News Details

Nara Bancorp Reports First Quarter Financial Results

April 20, 2009

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nara Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ: NARA), the holding company of Nara Bank (the "Bank") reported a net loss of $3.2 million, or ($0.16) per diluted share, for first quarter 2009, compared to net income of $5.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for first quarter 2008, and net loss of $9.9 million, or ($0.39) per diluted share, for fourth quarter 2008.

Min Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "As expected, we continued to see elevated levels of charge-offs and provision for loan losses, as the recessionary conditions are having a negative impact on both commercial business and commercial real estate borrowers. We are aggressively managing our problem assets and have allocated increased resources to our credit administration department to help bring about satisfactory resolutions more quickly. Despite the credit losses we have incurred, we continue to have strong capital levels and a substantial allowance for loan losses, which position us well to absorb any inherent losses without impairing the fundamental health and soundness of the bank.

"Very positively, we increased our core deposits by $274 million during the first quarter, partially due to successful marketing programs targeting non-Korean-American customers. As a result, our loan-to-deposit ratio declined significantly to under 100 percent at first quarter end. Not only are we very pleased with the substantial progress we have made to improve our liquidity, the growth in deposits provides the Company with much greater financial flexibility going forward.

"While the current environment remains challenging, we are committed to investing in the business to enhance our position as a leader in the Korean-American banking industry. With the additions of Bonnie Lee as Chief Operating Officer and Mark Lee as Chief Credit Officer, we have substantially strengthened the depth and quality of our management team, " said Ms. Kim.

Financial Highlights

                     2009 First Quarter  2008 First Quarter  2008 Fourth Quarter

                     (Dollars in thousands)

Net Income (Loss)    $ (3,180    )       $ 5,773             $ (9,853    )

Diluted Earnings     $ (0.16     )       $ 0.22              $ (0.39     )
(Loss) Per Share

Net interest income  $ 20,421            $ 24,610            $ 22,702

Net interest margin    3.19      %         4.15      %         3.71      %

Non-interest income  $ 4,383             $ 4,599             $ 2,058

Non-interest         $ 15,248            $ 14,431            $ 13,747
expense

Net Loans            $ 2,037,724         $ 2,050,735         $ 2,055,024
receivable

Deposits             $ 2,098,312         $ 1,854,349         $ 1,938,603

Non-performing       $ 41,337            $ 19,080            $ 37,580
loans

ALLL to total loans    2.42      %         1.11      %         2.07      %

ALLL to
non-performing         122       %         121       %         116       %
loans

Provision for loan   $ 15,670            $ 4,993             $ 28,000
losses

Efficiency ratio       61.47     %         49.41     %         55.52     %



Operating Results for First Quarter 2009

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin. First quarter 2009 net interest income before provision for loan losses was $20.4 million, a decrease of 17% from first quarter 2008. The decline in net interest income was due to the decline in net interest margin and a shift in asset allocation from loans to investment securities and liquid assets. The change in asset mix was part of a plan to improve liquidity and strengthen the balance sheet. First quarter 2009 net interest margin (net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets) decreased 96 basis points to 3.19% from 4.15% in the first quarter of 2008, due to the fed fund rate cuts by the Federal Reserve of 200 basis points during the twelve months ended March 31, 2009.

The weighted average yield on the loan portfolio for first quarter 2009 decreased 184 basis points to 6.01% from 7.85% for the same period last year. The decrease was the result of the prime rate-based portion of the loan portfolio repricing downward as market interest rates continued to decline due to further reductions in interest rates by the Federal Reserve throughout 2008. The prime rate decreased 200 basis points, consistent with the fed funds rate cuts. This was partially mitigated by the 49% of fixed rate loans in the portfolio at March 31, 2009. At March 31, 2008, fixed rate loans were 55% of the loan portfolio. The weighted average yield on the variable rate and fixed rate portfolios (excluding loan discount accretion) at March 31, 2009 was 4.52% and 7.63%, respectively, compared to 6.63% and 7.69% at March 31, 2008.

The weighted average yield on securities available for sale for first quarter 2009 decreased 94 basis points to 4.08% from 5.02% for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to variable rate agency CMO investment securities repricing downward as one month LIBOR rates declined. The variable rate agency CMO portfolio was $96.4 million at March 31, 2009, compared to $78.9 million at March 31, 2008.

The weighted average cost of deposits for first quarter 2009 decreased 101 basis points to 2.42% from 3.43% for the same period last year. The cost of time deposits decreased 175 basis points to 2.81% from 4.56%. Due to the lag in repricing deposits, the year over year decline in loan yield exceeded the year over year decline in the cost of deposits by 83 basis points during first quarter 2009.

