Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K - WESTERN LIBERTY BANCORPd301806d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO    LOGO

Contact: Patricia Ochal, Chief Financial Officer

             (702) 966-7400

  

NEWS RELEASE

Western Liberty Bancorp Reports 2011 Financial Results

Tangible Book Value Increased to $5.60 per Share Following Share Repurchases

Las Vegas, NV — February 13, 2012—Western Liberty Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: WLBC), the holding company for Service1st Bank of Nevada (Service1st Bank) and Las Vegas Sunset Properties (LVSP), today reported its tangible book value per increased to $5.60 from $5.54 in the prior quarter. Western Liberty also reported it lost $14.2 million, or $0.96 per share, in 2011, following an $8.7 million provision for loan losses for the year and a third quarter non-cash charge of $5.6 million for goodwill impairment which was partially offset by the $1.8 million reduction in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability related to the Service1st acquisition. All financial results for 2011 are unaudited.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the net loss totaled $2.4 million, or $0.17 per share, which includes a $1.3 million provision for loan losses. Before the acquisition of Service1st Bank on October 28, 2010, Western Liberty had no operating entity. Consequently the comparisons for the year ago periods, reflect only two months of operations of Service1st Bank.

“To expedite the resolution of nonperforming assets, we formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Las Vegas Sunset Properties (LSVP), and transferred $4.0 million in foreclosed properties into LVSP from Service1st Bank in the fourth quarter of 2011,” said William Martin, Chief Executive Officer. “In January, we also moved $11.5 million in nonperforming loans (NPLs) to LVSP. Following the January transfer of NPLs, the Bank’s ratio of classified assets to Tier 1 capital plus reserves improved to 48.4%.

“With our extremely strong capital levels, we repurchased 934,987 shares during the fourth quarter at an average cost of $2.34 per share, bringing total shares repurchased during the second half of the year to 1.6 million at an average cost of $2.59 per share,” Martin continued.


Western Liberty Reports 2011 Financial Results

February 13, 2012

Page 2 of 8

 

“While the national and local economic indicators are starting to improve, we are continuing to see asset quality decline, although at a slower pace than in past quarters,” said Patricia Ochal, Chief Financial Officer. Nonaccrual loans increased to $24.1 million, of which $15.9 million are loans that have been modified or restructured. During the year, these troubled debt restructured (TDR) loans were written down to $14.6 million from $20.0 million, and $1.9 million of the TDR’s are paying on time. “As a result of the decline in asset quality, we are increasing our allowance for loan losses, which was eliminated last year under fair value accounting standards during the merger. Consequently, the allowance for loans losses is now 2.85% of total portfolio loans.”

Financial Highlights (at or for the quarter ended December 31, 2011)

 

   

Service1st Bank has exceptionally strong capital ratios with Tier 1 Capital/Total risk-weighted assets of 28.4%.

 

   

Western Liberty also has exceptionally strong capital ratios with Tier 1 Capital/Total risk-weighted assets of 70.4%.

 

   

Tangible book value increased to $5.60 per share, based on 13,466,535 shares outstanding.

 

   

Total cash and cash equivalents held by Western Liberty is $89.4 million, of which $29.3 million is at the holding company level and $12.9 million is at LVSP.

 

   

Noninterest bearing deposits accounted for 42% of total deposits and core deposits (excluding time certificates of $100,000 or more) are 78% of total deposits.

 

   

Western Liberty repurchased 1,574,400 shares at an average cost of $2.59 as of December 31, 2011.

Nevada Economic Update

“As shown below, a variety of measures show that Nevada economic activity began a slow recovery in 2011,” said Stephen P. A. Brown, PhD, Director, Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in his January 25th Economic Outlook. “The Nevada economy should continue to see improvement in 2012 and 2013. The gains will be stronger in the second half of 2012 than in the first, and the gains in 2013 will be stronger than in 2012.”


Western Liberty Reports 2011 Financial Results

February 13, 2012

Page 3 of 8

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,

Nevada Economic Indicators (percent change)

     2010     2011     2012     2013  

So. Nevada Visitor Volume

       2.7     4.8     5.1     5.3

NV Gross Gaming Revenue

       1.0     2.9     4.3     4.5

So. Nevada Hotel Rooms

       0.0     0.7     -0.1     0.2

NV Population

       0.5     0.2     0.8     1.2

NV Employment

       -2.8     0.1     1.0     1.5

NV Unemployment Rate*

       14.9     12.6     11.9     9.6

NV Personal Income

       1.8     3.9     4.2     4.5

NV Housing Permits

       15.2     -9.4     3.8     5.0

Note: *Unemployment rate in December.

