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home / news releases / WSBF - Waterstone Financial Inc. Announces Results of Operations for the Quarter and Year Ended December 31 2023


WSBF - Waterstone Financial Inc. Announces Results of Operations for the Quarter and Year Ended December 31 2023

WAUWATOSA, Wis., Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSBF), holding company for WaterStone Bank, reported a net loss of $40,000, or less than $0.01 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income of $935,000, or $0.04 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. Net income per diluted share was $0.46 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income per diluted share of $0.89 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

“The current market dynamics continue to present challenges for both our Community Banking and Mortgage Banking segments,” said William Bruss, Chief Executive Officer of Waterstone Financial, Inc.  "The rapid rise in short-term interest rates and an inverted yield curve continue to create downward pressure on the net interest margin of the Community Banking segment.  In addition, the housing market continues to be adversely impacted by elevated interest rates, which have resulted in low levels of inventory and a decrease in housing affordability.  As is the case for the overall mortgage banking industry, the results of operations within our Mortgage Banking segment have been negatively impacted by declining mortgage origination volumes and compressed margins.  Despite these challenges, our strong asset quality and robust level of capital allowed us to continue to provide strong shareholder returns throughout 2023.  During the year ended December 31, 2023, we declared dividends of $0.70 per share and repurchased 1.9 million shares of our stock at an average price well below our current book value per share.”

Highlights of the Quarter Ended December 31, 2023

Waterstone Financial, Inc. (Consolidated)

  • Consolidated net loss of Waterstone Financial, Inc. totaled $40,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income of $935,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Consolidated return on average assets was (0.01)% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 0.19% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Consolidated return on average equity was (0.05)% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, and 0.99% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022
  • Dividends declared during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, totaled $0.15 per common share.
  • During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased approximately 545,000 shares at a cost (including the federal excise tax) of $6.2 million, or $11.36 per share.  This share repurchase activity was accretive to book value per share in the amount of $0.14 during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
  • During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares at a cost (including the federal excise tax) of $26.0 million, or $13.38 per share. This share repurchase activity was accretive to book value per share in the $0.32 during the year ended December 31, 2023.
  • Nonperforming assets as percentage of total assets was 0.23% at December 31, 2023, 0.20% at September 30, 2023, and 0.22% at December 31, 2022.
  • Past due loans as a percentage of total loans was 0.68% at December 31, 2023, 0.53% at September 30, 2023, and 0.41% at December 31, 2022.
  • Book value per share was $16.94 at December 31, 2023, and $16.71 at December 31, 2022.

Community Banking Segment

  • Pre-tax income totaled $5.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, which represents a $1.7 million, or 24.3%, decrease compared to $7.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Past due loans at the community banking segment totaled $7.9 million at December 31, 2023, $6.7 million at September 30, 2023, and $4.8 million at December 31, 2022.
  • Net interest income totaled $12.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, which represents a $3.7 million, or 23.4%, decrease compared to $15.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Average loans held for investment totaled $1.66 billion during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, which represents an increase of $247.2 million, or 17.5%, compared to $1.41 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to increases in the single-family, multi-family, and commercial real estate mortgages. Average loans held for investment increased $33.1 million compared to $1.63 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in single-family and commercial real estate mortgages.
  • Net interest margin decreased 104 basis points to 2.25% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.29% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, which was a result of an increase in weighted average cost of deposits and borrowings as the federal funds rate increases resulted in increased funding rates. Net interest margin decreased one basis point compared to 2.26% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, driven by an increase in weighted average cost of deposits and borrowings as the federal funds rate increases resulted in increased funding rates.
  • The segment had a negative provision for credit losses related to funded loans of $17,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to a provision for credit losses related to funded loans of $290,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.  The current quarter decrease was primarily due to historical loss rates continuing to decrease. The negative provision for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments was $533,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to a provision for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments of $334,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The decrease for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, was due primarily to a decrease of loans in the loan commitment pipeline as loan activity decreased during the quarter and loans from the prior quarter pipeline funded.
  • The efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP ratio, was 63.26% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 54.49% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Average deposits (excluding escrow accounts) totaled $1.21 billion during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 0.1%, compared to $1.21 billion during the quarter ended December 31, 2022. Average deposits increased $10.4 million, or 3.5% annualized, compared to the $1.20 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
  • Other noninterest expense decreased $1.8 million to $628,000 during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $2.5 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was driven by fees paid to the mortgage banking segment for the purchase of single-family adjustable-rate mortgage loans.  These fees totaled $44,000 during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $2.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Mortgage Banking Segment

  • Pre-tax loss totaled $6.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $6.5 million of pre-tax loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Loan originations decreased $88.3 million, or 16.1%, to $458.4 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $546.6 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2022. Origination volume relative to purchase activity accounted for 95.7% of originations for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 95.6% of total originations for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Mortgage banking non-interest income decreased $2.0 million, or 11.3%, to $16.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $18.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Gross margin on loans sold totaled 3.51% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.41% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.
  • Total compensation, payroll taxes and other employee benefits decreased $2.5 million, or 14.5%, to $14.9 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $17.4 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The decrease primarily related to decreased commission expense and salary expense driven by decreased loan origination volume and reduced employee headcount.

About Waterstone Financial, Inc.

Waterstone Financial, Inc. is the savings and loan holding company for WaterStone Bank. WaterStone Bank was established in 1921 and offers a full suite of personal and business banking products. The Bank has branches in Wauwatosa/State St, Brookfield, Fox Point/North Shore, Franklin/Hales Corners, Germantown/Menomonee Falls, Greenfield/Loomis Rd, Milwaukee/Oklahoma Ave, Oak Creek/27th St, Oak Creek/Howell Ave, Oconomowoc/Lake Country, Pewaukee, Waukesha, West Allis/Greenfield Ave, and West Allis/National Ave, Wisconsin. WaterStone Bank is the parent company to Waterstone Mortgage, which has the ability to lend in 48 states. For more information about WaterStone Bank, go to http://www.wsbonline.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements or information that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding expected financial and operating activities and results that are preceded by, followed by, or that include words such as “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or “believes.”  Any such statements are based upon current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause such a difference include changes in interest rates; demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and nontraditional competitors; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; changes in tax laws; the impact of technological advances; governmental and regulatory policy changes; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; changes in local real estate values; changes in the national and local economies; and other factors, including risk factors referenced in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Waterstone’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and as may be described from time to time in Waterstone’s subsequent SEC filings, which factors are incorporated herein by reference.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect only Waterstone’s belief as of the date of this press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management uses non-GAAP financial information in its analysis of the Company's performance. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure provides a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results of operations with prior periods. The Company’s management believes that investors may use this non-GAAP measure to analyze the Company's financial performance without the impact of unusual items or events that may obscure trends in the Company’s underlying performance. This non-GAAP data should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and is not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.  Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in this measure and that different companies might calculate this measure differently.

Contact: Mark R. Gerke
Chief Financial Officer
414-459-4012
markgerke@wsbonline.com


WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

For The Three Months Ended December 31,
For The Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2023
2022
2023
2022
(In Thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income:
Loans
$
24,288
$
18,654
$
90,148
$
62,935
Mortgage-related securities
1,081
915
4,053
3,241
Debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments
1,325
1,105
5,007
4,069
Total interest income
26,694
20,674
99,208
70,245
Interest expense:
Deposits
8,253
2,352
25,738
4,863
Borrowings
6,685
2,711
23,255
8,428
Total interest expense
14,938
5,063
48,993
13,291
Net interest income
11,756
15,611
50,215
56,954
Provision (credit) for credit losses
(435
)
664
656
968
Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses
12,191
14,947
49,559
55,986
Noninterest income:
Service charges on loans and deposits
328
497
1,819
2,202
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance
337
344
1,710
1,738
Mortgage banking income
15,830
15,811
75,686
99,560
Other
381
443
1,970
2,055
Total noninterest income
16,876
17,095
81,185
105,555
Noninterest expenses:
Compensation, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits
20,061
22,063
84,096
99,565
Occupancy, office furniture, and equipment
2,021
2,166
8,323
8,706
Advertising
1,030
972
3,779
3,976
Data processing
1,212
1,040
4,653
4,470
Communications
269
289
988
1,189
Professional fees
907
612
2,686
1,815
Real estate owned
1
13
4
19
Loan processing expense
756
1,059
3,428
4,744
Other
3,405
3,170
11,755
12,578
Total noninterest expenses
29,662
31,384
119,712
137,062
(Loss) income before income taxes
(595
)
658
11,032
24,479
Income tax (benefit) expense
(555
)
(277
)
1,657
4,992
Net (loss) income
$
(40
)
$
935
$
9,375
$
19,487
(Loss) income per share:
Basic
$
(0.00
)
$
0.04
$
0.47
$
0.89
Diluted
$
(0.00
)
$
0.04
$
0.46
$
0.89
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic
19,380
20,966
20,158
21,884
Diluted
19,398
21,069
20,196
22,010

WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

December 31,
December 31,
2023
2022
(Unaudited)
Assets
(In Thousands, except per share amounts)
Cash
$
30,667
$
33,700
Federal funds sold
5,493
10,683
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions and other short-term investments
261
2,259
Cash and cash equivalents
36,421
46,642
Securities available for sale (at fair value)
204,907
196,588
Loans held for sale (at fair value)
164,993
131,188
Loans receivable
1,664,215
1,510,178
Less: Allowance for credit losses ("ACL") - loans
18,549
17,757
Loans receivable, net
1,645,666
1,492,421
Office properties and equipment, net
19,995
21,105
Federal Home Loan Bank stock (at cost)
20,880
17,357
Cash surrender value of life insurance
67,859
66,443
Real estate owned, net
254
145
Prepaid expenses and other assets
52,414
59,783
Total assets
$
2,213,389
$
2,031,672
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Demand deposits
$
187,107
$
230,596
Money market and savings deposits
273,233
326,145
Time deposits
730,284
642,271
Total deposits
1,190,624
1,199,012
Borrowings
611,054
386,784
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes
6,607
5,334
Other liabilities
61,048
70,056
Total liabilities
1,869,333
1,661,186
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock
-
-
Common stock
203
222
Additional paid-in capital
103,908
128,550
Retained earnings
269,606
274,246
Unearned ESOP shares
(11,869
)
(13,056
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes
(17,792
)
(19,476
)
Total shareholders' equity
344,056
370,486
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
2,213,389
$
2,031,672
Share Information
Shares outstanding
20,315
22,174
Book value per share
$
16.94
$
16.71

WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY OF KEY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)

At or For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
September 30,
June 30,
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
(Dollars in Thousands, except per share amounts)
Condensed Results of Operations:
Net interest income
$
11,756
$
11,989
$
12,675
$
13,795
$
15,611
Provision (credit) for credit losses
(435
)
445
186
460
664
Total noninterest income
16,876
22,230
23,525
18,554
17,095
Total noninterest expense
29,662
30,021
30,922
29,107
31,384
Income before income taxes
(595
)
3,753
5,092
2,782
658
Income tax (benefit) expense
(555
)
500
1,085
627
(277
)
Net (loss) income
$
(40
)
$
3,253
$
4,007
$
2,155
$
935
(Loss) income per share – basic
$
(0.00
)
$
0.16
$
0.20
$
0.10
$
0.04
(Loss) income per share – diluted
$
(0.00
)
$
0.16
$
0.20
$
0.10
$
0.04
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.15
$
0.15
$
0.20
$
0.20
$
0.20
Performance Ratios (annualized):
Return on average assets - QTD
(0.01
)%
0.58
%
0.74
%
0.43
%
0.19
%
Return on average equity - QTD
(0.05
)%
3.63
%
4.41
%
2.35
%
0.99
%
Net interest margin - QTD
2.25
%
2.26
%
2.47
%
2.88
%
3.29
%
Return on average assets - YTD
0.44
%
0.59
%
0.59
%
0.43
%
0.96
%
Return on average equity - YTD
2.62
%
3.46
%
3.37
%
2.35
%
4.91
%
Net interest margin - YTD
2.46
%
2.53
%
2.67
%
2.88
%
3.00
%
Asset Quality Ratios:
Past due loans to total loans
0.68
%
0.53
%
0.50
%
0.64
%
0.41
%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans
0.29
%
0.25
%
0.26
%
0.29
%
0.29
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.23
%
0.20
%
0.19
%
0.22
%
0.22
%
Allowance for credit losses - loans to loans receivable
1.11
%
1.12
%
1.14
%
1.14
%
1.18
%

WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCES AND YIELD/COSTS
(Unaudited)

At or For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
September 30,
June 30,
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
Average balances
(Dollars in Thousands)
Interest-earning assets
Loans receivable and held for sale
$
1,797,988
$
1,797,233
$
1,759,001
$
1,654,942
$
1,578,790
Mortgage related securities
172,863
174,202
171,938
170,218
170,209
Debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments
106,504
132,935
123,195
115,962
130,973
Total interest-earning assets
2,077,355
2,104,370
2,054,134
1,941,122
1,879,972
Noninterest-earning assets
105,073
105,714
108,320
107,009
122,643
Total assets
$
2,182,428
$
2,210,084
$
2,162,454
$
2,048,131
$
2,002,615
Interest-bearing liabilities
Demand accounts
$
91,868
$
90,623
$
69,147
$
68,564
$
75,449
Money market, savings, and escrow accounts
302,121
306,806
305,576
322,220
349,820
Certificates of deposit
735,418
719,708
695,310
648,531
628,375
Total interest-bearing deposits
1,129,407
1,117,137
1,070,033
1,039,315
1,053,644
Borrowings
549,210
584,764
551,545
441,716
333,249
Total interest-bearing liabilities
1,678,617
1,701,901
1,621,578
1,481,031
1,386,893
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
102,261
106,042
130,291
143,296
177,217
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
56,859
46,805
46,446
51,840
63,866
Total liabilities
1,837,737
1,854,748
1,798,315
1,676,167
1,627,976
Equity
344,691
355,336
364,139
371,964
374,639
Total liabilities and equity
$
2,182,428
$
2,210,084
$
2,162,454
$
2,048,131
$
2,002,615
Average Yield/Costs (annualized)
Loans receivable and held for sale
5.36
%
5.26
%
5.05
%
4.87
%
4.69
%
Mortgage related securities
2.48
%
2.41
%
2.26
%
2.25
%
2.13
%
Debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments
4.94
%
4.45
%
3.67
%
3.71
%
3.35
%
Total interest-earning assets
5.10
%
4.97
%
4.73
%
4.57
%
4.36
%
Demand accounts
0.11
%
0.11
%
0.09
%
0.08
%
0.08
%
Money market and savings accounts
1.64
%
1.54
%
1.42
%
1.26
%
0.67
%
Certificates of deposit
3.76
%
3.43
%
2.80
%
1.92
%
1.10
%
Total interest-bearing deposits
2.90
%
2.64
%
2.23
%
1.60
%
0.89
%
Borrowings
4.83
%
4.71
%
4.08
%
3.68
%
3.23
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
3.53
%
3.35
%
2.86
%
2.22
%
1.45
%

COMMUNITY BANKING SEGMENT
SUMMARY OF KEY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)

At or For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
September 30,
June 30,
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
(Dollars in Thousands)
Condensed Results of Operations:
Net interest income
$
12,056
$
12,431
$
13,238
$
14,008
$
15,737
Provision (credit) for credit losses
(550
)
445
158
388
624
Total noninterest income
894
966
1,540
987
1,033
Noninterest expenses:
Compensation, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits
5,397
4,618
4,683
5,168
4,781
Occupancy, office furniture and equipment
916
852
873
1,031
877
Advertising
363
200
230
184
203
Data processing
626
672
602
601
551
Communications
75
70
72
78
92
Professional fees
186
176
146
218
153
Real estate owned
1
1
1
1
13
Loan processing expense
-
-
-
-
-
Other
628
703
1,641
896
2,468
Total noninterest expense
8,192
7,292
8,248
8,177
9,138
Income before income taxes
5,308
5,660
6,372
6,430
7,008
Income tax expense
1,234
1,121
1,182
1,600
1,308
Net income
$
4,074
$
4,539
$
5,190
$
4,830
$
5,700
Efficiency ratio - QTD (non-GAAP)
63.26
%
54.43
%
55.81
%
54.53
%
54.49
%
Efficiency ratio - YTD (non-GAAP)
56.86
%
54.94
%
55.17
%
54.53
%
52.10
%

MORTGAGE BANKING SEGMENT
SUMMARY OF KEY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)

At or For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
September 30,
June 30,
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
(Dollars in Thousands)
Condensed Results of Operations:
Net interest loss
$
(367
)
$
(550
)
$
(622
)
$
(282
)
$
(241
)
Provision for credit losses
115
-
28
72
40
Total noninterest income
16,028
21,452
23,041
17,951
18,066
Noninterest expenses:
Compensation, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits
14,881
17,186
17,929
15,099
17,397
Occupancy, office furniture and equipment
1,105
1,141
1,173
1,232
1,289
Advertising
667
716
714
705
769
Data processing
583
551
480
516
490
Communications
194
173
153
173
197
Professional fees
704
564
466
188
453
Real estate owned
-
-
-
-
-
Loan processing expense
756
722
932
1,018
1,059
Other
2,701
1,935
1,914
2,403
2,584
Total noninterest expense
21,591
22,988
23,761
21,334
24,238
Loss before income taxes
(6,045
)
(2,086
)
(1,370
)
(3,737
)
(6,453
)
Income tax benefit
(1,827
)
(657
)
(126
)
(1,002
)
(1,602
)
Net loss
$
(4,218
)
$
(1,429
)
$
(1,244
)
$
(2,735
)
$
(4,851
)
Efficiency ratio - QTD (non-GAAP)
137.86
%
109.98
%
105.99
%
120.74
%
135.98
%
Efficiency ratio - YTD (non-GAAP)
116.99
%
111.63
%
112.49
%
120.74
%
104.02
%
Loan originations
$
458,363
$
597,562
$
623,342
$
442,710
$
546,628
Purchase
95.7
%
95.4
%
96.4
%
96.5
%
95.6
%
Refinance
4.3
%
4.6
%
3.6
%
3.5
%
4.4
%
Gross margin on loans sold ( 1)
3.51
%
3.62
%
3.73
%
3.78
%
3.41
%

(1) Gross margin on loans sold equals mortgage banking income (excluding the change in interest rate lock value) divided by total loan originations


Stock Information

Company Name: Waterstone Financial Inc.
Stock Symbol: WSBF
Market: NASDAQ
Website: wsbonline.com

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