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SANTA CLARA, CA - Silicon Valley Bancshares
(NASDAQ: SIVB), parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, today
announced net income of $11.9 million for the quarter ended
December 31, 2002, a decrease of $1.2 million or 9.0 percent from
the third quarter of 2002. Net income in the fourth quarter of
2001 was $12.1 million. Net income was $53.4 million for calendar
year 2002, a decrease of $34.8 million from $88.2 million a year
ago.
Diluted earnings per common share totaled $0.28 in the fourth quarter of 2002, a $0.01 decrease from the $0.29 earned in the third quarter of 2002. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2001. Diluted earnings per common share for the full year 2002 were $1.18.
"In the face of continued economic pressure, we are refining and improving our performance on virtually every factor within our control," said Ken Wilcox, President and CEO. "As a result, in one of the most challenging economic environments for technology and life sciences companies ever, we have maintained our customer count, stabilized deposits, grown loans, and held non-interest income reasonably steady. We maintained our net interest margin, despite the 50 basis point decrease in the Federal Funds interest rate in mid-November, and continue to demonstrate strong credit quality in the midst of a very poor economic environment for our customers."
"Moving forward, Corporate Technology and Life Sciences will continue to be key strategic markets for us. Silicon Valley Bancshares expects first quarter 2003 earnings to be between $0.20 and $0.24 per share," Wilcox continued. "Silicon Valley Bancshares agrees with many of the recommendations resulting from The Conference Board's Commission on Public Trust and Private Enterprise, in particular, that managing for short-term earnings and stock price is potentially detrimental to good corporate governance. Thus, we have decided not to provide full-year 2003 detailed earnings per share guidance. However, our assumptions for 2003 include a flat rate environment, and no improvement in either the level of venture capital funding or IPO activities."
The fourth quarter of 2002 ended with several highlights:
Total assets were $4.2 billion as of December 31, 2002, up $319.6 million from the end of the third quarter. The increase was concentrated in investment portfolio assets, resulting primarily from the effects of higher period-end deposit balances, which was partly offset by the stock repurchase program. Total assets were up $11.1 million from December 31, 2001. Loans, net of unearned income, were $2.1 billion at December 31, 2002, $1.9 billion at September 30, 2002, and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2001.
Period-end total deposits increased $340.7 million from the third quarter of 2002 and increased $55.2 million from December 31, 2001. Average deposit balances increased $151.7 million to $3.1 billion. As a result of decreased funding to emerging technology and life sciences companies, Silicon Valley Bancshares has increased its efforts to develop banking relationships with larger technology and life sciences companies throughout 2002. Thus, funds invested in private label investment and sweep products totaled $8.5 billion at December 31, 2002, compared with $8.2 billion as of September 30, 2002, and $9.3 billion a year ago. Client investment fees decreased from the 2002 third-quarter amount of $7.4 million to $6.8 million in the 2002 fourth quarter, primarily due to declining average balances and continued shifts in investment mix. However, client funds balances appears to be stabilizing, although the shift to less profitable products continues.
Income
Net interest income increased $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2002 as compared to the third quarter 2002, and decreased $3.0 million from the fourth quarter of 2001. The slight increase in net interest income from the third quarter of 2002 was primarily due to increases in average investment balances.
Non-interest income decreased $0.4 million to a total of $15.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2002, compared to $16.3 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2001. The decrease in non-interest income was largely due to higher losses on equity investments, and lower letter of credit (LC) and foreign exchange (FX) income, offset in part by an increased revenue contribution from Alliant's M&A banking activities. LC and FX income in the third quarter was unusually high due to very strong transaction volume. It is unlikely that LC and FX revenues will return to the third-quarter levels in the near future.
