RVSB - Riverview Bancorp Earns $5.2 Million in Third Fiscal Quarter 2023; Results Highlighted by Net Interest Margin Expansion

VANCOUVER, Wash., Jan. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq GSM: RVSB) (“Riverview” or the “Company”) today reported earnings of $5.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022, which was unchanged compared to the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022. Earnings were $5.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, in the third fiscal quarter a year ago, which included a $1.3 million recapture of a provision for loan losses.

In the first nine months of fiscal 2023, net income was $15.1 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared to $17.7 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in the first nine months of fiscal 2022. Year-to-date fiscal 2023 results included no provision for loan losses, compared to a $4.0 million recapture of a provision for loan losses in the same period a year earlier.

“Our operating results for the third fiscal quarter of 2023 were strong, despite the challenging rate environment, and uncertainties in the economy,” stated Kevin Lycklama, president and chief executive officer. “Steady loan production and net interest margin expansion of 18 basis points, compared to the preceding quarter, contributed to higher third fiscal quarter net interest income. Additionally, operating expenses remained controlled, as we continue to focus on managing expenses.”

Third Quarter Highlights (at or for the period ended December 31, 2022)

• Net income was $5.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.
• Pre-tax, pre-provision for loan losses income (non-GAAP) was $6.8 million for the quarter, which was unchanged compared to the preceding quarter, and an increase compared to $5.9 million for the year ago quarter.
• Net interest income increased to $13.7 million for the quarter compared to $13.4 million in the preceding quarter and $12.1 million in the third fiscal quarter a year ago.
• Net interest margin (“NIM”) expanded to 3.48% for the quarter, compared to 3.30% in the preceding quarter and 2.96% for the year ago quarter.
• Return on average assets was 1.27% and return on average equity was 13.85%.
• Riverview recorded no provision for loan losses during the current quarter or the prior quarter, and recorded a $1.3 million recapture of a provision for loan losses in the third fiscal quarter a year ago.
• The allowance for loan losses was $14.6 million, or 1.43% of total loans.
• Total loans were $1.02 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $1.01 billion three months earlier and $962.2 million a year ago.
• Asset quality remained strong, with non-performing loans excluding SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans (non-GAAP) at $236,000, or 0.01% of total assets at December 31, 2022.
• Total deposits decreased to $1.37 billion compared to $1.49 billion three months earlier.
• Total risk-based capital ratio was 16.71% and Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.10%.
• Paid a quarterly cash dividend during the quarter of $0.06 per share.

Income Statement Review

Riverview’s net interest income increased to $13.7 million in the current quarter, compared to $13.4 million in the preceding quarter, and $12.1 million in the third fiscal quarter a year ago. The increase in net interest income compared to the prior quarter was driven primarily by an increase in loan interest income and higher investment income. Prior year net interest income included interest and fee income earned on PPP loans and net fees on loan prepayments. The adjusted net interest income (non-GAAP) increased to $13.3 million in the current quarter compared to $12.6 million in the preceding quarter and $10.9 million in the third fiscal quarter a year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2023, net interest income increased to $39.8 million compared to $35.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2022.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, there was an insignificant amount of interest and net fee income earned through PPP loan forgiveness and normal amortization. This compared to $781,000 of interest and net fee income on PPP loans during the third quarter of the prior year.

Riverview’s NIM was 3.48% for the third quarter of fiscal 2023, an 18 basis-point increase compared to 3.30% in the preceding quarter and a 52 basis-point increase compared to 2.96% in the third quarter of fiscal 2022. “Higher loan yields on new loan originations, as well as investment yields due to the recent Fed rate increases contributed to NIM expansion during the quarter,” said David Lam, executive vice president and chief financial officer. In the first nine months of fiscal 2023, the net interest margin was 3.30% compared to 3.05% in the same period a year earlier.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, net fees on loan prepayments, which included purchased SBA loan premiums, increased net interest income by $111,000 and increased the NIM by three basis points. This compared to $137,000 in net fees on loan prepayments adding three basis points to NIM in the preceding quarter. The interest accretion on purchased loans totaled $30,000 and resulted in a one-basis point increase in the NIM during the third quarter, compared to $49,000 and a one-basis point increase in the NIM during the preceding quarter. The average overnight cash balances were $50.9 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $137.6 million in the preceding quarter and $307.4 million for the third fiscal quarter a year ago. Without the elevated level in overnight cash balances, NIM would have been 3 basis points higher in the current quarter, 11 basis points higher in the prior quarter and 62 basis points higher in the third fiscal quarter a year ago. These items resulted in a core-NIM (non-GAAP) of 3.47% in the current quarter, 3.37% in the preceding quarter and 3.35% in the third fiscal quarter a year ago.

Investment securities totaled $458.9 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $464.7 million at September 30, 2022. The average securities balances for the quarters ended December 31, 2022, September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, were $491.2 million, $473.4 million and $368.6 million, respectively. The weighted average yields on securities balances for those same periods were 2.01%, 1.89% and 1.50%, respectively.

Riverview’s loan yields increased to 4.50% compared to 4.38% in the preceding quarter and 4.67% in the third fiscal quarter a year ago. Deposit costs have remained relatively stable, with the cost of deposits at 0.08% during the third fiscal quarter compared to 0.09% in the preceding quarter, and 0.08% in the third fiscal quarter a year ago.

Non-interest income was $3.0 million during the third fiscal quarter, compared to $3.1 million in both the preceding quarter and the third fiscal quarter of 2022. Brokered loan fees have slowed due to the decrease in mortgage activity and rising interest rates. In the first nine months of fiscal 2023, non-interest income was $9.2 million compared to $9.8 million in the same period a year ago which included a one-time BOLI death benefit of $500,000.

Asset management fees were $1.1 million during the third fiscal quarter compared to $1.2 million in the preceding quarter and were unchanged compared to the third fiscal quarter a year ago. Riverview Trust Company’s assets under management were $855.9 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $752.4 million at September 30, 2022 and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2021. The decrease compared the December 31, 2021 quarter was a result of a single large client’s planned conclusion of trust services.

Non-interest expense was $9.8 million during the current quarter and in the preceding quarter and totaled $9.3 million in the third fiscal quarter a year ago. In the first nine months of fiscal 2023, non-interest expense was $29.4 million compared to $26.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2022. The prior year nine-month period included a $1.0 million gain on sale of a building. Salary and employee benefits increased during the quarter and for the first nine months due to wage pressures and the competitive landscape for attracting and retaining employees. Occupancy and depreciation expense increased due to the Company’s rebranding effort in addition to updates and modernization initiatives completed at our facilities. The efficiency ratio was 59.1% for the third fiscal quarter compared to 59.2% in the preceding quarter and 61.2% in the third fiscal quarter a year ago.

Return on average assets was 1.27% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to 1.21% in the preceding quarter. Return on average equity and return on average tangible equity (non-GAAP) were 13.85% and 16.96%, respectively, compared to 13.28% and 16.15%, respectively, for the prior quarter.

Riverview’s effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was 23.1%, compared to 23.2% for both the preceding quarter and for the year ago quarter.

Balance Sheet Review

Total loans were $1.02 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $1.01 billion three months earlier and $962.2 million a year ago. Riverview’s loan pipeline totaled $27.3 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $73.3 million at the end of the prior quarter. New loan originations during the quarter totaled $28.9 million compared to $48.7 million in the preceding quarter and $109.0 million in the third quarter a year ago.

Undisbursed construction loans totaled $44.0 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $53.9 million at September 30, 2022, with the majority of the undisbursed construction loans expected to fund over the next several quarters. Undisbursed homeowner association loans for the purpose of common area maintenance and repairs totaled $25.0 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $26.4 million at September 30, 2022. Revolving commercial business loan commitments totaled $63.5 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $59.3 million three months earlier. Utilization on these loans totaled 19.3% at December 31, 2022, compared to 20.3% at September 30, 2022. The weighted average rate on loan originations during the quarter was 5.75% compared to 5.77% in the preceding quarter.

Total deposits were $1.37 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $1.49 billion at September 30, 2022, representing a decrease of $123.4 million, or 8.3%. Total deposits decreased $107.5 million, or 7.3%, compared to a year earlier. The decrease can be attributed to deposit pricing pressures and customers seeking out higher yielding investment alternatives, including Riverview Trust Company’s money market accounts. Non-interest checking and interest checking accounts, as a percentage of total deposits, totaled 54.8% at December 31, 2022.

FHLB advances were $32.3 million at December 31, 2022 and were comprised of overnight advances. There were no outstanding FHLB advances at September 30, 2022 or a year earlier. These FHLB advances were utilized to partially offset the decrease in deposit balances.

