Taylor Capital Group Reports Net Loss of $36.0 Million for the Fourth Quarter of 2010

CHICAGO, Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Taylor Capital Group, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq: TAYC), the parent company of Cole Taylor Bank (the "Bank"), today reported results for the fourth quarter of 2010 and the full year 2010.

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Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $36.0 million, compared to net income of $33.4 million for the third quarter of 2010.  Net loss applicable to common stockholders was $38.5 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to net income applicable to common stockholders of $30.7 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010.

For the full year 2010, net loss was $44.2 million, compared to a net loss of $31.6 million for the full year 2009.  Net loss applicable to common stockholders was $69.7 million, or $4.63 per diluted share, for the full year 2010, compared to net loss applicable to common stockholders of $43.0 million, or $4.10 per diluted share, for the full year 2009.

"The fourth quarter loss was driven by a $51.8 million provision for loan losses, largely attributable to deterioration in a number of loans to banks and bank holding companies," said Mark A. Hoppe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Taylor Capital Group, Inc. "The Bank's entire portfolio of loans to banks and bank holding companies totals approximately $93 million, or 3.0% of our total loans.  The loans placed on nonaccrual were previously on our watch list of criticized and classified assets.  In the fourth quarter, because of further deterioration at these banks and bank holding companies, we decided to put a substantial portion of this portfolio on nonaccrual.  While disappointed in the fourth quarter asset quality results, our total commercial criticized and classified loans declined more than $100 million from 2009 to 2010, as the pace of migrations into this category continues to slow."  

Hoppe continued, "We are pleased with the growth in our core business.  Commercial and retail banking remain strong, and with the launch of Cole Taylor Mortgage in early 2010 and the continued growth in Cole Taylor Business Capital, our total revenue for 2010 was up more than 20%, and our annual pre-tax, pre-provision earnings from core operations increased 30%.  As we begin 2011, we continue to work hard to improve asset quality, achieve sustained growth and return to profitability."

FOURTH QUARTER 2010 AND FULL YEAR 2010 HIGHLIGHTS

Credit costs increased from 2009 to 2010, partly due to fourth quarter 2010 actions taken in the portfolio of loans to bank holding companies

• Nonperforming loans were $149.5 million and 4.83% of total loans at December 31, 2010, compared to $118.4 million and 3.90% of total loans at September 30, 2010, and $141.5 million and 4.66% of total loans at December 31, 2009.
• Provision for loan losses was $51.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $18.1 million for the third quarter of 2010.  Provision for the full year 2010 was $135.0 million, compared to $89.6 million for the full year 2009.
• At December 31, 2010, the allowance for loan losses was $116.4 million, compared to $94.1 million at September 30, 2010 and $106.2 million at December 31, 2009.
• The allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans was 77.89% at December 31, 2010, compared to 79.50% at September 30, 2010, and 75.06% at December 31, 2009.
• At December 31, 2010, commercial criticized and classified loans (1) totaled $303.9 million, down from $322.3 million at September 30, 2010 and down 25.2% from $406.3 million at December 31, 2009.  

Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings from core operations (2) up 30.0% from 2009 to 2010

• Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings from core operations, also referred to as core operating earnings, totaled $16.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, down from $20.6 million for the third quarter of 2010.  For the full year 2010, pre-tax, pre-provision earnings from core operations were $68.9 million, up 30.0% from $53.0 million for the full year 2009.  
• Revenue (defined as net interest income plus noninterest income less gains on the sales of investment securities) was $44.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $45.7 million for the third quarter of 2010. For the full year 2010, revenue was $167.4 million, up 20.5% from $138.9 million for the full year 2009.
• Net interest margin decreased thirteen basis points from 3.25% for the third quarter of 2010 to 3.12% for the fourth quarter of 2010. Net interest margin was 3.17% for the full year 2010, up from 2.84% for the full year 2009.

FOURTH QUARTER 2010 AND FULL YEAR 2010 PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

Results of Operations – Fourth Quarter 2010

Net Income and Net Income Applicable to Common Stockholders

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $36.0 million, compared to net income of $33.4 million for the third quarter of 2010.  Net loss applicable to common stockholders was $38.5 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to net income applicable to common stockholders of $30.7 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010.  

Loss before income taxes was $35.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to income before income taxes of $33.7 million in the third quarter of 2010.  The decline from the third quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2010 was primarily due to a $39.9 million increase in credit costs (provision for loan losses plus nonperforming asset expense), as well as a decrease in gains on the sales of investment securities of $25.8 million.

