SASR - Sandy Spring Bancorp Reports First Quarter Earnings of $51.3 Million

OLNEY, Md., April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq-SASR), the parent company of Sandy Spring Bank, reported net income of $51.3 million ($1.14 per diluted common share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to net income of $43.9 million ($0.96 per diluted common share) for the first quarter of 2022 and $34.0 million ($0.76 per diluted common share) for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Current quarter core earnings were $52.3 million ($1.16 per diluted common share), compared to $45.1 million ($0.99 per diluted common share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and $35.3 million ($0.79 per diluted common share) for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. Core earnings exclude the after-tax impact of amortization of intangibles, investment securities gains or losses and non-recurring or extraordinary items. The current period driver in the growth of GAAP earnings and core earnings compared to the linked quarter and the prior year quarter was the credit to the provision for credit losses. The provision for credit losses for the current quarter was a credit of $21.5 million compared to a charge of $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2022 and a charge of $10.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The current quarter's credit to the provision was primarily the result of the improvement in the forecasted regional unemployment rate coupled with the stable credit quality in the loan portfolio.

“Following the closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank last month, our bankers did a tremendous job proactively reaching out to our clients, answering their questions and working together to find solutions to any concerns that arose,” said Daniel J. Schrider, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our clients are loyal to our company and believe in the valuable service we provide in the Greater Washington region.”

“Given the challenging interest rate environment, recessionary pressures and the industry-wide disruption, our priorities for the balance of the year remain growing core funding, managing expenses and taking care of our clients,” Schrider added.

First Quarter Highlights

• Total assets at March 31, 2023 increased 2% to $14.1 billion compared to $13.8 billion at December 31, 2022. Total loan and deposit balances remained relatively flat compared to the prior quarter end.
  
• At March 31, 2023 total loans have remained relatively stable at $11.4 billion compared to December 31, 2022 as a result of reduced loan demand and lower payoff activity during the current quarter.
  
• Deposits increased 1% to $11.1 billion at March 31, 2023 compared to $11.0 billion at December 31, 2022. During the current quarter attrition in noninterest-bearing deposits was 12%, primarily in commercial checking accounts, while interest-bearing deposits grew 8% driven by the addition of brokered time deposits. Excluding the increase in brokered time deposits during the current quarter, total deposits declined 3%.
  
• Total borrowings in the current quarter increased by $130.8 million over amounts at December 31, 2022 as management bolstered on-balance sheet liquidity following the closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
  
• Net interest income for the first quarter of 2023 declined $4.1 million or 4% compared to the first quarter of 2022. The growth in interest income of $45.3 million provided by loan growth was more than offset by the $49.5 million increase in interest expense for the comparative periods that resulted from the increase in rates paid on deposits and higher borrowing costs.
  
• For the first quarter of 2023, the net interest margin was 2.99% compared to 3.49% for the first quarter of 2022, and 3.26% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The erosion in net interest margin for the current quarter was due to higher rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, which outpaced the increase in the yield on interest-earning assets. The overall rate and yield increases were driven by the multiple federal funds rate increases that occurred over the preceding twelve months coupled with competition for deposits in the market. During this period, the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities rose 223 basis points, while the yield on interest-earning assets increased 98 basis points, resulting in the aforementioned margin compression of 50 basis points.
  
• The current quarter's provision for credit losses directly attributable to the funded loan portfolio was a credit of $18.9 million compared to the prior year quarter’s provision for credit losses of $1.6 million. In addition, the quarterly credit to the provision contained a credit of $2.6 million associated with the provision for unfunded loan commitments. The credit to the provision in the current quarter reflects the impact of the improvement in forecasted regional unemployment rate, management's consideration of existing economic versus historical conditions and the continued strong credit performance of our loan portfolio segments.
  
• The current quarter's non-interest income decreased by 23% or $4.6 million compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease represents the cumulative result of the impact of the interest rate and market environment on mortgage banking activities and wealth management income, the decline in insurance commission income as a result of the disposition of the Company's insurance business during the second quarter of 2022 and lower bank card income due to regulatory restrictions on transaction fees that became effective for the Company in the second quarter of 2022.
  
• Non-interest expense for the current quarter increased $4.2 million or 7% compared to the prior year quarter, driven primarily by increases in the FDIC insurance assessment, professional fees and services and other expenses.
  
• Return on average assets (“ROA”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was 1.49% and return on average tangible common equity (“ROTCE”) was 19.10% compared to 1.42% and 16.45%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2022. On a non-GAAP basis, the current quarter's core ROA was 1.52% and core ROTCE was 19.11% compared to core ROA of 1.45% and core ROTCE of 16.45% for the first quarter of 2022.
  
• The GAAP efficiency ratio was 58.55% for the first quarter of 2023, compared to 50.92% for the first quarter of 2022, and 53.23% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio was 56.87% for the first quarter of 2023 compared to 49.34% for the prior year quarter, and 51.46% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in both the GAAP and non-GAAP efficiency ratios (reflecting a decrease in efficiency) in the current quarter compared to the previous quarter and the first quarter of the prior year was the result of declines in net revenue from the prior periods coupled with the growth in non-interest expense.
  

Customer Deposit Focus

Deposits amounted to $11.1 billion at March 31, 2023. Core deposits, which exclude brokered relationships, represented 88% of total deposits at the end of the current quarter as compared to 92% for the previous quarter, reflecting the stability of the core deposit base. Total insured deposits, including pass-through insured deposits, represented approximately 66% of total deposits at March 31, 2023. During the quarter, the availability of high yields in savings products and short-term debt securities coupled with expected seasonal run-off led to noninterest-bearing deposits declining 12%. The rotation into higher yielding accounts along with growth in brokered time deposits drove an 8% increase in interest-bearing deposits. The Company mitigated deposit outflows by providing reciprocal deposit arrangements, which provide FDIC deposit insurance for accounts that would otherwise exceed deposit insurance limits.

At March 31, 2023, contingent liquidity amounted to $3.8 billion or 101% of the amount of uninsured deposits. This amount of contingent liquidity does not include any consideration of the held-to-maturity or the available-for-sale investment portfolios. With the inclusion of the total unpledged investment securities portfolio, in addition to $1.5 billion in available federal funds, this results in total coverage of 158% of uninsured deposits.

Balance Sheet and Credit Quality

Total assets grew 9% to $14.1 billion at March 31, 2023, as compared to $13.0 billion at March 31, 2022. During this period, total loans grew by 12% to $11.4 billion at March 31, 2023, compared to $10.1 billion at March 31, 2022. Total commercial loans, grew by $902.1 million or 12% during the past twelve months. The growth in the commercial portfolio occurred in most commercial portfolios led by the $779.2 million or 18% growth in the investor owned commercial real estate portfolio. Year-over-year the total residential mortgage loan portfolio grew 33%, as a greater number of conventional 1-4 family mortgage and ARM loans were retained to grow the portfolio. Reduced loan demand coupled with lower payoff activity during the current quarter resulted in minimal loan growth compared to the prior quarter.

Deposits increased 2% to $11.1 billion at March 31, 2023 compared to $10.9 billion at March 31, 2022. During the preceding twelve months, the increase in deposits occurred despite the 20% attrition in noninterest-bearing deposits, primarily in commercial checking accounts, as interest-bearing deposits, driven by brokered time deposits, grew 15%. Excluding the impact of the increase in brokered time deposits, total deposits declined 7%. Borrowings, primarily advances from the FHLB, have increased by $872.2 million in reaction to the loan growth over the previous year and, more recently, to provide greater on-balance sheet liquidity following the closures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

The tangible common equity ratio decreased to 8.40% of tangible assets at March 31, 2023, compared to 8.70% at March 31, 2022. This decrease reflects the impact of the $46.7 million increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss on common equity as a result of the rising interest rate environment negatively affecting the fair values in the available-for-sale investment portfolio coupled with the 9% increase in total assets over the preceding twelve months. At March 31, 2023, the Company had a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.43%, a common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 10.53%, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 10.53%, and a tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.44%. All of these ratios remain well in excess of the mandated minimum regulatory requirements.

Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans and accruing loans 90 days or more past due. Credit quality improved at March 31, 2023 compared to March 31, 2022, as the level of non-performing loans to total loans declined to 0.41% compared to 0.46%. These levels of non-performing loans compare to 0.35% for the prior quarter and continue to indicate stable credit quality during a period of significant loan growth and a degree of economic uncertainty. At March 31, 2023, non-performing loans totaled $47.2 million, compared to $46.3 million at March 31, 2022, and $39.4 million at December 31, 2022. Loans placed on non-accrual during the current quarter amounted to $19.7 million compared to $1.5 million for the prior year quarter and $5.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. During the current quarter, the Company successfully resolved several large non-accrual relationships for a total pay-off of $10.2 million, including a significant recovery of delinquent interest, without incurring any charge-offs. The growth in non-performing loans from the previous quarter reflects a large borrowing relationship within the custodial care sector with an aggregate balance of $14.6 million. This large relationship is collateral dependent and required a minimal individual reserve due to sufficient values of the underlying collateral. The Company realized net recoveries of $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2023, as compared to net charge-offs of $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2022 and $0.1 million in recoveries for the fourth quarter of 2022.

