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8-K - 8-K - WASHINGTON FEDERAL INCmar312016wafdearningsrelea.htm
EX-99.2 - EXHIBIT 99.2 - WASHINGTON FEDERAL INCexhibit992_mar2016factsheet.htm


                    

Thursday April 14, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Washington Federal Increases Earnings Per Share by 7.14%



SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Washington Federal, Inc. (Nasdaq: WAFD), parent company of Washington Federal, National Association, today announced quarterly earnings of $41,723,000 or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to $40,361,000 or $0.42 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, a $0.03 or 7.14% increase in earnings per diluted share. Return on equity for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was 8.51% compared to 8.29% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Return on assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was 1.14% compared to 1.11% for the same quarter in the prior year.
Chairman, President & CEO Roy M. Whitehead commented, “It was a good, solid quarter for the Company, with virtually every measure of performance showing improvement. Results for the quarter benefited from better credit quality, including recoveries on previously charged-off loans and gains on sale of real estate owned. If the current low interest rate environment persists as we expect, continued growth in loans outstanding and core deposits will be key to maintaining our margin going forward.”
Total assets were $14.7 billion as of March 31, 2016, a $102 million or 0.70% increase from September 30, 2015. The Company continued to shift its asset mix from investment securities to loans receivable, which carry a higher yield. Available-for-sale securities decreased $283 million or 11.9% and held-to-maturity securities decreased $85 million or 5.2% while net loans receivable increased by $375 million or 4.1% fiscal year to date.
Customer deposits decreased by $88 million or 0.8% during the six months to $10.5 billion as of March 31, 2016. Transaction accounts increased by $55.4 million or 1.0% during

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the period while time deposits decreased $143.7 million or 3.0%. The mix of customer deposits has continued to shift over the last several years as the Company focuses on growing transaction accounts to lessen sensitivity to rising interest rates. As of March 31, 2016, 55.7% of the Company’s deposits were in transaction accounts.
Borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB) increased by a net $150 million or 8.20% from September 30, 2015. Specifically, the Company borrowed $200 million in long term advances, using interest rate swaps to fix the weighted average interest rate at 1.49% for 7.5 years as a hedge against rising interest rates. Partially offsetting these additional borrowings was the repayment of $50 million of borrowings with a rate of 0.61% that matured during the quarter.
Loan originations totaled $763 million for 2nd fiscal quarter 2016, a $72 million or 10% increase over the $691 million of originations in the same quarter one year ago. Partially offsetting the strong loan origination volume were loan repayments of $581 million for the 2nd quarter 2016, compared to $597 million for the same quarter 2015. Commercial loans represented 68% of all loan originations during the quarter with consumer loans accounting for the remaining 32%. Single family residential mortgage loan originations continue to be negatively impacted by the implementation of recent regulations requiring additional loan disclosures and procedures. The Company views organic loan growth as the highest and best use of its capital and prefers over-weighting commercial loans in this low rate environment because of their shorter duration. The weighted average interest rate on loans increased to 4.40% as of March 31, 2016 from 4.37% at December 31, 2015, due to the adjustable rate loans increasing 25 basis points after the increase in the Prime Rate in December 2015. Actual yield earned on loans is greater than the weighted-average rate due to net deferred loan fees and discounts on acquired loans, which are accreted into income over the term of the loans.
Asset quality continued to improve as the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets decreased to 0.64% as of March 31, 2016, compared to 0.67% at December 31, 2015 and 0.88% at September 30, 2015. The 0.64% is the lowest level experienced by the Company since March of 2008. The decrease in non-performing assets during the quarter was primarily due to a $3 million or 8% decrease in real estate owned. Delinquencies on loans decreased to 0.90% at

