FRESNO, Calif., Oct. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Communities First Financial Corporation (the “Company”) (OTCQX: CFST), the parent company of Fresno First Bank (the “Bank”), today reported record profits for the third quarter of 2018 and for the first nine months of 2018. 

Net income increased 54% to $1.63 million, or $0.56 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $1.06 million, or $0.37 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2017.  On a linked quarter basis, net income grew 6% from $1.54 million, or $0.53 per diluted share.  For the first nine months ended September 30, 2018, net income increased 65% to $4.63 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, compared to $2.81 million, or $0.98 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2017.

“We continue to build our momentum delivering strong financial results for the quarter, supported by record revenue, net income, earnings per share and a solid net interest margin.  Our strong reputation established by our team is driving an amazing referral pipeline and we are attracting a steady new client base, demonstrated by the growth in deposits.  Noninterest-bearing deposits are up 32% on a year-over-year basis and represent over 60% of our deposit base,” said Steve Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Our recent expansion into the Southern California market is a logical progressive step for us,” continued Miller.  “With our team of highly experienced lenders, we look forward to developing a solid customer base initially focusing on commercial lending.  In addition, we will expand our payments business in Southern California to help enhance our fee-based revenue streams.”

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights (as of, or for the period ended September 30, 2018, except where noted):

• Generated record earnings of $1.63 million and record diluted EPS of $0.56 per share.
  
  
• Return on average assets (“ROAA”) was 1.48%; return on average equity (“ROAE”) was 16.90%, and the efficiency ratio improved to 51.06%.  Industry peer* ROAA was 1.00%, ROAE was 10.03%, and the efficiency ratio was 67.75%, at June 30, 2018.
  
  
• Net interest margin (“NIM”) expanded 29 basis points to 4.55% for the third quarter of 2018, compared to 4.16% from the third quarter a year ago.  At June 30, 2018, industry peer* NIM was 3.74%.
  
  
• Net interest income, after provision for loan losses, increased 30% year-over-year to $4.48 million and grew 4% from the preceding quarter.  Before the provision for loan losses, net interest income improved by 26% to $4.78 million year-over-year and grew 10% on a linked quarter basis.
  
  
• Total deposits increased 18% to $402.93 million from $342.13 million a year earlier.
  
  
• Total loans increased 16% to $282.87 million compared to $244.89 million a year ago.
  
  
• Asset quality remained solid with nonperforming assets representing 0.71% of total assets.  Loans on nonaccrual totaled $3.16 million, compared to $2.93 million a year earlier.  Nonaccrual loans represented 1.12% of total loans.
  
  
• The allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”) was 1.30% as a percentage of total loans, at September 30, 2018, compared to 1.37% a year earlier.  The ALLL as a percentage of total assets was 0.83%.
  
  
• Capital ratios remain strong with a ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to total assets of 8.71% at September 30, 2018, compared to 8.97% at September 30, 2017.

*Industry peers are the 474 banks that comprised the SNL Microcap U.S. Bank Index, as at June 30, 2018.

Results of Operations

Net interest income, after the provision for loan losses, increased 30% to $4.48 million from $3.44 million in the third quarter a year ago, indicating strong year-over-year loan growth and higher yields on investment securities and overnight funds.  A provision for loan losses of $300,000 was booked in the reporting quarter compared to a provision of $350,000 taken in the third quarter of 2017.  No provision for loan losses was recorded in the preceding quarter.  Year-to-date, after the provision for loan losses, net interest income was up 28% to $12.91 million, compared to $10.06 million for the first nine months of 2017.

Non-interest income was $456,000 for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $634,000 for the third quarter of 2017, and $421,000 for the second quarter of 2018.  The year-over-year decline in non-interest income was primarily due to the lower gain on sale of SBA loans.  Gains on SBA loan sales totaled $88,000 for the first nine months of 2018, compared to $443,000 for the like period of 2017.  Adding to non-interest income was merchant services income, which was up 8% from the third quarter a year ago, and 14% for the first nine months of 2018.  Debit/credit card interchange income increased 22% compared to the third quarter of 2017 and grew 27% in the first nine months of 2018.

