6,581

Total Non-Interest Expense

60,743

58,814

Earnings before income taxes

66,522

52,817

Income Tax Expense

17,963

13,654

NET INCOME

$

48,559

$

39,163

Per Share Information:

Earnings Per Share – Basic

$

5.34

$

4.39

Earnings Per Share – Diluted

$

5.28

$

4.33

Weighted Average Shares – Basic

9,095,159

8,918,938

Weighted Average Shares – Diluted

9,194,381

9,048,355

American Business Bank

Figures in $000

QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND YIELD ANALYSIS (unaudited)

For the three months ended:

December 2022

September 2022

Average

Interest

Average

Average

Interest

Average

Balance

Inc/Exp

Yield/Rate

Balance

Inc/Exp

Yield/Rate

Interest Earning Assets:

Interest Earning Deposits in Other Financial Institutions

$

39,054

$

366

3.71

%

$

78,168

$

467

2.42

%

Investment Securities:

US Agencies

128,861

970

3.01

%

139,525

570

1.63

%

Mortgage Backed Securities

731,139

3,429

1.88

%

747,130

3,404

1.82

%

State and Municipals

509,687

2,816

2.21

%

513,082

2,840

2.21

%

US Treasuries

0.00

%

0.00

%

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