Valley National Bancorp Reports Increase In Fourth Quarter Earnings, Solid Asset Quality And Strong Loan Growth

WAYNE, N.J., Jan. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Valley National Bancorp (NYSE:VLY), the holding company for Valley National Bank, today reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2013 of $39.6 million, or $0.20 per diluted common share as compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 earnings of $36.8 million, or $0.19 per diluted common share.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $132.0 million, or $0.66 per diluted common share, compared to 2012 earnings of $143.6 million, or $0.73 per diluted common share.

Key highlights for the fourth quarter:

• Loans: Total non-covered loans (i.e., loans which are not subject to our loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC) increased by $195.8 million, or 7.0 percent on an annualized basis, to $11.5 billion at December 31, 2013 from September 30, 2013 largely due to solid organic commercial real estate (excluding construction) loan growth, which equaled 13.9 percent on an annualized basis, and a $38.6 million increase in automobile loans, partially offset by declines within the residential mortgage loan portfolio and the commercial real estate loan segment of our purchased credit-impaired (PCI) loans. Total covered loans (i.e., loans subject to our loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC) decreased to $96.2 million, or 0.8 percent of our total loans, at December 31, 2013 as compared to $121.5 million at September 30, 2013, mainly due to normal collection and prepayment activity.

• Net Interest Income and Margin: Net interest income totaling $116.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013 increased $4.5 million as compared to the third quarter of 2013, and decreased $2.4 million from the fourth quarter of 2012. Interest income on loans contributed approximately $2.0 million to the increase from the third quarter of 2013 largely due to a $291.6 million increase in average loans driven by strong commercial real estate loan volumes over the last six months of 2013. On a tax equivalent basis, our net interest margin increased 7 basis points to 3.27 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to 3.20 percent for the third quarter of 2013, and decreased 14 basis points from 3.41 percent for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase in the margin compared to the third quarter of this year was mostly caused by higher yields on our taxable investment securities portfolio as prepayment speeds and premium amortization for many of our investments continued to decline in the fourth quarter due, in part, to higher long-term market interest rates. Additionally, the cost of average long-term borrowings declined by 0.20 percent to 4.02 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to the third quarter of 2013 mainly due to the early redemption of certain junior subordinated debentures (see further discussion below).

• Asset Quality: Total loan delinquencies (including loans past due 30 days or more and non-accrual loans) as a percentage of total loans were 1.23 percent at December 31, 2013 compared to 1.47 percent at September 30, 2013. Of the 1.23 percent in delinquencies at December 31, 2013, 0.14 percent, or $16.2 million, represented performing matured loans in the normal process of renewal. Non-accrual loans decreased to $95.1 million, or 0.82 percent of our entire loan portfolio of $11.6 billion, at December 31, 2013, compared to $116.1 million, or 1.02 percent of total loans, at September 30, 2013. The $21.0 million decrease in non-accruals was partly due to loan repayments totaling $13.5 million related to four commercial/commercial real estate relationships. Overall, our non-performing assets decreased by 35.7 percent to $124.9 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to $194.2 million at September 30, 2013 due to the aforementioned decline in non-accrual loans and a $48.6 million decrease in non-accrual debt securities at December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, our non-performing assets included non-accrual debt securities with carrying values of $3.8 million and $52.3 million, respectively. Of the $52.3 million in non-accrual securities at September 30, 2013, $48.3 million of the securities (with a combined amortized cost of $41.8 million) were sold in October 2013 resulting in an aggregate realized gain of approximately $10.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2013.

• Provision for Losses on Non-Covered Loans and Unfunded Letters of Credit: The provision for losses on non-covered loans and unfunded letters of credit was $6.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $5.3 million for the third quarter of 2013 and $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Net loan charge-offs on non-covered loans decreased to $5.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 (or 0.19 percent of average loans on an annualized basis) compared to $9.1 million for the third quarter of 2013, and increased from $4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Loan charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2013 primarily related to the valuation of certain impaired loans (with aggregate September 30, 2013 allocated reserves that exceeded such charges) at December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2013, our allowance for losses on non-covered loans and unfunded letters of credit totaled $110.0 million and was 0.96 percent of non-covered loans, as compared to 0.97 percent and 1.13 percent at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

• Investments: Our net gains on securities transactions were $10.7 million ($6.2 million after taxes, or $0.03 per common share) for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to immaterial net gains for both the third quarter of 2013 and fourth quarter of 2012. Within the available for sale investment securities portfolio, Valley had previously impaired trust preferred securities issued by one deferring bank holding company with a combined amortized cost of $41.8 million at September 30, 2013. As noted under the "Asset Quality" key highlight above, Valley sold these non-accrual debt securities for net proceeds of $52.5 million and realized a gain of $10.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2013. Additionally, we recognized no other-than-temporary impairment charges on investment securities in earnings during the fourth quarter of 2013, third quarter of 2013, and fourth quarter of 2012.

