Metro Phoenix Bank Reports Earnings of $1,703,000, or $0.45 per Diluted Share in 2Q 2021; Loan Growth (net PPP) of 7.09% Realized; Asset Quality Remains Strong as Non-Performing Asset Ratio is Negligible at 0.01%

PHOENIX, July 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MPB BHC, INC. (OTCPink:MPHX), the holding company for Metro Phoenix Bank ("Bank"), announced net income for quarter ending June 30, 2021 of $1,703,000, or $0.45 per diluted share, up from $1,587,000, or $0.42 per diluted share in first quarter 2021. Net income increased 21.47% from $1,402,000 in the second quarter of 2020. Metro Phoenix Bank's second quarter earnings reflect the positive impact of a fully funded allowance for loan & lease losses and no need to make an additional provision expense in the period.

Stephen P. Haggard, Bank President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "After closing out the second quarter, we have concluded that our loan portfolio has withstood the worst of the pandemic's impact on clientele business operations. Although lingering "one-off" challenges are expected, the systemic asset quality erosion expected in mid-2020  never materialized, and at this stage we do not anticipate that scenario to occur. Our loan loss reserves are robust, our loan performance has been strong, and the cash flow position of our clients appears to be improving each quarter, which collectively provides us with confidence in our overall post COVID-19 asset quality.

"Although we have closely monitored the asset quality of the balance sheet this year, we have not ignored the initiatives we established on the liability side of the balance sheet.  We established very aggressive goals for core deposit growth in 2021 and through the first half of the year, the team has not disappointed. The year-to-date deposit growth rate of just under 25% has essentially been all core growth within our defined verticals, but more impressively the year-to-date DDA and NOW account growth rate has been 37.50%, and now represents just over 41% of the Banks total deposits.

"Our loan pipeline has remained healthy in all lines of business, with SBA demand leading the way. SBA lending has been extremely strong six months into 2021 and based on existing indicators, we believe it will continue through the balance of the year. At the current pace, 2021 may be a record year for our SBA team.

"Round 1 of PPP loans have nearly paid off, paying down to less than $1,000,000 outstanding, and we have started the forgiveness process for Round 2 of PPP customers. Additionally, the Bank only has a single loan under modification due to COVID-19 related cash flow stress. Overall, we are very pleased with the success rate that has been achieved with the PPP program and COVID-19 loan modification efforts."

Second Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Net Income for the quarter was $1,703,000 or $0.45 per diluted share.
  -                   ROA of 1.75% for the quarter
  -                   ROE of 16.80% for the quarter
• NIM of 4.09% for the quarter, with the cost of funds declining to 0.29%; relatively unchanged when compared to the linked quarter cost of funds of 0.31%.
• SBA Gains on Sale of $427,194 for the quarter.
• Provision Expense of $0 for the quarter.
• Efficiency Ratio of 44.97% for the quarter.
• Loan growth (net PPP) of 7.09% for the quarter.
• Deposit growth of 5.84% for the quarter.
• Non-Performing Asset Ratio is negligible at 0.01%, no change from the linked quarter.

Balance Sheet
Total assets grew by 5.09% to $395.4 million at June 30, 2021 and increased 22.11% compared to $323.8 million a year ago. Total loans increased by 0.99% to $290.1 million at June 30, 2021 and increased 18.36% compared to $245.1 million a year ago. Excluding PPP loans of $19.1 million, loans increased 33.35% compared to a year ago. Total deposits increased by 5.84% to $351.8 million at June 30, 2021 and increased 24.49% compared to $282.6 million a year ago.

The allowance for loan losses totaled $3.775 million at June 30, 2021, or 1.30% of total loans. Excluding the PPP loan balance of $19.1 million, an adjusted allowance for loan losses equates to 1.40% of total loans. No material changes have occurred in the reported credit quality of the loan portfolio since the preceding quarter.

After a dividend payment of $2.53 million, shareholders' equity decreased to $39.44 million at June 30, 2021, from $40.27 million the preceding quarter and increased 10.29% compared to $35.76 million a year ago. At June 30, 2021, book value and tangible book value were $11.32 per share compared to $11.56 per share at March 31, 2021 and $10.27 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 bank holding company (MPB BHC, INC.) 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.

SOURCE Metro Phoenix Bank

Related Links

http://www.metrophoenixbank.com