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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

 

Commission file number: 000-50050

 


 

CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

California   52-2380548
(State of Incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No)

3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700

Los Angeles, California 90010

  90010
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(213) 251-2222

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

 

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, No Par Value

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

x  Yes    ¨  No

 

Check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

¨  Yes    x  No

 

As of June 30, 2003, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $70.2 million, based on the closing price reported on the Nasdaq National Market to the Registrant on that date of $15.06 per share.

 

Shares of Common Stock held by each officer and director and each person owning more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of the affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

 

The number of shares of Common Stock of the registrant outstanding as of March 10, 2004 was 16,071,848.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

 

Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to SEC Regulation 14A are incorporated by reference in Part III, Items 10-14.

 



Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

PART I

   3

ITEM 1.

 

BUSINESS

   3

ITEM 2.

 

PROPERTIES

   21

ITEM 3.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   22

ITEM 4.

 

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   22

PART II

   23

ITEM 5.

 

MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

   23

ITEM 6.

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   26

ITEM 7.

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   27

ITEM 7.A.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE OF MARKET RISKS

   64

ITEM 8.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

   65

ITEM 9.

 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   102

ITEM 9A.

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   102

PART III

   103

ITEM 10.

 

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

   103

ITEM 11.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   103

ITEM 12.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

   103

ITEM 13.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

   103

ITEM 14.

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

   103

PART IV

   104

ITEM 15.

 

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K

   104

SIGNATURES

   105

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are based on the current beliefs of the Company’s Management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Management. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report, including without limitation, statements under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of Management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this Annual Report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to the Company or the Company’s Management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Management’s expectations (“cautionary statements”) include fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, government regulations, economic conditions, customer disintermediation and competitive product and pricing pressures in the geographic and business areas in which the Company conducts its operations, and are disclosed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. Based upon changing conditions, if any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

GENERAL

 

Center Financial Corporation

 

Center Financial Corporation (“Center Financial” or the “Company”) is a California corporation registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Center Financial was incorporated in April 2000 and acquired all of the outstanding shares of Center Bank (formerly California Center Bank) in October 2002. Center Financial’s principal subsidiary is Center Bank (“the Bank”). Center Financial exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of the Bank and of such other subsidiaries as it may acquire or establish. Currently, the Company’s only other direct subsidiary is Center Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust which was formed in December 2003 solely to facilitate the issuance of capital trust pass-through securities (see “-Recent Developments”).

 

Our principal source of income is currently dividends from the Bank, but we intend to explore supplemental sources of income in the future. Our expenditures, including (but not limited to) the payment of dividends to shareholders, if and when declared by the Board of Directors, and the cost of servicing debt, will generally be paid from such payments made to us by the Bank.

 

At December 31, 2003, we had consolidated assets of $1.0 billion, deposits of $867.9 million and shareholders’ equity of $78.3 million.

 

Our Administrative Offices are located at 3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700, Los Angeles, California 90010 and our telephone number is (213) 251-2222. Our website address is www.centerbank.com. As used herein, the terms “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer collectively to Center Financial Corporation, the Bank, Center Capital Trust I and the Bank’s subsidiary, CB Capital Trust (discussed below), unless the context otherwise requires. The term “Center Financial” is used to designate Center Financial Corporation only.

 

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Center Bank and Subsidiary

 

The Bank is a California state-chartered and FDIC-insured financial institution, which was incorporated in 1985 and commenced operations in March 1986. The Bank changed its name from California Center Bank to Center Bank in December 2002. The Bank’s headquarters is located at 3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700, Los Angeles, California 90010. The Bank is a community bank providing comprehensive financial services to small to medium sized business owners, mostly in Southern California. The Bank specializes in commercial loans, which are mostly secured by real property, to multi-ethnic and small business customers. In addition, the Bank is a Preferred Lender of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and provides trade finance loans and other international banking products. The Bank’s primary market is the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, including Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties, primarily focused in areas with high concentrations of Korean-Americans. The Bank currently has thirteen full-service branch offices located in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. The Bank opened all 13 branches as de novo branches, including the Fullerton Branch. The new Fullerton Branch opened in July 2003, in the Buena Park area, where the Korean-American population is rapidly growing. The Bank also operates five Loan Production Offices (“LPO’s”) in Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Washington D.C. and Las Vegas. The Company opened its fifth LPO in Nevada in October 2003.

 

Additionally, CB Capital Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, was formed as a subsidiary of the Bank in August 2002 with the primary business purpose of investing in the Bank’s real estate-related assets. CB Capital Trust was capitalized in September 2002, at which time the Bank exchanged real estate-related assets for 100% of the common stock of the CB Capital Trust. CB Capital Trust issued preferred stock to 113 employees of the Bank during January 2003. The value of the preferred shares issued to each employee is minimal.

 

CB Capital Trust was formed with the intention of ultimately reducing the Company’s state taxes and thereby increasing net earnings, although it is currently uncertain whether any such tax savings will be available (see “Item 7—MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—Provision for Income Taxes”). The Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 was 36%, 37% and 36%. The Company did not record state tax benefits related to CB Capital Trust. The Company may use CB Capital Trust as a vehicle to raise additional capital in the future.

 

Through our network of branch offices, we provide a wide range of commercial and consumer banking services to our customers. In the past, we focused primarily on Korean-American individuals and companies, but in recent years we have expanded our target customers to include multi-ethnic businesses and depositors. Our primary focus is on small and medium sized Korean-American businesses, professionals and other individuals in its market area, with particular emphasis on the growth of deposits and the origination of commercial and real estate secured loans. We offer bilingual services to our customers in English and Korean and have a network of ATM’s located in eleven of our branch offices.

 

In 2000, we commenced implementing our strategy of growing our branch network by establishing de novo full service branches to expand our customer base. In September 2000, we opened a branch in Colton, in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. In 2001, we continued these plans by opening five new branches, in Downtown Los Angeles, the Mid-Wilshire District, Torrance, San Diego and Cerritos. We also opened a mini branch office, the Oxford Branch in the heart of Koreatown in 2002. The new Fullerton Branch opened in July 2003, in the Buena Park area, where the Korean-American population is rapidly growing. All the existing branches are within the Southern California area. The Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the branch operations of Korea Exchange Bank in Chicago, Illinois with an anticipated closing date of April 23, 2004; and is also in the process of negotiating the purchase of Liberty Bank in New York (see “Recent Developments”).

 

In 2000, we opened two new loan production offices, in Phoenix, Arizona and in Seattle, Washington, to meet the needs of Asian Americans in those markets. In 2001, we opened a loan production office in Denver,

 

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Colorado with the same objective. The Company opened a new LPO, at Annandale, Virginia in November 2002 and called Washington D. C. LPO. The Company opened its fifth LPO in Nevada in October 2003. These loan production offices emphasize SBA loans, but also provide a variety of international banking and commercial lending services, including commercial real estate and business commercial loans.

 

We engage in a full complement of lending activities, including the making of commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, working capital lines, SBA loans, trade financing, automobile loans and other personal loans, and construction loans. We have offered SBA loans since 1989, providing financing for various purposes for small businesses under guarantee of the Small Business Administration, a federal agency created to provide financial assistance for small businesses. We are a Preferred SBA Lender with full loan approval authority on behalf of the SBA.

 

We also participate in the SBA’s Export Working Capital Program. SBA loans are generally secured by deeds of trust on industrial buildings or retail stores. We regularly sell a portion of the guaranteed portion of the SBA guaranteed loans we originate. We retain the obligation to service the loans, for which we receive a servicing fee. As of December 31, 2003, we were servicing $91.5 million of sold SBA loans.

 

As of December 31, 2003, the principal areas in which we directed our lending activities, and the percentage of our total loan portfolio for which each of these areas was responsible, were as follows: commercial loans secured by first deeds of trust on real estate 53%; commercial loans 20%; SBA loans 9%; trade financing 8%; consumer loans 7% and construction loans 3%.

 

We fund our lending activities primarily with demand deposits, savings and time deposits obtained through our branch network. Our deposit products include demand deposit accounts, money market accounts, and savings accounts, time certificates of deposit and fixed maturity installment savings. Our deposits are insured under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, up to the maximum applicable limits thereof. Like most state-chartered banks of our size in California, we are not currently a member of the Federal Reserve System. As of December 31, 2003, we had 34,209 deposit accounts with balances totaling approximately $867.9 million. As of December 31, 2003, we had $268.5 million or 31% in non-interest bearing demand deposits; $156.9 million or 18% in money market accounts; $61.3 million or 7% in savings accounts; $75.0 million or 9% in time deposits less than $100,000; and $306.2 million or 35% in time deposits of more than $100,000. We have obtained the registered service mark “Prime Business Club” to serve exclusively our Prime Business Accounts. As of December 31, 2003, the State of California had placed a deposit of $60 million with us.

 

We also offer international banking services such as letters of credit, acceptances and wire transfers, and merchant deposit services, travelers’ checks, debit cards, and safe deposit boxes.

 

In 2001, we introduced Internet banking services to allow our customers to access their loan and deposit accounts through the Internet. Customers can obtain transaction history, account information, transfer funds between accounts and process bill payments. The Company plans to implement improved real-time online Internet Banking starting in April 2004.

 

We hold no patents or licenses (other than licenses required to be obtained from appropriate bank regulatory agencies), franchises, or concessions. Our business is generally not seasonal. There has been no material effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position as a result of federal, state, or local environmental regulation.

 

For 2003, income from commercial loans secured by first deeds of trust on real estate properties, income from commercial loans, interest on investments and service charges on deposit accounts generated approximately 44%, 20%, 11% and 15%, respectively, of our total revenues. We segregate our operations into three primary segments: Banking Operations, Trade Finance Services (“TFS”), and Small Business Administration Lending Services. Total assets as of December 31, 2003 attributable to Banking Operations totaled $826.2 million,

 

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compared with $100.6 million for Trade Finance Services and $100.5 million for Small Business Administration Lending Services. For financial information about our business segments, see footnote 20 of the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 herein. We are not dependent on a single customer or group of related customers for a material portion of our deposits or loans, nor is a material portion of our loans concentrated within a single industry or group of related industries. Most of our customers are concentrated in the greater Los Angeles area.

 

We have not engaged in any material research activities relating to the development of new services or the improvement of existing banking services during the last three fiscal years. However, our officers and employees are engaged continually in marketing activities, including the evaluation and development of new services, which enable us to retain and improve our competitive position in our service area.

 

Recent Developments

 

On December 30, 2003, Center Capital Trust I, a newly formed Delaware statutory business trust and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Trust”), issued an aggregate of $18 million of principal amount of Trust Preferred Securities. Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. acted as the initial purchaser in connection with the offering of the Trust Preferred Securities. The securities issued by the Trust are fully guaranteed by the Company with respect to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, redemption or repayment. The entire proceeds to the Trust from the sale of the Trust Preferred Securities were used by the Trust in order to purchase $18 million in aggregate principal amount of Center Capital Trust I Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2034 issued by the Company (the “Subordinated Debt Securities”). Subject to a maximum of 25% of Tier 1 capital for all cumulative preferred stock, the Trust Preferred Securities are included as Tier 1 capital for purposes of calculating the Company’s regulatory capital ratios under the Prompt Corrective Action guidelines issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”). However, no assurance can be given that the Trust Preferred Securities will continue to be treated as Tier 1 capital in the future. The Company used all $18 million of the proceeds it ultimately received to increase its equity investment in the Bank. Effective December 31, 2003, as a consequence of adopting the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN No. 46”), the Trust is no longer being consolidated into the accounts of the Company.

 

On January 22, 2004, the Company entered into a definitive Purchase and Assumption Agreement to acquire the branch operations of Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) in Chicago, Illinois. The Agreement calls for Center Bank’s assumption of approximately $16.2 million in FDIC insured deposits and the purchase of approximately $13 million in loans from KEB’s Chicago branch. All regulatory approvals have been received, and the anticipated closing date for this transaction is on or about April 23, 2004. The Agreement specifies a premium of $350,000 plus 10% of average Core Deposits, and 5% of average certain other deposits for 30 days prior to the close.

 

On February 20, 2004, Center Financial Corporation and Liberty Bank of New York announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding whereby Center Financial Corporation will acquire Liberty Bank in a cash transaction and Liberty Bank will be merged into Center Bank. Upon successful completion of due diligence, Center Financial and Liberty Bank will move forward to execute a definitive agreement.

 

Cease and Desist Order

 

On November 30, 2001, the Bank consented to the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order by the FDIC pursuant to Section 8(b)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1818(b)(1), concerning compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and related regulations. This order was disclosed in detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. As a result of the regulatory examination in 2002, the FDIC terminated this order on April 9, 2002.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

For information regarding the recently issued accounting standards, see Note 2, entitled “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements presented elsewhere herein.

 

Competition

 

The banking business in our present and intended future market areas is highly competitive with respect to virtually all products and services and has become increasingly so in recent years. While the banking market in the our primary market area is generally dominated by a relatively small number of major banks with many offices operating over a wide geographic area, our direct competitors in our niche market tend to be relatively smaller community banks, which also focus their businesses on Korean-American consumers and businesses.

 

There is a high level of competition within this specific market. In the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, our main competitors include seven locally owned and operated Korean-American banks and subsidiaries of two Korean banks. These other banks have branches located in many of the same neighborhoods as we do, provide similar types of products and services and use the same Korean language publications and media for their marketing purposes.

 

A less significant source of competition in the Los Angeles metropolitan area are a small number of branches of major banks which maintain a limited bilingual staff for Korean-speaking customers. While such banks have not traditionally focused their marketing efforts on our customer base in Southern California, their competitive influence could increase should they in the future choose to focus on this market.

 

In Phoenix and in Las Vegas, there are currently no local Korean-American banks serving the banking needs of the local Korean-American community.

 

Seattle, Denver and Washington, D.C. each have one local bank focused on serving the banking needs of the local Korean-American community. However, in the Seattle area, three other Los Angeles-based Korean-American banks have also opened LPOs, and in Washington D. C. and its vicinity, there is also one branch office of New York based subsidiary of one Korean Bank, which serves the banking needs of the local Korean-American community.

 

Large commercial bank competitors have, among other advantages, the ability to finance wide-ranging and effective advertising campaigns and to allocate their investment resources to areas of highest yield and demand. Many of the major banks operating in our market area offer certain services, which the Bank does not offer directly (but some of which we offer through correspondent institutions). By virtue of their greater total capitalization, such banks also have substantially higher lending limits than we do.

 

In addition to other banks, competitors include savings institutions, credit unions, and numerous non-banking institutions, such as finance companies, leasing companies, insurance companies, brokerage firms, and investment banking firms. In recent years, increased competition has also developed from specialized finance and non-finance companies that offer money market and mutual funds, wholesale finance, credit card, and other consumer finance services, including on-line banking services and personal finance software. Strong competition for deposit and loan products affects the rates of those products as well as the terms on which they are offered to customers. To the extent that we are affected by more general competitive trends in the industry, those trends are towards increased consolidation and competition. Strong, unregulated competitors have entered banking markets with focused products targeted at highly profitable customer segments. Many largely unregulated competitors are able to compete across geographic boundaries and provide customers increasing access to meaningful alternatives to banking services in nearly all significant products. Mergers between financial institutions have placed additional pressure on banks within the industry to streamline their operations, reduce expenses, and increase revenues to remain competitive. Competition has also intensified due to federal and state interstate banking laws, which permit banking organizations to expand geographically, and the California market has been

 

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particularly attractive to out-of-state institutions The Financial Modernization Act effective March 11, 2000, which has made it possible for full affiliations to occur between banks and securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial companies, has also intensified competitive conditions. (See “—SUPERVISION AND REGULATION—Financial Modernization Act” below.)

 

Technological innovations have also resulted in increased competition in the financial services industry. Such innovations have, for example, made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer customers automated transfer payment services that previously have been considered traditional banking products. In addition, many customers now expect a choice of several delivery systems and channels, including telephone, mail, home computer, ATM’S, self-service branches and/or in-store branches. In addition to other banks, the sources of competition for such hi-tech products include savings associations, credit unions, brokerage firms, money market and other mutual funds, asset management groups, finance and insurance companies, and mortgage banking firms.

 

In order to compete with the other financial services providers, we provide quality, personalized, friendly service and fast decision making to better serve our customers’ needs. For customers whose loan demands exceed our lending limit, we attempt to arrange for such loans on a participation basis with our correspondent banks. We also distinguish ourselves within the Korean-ethnic community by expanding into geographic markets, which our competitors have not reached. We also maintain an international trade finance department to meet the growing needs of the business communities within our niche market. In order to compete on the technological front, we offer Internet banking services to allow our customers to access their loan and deposit accounts through the Internet. Customers can obtain transaction history, account information, transfer funds between accounts and process bill payments.

 

The market for the origination of SBA loans is highly competitive. With respect to its origination of SBA loans, we compete with other small, mid-size and major banks in the geographic areas in which our full service branches are located. We currently have loan production offices, which emphasize SBA loans. In addition, because these loans are largely broker-driven, we also compete with banks located outside of our immediate geographic area. Being designated a Preferred SBA Lender with the full loan approval authority on behalf of the SBA, our LPO’s are able to provide a faster response to loan requests than competitors, which are not Preferred SBA Lenders. In order to compete in this highly competitive market, we place great emphasis on making SBA loans to minority-owned businesses.

 

Unlike the market for the origination of SBA loans, the secondary market for SBA loans is currently a seller’s market. To date, we have had no difficulty in the resale of SBA loans within the secondary market. However, there is no assurance that this condition would continue to last or that the secondary market for SBA loans will be available in the future.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had 250 full-time equivalent employees. None of our employees is concurrently represented by a union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that our employee relations are satisfactory.

 

Supervision and Regulation

 

Both federal and state law extensively regulates bank holding companies. This regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance fund and not for the benefit of shareholders of Center Financial. The following is a summary of particular statutes and regulations affecting Center Financial and Center Bank. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the statutes and regulations.

 

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Regulation of Center Financial Corporation

 

Center Financial is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), which requires us to file annual, quarterly and other current reports with the SEC. We are also subject to additional regulations including, but not limited to, the proxy and tender offer rules promulgated by the SEC under Sections 13 and 14 of the Exchange Act; the reporting requirements of directors, executive officers and principal shareholders regarding transactions in our Common Stock and short-swing profits rules promulgated by the SEC under Section 16 of the Exchange Act; and certain additional reporting requirements by our principal shareholders promulgated by the SEC under Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

 

Center Financial is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and is registered as such with the Federal Reserve Board. A bank holding company is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board annual reports and other information regarding its business operations and those of its subsidiaries. It is also subject to examination by the Federal Reserve Board and is required to obtain Federal Reserve Board approval before acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if, after such acquisition, it would directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the voting stock of that bank, unless it already owns a majority of the voting stock of that bank.

 

The Federal Reserve Board has determined by regulation certain activities in which a bank holding company may or may not conduct business. A bank holding company must engage, with certain exceptions, in the business of banking or managing or controlling banks or furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiary banks. The permissible activities and affiliations of certain bank holding companies have recently been expanded. (See “Financial Modernization Act” below.)

 

Center Financial and the Bank are deemed to be affiliates of each other within the meaning set forth in the Federal Reserve Act and are subject to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. This means, for example, that there are limitations on loans by the Bank to affiliates, and that all affiliate transactions must satisfy certain limitations and otherwise be on terms and conditions at least as favorable to the Bank as would be available for non-affiliates.

 

The Federal Reserve Board has a policy that bank holding companies must serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks. It is the Federal Reserve Bank’s position that bank holding companies should stand ready to use their available resources to provide adequate capital to their subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity. Bank holding companies should also maintain the financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting their subsidiary banks.

 

The Federal Reserve Board also has the authority to regulate bank holding company debt, including the authority to impose interest rate ceilings and reserve requirements on such debt. Under certain circumstances, the Federal Reserve Board may require us to file written notice and obtain its approval prior to purchasing or redeeming our equity securities, unless certain conditions are met.

 

Center Financial is a “financial holding company.” Unlike a bank holding company, a financial holding company may engage in a broad range of activities that are deemed by the Federal Reserve Board as “financial in nature or incidental” to financial activities. Moreover, even in the case where an activity cannot meet that test, the Federal Reserve Board may approve the activity if the proposed activity is “complementary” to financial activities and does not pose a risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions. One example of such activities, which would be allowed for a financial holding company but not for a bank or a simple bank holding company, is real estate development activities. At the present time, Center Financial has no specific plans to engage in real estate development or any other activities, which would require financial holding company status.

 

Regulation of Center Bank

 

As a California state-chartered bank whose accounts are insured by the FDIC up to a maximum of $100,000 per depositor, we are subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by the Department of Financial

 

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Institutions and the FDIC. In addition, while we are not a member of the Federal Reserve System, we are subject to certain regulations of the Federal Reserve Board. The regulations of these agencies govern most aspects of our business, including the making of periodic reports, and activities relating to dividends, investments, loans, borrowings, capital requirements, certain check-clearing activities, branching, mergers and acquisitions, reserves against deposits and numerous other areas. Supervision, legal action and examination by the FDIC is generally intended to protect depositors and is not intended for the protection of shareholders.

 

The earnings and growth of the Bank are largely dependent on its ability to maintain a favorable differential or “spread” between the yield on its interest-earning assets and the rate paid on its deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. As a result, the Bank’s performance is influenced by general economic conditions, both domestic and foreign, the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, and the policies of the regulatory agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board implements national monetary policies (such as seeking to curb inflation and combat recession) by its open-market operations in United States Government securities, by adjusting the required level of reserves for financial institutions subject to its reserve requirements and by varying the discount rate applicable to borrowings by banks which are members of the Federal Reserve System. The actions of the Federal Reserve Board in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits and also affect interest rates charged on loans and deposits. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary policies cannot be predicted.

 

Capital Adequacy Requirements

 

Center Financial and Center Bank are subject to the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC, respectively, governing capital adequacy. Those regulations incorporate both risk-based and leverage capital requirements. Each of the federal regulators has established risk-based and leverage capital guidelines for the banks or bank holding companies it regulates, which set total capital requirements and define capital in terms of “core capital elements,” or Tier 1 capital; and “supplemental capital elements,” or Tier 2 capital. Tier 1 capital is generally defined as the sum of the core capital elements less goodwill and certain other deductions, notably the unrealized net gains or losses (after tax adjustments) on available for sale investment securities carried at fair market value. The following items are defined as core capital elements: (i) common shareholders’ equity; (ii) qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus; and (iii) minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. Supplementary capital elements include: (i) allowance for loan and lease losses (but not more than 1.25% of an institution’s risk-weighted assets); (ii) perpetual preferred stock and related surplus not qualifying as core capital; (iii) hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt instruments; and (iv) term subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock and related surplus. The maximum amount of supplemental capital elements, which qualifies as Tier 2 capital is limited to 100% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill.

 

The minimum required ratio of qualifying total capital to total risk-weighted assets is 8.0% (“Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio”), at least one-half of which must be in the form of Tier 1 capital, and the minimum required ratio of Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets is 4.0% (“Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio”). Risk-based capital ratios are calculated to provide a measure of capital that reflects the degree of risk associated with a banking organization’s operations for both transactions reported on the statements of financial condition as assets, and transactions, such as letters of credit and recourse arrangements, which are recorded as off-balance sheet items. Under the risk-based capital guidelines, the nominal dollar amounts of assets and credit-equivalent amounts of off-balance sheet items are multiplied by one of several risk adjustment percentages, which range from 0% for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U. S. Treasury securities, to 100% for assets with relatively high credit risk, such as business loans.

 

The risk-based capital requirements also take into account concentrations of credit (i.e., relatively large proportions of loans involving one borrower, industry, location, collateral or loan type) and the risks of “non-traditional” activities (those that have not customarily been part of the banking business). The regulations require institutions with high or inordinate levels of risk to operate with higher minimum capital standards, and authorize the regulators to review an institution’s management of such risks in assessing an institution’s capital adequacy.

 

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The risk-based capital regulations also include exposure to interest rate risk as a factor that the regulators will consider in evaluating a bank’s or bank holding company’s capital adequacy. Interest rate risk is the exposure of a bank’s current and future earnings and equity capital arising from adverse movements in interest rates. While interest rate risk is inherent in a bank’s role as financial intermediary, it introduces volatility to bank earnings and to the economic value of the bank or bank holding company.

 

The FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board also require the maintenance of a leverage capital ratio designed to supplement the risk-based capital guidelines. Banks and bank holding companies that have received the highest rating of the five categories used by regulators to rate such institutions and are not anticipating or experiencing any significant growth must maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital (net of all intangibles) to adjusted total assets (“Leverage Capital Ratio”) of at least 3%. All other institutions are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at least 100 to 200 basis points above the 3% minimum, for a minimum of 4% to 5%. Pursuant to federal regulations, banking institutions must maintain capital levels commensurate with the level of risk to which they are exposed, including the volume and severity of problem loans, and federal regulators may set, however, higher capital requirements when an institution’s particular circumstances warrant. As of December 31, 2003, all Center Financial’s regulatory ratios exceeded regulatory minimums. (See table below)

 

Of the Company’s Tier 1 capital at December 31, 2003, $18 million, or approximately 20%, consisted of Trust Preferred Securities. However, no assurance can be given that the Trust Preferred Securities will continue to be treated as Tier 1 capital in the future.

 

The following table compares the Company’s and the Bank’s actual capital ratios at December 31, 2003 and 2002, to those required by regulatory agencies for capital adequacy and well-capitalized classification purposes:

 

Risk Based Ratios

     2003

    2002

 
   Center Financial
Corporation


    Center Bank

    Center Financial
Corporation


    Center Bank

 

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)

   12.67 %   12.62 %   11.44 %   11.42 %

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)

   11.56 %   11.50 %   10.34 %   10.31 %

Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)

   10.69 %   10.63 %   9.48 %   9.45 %

 

Prompt Corrective Action Provisions

 

Federal law requires each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured financial institutions, including but not limited to those that fall below one or more prescribed minimum capital ratios. The federal banking agencies have defined by regulation the following five capital categories: “well capitalized” (Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 10%; Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 6%; and Leverage Ratio of 5%); “adequately capitalized” (Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 8%; Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 4%; and Leverage Ratio of 4%) (or 3% if the institution receives the highest rating from its primary regulator); “undercapitalized” (Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 8%; Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 4%; or Leverage Ratio of less than 4%) (or 3% if the institution receives the highest rating from its primary regulator); “significantly undercapitalized” (Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 6%; Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio of less than 3%; or Leverage Ratio less than 3%); and “critically undercapitalized” (tangible equity to total assets less than 2%). As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, Center Bank was deemed “Well Capitalized” for regulatory purposes. A bank may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if after notice and the opportunity for a hearing, the appropriate federal agency finds an unsafe or unsound condition or practice so warrants, but no bank may be treated as “critically undercapitalized” unless its actual capital ratio warrants such treatment.

 

At each successively lower capital category, an insured bank is subject to increased restrictions on its operations. For example, a bank is generally prohibited from paying management fees to any controlling persons or from making capital distributions if to do so would make the bank “undercapitalized.” Asset growth and branching restrictions apply to undercapitalized banks, which are required to submit written capital restoration

 

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plans meeting specified requirements (including a guarantee by the parent holding company, if any). “Significantly undercapitalized” banks are subject to broad regulatory authority, including among other things, capital directives, forced mergers, restrictions on the rates of interest they may pay on deposits, restrictions on asset growth and activities, and prohibitions on paying certain bonuses without FDIC approval. Even more severe restrictions apply to critically undercapitalized banks. Most importantly, except under limited circumstances, not later than 90 days after an insured bank becomes critically undercapitalized, the appropriate federal banking agency is required to appoint a conservator or receiver for the bank.

 

In addition to measures taken under the prompt corrective action provisions, insured banks may be subject to potential actions by the federal regulators for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses or for violations of any law, rule, regulation or any condition imposed in writing by the agency or any written agreement with the agency. Enforcement actions may include the issuance of cease and desist orders, termination of insurance of deposits (in the case of a bank), the imposition of civil money penalties, the issuance of directives to increase capital, formal and informal agreements, or removal and prohibition orders against “institution-affiliated” parties.

 

Safety and Soundness Standards

 

The federal banking agencies have also adopted guidelines establishing safety and soundness standards for all insured depository institutions. Those guidelines relate to internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan underwriting and documentation, compensation and interest rate exposure. In general, the standards are designed to assist the federal banking agencies in identifying and addressing problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to submit a compliance plan and institute enforcement proceedings if an acceptable compliance plan is not submitted.

 

Premiums for Deposit Insurance

 

The FDIC regulations also implement a risk-based premium system, whereby insured depository institutions are required to pay insurance premiums depending on their risk classification. Under this system, insured banks are categorized into one of three capital categories (well capitalized, adequately capitalized, and undercapitalized) and one of three supervisory categories based on federal regulatory evaluations. The three supervisory categories are: financially sound with only a few minor weaknesses (Group A), demonstrates weaknesses that could result in significant deterioration (Group B), and poses a substantial probability of loss (Group C). The capital ratios used by the FDIC to define well capitalized, adequately capitalized and undercapitalized are the same in the FDIC’s prompt corrective action regulations. The current base assessment rates (expressed as cents per $100 of deposits) are summarized as follows:

 

     Group A

   Group B

   Group C

Well Capitalized

   0    3    17

Adequately Capitalized

   3    10    24

Undercapitalized

   10    24    27

 

In addition, banks must pay an amount, which fluctuates but is currently 1.54 cents per $100 of insured deposits, towards the retirement of the Financing Corporation bonds issued in the 1980’s to assist in the recovery of the savings and loan industry.

 

Community Reinvestment Act

 

Center Bank is subject to certain requirements and reporting obligations involving Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) activities. The CRA generally requires the federal banking agencies to evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local communities, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA further requires the agencies to take a financial institution’s record of meeting

 

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its community credit needs into account when evaluating applications for, among other things, domestic branches, consummating mergers or acquisitions, or holding company formations. In measuring a bank’s compliance with its CRA obligations, the regulators utilize a performance-based evaluation system which bases CRA ratings on the bank’s actual lending service and investment performance, rather than on the extent to which the institution conducts needs assessments, documents community outreach activities or complies with other procedural requirements. In connection with its assessment of CRA performance, the FDIC assigns a rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance.” Center Bank was last examined for CRA compliance in 2003 and received a “satisfactory” CRA Assessment Rating.

 

Other Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations

 

Bank regulatory agencies are increasingly focusing attention on compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations. Examination and enforcement has become intense, and banks have been advised to carefully monitor compliance with various consumer protection laws and their implementing regulations. The federal Interagency Task Force on Fair Lending issued a policy statement on discrimination in home mortgage lending describing three methods that federal agencies will use to prove discrimination: overt evidence of discrimination, evidence of disparate treatment, and evidence of disparate impact. In addition to CRA and fair lending requirements, Center Bank is subject to numerous other federal consumer protection statutes and regulations. Due to heightened regulatory concern related to compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations generally, Center Bank may incur additional compliance costs or be required to expend additional funds for investments in the local communities it serves.

 

Interstate Banking and Branching

 

The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the “Interstate Banking Act”) regulates the interstate activities of banks and bank holding companies and establishes a framework for nationwide interstate banking and branching. Since June 1, 1997, a bank in one state has generally been permitted to merge with a bank in another state without the need for explicit state law authorization. However, states were given the ability to prohibit interstate mergers with banks in their own state by “opting-out” (enacting state legislation applying equality to all out-of-state banks prohibiting such mergers) prior to June 1, 1997.

 

Since 1995, adequately capitalized and managed bank holding companies have been permitted to acquire banks located in any state, subject to two exceptions: first, any state may still prohibit bank holding companies from acquiring a bank which is less than five years old; and second, no interstate acquisition can be consummated by a bank holding company if the acquirer would control more than 10% of the deposits held by insured depository institutions nationwide or 30% percent or more of the deposits held by insured depository institutions in any state in which the target bank has branches.

 

A bank may establish and operate de novo branches in any state in which the bank does not maintain a branch if that state has enacted legislation to expressly permit all out-of-state banks to establish branches in that state.

