LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cathay General Bancorp (the "Company") , the holding company for Cathay Bank (the "Bank"), today announced results for the fourth quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2007.
STRONG FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31, 2007 2006 2007 2006 Net income $30.9 million $30.5 million $125.5 million $117.6 million Basic earnings per share $0.62 $0.59 $2.49 $2.29 Diluted earnings per share $0.62 $0.58 $2.46 $2.27 Return on average assets 1.23% 1.54% 1.38% 1.60% Return on average stockholders' equity 12.70% 13.03% 13.28% 13.61% Efficiency ratio 38.62% 38.82% 38.38% 37.88% FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS -- Fourth quarter earnings increased $392,000, or 1.3%, compared to the same quarter a year ago. -- Diluted earnings per share reached $0.62, increasing 6.9% compared to the same quarter a year ago. -- Return on average assets was 1.23% for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, compared to 1.46% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, and 1.54% for the same quarter a year ago. -- Return on average stockholders' equity was 12.70% for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, compared to 14.45% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, and 13.03% for the same quarter a year ago. -- Gross loans increased by $244.2 million, or 3.8%, for the quarter to $6.7 billion at December 31, 2007, from $6.4 billion at September 30, 2007. -- Total assets were $10.4 billion at December 31, 2007, which increased by $774.2 million, or 8.0%, from $9.6 billion at September 30, 2007. FULL YEAR HIGHLIGHTS -- Record net income for 2007 was $125.5 million, which increased $7.9 million, or 6.7%, over 2006. This strong earnings performance resulted in an increase of 8.4% in diluted earnings per share to $2.46 compared with diluted earnings per share of $2.27 a year ago. -- Total assets increased by $2.4 billion, or 29.5%, to $10.4 billion at December 31, 2007, from year-end 2006 of $8.0 billion. -- Gross loans increased $936.1 million, or 16.3%, to $6.7 billion at December 31, 2007, from $5.7 billion at December 31, 2006. -- Deposit balances at December 31, 2007, grew to $6.3 billion, an increase of $603.1 million, or 10.6%, compared to deposit balances of $5.7 billion at December 31, 2006.
"We are pleased to report another year of record earnings despite this challenging economic environment. We continue to focus on credit quality and maintaining strong capital levels," commented Dunson Cheng, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the Company.
"We are concentrating on increasing core deposits and managing the cost of deposits in this declining interest rate environment," said Peter Wu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer.
"We are optimistic that 2008 should be another year of solid growth for Cathay General Bancorp as our operations outside of California gain increased momentum," concluded Dunson Cheng.
INCOME STATEMENT REVIEW
The comparability of financial information is affected by our acquisitions. Operating results included the operations of acquired entities from the date of acquisition.
Net interest income before provision for loan losses
Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased $8.0 million, or 11.1%, to $80.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2007 from $72.4 million during the same quarter a year ago. The increase was due primarily to the strong growth in loans and investment securities.
The net interest margin, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, was 3.43% for the fourth quarter of 2007. The net interest margin decreased 26 basis points from 3.69% in the third quarter of 2007 and decreased 58 basis points from 4.01% in the fourth quarter of 2006. The decrease in the net interest margin from the same quarter a year ago was primarily a result of the lag in the downward repricing of certificates of deposit. The decrease in the net interest margin from the third quarter of 2007 was primarily due to a significant increase in the average balance for investment securities, which have a lower yield compared to loans, and the lag in the downward repricing of certificates of deposit.
For the fourth quarter of 2007, the yield on average interest-earning assets was 7.01% on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, and the cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities equaled 4.12%. In comparison, for the fourth quarter of 2006, the yield on average interest-earning assets was 7.53% and cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities equaled 4.20%. The interest spread, defined as the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of funds on average interest-bearing liabilities, decreased to 2.89% for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, from 3.33% for the same quarter a year ago primarily due to the reasons discussed above.
Provision for loan losses
The provision for loan losses was $5.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to zero provision for loan losses for the fourth quarter of 2006 and a $2.2 million provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2007. The provision for loan losses was $11.0 million for 2007 and $2.0 million for 2006. The provision for loan losses was based on the review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2007. The provision for loan losses represents the charge or credit against current earnings that is determined by management, through a credit review process, as the amount needed to establish an allowance that management believes to be sufficient to absorb loan losses inherent in the Company's loan portfolio. The following table summarizes the charge-offs and recoveries for the periods as indicated:
For the three months For the year ended December 31, ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) 2007 2006 2007 2006 Charge-offs: Commercial loans $1,250 $1,147 $7,503 $1,985 Construction loans 788 -- 978 -- Real estate loans 540 -- 1,570 3 Installment and other loans 22 38 23 42 Total charge-offs 2,600 1,185 10,074 2,030 Recoveries: Commercial loans 114 299 3,025 1,243 Construction loans -- -- 190 -- Real estate loans 63 37 265 41 Installment and other loans 5 6 32 31 Total recoveries 182 342 3,512 1,315 Net Charge-offs / (Recoveries) $2,418 $843 $6,562 $715 Non-interest income
Non-interest income, which includes revenues from depository service fees, letters of credit commissions, securities gains (losses), gains (losses) on loan sales, wire transfer fees, gains from sales of premises and equipment and other sources of fee income, was $6.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, an increase of $1.4 million, or 25.8%, compared to non-interest income of $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. Non-interest income increased in the fourth quarter of 2007 primarily due to higher venture capital gains of $756,000, an increase in gains on sale of available-for-sale securities of $577,000 and an increase in letter of credit commissions of $240,000, or 17.6% partially offset by a $746,000 other-than-temporary impairment write-down of the Company's investment in the common stock of Broadway Financial Corporation.
Non-interest expense
Non-interest expense increased $3.5 million, or 11.5%, to $33.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to $30.1 million in the same quarter a year ago. The efficiency ratio was 38.62% for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to 38.82% in the year ago quarter and 37.46% for the third quarter of 2007.
The increase of non-interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to the following:
-- Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.8 million, or 10.7%, due primarily to the Company's acquisitions, the hiring of additional staff and higher bonus accruals. -- Occupancy expense increased $406,000, or 15.2%, primarily due to the opening of new branches. -- Professional services expense increased $757,000, or 40.1%, due primarily to increases of $438,000 in collection expenses because collection expenses in the fourth quarter of 2006 were low as a result of reimbursements from borrowers, and an increase in consulting expenses of $122,000 related to a new telephone system. -- Expense from operations of affordable housing investments increased $331,000, or 24.5%, to $1.7 million compared to $1.4 million in the same quarter a year ago as a result of additional investments in affordable housing projects. -- Other operating expense increased $392,000, or 17.5%, primarily due to increases in communication expenses, recruiting expenses, seminar expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses. Income taxes
The effective tax rate was 35.2% for the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to 35.7% for the same quarter a year ago, and 36.2% for the full year 2007, and 36.4% for the full year 2006.
BALANCE SHEET REVIEW
Total assets increased by $2.4 billion, or 29.5%, to $10.4 billion at December 31, 2007, from year-end 2006 total assets of $8.0 billion. The increase in total assets was represented primarily by increases in loans, investment securities and securities purchased under agreements to resell.
Securities purchased under agreements to resell increased $516.1 million and long-term certificates of deposit increased $50.0 million in 2007 due to attractive rates available on these investments. Securities available-for-sale increased by $825.4 million in 2007 primarily due to purchases of agency mortgage backed securities.
The growth of gross loans to $6.7 billion as of December 31, 2007, from $5.7 billion as of December 31, 2006, represents an increase of $936.1 million, or 16.3%, primarily due to increases in commercial mortgage loans and commercial loans and $38.6 million from the acquisition of United Heritage Bank on March 30, 2007.