At March 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses was $117.6 million or 1.03% of outstanding loans and 249% of non-performing loans, compared to $136.2 million or 1.20% of outstanding loans and 346% of non-performing loans at the end of the previous quarter and $110.6 million or 1.09% of outstanding loans and 239% of non-performing loans at the end of the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in the allowance for the current quarter compared to the previous quarter reflects the impact of the improvement in forecasted regional unemployment rate, management's consideration of existing economic versus historical conditions and the continued strong credit performance of our portfolio segments.

Income Statement Review

Quarterly Results

Net income was $51.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to net income of $43.9 million for the prior year quarter. The rise in the current quarter's earnings compared to the prior year quarter was the result of the current quarter's significant credit to the provision for credit losses compared to the prior year's charge to the provision. The impact of the credit to the provision more than offset the combined effect of lower net interest income and non-interest income and the rise in non-interest expense. During the comparative period, the impact on interest income from loan growth was more than offset by the increase in interest expense, the result of the increase in rates paid on deposits and higher borrowing costs. The decline in non-interest income was the result of the combination of lower mortgage banking income, a decline in wealth management income, reduced insurance commission income due to the impact of the sale of the Company's insurance business in the second quarter of 2022 and lower bank card fees resulting from the implementation of applicable regulations in the second half of 2022. Non-interest expense increased 7% compared to the prior year quarter, mainly due to increases in the FDIC insurance assessment, professional fees and services and other expenses. Current quarter core earnings were $52.3 million ($1.16 per diluted common share), compared to $45.1 million ($0.99 per diluted common share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and $35.3 million ($0.79 per diluted common share) for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Net interest income decreased $4.1 million or 4% for the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022. During the past twelve months, loan growth coupled with the rising interest rate environment was primarily responsible for a $45.3 million or 43% increase in interest income. This growth in interest income was fully offset by the $49.5 million growth in interest expense as funding costs have also risen in response to the rising rate environment and significant competition for deposits. Interest income growth occurred in all categories of commercial loans and, to a lesser degree, in residential mortgage loans, consumer loans and investment securities income. Interest expense grew due to the rising cost of interest-bearing deposits, primarily time and money market deposits, and the growth and cost of borrowings in the current year period compared to the same period of the prior year. The net interest margin for the current quarter was 2.99% compared to 3.49% for the first quarter of 2022, and 3.26% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The erosion in net interest margin for the current quarter was due to the higher rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, which outpaced the increase in the yield on interest-earning assets. The overall rate and yield increases were driven by the multiple federal funds rate increases that occurred over the preceding twelve months coupled with competition for deposits in the market. During this period, while the yield on interest-earning assets increased 98 basis points, the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities rose 223 basis points resulting in the aforementioned margin compression of 50 basis points.

The total provision for credit losses was a credit of $21.5 million for the first quarter of 2023 compared to a charge of $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2022 and $10.8 million for the previous quarter. The provision for credit losses directly attributable to the funded loan portfolio was $18.9 million for the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter’s provision for credit losses of $1.6 million and $7.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The current quarter's credit to the provision reflects the impact of the improvement in forecasted regional unemployment rate, management's consideration of existing economic versus historical conditions and the continued strong credit performance of our loan portfolio segments.

For the first quarter of 2023, non-interest income decreased $4.6 million or 23% compared to the prior year quarter. The decline reflects the cumulative result of the decrease in income from mortgage banking activities reflecting the impact of the interest rate and market environment, lower wealth management income driven by market performance, the decline in insurance commission income as a result of the second quarter's disposition of the Company's insurance business, and reduced bank card income due to regulatory restrictions on fee recognition.

Non-interest expense increased $4.2 million or 7% for the first quarter of 2023, compared to the prior year quarter, driven primarily by increases in the FDIC insurance assessment, professional fees and services and other expenses. Compensation and benefits costs during the comparative period was $0.4 million lower driven by decreases in commission and incentive payments. Occupancy and equipment expense rose $0.4 million compared to the prior year quarter as a result of increased software amortization. Marketing and outside data services also increased during the comparative period.

