EX-99.1 2 exhibit1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Northrim BanCorp, Inc. Exhibit 99.1

     
Contact:
  Joe Schierhorn, Chief Financial Officer
(907) 261-3308

NEWS RELEASE

Northrim BanCorp Assets Cross Billion Dollar Mark
Earns $11.7 million, or $1.80 per Share in 2007

ANCHORAGE, AK—January 23, 2008—Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: NRIM) today reported total assets crossed the $1 billion mark at year end 2007 following the fourth quarter completion of its acquisition of Alaska First Bank & Trust, N.A. Profits in 2007 benefited from core deposit and other operating income growth along with a strong net interest margin, which helped offset higher loan loss provisions. In 2007, net income totaled $11.7 million or $1.80 per diluted share, compared to $13.0 million, or $1.99 per diluted share, in 2006. Reflecting the addition of $3.0 million to reserves, earnings in the fourth quarter of 2007 were $2.2 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared to $3.7 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the like period a year ago. All per share results reflect the payment of a 5% stock dividend in October 2007 and the ongoing share repurchase program.

“The state of Alaska generated its twentieth consecutive year of employment growth in 2007, and state labor economists are forecasting continued modest job growth for 2008,” said Marc Langland, Chairman, President and CEO. Overall there are a number of factors supporting Alaska’s economy. Recent increases in oil taxes, along with historically high oil prices, have resulted in a $1.4 billion surplus in state government revenues. The $38 billion Alaska Permanent Fund distributed $1,654 to each eligible Alaskan in October, for a total of $1 billion in payments. Also, the proposed $30 billion natural gas pipeline appears to be making some progress.”

“The completion of our acquisition of Alaska First Bank & Trust in the fourth quarter contributed to our balance sheet growth and brought in an attractive deposit base,” said Chris Knudson, Chief Operating Officer. “This acquisition added $58 million to our assets, helping to push us over the $1 billion milestone in total assets, and also added $48 million in primarily low cost deposits. The conversion of their operations to our systems went smoothly, and we are in the process of consolidating their branch locations into our network. We expect the cost savings from the closing of two branches to provide synergies in the next few quarters. We were able to add a number of their employees into our system by filling open positions and have only increased headcount by two employees through this business combination.”

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (at or for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to December 31, 2006)

    Net interest margin was 5.89%, equal to a year ago.

    Revenues grew 8% to $59.7 million, boosted by a 28% rise in other operating income.

    Book value per share grew 8% to $16.09.

    Tangible book value grew 5% to $14.51 per share.

    Core deposits grew 9%, with money market balances up 37%.

BALANCE SHEET PERFORMANCE
Total assets grew 10% to $1.01 billion at December 31, 2007, compared to $926 million a year ago. The loan portfolio totaled $715 million at December 31, 2007, compared to $717 million at December 31, 2006. Commercial loans, which accounted for 40% of the loan portfolio, were down 1% year over year. Commercial real estate loans, which accounted for 34% of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2007, grew 2% and construction loans, which accounted for 19% of the loan portfolio, declined 10% from a year ago. Consumer loans, which accounted for 7% of the portfolio, grew 21% at December 31, 2007, compared to a year ago, as a result of the growth in overall consumer accounts.

“The residential housing market in our market area continues to be stable, with standing inventories at manageable levels. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, Alaska home loans that are 90 days past due or in foreclosure total 1.25%, less than half the national average of 2.95%,” said Joe Beedle, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. “While we believe the Alaska economy, in general, and our housing markets specifically, are currently stable, our nonperforming assets increased significantly during the fourth quarter primarily due to a single relationship with an Anchorage builder. In connection with that relationship, during the fourth quarter we added $4.2 million to Other Real Estate Owned and $3.9 million to non accrual loans. We have moved quickly to recognize the issues with this borrower and are working aggressively to address the problem.”

Nonperforming assets increased to $15.8 million, or 1.56% of total assets at December 31, 2007, from $7.3 million, or 0.79% of assets at December 31, 2006. In addition, Northrim recognized net charge-offs of $3.6 million and added $3.0 million to its loan loss provision for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2007 to maintain an adequate reserve for loan losses. This compares to net charge-offs of $1.3 million and a loan loss provision of $800,000 for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2006. The total provision for loan losses at December 31, 2007 is $5.5 million, compared to $2.6 million at December 31, 2006.

