United Western Bancorp, Inc. Reports 2008 Third-Quarter Results

United Western Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: UWBK) (the "Company”), a Denver-based holding company whose principal subsidiary, United Western Bank®, (the "Bank”) is a community bank focused on expansion across Colorado’s Front Range market and selected mountain communities, announced results for its 2008 third quarter.

Net income for the quarter was $1.5 million, or $.21 per diluted share, compared with $3.1 million, or $.43 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2008. Income for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 was $2.7 million, or $.37 per diluted share. The third quarter results include a $4.1 million other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI”) write down on investment securities. Excluding the after-tax effect of the impairment write down on investment securities, net income for the quarter was $4.0 million, or $.57 per diluted share. See a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial information to the Company’s actual net income for the third quarter of 2008 in Appendix I to this release.

Net income for the nine months of 2008 was $7.9 million or $1.10 per diluted share, compared to $7.2 million or $.98 per diluted share for the nine months of 2007. Excluding the after-tax effect of the impairment write down on investment securities, net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $10.5 million, or $1.46 per diluted share. See a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial information to the Company’s actual net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 in Appendix I to this release.

Scot T. Wetzel, President and Chief Executive Officer said: "We are pleased with the results from our core operations in the third quarter, which generated record profit from our community banking business plan of $4 million, or $.57 per diluted share. We are, however, disappointed to report the non-cash OTTI charge resulting from a write down of two of our mortgage-backed securities with a total unpaid principal balance of $9.4 million. With this charge, we have now written the affected securities down by 44%. Mortgage market dislocation and illiquidity impacted the availability of reliable market prices for performing non-agency securities. Again, excluding this non-cash OTTI charge, the Company would have reported its best quarterly performance since starting our community banking business platform in the first quarter of 2006. United Western Bank remains well capitalized at the end of the third quarter, and we are taking steps to increase capital further prospectively, including investing additional capital from the holding company into the Bank and considering participation in the U.S. Treasury TARP Capital Purchase Program. Our core community banking business continues to outperform our expectations, and we remain focused on diligently and strategically growing our company in this unprecedented economic environment.”

William D. Snider, Chief Financial Officer, said: "Prudent lending together with continuing liability management resulted in a seven basis point increase in the net interest margin in the linked quarter. The net interest margin rose to 3.99% for the third quarter of 2008 compared to 3.92% for the second quarter. The net interest margin rose 35 basis points over the year ago period. Our asset quality remained stable in the third quarter. Nonperforming community bank loans were $6.2 million, representing 58 basis points of the community bank loan portfolio. During the third quarter we added $2.6 million to the allowance for credit losses based on the $121 million of new community bank loans, and specific allowances added to four loans and other loans we identified that exhibited signs of weakness. The community bank allowance for credit losses was 1.32% of community bank loans and 226% of nonperforming community bank loans. In total, the allowance is 1.06% of total loans and 105% of nonperforming loans.

The ongoing crises in the financial markets and national economy resulted in further declines in the value of certain securities in our investment portfolio during the third quarter. The OTTI impairment occurred primarily as a result of continuing weaknesses in the residential real estate markets, and the probability of declines in expected future cash flows for the affected securities. The portfolio remains substantially investment grade and the remaining temporary declines in value are the result of the current market disruptions. It is important to note that we have experienced no payment defaults in any of our investment securities.”

Net interest income before provision for credit losses totaled $21.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $19.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, and $17.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The increase in net interest income before provision for credit losses between the third quarter and the second quarter of 2008 of $1.2 million was principally the result of continued loan growth. In the third quarter, average community bank loans increased $132 million, which contributed $1.9 million of additional interest income. Interest income from wholesale assets declined $143,000 from a $56 million decline in the average balance as a result of payoffs. Premium amortization on purchased SBA loans and securities declined by $292,000 in the third quarter of 2008 to $700,000, as compared to $992,000 for the second quarter of 2008. In the third quarter of 2008, the yield on total interest-earning assets increased 11 basis points versus the second quarter of 2008. The increase in the yield on assets is attributed to the continuing change in asset mix from the lower yielding wholesale assets to the community banking assets. The yield on assets was 5.51% for the third quarter, compared with 5.40% for the second quarter of 2008. The yield on community bank loans declined 16 basis points to 6.19% for the third quarter compared with 6.35% for the 2008 second quarter. For the same periods, the yield on wholesale assets increased 20 basis points to 4.99% versus 4.79% due principally to the lower premium amortization on purchased SBA loans and securities. The Company’s cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased two basis points to 1.73% for the third quarter, compared with 1.71% for the second quarter. This increase was due to a shift in the mix of liabilities caused by new retail deposit promotions, which resulted in an increase in money market, NOW and certificate accounts and a reduction in FHLBank borrowings.

