BNCCORP, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results; Capital Continues to Exceed 'Well Capitalized' Standards

BISMARCK, N.D., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BNCCORP, Inc. (BNC) (Pink Sheets: BNCC), which operates community banking and wealth management businesses in Arizona, Minnesota and North Dakota, and has mortgage banking offices in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Arizona, today reported financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009.

Net loss was $(21.890) million, or $(6.81) per diluted share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. This compared to net income of $505 thousand, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008. Net loss for the first nine months of 2009 was $(20.751) million, or $(6.64) per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.567 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008.

BNC's third quarter results reflected strong growth in core earnings, coupled with significant provisions for credit losses and recognition of valuation allowances on net deferred tax assets. Net interest income and non-interest income continued to deliver double digit percentage increases while non-credit related expenses increased at a moderate rate. The rising core earnings were offset by significant increases in credit costs as the Company charged down problem assets and more than doubled its allowance for loan losses. Because of the large losses it was necessary for net deferred tax assets to be completely reserved.

Gregory K. Cleveland, BNCCORP President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The fundamentals of our business are solid, as demonstrated by the increase in our net interest income, non-interest income, and core deposits. That said, the banking sector is besieged by credit deterioration, and we have not been immune to these conditions. Our non-performing assets have been trending upward along with much of the industry, and increased particularly in the recent quarter. We have addressed these issues head-on with higher provisions for the third quarter. Fortunately, we also took early action to fortify our capital position before the economic downturn hit with full force. The benefits of strengthening our capital position were demonstrated this quarter as we were able to withstand large credit costs and maintain capital ratios in excess of the 'well capitalized' regulatory standards."

Third Quarter Results

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2009 was $7.853 million, an increase of $1.043 million, or 15.3%, from $6.810 million in the same period of 2008. The net interest margin for the current period increased to 3.70% from 3.55% in the same period of 2008. Investment earnings, growth in non-interest bearing deposits and lower interest rates on interest bearing liabilities combined to increase net interest income. Increases in non-accrual assets compressed net interest margin.

The provision for credit losses was $22.300 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $1.800 million in the third quarter of 2008. Macroeconomic forces are significantly impairing the ability of borrowers to repay debt, resulting in elevated credit losses throughout the financial industry. Specific factors that contributed to the Company's large provision include the migration of several credits to non-performing status, decline in collateral values and efforts to restructure problem loans.

Non-interest income for the third quarter of 2009 was $3.488 million, an increase of $1.079 million, up 44.8% from $2.409 million in the same period of 2008. Low interest rates and government sponsorship in the secondary market have created conditions that favor mortgage banking revenues, which rose by $1.441 million, or 200%, from the third quarter of 2008. These increases were partially offset by lower wealth management revenues, which declined due to fewer fees for managing documents on insurance products sold by others.

Non-interest expenses were significantly impacted by real estate costs and impairment charges on intangible assets, aggregating $5.110 million. As a result, total non-interest expense increased by $5.870 million to $12.745 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to $6.875 million in the same period of 2008. Real estate costs, which aggregated $4.701 million, increased as the Company began to receive substantive expressions of interest on certain properties at prices below appraised value and carrying values were reduced. Charges for goodwill of $409 thousand were recognized as management concluded the intangibles were impaired.

Excluding the impact of real estate costs and impairment charges, non-interest expense increased $789 thousand, or 11.5%. This increase primarily relates to expanded mortgage banking operations which incurred expenses that were approximately $1.000 million higher in the third quarter of 2009 than in the same period of 2008.

A tax benefit of $1.814 million, or 7.7% of pre-tax losses, was recognized during the third quarter of 2009. This benefit reflects the net effect of recording a tax benefit of $9.134 million generated by operating losses and a deferred tax valuation allowance of $7.320 million. The valuation allowance, which reduced net deferred tax assets to $0, was required because of the magnitude of losses incurred. Tax expense in the third quarter of 2008 was $39 thousand which resulted in an effective tax rate of 7.3%. The effective tax rate in 2008 is relatively low because a significant portion of pre-tax earnings originated from tax exempt sources.

Net loss attributed to common shareholders was $(22.220) million, or $(6.81) per share, for the third quarter after accounting for dividends paid on preferred stock and amortization of issuance discounts on preferred stock. These costs aggregated $330 thousand in the third quarter of 2009. Net income available to common shareholders in 2008 was $505 thousand, or $0.15 per diluted share.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Net interest income for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 was $22.351 million, an increase of $2.504 million, or 12.6%, from $19.847 million in the same period of 2008. The net interest margin for the nine months was 3.62% in 2009 and 3.69% in 2008. Investment earnings, growth in non-interest bearing deposits, and lower interest rates on interest bearing liabilities combined to increase net interest income. Increases in non-accrual assets compressed net interest margin.

The provision for credit losses was $26.000 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared to $4.600 million in the first nine months of 2008. The higher provision for credit losses in 2009 reflects the deteriorating economic environment, the amount and trend of nonperforming loans and other factors based on management's regular ongoing evaluation of the loan portfolio.

Non-interest income in 2009 was $11.529 million, an increase $3.462 million, or 42.9%, compared to $8.067 million in 2008. Growth in mortgage banking revenues, which was $4.183 million higher, and gains on sales of investments, which were $1.777 million higher in the first nine months of 2009 than in the same period of 2008, propelled the increase in non-interest income. Gains on sales of investments will vary from period to period and are not expected to continue at the current level. We expect that mortgage banking revenues will remain strong as long as refinancing of residential loans continues. In the first nine months of 2008, the Company benefited from gains on sales of fixed assets and commercial real estate loans which aggregated $1.833 million. Neither of these activities occurred at significant levels in 2009. Wealth management revenues for the first half of 2009 declined compared to the prior period, and are expected to continue to decline.

In the first nine months of 2009, non-interest expense increased by $10.503 million to $30.195 million, from $19.692 million in 2008. Real estate costs, which aggregated $7.281 million in the first nine months of 2009, increased as real estate continues to devalue. FDIC assessments were $874 thousand higher in 2009 as the banking industry is charged to replenish the depository insurance fund. We expect FDIC assessments to remain elevated in future periods. Excluding increases in real estate costs, FDIC assessments and impairment charges aggregating $8.133 million, non-interest costs increased by $2.370 million, or 12%, in the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Mortgage banking expenses constituted approximately $2.400 million of this increase.

The tax benefit in 2009 was $1.564 million, or 7.0%, of pre-tax losses in the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. This benefit reflects the net effect of tax benefits resulting from operating losses and the cost of recording a valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets. In the same period of 2008, tax expense was $1.055 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 29.1%. There was no expense associated with a valuation allowance recorded on net deferred tax assets in 2008.

Overall, the net loss attributable to common shareholders in the first nine months of 2009 was $(21.674) million, or $(6.64) per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.567 million, or $0.77 per diluted share in the 2008 period. Net loss attributed to common shareholders includes dividends paid on preferred stock and amortization of issuance discounts on the preferred stock. These costs were $923 thousand in the first nine months of 2009.

Assets, Liabilities and Equity

Total assets were $903.0 million at September 30, 2009, an increase of $41.5 million, or 4.8%, compared to $861.5 million at December 31, 2008. Loans held for sale increased by $10.3 million because of growth in mortgage banking operations, investment securities were $34.7 million higher than at the beginning of the year, while loans held for investment were essentially flat. BNC recently increased investments to take advantage of opportunities to improve net interest spread and improve liquidity. BNC remains committed to its clients and communities we serve, but concerns about the impact of current recessionary conditions on the credit worthiness of borrowers has made it challenging to add solid credits.

Total liabilities, including deposits, at September 30, 2009 increased by $38.1 million to $845.6 million compared to $807.5 million at December 31, 2008. Growth in core deposits has been significant during 2009.

Total deposits were $777.9 million at September 30, 2009, increasing by $102.6 million from 2008 year-end. Core deposits aggregated $633.2 million at September 30, 2009 and $575.6 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of $57.6 million or 10.0%. Wholesale deposits aggregated $144.7 million at September 30, 2009, an increase of $45.0 million since the end of 2008. Approximately three-fourths of wholesale deposits are callable and are primarily used to fund investments.

Increases in deposits have allowed the Company to reduce borrowings from the FHLB. Available borrowing capacity from the FHLB was in excess of $120.0 million as of September 30, 2009.

Total equity was $57.4 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $53.9 million at December 31, 2008.

The book value per common share was $11.30 as of September 30, 2009, compared to $16.35 as of December 31, 2008. Excluding the impact of the unrealized gains and losses on investments, the book value per common share was $11.08 as of September 30, 2009, compared to $17.82 as of December 31, 2008.

Trust assets under supervision were $385.4 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $320.3 million at December 31, 2008. The increase in assets under supervision relates to growth in our employee benefit areas and appreciation of securities in 2009.

Regulatory Capital

The Company's capital levels significantly exceeded the regulatory requirements for "well-capitalized" institutions at September 30, 2009. At that date, the tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.23% (versus a 4.00% requirement), the tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.28% (requirement of 4.00%), and the total risk-based capital ratio was 13.13% (requirement of 8.00%). Tangible common equity at September 30, 2009 was 4.10%.

At September 30, 2009, the Company's subsidiary, BNC National Bank, had a tier 1 leverage ratio of 6.53% (versus a 5.00% "well-capitalized" requirement), a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.94% ("well-capitalized" requirement of 6.00%), and a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.46% ("well-capitalized" requirement of 10.00%). BNC National Bank's risk based capital of $83.2 million was $16.4 million greater than the $66.8 million required to meet the "well capitalized" threshold. Tangible common equity at September 30, 2009 was 6.62%.

Asset Quality

Due to challenging economic conditions, credit risk is elevated. As a result, the Company is carefully monitoring asset quality and taking what we believe to be prudent and appropriate action to strengthen its credit metrics. The Company's provision for credit losses in the 2009 third quarter was $22.300 million, and exceeded loans charged off by $10.635 million.

The allowance for credit losses was $21.0 million and $8.8 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans at September 30, 2009 was 3.49%, compared with 1.50% at December 31, 2008. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of loans and leases held for investment at September 30, 2009 was 3.85%, compared with 1.61% at December 31, 2008. The ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets was 5.22% at September 30, 2009, compared with 3.84% at December 31, 2008. The ratio of the allowance for credit losses to total nonperforming loans as of September 30, 2009 was 57% compared to 38% at December 31, 2008.

At September 30, 2009, BNC had $56.8 million of classified loans, $36.4 million of loans on non-accrual and $10.4 million of other real estate owned. At December 31, 2008, BNC had $33.1 million of classified loans, $22.9 million of loans on non-accrual and $10.2 million of other real estate owned. The balances of classified loans, non-accrual loans and other real estate owned are higher than they have been in recent years. Recently the Company has received substantive offers for certain foreclosed properties but remains uncertain about the prospective buyers' ultimate capacity to close. The ability to close such sales will have an impact on the future balance of real estate.

BNC has significant concentrations of land and construction loans, which account for 13% of total loans. At September 30, 2009, the Company had construction loans of $32.3 million and land and land development loans aggregating $46.3 million. At December 31, 2008, the Company had construction loans of $37.7 million and land and land development loans aggregating $61.8 million.

Outlook

Mr. Cleveland noted, "In an environment marked by further uncertainty, we will continue to manage the business of BNC with an eye toward preserving our strength, stability and capacity to serve our customers. Economic metrics are populated with mixed signals, but it is our view the recession will continue until employment rates improve and excessive debt is purged. The country has too many businesses and consumers struggling with lower incomes that marginally service debt. These circumstances make lending difficult and imply deflationary trends for the near term. Government at all levels will be experiencing revenue shortfalls, and the methods they use to resolve budget imbalances will have a significant impact on the economy. Under such conditions, we will continue to focus on maintaining a solid capital base, core profitability and a prudent approach to managing asset quality."

BNCCORP, Inc., headquartered in Bismarck, N.D., is a registered bank holding company dedicated to providing banking and wealth management services to businesses and consumers in its local markets. The Company operates community banking and wealth management businesses in Arizona, Minnesota and North Dakota from 20 locations. BNC also conducts mortgage banking from nine locations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Arizona.

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of BNC. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", or other expressions. We caution readers that these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to our future business prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, interest costs and income, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements due to several important factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks of loans and investments, including dependence on local and regional economic conditions; competition for our customers from other providers of financial services; possible adverse effects of changes in interest rates, including the effects of such changes on derivative contracts and associated accounting consequences; risks associated with our acquisition and growth strategies; and other risks which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. In addition, all statements in this news release, including forward-looking statements, speak only of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

                           (Financial tables attached)

                                   BNCCORP, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                    (Unaudited)

