Cadence Financial Corporation Reports Third Quarter Results

October 26, 2009 4:13 PM EDT

STARKVILLE, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cadence Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CADE), a $1.8 billion bank holding company whose principal subsidiary is Cadence Bank, N.A., today reported a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $13.1 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared with a net loss of $5.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2008. The loss for the 2009 period was due primarily to a high provision for loan losses and higher non-interest expenses related to increased FDIC premiums, and nonrecurring expenses related to early extinguishment of debt and those associated with our efforts to raise capital.

"We are making real progress in reducing Cadence's exposure to higher risk real estate loans this year in order to improve our earnings prospects," stated Lewis F. Mallory, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Cadence Financial Corporation. "We took aggressive steps to clean up our nonperforming loans and charged off $22.5 million in loans in the third quarter of 2009. These actions had the effect of reducing our nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets compared with the second quarter of 2009. In addition, we reduced our other real estate owned (OREO) for the second consecutive quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2009, we expect to report continued improvement in asset quality and a reduced provision for loan losses assuming the current economic trends continue to stabilize and begin to improve."

Third Quarter Results

Net interest income was $11.6 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared with $13.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. Net interest margin improved to 2.56% in the third quarter of 2009 compared with 2.21% in the second quarter of 2009. Net interest margin was 3.00% in the third quarter of 2008. The reduction in net interest margin since last year was due in part to management's focus on reducing certain higher-risk real estate loans that typically have higher interest rates, and pay downs on loans that were not replaced due to weak loan demand. In addition, Cadence built its liquidity over the past three quarters in 2009 by accumulating deposits and investing in short-term assets. The shift in earning assets from loans to lower yielding short-term investments was estimated to cost about 26 basis points in net interest margin for the third quarter of 2009.

"Cadence's net interest margin improved to 2.56% in the third quarter of 2009, up 35 basis points from the second quarter of 2009," continued Mr. Mallory. "We benefited from an improved yield on earning assets and lower cost of funds compared with the second quarter. We expect to make further improvement in our loan yields and continue to focus on reducing the cost of non-accrual loans in future quarters. Our margin has averaged 3.35% over the past five years."

Total interest income was $20.2 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared with $24.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. Interest and fees on loans declined 21.1% due to a 74 basis point decrease in yields and a $131.6 million decrease in average loan balances from the third quarter of 2008. The majority of the decrease in loans is due to Cadence's program to reduce its exposure to real estate loans across its franchise; specifically loans for 1-4 speculative residential construction, land development, lots to builders, and commercial real estate loans. These higher risk real estate loan categories were down approximately $25 million in the last three months and down $169 million since the third quarter of 2008.

Interest and dividends on investment securities were down 10.4% to $4.6 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared with the third quarter of 2008 due to a 54 basis point decline in yield offset partially by a $16 million increase in the average investment securities portfolio.

Cadence's provision for loan losses was $20.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared with $11.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $23.0 million in the second quarter of 2009. At the end of the third quarter 2009, the allowance for loan losses was $44.9 million, or 3.81% of total loans, compared with $46.7 million in the second quarter of 2009, or 3.76% of loans, and $18.1 million, or 1.3% of total loans, in the third quarter of 2008. The third quarter 2009 allowance included net charge-offs of $22.5 million. Approximately $20 million of these charge-offs had been reserved for previously.

Total non-interest income increased to $6.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared with $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. The increase in non-interest income was due primarily to an increase in security gains, offset partially by lower services charges, trust department income, insurance commission and mortgage loan fees. Cadence sold its insurance business effective August 31, 2009, and booked a gain of approximately $500,000 in other non-interest income during the third quarter. The gain on sale is subject to adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2009 based on final settlement costs related to pension and tax costs at the year end of 2009.

Non-interest expense increased 6% to $18.3 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared with $17.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. The increase was due to higher other non-interest expenses, offset partially by lower salaries and net premises costs. Third quarter 2009 non-interest expenses increased $1.3 million due to higher costs for FDIC insurance premiums, and one-time charges on the early extinguishment of debt and expenses associated with the Company's efforts to raise capital. These costs were offset partially by a $1.5 million reduction in expenses related to OREO. FDIC insurance premiums increased from $267,000 in the third quarter of 2008 to $1,215,000 in the third quarter of 2009. The loss on early extinguishment of debt totaled $934,000 in the third quarter of 2009 due to Cadence's repayment of higher costs Federal Home Loan Board advances. The Company expensed $967,000 associated with its efforts to raise capital.