The changes in the loan composition from December 31, 2006, are presented below:
Type of Loans: December 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 %Change (Dollars in thousands) Commercial $1,432,694 $1,243,756 15 Residential mortgage 555,703 455,949 22 Commercial mortgage 3,762,689 3,226,658 17 Equity lines 108,004 118,473 (9) Real estate construction 802,397 685,206 17 Installment 15,099 13,257 14 Other 7,059 4,247 66 Gross loans and leases $6,683,645 $5,747,546 16 Allowance for loan losses (64,983) (60,220) 8 Unamortized deferred loan fees (10,583) (11,984) (12) Total loans and leases, net $6,608,079 $5,675,342 16
Total deposits increased $603.1 million, or 10.6%, to $6.3 billion at December 31, 2007, from $5.7 billion at December 31, 2006, of which $54.2 million resulted from the acquisition of United Heritage Bank at March 30, 2007. The changes in the deposit composition from December 31, 2006, are presented below:
Deposits December 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 %Change (Dollars in thousands) Non-interest-bearing demand $785,364 $781,492 0 NOW 231,583 239,589 (3) Money market 681,783 657,689 4 Savings 331,316 358,827 (8) Time deposits under $100,000 1,311,251 1,007,637 30 Time deposits of $100,000 or more 2,937,070 2,630,072 12 Total deposits $6,278,367 $5,675,306 11
At December 31, 2007, brokered deposits increased $384.9 million to $632.6 million from $247.7 million at December 31, 2006.
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase increased $991.0 million from $400.0 million at December 31, 2006, to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2007. Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank increased $660.5 million to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2007, compared to $714.7 million at December 31, 2006. Long-term debt increased $67.0 million from $104.1 million at December 31, 2006 to $171.1 million at December 31, 2007.
ASSET QUALITY REVIEW
At December 31, 2007, total non-accrual loans included two construction loans totaling $12.6 million ($6.6 million in Los Angeles County and $6.0 million in the Central Valley) that were placed on nonaccrual status upon receipt of appraisals indicating that the appraised value of the collateral is below the loan amounts. In addition, during the fourth quarter, two land development loans in Los Angeles County totaling $6.4 million were placed on nonaccrual status, three land loans in Northern California totaling $4.2 million were placed on nonaccrual status and a condominium conversion loan in San Diego County for $3.2 million, net of a chargeoff of $0.7 million, was placed on nonaccrual status. Nonaccrual loans in Texas totaled $10.4 million of which $4.9 million has paid off subsequent to December 31, 2007. Subsequent to December 31, 2007, $3.3 million of loans have been restored to accrual status. In addition, the foreclosure of a $4.5 million nonaccrual loan in San Jose County is expected to be completed in February, 2008. Non-performing assets to gross loans and other real estate owned was 1.25% at December 31, 2007, compared to 0.62% at December 31, 2006. Total non-performing assets increased $48.1 million to $83.7 million at December 31, 2007, compared with $35.6 million at December 31, 2006, primarily due to a $35.9 million increase in non-accrual loans, a $10.9 million increase in other real estate owned and a $1.3 million increase in accruing loans past due 90 days or more.
At December 31, 2007, other real estate owned is comprised of three properties, an $8.9 million apartment building in Texas, a $6.8 million shopping center in Texas which is in escrow to be sold prior to the end of the first quarter of 2007 and a $0.4 million retail building in New York State. Included in troubled debt restructured loans at December 31, 2007, is an $11.7 million condominium conversion construction loan for a project in San Diego County where the interest rate has been reduced to 6.0%. Subsequent to December 31, 2007, $6.8 million of loans past due ninety days and still on accrual status have been renewed or brought current.
