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prnewswire

Cathay General Bancorp Reports Third Quarter Results; Nonaccrual Loans Down 6%, Accruing Delinquent Loans Down 50%, Net Interest Margin Increased 16 Basis Points

  • Press Release
  • Source: Cathay General Bancorp
  • On 8:00 am EDT, Thursday October 8, 2009

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cathay General Bancorp (the "Company"), (Nasdaq: CATY - News), the holding company for Cathay Bank (the "Bank"), today announced results for the third quarter of 2009.

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    FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

                                          Third Quarter      Third Quarter
                                               2009              2008
    ----------------------------------------------------     --------------
    Net (loss)/income                   ($17.7) million       $6.9 million

    Net (loss)/income available to
     common stockholders                ($21.8) million       $6.9 million
    (Loss)/basic earnings per
     common share                                ($0.43)             $0.14
    (Loss)/ diluted earnings per
     common share                                ($0.43)             $0.14

THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Nonaccrual loans down 6% - Total nonaccrual loans decreased by 6%, or $21.5 million, to $361.6 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $383.1 million at June 30, 2009.
  • Total accruing delinquent loans down 50% - Total loans delinquent 30 days or more and still accruing interest decreased by 50% to $79.3 million at September 30, 2009 compared to $158.2 million at June 30, 2009.
  • Increase in net interest margin - Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2009 increased to 2.65% from 2.49% for the second quarter of 2009.
  • Allowance for credit losses strengthened - Total allowance for credit losses increased to $194.4 million, or 2.73%, of total loans at September 30, 2009 compared to 2.42% of total loans at June 30, 2009.
  • Decrease in provision for credit losses - The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $76.0 million during the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $17.0 million in the provision for credit losses, as compared to a provision of $93.0 million during the second quarter of 2009.
  • Capital strengthened - During the month of September 2009, the Company raised $31.7 million in additional capital through the sale of 3.5 million shares of common stock in its at-the-market capital offering.

"We are pleased that our nonaccruals dropped by $21.5 million during the third quarter and are committed to continue to aggressively dispose of other real estate owned. We are also encouraged by the significant decline in past due loans. We recorded a provision for credit losses during the third quarter of $76 million which increased our allowance for credit losses to 2.73% of total loans," commented Dunson Cheng, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the Company.

"During the first nine months of the year, we had solid growth in total deposits, which increased by $874 million, or 13%, net of a $211 million reduction of brokered deposits, which helped us to improve our net loan to deposit ratio to 89.8% at September 30, 2009. We are especially pleased that our core deposits increased $533.9 million to $3.2 billion at September 30, 2009, equating to a 26.9% growth rate, if annualized," said Peter Wu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer.

"As part of our ongoing evaluation of our capital levels and needs during this challenging economic period, we previously announced an 'at the market' stock issuance program on September 9, 2009 to further strengthen our capital base. We are pleased that we raised $31.7 million of new capital through this program at the end of the third quarter. Our focus continues to be managing through this challenging credit cycle, resolving problem assets on a case by case basis without resorting to bulk sales and maintaining strong liquidity. We expect an increase in the pace of sales of nonaccrual loans and foreclosed real estate during the remainder of the year as we continue to resolve problem assets," concluded Dunson Cheng.

INCOME STATEMENT REVIEW

Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $21.8 million, a $28.7 million income decrease, compared to net income attributable to common stockholders of $6.9 million for the same period a year ago. Loss per share for the three months ended September 30, 2009, was $0.43 compared to earnings of $0.14 per diluted share for the same period a year ago due primarily to increases in the provision for credit losses, lower net interest income and higher provision for OREO write-downs.

Return on average stockholders' equity was negative 5.58% and return on average assets was negative 0.60% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a return on average stockholders' equity of 2.71% and a return on average assets of 0.25% for the same period of 2008.

Net interest income before provision for credit losses

Net interest income before provision for credit losses decreased to $72.5 million during the third quarter of 2009, a decline of $1.1 million, or 1.5%, compared to $73.6 million during the same quarter a year ago. The decrease was due primarily to the increases in interest expense paid for securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

The net interest margin, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, was 2.65% for the third quarter of 2009. The net interest margin increased 16 basis points from 2.49% in the second quarter of 2009, and decreased 23 basis points from 2.88%, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in net interest margin from the prior year primarily resulted from increases in non-accrual loans and the increase in the borrowing rate on our long term repurchase agreements and other borrowed funds. The majority of our variable rate loans contain interest rate floors, which help limit the impact of the recent decreases in the prime interest rate.

For the third quarter of 2009, the yield on average interest-earning assets was 4.82%, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, the cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities equaled 2.48%, and the cost of interest bearing deposits was 1.80%. In comparison, for the third quarter of 2008, the yield on average interest-earning assets was 5.70%, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities equaled 3.21%, and the cost of interest bearing deposits was 2.84%. The interest spread, defined as the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities, decreased 15 basis points to 2.34% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, from 2.49% for the same quarter a year ago, primarily due to the reasons discussed above.

The cost of deposits, including demand deposits, decreased 33 basis points to 1.62% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 1.95% in the second quarter of 2009 due primarily to growth in core deposits and decreased 89 basis points from 2.51% in the third quarter of 2008 due partly to decrease in market rates and partly to growth in core deposits.

