PHILADELPHIA, July 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRBK), the holding company for Republic Bank, today announced its financial results for the period ended June 30, 2020.

Q2-2020 Financial Highlights

• During the second quarter of 2020 Republic Bank was named as America’s # 1 Bank for Service in a recent national Forbes survey to identify which financial institutions have the most satisfied customers.
• We originated $682 million in loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) administered by the SBA providing crucial funding for small business throughout our footprint. Gross origination fees of $22 million were earned through this program which will be recognized as income over the life of the loans.
• Profitability improved as the Company reported net income of $2.5 million, or $0.04 per share, during the second quarter of 2020 compared to a net loss of $0.6 million, or ($0.01) per share during the first quarter of 2020.
• Pre-tax pre-provision earnings (PTPP) increased to $4.2 million during the second quarter of 2020 compared to $27 thousand in the first quarter of 2020 and $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2019.
• On a linked quarter basis, total revenue increased 13% during the second quarter of 2020 while non-interest expense decreased by 2% compared to the first quarter of 2020. Year over year total revenue increased 17% and non-interest expense increased 3% during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2019.
• Asset quality continues to improve as the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets declined to 0.31% as of June 30, 2020. Only 2% of our loan customers were deferring loan payments as of July 24, 2020. These deferrals relate to approximately 7% of outstanding loan balances excluding PPP loans.
• Total loans grew $1.0 billion, or 69%, to $2.5 billion as of June 30, 2020 compared to $1.5 billion at June 30, 2019. Excluding the impact of the PPP loan program loans grew $380 million, or 25%, year over year.
• Total deposits increased by $1.1 billion, or 44%, to $3.6 billion as of June 30, 2020 compared to $2.5 billion as of June 30, 2019. Excluding the impact of the PPP loan program deposits grew $716 million, or 28%, year over year.

Vernon W. Hill, II, Chairman of Republic First Bancorp said:

“In the second quarter ‘The Power of Red is Back’ expansion campaign continued to deliver exceptional service during these unprecedented times. Our stores remained operational throughout the quarter serving customers in any way possible in a safe and efficient manner. Through our participation in the PPP loan program authorized by the CARES Act we were able assist thousands of small businesses by providing critical access to funding to support operations in the midst of an economic shutdown.”

“In recognition of our unwavering commitment to extraordinary customer service and convenience our FANS responded to a recent Forbes survey and Republic was ranked as America’s #1 Bank for Service. The goal of our model is to create FANS NOT CUSTOMERS, who join our brand, remain loyal and refer family and friends. The results of the Forbes survey not only demonstrates the success of our model, but also shows that we deliver on our commitment to service better that every other bank in the country.”

Republic will launch its new brand campaign as America’s #1 Bank for Service during the third quarter of 2020.

Harry D. Madonna, President and Chief Executive Officer of Republic First Bancorp added:

“Net income during 2019 was negatively impacted by the challenging nature of the interest rate environment and costs required to initiate our expansion into New York City. During the second quarter of 2020 we returned to profitability through the dedication and commitment of every member of the Republic Bank Team to improve earnings. We have consistently stated that it is our goal to deliver best in class service across all delivery channels…..in-store, by phone, online and mobile options....as we strive to create new FANS each and every day. We are focused on meeting that goal in the most efficient manner possible.”

Paycheck Protection Program

During the second quarter the Republic Bank Team turned its attention to the needs of small businesses in our community. The Paycheck Protection Program included in the CARES Act authorized financial institutions to make loans to companies that have been impacted by the devastating economic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We responded by quickly developing a process to accept applications for the program not only from our valued small business customers, but from non-customers throughout the community as well.

PPP Loan Program Highlights

Republic Bank recognized the SBA PPP Loan Program as an opportunity to help existing and new small business customers actively participated in the program by accepting applications.

As of June 30, 2020 Republic has:

• Originated $682 million in PPP loans
• Related to more than 4,800 PPP loan applications
• More than 50% of the applications received were from small businesses that were not existing customers of Republic Bank, many of which have already switched their primary banking relationship to Republic Bank
• The average loan size of all PPP loans approved was $140 thousand
• Gross origination fees of $22 million were earned by Republic which will be recognized as income over the life of the loans
• Funding for this program was provided through the Federal Reserve PPP Lending Facility, which has resulted in exclusion of the PPP asset balances from the leverage ratio calculation.