Pre-tax loss was $20.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared with pre-tax loss of $9.2 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2009 was $12.4 million. Net loss applicable to common shareholders for the second quarter of 2009 was $13.1 million, or $1.10 per diluted share. This compares with a net loss of $5.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased 0.2% to 11.91 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared with 11.93 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Cadence sold $44 million in senior preferred shares to the U.S. Treasury in mid-January 2009. The preferred shares pay a cumulative annual dividend of 5% for the first five years. Cadence's third quarter 2009 loss applicable to common shareholders included $652,000 related to the preferred dividend and accretion of the discount recorded in relation to the preferred stock.

Nine-Month Results

Net interest income declined 17.8% to $34.6 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared with $42.1 million in the same period of 2008. The decrease in net interest income was due to a 63 basis point decrease in net interest margin, partially offset by a 3.3% increase in average earning assets for the first nine months of 2009 compared with the first nine months of 2008. The provision for loan losses was $76.5 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared with $18.0 million in the first nine months of 2008.

Net loss applicable to common stockholders for the first nine months of 2009 was $112.2 million, or $9.42 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $640,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008. The 2009 results include a $66.8 million ($5.61 per diluted share) non-cash charge associated with the write-down of goodwill in the first quarter of 2009. The goodwill impairment charge was required by FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350 (Intangibles - Goodwill and Other) and was an accounting adjustment that did not affect cash flows, liquidity, tangible book capital, regulatory capital, regulatory capital ratios and will not affect future operations. There was no comparable impairment loss in the 2008 period.

OCC Update

Cadence has previously disclosed that the Bank had entered into an agreement with the Office of Comptroller of Currency ("OCC") to improve the Bank's practices and raise its regulatory capital ratios for Total Risk Based Capital and Tier 1 Leverage Capital to 12% and 8%, respectively, as of September 30, 2009. While the Bank has implemented policies and procedures, and improved its practices to meet its obligations under such agreement, management reports that based on preliminary numbers they do not expect the Bank to be in compliance with the above referenced ratios as of September 30, 2009. These ratios are compiled as part of the Bank's next quarterly call report which is to be filed by October 31, 2009.

"We do not expect to meet the above-referenced regulatory ratio guidelines as of September 30, 2009; however, we are working on steps that will lead to our compliance in the future," concluded Mr. Mallory.

Conference Call

Cadence Financial Corporation will provide an on-line, real-time webcast and rebroadcast of its third quarter results conference call to be held tomorrow, October 27, 2009. The live broadcast will be available on-line at www.cadencebanking.com under investor information as well as www.investorcalendar.com beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The on-line replay will follow immediately and continue for 30 days.

About Cadence Financial Corporation

Cadence Financial Corporation is a $1.8 billion bank holding company providing full financial services, including banking, trust services, mortgage services and investment products in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Cadence's stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol CADE.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial results. However, such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (including uncertainties relating to interest rates, management and operation of acquired operations and general market risks) that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. For a discussion of certain factors that may cause such forward-looking statements to differ materially from the Company's actual results, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cadence Financial Corporation is not responsible for updating the information contained in this press release beyond the published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet services.


CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

SEPTEMBER 30,

($ in thousands, except share data)

                                                    2009           2008

ASSETS:

Cash and Due From Banks                             $ 17,483       $ 36,101

Interest Bearing Deposits Due From Banks              37,442         7,869

Total Cash and Due From Banks                         54,925         43,970

Securities:

Securities Available-for-Sale                         417,645        412,680

Securities Held-to-Maturity                           2,673          21,782

Total Securities                                      420,318        434,462

Federal Funds Sold and

Securities Purchased Under Agreements To Resell       30,312         3,269

Other Earning Assets                                  19,608         18,763

Loans                                                 1,179,741      1,349,711

Less: Allowance for Loan Losses                       (44,939   )    (18,146   )

Net Loans                                             1,134,802      1,331,565

Premises and Equipment, Net                           31,866         34,044

Interest Receivable                                   8,111          9,976

Other Real Estate Owned                               14,760         14,671

Goodwill and Other Intangibles                        1,518          69,035

Other Assets                                          51,479         25,326

Total Assets                                        $ 1,767,699    $ 1,985,081

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Noninterest-Bearing Deposits                        $ 168,264      $ 176,960

