Lakeland Bancorp : Announces Quarterly and Year-End 2021 Earnings - Form 8-K

Published: 2022-01-26 12:17:16 ET LBAI

Lakeland Bancorp Announces Quarterly and Year-End 2021 Earnings

OAK RIDGE, N.J., Jan. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: LBAI) (the "Company"), the parent company of Lakeland Bank ("Lakeland"), reported net income of $22.2 million and earnings per diluted share ("EPS") of $0.43 for the three months ended December 31, 2021, compared to net income of $18.8 million and diluted EPS of $0.37 for the fourth quarter of 2020. For the fourth quarter of 2021, annualized return on average assets was 1.06%, annualized return on average common equity was 10.70% and annualized return on average tangible common equity was 13.26%.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported net income of $95.0 million, a 65% increase compared to $57.5 million for the same period in 2020, resulting in return on average assets of 1.19%, return on average common equity of 11.95%, and return on average tangible common equity of 14.93%. For 2021, the Company reported diluted EPS of $1.85, compared to diluted EPS of $1.13 for 2020.

The current year results were favorably impacted by negative provisions for credit losses of $10.9 million compared to provisions of $27.2 million for 2020 as forecasted macroeconomic conditions have improved and Lakeland's asset quality continues to be strong. Fourth quarter 2021 results were favorably impacted by a $3.9 million increase in net interest income and a $1.4 million reduction in non-interest expenses compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

Thomas Shara, Lakeland Bancorp's President and CEO commented, "We ended 2021 with strong quarterly and annual earnings. We experienced total asset growth of 7%, deposit growth of 8% and non-performing assets declined by 60% during 2021. With the acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp on January 6, 2022, we expanded Lakeland's presence into central New Jersey and look forward to bringing our banking model into the desirable markets of Mercer, Middlesex and Monmouth counties. Full systems integration is progressing well and is expected to be completed in February 2021."

Full Year 2021 Highlights

Net Interest Margin and Net Interest Income

Net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2021 of 2.98% decreased 10 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 and decreased 12 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2021. The decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 was primarily a result of a decrease in the yield on loans and securities as well as an increase in lower yielding federal funds sold. The decrease in net interest margin compared to the third quarter of 2021 was due primarily to a decrease in the yield on loans and an increase in lower yielding average securities balances. Net interest margin for 2021 of 3.13% increased four basis points compared to 3.09% for 2020 due primarily to a reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

The yield on interest-earning assets for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 3.22% compared to 3.51% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 3.40% for the third quarter of 2021. The decrease in yield on interest-earning assets when compared to the fourth quarter 2020 was due primarily to a reduction in the yield on loans and securities as well as increased balances in lower yielding average federal funds sold. The decrease in yield on interest-earning assets when compared to the third quarter of 2021 was due primarily to a reduction in the yield on loans and increased balances in lower yielding average securities. The yield on interest-earning assets for 2021 was 3.43% compared to 3.70% for 2020 resulting primarily from a reduction in the yield on interest earning assets and increased balances in lower yielding average federal funds sold as a result of maintaining excess liquidity during the pandemic.

The cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased in the fourth quarter of 2021 to 0.33% compared to 0.59% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 0.41% for the third quarter of 2021. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities for 2021 was 0.42% compared to 0.83% during the same period in 2020. The reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities compared to prior periods was largely driven by reductions in market interest rates as well as a change in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities as balances of higher cost time deposits decreased while lower cost interest-bearing transaction account balances increased. Additionally, replacing the Company's existing subordinated debt with a new issuance at a lower interest rate during 2021 decreased the cost of borrowings.

