Guaranty Bancorp Announces 2015 First Quarter Financial Results

April 15, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

DENVER, CO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/15/15 -- Guaranty Bancorp (NASDAQ: GBNK)

  • Increased net income 43.5% in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the same quarter in 2014
  • Improved return on average assets to 0.98% during the quarter as compared to 0.75% in the first quarter 2014
  • Increased net interest margin to 3.84% during the quarter as compared to 3.69% in the same quarter in 2014
  • Doubled quarterly cash dividend to $0.10 per share during the quarter as compared to the first quarter 2014

Guaranty Bancorp (NASDAQ: GBNK) ("we", "our" or "the Company"), a community bank holding company based in Colorado, today announced first quarter 2015 net income of $5.1 million or $0.24 per basic and diluted common share, an increase of $1.5 million or $0.07 per basic and diluted common share as compared to the first quarter 2014.

"We experienced significant improvement in our key operating metrics in the first quarter 2015 primarily due to continued loan and deposit growth and a strategic decision to significantly lower our cost of funds by prepaying $90 million in FHLB term advances at the end of 2014," said Paul W. Taylor, President and CEO. "Return on average assets improved to 0.98% for the first quarter 2015 as compared to 0.75% in the first quarter 2014. Our return on average equity increased to 9.81% as compared to 7.43% in the same quarter 2014. Additionally, our net interest margin grew to 3.84% in the first quarter 2015 due to our lower funding costs and higher loan yields. We are also pleased with the continued momentum we experienced in our loan portfolio despite the higher level of payoffs received during the quarter due to the solid Colorado economy. New loans and advances on existing commitments were $153.6 million during the first quarter 2015, reflecting the value clients place in having a locally based community bank partner. Overall we continue to support the growth of local small and medium-sized businesses together with their owners and employees."

The Company's net income increased $1.5 million, or 43.5% for the first quarter 2015, as compared to the same quarter in the prior year, due to a $2.0 million improvement in interest income; a $0.5 million decline in interest expense and a $0.5 million increase in noninterest income. The $2.0 million increase in interest income was driven by a $198.5 million increase in average loans for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 combined with a $0.7 million increase in loan fees as compared to the first quarter of 2014. The $0.5 million decrease in interest expense during the first quarter 2015, as compared to the same quarter in 2014, was mostly the result of the prepayment of $90.0 million of high-cost Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) term advances during the fourth quarter 2014. The $0.5 million increase in noninterest income in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the first quarter 2014 was primarily due to an increase in investment management and trust income. The Company's acquisition of Cherry Hills Investment Advisors during the third quarter 2014 contributed $0.3 million in investment management and trust income during the first quarter 2015.

Key Financial Measures Income Statement


                                              Three Months Ended
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                     March 31,   December 31,    March 31,
                                       2015          2014          2014
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
                                    (Dollars in thousands, except per share
                                                   amounts)
Net income                         $      5,084  $      1,215  $      3,542
Earnings per common share - basic  $       0.24  $       0.06  $       0.17
Return on average assets                   0.98%         0.23%         0.75%
Return on average equity                   9.81%         2.32%         7.43%
Net interest margin                        3.84%         3.61%         3.69%
Efficiency ratio (1)                      62.82%        64.03%        68.65%

(1) The "efficiency ratio" equals noninterest expense adjusted to exclude amortization of intangible assets, prepayment penalties on long-term debt and impairment of long-lived assets divided by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and tax equivalent noninterest income. To calculate tax equivalent net interest income and noninterest income, the interest earned on tax exempt loans and investment securities and the income earned on bank-owned life insurance has been adjusted to reflect the amount that would have been earned had these investments been subject to normal income taxation.

Balance Sheet


                      March 31,  December 31,  Percent   March 31,  Percent
                        2015         2014       Change     2014      Change
                     ----------  ------------  -------  ----------  -------
                        (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Total investments    $  452,271  $    449,482      0.6% $  470,847    (3.9)%
Total loans, net of
 unearned loan fees   1,555,154     1,541,434      0.9%  1,362,312     14.2%
Allowance for loan
 losses                 (22,500)      (22,490)     0.0%    (21,550)     4.4%
Total assets          2,145,452     2,124,778      1.0%  1,961,392      9.4%
Total deposits        1,721,881     1,685,324      2.2%  1,533,010     12.3%
Book value per
 common share              9.71          9.57      1.5%       8.99      8.0%
Tangible book value
 per common share          9.41          9.24      1.8%       8.72      7.9%
Equity ratio - GAAP        9.84%         9.74%     1.0%       9.94%   (1.0)%
Tangible common
 equity ratio              9.56%         9.43%     1.4%       9.67%   (1.1)%
Total risk-based
 capital ratio            13.76%        13.85%   (0.6)%      14.75%   (6.7)%
Assets under
 management          $  706,844  $    683,138      3.5% $  495,328     42.7%

Net Interest Income and Margin


                                              Three Months Ended
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                     March 31,   December 31,    March 31,
                                       2015          2014          2014
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
                                            (Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income                $     18,777  $     17,680  $     16,259
Average earning assets                1,980,717     1,941,028     1,787,778
Interest rate spread                       3.72%         3.40%         3.49%
Net interest margin                        3.84%         3.61%         3.69%
Net interest margin, fully tax
 equivalent                                3.93%         3.69%         3.78%
Average cost of interest-bearing
 liabilities
  (including noninterest-bearing
   deposits)                               0.23%         0.37%         0.39%
Average cost of deposits
  (including noninterest-bearing
   deposits)                               0.16%         0.16%         0.16%

During the first quarter 2015, net interest margin increased by 23 basis points to 3.84%, as compared to the fourth quarter 2014 and increased 15 basis points, as compared to the first quarter 2014. The increase in net interest margin during the first quarter 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter 2014 was the result of an eight basis point increase in loan yield combined with a 14 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. The increase in loan yields during the first quarter 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter 2014 was largely due to fees recognized on the early payoff of loans during the same period. The decline in the cost of interest bearing liabilities during the first quarter 2015, as compared to the fourth quarter 2014, was the result of the prepayment of $90.0 million in FHLB high-cost term advances with a weighted average yield of 3.07% in the fourth quarter 2014. As compared to the first quarter 2014, the increase in the net interest margin during the first quarter 2015 was mostly due to a 16 basis point decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities due to the prepayment of the FHLB term advances.

Net interest income improved $1.1 million to $18.8 million in the first quarter 2015, as compared to the fourth quarter 2014, and increased $2.5 million as compared to the first quarter 2014. The $1.1 million increase in net interest income in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter 2014 was due to a $0.5 million increase in interest income, primarily due to loan fees and a $0.6 million decrease in interest expense, mostly due to the prepayment of FHLB term advances. The $2.5 million increase in net interest income in the first quarter 2015, as compared to the first quarter 2014, was due to a $2.0 million increase in interest income, driven by a 14.9% increase in average loan balances and a $0.5 million decrease in interest expense, driven by the prepayment of FHLB term advances.

Noninterest Income

The following table presents noninterest income as of the dates indicated:


                                                Three Months Ended
                                      --------------------------------------
                                        March 31,  December 31,   March 31,
                                          2015         2014         2014
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
                                                  (In thousands)
Noninterest income:
  Deposit service and other fees      $      2,035 $      2,358 $      2,066
  Investment management and trust            1,334        1,231          908
  Increase in cash surrender value of
   life insurance                              408          418          293
  Gain on sale of securities                     -            -           25
  Gain on sale of SBA loans                    280          447          137
  Other                                         58          408          229
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
  Total noninterest income            $      4,115 $      4,862 $      3,658
                                      ============ ============ ============

Noninterest income increased $0.5 million to $4.1 million as compared to $3.7 million in the first quarter 2014 and decreased $0.7 million from $4.9 million in the fourth quarter 2014.

The $0.5 million increase in noninterest income in the first quarter 2015, as compared to the same quarter in 2014, was mostly due to a $0.4 million increase in investment management and trust income. The Company's acquisition of Cherry Hills Investment Advisors during the third quarter 2014 contributed $0.3 million to the increase in investment management and trust income during the first quarter 2015. At acquisition, Cherry Hills Investment Advisors had assets under management of $178.5 million. As compared to the fourth quarter 2014, noninterest income decreased $0.7 million primarily due to a $0.3 million decrease in deposit service and other fees; a $0.4 million decrease in other noninterest income, due to non-recurring income received in the fourth quarter 2014; and a $0.2 million decrease in gains on sale of SBA loans.

Total assets under management at March 31, 2015 were $706.8 million, an increase of $211.5 million, or 42.7% as compared to March 31, 2014.