The weighted average cost of FHLB advances for first quarter 2009 decreased 26 basis points to 3.51% from 3.77% for first quarter 2008, reflecting the decline in market interest rates for short-term advances.

Following are the weighted average data at March 31, 2009 and 2008:

                                                                March 31,

                                                                2009    2008

Weighted average loan portfolio yield (excluding discounts)     6 .06%  7 .21%

Weighted average securities available-for-sale portfolio yield  4 .25%  4 .89%

Weighted average cost of deposits                               2 .42%  3 .09%

Weighted average cost of total interest-bearing deposits        2 .83%  3 .82%

Weighted average cost of FHLB advances                          3 .70%  3 .62%



Sequentially, first quarter 2009 net interest income before provision for loan losses decreased $2.3 million, or 10%, from fourth quarter 2008. The decrease was attributable to a decline in net interest margin resulting from the repricing of quarterly adjusting variable rate loans, after the 175 basis points in rate cuts by the Federal Reserve during the fourth quarter of 2008. The net interest margin decreased 52 basis points to 3.19% for first quarter 2009 from 3.71% for fourth quarter 2008. In addition, the build up of short-term liquidity, supported by the growth in core deposits affected both the net interest margin as well as net interest income.

Non-accrual loan interest income recognized or (reversed) was ($394) thousand, $159 thousand, and ($283) thousand for first quarter 2009, first quarter 2008, and fourth quarter 2008, respectively. Excluding this effect, the net interest margin for first quarter 2009, first quarter 2008, and fourth quarter 2008 was 3.26%, 4.12% and 3.75%, respectively.

Prepayment penalty income for first quarter 2009, first quarter 2008 and fourth quarter 2008 was $147 thousand, $221 thousand and $433 thousand, respectively. Excluding the effects of both non-accrual loan interest income and prepayment penalty income, the net interest margin for first quarter 2009, first quarter 2008 and fourth quarter 2008 was 3.23%, 4.09% and 3.68%, respectively.

Non-interest Income. First quarter 2009 non-interest income was $4.4 million, a decrease of $216 thousand, or 5% compared to first quarter 2008. The decrease is due to a decline in net gains on sales of SBA and other loans and losses on sales of OREO, offset by an increase in net gains on sales of securities available-for-sale.

Net gains on sales of SBA and other loans were $450 thousand for first quarter 2009, a decrease of 44% from $800 thousand for first quarter 2008. Included in the results for first quarter 2009 was a net gain of $387 thousand recognized from the sale of a non-SBA problem loan that had been written down during fourth quarter 2008 and $63 thousand due to loan discounts recognized on loans that were paid off. During first quarter 2008, the Company had net gains of $715 thousand on the sales of SBA loans, and net gains of $85 thousand from the sale of other loans.

There were no sales of SBA loans during first quarter 2009 compared to $24.4 million during first quarter 2008.

Net gains on sales of securities available-for-sale were $785 thousand for first quarter 2009, an increase of 68% from $467 thousand for first quarter 2008. During first quarter 2009, a total of $43 million in available-for-sale MBS securities were sold, compared to $54 million during first quarter 2008. The securities sold during the quarter had faster prepayment characteristics, and the proceeds were reinvested into securities with slower prepayment characteristics.

Sequentially, non-interest income increased 113% from fourth quarter 2008. The increase was primarily due to the net gains recognized from the sale of a non-SBA problem loan and securities available-for-sale as discussed above, as well as a decrease in the loss recognized from the mark-to-market valuation adjustment on interest rate swaps. Net losses recognized from the mark-to-market valuation adjustment and amortization on interest rate swaps was $117 thousand during first quarter 2009, compared to $800 thousand during fourth quarter 2008.

Non-interest Expense. First quarter 2009 non-interest expense was $15.2 million, an increase of 6% from $14.4 million for the same period last year. Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased by 16% over the same quarter of the prior year, primarily due to decreases in bonus expense and in the number of full-time equivalent employees to 367 at March 31, 2009 from 409 at March 31, 2008.

Occupancy expense increased by 12% due to higher depreciation and amortization costs for the new branches opened in 2008. Professional fees increased by 27% over the same quarter of the prior year, primarily due to higher legal fees.

Other non-interest expense increased 81% to $3.6 million for first quarter 2009, compared to $2.0 million for the same period last year. The increase is primarily due to a 143% increase in FDIC insurance premiums to $750 thousand for first quarter 2009, and credit related expenses of $1.5 million, which included expenses related to OREO.

Sequentially, non-interest expense for first quarter 2009 increased by 11% from $13.7 million in fourth quarter 2008, due to increased credit related expenses, including an allowance for doubtful SBA receivables, and legal fees, offset by lower compensation costs.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax benefit was 48% for first quarter 2009 compared to the effective income tax rate of 41% for first quarter 2008 and tax benefit of 42% for fourth quarter 2008. The higher tax benefit of 48% for the first quarter 2009 was due to higher tax credits in that period.

Balance Sheet Summary

At March 31, 2009, total assets were $2.83 billion, an increase of 23% (annualized) from $2.67 billion at December 31, 2008, and an increase of 11% from $2.55 billion at March 31, 2008. The increases in liquid assets and investments accounted for the asset increases.

Gross loans receivable were $2.09 billion at March 31, 2009, a slight decrease from $2.10 billion at December 31, 2008. Loan growth was impacted by management's strategy to reduce the loan to deposit ratio as well as to stricter loan underwriting criteria. New loan production was $62.8 million during first quarter 2009, compared to $81.3 million during fourth quarter 2008 and $176.4 million during the first quarter 2008. Loan pay-offs, paydowns, amortization and other changes totaled $73.1 million during first quarter 2009, compared to $80.2 million during fourth quarter 2008 and $84.0 million during first quarter 2008.

SBA loan originations were $570 thousand during first quarter 2009 compared to $8.0 million during fourth quarter 2008 and $21.4 million during first quarter 2008. There were no sales of SBA loans during first quarter 2009 and fourth quarter 2008, compared to $24.4 million of SBA loan sales during first quarter 2008.

Total deposits were $2.10 billion at March 31, 2009, an increase of 33.0% (annualized) from $1.94 billion at December 31, 2008 and a 13% increase from $1.85 billion at March 31, 2008. During first quarter 2009, core deposits increased $274 million, which was offset by a $78 million decrease in brokered deposits and a $36 million decrease in retail jumbo CDs. The growth in core deposits was the result of successful marketing to non-Korean customers.

FHLB advances were $350.0 million at both March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and $393.0 million at March 31, 2008. Advances are primarily long-term advances with an expected average remaining term to maturity of 3.2 years.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $15.7 million in first quarter 2009, compared to $5.0 million for the same period of the prior year and $28.0 million in fourth quarter 2008. Although net charge-offs for first quarter 2009 declined to $8.6 million from $12.5 million for fourth quarter 2008, an increase in impaired loans, additional loan downgrades and higher loss migration factors resulted in an increase in the allowance for loan losses.

Total watch list loans, defined as special mention and classified assets, increased to $174.1 million at March 31, 2009, from $136.7 million at December 31, 2008. Special mention loans decreased to $68.4 million at March 31, 2009, from $71.2 million at December 31, 2008. Substandard loans increased to $98.4 million at March 31, 2009, from $55.6 million at December 31, 2008.

Non-performing loans at March 31, 2009 were $41.3 million, or 1.98% of total loans, compared to $37.6 million, or 1.79% of total loans at December 31, 2008. Inflows to non-performing loans during first quarter 2009 included eight loans totaling approximately $8.0 million.

Non-performing assets at March 31, 2009 were $77.3 million, or 2.74% of total assets, compared to $43.8 million, or 1.64% of total assets at December 31, 2008. The increase was due to higher levels of accruing troubled debt restructurings and other real estate owned.

Net loan charge-offs during first quarter 2009 were $8.6 million, or 1.63% of average loans on an annualized basis, compared to $12.4 million, or 2.37% of average loans on an annualized basis, during fourth quarter 2008. First quarter 2009 charge-offs included partial charge-offs, aggregating $4.1 million, on three loans.

The remaining $4.5 million of charge-offs in first quarter 2009 primarily consisted of loans to retail businesses and consumer auto loans, averaging approximately $64 thousand per loan.

The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2009 was $50.5 million, or 2.42% of gross loans receivable, compared to $43.4 million, or 2.07% of gross loan receivable at December 31, 2008. The allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 122% and 116% at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The allowance for loan losses reflects an increase in specific allowances for impaired loans, as well as general allowances, based on quantitative and qualitative factors.

Impaired loans at March 31, 2009 were $82.9 million, compared to $50.3 million at December 31, 2008. The increase during the quarter included 4 loans aggregating $21.3 million. Specific reserves for impaired loans were $20.9 million, or 25.2% of the aggregate gross loan amount at March 31, 2009. Excluding specific allowances for impaired loans, the allowance coverage on non-impaired loans was 1.49%, compared to 1.41% at December 31, 2008.

