Cathay General Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results

CONFERENCE CALL

Cathay General Bancorp will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and year-end 2021 financial results this afternoon, Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 3:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Analysts and investors may dial in and participate in the question-and-answer session. To access the call, please dial 1-855-761-3186 and enter Conference ID 9375967. A presentation to accompany the earnings call will be available at www.cathaygeneralbancorp.com. A listen-only live Webcast of the call will be available at www.cathaygeneralbancorp.com and a recorded version is scheduled to be available for replay for 12 months after the call.

ABOUT CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

Cathay General Bancorp is the holding company for Cathay Bank, a California state-chartered bank. Founded in 1962, Cathay Bank offers a wide range of financial services. Cathay Bank currently operates 37 branches in California, 10 in New York State, four in Washington State, two in Illinois, two in Texas, one in each of Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, and Hong Kong, and a representative office in Taipei, Beijing, and Shanghai. Cathay Bank’s website is at www.cathaybank.com. Cathay General Bancorp’s website is at www.cathaygeneralbancorp.com. Information set forth on such websites is not incorporated into this press release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding management’s beliefs, projections, and assumptions concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, such words as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “hopes,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential,” “possible,” “optimistic,” “seeks,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” and variations of these words and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates, beliefs, projections, and assumptions of management and are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Such risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, adverse developments or conditions related to or arising from local, regional, national and international business, market and economic conditions and events (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) and the impact they may have on us, our customers and our operations, assets and liabilities; possible additional provisions for loan losses and charge-offs; credit risks of lending activities and deterioration in asset or credit quality; extensive laws and regulations and supervision that we are subject to including potential future supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities; increased costs of compliance and other risks associated with changes in regulation including the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; higher capital requirements from the implementation of the Basel III capital standards; compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other money laundering statutes and regulations; potential goodwill impairment; liquidity risk; fluctuations in interest rates; risks associated with acquisitions and the expansion of our business into new markets; inflation and deflation; real estate market conditions and the value of real estate collateral; our ability to generate anticipated returns on our investments and financings, including in tax-advantaged projects; environmental liabilities; our ability to compete with larger competitors; our ability to retain key personnel; successful management of reputational risk; natural disasters, public health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) and geopolitical events; general economic or business conditions in Asia, and other regions where Cathay Bank has operations; failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems; our ability to adapt our systems to technological changes; risk management processes and strategies; adverse results in legal proceedings; certain provisions in our charter and bylaws that may affect acquisition of the Company; changes in accounting standards or tax laws and regulations; market disruption and volatility; restrictions on dividends and other distributions by laws and regulations and by our regulators and our capital structure; issuance of preferred stock; successfully raising additional capital, if needed, and the resulting dilution of interests of holders of our common stock; the soundness of other financial institutions; and general competitive, economic political, and market conditions and fluctuations.

These and other factors are further described in Cathay General Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (Item 1A in particular), other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and other filings Cathay General Bancorp makes with the SEC from time to time. Actual results in any future period may also vary from the past results discussed in this press release. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances, developments or events occurring after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
		Three months ended												Year ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				December 31, 2020				2021				2020
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Net interest income before (reversal)/provision for credit losses		$	155,452			$	152,484			$	139,820			$	597,755			$	552,110
(Reversal)/provision for credit losses			3,500				3,050				(5,000	)			(16,008	)			57,500
Net interest income after (reversal)/provision for credit losses			151,952				149,434				144,820				613,763				494,610
Non-interest income			19,804				12,216				11,451				54,603				42,820
Non-interest expense			73,197				72,215				75,046				286,523				283,465
Income before income tax expense			98,559				89,435				81,225				381,843				253,965
Income tax expense			23,234				17,038				10,332				83,539				25,105
Net income		$	75,325			$	72,397			$	70,893			$	298,304			$	228,860
Net income per common share
Basic		$	0.98			$	0.93			$	0.89			$	3.81			$	2.88
Diluted		$	0.98			$	0.93			$	0.89			$	3.80			$	2.87
Cash dividends paid per common share		$	0.34			$	0.31			$	0.31			$	1.27			$	1.24
SELECTED RATIOS
Return on average assets			1.48	%			1.45	%			1.50	%			1.52	%			1.22	%
Return on average total stockholders’ equity			12.12	%			11.61	%			11.75	%			12.11	%			9.70	%
Efficiency ratio			41.77	%			43.85	%			49.61	%			43.92	%			47.65	%
Dividend payout ratio			34.50	%			33.34	%			34.80	%			33.30	%			43.12	%
YIELD ANALYSIS (Fully taxable equivalent)
Total interest-earning assets			3.52	%			3.56	%			3.74	%			3.59	%			3.96	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			0.41	%			0.48	%			0.86	%			0.52	%			1.14	%
Net interest spread			3.11	%			3.08	%			2.88	%			3.07	%			2.82	%
Net interest margin			3.23	%			3.22	%			3.12	%			3.22	%			3.12	%
CAPITAL RATIOS		December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio			12.80	%			13.29	%			13.52	%
Total risk-based capital ratio			14.41	%			14.93	%			15.45	%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio			10.40	%			10.67	%			10.94	%
		.								.				.

