YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., Oct. 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PCSB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: PCSB), parent of PCSB Bank, today announced net income of $2.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $3.0 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and $2.8 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes certain nonrecurring items, the Company recorded adjusted net income of $2.7 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to adjusted net income of $2.9 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and $2.4 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures appear at the end of this release.

On October 21, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share. The dividend is payable on or about November 27, 2020 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 13, 2020.

First Quarter Highlights

• Earnings before income taxes and provision for loan losses of $3.5 million for the quarter decreased $556,000 or 13.6% from the linked quarter and $429,000 or 10.8% from the same quarter last year.
• Net interest income of $11.6 million for the current quarter increased $118,000 or 1.0% from the linked quarter but decreased $421,000 or 3.5% from the same quarter last year.
• The net interest margin was 2.69% for the quarter, a decrease from 2.72% in the linked quarter and 3.03% for the same quarter last year.
• Cost of interest-bearing deposits was 0.80% for the quarter, a decrease from 0.97% in the linked quarter and 1.20% for the same quarter last year.
• The efficiency ratio was 70.68% for the quarter compared to 68.85% for the prior year quarter. The adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) was 71.28% for the quarter compared to 71.80% for the prior year quarter. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures appear at the end of this release.
• Average loans receivable, excluding SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, of $1.25 billion for the current quarter, an increase of 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year.
• Average deposits of $1.39 billion for the current quarter, an increase of 12.6% compared to the same quarter last year.
• Non-performing loans decreased $1.3 million year-over-year to $2.1 million, equating to 0.17% of total net loans receivable as of September 30, 2020.

President’s Comments

“While we navigate through these unprecedented times there continue to be many challenges facing the country and the banking industry as a whole,” said Joseph D. Roberto, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of PCSB Financial Corporation. “Although the economy appears to be improving it remains in an uncertain position due to the prolonged pandemic. We continue to take actions to protect the health and well-being of our employees and assistance to our customers in addressing their financial needs. Our credit team has worked closely with those customers coming off payment deferrals and on a very positive note, we have currently seen almost 90% of them back to making their full monthly payments. This leaves less than 2% of the loan portfolio still in deferral status as of September 30, 2020. However, because these are still uncertain times we will continue to carefully monitor those high-risk industry sectors mostly affected by the pandemic. Additionally, our team will be assisting those small businesses as they begin the SBA’s loan application forgiveness process.”

“Meanwhile, we have seen strong deposit growth over the last two quarters. Our unparalleled customer service has allowed us to accelerate the growth in our customer base despite these uncertain economic times, by increasing the depth of our existing customer relationships, as well as increasing penetration into our local markets. Expanding the use of electronic and mobile banking products has enhanced the customer experience and will position us for more efficient operations going forward.”

“As to our first quarter’s results, adjusted net income of $2.7 million, which excludes certain nonrecurring items, shows a slight decrease ($260,000) from the previous quarter which included an additional $685,000 in swap income; however, it increased 10% compared to the year-ago period. I am pleased that in this stressed economic environment core earnings, when you exclude swap income, increased considerably and remains strong. During the September quarter we announced that our Board of Directors approved our third share repurchase program. We believe that our stable financial performance, high level of capital and strong asset quality affords us the opportunity to purchase the Company’s stock at discounted levels, creating additional value for our shareholders.”

“While the ultimate impact of the pandemic is difficult to predict, management believes the Company is well-positioned to weather this crisis and continue to deliver long-term growth and profitability for our shareholders.”

COVID-19 Response and Impact

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has been active in providing assistance to our customers, as well as assessing the risks and potential impact on the Company’s financial position, including credit quality, earnings and capital. The following is a summary of these actions through September 30, 2020:

Loan Payment Deferrals

The COVID-19 pandemic has created extensive disruptions to the local economy and our customers. Throughout the pandemic and as of September 30, 2020, the Company has granted loan payment deferrals for 331 consumer and commercial loans whose borrowers have demonstrated financial hardship caused by COVID-19 with loan balances totaling $223.4 million.

