ITEM 2. - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements - This document contains a number of forward-looking statements, including statements about the financial condition, results of operations, earnings outlook and prospects of the Company, and the merger with Savoy, and may include statements for the period following the completion of the merger. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “should,” “likely,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “project,” “goal” and other similar words and expressions. The forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. The ability of the Company to predict results or the actual effects of its plans and strategies, or those of the combined company, is subject to inherent uncertainty.
Factors that may cause actual results or earnings to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include those set forth in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors, those included in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (333-252262) under the caption “Risk Factors”, those included in the Company’s other filings with the SEC and, among others, the following:
| • | The integration of Savoy’s business and operations with those of the Company may take longer than anticipated, may be more costly than anticipated and may have unanticipated adverse results relating to Savoy’s or the Company’s existing businesses; |
| • | The anticipated cost savings and other synergies of the merger may take longer to be realized or may not be achieved in their entirety, and attrition in key client, partner and other relationships relating to the merger may be greater than expected; |
| • | The ability to achieve anticipated merger-related operational efficiencies; |
| • | The ability to enhance revenue through increased market penetration, expanded lending capacity and product offerings; |
| • | Changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the FRB and the U. S. Government, particularly related to changes in interest rates; |
| • | Changes in general economic conditions; |
| • | Occurrence of natural or man-made disasters or calamities, including health emergencies, the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics such as COVID-19, or outbreaks of hostilities, or the effects of climate change, and the ability of the Company to deal effectively with disruptions caused by the foregoing; |
| • | The effects of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, the length of time that the pandemic continues, the effectiveness of the vaccination program and accompanying vaccination rates, the potential future imposition of further restrictions on travel, the measures adopted by federal, state and local governments, the health of employees and the potential inability of employees to work due to illness, quarantine or government mandates, the business continuity plans of customers and vendors, the increased likelihood of cybersecurity risk, data breaches, or fraud due to employees working from home, the ability of borrowers to repay their loans and the effect of the pandemic on the general economy and businesses of borrowers; |
| • | Legislative or regulatory changes; |
| • | Downturn in demand for loan, deposit and other financial services in the Company’s market area; |
| • | Increased competition from other banks and non-bank providers of financial services; |
| • | Technological changes and increased technology-related costs; and |
| • | Changes in accounting principles, or the application of generally accepted accounting principles. |
Because these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this document or the date of any document incorporated by reference in this document. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the merger or other matters addressed in this document and attributable to the Company or Savoy or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this document. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Non-GAAP Disclosure - This discussion includes non-GAAP financial measures of the Company’s tangible common equity (“TCE”) ratio, tangible common equity and tangible assets. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the underlying operational results and trends and the Company’s marketplace performance. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the numbers prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other financial institutions.
With respect to the calculations and reconciliations of tangible common equity, tangible assets and the TCE ratio, please see Liquidity and Capital Resources contained herein.
Executive Summary –The Company is a one-bank holding company incorporated in 2016. The Company operates as the parent for its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank, which commenced operations in 2008. The income of the Company is primarily derived through the operations of the Bank. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis.
The Bank operates as a locally headquartered, community-oriented bank, serving customers throughout the New York metro area from offices in Nassau, Queens, Kings (Brooklyn) and New York (Manhattan) Counties, New York. The Bank has focused on originating 1-4 family mortgage loans, primarily secured by investor-owned properties, while offering a full range of credit and deposit products to business and individual customers, particularly to small and mid-sized businesses, municipalities, local professionals and individuals residing, working and shopping in the communities serviced by its offices.
The Bank works to provide more direct, personal attention than management believes is offered by competing financial institutions, the majority of which are branch offices of banks headquartered outside of the Bank’s primary trade area. By striving to employ professional, responsive and knowledgeable staff, the Bank believes it offers a superior level of service to its customers. As of result of senior management’s availability for consultation on a daily basis, the Bank believes it offers customers a quicker response on loan applications and other banking transactions, as well as greater certainty that these transactions will actually close, than competitors, whose decisions may be made in distant headquarters.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread economic disruption in the Bank’s metropolitan New York trade area. The Company has actively participated in state and local programs designed to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and small businesses and it continues to prudently work with borrowers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while managing credit risks and recognizing an appropriate allowance for loan losses on its loan portfolio. Although the local economy has shown signs of improvement, management continues to cautiously consider opportunities to expand the loan portfolio.
The Bank has historically been able to generate additional income by strategically originating and selling its primary lending products to other financial institutions at premiums. The Bank expects that it will continue to originate loans, for its own portfolio and for sale, which will result in continued growth in interest income while also realizing gains on the sale of loans to others. The loan sale market has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic although indications are that it has been improving.
