WEST BANCORPORATION INC - FORM 8-K - EX-99.1 - January 28, 2021

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8-K - 8-K - WEST BANCORPORATION INCwtba-20210128.htm

Exhibit 99.1

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Press Release
 
January 28, 2021
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Doug Gulling, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (515) 222-2309
 
WEST BANCORPORATION, INC. ANNOUNCES RECORD NET INCOME, DECLARES INCREASED QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

West Des Moines, IA - West Bancorporation, Inc. (Nasdaq: WTBA; the “Company”), parent company of West Bank, today reported 2020 net income of $32.7 million, or $1.98 per diluted common share, compared to 2019 net income of $28.7 million, or $1.74 per diluted common share. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $8.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, compared to fourth quarter 2019 net income of $7.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted common share. On January 27, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.22 per common share, an increase of $0.01 from the prior quarter and representing a record high quarterly dividend for the Company. The dividend is payable on February 24, 2021, to stockholders of record on February 10, 2021.

Net interest income increased 24.7 percent in 2020, compared to 2019, primarily due to the decline in deposit interest expense as a result of the sharp decrease in market interest rates at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Partially offsetting the increase in net interest income was a $12.0 million provision for loan losses in 2020, which compares to $600,000 in 2019. While we believe credit quality is relatively stable, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk for loan defaults, and credit quality continues to be evaluated with uncertainty surrounding the duration of the pandemic and impact of federal and state government actions.

Total deposits were $2.7 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $2.0 billion at December 31, 2019, a 34.1 percent increase. The growth in deposit balances was primarily due to changes in customer behavior as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and their desire to retain liquidity, as well as a result of additional funds provided to individuals and businesses by government relief programs. The increase in deposit balances had a direct impact on our asset balances and liquidity position at year end as funds were deployed in loan originations, investment security purchases and federal funds sold. Total assets were $3.2 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $2.5 billion at December 31, 2019, a 28.8 percent increase. Total loans were $2.3 billion at December 31, 2020, compared to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2019, a 17.5 percent increase. As of December 31, 2020, 35 loans totaling $140 million, or 6.1 percent of total loans, had payment deferral modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic which were primarily in the hospitality and entertainment industries.

Dave Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, “Despite this being an incredibly unique and challenging year, I am proud of what our team has accomplished and happy to share some of the Company’s achievements. First, loan growth was over eight percent for the year, not including Paycheck Protection Program loans. Our employees engaged in extraordinary efforts to meet the ongoing business needs of our customers and communities in addition to delivering pandemic-related relief programs. In addition to our normal business development efforts, we originated over 900 Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loans and provided nearly 300 loan payment deferral modifications. In continued support of our communities, we are currently participating in the newest round of lending under the Paycheck Protection Program. Second, net income for 2020 was $32.7 million, a 14 percent increase over last year. This represents an all-time record year for earnings even while the Bank recorded a provision for loan losses of $12.0 million related to the uncertain and unprecedented economic conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, because of the success of our 2019 expansion in Minnesota, we began construction of a permanent branch office in Sartell, Minnesota, a suburb of St. Cloud.”

Dave Nelson also commented, “We believe our history of strong capital, earnings and credit quality and the strength of our customer relationships allowed us to successfully navigate the challenges of 2020. We enter 2021 with great momentum and optimism.”



The Company will file its report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before March 1, 2021. Please refer to that document for a more in-depth discussion of our financial results. The Form 10-K will be available on the Investor Relations section of West Bank’s website at www.westbankstrong.com.

The Company will discuss its financial results on a conference call scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Central Time tomorrow, Friday, January 29, 2021. The telephone number for the conference call is 888-339-0814. A recording of the call will be available until February 12, 2021, by dialing 877-344-7529. The replay passcode is 10150540.

About West Bancorporation, Inc. (Nasdaq: WTBA)
West Bancorporation, Inc. is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. Serving customers since 1893, West Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of West Bancorporation, Inc., is a community bank that focuses on lending, deposit services, and trust services for consumers and small- to medium-sized businesses. West Bank has eight offices in the Des Moines, Iowa metropolitan area, one office in Coralville, Iowa, and four offices in Minnesota in the cities of Rochester, Owatonna, Mankato and St. Cloud.

Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company’s business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “future,” “confident,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “strategy,” “plan,” “opportunity,” “will be,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar references, or references to estimates, predictions or future events. Such forward-looking statements are based upon certain underlying assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Because of the possibility that the underlying assumptions are incorrect or do not materialize as expected in the future, actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Risks and uncertainties that may affect future results include: the effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including its potential effects on the economic environment, our customers and our operations, as well as any changes to federal, state or local government laws, regulations or orders in connection with the pandemic; interest rate risk; competitive pressures; pricing pressures on loans and deposits; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions, accounting standards (including as a result of the future implementation of the current expected credit loss (CECL) accounting standard) or regulatory requirements; actions of bank and nonbank competitors; changes in local, national and international economic conditions; changes in legal and regulatory requirements, limitations and costs; changes in customers’ acceptance of the Company’s products and services; cyber-attacks; unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; the monetary, trade and other regulatory policies of the U.S. government; acts of war or terrorism, widespread disease or pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or other adverse external events; developments and uncertainty related to the future use and availability of some reference rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, as well as other alternative reference rates; and any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current or future events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.




WEST BANCORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Information (unaudited)
(in thousands)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSDecember 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Assets
Cash and due from banks$77,693 $37,808 
Federal funds sold318,742 15,482 
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value420,571 398,578 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost11,723 12,491 
Loans2,280,575 1,941,663 
Allowance for loan losses(29,436)(17,235)
Loans, net2,251,139 1,924,428 
Premises and equipment, net29,077 29,680 
Bank-owned life insurance42,686 34,893 
Other assets34,113 20,331 
Total assets$3,185,744 $2,473,691 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand$696,731 $380,079 
Interest-bearing:
Demand553,881 346,307 
Savings1,274,254 996,836 
Time of $250 or more46,907 81,871 
Other time129,221 209,663 
Total deposits2,700,994 2,014,756 
Federal funds purchased5,375 2,660 
Other borrowings217,010 222,728 
Other liabilities38,670 21,727 
Stockholders’ equity223,695 211,820 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$3,185,744 $2,473,691 



WEST BANCORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Information (continued) (unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME2020201920202019
Interest income
Loans, including fees$23,536 $21,813 $90,668 $85,512 
Investment securities2,162 2,973 9,261 12,053 
Other48 291 304 1,110 
Total interest income25,746 25,077 100,233 98,675 
Interest expense
Deposits1,913 5,809 11,256 25,214 
Federal funds purchased2 22 23 241 
Other borrowings1,341 1,859 6,121 6,790 
Total interest expense3,256 7,690 17,400 32,245 
Net interest income22,490 17,387 82,833 66,430 
Provision for loan losses4,000 300 12,000 600 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses18,490 17,087 70,833 65,830 
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts617 651 2,360 2,492 
Debit card usage fees427 409 1,632 1,644 
Trust services601 490 2,078 2,026 
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance166 162 593 644 
Loan swap fees— — 1,572 — 
Realized investment securities gains (losses), net(4)(23)77 (87)
Other income297 353 1,290 1,599 
Total noninterest income2,104 2,042 9,602 8,318 
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits5,577 5,466 21,591 21,790 
Occupancy1,375 1,399 5,467 5,355 
Data processing626 644 2,508 2,735 
FDIC insurance330 — 1,210 404 
Other expenses2,007 2,067 8,278 8,122 
Total noninterest expense9,915 9,576 39,054 38,406 
Income before income taxes10,679 9,553 41,381 35,742 
Income taxes2,125 1,946 8,669 7,052 
Net income$8,554 $7,607 $32,712 $28,690 



WEST BANCORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Information (continued) (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
PER COMMON SHAREMARKET INFORMATION (1)
Net Income
BasicDilutedDividendsHighLow
2020
4th Quarter$0.52 $0.52 $0.21 $21.79 $15.53 
3rd Quarter0.49 0.49 0.21 17.99 15.50 
2nd Quarter0.48 0.48 0.21 20.67 14.50 
1st Quarter0.49 0.49 0.21 25.68 13.74 
2019
4th Quarter$0.46 $0.46 $0.21 $25.93 $21.01 
3rd Quarter0.46 0.46 0.21 22.47 19.63 
2nd Quarter0.41 0.41 0.21 22.32 20.14 
1st Quarter0.42 0.42 0.20 23.74 19.02 
(1) The prices shown are the high and low sale prices for the Company’s common stock, which trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol WTBA. The market quotations, reported by Nasdaq, do not include retail markup, markdown or commissions.

