BCBP Reports First Quarter 2021 Earnings
April 21, 2021
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Non-interest expense decreased by $781,000, or 5.4 percent, to $13.6 million for the first quarter of 2021 from $14.4 million for the first quarter of 2020. Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased by $844,000, or 11.4 percent, to $6.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 from $7.4 million for the first quarter of 2020, primarily related to fewer full-time equivalent employees, partly offset by normal compensation increases. The number of full-time equivalent employees for the first quarter of 2021 was 312, as compared with 371 for the same period in 2020. Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $129,000, or 4.6 percent, to $3.0 million for the first quarter of 2021 from $2.8 million for the first quarter of 2020, largely related to building sanitization costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which costs were partly offset by the closure of two of the Company’s branch offices in the fourth quarter of 2020.The Company recognized an expense of $540,000 for a loss on extinguishment of debt, related to the prepayment of higher-cost FHLB borrowings, for the first quarter of 2021. Other noninterest expense decreased by $491,000, or 24.8 percent, to $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 from $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2020. 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 $1.9 million, or 173.9 percent, to $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2021 from $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in the income tax provision was a result of higher taxable income for the first quarter of 2021 as compared with that same period for 2020. The consolidated effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2021 was 29.3 percent compared to 29.9 percent for the first quarter of 2020. The lower rate in the current period related primarily to non-taxable BOLI income and lower non-deductible costs in the current year period.
Asset Quality
During the first quarter of 2021, the Company recognized $27,000 in net charge-offs, compared to $300,000 in net recoveries for the first quarter of 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to the global economy, but the extent and duration of the disruption is uncertain at this time. Management will continue to monitor any activity for loan deferment requests and delinquencies on a regular basis.
“While we experienced some decline in asset quality metrics during 2020, we have since seen a turnaround as non-accrual loans, impaired loans, and classified loans declined as of the end of the current quarter, despite the continued challenges from COVID-19. With respect to chargeoffs, we have been in a net recovery position looking back over the last four quarters, but continue to provide additional loan loss reserves in response to the ongoing business disruption caused by the pandemic,” said Coughlin.
The provision for loan losses increased by $400,000, to $1.9 million, for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2020; this increase was primarily due to COVID-19 related factors. The Bank had non-accrual loans totaling $14.4 million, or 0.62 percent, of gross loans at March 31, 2021, as compared to $16.4 million, or 0.70 percent, of gross loans at December 31, 2020.
Performing troubled debt restructured (“TDR”) loans that were not included in nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2021, were $13.5 million, compared to $13.8 million at December 31, 2020. Borrowers who are in financial difficulty and who have been granted concessions (excluding COVID-19 modifications) that may include interest rate reductions, term extensions, or payment alterations, are categorized as TDR loans.
The allowance for loan losses was $35.5 million, or 1.52 percent of gross loans at March 31, 2021, and $33.6million, or 1.44 percent of gross loans at December 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses was 246.3 percent of non-accrual loans at March 31, 2021, and 205.2 percent of non-accrual loans at December 31, 2020.
COVID-19 Response
With the global outbreak of COVID-19, the Company remains focused on protecting the health and well-being of its employees and the communities in which it operates while assuring the continuity of its business operations.
The Company activated its dedicated pandemic team that proactively implemented its business continuity plans and has taken a variety of measures to ensure the ongoing availability of services, while taking health and safety measures, including enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols in all of its facilities and remote work policies, where possible. To date, as a result of these business continuity measures, the Company has not experienced significant disruptions in its operations.