Capital

At March 31, 2009, the Company continued to exceed the regulatory capital requirements to be classified as a "well-capitalized institution." The Leverage Ratio was 11.94% at March 31, 2009 compared to 12.61% at December 31, 2008 and 10.56% at March 31, 2008. The Tier 1 Risk-based Ratio was 14.03% at March 31, 2009, compared to 14.32% at December 31, 2008 and 11.56% at March 31, 2008. The Total Risk-based Ratio was 15.30% at March 31, 2009, compared to 15.58% at December 31, 2008 and 12.59% at March 31, 2008.

At March 31, 2009, tangible common equity was 7.74% of tangible assets, slightly lower compared to December 31, 2008 due to a 6% increase in assets. Despite the net loss for the quarter, tangible common equity remained at a high level due to the $3.2 million increase in the fair value of securities available-for-sale, net of tax, which is part of Other Comprehensive Income in stockholders' equity.

Outlook

Commenting on the outlook for the remainder of 2009, Ms. Kim said, "Although we expect that credit costs will remain elevated in the near-term, we believe we have positioned the Bank to generate improvements in pre-provision earnings going forward. With the improved financial flexibility in our balance sheet, we intend to increase our loan production and fund this growth with core deposits. For the full year, we are targeting 5% loan growth. During the second half of the year, we also expect an increase in our net interest margin, as deposits reprice lower and we see improvements in loan pricing.

"As mentioned before, we strengthened our senior management team with two highly regarded veterans of the banking industry. We believe these investments in top quality executives, as well as our commitment to providing top quality service to our customers, will position Nara Bancorp for sustained growth and profitability as economic conditions improve," said Ms. Kim.

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call with simultaneous webcast to discuss the Company's first quarter 2009 financial results will be held tomorrow, April 21, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. Pacific / 12:30 p.m. Eastern. Interested participants and investors may access the conference call by dialing 800-762-8779 (domestic) or 480-248-5081 (international). There will also be a live webcast of the call available at the Investor Relations section of Nara Bank's web site at www.narabank.com.

After the live webcast, a replay will remain available in the Investor Relations section of Nara Bancorp's web site. A replay of the call will be available at 800-406-7325 (domestic) or 303-590-3030 (international) through April 28, 2009; the passcode is 4055954.

About Nara Bancorp, Inc.

Nara Bancorp, Inc. is the parent company of Nara Bank, which was founded in 1989. Nara Bank is a full-service community bank headquartered in Los Angeles, with 21 branches and 4 loan production offices in the United States. Nara Bank operates full-service branches in California, New York and New Jersey, with loan production offices in California, Nevada, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey, and Virginia. Nara Bank was founded specifically to serve the needs of Korean-Americans, one of the fastest-growing Asian ethnic communities over the past decade. Presently, Nara Bank serves a diverse group of customers mirroring its communities. Nara Bank specializes in core business banking products for small and medium-sized companies, with emphasis in commercial real estate and business lending, SBA lending and international trade financing. Nara Bank is a member of the FDIC and is an Equal Opportunity Lender. For more information on Nara Bank, visit our website at www.narabank.com. Nara Bancorp, Inc. stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "NARA."

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including statements about future operations and projected full-year financial results that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including, but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services, and pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect the Company's financial results and business, described in documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and particularly the discussion of business considerations and certain factors that may affect results of operations and stock price set forth therein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements.

Nara Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

Unaudited (Dollars in Thousands)

Nara Bancorp, Inc.

Assets           3/31/2009      12/31/2008    %           3/31/2008    %
                                              change                   change

Cash and due   $ 44,705       $ 30,057        49     %  $ 41,353       8      %
from banks

Federal funds    150,000        19,000        689    %    21,000       614    %
sold

Securities
available for    430,219        406,586       6      %    273,779      57     %
sale, at fair
value

Federal Home
Loan Bank and
Federal          22,255         22,255        0      %    26,419       -16    %
Reserve Bank
stock

Loans held
for sale, at
the lower of     10,965         9,821         12     %    7,571        45     %
cost or
market

Loans            2,088,228      2,098,443     0      %    2,073,851    1      %
receivable

Allowance for    (50,504   )    (43,419    )  16     %    (23,116   )  118    %
loan losses

Net loans        2,037,724      2,055,024     -1     %    2,050,735    -1     %
receivable

Accrued
interest         8,276          8,168         1      %    9,014        -8     %
receivable

Premises and
equipment,       11,749         11,987        -2     %    11,293       4      %
net

Bank owned
life             23,402         23,349        0      %    23,096       1      %
insurance

Goodwill         2,509          2,509         0      %    2,509        0      %

Other
intangible       1,474          1,627         -9     %    2,132        -31    %
assets, net

Other assets     82,259         81,671        1      %    77,212       7      %

Total assets   $ 2,825,537    $ 2,672,054     6      %  $ 2,546,113    11     %

Liabilities

Deposits       $ 2,098,312    $ 1,938,603     8      %  $ 1,854,349    13     %

Borrowings
from Federal     350,000        350,000       0      %    393,000      -11    %
Home Loan
Bank

Subordinated     39,268         39,268        0      %    39,268       0      %
debentures

Accrued
interest         9,273          8,549         8      %    10,182       -9     %
payable

Other            38,999         45,681        -15    %    21,920       78     %
liabilities

Total            2,535,852      2,382,101     6      %    2,318,719    9      %
liabilities

Stockholders'
Equity

Preferred
stock, $0.001
par value;
authorized
10,000,000
undesignated
shares;
issued and
outstanding
67,000,
67,000 and 0
shares of
Fixed Rate
Cumulative
Perpetual        67,000         67,000        0      %    -            100    %
Preferred
Stock, Series
A with a
liquidation
preference of
$1,000 per
share at
March 31,
2009,
December 31,
2008 and
March 31,
2008,
respectively

Preferred
stock            (4,434    )    (4,664     )  -5     %    -            100    %
discount

Common stock,
$0.001 par
value;
authorized,
40,000,000
shares;
issued and
outstanding,
26,256,960,
26,246,560,      26             26            0      %    26           0      %
and
26,193,560
shares at
March 31,
2009,
December 31,
2008 and
March 31,
2008,
respectively

Common stock     4,766          4,766         0      %    -            100    %
warrant

Capital          82,669         82,077        1      %    80,567       3      %
surplus

Retained         137,643        141,890       -3     %    147,544      -7     %
earnings

Accumulated
other
comprehensive    2,015          (1,142     )  -276   %    (743      )  -371   %
income
(loss), net

Total
stockholders'    289,685        289,953       0      %    227,394      27     %
equity

Total
liabilities
and            $ 2,825,537    $ 2,672,054     6      %  $ 2,546,113    11     %
stockholders'
equity



Nara Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)

Unaudited (Dollars in Thousands, Except for Per Share Data)

                    Three Months Ended,

                    3/31/2009       3/31/2008     %       12/31/2008      %
                                                  change                  change

Interest income:

Interest and fees   $ 31,672        $ 40,364      -22  %  $ 35,308        -10  %
on loans

Interest on           4,320           3,668       18   %    3,819         13   %
securities

Interest on
federal funds sold    49              328         -85  %    (36        )  -236 %
and other
investments

Total interest        36,041          44,360      -19  %    39,091        -8   %
income

Interest expense:

Interest on           11,825          15,206      -22  %    12,347        -4   %
deposits

Interest on other     3,795           4,544       -16  %    4,042         -6   %
borrowings

Total interest        15,620          19,750      -21  %    16,389        -5   %
expense

Net interest
income before         20,421          24,610      -17  %    22,702        -10  %
provision for loan
losses

Provision for loan    15,670          4,993       214  %    28,000        -44  %
losses

Net interest
(expense) income      4,751           19,617      -76  %    (5,298     )  -190 %
after provision
for loan losses

Non-interest
income:

Service fees on       1,769           1,821       -3   %    1,940         -9   %
deposit accounts

Net gains on sales
of SBA and other      450             800         -44  %    87            417  %
loans

Net gains on sales
of securities         785             467         68   %    -             0    %
available-for-sale

Net losses on         (130       )    -           100  %    (1,003     )  100  %
sales of OREO

Other income and      1,509           1,511       0    %    1,034         46   %
fees

Total non-interest    4,383           4,599       -5   %    2,058         113  %
income

Non-interest
expense:

Salaries and          6,443           7,636       -16  %    6,840         -6   %
employee benefits

Occupancy             2,426           2,163       12   %    2,469         -2   %

Furniture and         695             709         -2   %    691           1    %
equipment

Advertising and       457             550         -17  %    360           27   %
marketing

Data processing       901             830         9    %    794           13   %
and communications

Professional fees     678             532         27   %    380           78   %

Other                 3,648           2,011       81   %    2,213         65   %

Total non-interest    15,248          14,431      6    %    13,747        11   %
expense

Income (loss)
before income         (6,114     )    9,785       -162 %    (16,987    )  -64  %
taxes

Income tax
provision             (2,934     )    4,012       -173 %    (7,134     )  -59  %
(benefit)

Net income (loss)   $ (3,180     )  $ 5,773       -155 %  $ (9,853     )  -68  %

Dividends and
discount accretion  $ (1,068     )  $ -           100  %  $ (474       )  100  %
on preferred stock

Net income (loss)
available to        $ (4,248     )  $ 5,773       -174 %  $ (10,327    )  -59  %
common
stockholders

Earnings (Loss)
Per Common Share:

Basic               $ (0.16      )  $ 0.22                $ (0.39      )

Diluted             $ (0.16      )  $ 0.22                $ (0.39      )

Average Shares
Outstanding

Basic                 26,250,258      26,193,672            26,213,085

Diluted               26,250,258      26,400,802            26,213,085



Nara Bancorp, Inc.

Supplemental Data

Unaudited (Dollars in Thousands, Except for Per Share Data)



                        (Annualized)

                        At or for the Three Months Ended,

Profitability measures: 3/31/2009  3/31/2008  12/31/2008

ROA                     -0 .47%    0  .93%    -1  .54%

ROE                     -4 .36%    10 .15%    -15 .06%

Net interest margin     3  .19%    4  .15%    3   .71%

Efficiency ratio        61 .47%    49 .41%    55  .52%



                  Three Months Ended                   Three Months Ended                 Three Months Ended

                  3/31/2009                            3/31/2008                          12/31/2008

                               Interest    Annualized               Interest  Annualized               Interest    Annualized

                  Average      Income/     Average     Average      Income/   Average     Average      Income/     Average

                  Balance      Expense     Yield/Cost  Balance      Expense   Yield/Cost  Balance      Expense     Yield/Cost

                  (Dollars in thousands)               (Dollars in thousands)             (Dollars in thousands)

INTEREST EARNING
ASSETS:

Gross loans,
includes loans    $ 2,107,685  $ 31,672    6.01 %      $ 2,055,535  $ 40,364  7.85 %      $ 2,092,641  $ 35,308    6.75  %
held for sale

Securities
available for       423,907      4,320     4.08 %        292,283      3,668   5.02 %        328,601      3,819     4.65  %
sale

FRB and FHLB
stock and other     22,880       48        0.84 %        22,940       316     5.51 %        22,705       (46    )  -0.81 %
investments

Federal funds       2,267        1         0.18 %        1,506        12      3.19 %        5,528        10        0.72  %
sold

Total interest    $ 2,556,739  $ 36,041    5.64 %      $ 2,372,264  $ 44,360  7.48 %      $ 2,449,475  $ 39,091    6.38  %
earning assets

INTEREST BEARING
LIABILITIES:

Deposits:

Demand,           $ 331,870    $ 2,265     2.73 %      $ 246,120    $ 1,912   3.11 %      $ 319,318    $ 2,413     3.02  %
interest-bearing

Savings             111,233      1,008     3.62 %        136,596      1,308   3.83 %        115,245      1,043     3.62  %

Time deposits:

$100,000 or more    579,333      3,544     2.45 %        606,746      7,515   4.95 %        661,172      4,844     2.93  %

Other               637,226      5,008     3.14 %        443,570      4,471   4.03 %        465,236      4,047     3.48  %

Total time          1,216,559    8,552     2.81 %        1,050,316    11,986  4.56 %        1,126,408    8,891     3.16  %
deposits

Total interest      1,659,662    11,825    2.85 %        1,433,032    15,206  4.24 %        1,560,971    12,347    3.16  %
bearing deposits

FHLB advances       368,584      3,237     3.51 %        401,148      3,783   3.77 %        371,038      3,385     3.65  %

Other borrowings    39,734       558       5.62 %        37,618       761     8.09 %        39,268       657       6.69  %

Total interest
bearing             2,067,980  $ 15,620    3.02 %        1,871,798  $ 19,750  4.22 %        1,971,277  $ 16,389    3.33  %
liabilities

Non-interest
bearing demand      291,324                              338,043                            240,142
deposits

Total funding
liabilities /     $ 2,359,304              2.65 %      $ 2,209,841            3.57 %      $ 2,211,419              2.96  %
cost of funds

Net interest
income / net                   $ 20,421    2.62 %                   $ 24,610  3.26 %                   $ 22,702    3.05  %
interest spread

Net interest                               3.19 %                             4.15 %                               3.71  %
margin

