EXHIBIT 99
Unity Bancorp Announces Gain On Loan and Branch Sales
CLINTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 10, 2000--UNITY BANCORP, INC. (NASDAQ
NM: UNTY - news), announced today that its subsidiary, Unity Bank, had completed
a sale of $43.0 million of home equity loans on September 29th; executed a
Purchase and Assumption Agreement with SI Bank & Trust to sell four branches
with approximately $45.0 million in deposits to the Staten Island based thrift,
and executed a Purchase and Assumption Agreement with Hilltop Community Bank to
sell one branch with approximately $9.5 million in deposits to the community
bank based in Summit, NJ. The completions of both branch sales are subject to
various regulatory approvals and are expected to close in the fourth quarter of
2000. Under the terms of the Agreement with SI Bank & Trust, Unity Bank will
sell three branches located in Union County and one in Middlesex County for a
deposit premium of 6.5%. Based on current deposits, the Bank anticipates
recognizing a gain of $2.9 million in connection with the sale of these
branches.
Unity has also executed an Agreement pursuant to which it will sell one
branch located in Union County to Hilltop Community Bank. Under the terms of
this Agreement, Unity will receive a deposit premium of 11.15%. Based on current
deposits, the Bank anticipates a gain of approximately $1.1 million in
connection with the sale. Unity will use the proceeds of a sale of out-of-market
home equity loans to substantially fund the sale of deposits to SI Bank & Trust
and Hilltop Community Bank. In connection with the loan sale, the Bank will
recognize a loss of $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2000. In combination
with the branch sales, Unity anticipates recognizing a gain of $2.8 million by
year-end 2000.
As a result of the reduction in assets effective through the recent loan
sale and the anticipated gains recognized as a result of the branch sales, the
Company projects meeting its 6% equity capital to assets ratio required by the
New Jersey Commissioner of Banking and Insurance by the end of December 2000,
almost a full year earlier than required by regulators.
David Dallas, Chairman of the Unity Bancorp, Inc. and Unity Bank stated,
"The decision to divest our company of five branches was a difficult one at
best. However, the branch and loan sales were necessary and affirmative steps
toward meeting our capital plan, increasing profitability, and improving
shareholder value. These transactions presented a tremendous opportunity to
strengthen our franchise and will allow Unity to better focus on the financial
needs of consumers and small businesses in the communities served by our
remaining network of 12 full service branches."
Unity Bancorp, Inc., is a holding company for Unity Bank headquartered in
Clinton, New Jersey. The Bank provides a variety of retail and commercial
financial services through full-service branches located in Hunterdon,
Middlesex, Union and Somerset Counties. Unity Bank is a leading "Preferred
Lender" of SBA financing in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York. The
Bank also owns Certified Mortgage Associates, a residential mortgage lender
located in Marlboro, New Jersey.
For additional information about the Bank, call Unity Direct at
800.618.BANK, or visit Unity's website at www.unitybank.com. E-mail may be
addressed to the Bank at [email protected].
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This press release contains statements regarding possible future events and
performance. These statements constitute "forward looking statements" as defined
under Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
accuracy of these statements is subject to a number of uncertainties and
contingencies, many of which are out of the control of the Company. These
uncertainties and contingencies include future economic conditions, the future
direction of interest rates, business activity within the Company's market area
and many other factors. Investors should not unduly rely upon these
forward-looking statements.
Contact: Unity Bancorp, Inc. and Unity Bank
Kevin J. Killian, CFO,
908.730.7630
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