Interest-Bearing Deposits                             1,243,180      1,267,918

Total Deposits                                        1,411,444      1,444,878

Interest Payable                                      1,869          2,867

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under     88,791         111,055
Agreements to Repurchase

Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings                     100,000        194,993

Subordinated Debentures                               30,928         30,928

Other Liabilities                                     13,857         14,474

Total Liabilities                                     1,646,889      1,799,195

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Preferred Stock - $10 Par Value, Authorized
10,000,000 shares, Issued - 44,000 Shares at          41,995         -
September 30, 2009

Common Stock - $1 Par Value, Authorized 50,000,000
shares, Issued - 11,912,564 Shares at September       11,913         11,909
30, 2009 and 11,908,914 Shares at September 30,
2008

Surplus and Undivided Profits                         63,039         176,670

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)         3,863          (2,693    )

Total Shareholders' Equity                            120,810        185,886

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity          $ 1,767,699    $ 1,985,081




CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)

                  FOR THE THREE MONTHS            FOR THE NINE MONTHS

                  ENDED SEPTEMBER 30              ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

                  2009            2008            2009            2008

INTEREST INCOME:

Interest and      $ 15,464        $ 19,592        $ 47,639        $ 63,095
Fees on Loans

Interest and
Dividends on        4,608           5,140           14,333          15,716
Investment
Securities

Other Interest      90              167             313             427
Income

Total Interest      20,162          24,899          62,285          79,238
Income

INTEREST
EXPENSE:

Interest on         6,817           8,642           21,690          28,091
Deposits

Interest on         1,760           2,718           5,993           9,047
Borrowed Funds

Total Interest      8,577           11,360          27,683          37,138
Expense

Net Interest        11,585          13,539          34,602          42,100
Income

Provision for       20,704          11,703          76,460          18,003
Loan Losses

Net Interest
Income After        (9,119     )    1,836           (41,858    )    24,097
Provision for
Loan Losses

OTHER INCOME:

Service Charges
on Deposit          2,219           2,453           6,349           6,791
Accounts

Trust Department    527             542             1,500           1,684
Income

Insurance
Commission and      1,055           1,428           3,411           3,844
Fee Income

Mortgage Loan       242             275             879             983
Fee Income

Other
Non-Interest        1,768           1,459           4,517           3,821
Income

Gains (Losses)
on Securities -     923             70              1,062           225
Net

Total Other         6,734           6,227           17,718          17,348
Income

OTHER EXPENSE:

Salaries and
Employee            7,609           7,839           23,351          23,555
Benefits

Net Premises and
Fixed Asset         1,976           1,990           5,932           5,994
Expense

Impairment Loss     -               -               66,846          -
on Goodwill

Other Operating     8,685           7,404           20,018          15,105
Expense

Total Other         18,270          17,233          116,147         44,654
Expense

Income (Loss)
Before Income       (20,655    )    (9,170     )    (140,287   )    (3,209     )
Taxes

Applicable
Income Tax          (8,228     )    (3,891     )    (29,689    )    (2,569     )
Expense
(Benefit)

Net Income          (12,427    )    (5,279     )    (110,598   )    (640       )
(Loss)

Preferred Stock
Dividend and        652             -               1,626           -
Accretion of
Discount

Net Income
(Loss)
Applicable to     $ (13,079    )  $ (5,279     )  $ (112,224   )  $ (640       )
Common
Shareholders

Net Income
(Loss) Per Share  $ (1.04      )  $ (0.44      )  $ (9.28      )  $ (0.05      )
- Basic and
Diluted

Net Income
(Loss)
Applicable to
Common            $ (1.10      )  $ (0.44      )  $ (9.42      )  $ (0.05      )
Shareholders Per
Share - Basic
and Diluted

Average Weighted
Common Shares:

Basic               11,912,564      11,908,914      11,913,306      11,906,488

Diluted             11,912,564      11,934,956      11,913,973      11,929,823




CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

($ in thousands, except per share data)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30:          2009           2008

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common            $ (13,079   )  $ (5,279    )
Shareholders

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common      (1.10     )    (0.44     )
Share

Cash Dividends Per Common Share                     -              0.05

ANNUALIZED RETURNS

Return on Average Assets                            -2.8      %    -1.1      %

Return on Average Equity                            -41.8     %    -11.2     %

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30:           2009           2008

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common            $ (112,224  )  $ (640      )
Shareholders

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common      (9.42     )    (0.05     )
Share

