ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2022 Results; Tangible Book Value Per Share Increases 2%; Declares 19% Increase in Common Dividend

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNOB) (the “Company” or “ConnectOne”), parent company of ConnectOne Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income available to common stockholders of $29.9 million for the first quarter of 2022, compared with $31.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 and $33.0 million for the first quarter of 2021. Diluted earnings per share were $0.75 for the first quarter of 2022 compared with $0.79 for the fourth quarter of 2021 and $0.82 for the first quarter of 2021. The $1.4 million decrease in net income available to common stockholders and $0.04 decrease in diluted earnings per share versus the fourth quarter of 2021 were primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in noninterest expenses, a $0.7 million decrease in noninterest income, and a $0.6 million increase to provision for credit losses, partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease in income tax expenses. The $3.1 million decrease in net income available to common stockholders and $0.07 decrease in diluted earnings per share versus the first quarter of 2021 were due to a $7.2 million increase to provision for credit losses, a $2.7 million increase in noninterest expenses, $1.5 million in preferred dividends, a $0.4 million decrease in noninterest income and a $0.5 million increase in income tax expenses, partially offset by a $9.2 million increase in net interest income.

Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue (“PPNR”) as a percent of average assets was 2.17%, 2.28% and 2.06% for the quarters ending March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively.

Frank Sorrentino, ConnectOne’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “ConnectOne had a solid start to 2022. We delivered another quarter of strong operating performance along with significant organic growth and best-in-class efficiency, while also investing in our infrastructure to support future growth and performance. Our efficiency ratio remained below 40% at 38.7%, our PPNR as a percent of average assets remained above 2%, and our return on tangible common equity exceeded 15%, while our net interest margin remained at a near record level. Tangible book value per share increased by 2.0% for the quarter to $20.51.

“Operationally, we’re using the full range of the Company’s banking expertise to enhance client relationships. Loan demand remained strong with annualized core loan growth increasing over 10% sequentially, matched with annualized deposit growth in excess of 14%. We ended the quarter with a strong pipeline, reflecting continued momentum and solid prospects among our clients across all the markets we serve. That also reflects our expansion into new markets which are a natural progression for us, such as Florida where we are gaining nice traction.” Mr. Sorrentino added, “We continue to leverage our technological foundation by investing in infrastructure, new verticals, communication tools and digital channels to remain well-positioned for continued growth.”

“We remain committed to strategically allocating capital to investments that we believe can enhance value for our shareholders. We also announced today yet another increase to our common dividend, the third increase since the start of 2021 -- reflecting ConnectOne’s growing capital base, our strong operating performance and our favorable outlook.” Mr. Sorrentino added, “Looking ahead, we remain confident in our ability to increase our market presence and deliver continued organic growth. Our margins and efficiency are expected to remain among the best in the industry and, even with investments to support our growing businesses, we aim to grow revenues faster than expenses. We’re excited about what the future holds for ConnectOne, we are very optimistic about performance in 2022 and we are well positioned to pursue attractive opportunities to expand our valuable franchise.”

Dividend Declarations

The Company announced that its Board of Directors declared an increased cash dividend on its common stock and a quarterly cash dividend on its preferred stock.

A cash dividend on common stock of $0.155 per share, reflecting a 19.2% sequential increase and a 40.9% increase versus one year ago, will be paid on June 1, 2022 to common stockholders of record on May 16, 2022.   A dividend of $0.328125 per share for every depositary share, representing a 1/40^th interest in the Company’s 5.25% Fixed Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, will also be paid on June 1, 2022 to preferred stockholders of record on May 16, 2022.

Operating Results

Fully taxable equivalent net interest income for the first quarter of 2022 was $70.8 million, virtually unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2021. Average interest-earning assets increased by $244.9 million, or 3.3%, from the fourth quarter of 2021 resulting primarily from a 2.3% increase in average loans. Partially offsetting the benefit from increased average interest-earnings assets was a modest contraction in the net interest margin of 4 basis points to 3.71% from 3.75%. The net interest margin contraction was primarily a result of a 6 basis-point decline in the yield on loans. Excluding purchase accounting adjustments, the adjusted net interest margin was 3.64% for the first quarter of 2022 and 3.66% for the fourth quarter of 2021. Included in interest income in the first quarter of 2022 and fourth quarter of 2021 was the accretion of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) fee income of $2.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Remaining deferred and unrecognized PPP fees were $2.6 million as of March 31, 2022.

Fully taxable equivalent net interest income for the first quarter of 2022 increased by $9.3 million, or 15.0%, from the first quarter of 2021. The increase from the first quarter of 2021 resulted primarily from a 10.1% increase in average loans and a 15 basis-point widening of the net interest margin to 3.71% from 3.56%. The widening of the net interest margin resulted from a 27 basis-point reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by an 8 basis-point reduction in the yield on average interest-earning assets.

Noninterest income was $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2022, $3.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 and $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2021.   Included in noninterest income were net losses on equity securities of $0.6 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the first quarter 2022, fourth quarter 2021 and first quarter 2021, respectively, and a $0.7 million gain on the sale of branches in the first quarter 2021.   Excluding the aforementioned items, adjusted noninterest income was $3.7 million, $3.9 million and $2.9 million for the first quarter 2022, fourth quarter 2021 and first quarter 2021, respectively. The $0.3 million decrease in adjusted noninterest income for the current quarter versus the sequential fourth quarter 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in net gains on sale of loans held-for-sale, partially offset by increased BoeFly income. The $0.7 million increase in adjusted noninterest income for the current quarter versus the first quarter 2021 was primarily due to increases in deposit, loan and other income of $0.4 million, BoeFly income of $0.2 million and BOLI income of $0.1 million.

