BNCCORP, INC. Reports Fourth Quarter Net Income of $528 thousand, or $0.06 Per Diluted Share

BISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BNCCORP, INC. (BNC or the Company) (Pink Sheets: BNCC), which operates community banking and wealth management businesses in Arizona, Minnesota and North Dakota, and has mortgage banking offices in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota and Arizona, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.  

Net income for the 2010 fourth quarter was $528 thousand, or $0.06 per diluted share. This compared to net income of $1.975 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2009. The fourth quarter 2010 results reflect lower net interest income, higher non-interest income, increased non-interest expenses and stable costs for credit and real estate. Results in the fourth quarter of 2009 were influenced by large gains on sales of securities which did not recur in the fourth quarter of 2010. Since December 31, 2009, the amount of nonperforming assets has decreased significantly and ratios related to the allowance for loan losses have steadily improved.

Gregory K. Cleveland, BNCCORP President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Overall we continue to make progress in a challenging period for many community banks.  We continue to address credit issues, maintain liquidity, and manage the Bank's capital.  It is significant that our nonperforming assets decreased for the fifth consecutive quarter. We previously announced an agreement to sell certain loans and deposits in our Arizona and Minnesota markets, which will significantly bolster our capital ratios upon consummation of the transaction."

Fourth Quarter Results

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $5.344 million, a decrease of $1.994 million, or 27.2%, from $7.338 million in the same period of 2009. The net interest margin for the current period decreased to 3.05% from 3.48% in the same period of 2009. The reduction in net interest income was influenced by lower interest rates, reduced balances of investments and loans, and significantly higher balances of liquid cash equivalents, which aggregated $112.8 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $35.4 million at December 31, 2009. Approximately $40 million of the cash equivalents will be used to finance the sale of deposits while management intends to judiciously deploy the remainder of the cash as 2011 proceeds.

The provision for credit losses was $1.000 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, unchanged from the 2009 period. Nonperforming loans have decreased $18.0 million, or 50.2%, from $35.9 million at December 31, 2009, to $17.9 million as of December 31, 2010.

Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $6.524 million, an increase of $2.040 million, up 45.5% from $4.484 million in the same period of 2009. Mortgage banking revenues, which aggregated $5.162 million, rose by $2.427 million, or 88.7%, from the fourth quarter of 2009 as low interest rates and government sponsorship in the secondary market have created conditions that favor mortgage banking. These revenues are expected to moderate in the first quarter of 2011. There were no gains on sales of investment securities during the recent quarter compared to $826 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2009. The portfolio continues to have net unrealized gains at the end of December 31, 2010. The opportunity to sell assets at attractive prices can vary from period to period. The 2010 fourth quarter included gains on sales of loans of $159 thousand compared to losses of $(427) thousand in the same period of 2009. In 2010 the Company sold portions of SBA loans at gains, whereas commercial real estate loans were sold at losses in 2009 sales to reduce our exposure to this softer segment of the economy.

Non-interest expense increased by $1.432 million, or 16.1%, to $10.340 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $8.908 million in the same period of 2009. This increase can be attributed to increased regulatory costs and expenses incurred by mortgage banking operations. Costs related to foreclosed assets decreased $11 thousand, or 1.2% in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2009.

Tax expense of $0 was recognized during the fourth quarter of 2010. The Company has net operating loss carryforwards for federal tax purposes aggregating $3.657 million. Due to tax loss carryforwards and attributes related to net deferred tax assets, the Company is not likely to record income tax expense for several profitable periods.  A tax benefit of $61 thousand, or (3.2)% of pre-tax income, was recognized during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Net income available to common shareholders was $187 thousand, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter after accounting for dividends accrued on preferred stock and the amortization of issuance discounts on preferred stock. These costs aggregated $(341) thousand in the fourth quarter of 2010. Net income available to common shareholders in 2009 was $1.644 million, or $0.50 per diluted share.

Fraud Loss on Assets Serviced by Others

As previously reported, the Company discovered fraudulent activity in April of 2010 by an external company that was servicing residential mortgage loans for BNC.  Since April 2010, the Company and its advisors have been diligently addressing this matter.  In the second quarter, the Company determined the scope of the fraud losses and recorded a loss of $26.231 million.  Our internal and external investigations have confirmed that this fraudulent activity was limited to this external servicing company and that no bank employees were involved in or were aware of this wrongful conduct by the servicing company.  As such, we believe these losses are not indicative of other credit quality problems within our loan portfolio.

In mid-year 2010, we submitted claims under our fidelity insurance policies seeking to recover the insured portion of these losses. The policies together provide for total coverage of $15 million. However, as of mid-October, our insurance carriers commenced a declaratory judgment action against the Company in an Arizona federal court seeking a judicial determination that the losses associated with the servicing fraud are not covered by the policies. We have subsequently counter sued the insurance carriers for failure to honor the policies and for acting in bad faith.  We intend to vigorously pursue our claims to recover amounts due under the insurance policies and for losses incurred as a result of the carriers acting in bad faith.  While management believes we have strong claims, there can be no assurances as to the outcome of this litigation, or if we will recover all or any portion of the insured amounts.

