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OP Bancorp Reports Net Income for 2024 First Quarter of $5.2 Million and Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.34

OPBK

2024 First Quarter Highlights compared with 2023 Fourth Quarter:

  • Financial Results:
    • Net income of $5.23 million, compared to $5.17 million
    • Diluted earnings per share of $0.34, compared to $0.34
    • Net interest income of $16.0 million, compared to $16.2 million
    • Net interest margin of 3.06%, compared to 3.12%
    • Provision for credit losses of $0.1 million, compared to $0.6 million
    • Total assets of $2.23 billion, compared to $2.15 billion
    • Gross loans of $1.80 billion, compared to $1.77 billion
    • Total deposits of $1.90 billion, compared to $1.81 billion
  • Credit Quality:
    • Allowance for credit losses to gross loans of 1.23%, compared to 1.25%
    • Net charge-offs(1) to average gross loans(2) of 0.01%, compared to 0.04%
    • Past due 30-89 days to gross loans of 0.22%, compared to 0.54%
    • Nonperforming loans to gross loans of 0.24%, compared to 0.34%
    • Criticized loans(3) to gross loans of 0.64%, compared to 0.76%
  • Capital Levels:
    • Remained well-capitalized with a Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) ratio of 12.34%
    • Book value per common share increased to $13.00, compared to $12.84
    • Repurchased 49,697 shares of common stock at an average price of $10.02 per share
    • Paid quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share for the periods

___________________________________________________________

(1) Annualized.
(2) Includes loans held for sale.
(3) Includes special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss categories.

OP Bancorp (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OPBK), the holding company of Open Bank (the “Bank”), today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2024. Net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $5.23 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, compared with $5.17 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2023, and $7.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2023.

Min Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer:

“Despite the prolonged stress from the high interest rate environment, we were able to grow loans and deposits in the first quarter while controlling impacts to net interest margin at a manageable level. Our credit quality improved noticeably across all metrics even in the face of significant uncertainties that affect our borrowers. I’d like to thank our loyal customers and our dedicated employees for their continuing support of Open Bank, and we look forward to continuing to grow prudently while maintaining an optimum risk profile,” said Min Kim, President and Chief Executive.

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

($ in thousands, except per share data)

As of and For the Three Months Ended

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Selected Income Statement Data:

Net interest income

$

15,979

$

16,230

$

17,892

(1.5

)%

(10.7

)%

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses

145

630

(338

)

(77.0

)

(142.9

)

Noninterest income

3,586

3,680

4,295

(2.6

)

(16.5

)

Noninterest expense

12,157

11,983

11,908

1.5

2.1

Income tax expense

2,037

2,125

3,083

(4.1

)

(33.9

)

Net income

5,226

5,172

7,534

1.0

(30.6

)

Diluted earnings per share

0.34

0.34

0.48

(29.2

)

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

Gross loans

$

1,804,987

$

1,765,845

$

1,692,485

2.2

%

6.6

%

Total deposits

1,895,411

1,807,558

1,904,818

4.9

(0.5

)

Total assets

2,234,520

2,147,730

2,170,594

4.0

2.9

Average loans(1)

1,808,932

1,787,540

1,725,392

1.2

4.8

Average deposits

1,836,331

1,813,411

1,867,684

1.3

(1.7

)

Credit Quality:

Nonperforming loans

$

4,343

$

6,082

$

2,504

(28.6

)%

73.4

%

Nonperforming loans to gross loans

0.24

%

0.34

%

0.15

%

(0.10

)

0.09

Criticized loans(2) to gross loans

0.64

0.76

0.34

(0.12

)

0.30

Net charge-offs(3) to average gross loans(1)

0.01

0.04

0.02

(0.03

)

(0.01

)

Allowance for credit losses to gross loans

1.23

1.25

1.23

(0.02

)

Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans

510

362

831

148.00

(321.00

)

Financial Ratios:

Return on average assets(3)

0.96

%

0.96

%

1.43

%

%

(0.47

)%

Return on average equity(3)

10.83

11.18

16.82

(0.35

)

(5.99

)

Net interest margin(3)

3.06

3.12

3.57

(0.06

)

(0.51

)

Efficiency ratio(4)

62.14

60.19

53.67

1.95

8.47

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio

12.34

12.52

12.06

(0.18

)

0.28

Leverage ratio

9.65

9.57

9.43

0.08

0.22

Book value per common share

$

13.00

$

12.84

$

12.02

1.2

8.2

(1)

Includes loans held for sale.

(2)

Includes special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss categories.

(3)

Annualized.

(4)

Represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income.

INCOME STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

($ in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Interest Income

Interest income

$

32,913

$

31,783

$

28,594

3.6

%

15.1

%

Interest expense

16,934

15,553

10,702

8.9

58.2

Net interest income

$

15,979

$

16,230

$

17,892

(1.5

)%

(10.7

)%

($ in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

Average
Balance

Interest
and Fees

Yield/
Rate(1)

Average
Balance

Interest
and Fees

Yield/
Rate(1)

Average
Balance

Interest
and Fees

Yield/
Rate(1)

Interest-earning Assets:

Loans

$

1,808,932

$

30,142

6.69

%

$

1,787,540

$

28,914

6.43

%

$

1,725,392

$

26,011

6.10

%

Total interest-earning assets

2,089,627

32,913

6.32

2,071,613

31,783

6.10

2,022,146

28,594

5.71

Interest-bearing Liabilities:

Interest-bearing deposits

1,321,828

15,675

4.77

1,243,446

14,127

4.51

1,196,194

10,382

3.52

Total interest-bearing liabilities

1,430,509

16,934

4.76

1,362,210

15,553

4.53

1,222,362

10,702

3.55

Ratios:

Net interest income / interest rate spreads

15,979

1.56

16,230

1.57

17,892

2.16

Net interest margin

3.06

3.12

3.57

Total deposits / cost of deposits

1,836,331

15,675

3.43

1,813,411

14,127

3.09

1,867,684

10,382

2.25

Total funding liabilities / cost of funds

1,945,012

16,934

3.50

1,932,175

15,553

3.19

1,893,852

10,702

2.29

(1)

Annualized.

($ in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

Yield Change 1Q2024
vs.

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

Interest
& Fees

Yield(1)

Interest
& Fees

Yield(1)

Interest
& Fees

Yield(1)

4Q2023

1Q2023

Loan Yield Component:

Contractual interest rate

$

28,877

6.41

%

$

28,596

6.36

%

$

25,477

5.97

%

0.05

%

0.44

%

SBA loan discount accretion

881

0.20

960

0.21

974

0.23

(0.01

)

(0.03

)

Amortization of net deferred fees

54

0.01

(67

)

(0.01

)

79

0.02

0.02

(0.01

)

Amortization of premium

(428

)

(0.10

)

(423

)

(0.09

)

(392

)

(0.09

)

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

Net interest recognized on nonaccrual loans

492

0.11

(345

)

(0.08

)

(243

)

(0.06

)

0.19

0.17

Prepayment penalties(2) and other fees

266

0.06

193

0.04

116

0.03

0.02

0.03

Yield on loans

$

30,142

6.69

%

$

28,914

6.43

%

$

26,011

6.10

%

0.26

%

0.59

%

(1)

Annualized.

(2)

Prepayment penalty income of $115 thousand, $43 thousand and $3 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively, was from Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) and Commercial and Industrial (“C&I”) loans.

First Quarter 2024 vs. Fourth Quarter 2023

Net interest income decreased $251 thousand, or 1.5%, primarily due to higher interest expense on deposits, partially offset by higher interest income on loans. Net interest margin was 3.06%, a decrease of 6 basis points from 3.12%.

  • A $1.5 million increase in interest expense on interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to a $78.4 million, or 6.3%, increase in average balance.
  • A $1.2 million increase in interest income on loans was primarily due to a $21.4 million, or 1.2%, increase in average balance and a $837 thousand increase in net interest recognized on nonaccrual loans.

First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023

Net interest income decreased $1.9 million, or 10.7%, primarily due to higher interest expense on deposits and borrowings, partially offset by higher interest income on loans as our deposit and borrowing costs repriced more quickly than our interest-earning assets. Net interest margin was 3.06%, a decrease of 51 basis points from 3.57%.

  • A $5.3 million increase in interest expense on interest-bearing deposits was primarily due to a $125.6 million, or 10.5%, increase in average balance and a 125 basis point increase in average cost driven by the Federal Reserve’s rate increases.
  • A $939 thousand increase in interest expense on borrowings was primarily due to a $82.5 million, or 315.3%, increase in average balance.
  • A $4.1 million increase in interest income on loans was primarily due to a $83.5 million, or 4.8%, increase in average balance and a 59 basis point increase in average yield as a result of the Federal Reserve’s rate increases.

Provision for Credit Losses

For the Three Months Ended

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on loans

$

193

$

537

$

(258

)

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses on off-balance sheet exposure

(48

)

93

(80

)

Total provision for (reversal of) credit losses

$

145

$

630

$

(338

)

First Quarter 2024 vs. Fourth Quarter 2023

The Company recorded a $145 thousand provision for credit losses, a decrease of $485 thousand, compared with a $630 thousand provision for credit losses.

Provision for credit losses on loans was $193 thousand, primarily due to a $1.8 million increase in the quantitative general reserve, mostly offset by a $1.7 million decrease in the qualitative reserve. The increase in the quantitative reserve was due to the increase in the average life of home mortgage loans because of the slower prepayment rate based on the 2-year look back period. The decrease in the qualitative reserve was due to noticeable improvements in various asset quality metrics and improving economic and business conditions.

First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023

The Company recorded a $145 thousand provision for credit losses, a decrease of $483 thousand, compared with a $338 thousand reversal of credit losses.

Noninterest Income

($ in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Noninterest Income

Service charges on deposits

$

612

$

557

$

418

9.9

%

46.4

%

Loan servicing fees, net of amortization

772

540

846

43.0

(8.7

)

Gain on sale of loans

1,703

1,996

2,570

(14.7

)

(33.7

)

Other income

499

587

461

(15.0

)

8.2

Total noninterest income

$

3,586

$

3,680

$

4,295

(2.6

)%

(16.5

)%

First Quarter 2024 vs. Fourth Quarter 2023

Noninterest income decreased $94 thousand, or 2.6%, primarily due to lower gain on sale of loans, partially offset by higher loan servicing fee.

  • Gain on sale of loans was $1.7 million, a decrease of $293 thousand from $2.0 million, primarily due to a lower Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan sold amount partially offset by a higher average premium on sales. The Bank sold $24.8 million in SBA loans at an average premium rate of 8.33%, compared to the sale of $40.1 million at an average premium rate of 5.99%.
  • Loan servicing fees, net of amortization, was $772 thousand, an increase of $232 thousand from $540 thousand, primarily due to a decrease in servicing fee amortization driven by lower loan payoffs in loan servicing portfolio.

First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023

Noninterest income decreased $709 thousand, or 16.5%, primarily due to a lower gain on sale of loans, partially offset by higher service charges on deposits.

  • Gain on sale of loans was $1.7 million, a decrease of $867 thousand from $2.6 million, primarily due to a lower SBA loan sold amount. The Bank sold $24.8 million in SBA loans at an average premium rate of 8.33%, compared to the sale of $44.7 million at an average premium rate of 7.33%.
  • Service charges on deposits was $612 thousand, and an increase of $194 thousand from $418 thousand, primarily due to an increase in deposit analysis fees from an increase in the number of analysis accounts.

Noninterest Expense

($ in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Noninterest Expense

Salaries and employee benefits

$

7,841

$

7,646

$

7,252

2.6

%

8.1

%

Occupancy and equipment

1,655

1,616

1,570

2.4

5.4

Data processing and communication

487

644

550

(24.4

)

(11.5

)

Professional fees

395

391

359

1.0

10.0

FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments

374

237

467

57.8

(19.9

)

Promotion and advertising

149

86

162

73.3

(8.0

)

Directors’ fees

157

145

161

8.3

(2.5

)

Foundation donation and other contributions

540

524

753

3.1

(28.3

)

Other expenses

559

694

634

(19.5

)

(11.8

)

Total noninterest expense

$

12,157

$

11,983

$

11,908

1.5

%

2.1

%

First Quarter 2024 vs. Fourth Quarter 2023

Noninterest expense increased $174 thousand, or 1.5%, primarily due to higher salaries and employee benefits, and FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments, partially offset by lower data processing and communication and other expenses.

  • Salaries and employee benefits increased $195 thousand, primarily due to increases in employer payroll taxes and employee vacation accruals, partially offset by lower employee incentive accruals.
  • FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments increased $137 thousand, primarily due to a lower expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 as a result of an accrual adjustment.
  • Data processing and communication decreased $157 thousand, primarily due to an accrual adjustment for a credit received on data processing fees in the first quarter of 2024.

First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023

Noninterest expense increased $249 thousand, or 2.1%, primarily due to higher salaries and employee benefits, partially offset by lower foundation donation and other contributions.

  • Salaries and employee benefits increased $589 thousand, primarily due to an increase from employee salary adjustments in 2023 and an increase in employee health insurance.
  • Foundation donations and other contributions decreased $213 thousand, primarily due to a lower donation accrual for Open Stewardship as a result of lower net income.

Income Tax Expense

First Quarter 2024 vs. Fourth Quarter 2023

Income tax expense was $2.0 million and the effective tax rate was 28.1%, compared to income tax expense of $2.1 million and the effective rate of 29.1%. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increased tax benefits from an increase in low income housing tax credit investments.

First Quarter 2024 vs. First Quarter 2023

Income tax expense was $2.0 million and the effective tax rate was 28.1%, compared to income tax expense of $3.1 million and an effective rate of 29.0%. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increased tax benefits from an increase in low income housing tax credit investments.

BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS

Loans

As of

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

CRE loans

$

905,534

$

885,585

$

833,615

2.3

%

8.6

%

SBA loans

247,550

239,692

238,994

3.3

3.6

C&I loans

147,508

120,970

117,841

21.9

25.2

Home mortgage loans

502,995

518,024

500,635

(2.9

)

0.5

Consumer & other loans

1,400

1,574

1,400

(11.1

)

Gross loans

$

1,804,987

$

1,765,845

$

1,692,485

2.2

%

6.6

%

The following table presents new loan originations based on loan commitment amounts for the periods indicated:

For the Three Months Ended

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

CRE loans

$

44,596

$

15,885

$

24,200

180.7

%

84.3

%

SBA loans

52,379

51,855

16,258

1.0

222.2

C&I loans

23,775

15,270

7,720

55.7

208.0

Home mortgage loans

2,478

12,417

20,617

(80.0

)

(88.0

)

Consumer & other loans

1,500

(100.0

)

Gross loans

$

123,228

$

96,927

$

68,795

27.1

%

79.1

%

The following table presents changes in gross loans by loan activity for the periods indicated:

For the Three Months Ended

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

Loan Activities:

Gross loans, beginning

$

1,765,845

$

1,759,525

$

1,678,292

New originations

123,228

96,927

68,795

Net line advances

15,313

(7,350

)

10,356

Purchases

2,371

12,142

Sales

(32,106

)

(40,122

)

(45,021

)

Paydowns

(24,557

)

(19,901

)

(40,190

)

Payoffs

(28,539

)

(23,590

)

(28,326

)

PPP payoffs

(200

)

Decrease (increase) in loans held for sale

(14,280

)

(1,795

)

36,802

Other

83

(220

)

(165

)

Total

39,142

6,320

14,193

Gross loans, ending

$

1,804,987

$

1,765,845

$

1,692,485

As of March 31, 2024 vs. December 31, 2023

Gross loans were $1.80 billion as of March 31, 2024, up $39.1 million, from December 31, 2023, primarily due to new loan originations, partially offset by loan sales, payoffs and paydowns.

New loan originations, loan sales, and loan payoffs and paydowns were $123.2 million $32.1 million and $53.1 million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2024, compared with $96.9 million, $40.1 million and $43.5 million, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023.

As of March 31, 2024 vs. March 31, 2023

Gross loans were $1.80 billion as of March 31, 2024, up $112.5 million, from March 31, 2023, primarily due to new loan originations of $428.9 million and loan purchases of $15.5 million, primarily offset by loan sales of $132.4 million and loan payoffs and paydowns of $198.2 million.

The following table presents the composition of gross loans by interest rate type accompanied with the weighted average contractual rates as of the periods indicated:

As of

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

($ in thousands)

%

Rate

%

Rate

%

Rate

Fixed rate

35.1

%

5.17

%

35.1

%

5.07

%

36.5

%

4.76

%

Hybrid rate

32.8

5.22

33.9

5.15

34.2

4.94

Variable rate

32.1

9.16

31.0

9.15

29.3

8.76

Gross loans

100.0

%

6.47

%

100.0

%

6.35

%

100.0

%

5.99

%

The following table presents the maturity of gross loans by interest rate type accompanied with the weighted average contractual rates for the periods indicated:

As of March 31, 2024

Within One Year

One Year Through
Five Years

After Five Years

Total

($ in thousands)

Amount

Rate

Amount

Rate

Amount

Rate

Amount

Rate

Fixed rate

$

125,369

5.81

%

$

282,814

4.93

%

$

226,332

5.11

%

$

634,515

5.17

%

Hybrid rate

138,336

4.17

453,281

5.54

591,617

5.22

Variable rate

113,184

8.79

130,126

9.02

335,545

9.34

578,855

9.16

Gross loans

$

238,553

7.22

%

$

551,276

5.71

%

$

1,015,158

6.70

%

$

1,804,987

6.47

%

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company adopted the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) accounting standard effective as of January 1, 2023 under a modified retrospective approach. The adoption resulted in a $1.9 million increase to the allowance for credit losses on loans, a $184 thousand increase to the allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet exposure, a $624 thousand increase to deferred tax assets, and a $1.5 million charge to retained earnings.

The following table presents allowance for credit losses and provision for credit losses as of and for the periods presented:

As of and For the Three Months Ended

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Allowance for credit losses on loans, beginning

$

21,993

$

21,617

$

19,241

1.7

%

14.3

%

Impact of CECL adoption

1,924

n/m

n/m

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses

193

537

(258

)

(64.1

)

(174.8

)

Gross charge-offs

(68

)

(236

)

(116

)

(71.2

)

(41.4

)

Gross recoveries

11

75

23

(85.3

)

(52.2

)

Net charge-offs

(57

)

(161

)

(93

)

(64.6

)

(38.7

)

Allowance for credit losses on loans, ending

$

22,129

$

21,993

$

20,814

0.6

%

6.3

%

Allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet exposure, beginning

$

516

$

423

$

263

22.0

%

96.2

%

Impact of CECL adoption

184

n/m

n/m

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses

(48

)

93

(80

)

(151.6

)

(40.0

)

Allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet exposure, ending

$

468

$

516

$

367

(9.3

)%

27.5

%

Asset Quality

As of and For the Three Months Ended

Change 1Q2024 vs.

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Loans 30-89 days past due and still accruing

$

3,904

$

9,607

$

4,866

(59.4

)%

(19.8

)%

As a % of gross loans

0.22

%

0.54

%

0.29

%

(0.32

)

(0.07

)

Nonperforming loans(1)

$

4,343

$

6,082

$

2,504

(28.6

)%

73.4

%

Nonperforming assets(1)

5,580

6,082

2,504

(8.3

)

122.8

Nonperforming loans to gross loans

0.24

%

0.34

%

0.15

%

(0.10

)

0.09

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.25

%

0.28

%

0.12

%

(0.03

)

0.13

Criticized loans(1)(2)

$

11,564

$

13,349

$

5,772

(13.4

)%

100.3

%

Criticized loans to gross loans

0.64

%

0.76

%

0.34

%

(0.12

)

0.30

Allowance for credit losses ratios:

As a % of gross loans

1.23

%

1.25

%

1.23

%

(0.02

)%

%

As a % of nonperforming loans

510

362

831

148

(321

)

As a % of nonperforming assets

397

362

831

35

(434

)

As a % of criticized loans

191

165

361

26

(170

)

Net charge-offs(3) to average gross loans(4)

0.01

0.04

0.02

(0.03

)

(0.01

)

(1)

Excludes the guaranteed portion of SBA loans that are in liquidation totaling $3.1 million, $2.0 million and $1.9 million as of March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.

(2)

Consists of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss categories.

(3)

Annualized.

(4)

Includes loans held for sale.

Overall, the Bank continued to maintain low levels of nonperforming loans and net charge-offs. Our allowance remained strong with an allowance to gross loans ratio of 1.23%.

  • Loans 30-89 days past due and still accruing were $3.9 million or 0.22% of gross loans as of March 31, 2024, compared with $9.6 million or 0.54% as of December 31, 2023. Several past due home mortgage loans were paid off through voluntary sale and several home mortgage and SBA loans were brought current.
  • Nonperforming loans were $4.3 million or 0.24% of gross loans as of March 31, 2024, compared with $6.1 million or 0.34% as of December 31, 2023. Several escrows on the nonperforming home mortgage loans were closed during the quarter with full payoffs.
  • Nonperforming assets were $5.6 million or 0.25% of total assets as of March 31, 2024, compared with $6.1 million or 0.28% as of December 31, 2023. Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) was $1.2 million as of March 31, 2024, which is secured by a mix-use property in Los Angeles Koreatown with 90% guaranteed by SBA. We are in receipt of a few written offers above the OREO balance and negotiating the terms of the offer.
  • Criticized loans were $11.6 million or 0.64% of gross loans as of March 31, 2024, compared with $13.3 million or 0.76% as of December 31, 2023. The improvement was due to the payoffs of several nonperforming home mortgage loans.
  • Net charge-offs were $57 thousand or 0.01% of average loans in the first quarter of 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $161 thousand, or 0.04% of average loans in the fourth quarter of 2023 and of $93 thousand, or 0.02% of average loans in the first quarter of 2023. The charge-off in the first quarter of 2024 was the reversal of the accrued interest on three loans totaling $519 thousand that were placed on nonaccrual during the same quarter.

