Charter Financial Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2011 Earnings of $1.5 Million

WEST POINT, Ga., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Charter Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CHFN) today reported net income of $1.5 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared with $1.2 million, or $0.07 per basic and $0.06 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The primary reason for higher net income in the current year was lower credit costs, as reflected by the $1.0 million decrease in the provision for loan losses for the 2011 period, partially offset by a $536,000 decrease in noninterest income. Fiscal 2011 earnings to date total $2.1 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, compared to $5.1 million, or $0.28 per basic and diluted share, for the prior-year period.  The decrease in earnings for the nine-month period in 2011 was primarily due to a $9.3 million purchase gain in 2010 on the assets and liabilities of McIntosh Commercial Bank acquired from the FDIC on March 26, 2010.

The Company's total assets were $955.8 million at June 30, 2011, down from $1.2 billion at September 30, 2010, and $1.1 billion at June 30, 2010. Total loans outstanding were $554.4 million at June 30, 2011, of which $120.1 million, or 21.7 percent, were covered by FDIC loss sharing. Total loans outstanding at September 30, 2010 and June 30, 2010 were $599.4 million and $630.6 million, respectively.

Total deposits were $695.8 million at June 30, 2011, compared with $823.1 million at September 30, 2010. During the nine months ended June 30, 2011, non-time deposits increased from $313.2 million to $319.4 million. Borrowings declined to $110.0 million at June 30, 2011, from $212.0 million at September 30, 2010, due to the Company's continued focus on lowering its use of wholesale funding.  

Net interest income remained the same at $8.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, and the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  Total interest income decreased to $11.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared to $14.4 million for the same quarter last year. Interest expense was lower at $3.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared with $6.2 million for the same quarter of 2010.

The net interest margin increased to 4.06 percent for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared with 3.50 percent for the same quarter of 2010. The increased net interest margin offset the lower level of earning assets resulting in approximately the same level of net interest income.

Chairman and CEO Robert L. Johnson said, "Our FDIC-assisted acquisitions are on track. As of July 1, 2011, we have received $123.3 million from the FDIC in reimbursement for losses under the loss-sharing agreements and we will receive another $61.2 million based on estimated future loss-share claims. As expected, it is taking some time to work out the acquired assets and safely reinvest the proceeds. In the short term, we have been able to redeploy cash to reshape our funding mix which adds flexibility and lowers interest cost. We remain optimistic about our financial results and the continuing opportunities to build our retail franchise through acquisitions."

Nonperforming assets not covered by loss sharing declined to $17.2 million at June 30, 2011, from $24.2 million at June 30, 2010, and $21.4 million at September 30, 2010. The Company had net charge-offs of $634,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared to $3.2 million for the same quarter of 2010. The Company recorded a loan loss provision of $300,000 on non-covered loans for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, down from a $1.3 million loan loss provision for the same quarter in 2010. The allowance for loan losses was 2.12 percent of non-covered loans at June 30, 2011, compared with 2.0 percent of non-covered loans at June 30, 2010.

Noninterest expense remained the same at $8.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, and the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  

Noninterest income totaled $2.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared with $3.0 million for the same quarter in 2010. Noninterest income for the current quarter was lower due to lower discount accretion on the Company's FDIC indemnification asset which totaled $181,000 and $557,000 for the three months ending June 30, 2011 and 2010 respectively. Also fees on deposits were $1.4 million for the quarter ended June 2011, and $1.6 million for the quarter ended June 2010.  The quarter ended June 2011 included a gain on the sale of securities of $426,000 which was offset by a charge of $300,000 for other than temporary impairment of a non-agency collateralized mortgage security.

The Company had significantly higher total stockholders' equity of $138.9 million at June 30, 2011, compared with $108.8 million at June 30, 2010. The higher stockholders' equity was primarily due to an incremental stock offering completed in September 2010.

Mr. Johnson concluded, "We reported better profitability for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 because of lower credit costs and improving credit metrics. The continuation of these trends depends on both the general and local economies and real estate markets. Additionally, we are proud that CharterBank further strengthened its core regulatory capital to 13.16 percent of assets at June 30, 2011, from 10.21 percent of assets at September 30, 2010."

"Our network of 14 branches serves an attractive geographic region in West Central Georgia and East Central Alabama, and our solid capital position places CharterBank in a unique position of strength versus many of its peers. With our strong capital and a solid operating base, we are well positioned to build an enviable community bank footprint with strong shareholder returns."

About Charter Financial Corporation

Charter Financial Corporation is a savings and loan holding company and the parent company of CharterBank, a growing full-service community bank. Charter Financial Corporation is in the mutual holding company structure. CharterBank is headquartered in West Point, Georgia, and operates branches in West Central Georgia and East Central Alabama. CharterBank's deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" that may be identified by use of such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "estimated," and "potential." Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to our financial condition and results of operation and business that are subject to various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates. These factors include but are not limited to general and local economic conditions; changes in interest rates, deposit flows, demand for mortgages and other loans, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products, and services. Any or all forward-looking statements in this release and in any other public statements we make may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to subsequently revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

*Core deposits include transaction accounts, money market accounts and savings accounts.

**Retail deposits include Core Deposits and certificates of deposits excluding brokered and wholesale certificates of deposits.

***Financial information as of September 30, 2010 has been derived from audited financial statements.

Selected Operating Data (in thousands except share and per share data):

SOURCE Charter Financial Corporation