Southwest Bancorp, Inc. Reports Results for First

STILLWATER, Okla., April 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: OKSB ), (“Southwest”), today reported net income for the first quarter of 2017 of $5.3 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $1.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2016. The increase was attributable to an improved net interest margin, lower loan loss provision, and stronger noninterest income.

Southwest announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share payable May 19, 2017 to shareholders of record as of May 5, 2017.

Mark Funke, President and CEO, stated, “This quarter’s solid loan growth combined with the improvement in net interest margin and stronger noninterest income provided momentum for the good results in the first quarter. Here are several highlights from this quarter:

• At March 31, 2017, total loans were $1.9 billion, an increase of $59.3 million, or 3%, during the quarter and an increase of $154.6 million, or 9% year over year.
• The quarterly net interest margin was 3.43% at March 31, 2017, which improved from the previous quarter. The net interest margin was 3.40% at December 31, 2016 and 3.54% at March 31, 2016.
• Pre-tax, pre-provision income was $9.4 million in the first quarter, an increase of 9% from $8.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, and an increase of 25% from $7.5 million for the first quarter of 2016.
• The efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2017 was 63.30%, compared to 64.34% for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 67.48% for the first quarter of 2016.”

See Table 3 for details on pre-tax, pre-provision income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure.

Financial Overview

Condition:   As of March 31, 2017, total assets were $2.5 billion, an increase of $47.2 million, when compared to December 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, total loans were $1.9 billion, an increase of $59.3 million from the prior quarter end. As of March 31, 2017, investment securities were $433.1 million, a decrease of $3.6 million from the prior quarter end. Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2017 were $65.1 million, a decrease of $10.5 million from December 31, 2016. 

The allowance for loan losses was $27.5 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and an increase of $0.4 million when compared to March 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses to portfolio loans was 1.43% as of March 31, 2017, compared to 1.47% as of December 31, 2016, and 1.53% as of March 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 166.01% as of March 31, 2017, compared to 165.84% as of December 31, 2016 and 122.01% as of March 31, 2016. The total allowance for loan losses combined with the purchase discount on acquired loans represents 1.63% of gross loans as of March 31, 2017 compared to 1.71% as of December 31, 2016 and 1.96% as of March 31, 2016.

Nonperforming loans were $16.6 million at March 31, 2017 and virtually the same amount at December 31, 2016 and down $5.7 million from $22.3 million at March 31, 2016. Other real estate was $0.4 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and down from $2.3 million at March 31, 2016. Nonperforming assets were $16.9 million, or 0.88% of portfolio loans and other real estate, as of March 31, 2017, compared to $17.0 million, or 0.91% of portfolio loans and other real estate, as of December 31, 2016, and $24.5 million, or 1.38% of portfolio loans and other real estate, as of March 31, 2016.

As of March 31, 2017, total deposits were $2.0 billion, an increase of $31.2 million, when compared to December 31, 2016. Total core funding, which includes all non-brokered deposits and sweep repurchase agreements, comprised 79% of total funding as of March 31, 2017 compared to 81% as of December 31, 2016. Wholesale funding, including Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings and brokered deposits, accounted for 21% of total funding at March 31, 2017 and 19% of total funding at December 31, 2016. See Table 6 for details on core funding and non-brokered deposits, which are non-GAAP financial measures.

The capital ratios of Southwest and Bank SNB as of March 31, 2017 exceeded the criteria for regulatory classification as “well-capitalized”. Southwest’s total regulatory capital was $349.6 million, for a total risk-based capital ratio of 15.44%, Common Equity Tier 1 capital was $276.2 million, for a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 12.20%, and Tier 1 capital was $321.2 million, for a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 14.19%. Bank SNB had total regulatory capital of $334.3 million, for a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.79% and Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital of $305.9 million, for a Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 13.54%. Designation as a well-capitalized institution under regulations does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by bank regulators.

First Quarter Results:

Summary:   For the first quarter of 2017, net income was $5.3 million, compared to $6.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and $1.9 million for the first quarter of 2016. Pre-tax, pre-provision income for the first quarter of 2017 was $9.4 million, compared to $8.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and $7.5 million for the first quarter of 2016. The fourth quarter of 2016 includes $0.9 million of merger related costs associated with the recently announced merger with Simmons First National Corporation.