For the first quarter of 2023, the GAAP efficiency ratio was 58.55% compared to 50.92% for the first quarter of 2022, and 53.23% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The GAAP efficiency ratio rose from the prior year quarter primarily the result of the 7% decrease in GAAP revenue in combination with the 7% increase in GAAP non-interest expense. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio was 56.87% for the current quarter as compared to 49.34% for the first quarter of 2022, and 51.46% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in the non-GAAP efficiency ratio (reflecting a decrease in efficiency) from the first quarter of the prior year to the current year quarter was primarily the result of the 7% decline in non-GAAP revenue, driven chiefly by the decrease in non-GAAP non-interest income, and to a lesser degree, the decline in net interest income, while non-GAAP expenses rose 7%. ROA for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 was 1.49% and ROTCE was 19.10% compared to 0.98% and 12.91%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2022. On a non-GAAP basis, the current quarter's core ROA was 1.52% and core ROTCE was 19.11% compared to core ROA of 1.02% and core ROTCE of 13.02% for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains financial information and performance measures determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The Company’s management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information provides a better comparison of period-to-period operating performance. Additionally, the Company believes this information is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and, therefore, such information is useful to investors. Non-GAAP measures used in this release consist of the following:

• Tangible common equity and related measures are non-GAAP measures that exclude the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets.
• The non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes amortization of intangible assets, investment securities gains/(losses) and contingent payment expense, and includes tax-equivalent income.
• Core earnings and the related measures of core earnings per diluted common share, core return on average assets and core return on average tangible common equity reflect net income exclusive of amortization of intangible assets, investment securities gains/(losses), and contingent payment expense, on a net of tax basis.
• Pre-tax pre-provision net income excludes income tax expense and the provision (credit) for credit losses.

These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Please refer to the non-GAAP Reconciliation tables included with this release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Conference Call

The Company’s management will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter results today at 2:00 p.m. (ET). A live Webcast of the conference call is available through the Investor Relations section of the Sandy Spring Website at www.sandyspringbank.com. Participants may call 1-833-470-1428. Please use the following access code: 929546. Visitors to the Website are advised to log on 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled start of the call. An internet-based replay will be available on the website until May 4, 2023. A replay of the teleconference will be available through the same time period by calling 1-866-813-9403 under conference call number 941985.

About Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Olney, Maryland, is the holding company for Sandy Spring Bank, a premier community bank in the Greater Washington, D.C. region. With over 50 locations, the bank offers a broad range of commercial and retail banking, mortgage, private banking, and trust services throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Through its subsidiaries, Rembert Pendleton Jackson and West Financial Services, Inc., Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of wealth management services.

Category: Webcast
Source: Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
Code: SASR-E

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Daniel J. Schrider, Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, or
Philip J. Mantua, E.V.P. & Chief Financial Officer
Sandy Spring Bancorp
17801 Georgia Avenue
Olney, Maryland 20832
1-800-399-5919
Email: DSchrider@sandyspringbank.com
PMantua@sandyspringbank.com

Website: www.sandyspringbank.com
Media Contact:
Diane Deskins Hicks
240-608-3020
dhicks@sandyspringbank.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Sandy Spring Bancorp’s forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks identified in our quarterly and annual reports and the following: changes in general business and economic conditions nationally or in the markets that we serve; changes in consumer and business confidence, investor sentiment, or consumer spending or savings behavior; changes in the level of inflation; changes in the demand for loans, deposits and other financial services that we provide; the possibility that future credit losses may be higher than currently expected; the impact of the interest rate environment on our business, financial condition and results of operations; the impact of compliance with changes in laws, regulations and regulatory interpretations, including changes in income taxes; changes in credit ratings assigned to us or our subsidiaries; the ability to realize benefits and cost savings from, and limit any unexpected liabilities associated with, any business combinations; competitive pressures among financial services companies; the ability to attract, develop and retain qualified employees; our ability to maintain the security of our data processing and information technology systems; the impact of changes in accounting policies, including the introduction of new accounting standards; the impact of judicial or regulatory proceedings; the impact of fiscal and governmental policies of the United States federal government; the impact of health emergencies, epidemics or pandemics; the effects of climate change; and the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events. Sandy Spring Bancorp provides greater detail regarding some of these factors in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, including in the Risk Factors section of that report, and in its other SEC reports. Sandy Spring Bancorp’s forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those that it may discuss elsewhere in this news release or in its filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov.