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8-K - FORM 8-K - United Financial Bancorp, Inc.d382801d8k.htm

Exhibit No. 99.1

 

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

 

 

UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP REPORTS SOLID FINANCIAL RESULTS AND ANNOUNCES 11% INCREASE IN QUARTERLY DIVIDEND TO $0.10 PER SHARE

 

 

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – July 20, 2012— United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ Global Select Market: UBNK), the holding company for United Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income of $2.6 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2012 compared to net income of $2.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the corresponding period in 2011. Excluding acquisition related expenses totaling $592,000, net income would have been $3.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2012.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company’s net income was $5.4 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.1 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the same period in 2011. Excluding acquisition related expenses of $592,000, net income would have been $6.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the first six months of 2012. The Company also announced an 11% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.10 per share, payable on August 30, 2012 to shareholders of record as of August 9, 2012.

Financial Highlights:

 

  Ø  

Excluding acquisition related expenses totaling $592,000, Q2 2012 net income increased 18% from the same period last year and 11% compared to the first quarter of 2012.

 

  Ø  

Excluding acquisition related expenses, diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2012 increased 17% compared to the same quarter last year and 11% from Q1 2012.

 

  Ø  

Total loans increased by $40.5 million, or 4%, to $1.162 billion at June 30, 2012 from $1.122 billion at December 31, 2011, primarily due to growth of 6% in commercial mortgages and 10% in commercial business loans.

 

  Ø  

Credit quality remained solid, as demonstrated by the non-performing loans to total loans ratio of 74 basis points at June 30, 2012 and an annualized net charge-offs to average loans ratio of 11 basis points for the second quarter of 2012.


  Ø  

Core deposits increased by $36.7 million, or 5%, to $844.9 million at June 30, 2012 from $808.2 million at December 31, 2011.

 

  Ø  

Tangible book value per share increased 2% to $14.12 at June 30, 2012 from $13.90 at December 31, 2012. During the first six months of 2012, the Company repurchased 199,400 shares at an average price of $15.88 per share.

“We are pleased with our performance this quarter, which reflects strong growth in commercial loans and core deposits” commented Richard B. Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to maintain excellent asset quality metrics, which compare favorably to industry averages and those of our peers and a healthy balance sheet with solid capital and liquidity positions. We remain focused on profitable growth and the expansion of our franchise. As a result of our steady performance, we are pleased to reward our shareholders with an 11% increase in our quarterly dividend payment.”

Earnings Summary (Q2 2012 compared to Q2 2011)

Net income decreased $108,000, or 4%, to $2.6 million for the second quarter of 2012 compared to $2.7 million for the same period last year. Excluding the impact of acquisition related expenses of $592,000, net income would have increased by $484,000, or 18%, largely due to a decrease in non-interest expense (excluding acquisition related expenses) and growth in non-interest income. These items were offset in part by a decrease in net interest income and an increase in the provision for loan losses.

 

   

Net interest income decreased $88,000, or 1%, to $13.3 million for the second quarter of 2012 mainly as a result of contraction in the net interest margin, partially offset by an increase in average interest-earning assets. The net interest margin decreased by 11 basis points to 3.44% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 reflecting the downward re-pricing of certain fixed-rate loans and investments as a result of the lower interest rate environment, offset in part by reduced funding costs. Total average interest-earning assets increased $37.7 million, or 2%, to $1.547 billion for the second quarter of 2012 driven by loan growth of 4%, partially offset by decreases in investment securities and interest-earning cash balances.

 

   

Provision for loan losses increased by $77,000, or 11%, to $750,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 primarily reflecting strong loan growth.

 

   

Non-interest income increased by $359,000, or 16%, to $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012. Fee income on deposit accounts increased $156,000, or 11%, driven by higher overdraft fees and growth in ATM and debit card income. Net gains from sales of loans increased


 

$112,000 due to an increase in sales of 30-year fixed rate loans and improved pricing. Wealth management income increased $75,000, or 35% reflecting higher fee-based assets under management and transaction based commissions.

 

   

Non-interest expense increased $65,000, or 1%, to $11.5 million in the second quarter of 2012. Excluding acquisition related costs of $592,000, non-interest expense would have declined by $527,000, or 5%. Low income housing tax credit fund expense decreased by $197,000 due to a true-up of prior period expenses. Other expenses decreased $180,000, or 10%, reflecting a lower write-down of mortgage servicing rights and decreases in postage and contribution expenses. Marketing expense fell by $134,000, or 21%, due to reduced newspaper advertising and other promotional activities. Salaries and benefits decreased by $128,000, or 2%, mainly attributable to lower stock-based compensation. These items were partially reduced by a $65,000, or 8%, increase in occupancy expense driven by higher building maintenance costs.

 

   

Income taxes increased $237,000, or 29%, to $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 primarily due to increases in pre-tax income and the effective tax rate (excluding the impact of acquisition related expenses). The Company’s effective tax rate (excluding the impact of acquisition related costs) increased to 25% in the second quarter of 2012 from 24% for the same period last year.

Balance Sheet Activity:

 

   

Total assets increased $29.9 million, or 2%, to $1.654 billion at June 30, 2012 from $1.624 billion at December 31, 2011 reflecting growth in loans and investment securities offset in part by lower cash balances.

 

   

Total loans increased $40.5 million, or 4%, to $1.162 billion at June 30, 2012 reflecting growth in the commercial mortgages and commercial and industrial portfolios, partially offset by modest run-off in the residential mortgage and consumer loan portfolios. Commercial mortgage and commercial and industrial loan growth was primarily attributable to business development efforts, competitive products and pricing, and the establishment of a loan production office in Beverly, Massachusetts in 2011. The decrease in residential mortgages was driven by sales of 30-year fixed rate loans and payments, offset to a large extent by originations of 10 and 15-year fixed rate loans.


   

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $19.1 million, or 31%, to $42.4 million at June 30, 2012 mainly driven by the use of excess cash to fund new loans and investment purchases.

 

   

Total deposits increased $30.6 million, or 2%, to $1.261 billion at June 30, 2012 reflecting growth of $36.7 million, or 5%, in core account balances, partially offset by a decrease of $6.0 million, or 1%, in certificates of deposit. The strong growth in core account balances was driven by the success of sales and marketing initiatives, competitive products and pricing and excellent customer service. Core deposit balances were $844.9 million, or 67% of total deposits at June 30, 2012 compared to $808.2 million, or 66% at December 31, 2011.

Credit Quality:

 

   

Non-performing assets totaled $11.2 million, or 0.68% of total assets, at June 30, 2012 compared to $10.6 million, or 0.65% of total assets, at December 31, 2011. The $595,000 increase in non-performing assets reflects additions to other real estate owned and non-accrual loans.

 

   

At June 30, 2012, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.01%, an increase of 2 basis points from year-end 2011. Excluding the impact of acquired loans totaling $132.8 million at June 30, 2012 and $165.1 million at December 31, 2011, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans would have been 1.14% at June 30, 2012 and 1.16% at December 31, 2011. Net charge-offs totaled $781,000 or 0.14% of average loans outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to net charge-offs of $828,000 or 0.15% of average loans outstanding for the same period in 2011.

Capital and Liquidity:

 

   

At June 30, 2012, the Company remains well capitalized with a tangible equity-to-tangible assets ratio of 13.33% and an equity-to-assets ratio of 13.80%.

 

   

At June 30, 2012, the Company continued to have considerable liquidity consisting of significant balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, a large amount of marketable loans and investment securities, substantial unused borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and access to funding through the repurchase agreement and brokered deposit markets.


Additional Information For Stockholders

In connection with the proposed merger transaction, United Financial Bancorp will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a Proxy Statement of New England Bancshares and a Proxy Statement and Prospectus of United Financial Bancorp, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. Stockholders are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the merger when it becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information.

A free copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about United Financial Bancorp and New England Bancshares, may be obtained at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, from United Financial Bancorp at www.bankatunited.com under the tab “Investor Relations” or from New England Bancshares by accessing New England Bancshares’ website at www.nebankct.com under the tab “Shareholder Info.”

United Financial Bancorp and New England Bancshares and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of New England Bancshares in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of United Financial Bancorp is set forth in the proxy statement for United Financial Bancorp’s 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on March 14, 2012. Information about the directors and executive officers of New England Bancshares is set forth in the proxy statement for New England Bancshares’ 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on July 1, 2011. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

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. 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 and has announced the opening of a loan production office to be located in Northern Connecticut. 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 per share amounts)

 

Assets    June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    June 30,
2011
 
     (unaudited)     (audited)     (unaudited)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 42,407      $ 61,518      $ 39,452   

Investment securities

     343,318        337,710        361,750   

Loans held for sale

     835        53        342   

Loans:

      

Residential mortgages

     311,270        314,839        314,255   

Commercial mortgages

     476,447        450,180        437,378   

Construction loans

     30,011        30,271        28,903   

Commercial loans

     193,430        176,086        167,884   

Home equity loans

     137,658        135,518        138,023   

Consumer loans

     13,540        14,985        16,864   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans

     1,162,356        1,121,879        1,103,307   

Net deferred loan costs and fees

     2,284        2,194        2,051   

Allowance for loan losses

     (11,751     (11,132     (10,640
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans, net

     1,152,889        1,112,941        1,094,718   

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock, at cost

     14,454        15,365        15,365   

Other real estate owned

     2,397        2,054        2,858   

Deferred tax asset, net

     14,221        14,006        11,675   

Premises and equipment, net

     17,638        16,438        16,257   

Bank-owned life insurance

     41,469        40,688        39,832   

Goodwill

     8,192        8,192        8,192   

Other intangible assets

     741        752        987   

Other assets

     15,065        14,035        18,225   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,653,626      $ 1,623,752      $ 1,609,653   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

      

Deposits:

      

Demand

   $ 228,495      $ 205,902      $ 195,925   

NOW

     62,064        52,899        42,390   

Savings

     261,586        247,664        238,335   

Money market

     292,763        301,770        273,115   

Certificates of deposit

     415,705        421,740        439,505   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

     1,260,613        1,229,975        1,189,270   

Short-term borrowings

     17,772        17,260        16,702   

Long-term debt

     125,025        126,857        154,773   

Subordinated debentures

     5,585        5,539        5,494   

Escrow funds held for borrowers

     1,804        2,103        1,893   

Capitalized lease obligations

     4,794        4,874        4,943   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     9,904        9,783        8,813   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,425,497        1,396,391        1,381,888   

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 June 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011

     187        187        187   

Additional paid-in capital

     183,077        182,433        181,654   

Retained earnings

     91,836        89,019        85,618   

Unearned compensation

     (9,695     (10,047     (10,405

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes

     6,775        6,752        5,839   

Treasury stock, at cost (3,186,409 shares at June 30, 2012, 2,994,036 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2,607,458 shares at June 30, 2011)

     (44,051     (40,983     (35,128
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     228,129        227,361        227,765   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,653,626      $ 1,623,752      $ 1,609,653   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2012      2011     2012      2011  
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Interest and dividend income:

          

Loans

   $ 14,181       $ 14,703      $ 28,256       $ 29,190   

Investments

     2,767         3,387        5,622         6,578   

Other interest-earning assets

     51         38        92         78   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest and dividend income

     16,999         18,128        33,970         35,846   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense:

          

Deposits

     2,598         3,194        5,351         6,491   

Borrowings

     1,107         1,552        2,225         3,182   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest expense

     3,705         4,746        7,576         9,673   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income before provision for loan losses

     13,294         13,382        26,394         26,173   

Provision for loan losses

     750         673        1,400         1,481   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     12,544         12,709        24,994         24,692   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-interest income:

          

Fee income on depositors’ accounts

     1,529         1,373        2,937         2,665   

Wealth management income

     289         214        516         454   

Income from bank-owned life insurance

     436         393        876         724   

Net gain on sales of loans

     162         50        270         73   

Net gain on sales of securities

     —           —          —           1   

Impairment charges on securities

     —           (59     —           (59

Other income

     154         240        544         502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-interest income

     2,570         2,211        5,143         4,360   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-interest expense:

          

Salaries and benefits

     6,286         6,414        12,728         12,683   

Occupancy expenses

     870         805        1,744         1,649   

Marketing expenses

     501         635        941         1,082   

Data processing expenses

     1,011         984        2,031         1,972   

Professional fees

     404         407        910         1,068   

Acquisition related expenses

     592         —          592         —     

FDIC insurance assessments

     267         244        536         574   

Low income housing tax credit fund

     —           197        243         395   

Other expenses

     1,537         1,717        3,018         2,920   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-interest expense

     11,468         11,403        22,743         22,343   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     3,646         3,517        7,394         6,709   

Income tax expense

     1,064         827        1,963         1,590   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 2,582       $ 2,690      $ 5,431       $ 5,119   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

          

Basic

   $ 0.18       $ 0.18      $ 0.37       $ 0.34   

Diluted

   $ 0.17       $ 0.18      $ 0.36       $ 0.33   

Weighted average shares outstanding:

          

