SSBI - Summit State Bank Reports Record Earnings a 62% Increase in Net Income to $10517000 for 2020 and Declaration of Dividend

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Jan. 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Summit State Bank (Nasdaq: SSBI) today reported record net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 of $10,517,000 and diluted earnings per share of $1.73. This compares to net income of $6,477,000 and diluted earnings per share of $1.07 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Additionally, a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share was declared for common shareholders.

Dividend

The Board of Directors declared a $0.12 per share quarterly dividend on January 25, 2021 to be paid on February 19, 2021 to shareholders of record on February 12, 2021.

Net Income and Results of Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2020, Summit State Bank (“Bank”) had net income of $10,517,000 and diluted earnings per share of $1.73 compared to net income of $6,477,000 and $1.07 diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2019, a 62% increase in net income and diluted earnings per share.

“In late April 2020, I transitioned from CEO to Chairman of the Board and Brian Reed was promoted to CEO,” noted Jim Brush, Chairman. “We are pleased that this transition has gone so well during these turbulent economic times. The Bank is well poised to maintain its strong momentum going forward.”

For the quarter ended December 31, 2020, the Bank had net income of $2,929,000 and diluted earnings per share of $0.48 compared to $1,834,000 of net income and $0.30 diluted earnings per share, for the same period in 2019, a 60% increase in net income and diluted earnings per share.

The 2020 net interest margin was 3.91%, return on average assets was 1.33% and return on average equity was 14.68%. In 2019 net interest margin was 3.66%, return on average assets was 1.00% and return on average equity was 9.99%. The Bank is experiencing growth in its margin because its balance sheet is liability sensitive, this means when rates went down in 2020, the Bank’s cost of funds decreased faster than its yield on earning assets causing the net interest margin to improve.

“In 2020 we continue to experience record earnings for the Bank,” said Brian Reed, President and CEO. “We recently updated our 5-year strategic plan and remain on our path to grow core earnings by strategically managing our balance sheet growth.”

Interest income increased to $36,425,000 in 2020 compared to 30,001,000 in 2019, this was an increase of 21% from 2019. The increase in interest income is attributable to $4,671,000 from increases in loan balances, $2,377,000 from increases in income net of fees due to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, and ($624,000) from decreases in investment income and deposits with Banks due to lower interest rates.

“In 2020 we funded almost $96,710,000 of PPP loans to over 600 businesses and have been actively working with our customers on the forgiveness process,” said Reed. “Through year-end $25,167,000 in PPP loans have been forgiven. We are actively working with our customers in 2021 to request forgiveness from the SBA for the remaining balance.”

Net loans and deposits increased when comparing 2020 to 2019. Net loans increased 29% to $745,939,000 at December 31, 2020 compared to $576,548,000 at December 31, 2019. Total deposits increased 27% to $726,295,000 at December 31, 2020 compared to $573,837,000 at December 31, 2019.

Non-interest income increased in 2020 to $4,448,000 compared to $2,662,000 in 2019. The Bank recognized $2,108,000 in gains on sales of SBA guaranteed loan balances in 2020 compared to $1,253,000 in gains on sales of SBA guaranteed loans balances in 2019; the gains primarily reflect the Bank’s continued growth in the SBA lending group. The Bank also recognized $874,000 in one-time investment security gains in 2020 caused by investments being called because of the reduced interest rate environment.

Operating expenses increased 10% in 2020 to $17,671,000 compared to $16,063,000 in 2019. The increase in expenses is primarily due to an increase in employee expenses and third-party service and professional fees. The Bank is leveling off from a growth trend in operating expenses since the middle of 2019 resulting in an efficiency ratio improvement of 10.41% when comparing 52.23% for 2020 to 62.64% for 2019.

Nonperforming assets were $264,000 or 0.03% of total assets on December 31, 2020 compared to $315,000 or 0.05% on December 31, 2019. Nonperforming assets on December 31, 2020 consist of one loan that is secured by real property and another loan that has a guarantee from the State of California. The Bank had a provision expense of $2,100,000 in 2020. The allowance for loan losses to total loans including SBA-guaranteed PPP loans was 1.18% on December 31, 2020 and 1.16% on December 31, 2019. Excluding $69,583,000 of PPP loans increases the ratio of allowance for loans losses to 1.30% on December 31, 2020 compared to 1.31% at September 30, 2020.

“Our staff has been focused on supporting our customers through this pandemic. They have worked long into the night and on weekends to provide our customers with the support they need and deserve,” notes Reed. “We feel fortunate to have navigated through the first round of the pandemic with few credit problems. With the resurgence of the stay-at-home order, we will continue monitoring trends in the economy and will be adjusting loan loss reserves as needed to account for any measured increase in risk of loss.”

As of December 31, 2020, 12 loans totaling $28,960,000 or 4% of the loan portfolio excluding PPP loans were in deferral. Of the loans in deferral, 9 of those loans totaling $22,833,000 are extended deferments. The deferral portfolio has an average loan to value ratio of 55% and 99% of the deferred loans are real estate secured.

During 2020, the Bank deferred payments on a total of 135 loans totaling $193,705,000 or 26% of loans in its portfolio due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deferral process increases the total balance due on the loan and re-amortizes the monthly payment through the original maturity date.

Reed further explains “we are fortunate to have had stable financial performance during an unforgettable global crisis. With news of an indefinite stay at home order in Sonoma County and a new round of SBA PPP loans being released, we continue to be available to support our customers both through the existing forgiveness process and through a new wave of PPP loans.”

About Summit State Bank

Summit State Bank, a local community bank, has total assets of $866 million and total equity of $76 million at December 31, 2020. Headquartered in Sonoma County, the Bank specializes in providing exceptional customer service and customized financial solutions to aid in the success of local small businesses and nonprofits throughout Sonoma County.

Summit State Bank is committed to embracing the diverse backgrounds, cultures and talents of its employees to create high performance and support the evolving needs of its customers and community it serves. At the center of diversity is inclusion, collaboration, and a shared vision for delivering superior service and results for shareholders. Presently, 76% of management are women and minorities with 75% represented on the Executive Management Team. Through the engagement of its team, Summit State Bank has received many esteemed awards including: Best Business Bank, Corporate Philanthropy Award and Best Places to Work in the North Bay. Summit State Bank’s stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol SSBI. Further information can be found at www.summitstatebank.com .

Forward-looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements contained in this news release, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not necessarily limited to fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, government regulations and general economic conditions, and competition within the business areas in which the Bank will be conducting its operations, including the real estate market in California and other factors beyond the Bank’s control. Such risks and uncertainties could cause results for subsequent interim periods or for the entire year to differ materially from those indicated. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s view only as of the date hereof. The Bank undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Contact: Brian Reed, President and CEO, Summit State Bank (707) 568-4908