SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from
to
NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
| | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | |
615 Merrick Avenue
,
Westbury
,
New York
11590
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) (
516
)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | |
| | | | |
Common Stock , $0.01 par value per share | | | | |
Bifurcated Option Note Unit SecuritiES SM | | | | |
Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value | | | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation
S-T
(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated
filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | Smaller Reporting Company | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act). Yes
☐
No
Number of shares of common stock outstanding at
including November 6, 2023 to but excluding the Maturity Date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR rate plus 278 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears on February 6, May 6, August 6 and November 6 of each year, commencing on February 6, 2024.
Junior Subordinated Debentures
The following junior subordinated debentures were outstanding at September 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | of Capital Securities and Debentures | | | Junior Subordinated Debentures Amount Outstanding | | | Capital Securities Amount Outstanding | | | | | | | | | First Optional Redemption Date | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
New York Community Capital Trust V (BONUSES SM Units) | | | | % | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (1) |
New York Community Capital Trust X | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (2) |
PennFed Capital Trust III | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (2) |
New York Community Capital Trust XI | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (2) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total junior subordinated debentures | | | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Callable subject to certain conditions as described in the prospectus filed with the SEC on November 4, 2002. |
(2) | Callable from this date forward. |
At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had $359.8 million and $359.5 million, respectively, of outstanding junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (junior subordinated debentures) held by statutory business trusts (the “Trusts”) that issued guaranteed capital securities.
The Trusts are accounted for as unconsolidated subsidiaries, in accordance with GAAP. The proceeds of each issuance were invested in a series of junior subordinated debentures of the Company and the underlying assets of each statutory business trust are the relevant debentures. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations under each trust’s capital securities to the extent set forth in a guarantee by the Company to each trust. The Trusts’ capital securities are each subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the debentures at their stated maturity or earlier redemption.
Note 8. Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
The following table sets forth certain disclosures for the Company’s pension and post-retirement plans for the periods indicated:
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| | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | |
| | | | | | |
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Components of net periodic expense (credit): (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Expected return on plan assets | | | | ) | | | | | | | | ) | | | | |
Amortization of prior-service costs | | | | | | | | ) | | | | | | | | ) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net periodic expense (credit) | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | ) | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Amounts are included in G&A expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Components of net periodic expense (credit): (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Expected return on plan assets | | | | ) | | | | | | | | ) | | | | |
Amortization of prior-service costs | | | | | | | | ) | | | | | | | | ) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net periodic expense (credit) | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | ) | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Amounts are included in G&A expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. |
The Company expects to contribute $1.2 million to its post-retirement plan to pay premiums and claims for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. The Company does 0t expect to make any contributions to its pension plan in 2019.
Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation
At September 30, 2019, the Company had a total of 2,498,370 shares available for grants as restricted stock, options, or other forms of related rights under the New York Community Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders at its annual meeting of shareholders held on June 7, 2012. The Company granted 2,022,198 shares of restricted stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The shares had an average fair value of $10.44 per share on the date of grant and a vesting period of five years. The nine-month amount includes 81,400 shares that were granted in the third quarter with an average fair value of $10.78 per share on the date of grant. Compensation and benefits expense related to the restricted stock grants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and totaled $23.2 million and $28.1 million, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, including $7.7
mill
ion
and $9.4 million in the three months ended at those dates.
The following table provides a summary of activity with regard to restricted stock awards in the nine months ended September 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Weighted Average Grant Date | |
Unvested at beginning of year | | | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | ) | | | | |
| | | | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Unvested at end of period | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of September 30, 2019, unrecognized compensation cost relating to unvested restricted stock totaled $71.6 million. This amount will be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of 2.9 years.
In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company granted 418,674 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (“PSUs”). The PSUs have a performance period of January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 and vest on April 1, 2022, subject to adjustment or forfeiture, based upon the achievement by the Company of certain performance standards. Compensation and benefits expense related to PSUs is recognized using the fair value as of the date the units were approved, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and totaled $411,000 and $689,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, the Company believes it is probable that the performance conditions will be met.
Note 10. Fair Value Measurements
GAAP sets forth a definition of fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or
non-recurring
basis. GAAP also clarifies that fair value is an “exit” price, representing the amount that would be received when selling an asset, or paid when transferring a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is thus a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
| • | Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018 | |
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mortgage-related Debt Securities Available for Sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total mortgage-related debt securities | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Debt Securities Available for Sale: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total other debt securities | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total debt securities available for sale | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Mutual funds and common stock | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Company reviews and updates the fair value hierarchy classifications for its assets on a quarterly basis. Changes from one quarter to the next that are related to the observability of inputs for a fair value measurement may result in a reclassification from one hierarchy level to another.
A description of the methods and significant assumptions utilized in estimating the fair values of securities follows:
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government securities and exchange-traded securities.
If quoted market prices are not available for a specific security, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models. These pricing models primarily use market-based or independently sourced market parameters as inputs, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, equity or debt prices, and credit spreads. In addition to observable market information, models incorporate transaction details such as maturity and cash flow assumptions. Securities valued in this manner would generally be classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, and primarily include such instruments as mortgage-related and corporate debt securities.
Periodically, the Company uses fair values supplied by independent pricing services to corroborate the fair values derived from the pricing models. In addition, the Company reviews the fair values supplied by independent pricing services, as well as their underlying pricing methodologies, for reasonableness. The Company challenges pricing service valuations that appear to be unusual or unexpected.
While the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate, and consistent with those of other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair values of certain financial instruments could result in different estimates of fair values at a reporting date.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a
Non-Recurring
Basis
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Such instruments are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances (e.g., when there is evidence of impairment). The following tables present assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, and that were included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Condition at those dates:
| | Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2019 Using | |
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | | |
Certain impaired loans (1) | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Represents the fair value of impaired loans, based on the value of the collateral. |
(2) | Represents the fair value of repossessed assets, based on the appraised value of the collateral subsequent to its initial classification as repossessed assets. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2018 Using | |
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | | |
Certain impaired loans (1) | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Represents the fair value of impaired loans, based on the value of the collateral. |
(2) | Represents the fair value of repossessed assets, based on the appraised value of the collateral subsequent to its initial classification as repossessed assets. |
The fair values of collateral-dependent impaired loans are determined using various valuation techniques, including consideration of appraised values and other pertinent real estate and other market data.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
For the disclosure of fair value information about the Company’s
on-
and
off-balance
sheet financial instruments, when available, quoted market prices are used as the measure of fair value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on present-value estimates or other valuation techniques. Such fair values are significantly affected by the assumptions used, the timing of future cash flows, and the discount rate.
Because assumptions are inherently subjective in nature, estimated fair values cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent market quotes. Furthermore, in many cases, the estimated fair values provided would not necessarily be realized in an immediate sale or settlement of such instruments.
The following tables summarize the carrying values, estimated fair values, and fair value measurement levels of financial instruments that were not carried at fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Condition at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | Fair Value Measurement Using | |
| | | | | | | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | (2) | | $ | | (3) | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Carrying value and estimated fair value are at cost. |
(2) | Interest-bearing checking and money market accounts, savings accounts, and non-interest-bearing accounts. |
(3) | Certificates of deposit. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | Fair Value Measurement Using | |
| | | | | | | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets | | | | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | (2) | | $ | | (3) | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Carrying value and estimated fair value are at cost. |
(2) | Interest-bearing checking and money market accounts, savings accounts, and non-interest-bearing accounts. |
(3) | Certificates of deposit. |
The methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair values for the Company’s financial instruments follow:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks and federal funds sold. The estimated fair values of cash and cash equivalents are assumed to equal their carrying values, as these financial instruments are either due on demand or have short-term maturities.
If quoted market prices are not available for a specific security, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. These pricing models primarily use market-based or independently sourced market parameters as inputs, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, equity or debt prices, and credit spreads. In addition to observable market information, pricing models also incorporate transaction details such as maturities and cash flow assumptions.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
Ownership in equity securities of the FHLB is generally restricted and there is no established liquid market for their resale. The carrying amount approximates the fair value.
