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globenewswire

Guaranty Bancorp Announces 2008 Fourth Quarter Financial Results

  • Press Release
  • Source: Guaranty Bancorp
  • On 7:02 am EST, Thursday January 22, 2009


 -- Fourth quarter net income of $3.8 million, or 7 cents per basic
    and diluted share
 -- Loans, deposits  and capital increase in the fourth quarter
 -- $30.3 million increase in total noninterest bearing deposits in
    the fourth quarter
 -- Nonperforming assets declined in the fourth quarter
 -- Noninterest expense falls to the lowest level in the past sixteen
    quarters

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DENVER, Jan. 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guaranty Bancorp (NasdaqGS:GBNK - News) today reported fourth quarter 2008 net income of $3.8 million, or 7 cents earnings per basic and diluted share and fourth quarter 2008 cash net earnings of $4.9 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, excluding after-tax intangible asset amortization of $1.1 million.

Dan Quinn, Guaranty Bancorp President and CEO, stated, ``We are satisfied with our fourth quarter 2008 results. The Company experienced $52.4 million of loan growth during the fourth quarter 2008 while also strengthening its capital. Additionally, nonperforming assets remained relatively unchanged during the fourth quarter 2008 with net charge-offs of $1.0 million.''

Mr. Quinn continued, ``In a difficult banking environment, we were able to grow noninterest bearing demand deposits by $30.3 million during the fourth quarter 2008. Although we experienced a decline in net interest margin, this was primarily a result of two factors. First, the Federal Open Markets Committee of the Federal Reserve Board decreased the targeted federal funds rate to an historic low between 0 and 25 basis points, a decrease of 175 to 200 basis points in the fourth quarter. Second, management increased the level of its time deposits and FHLB term advances and reduced the amount of its short-term or overnight borrowings. This action effectively lengthened the term of overall liabilities, but at a higher cost than short-term borrowings.''

Regulatory Capital Increases During the Quarter

The Company's capital ratios remain above the highest regulatory capital requirement of ``well-capitalized'' at December 31, 2008 as follows:


                                                           Minimum
                                                         Requirement 
                  Ratio at      Ratio at      Minimum     for "Well
                December 31,  September 30,   Capital    Capitalized"
                   2008           2008      Requirement  Institution
                -----------------------------------------------------
 Total Risk-
  Based Capital 
  Ratio             10.61%        10.45%        8.00%       10.00%
 Tier 1 Risk-
  Based Capital 
  Ratio              9.35%         9.19%        4.00%        6.00%
 Leverage Ratio      8.98%         7.79%        4.00%        5.00%

Key Financial Measures


                      ---------------------------  ------------------
                            Quarter Ended             Year Ended
                      ---------------------------  ------------------
                      Dec. 31, Sept. 30, Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                        2008     2008      2007      2008      2007
                      ---------------------------  ------------------
 Earnings (loss)
  per share-basic & 
  diluted             $  0.07  $ (5.21)  $ (2.68)  $ (5.03)  $ (2.60)
 Cash earnings (loss) 
  per share-basic &
  diluted             $  0.10  $ (0.27)  $  0.10   $ (0.03)  $  0.18
 Return on average 
  assets                 0.72%  (44.96%)  (22.09%)  (11.19%)   (5.29%)
 Return on tangible
  average assets
 (cash)                  0.95%   (2.67%)    0.98%    (0.07%)    0.43%
 Net Interest Margin     3.55%    4.02%     4.75%     4.05%     4.93%

Fourth quarter 2008 net income was $3.8 million, or 7 cents earnings per basic and diluted share, compared to a fourth quarter 2007 net loss of $138.2 million, or $2.68 loss per basic and diluted share. The fourth quarter 2007 was affected by a $142.2 million non-cash charge for goodwill impairment. Another difference between the fourth quarter 2007 net loss and fourth quarter 2008 net income includes a $6.5 million decrease in net interest income, primarily caused by a 120 basis point decrease in net interest margin -- a direct result of a 400 basis point decrease in both the targeted federal funds rate and prime rate during the past twelve months. Excluding the 2007 goodwill impairment, noninterest expense decreased by $2.5 million, or 14% in the fourth quarter 2008 as compared to the same quarter in 2007.

Fourth quarter 2008 cash net earnings were $4.9 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, which excludes after-tax intangible asset amortization of $1.1 million. Fourth quarter 2007 cash net income was $5.3 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, which excludes after-tax intangible asset amortization of $1.3 million and the 2007 goodwill impairment charge.

For the year ending December 31, 2008, the net loss was $256.7 million, or $5.03 loss per basic and diluted share compared to a net loss of $138.1 million or $2.60 loss per basic and diluted share for 2007. The net loss in both years was primarily the result of goodwill impairment charges of $250.7 million and $142.2 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Goodwill impairment charges are non-cash accounting entries that have no impact on the Company's regulatory capital, cash flow or liquidity. At the end of 2008, there is no remaining goodwill intangible asset recorded on the Company's balance sheet.

The cash net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $1.4 million, or a $0.03 loss per basic and diluted share excluding after-tax intangible asset amortization of $4.6 million and goodwill impairment of $250.7 million. Cash net income for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $9.5 million, or $0.18 per basic and diluted share excluding after-tax intangible amortization of $5.4 million and goodwill impairment of $142.2 million.

