PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Stephen A. Fowle |
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July 26, 2007 | (302) 571-6833 |
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WSFS REPORTS 2Q '07 EPS OF $1.11
WSFS Financial Corporation (NASDAQ/GS: WSFS), the parent company of Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, reported quarterly net income of $7.2 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, compared to $1.09 in the second quarter of 2006. Net income for the first six months of 2007 was $15.0 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, compared to $2.15 in the first half of 2006.
Revenue increases outpaced expense growth (excluding the provision for loan losses) and fundamentally remained strong. The comparison to the second quarter of 2006 was negatively impacted by $578,000 ($0.06 per share) in increased provisions for loan losses due to strong loan growth and a modest increase in charge-offs. The second quarter of 2007 was also impacted by a one-time increase in the effective tax rate due to changes in Maryland tax law and by the effects of new tax accounting guidance resulting in $142,000 ($0.02 per share) in increased tax expense.
Highlights for the quarter include:
| • | Customer deposits increased 16% or $197.4 million from the second quarter 2006 |
| • | Commercial and commercial real estate loans increased 12% or $144.4 million from the second quarter of 2006 |
| • | Noninterest income grew 18%, or $1.7 million over the second quarter of 2006 |
| • | Credit quality ratios continue at historically strong levels as nonperforming assets decreased to 0.14% of total assets |
| • | The Company repurchased 46,000 shares of stock, slightly less than 1% of shares outstanding |
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Mark A. Turner, WSFS President and CEO commented, “We are pleased with our continued strong growth in customer deposits, commercial loans and fee income. Our keen focus on improving loan yields and mix is paying dividends in spite of the difficult rate environment. Importantly, credit quality metrics remain strong and are at historically low levels.”
Mr. Turner continued, “This year continues to be an exciting and an eventful year for the Bank. We opened two new banking offices in Greenville and Lewes, DE, as part of the planned expansion of our franchise into key markets. Our new Greenville office exemplifies the Bank’s “Customer First” philosophy and has our relationship managers from Wealth Management, Private Banking and Retail Banking working together as a team to best serve our customers. The Lewes office deepens our presence in Sussex County and will also deliver Stellar Service through our “Customer First” approach. In June, we commemorated our 175th anniversary and grand opening of our new corporate offices in downtown Wilmington with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony.”
Second Quarter 2007 Financial Highlights
Net interest margin reflects mixed results
Net interest income for the second quarter of 2007 was $20.1 million, an increase of $754,000 from the second quarter of 2006 and an improvement of 16 basis points (0.16%) from the 2.94% margin reported in that quarter. This quarter’s net interest income compares to $21.1 million reported for the first quarter of 2007. The net interest margin of 3.10% for the second quarter of 2007 decreased 15 basis points from the first quarter of 2007.
The improvement over the second quarter of 2006 reflects the Company’s efforts to refocus the mix of its balance sheet. Compared to the first quarter of 2007, trends in loan yields, deposit costs and asset mix have shown improvement. However, the second quarter 2007 margin was negatively impacted by increases in wholesale funding costs, the growth of CashConnect (WSFS ATM division’s bailment revenues are included as fee income, rather than interest income) and a decrease in the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) effective dividend rate.
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Additionally, the net interest margin decrease from the first quarter of 2007 was due in part to $1.0 million (or 15 basis points) of additional income from reverse mortgages recorded in the first quarter of 2007. This positive impact during the first quarter of 2007 was partially offset by $335,000 (or 5 basis points) of expense related to the pre-payment of a $50.0 million FHLB borrowing in that quarter. Adjusting for these two items, the net interest margin decreased 5 basis points from the first quarter of 2007.
Customer deposits increase 16% or $197.4 million from the second quarter of 2006
Total customer deposits (core deposits and customer time deposits) grew to $1.5 billion at June 30, 2007, an increase of $197.4 million, or 16%, over balances at June 30, 2006. This growth reflects an increase of $23.5 million, or 2% (7% annualized) over balances at March 31, 2007. WSFS’s deposit growth was well diversified with almost all customer deposit categories increasing compared to the first quarter of 2007. The comparison to the first quarter of 2007 was affected by the expected movement of $30.8 million of temporary money market deposits into investments – primarily with the Company’s Wealth Management Division. Adjusted for this expected temporary item, deposit growth would have increased $54.3 million, or 4% (15% annualized) above March 31, 2007 levels.