The Company discloses the fair value of loans measured at amortized cost using an exit price notion. The Company determined the fair value on substantially all of its loans for disclosure purposes, on an individual loan basis. The discount rates reflect current market rates for loans with similar terms to borrowers having similar credit quality on an exit price basis. The estimated fair values of
non-performing
mortgage and other loans are based on recent collateral appraisals. For those loans where a discounted cash flow technique was not considered reliable, the Company used a quoted market price for each individual loan.
The fair values of deposit liabilities with no stated maturity (i.e., interest-bearing checking and money market accounts, savings accounts, and
non-interest-bearing
accounts) are equal to the carrying amounts payable on demand. The fair values of CDs represent contractual cash flows, discounted using interest rates currently offered on deposits with similar characteristics and remaining maturities. These estimated fair values do not include the intangible value of core deposit relationships, which comprise a portion of the Company’s deposit base.
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
For the purpose of this Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q,
the words “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” are used to refer to New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiary, New York Community Bank (the “Bank”).
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING LANGUAGE
This report, like many written and oral communications presented by New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions.
Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “strive,” “try,” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, and expectations as reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that they will be achieved or realized.
Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans and strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this report.
There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events, or results to differ significantly from those described in our forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:
| • | general economic conditions, either nationally or in some or all of the areas in which we and our customers conduct our respective businesses; |
| • | conditions in the securities markets and real estate markets or the banking industry; |
| • | changes in real estate values, which could impact the quality of the assets securing the loans in our portfolio; |
| • | changes in interest rates, which may affect our net income, prepayment penalty income, and other future cash flows, or the market value of our assets, including our investment securities; |
| • | any uncertainty relating to the LIBOR calculation process and the potential phasing out of LIBOR after 2021; |
| • | changes in the quality or composition of our loan or securities portfolios; |
| • | changes in our capital management policies, including those regarding business combinations, dividends, and share repurchases, among others; |
| • | heightened regulatory focus on CRE concentrations by regulators; |
| • | changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; |
| • | changes in deposit flows and wholesale borrowing facilities; |
| • | changes in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services in the markets we serve; |
| • | our timely development of new lines of business and competitive products or services in a changing environment, and the acceptance of such products or services by our customers; |
| • | our ability to obtain timely shareholder and regulatory approvals of any merger transactions or corporate restructurings we may propose; |
| • | our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel we may acquire into our operations, and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames; |
| • | potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of companies we have acquired, may acquire, or target for acquisition; |
| • | the ability to invest effectively in new information technology systems and platforms; |
| • | changes in estimates of future ALLL requirements based on our periodic review under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; |
| • | the ability to pay future dividends at currently expected rates; |
| • | the ability to hire and retain key personnel; |
| • | the ability to attract new customers and retain existing ones in the manner anticipated; |
| • | changes in our customer base or in the financial or operating performances of our customers’ businesses; |
| • | any interruption in customer service due to circumstances beyond our control; |
| • | the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; |
| • | environmental conditions that exist or may exist on properties owned by, leased by, or mortgaged to the Company; |
| • | any interruption or breach of security resulting in failures or disruptions in customer account management, general ledger, deposit, loan, or other systems; |
| • | operational issues stemming from, and/or capital spending necessitated by, the potential need to adapt to industry changes in information technology systems, on which we are highly dependent; |
| • | the ability to keep pace with, and implement on a timely basis, technological changes; |
| • | changes in legislation, regulation, policies, or administrative practices, whether by judicial, governmental, or legislative action, and other changes pertaining to banking, securities, taxation, rent regulation and housing (the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019), financial accounting and reporting, environmental protection, insurance, and the ability to comply with such changes in a timely manner; |
| • | changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; |
| • | changes in accounting principles, policies, practices, and guidelines; |
| • | changes in regulatory expectations relating to predictive models we use in connection with stress testing and other forecasting or in the assumptions on which such modeling and forecasting are predicated; |
| • | changes in our credit ratings or in our ability to access the capital markets; |
| • | natural disasters, war, or terrorist activities; and |
| • | other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, technological, and geopolitical factors affecting our operations, pricing, and services. |
In addition, the timing and occurrence or
non-occurrence
of events may be subject to circumstances beyond our control.
Furthermore, we routinely evaluate opportunities to expand through acquisitions and conduct due diligence activities in connection with such opportunities. As a result, acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations, may take place at any time, and acquisitions involving cash or our debt or equity securities may occur.
See Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this report and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Form
10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2018 for a further discussion of important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements.
Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our expectations only as of the date of this report. We do not assume any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.
RECONCILIATIONS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY,
AND TANGIBLE COMMON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY;
TOTAL ASSETS AND TANGIBLE ASSETS; AND THE RELATED MEASURES
While stockholders’ equity, common stockholders’ equity, total assets, and book value per common share are financial measures that are recorded in accordance with GAAP, tangible common stockholders’ equity, tangible assets, and tangible book value per common share are not. It is management’s belief that these
non-GAAP
measures should be disclosed in this report and others we issue for the following reasons:
| 1. | Tangible common stockholders’ equity is an important indication of the Company’s ability to grow organically and through business combinations, as well as its ability to pay dividends and to engage in various capital management strategies. |
| 2. | Tangible book value per common share and the ratio of tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets are among the capital measures considered by current and prospective investors, both independent of, and in comparison with, the Company’s peers. |
Tangible common stockholders’ equity, tangible assets, and the related
non-GAAP
measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for stockholders’ equity, common stockholders’ equity, total assets, or any other measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate these
non-GAAP
measures may differ from that of other companies reporting
non-GAAP
measures with similar names.
Reconciliations of our stockholders’ equity, common stockholders’ equity, and tangible common stockholders’ equity; our total assets and tangible assets; and the related financial measures for the respective periods follow:
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Total Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) |
| | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tangible common stockholders’ equity | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Average Common Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average tangible common stockholders’ equity | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Return on average assets (1) | | | | % | | | | % | | | | % | | | | % | | | | % |
Return on average common stockholders’ equity (2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Book value per common share | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Common stockholders’ equity to total assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Return on average tangible assets (1) | | | | % | | | | % | | | | % | | | | % | | | | % |
Return on average tangible common stockholders’ equity (2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Tangible book value per common share | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | To calculate return on average assets for a period, we divide net income generated during that period by average assets recorded during that period. To calculate return on average tangible assets for a period, we divide net income by average tangible assets recorded during that period. |
(2) | To calculate return on average common stockholders’ equity for a period, we divide net income available to common shareholders generated during that period by average common stockholders’ equity recorded during that period. To calculate return on average tangible common stockholders’ equity for a period, we divide net income available to common shareholders generated during that period by average tangible common stockholders’ equity recorded during that period. |
We have identified the following to be critical accounting policies: the determination of the allowances for loan losses; and the determination of the amount, if any, of goodwill impairment.
The judgments used by management in applying these critical accounting policies may be influenced by adverse changes in the economic environment, which may result in changes to future financial results.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses represents our estimate of probable and estimable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the date of the balance sheet. Losses on loans are charged against, and recoveries of losses on loans are credited back to, the allowance for loan losses.
The methodology used for the allocation of the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was generally comparable, whereby the Bank segregated their loss factors (used for both criticized and
non-criticized
loans) into a component that was primarily based on historical loss rates and a component that was primarily based on other qualitative factors that are probable to affect loan collectability. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management considers the Bank’s current business strategies and credit processes, including compliance with applicable regulatory guidelines and with guidelines approved by the Boards of Directors with regard to credit limitations, loan approvals, underwriting criteria, and loan workout procedures.
The allowance for loan losses is established based on management’s evaluation of incurred losses in the portfolio in accordance with GAAP, and is comprised of both specific valuation allowances and a general valuation allowance.
Specific valuation allowances are established based on management’s analyses of individual loans that are considered impaired. If a loan is deemed to be impaired, management measures the extent of the impairment and establishes a specific valuation allowance for that amount. A loan is classified as impaired when, based on current information and/or events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. We apply this classification as necessary to loans individually evaluated for impairment in our portfolios. Smaller-balance homogenous loans and loans carried at the lower of cost or fair value are evaluated for impairment on a collective, rather than individual, basis. Loans to certain borrowers who have experienced financial difficulty and for which the terms have been modified, resulting in a concession, are considered TDRs and are classified as impaired.