Net Interest Income and Margin


               -------------------------------- ---------------------
                        Quarter Ended                Year Ended
               -------------------------------- ---------------------
                Dec. 31,   Sept. 30,  Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,
                  2008       2008       2007       2008       2007
               -------------------------------- ---------------------
                               (Dollars in thousands)

 Net interest
  income       $  17,679  $  19,842  $  24,184  $  79,562  $ 102,249
 Interest rate
  spread            2.92%      3.37%      3.77%      3.35%      3.94%
 Net interest
  margin            3.55%      4.02%      4.75%      4.05%      4.93%
 Net interest
  margin, 
  fully tax
  equivalent        3.64%      4.11%      4.88%      4.14%      5.08%

Fourth quarter 2008 net interest income of $17.7 million decreased by $2.2 million from the third quarter 2008, and $6.5 million from the fourth quarter 2007. The Company's net interest margin of 3.55% for the fourth quarter 2008 reflected a decline of 47 basis points from the third quarter 2008 and a decline of 120 basis points from the fourth quarter 2007. The decline in net interest margin from the fourth quarter 2007 to fourth quarter 2008 is mostly attributable to the greater than 400 basis point cuts in the target federal funds rate by the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve Board during the past twelve months.

Interest income decreased by $10.6 million from the fourth quarter 2007 to $28.0 million in the fourth quarter 2008. This decrease consisted of a $10.0 million unfavorable rate variance due to lower rates, with the remainder of the decrease due to an overall decline in earnings assets. Approximately 65% of the Company's outstanding loan balances are variable rate loans and are generally tied to indexes such as prime, federal funds or LIBOR. Due to Federal Reserve monetary policy, the prime rate has decreased by over 400 basis points from December 2007 to December 2008. As a result of the decline in rates, the average yield on loans for the Company decreased by 217 basis points from 7.84% for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 to 5.67% for the same period in 2008. The Company remains asset sensitive at the end of 2008 and expects that as interest rates rise, net interest income will also increase.

Interest expense decreased by $4.1 million, or 28.3%, to $10.3 million for the fourth quarter 2008 as compared to the fourth quarter 2007. The decrease in interest expense from the fourth quarter 2007 was primarily the result of a $1.8 million favorable rate variance and a $2.3 million favorable volume variance. The overall cost of funds declined by 109 basis points to 2.70% from the fourth quarter 2007 to the fourth quarter 2008. Average total interest-bearing liabilities increased by $13.2 million from the fourth quarter 2007 to the fourth quarter 2008 due mostly to a $126.5 million increase in long-term borrowings, partially offset by a $115.8 million decrease in total interest-bearing deposits.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company's net interest income declined by $22.7 million from the same period in 2007. This decline is due primarily to an $18.9 million unfavorable rate variance in connection with an 88 basis point decrease in the net interest margin. The remaining $3.8 million decrease in net interest income is primarily due to a $41.8 million decrease in earning assets.

Noninterest Income

The following table presents noninterest income as of the dates indicated.


                -------------------------------  --------------------
                         Quarter Ended                Year Ended
                 Dec. 31,  Sept. 30,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,
                   2008      2008        2007       2008       2007
                -------------------------------  --------------------
                                   (In thousands)

 Noninterest 
  income:
  Customer 
   service and 
   other fees   $   2,357  $   2,521  $   2,267  $   9,682  $   9,509
  Gain on sale 
   of securities       --         --         --        138         --
  Other               (91)       186        665        800      1,187
                -------------------------------  --------------------
  Total 
   noninterest 
   income       $   2,266  $   2,707  $   2,932  $  10,620  $  10,696
                ===============================  ====================

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter 2008 decreased by $0.4 million from the third quarter 2008 and decreased by $0.7 million from the fourth quarter 2007. The decrease in other noninterest income in the fourth quarter 2008 as compared to the fourth quarter 2007, is mostly due to a recovery of approximately $0.6 million recorded in 2007.

Compared to the third quarter 2008, the decrease is primarily due to a $0.3 million fair value write-down of assets held by the Company for purposes of funding its nonqualified deferred compensation plan. These assets are required to be marked-to-market through the income statement. This write-down is offset by a reduction to compensation cost related to the deferred compensation plan. This compensation cost is recorded as part of salaries and benefit expense as discussed below.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, noninterest income remained relatively flat as compared to 2007. The $0.4 million decrease to other noninterest income was mostly offset by a gain on sale of securities, as well as an increase in customer service and other fees.

Noninterest Expense

The following table presents noninterest expense as of the dates indicated.


                   ----------------------------- -------------------
                           Quarter Ended              Year Ended
                   ----------------------------- -------------------
                    Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                      2008      2008      2007      2008      2007
                   ----------------------------- -------------------
                                       (In thousands)

 Noninterest
  expense:
  Salaries and
   employee
   benefits        $   6,255 $   5,927 $   8,442 $  31,086 $  39,179
  Occupancy 
   expense             1,725     1,958     1,781     7,815     7,813
  Furniture and
   equipment           1,203     1,390     1,205     5,290     4,864
  Impairment of
   goodwill               --   250,748   142,210   250,748   142,210
  Amortization
   of intangible
   assets              1,803     1,877     2,132     7,434     8,666
  Other general 
   and
   administrative      4,381     3,982     4,278    17,283    23,824
                   ----------------------------- -------------------
  Total 
   noninterest
   expense         $  15,367 $ 265,882 $ 160,048 $ 319,656 $ 226,556
                   ============================= ===================

 Efficiency ratio
  (excluding 
  charges related 
  to intangible
  assets)              68.01%    58.79%    57.91%    68.17%    67.01%

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter 2008 decreased by $250.5 million from the third quarter 2008 and by $144.7 million from the fourth quarter 2007. The decreases in noninterest expense are primarily a result of goodwill impairment charges recorded in the third quarter 2008 and the fourth quarter 2007. Excluding these non-cash accounting charges for goodwill impairment, noninterest expense decreased by $2.5 million in the fourth quarter 2008 as compared to the fourth quarter 2007, and increased by $0.2 million from the third quarter 2008. At the end of 2008, there is no remaining goodwill recorded on the Company's balance sheet.

