Lighthouse Bank Reports Record Earnings for 2017, Total Assets top $261 Million

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Locally owned Lighthouse Bank (OTC-QB: LGHT) today released unaudited financial results for the quarter-ended December 31, 2017 and year-ended December 31, 2017.

Net income for 2017 was $3.0 million, a $474 thousand, or 19%, increase over 2016. Total assets grew to a record $261.1 million, an increase of $43.0 million, or 20%, from the previous year.

The Bank experienced solid loan and deposit growth during the year. Gross loans increased $44.0 million, or 26%, year-over-year, to $213.0 million.  Total deposits increased $39.5 million, or 21%, to $226.0 million.   The Bank continues to maintain exceptional credit quality with no past-due loans and no non-performing loans at year-end 2017.

Lane Lawson, Chief Executive Officer of Lighthouse Bank commented "2017 has been a tremendous year for the Bank. We have grown in Santa Cruz and expanded outside the area with the opening of our full-service office in Silicon Valley. We have added experienced relationship bankers, and the entire Lighthouse team has performed exceptionally. I am very proud of them.  We look forward to continued success in 2018, including the positive impact of the new corporate tax rate."

Financial Highlights presented below:

Fourth Quarter Earnings
Net Income of $533 thousand for the quarter-ended December 31, 2017 was down $445 thousand from the prior quarter due to a $540 thousand tax expense, which resulted from a one-time reevaluation of the Bank's deferred tax assets at the new Federal corporate tax rate of 21%.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

• Fourth Quarter earnings of $533 thousand or $0.21 per share
• Book value per share increased by $0.64, to $13.45 at December 31, 2017
• Fourth Quarter 2017 Return on Average Assets and Equity of 0.82% and 6.16%, respectively 
• Quarter-ended December 31, 2017 Net Interest Margin was 5.01%

In October, 2017, the Bank declared its second $0.09 per share quarterly cash dividend to shareholders, following four previous consecutive quarterly cash dividends of $0.08 per share.

Lighthouse Bank marked its 10^th Anniversary on October 29, 2017.  Since opening, the Bank has established itself as a consistent elite performer, earning consecutive top rankings based on a variety of categories including asset quality, capital adequacy, return on average assets, return on average equity and operational efficiency.

Recognition and Awards Received:

• 2016 & 2017 consecutive-year ranking as "Nation's 5^th Healthiest Bank" of 6,000 total banks.
• SNL Financial ranking as "Nation's 29^th Highest Performing Bank" in 2016 of 5,100 banks of asset size under $1 billion.
• Financial Management Consulting's "12^th Highest Performing Bank" out of 171 California banks, based on overall performance.
• 22-consecutive quarters possessing "Five-Star Superior" the top rating by Bauer Financial.
• 6 consecutive-year achievement of "Super Premier Performing Bank", the highest designation given by Findley Reports, Inc.

ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE BANK:
Lighthouse Bank is a highly rated locally owned and operated full-service commercial bank with offices in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties. The Bank's headquarters are located at 2020 North Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, CA. The Bank's Silicon Valley office is located at 19240 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA. The Bank offers a full array of banking products and services to businesses, professionals, individuals, developers and commercial property owners. The Bank is dedicated to providing exceptional personalized service and access to decision makers who are close at hand.  Lighthouse Bank's unique worldwide ATM fee waiver program and complimentary business courier service expand the Bank's geographical reach throughout Santa Cruz County and the Silicon Valley.

Lighthouse Bank's stock (LGHT) is actively traded via the Bank's market makers and online and full-service brokerage providers. More information on the Bank and historical financial performance may be obtained through the Bank's website at www.lighthousebank.net or by calling 831-600-4000.

Member FDIC / Equal Housing Lender / SBA Preferred Lender

The attached release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not necessarily limited to fluctuation in interest rates, inflation, government regulations and general economic conditions, and competition within the business areas in which the Bank is conducting its operations, including the real estate market in California and other factors beyond the Bank's control.  Such risks and uncertainties could cause results for subsequent interim periods or for the entire year to differ materially from those indicated.  Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date hereof.  The Bank undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. 

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SOURCE Lighthouse Bank