The Bank finances most of its activities through a combination of deposits, including non-interest-bearing demand, savings, NOW and money market deposits as well as time deposits, and both short- and long-term borrowings. The Company’s chief competition includes local banks within its market area, as well as New York City money center banks and regional banks. In November 2020, a Chief Municipal Officer was added to the Company’s senior management team. This individual, who previously managed a municipal portfolio that consisted of balances over $550 million, is responsible for all municipal depository activities including developing, maintaining and administering municipal deposit programs. The generation of municipal deposits provides an additional source of liquidity to the Bank.
On May 26, 2021, the acquisition of Savoy Bank was completed and second quarter 2021 calendar results reflect the operations of the combined entity. Historical financial information includes only the operations of Hanover.
Financial Performance Summary
As of or for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Over/ (under) | | | | Nine months ended June 30, | | | Over/ (under) | | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2020 | | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2020 | | |
Revenue (1) | | $ | 11,098 | | | $ | 6,601 | | | | 68.1 | % | | | $ | 27,205 | | | $ | 20,985 | | | | 29.6 | % | |
Non-interest expense | | | 10,732 | | | | 4,668 | | | | 129.9 | % | | | | 22,047 | | | | 15,450 | | | | 42.7 | % | |
Acquisition costs included in non-interest expense | | | 3,937 | | | | - | | | | N/ | M | (3) | | | 4,233 | | | | 236 | | | | N/ | M | (3) |
Provision for loan losses | | | - | | | | 150 | | | | (100.0 | %) | | | | 300 | | | | 1,150 | | | | (73.9 | %) | |
Net income | | | 221 | | | | 1,409 | | | | (84.3 | %) | | | | 3,795 | | | | 3,428 | | | | 10.7 | % | |
Net income per common share - diluted | | | 0.05 | | | | 0.33 | | | | (84.8 | %) | | | | 0.85 | | | | 0.81 | | | | 4.9 | % | |
Return on average assets | | | 0.08 | % | | | 0.66 | % | | | (58 | ) | bp | | | 0.53 | % | | | 0.53 | % | | | - | | bp |
Return on average common stockholders’ equity | | | 0.92 | % | | | 7.55 | % | | | (663 | ) | bp | | | 5.93 | % | | | 6.17 | % | | | (24 | ) | bp |
Tier 1 leverage ratio | | | 11.20 | % | | | 10.21 | % | | | 99 | | bp | | | 11.20 | % | | | 10.21 | % | | | 99 | | bp |
Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio | | | 14.05 | % | | | 19.03 | % | | | (499 | ) | bp | | | 14.05 | % | | | 19.03 | % | | | (499 | ) | bp |
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio | | | 14.05 | % | | | 19.03 | % | | | (499 | ) | bp | | | 14.05 | % | | | 19.03 | % | | | (499 | ) | bp |
Total risk-based capital ratio | | | 15.01 | % | | | 20.29 | % | | | (529 | ) | bp | | | 15.01 | % | | | 20.29 | % | | | (529 | ) | bp |
Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP) | | | 6.35 | % | | | 8.91 | % | | | (257 | ) | bp | | | 6.35 | % | | | 8.91 | % | | | (257 | ) | bp |
Total common stockholders’ equity/total assets (2) | | | 7.48 | % | | | 9.09 | % | | | | ) | bp | | | 7.48 | % | | | 9.09 | % | | | (162 | ) | bp |
bp - denotes basis points; 100 bp equals 1%.
(1) Represents net interest income plus total non-interest income.
(2) The ratio of total common stockholders’ equity to total assets is the most comparable GAAP measure to the non-GAAP tangible common equity ratio presented herein.
(3) N/M - denotes % variance not meaningful for statistical purposes.
At June 30, 2021 the Company, on a consolidated basis, had total assets of $1.5 billion, total deposits of $1.2 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $115.2 million. The Company recorded net income of $221 thousand, or $0.05 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to net income of $1.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2020.
The $1.2 million decrease in earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus the comparable 2020 period was primarily due to a $3.9 million increase in acquisition costs related to the Savoy transaction coupled with an increase in compensation and benefits expense of $1.3 million. Partially offsetting the foregoing negative factors was a $3.9 million improvement in net interest income, a $551 thousand increase in noninterest income and a $150 thousand reduction in the provision for loan losses in the second calendar quarter of 2021 versus the comparable 2020 period.
The Company’s return on average assets and return on average common stockholders’ equity were 0.08% and 0.92%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus 0.66% and 7.55%, respectively, for the comparable 2020 period.
Total non-accrual loans at June 30, 2021 were $7.0 million, or 0.54% of total loans, compared to $953 thousand, or 0.13% of total loans at September 30, 2020 and $3.2 million, or 0.44% of total loans, at June 30, 2020. After September 30, 2020 loans which failed to satisfactorily exit forbearances granted under the CARES Act resulted in an increase of the non-accrual asset level to $4.1 million at December 31, 2020 and to $9.4 million at March 31, 2021. The Hanover legacy portfolio component of the June 30, 2021 non-accrual loans is $4.6 million while the balance comes from acquired Savoy loans. Management believes all of the Company’s non-accrual loans at June 30, 2021 are well collateralized and no specific reserves have been taken with regard to these loans. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans amounted to 111%, 826% and 252% at June 30, 2021, September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, respectively.