Comparing the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2007, net interest income before provision for credit losses increased $3.2 million as the cost of liabilities declined by $4.9 million, and for the same periods interest and dividend income declined by $1.7 million. Average interest-earning assets increased by $138 million between the third quarters of 2008 and 2007. The yield on interest-earning assets was 5.51% for the third quarter of 2008 compared with 6.25% for the third quarter of 2007. This 74 basis point decline in the yield on interest-earning assets was the result of the decrease in the prime rate and was partially offset by the change in mix of assets. The decline in the prime rate caused the yield on our community bank loans to decline by 226 basis points between the two periods. However, between the third quarters of 2008 and 2007, the average balance of community bank loans increased by $414 million and the average balance of lower-yielding wholesale assets declined by $258 million. Also between these periods, there was lower premium amortization of $485,000 on purchased SBA loans and securities.

The cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined by 131 basis points to 1.73% for the third quarter of 2008 versus 3.04% for the same period a year ago. In addition to the factors discussed above, we had a 121 basis point reduction in borrowed money and junior subordinated debt, due to both general market declines in rates and as a result of our retirement of $20 million of trust preferred securities during the third quarter of 2007.

In the third quarter of 2008, provision for credit losses was $2.6 million compared with $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2008 and $352,000 for the third quarter of 2007. The provision for credit losses in the third quarter of 2008 was the result of the $121 million of growth net of repayments in our community bank loan portfolio during the period, an increase of specific impairments of $767,000 associated with one $2.9 million nonperforming construction loan and three residential loans, and approximately $600,000 related to other existing loans that demonstrated signs of weakness for which the loan grade was reduced.

The provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2008 of $2.1 million reflected growth of the community bank loan portfolio of $113.8 million net of repayments and $667,000 of provision related to the $2.9 million nonperforming construction loan.

The provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2007 of $352,000 reflected growth of the community bank loan portfolio of $81.4 million net of repayments and was partially offset by repayments of residential wholesale loans and certain improvements in individual loan grades.

Noninterest income was $1.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to $4.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, and $6.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Excluding the $4.1 million OTTI charge, noninterest income was $5.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The increase, excluding the OTTI charge, between the third quarter and second quarter of 2008 was caused by an increase in gain on sale of SBA originated loans, and a dividend of $540,000 from our approximate 7% ownership in a mutual fund clearing and settlement company, which is included in other noninterest income. Gain on sale of loans was $418,000 for the third quarter of 2008 on sales of $12.2 million of principal balance of originated SBA loans versus a gain of $142,000 on sales of $2.7 million of principal balance of originated SBA loans for the second quarter of 2008.

The held to maturity securities written down in the third quarter of 2008 consisted of two non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations issued in 2005 – 2006 with a total amortized cost of $9.4 million prior to the impairment write down. The estimated market values for the securities totaled $5.3 million at September 30, 2008, representing a decline in value of $4.1 million. All principal and interest payments have been made to date in accordance with the terms of each security. Each security has received a ratings decline, and this information, together with the magnitude and duration of the decline in fair value and the decline in expected future cash flows, resulted in management’s conclusion that the securities were other-than-temporarily impaired within the meaning of GAAP, giving consideration to the current illiquidity in the marketplace and uncertainty of a near-term recovery in value.

Noninterest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 included gains from the sale of $29.5 million of principal balance of SBA originated loans, from which we realized a gain of $1.2 million, and a dividend of $405,000 from the same cost-method investment.

Noninterest expense was $18.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, versus $18.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, and $20.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2008 increased $958,000, or 5.3%, from the second quarter due principally to higher expenses related to compensation, occupancy and other. Compensation and employee benefits increased $670,000 to $8.3 million in the third quarter compared with $7.6 million for the second quarter. An increase in incentive compensation related to current year loan production was the principal cause of the increase. In addition, there was a reduction in compensation deferred as a component of direct origination costs of loans in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter. The largest factor causing the increase in occupancy expense from the second quarter period of 2008 included an $81,000 refund of prior common area maintenance charges received in the second quarter; other factors contributing were rental payments that commenced in connection with the Company’s site in south Denver. Other expenses increased $189,000 in the third quarter of 2008 versus the second quarter; this was principally related to an increase in professional fees related to ongoing routine legal matters. The Company incurred a charge of $245,000 to reduce the carrying value of residential loans held for sale to the lower of cost or fair value in the third quarter of 2008 compared to $207,000 in the second quarter. This non-cash charge was principally the result of the increase in return demanded by potential investors of whole loans. Subaccounting fees declined $120,000 based on the comparable lower interest rate environment in the third quarter compared particularly to early in the second quarter.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2008 decreased $1.7 million as compared to the third quarter of 2007. Lower subaccounting fees contributed $1.5 million of the decline principally due to the decline in market interest rates upon which such fees are based. Also in the third quarter of 2007, the Company incurred a $1.4 million charge in connection with the retirement of $20 million of trust preferred debt. Offsetting these declines was an increase in compensation and employee benefits of $1.2 million due to an increase in personnel at United Western Bank to staff the growth of our community banking business.

