Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation Reports Improved Results for the Second Quarter of 2011

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market:PGC) (the Corporation) recorded net income of $2.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.22 for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. This compared favorably to net income and diluted earnings per share of $2.1 million and $0.18 for the immediately preceding quarter ended March 31, 2011, and $1.8 million and $0.16 for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

For the six months ended June 30, 2011 the Corporation recorded net income of $4.3 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.40. This compared favorably to net income of $3.9 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.32 for the same six month period last year.

Frank A. Kissel, Chairman and CEO, stated, "We are pleased to have shown growth in earnings this quarter and on a year-to-date basis. As I have noted many times in the past, building capital internally to redeem the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program ("CPP”) investment over time continues to be an important business objective of the Corporation. As we reported previously, in the March 2011 quarter, we were successful in redeeming an additional 25 percent of the CPP investment. Together with the January 2010 redemption, we have now redeemed $14.4 million or 50 percent of the Treasury’s original CPP investment.”

The Corporation’s provision for loan losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, was $2.0 million, flat compared to the $2.0 million provision recorded in the March 2011 quarter, and below the $2.8 million provision recorded in the June 2010 quarter which is consistent with the trend in problem loans.

Mr. Kissel noted that progress continues in resolving problem assets. During the June 2011 quarter, $4.6 million of problem loans were paid off or sold. Further, a contract for the sale of a $3.0 million property included in Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) was executed. During the March 2011 quarter, $5.4 million of problem loans were paid off or sold and a $1.0 million property included in OREO was sold.

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, was $12.3 million for the second quarter of 2011, approximately equal to the first quarter of 2011, and down slightly from $12.7 million for the same quarter in 2010.

On a fully tax-equivalent basis, the net interest margin was 3.49 percent for the June 2011 quarter compared to 3.54 percent for the March 2011 quarter, and 3.64 percent for the June 2010 quarter. The overall asset yield declined more than the decline in the cost of funds.

In comparing the June 2011 quarter to the same quarter last year, the growth of lower cost core deposits and the allowed run-off of higher cost certificates of deposit contributed to the reduced cost of funds. Growth in lower yielding, but shorter duration investment securities coupled with yields on new loans being less than the yields on loans that paid down, contributed to the reduced overall asset yield.

Loans

Average loans totaled $968.2 million for the second quarter of 2011 as compared to $964.1 million for the same 2010 quarter, reflecting a slight increase of $4.1 million.

The average residential mortgage loan portfolio was $438.8 million for the June 2011 quarter, reflecting an increase of $2.8 million when compared to $436.0 million in the same quarter of 2010. The increase is attributable to originations retained in the portfolio that have outpaced loan paydowns. The Corporation sells the majority of its longer-term, fixed-rate loan production as a source of noninterest income and as part of its interest rate risk management strategy in the lower rate environment. Over the past six months, originations of adjustable-rate and shorter-term, fixed-rate loans have been more in favor with customers than in previous periods. We have generally retained these loans in our portfolio.

The average commercial mortgage and commercial loan portfolio increased to $444.0 million for the second quarter of 2011, reflecting an increase of $30.1 million from $413.9 million the second quarter of 2010. Mr. Kissel commented, "Loan demand from higher quality borrowers on the commercial mortgage/commercial loan front was generally scarce through the first nine months of 2010. However, over the last few months of 2010 and into 2011, we have seen increased commercial mortgage demand, principally relating to multi-family properties, from high quality borrowers. The commercial mortgage and commercial loan pipeline stands at $30 million at June 30, 2011.”

The average commercial construction loan portfolio declined $31.9 million from the second quarter of 2010 to the second quarter of 2011, as the Bank has significantly decreased its exposure to construction lending.

The average home equity line portfolio rose $7.2 million to $48.0 million for the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same quarter in 2010. The Corporation focuses on the origination of these adjustable-rate loans and loan originations outpaced principal paydowns over the year.

From December 31, 2010 to June 30, 2011, the total loan portfolio grew $33.3 million to $965.8 million. Mr. Kissel stated, "We were particularly pleased to have seen quality growth opportunities in our loan portfolio over the course of 2011. Loan originations increased to $152.6 million for the first six months of 2011 from $77.3 million for the same six month period of 2010. Included in the total were commercial mortgage/commercial loan originations of $63.7 million for the six months of 2011, up from $14.2 million for the first six months of 2010.” Mr. Kissel went on to say, "We anticipate that we will benefit in the future from utilizing cash flows from our lower-yielding investment portfolio to fund our higher-yielding loan production. In doing so, however, we will remain committed to our conservative underwriting standards.”

Deposits

Average total deposits (interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing) increased $29.4 million to $1.36 billion for the June 2011 quarter from $1.33 billion for the same quarter last year.

Average noninterest-bearing checking balances grew $23.5 million to $237.7 million for the second quarter of 2011 from $214.2 million for the second quarter of 2010. Average interest-bearing checking balances totaled $309.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, rising $55.3 million from the same quarter in 2010. Overall checking growth is attributable to the Corporation’s relationship orientation, its continual focus on business and personal core deposit generation, particularly checking, and a successful focus on establishing municipal relationships within its market territory.

Average money market accounts also rose, from $510.6 million for the second quarter of 2010 to $516.7 million for the second quarter of 2011, reflecting an increase of $6.1 million. The Corporation’s reduction in certificate of deposit balances and its focus on core deposit growth, as well as certain customers tending to "park” funds in money market accounts in lower interest rate environments, accounted for this growth.

Average certificates of deposit (CDs) declined from $274.2 million for the June 2010 quarter to $208.7 million for the June 2011 quarter, reflecting a decline of $65.5 million. The Corporation allowed higher cost CDs to run-off, and replaced those funds with lower cost, more stable core deposits.

From December 31, 2010 to June 30, 2011, total deposits increased $10.2 million. The Corporation’s checking and savings balances increased $48.5 million, while higher costing CD balances declined by $21.1 million and money market balances declined by $17.3 million.

Mr. Kissel commented, "Our reduced reliance on higher cost certificates of deposit coupled with our continued growth in core deposits, has reduced our cost of funds, and enhanced our franchise value.”

PGB Trust and Investments

PGB Trust and Investments generated $2.8 million in fee income in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $2.7 million in the same quarter of 2010. The market value of the assets under administration of the Trust Division increased from $1.83 billion at June 30, 2010 to just over $2.00 billion at June 30, 2011.

Craig C. Spengeman, President of PGB Trust & Investments commented, "We continue to see increases in both our fiduciary and asset management businesses resulting in higher recurring fee income. We also continue to add new clients, as individuals and their families seek out our professional advice. In addition, we are pleased with the growth of our assets under administration - our growth reflects the sound financial management of our wealth advisors.”

Other Non-Interest Income

Other non-interest income, exclusive of Trust fees, totaled $1.5 million in the June 2011 quarter compared to $1.1 million in the same quarter a year ago. The 2011 quarter reflected: increased service charges and fees, principally due to increased core deposit accounts and activity from such account holders, increased income from Bank Owned Life Insurance, due to improved crediting rates, and increased securities gains.

Operating Expenses

The Corporation’s total operating expenses were $11.0 million in the June 2011 quarter flat compared to the $11.0 million in the June 2010 quarter. The 2011 expense levels include costs for the Corporation to keep up with the increased regulatory burden on financial institutions, a new corporate headquarters occupied in June 2010 and a major system upgrade in our Trust Division in May 2010. The 2010 expense levels include certain accelerated depreciation charges recorded in the 2010 quarter. The net effect of the new/additional costs were principally offset by various operational efficiencies and reduced FDIC insurance expense due to a regulatory change in the calculation of FDIC assessments. Mr. Kissel commented, "Our investments in a new corporate headquarters and a new, significantly enhanced system in our Trust area have added convenience and efficiencies for our customers and our company.”

Asset Quality

At June 30, 2011, nonperforming assets totaled $18.4 million or 1.21 percent of total assets, reflecting improvement from $22.5 million or 1.48 percent of total assets at March 31, 2011, $22.8 million or 1.51% of assets at December 31, 2010, and $21.3 million or 1.44% at June 30, 2010. As noted earlier, problem loans/assets continue to be paid off or sold.

Total net charge-offs against the allowance for loan losses were $2.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. The allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2011 was $14.1 million or 1.46 percent of total loans, as compared to $14.4 million or 1.51 percent of total loans at March 31, 2011, $14.3 million or 1.53 percent of loans at December 31, 2010, and $13.9 million or 1.44 percent of total loans at June 30, 2010.

Capital / Dividends

At June 30, 2011, the Corporation’s leverage ratio, tier 1 and total risk based capital ratios were 7.63 percent, 12.67 percent and 13.92 percent, respectively. The Corporation’s ratios are all above the levels necessary to be considered well capitalized under applicable regulatory guidelines. Additionally, the Corporation’s common equity ratio (common equity to total assets) at June 30, 2011 was 6.71 percent.

The Company’s preferred dividend and accretion for the June 2011 quarter was $219 thousand, down from $570 thousand in the March 2011 quarter and $324 thousand in June 2010 quarter. The reduction reflects the March 2011 $7.2 million partial redemption of the preferred shares previously issued under the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program.

As previously announced, on July 21, 2011 the Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable on August 18, 2011 to shareholders of record on August 4, 2011.

ABOUT THE CORPORATION

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a bank holding company with total assets of $1.51 billion as of June 30, 2011. Peapack-Gladstone Bank, its wholly owned community bank, was established in 1921, and has 23 branches in Somerset, Hunterdon, Morris, Middlesex and Union Counties. The Bank’s Trust Division, PGB Trust and Investments, operates at the Bank’s new corporate offices located at 500 Hills Drive in Bedminster and at four other locations in Clinton, Morristown and Summit, New Jersey and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. To learn more about Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation and its services please visit our website at www.pgbank.com or call 908-234-0700.

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about new and existing programs and products, investments, relationships, opportunities and market conditions. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as "expect”, "look”, "believe”, "anticipate”, "may”, or similar statements or variations of such terms. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to

• a continued or unexpected decline in the economy, in particular in our New Jersey market area;
• declines in value in our investment portfolio;
• higher than expected increases in our allowance for loan losses;
• higher than expected increases in loan losses or in the level of nonperforming loans;
• unexpected changes in interest rates;
• inability to successfully grow our business;
• inability to manage our growth;
• a continued or unexpected decline in real estate values within our market areas;
• legislative and regulatory actions (including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related regulations) subject us to additional regulatory oversight which may result in increased compliance costs;
• higher than expected FDIC insurance premiums;
• lack of liquidity to fund our various cash obligations;
• repurchase of our preferred shares issued under the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program which will impact net income available to our common shareholders and our earnings per share;
• reduction in our lower-cost funding sources;
• our inability to adapt to technological changes;
• claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility, environmental laws and other matters; and
• other unexpected material adverse changes in our operations or earnings.

A discussion of these and other factors that could affect our results is included in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Corporation’s expectations.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.