Citizens Business Bank reports earnings drop in 2020
CVB Financial Corp, the parent company of Citizens Busines Bank, reported a slight drop in income for the fourth quarter of 2020 but a decline of almost 15% for the full year when compared to 2019.
Citizens Business Bank is based in Ontario, California and has branches in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The bank had a total net income of $177.2 million for the year, according to an earnings statement released Jan. 27. Much of the drop between 2019 and 2020 was explained by the bank’s decision to increase its credit loss provision by $18.5 million, but the bank’s net income was $30.7 million lower than the previous year, leaving more than $12 million in loss not attributable to the credit loss provision.
Citizens Business Bank had a rough year in many respects. Net interest income was $2.5 million higher this year compared to the previous year, but net interest income before provision for credit losses was $416.1 million in 2020, 4.5% lower than 2019. Interest income declined by $27.5 million, or just over 6%, while interest income and fees on loans declined by $20.2 million, or a little more than 5%.
CVB reported a slightly lower net income for the fourth quarter, as the bank’s net income was $50.1 million as compared to $51.3 million in December 2019, but the diluted earnings per share for both fourth quarters was 37 cents.
“The worldwide pandemic, stay-at-home orders, business shut-downs, and a near zero interest rate environment all combined to create a very challenging environment for financial institutions to operate and succeed in,” David Brager, the CEO of Citizens Business Bank, said in a news release.