The allowance for loan losses amounted to $65.0 million at December 31, 2007, and represented the amount that the Company believes to be sufficient to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the Company's loan portfolio. This was after the Company reclassified $4.6 million for unfunded loan commitments from the allowance for loan losses to other liabilities. This presentation does not lower the total reserve for credit losses. Amounts presented prior to December 31, 2007 have been restated to conform with the current reporting period. The allowance for credit losses, the sum of allowance for loan losses and allowance for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments, were $69.6 million at December 31, 2007 and $64.7 million at December 31, 2006. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.04% of period-end gross loans and 103% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2007. The comparable ratios were 1.13% of gross loans and 213% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2006. Results of the changes to the Company's non-performing assets and troubled debt restructurings are highlighted below:
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 %Change Non-performing assets Accruing loans past due 90 days or more $9,265 $8,008 16 Non-accrual loans: Construction 29,677 5,786 413 Commercial real estate 19,963 1,276 1,464 Commercial 6,664 14,425 (54) Real Estate Mortgage 1,971 835 136 Total non-accrual loans: $58,275 $22,322 161 Total non-performing loans 67,540 30,330 123 Other real estate owned 16,147 5,259 207 Total non-performing assets $83,687 $35,589 135 Troubled debt restructurings $12,601 $955 1,219 Allowance for loan losses $64,983 $60,220 8 Allowance for off-balance sheet credit commitments 4,576 4,469 2 Allowance for credit losses $69,559 $64,689 8 Total gross loans outstanding, at period-end $6,683,645 $5,747,546 16 Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans, at period-end 96.21% 198.55% Allowance for loan losses to gross loans, at period-end 0.97% 1.05% Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans, at period-end 102.99% 213.28% Allowance for credit losses to gross loans, at period-end 1.04% 1.13% CAPITAL ADEQUACY REVIEW
At December 31, 2007, the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 9.09%, total risk-based capital ratio of 10.52%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 7.83%, continue to place the Company in the "well capitalized" category, which is defined as institutions with a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 6.00%, a total risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 10.00%, and a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio equal to or greater than 5.00%. At December 31, 2006, the Company's Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 9.40%, the total risk-based capital ratio was 11.00%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 8.98%.
During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company repurchased 549,650 shares of its common stock for $15.5 million, or $28.23 average cost per share. In 2007, the Company repurchased 2,829,203 shares of its common stock for $92.4 million, or $32.67 average cost per share. At December 31, 2007, 622,500 shares remain under the Company's November 16, 2007, repurchase program.
YEAR-TO-DATE REVIEW
Net income was $125.5 million, or $2.46 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2007, an increase of $7.9 million, or 6.7%, in net income over the $117.6 million, or $2.27 per diluted share for the same period a year ago due primarily to increases in net interest income. The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2007, decreased 50 basis points to 3.67% compared to 4.17% for the same period a year ago.
Return on average stockholders' equity was 13.28% and return on average assets was 1.38% for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to a return on average stockholders' equity of 13.61% and a return on average assets of 1.60% for the same period of 2006. The efficiency ratio for the year December 31, 2007, was 38.38% compared to 37.88% for the same period a year ago.
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 31 branches in California, nine branches in New York State, one in Massachusetts, two in Texas, three in Washington State, three in the Chicago, Illinois area, one in New Jersey, one in Hong Kong and a representative office in Taipei and in Shanghai. Cathay Bank's website is found at http://www.cathaybank.com/.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND OTHER NOTICES
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 "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "could," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Cathay General Bancorp to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, adverse developments or conditions related to or arising from: expansion into new market areas; acquisitions of other banks, if any; fluctuations in interest rates; demographic changes; earthquake or other natural disasters; competitive pressures; deterioration in asset or credit quality; changes in the availability of capital; legislative and regulatory developments; changes in business strategy; and general economic or business conditions in California and other regions where Cathay Bank has operations.
These and other factors are further described in Cathay General Bancorp's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, its reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and other filings it makes in the future with the SEC from time to time. Cathay General Bancorp has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the results of any revision of any forward-looking statement to reflect future developments or events.