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)				December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
Assets
Cash and due from banks				$	134,141			$	156,287			$	138,616
Short-term investments and interest bearing deposits					2,315,563				1,667,875				1,282,462
Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $1,126,867 at December 31, 2021, $1,073,074 at September 30, 2021 and $1,019,230 at December 31, 2020)					1,127,309				1,079,216				1,036,550
Loans					16,342,479				15,976,781				15,644,396
	Less:	Allowance for loan losses			(136,157	)			(131,945	)			(166,538	)
		Unamortized deferred loan fees, net			(4,321	)			(3,835	)			(2,494	)
		Loans, net			16,202,001				15,841,001				15,475,364
Equity securities					22,319				20,117				23,744
Federal Home Loan Bank stock					17,250				17,250				17,250
Other real estate owned, net					4,368				5,251				4,918
Affordable housing investments and alternative energy partnerships, net					299,211				313,517				309,016
Premises and equipment, net					99,402				100,344				102,998
Customers’ liability on acceptances					8,112				13,185				13,753
Accrued interest receivable					56,994				56,844				59,032
Goodwill					372,189				372,189				372,189
Other intangible assets, net					4,627				4,831				5,434
Right-of-use assets-operating leases					27,834				29,179				30,919
Other assets					195,403				183,354				170,889
	Total assets			$	20,886,723			$	19,860,440			$	19,043,134
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits				$	4,492,054			$	4,024,504			$	3,365,086
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW deposits					2,522,442				2,202,956				1,926,135
Money market deposits					4,611,579				4,132,912				3,359,191
Savings deposits					915,515				920,138				785,672
Time deposits					5,517,252				5,726,360				6,673,317
Total deposits					18,058,842				17,006,870				16,109,401
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank					20,000				20,000				150,000
Other borrowings for affordable housing investments					23,145				23,197				23,714
Long-term debt					119,136				119,136				119,136
Acceptances outstanding					8,112				13,185				13,753
Lease liabilities – operating leases					30,694				32,028				33,484
Other liabilities					180,544				182,733				175,502
Total liabilities					18,440,473				17,397,149				16,624,990
Stockholders’ equity					2,446,250				2,463,291				2,418,144
Total liabilities and equity				$	20,886,723			$	19,860,440			$	19,043,134
Book value per common share				$	32.29			$	31.89			$	30.41
Number of common shares outstanding					75,750,862				77,240,215				79,508,265

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
		Three months ended										Year ended December 31,
		December 31, 2021			September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020				2021			2020
		(In thousands, except share and per share data)
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
Loan receivable, including loan fees		$	164,062		$	163,948		$	163,618			$	649,224		$	677,193
Investment securities			4,188			3,707			3,469				14,151			20,599
Federal Home Loan Bank stock			261			258			217				991			952
Deposits with banks			678			714			292				2,145			1,830
Total interest and dividend income			169,189			168,627			167,596				666,511			700,574
INTEREST EXPENSE
Time deposits			7,179			9,299			19,416				40,542			111,629
Other deposits			4,957			5,243			5,725				21,259			25,396
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank			146			146			1,180				1,182			5,299
Long-term debt			1,455			1,455			1,455				5,773			5,791
Deferred payments from acquisition			—			—			—				—			115
Short-term borrowings			—			—			—				—			234
Total interest expense			13,737			16,143			27,776				68,756			148,464
Net interest income before (reversal)/provision for credit losses			155,452			152,484			139,820				597,755			552,110
(Reversal)/provision for credit losses			3,500			3,050			(5,000	)			(16,008	)		57,500
Net interest income after (reversal)/provision for credit losses			151,952			149,434			144,820				613,763			494,610
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Net gains/(losses) from equity securities			2,202			3			780				(1,426	)		(1,148	)
Securities gains, net			—			—			542				853			1,695
Letters of credit commissions			1,867			1,764			1,749				7,103			6,741
Depository service fees			1,477			1,401			1,271				5,584			4,949
Other operating income			14,258			9,048			7,109				42,489			30,583
Total non-interest income			19,804			12,216			11,451				54,603			42,820
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits			33,878			33,437			31,545				132,795			124,022
Occupancy expense			5,176			5,136			5,199				20,318			20,634
Computer and equipment expense			3,456			3,175			2,915				13,549			11,133
Professional services expense			6,968			6,232			6,270				23,666			21,856
Data processing service expense			3,185			3,524			3,893				13,607			14,897
FDIC and State assessments			1,937			1,830			2,145				7,132			8,999
Marketing expense			1,643			945			1,334				6,913			5,224
Other real estate owned expense/(income)			146			(88	)		138				343			(3,091	)
Amortization of investments in low income housing and alternative energy partnerships			10,784			12,411			15,228				45,447			58,225
Amortization of core deposit intangibles			172			172			172				687			687
Cost associated with debt redemption			—			—			693				732			693
Acquisition, integration and reorganization costs			949			476			—				1,425			—
Other operating expense			4,903			4,965			5,514				19,909			20,186
Total non-interest expense			73,197			72,215			75,046				286,523			283,465
Income before income tax expense			98,559			89,435			81,225				381,843			253,965
Income tax expense			23,234			17,038			10,332				83,539			25,105
Net income		$	75,325		$	72,397		$	70,893			$	298,304		$	228,860
Net income per common share:
Basic		$	0.98		$	0.93		$	0.89			$	3.81		$	2.88
Diluted		$	0.98		$	0.93		$	0.89			$	3.80		$	2.87
Cash dividends paid per common share		$	0.34		$	0.31		$	0.31			$	1.27		$	1.24
Basic average common shares outstanding			76,566,481			77,846,424			79,540,694				78,268,369			79,584,560
Diluted average common shares outstanding			76,914,817			78,153,408			79,834,150				78,570,638			79,777,847

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AVERAGE BALANCES – SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
		Three months ended
(In thousands)		December 31, 2021					September 30, 2021					December 31, 2020
Interest-earning assets		Average Balance		Average Yield/Rate (1)			Average Balance		Average Yield/Rate (1)			Average Balance		Average Yield/Rate (1)
Loans (1)		$	16,130,896	4.04	%		$	15,798,496	4.12	%		$	15,569,490	4.18	%
Taxable investment securities			1,152,596	1.44	%			1,058,004	1.39	%			1,073,058	1.29	%
FHLB stock			17,250	6.00	%			17,250	5.93	%			17,250	5.00	%
Deposits with banks			1,779,275	0.15	%			1,893,785	0.15	%			1,156,764	0.10	%
Total interest-earning assets		$	19,080,017	3.52	%		$	18,767,535	3.56	%		$	17,816,562	3.74	%
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing demand deposits		$	2,217,341	0.08	%		$	2,109,632	0.10	%		$	1,694,831	0.15	%
Money market deposits			4,393,816	0.39	%			4,228,025	0.43	%			3,295,103	0.59	%
Savings deposits			932,678	0.08	%			914,540	0.07	%			797,438	0.11	%
Time deposits			5,604,073	0.51	%			5,882,576	0.63	%			6,687,731	1.15	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		$	13,147,908	0.37	%		$	13,134,773	0.44	%		$	12,475,103	0.80	%
Other borrowed funds			43,186	1.34	%			43,246	1.34	%			237,467	1.98	%
Long-term debt			119,136	4.85	%			119,136	4.84	%			119,136	4.86	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			13,310,230	0.41	%			13,297,155	0.48	%			12,831,706	0.86	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits			4,162,906					3,830,485					3,365,075
Total deposits and other borrowed funds		$	17,473,136				$	17,127,640				$	16,196,781
Total average assets		$	20,176,429				$	19,812,508				$	18,843,635
Total average equity		$	2,466,363				$	2,473,223				$	2,400,494
		Year ended
(In thousands)		December 31, 2021					December 31, 2020
Interest-earning assets		Average Balance		Average Yield/Rate (1)			Average Balance		Average Yield/Rate (1)
Loans (1)		$	15,827,550	4.10	%		$	15,500,910	4.37	%
Taxable investment securities			1,046,187	1.35	%			1,215,957	1.69	%
FHLB stock			17,250	5.74	%			17,300	5.50	%
Deposits with banks			1,649,564	0.13	%			960,276	0.19	%
Total interest-earning assets		$	18,540,551	3.59	%		$	17,694,443	3.96	%
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing demand deposits		$	2,047,177	0.11	%		$	1,591,924	0.18	%
Money market deposits			4,034,246	0.45	%			2,903,837	0.74	%
Savings deposits			897,663	0.09	%			759,581	0.13	%
Time deposits			5,979,191	0.68	%			7,268,738	1.54	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		$	12,958,277	0.48	%		$	12,524,080	1.09	%
Other borrowed funds			75,516	1.57	%			326,023	1.73	%
Long-term debt			119,136	4.85	%			119,136	4.86	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			13,152,929	0.52	%			12,969,239	1.14	%
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits			3,751,626					3,158,828
Total deposits and other borrowed funds		$	16,904,555				$	16,128,067
Total average assets		$	19,591,538				$	18,736,854
Total average equity		$	2,463,021				$	2,359,735

(1) Yields and interest earned include net loan fees. Non-accrual loans are included in the average balance.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220126006064/en/

Heng W. Chen

(626) 279-3652

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Finance

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