Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Reports 2009 Third-Quarter Results

Company Release - 10/16/2009

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCBB:FMBL) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

"Results for the third quarter were positive, despite the continuing challenges in the general economy," said Henry Walker, chief executive officer of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach. "We have experienced a level of stabilization in our loan portfolio, as we continue to maintain a conservative approach with regard to lending practices.

"These times call for closely monitoring all aspects of our business while we further our fundamental objective to continuously improve the customer experience, whether in person or online," Walker added.

Income Statement

For the 2009 third quarter, interest income increased 5.7% to $48.0 million from $45.4 million in the comparable prior-year period, principally reflecting growth in the Bank's loan portfolio and investment securities. Interest income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 rose to $142.7 million, from $135.4 million reported for the same period in 2008.

Interest expense for the 2009 third quarter declined to $4.3 million, from $8.9 million for the third quarter of 2008, primarily related to the declining interest rate environment. Interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 declined to $14.6 million, from $28.0 million for the year-to-date period in 2008.

Net interest income for the 2009 third quarter rose 19.7% to $43.6 million from $36.4 million for the third quarter of 2008. Net interest income increased to $128.1 million for the first nine months of 2009, from $107.5 million for the same period in 2008.

The Bank's provision for loan losses was $7.7 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared with $10.0 million in the second quarter of 2009, and $19.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. Provision for loan losses totaled $25.7 million for the first nine months of 2009, versus $29.3 million for the same period in 2008. The Bank's allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans outstanding was 2.92% at September 30, 2009, compared with 2.75% at June 30, 2009.

Non-interest income was $3.3 million for the 2009 third quarter, versus $3.5 million for the third quarter a year ago. Non-interest income was $9.5 million for the first nine months of 2009, compared with $11.0 million for the same period in 2008.

Non-interest expense for the 2009 third quarter was $19.8 million, versus $14.8 million for the same period a year ago. Non-interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 was $60.3 million, compared with $46.7 million for the same period a year ago. The increase in non-interest expense was principally attributable to other real estate owned expenses and significantly higher FDIC insurance premiums following the failure of a number of U.S. banks.

The Bank's net income for the 2009 third quarter rose to $11.4 million, or $87.35 per diluted share, from $4.0 million, or $30.24 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago. The Bank's net income for the first nine months of 2009 increased to $30.6 million, or $233.51 per diluted share, from $26.8 million, or $195.06 per diluted share for the same period in 2008.

Balance Sheet

At September 30, 2009, net loans increased to $1.97 billion from $1.95 billion at December 31, 2008. The Bank's deposits totaled $2.82 billion at the end of the 2009 third quarter, up from $2.68 billion at December 31, 2008. Non-interest bearing deposits represented 30.7% of total deposits at September 30, 2009, versus 30.3% of total deposits at December 31, 2008. Total assets increased to $3.94 billion at the close of the 2009 third quarter, compared with $3.64 billion at December 31, 2008.

At September 30, 2009, Farmers & Merchants Bank remained "well-capitalized" under all regulatory categories, with a total risk-based capital ratio of 26.46%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 25.19%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 14.30%. The minimum ratios for capital adequacy for a well-capitalized bank are 10.00%, 6.00% and 5.00%, respectively.

"Our balance sheet reflects the sound strategies that have been in place at Farmers & Merchants Bank for more than a century," said Daniel Walker, president and chairman of the board. "The Bank's strong capital ratios represent management's dedication to serving in the best interests of our customers and shareholders at a time when liquidity is a highly valued attribute in our industry."

About Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach provides personal and business banking services through 22 offices in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Founded in 1907 by C.J. Walker, the Bank specializes in commercial and small business banking along with business loan programs.

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK OF LONG BEACH

Balance Sheets (unaudited)

                                              Sept. 30, 2009     Dec. 31, 2008

Assets

Cash and due from banks:

Noninterest-bearing balances                $ 55,039,793       $ 59,028,599

Interest-bearing balances                     90,115,934         150,668,294

Investment securities                         1,701,437,709      1,386,358,588

Gross loans                                   2,033,454,284      2,000,951,253

Allowance for loan losses                     (59,380,003   )    (53,794,344   )

Net loans                                     1,974,074,281      1,947,156,909

Bank premises and equipment                   53,365,215         55,531,620

Other real estate owned                       21,333,246         -

Accrued interest receivable                   17,099,346         14,853,715

Other assets                                  30,376,945         23,674,204

Total assets                                $ 3,942,842,469    $ 3,637,271,929

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

Liabilities:

Deposits:

Demand, non-interest bearing                $ 866,629,609      $ 809,671,161

Demand, interest bearing                      232,443,425        225,485,095

Savings and money market savings              621,962,707        507,521,371

Time deposits                                 1,097,655,374      1,133,141,414

Total deposits                                2,818,691,115      2,675,819,041

Federal funds purchased                       5,000,000          -

Securities sold under agreements to           516,901,275        393,201,735
repurchase

Accrued interest payable and other            17,423,675         7,329,241
liabilities

Total liabilities                             3,358,016,065      3,076,350,017

Stockholders' Equity:

Common Stock, par value $20; authorized
250,000 shares; issued and outstanding        2,618,560          2,618,560
130,928 shares

Surplus                                       12,043,783         12,043,783

Retained earnings                             558,999,056        536,674,669

Other comprehensive income                    11,165,005         9,584,900

Total stockholders' equity                    584,826,404        560,921,912

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 3,942,842,469    $ 3,637,271,929



FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK OF LONG BEACH

Income Statements (unaudited)

                     Three Months ended Sept. 30,    Nine Months ended Sept. 30,

                     2009          2008              2009           2008

Interest income:

Loans              $ 30,452,442  $ 28,944,210      $ 91,565,448   $ 84,889,034

Securities held      12,776,531    10,828,806        36,767,590     33,307,788
to maturity

Securities
available for        4,544,140     5,038,316         13,985,412     15,441,753
sale

Federal funds        -             572,637           -              1,803,207
sold

Deposits with        178,870       -                 369,813        -
banks

Total interest       47,951,983    45,383,969        142,688,263    135,441,782
income

Interest expense:

Deposits             3,595,670     7,169,001         12,586,435     21,045,916

Securities sold
under agreement      726,658       1,766,395         2,008,286      6,903,900
to repurchase

Federal funds        -             1,936             -              11,596
purchased

Total interest       4,322,328     8,937,332         14,594,721     27,961,412
expense

Net interest         43,629,655    36,446,637        128,093,542    107,480,370
income

Provision for        7,700,000     19,512,368        25,700,000     29,250,101
loan losses

Net interest
income after         35,929,655    16,934,269        102,393,542    78,230,269
provision for
loan losses

Non-interest
income:

Service charges
on deposit           1,443,983     1,536,537         4,403,680      4,403,609
accounts

Merchant bankcard    331,265       421,477           893,290        1,129,247
fees

Escrow fees          228,592       288,082           521,217        944,405

Other                1,320,718     1,230,536         3,651,444      4,531,711

Total
non-interest         3,324,558     3,476,632         9,469,631      11,008,972
income

Non-interest
expense:

Salaries and         10,009,980    9,040,295         30,133,043     29,793,658
employee benefits

FDIC and other       1,377,380     565,357           5,365,458      884,657
insurance expense

Occupancy expense    1,663,530     1,525,944         4,556,385      4,162,140

Equipment expense    1,240,237     1,095,396         3,739,455      3,106,125

Other real estate
owned expense,       3,209,810     -                 8,625,041      -
net

Legal and            579,433       563,856           1,658,906      1,888,107
professional fees

Marketing and
promotional          389,119       526,950           1,401,614      1,896,540
expense

Printing and         225,997       201,690           727,317        748,292
supplies

Postage and          309,435       353,590           984,179        988,168
delivery

Other                807,239       913,214           3,080,519      3,258,663

Total
non-interest         19,812,160    14,786,292        60,271,917     46,726,350
expense

Income before
income tax           19,442,053    5,624,610         51,591,256     42,512,891
expense

Income tax           8,006,120     1,666,384         21,018,404     15,721,105
expense:

Net income         $ 11,435,933  $ 3,958,225       $ 30,572,852   $ 26,791,786

Basic earnings     $ 87.35       $ 30.24           $ 233.51       $ 195.06
per common share

Diluted earnings   $ 87.35       $ 30.24           $ 233.51       $ 195.06
per common share



    Source: Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach
Contact: Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach John Hinrichs, Executive Vice President 562-437-0011, ext. 5035 or PondelWilkinson Inc. Corporate and Investor Relations Evan Pondel, 310-279-5980 investor@pondel.com