• Other Non-Interest Income and Expense: During the fourth quarter of 2013, we terminated a branch operating lease related to a building sale-leaseback transaction entered into during 2007. As a result of the lease termination, we recognized a gain of $11.3 million ($6.6 million after-taxes, or $0.03 per common share) within the net gains on sales of assets category of other non-interest income. The $11.3 million gain represented the outstanding deferred gain on the original building sale that would have been amortized to income over the remaining lease term. The negotiated lease termination penalty recognized in the fourth quarter of 2013 was immaterial. Additionally, net occupancy and equipment expense within other non-interest expense was reduced by $1.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2013 due to the reversal of the straight-line rent expense accrued liability related to the terminated operating lease agreement. The branch office was moved from the terminated lease location to a newly "right-sized" leased location on the same block of Manhattan.

• Mortgage Banking Activities: Our gains on sales of loans continued to decline from the $2.7 million recorded in the third quarter of 2013 to $1.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 due to the decline in consumer refinance activity in the marketplace caused by the higher level of mortgage interest rates. As a result, residential mortgage loan originations (including both new and refinanced loans) totaled only $95.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and declined over 61 percent as compared to the third quarter of 2013. Valley sold approximately $50 million of residential mortgages (including $9.6 million of loans held for sale at September 30, 2013) during the fourth quarter, down 48 percent from the third quarter of 2013. Due to the current level of market interest rates, we do not expect a material change in our gains on sales of mortgage loans during the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2013.

• Trading Mark to Market: Net trading gains and losses mainly represent non-cash mark to market gains and losses on our junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I, which were carried at fair value prior to their early redemption in the fourth quarter of 2013. Net trading gains totaled $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $2.2 million for both the third quarter of 2013 and fourth quarter of 2012. The $1.2 million net gain for the fourth quarter of 2013 largely resulted from the difference between the carrying value and contractual principal balance of the debentures upon redemption in October 2013.

• Income Tax Expense: Our effective tax rate increased to 28.9 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to 20.8 percent for the third quarter of 2013 and 28.5 percent for the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase from the third quarter of 2013 was mainly due to the higher marginal taxes related to the increase in pre-tax income (largely driven by the net gains on securities transactions and the net gains on sales of assets noted above) for the fourth quarter of 2013. See the "Income Tax Expense" section below for additional information.

• Junior Subordinated Debenture Redemption: On October 25, 2013, we redeemed all of the remaining $131.3 million of the principal face amount of the 7.75 percent junior subordinated debentures issued to VNB Capital Trust I within our interest bearing liabilities and approximately $127.3 million of the principal face value of the related outstanding trust preferred securities (within Valley's Tier 1 capital position at September 30, 2013). Based upon new final regulatory guidance, Valley's outstanding trust preferred securities issued by all of its capital trust subsidiaries totaling $44.0 million at December 31, 2013 will be fully phased out of Tier 1 capital by January 1, 2016.

• Capital Strength: Our regulatory capital ratios continue to reflect Valley's strong capital position. The Company's total risk-based capital, Tier 1 capital, leverage capital, and Tier 1 common capital ratios were 11.87 percent, 9.65 percent, 7.27 percent and 9.28 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2013.

Gerald H. Lipkin, Chairman, President and CEO commented that, "We are mostly pleased with the fourth quarter earnings, even exclusive of a few significant but infrequent items which positively impacted our bottom line during the period. In particular, our net interest income continued to expand for the second consecutive quarter largely due to strong commercial real estate loan growth, as well as better performance within our investment securities portfolio. The commercial real estate loan pipeline in the early stages of 2014 has remained solid and we expect it will be a standout again next quarter." Mr. Lipkin added, "Our credit quality, which was already strong, also continued to improve during the quarter. Loan delinquencies on a percentage basis of total loans declined 0.24 percent, non-performing assets decreased almost 36 percent and our net loan charge-offs remained relatively low across all segments of our loan portfolio. We believe these improved credit metrics coupled with our loan growth and the overall quality of our balance sheet has us well positioned to take full advantage of the lending and other business prospects within our New Jersey and New York markets in 2014."

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis totaling $118.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased $4.4 million as compared to the third quarter of 2013, and declined $2.4 million as compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. Interest income on a tax equivalent basis increased $3.1 million from the third quarter of 2013 mainly due to a $291.6 million increase in total average loans and higher yields on investments, partially offset by continued run-off in our higher yielding PCI loan portfolios. Interest expense also contributed to the increase in net interest income as it decreased $1.3 million to $40.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in interest expense from the third quarter of 2013 was primarily driven by the October 2013 redemption of our 7.75 percent junior subordinated debentures and an $86.7 million decline in average time deposits during the fourth quarter caused by continued run-off of maturing higher yield time deposits.

The net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis was 3.27 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013, an increase of 7 basis points from 3.20 percent in the linked third quarter of 2013, and a 14 basis point decline from 3.41 percent for the three months ended December 31, 2012. The yield on average interest earning assets increased by one basis point on a linked quarter basis. The increased yield was mainly a result of the higher yields on average investment securities partly caused by a reduction in prepayments and premium amortization due to the higher level of long-term market interest rates and, to a much lesser extent, our redeployment of the net proceeds from our sale of non-accrual debt securities in the fourth quarter of 2013. The increased yield on average investment securities was mostly offset by a five basis point decline in the yield on average loans caused by new loan volumes at current interest rates that remain relatively low compared to the overall yield of our loan portfolio. Additionally, continued repayment of higher yielding interest earning assets, including PCI loans which declined by over 9 percent from September 30, 2013, partially offset the positive impact of the higher investment yields. The yield on average loans decreased 5 basis points to 4.74 percent for the three months ended December 31, 2013 from the third quarter of 2013 largely due to the decline in PCI loans, normal non-PCI loan refinance and repayment activity and new loan originations at lower rates. The overall cost of average interest bearing liabilities decreased by 5 basis points from 1.57 percent in the linked third quarter of 2013 primarily due to a decline of 20 basis points for total long-term borrowings and a 5 basis point decrease for time deposits during the fourth quarter of 2013. Our cost of total deposits was 0.40 percent for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to 0.41 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

The higher level of long-term market interest rates since June 2013, potential future loan growth from solid commercial real estate loan demand that has continued into the early stages of the first quarter of 2014 and a full quarter's cost savings from our redemption of the 7.75 percent junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts completed on October 25, 2013 are all anticipated to positively impact our net interest income. However, our margin continues to face the risk of compression in the future due to the relatively low level of interest rates on most interest earning asset alternatives and further repayment of higher yielding interest earning assets. We continue to tightly manage our balance sheet and our cost of funds to optimize our returns.

Credit Quality

Total loan delinquencies (including loans past due 30 days or more and non-accrual loans) as a percentage of total loans were 1.23 percent at December 31, 2013 as compared to 1.47 percent at September 30, 2013 and 1.73 percent at December 31, 2012. Our past due loans and non-accrual loans discussed further below exclude PCI loans. Valley's PCI loans consist of loans that were acquired as part of FDIC-assisted transactions (the "covered loans") in 2010 and certain loans subsequently acquired or purchased by Valley, primarily consisting of loans recorded in the acquisition of State Bancorp on January 1, 2012. Under U.S. GAAP, the PCI loans (acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality) are accounted for on a pool basis and are not subject to delinquency classification in the same manner as loans originated by Valley.

Loans past due 30 to 59 days increased $5.8 million to $27.1 million at December 31, 2013 compared to September 30, 2013 mainly due to increases of $3.3 million and $2.9 million in the commercial and industrial loan and commercial real estate loan categories, respectively. Within the commercial real estate loan category totaling $9.1 million at December 31, 2013, $4.0 million represents two performing matured loans in the normal process of renewal.

Loans past due 60 to 89 days decreased $17.2 million to $10.3 million at December 31, 2013 compared to September 30, 2013 mainly due to a $21.4 million decline in commercial real estate loan delinquencies. The $21.4 million decrease was largely due to the fourth quarter 2013 renewal of $11.9 million of performing matured loans reported within this delinquency category at September 30, 2013 and the migration of performing matured loans totaling $7.6 million to the loans past due 90 days or more category at December 31, 2013. The decreases were partially offset by one new construction loan (which is also a performing matured loan in the normal process of renewal) totaling $4.6 million within this past due category at December 31, 2013.

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing increased $6.7 million to $9.5 million, or 0.08 percent of total loans, at December 31, 2013 compared to $2.8 million, or 0.02 percent at September 30, 2013. The increase in this past due category was mostly due to the aforementioned migration of $7.6 million of performing matured commercial real estate loans in the normal process of renewal, partially offset by moderate declines in all other loan types at December 31, 2013. These matured commercial real estate loans were subsequently renewed in the first quarter of 2014 and are currently performing to the contractual loan terms.

Total non-performing assets (NPAs), consisting of non-accrual loans, other real estate owned (OREO), other repossessed assets and non-accrual debt securities, totaled $124.8 million at December 31, 2013 compared to $194.2 million at September 30, 2013. The $69.4 million decrease in NPAs from September 30, 2013 was mainly due to a $48.6 million decrease in non-accrual debt securities, as well as an 18.1 percent decline in non-accrual loans. Our non-accrual debt securities had carrying values of $3.8 million and $52.3 million at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Of the $52.3 million in non-accrual securities at September 30, 2013, $48.3 million of these previously impaired trust preferred securities (with a combined amortized cost of $41.8 million) were sold in October 2013 resulting in an aggregate realized gain of approximately $10.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2013. The remaining $3.8 million of non-accrual securities consist of two previously impaired pooled trust preferred security issuances with an aggregate unamortized cost of $5.4 million at December 31, 2013.

Non-accrual loans decreased $21.0 million to $95.1 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to $116.1 million at September 30, 2013. The decrease was mainly due to large loan repayments totaling $9.1 million and $4.4 million within the commercial real estate loan and commercial and industrial loan categories, respectively, which related to four impaired loans. Additionally, non-accrual loans totaling $3.9 million were transferred to OREO during the fourth quarter of 2013. Although the timing of collection is uncertain, management believes that most of the non-accrual loans are well secured and largely collectible based on, in part, our quarterly review of impaired loans and the valuation of the underlying collateral, if applicable. Our impaired loans, mainly consisting of non-accrual and troubled debt restructured commercial and commercial real estate loans, totaled $191.3 million at December 31, 2013 and had $23.5 million in related specific reserves included in our total allowance for loan losses.

OREO properties increased by only $208 thousand to $19.6 million at December 31, 2013 from $19.4 million at September 30, 2013 primarily due to new loan collateral transfers (totaling 15 commercial real estate and residential properties), mostly offset by sales and period-end valuation write-downs during the fourth quarter. The transferred properties totaled $3.1 million at December 31, 2013 (after partial charge-offs to the allowance for loan losses at the transfer dates), while 9 properties sold totaled $1.5 million at December 31, 2013 and the OREO valuation write-downs totaled $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013. The OREO sales resulted in an immaterial net gain for the fourth quarter of 2013.

Other repossessed assets remained relatively unchanged from September 30, 2013 and totaled appropriately $6.4 million at December 31, 2013.

Troubled debt restructured loans (TDRs) represent loan modifications for customers experiencing financial difficulties where a concession has been granted. Performing TDRs (i.e., TDRs not reported as loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing or as non-accrual loans) totaled $107.0 million at December 31, 2013 and consisted of 98 loans (primarily in the commercial and industrial loan and commercial real estate portfolios) as compared to $116.9 million at September 30, 2013. On an aggregate basis, the $107.0 million in performing TDRs at December 31, 2013 had a modified weighted average interest rate of approximately 4.83 percent as compared to a pre-modification weighted average interest rate of 5.50 percent.

