Forbes magazine has named Louisiana America s New Frontier For Business Opportunity

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2 PRESIDENT S LETTER For the first time in several decades, maybe ever, New Orleans and Louisiana are being regarded among the best places for business opportunity in the United States, and we are pleased to be a part of our region s growing economy. For the fourth year in a row, the Small Business Administration recognized Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. as the largest lender to small businesses in the state of Louisiana. We take our commitment to start up and small business lending very seriously, so this recognition means a lot to us. Even more importantly, it means that we are here to support our local businesses when they need credit. Our success has led to an expansion that will better help our customers. In November, we opened the bank s 16 th branch at 1901 Manhattan Blvd., in Harvey, and construction is currently underway on our 17 th branch at 3200 Magazine St., in the Garden District. Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. is looking forward to a very good year in Forbes magazine has named Louisiana as America s New Frontier For Business Opportunity, saying for several decades Louisiana was perceived as having one of the poorest business climates in the country, however governmental ethics reform has drastically improved the perception of the state, making it one of the most attractive states to do business across a wide spectrum of both traditional and burgeoning industries. In addition, the Brookings Institution ranked New Orleans no. 1 overall in economic recovery out of the largest 100 metropolitan areas in the United States for its above average employment growth in the real estate, information, oil and gas, leisure and hospitality, and education sectors. This growth is due, in large part, to initiatives at the local and state levels which are bringing new companies and investments into the region for the first time. Excitement for the region may be seen in U.S. Census Bureau data that shows New Orleans is now the fastest growing city in Forbes magazine has named Louisiana America s New Frontier For Business Opportunity 2

3 America. The Kaiser Family Foundation says one in nine current New Orleans residents were not living in the area prior to Hurricane Katrina. The new New Orleanians represent a demographic of people who are more likely to be younger and better educated, further contributing to the city s recovery and reform. They are drawn to the city because it provides residents a high quality lifestyle with more affordable living costs compared to the national average. We re excited about the growth of the bank and the national recognition our city s and state s economic expansion are receiving. Be it a commercial or personal loan, we re here to assist you. And once your capital begins to grow, our investment and wealth management departments will guide you in reaching your financial goals. Thank you for your business. If we can help you with any of your financial needs, please let us know. Sincerely, Guy T. Williams Guy T. Williams President & CEO Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. Gulf Coast Bank & Trust partnered with The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation to rebuild the historic New Canal Lighthouse at West End on Lakeshore Drive. Originally constructed in 1838, the lighthouse was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Today s new lighthouse serves as a museum and education center and is a symbol of our rich maritime history and the resiliency of our community. 3

4 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Gulf Coast Bank & Trust 2012 Financial Highlights As of December 31, 2012 (in thousands) ASSETS LIABILITIES & EQUITY STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Cash & Due from Banks $64,924 Deposits $804,318 Interest Income $63,810 Investment Securities and other Investments Loans (net) Bank Premises (net) Other Assets TOTAL ASSETS $129,636 $693,268 $33,011 $17,770 $938,609 FHLB Advances Other Liabilities Total Equity Capital TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY $37,447 $8,200 $88,644 $938,609 Interest Expense Loan Loss Provision Non-Interest Income Non-Interest Expense Income Tax Expense NET INCOME $10,963 $4,104 $18,972 $52,534 $5,644 $9,537 Doing business with Gulf Coast Bank & Trust makes dollars and sense 4

5 TOTAL EQUITY TIMELINE (in thousands) $90,000 $80,000 $70,000 $60,000 $50,000 $40,000 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $

6 IN THE COMMUNITY As a community bank, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. takes pride in its philanthropic commitments to southeast Louisiana. Gulf Coast Bank operates in five parishes in the metro region: Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard and East Baton Rouge. Our employees live in the communities where they work and are committed to building a stronger future for our state. Each year, Gulf Coast Bank offers three major community fundraising events, our Community Rewards Promotion, Pack the Park, and Auctions in August. Gulf Coast Bank's 1st Annual Community Rewards Program gave a total of $50,000 to 10 local charities and nonprofits to assist them in their endeavors in our community. We had a great turnout, with more than 100,000 votes for more than Pack the Park is another way Gulf Coast has fun while helping. The bank purchases and donates tickets for a Zephyrs game to local charities, which sell the tickets to fundraise. The game with the 2nd highest attendance in Zephyr Stadium history was a During Auctions in August, each branch hosted a month-long silent auction featuring items donated and dedicated to benefiting a chosen charity. Last year Auctions in August had more than 1,100 items, that raised $65,000 for more than 300 Gulf Coast Bank & Trust is dedicated to providing tuition solutions that will meet your needs and those of your child s school. Managing your payment plan is easy and convenient using our online system. To find out more, please call us at local charities! Pack the Park event. organizations. or As a community bank, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. takes pride in its philanthropic commitments to southeast Louisiana. 6

7 SMALL BUSINESS SNAPSHOT THEO S NEIGHBORHOOD PIZZA College friends James Jammer Orintas, Greg Dietz and Ted Neikirk opened Theo s Neighborhood Pizza on Magazine Street in Their signature thin, crispy crust pies were nothing like New Orleans had seen before and became an instant hit. Since then, they have added two larger restaurants in booming areas of the metro area, Mid-City and Elmwood. The guys say they are looking to the CBD, West Bank, Baton Rouge and Slidell for future opportunities. The three partners are flush with success, and credit Gulf Coast Bank & Trust for helping turn their business dream into a money-making reality. We brought our idea to several banks that wouldn t give us the time of day, Dietz said. Then Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Board of Directors: Charles Justice, Joyce Bergeron, Guy T. Williams, Ted Laborde and Dieter Hugel (David B. Strassner, Dale Higgins not pictured). we were introduced to Gulf Coast and everything was different. They were enthusiastic about helping us get up and running. The guys say expansion has always been part of their business plan, and their Gulf Coast banker has been like a fourth partner helping them through the SBA application process. From the start and with each expansion, they ve made it easy, Dietz said. When you don t have to worry about money, you don t have as much stress and can focus all of your attention on making the business the best it can be. We were introduced to Gulf Coast and everything was different. They were enthusiastic about helping us get up and running. 7

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