The $0.9 million decrease in net income compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 was primarily due to a $1.3 million credit provision for loan losses recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 versus a $1.8 million provision recorded in the first quarter of 2017. This decrease in net income is partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in net interest income, a $0.6 million increase in noninterest income, a $0.5 million decrease in noninterest expense and a $1.0 million decrease in income taxes.

The $3.4 million increase in net income compared to the first quarter of 2016 was due to a $0.3 million increase in net interest income, a $2.6 million decrease in the provision for loan losses, a $1.5 million increase in noninterest income and a $0.7 million decrease in noninterest expense, offset by a $1.7 million increase in income taxes.

Net Interest Income:   Net interest income totaled $20.2 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to $20.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and $19.8 million for the first quarter of 2016. Net interest margin was 3.43% for the first quarter of 2017, compared to 3.40% for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 3.54% for the first quarter of 2016. Interest income for the first quarter of 2017, the fourth quarter of 2016, and the first quarter of 2016 includes $0.3 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million of accelerated discount accretion, respectively. The net effects of these adjustments on the net interest margins were a 5 basis point, a 2 basis point and a 5 basis point increase, respectively, for each quarter. Average loans (including loans held for sale) for the first quarter of 2017 increased $31.8 million when compared to December 31, 2016, and $110.1 million when compared to March 31, 2016.

Provision (Credit) for Loan Losses and Net Charge-offs:   The provision for loan losses is the amount that is required to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an appropriate level based upon the inherent risks in the loan portfolio after the net effects of charge-offs and recoveries for the period. The provision for loan losses was $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to a credit provision of $1.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, and a provision of $4.4 million for the first quarter of 2016. The first quarter 2017 provision was driven by loan growth and an increase in reserves on a few classified loans. During the first quarter of 2017, net charge-offs totaled $1.8 million, or 0.38% (annualized) of average portfolio loans, compared to net recoveries of $0.4 million, or (0.09)% (annualized) of average portfolio loans for the fourth quarter of 2016 and net charge-offs of $3.3 million, or 0.75% (annualized) of average portfolio loans for the first quarter of 2016.

Noninterest Income:   Noninterest income totaled $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to $4.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2016. 

The $0.6 million increase from the fourth quarter of 2016 is the result of a $0.5 million increase in gain on sale of investment securities, which resulted from the sale of a private equity investment during the first quarter of 2017, and a $0.5 million increase in other noninterest income, which was driven by a $0.2 million increase in customer risk management interest rate swap income and a $0.3 million increase in other noninterest income. These increases were offset in part by a $0.1 million decrease in service charges and fees and a $0.2 million decrease in gain on sale of mortgage loans.

The $1.5 million increase from the first quarter of 2016 is the result of a $0.1 million increase in service charges and fees, a $0.2 million increase in gain on sale of mortgage loans, a $0.3 million increase in gain on sale of investment securities, and a $0.9 million increase in other noninterest income. The $0.9 million increase in other noninterest income is primarily driven by a $0.6 million increase in customer risk management interest rate swap income combined with a $0.3 million increase in other noninterest income.

Noninterest Expense:   Noninterest expense totaled $15.3 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to $15.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and $16.0 million for the first quarter of 2016.

The $0.5 million decrease in noninterest expense from the fourth quarter of 2016 was due to a $0.2 million decrease in occupancy, a $0.4 million decrease in the provision for unfunded loan commitments, and a $0.8 million decrease in general and administrative expenses, offset in part by a $0.9 million increase in personnel expense, due to increased incentives, severance costs, payroll taxes, and benefits.

The $0.7 million decrease in noninterest expense from the first quarter of 2016 consisted of a $0.3 million decrease in occupancy, a $0.1 million decrease in data processing, a $0.1 million decrease in FDIC and other insurance expense, a $0.6 million decrease in the provision for unfunded loan commitments and a $0.2 million decrease in general and administrative expense, offset in part by a $0.6 million increase in personnel expense.

Income Tax:   Income tax expense totaled $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to $3.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2016. The income tax expense fluctuates in relation to pre-tax income levels. The first quarter of 2017 effective tax rate was 33.71%, compared to 37.38% for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 35.19% for the first quarter of 2016. The effective tax rate includes a $0.2 million tax benefit due to the adoption of an accounting principle that became effective January 1, 2017. The effective tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2016 included the impact of certain nondeductible merger costs.

