News Details

Flushing Financial Corporation Reports Full Year 2018 GAAP EPS up 36% and Record Full Year Core EPS up 24%; Quarterly Yields on Loan Closings Increased 75bps from 4Q17

Jan 31, 2019 5:30 PM

FOURTH QUARTER 20181 HIGHLIGHTS

  • GAAP diluted EPS was $0.44, up 109.5% from 4Q17 and down 27.9% QoQ
  • Core diluted EPS was $0.54, up 63.6% from 4Q17 and unchanged QoQ
  • Net interest income of $40.6 million, down 2.1% QoQ, and 5.6% from 4Q17
  • Net interest margin was 2.55%, down 16bps QoQ and 35bps from 4Q17
  • Non-interest expense decreased 5.4% QoQ and 0.5% from 4Q17
  • GAAP and core ROAE were 9.2% and 11.4%, compared with 12.9% and 11.4%, respectively in 3Q18
  • GAAP and core ROAA were 0.7% and 0.9%, respectively, compared with 1.1% and 1.0% , respectively in 3Q18
  • Sold $120.3 million in lower yielding investment securities, resulting in a loss on sale of $1.9 million and purchased $113.4 million in higher yielding investment securities; transaction expected to aid 2019 EPS and NIM
  • Tax benefit of $0.06 per diluted share due to release of previously accrued tax liability

FULL YEAR 20181 HIGHLIGHTS

  • GAAP diluted EPS was $1.92, up 36.2% YoY
  • Record core diluted EPS of $1.94, up 23.6% YoY
  • Record loan closings of $1,250.8 million, up 20.3% YoY  
  • GAAP ROAE was 10.3%, compared with 7.8% and core ROAE was 10.4%, compared with 8.6% for 2017
  • GAAP ROAA was 0.9%, compared with 0.7% and core ROAA was 0.9%, compared with 0.7% for 2017
  • Net interest income was $167.4 million, down 3.3%, and net interest margin was 2.70%, down 23bps YoY
  • Non-interest expense increased 3.9% YoY
  • Tax benefit of $0.12 per diluted share due to release of previously accrued tax liability

UNIONDALE, N.Y., Jan. 31, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flushing Financial Corporation (the “Company”) (Nasdaq-GS: FFIC), the parent holding company for Flushing Bank (the “Bank”), today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

John R. Buran, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong loan closings totaling $345 million, our highest quarterly production in 2018, bringing total annual loan closings to a record level of $1.3 billion, resulting in net loan growth of 3.2% (non-annualized) QoQ and 7.3% for the full year. These milestones were achieved while continuing to adhere to our strategy of emphasizing rate over volume, resulting in a 75bps increase in average loan yields on loan closings in 4Q18 compared to those booked in 4Q17. The increase in new loan volume and yields combined with repricings of adjustable rate loans resulted in a 9bps increase in the yield of total loans to 4.38% in 4Q18 from 4.29% in 3Q18, excluding prepayment penalty income and recovered interest from nonaccrual loans.”

“We continued to experience margin pressure during 4Q18 driven by higher cost of funds. The cost of funds increased 12bps QoQ and 58bps YoY, as the Federal Reserve increased benchmark rates by 100bps since the fourth quarter of 2017. We expect continued competition for deposits and additional compression on the NIM through 2019.”

“Overall our net interest margin decreased 16bps from 3Q18 to 2.55% for 4Q18. The decline in the net interest margin was primarily driven by a decrease of approximately $2 million in prepayment penalties and recovered interest from non-accrual loans in 4Q18 from 3Q18. The decrease in our net interest margin shrinks to 3bps QoQ using core NIM which excludes the adjustments noted above for prepayment penalties and recovered interest from non-accrual loans.”

“Our strategy of focusing on our net interest margin spurred our decision to sell lower yielding investment securities, from which we recognized a loss on sale totaling $1.9 million, and reinvested the proceeds into higher yielding investment securities. We anticipate this transaction to aid our future net interest margin and earnings per share and to break even in approximately two years.”

“Similar to the prior quarter, we allowed $15 million of participations with another financial institution to repay, as the rates offered during the refinancing process did not meet our rate criteria. Year-to-date, we have allowed approximately $154 million of participations to repay rather than refinance at a rate below our criteria. We continue to focus on the origination and purchase of adjustable rate loans, as approximately 78% of our new loans and 46% of our new investment securities were adjustable rate products allowing us to manage future compression on net interest margin as spreads are fixed. Additionally, approximately $450 million of forward swaps entered into in late 2017 provided a benefit of a basis point to the quarter’s net interest margin. We expect these swaps to continue to benefit our net interest margin as interest rates rise.”  

“Over the past year, C&I loans represented 38% of new loan closings, which are primarily adjustable rate loans.  For the first time business loan closings exceeded multi-family closings for the year. We have over $2 billion of loans repricing through 2021. During the fourth quarter $152 million of mortgage loans have repriced up an average of 57bps. In addition, the pipeline totals $197 million with an average yield of 5.12% compared to $355 million at 4.68% in the linked quarter.”  

“Total deposits increased $258 million, or 5.5% (non-annualized) QoQ. The majority of this increase was transaction deposits which increased 8.3% (non-annualized) QoQ. Retail deposits increased $105 million QoQ. A prominent feature in the growth of retail deposits is the “Win Flushing” program, which focuses on increasing our deposit market share in the Asian Community of Flushing, Queens. Through the fourth quarter of 2018, we substantially achieved our goal, as we captured over $143 million of the $160 million in deposit growth targeted to be obtained by the end of 1Q19. Central to the “Win Flushing” program was the conversion of Flushing branches to the Universal Banker model, permitting staff to spend more time with customers. As of year-end we had 15 branches operating under the Universal Banker model. In the branches that have been converted we experienced an increase of over 120% in transactions processed at ATMs, to almost 60% of all branch transactions, reducing our customer’s reliance on tellers, resulting in an increase of over 30% in total branch sales, as sales per employee increased approximately 50% due to our branch staff focusing more time on sales opportunities. As previously discussed, we expect to have the remaining branches converted to the Universal Banker model by the end of 2019.”   