“The $4.2 million project that was moved to Other Real Estate Owned is for a duplex-style condominium development in the greater Anchorage market. Over the course of this year, we plan to complete and market this development,” Beedle continued. “The other project of this borrower, which added $3.9 million to non accrual loans in the fourth quarter of 2007, is a single-family housing development. With both projects, we believe that the units and lots are priced competitively for their type and location. We will have additional costs to complete the duplex-style condominium development and have included those additional estimated costs in our assessment of expected losses on this project.”

“Our lending portfolio includes a number of large loans, and as a result, we have experienced higher levels of nonperforming assets from time to time,” said Langland. “I am confident our lending professionals will be able to efficiently resolve these problem credits. In the meantime, we have increased our loan loss provision and remain well capitalized.”

The allowance for loan losses totaled $11.7 million, or 1.64% of gross loans and 104% of nonperforming loans, at December 31, 2007, compared to $12.1 million, or 1.69% of gross loans and 183% of nonperforming loans, at December 31, 2006. Net charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2007, were 0.5%, or 50 basis points, as a percentage of average loans, compared to 19 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2006. In 2007, net charge-offs totaled $6.1 million, or 86 basis points of average loans, compared to $1.1 million, or 16 basis points of average loans in 2006.

Total deposits increased 9% to $867 million at December 31, 2007, compared to $795 million at December 31, 2006. “Strong growth in checking, savings and money market deposits helped offset a decline in balances of the Alaska CD. We are continuing to generate growth in new checking accounts from the success of our High Performance Checking program,” said Knudson. “Our strong organic growth in deposits was augmented by the solid deposit base gained from the acquisition of Alaska First.”

At December 31, money market balances accounted for 25% of total deposits at December 31, 2007, up from 20% a year ago. Alaska CDs, a unique and flexible savings account, accounted for 20% of total deposits at December 31, 2007, compared to 26% a year ago. Non interest bearing demand deposits represented 26% and interest bearing demand deposits were 11% of the deposit mix at both December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2006. Time deposits were 12% of deposits at year end 2007 up from 11% of deposits a year ago.

Shareholders’ equity increased 6% to $101 million, or $16.09 per share, at December 31, 2007, compared to $95 million, or $14.87 per share, at December 31, 2006. Tangible book value per share at December 31, 2007, was $14.51 compared to $13.80 at December 31, 2006. All per share calculations reflect the 5% stock dividend declared on September 6, 2007 and distributed to shareholders on October 5, 2007. In addition, these calculations reflect the repurchase of 25,000 shares of common stock during the fourth quarter of 2007 and 137,500 shares for the full year ended December 31, 2007.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
Revenue (net interest income plus noninterest income) grew 8% in 2007 to $59.7 million from $55.2 million in 2006. Revenue was up 5% to $15.6 million in the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2007, compared to $14.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net interest income before the provision for loan losses in 2007 grew 5% to $49.8 million from $47.5 million in 2006. In the fourth quarter of 2007 net interest income grew to $12.9 million, from $12.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.

“Organic deposit growth, combined with core deposits acquired in the Alaska First transaction contributed to our strong net interest margin,” said Joe Schierhorn, CFO. “Last year, we had a recovery of interest from two loans that had been in a non-accrual status that paid off, which added 24 basis points to our fourth quarter 2006 margin.” Net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets on a tax equivalent basis) was 5.79% in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to 6.11% in the fourth quarter a year ago. Net interest margin for all of 2007 was 5.89%, equivalent to the net interest margin posted in 2006.

In 2007, net interest income after provision for loan losses was $44.3 million, compared to $45.0 million in 2006. After the $3.0 million provision for loan losses, fourth quarter 2007 net interest income was down 17% to $9.9 million from $12.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2006.

Other operating income grew 30% in the fourth quarter of 2007 and 28% for the full year as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006 and the prior year, reflecting the Bank’s initiatives to expand the financial services it offers, directly and through affiliates. Total other operating income increased in the fourth quarter of 2007 to $2.7 million compared to $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Other operating income rose to $9.8 million in 2007, compared to $7.7 million in 2006. Deposit account service charge income in 2007 grew 58% to $3.1 million compared to $2.0 million a year ago. In the fourth quarter of 2007, deposit account service income grew 67% to $847,000 as compared to $507,000 for the fourth quarter of 2006, reflecting the growth in new accounts and fees associated with new services. Purchased receivable income grew 36% to $2.5 million in 2007, up from $1.9 million in 2006. Purchased receivables contributed $699,000 to fourth quarter 2007 revenue, up 37% from the $510,000 generated in the fourth quarter of 2006. Employee benefit plan income also grew 7% in 2007 to $1.2 million from $1.1 million a year ago, and was up 7% in the fourth quarter of 2007 to $304,000 from $284,000 in the fourth quarter of 2006. “As was the case last quarter, our mortgage affiliate’s contribution declined in the fourth quarter of 2007, dropping to $64,000 from $177,000 in the fourth quarter a year ago. For the full year in 2007, our mortgage affiliate contributed $454,000, compared to $649,000 in 2006,” said Knudson.

Other operating expenses rose 10% in the fourth quarter of 2007 and 11% in 2007 with higher occupancy costs, compensation, and other expenses, which include costs associated with investments in low income housing partnerships tied to the receipt of investment tax credits, operational charge-offs, internet banking, and professional fees. In addition, the company incurred a $245,000 loss on one of its purchased receivable accounts in the first quarter ended March 31, 2007, which was included in other expenses. Other operating expense in the fourth quarter of 2007 was $8.8 million compared to $8.0 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. Other operating expense in 2007 was $34.9 million compared to $31.4 million a year ago.

The efficiency ratio during the fourth quarter of 2007 was 55.82% up from 53.30% a year ago. In 2007, the efficiency ratio was 57.99% compared to 55.97% in 2006. The efficiency ratio, calculated by dividing noninterest expense (excluding intangible asset amortization expense) by net interest income and noninterest income, measures overhead costs as a percentage of total revenues.

About Northrim BanCorp

Northrim BanCorp, Inc. is the parent company of Northrim Bank, a commercial bank that provides personal and business banking services through locations in Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, and Fairbanks, Alaska, and an asset based lending division in Washington. The bank differentiates itself with a “Customer First Service” philosophy. Affiliated companies include Elliott Cove Capital Management, LLC; Residential Mortgage, LLC; Northrim Benefits Group, LLC; and Pacific Wealth Advisors, LLC.

www.northrim.com

                                         
                    Quarter Ended        
Income Statement
        December 31:                
 
                               
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    2007     2006   % Change
         (unaudited)
  (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Interest Income:
                                       
   Interest and fees on loans
  $ 16,093     $ 17,182       -6 %
   Interest on portfolio investments
    1,670       948       76 %
   Interest on overnight investments
    479       523       -8 %
      Total interest income
    18,242       18,653       -2 %
Interest Expense:
                                       
   Interest expense on deposits
    4,859       5,468       -11 %
   Interest expense on borrowings
    455       425       7 %
      Total interest expense
    5,314       5,893       -10 %
      Net interest income
    12,928       12,760       1 %
Provision for loan losses
            3,000       800       275 %
      Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    9,928       11,960       -17 %
Other Operating Income:
                               
   Service charges on deposit accounts
    847       507       67 %
   Purchased receivable income
    699       510       37 %
   Employee benefit plan income
    304       284       7 %
   Equity in earnings from mortgage affiliate
    64       177       -64 %
   Other income
            791       598       32 %
      Total other operating income
    2,705       2,076       30 %
Other Operating Expense:
                               
   Salaries and other personnel expense
    5,174       5,051       2 %
   Occupancy, net
            810       639       27 %
   Equipment expense
            310       327       -5 %
   Intangible asset amortization expense
    88       120       -27 %
   Other expense
            2,432       1,891       29 %
      Total other operating expense
    8,814       8,028       10 %
      Income before income taxes and minority interest
    3,819       6,008       -36 %
Minority interest in subsidiaries
            75       78       -4 %
      Pre tax income
    3,744       5,930       -37 %
Provision for income taxes
            1,583       2,241       -29 %
      Net income
  $ 2,161     $ 3,689       -41 %
      Basic EPS
  $ 0.34     $ 0.57       -40 %
      Diluted EPS
  $ 0.34     $ 0.56       -39 %
      Average basic shares
    6,343,736       6,442,080       -2 %
      Average diluted shares
    6,396,208       6,539,749       -2 %
                                         
                    Twelve Months Ended        
Income Statement
        December 31:                
 
                               
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    2007     2006   % Change
Interest Income:
                  (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)
    Interest and fees on loans   $ 66,463     $ 65,347       2 %
    Interest on portfolio investments     4,619       2,799       65 %
    Interest on overnight investments     1,985       1,375       44 %
 
          Total interest income     73,067       69,521       5 %
Interest Expense:
                                       
    Interest expense on deposits     21,402       20,318       5 %
    Interest expense on borrowings     1,835       1,681       9 %
 
          Total interest expense     23,237       21,999       6 %
 
          Net interest income     49,830       47,522       5 %
Provision for loan losses
            5,513       2,564       115 %
 
          Net interest income after provision for loan losses     44,317       44,958       -1 %
Other Operating Income:
                               
    Service charges on deposit accounts     3,116       1,975       58 %
    Purchased receivable income     2,519       1,855       36 %
    Employee benefit plan income     1,194       1,113       7 %
    Equity in earnings from mortgage affiliate     454       649       -30 %
 
  Other income             2,537       2,066       23 %
 
          Total other operating income     9,820       7,658       28 %
Other Operating Expense:
                               
    Salaries and other personnel expense     20,700       19,277       7 %
 
  Occupancy, net             2,823       2,503       13 %
 
  Equipment expense             1,350       1,350       0 %
    Intangible asset amortization expense     337       482       -30 %
 
  Other expense             9,719       7,756       25 %
 
          Total other operating expense     34,929       31,368       11 %
 
          Income before income taxes and minority interest     19,208       21,248       -10 %
Minority interest in subsidiaries
            290       296       -2 %
 
          Pre tax income     18,918       20,952       -10 %
Provision for income taxes
            7,260       7,978       -9 %
 
          Net income   $ 11,658     $ 12,974       -10 %
 
          Basic EPS   $ 1.82     $ 2.02       -10 %
 
          Diluted EPS   $ 1.80     $ 1.99       -10 %
 
          Average basic shares     6,400,974       6,426,002       0 %
 
          Average diluted shares     6,485,972       6,516,117       0 %
                                                 
Balance Sheet                                        
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)                        
            December 31,
  December 31,   Annual
 
                            2007       2006     % Change
 
                                               
            (unaudited)
  (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Assets:
                                               
   Cash and due from banks
          $ 30,767     $ 25,565       20 %
   Overnight investments
            33,039       18,717       77 %
   Portfolio investments
            161,713       100,325       61 %
   Loans:
                                       
      Commercial loans
            284,686       287,155       -1 %
      Commercial real estate
    243,245       237,599       2 %
      Construction loans
    138,070       153,059       -10 %
      Consumer loans
            51,139       42,140       21 %
      Other loans
            405       126       221 %
      Unearned loan fees
    (2,744 )     (3,023 )     -9 %
 
                                               
         Total loans
    714,801       717,056       0 %
   Allowance for loan losses
            (11,735 )     (12,125 )     -3 %
 
                                               
      Net loans
            703,066       704,931       0 %
   Purchased receivables, net
            19,437       21,183       -8 %
   Premises and equipment, net
            15,621       12,874       21 %
   Goodwill and intangible assets
            9,946       6,903       44 %
   Other real estate owned
            4,445       717       520 %
   Other assets
                    36,680       34,405       7 %
      Total assets
          $ 1,014,714     $ 925,620       10 %
 
                                               
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
                               
   Demand deposits
                  $ 224,986     $ 206,343       9 %
   Interest-bearing demand
            96,455       89,476       8 %
   Savings deposits
            55,285       48,330       14 %
   Alaska CDs
                    171,341       207,492       -17 %
   Money market deposits
            215,819       157,345       37 %
   Time deposits
                    103,490       85,918       20 %
 
                                               
      Total deposits
            867,376       794,904       9 %
   Borrowings
                    16,770       6,502       158 %
   Junior subordinated debentures
            18,558       18,558       0 %
   Other liabilities
            10,595       10,209       4 %
 
                                               
      Total liabilities
    913,299       830,173       10 %
   Minority interest in subsidiaries
    24       29       -17 %
   Shareholders’ equity
            101,391       95,418       6 %
      Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,014,714     $ 925,620       10 %
 
                                               
                                 
Financial Ratios and Other Data                        
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)                        
         December 31,
  December 31,
 
                    2007       2006  
 
                               
         (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
Asset Quality:
                               
   Non accrual loans
          $ 9,673     $ 5,176  
   Loans 90 days past due
            1,665       708  
   Restructured loans
                  748  
 
                               
      Total non-performing loans
    11,338       6,632  
   Other real estate owned
            4,445       717  
      Total non-performing assets
  $ 15,783     $ 7,349  
 
                               
   Non-performing loans / portfolio loans
    1.59 %     0.92 %
   Non-performing assets / assets
            1.56 %     0.79 %
   Allowance for loan losses / portfolio loans
    1.64 %     1.69 %
   Allowance / non-performing loans
            103.50 %     182.83 %
   Loan (recoveries) charge-offs, net for the quarter
  $ 3,559     $ 1,322  
   Loan (recoveries) charge-offs, net year-to-date
  $ 6,123     $ 1,145  
   Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs / average loans, quarter
    0.50 %     0.19 %
   Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs / average loans, annualized
    0.86 %     0.16 %
Capital Data (At quarter end):
                       
   Book value per share
          $ 16.09     $ 14.87  
   Tangible book value per share
          $ 14.51     $ 13.80  
   Tier 1 / Risk Adjusted Assets
            12.32 %     12.95 %
   Total Capital / Risk Adjusted Assets
    13.57 %     14.21 %
   Tier 1 /Average Assets
            11.10 %     11.71 %
   Shares outstanding
            6,300,256       6,414,976  
   Unrealized gain (loss) on AFS securities, net of income taxes
  $ 225       ($287 )
Profitability Ratios (For the quarter):
                       
   Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
    5.79 %     6.11 %
   Efficiency ratio*
            55.82 %     53.30 %
   Return on average assets
            0.86 %     1.60 %
   Return on average equity
            8.32 %     15.55 %
Profitability Ratios (Year-to-date):
                       
   Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
    5.89 %     5.89 %
   Efficiency ratio*
            57.99 %     55.97 %
   Return on average assets
            1.24 %     1.46 %
   Return on average equity
            11.70 %     14.45 %
   *excludes intangible asset amortization expense
               
                                                 
Average Balances                                        
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)                                
         December 31,
  December 31,   December 31,   Annual
 
                    2007       2006       2006     % Change
 
                                               
         (unaudited)
  (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Average Quarter Balances
                                       
   Loans
          $ 710,398     $ 703,678     $ 703,678       1 %
   Total earning assets
    891,617       831,314       831,314       7 %
   Total assets
            992,473       917,559       917,559       8 %
   Non-interest bearing deposits
    213,345       198,193       198,193       8 %
   Interest bearing deposits
    627,410       590,184       590,184       6 %
      Total deposits
    840,755       788,377       788,377       7 %
   Shareholders’ equity
    103,056       94,149       94,149       9 %
Average Year-to-date Balances
                                       
   Loans
          $ 710,959     $ 712,130     $ 712,130       0 %
   Total earning assets
    849,263       810,946       810,946       5 %
   Total assets
            941,328       888,697       888,697       6 %
   Non-interest bearing deposits
    196,313       185,959       185,959       6 %
   Interest bearing deposits
    602,655       579,569       579,569       4 %
      Total deposits
    798,968       765,528       765,528       4 %
   Shareholders’ equity
    99,665       89,797       89,797       11 %

This release may contain “forward-looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views only as of the date hereof. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our financial position, business strategy and management’s plans and objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements.  When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend” and words or phrases of similar meaning, as they relate to Northrim or management, are intended to help identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Although we believe that management’s expectations as reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure readers that those expectations will prove to be correct.  Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from our expectations as indicated in the forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include our ability to maintain or expand our market share or net interest margins, and to implement our marketing and growth strategies.  Further, actual results may be affected by our ability to compete on price and other factors with other financial institutions; customer acceptance of new products and services; the regulatory environment in which we operate; and general trends in the local, regional and national banking industry and economy as those factors relate to our cost of funds and return on assets.  In addition, there are risks inherent in the banking industry relating to collectibility of loans and changes in interest rates.  Many of these risks, as well as other risks that may have a material adverse impact on our operations and business, are identified in our other filings with the SEC.  However, you should be aware that these factors are not an exhaustive list, and you should not assume these are the only factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations.

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Note Transmitted on PrimeNewswire on January 23, 2008, at 2:30 a.m. Alaska Standard Time.