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Earnings from Core Operations

Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings from core operations totaled $16.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $20.6 million for the third quarter of 2010.  The reduction from the third quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2010 was due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense coupled with a reduction in net interest income as was expected to result from the sales of investment securities in the third quarter of 2010.  

The Company's core business continues to grow.  Cole Taylor Business Capital, the Bank's asset based lending group, and Cole Taylor Commercial Banking had solid fourth quarter results. Together, these business lines added 27 new client relationships in the fourth quarter of 2010, bringing new client relationships to 120 for 2010.  

Cole Taylor Mortgage's funded loans doubled from $242.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 to $493.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.  This business unit posted a slight decrease in mortgage origination revenue from $6.3 million in the third quarter of 2010 to $5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The reduction was due to margin compression as mortgage interest rates rose and volume of interest rate lock commitments decreased during the fourth quarter of 2010. As the volume of refinances has declined nationally, this unit is refocusing on geographic expansion, qualifying to conduct business in three additional states in January 2011, bringing the total number of such states to 20.  

Revenue

Revenue was $44.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $45.7 million in the third quarter of 2010.  The decrease was due to slight reductions in net interest income, mortgage origination revenue, and other derivative income from customer interest rate exchange agreements.

Net interest income was $33.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $34.4 million for the third quarter of 2010.  As was expected to result from the sales of investment securities in the third quarter of 2010, net interest income was negatively impacted by replacing securities that were sold in the third quarter of 2010 with new purchases of securities at current market yields.  This was partially offset by increased volume of mortgage loans held for sale and lower deposit costs.  

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $18.0 million, compared to $44.1 million for the third quarter of 2010.  The decrease was largely due to a reduction in gains from the sales of investment securities, as well as slight decreases in mortgage origination revenue and other derivative income.

Expense

Noninterest expense was $35.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $26.6 million for the third quarter of 2010. The increase in expense from the third quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2010 was primarily due to additional nonperforming asset expense as a result of higher write-downs and lower recoveries on other real estate and repossessed assets.  Additionally, salaries and employee benefits increased due to investment in additional headcount at Cole Taylor Mortgage, as well as sales and other incentives, in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2010.

Results of Operations – Full Year 2010

Net Income and Net Income Applicable to Common Stockholders

Net loss for 2010 was $44.2 million, compared to a net loss of $31.6 million for 2009.  Net loss applicable to common stockholders for 2010 was $69.7 million, or $4.63 per diluted share, compared to net loss applicable to common stockholders of $43.0 million, or $4.10 per diluted share, for 2009.  For 2010, the net loss applicable to common stockholders included a one-time, non-cash charge of $15.8 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, for the non-cash inducement to the holders of all of the Company's Series A Preferred who converted their Series A Preferred shares into common stock in May 2010.  

Loss before income taxes was $43.0 million for 2010, compared to loss before income taxes of $30.7 million in 2009.  The higher loss for 2010 was primarily due to an increase in credit costs from 2009 to 2010.  This increase was the result of the prolonged economic downturn that negatively affected the Chicago real estate market. Additionally, noninterest expense increased from 2009, compared to 2010, due to the investment in the newly launched Cole Taylor Mortgage.  Offsetting these expense items in part was an increase in net interest income due to improved net interest margin, and mortgage origination revenue generated by Cole Taylor Mortgage in 2010.

Pre-tax, Pre-provision Earnings from Core Operations

For 2010, pre-tax, pre-provision earnings from core operations were $68.9 million, up 30.0% from $53.0 million for 2009.  The year over year increase was primarily due to an improvement in net interest income and new mortgage origination revenue from Cole Taylor Mortgage.

Revenue

Revenue was $167.4 million for 2010, up 20.5% from $138.9 million for 2009.

Net interest income was $136.1 million for 2010, compared to $122.9 million for 2009.  The improvement was the result of a 33 basis point increase in the net interest margin from 2.84% for 2009 to 3.17% for 2010.  The increase in net interest margin was the result of lower cost deposits and the contribution from mortgage loans held for sale that were originated by Cole Taylor Mortgage, partly offset by lower yields on interest earning assets.  

Noninterest income was $72.7 million for 2010, compared to $33.6 million for 2009.  The increase from 2009 to 2010 was due primarily to higher gains from the sales of investment securities in the third quarter of 2010, and mortgage origination revenue generated by Cole Taylor Mortgage.  

