CFB - CrossFirst Bankshares Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2020 Results

LEAWOOD, Kan., Jan. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: CFB), the bank holding company for CrossFirst Bank, today reported its results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2020, including net income of $8.1 million, or $0.15 per diluted share for the fourth quarter, and net income of $12.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share for the full year. The financial results were impacted by the significant loan loss provisioning required to address uncertainty and risk in the loan portfolio created in part by the pandemic. In the fourth quarter, the Company provisioned an additional $10.9 million, bringing the full year loan provision to $56.7 million.

CEO Commentary:

"Despite the pandemic and depressed commodity prices, we had a great 2020 and accomplished many key strategic initiatives. I am very pleased with the resilience our clients and employees have exhibited during such difficult times," said CrossFirst’s CEO and President Mike Maddox. "Even with the significant loan loss provisioning, we continued to generate moderate net income and record pretax, pre-provision profits for the Company this year. During the fourth quarter, we reduced our energy concentration, experienced a decline in our classified and nonperforming assets, and successfully commenced our share repurchase program."

2020 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Highlights:

• $5.7 billion of assets with 15% full year operating revenue growth compared to 2019
• Pre-tax, pre-provision profit (PTPP), a non-GAAP financial measure, for the fourth quarter of $20.8 million and full year PTPP of $72.0 million
• Efficiency ratio of 53% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 58% for the full year; a non-GAAP core efficiency ratio of 53% for full year 2020 after adjusting for nonrecurring items
• $593 million or 15% loan growth and $771 million or 20% deposit growth over the last twelve months
• Book value per share of $12.08 at December 31, 2020 compared to $11.58 at December 31, 2019

COVID-19 Update

The COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response have created economic uncertainty and negatively impacted many of our customers in some capacity. During the fourth quarter of 2020, we continued to operate in accordance with our comprehensive pandemic plan, which includes social distancing measures for customer and employee interactions. In addition, the Company has continued to support key regulatory relief programs for customers, increased provisions for loan losses, increased monitoring of certain loan portfolio segments, modified loans, slowed discretionary spending, optimized staffing levels, and elevated its risk management activities. Our branch-lite strategy, technology, and relationship banking model have allowed us to effectively operate through the pandemic, work remotely, and provide us with the agility to effectively serve our customers when they need it most. The Company continues to assess and monitor the COVID-19 pandemic along with federal and local requirements in evaluating the full re-opening of its offices and remains flexible regarding process and timeline.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Programs

CrossFirst is committed to helping our local businesses and the communities that we serve during these extremely challenging times and will continue to help customers access regulatory relief and other programs. As of December 31, 2020, the Company retained $292 million in loans produced through the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), and the Company has been working through the forgiveness process for those loans with the Small Business Administration ("SBA"). In addition to the PPP, we have been granting loan modifications and 90/180 day payment deferrals for many customers who have requested additional relief. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $90 million in loans on modified payments related to COVID-19 on our balance sheet, which, excluding the PPP loans, represented 2% of our total loan balances. We are evaluating each modification on a case-by-case basis and assessing the borrowers' willingness and capacity to support the loan until maturity. The Company will continue to offer additional governmental assistance programs as more details become available around the processes and procedures for such programs and will grant loan modifications or new PPP loans when appropriate.

Income from Operations

Net Interest Income

The Company produced interest income of $49.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 10% from the fourth quarter of 2019, and an increase of 2% from the previous quarter. Interest income decreased from the fourth quarter of 2019 primarily due to lower interest rates. Average earning assets totaled $5.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of $0.7 billion or 16% from the same quarter in 2019. The fourth quarter 2020 tax-equivalent yield on earning assets declined to 3.71% from 4.76% in the fourth quarter of 2019, primarily due to the movement of variable rate assets indexed to declining market rates. For full year 2020, the Company produced interest income of $203.4 million as the Company's asset growth was able to partially mitigate some of the impact of yield declines.

Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $8.0 million, or 56% lower than the fourth quarter of 2019 and 12% lower than the previous quarter. While average interest-bearing deposits increased to $3.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of 16% from the same quarter in 2019, overall interest expense on interest-bearing deposits declined as a result of declining interest rates. In the fourth quarter of 2020, non-deposit funding costs increased to 1.78% from 1.50% primarily as a result of several short term lower-cost borrowings maturing. Overall the cost of funds for the fourth quarter of 2020 was 0.65%, compared to 0.75% for the third quarter of 2020. For full year 2020, the Company had interest expense of $43.2 million, a decrease of 42% from full year 2019.

Tax-equivalent net interest margin increased to 3.12% for the current quarter, from 2.98% in the previous quarter, and declined from 3.23% in the fourth quarter of 2019, reflecting the impact of the declining rate environment and changes in macroeconomic conditions. For the full year 2020, the Company had a tax equivalent margin of 3.13% compared to 3.31% for full year 2019. As of December 31, 2020, CrossFirst realized $5.8 million of the total $9.9 million in fees anticipated from making $369 million of total PPP loans. The PPP loans yielded 4.91% for the fourth quarter 2020, and the Company will continue to recognize these fees over contractual maturity and expedite recognition as loans are forgiven. The tax-equivalent adjustment, which accounts for income taxes saved on the interest earned on nontaxable securities and loans, was $0.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $2.7 million for the full year of 2020. Full year 2020 net interest income was $160 million or 13% higher than full year 2019, while net interest income totaled $41.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 or 6% higher than the third quarter of 2020, and 12% higher than the fourth quarter of 2019.

Non-Int erest Income

Non-interest income increased $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, or 35% compared to the same quarter of 2019, and decreased $1.1 million or 27% compared to the third quarter of 2020. For the fourth quarter and the full year of 2020, the Company continued to increase overall fee income commensurate with its customer growth and recorded stronger credit card interchange fees and other service charges than in the same periods in 2019. Because of the current interest rate environment, the Company had significantly less activity in its back-to-back swap program. The Company realized bond gains throughout the year related to continuously monitoring its investment portfolio. Full year non-interest income increased 35% compared to full year 2019, despite having nearly $3.0 million less income from its back-to-back swap program.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $24 million, which increased 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, and increased 3% from the third quarter of 2020. During the fourth quarter, the Company recorded higher professional fees as well as added occupancy expense from opening two new locations. Full year non-interest expense increased 14% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily from nonrecurring items reported in previous quarters. The Company recorded several nonrecurring expenses during the year, including a $7.4 million expense related to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge in the second quarter of 2020, in addition to one-time expenses for optimizing staffing levels in the third quarter of 2020. The Company also had increased professional and foreclosure costs for 2020 as a result of restructuring credits driven in part by the macroeconomic conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Company continues to realize benefits from reduced travel, entertainment, and other discretionary spending as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CrossFirst’s effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2020 was 18% as compared to 63% for the fourth quarter of 2019. The 2020 quarter-to-date income tax was impacted by an $11.7 million increase in income before income taxes that increased taxes at the statutory rate by $2.5 million. For both of the comparable periods, the Company continued to benefit from the tax-exempt municipal bond portfolio and bank-owned life insurance.

Balance Sheet Performance & Analysis

During the fourth quarter of 2020, total assets increased by $154 million, or 3% compared to September 30, 2020, and $728 million or 15% since December 31, 2019. During the fourth quarter of 2020, total available for sale investment securities increased $5 million to $655 million compared to September 30, 2020, while the overall average for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $674 million. During the fourth quarter of 2020, tax-exempt municipal securities on average increased $18 million and mortgage-backed securities decreased $42 million compared to September 30, 2020. The securities' yields maintained a tax equivalent yield of 2.96% for the fourth quarter of 2020. As part of management's investment strategy, during 2020, the Company's security portfolio decreased $85 million as the Company chose not to replace all of the cash flows associated with mortgaged-backed securities prepayments and also realized gains by selling bonds with potential credit concerns related to COVID-19. The overall average securities balance for full year 2020 was $715 million with a tax equivalent yield of 3.05%.

