Park Sterling Corporation Announces Record Results for Second Quarter 2015

CHARLOTTE, NC--(Marketwired - July 23, 2015) - Park Sterling Corporation (NASDAQ: PSTB), the holding company for Park Sterling Bank, today released unaudited results of operations and other financial information for the second quarter of 2015. Highlights at and for the three months ended June 30, 2015 include:

Highlights

• Net income increased $486,000 (13%) to a record $4.3 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to $3.8 million, or $0.09 per share, in the quarter ended March 31, 2015
• Adjusted net income, which excludes merger-related expenses and gain or loss on sale of securities, increased $515,000 (13%) to a record $4.4 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to $3.9 million, or $0.09 per share, in the prior quarter
• Organic loan growth, excluding loans held for sale, of $42.6 million, or 11% annualized growth rate
• Wealth management discretionary assets under management increased $31.7 million (8%) to a record $438.3 million, compared to $406.5 million at March 31, 2015
• Mortgage banking origination volume increased $14.3 million (25%) to a record $71.7 million, compared to $57.4 million in the prior quarter
• Annualized return on average assets of 0.71% compared to 0.64% in the prior quarter
• Adjusted noninterest expenses to adjusted operating revenues, which excludes merger-related expenses and gain or loss on sale of securities, decreased 380 basis points to 72.5% from 76.3% in the prior quarter
• Nonperforming loans decreased $1.0 million (13%) to 0.52% of total loans from 0.60% at March 31, 2015
• Nonperforming assets decreased $1.5 million (8%) to 0.75% of total assets from 0.83% at March 31, 2015
• Tangible common equity to tangible assets remained strong at 9.99%
• Declared quarterly cash dividend on common shares of $0.03 per share (July 2015)

"Park Sterling's second quarter results continue to advance our stated objective of leveraging recent investments in origination bankers, new product capabilities and new offices to enhance profitability," said James C. Cherry, Chief Executive Officer. "For the three months ended June 30, 2015, we reported a $486,000, or 13%, increase in net income to a record $4.3 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to net income of $3.8 million, or $0.09 per share, reported last quarter.

"The company posted 11% annualized organic loan growth, led by continued strong performance in our metropolitan markets, and held adjusted net interest margin essentially flat at 3.77%. Noninterest income benefitted from increased service charges on deposit accounts, mortgage banking income and income from wealth management activities. In addition, our mortgage group produced record origination volumes and our wealth management group reported record discretionary assets under management.

"We continued to demonstrate sound expense management, as noninterest expenses decreased $907,000, or 5%, to $18.2 million, compared to $19.1 million in the prior quarter. Adjusted noninterest expenses to adjusted operating income, which excludes merger-related expenses and gain or loss from sale of securities, decreased 380 basis points to 72.5% for the quarter, marking good progress toward our previously stated objective of attaining a ratio below 70% by year end. In addition, asset quality continued to improve from already attractive levels, as nonperforming loans to total loans decreased eight basis points to 0.52% and nonperforming assets to total assets decreased eight basis points to 0.75%, compared to March 31, 2015. Finally, capitalization remains strong with tangible common equity to tangible assets of 9.99% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.09%.

"On the capital management front, yesterday the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per common share, payable on August 19, 2015, to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 5, 2015. Future dividends will be subject to board approval. In addition, during the second quarter we purchased approximately 146,000 shares under our previously announced 2.2 million share repurchase program.

"Overall, we are pleased to report these strong financial results and believe that Park Sterling is well positioned to continue pursuing our vision of building a full-service regional banking franchise across the Carolinas and Virginia."

Financial Results

Income Statement - Three Months Ended June 30, 2015

Park Sterling reported a $486,000, or 13%, increase in net income to a record $4.3 million, or $0.10 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 ("2015Q2"). This compares to net income of $3.8 million, or $0.09 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 ("2015Q1") and net income of $3.4 million, or $0.08 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2014 ("2014Q2"). The increase in net income from 2015Q1 resulted from higher net interest income, lower noninterest expense and a decrease in provision expense. The increase in net income from 2014Q2 resulted from both higher net interest and noninterest income levels, which were partially offset by higher provision expense.

Park Sterling reported a $515,000, or 13%, increase in adjusted net income, which excludes merger-related expenses and gain or loss on sale of securities, to a record $4.4 million, or $0.10 per share, in 2015Q2. This compares to adjusted net income of $3.9 million, or $0.09 per share, in 2015Q1 and adjusted net income of $3.8 million, or $0.09 per share, in 2014Q2. Compared to 2015Q1, adjusted net income reflects an increase in net interest income and a decrease in provision and noninterest expense levels. Compared to 2014Q2, adjusted net income reflects both higher net interest and noninterest income levels, which were partially offset by higher provision expense.

