PRESS RELEASE OF NORTHWEST BANCSHARES, INC.
EARNINGS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: | William J. Wagner, President and Chief Executive Officer (814) 726-2140 |
William W. Harvey, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (814) 726-2140
Northwest Bancshares, Inc. Announces Third Quarter
2010 Earnings and Dividend Declaration
Warren, Pennsylvania – October 25, 2010
Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (NasdaqGS: NWBI) announced net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 of $15.5 million, or $0.14 per diluted share. This represents an increase of $3.4 million over the same quarter last year when net income was $12.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, and a decrease of $650,000 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2010 when net income was $16.1 million, or $0.15 per diluted share. The annualized returns on average shareholders’ equity and average assets for the current quarter were 4.72% and 0.76% compared to 7.48% and 0.68% for the same quarter last year and 4.95% and 0.79% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.
The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share payable on November 18, 2010, to shareholders of record as of November 4, 2010. This represents the 64th consecutive quarter in which the Company has paid a cash dividend.
In making this announcement, William J. Wagner, President and CEO, noted, “We are pleased to report another quarter of solid earnings despite the challenges of the current economic and interest rate environment. During the quarter, our net interest margin improved to 3.63% from 3.47% for the prior quarter and 3.54% for the same quarter last year. Other components of income remained relatively stable and our earnings were fairly consistent with the previous quarter. Our financial division was successful in restructuring $695.0 million of FHLB borrowings, extending the average maturities of these borrowings by almost four years, while reducing interest cost by approximately $1.0 million annually. Finally, we experienced strong lending and deposit growth. Loans increased by $47.6 million for the quarter and $293.0 million year-to-date while deposits increased $40.0 million for the quarter and $144.5 million year-to-date. Most encouraging was our growth in non-interest bearing checking accounts of $21.0 million for the quarter and $68.5 million year-to-date.”
Net interest income increased by $9.9 million, or 17.3%, to $66.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, from $56.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, which was primarily attributable to an increase in interest income from loans receivable and a decrease in the cost of deposits. Interest income on loans receivable increased by $3.7 million, or 4.7%, to $83.4 million as the Company’s average outstanding loans increased by $400.8 million, or 7.8%. Interest expense on deposits decreased by $5.7 million, or 24.3%, to $17.8 million as a result of a decrease in market interest rates and a continued change in the mix of deposits as lower-cost transaction accounts grew more rapidly than other types of deposits.
The provision for loan losses increased by $41,000, or 0.4%, to $9.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, from $9.8 million a year ago. As of September 30, 2010, the allowance for loan losses was $77.2 million, or 1.38% of total loans, compared to $67.8 million, or 1.32% of total loans, as of September 30, 2009. Loans 90 days or more delinquent were $103.5 million as of September 30, 2010, compared to $117.1 million as of September 30, 2009.
Noninterest income decreased by $157,000, or 1.1%, to $13.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, from $14.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The Company recorded other-than-temporary impairment on investment securities of $392,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 compared to $891,000 for the comparable quarter in 2009 as the fair value of the investment portfolio has increased over the past year. Mortgage banking income decreased from $1.3 million last year, to $752,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 as a result of the Company significantly decreasing the percentage of mortgage loans that were sold into the secondary market. Service charges and fees increased by $938,000, or 10.6%, to $9.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 primarily as a result of loan production and an increase in the types of deposit accounts which typically generate fees. Also making a positive contribution to noninterest income was insurance commission income which increased by $662,000, or 90.6%, to $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 due to the acquisition of Veracity Benefits Design, Inc., an employee benefits firm specializing in services to employer and employee groups. Partially offsetting these increases was a write-down of real estate owned, which increased to $2.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, from $62,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily the result of a write-down on a parcel of property located in south Florida due to further deterioration of the market value of the property.
Noninterest expense increased by $4.0 million, or 9.0%, to $49.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, from $45.0 million in the prior year. This increase is primarily a result of increases in compensation and employee benefits, office operations, processing expenses and professional services. Compensation and employee benefits expenses increased by $1.3 million, or 5.5%, to $24.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in health insurance expense and the expense of the employee stock ownership plan. Office operations expense increased by $1.2 million, to $4.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. This increase was entirely due to a large check kiting fraud. Processing expenses increased by $642,000, to $5.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. This increase is primarily due to the additional costs associated with annual software maintenance and software license fees. Professional services increased by $458,000, to $1.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. This increase is primarily a result of additional consulting fees related to bank compliance programs and fees associated with the restructuring of our FHLB borrowings.
Net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 of $44.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, represents an increase of $13.2 million, or 41.5% compared to net income of $31.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. The annualized returns on average shareholders’ equity and average assets were 4.57% and 0.74%, respectively, for the current nine-month period compared to 6.68% and 0.60%, respectively, in the prior year.
Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania, Northwest Bancshares, Inc., through its subsidiary Northwest Savings Bank, currently operates 171 community banking locations in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland and Florida. Northwest Savings Bank is a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of retail and business banking products as well as investment management and trust services. The Company also operates 52 consumer finance offices in Pennsylvania through its subsidiary, Northwest Consumer Discount Company. Northwest Bancshares, Inc.’s stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Additional information regarding Northwest Bancshares, Inc. can be accessed on-line at www.northwestsavingsbank.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements - This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition and results of operations of Northwest Bancshares, Inc. including, without limitations, statements relating to the earnings outlook of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements, include among others, the following possibilities: (1) changes in the interest rate environment; (2) competitive pressure among financial services companies; (3) general economic conditions including an increase in non-performing loans that could result from an economic downturn; (4) changes in legislation or regulatory requirements; (5) difficulties in continuing to improve operating efficiencies; (6) difficulties in the integration of acquired businesses; and (7) increased risk associated with an increase in commercial real-estate and business loans and non-performing loans. Management has no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.