Of the loans still on deferral as of September 30, 2020, $17.4 million are scheduled to resume payments prior to October 31, 2020, with the remainder scheduled to resume payments prior to January 31, 2021. As we continue to assess the borrowers’ financial condition and individual circumstances in the coming weeks and months, additional payment deferrals may be granted.

Risk Assessment and Financial Impact

Capital

The Company’s capital position is strong. At September 30, 2020, all of the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios significantly exceeded well-capitalized standards. Specifically, the Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 12.41% as of September 30, 2020, which represents approximately 2 ½ times the well-capitalized regulatory standard of 5%. Additionally, as of September 30, 2020, PCSB Financial Corporation (parent of PCSB Bank) has $37.3 million of additional funds that could be contributed to the Bank as capital, which would result in a proforma Tier 1 Leverage ratio of 14.48%.

Credit Risk

The Company has taken actions to identify, assess and address its COVID-19-related credit exposure. Many factors are unknown, including the ultimate impacts of the government fiscal and monetary stimulus and relief measures, payment deferral programs, as well as the medium and long-term impacts COVID-19 may have on our consumer and commercial borrowers, particularly if negative trends in COVID-19 cases should result in additional business shutdowns. The following table provides, as of September 30, 2020, the Company’s commercial and construction loan exposures to those industries the Company believes to be the most directly and significantly impacted by the pandemic:

Income Statement Summary

Net interest income was $11.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $118,000, or 1.0%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and a decrease of $421,000, or 3.5%, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in net interest income compared to the prior year period is primarily the result of a 34 basis point decrease in net interest margin, partially offset by an increase in average interest-earning assets of $138.8 million, or 8.7%. The increase in net interest income compared to the prior quarter is primarily the result of an increase in average interest-earning assets of $42.3 million, partially offset by a 3 basis point decrease in net interest margin.

The net interest margin was 2.69% for the current quarter reflecting decreases of 3 basis points compared to 2.72% in the prior quarter and 34 basis points compared to 3.03% in the prior year quarter. Despite continued asset growth, along with a decrease in funding costs, margin compression has resulted from significant decreases in market interest rates over the past year, stemming from decreases in the Fed Funds rate in mid-March, which has disproportionately reduced asset yields. The reduction in funding costs has continued in the current quarter, however, the significant increase in cash and cash equivalents, driven by the significant increase in deposits experienced in the prior quarter, has resulted in a less profitable asset mix.

The yield on interest-earning assets for the current quarter was 3.36%, a 16 basis point decrease from the prior quarter and a 68 basis point decrease from the prior year quarter. Despite significant loan portfolio growth, decreases in market interest rates driven most significantly by Fed Funds rate cuts in mid-March, the origination of lower yielding PPP loans, as well as the significant increases in liquidity over the last quarter has decreased asset yields.

The cost of interest-bearing deposits was 0.80% for the current quarter, a decrease of 17 basis points from 0.97% in the prior quarter and 40 basis points from 1.20% in the prior year quarter. In response to the significant decrease in market interest rates in mid-March, deposit rate reductions were implemented, the effects of which have been realized in the last two quarters. At September 30, 2020, the weighted average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 0.66%. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.89% for the current quarter, a decrease of 16 basis points from 1.05% in the prior quarter and 43 basis points from 1.32% in the prior year quarter. Over the remainder of the current fiscal year, the Company has $77.5 million of wholesale funding maturing, including FHLB advances and brokered time deposits, with a weighted average cost of 2.29%.

The provision for loan losses was $109,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $335,000 for the same quarter in 2019. Charge-offs, net of recoveries, were $76,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $17,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and $6,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Non-performing loans as a percent of total loans receivable was 0.17% as of September 30, 2020, an increase from 0.14% as of June 30, 2020 and a decrease from 0.29% as of September 30, 2019.

Noninterest income of $594,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 decreased $583,000 compared to the linked quarter and $171,000 compared to the prior year period. The decrease compared to the linked quarter was primarily due to a $685,000 decrease in swap income, partially offset by a $95,000 increase in fees and service charges. The decrease compared to the prior year period was primarily due to decreases of $80,000 in fees and service charges, $41,000 in swap income and $47,000 in gains on the sale of foreclosed real estate. The reduction in fees and service charge income compared to the prior year quarter was due to the combined effects of reduced customer transaction activity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and our waiver of certain overdraft fees, ATM usage fees, wire and CD early withdrawal fees in response to COVID-19, as required by emergency regulations promulgated by the New York State Department of Financial Services. The Company began waiving such fees in accordance with these regulations on or about March 20, 2020, with approximately $175,000 in fees waived or lost in the linked quarter. The Company reinstituted these fees on July 15, 2020, resulting in the increased fees compared to the linked quarter, however, we expect to continue to be subject to some level of reduced customer activity and waivers based on customer-specific circumstances.

Noninterest expense of $8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 increased $91,000 compared to the linked quarter and decreased $163,000 compared to the same period in 2019. The increase compared to the linked quarter was primarily due to increases of $108,000 in salaries and benefits, $74,000 in communication and data processing and $72,000 in all other non-interest expenses, partially offset by a $163,000 decrease in professional fees. The decrease compared to the prior year quarter was caused primarily by decreases of $256,000 in retirement costs and $65,000 in all other expenses, partially offset by increases in FDIC insurance premiums of $113,000 and communications and data processing fees of $45,000. The Bank applied small bank assessment credits of $98,000 which fully offset its FDIC assessment for the prior year quarter. All available credits were applied as of June 30, 2020.

The effective income tax rate was 20.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 22.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The Company expects an effective tax rate of approximately 22.0% for the year ending June 30, 2021.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets were unchanged at $1.79 billion at September 30, 2020. However, the mix of assets changed due to a decrease of $33.0 million in net loans receivable, partially offset by increases of $26.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $5.3 million in total investment securities. The $33.0 million decrease in net loans receivable was the result of decreases in commercial mortgages of $12.9 million, residential mortgages of $10.4 million and commercial loans of $8.7 million, which included a decrease in PPP loans of $13.9 million. The increase in cash and cash equivalents is a result of an increase in deposits and reduced loan originations experienced during the quarter due to reduced economic activity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Total liabilities were unchanged at $1.52 billion at September 30, 2020. However, the mix of liabilities changed due to a $3.8 million increase in deposits which was largely offset by a $3.7 million decrease in escrow accounts. Following a $93.7 million or 7.3% increase in deposits in the linked quarter, the Company continued to see deposit inflows in the current quarter, the result of numerous economic trends associated with COVID-19, including reduced consumer and commercial spending, and various forms of government stimulus.

Total shareholders’ equity decreased $34,000 to $273.7 million at September 30, 2020. This decrease was primarily due to the repurchase of $3.4 million of common stock and $630,000 of cash dividends declared and paid, partially offset by net income of $2.7 million and $1.1 million of stock-based compensation and reduction in unearned ESOP shares for plan shares earned during the period.

At September 30, 2020, the Company’s book value per share and tangible book value per share were $16.45 and $16.07, respectively, compared to $16.20 and $15.82, respectively, at June 30, 2020. Reconciliations of book value per share (GAAP measure) to tangible book value per share (non-GAAP measure) appear at the end of this release. At September 30, 2020, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under applicable regulatory guidelines.

About PCSB Financial Corporation and PCSB Bank

PCSB Financial Corporation is the bank holding company for PCSB Bank. PCSB Bank is a New York-chartered commercial bank that has served the banking needs of its customers in the Lower Hudson Valley of New York State since 1871. It operates from its executive offices/headquarters and 15 branch offices located in Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties in New York.