American Business Bank Reports First Quarter Earnings of $8.9 Million

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American Business Bank (OTCQX: AMBZ) reported a net income of $8.9 million or $1.09 per diluted share for Q1 2021, a 4% decrease from Q4 2020. The net income from the PPP program was $3.6 million, down 8%. Despite a decline in net interest income to $24.5 million, a 3% drop from the previous quarter, core loan growth was strong, particularly in owner-occupied commercial real estate. Total assets increased by 7% to $3.7 billion. The efficiency ratio improved to 54%, while non-performing assets decreased. Approximately 43% of PPP loans from 2020 have been forgiven as of April 2021.

Positive

Core loan growth primarily in owner-occupied commercial real estate.
Total assets increased by $250 million or 7% to $3.7 billion.
Efficiency ratio improved to 54% from 59% year-over-year.
Approximately 43% of PPP loan balances originated in 2020 have been forgiven.

Negative

Net income decreased by 4% compared to the previous quarter.
Net interest income dropped by 3% to $24.5 million.
Non-interest income fell by 18% from Q4 2020.

04/29/2021 - 09:05 AM

AMERICAN BUSINESS BANK (OTCQX: AMBZ) today reported net income of $8.9 million or $1.09 per fully diluted share for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $9.3 million or $1.14 per fully diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 4%. For the quarter ended March 31, 2021 net income associated with the PPP program was $3.6 million or $0.43 per fully diluted share, a decrease of $292,000 or 8% compared to $3.8 million or $0.47 per fully diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2020.

“The Bank experienced strong core loan growth in the first quarter of 2021 primarily in owner occupied commercial real estate. Typically our borrowers possess strong liquidity, but in the last year their liquidity has increased causing a meaningful decline in C&I line utilization from 35% to 24%. Our loan pipeline remains strong as we expect volume to act as a buffer to net interest income in this low rate environment.”

“Participation in the second round of PPP was significant to not only the Bank but also for our customer base providing them added confidence. Fees related to the second round of PPP averaged 3.31% as compared to 2.27% in the first round. Our expectation is to have 80% of the first round of PPP loans forgiven in the first half of 2021, as we have reached 39% by the end of March. This new found income has enabled us to step up our community support further with our plan to participate in a small business grant program for the benefit of minority and women-owned businesses. We have excelled in the pandemic storm and eagerly anticipate the expansion of our economy to grow with our clients, prospects, shareholders, employees and our market,” said Leon Blankstein, ABB’s President, CEO and Director.

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2021 was $24.5 million, a 3% decrease over the fourth quarter of 2020 as interest and realized deferred fees on PPP loans decreased by $402,000 driven by a decrease in PPP loan forgiveness. Additionally, interest income on the securities portfolio decreased by $236,000 in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 as investment securities have decreased by $26 million. For the quarters ending March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the cost of deposits was 0.06%. For the quarter ending March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was no provision for loan losses as the economy recovered. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans, excluding PPP loans, was 1.48% at March 31, 2021.

Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 2.92% compared to fourth quarter of 2020 at 3.00% and 3.47% for the first quarter of 2020. Excluding the impact of PPP loans, the net interest margin was 2.82% for the first quarter of 2021 and 2.90% for the fourth quarter of 2020. Without the acceleration of fees on forgiveness, the yield on PPP loans was 1.44% for the first quarter of 2021 and 1.42% for fourth quarter of 2020. The reduction in the net interest margin compared to the prior year is due to lower market interest rates and the impact of PPP loans. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 42% of the Bank’s variable-rate loans are indexed to prime and 73% of these loans are at or above interest rate floors.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 by $4.5 million, or 22.4%, and decreased compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 by $806,000, or 3.2%. This was primarily due to the accelerated realization of net deferred PPP processing fees as 18% and 20% of PPP loans originated in 2020 were forgiven for the first quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020, respectively. The Bank’s core funding continues to be a strength with the cost of deposits at 0.06% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 0.23% for same quarter a year ago.

(Figures in $000s, except per share amounts)	As of or For the Three Months Ended:
(Figures in $000s, except per share amounts)	March 2021		December 2020
PPP loans - first round, net	$	424,327	$	551,190
PPP loans - second round, net		217,780		-
PPP Total Loans, net	$	642,107	$	551,190

1% Coupon Interest	$	1,527	$	1,604
Amortized fees		668		640
Accelerated fees		2,845		3,198
Total PPP loan income	$	5,040	$	5,442
Total PPP loan income after tax	$	3,555	$	3,847
Total PPP loan income after tax per share - diluted	$	0.43	$	0.47

As of April 25, 2021, approximately 43% of PPP loan balances originated in 2020 have been forgiven, approximately 30% of balances are in the forgiveness review or submission process and approximately 27% of balances have yet to apply for forgiveness.

Non Interest Income

Non-interest income in the first quarter of 2021 was $1.5 million, representing a decrease of $335,000 or 18% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and an increase of $1.1 million or 272% from the same quarter a year ago. This was primarily due to the fluctuation in Bank/Corporate owned life insurance income as a result of the decrease/increase in the value of the policies that are invested in mutual funds.

Non Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $1.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020. This was driven by increases in salaries and employee benefits of $1.4 million for the quarter primarily due to increased expenses related to the deferred compensation plan (DCP) as a result of the market performance of DCP investment balances. Other increases included additional bonus expenses due to the PPP program and higher base salaries. The efficiency ratio declined to 54% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 59% for the first quarter of 2020.

For the first quarter of 2021, total non-interest expense decreased $651,000 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 primarily due to a decrease in salaries and employee benefits of $552,000 (DCP related) and a decrease in professional service expense of $315,000. This was offset by an increase in occupancy and equipment of $187,000 related to the headquarters. The efficiency ratio remained at 54% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Full time equivalent employees at March 31, 2021 were 192 compared to 195 a year ago. Full time equivalent employees were 194 at December 31, 2020. The Bank has 34 relationship managers in seven offices, an increase over a year of four and the prior quarter of one. The higher mix of relationship managers to back office personnel is from the benefit of technology implementations that continue in 2021.

Balance Sheet

Total assets increased $250 million, or 7% from year-end December 31, 2020 to $3.7 billion. Total loans, excluding PPP loans, increased $40 million, to $1.5 billion from the fourth quarter of 2020 as CRE loans increased by $41.6 million offset by a $5.5 million decline in C&I line utilization. At March 31, 2021, the utilization rate for the Bank’s commercial lines of credit was 24% compared to 25% at December 31, 2020. Investment securities declined by $26 million from the fourth quarter of 2020 to $1.1 billion. The duration of the securities portfolio increased from 3.3 to 4.7 years from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021 commensurate with higher interest rates.

During the first quarter of 2021, total deposits grew by $248 million with a majority of the increase attributable to the proceeds of PPP loans and new deposit relationships of approximately $33 million. At March 31, 2021, the tangible common equity ratio was 6.7%; excluding PPP loans, the tangible common equity ratio was 8.1%.

Asset Quality

Non-performing assets declined from $2.4 million at December 31, 2020 to $2.2 million at March 31, 2021, representing 0.08% of total assets (excluding PPP loans). The Bank continues to have no Other Real Estate Owned. Loans that were past due, criticized and classifieds represented 0.00%, 6.02%, and 0.98%, respectively of total loans at March 31, 2021 compared to 0.00%, 6.74%, and 0.92%, respectively of total loans at December 31, 2020 (excluding PPP loans in all periods). As of March 31, 2021, the Bank had total specific reserve of $197,000 related to one $2.1 million commercial loan on non-accrual status and one $216,000 impaired loan relationship. As of March 31, 2021, the allowance for loan losses totaled $22.9 million, or 1.48% of total loans (excluding PPP loans); compared to 1.52% at December 31, 2020 (excluding PPP loans). All PPP loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA and as such, no allowance for loan losses is allocated to these loans. The Bank is required to adopt CECL, or Current Expected Credit Loss, on January 1, 2023. During the first quarter of 2021, the Bank recorded no loan charge-offs and recoveries of $16,000.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank established a loan payment deferment program to assist its customers who are experiencing short-term financial or operational problems. As of March 31, 2021, there were five loans with a total principal balance of $11.2 million (0.5% of total loans) on a loan payment deferment program of which there are four loans that received a second deferral modification. As of December 31, 2020, there were four loans with a total principal balance of $5.6 million (0.3% of total loans) on a loan payment deferment program. At the time of origination, the loans currently granted deferrals were underwritten with a 49% average loan-to-value ratio. One loan is C&I and four loans are backed by commercial real estate of which two are owner occupied. All payment deferrals granted to-date meet applicable requirements to continue accruing interest.

ABOUT AMERICAN BUSINESS BANK

American Business Bank, headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, offers a wide range of financial services to the business marketplace. Clients include wholesalers, manufacturers, service businesses, professionals and non-profits. American Business Bank has six Loan Production Offices in strategic locations including: North Orange County in Anaheim, Orange County in Irvine, South Bay in Torrance, San Fernando Valley in Woodland Hills, Riverside County in Corona and Inland Empire in Ontario.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains certain forward-looking information about American Business Bank that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include future financial and operating results, expectations, intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on information available at the time of this communication and are based on current beliefs and expectations of the Bank’s management and are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including various risk factors. We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

American Business Bank Figures in $000, except share and per share amounts BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

	March			December			March
		2021			2020			2020
Assets:
Cash and Due from Banks	$	38,637		$	44,334		$	36,539
Interest Earning Deposits in Other Financial Institutions		350,354			201,719			149,654

Investment Securities:
US Agencies		218,794			228,102			265,758
Mortgage Backed Securities		407,651			419,393			286,122
State and Municipals		270,161			279,045			75,240
US Treasuries		-			-			10,116
Corporate Bonds		8,848			12,725			20,068
Securities Available-for-Sale, at Fair Value		905,454			939,265			657,304
State and Municipals Securities Held-to-Maturity, at Amortized Cost		151,041			143,229			86,499
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at Cost		10,864			10,864			10,356
Total Investment Securities		1,067,359			1,093,358			754,159
Loans Receivable:
Commercial Real Estate		1,137,493			1,095,811			1,009,731
Commercial and Industrial		327,519			333,021			454,838
SBA Payroll Protection Program		642,107			551,190			-
Residential Real Estate		80,686			76,483			76,083
Installment and Other		4,212			4,405			5,337
Total Loans Receivable		2,192,017			2,060,910			1,545,989
Allowance for Loan Losses		(22,946	)		(22,931	)		(21,888	)
Loans Receivable, Net		2,169,071			2,037,979			1,524,101
Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net		7,472			7,857			8,833
Bank/Corporate Owned Life Insurance		28,070			27,738			25,698
Other Assets		44,247			41,277			38,650
Total Assets	$	3,705,210		$	3,454,262		$	2,537,634

Liabilities:
Non-Interest Bearing Demand Deposits	$	1,855,756		$	1,686,091		$	1,164,965
Interest Bearing Transaction Accounts		260,610			258,950			214,967
Money Market and Savings Deposits		1,270,228			1,191,591			872,908
Certificates of Deposit		34,267			35,778			36,044
Total Deposits		3,420,861			3,172,410			2,288,884
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances / Other Borrowings		-			-			-
Other Liabilities		36,265			34,014			33,526
Total Liabilities	$	3,457,126		$	3,206,424		$	2,322,410

Shareholders' Equity:
Common Stock	$	166,956		$	166,263		$	164,456
Retained Earnings		84,473			75,557			51,624
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss)		(3,345	)		6,018			(856	)
Total Shareholders' Equity	$	248,084		$	247,838		$	215,224
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	3,705,210		$	3,454,262		$	2,537,634

Standby Letters of Credit	$	32,115		$	33,469		$	38,614

Per Share Information:
Common Shares Outstanding		7,977,567			7,942,368			7,870,120
Book Value Per Share	$	31.10		$	31.20		$	27.35
Tangible Book Value Per Share	$	31.10		$	31.20		$	27.35

American Business Bank Figures in $000, except share and per share amounts INCOME STATEMENTS (unaudited)

	For the three months ended:
	March			December		March
		2021			2020		2020
Interest Income:
Interest and Fees on Loans	$	20,774		$	21,339	$	17,295
Interest on Investment Securities		4,122			4,358		3,913
Interest on Interest Earning Deposits in Other Financial Institutions		66			77		54
Total Interest Income		24,962			25,774		21,262

Interest Expense:
Interest on Interest Bearing Transaction Accounts		41			45		105
Interest on Money Market and Savings Deposits		414			414		968
Interest on Certificates of Deposits		14			16		41
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Other Borrowings		-			-		131
Total Interest Expense		469			475		1,245

Net Interest Income		24,493			25,299		20,017
Provision for Loan Losses		-			-		1,434
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses		24,493			25,299		18,583

Non-Interest Income:
Deposit Fees		745			719		615
International Fees		263			275		282
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investment Securities, Net		(15	)		-		47
Gain on Sale of SBA Loans, Net		-			-		19
Bank/Corporate Owned Life Insurance Income (Expense)		332			725		(750	)
Other		202			143		198
Total Non-Interest Income		1,527			1,862		411

Non-Interest Expense:
Salaries and Employee Benefits		9,663			10,215		8,219
Occupancy and Equipment		1,146			959		920
Professional Services		1,703			2,018		1,482
Promotion Expenses		222			390		366
Other		1,200			1,003		1,058
Total Non-Interest Expense		13,934			14,585		12,045

Earnings before income taxes		12,086			12,576		6,949
Income Tax Expense		3,170			3,252		2,110

NET INCOME	$	8,916		$	9,324	$	4,839
Add back:
After-Tax Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investment Securities, Net	$	11		$	-	$	(33	)
Core Net Income	$	8,927		$	9,324	$	4,806

Per Share Information:
Earnings Per Share - Basic	$	1.10		$	1.15	$	0.60

Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$	1.09		$	1.14	$	0.60
Core Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$	1.09		$	1.14	$	0.59

Weighted Average Shares - Basic		8,110,856			8,091,367		8,036,255

Weighted Average Shares - Diluted		8,211,935			8,152,979		8,122,355

American Business Bank Figures in $000 QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND YIELD ANALYSIS (unaudited)

	For the three months ended:
	March 2021						December 2020
	Average		Interest		Average		Average		Interest		Average
	Balance		Inc/Exp		Yield/Rate		Balance		Inc/Exp		Yield/Rate
Interest Earning Assets:
Interest Earning Deposits in Other Financial Institutions	$	216,373	$	66	0.12	%	$	224,487	$	77	0.14	%

Investment Securities:
US Agencies		225,144		408	0.72	%		227,960		338	0.59	%
Mortgage Backed Securities		398,884		1,229	1.23	%		372,987		1,544	1.66	%
State and Municipals		414,773		2,267	2.19	%		381,965		2,201	2.31	%
US Treasuries		-		-	0.00	%		9,896		37	1.47	%
Corporate Bonds		10,273		82	3.20	%		13,106		101	3.08	%
Securities Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity		1,049,074		3,986	1.52	%		1,005,914		4,221	1.68	%
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock		10,864		136	5.01	%		10,864		137	5.04	%
Total Investment Securities		1,059,938		4,122	1.56	%		1,016,778		4,358	1.71	%
Loans Receivable:
Commercial Real Estate		1,105,890		11,463	4.20	%		1,070,812		11,482	4.27	%
Commercial and Industrial		330,778		3,462	4.24	%		337,596		3,624	4.27	%
SBA Payroll Protection Program		609,638		5,040	3.35	%		627,003		5,442	3.45	%
Residential Real Estate		78,034		758	3.94	%		73,470		737	3.99	%
Installment and Other		4,957		51	4.15	%		5,270		54	4.10	%
Total Loans Receivable		2,129,297		20,774	3.96	%		2,114,151		21,339	4.02	%
Total Interest Earning Assets	$	3,405,608	$	24,962	2.93	%	$	3,355,416	$	25,774	3.01	%

Liabilities:
Non-Interest Bearing Demand Deposits		1,730,626		-	0.00	%		1,724,816		-	0.00	%
Interest Bearing Transaction Accounts		255,416		41	0.07	%		247,980		45	0.07	%
Money Market and Savings Deposits		1,223,414		414	0.14	%		1,181,043		414	0.14	%
Certificates of Deposit		34,865		14	0.16	%		36,223		16	0.18	%
Total Deposits		3,244,321		469	0.06	%		3,190,062		475	0.06	%
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances / Other Borrowings		-		-	0.00	%		-		-	0.00	%
Total Interest Bearing Deposits and Borrowings		1,513,695		469	0.13	%		1,465,246		475	0.13	%
Total Deposits and Borrowings	$	3,244,321	$	469	0.06	%	$	3,190,062	$	475	0.06	%

Net Interest Income			$	24,493					$	25,299
Net Interest Rate Spread					2.87	%					2.95	%
Net Interest Margin					2.92	%					3.00	%
Net Interest Margin, excluding SBA PPP					2.82	%					2.90	%

American Business Bank

Figures in $000

QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND YIELD ANALYSIS (unaudited)

For the three months ended:

March 2021

March 2020

Average

Interest

Average

Interest

Average

Balance

Inc/Exp

Yield/Rate

Balance

Inc/Exp

Yield/Rate

Interest Earning Assets:

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