Provision for credit losses

The provision for credit losses was $76.0 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $93.0 million for the second quarter of 2009 and compared to $15.8 million in the third quarter of 2008. The provision for credit losses was based on the review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2009. The provision for credit losses represents the charge against current earnings that is determined by management, through a credit review process, as the amount needed to establish an allowance that management believes to be sufficient to absorb credit losses inherent in the Company's loan portfolio, including unfunded commitments. The following table summarizes the charge-offs and recoveries for the periods as indicated:


                                   For the three months  For the nine months
                                   ended September 30,   ended September 30,
    ---------------------------------------------------  -------------------
    (In thousands)                   2009       2008      2009       2008
    ----------------------------------------  --------  --------   --------
    Charge-offs:
      Commercial loans               $27,748    $6,796   $49,913    $8,917
      Construction loans-
       residential                    13,126     3,230    58,535     8,239
      Construction loans- other        3,072         -    11,840         -
      Real estate loans               10,732       172    25,188       554
      Real estate- land loans          3,865         -     7,599       339
      Installment and other loans          -         -         4         -
                                     -------    ------  --------   -------
        Total charge-offs             58,543    10,198   153,079    18,049
                                     -------    ------  --------   -------
    Recoveries:
      Commercial loans                   219     1,067       523     1,634
      Construction loans- residential    598         -       772        83
      Construction loans- other            -         -         1         -
      Real estate loans                   46         -        46         -
      Real estate- land loans            685         -       686         -
      Installment and other loans          2         4        19        16
                                     -------    ------  --------   -------
        Total recoveries               1,550     1,071     2,047     1,733
                                     -------    ------  --------   -------
    Net Charge-offs                  $56,993    $9,127  $151,032   $16,316
                                     =======    ======  ========   =======

Total charge-offs of $58.5 million for the third quarter of 2009 included $13.1 million of charge-offs on twelve residential construction loans, $3.1 million of charge-offs on commercial property construction loans, $9.2 million of charge-offs on commercial real estate loans, $27.7 million on 25 commercial loans, $1.5 million charge-offs on residential mortgage loans, and $3.9 million of charge-offs on land loans. Net loan charge-offs increased from $56.0 million in the second quarter of 2009 to $57.0 million in the third quarter of 2009 and compared to $9.1 million in the third quarter of last year. Net loan charge-offs remained high in the third quarter as a result of the continuing weak economy.

Non-interest income

Non-interest income, which includes revenues from depository service fees, letters of credit commissions, securities gains (losses), gains (losses) on loan sales, wire transfer fees, and other sources of fee income, was $10.3 million for the third quarter of 2009, an increase of $18.7 million compared to the non-interest loss of $8.4 million for the third quarter of 2008. The increase in non-interest income was primarily due to net securities losses in 2008 of $15.3 million. In the third quarter of 2009, net gains on sales of agency mortgage-backed securities were $2.9 million compared to a $27.8 million other-than-temporary impairment charge on agency preferred stock which was partially offset by net gains of $12.5 million from sales of agency mortgage-backed securities in the same quarter a year ago. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company sold an aircraft owned through a leveraged lease and recorded a $3.3 million gain. Offsetting the above gains were losses of $1.3 million from interest rate swap agreements, a decrease of $1.0 million from foreign exchange and currency transaction commissions, and $328,000 from higher write-downs of venture capital investments.

Non-interest expense

Non-interest expense increased $3.8 million, or 10.8%, to $38.8 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $35.0 million in the same quarter a year ago. The efficiency ratio was 46.87% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 53.69% for the same period a year ago due to the securities losses recorded in the prior year.

OREO expense increased $2.9 million to $4.1 million in the third quarter of 2009 from $1.2 million in the same quarter a year ago primarily due to higher OREO provision and expense resulting from increased OREO activities.

FDIC and State assessments increased $3.2 million to $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2009 from $1.3 million in the same quarter a year ago due to a higher assessment rate. Occupancy expense increased $606,000 primarily due to increases in depreciation expense of $782,000 primarily related to our new administrative offices at 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte which opened in January 2009, which were partially offset by lower rental expense of $206,000. Professional service expense increased $284,000, or 8.3%, primarily due to increases in credit appraisal expenses, legal expenses, and collection expenses.

Offsetting the above described increases were decreases of $2.0 million in salaries and employee benefits and decreases of $1.4 million expense from operations of affordable housing investments. Salaries and employee benefits decreased primarily due to a $665,000 decrease in option compensation expense, a $556,000 decrease in bonus accruals, and a $331,000 decrease in salaries. Expense from operations of affordable housing investments decreased as the result of an expense reversal of $494,000 to the prior year's estimated losses in the third quarter of 2009 compared to additional expense adjustment of $577,000 in the same quarter a year ago.

Income taxes

The tax benefit for the third quarter of 2009 resulted from the pretax loss for the quarter and the utilization of low income housing tax credits.

BALANCE SHEET REVIEW

Total assets increased by $167.1 million, or 1.4%, to $11.7 billion at September 30, 2009, from $11.6 billion at December 31, 2008 primarily due to a $211.0 million increase in securities available-for-sale and a $420.2 million increase in cash, due from banks and short-term investments offset by a $421.7 million decrease in net loans.