Cash Dividends Per Common Share                     0.05           0.55

ANNUALIZED RETURNS

Return on Average Assets                            -7.7      %    0.0       %

Return on Average Equity                            -102.9    %    -0.4      %

SELECTED BALANCES AT SEPTEMBER 30:                2009           2008

Total Assets                                      $ 1,767,699    $ 1,985,081

Deposits and Securities Sold Under Agreements to    1,450,235      1,499,933
Repurchase

Loans                                               1,179,741      1,349,711

Total Securities                                    420,318        434,462

Shareholders' Equity                                120,810        185,886

Closing Market Price Per Common Share               1.80           9.25

Book Value Per Common Share                         6.62           15.61

Tangible Equity                                     119,292        116,851

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share                6.49           9.81




CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

LOANS AND DEPOSITS BY STATE/REGION

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009:

                MISSISSIPPI  TUSCALOOSA   BIRMINGHAM  MEMPHIS  MIDDLE TN    FLORIDA  GEORGIA  TOTAL

LOANS           29 %           11      %  7   %       24 %       15      %  12  %    2 %      100 %

DEPOSITS        56 %           11      %  2   %       14 %       6       %  9   %    2 %      100 %

AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30,
2008:

                MISSISSIPPI  TUSCALOOSA   BIRMINGHAM  MEMPHIS  MIDDLE TN    FLORIDA  GEORGIA  TOTAL

LOANS           29 %           9       %  6   %       25 %       17      %  11  %    3 %      100 %

DEPOSITS        64 %           10      %  1   %       11 %       6       %  6   %    2 %      100 %

REAL ESTATE LOAN BALANCES BY STATE/REGION - LINKED QUARTERS ($ in thousands)

                             9/30/09                           6/30/09

                             Balance      % of Total           Balance      % of
                                                                            Total

Mississippi                  $ 216,166    25  %                $ 218,223    24  %

Tuscaloosa                     103,280    12  %                  100,465    11  %

Birmingham                     67,720     8   %                  71,326     8   %

Memphis                        185,280    21  %                  188,391    21  %

Middle                         121,558    14  %                  143,787    16  %
Tennessee

Florida                        122,728    14  %                  124,029    14  %

Georgia                        25,544     3   %                  26,964     3   %

Administration                 29,496     3   %                  30,651     3   %

Total                        $ 871,772    100 %                $ 903,836    100 %




CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

($ in thousands)

                                   9/30/09         6/30/09           9/30/08

LOAN BALANCES BY TYPE:

Commercial and Industrial        $ 194,662       $ 198,836         $ 222,620

Personal                           21,223          30,844            33,349

Real Estate:

Construction                       59,372          85,667            210,778

Commercial Real Estate             657,668         661,087           645,965

Real Estate Secured by             130,424         130,964           131,724
Residential Properties

Mortgage                           24,308          26,118            30,958

Total Real Estate                  871,772         903,836           1,019,425

Other                              92,084          110,711           74,317

Total                            $ 1,179,741     $ 1,244,227       $ 1,349,711

ASSET QUALITY DATA:

Nonaccrual Loans                 $ 55,899        $ 69,852          $ 24,618

Loans 90+ Days Past Due            4,085           2,906             4,532

Total Non-Performing Loans         59,984          72,758            29,150

Other Real Estate Owned            14,760          16,686            14,671

Total Non-Performing Assets      $ 74,744        $ 89,444          $ 43,821

Non-Performing Loans to Total      5.1       %     5.8       %       2.2       %
Loans

Non-Performing Assets to Total     6.3       %     7.1       %       3.2       %
Loans and OREO

Allowance for Loan Losses to       74.9      %     64.2      %       62.3      %
Non-Performing Loans

Allowance for Loan Losses to       3.8       %     3.8       %       1.3       %
Total Loans

Classified Assets to Capital       131.0     % *   120.7     % **    43.1      %

Classified Loans to Capital        118.3     % *   107.9     % **    35.2      %

Classified Loans to Total Loans    12.1      %     11.2      %       4.9       %

Loans 30+ Days Past Due to
Total Loans (loans not included    7.4       %     3.9       %       2.3       %
in non-performing loans)

YTD Net Charge-offs to Average     4.1       %     2.3       %       1.1       %
Loans YTD

NET CHARGE-OFFS FOR QUARTER      $ 22,487        $ 15,331          $ 9,383

INTANGIBLE ASSET AMORTIZATION    $ 149           $ 155             $ 208
FOR QUARTER

* Includes the effect of write-off of goodwill in the first quarter of 2009.
Without the goodwill impairment charge, the ratio of classified assets to
capital was 84.3% and classified loans to capital was 76.2%.