Sources: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; State of Nevada Gaming Control Board; Nevada State

Demographer; Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation; Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis;

Center for Business and Economic Research, UNLV.

“To sum it up, the Nevada economy has begun a long-awaited recovery,” Brown continued. “Because the Nevada economy is heavily dependent on tourism, its outlook is tied to the growth of the U.S. and western states’ economies. Nevada cannot look to real estate for its economic growth right now. Diversification will pay dividends in the future.

“We are already seeing a recovery in tourism — particularly in Southern Nevada. Continued gains can be expected to continue into 2012 and 2013. The national economy is on a path for a gradual acceleration of economic growth over the next few years. As the recoveries in the United States and western states’ economies advance, they will further stimulate Southern Nevada tourism.”

Additional reports on the Nevada economy can be found on the CBER website, which can be found at http://cber.unlv.edu. Sources: http://business.unlv.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CBERonNevadaEconomy-Jan2012.pdf

Balance Sheet Review

Western Liberty’s total assets declined 4% to $198.3 million at December 31, 2011, from $206.1 million at September 30, 2011, and fell 23% from $257.5 million from a year ago. Total loans were $101.9 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $101.8 million at September 30, 2011, and $106.3 million at December 31, 2010. Commercial real estate loans accounted for 57% and commercial and industrial loans comprised 35% of the loan portfolio. Construction and land development loans accounted for 3% and residential real estate loans were 5% of total loans at year end. Of the total loan portfolio, 65% is secured by real estate and 32% of the commercial real estate loan portfolio is owner occupied. Half of the loan portfolio is adjustable rate loans, with most of these loans indexed to the national prime rate with interest rate floors above the current prime rate index.


Western Liberty Reports 2011 Financial Results

February 13, 2012

Page 4 of 8

 

Western Liberty’s deposits totaled $121.2 million at December 31, 2011, with 42% in noninterest bearing demand accounts. At September 30, 2011, total deposits were $124.8 million, compared to $160.3 million at December 31, 2010. “Our core deposit base continues to be almost completely local deposits, with no brokered or internet funding in the mix,” said Martin.

“We had two nonrecurring balance sheet adjustments, one asset and one liability, that significantly impacted the income statement this year,” said Ochal. “Based on the current economic climate, our overall performance, and the market value of our shares, we determined that it was appropriate to completely write down the $5.6 million of goodwill carried on our balance sheet. In addition, we eliminated the contingent liability associated with the merger, generating noninterest income of $1.8 million.”

Total shares outstanding were 13.5 million at year end reflecting the recent share repurchase program. Shareholders’ equity was $76.0 million at the end of December compared to $80.7 million at the end of September and $93.8 at the end of December 2010. Tangible book value per share was $5.60 at year end from $5.54 in the preceding quarter and $5.79 a year ago.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets totaled $28.1 million, or 14.2% of total assets at December 31, 2011, compared to $23.0 million, or 11.2% of total assets at September 30, 2011, and $13.8 million, or 5.4% of total assets at December 30, 2010. Loans measured for impairment, which include nonperforming loans as well as loans that continue to perform but have some identified weakness, totaled $26.3 million, or 25.8% of the loan portfolio.

Activity in the allowance for loan losses was as follows:

Allowance for Loan Losses

($ in 000s) unaudited

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
              Commercial      Residential                 Construction /         
       Commercial      RE      RE        Consumer        Land      Total  

Beginning Balance 12/31/2010

       36         —           —             —             —           36   

Provision

       3,901         4,293         15           —             508         8,717   

Recoveries

       268         2         4           —             300         574   

Loan Charge-offs

       (1,935      (3,873      —             —             (600      (6,408
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending Balance 12/31/2011

       2,270         422         19           —             208         2,919   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 


Western Liberty Reports 2011 Financial Results

February 13, 2012

Page 5 of 8

 

Review of Operations

Net interest income, before the provision for loan losses, increased 20% to $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, from $1.5 million in the preceding quarter. For the full year, net interest income, before the provision for loan losses was $9.0 million compared to $1.4 million in 2010. The increase in net interest income in 2011 is primarily a result of having only two months of operations for 2010. Discount accretion contributed $3.6 million to interest income in 2011 compared to $436,000 in 2010.

