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Silicon Valley Bancshares' First Quarter Results Show Continued Strong Performance
Company news | April 22, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Silicon ValleyBancshares (Nasdaq: SIVB) today announced earnings per diluted common share(EPS) of $0.38 for the first quarter of 2004, exceeding EPS guidance of$0.31 to $0.35 given on January 29, 2004. EPS were $0.26 and $(0.44) in thefirst and fourth quarters of 2003, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2003, the company recognized a $46.0 million impairment of goodwill charge,which, net of taxes, reduced EPS by $0.78.
Net income totaled $14.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, an increase of $29.3 million from the fourth quarter of 2003. Net income for the first quarter of 2003 was $10.4 million.
First Quarter Highlights
"Persistent focus on adding new clients as well as complementary productsand services has strengthened our position as the financial partner of choicefor early stage companies, and we are increasing our base of established' Corporate Technology' clients while maintaining our credit quality."
Assets and Deposits
At March 31, 2004, period-end total assets were $4.5 billion, up $26.9 million, or 0.6 percent from December 31, 2003 and up $504.2 million, or12.6 percent, from March 31, 2003. Loans, net of unearned income, were $2.0 billion at March 31, 2004 and at December 31, 2003 and $2.1 billion at March 31, 2003.
Average deposit balances increased $168.9 million or 4.9 percent from the fourth quarter of 2003 to $3.6 billion. Period-end total deposits, at $3.7 billion, remained stable from December 31, 2003, and increased $425.2 million from March 31, 2003. Client funds invested in private label investments, sweep products and assets under management, at $10.0 billion, increased $0.7 billion, or 7.2 percent, from $9.3 billion at December 31, 2003, and increased $1.9 billion, or 23.1 percent, from $8.1 billion at March 31, 2003. Average client investment fund balances increased to $9.6 billion for the first quarter of 2004, up from $8.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2003. This represented the second consecutive quarter-over-quarter increase in three years.
Income
Net interest income, at $50.8 million, increased $2.9 million from the fourth quarter of 2003 to the first quarter of 2004, and increased $2.8 million from the first quarter of 2003. Fourth quarter of 2003 net interest income was negatively impacted by $1.3 million of deferred issuance costs related to redemption of $40.0 million in 8.25% Trust Preferred Securities. The fourth quarter net interest margin was decreased by 13 basis points due to the recognition of these deferred issuance costs. Net interest margin increased in the first quarter to 5.2 percent from 5.0 percent in thefourth quarter of 2003.
Noninterest income increased $6.1 million to $24.9 million in the first quarter of 2004. The increase resulted primarily from higher corporate finance fees and from gains on the sale of investment securities. Corporate finance fees were up $2.5 million from the prior quarter. The company saw an increase in investment gains, as well as stable income from client warrants.Noninterest income was $17.4 million in the first quarter of 2003.Investment gains were $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2004, compared to losses of $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2003. Losses on the company's equity investments, net of minority interest, stabilized atapproximately $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2004, unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2003.
Income from client warrants was $2.9 million and $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2004 and the fourth quarter of 2003, respectively. Based on March 31, 2004 market valuations, the company had $4.6 million in potential pre-tax warrant gains related to 27 companies. Silicon Valley Bancshares is restricted from exercising many of these warrants until later in 2004. The company continued to grow its warrant portfolio and took 63 warrants in the first quarter of 2004. As of March 31, 2004, the company directly held 1,845 warrants in 1,334 companies, had made investments in 263 venture capital funds, and had direct equity investments in 19 companies, many of which are private. Additionally, Silicon Valley Bancshares 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 25 companies through its venture capital fund, Silicon Valley BancVentures, L.P. Silicon Valley Bancshares is often contractually precluded from taking steps to secure any 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 might vary materially from the current unrealized amount due to fluctuations in the market prices of the underlying common stock of these companies. Income from the disposition of client warrants is an important component of Silicon Valley Bancshares' long-term strategy.
Expenses
Noninterest expense totaled $53.2 million in the first quarter of 2004, down from $96.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. As previously discussed, the company recognized a $46.0 million impairment to goodwill charge in the fourth quarter of 2003. Compensation expense increased from the fourth quarter of 2003 to the first quarter of 2004, partly due to increased incentive compensation expenses associated with improved performance. Firstquarter of 2004 noninterest expense increased $3.1 million from the first quarter of 2003.
