RALEIGH, N.C., April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Capital Bank Corporation (Nasdaq: CBKN), the parent company of Capital Bank, today reported a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared to net income of $2.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The decline in earnings was primarily due to an increase in provision for loan losses and a decrease in net interest margin.

"Further weakening in the residential and commercial real estate markets from the global recession and credit crisis has severely impacted the financial health and stability of many businesses within the communities we serve. While our markets continue to remain some of the most resilient in the country, the Company took steps to significantly increase the provision for loan losses in the first quarter in response to softening experienced in the loan portfolio as reflected by certain credit quality ratios," stated B. Grant Yarber, president and CEO. "Increases in nonperforming assets and the loan loss provision reflect aggressive efforts to identify and resolve problem credits in this uncertain economic environment. Despite the difficult economic conditions, our proactive working with borrowers and dealing with problem loans has enabled Capital Bank to maintain credit quality that is superior to peer banks and other banks across the country. In fact, our nonperforming assets to total assets ratio of 1.24% at March 31, 2009 is significantly better than reported regional and national averages of 1.66% and 1.55%, respectively, at the end of the fourth quarter. While the increased loan loss provision has negatively impacted our earnings in the short-term, we believe our strong asset quality will position us well to take advantage of a future market recovery."

Past due loans as a percent of total loans increased to 1.34% at March 31, 2009 from 1.09% at December 31, 2008 and 0.82% at March 31, 2008. Nonperforming assets, which include loans on nonaccrual and other real estate owned, increased to 1.24% as a percent of total assets at March 31, 2009 compared to 0.63% at December 31, 2008 and 0.33% at March 31, 2008. As a result of the weakening credit quality experienced, the Company increased the allowance for loan losses to 1.45% of total loans at March 31, 2009 compared to 1.18% at both December 31, 2008 and March 31, 2008. The allowance for loan losses was 109% of nonperforming loans at March 31, 2009, a decline from 162% at December 31, 2008 and 319% at March 31, 2008.

Provision for loan losses increased $5.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period one year ago. The increase in the provision was partially due to loan growth of $126.6 million, or 11%, from March 31, 2008, but the increase was primarily driven by deteriorating economic conditions and weaknesses in the local real estate markets which resulted in downgrades to the credit ratings of certain loans in the portfolio. Additionally, the decline in real estate values securing certain nonperforming loans required increased provision during the first quarter. Management continues to thoroughly review its loan portfolio and the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses.

Partially contributing to lower profitability during the first quarter of 2009 was a decline in net interest income. Net interest income decreased $728 thousand, falling from $10.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 to $10.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, largely due to unprecedented steps taken by the Federal Reserve to revive an ailing national economy. One of the actions taken by the Federal Reserve was to lower the Prime Rate by 400 basis points during 2008. This rapid decline in rates, coupled with competitive pressures in the marketplace for retail deposits, compressed the net interest margin from 3.23% in the first quarter of 2008 to 2.76% in the first quarter of 2009. The margin compression was partially offset by 10.6% growth in average earning assets over the same periods.

"While our net interest margin has been negatively impacted by dramatic cuts to the prime lending rate and intense competition for retail deposits in late 2008, we have seen positive trends in the margin in recent months and experienced positive growth in net interest income from the fourth quarter," stated Mr. Yarber. "Additionally, earnings before taxes and loan provision, excluding securities gains/losses, were $1.0 million for the first quarter, which was in line with our expectations. The fundamental operations of the bank remain strong, and while economic conditions are difficult and are likely to remain volatile for some time, we believe that Capital Bank is well-positioned for the future."

Loans grew by $22.7 million during the first quarter of 2009 while deposits increased by $25.7 million. Much of the loan growth, $19.3 million, occurred in the Triangle region of North Carolina, which we believe continues to present quality growth opportunities. On the deposit side, checking and savings accounts increased $33.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2009 as the bank continued to emphasize growth in these critical product areas. Time deposits decreased $1.2 million over the same period while money market accounts declined by $6.6 million.

"Despite tremendous economic uncertainty, we have continued lending to qualified borrowers within the communities we serve as evidenced by our first quarter loan growth," commented Mr. Yarber. "We are committed to doing our part to ensure that capital continues to remain available to qualified borrowers in our markets while maintaining prudent lending standards that we believe to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. We were well capitalized last year but still accepted a capital investment from the Federal Government so that we could continue lending and be part of the economic recovery in our local markets. While the significant provision increase negatively impacted our profitability this quarter, we remain far above the well capitalized threshold and still have the balance sheet strength necessary to further our lending initiatives."