Noninterest Expense

The following table presents noninterest expense as of the dates indicated:


                                                Three Months Ended
                                      --------------------------------------
                                        March 31,  December 31,   March 31,
                                          2015         2014         2014
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
                                                  (In thousands)
Noninterest expense:
  Salaries and employee benefits      $      8,604 $      8,434 $      8,075
  Occupancy expense                          1,697        1,544        1,548
  Furniture and equipment                      730          698          695
  Amortization of intangible assets            495          654          591
  Other real estate owned                       41          142           56
  Insurance and assessment                     565          576          580
  Professional fees                            829          927          892
  Prepayment penalty on debt
   extinguishment                                -        5,459            -
  Impairment of long-lived assets                -           76            -
  Other general and administrative           2,309        2,524        2,201
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
  Total noninterest expense           $     15,270 $     21,034 $     14,638
                                      ============ ============ ============

Noninterest expense decreased $5.8 million to $15.3 million as compared to $21.0 million in the fourth quarter 2014 and increased $0.6 million from $14.6 million in the first quarter 2014. The Company's tax equivalent efficiency ratio improved 121 basis points to 62.82% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 as compared to 64.03% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 and improved 583 basis points as compared to 68.65% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

The primary cause for the $5.8 million decrease in noninterest expense in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter 2014 was due to a prepayment penalty of $5.5 million incurred in connection with the prepayment of FHLB term advances in the fourth quarter 2014. Salaries and employee benefits increased $0.2 million in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter 2014, mostly due to increased payroll taxes as a result of the timing of the payroll cycle.

The $0.6 million increase in noninterest expense in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the first quarter 2014 included a $0.3 million increase in salaries and a $0.3 million increase in equity compensation expense. The primary driver for the increase in salaries was an increase of 6.2 average full-time equivalent employees in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the first quarter 2014. The increase in equity compensation expense was primarily due to an increase in average unvested shares outstanding during the first quarter 2015 as compared to the same quarter in 2014.

Balance Sheet


                      March 31,  December 31,  Percent   March 31,  Percent
                        2015         2014       Change     2014      Change
                     ----------  ------------  -------  ----------  -------
                                     (Dollars in thousands)
Total assets         $2,145,452  $  2,124,778      1.0% $1,961,392      9.4%
Average assets,
 quarter-to-date      2,108,766     2,067,371      2.0%  1,907,779     10.5%
Total loans, net of
 unearned loan fees   1,555,154     1,541,434      0.9%  1,362,312     14.2%
Total deposits        1,721,881     1,685,324      2.2%  1,533,010     12.3%

Equity ratio - GAAP        9.84%         9.74%     1.0%       9.94%   (1.0)%
Tangible common
 equity ratio              9.56%         9.43%     1.4%       9.67%   (1.1)%

At March 31, 2015, the Company had total assets of $2.1 billion, reflecting a $20.7 million increase compared to December 31, 2014 and a $184.1 million increase compared to March 31, 2014. The increase in total assets during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 includes a $13.7 million increase in loans, a $5.3 million increase in bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) and a $2.8 million increase in investments. During the first quarter 2015, the Company transferred approximately $50.2 million in investments classified as "available-for-sale" to "held-to-maturity." The increases in assets were funded by a $36.6 million increase in deposits.

The following table sets forth the amount of loans outstanding at the dates indicated:


                                     March 31,   December 31,    March 31,
                                       2015          2014          2014
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                (In thousands)
Loans held for sale                $        700  $          -  $          -
Commercial and residential real
 estate                               1,055,219     1,049,315       904,124
Construction                             72,505        66,634        67,862
Commercial                              326,679       324,057       288,865
Agricultural                             10,625        10,625        10,917
Consumer                                 60,008        60,155        60,010
SBA                                      27,419        30,025        30,839
Other                                     2,133         1,002           570
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
  Total gross loans                   1,555,288     1,541,813     1,363,187
    Unearned loan fees                     (134)         (379)         (875)
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
  Loans, net of unearned loan fees $  1,555,154  $  1,541,434  $  1,362,312
                                   ============  ============  ============

The following table presents the changes in our loan balances at the dates indicated:


              March 31,  December 31,  September 30,  June 30,    March 31,
                2015         2014          2014         2014        2014
             ----------  ------------  ------------  ----------  ----------
                                     (In thousands)
Beginning
 balance     $1,541,434  $  1,482,268  $  1,438,089  $1,362,312  $1,320,424
New credit
 extended        95,738       106,718        93,215     107,484      96,999
Net existing
 credit
 advanced        57,900        71,815        78,829      54,169      36,492
Net paydowns
 and
 maturities    (141,983)     (119,854)     (127,633)    (87,095)    (89,611)
Charge-offs
 and other        2,065           487          (232)      1,219      (1,992)
             ----------  ------------  ------------  ----------  ----------
  Loans, net
   of
   unearned
   loan fees $1,555,154  $  1,541,434  $  1,482,268  $1,438,089  $1,362,312
             ==========  ============  ============  ==========  ==========

