FAIR LAWN, N.J., April 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbia Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CLBK), the mid-tier holding company for Columbia Bank ("Columbia") and Freehold Bank ("Freehold"), reported a net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as compared to net income of $18.7 million, or $0.18 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 reflected lower net interest income, mainly due to an increase in interest expense, a higher provision for credit losses and higher non-interest expense, partially offset by lower income tax expense. For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company reported core net income of $455,000, a decrease of $19.3 million, or 97.7%, compared to core net income of $19.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Mr. Thomas J. Kemly, President and Chief Executive Officer commented: “While the first quarter results were disappointing as we were challenged by the environment and non-recurring items, management believes it has achieved net interest margin stabilization. We believe net interest margin expansion, additional loan volumes and cost controls will contribute to improved earnings on a go forward basis. The Company's balance sheet, asset quality and capital remain strong, and we have maintained a stable, diversified deposit base and abundant liquidity."

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023

A net loss of $1.2 million was recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $19.9 million, or 106.2%, compared to net income of $18.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to an $18.7 million decrease in net interest income, a $5.1 million increase in provision for credit losses, and a $1.8 million increase in non-interest expense, partially offset by a $6.3 million decrease in income tax expense.

Net interest income was $42.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $18.7 million, or 30.7%, from $60.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in net interest income was primarily attributable to a $34.4 million increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings, partially offset by a $15.7 million increase in interest income. The increase in interest income was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of total interest-earning assets coupled with an increase in average yields due to multiple market interest rate increases that occurred over the previous year. The increase in interest expense on deposits was driven by these same rate increases coupled with intense competition for deposits in the market and the repricing of existing deposits into higher cost products. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was also impacted by an increase in the average balance of borrowings and the increase in interest rates for new borrowings since interest rates continued rising during the first and second quarters of 2023. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income on loans, totaled $268,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $200,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

The average yield on loans for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 increased 55 basis points to 4.79%, as compared to 4.24% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, as interest income was influenced by rising interest rates and loan growth. The average yield on securities for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 increased 12 basis points to 2.65%, as compared to 2.53% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, as a number of adjustable rate securities tied to various indexes repriced higher during the quarter, and new securities purchased during the 2024 period were at higher rates. The average yield on other interest-earning assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 increased 184 basis points to 6.06%, as compared to 4.22% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, due to the rise in average balances and interest rates paid on cash balances and an increase in the dividend rate paid on Federal Home Loan Bank stock.

Total interest expense was $66.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $34.4 million, or 107.5%, from $32.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to a 189 basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, coupled with an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, along with a 38 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings, and an increase in the average balance of borrowings. Interest expense on deposits increased $31.3 million, or 183.3%, and interest expense on borrowings increased $3.1 million, or 20.6%.

The Company's net interest margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 decreased 83 basis points to 1.75%, when compared to 2.58% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets increased 57 basis points to 4.50% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as compared to 3.93% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 164 basis points to 3.38% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as compared to 1.74% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase in yields for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was due to the impact of market interest rate increases between periods. The net interest margin decreased for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as the increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities outweighed the increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets.

The provision for credit losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $5.3 million, an increase of $5.1 million, from $175,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase in provision for credit losses during the quarter was primarily attributable to net charge-offs totaling $5.0 million.

Non-interest expense was $45.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $1.8 million, or 4.0%, from $43.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in federal deposit insurance premiums of $1.7 million, and an increase in professional fees of $2.8 million, partially offset by a decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense of $3.6 million. The federal deposit insurance premium expense increased due to an increase in the assessment rate imposed by the FDIC effective January 1, 2023, and an increase in a one-time special assessment charge. Professional fees included an increase in legal, regulatory and compliance-related costs. The decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense was the result of workforce reduction and other related employee expense cutting strategies implemented during 2023 and 2024.