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March 31, 2016 from 0.97% at December 31, 2015. The Company realized net-recoveries on loans (as opposed to charge-offs) of $3.5 million for the quarter. The allowance for loan losses and reserve for unfunded commitments totaled $113 million as of March 31, 2016 and was 1.10% of gross loans outstanding, as compared to 1.10% and 1.13% of gross loans as of December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively. The 3 basis point decrease since our fiscal year end reflects the continued improvements in economic conditions and the credit quality of the loan portfolio, partially offset by the growth in the loans outstanding.
On February 12, 2016, the Company paid a cash dividend of 14 cents per share to common stockholders of record on February 1, 2016. This was the Company’s 132nd consecutive quarterly cash dividend. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 1,639,442 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $21.05 per share and has authorization to repurchase an additional 2.1 million shares. The Company varies the pace of share repurchases depending on several factors, including share price, lending opportunities and capital levels. Tangible common stockholders’ equity per share increased during the 2nd fiscal quarter by $0.25 or 1.4% to $18.24 and the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets remained strong at 11.58% as of March 31, 2016.
Net interest income was $106 million for the quarter, an increase of $2 million or 2.4% from the same quarter in the prior year. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to higher average balances of loans receivable. Net interest margin rose to 3.16% in the 2nd fiscal quarter from 3.10% for same quarter in the prior year.
The Company recorded a release of loan loss allowance of $1.5 million for the 2nd fiscal quarter compared to a release of $3.9 million for the same quarter of the prior year. This quarter's release was a result of continued improvement in credit quality, including net recoveries of $3.5 million in the quarter, offset partially by the growth in the loan portfolio.
Total other income was $10.7 million for the 2nd quarter 2016, which is comparable to the $10.8 million recorded in the same quarter of the prior year.
Total operating expenses were $59.2 million in 2nd quarter 2016, an increase of $1.9 million or 3.3% from the prior year quarter, driven primarily by higher information technology

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costs related to new systems implemented in November of 2015. The Company’s efficiency ratio of 50.6% is slightly higher than the 50.0% for the same period one year ago due primarily to the higher technology costs mentioned above. On a linked quarter basis, the efficiency ratio improved from 54.9% for the December 2015 quarter to 50.6% for the current quarter due to the $6.6 million in non-recurring costs incurred in the Company's first fiscal quarter related to the new system implementation.
Net gain on real estate owned was $3.9 million for 2nd fiscal quarter 2016 compared to a net gain of $1.5 million for the same quarter last year. Net gain or loss on real estate owned includes gains and losses on sales, ongoing maintenance expenses and any additional net valuation adjustments. Going forward it is likely that gains on the sale of real estate owned will diminish as the Company's inventory of real estate owned declines.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded federal and state income tax expense of $21.5 million, which equates to a 34.00% effective tax rate. The decline in the effective tax rate is due to recent investments in bank owned life insurance, low income housing tax credits and tax exempt loans. The Company estimates the effective tax rate for the remainder of the fiscal year will be 34.00%.
Washington Federal, a national bank with headquarters in Seattle, Washington, has 243 branches in eight western states. To find out more about Washington Federal, please visit our website www.washingtonfederal.com. Washington Federal uses its website to distribute financial and other material information about the Company.
Important Cautionary Statements
The foregoing information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, notes and other information contained in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
This press release contains statements about the Company’s future that are not statements of historical fact. These statements are “forward looking statements” for purposes of applicable securities laws, and are based on current information and/or management's good faith belief as

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to future events. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” and similar expressions signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risk and uncertainties, which change over time; and actual performance, could differ materially from those anticipated by any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
# # #



Contact:

Washington Federal, Inc.
425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Amanda Maier, Marketing Communications
206-626-8178
amanda.maier@wafd.com

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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(UNAUDITED)

 
March 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2015
 
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
276,084

 
$
284,049

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value
2,097,086

 
2,380,563

Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost
1,558,087

 
1,643,216

Loans receivable, net
9,545,322

 
9,170,634

Interest receivable
37,571

 
40,429

Premises and equipment, net
299,125

 
276,247

Real estate owned
38,770

 
61,098

FHLB and FRB stock
113,187

 
107,198

Bank owned life insurance
204,655

 
102,496

Intangible assets, including goodwill of $291,503
298,113

 
299,358

Federal and state income tax assets, net
11,544

 
14,513

Other assets
191,279

 
188,523

 
$
14,670,823

 
$
14,568,324

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Customer accounts
 
 
 
