Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC) today reported net income of $23.2 million and net income available to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2021 of $21.4 million, or diluted earnings per common share of $0.42.

Highlights for the third quarter included:

• Return on average assets of 1.13%
• Annualized loan growth, excluding PPP, of 16%
• Period-end total cost of deposits of 0.08%, a 12 basis point decrease from the end of the second quarter
• Average cost of total deposits of 0.15%, an 8 basis point decrease from the previous quarter
• Net interest margin of 3.28%, a 1 basis point increase from the previous quarter
• Noninterest-bearing deposit balances represented 32% of total deposits at September 30, 2021, up from 24% a year earlier
• Allowance for credit losses at 1.26% of total loans and 173% of non-performing loans
• Total deferrals/forbearances declined to $54.2 million at September 30, 2021 from $86.6 million at June 30, 2021
• Common Equity Tier 1 capital at 10.89%

Jared Wolff, President & CEO of Banc of California, commented, “Our third quarter results demonstrate the greater earnings power and improved profitability we have generated over the past two years as we continue to accelerate our growth in earning assets and increase operating leverage. Our teams continue to bring in high quality relationships throughout California and we are seeing a significant increase in commercial & industrial loan production, which helped generate a 16% annualized increase in total loans, excluding Paycheck Protection Program loans. Our deposit engine also continues to be highly productive in attracting new clients and expanding relationships with existing clients, which resulted in a 17% increase in noninterest-bearing deposits from the end of the prior quarter.”

Mr. Wolff continued, “Our loan and deposit pipelines remain strong and we expect to see a continuation of the positive trends that have led to our improved profitability. The system conversion for Pacific Mercantile is planned for November and we expect to have most of the cost savings in place by the end of the year. This will put us on track to fully realize the accretive benefits of this transaction starting in 2022. Combined with the strong organic growth that we are generating, we are well-positioned to continue delivering a higher level of earnings and returns.”

Lynn Hopkins, Chief Financial Officer of Banc of California, said, “We continue to execute well on our strategic initiatives, which is resulting in positive trends across most of our key metrics. Our cost of deposits continues to decline, our net interest margin is increasing, our efficiency ratio is improving, and our non-performing loans are declining. We continue to have a high level of liquidity, capital and reserves, which positions us well to continue supporting the profitable growth of our franchise. Along with our continued organic growth and the synergies to be realized from the Pacific Mercantile Bancorp acquisition, we also have additional opportunities to reduce our deposit costs as we continue to improve our mix of deposits and, subject to regulatory approval, redeem preferred stock that will further accelerate earnings growth.”

Merger with Pacific Mercantile Bancorp

On October 18, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Pacific Mercantile Bancorp (“PMBC”), pursuant to which PMBC merged (the “Merger”) with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation.

Under the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of PMBC common stock was converted into the right to receive 0.5 of a share of the Company's common stock. This resulted in the issuance of 11,856,713 shares of BOC common stock with an estimated fair value of $222.2 million based upon the $18.74 closing price of BANC’s common stock on October 18, 2021. In addition, at the effective time of the Merger, the Company paid cash for all outstanding PMBC share-based awards, including stock options and outstanding shares subject to unvested restricted stock awards for a total paid in cash at closing of $3.2 million based upon the volume weighted average common stock price of BANC on each of the last 20 trading days ending on the fifth trading day prior to the closing of the Merger. The aggregate purchase price totaled $225.4 million.

At September 30, 2021, PMBC had total gross loans of $982.4 million and total assets of $1.49 billion. Total deposits were $1.29 billion at September 30, 2021.

Income Statement Highlights

Net interest income

Q3-2021 vs Q2-2021

Net interest income increased $3.1 million to $63.0 million for the third quarter due to higher average interest-earning assets, lower cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and the impact of one additional day in the current quarter.

The net interest margin increased 1 basis point to 3.28% for the third quarter as the average earning-assets yield decreased 8 basis points and the average cost of total funding decreased 8 basis points. The yield on average interest-earning assets decreased to 3.73% for the third quarter from 3.81% for the second quarter due mostly to a reduction of prepayment penalties, offset by a higher level of accelerated PPP fees and an improved mix of earning assets. Average loans increased by $287.9 million while average securities and other interest-earning assets decreased $2.4 million. The average yield on loans decreased 12 basis points to 4.18% during the third quarter. The loan yield includes the impact of prepayment penalty fees, the net reversal or recapture of nonaccrual loan interest, accelerated discount accretion on the early payoff of purchased loans, and accelerated fees from PPP loan forgiveness; these items increased the loan yield by 11 basis points in the third quarter and 18 basis points in the second quarter. The average yield on securities decreased 3 basis point to 2.11% between quarters, including a 5 basis points decrease in the average yield on collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) to 1.82% for the third quarter due mostly to an increase in fair value of such investments.

The average cost of funds decreased 8 basis points to 0.49% for the third quarter from 0.57% for the second quarter. This decrease was driven by the lower average cost of interest-bearing liabilities and an improved funding mix, including higher average noninterest-bearing deposits. Average noninterest-bearing deposits represented 30% of total average deposits for the third quarter compared to 28% of total average deposits for the second quarter. Average noninterest-bearing deposits were $172.2 million higher in the third quarter compared to the second quarter while average deposits were $154.6 million higher for the linked quarters. Average Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances and other borrowings increased $126.3 million due to higher average overnight balances from loan portfolio growth during the third quarter. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 10 basis points to 0.67% for the third quarter from 0.77% for the second quarter due to our continuing efforts to actively manage down the cost of interest-bearing deposits. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits declined 10 basis points to 0.22% for the third quarter from 0.32% for the second quarter. The average cost of total deposits decreased 8 basis points to 0.15% for the third quarter. The spot rate of total deposits was 0.08% at the end of the third quarter.

YTD 2021 vs YTD 2020

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased $17.7 million to $180.7 million from $163.0 million for the same 2020 period. Net interest income was positively impacted by higher average interest-earning assets, lower average interest-bearing liabilities and improved funding costs, offset by lower yields on average interest-earning assets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, average interest-earning assets increased $305.7 million to $7.44 billion, and the net interest margin increased 20 basis points to 3.25% compared to 3.05% for the same 2020 period.

The net interest margin expanded due to a 52 basis point decrease in the average cost of funds outpacing a 29 basis point decline in the average interest-earning assets yield. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased to 3.77% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from 4.06% for the same 2020 period due mostly to the impact of lower market interest rates on loan and securities yields over this time period. The average fed funds rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was 0.08% compared to 0.47% for the same 2020 period. The average yield on loans was 4.26% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to 4.50% for the same 2020 period and the average yield on securities decreased 67 basis points to 2.13% due mostly to CLOs repricing into the lower rate environment.

The average cost of funds decreased to 0.56% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from 1.08% for the same 2020 period. This decrease was driven by the lower average cost of interest-bearing liabilities and the improved funding mix, including higher average noninterest-bearing deposits. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 59 basis points to 0.75% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 from 1.34% for the same 2020 period due to the combination of actively managing deposit pricing down into the lower interest rate environment and the overall reduced usage of FHLB advances to fund loan growth. Compared to the same 2020 period, the average cost of interest-bearing deposits declined 67 basis points to 0.31% and the average cost of total deposits decreased 54 basis points to 0.22%. Additionally, average noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $507.6 million or 39.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 when compared to the same 2020 period.

Provision for credit losses

Q3-2021 vs Q2-2021

There was a reversal of provision for credit losses of $1.1 million for the third quarter, compared to a reversal of $2.2 million for the second quarter. The third quarter reversal was due primarily to improvements in key macro-economic forecast variables, such as unemployment and gross domestic product, and consideration of credit quality metrics, offset partially by higher period end loan balances of $243.1 million.

YTD 2021 vs YTD 2020

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the provision for credit losses was a reversal of $4.4 million, compared to a provision of $28.7 million during the same 2020 period. The lower provision for credit losses was due primarily to improvements in key macro-economic forecast variables, such as unemployment and gross domestic product, lower specific reserves and consideration of credit quality metrics, offset partially by higher period end loan balances of $550.6 million.

Noninterest income

Q3-2021 vs Q2-2021

Noninterest income increased $1.3 million to $5.5 million for the third quarter due mostly to an increase in all other income. The $1.1 million increase in all other income was due mostly to an $841 thousand gain related to a sale-leaseback transaction of one branch location.