The Company is providing adjusted earnings in addition to reported results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in order to present financial information without the impact of the fraud loss on assets serviced by others. The following table reconciles the net income (loss) available to common shareholders as prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles to our determination of adjusted earnings:

Year Ended December 31, 2010

Net interest income in 2010 was $23.272 million, a decrease of $6.417 million, or 21.6%, from $29.689 million in the same period of 2009. The net interest margin for the current period decreased to 3.20% from 3.58% in the same period of 2009. The reduction in net interest income reflects lower interest rates, reduced balances of investments and loans, and higher balances of liquid cash equivalents. The Company maintained higher cash balances throughout much of 2010 to facilitate the sale of certain deposits and capital management activities.

The provision for credit losses was $5.750 million in 2010, substantially below the $27.000 million reported in 2009. In 2009 our results were characterized by large provisions for credit and real estate costs as management concluded it was appropriate to address credit issues in an aggressive fashion. Since the large provision for credit losses was taken in 2009, nonperforming loans have decreased steadily. Nonperforming loans have decreased by 50.2%, or $18.0 million, since December 31, 2009, and management continues to monitor the credit portfolio diligently.

Non-interest income in 2010 was $23.973 million, an increase of $7.960 million, up 49.7% from $16.013 million in 2009. Mortgage banking revenues rose by $5.034 million, or 60.0%, from $8.390 million in 2009, to $13.424 million, as low interest rates and government sponsorship in the secondary market have created conditions that favor mortgage banking. Gains on sales of investment securities aggregated $4.390 million in 2010 compared to $2.850 million in 2009. The portfolio reflected net unrealized gains at the end of December 31, 2010. The opportunity to sell assets at attractive prices can vary from period to period. The gains on sales of loans which aggregated $371 thousand in 2010 related to sales of portions of SBA loans, whereas the losses of $(339) thousand in 2009 related to sales of commercial real estate loans. While wealth management revenues increased in 2010 compared to 2009, this trend is expected to decrease as we have exited two lines of business within the wealth management operations.

Excluding the fraud loss on assets serviced by others recognized in the second quarter of 2010, non-interest expense decreased by $1.846 million, or 4.7%, to $37.257 million in 2010 compared to $39.103 million in the same period of 2009. This decrease was due primarily to lower costs related to foreclosed assets, which aggregated $2.707 million in 2010 and $8.169 million in 2009. Excluding fraud losses and costs associated with foreclosed assets, non-interest expense aggregated $34.550 million in 2010 and $30.934 million in 2009. This increase can be attributed to increased regulatory costs and expenses incurred by mortgage banking operations.

Tax expense of $72 thousand was recognized in 2010. Although the Company has net operating loss carryforwards aggregating $3.657 million for federal tax purposes, a provision for taxes was recorded in 2010 for state tax obligations. Due to tax loss carryforwards and attributes related to net deferred tax assets, the Company is not likely to record income tax expense for several profitable periods. The tax benefit in 2009 was $1.625 million, or 8.0% of pre-tax losses.

Net loss available to common shareholders was $(23.398) million, or $(7.13) per share, in 2010. This includes the fraud loss and related items of ($26.399) and dividends accrued on preferred stock and the amortization of issuance discounts on preferred stock aggregating $1.333 million in 2010. Net loss available to common shareholders in 2009 was $(20.030) million, or $(6.14) per diluted share.

Assets, Liabilities and Equity

Total assets were $747.1 million at December 31, 2010, a decrease of $121 million, or 13.9%, compared to $868.1 million at December 31, 2009. Loans held for investment decreased by $96.1 million (excluding the impact of the pending sale of certain loans) as the Company has focused on reducing exposure to credit risk. In the fourth quarter of 2010 the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately $72.2 million of loans in order to improve capital ratios of the Bank. Repayments on investment securities, and sales thereof, reduced investment balances by $75.6 million since the beginning of the year.

Total deposits were $661.1 million at December 31, 2010, decreasing by $94.9 million from 2009 year-end. Core deposits aggregated $594.2 million at December 31, 2010 and $640.2 million at December 31, 2009. The decline in core deposits is part of the Company's strategy to reduce higher cost certificates of deposit and emphasize lower cost non-interest bearing checking and money market accounts. Lower cost core deposits increased by approximately $10.5 million during 2010, (excluding the impact of the pending sale of certain deposits). This increase was offset by a decline in higher cost time deposits of $132.8 million (excluding the impact of the pending sale of certain deposits). In the fourth quarter of 2010 the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately $107.4 million of deposits in order to improve capital ratios of the Bank.

Other borrowings decreased by $7.6 million in 2010, as the Company focused on reducing its higher cost debt. Available borrowing capacity from the FHLB was approximately $76.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and the Company had $0 of FHLB advances outstanding at year end.

Total equity was $37.3 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $57.3 million at December 31, 2009. The book value per common share was $5.09 as of December 31, 2010, compared to $11.24 as of December 31, 2009.