Expense

Noninterest expense was $116.8 million for 2010, compared to $97.6 million for 2009, largely due to higher salaries and employee benefits and nonperforming asset expense.  The increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to investment in Cole Taylor Mortgage as that business unit ramped up operations in 2010.  The total number of employees of the Company increased from 443 at December 31, 2009 to 607 at December 31, 2010, reflecting the addition of approximately 150 new employees at Cole Taylor Mortgage.  The increase in nonperforming asset expense was largely the result of write-downs on other real estate owned.  

Credit Quality – Fourth Quarter 2010

Loan Portfolio Performance and Credit Quality

Credit quality weakened in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2010.  Nonperforming loans had been trending down since mid-2009, but increased in the fourth quarter of 2010.  The increase was largely due to deterioration in the Bank's portfolio of loans to banks and bank holding companies.  Many of these bank holding companies have also been challenged by high concentrations of Chicago area real estate loans.

Nonperforming assets were $182.5 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $157.5 million at September 30, 2010.  Nonperforming assets to total assets were 4.06% at December 31, 2010, compared to 3.38% at September 30, 2010.  

Nonaccrual loans totaled $149.4 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $118.4 million at September 30, 2010.  Commercial and industrial nonaccrual loans accounted for $30.1 million of the $31.1 million total increase in nonaccrual loans. This increase was largely due to a number of loans to banks and bank holding companies that were placed on nonaccrual status in the fourth quarter of 2010.  These loans, which were already on the watch list of commercial criticized and classified assets, deteriorated further in the fourth quarter of 2010.  As a result, the loans were placed on nonaccrual status during the fourth quarter of 2010, and appropriate reserves were taken. There were also minor increases in residential construction and land nonaccrual loans and commercial construction and land nonaccrual loans and a small decrease in commercial real estate nonaccrual at December 31, 2010 compared to September 30, 2010.

Other real estate and repossessed assets decreased to $33.0 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $39.1 million at September 30, 2010.  The decrease was largely the result of property sales in the fourth quarter of 2010, offset slightly by additions to other real estate and repossessed assets.  In the fourth quarter of 2010, the proceeds from sales of other real estate and repossessed assets were slightly higher than their total net book value.

Loans contractually past due 30 through 89 days and still accruing were $11.9 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $22.1 million at September 30, 2010.

Commercial criticized and classified loans were $303.9 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $322.3 million at September 30, 2010.  This decrease was largely the result of pay downs and charge-offs in the fourth quarter of 2010, offset by new loans being placed on criticized and classified status.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $51.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to $18.1 million for the third quarter of 2010. The increase in the provision for loan losses of $33.7 million was primarily due to reserves established for nonaccrual loans to banks and bank holding companies, as well as specific reserves on three real estate related loans that further deteriorated in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The allowance for loan losses was $116.4 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $94.1 million at September 30, 2010.  The allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans was 77.89% at December 31, 2010, compared to 79.50% at September 30, 2010.

Credit Quality – Full Year 2010

Loan Portfolio Performance and Credit Quality

Nonperforming assets were $182.5 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $167.7 million at December 31, 2009.  Nonperforming assets to total assets were 4.06% at December 31, 2010, compared to 3.81% at December 31, 2009.  

Nonaccrual loans totaled $149.4 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $141.5 million at December 31, 2009.  Residential construction and land nonaccrual loans decreased 67.1% from $62.8 million at December 31, 2009 to $20.7 million at December 31, 2010. The decrease in residential construction and land nonaccrual loans was offset by increases in other categories of nonaccrual loans.  Commercial and industrial nonaccrual loans increased from $26.7 million at December 31, 2009 to $61.2 million at December 31, 2010, much of which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2010 due to deterioration of loans made to bank holding companies.  Commercial real estate secured nonaccrual loans increased from $36.4 million at December 31, 2009 to $42.2 million at December 31, 2010.  Commercial construction and land nonaccrual loans increased from $4.2 million at December 31, 2009 to $12.7 million at December 31, 2010.

Other real estate and repossessed assets were $33.0 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $26.2 million at December 31, 2009.  

Loans contractually past due 30 through 89 days and still accruing were $11.9 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $13.2 million at December 31, 2009.

