HF Financial Corp. EPS Increases 23% to $0.48 in First Nine Months of FY2012

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HF Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: HFFC) today reported it earned $1.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share for the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to $459,000, or $0.07 per diluted share for the prior year's third fiscal quarter. Lower loan loss provisions, improving asset quality and reduced operating expenses more than offset lower net interest income. For the first nine months of fiscal 2012, HF Financial's earnings increased to $3.4 million, or $0.48 per diluted share compared to $2.7 million, or $0.39 per diluted share earned in the first nine months a year ago. 

Credit quality continues to improve with nonperforming assets declining 12% in the quarter and 29% year-over-year.  Nonperforming assets were down to $24.5 million or 2.05% of assets at March 31, 2012, from 2.26% at the end of the preceding quarter and from 2.85% for the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.  Capital ratios continued to remain well above minimum regulatory requirements as a result of continued profitability and the addition of lower risk assets.

"Reduced operating expenses are contributing to better profitability and strong resiliency in the face of one-time events," said Stephen Bianchi, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "In the last two quarters, we consolidated two branch offices into nearby offices to improve the efficiencies of our operations without noticeably reducing convenience to our customers.  On March 29, we also announced a plan to consolidate four branch offices in the fourth fiscal quarter.  The rapid adoption of electronic services has allowed customers to bank when and how they find it convenient and lessened the need for branch redundancy.  Our customer retention efforts are exceeding expectations as we adjust our distribution network. Fiscal third quarter costs for the streamlining included $233,000 for the disposition of one closed-branch's fixed assets. Fiscal fourth quarter streamlining costs are estimated to include one-time expenses of $550,000 for severance and lease terminations and $230,000 for the disposition of four closed-branches fixed assets.  In return, we anticipate annual cost savings of all announced branch closures to approach $1.3 million."

Fiscal Third Quarter and YTD Financial Highlights (at or for the period ended March 31, 2012, compared to December 31, 2011, and June 30, 2011.)

• Earnings for the fiscal third quarter were $0.17 per diluted share versus $0.10 per diluted share in the preceding quarter.  Year-to-date, earnings grew 25% to $3.4 million, or $0.48 per diluted share compared to $2.7 million, or $0.39 per diluted share earned in the first nine months a year ago.
• The net interest margin, expressed on a fully taxable equivalent basis ("NIM, TE"), was 3.09% year-to-date compared to 3.32% in the first nine months of fiscal 2011.  In the third fiscal quarter, it was 2.84% versus 3.16% the previous quarter and 3.31% a year ago.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2012, an interest reversal of $526,000 on tax increment financing ("TIF") loans reduced net interest margin by approximately 19 basis points in the quarter and six basis points year-to-date.
• Operating expenses decreased by $393,000 for the third fiscal quarter relative to the same quarter one year earlier, reflecting lower compensation and benefit expenses, lower FDIC insurance premiums, and the ongoing emphasis to improve operating efficiencies.
• Loan loss provisions were $264,000 for the third fiscal quarter, and $2.9 million year-to-date as credit quality improves.  Loan recoveries help support a solid allowance for loan losses relative to total loans at 1.48% compared to 1.45% at the end of December and 1.61% a year ago.
• Nonperforming assets ("NPAs") improved further, decreasing to $24.5 million, or 2.05% of total assets from $27.7 million, or 2.26%, of total assets at the end of the preceding quarter.  This is the third consecutive quarter nonperforming assets have trended down.  Dairy-related credit balances have trended lower and accounted for 43.5% of NPAs. 
• Capital levels at March 31, 2012 continued to remain well above the regulatory "well-capitalized" minimum levels of 10.00%, 6.00% and 5.00%, respectively:
  • Total risk-based capital to risk weighted assets was 15.16% versus 14.41% at December 31, 2011.
  • Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 13.92% versus 13.17% at December 31, 2011.
  • Tier 1 capital to total adjusted assets was 9.50% versus 9.30% at December 31, 2011.
• The most recent dividend of $0.1125 per share represents the sixteenth consecutive quarter at this level and provides a 3.79% current yield at recent market prices.
• Deposits continued to flow into transaction accounts as time certificates of deposit decreased to 32.4% of total deposits from 40.9% at June 30, 2011. 
• Tangible book value per share increased to $13.10 per share, compared to $12.92 per share at June 30, 2011.
• Total loans have decreased to $711.0 million at March 31, 2012, as business and agricultural borrowers have deleveraged and the demand for quality loans has slowed.

