American River Bankshares Announces Third Quarter Results

American River Bankshares (NASDAQ-GS: AMRB) today reported diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2007 of $0.39, a 2.6% increase from $0.38 recorded during the second quarter of 2007 and the same as the third quarter of 2006. Net income for the third quarter of 2007 increased 2.6% to $2,152,000 from $2,098,000 during the second quarter of 2007 and decreased 5.4% compared to $2,275,000 for the third quarter of 2006. Diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 increased 0.9% to $1.13 from $1.12 for the same period in 2006. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 declined 4.8% to $6,336,000 from $6,655,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. "American River Bankshares’ EPS is up for the second quarter in a row and ahead of last year on a year-to-date basis,” said David T. Taber, President and CEO of American River Bankshares. "Our team continues to execute our Company’s philosophy of ‘Consistency Builds Value’.” Net interest income for the third quarter of 2007 increased 1.0% to $6,680,000 from $6,609,000 for the second quarter of 2007 but decreased 1.7% from $6,798,000 for the third quarter of 2006. Interest income for the third quarter of 2007 decreased 0.5% to $9,454,000 from $9,498,000 for the second quarter of 2007 and decreased 2.9% from $9,737,000 for the third quarter of 2006. During the third quarter, the Company placed three loans on non-accrued status – forgone interest on those three loans represented $99,000 during the quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net interest income decreased 2.2% to $19,836,000 from $20,289,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and interest income increased 0.3% to $28,416,000 from $28,317,000 during the same period. Interest income for the third quarter of 2007 decreased 0.5% to $9,454,000 from $9,498,000 for the second quarter of 2007 and decreased 2.9% from $9,737,000 for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, interest income increased 0.3% to $28,416,000 from $28,317,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Interest expense for the third quarter of 2007 decreased 4.0% to $2,774,000 from $2,889,000 for the second quarter of 2007 and decreased 5.6% from $2,939,0000 for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, interest expense increased 6.9% to $8,580,000 from $8,028,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Net interest margin as a percentage increased to 5.17% for the third quarter of 2007 from 5.10% for the second quarter of 2007 and from 5.01% for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net interest margin as a percentage increased to 5.10% from 5.03% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2007 decreased 7.6% to $669,000 from $724,000 for the second quarter of 2007 but increased 10.6% from $605,000 for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, noninterest income increased 10.8% to $2,034,000 from $1,836,000 for the same period in 2006. Noninterest expense increased 0.4% to $3,796,000 from $3,779,000 in the second quarter of 2007 and increased 5.4% from $3,602,000 for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, noninterest expense increased 3.7% to $11,267,000 from $10,862,000. Net loans as of September 30, 2007 decreased $409,000 (0.1%) to $385,176,000 from $385,585,000 as of June 30, 2007 but increased $10,780,000 (2.9%) from $374,396,000 as of September 30, 2006. Since December 31, 2006, net loans have increased $2,183,000 (0.6%) from $382,993,000. The primary increase was in commercial loans, which have increased 16.4% from December 31, 2006 ending the quarter at $99,959,000. As a percentage of the loan portfolio, commercial loans now represent 25.5% of the total compared to 21.8% one year ago. Offsetting this increase was a decrease in real estate loans of 3.9% over the same period ending the quarter at $267,304,000. "Our intense focus on business banking is producing results, with commercial loans at a record high at just under $100 million,” said Taber. "There is still a need in the market for business banking solutions and our Company is positioned to fulfill that need.” Total deposits as of September 30, 2007 decreased 9,679,000 (2.0%) to $472,074,000 from $481,753,000 as of June 30, 2007 and decreased $21,370,000 (4.3%) from $493,444,000 as of September 30, 2006. Since December 31, 2006, total deposits decreased $21,801,000 (4.4%) from $493,875,000. Total borrowings decreased 2.7% to $27,921,000 at September 30, 2007 from $28,695,000 at June 30, 2007. Total borrowings decreased 13.3% from $32,228,000 at September 30, 2006. At September 30, 2007, the allowance for loan and lease losses totaled $5,889,000 compared to $5,972,000 at June 30, 2007 and $5,871,000 at September 30, 2006. The provision for loan and lease losses was $50,000 for the third quarter of 2007, compared to $144,000 for the second quarter of 2007 and from $30,000 for the third quarter of 2006. The allowance as a percentage of loans