Noninterest income declined $134 thousand, or 6.0%, in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period one year ago. The primary reason for the decline was an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $320 thousand recorded on an equity investment in a financial institution during the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to a gain of $71 thousand on the sale of certain investment securities during the three months ended March 31, 2008. The impairment charge this quarter represents the full amount of the Company's investment in that institution. Mortgage and other loan fees increased a net of $142 thousand, or 37%, compared to the same quarter last year primarily as a result of management's emphasis on increasing loan-related fee income as well as favorable interest rates for the refinancing of residential and commercial loans. Bank-owned life insurance income declined by $44 thousand as the Company recorded a non-recurring gain during the three months ended March 31, 2008 from the receipt of insurance proceeds. Other noninterest income increased $119 thousand primarily due to a reclassification of certain sublease receipts.

Noninterest expense increased from $9.6 million during the first quarter of 2008 to $11.6 million during the first quarter of 2009. Salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, furniture and equipment, and data processing costs increased a combined $1.6 million primarily due additional costs incurred as new branches were opened during the past year in Asheville (May 2008) and Clayton (December 2008) in addition to the four branches purchased in the Fayetteville market in December 2008. FDIC deposit insurance costs rose $182 thousand as the regulatory agency continued to increase premiums to cover higher monitoring costs and claims.

Capital Bank Corporation, headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., with approximately $1.7 billion in total assets, offers a broad range of financial services. Capital Bank operates 32 banking offices in Asheville (4), Burlington (4), Cary, Clayton, Fayetteville (3), Graham (2), Hickory, Mebane, Morrisville, Oxford, Parkton, Pittsboro, Raleigh (5), Sanford (3), Siler City, Wake Forest and Zebulon. The Company's website is http://www.capitalbank-nc.com.

Information in this press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including without limitation, the effects of future economic conditions, governmental fiscal and monetary policies, legislative and regulatory changes, the risks of changes in interest rates, and the effects of competition. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in Capital Bank Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Capital Bank Corporation does not undertake a duty to update any forward-looking statements in this press release.

    Capital Bank Corporation
    Summary of Operations
    (Unaudited)                      Three Months Ended    Three Months Ended
                                        March 31, 2009       March 31, 2008

    (In thousands except per share data)

    Interest income                             $19,668            $22,718
    Interest expense                              9,487             11,809
    Net interest income                          10,181             10,909
    Provision for loan losses                     5,986                565
    Net interest income after provision
     for loan losses                              4,195             10,344
    Noninterest income                            2,106              2,240
    Noninterest expense                          11,564              9,618
    (Loss) income before taxes                   (5,263)             2,966
    Income tax (benefit) expense                   (800)               799
    Net (loss) income                           $(4,463)            $2,167

    (Loss) earnings per common share - basic     $(0.45)             $0.19
    (Loss) earnings per common share -
     fully diluted                               $(0.45)             $0.19
       Weighted average shares outstanding:
          Basic                                  11,293             11,289
          Fully diluted                          11,293             11,306



    End of Period Balances
    (Unaudited)       2009                               2008
                    March 31  December 31(a)  September 30  June 30  March 31

    (Dollars in thousands
    except per share data)

    Total assets  $1,665,611  $1,654,232    $1,594,402  $1,592,034 $1,575,301
    Investment
     securities      286,310     278,138       244,310     246,468    258,086
    Loans (gross)  1,277,064   1,254,368     1,194,149   1,178,157  1,150,497
    Allowance for
     loan losses      18,480      14,795        14,017      13,910     13,563
    Total earning
     assets        1,563,777   1,533,354     1,444,727   1,435,020  1,419,174
    Deposits       1,340,974   1,315,314     1,197,721   1,182,615  1,150,897
    Shareholders'
     equity          142,674     148,514       166,521     165,731    167,967

    Book value per
     common share      $8.97       $9.54        $14.83      $14.76     $14.95
    Tangible book value
     per common share  $8.66       $9.20         $9.26       $9.16      $9.33

    (a) Derived from audited consolidated financial statements



    Average Quarterly Balances
    (Unaudited)       2009                             2008
                    March 31   December 31   September 30  June 30  March 31
    (Dollars in
    thousands)