Mr. Buran continued, “We continue to see strong improvements in our delinquency trends, as non-performing assets decreased by 10% and, total delinquencies decreased 20% since December 31, 2017. The loan-to-value ratio on our non-performing real estate loans at December 31, 2018 remained conservative at 35%. The net recoveries of $214,000 for the quarter reflect the Company’s conservative underwriting and diligence in the collection process.”

The Company retains its focus on preserving strong risk management practices, including conservative underwriting standards and improving yields to achieve improved risk-adjusted returns.

  • Multi-family (excluding underlying co-operative mortgages), commercial real estate, and one-to-four family mixed-use property mortgage loans originated during 4Q18 had a yield of 4.73%, an increase of 35bps from 4.38% for 3Q18 and an increase of 82bps from 3.91% for 4Q17. We maintained our asset quality as these loans had an average loan-to-value ratio of 46% and an average debt coverage ratio of 164%.
  • We remain committed to our strategy of focusing on C&I loans, commercial real estate loans and multi-family. In the fourth quarter, loan closings represented 34%, 28%, and 25%, respectively, of all originations, which were made while maintaining conservative loan-to-value and debt coverage ratios, and increasing yield.

Mr. Buran concluded, “Overall, we remain well capitalized and positioned to deliver profitable growth and long-term value to our shareholders as we continue to execute on our strategic objectives.”

Summary of Strategic Objectives

  • Manage cost of funds and continue to improve funding mix
  • Increase interest income by leveraging loan pricing opportunities and portfolio mix
  • Enhance core earnings power by improving scalability and efficiency
  • Manage credit risk
  • Maintain well capitalized levels under all stress test scenarios

Earnings Summary:

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for 4Q18 was $40.6 million, a decrease of $2.4 million, or 5.6% YoY (4Q18 compared to 4Q17) and $0.9 million, or 2.1% QoQ (4Q18 compared to 3Q18).

  • Net interest margin of 2.55%, decreased 35bps YoY and 16bps QoQ
  • Net interest spread of 2.34%, decreased 41bps YoY and 17bps QoQ
  • Yield on average interest-earning assets of 4.24%, increased 22bps YoY but decrease 3bps QoQ
  • Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of 1.90%, increased 63bps YoY and 14bps QoQ
  • Cost of funds of 1.75%, increased 58bps YoY and 12bps QoQ, driven by increases in rates paid on deposits and short-term borrowings resulting from increases in the Fed Funds rate 
  • Average balance of total interest-earning assets of $6,364.5 million, increased $430.0 million, or 7.2%, YoY and $234.0 million, or 3.8%, QoQ
  • Net interest income includes prepayment penalty income from loans totaling $0.9 million in 4Q18 compared with $1.4 million in 4Q17 and $1.9 million in 3Q18, accretion of discount upon call of CLO securities of none in 4Q18 and 3Q18 and $0.4 million in 4Q17 and recovered interest from delinquent loans of $0.3 million in 4Q18, compared to $0.1 million in 4Q17 and $1.1 million in 3Q18
  • Absent all above items, the yield on interest-earning assets was 4.16% in 4Q18, an improvement of 26bps from 4Q17 and 8bps from 3Q18 and the net interest margin was 2.48% in 4Q18, which decreased 29bps from 4Q17 and 3bps from 3Q18

Provision for loan losses

As a result of the quarterly review of the allowance for loan losses, the Company recorded a provision of $0.4 million compared to $6.6 million in 4Q17 and none in 3Q18.

  • Recorded net charge-offs (recoveries) of ($0.2) million in 4Q18, $11.5 million in 4Q17 and ($89,000) in 3Q18

Non-interest Income (Loss)

Non-interest income (loss) for 4Q18 was a loss $1.0 million, a decrease of $4.1 million YoY, and $5.9 million QoQ.

  • During 4Q18 securities totaling $120.3 million at an average yield of 2.41% were sold, recording a loss on sale of $1.9 million, and the proceeds were used to purchase $113.4 million in securities at an average yield of 3.70%  
  • Additionally, non-interest income included net losses from fair value adjustments of $3.6 million in 4Q18, $0.6 million in 4Q17 and $0.2 million in 3Q18, gains from sale of assets of $1.1 million in 4Q18 and gains from life insurance of $2.2 million in 3Q18
  • Absent all above items, non-interest income was $3.4 million, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 8.6% YoY, but an increase of $0.5 million, 16.4% QoQ

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense for 4Q18 was $25.8 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 0.5% YoY, and $1.5 million, or 5.4% QoQ.

  • During 4Q18 BOLI split dollar insurance expense was reduced due to an increase in the discount rate used to calculate the cumulative split dollar liability; BOLI split dollar expense (income) was ($0.6) million in 4Q18, $0.6 million in 4Q17 and $0.1 million in 3Q18
  • Absent the above items, non-interest expense was $26.4 million, an increase of $1.1 million, or 4.4% YoY, but a decrease of $0.7 million, or 2.5% QoQ
  • The efficiency ratio was 58.5% in 4Q18 compared to 55.4% in 4Q17 and 61.3% in 3Q18

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes in 4Q18 was $1.0 million, a decrease of $6.6 million, or 86.4% YoY and a decrease of $0.9 million, or 45.2% QoQ.

  • Pre-tax income decreased by $0.2 million, or 1.3% YoY and by $5.8 million, or 30.0% QoQ
  • The effective tax rates were 7.8% in 4Q18, 56.4% in 4Q17 and 9.9% in 3Q18
  • 4Q18 and 3Q18 each reflect the release of a previously accrued tax liability of $1.8 million; 4Q17 reflects additional tax expense totaling $3.8 million from 2017 tax reform
  • Absent the above items, the effective tax rates were 20.9% in 4Q18, 28.7% in 4Q17 and 19.1% in 3Q18

Financial Condition Summary:

Loans:

  • Net loans held for investment were $5,530.5 million reflecting an increase of 3.2% QoQ (not annualized) and 7.3% from December 31, 2017, as we continue to focus on the origination of multi-family, commercial real estate and commercial business loans with a full relationship while emphasizing rate over volume
  • Loan closings of multi-family, commercial real estate and commercial business loans totaled $297.2 million for 4Q18, or 86.6% of loan production
  • Loan pipeline was $196.6 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $359.8 million at December 31, 2017 and $355.2 million at September 30, 2018
  • The loan-to-value ratio on our portfolio of real estate dependent loans as of December 31, 2018 totaled 38.8%

The following table shows the weighted average rate received from loan closings for the periods indicated:

  For the three months ended 
  December 31, September 30, December 31, 
Loan type 2018 2018 2017 
Mortgage loans 4.79% 4.48% 3.92% 
Non-mortgage loans 5.11% 4.50% 4.52% 
Total loans 4.90% 4.49% 4.15% 
        

Credit Quality:

  • Non-performing loans totaled $16.3 million, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 10.4%, from $18.1 million at December 31, 2017
  • Non-performing assets totaled $16.3 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 10.2%, from $18.1 million at December 31, 2017
  • Classified assets totaled $46.5 million, an increase of $12.5 million, or 36.8%, from $34.0 million at December 31, 2017, primarily due to seven business loan relationships totaling $24.6 million being downgraded as they did not meet certain loan covenants; five of the relationships totaling $21.1 million are still accruing and continue to remit payments on time
  • Loans classified as troubled debt restructured (TDR) totaled $8.4 million, a decrease of $4.8 million, or 36.6%, from $13.2 million at December 31, 2017, primarily due to the repayment of four taxi medallion TDRs, resulting in a recovery of $0.1 million and the sale of one commercial TDR
  • We anticipate continued low loss content in the portfolio, as our strong underwriting standards coupled with our practice of obtaining updated appraisals and recording charge-offs early in the delinquency process has resulted in a 34.9% average loan-to-value for non-performing loans collateralized by real estate at December 31, 2018
  • Net recoveries totaled $19,000 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018

Capital Management:

  • The Company and Bank, at December 31, 2018, were both well capitalized under all applicable regulatory requirements
  • During 4Q18, stockholders’ equity increased $7.7 million, or 1.4%, to $549.5 million due to net income of $12.4 million, partially offset by the declaration and payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock and repurchases of the Company’s common stock
  • During 4Q18, the Company repurchased 42,116 treasury shares at an average cost of $22.27 per share; as of December 31, 2018, up to 467,211 shares remained subject to repurchase under the authorized stock repurchase program, which has no expiration or maximum dollar limit
  • Book value per common share increased to $19.64 at December 31, 2018, from $18.63 at December 31, 2017 and tangible book value per common share, a non-GAAP measure, increased to $19.07 at December 31, 2018, from $18.08 at December 31, 2017

Conference Call Information:

  • John R. Buran, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Susan K. Cullen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 9:30 AM (ET) to discuss the Company’s strategy and results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2018
  • Dial-in for Live Call: 1-877-509-5836
  • Webcast: https://services.choruscall.com/links/ffic190201.html
  • Dial-in for Replay: 1-877-344-7529
  • Replay Access Code: 10123652
  • The conference call will be simultaneously webcast and archived through 5:00 PM (ET) on February 1, 2020

About Flushing Financial Corporation

Flushing Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: FFIC) is the holding company for Flushing Bank®, a New York State-chartered commercial bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Bank serves consumers, businesses, professionals, corporate clients, and public entities by offering a full complement of deposit, loan, equipment finance, and cash management services through its banking offices located in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Long Island. As a leader in real estate lending, the Bank’s experienced lending team creates mortgage solutions for real estate owners and property managers both within and outside the New York City metropolitan area. Flushing Bank is an Equal Housing Lender. The Bank also operates an online banking division consisting of iGObanking.com®, which offers competitively priced deposit products to consumers nationwide, and BankPurely®, our eco-friendly, healthier lifestyle community brand.

Additional information on Flushing Bank and Flushing Financial Corporation may be obtained by visiting the Company’s website at http://www.flushingbank.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this Press Release relating to plans, strategies, economic performance and trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, risk factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and in other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “forecasts”, “goals”, “potential” or “continue” or similar terms or the negative of these terms. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company has no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

- Statistical Tables Follow -

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   For the three months ended For the twelve months ended
   December 31, September 30, December 31, December 31, December 31,
   2018 2018 2017 2018 2017
            
Interest and Dividend Income          
Interest and fees on loans $  60,722  $  59,658  $  53,449  $  232,719  $  209,283 
Interest and dividends on securities:          
Interest    6,376     5,562     6,112     23,022     24,489 
Dividends    18     18     13     67     287 
Other interest income    317     248     123     1,190     526 
Total interest and dividend income    67,433     65,486     59,697     256,998     234,585 
            
Interest Expense          
Deposits    20,174     17,425     11,174     64,497     40,319 
Other interest expense    6,623     6,540     5,463     25,095     21,159 
Total interest expense    26,797     23,965     16,637     89,592     61,478 
            