Loan Growth Results

The Company experienced average loan growth of 0.4% during the fourth quarter of 2020, but increased average loans 20% year-over-year from December 31, 2019. During the fourth quarter, loan growth was impacted by $77 million of PPP loans forgiven, but core loan growth in real estate offset this impact. The Company reduced its energy exposure during the quarter and experienced 10% growth in residential and multifamily real estate loans. Loan yields increased 10 basis points during the fourth quarter as the loan fees recognized from PPP loan forgiveness were able to offset the impact of yield declines from loan repricing. During 2020, full year loan yields declined to 4.26% compared to 5.52% in the prior year, primarily as a result of lower interest rates from adjustable rate loan movements during 2020.

Deposit Growth & Other Borrowings

The Company experienced average deposit growth of 5% during the fourth quarter of 2020, but increased average deposits 20% year-over-year from December 31, 2019. At the end of 2020, the Company held a loan to deposit ratio of 95%, compared to 100% at the end of the third quarter, and 98% at the end of 2019. The additional deposit growth and liquidity for the quarter was primarily driven by transaction deposits as a result of more customers utilizing our insured cash sweep products. In addition, our money market account pricing remains competitive so the Company can continue growing, while still being able to improve the overall cost of deposits. The Company's cost of interest bearing deposits declined 11 basis points during the fourth quarter of 2020, reflective of changes made to deposit pricing. During 2020, full year costs of funds were 0.92% compared to 1.90% in the prior year, primarily as a result of the lower interest rate environment and declining Fed Funds pricing.

At December 31, 2020, other borrowings totaled $296.4 million, as compared to $350.6 million at September 30, 2020, and $374.6 million at December 31, 2019.

Asset Quality Position

The Company added $10.9 million to the allowance for loan loss during the fourth quarter of 2020, bringing the total allowance to loans to 1.70%, commensurate with adverse movement of risk classifications and charge-off activity. While the Company currently believes the reserve is reflective of the risk in the portfolio, there may be cases where the borrowers or specific impairments related to COVID-19 may have not yet been identified. The majority of loans that migrated to classified status during the fourth quarter of 2020 were related to commercial real estate, particularly within the hotel portfolio, which partially offset several pay downs in the energy portfolio and partial charge-offs of other classified assets.

Net charge-offs were $11.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, as compared to net charge-offs of $6.0 million for the third quarter in 2020. The elevated charge-offs in the fourth quarter reflected the Company's approach to charging down multiple credits, mostly with exposures in energy and commercial and industrial. Full-year net charge-offs for 2020 were $38.3 million as compared to $11 million for the full year 2019. Nonperforming assets to total assets quarter over quarter decreased to 1.39%, primarily as a result of the associated charge-offs. The following table provides information regarding asset quality.

Depending upon the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may need to make additional increases to our provision in future periods. The future impact of the pandemic is highly uncertain and cannot be fully predicted. The extent of the impact on our customers and, in turn, on our business and operations, will depend on future developments, including actions taken to contain the pandemic. To the extent the pandemic continues to decrease economic activity for an extended time period, we expect our business and operations will be further negatively impacted. Customers may continue to seek additional loan modifications or restructurings, or we may experience additional adverse movement in risk classifications, any of which could potentially result in the need to adjust the total allowances for loan losses.

Capital Position

At December 31, 2020, stockholders' equity totaled $624 million, or $12.08 per share, compared to $602 million, or $11.58 per share, at December 31, 2019. Tangible common equity was $624 million and tangible book value per share was $12.08 at December 31, 2020, compared to tangible common equity of $594 million and tangible book value per share of $11.43 at December 31, 2019. The Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $20 million in the third quarter of 2020. During the fourth quarter of 2020, CrossFirst repurchased $6.1 million or 609,613 shares of common stock under the program at a weighted average price of $9.91 per share.

The ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was approximately 11.93% and the total capital to risk-weighted assets was approximately 13.20% at December 31, 2020. The Company remains well-capitalized.

Conference Call and Webcast

CrossFirst will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss fourth quarter 2020 and full year results on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. CT / 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call and webcast may also include discussion of Company developments, forward-looking statements and other material information about business and financial matters. Investors, news media, and other participants should register for the call or audio webcast at https://investors.CrossFirstBankshares.com. Participants may dial into the call toll-free at (877) 621-5851 from anywhere in the U.S. or (470) 495-9492 internationally, using conference ID no. 8838529. Participants are encouraged to dial into the call or access the webcast approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time.