Income from the disposition of client warrants remained constant by comparison to the third quarter at $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2002. Based on December 31, 2002 market valuations, the company had potential pre-tax warrant gains totaling $0.8 million related to 16 companies. The company is restricted from exercising many of these warrants. As of December 31, 2002, the company directly held 1,818 warrants in 1,355 companies, had made investments in 244 venture capital funds, and had direct equity investments in 25 companies, many of which are private. Additionally, the company has made investments in 20 venture capital funds through its fund of funds, SVB Strategic Investors Fund, L.P., and made direct equity investments in 24 companies through its venture capital fund, Silicon Valley BancVentures, L.P. The company is typically contractually precluded from taking steps to secure the current unrealized gains associated with many of these equity instruments. Hence, the amount of income realized by the company from these equity instruments in future periods may vary materially from the current unrealized amount due to fluctuations in the market prices of the underlying common stock of these companies.
Write-downs and Expenses
Gross securities write-downs increased quarter over quarter to $3.2 million. Write-downs of the company's equity investments, net of minority interest, totaled approximately $1.4 million and $0.3 million in the fourth and third quarters, respectively.
Non-interest expense totaled $47.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2002, an increase of $1.8 million from the $46.1 million incurred in the third quarter of 2002. Non-interest expense was down $1.3 million from the fourth quarter of 2001.
For the fourth quarter of 2002, return on average assets was 1.2 percent, compared to 1.4 percent for the third quarter of 2002, and 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2001. Return on average equity was 7.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2002, compared to 8.2 percent and 7.5 percent in the third quarter of 2002 and fourth quarter of 2001, respectively.
The company's efficiency ratio increased from 68.5 percent in the third quarter of 2002 to 70.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2002. The efficiency ratio rose primarily due to increases in non-interest expenses. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing the amount of adjusted non-interest expense by adjusted revenues. Non-interest expense is adjusted to exclude costs associated with tax credit funds, minority interest, and retention and warrant incentive plans. Revenues are adjusted to exclude income associated with minority interest, the disposition of client warrants and gains or losses related to investment securities.
Nonperforming loans totaled $20.4 million, or 1.0 percent of total gross loans, at December 31, 2002, compared to $20.3 million, or 1.1 percent of total gross loans at September 30, 2002 and $18.3 million, or 1.0 percent of total gross loans, a year earlier. The allowance for loan losses totaled $70.5 million, or 3.4 percent of total gross loans and 345.4 percent of nonperforming loans, at December 31, 2002, compared to $73.8 million, or 3.9 percent of total gross loans, and 363.4 percent of nonperforming loans, at September 30, 2002. The allowance for loan losses totaled $72.4 million or 4.1 percent of total gross loans and 395.3 percent of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2001. The company incurred $4.3 million in net charge-offs in the quarter, representing 0.8 percent of total gross loans, on an annualized basis, consistent with the fourth quarter of 2001. In the fourth quarter, the company recorded a $1.0 million provision for loan losses. Gross charge-offs for the 2002 fourth quarter totaled $5.4 million.
Stock Buyback Program and Stockholders' Equity
As of December 31, 2002, the company had purchased approximately 3.3 million shares of common stock totaling $59.7 million in conjunction with the $100.0 million share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors on September 16, 2002. During the fourth quarter, the company entered into an accelerated stock repurchase program (ASR) under which most of the repurchase activity occurred. Of the shares repurchased, about 690,000 shares remain subject to forward contract agreements under the ASR. Under the terms of the ASR, the company is obligated to purchase the remaining shares and return them to our counter party over the remainder of the five-year term of the agreement. The company may buy shares at any time at its discretion within the five-year agreement subject to a requirement to purchase at least 20 percent of the shares by the end of the first year of the contract, 40 percent by the end of the second year, and so on. Since the company has already completed purchase of 69.1 percent of the shares, it has satisfied its obligation under the contract for the first three years.
Stockholders' equity totaled $590.4 million at December 31, 2002, a decrease of $32.0 million compared to $622.3 million at September 30, 2002. Stockholder's equity was reduced as a result of the company's share repurchase programs, offset partially by the quarter's earnings. The Company's and the Bank's capital ratios remain strong for a well-capitalized depository institution as of December 31, 2002.
Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company's senior management has in the past and might in the future make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements include:
Factors that may cause the first quarter 2003 targets to change include:
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years results to conform with 2002 presentations. Such reclassifications had no effect on the company's results of operations or stockholders' equity.