Net Interest Income    40,636     41,521     43,060     167,406     173,107 
Provision for loan losses    422     -      6,595     575     9,861 
Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses    40,214     41,521     36,465     166,831     163,246 
            
Non-interest Income          
Banking services fee income    1,065     1,017     1,383     4,030     4,156 
Net loss on sale of securities    (1,920)    -      -      (1,920)    (186)
Net gain on sale of loans     -      10     207     168     603 
Net gain on sale of assets     1,141     -      -      1,141     -  
Net loss from fair value adjustments    (3,585)    (170)    (631)    (4,122)    (3,465)
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock dividends    946     873     875     3,576     3,081 
Gains from life insurance proceeds    -      2,222     -      2,998     1,405 
Bank owned life insurance    779     782     809     3,099     3,227 
Other income    588     221     421     1,367     1,541 
Total non-interest income (loss)    (986)    4,955     3,064     10,337     10,362 
            
Non-interest Expense          
Salaries and employee benefits    15,094     15,720     14,249     64,560     62,087 
Occupancy and equipment    2,551     2,475     2,757     10,079     10,409 
Professional services    1,821     1,915     1,822     8,360     7,500 
FDIC deposit insurance    472     596     487     2,115     1,815 
Data processing    1,409     1,427     1,365     5,663     5,238 
Depreciation and amortization    1,464     1,484     1,339     5,792     4,832 
Other real estate owned/foreclosure expense (benefit)    (128)    (102)    28     (94)    404 
Net gain from sales of real estate owned    -      -      -      (27)    (50)
Other operating expenses    3,077     3,718     3,832     15,235     15,239 
Total non-interest expense    25,760     27,233     25,879     111,683     107,474 
            
Income Before Income Taxes    13,468     19,243     13,650     65,485     66,134 
            
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes          
Federal    349     2,307     7,838     8,574     22,844 
State and local    697     (397)    (145)    1,821     2,169 
Total taxes    1,046     1,910     7,693     10,395     25,013 
            
Net Income $  12,422  $  17,333  $  5,957  $  55,090  $  41,121 
            
            
Basic earnings per common share $  0.44  $  0.61  $  0.21  $  1.92  $  1.41 
Diluted earnings per common share $  0.44  $  0.61  $  0.21  $  1.92  $  1.41 
Dividends per common share $  0.20  $  0.20  $  0.18  $  0.80  $  0.72 
            


FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited) 

    December 31, September 30, December 31,
    2018 2018 2017
ASSETS      
Cash and due from banks$  118,561  $  45,094  $  51,546 
Securities held-to-maturity:     
 Mortgage-backed securities   7,953     7,958     7,973 
 Other securities   24,065     23,207     22,913 
Securities available for sale:     
 Mortgage-backed securities   557,953     528,119     509,650 
 Other securities   264,702     232,913     228,704 
Loans:      
 Multi-family residential   2,269,048     2,235,370     2,273,595 
 Commercial real estate   1,542,547     1,460,555     1,368,112 
 One-to-four family ― mixed-use property   577,741     565,302     564,206 
 One-to-four family ― residential   190,350     188,975     180,663 
 Co-operative apartments   8,498     7,771     6,895 
 Construction   50,600     40,239     8,479 
 Small Business Administration   15,210     14,322     18,479 
 Taxi medallion   4,539     6,078     6,834 
 Commercial business and other   877,763     846,224     732,973 
 Net unamortized premiums and unearned loan fees   15,188     15,226     16,763 
 Allowance for loan losses   (20,945)    (20,309)    (20,351)
   Net loans   5,530,539     5,359,753     5,156,648 
Interest and dividends receivable   25,485     24,673     21,405 
Bank premises and equipment, net   30,418     29,929     30,836 
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock   57,282     54,942     60,089 
Bank owned life insurance   131,788     131,009     131,856 
Goodwill  �� 16,127     16,127     16,127 
Other assets   69,303     85,819     61,527 
   Total assets$  6,834,176  $  6,539,543  $  6,299,274 
         
LIABILITIES     
Due to depositors:     
 Non-interest bearing$  413,747  $  398,606  $  385,269 
 Interest-bearing:     
  Certificate of deposit accounts   1,563,310     1,562,962     1,351,933 
  Savings accounts   210,022     216,976     290,280 
  Money market accounts   1,427,992     1,223,640     979,958 
  NOW accounts   1,300,852     1,255,464     1,333,232 
   Total interest-bearing deposits   4,502,176     4,259,042     3,955,403 
Mortgagors' escrow deposits   44,861     58,667     42,606 
Borrowed funds    1,250,843     1,197,101     1,309,653 
Other liabilities   73,085     84,371     73,735 
   Total liabilities   6,284,712     5,997,787     5,766,666 
         
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY     
Preferred stock (5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued)   -     -     - 
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 31,530,595 shares     
 issued at December 31, 2018, September  30, 2018 and December 31, 2017; 27,983,637    
 shares, 28,025,081 shares and 28,588,266 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018     
 September  30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)   315     315     315 
Additional paid-in capital   222,720     221,622     217,906 
Treasury stock (3,546,958 shares, 3,505,514 shares and 2,942,329 shares at     
 December 31, 2018, September  30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)   (75,146)    (74,222)    (57,675)
Retained earnings   414,327     407,590     381,048 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes   (12,752)    (13,549)    (8,986)
   Total stockholders' equity   549,464     541,756     532,608 
         
   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$  6,834,176  $  6,539,543  $  6,299,274 
         


FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

  At or for the three months ended At or for the twelve months ended 
  December 31, September 30, December 31, December 31, December 31, 
  2018 2018 2017 2018 2017 
Per Share Data           
Basic earnings per share $  0.44 $  0.61 $  0.21 $  1.92 $  1.41 
Diluted earnings per share $  0.44 $  0.61 $  0.21 $  1.92 $  1.41 
Average number of shares outstanding for:           
Basic earnings per common share computation    28,422,215    28,603,543    29,045,491    28,709,378    29,080,095 
Diluted earnings per common share computation    28,422,517    28,603,948    29,046,111    28,709,833    29,081,723 
Shares outstanding    27,983,637    28,025,081    28,588,266    27,983,637    28,588,266 
Book value per common share (1) $  19.64 $  19.33 $  18.63 $  19.64 $  18.63 
Tangible book value per common share (2) $  19.07 $  18.77 $  18.08 $  19.07 $  18.08 
            
Stockholders' Equity           
Stockholders' equity $  549,464 $  541,756 $  532,608 $  549,464 $  532,608 
Tangible stockholders' equity    533,627    525,920    516,772    533,627    516,772 
            
Average Balances           
Total loans, net $  5,438,418 $  5,280,172 $  5,087,102 $  5,316,968 $  4,988,613 
Total interest-earning assets    6,364,456    6,130,422    5,934,493    6,194,248    5,916,073 
Total assets    6,681,161    6,446,540    6,243,686    6,504,598    6,217,746 
Total due to depositors    4,453,200    4,213,118    4,020,334    4,288,868    4,036,347 
Total interest-bearing liabilities    5,654,560    5,455,867    5,254,030    5,517,552    5,268,100 
Stockholders' equity    541,067    536,416    573,201    534,735    530,300 
            
Performance Ratios (3)           
Return on average assets    0.74%   1.08%   0.38%   0.85%   0.66%
Return on average equity    9.18    12.93    4.44    10.30    7.75 
Yield on average interest-earning assets    4.24    4.27    4.02    4.15    3.97 
Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities    1.90    1.76    1.27    1.62    1.17 
Cost of funds    1.75    1.63    1.17    1.52    1.09 
Interest rate spread during period    2.34    2.51    2.75    2.53    2.80 
Net interest margin    2.55    2.71    2.90    2.70    2.93 
Non-interest expense to average assets    1.54    1.69    1.66    1.72    1.73 
Efficiency ratio (4)    58.53    61.30    55.35    62.20    57.90 
Average interest-earning assets to average           
interest-bearing liabilities    1.13X   1.12X   1.13X   1.12X   1.12X
            

(1)   Calculated by dividing stockholders’ equity by shares outstanding.

(2)   Calculated by dividing tangible stockholders’ common equity, a non-GAAP measure by shares outstanding. Tangible stockholders’ common equity is stockholders’ equity less intangible assets (goodwill, net of deferred taxes). See “Calculation of Tangible Stockholders’ Common Equity to Tangible Assets”.

(3)   Ratios are presented on an annualized basis, where appropriate.

(4)   Efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure, was calculated by dividing non-interest expense (excluding OREO expense and the net gain/loss from the sale of OREO) by the total of net interest income and non-interest income (excluding net gains and losses from the sale of securities, fair value adjustments and life insurance proceeds).


FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

  At or for the year  At or for the year 
  ended  ended 
  December 31, 2018  December 31, 2017 
       
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data      
       
Regulatory capital ratios (for Flushing Financial Corporation):      
Tier 1 capital $586,582   $563,426 
Common equity Tier 1 capital  546,230    527,727 
Total risk-based capital  682,527    658,777 
       
Tier 1 leverage capital (well capitalized = 5%)  8.74 %  9.02%
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital (well capitalized = 6.5%)  10.98    11.59 
Tier 1 risk-based capital (well capitalized = 8.0%)  11.79    12.38 
Total risk-based capital (well capitalized = 10.0%)  13.72    14.47 
       
Regulatory capital ratios (for Flushing Bank only):      
Tier 1 capital $660,782   $631,285 
Common equity Tier 1 capital  660,782    631,285 
Total risk-based capital  681,727    651,636 
       
Tier 1 leverage capital (well capitalized = 5%)  9.85 %  10.11%
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital (well capitalized = 6.5%)  13.28    13.87 
Tier 1 risk-based capital (well capitalized = 8.0%)  13.28    13.87 
Total risk-based capital (well capitalized = 10.0%)  13.70    14.31 
       
Capital ratios:      
Average equity to average assets  8.22 %  8.53%
Equity to total assets  8.04    8.46 
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)  7.83    8.22 
       
Asset quality:      
Non-accrual loans (2) $16,253   $15,710 
Non-performing loans  16,253    18,134 
Non-performing assets  16,288    18,134 
Net charge-offs/ (recoveries)  (19)   11,739 
       
Asset quality ratios:      
Non-performing loans to gross loans  0.29 %  0.35%
Non-performing assets to total assets  0.24    0.29 
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans  0.38    0.39 
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets  128.60    112.23 
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans  128.87    112.23 
       
Full-service customer facilities  19    18 
       

 

  1. See “Calculation of Tangible Stockholders’ Common Equity to Tangible Assets”.
  2. Excludes performing non-accrual TDR loans.


FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
NET INTEREST MARGIN
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 For the three months ended 
 December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 
 Average Yield/ Average Yield/ Average Yield/ 
 BalanceInterestCost BalanceInterestCost BalanceInterestCost 
Interest-earning Assets:            
Mortgage loans, net$  4,555,895$  49,789  4.37%$  4,467,349$  49,612  4.44%$  4,355,973$  45,577  4.19%
Other loans, net   882,523   10,933  4.96    812,823   10,046  4.94    731,129   7,872  4.31 
Total loans, net (1)   5,438,418   60,722  4.47    5,280,172   59,658  4.52    5,087,102   53,449  4.20 
Taxable securities:            
Mortgage-backed            
securities   558,693   4,004  2.87    542,192   3,800  2.80    524,098   3,567  2.72 
Other securities   184,592   1,586  3.44    123,174   928  3.01    151,565   1,696  4.48 
Total taxable securities   743,285   5,590  3.01    665,366   4,728  2.84    675,663   5,263  3.12 
Tax-exempt securities: (2)            
Other securities   114,079   804  2.82    123,472   852  2.76    123,816   862  2.78 
Total tax-exempt securities   114,079   804  2.82    123,472   852  2.76    123,816   862  2.78 
Interest-earning deposits            
and federal funds sold   68,674   317  1.85    61,412   248  1.62    47,912   123  1.03 
Total interest-earning            
assets   6,364,456   67,433  4.24    6,130,422   65,486  4.27    5,934,493   59,697  4.02 
Other assets   316,705      316,118      309,193   
Total assets$  6,681,161   $  6,446,540   $  6,243,686   
             
             
Interest-bearing Liabilities:            
Deposits:            
Savings accounts$  213,091   392  0.74 $  219,749   304  0.55 $  306,273   519  0.68 
NOW accounts   1,312,834   4,968  1.51    1,336,873   4,416  1.32    1,357,028   2,634  0.78 
Money market accounts   1,348,873   6,523  1.93    1,169,130   5,126  1.75    984,619   2,664  1.08 
Certificate of deposit            
accounts   1,578,402   8,276  2.10    1,487,366   7,453  2.00    1,372,414   5,322  1.55 
Total due to depositors   4,453,200   20,159  1.81    4,213,118   17,299  1.64    4,020,334   11,139  1.11 
Mortgagors' escrow            
accounts   71,108   15  0.08    57,573   126  0.88    65,127   35  0.21 
Total interest-bearing            
deposits   4,524,308   20,174  1.78    4,270,691   17,425  1.63    4,085,461   11,174  1.09 
Borrowings   1,130,252   6,623  2.34    1,185,176   6,540  2.21    1,168,569   5,463  1.87 
Total interest-bearing            
liabilities   5,654,560   26,797  1.90    5,455,867   23,965  1.76    5,254,030   16,637  1.27 
Non interest-bearing            
demand deposits   406,501      380,825      373,136   
Other liabilities   79,033      73,432      79,319   
Total liabilities   6,140,094      5,910,124      5,706,485   
Equity   541,067      536,416      537,201   
Total liabilities and            
equity$  6,681,161   $  6,446,540   $  6,243,686   
             
Net interest income /            
net interest rate spread $  40,636  2.34% $  41,521  2.51% $  43,060  2.75%
             
Net interest-earning assets /            
net interest margin$  709,896   2.55%$  674,555   2.71%$  680,463   2.90%
             
Ratio of interest-earning            
assets to interest-bearing            
liabilities    1.13X    1.12X    1.13X
             
  1. Loan interest income includes loan fee income (which includes net amortization of deferred fees and costs, late charges, and prepayment penalties) of approximately $0.5 million, $1.2 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
  2. Interest income on tax-exempt securities does not include the tax benefit of the tax-exempt securities.


FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
NET INTEREST MARGIN
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 For the year ended 
 December 31, 2018  December 31, 2017 
 Average Yield/  Average Yield/ 
 BalanceInterestCost  BalanceInterestCost 
Interest-earning Assets:         
Mortgage loans, net$  4,494,210$  193,186  4.30% $  4,304,889$  181,006  4.20%
Other loans, net   822,758   39,533  4.80     683,724   28,277  4.14 
Total loans, net (1)   5,316,968   232,719  4.38     4,988,613   209,283  4.20 
Taxable securities:         
Mortgage-backed         
securities   539,771   15,065  2.79     526,934   13,686  2.60 
Other securities   140,461   4,658  3.32     199,350   7,349  3.69 
Total taxable securities   680,232   19,723  2.90     726,284   21,035  2.90 
Tax-exempt securities: (2)         
Other securities   121,412   3,366  2.77     139,704   3,741  2.68 
Total tax-exempt securities   121,412   3,366  2.77     139,704   3,741  2.68 
Interest-earning deposits         
and federal funds sold   75,636   1,190  1.57     61,472   526  0.86 
Total interest-earning         
assets   6,194,248   256,998  4.15     5,916,073   234,585  3.97 
Other assets   310,350       301,673   
Total assets$  6,504,598    $  6,217,746   
          
          
Interest-bearing Liabilities:         
Deposits:         
Savings accounts$  233,392   1,370  0.59  $  292,887   1,808  0.62 
NOW accounts   1,407,945   15,896  1.13     1,444,944   9,640  0.67 
Money market accounts   1,164,505   18,707  1.61     908,025   8,151  0.90 
Certificate of deposit         
accounts   1,483,026   28,310  1.91     1,390,491   20,579  1.48 
Total due to depositors   4,288,868   64,283  1.50     4,036,347   40,178  1.00 
Mortgagors' escrow         
accounts   66,255   214  0.32     61,962   141  0.23 
Total interest-bearing         
deposits   4,355,123   64,497  1.48     4,098,309   40,319  0.98 
Borrowings   1,162,429   25,095  2.16     1,169,791   21,159  1.81 
Total interest-bearing         
liabilities   5,517,552   89,592  1.62     5,268,100   61,478  1.17 
Non interest-bearing         
demand deposits   380,889       348,518   
Other liabilities   71,422       70,828   
Total liabilities   5,969,863       5,687,446   
Equity   534,735       530,300   
Total liabilities and         
equity$  6,504,598    $  6,217,746   
          
Net interest income /         
net interest rate spread $  167,406  2.53%  $  173,107  2.80%
          
Net interest-earning assets /         
net interest margin$  676,696   2.70% $  647,973   2.93%
          
Ratio of interest-earning         
assets to interest-bearing         
liabilities    1.12X     1.12X
          
  1. Loan interest income includes loan fee income (which includes net amortization of deferred fees and costs, late charges, and prepayment penalties) of approximately $2.1 million and $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
  2. Interest income on tax-exempt securities does not include the tax benefit of the tax-exempt securities.


FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
DEPOSIT COMPOSITION
(Unaudited)

            December 2018 vs.   December 2018 vs. 
    December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, September 2018, December 31, December 2017, 
(Dollars in thousands)2018 2018 2018 2018 % Change 2017 % Change 
Deposits
              
Non-interest bearing$  413,747 $  398,606 $  388,467 $  377,861 3.8% $  385,269 7.4% 
Interest bearing:              
 Certificate of deposit              
  accounts   1,563,310    1,562,962    1,452,016    1,499,326 0.0%    1,351,933 15.6% 
 Savings accounts   210,022    216,976    225,815    246,888 -3.2%    290,280 -27.6% 
 Money market accounts   1,427,992    1,223,640    1,069,835    1,032,409 16.7%    979,958 45.7% 
 NOW accounts   1,300,852    1,255,464    1,422,745    1,479,319 3.6%    1,333,232 -2.4% 
  Total interest-bearing              
   deposits   4,502,176    4,259,042    4,170,411    4,257,942 5.7%    3,955,403 13.8% 
                  
   Total deposits$  4,915,923 $  4,657,648 $  4,558,878 $  4,635,803 5.5% $  4,340,672 13.3% 

  

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
LOANS
(Unaudited)

Loan Closings

  For the three months  For the year ended
  December 31, September 30, December 31,  December 31, December 31,
(In thousands) 2018 2018 2017  2018 2017
Multi-family residential $  85,095 $  102,484 $  118,784  $  339,732 $  373,512
Commercial real estate    95,772    38,569    53,381     270,785    238,057
One-to-four family – mixed-use property    28,924    16,870    19,913     74,156    65,247
One-to-four family – residential    7,356    11,362    9,545     42,660    26,168
Co-operative apartments    948    -     100     2,448    332
Construction    8,968    6,008    726     39,595    7,847
Small Business Administration    1,304    344    4,772     3,843    11,559
Commercial business and other    116,365    133,188    121,598     477,572    316,748
Total $  344,732 $  308,825 $  328,819  $  1,250,791 $  1,039,470
            

  

Loan Composition

            December 2018 vs.   December 2018 vs.
    December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, September 2018, December 31, December 2017,
(Dollars in thousands)2018 2018 2018 2018 % Change 2017 % Change
Loans held for investment:               
Multi-family residential$  2,269,048  $  2,235,370  $  2,247,852  $  2,286,803  1.5%  $  2,273,595  -0.2% 
Commercial real estate   1,542,547     1,460,555     1,471,894     1,426,847  5.6%     1,368,112  12.8% 
One-to-four family ―               
 mixed-use property   577,741     565,302     564,474     566,930  2.2%     564,206  2.4% 
One-to-four family ― residential   190,350     188,975     187,741     190,115  0.7%     180,663  5.4% 
Co-operative apartments   8,498     7,771     7,839     6,826  9.4%     6,895  23.2% 
Construction   50,600     40,239     33,826     23,887  25.7%     8,479  496.8% 
Small Business Administration   15,210     14,322     14,405     20,004  6.2%     18,479  -17.7% 
Taxi medallion   4,539     6,078     6,225     6,617  -25.3%     6,834  -33.6% 
Commercial business and other   877,763     846,224     783,904     768,440  3.7%     732,973  19.8% 
Net unamortized premiums               
 and unearned loan fees   15,188     15,226     15,647     16,395  -0.2%     16,763  -9.4% 
Allowance for loan losses   (20,945)    (20,309)    (20,220)    (20,542) 3.1%     (20,351) 2.9% 
   Net loans$  5,530,539  $  5,359,753  $  5,313,587  $  5,292,322  3.2%  $  5,156,648  7.3% 

 

Net Loans Activity 

  Three Months Ended
  December 31, September, 30 June 30, March 31, December 31,
(In thousands)  2018   2018   2018   2018   2017 
Loans originated and purchased$  344,732  $  308,825  $  255,410  $  341,824  $  328,819 
Principal reductions   (173,061)    (257,902)    (226,030)    (202,059)    (209,400)
Loans sold    -      (4,027)    (7,273)    (2,703)    (1,018)
Loan charged-offs   (211)    (220)    (416)    (85)    (11,616)
Foreclosures    -      -      -      (744)    -  
Net change in deferred fees and costs   (38)    (421)    (748)    (368)    (162)
Net change in the allowance for loan losses   (636)    (89)    322     (191)    4,918 
 Total loan activity$  170,786  $  46,166  $  21,265  $  135,674  $  111,541 

  

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS and NET CHARGE-OFFS
(Unaudited)

   December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)  2018   2018   2018   2018   2017 
Loans 90 Days Or More Past Due          
 and Still Accruing:          
Commercial real estate $  -  $  111  $  -  $  1,668  $  2,424 
Construction    -     -     730     -     - 
 Total    -     111     730     1,668     2,424 
            
Non-accrual Loans:          
Multi-family residential    2,410     862     2,165     2,193     3,598 
Commercial real estate    1,379     1,398     1,448     1,894     1,473 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property    928     795     2,157     2,396     1,867 
One-to-four family - residential    6,144     6,610     6,969     7,542     7,808 
Co-operative apartments    -     -     575     -     - 
Small Business Administration    1,267     1,395     -     41     46 
Taxi medallion(1)    613     712     743     906     918 
Commercial business and other    3,512     761     2     -     - 
 Total    16,253     12,533     14,059     14,972     15,710 
            
