SBBX - SB One Bancorp Reports Diluted EPS of $0.55 for the First Quarter of 2020

PARAMUS, N.J., April 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SB One Bancorp (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SBBX), the holding company for SB One Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $5.1 million, or $0.55 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to net income of $5.8 million, or $0.62 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The Company reported net income, adjusted for merger-related expenses net of tax of $249 thousand, of $5.4 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

The Company reported net income of $5.1 million, or $0.55 per basic and diluted share, and net income adjusted for merger-related expenses net of tax, of $249 thousand, of $5.4 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to net income of $5.3 million, or $0.57 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. 

On March 12, 2020, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Provident Financial Services, Inc. (“Provident”) where Provident will acquire the Company in an all-stock transaction (the “Merger”). Each outstanding share of Company common stock will be exchanged for 1.357 shares of Provident common stock.  The Merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of the Company.

Anthony Labozzetta, President and CEO of SB One Bancorp and SB One Bank stated, “As we closed out the first quarter, like most, we were confronted with the social and economic uncertainty associated with Covid-19.  Our employees quickly rose to the challenge and implemented our pandemic plan.   Being an essential service, we remained open and implemented plans to protect our employees and customers.  At the same time, we worked intensely to assist many of our customers who needed temporary relief in loan payments and/or help accessing the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans. I am grateful to my colleagues for their hard work and dedication”.  Through April 28, 2020, approximately 374 loans totaling $318.8 million have received some form of payment assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition, we have processed approximately $72.5 million in PPP loans and an additional $20.4 million in PPP loans through our Fintech partner.

“The first quarter began with strong momentum in our business lines.  Beginning the year with a strong pipeline, the commercial lending group grew loans at an annualized rate of 18.1% and the retail banking group grew deposits at an annualized rate 19.3%.  Notably, our non-interest bearing deposits grew 17.1%.  In addition, we expanded our core net interest margin approximately 4 basis points.  The growth and improvement in core net interest margin helped offset the year over year decrease in accretion income resulting from prior mergers,” stated Mr. Labozzetta. 

Mr. Labozzetta also stated, “we are very excited about the prospects of our future partnership with Provident Bank.  As we begin the merger process and interact with the Provident Bank team, albeit virtually, our decision to combine our organization is further reinforced.  It is great to see two strong cultures come together.”

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend
On April 29, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share, which is payable on May 26, 2020 to common shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 12, 2020.

Financial Performance
Net Income. For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the Company reported net income of $5.1 million, or $0.55 per basic and diluted share, a decrease of 11.9%, as compared to net income of $5.8 million, or $0.62 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The decrease in net income was primarily driven by a decrease in purchase accounting amortization of $653 thousand and merger-related expenses net of tax of $249 thousand as a result of the merger with Provident.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the Company reported net income of $5.1 million, or $0.55 per basic and diluted share, a decrease of 3.8%, as compared to net income of $5.3 million, or $0.57 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in net income was primarily driven by merger-related expenses net of tax of $249 thousand.

The Company reported net income, adjusted for merger-related expenses net of tax of $249 thousand, of $5.4 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Net Interest Income.  Net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis increased $572 thousand, or 3.9%, to $15.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to $14.7 million for the same period in 2019.  The increase in net interest income was largely due to a $191.3 million, or 11.1%, increase in average interest earning assets, principally organic growth of loans receivable, which increased $155.6 million, or 10.4%. Net interest margin decreased 25 basis points to 3.21% for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019. The decrease in net interest margin for the first quarter 2020 is mostly due to a decrease in purchase accounting amortization of $653 thousand, a decrease of prepayment penalties on loans receivable of $207 thousand and a down rate environment on interest earning assets. The Company’s average deposits grew $153.9 million, or 10.9%, for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019. The Company’s cost of funds in the first quarter of 2020 decreased by 6 basis points as compared to the first quarter of 2019.  

Net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis increased $227 thousand, or 1.5%, to $15.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 as compared to $15.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.  The increase in net interest income was largely due to a $75.2 million growth in average interest earning assets, principally loans receivable, which increased $64.1 million, or 4.0%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The rate earned on interest bearing assets decreased 12 basis points, to 4.41%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to 4.53% for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in rate earned on interest bearing assets for the first quarter 2020 is mostly due to a decrease of prepayment penalties on loans receivable of $203 thousand. The Company’s average deposits grew $42.6 million, or 2.8%, for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company’s cost of funds decreased by 8 basis points as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. 

Provision for Loan Losses. Provision for loan losses increased $308 thousand, or 53.9%, to $879 thousand for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to $571 thousand for the same period in 2019.

Provision for loan losses increased $331 thousand, or 60.4%, to $879 thousand for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to $548 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2019.

The increase in provision for loan losses was primarily driven by changes to our qualitative modeling factors for a possible deterioration of the economic environment due to the circumstances surrounding the state of COVID-19.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $48 thousand, or 1.3%, to $3.7 million for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019. The growth was largely due to increases in other income of $52 thousand, and insurance commissions and fees relating to SB One Insurance Agency of $36 thousand, for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019. The increases in non-interest income were partially offset by a decrease in investment brokerage fees of $41 thousand for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019. 

Non-interest income increased $464 thousand, or 14.4%, to $3.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2019.  The increase was principally due to a $1.1 million increase in insurance commissions and fees relating to SB One Insurance Agency, partially offset by a $531 thousand decrease in gains on sale of securities.

Non-interest Expense. The Company’s non-interest expenses excluding merger related expenses of $315 thousand increased $0.9 million, or 8.6%, to $11.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019. The increase in non-interest expenses, excluding merger related expenses, occurred largely in salaries and employee benefits, which increased $640 thousand,  data processing, which increased $114 thousand, and occupancy, which increased $100 thousand, for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019.

Salary and employee benefits increased for the first quarter of 2020 versus the first quarter of 2019 mostly due to annual staff pay increases and additional staff to support the continued growth of the Company. Data processing increased as a result of increased customer transaction volume period over period.

The Company’s non-interest expenses increased $1.0 million, or 9.9%, to $11.4 million for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase in non-interest expenses occurred largely in salaries and employee benefits, which increased $524 thousand, merger-related expenses, which increased $315 thousand, and FDIC assessment, which increased $131 thousand, for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase in non-interest expenses for the first quarter of 2020 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees of $138 thousand.

Salary and employee benefits increased for the first quarter of 2020 versus the fourth quarter of 2019 due to a discretionary bonus payment to Company employees of $225 thousand, annual staff pay increases and additional staff to support the continued growth of the Company. The increase in FDIC assessment period over period was driven by an FDIC assessment credit the Company received during the third and fourth quarter of 2019.

Income Tax Expense. The Company’s income tax expenses decreased $13 thousand to $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the same period last year. The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 was 22.5%, as compared to 20.5% for the same period in 2019.

The Company’s income tax expenses decreased $453 thousand to $1.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The Company’s effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 was 22.5%, as compared to 26.7% for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.

Financial Condition
At March 31, 2020, the Company’s total assets were $2.1 billion, an increase of $78.6 million, or 3.9%, as compared to total assets of $2.0 billion at December 31, 2019.  The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in loans receivable of $56.3 million, or 3.5%, to $1.7 billion.

The Company’s total deposits increased $73.5 million, or 4.8%, to $1.6 billion at March 31, 2020, from $1.5 billion at December 31, 2019. The growth in deposits was mostly due to an increase in interest bearing deposits of $46.0 million, or 3.6%.

At March 31, 2020, the Company’s total stockholders’ equity was $194.9 million, a decrease of $4.3 million when compared to December 31, 2019.  At March 31, 2020, the leverage, Tier I risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and common equity Tier I capital ratios for the Bank were 9.97%, 11.52%, 12.15% and 11.52%, respectively, all in excess of the ratios required to be deemed “well-capitalized.”

Asset and Credit Quality
The ratio of non-performing assets (“NPAs”), which include non-accrual loans, loans 90 days past due and still accruing, troubled debt restructured loans currently performing in accordance with renegotiated terms and foreclosed real estate, to total assets increased to 0.85% at March 31, 2020, as compared to 0.83% at December 31, 2019. The ratio of NPAs to total assets decreased to 0.85% at March 31, 2020, as compared to 1.35% at March 31, 2019. NPAs exclude $2.5 million of Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans acquired through the merger with Community Bank of Bergen County (“Community Bank”). NPAs increased $942 thousand to $17.6 million at March 31, 2020, as compared to $16.7 million at December 31, 2019.  Non-accrual loans, excluding $2.5 million of PCI loans, increased $1.6 million, or 14.4%, to $13.1 million at March 31, 2020, as compared to $11.4 million at December 31, 2019.  Loans past due 30 to 89 days totaled $5.0 million at March 31, 2020, representing a decrease of $2.8 million, or 36.4%, as compared to $7.8 million at December 31, 2019.

The Company continues to actively market its foreclosed real estate properties, the value of which decreased $696 thousand to $3.1 million at March 31, 2020 as compared to $3.8 million at December 31, 2019.  The decrease in foreclosed real estate properties was attributable to the sale of two properties totaling $696 thousand. At March 31, 2020, the Company’s foreclosed real estate properties had an average carrying value of approximately $310 thousand per property.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses increased $600 thousand, or 5.8%, to $10.9 million, at March 31, 2020 as compared to $10.3 million at December 31, 2019. The Company’s outstanding credit mark recorded on the legacy Community Bank and Enterprise Bank, N.J. (“Enterprise”) portfolios of $315.5 million totaled $6.1 million at March 31, 2020. The Company’s combined coverage of allowance for loan loss and credit mark on the legacy Community Bank and Enterprise portfolios totaled $17.0 million, or 1.00% of the overall loan portfolio, at March 31, 2020. The Company recorded $866 thousand in provision for loan losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to $552 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.  Additionally, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $276 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to $163 thousand in net charge-offs for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

About SB One Bancorp

SB One Bancorp (Nasdaq: SBBX), is the holding company for SB One Bank, a full-service, commercial bank that operates regionally with 18 branch locations in New Jersey and New York. Established in 1975, SB One Bank's strength is in its ability to build strong personal relationships with its customers and to serve the communities in which it operates. In addition to its branches and loan production offices, SB One Bank offers a full-service insurance agency, SB One Insurance Agency, Inc., and wealth services through SB One Wealth. SB One Bank reinforces its commitment to the communities in which it lives and serves through the SB One Foundation, Inc. which supports various local charitable organizations.

SB One Bancorp is a member of the Russell 2000^® Index and Russell 3000^® Index. In 2017, it was recognized as one of the top 29 banks and thrifts nationwide and one of three from New Jersey that comprise the Sandler O’Neill Sm-All Stars Class of 2017. SB One Bancorp was recognized as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in New Jersey as ranked by NJBIZ Magazine in 2016. SB One Bancorp President and Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Labozzetta, was named one of America’s Business Leaders in Banking by Forbes magazine and American Banker’s Community Banker of the Year in 2016.

For more details on SB One Bank, visit: www.SBOne.bank

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward looking and are made pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, (i) statements about the benefits of the Merger between the Company and Provident, including future financial and operating results, cost savings and accretion to reported earnings that may be realized from the Merger; and (ii) statements that may be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "estimate," “assume,” "believe," "anticipate," "will," "forecast," "plan," "project" or similar words. Such statements are based on SB One Bancorp’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, (1) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy generally and on the Company in particular; (2) the businesses of the Company and Provident may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer, be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected; (3) the expected growth opportunities or cost savings from the Merger may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (4) deposit attrition, operating costs, customer losses and business disruption following the Merger, including adverse effects on relationships with employees and customers, may be greater than expected; (5) the regulatory approvals required for the Merger may not be obtained on the proposed terms or on the anticipated schedule; (6) the Company’s shareholders may fail to approve the Merger; (7) changes to interest rates; (8) the ability to control costs and expenses; (9) general economic conditions; (10) the success of the Company’s efforts to diversify its revenue base by developing additional sources of non-interest income while continuing to manage its existing fee-based business; and (11) risks associated with the quality of the Company’s assets and the ability of its borrowers to comply with repayment. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to those forward looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after this date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SB ONE BANCORP
Anthony Labozzetta, President/CEO
Adriano Duarte, CFO
(p) 844-256-7328