SHORT HILLS, N.J., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Investors Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISBC) ("Company"), the holding company for Investors Bank ("Bank"), reported net income of $18.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to net income of $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.18 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $0.17 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. These results include the acquisition of Brooklyn Federal Savings Bank and the sale of most of Brooklyn Federal's commercial real estate portfolio on January 10, 2012. Also included are one-time expenses of approximately $6 million related to the acquisition.

Kevin Cummings, President and CEO said, "This was another strong quarter as total loans grew to over $9 billion while total assets exceeded $11 billion. We continue to execute on our strategic plan to become a full service commercial bank as commercial loans now account for 42% of our loan portfolio."

"Earnings were also strong this quarter," Mr. Cummings continued, "Excluding the one-time charge for the integration of Brooklyn Federal, net income was $22.7 million or $0.21 per share which reflects a return on tangible equity of 9.80%."

The following represents performance highlights and significant events that occurred during the period:

• The Company completed the acquisition of Brooklyn Federal which added $385.9 million in deposits and $177.5 million in loans. Most of Brooklyn Federal's commercial loan portfolio was sold to a third party real estate management firm.
• Net loans increased $216.7 million, or 2.5%, to $9.01 billion at March 31, 2012 from $8.79 billion at December 31, 2011.
• Deposits increased by $438.5 million, or 6.0% to $7.80 billion at March 31, 2012 from $7.36 billion at December 31, 2011. Core deposits increased $462.6 million, or 11.5% for the quarter. These increases included the deposits acquired from Brooklyn Federal.
• Net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 3.33%. This represents a decrease of 4 basis points compared to prior year and a 3 basis points decrease from prior quarter.
• Efficiency ratio was 55.52% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Excluding the one-time expenses for the Brooklyn Federal acquisition, our efficiency ratio was 49.40%.
• The Company maintains a strong tangible capital ratio of 8.34% and is considered well capitalized under regulatory guidelines.

Comparison of Operating Results

Interest and Dividend Income

Total interest and dividend income increased by $7.5 million, or 6.6%, to $121.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $113.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This increase is attributed to the average balance of interest-earning assets increasing $1.31 billion, or 14.2%, to $10.54 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $9.23 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This was partially offset by the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets decreasing 33 basis points to 4.60% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to 4.93% for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Interest income on loans increased by $6.8 million, or 6.5%, to $110.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $103.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, reflecting an $870.9 million, or 10.8%, increase in the average balance of net loans to $8.92 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $8.04 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase is primarily attributed to the average balance of multi-family loans and commercial real estate loans increasing $642.2 million and $156.8 million, respectively. This activity is consistent with our strategy to diversify our loan portfolio by adding more multi-family loans and commercial real estate loans. In addition, we recorded $1.1 million in loan prepayment penalties as interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $345,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This was partially offset by a 20 basis point decrease in the average yield on net loans to 4.95% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from 5.15% for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as lower rates on new and refinanced loans reflect the current interest rate environment.

Interest income on all other interest-earning assets, excluding loans, increased by $765,000, or 7.5%, to $11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $10.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This increase reflected a $439.5 million increase in the average balance of all other interest-earning assets, excluding loans, to $1.63 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $1.19 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as the Company invested the cash assets acquired from Brooklyn Federal into agency issued mortgage backed securities.

This was partially offset by the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets, excluding loans, decreasing by 74 basis points to 2.70% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to 3.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 reflecting the lower interest rate environment.

Interest Expense

Total interest expense decreased by $2.5 million, or 6.8%, to $33.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $35.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This decrease is attributed to the weighted average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities decreasing 32 basis points to 1.42% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to 1.74% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This decrease was partially offset by the average balance of total interest-bearing liabilities increasing by $1.16 billion, or 14.0%, to $9.43 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $8.27 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits decreased $1.7 million, or 8.3% to $18.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $20.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This decrease is attributed to a 25 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.99% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from 1.24% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as deposit rates reflect this lower interest rate environment. This was partially offset by the average balance of total interest-bearing deposits increasing $924.1 million, or 14.3% to $7.37 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $6.45 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The growth of core deposit accounts- savings, checking and money market, represented 97.1% or $896.9 million of the increase in average balance of total interest-bearing deposits.