 

In 1995, California enacted legislation to implement important provisions of the Interstate Banking Act discussed above and to repeal California’s previous interstate banking laws, which were largely preempted by the Interstate

 

The changes effected by Interstate Banking Act and California laws have increased competition in the environment in which Center Bank operates to the extent that out-of-state financial institutions directly or indirectly enter Center Bank’s market areas. It appears that the Interstate Banking Act has contributed to the accelerated consolidation of the banking industry. While many large out-of-state banks have already entered the California market as a result of this legislation, it is not possible to predict the precise impact of this legislation on Center Bank and Center Financial and the competitive environment in which they operate.

 

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Financial Modernization Act

 

Effective March 11, 2000, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act eliminated most barriers to affiliations among banks and securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial service providers, and enabled full affiliations to occur between such entities. This legislation permits bank holding companies to become “financial holding companies” and thereby acquire securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are financial in nature. A bank holding company may become a financial holding company if each of its subsidiary banks is well capitalized under the FDICIA prompt corrective action provisions, is well managed, and has at least a satisfactory rating under the CRA by filing a declaration that the bank holding company wishes to become a financial holding company. No regulatory approval will be required for a financial holding company to acquire a company, other than a bank or savings association, engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are financial in nature, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board. Center Financial is a “financial holding company,” in order to take advantage, if appropriate, of the increased flexibility provided by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. However, Center Financial has no specific plans at this time with respect to any activities it may conduct because of this increased flexibility.

 

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act defines “financial in nature” to include securities underwriting, dealing and market making; sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies; insurance underwriting and agency; merchant banking activities; and activities that the Board has determined to be closely related to banking. A national bank (and therefore, a state bank as well) may also engage, subject to limitations on investment, in activities that are financial in nature, other than insurance underwriting, insurance company portfolio investment, real estate development and real estate investment, through a financial subsidiary of the bank, if the bank is well capitalized, well managed and has at least a satisfactory CRA rating. Subsidiary banks of a financial holding company or national banks with financial subsidiaries must continue to be well capitalized and well managed in order to continue to engage in activities that are financial in nature without regulatory actions or restrictions, which could include divestiture of the financial in nature subsidiary or subsidiaries. In addition, a financial holding company or a bank may not acquire a company that is engaged in activities that are financial in nature unless each of the subsidiary banks of the financial holding company or the bank has a CRA rating of satisfactory or better.

 

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also imposes significant requirements on financial institutions with respect to the privacy of customer information, and modifies other existing laws, including those related to community reinvestment.

 

USA Patriot Act of 2001

 

On October 26, 2001, President Bush signed the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (the “Patriot Act”). Enacted in response to the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001, the Patriot Act is intended to strengthen U.S. law enforcement’s and the intelligence communities’ ability to work cohesively to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. The potential impact of the Act on financial institutions of all kinds is significant and wide ranging. The Act contains sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and requires various regulations applicable to financial institutions, including:

 

  due diligence requirements for financial institutions that administer, maintain, or manage private banks accounts or correspondent accounts for non-U.S. persons;

 

  standards for verifying customer identification at account opening;

 

  rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering;

 

  reports by nonfinancial trades and businesses filed with Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for transactions exceeding $10,000; and

 

  the filing of suspicious activities report securities by brokers and dealers if they believe a customer may be violating U.S. laws and regulations.

 

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We implemented most of the requirements under the Patriot Act during the fourth quarter of 2001. To fulfill the requirements, we added four additional full-time employees to its BSA Compliance Department and intensified due diligence procedures concerning the opening of new accounts. We also implemented new systems and procedures to identify suspicious activity reports and report to FINCEN. The cost of additional staff in the BSA Compliance Department and the system enhancement described above was reflected in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOA”) was enacted to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws. The SOA generally applies to all companies, both U.S. and non-U.S., that file or are required to file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the Company.

 

The SOA includes very specific additional disclosure requirements and new corporate governance rules, requires the SEC and securities exchanges to adopt extensive additional disclosure, corporate governance and other related rules and mandates further studies of specified issues by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Comptroller General. The SOA represents significant federal involvement in matters traditionally left to state regulatory systems, such as the regulation of the accounting profession and to state corporate law, such as the relationship between a board of directors and management and between a board of directors and its committees. The SOA contains provisions, which became effective upon enactment on July 30, 2002 and provisions, which became effective from within 30 days to one year from enactment. The Securities and Exchange Commission has promulgated regulations to implement various provisions of the SOA, including additional disclosure requirements in periodic filings under the Exchange Act. The Company has revised its internal policies and Exchange Act disclosures to comply with these new requirements.

 

Other Pending and Proposed Legislation

 

Other legislative and regulatory initiatives, which could affect Center Financial, Center Bank and the banking industry, in general are pending, and additional initiatives may be proposed or introduced, before the United States Congress, the California legislature and other governmental bodies in the future. Such proposals, if enacted, may further alter the structure, regulation and competitive relationship among financial institutions, and may subject Center Bank and Center Financial to increased regulation, disclosure and reporting requirements. In addition, the various banking regulatory agencies often adopt new rules and regulations to implement and enforce existing legislation. It cannot be predicted whether, or in what form, any such legislation or regulations may be enacted or the extent to which the business of Center Financial or Center Bank would be affected thereby.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this Annual Report before making investment decisions concerning our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business. If any of the events described in the following risk factors occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, the trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of the events described in these risks.

 

Poor economic conditions in California may cause us to suffer higher default rates on our loans.

 

A substantial majority of our loans are generated in the greater Los Angeles area in Southern California. As a result, poor economic conditions in the Los Angeles area may cause us to incur losses associated with higher default rates and decreased collateral values in our loan portfolio. The Los Angeles area has experienced a downturn in economic activity in line with the slowdown in California during the past year. Economic growth slowed significantly as a result continuation of recessionary conditions and brush fires, which has taken place throughout Southern California, although delinquencies on our loans as a result of the current conditions have been minimal. High unemployment levels experienced since mid 2001 continued in 2003, especially in Los Angeles County, which is our geographic center and the base of our deposit and lending activity. In addition, it is likely that the continued US presence in Iraq will continue to have a significant negative effect on the national economy. If the current recessionary conditions continue or deteriorate, we expect that our level of problem assets would increase accordingly, resulting in increases in the level of delinquencies and losses for us.

 

Concentrations of real estate loans could subject us to increased risks in the event of a real estate recession or natural disaster.

 

Approximately $384.8 million or 53% of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2003, and $241.3 million or 46% of our loan portfolio as of December 31, 2002, were concentrated in commercial real estate loans. Of this amount, $54.6 million represented loans secured by industrial buildings, and $100.6 million represented loans secured by retail shopping centers as of December 31, 2003. Although commercial loans generally provide for higher interest rates and shorter terms than single-family residential loans, such loans generally involve a higher degree of risk, as the ability of borrowers to repay these loans is often dependent upon the profitability of the borrowers’ businesses. An increase in the percentage of nonperforming assets in commercial real estate, commercial and industrial loan portfolios may have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations, by reducing our income, increasing our expenses, and leaving us with less cash available for lending and other activities.

 

As the primary collateral for many of our loans rests on commercial real estate properties, a downturn in real estate values in the greater Southern California region could negatively impact us by providing us with decreased collateral values in our loan portfolio. In the early 1990s, the entire state of California experienced an economic recession, particularly impacting real estate values that resulted in increases in the level of delinquencies and losses for many of the state’s financial institutions. If any similar real estate recession affecting our market areas should occur in the future, the security for many of our loans could be reduced and the ability of many of our borrowers to pay could decline. Similarly, the occurrence of a natural disaster like those California has experienced in the past, including earthquakes, brush fires, and, during early 1998, flooding attributed to the weather phenomenon known as “El Niño,” could impair the value of the collateral we hold for real estate secured loans and negatively impact our results of operations.

 

We have not experienced any deterioration in our commercial real estate loan portfolio. However, there was an increase in delinquencies among construction loans, due to one construction loan. (See “Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition—Nonperforming Assets.”)

 

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We may experience loan losses in excess of our allowance for loan losses.

 

We maintain an allowance for loan losses at a level that we believe is adequate to absorb any inherent losses in the loan portfolio. However, changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates that are beyond our control may cause our actual loan losses to exceed current allowance estimates. If the actual loan losses exceed the allowance for loan losses, it will hurt our business. In addition, the FDIC and the Department of Financial Institutions, as part of their supervisory functions, periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or to recognize further loan losses, based on their judgments, which may be different from those of our Management. Any increase in the allowance required by the FDIC or the Department of Financial Institutions could also hurt our business.

 

We try to limit the risk that borrowers will fail to repay loans by carefully underwriting the loans. Losses nevertheless occur. We establish loan loss allowances for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the statements of financial condition date. We base these allowances on estimates of the following:

 

  industry standards;

 

  historical loss experience;

 

  evaluation of current economic conditions;

 

  assessment of risk factors for loans with exposure to the economies of South Korea and other Pacific Rim countries;

 

  regular reviews of the quality mix and size of the overall loan portfolio;

 

  regular reviews of delinquencies; and

 

  the quality of the collateral underlying our loans.

 

We may have difficulty managing our growth.

 

Our total assets have increased to $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2003, from $818.6 million and $586.7 million as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company has achieved compounded annual growth rate of 21% in total assets since 2001. We opened one new branch office in September 2000, five additional branches in the second half of 2001, one in 2002 and one in 2003. We have also entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the branch operations of Korea Exchange Bank in Chicago, Illinois with an anticipated closing date of April 23, 2004; and are in the process of negotiating the purchase of Liberty Bank in New York (see “Recent Developments”). We intend to investigate other opportunities to open additional branches that would complement our existing business as such opportunities may arise; however, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to identify additional locations or finalize additional branch openings.

 

Our ability to manage our growth will depend primarily on our ability to:

 

  monitor operations;

 

  control costs;

 

  maintain positive customer relations; and

 

  attract, assimilate and retain qualified personnel.

 

If we fail to achieve those objectives in an efficient and timely manner, we may experience interruptions and dislocations in our business which could substantially increase our expenses and negatively impact our ability to retain our customers. In addition, such concerns may cause federal and state banking regulators to require us to delay or forgo any proposed growth until such problems have been addressed to the satisfaction of those regulators.

 

We have found that growth by de novo branch banking in 2002 has temporarily increased our overhead expenses as a percentage of our total assets. The overall effect of opening five new branches in 2001 was that our

 

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earnings were reduced because of these increased costs. If we continue to open additional branches, we expect to face similar increased costs in the future.

 

Our earnings are subject to interest rate risk, especially if rates fall.

 

Banking companies’ earnings depend largely on the relationship between the cost of funds, primarily deposits and borrowings, and the yield on earning assets, such as loans and investment securities. This relationship, known as the interest rate spread, is subject to fluctuation and is affected by the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board, the international interest rate environment, as well as by economic, regulatory and competitive factors which influence interest rates, the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the level of nonperforming assets. Many of these factors are beyond our control. Fluctuations in interest rates affect the demand of customers for our products and services. We are subject to interest rate risk to the degree that our interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature more slowly or more rapidly or on a different basis than our interest-earning assets. Given our current volume and mix of interest-bearing liabilities and interest-earning assets, our interest rate spread could be expected to increase during times of rising interest rates and, conversely, to decline during times of falling interest rates. Therefore, significant fluctuations in interest rates may have an adverse or a positive effect on our results of operations. See “Item 7A, Quantitive and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risks—Interest Rate Risk.”

 

All of our lending involves underwriting risks, especially in a competitive lending market.

 

At December 31, 2003, commercial real estate loans represented 53% of our total loan portfolio; commercial lines and term loans to businesses represented 20% of our total loan portfolio; and SBA loans represented 9% of our total loan portfolio.

 

Real estate lending involves risks associated with the potential decline in the value of underlying real estate collateral and the cash flow from income producing properties. Declines in real estate values and cash flows can be caused by a number of factors, including adversity in general economic conditions, rising interest rates, changes in tax and other governmental and other policies affecting real estate holdings, environmental conditions, governmental and other use restrictions, development of competitive properties, and increasing vacancy rates. Our dependence increases the risk of loss both in our loan portfolio and with respect to any other real estate owned when real estate values decline. We seek to reduce our risk of loss through our underwriting and monitoring procedures.

 

Commercial lending, even when secured by the assets of a business, involves considerable risk of loss in the event of failure of the business. To reduce such risk, we typically take additional security interests in other collateral, such as real property, certificates of deposit or life insurance, and/or obtain personal guarantees.

 

Specific risks associated with SBA lending are discussed in a separate risk factor below.

 

We operate in a highly competitive market, and some of our competitors offer a broader range of services than we provide, and have lower cost structures.

 

The banking business in our current and intended future market areas is highly competitive with respect to virtually all products and services. While the banking market in our primary market area is generally dominated by a relatively small number of major banks with many offices operating over a wide geographic area, our main competitors include seven locally owned and operated Korean-American banks and subsidiaries of two Korean banks. These other banks have branches located in many of the same neighborhoods as we do, provide similar types of products and services and use the same Korean language publications and media for their marketing purposes. There is a high level of competition within this specific market. While major banks have not historically focused their marketing efforts on the Bank’s Korean-American customer base in Southern

 

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California, their competitive influence could increase in the future. Such banks have substantially greater lending limits than we have, offer certain services we cannot, and often operate with “economies of scale” that result in lower operating costs than ours on a per loan or per asset basis. In addition to competitive factors impacting our specific market niche, we are affected by more general competitive trends in the banking industry, including intra-state and interstate consolidation, competition from non-bank sources and technological innovations. Many of our competitors have advantages over us in conducting certain businesses and providing certain services, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully.

 

We also compete with other financial institutions such as savings and loan associations, credit unions, thrift and loan companies, mortgage companies, securities brokerage companies and insurance companies located within and without our service area and with quasi-financial institutions such as money market funds for deposits and loans. Financial services like ours are increasingly offered over the Internet on a national and international basis, and we compete with providers of these services as well. Ultimately, competition can drive down our interest margins and reduce our profitability. It also can make it more difficult for us to continue to increase the size of our loan portfolio and deposit base. See “—Competition.”

 

Trading in our common stock has not been extensive and you may have difficulty selling your shares in the future.

 

Although Center Financial’s Common Stock has been listed on the Nasdaq National Market since October 29, 2002 (the day after the effective date of the holding company reorganization), trading in our stock has not been extensive and cannot be characterized as active. See “Item 5, Market for Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters—Trading History.”

 

We might not be able to continue to pay cash dividends in the future.

 

As a banking holding company which currently has no significant assets other than our equity interest in Center Bank, our ability to pay dividends primarily depends upon the dividends we receive from Center Bank. The dividend practice of Center Bank, like our dividend practice, will depend upon its earnings, financial position, current and anticipated cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by Center Bank’s board of directors at that time. In addition, during any period in which Center Financial has deferred payment of interest otherwise due and payable on its subordinated debt securities, we may not make any dividends or distributions with respect to our capital stock. See “Item 1, Business—Recent Developments” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Capital Resources.”

 

We paid a cash dividend of 8 cents per share in February 2004 and in October 2003 and currently plan to continue to pay cash dividends on a quarterly basis. However, the amount of any such dividend will be determined each quarter by our Board of Directors in its discretion, based on the factors described in the previous paragraph. No assurance can be given that the Bank’s and the Company’s future performance will justify the payment of dividends in any particular quarter. We are a legal entity separate and distinct from our subsidiaries. Substantially all of our revenue and cash flow, including funds available for the payment of dividends and other operating expenses, is dependent upon the payment of dividends to us by our subsidiaries. Dividends payable to us by Center Bank are restricted under California and federal laws and regulation. See “Item 5, Market for Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters—Dividends.”

 

We have specific risks associated with Small Business Administration loans.

 

We realized $2.7 million, $1.3 million, and $525,000, respectively, in 2003 and in 2002 and 2001, in gains recognized on secondary market sales of our SBA loans. We have regularly sold the guaranteed portions of these loans in the secondary market. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to continue originating these loans, or that a secondary market will exist for, or that we will continue to realize premiums upon the sale of, the guaranteed portions of the SBA loans. The federal government presently guarantees 75% to 80% of the principal

 

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amount of each qualifying SBA loan. We can provide no assurance that the federal government will maintain the SBA program, or if it does, that such guaranteed portion will remain at its current funding level. Furthermore, we can provide no assurance that we will retain our preferred lender status, which, subject to certain limitations, allows us to approve and fund SBA loans without the necessity of having the loan approved in advance by the SBA, or that if it does, the federal government will not reduce the amount of such loans which we can make. We believe that our SBA loan portfolio does not involve more than a normal risk of collectibility. However, since we have sold some of the guaranteed portions of our SBA loan portfolio, we incur a pro rata credit risk on the non-guaranteed portion of the SBA loans since we share pro rata with the SBA in any recoveries. In the event of default on an SBA loan, our pursuit of remedies against a borrower would be subject to SBA approval, and where the SBA establishes that its loss is attributable to deficiencies in the manner in which the loan application has been prepared and submitted, the SBA may decline to honor its guarantee with respect to our SBA loans or it may seek the recovery of damages from us. The SBA has never declined to honor its guarantees with respect to its SBA loans, although no assurance can be given that the SBA would not attempt to do so in the future. (See “Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition—Loan Portfolio—Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans.”)

 

Another economic downturn in South Korea could cause us to incur losses with respect to certain of our loans and credit transactions which expose us to the Korean Economy.

 

Because a significant portion of our customer base is Korean-American, we have historically had exposure to the Korean economy with respect to certain of our loans and credit transactions. We make three types of credit extensions involving direct exposure to the Korean economy: commercial loans to U.S. affiliates/subsidiaries/branches of companies located in South Korea (“Korean Affiliate Loans”), acceptances with Korean banks, and standby letters of credit issued by Korean banks. We also have indirect exposure to the economies of various Pacific Rim countries because we provide short term trade financing to local import and/or export businesses in connection with issuing letters of credit to overseas suppliers/sellers, as well as making working capital and other business loans to such businesses, some of which businesses could be hurt by a downturn in the economies of such countries. The Korean economy and its capital markets suffered significant downturns in late 1997 and early 1998, and we had one Korean Affiliate Loan for $2 million that had to be charged off in 1997 because such customer was directly impacted by the problems in South Korea. Since that time the Bank had recovered $1.8 million of this amount as of December 31, 2003. This one charge-off in 1997 represented in excess of 42.7% of our total charge-offs in 1997. See “Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition—Nonperforming Assets, Allowance for Loan Losses and Market Risk/Interest Rate Risk Management.” Since that time, we have been closely monitoring our exposure to the Korean economy and those of other Pacific Rim countries and have taken steps to reduce our exposure and to make sure that our allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb any losses that might occur if problems were to arise again in South Korea or those other countries. However, another severe downturn in the Korean economy or in the economies of other Pacific Rim countries could cause us to incur significant credit losses.

 

Our directors and executive officers control a large amount of our stock, and your interests may not always be the same as those of the board and management.

 

As of March 15, 2004, our directors, executive officers and nominees for director together with their affiliates, beneficially owned approximately 40.2% of our outstanding voting stock (not including vested option shares). As a result, if all of these shareholders were to take a common position, they would be able to significantly affect the election of directors as well as the outcome of most corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, such as the approval of mergers or other business combinations. Such concentration may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of Center Financial.

 

In some situations, the interests of our directors and executive officers may be different from yours. However, our Board of Directors and executive officers have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the shareholders, rather than in their own best interests, when considering a proposed business combination or any of these types of matters.

 

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Provisions in our Articles of Incorporation will delay or prevent changes in control of our corporation or our management.

 

These provisions make it more difficult for another company to acquire us, which could reduce the market price of our common stock and the price that you receive if you sell your shares in the future. These provisions include the following:

 

  a requirement that certain business combinations not approved by our Board of Directors receive the approval of two-thirds of the outstanding shares;

 

  staggered terms of office for members of the board of directors;

 

  the elimination of cumulative voting in the election of directors; and

 

  a requirement that our Board of Directors consider the potential social and economic effects on the our employees, depositors, customers and the communities we serve as well as certain other factors, when evaluating a possible tender offer, merger or other acquisition of Center Financial.

 

We are involved in litigation.

 

From time to time, we are involved in litigation. If litigation arises against us, we will vigorously enforce and defend our rights. However, some litigation may result in significant expense to us and divert the efforts of our management personnel from their day-to-day responsibilities. In the event of an adverse result in litigation, we could also be required to pay substantial damages. We are currently a party to a lawsuit entitled Korea Export Insurance Corporation v. Korea Data Systems (USA), Inc., et al. We expect to incur substantial legal fees and expenses in connection with this lawsuit. As a result, our defense of this lawsuit, regardless of its eventual outcome, will likely be costly and time consuming. We have insurance against certain types of claims, and while it is possible that a portion of this claim may ultimately be covered, this determination cannot be made until after the final disposition of the case. If the outcome of this litigation is adverse to us and we are required to pay significant monetary damages, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. For a more detailed discussion of this lawsuit, see “Item 3, Legal Proceedings”.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

Properties

 

Our headquarters are located at 3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90010. We lease approximately 23,188 square feet of rentable area, which includes a ground floor branch and administrative offices located on the seventh floor of the building. The initial lease term will expire in 2006. We have options to renew the lease for two additional terms of five years each. As of December 31, 2003, the monthly base rent for the facility was $28,092.

 

As of December 31, 2003, we operated full-service branches at eleven leased locations (including the branch described in the previous paragraph). Expiration dates of our leases range from February 2004 to April 2013. Certain properties currently leased have renewal options, which could extend the use of the facility for additional specified terms. We have leased 5,303 square foot rentable for new Fullerton Branch opened in July 2003. We have options to renew the lease for one additional terms of five years each. Monthly rent for Fullerton was $14,583 as of December 31, 2003. The Company operates five LPOs in different states including our Las Vegas LPO that opened in October 2003. Denver, Washington, Las Vegas LPO’s rent expense was subsidized by us in 2003. Total subsidized rent expense for this LPO during 2003 was $43,540.

 

In addition, we own two properties in Los Angeles: our Olympic office at 2222 West Olympic Boulevard and our Western office at 253 N. Western Avenue. Our old facility at 4301 West 3rd Street was sold during the third quarter of 2002 and leased back for approximately 9 months until the new facility was fully renovated for the new branch’s use. Construction was completed in 2003, and the Company relocated the Western branch to

 

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the Company’s owned facility on October 2003. We have a branch in both the Western and Olympic offices, and house our SBA department and auto loan departments in our Western office; and our Trade Financing Department and Credit Card Center in our Olympic office. The net book value of the two owned facilities (building and land) as of December 31, 2003, was $6.9 million. In the opinion of Management, all properties are adequately covered by insurance. All of our existing facilities are considered adequate for our present and anticipated future use.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time, we are a party to claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. With the exception of the potentially adverse outcome in the litigation described in the next two paragraphs, after taking into consideration information furnished by our counsel as to the current status of these claims and proceedings, we do not believe that the aggregate potential liability resulting from such proceedings would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operation.

 

On or about March 3, 2003, we were served with a complaint filed by Korea Export Insurance Corporation (“KEIC”) in Orange County, California Superior Court, entitled Korea Export Insurance Corporation v. Korea Data Systems (USA), Inc., et al. KEIC is seeking to recover alleged losses from a number of parties involved in international trade transactions that gave rise to bills of exchange financed by various Korean Banks but not ultimately paid. KEIC is seeking to recover damages of approximately $56 million from us based on a claim that we, in our capacity as a collecting bank for these bills of exchange, acted negligently in presenting and otherwise handling trade documents for collection. Initially, we moved to dismiss KEIC’s claims based on the pleadings. Our motion to dismiss was not granted, and we have answered KEIC’s complaint denying liability. We have also asserted claims against various other parties seeking indemnification to the extent we may be found liable, and also seeking damages. Two of the parties against whom we have made claims have made tort liability and indemnification claims against us (and other parties in the case). None of the claims against us or the other parties has yet been adjudicated, and the litigation is only in the preliminary stages. We intend to vigorously defend this lawsuit.

 

We believe we have meritorious defenses against the claims made by KEIC and the party alleged to have accepted bills of exchange. However, we cannot predict the outcome of this litigation, and it will be expensive and time-consuming to defend. While it is possible that a portion of the claims may ultimately be covered by insurance, it is unlikely that this determination can be made until after the final disposition of the case. If the outcome of this litigation is adverse to us, and we are required to pay significant monetary damages, our financial condition and results of operations are likely to be materially and adversely affected.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

Not applicable

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

 

Trading History

 

Center Financial’s Common Stock has been listed on the Nasdaq National Market since October 29, 2002 (the day after the completion of the holding company reorganization). Prior to the reorganization, the common stock of Center Bank was traded on the “Over-the-Counter” Bulletin Board, and was not listed on any national stock exchange or with Nasdaq. Trading in our Common Stock has not been extensive and such trades cannot be characterized as amounting to an active trading market. Management is aware of the following securities dealers who are involved in trading of the Company’s stock: Hoefer & Arnett, San Francisco, California; Seidler Companies, Inc., Big Bear Lake, California; and Wedbush Morgan Securities, Portland, Oregon (the “Securities Dealers”).

 

The information in the following table indicates the high and low “bid” and “asked” quotations and approximate volume of trading for the Company’s1 common stock for the periods indicated, based upon information provided by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. The high and low prices have been adjusted to give effect to all stock dividends, and the two-for one stock split declared for shareholders of record as of February 17, 2004. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down, or commission, do not reflect actual transactions and do not include nominal amounts traded directly by shareholders or through other dealers and not through the Securities Dealers.

 

Calendar Quarter Ended


   Sale Price of the
Company’s 1
Common Stock


  

Approximate

Trading

Volume


   High

   Low

  

March 31, 2002

   6.43    5.01    373,600

June 30, 2002

   7.25    5.85    1,778,200

September 30, 2002

   6.60    6.25    1,425,800

December 31, 2002

   6.80    6.41    1,492,800

March 31, 2003

   7.64    7.60    2,218,496

June 30, 2003

   7.86    7.26    1,920,224

September 30, 2003

   10.25    10.13    2,111,612

December 31, 2003

   14.10    13.63    1,870,328

 

Holders

 

As of December 31, 2003, there were approximately 1,481 shareholders of record of the common stock.

 

Stock Repurchases

 

There were no stock repurchases by the Company during 2003.

 

Dividends

 

As a banking holding company, which currently has no significant assets other than our equity interest in Center Bank, our ability to pay dividends primarily depends upon the dividends we receive from Center Bank.

 


1 Inasmuch as Center Financial did not acquire the outstanding shares of the Bank until October 2002, the information contained herein for part of 2002 is for Center Bank’s stock. As of the effective date of the holding company reorganization (October 28, 2002), each outstanding share of common stock of Center Bank was converted into one outstanding share of common stock of the Center Financial.

 

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The dividend practice of Center Bank, like our dividend practice, will depend upon its earnings, financial position, current and anticipated cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by Center Bank’s board of directors at that time. In addition, during any period in which it has deferred payment of interest otherwise due and payable on its subordinated debt securities, Center Financial may not make any dividends or distributions with respect to its capital stock. See “Item 1, Business—Recent Developments” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Capital Resources.”

 

Beginning in October 2003 Center Financial commenced a new dividend policy of paying quarterly cash dividends to its shareholders. In accordance with this policy, the Company paid a cash dividend of 8 cents per share in October 2003 and again in February 2004. The Company plans to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends in the future, provided that such dividends allow the Company to continue to meet regulatory capital requirements and are not overly restrictive to its growth capacity. However, no assurance can be given that the Bank’s and the Company’s future earnings and/or growth expectations in any given year will justify the payment of such a dividend. Prior to October 2003, the Company had been reinvesting its earnings into its capital in order to support the Company’s continuous growth through the payment of stock rather than cash dividends. In addition, in January 2004, the Company declared a two-for-one stock split of its Common Stock. As a result, each shareholder of record as of February 17, 2004 received one additional share of common stock for each share they held on that date, and the Company’s outstanding shares doubled to 16,048,520.

 

Center Bank’s ability to pay cash dividends to us is also subject to certain legal limitations. Under California law, banks may declare a cash dividend out of their net profits up to the lesser of retained earnings or the net income for the last three fiscal years (less any distributions made to shareholders during such period), or with the prior written approval of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (i) the retained earnings of the bank, (ii) the net income of the bank for its last fiscal year, or (iii) the net income of the bank for its current fiscal year. In addition, under federal law, banks are prohibited from paying any dividends if after making such payment they would fail to meet any of the minimum regulatory capital requirements. The federal regulators also have the authority to prohibit banks from engaging in any business practices which are considered to be unsafe or unsound, and in some circumstances the regulators might prohibit the payment of dividends on that basis even though such payments would otherwise be permissible.

 

Our ability to pay dividends is also limited by state corporation law. The California General Corporation Law allows us to pay dividends to our shareholders if our retained earnings equal at least the amount of the proposed dividend. If we do not have sufficient retained earnings available for the proposed dividend, we may still pay a dividend to our shareholders if we meet two conditions after giving effect to the dividend. Those conditions are generally are as follows: (i) our assets (exclusive of goodwill and deferred charges) would equal at least 1 1/4 times our liabilities; and (ii) our current assets would equal at least our current liabilities or, if the average of our earnings before taxes on income and before interest expense for two preceding fiscal years was less than the average of our interest expense for such fiscal years, then our current assets must equal at least 1 1/4 times our current liabilities.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

On December 30, 2003, the Company issued an aggregate of $18 million in principal amount of its Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2034 (the “Subordinated Debt Securities”). All of the Subordinated Debt Securities were issued to Center Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Trust”). The Subordinated Debt Securities were not registered under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption set forth in Section 4(2) thereof. The Subordinated Debt Securities were issued to the Trust in consideration for the receipt of the net proceeds (approximately $17.9 million) raised by the Trust from the sale of $18,000,000 in principal amount of the Trust’s Trust Preferred Securities. Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. (“Bear, Stearns”) acted as the initial purchaser in connection with the offering of the Trust Preferred Securities for aggregate placement fee of $135,000 payable by the Trust.

 

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The sale of the Trust Preferred Securities was part of a larger transaction arranged by Bear, Stearns pursuant to which the Trust Preferred Securities were deposited into a special purpose vehicle along with similar securities issued by a number of other banks and the special purpose vehicle subsequently issued its securities to the public (the “Pooled Trust Preferred Securities”). The Pooled Trust Preferred Securities were sold by Bear, Stearns only (i) to those entities Bear, Stearns reasonably believed were qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), (ii) to “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) or Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act) or (iii) in offshore transactions in compliance with Rule 903 of Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Trust Preferred Securities were not registered under the Securities Act in reliance on exemptions set forth in Rule 144A, Regulation D and Regulation S, as applicable.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table presents selected historical financial information concerning the Company, 1 which should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, including the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included elsewhere herein. The selected financial data for as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are included in this Annual Report. The selected financial data for prior years is derived from our audited financial statements, which are not included in this Annual Report. All per share information has been adjusted for stock splits and dividends declared by the Company from time to time, including the two-for-one stock split effective February 17, 2004. Statistical information below is generally based on average daily amounts.

