The National Capital Bank of Washington Reports Q4 Financial Results

The National Capital Bank of Washington (NCB) reported net income of $1,003,000, or $3.51 per common share, for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to net income of $495,000 or $1.73 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, NCB reported net income of $2,648,000, or $9.26 per share, compared to $2,552,000, or $8.94 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The fourth quarter results included a less-pronounced increase in the Bank’s allowance for loan loss after an aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the first nine months of 2020 which included significant increases in the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. The Bank has prudently built up its allowance for loan losses by $319,000 during the fourth quarter and by $2,013,000 for the full year of 2020. These adjustments were determined by performing an industry-sector analysis of the Bank’s loan portfolio and providing additional reserves on those sectors most at risk. This sector analysis was further informed by an analysis of the loan modifications made by the Bank since the beginning of the pandemic, as allowed for under the CARES Act. Loans with payment deferments granted during the pandemic represented 13% of total loans while loans in current deferments at year-end represented 3% of total loans. Although the annual charge-off rate for loans during 2020 was only 0.02% of average loans, the Bank has experienced an increase in non-performing loans to 0.32% of total loans on December 31, 2020 compared to 0.06% on December 31, 2019.

Total assets increased year-over-year to $615,294,000 on December 31, 2020 compared to $523,312,000 on December 31, 2019. Total loans of $440,819,000 on December 31, 2020 were flat during the quarter but have increased from $383,508,000 the year before. Total deposits increased during the quarter by $24.1 million to $532,444,000 on December 31, 2020 and have increased from $447,470,000 the year before. The year-over-year increase in loans was primarily a result of the Bank’s active participation in the SBA-guaranteed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which resulted in new loans exceeding $63 million, with a remaining balance of $52 million on December 31, 2020. The Bank collected $2.1 million of processing fees on these loans, which were deferred and are being recognized in income over the life of the loans; the Bank recognized $363,000 in interest income during the fourth quarter of 2020 and $895,000 for the year ending December 31, 2020. The Bank’s net interest margin continued to be under pressure during the quarter after the negative impact of steadily declining interest rates in the last half of 2019 compounded by the dramatic decreases in interest rates during March of 2020. The net interest margin decreased to 3.26% during the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to 3.35% in the third quarter of 2020 and 3.40% in the fourth quarter of 2019. The Bank’s net interest margin for the full year of 2020 of 3.29% decreased compared to the full-year 2019 net interest margin of 3.50%.

Total shareholders’ equity increased to $53,449,000 on December 31, 2020 from $48,873,000 a year ago. The increase resulted from retained earnings for the past twelve months along with an increase in the market value of the Bank’s investment portfolio due to declines in longer-term interest rates. For the year ended December 31, 2020 the return on average assets and return on average equity was 0.46% and 5.12%, respectively.

Richard B. (Randy) Anderson, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer said, “Given the multitude of challenges experienced during 2020 driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic impact it was particularly rewarding to end the year on a strong note.” Anderson continued “As we look toward 2021, we realize some of these challenges will continue but, we are confident the Bank is well-positioned in terms of reserve adequacy, staffing and new digital offerings and capabilities to weather them and continue to build the franchise.”

NCB also announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $0.55 per share for shareholders of record as of February 12, 2021. The dividend payout of $157,331.35 on 286,057 shares is payable February 26, 2021.