Meridian Bancorp, Inc. Reports Record Net Income for the Third Quarter, up 30%, and its Intention to Increase the Quarterly Dividend 14%


BOSTON, Oct. 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meridian Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Meridian”) (NASDAQ: EBSB), the holding company for East Boston Savings Bank (the “Bank”), announced net income of $19.7 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up from $15.2 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $17.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net income was $49.9 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, up from $43.4 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The Company’s return on average assets was 1.24% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up from 0.97% for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and 1.22% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 the Company’s return on average assets was 1.06%, up from 1.05% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The Company’s return on average equity was 11.17% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up from 8.75% for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and 10.28% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company’s return on average equity was 9.60%, up from 8.72% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. 

Richard J. Gavegnano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “I am pleased to report record net income of $19.7 million for the third quarter of 2019, up 30% from the second quarter of 2019 and 13% from the third quarter of 2018, and $49.9 million for the first nine months of 2019, up 15% from the first nine months of 2018. These earnings increases reflect a $3.0 million loan loss provision reversal resulting from over $200 million of commercial loan pay-offs and another $200 million of construction loans that converted to permanent status and also reflect overhead expense reductions in the third quarter of 2019. While the strong commercial real estate market conditions in the metropolitan Boston area that resulted in the sale of several large underlying properties and the challenging interest rate environment that impacted market lending rates contributed to the volume of our loan payoffs, our loan origination pipelines remain strong. In consideration of our current and expected earnings trends, the Board of Directors intends to declare an increase in our quarterly dividend by $0.01 per share, or 14%, to $0.08 per share in the fourth quarter.”

The Company’s net interest income was $44.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up $1.7 million, or 4.1%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $2.8 million, or 6.9%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2018. The interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis were 2.52% and 2.87%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 compared to 2.48% and 2.82%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and 2.70% and 2.99%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net interest income increased $7.0 million, or 5.7%, to $129.3 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The interest rate spread and net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis were 2.52% and 2.86%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to 2.81% and 3.07% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increases in net interest income were primarily due to growth in average loan balances and yields on interest-earning assets, reflecting higher commercial loan prepayment fees, partially offset by increases in the average balances of total deposits and borrowings and the cost of funds for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the respective periods of 2018.

Total interest and dividend income increased to $68.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up $2.3 million, or 3.4%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $10.4 million, or 17.9%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to growth in the Company’s average loan balances to $5.841 billion and increases in the yield on loans. The Company’s yield on loans on a tax-equivalent basis was 4.54% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up seven basis points from the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and up 24 basis points from the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Interest and fees on loans included commercial loan prepayment fees of $873,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up from $136,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $29,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. The Company’s yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis was 4.42% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up four basis points from the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and up 24 basis points from the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 the Company’s total interest and dividend income increased $33.3 million, or 20.1%, to $199.3 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to growth in the Company’s average loan balances of $769.4 million, or 15.3%, to $5.782 billion and an increase in the yield on loans on a tax-equivalent basis of 17 basis points to 4.48% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Interest and fees on loans included commercial loan prepayment fees of $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, up from $658,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The Company’s yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis increased 23 basis points to 4.38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

Total interest expense increased to $24.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up $504,000, or 2.1%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $7.6 million, or 45.1%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Interest expense on deposits decreased $475,000, or 2.3%, to $20.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, from the quarter ended June 30, 2019, primarily due to decreases of $30.1 million in average total deposits to $4.971 billion and five basis points in the cost of average total deposits to 1.61%. Interest expense on deposits increased $5.9 million, or 41.3%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to a $585.8 million increase, or 13.4%, in average total deposits and a 32 basis point increase in the cost of average total deposits from the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Interest expense on borrowings increased to $4.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, up $979,000, or 31.1%, from the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $1.7 million, or 67.7%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2018 primarily due to growth in average total borrowing to $627.1 million and increases in the average cost of borrowings to 2.61% from 2.37% for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, and 1.60% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. The Company’s total cost of funds was 1.72% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, down one basis point from the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and up 39 basis points from the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Total interest expense increased $26.3 million, or 60.2%, to $70.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Interest expense on deposits increased $22.4 million, or 59.8%, to $60.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from the nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to growth in average total deposits of $700.7 million, or 16.4%, to $4.962 billion and an increase in the cost of average total deposits of 44 basis points to 1.62%. Interest expense on borrowings increased $3.9 million, or 62.6%, to $10.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from the nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to an increase in the cost of average total borrowings of 88 basis points to 2.31% and an increase in average total borrowings of $4.0 million, or 0.7%, to $579.3 million. The Company’s cost of funds increased 48 basis points to 1.69% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Mr. Gavegnano continued, “Our net interest income rose 4% along with a five basis point increase in our net interest margin to 2.87% for the third quarter from the second quarter of 2019. This improvement was driven by a seven basis point increase in our yield on loans as enhanced by commercial loan prepayment fees along with a one basis point decline in our cost of funds, reflecting a five basis point decrease in our cost of deposits. We expect further expansion in our margin in the coming months with continuing declines in our funding costs.”

The Company recognized a reversal of $3.0 million in its provision for loan losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared to provisions of $78,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $226,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, there was a loan loss provision reversal of $2.1 million compared to a provision expense of $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The reductions in the provision for loan losses were primarily due to substantial payoffs of multi-family, commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans, the conversion of construction loans to permanent status in the commercial loan categories and continuing improvements in credit quality trends during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019. The allowance for loan losses was $50.8 million or 0.88% of total loans at September 30, 2019, compared to $53.9 million or 0.92% of total loans at June 30, 2019, $53.2 million or 0.94% of total loans at December 31, 2018, and $49.6 million or 0.94% of total loans at September 30, 2018. The declines in the allowance for loan losses coverage ratio were based on management’s assessment of the loan portfolio balance and composition changes, declines in historical charge-off trends, reduced levels of problem loans and other improvements in asset quality trends.

Net charge-offs totaled $56,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 compared to net charge-offs of $210,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and net charge-offs of $18,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net charge-offs totaled $343,000 compared to net recoveries of $139,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Non-accrual loans were $3.9 million, or 0.07% of total loans outstanding, at September 30, 2019; down $2.1 million, or 34.7%, from June 30, 2019; down $3.0 million, or 42.8%, from December 31, 2018 and down $4.1 million, or 50.7%, from September 30, 2018. Non-performing assets were $3.9 million, or 0.06% of total assets, at September 30, 2019, compared to $6.0 million, or 0.09% of total assets, at June 30, 2019, $6.9 million, or 0.11% of total assets, at December 31, 2018, and $8.0 million, or 0.14% of total assets, at September 30, 2018.

Mr. Gavegnano noted, “We are also gratified to have achieved asset quality levels not seen since well before the Great Recession. Along with non-performing loans of only $3.9 million, or 0.06% of total assets, we currently have no past due multi-family, commercial real estate or construction loans outstanding.”

Non-interest income was $2.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, down from $3.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $3.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Non-interest income decreased $105,000, or 3.6%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2019, primarily due to a $686,000 decrease in gain on marketable equity securities, net, reflecting decreases in market valuations, partially offset by increases of $383,000 in loan fees and $140,000 in customer service fees. Compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2018, non-interest income decreased $828,000, or 22.5%, primarily due to a decrease of $1.2 million in gain on marketable equity securities, net, partially offset by increases of $186,000 in customer service fees and $135,000 in loan fees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, non-interest income increased $763,000, or 8.6%, to $9.6 million from $8.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to increases of $454,000 in gain on marketable equity securities, net, reflecting increases in market valuations, $128,000 in loan fees and $119,000 in customer service fees. The increases in loan fees are primarily due to $308,000 of loan swap fee income recognized in the third quarter of 2019.

Non-interest expenses were $23.8 million, or 1.50% of average assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared to $25.1 million, or 1.60% of average assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $23.0 million, or 1.61% of average assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Non-interest expenses decreased $1.3 million, or 5.1%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2019, due primarily to decreases of $919,000 in deposit insurance, $280,000 in marketing and advertising, $176,000 in other general and administrative and $104,000 in professional services, partially offset by a $185,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits. Non-interest expenses increased $840,000, or 3.7%, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2018, due primarily to increases of $715,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $676,000 in occupancy and equipment, $279,000 in data processing and $187,000 in marketing and advertising, partially offset by decreases of $841,000 in deposit insurance and $147,000 in other general and administrative. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, non-interest expenses increased $3.6 million, or 5.1%, to $74.8 million from $71.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, due primarily to increases of $1.4 million in salaries and employee benefits, $1.4 million in occupancy and equipment, $922,000 in data processing and $675,000 in marketing and advertising, partially offset by decreases of $479,000 in deposit insurance and $324,000 in professional services. The decreases in deposit insurance reflect the application of $903,000 in Small Bank Assessment Credits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The increases in salaries and employee benefits were primarily due to annual increases in employee compensation, payroll taxes and employee benefits, while the increases in occupancy and equipment expenses and data processing include costs associated with the expansion of our branch network, including one new branch that opened late in the first quarter of 2018, three new branch openings in the fourth quarter of 2018 and one new branch opened in July 2019. The Company’s efficiency ratio was 50.18% for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 compared to 55.57% for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and 51.92% for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the efficiency ratio was 54.24% compared to 54.44% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Mr. Gavegnano added, “Our non-interest expenses decreased 5% and our efficiency ratio improved to 50.18% from 55.57% for the third quarter of 2019 from the second quarter. While these improvements reflected the deposit insurance assessment credits applied by the FDIC, they were also indicative of our prudent management of overhead expense levels in recent years while we significantly expanded our branch network. We remained committed to this disciplined approach as we approach the scheduled opening of our 40th branch in Boston’s Brighton neighborhood in early December and consider additional opportunities to expand our market share in the metropolitan Boston area.”

The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $6.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, reflecting an effective tax rate of 24.8%, compared to $5.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 25.0%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, and $4.5 million, or an effective tax rate of 20.4%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the provision for income taxes was $16.3 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 24.6%, compared to $12.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 22.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Total assets were $6.363 billion at September 30, 2019, down $5.4 million, or 0.1%, from $6.369 billion at June 30, 2019 and up $184.5 million, or 3.0%, from $6.179 billion at December 31, 2018. Net loans were $5.698 billion at September 30, 2019, down $67.8 million, or 1.2%, from June 30, 2019, and up $104.2 million, or 1.9%, from December 31, 2018. The net decrease in loans for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 reflects loan payoffs of $66.1 million in the multi-family, $123.3 million in the commercial real estate, $43.2 million in the commercial and industrial and $14.3 million in the construction loan categories. Loan originations totaled $183.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and $736.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The net increase in loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to increases of $65.6 million in commercial real estate loans, $58.8 million in multi-family loans, $20.0 million in one- to four-family loans, and $16.4 million in home equity lines of credit, partially offset by decreases of $30.3 million in construction loans and $30.3 million in commercial and industrial loans. These balance changes reflect commercial loan payoffs totaling $439.5 million and construction loans that converted to permanent status totaling $321.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Cash and due from banks was $428.1 million at September 30, 2019, an increase of $56.1 million, or 15.1% from December 31, 2018. Securities, at fair value, were $30.1 million at September 30, 2019, a decrease of $484,000, or 1.6%, from $30.6 million at December 31, 2018.

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, premises and equipment, net increased $20.4 million to $65.6 million and accrued expenses and other liabilities increased $25.9 million to $58.8 million at September 30, 2019, reflecting the recognition of operating lease assets and liabilities totaling $18.1 million based on the present value of future minimum lease payments as required by ASU No. 2016-02.

Total deposits were $4.956 billion at September 30, 2019, down $62.6 million, or 1.2%, from $5.018 billion at June 30, 2019 and up $71.5 million, or 1.5%, from $4.884 billion at December 31, 2018. The net decrease in deposits for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 reflects a $108.3 million reduction in brokered deposits. Core deposits, which exclude certificates of deposit, increased $117.3 million, or 3.7%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 to $3.315 billion, or 66.9% of total deposits. Total borrowings were $636.6 million, up $36.5 million, or 6.1%, from June 30, 2019 and $49.7 million, or 8.5%, from December 31, 2018.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $16.3 million, or 2.3%, to $712.0 million at September 30, 2019 from $695.7 million at June 30, 2019, and $37.3 million, or 5.5%, from $674.7 million at December 31, 2018. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was primarily due to net income of $49.9 million and $5.2 million related to stock-based compensation plans, partially offset by the repurchase of 428,820 shares of the Company’s common stock related to the stock repurchase programs at a total cost of $7.3 million and dividends of $0.21 per share totaling $10.7 million. Stockholders’ equity to assets was 11.19% at September 30, 2019, compared to 10.92% at June 30, 2019 and 10.92% at December 31, 2018. Book value per share increased to $13.36 at September 30, 2019 from $12.60 at December 31, 2018. Tangible book value per share increased to $12.93 at September 30, 2019 from $12.17 at December 31, 2018. Market price per share increased $4.43 or 30.9%, to $18.75 at September 30, 2019 from $14.32 at December 31, 2018. At September 30, 2019, the Company and the Bank continued to exceed all regulatory capital requirements.

The Company repurchased 87,801 shares of its stock at an average price of $17.64 during the quarter ended September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2019, the Company has repurchased 324,544 shares of its stock at an average price of $17.32, or 64.91% of the 500,000 shares authorized for repurchase under the Company’s repurchase program adopted in April 2019. The Company has repurchased 3,698,165 shares at an average price of $15.11 per share since August 2015.

Mr. Gavegnano concluded, “In addition to our stock repurchases to date and our announced intention to increase the quarterly dividend to stockholders, we are also considering the expansion of our stock repurchase program as we explore additional opportunities to enhance stockholder value.”

Meridian Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for East Boston Savings Bank. East Boston Savings Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank founded in 1848, operates 39 branches in the greater Boston metropolitan area, including 38 full-service locations and one mobile branch. We offer a variety of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses located in our primary market, which consists of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts. For additional information, visit www.ebsb.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “will,” “expects,” “project,” “may,” “could,” “developments,” “strategic,” “launching,” “opportunities,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets” and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Meridian Bancorp, Inc.’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, regulatory considerations, and competition and the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, Meridian Bancorp, Inc.’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.

             
MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
             
  September 30,
2019

  June 30,
2019

  December 31,
2018

  September 30,
2018

 
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS                
Cash and due from banks $428,061  $361,050  $371,995  $313,668 
Certificates of deposit  247   5,247   5,247   20,891 
Securities available for sale, at fair value  15,799   16,500   17,159   17,510 
Marketable equity securities, at fair value  14,313   14,776   13,437   16,135 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost  28,947   27,469   29,187   31,100 
Loans held for sale  1,828   2,105   409   843 
Loans:                
One- to four-family  667,385   668,997   647,367   636,419 
Home equity lines of credit  66,495   60,040   50,087   46,534 
Multi-family  1,069,312   1,061,839   1,010,521   969,628 
Commercial real estate  2,687,614   2,647,033   2,621,979   2,438,139 
Construction  656,615   748,457   686,948   594,611 
Commercial and industrial  594,683   627,718   625,018   585,215 
Consumer  12,017   11,445   10,953   10,934 
Total loans  5,754,121   5,825,529   5,652,873   5,281,480 
Allowance for loan losses  (50,831)  (53,865)  (53,231)  (49,609)
Net deferred loan origination fees  (5,670)  (6,292)  (6,239)  (5,970)
Loans, net  5,697,620   5,765,372   5,593,403   5,225,901 
Bank-owned life insurance  41,267   41,295   40,734   41,164 
Premises and equipment, net  65,582   66,280   45,140   42,448 
Accrued interest receivable  14,305   15,436   14,267   13,409 
Deferred tax asset, net  18,393   18,301   18,196   15,998 
Goodwill  20,378   20,378   20,378   19,638 
Core deposit intangible  2,254   2,385   2,653   2,801 
Other assets  14,146   11,978   6,478   13,822 
Total assets $6,363,140  $6,368,572  $6,178,683  $5,775,328 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Deposits:                
Non interest-bearing demand deposits $514,941  $505,679  $483,777  $490,703 
Interest-bearing demand deposits  1,262,552   1,161,835   1,190,346   1,151,955 
Money market deposits  689,324   675,452   729,174   844,183 
Regular savings and other deposits  848,582   986,112   794,813   327,721 
Certificates of deposit  1,640,303   1,689,226   1,686,074   1,596,691 
Total deposits  4,955,702   5,018,304   4,884,184   4,411,253 
Short-term borrowings        50,000   40,000 
Long-term debt  636,615   600,088   536,880   610,772 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  58,841   54,479   32,965   34,160 
Total liabilities  5,651,158   5,672,871   5,504,029   5,096,185 
Stockholders' equity:                
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; none issued            
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 53,297,061, 53,321,805, 53,541,429 and 54,233,331 shares issued at September 30, 2019, June 30, 2019, December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively  533   533   535   542 
Additional paid-in capital  375,618   375,760   378,583   392,545 
Retained earnings  352,758   336,628   313,521   304,725 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  48   (24)  (348)  (812)
Unearned compensation - ESOP, 2,343,949, 2,374,390, 2,435,272 and 2,465,713 shares at September 30, 2019, June 30, 2019, December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively  (16,975)  (17,196)  (17,637)  (17,857)
Total stockholders' equity  711,982   695,701   674,654   679,143 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $6,363,140  $6,368,572  $6,178,683  $5,775,328 


      
MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME
(Unaudited)
                    
  Three Months Ended
  Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
2019

  June 30,
2019

  September 30,
2018

  September 30,
2019

  September 30,
2018

   
  (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest and dividend income:                   
Interest and fees on loans $66,121  $64,040  $55,849  $191,802  $159,738
Interest on debt securities:                   
Taxable  101   108   115   319   367
Tax-exempt  12   13   13   38   43
Dividends on equity securities  137   142   101   384   383
Interest on certificates of deposit  18   28   104   73   448
Other interest and dividend income  2,136   1,943   1,932   6,656   4,981
Total interest and dividend income  68,525   66,274   58,114   199,272   165,960
Interest expense:                   
Interest on deposits  20,178   20,653   14,284   59,982   37,544
Interest on short-term borrowings  1      8   296   8
Interest on long-term debt  4,129   3,151   2,455   9,710   6,146
Total interest expense  24,308   23,804   16,747   69,988   43,698
Net interest income  44,217   42,470   41,367   129,284   122,262
Provision (reversal) for loan losses  (2,978)  78   226   (2,057)  4,285
Net interest income, after provision (reversal) for loan losses  47,195   42,392   41,141   131,341   117,977
Non-interest income:                   
Customer service fees  2,428   2,288   2,242   6,813   6,694
Loan fees  436   53   301   566   438
Mortgage banking gains, net  99   101   74   240   270
(Loss) gain on marketable equity securities, net  (463)  223   781   1,086   632
Income from bank-owned life insurance  285   280   279   846   828
Gain on life insurance distribution  52         52   
Other income  12   9      28   6
Total non-interest income  2,849   2,954   3,677   9,631   8,868
Non-interest expenses:                   
Salaries and employee benefits  15,101   14,916   14,386   45,649   44,218
Occupancy and equipment  3,657   3,650   2,981   10,903   9,545
Data processing  2,026   2,009   1,747   6,005   5,083
Marketing and advertising  1,019   1,299   832   3,480   2,805
Professional services  680   784   683   2,324   2,648
Deposit insurance  10   929   851   1,951   2,430
Merger and acquisition        26      114
Other general and administrative  1,354   1,530   1,501   4,448   4,318
Total non-interest expenses  23,847   25,117   23,007   74,760   71,161
Income before income taxes  26,197   20,229   21,811   66,212   55,684
Provision for income taxes  6,508   5,061   4,454   16,284   12,271
Net income $19,689  $15,168  $17,357  $49,928  $43,413
                    
Earnings per share:                   
Basic $0.39  $0.30  $0.34  $0.98  $0.84
Diluted $0.38  $0.29  $0.33  $0.97  $0.82
Weighted average shares outstanding:                   
Basic  50,923,760   51,051,880   51,492,448   51,031,359   51,487,192
Diluted  51,454,186   51,511,678   52,732,340   51,477,206   52,894,503



   
MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
(Unaudited) 
                                
  Three Months Ended
  September 30, 2019
 June 30, 2019
 September 30, 2018
  Average
 Interest
 Yield/
 Average
 Interest
 Yield/
 Average
 Interest
 Yield/
  Balance
 (1)
 Cost (1)(6)
 Balance
 (1)
 Cost (1)(6)
 Balance
 (1)
 Cost (1)(6)
   
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
Assets:                               
Interest-earning assets:                               
Loans (2) $5,840,885 $66,837  4.54% $5,809,827 $64,740   4.47% $5,213,832 $56,488  4.30%
Securities and certificates of deposit  34,108  289  3.36   36,447  312   3.43   57,489  355  2.45 
Other interest-earning assets (3)  335,400  2,136  2.53   290,092  1,943   2.69   310,622  1,932  2.47 
Total interest-earning assets  6,210,393  69,262  4.42   6,136,366  66,995   4.38   5,581,943  58,775  4.18 
Noninterest-earning assets  145,445         136,159          118,253       
Total assets $6,355,838        $6,272,525         $5,700,196       
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:                               
Interest-bearing demand deposits $1,195,266 $5,258  1.75  $1,215,832 $5,584   1.84  $1,133,916 $4,032  1.41 
Money market deposits  683,201  2,281  1.32   674,851  2,158   1.28   869,248  2,658  1.21 
Regular savings and other deposits  870,677  3,199  1.46   954,811  3,961   1.66   329,586  114  0.14 
Certificates of deposit  1,705,718  9,440  2.20   1,660,373  8,950   2.16   1,557,998  7,480  1.90 
Total interest-bearing deposits  4,454,862  20,178  1.80   4,505,867  20,653   1.84   3,890,748  14,284  1.46 
Borrowings  627,063  4,130  2.61   532,449  3,151   2.37   612,171  2,463  1.60 
Total interest-bearing liabilities  5,081,925  24,308  1.90   5,038,316  23,804   1.90   4,502,919  16,747  1.48 
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits  516,020         495,090          494,366       
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities  52,663         45,506          27,388       
Total liabilities  5,650,608         5,578,912          5,024,673       
Total stockholders' equity  705,230         693,613          675,523       
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $6,355,838        $6,272,525         $5,700,196       
Net interest-earning assets $1,128,468        $1,098,050         $1,079,024       
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income     44,954         43,191          42,028    
Less: tax-equivalent adjustments     (737)        (721)         (661)   
Net interest income    $44,217        $42,470         $41,367    
Interest rate spread (1)(4)        2.52%         2.48%        2.70%
Net interest margin (1)(5)        2.87%         2.82%        2.99%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     122.21%        121.79%         123.96%   
                                
Supplemental Information:                               
Total deposits, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits $4,970,882 $20,178  1.61% $5,000,957 $20,653   1.66% $4,385,114 $14,284  1.29%
Total deposits and borrowings, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits $5,597,945 $24,308  1.72% $5,533,406 $23,804   1.73% $4,997,285 $16,747  1.33%

______________________________

(1) Income on debt securities, equity securities and revenue bonds included in commercial real estate loans, as well as resulting yields, interest rate spread and net interest margin, are presented on a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent adjustments are deducted from tax-equivalent net interest income to agree to amounts reported in the consolidated statements of net income. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, yields on loans before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.49%, 4.42% and 4.25%, respectively, yields on securities and certificates of deposit before tax-equivalent adjustments were 3.12%, 3.20% and 2.30%, respectively, and yield on total interest-earning assets before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.38%, 4.33% and 4.13%, respectively. Interest rate spread before tax-equivalent adjustments for the three months ended September 30, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 was 2.48%, 2.43% and 2.65%, respectively, while net interest margin before tax-equivalent adjustments for the three months ended September 30, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 was 2.82%, 2.78% and 2.94%, respectively.
(2)  Loans on non-accrual status are included in average balances.
(3) Includes Federal Home Loan Bank stock and associated dividends.
(4) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest margin represents net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) divided by average interest-earning assets.
(6)  Annualized.


   
MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
(Unaudited)
   
  Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
  Average     Yield/ Average     Yield/
  Balance Interest (1)
 Cost (1)(6)
 Balance
 Interest (1)
 Cost (1)(6)
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
Assets:                    
Interest-earning assets:                    
Loans (2) $5,782,319 $193,902  4.48% $5,012,959 $161,552  4.31%
Securities and certificates of deposit  35,679  873  3.27   74,575  1,321  2.37 
Other interest-earning assets (3)  326,166  6,656  2.73   319,028  4,981  2.09 
Total interest-earning assets  6,144,164  201,431  4.38   5,406,562  167,854  4.15 
Noninterest-earning assets  133,279         120,139       
Total assets $6,277,443        $5,526,701       
                     
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:                    
Interest-bearing liabilities:                    
Interest-bearing demand deposits $1,200,110 $15,782  1.76  $1,090,516 $10,309  1.26 
Money market deposits  685,892  6,587  1.28   867,272  7,041  1.09 
Regular savings and other deposits  915,173  10,962  1.60   334,605  346  0.14 
Certificates of deposit  1,662,818  26,651  2.14   1,480,331  19,848  1.79 
Total interest-bearing deposits  4,463,993  59,982  1.80   3,772,724  37,544  1.33 
Borrowings  579,335  10,006  2.31   575,375  6,154  1.43 
Total interest-bearing liabilities  5,043,328  69,988  1.86   4,348,099  43,698  1.34 
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits  498,037         488,597       
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities  42,493         26,559       
Total liabilities  5,583,858         4,863,255       
Total stockholders' equity  693,585         663,446       
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $6,277,443        $5,526,701       
Net interest-earning assets $1,100,836        $1,058,463       
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income     131,443         124,156    
Less: tax-equivalent adjustments     (2,159)        (1,894)   
Net interest income    $129,284        $122,262    
Interest rate spread (1)(4)        2.52%        2.81%
Net interest margin (1)(5)        2.86%        3.07%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     121.83%        124.34%   
                     
Supplemental Information:                    
Total deposits, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits $4,962,030 $59,982  1.62% $4,261,321 $37,544  1.18%
Total deposits and borrowings, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits $5,541,365 $69,988  1.69% $4,836,696 $43,698  1.21%

______________________________

(1) Income on debt securities, equity securities and revenue bonds included in commercial real estate loans, as well as resulting yields, interest rate spread and net interest margin, are presented on a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent adjustments are deducted from tax-equivalent net interest income to agree to amounts reported in the consolidated statements of net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, yields on loans before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.43% and 4.26%, respectively, yields on securities and certificates of deposit before tax-equivalent adjustments were 3.05% and 2.22%, respectively, and yield on total interest-earning assets before tax-equivalent adjustments were 4.34% and 4.10%, respectively. Interest rate spread before tax-equivalent adjustments for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was 2.48% and 2.76%, respectively, while net interest margin before tax-equivalent adjustments for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was 2.81% and 3.02%, respectively.
(2) Loans on non-accrual status are included in average balances.
(3) Includes Federal Home Loan Bank stock and associated dividends.
(4)  Interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest margin represents net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) divided by average interest-earning assets.
(6)  Annualized.

 

 
MERIDIAN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
     
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
2019

 June 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
 September 30,
2019

 September 30,
2018

Key Performance Ratios               
Return on average assets (1) 1.24% 0.97% 1.22% 1.06% 1.05%
Return on average equity (1) 11.17  8.75  10.28  9.60  8.72 
Interest rate spread (1) (2) 2.52  2.48  2.70  2.52  2.81 
Net interest margin (1) (3) 2.87  2.82  2.99  2.86  3.07 
Non-interest expense to average assets (1) 1.50  1.60  1.61  1.59  1.72 
Efficiency ratio (4) 50.18  55.57  51.92  54.24  54.44 


  September 30,
2019
 June 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2018
   
  (Dollars in thousands)
Asset Quality                
Non-accrual loans:                
One- to four-family $3,600  $5,378  $5,888  $6,977 
Home equity lines of credit            
Multi-family            
Commercial real estate     318   342   353 
Commercial and industrial  350   350   676   676 
Total non-accrual loans  3,950   6,046   6,906   8,006 
Foreclosed assets            
Total non-performing assets $3,950  $6,046  $6,906  $8,006 
                 
Allowance for loan losses/total loans  0.88%  0.92%  0.94%  0.94%
Allowance for loan losses/non-accrual loans  1,286.86   890.92   770.79   619.65 
Non-accrual loans/total loans  0.07   0.10   0.12   0.15 
Non-accrual loans/total assets  0.06   0.09   0.11   0.14 
Non-performing assets/total assets  0.06   0.09   0.11   0.14 
                 
Capital and Share Related                
Stockholders' equity to total assets  11.19%  10.92%  10.92%  11.76%
Book value per share $13.36  $13.05  $12.60  $12.52 
Tangible book value per share (5) $12.93  $12.62  $12.17  $12.11 
Market value per share $18.75  $17.89  $14.32  $17.00 
Shares outstanding  53,297,061   53,321,805   53,541,429   54,233,331 

______________________________ 

(1) Annualized.
(2) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. 
(3) Net interest margin represents net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) divided by average interest-earning assets. 
(4) The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure representing non-interest expense, excluding merger and acquisition expenses, divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income excluding gains and losses on marketable equity securities. The efficiency ratio is a common measure used by banks to understand expenses related to the generation of revenue. We have removed gains and losses on marketable equity securities and gains and losses on sales of securities available for sale as management deems them to be either discretionary or market driven and not representative of operating performance. We have removed merger and acquisition expenses as management deems them to be not representative of operating performance. Presented on a basis including merger and acquisition expenses and gains and losses on marketable equity securities and gains and losses on sales of securities available for sale, the efficiency ratio was 50.67%, 55.29% and 51.08% for the quarters ended September 30, 2019, June 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, respectively and 53.82% and 54.27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(5) Tangible book value per share represents total stockholders’ equity less goodwill and other intangible assets divided by the number of shares outstanding.
   

Contact: Richard J. Gavegnano, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(978) 977-2211