** Includes the effect of write-off of goodwill in the first quarter of 2009.
Without the goodwill impairment charge, the ratio of classified assets to
capital was 79.6% and classified loans to capital was 71.1%.




CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST EARNINGS

($ in thousands)

                  Average Balance

                  Quarter      Quarter      Quarter      Nine Months  Nine Months
                  Ended        Ended        Ended        Ended        Ended

                  9/30/09      9/30/08      6/30/09      9/30/09      9/30/08

EARNING ASSETS:

Net loans         $ 1,220,948  $ 1,352,760  $ 1,273,120  $ 1,268,930  $ 1,352,819

Federal funds
sold and other      138,279      32,143       221,341      157,216      24,289
interest-bearing
assets

Securities:

Taxable             398,883      318,814      358,386      373,503      324,951

Tax-exempt          37,147       113,560      83,389       74,919       112,021

Totals              1,795,257    1,817,277    1,936,236    1,874,568    1,814,080

INTEREST-BEARING
LIABILITIES:

Interest-bearing    1,313,378    1,262,568    1,415,793    1,356,497    1,238,133
deposits

Borrowed funds,
federal funds
purchased and
securities sold
under agreements    260,570      356,984      299,868      292,357      373,908
to repurchase
and other
interest-bearing
liabilities

Totals              1,573,948    1,619,552    1,715,661    1,648,854    1,612,041

Net amounts       $ 221,309    $ 197,725    $ 220,575    $ 225,714    $ 202,039

                  Interest For

                  Quarter      Quarter      Quarter      Nine Months  Nine Months
                  Ended        Ended        Ended        Ended        Ended

                  9/30/09      9/30/08      6/30/09      9/30/09      9/30/08

EARNING ASSETS:

Net loans         $ 15,464     $ 19,592     $ 15,609     $ 47,639     $ 63,095

Federal funds
sold and other      90           167          141          313          427
interest-bearing
assets

Securities:

Taxable             4,210        3,971        3,835        12,083       12,240

Tax-exempt          398          1,169        832          2,250        3,476

Totals              20,162       24,899       20,417       62,285       79,238

INTEREST-BEARING
LIABILITIES:

Interest-bearing    6,817        8,642        7,714        21,690       28,091
deposits

Borrowed funds,
federal funds
purchased and
securities sold
under agreements    1,760        2,718        2,039        5,993        9,047
to repurchase
and other
interest-bearing
liabilities

Totals              8,577        11,360       9,753        27,683       37,138

Net amounts       $ 11,585     $ 13,539     $ 10,664     $ 34,602     $ 42,100




CADENCE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST EARNINGS

($ in thousands)

                  Yields Earned

                  And Rates Paid (%)

                  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter Ended  Nine Months  Nine Months
                  Ended    Ended                   Ended        Ended

                  9/30/09  9/30/08  6/30/09        9/30/09      9/30/08

EARNING ASSETS:

Net loans           5.02     5.76     4.92           5.02         6.23

Federal funds
sold and other      0.26     2.07     0.26           0.27         2.35
interest-bearing
assets

Securities:

Taxable             4.19     4.95     4.29           4.33         5.03

Tax-exempt          4.25     4.10     4.00           4.01         4.14

Totals              4.46     5.45     4.23           4.44         5.83

INTEREST-BEARING
LIABILITIES:

Interest-bearing    2.06     2.72     2.19           2.14         3.03
deposits

Borrowed funds,
federal funds
purchased and
securities sold
under agreements    2.68     3.03     2.73           2.74         3.23
to repurchase
and other
interest-bearing
liabilities

Totals              2.16     2.82     2.28           2.24         3.08

Net margin          2.56     3.00     2.21           2.47         3.10

Note: Yields on
a tax equivalent
basis would be:

Tax-exempt          6.55     6.30     6.16           6.18         6.38
securities

Total earning       4.50     5.65     4.37           4.53         5.97
assets

Net margin          2.61     3.10     2.30           2.55         3.24

Tax equivalent
income (in        $ 215    $ 630    $ 448          $ 1,211      $ 1,872
thousands)




    Source: Cadence Financial Corporation


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