Balance Sheet and Asset Quality Review

Total assets at March 31, 2012, declined slightly to $1.20 billion relative to $1.23 billion the previous quarter.  The loan portfolio decreased during the quarter as agricultural and commercial business lending continued to retract, due partially to seasonal demands.  "With demand for quality loans continuing at a slower pace, our initiatives to contain expenses through our funding sources and our delivery methods remain important tools to sustain profitability and deliver acceptable returns to shareholders," noted Bianchi. 

"The loan portfolio has declined 16.5% since the end of 2009 for two primary reasons," noted Bianchi. "First, our credit functions have been reorganized where loan originators have been separated in the origination process from credit underwriting and a Chief Credit Officer was put in place to oversee all credit administration.  These actions were designed with the intent of assuring quality loans are held in portfolio and, as the economy slowed, marketing efforts were curtailed and attention was directed at classified assets in the loan portfolio with specific action plans developed to resolve these credits as quickly as possible. Second, a material number of our loan customers have been substantially deleveraging during the last three years as they have been reducing their debt while waiting for better or less risky opportunities for their businesses. We believe this phenomenon may be starting to change back to a more normal situation as the economy recovers, but we cannot precisely predict when or by how much our loan portfolio will start to grow due to existing customer demand." 

Total loans decreased to $711.0 million from $759.5 million during the most recent quarter.  Agricultural borrowers typically pay down seasonal balances in the winter, and this year has not been an exception.  Agricultural loans represent 23.2% of the total loan portfolio and are well diversified between livestock, grains, dairy and other commodities.  Commercial real estate lending activity remains solid in our local markets and accounts for 41.6% of the loan portfolio.  Commercial business loans continue to decline as a percent of total loans to 11.6% at March 31, 2012 versus 13.4% at June 30, 2011.  The remainder of the loan portfolio consists of consumer loans representing 15.3% of total loans and residential loans equaling 8.3% of the portfolio.

Deposit balances decreased in the third quarter from the preceding quarter due in part to a decrease in municipal deposits.  Total deposits were $892.8 million at March 31, 2012.  Deposit accounts, excluding time certificate of deposits, have increased to 67.6% of total deposits at March 31, 2012 from 67.4% a quarter earlier.  Time certificates declined to $289.6 million at March 31, 2012, from $303.3 million a quarter earlier.  "Our total deposit costs, including noninterest bearing deposits, are now approximately 0.75% and our overall interest bearing cost of funds was 1.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2012," said Brent Olthoff, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. 

Nonperforming assets decreased to $24.5 million at March 31, 2012, from $27.7 million the previous quarter.  Total NPAs were 2.05% of total assets at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to 2.26% at December 31, 2011.  The problem credits remain largely related to stress in the dairy sector.  Nonperforming dairy loans totaled $10.7 million at March 31, 2012, or 43.5% of total nonperforming assets.  Foreclosed real estate and other properties increased $1.2 million during the quarter. Approximately $1.0 million of the increase in foreclosed real estate was sold at public auction on March 28, 2012, and the Bank expects settlement of proceeds to occur in the fourth fiscal quarter with no additional loss expected.

The allowance for loan and lease losses at March 31, 2012, totaled $10.5 million, representing 1.48% of total loans outstanding, up from 1.45% the previous quarter.  Net charge-offs in the quarter totaled $745,000, which included loan recoveries of $546,000. With the decline in loan balances and continuing improvement in overall credit quality, the loan loss provision declined significantly to $264,000 for the third quarter versus $1.9 million the same quarter of the previous year.  Year-to-date, the loan loss provision was $2.9 million compared to $6.6 million a year ago.

Tangible common shareholders' equity increased to 7.74% of tangible assets at March 31, 2012 compared to 7.43% at December 31, 2011.  Tangible book value per common share was $13.10 at March 31, 2012. 

Capital ratios continued to remain strong and the Bank remains well-capitalized with Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 13.92% at March 31, 2012, while its Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets was 9.50%.  These regulatory ratios were much higher than the required minimum levels of 6.00% and 5.00%, respectively.

Review of Operations

HF Financial's earnings reflect lower noninterest expenses, lower provisions for loan losses, lower net interest income, larger gains on the sale of securities and higher expenses related to branch closures compared to the prior quarter.