We primarily measure impairment on an individual loan and determine the extent to which a specific valuation allowance is necessary by comparing the loan’s outstanding balance to either the fair value of the collateral, less the estimated cost to sell, or the present value of expected cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Generally, when the fair value of the collateral, net of the estimated cost to sell, or the present value of the expected cash flows is less than the recorded investment in the loan, any shortfall is promptly charged off.
We also follow a process to assign the general valuation allowance to loan categories. The general valuation allowance is established by applying our loan loss provisioning methodology, and reflect the inherent risk in outstanding
held-for-investment
loans. This loan loss provisioning methodology considers various factors in determining the appropriate quantified risk factors to use to determine the general valuation allowance. The factors assessed begin with the historical loan loss experience for each major loan category. We also take into account an estimated historical loss emergence period (which is the period of time between the event that triggers a loss and the confirmation and/or
charge-off
of that loss) for each loan portfolio segment.
The allocation methodology consists of the following components: First, we determine an allowance for loan losses based on a quantitative loss factor for loans evaluated collectively for impairment. This quantitative loss factor is based primarily on historical loss rates, after considering loan type, historical loss and delinquency experience, and loss emergence periods. The quantitative loss factors applied in the methodology are periodically
re-evaluated
and adjusted to reflect changes in historical loss levels, loss emergence periods, or other risks. Lastly, we allocate an allowance for loan losses based on qualitative loss factors. These qualitative loss factors are designed to account for losses that may not be provided for by the quantitative loss component due to other factors evaluated by management, which include, but are not limited to:
| • | Changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection, and charge-off and recovery practices; |
| • | Changes in international, national, regional, and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various market segments; |
| • | Changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans; |
Our C&I loans are divided into two categories: specialty finance loans and leases and other C&I loans, as further described below.
Specialty Finance Loans and Leases
At September 30, 2019, specialty finance loans and leases totaled $2.4 billion of total loans held for investment, up $476.5 million compared to December 31, 2018, representing 5.9% of total
held-for-investment
loans.
We produce our specialty finance loans and leases through a subsidiary that is staffed by a group of industry veterans with expertise in originating and underwriting senior securitized debt and equipment loans and leases. The subsidiary participates in syndicated loans that are brought to them, and equipment loans and leases that are assigned to them, by a select group of nationally recognized sources, and are generally made to large corporate obligors, many of which are publicly traded, carry investment grade or near-investment grade ratings, and participate in stable industries nationwide.
The specialty finance loans and leases we fund fall into three categories: asset-based lending, dealer floor-plan lending, and equipment loan and lease financing. Each of these credits is secured with a perfected first security interest in, or outright ownership of, the underlying collateral, and structured as senior debt or as a
non-cancelable
lease. Asset-based and dealer floor-plan loans are priced at floating rates predominately tied to LIBOR, while our equipment financing credits are priced at fixed rates at a spread over Treasuries.
Since launching our specialty finance business in the third quarter of 2013, no losses have been recorded on any of the loans or leases in this portfolio.
In the three months ended September 30, 2019, other C&I loans totaled $447.1 million compared to $469.9 million at December 31, 2018. Included in the
quarter-end
balance were taxi medallion-related loans of $61.0 million, representing 0.15% of total
held-for-investment
loans at September 30, 2019.
In contrast to the loans produced by our specialty finance subsidiary, the other C&I loans we produce are primarily made to small and
mid-size
businesses in the five boroughs of New York City and on Long Island. Such loans are tailored to meet the specific needs of our borrowers, and include term loans, demand loans, revolving lines of credit, and, to a much lesser extent, loans that are partly guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.
A broad range of other C&I loans, both collateralized and unsecured, are made available to businesses for working capital (including inventory and accounts receivable), business expansion, the purchase of machinery and equipment, and other general corporate needs. In determining the term and structure of other C&I loans, several factors are considered, including the purpose, the collateral, and the anticipated sources of repayment. Other C&I loans are typically secured by business assets and personal guarantees of the borrower, and include financial covenants to monitor the borrower’s financial stability.
The interest rates on our other C&I loans can be fixed or floating, with floating-rate loans being tied to prime or some other market index, plus an applicable spread. Our floating-rate loans may or may not feature a floor rate of interest. The decision to require a floor on other C&I loans depends on the level of competition we face for such loans from other institutions, the direction of market interest rates, and the profitability of our relationship with the borrower.
At September 30, 2019,
one-to-four
family loans held for investment decreased to $395.0 million, representing 0.97% of total loans held for investment at that date.
At September 30, 2019, other loans totaled $8.7 million and consisted primarily of overdraft loans and loans to
non-profit
organizations. We currently do not offer home equity loans or home equity lines of credit.
The loans we originate for investment are subject to federal and state laws and regulations, and are underwritten in accordance with loan underwriting policies approved by the Management Credit Committee, the Commercial Credit Committee and the Mortgage and Real Estate and Credit Committees of the Board, and the Board of Directors of the Bank.
C&I loans less than or equal to $3.0 million are approved by the joint authority of lending officers. C&I loans in excess of $3.0 million and all multifamily, CRE, ADC and Specialty Finance loans regardless of amount are required to be presented to the Management Credit Committee for approval. Multifamily, CRE and C&I loans in excess of $5.0 million and Specialty finance in excess of $15.0 million are also required to be presented to the Commercial Credit Committee and the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee of the Board, as applicable so that the Committees can review the loan’s associated risks. The Commercial Credit and Mortgage and Real Estate Committees have authority to direct changes in lending practices as they deem necessary or appropriate in order to address individual or aggregate risks and credit exposures in accordance with the Bank’s strategic objectives and risk appetites.
All mortgage loans in excess of $50.0 million, specialty finance loans in excess of $15.0 million and all other C&I loans in excess of $5.0 million require approval by the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee or the Credit Committee of the Board, as applicable.
In addition, all loans of $20.0 million or more originated by the Bank continue to be reported to the Board of Directors.
At September 30, 2019, the largest loan in our portfolio was a $246.0 million multi-family loan originated by the Bank on February 8, 2018 collateralized by six properties in Brooklyn, New York. As of the date of this report, the loan has been current since origination.
Geographical Analysis of the Portfolio of Loans Held for Investment
The following table presents a geographical analysis of the multi-family and CRE loans in our
held-for-investment
loan portfolio at September 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | Commercial Real Estate Loans | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | | | % | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | | | % | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | | | % | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | | | % | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At September 30, 2019, the largest concentration of ADC loans held for investment was located in New York City, with a total of $233.5 million. The majority of our other loans held for investment were secured by properties and/or businesses located in Metro New York.
Outstanding Loan Commitments
At September 30, 2019, we had outstanding loan commitments of $2.3 billion, down $242.9 million from the level at December 31, 2018.
Multi-family, CRE, and ADC loans together represented $774.9 million of
held-for-investment
loan commitments at the end of the quarter, while other loans represented $1.5 billion. Included in the latter amount were commitments to originate specialty finance loans and leases of $1.0 billion and commitments to originate other C&I loans of $324.1 million.
In addition to loan commitments, we had commitments to issue financial
stand-by,
performance
stand-by,
and commercial letters of credit totaling $499.8 million at September 30, 2019, an $8.3 million decrease from the volume at December 31, 2018. The fees we collect in connection with the issuance of letters of credit are included in Fee Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
Non-Performing
Loans and Repossessed Assets
Total NPAs increased 8% to $67.9 million compared to the second quarter of the year, as the level of
non-accrual
loans rose while repossessed assets were unchanged. Total
non-performing
loans rose 9% to $56.2 million or 0.14% of total loans. Included in this amount is $33.6 million of
non-accrual
taxi medallion-related loans, up modestly compared to the prior quarter. Total repossessed assets of $11.7 million were unchanged compared to the previous quarter. Included in this amount is $9.7 million of repossessed taxi medallions, also unchanged compared to the previous quarter. As of September 30, 2019, our remaining taxi medallion-related loans totaled $61.0 million compared to $65.3 million at June 30, 2019.
Net charge-offs for the three months ended September 30, 2019 totaled $6.5 million or 0.02% of average loans, and down 12% compared to $7.4 million or 0.02% of average loans for the three months ended June 30, 2019. Included in this amount was $2.7 million of taxi medallion-related charge-offs compared to $2.0 million last quarter. Net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 totaled $15.8 million or 0.04% of average loans, up $1.9 million or 14% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Included in these amounts were taxi medallion-related charge-offs of $6.8 million and $9.7 million, respectively.
The following table presents our
non-performing
loans by loan type and the changes in the respective balances from December 31, 2018 to September 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Change from December 31, 2018 to September 30, 2019 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-accrual mortgage loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acquisition, development, and construction | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total non-accrual mortgage loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-accrual other loans (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Includes $33.6 million and $35.5 million of non-accrual taxi medallion-related loans at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. |
The following table sets forth the changes in
non-performing
loans over the nine months ended September 30, 2019:
| | | | |
| | | |
Balance at December 31, 2018 | | $ | | |
| | | | |
| | | | ) |
Transferred to repossessed assets | | | | ) |
Loan payoffs, including dispositions and principal pay-downs | | | | ) |
Restored to performing status | | | | |
| | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2019 | | $ | | |
| | | | |
A loan generally is classified as a
non-accrual
loan when it is 90 days or more past due or when it is deemed to be impaired because we no longer expect to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is placed on
non-accrual
status, we cease the accrual of interest owed, and previously accrued interest is reversed and charged against interest income. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, all of our
non-performing
loans were
non-accrual
loans. A loan is generally returned to accrual status when the loan is current and we have reasonable assurance that the loan will be fully collectible.
We monitor
non-accrual
loans both within and beyond our primary lending area, which is defined as including: (a) the counties that comprise our CRA Assessment area, and (b) the entirety of the following states: Arizona; Florida; New York; New Jersey; Ohio; and Pennsylvania, in the same manner. Monitoring loans generally involves inspecting and
re-appraising
the collateral properties; holding discussions with the principals and managing agents of the borrowing entities and/or retained legal counsel, as applicable; requesting financial, operating, and rent roll information; confirming that hazard insurance is in place or force-placing such insurance; monitoring tax payment status and advancing funds as needed; and appointing a receiver, whenever possible, to collect rents, manage the operations, provide information, and maintain the collateral properties.
It is our policy to order updated appraisals for all
non-performing
loans, irrespective of loan type, that are collateralized by multi-family buildings, CRE properties, or land, in the event that such a loan is 90 days or more past due, and if the most recent appraisal on file for the property is more than one year old. Appraisals are ordered annually until such time as the loan becomes performing and is returned to accrual status. It is not our policy to obtain updated appraisals for performing loans. However, appraisals may be ordered for performing loans when a borrower requests an increase in the loan amount, a modification in loan terms, or an extension of a maturing loan. We do not analyze current LTVs on a portfolio-wide basis.
Non-performing
loans are reviewed regularly by management and discussed on a monthly basis with the Management Credit Committee, the Commercial and the Mortgage and Real Estate Credit Committees of the Board, and the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank, as applicable. Collateral-dependent
non-performing
loans are written down to their current appraised values, less certain transaction costs. Workout specialists from our Loan Workout Unit actively pursue borrowers who are delinquent in repaying their loans in an effort to collect payment. In addition, outside counsel with experience in foreclosure proceedings are retained to institute such action with regard to such borrowers.
Properties and assets that are acquired through foreclosure are classified as either OREO or repossessed assets, and are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, less the estimated cost of selling the property/asset. Subsequent declines in the fair value of OREO or repossessed assets are charged to earnings and are included in
non-interest
expense. It is our policy to require an appraisal and an environmental assessment of properties classified as OREO before foreclosure, and to
re-appraise
the properties/assets on an
as-needed
basis, and not less than annually, until they are sold. We dispose of such properties/assets as quickly and prudently as possible, given current market conditions and the property’s or asset’s condition.
To mitigate the potential for credit losses, we underwrite our loans in accordance with credit standards that we consider to be prudent. In the case of multi-family and CRE loans, we look first at the consistency of the cash flows being generated by the property to determine its economic value using the “income approach,” and then at the market value of the property that collateralizes the loan. The amount of the loan is then based on the lower of the two values, with the economic value more typically used.
The condition of the collateral property is another critical factor. Multi-family buildings and CRE properties are inspected from rooftop to basement as a prerequisite to approval, with a member of the Mortgage or Credit Committee participating in inspections on multi-family loans to be originated in excess of $7.5 million, and a member of the Mortgage or Credit Committee participating in inspections on CRE loans to be originated in excess of $4.0 million. Furthermore, independent appraisers, whose appraisals are carefully reviewed by our experienced
in-house
appraisal officers and staff, perform appraisals on collateral properties. In many cases, a second independent appraisal review is performed.
In addition to underwriting multi-family loans on the basis of the buildings’ income and condition, we consider the borrowers’ credit history, profitability, and building management expertise. Borrowers are required to present evidence of their ability to repay the loan from the buildings’ current rent rolls, their financial statements, and related documents.
In addition, we work with a select group of mortgage brokers who are familiar with our credit standards and whose track record with our lending officers is typically greater than ten years. Furthermore, in New York City, where the majority of the buildings securing our multi-family loans are located, the rents that tenants may be charged on certain apartments are typically restricted under certain new rent regulation laws. As a result, the rents that tenants pay for such apartments are generally lower than current market rents. Buildings with a preponderance of such rent-regulated apartments are less likely to experience vacancies in times of economic adversity.
Reflecting the strength of the underlying collateral for these loans and the collateral structure, a relatively small percentage of our
non-performing
multi-family loans have resulted in losses over time. While our multi-family lending niche has not been immune to downturns in the credit cycle, the limited number of losses we have recorded, even in adverse credit cycles, suggests that the multi-family loans we produce involve less credit risk than certain other types of loans. In general, buildings that are subject to rent regulation have tended to be stable, with occupancy levels remaining more or less constant over time. Because the rents are typically below market and the buildings securing our loans are generally maintained in good condition, they have been more likely to retain their tenants in adverse economic times. In addition, we exclude any short-term property tax exemptions and abatement benefits the property owners receive when we underwrite our multi-family loans.
To further manage our credit risk, our lending policies limit the amount of credit granted to any one borrower, and typically require minimum DSCRs of 120% for multi-family loans and 130% for CRE loans. Although we typically lend up to 75% of the appraised value on multi-family buildings and up to 65% on commercial properties, the average LTVs of such credits at origination were below those amounts at September 30, 2019. Exceptions to these LTV limitations are minimal and are reviewed on a
case-by-case
basis.
The repayment of loans secured by commercial real estate is often dependent on the successful operation and management of the underlying properties. To minimize our credit risk, we originate CRE loans in adherence with conservative underwriting standards, and require that such loans qualify on the basis of the property’s current income stream and DSCR. The approval of a loan also depends on the borrower’s credit history, profitability, and expertise in property management, and generally requires a minimum DSCR of 130% and a maximum LTV of 65%. In addition, the origination of CRE loans typically requires a security interest in the fixtures, equipment, and other personal property of the borrower and/or an assignment of the rents and/or leases. In addition, our CRE loans may contain an interest-only period which typically does not exceed three years; however, these loans are underwritten on a fully amortizing basis.
Multi-family and CRE loans are generally originated at conservative LTVs and DSCRs, as previously stated. Low LTVs provide a greater likelihood of full recovery and reduce the possibility of incurring a severe loss on a credit; in many cases, they reduce the likelihood of the borrower “walking away” from the property. Although borrowers may default on loan payments, they have a greater incentive to protect their equity in the collateral property and to return their loans to performing status. Furthermore, in the case of multi-family loans, the cash flows generated by the properties are generally below-market and have significant value.
With regard to ADC loans, we typically lend up to 75% of the estimated
as-completed
market value of multi-family and residential tract projects; however, in the case of home construction loans to individuals, the limit is 80%. With respect to commercial construction loans, we typically lend up to 65% of the estimated
as-completed
market value of the property. Credit risk is also managed through the loan disbursement process. Loan proceeds are disbursed periodically in increments as construction progresses, and as warranted by inspection reports provided to us by our own lending officers and/or consulting engineers.
To minimize the risk involved in specialty finance lending and leasing, each of our credits is secured with a perfected first security interest or outright ownership in the underlying collateral, and structured as senior debt or as a
non-cancellable
lease. To further minimize the risk involved in specialty finance lending and leasing, we
re-underwrite
each transaction. In addition, we retain outside counsel to conduct a further review of the underlying documentation.
Other C&I loans are typically underwritten on the basis of the cash flows produced by the borrower’s business, and are generally collateralized by various business assets, including, but not limited to, inventory, equipment, and accounts receivable. As a result, the capacity of the borrower to repay is substantially dependent on the degree to which the business is successful. Furthermore, the collateral underlying the loan may depreciate over time, may not be conducive to appraisal, and may fluctuate in value, based upon the operating results of the business. Accordingly, personal guarantees are also a normal requirement for other C&I loans.
In addition,
one-to-four
family loans, ADC loans, and other loans represented 0.97%, 0.73%, and 7.0%, respectively, of total loans and leases held for investment at September 30, 2019, comparable to the levels at December 31, 2018. Furthermore, at the end of the current third quarter, only 1.5% of our other loans and 0.52% of
one-to-four
family loans were
non-performing
at that date, while we had no
non-performing
ADC loans.
The procedures we follow with respect to delinquent loans are generally consistent across all categories, with late charges assessed, and notices mailed to the borrower, at specified dates. We attempt to reach the borrower by telephone to ascertain the reasons for delinquency and the prospects for repayment. When contact is made with a borrower at any time prior to foreclosure or recovery against collateral property, we attempt to obtain full payment, and will consider a repayment schedule to avoid taking such action. Delinquencies are addressed by our Loan Workout Unit and every effort is made to collect rather than initiate foreclosure proceedings.
The following table presents our loans 30 to 89 days past due by loan type and the changes in the respective balances from December 31, 2018 to September 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Change from December 31, 2018 to September 30, 2019 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | ) | | | | |
Acquisition, development, and construction | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | ) | | | | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total loans 30-89 days past due | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Includes $483,000 and $530,000 of non-accrual taxi medallion-related loans at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively |
Fair values for all multi-family buildings, CRE properties, and land are determined based on the appraised value. If an appraisal is more than one year old and the loan is classified as either
non-performing
or as an accruing TDR, then an updated appraisal is required to determine fair value. Estimated disposition costs are deducted from the fair value of the property to determine estimated net realizable value. In the instance of an outdated appraisal on an impaired loan, we adjust the original appraisal by using a third-party index value to determine the extent of impairment until an updated appraisal is received.
While we strive to originate loans that will perform fully, adverse economic and market conditions, among other factors, can adversely impact a borrower’s ability to repay.
Reflecting management’s assessment of the allowance for loan losses, the Company reported a provision for loan losses of $4.8 million compared to a provision for loan losses of $1.8 million in the previous quarter. On a
year-to-date
basis, the Company reported a provision for loan losses of $5.4 million compared to a provision for loan losses of $15.5 million in the first nine months of 2018.
Based upon all relevant and available information as of the end of the current third quarter, management believes that the allowance for losses on loans was appropriate at that date.
At September 30, 2019, our three largest
non-performing
loans were two C&I loans with balances of $7.2 million and $2.8 million, and a multi-family loan with a balance of $3.7 million. The borrower with the $7.2 million
non-performing
loan also has a $599,000
non-performing
loan as part of his relationship.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
In an effort to proactively manage delinquent loans, we have selectively extended to certain borrowers such concessions as rate reductions and extensions of maturity dates, as well as forbearance agreements, when such borrowers have exhibited financial difficulty. In accordance with GAAP, we are required to account for such loan modifications or restructurings as TDRs.
The eligibility of a borrower for
work-out
concessions of any nature depends upon the facts and circumstances of each transaction, which may change from period to period, and involve management’s judgment regarding the likelihood that the concession will result in the maximum recovery for the Company.
Loans modified as TDRs are placed on
non-accrual
status until we determine that future collection of principal and interest is reasonably assured. This generally requires that the borrower demonstrate performance according to the restructured terms for at least six consecutive months. At September 30, 2019,
non-accrual
TDRs included taxi medallion-related loans with a combined balance of $27.4 million.
At September 30, 2019, loans on which concessions were made with respect to rate reductions and/or extensions of maturity dates totaled $35.2 million; loans in connection with which forbearance agreements were reached totaled $8.1 million at that date.
Based on the number of loans performing in accordance with their revised terms, our success rates for restructured multi-family loans, and ADC loans were 100%. The success rates for restructured
one-to-four
family and other loans were 50% and 88%, respectively, at September 30, 2019.
Analysis of Troubled Debt Restructurings
The following table sets forth the changes in our TDRs over the nine months ended September 30, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2018 | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | ) | | | | ) |
Transferred to repossessed assets | | | | | | | | ) | | | | ) |
Loan payoffs, including dispositions and principal pay-downs | | | | ) | | | | ) | | | | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2019 | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
On a limited basis, we may provide additional credit to a borrower after a loan has been placed on
non-accrual
status or classified as a TDR if, in management’s judgment, the value of the property after the additional loan funding is greater than the initial value of the property plus the additional loan funding amount. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, no such additions were made. Furthermore, the terms of our restructured loans typically would not restrict us from cancelling outstanding commitments for other credit facilities to a borrower in the event of
non-payment
of a restructured loan.
Except for the
non-accrual
loans and TDRs disclosed in this filing, we did not have any potential problem loans at the end of the current third quarter that would have caused management to have serious doubts as to the ability of a borrower to comply with present loan repayment terms and that would have resulted in such disclosure if that were the case.
Geographical Analysis of
Non-Performing
Loans
The following table presents a geographical analysis of our
non-performing
loans at September 30, 2019:
Securities increased $243.3 million from December 31, 2018, up 6% annualized, to $5.9 billion or 11.2% of total assets at September 30, 2019. During the second quarter of 2017, we reclassified our entire securities portfolio as
“Available-for-Sale”.
Accordingly, at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had no securities designated as
“Held-to-Maturity”.
During the current third quarter, the Company purchased $20.2 million of CRA - qualified loans. Subsequently, the loans were securitized and transfered to the securities portfolio. At September 30, 2019, 35% of the securities portfolio was tied to floating rates, 31% of which is currently at floating rates, mainly one and three month LIBOR and prime.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
As a member of the
FHLB-NY,
the Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of its capital stock, and to the extent FHLB borrowings are utilized, may further invest in FHLB stock. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Bank held
FHLB-NY
stock in the amount of $606.4 million and $644.6 million, respectively.
FHLB-NY
stock continued to be valued at par, with no impairment required at that date.
Dividends from the
FHLB-NY
to the Bank totaled $9.2 million and $10.4 million, respectively, in the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance
BOLI is recorded at the total cash surrender value of the policies in the Consolidated Statements of Condition, and the income generated by the increase in the cash surrender value of the policies is recorded in
Non-Interest
Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Reflecting both an increase in the cash surrender value of the underlying policies and additional purchases, our investment in BOLI increased $51.1 million to $1.0 billion at September 30, 2019 compared to $977.6 million at December 31, 2018.
We record goodwill in our Consolidated Statements of Condition in connection with certain of our business combinations. Goodwill, which is tested at least annually for impairment, refers to the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of an acquired company’s assets, net of the liabilities assumed. Goodwill totaled $2.4 billion at both September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. For more information about the Company’s goodwill, see the discussion of “Critical Accounting Policies” earlier in this report.
The Parent Company (i.e., the Company on an unconsolidated basis) has three primary funding sources for the payment of dividends, share repurchases, and other corporate uses: dividends paid to the Company by the Banks; capital raised through the issuance of stock; and funding raised through the issuance of debt instruments.
On a consolidated basis, our funding primarily stems from a combination of the following sources: deposits; borrowed funds, primarily in the form of wholesale borrowings; the cash flows generated through the repayment and sale of loans; and the cash flows generated through the repayment and sale of securities.
Loan repayments and sales totaled $6.6 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, up $125.5 million from the $6.5 billion recorded in the year-earlier nine months. Cash flows from the repayment and sales of securities totaled $1.9 billion and $725.3 million, respectively, in the corresponding periods, while purchases of securities totaled $2.1 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.
