Sun Bancorp (SNBC)

[Enterprising Investor]

SNBC Reports First Quarter 2012 Results (4/24/12)

VINELAND, N.J., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNBC) reported today a net loss available to common shareholders of $28.1 million, or a loss of $0.34 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to a net loss available to common shareholders of $67.1 million, or a loss of $1.25 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011. The 2011 period included a $53.1 million net loss on loans transferred to held-for-sale.

The following are key items and events that occurred during the first quarter:

•Provision expense totaled $30.7 million as compared to $6.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The allowance for loan losses equaled $52.1 million at quarter end, an increase of $10.5 million from December 31, 2011. The allowance for loan losses equaled 2.34% of gross loans held for investment and 45.5% of non-performing loans.

•The net interest margin equaled 3.48% versus 3.54% in the linked quarter. Non-accrual interest reversals totaled $310 thousand in the first quarter which reduced the net interest margin by five basis points. Commercial loan production remained relatively strong at $65 million during the first quarter versus $40 million in the comparable prior year quarter.

•Non-interest income decreased $1.3 million to $5.5 million as compared to the linked quarter primarily due to a prior quarter bank-owned life insurance distribution of $765 thousand and prior quarter gains of $280 thousand on the sale of investment securities.

•Non-interest expense increased $338 thousand from the linked quarter to $27.6 million; however, the current quarter included approximately $1.0 million in costs associated with the build out of our mortgage operations. During the first quarter, 47 new mortgage employees were hired as the Company plans to enhance its residential mortgage platform and provide a significant boost to non-interest income.

•Total risk-based capital equaled 14.45% at March 31, 2012, well above the regulatory required level.

•The Company announced the consolidation of three retail branches to occur in the second quarter. This strategic decision provides cost efficiencies and enhances the Company's ability to streamline operations in the branch network while continuing to provide excellent customer service.

"We continued in this quarter to take proactive and appropriate actions to strengthen and grow the company. We were decisive in charging down the balance of previously identified, collateral dependent legacy real estate loans in our portfolio that we believe have lost value due to the devalued commercial real-estate market and increasing our reserve coverage ratios," said Thomas X. Geisel, Sun's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We were equally decisive in capitalizing on market opportunities to build our mortgage business and drive loan production in both our small business and commercial lending lines. We remain focused on making decisions that reinforce the strength of our portfolio, build our revenue stream and effectively serve customers while advancing the Sun brand."

Discussion of Results:

Balance Sheet

•Total assets were $3.11 billion at March 31, 2012, as compared to $3.18 billion at December 31, 2011 and $3.33 billion at March 31, 2011.

•Gross loans held-for-investment were $2.23 billion at March 31, 2012, as compared to $2.29 billion at December 31, 2011 and $2.27 billion at March 31, 2011. Compared to the linked quarter, loans held-for-investment decreased by $65.6 million due to paydowns and net charge-offs of $20.2 million in the first quarter.

•Loans held-for-sale increased $1.8 million from the linked quarter-end to $25.0 million at March 31, 2012.

•Shareholders' equity decreased $25.9 million to $283.2 million at March 31, 2012 as compared to the linked quarter-end.

Net Interest Income and Margin

•On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income decreased $1.1 million over the linked quarter to $24.9 million. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased eight basis points over the linked quarter from 4.23% to 4.15%. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased five basis points to 0.84%. The net interest margin declined six basis points to 3.48% from 3.54% for the linked quarter and increased 22 basis points as compared to the same prior year quarter.

Non-Interest Income

•Non-interest income was $5.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, a decrease of $1.3 million from the linked quarter of $6.8 million and $9.6 million above the comparable prior year quarter loss of $4.1 million. The decrease from the linked quarter was primarily attributable to a bank-owned life insurance distribution of $765 thousand and gains on the sale of investment securities of $280 thousand, both of which were recorded in the linked quarter.

Non-Interest Expense

•The Company incurred $27.6 million of non-interest expense in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $338 thousand over the linked quarter and a decrease of $219 thousand from the comparable prior year quarter. Higher salary costs from the addition of new mortgage personnel were partially offset by lower occupancy, problem loan and advertising expenses. It is anticipated that the upfront costs associated with the build out of the mortgage operations will begin to be offset in the second quarter when the revenues are realized upon the sale of the first quarter mortgage production.

Asset Quality

•The provision for loan losses for the first quarter was $30.7 million, as compared to $6.8 million in the linked quarter and $60.3 million in the comparable prior year quarter. The allowance for loan losses was $52.1 million at March 31, 2012, or 2.34% of gross loans held-for-investment, as compared to the allowance for loan losses to gross loans held-for-investment of 1.82% at December 31, 2011 and 2.58% at March 31, 2011. Net charge-offs recorded in the current quarter were $20.2 million, or 0.89% of average loans, as compared to $20.4 million, or 0.87% of average loans for the linked quarter and $83.5 million, or 3.35% of average loans outstanding for the comparable prior year quarter. The prior year quarter included charge-offs of $69.4 million related to the fair value adjustment on loans transferred to held-for-sale.

•Total non-performing assets were $118.8 million, or 5.27% of total gross loans held-for-investment, loans held-for-sale and real estate owned at March 31, 2012, as compared to $112.7 million, or 4.86% and $192.3 million, or 8.04%, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011. Non-performing loans increased $6.9 million over the linked quarter to $114.6 million at March 31, 2012 from $107.7 million at December 31, 2011 and decreased $73.2 million from $187.8 million at March 31, 2011.

Capital

•Stockholders' equity totaled $283.2 million at March 31, 2012 compared to $309.1 million at December 31, 2011. The Company's tangible equity to tangible assets ratio was 7.79% at March 31, 2012, as compared to 8.41% at December 31, 2011 and 7.27% at March 31, 2011. At March 31, 2012, the Company's total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 capital ratio and leverage capital ratio were approximately 14.45%, 12.82%, and 10.21%, respectively. At March 31, 2012, Sun National Bank's total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 capital ratio and leverage capital ratio were approximately 13.73%, 12.47%, and 9.93%, respectively.

The Company will hold its regularly scheduled conference call on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. (ET). Participants may listen to the live web cast through the Sun Bancorp, Inc. web site at www.sunnb.com. Participants are advised to log on 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled start of the call. An Internet-based replay will be available at the Web site for two weeks following the call.

Sun Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNBC) is a $3.11 billion asset bank holding company headquartered in Vineland, New Jersey, with its executive offices located in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Its primary subsidiary is Sun National Bank, a full service Commercial Bank serving customers through 68 locations in New Jersey. Sun National Bank has been named one of Forbes Magazine's "Most Trustworthy Companies" for five years running. The Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and its deposits are insured up to the legal maximum by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). For more information about Sun National Bank and Sun Bancorp, Inc., visit www.sunnb.com.

The foregoing material contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. We caution that such statements are subject to a number of uncertainties and actual results could differ materially, and, therefore, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

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