 

    As of and For the Years Ended December 31,

    2003

  2002

  2001

  2000

  1999

    (Dollars in thousands, except share data)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS:

     

Interest income

  $ 43,658   $ 37,507   $ 36,123   $ 32,898   $ 22,201

Interest expense

    11,643     11,044     13,749     11,697     7,174
   

 

 

 

 

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

    32,015     26,463     22,374     21,201     15,027

Provision for loan losses

    2,000     2,100     1,200     500     804
   

 

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    30,015     24,363     21,174     20,701     14,223

Noninterest income

    16,552     13,788     10,686     8,967     8,560

Noninterest expense

    28,219     23,345     19,754     15,964     14,573
   

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expenses

    18,348     14,806     12,106     13,704     8,210

Income tax expense

    6,696     5,459     4,346     5,301     3,068
   

 

 

 

 

Net income

    11,652     9,347     7,760     8,403     5,142
   

 

 

 

 

SHARE DATA:

                             

Net income per share:

                             

Basic

    0.74     0.63     0.54     0.58     0.35

Diluted

    0.72     0.61     0.52     0.56     0.34

Weighted average common shares outstanding: 2

                             

Basic

    15,675,650     14,921,998     14,440,779     14,499,012     14,585,774

Diluted

    16,184,253     15,347,120     14,854,596     14,920,584     14,930,408

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION:

                             

Total assets

  $ 1,027,366   $ 818,624   $ 586,673   $ 451,828   $ 353,581

Total investment securities

    125,516     156,739     109,446     79,464     66,061

Net loans 3

    717,008     521,217     372,044     302,624     230,626

Total deposits

    867,865     727,020     525,370     397,492     310,741

Total shareholders’ equity

    78,261     65,206     51,390     42,909     35,136

 


1 Inasmuch as the Company did not acquire the outstanding shares of Center Bank until October 2002, the financial informationo contained throughout this Annual Report for 2001 and earlier is for Center Bank only. Information for 2003 and 2002 is for the Company on a consolidated basis unless otherwise stated.
2 As adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock splits and dividends.
3 Net loans represent total gross loans less the allowance for loan losses, deferred fees, and discount on SBA loans.

 

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     As of and For the Years Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 

PERFORMANCE RATIOS:

                              

Return on average assets 1

   1.32 %   1.39 %   1.52 %   2.14 %   1.66 %

Return on average equity 2

   16.28     16.27     16.33     21.53     15.75  

Net interest spread 3

   3.35     3.52     3.47     4.23     3.94  

Net interest margin 4

   3.96     4.30     4.86     6.04     5.49  

Efficiency ratio 5

   58.10     58.00     59.66     52.86     61.78  

Net loans to total deposits at period end

   82.62     71.69     70.82     76.13     74.22  

CAPITAL RATIOS

                              

Leverage capital ratio

                              

Consolidated Company

   10.69 %   9.48 %   9.07 %   9.87 %   10.32 %

Center Bank

   10.63     9.45     9.07     9.87     10.32  

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

                              

Consolidated Company

   11.56     10.34     11.60     13.50     15.13  

Center Bank

   11.50     10.31     11.60     13.50     15.13  

Total risk-based capital ratio

                              

Consolidated Company

   12.67     11.44     12.85     14.76     16.40  

Center Bank

   12.62     11.42     12.85     14.76     16.40  

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS

                              

Non-performing loans to total loans 6

   0.46 %   0.46 %   0.39 %   0.41 %   0.60 %

Non-performing assets 7 to total loans and other real estate owned

   0.46     0.46     0.56     0.41     0.83  

Net (recoveries) charge-offs to average total loans

   (0.01 )   0.19     0.68     0.16     (0.44 )

Allowance for loan losses to total gross loans

   1.21     1.28     1.47     2.14     2.77  

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

   264.62     278.42     379.19     520.64     462.69  

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 8

 

This discussion presents Management’s analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company9 as of and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, and includes the statistical disclosures required by SEC Guide 3 (“Statistical Disclosure by Bank Holding Companies”). The discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company and the notes related thereto which appear elsewhere in this Form 10-K Annual Report (See Item 8 below). All share and per share information, set forth herein has been adjusted to reflect stock splits and dividends declared by the Company from time to time, including the two-for-one stock split effective February 17, 2004.

 


1 Net income divided by average total assets.
2 Net income divided by average shareholders’ equity.
3 Represents the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets less the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
4 Represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
5 Represents the ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of net interest income before provision for loan losses and total noninterest income excluding securities gains and losses.
6 Nonperforming loans consist of nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and restructured loans.
7 Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned.
8 Figures throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis have been rounded for purposes of simplicity and consistency with the tabular information presented.
9 Inasmuch as the Company did not acquire the outstanding shares of Center Bank until October 2002, the financial information contained throughout this Annual Report for 2001 and earlier is for Center Bank only. Information for 2002 is for the Company on a consolidated basis unless otherwise stated.

 

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Critical Accounting Policy

 

The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The financial information contained within these statements is, to a significant extent, financial information that is based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. Critical accounting policies are those that involve the most complex and subjective decisions and assessments and have the greatest potential impact on the Company’s results of operation. Management has identified its most critical accounting policy to be that related to the allowance for loan losses. The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodologies incorporate a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, in establishing an allowance for loan loss that Management believes is appropriate at each reporting date. Quantitative factors include our historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, changes in nonperforming loans, and other factors. Quantitative factors also incorporate known information about individual loans, including borrowers’ sensitivity to interest rate movements and borrowers’ sensitivity to quantifiable external factors including commodity and finished good prices as well as acts of nature (earthquakes, floods, fires, etc.) that occur in a particular period. Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in our markets, including economic conditions in Southern California, South Korea and other Pacific Rim countries, and in particular, the state of certain industries. Size and complexity of individual credits in relation to lending officers’ background and experience levels, loan structure, extent and nature of waivers of existing loan policies and pace of portfolio growth are other qualitative factors that are considered in our methodologies. As the Company adds new products, increases the complexity of its loan portfolio, and expands its geographic coverage, it will enhance its methodologies to keep pace with the size and complexity of the loan portfolio. Management might report a materially different amount for the provision for loan losses in the statement of operations to change the allowance for loan losses if its assessment of the above factors were different. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and the accompanying notes presented elsewhere herein, as well as the portion of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis section entitled “—Financial Condition—Allowance for Loan Losses.” Although Management believes the level of the allowance as of December 31, 2003 is adequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio, a decline in the local economy may result in increasing losses that cannot reasonably be predicted at this time.

 

We generally cease to accrue interest on any loan with respect to which the loan’s contractual payments are more than 90 days delinquent. In addition, interest is not recognized on any loan for which management has determined that collection of our investment in the loan is not reasonably assured. A nonaccrual loan may be restored to accrual status when delinquent principal and interest payments are brought current, the loan is paying in accordance with its payment terms for a period, minimum six months, and future monthly principal and interest payments are expected to be allocated.

 

Properties acquired through foreclosure, or deed in lieu of foreclosure, are transferred to the other real estate owned portfolio and carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less the estimated costs to sell the property. The fair value of the property is based upon a current appraisal. The difference between the fair value of the real estate collateral and the loan balance at the time of transfer is recorded as a loan charge-off if fair value is lower. Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations and the property is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value, less cost to sell. The determination of a property’s estimated fair value includes revenues projected to be realized from disposal of the property, construction and renovation costs.

 

Certain Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans that we have the intent to sell prior to maturity are designated as held for sale at origination and are recorded at the lower of cost or market value, on an aggregate basis. A valuation allowance is established if the market value of such loans is lower than their cost, and operations are charged or credited for valuation adjustments. A portion of the premium on sale of SBA loans is recognized as other operating income at the time of the sale. The remaining portion of the premium (relating to the portion of the loan retained) is deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the loan as an adjustment to yield. Servicing assets are recognized when loans are sold with servicing retained. Servicing assets are recorded based on the present value of the contractually specified servicing fee, net of servicing costs, over the estimated

 

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life of the loan, using a discount rate based on the related note rate plus 2 %. Servicing assets are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated future servicing income. Management periodically evaluates the servicing asset for impairment, which is the carrying amount of the servicing asset in excess of the related fair value. Impairment, if it occurs, is recognized in a write down or charge-off in the period of impairment.

 

As part of our asset and liability management strategy, we have entered into derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, with the overall goal of minimizing the impact of interest rate fluctuations on our net interest margin. The objective for the interest rate swaps is to manage asset and liability positions in connection with our strategy of minimizing the interest rate fluctuations on interest rate margin and equity. The interest rate swaps qualify as cash flow hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, and are designated as hedges of the variability of cash flows we receive from certain of our Prime-indexed loans. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, these interest rate swap agreements are measured at fair value and reported as assets or liabilities on the consolidated statement of financial condition. The portion of the change in the fair value of the swaps that is deemed effective in hedging the cash flows of the designated assets is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”), net of tax, and reclassified into interest income as such cash flows occur in the future. Any ineffectiveness resulting from the hedges is recorded as a gain or loss directly to the consolidated statement of earnings as a part of non-interest income. Currently, fair value of the interest rate swaps is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the discount rate that was adjusted by the yield curve.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 115, securities are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. We do not maintain a trading portfolio. Securities in the held-to-maturity category consist of securities purchased for long-term investment in order to enhance our ongoing stream of net interest income. Securities deemed held-to-maturity are classified as such because we have both the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity (and are recorded at amortized cost). Accreted discounts and amortized premiums on securities are included in interest income using the interest method, and unrealized and realized gains or losses related to the holding or selling of securities are calculated using the specific identification method. All other securities are classified as available for sale with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses

 

Executive Overview

 

Continuation of strong and healthy growth in 2002 provided momentum for another year of record earnings in 2003. Consolidated net income for the year ended December 31, 2003, was $11.7 million, or $0.72 per diluted share compared to $9.3 million or $0.61 per diluted share in 2002 and $7.8 million or $0.52 per diluted share in 2001. (All per share figures have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split effective February 17, 2004.) The Company’s improvement in 2003 earnings compared to the same period in 2002 represents an increase of 25%. The following were significant factors related to 2003 results as compared to 2002:

 

  Expanding into different geographic areas where growing Korean population are located continues to be an important part of our long-term strategy for growth. During 2003, we opened a branch office in Fullerton, California and a loan production office in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are also in the process of expanding our branch operations outside the state of California (see “Item 1-Business-Recent Developments”).

 

  Our net interest margin declined by 34 basis points in 2003 compared to the average market rate decrease of 56 basis points. In 2003, we managed to limit the decrease in our interest margin to only 34 points, due to the following:

 

  a) Low interest-earning assets were replaced by higher yielding loans

 

  b) The timing differences created by immediate repricing of variable rate loans versus a large base of deposits, which are generally slower to reprice.

 

  c) Income generated from interest rate swaps of $1.9 million

 

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  The effects of the decline in our net interest margin were offset by asset growth, increased non-interest income and good expense control. Noninterest income showed growth of $2.8 million compared with 2002 due to greater than two fold increases in SBA loan sales and higher fees charged on customer deposit accounts. New fee income-generating products such as the mortgage referral program and ATM funding program also helped to boost noninterest income.

 

  We invested $10.0 million in bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) in December 2003, and increased our investment in affordable housing partnerships by $683,000 to $3.7 million from $3.0 million to enhance profitability.

 

  During 2003, we recorded strong loan growth in commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans. During this year, commercial real estate loans increased 60%, and commercial business loans increased 36%.

 

  We maintained good asset quality. The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans remained at 0.46% at December 31, 2003, unchanged from 2002. Due to net recoveries of $44,000 during 2003 as compared to net charge-offs of $837,000 in 2002, our provision for loan losses remained flat at $2.0 million despite average loan grow of 41% in 2003.

 

  Total deposits increased by 19% during 2003. The most significant increase in deposits since December 31, 2002 was an $87.1 million increase in time deposits over $100,000. This increase in time deposits over $100,000 was mainly due to increased contributions from new branches and increased in lower cost deposits with State of California. The deposits with State of California increased by $50.0 million in 2003.

 

Our financial condition and liquidity remain strong. The following are important factors in understanding our financial condition and liquidity:

 

  Under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we continue to be “well-capitalized”;

 

  On December 30, 2003, Center Capital Trust I, a newly formed Delaware statutory business trust and a wholly owned deconsolidated subsidiary of the Company (the “Trust”), issued an aggregate of $18 million of principal amount of Trust Preferred Securities;

 

  The Company declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share to the shareholders paid on October 24, 2003;

 

  All liquidity measures at December 31, 2003 met or exceeded the same measures at December 31, 2002.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net Interest Income

 

The Company’s earnings depend largely upon its net interest income, which is the difference between the income received from its loan portfolio and other interest-earning assets and the interest paid on its deposits and other liabilities. The Company’s net interest income is affected by the change in the level and the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as volume changes. The Company’s net interest income is also affected by changes in the yields earned on assets and rates paid on liabilities, referred to as rate changes. Interest rates charged on our loans are affected principally by the demand for such loans, the supply of money available for lending purposes and competitive factors. Those factors are, in turn, affected by general economic conditions and other factors beyond our control, such as federal economic policies, the general supply of money in the economy, legislative tax policies, governmental budgetary matters and the actions of the Federal Reserve Board. Interest rates on deposits are affected primarily by rates charged by competitors.

 

Net interest income was $32.0 million, $26.5 million, and $22.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. The increase in net interest income of $5.5 million, or 21%, in 2003 was principally due to increases in average loans by $179.2 million and in average taxable securities by $14.0 million,

 

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offset by an increase in average deposits by $134.1 million and increase in FHLB borrowings by $8.7 million. Reductions in market rates set by the Federal Reserve Board of 25 basis points in June of 2003 negatively impacted interest income more than interest expense, as the interest rates on prime rate based loans are reduced immediately, but rates on customer time deposits do not reset until maturity.

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the dollar amount of changes in interest earned and paid for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the amount of change attributable to (i) changes in average daily balances (volume), (ii) changes in interest rates (rate), and (iii) changes in both rate and volume (rate/volume):

 

    Year Ended December 31, 2003 vs. 2002
Increase (Decrease) Due to change In


    Year Ended December 31, 2002 vs. 2001
Increase (Decrease) Due to change In


 
    Volume

    Rate

    Rate /
Volume


    Total

    Volume

    Rate

    Rate /
Volume


    Total

 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Earning Assets

                                                               

Interest Income:

                                                               

Loans 1

  $ 12,688     $ (3,629 )   $ (1,499 )   $ 7,560     $ 9,119     $ (6,179 )   $ (1,899 )   $ 1,041  

Federal funds sold

    74       (121 )     (21 )     (68 )     (131 )     (660 )     75       (716 )

Taxable investment securities

    664       (1,495 )     (199 )     (1,030 )     1,419       (717 )     (225 )     477  

Tax-advantaged securities 2

    (16 )     (99 )     2       (113 )     229       (19 )     (7 )     203  

Equity stocks

    18       (2 )     —         16       (33 )     (11 )     6       (38 )

Money market funds and interest-earning deposit

    (45 )     (185 )     16       (214 )     664       (31 )     (216 )     417  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total earning assets

    13,383       (5,531 )     (1,701 )     6,151       11,267       (7,617 )     (2,266 )     1,384  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Deposits and borrowed funds

                                                               

Interest Expense:

                                                               

Money market and super NOW accounts

    1,032       (293 )     (178 )     561       924       (511 )     (298 )     115  

Savings deposits

    439       86       38       563       292       59       28       379  

Time deposits

    1,664       (2,049 )     (418 )     (803 )     2,937       (5,027 )     (1,283 )     (3,373 )

Other borrowings

    283       (4 )     (5 )     274       177       (1 )     (2 )     174  

Trust preferred

    4       —         —         4       —         —         —         —    
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total interest-bearing liabilities

    3,422       (2,260 )     (563 )     599       4,330       (5,480 )     (1,555 )     (2,705 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net interest income

  $ 9,961     $ (3,271 )   $ (1,138 )   $ 5,552     $ 6,937     $ (2,137 )   $ (711 )   $ 4,089  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Interest Margin

 

Net interest income, when expressed as a percentage of average total interest-earning assets, is referred to as the net interest margin. The net interest margins for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 were 3.96%, 4.30%, and 4.86%, respectively. The 34 basis point decrease in net interest margin in 2003 was primarily

 


1 Loans are net of the allowance for loan losses, deferred fees, and discount on SBA loans retained. Loan fees included in loan income were approximately $430,000, $941,000, and $898,000, for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. Amortized loan fees have been included in the calculation of net interest income. Nonaccrual loans have been included in the table for computation purposes, but the foregone interest of such loans is excluded.
2 Yield on tax-advantaged income have been computed on a tax equivalent basis. 100% of earnings on municipal obligations and 70% of earnings on the preferred stock are not taxable for federal income tax purposes.

 

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due to a reduction of 25 basis point in market rates set by Federal Reserve Board and high prepayments of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. In later part of 2003, Management used the proceeds of investment securities due to prepayments to finance higher yielding loans. As a result, the net interest margin improved to 4.17% in 2003 fourth quarter from 4.08% in the 2002 fourth quarter. In addition, since the yield on earning assets reacted more instantaneously to the downward trend in interest rates, the lag in the repricing of the Company’s considerable time deposit portfolio has resulted in a contraction of the Company’s net interest margin.

 

During 2003, the yield on average interest-earning assets decreased to 5.40% or 71 basis points from 6.11% in 2002, as a result of the 25 basis points decline in interest rates in 2003. The prime rate, to which the majority of the Company’s loans are tied, is at its lowest rate in several decades. This decrease in yield was mainly due to a 142 basis point decrease in taxable investment securities, which decreased to 3.33% in 2003 from 4.75% in 2002. High prepayments recorded on mortgage-backed and collateralized mortgage obligations due to the low rate environment were the major contributors to the decrease.

 

Similarly, the Company’s overall cost of funds decreased to 2.05% or 55 basis points at December 31, 2003 from 2.60% in 2002. The cost of funds did not decrease as much as the decrease in yield on earning assets, because of the lag in the repricing to a lesser degree of the interest rates on the Company’s substantial portfolio of time deposits. However, the increase of $57.4 million to $235.5 million in noninterest-bearing demand deposits in 2003 from $178.1 million in 2002, on which the Company relied on as a considerable funding source, partially offset the decrease in net interest margin during 2003. These decreases were partially offset by an increase average cost of savings deposits. The average cost of savings deposits for the twelve months of 2003 increased 23 basis points to 2.91% as compared to 2.68% for the same period in 2002, mainly due to volume increases in higher rate installment savings deposits, which are used as a marketing tool to attract new customers at the newly opened branches.

 

Comparing 2002 to 2001, the Company’s net interest margin decreased 56 basis points to 4.30% from 4.86%. The decrease in the net interest margin was primarily driven by the 50 basis points decrease in the market rate set by the Federal Reserve Board in November 2002. During 2002, the overall yield on earning assets decreased 173 basis points to 6.11% from 7.84% in 2001, while cost of funds decreased 177 basis points to 2.60% from 4.37% in 2001.

 

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The following table shows the Company’s average balances of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity; the amount of interest income and interest expense; the average yield or rate for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities; and the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the periods indicated:

 

Distribution, Rate and Yield Analysis of Net Income

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,

 
    2003

    2002

    2001

 
    Average
Balance


  Interest
Income/
Expense


  Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield


    Average
Balance


  Interest
Income/
Expense


  Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield


    Average
Balance


  Interest
Income/
Expense


  Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield


 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Assets:

                                                     

Interest-earning assets:

                                                     

Loans 1

  $ 612,779   $ 38,271   6.25 %   $ 433,628   $ 30,711   7.08 %   $ 331,685   $ 29,670   8.95 %

Federal funds sold

    31,329     363   1.16       26,763     431   1.61       30,220     1,147   3.80  

Taxable investment securities:

                                                     

U.S. Treasury

    2,195     98   4.46       2,191     98   4.47       2,551     120   4.72  

U.S. Governmental agencies debt securities

    38,994     1,343   3.44       24,737     1,198   4.84       31,594     1,731   5.48  

U.S. Governmental agencies mortgage-backed securities

    55,410     1,792   3.23       64,788     2,986   4.61       30,600     1,745   5.70  

U.S. Governmental agencies collateralized mortgage obligations

    3,903     77   1.97       3,751     215   5.73       9,006     549   6.09  

Municipal securities

    102     6   5.88       102     6   5.88       103     6   6.19  

Other securities 2

    18,333     639   3.49       9,395     482   5.13       5,975     357   5.97  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total taxable investment securities:

    118,937     3,955   3.33 %     104,964     4,985   4.75 %     79,829   $ 4,508   5.65  

Tax-advantage investment securities 3

                                                     

Municipal securities

    5,954     255   6.59       5,864     243   6.38       4,549     192   6.49  

Others - Government preferred stock

    12,720     475   5.14       13,179     600   6.27       9,471     448   6.51  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total tax-advantage investment securities

    18,674     730   5.60       19,043     843   6.30       14,020     640   6.51  

Equity Stocks

    907     41   4.52       541     25   4.62       1,118     63   5.63  

Money market funds and interest-earning deposits

    26,205     298   1.14       28,719     512   1.78       3,597     95   2.64  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest-earning assets

  $ 808,831   $ 43,658   5.40 %   $ 613,658   $ 37,507   6.11 %   $ 460,469   $ 36,123   7.84 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest earning assets:

                                                     

Cash and due from banks

    48,362                 34,322                 28,872            

Bank premises and equipment, net

    10,584                 9,081                 8,062            

Other real estate owned

    —                   42                 194            

Customers’ acceptances outstanding

    3,723                 4,148                 5,921            

Accrued interest receivables

    3,274                 2,956                 2,433            

Other assets

    10,960                 6,658                 4,602            
   

             

             

           

Total noninterest-earning assets

    76,903                 57,207                 50,084            
   

             

             

           

Total Assets

  $ 885,734               $ 670,865               $ 510,553            
   

             

             

           

 


1 Loans are net of the allowance for loan losses, deferred fees, and discount on SBA loans retained. Loan fees included in loan income were approximately $430,000, $941,000, and $898,000, for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. Amortized loan fees have been included in the calculation of net interest income. Nonaccrual loans have been included in the table for computation purposes, but the foregone interest of such loans is excluded.
2 Other securities include U.S. government asset-backed securities, corporate trust preferred securities, and corporate debt securities.
3 Yield on tax-advantaged income have been computed on a tax equivalent basis. 100% of earnings on municipal obligations and 70% of earnings on the preferred stock are not taxable for federal income tax purposes.

 

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Distribution, Rate and Yield Analysis of Net Income

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,

 
    2003

    2002

    2001

 
    Average
Balance


  Interest
Income/
Expense


  Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield


    Average
Balance


  Interest
Income/
Expense


  Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield


    Average
Balance


  Interest
Income/
Expense


  Annualized
Average
Rate/Yield


 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:

                                                     

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                                                     

Deposits:

                                                     

Money market and NOW accounts

  $ 157,956   $ 2,254   1.43 %   $ 98,164   $ 1,693   1.72 %   $ 61,947   $ 1,579   2.55 %

Savings

    53,487     1,558   2.91       37,125     995   2.68       25,180     615   2.44  

Time certificates of deposit in:

                                                     

denominations of $100,000 or more

    260,845     5,599   2.15       203,121     5,894   2.90       151,819     7,879   5.19  

other time certificates of deposit

    80,661     1,737   2.15       80,427     2,245   2.79       74,104     3,633   4.90  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      552,949     11,148   2.02       418,837     10,827   2.59       313,050     13,706   4.38  

Other borrowed funds

    15,356     491   3.20       6,668     217   3.25       1,307     43   3.28  

Long-term subordinated debentures

    99     4   4.10                                      
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

  $ 568,404   $ 11,643   2.05 %   $ 425,505   $ 11,044   2.60 %   $ 314,357   $ 13,749   4.37 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:

                                                     

Demand deposits

    235,526                 178,081                 137,219            

Other liabilities

    10,243                 9,829                 11,447            
   

             

             

           

Total non-interest bearing liabilities

    245,769                 187,910                 148,666            

Shareholders’ equity

    71,561                 57,450                 47,529            
   

             

             

           

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 885,734               $ 670,865               $ 510,552            
   

             

             

           

Net interest income

        $ 32,015               $ 26,463               $ 22,374      
         

             

             

     

Net interest spread 1

              3.35 %               3.52 %               3.47 %

Net interest margin 2

              3.96 %               4.30 %               4.86 %
               

             

             

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities

              142.30 %               144.22 %               146.48 %
               

             

             

 

The decrease in the ratio of average interest earning assets to interest bearing liabilities to 142.3% at December 31, 2003 from 144.22% in December 31, 2002, was primarily due to investments in the ATM funding program, investments in BOLI, and increased investment in affordable housing partnerships. Even though they are funded mostly with interest-bearing liabilities, these three types of investments are not classified as an interest-earning asset. The Company invested $20 million in the ATM funding program launched during the third quarter of 2003, $10.0 million in BOLI in December 2003, and increased its investment in affordable housing partnerships by $683,000 to $3.7 million at December 31, 2003 from $3.0 million in 2002.

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, the provision for loan losses was $2.0 million, compared to $2.1 million and $1.2 million for 2002 and 2001, respectively. Because of Management’s deliberate efforts to collect

 


1 Represents the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets less the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
2 Represents net interest income (before provision for loan losses) as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 

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on previously charged off loans, combined with a decrease in the level of new charge-offs the Company had net recoveries of $44,000 in 2003 as compared to net charge-offs of $837,000 in 2002. The high volume of recoveries in 2003 coupled with continued strong performance of the loan portfolio, enabled Bank’s Management to keep the provision for loan losses at constant level in 2003, in spite of a 41% increase in the average loan volume. While Management believes that the allowance for loan losses was adequate at December 31, 2003, future additions to the allowance will be subject to continuing evaluation of estimated and known, as well as inherent, risks in the loan portfolio. The procedures for monitoring the adequacy of the Allowance, as well as detailed information concerning the allowance itself, are included below under “—Allowance for Loan Losses.”

 

Noninterest Income

 

Noninterest income increased 20% or $2.8 million to $16.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003 compared to $13.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2002, but decreased slightly as a percentage of average earning assets. The primary sources of recurring noninterest income continue to be customer service fee charges on deposit accounts, fees from trade finance transactions and gain on sale of SBA loans. Customer service fees increased by $1.0 million, or 17% from 2002 to 2003, and by $0.6 million, or 11% from 2001 to 2002. Fee increases implemented on customer deposit accounts and the higher number of account relationships from new branches, were the main contributors for the customer service fee income increase in 2003. However, customer service fees decreased as a percentage of noninterest income to 43% for 2003, compared to 45% and 52% in 2002 and 2001, respectively. However, the decrease in this percentage in 2002 resulted primarily from unusually high gains on sale of loans and fixed assets in 2002. Excluding gains on sale of loans and fixed assets, the ratios of customer service fees to total noninterest income actually increased to 54% in 2002.

 

Despite the continuing declining trend, fee income from trade finance transactions still remained the second largest source of our noninterest income. Fee income from trade finance transactions were $2.7 million, $2.8 million and $2.9 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, due to constant levels of international trade activity by the Company’s customers in the periods under review. Fee income from trade finance transactions as a percentage of total noninterest income also continued to decline in 2003 to 16%, as compared to 20% and 27%, respectively, in 2002 and 2001.

 

Since Management’s decision to sell SBA loans on a regular basis, the gain on loan sales more than doubled to $2.7 million in 2003, as compared to $1.3 million in 2002. The Company sold $52.5 million SBA loans during 2003 as compared to $25.6 million during 2002. The gain on loan sales also increased by $775,000 in 2002 as compared to 2001; mainly due to the increased volume of SBA loan sales. The Company had a gain on the sale of fixed assets of $738,000 during 2002, in which it sold one of its branch facilities in order to relocate the branch to a more desirable site, which did not apply in the same periods of 2003 and 2001.

 

As a result of the increased volume of SBA loan sales and retention of servicing rights during 2003, other loan related service fees increased by $351,000 or 38% to $1.3 million during 2003 as compared to $945,000 during 2002. Other loan related fees totaled $945,000 in 2002, an increase of 64% as compare with $576,000 in 2001.

 

The new fee income generating products, including Center Bank’s mortgage referral program and the ATM funding program, helped to boost other income by $632,000 or 60% to $1.7 million in 2003 as compared to $1.1 million in 2002. Other income as a percentage of total noninterest income also increased to 10% for 2003 from 8% in the like period a year ago. In addition, the Company’s investment of $10.0 million in bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) in December 2003 generated $36,000 of noninterest income for 2003. BOLI income, which is not taxable, is generated by the increase in the cash surrender values of bank-owned life insurance policies net of the cost associated with mortality charges and certain consulting expenses. Management expects BOLI income to increase in 2004, primarily due to the full year impact. Other income was $1.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2002 compared to $475,000 for the twelve months of 2001. This increase was mainly due to

 

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prepayment penalty charges of $80,000 and certain recoveries of $100,000. The Company recognized certain recoveries as a result of final settlement with the IRS on reserve previously set aside for a tax lien claim, during 2002.

 

The following table sets forth the various components of the Company’s noninterest income for the periods indicated:

 

    

Noninterest Income

For the Years Ended December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     Amount

    Percent
of Total


    Amount

    Percent
of Total


    Amount

    Percent
of Total


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Customer service fees

   $ 7,164     43.28 %   $ 6,147     44.58 %   $ 5,517     51.63 %

Fee income from trade finance transactions

     2,689     16.25       2,819     20.45       2,923     27.35  

Wire transfer fees

     698     4.22       606     4.40       473     4.43  

Gain on sale of loans

     2,681     16.20       1,300     9.43       525     4.91  

Net gain on sale of securities available for sale

     330     1.99       171     1.24       197     1.83  

Gain on sale of fixed assets

     —       —         738     5.35       —       0.00  

Other loan related service fees

     1,296     7.83       945     6.85       576     5.39  

Other income

     1,694     10.23       1,062     7.70       475     4.46  
    


 

 


 

 


 

Total noninterest income

   $ 16,552     100.00 %   $ 13,788     100.00 %   $ 10,686     100.00 %
    


 

 


 

 


 

As a percentage of average earning assets

     2.05 %           2.25 %           2.32 %      

 

Noninterest Expense

 

Noninterest expense is comprised primarily of compensation and employee benefits; occupancy; furniture, fixture, and equipment; data processing; professional service fees; business promotions and advertising; and other operating expenses. Noninterest expense increased 21% to $28.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $23.3 million and $19.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. However, noninterest expense continued to decrease as a percentage of average earning assets in both 2003 and 2002, to 3.5% for 2003, compared to 3.8% and 4.3% for 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

The efficiency ratio, defined as the ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of net interest income before provision for loan losses and noninterest income, was 58.1% for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared with 58.0% and 59.7% for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The improvement in the efficiency ratio in 2002 resulted primarily from the increase in operating efficiencies at the five new branches opened during 2001. Because of the Company’s conservative approach of charging off $880,000 of unrealized losses related to floating rate government agency preferred stocks in December 2003, efficiency ratio remained almost flat at 58.1% in 2003. Management expects the efficiency ratio to continue to improve in 2004 as it has in 2003, because of greater operational efficiencies and increased profit contributions from the branches. However, no assurance can be given that such improvement will in fact occur.

 

Although the credit quality of the issuer of a floating rate agency preferred stock is not questioned, the interest rate environment has created an other than temporary decline in value of floating rate agency preferred stocks whose fair market value have been lower than its cost basis for over twelve months and therefore a $880,000 other than temporary decline in value charge was taken in December 2003.

 

The largest dollar increase was in compensation and employee benefits, which increased by $1.2 million or 9% to $13.5 million during 2003 compared to $12.3 million in 2002, but decreased from 53% to 48% as a percentage of total noninterest expense. The increase was attributed to the additional year-end performance incentives as well as normal increases in annual salary for existing employees. Compensation and employee benefits increased 12% to $12.3 million during 2002 compared to $11.0 million in 2001, but decreased from 56% to 53% as a percentage of total noninterest expense. The increase was primarily due to full year’s impact in 2002

 

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from the expansion of the branch network, five offices opening during the second quarter of 2001. Additionally, the impact of incentive compensation as well as normal increases in annual salary for existing employees, further contributed to the increase in compensation and employee benefits during 2002.

 

Occupancy expense increased by 15% to $2.0 million during 2003, compared to $1.7 million and $1.4 million in years 2002 and 2001 respectively, but remained almost constant at the 7% level as a percentage of total noninterest expense. The primary reason for this increase in 2003 was the opening of the Fullerton branch office and relocation of the Western branch office. Furniture, fixture, and equipment expense increased by the $271,000, or 26%, to $1.3 million in 2003 compared to $1.1 million and $803,000 in 2002 and 2001, respectively. However, the ratio of furniture, fixture, and equipment expense to total noninterest expense remained steady at about 4%. This increase was mainly due to additional depreciation expense associated with the opening of the Fullerton branch office and relocation of Western branch office.