In the fourth quarter of 2003 the company reversed certain net state income tax benefits taken in the first three quarters of 2003, in response to a California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announcement on December 31, 2003 relating to new tax shelter regulations. The company has not and will not reflect any future financial statement REIT tax benefits until this matter has been resolved with the FTB. Silicon Valley Bancshares and its financial advisors believe that the company's position with regard to the REIT has merit and the company plans to pursue its tax claims and defend its use of this entity.
Return on average equity was 12.1 percent in the first quarter of 2004, compared to (13.2) percent in the fourth quarter of 2003 and 7.3 percent in the first quarter of 2003. Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2004 was 1.3 percent, compared to (1.4) percent in the fourth quarter of 2003, and 1.1 percent in the first quarter of 2003.
Credit Quality
Continuing the company's recent trend of good credit quality, NPLs were $14.0 million or 0.7 percent of total gross loans at March 31, 2004, compared to $12.4 million or 0.6 percent of gross loans at December 31, 2003. The company recognized net charge-offs of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2004, due in large part to the recovery of a portion of a non-technology niche loan, which was charged off in 1999. Net recoveries in the prior quarter were $0.3 million. Gross charge-offs for the 2004 first quarter totaled $4.1 million, up from $3.3 million for the 2003 fourth quarter. After a $0.0 million provision, the company's allowance for loan losses was $63.3 million, or 3.2 percent of total gross loans and 453.2 percent of NPL sat March 31, 2004. At December 31, 2003, the allowance for loan losses totaled $64.5 million or 3.2 percent of total gross loans and 522.3 percent of NPLs.
Stock Buyback Program and Stockholders' Equity
The company did not repurchase any shares in the first quarter of 2004. As of March 31, 2004 the company had repurchased 4.5 million sharestotaling $113.2 million, pursuant to its stock repurchase program of up to$160 million, authorized by the board of directors in the second quarter of2003.
Stockholders' equity totaled $476.4 million at March 31, 2004, an increase of $29.4 million compared to $447.0 million at December 31, 2003. Stockholders' equity increased primarily as a result of the company's earnings and the exercise of employee stock options and an increase in net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments. Both Silicon Valley Bancshares'and Silicon Valley Bank's capital ratios were in excess of regulatory guidelines for classification as a well-capitalized depository institution as of March 31, 2004.
Q2 2004 Guidance
Silicon Valley Bancshares currently expects second quarter 2004 earnings to be between $0.37 and $0.41 per share, although actual results may differ. The forecast assumes no changes in market interest rates, no provision for loan loss expense, an increase in average investment securities, and stable average loans. In addition, it assumes noninterest income at approximately first quarter levels, slightly higher noninterest expense, a stable economic environment, no dilution from the zero-coupon convertible debt, and no furthershare repurchases.
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 second quarter 2004 targets to change include:
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years results to conform with 2004 presentations. Such reclassifications had no effect on the company's results of operations or stockholders' equity.
Earnings Conference Call
On April 22, 2004, the company will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m.(PDT) to discuss the 2004 first quarter 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 a tapproximately 4:30 p.m. (PDT), on Thursday, April 22, 2004, through 5:00 p.m.(PDT), on Sunday, May 23, 2004, by dialing 888-562-0227. A replay of the Webcast will also be available on www.svb.com beginning Thursday, April 22,2004.
About Silicon Valley Bancshares
For 20 years, Silicon Valley Bancshares, a financial holding company offering diversified financial services, has provided innovative solutions to help entrepreneurs succeed. The company's principal subsidiary, SiliconValley Bank, serves emerging growth and mature companies in the technology, life science, private equity and premium wine industries. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and with 26 offices across the country, the company offers clients commercial, investment, merchant and personal banking, as well as private equity and value-added services, using its knowledge and networks. Merger, acquisition, private placement and corporate partnering services are provided through the company's investment banking subsidiary, SVB Alliant, formerly Alliant Partners. More information on the company can be found at www.svb.com.
Net income totaled $14.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, an increase of $29.3 million from the fourth quarter of 2003. Net income for the first quarter of 2003 was $10.4 million.
First Quarter Highlights
- Credit quality remained good with first quarter net charge-offs of $1.2 million and nonperforming loans (NPLs) at 0.7 percent of total gross loans, resulting in a $0.0 million provision.
- Quarterly average deposits are at their highest level in nearly three years, at $3.6 billion, an increase of $168.9 million, or 4.9 percent, from the fourth quarter of 2003.