Earnings Conference Call
On January 16, 2003, the company will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. (PDT) to discuss the 2002 fourth quarter and year end financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (877) 630-8512 and referencing the passcode "Silicon Valley Bank." A live Webcast can be accessed at www.svb.com. A digitized replay of this conference call will be available beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. (PDT), on Thursday, January 16, 2003, through 5:00 p.m. (PDT), on Saturday, February 16, 2003, by dialing (888) 562-5418. A replay of the Webcast will also be available on www.svb.com beginning Thursday, January 16, 2003.
About Silicon Valley Bank
Silicon Valley Bank serves emerging growth and mature companies in the technology and life sciences markets, as well as premium wineries. Through its focus on specialized markets and extensive knowledge of the people and business issues driving them, Silicon Valley Bank provides a level of service and partnership that measurably impacts its clients' success. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the Bank serves more than 9,500 clients across the country through 27 regional offices. More information on the Bank can be found at www.svb.com.
Diluted earnings per common share totaled $0.28 in the fourth quarter of 2002, a $0.01 decrease from the $0.29 earned in the third quarter of 2002. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2001. Diluted earnings per common share for the full year 2002 were $1.18.
"In the face of continued economic pressure, we are refining and improving our performance on virtually every factor within our control," said Ken Wilcox, President and CEO. "As a result, in one of the most challenging economic environments for technology and life sciences companies ever, we have maintained our customer count, stabilized deposits, grown loans, and held non-interest income reasonably steady. We maintained our net interest margin, despite the 50 basis point decrease in the Federal Funds interest rate in mid-November, and continue to demonstrate strong credit quality in the midst of a very poor economic environment for our customers."
"Moving forward, Corporate Technology and Life Sciences will continue to be key strategic markets for us. Silicon Valley Bancshares expects first quarter 2003 earnings to be between $0.20 and $0.24 per share," Wilcox continued. "Silicon Valley Bancshares agrees with many of the recommendations resulting from The Conference Board's Commission on Public Trust and Private Enterprise, in particular, that managing for short-term earnings and stock price is potentially detrimental to good corporate governance. Thus, we have decided not to provide full-year 2003 detailed earnings per share guidance. However, our assumptions for 2003 include a flat rate environment, and no improvement in either the level of venture capital funding or IPO activities."
The fourth quarter of 2002 ended with several highlights:
- In the third successive quarter for rising loan balances, average loans increased by $31.0 million, or 1.7 percent over the third quarter of 2002. The average balance of $1.8 billion represents the highest quarterly average loan balance in the history of the company. The company expects modest loan growth to continue into 2003.
- Credit quality remains excellent, with non-performing loans (NPLs) at approximately 1.0 percent of total gross loans - consistent with levels for the past five quarters. The allowance to cover potential loan losses is at 345.4 percent of NPLs, and net charge-offs were $4.3 million or 0.8 percent of total gross loans, on an annualized basis. This performance results in part from the company's historical ability to identify good risks in challenging conditions, and from greater emphasis on credit quality in its incentive programs.
- Alliant revenues rose from the third quarter to $3.6 million, as public equity markets improved slightly and Alliant deal flow volume returned to a more normal pace. We expect Alliant revenues to continue to be volatile, but exhibit a general upward trend over the long term.
- Average deposit balances remained relatively constant at $3.1 billion. Deposit balances have remained steady for five successive quarters between $2.9 billion and $3.2 billion. This stability continues in the face of declining venture capital funding levels.
- Net interest margin remained at 5.7%, reflecting a three basis point reduction. This stability resulted from wider loan spreads and lower deposit costs, giving Silicon Valley Bancshares one of the highest net interest margins in the country. The company expects the net interest margin to be under pressure in 2003 as the impact of the Federal Reserve Board interest rate cut in November is fully reflected in its financial results.
- In the third quarter the Bank had a one-time tax benefit of $0.8 million. A similar benefit did not occur in the fourth quarter, nor is it expected to recur in the future.