Western Liberty’s provision for loan losses was $1.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2011. Provision for loan losses was $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.

During the fourth quarter other operating income was $117,000 and $2.4 million in the full year of 2011, which included the $1.8 million in contingent consideration liability reduction. Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2011 declined to $3.0 million from $8.7 million, which included the $5.6 million goodwill impairment charge in the third quarter of 2011. For the year, noninterest expense was $16.9 million compared to $9.1 million in 2010, which only included two months of operations.

In addition, the bank recorded a $111,000 impairment on its other real estate owned (OREO) during the fourth quarter of 2011.

About Western Liberty Bancorp

Western Liberty Bancorp is a Nevada bank holding company which conducts operations through Service1st Bank of Nevada, its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, and its newly created wholly-owned subsidiary Las Vegas Sunset Properties. Service1st Bank operates as a traditional community bank and provides a full range of deposit, lending and other banking services to locally-owned businesses, professional firms, individuals and other customers from its headquarters and two retail banking facilities located in the greater Las Vegas area. Services provided include basic commercial and consumer depository services, commercial working capital and equipment loans, commercial real estate loans, and other traditional commercial banking services. Primarily all of the bank’s business is generated in the Nevada market.

www.wlbancorp.com


Western Liberty Reports 2011 Financial Results

February 13, 2012

Page 6 of 8

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release may contain “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy and management’s plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to Western Liberty or management, are intended to help identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe that management’s expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from our expectations as indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include our ability to maintain or expand our market share or net interest margins, and to implement our marketing and growth strategies. Further, actual results may be affected by our ability to compete on price and other factors with other financial institutions; customer acceptance of new products and services; the regulatory environment in which we operate; and general trends in the local, regional and national banking industry and economy, as those factors relate to our cost of funds and return on assets. In addition, there are risks inherent in the banking industry relating to collectability of loans and changes in interest rates. Many of these risks, as well as other risks that may have a material adverse impact on our operations and business, are identified in our other filings with the SEC. However, you should be aware that these factors are not an exhaustive list, and you should not assume these are the only factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations.

Selected Consolidated Financial Highlights

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)      December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,  

(Unaudited)

     2011     2011     2011     2011     2010  

Per Share data:

            

Book Value

     $ 5.65      $ 5.58      $ 5.91      $ 6.21      $ 6.22   

Tangible Book Value

     $ 5.60      $ 5.54      $ 5.48      $ 5.78      $ 5.79   

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

            

Total Assets

     $ 198,290      $ 206,140      $ 223,343      $ 228,791      $ 257,546   

Cash and cash equivalents

       89,353        95,004        103,426        90,443        103,227   

Gross loans, including net

       101,861        101,776        101,533        102,207        106,259   

deferred loan costs

            

Allowance for loan losses

       2,919        3,005        4,404        1,290        36   

Deposits

       121,226        124,783        131,585        131,813        160,286   

Stockholders’ equity

       76,041        80,673        89,099        93,558        93,829   

Capital Ratios:

            

Tier 1 equity to average assets

       25.70     28.40     31.40     33.00     30.50

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital ratio

       70.37     73.60     70.10     70.60     68.40

Total Risk-Based Capital ratio

       71.59     74.80     71.30     71.70     68.80


Western Liberty Reports 2011 Financial Results

February 13, 2012

Page 7 of 8

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
                         
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)      December 31,      September 30,      December 31,  

(Unaudited)

     2011      2011      2010  

Assets:

          

Cash and due from banks

     $ 11,227       $ 4,815       $ 11,675   

Money market funds

       100         100         52,206   

Interest-bearing deposits in banks

       78,026         90,089         39,346   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

       89,353         95,004         103,227   

Certificates of deposits

       —           246         26,889   

Securities, available for sale

       472         773         1,819   

Securities, held to maturity

       2,031         3,631         5,314   

Loans:

          