Transaction deposit accounts
$
5,876,244

 
$
5,820,878

Time deposit accounts
4,667,140

 
4,810,825

 
10,543,384

 
10,631,703

FHLB advances
1,980,000

 
1,830,000

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
23,863

 
50,224

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
161,116

 
100,718

 
12,708,363

 
12,612,645

Stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 134,092,173 and 133,695,803 shares issued; 91,270,241 and 92,936,395 shares outstanding
134,092

 
133,696

Paid-in capital
1,651,397

 
1,643,712

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes
(8,586
)
 
353

Treasury stock, at cost; 42,821,932 and 40,759,408 shares
(696,283
)
 
(651,836
)
Retained earnings
881,840

 
829,754

 
1,962,460

 
1,955,679

 
$
14,670,823

 
$
14,568,324

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
 
 
Common stockholders' equity per share
$
21.50

 
$
21.04

Tangible common stockholders' equity per share
18.24

 
17.82

Stockholders' equity to total assets
13.38
%
 
13.42
%
Tangible common stockholders' equity to tangible assets
11.58
%
 
11.61
%
 
 
 
 
Weighted average rates at period end
 
 
 
   Loans and mortgage-backed securities
3.94
%
 
3.94
%
   Combined loans, mortgage-backed securities and investments
3.69

 
3.63

   Customer accounts
0.50

 
0.48

   Borrowings
3.23

 
3.35

   Combined cost of customer accounts and borrowings
0.93

 
0.90

   Interest rate spread
2.76

 
2.73


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WASHINGTON FEDERAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Six Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands, except share data)
 
(In thousands, except share data)
INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable
$
113,211

 
$
109,274

 
$
226,074

 
$
217,567

Mortgage-backed securities
16,846

 
18,143

 
33,833

 
37,318

Investment securities and cash equivalents
5,006

 
5,213

 
10,280

 
11,029

 
135,063

 
132,630

 
270,187

 
265,914

INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer accounts
13,071

 
12,574

 
25,788

 
26,018

FHLB advances and other borrowings
15,667

 
16,176

 
31,205

 
33,832

 
28,738

 
28,750

 
56,993

 
59,850

Net interest income
106,325

 
103,880

 
213,194

 
206,064

Provision (release) for loan losses
(1,500
)
 
(3,949
)
 
(1,500
)
 
(9,449
)
Net interest income after provision (release) for loan losses
107,825

 
107,829

 
214,694

 
215,513

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan fee income
1,166

 
2,048

 
2,683

 
4,112

Deposit fee income
5,350

 
5,405

 
11,267

 
11,383

Other Income
4,213

 
3,388

 
7,414

 
726

 
10,729

 
10,841

 
21,364

 
16,221

OTHER EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
29,184

 
30,469

 
58,883

 
59,629

Occupancy
8,969

 
8,239

 
17,561

 
16,374

FDIC insurance premiums
2,785

 
2,380

 
5,374

 
3,055

Product delivery
4,294

 
5,420

 
9,817

 
11,047

Information technology
7,453

 
3,882

 
16,163

 
7,912

Other
6,541

 
6,934

 
15,937

 
12,909

 
59,226

 
57,324

 
123,735

 
110,926

Gain on real estate owned, net
3,894

 
1,473

 
5,314

 
1,788

Income before income taxes
63,222

 
62,819

 
117,637

 
122,596

Income tax provision
21,499

 
22,458

 
40,816

 
43,828

NET INCOME
$
41,723

 
$
40,361

 
$
76,821

 
$
78,768

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PER SHARE DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings
$
0.45

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.83

 
$
0.81

Diluted earnings
0.45

 
0.42

 
0.83

 
0.81

Cash dividends per share
0.14

 
0.13

 
0.27

 
0.28

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
91,777,771

 
96,373,366

 
92,385,367

 
97,270,403

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
92,147,998

 
96,725,234

 
92,860,052

 
97,635,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
1.14
%
 
1.11
%
 
1.05
%
 
1.08
%
Return on average common equity
8.51

 
8.29

 
7.83

 
8.06

Net interest margin
3.16

 
3.10

 
3.17

 
3.05

Efficiency ratio
50.60

 
49.97

 
52.75

 
49.90


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