Cathay General Bancorp's filings with the SEC are available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/, or by request directed to Cathay General Bancorp, 777 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Attention: Investor Relations (213) 625-4749.
CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited) Three months ended Twelve months ended December 31, December 31, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2007 2006 %Change 2007 2006 %Change FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Net interest income before provision for credit losses $80,445 $72,409 11 $309,521 $279,283 11 Provision for credit losses 5,700 -- 100 11,000 2,000 450 Net interest income after provision for credit losses 74,745 72,409 3 298,521 277,283 8 Non-interest income 6,582 5,234 26 27,487 21,464 28 Non-interest expense 33,612 30,140 12 129,348 113,918 14 Income before income tax expense 47,715 47,503 0 196,660 184,829 6 Income tax expense 16,799 16,979 (1) 71,191 67,259 6 Net income $30,916 $30,524 1 $125,469 $117,570 7 Net income per common share: Basic $0.62 $0.59 5 $2.49 $2.29 9 Diluted $0.62 $0.58 7 $2.46 $2.27 8 Cash dividends paid per common share $0.105 $0.090 17 $0.405 $0.360 13 SELECTED RATIOS Return on average assets 1.23% 1.54% (20) 1.38% 1.60% (14) Return on average stockholders' equity 12.70% 13.03% (3) 13.28% 13.61% (2) Efficiency ratio 38.62% 38.82% (1) 38.38% 37.88% 1 Dividend payout ratio 16.92% 15.20% 11 16.36% 15.67% 4 YIELD ANALYSIS (Fully taxable equivalent) Total interest-earning assets 7.01% 7.53% (7) 7.28% 7.31% (0) Total interest-bearing liabilities 4.12% 4.20% (2) 4.21% 3.78% 11 Net interest spread 2.89% 3.33% (13) 3.07% 3.53% (13) Net interest margin 3.43% 4.01% (14) 3.67% 4.17% (12) CAPITAL RATIOS December 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio 9.09% 9.40% Total risk-based capital ratio 10.52% 11.00% Tier 1 leverage capital ratio 7.83% 8.98% CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) December 31, December 31, 2007 2006 %Change (In thousands, except share and per share data) Assets Cash and due from banks $118,437 $114,798 3 Federal funds sold -- 18,000 (100) Cash and cash equivalents 118,437 132,798 (11) Short-term investments 2,278 16,379 (86) Securities purchased under agreements to resell 516,100 -- 100 Long-term certificates of deposit 50,000 -- 100 Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $2,348,606 at December 31, 2007 and $1,543,667 at December 31, 2006) 2,347,665 1,522,223 54 Trading securities 5,225 5,309 (2) Loans 6,683,645 5,747,546 16 Less: Allowance for loan losses (64,983) (60,220) 8 Unamortized deferred loan fees, net (10,583) (11,984) (12) Loans, net 6,608,079 5,675,342 16 Federal Home Loan Bank stock 65,720 34,348 91 Other real estate owned, net 16,147 5,259 207 Affordable housing investments, net 94,000 87,289 8 Premises and equipment, net 76,848 72,934 5 Customers' liability on acceptances 53,148 27,040 97 Accrued interest receivable 53,032 39,267 35 Goodwill 319,873 316,752 1 Other intangible assets, net 36,097 42,987 (16) Other assets 39,883 53,050 (25) Total assets $10,402,532 $8,030,977 30 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Deposits Non-interest-bearing demand deposits $785,364 $781,492 0 Interest-bearing deposits: NOW deposits 231,583 239,589 (3) Money market deposits 681,783 657,689 4 Savings deposits 331,316 358,827 (8) Time deposits under $100,000 1,311,251 1,007,637 30 Time deposits of $100,000 or more 2,937,070 2,630,072 12 Total deposits 6,278,367 5,675,306 11 Federal funds purchased 41,000 50,000 (18) Securities sold under agreement to repurchase 1,391,025 400,000 248 Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank 1,375,180 714,680 92 Other borrowings 8,301 10,000 (17) Other borrowings from affordable housing investments 19,642 19,981 (2) Long-term debt 171,136 104,125 64 Acceptances outstanding 53,148 27,040 97 Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries 8,500 8,500 -- Other liabilities 84,314 78,271 8 Total liabilities 9,430,613 7,087,903 33 Commitments and contingencies -- -- -- Total stockholders' equity 971,919 943,074 3 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $10,402,532 $8,030,977 30 Book value per share $19.70 $18.16 8 Number of common stock shares outstanding 49,336,187 51,930,955 (5) CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) Three months ended Twelve months ended December 31, December 31, 2007 2006 2007 2006 (In thousands, except share and per share data) INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME Loan receivable, including loan fees $123,928 $114,888 $480,769 $419,454 Investment securities- taxable 29,282 19,766 100,663 66,071 Investment securities- nontaxable 382 614 2,007 2,730 Federal Home Loan Bank stock 659 495 2,348 1,594 Agency preferred stock 174 294 686 1,094 Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell 8,927 35 24,309 195 Deposits with banks 1,201 121 4,489 380 Total interest and dividend income 164,553 136,213 615,271 491,518 INTEREST EXPENSE Time deposits of $100,000 or more 34,698 30,517 132,225 104,328 Other deposits 20,539 17,781 77,278 55,763 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 11,911 4,500 35,037 15,683 Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 13,142 8,160 48,072 27,475 Long-term debt 3,183 2,004 11,240 5,363 Short-term borrowings 635 842 1,898 3,623 Total interest expense 84,108 63,804 305,750 212,235 Net interest income before provision for credit losses 80,445 72,409 309,521 279,283 Provision for credit losses 5,700 -- 11,000 2,000 Net interest income after provision for credit losses 74,745 72,409 298,521 277,283 NON-INTEREST INCOME Securities gains/(losses),net 542 (35) 810 201 Letters of credit commissions 1,602 1,362 5,951 5,409 Depository service fees 1,234 1,169 4,763 4,799 Gains from sale of premises and equipment 2 -- 2,716 -- Other operating income 3,202 2,738 13,247 11,055 Total non-interest income 6,582 5,234 27,487 21,464 NON-INTEREST EXPENSE Salaries and employee benefits 18,193 16,440 68,949 62,500 Occupancy expense 3,080 2,674 12,115 10,118 Computer and equipment expense 2,391 2,332 9,600 7,876 Professional services expense 2,645 1,888 9,304 7,284 FDIC and State assessments 293 256 1,097 1,017 Marketing expense 896 1,130 3,309 3,459 Other real estate owned expense 50 83 334 596 Operations of affordable housing investments 1,681 1,350 6,609 5,377 Amortization of core deposit intangibles 1,755 1,751 7,053 6,529 Other operating expense 2,628 2,236 10,978 9,162 Total non-interest expense 33,612 30,140 129,348 113,918 Income before income tax expense 47,715 47,503 196,660 184,829 Income tax expense 16,799 16,979 71,191 67,259 Net income 30,916 30,524 125,469 117,570 Other comprehensive gain/(loss), net of tax 9,315 (105) 11,883 826 Total comprehensive income $40,231 $30,419 $137,352 $118,396 Net income per common share: Basic $0.62 $0.59 $2.49 $2.29 Diluted $0.62 $0.58 $2.46 $2.27 Cash dividends paid per common share $0.105 $0.090 $0.405 $0.360 Basic average common shares outstanding 49,630,914 51,793,432 50,418,303 51,234,596 Diluted average common shares outstanding 50,061,883 52,298,620 50,975,449 51,804,495 CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AVERAGE