Net change -
 loans
 outstanding $   13,720  $     59,166  $     44,179  $   75,777  $   41,888

During the first quarter 2015, loans net of unearned fees increased $13.7 million, comprised of a $5.9 million increase in commercial and residential real estate, a $5.9 million increase in construction loans and a $2.6 million increase in commercial loans, partially offset by a $2.6 million decline in SBA loans. First quarter 2015 net loan growth consisted of $153.6 million in new loans and new advances on existing loans, partially offset by $142.0 million in net loan pay-downs and maturities. The net loan pay-downs and maturities during the first quarter 2015 exceeded every quarter in the prior five years. In addition to contractual loan principal payments and maturities, the first quarter 2015 included $41.5 million in early payoffs related to the sale of the borrower's assets, $18.8 million in pay-downs related to revolving line of credit fluctuations, $9.8 million in pay-downs of energy-related loans, $6.6 million in early payoffs of jumbo mortgages and $2.4 million in pay-downs on classified or watch loans.

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2015, loans net of unearned fees increased by $192.8 million, or 14.2%. Net loan growth was comprised of a $151.1 million increase in commercial and residential real estate loans and a $37.8 million increase in commercial loans. The growth in loans was both the result of development of new customer relationships and growth in existing customer relationships. The utilization rate on commercial lines of credit was 37.8% at March 31, 2015 as compared to 41.0% at December 31, 2014 and 40.7% at March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2015, our energy portfolio was $45.3 million, or less than 3.0% of our total loan portfolio, and was comprised primarily of exploration and production loans, with relatively equal exposure to oil and gas. In addition, at March 31, 2015, 1-4 family residential real estate loans grew $33.0 million to $262.0 million as compared to $229.0 million at March 31, 2014 mostly due to growth in jumbo mortgage loans.

The following table sets forth the amounts of deposits outstanding at the dates indicated:


                                        March 31,  December 31,   March 31,
                                          2015         2014         2014
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
                                                  (In thousands)
Noninterest-bearing demand            $    659,765 $    654,051 $    573,653
Interest-bearing demand and NOW            356,573      326,748      327,395
Money market                               370,705      374,063      332,869
Savings                                    141,948      138,588      119,416
Time                                       192,890      191,874      179,677
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
Total deposits                        $  1,721,881 $  1,685,324 $  1,533,010
                                      ============ ============ ============

Non-maturing deposits increased $35.5 million in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the fourth quarter 2014, and increased $175.7 million, or 13.0%, as compared to the first quarter 2014. At March 31, 2015, noninterest bearing deposits as a percentage of total deposits was 38.3% as compared to 38.8% at December 31, 2014 and 37.4% at March 31, 2014.

During the first quarter 2015, securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased by $9.6 million as compared to December 31, 2014 and decreased by $3.1 million as compared to March 31, 2014.

Total FHLB borrowings were $148.6 million at March 31, 2015 consisting of $128.6 million of overnight advances on our line of credit and a $20.0 million term note. At December 31, 2014, total FHLB borrowings consisted of $140.3 million in overnight advances and $20.0 million in term advances.

Regulatory Capital Ratios

The following table provides the capital ratios of the Company and our subsidiary bank, Guaranty Bank and Trust Company ("Bank") as of the dates presented, along with the applicable regulatory capital requirements:


                                                                  Minimum
                                                                Requirement
                                                                    for
                                                    Minimum       "Well-
                                                    Capital    Capitalized"
                                                  Requirement   Institution
                       Ratio at      Ratio at         at            at
                       March 31,   December 31,    March 31,     March 31,
                         2015          2014          2015          2015
                     ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
Common Equity Tier 1
 Risk-Based Capital
 Ratio
  Consolidated              11.32%          N/A          4.50%          N/A
  Guaranty Bank and
   Trust Company            12.46%          N/A          4.50%         6.50%

Tier 1 Risk-Based
 Capital Ratio
  Consolidated              12.54%        12.60%         6.00%          N/A
  Guaranty Bank and
   Trust Company            12.46%        12.33%         6.00%         8.00%

Total Risk-Based
 Capital Ratio
  Consolidated              13.76%        13.85%         8.00%          N/A
  Guaranty Bank and
   Trust Company            13.67%        13.58%         8.00%        10.00%

Leverage Ratio
  Consolidated              11.09%        11.10%         4.00%          N/A
  Guaranty Bank and
   Trust Company            11.02%        10.86%         4.00%         5.00%

The increases in the Bank's total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and leverage ratio from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015 were primarily attributable to net income recorded in the first quarter 2015, partially offset by changes in risk-weighted assets including new risk-weightings as a result of the final rule on Enhanced Regulatory Capital Standards, commonly referred to as Basel III which became effective in the first quarter of 2015. The consolidated total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and leverage ratio decreased from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015 mostly due to certain adjustments to consolidated total risk-based capital and Tier 1 risk-based capital required under Basel III.