The net interest margin improved by 39 basis points to 4.55% for the third quarter of 2018, compared to 4.16% for the third quarter of 2017, and expanded three basis point from 4.52% for the second quarter of 2018.  Year-to-date, the net interest margin expanded 29 basis points to 4.45% compared to 4.16% for the first nine months of 2017.  “Our strong net interest margin continued to benefit from a higher fed funds and prime interest rate advancing the yield on our earning assets to 4.70% for the third quarter of 2018, whereas our cost of funds remained low at 0.15%,” said Steve Canfield, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  The net interest margin is well above the average of 3.71% generated by industry peers.

Operating expenses totaled $2.68 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $2.34 million for the third quarter of 2017 and $2.61 million on a linked quarter basis.  “The increase in noninterest expense both from a year ago and from the second quarter this year was primarily due to compensation and operating costs associated with establishing our loan production office in Los Angeles,” added Canfield.

The efficiency ratio improved to 51.06% for the third quarter of 2018, compared to 54.15% for the third quarter a year ago, and 54.91% for the second quarter of 2018.  For the first nine months of 2018, the efficiency ratio was 53.90%, compared to 56.67% for the first nine months of 2017.

Balance Sheet Review

Total assets grew 18% to $443.45 million at September 30, 2018, compared to $377.04 million at September 30, 2017, and increased 7% from $413.57 million at June 30, 2018.

Total loans increased 16% to $282.87 million at September 30, 2018, from $244.89 million a year ago, and increased 1% from $279.69 million on a linked quarter basis.  The commercial and industrial (C&I) portfolio represented just over 50% of total loans at September 30, 2018.  Commercial real estate (CRE) loans totaled $87.4 million, or 31% of total loans.  Agriculture loans grew 13% from the preceding quarter to $28.1 million and represented 10% of total loans; real estate construction and land development totaled $14.6 million, or 5% of loans, while residential home loans were $11.2 million, or 4% of loans.  At September 30, 2018, $90.28 million or 31.9% of the loan portfolio was guaranteed by the SBA, USDA or other government agencies.

Total deposits increased 18% to $402.93 million at September 30, 2018, compared to $342.13 million from a year earlier and grew 7% from $375.08 million at June 30, 2018.  Noninterest-bearing demand deposits increased by 32% to $243.58 million at September 30, 2018, representing 61% of total deposits, compared to $184.56 million, or 54% of total deposits a year ago.  The ratio of loans to deposits was 70.20% at September 30, 2018, compared to 71.58% one year earlier and 74.57% at June 30, 2018.

Net shareholder’s equity increased 14% to $38.61 million at September 30, 2018, compared to $33.80 million a year ago.  Book value per common share increased 13% to $13.53 at September 30, 2018, compared to $12.00 a year ago.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) increased 8% from the preceding quarter, primarily due to the addition of two small government guaranteed business loans placed on non-accrual during the quarter.  “We continue to closely monitor the $2.9 million NPA which consists of a series of loans isolated to one borrower; they are well-secured with strong underlying collateral,” added Miller. At September 30, 2018, NPAs totaled $3.16 million compared to $2.93 million a year earlier.

“Primarily due to the growth in our loan portfolio, we prudently added to our reserves,” commented Canfield. A provision for loan losses of $300,000 was booked in the current quarter compared to $350,000 in the third quarter a year ago.  No provision was taken in the second quarter of 2018.  The allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio was 1.30% at September 30, 2018, compared to 1.37% a year earlier and 1.20% at June 30, 2018. 

About Communities First Financial Corporation

Communities First Financial Corporation, a bank holding company established in 2014, is the parent company of Fresno First Bank, founded in 2005 in Fresno, California.  Fresno First Bank is a leading SBA Lender in California’s Central Valley. The Bank was named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list in 2017 and to Forbes Best 25 Small Businesses in America for 2016. Additional information is available from the Company’s website at www.fresnofirstbank.com or call 559-439-0200.

Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer

This earnings release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to effectively execute its business plans; changes in general economic and financial market conditions; changes in interest rates; changes in the competitive environment; continuing consolidation in the financial services industry; new litigation or changes in existing litigation; losses, customer bankruptcy, claims and assessments; changes in banking regulations or other regulatory or legislative requirements affecting the Company’s business; international developments; and changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect events or circumstances after today, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

SELECT FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND RATIOS   (unaudited)		For the Quarter Ended:										Percentage Change From:					Year to Date as of:
		Sept. 30, 2018			June 30, 2018			Sept. 30, 2017				June 30, 2018		Sept. 30, 2017			Sept. 30, 2018			Sept. 30, 2017			Percent Change
BALANCE SHEET DATA - PERIOD END BALANCES:
	Total assets	$	443,449		$	413,565		$	377,042			7	%	18	%
	Total Loans		282,867			279,688			244,890			1	%	16	%
	Investment securities		82,153			78,443			62,323			5	%	32	%
	Total deposits		402,933			375,083			342,126			7	%	18	%
	Shareholders equity, net		38,610			37,111			33,804			4	%	14	%
SELECT INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
	Gross revenue	$	5,237		$	4,750		$	4,426			10	%	18	%		$	14,492		$	12,402		17	%
	Operating expense		2,678			2,608			2,337			3	%	15	%			7,817			6,961		12	%
	Pre-tax, pre-provision income		2,559			2,142			2,089			19	%	22	%			6,675			5,441		23	%
	Net income after tax	$	1,625		$	1,540		$	1,055			6	%	54	%		$	4,630		$	2,806		65	%
SHARE DATA:
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.57		$	0.54		$	0.37			6	%	54	%		$	1.62		$	1.00		62	%
	Fully diluted earnings per share	$	0.56		$	0.53		$	0.37			6	%	51	%		$	1.59		$	0.98		62	%
	Book value per common share	$	13.53		$	12.99		$	12.00			4	%	13	%
	Common shares outstanding		2,853,672			2,855,895			2,818,066			0	%	1	%
	Fully diluted shares		2,923,728			2,921,040			2,882,400			0	%	1	%
	CFST - Stock price	$	25.10		$	23.05		$	17.60			9	%	43	%
RATIOS:
	Return on average assets		1.48	%		1.54	%		1.12	%		-4	%	32	%			1.49	%		1.05	%	42	%
	Return on average equity		16.90	%		16.95	%		12.62	%		0	%	34	%			16.91	%		11.66	%	45	%
	Efficiency ratio		51.06	%		54.91	%		54.15	%		-7	%	-6	%			53.90	%		56.67	%	-5	%
	Yield on earning assets		4.70	%		4.66	%		4.29	%		1	%	10	%			4.59	%		4.29	%	7	%
	Cost to fund earning assets		0.15	%		0.14	%		0.13	%		7	%	15	%			0.14	%		0.13	%	8	%
	Net Interest Margin		4.55	%		4.52	%		4.16	%		1	%	9	%			4.45	%		4.16	%	7	%
	Equity to assets		8.71	%		8.97	%		8.97	%		-3	%	-3	%
	Loan to deposits ratio		70.20	%		74.57	%		71.58	%		-6	%	-2	%
	Full time equivalent employees		42			42			41			0	%	2	%
BALANCE SHEET DATA - AVERAGES:
	Total assets	$	434,466		$	401,254		$	372,648			8	%	17	%		$	414,576		$	357,929		16	%
	Total loans		280,510			270,235			249,047			4	%	13	%			271,869			245,704		11	%
	Investment securities		78,439			78,994			67,137			-1	%	17	%			77,195			67,582		14	%
	Deposits		394,646			363,044			338,002			9	%	17	%			376,333			324,662		16	%
	Shareholders equity, net	$	38,159		$	36,436		$	33,532			5	%	14	%		$	36,615		$	32,194		14	%
ASSET QUALITY:
	Total delinquent accruing loans	$	158		$	0		$	0			0	%	0	%
	Nonperforming assets	$	3,155		$	2,927		$	2,930			8	%	8	%
	Non Accrual / Total Loans		1.12	%		1.05	%		1.20	%		7	%	-7	%
	Nonperforming assets to total assets	.71%			.71%			.78%				1	%	-8	%
	LLR / Total loans		1.30	%		1.20	%		1.37	%		8	%	-5	%

