RED BANK, N.J., Oct. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC) (the “Company”), the holding company for OceanFirst Bank N.A. (the “Bank”), announced net income available to common stockholders of $19.7 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $37.6 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, for the corresponding prior year period, and $26.8 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the prior linked quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company reported net income available to common stockholders of $73.3 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, as compared to $90.3 million, or $1.53 per diluted share, for the corresponding prior year period. Selected performance metrics are as follows (refer to “Selected Quarterly Financial Data” for additional information):

^{(a) _{Return on average tangible stockholders’ equity and return on average tangible common equity (“ROTCE”), which are non-GAAP (“generally accepted accounting principles”) financial measures, exclude the impact of intangible assets and goodwill from both assets and stockholders’ equity. ROTCE also excludes preferred stock from stockholders’ equity. Refer to “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables for additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures.}}

Core earnings¹ for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $18.6 million and $78.4 million, respectively, or $0.32 and $1.33 per diluted share, representing a decrease from $35.0 million and $98.4 million, or $0.60 and $1.67 per diluted share, for the corresponding prior year periods, and a decrease from $27.2 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the prior linked quarter.

Core earnings PTPP¹ for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $35.0 million and $118.7 million, respectively, or $0.59 and $2.01 per diluted share, as compared to $47.5 million and $134.2 million, or $0.81 and $2.28 per diluted share, for the corresponding prior year periods, and $37.6 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, for the prior linked quarter. Selected performance metrics are as follows:

Key developments for the recent quarter are described below:

• Deposit Growth: Total deposits increased $375.6 million, or 4%, as compared to the prior linked quarter. The current quarter includes a reduction in brokered time deposits of $425.7 million and a loan-to-deposit ratio of 96.10%. The Company’s non-interest-bearing deposits declined modestly and represented 17% of the total deposits.
• Asset Quality: Asset quality metrics remains strong, despite the impact of a charge-off related to a single credit relationship announced on September 14, 2023. Criticized and classified loans, and non-performing loans both as a percent of total loans were 1.30% and 0.20%, respectively, at September 30, 2023.
• Strong Capital: The Company’s estimated common equity tier 1 capital ratio remained above “well-capitalized” levels, at 10.36% at September 30, 2023. Book value and tangible book value per share were $27.56 and $17.93², respectively, increasing $0.19 and $0.21 from the prior linked quarter.
  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher D. Maher, commented on the Company’s results, “We are pleased to report continued growth in deposits, a reduction on brokered deposits, and strengthened capital position. While our margin compressed, we remain focused on high quality growth and prudent management of the balance sheet for long-term market conditions.” Mr. Maher added, “Additionally, thank you to our exemplary employees who volunteered over 2,900 hours across 90 projects serving our communities during our second annual CommUNITYFirst day.”

The Company’s Board of Directors declared its 107th consecutive quarterly cash dividend on common stock. The quarterly cash dividend on common stock of $0.20 per share will be paid on November 17, 2023 to common stockholders of record on November 6, 2023. The Company’s Board of Directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend on preferred stock of $0.4375 per depositary share, representing 1/40th interest in the Series A Preferred Stock. This dividend will be paid on November 15, 2023 to preferred stockholders of record on October 31, 2023.

^{1 _{Core earnings and core earnings before income taxes and provision for credit losses (“PTPP or Pre-Tax-Pre-Provision”), and ratios derived therefrom, are non-GAAP financial measures. For the periods presented, core earnings exclude merger related expenses, net branch consolidation expense (benefit), net loss (gain) on equity investments, net loss on sale of investments, and the income tax effect of these items, (collectively referred to as “non-core” operations). PTPP excludes the aforementioned pre-tax “non-core” items along with income tax expense (benefit) and provision for credit losses (benefit). Refer to “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables for additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures.}}

^{2 _{Tangible book value per common share and tangible common equity to tangible assets, non-GAAP financial measures, exclude the impact of intangible assets, goodwill, and preferred equity from both stockholders’ equity and total assets. Refer to “Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables for additional information regarding non-GAAP financial measures.}}

Results of Operations
The current quarter results were impacted by the following matters. Net interest income and margin were adversely impacted by a continued mix-shift and repricing to higher cost deposits that outpaced the repricing and increase in yields on interest-earning assets. Deposit betas increased modestly to 35%, from 29%³. Additionally, the current quarter results were impacted by an increase in non-performing loans due to a single commercial real estate credit relationship totaling $17 million, which was written down to an estimated realizable value of $8.8 million⁴. The credit was originated in June 2019 and is secured by an office building in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The credit was also included in total delinquent loans 30 to 89 days at September 30, 2023. Lastly, the Company recognized one-time compensation and benefits expenses of $2.4 million attributable to severance and other program costs relating to the Company's performance improvement initiatives.

^{3 _{Deposit beta measures the change in the interest rates paid for interest-bearing deposit accounts versus the change in the federal funds target rate. Represents the deposit beta for total deposits (interest-bearing and non-interest bearing) for the current rate cycle (since December 31, 2021).}
4 _{Refer to the previously filed Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 14, 2023 for additional information.}}

Net Interest Income and Margin

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022

Net interest income decreased to $91.0 million, from $96.0 million, primarily reflecting the net impact of the higher interest rate environment.

Net interest margin decreased to 2.91%, from 3.36%. Excluding the impact of purchase accounting accretion and prepayment fees of 0.06% and 0.08% for the respective three months, net interest margin decreased to 2.85%, from 3.28%. Net interest margin decreased primarily due to the increase in cost of funds outpacing the increase in yield on average interest earning assets in the current interest rate environment and elevated levels of on-balance sheet cash.

Average interest-earning assets increased by $1.06 billion, primarily driven by increases of $414.2 million in commercial loans and $405.2 million in deposits and short-term investments. The average yield for interest-earning assets increased to 5.08%, from 3.88%.

The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities increased to 2.71%, from 0.69%, due to higher cost of deposits and higher costs of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. The total cost of deposits (including non-interest bearing deposits) increased to 1.99%, from 0.36%.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022

Net interest income increased to $281.9 million, from $271.0 million, reflecting the net impact of the higher interest rate environment.

Net interest margin decreased to 3.09%, from 3.28%. Excluding the impact of purchase accounting accretion and prepayment fees of 0.05% and 0.13% for the respective nine months, net interest margin decreased to 3.04%, from 3.15%.

Average interest-earning assets increased by $1.17 billion, primarily driven by loan growth of $819.7 million. The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities increased to 2.29%, from 0.49%. The total cost of deposits (including non-interest bearing deposits) increased to 1.48%, from 0.24%. The yield on average interest earning assets increased to 4.90% from 3.64%. The drivers for the three months ended were also the drivers for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. June 30, 2023

Net interest income decreased by $1.1 million, reflecting a decrease in net interest margin to 2.91%, from 3.02%, as the increase in cost of funds outpaced the increase in yield of average interest earning assets. Excluding the impact of purchase accounting accretion and prepayment fees of 0.06% and 0.05% for the respective three months, net interest margin decreased to 2.85%, from 2.97%. The compression in net interest margin was primarily attributable to higher cost of deposits and the impact of excess cash held.

Average interest-earning assets increased by $134.7 million, primarily due to elevated levels of cash held. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased to 5.08%, from 4.91%.

The total cost of average interest-bearing liabilities increased to 2.71%, from 2.39%, and the total cost of deposits (including non-interest bearing deposits) increased to 1.99%, from 1.52%. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $157.2 million, which included a mix-shift from FHLB advances to time deposits.

Provision for Credit Losses
Provision for credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $10.3 million and $14.5 million, respectively, as compared to $1.0 million and $4.1 million for the corresponding prior year periods, and $1.2 million in the prior linked quarter. The current quarter provision included the net impact of the $8.4 million charge-off noted above and, to a lesser extent, elevated risks and uncertainty in macro-economic conditions in a downside forecast scenario.

Net loan charge-offs were $8.3 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to net loan recoveries of $252,000 and $335,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. Net loan charge-offs were $123,000 in the prior linked quarter. Refer to “Asset Quality” section for further discussion.

Non-interest Income

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022        

Other income decreased to $10.8 million, as compared to $15.2 million. Other income was favorably impacted by non-core operations of $1.5 million and $3.4 million, for the respective quarters, primarily related to net gains on equity investments.

Excluding non-core operations, other income decreased $2.5 million. The primary drivers were decreases in commercial loan swap income of $1.5 million and fees and service charges of $1.1 million, which were adversely impacted by the current interest rate environment resulting in lower swap volume and mortgage activity.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022

Other income decreased to $21.8 million, as compared to $31.5 million. Other income was adversely impacted by non-core operations of $6.6 million and $7.5 million, for the respective periods, primarily related to net losses on equity investments. The current year’s non-core operations also included $5.3 million of losses related to the sale of investments in the first quarter.

Excluding non-core operations, other income decreased $10.7 million. The primary drivers were decreases in commercial loan swap income on lower volume of $5.8 million, fees and service charges of $1.1 million on lower title activity, and income from bank owned life insurance of $1.0 million on non-recurring death benefits recognized in the prior year. Additionally, bankcard services revenue decreased $3.4 million, due to the Durbin Amendment which became effective for the Company on July 1, 2022.

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. June 30, 2023

Other income in the prior linked quarter was $8.9 million and included non-core operations of $559,000 primarily related to net losses on preferred stock equity investments. Excluding non-core operations, other income decreased by $177,000.

Non-interest Expense

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022

Operating expenses increased by $5.4 million from $59.0 million to $64.5 million. This was due to increases in professional fees of $2.8 million and $2.4 million in compensation and employee benefits expenses related to the Company’s ongoing investments to improve profitability and operational efficiencies, and one-time related severance and other program costs. The increase in compensation and benefits expense were partly offset by decreased employee medical benefit claims. The current quarter also included increases to federal deposit insurance and regulatory assessments of $800,000 primarily due to new assessment rates that went into effect on January 1, 2023.

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022

Operating expenses increased to $188.7 million, as compared to $175.2 million. Operating expenses for the periods were adversely impacted by $92,000 and $3.1 million of non-core operations, respectively.

Excluding non-core operations, operating expenses increased by $16.5 million. This was due to increases in professional fees of $7.1 million and federal deposit insurance and regulatory assessments of $1.3 million that were driven by the same factors for the three months ended. The increase in compensation and benefits expense of $5.7 million was due to the $2.4 million increase noted above and merit-related increases.

Three months ended September 30, 2023 vs. June 30, 2023

Operating expenses increased $1.6 million primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits expense of $1.3 million.

Income Tax Expense
The provision for income taxes was $6.5 million and $24.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to $12.3 million and $29.2 million for the same prior year periods, and $9.0 million for the prior linked quarter. The effective tax rate was 23.9% and 24.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to 24.1% and 23.7% for the same prior year periods, and 24.4% for the prior linked quarter.

Financial Condition

September 30, 2023 vs. December 31, 2022

Total assets increased by $394.3 million to $13.50 billion, from $13.10 billion, primarily due to higher cash balances and loan growth. Cash and due from banks increased $240.9 million to $408.9 million, from $167.9 million as the Company maintained elevated levels of on-balance sheet cash from net deposit inflows. Total loans increased by $205.5 million to $10.12 billion, from $9.92 billion, due to loan originations.

Total liabilities increased by $342.1 million to $11.86 billion, from $11.52 billion. Deposits increased by $858.7 million to $10.53 billion, from $9.68 billion. Time deposits increased to $2.65 billion, from $1.54 billion, or 25.2% and 15.9% of total deposits, respectively. Brokered time deposits increased $122.1 million and retail time deposits increased $988.0 million. The loan-to-deposit ratio was 96.10%, as compared to 102.50%. FHLB advances decreased by $605.1 million to $606.1 million, from $1.21 billion.

Other liabilities increased by $65.6 million to $411.7 million, from $346.2 million, primarily due to an increase in the market values associated with customer interest rate swaps and related collateral received from counterparties.

Total stockholders’ equity increased to $1.64 billion, as compared to $1.59 billion, primarily reflecting net income net of dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Additionally, accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased by $7.2 million primarily due to increases in fair market value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax.

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2023. Based on a quantitative assessment, the Company concluded that goodwill was not impaired. However, the Company continues to monitor its goodwill as further and continued negative industry and economic trends and decline in the Company’s stock price may result in a re-evaluation before the next required annual test.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company did not repurchase shares under its stock repurchase program. There were 2,934,438 shares available for repurchase at September 30, 2023 under the existing repurchase program. Book value per common share increased to $27.56, as compared to $26.81. Tangible book value per common share² increased to $17.93, as compared to $17.08.

Asset Quality

September 30, 2023 vs. December 31, 2022

At September 30, 2023, non-performing loans and 30 to 89 days delinquent loans included the remaining exposure of $8.8 million on the commercial real estate relationship that was charged-off during the period.

The Company’s non-performing loans increased to $30.1 million from $23.3 million and represented 0.30% and 0.23% of total loans, respectively. The allowance for loan credit losses as a percentage of total non-performing loans was 212.23%, as compared to 244.25%. The level of 30 to 89 days delinquent loans increased to $20.6 million, from $14.1 million. The Company’s allowance for loan credit losses was 0.63% of total loans, as compared to 0.57%. Refer to “Provision for Credit Losses” section for further discussion.

The Company’s asset quality excluding purchased with credit deterioration (“PCD”) loans were as follows. Non-performing loans increased to $26.9 million, from $19.3 million. The allowance for loan credit losses as a percentage of total non-performing loans was 237.28%, as compared to 294.10%. The level of 30 to 89 days delinquent loans, excluding non-performing loans, decreased to $7.6 million, from $10.5 million. The allowance for loan credit losses plus the unamortized credit and PCD marks amounted to $72.6 million, or 0.72% of total loans, as compared to $68.2 million, or 0.69% of total loans.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Reported amounts are presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information, which consists of reported net income excluding non-core operations and in some instances excluding income taxes and provision for credit losses, and reporting equity and asset amounts excluding intangible assets, goodwill or preferred stock, which can vary from period to period, provides a better comparison of period-to-period operating performance. Additionally, the Company believes this information is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and, therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies. Refer to the Non-GAAP Reconciliation table at the end of this document for details on the earnings impact of these items.

Conference Call
As previously announced, the Company will host an earnings conference call on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The direct dial number for the call is (833) 470-1428, using the access code 472846. For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available. To access the replay, dial (808) 304-5227, access code 728904, from one hour after the end of the call until November 19, 2023. The conference call, as well as the replay, are also available (listen-only) by internet webcast at www.oceanfirst.com in the Investor Relations section.

OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s subsidiary, OceanFirst Bank N.A., founded in 1902, is a $13.5 billion regional bank providing financial services throughout New Jersey and in the major metropolitan markets of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Boston. OceanFirst Bank delivers commercial and residential financing, treasury management, trust and asset management, and deposit services and is one of the largest and oldest community-based financial institutions headquartered in New Jersey. To learn more about OceanFirst, go to www.oceanfirst.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
        
In addition to historical information, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 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,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “view,” “opportunity,” “potential,” or similar expressions or expressions of confidence. 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: changes in interest rates, inflation, general economic conditions, potential recessionary conditions, levels of unemployment in the Bank’s lending area, real estate market values in the Bank’s lending area, potential goodwill impairment, future natural disasters, potential increases to flood insurance premiums, the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events, the level of prepayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, changes in liquidity, including the size and composition of the Company’s deposit portfolio, including the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio, competition, demand for financial services in the Company’s market area, changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits, changes in accounting principles, a failure in or breach of the Company’s operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks, the failure to maintain current technologies, failure to retain or attract employees, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or any other pandemic on our operations and financial results and those of our customers and the Bank’s ability to successfully integrate acquired operations. These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, under Item 1A - Risk Factors and elsewhere, and subsequent securities filings and 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.

^{* Not meaningful as amounts are net loan recoveries.}