Chino Commercial Bancorp Reports 31% Increase In First Quarter Earnings

CHINO, Calif., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Chino Commercial Bancorp (OTC BB: CCBC), the parent company of Chino Commercial Bank, N.A., announced the results of operations for the Bank and the consolidated holding company for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 with net earnings of $224,422, or an increase of 31.5% compared with net income of $170,640 for the same quarter last year. Net income per basic share for the first quarter of 2014 was $0.27 as compared $0.21 for the same quarter last year.

Dann H. Bowman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased with the performance of the Bank during the first quarter.  In addition to very strong net earnings, the Bank also had no delinquent loans and suffered no credit losses during the first quarter.

Economic conditions appear to be rapidly improving in the Inland Empire, and many of our small business customers are reporting better than expected operating results.  We continue to remain optimistic about the economy, and are eager to lend to the businesses and consumers in our community."

Separately, the Bank recently reported that it had received recognition from the Findley Reports on Financial Institutions by again receiving their highest rating of Super Premier Performing.

Financial Condition

At March 31, 2014, total assets were $123.9 million, an increase of $0.8 million or 0.6% over $123.1 million at December 31, 2013. The increase is a direct result of growth in the Bank's deposits which increased by 0.6% to $110.2 million at March 31, 2014, or an increase from $109.6 million at December 31, 2013. At March 31, 2014, the Company's core deposits represent 96.5% of the total deposits.

Gross loans increased by 1.4% or $0.9 million during the first quarter to $65.2 million as compared with $64.3 million as of December 31, 2013.  The Bank's loan quality also improved during the first quarter as the level of nonperforming assets to total loans and OREO decreased from 0.17% at December 31, 2013 to 0.16% at March 31, 2014.

Earnings

The Company posted net interest income of $937,047 for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 as compared to $990,365 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Although average earning assets increased, the yield on earning assets decreased by 0.36% to 3.82%.  Average interest-earning assets were $106.9 million with average interest-bearing liabilities of $55.6 million, yielding a net interest margin of 3.56% for the first quarter of 2014; as compared to the average interest-earning assets of $104.0 million with average interest-bearing liabilities of $58.0 million, yielding a net interest margin of 3.86% for the first quarter of 2013.

Non-interest income totaled $439,560 for the first quarter of 2014, or an increase of 41.0% as compared with $311,783 earned during the first quarter last year. Service charges on deposit accounts increased 25.5% to $351,376 due to increased income from returned items and overdraft charges. Other miscellaneous income increased to $48,052 for the first quarter of 2014, compared to $10,736 for the same quarter in 2013, due to reimbursement of Fees in 2014 for a failed software solution; and income from leased premises received in 2014. Due to the purchase of additional BOLI, income from bank-owned life insurance increased from $16,313 in the first quarter of 2013 to $25,815 in the first quarter of 2014.

General and administrative expenses were $1,019,711 for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as compared to $1,028,012 for the first quarter of 2013. The largest component of general and administrative expenses was salary and benefits expense of $587,396 for the first quarter of 2014, as compared to $571,023 for the same quarter last year.  Regulatory assessments decreased by $29.547 or 51.1% to $28,221 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $57,768 in the first quarter of 2013 due to the termination of the Formal Agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; in addition to a more favorable rating received from regulators in the fourth quarter of 2013. Advertising and marketing expenses increased 76.0% to $23,743 in the first quarter of 2014 from $13,489 for the same period last year.

Income tax expense was $131,563 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to $100,864 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 is approximately 37.0% and 37.2%, respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ from those projected. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including but not limited to the health of the national and California economies, the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled employees, customers' service expectations, the Company's ability to successfully deploy new technology and gain efficiencies there from, changes in interest rates, loan portfolio performance, and other factors detailed in the Company's SEC filings.

Contact: Dann H. Bowman, President and CEO or Sandra F. Pender, Senior Vice President and CFO, Chino Commercial Bancorp and Chino Commercial Bank, N.A., 14245 Pipeline Avenue, Chino, Ca. 91710, (909) 393-8880.

SOURCE Chino Commercial Bancorp