Republic First Bancorp, Inc. Reports Financial Results for First Quarter 2011

PHILADELPHIA, April 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRBK), the holding company for Republic Bank, today announced its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2011.

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During the first quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.37 per share, for the first quarter of 2010.

"The first quarter loss was driven by provisions and write-downs related to non-performing assets necessary as a result of updated appraisals and financial data obtained during the period," said Harry D. Madonna, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Non-performing assets have trended lower for a third consecutive quarter. While we are pleased by the reduction in non-performing assets, we remain committed to executing our diligent credit review procedures and pursuing appropriate resolutions to all problem assets as quickly as possible."

"Over the past two years we have transformed Republic into a new bank with a new brand, new management team, renovated store locations and a retail model focused on fanatical customer service," said Madonna.  "During this time we have strengthened our capital position and brought stabilization to the balance sheet in an incredibly challenging economic environment. Unfortunately our earnings continue to be negatively impacted by some of the remaining asset quality issues originated under the old bank model. We firmly believe that our current strategy, along with our overall financial strength, will carry us through any challenges that may lie ahead and also puts us in a position to expand and take advantage of future opportunities."

Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

• Capital levels remain strong with a Total Risk-Based Capital ratio of 14.28% and a Tier I Leverage Ratio of 11.25% at March 31, 2011

• Tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2011 was $3.33

• Completed the successful launch of an experienced SBA Lending team

• Increased the allowance for loan losses to $14.5 million, or 2.27% of total loans, as of March 31, 2011

• Increased outstanding loan balances on a linked quarter basis by $16.6 million to $637.0 million at March 31, 2011, compared to $620.4 million at December 31, 2010

• Reduced non-performing asset balances for a third consecutive quarter after reaching a peak during the second quarter of 2010

• The net interest margin improved to 3.82% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to 3.38% for the three months ended March 31, 2010

Income Statement

The Company reported a net loss of $2.5 million or $0.10 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.37 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

Net interest income remained at $7.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared to $7.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  The Company continues to lower its cost of funds as evidenced by a decrease of 38 basis points to 1.00% for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to 1.38% for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The net interest margin improved to 3.82% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to 3.38% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Non-interest income increased to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as the Company began to recognize gains on the sale of SBA loans during the first quarter 2011.

Earnings for the quarter were negatively impacted by costs associated asset quality issues that remain from the old bank model. Every impaired loan currently carried by the Company was originated prior to December 31, 2007. During the first quarter of 2011 provisions and charge-offs for these impaired loans and costs associated with the workout of problem assets amounted to $5.0 million.  Excluding these extraordinary costs, the Company would have recorded net income of approximately $0.7 million, or $0.03 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Balance Sheet

The major components of the balance sheet are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Net loans decreased by 6% to $622.5 million as of March 31, 2011, compared to $665.7 million as of March 31, 2010, as the Company continues to reduce exposure in the commercial real estate loan portfolio. However, net loans increased by $13.6 million on a linked quarter basis mainly due to an increased level of activity in the commercial and industrial category.

Total deposits decreased by $85.2 million, or 10%, as of March 31, 2011 when compared to March 31, 2010, primarily as a result of the Company's intentional effort to reduce its dependence on wholesale funding sources in the brokered and public fund certificate of deposit market.

Liquidity remained strong as the Company has currently eliminated the need for outside borrowings and has significantly reduced its dependence on wholesale funding sources.

Core Deposits

Core deposits by type of account are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Core deposits decreased to $671.6 million at March 31, 2011 compared to $690.0 million at March 31, 2010 mainly due to one significant deposit relationship that left the bank as a result of its bankruptcy proceedings.  However, the Company recognized solid growth in the demand interest-bearing, money market and savings categories as it continues to focus its effort on the gathering of low-cost core deposits. At the same time, the Company reduced the overall deposit cost of funds to 0.88% for the three month period ending March 31, 2011 compared to 1.22% for the three month period ending March 31, 2010.

Lending

Loans by type of customer are as follows (dollars in thousands):

Asset Quality

The Company's asset quality ratios are highlighted below:

Non-performing loans trended lower for a third consecutive quarter to $39.2 million, or 6.15% of total loans, at March 31, 2011, compared to $40.0 million, or 6.45% of total loans, at December 31, 2010, and $48.3 million, or 7.60% of total loans at September 30, 2010. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans increased to 2.27% as of March 31, 2011, compared to 1.84% as of December 31, 2010, and 2.02%  as of March 31, 2010.

Every non-performing asset currently on the books was originated under the old bank model prior to December 31, 2007. The Company will continue to aggressively pursue resolutions for each non-performing asset.

Capital

The Company's capital regulatory ratios at March 31, 2011 were as follows:

Total shareholders' equity was $86.4 million at March 31, 2011 which represented a book value per share of $3.33, based on common shares outstanding of approximately 26.0 million.  

The Company, along with its banking subsidiary, continue to maintain strong capital ratios and are considered well capitalized under the regulatory guidelines as required by federal banking agencies.

About Republic Bank

Republic Bank is a full-service, state-chartered commercial bank, whose deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Bank provides diversified financial products through its thirteen offices located in Abington, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Plymouth Meeting, Media and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Voorhees and Haddonfield, New Jersey.

Forward Looking Statements

The Company may from time to time make written or oral "forward-looking statements", including statements contained in this release and in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  For example, risks and uncertainties can arise with changes in: general economic conditions, including their impact on capital expenditures; new service and product offerings by competitors and price pressures; and similar items.  You should carefully review the risk factors described in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The words "may", "believes," "expect," "estimate," "project," "anticipate," "should," "intend," "probability," "risk," "target," "objective," and similar expressions or variations on such expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  All such statements are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company, except as may be required by applicable law or regulations.

SOURCE Republic First Bancorp, Inc.