YTD 2021 vs YTD 2020

Noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased $2.5 million to $14.1 million compared to the same 2020 period. The increase in noninterest income was mainly due to higher customer service fees, lower fair value adjustment for loans held for sale and higher all other income, offset by lower net gain on sale of securities and loans. The $1.8 million increase in customer services fees was due to higher loan fees of $351 thousand and higher deposit activity fees of $1.5 million. The increase in deposit activity fees is attributed to higher average deposit balances and our initiative to bring our service fee schedules more in line with market. Fair value adjustment for loans held for sale improved $1.7 million as the comparable period included valuation losses on loans held for sale due to the impact of the decreases in market interest rates. There were no gains from sale of securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $2.0 million in net gains in the same 2020 period from the sale of $20.7 million in securities, primarily consisting of corporate securities. The $837 thousand increase in all other income is due mostly to the aforementioned gain related to the sale-leaseback transaction, higher rental income, interest rate swap income and processing fees, offset by lower legal settlement income and lower earnout income which ended in 2020.

Noninterest expense

Q3-2021 vs Q2-2021

Noninterest expense decreased $2.7 million to $37.8 million for the third quarter compared to the prior quarter. The decrease was due mostly to lower professional fees of $857 thousand, lower all other expense of $995 thousand and higher net gain in alternative energy partnership investments of $956 thousand, offset by higher merger-related costs of $300 thousand. Professional fees included net recoveries of indemnified legal expenses of $2.2 million in the third quarter compared to net recoveries of $1.3 million during the second quarter. The $995 thousand decrease in all other expense was due mostly to the third quarter including a gain on sale of other real estate owned of $365 thousand compared to $0 in the prior quarter, and higher equity investment income as the prior quarter included net losses of $727 thousand compared to $0 in the third quarter. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values include investments in privately held companies and limited partnerships and income or loss from these investments fluctuates based on their underlying performance. Total merger-related costs increased $300 thousand to $1.0 million for the third quarter compared to the prior quarter.

Total operating costs, defined as noninterest expense adjusted for certain expense items (refer to section Non-GAAP Measures), decreased $1.2 million to $40.7 million for the third quarter compared to $42.0 million for the prior quarter primarily due to the lower salaries and benefits, higher gain on sale of other real estate owned and lower losses on equity investments.

YTD 2021 vs YTD 2020

Noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 decreased $35.0 million to $125.1 million compared to the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to: (i) the same 2020 period including a $26.8 million one-time charge related to the termination of our LAFC naming rights agreements, (ii) lower professional fees of $9.0 million, due mostly to a $7.6 million decrease in legal fees, net of insurance recoveries, (iii) lower advertising fees of $2.8 million due to the termination of the LAFC agreements in May 2020, and (iv) lower all other expense of $4.2 million resulting from the previous year including a $2.5 million debt extinguishment fee for the early repayment of certain FHLB term advances and a $1.2 million charge for two legacy legal settlements combined with overall expense reduction efforts. These decreases were partially offset by higher (i) salaries and employee benefits of $4.6 million due to higher commissions and incentive-based compensation due to higher production and financial performance levels, (ii) merger-related costs of $2.4 million associated with the approved merger with PMB, and (iii) net losses in alternative energy partnership investments of $708 thousand.

Income taxes

Q3-2021 vs Q2-2021

Income tax expense totaled $8.7 million for the third quarter resulting in an effective tax rate of 27.2% compared to $6.6 million for the second quarter and an effective tax rate of 25.6%.

YTD 2021 vs YTD 2020

Income tax expense totaled $17.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, representing an effective tax rate of 23.6%, compared to an income tax benefit of $5.1 million and an effective tax rate of 35.9% for the same 2020 period. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 differs from the 29.5% combined federal and state statutory rate due primarily to the net tax benefit of $2.5 million resulting from the exercise of all previously issued outstanding stock appreciation rights in the first quarter of 2021 and other discrete tax items that impact our effective tax rate.

Balance Sheet

At September 30, 2021, total assets were $8.28 billion, which represented a linked-quarter increase of $251.3 million. The following table shows selected balance sheet line items as of the dates indicated:

Investments

Securities available-for-sale decreased $49.8 million during the third quarter to $1.30 billion at September 30, 2021 primarily due to payoffs of $35.5 million from CLO resets, principal payments of $8.5 million, and lower unrealized net gains of $5.4 million. The decrease in unrealized net gains was due mostly to decreases in the value of mortgage-backed securities as a result of increases in longer term interest rates during the third quarter, offset by improved pricing of CLOs and corporate debt securities. As of September 30, 2021, the securities portfolio included $549.3 million of CLOs, $448.6 million of agency securities, $120.4 million of municipal securities, $169.5 million of corporate debt securities, and $15.4 million of SBA pool securities. The CLO portfolio, which is comprised only of AA and AAA rated securities, represented 42% of the total securities portfolio and the carrying value included an unrealized net loss of $2.5 million at September 30, 2021 compared to an unrealized net loss of $3.0 million at June 30, 2021.

Loans

The following table sets forth the composition, by loan category, of our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

Held-for-investment loans increased $243.1 million to $6.23 billion from the prior quarter, resulting from higher commercial and industrial (C&I) loans related to warehouse credit facilities of $177.6 million, other C&I loans of $48.1 million and commercial real estate loans of $35.4 million. In addition, single-family residential loans increased by $105.5 million as a result of purchases of $249.4 million during the quarter offset by repayment activity within this portfolio. These increases were partially offset by decreases in multifamily loans of $30.2 million, construction loans of $20.0 million, and SBA loans of $72.3 million due mostly to the forgiveness of $79.2 million in PPP loans during the quarter. At September 30, 2021, SBA loans included $116.5 million of PPP loans, net of fees.

The C&I industry concentrations in dollars and as a percentage of total outstanding C&I loan balances are summarized in the following table:

Deposits

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

Total deposits increased $336.7 million during the third quarter of 2021 to $6.54 billion due to higher noninterest-bearing checking balances of $298.8 million and higher savings and money market balances of $67.3 million, offset by lower interest-bearing checking of $2.6 million, and non-brokered certificates of deposit of $26.8 million. We continue to focus on growing relationship-based deposits, strategically augmented by wholesale funding, as we actively managed down deposit costs in response to the current interest rate environment. Noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $2.11 billion and represented 32% of total deposits at September 30, 2021 compared to $1.81 billion, or 29% of total deposits, at June 30, 2021.

Debt

Advances from the FHLB decreased $84.7 million during the third quarter to $405.7 million as of September 30, 2021, due to lower overnight advances. At September 30, 2021, FHLB advances included no overnight borrowings and $411.0 million in term advances with a weighted average life of 4.2 years and weighted average interest rate of 2.53%. Other borrowings totaled $100.0 million at September 30, 2021 and related to unsecured overnight borrowing from various financial institutions through the American Financial Exchange platform.

Equity

At September 30, 2021, total stockholders’ equity increased by $15.4 million to $844.8 million and tangible common equity increased by $15.7 million to $710.9 million on a linked-quarter basis. The increase in total stockholders’ equity for the third quarter included net income of $23.2 million and share-based award compensation of $1.1 million, offset by lower net accumulated other comprehensive income of $3.8 million, dividends to common and preferred stockholders of $4.8 million and the impact of vested and exercised share-based awards of $0.3 million. Book value per share increased to $14.76 as of September 30, 2021 from $14.46 at June 30, 2021. Tangible book value per share increased to $13.99 as of September 30, 2021 from $13.69 at June 30, 2021.

Capital ratios remain strong with total risk-based capital at 14.76% and a tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.80% at September 30, 2021. The interim capital relief related to the adoption of the current expected credit losses (CECL) accounting standard increased the Bank's leverage ratio by approximately 8 basis points at September 30, 2021. The following table sets forth our regulatory capital ratios as of the dates indicated:

Credit Quality

Total delinquent loans increased $10.1 million in the third quarter to $45.1 million at September 30, 2021, due mostly to additions of $24.9 million, offset by $12.4 million returning to current status and $2.3 million in other reductions including paydowns. The additions included single-family residential (SFR) loans of $9.8 million, a C&I relationship of $6.6 million, and SBA loans of $7.6 million, including $5.0 million in guaranteed SBA loans that were repurchased and are pending resolution. Delinquent loans included SFR loans of $19.1 million, SBA loans of $14.9 million, of which $10.6 million is guaranteed, and other loans of $11.1 million.

Non-performing loans decreased $5.7 million to $45.6 million as of September 30, 2021, of which $22.7 million, or 50%, relates to loans in a current payment status. The third quarter decrease was due mostly to $4.6 million in loans returning to accrual status and $3.3 million in payoffs, paydowns and a note sale, offset by one $2.6 million guaranteed SBA loan that was repurchased and is pending resolution. At September 30, 2021, non-performing loans included (i) a legacy relationship totaling $7.0 million that is well-secured by a combination of commercial real estate and SFR properties with an average loan-to-value ratio of 50%, (ii) SFR loans totaling $16.5 million, (iii) SBA loans totaling $12.8 million, of which $8.7 million is guaranteed, and (iv) other commercial loans of $9.2 million.

In light of the pandemic, we provided support to clients by granting loan deferments or forbearances. The loans on deferment or forbearance status as of the dates indicated are shown below:

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for expected credit losses (ACL), which includes the reserve for unfunded loan commitments, totaled $78.8 million, or 1.26% of total loans, at September 30, 2021, compared to $79.7 million, or 1.33% of total loans, at June 30, 2021. The $942 thousand decrease in the ACL was due to: (i) lower general reserves of $1.9 million due to improved economic assumptions and asset quality trends, offset by higher period end portfolio balances, (ii) net recoveries of $205 thousand, and (iii) higher specific reserves of $828 thousand. The ACL coverage of non-performing loans was 173% at September 30, 2021 compared to 155% at June 30, 2021.

Our ACL methodology uses a nationally recognized, third-party model that includes many assumptions based on historical and peer loss data, current loan portfolio risk profile including risk ratings, and economic forecasts including macroeconomic variables (MEVs) released by our model provider during September 2021. The September 2021 forecasts reflect a more favorable view of the economy (i.e. higher GDP growth rates, higher CRE price indices and lower unemployment rates) compared to the June 2021 forecasts. While the current forecasts generally reflect an improving economy with the availability of the vaccine and other factors, there continues to be uncertainty regarding the impact of inflation (lasting or transitory), COVID-19 variants, further government stimulus, supply chain issues, and the ultimate pace of economic recovery. Accordingly, our economic assumptions, the resulting ACL level and provision reversal consider both the positive assumptions and potential uncertainties.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2021 financial results at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on Thursday, October 21, 2021. Interested parties are welcome to attend the conference call by dialing (888) 317-6003, and referencing event code 9764771. A live audio webcast will also be available and the webcast link will be posted on the Company’s Investor Relations website at www.bancofcal.com/investor. The slide presentation for the call will also be available on the Company's Investor Relations website prior to the call. A replay of the call will be made available approximately one hour after the call has ended on the Company’s Investor Relations website at www.bancofcal.com/investor or by dialing (877) 344-7529 and referencing event code 10157715.

About Banc of California, Inc.

Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC) is a bank holding company with $8.3 billion in assets at September 30, 2021 and one wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Banc of California, N.A. (the Bank). With the acquisition of PMBC completed on October 18, 2021, assets total $9.8 billion on a combined proforma basis at September 30, 2021. The Bank has 39 offices including 33 full-service branches located throughout Southern California. Through our dedicated professionals, we provide customized and innovative banking and lending solutions to businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals throughout California. We help to improve the communities where we live and work, by supporting organizations that provide financial literacy and job training, small business support and affordable housing. With a commitment to service and to building enduring relationships, we provide a higher standard of banking. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. For more information, please visit us at www.bancofcal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “Safe-Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to various factors, including those set forth from time to time in the documents filed or furnished by Banc of California, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition to those, statements about the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business, financial results and condition of Banc of California, Inc. and its subsidiaries may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual effects may differ, possibly materially, from what is reflected in those forward-looking statements due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable and in many cases beyond the control of Banc of California, Inc., including the scope and duration of the pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic, and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on Banc of California, Inc. and its subsidiaries, their customers and third parties. Further, statements about the potential effects of the Pacific Mercantile Bancorp acquisition on the business, financial results and condition of Banc of California, Inc. and its subsidiaries may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual effects may differ, possibly materially, from what is reflected in those forward-looking statements due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable and in many cases beyond the control of Banc of California, Inc., including (i) the risk that the benefits from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Banc of California Inc. and Pacific Mercantile Bancorp operate; (ii) the ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of Banc of California, Inc. and Pacific Mercantile Bancorp; (iii) the reaction to the transaction of the companies’ customers, employees and counterparties; (iv) diversion of management time on integration-related issues; (v) lower than expected revenues, credit quality deterioration or a reduction in real estate values or a reduction in net earnings; and (vi) other risks that are described in Banc of California, Inc.’s public filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and Banc of California, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any such statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date on which the forward-looking statement is made.