Asset Quality

The following table presents select asset quality data as of the dates indicated:


                March 31,  December 31,  September 30,  June 30,  March 31,
                   2015        2014           2014        2014       2014
                ---------  ------------  -------------  --------  ---------
                                   (Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual
 loans and
 leases         $  13,266  $     12,617  $      13,237  $ 13,884  $  14,605
Accruing loans
 past due 90
 days or more
 (1)                    -             -              -         -          -
                ---------  ------------  -------------  --------  ---------

Total
 nonperforming
 loans (NPLs)   $  13,266  $     12,617  $      13,237  $ 13,884  $  14,605
Other real
 estate owned
 and foreclosed
 assets             2,175         2,175          3,526     4,373      4,419
                ---------  ------------  -------------  --------  ---------

Total
 nonperforming
 assets (NPAs)  $  15,441  $     14,792  $      16,763  $ 18,257  $  19,024
                =========  ============  =============  ========  =========

Total
 classified
 assets         $  28,637  $     27,271  $      32,578  $ 35,010  $  27,176
                =========  ============  =============  ========  =========

Accruing loans
 past due 30-89
 days (1)       $   8,368  $      1,381  $         458  $  1,236  $     432
                =========  ============  =============  ========  =========

Charged-off
 loans          $      49  $         73  $          80  $     63  $     407
Recoveries            (82)         (214)          (278)     (644)      (958)
                ---------  ------------  -------------  --------  ---------
  Net charge-
   offs         $     (33) $       (141) $        (198) $   (581) $    (551)
                =========  ============  =============  ========  =========

Provision
 (credit) for
 loan losses    $     (23) $         (1) $          (3) $     24  $      (6)
                =========  ============  =============  ========  =========

Allowance for
 loan losses    $  22,500  $     22,490  $      22,350  $ 22,155  $  21,550
                =========  ============  =============  ========  =========

Selected
 ratios:
NPLs to loans,
 net of
 unearned loan
 fees (2)            0.85%         0.82%          0.89%     0.97%      1.07%
NPAs to total
 assets              0.72%         0.70%          0.81%     0.90%      0.97%
Allowance for
 loan losses to
 NPLs              169.61%       178.25%        168.84%   159.57%    147.55%
Allowance for
 loan losses to
 loans, net of
 unearned loan
 fees (2)            1.45%         1.46%          1.51%     1.54%      1.58%
Loans 30-89
 days past due
 to loans, net
 of unearned
 loan fees (2)       0.54%         0.09%          0.03%     0.09%      0.03%
Texas ratio (3)      6.07%         6.01%          6.89%     7.60%      8.11%
Classified
 asset ratio
 (4)                11.26%        11.08%         13.39%    14.58%     11.59%

(1)  Past due loans include both loans that are past due with respect to
     payments and loans that are past due because the loan has matured, and
     is in the process of renewal, but continues to be current with respect
     to payments.
(2)  Loans, net of unearned loan fees, exclude loans held for sale.
(3)  Texas ratio defined as total NPAs divided by subsidiary bank only Tier
     1 Capital plus allowance for loan losses.
(4)  Classified asset ratio defined as total classified assets to subsidiary
     bank only Tier 1 Capital plus allowance for loan losses.

The following tables summarize past due loans held for investment by class as of the dates indicated:


                                  90 Days +                         Total
                          30-89    Past Due                         Loans,
                        Days Past and Still               Total    Held for
March 31, 2015             Due     Accruing  Nonaccrual Past Due  Investment
                        --------- --------- ----------- -------- -----------
                                           (In thousands)
Commercial and
 residential
real estate             $   7,154 $       - $    11,592 $ 18,746 $ 1,055,127
Construction                    -         -         986      986      72,499
Commercial                    882         -           -      882     326,651
Consumer                       91         -         536      627      60,003
Other                         241         -         152      393      40,174
                        --------- --------- ----------- -------- -----------
Total                   $   8,368 $       - $    13,266 $ 21,634 $ 1,554,454
                        ========= ========= =========== ======== ===========


                                  90 Days +                         Total
                          30-89    Past Due                         Loans,
                        Days Past and Still               Total    Held for
December 31, 2014          Due     Accruing  Nonaccrual Past Due  Investment
                        --------- --------- ----------- -------- -----------
                                           (In thousands)
Commercial and
 residential real
 estate                 $      92 $       - $    11,872 $ 11,964 $ 1,049,057
Construction                    -         -           -        -      66,618
Commercial                  1,080         -          18    1,098     323,977
Consumer                       66         -         559      625      60,140
Other                         143         -         168      311      41,642
                        --------- --------- ----------- -------- -----------
Total                   $   1,381 $       - $    12,617 $ 13,998 $ 1,541,434
                        ========= ========= =========== ======== ===========

During the first quarter 2015, nonperforming assets increased by $0.6 million from December 31, 2014 and decreased $3.6 million from March 31, 2014. The increase in nonperforming assets during the first quarter 2015 was primarily the result of the transfer of a $1.0 million construction loan to nonaccrual status. Nonperforming loans at March 31, 2015 include one out-of-state loan participation with a balance of $9.8 million.

The increase in 30-89 day past due loans during the first quarter 2015, as compared to the fourth quarter 2014, was mostly due to a $6.2 million performing loan that was subsequently renewed in April 2015.

At March 31, 2015, classified assets represent 11.3% of bank-level Tier 1 Risk-based Capital plus allowance for loan losses as compared to 11.1% at December 31, 2014 and 11.6% at March 31, 2014. The increase in this ratio during the first quarter 2015 was primarily the result of the downgrade of the $1.0 million construction loan outlined above.

Net recoveries in the first quarter 2015 were immaterial as compared to net recoveries of $0.1 million in the fourth quarter 2014 and net recoveries of $0.6 million in the first quarter 2014. The coverage ratio, defined as allowance for loan losses divided by nonperforming loans, decreased from 178.3% at December 31, 2014 to 169.6% at March 31, 2015. The decrease in the coverage ratio during the first quarter 2015 reflects the transfer of the $1.0 million construction loan to nonaccrual status outlined above during the quarter.

During the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 the Company recorded immaterial credit provisions for loan losses. The Company considered recoveries, improvement in nonperforming loans, as well as loan growth when determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the resulting amount of loan loss provision to be recognized during the same quarter.

Shares Outstanding

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had 21,738,501 shares of common stock outstanding, consisting of 20,719,501 shares of voting common stock, of which 676,017 shares were in the form of unvested stock awards, and 1,019,000 shares of non-voting common stock.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures related to tangible assets, including tangible book value and tangible common equity, pre-tax operating earnings adjusted for (if any) provision (credit) for loan losses, OREO expenses, debt termination expense, impairments of long-lived assets, acquisition, reorganization and integration costs and securities gains and losses.

The Company discloses these non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's operational performance and to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's core financial performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow for additional transparency and are used by some investors, analysts and other users of the Company's financial information as performance measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented for supplemental informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures presented by the Company may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

The following non-GAAP schedule reconciles the non-GAAP pre-tax operating earnings to GAAP net income before income taxes as of the dates indicated:


                                              Three Months Ended
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                     March 31,   December 31,    March 31,
                                       2015          2014          2014
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
                                    (Dollars in thousands, except per share
                                                   amounts)
Income before income taxes         $      7,645  $      1,509  $      5,285
Adjusted for:
  Provision (credit) for loan
   losses                                   (23)           (1)           (6)
  Expenses (gains) related to
   other real estate owned, net              41           142            56
  Prepayment penalty on long term
   debt                                       -         5,459             -
  Impairment of long-lived assets             -            76             -
  Gain on sale of securities                  -             -           (25)
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
Pre-tax operating earnings         $      7,663  $      7,185  $      5,310
                                   ============  ============  ============

Weighted basic average common
 shares outstanding:                 21,037,325    20,968,551    20,936,295
Fully diluted average common
 shares outstanding:                 21,165,433    21,114,680    21,028,722

Pre-tax operating earnings per
 common share-basic:               $       0.36  $       0.34  $       0.25
Pre-tax operating earnings per
 common share-diluted:             $       0.36  $       0.34  $       0.25

The following non-GAAP schedules reconcile the book value per share to the tangible book value per share and the GAAP equity ratio to the tangible equity ratio as of the dates indicated:


Tangible Book Value per Common
 Share
                                     March 31,   December 31,    March 31,
                                       2015          2014          2014
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
                                    (Dollars in thousands, except per share
                                                   amounts)
  Total stockholders' equity       $    211,137  $    206,939  $    195,029
  Less: Intangible assets                (6,659)       (7,154)       (5,939)
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
  Tangible common equity           $    204,478  $    199,785  $    189,090
                                   ============  ============  ============

  Number of common shares
   outstanding                       21,738,501    21,628,873    21,696,107