- Non-interest expenses increased primarily due to four factors: greater professional services costs related to legal expenses entailed by higher loan volume, auditing and compliance fees related to government mandated Sarbanes/Oxley compliance, increased data processing costs associated with higher volumes of transactions, and increased equipment costs related to the deployment of new online systems.
Total assets were $4.2 billion as of December 31, 2002, up $319.6 million from the end of the third quarter. The increase was concentrated in investment portfolio assets, resulting primarily from the effects of higher period-end deposit balances, which was partly offset by the stock repurchase program. Total assets were up $11.1 million from December 31, 2001. Loans, net of unearned income, were $2.1 billion at December 31, 2002, $1.9 billion at September 30, 2002, and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2001.
Period-end total deposits increased $340.7 million from the third quarter of 2002 and increased $55.2 million from December 31, 2001. Average deposit balances increased $151.7 million to $3.1 billion. As a result of decreased funding to emerging technology and life sciences companies, Silicon Valley Bancshares has increased its efforts to develop banking relationships with larger technology and life sciences companies throughout 2002. Thus, funds invested in private label investment and sweep products totaled $8.5 billion at December 31, 2002, compared with $8.2 billion as of September 30, 2002, and $9.3 billion a year ago. Client investment fees decreased from the 2002 third-quarter amount of $7.4 million to $6.8 million in the 2002 fourth quarter, primarily due to declining average balances and continued shifts in investment mix. However, client funds balances appears to be stabilizing, although the shift to less profitable products continues.
Income
Net interest income increased $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2002 as compared to the third quarter 2002, and decreased $3.0 million from the fourth quarter of 2001. The slight increase in net interest income from the third quarter of 2002 was primarily due to increases in average investment balances.
Non-interest income decreased $0.4 million to a total of $15.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2002, compared to $16.3 million in the third quarter of 2002 and $11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2001. The decrease in non-interest income was largely due to higher losses on equity investments, and lower letter of credit (LC) and foreign exchange (FX) income, offset in part by an increased revenue contribution from Alliant's M&A banking activities. LC and FX income in the third quarter was unusually high due to very strong transaction volume. It is unlikely that LC and FX revenues will return to the third-quarter levels in the near future.
Income from the disposition of client warrants remained constant by comparison to the third quarter at $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2002. Based on December 31, 2002 market valuations, the company had potential pre-tax warrant gains totaling $0.8 million related to 16 companies. The company is restricted from exercising many of these warrants. As of December 31, 2002, the company directly held 1,818 warrants in 1,355 companies, had made investments in 244 venture capital funds, and had direct equity investments in 25 companies, many of which are private. Additionally, the company has made investments in 20 venture capital funds through its fund of funds, SVB Strategic Investors Fund, L.P., and made direct equity investments in 24 companies through its venture capital fund, Silicon Valley BancVentures, L.P. The company is typically contractually precluded from taking steps to secure the current unrealized gains associated with many of these equity instruments. Hence, the amount of income realized by the company from these equity instruments in future periods may vary materially from the current unrealized amount due to fluctuations in the market prices of the underlying common stock of these companies.
Write-downs and Expenses
Gross securities write-downs increased quarter over quarter to $3.2 million. Write-downs of the company's equity investments, net of minority interest, totaled approximately $1.4 million and $0.3 million in the fourth and third quarters, respectively.
Non-interest expense totaled $47.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2002, an increase of $1.8 million from the $46.1 million incurred in the third quarter of 2002. Non-interest expense was down $1.3 million from the fourth quarter of 2001.
For the fourth quarter of 2002, return on average assets was 1.2 percent, compared to 1.4 percent for the third quarter of 2002, and 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2001. Return on average equity was 7.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2002, compared to 8.2 percent and 7.5 percent in the third quarter of 2002 and fourth quarter of 2001, respectively.
The company's efficiency ratio increased from 68.5 percent in the third quarter of 2002 to 70.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2002. The efficiency ratio rose primarily due to increases in non-interest expenses. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing the amount of adjusted non-interest expense by adjusted revenues. Non-interest expense is adjusted to exclude costs associated with tax credit funds, minority interest, and retention and warrant incentive plans. Revenues are adjusted to exclude income associated with minority interest, the disposition of client warrants and gains or losses related to investment securities.
Nonperforming loans totaled $20.4 million, or 1.0 percent of total gross loans, at December 31, 2002, compared to $20.3 million, or 1.1 percent of total gross loans at September 30, 2002 and $18.3 million, or 1.0 percent of total gross loans, a year earlier. The allowance for loan losses totaled $70.5 million, or 3.4 percent of total gross loans and 345.4 percent of nonperforming loans, at December 31, 2002, compared to $73.8 million, or 3.9 percent of total gross loans, and 363.4 percent of nonperforming loans, at September 30, 2002. The allowance for loan losses totaled $72.4 million or 4.1 percent of total gross loans and 395.3 percent of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2001. The company incurred $4.3 million in net charge-offs in the quarter, representing 0.8 percent of total gross loans, on an annualized basis, consistent with the fourth quarter of 2001. In the fourth quarter, the company recorded a $1.0 million provision for loan losses. Gross charge-offs for the 2002 fourth quarter totaled $5.4 million.
Stock Buyback Program and Stockholders' Equity
As of December 31, 2002, the company had purchased approximately 3.3 million shares of common stock totaling $59.7 million in conjunction with the $100.0 million share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors on September 16, 2002. During the fourth quarter, the company entered into an accelerated stock repurchase program (ASR) under which most of the repurchase activity occurred. Of the shares repurchased, about 690,000 shares remain subject to forward contract agreements under the ASR. Under the terms of the ASR, the company is obligated to purchase the remaining shares and return them to our counter party over the remainder of the five-year term of the agreement. The company may buy shares at any time at its discretion within the five-year agreement subject to a requirement to purchase at least 20 percent of the shares by the end of the first year of the contract, 40 percent by the end of the second year, and so on. Since the company has already completed purchase of 69.1 percent of the shares, it has satisfied its obligation under the contract for the first three years.
Stockholders' equity totaled $590.4 million at December 31, 2002, a decrease of $32.0 million compared to $622.3 million at September 30, 2002. Stockholder's equity was reduced as a result of the company's share repurchase programs, offset partially by the quarter's earnings. The Company's and the Bank's capital ratios remain strong for a well-capitalized depository institution as of December 31, 2002.
Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company's senior management has in the past and might in the future make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements include:
- projections of our revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, capital structure or other financial items;
- descriptions of strategic initiatives, plans or objectives of our management for future operations, including pending acquisitions;
- descriptions of products, services and industry sectors;
- forecasts of future economic performance; and
- descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing.
- future earnings
- future stock repurchases
- expected Alliant Partners activity
- loan growth
- future net interest margin
- future tax benefits
- client fund balance levels
- LC and FX revenue levels
Factors that may cause the first quarter 2003 targets to change include:
- adjustments required in the close process
- material changes in the state of the economy or the markets served by Silicon Valley Bancshares
- material changes in credit quality
- material changes in interest rates or market levels.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years results to conform with 2002 presentations. Such reclassifications had no effect on the company's results of operations or stockholders' equity.
Earnings Conference Call
On January 16, 2003, the company will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. (PDT) to discuss the 2002 fourth quarter and year end financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (877) 630-8512 and referencing the passcode "Silicon Valley Bank." A live Webcast can be accessed at www.svb.com. A digitized replay of this conference call will be available beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. (PDT), on Thursday, January 16, 2003, through 5:00 p.m. (PDT), on Saturday, February 16, 2003, by dialing (888) 562-5418. A replay of the Webcast will also be available on www.svb.com beginning Thursday, January 16, 2003.
About Silicon Valley Bank
Silicon Valley Bank serves emerging growth and mature companies in the technology and life sciences markets, as well as premium wineries. Through its focus on specialized markets and extensive knowledge of the people and business issues driving them, Silicon Valley Bank provides a level of service and partnership that measurably impacts its clients' success. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the Bank serves more than 9,500 clients across the country through 27 regional offices. More information on the Bank can be found at www.svb.com.