With a non-covered loan portfolio totaling $11.5 billion at December 31, 2013, net loan charge-offs on non-covered loans for the fourth quarter of 2013 totaled $5.4 million as compared to $9.1 million and $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2013 and fourth quarter of 2012, respectively. Loan charge-offs for the fourth quarter primarily related to the valuation of certain impaired loans (with aggregate prior period allowance allocations that exceeded such charges) at December 31, 2013. For the covered loan pools, there were no charge-offs during the fourth quarter of 2013, third quarter of 2013 and fourth quarter of 2012. Charge-offs on covered loan pools, when incurred, are substantially covered by loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC.

The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for credit losses to specific loan categories and the allocation as a percentage of each loan category (including PCI loans) at December 31, 2013, September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012:

The allowance for non-covered loans and unfunded letters of credit as a percentage of total non-covered loans was 0.96 percent at December 31, 2013 as compared to 0.97 percent and 1.13 percent at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2013, the expected loss experience (and allocation percentages) remained relatively unchanged for most loan categories as compared to September 30, 2013, despite our gradually improving levels of loan delinquencies, internally classified loans, and net loan charge-offs during the fourth quarter of 2013, primarily due to mixed results from the most recent economic indicators and overall uncertainty regarding the U.S. economy.

Our allowance for non-covered loans and unfunded letters of credit as a percentage of total non-covered loans (excluding non-covered PCI loans with carrying values totaling approximately $710.1 million) was 1.02 percent at December 31, 2013 as compared to 1.04 percent at September 30, 2013. PCI loans are accounted for on a pool basis and initially recorded net of fair valuation discounts related to credit which may be used to absorb future losses on such loans before any allowance for loan losses is recognized subsequent to acquisition. There were no allocated reserves for non-covered PCI loans at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013.

Loans, Deposits and Other Borrowings

Non-Covered Loans. Non-covered loans are loans not subject to loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC. Non-covered loans increased $195.8 million to approximately $11.5 billion at December 31, 2013 from September 30, 2013 mainly due to strong organic growth within our commercial real estate loan and automobile portfolios, partially offset by elevated levels of repayments primarily within the commercial real estate loan category of the PCI loan portfolio.

Total commercial and industrial loans decreased only $2.3 million from September 30, 2013 to approximately $2.0 billion at December 31, 2013 mainly due to a low level of new loan volumes that were more than offset by normal repayment and refinance activity, a decrease in line of credit balances, and a $6.0 million decline in the PCI loan portfolio. During the fourth quarter, we continued to experience strong market competition for quality credits, and, despite a slight increase in the percentage of usage by our existing commercial borrowers, our total line of credit commitments declined from September 30, 2013. Total commercial real estate loans (excluding construction loans) increased $167.0 million from September 30, 2013 to $5.0 billion at December 31, 2013, despite a $54.5 million decrease in non-covered PCI loans. Strong loan origination volumes were seen across many types of commercial real estate borrowers, but continued to be led by co-op building loans within our New York City markets, as well as rental apartment buildings primarily in New Jersey. These loan types typically have the added benefit of a low risk profile due, in part, to the quality of the collateral, generally low loan to value ratios and the economic strength of the marketplace, which has a favorable impact on the overall level of allocations necessary for commercial real estate loans within our allowance for loan losses. The decline in the non-covered PCI loans was due to normal payments, as well as prepayments caused by strong competition in the Long Island market and, to some extent, excess borrower liquidity. Construction loans totaling $429.2 million at December 31, 2013 increased $5.4 million from September 30, 2013 mainly due to a moderate increase in new loan demand, as well as advances on existing construction loans.

Total residential mortgage loans decreased $32.4 million to $2.5 billion at December 31, 2013 from September 30, 2013 mostly due to normal loan repayment and some lost refinance activity that outpaced our new and refinanced loans originated for investment during the fourth quarter of 2013. Total residential mortgage loan originations were $95.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 and declined over 61 percent as compared to the third quarter of 2013 and 82 percent from the fourth quarter of 2012 as the higher level of mortgage interest rates since June 2013 has negatively impacted demand in the consumer refinance market. Of the $95.7 million in loan originations, we retained only 46 percent for investment during the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to almost 77 percent of total originations in the third quarter of 2013. There were no loan purchases from third party originators during the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to approximately $47 million in the third quarter of 2013. From time to time, we purchase residential mortgage loans, as well as automobile loans, originated by, and sometimes serviced by, other financial institutions based on several factors, including current loan origination volumes, market interest rates, excess liquidity and other asset/liability management strategies. All of the purchased loans are selected using Valley's normal underwriting criteria at the time of purchase.

Automobile loans increased by $38.6 million to $901.4 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to September 30, 2013 as our new loan volume remained strong throughout most of 2013. We made no auto loan purchases from third party originators during the three months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to approximately $5.5 million in the third quarter of 2013. We purchased auto loans totaling $21.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2013.

Home equity loans totaling $449.0 million at December 31, 2013 remained relatively unchanged as compared to September 30, 2013 despite a $568 thousand decrease in non-covered PCI loans. However, other consumer loans increased $19.8 million to $215.1 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to $195.3 million at September 30, 2013 mainly due to higher collateralized personal lines of credit usage.

Covered Loans. PCI loans for which Valley National Bank will share losses with the FDIC are referred to as "covered loans," and consist of loans acquired from LibertyPointe Bank and The Park Avenue Bank as part of FDIC-assisted transactions during 2010. Our covered loans consist primarily of commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans and totaled $96.2 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to $121.5 million at September 30, 2013. Consistent with our PCI loans acquired and purchased during the first quarter of 2012, all of our covered loans are PCI loans accounted for on a pool basis. For loan pools with better than originally expected cash flows, the forecasted increase in cash flows is recorded as a prospective adjustment to our interest income on loans over future periods. Additionally, on a prospective basis, we reduce the FDIC loss-share receivable by the guaranteed portion of the additional cash flows expected to be received from borrowers on those loan pools. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we reduced our FDIC loss-share receivable by $2.4 million due to the prospective recognition of the effect of additional cash flows from pooled loans with a corresponding reduction in non-interest income for the period, as compared to $3.1 million during the third quarter of 2013. We expect this relative level of reduction to continue in the first quarter of 2014.

Deposits. Total deposits increased $199.2 million to $11.3 billion at December 31, 2013 from September 30, 2013 mostly due to higher non-interest bearing account balances. Our non-interest bearing deposits totaling $3.7 billion at December 31, 2013 increased by $136.2 million, or approximately 3.8 percent, from September 30, 2013 due to normal fluctuations in account activity, including a few large customers. Savings, NOW and money market account balances also increased $90.8 million to $5.4 billion at December 31, 2013 from September 30, 2013 due to higher money market sweep account balances maintained by our commercial customers. However, Valley's time deposits totaling approximately $2.2 billion at December 31, 2013 decreased $27.9 million as compared to September 30, 2013 largely due to the continued run-off of maturing higher cost retail certificates of deposit and less attractive short-term time deposit rates offered by Valley during the period.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2013 increased $19.7 million to $42.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $22.4 million for the linked quarter ended September 30, 2013 largely due to increases of $12.6 million and $10.7 million in net gains on sales of assets and net gains on securities transactions, respectively, during the fourth quarter of 2013. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we terminated a branch operating lease related to a building sale-leaseback transaction entered into during 2007. As a result, the unamortized deferred gain of $11.3 million related to the original building sale (and scheduled to be amortized over the remaining lease term) was immediately recognized into non-interest income. Net gains on securities transactions totaled $10.7 million during the three months ended December 31, 2013 and almost entirely relate to the sale of previously impaired trust preferred securities classified as available for sale that were issued by one deferring bank holding company (see more details under "Asset Quality" and "Investments" in the key highlights for the fourth quarter above). Partially offsetting these increases in non-interest income, other non-interest income decreased by $1.6 million to $2.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to the third quarter of 2013 mostly due to valuation write-downs of $1.4 million on OREO properties held in other assets at December 31, 2013. Net gains on sales of loans also declined $1.2 million quarter over quarter as a result of the decrease in new and refinanced residential mortgage loan originations caused, in part, by the higher market interest rate environment.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense increased $1.6 million to $96.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $94.5 million for the third quarter of 2013. Other non-interest expense increased $2.3 million from $17.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013 mainly due to a $5.9 million increase in the amortization of tax credit investments during the fourth quarter of 2013, partly offset by a $1.5 million increase in the mark to market net gains on mortgage banking derivatives, as well as decreases in several other general expense categories. Tax credit investments result in credits that directly reduce our income tax expense and effective tax rate (see the "Income Tax Expense" section below). Of the $5.9 million increase in amortized losses, $4.5 million is not expected to be incurred in the first quarter of 2014 due to the nature and timing of the projected future tax credits related to such investments. Salary and employee benefits expense also increased $1.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2013 mainly due to an increase in cash incentive compensation accruals, partially offset by lower medical health insurance expense as compared to the third quarter of 2013. Partially offsetting the increases to non-interest expense, net occupancy and equipment expense decreased $2.3 million largely because of a $1.7 million reduction in rental expense during the fourth quarter of 2013 caused by the reversal of the accrued rent liability related to a terminated operating lease agreement.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was $16.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013 reflecting an effective tax rate of 28.9 percent, as compared to $7.1 million for the third quarter of 2013 reflecting an effective tax rate of 20.8 percent and $14.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 reflecting an effective tax rate of 28.5 percent. The increase in the effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2013 was largely due to the higher marginal taxes related to the increase in pre-tax income (largely driven by the net gains on securities transactions and the net gains on sales of assets noted above) in the fourth quarter of 2013, partially offset by an increase in tax credits directly reducing our income tax expense. For 2014, we anticipate that our effective tax rate will range from 26 percent to 29 percent primarily reflecting the impacts of tax-exempt income, tax-advantaged investments and general business credits.