Interest expense on borrowed funds decreased by $803,000, or 5.0%, to $15.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $16.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This decrease is attributed to the average cost of borrowed funds decreasing 55 basis points to 2.94% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from 3.49% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as maturing borrowings repriced at lower interest rates. This was partially offset by the average balance of borrowed funds increasing by $235.0 million or 12.9%, to $2.06 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $1.83 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased by $10.0 million, or 12.9%, to $87.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $77.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to the average balance of interest earning assets increasing $1.31 billion to $10.54 billion at March 31, 2012 compared to $9.23 billion at March 31, 2011, as well as a 32 basis point decrease in our cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 1.42% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from 1.74% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. These were partially offset by the average balance of our interest earning liabilities increasing $1.16 billion to $9.43 billion at March 31, 2012 compared to $8.27 billion at March 31, 2011, as well as the yield on our interest-earning assets decreasing 33 basis points to 4.60% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from 4.93% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. While the yield on our interest earning assets declined due to the lower interest rate environment, our cost of funds also continued to fall resulting in our net interest margin decreasing by 4 basis points from 3.37% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to 3.33% for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Provision for Loan Losses

Our provision for loan losses was $13.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $17.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, net charge-offs were $6.7 million compared to $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The inherent credit risk in our overall portfolio, particularly the credit risk associated with commercial real estate lending, and the level of non-performing loans and delinquent loans caused by the adverse economic conditions in our lending area resulted in a $13.0 million provision for the quarter. This is a decrease over prior year quarter as overall loan growth slowed compared to the first quarter of 2011.

The following table sets forth non-accrual loans and accruing past due loans on the dates indicated as well as certain asset quality ratios:

Total non-accrual loans increased $7.5 million to $149.7 million at March 31, 2012 compared to $142.2 million at December 31, 2011. At March 31, 2012, there were $23.1 million of loans deemed trouble debt restructurings, of which $8.6 million were accruing and $14.5 million were on non-accrual.

The allowance for loan losses increased by $6.3 million to $123.5 million at March 31, 2012 from $117.2 million at December 31, 2011. The increase in our allowance for loan losses is due to the increased inherent credit risk in our overall portfolio, particularly the credit risk associated with commercial real estate lending; and the level of non-performing loans and delinquent loans caused by the adverse economic conditions in our lending area and the continued growth in the multi-family and commercial real estate loan portfolios. Future increases in the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on the growth and composition of the loan portfolio, the level of loan delinquency and the impact of the deterioration of the real estate and economic environments in our lending area.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income increased by $3.5 million, or 51.8% to $10.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $6.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase is primarily attributed to an increase of $1.6 million in the gain on the sale of loans to $3.9 million, and a $762,000 increase in other non-interest income primarily from the fees associated with the sale of non deposit investment products. In addition, fees and service charges relating primarily to the servicing of third party loan portfolios as well as fees from commercial deposit and loan accounts increased $1.2 million to $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Non-Interest Expenses

Total non-interest expenses increased by $15.8 million, or 41.0%, to $54.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $38.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This increase includes $6.1 million in expenses related to the Brooklyn Federal acquisition. Compensation and fringe benefits increased $4.4 million primarily as a result of the staff additions to support our continued growth, including employees from the acquisition of Brooklyn Federal, normal merit increases and $1.4 million in acquisition related expenses of Brooklyn Federal. Occupancy expense increased $3.8 million mainly as a result of a one-time charge of $3.0 million for the early termination of certain leased facilities. In addition, occupancy expenses have been impacted by the costs associated with expanding and enhancing our branch network including the expenses related to the acquisition of the Brooklyn Federal branches. Professional fees increased $3.4 million relating to the legal and consulting costs of $2.5 million associated with the Brooklyn Federal acquisition. Data processing expenses increased $2.6 million primarily due to a one-time charge of $1.5 million for the termination of a Brooklyn Federal data processing contract. Additionally, the growth in the number of accounts and branches have resulted in an increase in data processing expenses. Other non-interest expense increased $1.8 million which includes $400,000 in Brooklyn Federal related expenses. These increases were partially offset by a $750,000 decrease in our FDIC insurance premium due to the implementation of FDIC assessment regulations finalized in July 2011.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, representing a 38.18% effective tax rate compared to income tax expense of $10.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 representing a 37.07% effective tax rate.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets increased by $561.1 million, or 5.2%, to $11.26 billion at March 31, 2012 from $10.70 billion at December 31, 2011. This increase was largely the result of a $301.0 million increase in total available for sale securities to $1.28 billion at March 31, 2012 from $983.7 million at December 31, 2011.

Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased by $227.3 million, or 2.6%, to $9.04 billion at March 31, 2012 from $8.81 billion at December 31, 2011. This increase in loans reflects our continued focus on generating multi-family and commercial real estate loans, which was partially offset by pay downs and payoffs of loans. The loans we originate and purchase are on properties located primarily in New Jersey and New York.

We originate residential mortgage loans through our mortgage subsidiary, Investors Home Mortgage Co. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, Investors Home Mortgage Co. originated $369.2 million in residential mortgage loans of which $189.5 million were sold to third party investors and $179.7 million were added to our portfolio. We also purchased mortgage loans from correspondent entities including other banks and mortgage bankers. Our agreements with these correspondent entities require them to originate loans that adhere to our underwriting standards. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we purchased loans totaling $149.0 million from these entities. In addition, we acquired $177.5 million in loans from Brooklyn Federal and subsequently sold $49.4 million of commercial real estate loans and $37.9 million of commercial real estate loans on a pass through basis to a third party.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we originated $142.3 million in multi-family loans, $97.8 million in commercial real estate loans, $28.9 million in commercial and industrial loans, $24.4 million in construction loans and $18.8 million in consumer and other loans.

At March 31, 2012, total loans were $9.12 billion and included $5.05 billion in residential loans, $1.91 billion in multi-family loans, $1.50 billion in commercial real estate loans, $273.5 million in construction loans, $248.6 million in consumer and other loans and $129.9 million in commercial and industrial loans.

Securities, in the aggregate, increased by $261.8 million, or 20.6%, to $1.53 billion at March 31, 2012, from $1.27 billion at December 31, 2011. The increase in the portfolio was primarily due to the purchase of $366.6 million of agency issued mortgage backed securities, and the purchase of $3.1 million in US government and agencies, partially offset by normal pay downs or maturities during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Goodwill increased $16.4 million as a result of the Brooklyn Federal acquisition. The amount of stock we own in the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) increased by $8.5 million from $116.8 million at December 31, 2011 to $125.4 million at March 31, 2012 as a result of an increase in our level of borrowings at March 31, 2012. There was a $2.5 million reduction in bank owned life insurance as a result of death benefit payouts.

Deposits increased by $438.5 million, or 6.0%, to $7.80 billion at March 31, 2012 from $7.36 billion at December 31, 2011. This was attributed to an increase in core deposits of $462.6 million or 11.5%, partially offset by a $24.1 million decrease in certificates of deposit.

Borrowed funds increased $23.2 million, or 1.0%, to $2.28 billion at March 31, 2012 from $2.26 billion at December 31, 2011 to fund our asset growth.

Stockholders' equity increased $28.9 million to $996.3 million at March 31, 2012 from $967.4 million at December 31, 2011. The increase is primarily attributed to the $18.9 million of net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, and $745,000 of compensation cost related to equity incentive plans, partially offset by $776,000 in purchases of treasury stock.

About the Company

Investors Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Investors Bank, which operates from its corporate headquarters in Short Hills, New Jersey, and as of March 31, 2012 had over eighty branch offices located throughout northern and central New Jersey and New York.

Earnings Conference Call April 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. (ET)

The Company, as previously announced, will host an earnings conference call Friday, April 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. (ET). The toll-free dial-in number is: (877) 317-6789. A telephone replay will be available on April 27, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. (ET) through July 30, 2012, 9:00 a.m. (ET). The replay number is (877) 344-7529 password 10012120. The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast on the Company's website www.myinvestorsbank.com and archived for one year.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, as described in our SEC filings, including, but not limited to, those related to the real estate and economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management, asset-liability management, the financial and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity.

The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions, which may be made to 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.

CONTACT: Domenick Cama ISBC, +1-973-924-5105, dcama@myinvestorsbank.com