Metro Phoenix Bank Reports Earnings of $1,283,000, or $0.34 per Diluted Share in 4Q 2020 after Additional $250,000 COVID-19 Related Loan Reserve Build-Up; Asset Quality Remains Strong as Non-Performing Asset Ratio is 0.00%

PHOENIX, Jan. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Metro Phoenix Bank (OTCPink:MPHX)("Bank") announced net income for quarter ending December 31, 2020 of $1,283,000, or $0.34 per diluted share, down from $1,621,000, or $0.43 per diluted share in third quarter 2020. However, when excluding non-recurring insurance settlement income, 3Q 2020 adjusted net income was $1,235,000, or $0.33 per diluted share, equating to a modest increase in linked quarter core earnings. Net income increased 69.04% from the adjusted net income of $759,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019.

For the full twelve months of 2020, the Bank reported net income of $5,039,000, or $1.34 per diluted share, compared to $2,159,000, or $0.57 per diluted share for the same period in 2019.  Net income increased 133.40% over the same period last year.  However, when excluding the non-recurring settlement recognized in 2020, the Bank's adjusted twelve-month net income would have been $4,653,000, or $1.25 per diluted share.  The adjusted 2020 net income increased 115.52% over the same period last year.

Stephen P. Haggard, Bank President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The positive financial results recognized in 4Q 2020 provides the Bank with a favorable closure to an extremely challenging year. A year that started with unbelievable momentum and optimism quickly evolved into crisis management and the implementation of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic contingency plan. Although we, like so many businesses, have had our logistical challenges with personnel coverage and atypical loan portfolio management tools, we are very fortunate to be in a position of strength moving into the new year. Our loan quality has held up extremely well given the circumstances, our capital position remains strong, core earnings are stable, the Phoenix market continues to be a pro-growth destination, and most importantly our staff is healthy and ready to launch another successful campaign in 2021.

"The Bank will continue to navigate through the back-end of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential long-term impact on Arizona businesses. Even though we are well on our way in the Forgiveness process of the first round of PPP loans, we are now participating in the second round of the SBA/Treasury PPP Program. Furthermore, we will continue to provide consideration for appropriate loan modifications when necessary. We were extremely proactive in working with customers of industries adversely impacted by the pandemic and we are pleased that nearly all of our customers have migrated back to full P&I payments without any setbacks. The Bank is currently down to 1.15% of its loan portfolio that continues to operate under a deferral program. This compares favorably to our high-water mark of nearly 20%.

"As an additional precaution, the Bank has continued to build up its loan loss reserves. This build-up has been driven by the COVID-19 qualitative factors and not specific loan performance."

Fourth Quarter 2020 Highlights

• Net Income for the quarter was $1,283,000 or $0.34 per diluted share.
• ROA of 1.56% for the quarter;
• ROE of 13.38% for the quarter;
• NIM of 4.31% for the quarter, with the cost of funds declining to 0.34%; a favorable trend when compared to the linked quarter cost of funds of 0.37%.
• SBA Gains on Sale of $135,018 for the quarter.
• Provision Expense of $250,000 for the quarter.
• Efficiency Ratio of 47.14% for the quarter.
• Loan growth of 8.99% for the quarter.
• Deposit growth of 0.42% for the quarter.
• Non-Performing Asset Ratio is stable at 0.00%, no change from the linked quarter.

Balance Sheet
Total assets grew by 0.69% to $326.0 million at December 31, 2020 and increased 33.98% compared to $243.3 million a year ago. Total loans increased by 8.99% to $279.7 million at December 31, 2020 and increased 65.32% compared to $169.2 million a year ago. Excluding PPP loans of $33.2 million, loans increased 45.69% compared to a year ago. Total deposits increased by 0.42% to $281.8 million at December 31, 2020 and increased 37.42% compared to $205.1 million a year ago.

The allowance for loan losses totaled $3.475 million at December 31, 2020, or 1.24% of total loans.  Excluding the PPP loan balance of $33.2 million, an adjusted allowance for loan losses equates to 1.41% of total loans. No material changes have occurred in the reported credit quality of the loan portfolio since the preceding quarter. However, in 2020 the Bank adjusted upwards the qualitative factors in its Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL) methodology given the uncertainty surrounding the long-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis. As data becomes available, the Bank could see additional build-up of its reserves.

Shareholders' equity increased to $38.66 million at December 31, 2020, from $37.38 million the preceding quarter and increased 15.45% compared to $33.49 million a year ago. At December 31, 2020, book value and tangible book value were $11.11 per share compared to $10.74 per share at September 30, 2020 and $9.67 per share a year ago.

Capital Management
The Bank's capital ratio exceeded the regulatory guidelines established under Section 201 of the Economic Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act. Effective January 2020, community banks are tested for capital health based on a single capital ratio, the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR). The Bank reported the following capital ratio:

About the Company
Metro Phoenix Bank, Inc., established in 2007 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a full-service community bank that caters to small- to mid-sized businesses and real estate professionals. MPB offers commercial clients a variety of services ranging from Commercial Real Estate Lending, Outdoor Media Lending, SBA financing solutions, and a robust treasury management platform that includes a Homeowners Association (HOA)/Property Management specialty program. The company is traded over-the-counter as MPHX. For additional information, visit: www.metrophoenixbank.com.

Forward-looking Statements
This press release may include forward-looking statements about Metro Phoenix Bank. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following factors: competition, fluctuations in interest rates, dependency on key individuals, loan defaults, geographical concentration, litigation and changes in federal laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available at the time of the release. Metro Phoenix Bank assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

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SOURCE Metro Phoenix Bank