Northrim BanCorp Earns $3.7 Million, or $0.53 Per Diluted Share, in Q314

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Oct. 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:NRIM) ("Northrim") today reported net profits of $3.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $4.4 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2014 and $3.5 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in the third quarter a year ago. Contributions from the acquisition of Alaska Pacific Bancshares, Inc. ("Alaska Pacific") increased revenues and helped provide a stable net interest margin, while costs associated with the acquisition of Alaska Pacific and the pending acquisition of Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC, the parent company of Residential Mortgage, LLC ("Residential Mortgage") increased third quarter 2014 operating costs. Year-to-date 2014, net profits increased 11% to $10.7 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, compared to $9.6 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2013.

"This year we have significantly expanded our franchise with the acquisition of Alaska Pacific, bringing on five new locations in southeastern Alaska, and we expect to further expand with the pending acquisition of the remaining 76.5% of Residential Mortgage, one of the largest mortgage originators in Alaska," said Marc Langland, Chairman, President and CEO of Northrim Bancorp. "We believe these well-established businesses will be a good fit to our existing Alaskan operations and will provide us the opportunity to broaden our market share in Alaska."

Financial Highlights (at or for the periods ended September 30, 2014, compared to June 30, 2014, and September 30, 2013)

• Total revenues, which include net interest income plus other operating income, increased 6.5% in the quarter as compared to the second quarter of 2014 and 30.8% year-over year to $18.7 million in the third quarter of 2014.
• Net interest income grew 2.3% to $13.7 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $13.4 million in the second quarter of 2014 and increased 24.5% from $11.0 million in the third quarter a year ago.
• Other operating income, which includes revenues from our financial services affiliates, service charges, electronic banking, and gain on sale from premises and equipment, were 26.4% of total revenues in the third quarter of 2014, as compared to 23.4% in the second quarter of 2014 and 22.7% in the third quarter a year ago.
• Northrim paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share in September of 2014, up from the $0.17 per share dividend paid in the preceding quarter. The dividend provides a yield of approximately 2.5% at current market share prices.
• Tangible book value¹ grew 1.6% to $22.08 per share at September 30, 2014, compared to $21.73 at June 30, 2014 and 6.9% compared to $20.66 per share a year ago.
• Average portfolio loans increased 27.4% to $936.4 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013, reflecting the addition of the loans acquired from Alaska Pacific and organic growth generated throughout the franchise.
• Northrim remains well-capitalized with Tier 1 Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets at September 30, 2014, of 14.33%, compared to 14.26% at June 30, 2014, and 15.31% a year ago. The decrease in Tier 1 Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets at September 30, 2014 as compared to the third quarter of 2013, is a result of the acquisition of $167.2 million in assets from Alaska Pacific. Northrim paid $6.4 million in cash and issued 290,212 shares of common stock with a value of $7.4 million on April 1, 2014 for the acquisition of Alaska Pacific.
• Tangible common equity to tangible assets² was 10.69% at September 30, 2014, compared to 11.02% at June 30, 2014, and 11.49% a year ago.

¹Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP measure defined as shareholders' equity, less intangible assets, divided by shares outstanding. See the last page of this release for a reconciliation to shareholders' equity.

²Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP measure defined as total equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and intangible assets. See the last page of this release for more information on this non-GAAP measure.

Alaska Economic Update

"Alaska's economy continues to be stable with natural resources production providing the backbone of government revenues and a significant source of private sector employment in the state," said Joseph Beedle, Northrim Bank's President. "The defeat of the statewide referendum in August to repeal the favorable 2013 oil tax legislation was an important development, providing for a more stable operating environment for future development. Since the tax was changed in 2013, North Slope producers have intensified field activity, brought on new drill rigs and slowed the decline in oil production from the North Slope. Although the tax change has had a positive effect on the oil industry, the recent decrease in the price of oil may have a negative impact on future oil development and on state revenues."

Northrim Bank sponsors the Alaskanomics blog to provide news, analysis and commentary on Alaska's economy. Join the conversation at Alaskanomics.com or for more information on the Alaska economy, visit: www.northrim.com and click on the "About Northrim" link and then click "Alaska's economy". Information from our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this press release.

Review of Operations:

Revenue and Net Interest Income

Total revenues, which include net interest income plus other operating income, were $18.7 million in the third quarter of 2014, up 6.5% from $17.5 million in the second quarter of 2014 and up 30.8% from $14.3 million in the third quarter of 2013. Total revenues increased 17.7% in the first nine months of 2014 to $50.1 million from $42.6 million in the first nine months of 2013, reflecting the addition of the Alaska Pacific franchise.

"In the third quarter of 2014, net interest income increased 2.3% to $13.7 million, compared to $13.4 million in the immediate prior quarter and was up 24.5% from $11.0 million in the third quarter of 2013. With our second full quarter of operation following the acquisition of Alaska Pacific, we are generating top line growth and the integration of the new branches is continuing to proceed according to plan," said Beedle.

