Pacific Continental Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results

EUGENE, Ore., Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Continental Corporation (Nasdaq: PCBK), the holding company of Pacific Continental Bank, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010.

Fourth quarter highlights:

• Achieved 20% reduction in nonperforming assets from the end of the third quarter 2010.
• Achieved sixth consecutive quarter and full year 2010 profitability.
• Annualized average core deposit growth for the fourth quarter of 11.0% and for the full year of 17.5%.
• Total risk-based capital ratio of 17.10%, significantly above the 10.0% minimum for "well-capitalized" designation.
• Annualized pre-tax, pre-provision earnings remain strong at 1.75% of fourth quarter average assets.
• Recognized by the Portland Business Journal as one of Oregon's most admired companies.

"In this challenging economy, I am pleased with our financial results which includes both a significant fourth quarter reduction in our non-performing assets along with our sixth consecutive quarter of profitability," said Hal Brown, chief executive officer. "While economic conditions continue to remain weak and uncertain, Pacific Continental has further strengthened its financial performance in all key areas, including core deposits, capital, profitability and credit quality. As such, we look to 2011 as a year of opportunity as we shift our focus from problem loan resolution to growth and revenue enhancement."

Net income for the fourth quarter 2010 was $1.2 million, compared to net income of $24 thousand for the fourth quarter 2009; and on a linked-quarter basis, net income was up $39 thousand from the third quarter 2010. Net income for the full year 2010 was $5.1 million, compared to a net loss of $4.9 million in 2009.

Earnings per share was $0.07 for the fourth quarter 2010, compared to $0.00 for the prior year fourth quarter. For the full year 2010, net income per share was $0.28, compared to net loss per share of $0.35 for the year 2009.

Non-performing assets, provisioning and loan statistics

Non-performing assets ("NPAs") at December 31, 2010, totaled $46.3 million, or 3.82% of total assets, a decrease of $11.7 million for the quarter from $58.0 million, or 4.86% of total assets, at September 30, 2010.

The Company's fourth quarter 2010 provision for loan losses was $3.3 million, down $500 thousand from third quarter 2010. The Company also realized a $690 thousand recovery from the sale of collateral on a non-accrual loan. While the provision remains elevated when compared to pre-recession periods, it has generally been trending down over the past seven quarters. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Bank recognized net loan charge-offs of $4.4 million, down significantly from the $12.0 million recorded in the same quarter last year. For the full year 2010, net loan charge-offs totaled $11.8 million compared to $33.6 million for 2009. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of outstanding loans at December 31, 2010, was 1.93%, compared to 2.01% and 1.42% at September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively.

"As forecasted in our September 30, 2010, press release significant problem loan resolutions were achieved during the fourth quarter allowing for an $11.7 million or 20% reduction in non-performing assets as of December 31, 2010, including a number of recoveries," said Roger Busse, president and chief operating officer. "We couldn't be more pleased. Coupled with the anticipated resolutions expected during the first quarter of 2011, the results suggests a trend of continued contraction in problem assets," added Busse.

Core deposit growth continues while loan demand remains soft

During the fourth quarter 2010, the Company continued to experience strong growth in its company-defined core deposit base. Quarterly average core deposit figures, a measure which reduces daily deposit volatility, showed fourth quarter 2010 average core deposits of $870.3 million, an increase of $23.5 million or 2.8% over the third quarter 2010 average. For the full year, 2010 average core deposits increased $123.2 million or 17.5% over the full year 2009 average. At December 31, 2010, period-end total deposits were $959.0 million compared to $827.9 million at December 31, 2009.

As expected, commercial loans reversed their negative growth trend and increased 3.9% to $243.0 million from December 31, 2009. Overall, steady lending activity was recorded during the fourth quarter, as the Bank booked 314 new and renewed loans totaling $92.3 million, 147 of which were new loans totaling $40.2 million. Since June 30, 2010, the Bank has booked 283 new loans for $80 million. The weak economic conditions together with the planned contraction in the construction and land development portfolios and resolution of problem loans led to a continued decline in period-end gross loans. Outstanding loans at December 31, 2010, were $857.0 million, down $26.0 million from the end of third quarter 2010. The decline in loans was expected due to transfers of problem loans to other real estate owned, resolution of problem loans, and the planned contraction in the Bank's construction and land development portfolios which have declined $77.9 million over the past year and currently represent 9.7% of total gross loans, compared to 17.1% of total gross loans at December 31, 2009. Conversely, the Company's securities portfolio grew by $86.3 million or 51.5% during the year 2010.

Capital levels

The Company's capital ratios continue to be well above the minimum FDIC well-capitalized designated levels. At December 31, 2010, the Company's Tier 1 leverage ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and Total risk-based capital ratio were 13.38%, 15.86%, and 17.10% as compared to 13.66%, 14.38%, and 15.63% at December 31, 2009. The FDIC's minimum well-capitalized designation ratios are 5.00%, 6.00%, and 10.00%, respectively.

Net interest margin and earnings before loan loss provision and taxes

Earnings before loan loss provisions and taxes were $5.3 million and $22.8 million, or 1.75% and 1.92% of average assets, for the fourth quarter and full year 2010, respectively. Results for linked quarter, quarter-over-quarter, and year-over-year were all down from previous periods generally reflecting compression in the net interest margin and increased operating expenses partially offset by improvement in noninterest income.

The net interest margin for the current quarter was 4.60%, down 8 basis points from the 4.68% margin reported for third quarter 2010. For the full year 2010 the net interest margin was 4.72%, down 47 basis points from the net interest margin of 5.19% reported for the full year 2009. A decline in the net interest margin had been expected primarily due to a change in the mix of earning assets and the persistent low interest rate environment for investment securities. The strong growth in core deposits together with the net contraction in the loan portfolio resulted in a significant addition to the investment portfolio which at December 31, 2010, represented 21.0% of total assets versus 14.0% of total assets at year end 2009. While the difference between the yield on loans and the cost of interest bearing funds maintained a spread of between 4.88% and 4.98% for the annual reporting periods, the difference between the cost of funds and the yield on the securities portfolio changed dramatically from 3.58% for the full year 2009 to 1.81% for the full year 2010. This decrease in investment portfolio spread combined with the material increase in the size of the securities portfolio is the primary reason for the decline in the net interest margin. Looking forward, any additional decline in the investment security spread could be offset by more robust loan activity suggesting a stable or increasing net interest margin.

Changes in noninterest income are evident in all individual line items with the most significant change in merchant bankcard fees. Year-over-year comparison shows an increase in bankcard fees of $309 thousand, or 25.8%, reflecting both additional volume and increased margins. During the fourth quarter 2010 the Company also benefited by $164 thousand from ORE rental income and fees earned on negotiated ORE dispositions.

Year-over-year noninterest expense changes are also evident in all line items with the most significant reflected in personnel, FDIC assessments, ORE expense and other noninterest expense, primarily related to professional fees. Personnel expense for the year was up $666 thousand or 3.9% which occurred primarily in the fourth quarter. During the fourth quarter accrual adjustments for unused vacation and incentive compensation together with valuation changes in previously granted cash-settled stock appreciation rights (reflecting the fourth quarter increase in PCBK share prices) accounted for most of the year-over-year and linked quarter change with the remainder attributed to recent staff additions in Seattle and Portland.

Conference Call and Audio Webcast:

Management will conduct a live conference call and audio webcast for interested parties relating to its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2010 on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time / 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the conference call, interested parties should call (866) 292-1418. The webcast will be available via Pacific Continental's website (http://www.therightbank.com/). To listen to the live audio webcast, click on the webcast presentation link on the Company's home page a few minutes before the presentation is scheduled to begin.

An audio webcast replay is typically available within twenty-four hours following the live webcast and will be archived for one year on the Pacific Continental website. Any questions regarding the conference call presentation or webcast should be directed to Maecey Castle, vice president and director of corporate communications, at (541) 686-8685.

About Pacific Continental Bank

Pacific Continental Bank, the operating subsidiary of Pacific Continental Corporation, delivers highly personalized services through fourteen banking offices in Oregon and Washington. Pacific Continental, with $1.2 billion in assets, has established one of the most unique and attractive metropolitan branch networks in the Pacific Northwest with offices in three of the region's largest markets including Seattle, Portland and Eugene. Pacific Continental targets the banking needs of community-based businesses, health care professionals, professional service providers and nonprofit organizations.

Since its founding in 1972, Pacific Continental Bank has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions from highly regarded third-party organizations including The Seattle Times, the Portland Business Journal and Oregon Business magazine. A complete list of the company's awards and recognitions – as well as supplementary information about Pacific Continental Bank – can be found online at www.therightbank.com. Pacific Continental Corporation's shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "PCBK" and are a component of the Russell 2000 Index.

Forward-Looking Statement Safe Harbor

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"). Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including but not limited to the following: the high concentration of loans of the company's banking subsidiary in commercial and residential real estate lending; adverse economic trends in the United States and the markets we serve affecting the Bank's borrower base; a continued decline in the housing and real estate market; a continued increase in unemployment or sustained high levels of unemployment; continued erosion or sustained low levels of consumer confidence; changes in the regulatory environment and increases in associated costs, particularly ongoing compliance expenses and resource allocation needs; vendor quality and efficiency; the company's ability to control risks associated with rapidly changing technology both from an internal perspective as well as for external providers; increased competition among financial institutions; fluctuating interest rate environments; a tightening of available credit and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the sections titled "Risk Factors", "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", as applicable, from Pacific Continental's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. Pacific Continental Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. This statement is included for the express purpose of invoking PSLRA's safe harbor provisions.

SOURCE Pacific Continental Corporation