Income tax benefit was $129,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $6.3 million, as compared to income tax expense of $6.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, mainly due to a decrease in pre-tax income. The Company's effective tax rate was 10.0% and 24.7% for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate for the 2024 period was primarily impacted by permanent income tax differences.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets decreased $8.0 million, or 0.08%, to $10.6 billion at March 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023. The decrease in total assets was primarily attributable to a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $49.8 million, and a decrease in loans receivable, net, of $59.2 million partially offset by an increase in debt securities available for sale of $93.9 million.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $49.8 million, or 11.8%, to $373.5 million at March 31, 2024 from $423.2 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to purchases of debt securities available for sale of $137.8 million, repurchases of common stock under our stock repurchase program of $1.7 million and a decrease in total deposits of $17.2 million, partially offset by proceeds from principal repayments on securities of $33.9 million, and repayments on loans receivable.

Debt securities available for sale increased $93.9 million, or 8.6%, to $1.2 billion at March 31, 2024 from $1.1 billion at December 31, 2023. The increase was attributable to the purchases of debt securities available for sale of $137.8 million, consisting primarily of U.S. government obligations and mortgage-backed securities, partially offset by repayments on securities of $21.1 million, maturities of securities of $10.0 million, an increase in the gross unrealized loss on securities of $8.2 million, and the sale of one corporate debt security with a carrying value of $4.8 million, resulting in a loss of $1.3 million.

Loans receivable, net, decreased $59.2 million, or 0.8%, to $7.8 billion at March 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023. One-to-four family real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and home equity loans and advances decreased $13.9 million, $58.9 million, $5.5 million, and $5.8 million, respectively, partially offset by increases in multifamily real estate loans and commercial business loans of $20.2 million, and $5.2 million, respectively. The allowance for credit losses for loans increased $305,000 to $55.4 million at March 31, 2024 from $55.1 million at December 31, 2023.

Total liabilities decreased $5.7 million, or 0.1%, to $9.6 billion at March 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in total deposits of $17.2 million, or 0.2%, partially offset by an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $7.3 million, or 3.9%. The decrease in total deposits primarily consisted of decreases in non-interest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits, money market accounts, and savings and club accounts of $21.5 million, $37.0 million, $27.4 million, and $13.0 million, respectively, partially offset by an increase in certificates of deposit of $81.7 million. The $7.3 million increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities was primarily attributable to a $10.5 million net increase in balances related to our interest rate swap program, partially offset by a $4.3 million decrease in outstanding checks.

Total stockholders’ equity decreased $2.3 million, or 0.22%, with a balance of $1.0 billion at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The decrease in equity was primarily attributable to a net loss of $1.2 million, and the repurchase of 101,516 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $1.7 million, or $16.28 per share, under our stock repurchase program, partially offset by an increase of $2.1 million in other comprehensive income, which includes changes in unrealized losses on debt securities available for sale and unrealized losses on swap contracts, net of taxes, included in other comprehensive income.

Asset Quality

The Company's non-performing loans at March 31, 2024 totaled $22.9 million, or 0.30% of total gross loans, as compared to $12.6 million, or 0.16% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2023. The $10.3 million increase in non-performing loans was primarily attributable to an increase in non-performing one-to-four family real estate loans of $2.1 million, an increase in non-performing commercial real estate loans of $5.7 million, and an increase in non-performing commercial business loans of $2.5 million. One borrower with an outstanding $5.7 million commercial real estate loan and a related $1.6 million commercial business loan placed on nonaccrual status, representing 71% of the increase in non-performing loans, during the 2024 quarter. The borrower is a struggling healthcare facility that is current on all payments and in the process of being acquired. The Company has the first lien on the healthcare facility which has a 2023 appraised value of $23.0 million along with additional collateral. The acquiring entity, which has strong cash flow, has partially guaranteed the commercial business loan and has provided cash collateral.