Deposits

As of

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

($ in thousands)

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

4Q2023

1Q2023

Noninterest-bearing deposits

$

539,396

28.5

%

$

522,751

28.9

%

$

643,902

33.8

%

3.2

%

(16.2

)%

Money market deposits and others

327,718

17.3

399,018

22.1

436,796

22.9

(17.9

)

(25.0

)

Time deposits

1,028,297

54.2

885,789

49.0

824,120

43.3

16.1

24.8

Total deposits

$

1,895,411

100.0

%

$

1,807,558

100.0

%

$

1,904,818

100.0

%

4.9

%

(0.5

)%

Estimated uninsured deposits

$

1,248,644

65.9

%

$

1,156,270

64.0

%

$

900,579

47.3

%

8.0

%

38.6

%

As of March 31, 2024 vs. December 31, 2023

Total deposits were $1.90 billion as of March 31, 2024, up $87.9 million from December 31, 2023, primarily due to increases of $142.5 million in time deposits and $16.6 million in noninterest-bearing deposit, offset by a $71.3 million decrease in money market deposits. Noninterest-bearing deposits, as a percentage of total deposits, decreased to 28.5% from 28.9%. The composition shift to time deposits was primarily due to customers’ continued preference for high-rate deposit products driven by the Federal Reserve’s rate increases.

As of March 31, 2024 vs. March 31, 2023

Total deposits were $1.90 billion as of March 31, 2024, down $9.4 million from March 31, 2023, primarily driven by decreases of $104.5 million in noninterest-bearing deposits and $109.1 million in money market deposits, offset by a $204.2 million increase in time deposits. The composition shift to time deposits was primarily due to customers’ preference for high-rate deposit products driven by market rate increases as a result of the Federal Reserve’s rate increases.

The following table sets forth the maturity of time deposits as of March 31, 2024:

As of March 31, 2024

($ in thousands)

Within
Three
Months

Three to
Six Months

Six to Nine
Months

Nine to
Twelve

Months

After
Twelve
Months

Total

Time deposits (more than $250)

$

95,516

$

65,321

$

143,382

$

142,830

$

4,448

$

451,497

Time deposits ($250 or less)

151,358

102,471

186,340

104,481

32,150

576,800

Total time deposits

$

246,874

$

167,792

$

329,722

$

247,311

$

36,598

$

1,028,297

Weighted average rate

4.97

%

4.99

%

5.18

%

5.04

%

4.25

%

5.03

%

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Liquidity

The Company maintains ample access to liquidity, including highly liquid assets on our balance sheet and available unused borrowings from other financial institutions. The following table presents the Company's liquid assets and available borrowings as of dates presented:

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

Liquidity Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

139,246

$

91,216

$

181,509

Available-for-sale debt securities

187,225

194,250

212,767

Liquid assets

$

326,471

$

285,466

$

394,276

Liquid assets to total assets

14.6

%

13.3

%

18.2

%

Available borrowings:

Federal Home Loan Bank—San Francisco

$

331,917

$

363,615

$

406,500

Federal Reserve Bank

185,913

182,989

174,284

Pacific Coast Bankers Bank

50,000

50,000

50,000

Zions Bank

25,000

25,000

25,000

First Horizon Bank

25,000

25,000

24,950

Total available borrowings

$

617,830

$

646,604

$

680,734

Total available borrowings to total assets

27.6

%

30.1

%

31.4

%

Liquid assets and available borrowings to total deposits

49.8

%

51.6

%

56.4

%

Capital and Capital Ratios

On April 25, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share of its common stock. The cash dividend is payable on or about May 23, 2024 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 9, 2024. The payment of the dividend is based primarily on dividends from the Bank to the Company, and future dividends will depend on the Board’s assessment of the availability of capital levels to support the ongoing operating capital needs of both the Company and the Bank.

The Company also repurchased 49,697 shares of its common stock at an average price of $10.02 per share during the first quarter of 2024 under the stock repurchase program announced in August 2023. Since the announcement of the initial stock repurchase program in January 2019, the Company repurchased a total of 2,069,697 shares of its common stock at an average repurchase price of $8.63 per share through March 31, 2024.

Basel III

OP Bancorp(1)

Open Bank

Minimum
Well
Capitalized
Ratio

Minimum
Capital Ratio+
Conservation
Buffer(2)

Risk-Based Capital Ratios:

Total risk-based capital ratio

13.59

%

13.53

%

10.00

%

10.50

%

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

12.34

12.28

8.00

8.50

Common equity tier 1 ratio

12.34

12.28

6.50

7.00

Leverage ratio

9.65

9.60

5.00

4.00

(1)

The capital requirements are only applicable to the Bank, and the Company's ratios are included for comparison purpose.

(2)

An additional 2.5% capital conservation buffer above the minimum capital ratios are required in order to avoid limitations on distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonuses to executive officers.

Basel III

Change 1Q2024 vs.

OP Bancorp

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Risk-Based Capital Ratios:

Total risk-based capital ratio

13.59

%

13.77

%

13.27

%

(0.18

)%

0.32

%

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

12.34

12.52

12.06

(0.18

)

0.28

Common equity tier 1 ratio

12.34

12.52

12.06

(0.18

)

0.28

Leverage ratio

9.65

9.57

9.43

0.08

0.22

Risk-weighted Assets ($ in thousands)

$

1,715,185

$

1,667,067

$

1,659,584

2.89

3.35

ABOUT OP BANCORP

OP Bancorp, the holding company for Open Bank (the “Bank”), is a California corporation whose common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol, “OPBK.” The Bank is engaged in the general commercial banking business in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Clara Counties in California, the Dallas metropolitan area in Texas, and Clark County in Nevada and is focused on serving the banking needs of small- and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and residents with a particular emphasis on Korean and other ethnic minority communities. The Bank currently operates eleven full-service branch offices in Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles Fashion District, Los Angeles Koreatown, Cerritos, Gardena, Buena Park, and Santa Clara, California, Carrollton, Texas and Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bank also has four loan production offices in Pleasanton, California, Atlanta, Georgia, Aurora, Colorado, and Lynnwood, Washington. The Bank commenced its operations on June 10, 2005 as First Standard Bank and changed its name to Open Bank in October 2010. Its headquarters is located at 1000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90017. Phone 213.892.9999; www.myopenbank.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters set forth herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s current business plans and expectations regarding future operating results. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control, include, but are not limited to: the effects of substantial fluctuations in, and continuing elevated levels of, interest rates on our borrowers’ ability to perform in accordance with the terms of their loans and on our deposit customers’ expectation for higher rates on deposit products; cybersecurity risks, including the potential for the occurrence of successful cyberattacks and our ability to prevent and to mitigate the harms resulting from any such attacks; business and economic conditions, particularly those affecting the financial services industry and our primary market areas; risks of international conflict, terrorism, civil unrest and domestic instability; the continuing effects of inflation and monetary policies, particularly those relating to the decisions and indicators of intent expressed by the Federal Reserve Open Markets Committee, as those circumstances impact our operations and our current and prospective borrowers and depositors; our ability to balance deposit liabilities and liquidity sources (including our ability to reprice those instruments and balancing our borrowings and investments to keep pace with changing market conditions) so as to meet current and expected withdrawals while promoting strong earning capacity; our ability to manage our credit risk successfully and to assess, adjust and monitor the sufficiency of our allowance for credit losses; factors that can impact the performance of our loan portfolio, including real estate values and liquidity in our primary market areas, the financial health of our commercial borrowers, the success of construction projects that we finance, including any loans acquired in acquisition transactions; the impacts of credit quality on our earnings and the related effects of increases to the reserve on our net income; our ability effectively to execute our strategic plan and manage our growth; interest rate fluctuations, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability; external economic and/or market factors, such as changes in monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including inflation or deflation, changes in the demand for loans, and fluctuations in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits, which may have an adverse impact on our financial condition; continued or increasing competition from other banks and from credit unions and non-bank financial services companies, many of which are subject to less restrictive or less costly regulations than we are; challenges arising from unsuccessful attempts to expand into new geographic markets, products, or services; practical and regulatory constraints on the ability of Open Bank to pay dividends to us; increased capital requirements imposed by banking regulators, which may require us to raise capital at a time when capital is not available on favorable terms or at all; a failure in the internal controls we have implemented to address the risks inherent to the business of banking; including internal controls that affect the reliability of our publicly reported financial statements; inaccuracies in our assumptions about future events, which could result in material differences between our financial projections and actual financial performance, particularly with respect to the effects of predictions of future economic conditions as those circumstances affect our estimates for the adequacy of our allowance for credit losses and the related provision expense; changes in our management personnel or our inability to retain motivate and hire qualified management personnel; disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, our information technology systems; disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events affecting the third-party vendors who perform several of our critical processing functions; an inability to keep pace with the rate of technological advances due to a lack of resources to invest in new technologies; risks related to potential acquisitions; political developments, uncertainties or instability, catastrophic events, or natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, drought, pandemic diseases (such as the coronavirus) or extreme weather events, any of which may affect services we use or affect our customers, employees or third parties with which we conduct business; incremental costs and obligations associated with operating as a public company; the impact of any claims or legal actions to which we may be subject, including any effect on our reputation; compliance with governmental and regulatory requirements, including the Dodd-Frank Act and others relating to banking, consumer protection, securities and tax matters, and our ability to maintain licenses required in connection with commercial mortgage origination, sale and servicing operations; changes in federal tax law or policy; and our ability the manage the foregoing and other factors set forth in the Company’s public reports. We describe these and other risks that could affect our results in Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” of our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in our other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

As of

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Assets

Cash and due from banks

$

20,513

$

16,948

$

16,781

21.0

%

22.2

%

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

118,733

74,268

164,728

59.9

(27.9

)

Cash and cash equivalents

139,246

91,216

181,509

52.7

(23.3

)

Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value

187,225

194,250

212,767

(3.6

)

(12.0

)

Other investments

16,264

16,276

12,172

(0.1

)

33.6

Loans held for sale

16,075

1,795

7,534

795.5

113.4

CRE loans

905,534

885,585

833,615

2.3

8.6

SBA loans

247,550

239,692

238,994

3.3

3.6

C&I loans

147,508

120,970

117,841

21.9

25.2

Home mortgage loans

502,995

518,024

500,635

(2.9

)

0.5

Consumer loans

1,400

1,574

1,400

(11.1

)

Gross loans receivable

1,804,987

1,765,845

1,692,485

2.2

6.6

Allowance for credit losses

(22,129

)

(21,993

)

(20,814

)

0.6

6.3

Net loans receivable

1,782,858

1,743,852

1,671,671

2.2

6.7

Premises and equipment, net

4,971

5,248

4,647

(5.3

)

7.0

Accrued interest receivable, net

8,370

8,259

7,302

1.3

14.6

Servicing assets

11,405

11,741

12,898

(2.9

)

(11.6

)

Company owned life insurance

22,399

22,233

21,762

0.7

2.9

Deferred tax assets, net

13,802

13,309

12,323

3.7

12.0

Other real estate owned

1,237

n/m

n/m

Operating right-of-use assets

8,864

8,497

9,459

4.3

(6.3

)

Other assets

21,804

31,054

16,550

(29.8

)

31.7

Total assets

$

2,234,520

$

2,147,730

$

2,170,594

4.0

%

2.9

%

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing

$

539,396

$

522,751

$

643,902

3.2

%

(16.2

)%

Money market and others

327,718

399,018

436,796

(17.9

)

(25.0

)

Time deposits greater than $250

451,497

433,892

411,648

4.1

9.7

Other time deposits

576,800

451,897

412,472

27.6

39.8

Total deposits

1,895,411

1,807,558

1,904,818

4.9

(0.5

)

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

105,000

105,000

50,000

110.0

Accrued interest payable

12,270

12,628

5,751

(2.8

)

113.4

Operating lease liabilities

9,614

9,341

10,513

2.9

(8.6

)

Other liabilities

17,500

20,577

15,731

(15.0

)

11.2

Total liabilities

2,039,795

1,955,104

1,986,813

4.3

2.7

Shareholders' equity:

Common stock

75,957

76,280

79,475

(0.4

)

(4.4

)

Additional paid-in capital

11,240

10,942

10,056

2.7

11.8

Retained earnings

124,280

120,855

109,908

2.8

13.1

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(16,752

)

(15,451

)

(15,658

)

8.4

7.0

Total shareholders’ equity

194,725

192,626

183,781

1.1

6.0

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

2,234,520

$

2,147,730

$

2,170,594

4.0

%

2.9

%

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Interest income

Interest and fees on loans

$

30,142

$

28,914

$

26,011

4.2

%

15.9

%

Interest on available-for-sale debt securities

1,460

1,484

1,566

(1.6

)

(6.8

)

Other interest income

1,311

1,385

1,017

(5.3

)

28.9

Total interest income

32,913

31,783

28,594

3.6

15.1

Interest expense

Interest on deposits

15,675

14,127

10,382

11.0

51.0

Interest on borrowings

1,259

1,426

320

(11.7

)

293.4

%

Total interest expense

16,934

15,553

10,702

8.9

58.2

Net interest income

15,979

16,230

17,892

(1.5

)

(10.7

)

Provision for (reversal of) credit losses

145

630

(338

)

(77.0

)

n/m

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

15,834

15,600

18,230

1.5

(13.1

)

Noninterest income

Service charges on deposits

612

557

418

9.9

46.4

Loan servicing fees, net of amortization

772

540

846

43.0

(8.7

)

Gain on sale of loans

1,703

1,996

2,570

(14.7

)

(33.7

)

Other income

499

587

461

(15.0

)

8.2

Total noninterest income

3,586

3,680

4,295

(2.6

)

(16.5

)

Noninterest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

7,841

7,646

7,252

2.6

8.1

Occupancy and equipment

1,655

1,616

1,570

2.4

5.4

Data processing and communication

487

644

550

(24.4

)

(11.5

)

Professional fees

395

391

359

1.0

10.0

FDIC insurance and regulatory assessments

374

237

467

57.8

(19.9

)

Promotion and advertising

149

86

162

73.3

(8.0

)

Directors’ fees

157

145

161

8.3

(2.5

)

Foundation donation and other contributions

540

524

753

3.1

(28.3

)

Other expenses

559

694

634

(19.5

)

(11.8

)

Total noninterest expense

12,157

11,983

11,908

1.5

2.1

Income before income tax expense

7,263

7,297

10,617

(0.5

)

(31.6

)

Income tax expense

2,037

2,125

3,083

(4.1

)

(33.9

)

Net income

$

5,226

$

5,172

$

7,534

1.0

%

(30.6

)%

Book value per share

$

13.00

$

12.84

$

12.02

1.2

%

8.2

%

Earnings per share - basic

0.34

0.34

0.48

(29.2

)

Earnings per share - diluted

0.34

0.34

0.48

(29.2

)

Shares of common stock outstanding, at period end

14,982,555

15,000,436

15,286,558

(0.1

)%

(2.0

)%

Weighted average shares:

- Basic

14,991,835

15,027,110

15,284,350

(0.2

)%

(1.9

)%

- Diluted

14,991,835

15,034,822

15,312,673

(0.3

)

(2.1

)

KEY RATIOS

For the Three Months Ended

% Change 1Q2024 vs.

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

4Q2023

1Q2023

Return on average assets (ROA)(1)

0.96

%

0.96

%

1.43

%

%

(0.5

)%

Return on average equity (ROE)(1)

10.83

11.18

16.82

(0.4

)

(6.0

)

Net interest margin(1)

3.06

3.12

3.57

(0.1

)

(0.5

)

Efficiency ratio

62.14

60.19

53.67

2.0

8.5

Total risk-based capital ratio

13.59

%

13.77

%

13.27

%

(0.2

)%

0.3

%

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

12.34

12.52

12.06

(0.2

)

0.3

Common equity tier 1 ratio

12.34

12.52

12.06

(0.2

)

0.3

Leverage ratio

9.65

9.57

9.43

0.1

0.2

(1)

Annualized.