                                              For the          For the
                                           Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended
    (In thousands, except                  September 30,     September 30,
     per share data)                       2009     2008     2009     2008
                                           ----     ----     ----     ----
    SELECTED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
    Interest income                      $11,611  $11,694  $33,703  $34,575
    Interest expense                       3,758    4,884   11,352   14,728
                                           -----    -----   ------   ------
    Net interest income                    7,853    6,810   22,351   19,847
    Provision for credit losses           22,300    1,800   26,000    4,600
    Non-interest income                    3,488    2,409   11,529    8,067
    Non-interest expense                  12,745    6,875   30,195   19,692
                                          ------    -----   ------   ------
    Income (loss) before income taxes    (23,704)     544  (22,315)   3,622
    Income tax (benefit) expense          (1,814)      39   (1,564)   1,055
                                          ------       --   ------    -----
    Net income (loss)                    (21,890)     505  (20,751)   2,567
    Preferred stock costs                   (330)       -     (923)       -
                                            ----      ---     ----      ---
    Net income (loss) available to
     common shareholders                $(22,220)    $505 $(21,674)  $2,567
                                        ========     ==== ========   ======


    EARNINGS PER SHARE DATA

    Basic earnings (loss) per common
     share                                $(6.81)   $0.16   $(6.64)   $0.78
    Diluted earnings (loss) per common
     share                                $(6.81)   $0.15   $(6.64)   $0.77



                                   BNCCORP, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                    (Unaudited)

                                                    As of
                                                    -----
    (In thousands, except share,  September 30,  December 31,  September 30,
     per share and full time          2009           2008          2008
     equivalent data)                 ----           ----          ----
    SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
    Total assets                   $903,006       $861,498      $838,319
    Loans held for sale              23,689         13,403         6,390
    Participating interests in
     mortgage loans                  31,436         28,584        28,246
    Loans and leases held for
     investment                     545,603        542,753       533,148
    Total loans                     600,728        584,740       567,784
    Allowance for credit losses     (20,988)        (8,751)       (8,395)
    Investment securities
     available for sale             244,592        209,857       211,763
    Other real estate, net           10,446         10,189         5,098
    Earning assets                  833,604        791,844       778,374
    Total deposits                  777,865        675,321       643,748

    Core deposits                   633,174        575,637       549,619
    Other borrowings                 58,213        124,454       130,656

    OTHER SELECTED DATA
    Net unrealized gains (losses)
     in investment portfolio,
     pretax                          $1,143        $(7,805)      $(4,541)
    Trust assets under
     supervision                   $385,414       $320,340      $331,293
    Total common stockholders'
     equity                         $37,204        $53,947       $55,890
    Book value per common share      $11.30         $16.35        $16.89
    Effect of net unrealized
     gains (losses) on securities
     available for sale, net of
     tax, on book value per
     common share                     $0.22         $(1.47)       $(0.85)
    Book value per common share,
     excluding effect of
     unrealized gains (losses) on
     securities                      $11.08         $17.82         17.74
    Full time equivalent
     employees                          324            238           240
    Common shares outstanding     3,293,445      3,299,163     3,311,741

    CAPITAL RATIOS
    Tier 1 leverage
     (Consolidated)                    8.23%          9.01%         9.35%
    Tier 1 risk-based capital
     (Consolidated)                   11.28%         11.15%        11.49%
    Total risk-based capital
     (Consolidated)                   13.13%         12.95%        13.25%
    Tangible common equity
     (Consolidated)                    4.10%          6.21%         6.59%

    Tier 1 leverage (BNC National
     Bank)                             6.53%          9.34%         9.70%
    Tier 1 risk-based capital
     (BNC National Bank)               8.94%         11.56%        11.92%
    Total risk-based capital (BNC
     National Bank)                   12.46%         12.81%        13.17%
    Tangible capital (BNC
     National Bank)                    6.62%          8.77%         9.24%



                                   BNCCORP, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                    (Unaudited)

                                          For the             For the
                                       Quarter Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                        September 30,       September 30,
    (In thousands)                     2009      2008      2009      2008
                                       ----      ----      ----      ----
    AVERAGE BALANCES
    Total assets                    $915,682  $823,784  $898,589  $775,603
    Loans held for sale               21,515     4,080    23,296     3,195
    Participating interests in
     mortgage loans                   29,584    24,798    28,372    24,209
    Loans and leases held for
     investment                      553,747   526,548   550,092   518,037
    Total loans                      604,846   555,426   601,760   545,441
    Investment securities available
     for sale                        235,249   207,062   224,294   173,585
    Earning assets                   841,929   762,865   826,362   718,921
    Total deposits                   755,013   628,794   710,821   592,828
    Core deposits                    615,681   538,692   589,998   525,956
    Total equity                      76,640    56,008    74,771    58,542
    KEY RATIOS
    Return on average common
     stockholders' equity            (156.24)%    3.58%   (52.03)%    5.86%
    Return on average assets           (9.48)%    0.24%    (3.09)%    0.44%
    Net interest margin                 3.70%     3.55%     3.62%     3.69%
    Efficiency ratio                  112.38%    74.57%    89.12%    70.55%
    Efficiency ratio, excluding
     gains on sales of securities,
     provisions for real estate
     losses and goodwill               69.13%    76.63%    70.69%    71.18%



                                                      As of
                                                      -----
    (In thousands)                  September 30,  December 31,  September 30,
                                         2009          2008          2008
                                         ----          ----          ----
    ASSET QUALITY
    Loans 90 days or more
     delinquent and still accruing
     interest                             $252            $6          $26
    Non-accrual loans                   36,430        22,909       21,120
                                        ------        ------       ------
    Total nonperforming loans          $36,682       $22,915      $21,146
    Other real estate, net              10,446        10,189        5,098
                                        ------        ------        -----
    Total nonperforming assets         $47,128       $33,104      $26,244
                                       =======       =======      =======
    Allowance for credit losses        $20,988        $8,751       $8,395
                                       =======        ======       ======
    Ratio of total nonperforming
     loans to total loans                 6.11%         3.92%        3.72%
    Ratio of total nonperforming
     assets to total assets               5.22%         3.84%        3.13%
    Ratio of allowance for credit
     losses to loans and leases
     held for investment                  3.85%         1.61%        1.57%
    Ratio of allowance for credit
     losses to total loans                3.49%         1.50%        1.48%
    Ratio of allowance for credit
     losses to nonperforming loans          57%           38%          40%



                                   BNCCORP, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                    (Unaudited)

                                             For the           For the
                                          Quarter Ended    Nine Months Ended
    (In thousands)                         September 30,     September 30,
                                          2009      2008     2009     2008
                                          ----      ----     ----     ----
    Changes in Allowance for Credit
     Losses:
    Balance, beginning of period        $10,339   $7,065   $8,751   $6,599
    Provision                            22,300    1,800   26,000    4,600
    Loans charged off                   (11,665)    (674) (13,935)  (3,051)
    Loan recoveries                          14      204      172      247
                                            ---      ---      ---      ---
    Balance, end of period              $20,988   $8,395  $20,988   $8,395
                                        =======   ======  =======   ======

    Ratio of net charge-offs to average
     total loans                         (1.926)% (0.085)% (2.287)% (0.514)%
    Ratio of net charge-offs to average
     total loans, annualized             (7.705)% (0.338)% (3.049)% (0.685)%



                                   BNCCORP, INC.
                        CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                    (Unaudited)

                                            For the             For the
                                         Quarter Ended      Nine Months Ended
    (In thousands, except                 September 30,       September 30,
     share data)                         2009      2008      2009      2008
                                         ----      ----      ----      ----
    ANALYSIS OF NON-INTEREST INCOME
    Bank charges and service fees        $562      $511     $1,662    $1,520
    Wealth management revenues            433       691      1,512     2,215
    Mortgage banking revenues           2,163       722      5,655     1,472
    Gains on sales of commercial
     real estate loans                      2        36         88     1,075
    Net gain (loss) on sales of
     assets                                 -       (18)         -       776
    Net gain on sales of securities       153       247      2,024       247
    Other                                 175       220        588       762
                                          ---       ---        ---       ---
      Total non-interest income        $3,488    $2,409    $11,529    $8,067
                                       ======    ======    =======    ======
    ANALYSIS OF NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
    Salaries and employee benefits     $3,803    $3,725    $11,238   $11,086
    Other real estate costs             4,701        29      7,281       431
    Professional services                 667       411      1,936       893
    Occupancy                             617       605      1,886     1,594
    Data processing fees                  607       560      1,681     1,620
    Depreciation and amortization         402       346      1,132     1,015
    Marketing and promotion               360       311        866       773
    FDIC and other assessments            323       117      1,101       227
    Office supplies and postage           144       134        442       381
    Other                               1,121       637      2,632     1,672
                                        -----       ---      -----     -----
      Total non-interest expense      $12,745    $6,875    $30,195   $19,692
                                      =======    ======    =======   =======
    WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
    Common shares outstanding (a)   3,261,831 3,243,388  3,261,831 3,308,747
    Incremental shares from assumed
     conversion of options and
     contingent shares                  7,524    18,557     15,855    29,373
                                        -----    ------     ------    ------
    Adjusted weighted average
     shares (b)                     3,269,355 3,261,945  3,277,686 3,338,120
                                    ========= =========  ========= =========

    (a) Denominator for Basic Earnings Per Common Share
    (b) Denominator for Diluted Earnings Per Common Share