Although overall noninterest expense, excluding goodwill, increased by $0.2 million from the third quarter 2008, equity-based compensation in the fourth quarter 2008 was $2.5 million higher as compared to the third quarter 2008. This difference in equity-based compensation resulted from a $2.7 million reduction in restricted stock expense in the third quarter 2008 attributable to a change in expectation regarding meeting the vesting criteria for performance-based shares. Ignoring this $2.5 million difference in equity-based compensation, other salaries and employee benefits decreased by $2.2 million in the fourth quarter 2008 from the third quarter 2008. A part of this $2.2 million quarter-over-quarter decrease is due to the major effort announced in the second quarter 2008 to better align our expenses with the current size of our business. The fourth quarter 2008 saw a favorable impact on salaries and employee benefits as a result of this effort with a $1.1 million decrease in core salaries and benefits. The remaining $1.1 million decrease in salaries and employee benefits is due mostly to a $0.6 million decrease in bonuses and incentive expense as well as a $0.3 million decrease in deferred compensation expense. This decrease in deferred compensation expense corresponds to a write-down of market value on assets held for the deferred compensation plan. The write-down of assets is recorded in other noninterest income as discussed above.

Other general and administrative expenses increased by $0.4 million in the fourth quarter 2008 as compared to the third quarter 2008, and increased by $0.1 million compared to the fourth quarter 2007. The $0.4 million increase over the prior quarter is due in part to an increase in loan collection related costs, including charge-offs of other real estate owned. A portion of this increase is due to costs associated with an extensive third-party loan review, which was finalized in the fourth quarter.

Excluding goodwill impairment charges in both years, noninterest expense for 2008 was $68.9 million as compared to $84.3 million in 2007, a decrease of $15.4 million year-over-year. This decrease is comprised of an $8.1 million decline in salaries and employee benefit expense, a $6.5 million decrease in other noninterest expense and a $1.2 million decrease in intangible amortization expense. Approximately $4.1 million of the $8.1 million decrease to salaries and employee benefits expense is attributable to a decline in full-time equivalent employees by 89 from December 2007 to December 2008. Of the remaining $4.0 million decrease, $3.3 million is related to a decrease in equity-based compensation as discussed above and $0.7 million is related to a decrease in bonus and incentive expense. The $6.5 million decrease in other non-interest expense is primarily attributable to the $6.5 million charge recorded in 2007 resulting from a settlement of a lawsuit.

Balance Sheet


                Dec. 31,     Sept. 30,    %        Dec. 31,      % 
                  2008         2008     Change       2007     Change
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 Total loans,
  net of
  unearned
  discount     $1,826,333   $1,779,673     2.6%  $1,781,647     2.5%
 Loans held
  for sale          5,760           --   100.0%          --   100.0%
 Allowance for
  loan losses     (44,988)     (44,765)    0.5%     (25,711)   75.0%
 Total assets   2,102,741    2,052,944     2.4%   2,371,664   (11.3)%
 Average
  assets,
  quarter-to-
  date          2,099,519    2,351,913   (10.7)%  2,482,352   (15.4)%
 Total
  deposits      1,698,651    1,635,101     3.9%   1,799,507    (5.6)%
 Book value
  per share    $     3.07   $     2.93     4.7%  $     7.96   (61.4)%
 Tangible book
  value per
  share        $     2.58   $     2.41     7.1%  $     2.57     0.6%
 Equity ratio
  - GAAP             7.68%        7.52%    2.2%       17.65%  (56.5)%
 Tangible
  equity ratio       6.55%        6.27%    4.4%        6.46%    1.3%

At December 31, 2008, the Company had total assets of $2.1 billion as compared to $2.1 billion at September 30, 2008, and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2007. The $268.9 million decline in assets from December 31, 2007 is mostly due to a $250.7 million goodwill impairment charge recorded in the third quarter 2008, as well as a $22.1 million decrease to investments.