  Book value per common share      $       9.71  $       9.57  $       8.99
  Tangible book value per common
   share                           $       9.41  $       9.24  $       8.72


Tangible Common Equity Ratio
                                     March 31,   December 31,    March 31,
                                       2015          2014          2014
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
                                            (Dollars in thousands)
  Total stockholders' equity       $    211,137  $    206,939  $    195,029
  Less: Intangible assets                (6,659)       (7,154)       (5,939)
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
  Tangible common equity           $    204,478  $    199,785  $    189,090
                                   ============  ============  ============

  Total assets                     $  2,145,452  $  2,124,778  $  1,961,392
  Less: Intangible assets                (6,659)       (7,154)       (5,939)
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
  Tangible assets                  $  2,138,793  $  2,117,624  $  1,955,453
                                   ============  ============  ============

  Equity ratio - GAAP (total
   stockholders' equity / total
   assets)                                 9.84%         9.74%         9.94%
  Tangible common equity ratio
   (tangible common equity /
   tangible assets)                        9.56%         9.43%         9.67%

About Guaranty Bancorp

Guaranty Bancorp is a $2.1 billion financial services company that operates as the bank holding company for Guaranty Bank and Trust Company, a premier Colorado community bank. The Bank provides comprehensive financial solutions to consumers and small to medium-sized businesses that value local and personalized service. In addition to loans and depository services, the Bank also offers wealth management solutions, including trust and investment management services. More information about Guaranty Bancorp can be found at www.gbnk.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: failure to maintain adequate levels of capital and liquidity to support the Company's operations; general economic and business conditions in those areas in which the Company operates, including the impact of global and national economic conditions on our local economy; demographic changes; competition; fluctuations in interest rates; continued ability to attract and employ qualified personnel; ability to receive regulatory approval for the bank subsidiary to declare dividends to the Company; adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, changes in credit quality and the effect of credit quality on the provision for credit losses and allowance for loan losses; changes in governmental legislation or regulation, including, but not limited to, any increase in FDIC insurance premiums; changes in accounting policies and practices; changes in business strategy or development plans; changes in the securities markets; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; the availability of capital from private or government sources; competition for loans and deposits and failure to attract or retain loans and deposits; failure to recognize expected cost savings; changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers and the ability of our borrowers to perform under the terms of their loans and terms of other credit agreements; political instability, acts of war or terrorism and natural disasters; and additional "Risk Factors" referenced in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as supplemented from time to time. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others are cautioned to consider these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company can give no assurance that any goal or plan or expectation set forth in any forward-looking statement can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date made. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, except as may otherwise be required by law, the Company does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.


                     GUARANTY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                     March 31,   December 31,    March 31,
                                       2015          2014          2014
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                (In thousands)
Assets
Cash and due from banks            $     31,649  $     32,441  $     35,311

Securities available for sale, at
 fair value                             295,700       346,146       399,679
Securities held to maturity             141,969        88,514        54,021
Bank stocks, at cost                     14,602        14,822        17,147
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total investments                 452,271       449,482       470,847
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------

Loans held for sale                         700             -             -

Loans, held for investment, net of
 unearned loan fees                   1,554,454     1,541,434     1,362,312
  Less allowance for loan losses        (22,500)      (22,490)      (21,550)
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
      Net loans, held for
       investment                     1,531,954     1,518,944     1,340,762
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------

Premises and equipment, net              48,400        45,937        47,538
Other real estate owned and
 foreclosed assets                        2,175         2,175         4,419
Other intangible assets, net              6,659         7,154         5,939
Bank owned life insurance                47,795        42,456        31,652
Other assets                             23,849        26,189        24,924
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total assets                 $  2,145,452  $  2,124,778  $  1,961,392
                                   ============  ============  ============

Liabilities and Stockholders'
 Equity
Liabilities:
  Deposits:
    Noninterest-bearing demand     $    659,765  $    654,051  $    573,653
    Interest-bearing demand and
     NOW                                356,573       326,748       327,395
    Money market                        370,705       374,063       332,869
    Savings                             141,948       138,588       119,416
    Time                                192,890       191,874       179,677
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total deposits                  1,721,881     1,685,324     1,533,010
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
Securities sold under agreement to
 repurchase and federal funds
 purchased                               23,922        33,508        27,045
Federal Home Loan Bank term notes        20,000        20,000       110,000
Federal Home Loan Bank line of
 credit borrowing                       128,600       140,300        63,017
Subordinated debentures                  25,774        25,774        25,774
Securities purchased, not yet
 settled                                  2,284             -             -
Interest payable and other
 liabilities                             11,854        12,933         7,517
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total liabilities               1,934,315     1,917,839     1,766,363
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------

Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock and additional
   paid-in capital - common stock       710,241       709,365       706,973
  Accumulated deficit                  (393,193)     (396,172)     (402,998)
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   loss                                  (2,466)       (3,127)       (6,111)
  Treasury stock                       (103,445)     (103,127)     (102,835)
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total stockholders' equity        211,137       206,939       195,029
                                   ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total liabilities and
       stockholders' equity        $  2,145,452  $  2,124,778  $  1,961,392
                                   ============  ============  ============


                     GUARANTY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
              Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                               Three Months Ended March 31,
                                              -----------------------------
                                                   2015           2014
                                              -------------- --------------
                                               (In thousands, except share
                                                   and per share data)
Interest income:
  Loans, including fees                       $       16,806 $       14,734
  Investment securities:
    Taxable                                            2,123          2,332
    Tax-exempt                                           702            645
  Dividends                                              222            169
  Federal funds sold and other                             1              1
                                              -------------- --------------
    Total interest income                             19,854         17,881
                                              -------------- --------------
Interest expense:
  Deposits                                               668            580
  Securities sold under agreement to
   repurchase andfederal funds purchased                  11              8
  Borrowings                                             199            836
  Subordinated debentures                                199            198
                                              -------------- --------------
    Total interest expense                             1,077          1,622
                                              -------------- --------------
    Net interest income                               18,777         16,259
Provision (credit) for loan losses                       (23)            (6)
                                              -------------- --------------
    Net interest income, after provision for
     loan losses                                      18,800         16,265
Noninterest income:
  Deposit service and other fees                       2,035          2,066
  Investment management and trust                      1,334            908
  Increase in cash surrender value of life
   insurance                                             408            293
  Gain on sale of securities                               -             25
  Gain on sale of SBA loans                              280            137
  Other                                                   58            229
                                              -------------- --------------
    Total noninterest income                           4,115          3,658
Noninterest expense:
  Salaries and employee benefits                       8,604          8,075
  Occupancy expense                                    1,697          1,548
  Furniture and equipment                                730            695
  Amortization of intangible assets                      495            591
  Other real estate owned, net                            41             56
  Insurance and assessments                              565            580
  Professional fees                                      829            892
  Other general and administrative                     2,309          2,201
                                              -------------- --------------
    Total noninterest expense                         15,270         14,638
                                              -------------- --------------
    Income before income taxes                         7,645          5,285
Income tax expense                                     2,561          1,743
                                              -------------- --------------
    Net income                                $        5,084 $        3,542
                                              ============== ==============

Earnings per common share-basic:              $         0.24 $         0.17
Earnings per common share-diluted:                      0.24           0.17

Dividend declared per common share:           $         0.10 $         0.05

Weighted average common shares outstanding-
 basic:                                           21,037,325     20,936,295
Weighted average common shares outstanding-
 diluted:                                         21,165,433     21,028,722


                      GUARANTY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
                Unaudited Consolidated Average Balance Sheets

                                                    QTD Average
                                      --------------------------------------
                                        March 31,  December 31,   March 31,
                                          2015         2014         2014
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
                                                  (In thousands)
Assets
Interest earning assets
  Loans, net of unearned loan fees    $  1,529,619 $  1,481,748 $  1,331,154
  Securities                               448,764      452,200      454,442
  Other earning assets                       2,334        7,080        2,182
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
Average earning assets                   1,980,717    1,941,028    1,787,778
Other assets                               128,049      126,343      120,001
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
Total average assets                  $  2,108,766 $  2,067,371 $  1,907,779
                                      ============ ============ ============

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Average liabilities:
Average deposits:
  Noninterest-bearing deposits        $    647,184 $    637,551 $    548,272
  Interest-bearing deposits              1,045,330    1,034,401      960,442
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
  Average deposits                       1,692,514    1,671,952    1,508,714
Other interest-bearing liabilities         192,618      175,203      196,182
Other liabilities                           13,524       12,192        9,434
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
Total average liabilities                1,898,656    1,859,347    1,714,330
Average stockholders' equity               210,110      208,024      193,449
                                      ------------ ------------ ------------
Total average liabilities and
 stockholders' equity                 $  2,108,766 $  2,067,371 $  1,907,779
                                      ============ ============ ============

Contacts:
Paul W. Taylor
President and Chief Executive Officer
Guaranty Bancorp
1331 Seventeenth Street, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 293-5563

Christopher G. Treece
E.V.P., Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Guaranty Bancorp
1331 Seventeenth Street, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 675-1194

Source: Guaranty Bancorp



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