Net interest income totaled $20.6 million in 2015Q2, which represents a $190,000, or 1%, increase from $20.4 million in 2015Q1. This increase is attributable to having both higher average earning assets and one more day in 2015Q2. Net interest income increased $1.5 million, or 8%, from $19.1 million in 2014Q2, resulting from higher average earning assets. Average total earning assets increased $29.4 million, or 1%, in 2015Q2 to $2.19 billion, compared to $2.16 billion in 2015Q1 and increased $247.0 million, or 13%, compared to $1.94 billion in 2014Q2. The increase in average total earning assets in 2015Q2 from 2015Q1 resulted from a $41.4 million, or 3% (10% annualized), increase in average loans (including loans held for sale) driven by organic growth, which was partially offset by a $3.8 million, or 1%, decrease in average marketable securities and an $8.4 million, or 14%, decrease in average other interest-earning assets. The increase in average total earning assets in 2015Q2 from 2014Q2 resulted primarily from a $59.8 million, or 14%, increase in average marketable securities, a $246.7 million, or 18%, increase in average loans (including loans held for sale), partially offset by a $59.8 million, or 53%, decrease in average other earning assets.

Net interest margin was 3.78% in 2015Q2, representing a 6 basis point decrease from 3.84% in 2015Q1 and a 17 basis point decrease from 3.95% in 2014Q2. The reduction in net interest margin from 2015Q1 resulted primarily from a 4 basis point decrease in yield on loans to 4.80%, driven by continued competitive pricing pressures, and a 24 basis point decrease in yield on marketable securities to 2.18%, as the prior quarter yield included $267,000 in additional income from the early redemption of two investment securities held by the company at a discount to their redemption prices. The reduction in net interest margin from 2014Q2 resulted primarily from a 58 basis point decrease in yield on loans, due primarily to lower interest rates on new loans, partially offset by an 11 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

Adjusted net interest margin, which excludes accelerated accretion from net acquisition accounting fair market value adjustments and income from the aforementioned early bond redemptions, was 3.77% in 2015Q2, representing a 1 basis point decrease from 3.78% in 2015Q1 and a 16 basis point decrease from 3.93% in 2014Q2. Accelerated accretion of net acquisition accounting fair market value adjustments ($52,000 in 2015Q2, $79,000 in 2015Q1 and $86,000 in 2014Q2) reflects accelerated accretion of credit and interest rate marks resulting from borrowers repaying performing acquired loans faster than required by their contractual terms and/or restructuring loans in such a way as to effectively result in a new loan under the contractual cash flow method of accounting, both of which result in the associated remaining credit and interest rate marks being fully accreted into interest income. Income from the early redemption of investment securities ($0 in 2015Q2, $267,000 in 2015Q1 and $0 in 2014Q2) reflects gains recorded on two bonds carried by the company at discounts to their respective redemption prices. The reduction in adjusted net interest margin from both 2015Q1 and 2014Q2 resulted primarily from the decrease in loan yields discussed above.

The company reported $134,000 in provision for loan losses in 2015Q2, compared to $180,000 in 2015Q1 and a net release of provision of $365,000 in 2014Q2. The current period provision was driven by impairments in the company's purchase credit impaired ("PCI") loan pools, as accounted for under ASC 310-30.

Noninterest income decreased $209,000, or 5%, to $4.3 million in 2015Q2, compared to $4.5 million in 2015Q1 and increased $314,000, or 8%, compared to $4.0 million in 2014Q2. The decrease from 2015Q1 was driven by non-customer related activity, including (i) a $215,000, or 28%, decrease in income from bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") due to a lower death benefit ($47,000 in 2015Q2, $272,000 in 2015Q1, $0 in 2014Q2); (ii) a $291,000, or 143%, decrease in other noninterest income due primarily to the reclassification of $250,000 in income to reductions of capital on certain limited partnership investments based on final 2014 partnership documentation received, which fully offset (iii) the benefit from a $229,000, or 58%, decrease in amortization of indemnification asset and true-up liability expense. Customer-related activities performed well compared to 2015Q1, including (i) an $88,000, or 9%, increase in service charges on deposit accounts; (ii) a $44,000, or 5%, increase in income from wealth management activities, which also posted a $31.7 million, or 8%, increase in discretionary assets under management to a record $438.3 million; (iii) a $5,000, or 1%, increase in mortgage banking income, which also posted a $14.3 million, or 25%, increase in mortgage banking production to a record $71.7 million; and (iv) a $4,000, or 1%, decrease in income from capital markets activities. Partially offsetting this net improvement in customer-related activity was a $65,000, or 9%, decrease in ATM and card income as a result of a $103,000 increase in expenses related to a special marketing program designed to increase future card usage. The increase from 2014Q2 reflects higher service charges on deposit accounts and ATM and card income, in part due to the acquisition of Provident Community Bancshares, Inc. ("Provident Community") in May 2014, as well as higher mortgage banking income, higher income from capital markets and lower amortization on the FDIC loss share indemnification asset and true-up liability expense.

