United Security Bancshares reports 2016 net income of $7.4 million

FRESNO, Calif., Jan. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --United Security Bancshares (Nasdaq: UBFO), today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.  The Company reported consolidated net income of $1,555,000, or $0.09 per basic and diluted common share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $1,634,000, or $0.10 per basic and diluted common share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.  The Company recognized net income of $7,385,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, an improvement of $575,000, or 8.44%, relative to the net income of $6,810,000 recognized for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Basic and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.44 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $0.41 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

"We have consistently exceeded our goals of loan growth and core earnings growth for the last three years, while maintaining strong liquidity and capital levels. Core earnings grew 10% in 2016 and our credit quality metrics continue to improve while our reserve levels remain strong. We plan to continue this momentum into 2017," said Dennis R. Woods, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  The Company defines core earnings as pretax income less gain or loss on sales, OREO expenses, provision or recovery of provision for loan loss, bonus expense, and gain or loss on fair value of financial liability.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Highlights (at or for the quarter ended December 31, 2016)

• Net interest income increased to $7,384,000, compared to $6,745,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, and decreased from $7,404,000 in the preceding quarter.
• Annualized net interest margin increased to 4.15% from 4.14% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.
• Net charge-offs totaled $2,000, compared to net recoveries of $6,000 in the preceding quarter and net charge-offs of $1,385,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.
• Total loans increased to $570,834,000, compared to $515,376,000 at December 31, 2015.
• Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased to 2.40%, compared to 4.42% at December 31, 2015.
• Nonperforming assets decreased approximately $13,213,000 between December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016.
• Other real estate owned declined to $6,471,000, compared to $12,873,000 at December 31, 2015.
• The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross loans declined to 1.56%, compared to 1.88% at December 31, 2015.
• Total deposits increased to $676,629,000, compared to $621,805,000 at December 31, 2015.
• Tangible book value per share increased to $5.50, compared to $5.30 at December 31, 2015.

Return on average equity (ROAE) for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 7.86%, compared to 7.88% for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Return on average assets (ROAA) was 0.98% for both the year ended December 31, 2016, and the year ended December 31, 2015. Annualized ROAE for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 was 6.38% compared to 7.27% for the same period in 2015.  Annualized ROAA was 0.79% for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to 0.90% for the same period in 2015. The annualized average cost of deposits was 0.20% for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, and 0.18% for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. Shareholders' equity at December 31, 2016 was $96,359,000, up $6,724,000 from shareholders' equity of $89,635,000 at December 31, 2015.  

Total assets were up $62,033,000, or 8.55% for the year ended December 31, 2016, due to net growth of $26,598,000 in the investment portfolio and $55,458,000 in gross loan balances.  Loan volume was favorably impacted by the purchase of residential mortgage loans during 2016 in addition to growth in the commercial real estate and student loan portfolios. 

Total deposits increased $54,824,000, or 8.82%, to $676,629,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016.  Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts increased 7.04% to $310,941,000 at December 31, 2016, compared to $290,478,000  at December 31, 2015.  Time deposits increased 48.92%  to $102,991,000 at December 31, 2016, compared to $69,159,000  at December 31, 2015. The growth in time deposits is due to the increase in brokered and non-relationship deposits in 2016.

The Board of Directors of United Security Bancshares declared a fourth quarter 2016 stock dividend of one percent (1%) on December 20, 2016. The stock dividend was payable to shareholders of record on January 3, 2017, and the shares will be issued on January 13, 2017. This marks the 33rd consecutive quarterly stock dividend since 2008.  The Company's Board of Directors has elected to issue stock dividends in order to preserve capital for future growth opportunities.  No assurances can be provided that future dividends, whether payable in stock or cash, will be declared and/or as to the timing of such future dividends, if any.

Net interest income after the recovery of provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $28,085,000, an increase of $1,915,000 or 7.32% from the net interest income of $26,170,000 for the same period ended December 31, 2015. Although net interest income increased, the Company's net interest margin declined from 4.22% for the year ended December 31, 2015 to 4.11% for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The 11 basis point decrease in net interest margin in the period-to-period comparison resulted primarily from declining yields on the loan and investment portfolios.  The yield on loans declined from 5.36% for the year ended December 31, 2015 to 5.21% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The 15 basis point decrease in loan yields is the result of strong loan growth in lower-yielding mortgage loans and competitive pressures on loan yields.  Net interest income after the recovery of provision for credit losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 totaled $7,398,000, an increase of $178,000 from the net interest income of $7,220,000 for the same period ended December 31, 2015. The increase in net interest income on a quarterly and year-over-year comparison is the result of strong loan growth during 2016, partially offset by increases in interest expense.

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2016 totaled $4,514,000, reflecting a decrease of $221,000 from $4,735,000 in non-interest income reported for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Customer service fees, which represent the largest portion of the Company's non-interest income, totaled $3,792,000 and $3,620,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  On a year-over-year comparative basis, non-interest income decreased primarily due to the change in fair value option of financial liability.  The Company recorded a $518,000 loss on the fair value option of financial liability for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to a $73,000 loss for the same period ended December 31, 2015.

Non-interest income for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 totaled $741,000, reflecting a decrease of $81,000 from $822,000 in non-interest income reported for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.  This decrease was primarily due to a $566,000 loss recorded on the fair value option of financial liability for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to a $417,000 loss for the same period ended 2015. The change in the fair value of financial liability was primarily caused by fluctuations in the LIBOR yield curve. Customer service fees totaled $925,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $960,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, non-interest expense totaled $20,345,000, an increase of $747,000 compared to $19,598,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.  On a year-over-year comparative basis, non-interest expense increased due primarily to increases of $707,000 in salaries and employee benefit expenses, $356,000 in professional fees, and $180,000 in occupancy expenses, partially offset by a $356,000 decrease in OREO expense.  Professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2016 include a $125,000 legal settlement. Salaries and employee benefit expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 reflect increases in salaries, higher group insurance expenses, and increases in incentives and bonuses.

Non-interest expense totaled $5,358,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $163,000 as compared to $5,195,000 reported for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. On a quarter-over-quarter comparative basis, non-interest expense increased primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits expenses and professional fees.  The increase in professional fees in primarily attributed to higher audit expenses.

The Company recorded a recovery of provision for credit losses of $21,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to a recovery provision of $41,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Net loan charge-offs totaled $790,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to net charge-offs of $1,017,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Included in net loan charge-offs during 2016 are $641,000 in charge-offs that the Company had fully reserved for in prior periods. The Company had a recovery of provision for credit loss of $14,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to a recovery of provision for credit losses of $475,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. Net loan charge-offs totaled $2,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, as compared to net loan charge-offs of $1,385,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

With a modest recovery in the economy and real estate markets within the Company's service area, the Company has maintained an adequate allowance for loan losses, which totaled 1.56% of total loans at December 31, 2016, compared to 1.88% of total loans at December 31, 2015.  The allowance for loan loss as a percentage of loans has declined over the last few years due to growth in our loan portfolio, improved credit quality, and improved economic conditions.  In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the judgment of the Company's management is a significant factor and management considers the allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2016 to be adequate.

Non-performing assets, comprised of nonaccrual loans, troubled debt restructures (TDR), other real estate owned through foreclosure (OREO), and loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest, decreased approximately $13,213,000 between December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 to $18,881,000.  Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased from 4.42% at December 31, 2015 to 2.40% at December 31, 2016.  The reduction in nonperforming assets is mostly attributed to partial sales on two OREO properties and paydowns on TDR balances.  Nonaccrual loans decreased $929,000 between December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 to $7,264,000.  Impaired loans totaled $16,179,000 at December 31, 2016, a decrease of $7,500,000 from the balance of $23,679,000 at December 31, 2015. OREO totaled $6,471,000 at December 31, 2016, a decrease of $6,402,000 from the balance of $12,873,000 at December 31, 2015.

About United Security Bancshares

United Security Bancshares (NASDAQ: UBFO) is the holding company for United Security Bank, which was founded in 1987. United Security Bank is headquartered in Fresno and operates 11 full-service branch offices in Fresno, Bakersfield, Campbell, Caruthers, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Oakhurst, San Joaquin, and Taft.  Additionally, United Security Bank operates Commercial Real Estate Construction, Commercial Lending, Consumer Lending, and Financial Services departments.  For more information, please visit www.unitedsecuritybank.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Company intends such statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on management's knowledge and belief as of today and include information concerning the Company's possible or assumed future financial condition, and its results of operations, business and earnings outlook. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, could cause future results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include (1) changes in interest rates, (2) significant changes in banking laws or regulations, (3) increased competition in the company's market, (4) other-than-expected credit losses, (5) earthquake or other natural disasters impacting the condition of real estate collateral, (6) the effect of acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses, (7) the impact of proposed and/or recently adopted changes in laws, and regulations on the Company and its business; (8) changing bank regulatory conditions, policies, whether arising as new legislation or regulatory initiatives or changes in our regulatory classifications, that could lead to restrictions on activities of banks generally or as to the Bank, including specifically the formal order between the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the Company and the Bank, (9) failure to comply with the written regulatory agreement under which the Company is subject and (10) unknown economic impacts caused by the State of California's budget issues, including the effect on Federal spending do to sequestration required by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Management cannot predict at this time the severity or duration of the effects of the recent business slowdown on the Company's specific business activities and profitability. Weaker or a further decline in capital and consumer spending, and related recessionary trends could adversely affect the Company's performance in a number of ways including decreased demand for our products and services and increased credit losses. Likewise, changes in interest rates, among other things, could slow the rate of growth or put pressure on current deposit levels and affect the ability of borrowers to repay loans. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the statements are made, or to update earnings guidance including the factors that influence earnings. For a more complete discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and particularly the section of Management's Discussion and Analysis.  Readers should carefully review all disclosures the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

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SOURCE United Security Bancshares