BALANCES - SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) For the three months ended, (In thousands) December 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 September 30, 2007 Interest-earning assets Average Average Average Average Average Average Balance Yield/Rate Balance Yield/Rate Balance Yield/Rate (1) (2) (1) (2) (1) (2) Loans and leases (1) $6,574,603 7.48% $ 5,628,885 8.10% $6,298,452 7.81% Taxable investment securities 2,115,571 5.49% 1,442,358 5.44% 1,769,245 5.63% Tax-exempt investment securities (2) 51,098 6.41% 77,977 6.86% 55,217 6.62% FHLB & FRB stock 55,637 4.70% 34,917 5.62% 50,297 5.04% Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell 466,084 7.60% 2,744 5.06% 371,413 8.13% Deposits with banks 60,316 7.90% 13,068 3.67% 71,843 6.89% Total interest-earning assets $9,323,309 7.01% $ 7,199,949 7.53% $8,616,467 7.34% Interest-bearing liabilities Interest-bearing demand deposits $229,450 1.03% $231,415 1.27% $233,116 1.28% Money market 755,556 2.97% 636,143 2.94% 699,679 3.18% Savings deposits 335,504 0.77% 359,894 0.99% 342,971 1.01% Time deposits 4,130,688 4.64% 3,609,594 4.61% 3,935,125 4.77% Total interest-bearing deposits $5,451,198 4.02% $ 4,837,046 3.96% $5,210,891 4.15% Federal funds purchased 45,859 4.65% 43,940 5.40% 22,863 4.84% Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 1,267,643 3.73% 400,000 4.46% 1,041,577 3.76% Other borrowed funds 1,155,823 4.54% 635,190 5.25% 978,759 4.65% Long-term debt 171,136 7.38% 104,125 7.64% 171,136 7.38% Total interest-bearing liabilities 8,091,659 4.12% 6,020,301 4.20% 7,425,226 4.24% Non-interest- bearing demand deposits 798,292 786,132 774,513 Total deposits and other borrowed funds $8,889,951 $ 6,806,433 $8,199,739 Total average assets $9,986,980 $ 7,844,168 $9,263,156 Total average stockholders' equity $965,805 $929,564 $933,562 For the twelve months ended, (In thousands) December 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 Interest-earning assets Average Average Average Average Balance Yield/Rate Balance Yield/Rate (1) (2) (1) (2) Loans and leases $6,170,505 7.79% $5,310,564 7.90% Taxable investment securities 1,800,930 5.59% 1,304,325 5.07% Tax-exempt investment securities (2) 61,932 6.51% 83,349 6.85% FHLB & FRB stock 50,293 4.67% 32,475 4.91% Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell 318,778 7.63% 4,340 4.49% Deposits with banks 62,101 7.23% 15,091 2.52% Total interest-earning assets $8,464,539 7.28% $6,750,144 7.31% Interest-bearing liabilities Interest-bearing demand deposits $232,114 1.22% $237,113 1.18% Money market deposits 699,606 3.08% 599,210 2.69% Savings deposits 344,066 0.95% 374,570 0.91% Time deposits 3,852,468 4.72% 3,344,931 4.12% Total interest-bearing deposits $5,128,254 4.09% $4,555,824 3.51% Federal funds purchased 32,190 5.01% 43,407 5.06% Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 941,380 3.72% 374,356 4.19% Other borrowed funds 1,010,574 4.79% 578,181 5.00% Long-term debt 151,478 7.42% 66,907 8.02% Total interest-bearing liabilities 7,263,876 4.21% 5,618,675 3.78% Non-interest-bearing demand deposits 782,347 761,991 Total deposits and other borrowed funds $8,046,223 $6,380,666 Total average assets $9,111,671 $7,345,020 Total average stockholders' equity $944,528 $863,641 (1) Yields and interest earned include net loan fees. Non-accrual loans are included in the average balance. (2) The average yield has been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis for certain securities of states and political subdivisions and other securities held using a statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.