The following table summarizes the current customer deposit balances and composition compared to historical periods.
| | | | At | | | At | | | At |
(Dollars in thousands) | | | | Jun. 30, 2007 | | | Mar. 31, 2007 | | | Jun. 30, 2006 |
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| | | | Amount | | | | % | | | Amount | | | | % | | | Amount | | % |
Non-interest demand | | | | $ | 295,729 | | | | 20 | % | | | $ | 283,295 | | | | 20 | % | | | $ | 289,054 | | 23 | % |
Interest bearing demand | | | | | 162,487 | | | | 11 | | | | | 148,946 | | | | 10 | | | | | 126,430 | | 10 | |
Savings | | | | | 216,104 | | | | 15 | | | | | 219,904 | | | | 15 | | | | | 244,843 | | 19 | |
Money market | | | | | 308,639 | | | | 21 | | | | | 324,191 | | | | 23 | | | | | 218,719 | | 17 | |
Total core deposits | | | | | 982,959 | | | | 67 | | | | | 976,336 | | | | 68 | | | | | 879,046 | | 69 | |
Customer time | | | | | 481,742 | | | | 33 | | | | | 464,864 | | | | 32 | | | | | 388,209 | | 31 | |
Total customer deposits | | | | $ | 1,464,701 | | | | 100 | % | | | $ | 1,441,200 | | | | 100 | % | | | $ | 1,267,255 | | 100 | % |
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Commercial and commercial real estate loans increased 12% or $144.4 million from the second quarter of 2006
Continuing the positive trends experienced in recent years, commercial and commercial real estate (CRE) loans increased $144.4 million, or 12% over June 30, 2006 and $58.2 million, or 4% (18% annualized) over March 31, 2007. Consumer loans also showed significant growth during the quarter increasing by 3% or $8.0 million (12% annualized). Net loans were $2.1 billion at June 30, 2007, an increase of $113.3 million, or 6% over June 30, 2006 and an increase of $53.1 million, or 3% (10% annualized) over March 31, 2007. Overall net loan growth was tempered by the planned decrease in residential mortgage loan balances in favor of mortgage loan sales as part of the Company’s efforts to realign the balance sheet toward higher yielding assets.
The following table summarizes the current loan balances and composition compared to historical periods.
| | | At | | | | At | | | | At | |
(Dollars in thousands) | | | Jun. 30, 2007 | | | | Mar. 31, 2007 | | | | Jun. 30, 2006 | |
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| | | Amount | | | % | | | | Amount | | | % | | | Amount | | | % |
Commercial and CRE | | $ | 1,385,662 | | | 66 | % | | $ | 1,327,436 | | | 65 | % | | $ | 1,241,228 | | | 63 | % |
Residential | | | 457,881 | | | 22 | | | | 470,260 | | | 23 | | | | 497,467 | | | 25 | |
Consumer | | | 270,297 | | | 13 | | | | 262,270 | | | 13 | | | | 260,143 | | | 13 | |
Allowance for loan losses | | | (28,359 | ) | | (1 | ) | | | (27,629 | ) | | (1 | ) | | | (26,701 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Net loans | | $ | 2,085,481 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 2,032,337 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,972,137 | | | 100 | % |
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Credit quality statistics continue at historically strong levels
The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2007 compared to $695,000 in the second quarter of 2006 and $371,000 in the first quarter of 2007. The provision well exceeded net charge-offs for the quarter. The provision reflects strong loan growth, a modest increase in charge-offs during the quarter as well as a migration of a small amount of loans to lower quality credit grades. The volatility in the provision is consistent with a more formulaic approach to provisioning endorsed by the SEC and banking regulators. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans is 1.34%, equal to March 31, 2007.
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Credit quality statistics continue at historically strong levels. The balances of nonperforming assets improved in comparison to the first quarter of 2007. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of assets were 0.14% at June 30, 2007 compared to 0.16% at March 31, 2007 and 0.11% at June 30, 2006. Annualized net charge-offs in the second quarter of 2007 remained low at only 0.10% of average loans. This compares to annualized net charge-offs of 0.02% for the first quarter of 2007 and annualized net charge-offs of 0.03% for the second quarter of 2006. Annualized net charge-offs for the first six months of 2007 were 0.06% compared to 0.01% for the first half of 2006.