Construction, land development and other land

       3,417         3,582         5,923   

Commercial real estate

       58,252         52,058         54,975   

Residential real estate

       4,704         4,674         9,247   

Commercial and industrial

       35,417         41,373         35,946   

Consumer

       30         69         131   

Plus: net deferred loan costs

       41         20         37   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans

       101,861         101,776         106,259   

Less: allowance for loan losses

       (2,919      (3,005      (36
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loans

       98,942         98,771         106,223   

Premises and equipment, net

       818         927         1,228   

Other real estate owned, net

       4,008         4,119         3,406   

Goodwill, net

       —           —           5,633   

Other intangibles, net

       670         695         768   

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

       1,996         1,974         3,039   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     $ 198,290       $ 206,140       $ 257,546   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

          

Demand deposits, noninterest bearing

     $ 50,488       $ 52,770       $ 67,087   

NOW and money market

       37,306         32,301         56,509   

Savings deposits

       735         599         1,273   

Time deposits $100,000 or more

       26,479         31,926         30,498   

Other time deposits

       6,218         7,187         4,919   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deposits

       121,226         124,783         160,286   

Contingent consideration

       —           —           1,816   

Accrued interest and other liabilities

       1,023         684         1,615   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       122,249         125,467         163,717   

Shareholders’ Equity:

          

Common stock

       1         1         1   

Additional paid-in capital

       117,846         117,728         117,317   

Accumulated deficit

       (37,717      (35,361      (23,489

Treasury stock

       (4,094      (1,696      —     

Accumulated other comprehensive gain/(loss), net

       5         1         —     
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

       76,041         80,673         93,829   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

     $ 198,290       $ 206,140       $ 257,546   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 


Western Liberty Reports 2011 Financial Results

February 13, 2012

Page 8 of 8

 

Consolidated Income Statement

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended  
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)      December 31,      September 30,      June 30,      March 31,      December 31,  

(Unaudited)

     2011      2011      2011      2011      2011  

Interest Income:

                

Interest and fees on loans

     $ 1,866       $ 1,587       $ 2,018       $ 3,782       $ 9,253   

Interest on securities, taxable and other

       66         60         68         66         260   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest and dividend income

       1,932         1,647         2,086         3,848         9,513   

Interest Expense:

                

Interest expense on deposits

       122         123         127         112         484   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income

       1,810         1,524         1,959         3,736         9,029   

Provision for loan losses

       1,287         1,718         4,348         1,364         8,717   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income (loss) after provision for loan losses

       523         (194      (2,389      2,372         312   

Other Operating Income:

                

Service charges

       69         77         78         78         302   

Contingent consideration recovery

       0         1,816         —           —           1,816   

Other

       48         84         114         43         289   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other operating income

       117         1,977         192         121         2,407   

Other Operating Expense:

                

Salaries and employee benefits

       861         823         765         793         3,242   

Occupancy, equipment and depreciation

       377         365         374         374         1,490   

Computer service charges

       72         71         74         77         294   

Federal deposit insurance

       132         111         129         152         524   

Legal and professional fees

       837         341         520         936         2,634   

Advertising and business development

       12         17         48         20         97   

Insurance

       73         73         67         71         284   

Telephone

       19         19         17         26         81   

Printing and supplies

       24         30         87         142         283   

Director fees

       76         51         49         49         225   

Stock-based compensation

       119         131         138         141         529   

Provision for unfunded commitments

       31         48         (203      (133      (257

Oreo property impairment

       111         686         —           —           797   

Goodwill impairment

       0         5,633         —           —           5,633   

Other

       252         251         334         254         1,091   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other operating expense

       2,996         8,650         2,399         2,902         16,947   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss

     $ (2,356    $ (6,867    $ (4,596    $ (409    $ (14,228
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic EPS

     $ (0.17    $ (0.46    $ (0.30    $ (0.03    $ (0.96

Diluted EPS

     $ (0.17    $ (0.46    $ (0.30    $ (0.03    $ (0.96

Average basic shares

       14,278,467         15,058,383         15,088,023         15,088,023         14,878,224   

Average diluted shares

       14,278,467         15,058,383         15,088,023         15,088,023         14,878,224   

-0-

Note Transmitted on Business Wire on February 13, 2012, at 5:30a.m. Pacific Standard Time.