ASSET QUALITY

As of and For the Three Months Ended

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

Nonaccrual loans(1)

$

4,343

$

6,082

$

2,504

Loans 90 days or more past due, accruing(2)

Nonperforming loans

4,343

6,082

2,504

OREO

1,237

Nonperforming assets

$

5,580

$

6,082

$

2,504

Criticized loans by risk categories:

Special mention loans

$

1,415

$

1,428

$

2,617

Classified loans(1)(3)

10,149

11,921

3,155

Total criticized loans

$

11,564

$

13,349

$

5,772

Criticized loans by loan type:

CRE loans

$

5,292

$

4,995

$

560

SBA loans

6,055

5,864

3,676

C&I loans

271

Home mortgage loans

217

2,490

1,265

Total criticized loans

$

11,564

$

13,349

$

5,772

Nonperforming loans / gross loans

0.24

%

0.34

%

0.15

%

Nonperforming assets / gross loans plus OREO

0.31

0.34

0.15

Nonperforming assets / total assets

0.25

0.28

0.12

Classified loans / gross loans

0.56

0.68

0.19

Criticized loans / gross loans

0.64

0.76

0.34

Allowance for credit losses ratios:

As a % of gross loans

1.23

%

1.25

%

1.23

%

As a % of nonperforming loans

510

362

831

As a % of nonperforming assets

397

362

831

As a % of classified loans

218

184

660

As a % of criticized loans

191

165

361

Net charge-offs

$

57

$

161

$

93

Net charge-offs(5) to average gross loans(6)

0.01

%

0.04

%

0.02

%

(1)

Excludes the guaranteed portion of SBA loans that are in liquidation totaling $3.1 million, $2.0 million and $1.6 million as of March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively.

(2)

Excludes the guaranteed portion of SBA loans that are in liquidation totaling $246 thousand as of March 31, 2023.

(3)

Consists of substandard, doubtful and loss categories.

(4)

See the Reconciliation of GAAP to NON-GAAP Financial Measures.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Includes loans held for sale.

($ in thousands)

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

Accruing delinquent loans 30-89 days past due

30-59 days

$

801

$

5,945

$

4,866

60-89 days

3,103

3,662

Total

$

3,904

$

9,607

$

4,866

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET, INTEREST AND YIELD/RATE ANALYSIS

For the Three Months Ended

1Q2024

4Q2023

1Q2023

($ in thousands)

Average
Balance

Interest
and Fees

Yield/
Rate(1)

Average
Balance

Interest
and Fees

Yield/
Rate(1)

Average
Balance

Interest
and Fees

Yield/
Rate(1)

Interest-earning assets:

Interest-bearing deposits in other banks

$

73,047

$

989

5.35

%

$

78,496

$

1,076

5.36

%

$

74,162

$

846

4.56

%

Federal funds sold and other investments

16,265

322

7.92

16,115

309

7.66

12,130

171

5.65

Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value

191,383

1,460

3.05

189,462

1,484

3.13

210,462

1,566

2.98

CRE loans

901,262

13,729

6.13

892,092

13,104

5.83

840,402

11,179

5.39

SBA loans

259,368

7,213

11.19

255,692

7,055

10.95

274,889

6,982

10.30

C&I loans

134,893

2,670

7.96

122,950

2,416

7.80

121,915

2,200

7.32

Home mortgage loans

512,023

6,495

5.07

515,840

6,315

4.90

486,800

5,633

4.63

Consumer loans

1,386

35

10.10

966

24

9.92

1,386

17

5.07

Loans(2)

1,808,932

30,142

6.69

1,787,540

28,914

6.43

1,725,392

26,011

6.10

Total interest-earning assets

2,089,627

32,913

6.32

2,071,613

31,783

6.10

2,022,146

28,594

5.71

Noninterest-earning assets

87,586

86,874

82,538

Total assets

$

2,177,213

$

2,158,487

$

2,104,684

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Money market deposits and others

$

367,386

$

3,940

4.31

%

$

377,304

$

3,993

4.20

%

$

409,813

$

3,150

3.12

%

Time deposits

954,442

11,735

4.94

866,142

10,134

4.64

786,381

7,232

3.73

Total interest-bearing deposits

1,321,828

15,675

4.77

1,243,446

14,127

4.51

1,196,194

10,382

3.52

Borrowings

108,681

1,259

4.66

118,764

1,426

4.76

26,168

320

4.95

Total interest-bearing liabilities

1,430,509

16,934

4.76

1,362,210

15,553

4.53

1,222,362

10,702

3.55

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing deposits

514,503

569,965

671,490

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

39,207

41,312

31,648

Total noninterest-bearing liabilities

553,710

611,277

703,138

Shareholders’ equity

192,994

185,000

179,184

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

2,177,213

2,158,487

2,104,684

Net interest income / interest rate spreads

$

15,979

1.56

%

$

16,230

1.57

%

$

17,892

2.16

%

Net interest margin

3.06

%

3.12

%

3.57

%

Cost of deposits & cost of funds:

Total deposits / cost of deposits

$

1,836,331

$

15,675

3.43

%

$

1,813,411

$

14,127

3.09

%

$

1,867,684

$

10,382

2.25

%

Total funding liabilities / cost of funds

1,945,012

16,934

3.50

1,932,175

15,553

3.19

1,893,852

10,702

2.29

(1)

Annualized.

(2)

Includes loans held for sale.