Total core deposits, consisting of demand, NOW, savings and money market accounts were $698.7 million at June 30, 2021, representing 60% of total deposits at that date, compared to $270.0 million and 41%, respectively, at September 30, 2020. Total deposits, including time deposits, were $1.2 billion at June 30, 2021 versus $664.8 million at September 30, 2020. Noninterest-bearing demand balances represented 15% of total deposits at June 30, 2021. The growth in both core and total deposits versus September 30, 2020 results from the Savoy acquisition.
The Company’s operating efficiency ratio was 96.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus 70.7% a year ago, reflecting, in part, significant non-recurring charges incurred by the Company in conjunction with the acquisition of Savoy during the quarter ended June 30, 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates - To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, the Company’s management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. Critical accounting estimates are accounting estimates where (a) the nature of the estimate is material due to levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and (b) the impact of the estimate on financial condition or operating performance is material.
The Company considers the determination of the allowance for loan losses its most critical accounting policy, practice and use of estimates. The Company uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable losses on loans. Future additions to the allowance may be necessary based upon changes in economic, market or other conditions. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses charged against income and is decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Loan losses are recognized in the period the loans, or portion thereof, are deemed uncollectible. The adequacy of the allowance to cover any inherent loan losses in the portfolio is evaluated on a quarterly basis.
Material Changes in Financial Condition - Total assets of the Company at June 30, 2021 were $1.5 billion versus $851.6 million at September 30, 2020. Total loans at June 30, 2021 were $1.3 billion, compared to total loans of $725.0 million at September 30, 2020. Total deposits at June 30, 2021 were $1.2 billion versus $664.8 million at September 30, 2020. Total borrowings at June 30, 2021 were $253.1 million, including $51.5 million of outstanding FHLB advances. These increases were all primarily attributable to the expansion of the franchise through the acquisition of Savoy.
For the nine months ended June 30, 2021, the Company’s loan portfolio, net of sales, grew by $568.2 million to $1.3 billion. This growth was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Savoy. At June 30, 2021, the residential loan portfolio amounted to $453.1 million, or 35.0% of total loans. Commercial real estate loans, including multi-family loans, totaled $558.6 million or 43.2% of total loans at June 30, 2021. Commercial loans, including PPP loans, totaled $271.0 million or 21.0% of total loans.
At June 30, 2021, total deposits were $1.2 billion, an increase of $494.7 million when compared to September 30, 2020. This growth was primarily due to an increase in core deposit balances of $428.7 million resulting from the impact of the Savoy acquisition coupled with growth in municipal deposits in the second calendar quarter of 2021. Core deposit balances, which consist of demand, NOW, savings and money market deposits, represented 60.3% and 40.6% of total deposits at June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. At those dates, demand deposit balances represented 15.5% and 12.4% of total deposits.
Total borrowings at June 30, 2021 were $253.1 million, including $176.9 million in PPPLF funding, versus $100.1 million at September 30, 2020. The June 30, 2021 PPPLF funding resulted from the acquisition of Savoy. In the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Company continued to reduce usage of its FHLB borrowing capacity as other lower cost funding options were utilized to replace maturing FHLB advances. At June 30, 2021, the Company had $51.5 million of outstanding FHLB advances as compared to $69.0 million at September 30, 2020. At September 30, 2020, the Company’s borrowings from the PPPLF were $16.2 million. Additionally, in October 2020, the Company issued $25 million of 10-year subordinated notes with a coupon rate of 5.00% fixed for the first five years to provide capital to support growth of the consolidated entity. Immediately after this issuance, the Company used $15 million of the debt proceeds to pay off its $15 million, 5.85% fixed rate line of credit with another financial institution, reducing its cost of funds. Borrowings at September 30, 2020 included the $15 million line of credit subsequently repaid.
Liquidity and Capital Resources – Liquidity management is defined as both the Company’s and the Bank’s ability to meet their financial obligations on a continuous basis without material loss or disruption of normal operations. These obligations include the withdrawal of deposits on demand or at their contractual maturity, the repayment of borrowings as they mature, funding new and existing loan commitments and the ability to take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. Asset liquidity is provided by short-term investments, such as fed funds sold, the marketability of securities available for sale and interest-bearing deposits due from the Federal Reserve, FHLB and correspondent banks, which totaled $153.6 million and $80.0 million at June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. These liquid assets may include assets that have been pledged primarily against municipal deposits or borrowings. Liquidity is also provided by the maintenance of a base of core deposits, cash and non-interest-bearing deposits due from banks, the ability to sell or pledge marketable assets and access to lines of credit.
Liquidity is continuously monitored, thereby allowing management to better understand and react to emerging balance sheet trends, including temporary mismatches with regard to sources and uses of funds. After assessing actual and projected cash flow needs, management seeks to obtain funding at the most economical cost. These funds can be obtained by converting liquid assets to cash or by attracting new deposits or other sources of funding. Many factors affect the Company’s ability to meet liquidity needs, including variations in the markets served, loan demand, its asset/liability mix, its reputation and credit standing in its markets and general economic conditions. Borrowings and the scheduled amortization of investment securities and loans are more predictable funding sources. Deposit flows and securities prepayments are somewhat less predictable as they are often subject to external factors. Among these are changes in the local and national economies, competition from other financial institutions and changes in market interest rates.
The Company’s primary sources of funds are cash provided by deposits, which may include brokered and listing service deposits, and borrowings, proceeds from maturities and sales of securities and cash provided by operating activities. At June 30, 2021, total deposits were $1.2 billion, of which $349.1 million are time deposits scheduled to mature within the next 12 months. Based on historical experience, the Company expects to be able to replace a substantial portion of those maturing deposits with comparable deposit products. At June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, the Company had $253.1 million and $100.1 million, respectively, in borrowings used to fund the growth in the Company’s loan portfolio.
The Company’s primary use of funds is for the origination of loans. For the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company had net loan originations of $21.2 million and $35.1 million, respectively.
The Liquidity and Wholesale Funding Policy of the Bank establishes specific policies and operating procedures governing liquidity levels to assist management in developing plans to address future and current liquidity needs. Management monitors the rates and cash flows from the loan and investment portfolios while also examining the maturity structure and volatility characteristics of liabilities to develop an optimum asset/liability mix. Available funding sources include retail, commercial and municipal deposits, purchased liabilities and stockholders’ equity. At June 30, 2021, access to approximately $398.0 million in FHLB lines of credit for overnight or term borrowings was available, of which $51.5 million in term borrowings were outstanding. At June 30, 2021, approximately $55 million in unsecured lines of credit extended by correspondent banks were also available to be utilized, if needed, for short-term funding purposes. No borrowings were outstanding under lines of credit with correspondent banks at June 30, 2021.
The Company strives to maintain an efficient level of capital, commensurate with its risk profile, on which a competitive rate of return to stockholders will be realized over both the short and long term. Capital is managed to enhance stockholder value while providing flexibility for management to act opportunistically in a changing marketplace. Management continually evaluates the Company’s capital position in light of current and future growth objectives and regulatory guidelines. Total stockholders’ equity increased to $115.2 million at June 30, 2021 from $78.0 million at September 30, 2020, primarily due to the acquisition of Savoy coupled with net income recorded during the nine months ended June 30, 2021.
The Bank is subject to regulatory capital requirements. The Bank’s tier 1 leverage, common equity tier 1 risk-based, tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios were 11.20%, 14.04%, 14.04% and 15.00%, respectively, at June 30, 2021, exceeding all the regulatory guidelines for a well-capitalized institution, the highest regulatory capital category. Moreover, capital rules also place limits on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments if a banking organization does not maintain a buffer of common equity tier 1 capital above minimum capital requirements. At June 30, 2021, the Bank’s capital buffer was in excess of requirements.
The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the nine months ended June 30, 2021.
The Company’s total stockholders’ equity to total assets ratio and the Company’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (“TCE ratio”) were 7.48% and 6.35%, respectively, at June 30, 2021 versus 9.16% and 8.96%, respectively, at September 30, 2020 and 9.09% and 8.91%, respectively, at June 30, 2020. The ratio of total stockholders’ equity to total assets is the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure to the non-GAAP TCE ratio presented herein. The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, or TCE ratio, is calculated by dividing total common stockholders’ equity by total assets, after reducing both amounts by intangible assets. The TCE ratio is not required by U.S. GAAP or by applicable bank regulatory requirements, but is a metric used by management to evaluate the adequacy of our capital levels. Since there is no authoritative requirement to calculate the TCE ratio, our TCE ratio is not necessarily comparable to similar capital measures disclosed or used by other companies in the financial services industry. Tangible common equity and tangible assets are non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Set forth below are the reconciliations of tangible common equity to U.S. GAAP total common stockholders’ equity and tangible assets to U.S. GAAP total assets at June 30, 2021 (in thousands). (See also Non-GAAP Disclosure contained herein.)
| | | | | | | | | Ratios | | |
Total common stockholders’ equity | | $ | 115,238 | | Total assets | | $ | 1,541,443 | | | | 7.48 | % | (1) |
Less: goodwill | | | (18,100 | ) | Less: goodwill | | | (18,100 | ) | | | | | |
Less: core deposit intangible | | | (502 | ) | Less: core deposit intangible | | | (502 | ) | | | | | |
Tangible common equity | | $ | 96,636 | | Tangible assets | | $ | 1,522,841 | | | | 6.35 | % | (2) |
(1) The ratio of total common stockholders’ equity to total assets is the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure to the non-GAAP tangible common
equity ratio presented herein.