Noninterest income grows $1.7 million, or 18% over the second quarter of 2006
During the second quarter of 2007, the Company recorded noninterest income of $11.6 million, which increased by $883,000, or 8% when compared to the first quarter of 2007. Noninterest income was a strong $1.7 million or 18% higher than the second quarter of 2006. Fee revenues represented 36% of total revenues compared to 33% during both the first quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2006.
The increase over the second quarter of 2006 was mainly attributable to a $1.0 million increase in deposit service charges and a $216,000 increase in credit/debit card and ATM income. Deposit service charges continue to benefit from an increase in deposit accounts and additional fee-based services offered by WSFS. The increase in credit/debit card and ATM income was due to increased volumes of cash in non-owned ATMs and higher rates earned on that cash.
Consistent with the year over year trend, the increase in noninterest income over the first quarter of 2007 was mainly attributable to $591,000 in increased credit/debit card and ATM income due to higher seasonal volumes of cash in non-owned ATMs and $252,000 in increased deposit service charges.
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During the second quarter of 2007, WSFS sold its passive ownership interest in a limited partnership created to develop its headquarters building for an economic benefit of $1.3 million. This gain will be recognized over the effective life of the lease of its new corporate headquarters.
Noninterest expense increase reflects growth and investment in franchise
Noninterest expenses for the second quarter of 2007 totaled $19.0 million, which was $2.1 million, or 12% greater than the second quarter of 2006 and $331,000 less than the first quarter of 2007. This increase over the second quarter of 2006 was mainly related to the Company’s continued growth efforts. This expansion since June 2006, included the opening of five branch offices, two branch renovations/relocations, the continued growth of the Wealth Management Division and the formation of a reverse mortgage business unit. This franchise growth is reflected in higher compensation, occupancy, equipment and marketing expenses. The number of full-time equivalent Associates increased from 554 in the second quarter of 2006 to 609 in the second quarter of 2007.
Noninterest expenses in the second quarter were comparable to the levels recorded in the first quarter of 2007 despite the first full quarter of expenses related to the Company’s move into its new corporate headquarters in the WSFS Bank Center. During the second quarter the Company experienced reduced expenses related to its 401K plan and reduction to a reserve for its standby letters of credit. While these reductions resulted in lower noninterest expenses when compared to the first quarter of 2007, the Company expects overall expenses will continue to increase due to the Company’s continued growth efforts and additional investments in the franchise.
The Company recorded $4.2 million of income tax provision for the quarter (reflecting a 36.9% effective tax rate) versus $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2006 (35.5% effective tax rate) and $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2007 (35.5% effective tax rate). The increase is due to a one-time charge to reflect changes in Maryland tax law combined with the effects of new tax accounting guidance adding volatility to quarterly results.
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The Company repurchased 46,000 shares of stock, or slightly less than 1% of shares outstanding
During the second quarter of 2007, the Company continued its history of returning earnings to shareholders by repurchasing 46,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $64.40 per share. Since the beginning of 2007 the Company has repurchased 427,500 shares, or 7% of its common stock at an average price of $66.96 per share.
The ratio of tangible equity to assets was 6.57% at June 30, 2007. The Tier 1 capital ratio was 11.68%, nearly double the 6.00% level required to be considered “well-capitalized” under regulatory definitions. Tangible book value per share increased to $31.47 at June 30, 2007, from $31.28 at March 31, 2007 and $28.43 at June 30, 2006, despite the repurchase of 8% of the Company’s common stock over the last twelve months.
WSFS’ Board of Directors declares a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share
The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. This dividend will to be paid on August 31, 2007, to shareholders of record as of August 10, 2007.
WSFS Financial Corporation is a $3 billion financial services company. Its principal subsidiary, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, currently operates 30 retail banking offices in all three counties in Delaware, as well as Chester and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania, providing full banking services under the WSFS Bank brand, and wealth management and personal trust services under Wilmington Advisors, a division of WSFS Bank. Other subsidiaries include: WSFS Investment Group, Inc., Montchanin Capital Management, Inc. and WSFS Reit, Inc. WSFS, celebrating its 175th anniversary, is one of the ten oldest banks continuously operating under the same name in the United States. For more information, please visit the Bank’s website at http://www.wsfsbank.com.
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Statements contained in this news release which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in documents filed by WSFS Financial Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Corporation does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Corporation.
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