    Total assets  $1,659,767  $1,620,817    $1,574,810  $1,578,357 $1,555,986
    Investment
     securities      289,368     246,658       245,408     256,406    256,538
    Loans (gross)  1,265,438   1,213,027     1,176,491   1,166,795  1,142,728
    Total earning
     assets        1,556,243   1,473,422     1,425,516   1,429,301  1,407,345
    Deposits       1,308,960   1,238,343     1,164,362   1,148,671  1,139,106
    Shareholders'
     equity          149,285     171,227       166,570     170,945    167,610



    CAPITAL BANK CORPORATION
    Quarterly Results

    (Unaudited)       2009                               2008
                    March 31   December 31   September 30  June 30  March 31
    (In thousands
    except per
    share data)

    Net interest
     income          $10,181      $9,932       $10,827     $10,928   $10,909
    Provision for
     loan losses       5,986       1,701           760         850       565
    Net interest
     income after
     provision for
     loan losses       4,195       8,231        10,067      10,078    10,344
    Noninterest
     income            2,106       2,297         3,513       3,001     2,240
    Noninterest
     expense          11,564      76,286        10,763       9,995     9,618
    (Loss) income
     before taxes     (5,263)    (65,758)        2,817       3,084     2,966
    Income tax
     (benefit) expense  (800)     (3,680)          805         869       799
    Net (loss)
     income          $(4,463)   $(62,078)       $2,012      $2,215    $2,167

    (Loss) earnings
     per common
     share - basic    $(0.45)     $(5.50)        $0.18       $0.20     $0.19
    (Loss) earnings
     per common
     share - fully
     diluted          $(0.45)     $(5.50)        $0.18       $0.20     $0.19
    Weighted average
     shares
     outstanding:
       Basic          11,293      11,309        11,302      11,310    11,289
       Fully diluted  11,293      11,309        11,313      11,324    11,306



    Quarterly Net Interest Margin*
    (Unaudited)       2009                               2008
                    March 31   December 31   September 30  June 30  March 31

    Yield on
     earning assets     5.23%       5.51%         5.94%       6.09%     6.60%
    Cost of
     interest-bearing
     liabilities        2.80        3.05          3.12        3.24      3.76
    Net interest
     spread             2.43        2.46          2.82        2.85      2.83
    Net interest
     margin             2.76        2.78          3.13        3.18      3.23

    *Annualized and on a fully taxable equivalent basis



    Nonperforming Assets
    (Unaudited)       2009                               2008
                    March 31  December 31(a)  September 30  June 30  March 31
    (Dollars in
    thousands)

    Commercial        $6,231      $4,682        $4,343      $3,650    $2,919
    Construction      10,259       3,843         1,570         418       230
    Consumer              33          92            25          42        61
    Home equity           96         275           275         515       579
    Residential
     mortgage            389         223           198         582       463
      Total
       nonperforming
       loans          17,008       9,115         6,411       5,207     4,252
    Other real
     estate owned      3,616       1,347         1,019         663       890
      Total
       nonperforming
       assets        $20,624     $10,462        $7,430      $5,870    $5,142

    Nonperforming assets include loans that are 90 days or more past due or
    in nonaccrual status and other real estate owned.

    (a) Derived from audited consolidated financial statements



    CAPITAL BANK CORPORATION
    Key Ratios
    (Unaudited)       2009                               2008
                    March 31   December 31   September 30  June 30  March 31
    (Dollars in
    thousands)

    Past due
     loans           $17,064     $13,642        $8,933      $9,239    $9,380
    Past due loans
     as a percent
     of total loans     1.34%       1.09%         0.75%       0.78%     0.82%

    Net charge-offs   $2,301      $1,768          $653        $503      $573
    Net charge-offs
     as a percent
     of average loans
     (annualized)       0.73%       0.58%         0.22%       0.17%     0.20%
    Allowance for loan
     losses as a percent
     of total loans     1.45%       1.18%         1.17%       1.18%     1.18%
    Nonperforming assets
     as a percent of
     total assets       1.24%       0.63%         0.47%       0.37%     0.33%
    Allowance for loan
     losses as a percent
     of nonperforming
     loans               109%        162%          219%        267%      319%



    CAPITAL BANK CORPORATION
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

                                           March 31, 2009   December 31, 2008
    (Dollars in thousands                   (Unaudited)
    except share data)

    Assets
    Cash and due from banks:
      Interest-earning                          $378              $719
      Noninterest-earning                     39,514            53,607
    Federal funds sold and short term
     investments                                  25               129
         Total cash and cash equivalents      39,917            54,455
    Investment securities - available for
     sale, at fair value                     281,505           272,944
    Investment securities - held to
     maturity, at amortized cost               4,805             5,194
    Loans - net of unearned income and
     deferred fees                         1,277,064         1,254,368
    Allowance for loan losses                (18,480)          (14,795)
         Net loans                         1,258,584         1,239,573
    Premises and equipment, net               24,810            24,640
    Bank-owned life insurance                 22,646            22,368
    Deposit premium, net                       3,569             3,857
    Deferred income tax                        9,462             9,342
    Accrued interest receivable                6,114             6,225
    Other assets                              14,199            15,634
            Total assets                  $1,665,611        $1,654,232

    Liabilities
    Deposits:
      Demand, noninterest-bearing           $127,062          $125,281
      Savings and interest-bearing checking  205,402           173,711
      Money market deposit accounts          206,194           212,780
      Time deposits less than $100,000       499,063           509,231
      Time deposits $100,000 and greater     303,253           294,311
         Total deposits                    1,340,974         1,315,314
    Repurchase agreements and federal
     funds purchased                          11,650            15,010
    Borrowings                               127,000           132,000
    Subordinated debentures                   30,930            30,930
    Other liabilities                         12,383            12,464
            Total liabilities              1,522,937         1,505,718

    Commitments and contingencies

    Shareholders' Equity
    Preferred stock, $1,000 par value;
     100,000 shares authorized; 41,279
     shares issued and outstanding
     (liquidation preference of $41,279)      39,910            39,839
    Common stock, no par value; 20,000,000
     shares authorized; 11,300,369 and
     11,238,085 shares issued and
     outstanding                             139,495           139,209
    Retained deficit                         (37,373)          (31,420)
    Accumulated other comprehensive income       642               886
            Total shareholders' equity       142,674           148,514
            Total liabilities and
             shareholders' equity         $1,665,611        $1,654,232



    CAPITAL BANK CORPORATION
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)

                                            March 31, 2009    March 31, 2008
    (Dollars in thousands except
    per share data)

    Interest income:
      Loans and loan fees                       $16,092           $19,499
      Investment securities:
        Taxable interest income                   2,799             2,218
        Tax-exempt interest income                  764               829
        Dividends                                     -               117
      Federal funds and other interest income        13                55
          Total interest income                  19,668            22,718
    Interest expense:
      Deposits                                    7,769             9,072
      Borrowings and repurchase agreements        1,718             2,737
          Total interest expense                  9,487            11,809
          Net interest income                    10,181            10,909
      Provision for loan losses                   5,986               565
          Net interest income after provision
           for loan losses                        4,195            10,344
    Noninterest income:
      Service charges and other fees                952               959
      Mortgage fees and revenues                    233               272
      Other loan fees                               294               113
      Brokerage fees                                163               156
      Bank card services                            339               299
      Bank-owned life insurance                     258               302
      Net gain (loss) on investment securities     (320)               71
      Other                                         187                68
          Total noninterest income                2,106             2,240
    Noninterest expense:
      Salaries and employee benefits              6,013             5,036
      Occupancy                                   1,373               997
      Furniture and equipment                       830               747
      Data processing and telecommunications        631               432
      Advertising                                   323               315
      Office expenses                               335               365
      Professional fees                             379               370
      Business development and travel               328               333
      Amortization of deposit premiums              288               257
      Miscellaneous loan handling costs             163                94
      Directors fees                                307               267
      Insurance                                     104                95
      FDIC deposit insurance                        229                47
      Other                                         261               263
         Total noninterest expense               11,564             9,618
         Net (loss) income before tax
          (benefit) expense                      (5,263)            2,966
    Income tax (benefit) expense                   (800)              799
         Net (loss) income                      $(4,463)           $2,167
         Dividends and accretion on
          preferred stock                           587                 -
         Net (loss) income attributable to
          common shareholders                   $(5,050)           $2,167

    (Loss) earnings per common share - basic     $(0.45)            $0.19
    (Loss) earnings per common share - diluted   $(0.45)            $0.19



    CAPITAL BANK CORPORATION
    Average Balances, Interest Earned or Paid, and Interest Yields/Rates
    For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009, December 31, 2008 and
    March 31, 2008 (Unaudited)
    Tax Equivalent Basis (1)

                             March 31, 2009            December 31, 2008
    (Dollars in       Average   Amount   Average   Average   Amount   Average
    thousands)        Balance   Earned    Rate     Balance   Earned     Rate

    Assets
    Loans
     receivable:(2)
      Commercial    $1,095,804  $13,942   5.16%  $1,052,172  $14,719    5.55%
      Consumer          52,873      910   6.98       47,537      888    7.41
      Home equity       93,861      966   4.17       89,125    1,047    4.66
      Residential
       mortgages        22,900      274   4.79       24,193      355    5.87
    Total loans      1,265,438   16,092   5.16    1,213,027   17,009    5.56
    Investment
     securities (3)    289,368    3,957   5.47      246,658    3,430    5.56
    Federal funds
     sold and other
     interest on
     short-term
     investments         1,437       13   3.67       13,737       25    0.72
    Total
     interest-earning
     assets          1,556,243  $20,062   5.23%   1,473,422  $20,464    5.51%
    Cash and due
     from banks         40,578                       25,018
    Other assets        78,126                      136,387
    Allowance for
     loan losses       (15,180)                     (14,010)
       Total
        assets      $1,659,767                   $1,620,817

    Liabilities and
     Equity
    Savings deposits   $28,793      $13   0.18%     $27,948      $11    0.16%
    Interest-bearing
     demand deposits   353,262    1,205   1.38      336,011    1,363    1.61
    Time deposits      800,879    6,551   3.32      758,491    6,733    3.52
    Total
     interest-bearing
     deposits        1,184,067    7,769   2.66    1,122,450    8,107    2.87
    Borrowed funds     146,233    1,389   3.85      145,962    1,605    4.36
    Subordinated debt   30,930      322   4.22       30,930      424    5.44
    Repurchase
     agreements and
     fed funds
     purchased          13,849        7   0.20       22,050       20    0.36
    Total
     interest-bearing
     liabilities     1,373,946   $9,487   2.80%   1,321,392  $10,156    3.05%
    Noninterest-bearing
     deposits          124,893                      115,893
    Other
     liabilities        11,643                       12,305
    Total
     liabilities     1,510,482                    1,449,590
    Shareholders'
     equity            149,285                      171,227
      Total
       liabilities and
       shareholders'
       equity       $1,659,767                   $1,620,817

    Net interest
     spread (4)                           2.43%                         2.46%
    Tax equivalent
     adjustment                    $394                         $376
    Net interest
     income and net
     interest margin(5)         $10,575   2.76%              $10,308    2.78%



                                                March 31, 2008
                                    Average         Amount     Average
                                    Balance         Earned      Rate

    Assets
    Loans
     receivable:(2)
      Commercial                    $986,205        $16,777     6.82%
      Consumer                        46,700            910     7.82
      Home equity                     79,564          1,321     6.66
      Residential mortgages           30,259            491     6.49
    Total loans                    1,142,728         19,499     6.84
    Investment securities (3)        256,538          3,590     5.60
    Federal funds sold and other
     interest on short-term
     investments                       8,079             55     2.73
    Total interest-earning assets  1,407,345        $23,144     6.60%
    Cash and due from banks           26,232
    Other assets                     136,071
    Allowance for loan losses        (13,662)
       Total assets               $1,555,986

    Liabilities and Equity
    Savings deposits                  $30,382            $46     0.61%
    Interest-bearing demand deposits  333,108          1,855     2.23
    Time deposits                     657,609          7,171     4.37
    Total interest-bearing
     deposits                       1,021,099          9,072     3.56
    Borrowed funds                    171,645          2,022     4.72
    Subordinated debt                  30,930            526     6.82
    Repurchase agreements and
     fed funds purchased               35,563            189     2.13
    Total interest-bearing
     liabilities                    1,259,237        $11,809     3.76%
    Noninterest-bearing  deposits     118,007
    Other liabilities                  11,132
    Total liabilities               1,388,376
    Shareholders' equity              167,610
      Total liabilities and
       shareholders' equity        $1,555,986
    Net interest spread (4)                                      2.83%
    Tax equivalent adjustment                          $426
    Net interest income and net
     interest margin(5)                             $11,335      3.23%

    (1) The tax equivalent basis is computed using a blended federal and
        state tax rate of approximately 34%.
    (2) Loans receivable include nonaccrual loans for which accrual of
        interest has not been recorded.
    (3) The average balance for investment securities excludes the effect of
        their mark-to-market adjustment, if any.
    (4) Net interest spread represents the difference between the average
        yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-
        bearing liabilities.
    (5) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average
        interest-earning assets.

SOURCE Capital Bank Corporation