Biggest changeWe may not be able to raise additional capital at all, or on terms acceptable to us. Failure to maintain capital to meet current or future regulatory requirements could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Biggest changeAny new or revised standards adopted in the future may require us to maintain materially more capital, with common equity as a more predominant component, or manage the configuration of our assets and liabilities to comply with formulaic capital requirements. We may not be able to raise additional capital at all, or on terms acceptable to us.
A failure to effectively measure and limit the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio may result in loan defaults, foreclosures, and additional charge-offs, and may necessitate that we significantly increase our allowance for loan losses, each of which could adversely affect our net income.
A failure to effectively measure and limit the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio may result in loan defaults, foreclosures, and additional charge-offs, and may necessitate that we significantly increase our allowance for credit losses, each of which could adversely affect our net income.
Additionally, consumer protection initiatives or changes in state or federal law may substantially increase the time and expenses associated with the foreclosure process or prevent us from foreclosing at all.
Additionally, consumer protection initiatives or changes in state or federal law may substantially increase the time and expenses associated with the foreclosure process or prevent us from foreclosing at all.
These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency actions in respect to the securities, defaults by the issuer or with respect to the underlying securities, and changes in market interest rates and instability in the capital markets.
These factors include, but are not limited to, rating agency actions with respect to the securities, defaults by the issuer or with respect to the underlying securities, and changes in market interest rates and instability in the capital markets.
The banking industry is highly regulated and supervised under both federal and state laws and regulations that are intended primarily for the protection of depositors, customers, the public, the banking system as a whole, or the FDIC DIF, not for the protection of our shareholders and creditors.
The banking industry is highly regulated and supervised under both federal and state laws and regulations that are intended primarily for the protection of depositors, customers, the public, the banking system as a whole, and/or the FDIC DIF, not for the protection of our shareholders and creditors.
In addition, these agencies have the power to take enforcement action against us to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation of law or regulation or unsafe or unsound practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to direct the sale of subsidiaries or other assets, to limit dividends and distributions, to restrict our growth, to assess civil money penalties against us or our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors, and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance and place our Bank into receivership or conservatorship.
In addition, these agencies have the power to take enforcement action against us to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation of law or regulation or unsafe or unsound practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to direct the sale of subsidiaries or other assets, to limit dividends and distributions, to restrict our growth, to assess civil money penalties against us or our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors, and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance and place the Bank into receivership or conservatorship.
Furthermore, with certain limited exceptions, federal regulations prohibit a person or company or a group of persons deemed to be “acting in concert” from, directly or indirectly, acquiring 10% or more (5% or more if the acquirer is a bank holding company) of any class of our voting stock or obtaining the ability to control in any manner the election of a majority of our directors or otherwise direct the management or policies of our Company without prior notice or application to and the approval of the Federal Reserve.
Furthermore, with certain limited exceptions, federal regulations prohibit a person, company, or group of persons deemed to be “acting in concert” from, directly or indirectly, acquiring 10% or more (5% or more if the acquirer is a bank holding company) of any class of our voting stock or obtaining the ability to control in any manner the election of a majority of our directors or otherwise direct the management or policies of our Company without prior notice or application to and the approval of the Federal Reserve.
Our stock price may fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors including the risk factors described herein and, among other things: • actual or anticipated variations in quarterly or annual operating results, financial conditions, or credit quality; • changes in business or economic conditions; • changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations, or principles; • changes in recommendations or research reports about us or the financial services industry in general published by securities analysts; • the failure of securities analysts to cover, or to continue to cover, us; • changes in financial estimates or publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts or actions taken by rating agencies with respect to us or other financial institutions; • news reports relating to trends, concerns, and other issues in the financial services industry; • reports related to the impact of natural or man-made disasters in our market; • perceptions in the marketplace regarding us and or our competitors; • sudden increases in the demand for our common stock, including as a result of any “short squeezes”; • significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors; • additional investments from third parties; • additions or departures of key personnel; • future sales or issuance of additional shares of common stock; • fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of our competitors; • changes or proposed changes in laws or regulations, or differing interpretations thereof, affecting our business, or enforcement of these laws or regulations; • new technology used, or services offered, by competitors; • additional investments from third parties; or • geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism, pandemics, or military conflicts.
The market price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors including the risk factors described herein and, among other things: • actual or anticipated variations in quarterly or annual operating results, financial conditions, or credit quality; • changes in business or economic conditions; • changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations, or principles; • changes in recommendations or research reports about us or the financial services industry in general published by securities analysts; • the failure of securities analysts to cover, or to continue to cover, us; • changes in financial estimates or publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts or actions taken by rating agencies with respect to us or other financial institutions; • news reports relating to trends, concerns, and other issues in the financial services industry; • reports related to the impact of natural or man-made disasters in our market; • perceptions in the marketplace regarding us and or our competitors; • sudden increases in the demand for our common stock, including as a result of any “short squeezes”; • significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors; • additional investments from third parties; • additions or departures of key personnel; • future sales or issuance of additional shares of our common stock; 30 • fluctuations in the market price of our common stock and operating results of our competitors; • changes or proposed changes in laws or regulations, or differing interpretations thereof, affecting our business, or enforcement of these laws or regulations; • new technology used, or services offered, by competitors; • additional investments from third parties; or • geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism, pandemics, or military conflicts.
Although we have historically maintained a high deposit customer retention rate, these deposits are subject to potentially dramatic fluctuations in availability or price due to certain factors outside of our control, such as increasing competitive pressures for deposits, changes in interest rates and returns on other investment classes, customer perceptions of our financial health and general reputation, and a loss of confidence by customers in us or the banking sector generally, which could result in significant outflows of deposits within short periods of time or significant changes in pricing necessary to maintain current customer deposits or attract additional deposits.
Although we have historically maintained a high deposit customer retention rate, these deposits are subject to potentially dramatic fluctuations in availability or price due to certain factors outside of our control, such as increasing competitive pressures for deposits, changes in interest rates and returns on other investment classes, customer perceptions of our financial health and general reputation, and a loss of confidence by 20 customers in us or the banking sector generally, which could result in significant outflows of deposits within short periods of time or significant changes in pricing necessary to maintain current customer deposits or attract additional deposits.
Deterioration of economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, inaccurate management assumptions, identification of additional problem loans, temporary modifications, loan forgiveness, automatic forbearance, and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may result in our experiencing higher levels of nonperforming assets and charge-offs, and incurring loan losses in excess of our current allowance for loan losses, requiring us to make material additions to our allowance for loan losses, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Deterioration of economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, inaccurate management assumptions, identification of additional problem loans, temporary modifications, loan forgiveness, automatic forbearance, and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may result in our experiencing higher levels of nonperforming assets and charge-offs, and incurring credit losses in excess of our current allowance for credit losses, requiring us to make material additions to our allowance for credit losses, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Sustainable growth requires that we manage our risks by following prudent loan underwriting standards, balancing loan and deposit growth without materially increasing interest rate risk or compressing our net interest margin, maintaining more than adequate capital at all times, managing a growing number of customer relationships, scaling technology platforms, hiring and retaining qualified employees, and successfully 36 implementing our strategic initiatives.
Sustainable growth requires that we manage our risks by following prudent loan underwriting standards, balancing loan and deposit growth without materially increasing interest rate risk or compressing our net interest margin, maintaining more than adequate capital at all times, managing a growing number of customer relationships, scaling technology platforms, hiring and retaining qualified employees, and successfully implementing our strategic initiatives.
Our bylaws will further provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the 34 federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the federal securities laws, including the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Our bylaws will further provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the federal securities laws, including the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Accordingly, charge-offs on commercial real estate loans may be larger as a percentage of the total principal outstanding than those incurred with our residential or consumer loan portfolios. The appraisals and other valuation techniques we use in evaluating and monitoring loans secured by real property and OREO may not accurately reflect the net value of the asset.
Accordingly, charge-offs on commercial real estate loans may be larger as a percentage of the total principal outstanding than those incurred with our residential or consumer loan portfolios. 24 The appraisals and other valuation techniques we use in evaluating and monitoring loans secured by real property and OREO may not accurately reflect the net value of the asset.
In such event, holders of our common stock will not be entitled to receive any payment or other distribution of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company until after all of our obligations to the debt holders are satisfied and holders of subordinated debt and senior equity securities, including preferred shares, if any, have received any payment or distribution due to them.
In such event, holders of our common stock will not be entitled to receive any payment or other distribution of assets upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company until after all of our obligations to the debt holders are satisfied and holders of subordinated notes and senior equity securities, including preferred shares, if any, have received any payment or distribution due to them.
If a significant amount of these deposits were withdrawn within a short period of time, it could have a negative impact on our short-term liquidity and have an adverse impact on our earnings. We may also be forced, as a result of withdrawals of deposits, to rely more heavily on other, potentially more expensive and less stable, funding sources.
If a significant amount of these deposits were withdrawn within a short period of time, it could have a negative impact on our short-term liquidity and have an adverse impact on our earnings. We may also be forced, as a result of withdrawals of deposits, to rely more heavily on other, 25 potentially more expensive and less stable, funding sources.
We may not be able to identify all significant deficiencies and/or material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future, and our failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may not be able to identify all significant deficiencies and/or material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the 33 future, and our failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Additionally, if we record goodwill in connection with any acquisition, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected if that goodwill is determined to be impaired, which would require us to take an impairment charge. Our reputation is critical to our business, and damage to it could have an adverse effect on us.
Additionally, if we record goodwill in connection with any acquisition, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected if that goodwill is determined to be impaired, which would require us to take an impairment charge. 35 Our reputation is critical to our business, and damage to it could have an adverse effect on us.
For these reasons, any regional or local economic downturn could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 19 The small to medium-sized businesses to which we lend may have fewer resources to weather adverse business developments, which may impair a borrower’s ability to repay a loan.
For these reasons, any regional or local economic downturn could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The small to medium-sized businesses to which we lend may have fewer resources to weather adverse business developments, which may impair a borrower’s ability to repay a loan.
Additionally, federal and state banking regulators, as an integral part of their supervisory function, periodically review the allowance for loan losses. These regulatory agencies may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses or to recognize further loan charge-offs based upon their judgments, which may be different from ours.
Additionally, federal and state banking regulators, as an integral part of their supervisory function, periodically review the allowance for credit losses. These regulatory agencies may require us to increase our allowance for credit losses or to recognize further loan charge-offs based upon their judgments, which may be different from ours.
Banking regulators closely supervise banks’ commercial real estate lending activities and may require banks with higher levels of commercial real estate loans to implement improved underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies, 22 and portfolio stress testing, as well as possibly higher levels of allowances for losses and capital levels as a result of commercial real estate lending growth and exposures.
Banking regulators closely supervise banks’ commercial real estate lending activities and may require banks with higher levels of commercial real estate loans to implement improved underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies, and portfolio stress testing, as well as possibly higher levels of allowances for losses and capital levels as a result of commercial real estate lending growth and exposures.
From time to time, in the normal course of business, we have in the past been and may in the future be named as a defendant in various legal actions, arising in connection with our current and/or prior business activities. Legal actions 40 could include claims for substantial compensatory or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages.
From time to time, in the normal course of business, we have in the past been and may in the future be named as a defendant in various legal actions, arising in connection with our current and/or prior business activities. Legal actions could include claims for substantial compensatory or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages.
These circumstances could not only result in increased loan defaults, foreclosures, and charge-offs, but also reduce collateral values and necessitate further increases to the allowance for loan losses, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
These circumstances could not only result in increased loan defaults, foreclosures, and charge-offs, but also reduce collateral values and necessitate further increases to the allowance for credit losses, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In 23 addition, these agencies may change their rules for qualifying loans or Congress may adopt legislation that would have the effect of discontinuing or changing the loan guarantee programs. Non-governmental programs could replace government programs for some borrowers, but the terms might not be equally acceptable.
In addition, these agencies may change their rules for qualifying loans or Congress may adopt legislation that would have the effect of discontinuing or changing the loan guarantee programs. Non-governmental programs could replace government programs for some borrowers, but the terms might not be equally acceptable.
Information security risks for financial institutions like us have increased recently in part because of new technologies, the use of the internet and telecommunications technologies (including mobile devices) to conduct financial and other business transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, perpetrators of fraud, hackers, terrorists, and others.
Information security risks for financial institutions like us have increased recently in part because of new technologies, the use of the internet, cloud, and telecommunications technologies (including mobile devices) to conduct financial and other business transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, perpetrators of fraud, hackers, terrorists, and others.
FHLB borrowings and other current sources of liquidity may not be available or, if 24 available, may not be sufficient to provide adequate funding for operations and to support our continued growth. The unavailability of sufficient funding could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
FHLB borrowings and other current sources of liquidity may not be available or, if available, may not be sufficient to provide adequate funding for operations and to support our continued growth. The unavailability of sufficient funding could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
This influence may also have the effect of delaying or preventing changes of control or changes in management or limiting the ability of our other shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in the best interests of our Company. The interests of these insiders could conflict with the interests of our other shareholders, including you.
This influence may also have the effect of delaying or preventing changes of control or changes in management or limiting the ability of our 31 other shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in the best interests of our Company. The interests of these insiders could conflict with the interests of our other shareholders, including you.
California corporate law and provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation (“articles of incorporation”) and our amended and restated bylaws (“bylaws”) could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be perceived to be beneficial by our shareholders.
California corporate law and provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation (“articles of incorporation”) and our second amended and restated bylaws (“bylaws”) could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be perceived to be beneficial by our shareholders.
In addition, the accuracy of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures could be affected if the judgments, assumptions, or estimates used in our critical accounting policies are inaccurate. The nature of our business makes us sensitive to the large body of accounting rules in the United States.
In addition, the accuracy of our consolidated 39 financial statements and related disclosures could be affected if the judgments, assumptions, or estimates used in our critical accounting policies are inaccurate. The nature of our business makes us sensitive to the large body of accounting rules in the United States.
Our failure to correctly and timely assess any impairments or losses with respect to our securities could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 27 We depend on the accuracy and completeness of information provided by customers and counterparties.
Our failure to correctly and timely assess any impairments or losses with respect to our securities could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We depend on the accuracy and completeness of information provided by customers and counterparties.
Our allowance for loan losses may be inadequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Experience in the banking industry indicates that a portion of our loans will become delinquent, and that some may only be partially repaid or may never be repaid at all.
Our allowance for credit losses may be inadequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Experience in the banking industry indicates that a portion of our loans will become delinquent, and that some may only be partially repaid or may never be repaid at all.
In determining the size of our allowance for loan losses, we rely on an analysis of our loan portfolio that considers historical loss experience, volume and types of loans, trends in classification, volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals, economic conditions, and other pertinent information.
In determining the size of our allowance for credit losses, we rely on an analysis of our loan portfolio that considers historical loss experience, volume and types of loans, trends in classification, volume and trends in delinquencies and non-accruals, economic conditions, and other pertinent information.
Any of the following risks could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations and could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, which would cause you to lose all or part of 18 your investment.
Any of the following risks could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations and could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, which would cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
If new federal or state laws or regulations are ultimately enacted that significantly raise the cost of foreclosure or raise outright barriers to foreclosure, they could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If new federal or state laws or regulations are ultimately enacted that significantly raise the cost 22 of foreclosure or raise outright barriers to foreclosure, they could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our failure to sustain our historical rate of growth, adequately manage the factors that have contributed to our growth, or successfully enter new markets could have an adverse effect on our earnings and profitability and, therefore, on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our failure to sustain our historical rate of growth, adequately manage the factors that have 34 contributed to our growth, or successfully enter new markets could have an adverse effect on our earnings and profitability and, therefore, on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In particular, real estate construction and acquisition and development loans have risks not present in other types of loans, including risks associated with construction cost overruns, project completion risk, general contractor credit risk, and risks associated with the ultimate sale or use of the completed construction.
In particular, real estate construction and land acquisition and development loans have risks not present in other types of loans, including risks associated with construction cost overruns, project completion risk, general contractor credit risk, and risks associated with the ultimate sale or use of the completed construction.
Although we have historically been able to replace maturing deposits and advances if desired, we may not be able to replace such funds in the future if our financial condition, the financial condition of the FHLB, or market conditions change.
Although we have historically been able to replace maturing deposits and advances if 23 desired, we may not be able to replace such funds in the future if our financial condition, the financial condition of the FHLB, or market conditions change.
The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses is inherently highly subjective and requires us to make significant estimates of and assumptions regarding current credit risk and future trends, all of which may change materially.
The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses is inherently highly subjective and requires us to make significant estimates of and assumptions regarding current credit risk and future trends, all of which may change materially.
We would cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of: (i) the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our IPO; (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.
We would cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of: (i) the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our IPO; (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.235 billion or more; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or (iv) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC.
Liquidity stress testing, interest rate sensitivity analysis, allowance for loan loss measurement, portfolio stress testing, and the identification of possible violations of anti-money laundering regulations are examples of areas in which we are dependent on models and the data that underlie them. We anticipate that model-derived insights will be used more widely in our decision making in the future.
Liquidity stress testing, interest rate sensitivity analysis, allowance for credit loss measurement, portfolio stress testing, and the identification of possible violations of anti-money laundering regulations are examples of areas in which we are dependent on models and the data that underlie them. We anticipate that model-derived insights will be used more widely in our decision making in the future.
In addition, we will be required to pay interest on the subordinated notes and dividends on the trust preferred securities and preferred stock before we will be able to pay any dividends on our common stock.
In addition, we are required to pay interest on the subordinated notes and dividends on the trust preferred securities and preferred stock before we will be able to pay any dividends on our common stock.
As of December 31, 2022, approximately more than half of our real estate loans measured by dollar amount were secured by collateral located in California, substantially all of which is in Northern California. Therefore, our success will depend upon the general economic conditions and real estate activity in these areas, which we cannot predict with certainty.
As of December 31, 2023, approximately more than half of our real estate loans measured by dollar amount were secured by collateral located in California, substantially all of which is in Northern California. Therefore, our success will depend upon the general economic conditions and real estate activity in these areas, which we cannot predict with certainty.
Thus, any borrowing by a bank holding company for the purpose of making a capital injection to a subsidiary bank may become more difficult and expensive relative to other corporate borrowings. 30 We face a risk of no ncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations.
Thus, any borrowing by a bank holding company for the 29 purpose of making a capital injection to a subsidiary bank may become more difficult and expensive relative to other corporate borrowings. We face a risk of no ncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations.
A downturn in the local economy could make it more difficult for our borrowers to repay their loans, may lead to loan losses that are not offset by operations in other markets, and may also reduce the ability of depositors to make or maintain deposits with us.
A downturn in the local economy could make it more difficult for our borrowers to repay their loans, may lead to credit losses that are not offset by operations in other markets, and may also reduce the ability of depositors to make or maintain deposits with us.
Our investment or acquisition activities could be material to our business and involve a number of risks including the following: • investing time and incurring expense associated with identifying and evaluating potential investments or acquisitions and negotiating potential transactions, resulting in our attention being diverted from the operation of our existing business; • the lack of history among our management team in working together on acquisitions and related integration activities; • the time, expense, and difficulty of integrating the operations and personnel of the combined businesses; • unexpected asset quality problems with acquired companies; • inaccurate estimates and judgments used to evaluate credit, operations, management, and market risks with respect to the target institution or assets; • risks of impairment to goodwill or OTTI of investment securities; • potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of banks and businesses we acquire; • an inability to realize expected synergies or returns on investment; 37 • potential disruption of our ongoing banking business; and • loss of key employees or key customers following our investment or acquisition.
Our investment or acquisition activities could be material to our business and involve a number of risks including the following: • investing time and incurring expense associated with identifying and evaluating potential investments or acquisitions and negotiating potential transactions, resulting in our attention being diverted from the operation of our existing business; • the lack of history among our management team in working together on acquisitions and related integration activities; • the time, expense, and difficulty of integrating the operations and personnel of the combined businesses; • unexpected asset quality problems with acquired companies; • inaccurate estimates and judgments used to evaluate credit, operations, management, and market risks with respect to the target institution or assets; • risks of impairment to goodwill or allowance for credit losses of investment securities; • potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of banks and businesses we acquire; • an inability to realize expected synergies or returns on investment; • potential disruption of our ongoing banking business; and • loss of key employees or key customers following our investment or acquisition.
As a result, our inability to successfully manage credit risk could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We are exposed to higher credit risk and other risk and costs by our commercial real estate, commercial land and construction, commercial construction, farmland loans and other real estate assets.
As a result, our 21 inability to successfully manage credit risk could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We are exposed to higher credit risk and other risks and costs by our commercial real estate, commercial land and construction, commercial construction, farmland loans and other real estate assets.
If any of these valuations are inaccurate, our consolidated financial statements may not reflect the correct value of our OREO, if any, and our allowance for loan losses 25 may not reflect accurate loan impairments. Inaccurate valuation of OREO or inaccurate provisioning for loan losses could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If any of these valuations are inaccurate, our consolidated financial statements may not reflect the correct value of our OREO, if any, and our allowance for credit losses may not reflect accurate loan impairments. Inaccurate valuation of OREO or inaccurate provisioning for credit losses could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Accordingly, prospective investors must comply with these requirements, if applicable, in connection with any purchase of shares of our common stock.
Accordingly, 32 prospective investors must comply with these requirements, if applicable, in connection with any purchase of shares of our common stock.
Cybersecurity breaches and other disruptions would jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability to us and 39 damage to our reputation and may discourage current and potential customers from using our internet banking services.
Cybersecurity breaches and other disruptions would jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in business disruptions, significant liability to us, and damage to our reputation and may discourage current and potential customers from using our internet banking services.
We may experience losses for reasons beyond our control, such as the impact of general economic conditions on customers and their businesses. Accordingly, we maintain an allowance for loan losses 26 that represents management’s judgment of probable losses and risks inherent in our loan portfolio.
We may experience losses for reasons beyond our control, such as the impact of general economic conditions on customers and their businesses. Accordingly, we maintain an allowance for credit losses that represents management’s judgment of probable losses and risks inherent in our loan portfolio.
Risk Factor Summary The most significant risks that may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations are summarized below. • Our business and operations are concentrated in Northern California, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the local economy. • We operate in a highly competitive market and face increasing competition from traditional and new financial services providers. • We are subject to the various risks associated with our banking business and operations, including, among others, credit, market, liquidity, interest rate, and compliance risks, which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations if we are unable to manage such risks. • We may be unable to effectively manage our growth, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. • We operate in a highly regulated industry, and current regulatory requirements, including stringent capital requirements, consumer protection laws, and anti-money laundering laws, and failure to comply with these requirements and any future legislative and regulatory changes may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. • We are subject to laws regarding privacy, information security, and protection of personal information, and any violation of these laws or incidents involving personal, confidential, or proprietary information of individuals, including, among others, system failures or cybersecurity breaches of our network security, could damage our reputation and otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. • Our charter documents contain certain provisions, including anti-takeover and exclusive forum provisions, that limit the ability of our shareholders to take certain actions and could delay or discourage takeover attempts that shareholders may consider favorable.
Risk Factor Summary The most significant risks that may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations are summarized below. • Our business and operations are concentrated in Northern California, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the local economy. • We operate in a highly competitive market and face increasing competition from traditional and new financial services providers. • We are subject to the various risks associated with our banking business and operations, including, among others, credit, market, liquidity, interest rate, and compliance risks, which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations if we are unable to manage such risks. • We may be unable to effectively manage our growth, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. • We operate in a highly regulated industry, and current regulatory requirements, including stringent capital requirements, consumer protection laws, and anti-money laundering laws, and failure to comply with these requirements and any future legislative and regulatory changes may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. • We are subject to laws regarding privacy, information security, and protection of personal information, and any violation of these laws or incidents involving personal, confidential, or proprietary information of individuals, including, among others, system failures or cybersecurity breaches of our network security, could damage our reputation and otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. • Our charter documents contain certain provisions, including anti-takeover and exclusive forum provisions, that limit the ability of our shareholders to take certain actions and could delay or discourage takeover attempts that shareholders may consider favorable. 18 Risks Related to Our Business Our business and operations are concentrated in California, specifically Northern California, and we are more sensitive than our more geographically diversified competitors to adverse changes in the local economy.
Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the SBA guaranteed 90% of the principal amount of each qualifying SBA loan originated under the SBA’s 7(a) loan program (excluding PPP loans) through October 1, 2021. The SBA presently guarantees 75% to 90% of the principal amount of qualifying loans originated under the 7(a) loan program (excluding PPP loans).
Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the SBA guaranteed 90% of the principal amount of each qualifying SBA loan originated under the SBA’s 7(a) loan program through October 1, 2021. The SBA presently guarantees 75% to 90% of the principal amount of qualifying loans originated under the 7(a) loan program.
The allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover losses associated with any of these relationships, and any loss or increase in the allowance would negatively affect our earnings and capital.
The allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover losses associated with any of these relationships, and any loss or increase in the allowance would negatively affect our earnings and capital.
Changes which have been approved for future implementation, or which are currently proposed or expected to be proposed or adopted include requirements that we: (i) calculate the allowance for loan losses on the basis of the current expected loan losses over the lifetime of our loans, which is expected to be applicable to us beginning in 2023, and may result in increases in our allowance for loan losses and future provisions for loan losses; and (ii) record the value of and liabilities relating to operating leases on our balance sheet, which became applicable to us beginning in 2022.
Changes which have been approved for future implementation, or which are currently proposed or expected to be proposed or adopted include requirements that we: (i) calculate the allowance for credit losses on the basis of the current expected credit losses over the lifetime of our loans, which was applicable to us beginning in 2023, and may result in increases in our allowance for credit losses and future provisions for credit losses and (ii) record the value of and liabilities relating to operating leases on our balance sheet, which became applicable to us beginning in 2022.
As of December 31, 2022, a significant majority of our loan portfolio was comprised of loans with real estate as a primary or secondary component of collateral, with a majority of these real estate loans concentrated in Northern California.
As of December 31, 2023, a significant majority of our loan portfolio was comprised of loans with real estate as a primary or secondary component of collateral, with a majority of these real estate loans concentrated in Northern California.
Although we devote significant resources and management focus to ensuring the integrity of our systems through information security and business continuity programs, our facilities and systems, and those of our third-party service providers, are vulnerable to external or internal security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming or human errors, or other similar events.
Although we devote significant resources, oversight by our board of directors, and management focus to ensuring the integrity of our systems through information security and business continuity programs, our facilities and systems, and those of our third-party service providers, are vulnerable to external or internal security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, malware, misplaced or lost data, programming or human errors, or other similar events.
Our inability to manage the amount of costs or size of the risks associated with the ownership of real estate, or write-downs in the value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our inability to manage the amount of costs or size of the risks associated with the ownership of real estate, or write-downs in the value of OREO could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Although we endeavor to maintain our allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb any inherent losses in the loan portfolio, these estimates of loan losses are necessarily subjective, and their accuracy depends on the outcome of future events. At December 31, 2022, the allowance for loan losses was $28.4 million.
Although we endeavor to maintain our allowance for credit losses at a level adequate to absorb any inherent losses in the loan portfolio, these estimates of credit losses are necessarily subjective, and their accuracy depends on the outcome of future events. At December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses was $34.4 million.
Although we sold $50.8 million of loans in the year ended December 31, 2022, we may decide to sell more loans in the future. A secondary market for most types of commercial real estate loans is not readily liquid, so we have less opportunity to mitigate credit risk by selling part or all of our interest in these loans.
Although we sold $36.5 million of loans in the year ended December 31, 2023, we may decide to sell more loans in the future. A secondary market for most types of commercial real estate loans is not readily liquid, so we have less opportunity to mitigate credit risk by selling part or all of our interest in these loans.
As of December 31, 2022, we had an aggregate of $73.6 million of subordinated notes, net of debt issuance costs, outstanding, and we did not have any outstanding preferred stock or trust preferred securities. We could incur such debt obligations or issue preferred stock in the future to raise additional capital.
As of December 31, 2023, we had outstanding an aggregate of $73.7 million of subordinated notes, net of debt issuance costs, outstanding, and we did not have any outstanding preferred stock or trust preferred securities. We could incur future debt obligations or issue preferred stock in the future to raise additional capital.
Based on our regulators’ assessment of the quality of our assets, operations, lending practices, investment practices, capital structure, or other aspects of our business, we may be required to take additional charges or undertake, or refrain from taking, actions that could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 28 Monetary policies and regulations of the Federal Reserve could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Based on our regulators’ assessment of the quality of our assets, operations, lending practices, investment practices, capital 27 structure, or other aspects of our business, we may be required to take additional charges or undertake, or refrain from taking, actions that could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The effects of such policies upon our business, financial condition, and results of operations cannot be predicted. Federal and state regulators periodically examine our business and may require us to remediate adverse examination findings or may take enforcement action against us. The Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and the DFPI periodically examine our business, including our compliance with laws and regulations.
The effects of such policies upon our business, financial condition, and results of operations cannot be predicted with certainty. Federal and state regulators periodically examine our business and may require us to remediate adverse examination findings or may take enforcement action against us.
The process for determining whether impairment of a security is OTTI usually requires complex, subjective judgments about the future financial performance and liquidity of the issuer, any collateral underlying the security, and our intent and ability to hold the security for a sufficient period of time to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value, in order to assess the probability of receiving all contractual principal and interest payments on the security.
The process for determining whether an allowance for credit losses is required involves complex, subjective judgments about the future financial performance and liquidity of the issuer, any collateral underlying the security, and our intent and ability to hold the security 26 for a sufficient period of time to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value, in order to assess the probability of receiving all contractual principal and interest payments on the security.
If the overall economic climate in the United States, generally, or in our market specifically, experiences material disruption, including due to any continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our borrowers may experience difficulties in repaying their loans, the collateral we hold may decrease in value or become illiquid, and the level of nonperforming loans, charge-offs, and delinquencies could rise and require significant additional provisions for loan losses.
If the overall economic climate in the United States, generally, or in our market specifically, experiences material disruption, our borrowers may experience difficulties in repaying their loans, the collateral we hold may decrease in value or become illiquid, and the level of nonperforming loans, charge-offs, and delinquencies could rise and require significant additional provisions for credit losses.
At December 31, 2022, our 40 largest deposit relationships, each accounting for more than $10.0 million, amounted to $1.5 billion, or 52.15%, of our total deposits. This includes $602.0 million in deposits from municipalities, of which we conduct a monthly review.
At December 31, 2023, our 40 largest deposit relationships, each accounting for more than $10.0 million, amounted to $1.5 billion, or 49.80% of our total deposits. This includes $693.7 million in deposits from municipalities, of which we conduct a monthly review.
We could recognize losses on investment securities held in our securities portfolio, particularly if interest rates increase or economic and market conditions deteriorate. As of December 31, 2022, the carrying value of our investment securities portfolio was approximately $119.7 million. As of the same date, 11.84% of our investments were U.S. government agency securities.
We could recognize losses on investment securities held in our securities portfolio, particularly if interest rates increase or economic and market conditions deteriorate. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of our investment securities portfolio was approximately $111.2 million. As of the same date, 9.48% of our investments were U.S. government agency securities.
These events could interrupt our business or operations or result in significant legal and financial exposure, supervisory criticism, regulatory enforcement action, damage to our reputation, loss of customers and business, or a loss of confidence in the security of our systems, products, and services.
These events could interrupt our business or operations or result in significant legal and financial exposure (including costs associated with remediating any security breaches), supervisory liability, regulatory enforcement action, damage to our reputation, loss of customers and business, or a loss of confidence in the security of our systems, products, and services.
Our success is largely dependent upon our management team and key employees and ability to successfully execute our business strategy. Our success depends, in large part, on the retention of our management team and key employees. Our management team and other key employees, including those who conduct our loan origination and other business development activities, have significant industry experience.
Our success depends, in large part, on the retention of our management team and key employees. Our management team and other key employees, including those who conduct our loan origination and other business development activities, have significant industry experience.