 Total Non-performing Loans    16,253     12,644     14,789     16,640     18,134 
            
Other Non-performing Assets:          
Real estate acquired through foreclosure    -     -     -     638     - 
Other asset acquired through foreclosure    35     35     35     106     - 
 Total    35     35     35     744     - 
            
 Total Non-performing Assets $  16,288  $  12,679  $  14,824  $  17,384  $  18,134 
            
Non-performing Assets to Total Assets  0.24%  0.19%  0.23%  0.27%  0.29%
Allowance For Loan Losses to Non-performing Loans  128.9%  160.6%  136.7%  123.5%  112.2%
            

(1)  Not included in the above analysis are TDR taxi medallion loans totaling $3.9 million in 4Q18, $5.4 million in 3Q18, $5.5 million in 2Q18, $5.7 million in 1Q18 and $5.9 million in 4Q17.

Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries)

   Three Months Ended 
   December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, 
(In thousands) 2018 2018 2018 2018 2017 
Multi-family residential $  (4) $  18  $  28  $  51  $  (1) 
Commercial real estate    -     -     -     -     (3) 
One-to-four family – mixed-use property    (18)    (36)    (79)    -     (37) 
One-to-four family – residential    (199)    (258)    (4)    (107)    212  
Small Business Administration    170     134     18     19     109  
Taxi medallion    (143)    40     353     -     11,229  
Commercial business and other    (20)    13     6     (1)    4  
Total net loan charge-offs (recoveries) $  (214) $  (89) $  322  $  (38) $  11,513  
             

Core Diluted EPS, Core ROAE, Core ROAA, tangible book value per common share and core earnings before provision and income taxes are each non-GAAP measures used in this release. A reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures appears in tabular form at the end of this release. The Company believes that these measures are useful for both investors and management to understand the effects of certain non-interest items and provide an alternative view of the Company's performance over time and in comparison to the Company's competitors. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for net income. The Company believes that tangible book value per common share is useful for both investors and management as these are measures commonly used by financial institutions, regulators and investors to measure the capital adequacy of financial institutions. The Company believes these measures facilitate comparison of the quality and composition of the Company's capital over time and in comparison to its competitors. These measures should not be viewed as a substitute for total shareholders' equity.

These non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. They should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results reported under GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS and CORE EARNINGS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
  December 31,September 30,December 31, December 31,December 31,
   2018  2018  2017   2018  2017 
    
        
GAAP income before income taxes$  13,468 $  19,243 $  13,650  $  65,485 $  66,134 
        
Net loss from fair value adjustments   3,585    170    631     4,122    3,465 
Net loss on sale of securities   1,920    -    -     1,920    186 
Gain from life insurance proceeds   -    (2,222)   -     (2,998)   (1,405)
Net gain on sale of assets   (1,141)   -    -     (1,141)   - 
Accelerated employee benefits upon Officer's death   -    149    -     149    - 
        
Core income before taxes   17,832    17,340    14,281     67,537    68,380 
        
Provision for income taxes for core income   2,395    2,010    4,652     11,960    22,613 
        
Core net income$  15,437 $  15,330 $  9,629  $  55,577 $  45,767 
        
GAAP diluted earnings per common share$  0.44 $  0.61 $  0.21  $  1.92 $  1.41 
        
Net loss from fair value adjustments, net of tax   0.09    -     0.01     0.10    0.07 
Net loss on sale of securities, net of tax   0.05    -     -      0.05    -  
Gain from life insurance proceeds   -     (0.08)   -      (0.10)   (0.05)
Federal tax reform 2017   -     -     0.13     -     0.13 
Net gain on sale of assets, net of tax   (0.03)   -     -      (0.03)   -  
Accelerated employee benefits upon Officer's death, net of tax   -     -     -      -     -  
        
Core diluted earnings per common share1$  0.54 $  0.54 $  0.33  $  1.94 $  1.57 
        
        
Core net income, as calculated above$  15,437 $  15,330 $  9,629  $  55,577 $  45,767 
Average assets   6,681,161    6,446,540    6,243,686     6,504,598    6,217,746 
Average equity   541,067    536,416    537,201     534,735    530,300 
Core return on average assets2 0.92% 0.95% 0.62%  0.85% 0.74%
Core return on average equity2 11.41% 11.43% 7.17%  10.39% 8.63%
        
        
(1)  Core diluted earnings per common share may not foot due to rounding.    
(2)  Ratios are calculated on an annualized basis.      
        


FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
CALCULATION OF TANGIBLE STOCKHOLDERS’
COMMON EQUITY to TANGIBLE ASSETS
(Unaudited)

      December 31,December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)   2018 2017
Total Equity  $  549,464 $  532,608 
Less:     
 Goodwill     (16,127)   (16,127)
 Intangible deferred tax liabilities     290    291 
  Tangible Stockholders' Common Equity$  533,627 $  516,772 
        
Total Assets  $  6,834,176 $  6,299,274 
Less:     
 Goodwill     (16,127)   (16,127)
 Intangible deferred tax liabilities     290    291 
  Tangible Assets  $  6,818,339 $  6,283,438 
        
Tangible Stockholders' Common Equity to Tangible Assets 7.83% 8.22%

1 See the table entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”


Contact:

Susan K. Cullen
Senior Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Flushing Financial Corporation
(718) 961-5400

Flushing Financial Logo 02-08-11 Blue 286.jpg

Source: Flushing Financial Corporation