TOMS RIVER, N.J., April 23, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OceanFirst Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:OCFC), the holding company for OceanFirst Bank, today announced that diluted earnings per share amounted to $.30 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $.34 for the corresponding prior year period. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, prior to accounting for the preferred stock issued earlier in the year, was unchanged from the corresponding prior year quarter at $4.0 million. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on common stock of $.20 per share -- covering the three month period ended March 31, 2009 -- to be paid on May 15, 2009, to common shareholders of record on May 1, 2009.
Discussing the results, CEO John R. Garbarino reflected on the earnings performance. "We are pleased that earnings were stable despite the very difficult economic environment. The Company remains well capitalized with Tangible Equity Capital of 8.27% and Total Risk Based Capital at the Bank of 14.25%. Our net interest margin continues to expand and we are also pleased to maintain our quarterly cash common stock dividend, unchanged from the prior quarters."
Results of Operations
Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 increased to $15.7 million as compared to $14.2 million in the same prior year period, reflecting a higher net interest margin, partly offset by lower levels of interest-earning assets. The net interest margin increased to 3.47% for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from 3.14% in the same prior year period. The yield on interest-earning assets decreased to 5.41%, as compared to 6.06% in the same prior year period. The asset yield for the prior year quarter benefited from $633,000 of income relating to an equity investment which was sold by the end of 2008. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 2.16% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to 3.19% in the same prior year period. Average interest-earning assets decreased by $11.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the same prior year period. The decrease was in average loans receivable which declined $18.0 million as well as declines in average interest-earning deposits and investment securities. These decreases were partly offset by an increase of $23.9 million in average mortgage-backed securities due to investment of the preferred stock proceeds from the Treasury's Capital Purchase Program.
Other income decreased to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $3.8 million in the same prior year period. Loan servicing (loss) income decreased to a loss of $230,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 from income of $90,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 due to an impairment to the loan servicing asset of $263,000. The net gain on sales of loans was $673,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $597,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009 the net gain on the sale of loans includes a reversal of the provision for repurchased loans of $34,000 as compared to a reversal of $161,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The reserve for repurchased loans, which is included in other liabilities in the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition, was $1.1 million at March 31, 2009 and there was one outstanding loan repurchase request which the Company is contesting. This request was also outstanding at December 31, 2008. There were no charge-offs through the reserve for repurchased loans for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Fees and service charges decreased to $2.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 as compared to $2.8 million for the corresponding prior year period due to a decrease in trust and investment service revenue. Income from Bank Owned Life Insurance decreased by $103,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 as compared to same prior year quarter due to a decline in the crediting rate in the lower interest rate environment.
Operating expenses amounted to $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $11.6 million for the corresponding prior year period. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 include costs relating to the opening of two new branches in the latter part of 2008. Federal deposit insurance increased to $502,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $309,000 in the same prior year period due to an increase in the assessment rate for FDIC deposit insurance.
Financial Condition
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale increased to $97.3 million at March 31, 2009 as compared to $40.8 million at December 31, 2008 primarily due to the $38.3 million investment of preferred stock proceeds from the Treasury's Capital Purchase Plan. Loans receivable, net increased by $1.8 million at March 31, 2009 as compared to December 31, 2008 partly due to increased commercial real estate lending and partly offset by a decline in one-to-four family mortgage loans due to increased prepayments relating to refinancings and the Bank's ongoing strategy to sell most newly originated longer-term fixed-rate loans. At March 31, 2009, the Company was holding subprime loans with a gross principal balance of $3.0 million and a carrying value, net of reserves and lower of cost or market adjustment of $1.9 million. Deposits increased to $1,313.5 million at March 31, 2009 from $1,274.1 million at December 31, 2008. The growth was concentrated in core deposits, defined as all deposits excluding time deposits, which increased $51.7 million. Time deposits decreased $12.3 million as the Bank continued to moderate its pricing for this product. Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased to $320.0 million at March 31, 2009 from $359.9 million at December 31, 2008, primarily due to the increase in deposits as a funding source. Stockholders' equity increased to $158.2 million at March 31, 2009 as compared to $119.8 million at December 31, 2008 due to the issuance of $38.3 million of preferred stock under the Treasury's Capital Purchase Plan.