Noninterest expenses decreased $907,000, or 5%, in 2015Q2 to $18.2 million compared to $19.1 million in 2015Q1, and remained flat compared to $18.2 million in 2014Q2. Adjusted noninterest expenses, which exclude merger-related expenses ($167,000 in 2015Q2, $122,000 in 2015Q1 and $594,000 in 2014Q2), decreased $952,000, or 5%, to $18.1 million in 2015Q2 compared to $19.0 million in 2015Q1, and increased $432,000, or 2%, compared to $17.6 million in 2014Q2. Approximately 80%, or $751,000, of the decrease in adjusted noninterest expenses from 2015Q1 resulted from three unusual items, including (i) a $109,000 decrease in salaries and employee benefits expense resulting from the higher severance expense related to staff rationalization efforts across various business units, as well as certain branch closures, reported in 2015Q1; (ii) a $124,000 decrease in write-downs related to the branch closures; and (iii) a $518,000 decrease in other noninterest expense as a $385,000 operational charge-off in 2015Q1 from bankcard operations partially reversed to a $133,000 recovery in 2015Q2. In addition, continued expense management efforts contributed to lower expenses in several other categories. These decreases were partially offset by increased net cost of operation of OREO. The increase in adjusted noninterest expense from 2014Q2 resulted primarily from increased expenses as a result of the Provident Community acquisition.

The company's effective tax rate increased to 34.7% in 2015Q2 compared to 32.5% in 2015Q1, which resulted from both a $43,000 true-up reduction of tax credits recorded in 2015Q2 and lower nontaxable income related to BOLI death benefits received in 2015Q2 compared to 2015Q1. The company's effective tax rate increased compared to 33.9% in 2014Q2, due primarily to the larger nontaxable BOLI death benefit in 2014Q2 as well as the true-up of tax credits recorded in 2015.

Income Statement - Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

Park Sterling reported a $1.1 million, or 15%, increase in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 ("2015YTD") to $8.1 million, or $0.18 per share, compared to net income for the six months ended June 30, 2014 ("2014YTD") of $7.0 million, or $0.16 per share. The increase in net income from 2014YTD resulted from higher net interest income and noninterest income, offset partially by an increase in provision expense and noninterest expenses.

Net interest income totaled $41.0 million in 2015YTD, which represents a $4.7 million, or 13%, increase from $36.4 million in 2014YTD. This increase is primarily attributable to having higher average earning assets as a result of both the Provident Community acquisition and organic loan growth. Net interest margin was 3.81% in 2015YTD, representing a 15 basis point decrease from 3.96% in 2014YTD. The reduction in net interest margin from 2014YTD resulted primarily from a 50 basis point decrease in yield on loans, due to lower interest rates on new loans, offset by a 13 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

The company reported $314 thousand in provision for loan losses in 2015YTD, compared to a net release of provision of $382 thousand in 2014YTD. The current period provision was driven by impairments in the company's PCI loan pools, as accounted for under ASC 310-30, as well as organic loan growth.

Noninterest income increased $1.3 million, or 17%, to $8.8 million in 2015YTD, compared to $7.5 million in 2014YTD. The increase from 2014YTD reflects higher service charges on deposit accounts and ATM and card income, in part due to the Provident Community acquisition, as well as higher income from each of mortgage banking, wealth management, and capital markets and lower amortization on the FDIC loss share indemnification asset and true-up liability expense.

Noninterest expense increased $3.4 million, or 10%, in 2015YTD to $37.4 million compared to $34.0 million in 2014YTD. The increase in noninterest expense from 2014YTD resulted primarily from increased expenses as a result of the Provident Community acquisition and hiring initiatives.