The following table sets forth the amounts of our loans outstanding at the dates indicated:


                                 Dec. 31,    Sept. 30,     Dec. 31, 
                                   2008         2008         2007 
                               -------------------------------------
                                           (In thousands)

 Loans on real estate:
  Residential and commercial   $   680,030  $   693,800  $   713,478
  Construction                     268,306      248,883      235,236
  Equity lines of credit            50,270       49,205       48,624
 Commercial loans                  749,426      706,678      679,717
 Agricultural loans                 22,738       23,989       39,506
 Lease financing                       364          472        4,732
 Installment loans to 
  individuals                       38,352       38,777       40,835
 Overdrafts                            855        2,226        1,329
 SBA and other                      19,592       19,401       21,592
                               -------------------------------------
                                 1,829,933    1,783,431    1,785,049
 Unearned discount                  (3,600)      (3,758)      (3,402)
                               -------------------------------------
 Loans, net of unearned 
  discount                     $ 1,826,333  $ 1,779,673  $ 1,781,647
                               =====================================

There were $998.6 million of real estate loans at December 31, 2008. Management continues its efforts to decrease its exposure to residential real-estate and residential land and land development loans. At December 31, 2008, there were approximately $57 million of loans secured by for-sale residential real estate and approximately $114 million of residential land and land development loans, respectively. The increase in construction loans is primarily attributable to the funding of existing commercial construction commitments.

The following table sets forth the amounts of our deposits outstanding at the dates indicated:


                             December 31,  September 30, December 31,
                                 2008          2008          2007
                              --------------------------------------
                                          (In thousands)

 Noninterest bearing deposits $  433,761    $  403,495    $  515,299
 Interest bearing demand         145,492       142,164       160,100
 Money market                    315,364       483,691       572,056
 Savings                          68,064        68,910        71,944
 Time                            735,970       536,841       480,108
                              --------------------------------------
 Total deposits               $1,698,651    $1,635,101    $1,799,507
                              ======================================

Total deposits at December 31, 2008 increased by $63.6 million as compared to September 30, 2008, and declined by $100.9 million from December 31, 2007. During the fourth quarter 2008, there was a shift in the mix of deposits primarily between money market and time deposits. The Company joined the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS(r)) program in the third quarter 2008, and part of the fourth quarter 2008 increase in time deposits is due to existing customers moving funds into the CDARS(r) program in order to obtain expanded Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance coverage on their deposits. Additionally, the Company shifted its own funding sources from short-term and overnight funds to brokered deposits in order to provide longer-term funding to mitigate the impact of potential short-term liquidity fluctuations within the overall financial services industry in the second half of 2008. Brokered deposits increased by approximately $70.9 million during the fourth quarter.

Noninterest bearing deposits increased by $30.3 million during the fourth quarter 2008. As of December 31, 2008, noninterest bearing deposits comprised 25.5% of total deposits as compared to 24.7% at September 30, 2008 and 28.6% at December 31, 2007.

The decreases in total deposits from December 31, 2007 is mostly due to declines in money market and noninterest bearing deposits. These decreases were partially offset by increases in time deposits. Time deposits provide a more defined deposit maturity schedule for asset liability management purposes as compared to overnight or short-term borrowings. Average time deposits were $670.8 million, or 39.8% of total average deposits for the fourth quarter 2008, as compared to $514.3 million, or 27.4% of total average deposits for the fourth quarter 2007. The cost of time deposits decreased from 5.03% for the fourth quarter 2007 to 3.76% for the fourth quarter 2008. Most of the time deposits booked in 2008 have durations of twelve months or less, with $564 million of time deposits maturing in 2009.

Overall borrowings were $166.4 million at December 31, 2008 as compared to $63.7 million at December 31, 2007. The increase is mostly attributable to a decision to complement increased time deposits described above with lower-cost FHLB term advances. The average cost of borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 3.14% as compared to an average cost of time deposits of 4.17%.

Asset Quality

The following table presents selected asset quality data (excluding loans held for sale) as of the dates indicated:


                      Dec. 31,  Sept. 30, June 30, March 31,  Dec. 31,
                       2008       2008     2008      2008      2007
                      -----------------------------------------------
                                    (Dollars in thousands)

 Nonaccrual loans,
  not restructured    $54,594    $54,654  $29,742   $20,798   $19,309
 Accruing loans past
  due 90 days or more     228        324       98         1       527
                      -----------------------------------------------
 Total nonperforming
  loans (NPLs)         54,822     54,978   29,840    20,799    19,836
 Other real estate
  owned                   484      1,199    1,910     1,715     3,517
                      -----------------------------------------------
 Total nonperforming
  assets (NPAs)       $55,306    $56,177  $31,750   $22,514   $23,353
                      ===============================================
 Accruing loans past
  due 30-89 days      $35,169    $20,660  $20,169   $42,682   $28,407
                      ===============================================
 Allowance for loan
  losses              $44,988    $44,765  $26,506   $26,048   $25,711
                      ===============================================

 Selected ratios:
 NPLs to loans, net of
  unearned discount      3.00%      3.09%    1.67%     1.18%     1.11%
 NPAs to total assets    2.63%      2.74%    1.35%     0.96%     0.98%
 Allowance for loan
  losses to NPAs        81.34%     79.69%   83.48%   115.70%   110.10%
 Allowance for loan
  losses to NPLs        82.06%     81.42%   88.83%   125.24%   129.62%
 Allowance for loan
  losses to loans, net
  of unearned discount   2.46%      2.52%    1.48%     1.48%     1.44%
 Loans 30-89 days past
  due to loans, net
  of unearned discount   1.93%      1.16%    1.13%     2.43%     1.59%

Nonperforming assets decreased by $0.9 million at December 31, 2008 as compared to September 30, 2008, and increased by $32.0 million as compared to December 31, 2007.

The types of nonperforming loans (excluding loans held for sale) as of December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2008 are as follows:


                 -----------------------------------------------------
                                 Nonperforming Loans
                 -----------------------------------------------------
                    December 31, 2008           September 30, 2008
                 --------------------------  -------------------------
                  Loan             Related    Loan            Related
                 Balance  Percent Allowance  Balance Percent Allowance
                 --------------------------  -------------------------
                                (Amounts in thousands)

 Residential
  Construction,
  Land and Land
  Development      36,808    67.1%    8,677   $39,963   72.7%  $ 9,976

 Other Residential
  Loan              1,504     2.7%       87     1,683    3.1%      116
 Commercial and
  Industrial
  Loans            10,450    19.1%    1,307     7,416   13.5%    1,735
 Commercial Real
  Estate            5,963    10.9%      962     5,578   10.1%      962
 Other                 97     0.2%       31       338    0.6%       36
                  --------------------------  ------------------------
 Total            $54,822   100.0%  $11,064   $54,978  100.0%  $12,825
                  ==========================  ========================

The types of loans included in the accruing loans past due 30-89 days as of December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2008 are as follows:


                                 -------------------------------------
                                  Accruing loans past due 30-89 days
                                 -------------------------------------
                                 December 31, 2008  September 30, 2008
                                 -----------------  ------------------
                                  Loan               Loan
                                 Balance   Percent  Balance   Percent
                                 -----------------  ------------------
                                         (Amounts in thousands)

 Residential Construction,
  Land and Land Development      $15,029    42.7%   $ 9,967    48.2%
 Other Residential Loan              704     2.0%     5,248    25.4%
 Commercial and Industrial Loans  16,273    46.3%     3,198    15.5%
 Commercial Real Estate            2,334     6.6%       390     1.9%
 Other                               828     2.4%     1,857     9.0%
                                 -----------------  ------------------
 Total                           $35,168   100.0%   $20,660   100.0%
                                 =================  ==================

Approximately 83% of the accruing loans past due 30-89 days relates to three loan relationships that are in the process of being renewed at year-end.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses in the fourth quarter 2008 of $1.3 million, as compared to $30.8 million in the third quarter 2008 and $3.0 million in the fourth quarter 2007. The higher third quarter 2008 provision was due primarily to an increase in nonperforming loans during the third quarter 2008 and a corresponding higher specific allocation related to such loans, the impact of charge-offs and the current economic climate on our historical loss and economic concerns components of our allowance.

Net charge-offs in the fourth quarter 2008 were $1.0 million, as compared to $12.5 million in the third quarter 2008, and $1.3 million in the fourth quarter 2007. The third quarter 2008 net charge-offs included $10.8 million specifically related to residential construction, land and land development loans. Impaired loans as of December 31, 2008 totaled $54.8 million, as compared to $55.0 million at the end of the third quarter 2008, and $23.3 million at the end of the fourth quarter 2007.

The allowance for loan losses to total loans outstanding was 2.46% at December 31, 2008, as compared to 2.52% at September 30, 2008 and 1.44% at December 31, 2007.

Stock Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter 2008, the Company did not repurchase any shares under its stock repurchase program and only repurchased 9,622 shares related to the net settlement of vested, restricted stock awards at a cost of $22,000, or an average price of $2.25 per share. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Company had 1,200,000 shares remaining under its stock repurchase program adopted in October 2007, which expired on October 24, 2008. The Company did not implement a new stock repurchase program and does not plan to implement a new stock repurchase program in the near future due to its focus and strategy on strengthening its capital position. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had 52,544,917 shares outstanding, including 1,420,345 shares of unvested stock awards, and 109,214 of shares to be issued under its deferred compensation plan.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures related to the income statement, including cash net income, cash earnings per share and return on average tangible assets (cash), which exclude the after-tax impact of intangible asset amortization expense.

This press release also includes non-GAAP financial measures related to tangible assets, including return on average tangible assets (cash), tangible book value and tangible equity ratio, which exclude intangible assets.

The Company discloses these non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's operational performance and to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's core financial performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow for additional transparency and are used by some investors, analysts and other users of the Company's financial information as performance measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented for supplemental informational purposes only for understanding the Company's operating results and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures presented by the Company may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

The following non-GAAP schedule reconciles cash net income and return on tangible net assets (cash) to their respective GAAP measure as of the dates indicated:


                                  ------------------------------------
                                              Quarter Ended
                                  ------------------------------------
                                     Dec. 31,    Sept. 30,   Dec. 31,
                                       2008       2008         2007
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  (In thousands, except per share data)


 GAAP net income (loss)             $    3,824  $ (265,829) $ (138,210)
  Add: Impairment of goodwill               --     250,748     142,210
  Add: Amortization of intangible
   assets                                1,803       1,877       2,132
  Less: Income tax effect                 (686)       (713)       (810)
                                  ------------------------------------
 Cash net income (loss)             $    4,941   $ (13,917) $    5,322
                                  ====================================

 Weighted average shares - diluted  51,116,291  51,067,439  51,559,554

 Earnings (loss) per share -
  diluted                           $     0.07  $    (5.21) $    (2.68)
  Add: Amortization of intangible
   assets (after tax effect)              0.03        4.94        2.78
                                  ------------------------------------
 Cash earnings (loss) per share     $     0.10  $    (0.27) $     0.10
                                  ====================================