Asset Quality
The Company's non-performing loans totaled $19.7 million at March 31, 2009, an increase from $16.0 million at December 31, 2008. The increase was across all loan categories and is reflective of the deteriorating economic environment. Non-performing loans at March 31, 2009 include $910,000 of loans repurchased due to early payment default that were written down to market value on the date of repurchase and $2.9 million of loans previously held for sale that were also written down to market value. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company realized net loan charge-offs of $446,000. Of this amount, $366,000 are charge-offs relating to subprime loans originated by Columbia Home Loans, LLC, the Company's mortgage banking subsidiary which has since been shuttered. The charge-offs relate to amounts which were previously specifically reserved for in the allowance for loan losses.
Conference Call
As previously announced, the Company will host an earnings conference call on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. The direct dial number for the call is (800) 860-2442. For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available. To access the replay, dial (877)344-7529, Replay Conference Number 429349, from one hour after the end of the call until May 4, 2009. The conference call, as well as the replay, are also available (listen-only) by internet webcast at www.oceanfirst.com in the Investor Relations section.
OceanFirst Financial Corp.'s subsidiary, OceanFirst Bank, founded in 1902, is a federally-chartered stock savings bank with $1.9 billion in assets and twenty-three branches located in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties, New Jersey. The Bank is the largest and oldest community-based financial institution headquartered in Ocean County, New Jersey.
OceanFirst Financial Corp.'s press releases are available by visiting us at www.oceanfirst.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions. The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and the subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company's market area and accounting principles and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake -- and specifically disclaims any obligation -- to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2009 2008 2008
------------ ------------ ------------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
ASSETS
------
Cash and due from banks $ 23,769 $ 18,475 $ 32,728
Investment securities available
for sale 27,557 34,364 53,191
Federal Home Loan Bank of
New York stock, at cost 19,031 20,910 21,627
Mortgage-backed securities
available for sale 97,271 40,801 50,263
Loans receivable, net 1,650,133 1,648,378 1,656,613
Mortgage loans held for sale 1,787 3,903 4,707
Interest and dividends
receivable 6,576 6,298 6,625
Real estate owned, net 1,457 1,141 933
Premises and equipment, net 20,988 21,336 18,574
Servicing asset 6,735 7,229 8,498
Bank Owned Life Insurance 39,365 39,135 38,764
Other assets 19,064 15,976 12,948
---------- ---------- -----------
Total assets $1,913,733 $1,857,946 $ 1,905,471
========== ========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
-----------------------------
Deposits $1,313,470 $1,274,132 $ 1,280,809
Securities sold under
agreements to repurchase with
retail customers 73,054 62,422 73,365
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 320,000 359,900 375,200
Other borrowings 27,500 27,500 27,500
Advances by borrowers for taxes
and insurance 8,491 7,581 8,818
Other liabilities 13,020 6,628 16,526
---------- ---------- -----------
Total liabilities 1,755,535 1,738,163 1,782,218
---------- ---------- -----------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par
value, $1,000 liquidation
preference, 5,000,000 shares
authorized, 38,263 shares
issued at March 31, 2009 37,225 -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value,
55,000,000 shares authorized,
27,177,372 shares issued and
12,364,573, 12,364,573 and
12,362,098 shares outstanding
at March 31, 2009,
December 31, 2008, and
March 31, 2008, respectively 272 272 272
