BCBP Reports Third Quarter 2020 Earnings
October 21, 2020
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“The net interest margin expanded compared to the immediate prior quarter due to an increase in the average yield on our assets and a decrease in the average cost of our liabilities. This shift in our balance sheet underscores management’s efforts to delever by way of decreasing higher-costing liabilities, namely certain borrowings and promotional and maturing certificates of deposit, and deploying our high cash balances into higher-yielding loans, securities and BOLI,” said Coughlin.
Total noninterest income increased by $5.6 million, or 402.9 percent, to $7.0 million for the third quarter of 2020 from $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2019. The increase in total noninterest income was mainly related to a gain on sale of premises of $4.4 million, an increase in the unrealized gain on equity securities of $823,000 and BOLI income of $385,000. The gain on sale of premises relates to the completion of a sale/leaseback of certain offices that the Company sold to a private investor group in September, 2020. The unrealized gains or losses on equity securities are based on market conditions. The increase in BOLI income relates to an initial purchase of $60.0 million BOLI product in the third quarter of 2020.
Total noninterest expense decreased by $310,000, or 2.3 percent, to $13.3 million for the third quarter of 2020, from $13.6 million for the third quarter of 2019. Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased by $909,000, or 12.5 percent, to $6.4 million for the third quarter of 2020, from $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2019, reflecting fewer full-time equivalent employees and $200,000 of costs deferred for PPP loans, partly offset by normal compensation increases. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $349,000, or 13.2 percent, to $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2020 from $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2019, largely related to costs incurred for a new branch, which opened in July 2020, as well as the opening of two de novo branches and the relocation of one of our existing branches during 2019. Data processing and service fees increased by $161,000, or 20.7 percent, to $937,000 for the third quarter of 2020 from $776,000 for the third quarter of 2019. The increase was largely attributable to additional branches and system applications. Regulatory assessments increased by $402,000 to $311,000, for the third quarter of 2020, from a credit of $91,000 for the third quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to the receipt of an FDIC Small Bank Assessment Credit in the third quarter of 2019, and increases in the FDIC assessment rate and assessment base. Other noninterest expense decreased by $790,000, or 34.8 percent, to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 from $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Other noninterest expense consisted of loan expense, business development, office supplies, correspondent bank fees, telephone and communication and miscellaneous fees and expenses. The decrease in the current period was primarily related to a reduction of business development and loan-related expenses, largely attributable to the current pandemic condition.
The income tax provision increased by $1.1 million, or 46.9 percent, to $3.5 million for the third quarter of 2020 from $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2019. The increase in the income tax provision was a result of higher taxable income for the third quarter of 2020 as compared with that same period for 2019. The consolidated effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2020 was 29.4 percent compared to 31.1 percent for the third quarter of 2019. The lower rate in the current period related primarily to non-taxable BOLI income and lower non-deductible costs in the current year period.
Year-to-Date Income Statement Review
Net interest income decreased by $4.9 million, or 7.8 percent, to $57.7 million for the first nine months of 2020, from $62.6 million for the first nine months of 2019. The decrease in net interest income resulted primarily from a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets of 70 basis points to 3.94 percent for the first nine months of 2020, compared to 4.64 percent for the first nine months of 2019, partly offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $223.1 million, or 8.4 percent, to $2.882 billion, for the first nine months of 2020, from $2.659 billion for the first nine months of 2019. Interest income on loans receivable decreased by $5.7 million, or 6.6 percent, to $80.1 million, for the first nine months of 2020, from $85.8 million for the first nine months of 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in the average yield on loans of 26 basis points to 4.67 percent for the first nine months of 2020, from 4.93 percent for the first nine months of 2019, as well as a decrease in the average balance of loans receivable of $32.2 million, or 1.4 percent, to $2.286 billion for the first nine months of 2020 from $2.318 billion for the first nine months of 2019. Interest income on loans also included $967,000 of amortization of purchase credit fair value adjustments. The fair value adjustments relate to the 2018 acquisition of IAB for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which added approximately four basis points to the average yield on interest earning assets. Interest income on loans also included $630,000 of net deferred fees