Commercial criticized and classified loans were $303.9 million at December 31, 2010, and decreased significantly from $406.3 million at December 31, 2009, a 25.2% reduction.  This decrease was the result of resolutions of nonperforming loans including pay downs and charge-offs in 2010, as well as a reduction in the migrations to criticized and classified status from 2009 to 2010.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

For 2010, the provision for loan losses totaled $135.0 million, compared to $89.6 million for 2009.  

The allowance for loan losses was $116.4 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $106.2 million at December 31, 2009. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans was 77.89% at December 31, 2010, compared to 75.06% at December 31, 2009.

Credit Quality Performance Summary

Balance Sheet – Fourth Quarter 2010

Assets

Total assets at December 31, 2010 were $4.49 billion, compared to $4.66 billion at September 30, 2010.

Investment securities were $1.25 billion at December 31, 2010, compared to $1.17 billion at September 30, 2010.  This increase was offset by a decrease in other assets as some of the investment securities sold in the third quarter of 2010 settled in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Loans held for sale were $259.0 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $134.5 million at September 30, 2010.  The increase resulted from significantly higher origination activity at Cole Taylor Mortgage in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses, at December 31, 2010 were $2.72 billion, compared to $2.80 billion at September 30, 2010. Loan growth from new and existing relationships continued to be offset by low levels of client line utilization and resolutions of nonperforming loans from pay downs and charge-offs.

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Total liabilities at December 31, 2010 were $4.28 billion, compared to $4.38 billion at September 30, 2010.  

Total deposits were $3.03 billion at December 31, 2010, compared to $2.97 billion at September 30, 2010. The largest increases in deposits were CDARS time deposits and noninterest bearing deposits, offset by decreases in NOW accounts. Offsetting the increase in total deposits was a decrease in accrued interest, taxes and other liabilities. The decrease in accrued interest, taxes, and other liabilities was due to some of the investment securities purchased in third quarter of 2010 settling in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Total stockholder's equity decreased from $278.7 million at September 30, 2010 to $218.4 million at December 31, 2010, largely due to increases in accumulated deficit and lower accumulated other comprehensive income. Accumulated deficit increased from the third quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2010 due to the net loss applicable to common stockholders in the fourth quarter of 2010.  Accumulated other comprehensive income decreased from the third quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2010 as a result of sales of investment securities in the fourth quarter of 2010, as well as rising long-term interest rates in the fourth quarter of 2010 on the remaining portfolio of investment securities.

Balance Sheet – Full Year 2010

Assets

Total assets at December 31, 2010 were $4.49 billion, compared to $4.40 billion at December 31, 2009.

Investment securities were $1.25 billion at December 31, 2010, compared to $1.27 billion at December 31, 2009.  Loans held for sale were $259.0 million at December 31, 2010, compared to $81.9 million at December 31, 2009, largely a result of new mortgage origination at Cole Taylor Mortgage, as well as a reduction in bulk purchased mortgages either sold or transferred from the held for sale portfolio.

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses, at December 31, 2010 were $2.72 billion, compared to $2.85 billion at December 31, 2009. Loan growth from new and existing relationships continued to be offset by low levels of client line utilization and resolutions of nonperforming loans from pay downs and charge-offs.

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Total liabilities at December 31, 2010 were $4.28 billion, compared to $4.14 billion at December 31, 2009.

Total deposits were $3.03 billion at December 31, 2010, compared to $2.98 billion at December 31, 2009.  The most significant deposit increases year over year were in money market accounts and CDARS time deposits, offset by decreases in NOW accounts and customer certificates of deposit.

Other borrowings increased to $511.0 million at December 31, 2010, from $337.7 million at December 31, 2009, due to higher balances of overnight Federal Reserve Bank borrowings and wholesale term repurchase agreements.  This increase was offset by a decrease in notes payable and other advances to $505.0 million at December 31, 2010, from $627.0 million at December 31, 2009, which was due to reductions of Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank advances.  

Total stockholder's equity decreased from $258.8 million at December 31, 2009 to $218.4 million at December 31, 2010. The decrease in total stockholder's equity was primarily the result of an increase in accumulated deficit due to the net loss applicable to common stockholders for 2010, as well as a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income due to sales of investment securities in 2010.  The decrease was partially offset as a result of the execution of previously disclosed capital transactions that included the issuance of approximately $38 million of new preferred stock (Series C, D and E) and the conversion of Series A Preferred which were undertaken in 2010.  These capital initiatives were executed as part of the Company's overall capital plan.  