Shareholders’ equity was $152.0 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $147.2 million three months earlier and $163.1 million a year earlier. Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) was $5.79 at December 31, 2022, compared to $5.56 at September 30, 2022, and $6.11 at December 31, 2021. The decrease in shareholders’ equity and tangible book value per share at December 31, 2022, compared to a year ago was primarily due to a $20.2 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to an increase in the unrealized loss on available for sale securities, reflecting the increase in interest rates over the last few quarters. Riverview paid a quarterly cash dividend to $0.06 per share on January 16, 2023, to shareholders of record on January 4, 2023.

Credit Quality

Asset quality remained strong, with non-performing loans, excluding SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans (“government guaranteed loans”) (non-GAAP), at $236,000, or 0.01% of total assets as of December 31, 2022, compared to $248,000, or 0.01% of total assets at September 30, 2022. Including government guaranteed loans, non-performing assets were $12.6 million, or 0.79% of total assets, at December 31, 2022, compared to $21.0 million, or 1.25% of total assets, three months earlier and $1.8 million, or 0.11% of total assets, at December 31, 2021. The $12.6 million includes non-performing government guaranteed loans where payments have been delayed due to the servicing transfer of these loans between two third-party servicers. Once the servicing transfer is complete, Riverview expects to receive the delayed payments and expects non-performing assets to decrease significantly. During the quarter, these balances were reduced by $7.2 million as the Company continues to work through the reconciliation of these loans with the third-party servicer.

Additional details on government guaranteed loans.

The Bank holds approximately $12.0 million of the government guaranteed loans originated by other banks that, when purchased, were placed into a Direct Registration Certificate (“DRC”) program by the SBA’s former fiscal transfer agent, Colson Inc. (“Colson”) that remain to be reconciled with Colson. Under the DRC program, Colson was required to remit monthly payments to the investor holding the guaranteed balance, whether or not a payment had actually been received from the borrower. In 2020, Colson did not successfully retain its existing contract as the SBA’s fiscal transfer agent and began transitioning servicing over to a new company, Guidehouse. In late 2021, Guidehouse, under their contract with the SBA, declined to continue the DRC program. After declining to continue the DRC program, all payments under the DRC program began to be held by Guidehouse or Colson until the DRC program could be unwound and the DRC holdings converted into normal pass through certificates. As part of unwinding the DRC program, Colson has requested investors who had received payments in advance of the borrower actually remitting payment return advanced funds before they will process the conversion of certificates. The Bank continues to work with Colson on the reconciliation and transfer of these loans. The Bank expects the reconciliation and unwinding process to continue and until the reconciliation and unwinding process is completed, these loans will be reflected as past due. The Bank is fully guaranteed to be paid all principal and interest on these loans.

Riverview recorded net loan recoveries of $6,000 during the third fiscal quarter. This compared to net loan charge-offs of $7,000 for the preceding quarter and net loan charge-offs of $52,000 in the third fiscal quarter a year ago. Riverview recorded no provision for loan losses during the third fiscal quarter, or the second fiscal quarter. This compared to a recapture of a provision for loan losses of $1.3 million in the third fiscal quarter a year ago.

Classified assets were $6.2 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $6.6 million at September 30, 2022, and $6.5 million at December 31, 2021. The classified asset to total capital ratio was 3.5% at December 31, 2022, compared to 3.8% three months earlier and 3.9% a year earlier. Criticized assets were $3.5 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $980,000 at September 30, 2022 and $14.0 million at December 31, 2021.

The allowance for loan losses was $14.6 million at December 31, 2022, which was unchanged from September 30, 2022. This compared to $15.2 million one year earlier. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.43% of total loans at December 31, 2022, compared to 1.44% at September 30, 2022, and 1.58% a year earlier. The allowance for loan losses to loans, net of SBA guaranteed loans (including SBA purchased and PPP loans) (non-GAAP), was 1.52% at December 31, 2022, compared to 1.53% at September 30, 2022, and 1.68% a year earlier. Included in the carrying value of loans are net discounts on the MBank purchased loans, which may reduce the need for an allowance for loan losses on these loans because they are carried at an amount below the outstanding principal balance. The remaining net discount on these purchased loans was $255,000 at December 31, 2022, compared to $285,000 three months earlier.

PPP Loans

During Round 1, Riverview originated 790 PPP loans totaling approximately $112.9 million, net of deferred fees, and in PPP Round 2, Riverview originated 414 PPP loans totaling approximately $54.1 million, net of deferred fees. At December 31, 2022, there was $10,000 in total outstanding PPP loans from Round 1 and Round 2.

Capital

Riverview continues to maintain capital levels well in excess of the regulatory requirements to be categorized as “well capitalized” with a total risk-based capital ratio of 16.71% and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 10.10% at December 31, 2022. Tangible common equity to average tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) was 7.93% at December 31, 2022.

Stock Repurchase Program

On November 17, 2022, Riverview announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.5 million of the Company’s outstanding shares in the open market, based on prevailing market prices, or in privately negotiated transactions, over a period beginning on November 28, 2022, and continuing until the earlier of the completion of the repurchase or May 28, 2023, depending upon market conditions. During the third fiscal quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased 10,797 shares at an average price of $7.51 per share.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. Management has presented these non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release because it believes that they provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in Riverview's core operations reflected in the current quarter's results and facilitate the comparison of our performance with the performance of our peers. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for any analysis based on GAAP. Where applicable, comparable earnings information using GAAP financial measures is also presented. Because not all companies use the same calculations, our presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures as calculated by other companies. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures, see the tables below.

About Riverview

Riverview Bancorp, Inc. (www.riverviewbank.com) is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington – just north of Portland, Oregon, on the I-5 corridor. With assets of $1.60 billion at December 31, 2022, it is the parent company of the 99-year-old Riverview Bank, as well as Riverview Trust Company. The Bank offers true community banking services, focusing on providing the highest quality service and financial products to commercial and retail clients through 17 branches, including 13 in the Portland-Vancouver area, and 3 lending centers. For the past 9 years, Riverview has been named Best Bank by the readers of The Vancouver Business Journal and The Columbian .

“Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on our credit quality and business operations, as well as the impact on general economic and financial conditions and other uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the extent and duration of the impact on public health, the U.S. and global economies, and consumer and corporate customers, including economic activity, employment levels and market liquidity; the Company’s ability to raise common capital; the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in the Company’s allowance for loan losses and provision for loan losses that may be impacted by deterioration in the housing and commercial real estate markets; changes in general economic conditions, either nationally or in the Company’s market areas; changes in the levels of general interest rates, and the relative differences between short and long term interest rates, deposit interest rates, the Company’s net interest margin and funding sources; fluctuations in the demand for loans, the number of unsold homes, land and other properties and fluctuations in real estate values in the Company’s market areas; secondary market conditions for loans and the Company’s ability to sell loans in the secondary market; results of examinations of us by the Federal Reserve and our bank subsidiary by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks or other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, require us to increase the Company’s reserve for loan losses, write-down assets, change Riverview Bank’s regulatory capital position or affect the Company’s ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits, which could adversely affect its liquidity and earnings; legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect the Company’s business including changes in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules; the Company’s ability to attract and retain deposits; further increases in premiums for deposit insurance; the Company’s ability to control operating costs and expenses; the use of estimates in determining fair value of certain of the Company’s assets, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant declines in valuation; difficulties in reducing risks associated with the loans on the Company’s balance sheet; staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or the implementation of corporate strategies that affect the Company’s workforce and potential associated charges; computer systems on which the Company depends could fail or experience a security breach; the Company’s ability to retain key members of its senior management team; costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; the Company’s ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel it may in the future acquire into its operations and the Company’s ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any future goodwill impairment due to changes in the Company’s business, changes in market conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors related thereto; increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; the availability of resources to address changes in laws, rules, or regulations or to respond to regulatory actions; the Company’s ability to pay dividends on its common stock; and interest or principal payments on its junior subordinated debentures; adverse changes in the securities markets; inability of key third-party providers to perform their obligations to us; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the financial institution regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, pricing, products and services and the other risks described from time to time in our filings with the SEC.

Such forward-looking statements may include projections. Any such projections were not prepared in accordance with published guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or the Securities Exchange Commission regarding projections and forecasts nor have such projections been audited, examined or otherwise reviewed by independent auditors of the Company. In addition, such projections are based upon many estimates and inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of management of the Company. Accordingly, actual results may be materially higher or lower than those projected. The inclusion of such projections herein should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the projections will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to the Company. The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. These risks could cause our actual results for fiscal 2023 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of, us, and could negatively affect the Company’s operating and stock price performance.