 

Because of the higher professional fees and increased expenses associated with ongoing legal cases, professional service fees increased by 60% to $2.2 million in 2003 as compared to $1.4 million in 2002, and to 8% compared to 6% of total noninterest expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2002, professional service fees increased 32% to $1.4 million, compared to $1.0 million in 2001, and to 6% compared to 5% of total noninterest expenses. The increase in 2002 was primarily attributable to the extraordinary legal and accounting fees related to the Company’s holding company formation, SEC registration and listing on the Nasdaq National Market. While non-litigation related professional fees were actually lower in 2003 compared to 2002 because the 2002 fees were unusually high as noted above, such fees in 2003 were still significant, and reflected the ongoing costs of compliance with the many SEC and Nasdaq requirements, including compliance with certain provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. It is anticipated that such non-litigation related legal and accounting costs will likely increase further in 2004 due to the implementation of additional provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as well as Nasdaq’s recently enacted corporate governance rules.

 

Business promotion and advertising expense increased by 16% to $1.8 million in 2003 as compared to $1.6 million and $1.1 million in 2002 and 2001, respectively. This increase was primarily due to our name change and increased promotions for new products and services such as our mortgage lending program and Money Smart Program. The Company has participated in the Money Smart Program by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as it aims to educate people on banking services by translating the training material into Korean. Business promotion and advertising expense increased by 38% to $1.6 million in 2002 as compared to $1.1 million in 2001. The increase resulted from the Company’s greater emphasis on product promotion through increased marketing efforts and the loan referral program.

 

Other operating expense also increased significantly. Other operating expense include court settlements, correspondent bank charge expense, regulatory assessment expense, loan related expense, director compensation expense, corporate administrative expense, and loss on investment in affordable housing partnerships, for which the Company receives federal income tax credits and CRA credits. Other operating expense in 2003 increased 98% to $3.7 million, compared to $1.8 million in 2002 and from 8% to 13% as percentage of total noninterest expenses increase was primarily due to: i) settlements cost relating to long-standing legal proceedings and ii) $880,000 charge-off in December 2003 related to unrealized losses on floating rate government agency preferred stocks. There is no other significant legal case outstanding other than KEIC at December 31, 2003, see “Item 3, Legal Proceedings”. For the year ended December 31, 2002, other operating expenses increased 32% to $1.8 million, compared to $1.4 million in 2001, or from 7% to 8% as a percentage of total noninterest expenses, primarily due to increase in corporate administrative expense of $102,000 and $162,000 loss on investment in affordable housing partnerships.

 

All other noninterest expenses include stationery and supplies, telecommunications, postage, courier service and security service expenses. For the year ended 2003, these noninterest expenses increased 18% to $2.2 million compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2002. Increases were primarily due to Center Bank’s name change and opening of new branches. Other noninterest expenses slightly increased to $1.8 million in 2002 from $1.6 million in 2001.

 

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The following table sets forth the breakdown of noninterest expense for the periods indicated:

 

    

Noninterest Expense

For the Years Ended December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     Amount

   Percent
of Total


    Amount

    Percent
of Total


    Amount

    Percent
of Total


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Salaries and benefits

   $ 13,458    47.69 %   $ 12,294     52.66 %   $ 10,980     55.58 %

Occupancy

     1,998    7.08       1,739     7.45       1,437     7.28  

Furniture, fixture, and equipment

     1,321    4.68       1,050     4.50       803     4.07  

Net other real estate owned (income) expense…

     —      —         (98 )   (0.42 )     (191 )   (0.97 )

Data processing

     1,613    5.72       1,650     7.07       1,348     6.82  

Professional services fees

     2,204    7.81       1,375     5.89       1,040     5.27  

Business promotion and advertising

     1,795    6.36       1,553     6.65       1,122     5.68  

Stationery and supplies

     586    2.08       420     1.80       417     2.11  

Telecommunications

     462    1.64       455     1.95       449     2.27  

Postage and courier service

     545    1.93       485     2.08       429     2.17  

Security service

     573    2.03       576     2.46       524     2.65  

Other operating expense

     3,664    12.98       1,846     7.91       1,396     7.07  
    

  

 


 

 


 

Total noninterest expense

   $ 28,219    100.00 %   $ 23,345     100.00 %   $ 19,754     100.00 %
    

  

 


 

 


 

As a percentage of average earning assets

          3.49 %           3.80 %           4.28 %

Efficiency ratio

          58.10 %           58.00 %           59.67 %

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense is the sum of two components, current tax expense and deferred tax expense. Current tax expense is the result of applying the current tax rate to taxable income. The deferred portion is intended to reflect that income on which taxes are paid differs from financial statement pre-tax income because some items of income and expense are recognized in different years for income tax purposes than in the financial statements.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, the provisions for income taxes were $6.7 million and $5.5 million, and $4.3 million representing effective tax rates of 36% and 37%, and 36%, respectively. The primary reasons for the difference from the statutory tax rate of 35% are the inclusion of state taxes and reductions related to tax favored investments in low-income housing, municipal obligations and agency preferred stocks. The Company reduced taxes utilizing the tax credits from investments in the low-income housing projects in the amount of $503,000 for the twelve months of 2003 compared to $320,000 for the twelve months ended in December 31, 2002.

 

Deferred income tax assets or liabilities reflect the estimated future tax effects attributable to differences as to when certain items of income or expense are reported in the financial statements versus when they are reported in the tax return. The Company’s deferred tax asset was $3.0 million as of December 31, 2003, $824,000, and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2002, and 2001, respectively. As of December 31, 2003, the Company’s deferred tax asset was primarily due to book reserves for losses on loans. Deferred tax assets were partially offset by unrecognized book gains from securities that are available for sale.

 

Financial Condition

 

Summary

 

Total assets increased $208.7 million, or 26%, to $1,027.3 million as of December 31, 2003 compared to $818.6 million at December 31, 2002. The increase in total assets was mainly due to a $195.8 million growth in net loans $38.0 million increase in cash and due from banks, resulting from a $20 million investment in the ATM

 

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funding program and a $10.0 million increase in investment in BOLI. These increases were partially offset by a $31.2 million decrease in investment portfolio. Loans net of allowance for loan losses, deferred fees, and discount on SBA loans retained, investments, and money market and short-term investments as a percentage of total assets were 70%, 12% and 6% respectively as of December 31, 2003, as compared to 64%, 19% and 9% at December 31, 2002. The growth of total assets was financed by the increase of $140.9 million in deposits; $33.0 million of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowing and the issuance of long-term subordinated debenture at the end of 2003 of $18.0 million in “pass-through” trust preferred securities.

 

Total assets increased $232.0 million, or 40%, to $818.6 million as of December 31, 2002 compared to $586.7 million at December 31, 2001. The increase in total assets was mainly due to a $149.2 million growth in net loans and $46.5 million increase in securities available for sale. Loans net of allowance for loan losses, deferred fees, and discount on SBA loans retained, investments, and money market and short-term investments as a percentage of total assets were 64%, 19% and 9% respectively as of December 31, 2002, as compared to 63%, 19% and 9% at December 31, 2001. The increase in total assets was funded by $201.7 million increase in deposits and $17.2 million increase in other borrowed funds. To take the advantage of lower rates in 2002 the Company has borrowed $14.9 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

 

Loan Portfolio

 

The Company’s loan portfolio represents the largest single portion of earning assets, substantially greater than the investment portfolio or any other asset placement category. The quality and diversification of the Company’s loan portfolio are important considerations when reviewing the Company’s results of operations. The Company offers a range of products designed to meet the credit needs of its borrowers. The Company’s lending activities consist of commercial real estate lending, construction loans, commercial business and trade finance loans, and consumer loans.

 

As of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, gross loans represented 71%, 65% and 65% of total assets. A comparison of the ratios shows a normal cycle, which has generally stabilized showing no significant fluctuations before 2003. In 2003, the Company used proceeds from investment securities to finance higher yielding loans. The biggest volume increases among loan types in 2003 were commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans, which increased 60% and 36%, respectively, to $143.6 million and $38.8 million, respectively, as compared to 2002. The Loan Distribution table below reflects the gross and net amounts of loans outstanding as of December 31 for each year from 1999 to 2003.

 

Loan balances increased by more than 206% or $490.7 million from December 31, 1999 to December 31, 2003. These increases have resulted from the focused lending practices since the current President, Seon Hong Kim, joined the Company in September 1998, with targeted marketing campaigns designed to achieve balanced growth in all principal loan categories, after undergoing aggressive collection efforts and resolving and/or charging off its under performing problem loans.

 

As of December 31, 2003, no single industry or business category represented more than 10% of the loan portfolio. The Company also monitors the diversification of collateral of the real estate loan portfolio by area, by type of building, and by the type of building usage.

 

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The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,

 
    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 
    Amount

    Percent
of Total


    Amount

    Percent
of Total


    Amount

    Percent
of Total


    Amount

    Percent
of Total


    Amount

    Percent
of Total


 
    (Dollars in Thousands)  

Real Estate

                                                                     

Construction

  $ 18,464     2.53 %   $ 20,669     3.90 %           3.39 %   $ 1,276     0.41 %   $ 3,605     1.51 %

Commercial 1

    384,824     52.81       241,252     45.55       161,670     42.64       114,284     36.84       87,054     36.57  

Commercial

                                                                     

Korean Affiliate Loans 2

    14,865     2.04       11,335     2.14       8,654     2.28       11,226     3.62       9,251     3.89  

Other commercial loans

    132,503     18.18       97,205     18.36       87,076     22.97       80,073     25.81       60,778     25.53  

Trade Finance 3

                                                                     

Korean Affiliate Loans

    3,899     0.54       3,038     0.57       1,912     0.50       548     0.18       301     0.13  

Other trade finance loans

    57,987     7.96       47,068     8.89       24,918     6.57       34,294     11.05       36,791     15.45  

SBA 4

    66,487     9.12       67,489     12.75       46,955     12.38       39,116     12.61       23,178     9.74  

Other 5

    179     0.02       129     0.01       22     0.01       1,746     0.56       1,751     0.73  

Consumer:

    49,530     6.80       41,463     7.83       35,128     9.26       27,665     8.92       15,357     6.45  
   


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Total Gross Loans

  $ 728,738     100.00 %   $ 529,648     100.00 %   $ 379,186     100.00 %   $ 310,228     100.00 %   $ 238,066     100.00 %
   


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Less:

                                                                     

Allowance for Loan Losses

    (8,804 )           (6,760 )           (5,540 )           (6,633 )           (6,561 )      

Deferred Loan Fees

    (331 )           (170 )           (463 )           (398 )           (387 )      

Discount on SBA Loans Retained

    (2,595 )           (1,501 )           (1,139 )           (573 )           (492 )      
   


       


       


       


       


     

Total Net Loans

  $ 717,008           $ 521,217           $ 372,044           $ 302,624           $ 230,626        
   


       


       


       


       


     

 

Commercial Real Estate Loans. Real estate lending involves risks associated with the potential decline in the value of the underlying real estate collateral and the cash flow from the income producing properties. Declines in real estate values and cash flows can be caused by a number of factors, including adversity in general economic conditions, rising interest rates, changes in tax and other governmental and other policies affecting real estate holdings, environmental conditions, governmental and other use restrictions, development of competitive properties, and increasing vacancy rates. The Company’s dependence on real estate values increases the risk of loss both in the Company’s loan portfolio and with respect to any other real estate owned when real estate values decline.

 

The Company offers commercial real estate loans secured by industrial buildings, retail stores, or office buildings, where the property’s repayment source generally comes from tenants or businesses that fully or partially occupy the building. When real estate collateral is owner-occupied, the value of the real estate collateral must be supported by a formal appraisal in accordance with applicable regulations, subject to certain exceptions. The majority of the properties securing these loans are located in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

 


1 Real estate commercial loans are loans secured by first deeds of trust on real estate.
2 Consists of loans to U.S. affiliates or branches of Korean companies. (See “Loans Involving Country Risk”)
3 Includes advances on trust receipts, clean advances, cash advances, acceptances discounted, and documentary negotiable advances under commitments.
4 This balance includes SBA loans held for sale of $24.9 million at the lower of cost or market.
5 Consists of transactions in process and overdrafts.

 

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The Company has established general underwriting guidelines for commercial property real estate loans requiring a maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 70%. The Company’s underwriting policies also generally require that the properties securing commercial real estate loans have debt service coverage ratios of at least 1.25:1 for investor-owned property. Additionally, for owner-occupied properties, the Company expects additional debt service capacity from the business itself. As additional security, the Company generally requires personal guarantees when commercial real estate loans are extended to corporations, limited partnerships, and other legal entities.

 

Commercial real estate loans are in all cases secured by first deeds of trust, generally for terms extending no more than seven years, and are amortized over periods of up to 25 years. The majority of the commercial real estate loans currently being originated contain interest rates tied to the Company’s prime rate that adjusts with changes in the national prime rate. The Company also extends commercial real estate loans with fixed rates.

 

Payments on loans secured by such properties are often dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties. Repayment of such loans may therefore be affected by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. The Company seeks to minimize these risks in a variety of ways, including limiting the size of such loans and strictly scrutinizing the properties securing the loans. The Company generally obtains loan guarantees from financially capable parties. The Company’s lending personnel inspect substantially all of the properties collateralizing the Company’s real estate loans before such loans are made.

 

As of December 31, 2003, commercial real estate loans totaled $384.8 million, representing 53% of total loans, compared to $241.3 million or 46% of total loans at December 31, 2002. The increase in the percentage of commercial real estate loans resulted from Management’s efforts to promote this segment of the portfolio, as such loans involve a somewhat lesser degree of risk than certain other loans in the portfolio due to the nature and value of the collateral.

 

Real Estate Construction Loans. The Company finances the construction of various projects within the Company’s market area, including motels, industrial buildings, tax-credit low-income apartment complexes and single-family residences. The future condition of the local economy could negatively impact the collateral values of such loans.

 

The Company’s construction loans typically have the following characteristics: (i) maturity of two years or less; (ii) a floating interest rate based on the Company’s Prime rate; (iii) advance of anticipated interest cost during construction; (iv) advance of fees; (v) first lien position on the underlying real estate; (vi) loan to value ratio of 65%; and (vii) recourse against the borrower or guarantor in the event of default. The Company does not participate in joint ventures or make equity investments in connection with its construction lending.

 

Construction loans involve additional risks compared to loans secured by existing improved real property. These risks include the following: (i) the uncertain value of the project prior to completion; (ii) the inherent uncertainty in estimating construction costs, which is often beyond the control of the borrower; (iii) construction delays and cost overruns; and (iv) the difficulty in accurately evaluating the market value of the completed project.

 

As a result of these uncertainties, construction lending often involves the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project rather than on the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If the Company is forced to foreclose on a project prior to or at completion due to a default, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to recover all of the unpaid balance of and accrued.

 

Real estate construction loans totaled $18.5 million or 3% of total loans and $20.7 million or 4% of total loans at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The decrease in construction loans is primarily due to loan payoffs.

 

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Commercial Business Loans. The Company offers commercial loans for intermediate and short-term credit. Commercial loans may be unsecured, partially secured or fully secured. The majority of the originations of commercial loans are in Los Angeles County and Orange County, in the state of California. The Company originates commercial business loans to facilitate term working capital and to finance business acquisitions, fixed asset purchases, accounts receivable and inventory financing. These term loans to businesses generally have terms of up to five years, have interest rates tied to the Company’s Prime rate, and may be secured in whole or in part by owner-occupied real estate or time deposits at the Company. For a term loan, the Company typically requires monthly payments of both principal and interests. In addition, the Company grants commercial lines of credit to finance accounts receivable and inventory on a short-term basis, usually one year or less. Short-term business loans are generally intended to finance current transactions and typically provide for principal payments with interest payable monthly. The Company requires a complete re-analysis before considering any extension. The Company finances primarily small and middle market businesses in a wide spectrum of industries. In general, it is the Company’s intent to take collateral whenever possible regardless of the purpose of the loan. Collateral may include liens on inventory, accounts receivable, fixtures and equipment and in some cases leasehold improvements and real estate. As a matter of policy, the Company generally requires all principals of a business to be co-obligors on all loan instruments, and all significant shareholders of corporations to execute a specific debt guaranty. All borrowers must demonstrate the ability to service and repay not only the debt with the Company but also all outstanding business debt, exclusive of collateral, on the basis of historical earnings or reliable projections.

 

Commercial loans typically involve relatively large loan balances and are generally dependent on the businesses’ cash flows and thus may be subject to adverse conditions in the general economy or in specific industry.

 

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, commercial business loans, which include Korean Affiliate Loans and other commercial loans, totaled $147.4 million and $108.5 million, respectively representing 20% of total gross loans at both dates. Commercial business loans totaled $108.6 million at December 31, 2002, representing 20% of total loans. Although commercial business loans increased in 2003, mainly due to a $35.3 increase in other commercial business loans not related to South Korea, commercial loans as a percentage of total loans remained unchanged at 20%. This was due to faster growth in other sectors and more emphasis on other types of secured loans, primarily real estate loans.

 

Trade Finance Loans. For the purpose of financing overseas transactions, the Company provides short term trade financing to local borrowers in connection with the issuance of letters of credit to overseas suppliers/sellers. In accordance with these letters of credit, the Company extends credit to the borrower by providing assurance to the borrower’s foreign suppliers that payment will be made upon shipment of goods. Upon shipment of goods, and when the foreign suppliers negotiate the letters of credit, the borrower’s inventory is financed by the Company under the approved line of credit facility. The underwriting procedure for this type of credit is the same as for commercial business loans.

 

As of December 31, 2003, trade finance loans totaled $61.9 million, compared to $50.1 million as of December 31, 2002. Because of the faster growth in other segment of loan portfolio, especially real estate loans, trade finance loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 8% from 9% in 2002 in 2003. The volume increase was mainly due to the increased bankers’ acceptances business as a result of new bankers’ acceptance credit lines established with several banks in Korea. After an intentional decrease of trade finance loans in past years, Management cautiously increased trade finance related loans and commitments during 2002, due to (i) improvement in the credit rating of South Korea as well as those of financial institutions in Korea from credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poors, and (ii) increases is in bankers’ acceptances, which have lesser risk since they are short-term and banks are sources of payments.

 

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans. The Company has offered SBA loans since 1989, providing financing for various purposes for small businesses under guarantee of the Small Business Administration, a federal agency created to provide financial assistance for small businesses. The Company is a Preferred SBA

 

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Lender with full loan approval authority on behalf of the SBA. It also participates in the SBA’s Export Working Capital Program. SBA loans consist of both real estate and business loans. The SBA guarantees on such loans currently range from 75% to 80% of the principal and accrued interest. Under certain circumstances, the guarantee of principal and interest may be less than 75%. In general, the guaranteed percentage is less than 75% for loans over $1.0 million. The Company typically requires that SBA loans be secured by first or second lien deeds of trust on real property. SBA loans have terms ranging from 7 to 25 years depending on the use of proceeds. To qualify for an SBA loan, a borrower must demonstrate the capacity to service and repay the loan, exclusive of the collateral, on the basis of historical earnings or reliable projections.

 

At December 31, 2002, 80% of total SBA loans, net of participations sold, were real estate loans secured by deeds of trust on industrial buildings or retail stores. During the years 2003 and 2002, the Company originated $60.7 million, and $53.9 million in SBA loans. The Company adopted a new practice in 2003 of selling SBA loans every quarter. Since the shift in our SBA loan sale policy, the Company sold $52.5 million of SBA loans in 2003, more than doubled as compared to previous level of 25.6 million SBA loans sold in 2002, and retained the obligation to service the loans for a servicing fee and to maintain customer relations. As of December 31, 2003, the Company was servicing $91.5 million of sold SBA loans, compared to $47.6 million as of December 31, 2002. SBA loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 9% in 2003 as compared to 13% in 2002, primarily due to increased sale volume in 2003.

 

Consumer Loans. Consumer loans, also termed loans to individuals, are extended for a variety of purposes. Most are to finance the purchase of automobiles. Other consumer loans include secured and unsecured personal loans, home equity lines, overdraft protection loans, and unsecured lines of credit. The Company grants a small portfolio of credit card loans, mainly to the owners of its corporate customers. Management assesses the borrower’s ability to repay the debt through a review of credit history and ratings, verification of employment and other income, review of debt-to-income ratios and other measures of repayment ability. Although creditworthiness of the applicant is of primary importance, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the security, if any, to the proposed loan amount. The Company generally makes these loans in amounts of 80% or less of the value of collateral. An appraisal is obtained from a qualified real estate appraisal for substantially all loans secured by real estate. Most of the Company’s consumer loans are repayable on an installment basis.

 

Consumer loans are generally unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance, because the collateral is more likely to suffer damage, loss or depreciation. The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further collection efforts against the borrower beyond obtaining a deficiency judgment. In addition, the collection of loans to individuals is dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus is more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, often limit the amount, which a lender can recover on consumer loans. Consumer loans may also give rise to claims and defense by consumer loan borrowers against the lender on these loans, such as the Company, and a borrower may be able to assert against such assignee claims and defenses that it has against the seller or the underlying collateral.

 

Consumer loans remained a small percentage of 7% of total loans as of December 31, 2003, compared to 8% as of December 31, 2002. Automobile loans are the largest component of consumer loans, representing 85% and 78% of total consumer loans as of December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments. As part of its service to its small to medium-sized business customers, the Company from time to time issues formal commitments and lines of credit. These commitments can be either secured or unsecured and 90% are short term, or less than one year. They may be in the form of revolving lines of credit for seasonal working capital needs. However, these commitments may also take the form of standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit. Commercial letters of credit facilitate import trade. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.

 

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Total unused commitments to extent credit were $114.0 million and $101.0 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Unused commitments represented 16% and 14% of outstanding gross loans at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company’s stand-by letters of credit and commercial letters of credit at December 31, 2003 were $6.2 million and 19.1 million, respectively, as compared to $4.3 million and $13.9 million at December 31, 2002.

 

Loans Involving Country Risk

 

The Company has historically made three types of credit extensions involving direct exposure to the Korean economy: (i) commercial loans to U.S. affiliates or subsidiaries or branches of companies located in South Korea (“Korean Affiliate Loans”), (ii) advances on acceptances by Korean banks, and (iii) loans against standby letters of credit issued by Korean banks. In certain instances, standby letters of credit issued by Korean banks support the loans made to the U.S. affiliates or branches of Korean companies, to which the Company has extended loans. In addition, the Company makes certain loans involving indirect exposure to the economies of South Korea as well as other Pacific Rim countries, as discussed at the end of this section.

 

The following table sets forth the amounts of outstanding balances in the above three categories for South Korea:

 

Loans and Commitments Involving Korean Country Risk

 

     As of December 31,

Category


   2003

   2002

   2001

   2000

   1999

Commercial loans to U.S. affiliates or branches of Korean companies

   $ 9,575    $ 6,953    $ 10,566    $ 11,774    $ 9,551

Unused commitments for loans to U.S. affiliates of Korean companies

     4,701      13,642      1,748      6,791      3,154

Acceptances with Korean Banks

     9,347      13,213      —        86      4,929

Standby letters of credit issued by banks in South Korea

     12,599      10,379      8,160      12,301      8,475
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 36,222    $ 44,187    $ 20,474    $ 30,952    $ 26,109
    

  

  

  

  

 

Loans and commitments involving direct exposure to the Korean economy totaled $36.2 million or 4% of total loans and commitments and $44.2 million or 7% of total loans and commitments as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company’s level of loans and commitments involving such exposure in 2003 has decreased as compared to 2002 due to $8.9 million decrease in unused commitments to U.S. affiliates of Korean Companies and $3.9 million decrease in bankers’ acceptances outstanding with Korean banks.

 

In addition to the loans included in the above table, which involve direct exposure to the Korean economy, the Company also makes loans to many U.S. business customers in the import or export business whose operations are indirectly affected by the economies of various Pacific Rim countries including South Korea. As of December 31, 2003, loans outstanding involving indirect country risk totaled $24 million, or 3.3% of the Company’s total loans, and loans and commitments involving indirect country risk totaled $67.5 million, or 8% of the Company’s total loans and commitments. “Indirect country risk” is defined as the risk associated with loans to such U.S. businesses, which are dependent upon foreign countries for business and trade. Of the $67.5 million in total loans and commitments involving indirect country risk, approximately 61% involve borrowers doing business with Korea, with the remaining percentages to other individual Pacific Rim countries being relatively small in relation to the total indirect loans involving country risk. As a result, with the exception of South Korea, the Company does not believe it has significant indirect country risk exposure to any other specific Pacific Rim country.

 

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Of the total loans outstanding and commitments involving indirect country risk identified above, approximately 41% of such loans and commitments were to businesses which import goods from Korea and 17% were loans or commitments to businesses which export goods to Korea.

 

The potential risks to the Company differ depending upon whether the customer is in the export or the import business. The primary manner in which adverse changes in the economic conditions in the relevant Pacific Rim countries would affect business customers in the export business is a decrease in the volume in their respective businesses. As a result, the Company’s volume of such loans would tend to decrease due to lower demand. In addition, export loans are generally dependent on the businesses’ cash flows and thus may be subject to adverse conditions in the general economy of the country or countries with which the customer does its exporting business. The Company’s import loans are generally to U.S. domestic business entities whose operations would not be directly affected by the economic conditions of foreign countries, as importers can typically obtain goods from an alternative market if necessary, so the effect on the borrower’s business is less significant.

 

The Company limits its risk exposure with respect to export loans by participating in the state and federal agency supported export programs such as the Export Working Capital Program and the California Export Finance Office, which guarantee 70 to 90% of the export loans. The Company also requires that a majority of export finance loans are supported by letters of credit issued by established creditworthy commercial banks. The Company also monitors other foreign countries for economic or political risks to the portfolio. As part of its loan loss allowance methodology, the Company assigns one of three rating factors to borrowers in these businesses, depending upon the perceived degree of indirect country risk and allocates an additional amount to the allowance to reflect the potential additional risk from such indirect exposure to the economies of those foreign countries. (See “Allowance for Loan Losses—Allowance for Country Risk Exposure.”)

 

Loan Maturities and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

 

The following table shows the maturity distribution and repricing intervals of the Company’s outstanding loans as of December 31, 2003. In addition, the table shows the distribution of such loans between those with floating interest rates and those with fixed interest rates. The table includes nonaccrual loans of $ $3.3 million.

 

Loan Maturities Schedule

 

     As of December 31, 2003

    

Within One

Year


   After One
But Within
Five Years


  

After Five

Years


   Total

     (Dollars in Thousands)

Real Estate:

                           

Construction

   $ 14,744    $ 3,720    $ —      $ 18,464

Commercial

     369,064      13,343      2,417      384,824

Commercial

     146,682      614      72      147,368

Consumer

     30,557      17,721      1,252      49,530

Trade Finance 1

     61,886      —        —        61,886

SBA

     66,150      332      5      66,487

Other 2

     179      —        —        179
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 689,262    $ 35,730    $ 3,746    $ 728,738
    

  

  

  

Loans with predetermined (fixed) interest rates

   $ 65,189    $ 22,565    $ 3,746    $ 91,500

Loans with variable (floating) interest rates

   $ 624,073    $ 13,165    $ —      $ 637,238

 


1 Includes advances on trust receipts, clean advances, cash advances, acceptances discounted, and documentary negotiable advances under commitments.
2 Consists of transactions in process and overdrafts.

 

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Nonperforming Assets

 

Nonperforming assets are comprised of loans on nonaccrual status, loans 90 days or more past due but not on nonaccrual status, loans restructured where the terms of repayment have been renegotiated resulting in a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, and OREO (Other Real Estate Owned). Management generally places loans on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due, unless they are both fully secured and in process of collection. Loans may be restructured by Management when a borrower has experienced some change in financial status causing an inability to meet the original repayment terms, where the Company believes the borrower will eventually overcome those circumstances and repay the loan in full. OREO consists of real property acquired through foreclosure or similar means that Management intends to offer for sale.

 

Management’s classification of a loan as nonaccrual or restructured is an indication that there is reasonable doubt as to the full collectibility of principal or interest on the loan. At this point, the Company stops recognizing income from the interest on the loan and reverses any uncollected interest that had been accrued but unpaid. The remaining balance of the loan will be charged off if the loan deteriorates further due to a borrower’s bankruptcy or similar financial problems, unsuccessful collection efforts or a loss classification by regulators and/or auditors. These loans may or may not be collateralized, but collection efforts are continuously pursued.

 

There was no OREO outstanding at December 31, 2003. If the Company acquires OREO, it records it at the lower of its carrying value or its fair value less anticipated disposal costs. Any write-down of OREO is charged to earnings. The Company may make loans to potential buyers of OREO to facilitate the sale of OREO. In those cases, all loans made to such buyers must be reviewed under the same guidelines as those used for making customary loans, and must conform to the terms and conditions consistent with the Company’s loan policy. Any deviations from this policy must be specifically noted and reported to the appropriate lending authority. The Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 66, Accounting for Sales of Real Estate (SFAS No. 66) when accounting for loans made to facilitate the sale of OREO. In accordance with paragraph 5 of SFAS No.66, profit on real estate sales transactions shall not be recognized by the full accrual method until all of the following criteria are met:

 

  A sale is consummated;

 

  The buyer’s initial and continuing investments are adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the property;

 

  The seller’s receivable is not subject to future subordination; and

 

  The seller has transferred to the buyer the usual risks and rewards of ownership in a transaction that is in substance a sale and does not have a substantial continuing involvement with the property.

 

As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Company provided loans in the amount of $480,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, to facilitate the sale of OREO while resulted in a gain on sale on OREO of $85,000 and $194,000 in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

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The following table provides information with respect to the components of the Company’s nonperforming assets as of the dates indicated:

 

Nonperforming Assets

 

     As of December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 
     (Dollars in Thousands)  

Nonaccrual loans:

                                        

Real estate:

                                        

Construction

   $ 2,249     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Commercial

     —         49       91       368       389  

Commercial:

                                        

Korean Affiliate Loans

     —         —         80       —         —    

Other commercial loans

     756       885       491       501       250  

Consumer

     25       50       118       20       5  

Trade finance:

                                        

Korean Affiliate Loans

     —         —         —         —         —    

Other trade finance loans

     102       87       5       160       479  

SBA

     195       1,357       676       74       28  

Other 1

     —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ 3,327     $ 2,428     $ 1,461     $ 1,123     $ 1,151  

Restructured loans: 2

                                        

Real estate:

                                        

Construction

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Commercial

     —         —         —         151       223  

Commercial:

                                        

Korean Affiliate Loans

     —         —         —         —         —    

Other commercial loans

     —         —         —         —         41  

Consumer

     —         —         —         —         3  

Trade finance:

                                        

Korean Affiliate Loans

     —         —         —         —         —    

Other trade finance loans

     —         —         —         —         —    

SBA

     —         —         —         —         —    

Other 1

     —         —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 151     $ 267  
    


 


 


 


 


Total nonperforming loans

   $ 3,327     $ 2,428     $ 1,461     $ 1,274     $ 1,418  

Other real estate owned

     —         —         674       —         546  
    


 


 


 


 


Total nonperforming assets

   $ 3,327     $ 2,428     $ 2,135     $ 1,274     $ 1,964  
    


 


 


 


 


Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans

     0.46 %     0.46 %     0.39 %     0.41 %     0.60 %

Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans and other real estate owned

     0.46 %     0.46 %     0.57 %     0.41 %     0.83 %

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

     264.62 %     278.42 %     379.19 %     520.64 %     462.69 %

 

Nonperforming loans totaled to $3.3 million at December 31, 2003, an increase of $899,000 as compared to $2.4 million in last year. However, nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans remained unchanged at 0.46%. The increase in volume of nonperforming loans was mainly due to one large participated construction

 


1 Consists of transactions in process and overdrafts
2 A “restructured loan” is one the terms of which were renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower.

 

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loan in the amount of $2.3 million. Construction has been completed and the hotel is operational, but as part of the possible restructuring agreement, the borrower is demanding additional funds. The participated lending group is in the process of selling this note. The Company increased its specific reserve related to this construction loan in December 2003 to $435,000 to cover future losses and charged off this specific reserve amount in the first quarter of 2004.

 

In 2002, nonperforming loans increased by $967,000 to $2.4 million or from 0.39% to 0.46% as a percentage of total loans. The increase in nonperforming loans from December 31, 2001 to 2002 was due primarily to one SBA real estate term loan. However, due to the sale in 2002 of $647,000 in OREO, which was on the Company’s books as of December 31, 2001, the ratio of nonperforming assets to total nonperforming loans and OREO declined to 0.46% at December 31, 2002, compared to 0.57% as of December 31, 2001. The federal government presently guarantees 75% of the principal amount of each qualifying SBA loan.

 

The Company evaluates impairment of loans according to the provisions of SFAS No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan. Under SFAS No. 114, loans are considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due as scheduled according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, including contractual interest payments and contractual principal payments. Impaired loans are measured based on the net present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans effective interest rate or, as an expedient, at the loans observable market price or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent, less costs to sell.

 

At December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 the Company had classified $5,211,000, $1,777,000, and $1,095,000 of its loans as impaired with specific reserves of $825,000, $468,000, and $112,000 respectively. This increase in impaired loans was due to one participated construction loan of $2.3 million as explained previously.

 

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, loans classified as impaired without specific reserves amounted to $1,020,968 and $809,000, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 were $4,343,000, $3,272,000, and $4,764,000, respectively. Interest income of $235,000, $351,000, and $324,000 was recognized on impaired loans, on cash basis, during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses reflects Management’s judgment of the level of allowance adequate to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the statement of financial condition date. On a monthly basis, the Company assesses the overall adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, utilizing a disciplined and systematic approach which includes the application of a specific allowance for identified problem loans, a formula allowance for identified graded loans, an allocated allowance for large groups of smaller balance homogenous loans, and an allocated allowance for country risk exposure.

 

Allowance for Specifically Identified Problem Loans. A specific allowance is established for impaired loans in accordance with SFAS 114. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The specific allowance is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except that as a practical expedient, the Company may measure impairment based on a loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Regardless of the measurement method, the Company measures impairment based on the fair value of the collateral when it is determined that foreclosure is probable.

 

Formula Allowance for Identified Graded Loans. Non-homogenous loans such as commercial real estate, construction, commercial business, trade finance and SBA loans that are not subject to the allowance for specifically identified loans discussed above are reviewed individually and subject to a formula allowance. The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding Pass, Special Mention, Substandard and

 

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Doubtful loans. The evaluation of inherent loss for these loans involves a high degree of uncertainty, subjectivity and judgment because probable loan losses are not identified with a specific loan. In determining the formula allowance, we rely on a mathematical calculation that incorporates a twelve-quarter rolling average of historical losses. In order to reflect the impact of recent events, the twelve-quarter rolling average has been weighted. Loans risk rated Pass, Special Mention and Substandard for the most recent three quarters are adjusted to an annual basis as follows:

 

  the most recent quarter is weighted 4/1;

 

  the second most recent is weighted 4/2; and

 

  the third most recent is weighted 4/3.

 

The formula allowance may be further adjusted to account for the following qualitative factors:

 

  changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices;

 

  changes in national and local economic and business conditions and developments, including the condition of various market segments;

 

  changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio;

 

  changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff;

 

  changes in the trend of the volume and severity of past due and classified loans, and trends in the volume of nonaccrual loans and troubled debt restructurings, and other loan modifications;

 

  changes in the quality of our loan review system and the degree of oversight by the Directors;

 

  the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and

 

  the effect of external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated losses in our loan portfolio.

 

Allowance for Large Groups of Smaller Balance Homogenous Loans. The portion of the allowance allocated to large groups of smaller balance homogenous loans is focused on loss experience for the pool rather than on an analysis of individual loans. Large groups of smaller balance homogenous loans consist of consumer loans to individuals. The allowance for groups of performing loans is based on historical losses over a three-year period. In determining the level of allowance for delinquent groups of loans, we classify groups of homogenous loans based on the number of day’s delinquent.

 

Allowance for Country Risk Exposure. The allowance for country risk exposure is based on an estimate of probable losses relating to both direct exposure to the Korean economy, and indirect exposure to the economies of various Pacific Rim countries. The exposure is related to trade finance loans made to support export/import business between the U.S. and Korea, Korean Affiliate Loans, and certain loans to local U.S. business that are supported by stand by letters of credit issued by Korean banks. As with the credit rating system, we use a country risk grading system under which risk gradings have been divided into three ranks. To determine the risk grading, the Company evaluates loans to companies with a significant portion of their business reliant upon imports or exports to Pacific Rim countries. The Company then analyzes the degree of dependency on business, suppliers or other business areas dependent upon such countries and applies an individual rating to the credit. The Company provides an allowance for country risk exposure based upon the rating of dependency. Most of the Company’s business customers whose operations are indirectly affected by the economies of such countries are in the import or export business. As part of its methodology, the Company assigns one of three rating factors (25, 50 or 75 basis points) to borrowers in these businesses, depending upon the perceived degree of indirect exposure to such economies. The country risk exposure factor reflected in the table below is in addition to the allowance for such loans, which is already reflected, in the formula allowance. This factor takes into account both the direct risk on

 

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the loans included in the Loans Involving Country Risk table above, and the loans to import or export businesses involving indirect exposure to the economies of South Korea or other Pacific Rim countries.

 

The process of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses involves judgmental discretion, and eventual losses may therefore differ from even the most recent estimates. Further, the Company’s independent loan review consultants, as well as the Company’s external auditors, the FDIC and the California Department of Financial Institutions review the allowance for loan losses as an integral part of their examination process.

 

The Company continued to record loss provisions to compensate for both the continued growth in the Company’s loan portfolio and the continued change in the composition of the overall loan portfolio, reflecting a steady shift toward commercial real estate and commercial loans. The allowance for loan losses was $8.8 million, $6.8 million and $5.5 million as of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The allowance for loan losses was 1.2% of total loans as of December 31, 2003 compared to 1.3% and 1.5% as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The company recorded $537,000 net recoveries in the fourth quarter of 2003 from previously charged off loans mostly in 2001, increasing the balance of allowance for loan losses. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 265%, 278%, and 379% as of December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. Management thinks the risks in the portfolio are sufficiently lower to justify reducing both the ratio of the allowance to total loans and the ratio of the allowance to nonperforming loans, since the Company’s mix of loans shifted towards real estate loans secured by first deeds of trust and experienced a decrease in net charge-offs, partially offset by a slight increase in nonaccrual loans. Management believes that the level of allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover the known and probable risks of the nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2003.

 

The following table sets forth the composition of the allowance for loan losses as of dates indicated:

 

Composition of Allowance for Loan Losses

 

     As of December 31,

     2003

   2002

   2001

   2000

   1999

     (Dollars in Thousands)

Specific (Impaired loans) 1

   $ 825    $ 468    $ 112    $ 59    $ 111

Formula (non-homogeneous)

     7,085      5,178      4,522      5,481      5,065

Homogeneous

     302      313      259      254      138

Country risk exposure

     592      801      647      839      1,247
    

  

  

  

  

Total allowance and reserve

   $ 8,804    $ 6,760    $ 5,540    $ 6,633    $ 6,561
    

  

  

  

  

 

The balance of the allowance for loan losses increased to $8.8 million as of December 31, 2003 compared to $6.8 million as of December 31, 2002. This increase was mainly due to a $1.9 million increase in the formula (non-homogeneous) allowance and a $474,000 increase in the specific impaired allowance. The increase in the specific allowance for impaired loans was primarily due to an increase in the specific reserve on one construction loan in the principal amount of $2.3 million. The Company increased specific reserve on this construction loan to $435,000 to cover future losses. Formula allowances were increased due to loan growth and increases in delinquent auto and credit card loans. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the country risk allowance and homogeneous allowance.

 

Management is committed to maintaining the allowance for loan losses at a level that is considered commensurate with estimated and known risks in the portfolio. Although the adequacy of the allowance is reviewed monthly, Management performs an ongoing assessment of the risks inherent in the portfolio. As of

 


1 Starting in 2002 the Company allocated the specific reserve on all impaired loans, whereas previously the Company provided specific reserves only for loans with balances of $200,000 or more and allocated formula allowances for the loans with balances of less than $200,000.

 

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December 31, 2003, Management believed the allowance to be adequate based on its assessment of the estimated and known risks in the portfolio migration analysis of charge-off history, which indicated stabilized loss ratios. There has been no need to adjust the risk ratios applied to graded loans. Classified loans stood at $6.6 million as of December 31, 2003 compared to $2.7 million as of December 31, 2002 showing a 144% increase due to one large nonaccrual construction loan of $2.3 million and one commercial business loan of $1.7 million. Commercial business loan of $1.7 million classified as substandard due to deterioration of borrower’s business.

 

Based on the calculation and continued loan recoveries, the level of allowance as of December 31, 2003 is adequate to absorb the estimated losses from any known or inherent risks in the loan portfolio and the loan growth for the year. However, no assurance can be given that economic conditions which adversely affect our service areas or other circumstances will not be reflected in increased provisions or loan losses in the future.

 

The provision for loan losses in 2003, 2002, and 2001 were $2.0 million, $2.1 million, and $1.2 million, respectively. Because of the net recoveries recorded in 2003 the Company was able maintain its loan loss provision at $2.0 million at December 31, 2003. The provision for 2002 increased primarily due to loan portfolio growth. Due to net recoveries of $44,000 during 2003 as compared to net charge-offs of $837,000 in 2002, the Company kept its provision nearly flat at $2.0 million in 2003, compared to 2002 provision despite average loan grow of 41% in 2003. The biggest single charge-off during 2003 and 2002 was $249,000 and $250,000, respectively. Net (recoveries) charge-offs were ($44,000), $837,000 and $2.3 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The biggest single charge-off during 2002 was $250,000 related to a high technology manufacturer whose business failed due to the general slowdown in the technology sector in the U.S. Charge-offs in 2002 were significantly less than in 2001 due to greater oversight by the Company in monitoring and addressing delinquent and classified loans. Charge-offs in 2001 were the highest in the past 5 years. The biggest single charge-off during 2001 was $747,000, related to a trade finance borrower whose business failed. This loan was in the “other trade finance” category and the failure of the business was not due to the effects of the Korean economy. Other charge-offs included two commercial loans, totaling $670,000. Included in the loans charged off during 2001 was a partial charge-off of $90,000 relating to a Korean affiliate loan. The remaining balance on this commercial loan of $80,000 was charged off during 2002. No Korean related loans were nonperforming as of December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

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The table below summarizes the activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,

 
    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Balances:

                                       

Average total loans outstanding during period 1

  $ 620,302     $ 439,493     $ 338,258     $ 266,765     $ 184,656  

Total loans outstanding at end of period 1

  $ 725,812     $ 527,977     $ 377,584     $ 309,256     $ 237,187  

Allowance for Loan Losses:

                                       

Balance before reserve for losses on commitments

  $ 6,760     $ 5,540     $ 6,590     $ 6,500     $ 4,876  

Reserve for losses on commitments to extend credit 2

  $ —       $ (43 )   $ 43     $ 61     $ 67  

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 6,760     $ 5,497     $ 6,633     $ 6,561     $ 4,943  

Charge-offs:

                                       

Real Estate

                                       

Construction

    —         —         —         —         —    

Commercial

    —         —         334       —         —    

Commercial:

                                       

Korean Affiliate Loans

    —         80       90       —         —    

Other commercial loans

    903       1,243       1,398       323       238  

Consumer

    225       227       70       27       59  

Trade Finance:

                                       

Korean Affiliate Loans

    —         —         —         —         —    

Other trade finance loans

    —         29       747       906       157  

SBA

    126       75       435       40       1  

Other

    —         —         —         —         —    
   


 


 


 


 


Total charge-offs

    1,254       1,654       3,074       1,296       455  
   


 


 


 


 


Recoveries

                                       

Real estate

                                       

Construction

    —         —         —         —         —    

Commercial

    —         10       243       3       186  

Commercial:

                                       

Korean Affiliate Loans

    425       327       277       345       493  

Other commercial loans

    144       367       196       299       314  

Consumer

    40       5       4       88       10  

Trade finance:

                                       

Korean Affiliate Loans

    —         —         —         —         —    

Other trade finance loans

    545       68       37       110       146  

SBA

    144       40       24       23       120  

Other

                    —         —         —    

Total recoveries

    1,298       817       781       868       1,269  
   


 


 


 


 


Net loan (recoveries) and charge-offs

    (44 )     837       2,293       428       (814 )
   


 


 


 


 


Provision for loan losses

    2,000       2,100       1,200       500       804  
   


 


 


 


 


Balance at end of period

  $ 8,804     $ 6,760     $ 5,540     $ 6,633     $ 6,561  
   


 


 


 


 


Ratios:

                                       

Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs to average total loan

    (0.01 )%     0.19 %     0.68 %     0.16 %     (0.44 )%

Provision for loan losses to average total loans

    0.32       0.48       0.35       0.19       0.44  

Allowance for loan losses to gross loans at end of period

    1.21       1.28       1.47       2.14       2.77  

Allowance for loan losses to total nonperforming loans

    264.62       278.42       379.19       520.64       462.69  

Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs to allowance for loan losses at end of period

    (0.50 )     12.38       41.39       6.45       (12.41 )

Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs to provision for loan losses

    (2.20 )%     39.86 %     191.08 %     85.60 %     (101.24 )%

 


1 Total loans are net of deferred loan fees and discount on SBA loans sold.
2 The reserve for losses on commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is primarily related to lines of credit. The Company evaluates credit risk associated with the loan portfolio at the same time it evaluates credit risk associated with commitments to extend credit and letters of credits. However, as of December 31, 2003, the reserve necessary for the commitments is reported separately in other liabilities in the accompanying statements of financial condition, and not as part of the allowance for loan losses amounted to $95,000, as presented above.

 

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Table of Contents

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The largest increase in the allocated allowance was for commercial real estate loans, an increase of $995,000 or 37% to $3.7 million during 2003 compared to $2.7 million in 2002. The increase in the allocated allowance for 2003 was primarily due to the increase in loan volume. Because commercial real estate loans are secured by real estate and historically have a low charge-off ratio, commercial real estate loans required a somewhat lower reserve requirement than other loans. 40% of the total allowance was allocated for commercial real estate loans, while the proportion of such loans to the total loan portfolio was 53%.

 

The allocated allowance for construction loans increased $554,000 or 131% to $976,000 at December 31, 2003, compared to $422,000 as of the December 31, 2002, primarily due to one large participated construction loan in the amount of $2.3 million. The allocated amount in the allowance was increased to cover the Company’s loss exposure related to this one loan (see “Allowance for Loan Losses”).

 

The allocated allowance for other trade finance loans increased $4,000 or 1% to $595,000 during 2003, compared to $591,000 as of December 31, 2002, as a result of an increase in the volume of bankers’ acceptances with investment grade Korean banks and the Korean government backed National Federation of Fisheries. Bankers’ acceptances rely upon repayment at maturity by the accepting bank. Credit exposure related to bankers’ acceptances is limited by the underlying strength of the accepting bank. However, the Company increased the allocated allowance for trade finance due to higher historical charge-off ratio.

 

At December 31, 2003, the Company allocated 23% of the total allowance to other commercial loans, in spite of the fact that the ratio of other commercial loans to total loans was only 18%, because the Company has historically experienced the highest percentage losses from this type of loan.

 

The Company has not substantively changed any aspect of its overall approach in the determination of its allocation of allowance for loan losses in the periods discussed above. There have been no material changes in assumptions or estimation techniques in the periods discussed above that affected the determination of the current year allowance.

 

The following table provides a breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by category as of the dates indicated:

 

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

 

    As of December 31,

 
    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 
    Amount

  % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans


    Amount

  % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans


    Amount

  % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans


    Amount

  % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans


    Amount

  % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans


 

Balance at End of Period:

                                                           

Real Estate:

                                                           

Construction

  $ 976   2.53 %   $ 422   3.90 %   $ 166   3.39 %   $ 25   0.41 %   $ 90   1.51 %

Commercial

    3,650   52.81       2,655   45.55       2,156   42.64       2,416   36.84       2,319   36.57  

Commercial

                                                           

Korean Affiliate Loans

    247   2.04       129   2.14       98   2.28       105   3.62       4   3.89  

Other commercial loans

    2,013   18.18       1,717   18.36       1,647   22.97       1,962   25.81       1,876   25.53  

Consumer

    495   6.80       449   7.83       457   9.26       534   8.92       336   6.45  

Trade Finance

                                                           

Korean Affiliate Loans

    79   0.54       —     0.57       —     0.50       —     0.18       —     0.13  

Other commercial loans

    595   7.96       591   8.89       389   6.57       819   11.05       1,343   15.45  

SBA

    749   9.12       797   12.75       627   12.38       772   12.61       593   9.74  

Other

    —     0.02       —     0.01       —     0.01       —     0.56       —     0.73  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 8,804   100.00 %   $ 6,760   100.00 %   $ 5,540   100.00 %   $ 6,633   100.00 %   $ 6,561   100.00 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Investment Portfolio

 

The Company’s investment securities portfolio are classified into two categories: Held-to-Maturity or Available-for-Sale. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (SFAS No.115) also provides for a trading portfolio classification but the Company had no investment securities, in this category for any of the reported periods. The Company classifies securities that it has the ability and intent to hold to maturity as held-to-maturity securities, to be sold only in the event of concerns with an issuer’s credit worthiness, a change in tax law that eliminates their tax-exempt status or other infrequent situations as permitted by SFAS No. 115. All other securities are classified as available-for-sale. The securities classified as held-to-maturity are presented net of amortized cost and available-for-sale securities are carried at their estimated fair values.

 

The main objectives of the Company’s investment portfolio are to: 1) provide a sufficient level of liquidity; 2) provide a source of pledged assets for securing State of California deposits and borrowed funds; 3) provide a large base of assets, the maturity and interest rate characteristics of which can be changed more readily than the loan portfolio to better match changes in the deposit base and other funding sources; 4) provide an alternative to loans as interest-earning assets when loan demand is weak; and 5) enhance the Company’s tax position by providing partially tax-exempt income.

 

As of December 31, 2003, investment securities totaled $125.5 million or 12% of total assets, compared to $156.7 million or 19% of total assets at December 31, 2002. The decrease in the investment portfolio was due to the replacement of proceeds received from called government agency securities and prepaid mortgage-backed securities with higher yielding loans.

 

As of December 31, 2003, available-for-sale securities totaled $110.1 million, compared to $141.0 million as of December 31, 2002. Available-for-sale securities as a percentage of total assets decreased to 11% as of December 31, 2003 from 17% as of December 31, 2002, primarily due to the increase in loans. Held-to-maturity securities decreased slightly to $15.4 million as of December 31, 2003, compared to $15.7 million as of December 31, 2002. The composition of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities was 88% and 12% as of December 31, 2003, compared to 90% and 10% as of December 31, 2002, respectively. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2003, the yield on the average investment portfolio was 3.40% representing a decrease of 130 basis points as compared to 4.70% for the same period of 2002. The distribution in available-for-sale portfolio changed substantially in 2003, with a shift out of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations into U.S government agency securities. The Company used cash flows generated from prepayments in mortgage-backed and collateralized mortgage obligation proceeds to purchase agency securities. Part of the proceeds was also used to finance higher yielding loans.

 

The average balance of taxable investment securities increased by 13% to $118.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to $105.0 million for the previous year. The annualized average yield declined 142 basis points to 3.33% for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to 4.75% for the previous year. The 142 basis point decrease in yield was primarily due to higher prepayments recorded on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations due to the low rate environment. The growth in taxable securities was attributable to the Company’s investment strategy of replacing its called and matured securities with short-term (less than 1 year) call protected government agency securities, and with corporate securities to temporarily hold as short-term investments until the funds are needed to fund newly originated loans.

 

The average balance of tax-advantaged securities was $18.7 million and $19.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The average yield on tax-advantaged securities for the year ended December 31, 2003 was 3.91% compared to 4.43% for the same periods last year. The tax-equivalent yield on these same types of securities for the year ended December 31, 2003 was 5.60% compared to 6.30% for the previous year. The significant decrease in yield on the tax advantage securities was primarily due to adjustments to the current lower rate, because these securities are adjustable rate securities. Accordingly, when the rate starts to increase, these securities will generally be repriced to the higher rate unless the securities are called.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the amortized cost, fair value, and distribution of the Company’s investment securities as of the dates indicated:

 

Investment Portfolio

 

    As of December 31,

    2003

  2002

  2001

    Amortized
Cost


 

Fair

Value


  Amortized
Cost


 

Fair

Value


  Amortized
Cost


 

Fair

Value


    (Dollars in thousands)

Available for Sale:

                                   

U.S. Treasury securities

  $ 2,051   $ 2,148   $ 2,088   $ 2,225   $ 2,125   $ 2,170

U.S. Government agencies asset-backed securities

    19     19     34     34     53     54

U.S. Government agencies securities

    45,595     45,036     22,611     23,034     8,984     9,209

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

    33,898     33,964     77,679     78,415     58,312     58,318

U.S. Government agencies collateralized mortgage obligation

    —       —       6,097     6,148     4,617     4,692

Government agencies preferred stock

    12,680     12,124     13,623     13,524     13,676     13,448

Corporate trust preferred securities

    11,000     10,890     11,000     10,890     —       —  

Corporate debt securities

    5,705     5,945     6,527     6,728     6,546     6,629
   

 

 

 

 

 

Total available for sale

  $ 110,948   $ 110,126   $ 139,659   $ 140,998   $ 94,313   $ 94,520
   

 

 

 

 

 

Held to Maturity:

                                   

U.S. Government agencies securities

  $ 1,000   $ 1,012   $ 9,000   $ 9,305   $ 9,000   $ 9,311

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

    8,458     8,453     419     430     422     416

Municipal securities

    5,932     6,191     6,322     6,554     5,504     5,497
   

 

 

 

 

 

Total held to maturity

  $ 15,390   $ 15,656   $ 15,741   $ 16,289   $ 14,926   $ 15,224
   

 

 

 

 

 

Total investment securities

  $ 126,338   $ 125,782   $ 155,400   $ 157,287   $ 109,239   $ 109,744
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,2003 the Company has total fair value of $62,685,000 of securities with unrealized losses of $1,499,000. We believe these unrealized losses are due to temporary condition, namely fluctuations in interest rates, and do not reflect a deterioration of credit quality of the issuer. The market value of securities which have unrealized losses in 12 months or more totaled $10,890,000 with unrealized losses of $110,000. Although the credit quality of the issuer of a floating rate agency preferred stock is not questioned, the interest rate environment has created an other than temporary decline in value of floating rate agency preferred stocks whose fair market value have been lower than its cost basis for over twelve months and therefore a $880,000 other than temporary decline in value charge was taken in December 2003. (See Note 3 to the Financial Statements-Item 8 herein.)

 

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2003, the maturity characteristics of the investment portfolio, by investment category. Expected remaining maturities may differ from remaining contractual maturities because obligors may have the right to prepay certain obligations with or without penalties.

 

Investment Maturities and Repricing Schedule

 

    Within
One Year


    After One But
Within
Five Years


    After Five But
Within
Ten Years


   

After

Ten Years


    Total

 
    Amount

  Yield

    Amount

  Yield

    Amount

  Yield

    Amount

  Yield

    Amount

  Yield

 

Available for Sale (Fair Value):

                                                           

U.S. Treasury securities

  $ —     0.00 %   $ 2,148   4.72 %   $ —     0.00 %   $ —     0.00 %   $ 2,148   4.72 %

U.S. Government agencies asset-backed securities

    4   1.54       15   3.22       —     0.00       —     0.00       19   2.85  

U.S. Government agencies securities

    —     —         45,036   2.81       —     0.00       —     0.00       45,036   2.81  

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

    100   6.76       3,145   4.70       3,995   3.86       26,724   3.49       33,964   4.54  

U.S. Government agencies collateralized mortgage obligations

    —     —         —     —         —     —         —     —         —     —    

Government agencies preferred stock

    5,873   3.32       6,251   3.16       —     0.00       —     —         12,124   3.24  

Corporate trust preferred securities

    —     —         —     —         —     0.00       10,890   2.95       10,890   2.95  

Corporate debt securities

    —     —         5,945   4.87       —     0.00       —     0.00       5,945   4.87  
   

       

       

       

       

     

Total available for sale securities

  $ 5,977   3.38     $ 62,540   3.20     $ 3,995   3.86     $ 37,614   3.34     $ 110,126   3.28  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held to Maturity (Amortized Cost):

                                                           

U.S. Government agency securities

    1,000   6.02       —     —         —     0.00       —     0.00       1,000   6.02  

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

    —     0.00       —     0.00       —     0.00       8,458   4.54       8,458   4.54  

Municipal securities

    300   3.54       1,696   4.21       3,488   4.20       448   3.65       5,932   4.13  
   

       

       

       

       

     

Total held to maturity

  $ 1,300   5.44     $ 1,696   4.21     $ 3,488   4.20     $ 8,906   4.50     $ 15,390   4.48  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investment securities

  $ 7,277   3.75 %   $ 64,236   3.23 %   $ 7,483   4.02 %   $ 46,520   3.56 %   $ 125,516   3.42 %
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Earning Short-Term Investments

 

The Company invests its short-term excess available funds in overnight Fed Funds and money market funds. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the amounts invested in overnight Fed Funds were $41.6 million, and $35.5 million, respectively. On the same date, the amounts invested in money market funds were $22.4 million and $40.0 million, respectively. The investment in Fed Funds averaged $31.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, and $26.8 million for December 31, 2002. Interest earned on these funds averaged 1.16% for the twelve months of 2003, and 1.61% in 2002, respectively. The average investments in money market funds were $26.2 million at the average yield of 1.14% during 2002 and $28.7 million at 1.78% in 2002.

 

Other Assets

 

The Company invested in the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock totaling $2.5 million as of December 31, 2003, and $756,500 as of December 31, 2002. FHLB stock is required in order to utilize a borrowing facility when needed. The Company purchased $1.7 million of additional shares of FHLB stock during 2003 due to the FHLB’s minimum capital stock requirement for its member banks based on the member’s December 31 regulatory financial data and on current advances outstanding.

 

Other investments, totaling $3.7 million and $3.0 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, are comprised of limited partnership interests owned by the Company in affordable housing projects for lower income tenants. Investments in such projects enable the Company to obtain CRA credit and federal and state income tax credits, as previously discussed in “Provision for Income Taxes.” In addition, the Company invested $10.0 million in BOLI in December 2003, to enhance profitability through offsetting employee benefit costs. BOLI is an insurance policy with a single premium paid at policy commencement. Its initial, and cash surrender value is

 

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Table of Contents

equivalent to the premium paid, and it grows through non-taxable increases in its cash surrender value through interest earned on the policy, net of the cost of insurance plus any death benefits ultimately received by the Company. The cash surrender value of BOLI as of December 31, 2003 was $10.0 million.

 

Cash on hand and balances due from correspondent banks represent the largest component of the Company’s noninterest earning assets. At December 31, 2003, cash on hand and balances due from correspondent banks represented 7% of total assets as compared with 5% in previous year. This increase was due to a $20.0 million investment in ATM funding program in 2003. The Company recorded $124,000 fee income as a result of this investment in 2003. The outstanding balance of cash and due from banks was $76.9 million and $38.9 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The ratio of average cash and due from banks to average total assets remained unchanged at 5% for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Even though BOLI, the investment in the ATM funding program, and the investment in affordable housing partnerships all enhance profitability, none of them is classified as an interest-earning asset. The Company maintained balances at correspondent banks to cover daily in-clearings and other activities. The average reserve balance requirements were approximately $2.7 million and $2.3 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, most of which were covered by cash on hand and vault cash held, so no additional balances were maintained with Federal Reserve Bank for this purposes.

 

A significant component of non-earning assets is Premises and Equipment, which is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is charged to income over the estimated useful lives of the assets and leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the related leases, or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Depreciation expense was $1.3 million in 2003 as compared to $1.1 million in 2002. The net book value of the Company’s premises and equipment totaled $11.1 million at December 31, 2003, an increase of $1.1 million compared to $10.0 million at December 31, 2002. This increase was mainly due to the opening of the Fullerton branch and the relocation of the Western office.

 

All other assets increased by $1.8 million to $5.9 million as of December 31, 2003 compared to $4.2 million at December 31, 2002. The increase principally reflects servicing assets, and the fair value of the interest rate swaps in the amounts of $911,000 and $376,000, respectively.

 

Deposits

 

The composition and cost of the Company’s deposit base are important components in analyzing the Company’s net interest margin and balance sheet liquidity characteristics, both of which are discussed in greater detail in other sections herein. Net interest margin is improved to the extent that growth in deposits can be concentrated in historically lower-cost core deposits, namely noninterest-bearing demand, NOW accounts, savings accounts and money market deposit accounts. Liquidity is impacted by the volatility of deposits or other funding instruments, or in other words their propensity to leave the institution for rate-related or other reasons. Potentially, the most volatile deposits in a financial institution are large certificates of deposits, which generally mean time deposits with balances exceeding $100,000. Because these deposits (particularly when considered together with a customer’s other specific deposits) may exceed FDIC insurance limits, depositors may select shorter maturities to offset perceived risk elements associated with deposits over $100,000.

 

The Company offers a wide variety of retail deposit account products to both consumer and commercial deposit customers. Time deposits, which are the Company’s highest cost deposits, consisting primarily of retail fixed-rate certificates of deposit, comprised 44% and 42% of the deposit portfolio at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The ratio of noninterest-bearing deposits to total deposits was 31% and 28% for the years ended December 31, 2003, and 2002, respectively. The ratio of noninterest-bearing deposits to total deposits has increased during these periods, due to the contributions of new branches opened during 2000 through 2003. All other deposits, which include interest-bearing checking accounts (NOW), savings and money market accounts, accounted for the remaining 25% and 29% of the deposit portfolio at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The change in the deposit mix was due to the decreases in money market and NOW accounts and time certificates of deposits less than $100,000 to 18% and 9% in 2003 from 23% and 12% of total deposits in 2002.

 

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Table of Contents

The decrease in money market and NOW accounts in 2003 was largely due to the $26.2 million decrease in individual money market accounts, partially offset by an $11.7 million increase in business money market accounts.

 

Deposits totaled $867.9 million at December 31, 2003 as compared to $727.0 million as of December 31, 2002 reflecting an increase of $140.8 million or 19% for the twelve months of 2003. Growth in deposits was largely attributable to the expansion of the branch network and the continued promotion efforts of the deposit products. Deposits gathered from five new branches opened in 2001 were $237.1 million from their inception.

 

The Company can deter, to some extent using wholesale funding sources, the rate hunting customers who demand high rate CDs because of local market competition. In 2003, the Company replaced some high cost deposits with lower cost deposits generated by branches and low cost deposits from the State of California. The Company is currently not accepting any new brokered deposits. However, the Company may accept additional brokered deposits, if and when the Company can get benefits from the brokered deposits in the future. Total brokered CDs were $1.6 million and $13.6 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively with the maturities ranging from six to eleven month and six to 36 months, respectively.

 

The Company increased its time certificate of deposit from the State of California to $60.0 million as of December 31, 2003, from 10.0 million at December 31, 2002. The deposit has been renewed every 3 to 6 months. The cost of the deposit was 1.06% and 1.96% as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Time deposits of $100,000 or more totaled $306.2 million and $219.1 million, accounting for 35% and 30%, respectively of the deposit portfolio at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. These accounts, consisting primarily of consumer deposits and deposit from the State of California, had a weighted average interest rate of 2.15% and 2.64% at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The following table provides the remaining maturities of the Company’s time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or greater as of December 31, 2003 and 2002:

 

Maturity of Time Deposits of $100,000 or more

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   December 31,
2003


   December 31,
2002


Three months or less

   $ 184,439    $ 100,972

Over three months through six months

   $ 77,390    $ 72,117

Over six months through twelve months

   $ 41,555    $ 41,608

Over twelve months

   $ 2,826    $ 4,388
    

  

Total

   $ 306,210    $ 219,085
    

  

 

The Company’s average deposit cost decreased to 2.02% during 2003 from 2.59% in 2002. The significant decline in market rates is due to the 25 basis point decrease in the short-term rate set by the Federal Reserve Board in June 2003, and the shift in the deposit mix from high cost deposits to lower cost deposits generated by the branches during 2003.

 

Information concerning the average balance and average rates paid on deposits by deposit type for the past three fiscal years is contained in the Distribution, Rate, and Yield table in the previous section entitled “Results of Operations- Net Interest Margin”.

 

Other Borrowed Funds

 

The Company borrows funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank and from Treasury, Tax, and Loan Investment Program, which is administered by the Federal Reserve Bank. Borrowed funds totaled to $50.7 million in December 31, 2003 as compared to $17.6 million at December 31, 2002. Interest expense on total borrowed funds was $491,000 in 2003 and $217,000 in 2002, reflecting average interest rates of 3.20% and 3.25%, respectively.

 

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The U.S. economy is currently under a low interest rate environment, and Management sees some merit in wholesale funding sources, to extend liability durations at reasonable costs, utilizing mostly short-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances. As of December 31, 2003, the Company borrowed $50.3 million as compared to $14.9 million in 2002 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco with note terms from 1 year to 15 years. $42.7 million or 85% of current FHLB advances are short-term. Notes of 10-year and 15-year terms are amortizing at the predetermined schedules over the life of the notes. The Company has pledged commercial real estate loans secured by first trust deed with a total carrying value of $91.0 million and government agencies and mortgage-backed securities with a total carrying value of $17.0 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002. Total interest expense on the notes was $480,000 and $198,000 for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, reflecting average interest rates of 3.34% and 3.34%, respectively. No borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2001.

 

Borrowings obtained from the Treasury, Tax, and Loan Investment Program mature within a month from the transaction date. Under the program, the Company receives funds from the U.S. Treasury Department in the form of open-ended notes, up to a total of $2.2 million. The Company has pledged U.S. government agencies and/or mortgage-backed securities with a total carrying value of none at December 31, 2003 and $3.2 million (available for sale at fair market value of $2.2 million and held to maturity at amortized cost of $1.0 million) at December 31, 2002, as collateral to participate in the program. The total borrowed amount under the program, outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $0 and $2.2 million, respectively. Interest expense on notes was $10,600, $20,000, and $43,000 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, reflecting average interest rates of 0.93%, 1.67% and 3.28% respectively. In addition, the Company had customer deposits for tax payments amounted to $322,000 and $465,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

In addition, the issuance of long-term subordinated debenture at the end of 2003 of $18.0 million in “pass-through” trust preferred securities created another source of funding. (See Note 11 to the Financial Statements-Item 8 herein)

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table presents, as of December 31, 2003, the Company’s significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations, within the categories described below, by payment date. These contractual obligations, except for the operating lease obligations, are included in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The payment amounts represent those amounts contractually due to the recipient.

 

     Payments Due by Period

    

Less than

1 year


   1-3
years


   3-5
years


  

After

5 years


   Total

     (Dollars in Thousands)

Debt obligations

   $ 43,022    $ —      $ 4,000    $ 22,206    $ 69,228

Operating lease obligations

     1,107      1,532      692      960      4,291
    

  

  

  

  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 44,129    $ 1,532    $ 4,692    $ 23,166    $ 73,519
    

  

  

  

  

 

Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies

 

The Company may also have liabilities under certain contractual agreements contingent upon the occurrence of certain events. A discussion of significant contractual arrangements under which the Company may be held contingently liable, including guarantee arrangements, is included in Note 12—“Commitments and Contingencies” and Note 16—“Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk” to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Item 8 herein).

 

Impact of Inflation

 

The primary impact of inflation on the Company is its effect on interest rates. Our primary source of income is net interest income, which is affected by changes in interest rates. We attempt to limit the impact of inflation

 

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on our net interest margin through the management of rate-sensitive assets and liabilities and the analysis of interest rate sensitivity. The effect of inflation on premises and equipment as well as non-interest expenses has not been significant for the periods covered in this Annual Report.

 

Market Risk/Asset Liability Management

 

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, investment and deposit taking activities, but also to a certain extent from foreign exchange rate risk and commodity risk. The Company’s profitability is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. A sudden and substantial change in interest rates may adversely impact the Company’s earnings to the extent that the interest rates borne by assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent or on the same basis. To that end, Management actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk exposure.

 

Asset and liability management is concerned with the timing and magnitude of the repricing of assets and liabilities. The Company actively monitors its assets and liabilities to mitigate risks associated with interest rate movements. In general, the Management’s strategy is to match asset and liability balances within maturity categories to limit the Company’s exposure to earnings fluctuations and variations in the value of assets and liabilities as interest rates change over time. The Company’s strategy for asset and liability management is formulated and monitored by the Company’s Board Committee. This Board Committee is composed of four outside directors and the President. The Chief Financial Officer serves as secretary of the Committee. The Board Committee meets quarterly to review and adopt recommendations of the Asset/Liability Management Committee.

 

The Asset/Liability Management Committee consists of executive and manager level officers from various areas of the Company including lending, investment, and deposit gathering, in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Directors. The primary goal of the Company’s Asset/Liability Management Committee is to manage the financial components of the Company to optimize the net income under varying interest rate environments. The focus of this process is the development, analysis, implementation, and monitoring of earnings enhancement strategies, which provide stable earnings and capital levels during periods of changing interest rates.

 

The Asset/Liability Management Committee meets regularly to review, among other matters, the sensitivity of the Company’s assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, the book and market values of assets and liabilities, unrealized gains and losses, and maturities of investments and borrowings. The Asset/Liability Management Committee also approves and establishes pricing and funding decisions with respect to overall asset and liability composition, and reports regularly to the Board Committee and the Board of Directors.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Interest rate risk occurs when assets and liabilities reprice at different times as interest rates change. In general, the interest that the Company earns on its assets and pays on its liabilities are established contractually for specified period of time. Market interest rates change over time and if a financial institution cannot quickly adapt to changes in interest rates, it may be exposed to volatility in earnings. For instance, if the Company was to fund long-term fixed rate assets with short-term variable rate deposits, and interest rates were to rise over the term of the assets, the short-term variable deposits would rise in cost, adversely affecting net interest income. Similar risks exist when rate sensitive assets (for example, prime rate based loans) are funded by longer-term fixed rate liabilities in a falling interest rate environment.

 

In order to monitor and manage interest rate risk, Management utilizes quarterly gap analysis and quarterly simulation modeling as a tool to determine the sensitivity of net interest income and economic value sensitivity of the statements of financial condition. These techniques are complementary and both are used to provide a more accurate measurement of interest rate risk.

 

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Gap analysis measures the repricing mismatches between assets and liabilities. The interest rate sensitivity gap is determined by subtracting the amount of liabilities from the amount of assets that reprice during a particular time interval. A liability sensitive position results when more liabilities than assets reprice or mature within a given period. Conversely, an asset sensitive position results when more assets than liabilities reprice within a given period. As of December 31, 2003, the Company was asset sensitive with a positive one-year gap of $111.5 million or 10.9% of total assets and 12.1% of earning assets. As the Company’s assets tend to reprice more frequently than its liabilities over a one-year horizon, the Company will realize higher net interest income in a rising rate environment and lower net interest income in a falling rate environment.

 

The following table sets forth the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities as of December 31, 2003 using the interest rate sensitivity gap ratio. For purposes of the following table, an asset or liability is considered rate-sensitive within a specified period when it can be repriced or matures within its contractual terms. Actual payment patterns may differ from contractual payment patterns.

 

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

 

   

As of December 31, 2003

Amounts Subject to Repricing Within


 
    0-3
Months


    3-12
Months


    1-5 Years

    After 5
Years


    Non
Sensitive


    Total

 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Assets

                                               

Cash

  $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 76,926     $ 76,926  

Federal fund sold

    41,635       —         —         —         —         41,635  

Money market funds and interest-bearing deposits in other

    22,400       —         —         —         —         22,400  

Investment securities

    21,885       40,161       58,437       5,033       —         125,516  

FHLB and other equity bank stock

                    2,578                       2,578  

Loans

    646,826       39,425       35,728       3,833       —         725,812  

Loan loss reserve

    —         —         —         —         (8,804 )     (8,804 )

Cash surrender value of life insurance

    —         10,034       —         —         —         10,034  

Other assets

    —         —         —         —         31,269       31,269  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Total assets

  $ 732,746     $ 89,620     $ 96,743     $ 8,866     $ 99,391     $ 1,027,366  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Liabilities

                                               

Deposits:

                                               

Demand deposit

    134,267       —         134,267       —         —         268,534  

Interest-bearing:

                                               

Savings deposits

    —         —         49,002       12,249       —         61,251  

Time deposits of $100,000 or more

    185,325       118,144       2,741       —         —         306,210  

Other time deposit

    32,889       40,290       1,707       56       —         74,942  

Money market and NOW accounts

    53,131       —         83,037       20,760       —         156,928  

Accrued interest payable

    —         —         —         —         2,431       2,431  

Acceptances outstanding

    —         —         —         —         4,492       4,492  

Other borrowed funds

    41,086       2,199       5,205       2,181       —         50,671  

Long-term subordinated debenture

    18,557       —         —         —         —         18,557  

Other liabilities

    —         —         —         —         5,089       5,089  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Total liabilities

  $ 465,255     $ 160,633     $ 275,959     $ 35,246     $ 12,012     $ 949,105  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Shareholders’ equity

    —         —         —         —         78,261       78,261  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity

  $ 465,255     $ 160,633     $ 275,959     $ 35,246     $ 90,273     $ 1,027,366  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Interest rate swap

    (85,000 )             85,000                          

Period repricing gap

    182,491       (71,013 )     (94,216 )     (26,380 )                

Cumulative repricing gap

    182,491       111,478       17,262       (9,118 )                

as % of total assets

    17.77 %     10.85 %     1.68 %     (0.89 )%                

as % of earning assets

    19.88 %     12.14 %     1.88 %     (0.99 )%                

 

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Although the interest rate sensitivity gap analysis is a useful measurement tool and contributes to effective asset and liability management, it is difficult to predict the effect of changing interest rates based solely on that measure. As a result, the Asset/Liability Management Committee also uses simulation modeling on a quarterly basis as a tool to measure the sensitivity of earnings and net portfolio value (“NPV”) to interest rate changes. NPV is defined as the net present value of an institution’s existing assets, minus the present value of liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments. The simulation model captures all assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet financial instruments, such as the interest rate swaps, and other significant variables considered to be affected by interest rates. These other significant variables include prepayment speeds on mortgage-backed securities, cash flows on loans and deposits, principal amortization, call options on investment securities purchased, statements of financial condition growth assumptions, and changes in interest rate relationships as various rate indices react differently to market rates. The simulation measures the volatility of net interest income and NPV under immediate rising or falling market rate scenarios in 100-basis-point increments up to 300 basis points.

 

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2003, the estimated impact of changes on the Company’s net interest income over a twelve-month period and NPV, assuming a parallel shift of 100 to 300 basis points in both directions.

 

Change

(In Basis Points)


    

Net Interest Income

(Next twelve months)


     % Change

       Net Portfolio
Value (NPV)


     % Change

 
(Dollars in thousands)  

+300

     $ 41,850      14.79 %      $ 74,850      -13.20 %

+200

     $ 38,709      6.17 %      $ 78,445      -8.70 %

+100

     $ 37,671      3.32 %      $ 81,009      -5.72 %

Level

     $ 36,459      0.00 %      $ 85,924      0.00 %

-100

     $ 34,766      -4.64 %      $ 87,952      2.36 %

-200

     $ 32,590      -10.61 %      $ 90,883      5.77 %

-300

     $ 28,129      -22.85 %      $ 92,648      7.62 %

 

As previously indicated, net income increases (decreases) as market interest rates rise (fall), since the Company is asset sensitive. The NPV decreases (increases), as the rate rises (falls), since the NPV has a negative convexity (reverse relationship) with the discount rate. As above table indicates, 300 basis points drop in rates impacts net interest income by $8.3 million or 23% decrease, whereas rate increase of 300 basis points impacts net interest income by only $5.4 million or 15% increase. Since average cost on interest-bearing liabilities was 2.05% at December 31,2003, the effect of 300 basis points drop in rates on interest-bearing liabilities is protected even without a floor, but there may be almost full 300 basis points drop in the yield of interest-earning assets.

 

All interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and related derivative contracts are included in the rate sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2003, the Company’s estimated changes in net interest income and NPV was within the ranges established by the Board of Directors.

 

The primary analytical tool used by the Company to gauge interest rate sensitivity is a simulation model used by many community banks, which is based upon the actual maturity and repricing characteristics of interest-rate-sensitive assets and liabilities. The model attempts to forecast changes in the yields earned on assets and the rates paid on liabilities in relation to changes in market interest rates. As an enhancement to the primary simulation model, other factors are incorporated into the model, including prepayment assumptions and market rates of interest provided by independent broker/dealer quotations, an independent pricing model, and other available public information. The model also factors in projections of anticipated activity levels of the Company product lines. Management believes that the assumptions it uses to evaluate the vulnerability of the Company’s operations to changes in interest rates approximate actual experience and considers them reasonable; however, the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s assets and liabilities and the estimated effects of changes in interest rates on the Company’s net interest income and NPV could vary substantially if different assumptions were used or if actual experience were to differ from the historical experience on which they are based.

 

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Derivatives

 

The Company’s historical strategies in protecting both net interest income and the economic value of equity from significant movements in interest rates have involved using various methods of assessing existing and future interest rate risk exposure and diversifying and restructuring its investment portfolio accordingly. The Company may use off-balance sheet instruments, such as interest rate swaps, as part of its overall goal of minimizing the impact of interest rate fluctuations on the Company’s net interest margin and its shareholders’ equity. In late 2001 and during 2002, the Company entered into four interest rate swaps for total notional amount of $110 million to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the cash flows of specifically identified variable-rate loans. One interest rate swap was terminated partially in the notional amount of $25 million, from the original contract entered in October 2001 with a notional value of $45 million, and replaced during August 2002 at the same notional amount, but with a 3 years extended maturity to August 2006 and receiving a fixed rate of $6.25%. The Company recorded a deferred gain of $201,000 from the termination of the partial notional value of a swap, and is recognizing the gain over the remaining term of the interest rate swap agreement which terminated in October 2003 as yield adjustment of the underlying loans. The remaining notional amount of the $20 million swap from the original $45 million matured on October 2003. To replace a maturing interest rate swap with a notional value of $20 million on October 30, 2003, the Company entered into a new interest rate swap receiving a fixed rate stream of 6.25% and paying prime with a 4-year term.

 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2003, on Company’s outstanding derivatives

 

Description


   Notional Value

   Period

   Fixed Receiving
Rate


    Floating Paying
Rate


(Dollars in thousands)

Interest Rate Swap I

   $ 20,000    05/02-05/05    6.89 %   WSJ Prime*

Interest Rate Swap II

   $ 25,000    08/02-08/06    6.25 %   WSJ Prime*

Interest Rate Swap III

   $ 20,000    12/02-12/05    5.51 %   WSJ Prime*

Interest Rate Swap IV

   $ 20,000    08/03-08/07    6.25 %   WSJ Prime*

(*) At December 31, 2003, the Wall Street Journal published Prime Rate was 4.00 percent.

 

Net interest income of $1,946,000 and $924,000 were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2003, and 2002, respectively. At December 31, 2003, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was at a favorable position of $1,113,000 net of tax of $808,000, as compared to favorable position of $895,000, net of tax of $649,000 and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the related asset on the interest rate swap of $1,921,000 and $1,544,000 was included in other assets. The Company’s policies also permit the purchase of rate caps and floors, although the Company has not yet engaged in these activities.

 

Liquidity

 

Liquidity is the Company’s ability to maintain sufficient cash flow to meet deposit withdrawals and loan demands and to take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise. The Company’s principal sources of liquidity have been growth in deposits, proceeds from the maturity of securities, and prepayments from loans. To supplement its primary sources of liquidity, the Company maintains contingent funding sources, which include a borrowing capacity of up to 25% of total assets upon providing collateral with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, access to the discount window of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, a deposit facility with the California State Treasurers office up to 50% of total equity with collateral pledging, and unsecured Fed funds lines with correspondent banks.

 

As of December 31, 2003, the Company’s liquidity ratio, which is the ratio of available liquid funds to net deposits and short-term liabilities was 22%. Total available liquidity as of that date was $185.2 million, consisting of excessive cash holdings or balances in due from banks, overnight fed funds sold, money market funds and uncollateralized securities. It is the Company’s policy to maintain a minimum liquidity ratio of at least 20%. The Company’s net non-core fund dependence ratio was 32% under applicable regulatory guidelines, which assumes all certificates of deposit over $100,000 (“Jumbo CD’s”) as volatile sources of funds. The Company has identified approximately $40 million of Jumbo CD’s as stable and core sources of funds based on

 

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past historical analysis. The net non-core fund dependence ratio was 29% with the assumption of $40 million as stable and core fund sources and certain portion of MMDA as volatile. The net non-core fund dependence ratio is the ratio of net short-term investment less non-core liabilities divided by the long-term assets.

 

Capital Resources

 

Shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2003 was $78.3 million, compared to $65.2 million as of December 31, 2002. The primary sources of increases in capital have been retained earnings and proceeds and tax benefits from the exercise of employee and/or director stock options. The Company did, however, issue $18 million in Trust Preferred Securities in 2003 through its wholly owned subsidiary, Center Capital Trust I. The proceeds of this issuance are considered to be Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes but long-term debt in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. However, no assurance can be given that the Trust Preferred Securities will continue to be treated as Tier 1 capital in the future. Shareholders’ equity is also affected by increases and decreases in unrealized losses on securities classified as available-for-sale and appreciation of fair value of interest rate swaps for hedging of certain prime rate based loans. The Company is committed to maintaining capital at a level sufficient to assure shareholders, customers, and regulators that the Company is financially sound and able to support its growth from its retained earnings. Since inception, the Company has been reinvesting its earnings into its capital in order to support the Company’s continuous growth through the payment of stock rather than cash dividends. Beginning in October 2003 Center Financial commenced a new dividend policy of paying quarterly cash dividends to its shareholders. In accordance with this policy, the Company paid a cash dividend of 8 cents per share in October 2003, for a total of $641,000. The Company plans to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends in the future, provided that such dividends allow the Company to continue to meet regulatory capital requirements and are not overly restrictive to its growth capacity. However, no assurance can be given that the Bank’s and the Company’s future earnings and/or growth expectations in any given year will justify the payment of such a dividend.

 

The Company is subject to risk-based capital regulations adopted by the federal banking regulators. These guidelines are used to evaluate capital adequacy and are based on an institution’s asset risk profile and off-balance sheet exposures. The risk-based capital guidelines assign risk weightings to assets both on and off-balance sheet and place increased emphasis on common equity. According to the regulations, institutions whose Tier I risk based capital ratio, total risk based capital ratio and leverage ratio meet or exceed 6%, 10%, and 5%, respectively, are deemed to be “well-capitalized.” As of December 31, 2003, all of the Company’s capital ratios were well above the minimum regulatory requirements for a “well-capitalized” institution.

 

The following table compares the Company’s and the Bank’s actual capital ratios at December 31, 2003 and 2002, to those required by regulatory agencies for capital adequacy and well-capitalized classification purposes:

 

     Center
Financial
Corporation


    Center
Bank


    Minimum
Regulatory
Requirements


    Well
Capitalized
Requirements


 

Risk Based Ratios

                        

2003

                        

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)

   12.67 %   12.62 %   8.00 %   10.00 %

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)

   11.56 %   11.50 %   4.00 %   6.00 %

Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)

   10.69 %   10.63 %   4.00 %   5.00 %
     Center
Financial
Corporation


    Center
Bank


    Minimum
Regulatory
Requirements


    Well
Capitalized
Requirements


 

Risk Based Ratios

                        

2002

                        

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)

   11.44 %   11.42 %   8.00 %   10.00 %

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)

   10.34 %   10.31 %   4.00 %   6.00 %

Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)

   9.48 %   9.45 %   4.00 %   5.00 %

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk called for by Item 305 of Regulation S-K is included as part of Item 7 above. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk/Asset Liability Management”.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

 

The following financial statements and independent auditors’ reports are included herein:

 

          Page

I.

  

Independent Auditor’s Report from Deloitte & Touche LLP

   66

II.

  

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2003 and 2002

   67

III.

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   68

IV.

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   69

V.

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   71

VI.

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   73

 

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Center Financial Corporation

Los Angeles, California

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Center Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of Center Financial Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Center Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Los Angeles, California

March 26, 2004

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002

 

     2003

   2002

     (Dollars in thousands)

ASSETS:

      

Cash and due from banks

   $ 76,926    $ 38,877

Federal funds sold

     41,635      35,500

Money market funds and interest-bearing deposits in other banks

     22,400      40,000
    

  

Cash and cash equivalents

     140,961      114,377

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     110,126      140,998

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $15,656 as of December 31, 2003 and $16,289 as of December 31, 2002)

     15,390      15,741

Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity stock, at cost

     2,578      817

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $8,804 as for December 31, 2003 and $6,760 as of December 31, 2002

     692,154      508,967

Loans held for sale, at the lower of cost or market

     24,854      12,250

Premises and equipment, net

     11,063      9,988

Customers’ liability on acceptances

     4,492      4,257

Accrued interest receivable

     3,085      3,269

Deferred income taxes, net

     3,033      824

Investments in affordable housing partnerships

     3,665      2,982

Cash surrender value of life insurance

     10,034      —  

Other assets

     5,931      4,154
    

  

TOTAL

   $ 1,027,366    $ 818,624
    

  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

             

LIABILITIES:

             

Deposits:

             

Noninterest-bearing

     268,534      207,092

Interest-bearing

     599,331      519,928
    

  

Total deposits

     867,865      727,020

Acceptances outstanding

     4,492      4,257

Accrued interest payable

     2,431      2,576

Other borrowed funds

     50,671      17,565

Long-term subordinated debenture

     18,557      —  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     5,089      2,000
    

  

Total liabilities

     949,105      753,418

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 12, 16,17)

             

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

             

Serial preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, none

     —        —  

Common stock, no par value; authorized 40,0000,000* shares; issued and outstanding, 16,048,520* as of December 31, 2003 and 14,245,224* as of December 31, 2002

     63,438      51,831

Retained earnings

     14,186      11,704

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

     637      1,671
    

  

Total shareholders’ equity

     78,261      65,206
    

  

TOTAL

   $ 1,027,366    $ 818,624
    

  


* As adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split effective February 17, 2004.

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002, AND 2001

 

     2003

   2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands,
except per share data)
 

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:

                       

Interest and fees on loans

   $ 38,271    $ 30,711     $ 29,670  

Interest on federal funds sold

     363      431       1,147  

Interest on taxable investment securities

     3,955      4,985       4,508  

Interest on tax-advantaged investment securities

     730      843       640  

Dividends on equity stock

     41      25       63  

Money market funds and interest-earning deposits

     298      512       95  
    

  


 


Total interest and dividend income

     43,658      37,507       36,123  

INTEREST EXPENSE:

                       

Interest on deposits

     11,148      10,827       13,706  

Interest on borrowed funds

     491      217       43  

Interest on long-term subordinated debenture

     4      —         —    
    

  


 


Total Interest expense

     11,643      11,044       13,749  
    

  


 


NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     32,015      26,463       22,374  

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     2,000      2,100       1,200  
    

  


 


NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

     30,015      24,363       21,174  

NONINTEREST INCOME:

                       

Customer service fees

     7,164      6,147       5,517  

Fee income from trade finance transactions

     2,689      2,819       2,923  

Wire transfer fees

     698      606       473  

Gain on sale of loans

     2,681      1,300       525  

Net gain on sale of securities available for sale

     330      171       197  

Gain on sale of premises and equipment

     —        738       —    

Loan service fees

     1,296      945       576  

Other income

     1,694      1,062       475  
    

  


 


Total noninterest income

     16,552      13,788       10,686  

NONINTEREST EXPENSE:

                       

Salaries and employee benefits

     13,458      12,294       10,980  

Occupancy

     1,998      1,739       1,437  

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

     1,321      1,050       803  

Net other real estate owned (income) expense

     —        (98 )     (191 )

Data processing

     1,613      1,650       1,348  

Professional service fees

     2,204      1,375       1,040  

Business promotion and advertising

     1,795      1,553       1,122  

Stationary and supplies

     586      420       417  

Telecommunications

     462      455       449  

Postage and courier service

     545      485       429  

Security service

     573      576       524  

Other operating expenses

     3,664      1,846       1,396  
    

  


 


Total noninterest expense

     28,219      23,345       19,754  
    

  


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX PROVISION

     18,348      14,806       12,106  

INCOME TAX PROVISION

     6,696      5,459       4,346  
    

  


 


NET INCOME

   $ 11,652    $ 9,347     $ 7,760  
    

  


 


EARNINGS PER SHARE:*

                       

Basic

   $ 0.74    $ 0.63     $ 0.54  
    

  


 


Diluted

   $ 0.72    $ 0.61     $ 0.52  
    

  


 



* As adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split effective February 17, 2004

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002, AND 2001

 

     Common Stock

   Retained
Earnings


   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)


   

Total

Shareholders’
Equity


 
     Number of
Shares


   Amount

      
     (Dollar in thousands)  

BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2001

   10,544    $ 33,162    $ 9,756     $ (9 )   $ 42,909  

Comprehensive income

                                    

Net income

                 7,760               7,760  

Other comprehensive income

                                    

Change in unrealized gain (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $93 and ($80) on:

                                    

Securities available for sale

                         129          

Interest rate swap

                         (112 )     17  
                                


Comprehensive income

                                 7,777  
                                


Stock options exercised

   288      706                      706  

Stock dividend

   1,376      7,416      (7,416 )                

Cash paid for fractional shares

   —        —        (2 )     —         (2 )
    
  

  


 


 


BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2001

   12,208      41,284      10,098       8       51,390  

Comprehensive income

                                    

Net income

                 9,347               9,347  

Other comprehensive income

                                    

Change in unrealized gain, net of tax expense of $476 and $730 on:

                                    

Securities available for sale

                         657          

Interest rate swap

                         1,006       1,663  
                                


Comprehensive income

                                 11,010  
                                


Stock options exercised

   692      1,730                      1,730  

Tax benefit from stock options exercised

          1,077                      1,077  

Stock dividend

   1,346      7,740      (7,740 )                

Cash paid for fractional shares

   —        —        (1 )     —         (1 )
    
  

  


 


 


BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2002

   14,246      51,831      11,704       1,671       65,206  

Comprehensive income

                                    

Net income

                 11,652               11,652  

Other comprehensive income

                                    

Change in unrealized gain, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($909) and $158 on:

                                    

Securities available for sale

                         (1,253 )        

Interest rate swap

                         219       (1,034 )
                                


Comprehensive income

                                 10,618  
                                


Stock options exercised

   652      1,836                      1,836  

Tax benefit from stock options exercised

          1,245                      1,245  

Stock dividend

   1,150      8,526      (8,526 )                

Cash dividend ($0.08 per share)

                 (641 )             (641 )

Cash paid for fractional shares

   —        —        (3 )     —         (3 )
    
  

  


 


 


BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2003

   16,048    $ 63,438    $ 14,186     $ 637     $ 78,261  
    
  

  


 


 


 

(Continued)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)

 

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002, AND 2001

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Disclosures of reclassification amounts for the years ended December 31:

                        

Unrealized (loss) gain on securities available for sale:

                        

Unrealized holding (loss) gain arising during period, net of tax (benefit) expense of $(770) in 2003, $548 in 2002, and $164 in 2001

   $ (1,062 )   $ 756     $ 255  

Less reclassification adjustments for gain included in net income, net of tax expense of $139 in 2003, $72 in 2002 and $71 in 2001

     (191 )     (99 )     (126 )
    


 


 


Net change in unrealized (loss) gain securities available for sale, net of tax (benefit) expense of $(909) in 2003, $476 in 2002, and $93 in 2001

     (1,253 )     657       129  

Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap:

                        

Unrealized holding gain arising during period, net of tax expense (benefit) of $226 in 2003, $753 in 2002 and ($80) in 2001

     312       1,037       (112 )

Less reclassification adjustments for gain included in net income, net of tax expense of $68 in 2003 and $23 in 2002

     (93 )     (31 )     —    
    


 


 


Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap, net of tax expense (benefit) of $158 in 2003, $730 in 2002 and ($80) in 2001

     219       1,006       (112 )
    


 


 


Change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale and interest rate swap, net of tax

   $ (1,034 )   $ 1,663     $ 17  
    


 


 


 

(Concluded)

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Net income

   $ 11,652     $ 9,347     $ 7,760  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     1,295       1,109       885  

Amortization of premium, net of accretion of discount, on securities available for sale and held to maturity

     1,204       807       304  

Provision for loan losses

     2,000       2,100       1,200  

Impairment of securities available for sale

     880       —         —    

Net loss (gain) on sale of premises and equipment

     61       (738 )     —    

Net gain on sale of securities available for sale

     (330 )     (171 )     (197 )

Originations of SBA loans held for sale

     (12,641 )     (16,210 )     —    

Gain on sale of SBA loans

     (2,681 )     (1,300 )     (525 )

Proceeds from sale of SBA loans

     56,598       27,099       17,506  

Net gain on sale of other real estate owned

     —         (85 )     (194 )

Deferred tax (benefit) provision

     (1,459 )     (408 )     206  

Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividend

     (37 )     (121 )     (8 )

Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable

     150       (519 )     (198 )

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     (843 )     (1,073 )     640  

Decrease in accrued interest payable

     (145 )     (738 )     (85 )

Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     4,334       1,442       816  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     60,038       20,541       28,110  
    


 


 


CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Net decrease in interest-bearing deposits in other banks

     —         200       —    

Purchase of securities available for sale

     (41,762 )     (98,956 )     (86,146 )

Proceeds from principal repayment, matured, or called securities available for sale

     58,376       48,970       29,520  

Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale

     10,330       4,015       7,491  

Purchase of securities held to maturity

     (9,173 )     (829 )     (3,215 )

Proceeds from matured, called or principal repayment on securities held to maturity

     9,537       2       22,482  

Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity stock

     (1,724 )     (534 )     (300 )

Proceeds from redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity stocks

     —         —         1,222  

Net increase in loans

     (240,365 )     (161,197 )     (89,306 )

Proceeds from recoveries of loans previously charged-off

     1,298       817       781  

Purchases of premises and equipment

     (2,431 )     (4,763 )     (3,040 )

Proceeds from disposal of equipment

     —         3,325       —    

Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned

     —         278       444  

Net increase in investments in affordable housing partnerships

     (683 )     (303 )     (1,655 )

Purchase of bank-owned life insurance

     (10,000 )     —         —    
    


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (226,597 )     (208,975 )     (121,722 )
    


 


 


 

(Continued)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

 

FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2002 AND 2001

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Net increase in deposits

   $ 140,845     $ 201,650     $ 127,878  

Net increase (decrease) in other borrowed funds

     33,106       17,241       (649 )

Proceeds from issuance of long-term subordinate debentures

     18,000       —         —    

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     1,836       1,730       706  

Payment of cash dividend

     (641 )     —         —    

Stock dividend paid in cash for fractional shares

     (3 )     (1 )     (2 )
    


 


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     193,143       220,620       127,933  
    


 


 


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     26,584       32,186       34,321  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

   $ 114,377     $ 82,191     $ 47,870  
    


 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

   $ 140,961     $ 114,377     $ 82,191  
    


 


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                        

Interest paid

   $ 11,788     $ 11,782     $ 13,834  

Income taxes paid

   $ 6,682     $ 6,232     $ 3,400  

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Transfer of loans to other real estate owned

   $ —       $ —       $ 2,268  

Loans made to facilitate the sale of other real estate owned

   $ —       $ 480     $ 1,344  

Transfer of retained earnings to common stock for stock dividend

   $ 8,526     $ 7,740     $ 7,416  

 

(Concluded)

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. THE BUSINESS OF CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

Center Financial Corporation (“Center Financial”) was incorporated on April 19, 2000 as a California corporation initially under the name of “Center Financial Services” to be a subsidiary of Center Bank (the “Bank”), and was subsequently renamed Center Financial Corporation to become the bank holding company for the Bank. Center Financial acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Bank in October 2002. Currently, Center Financial’s subsidiaries include the Bank and Center Capital Trust I and Center Financial exists primarily for the purpose of holding the stock of the Bank and of other subsidiaries. Center Financial, the Bank, and the subsidiary of the Bank (“CB Capital Trust”) discussed below, are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.”

 

The Bank is a California state-chartered and FDIC-insured financial institution, which was incorporated in 1985 and commenced operations in March 1986. The Bank changed its name from California Center Bank to Center Bank in December 2002. The Bank’s headquarters is located at 3435 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700, Los Angeles, California 90010. The Bank is a community bank providing comprehensive financial services for small to medium sized business owners, mostly in Southern California. The Bank specializes in commercial loans, which are mostly secured by real property, to multi-ethnic and small business customers. In addition, the Bank is a Preferred Lender of Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans and provides trade finance loans and other international banking products. The Bank’s primary market is the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, including Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties, primarily focused in areas with high concentrations of Korean-Americans. The Bank currently has thirteen full-service branch offices located in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. The Bank opened all 13 branches as de novo branches. The new Fullerton Branch opened in July 2003, in the Buena Park area, where the Korean-American population is rapidly growing. The Bank also operates five Loan Production Offices (“LPO’s”) in Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Washington D.C. and Las Vegas. The Company opened its fifth LPO in Nevada in October 2003.

 

Additionally, CB Capital Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, was formed as a subsidiary of the Bank in August 2002 with the primary business purpose of investing in the Bank’s real estate-related assets, which Management believes should raise capital and increase Company’s total capital although no assurance can be given that this result will occur. CB Capital Trust was capitalized in September 2002, whereby the Bank exchanged real estate related assets for 100% of the common stock of CB Capital Trust.

 

In December 2003, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Center Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust, for the exclusive purpose of issuing and selling trust preferred securities.

 

Center Financial’s principal source of income is currently dividends from the Bank, but Center Financial intends to explore supplemental sources of income in the future. The expenditures of Center Financial, including legal and accounting professional fees, and Nasdaq listing fees, have been and will generally be paid from dividends paid to Center Financial by the Bank.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Center Financial, the Bank, and CB Capital Trust. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Center Capital Trust I is not consolidated as described in Note 11.

 

The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and general practices within the banking industry.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Significant Group Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located within the greater Los Angeles region. Note 3 discusses the types of securities that the Company invests in. Note 4 discusses the types of lending that the Company engages in.

 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to determination of the allowance for loan losses, and the valuation of foreclosed real estate and deferred tax assets and the results of litigation.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, overnight federal funds sold, money market funds, and interest-bearing deposits in other banks, all of which have original maturities of less than 90 days.

 

The Company is required to maintain minimum reserve balances in cash with the Federal Reserve Bank. The average reserve balance requirement was approximately $2,659,000 and $2,261,000 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Investment Securities

 

Investments are classified into three categories and accounted for as follows:

 

(i) securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and reported at amortized cost;

 

(ii) securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future are classified as “trading securities” and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in earnings; and

 

(iii) securities not classified as held to maturity or trading securities are classified as “available for sale” and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity, net of tax.

 

Accreted discounts and amortized premiums on investment securities are included in interest income, using the interest method, and unrealized and realized gains or losses related to holding or selling of securities are calculated using the specific identification method. Any declines in the fair value of held to maturity or available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in the statements of operations as realized losses.

 

Federal Home Loan Bank and Other Equity Stock

 

As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco, the Company is required to own common stock in the FHLB based upon the Company’s balance of residential mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, and outstanding advances. The Company’s investment in FHLB stock totaled $2,518,000 and

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

$757,000 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In addition, the Company invested $60,000 in Pacific Coast Bankers’ Bank stock at December 31, 2003 and 2002. The instruments are carried at cost in the statements of financial condition.

 

Loans

 

Interest on loans is credited to income as earned and is accrued only if deemed collectible. Accrual of interest is discontinued when a loan is over 90 days delinquent or if management believes that collection is highly uncertain. Generally, payments received on non-accrual loans are recorded as principal reductions. Interest income is recognized after all principal has been repaid or an improvement in the condition of the loan has occurred that would warrant resumption of interest accruals.

 

Nonrefundable fees, net of certain direct costs associated with the origination of loans are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the loan yield over the life of the loan in a manner that approximates the interest method. Other loan fees and charges, representing service costs for the prepayment of loans, delinquent payments, or miscellaneous loan services, are recorded as income when collected.

 

Certain SBA loans that the management has the intent to sell before maturity are designated as held for sale at origination and recorded at the lower of cost or market value, determined on an aggregate basis. A valuation allowance is established if the market value of such loans is lower than their cost, and operations are charged or credited for valuation adjustments. On loans sold, the Company allocates the carrying value of such loans between the portion sold and the portion retained, based upon estimates of their relative fair values at the time of sale. The difference between the adjusted carrying value and the face amount of the portion retained is amortized to interest income over the life of the related loan using the interest method.

 

Servicing assets are recognized when loans are sold with servicing retained. The servicing asset is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition and is recorded based on the present value of the contractually specified servicing fee, net of servicing cost, over the estimated life of the loan, using a discount rate of the related note rate plus 2 percent. The servicing asset is amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated servicing income. Management periodically evaluates the servicing asset for impairment, which is the carrying amount of the servicing asset in excess of the related fair value. The fair value of servicing assets is determined using a weighted average discount rate of 7.22 percent and prepayment speed of 17.1 percent at December 31, 2003. Impairment, if it occurs, is recognized in a valuation allowance in the period of impairment.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Loan losses are charged, and recoveries are credited to the allowance account. Additions to the allowance account are charged to provision for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate by management to absorb probable losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is determined by management based upon an evaluation and review of the loan portfolio, consideration of historical loan loss experience, current economic conditions, and changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, analysis of collateral values, and other pertinent factors. While management uses available information to recognize possible losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additional allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Loans are measured for impairment when it is probable that not all amounts, including principal and interest, will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The amount of impairment and any subsequent changes are recorded through the provision for loan losses as an adjustment to the allowance for loan losses. Impairment is measured either based on the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows or the estimated fair value of the collateral. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

The Company evaluates consumer loans for impairment on a pooled basis. These loans are considered to be smaller balance, homogeneous loans, and are evaluated on a portfolio basis considering the projected net realizable value of the portfolio compared to the net carrying value of the portfolio.

 

Premises and Equipment

 

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment are computed on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 

Building

   30 years

Furniture, fixture, and equipment

   5 to 10 years

Computer equipment

   3 years

Leasehold improvements

   life of lease or improvements, whichever is shorter

 

Other Real Estate Owned

 

Other real estate owned (“OREO”), which represents real estate acquired through foreclosure in satisfaction of commercial and real estate loans, is stated at fair value less estimated selling costs of the real estate. Loan balances in excess of the fair value of the real estate acquired at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Any subsequent decline in the fair value of OREO is recognized as a charge to operations and a corresponding increase to the valuation allowance of OREO. Gains and losses from sales and net operating expenses of OREO are included in current operations.

 

Investments in Affordable Housing Partnerships

 

The Company owns limited partnership interests in projects of affordable housing for lower income tenants. The investments in which the Company has significant influence are recorded using the equity method of accounting. For those investments in limited partnerships for which the Company does not have a significant influence, such investments are accounted for using the cost method of accounting and the annual amortization is based on the proportion of tax credits received in the current year to the total estimated tax credits to be allocated to the Company. The tax credits are being recognized in the consolidated financial statements to the extent they are utilized on the Company’s tax returns.

 

Long Term Subordinated Debenture—

 

The Company established Center Capital Trust I in December 2003 (the “Trust”) as a statutory business trust, which is wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. In the private placement transaction, the Trusts issued $18 million of floating rate (3-month LIBOR plus 2.85%) capital securities representing undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. The Company is the owner of all the beneficial interests represented by the common securities of the Trust. The purpose of issuing the capital securities was to provide the Company with a cost-effective means of obtaining Tier I Capital for regulatory purposes. Effective December 31, 2003, as a consequence of adopting the provisions of FIN No. 46, the Trust is no longer being consolidated into the accounts of the Company. Long term subordinated debt represents liabilities of the Company to the Trust.

 

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Income Taxes

 

Deferred income taxes are provided for using an asset and liability approach. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effects, based on current tax law, of future deductible or taxable amounts attributable to events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Financial Instruments Held for Asset and Liability Management Purposes

 

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities as amended by SFAS No. 137, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—Deferral of the Effective Date of SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities—Amendment of FAS 133 on January 1, 2001. There was no transition adjustment upon adoption by the Company. These statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. They require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheets and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a hedge of foreign currency exposure. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.

 

In accordance with these accounting standards, the Company has identified certain variable-rate loans as a source of interest rate risk to be hedged in connection with the Company’s overall asset-liability management process. As these loans have contractually variable rates, there is a risk of fluctuation in interest income as interest rates rise and fall in future periods. In response to this identified risk, the Company uses interest rate swaps as a cash flow hedge to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the cash flows of the specifically identified variable-rate loans. To qualify for hedge accounting, the Company must demonstrate that at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis that the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument is expected to be perfectly effective in offsetting related changes in the cash flows of the hedged loans due to the matched terms in both the interest rate swap and the hedged loans. Accordingly, the accumulated change in the fair value of the cash flow hedge is recorded in a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of tax, while the ineffective portions are recognized in earnings immediately. Revenues or expenses associated with the interest rate swap are accounted for on an accrual basis and are recognized as adjustments to interest income on loans, based on the interest rates currently in effect for the interest rate swap agreement. Gain from termination of the partial notional value of interest swap is recognized over the remaining term of the swap agreement as a yield adjustment of underlying loans.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has adopted SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for stock-based employee compensation plans. The standards include the recognition of compensation expense over the vesting period of the fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant. SFAS No. 123 permits entities to continue to apply the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and provide only the pro forma net income and pro forma net earnings per share disclosures as if the fair-value based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied. Under APB Opinion No. 25, compensation expense for fixed options would be recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. The Company has elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its stock option plan and provide the pro forma disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 in the footnotes to its consolidated financial statements.

 

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As allowed by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” the Company continues to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its Stock Option Plan. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock option plan. Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plan been determined based on the fair values at the grant dates for awards under the plan consistent with the fair value method of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income and earnings per share for the years ended December 31 would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 11,652     $ 9,347     $ 7,760  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (271 )     (203 )     (223 )
    


 


 


Proforma net income

   $ 11,381     $ 9,144     $ 7,537  
    


 


 


Earning per share:

                        

Basic—as reported

   $ 0.74     $ 0.63     $ 0.54  

Basic—pro forma

   $ 0.73     $ 0.61     $ 0.52  

Diluted—as reported

   $ 0.72     $ 0.61     $ 0.52  

Diluted—pro forma

   $ 0.70     $ 0.60     $ 0.51  

 

Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) exclude dilution and are computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings.

 

Stock Split

 

On January 30, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split. All share and per share amounts included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been restated to reflect the stock split.

 

Comprehensive income

 

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and interest rate swaps, are reported as a separate component of the shareholders’ equity section of the consolidated statements of financial condition, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51. FIN No. 46, which was revised in December 2003, requires that variable interest entities be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of expected loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or is entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns or both. FIN No. 46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that companies are not required to consolidate but in which a company has a significant variable interest. The consolidation requirements of FIN No. 46 applied immediately to variable interest entities created

 

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after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements applied to entities established prior to January 31, 2003 in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after December 15, 2003. The Company adopted the consolidation requirements of FIN No. 46 effective December 31, 2003. The adoption did not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. However, as previously mentioned, the adoption of FIN No. 46 did result in the reclassification of certain liabilities due to the deconsolidation of statutory business trusts previously consolidated by the Company.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The provisions of SFAS No. 149 that relate to SFAS No. 133 Implementation Issues that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003 should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates. Specifically, this Statement (1) clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative, (2) clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, (3) amends the definition of an underlying instrument to conform it to language used in FIN No. 45, and (4) amends certain other existing pronouncements. Such changes will result in more consistent reporting of contracts as either derivatives or hybrid instruments. The adoption of this standard did not have material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This Statement establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). Many of these instruments were previously classified as equity. This Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective for public companies at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

In December 2003, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the AICPA issued Statement of Position No. 03-3 (“SOP 03-3”), Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. SOP 03-3 addresses the accounting for differences between contractual cash flows and the cash flows expected to be collected from purchased loans or debt securities if those differences are attributable, in part, to credit quality. SOP 03-3 requires purchased loans and debt securities to be recorded initially at fair value based on the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected with no carryover of any valuation allowance previously recognized by the seller. Interest income should be recognized based on the effective yield from the cash flows expected to be collected. To the extent that the purchased loans or debt securities experience subsequent deterioration in credit quality, a valuation allowance would be established for any additional cash flows that are not expected to be received. However, if more cash flows subsequently are expected to be received than originally estimated, the effective yield would be adjusted on a prospective basis. SOP 03-3 will be effective for loans and debt securities acquired after December 31, 2004. Management does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications were made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

 

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3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

The following is a summary of the investment securities at December 31:

 

     Amortized
Cost


   Gross
Unrealized
Gain


   Gross
Unrealized
Loss


    Estimated
Fair Value


     (Dollars in thousands)

2003

                            

Available for sale:

                            

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 2,051    $ 97    $ —       $ 2,148

U.S. Government agencies asset-backed securities

     19      —        —         19

U.S. Government agencies securities

     45,595      76      (635 )     45,036

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

     33,898      259      (193 )     33,964

U.S. Government agencies collateralized mortgage obligations

     —        —        —         —  

Government agencies preferred stock

     12,680      —        (556 )     12,124

Corporate trust preferred securities

     11,000      —        (110 )     10,890

Corporate debt securities

     5,705      240      —         5,945
    

  

  


 

Total

   $ 110,948    $ 672    $ (1,494 )   $ 110,126
    

  

  


 

Held to maturity:

                            

U.S. Government agency securities

   $ 1,000    $ 12    $ —       $ 1,012

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

     8,458      —        (5 )     8,453

Municipal securities

     5,932      259      —         6,191
    

  

  


 

Total

   $ 15,390    $ 271    $ (5 )   $ 15,656
    

  

  


 

2002

                            

Available for sale:

                            

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 2,088    $ 137    $ —       $ 2,225

U.S. Government agencies asset-backed securities

     34      —        —         34

U.S. Government agencies securities

     22,611      423      —         23,034

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

     77,679      772      (36 )     78,415

U.S. Government agencies collateralized mortgage obligations

     6,097      51      —         6,148

Government agencies preferred stock

     13,623      99      (198 )     13,524

Corporate trust preferred securities

     11,000      —        (110 )     10,890

Corporate debt securities

     6,527      213      (12 )     6,728
    

  

  


 

Total

   $ 139,659    $ 1,695    $ (356 )   $ 140,998
    

  

  


 

Held to maturity:

                            

U.S. Government agency securities

   $ 9,000    $ 305    $ —       $ 9,305

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

     419      11              430

Municipal securities

     6,322      233      (1 )     6,554
    

  

  


 

Total

   $ 15,741    $ 549    $ (1 )   $ 16,289
    

  

  


 

 

Accrued interest and dividends receivable on investment securities totaled $679,000 and $1,077,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, proceeds from sales of securities available for sale amounted to $10,330,000, $4,015,000 and $7,491,000, respectively with gross realized gain of $330,000, $171,000 and $197,000 respectively.

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2003, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Although mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations have

 

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contractual maturities through 2035, expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Also, the U.S. government agencies, which issued preferred stock with no maturity have the right to call these obligations at par.

 

     Available for Sale

   Held to Maturity

     Amortized
Cost


   Fair Value

   Amortized
Cost


   Fair
Value


     (Dollars in thousands)

Within 1 year

   $ —      $ —      $ 1,300    $ 1,315

Over 1 year through 5 years

     53,351      53,129      1,697      1,814

Over 5 years through 10 years

     —        —        3,487      3,626

Over 10 years

     11,000      10,890      448      448
    

  

  

  

       64,351      64,019      6,932      7,203

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations

     33,898      33,964      8,458      8,453

Asset-backed securities

     19      19      —        —  

U.S. Government agencies preferred stock

     12,680      12,124      —        —  
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 110,948    $ 110,126    $ 15,390    $ 15,656
    

  

  

  

 

U.S government agencies, U.S. Treasury, and mortgage-backed securities with a total carrying value of $81,541,000 (available for sale at fair market value of $81,125,000 and held to maturity at amortized cost of $416,000) and $38,126,000 (available for sale at fair market value of $29,126,000 and held to maturity at amortized cost of $9,000,000), respectively, were pledged to secure a deposit from the State of California, borrowing lines, and interest rate swap agreements, or were pledged for other purposes as required and permitted by law as of December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

 

The following table shows the Company’s investments with gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2003.

 

     Less than 12 months

    12 months or more

    Total

 
     Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Loss


    Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Loss


    Fair
Value


   Unrealized
Loss


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

U.S. Government agencies securities

   $ 31,351    $ (635 )     —        —       $ 31,351    $ (635 )

U.S. Government agencies mortgage-backed securities

     14,192      (198 )     —        —         14,192      (198 )

Government agencies preferred stock

     6,252      (556 )     —        —         6,252      (556 )

Corporate trust preferred securities

     —        —         10,890      (110 )     10,890      (110 )
    

  


 

  


 

  


Total

   $ 51,795    $ (1,389 )   $ 10,890    $ (110 )   $ 62,685    $ (1,499 )
    

  


 

  


 

  


 

As of December 31, 2003 the Company has total fair value of $62,685,000 of securities with unrealized losses of $1,499,000. The market value of securities which have been in a continuous loss position in 12 months or more totaled to $10,890,000 with unrealized loss of $110,000. Although the credit quality of the issuer of a floating rate agency preferred stock is not questioned, the interest rate environment has created an other than temporary decline in value of floating rate agency preferred stocks whose fair market value have been lower than its cost basis for over twelve months and therefore a $880,000 other than temporary decline in value charge was taken in December 2003.

 

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All individual securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer at December 31, 2003 had investment grade ratings upon purchase. The issuers of these securities have not, to our knowledge, established any cause for default on these securities and the various rating agencies have reaffirmed these securities’ long term investment grade status at December 31, 2003. These securities have fluctuated in value since their purchase dates as market interest rates have fluctuated. However, the Company has the ability, and management intends, to hold these securities until their fair values recover to cost. Therefore, in management’s opinion, all securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the past twelve months or longer as of December 31, 2003 are not other-than-temporarily impaired, and therefore, no impairment charges as of December 31, 2003 are warranted

 

4. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

Loans consist of the following at December 31:

 

     2003

    2002

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Real estate:

                

Construction

   $ 18,464     $ 20,669  

Commercial

     384,824       241,252  

Commercial

     147,368       108,540  

Small Business Administration 1

     66,487       67,489  

Trade finance

     61,886       50,106  

Consumer

     49,530       41,463  

Other

     179       129  
    


 


       728,738       529,648  

Less: Allowance for Loan Losses

     (8,804 )     (6,760 )

         Deferred Loan Fees

     (331 )     (170 )

         Discount on SBA Loans Retained

     (2,595 )     (1,501 )
    


 


Loans, net

   $ 717,008     $ 521,217  
    


 



1 This balance includes SBA loans held for sale of $24,854,352 and $12,250,000 at the lower of cost or market at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2003 the Company has pledged commercial real estate loans secured by first trust deeds with a total carrying value of $91,000,000 for FHLB borrowings.

 

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company serviced loans sold to unaffiliated parties in the amounts of $91,548,000 and $47,583,000, respectively. The Company has capitalized $970,000, $460,000, and $329,000 of servicing assets and amortized $56,000, $137,000, and $104,000, during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. There was no valuation allowance for the servicing assets at December 31, 2003 and 2002. The servicing assets are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

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The following is an analysis of all loans to officers and directors of the Company and its affiliates as of December 31. All such loans were made under terms that are consistent with the Company’s normal lending policies.

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 781     $ 1,760     $ 2,077  

New loans or disbursements

     161       34       485  
    


 


 


       942       1,794       2,562  

Less: repayments in year

     (142 )     (1,013 )     (802 )
    


 


 


Balance at end of year

   $ 800     $ 781     $ 1,760  
    


 


 


Available lines of credit at end of year

   $ 352     $ 351     $ 303  
    


 


 


 

At December 31, 2001, the above schedule included loans to an outside party of $882,000, which were guaranteed by a director of the Company. No loans were guaranteed by the director of the Company at December 31, 2003.

 

The following is a summary of activity in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31:

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 6,760     $ 5,540     $ 6,633  

Provision for loan losses

     2,000       2,100       1,200  

Charge-offs

     (1,254 )     (1,654 )     (3,074 )

Recoveries of charge-offs

     1,298       817       781  

Reserve for losses on commitments to extend credit 1

     —         (43 )     —    
    


 


 


Balance at end of period

   $ 8,804     $ 6,760     $ 5,540  
    


 


 


 

Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate market in California. Should the real estate market experience an overall decline in property values, the ability of borrowers to make timely scheduled principal and interest payments on the Company’s loans may be adversely affected and, in turn, may result in increased delinquencies and foreclosures. In the event of foreclosures under such conditions, the value of the property acquired may be less than the appraised value when the loan was originated and may, in some instances, result in insufficient proceeds upon disposition to recover the Company’s investment in the foreclosed property. Furthermore, although most of the Company’s trade finance activities are related to trade with Asia, all of the Company’s loans are made to companies domiciled in the United States of America. The Company has historically made three types of credit extensions involving direct exposure to the Korean economy: commercial loans to U.S. affiliates/subsidiaries/branches of companies headquartered in South Korea, acceptances with Korean banks, and standby letters of credit issued by Korean banks. In certain instances, standby letters of credit issued by Korean banks support the loans made to the U.S. affiliates or branches of Korean companies, to which the Company has

 


1 The reserve for losses on commitments to extend credit and letters of credit is primarily related to undisbursed funds on lines of credit. The Company evaluates credit risk associated with the loan portfolio at the same time as it evaluates credit risk associated with commitments to extend credit and letters of credits. However, the reserve necessary for the commitments is reported separately in other liabilities in the accompanying statements of consolidated financial condition, and not as part of the allowance for loan losses.

 

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extended loans. In addition, the Company makes certain loans to U.S. domestic business customers in the import or export business whose operations are indirectly affected by the economies of various Pacific Rim countries. Of the total loans outstanding and unused commitments involving indirect country risk, approximately 61% at December 31, 2003 involve borrowers doing business with Korea. The percentages to other individual Pacific Rim countries are relatively small in relation to the loans involving country risk. As a result, with the exception of Korea, the Company does not believe it has significant indirect country risk exposure to any other Pacific Rim countries.

 

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company had classified $5,211,000 and $1,777,000 of its loans as impaired with specific reserves of $825,000 and $468,000, respectively. At December 31, 2003 and 2002 loans classified as impaired without specific reserves amounted to $1,021,000 and $809,000, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 was $4,268,000, $3,272,000, and $4,764,000, respectively. Interest income of $235,000, $351,000, and $324,000 was recognized on impaired loans, on a cash basis, during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

 

5. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

 

The following is a summary of the major components of premises and equipment as of December 31:

 

     2003

    2002

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Land

   $ 3,333     $ 3,333  

Building

     4,559       3,744  

Furniture, fixture, and equipment

     5,658       4,930  

Leasehold improvements

     2,592       2,230  

Construction in progress

     234       72  
    


 


       16,376       14,309  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (5,313 )     (4,321 )
    


 


Premises and equipment, net

   $ 11,063     $ 9,988  
    


 


 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 amounted to $1,295,000, $1,109,000, and $885,000, respectively.

 

6. OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

 

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, no other real estate owned (“OREO”) was outstanding. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, other real estate owned (income) expense, net, comprised the following:

 

     2003

   2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net (gain) on sale of other real estate owned

   $ —      $ (85 )   $ (194 )

Operating (income) expenses

     —        (13 )     3  
    

  


 


Other real estate owned (income) expense, net

   $ —      $ (98 )   $ (191 )
    

  


 


 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

7. INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS

 

The Company has invested in certain limited partnerships that were formed to develop and operate several apartment complexes designed as high-quality affordable housing for lower income tenants throughout the state of California and other states. The Company’s ownership in each limited partnership varies from under 2% to 22%. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the investments in these limited partnerships amounted to $3,665,000 and $2,982,000, respectively. One of the six limited partnerships invested in by the Company is accounted for using the equity method of accounting, since the Company has significant influence over the partnership. For those investments in limited partnerships for which the Company does not have a significant influence, such investments are accounted for using the cost method of accounting and the annual amortization is based on the proportion of tax credits received in the current year to total estimated tax credit to be allocated to the Company. Each of the partnerships must meet the regulatory minimum requirements for affordable housing for a minimum 15-year compliance period to fully utilizes the tax credits. If the partnerships cease to qualify during the compliance period, the credit may be denied for any period in which the project is not in compliance and a portion of the credit previously taken is subject to recapture with interest.

 

The approximate remaining federal and state tax credit to be utilized over a multiple-year period is $4,750,000 and $3,964,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company’s usage of federal tax credits was $445,000, $285,000, and $153,000 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company also had state tax credits amounting to $58,000 in 2003. Investment amortization amounted to $267,000, $262,000, and $84,000, for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 

8. DEPOSITS

 

Deposits consist of the following at December 31:

 

     2003

   2002

     (Dollars in thousands)

Demand deposits (noninterest-bearing)

   $ 268,534    $ 207,092

Money market accounts and NOW

     156,928      168,562

Savings

     61,251      45,408
    

  

       486,713      421,062
    

  

Time deposits:

             

Less than $100,000

     74,942      86,873

$100,000 or more

     306,210      219,085
    

  

       381,152      305,958
    

  

Total

   $ 867,865    $ 727,020
    

  

 

Time deposits by maturity dates are as follows at December 31, 2003:

 

     $100,000
or Greater


   Less Than
$100,000


   Total

     (Dollars in thousands)

2004

   $ 303,384    $ 73,117    $ 376,501

2005

     2,426      1,576      4,002

2006

     100      153      253

2007

     300      —        300

2008 and thereafter

     —        96      96
    

  

  

Total

   $ 306,210    $ 74,942    $ 381,152
    

  

  

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

A summary of interest expense on deposits is as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

     (Dollars in thousands)

Money market accounts and NOW

   $ 2,254    $ 1,693    $ 1,579

Savings

     1,558      994      615

Time deposits:

                    

Less than $100,000

     1,737      2,245      3,633

$100,000 or more

     5,599      5,895      7,879
    

  

  

Total

   $ 11,148    $ 10,827    $ 13,706
    

  

  

 

The Company accepts deposits from the State of California. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002 these deposits totaled $60,000,000 and $10,000,000, respectively. The Company has pledged U.S. government agencies and mortgage-back securities with a total carrying value of $66,864,000 (available for sale at fair market value of $66,448,000 and held to maturity at amortized cost of $416,000) and $11,980,000 (available for sale at fair market value of $4,980,000 and held to maturity at amortized cost of $7,000,000) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, to secure such public deposits. Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $393,000, 195,000 and $442,000, respectively.

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has received deposits from certain directors, executive officers, and businesses with which they are associated. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the total of these deposits amounted to $2,064,000 and $2,586,000, respectively.

 

9. OTHER BORROWED FUNDS

 

The Company borrows funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Treasury, Tax, and Loan Investment Program, which is administered by the Federal Reserve Bank. Borrowed funds totaled to $50,671,000 and $17,565,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Interest expense on total borrowed funds was $491,000 in 2003, $217,000 in 2002, and $43,000 in 2001, reflecting average interest rates of 3.20%, 3.25% and 3.28%, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company borrowed $50,349,000 and $14,900,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco with note terms from 1 year to 15 years. Notes of 10-year and 15-year terms are amortizing at predetermined schedules over the life of notes. The Company has pledged commercial real estate loans secured by first trust deeds with a total carrying value of $91,000,000 at December 31, 2003 and government agencies and mortgage-backed securities with a total carrying value of $17,018,000 (available for sale at fair market value of $16,018,000 and held to maturity at amortized cost of $1,000,000) at December 31, 2002. Total interest expense on the notes was $480,000 and $198,000 for the years ended December 31, 2003, December 31, 2002, reflecting average interest rates of 3.34% and 3.34% respectively. No borrowing was outstanding at December 31, 2001.

 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances outstanding as of December 31, 2003 mature as follows:

 

     2004

    2007

    2012

    2017

    Total

 

Borrowings

   $ 42,700     $ 4,000     $ 1,774     $ 1,875     $ 50,349  

Weighted interest rate

     1.16 %     4.08 %     4.58 %     5.24 %     3.34 %

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Borrowings obtained from the Treasury, Tax, and Loan Investment Program mature within a month from the transaction date. Under the program, the Company receives funds from the U.S. Treasury Department in the form of open-ended notes, up to a total of $2,200,0000. The Company has pledged U.S. government agencies and/or mortgage-backed securities with a total carrying value of $3,210,000 (available for sale at fair market value of $2,210,000 and held to maturity at amortized cost of $1,000,000) at December 31, 2002, as collateral to participate in the program. The total borrowed amount under the program, outstanding at December 31, 2002 was $2,200,000. No balance is outstanding at December 31, 2003. Interest expense on notes was $10,600, $20,000, and $43,000 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, reflecting average interest rates of 0.93%, 1.67% and 3.28% respectively. In addition, the Company had customer deposits for tax payment amounted to $322,000 and $465,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

10. INCOME TAXES

 

The following is a summary of income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31:

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

     (Dollars in thousands)

Current

      

Federal

   $ 6,264     $ 4,683     $ 3,342

State

     1,891       1,184       798
    


 


 

Total

   $ 8,155     $ 5,867     $ 4,140
    


 


 

Deferred

                      

Federal

   $ (720 )   $ (339 )   $ 58

State

     (739 )     (69 )     148
    


 


 

     $ (1,459 )   $ (408 )   $ 206
    


 


 

Federal

   $ 5,544     $ 4,344     $ 3,400

State

     1,152       1,115       946

Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

     —         —         —  
    


 


 

     $ 6,696     $ 5,459     $ 4,346
    


 


 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the cumulative temporary differences, as tax effected, are as follows:

 

     2003

    2002

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Deferred tax assets:

        

Statutory bad debt deduction less than financial statement provision

   $ 3,629     $ 2,225  

Deferred loan fees

     144       78  

Depreciation

     —         155  

Organization cost

     69       88  

State taxes

     —         274  

Impairment of available for sale securities

     370       —    

CRA Partnership income

     72       —    
    


 


Total deferred tax assets

     4,284       2,820  

Deferred tax liabilities:

                

State taxes

     (98 )     —    

Depreciation

     (359 )     —    

Net unrealized gain on available for sale securities and interest rate swaps

     (462 )     (1,213 )

Basis difference -§1031 Like-Kind Exchanges

     (306 )     (338 )

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     (26 )     (11 )

Other

     —         (434 )
    


 


Total deferred tax liabilities

     (1,251 )     (1,996 )
    


 


Deferred income taxes, net

   $ 3,033     $ 824  
    


 


 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. During 2003 and 2002, based on the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Company believes the net deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized.

 

Applicable income taxes in 2003, 2002, and 2001 resulted in effective tax rates of 36.49 percent, 36.87 percent, and 35.90 percent, respectively. The primary reasons for the differences from the federal statutory tax rate of 35 percent are as follows:

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Income tax expenses at federal statutory rate

   $ 6,494     $ 5,082     $ 4,237  

State franchise taxes, net of federal income tax expenses

     749       724       624  

Low income housing tax credit, federal

     (445 )     (285 )     (153 )

Tax-advantaged interest income

     (56 )     (48 )     (53 )

Dividend received deduction for stock investments

     (116 )     (147 )     (107 )

Others, net

     70       133       (202 )
    


 


 


     $ 6,696     $ 5,459     $ 4,346  
    


 


 


 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

11. LONG-TERM SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE

 

Center Capital Trust I is a Delaware business trust formed by the Company for the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred securities fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. During the fourth quarter of 2003, Center Capital Trust I issued 18,000 Capital Trust Preferred Securities (“TP Securities”), with a liquidation value of $1,000 per security, for gross proceeds of $18,000,000. The entire proceeds of the issuance were invested by Center Capital Trust I in $18,000,000 of Junior Long-term Subordinated Debentures (the “Subordinated Debentures”) issued by the Company, with identical maturity, repricing and payment terms as the TP Securities. The Subordinated Debentures represent the sole assets of Center Capital Trust I. The Subordinated Debentures mature on January 7, 2034, bear a current interest rate of 4.01% (based on 3-month LIBOR plus 2.85%), with repricing and payments due quarterly in arrears on January 7, April 7, July 7, and October 7 of each year commencing April 7, 2004. The Subordinated Debentures are redeemable by the Company, subject to receipt by the Company of prior approval from the Federal Reserve Bank, on any January 7th, April 7th, July 7th, and October 7th on or after April 7, 2009 at the Redemption Price. Redemption price means 100% of the principal amount of Subordinated Debentures being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Subordinated Debentures to the Redemption Date, or in case of redemption due to the occurrence of a Special Event, to the Special Redemption Date if such Redemption Date is on or after April 7, 2009. The TP Securities are subject to mandatory redemption to the extent of any early redemption of the Subordinated Debentures and upon maturity of the Subordinated Debentures on January 7, 2034.

 

Holders of the TP Securities are entitled to a cumulative cash distribution on the liquidation amount of $1,000 per security at a current rate per annum of 4.01%. Interest rate defined as per annum rate of interest, reset quarterly, equal to LIBOR immediately preceding each interest payment date (January 7, April 7, July 7, and October 7 of each year) plus 2.85%. The distributions on the TP Securities are treated as interest expense in the consolidated statement of income. The Company has the option to defer payment of the distributions for a period of up to five years, as long as the Company is not in default on the payment of interest on the Subordinated Debentures. The TP Securities issued in the offering were sold in private transactions pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, distributions and other payments due on the TP Securities.

 

Historically, issuer trusts that issued trust preferred securities have been consolidated by their parent companies and trust preferred securities have been treated as eligible for Tier 1 capital treatment by bank holding companies under Federal Reserve rules and regulations relating to minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. Applying the provisions of FIN 46 the Company is no longer being to consolidate the issuer trusts, beginning on December 31, 2003, in preparing its financial statements. Although the Federal Reserve has stated in its July 2, 2003 Supervisory Letter that trust preferred securities will be treated as Tier 1 capital until notice is given to the contrary, the Supervisory Letter also indicates that the Federal Reserve will review the regulatory implications of any accounting treatment changes and will provide further guidance if necessary or warranted.

 

As of December 31, 2003, in accordance with FIN 46 (revised December 2003), the Center Capital Trust I is not reported on a consolidated basis. Therefore, the capital securities of $18,000,000 do not appear on the balance sheet. Instead, the long-term subordinated debentures of $18,000,000 payable by Center Financial to the Center Capital Trust I and the investment in the Center Capital Trust I ’s common stock of $557,000 is included in other assets are separately reported. This change primarily impacted the balance sheet and had no effect on reported net income.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company leases its premises under noncancelable operating leases. At December 31, 2003, future minimum rental commitments under these leases are as follows:

 

Year


   Amount

     (Dollars in thousands)

2004

   $ 1,107

2005

     1,030

2006

     502

2007

     407

2008

     285

Thereafter

     960
    

     $ 4,291
    

 

Rental expense recorded under such leases amounted to approximately $1,040,000 in 2003, $900,000 in 2002, and $725,000 in 2001.

 

From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation. If litigation arises against the Company, the Company will vigorously enforce and defend the Company’s rights. However, some litigation may result in significant expense to the Company and divert the efforts of the management from its day-to-day responsibilities. In the event of an adverse result in litigation, the Company could also be required to pay substantial damages. The Company has insurance against certain types of claims, but the Company does not have insurance for all claims that may be asserted against the Company.

 

On or about March 3, 2003, we were served with a complaint filed by Korea Export Insurance Corporation (“KEIC”) in Orange County, California Superior Court, entitled Korea Export Insurance Corporation v. Korea Data Systems (USA), Inc., et al. KEIC is seeking to recover alleged losses from a number of parties involved in international trade transactions that gave rise to bills of exchange financed by various Korean Banks but not ultimately paid. We believe we have meritorious defenses against the claims made by KEIC and the party alleged to have accepted bills of exchange. However, we cannot predict the outcome of this litigation, and it will be expensive and time-consuming to defend. While it is possible that a portion of the claims may ultimately be covered by insurance, it is unlikely that this determination can be made until after the final disposition of the case. If the outcome of this litigation is adverse to us, and we are required to pay significant monetary damages, our financial condition and results of operations are likely to be materially and adversely affected.

 

13. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

In October 2003 the Company paid a cash dividend of 8 cents per share, for a total of $641,000 (see “Quarterly Dividends” below).

 

As a banking holding company which currently has no significant assets other than our equity interest in Center Bank, our ability to pay dividends primarily depends upon the dividends we receive from Center Bank. The dividend practice of Center Bank, like our dividend practice, will depend upon its earnings, financial position, current and anticipated cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by Center Bank’s board of directors at that time. The dividend practices of both Center Bank and Center Financial are restricted by state and federal law as well as by regulatory requirements (see “Item 5—Market for Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters—Dividends”). In addition, during any period in which Center Financial has deferred payment of interest otherwise due and payable on its subordinated debt securities, we may not make any

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

dividends or distributions with respect to our capital stock. See “Item 1, Business—Recent Developments” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Capital Resources.”

 

Quarterly Dividends - We paid a cash dividend of 8 cents per share in February 2004 and October 2003 and currently plan to continue to pay cash dividends on a quarterly basis. However, the amount of any such dividend will be determined each quarter by our Board of Directors in its discretion, based on the factors described in the previous paragraph. No assurance can be given that the Bank’s and the Company’s future performance will justify the payment of dividends in any particular quarter. In addition, during 2003, 2001, and 2000, the Company paid 8%, 11%, and 13% in stock dividends, respectively.

 

Stock Options - The Company has a Stock Option Plan, adopted in 1996, under which options may be granted to key employees and directors of the Company. The Stock Option Plan authorized the issuance of up to 2,050,338 shares of the Company’s unissued common stock, reflecting stock splits and stock dividends issued, as of December 31, 2003. Under the Stock Option Plan, option prices may not be less than 100% of the fair market value at the date of grant. Options may be exercised at the rate of 33 1/3% per year for directors (Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan) and 20% per year for employees (Incentive Stock Option Plan) and all options not exercised expire ten years after the date of grant.

 

The following is a summary of activities in the stock option plan for the years ended December 31:

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

     # of Shares

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   # of Shares

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   # of Shares

    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


Outstanding at beginning of year

   1,206,154     $ 3.86    1,538,238     $ 3.24    1,415,716     $ 3.82

Effect on options due to stock dividend

   85,376       4.01    158,330       3.22    176,536       2.79

Granted

   44,000       8.98    316,000       5.75    270,000       5.03

Forfeited

   (24,328 )     5.09    (116,160 )     3.69    (35,422 )     3.42

Exercised

   (653,602 )     2.81    (690,254 )     2.51    (288,592 )     2.45
    

        

        

     

Outstanding, end of year

   657,600     $ 4.70    1,206,154     $ 3.86    1,538,238     $ 3.24
    

        

        

     

Options exercisable at year-end

   175,198     $ 3.55    554,244     $ 2.67    975,356     $ 2.70
    

        

        

     

Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year

         $ 2.00          $ 1.81          $ 2.10

 

The fair values of options granted under the Company’s Stock Option Plan during 2003, 2002 and 2001, was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following assumptions used: including dividend yield; expected life of three to five years; expected volatility of 23%, 24%, and 54% for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The assumptions used included dividend yield of 1.2% for 2003, 0% for 2002 and 2001; and a risk-free interest rate of 3.0%, 4.9%, and 4.3% for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Information pertaining to stock options outstanding at December 31, 2003 is as follows:

 

       Options Outstanding

     Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercise Prices


     Number
Outstanding


     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life


     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


     Number
Exercisable


     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


$1.93 –     2.50

     23,908      4.50 years      $ 2.28      23,908      $ 2.28

$2.51 –     3.50

     148,304      6.40 years      $ 3.04      88,586      $ 3.02

$3.51 –     5.00

     135,468      7.30 years      $ 4.15      25,768      $ 3.96

$5.01 –     6.00

     288,640      8.97 years      $ 5.26      36,936      $ 5.33

$6.01 – $  7.25

     27,280      9.50 years      $ 6.37      —          —  

$7.26 – $10.75

     34,000      10.00 years      $ 9.82      —          —  
      
    
    

    
    

       657,600      7.87 years      $ 4.70      175,198      $ 3.55
      
    
    

    
    

 

14. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations at December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001. Earnings per share data have been restated for all periods presented to reflect the 2 to 1 stock split declared on January 30, 2004. (See Note 23)

 

     Income

   Weighted
Average
# of
Shares


   Per Share
Amount


 
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

2003

                    

Basic EPS—

                    

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 11,652    15,676    $ 0.74  

Effect of Dilutive Securities—

                    

Options

     —      508    $ (0.02 )

Diluted EPS—

                    

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 11,652    16,184    $ 0.72  

2002

                    

Basic EPS—

                    

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 9,347    14,922    $ 0.63  

Effect of Dilutive Securities—

                    

Options

     —      425    $ (0.02 )

Diluted EPS—

                    

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 9,347    15,347    $ 0.61  

2001

                    

Basic EPS—

                    

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 7,760    14,441    $ 0.54  

Effect of Dilutive Securities—

                    

Options

     —      414    $ (0.02 )

Diluted EPS—

                    

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 7,760    14,855    $ 0.52  

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

15. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

 

The Company has an Employees’ Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (the “Plan”), as amended in 2000, for the benefit of substantially all of its employees who have reached a minimum age of 21 years. Each employee is allowed to contribute to the Plan up to the maximum percentage allowable, not to exceed the limits of IRS Code Sections 401(k), 404 and 415. The Company’s matching contribution will equal the sum of 75 percent of the employee’s contribution up to 4 percent of his/her compensation plus 25 percent of the employee’s contribution that exceeds 4 percent but less than 8 percent of his/her compensation. The Company may also make a discretionary contribution, which is not limited to the current or accumulated net profit, as well as a qualified nonelective contribution, with both amounts determined by the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, the Company has made matching contributions of $163,000, $155,000, and $158,000, respectively, and no discretionary or qualified nonelective contributions.

 

16. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, commercial letters of credit, standby letters of credit and performance bonds. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheets.

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual notional amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since certain of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of the collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower.

 

Commercial letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and performance bonds are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in making loans to customers. The Company generally holds collateral supporting those commitments if deemed necessary.

 

A summary of the notional amounts of the Company’s financial instruments relating to extension of credit with off-balance-sheet risk at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 follows:

 

Outstanding Commitments (Dollars in thousands)

 

     December 31, 2003

   December 31, 2002

Loans

   $ 113,950    $ 100,991

Standby letters of credit

     6,165      4,278

Performance bonds

     112      183

Commercial letters of credit

     19,135      13,934

 

The Company has an employment agreement with its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Seon Hong Kim commencing September 1, 2001 for a term of three years with an initial base salary of $240,000 per

 

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year with annual increases based on increases in the consumer price index not to exceed 7%, plus an incentive bonus equal to three percent of the Company’s pre-tax earnings for the year which exceed the Company’s pre-tax earnings for the previous year. In the event of termination without cause due to a merger or corporate reorganization where there is a change in more than 25% ownership of the Company, Mr. Kim is entitled to receive the balance of the salary due under the Agreement or twelve (12) months severance pay, whichever is less.

 

17. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company has identified certain variable-rate loans as a source of interest rate risk to be hedged in connection with the Company’s overall asset-liability management process. As these loans have contractually variable rates, there is a risk of fluctuation in interest income as interest rates rise and fall in future periods. In response to this identified risk, the Company uses interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the cash flows of the specifically identified variable-rate loans. To qualify for hedge accounting, the Company must demonstrate that at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument are expected to be perfectly effective in offsetting related changes in the cash flows of the hedged loans due to the matched terms in both the interest rate swaps and the hedged loans. Accordingly, the change in the fair value of the cash flow hedge recorded in a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of tax, while the ineffective portions are recognized in earnings immediately. Revenues or expenses associated with the interest rate swaps are accounted for on an accrual basis and are recognized as adjustments to interest income on loans, based on the interest rates currently in effect for the interest rate swap agreement.

 

To replace a maturing interest rate swap with a notional value of $20 million on October 30, 2003, the Company entered into a new interest rate swap receiving a fixed rate stream of 6.25% and paying prime with a 4 year term. As of December 31, 2003, including the newly entered interest rate swap, the Company had four interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $85 million, wherein the Company receives a fixed rate of 6.89%, 6.25%, 5.51% and 6.25% at quarterly intervals, respectively. The Company pays a floating rate at quarterly intervals for all four interest rate swaps based on the Wall Street Journal published Prime Rate, on notional amounts of $20,000,000, $25,000,000, $20,000,000, and $20,000,000, respectively and these contracts mature on May 10, 2005, August 15, 2006, December 19, 2005, and August 25, 2007, respectively. At December 31, 2003, the Wall Street Journal published Prime Rate was 4.00 percent. Net interest income of $1,946,000, $924,000 and $65,000 was recorded for the year sended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. At December 31, 2003, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was at a favorable position of $1,113,000 net of tax of $808,000, as compared to favorable position of $895,000, net of tax of $649,000 at December 31, 2002 and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the related fair value of the interest rate swap of $1,921,000 and $1,544,000, respectively, was included in other assets. In August 2002, the Company terminated a $25 million notional amount interest rate swap with a gain of $201,000, which had been recognized over the remaining term of the interest rate swap agreement until October 2003 as a yield adjustment of the underlying loans.

 

The credit risk associated with the interest rate swap agreements represents the accounting loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if the counterparty failed completely to perform as contracted and any collateral or security proved to be of no value. To reduce such credit risk, the Company evaluates the counterparty’s credit rating and financial position. In Management’s opinion, the Company does not have a significant exposure to an individual counterparty before the maturity of the interest rate swap agreements, because the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements are large banks with strong credit ratings.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

18. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The estimated fair value of financial instruments has been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies available to management at December 31, 2003 and 2002. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data in order to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. Furthermore, fair values disclosed hereinafter do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the instruments for sale. Potential taxes and other expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement are not reflected in amounts disclosed.

 

The estimated fair values and related carrying amounts of the Bank’s financial instruments are as follows:

 

     December 31, 2003

   December 31, 2002

    

Carrying
or

Contract

Amount


  

Estimated

Fair Value


  

Carrying
or

Contract

Amount


  

Estimated

Fair Value


     (Dollars in thousands)

Assets:

                           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 140,961    $ 140,961    $ 114,377    $ 114,377

Investment securities available for sale

     110,126      110,126      140,998      140,998

Investment securities held to maturity

     15,390      15,656      15,741      16,289

Loans receivable, net

     717,008      721,419      521,217      525,370

Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity stock

     2,578      2,578      817      817

Customers’ liability on acceptances

     4,492      4,492      4,257      4,257

Accrued interest receivable

     3,085      3,085      3,269      3,269

Liabilities:

                           

Deposits

   $ 867,865    $ 869,113    $ 727,020    $ 728,462

Other borrowed funds

     50,671      50,826      17,565      18,208

Acceptances outstanding

     4,492      4,492      4,257      4,257

Accrued interest payable

     2,431      2,431      2,576      2,576

Long-term subordinated debentures

     18,557      18,622      —        —  
    

  

  

  

Off-balance sheet items:

                           

Commitments to extend credit

     113,950    $ 855      100,991    $ 757

Standby letters of credit

     6,165      108      4,278      75

Commercial letters of credit

     19,135      72      13,934      52

Performance bonds

     112      2      183      3
    

  

  

  

Derivative:

                           

Interest rate swap asset (liability)

   $ 1,921    $ 1,921    $ 1,544    $ 1,544
    

  

  

  

 

The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value are explained below:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Banks—The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these investments.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Securities—The fair value of securities is generally obtained from market bids from similar or identical securities, or obtained from independent securities brokers or dealers.

 

Loans—Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics, primarily fixed and adjustable rate interest terms. The fair values of fixed rate loans are based on discounted cash flows utilizing applicable risk-adjusted spreads relative to the current pricing of similar fixed rate loans, as well as anticipated repayment schedules. The fair value of adjustable rate loans is based on the estimated discounted cash flows utilizing the discount rates that approximate the pricing of loans collateralized by similar properties or assets. The fair value of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was not estimated because it is not practicable to reasonably assess the credit adjustment that would be applied in the marketplace for such loans. The estimated fair value is net of allowance for loan losses, deferred loan fees, and deferred gain on SBA loans.

 

Federal Home Loan Bank and Other Equity Stock—The carrying amount approximates fair value, as the stocks may be sold back to the Federal Reserve Bank, the Federal Home Loan Bank and other bank at carrying value.

 

Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable—The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

 

Customer’s Liability on Acceptances and Acceptances Outstanding—The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets.

 

Deposits—The fair value of nonmaturity deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. Nonmaturity deposits include noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts, and money market accounts. Discounted cash flows have been used to value term deposits such as certificates of deposit. The discount rate used is based on interest rates currently being offered by the Company on comparable deposits as to amount and term.

 

Other Borrowed Funds—Mostly consist of FHLB advances. The fair values of FHLB advances are estimated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows, using rates currently offered by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco for fixed-rate credit advances with similar remaining maturities at each reporting date.

 

Long-term subordinated debentures—The fair value of long-term subordinated debentures are estimated by discounting the cash flows through maturity based on prevailing rates offered on the 30-year Treasury bond at each reporting date.

 

Loan Commitments, Letters of Credit, and Performance Bond—The fair value of loan commitments and standby letters of credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present credit worthiness of the counterparties. For fixed-rate commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair value of commercial letters of credit and performance bonds is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. Furthermore, fair values disclosed hereinafter do no reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the instruments for sale. Potential taxes and other expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement are not reflected in amounts disclosed.

 

Interest Rate Swap—The fair value of interest rate swap is based on the quoted market prices obtained from an independent pricing service.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

19. REGULATORY MATTERS

 

Risk-Based Capital—The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

 

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain specific total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification which management believes have changed the category of the Bank.

 

The actual and required capital amounts and ratios at December 31, 2003 and 2002 are presented as follows:

 

     Actual

   

For Capital Adequacy

Purposes


   

To Be Well Capitalized

Under Prompt Corrective

Action Provisions


 
     Amount

   Ratio

      Amount  

     Ratio  

    Amount

   Ratio

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

As of December 31, 2003:

                                       

Total capital (to Risk-weighted Assets)

                                       

Consolidated Company

   $ 103,636    12.67 %   $ 65,414    8.0 %   $ 81,768    10.0 %

Center Bank

   $ 103,060    12.62 %   $ 65,351    8.0 %   $ 81,689    10.0 %

Tier I capital (to Risk-weighted Assets)

                                       

Consolidated Company

   $ 94,537    11.56 %   $ 32,707    4.0 %   $ 49,061    6.0 %

Center Bank

   $ 93,961    11.50 %   $ 32,676    4.0 %   $ 49,013    6.0 %

Tier I capital (to Average Assets)

                                       

Consolidated Company

   $ 94,537    10.69 %   $ 35,377    4.0 %   $ 44,221    5.0 %

Center Bank

   $ 93,961    10.63 %   $ 35,372    4.0 %   $ 44,215    5.0 %

As of December 31, 2002:

                                       

Total capital (to Risk-weighted Assets)

                                       

Consolidated Company

   $ 70,197    11.44 %   $ 49,070    8.0 %   $ 61,318    10.0 %

Center Bank

   $ 70,029    11.42 %   $ 49,054    8.0 %   $ 61,318    10.0 %

Tier I capital (to Risk-weighted Assets)

                                       

Consolidated Company

   $ 63,394    10.34 %   $ 24,535    4.0 %   $ 36,791    6.0 %

Center Bank

   $ 63,225    10.31 %   $ 24,527    4.0 %   $ 36,791    6.0 %

Tier I capital (to Average Assets)

                                       

Consolidated Company

   $ 63,394    9.48 %   $ 26,756    4.0 %   $ 33,435    5.0 %

Center Bank

   $ 63,225    9.45 %   $ 26,748    4.0 %   $ 33,435    5.0 %

 

20. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The following disclosure about segments of the Company is made in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. The Company segregates its operations into three primary segments: Banking Operations, Trade Finance Services (“TFS”), and Small

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Business Administration Lending Services (“SBA”). The Company determines the operating results of each segment based on an internal management system that allocates certain expenses to each segment. Net interest income is based on the Company’s internal funds transfer pricing system which assigns a cost of funds or credit for funds to assets or liabilities based on their type, maturity or repricing characteristics. Noninterest income and noninterest expense, including depreciation and amortization, directly attributable to a segment are assigned to that business. Indirect costs, including overhead expense, are allocated to the segments based on several factors, including, but not limited to, full-time equivalent employees, loan volume and deposit volume. The provision for credit losses is allocated based on actual loans originated. The Company evaluates overall performance based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes.

 

Future changes in the Company’s management structure or reporting methodologies may result in changes in the measurement of operating segment results.

 

Banking Operations—Banking Operations provides deposit products and lending products including commercial, installment, and real estate loans to its customers. Banking Operations also manages the Company’s investment, liquidity, and interest rate risk.

 

Trade Finance Services—The Trade Finance department allows the Company’s import/export customers to handle their international transactions. Trade finance products include the issuance and collection of letters of credit, international collection, and import/export financing.

 

Small Business Administration Lending Services—The SBA department provides customers of the Company access to the U.S. SBA-guaranteed lending program.

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following tables present the operating results and other key financial measures for the individual operating segments for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001:

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2003

     (Dollars in thousands)
    

Banking

Operations


   Trade Finance

    SBA

   Total

Interest income

   $ 34,814    $ 3,526     $ 5,318    $ 43,658

Interest expense

     10,872      771       —        11,643
    

  


 

  

Net interest income

     23,942      2,755       5,318      32,015

Provision for loan losses

     2,030      (293 )     263      2,000
    

  


 

  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     21,912      3,048       5,055      30,015

Other operating income

     10,797      2,888       2,867      16,552

Other operating expenses

     24,607      2,489       1,123      28,219
    

  


 

  

Segment pretax profit

   $ 8,102    $ 3,447     $ 6,799    $ 18,348
    

  


 

  

Segment assets

   $ 826,238    $ 100,641     $ 100,487    $ 1,027,366
    

  


 

  

     Year Ended December 31, 2002

     (Dollars in thousands)
    

Banking

Operations


   Trade Finance

    SBA

   Total

Interest income

   $ 30,513    $ 2,808     $ 4,186    $ 37,507

Interest expense

     9,001      818       1,225      11,044
    

  


 

  

Net interest income

     21,512      1,990       2,961      26,463

Provision for loan losses

     1,681      366       53      2,100
    

  


 

  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     19,831      1,624       2,908      24,363

Other operating income

     8,638      3,072       2,078      13,788

Other operating expenses

     19,108      2,751       1,486      23,345
    

  


 

  

Segment pretax profit

   $ 9,361    $ 1,945     $ 3,500    $ 14,806
    

  


 

  

Segment assets

   $ 667,531    $ 65,224     $ 85,869    $ 818,624
    

  


 

  

     Year Ended December 31, 2001

     (Dollars in thousands)
    

Banking

Operations


   Trade Finance

    SBA

   Total

Interest income

   $ 28,302    $ 3,615     $ 4,206    $ 36,123

Interest expense

     10,486      1,248       2,015      13,749
    

  


 

  

Net interest income

     17,816      2,367       2,191      22,374

Provision for loan losses

     385      574       241      1,200
    

  


 

  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     17,431      1,793       1,950      21,174

Other operating income

     6,744      3,084       858      10,686

Other operating expenses

     15,611      2,895       1,248      19,754
    

  


 

  

Segment pretax profit

   $ 8,564    $ 1,982     $ 1,560    $ 12,106
    

  


 

  

Segment assets

   $ 482,253    $ 43,593     $ 60,827    $ 586,673
    

  


 

  

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

21. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

Summarized quarterly financial data follows:

 

     Three Months Ended

     March 31

   June 30

   September 30

   December 31

     (In thousands except per share data)

2003

                           

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

   $ 7,366    $ 7,637    $ 8,011    $ 9,001

Provision for loan losses

   $ 400    $ 550    $ 800    $ 250

Net income

   $ 2,525    $ 3,079    $ 3,004    $ 3,044

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.16    $ 0.20    $ 0.19    $ 0.19

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.16    $ 0.19    $ 0.19    $ 0.18
    

  

  

  

2002

                           

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

   $ 6,004    $ 6,525    $ 6,885    $ 7,049

Provision for loan losses

   $ 100    $ 400    $ 400    $ 1,200

Net income

   $ 2,141    $ 1,914    $ 2,808    $ 2,484

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.15    $ 0.13    $ 0.19    $ 0.16

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.14    $ 0.13    $ 0.18    $ 0.16
    

  

  

  

 

22. PARENT ONLY CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company commenced operations on October 28, 2002. As a result, comparative financial information is not available for periods prior to January 1, 2002. The information below is presented as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 for the years then ended as if the reorganization had taken place on January 1, 2002.

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     2003

   2002

Assets:

             

Cash

   $ 76    $ 6

Investment in subsidiaries

     96,179      65,236

Other Assets

     645      —  
    

  

Total Assets

   $ 96,900    $ 65,242
    

  

Long-term subordinated debenture

     18,557      —  

Other liabilities

     82      36
    

  

Total Liabilities

     18,639      36
    

  

Shareholders’ Equity

             

Serial preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, none

     —        —  

Common stock, no par value; authorized 40,0000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 16,048,520 as of December 31, 2003 and 14,245,224 as of December 31, 2002

     63,438      51,831

Retained earnings

     14,186      11,704

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

     637      1,671
    

  

Total shareholders’ equity

     78,261      65,206

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 96,900    $ 65,242
    

  

 

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CENTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     2003

    2002

 

Equity in earnings of Center Bank

   $ 11,842     $ 9,688  

Other operating expenses, net

     (190 )     (341 )
    


 


Net income

   $ 11,652     $ 9,347  
    


 


 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     2003

    2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 11,652     $ 9,347  

Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Equity in undistributed income of the Bank

     (11,842 )     (9,688 )

Net change in other assets

     (1,134 )     (1,928 )

Increase in liabilities

     72       36  
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (12,904 )     (11,580 )

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Capital contribution to subsidiary

     (18,000 )     —    

Dividends received from the Bank

     250       510  
    


 


Net cash provided by investing activities

     (17,750 )     510  

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Proceeds from issuance of long-term subordinated debentures

     18,000       —    

Payment of debt issue cost

     (120 )     —    

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     1,836       1,730  

Payment of cash dividend

     (641 )     —    

Stock dividend paid in cash for fractional shares

     (3 )     (1 )
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     19,072       1,729  
    


 


Net increase in cash

     70       6  

Cash, beginning of year

     6       —    
    


 


Cash, end of year

   $ 76     $ 6  
    


 


 

23. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

On January 16, 2004, the Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividend of 8 cents per share. This cash dividend was paid on February 11, 2004 to shareholders of record as of January 28, 2004.

 

On January 22, 2004, the Company entered into a definitive Branch Purchase and Assumption Agreement to acquire the branch operations of Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) in Chicago, Illinois. The Agreement calls for Center Bank’s assumption of approximately $16.2 million in FDIC insured deposits and the purchase of approximately $13 million in loans from KEB’s Chicago branch. All regulatory approvals have been received. The anticipated closing date for this transaction is on or about April 23, 2004. The Agreement specifies a premium of $350,000 plus 10% of average Core Deposits, and 5% of average certain other deposits for 30 days prior to the close.

 

On January 30, 2004 Center Financial declared a two-for-one stock split of its common shares. Shareholders received one additional share of common stock for each share they held as of February 17, 2004. The company had about 16 million shares outstanding and the Company’s authorized common stock was doubled to 40 million shares after the split.

 

On February 20, 2004, Center Financial Corporation and Liberty Bank of New York announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding whereby Center Financial Corporation will acquire Liberty Bank in a cash transaction and Liberty Bank will be merged into Center Bank. Upon successful completion of due diligence, Center Financial and Liberty Bank intend to move forward to execute a definitive agreement.

 

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 (e) as of the end of the period covered by this report have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report was being prepared.

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls

 

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors in the fourth quarter of 2003 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT (See Item 14 below)

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (See Item 14 below)

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2003, with respect to options outstanding and available under our 1996 Stock Option Plan, which is our only equity compensation plan other than an employee benefit plan meeting the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code:

 

Plan Category


  

Number of Securities

to be Issued

Upon Exercise of

Outstanding Options

(1)


  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price

of Outstanding

Options (1)


  

Number of Securities

Remaining Available

for Future Issuance

(1)


Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   657,600    $ 4.70    1,392,728

(1) Above figures do not reflect the effect of the two-for-one stock split effective February 17, 2004

 

Other Information Concerning Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The remainder of the information required by Item 12 will be contained in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which the Company will file with the SEC within 120 days after the close of the Company’s 2003 fiscal year in accordance with SEC Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such information is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS (See Item 14 below)

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

The information required by items 10,11, 13 and 14 listed above will be contained in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which the Company will file with the SEC within 120 days after the close of the Company’s 2003 fiscal year in accordance with SEC Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such information is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description


2.1   

Plan of Reorganization and Agreement of Merger dated June 7, 2002

among California Center Bank, Center Financial Corporation and CCB Merger Company1

2.2    Branch Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated January 7, 2004
3.1    Restated Articles of Incorporation of Center Financial Corporation1
3.2    Restated Bylaws of Center Financial Corporation1
10.1    Employment Agreement between California Center Bank and Seon Hong Kim1
10.2   

California Center Bank 1996 Stock Option Plan1

(assumed by Registrant in the reorganization)

10.3    Lease for Corporate Headquarters Office1
10.4    Indenture dated as of December 30, 2003 between Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, and Center Financial Corporation, as Issuer
10.5    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Center Capital Trust I, dated as of December 30, 2003
10.6    Guarantee Agreement between Center Financial and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association dated as of December 30, 2003
11    Statement of Computation of Earnings Per Share (included in Note 14 to consolidated audited financial statements included herein)
21    Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Section 302 Certification)
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer (Section 302 Certification)
32    Certification of Periodic Financial Report (Section 906 Certification)

 

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedules to the financial statements are omitted because the required information is not applicable or because the required information is presented in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements or related notes.

 

(c) Reports on Form 8-K

 

The registrant filed a report, dated October 22, 2003, on Form 8-K under items 5 and 7 regarding the financial results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2003.


1 Incorporated by reference from Exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on June 14, 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized:

 

Date: March 29, 2004

 

/s/    SEON HONG KIM        


   

Seon Hong Kim

President & Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 29, 2004

 

/s/    YONG HWA KIM        


   

Yong Hwa Kim

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/s/    SEON HONG KIM        


Seon Hong Kim

  

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

  March 29, 2004

/s/    CHUNG HYUN LEE        


Chung Hyun Lee

  

Chairman of the Board

  March 29, 2004

/s/    DAVID Z. HONG        


David Z. Hong

  

Director

  March 29, 2004

/s/    JIN CHUL JHUNG        


Jin Chul Jhung

  

Director

  March 29, 2004

/s/    CHANG HWI KIM        


Chang Hwi Kim

  

Director

  March 29, 2004

/s/    PETER Y. S. KIM        


Peter Y. S. Kim

  

Director

  March 29, 2004

/s/    SANG HOON KIM        


Sang Hoon Kim

  

Director

  March 29, 2004

/s/    MONICA M. YOON        


Monica M. Yoon

  

Director

  March 29, 2004

/s/    WARREN A. MACKEY        


Warren A. Mackey

  

Director

  March 29, 2004

/s/    YONG HWA KIM        


Yong Hwa Kim

  

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

  March 29, 2004

 

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