Our ability to retain and attract deposits depends on numerous factors, including customer satisfaction, the rates of interest we pay, the types of products we offer, and the attractiveness of their terms. From time to time, we have chosen not to compete actively for deposits, depending on our access to deposits through acquisitions, the availability of lower-cost funding sources, the impact of competition on pricing, and the need to fund our loan demand.
At September 30, 2019, total deposits of $31.6 billion were up $807.7 million as compared to the level recorded at December 31, 2018. CDs represented 45.2% of total deposits at the end of the third quarter, and total deposits represented 60.1% of total assets at that date.
Included in the September 30, 2019 balance of deposits were institutional deposits of $1.0 billion and municipal deposits of $1.4 billion, as compared to $1.8 billion and $961.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018. Brokered deposits rose $841.1 million during the first nine months of the year to $4.8 billion, reflecting a $461.3 million decrease in brokered money market accounts to $1.4 billion and a $1.2 billion increase in brokered CDs to $2.5 billion. In addition, at September 30, 2019, we had $938.1 million of brokered interest bearing checking accounts, an increase of $151.9 million from December 31, 2018. The extent to which we accept brokered deposits depends on various factors, including the availability and pricing of such wholesale funding sources, and the availability and pricing of other sources of funds.
Borrowed funds consist primarily of wholesale borrowings (i.e.,
FHLB-NY
advances, repurchase agreements, and federal funds purchased) and, to a far lesser extent, junior subordinated debentures. As of September 30, 2019, the balance of borrowed funds decreased $581.5 million from
year-end
2018 to $13.6 billion, representing 25.9% of total assets, at that date. The majority of the decrease was related to a lower balance of wholesale borrowings.
Wholesale borrowings declined $582.0 million from the
year-end
2018 amount to $13.0 billion, representing 24.7% of total assets at September 30, 2019.
FHLB-NY
advances decreased $882.0 million since December 31, 2018, to $12.2 billion, while the balance of repurchase agreements was $800.0 million at September 30, 2019 and $500 million at December 31, 2018.
On November 6, 2018, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.90%
Fixed-to-Floating
Rate Subordinated Notes due 2028. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, which may include opportunistic repurchases of shares of its common stock pursuant to its previously announced share repurchase program. The Notes were offered to the public at 100% of their face amount. At September 30, 2019, the balance of subordinated notes was $294.9 million, which excludes certain costs related to their issuance.
Junior Subordinated Debentures
Junior subordinated debentures totaled $359.8 million at September 30, 2019, comparable to the balance at December 31, 2018.
The following section outlines the definitions of interest rate risk, market risk, and liquidity risk, and how the Company manages market and interest rate risk:
– Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from movements in interest rates. Interest rate risk arises from differences between the timing of rate changes and the timing of cash flows
(re-pricing
risk); from changing rate relationships among different yield curves affecting Company activities (basis risk); from changing rate relationships across the spectrum of maturities (yield curve risk); and from interest-related options embedded in a bank’s products (options risk). The evaluation of interest rate risk must consider the impact of complex, illiquid hedging strategies or products, and also the potential impact on fee income (e.g. prepayment income) which is sensitive to changes in interest rates. In those situations where trading is separately managed, this refers to structural positions and not trading portfolios.
Market risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from changes in the value of portfolios of financial instruments. This risk arises from market-making, dealing, and position-taking activities in interest rate, foreign exchange, equity, and commodities markets. Many banks use the term “price risk” interchangeably with market risk; this is because market risk focuses on the changes in market factors (e.g., interest rates, market liquidity, and volatilities) that affect the value of traded instruments. The primary accounts affected by market risk are those which are revalued for financial presentation (e.g., trading accounts for securities, derivatives, and foreign exchange products).
Liquidity risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from a bank’s inability to meet its obligations when they become due, without incurring unacceptable losses. Liquidity risk includes the inability to manage unplanned decreases or changes in funding sources. Liquidity risk also arises from a bank’s failure to recognize or address changes in market conditions that affect the ability to liquidate assets quickly and with minimal loss in value.
Management of Market and Interest Rate Risk
We manage our assets and liabilities to reduce our exposure to changes in market interest rates. The asset and liability management process has three primary objectives: to evaluate the interest rate risk inherent in certain balance sheet accounts; to determine the appropriate level of risk, given our business strategy, risk appetite, operating environment, capital and liquidity requirements, and performance objectives; and to manage that risk in a manner consistent with guidelines approved by the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank.
Market and Interest Rate Risk
As a financial institution, we are focused on reducing our exposure to interest rate volatility. Changes in interest rates pose the greatest challenge to our financial performance, as such changes can have a significant impact on the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and on the market value of all interest-earning assets, other than those possessing a short term to maturity. To reduce our exposure to changing rates, the Boards of Directors and management monitor interest rate sensitivity on a regular or as needed basis so that adjustments to the asset and liability mix can be made when deemed appropriate.
The actual duration of
held-for-investment
mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities can be significantly impacted by changes in prepayment levels and market interest rates. The level of prepayments may be impacted by a variety of factors, including the economy in the region where the underlying mortgages were originated; seasonal factors; demographic variables; and the assumability of the underlying mortgages. However, the largest determinants of prepayments are interest rates and the availability of refinancing opportunities.
We managed our interest rate risk by taking the following actions: (1) We continued to emphasize the origination and retention of intermediate-term assets, primarily in the form of multi-family and CRE loans; (2) We continued the origination of certain C&I loans that feature floating interest rates; (3) We replaced maturing wholesale borrowings with longer term borrowings, including some with callable features; and (4) We entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $2.0 billion to hedge certain real estate loans.
On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. Accordingly, the FRB has recommended an alternative index dubbed the Secured Overnight Financing Rate or “SOFR”. The Bank has established a
sub-committee
of its ALCO to address issues related to the
phase-out
and ultimate transition away from LIBOR to an alternate rate. This
sub-committee
is led by our ERM group and consists of personnel from various departments throughout the Bank including lending, loan administration, credit risk management, finance/treasury, IT and operations. The Company has LIBOR-based contracts that extend beyond 2021 included in loans and leases, securities, wholesale borrowings, derivative financial instruments and long-term debt. The
sub-committee
has reviewed contract fallback language and noted that certain contracts will need updated provisions for the transition and is coordinating with impacted business lines.
Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
The matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which such assets and liabilities are “interest rate sensitive” and by monitoring a bank’s interest rate sensitivity “gap.” An asset or liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time frame if it will mature or reprice within that period of time. The interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific time frame and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same period of time.
In a rising interest rate environment, an institution with a negative gap would generally be expected, absent the effects of other factors, to experience a greater increase in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities than it would in the yield on its interest-earning assets, thus producing a decline in its net interest income. Conversely, in a declining rate environment, an institution with a negative gap would generally be expected to experience a lesser reduction in the yield on its interest-earning assets than it would in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities, thus producing an increase in its net interest income.
In a rising interest rate environment, an institution with a positive gap would generally be expected to experience a greater increase in the yield on its interest-earning assets than it would in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities, thus producing an increase in its net interest income. Conversely, in a declining rate environment, an institution with a positive gap would generally be expected to experience a lesser reduction in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities than it would in the yield on its interest-earning assets, thus producing a decline in its net interest income.
At September 30, 2019, our
one-year
gap was a negative 13.12%, compared to a negative 22.56% at December 31, 2018. The change in our
one-year
gap reflects an increase in expected prepayments on loans coupled with the addition of the previously mentioned interest rate swap, partially offset by an increase in CDs maturing within one year.
The table on the following page sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at September 30, 2019 which, based on certain assumptions stemming from our historical experience, are expected to reprice or mature in each of the future time periods shown. Except as stated below, the amounts of assets and liabilities shown as repricing or maturing during a particular time period were determined in accordance with the earlier of (1) the term to repricing, or (2) the contractual terms of the asset or liability.
The table provides an approximation of the projected repricing of assets and liabilities at September 30, 2019 on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated prepayments, and scheduled rate adjustments within a three-month period and subsequent selected time intervals. For residential mortgage-related securities, prepayment rates are forecasted at a weighted average CPR of 12% per annum; for multi-family and CRE loans, prepayment rates are forecasted at weighted average CPRs of 20% and 12% per annum, respectively. Borrowed funds were not assumed to prepay.
Savings, interest bearing checking and money market accounts were assumed to decay based on a comprehensive statistical analysis that incorporated our historical deposit experience. Based on the results of this analysis, savings accounts were assumed to decay at a rate of 60% for the first five years and 40% for years six through ten. Interest-bearing checking accounts were assumed to decay at a rate of 69% for the first five years and 31% for years six through ten. The decay assumptions reflect the prolonged low interest rate environment and the uncertainty regarding future depositor behavior. Including those accounts having specified repricing dates, money market accounts were assumed to decay at a rate of 83% for the first five years and 17% for years six through ten.
Prepayment and deposit decay rates can have a significant impact on our estimated gap. While we believe our assumptions to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that the assumed prepayment and decay rates will approximate actual future loan and securities prepayments and deposit withdrawal activity.
To validate our prepayment assumptions for our multi-family and CRE loan portfolios, we perform a monthly analysis, during which we review our historical prepayment rates and compare them to our projected prepayment rates. We continually review the actual prepayment rates to ensure that our projections are as accurate as possible, since prepayments on these types of loans are not as closely correlated to changes in interest rates as prepayments on
one-to-four
family loans tend to be. In addition, we review the call provisions, if any, in our borrowings and investment portfolios and, on a monthly basis, compare the actual calls to our projected calls to ensure that our projections are reasonable.
As of September 30, 2019, the impact of a
100-bp
decline in market interest rates would have increased our projected prepayment rates for multi-family and CRE loans by a constant prepayment rate of 11.47% per annum. Conversely, the impact of a
100-bp
increase in market interest rates would have decreased our projected prepayment rates for multi-family and CRE loans by a constant prepayment rate of 8.08% per annum.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the preceding Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of the market, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market interest rates. Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable-rate loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates both on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. Furthermore, in the event of a change in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate from those assumed in calculating the table. Also, the ability of some borrowers to repay their adjustable-rate loans may be adversely impacted by an increase in market interest rates.
Interest rate sensitivity is also monitored through the use of a model that generates estimates of the change in our Economic Vale of Equity (“EVE”) over a range of interest rate scenarios. EVE is defined as the net present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities, and
off-balance
sheet contracts. The EVE ratio, under any interest rate scenario, is defined as the EVE in that scenario divided by the market value of assets in the same scenario. The model assumes estimated loan prepayment rates, reinvestment rates, and deposit decay rates similar to those utilized in formulating the preceding Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis.
Based on the information and assumptions in effect at September 30, 2019, the following table reflects the estimated percentage change in our EVE, assuming the changes in interest rates noted:
| | | | |
| | Estimated Percentage Change in | |
| | | | )% |
| | | | )% |
| | | | )% |
(1) | The impact of a 200-bp reduction in interest rates is not presented in view of the current level of the federal funds rate and other short-term interest rates. |
The net changes in EVE presented in the preceding table are within the parameters approved by the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank.
As with the Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis, certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the preceding interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in EVE requires that certain assumptions be made which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the EVE Analysis presented above assumes that the composition of our interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured, and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve, regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Furthermore, the model does not take into account the benefit of any strategic actions we may take to further reduce our exposure to interest rate risk. Accordingly, while the EVE Analysis provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to, and do not, provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income, and may very well differ from actual results.
We also utilize an internal net interest income simulation to manage our sensitivity to interest rate risk. The simulation incorporates various market-based assumptions regarding the impact of changing interest rates on future levels of our financial assets and liabilities. The assumptions used in the net interest income simulation are inherently uncertain. Actual results may differ significantly from those presented in the following table, due to the frequency, timing, and magnitude of changes in interest rates; changes in spreads between maturity and repricing categories; and prepayments, among other factors, coupled with any actions taken to counter the effects of any such changes.
Based on the information and assumptions in effect at September 30, 2019, the following table reflects the estimated percentage change in future net interest income for the next twelve months, assuming the changes in interest rates noted:
| | | | |
| | Estimated Percentage Change in Future Net Interest Income | |
| | | | )% |
| | | | )% |
| | | | % |
(1) | In general, short- and long-term rates are assumed to increase in parallel fashion across all four quarters and then remain unchanged. |
(2) | The impact of a 200-bp reduction in interest rates is not presented in view of the current level of the federal funds rate and other short-term interest rates. |
Future changes in our mix of assets and liabilities may result in greater changes to our gap, NPV, and/or net interest income simulation.
In the event that our NPV and net interest income sensitivities were to breach our internal policy limits, we would undertake the following actions to ensure that appropriate remedial measures were put in place:
| • | Our ALCO Committee would inform the Board of Directors of the variance, and present recommendations to the Board regarding proposed courses of action to restore conditions to within-policy tolerances. |
| • | In formulating appropriate strategies, the ALCO Committee would ascertain the primary causes of the variance from policy tolerances, the expected term of such conditions, and the projected effect on capital and earnings. |
Where temporary changes in market conditions or volume levels result in significant increases in risk, strategies may involve reducing open positions or employing synthetic hedging techniques to more immediately reduce risk exposure. Where variance from policy tolerances is triggered by more fundamental imbalances in the risk profiles of core loan and deposit products, a remedial strategy may involve restoring balance through natural hedges to the extent possible before employing synthetic hedging techniques. Other strategies might include:
| • | Asset restructuring, involving sales of assets having higher risk profiles, or a gradual restructuring of the asset mix over time to affect the maturity or repricing schedule of assets; |
| • | Liability restructuring, whereby product offerings and pricing are altered or wholesale borrowings are employed to affect the maturity structure or repricing of liabilities; |
| • | Expansion or shrinkage of the balance sheet to correct imbalances in the repricing or maturity periods between assets and liabilities; and/or |
| • | Use or alteration of off-balance sheet positions, including interest rate swaps, caps, floors, options, and forward purchase or sales commitments. |
In connection with our net interest income simulation modeling, we also evaluate the impact of changes in the slope of the yield curve. At September 30, 2019, our analysis indicated that an immediate inversion of the yield curve would be expected to result in a 6.11% decrease in net interest income; conversely, an immediate steepening of the yield curve would be expected to result in a 10.77% increase in net interest income. It should be noted that the yield curve changes in these scenarios were updated, given the changing market rate environment, which resulted in an increase in the income sensitivity.
We manage our liquidity to ensure that cash flows are sufficient to support our operations, and to compensate for any temporary mismatches between sources and uses of funds caused by variable loan and deposit demand.
We monitor our liquidity daily to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet our financial obligations. Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, which totaled $854.7 million and $1.5 billion, respectively, at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. As in the past, our portfolios of loans and securities provided liquidity in the first nine months of the year, with cash flows from the repayment and sale of loans totaling $6.6 billion and cash flows from the repayment and sale of securities totaling $1.9 billion.
Provision for (recovery of) Losses on Loans
The provision for losses on loans is based on the methodology used by management in calculating the allowance for losses on such loans. Reflecting this methodology, which is discussed in detail under “Critical Accounting Policies,” the Company reported a provision for loan losses of $4.8 million compared to $1.8 million in the previous quarter and a $1.2 million provision in the third quarter of 2018.
For additional information about our provisions for and recoveries of loan losses, see the discussion of the allowances for loan losses under “Critical Accounting Policies” and the discussion of “Asset Quality” that appear earlier in this report.
We generate
non-interest
income through a variety of sources, including—among others— fee income (in the form of retail deposit fees and charges on loans); income from our investment in BOLI; gains on the sale of securities; and revenues produced through the sale of third-party investment products.
For the three months ended September 30, 2019,
non-interest
income increased $6.8 million or 39% to $24.4 million compared to $17.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and it increased $1.5 million or 6% compared to $22.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. During the third quarter, the Company entered into a sale/lease back agreement on a branch property located in Florida. Accordingly, we recorded a $7.9 million gain related to this transaction, which is included in the other income category. Included in the
year-ago
period was approximately $5.3 million related to our wealth management business, Peter B. Cannell & Co., which was sold in the first quarter of 2019.
The following table summarizes our
non-interest
income for the respective periods:
Non-Interest
Income Analysis
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on securities | | | | | | | | | | | | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Third-party investment product sales | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total
non-interest
expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were $123.3 million, relatively unchanged on a linked-quarter basis and down $11.1 million or 8% on a year-over-year basis. Third quarter 2019 operating expenses included certain items related to severance costs totaling $1.4 million. Excluding this item, total
non-interest
expenses, on a
non-GAAP
basis would have totaled $121.9 million.
Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 totaled $33.2 million, compared to $33.1 million in the prior quarter and $30.0 million in the
year-ago
quarter. The effective tax rate was 25.09% during the current third quarter, compared to 25.42% in the second quarter of 2019 and 21.95% in the
year-ago
quarter.
Earnings Summary for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net income totaled $293.9 million, down $26.8 million or 8% compared to the $320.7 million the Company reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Net income available to common shareholders was $269.2 million or $0.57 per diluted common share, down 9% compared to $296.1 million or $0.60 per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Net interest income declined $68.8 million or 9% to $714.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the $783.8 million the Company reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease was attributable to a $107.7 million increase in interest income offset by a $176.5 million increase in interest expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the NIM was 2.01%, down 29 bp compared to 2.30% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
The following factors contributed to the year-over-year decrease in net interest income and NIM:
| • | Average interest-earning assets rose $2.0 billion or 4% due to growth in average loans and average securities. Average loans increased $1.4 billion or 4% to $40.3 billion, while average securities increased $1.8 billion or 41% to $6.3 billion. This was partially offset by a $1.2 billion decline in average cash balances as the Company reinvested its cash into higher yielding assets over the course of the last 12 months. |
| • | The average yield on interest-earning assets rose 14 bp to 3.81% due to a nine bp increase in the average loan yield and a three bp increase in the average securities yield. |
| • | Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $2.1 billion or 5% to $42.2 billion. The increase was largely the result of a $3.6 billion or 37% increase in average CD balances. |
| • | In addition to the growth in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities, the average cost of those liabilities also increased given the increase in short term interest rates over the several years. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities rose 49 bp to 2.03% driven by a 56 bp increase in the cost of average interest-bearing deposits to 1.86% and a 36 bp increase in the cost of average borrowed funds to 2.39%. |
The following table summarizes the contribution from prepayment income on loans and securities on the Company’s interest income and NIM for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Nine Months Ended | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | % | | | | % | | | | bp |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Prepayment income from loans | | | | | | | | | | | | bp |
Prepayment income from securities | | | | | | | | | | | | bp |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total prepayment income contribution to net interest margin | | | | bp | | | | bp | | | | bp |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted Net Interest Margin (non-GAAP) | | | | % | | | | % | | | | bp |
(1) | “Adjusted net interest margin” is a non-GAAP financial measure as more fully discussed below. |
While our net interest margin, including the contribution of prepayment income, is recorded in accordance with GAAP, adjusted net interest margin, which excludes the contribution of prepayment income, is not. Nevertheless, management uses this
non-GAAP
measure in its analysis of our performance, and believes that this
non-GAAP
measure should be disclosed in this report and other investor communications for the following reasons:
| 1. | Adjusted net interest margin gives investors a better understanding of the effect of prepayment income on our net interest margin. Prepayment income in any given period depends on the volume of loans that refinance or prepay, or securities that prepay, during that period. Such activity is largely dependent on external factors such as current market conditions, including real estate values, and the perceived or actual direction of market interest rates. |
| 2. | Adjusted net interest margin is among the measures considered by current and prospective investors, both independent of, and in comparison with, our peers. |
Adjusted net interest margin should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net interest margin, which is calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate this
non-GAAP
measure may differ from that of other companies reporting a
non-GAAP
measure with a similar name.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our average balance sheet for the quarters indicated, including the average yields on our interest-earning assets and the average costs of our interest-bearing liabilities. Average yields are calculated by dividing the interest income produced by the average balance of interest-earning assets. Average costs are calculated by dividing the interest expense produced by the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. The average balances for the quarters are derived from average balances that are calculated daily. The average yields and costs include fees, as well as premiums and discounts (including
mark-to-market
adjustments from acquisitions), that are considered adjustments to such average yields and costs.
Net Interest Income Analysis
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| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
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Mortgage and other loans, net | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
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Interest-earning cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Total interest-earning assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-interest-earning assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | $ | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | | | | | | | | | | |
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Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-bearing deposits: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest-bearing checking and money market accounts | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
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Total interest-bearing deposits | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Total interest-bearing liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-interest-bearing deposits | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | | | | | | | | | | |
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Net interest income/interest rate spread | | | | | | $ | | | | | | % | | | | | | $ | | | | | | % |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | % | | | | | | | | | | | | % |
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Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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(1) | Amounts are net of net deferred loan origination costs/(fees) and the allowances for loan losses and include non-performing loans. |
(2) | Amounts are at amortized cost. |
Provision for (recovery of) Losses on Loans
The provision for losses on loans is based on the methodology used by management in calculating the allowance for losses on such loans. Reflecting this methodology, which is discussed in detail under “Critical Accounting Policies,” the Company reported a provision for losses on loans losses of $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $15.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The majority of the 2018 provision for losses on loans was related to taxi medallion-related loans.
The following table summarizes the components of
non-interest
income for the respective periods:
Non-Interest
Income Analysis
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| | For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) on securities | | | | | | | | ) |
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Third-party investment product sales | | | | | | | | |
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| | $ | | | | $ | | |
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For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company reported
non-interest
income of $66.8 million compared to $68.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The $1.7 million or 3% decline reflects a number of items: a net gain on securities of $7.8 million during this period compared to a net loss on securities of $810,000 in the
year-ago
period and a $7.9 million gain on sale of a branch property in Florida compared to no such gain in the
year-ago
period. Additionally, in the year earlier period, the other income category includes $15.7 million of income from our former wealth management subsidiary, Peter B. Cannell & Co. Peter B. Cannell & Co. was sold in the first quarter of this year, therefore no such income was recorded in the other income category in 2019.
In the first nine months of 2019, we recorded
non-interest
expense of $385.1 million compared to $411.7 million for the first nine months of 2018, reflecting a $26.6 million or 6% decrease.
Non-interest
expenses for the current nine month period includes certain items related to severance costs and branch rationalization totaling $10.4 million compared to no such items in the prior year nine month period. The year-over-over improvement is a result of the Company’s continuing efforts to reduce costs throughout the organization.
Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 declined $7.1 million or 7% to $97.3 million and reflects an effective tax rate of 24.88%, relatively unchanged from the 24.56% recorded in the
year-ago
nine month period.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the Company’s market risk were presented on pages 73 and 77 of our 2018 Annual Report on Form
10-K,
filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019. Subsequent changes in the Company’s market risk profile and interest rate sensitivity are detailed in the discussion entitled “Management of Market and Interest Rate Risk” earlier in this quarterly report.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC’s”) rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule
13a-15(b),
as adopted by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules
13a-15(f)
and
15d-15(f)
under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business. All such actions in the aggregate involve amounts that are believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, readers should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019, as such factors could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition, or future results of operations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Shares Repurchased Pursuant to the Company’s Stock-Based Incentive Plans
Participants in the Company’s stock-based incentive plans may have shares of common stock withheld to fulfill the income tax obligations that arise in connection with the vesting of their stock awards. Shares that are withheld for this purpose are repurchased pursuant to the terms of the applicable stock-based incentive plan, rather than pursuant to the share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors, described below.
Shares Repurchased Pursuant to the Board of Directors’ Share Repurchase Authorization
On October 23, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million of the Company’s common stock. Under said authorization, shares may be repurchased on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
Shares that are repurchased pursuant to the Board of Directors’ authorization, and those that are repurchased pursuant to the Company’s stock-based incentive plans, are held in our Treasury account and may be used for various corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, merger transactions and the vesting of restricted stock awards.
As indicated in the table below, during the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company allocated 31,059 shares or $345,000 toward the repurchase of shares tied to its stock-based incentive plans. Also, during the first quarter of the year, the Company repurchased $67.1 million or 7.1 million shares of its common stock under its recently authorized share repurchase program.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) | |
| | Total Shares of Common Stock Repurchased | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
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September 1 – September 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | $ | | |
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Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5. Other Information