Net interest
margin,
excluding effect                           3.26 %                             4.12 %                               3.75  %
of non-accrual
loan income
(expense)

Net interest
margin,
excluding effect
of non-accrual                             3.23 %                             4.09 %                               3.68  %
loan income
(expense) and
prepayment fee
income

Non-accrual loan
income                         $ (394   )                           $ 159                              $ (283   )
(reversed)
recognized

Prepayment fee                   147                                  221                                433
income received

Net                            $ (247   )                           $ 380                              $ 150

Cost of
deposits:

Non-interest
bearing demand    $ 291,324    $ -                     $ 338,043    $ -                   $ 240,142    $ -
deposits

Interest bearing    1,659,662    11,825    2.85 %        1,433,032    15,206  4.24 %        1,560,971    12,347    3.16  %
deposits

Total deposits    $ 1,950,986  $ 11,825    2.42 %      $ 1,771,075  $ 15,206  3.43 %      $ 1,801,113  $ 12,347    2.74  %



                      For the Three Months Ended

                      3/31/2009      3/31/2008      %       12/31/2008     %
                                                    change                 change

AVERAGE BALANCES

Gross loans,
includes loans held   $ 2,107,685    $ 2,055,535    3   %   $ 2,092,641    1   %
for sale

Investments             449,054        316,729      42  %     356,834      26  %

Interest-earning        2,556,739      2,372,264    8   %     2,449,475    4   %
assets

Total assets            2,697,622      2,479,042    9   %     2,559,289    5   %

Interest-bearing        1,659,662      1,433,032    16  %     1,560,971    6   %
deposits

Interest-bearing        2,067,980      1,871,798    10  %     1,971,277    5   %
liabilities

Non-interest-bearing    291,324        338,043      -14 %     240,142      21  %
demand deposits

Stockholders' Equity    291,908        227,598      28  %     261,635      12  %

Net interest earning    488,759        500,466      -2  %     478,198      2   %
assets

LOAN PORTFOLIO        3/31/2009      12/31/2008     %       3/31/2008      %
COMPOSITION:                                        change                 change

Commercial loans      $ 573,615      $ 598,556      -4  %   $ 593,905      -3  %

Real estate loans       1,491,480      1,472,872    1   %     1,448,840    3   %

Consumer and other      24,633         28,520       -14 %     32,768       -25 %
loans

Loans outstanding       2,089,728      2,099,948    0   %     2,075,513    1   %

Unamortized deferred
loan fees - net of      (1,500    )    (1,505    )  0   %     (1,662    )  -10 %
costs

Loans, net of
deferred loan fees      2,088,228      2,098,443    0   %     2,073,851    1   %
and costs

Allowance for loan      (50,504   )    (43,419   )  16  %     (23,116   )  118 %
losses

Loan receivable, net  $ 2,037,724    $ 2,055,024    -1  %   $ 2,050,735    -1  %

DEPOSIT COMPOSITION   3/31/2009      12/31/2008     %       3/31/2008      %
                                                    Change                 Change

Non-interest-bearing  $ 297,540      $ 303,656      -2  %   $ 353,314      -16 %
demand deposits

Money market and        364,297        306,478      19  %     234,425      55  %
other

Saving deposits         113,614        113,186      0   %     144,543      -21 %

Time deposits of        590,342        626,850      -6  %     573,455      3   %
$100,000 or more

Other time deposits     732,519        588,433      24  %     548,612      34  %

Total deposit         $ 2,098,312    $ 1,938,603    8   %   $ 1,854,349    13  %
balances



DEPOSIT COMPOSITION (%)              3/31/2009    12/31/2008   3/31/2008

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits   14.2    %    15.7    %    19.1    %

Money market and other                 17.4    %    15.8    %    12.6    %

Saving deposits                        5.4     %    5.8     %    7.8     %

Time deposits of $100,000 or more      28.1    %    32.3    %    30.9    %

Other time deposits                    34.9    %    30.4    %    29.6    %

Total deposit balances                 100.0   %    100.0   %    100.0   %

CAPITAL RATIOS                       3/31/2009    12/31/2008   3/31/2008

Total stockholders' equity           $ 289,685    $ 289,953    $ 227,394

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio        14.03   %    14.32   %    11.56   %

Total risk-based capital ratio         15.30   %    15.58   %    12.59   %

Tier 1 leverage ratio                  11.95   %    12.61   %    10.56   %

Book value per share *               $ 8.47       $ 8.49       $ 8.68

Tangible equity per share *          $ 8.32       $ 8.33       $ 8.50

Tangible equity to tangible assets *   7.74    %    8.20    %    8.76    %

* excludes TARP preferred stock and stock warrants of $67.3 million



                         For the Three Months Ended

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN       3/31/2009   12/31/2008   % Change  3/31/2008   % Change
LOSSES:

Balance at Beginning of  $ 43,419    $ 27,806     56  %     $ 20,035    117 %
Period

Provision for Loan         15,670      28,000     -44 %       4,993     214 %
Losses

Recoveries                 83          124        -33 %       47        77  %

Charge Offs                (8,668 )    (12,511 )  -31 %       (1,959 )  342 %

Balance at End of        $ 50,504    $ 43,419     16  %     $ 23,116    118 %
Period

Net charge-off/Average
gross loans                1.63   %    2.37    %              0.37   %
(annualized)



NON-PERFORMING ASSETS                        3/31/2009   12/31/2008  3/31/2008

Delinquent Loans 90 days or more on          $ 41,330    $ 37,580    $ 18,653
Non-Accrual Status

Delinquent Loans 90 days or more on Accrual    7           -           427
Status

Total Non-Performing Loans                     41,337      37,580      19,080

Other real estate owned                        4,822       2,969       -

Restructured Loans                             31,131      3,256       1,135

Total Non-Performing Assets                  $ 77,290    $ 43,805    $ 20,215

Non-Performing Assets/ Total Assets            2.74   %    1.64   %    0.79   %

Non-Performing Loans/Gross Loans               1.98   %    1.79   %    0.92   %

Allowance for loan losses/ Gross Loans         2.42   %    2.07   %    1.11   %

Allowance for loan losses/ Non-Performing      122    %    116    %    121    %
Loans



                    Three Months Ended,

PTPP COVERAGE       3/31/2009    12/31/2008   9/30/2008   6/30/2008   3/31/2008

Pre Tax - Pre       $ 9,556      $ 11,013     $ 14,773    $ 12,641    $ 14,778
Provision income

Provision for loan    (15,670 )    (28,000 )    (6,180 )    (9,652 )    (4,993 )
losses

Income (loss)
before income       $ (6,114  )  $ (16,987 )  $ 8,593     $ 2,989     $ 9,785
taxes

                    For the Three Months Ended

GROSS CHARGED OFF   3/31/2009    12/31/2008   9/30/2008   6/30/2008   3/31/2008
LOANS BY TYPE

Real Estate Loans   $ 2,132      $ 2,613      $ 2,127     $ 2,443     $ 194

Commercial Loans      3,931        8,333        2,371       1,609       1,195

SBA Loans             1,313        1,421        1,696       757         419

Consumer Loans        1,292        144          102         118         151

Total Gross         $ 8,668      $ 12,511     $ 6,296     $ 4,927     $ 1,959
Charge-offs

DELINQUENT LOANS    3/31/2009    12/31/2008   9/30/2008   6/30/2008   3/31/2008
BY TYPE*

Real Estate Loans   $ 31,823     $ 28,409     $ 18,681    $ 19,247    $ 17,433

Commercial Loans      13,607       15,202       18,526      9,035       7,557

SBA Loans             4,469        5,828        5,625       4,050       2,759

Consumer Loans        548          1,776        947         648         994

Total Delinquent    $ 50,447     $ 51,215     $ 43,779    $ 32,980    $ 28,743
Loans

* Delinquent over
30 days, including
non-accrual loans

NON-ACCRUAL LOANS   3/31/2009    12/31/2008   9/30/2008   6/30/2008   3/31/2008
BY TYPE

Real Estate Loans   $ 26,153     $ 21,759     $ 11,410    $ 15,451    $ 11,701

Commercial Loans      13,863       13,676       18,240      9,123       6,225

SBA Loans             1,013        703          645         344         432

Consumer Loans        301          1,442        206         304         295

Total Non-accrual   $ 41,330     $ 37,580     $ 30,501    $ 25,222    $ 18,653
Loans

WATCH LIST LOANS    3/31/2009    12/31/2008   9/30/2008   6/30/2008   3/31/2008

Special Mention     $ 68,388     $ 71,169     $ 38,461    $ 12,835    $ 8,336

Substandard           98,412       55,622       44,580      41,991      30,521

Doubtful              7,288        9,883        7,306       3,246       2,161

Loss                  8            -            -           11          2

Total Watch List    $ 174,096    $ 136,674    $ 90,347    $ 58,083    $ 41,020
Loans



    Source: Nara Bancorp, Inc.
Contact: Investors and Financial Media: Financial Relations Board Tony Rossi, 213-486-6545