Net interest income increased to $59.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $55.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, due primarily to lower interest rates on interest-bearing liabilities as well as the growth of interest-earning assets partially offset by lower yields on interest-earning assets. Net interest income for 2021 was $234.8 million, as compared to $207.7 million for 2020 due to the same reasons discussed in the quarterly comparison.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income decreased $981,000 to $5.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 from $6.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Commissions and fees in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased $612,000 compared to the same period in 2020 due primarily to increases in investment commission income and commercial loan fees. Gain on sales of loans in the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased $361,000 due primarily to the Company retaining more originated residential mortgage loans in the loan portfolio. Fourth quarter 2020 results included an $871,000 gain on sales of securities compared to no gain on sales of securities during the same period in 2021. There was no swap income recorded in the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $485,000 during the same period in 2020 due primarily to changes in the yield curve which decreases the demand for swap transactions.

For 2021, noninterest income decreased $4.7 million to $22.4 million compared to 2020 due primarily to a reduction in swap income. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $708,000 compared to 2020 due primarily to increases in debit card income. Commissions and fees in 2021 increased $1.1 million compared to 2020 due to the same reasons discussed in the quarterly comparison. Gains on sales of loans and swap income decreased $1.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively, compared to 2020, both due primarily to the same reasons discussed in the quarterly comparison. Gain on sales and calls of investment securities totaled $9,000 in 2021 compared to $1.2 million in 2020.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense totaled $35.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, a decrease of $1.4 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 due primarily to long-term debt prepayment fees of $3.8 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020 to deploy excess liquidity. Compensation and employee benefit expense in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased $1.0 million, or 5%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 due primarily to staff additions and normal merit increases. In the fourth quarter of 2021, premises and equipment expense increased $549,000 due primarily to an increase in IT service agreement expense, and data processing expense increased $341,000 due primarily to increased fees from service providers compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. The fourth quarter of 2021 included $710,000 in merger-related costs for the acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp.

For 2021, noninterest expense increased $8.0 million to $140.8 million compared to $132.8 million for 2020 due primarily to compensation and employee benefit expense which increased $6.1 million, or 8%. The increase in compensation and employee benefits expense was due primarily to the same reasons discussed in the quarterly comparison. Premises and equipment expense in 2021 increased $2.9 million due to the same reason discussed in the quarterly comparison. Noninterest expense in 2021 included merger-related expenses of $1.8 million for the acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp. Additionally, noninterest expense in 2020 included $4.1 million in long-term debt prepayment fees compared to none in 2021.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 23.4% compared to 22.3% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The effective tax rate for 2021 was 25.4% compared to 23.1% for 2020. The increased effective tax rate for 2021 periods was primarily a result of tax advantaged items declining as a percentage of pretax income due to the increase in pretax income.

Financial Condition

At December 31, 2021, total assets were $8.20 billion, an increase of $533.8 million or 7% compared to December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, total loans declined $45.1 million to $5.98 billion due to a decline in PPP loans of $228.1 million, partially offset by an increase in other loan categories of $183.0 million, primarily in the multifamily and residential mortgage loan segments. Investment securities increased $648.1 million or 67% to $1.62 billion during 2021 as the Company deployed liquidity into the investment portfolio. On the funding side, total deposits increased $510.0 million or 8% to $6.97 billion primarily in the saving and interest bearing transaction accounts category, while borrowings decreased $2.3 million or 1% to $310.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. At December 31, 2021, total loans as a percent of total deposits was 85.8%.

Asset Quality

At December 31, 2021, non-performing assets decreased 60% to $17.0 million, 0.21% of total assets, compared to $42.8 million, 0.56% of total assets, at December 31, 2020. Non-accrual loans as a percent of total loans decreased to 0.28% at December 31, 2021 compared to 0.71% at December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2021, the allowance for credit losses decreased to $58.0 million, 0.97% of total loans compared to $71.1 million, 1.18% of total loans, at December 31, 2020. In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company had net recoveries of $181,000, or 0.01% of average loans, annualized, compared to net charge-offs of $528,000, or 0.04% of average loans, annualized, for the same period in 2020. Provision for credit losses on loans for the fourth quarter of 2021 was a benefit of $87,000 compared to a benefit of $246,000 in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Capital