and leases was 1.51% at September 30, 2007, compared to 1.53% at June 30, 2007 and 1.54% at September 30, 2006. Net chargeoffs for the third quarter were $133,000 and for the first nine months of 2007 net chargeoffs were $300,000. Nonperforming loans and leases as of September 30, 2007 were at 0.79% of total loans and leases compared to 0.21% last quarter and 0.08% one year ago. Nonperforming assets were $3,100,000 at September 30, 2007 up from $818,000 at June 30, 2007. One loan in the amount of $450,000 included in the $818,000 balance as of June 30, 2007 paid off in full during the third quarter. Contributing to the increase during the third quarter were three loans that totaled $2,761,000 (89.1% of the total). The first of these loans had a balance of $1,328,000 and is a development loan for residential lots; the second loan had a balance of $1,111,000 and is a real estate loan on a multi-tenant office building; and the third loan, in the amount of $322,000, is secured by a seven-acre parcel in a rural part of Sacramento County. Management believes that all three of these loans are adequately secured and adequately reserved. The remaining balance of the nonperforming loans and leases totaled $339,000 and represented 11 accounts, mainly small Dollar leases. Subsequent to quarter end one of the 11 small dollar-nonperforming assets was acquired in a foreclosure sale. The carrying value of this real estate owned property represents $57,000. "Although nonperforming assets ended the quarter at just over $3 million, the total represents less than 1% of total loans,” continued Taber. "Our high-quality credit culture remains intact and executive management is actively managing our nonperforming assets.” Performance measures in the third quarter of 2007: the Return on Average Assets (ROAA) was 1.50%, Return on Average Equity (ROAE) was 13.99%, Return on Average Tangible Equity (ROATE) was 19.68% and the efficiency ratio was 50.02%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company had a ROAA of 1.47%, ROAE of 13.97%, ROATE of 19.75% and an efficiency ratio of 49.86%. Third Quarter Highlights American River Bankshares continues a long history of enhancing shareholder value with its 95th consecutive profitable quarter. During the third quarter, the Company repurchased 80,000 shares of its common stock at an average price of $23.31. Year to date, the Company has repurchased 239,000 shares of its common stock totaling $5,943,000 and declared three quarterly cash dividends of $0.15 per share. Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2007 was 5.17% compared to 5.01% for the third quarter of 2006 and was 5.10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to 5.03% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. American River Bank’s offices in the Greater Sacramento Area and Placer County experienced a decrease in total deposits of 6.1% to $298,546,000 at September 30, 2007 from $317,860,000 at September 30, 2006. Compared to one year ago, net loans increased 6.2% to $233,326,000 from $219,683,000. North Coast Bank, a division of American River Bank with three offices in Sonoma County, experienced a decrease in total deposits of 10.7% to $60,868,000 at September 30, 2007 from $68,159,000 as of September 30, 2006. Compared to one year ago, net loans increased 12.9% to $86,064,000 from $76,241,000. Bank of Amador, a division of American River Bank with three offices in Amador County, experienced a decrease in total deposits of 10.9% to $95,894,000 at September 30, 2007 from $107,661,000 at September 30, 2006. Compared to one year ago, net loans decreased 16.2% to $65,787,000 from $78,472,000. About American River Bankshares American River Bankshares (NASDAQ–GS: AMRB) is the parent company of American River Bank ("ARB”), a community business bank serving Sacramento, CA that operates a family of financial services providers, including North Coast Bank [a division of "ARB”] in Sonoma County and Bank of Amador [a division of "ARB”] in Amador County. For more information, please call 916-851-0123 or visit www.amrb.com; www.americanriverbank.com; www.northcoastbank.com; or www.bankofamador.com. Forward-Looking Statement Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among other matters, changes in interest rates, economic conditions, governmental regulation and legislation, credit quality, and competition affecting the Company’s businesses generally; the risk of natural disasters and future catastrophic events including terrorist related incidents; and other factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and in reports filed on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or otherwise. American River Bankshares Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)         ASSETS September 30 2007 December 31 2006 September 30 2006 Cash and due from banks $ 18,605,000 $ 25,352,000 $ 29,076,000 Federal funds sold - - - Interest-bearing deposits in bank 4,851,000 4,951,000 4,951,000 Investment securities 120,135,000 151,311,000 149,776,000 Loans and leases: Real estate 267,304,000 278,264,000 271,350,000 Commercial 99,959,000 85,859,000 83,128,000 Lease financing 4,950,000 6,375,000 6,686,000 Other 19,436,000 19,074,000 19,790,000 Deferred loan and lease originations fees, net (584,000 ) (705,000 ) (687,000 ) Allowance for loan and lease losses   (5,889,000 )     (5,874,000 )     (5,871,000 ) Total loans and leases, net   385,176,000       382,993,000       374,396,000   Bank premises and equipment 1,871,000 1,846,000 1,905,000 Accounts receivable servicing receivable, net 1,876,000 2,581,000 2,611,000 Goodwill and intangible assets 17,590,000 17,822,000 17,903,000 Accrued interest and other assets   17,131,000       17,147,000       11,481,000   $ 567,235,000     $ 604,003,000     $ 592,099,000     LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 138,966,000 $ 160,574,000 $ 154,549,000 Interest checking 45,015,000 41,814,000 42,670,000 Money market 133,237,000 122,765,000 125,170,000 Savings 36,385,000 36,893,000 36,785,000 Time deposits   118,471,000       131,829,000       134,270,000   Total deposits   472,074,000       493,875,000       493,444,000   Short-term borrowings 27,921,000 37,270,000 25,566,000 Long-term borrowings - 5,000,000 6,722,000 Accrued interest and other liabilities   5,756,000       5,487,000       4,747,000   Total liabilities 505,751,000 541,632,000 530,479,000 Total shareholders’ equity   61,484,000       62,371,000       61,620,000   $ 567,235,000     $ 604,003,000     $ 592,099,000     Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases 0.79 % 0.02 % 0.08 % Net chargeoffs to average loans and leases (annualized) 0.10 % 0.03 % 0.03 % Allowance for loan and lease loss to total loans and leases 1.51 % 1.51 % 1.54 % Leverage Ratio 7.99 % 7.81 % 7.59 % Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio 10.13 % 10.34 % 10.19 % Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio 11.38 % 11.59 % 11.44 % American River Bankshares Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)           For the Nine Months Ended September 30 Third Quarter 2007   Third Quarter 2006     % Change     2007   2006   % Change   Interest income $ 9,454,000 $ 9,737,000 (2.9 %) $ 28,416,000 $ 28,317,000 0.3 % Interest expense   2,774,000       2,939,000     (5.6 %)     8,580,000       8,028,000     6.9 %   Net interest income 6,680,000 6,798,000 (1.7 %) 19,836,000 20,289,000 (2.2 %) Provision for loan and lease losses 50,000 30,000 66.7 % 315,000 270,000 16.7 % Total noninterest income 669,000 605,000 10.6 % 2,034,000 1,836,000 10.8 % Total noninterest expense   3,796,000       3,602,000     5.4 %     11,267,000       10,862,000     3.7 %   Income before taxes 3,503,000 3,771,000 (7.1 %) 10,288,000 10,993,000 (6.4 %) Income taxes   1,351,000       1,496,000     (9.7 %)     3,952,000       4,338,000     (8.9 %)   Net income $ 2,152,000     $ 2,275,000     (5.4 %)   $ 6,336,000     $ 6,655,000     (4.8 %)   Basic earnings per share $ 0.39 $ 0.39 - $ 1.15 $ 1.14 0.9 % Diluted earnings per share $ 0.39 $ 0.39 - $ 1.13 $ 1.12 0.9 %   Average diluted shares outstanding 5,546,172 5,890,331 5,592,487 5,960,219   Net interest margin as a percentage 5.17 % 5.01 % 5.10 % 5.03 %   Operating Ratios: Return on average assets 1.50 % 1.50 % 1.47 % 1.47 % Return on average equity 13.99 % 14.39 % 13.97 % 14.11 % Return on average tangible equity 19.68 % 20.16 % 19.75 % 19.76 % Efficiency ratio (fully taxable equivalent) 50.02 % 47.03 % 49.86 % 47.45 %   Earnings per share have been adjusted for a 5% stock dividend declared in 2006. American River Bankshares Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) Trailing Four Quarters           Third Quarter 2007   Second Quarter 2007   First Quarter 2007   Fourth Quarter 2006 Interest income $ 9,454,000 $ 9,498,000 $ 9,464,000 $ 9,637,000 Interest expense   2,774,000       2,889,000       2,917,000       2,860,000     Net interest income 6,680,000 6,609,000 6,547,000 6,777,000 Provision for loan and lease losses 50,000 144,000 121,000 50,000 Total noninterest income 669,000 724,000 641,000 607,000 Total noninterest expense   3,796,000       3,779,000       3,692,000       3,526,000     Income before taxes 3,503,000 3,410,000 3,375,000 3,808,000 Income taxes   1,351,000       1,312,000       1,289,000       1,401,000     Net income $ 2,152,000     $ 2,098,000     $ 2,086,000     $ 2,407,000     Basic earnings per share $ 0.39 $ 0.38 $ 0.37 $ 0.43 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.39 $ 0.38 $ 0.37 $ 0.42   Average diluted shares for the period 5,546,172 5,589,141 5,644,056 5,751,634 Shares outstanding-end of period 5,471,194 5,528,863 5,520,433 5,657,346   Net interest margin as a percentage 5.17 % 5.10 % 5.04 % 5.03 %   Quarterly Operating Ratios: Return on average assets 1.50 % 1.46 % 1.44 % 1.61 % Return on average equity 13.99 % 13.91 % 14.02 % 15.47 % Return on average tangible equity 19.68 % 19.67 % 19.89 % 21.78 % Efficiency ratio (fully tax equivalent) 50.02 % 49.87 % 49.68 % 46.12 %   Earnings per share have been adjusted for a 5% stock dividend declared in 2006.