 Return on tangible net assets
  (cash)
  Cash net income (loss)            $    4,941  $  (13,917) $    5,322
                                  ------------------------------------
  Average total assets              $2,099,519  $2,351,913  $2,482,352
  Less: Average intangible assets      (26,374)   (276,257)   (331,082)
                                  ------------------------------------
  Average tangible assets           $2,073,145  $2,075,656  $2,151,270
                                  ------------------------------------

  Return on average assets - GAAP
   net income (loss) divided by
   total average assets                   0.72%     (44.96%)    (22.09%)
                                  ====================================

  Return on average  tangible
   assets (cash) - cash net income
   (loss) divided by average
   tangible assets                        0.95%      (2.67%)      0.98%
                                  ====================================

                                           ---------------------------
                                                   Year Ended
                                           ---------------------------
                                           December 31,    December 31,
                                               2008           2007
                                           ---------------------------
                                             (In thousands, except
                                                per share data)

 GAAP net income (loss)                    $  (256,736)   $  (138,092)
  Add: Impairment of goodwill                  250,748        142,210
  Add: Amortization of intangible
   assets                                        7,434          8,666
  Less: Income tax effect                       (2,826)        (3,295)
                                           ---------------------------
 Cash net income (loss)                    $    (1,380)   $     9,489
                                           ===========================

 Weighted average shares - diluted          51,044,372     53,109,307

 Earnings (loss) per share - diluted       $     (5.03)   $     (2.60)
  Add: Amortization of intangible assets
   (after tax effect)                             5.00           2.78
                                           ---------------------------
 Cash earnings (loss) per share            $     (0.03)   $      0.18
                                           ===========================

 Return on tangible net assets
  (cash)
  Cash net income (loss)                   $    (1,380)   $     9,489
                                           ---------------------------

  Average total assets                     $ 2,295,108    $ 2,611,973
  Less: Average intangible assets             (216,219)      (406,012)
                                           ---------------------------
  Average tangible assets                  $ 2,078,889    $ 2,205,961
                                           ---------------------------

  Return on average assets - GAAP net
   income (loss) divided by total
   average assets                               (11.19%)        (5.29%)
                                           ===========================

  Return on average  tangible assets (cash)
   - cash net income (loss) divided by
   average tangible assets                       (0.07%)         0.43%
                                           ===========================

The following non-GAAP schedule reconciles the book value per share to the tangible book value per share and the tangible equity ratio as of the dates indicated:


                               December 31,  September 30, December 31,
                                   2008         2008           2007
                               --------------------------------------
                                   (Dollars in thousands, except
                                         per share amounts)

 Tangible Book Value per Share
  Stockholders' equity          $   161,580  $   154,406   $   418,654
  Less: Intangible assets           (25,500)     (27,302)     (283,681)
                               ---------------------------------------
  Tangible equity               $   136,080  $   127,104   $   134,973
                               =======================================

  Number of shares outstanding
   and to be issued              52,654,131   52,661,738    52,616,991
  Book value per share          $      3.07  $      2.93   $      7.96
  Tangible book value per share $      2.58  $      2.41   $      2.57

 Tangible Equity Ratio
  Total assets                  $ 2,102,741  $ 2,052,944   $ 2,371,664
  Less: Intangible assets           (25,500)     (27,302)     (283,681)
                               ---------------------------------------
  Tangible assets               $ 2,077,241  $ 2,025,642   $ 2,087,983
                               =======================================

  Equity ratio - GAAP
   (stockholders' equity /
   total assets)                       7.68%        7.52%        17.65%
  Tangible equity ratio
   (tangible equity / tangible
   assets)                             6.55%        6.27%         6.46%

About Guaranty Bancorp

Guaranty Bancorp is a bank holding company that operates 34 branches in Colorado through a single bank, Guaranty Bank and Trust Company. The bank provides banking and other financial services including real estate, construction, commercial and industrial, energy, consumer and agricultural loans throughout its targeted Colorado markets to consumers and small to medium-sized businesses, including the owners and employees of those businesses. The bank also provides trust services, including personal trust administration, estate settlement, investment management accounts and self-directed IRAs. More information about Guaranty Bancorp can be found at http://www.gbnk.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, statements containing the words ``believes'', ``anticipates'', ``intends'', ``expects'', and words of similar import, constitute ``forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions in those areas in which the Company operates; demographic changes; competition; fluctuations in interest rates; continued ability to attract and employ qualified personnel; costs and uncertainties related to the outcome of pending litigation; changes in business strategy or development plans; changes that occur in the securities markets; changes in governmental legislation or regulation; changes in credit quality; the availability of capital to fund the expansion of the Company's business; the failure to obtain approval to participate in the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program and, if such approval is obtained, the failure to complete the sale of preferred stock under such program; economic, political and global changes arising from natural disasters; the war on terrorism; conflicts in the Middle East; and additional ``Risk Factors'' referenced in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as supplemented from time to time. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others are cautioned to consider these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company can give no assurance that any goal or plan or expectation set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date made. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.