At December 31, 2021, stockholders' equity increased 8% to $827.0 million as compared to $763.8 million at December 31, 2020. Lakeland Bancorp remains above FDIC "well capitalized" standards, with a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8.51% at December 31, 2021. The book value per common share and tangible book value per common share increased 8.0% and 10.4% to $16.34 and $13.21, respectively, compared to $15.13 and $11.97 at December 31, 2020 (see "Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, including tangible book value). On January 24, 2022, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.135 per share to be paid on February 17, 2022, to shareholders of record as of February 7, 2022.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information disclosed in this document includes various forward-looking statements that are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipates," "projects," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "believes," "plans," "may," "will," "should," "could," and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are necessarily speculative and speak only as of the date made, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, all of which may change over time. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. In addition to the specific risk factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from such forward-looking statements: changes in the financial services industry and the U.S. and global capital markets, changes in economic conditions nationally, regionally and in the Company's markets, the nature and timing of actions of the Federal Reserve Board and other regulators, the nature and timing of legislation and regulation affecting the financial services industry, government intervention in the U.S. financial system, changes in federal and state tax laws, changes in levels of market interest rates, pricing pressures on loan and deposit products, credit risks of the Company's lending and leasing activities, successful implementation, deployment and upgrades of new and existing technology, systems, services and products, customers' acceptance of the Company's products and services, competition, and failure to realize anticipated efficiencies and synergies from the merger of 1st Constitution Bancorp into Lakeland Bancorp and the merger of 1st Constitution Bank into Lakeland Bank. Further, given its ongoing and dynamic nature, it is difficult to predict the continuing effects that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business and results of operations. The pandemic and related local and national economic disruption may, among other effects, result in a material adverse change for the demand for our products and services; increased levels of loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures; branch disruptions, unavailability of personnel and increased cybersecurity risks as employees work remotely. Any statements made by the Company that are not historical facts should be considered to be forward-looking statements. The Company is not obligated to update and does not undertake to update any of its forward-looking statements made herein.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reported amounts are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This press release also contains certain supplemental non-GAAP information that the Company's management uses in its analysis of the Company's financial results.

The Company also provides measurements and ratios based on tangible equity and tangible assets. These measures are utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company's financial condition and, therefore, the Company's management believes that such information is useful to investors.

Specifically, the Company also uses an efficiency ratio that is a non-GAAP financial measure. The ratio that the Company uses excludes amortization of core deposit intangibles, and, where applicable, long-term debt prepayment fees and merger-related expenses. Income for the non-GAAP ratio is increased by the favorable effect of tax-exempt income and excludes gains and losses from the sale of investment securities, which can vary from period to period. The Company uses this ratio because it believes the ratio provides a relevant measure to compare the operating performance period to period.

These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies. See accompanying "Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

About Lakeland

Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which had $8.20 billion in total assets at December 31, 2021. On January 6, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp, which represents a significant addition to the Company's New Jersey franchise. With an extensive branch network and commercial lending centers throughout New Jersey and Highland Mills, N.Y., the Bank offers business and retail banking products and services. Business services include commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, loans for healthcare services, asset-based lending, equipment financing, small business loans and lines and cash management services. Consumer services include online and mobile banking, home equity loans and lines, mortgage options and wealth management solutions. Lakeland is proud to be recognized as one of New Jersey's Best-In State Banks by Forbes and Statista, rated a 5-Star Bank by Bauer Financial and named one of New Jersey's 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ. Visit LakelandBank.com or 973-697-2000 for more information.

(1) The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("CECL") on December 31, 2020, with a transition adjustment retroactive to January 1, 2020.

(2) See Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(3) The Company adopted CECL on December 31, 2020, with a transition adjustment retroactive to January 1, 2020.

Disclaimer

Lakeland Bancorp Inc. published this content on 26 January 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 26 January 2022 17:16:09 UTC.