Banks with no more than $10.0 billion in total consolidated assets, including the Bank, are subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB but are examined and supervised by federal banking agencies for compliance with federal consumer protection laws and regulations. Accordingly, CFPB rulemaking has the potential to have a significant impact on the operations of the Bank.
Banks with no more than $10.0 billion in total consolidated assets, including the Bank, are subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB but are examined and supervised by federal banking agencies for compliance with federal consumer protection laws and regulations.
Additionally, acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, violence, other man-made disasters, or the effects of climate change could also cause disruptions to our business or to the economy as a whole.
California is also prone to wildfires, droughts, mudslides, floods, and other natural disasters. Additionally, acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, violence, other man-made disasters, or the effects of climate change could also cause disruptions to our business or to the economy as a whole.
These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock over the short, medium, or long term, regardless of our actual performance. 32 We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 in the Exchange Act, and are able to avail ourselves of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies, which could make our common stock less attractive to investors and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 in the Exchange Act, and are able to avail ourselves of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies, which could make our common stock less attractive to investors and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Failures in, or breaches of, our computer systems and network infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber-attacks, could disrupt our business, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage our reputation, increase our costs, and cause losses.
Failures in, or breaches of, our computer systems and network infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber-attacks, cybersecurity breaches, and other disruptions, could disrupt our business, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, result in supervisory liability or regulatory enforcement action, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customers and business, result in a loss of confidence in the security of our systems, products, and services, increase our costs, and cause losses.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline. The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business.
The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business.
As a result, if our regulators assess that we have not exercised adequate oversight and control over our third-party service providers or that such providers have not performed adequately, we could be subject to administrative penalties, fines, or other forms of regulatory enforcement action as well as requirements for consumer remediation, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
As a result, if our regulators assess that we have not exercised adequate oversight and control over our third-party service providers or that such providers have not performed adequately, we could be subject to administrative penalties, fines, or other forms of regulatory enforcement action as well as requirements for consumer remediation, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 36 We are subject to laws regarding the privacy, information security, and protection of personal information, and any violation of these laws or other incidents involving personal, confidential, or proprietary information of individuals could damage our reputation and otherwise adversely affect our business.
As these technologies improve in the future, we may be required to make significant capital expenditures in order to remain competitive, which may increase our overall expenses and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 21 We are dependent on the use of data and modeling in both our management’s decision-making generally and in meeting regulatory expectations in particular.
As these technologies improve in the future, we may be required to make significant capital expenditures in order to remain competitive, which may increase our overall expenses and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The use of statistical and quantitative models and other quantitatively based analyses is endemic to bank decision making and regulatory compliance processes, and the employment of such analyses is becoming increasingly widespread in our operations.
We are dependent on the use of data and modeling in both our management’s decision-making generally and in meeting regulatory expectations in particular. The use of statistical and quantitative models and other quantitatively based analyses is endemic to bank decision making and regulatory compliance processes, and the employment of such analyses is becoming increasingly widespread in our operations.
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve, which has raised interest rates significantly in 2022 and has suggested it may raise rates further in 2023.
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve, which has raised interest rates significantly in 2022 and 2023. As interest rates have increased, so have competitive pressures on the deposit cost of funds.
In addition, we are a bank holding company, and our ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on federal regulatory considerations, including the guidelines of the Federal Reserve regarding capital adequacy and dividends.
Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, change the amount or frequency of dividends or discontinue the payment of dividends entirely. In addition, we are a bank holding company, and our ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on federal regulatory considerations, including the guidelines of the Federal Reserve regarding capital adequacy and dividends.
If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline. 33 We may not pay dividends on our common stock in the future, and our ability to pay dividends is subject to certain restrictions.
If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, which could cause the market price of our common stock and trading volume to decline.
These regulatory expectations may change, and potentially become more rigorous in certain ways, due to an interagency effort to replace existing guidance on the risk management of third-party relationships with new guidance.
Furthermore, third-party service providers, and banking organizations’ relationships with those providers, are subject to demanding regulatory requirements and attention by bank regulators. These regulatory expectations may change, and potentially become more rigorous in certain ways, due to an interagency effort to replace existing guidance on the risk management of third-party relationships with new guidance.
As of December 31, 2022, significant portions of our interest-bearing liabilities were variable rate, where our variable rate liabilities reprice at a faster rate than our variable rate assets. 20 In addition, an increase in interest rates could also have a negative impact on our results of operations by reducing the demand for loans, decreasing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations, and increasing early withdrawals on term deposits.
In addition, an increase in interest rates could also have a negative impact on our results of operations by reducing the demand for loans, decreasing the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations, and increasing early withdrawals on term deposits.