Three Months Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
SELECTED FINANCIAL MEASURES2020201920202019
Return on average assets1.15 %1.22 %1.19 %1.20 %
Return on average equity15.54 %14.61 %15.49 %14.34 %
Net interest margin (2)
3.20 %2.95 %3.20 %2.95 %
Efficiency ratio (1)(2)
39.99 %48.76 %41.96 %50.96 %
As of December 31,
20202019
Texas ratio(1)
6.40 %0.23 %
Allowance for loan losses ratio1.29 %0.89 %
Allowance for loan losses ratio, excluding PPP loans (2)(3)
1.40 %0.89 %
Tangible common equity ratio7.02 %8.56 %
(1) A lower ratio is more desirable
(2) Non-GAAP financial measures - see reconciliation below
(3) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Definitions of ratios:
•Return on average assets - annualized net income divided by average assets.
•Return on average equity - annualized net income divided by average stockholders’ equity.
•Net interest margin - annualized tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
•Efficiency ratio - noninterest expense (excluding other real estate owned expense) divided by noninterest income (excluding net securities gains/losses and gains/losses on disposition of premises and equipment) plus tax-equivalent net interest income.
•Texas ratio - total nonperforming assets divided by tangible common equity plus the allowance for loan losses.
•Allowance for loan losses ratio - allowance for loan losses divided by total loans.
•Allowance for loan losses ratio, excluding PPP loans - allowance for loan losses divided by total loans minus $180,757 of PPP loans.
•Tangible common equity ratio - common equity less intangible assets (none held) divided by tangible assets.




WEST BANCORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Information (continued) (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This report contains references to financial measures that are not defined in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The following table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures of net interest income and net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis, efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis, loans, net of PPP loans and allowance for loan losses ratio, excluding PPP loans, to their most directly comparable measures under GAAP.
 Three Months Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2020201920202019
Reconciliation of net interest income and net interest margin on an FTE basis to GAAP:
Net interest income (GAAP)$22,490 $17,387 $82,833 $66,430 
Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)
191 184 707 834 
Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)22,681 17,571 83,540 67,264 
Average interest-earning assets2,822,563 2,360,3752,614,342 2,277,461 
Net interest margin on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)3.20 %2.95 %3.20 %2.95 %
Reconciliation of efficiency ratio on an FTE basis to GAAP:
Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)$22,681 $17,571 $83,540 $67,264 
Noninterest income2,104 2,042 9,602 8,318 
Adjustment for realized investment securities (gains) losses, net4 23 (77)87 
Adjustment for (gain) loss on sale of fixed assets6 — 9 (307)
Adjusted income24,795 19,636 93,074 75,362 
Noninterest expense9,915 9,576 39,054 38,406 
Efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis (non-GAAP) (2)
39.99 %48.76 %41.96%50.96 %
As of December 31,
20202019
Reconciliation of allowance for loan losses ratio, excluding PPP loans:
Loans outstanding (GAAP)$2,280,575 $1,941,663 
Less: PPP loans(180,757)— 
   Loans, net of PPP loans (non-GAAP) 2,099,818 1,941,663 
Allowance for loan losses29,436 17,235 
Allowance for loan losses ratio, excluding PPP loans (non-GAAP)1.40 %0.89 %

(1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21 percent, adjusted to reflect the effect of the nondeductible interest expense associated with owning tax-exempt securities and loans. Management believes the presentation of this non-GAAP measure provides supplemental useful information for proper understanding of the financial results, as it enhances the comparability of income arising from taxable and nontaxable sources.
(2) The efficiency ratio expresses noninterest expense as a percent of fully taxable equivalent net interest income and noninterest income, excluding specific noninterest income and expenses. Management believes the presentation of this non-GAAP measure provides supplemental useful information for proper understanding of the Company’s financial performance. It is a standard measure of comparison within the banking industry.



WEST BANCORPORATION INC Reports