Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc. Announces Quarter Ended March 31, 2013 Earnings


PHILADELPHIA, April 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc. ("Beneficial") (Nasdaq:BNCL), the parent company of Beneficial Bank (the "Bank"), today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Beneficial recorded net income of $3.2 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 compared to net income of $3.9 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

The low interest rate environment has reduced the yields on our investment and loan portfolios resulting in net interest income decreasing $2.9 million to $31.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 compared to $34.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Net interest margin decreased to 2.85% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 from 3.26% for the same period in 2012 due to the low rate environment as well as continued weak loan demand. We expect that the continued low interest rate environment will put pressure on net interest margin in future periods.

Our asset quality metrics continue to improve as we reduce our non-performing asset levels. At March 31, 2013, our non-performing assets were $98.7 million, representing a decrease of $5.5 million, or 5.3%, from $104.2 million at December 31, 2012, and a $50.0 million decrease, or 33.7%, from $148.7 million at March 31, 2012. Reserves as a percentage of non-performing loans, excluding government guaranteed student loans, totaled 90.9% at March 31, 2013 compared to 84.3% at December 31, 2012 and 54.7% at March 31, 2012. Our balance sheet remained strong at March 31, 2013, with our allowance for loan losses totaling $58.7 million, or 2.44% of total loans, compared to $57.6 million, or 2.36% of total loans, at December 31, 2012, and $55.1 million, or 2.16% of total loans, at March 31, 2012. The provision for credit losses decreased $2.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 to $5.0 million from $7.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 reflecting an improvement in asset quality. Net charge-offs during the quarter totaled $4.0 million compared to $6.6 million a year ago.

Gerard Cuddy, Beneficial's President and CEO, stated, "We are encouraged by the continued improvement in our asset quality metrics as we experienced a 33.7% decrease in our non-performing assets at March 31, 2013 compared to a year ago. During the first quarter of 2013, earnings remain challenged given the slow growing economy and the related lack of loan demand in our markets. The low interest rate environment also resulted in net interest margin compression for the quarter and we expect that the continued low interest rate environment will put pressure on net interest margin in future periods. We remain focused on increasing profitability, further reducing our non-performing asset levels, growing our commercial loan portfolio, controlling expenses and increasing our retail and commercial customer base. During the quarter we entered into a lease for new headquarters space at 1818 Market Street, soon to be renamed '1818 Beneficial Bank Place.' This long term lease renews our commitment to remain the oldest and largest Philadelphia-based bank. Our new location will increase our visibility in the City and will be in the heart of the business district. We remain committed to our customers by delivering an education-based experience through The Beneficial Conversation and have made it our mission to always help them do the right thing financially."

The Company also announced today that it was notified during the first quarter of 2013 by the U.S. Department of Justice (the "DOJ") that the DOJ had initiated an investigation of the Bank under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act. The investigation results from a referral by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Bank's primary federal regulator, and focuses on the Bank's origination of home equity and residential mortgage loans. The Bank is cooperating fully with the DOJ to resolve this matter. Because the investigation is in the early stages, we cannot predict the eventual outcome of the DOJ investigation or any impact it will have on our future operations or financial results. Until this investigation is completed, it is unlikely that Beneficial will be filing any regulatory applications related to strategic expansion or regarding a second step conversion, which the Board had been actively evaluating.

Financial highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2013:

  • Asset quality metrics continued to improve during the quarter with non-performing loans, excluding government guaranteed student loans, decreasing $3.9 million, or 5.7%, to $64.5 million at March 31, 2013 from $68.4 million at December 31, 2012 and decreasing $36.2 million, or 36.0%, from $100.7 million at March 31, 2012. Our non-performing assets ratio, excluding government guaranteed student loans, improved to 1.60% at both March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, compared to 2.67% at March 31, 2012.
     