(2) TCE ratio
All dividends must conform to applicable statutory requirements. The Company’s ability to pay dividends to stockholders depends on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Company. Additionally, the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Company is subject to certain regulatory restrictions. Under New York law, a bank may pay a dividend on its common stock only out of net profits, and must obtain the approval of the Superintendent of the DFS if the total of all dividends declared by a bank or trust company in any calendar year shall exceed the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years, less any required transfer to surplus or a fund for the retirement of any preferred stock.
No cash dividends were declared by the Company during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements - The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral required varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, real estate and income-producing commercial properties. At June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, commitments to originate loans and commitments under unused lines of credit for which the Bank is obligated amounted to approximately $52 million and $29 million, respectively.
Letters of credit are conditional commitments guaranteeing payments of drafts in accordance with the terms of the letter of credit agreements. Commercial letters of credit are used primarily to facilitate trade or commerce and are also issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, bond financing and similar transactions. Collateral may be required to support letters of credit based upon management’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of each customer. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. At June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, letters of credit outstanding were approximately $907 thousand and $159 thousand, respectively.
Material Changes in Results of Operations – Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 – The Company recorded net income of $221 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus net income of $1.4 million in the comparable three month period a year ago. The reduction in earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus the comparable 2020 period was primarily due to a $6.1 million increase in non-interest expense reflecting a $3.9 million increase in acquisition costs related to the Savoy transaction, partially offset by a $3.9 million improvement in net interest income, a $551 increase in non-interest income and a $150 thousand reduction in the provision for loan losses expense in the calendar quarter ended June 30, 2021 versus the comparable 2020 period.
Net Interest Income and Margin
The $3.9 million improvement in net interest income was primarily attributable to growth in average interest-earning assets of 34.1%, primarily loans, and a 61 basis point increase in the net interest margin to 3.74% in 2021 from 3.13% in the year ago period. The wider net interest margin was largely due to a 109 basis point reduction in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 0.70% in the 2021 period. Included in net interest income was accretion and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments of $478 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2021 arising from the acquisition of Savoy. Excluding these purchase accounting adjustments, the adjusted net interest margin was 3.56% in the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Purchase accounting adjustments in the quarter ended June 30, 2020 were immaterial.
The lower cost of average interest-bearing liabilities in 2021 resulted from an improved deposit mix in the 2021 period. Lower cost core deposits (demand, NOW, savings and money market accounts) increased by $279.5 million while higher cost certificates of deposit declined by $80.8 million. Also contributing to the improvement in net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus 2020 was a reduction in the average rate paid on Fed funds purchased & FHLB & FRB advances of 119 basis points to 0.65% in the 2021 quarter. Partially offsetting the positive impact of the foregoing factors, the average yield on total interest-earning assets declined by 34 basis points to 4.31% in 2021 versus the comparable 2020 period. This reduction in yield was largely the result of a 61 basis point decrease in the average loan yield to 4.79% in 2021.
NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
(dollars in thousands)
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | |
| | Average Balance | | | Interest | | | Average Yield/Cost | | | Average Balance | | | Interest | | | Average Yield/Cost | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans (1) | | $ | 988,836 | | | $ | 11,798 | | | | 4.79 | % | | $ | 704,132 | | | $ | 9,450 | | | | 5.40 | % |
Investment securities (1) | | | 16,754 | | | | 168 | | | | 4.02 | % | | | 13,419 | | | | 125 | | | | 3.75 | % |
Interest-earning cash | | | 109,603 | | | | 21 | | | | 0.08 | % | | | 113,132 | | | | 28 | | | | 0.10 | % |
FHLB stock and other investments | | | 4,816 | | | | 51
| | | | 4.25 | % | | | 4,446 | | | | 62 | | | | 5.61 | % |
Total interest-earning assets | | | 1,120,009 | | | | 12,038 | | | | 4.31 | % | | | 835,129 | | | | 9,665 | | | | 4.65 | % |
Non interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and due from banks | | | 9,829 | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,912 | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets | | | 33,964 | | | | | | | | | | | | 22,330 | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 1,163,802 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 862,371 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-bearing liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Savings, NOW and money market deposits | | $ | 377,084 | | | $ | 269 | | | | 0.29 | % | | $ | 172,573 | | | $ | 155 | | | | 0.36 | % |
Time deposits | | | 369,454 | | | | 760 | | | | 0.83 | % | | | 450,266 | | | | 2,444 | | | | 2.18 | % |
Total savings and time deposits | | | 746,538 | | | | 1,029 | | | | 0.55 | % | | | 622,839 | | | | 2,599 | | | | 1.68 | % |
Fed funds purchased & FHLB & FRB advances | | | 143,395 | | | | 232 | | | | 0.65 | % | | | 74,865 | | | | 342 | | | | 1.84 | % |
Note payable | | | - | | | | - | | | | 0.00 | % | | | 14,982 | | | | 222 | | | | 5.96 | % |
Subordinated debentures | | | 24,489 | | | | 329 | | | | 5.39 | % | | | - | | | | - | | | | 0.00 | % |
Total interest-bearing liabilities | | | 914,422 | | | | 1,590 | | | | 0.70 | % | | | 712,686 | | | | 3,163 | | | | 1.79 | % |
Demand deposits | | | 141,650 | | | | | | | | | | | | 66,630 | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 11,264 | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,954 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 1,067,336 | | | | | | | | | | | | 787,270 | | | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity | | | 96,466 | | | | | | | | | | | | 75,101 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity | | $ | 1,163,802 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 862,371 | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest rate spread | | | | | | | | | | | 3.61 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 2.86 | % |
Net interest income/margin | | | | | | $ | 10,448 | | | | 3.74 | % | | | | | | $ | 6,502 | | | | 3.13 | % |
(1) There is no tax-exempt interest income.
Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses
The Company did not record a provision for loan losses expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus a $150 thousand expense recorded for the comparable period in 2020. The adequacy of the provision and the resulting allowance for loan losses, which was $7.9 million at June 30, 2021, is determined by management’s ongoing review of the loan portfolio including, among other things, impaired loans, past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, existing adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay and estimated fair value of any underlying collateral securing loans. Moreover, management evaluates changes, if any, in underwriting standards, collection, charge-off and recovery practices, the nature or volume of the portfolio, lending staff, concentration of loans, as well as current economic conditions and other relevant factors. Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate to provide for probable and reasonably estimable losses at June 30, 2021. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates and Asset Quality contained herein.)
Non-interest Income
Non-interest income increased by $551 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus 2020. This increase was principally due to increases in loan fees and service charges (up $204 thousand) and gain on the sale of loans held for sale (up $197 thousand) in 2021. For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company sold loans totaling approximately $13.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively, recognizing net gains of $212 thousand and $15 thousand, respectively.
Non-Interest Income
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
(dollars in thousands)
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Over/ (under) | | | Nine months ended June 30, | | | Over/ (under) | | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2020 | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2020 | | |
Loan fees and service charges | | $ | 257 | | | $ | 53 | | | | 384.9 | % | | $ | 448 | | | $ | 190 | | | | 135.8 | | %
|
Service charges on deposit accounts | | | 34 | | | | 12 | | | | 183.3 | | | | 66 | | | | 47 | | | | 40.4 | | |
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale | | | 212 | | | | 15 | | | | N/M
| (1)
| | | 688 | | | | 917 | | | | (25.0 | ) | |
Net gain on sale of securities available for sale | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 240 | | | | - | | | | N/M |
| (1) |
Other income | | | 147 | | | | 19 | | | | 673.7 | | | | 186 | | | | 75 | | | | 148.0 | | |
Total non-interest income | | $ | 650 | | | $ | 99 | | | | 556.6 | % | | $ | 1,628 | | | $ | 1,229 | | | | 32.5 | | % |
(1) N/M - denotes % variance not meaningful for statistical purposes.
Non-interest Expense
Total non-interest expense increased by $6.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus 2020, principally resulting from an increase of $3.9 million in acquisition costs associated with the acquisition of Savoy coupled with higher salaries and employee benefits of $1.3 million related to our continued growth and the Savoy acquisition.
Non-Interest Expense
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
(dollars in thousands)
| | Three months ended June 30, | | | Over/ (under) | | | | Nine months ended June 30, | | | Over/ (under) | |
| | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2020 | | | | 2021 | | | 2020 | | | 2020 | |
Salaries and employee benefits | | $ | 3,980 | | | $ | 2,688 | | | | 48.1 | | % | | $ | 10,481 | | | $ | 8,162 | | | | 28.4 | % |
Occupancy and equipment | | | 1,300 | | | | 1,078 | | | | 20.6 | | | | | 3,680 | | | | 3,293 | | | | 11.8 | |
Data processing | | | 419 | | | | 211 | | | | 98.6 | | | | | 934 | | | | 677 | | | | 38.0 | |
Advertising and promotion | | | 18 | | | | 63 | | | | (71.4 | ) | | | | 85 | | | | 280 | | | | (69.6 | ) |
Acquisition costs | | | 3,937 | | | | - | | | | N/M |
| (1) | | | 4,233 | | | | 236 | | | | N/M
| (1)
|
Professional fees | | | 369 | | | | 290 | | | | 27.2 | |
| | | 1,089 | | | | 1,632 | | | | (33.3 | ) |
Other expenses | | | 709 | | | | 338 | | | | 109.8 | | | | | 1,545 | | | | 1,170 | | | | 32.1 | |
Total non-interest expense | | $ | 10,732 | | | $ | 4,668 | | | | 129.9 | | % | | $ | 22,047 | | | $ | 15,450 | | | | 42.7 | % |
(1) N/M - denotes % variance not meaningful for statistical purposes.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $145 thousand and an effective tax rate of 39.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus income tax expense of $374 thousand and an effective tax rate of 21.0% in the comparable 2020 period. The increased effective tax rate in 2021 was primarily related to certain non-deductible items resulting from the Savoy acquisition.
Material Changes in Results of Operations – Comparison of the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 – The Company recorded net income of $3.8 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2021 versus $3.4 million in the comparable nine month period a year ago. The $367 thousand increase in earnings for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 versus the comparable 2020 period was primarily due to a $5.8 million or 29.5% increase in net interest income, an $850 thousand reduction in the provision for loan losses and an increase in non-interest income of $399 thousand, offset in part by a $6.6 million increase in non-interest expense in the 2021 period, including $4.2 million in acquisition costs related to the merger with Savoy compared to acquisition costs of $236 thousand versus the comparable 2020 period. The Company’s effective tax rate increased to 21.9% in 2021 from 21.8% a year ago.
The $5.8 million improvement in net interest income was primarily attributable to a 54 basis point widening of the net interest margin to 3.69% in 2021 from 3.15% a year ago. The margin improvement resulted from a 104 basis point reduction in the yield on average total interest-bearing liabilities to 0.95% from 1.99% a year ago, largely due to a 114 basis point decline in the average cost of savings and time deposits. Also adding to the wider margin was a shift in the average interest-earning asset mix resulting from a $101.6 million increase in average loans outstanding coupled with a $15.9 million reduction in low yielding average interest-earning cash versus the comparable 2020 period.
The lower cost of interest-bearing liabilities in 2021 was also the result of a $65.3 million reduction in average time deposit balances, coupled with increases in lower cost average savings deposits and non-interest-bearing demand deposit balances of $90.2 million and $41.8 million, respectively. Also contributing to the improvement in net interest income for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 versus 2020 was a decrease of 97 basis points in the average cost of Fed funds purchased & FHLB & FRB advances. Partially offsetting the positive impact of the foregoing factors, the average yield on total interest-earning assets declined by 39 basis points to 4.46% in 2021 versus the comparable 2020 period. This reduction in yield was largely the result of a 50 basis point decrease in the average loan yield to 4.93% in 2021.
NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
(dollars in thousands)
| | 2021 | | | | 2020 | |
| | Average Balance | | | Interest | | | Average Yield/Cost | | | | Average Balance | | | Interest | | | Average Yield/Cost | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans (1) | | $ | 818,467 | | | $ | 30,189 | | | | 4.93 | % | | | $ | 716,861 | | | $ | 29,124 | | | | 5.43 | % |
Investment securities (1) | | | 16,953 | | | | 523 | | | | 4.12 | % | | | | 12,904 | | | | 346 | | | | 3.58 | % |
Interest-earning cash | | | 86,373 | | | | 61 | | | | 0.09 | % | | | | 102,510 | | | | 683 | | | | 0.89 | % |
FHLB stock and other investments | | | 4,151 | | | | 142 | | | | 4.57 | % | | | | 4,987 | | | | 229 | | | | 6.13 | % |
Total interest-earning assets | | | 925,944 | | | | 30,915 | | | | 4.46 | % | | | | 837,262 | | | | 30,382 | | | | 4.85 | % |
Non interest-earning assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and due from banks | | | 6,702 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5,905 | | | | | | | | | |
Other assets | | | 27,351 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 21,638 | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 959,997 | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 864,805 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-bearing liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Savings, NOW and money market deposits | | $ | 270,216 | | | $ | 543 | | | | 0.27 | % | | | $ | 180,005 | | | $ | 1,307 | | | | 0.97 | % |
Time deposits | | | 365,441 | | | | 3,129 | | | | 1.14 | % | | | | 430,753 | | | | 7,421 | | | | 2.30 | % |
Total savings and time deposits | | | 635,657 | | | | 3,672 | | | | 0.77 | % | | | | 610,758 | | | | 8,728 | | | | 1.91 | % |
Fed funds purchased & FHLB & FRB advances | | | 93,787 | | | | 632 | | | | 0.90 | % | | | | 87,670 | | | | 1,228 | | | | 1.87 | % |
Note payable | | �� | 439 | | | | 74 | | | | 22.54 | % | (2) | | | 14,982 | | | | 670 | | | | 5.97 | % |
Subordinated debentures | | | 23,949 | | | | 960 | | | | 5.36 | % | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 0.00 | % |
Total interest-bearing liabilities | | | 753,832 | | | | 5,338 | | | | 0.95 | % | | | | 713,410 | | | | 10,626 | | | | 1.99 | % |
Demand deposits | | | 110,990 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 69,195 | | | | | | | | | |
Other liabilities | | | 9,650 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,946 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 874,472 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 790,551 | | | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity | | | 85,525 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 74,254 | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity | | $ | 959,997 | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 864,805 | | | | | | | | | |
Net interest rate spread | | | | | | | | | | | 3.51 | % | | | | | | | | | | | | 2.86 | % |
Net interest income/margin | | | | | | $ | 25,577 | | | | 3.69 | % | | | | | | | $ | 19,756 | | | | 3.15 | % |
(1) There is no tax-exempt interest income.