Capital

At December 31, 2010, the Company's Tier I Risk Based Capital ratio was 9.30%, while its Total Risk Based Capital ratio was 13.26% and its Tier I Capital to Average Assets leverage ratio was 7.18%.  

All the ratios exceed the regulatory requirements for well-capitalized banks of 6.00% for Tier I Risk Based Capital, 10.00% for Total Risk Based Capital and 5.00% for Tier I Capital to Average Assets.

Conference Call and Slide Presentation

Taylor Capital Group, Inc. will host a webcast and conference call on January 28, 2011, at 9:00 am Central Time (10:00 am Eastern Time) to discuss fourth quarter 2010 and full year 2010 results and other matters.  To access the call, please dial (866) 788-0546 and enter the passcode 40414142.  To access streaming audio, please go to www.taylorcapitalgroup.com.  

The Company will also provide a slide presentation which management will speak to during the discussion.  A copy of the presentation will be available for download prior to the start of the call at www.taylorcapitalgroup.com. The presentation will not be webcast live. If you have any trouble obtaining a copy of the presentation, please call Investor Relations at (847) 653-7166.

Accompanying Financial Statements and Tables

This press release is accompanied by the following unaudited financial information:

• Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
• Consolidated Statements of Operations
• Summary of Key Quarterly Financial Data
• Summary of Key Year-To-Date Financial Data
• Summary of Key Period-End Financial Data
• Composition of Loan Portfolio
• Credit Quality
• Loan Portfolio Aging
• Funding Liabilities
• Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

About Taylor Capital Group, Inc.  (NASDAQ: TAYC)

Taylor Capital Group, Inc. is a $4.5 billion bank holding company for Cole Taylor Bank, a Chicago-based commercial bank specializing in serving the banking needs of closely held businesses and the people who own and manage them. Cole Taylor is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and projections about our future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words including "may," "might", "contemplate", "plan", "prudent", "potential", "should", "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "could" and "estimate" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities in 2011 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation: the risk that our regulators could require us to maintain regulatory capital in excess of the levels needed to be considered well capitalized; the risk that our allowance for loan losses may prove insufficient to absorb probable losses in our loan portfolio; possible volatility in loan charge-offs and recoveries between periods; negative developments and further disruption in the credit and lending markets impacting our business and the businesses of our customers, as well as other banks and lending institutions with which we have commercial relationships; the continued decline in residential real estate sales volume and the likely potential for continuing illiquidity in the real estate market, including within the Chicago metropolitan area; the risks associated with the high volume of loans secured by commercial real estate in our portfolio; the uncertainties in estimating the fair value of developed real estate and undeveloped land in light of declining demand for such assets and continuing illiquidity in the real estate market; the risks associated with the planned growth of our new mortgage unit, including the expansion into new geographic markets; lending concentration risks; the risks associated with attracting and retaining experienced and qualified personnel, including our senior management and other key personnel in our core business lines; uncertainty in estimating the fair value of loans held for sale and the possibility that we will not be able to dispose of these assets on terms acceptable to us; security risks relating to our internet banking activities that could damage our reputation and our business; the potential impact of certain operational risks, including, but not limited to, data processing system failures and errors and customer or employee fraud; the risks associated with implementing our business strategy and managing our growth effectively, including our ability to preserve and access sufficient capital to execute on our strategy; the effect on our profitability if interest rates fluctuate, as well as the effect of our customers' changing use of our deposit products; the ability to use net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future tax payments if an ownership change of the Company is deemed to have occurred for tax purposes; the possibility that our wholesale funding sources may prove insufficient to replace deposits at maturity and support our growth; continuation of volatility in the capital markets; the effectiveness of our hedging transactions and their impact on our future results of operations; the conditions of the local economy in which we operate and continued weakness in the local economy; changes in general economic and capital market conditions, interest rates, our debt credit ratings, deposit flows, loan demand, loan syndication opportunities and competition; regulatory restrictions and liquidity constraints at the holding company level that could impair our ability to pay dividends or interest on our outstanding securities; significant restrictions on our operations as a result of our participation in the TARP CPP; the impact of changes in legislation, including the Dodd-Frank Act, or regulatory and accounting principles, policies or guidelines affecting our business, including those relating to capital requirements; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors impacting our operations.

For further information about these and other risks, uncertainties and factors, please review the disclosure included in the section captioned "Risk Factors" in our December 31, 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2010. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or risk factors, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this press release.

SOURCE Taylor Capital Group, Inc.