  • We reduced our cost of funds on deposits by 0.20% to 0.52% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, from 0.72% for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
     
  • Our balance sheet remained strong at March 31, 2013, with our allowance for loan losses totaling $58.7 million, or 2.44% of total loans, compared to $57.6 million, or 2.36% of total loans, at December 31, 2012, and $55.1 million, or 2.16% of total loans, at March 31, 2012. Reserves as a percentage of non-performing loans, excluding government guaranteed student loans, totaled 90.9% at March 31, 2013 compared to 84.3% at December 31, 2012 and 54.7% at March 31, 2012.
     
  • Beneficial repurchased 145,892 shares of its outstanding common stock during the quarter which increased total treasury shares to 3,127,921 at March 31, 2013.
     
  • Capital levels remain strong with tangible capital to tangible assets totaling 10.86% at March 31, 2013.

Balance Sheet

Total assets decreased $242.8 million, or 4.8%, to $4.8 billion at March 31, 2013 from $5.0 billion at December 31, 2012. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $165.1 million to $324.8 million at March 31, 2013 from $489.9 million at December 31, 2012. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily driven by a decline in municipal deposits as a result of our planned re-pricing and run-off strategy. Cash remains elevated due to investment and loan prepayments.

Investments decreased $35.6 million, or 2.0%, to $1.7 billion at March 31, 2013 from $1.8 billion at December 31, 2012. The decrease in investments during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 was primarily driven by investment prepayments. We continue to focus on purchasing high quality agency bonds, and maintain a portfolio that provides a steady stream of cash flow both in the current and in rising interest rate environments.   

Loans decreased $39.3 million, or 1.6%, to $2.4 billion at March 31, 2013 from $2.4 billion at December 31, 2012. Despite total loan originations of $123.2 million during the quarter, our loan portfolio has decreased as a result of high commercial loan repayments and continued weak loan demand. During the quarter ended December 31, 2012, we made a decision to begin to hold in portfolio some of our agency eligible mortgage production as the yields on these mortgages were attractive compared to the rates available on investment securities. As a result of this decision, our mortgage banking income decreased $631 thousand to $242 thousand during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 as compared to $873 thousand during the same period last year.

Deposits decreased $139.1 million, or 3.5%, to $3.8 billion at March 31, 2013 from $3.9 billion at December 31, 2012. The decrease in deposits during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 was primarily the result of a $132.4 million decrease in municipal deposits which was consistent with the planned run-off associated with our re-pricing of higher-cost, non-relationship-based municipal accounts.

At March 31, 2013, stockholders' equity increased to $634.4 million, or 13.3% of total assets, compared to $633.9 million, or 12.7% of total assets, at December 31, 2012. 

Net Interest Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, Beneficial reported net interest income of $31.6 million, a decrease of $2.9 million, or 8.4%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The decrease in net interest income during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 compared to the same period last year was primarily the result of a reduction in the average interest rate earned on investment securities and loans, and a decline in average loan balances of $126.6 million, partially offset by a reduction in the average cost of liabilities. Our net interest margin decreased to 2.85% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 from 3.26% for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. We expect that the persistently low interest rate environment will continue to lower yields on our investment and loan portfolios to a greater extent than we can reduce rates on deposits and other interest bearing liabilities, which will put pressure on net interest margin in future periods. 

We have been able to lower the cost of our liabilities to 0.69% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to 0.90% for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, by re-pricing higher cost deposits. The reduction in deposit costs has been primarily due to decreasing rates on our municipal deposits coupled with the planned run-off of these deposits.

Non-interest Income

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, non-interest income totaled $6.9 million, a decrease of $109 thousand, or 1.5%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $631 thousand in mortgage banking income due to our decision to hold some of our residential mortgage production, partially offset by a $392 thousand increase of income from the sale of investment securities.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense of $29.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 remained relatively consistent compared to non-interest expense of $29.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Income Taxes

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $575 thousand, reflecting an effective tax rate of 15.2% compared to a provision for income taxes of $443 thousand reflecting an effective tax rate of 10.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The tax rates differ from the statutory rate of 35% principally because of tax-exempt investments, non-taxable income related to bank-owned life insurance and tax credits received on affordable housing partnerships. These tax credits relate to investments maintained by the Bank as a limited partner in partnerships that sponsor affordable housing projects utilizing low-income housing credits under the Internal Revenue Code. 

Asset Quality

Non-performing loans, including loans 90 days past due and still accruing, decreased to $86.9 million at March 31, 2013, compared to $92.4 million at December 31, 2012 and $126.8 million at March 31, 2012. Non-performing loans at March 31, 2013 included $22.4 million of government guaranteed student loans, which represented 25.8% of total non-performing loans. Net charge-offs during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 were $4.0 million compared to $4.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 and $6.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. At March 31, 2013, the Bank's allowance for loan losses totaled $58.7 million, or 2.44% of total loans, compared to $57.6 million, or 2.36% of total loans, at December 31, 2012 and $55.1 million, or 2.16% of total loans, at March 31, 2012.

Capital

The Bank's capital position remains strong relative to current regulatory requirements. The Bank continues to have substantial liquidity as the inflows of deposits and prepayments have largely been retained in cash or invested in high quality government-backed securities. In addition, at March 31, 2013, we had the ability to borrow up to $1.3 billion combined from the FHLB of Pittsburgh and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Our capital ratios as of March 31, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, as well as our excess capital over regulatory minimums as of March 31, 2013 to be considered well capitalized, are as follows:

  3/31/2013 12/31/2012 3/31/2012 Minimum Well
Capitalized Ratio
Excess Capital
3/31/2013
           
Tangible Capital 10.86% 10.30% 11.40%    
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets) 10.20% 9.53% 10.02% 5% $241,341
Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted assets) 20.38% 19.23% 18.04% 6% $334,011
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets) 21.64% 20.50% 19.30% 10% $270,498

Maintaining strong capital levels remains one of our top priorities. Our capital levels are well in excess of well capitalized levels under the current regulatory requirements as well as the proposed capital rules under Basel III.

About Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc.

Beneficial is a community-based, diversified financial services company providing consumer and commercial banking services. Its principal subsidiary, Beneficial Bank, has served individuals and businesses in the Delaware Valley area since 1853. The Bank is the oldest and largest bank headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with 63 offices in the greater Philadelphia and South New Jersey regions. Insurance services are offered through the Beneficial Insurance Services, LLC and wealth management services are offered through the Beneficial Advisors, LLC, both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Bank. For more information about the Bank and Beneficial, please visit www.thebeneficial.com.

Forward Looking Statements

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 or regulatory actions 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 and changes in the quality or composition of Beneficial's loan or investment portfolios. 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.

BENEFICIAL MUTUAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES    
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition    
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)       
       
  March 31,
2013
December 31,
2012
March 31,
2012
ASSETS:      
Cash and Cash Equivalents:      
Cash and due from banks $37,550 $54,924 $42,391
Interest-bearing deposits  287,272  434,984  141,929
Total cash and cash equivalents  324,822  489,908  184,320
       
Investment Securities:      
Available-for-sale   1,150,475  1,267,491  1,091,268
Held-to-maturity   557,157  477,198  454,659
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost  17,823  16,384  17,986
Total investment securities  1,725,455  1,761,073  1,563,913
       
Loans:  2,407,996  2,447,304  2,551,660
Allowance for loan losses  (58,679)  (57,649)  (55,120)
Net loans  2,349,317  2,389,655  2,496,540
       
