World News: 12:30 GMT Friday 21st April 2017. [Beneficial Bank via Globe Newswire via SPi World News]
PHILADELPHIA, April 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beneficial Bancorp, Inc. (“Beneficial”) (NASDAQ:BNCL), the parent company of Beneficial Bank (the “Bank”), today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. Beneficial recorded net income of $8.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to net income of $5.0 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.
On April 20, 2017, Beneficial declared a cash dividend of 6 cents per share, payable on or after May 11, 2017, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on May 1, 2017.
Highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 are as follows:
Gerard Cuddy, Beneficial’s President and CEO, stated “Despite high business and consumer optimism, we saw some slow down in loan demand during the first quarter that we believe is related to some hesitancy of borrowers until there is greater clarity on tax, trade, and infrastructure spending policies. Our results during the quarter were benefitted from the successful integration of Conestoga Bank and continued organic loan growth. Our focus remains on employee engagement, a superior customer experience, prudent capital management and organic growth to continue to improve Beneficial’s financial performance.”
Cash and cash equivalents increased $133.0 million, or 46.3%, to $420.1 million at March 31, 2017 from $287.0 million at December 31, 2016. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily driven by growth in deposits and an increase in borrowed funds to meet projected liquidity needs and lock in lower funding rates.
Investments decreased $54.2 million, or 5.0%, to $1.02 billion at March 31, 2017 compared to $1.08 billion at December 31, 2016, as we continued to focus on improving our balance sheet mix by reducing the percentage of our assets in investments and growing our loan portfolio. We continue to focus on maintaining a high quality investment portfolio that provides a steady stream of cash flows both in the current and in rising interest rate environments.
Loans increased $45.7 million, or 1.1%, to $4.06 billion at March 31, 2017 from $4.01 billion at December 31, 2016. The increase in loans was primarily due to organic growth in our commercial real estate portfolio. During the first quarter we discontinued offering indirect auto loans as other lending channels provided higher levels of profitability and returns on capital. The indirect auto portfolio totaled $219.1 million, or 5.4% of the total loan portfolio, at March 31, 2017 down $15.5 million, or 6.6% from $234.6 million at December 31, 2016. This portfolio will continue to run-off over its remaining average life of approximately 4 years.
Deposits increased $60.7 million, or 1.5%, to $4.22 billion at March 31, 2017 from $4.16 billion at December 31, 2016. Deposit growth was primarily achieved through organic core deposit growth of $40.6 million in savings and club accounts.
Borrowings increased $50.0 million to $540.4 million at March 31, 2017 and are being used as a low cost funding source to replace higher cost brokered CDs and fund organic loan growth.
Stockholders’ equity increased $16.2 million, or 1.6%, to $1.03 billion at March 31, 2017 from $1.01 billion at December 31, 2016. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to the issuance of 823,487 shares from the exercise of stock options resulting in an increase in additional paid in capital and net income for the first quarter of 2017, partially offset by the declaration of cash dividends during the quarter ended March 31, 2017.
As a result of loan growth and charge-offs during the quarter, we recorded a $600 thousand provision for loan losses during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to no provision for loan losses during the quarter ended March 31, 2016. Net charge-offs for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 totaled $766 thousand, or 8 basis points annualized of average loans compared to net charge-offs of $267 thousand, or 3 basis points annualized of average loans, in the same period in the prior year.
Our allowance for loan losses totaled $43.1 million, or 1.06% of total loans, as of March 31, 2017 compared to $43.3 million, or 1.08% of total loans, as of December 31, 2016 and $45.2 million, or 1.44% of total loans, as of March 31, 2016.
Beneficial’s capital ratios are considered to be well capitalized and are as follows:
The Bank’s capital ratios are considered to be well capitalized and are as follows:
Maintaining strong capital levels remains one of our top priorities. Our capital levels are in excess of well capitalized levels under Basel III regulatory requirements.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements and all other statements that are not historic facts are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in the interest rate environment, legislative or regulatory changes that may adversely affect our business, changes in accounting policies and practices, changes in competition and demand for financial services, adverse changes in the securities markets, changes in deposit flows, changes in the quality or composition of Beneficial’s loan or investment portfolios, our ability to successfully integrate the assets, liabilities, customers, systems and employees of Conestoga Bank into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames. Additionally, other risks and uncertainties may be described in Beneficial’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or its other reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize, actual results may vary from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, Beneficial assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
CONTACT:
Thomas D. Cestare
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
PHONE: (215) 864-6009
More news and information about Beneficial Bank
Globe Newswire: 12:30 GMT Friday 21st April 2017
Published: 2017-04-21T12:30:00.
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