Income Taxes. For the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $805,000, which equates to an effective tax rate of (117%). The Company’s effective tax rate was 30.1% for the second quarter of 2008, and 15.7% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2008 was impacted by the OTTI charge, which resulted in a $1.6 million reduction in income tax expense. In addition, the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2008 and 2007 was impacted by previously uncertain tax positions that were resolved with the lapsing of the statute of limitations of the associated tax returns. Income tax expense was reduced by $694,000, and $470,000, for the third quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively. Absent the resolution of uncertain tax positions, our effective income tax rate generally differs from enacted tax rates principally due to the Company’s utilization of $33 million of New Markets Tax Credits.

Balance Sheet. The Company’s assets were $2.24 billion at September 30, 2008, compared with $2.10 billion at December 31, 2007 and $2.07 billion at September 30, 2007. Assets grew $145 million in the nine months of 2008, as total community bank loans increased, as shown below.

At September 30, 2008, community bank loans were $1.055 billion, a $349 million increase from $706 million at December 31, 2007. For those same periods, wholesale loans declined $115 million to $444 million as the result of repayments and $18 million of residential loans that were securitized with FNMA.

In addition to the wholesale residential portfolio, the Company’s community bank loan portfolio consists of a concentration of commercial real estate and construction and development (C&D) loans, as well as multifamily loans and consumer loans collateralized by real estate. In the first nine months of 2008 commercial real estate loans grew $174 million to approximately $461 million. This portion of the portfolio includes a wide variety of loan types that are geographically disbursed. The commercial real estate loan portfolio collateral is located approximately 38% in the Denver metropolitan area, 35% in other areas of Colorado, and 27% is located outside Colorado. Approximately 35% of the portfolio is comprised of owner occupied projects.

At September 30, 2008, the C&D portfolio represents 34.6% of the community bank loan portfolio compared to 38.6% at December 31, 2007. Within the C&D portfolio, construction loans totaled $243 million and land development loans were $122 million at September 30, 2008, compared to $162 million and $111 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007. At September 30, 2008 the construction loan portfolio consists of 40% single family, 38% commercial projects, and 22% multifamily.

Total nonperforming assets increased $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to the second quarter of 2008. Wholesale nonperforming loans were relatively unchanged as a $510,000 increase in residential loans was offset by a $508,000 decline in nonperforming guaranteed SBA purchased loans. The increase in the nonperforming residential loans in the third quarter is generally consistent with the increase in mortgage delinquencies that has occurred nationally. Community bank nonperforming loans increased $2.1 million in the third quarter, and the balance of $6.2 million at September 30, 2008 represents .58% of community bank loans, as compared to .44% at the end of the second quarter of 2008.

Net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2008 were $305,000 compared to $136,000 for the second quarter of 2008. Residential charge offs for those same periods were $291,000, or 31 basis points annualized, compared to $120,000, or 13 basis points annualized. Community bank loan charge-offs were $14,000, or one basis point annualized in the third quarter of 2008, compared to $16,000, or one basis point annualized in the second quarter of 2008.

The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of community bank loans was 1.32%, 1.21%, and 1.20%, at September 30, 2008, December 31, 2007, and September 30, 2007, respectively. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of residential loans was .55%, .42%, and .46%, at September 30, 2008, December 31, 2007, and September 30, 2007, respectively. The total allowance for credit losses to total nonaccrual loans is 105.4% at September 30, 2008, compared with 99.7% at December 31, 2007, and 82.4% at September 30, 2007.

At September 30, 2008, the Company’s mortgage-backed investment security portfolio had an amortized cost of $556 million. The held to maturity portfolio had an amortized cost of $458 million, net of the $4.1 million other-than-temporary impairment. The Company’s available for sale mortgage-backed investment security portfolio had an amortized cost of $97 million. At September 30, 2008, the fair value of the available for sale securities was $21.4 million less than the cost, net of tax. This loss is an unrealized loss recognized in other comprehensive income.

At September 30, 2008, pricing of the Company’s securities was based on third party pricing services, and for selected securities management’s review of analyses performed by independent third parties and consideration of other information. Aside from the two held to maturity securities that were deemed other-than-temporarily impaired, the portfolio remains substantially investment grade, we believe the decline in fair value of the remaining portfolio is due to temporary conditions in the marketplace.

Deposits. At September 30, 2008, deposits, including custodial escrow balances, increased $198 million to $1.62 billion, as compared with $1.42 billion at December 31, 2007. Community bank deposits increased $93 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $182 million at September 30, 2008, versus $89 million at December 31, 2007. During the third quarter of 2008, retail deposits increased over $73 million as a result of successful marketing efforts to increase money market accounts and time deposits.

Capital. At September 30, 2008, the Company’s equity leverage ratio was 4.48% compared with 5.41% at December 31, 2007. The decline in the leverage ratio was principally caused by the unrealized loss on available for sale investment securities and growth in total assets, which was caused by both an increase in the volume of community bank loans and a slowing of the rate of repayment of wholesale assets. United Western Bank’s tier-1 core capital, total risk-based and tier-1 risk-based capital ratios are approximately 7.03%, 10.64% and 9.82%, respectively, as of September 30, 2008, all of which are in excess of regulatory requirements of 5%, 10% and 6%, respectively.

Management’s evaluation of securities that resulted in the non-cash other-than-temporary impairment write-down was completed on November 6, 2008. After completion of this evaluation, the Company’s Board of Directors elected to increase the capital in the Bank and thus the Bank capital ratios. Accordingly, on November 6, 2008, $6 million of additional capital was injected into the Bank through a draw on the Company’s revolving line of credit at another institution. The Bank’s tier-1 core capital, total risk-based and tier-1 risk-based capital ratios as of September 30, 2008, if the $6 million had been injected as of that date, would have been approximately 7.30%, 11.01% and 10.20%, respectively. See a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial information to the Bank’s actual capital ratio calculation in Appendix II to this release.

In light of the national financial crisis and the enactment of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, U.S. government agencies are taking various actions in an attempt to enhance financial stability. These include the U.S. Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program, which offers to all U.S. banking organizations the opportunity to issue and sell preferred stock, along with warrants to purchase common stock, to the U.S. Treasury on what appear to be relatively attractive terms as compared to alternative capital sources available in the market. Although United Western Bank’s capital ratios remain well above the minimum levels required for well capitalized status, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized management to apply for participation in the Capital Purchase Program. We estimate that between $16 million and $48 million may be available under the program.

Conference Call

Any investor or interested individual can listen to the teleconference, which is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM MST (11:00 AM EST) on Wednesday, November 12, 2008. To participate in the teleconference, please call toll-free 800-240-2134 (or 303-262-2142 for international callers) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. You may also listen to the teleconference live on the Company’s website, www.uwbancorp.com, and accessing the Investor Relations tab, or by accessing http://www.talkpoint.com/viewer/starthere.asp?Pres=123691.

For those unable to attend, an archive of the conference call will be hosted on these websites.

About United Western Bancorp, Inc.

Denver-based United Western Bancorp, Inc. is focused on developing its community-based banking network through its subsidiary, United Western Bank, by strategically positioning branches across Colorado’s Front Range market and certain mountain communities. This area spans the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains – from Pueblo to Fort Collins, and from metropolitan Denver to the Roaring Fork Valley. United Western Bank plans to grow its network to an estimated ten to 12 community bank locations over the next three to five years. In addition to community-based banking, United Western Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries offer deposit services to institutional customers and custodial, administrative, and escrow services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Sterling Trust Company. For more information, please visit our web site at www.uwbancorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements” that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future results, interest rates, loan and deposit growth, operations, development and growth of our community bank network and our business strategy. Forward-looking statements sometimes include terminology such as "may,” "will,” "expects,” "anticipates,” "predicts,” "believes,” "plans,” "estimates,” "potential,” "projects,” "intends,” "should” or "continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. However, a statement may still be forward looking even if it does not contain one of these terms. As you consider forward-looking statements, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the successful implementation of our community banking strategies and growth plans; the timing of regulatory approvals or consents for new branches or other contemplated actions; the availability of suitable and desirable locations for additional branches; the continuing strength of our existing business, which may be affected by various factors, including but not limited to interest rate fluctuations, level of delinquencies, defaults and prepayments, general economic conditions, and conditions specifically related to the financial and credit markets, competition, legal and regulatory developments, and future additional risks and uncertainties currently unknown to us. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements is contained in the "Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and in the Company’s other periodic reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Any forward-looking statements made by the Company speak only as of the date on which the statements are made and are based on information known to us at that time. We do not intend to update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this press release after the date on which they are made to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Management’s evaluation of securities that resulted in the non-cash other-than-temporary impairment write-down was completed on November 6, 2008. After completion of this evaluation the Company’s Board of Directors elected to increase the capital in the Bank and thus the Bank capital ratios. Accordingly, on November 6, 2008 $6 million of additional capital was injected into the Bank. The calculation below shows the pro-forma impact of the $6 million capital injection as of September 30, 2008. The calculation assumes that the Bank would have reduced outstanding borrowings and thus there was no increase in assets.