ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Results; Organic Growth Momentum Continues; Total Assets Surpass $4 Billion


ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Jan. 27, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNOB) (the “Company” or “ConnectOne”), parent company of ConnectOne Bank (the “Bank”), today announced results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015, the sixth full quarter following the Merger between the Company and legacy ConnectOne completed on July 1, 2014 (the “Merger”). Financial information prior to July 1, 2014 includes only the operations of the Company, the legal and accounting acquirer in the transaction. Concurrent with the Merger, the combined company changed its name to ConnectOne.

The Company reported net income available to common stockholders of $9.5 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with net income available to common stockholders of $8.0 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. Net income available to common stockholders was $41.2 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, for the full-year 2015 compared with $18.5 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, for the full-year 2014.

In addition to the results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), ConnectOne routinely supplements its evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP financial measures including net income available to common stockholders excluding non-core items. ConnectOne believes these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to the related GAAP measures, provide meaningful information to investors in understanding our operating performance and trends, and facilitates comparisons with the performance of peers. Reconciliations of non-GAAP disclosures used in this earnings release to the comparable GAAP measures are provided in the accompanying tables.

Fourth quarter 2015 results reflect the following non-core items, on an after-tax basis: $0.8 million fair value write-down for the pending disposition of a former Union Center operations building that had been repositioned in 2010 as a lease financing receivable; $0.8 million of income resulting from accretion of purchase accounting fair value marks; $0.7 million of net securities gains; $0.3 million in additional loan loss provision related to the maturity and extension of acquired portfolio loans; $1.5 million in an additional provision associated with the Bank’s New York City taxi medallion loan portfolio; $0.1 million of pension settlement expenses, which had no impact on total stockholders’ equity or book value per share; and $0.1 million in amortization of intangible assets. Excluding non-core items, net income available to common stockholders was $10.8 million, up 10.9% from $9.7 million for the prior year quarter.  Excluding non-core items, earnings per diluted share was $0.36 for the fourth quarter of 2015, up from $0.32 for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Frank Sorrentino, ConnectOne’s Chairman and CEO stated, “2015 marked another year of extraordinary accomplishments.  Total footings surpassed $4 billion, fueled by 22% growth in our loan portfolio and 32% growth in noninterest-bearing demand deposits. Return on assets and tangible equity exceeded 1.10% and 13.5%, respectively, and our efficiency ratio was approximately 42%, among the best for banks of similar size. Operationally, to support our growth, we increased and enhanced our staff including management, lending and back-office.  We opened our first office in New York City last May, and it is already profitable.  2015 was also a year of overcoming challenges and creating opportunities.  We faced fierce competition from banks and over-capitalized thrifts, yet we were able to continue our growth trajectory without sacrificing credit quality or yield.  In addition, during the year, our stock price came under pressure as result of our exposure to the taxi-medallion industry.  Our medallion portfolio, which is relatively modest at approximately 3.3% of total loans, consists only of New York City “yellow” taxi medallions, where business continues to be vibrant and valuations appear to be stabilizing. Nevertheless, the industry will likely remain a source of potential volatility for the foreseeable future and, with that in mind, during the quarter we took an additional reserve, bringing our total specific reserves against the medallion portfolio to approximately 4.5%.”

Operating Results

Fully taxable equivalent net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $31.1 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 6.8%, from the same quarter of 2014. This was a result of a 16.2% increase in average interest-earning assets, partially offset by a 31 basis-point contraction in the net interest rate margin. Included in net interest income was accretion and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments of $1.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2015 and $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.  Excluding these purchase accounting adjustments, the adjusted net interest margin was 3.29% in the fourth quarter of 2015, 14 basis points lower than the 2014 fourth quarter adjusted net interest margin of 3.43%. The reduction in the adjusted net interest margin in the fourth quarter of 2015 versus the same 2014 period was attributable to a decline in yield on loans combined with an increase in funding costs.  The decline in loan yields reflects the impact of a protracted low rate environment, while the increase in the cost of funds was due to an extension of liability duration consistent with management’s conservative approach to interest rate risk.  The Bank’s interest rate risk models reflect significant asset sensitivity as of year-end indicating a projected positive impact from rising rates.

Noninterest income increased to $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 from $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, primarily due to an increase in net securities gains. Net securities gains increased to $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 from $0.7 million in the prior year period.  Noninterest income also includes bank-owned life insurance income, deposit and loan fees, annuities and life insurance commissions, and gains on sales of residential mortgages in the secondary market. In total, noninterest income represents a relatively small portion of the Bank’s total revenue.

Noninterest expenses totaled $13.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared with $11.0 million for the same quarter of 2014 after excluding $1.8 million of merger-related charges and a $2.4 million wire fraud charge. The increase in operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2015 from the prior year period was primarily attributable to increased salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and professional fees associated with the Company’s strong organic growth. The Company’s operating efficiency ratio was 42.8% in the 2015 fourth quarter, 41.9% in the 2015 third quarter and 38.4% in the 2014 fourth quarter.

Income tax expense was $4.6 million and $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 32.5% and 38.3% for the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for 2014 reflects a relatively higher percentage of taxable income and lower level of tax-deductible expenses due to the merger.

Asset Quality

The provision for loan losses increased to $5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Included in the 2015 provision was $2.5 million in additional provisioning related to the taxi cab medallion loan portfolio and a $1.3 million pre-tax charge related to the pending sale of Union Center’s former operations center that was repositioned as a lease financing receivable.  Nonperforming assets, which includes nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned, were $23.3 million at December 31, 2015, $16.1 million at September 30, 2015, and $12.7 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in nonperforming assets at year-end 2015 was largely attributable to credits of one borrower, the sale of which is currently being negotiated. Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets were 0.58% at December 31, 2015, 0.42% at September 30, 2015, and 0.37% at December 31, 2014. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.00% for the fourth quarter 2015 and 0.07% in the fourth quarter of 2014. The allowance for loan losses was $26.6 million, representing 0.86% of loans receivable and 128.1% of nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2015.   At September 30, 2015, the allowance was $21.5 million representing 0.73% of loans receivable and 167.1% of nonaccrual loans and, at December 31, 2014, the allowance was $14.2 million representing 0.56% of loans receivable and 122.0% of nonaccrual loans. In purchase accounting, any allowance for loan losses on an acquired loan portfolio is reversed and a credit risk discount is applied directly to the acquired loan balances. In Management’s opinion, a useful non-GAAP metric is the ratio of allowance for loan losses plus the credit risk discount to total loans receivable. This non-GAAP ratio was 1.28% at December 31, 2015, 1.20% at September 30, 2015, and 1.23% at December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2015, taxi medallion loans, all of which are secured by New York City taxi medallions, totaled $103.2 million, of which $99.9 million was current and $3.3 million was past due 30-60 days.  Troubled debt restructurings associated with this portfolio totaled $78.5 million.  The average loan-to-value ratio of the medallion portfolio was approximately 90% assuming valuations of $800 thousand for corporate and $700 thousand for individual.

Selected Balance Sheet Items

At December 31, 2015, the Company’s total assets were $4.0 billion, an increase of $568 million from December 31, 2014. Loans receivable were $3.1 billion, reflecting net loan growth (loan originations less pay-downs and pay-offs) of $560 million from December 31, 2014, primarily attributable to multi-family ($225 million), other commercial real estate ($107 million), commercial and industrial (“C&I”) ($77 million) and construction ($151 million). Management’s current intent is to maintain a multi-family portfolio concentration in the range of 25-30% of total loans, while growing the C&I and construction segments. The growth in loans was funded with increases in deposits, borrowings and subordinated debt.

The Company’s stockholders’ equity was $477 million at December 31, 2015, an increase of $31 million from December 31, 2014. The increase in stockholders’ equity was due to a $32 million increase in retained earnings and approximately $3 million of equity issuance related to stock-based compensation, including the exercise of options, partially offset by a $4 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income, primarily attributable to a decrease in unrealized gains on available for sale securities. As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 8.18% and $10.51, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 8.62% and $9.57, respectively. Total goodwill and other intangible assets were $150 million as of December 31, 2015, a decrease of $0.9 million from December 31, 2014.

About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

ConnectOne is a New Jersey corporation and a registered bank holding company pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and serves as the holding company for ConnectOne Bank ("the Bank"). The Bank is a community-based, full-service New Jersey-chartered commercial bank that was founded in 2005. The Bank operates from its headquarters located at 301 Sylvan Avenue in the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County, New Jersey, and through its 21 other banking offices.

For more information visit https://www.connectonebank.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions. The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in Item 1A – Risk Factors of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, and changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company's market area and accounting principles and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

     
CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES    
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION    
(in thousands, except for share data)December 31, December 31, 
  2015   2014  
 (unaudited) (audited) 
ASSETS    
Cash and due from banks$  31,291  $  31,813  
Interest-bearing deposits with banks   169,604     95,034  
Cash and cash equivalents   200,895     126,847  
     
Investment securities:    
Available-for-sale   195,770     289,532  
Held-to-maturity (fair value of $230,558 and $231,445)   224,056     224,682  
     
Loans receivable   3,099,007     2,538,641  
Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses   26,572     14,160  
 Net loans receivable   3,072,435     2,524,481  
     
Investment in restricted stock, at cost   32,612     23,535  
Bank premises and equipment, net   22,333     20,653  
Accrued interest receivable   12,545     11,700  
Bank-owned life insurance   78,801     52,518  
Other real estate owned   2,549     1,108  
Goodwill   145,909     145,909  
Core deposit intangibles   3,908     4,825  
Other assets   24,908     22,782  
Total assets$  4,016,721  $  3,448,572  
     
LIABILITIES    
Deposits:    
Noninterest-bearing$  650,775  $  492,515  
Interest-bearing   2,140,191     1,983,092  
Total deposits   2,790,966     2,475,607  
Borrowings   671,587     495,553  
Subordinated debentures   55,155     5,155  
Other liabilities   21,669     26,038  
 Total liabilities   3,539,377     3,002,353  
     
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES    
     
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Preferred stock, $1,000 liquidation value per share, authorized 5,000,000 shares;     
  issued and outstanding 11,250 shares of Series B preferred stock at December 31, 2015    
  and December 31, 2014; total liquidation value of $11,250 at December 31, 2015 and    
  December 31, 2014   11,250     11,250  
Common stock, no par value, authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 32,149,585    
  shares at December 31, 2015 and 31,758,828 at December 31, 2014; outstanding 30,085,663    
  shares at December 31, 2015 and 29,694,906 at December 31, 2014   374,287     374,287  
Additional paid-in capital   8,527     6,015  
Retained earnings   104,606     72,398  
Treasury stock, at cost (2,063,922 common shares at December 31, 2015 and    
  December 31, 2014)   (16,717)    (16,717) 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (4,609)    (1,014) 
Total stockholders' equity   477,344     446,219  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$  4,016,721  $  3,448,572  
     


CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES          
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)          
(dollars in thousands, except for per share data)           
            
   Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,    
   2015    2014    2015    2014     
Interest income           
  Interest and fees on loans $  33,686  $  28,988  $  125,493  $  77,669    
  Interest and dividends on investment securities:           
  Taxable    2,325     2,962     10,665     12,022    
  Tax-exempt    884     892     3,550     3,742    
  Dividends    284     227     1,081     636    
  Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments   51     61     178     138    
  Total interest income    37,230     33,130     140,967     94,207    
Interest expense           
  Deposits    3,776     2,916     13,756     8,260    
  Borrowings    2,998     1,634     10,058     6,548    
  Total interest expense    6,774     4,550     23,814     14,808    
            
Net interest income    30,456     28,580     117,153     79,399    
  Provision for loan and lease losses    5,055     2,474     12,605     4,683    
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses   25,401     26,106     104,548     74,716    
            
Noninterest income           
  Annuities and insurance commissions    32     83     242     382    
  Bank-owned life insurance    620     391     1,782     1,303    
  Net gains on sale of loans held for sale    51     116     327     182    
  Deposit, loan and other income    522     768     2,667     2,813    
  Insurance recovery    -     -     2,224     -    
  Net gains on sale of investment securities    1,138     718     3,931     2,818    
  Total noninterest income    2,363     2,076     11,173     7,498    
            
Noninterest expenses           
  Salaries and employee benefits    7,205     5,675     27,685     18,829    
  Occupancy and equipment    1,802     1,654     7,587     5,312    
  FDIC insurance    575     526     2,110     1,618    
  Professional and consulting    906     372     2,951     1,661    
  Marketing and advertising    213     222     847     498    
  Data processing    1,017     814     3,703     2,575    
  Merger expenses    -     1,816     -     12,388    
  Loss on extinguishment of debt    -     -     2,397     4,550    
  Amortization of core deposit intangible    217     245     917     506    
  Other expenses    1,644     3,840     6,287     6,867    
  Total noninterest expenses    13,579     15,164     54,484     54,804    
            
Income before income tax expense    14,185     13,018     61,237     27,410    
  Income tax expense    4,617     4,995     19,926     8,845    
Net income    9,568     8,023     41,311     18,565    
  Less: Preferred stock dividends    28     28     112     112    
Net income available to common stockholders $  9,540  $  7,995  $  41,199  $  18,453    
            
Earnings per common share:           
  Basic $  0.32  $  0.27  $  1.38  $  0.80    
  Diluted    0.31     0.27     1.36     0.79    
Weighted average common shares outstanding:           
  Basic    30,033,062     29,699,301     29,938,458     23,029,813    
  Diluted    30,310,905     30,149,244     30,283,966     23,479,074    
Dividend per common share $  0.075  $  0.075  $  0.300  $  0.300    
            


ConnectOne's management believes that the supplemental financial information, including non-GAAP measures, provided below is useful to investors. The non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies. 
           
CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC.          
SUPPLEMENTAL GAAP AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES          
(dollars in thousands, except share data)          
 Three Months Ended
 Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31, 
  2015   2015   2015   2015   2014  
Earnings, EPS and Operating Data          
Net income (GAAP)$  9,568  $  10,842  $  10,521  $  10,379  $  8,023  
Less: preferred dividends   28     28     28     28     28  
Net income available to common stockholders (GAAP)   9,540     10,814     10,493     10,351     7,995  
Net gains on sales of securities   (1,138)    (2,067)    (221)    (506)    (718) 
Partial settlements of pension obligation   106     168     243     559     -  
Insurance recovery   -     -     (2,223)    -     -  
Merger-related expenses   -     -     -     -     1,816  
Loss on debt extinguishment   -     -     2,397     -     -   
Amortization of intangible assets   217     217     241     241     245  
Provision related to maturity and extension of acquired portfolio loans   512     590     502     757     787  
Provision related to taxi cab medallion loans   2,500     2,000     -     -     -  
Provision for pending disposition of  Union Center operations bldg.   1,304     -      -     -     -  
Charge due to wire fraud   -     -     -     -     2,374  
Accretion of purchase accounting fair value marks   (1,416)    (1,340)    (1,513)    (1,802)    (2,491) 
Non-core items   2,085     (432)    (574)    (751)    2,013  
Income tax (expense) benefit   852     (176)    (234)    (307)    294  
Non-core items, after taxes   1,233     (256)    (340)    (444)    1,719  
Core earnings available to common stockholders (non-GAAP)$  10,773  $  10,558  $  10,153  $  9,907  $  9,714  
           
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding   30,310,905     30,335,571     30,231,480     30,149,469     30,149,244  
Diluted EPS (GAAP)$  0.31  $  0.36  $  0.35  $  0.34  $  0.27  
Core Diluted EPS (Non-GAAP) (1)$  0.36  $  0.35  $  0.34  $  0.33  $  0.32  
           
Return on Assets Measures          
Core earnings available to common stockholders (non-GAAP)$  10,773  $  10,558  $  10,153  $  9,907  $  9,714  
Add: preferred dividends   28     28     28     28     28  
Core net income (non-GAAP)$  10,801  $  10,586  $  10,181  $  9,935  $  9,742  
           
Average assets$  3,891,885  $  3,729,503  $  3,551,597  $  3,466,820  $  3,369,402  
Less: average intangible assets   (149,959)    (150,178)    (150,407)    (150,650)    (150,934) 
Average tangible assets$  3,741,926  $  3,579,325  $  3,401,190  $  3,316,170  $  3,218,468  
           
Return on avg. assets (GAAP) 0.98%  1.15%  1.19%  1.21%  0.94% 
Core return on avg. assets (Non-GAAP) (2) 1.10%  1.13%  1.15%  1.16%  1.15% 
Return on avg. tangible assets (Non-GAAP) (3) 1.03%  1.22%  1.26%  1.29%  1.01% 
Core return on avg. tangible assets (Non-GAAP) (4) 1.15%  1.17%  1.20%  1.22%  1.20% 
_______          
(1) Represents core earnings available to common stockholders divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding.
(2) Core net income divided by average assets.
(3) Net income excluding amortization of intangible assets divided by average tangible assets.
(4) Core net income divided by average tangible assets.
 
 Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands, except share data)Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31, 
  2015   2015   2015   2015   2014  
Return on Equity Measures          
Core earnings available to common stockholders$  10,773  $  10,558  $  10,153  $  9,907  $  9,714  
           
Average common equity$  467,669  $  460,432  $  452,754  $  442,970  $  437,136  
Less: average intangible assets   (149,959)    (150,178)    (150,407)    (150,650)    (150,934) 
Average tangible common equity$  317,710  $  310,254  $  302,347  $  292,320  $  286,202  
           
Return on avg. common equity (GAAP) 8.09%  9.32%  9.30%  9.48%  7.26% 
Core return on avg. common equity (non-GAAP) (5) 9.14%  9.10%  9.00%  9.07%  8.82% 
Return on avg. tangible common equity (non-GAAP) (6) 12.07%  13.99%  14.11%  14.56%  11.28% 
Core return on avg. tangible common equity (non-GAAP) (7) 13.45%  13.50%  13.47%  13.75%  13.47% 
           
Efficiency Measures          
Total noninterest expenses$  13,579  $  13,301  $  14,974  $  12,631  $  15,164  
Partial settlements of pension obligation   (106)    (168)    (243)    (559)    -  
Merger-related expenses   -     -     -     -     (1,816) 
Loss on debt extinguishment   -     -     (2,397)    -     -  
Charge due to wire fraud   -     -     -     -     (2,374) 
Amortization of intangible assets and fair value marks   (217)    (217)    (241)    (241)    (218) 
Operating non-interest expense $  13,256  $  12,916  $  12,093  $  11,831  $  10,756  
           
Net interest income (FTE)   31,102     30,382     29,316     28,906     29,135  
Impact of purchase accounting fair value marks   (1,384)    (1,314)    (1,487)    (1,776)    (2,464) 
Noninterest income   2,363     3,819     3,436     1,555     2,076  
Less: insurance recovery   -     -     (2,224)    -     -  
Less: net gains on sales of securities   (1,138)    (2,067)    (221)    (506)    (718) 
Operating revenue $  30,943  $  30,820  $  28,820  $  28,179  $  28,029  
           
Operating Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP) (8) 42.8%  41.9%  42.0%  42.0%  38.4% 
           
Net Interest Margin          
Average interest earning assets$  3,582,408  $  3,441,151  $  3,266,382  $  3,182,894  $  3,082,934  
           
Net interest income (FTE)$  31,102  $  30,382  $  29,316  $  28,906  $  29,135  
Impact of purchase accounting fair value marks   (1,384)    (1,314)    (1,487)    (1,776)    (2,464) 
Adjusted net interest income$  29,718  $  29,068  $  27,829  $  27,130  $  26,671  
           
Net interest margin (GAAP) 3.44%  3.50%  3.60%  3.68%  3.75% 
Adjusted net interest margin (non-GAAP) (9) 3.29%  3.35%  3.42%  3.46%  3.43% 
_____          
(5) Core earnings available to common stockholders divided by average common equity.
(6) Earnings available to common stockholders excluding amortization of intangibles divided by average tangible common equity.
(7) Core earnings available to common stockholders divided by average tangible common equity.
(8) Operating noninterest expense divided by operating revenue.
(9) Adjusted net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.
 
 As of
(dollars in thousands, except share data)Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31, Dec. 31, 
  2015   2015   2015   2015   2014  
Capital Ratios and Book Value per Share          
Common equity$  466,094  $  459,896  $  452,732  $  444,944  $  434,969  
Less: intangible assets   (149,817)    (150,034)    (150,252)    (150,493)    (150,734) 
Tangible common equity$  316,277  $  309,862  $  302,480  $  294,451  $  284,235  
           
Total assets$  4,016,721  $  3,838,253  $  3,660,057  $  3,505,891  $  3,448,572  
Less: intangible assets   (149,817)    (150,034)    (150,252)    (150,493)    (150,734) 
Tangible assets$  3,866,904  $  3,688,219  $  3,509,805  $  3,355,398  $  3,297,838  
           
Common shares outstanding   30,085,663     30,197,789     30,196,731     29,864,602     29,694,906  
           
Common equity ratio (GAAP) 11.60%  11.98%  12.37%  12.69%  12.61% 
Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP) (10) 8.18%  8.40%  8.62%  8.78%  8.62% 
           
Regulatory capital ratios (Bancorp):          
  Leverage ratio 9.07%  9.26%  9.49%  9.45%  9.37% 
  Common equity Tier 1 risk-based ratio 9.14%  9.33%  9.63%  9.75%  n/a  
  Risk-based Tier 1 capital ratio 9.60%  9.82%  10.14%  10.29%  10.44% 
  Risk-based total capital ratio 11.77%  11.94%  12.26%  10.82%  10.94% 
           
Regulatory capital ratios (Bank):          
  Leverage ratio 9.96%  10.22%  10.48%  9.41%  9.33% 
  Common equity Tier 1 risk-based ratio 10.55%  10.83%  11.19%  10.24%  n/a  
  Risk-based Tier 1 capital ratio 10.55%  10.83%  11.19%  10.24%  10.40% 
  Risk-based total capital ratio 11.31%  11.47%  11.74%  10.77%  10.90% 
           
Book value per share (GAAP)$  15.49  $  15.23  $  14.99  $  14.90  $  14.65  
Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) (11)   10.51     10.26     10.02     9.86     9.57  
           
Asset Quality          
Nonaccrual loans$  20,737  $  12,888  $  12,145  $  14,585  $  11,610  
Other real estate owned   2,549     3,244     1,564     870     1,108  
Total nonperforming assets$  23,286  $  16,132  $  13,709  $  15,455  $  12,718  
           
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing$  -  $  268  $  -  $  638  $  1,211  
           
Nonaccrual loans as a % of loans receivable 0.67%  0.44%  0.44%  0.55%  0.46% 
Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets 0.58%  0.42%  0.37%  0.44%  0.37% 
Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonaccrual loans 128.1%  167.1%  143.9%  109.2%  122.0% 
Annualized net charge-offs as a % of average loans 0.00%  0.02%  -%  0.01%  0.07% 
           
Total loans receivable$  3,099,007  $  2,953,381  $  2,765,288  $  2,640,739  $  2,538,641  
Less: acquired loans   (866,878)    (923,210)    (1,060,632)    (1,110,859)    (1,190,085) 
Loans receivable, excluding acquired loans$  2,232,129  $  2,030,171  $  1,704,656  $  1,529,880  $  1,348,556  
           
Allowance for loan losses$  26,572  $  21,533  $  17,480  $  15,933  $  14,160  
Accretable credit risk discount on acquired loans   12,955     13,893     14,331     15,800     17,017  
Total allowance for loan losses and accretable credit risk discount on acquired loans$  39,527  $  35,426  $  31,811  $  31,733  $  31,177  
           
Allowance for loan losses as a % of loans receivable 0.86%  0.73%  0.63%  0.60%  0.56% 
Allowance for loan losses as a % of loans receivable, excluding acquired loans 1.19%  1.06%  1.03%  1.04%  1.05% 
Allowance for loan losses and accretable credit risk discount on loans as a % of loans receivable 1.28%  1.20%  1.15%  1.20%  1.23% 
_____          
(10) Tangible common equity divided by tangible assets.
(11) Tangible common equity divided by common shares outstanding at period-end.
           


CONNECTONE BANCORP, INC.               
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS               
(dollars in thousands)                 
    For the Three Months Ended  
    December 31, 2015   December 31, 2014  
    Average    Average   Average    Average  
Interest-earning assets: Balance Interest Rate (7)   Balance Interest Rate (7)  
Investment securities (1) (2) $  442,135  $  3,686    3.31%  $  514,619  $  4,289    3.31% 
Loans receivable (2) (3) (4)    3,045,051     33,855    4.41%     2,467,311     29,108    4.68% 
Federal funds sold and interest-                
  bearing deposits with banks    65,067     51    0.31%     80,716     61    0.30% 
Restricted investment in bank stock   30,155     284    3.74%     20,288     227    4.44% 
  Total interest-earning assets    3,582,408     37,876    4.19%     3,082,934     33,685    4.33% 
Allowance for loan losses    (22,165)          (12,588)      
Non-interest earning assets    331,642           299,056       
  Total assets  $  3,891,885        $  3,369,402       
                   
Interest-bearing liabilities:                
Money market deposits $  756,302     840    0.44%  $  722,729     746    0.41% 
Savings deposits     216,149     152    0.28%     228,869     173    0.30% 
Time deposits     783,068     2,446    1.24%     668,959     1,652    0.98% 
Other interest-bearing deposits    356,115     338    0.38%     369,541     345    0.37% 
  Total interest-bearing deposits   2,111,634     3,776    0.71%     1,990,098     2,916    0.58% 
                   
Borrowings     617,024     2,159    1.39%     422,927     1,548    1.45% 
Capital lease obligation    2,904     44    6.01%     3,017     46    6.05% 
Subordinated debentures    55,155     795    5.72%     5,155     40    3.08% 
  Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,786,717     6,774    0.96%     2,421,197     4,550    0.75% 
                   
Demand deposits     603,611           481,870       
Other liabilities     22,638           17,949       
  Total noninterest-bearing liabilities   626,249           499,819       
Stockholders' equity     478,919           448,386       
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$  3,891,885        $  3,369,402       
                   
Net interest income (tax equivalent basis)     31,102           29,135     
Net interest spread (5)        3.23%        3.59% 
                   
Net interest margin (6)        3.44%        3.75% 
                   
Tax equivalent adjustment      (646)          (555)    
Net interest income    $  30,456        $  28,580     
                   
(1) Average balances are calculated on amortized cost.                  
(2) Interest income is presented on a tax equivalent basis using 35% federal tax rate.          
(3) Includes loan fee income.                
(4) Loans include non-accrual loans.               
(5) Represents difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average cost of interest bearing liabilities and is presented on a tax equivalent basis.    
(6) Represents net interest income on a tax equivalent basis divided by average total interest-earning assets.      
(7) Rates are annualized.                
                   

            

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