Accrued Interest Receivable  15,798  15,381  16,917
       
Bank Premises and Equipment, net  65,049  64,224  59,623
       
Other Assets:      
Goodwill  121,973  121,973  110,486
Bank owned life insurance   40,925  40,569  35,648
Other intangibles  9,412  9,879  12,423
Other assets  110,870  113,742  117,018
Total other assets  283,180  286,163  275,575
Total Assets $4,763,621 $5,006,404 $4,596,888
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:      
Liabilities:      
Deposits:       
Non-interest bearing deposits $316,533 $328,892 $292,241
Interest bearing deposits  3,471,859  3,598,621  3,295,538
Total deposits  3,788,392  3,927,513  3,587,779
Borrowed funds  275,357  250,352  235,339
Other liabilities  65,429  194,666  140,928
Total liabilities  4,129,178  4,372,531  3,964,046
Commitments and Contingencies      
Stockholders' Equity:      
Preferred Stock -- $.01 par value   --  --  --
Common Stock – $.01 par value  823  823  823
Additional paid-in capital  354,636  354,082  351,638
Unearned common stock held by employee stock ownership plan  (17,449)  (17,901)  (19,195)
Retained earnings (partially restricted)  332,661  329,447  319,213
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net  (9,224)  (7,027)  (2,186)
Treasury stock, at cost  (27,004)  (25,551)  (17,451)
 Total stockholders' equity  634,443  633,873  632,842
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $4,763,621 $5,006,404 $4,596,888
     
BENEFICIAL MUTUAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES    
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations      
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)      
       
  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31,
2013
December 31,
2012
March 31,
2012
INTEREST INCOME:      
Interest and fees on loans $29,656 $31,862 $32,309
Interest on overnight investments 181 304 161
Interest and dividends on investment securities:      
Taxable  7,410  7,451  9,163
Tax-exempt  715  716  792
Total interest income 37,962 40,333 42,425
       
INTEREST EXPENSE:      
Interest on deposits:      
Interest bearing checking accounts  800  1,110  1,205
Money market and savings deposits  1,621  1,866  2,121
Time deposits  2,123  2,260  2,591
Total 4,544 5,236 5,917
Interest on borrowed funds  1,852  1,829  2,056
Total interest expense 6,396 7,065 7,973
Net interest income 31,566 33,268 34,452
Provision for loan losses  5,000  6,000  7,500
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 26,566 27,268 26,952
       
NON-INTEREST INCOME:      
Insurance and advisory commission and fee income  2,095  1,671  2,161
Service charges and other income  3,768  3,576  3,572
Mortgage banking income  242  464  873
Net gain on sale of investment securities  833  1,107  441
Total non-interest income 6,938 6,818 7,047
       
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:      
Salaries and employee benefits  13,988  13,844  14,324
Occupancy expense  2,515  2,512  2,463
Depreciation, amortization and maintenance  2,233  2,141  2,159
Marketing expense  927  127  882
Intangible amortization expense  467  1,289  912
FDIC insurance  951  1,054  1,034
Merger and restructuring charges  --   (588)  -- 
Other  8,634  10,002  7,837
Total non-interest expense 29,715 30,381 29,611
       
Income before income taxes  3,789  3,705  4,388
Income tax expense (benefit)   575  (110)  443
       
NET INCOME  $3,214 $3,815 $3,945
       
EARNINGS PER SHARE – Basic $0.04 $0.05 $0.05
EARNINGS PER SHARE – Diluted $0.04 $0.05 $0.05
       
Average common shares outstanding – Basic 76,376,452 76,358,242 77,047,170
Average common shares outstanding – Diluted 76,578,733 76,540,551 77,225,687
       
BENEFICIAL MUTUAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES      
Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data (Unaudited)      
(Dollars in thousands)            
             
  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31, 2013 December 31, 2012 March 31, 2012
  Average
Balance
Yield /
Rate
Average
Balance
Yield /
Rate
Average
Balance
Yield /
Rate
             
Investment Securities: $2,015,442 1.65% $2,074,556 1.63% $1,667,344 2.43%
Overnight investments  291,082 0.25%  476,927 0.25%  254,997 0.25%
Stock  16,716 0.62%  16,808 0.47%  18,537 0.11%
Other Investment securities  1,707,644 1.90%  1,580,821 2.08%  1,393,810 2.86%
             
Loans:  2,437,048 4.90%  2,475,399 5.14%  2,563,669 5.05%
Residential  671,412 4.73%  661,751 4.81%  615,397 4.85%
Commercial Real Estate  645,387 5.03%  666,684 5.33%  712,086 4.93%
Business and Small Business  420,512 5.48%  437,207 5.91%  499,460 5.79%
Personal Loans  699,737 4.58%  709,757 4.77%  736,726 4.83%
             