                   GUARANTY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

                               December 31, September 30, December 31,
                                   2008         2008          2007
                               ---------------------------------------
                                           (In thousands)

 Assets
 Cash and due from banks       $    32,189  $    37,548  $    51,611
 Federal funds sold                 13,522        3,799          745
                               ---------------------------------------
    Cash and cash equivalents       45,711       41,347       52,356
                               ---------------------------------------
 Securities available for sale,
  at fair value                    102,874       97,250      118,964
 Securities held to maturity        13,114       13,556       14,889
 Bank stocks, at cost               28,276       32,843       32,464
                               ---------------------------------------
    Total investments              144,264      143,649      166,317
                               ---------------------------------------

 Loans, net of unearned 
  discount                       1,826,333    1,779,673    1,781,647
  Less allowance for loan 
   losses                          (44,988)     (44,765)     (25,711)
                               ---------------------------------------
    Net loans                    1,781,345    1,734,908    1,755,936
                               ---------------------------------------
 Loans, held for sale                5,760           --          492
 Premises and equipment, net        63,018       63,973       69,981
 Other real estate owned and
  foreclosed assets                    484        1,199        3,517
 Goodwill                               --           --      250,748
 Other intangible assets, net       25,500       27,302       32,933
 Other assets                       36,659       40,566       39,384
                               ---------------------------------------
    Total assets               $ 2,102,741  $ 2,052,944  $ 2,371,664
                               =======================================

 Liabilities and Stockholders'
  Equity
 Liabilities:
  Deposits:
   Noninterest-bearing demand  $   433,761  $   403,495  $   515,299
   Interest-bearing demand         460,856      625,855      732,156
   Savings                          68,064       68,910       71,944
   Time                            735,970      536,841      480,108
                               ---------------------------------------
    Total deposits               1,698,651    1,635,101    1,799,507
                               ---------------------------------------
 Securities sold under 
  agreements to repurchase and 
  federal fund purchases            21,781       42,604       23,617
 Borrowings                        166,404      166,508       63,715
 Subordinated debentures            41,239       41,239       41,239
 Interest payable and other
  liabilities                       13,086       13,086       24,932
                               ---------------------------------------
    Total liabilities            1,941,161    1,898,538    1,953,010
                               ---------------------------------------

 Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock                         65           65           64
   Additional paid-in capital      617,188      616,973      617,611
   Shares to be issued for 
    deferred compensation 
    obligations                        710          664          573
   Accumulated deficit            (352,003)    (355,826)     (95,196)
   Accumulated other 
    comprehensive loss              (1,302)      (4,385)      (1,472)
   Treasury Stock                 (103,078)    (103,085)    (102,926)
                               ---------------------------------------
    Total stockholders' equity     161,580      154,406      418,654
                               ---------------------------------------
    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity      $ 2,102,741  $ 2,052,944  $ 2,371,664
                               =======================================


                           GUARANTY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income

                   ------------------------  ------------------------
                      Three Months Ended            Year Ended 
                         December 31,               December 31,
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
                       2008         2007         2008         2007
                   --------------------------------------------------
                      (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 Interest income:
  Loans, including
   fees            $    26,022  $    36,020  $   112,844  $   153,214
  Investment
   securities:
   Taxable                 779          669        2,991        2,515
   Tax-exempt              788        1,102        3,404        5,193
  Dividends                301          429        1,647        1,853
  Federal funds 
   sold and other           84          322          426          914
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
   Total interest
    income              27,974       38,542      121,312      163,689
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
 Interest expense:
   Deposits              7,902       12,576       32,562       53,594
   Federal funds
    purchased and
    repurchase
    agreements              85          213          527        1,390
   Borrowings            1,402          627        5,333        2,700
   Subordinated
    debentures             906          942        3,328        3,756
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
    Total interest
     expense            10,295       14,358       41,750       61,440
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
    Net interest
     income             17,679       24,184       79,562      102,249
 Provision for 
  loan losses            1,250        3,025       33,775       24,666
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
    Net interest
     income, after
     provision for
     loan losses        16,429       21,159       45,787       77,583
 Noninterest 
  income:
  Customer service
   and other fees        2,357        2,267        9,682        9,509
  Gain on sale of
   securities               --           --          138           --
  Other, net               (91)         665          800        1,187
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
    Total 
     noninterest
     income              2,266        2,932       10,620       10,696
 Noninterest 
  expense:
  Salaries and
   employee 
   benefits              6,255        8,442       31,086       39,179
  Occupancy 
   expense               1,725        1,781        7,815        7,813
  Furniture and
   equipment             1,203        1,205        5,290        4,864
  Impairment of
   goodwill                 --      142,210      250,748      142,210
  Amortization of
   intangible 
   assets                1,803        2,132        7,434        8,666
  Other general 
   and
   administrative        4,381        4,278       17,283       23,824
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
    Total 
     noninterest
     expense            15,367      160,048      319,656      226,556
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
    Income (loss)
     before income
     taxes               3,328     (135,957)    (263,249)    (138,277)
 Income tax 
  expense
  (benefit)               (496)       2,253       (6,513)        (185)
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
    Net income 
     (loss)        $     3,824  $  (138,210) $  (256,736) $  (138,092)
                   ========================  ========================

 Earnings (loss) 
  per share-basic: $      0.07  $     (2.68) $     (5.03) $     (2.60)
 Earnings (loss) 
  per share-
  diluted:                0.07        (2.68)       (5.03)       (2.60)

 Weighted average
  shares 
  outstanding-
  basic             51,116,291   51,559,554   51,044,372   53,109,307
 Weighted average
  shares 
  outstanding-
  diluted           51,116,291   51,559,554   51,044,372   53,109,307


                         Guaranty Bancorp and Subsidiaries
                  Unaudited Consolidated Average Balance Sheets

               -------------------------------- ---------------------
                          QTD Average                YTD Average
               -------------------------------- ---------------------
                 Dec. 31,  Sept. 30,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,   Dec. 31,
                   2008      2008        2007       2008       2007
               -------------------------------- ---------------------
                                   (In thousands)

 Assets
 Interest
  earning
  assets
  Loans, net 
   of
   unearned
   discount    $1,825,489 $1,807,325 $1,823,363 $1,797,357 $1,871,703
  Securities      141,005    155,259    178,218    154,548    188,850
  Other 
   earning
   assets          13,022      1,662     19,715     14,763     13,016
               -------------------------------- ---------------------
 Average
  earning
  assets        1,979,516  1,964,246  2,021,296  1,966,668  2,073,569
 Other assets     120,003    387,667    461,056    328,440    538,404
               -------------------------------- ---------------------

 Total average
  assets       $2,099,519 $2,351,913 $2,482,352 $2,295,108 $2,611,973
               ================================ =====================

 Liabilities
  and
  Stockholders'
  Equity
 Average
  liabilities:
 Average
  deposits:
  Noninterest-
   bearing
   deposits    $  410,663 $  426,128 $  487,805 $  440,359 $  476,876
  Interest-
   bearing
   deposits     1,275,220  1,220,755  1,391,045  1,242,425  1,435,778
               -------------------------------- ---------------------
  Average
   deposits     1,685,883  1,646,883  1,878,850  1,682,784  1,912,654
 Other interest
  -bearing
  liabilities     241,453    263,625    112,402    236,156    118,979
 Other
  liabilities      15,001     17,838     23,220     19,522     28,808
               -------------------------------- ---------------------
 Total average
  liabilities   1,942,337  1,928,346  2,014,472  1,938,462  2,060,441
 Average
  stockholders'
  equity          157,182    423,567    467,880    356,646    551,532
               -------------------------------- ---------------------
 Total average
  liabilities
  and          
  stockholders'
  equity       $2,099,519 $2,351,913 $2,482,352 $2,295,108 $2,611,973
               ================================ =====================


                                  Guaranty Bancorp
                         Unaudited Credit Quality Measures

                                     Quarter Ended
                    ------------------------------------------------
                    Dec. 31,  Sept. 30,  June 30, March 31, Dec. 31,
                      2008      2008       2008     2008      2007
                    ------------------------------------------------
                                  (Dollars in thousands)

 Nonaccrual loans
  and leases, not
  restructured      $ 54,594  $ 54,654  $ 29,742  $ 20,798  $ 19,309
 Accruing loans past
  due 90 days or
  more                   228       324        98         1       527
 Foreclosed assets       484     1,199     1,910     1,715     3,517
                    ------------------------------------------------
  Total
   nonperforming
   assets           $ 55,306  $ 56,177  $ 31,750  $ 22,514  $ 23,353
                    ------------------------------------------------

  Nonperforming
   loans            $ 54,822  $ 54,978  $ 29,840  $ 20,799  $ 19,836
  Other impaired
   loans                  --        --        --        --     3,492
                    ------------------------------------------------
  Total impaired
   loans              54,822    54,978    29,840    20,799    23,328
  Allocated
   allowance for
   loan losses       (11,064)  (12,825)   (6,295)   (5,368)   (4,283)
                    ------------------------------------------------
    Net
     investment in
     impaired loans $ 43,758  $ 42,153  $ 23,545  $ 15,431  $ 19,045
                    ================================================

  Charged-off loans $  2,031  $ 12,779  $    673  $    743  $  1,729
  Recoveries          (1,005)     (288)     (231)     (205)     (436)
                    ------------------------------------------------
    Net charge-offs $  1,026  $ 12,491  $    442  $    538  $  1,293
                    ================================================

  Provision for
   loan loss        $  1,250  $ 30,750  $    900  $    875  $  3,025
                    ================================================

  Allowance for
   loan losses      $ 44,988  $ 44,765  $ 26,506  $ 26,048  $ 25,711
                    ================================================

 Allowance for loan
  losses to loans,
  net of unearned
  discount              2.46%     2.52%     1.48%     1.48%     1.44%
 Allowance for loan
  losses to
  nonaccrual loans     82.41%    81.91%    89.12%   125.24%   133.16%
 Allowance for loan
  losses to
  nonperforming
  assets               81.34%    79.69%    83.48%   115.70%   110.10%
 Allowance for loan
  losses to
  nonperforming
  loans                82.06%    81.42%    88.83%   125.24%   129.62%

 Nonperforming
  assets to loans,
  net of unearned
  discount, and
  other real estate
  owned                 3.03%     3.15%     1.77%     1.28%     1.31%
 Nonperforming assets 
  to total assets       2.63%     2.74%     1.35%     0.96%     0.98%
 Nonaccrual
  loans to loans,
  net of unearned
  discount              2.99%     3.07%     1.66%     1.18%     1.08%
 Nonperforming loans 
  to loans, net of 
  unearned discount     3.00%     3.09%     1.67%     1.18%     1.11%
 Annualized net
  charge-offs to
  average loans         0.22%     2.75%     0.10%     0.12%     0.28%

Contact:

          Guaranty Bancorp
Daniel M. Quinn, President & Chief Executive Officer
303/313-6736
Paul W. Taylor, E.V.P. & Chief Financial Officer
303/293-5563
1331 Seventeenth Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

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