Additional paid-in capital 205,819 204,298 203,557
Retained earnings 161,409 160,267 156,537
Accumulated other comprehensive
loss (16,009) (14,462) (6,258)
Less: Unallocated common stock
held by Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (4,995) (5,069) (5,287)
Treasury stock,
14,812,799, 14,812,799
and 14,815,274 shares at
March 31, 2009,
December 31, 2008 and
March 31, 2008,
respectively (225,523) (225,523) (225,568)
Common stock acquired by
Deferred Compensation Plan 970 981 510
Deferred Compensation Plan
Liability (970) (981) (510)
---------- ---------- -----------
Total stockholders'
equity 158,198 119,783 123,253
---------- ---------- -----------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $1,913,733 $1,857,946 $ 1,905,471
========== ========== ===========
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
For the three
months ended
March 31,
2009 2008
----------------
(Unaudited)
Interest income:
Loans $23,172 $25,003
Mortgage-backed securities 768 611
Investment securities and other 450 1,908
------- -------
Total interest income 24,390 27,522
------- -------
Interest expense:
Deposits 5,096 7,864
Borrowed funds 3,632 5,423
------- -------
Total interest expense 8,728 13,287
------- -------
Net interest income 15,662 14,235
Provision for loan losses 800 375
------- -------
Net interest income after provision for loan
losses 14,862 13,860
------- -------
Other income:
Loan servicing (loss) income (230) 90
Fees and service charges 2,518 2,767
Net gain on sales of loans and securities available
for sale 673 597
Net loss from other real estate operations (1) (21)
Income from Bank Owned Life Insurance 231 334
Other 3 3
------- -------
Total other income 3,194 3,770
------- -------
Operating expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits 5,828 5,935
Occupancy 1,474 1,201
Equipment 449 511
Marketing 324 393
Federal deposit insurance 502 309
Data processing 835 849
Legal 577 547
Check card processing 251 251
Accounting and audit 160 259
General and administrative 1,384 1,379
------- -------
Total operating expenses 11,784 11,634
------- -------
Income before provision for income taxes 6,272 5,996
Provision for income taxes 2,319 1,990
------- -------
Net income 3,953 4,006
Dividends on preferred stock and warrant accretion 458 --
------- -------
Net income available to common stockholders $ 3,495 $ 4,006
======= =======
Basic earnings per share $ 0.30 $ 0.34
======= =======
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.30 $ 0.34
======= =======
Average basic shares outstanding 11,696 11,653
======= =======
Average diluted shares outstanding 11,743 11,706
======= =======
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
At At At
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2009 2008 2008
------------ ------------ ------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
--------------------
Stockholders' equity to total
assets 8.27% 6.45% 6.47%
Common shares outstanding (in
thousands) 12,365 12,365 12,362
Stockholders' equity per common
share $9.78 $9.69 $9.97
Tangible stockholders' equity per
common share 9.78 9.69 9.97
ASSET QUALITY
-------------
Non-performing loans:
Real estate - one-to-four
family $ 9,850 $8,696 $6,856
Commercial real estate 6,797 5,527 2,369
Construction 67 -- 233
Consumer 2,084 1,435 626
Commercial 904 385 466
------- ------- -------
Total non-performing loans 19,702 16,043 10,550
REO, net 1,457 1,141 933
------- ------- -------
Total non-performing assets $21,159 $17,184 $11,483
======= ======= =======
Allowance for loan losses $12,019 $11,665 $10,739
======= ======= =======
Allowance for loan losses as a
percent of total loans receivable 0.72% 0.70% 0.64%
Allowance for loan losses as a
percent of non-performing loans 61.00 72.71 101.79
Non-performing loans as a percent
of total loans receivable 1.18 0.97 0.63
Non-performing assets as a percent
of total Assets 1.11 0.92 0.60
For the three months ended
March 31,
--------------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
PERFORMANCE RATIOS (ANNUALIZED)
-------------------------------
Return on average assets 0.84% 0.84%
Return on average stockholders' equity 10.46 12.98
Interest rate spread 3.25 2.87
Interest rate margin 3.47 3.14
Operating expenses to average assets 2.49 2.44
Efficiency ratio 62.49 64.62
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
SELECTED LOAN AND DEPOSIT DATA
(in thousands)
LOANS RECEIVABLE
----------------
At At
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
------------ ------------
Real estate:
One-to-four family $1,031,724 $1,039,375
Commercial real estate, multi-family and
land 336,218 329,844
Construction 12,660 10,561
Consumer 222,184 222,797
Commercial 60,088 59,760
---------- ----------
Total loans 1,662,874 1,662,337
Loans in process (4,074) (3,586)
Deferred origination costs, net 5,139 5,195
Allowance for loan losses (12,019) (11,665)
---------- ----------
Total loans, net 1,651,920 1,652,281
Less: mortgage loans held for sale 1,787 3,903
---------- ----------
Loans receivable, net $1,650,133 $1,648,378
========== ==========
Mortgage loans serviced for others $963,890 $977,410
Loan pipeline 149,198 69,751
For the three months ended
March 31,
--------------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Loan originations $127,249 $88,984
Loans sold 48,438 28,007
Net charge-offs 446 104
DEPOSITS
--------
At At
March 31, December 31,
2009 2008
------------ ------------
Type of Account
---------------
Non-interest-bearing $ 110,412 $ 97,278
Interest-bearing checking 540,793 517,334
Money market deposit 88,545 84,928
Savings 218,664 207,224
Time deposits 355,056 367,368
---------- ----------
$1,313,470 $1,274,132
========== ==========
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
ANALYSIS OF NET INTEREST INCOME
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
2009 2008
--------------------------- --------------------------
AVERAGE AVERAGE
AVERAGE YIELD/ AVERAGE YIELD/
BALANCE INTEREST COST BALANCE INTEREST COST
-------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Interest-
earning
assets:
Interest-
earning
deposits
and short-
term
investments $ -- $ -- --% $ 7,967 $ 61 3.06%
Investment
securities(1) 56,136 301 2.14 62,617 1,366 8.73
FHLB stock 19,102 149 3.12 21,974 481 8.76
Mortgage-
backed
securities(1) 76,492 768 4.02 52,599 611 4.65
Loans
receivable,
net(2) 1,652,110 23,172 5.61 1,670,071 25,003 5.99
---------- ------- ---- ---------- ------- ----
Total
interest-
earning
assets 1,803,840 24,390 5.41 1,815,228 27,522 6.06
------- ---- ------- ----
Non-interest-
earning
assets 85,853 95,146
---------- ----------
Total
assets $1,889,693 $1,910,374
========== ==========
Liabilities
and
Stockholders'
Equity
Interest-
bearing
liabilities:
Transaction
deposits $ 844,953 2,653 1.26 $ 740,380 3,290 1.78
Time
deposits 360,136 2,443 2.71 443,418 4,574 4.13
---------- ------- ---- ---------- ------- ----
Total 1,205,089 5,096 1.69 1,183,798 7,864 2.66
Borrowed
funds 411,199 3,632 3.53 482,503 5,423 4.50
---------- ------- ---- ---------- ------- ----
Total
interest-
bearing
liabilities 1,616,288 8,728 2.16 1,666,301 13,287 3.19
------- ---- ------- ----
Non-interest-
bearing
deposits 105,363 104,437
Non-interest-
bearing
liabilities 16,944 16,143
---------- ----------
Total
liabilities 1,738,595 1,786,881
Stockholders'
equity 151,098 123,493
---------- ----------
Total
liabilities
and
stockholders'
equity $1,889,693 $1,910,374
========== ==========
Net interest
income $15,662 $14,235
======= =======
Net interest
rate spread(3) 3.25% 2.87%
==== ====
Net interest
margin(4) 3.47% 3.14%
==== ====
(1) Amounts are recorded at average amortized cost.
(2) Amount is net of deferred loan fees, undisbursed loan funds,
discounts and premiums and estimated loss allowances and includes
loans held for sale and non-performing loans.
(3) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the
yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing
liabilities.
(4) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by
average interest-earning assets.
CONTACT: OceanFirst Financial Corp.
Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Chief Financial Officer
(732)240-4500, ext. 7506
Fax: (732)349-5070
[email protected]