NORTHRIM BANCORP INC quarterly report, Q3 FY2011

Northrim BanCorp, Inc. — Q3 2011 Form 10-Q

Business context and period. Northrim is an Alaska-based bank holding company reporting unaudited consolidated results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011. Amounts below are in millions unless stated otherwise.

Financial performance

MetricQ3 2011Q3 2010Nine months 2011Nine months 2010
Net interest income$10.35$10.90$31.61$33.30
Provision for loan losses$0.55$0.42$1.65$3.17
Other operating income$3.36$3.20$9.21$9.02
Other operating expense$9.43$8.71$27.34$28.39
Net income attributable to Northrim$2.51$3.18$8.14$7.22
Diluted EPS$0.38$0.49$1.24$1.11
Net interest margin, tax-equivalent4.45%4.77%4.60%5.05%

Q3 net income attributable to Northrim fell about 21% year over year, as lower net interest income and higher operating expenses and loan-loss provision outweighed higher other operating income and lower taxes. Nine-month attributable net income rose about 13%, reflecting lower expenses and provision, partly offset by weaker net interest income. Total interest income was $11.23 million in Q3 and $34.37 million for nine months.

Financial position, cash flow and credit

  • Balance sheet: Total assets were $1.066 billion, up 1% from December 31, 2010 and 3% year over year. Deposits were $893.6 million, nearly unchanged from year-end and up from $878.7 million a year earlier. Shareholders’ equity was $123.3 million.
  • Loans: Gross loans were $629.7 million, down 6% from year-end and 1% year over year. Commercial and construction loans declined from year-end; real estate term loans increased. Management expected loan growth in the remainder of 2011, particularly commercial and real estate term lending.
  • Credit quality: Nonperforming assets were $16.3 million, or 1.53% of assets, versus $21.8 million (2.07%) at year-end and $25.0 million (2.41%) a year earlier. Nonaccrual loans were $7.9 million, down from $11.4 million at year-end. The allowance was $16.1 million, or 2.56% of gross loans, and equaled 154.1% of nonperforming loans.
  • Problem credits: Thirteen troubled debt restructurings totaled $4.1 million; $1.5 million were nonaccrual and the rest were performing under modified terms. The filing says none had defaulted since modification. Potential problem loans were $5.6 million, compared with $8.8 million at year-end.
  • Liquidity and debt: Cash and cash equivalents totaled $128.6 million; the company also reported $181.5 million of unpledged available-for-sale securities and approximately $105 million of additional borrowing capacity. Liabilities included $17.0 million in repurchase agreements, $4.7 million in building-related borrowings and $18.6 million in junior subordinated debentures. Deposits were the primary funding source.
  • Cash flow, nine months: Operating activities provided $17.5 million, investing activities provided $42.7 million, and financing activities provided $2.3 million. Cash and cash equivalents increased $62.5 million to $128.6 million, largely reflecting loan paydowns and balance-sheet cash accumulation.
  • Capital: The company and bank exceeded regulatory “well-capitalized” thresholds. Company Tier 1 risk-based capital was 15.39%; the bank’s was 14.17%. Total equity to assets was 11.58%.

Changes, outlook and risks

  • Net interest margin contracted as yields on loans and investments fell faster than funding costs; management attributed the decline principally to lower market rates and asset repricing.
  • OREO declined to $5.8 million from $10.4 million at year-end. Nine-month sales generated $7.9 million in proceeds, including a $3.8 million condominium-unit sale with a $449,000 gain; additions to OREO partly offset disposals.
  • Management described Alaska’s economy as comparatively strong, citing commodity prices, income growth and employment. It provided no quantified earnings, margin or full-year loan-growth guidance.
  • Key risks include Alaska economic conditions, net interest margin pressure, asset quality, competition, regulation and broader banking conditions. Management noted estimates for loan-loss reserves, goodwill and OREO could prove inaccurate; regulators could require a higher allowance. The company also warned that deterioration in FHLB of Seattle’s financial position could result in impairment of its FHLB stock investment.
  • Goodwill impairment was not indicated at quarter-end, but management gave no assurance against a future charge. The company had $210 million of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit; amounts are not necessarily expected cash outflows. Ordinary-course debtor-creditor litigation was disclosed, with no specific material proceeding identified.

Important facts for investors to verify

  • Whether lower asset yields and continued margin compression persist, and how they affect future earnings.
  • Whether the improved nonperforming-asset trend continues, and whether the $4.1 million of TDRs and $5.6 million of potential problem loans perform as expected.
  • Whether the $16.1 million allowance remains adequate given loan concentrations, collateral valuations and economic conditions.
  • Whether management’s expected commercial and real estate term loan growth materializes without weakening credit quality.
  • The quality and availability of reported liquidity and borrowing capacity, and the impact of deposit maturities and pledged securities.
  • Potential effects of FHLB of Seattle’s financial condition, goodwill valuation, and the company’s disclosed off-balance-sheet commitments.