Trust assets under supervision were $223.8 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $342.5 million at December 31, 2009. The decrease in assets under supervision relates to declines in our employee benefit areas offset by appreciation of securities in 2010.

Regulatory Capital

Banks and their bank holding companies generally operate under separate regulatory capital requirements. At December 31, 2010, the tier 1 leverage ratios, tier 1 risk-based capital ratios and the total risk-based capital ratios of both BNCCORP and BNC National Bank exceeded regulatory "well-capitalized" requirements.  

At December 31, 2010, BNCCORP's tier 1 leverage ratio was 6.16%, the tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 9.49%, and the total risk-based capital ratio was 13.28%. Tangible common equity at December 31, 2010 was 2.24%.  

At December 31, 2010, BNC National Bank had a tier 1 leverage ratio of 7.53%, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.57%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.85%. Tangible capital to tangible assets for BNC National Bank was 8.00%.

Asset Quality

Challenging economic conditions have led to elevated credit risk throughout the lending industry. As a result, the Company is carefully monitoring asset quality and taking what it believes to be prudent and appropriate action to strengthen its credit metrics.

The Company's credit quality trends have recently been characterized by a decrease in nonperforming assets both in dollar terms and as a percentage of total assets. The provision for credit losses and other real estate costs was $8.133 million in 2010, declining from $35.057 million in 2009. Nonperforming assets decreased by $12.6 million, or 29.1% since December 31, 2009. The ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets was 4.09% at December 31, 2010, compared with 4.97% at December 31, 2009. Nonperforming loans have decreased $18.0 million, or 50.2%, from $35.9 million at December 31, 2009, to $17.9 million as of December 31, 2010.

The allowance for credit losses was $16.5 million at December 31, 2010 and $18.0 million at December 31, 2009. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans at December 31, 2010 was 3.62%, compared with 3.11% at December 31, 2009. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans and leases held for investment at December 31, 2010 was 4.70%, compared with 3.49% at December 31, 2009. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2010 was 92% compared to 50% at December 31, 2009. All figures above exclude the impact of the pending sale of certain assets to Alerus Financial. When such sale is consummated, we expect an allowance aggregating $1.711 million allocated to the loans being sold will be transferred with the loans. See table on page 15 of this press release for ratios related to the allowance for credit losses as impacted by the pending sale.

At December 31, 2010, BNC had $47.6 million of classified loans, $17.9 million of loans on non-accrual and $12.7 million of other real estate owned. At December 31, 2009, BNC had $54.2 million of classified loans, $35.9 million of loans on non-accrual and $7.3 million of other real estate owned.

Since December 31, 2009, other real estate owned has increased by $5.4 million, as certain nonperforming loans have migrated into foreclosure.

BNC has concentrations in real estate loans and mortgage banking relationships as shown in the table on page 17.

Sale of Certain Assets and Deposits

As previously announced on November 19, 2010, BNCCORP, INC. entered into a definitive agreement with Alerus Financial Corp. of Grand Forks, North Dakota, whereby Alerus will purchase certain deposits and selected assets in the Arizona and Minnesota markets from BNC National Bank. The purchase was approved by regulators in early 2011 and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011. The sale includes BNC's Scottsdale, Arizona branch premises; certain Arizona-based deposit accounts and loans; and certain deposit accounts and loans of BNC's offices in Minneapolis and Golden Valley, Minnesota.

BNC will continue to offer a full range of banking services in the Arizona and Minnesota markets following the sale.  Its lending operations in both markets will continue to offer business and consumer loans including SBA, commercial real estate and other loans.  BNC branches will also provide mortgage banking services, wealth management services, depository lock box services, business and personal deposit and checking accounts and a comprehensive portfolio of other financial solutions. BNC will continue to operate its branch in Glendale and a mortgage banking location in Scottsdale, Arizona, and also will operate both its Minneapolis and Golden Valley, Minnesota locations.

Gregory K. Cleveland stated "This transaction is intended to position BNC strongly for the future by managing our balance sheet in a way that allows the Company to significantly enhance its capital ratios. We will continue to offer services and participate in the growth opportunities in the Arizona and Minnesota markets. It is also important to note that the transaction does not impact our operations in North Dakota or any mortgage banking locations. The economy in North Dakota is comparatively robust and should be an excellent source of future growth for BNC, as we look forward to capitalizing on opportunities emerging in this region."

BNCCORP, INC., headquartered in Bismarck, N.D., is a registered bank holding company dedicated to providing banking and wealth management services to businesses and consumers in its local markets. The Company operates community banking and wealth management businesses in Arizona, Minnesota and North Dakota from 18 locations. BNC also conducts mortgage banking from 10 locations in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota and Arizona.  

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of BNC. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", or other expressions. We caution readers that these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to our future business prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, interest costs and income, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements due to several important factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks of loans and investments, including dependence on local and regional economic conditions; competition for our customers from other providers of financial services; possible adverse effects of changes in interest rates, including the effects of such changes on derivative contracts and associated accounting consequences; risks associated with our acquisition and growth strategies; and other risks which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. In addition, all statements in this news release, including forward-looking statements, speak only of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

SOURCE BNCCORP, INC.