Total Interest Earning Assets $4,452,490 3.43% $4,549,955 3.54% $4,231,013 4.02%
             
Deposits: $3,529,263 0.52% $3,622,429 0.58% $3,313,611 0.72%
Savings 1,051,357 0.44% 1,018,934 0.50% 809,444 0.60%
Money Market 495,881 0.39% 513,938 0.45% 535,413 0.68%
Demand 657,106 0.27% 626,902 0.30% 490,026 0.22%
Demand - Municipals 544,676 0.27% 665,404 0.38% 658,811 0.57%
Total Core Deposits  2,749,020 0.36%  2,825,178 0.42%  2,493,694 0.54%
             
Time Deposits 780,243 1.10% 797,251 1.13% 819,917 1.27%
             
Borrowings 257,421 2.92% 250,355 2.91% 246,380 3.36%
             
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities $3,786,684 0.69% $3,872,784 0.73% $3,559,991 0.90%
             
Non-interest bearing deposits 306,850   307,197   276,228  
             
Net interest margin   2.85%   2.92%   3.26%
       
ASSET QUALITY INDICATORS (Unaudited)      
(Dollars in thousands) March 31,
2013
December 31,
2012
March 31,
2012
       
 Non-performing assets:      
 Non-accruing loans* $64,539 $68,417 $100,713
 Accruing loans past due 90 days or more**  22,408  24,013  26,091
 Total non-performing loans  86,947  92,430  126,804
       
 Real estate owned  11,709  11,752  21,905
       
 Total non-performing assets $98,656 $104,182 $148,709
       
Non-performing loans to total loans 3.61% 3.78% 4.97%
Non-performing assets to total assets 2.07% 2.08% 3.23%
Non-performing assets less accruing student loans past due 90 days or more to total assets 1.60% 1.60% 2.67%
ALLL to total loans 2.44% 2.36% 2.16%
ALLL to non-performing loans 67.49% 62.37% 43.47%
ALLL to non-performing loans (excluding student loans) 90.92% 84.26% 54.73%
       
* Non-accruing loans at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 do not include $2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, of loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality, which have been recorded at their fair value at acquisition and are performing as expected. Non-accruing loans include $14.7 million, $15.3 million, and $14.7 million of troubled debt restructured loans (TDRs) as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively.      
** Includes $22.4 million, $24.0 million, and $26.1 million in government guaranteed student loans as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively.      

Non-performing loan charge offs as a percentage of the unpaid principal balances at March 31, 2013 are as follows (excluding government guaranteed student loans):

NON-PERFORMING LOANS (Unaudited):        
At March 31, 2013 (Dollars in thousands)  Recorded
Investment 
Unpaid Principal
Balance
Life-to-Date
Charge offs
% of Unpaid
Principal Balance
Non-performing Loans by Category:        
Commercial Real Estate $27,014 $33,598 ($6,584) 19.60%
Commercial Business 9,785 14,860 (5,075) 34.15%
Commercial Construction 12,653 20,875 (8,222) 39.39%
Residential Real Estate 12,799 13,542 (743) 5.49%
Residential Construction 775 775  -- 0.00%
Consumer Personal 1,513 1,531 (18) 1.18%
Total Non-performing Loans $64,539 $85,181 ($20,642)  

The non-performing loans table above does not include $2.4 million of loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality, which have been recorded at their fair value at acquisition and are performing as expected.

Key Performance ratios (annualized) are as follows for the three months ended (Unaudited):

  For the Three Months Ended
  March 31,
2013
December 31,
2012
March 31,
2012
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:      
Return on average assets 0.28% 0.30% 0.35%
Return on average equity 2.14% 2.35% 2.54%
Net interest margin 2.85% 2.92% 3.26%
Efficiency ratio 77.17% 75.93% 71.35%
Tangible Common Equity 10.86% 10.30% 11.40%


            

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