Westamerica Bancorporation Reports First Quarter 2016 Financial Results


SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 21, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westamerica Bancorporation (Nasdaq:WABC), parent company of Westamerica Bank, generated net income for the first quarter 2016 of $14.2 million and diluted earnings per common share ("EPS") of $0.56, compared to net income of $14.6 million and EPS of $0.57 for the prior quarter, and net income of $14.6 million and EPS of $0.57 for the first quarter 2015.           

"Westamerica’s average checking and savings deposits were 6 percent higher in the first quarter 2016 compared to the first quarter 2015. This growth in lower-costing deposit products supported our 3.34 percent net interest margin in the first quarter 2016. Westamerica’s credit quality remained relatively stable at healthy levels throughout the first quarter 2016, requiring no provision for loan losses. Our operating expenses were affected by seasonally high payroll taxes in the first quarter 2016, but represented only 54 percent of our revenues,” said Chairman, President and CEO David Payne. “Our operating results generated an annualized return on shareholders’ common equity of 11 percent for the first quarter 2016, and Westamerica paid its shareholders a $0.39 per share quarterly dividend,” concluded Payne.

The annualized net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent basis was 3.34 percent for the first quarter 2016, compared to 3.32 percent for the prior quarter, and 3.43 percent for the first quarter 2015. Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $36.4 million for the first quarter 2016, compared to $36.7 million for the prior quarter, and $36.9 million for the first quarter 2015. The Company’s loan portfolio has declined from the first quarter 2015 through the first quarter 2016; Management has been avoiding long-dated, low-yielding loans given historically low interest rates. Management has also maintained conservative loan underwriting, terms and conditions. During this period, the investment portfolio has grown. The changing composition of interest earning assets and low market interest rates has pressured the net interest margin. The increase in the net interest margin from the fourth quarter 2015 to the first quarter 2016 reflects the Federal Open Market Committee’s 0.25 percent increase in the federal funds rate on December 16, 2015, which increased yields on loans and investment securities which have floating rates. The funding cost of deposits and other interest-bearing borrowings, as a percentage of average loans and investment securities, was 0.05 percent for the first quarter 2016, unchanged from the prior quarter and down from 0.06 percent for the first quarter 2015.

The provision for loan losses was zero for the first quarter 2016, unchanged from the prior quarter and first quarter 2015. Net loan losses charged against the allowance for loan losses totaled $284 thousand for the first quarter 2016, compared to $265 thousand for the prior quarter and $298 thousand for the first quarter 2015. At March 31, 2016, the allowance for loan losses totaled $29.5 million and nonperforming loans totaled $18.0 million.

Noninterest income for the first quarter 2016 totaled $11.7 million, compared to $11.3 million for the prior quarter, and $12.3 million for the first quarter 2015.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter 2016 totaled $25.9 million, compared to $25.5 million for the prior quarter, and $26.7 million for the first quarter 2015.

At March 31, 2016, Westamerica Bancorporation's tangible common equity-to-asset ratio was 8.0 percent, and assets totaled $5.2 billion. Westamerica Bancorporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary Westamerica Bank, operates commercial banking and trust offices throughout Northern and Central California.

Westamerica Bancorporation Web Address: www.westamerica.com

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

The following appears in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements about the Company, including descriptions of plans or objectives of its management for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other measures of economic performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may."

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors — many of which are beyond the Company's control — could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company's most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual report for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed on Form 10-K and quarterly report for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 filed on Form 10-Q, describe some of these factors, including certain credit, interest rate, operational, liquidity and market risks associated with the Company's business and operations. Other factors described in these reports include changes in business and economic conditions, competition, fiscal and monetary policies, disintermediation, legislation including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2011, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, and mergers and acquisitions.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date forward looking statements are made.

 Public Information April 21, 2016 
WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION    
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS     
March 31, 2016     
       
1. Net Income Summary.     
  (in thousands except per-share amounts) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
       
 Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE)$36,447  $36,930   -1.3%$36,734   
 Provision for Loan Losses   -     -  n/m           -   
 Noninterest Income 11,729   12,300   -4.6% 11,305   
 Noninterest Expense 25,858   26,727   -3.3% 25,504   
 Income Before Taxes (FTE) 22,318   22,503   -0.8% 22,535   
 Income Tax Provision (FTE) 8,092   7,946   1.8% 7,957   
 Net Income$14,226  $14,557   -2.3%$14,578   
       
 Average Common Shares Outstanding 25,445   25,651   -0.8% 25,528   
 Diluted Average Common Shares 25,468   25,655   -0.7% 25,555   
       
 Operating Ratios:     
   Basic Earnings Per Common Share$0.56  $0.57   -1.8%$0.57   
   Diluted Earnings Per Common Share 0.56   0.57   -1.8% 0.57   
   Return On Assets (a) 1.11% 1.17%  1.12% 
   Return On Common Equity (a) 10.9% 11.4%  11.0% 
   Net Interest Margin (FTE) (a) 3.34% 3.43%  3.32% 
   Efficiency Ratio (FTE) 53.7% 54.3%  53.1% 
       
 Dividends Paid Per Common Share$0.39  $0.38   2.6%$0.39   
 Common Dividend Payout Ratio    70% 67%  68% 
       
2. Net Interest Income.     
  (dollars in thousands) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
       
 Interest and Fee Income (FTE)$36,999  $37,589   -1.6%$37,297   
 Interest Expense 552   659   -16.4% 563   
 Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE)$36,447  $36,930   -1.3%$36,734   
       
 Average Earning Assets$4,381,423  $4,342,031   0.9%$4,411,599   
 Average Interest-     
   Bearing Liabilities 2,601,408   2,571,484   1.2% 2,554,447   
       
 Yield on Earning Assets (FTE) (a) 3.39% 3.49%  3.37% 
 Cost of Funds (a) 0.05% 0.06%  0.05% 
 Net Interest Margin (FTE) (a) 3.34% 3.43%  3.32% 
 Interest Expense/     
   Interest-Bearing Liabilities (a) 0.09% 0.10%  0.09% 
 Net Interest Spread (FTE) (a) 3.30% 3.39%  3.28% 
       
3. Loans & Other Earning Assets.     
  (average volume, dollars in thousands) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
       
 Total Assets$5,174,804  $5,059,537   2.3%$5,168,805   
 Total Earning Assets 4,381,423   4,342,031   0.9% 4,411,599   
 Total Loans 1,500,616   1,683,748   -10.9% 1,543,591   
   Commercial Loans 370,131   401,167   -7.7% 371,902   
   Commercial RE Loans  630,542   710,475   -11.3% 651,991   
   Consumer Loans 499,943   572,106   -12.6% 519,698   
 Total Investment Securities 2,880,807   2,658,283   8.4% 2,868,008   
   Available For Sale (Market) 1,567,335   1,632,868   -4.0% 1,589,483   
   Held To Maturity 1,313,472   1,025,415   28.1% 1,278,525   
    Unrealized Gain 23,669   15,634  n/m         9,624   
       
 Loans/Deposits 33.1% 38.2%  34.0% 
       
4. Deposits, Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities & Equity.   
  (average volume, dollars in thousands) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
       
 Total Deposits$4,537,548  $4,402,946   3.1%$4,536,256   
   Noninterest Demand  1,993,986   1,919,820   3.9% 2,036,470   
   Interest Bearing Transaction 872,464   810,877   7.6% 855,320   
   Savings 1,387,217   1,292,238   7.3% 1,351,412   
   Time greater than $100K 123,691   199,251   -37.9% 128,703   
   Time less than $100K 160,190   180,760   -11.4% 164,351   
 Total Short-Term Borrowings 57,846   86,354   -33.0% 54,661   
 Federal Home Loan Bank Advances   -   2,004  n/m           -   
 Shareholders' Equity 527,177   516,086   2.1% 525,277   
       
 Demand Deposits/     
   Total Deposits 43.9% 43.6%  44.9% 
 Transaction & Savings      
   Deposits / Total Deposits 93.7% 91.4%  93.5% 
       
5. Interest Yields Earned & Rates Paid.    
  (dollars in thousands)  
  Q1'16  
  AverageIncome/Yield (a) /  
  VolumeExpenseRate  
       
 Interest & Fee Income Earned     
   Total Earning Assets (FTE)$4,381,423  $36,999   3.39%  
   Total Loans (FTE)   1,500,616   18,689   5.01%  
    Commercial Loans (FTE) 370,131   4,541   4.93%  
    Commercial RE Loans  630,542   9,776   6.24%  
    Consumer Loans 499,943   4,372   3.51%  
   Total Investments (FTE) 2,880,807   18,310   2.54%  
       
 Interest Expense Paid     
   Total Earning Assets  4,381,423   552   0.05%  
   Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities 2,601,408   552   0.09%  
   Total Interest-Bearing Deposits 2,543,562   543   0.09%  
    Interest-Bearing Transaction 872,464   70   0.03%  
    Savings 1,387,217   223   0.06%  
    Time less than $100K 160,190   113   0.28%  
    Time greater than $100K 123,691   137   0.44%  
   Total Short-Term Borrowings  57,846   9   0.07%  
       
 Net Interest Income and      
   Margin (FTE) $36,447   3.34%  
       
  Q1'15  
  AverageIncome/Yield (a) /  
  VolumeExpenseRate  
       
 Interest & Fee Income Earned     
   Total Earning Assets (FTE)$4,342,031  $37,589   3.49%  
   Total Loans (FTE) 1,683,748   20,613   4.96%  
    Commercial Loans (FTE) 401,167   4,708   4.76%  
    Commercial RE Loans  710,475   10,941   6.25%  
    Consumer Loans 572,106   4,964   3.51%  
   Total Investments (FTE) 2,658,283   16,976   2.55%  
       
 Interest Expense Paid     
   Total Earning Assets  4,342,031   659   0.06%  
   Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities 2,571,484   659   0.10%  
   Total Interest-Bearing Deposits 2,483,126   642   0.10%  
    Interest-Bearing Transaction 810,877   63   0.03%  
    Savings 1,292,238   216   0.07%  
    Time less than $100K 180,760   166   0.37%  
    Time greater than $100K 199,251   197   0.40%  
   Total Short-Term Borrowings  86,354   16   0.08%  
   Federal Home Loan Bank Advances 2,004   1   0.20%  
       
 Net Interest Income and     
   Margin (FTE) $36,930   3.43%  
       
6. Noninterest Income.     
  (dollars in thousands except per-share amounts) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
       
 Service Charges on Deposits$5,248  $5,707   -8.0%$5,259   
 Merchant Processing Services 1,529   1,703   -10.2% 1,368   
 Debit Card Fees 1,516   1,456   4.1% 1,557   
 Other Service Fees 629   665   -5.5% 648   
 ATM Processing Fees 658   585   12.6% 569   
 Trust Fees 661   706   -6.5% 671   
 Financial Services Commissions 156   153   2.2% 168   
 Other Income 1,332   1,325   0.5% 1,065   
 Total Noninterest Income$11,729  $12,300   -4.6%$11,305   
       
   Total Revenue (FTE)$48,176  $49,230   -2.1%$48,039   
   Noninterest Income/Revenue (FTE) 24.3% 25.0%  23.5% 
   Service Charges/Avg. Deposits (a) 0.47% 0.53%  0.46% 
   Total Revenues (FTE) Per Avg.      
     Common Share (a)$7.61  $7.78   -2.2%$7.47   
       
7. Noninterest Expense.     
  (dollars in thousands) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
       
 Salaries & Benefits$13,117  $13,338   -1.6%$12,398   
 Occupancy 3,398   3,727   -8.8% 3,761   
 Outsourced Data Processing 2,130   2,108   1.1% 2,107   
 Amortization of      
   Identifiable Intangibles 905   1,001   -9.5% 948   
 Professional Fees 732   548   33.4% 614   
 Furniture & Equipment 1,213   1,119   8.4% 1,081   
 Other Real Estate Owned 111   315   -64.7% 53   
 Courier Service 545   543   0.4% 585   
 Other Operating 3,707   4,028   -8.0% 3,957   
 Total Noninterest Expense$25,858  $26,727   -3.3%$25,504   
       
 Noninterest Expense/     
   Avg. Earning Assets (a) 2.37% 2.50%  2.29% 
 Noninterest Expense/Revenues (FTE) 53.7% 54.3%  53.1% 
       
8. Provision for Loan Losses.     
  (dollars in thousands) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
       
 Average Total Loans$1,500,616  $1,683,748   -10.9%$1,543,591   
       
 Allowance for Loan Loss (ALL)     
   Beginning of Period $29,771  $31,485   -5.4%$30,036   
 Provision for Loan Losses      -     -  n/m           -   
 Net ALL Losses (284) (298) -4.7% (265) 
 ALL End of Period$29,487  $31,187   -5.5%$29,771   
 ALL Recoveries/Gross ALL Losses    87% 73%  78% 
       
 Net ALL Losses/Avg. Total Loans (a) 0.08% 0.07%  0.07% 
       
9. Credit Quality.     
  (dollars in thousands) 
    %  
  3/31/163/31/15Change12/31/15 
       
 Nonperforming Originated Loans:     
   Nonperforming Nonaccrual$9,205  $3,315   177.7%$6,302   
   Performing Nonaccrual   1,841   26  n/m             350   
   Total Nonaccrual Loans 11,046   3,341   230.6% 6,652   
   90+ Days Past Due Accruing Loans 183   191   -4.2% 295   
   Total 11,229   3,532   217.9% 6,947   
 Repossessed Originated Loan Collateral 4,786   5,483   -12.7% 5,829   
 Total Nonperforming     
    Originated Assets 16,015   9,015   77.7% 12,776   
       
 Nonperforming Purchased Covered Loans (1):    
   Nonperforming Nonaccrual   -     -  n/m             -   
   Performing Nonaccrual   -     -  n/m             -   
   Total Nonaccrual Loans   -     -  n/m             -   
   90+ Days Past Due Accruing Loans   -     -  n/m             -   
   Total   -     -  n/m             -   
 Repossessed Purchased Covered      
   Loan Collateral (1)   -     486  n/m             -   
 Total Nonperforming Purchased     
   Covered Assets (1)   -   486  n/m             -   
       
 Nonperforming Purchased Non-Covered Loans (2):    
   Nonperforming Nonaccrual 6,601     8,952   -26.3% 8,346   
   Performing Nonaccrual   80     1,093  n/m             -   
   Total Nonaccrual Loans 6,681     10,045   -33.5% 8,346   
   90+ Days Past Due Accruing Loans   77     -  n/m             -   
   Total 6,758     10,045   -32.7% 8,346   
 Repossessed Purchased Non-Covered      
   Loan Collateral (2)   3,652     3,264   11.9%   3,435   
 Total Nonperforming Purchased     
   Non-Covered Assets (2) 10,410     13,309   -21.8% 11,781   
       
 Total Nonperforming Assets$26,425  $22,810   15.9%$24,557   
       
 Total Originated Loans Outstanding$1,310,083  $1,465,546   -10.6%$1,351,839   
 Total Purchased Covered      
   Loans Outstanding (1) 13,664   16,329   -16.3% 14,061   
 Total Purchased Non-Covered      
   Loans Outstanding (2) 149,449     202,009   -26.0% 167,496   
 Total Loans Outstanding $1,473,196  $1,683,884   -12.5%$1,533,396   
       
 Total Assets $5,199,868  $5,035,777   3.3%$5,168,875   
       
 Loans:     
   Allowance for Loan Losses$29,487  $31,187   -5.5%$29,771   
   Allowance/Loans 2.00% 1.85%  1.94% 
   Nonperforming Loans/Total Loans 1.22% 0.81%  1.00% 
       
 Purchased Covered Loans (1):     
  Fair Value Discount on Purchased      
   Covered Loans$18  $200   $152   
  Discount/Purchased Covered     
   Loans, gross 0.13% 1.21%  1.07% 
  Nonperforming Purchased Covered Loans/    
   Total Purchased Covered Loans 0.00% 0.00%  0.00% 
       
 Purchased Non-Covered Loans (2):     
  Fair Value Discount on Purchased      
   Non-Covered Loans$6,084  $8,705   $6,432   
  Discount/Purchased Non-Covered 3.91% 4.13%  3.70% 
   Loans, gross     
  Nonperforming Purchased Non-Covered Loans/    
   Total Purchased Non-Covered Loans 4.52% 4.97%  4.98% 
       
10. Capital.     
  (in thousands, except per-share amounts) 
    %  
  3/31/163/31/15Change12/31/15 
       
 Shareholders' Equity$538,973  $527,380   2.2%$532,205   
 Total Assets 5,199,868   5,035,777   3.3% 5,168,875   
       
 Shareholders' Equity/     
   Total Assets 10.37% 10.47%  10.30% 
 Shareholders' Equity/     
   Total Loans 36.59% 31.32%  34.71% 
 Tangible Common Equity Ratio 8.04% 8.01%  7.94% 
 Common Shares Outstanding 25,438   25,563   -0.5% 25,528   
 Common Equity Per Share$21.19  $20.63   2.7%$20.85   
 Market Value Per Common Share$48.71  $43.21   12.7%$46.75   
       
 Share Repurchase Programs     
  (shares in thousands) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
       
 Total Shares Repurchased 130   183   -28.7% 2   
   Average Repurchase Price$41.53  $42.99   -3.4%$43.01   
 Net Shares Repurchased 90   182   -50.5% 2   
       
11. Period-End Balance Sheets.     
  (unaudited, dollars in thousands) 
    %  
  3/31/163/31/15Change12/31/15 
 Assets:     
   Cash and Due from Banks$471,164  $247,450   90.4%$433,044   
       
   Investment Securities:     
    Available For Sale 1,585,970   1,777,320   -10.8% 1,570,216   
    Held to Maturity 1,358,139   1,015,231   33.8% 1,316,075   
       
   Loans 1,473,196   1,683,884   -12.5% 1,533,396   
   Allowance For Loan Losses (29,487) (31,187) -5.5% (29,771) 
   Total Loans, net 1,443,709   1,652,697   -12.6% 1,503,625   
       
   Other Real Estate Owned 8,438   9,233   -8.6% 9,264   
   Premises and Equipment, net 38,045   38,313   -0.7% 38,693   
   Identifiable Intangibles, net 9,526   13,286   -28.3% 10,431   
   Goodwill  121,673   121,673   0.0% 121,673   
   Other Assets 163,204   160,574   1.6% 165,854   
       
 Total Assets$5,199,868  $5,035,777   3.3%$5,168,875   
       
 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:     
   Deposits:     
    Noninterest Bearing$1,989,010  $1,902,904   4.5%$2,026,049   
    Interest-Bearing Transaction 855,008   787,633   8.6% 860,706   
    Savings 1,393,919   1,313,007   6.2% 1,366,936   
    Time 278,813   376,532   -26.0% 286,968   
   Total Deposits 4,516,750   4,380,076   3.1% 4,540,659   
       
   Short-Term Borrowed Funds 52,451   82,960   -36.8% 53,028   
   Federal Home Loan Bank Advances   -     -  n/m             -   
   Other Liabilities 91,694   45,361   102.1% 42,983   
 Total Liabilities 4,660,895   4,508,397   3.4% 4,636,670   
       