The changes in the loan composition from December 31, 2008, are presented below:

    Type of Loans:                     September 30,  December 31,      %
                                           2009          2008         Change
    ------------------------------------------------ -------------    ------
                                         (Dollars in thousands)
    Commercial                         $1,401,069    $1,620,438         (14)
    Residential mortgage                  666,510       622,741           7
    Commercial mortgage                 4,124,384     4,132,850          (0)
    Equity lines                          192,743       168,756          14
    Real estate construction              715,071       913,168         (21)
    Installment                            11,819        11,340           4
    Other                                   5,092         3,075          66
                                       ----------    ----------
      Gross loans and leases           $7,116,688    $7,472,368          (5)

    Allowance for loan losses            (189,370)     (122,093)         55
    Unamortized deferred loan fees         (8,880)      (10,094)        (12)
                                       ----------    ----------
      Total loans and leases, net      $6,918,438    $7,340,181          (6)
                                       ==========    ==========

Total deposits were $7.7 billion at September 30, 2009, an increase of $874.5 million, or 12.8%, from $6.8 billion at December 31, 2008, primarily due to increases of $305.7 million, or 46.4%, in money market accounts and increases of $527.2 million, or 16.3%, in time deposits of $100,000 or more offset by decreases of $160.4 million, or 9.8%, in time deposits under $100,000. Brokered deposits which are reported in time deposits under $100,000 declined $226.0 million to $746.9 million at September 30, 2009 from $972.9 million at December 31, 2008. The changes in the deposit composition from December 31, 2008, are presented below:

    Deposits                         September 30,   December 31,       %
                                         2009            2008         Change
    ----------------------------------------------   ------------     ------
                                         (Dollars in thousands)
    Non-interest-bearing demand         $831,800       $730,433          14
    NOW                                  324,774        257,234          26
    Money market                         965,159        659,454          46
    Savings                              349,298        316,263          10
    Time deposits under $100,000       1,484,056      1,644,407         (10)
    Time deposits of $100,000 or more  3,756,142      3,228,945          16
                                      ----------     ----------
      Total deposits                  $7,711,229     $6,836,736          13
                                      ==========     ==========

ASSET QUALITY REVIEW

At September 30, 2009, total non-accrual loans were $361.6 million, a decrease of $21.5 million, or 5.6%, from $383.1 million at June 30, 2009 and an increase of $180.4 million, or 99.6%, from $181.2 million at December 31, 2008. A summary of non-accrual loans by collateral type as of September 30, 2009 is shown below:


    Collateral Type               No.                No.               No.
                                  of     Other       of                of
                  California  Borrowers  States  Borrowers  Total   Borrowers
    -----------------------------------  -----------------  -----------------
                      (Dollars in thousands except no. of borrowers)
    Commercial
     real estate  $110,361        32   $55,968        29  $166,329        61
    Commercial      18,599        29     6,624        10    25,223        39
    Construction-
     residential    86,901        16     9,428         6    96,329        22
    Construction-
     non-
     residential    34,227         5       974         2    35,201         7
    Residential
     mortgage        8,617        30     2,654        12    11,271        42
    Land            22,265        16     4,993         6    27,258        22
                  ------------------   -----------------  ------------------
      Total       $280,970       128   $80,641        65  $361,611       193
                  ==================   =================  ==================

Included in nonaccrual commercial real estate loans is a loan with an outstanding balance of $47.6 million to a borrower who filed for bankruptcy in March 2009. While the loan is non-accrual at September 30, 2009, management believes that the value of the underlying real estate collateral is sufficient for a full collection of principal and interest. Nonaccrual loans also include those troubled debt restructurings that do not qualify for accrual status.

At September 30, 2009, total residential construction loans were $297.1 million of which $7.9 million were in the Central Valley in California and $17.7 million were in San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California. Residential construction loans of $7.9 million in the Central Valley and $8.3 million in San Bernardino and Riverside counties were on non-accrual status as of September 30, 2009. At September 30, 2009, total land loans were $200.7 million of which $28.6 million were in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial counties and $2.8 million were in the Central Valley. Land loans of $2.8 million in the Central Valley and a land loan of $4.7 million in Riverside were on non-accrual status as of September 30, 2009.

Troubled debt restructurings on accrual status totaled $59.4 million at September 30, 2009 and were comprised of 12 loans. These loans are classified as troubled debt restructurings as a result of granting a concession to borrowers. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including reduction in the stated interest rate, reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, and extension of the maturity date. Although these loan modifications are considered Statement 15 troubled debt restructurings, the loans have performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms. The sustained performance considered by management includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms as well as cash paid to set up interest reserves.

At September 30, 2009, net carrying value of other real estate owned increased $25.7 million, or 42.0%, to $86.7 million from $61.0 million at December 31, 2008. At September 30, 2009, $50.6 million of OREO was located in California, $25.1 million of OREO was located in Texas, $5.0 million of OREO was located in state of Washington, $4.5 million of OREO was located in Nevada, and $1.5 million was located in all other states.

The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 4.0% at September 30, 2009, compared to 2.2% at December 31, 2008, and compared to 4.2% at June 30, 2009. Total non-performing assets increased $213.0 million, or 84.6%, to $464.8 million at September 30, 2009, compared with $251.8 million at December 31, 2008, primarily due to a $180.4 million increase in non-accrual loans and a $25.7 million increase in OREO. Total non-performing assets decreased $8.9 million, or 1.9%, to $464.8 million at September 30, 2009, compared with $473.7 million at June 30, 2009, primarily due to a $21.5 million decrease in non-accrual loans offset by a $12.9 million increase in OREO.

The allowance for loan losses was $189.4 million and the allowance for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments was $5.0 million at September 30, 2009, and represented the amount that the Company believes to be sufficient to absorb credit losses inherent in the Company's loan portfolio. The allowance for credit losses, the sum of allowance for loan losses and for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments, was $194.4 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $129.4 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of $65.0 million, or 50.2%. The allowance for credit losses represented 2.73% of period-end gross loans and 51.4% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2009. The comparable ratios were 1.73% of period-end gross loans and 68.9% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2008. Results of the changes from December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009, to September 30, 2009, to the Company's non-performing assets and troubled debt restructurings are highlighted below:


    (Dollars in          September 30,  June 30,     %   December 31,   %
     thousands)              2009        2009     Change     2008     Change
                         -------------  --------  ------ ------------ ------
    Non-performing assets
    Accruing loans past
     due 90 days or more    $16,507     $16,952      (3)    $6,733      145
    Non-accrual loans:
      Construction-
       residential           96,329     154,348     (38)   100,169       (4)
      Construction-
       non-residential       35,201      23,797      48     22,012       60
      Land                   27,258      27,060       1     12,608      116
      Commercial real
       estate, excluding
       land                 166,329     133,161      25     19,733      743
      Commercial             25,223      34,844     (28)    20,904       21
      Residential mortgage   11,271       9,869      14      5,776       95
                           --------    --------           --------
    Total non-accrual
     loans:                $361,611    $383,079      (6)  $181,202      100
                           --------    --------           --------
      Total non-
       performing loans     378,118     400,031      (5)   187,935      101
        Other real
         estate owned
         and other assets    86,662      73,715      18     63,892       36
                           --------    --------           --------
      Total non-performing
       assets              $464,780    $473,746      (2)  $251,827       85
                           --------    --------           --------
    Performing troubled
     debt restructurings    $59,400     $23,705     151       $924    6,329
                           ========    ========           ========
    Allowance for loan
     losses                $189,370    $169,551      12   $122,093       55
    Allowance for
     off-balance
     sheet credit
     commitments              5,023       5,835     (14)     7,332      (31)
                           --------    --------           --------
    Allowance for credit
     losses                $194,393    $175,386      11   $129,425       50
                           ========    ========           ========
    Total gross loans
     outstanding, at
     period-end          $7,116,688  $7,254,264      (2)$7,472,368       (5)

    Allowance for loan
     losses to
     non-performing
     loans, at
     period-end               50.08%      42.38%              64.97%
    Allowance for
     loan losses to
     gross loans,
     at period-end             2.66%       2.34%               1.63%

    Allowance for
     credit losses
     to non-performing
     loans, at period-end     51.41%      43.84%              68.87%
    Allowance for credit
     losses to gross
     loans, at period-end      2.73%       2.42%               1.73%

Loans past due 30 to 89 days still accruing decreased $78.5 million, or 55.6%, from $141.3 million at June 30, 2009, to $62.8 million at September 30, 2009. The following table presents types and changes of loans past due 30 days or more and still accruing as the dates indicated:

    (Dollars in         September 30, June 30,    %    December 31,    %
     thousands)              2009      2009     Change     2008      Change
                        ------------- --------  ------ ------------  ------
    Accruing loans past
     due 30 to 89 days
      Construction-
       residential           8,912     12,295      (28)    28,814      (69)
      Construction-
       non-residential       5,654      1,944      191     16,716      (66)
      Land                   6,652     20,170      (67)    12,029      (45)
      Commercial real
       estate, excluding
       land                 26,122     93,808      (72)    48,412      (46)
      Commercial            12,576      8,569       47     28,568      (56)
      Residential
       mortgage              2,884      4,446      (35)     8,271      (65)
      Other                      -         65     (100)         5     (100)
                           -------   --------            --------
    Total loans past
     due 30 to 89
     days                  $62,800   $141,297      (56)  $142,815      (56)
                           -------   --------            --------
    Accruing loans
     past due 90 days
     or more                16,507     16,952       (3)    $6,733      145
                           -------   --------            --------
    Total accruing
     loans past due 30
     or more               $79,307   $158,249      (50)  $149,548      (47)
                           =======   ========            ========

CAPITAL ADEQUACY REVIEW

At September 30, 2009, the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 12.63%, total risk-based capital ratio of 14.49%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 9.29%, continue to place the Company in the "well capitalized" category for regulatory purposes, which is defined as institutions with a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 6%, a total risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 10%, and a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio equal to or greater than 5%. At December 31, 2008, the Company's Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 12.12%, the total risk-based capital ratio was 13.94%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 9.79%.

