Net income for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 was $319,000 ($0.11/per diluted share) and $1,157,000 ($0.39/per diluted share), respectively, compared to $315,000 ($0.11/per diluted share) and $869,000 ($0.30/per diluted share) for the same periods in 2013.

The increases in net income for the quarter and year ending December 31, 2014 compared to the same periods in 2013 were primarily attributable to growth in net interest income resulting from a significant increase in earning assets and an increase in non-interest income, partially offset by increases in operating expenses, the provision for loan losses and income taxes.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Conniff commented on the December 31, 2014 results, "Over the past two years, the Bank has experienced significant growth across all of its business lines, particularly its services to condominium homeowner associations. While this growth required an investment in infrastructure and impacted current period earnings, the long-term returns will be significant. Net income for the company increased 33% from 2013 to 2014, evidencing the positive impact of growth in earning assets."

Balance Sheet Highlights as of December 31, 2014

* Total assets of $391 million at December 31, 2014 represented an increase of 25% over December 31, 2013.
* Total loans of $182 million at December 31, 2014 were an all time record and 30% above December 31, 2013.
* Total deposits of $361 million at December 31, 2014 increased 27% from December 31, 2013.

Assets and Liabilities

As a result of deposit growth, the Bank continues to maintain high levels of liquidity. The Bank’s liquid assets, consisting of cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and investment securities, totaled $200 million, or 51% of total assets, at December 31, 2014 compared to $167 million, or 53% of total assets, at December 31, 2013.

The loan to deposit ratio at December 31, 2014 was 50% compared to 49% at December 31, 2013.

In addition to significant on-balance sheet growth in deposits, the Bank supports its specialty deposit clients with cash management services including the placement of funds in FDIC insured accounts with other financial institutions.

These off-balance sheet deposits increased from $42.3 million at December 31, 2013 to $78.4 million at December 31, 2014. The Bank has continued to invest in developing these cash management capabilities to meet the needs of its clients.

Mr. Conniff noted, "During 2013 and 2014, the Bank made the strategic decision to capitalize on its capabilities in banking public benefit companies and condominium homeowner associations. That decision, which the Bank supported with personnel resources and infrastructure, resulted in significant deposit growth. While loan growth was also significant during this period, even higher rates of deposit growth created high levels of liquidity. During 2015, the Bank expects to deploy these liquid assets carefully into higher earning assets, primarily loans, which should result in a significant improvement in earnings going forward. During 2014, the Bank added two lending officers and a loan oriented business development officer to its lending team."

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 was $2.4 million and $8.7 million, respectively, compared to $1.9 million and $6.8 million for the same periods ended December 31, 2013. The increase in net interest income was directly related to the higher volume of earning assets funded by growth in deposits. The increase in net interest income attributable to higher volumes of earning assets was partially offset by decreases in the net interest margin related to market interest rates which remain at historically low levels. The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 2.61% compared to 2.80% for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income includes service charges and fees, securities gains, SBA loan sales gains and loan servicing fees. Total non-interest income was $372,000 and $1.9 million respectively, for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $535,000 and $1.6 million for the same periods ending December 31, 2013.

The increase in non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the previous year relates primarily to an increase in servicing income for SBA loans sold in the secondary market, gains on the sale of securities and service charges and fees on deposit accounts.

Focus Business Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender and the origination and sale of SBA loans has been a material and recurring source of non-interest revenue for the Bank since operations commenced in 2007.

Gains on the sale of SBA loans totaled $125,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $387,000 and $1.2 million for the same periods ending December 31, 2013. Looking forward, the Bank is expecting to maintain this level of SBA loan origination and sales activity.