 

STATEMENT OF INCOME ($ in thousands)		For the Quarter Ended:							Percentage Change From:					For the Year Ended
(unaudited)		Sept. 30, 2018		June 30, 2018		Sept. 30, 2017			June 30, 2018		Sept. 30, 2017			Sept. 30, 2018		Sept. 30, 2017		Percent Change
Interest Income
	Loan interest income	$	4,149	$	3,817	$	3,381		9	%	23	%		$	11,552	$	9,760	18	%
	Investment income		481		468		367		3	%	31	%			1,373		1,059	30	%
	Int. on fed funds & CDs in other banks		272		153		142		78	%	92	%			625		317	97	%
	Dividends from non-marketable equity		32		28		21		14	%	52	%			87		91	-4	%
	Interest income		4,934		4,466		3,911		10	%	26	%			13,637		11,227	21	%
	Total interest expense		153		137		119		12	%	29	%			428		342	25	%
	Net interest income		4,781		4,329		3,792		10	%	26	%			13,209		10,885	21	%
	Provision for loan losses		300		0		350		0	%	-14	%			300		825	-64	%
	Net interest income after provision		4,481		4,329		3,442		4	%	30	%			12,909		10,060	28	%
Non-Interest Income:
	Total deposit fee income		96		84		79		14	%	22	%			260		244	7	%
	Debit / credit card interchange inc.		44		42		36		5	%	22	%			122		96	27	%
	Merchant services income		153		152		142		1	%	8	%			437		382	14	%
	Gain on sale of loans		44		22		161		100	%	-73	%			88		443	-80	%
	Other operating income		119		121		216		-2	%	-45	%			376		352	7	%
	Non-interest income		456		421		634		8	%	-28	%			1,283		1,517	-15	%
Non-Interest Expense:
	Salaries & employee benefits		1,612		1,524		1,397		6	%	15	%			4,735		4,125	15	%
	Occupancy expense		256		167		185		53	%	38	%			584		501	17	%
	Other operating expense		810		917		755		-12	%	7	%			2,498		2,335	7	%
	Non-interest expense		2,678		2,608		2,337		3	%	15	%			7,817		6,961	12	%
	Net income before tax		2,259		2,142		1,739		5	%	30	%			6,375		4,616	38	%
	Tax provision		634		602		684		5	%	-7	%			1,745		1,810	-4	%
	Net income after tax	$	1,625	$	1,540	$	1,055		6	%	54	%		$	4,630	$	2,806	65	%