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company raised additional capital of $31.7 million from the sale of approximately 3.5 million shares of common stock.

YEAR-TO-DATE REVIEW

Net loss available to common stockholders for the first nine months of 2009 was $44.4 million, an $97.8 million, or 183%, decrease compared to net income available to common stockholders of $53.4 million for the same period a year ago. Loss per share was $0.89 compared to earnings of $1.08 per diluted share for the same period a year ago due primarily to increases in the provision for loan losses, lower net interest income and higher provision for OREO write-downs. The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, decreased 38 basis points to 2.61% compared to 2.99% for the same period a year ago.

Return on average stockholders' equity was negative 3.35% and return on average assets was negative 0.37% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a return on average stockholders' equity of 7.09% and a return on average assets of 0.67% for the same period of 2008. The efficiency ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 46.66% compared to 44.00% for the same period a year ago.

ABOUT CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

Cathay General Bancorp is the holding company for Cathay Bank, a California state-chartered bank. Founded in 1962, Cathay Bank offers a wide range of financial services. Cathay Bank currently operates 31 branches in California, eight branches in New York State, one in Massachusetts, two in Texas, three in Washington State, three in the Chicago, Illinois area, one in New Jersey, one in Hong Kong, and a representative office in Shanghai and in Taipei. Cathay Bank's website is found at http://www.cathaybank.com. Cathay General Bancorp's website is found at http://www.cathaygeneralbancorp.com. Information set forth on such websites is not incorporated into this press release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND OTHER NOTICES

The information contained in this press release is not intended as a solicitation to buy Cathay General Bancorp stock or any other securities and is provided for information only. Statements made in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding management's beliefs, projections, and assumptions concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, such words as "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "hopes," "intends," "may," "plans," "projects," "seeks," "shall," "should," "will," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and variations of these words and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates, beliefs, projections, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Such risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, adverse developments or conditions related to or arising from: significant volatility and deterioration in the credit and financial markets; adverse changes in general economic conditions; the effects of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and any changes or amendments thereto; deterioration in asset or credit quality; the availability of capital; the impact of any goodwill impairment that may be determined; acquisitions of other banks, if any; fluctuations in interest rates; the soundness of other financial institutions; expansion into new market areas; earthquakes, wildfires, or other natural disasters; competitive pressures; changes in laws, regulations, and accounting rules, or their interpretations; legislative, judicial, or regulatory actions and developments against us; and general economic or business conditions in California and other regions where Cathay Bank has operations, including, but not limited to, adverse changes in economic conditions resulting from the continuation or worsening of the current economic downturn.

These and other factors are further described in Cathay General Bancorp's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 9, 2009, as amended on September 23, 2009 (Item 8.01 in particular), other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and other filings Cathay General Bancorp makes with the SEC from time to time. Actual results in any future period may also vary from the past results discussed in this press release. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak to the date of this press release. Cathay General Bancorp has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to publicly announce any revision of any forward-looking statement to reflect future developments or events, except as required by law.

Cathay General Bancorp's filings with the SEC are available at the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, or by request directed to Cathay General Bancorp, 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731, Attention: Investor Relations (626) 279-3286.

                                 CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
                           CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                      (Unaudited)

    (Dollars in          Three months ended            Nine months ended
     thousands,             September 30,                 September 30,
     except per     ----------------------------  ----------------------------
     share data)      2009      2008    % Change   2009     2008      % Change
    -----------------------   -------   --------  -------  --------   --------
    FINANCIAL
     PERFORMANCE
    Net interest
     income before
     provision for
     credit losses   $72,515   $73,601       (1) $208,937  $220,905        (5)
      Provision
       for credit
       losses         76,000    15,800      381   216,000    43,800       393
                    --------   -------           --------  --------
        Net
         interest
         income
         after
         provision
         for credit
         losses       (3,485)   57,801     (106)   (7,063)  177,105      (104)
      Non-interest
       income         10,287    (8,369)    (223)   70,382     7,330       860
      Non-interest
       expense        38,807    35,020       11   130,336   100,429        30
                    --------   -------           --------  --------
      (Loss)/income
       before income
       tax (benefit)
       /expense      (32,005)   14,412     (322)  (67,017)   84,006      (180)
      Income tax
       (benefit)
       /expense      (14,482)    7,370     (296)  (35,362)   30,133      (217)
                    --------   -------           --------  --------
      Net (loss)
       /income       (17,523)    7,042     (349)  (31,655)   53,873      (159)
        Net (loss)
         /income
         attributable
         to
         noncontrolling
         interest       (156)     (151)       3      (457)     (452)        1
                    --------   -------           --------  --------
      Net (loss)
       /income
       attributable
       to Cathay
       General
       Bancorp       (17,679)    6,891     (357)  (32,112)   53,421      (160)
                    --------   -------           --------  --------
      Dividends
       on
       preferred
       stock          (4,086)        -      100   (12,249)        -       100
                    --------   -------           --------  --------
      Net (loss)
       /income
       available
       to common
       stockholders $(21,765)   $6,891     (416) $(44,361)  $53,421      (183)
                    ========   =======           ========  ========
      Net (loss)
       /income
       available to
       common
       stockholders
       per common
       share:
        Basic         $(0.43)    $0.14     (407)   $(0.89)   $ 1.08      (182)
        Diluted       $(0.43)    $0.14     (407)   $(0.89)   $ 1.08      (182)