The company's effective tax rate increased to 33.7% in 2015YTD compared to 31.7% in 2014YTD, which resulted from both a $43,000 true-up reduction of tax credits recorded in 2015YTD and lower nontaxable income related to BOLI death benefits received in 2015YTD as compared to 2014YTD.

Balance Sheet

Total assets increased $46.0 million, or 2%, to $2.44 billion at 2015Q2 compared to total assets of $2.40 billion at 2015Q1. Cash and equivalents decreased $18.8 million, or 30%, to $44.3 million as a result of loan funding. Total securities, including non-marketable securities, increased $24.6 million, to $527.6 million. Total securities included one investment in a senior tranche of a collateralized loan obligation ("CLO") totaling $5.0 million in fair value at 2015Q2, with respect to which the collateral eligibility requirements have not yet been amended to comply with the new bank investment criteria under the Volcker Rule. The security had a net unrealized loss of $33,000 at 2015Q2 that could result in the company recognizing other-than-temporary impairment should it ultimately be determined not to comply with the Volcker Rule.

Total loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased $42.6 million, or 11% annualized, to $1.66 billion at 2015Q2. The company's metropolitan markets, which include Charlotte, Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina, Greenville and Charleston, South Carolina and Richmond, Virginia, reported a $50.9 million, or 24% annualized, increase in total loans to $901.3 million, due to continued success in origination efforts. The community markets reported an $11.1 million, or 11% annualized, decrease in total loans to $385.0 million, primarily due to more limited attractive lending opportunities. The company's central business units, which primarily include mortgage, builder finance, private banking and special assets, reported a $2.8 million, or 3% annualized, increase in total loans to $371.2 million, as growth in mortgage, private banking and builder finance more than offset reductions in special asset loans, including covered loans.

The company's loan mix shifted slightly at 2015Q2 compared to 2015Q1. Total consumer loans increased from 27.8% to 27.9% of total loans, with residential mortgages holding at 13.0%, home equity lines of credit decreasing to 9.5% from 9.6%, residential construction increasing from 3.7% to 3.8% and other consumer increasing from 1.6% to 1.7%. The combination of commercial and industrial and owner-occupied real estate loans decreased from 32.5% to 31.4% of total loans while investor-owned commercial real estate increased from 29.2% to 30.1% of total loans. Acquisition, construction and development held at 10.1% of total loans.

In terms of accounting designations, compared to 2015Q1: (i) non-acquired loans, which include certain renewed and/or restructured acquired performing loans that are re-designated as non-acquired, increased $73.4 million, or 26% annualized, to $1.23 billion; (ii) acquired performing loans decreased $23.7 million, or 28% annualized, to $317.4 million; and (iii) purchase credit impaired ("PCI") loans decreased $7.1 million, or 24% annualized, to $112.8 million. At 2015Q2, noncovered performing acquired loans (which totaled $315.8 million) included a $2.4 million net acquisition accounting fair market value adjustment, representing a 0.75% "mark;" noncovered PCI loans (which totaled $94.7 million) included a $23.6 million adjustment, representing an 19.93% "mark;" and covered performing acquired and PCI loans (which totaled $19.7 million) included a $5.2 million adjustment, representing a 20.87% "mark."

On March 31, 2015, the company's FDIC loss share agreement related to the Bank of Hiawassee ("BOH") non-single family assets, which was assumed in connection with the acquisition of Citizens South Banking Corporation ("Citizens South") in October 2012, expired. On April 1, 2015, the remaining carrying balance of $19.6 million in loans and $812,000 thousand in OREO associated with the BOH non-single family agreement were transferred from a "covered" designation to a "non-covered" designation on the company's balance sheet, and from that date the company will no longer benefit from FDIC indemnification on future losses, if any, on the related BOH non-single family loans and OREO.

Total deposits decreased $9.2 million, or 2% annualized, to $1.87 billion at 2015Q2, compared to $1.88 billion at 2015Q1, primarily due to seasonal factors. Noninterest bearing demand deposits increased $5.7 million, or 7% annualized, to $347.2 million (19% of total deposits). Non-brokered money market, NOW and savings deposits decreased $23.3 million, or 10% annualized, to $926.4 million (49% of total deposits). Local time deposits increased $6.9 million, or 6% annualized, to $465.0 million (25% of total deposits). Finally, brokered deposits increased $1.6 million, or 5% annualized, to $136.3 million (7% of total deposits). Core deposits, which exclude time deposits greater than $250,000 and brokered deposits, represented 89.4% of total deposits at 2015Q2 and 90.1% of total deposits at 2015Q1.