Noninterest expenses totaled $29.2 million for the first quarter of 2022, $28.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 and $26.5 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in noninterest expenses of $1.1 million from the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $2.2 million and a $0.7 million in increase acquisition expenses related to BoeFly, partially offset by decreases in occupancy and equipment of $0.8 million, which included a $0.9 million favorable dissolution of a merger lease obligation, other expense of $0.3 million, information technology and communications of $0.2 million, professional and consulting of $0.2 million, and marketing and advertising of $0.1 million.   The increase in noninterest expenses of $2.7 million from the first quarter of 2021 was primarily attributable to increases in salaries and employee benefits of $3.1 million, the aforementioned BoeFly expense of $0.7 million, and other expenses of $0.6 million, and information technology and communications of $0.3 million, partially offset by decreases in occupancy and equipment of $1.5 million, including the aforementioned favorable dissolution of merger lease obligation, FDIC insurance of $0.3 million and professional and consulting of $0.2 million. The increase in salaries and employee benefits from the prior sequential quarter and prior year quarter was attributable to new hires, seasonal increases in payroll taxes, as well as higher incentive-based, stock compensation expense.

Income tax expense was $11.4 million for the first quarter of 2022, $12.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 and $10.9 million for the first quarter of 2021. The effective tax rates for the first quarter of 2022, fourth quarter of 2021 and first quarter of 2021 were 26.6%, 27.1% and 24.8%, respectively.

Asset Quality

The provision for (reversal of) credit losses was $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2022, $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 and $(5.8) million for the first quarter of 2021. The provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021 reflected strong organic loan growth and stabilizing macroeconomic forecasts.   The reversal of provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2021 was the result of an improved macroeconomic forecast when compared to January 1, 2021, the date of CECL implementation.

Nonperforming assets, which includes nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned, were $59.7 million as of March 31, 2022, $61.7 million as of December 31, 2021 and $60.9 million as of March 31, 2021.   Nonaccrual loans were $59.4 million as of March 31, 2022, $61.7 million as of December 31, 2021 and $60.9 million as of March 31, 2021. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.72% as of March 31, 2022, 0.76% as of December 31, 2021 and 0.82% as of March 31, 2021. The ratio of nonaccrual loans to loans receivable was 0.85%, 0.90% and 0.97%, as of March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively. The annualized net loan charge-offs ratio was 0.01% for the first quarter of 2022, 0.01% for the fourth quarter of 2021 and 0.00% for the first quarter of 2021. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.15%, 1.15%, and 1.28% of loans receivable as of March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively. Excluding PPP loans, the allowance for credit losses represented 1.16%, 1.17%, and 1.40% of loans receivable as of March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonaccrual loans was 134.8% as of March 31, 2022, 127.7% as of December 31, 2021 and 132.2% as of March 31, 2021.

Selected Balance Sheet Items

The Company’s total assets were $8.3 billion as of March 31, 2022, an increase of $204.8 million from December 31, 2021.  Loans receivable were $7.0 billion, an increase of $151.0 million from December 31, 2021. The increase in loans receivable was attributable to higher, organic, loan originations.

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity was $1.1 billion as of March 31, 2022, an increase of $14.3 million from December 31, 2021. The increase in retained earnings of $24.7 million was the primary reason for the overall increase in stockholders’ equity, in addition to an increase in additional paid-in capital of $1.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $6.9 million, reflecting the after-tax decline in the fair value of investment securities net of unrealized hedge gains recorded in other assets, and an increase in treasury stock of $4.8 million. As of March 31, 2022, the Company’s tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 9.99% and $20.51, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share were 10.06% and $20.12, respectively. Total goodwill and other intangible assets were approximately $216.9 million as of March 31, 2022 and $217.4 million as of December 31, 2021.

Share Repurchase Program

During the first quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 144,793 shares of common stock leaving approximately 2.1 million shares remaining authorized for repurchase under the current Board approved repurchase programs. The Company may repurchase shares from time-to-time in the open market, in privately negotiated stock purchases or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable federal securities laws. The share repurchase plans do not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and they may be modified or suspended at any time at the Company's discretion. 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the results presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), ConnectOne routinely supplements its evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP measures. ConnectOne believes these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to the related GAAP measures, provide meaningful information to investors in understanding our operating performance and trends. These non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations and are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of results reported under GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this earnings release to the comparable GAAP measures are provided in the accompanying tables.

First Quarter 2022 Results Conference Call

Management will also host a conference call and audio webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET on April 28, 2022 to review the Company's financial performance and operating results. The conference call dial-in number is 201-689-8471, access code 13728265. Please dial in at least five minutes before the start of the call to register. An audio webcast of the conference call will be available to the public, on a listen-only basis, via the "Investor Relations" link on the Company's website https://www.ConnectOneBank.com or at http://ir.connectonebank.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 28, 2022 and ending on Thursday, May 5, 2022 by dialing 412-317-6671, access code 13728265. An online archive of the webcast will be available following the completion of the conference call at https://www.connectonebank.com or at http://ir.connectonebank.com.

About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc., is a modern financial services company that operates, through its subsidiary, ConnectOne Bank, and its fintech subsidiary, BoeFly. ConnectOne Bank is a high-performing commercial bank offering a full suite of banking & lending products and services that focus on small to middle-market businesses. BoeFly is a fintech marketplace that connects borrowers in the franchise space with funding solutions through a network of partner banks. ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol "CNOB," and information about ConnectOne may be found at https://www.connectonebank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions. The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in Item 1A – Risk Factors of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, as supplemented by the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in the Company's market area, changes in accounting principles and guidelines and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company, its employees and operations, and its customers. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Investor Contact:

William S. Burns
Senior Executive VP & CFO
201.816.4474: bburns@cnob.com

Media Contact:
Sutton Resler, MWW
571.236.4966: sresler@mww.com