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website. A replay of the conference call will be available two hours following the close of the call until February 4, 2021, accessible at (855) 859-2056 with conference ID no. 8838529.

Cautionary Notice about Forward-Looking Statements

The financial results in this earnings release reflect preliminary, unaudited results, which are not final until the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed. This earnings release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to, among other things, future events and its financial performance. Any statements about management’s expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this earnings release may turn out to be inaccurate. The inclusion of forward-looking information in this earnings release should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

Accordingly, the Company cautions you that any such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. Such factors include, without limitation, those listed from time to time in reports that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the uncertain impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this communication, and the Company does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by law.

About CrossFirst

CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc., is a Kansas corporation and a registered bank holding company for its wholly owned subsidiary CrossFirst Bank, which is headquartered in Leawood, Kansas. CrossFirst Bank has eight full-service banking offices primarily along the I-35 corridor in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

Unaudited Financial Tables

• Table 1. Consolidated Balance Sheets
• Table 2. Consolidated Statements of Income
• Table 3. 2019-2020 Year-to-Date Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income
• Table 4. 2019 - 2020 Quarterly Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income
• Table 5. Non-GAAP Financial Measures
  
  

TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

TABLE 2. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

TABLE 3. YEAR-TO-DATE ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

TABLE 4. 2019 - 2020 QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME (UNAUDITED)

TABLE 5. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to disclosing financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP, the Company discloses non-GAAP financial measures in this release. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release reflect industry conventions, or standard measures within the industry, and provide useful information to the Company's management, investors and other parties interested in the Company's operating performance. These measurements should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. We have defined below each of the non-GAAP measures we use in this release, but these measures may not be synonymous to similar measurement terms used by other companies.

CrossFirst provides reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures below. The measures used in this release include the following:

• We calculate return on average tangible common equity as net income (loss) available to common stockholders divided by average tangible common equity. Average tangible common equity is calculated as average common equity less average goodwill and intangibles and average preferred equity. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is return on average common equity.
• We calculate non-GAAP core operating income (loss) as net income (loss) adjusted to remove non-recurring or non-core income and expense items related to:
  • Impairment charges associated with two buildings that were held-for-sale. We acquired a new, larger corporate headquarters to accommodate our business needs, which eliminated the need for two smaller support buildings. The two smaller support buildings had been acquired recently and were extensively remodeled, which resulted in a difference between book and market value for those assets. We sold one of the buildings in 2018. The remaining building was sold during the second quarter of 2019.
  • State tax credits as a result of the purchase and improvement of our new corporate headquarters.
  • Goodwill impairment - We performed an interim review of goodwill as of June 30, 2020. The book value of goodwill exceeded its fair market value and resulted in a full $7.4 million impairment.
    

The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for non-GAAP core operating income (loss) is net income (loss).

• We calculate non-GAAP core operating return on average assets as non-GAAP core operating income (loss) (as defined above) divided by average assets. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is return on average assets, which is calculated as net income (loss) divided by average assets.
• We calculate non-GAAP core operating return on average common equity as non-GAAP core operating income (as defined above) less preferred dividends divided by average common equity. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is return on average common equity, which is calculated as net income less preferred dividends divided by average common equity.
• We calculate tangible common stockholders' equity as total stockholders' equity less goodwill and intangibles and preferred equity. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is total stockholders' equity.
• We calculate tangible book value per share as tangible common stockholders' equity (as defined above) divided by the total number of shares outstanding. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is book value per share.
• We calculate non-GAAP core operating efficiency ratio - fully tax equivalent (FTE) as non-interest expense adjusted to remove non-recurring non-interest expenses as defined above under non-GAAP core operating income (loss) divided by net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis plus non-interest income adjusted to remove non-recurring non-interest income as defined above under non-GAAP core operating income. The most directly comparable financial measure is the efficiency ratio.
• We calculate non-GAAP pre-tax, pre-provision profit as net income (loss) before taxes plus the provision for loan losses.