Bank of Santa Clarita announced Monday that it again has achieved a record level of earnings. During the third quarter of 2016 the Bank reported net earnings of $462,000, an improvement of 19% over the Bank’s previous quarter, and an increase of 80% over the third quarter of 2015. Moreover, net earnings for the three quarters ended September 30, 2016 were $1,092,000, an improvement of 19% over the initial three quarters of 2015. The Bank noted that this improvement in 2016 is the result of several factors, most notably the large growth in loans and also the third quarter 2016 reduction in the necessary level of reserves for losses on loans, reflecting the continuing excellent credit quality within the loan portfolio.

In addition, the Bank reported significant growth in loans for 2016, as total loans grew to $205.7 million, a growth rate of 12% in the first three quarters of 2016; moreover, the Bank noted that from September 30, 2015 to September 30, 2016, its loan portfolio had increased from $180.9 million, a growth rate of 14% from the year-earlier total. As noted above, the Bank continues to have excellent credit quality in the loan portfolio, as it had no nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2016, and also for the eleventh consecutive quarter the Bank had no net loan charge-offs.

“We are beginning to realize the earnings benefits of the strong growth in assets during the first three quarters of this year,” said Chief Executive Officer Frank Di Tomaso. “In fact, this year’s operations resulted in the most profitable quarter (and also the most profitable three quarters) in the Bank’s history.” Mr. Di Tomaso added, “The positive trends in earnings and other financial measures reflect the Bank’s continued focus on high-quality asset growth, including conservative, sound underwriting practices, and also on expense control and relationship banking.”

At September 30, 2016, shareholders’ equity totaled $26.96 million and the Bank’s total capital ratio was 12.68%, exceeding the “well capitalized” level prescribed in the applicable capital regulations. The Bank also continues to maintain substantial liquidity positions, retaining significant balances of liquidity on its balance sheet as well as readily available collateralized borrowings and other potential sources of liquidity.

Founded in October 2004, Bank of Santa Clarita is the only full service commercial bank headquartered in the Santa Clarita Valley and is focused on the needs of the community and its businesses. We promote face-to-face interaction with our clients, which in turn leads to deeper relationships overall. The Bank provides local, experienced decision-making and the personalized service that growing businesses need on a daily basis. Bank clients have direct access to executive management and professional staff members to address their credit requirements, from commercial lines of credit to SBA loans to commercial real estate and other commercial loans, and also technology-based services that include online bill-paying, remote capture depositing, check imaging and initiating online wire transfers, among other cash management facilities.

“We are proud of the fact that Bank of Santa Clarita has served the Santa Clarita Valley’s residents, including individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations, for twelve years, and we cherish the relationships we’ve made with many of our neighbors, and invite any of those in the community who do not yet know us well to visit us, and together we can continue to build an even more vibrant community.”