Conference Call

Southwest will host a conference call to review these results on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time). Investors, news media, and others may pre-register for the call using the following link to receive a special dial-in number and PIN:  http://dpregister.com/10104035 . Telephone participants who are unable to pre-register may access the call by telephone at 866-218-2402 (toll-free) or 412-902-4190 (international). Participants are encouraged to dial into the call approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. The call and corresponding presentation slides will be webcast live on Southwest’s website at www.oksb.com or http://services.choruscall.com/links/oksb170426.html . An audio replay will be available one hour after the call at 877-344-7529 (toll-free) or 412-317-0088 (international), conference number 10098734. Telephone replay access will be available until May 26, 2017.  

Southwest Bancorp and Subsidiaries

Southwest is the holding company for Bank SNB, an Oklahoma state banking corporation (“Bank SNB”). Bank SNB offers commercial and consumer lending, deposit services, specialized cash management, and other financial services from offices in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Colorado. Bank SNB was chartered in 1894 and Southwest was organized in 1981 as the holding company. At March 31, 2017, Southwest had total assets of approximately $2.5 billion, deposits of $1.9 billion, and shareholders’ equity of $290.9 million.

Southwest’s area of expertise focuses on the special financial needs of healthcare and health professionals, businesses and their managers and owners, commercial lending, energy banking, and commercial real estate borrowers. The strategic focus on healthcare lending was established in 1974. Southwest and its banking subsidiary provide credit and other remittance services, such as deposits, cash management, and document imaging for physicians and other healthcare practitioners to start or develop their practices and finance the development and purchase of medical offices, clinics, surgical care centers, hospitals, and similar facilities. As of March 31, 2017, approximately $431.6 million, or 22%, of loans were loans to individuals and businesses in the healthcare industry. Regular market reviews are conducted of (i) current and potential healthcare lending business, and (ii) the appropriate concentrations within healthcare based upon economic and regulatory conditions.

Southwest’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol OKSB. 

Caution About Forward-Looking Statements

Southwest makes forward-looking statements in this news release that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  These statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provision for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements include: 

• Statements of Southwest's goals, intentions, and expectations;
• Estimates of risks and of future costs and benefits;
• Expectations regarding Southwest’s future financial performance and the financial performance of its operating segments;
• Expectations regarding regulatory actions;
• Expectations regarding Southwest’s ability to utilize tax loss benefits;
• Expectations regarding Southwest’s stock repurchase program;
• Expectations regarding dividends;
• Expectations regarding our planned merger with Simmons First National Corporation;
• Assessments of loan quality, probable loan losses or negative provisions, and the amount and timing of loan payoffs;
• Estimates of the value of assets held for sale or available for sale; and
• Statements of Southwest’s ability to achieve financial and other goals.

These forward-looking statements are subject to significant uncertainties because they are based upon: the amount and timing of future changes in interest rates, market behavior, and other economic conditions; future laws, regulations, and accounting principles; changes in regulatory standards and examination policies, and a variety of other matters. These other matters include, among other things, the direct and indirect effects of economic conditions on interest rates, credit quality, loan demand, liquidity, and monetary and supervisory policies of banking regulators. Because of these uncertainties, the actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, Southwest's past growth and performance do not necessarily indicate future results. For other factors, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates and projections contained in forward-looking statements, please read Southwest’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. You are urged to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements and other disclosures made in those filings, specifically those under the heading “Risk Factors”.

The cautionary statements in this release also identify important factors and possible events that involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. Southwest does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release, whether as a result of differences in actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting such statements, except as required by law.

Southwest is required under generally accepted accounting principles to evaluate subsequent events and their impact, if any, on its financial statements as of March 31, 2017 through the date its financial statements are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The March 31, 2017 financial statements included in this release will be adjusted if necessary to properly reflect the impact of subsequent events on estimates used to prepare those statements. 

The Southwest Bancorp, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8074

The Bank SNB logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=23106

For additional information: Mark W. Funke President & CEO Joe T. Shockley, Jr. EVP & CFO (405) 372-2230