« Previous | All Messages |  ABNS Message Board Home | recommend post |  Ignore Poster

ABNS News Alliance Bancshares California Announces Record Net Earnings for the Year Ending December 31, 2006

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alliance Bancshares California (OTCBB:ABNS), the holding company of Alliance Bank, announced record net earnings of $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, up 29% from $6.2 million in 2005. Earnings per share were $1.10 (basic) and $1.05 (diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $0.93 (basic) and $0.90 (diluted) for 2005. Net earnings are calculated before preferred stock dividend payments. Financial results for the year ended December 31, 2006, are as yet unaudited.

Total assets rose to $875.8 million at December 31, 2006, up 30% from $675.0 million at December 31, 2005. Total deposits reached $716.9 million as of December 31, 2006, a 35% gain from $531.3 million a year ago. All categories of deposits increased during 2006, especially certificates of deposit which were 45% higher at December 31, 2006 than 2005. Net loans increased to $700.5 million as of December 31, 2006, a 28% rise from $545.4 million on December 31, 2005. All categories of loans were higher at December 31, 2006; real estate loans were up 21%, construction loans up 33% and commercial loans increased 34%.

Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased from $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, to $38.7 million for the same period in 2006. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a $245.6 million increase in average interest earning assets as well as a 128 basis point increase in the weighted average yield of those interest earning assets. This increase was offset by a $223.3 million increase in average interest bearing liabilities as well as a 119 basis point increase in the weighted average rate paid on those interest bearing liabilities. Total non-interest expense rose from $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, to $23.9 million for the same period in 2006. Contributing to the increased expenses were additions to staff and increased incentive and bonus payments due to the increased size and profitability of the Company. At December 31, 2006, Alliance had 137 full-time employees compared to 99 employees one year earlier.

The provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $3.9 million, an increase from $2.5 million from the year ended December 31, 2005, mostly due to the increase in the size of the loan portfolio. The Bank’s loan loss reserve now stands at 1.3% of total loans with the reserve at $9.2 million on December 31, 2006, up from $6.1 million one year earlier.

The Bank’s total capital and reserves reached $90.3 million at December 31, 2006 up $20.8 million from $69.5 million one year earlier. The increase was due to the retention of earnings, an increase in the loan loss reserve and the issuance of $10.3 million of junior subordinated debentures. Both Alliance Bancshares California and Alliance Bank met all regulatory capital requirements and the Bank continues to be “well capitalized” as defined by applicable regulations.

Chairman and CEO Curtis S. Reis commented:

“We have just completed another outstanding year at Alliance. We expect to pass the $1 billion mark in total assets during 2007. Ten years ago our total assets were but $66 million. In my wildest dreams then, I never would have predicted the totals we now have reached. The best part is that we have done it without any acquisitions and we have grown our earnings commensurately. Back in 1997, we earned $500 thousand as compared to $8 million in 2006.

“We will be opening our fifth regional office in West Los Angeles on Wilshire Boulevard this spring. We have added new talented people in virtually every area of the Bank which has helped make our success possible. During our strategic planning late last year, we reaffirmed our desire to remain independent and to continue to grow at a rate that will try to ensure that earnings keep pace. We believe that the long term outlook for Alliance is positive.”

Alliance Bank is one of the leading independent business banks headquartered in Southern California, offering a wide range of financial solutions tailored to businesses, developers, executives and professionals. Serving small to mid-sized businesses, Alliance Bank's strategy focuses on delivering progressive products and services including deposit and cash management services as well as commercial, small business, asset-based, construction and real estate financing. Founded in 1980, Alliance Bank is the principal subsidiary of Alliance Bancshares California, with regional banking offices in Culver City, Irvine, Woodland Hills, Burbank and in 2007 in West Los Angeles. Alliance can be found on the Web at www.allbank.com. The shares are traded over-the-counter on the Bulletin Board under the symbol (ABNS.OB).

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in the news release that are not historical facts or which refer to the Company's expectations or beliefs constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company's future performance or financial condition are based on current information and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expected at this time. These risks and uncertainties relate to such matters as, but are not limited to: increased competition from other financial institutions; changes in local national economic conditions and changes in Federal Reserve Board monetary policies, which could cause interest rates to increase, and loan demand to decline, and thereby reduce the Bank's net margins and operating results; increased government regulation which could increase the costs of operations; the Company's ability to successfully enter new markets or introduce new financial products or services; the costs and the possible adverse impact on operating results of planned growth and expansion; and continued performance of the Company's loan portfolio.

These, as well as other factors and uncertainties, are discussed in greater detail in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10Q. Readers are urged to review those reports and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company also disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.