(2) Includes impact of debt extinguishment charges. Excluding the impact of these charges, the average cost was 5.79%.
The Company recorded a $300 thousand expense to the provision for loan losses for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 versus a $1.2 million expense recorded for the comparable period in 2020. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates and Asset Quality contained herein.)
Non-interest income increased by $399 thousand for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 versus 2020. This improvement was principally due to a $258 thousand increase in loan fees and service charges and a $240 thousand net gain on sale of securities available for sale in 2021. For the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company sold loans totaling approximately $31.3 million and $31.8 million, respectively, recognizing net gains of $688 thousand and $917 thousand, respectively.
Total non-interest expense increased by $6.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 versus 2020, principally resulting from an increase in Savoy-related acquisition costs to $4.2 million from $236 thousand in 2020, and higher salaries and employee benefits of $2.3 million reflecting both the Savoy acquisition and the Company’s organic growth. The operating efficiency ratio, defined as total non-interest expense as a percentage of total revenue, was 81.8% for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 73.6% in the comparable period of 2020.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $1.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 resulting in an effective tax rate of 21.9%, versus income tax expense of $957 thousand and an effective tax rate of 21.8% in the comparable 2020 period.
Asset Quality - Total non-accrual loans at June 30, 2021 were $7.0 million, or 0.54% of total loans, compared to $953 thousand, or 0.13% of total loans at September 30, 2020 and $3.2 million, or 0.44% of total loans, at June 30, 2020. After September 30, 2020 loans which failed to satisfactorily exit forbearances granted under the CARES Act resulted in an increase of the non-accrual asset level to $4.1 million at December 31, 2020 and to $9.4 million at March 31, 2021. The Hanover legacy portfolio component of the June 30, 2021 non-accrual loans is $4.6 million while the balance comes from acquired Savoy loans. Management believes all of the Company’s non-accrual loans at June 30, 2021 are well collateralized and no specific reserves have been taken with regard to these loans. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans amounted to 111%, 826% and 252% at June 30, 2021, September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, respectively.
Total accruing loans, excluding purchased credit-impaired loans, delinquent 30 days or more amounted to $1.5 million, $4.5 million and $991 thousand at June 30, 2021, September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, respectively.
Total loans having credit risk ratings of Special Mention or Substandard were $52.7 million at June 30, 2021 versus $8.2 million at September 30, 2020 and $4.6 million at June 30, 2020. The increase in both the Special Mention and Substandard levels is due to the acquired loan portfolio of Savoy Bank. The acquired portfolio has a large component of SBA loans, which have been supported through the COVID-pandemic with assistance from the SBA. The high level of criticized loans in the Savoy portfolio results in part from a conservative view of these borrowers’ ability to perform once government assistance ends, as well as specific instances of borrowers seeking assistance/deferrals/modifications due to the impact to their business. The Company’s Special Mention and Substandard loans were comprised of residential real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans (including SBA facilities) at June 30, 2021. The Company had no loans with a credit risk rating of Doubtful for the periods presented. All loans not having credit risk ratings of Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful are considered pass loans.
At June 30, 2021, the Company had $1.7 million in troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), consisting of residential real estate loans. The Company had TDRs amounting to $1.7 million at September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
At June 30, 2021, the Company’s allowance for loan losses amounted to $7.9 million or 0.61% of period-end total loans outstanding. The allowance as a percentage of loans outstanding was 1.09% at September 30, 2020 and 1.11% at June 30, 2020. The Company recorded net loan charge-offs of $327 thousand during the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus net loan charge-offs of $224 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2020. The Company recorded no loan charge-offs or recoveries during the three months ended June 30, 2020.
The Company did not record a provision for loan losses expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 versus a $150 thousand expense recorded for the comparable period in 2020. The Company recorded a $300 thousand expense to the provision for loan losses for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 versus a $1.2 million expense recorded for the comparable period in 2020. Adjustments to the Company’s loss experience is based on management’s evaluation of several environmental factors, including: changes in local, regional, national, and international economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the condition of various market segments; changes in the nature and volume of the Company’s portfolio and in the terms of the Company’s loans; changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans; changes in the quality of the Company’s loan review system; changes in lending policies, procedures and strategies; changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans; the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; and the effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the Company’s existing portfolio.
Management has determined that the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate in relation to the probable and reasonably estimable losses present in the portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize probable and reasonably estimable losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary and management may need to record loan charge-offs in future periods. Changes in estimates could result in a material change in the allowance. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. (See also Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates contained herein.)
ASSET QUALITY
June 30, 2021 versus September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)