 Shareholders' Equity:     
   Common Equity:     
    Paid-In Capital 381,426   377,669   1.0% 381,436   
    Accumulated Other     
      Comprehensive Income 6,619   9,600   -31.1% 675   
    Retained Earnings 150,928   140,111   7.7% 150,094   
 Total Shareholders' Equity 538,973   527,380   2.2% 532,205   
       
 Total Liabilities and      
   Shareholders' Equity$5,199,868  $5,035,777   3.3%$5,168,875   
       
12. Income Statements.     
  (unaudited, in thousands except per-share amounts) 
    %  
  Q1'16Q1'15ChangeQ4'15 
 Interest & Fee Income:     
   Loans$18,353  $20,230   -9.3%$18,798   
   Investment Securities:     
    Available for Sale 7,967   7,469   6.7% 7,916   
    Held to Maturity 7,327   6,218   17.8% 7,174   
 Total Interest & Fee Income 33,647   33,917   -0.8% 33,888   
       
 Interest Expense:     
   Transaction Deposits 70   63   11.2% 70   
   Savings Deposits 223   216   3.2% 218   
   Time Deposits 250   363   -31.2% 266   
   Short-Term Borrowed Funds 9   16   -43.1% 9   
   Federal Home Loan Bank Advances   -   1  n/m             -   
 Total Interest Expense 552   659   -16.4% 563   
       
 Net Interest Income 33,095   33,258   -0.5% 33,325   
       
 Provision for Loan Losses   -     -  n/m             -   
       
 Noninterest Income:     
   Service Charges  5,248   5,707   -8.0% 5,259   
   Merchant Processing Services 1,529   1,703   -10.2% 1,368   
   Debit Card Fees 1,516   1,456   4.1% 1,557   
   Other Service Fees 629   665   -5.5% 648   
   ATM Processing Fees 658   585   12.6% 569   
   Trust Fees 661   706   -6.5% 671   
   Financial Services Commissions 156   153   2.2% 168   
   Other 1,332   1,325   0.5% 1,065   
 Total Noninterest Income 11,729   12,300   -4.6% 11,305   
       
 Noninterest Expense:     
   Salaries and  Benefits 13,117   13,338   -1.6% 12,398   
   Occupancy  3,398   3,727   -8.8% 3,761   
   Outsourced Data Processing 2,130   2,108   1.1% 2,107   
   Amortization of Identifiable Intangibles 905   1,001   -9.5% 948   
   Professional Fees 732   548   33.4% 614   
   Furniture & Equipment 1,213   1,119   8.4% 1,081   
   Other Real Estate Owned 111   315   -64.7% 53   
   Courier Service 545   543   0.4% 585   
   Other 3,707   4,028   -8.0% 3,957   
 Total Noninterest Expense 25,858   26,727   -3.3% 25,504   
       
 Income Before Income Taxes 18,966   18,831   0.7% 19,126   
 Income Tax Provision 4,740   4,274   10.9% 4,548   
 Net Income$14,226  $14,557   -2.3%$14,578   
       
 Average Common Shares Outstanding 25,445   25,651   -0.8% 25,528   
 Diluted Common Shares Outstanding 25,468   25,655   -0.7% 25,555   
       
 Per Common Share Data:     
   Basic Earnings$0.56  $0.57   -1.8%$0.57   
   Diluted Earnings 0.56   0.57   -1.8% 0.57   
   Dividends Paid 0.39   0.38   2.6% 0.39   
       
 Footnotes and Abbreviations:     
   (FTE) Fully Taxable Equivalent     
   (a) Annualized     
   (1) Purchased covered loans and repossessed loan collateral represent assets purchased in a business combination on which losses are shared with the FDIC per a Loss-Sharing Agreement.  
   (2) Purchased non-covered loans and repossessed loan collateral represent assets purchased in a business combination.  
    

            

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