Net interest income totaled $7.7 million for the third fiscal quarter 2012 compared to $8.7 million for the previous fiscal quarter, and $9.0 million in the year ago quarter.  The most recent quarter reflects an interest reversal of approximately $526,000 on two loans to one borrower that became impaired.  The loan balances totaled $1.9 million.  The loans were TIF loans where interest is earned based on incremental tax revenues generated by the project.  While the loans are not currently past due, the project has not met projections for lot sales.  The Bank is working with the guarantor to resolve the loan status.

Without the interest reversal, the net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent basis would have been 3.03% for the third quarter and 3.15% for the nine months ended March 31, 2012.   However due to the reversal, the NIM, TE as a percentage of average earning assets decreased 32 basis points to 2.84% for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to 3.16% for the previous quarter.  For the nine months ended March 31, 2012, the NIM, TE was 3.09% versus 3.32% for the same period one year earlier. 

Fiscal third quarter noninterest income was $3.0 million, which was lower than the preceding quarter of $3.4 million.  The decline was primarily related to the $233,000 loss realized on the disposal of fixed assets related to the branch closure and $330,000 of provision for valuation allowance on the mortgage loan servicing portfolio due to increased repayment activity, partially offset by gains on the sale of loans and securities.  Relative to one year earlier, noninterest income increased by $433,000, which primarily reflects less impairment losses and gains on the sale of securities.   

Noninterest expenses decreased to $8.7 million in the third fiscal quarter from $9.0 million in the preceding quarter, primarily reflecting lower professional fees.  Relative to one year earlier, noninterest expense has decreased by $393,000 due primarily to lower compensation and employee benefit costs and lower FDIC insurance premiums.  Management has made a concerted effort to seek operational efficiencies resulting in considerable cost savings.

These financial results are preliminary until the Form 10-Q is filed in May 2012.

Quarterly Dividend Declared

The board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1125 per common share for the third fiscal quarter 2012.  The dividend is payable May 18, 2012 to stockholders of record May 11, 2012.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). "Net Interest Margin, TE" is a non-GAAP financial measure. Information regarding the usefulness of Net Interest Margin, TE appears in the notes to the attached financial statements.  The Company believes that the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors to assess the Company's core operating results on the same basis as management. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered supplemental to, not a substitute for or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. As other companies may use different calculations for these measures, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are set forth in the notes to the attached financial statements.

About HF Financial Corp.

HF Financial Corp., based in Sioux Falls, SD, is the parent company for financial services companies, including Home Federal Bank, Mid America Capital Services, Inc., dba Mid America Leasing Company, Hometown Investment Services, Inc. and HF Financial Group, Inc.  As the largest publicly traded savings association headquartered in South Dakota, HF Financial Corp. operates with 32 offices in 19 communities, throughout Eastern South Dakota and one location in Marshall, Minnesota.  The Company operates a branch in the Twin Cities market as Infinia Bank, a Division of Home Federal Bank of South Dakota.  Internet banking is also available at www.homefederal.com.

This news release and other reports issued by the Company, including reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, contain "forward-looking statements" that deal with future results, expectations, plans and performance.  In addition, the Company's management may make forward-looking statements orally to the media, securities analysts, investors or others.  These forward-looking statements might include one or more of the following:

• Projections of income, loss, revenues, earnings or losses per share, dividends, capital expenditures, capital structure, adequacy of loan loss reserves, tax benefit or other financial items.
• Descriptions of plans or objectives of management for future operations, products or services, transactions, investments and use of subordinated debentures payable to trusts.
• Forecasts of future economic performance.
• Use and descriptions of assumptions and estimates underlying or relating to such matters.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  They often include words such as "optimism," "look-forward," "bright," "pleased," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may".

Forward-looking statements about the Company's expected financial results and other plans are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  These include, but are not limited to the following: possible legislative changes and adverse economic, business and competitive conditions and developments (such as shrinking interest margins and continued short-term environments); deposit outflows, reduced demand for financial services and loan products; changes in accounting policies or guidelines, or in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company's loan and lease portfolios; the ability or inability of the Company to manage interest rate and other risks; unexpected or continuing claims against the Company's self-insured health plan; the ability or inability of the Company to successfully enter into a definitive agreement for and close anticipated transactions; technological, computer-related or operational difficulties; adverse changes in securities markets; results of litigation; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, and its subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.  The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.  Although the Company believes its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  Based upon changing conditions, should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in any forward-looking statements.