"Our net interest margin remained well above national averages in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 from the year ago periods," said Joe Schierhorn, Chief Operating Officer. In the third quarter of 2014, Northrim's net interest margin (NIM) was 4.43%, even with the preceding quarter and up from 4.24% in the third quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of 2014, NIM was 4.38% compared to 4.30% for the first nine months of 2013.

Provision for Loan Losses

"We did not record a provision for loan losses this quarter, and have recorded a negative provision of $1.1 million year-to-date," said Latosha Frye, Chief Financial Officer. The loan loss provision for the third quarter was zero, compared to a negative loan loss provision of $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2014 of this year and a negative provision of $785,000 in the third quarter of 2013.

For the first nine months of 2014, the negative loan loss provision totaled $1.1 million, compared to a negative provision of $635,000 in the first nine months of 2013.

Other Operating Income

Northrim has interests in a number of complementary businesses that provide financial services to businesses and individuals, including purchased receivables financing, health insurance plans, mortgage origination and wealth management. In the third quarter of 2014, total other operating income increased 20% to $4.9 million from $4.1 million in the preceding quarter and grew 52% from $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2013. "A $1.1 million gain on the sale of a branch location and contributions to fees on loans, deposits, and electronic transactions from the acquisition of Alaska Pacific contributed to the increase in other operating income in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the prior periods. We have worked with the State of Alaska to accommodate a major road project that will allow us to relocate one of our Anchorage branches, and the sale of this older facility generated a gain in the third quarter this year. The new branch will be located in the University Medical district, which is a growth area in Anchorage. The new branch is expected to open in the second quarter of 2015, and our existing branch will remain open until the new facility is ready to welcome our customers," Frye continued.

"Year-to-date, growth in employee benefit plan income generated from Enroll Alaska, a division of our affiliate, Northrim Benefits Group, LLC that provides health insurance plans to individuals under the Affordable Care Act, and higher revenue in several categories as a result of the Alaska Pacific acquisition helped offset lower income from purchased receivables and a reduction in earnings from our mortgage affiliate as compared to the first nine months of 2013," said Frye. In the first nine months of 2014, other operating income was $11.7 million, up from $10.1 million a year ago.

Employee benefit plan income increased to $899,000 in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $878,000 in the preceding quarter and $541,000 in the third quarter of 2013, primarily due to revenue contributions from Enroll Alaska. For the first nine months of 2014, employee benefit plan income increased 52% to $2.7 million from $1.7 million in the first nine months of 2013. Approximately 59% of the increase in employee benefit plan income in the first nine months of 2014 resulted from an increase in revenues from Enroll Alaska. Northrim expects that Enroll Alaska revenues will increase only moderately through the remainder of 2014.

In the third quarter of this year, service charges were $599,000, down from $607,000 in the preceding quarter and up from $549,000 in the third quarter a year ago. In the third quarter of 2014, electronic banking income contributed $590,000 to other operating income, compared to $604,000 in the second quarter of 2014 and $567,000 in the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, electronic banking income grew 5% to $1.7 million and service charges increased 4% to $1.7 million from the year ago period.

Purchased receivable income was $582,000 in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to $484,000 in the second quarter of 2014, and $757,000 in the third quarter a year ago, reflecting the normal volatility in this business lending niche. For the first nine months of 2014, purchased receivable income declined 31% to $1.5 million from $2.2 million in the first nine months of 2013.

Earnings from Residential Mortgage contributed $384,000 to third quarter 2014 revenues compared to $355,000 in the second quarter of 2014 and $336,000 in the third quarter of 2013. Residential Mortgage generated earnings of $608,000 in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $1.1 million in the first nine months of 2013. "As one of the leading mortgage providers in Alaska, Residential Mortgage is expected to continue to be an even more important contributor to other operating income once Northrim owns 100% of the company. We anticipate the acquisition will close later this year, following review by our regulators and other customary closing procedures," said Schierhorn.

Gain on sale of securities contributed $15,000 to revenues in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $349,000 in the second quarter of 2014 and zero in the third quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of 2014, gain on sale of securities generated $461,000 in revenues compared to $318,000 in the first nine months of 2013.

Other income totaled $750,000 for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $829,000 in the second quarter of 2014 and $493,000 in the third quarter of 2013. The increase in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter in 2013 is the result of a $113,000 increase in loan fee income primarily due to the acquisition of Alaska Pacific. Additionally, there was a $69,000 increase in income from Pacific Wealth Advisors, LLC, Northrim's wealth management affiliate, and a $60,000 increase in rental income. Northrim completed a significant portion of its ongoing renovation project on its headquarters facility and began leasing space in the third quarter of 2014. For the first nine months of 2014, other income was $2.0 million compared to $1.5 million in the first nine months a year ago. In the nine month period ending September 30, 2014, the acquisition of Alaska Pacific also added $214,000 in loan fee income and $168,000 in a one-time bargain purchase gain. Income from Pacific Wealth Advisors, LLC also increased $121,000 in the nine month period ending September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in the prior year.

Other Operating Expenses

Overhead costs increased 10% to $13.1 million in the third quarter of 2014, as compared to $12.0 million in the second quarter of 2014, reflecting costs related to the pending acquisition of Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC, the acquisition and one-time merger costs for Alaska Pacific, and the conversion expenses to bring Alaska Pacific's operations onto Northrim's technology platform. In the third quarter a year ago overhead costs were $10.1 million. For the first nine months of 2014, other operating expenses increased 21% to $35.4 million from $29.2 million in the first nine months of 2013. Third quarter 2014 compensation costs grew 4% to $7.1 million from $6.8 million in the second quarter of 2014, and increased 16% from the third quarter a year ago.

Balance Sheet Review

Northrim's assets increased 20% to $1.42 billion at September 30, 2014, compared to $1.18 billion a year ago and 5% from $1.36 billion at June 30, 2014, reflecting the $167.2 million in acquired assets from Alaska Pacific.

Investment securities totaled $243.2 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $213.6 million at June 30, 2014, and $243.1 million a year ago. At September 30, 2014, the investment portfolio was comprised of 67% U.S. Agency securities (primarily Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Farm Credit Bank debt), 18% corporate securities, 7% Alaskan municipality, utility, or state agency securities, 6% U.S. treasury securities, 1% stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle, and 1% in mortgage backed securities. At September 30, 2014, the average estimated duration of the investment portfolio was two years. The investment portfolio generated an average net tax equivalent yield of 1.43% for the third quarter of 2014.

Portfolio loans grew 1% to $936.7 million at September 30, 2014, as compared to $926.8 million at June 30, 2014, and grew 24%, as compared to $754.6 million at September 30, 2013. On April 1, 2014, Northrim acquired $138.4 million in loans from Alaska Pacific. Portfolio loans in our recently acquired Southeast Alaska market have decreased during this period of integration of personnel and systems. Southeast portfolio loans decreased to $132.9 million from $137.9 million, or 4%, at September 30, 2014 from June 30, 2014. The following table provides details on the acquired loan portfolio after fair value adjustments as of September 30, 2014, including new loans originated in our new Southeast Alaska markets since we acquired Alaska Pacific:

"We generated organic loan growth outside of our Southeast region during the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the preceding and year-ago quarters with additions in commercial real estate loans and construction lending," Schierhorn noted. Commercial loans fell 6% in the quarter ended September 30, 2014 as compared to June 30, 2014, and increased 4% year-over-year to $317.3 million and accounted for 34% of portfolio loans at September 30, 2014. Commercial real estate loans totaled $451.8 million and accounted for 48% of portfolio loans at September 30, 2014. Construction and land development loans increased 18% in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter of 2014 and 76% year-over-year to $106.3 million and accounted for 11% of portfolio loans at September 30, 2014. Consumer loans totaled $65.8 million and accounted for 7% of portfolio loans at quarter end.

Loans held for sale were $10.3 million at the end of the third quarter of 2014, compared to $14.2 million at June 30, 2014 and $13.9 million a year ago. The average balance for the quarter for loans held for sale decreased to $8.8 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $10.8 million at June 30, 2014 and $13.4 million a year ago, primarily reflecting the volatility in the mortgage refinance market. Northrim purchases these loans from its mortgage affiliate and sells them into the secondary market on pre-arranged commitments.

Northrim's deposit base continues to be 100% Alaska based, and is primarily made up of low-cost transaction accounts. Balances in transaction accounts at September 30, 2014, represented 90.9% of total deposits compared to 90.7% a year ago. At September 30, 2014, total deposits were $1.19 billion, up 23% from $968.2 million a year ago and up 5% compared to $1.13 billion at June 30, 2014. On April 1, 2014, Northrim acquired $151.4 million in deposits from Alaska Pacific and recorded a $623,000 core deposit intangible as part of the purchase. The following table provides details on the deposits after fair value adjustments acquired from Alaska Pacific as of September 30, 2014, including new deposits generated in our new Southeast Alaska markets since we acquired Alaska Pacific:

At September 30, 2014, noninterest-bearing demand deposits accounted for 37% of total deposits, interest-bearing demand accounts were 15%, savings deposits were 10%, money market balances accounted for 20%, the Alaska CD accounted for 9%, and time certificates were 9% of total deposits.

Shareholders' equity increased 12% to $159.1 million, or $23.31 per share, at September 30, 2014, compared to $142.6 million, or $21.89 per share, a year ago. At June 30, 2014, shareholders' equity was $156.9 million, or $22.97 per share. Tangible book value per share was $22.08 at September 30, 2014, compared to $20.66 per share a year ago and $21.73 per share at June 30, 2014. Northrim remains well-capitalized with Tier 1 Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets of 14.33% at September 30, 2014.

Asset Quality

Nonaccrual loans decreased to $2.8 million from $3.1 million and non-performing assets ("NPAs") declined to $7.8 million from $8.2 million at September 30, 2014 as compared to June 30, 2014. NPAs increased 18% from $6.6 million at September 30, 2013 primarily as a result of the acquisition of the Alaska Pacific loan portfolio. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the acquired loan portfolio was recorded at its estimated fair value as of April 1, 2014 and the total fair value adjustment was a net discount of $3.0 million. The ratio of NPAs to total assets was 0.55% at September 30, 2014, a decrease from 0.61% three months earlier and down from 0.56% a year ago.

Nonperforming loans ("NPLs") were 0.29% of portfolio loans at September 30, 2014 compared to 0.33% in the preceding quarter and 0.38% a year ago. NPLs were $2.8 million at September 30, 2014, as compared to $3.1 million at June 30, 2014, and $2.9 million a year ago. Other real estate owned (OREO) was $4.7 million at the end of the third quarter of 2014, compared to $4.9 million in the preceding quarter and $3.7 million at the end of the third quarter of 2013. Nonperforming purchased receivables were $243,000 at September 30, 2014 and at June 30, 2014 and zero at September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2014, 12% of NPAs, or $909,000 were guaranteed by agencies of the United States government or the State of Alaska.

Loans measured for impairment totaled $10.6 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $12.0 million at June 30, 2014, and $11.0 million in the third quarter a year ago.

There were $1.7 million in restructured loans included in nonaccrual loans at the end of the third quarter of 2014, as compared to $1.5 million at June 30, 2014, and $1.8 million at September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2014, Northrim held $6.7 million in performing restructured loans that were not included in nonaccrual loans, as compared to $7.2 million at June 30, 2014, and $7.1 million at September 30, 2013.

"Borrowers who are in financial difficulty and who have been granted concessions that may include interest rate reductions, term extensions, or payment alterations are categorized as restructured loans," said Frye. "We present restructured loans that are performing separately from those that are in nonaccrual to provide more information on this category of loans and to differentiate between accruing performing and nonperforming restructured loans."

The coverage ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 588% at September 30, 2014, compared to 521% three months earlier, and 569% a year ago. The allowance for loan losses was stable at $16.2 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $16.0 million at the end of the preceding quarter and $16.5 million a year ago.

About Northrim BanCorp

Northrim BanCorp, Inc. is the parent company of Northrim Bank, an Alaska-based community bank with 15 branches in Anchorage, the Matanuska Valley, Juneau, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, and Sitka serving 75% of Alaska's population; and an asset based lending division in Washington. The Bank differentiates itself with its detailed knowledge of Alaska's economy and its "Customer First Service" philosophy. Affiliated companies include Elliott Cove Insurance Agency, LLC; Elliott Cove Capital Management, LLC; Residential Mortgage, LLC; Northrim Benefits Group, LLC; and Pacific Wealth Advisors, LLC.

www.northrim.com

Forward-Looking Statement

This release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined for purposes of Section 21D of the Securities and Exchange Act. These statements are, in effect, management's attempt to predict future events, and thus are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy and management's plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements.  When used in this report, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," and "intend" and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to Northrim and its management are intended to help identify forward-looking statements.  Although we believe that management's expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct.  Forward looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results may differ materially and adversely from our expectations as indicated in the forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include: our ability to maintain strong asset quality and to maintain or expand our market share or net interest margins; our ability to implement our marketing and growth strategies; our expected cost savings, synergies, and other financial benefits from the recently completed merger of Northrim with Alaska Pacific might not be realized within the expected time frames and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters might be greater than expected; our expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the pending acquisition of Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC might not be realized within the expected time frames and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters might be greater than expected; the requisite regulatory approvals for the proposed acquisition of Residential Mortgage Holding Company, LLC might not be obtained; and our ability to execute our business plan.  Further, actual results may be affected by our ability to compete on price and other factors with other financial institutions; customer acceptance of new products and services; the regulatory environment in which we operate; and general trends in the local, regional and national banking industry and economy as those factors relate to our cost of funds and return on assets.  In addition, there are risks inherent in the banking industry relating to collectability of loans and changes in interest rates.  Many of these risks, as well as other risks that may have a material adverse impact on our operations and business, are identified in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, and from time to time are disclosed in our other filings with the SEC.  However, you should be aware that these factors are not an exhaustive list, and you should not assume these are the only factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Northrim does not undertake any obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or conditions after the date of this release.