As a percentage of existing loan balances outstanding as of March 31, 2020, the $682 million in PPP loans originated by Republic amounted to 36% making us one of the top PPP lenders in the entire country.

Loss Mitigation and Loan Portfolio Analysis

Management has taken a proactive approach to analyze and prepare for the potential challenges to be faced as the effects of the economic shutdown begin to unfold. A detailed analysis of loan concentrations and segments that may represent the areas of highest risk has been prepared. Our commercial lending team has initiated contact with many of our loan customers to discuss the impact that the pandemic has had on their businesses to date and the expected ramifications that may be felt in the future. We have granted payment deferrals for customers that made a request and had an immediate need for assistance.

Management believes exposure in the loan portfolio to the high risk industries most impacted by the current economic conditions is limited. Loans to customers in the accommodations and food services industry (i.e. hotels and restaurants) amount to 7% of the total loans outstanding as of June 30, 2020. Loans to customers involved in the oil and gas industry (refineries) are less than 1% of outstanding loans and credit card receivables are also less than 1% of total loans as of June 30, 2020.

We believe the combination of ongoing communication with our customers, loan payment deferrals, increased focus on risk management practices, and access to government programs such as the PPP Loan Program should help mitigate potential future period losses.

Quarterly Trend

Profitability in previous quarters was impacted by the inversion of the yield curve and the Company’s strategic decision to enter a new market during 2019. The Company continues to focus on improvement of its operating leverage. The following table highlights changes to some of the key financial metrics that demonstrate this progress:

The Company reported net income of $2.5 million, or $0.04 per share, for the three month period ended June 30, 2020, compared to net income of $381 thousand, or $0.01 per share, for the three month period ended June 30, 2019.

Interest income increased by $1.6 million, or 6%, to $27.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 compared to $26.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. The increase in interest income is attributable to the growth in interest-earning assets over the last twelve months driven by the Company’s “Power of Red is Back” expansion strategy. We have also begun to amortize the fees associated with the origination of PPP loans during the second quarter which is reported as interest income. $1.5 million in PPP fees were recorded as income during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 with the remaining balance to be recognized over the life of the loans.

Interest expense decreased by $1.4 million, or 21%, to $5.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 compared to $6.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in interest expense was primarily driven by a reduction in the cost of deposits as a result of the decrease in the Fed Funds rate during the latter part of the first quarter.

The net interest margin for the three month period ended June 30, 2020 decreased by 39 basis points to 2.55% compared to 2.94% for the three month period ended June 30, 2019. We experienced margin compression throughout 2019 as a result of the flattening of the yield curve. The interest rate on the loans originated under the PPP loan program is 1.00% which caused a decline in the yield on interest earning assets in the second quarter of 2020. In addition, the rate cuts enacted by the Federal Reserve Bank during the first quarter of 2020 has created a lower interest rate environment. The net interest margin excluding the impact of the PPP loan program would have been 2.70%.

Non-interest income increased by $1.4 million, or 20%, to $8.4 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2020, compared to $7.0 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2019. The increase is attributable to gains on the sale of investment securities, higher service fees on deposit accounts which is driven by growth in deposit balances and an increase in the number of deposit accounts, and mortgage banking income driven by mortgage loan originations, partially offset by a decrease in gains on the sale of SBA loans.

Non-interest expense increased by 3%, to $26.7 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2020 compared to $25.9 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2019. The growth in expenses were mainly caused by an increase in occupancy and equipment expenses associated with our growth strategy. Cost control initiatives identified by management have begun to take effect as non-interest expense declined for the third consecutive quarter.

On a linked quarter basis, total revenue increased by 13% during the second quarter of 2020 while non-interest expense declined by 2%. Year over year total revenue increased by 17% and non-interest expense increased by 3% during the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019.

About Republic Bank

Republic Bank, a subsidiary of Republic First Bancorp, Inc., is a full-service, state-chartered commercial bank, whose deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The Bank provides diversified financial products through its thirty stores located in Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and New York City. Republic Bank stores are open 7 days a week, 361 days a year, with extended lobby and drive-thru hours providing customers with some of the most convenient hours compared to any bank in its market. The Bank offers free checking, free coin counting, ATM/Debit cards issued on the spot and access to more than 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide via the Allpoint Network. The Bank also offers a wide range of residential mortgage products through its mortgage division which does business under the name of Oak Mortgage Company. For more information about Republic Bank, visit www.myrepublicbank.com.