First State Writes off Goodwill, Strengthens Balance Sheet, and Remains Well Capitalized

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First State Bancorporation (NASDAQ:FSNM):

OVERVIEW:

• Non-cash goodwill write-off of $127.4 million.
• Increase in allowance for loan losses to 80% of non-performing loans.
• Loss for the quarter of $118.3 million and $114.4 million year to date.
• Net interest margin of 3.96% for the quarter and 4.04% year to date.
• New loan growth remained strong, growing $119 million in the quarter and $260 million since June 30, 2007.
• Deposits grew $66 million in the quarter and $162 million since June 30, 2007.
• Dividend suspended to preserve capital.
• Recently completed regulatory safety and soundness exam and remains well capitalized.

First State Bancorporation (“First State”) (NASDAQ:FSNM) today announced a second quarter 2008 net loss of $118.3 million or $5.87 per diluted share. The net loss was the result of a $127.4 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge and an increased provision for loan losses due primarily to increased levels of non-performing assets.

First State has disclosed in this release certain non-GAAP financial measures to provide meaningful supplemental information regarding First State’s operational performance and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of First State’s operating financial performance. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow for additional transparency and are used by some investors, analysts, and other users of First State’s financial information as performance measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented for supplemental informational purposes only for understanding First State’s operating results and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures presented by First State may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The below table labeled “Financial Summary” presents performance ratios in accordance with GAAP and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measurements to the GAAP financial measurements.

Net income (loss) excluding the goodwill write-off (hereinafter referred to as “net operating income (loss)”) for the second quarter was a loss of $10.8 million, or $0.54 per diluted share. This compares to net operating income of $7.2 million, or $0.35 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2007. The net operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $6.9 million, compared to net operating income of $13.7 million for 2007. Net operating loss per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $0.34 compared to net operating income per diluted share of $0.66 for the same period in 2007.

“Similar to impairment charges announced by numerous other banks over the last several months, the goodwill impairment is a non-cash accounting charge and has no impact on the holding company’s or our bank subsidiary’s cash flow or liquidity. This is strictly an accounting charge that does not affect our ability to provide the personalized service and banking products our customers have come to expect,” stated Michael R. Stanford, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Although we have experienced some softening in our markets, mostly around housing, we have achieved significant loan growth and decent deposit growth in a difficult market,” commented Michael R. Stanford. “While our stock price has been negatively impacted by the uncertainty about the national economy and speculation around the financial services industry, and in particular around the need for community banks to raise additional capital, we continue to be well-capitalized and have good liquidity,” continued Stanford.

First State’s goodwill, which is related to acquisitions over the last several years, is required to be evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or when events or circumstances suggest impairment may have occurred. The impairment testing requires that the fair value of the company be assessed as of the testing date. Generally, an impairment may need to be recorded if the fair value of the company is less than its net equity. The disruption in the financial sector over the last several quarters has caused the market valuation for bank stocks to decline significantly, including the market value of our stock. While various methods are utilized in determining the fair value of First State, the market premium approach, based on the market value of First State stock plus a control premium, received significant weighting in our analysis at the June 30, 2008 testing date. As a result, we have recorded an impairment charge at June 30, 2008 totaling $127.4 million to write-off all existing goodwill. Such charge had no effect on First State’s or our subsidiary bank’s cash balances or liquidity.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS:
(Unaudited - $ in thousands, except share and per-share amounts)		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2008			2007			2008			2007
Interest income		$	49,541		$	59,032		$	102,510		$	111,585
Interest expense			18,295			24,857			39,859			46,270
Net interest income			31,246			34,175			62,651			65,315
Provision for loan losses			(28,700)			(2,068)			(32,600)			(4,112)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			2,546			32,107			30,051			61,203
Non-interest income			6,994			7,142			13,278			13,032
Non-interest expense			155,141			28,237			182,974			53,178
Income (loss) before income taxes			(145,601)			11,012			(139,645)			21,057
Income tax expense (benefit)			(27,294)			3,782			(25,263)			7,349
Net income (loss)		$	(118,307)		$	7,230		$	(114,382)		$	13,708
Basic earnings (loss) per share		$	(5.87)		$	0.35		$	(5.68)		$	0.66
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	(5.87)		$	0.35		$	(5.68)		$	0.66
Weighted average basic shares outstanding			20,165,335			20,408,485			20,150,378			20,623,534
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding			20,165,335			20,608,410			20,150,378			20,848,992

The following table presents performance ratios in accordance with GAAP and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measurements to the GAAP financial measurements. The discussion in this release of net income (loss), earnings (loss) per share, and financial ratios will be based on net operating income (loss) as described above and as shown in the table.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
(Unaudited - $ in thousands except per-share amounts)		2008		2007		2008		2007
Net income (loss) as reported		$(118,307)		$7,230		$(114,382)		$13,708
Goodwill impairment charge, net of tax		107,484		-		107,484		-
Net operating income (loss)		$(10,823)		$7,230		$(6,898)		$13,708
GAAP basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share		$(5.87)		$0.35		$(5.68)		$0.66
Diluted net operating earnings (loss) per share		$(0.54)		$0.35		$(0.34)		$0.66
GAAP return on average assets		(13.58)%		0.88%		(6.65)%		0.88%
Net operating return on average assets		(1.24)%		0.88%		(0.40)%		0.88%
GAAP return on average equity		(149.19)%		9.50%		(72.38)%		8.95%
Net operating return on average equity		(13.65)%		9.50%		(4.36)%		8.95%
Non-interest expense as reported		$155,141		$28,237		$182,974		$53,178
Goodwill impairment charge		(127,365)		-		(127,365)		-
Net operating non-interest expense		$27,776		$28,237		$55,609		$53,178
GAAP efficiency ratio		405.70%		68.34%		240.98%		67.87%
Net operating efficiency ratio		72.64%		68.34%		73.24%		67.87%
GAAP operating expenses to average assets		17.81%		3.43%		10.64%		3.41%
Net operating expenses to average assets		3.19%		3.43%		3.23%		3.41%
Net interest margin		3.96%		4.66%		4.04%		4.68%
Average equity to average assets		9.10%		9.25%		9.19%		9.83%
Leverage ratio:
Consolidated		7.11%		8.70%		7.11%		8.70%
Bank Subsidiary		7.88%		8.25%		7.88%		8.25%
Total risk based capital ratio:
Consolidated		10.44%		10.97%		10.44%		10.97%
Bank Subsidiary		10.32%		10.32%		10.32%		10.32%

BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS:
(Unaudited – $ in thousands except per share amounts)		June 30, 2008		December 31, 2007		June 30, 2007		$ Change from December 31, 2007		$ Change from June 30, 2007
Total assets		$3,464,882		$3,424,203		$3,347,856		$40,679		$117,026
Total loans		2,729,677		2,541,210		2,469,839		188,467		259,838
Investment securities		502,366		516,404		468,490		(14,038)		33,876
Deposits		2,646,903		2,574,687		2,484,772		72,216		162,131
Non-interest bearing deposits		522,015		485,419		496,202		36,596		25,813
Interest bearing deposits		2,124,888		2,089,268		1,988,570		35,620		136,318
Borrowings		458,253		301,613		360,136		156,640		98,117
Shareholders’ equity		191,763		310,862		301,534		(119,099)		(109,771)
Book value per share		$ 9.52		$15.47		$14.90		$(5.95)		$(5.38)
Tangible book value per share		$ 8.68		$ 8.23		$ 7.81		$0.45		$0.87

On July 7, 2008, First State announced the closure of its Utah operations, in response to current economic conditions and other factors affecting the banking industry that are placing a premium on capital levels. The Utah operations were acquired as part of the First Community Industrial Bank acquisition in October of 2002 and currently consist of two branches operated as First Community Bank in Salt Lake City and the nearby suburb of Midvale, Utah. Both branches are scheduled to close on October 31, 2008. At June 30, 2008, the Utah operations included $287.2 million in loans and $20.9 million in deposits. Currently, there are approximately 20 employees in Utah, who will be reduced to a core group that will facilitate the transition of the existing loans and deposits. First State expects that the closure of the Utah branches will strengthen First State’s balance sheet and capital ratios, and does not expect any significant one-time charges as part of this initiative. Management expects only minor cost savings related to this transaction through the remainder of 2008, due to severance charges as well as continuing occupancy obligations following the date of closure.

“We believe that the curtailment of activities in Utah will help us achieve a better balance between our loan and deposit growth going forward, and allow for improved capital management,” stated Christopher C. Spencer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “We expect to see a flattening of our loan growth in the third quarter with a decline in loan totals in the fourth quarter,” continued Spencer.

Net interest income was $31.2 million for the second quarter of 2008 compared to $34.2 million for the same quarter of 2007. For the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, net interest income was $62.7 million and $65.3 million, respectively. Our net interest margin was 3.96% and 4.66% for the second quarter of 2008 and 2007, respectively, and 4.12% for the first quarter of 2008. The net interest margin was 4.04% and 4.68% for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in the net interest margin is primarily due to the Federal Reserve Bank lowering the federal funds target rate by 325 basis points over the past several months which led to an equal decrease in the prime lending rate. The net interest margin has also been negatively impacted by the need to utilize borrowings to fund the loan growth which has continued to outpace deposit growth and as a result of new loans having lower yields than loans booked in the prior periods. The level of non-accrual loans and the reversal of interest on these loans have also had a negative impact on the net interest margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007. In conjunction with the Federal Reserve Bank’s lower target rates, we have lowered selected deposit rates, but remain competitive in the markets we serve. The rates on our FHLB short-term borrowings and our securities sold under agreements to repurchase have also decreased, due to the Federal Reserve Bank’s lower target rates. The cost of our junior subordinated debentures, which are indexed to LIBOR, has decreased, as the majority of the debentures reprice quarterly. On a static basis, we expect that the impact of the rate cuts will be minimal going forward as the majority of the asset and liability repricing has now taken place.

However, the extent of future changes in our net interest margin will depend on the amount and timing of any further Federal Reserve rate changes, the level of borrowings needed, our non-performing asset levels, our ability to manage the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and our ability to stay competitive in the markets we serve.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES:
(Unaudited - $ in thousands)		Six Months Ended June 30, 2008			Year Ended December 31, 2007			Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
Balance beginning of period		$	31,712		$	23,125		$	23,125
Provision for loan losses			32,600			10,267			4,112
Net charge-offs			(5,328)			(4,638)			(978)
Allowance related to acquired loans			-			2,958			2,958
Balance end of period		$	58,984		$	31,712		$	29,217
Allowance for loan losses to total loans held for investment			2.17%			1.26%			1.21%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans			80%			103%			90%

NON-PERFORMING ASSETS:
(Unaudited - $ in thousands)		June 30, 2008			December 31, 2007			June 30, 2007
Accruing loans – 90 days past due		$	1		$	2		$	247
Non-accrual loans			73,929			30,736			32,280
Total non-performing loans		$	73,930		$	30,738		$	32,527
Other real estate owned			15,610			18,107			23,099
Total non-performing assets		$	89,540		$	48,845		$	55,626
Potential problem loans		$	74,791		$	63,961		$	56,039
Total non-performing assets to total assets			2.58%			1.43%			1.66%

First State’s provision for loan losses was $28.7 million for the second quarter of 2008 compared to $2.1 million for the same quarter of 2007. The provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was $32.6 million, compared to $4.1 million for the same period in 2007. First State’s allowance for loan losses was 2.17% and 1.21% of total loans held for investment at June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007, respectively. The increase is a result of an increase in net charge-offs, an increase in non-performing loans, and the continued growth of the portfolio. The allowance was increased, based on management’s current evaluation, to provide for probable inherent losses in the portfolio, trends in delinquencies, charge-off experience, and local and economic conditions.

Other real estate owned decreased approximately $7.5 million compared to the same period of 2007 and decreased approximately $2.5 million compared to December 31, 2007. Other real estate owned at June 30, 2008 includes $7.3 million in foreclosed or repossessed assets, a $4.2 million property that was previously held for future expansion and development by Front Range, and $4.1 million in facilities and vacant land listed for sale.

“Although the provision for loan losses contributed to the net loss recorded for the second quarter of this year, we believe that the provision provides protection against further deterioration in our existing loan portfolio including potential problem loans,” stated H. Patrick Dee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “While we did experience an increase in our non-performing and potential problem loans, our charge-offs in the first half of the year, while higher than experienced in the last few years, were only 20 basis points of average loans, or approximately 40 basis points annualized. We do not expect charge-offs to increase significantly during the rest of the year,” continued Dee.

NON-INTEREST INCOME:
(Unaudited - $ in thousands)		Three Months Ended
		June 30,
		2008		2007		$ Change		% Change
Service charges		$3,722		$2,883		$839		29	%
Credit and debit card transaction fees		1,039		1,128		(89)		(8)
Gain (loss) on investment securities		110		(12)		122		1,017
Gain on sale of loans		1,109		1,310		(201)		(15)
Income on cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance		437		956		(519)		(54)
Other		577		877		(300)		(34)
		$6,994		$7,142		$(148)		(2)	%

The increase in service charges on deposit accounts is due to an increase in NSF fees charged per occurrence, an increase in account analysis fees, increased volume, and a reduction in fees waived from deposit accounts.

The decrease in gain on sale of mortgage loans is primarily due to reduced volumes reflecting the nationwide slow down in the residential mortgage market.

The decrease in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance is primarily due to the receipt of approximately $550,000 in June 2007 from the death benefit of an insured employee.

The decrease in other non-interest income is primarily due to a decrease in earnings on cash deposited with our official check outsourcing vendor, partially offset by the accretion of income related to the sale of our credit card portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2007.

NON-INTEREST INCOME:
(Unaudited - $ in thousands)		Six Months Ended
		June 30,
		2008		2007		$ Change		% Change
Service charges		$ 6,714		$ 5,248		$1,466		28	%
Credit and debit card transaction fees		1,976		2,015		(39)		(2)
Gain (loss) on investment securities		(126)		30		(156)		(520)
Gain on sale of loans		2,356		2,759		(403)		(15)
Income on cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance		894		1,310		(416)		(32)
Other		1,464		1,670		(206)		(12)
		$13,278		$13,032		$ 246		2	%

The increase in service charges on deposit accounts is due to an increase in NSF fees charged per occurrence, an increase in account analysis fees, increased volume enhanced by the Front Range acquisition, and a reduction in fees waived from deposit accounts.

The loss on investment securities includes an “other than temporary” impairment charge of $333,000 on FHLMC preferred stock recorded in the first quarter of 2008 in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This stock is held in the available for sale portfolio and was acquired as part of the acquisition of Front Range Capital Corporation in March 2007, at which time it was valued at approximately $953,000. This other than temporary impairment was partially offset by gains from calls and sales of securities during the period.

The decrease in gain on sale of mortgage loans is primarily due to reduced volumes reflecting the nationwide slow down in the residential mortgage market.

The decrease in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance is due to the receipt of approximately $550,000 in June 2007 from the death benefit of an insured employee, partially offset by earnings on an additional $8.8 million in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance acquired in conjunction with the Front Range acquisition on March 1, 2007.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
(Unaudited - $ in thousands)		Three Months Ended
		June 30,
		2008		2007		$ Change		% Change
Salaries and employee benefits		$12,763		$13,694		$ (931)		(7)	%
Occupancy		4,138		3,838		300		8
Data processing		1,377		1,702		(325)		(19)
Equipment		1,913		2,074		(161)		(8)
Legal, accounting, and consulting		790		845		(55)		(7)
Marketing		734		773		(39)		(5)
Telephone		573		716		(143)