- Noninterest income increased by $6.1 million primarily due to increases in client investment fees, foreign exchange fee income and corporate finance fees generated from SVB Alliant, formerly Alliant Partners, the company's investment banking subsidiary.
- Average loans, at $1.8 billion in the first quarter, increased slightly quarter over quarter.
- Income from client warrants was stable, totaling $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2004, a slight decrease from the fourth quarter of 2003.
"Persistent focus on adding new clients as well as complementary productsand services has strengthened our position as the financial partner of choicefor early stage companies, and we are increasing our base of established' Corporate Technology' clients while maintaining our credit quality."
Assets and Deposits
At March 31, 2004, period-end total assets were $4.5 billion, up $26.9 million, or 0.6 percent from December 31, 2003 and up $504.2 million, or12.6 percent, from March 31, 2003. Loans, net of unearned income, were $2.0 billion at March 31, 2004 and at December 31, 2003 and $2.1 billion at March 31, 2003.
Average deposit balances increased $168.9 million or 4.9 percent from the fourth quarter of 2003 to $3.6 billion. Period-end total deposits, at $3.7 billion, remained stable from December 31, 2003, and increased $425.2 million from March 31, 2003. Client funds invested in private label investments, sweep products and assets under management, at $10.0 billion, increased $0.7 billion, or 7.2 percent, from $9.3 billion at December 31, 2003, and increased $1.9 billion, or 23.1 percent, from $8.1 billion at March 31, 2003. Average client investment fund balances increased to $9.6 billion for the first quarter of 2004, up from $8.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2003. This represented the second consecutive quarter-over-quarter increase in three years.
Income
Net interest income, at $50.8 million, increased $2.9 million from the fourth quarter of 2003 to the first quarter of 2004, and increased $2.8 million from the first quarter of 2003. Fourth quarter of 2003 net interest income was negatively impacted by $1.3 million of deferred issuance costs related to redemption of $40.0 million in 8.25% Trust Preferred Securities. The fourth quarter net interest margin was decreased by 13 basis points due to the recognition of these deferred issuance costs. Net interest margin increased in the first quarter to 5.2 percent from 5.0 percent in thefourth quarter of 2003.
Noninterest income increased $6.1 million to $24.9 million in the first quarter of 2004. The increase resulted primarily from higher corporate finance fees and from gains on the sale of investment securities. Corporate finance fees were up $2.5 million from the prior quarter. The company saw an increase in investment gains, as well as stable income from client warrants.Noninterest income was $17.4 million in the first quarter of 2003.Investment gains were $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2004, compared to losses of $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2003. Losses on the company's equity investments, net of minority interest, stabilized atapproximately $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2004, unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2003.
Income from client warrants was $2.9 million and $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2004 and the fourth quarter of 2003, respectively. Based on March 31, 2004 market valuations, the company had $4.6 million in potential pre-tax warrant gains related to 27 companies. Silicon Valley Bancshares is restricted from exercising many of these warrants until later in 2004. The company continued to grow its warrant portfolio and took 63 warrants in the first quarter of 2004. As of March 31, 2004, the company directly held 1,845 warrants in 1,334 companies, had made investments in 263 venture capital funds, and had direct equity investments in 19 companies, many of which are private. Additionally, Silicon Valley Bancshares 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 25 companies through its venture capital fund, Silicon Valley BancVentures, L.P. Silicon Valley Bancshares is often contractually precluded from taking steps to secure any 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 might vary materially from the current unrealized amount due to fluctuations in the market prices of the underlying common stock of these companies. Income from the disposition of client warrants is an important component of Silicon Valley Bancshares' long-term strategy.
Expenses
Noninterest expense totaled $53.2 million in the first quarter of 2004, down from $96.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. As previously discussed, the company recognized a $46.0 million impairment to goodwill charge in the fourth quarter of 2003. Compensation expense increased from the fourth quarter of 2003 to the first quarter of 2004, partly due to increased incentive compensation expenses associated with improved performance. Firstquarter of 2004 noninterest expense increased $3.1 million from the first quarter of 2003.
In the fourth quarter of 2003 the company reversed certain net state income tax benefits taken in the first three quarters of 2003, in response to a California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announcement on December 31, 2003 relating to new tax shelter regulations. The company has not and will not reflect any future financial statement REIT tax benefits until this matter has been resolved with the FTB. Silicon Valley Bancshares and its financial advisors believe that the company's position with regard to the REIT has merit and the company plans to pursue its tax claims and defend its use of this entity.