Total borrowings increased $55.2 million, or 27%, to $258.9 million at 2015Q2 compared to $203.8 million at 2015Q1. Borrowings at 2015Q2 included $235.0 million in FHLB borrowings and $23.9 million of acquired trust preferred securities, net of acquisition accounting fair market value adjustments.

Total shareholders' equity increased $625,000, or 0.2%, to $279.7 million at 2015Q2 compared to $279.1 million at 2015Q1, driven by retained earnings which was partially offset by higher unrealized losses in the marketable securities portfolio and the purchase of approximately 146,000 shares for $971,000 under a previously announced 2.2 million repurchase program. The company's ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets decreased to 9.99% at 2015Q2 from 10.15% at 2015Q1.

On January 1, 2015, the Basel III federal regulatory standards became effective. As permitted for regulated institutions that are not designated as "advanced approach" banking organizations (those with assets greater than $250 billion or with foreign exposures greater than $10 billion), the company made a one-time, permanent election to opt out of the requirement to include most components of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") in regulatory capital. The company's Common Equity Tier 1 ("CET1") ratio decreased to 13.30% at 2015Q2 compared to 14.18% at 2015Q1 due to an increase in risk weighted assets. The company's Tier 1 leverage ratio was 11.09% at 2015Q2 compared to 11.00% at 2015Q1.

Asset Quality

Asset quality remains a point of strength for the company. Nonperforming assets decreased $1.5 million, or 8%, to $18.4 million at 2015Q2, or 0.75% of total assets, compared to $20.0 million at 2015Q1, or 0.83% of total assets. Nonperforming loans decreased $1.0 million, or 11%, to $8.7 million at 2015Q2, and represent 0.52% of total loans, compared to $9.7 million at 2015Q1, or 0.60% of total loans. The company reported net charge-offs of $327,000, or 0.08% of average loans (annualized), in 2015Q2, compared to net recoveries of $148,000, or 0.04% of average loans (annualized), in 2015Q1. Included in charge-offs and provision expense for 2015Q2 was $156,000 of net impairment related to PCI pools.

The allowance for loan losses decreased $122,000, or 1%, to $8.5 million, or 0.51% of total loans, at 2015Q2, compared to $8.6 million, or 0.53% of total loans, at 2015Q1. The decrease in allowance included (i) a $219,000, or 8%, decrease in the quantitative component, resulting from lower historic loss rates, (ii) a $435,000, or 8%, increase in the qualitative component, reflecting management judgment of inherent loss in the loan portfolio not represented in historic loss rates, and (iii) a $387,000, or 54%, decrease in the specific component. Overall the decrease in the allowance was due to a decrease in historic loss rates as well as continued improvement in nonperforming loans.

During the first quarter of 2011, and as contemplated in Park Sterling Bank's 2010 public offering, 568,260 shares of restricted stock were issued but will not vest until the company's share price achieves certain performance thresholds above the equity offering price (these restricted stock awards, of which 554,400 remained outstanding at 2015Q2, vest one-third each when the share price reaches, for 30 consecutive days, $8.125, $9.10 and $10.40 per share, respectively). These performance thresholds have not yet been achieved. Accordingly, these additional shares have been excluded from earnings and tangible book value per share calculations.

Conference Call

A conference call will be held at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time this morning (July 23, 2015). The conference call can be accessed by dialing (888) 317-6016 and requesting the Park Sterling Corporation earnings call. Listeners should dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The live webcast and presentation slides will be available on www.parksterlingbank.com under Investor Relations, "Investor Presentations."

A replay of the webcast will be available on www.parksterlingbank.com under Investor Relations, "Investor Presentations" shortly following the call. A replay of the conference call can be accessed approximately one hour after the call by dialing (877) 344-7529 and requesting conference number 10067612.

About Park Sterling Corporation
Park Sterling Corporation, the holding company for Park Sterling Bank, is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Park Sterling, a regional community-focused financial services company with approximately $2.4 billion in assets, is the largest community bank headquartered in the Charlotte area and has 54 banking offices stretching across the Carolinas and into North Georgia, as well as in Richmond, Virginia. The bank serves professionals, individuals, and small and mid-sized businesses by offering a full array of financial services, including deposit, mortgage banking, cash management, consumer and business finance, capital markets and wealth management services with a commitment to "Answers You Can Bank On℠." Park Sterling prides itself on being large enough to help customers achieve their financial aspirations, yet small enough to care that they do. Park Sterling is focused on building a banking franchise that is noted for sound risk management, strong community focus and exceptional customer service. For more information, visit www.parksterlingbank.com. Park Sterling Corporation shares are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol PSTB.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Tangible assets, tangible common equity, tangible book value, adjusted net income, adjusted net interest margin, adjusted operating revenues, adjusted noninterest income, adjusted noninterest expenses, adjusted allowance for loan losses, and related ratios and per share measures, including adjusted return on average assets and adjusted return on average equity, as used throughout this release, are non-GAAP financial measures. For additional information, see "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in the accompanying tables.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains, and Park Sterling and its management may make, certain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and often use words such as "may," "plan," "contemplate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "continue," expect," "project," "predict," "estimate," "could," "should," "would," "will," "goal," "target" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements express management's current expectations or forecasts of future events and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties and there are a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: increases in expected costs or decreases in expected savings or difficulties related to merger integration matters; inability to identify and successfully negotiate and complete additional combinations with other potential merger partners or to successfully integrate such businesses into Park Sterling, including the company's ability to adequately estimate or to realize the benefits and cost savings from and limit any unexpected liabilities acquired as a result of any such business combinations; failure to generate an adequate return on investment related to new branches or other hiring initiatives; inability to generate future organic growth in loan balances, retail banking, wealth management, mortgage banking or capital markets results through the hiring of new personnel, development of new products, including new online and mobile banking platforms for treasury services, opening of de novo branches or otherwise; inability to capitalize on identified revenue enhancements or expense management opportunities, including the inability to achieve targeted adjusted noninterest expense to adjusted operating revenue targets; inability to generate future ATM and card income from marketing expenses; variability in the performance of covered loans and associated loss-share related expenses; the effects of negative or soft economic conditions, including stress in the commercial real estate markets or failure of continued recovery in the residential real estate markets; changes in consumer and investor confidence and the related impact on financial markets and institutions; changes in interest rates; failure of assumptions underlying noninterest expense levels; failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of allowances for loan losses; deterioration in the credit quality of the loan portfolio or in the value of the collateral securing those loans; deterioration in the value of securities held in the investment securities portfolio; the possibility of recognizing other than temporary impairments on holdings of collateralized loan obligation securities as a result of the Volcker Rule; the impacts on Park Sterling of a potential increasing rate environment; the potential impacts of any government shutdown or debt ceiling impasse, including the risk of a U.S. credit rating downgrade or default, or continued global economic instability, which could cause disruptions in the financial markets, impact interest rates, and cause other potential unforeseen consequences; fluctuations in the market price of the common stock, regulatory, legal and contractual requirements of Park Sterling, other uses of capital, the company's financial performance, market conditions generally, and future actions by the board of directors, in each case impacting repurchases of common stock or declaration of dividends; legal and regulatory developments, including changes in the federal risk-based capital rules; increased competition from both banks and nonbanks; changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations, inaccurate estimates or assumptions in accounting, including acquisition accounting fair market value assumptions and accounting for purchased credit-impaired loans, and the impact on Park Sterling's financial statements; and management's ability to effectively manage credit risk, market risk, operational risk, legal risk, and regulatory and compliance risk.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Park Sterling undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Tangible assets, tangible common equity, tangible book value, adjusted net income, adjusted net interest margin, adjusted noninterest income, adjusted operating revenues, adjusted noninterest expenses, adjusted allowance for loan losses, and related ratios and per share measures, including adjusted return on average assets and adjusted return on average equity, as used throughout this release, are non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses (i) tangible assets, tangible common equity and tangible book value (which exclude goodwill and other intangibles from equity and assets), and related ratios, to evaluate the adequacy of shareholders' equity and to facilitate comparisons with peers; (ii) adjusted allowance for loan losses (which includes net FMV adjustments related to acquired loans) as supplemental information for comparing the combined allowance and fair market value adjustments to the combined acquired and non-acquired loan portfolios (fair market value adjustments are available only for losses on acquired loans); and (iii) adjusted net income, adjusted noninterest income and adjusted noninterest expenses (which exclude merger-related expenses and gain or loss on sale of securities, as applicable), adjusted net interest margin (which excludes accelerated accretion of net acquisition accounting fair market value adjustments and income from early redemption of investment securities), adjusted noninterest expenses to adjusted operating revenues and adjusted return on average assets and adjusted return on average equity (which exclude merger-related expenses and gain on or loss sale of securities) to evaluate core earnings and to facilitate comparisons with peers.