About Valley

Valley National Bancorp is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey with approximately $16 billion in assets. Its principal subsidiary, Valley National Bank, currently operates 204 branches in 144 communities serving 16 counties throughout northern and central New Jersey, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. Valley National Bank is one of the largest commercial banks headquartered in New Jersey and is committed to providing the most convenient service, the latest in product innovations and an experienced and knowledgeable staff with a high priority on friendly customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information about Valley National Bank and its products and services, please visit www.valleynationalbank.com or call Customer Service, 24/7 at 800-522-4100.

Forward Looking Statements

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management's confidence and strategies and management's expectations about new and existing programs and products, acquisitions, relationships, opportunities, taxation, technology, market conditions and economic expectations. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as "should," "expect," "believe," "view," "opportunity," "allow," "continues," "reflects," "typically," "usually," "anticipate," or similar statements or variations of such terms. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• a severe decline in the general economic conditions of New Jersey and the New York Metropolitan area;
• larger than expected reductions in our loans originated for sale or a slowdown in new and refinanced residential mortgage loan activity;
• unexpected changes in market interest rates for interest earning assets and/or interest bearing liabilities;
• government intervention in the U.S. financial system and the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve;
• claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility, contractual issues, environmental laws and other matters;
• our inability to pay dividends at current levels, or at all, because of inadequate future earnings, regulatory restrictions or limitations, and changes in the composition of qualifying regulatory capital and minimum capital requirements (including those resulting from the U.S. implementation of Basel III requirements);
• higher than expected increases in our allowance for loan losses;
• declines in value in our investment portfolio, including additional other-than-temporary impairment charges on our investment securities;
• unexpected significant declines in the loan portfolio due to the lack of economic expansion, increased competition, large prepayments or other factors;
• unanticipated credit deterioration in our loan portfolio;
• unanticipated loan delinquencies, loss of collateral, decreased service revenues, and other potential negative effects on our business caused by severe weather or other external events;
• higher than expected tax rates, including increases resulting from changes in tax laws, regulations and case law;
• an unexpected decline in real estate values within our market areas;
• higher than expected FDIC insurance assessments;
• the failure of other financial institutions with whom we have trading, clearing, counterparty and other financial relationships;
• lack of liquidity to fund our various cash obligations;
• unanticipated reduction in our deposit base;
• potential acquisitions that may disrupt our business;
• legislative and regulatory actions (including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related regulations) subject us to additional regulatory oversight which may result in higher compliance costs and/or require us to change our business model;
• changes in accounting policies or accounting standards;
• our inability to promptly adapt to technological changes;
• our internal controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent losses;
• the inability to realize expected revenue synergies from recent acquisitions in the amounts or in the timeframe anticipated;
• inability to retain customers and employees;
• lower than expected cash flows from purchased credit-impaired loans;
• cyber attacks, computer viruses or other malware that may breach the security of our websites or other systems to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage our systems; and
• other unexpected material adverse changes in our operations or earnings.

A detailed discussion of factors that could affect our results is included in our SEC filings, including the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in our expectations. 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.

-Tables to Follow-

SOURCE Valley National Bancorp