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8-K/A - FORM 8-K/A - United Financial Bancorp, Inc.d8ka.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      For More Information Contact:
     Mark A. Roberts
     Executive Vice President & CFO
     (413) 787-1700

 

 

UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2011

EARNINGS OF $2.4 MILLION, OR $0.16 PER DILUTED SHARE;

DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND OF $0.08 PER SHARE

 

 

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA— April 25, 2011—United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ Global Select Market: UBNK), the holding company for United Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income of $2.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011 compared to net income of $1.8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the corresponding period in 2010. Excluding expenses totaling $979,000 ($808,000 net of tax benefit) related to the acquisition of Commonwealth National Bank (“CNB”), net income would have been $2.6 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010. The Company also announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share, payable on June 07, 2011 to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2011.

“We are pleased with the results of our efforts to expand our franchise,” commented Richard B. Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that consistent growth in our loan, deposit and wealth management customer base will ultimately result in improved profitability. However, our current operating results reflect the challenges of a slowly improving economy and a very competitive local market.” Mr. Collins also remarked: “We are well positioned for the future given our healthy balance sheet, substantial capital base and strong liquidity level.”

Q1 2011 Earnings Summary

 

   

Net interest income decreased $705,000, or 5%, to $12.8 million for the first quarter of 2011 as a result of net interest margin compression, partially offset by higher average interest-earning assets. Net interest margin declined 34 basis points to 3.42% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 due to lower amortization of certain acquisition accounting adjustments ($402,000 in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $732,000 in the first quarter of 2010), the downward repricing of certain fixed rate loans and investments as a result of the lower interest rate environment and an increase in funds held in lower-yielding cash equivalents. These items were partially offset by lower funding costs. Total average interest-earning assets increased $59.7 million, or 4%, to $1.5 billion, mainly due to growth in investment securities and excess cash balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank.


   

Non-interest income increased $112,000, or 5%, to $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 mainly driven by an increase of $102,000 or 74% in wealth management income as a result of growth in assets under management and annuity sales. The results were also impacted by lower gains from sales of loans and fee income on depositors’ accounts.

 

   

Non-interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 9%, to $10.9 million for the first quarter of 2011 from $12.0 million in the same period last year. Excluding acquisition-related expenses totaling $979,000 in the first quarter of 2010, non-interest expense would have decreased $99,000, or 1%. Marketing expenses decreased $113,000, or 20%, reflecting the cost of promotional activities in 2010 to support the Bank’s entry into the Worcester market. FDIC premium expense decreased $85,000, or 20%, driven by a one-time adjustment in the first quarter of 2010 related to the CNB acquisition. Occupancy expenses decreased $83,000, or 9%, mainly due to the closing of the Bank’s Worcester operations center in 2010. Data processing expenses decreased $79,000, or 7%, largely attributable to one-time software setup expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2010. Other expenses decreased $50,000, or 3%, reflecting lower costs to operate the Worcester franchise as a result of integration efforts during the first quarter of 2010 and a one-time depreciation expense adjustment related to the CNB fixed assets conversion in 2010, partially offset by an operating loss from an investment in a low income housing tax credit fund. These favorable variances were partially offset by increases in salaries and benefits and professional services. Salaries and benefits expense increased $191,000, or 3%, mainly reflecting annual wage adjustments and new employees hired to support and facilitate the growth of the Company. Professional services expenses increased $120,000, or 22%, in connection with expanded consulting and legal costs primarily driven by the timing of loan review and annual meeting activities.

 

   

Income taxes decreased $268,000, or 26%, to $763,000 for the first quarter of 2011 from $1.0 million in the same period last year primarily due to a lower effective tax rate. The effective tax rate decreased from 37% in the first quarter of 2010 to 24% for the first quarter of 2011 largely as a result of tax credits from an investment in a low income housing fund and an increase in tax exempt municipal investment income in 2011.


Balance Sheet Activity

 

   

Total assets increased $14.8 million, or 1%, to $1.6 billion at March 31, 2011 reflecting solid loan growth partially offset by the declining cash balances.

 

   

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $10.5 million, or 13%, to $72.5 million at March 31, 2011 reflecting the use of excess cash to paydown maturing FHLB advances in the first quarter of 2011.

 

   

Total loans increased by $22.9 million, or 2%, to $1.1 billion at March 31, 2011 primarily due to increased residential mortgage origination activity in the first quarter of 2011.

 

   

Total deposits increased $30.6 million, or 3%, to $1.2 billion at March 31, 2011 reflecting growth of $43.3 million, or 6%, in core account balances, partially offset by a decrease of $12.7 million, or 3%, in certificates of deposit. The growth in core account balances was driven by strong demand in all categories, particularly savings accounts. Core deposit balances were $723.9 million, or 62% of total deposits, at March 31, 2011 compared to $680.7 million, or 60% of total deposits, at December 31, 2010.

 

   

Short- term borrowings and long-term debt decreased $2.1 million and $11.8 million, respectively, mainly due to the use of excess cash balances to pay down FHLB advances.

Credit Quality & Reserve Coverage

 

   

Non-performing assets totaled $9.8 million, or 0.62% of total assets, at March 31, 2011 compared to $11.0 million, or 0.69% of total assets, at December 31, 2010. Total non-performing assets at March 31, 2011 no longer include a $3.5 million troubled debt restructure loan as the customer has been current on new payments for more than one year.

 

   

At March 31, 2011, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 0.95% compared to 0.93% at December 31, 2010. Excluding the impact of loans acquired from CNB and other financial institutions totaling $199.8 million at March 31, 2011 and $231.2 million at December 31, 2010, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans would have been 1.17% at March 31, 2011 and 1.18% at December 31, 2010. Net charge-offs totaled $327,000, or 0.12% of average loans outstanding, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to net charge-offs of $304,000, or 0.11% of average loans outstanding, for the same period in 2010.


Capital and Liquidity

The Company remains well capitalized with a tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio of 13.51% at March 31, 2011. At March 31, 2011 the Company continued to have considerable liquidity including significant unused borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank as well as access to funding through the repurchase agreement and brokered deposit markets.

United Financial Bancorp, Inc. is a publicly owned corporation and the holding company for United Bank, a federally chartered bank headquartered at 95 Elm Street, West Springfield, MA 01090. The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol UBNK. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had total consolidated assets of $1.6 billion. United Bank provides an array of financial products and services through its 16 branch offices and two express drive-up branches in the Springfield region of Western Massachusetts and six branches in the Worcester region of Central Massachusetts. The bank also operates a loan production office located in Beverly, Massachusetts. Through its Wealth Management Group, the Bank offers access to a wide range of investment and insurance products and services, as well as financial, estate and retirement strategies and products. For more information regarding the Bank’s products and services and for United Financial Bancorp, Inc. investor relations information please visit www.bankatunited.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/bankatunited.

Except for the historical information contained in this press release, the matters discussed may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties, including changes in economic conditions in the Company’s market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates, demand for loans in the Company’s market area, competition, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports. Actual strategies and results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.


UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands, except par value amounts)

 

     March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
    March 31,
2010
 
     (unaudited)     (audited)     (unaudited)  

Assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 72,539      $ 83,069      $ 21,667   

Short-term investments

     —          —          1,100   

Investment securities

     339,609        338,327        296,541   

Loans held for sale

     583        —          —     

Loans:

      

Residential mortgages

     317,307        295,721        328,140   

Commercial mortgages

     429,949        427,994        413,118   

Construction loans

     30,512        27,553        49,082   

Commercial loans

     165,607        165,335        151,270   

Home equity loans

     135,625        138,290        136,652   

Consumer loans

     18,001        19,218        22,825   
                        

Total loans

     1,097,001        1,074,111        1,101,087   

Net deferred loan costs and fees

     2,043        2,073        2,353   

Allowance for loan losses

     (10,468     (9,987     (9,610
                        

Loans, net

     1,088,576        1,066,197        1,093,830   

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock, at cost

     15,365        15,365        15,365   

Other real estate owned

     1,480        1,536        1,976   

Deferred tax asset, net

     10,821        11,029        11,214   

Premises and equipment, net

     15,746        15,565        15,808   

Bank-owned life insurance

     29,474        29,180        28,793   

Goodwill

     8,192        8,192        7,717   

Other intangible assets

     1,031        975        1,036   

Other assets

     16,309        15,442        17,636   
                        

Total assets

   $ 1,599,725      $ 1,584,877      $ 1,512,683   
                        

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

      

Deposits:

      

Demand

   $ 181,208      $ 175,996      $ 161,107   

NOW

     42,117        40,922        39,338   

Savings

     227,069        203,165        165,946   

Money market

     273,536        260,573        231,222   

Certificates of deposit

     449,981        462,645        467,579   
                        

Total deposits

     1,173,911        1,143,301        1,065,192   

Short-term borrowings

     18,900        21,029        22,062   

Long-term debt

     161,461        173,307        180,136   

Subordinated debentures

     5,471        5,448        5,380   

Escrow funds held for borrowers

     2,194        1,899        2,143   

Due to broker

     —          3,002        —     

Capitalized lease obligations

     4,978        5,011        5,109   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     8,758        9,304        8,429   
                        

Total liabilities

     1,375,673        1,362,301        1,288,451   
                        

Stockholders’ Equity:

      

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares; none issued

     —          —          —     

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares; shares issued: 18,706,933 at March 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010

     187        187        187   

Additional paid-in capital

     180,926        180,322        178,422   

Retained earnings

     84,128        82,899        78,117   

Unearned compensation

     (10,578     (10,750     (11,268

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes

     4,512        4,858        4,977   

Treasury stock, at cost (2,610,898 shares at March 31, 2011, 2,597,827 shares at December 31, 2010 and 1,962,971 shares at March 31, 2010)

     (35,123     (34,940     (26,203
                        

Total stockholders’ equity

     224,052        222,576        224,232   
                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,599,725      $ 1,584,877      $ 1,512,683   
                        


UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011      2010  
     (unaudited)  

Interest and dividend income:

     

Loans

   $ 14,487       $ 15,457   

Investments

     3,191         3,292   

Other interest-earning assets

     40         8   
                 

Total interest and dividend income

     17,718         18,757   

Interest expense:

     

Deposits

     3,297         3,375   

Borrowings

     1,630         1,886   
                 

Total interest expense

     4,927         5,261   
                 

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

     12,791         13,496   

Provision for loan losses

     808         733   
                 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     11,983         12,763   

Non-interest income:

     

Net gain on sales of loans

     23         88   

Net gains on sales of securities

     1         —     

Impairment charges on securities

     —           (145

Fee income on depositors’ accounts

     1,292         1,371   

Wealth management income

     240         138   

Income from bank-owned life insurance

     331         346   

Other income

     262         239   
                 

Total non-interest income

     2,149         2,037   
                 

Non-interest expense:

     

Salaries and benefits

     6,269         6,078   

Occupancy expenses

     844         927   

Marketing expenses

     447         560   

Data processing expenses

     988         1,067   

Professional fees

     661         541   

Acquisition related expenses

     —           979   

FDIC insurance assessments

     330         415   

Other expenses

     1,401         1,451   
                 

Total non-interest expense

     10,940         12,018   
                 

Income before income taxes

     3,192         2,782   

Income tax expense

     763         1,031   
                 

Net income

   $ 2,429       $ 1,751   
                 

Earnings per share:

     

Basic

   $ 0.16       $ 0.11   

Diluted

   $ 0.16       $ 0.11   

Weighted average shares outstanding:

     

Basic

     15,014         15,619   

Diluted

     15,259         15,663   


UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

SELECTED DATA AND RATIOS (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     At or For The Quarters Ended  
     Mar. 31
2011
    Dec. 31
2010
    Sep. 30
2010
    Jun. 30
2010
    Mar. 31
2010
 

Operating Results:

          

Net interest income

   $ 12,791      $ 12,961      $ 13,167      $ 13,287      $ 13,496   

Loan loss provision

     808        352        750        450        733   

Non-interest income

     2,149        2,357        2,103        2,219        2,037   

Non-interest expense

     10,940        10,736        10,456        10,631 (1)      12,018 (1) 

Net income

     2,429        2,671        2,677        2,933        1,751   

Performance Ratios (annualized):

          

Return on average assets

     0.62     0.69     0.70     0.77     0.46 %(2) 

Return on average equity

     4.36     4.80     4.80     5.24     3.12 %(2) 

Net interest margin

     3.42     3.53     3.64     3.69     3.76

Non-interest income to average total assets

     0.54     0.61     0.55     0.58     0.53

Non-interest expense to average total assets

     2.77     2.76     2.73     2.79 %(3)      3.14 %(3) 