The increase in non-performing one-to-four family real estate loans was due to an increase in the number of loans from 17 non-performing loans at December 31, 2023 to 24 loans at March 31, 2024. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets totaled 0.22% and 0.12% at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, net charge-offs totaled $5.0 million, as compared to $105,000 in net charge-offs recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, which included charge-offs related to four commercial business loans totaling $5.0 million. Two of the four loans represented $2.9 million of charge-offs and these borrowers are currently making monthly payments. Management expects some recoveries from these credits on a go forward basis.

The Company's allowance for credit losses on loans was $55.4 million, or 0.71% of total gross loans, at March 31, 2024, compared to $55.1 million, or 0.70% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2023.

Additional Liquidity, Loan, and Deposit Information

The Company services a diverse retail and commercial deposit base through its 67 branches. With over 212,000 accounts, the average deposit account balance was approximately $37,000 at March 31, 2024.

The Company had uninsured deposits totaling $1.9 billion at March 31, 2024 and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2023, excluding municipal deposits of $826.5 million and $825.9 million, respectively, which are collateralized, and intercompany deposits of $3.5 billion at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

The Company had uninsured deposits as summarized below:

Deposit balances are summarized as follows:

The Company continues to maintain strong liquidity and capital positions. The Company had no outstanding borrowings from the Federal Reserve Discount Window at March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had immediate access to approximately $2.7 billion of funding, with additional unpledged loan collateral available to pledge in excess of $1.5 billion.

At March 31, 2024, the Company's non-performing commercial real estate loans totaled $8.5 million, or 0.11%, of the total loans receivable loan portfolio balance.

The following table presents multifamily real estate, owner occupied commercial real estate, and the components of investor owned commercial real estate loans included in the real estate loan portfolio.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had less than $1.0 million in loan exposure to office or rent stabilized multifamily loans in New York City.

About Columbia Financial, Inc.

The consolidated financial results include the accounts of Columbia Financial, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries Columbia Bank and Freehold Bank, and their wholly-owned subsidiaries. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized as Columbia Bank's mid-tier stock holding company. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Columbia Bank, MHC. Columbia Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey that operates 65 full-service banking offices. Freehold Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey that operates 2 full-service banking offices. Both banks offer traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in their market areas.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “will,” “would,” “expects,” “projects,” “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 the Company’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, adverse conditions in the capital and debt markets and the impact of such conditions on the Company’s business activities; changes in interest rates, higher inflation and their impact on national and local economic conditions; changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other governmental entities; the impact of legal, judicial and regulatory proceedings or investigations, competitive pressures from other financial institutions; the effects of general economic conditions on a national basis or in the local markets in which the Company operates, including changes that adversely affect a borrowers’ ability to service and repay the Company’s loans; the effect of acts of terrorism, war or pandemics,, including on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions; changes in the value of securities in the Company’s portfolio; changes in loan default and charge-off rates; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and securities; legislative changes and changes in government regulation; changes in accounting standards and practices; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements will become impaired; cyber-attacks, computer viruses and other technological risks that may breach the security of our systems and allow unauthorized access to confidential information; the inability of third party service providers to perform; demand for loans in the Company’s market area; the Company’s ability to attract and maintain deposits and effectively manage liquidity; risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings; the risk that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy, or its integration of acquired financial institutions and businesses, and changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements which are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and those set forth in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, the Company'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. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reported amounts are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This press release also contains certain supplemental non-GAAP information that the Company’s management uses in its analysis of the Company’s financial results. Specifically, the Company provides measures based on what it believes are its operating earnings on a consistent basis and excludes material non-routine operating items which affect the GAAP reporting of results of operations. The Company’s management believes that providing this information to analysts and investors allows them to better understand and evaluate the Company’s core financial results for the periods presented. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

The Company also provides measurements and ratios based on tangible stockholders' equity. These measures are commonly utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and, therefore, the Company’s management believes that such information is useful to investors.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are included at the end of this press release. See "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Columbia Financial, Inc.
Investor Relations Department
(833) 550-0717