Return on average equity was 12.1 percent in the first quarter of 2004, compared to (13.2) percent in the fourth quarter of 2003 and 7.3 percent in the first quarter of 2003. Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2004 was 1.3 percent, compared to (1.4) percent in the fourth quarter of 2003, and 1.1 percent in the first quarter of 2003.
Credit Quality
Continuing the company's recent trend of good credit quality, NPLs were $14.0 million or 0.7 percent of total gross loans at March 31, 2004, compared to $12.4 million or 0.6 percent of gross loans at December 31, 2003. The company recognized net charge-offs of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2004, due in large part to the recovery of a portion of a non-technology niche loan, which was charged off in 1999. Net recoveries in the prior quarter were $0.3 million. Gross charge-offs for the 2004 first quarter totaled $4.1 million, up from $3.3 million for the 2003 fourth quarter. After a $0.0 million provision, the company's allowance for loan losses was $63.3 million, or 3.2 percent of total gross loans and 453.2 percent of NPL sat March 31, 2004. At December 31, 2003, the allowance for loan losses totaled $64.5 million or 3.2 percent of total gross loans and 522.3 percent of NPLs.
Stock Buyback Program and Stockholders' Equity
The company did not repurchase any shares in the first quarter of 2004. As of March 31, 2004 the company had repurchased 4.5 million sharestotaling $113.2 million, pursuant to its stock repurchase program of up to$160 million, authorized by the board of directors in the second quarter of2003.
Stockholders' equity totaled $476.4 million at March 31, 2004, an increase of $29.4 million compared to $447.0 million at December 31, 2003. Stockholders' equity increased primarily as a result of the company's earnings and the exercise of employee stock options and an increase in net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments. Both Silicon Valley Bancshares'and Silicon Valley Bank's capital ratios were in excess of regulatory guidelines for classification as a well-capitalized depository institution as of March 31, 2004.
Q2 2004 Guidance
Silicon Valley Bancshares currently expects second quarter 2004 earnings to be between $0.37 and $0.41 per share, although actual results may differ. The forecast assumes no changes in market interest rates, no provision for loan loss expense, an increase in average investment securities, and stable average loans. In addition, it assumes noninterest income at approximately first quarter levels, slightly higher noninterest expense, a stable economic environment, no dilution from the zero-coupon convertible debt, and no furthershare repurchases.
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, balance sheet, cash flows, 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 venture capital funding levels
- expected levels of provisions for loan losses
- forecasts of future economic performance
- descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing
- future EPS
- future performance and levels of noninterest income and noninterest expense
- our ability to manage future risks
- returns and growth of our warrant portfolio
- future loan balances, growth and yield
- future deposit trends
- future stock buybacks
- future net interest margin and market interest rates
- future investment securities balances
- future provision for loan losses and net charge-offs
- future credit quality
- future outcome of REIT tax benefits and uses of the REIT
- potential dilution from our zero-coupon convertible debt
Factors that may cause the second quarter 2004 targets to change include:
- adjustments needed in the transaction closing process as required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
- 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.
- volatility of the markets served by Silicon Valley Bancshares
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years results to conform with 2004 presentations. Such reclassifications had no effect on the company's results of operations or stockholders' equity.
Earnings Conference Call
On April 22, 2004, the company will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m.(PDT) to discuss the 2004 first quarter 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 a tapproximately 4:30 p.m. (PDT), on Thursday, April 22, 2004, through 5:00 p.m.(PDT), on Sunday, May 23, 2004, by dialing 888-562-0227. A replay of the Webcast will also be available on www.svb.com beginning Thursday, April 22,2004.
About Silicon Valley Bancshares
For 20 years, Silicon Valley Bancshares, a financial holding company offering diversified financial services, has provided innovative solutions to help entrepreneurs succeed. The company's principal subsidiary, SiliconValley Bank, serves emerging growth and mature companies in the technology, life science, private equity and premium wine industries. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and with 26 offices across the country, the company offers clients commercial, investment, merchant and personal banking, as well as private equity and value-added services, using its knowledge and networks. Merger, acquisition, private placement and corporate partnering services are provided through the company's investment banking subsidiary, SVB Alliant, formerly Alliant Partners. More information on the company can be found at www.svb.com.