Efficiency ratio (4)

     73.34     70.86     68.58     69.05 %(3)      77.09 %(3) 

Per Share Data:

          

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.16      $ 0.18      $ 0.18      $ 0.19      $ 0.11   

Book Value Per Share

   $ 13.92      $ 13.82      $ 13.73      $ 13.64      $ 13.39   

Tangible book value per share

   $ 13.35 (5)    $ 13.25 (5)    $ 13.18 (5)    $ 13.10 (5)    $ 12.87 (5) 

Market price at period end

   $ 16.51      $ 15.27      $ 13.51      $ 13.65      $ 13.98   

Risk Profile

          

Equity as a percentage of assets

     14.01     14.04     14.37     14.44     14.82

Tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets

     13.51 %(5)      13.54 %(5)      13.87 %(5)      13.95 %(5)      14.33 %(5) 

Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)

     0.12     0.11     0.19     0.12     0.11

Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets

     0.62     0.69     0.83     1.20     1.22

Non-performing loans as a percent of total loans, gross

     0.76     0.88     1.06     1.19     1.49

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans, gross

     0.95 %(6)      0.93 %(6)      0.90 %(6)      0.89 %(6)      0.87 %(6) 

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans

     125.20 %(7)      105.86 %(7)      85.30 %(7)      74.58 %(7)      58.38 %(7) 

Average Balances

          

Loans

   $ 1,090,796      $ 1,091,756      $ 1,091,859      $ 1,100,409      $ 1,112,329   

Securities

     341,804        310,024        298,335        294,849        302,916   

Total interest-earning assets

     1,493,946        1,470,127        1,447,147        1,439,677        1,434,256   

Total assets

     1,579,048        1,555,266        1,533,489        1,526,154        1,529,209   

Deposits

     1,145,296        1,115,775        1,095,764        1,084,885        1,038,374   

FHLBB advances

     147,880        153,965        155,987        158,333        202,644   

Stockholders’ Equity

     223,067        222,749        222,995        223,928        224,786   

Average Yields/Rates (annualized)

          

Loans

     5.31     5.60     5.64     5.60     5.56

Securities

     3.73     3.68     3.98     4.24     4.35

Total interest-earning assets

     4.74     4.94     5.08     5.15     5.23

Savings accounts

     0.77     0.87     0.86     0.96     0.93

Money market/NOW accounts

     0.71     0.84     0.86     0.87     0.81

Certificates of deposit

     2.06     2.16     2.21     2.14     2.12

FHLBB advances

     3.52     3.62     3.61     3.57     3.06

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     1.68     1.83     1.85     1.86     1.85

 

(1) Includes acquisition-related expenses totaling $169,000 and $979,000 for the quarters ended June and March 2010, respectively.
(2) Excluding acquisition-related expenses totaling $808,000 (after tax) for the quarter ended March 2010, the return on average assets would have been 0.67% and average equity would have been 4.55%.
(3) Excluding acquisition-related expenses totaling $169,000 and $979,000 for the quarters ended June and March 2010, respectively, non-interest expense to average total assets would have been 2.74% and 2.89% and the efficiency ratio would have been 67.95% and 70.81%, respectively.
(4) Excludes gains/losses on sales of securities and loans and impairment charges on securities.
(5) Excludes the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets of $9.2 million at March 2011 and at December 2010, $9.0 million at September 2010 and $8.8 million at June and March 2010.
(6) Excluding acquired loans of $178.7 million, $209.8 million, $219.9 million, $228.8 million and $240.5 million and loans purchased from other financial institutions of $21.1 million, $21.4 million, $21.8 million, $22.1 million and $22.4 million at March 2011 and December, September, June and March 2010, respectively, allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans, gross would have been 1.17% for the quarter ended March 2011, 1.18% for the quarter ended December 2010, 1.16% for the quarter ended September 2010 and 1.15% for the quarters ended June and March 2010.
(7) Excluding non-performing acquired loans of $125,000 at March 2011, $163,000 at December 2010, $2.4 million at September 2010 and $2.7 million at June and March 2010, allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-performing loans would have been 127.10%, 107.72%, 107.49%, 93.67% and 69.76%, respectively.