    Cash dividends
     paid per
     common share     $0.010    $0.105      (90)   $0.195   $ 0.315       (38)

    ==========================================================================
    SELECTED RATIOS
      Return on
       average
       assets          -0.60%     0.25%    (340)    -0.37%     0.67%     (155)
      Return on
       average
       total
       stockholders'
       equity          -5.58%     2.71%    (306)    -3.35%     7.09%     (147)
      Efficiency
       ratio           46.87%    53.69%     (13)    46.66%    44.00%        6
      Dividend
       payout
       ratio             n/m     75.30%     n/m       n/m     29.12%       n/m

    * n/m - not meaningful
    ==========================================================================

    YIELD ANALYSIS
     (Fully taxable
     equivalent)
      Total interest
       -earning
       assets           4.82%     5.70%     (15)     4.98%     6.00%      (17)
      Total interest
       -bearing
       liabilities      2.48%     3.21%     (23)     2.73%     3.44%      (21)
      Net interest
       spread           2.34%     2.49%      (6)     2.25%     2.56%      (12)
      Net interest
       margin           2.65%     2.88%      (8)     2.61%     2.99%      (13)

    ==========================================================================
                   September    September  December    Well        Minimum
    CAPITAL           30,          30,        31,   Capitalized   Regulatory
     RATIOS          2009         2008       2008  Requirements Requirements
      Tier 1
       risk-based
       capital
       ratio         12.63%       9.39%    12.12%      6.0%          4.0%
      Total
       risk-based
       capital
       ratio         14.49%      11.09%    13.94%     10.0%          8.0%
      Tier 1
       leverage
        capital
        ratio         9.29%       7.65%     9.79%      5.0%          4.0%
    ==========================================================================

                             CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (Unaudited)

    (In thousands, except              September 30,  December 31,      %
     share and per share data)             2009          2008         change
    ---------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ---------
    Assets
    Cash and due from banks                 $198,237     $84,818         134
    Short-term investments
     and interest bearing deposits           331,767      25,000       1,227
    Securities purchased under
     agreements to resell                          -     201,000        (100)
    Securities held-to-maturity               99,865           -         100
    Securities available-for-sale
     (amortized cost of
     $3,266,440 in 2009 and
     $3,043,566 in 2008)                   3,294,808   3,083,817           7
    Trading securities                            12          12           -
    Loans                                  7,116,688   7,472,368          (5)
      Less:  Allowance for loan losses      (189,370)   (122,093)         55
             Unamortized deferred loan
              fees, net                       (8,880)    (10,094)        (12)
                                         ----------- -----------
             Loans, net                    6,918,438   7,340,181          (6)
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock              71,791      71,791           -
    Other real estate owned, net              86,662      61,015          42
    Affordable housing investments, net       98,046     103,562          (5)
    Premises and equipment, net              109,370     104,107           5
    Customers' liability on acceptances       28,974      39,117         (26)
    Accrued interest receivable               33,459      43,603         (23)
    Goodwill                                 316,340     319,557          (1)
    Other intangible assets, net              24,448      29,246         (16)
    Other assets                             137,546      75,813          81
                                         ----------- -----------
      Total assets                       $11,749,763 $11,582,639           1
                                         =========== ===========
    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
    Deposits
      Non-interest-bearing demand
       deposits                             $831,800    $730,433          14
      Interest-bearing deposits:
        NOW deposits                         324,774     257,234          26
        Money market deposits                965,159     659,454          46
        Savings deposits                     349,298     316,263          10
        Time deposits under $100,000       1,484,056   1,644,407         (10)
        Time deposits of $100,000 or
         more                              3,756,142   3,228,945          16
                                         -----------  ----------
        Total deposits                     7,711,229   6,836,736          13
                                         -----------  ----------
    Federal funds purchased                        -      52,000        (100)
    Securities sold under agreements to
     repurchase                            1,550,000   1,610,000          (4)
    Advances from the Federal Home Loan
     Bank                                    929,362   1,449,362         (36)
    Other borrowings from financial
     institutions                              1,313           -         100
    Other borrowings for affordable
     housing investments                      19,355      19,500          (1)
    Long-term debt                           171,136     171,136           -
    Acceptances outstanding                   28,974      39,117         (26)
    Other liabilities                         58,929     103,401         (43)
                                         -----------  ----------
      Total liabilities                   10,470,298  10,281,252           2
                                         -----------  ----------
       Commitments and contingencies               -           -           -
                                         -----------  ----------
    Stockholders' Equity
      Preferred stock, 10,000,000
       shares authorized, 258,000 issued
       and outstanding in 2009 and 2008      243,103     240,554           1
      Common stock, $0.01 par value,
       100,000,000 shares authorized,
       57,279,715 issued and 53,072,150
       outstanding at September 30, 2009
       and 53,715,815 issued and
       49,508,250 outstanding at
       December 31, 2008                         573         537           7
      Additional paid-in-capital             545,010     508,613           7
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income, net                            16,441      23,327         (30)
      Retained earnings                      591,574     645,592          (8)
      Treasury stock, at cost
       (4,207,565 shares in 2009
       and in 2008)                         (125,736)   (125,736)          -
                                         -----------  ----------
      Total Cathay General Bancorp
       stockholders' equity                1,270,965   1,292,887          (2)
                                         -----------  ----------
      Noncontrolling interest                  8,500       8,500           -
                                         -----------  ----------
      Total equity                         1,279,465   1,301,387          (2)
                                         -----------  ----------
      Total liabilities and equity       $11,749,763 $11,582,639           1
                                         =========== ===========
    Book value per common stock share         $19.09      $20.90          (9)
    Number of common stock shares
     outstanding                          53,072,150  49,508,250           7

                               CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                    (Unaudited)

                               Three months ended      Nine months ended
                                 September 30,           September 30,
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
                                2009      2008        2009        2008
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
                           (In thousands, except share and per share data)
    INTEREST AND
     DIVIDEND INCOME
    Loan receivable,
     including loan fees      $99,588    $114,005    $302,232    $341,880
    Investment securities-
     taxable                   31,589      27,575      94,104      84,507
    Investment securities-
     nontaxable                   167         284         620         974
    Federal Home Loan
     Bank stock                   149       1,004         149       2,685
    Agency preferred stock          -         313           -       1,621
    Federal funds sold
     and securities
     purchased under
     agreements to resell          35       2,899       1,338      12,294
    Deposits with banks           119          42         250         523
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Total interest and
     dividend income          131,647     146,122     398,693     444,484
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    INTEREST EXPENSE
    Time deposits of
     $100,000 or more          20,224      26,226      65,337      86,398
    Other deposits             10,622      17,100      40,196      49,519
    Securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase  16,555      15,174      48,527      44,716
    Advances from
     Federal Home Loan
     Bank                      10,664      11,785      31,781      35,229
    Long-term debt              1,067       2,030       3,891       6,889
    Short-term
     borrowings                     -         206          24         828
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Total interest
     expense                   59,132      72,521     189,756     223,579
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Net interest
     income before
     provision for
     credit losses             72,515      73,601     208,937     220,905
    Provision for
     credit losses             76,000      15,800     216,000      43,800
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Net interest
     income after
     provision for
     loan losses               (3,485)     57,801      (7,063)    177,105
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    NON-INTEREST INCOME
    Securities gains
     (losses), net              2,883     (15,313)     52,319     (12,980)
    Letters of credit
     commissions                1,150       1,465       3,159       4,281
    Depository service
     fees                       1,272       1,189       3,940       3,636
    Other operating
     income                     4,982       4,290      10,964      12,393
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Total non-interest
     income                    10,287      (8,369)     70,382       7,330
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
    Salaries and employee
     benefits                  14,410      16,376      46,369      50,643
    Occupancy expense           3,999       3,393      12,126       9,918
    Computer and
     equipment expense          2,052       1,848       5,938       6,024
    Professional
     services expense           3,694       3,410      10,021       8,890
    FDIC and State
     assessments                4,464       1,336      15,372       3,172
    Marketing expense             669         584       2,153       2,449
    Other real estate
     owned expense
     (income)                   4,135       1,182      20,150       1,806
    Operations of affordable
     housing investments        1,407       2,840       5,255       5,361
    Amortization of core
     deposit intangibles        1,689       1,722       5,089       5,196
    Other operating
     expense                    2,288       2,329       7,863       6,970
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Total non-interest
     expense                   38,807      35,020     130,336     100,429
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    (Loss)/income before
     income tax (benefit)
     /expense                 (32,005)     14,412     (67,017)     84,006
    Income tax (benefit)
     /expense                 (14,482)      7,370     (35,362)     30,133
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Net (loss)/income         (17,523)      7,042     (31,655)     53,873
      Less: net income
       attributable to
       noncontrolling
       interest                  (156)       (151)       (457)       (452)
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Net (loss)/income
     attributable to
     Cathay General Bancorp   (17,679)      6,891     (32,112)     53,421
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Dividends on preferred
     stock                     (4,086)          -     (12,249)          -
                           -----------------------   ---------------------
    Net (loss)/income
     available to common
     stockholders            $(21,765)     $6,891    $(44,361)    $53,421
                           =======================   =====================
    Net (loss)/income
     available to common
     stockholders per
     common share:
      Basic                    $(0.43)      $0.14      $(0.89)      $1.08
      Diluted                  $(0.43)      $0.14      $(0.89)      $1.08

    Cash dividends paid
     per common share          $0.010      $0.105      $0.195      $0.315
    Basic average common
     shares outstanding    50,183,296  49,441,621  49,758,833  49,392,655
    Diluted average
     common shares
     outstanding           50,183,296  49,530,272  49,758,833  49,497,171

                           CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP
          AVERAGE BALANCES - SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                  (Unaudited)

                                 For the three months ended,
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (In thousands)   September 30,       September 30,        June 30,
                          2009               2008               2009
    --------------------------------  -------------------  -------------------
    Interest-               Average             Average              Average
     earning     Average  Yield/Rate  Average  Yield/Rate  Average  Yield/Rate
     assets      Balance    (1) (2)   Balance    (1) (2)   Balance    (1) (2)
                 ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
    Loans and
     leases(1)    $7,211,984   5.48%  $7,425,818   6.11%   $7,342,100   5.39%
    Taxable
     investment
     securities    3,385,904   3.70%   2,484,473   4.42%    3,158,632   3.85%
    Tax-exempt
     investment
     securities(2)    18,590   5.48%      47,938   7.20%       19,315   6.60%
    FHLB stock        71,819   0.82%      64,228   6.22%       71,791   0.00%
    Federal
     funds sold
     and
     securities
     purchased
     under
     agreements
     to resell       104,946   0.13%     188,522   6.12%        3,989   0.10%
    Deposits
     with banks       57,297   0.82%       8,941   1.87%       37,363   0.78%
                 ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
      Total
       interest
       -earning
       assets    $10,850,540   4.82% $10,219,920   5.70%  $10,633,190   4.88%
                 -----------         -----------          -----------
    Interest-
     bearing
     liabilities
    Interest-
     bearing
     demand
     deposits       $310,047   0.40%    $268,802   0.57%     $278,944   0.41%
    Money
     market          967,839   1.54%     760,679   1.81%      834,063   1.56%
    Savings
     deposits        338,053   0.21%     337,538   0.31%      328,274   0.21%
    Time
     deposits      5,175,066   2.04%   4,708,290   3.31%    5,064,471   2.50%
                 ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
      Total
       interest
       -bearing
       deposits   $6,791,005   1.80%  $6,075,309   2.84%   $6,505,752   2.18%
    Federal
     funds
     purchased           163   0.45%      39,842   2.06%       16,747   0.26%
    Securities
     sold under
     agreements
     to
     repurchase    1,556,343   4.22%   1,550,000   3.89%    1,559,302   4.12%
    Other
     borrowed
     funds           957,558   4.42%   1,157,430   4.05%      962,405   4.40%
    Long-term
     debt            171,136   2.47%     171,136   4.72%      171,136   3.09%
                 ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
    Total
     interest
     -bearing
     liabilities   9,476,205   2.48%   8,993,717   3.21%    9,215,342   2.75%

    Non-interest
     -bearing
     demand
     deposits        783,826             788,028              749,573
                 -----------         -----------          -----------
      Total
       deposits
       and other
       borrowed
       funds     $10,260,031          $9,781,745           $9,964,915
                 -----------         -----------          -----------
    Total
     average
     assets      $11,626,641         $10,926,283          $11,385,247

    Total
     average
     equity       $1,264,864          $1,019,003           $1,300,018
                 -----------         -----------          -----------

                                         For the nine months ended,
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (In thousands)                     September 30,       September 30,
                                            2009               2008
    ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------
                                               Average              Average
    Interest-                       Average   Yield/Rate  Average  Yield/Rate
     earning assets                 Balance     (1) (2)   Balance   (1) (2)
                                 ----------------------- --------------------
    Loans and leases (1)          $7,336,822     5.51%   $7,118,773  6.42%
    Taxable investment
     securities                    3,174,308     3.96%    2,404,666  4.69%
    Tax-exempt investment
     securities (2)                   20,234     6.30%       58,690  8.49%
    FHLB stock                        71,800     0.28%       65,283  5.49%
    Federal funds sold
     and securities purchased
     under agreements to resell       63,300     2.83%      261,613  6.28%
    Deposits with banks               42,614     0.78%       13,007  5.37%
                                 ----------------------- --------------------
      Total interest-earning
       assets                    $10,709,078     4.98%   $9,922,032  6.00%
                                 -----------             ----------
    Interest-bearing
     liabilities
    Interest-bearing
     demand deposits                $283,027     0.40%     $253,380  0.65%
    Money market deposits            854,706     1.56%      733,578  1.92%
    Savings deposits                 325,943     0.22%      335,193  0.39%
    Time deposits                  5,070,283     2.48%    4,448,113  3.70%
                                 ----------------------- --------------------
      Total interest-
       bearing deposits           $6,533,959     2.16%   $5,770,264  3.15%
    Federal funds purchased           11,220     0.27%       40,299  2.65%
    Securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase      1,565,455     4.14%    1,553,622  3.84%
    Other borrowed funds           1,012,015     4.20%    1,149,401  4.10%
    Long-term debt                   171,136     3.04%      171,136  5.38%
                                 ----------------------- --------------------
      Total interest-bearing
       liabilities                 9,293,785     2.73%    8,684,722  3.44%

    Non-interest-bearing
     demand deposits                 757,719                777,664
                                 -----------             ----------
      Total deposits and other
       borrowed funds            $10,051,504             $9,462,386
                                 -----------             ----------
    Total average assets         $11,461,781            $10,597,770
    Total average equity          $1,288,780             $1,014,810
                                 -----------             ----------
    (1) Yields and interest earned include net loan fees. Non-accrual loans
        are included in the average balance.
    (2) The average yield has been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent
        basis for certain securities of states and political subdivisions
        and other securities held using a statutory Federal income tax rate of
        35%.

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