Basic

     14,543         15,028        14,607         15,022   

Diluted

     14,788         15,309        14,887         15,285   


UNITED FINANCIAL BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

SELECTED DATA AND RATIOS (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     At or For The Quarters Ended  
     Jun. 30
2012
    Mar. 31
2012
    Dec. 31
2011
    Sep. 30
2011
    Jun. 30
2011
 

Operating Results:

          

Net interest income

   $ 13,294      $ 13,100      $ 13,241      $ 13,399      $ 13,382   

Loan loss provision

     750        650        1,011        750        673   

Non-interest income

     2,570        2,573        2,570        2,423        2,211   

Non-interest expense

     11,468 (1)      11,275        10,718        11,001        11,403   

Net income

     2,582        2,849        2,980        3,085        2,690   

Performance Ratios (annualized):

          

Return on average assets

     0.62 %(2)      0.70     0.74     0.77     0.67

Return on average equity

     4.53 %(2)      5.00     5.24     5.41     4.76

Net interest margin

     3.44     3.43     3.51     3.56     3.55

Non-interest income to average total assets

     0.62     0.63     0.64     0.60     0.55

Non-interest expense to average total assets

     2.78 %(3)      2.77     2.66     2.74     2.85

Efficiency ratio (4)

     73.04 %(3)      72.44     68.41     69.61     73.09

Per Share Data:

          

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.17      $ 0.19      $ 0.20      $ 0.20      $ 0.18   

Book value per share

   $ 14.70      $ 14.57      $ 14.47      $ 14.36      $ 14.15   

Tangible book value per share

   $ 14.12 (5)    $ 14.00 (5)    $ 13.90 (5)    $ 13.79 (5)    $ 13.58 (5) 

Market price at period end

   $ 14.38      $ 15.82      $ 16.09      $ 13.69      $ 15.43   

Risk Profile

          

Equity as a percentage of assets

     13.80     13.69     14.00     14.11     14.15

Tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets

     13.33 %(5)      13.22 %(5)      13.53 %(5)      13.63 %(5)      13.66 %(5) 

Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (annualized)

     0.11     0.16     0.22     0.23     0.18

Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets

     0.68     0.70     0.65     0.85     0.77

Non-performing loans as a percent of total loans

     0.74     0.79     0.75     1.00     0.86

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans

     1.01 %(6)      0.99 %(6)      0.99 %(6)      0.96 %(6)      0.96 %(6) 

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

     136.43     125.65     131.68     96.22     112.01

Average Balances

          

Loans

   $ 1,151,141      $ 1,133,543      $ 1,119,511      $ 1,113,672      $ 1,103,305   

Securities

     340,086        338,405        346,939        358,929        356,479   

Total interest-earning assets

     1,547,132        1,526,015        1,509,079        1,503,940        1,509,438   

Total assets

     1,652,997        1,628,071        1,611,447        1,605,844        1,602,767   

Deposits

     1,256,780        1,231,285        1,211,957        1,186,530        1,179,166   

FHLBB advances

     103,632        105,302        111,762        132,544        138,215   

Stockholders’ Equity

     227,855        227,854        227,678        228,278        226,279   

Average Yields/Rates (annualized)

          

Loans

     4.93     4.97     5.18     5.22     5.33

Securities

     3.25     3.37     3.34     3.62     3.80

Total interest-earning assets

     4.39     4.45     4.62     4.73     4.80

Savings accounts

     0.51     0.58     0.69     0.71     0.76

Money market/NOW accounts

     0.45     0.55     0.62     0.64     0.70

Certificates of deposit

     1.78     1.82     1.88     1.91     1.99

FHLBB advances

     3.16     3.12     3.17     3.26     3.60

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     1.24     1.31     1.43     1.50     1.61

 

(1) Includes acquisition related expenses totaling $592,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.
(2) Exclusive of acquisition related expenses totaling $592,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, the return on average assets would have been 0.77% and the return on average equity would have been 5.57%.
(3) Excluding acquisition related expenses totaling $592,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, non-interest expense to average total assets would have been 2.63% and the efficiency ratio would have been 69.27%.
(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 $8.9 million at June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $9.0 million at September 30, 2011 and $9.2 million at June 30, 2011.
(6) Excluding acquired loans of $126.4 million, $136.4 million, $146.0 million, $156.2 million and $168.6 million, and loans purchased from other financial institutions of $6.4 million, $18.3 million, $19.1 million, $19.3 million and $20.8 million at June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012, December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively, allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans, gross would have been 1.14%, 1.15%,1.16%, 1.14% and 1.16% for the quarters ended June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012, December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively.