Berkshire Hills Reports 42 Cents First Quarter Core EPS; Dividend Declared

PITTSFIELD, Mass., April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) reported that core earnings per share increased by 5% to $0.42 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $0.40 in the previous quarter due to strong balance sheet growth.  Core earnings per share decreased from $0.54 in the first quarter of 2013 due primarily to lower income on real estate related loans resulting from interest rate related market shifts in 2013.

On January 17, 2014, Berkshire completed the acquisition of 20 branches in Central New York from Bank of America.  During the first quarter, the Company recorded non-core charges totaling $0.46 per share after-tax, primarily related to one-time costs recorded with this acquisition.   This included $0.25 per share from the Company's election to terminate interest rate swaps; these charges had no net impact on shareholders' equity.  Including non-core charges, Berkshire recorded a GAAP loss of $0.04 per share during the first quarter of 2014, compared to per share income of $0.42 in the prior quarter and the first quarter of 2013.

FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (income related comparisons are to prior quarter):

• 7% increase in net interest income
• 14% increase in fee income
• 9% annualized increase in commercial loans
• 11% annualized increase in consumer loans
• 10% increase in deposits, including acquired branches
• 3.35% net interest margin, increased from 3.26% in the prior quarter
• 0.46% non-performing assets/total assets
• 0.30% net loan charge-offs/average loans

CEO Michael Daly stated, "We started the year with solid growth.  Commercial loans increased at a near double digit annualized rate, as our lending teams continue to garner market share and new relationships across our footprint.  We opened a new branch office in Loudonville, New York and continued to develop our consumer deposit and loan business.  Our insurance and wealth management revenues improved and we are extending our reach in newer markets. 

"We completed the acquisition of 20 Central New York branches near the start of the year.  The integration of these new customers has been successful and our total branch count has increased to 90 full service offices, including 46 in New York.  We also announced the recruitment of Scott Houghtaling as SVP/Commercial Leader for our expanded New York operations." 

Mr. Daly concluded, "Our net interest margin improved as a result of the branch acquisition.  While non-interest expense also increased, organic expense growth was mostly limited to seasonal factors. Our non-core costs were primarily due to the branch acquisition and related termination of interest rate swaps which were previously disclosed.  Going forward, we anticipate that our net results will mirror our core operating profitability.  We continue to be selective and disciplined in managing our revenue growth, with a goal of maintaining forward momentum in operating results."

DIVIDEND DECLARED

The Board of Directors voted to declare a cash dividend of $0.18 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2014, payable on May 29, 2014.  This dividend equates to a 2.8% annualized yield based on the $25.56 average closing price of Berkshire's common stock during the first quarter of 2014.   

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Berkshire increased its total assets by $338 million (6%) in the most recent quarter due to growth in loans and investment securities.  Acquired deposits were used to repay borrowings and to fund asset growth.  At quarter-end, measures of asset quality, liquidity, interest rate sensitivity, and capital remained within targets. 

As of March 31, 2014, tangible book value per share measured $15.84, compared to $16.27 at the start of the quarter due primarily to the impacts of the branch acquisition.  Total book value per share measured $26.99 and $27.08 at these dates, respectively.

Investment securities increased by $275 million during the first quarter.  Growth consisted primarily of medium term U.S. agency collateralized mortgage securities, along with municipal bonds and corporate equities.

Total loans increased by $62 million (6% annualized) including 9% annualized commercial loan growth and 11% annualized consumer loan growth.  This follows the trend of double digit annualized growth in these loans reported in prior quarters.  All regions contributed to commercial loan originations, with strong contributions from Berkshire County and Central and Eastern Massachusetts, as well as asset based lending.  Consumer loan growth was primarily in automobile loans reflecting continued expansion by the Syracuse based consumer team.  Most of the total loan growth was recorded in the final month of the quarter. 

Asset quality metrics remained favorable.  Annualized net loan charge-offs measured 0.30% of average loans.   Quarter-end non-performing assets decreased to 0.46% of total assets and accruing delinquent loans decreased to 0.59% of total loans.  The loan loss allowance measured 0.79% of total loans; approximately 23% of quarter-end loans were balances recorded at fair value in recent bank acquisitions.

Total deposits increased by $370 million (10%) during the first quarter.  Deposits added from the New York branch acquisition were recorded at $440 million and acquired balances were retained during the quarter.    In conjunction with the deposit acquisition, the Company has de-emphasized select municipal deposit sources and other higher cost deposits.  Ongoing development of consumer relationships was demonstrated by a 5% organic increase in personal demand deposit balances, excluding acquired balances.  Due to the deposit growth, the loans/deposits ratio decreased to 101% from 109% during the quarter. 

Borrowings were initially reduced with the acquired funds and subsequently were increased to fund asset growth.  In conjunction with the branch acquisition, the Company terminated all of its interest rate swaps associated with FHLB advances, which had a notional value of $410 million.  During the quarter, the Company initiated $300 million in new medium term forward starting swaps. 

The ratio of equity/assets measured 11.3% at quarter-end, decreasing from 12.0% at the start of the quarter due to the 6.0% increase in total assets following the branch acquisition.  This transaction also increased goodwill and intangible assets.  Excluding these assets, the ratio of tangible equity/assets decreased to 6.9% from 7.5%.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

First quarter 2014 core earnings totaled $10.4 million ($0.42 per share), compared to $10.0 million ($0.40 per share) in the prior quarter and to $13.5 million ($0.54 per share) in the first quarter of 2013.  The core return on assets measured 0.71%, 0.73%, and 1.03% for these periods respectively.  The branch acquisition resulted in higher core revenue and expenses in the most recent quarter, compared to the prior quarter. 

GAAP earnings include the impact of net non-core charges.  The reconciliation of net income and core income, together with related financial measures, is shown in financial table F-9.  Non-core charges totaled $11.5 million ($0.46 per share) after-tax in the most recent quarter.  These charges included $0.25 per share recorded as a loss on termination of interest rate swap hedges.  This was a charge with no impact on shareholders' equity and was related to the branch acquisition.   Other non-core charges included $0.10 per share in transaction and integration expenses for the branch acquisition, $0.07 per share in expenses for restructuring and systems conversions, and $0.04 per share for an out-of-period adjustment to interest income recorded on loans previously acquired in business combinations.  Including these net non-core charges, first quarter 2014 GAAP results were a loss of $1.1 million ($0.04 per share).  GAAP net income totaled $10.5 million ($0.42 per share) in both the prior quarter and in the first quarter of 2013.  The GAAP loss resulted in a GAAP ROA of (0.08%) in the most recent quarter, compared to 0.77% and 0.80% in the prior periods, respectively.

Total net interest and fee revenue was $55.4 million in the most recent quarter, which was a 9% increase over the prior quarter, and 2% lower than the first quarter of the previous year due to the decline in residential mortgage fees.  First quarter 2014 net interest income totaled $42.8 million, increasing by 7% over the prior quarter and 2% over the first quarter of 2013.

The net interest margin measured 3.35%, 3.26% and 3.73% for these periods, respectively.  In the most recent quarter, the margin benefited from the lower cost of acquired deposits and lower interest cost on borrowings as a result of the swap terminations.  The cost of funds decreased to 0.56% from 0.73% in the prior quarter and from 0.81% in the first quarter of 2013. 

Net interest income includes purchased loan accretion related to loans acquired in business combinations, including recoveries on the collection of acquired impaired loans.   Current period purchased loan accretion totaled $2.8 million in the most recent quarter, compared to $2.4 million in the prior quarter, and $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2013.  Excluding current and out-of-period purchased loan accretion, the net interest margin was 3.24%, 3.07%, and 3.39% in these respective periods.

Fee income totaled $12.7 million, increasing by $1.6 million (14%) compared to the prior quarter and including the benefit of acquired branch operations and seasonal insurance contingency revenues.  Fee income decreased by $1.8 million (12%) compared to the first quarter of 2013.  Revenue from mortgage banking and loan related fee income decreased from elevated levels last year due to the midyear increase in interest rates in 2013.  Wealth management fees increased by 13% over the first quarter of 2013 due to account growth and improved market conditions.  Wealth management generated new business at a 9% annualized rate in the most recent quarter, and the portfolio totaled $1.3 billion at quarter-end.  Insurance fees increased by 2% over this period.

