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8-K

Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC)

8-K 2020-01-16 For: 2020-01-16
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_________________

FORM 8-K

_________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 16, 2020

_______________________________

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_______________________________

California 001-09383 94-2156203
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1108 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, California 94901

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(707) 863-6000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

_______________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par value WABC The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company,indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On January 16, 2020, the Registrant issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1. Press release dated January 16, 2020

Exhibit 104. Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
Date: January 16, 2020 By: /s/ JESSE LEAVITT
Jesse Leavitt
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EdgarFiling EXHIBIT 99.1

Westamerica Bancorporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westamerica Bancorporation (Nasdaq: WABC), parent company of Westamerica Bank, generated net income for the fourth quarter 2019 of $20.7 million and diluted earnings per common share ("EPS") of $0.77. These results compare to net income of $20.4 million and EPS of $0.75 for the third quarter 2019 and net income of $19.1 million and EPS of $0.71 for the fourth quarter 2018.

“The annualized net interest margin was 3.08 percent during the fourth quarter 2019. Our annualized funding costs as a percentage of our interest-earning assets improved from 0.04 percent for the third quarter 2019 to 0.03 percent for the fourth quarter 2019. Operating expense represented only 46 percent of revenues for the fourth quarter 2019. Asset quality remained healthy during the fourth quarter 2019 with nonperforming assets totaling only $4.9 million at December 31, 2019,” said Chairman, President and CEO David Payne. “Annualized fourth quarter operating results generated a return on average shareholders’ equity of 11.8 percent, and the Company also paid its shareholders a $0.41 dividend per common share in the fourth quarter,” concluded Payne.

Net interest income on a fully-taxable equivalent (FTE) basis was $40.5 million for the fourth quarter 2019, compared to $40.3 million for the third quarter 2019 and $40.3 million for the fourth quarter 2018.  The annualized net interest margin (FTE) was 3.08 percent for the fourth quarter 2019, compared to 3.11 percent for the third quarter 2019 and 3.06 percent for the fourth quarter 2018. Checking and savings deposits, which pay much lower interest rates than time deposits, represented ninety-six percent of the Company’s average deposit base during the fourth quarter 2019.

The Company recognized no provision for loan losses for the fourth quarter 2019 given low levels of nonperforming loans and other credit quality attributes.

Noninterest income for the fourth quarter 2019 totaled $11.7 million, compared to $11.8 million for the third quarter 2019, and $11.9 million for the fourth quarter 2018.

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter 2019 totaled $24.2 million, compared to $24.0 million for the third quarter 2019.  Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter 2019 was $1.6 million lower than the fourth quarter 2018 due to lower employee benefit costs, FDIC insurance assessments, and intangible amortization in the fourth quarter 2019. Lower 2019 FDIC assessments are due to application of Westamerica Bank’s assessment credit described in our December 31, 2018 Form 10-K, Part 1, Item 1, “Premiums for Deposit Insurance.”

The tax rate (FTE) applied to pre-tax income (FTE) was 26.0 percent for the fourth quarter 2019 compared to 27.5 percent for the third quarter 2019 and 27.8 percent for the fourth quarter 2018. The fourth quarter 2019 tax provision was reduced by $352 thousand resulting from a customary adjustment to true-up the Company’s 2018 estimated tax provision to the filed 2018 tax return.

Westamerica Bancorporation’s wholly owned subsidiary Westamerica Bank, operates commercial banking and trust offices throughout Northern and Central California.

Westamerica Bancorporation Web Address: www.westamerica.com

For additional information contact: Westamerica Bancorporation 1108 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901 Robert A. Thorson – Treasurer 707-863-6840 investments@westamerica.com

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

The following appears in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements about the Company, including descriptions of plans or objectives of its management for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other measures of economic performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may."

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors — many of which are beyond the Company's control — could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. The Company's most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the annual report for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed on Form 10-K and quarterly report for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 filed on Form 10-Q, describe some of these factors, including certain credit, interest rate, operational, liquidity and market risks associated with the Company's business and operations. Other factors described in these reports include changes in business and economic conditions, competition, fiscal and monetary policies, disintermediation, cyber security risks, legislation including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2011, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, and mergers and acquisitions.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date forward looking statements are made.

Public Information January 16, 2020
WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
December 31, 2019
1. Net Income Summary.
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE) 40,288 0.5 % 40,349
Provision for Loan Losses n/m
Noninterest Income -1.4 %
Noninterest Expense -6.1 %
Income Before Taxes (FTE) 6.1 %
Income Tax Provision (FTE) -0.9 %
Net Income 19,055 8.8 % 20,390
Average Common Shares Outstanding 1.2 %
Diluted Average Common Shares 1.0 %
Operating Ratios:
Basic Earnings Per Common Share 0.71 7.9 % 0.76
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share 6.3 %
Return On Assets (a)
Return On Common Equity (a)
Net Interest Margin (FTE) (a)
Efficiency Ratio (FTE)
Dividends Paid Per Common Share 0.40 2.5 % 0.41
Common Dividend Payout Ratio
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE) 155,410 3.9 %
Provision for Loan Losses n/m
Noninterest Income -1.5 %
Noninterest Expense -7.4 %
Income Before Taxes (FTE) 13.6 %
Income Tax Provision (FTE) 17.4 %
Net Income 71,564 12.3 %
Average Common Shares Outstanding 1.2 %
Diluted Average Common Shares 0.9 %
Operating Ratios:
Basic Earnings Per Common Share 2.69 10.8 %
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share 11.6 %
Return On Assets
Return On Common Equity
Net Interest Margin (FTE)
Efficiency Ratio (FTE)
Dividends Paid Per Common Share 1.60 1.9 %
Common Dividend Payout Ratio
2. Net Interest Income.
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Interest and Fee Income (FTE) 40,802 0.3 % 40,804
Interest Expense -12.3 %
Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE) 40,288 0.5 % 40,349
Average Earning Assets 5,270,708 -0.5 % 5,176,744
Average Interest-
Bearing Liabilities -3.4 %
Yield on Earning Assets (FTE) (a)
Cost of Funds (a)
Net Interest Margin (FTE) (a)
Interest Expense/
Interest-Bearing Liabilities (a)
Net Interest Spread (FTE) (a)
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Interest and Fee Income (FTE) 157,369 3.8 %
Interest Expense -3.6 %
Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE) 155,410 3.9 %
Average Earning Assets 5,212,635 -0.4 %
Average Interest-
Bearing Liabilities -3.4 %
Yield on Earning Assets (FTE)
Cost of Funds
Net Interest Margin (FTE)
Interest Expense/
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Net Interest Spread (FTE)
3. Loans & Other Earning Assets.
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Total Assets 5,680,321 -0.6 % 5,570,843
Total Earning Assets -0.5 %
Total Loans -6.2 %
Commercial Loans -19.0 %
Commercial RE Loans -0.2 %
Consumer Loans -5.9 %
Total Investment Securities 2.7 %
Equity Securities n/m
Debt Securities Available For Sale 12.8 %
Debt Securities Held To Maturity -24.0 %
Total Interest-Bearing Cash -13.8 %
Loans/Deposits
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Total Assets 5,620,618 -0.4 %
Total Earning Assets -0.4 %
Total Loans -3.9 %
Commercial Loans -15.1 %
Commercial RE Loans 3.6 %
Consumer Loans -6.4 %
Total Investment Securities 3.6 %
Equity Securities -46.9 %
Debt Securities Available For Sale 13.6 %
Debt Securities Held To Maturity -19.9 %
Total Interest-Bearing Cash -23.7 %
Loans/Deposits
4. Deposits, Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities & Equity.
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Total Deposits 4,917,901 -1.6 % 4,770,976
Noninterest Demand -0.0 %
Interest-Bearing Transaction -0.5 %
Savings -3.1 %
Time greater than 100K -12.6 %
Time less than 100K -14.0 %
Total Short-Term Borrowings -25.9 %
Shareholders' Equity 7.5 %
Demand Deposits/
Total Deposits
Transaction & Savings
Deposits / Total Deposits
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Total Deposits 4,872,081 -1.4 %
Noninterest Demand 0.6 %
Interest-Bearing Transaction 0.5 %
Savings -3.6 %
Time greater than 100K -16.8 %
Time less than 100K -13.5 %
Total Short-Term Borrowings -14.3 %
Shareholders' Equity 7.1 %
Demand Deposits/
Total Deposits
Transaction & Savings
Deposits / Total Deposits
5. Interest Yields Earned & Rates Paid.
Income/ Yield (a) /
Expense Rate
Interest & Fee Income Earned
Total Earning Assets (FTE) 40,932 3.11 %
Total Loans (FTE) 5.05 %
Commercial Loans (FTE) 5.09 %
Commercial RE Loans 5.40 %
Consumer Loans 4.41 %
Total Investments (FTE) 2.67 %
Total Interest-Bearing Cash 1.63 %
Interest Expense Paid
Total Earning Assets 0.03 %
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities 0.07 %
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits 0.07 %
Interest-Bearing Transaction 0.04 %
Savings 0.06 %
Time less than 100K 0.24 %
Time greater than 100K 0.42 %
Total Short-Term Borrowings 0.08 %
Net Interest Income and
Margin (FTE) 40,481 3.08 %
Income/ Yield (a) /
Expense Rate
Interest & Fee Income Earned
Total Earning Assets (FTE) 40,802 3.10 %
Total Loans (FTE) 4.97 %
Commercial Loans (FTE) 5.41 %
Commercial RE Loans 5.29 %
Consumer Loans 4.09 %
Total Investments (FTE) 2.59 %
Total Interest-Bearing Cash 2.23 %
Interest Expense Paid
Total Earning Assets 0.04 %
Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities 0.08 %
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits 0.08 %
Interest-Bearing Transaction 0.05 %
Savings 0.06 %
Time less than 100K 0.24 %
Time greater than 100K 0.39 %
Total Short-Term Borrowings 0.06 %
Net Interest Income and
Margin (FTE) 40,288 3.06 %
6. Noninterest Income.
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Service Charges on Deposits 4,496 -2.7 % 4,510
Merchant Processing Services -0.7 %
Debit Card Fees -6.9 %
Trust Fees 3.8 %
ATM Processing Fees -1.0 %
Other Service Fees -17.3 %
Financial Services Commissions 9.7 %
Securities Gains n/m
Other Income 1.3 %
Total Noninterest Income 11,897 -1.4 % 11,809
Total Revenue (FTE) 52,185 0.1 % 52,158
Noninterest Income/Revenue (FTE)
Service Charges/Avg. Deposits (a)
Total Revenues (FTE) Per Avg.
Common Share (a) 7.75 -1.1 % 7.67
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Service Charges on Deposits 18,508 -3.4 %
Merchant Processing Services 5.2 %
Debit Card Fees -4.3 %
Trust Fees 0.9 %
ATM Processing Fees 0.9 %
Other Service Fees -12.2 %
Life Insurance Gains -26.0 %
Financial Services Commissions -21.4 %
Securities Gains (Losses) n/m
Other Income -1.9 %
Total Noninterest Income 48,149 -1.5 %
Total Revenue (FTE) 203,559 2.6 %
Noninterest Income/Revenue (FTE)
Service Charges/Avg. Deposits
Total Revenues (FTE) Per Avg.
Common Share 7.64 1.4 %
7. Noninterest Expense.
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Salaries & Benefits 13,055 -5.8 % 12,559
Occupancy and Equipment -4.5 %
Outsourced Data Processing 2.7 %
Professional Fees 19.3 %
Courier Service 18.6 %
Amortization of
Identifiable Intangibles -83.7 %
Other Operating -12.6 %
Total Noninterest Expense 25,787 -6.1 % 24,033
Noninterest Expense/
Avg. Earning Assets (a)
Noninterest Expense/Revenues (FTE)
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Salaries & Benefits 53,007 -3.7 %
Occupancy and Equipment 2.9 %
Outsourced Data Processing 2.6 %
Professional Fees -13.3 %
Courier Service 5.6 %
Loss Contingency (1) n/m
Amortization of
Identifiable Intangibles -72.0 %
Other Operating -14.5 %
Total Noninterest Expense 106,916 -7.4 %
Noninterest Expense/
Avg. Earning Assets
Noninterest Expense/Revenues (FTE)
8. Allowance for Loan Losses.
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Average Total Loans 1,189,744 -6.2 % 1,142,668
Allowance for Loan Loss (ALL)
Beginning of Period 22,027 -10.0 % 20,117
Provision for Loan Losses n/m
Net ALL Losses n/m
ALL End of Period 21,351 -8.7 % 19,828
Gross ALL Recoveries /
Gross ALL Losses
Net ALL Losses /
Avg. Total Loans (a)
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Average Total Loans 1,209,167 -3.9 %
Allowance for Loan Loss (ALL)
Beginning of Period 23,009 -7.2 %
Provision for Loan Losses n/m
Net ALL Losses n/m
ALL End of Period 21,351 -8.7 %
Gross ALL Recoveries /
Gross ALL Losses
Net ALL Losses /
Avg. Total Loans
9. Credit Quality.
%
12/31/18 Change 9/30/19
Nonperforming Loans:
Nonperforming Nonaccrual 998 -34.0 % 633
Performing Nonaccrual -2.3 %
Total Nonaccrual Loans -8.8 %
90+ Days Past Due Accruing Loans -20.1 %
Total -9.9 %
Repossessed Loan Collateral -87.6 %
Total Nonperforming Assets 5,769 -14.7 % 4,697
Total Loans Outstanding 1,207,202 -6.7 % 1,133,229
Total Assets 5,568,526 0.9 % 5,616,055
Loans:
Allowance for Loan Losses 21,351 -8.7 % 19,828
Allowance/Loans
Nonperforming Loans/Total Loans
10. Capital.
%
12/31/18 Change 9/30/19
Shareholders' Equity 615,591 18.8 % 713,378
Total Assets 0.9 %
Shareholders' Equity/
Total Assets
Shareholders' Equity/
Total Loans
Tangible Common Equity Ratio
Common Shares Outstanding 1.2 %
Common Equity Per Share 23.03 17.4 % 26.41
Market Value Per Common Share 55.68 21.7 % 62.18
Share Repurchase Programs
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Total Shares Repurchased n/m
Average Repurchase Price n/m
Net Shares Issued n/m
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Total Shares Repurchased n/m
Average Repurchase Price 58.46 n/m
Net Shares Issued n/m
11. Period-End Balance Sheets.
%
12/31/18 Change 9/30/19
Assets:
Cash and Due from Banks 420,284 -11.2 % 415,639
Investment Securities:
Equity Securities n/m
Debt Securities Available For Sale 16.0 %
Debt Securities Held to Maturity -25.0 %
Loans -6.7 %
Allowance For Loan Losses -8.7 %
Total Loans, net -6.6 %
Other Real Estate Owned -87.6 %
Premises and Equipment, net 0.3 %
Identifiable Intangibles, net -27.9 %
Goodwill 0.0 %
Other Assets 0.9 %
Total Assets 5,568,526 0.9 % 5,616,055
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
Deposits:
Noninterest-Bearing 2,243,251 -0.1 % 2,265,640
Interest-Bearing Transaction 0.3 %
Savings -1.8 %
Time -13.3 %
Total Deposits -1.1 %
Short-Term Borrowed Funds -39.6 %
Other Liabilities 27.9 %
Total Liabilities -1.3 %
Shareholders' Equity:
Common Equity:
Paid-In Capital 3.7 %
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss) n/m
Retained Earnings 16.2 %
Total Shareholders' Equity 18.8 %
Total Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity 5,568,526 0.9 % 5,616,055
12. Income Statements.
%
Q4'2018 Change Q3'2019
Interest & Fee Income:
Loans 14,783 -4.6 % 14,431
Investment Securities:
Equity Securities 5.0 %
Debt Securities Available for Sale 19.0 %
Debt Securities Held to Maturity -26.3 %
Interest-Bearing Cash -29.9 %
Total Interest & Fee Income 1.1 %
Interest Expense:
Transaction Deposits -28.2 %
Savings Deposits -5.3 %
Time Deposits -9.6 %
Short-Term Borrowed Funds -16.5 %
Total Interest Expense -12.2 %
Net Interest Income 1.3 %
Provision for Loan Losses n/m
Noninterest Income:
Service Charges -2.7 %
Merchant Processing Services -0.7 %
Debit Card Fees -6.9 %
Trust Fees 3.8 %
ATM Processing Fees -1.0 %
Other Service Fees -17.3 %
Financial Services Commissions 9.7 %
Securities Gains n/m
Other 1.3 %
Total Noninterest Income -1.4 %
Noninterest Expense:
Salaries and Benefits -5.8 %
Occupancy and Equipment -4.5 %
Outsourced Data Processing 2.7 %
Professional Fees 19.3 %
Courier Service 18.6 %
Amortization of Identifiable Intangibles -83.7 %
Other -12.6 %
Total Noninterest Expense -6.1 %
Income Before Income Taxes 7.6 %
Income Tax Provision 3.9 %
Net Income 19,055 8.8 % 20,390
Average Common Shares Outstanding 1.2 %
Diluted Common Shares Outstanding 1.0 %
Per Common Share Data:
Basic Earnings 0.71 8.5 % 0.76
Diluted Earnings 7.0 %
Dividends Paid 2.5 %
%
12/31'18YTD Change
Interest & Fee Income:
Loans 59,030 -1.5 %
Investment Securities:
Equity Securities 10.9 %
Debt Securities Available for Sale 22.8 %
Debt Securities Held to Maturity -20.9 %
Interest-Bearing Cash -11.8 %
Total Interest & Fee Income 4.6 %
Interest Expense:
Transaction Deposits 13.2 %
Savings Deposits -5.5 %
Time Deposits -10.3 %
Short-Term Borrowed Funds -6.9 %
Total Interest Expense -3.6 %
Net Interest Income 4.7 %
Provision for Loan Losses n/m
Noninterest Income:
Service Charges -3.4 %
Merchant Processing Services 5.2 %
Debit Card Fees -4.3 %
Trust Fees 0.9 %
ATM Processing Fees 0.9 %
Other Service Fees -12.2 %
Life Insurance Gains -26.0 %
Financial Services Commissions -21.4 %
Securities Gains (Losses) n/m
Other -1.9 %
Total Noninterest Income -1.5 %
Noninterest Expense:
Salaries and Benefits -3.7 %
Occupancy and Equipment 2.9 %
Outsourced Data Processing 2.6 %
Professional Fees -13.3 %
Courier Service 5.6 %
Loss Contingency (1) n/m
Amortization of Identifiable Intangibles -72.0 %
Other -14.5 %
Total Noninterest Expense -7.4 %
Income Before Income Taxes 15.6 %
Income Tax Provision 27.8 %
Net Income 71,564 12.3 %
Average Common Shares Outstanding 1.2 %
Diluted Common Shares Outstanding 0.9 %
Per Common Share Data:
Basic Earnings 2.69 10.8 %
Diluted Earnings 11.6 %
Dividends Paid 1.9 %
Footnotes and Abbreviations:
(1) In the second quarter 2019 and third quarter 2018, the Company recorded 553 thousand and 3.5 million in loss contingencies, respectively. The loss contingencies recorded in the second quarter 2019 include a 301 thousand increase in estimated customer refunds of revenue recognized prior to 2018 and a 252 thousand loss settlement to dismiss a lawsuit. The loss contingency recorded in the third quarter 2018 was the result of a mediated settlement to dismiss a lawsuit. The Company does not anticipate additional losses for these matters.
(FTE) Fully Taxable Equivalent. The Company presents its net interest margin and net interest income on a FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate. Management believes the FTE basis is valuable to the reader because the Company’s loan and investment securities portfolios contain a relatively large portion of municipal loans and securities that are federally tax exempt. The Company’s tax exempt loans and securities composition may not be similar to that of other banks, therefore in order to reflect the impact of the federally tax exempt loans and securities on the net interest margin and net interest income for comparability with other banks, the Company presents its net interest margin and net interest income on a FTE basis.
(a) Annualized
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

All values are in US Dollars.