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Exhibit 99
PRESS RELEASE
SOUTHWEST BANCORP ANNOUNCES IMPROVEMENT IN LARGE LOAN RELATIONSHIP
Stillwater, Oklahoma/December 13, 2000: Stillwater National Bank and Trust
Company, a subsidiary of Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ OKSB, OKSBO) today
announced it has successfully restructured a credit relationship that had been
classified as non-accruing in the second quarter of 2000. Before the
restructuring, approximately $8.6 million of the relationship was a non-accruing
loan. After the restructuring, this $8.6 million is accruing on market terms,
while an additional $1.2 million, which is supported by a lower collateral
ratio, is non-accruing. Interest on the non-accruing credit, which is payable
monthly, will be recorded on a cash basis. The $8.6 million credit will be
classified as "restructured" at year-end 2000, but is expected to be returned to
the regular, performing portfolio of the Bank in the first quarter of 2001.
Management expects each of these credits to pay in accordance with their terms.
Rick Green, President and CEO stated, "Our management has worked closely
with the principals of this large credit relationship, and have pursued legal
remedies, to improve our collateral position, return a larger portion of the
credit to accruing status, and to make it more likely for borrowers to meet the
credit terms. We are pleased to report this action."
See "Forward Looking Statements," below.
Southwest Bancorp, Inc., and the Stillwater National Bank and Trust Company
are independent, Oklahoma institutions, and are not controlled by out of state
organizations or individuals. Southwest has established and pursued a strategy
of independent operation for the benefit of all of its shareholders, and has
capitalized on its position as an Oklahoma owned and operated banking
organization to increase its banking business.
Southwest offers a broad range of commercial and consumer lending and
deposit services through its alternative delivery channels, including the Web.
Southwest devotes substantial efforts to marketing and providing services to
local businesses, their primary employees, and to other managers and
professionals living and working in its Oklahoma market areas.
Forward-Looking Statements. This Press Release includes forward-looking
statements, including statements of Southwest's goals, intentions, and
expectations; estimates of risks and of future costs and benefits; assessment of
potential loan losses; and statements of Southwest's and the Bank's ability to
achieve financial and other goals. These forward-looking statements are subject
to significant uncertainties because they are based upon: future interest rates
and other economic conditions; future laws and regulations; the future financial
condition and performance of borrowers, the ability of borrowers to repay
credits in accordance with their terms; and a variety of other matters. Like any
other forward-looking information, management's assessment of the credits
discussed in this Press Release, the likelihood of its future performance, and
the timing of its resolution are based upon estimates and assumptions, and are
subject to uncertainties, most of which are beyond Southwest's or the Bank's
control. Because of these uncertainties, the actual future results may be
materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking
statements.
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