The provision for loan losses totaled $3.4 million, continuing its gradual increasing trend as loan volume has increased and acquired loans season.  Net charge-offs totaled $3.1 million during the quarter.  The provision totaled $3.1 million in the prior quarter and $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2013.

First quarter 2014 core non-interest expense totaled $39.1 million.  Including the 20 acquired branches, core expense increased by $4.4 million (13%) compared to the prior quarter and by a similar amount compared to the first quarter of 2013.  First quarter expense includes seasonally higher benefits and maintenance expense.  Expense growth in the most recent quarter also included targeted investment in commercial and retail market teams.  Including net charges for non-core merger, conversion, and restructuring costs previously discussed, GAAP non-interest expense totaled $45.4 million in the most recent quarter.  Full time equivalent staff totaled 1,050 at quarter-end, compared to 939 at the start of the quarter.   During the first quarter, Berkshire consolidated two of the acquired New York branches which had overlap with existing locations.  Additionally, two other branches have been consolidated in 2014 as part of the expense restructuring program.  The effective income tax rate was 29% in the most recent quarter, unchanged from the effective rate for the year 2013.

CONFERENCE CALL

Berkshire will conduct a conference call/webcast at 10:00 a.m. eastern time on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 to discuss the results for the quarter and provide guidance about expected future results. Participants should dial-in to the call a few minutes before it begins. Information about the conference call follows:

A PDF version of this earnings release is available at the above link.  A telephone replay of the call will be available through Wednesday, May 7, 2014 by calling 877-344-7529 and entering conference number: 10043772. The webcast will be available at Berkshire's website above for an extended period of time.

BACKGROUND

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank – America's Most Exciting Bank^®.  The Company has $6.0 billion in assets and 90 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  There are several factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such factors, please see Berkshire's most recent report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.  Berkshire does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

OUT OF PERIOD ADJUSTMENT

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a correction of an error to reduce interest income by $1.4 million representing interest income previously recorded on loans acquired in prior years.  After evaluating the quantitative and qualitative aspects of these adjustments, the Company concluded that its prior period financial statements were not materially misstated and, therefore, no restatement was required.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This document contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").  These non-GAAP measures provide supplemental perspectives on operating results, performance trends, and financial condition.  They are not a substitute for GAAP measures; they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company's GAAP financial information.  A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures is included in the accompanying financial tables.  In all cases, it should be understood that non-GAAP per share measures do not depict amounts that accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders.  The Company utilizes the non-GAAP measure of core earnings in evaluating operating trends, including components for core revenue and expense.  These measures exclude amounts which the Company views as unrelated to its normalized operations, including securities gains/losses, losses recorded for hedge terminations, merger costs, restructuring costs, systems conversion costs, and out-of-period adjustments.  Non-core adjustments are presented net of estimated income tax expense or benefit.  Similarly, the efficiency ratio is also adjusted for these non-core items and for tax preference items.  The Company also adjusts certain equity related measures to exclude intangible assets due to the importance of these measures to the investment community.  Charges related to merger and acquisition activity consist primarily of severance/benefit related expenses, contract termination costs, and professional fees.  Systems conversion costs relate primarily to the Company's core systems conversion and systems conversions costs in conjunction with this which have been recorded in recent periods.  Restructuring costs primarily consist of employee severance costs and costs and losses associated with the disposition of assets which were undertaken as a project to right-size expenses following a decline in revenue in 2013.  Out-of-period accounting adjustments for interest income on acquired loans were recorded following systems conversions and merger related accounting activity and were deemed non-core.  Non-core expenses include variable rate compensation related to non-core items.  The Company evaluates GAAP, core, and non-core items to analyze its effective tax rate and to arrive at core income that is net of an effective core tax rate which is consistent with its analysis of expected core tax items for the year.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations Contact
Allison O'Rourke, Vice President - Investor Relations; 413-236-3149

Media Contact
Ray Smith, Assistant Vice President - Marketing; 413-236-3756

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SOURCE Berkshire Hills Bancorp