BALANCE SHEET  ($ in thousands )		End of Period:										Percentage Change From:
(unaudited)		Sept. 30, 2018			June 30, 2018			Sept. 30, 2017				Sept. 30, 2018		Sept. 30, 2017
ASSETS
	Cash and due from banks	$	10,973		$	8,944		$	8,130			23	%	35	%
	Fed funds sold and deposits in banks		48,474			28,573			45,602			70	%	6	%
	CDs in other banks		7,699			6,682			5,199			15	%	48	%
	Investment securities		82,153			78,443			62,323			5	%	32	%
	Total loans outstanding:
	RE constr & land development		14,590			17,544			17,525			-17	%	-17	%
	Residential RE 1-4 Family		11,174			10,658			12,747			5	%	-12	%
	Commercial Real Estate		87,368			80,295			76,848			9	%	14	%
	Agriculture		28,099			24,758			23,029			13	%	22	%
	Commercial and Industrial		141,602			146,396			114,638			-3	%	24	%
	Consumer and Other		34			37			103			-8	%	-67	%
	Total Loans		282,867			279,688			244,890			1	%	16	%
	Deferred fees & discounts		191			252			174			-24	%	10	%
	Allowance for loan losses		(3,668	)		(3,366	)		(3,347	)		9	%	10	%
	Loans, net		279,390			276,574			241,717			1	%	16	%
	Non-marketable equity investments		2,475			2,476			2,207			0	%	12	%
	Cash value of life insurance		8,240			8,185			8,015			1	%	3	%
	Accrued interest and other assets		4,045			3,688			3,849			10	%	5	%
	Total assets	$	443,449		$	413,565		$	377,042			7	%	18	%
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Non-interest bearing deposits	$	243,580		$	224,068		$	184,556			9	%	32	%
	Interest checking		13,583			10,907			10,264			25	%	32	%
	Savings		30,887			31,424			37,029			-2	%	-17	%
	Money market		77,514			70,525			71,444			10	%	8	%
	Certificates of deposits		37,369			38,159			38,833			-2	%	-4	%
	Total deposits		402,933			375,083			342,126			7	%	18	%
	Borrowings		-			-			-			0	%	0	%
	Other liabilities		1,906			1,371			1,112			39	%	71	%
	Total liabilities		404,839			376,454			343,238			8	%	18	%
	Common stock & paid in capital		28,350			28,240			27,861			0	%	2	%
	Retained earnings		11,089			9,464			5,582			17	%	99	%
	Total equity		39,439			37,704			33,443			5	%	18	%
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		(829	)		(593	)		361			40	%	-330	%
	Shareholders equity, net		38,610			37,111			33,804			4	%	14	%
	Total Liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	443,449		$	413,565		$	377,042			7	%	18	%

 

ASSET QUALITY ($ in thousands)	Period Ended:
(unaudited)	Sept. 30, 2018			June 30, 2018			Sept. 30, 2017
Delinquent accruing loans 30-60 days	$	158		$	0		$	0
Delinquent accruing loans 60-90 days	$	0		$	0		$	0
Delinquent accruing loans 90+ days	$	0		$	0		$	0
Total delinquent accruing loans	$	158		$	0		$	0
Loans on non accrual	$	3,155		$	2,927		$	2,930
Other real estate owned	$	0		$	0		$	0
Nonperforming assets	$	3,155		$	2,927		$	2,930
Performing restructured loans	$	0		$	0		$	0
Delq 30-60 / Total Loans	.06%			.00%			.00%
Delq 60-90 / Total Loans	.00%			.00%			.00%
Delq 90+ / Total Loans	.00%			.00%			.00%
Delinquent Lns / Total Lns	.06%			.00%			.00%
Non Accrual / Total Loans		1.12	%		1.05	%		1.20	%
Nonperforming assets to total assets	.71%			.71%			.78%
Year-to-date charge-off activity
Charge-offs	$	0		$	0		$	358
Recoveries	$	5		$	3		$	0
Net charge-offs	$	(5	)	$	(3	)	$	358
Annualized net loan losses (recoveries) to average loans	-.00%			-.00%			.19%
LOAN LOSS RESERVE RATIOS:
Reserve for loan losses	$	3,668		$	3,366		$	3,347
Total loans	$	282,866		$	279,688		$	244,890
Purchased govt. guaranteed loans	$	62,741		$	63,071		$	48,692
Originated govt. guaranteed loans	$	27,542		$	27,941		$	23,427
LLR / Total loans		1.30	%		1.20	%		1.37	%
LLR / Loans less purchased govt. guaranteed loans		1.67	%		1.55	%		1.71	%
LLR / Loans less all govt. guaranteed loans		1.90	%		1.78	%		1.94	%
LLR / Total assets	.83%			.81%			.89%

Contact: Steve Miller – President & CEO
Steve Canfield – Executive Vice President & CFO
(559) 439-0200