Western New England Bancorp, Inc. 8-K 

Exhibit 99.1 

 

	For further information contact:
	James C. Hagan, President and CEO
	Guida R. Sajdak, Executive Vice President and CFO
	Meghan Hibner, Vice President and Investor Relations Officer
	413-568-1911

 

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. REPORTS RESULTS FOR THREE AND SIX MONTHS

ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 AND DECLARES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND

 

Westfield, Massachusetts, July 27, 2021: Western New England Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “WNEB”) (NasdaqGS: WNEB), the holding company for Westfield Bank (the “Bank”), announced today the unaudited results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported net income of $5.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020. On a linked quarter basis, net income was $5.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $5.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net income was $11.4 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

The Company also announced that the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on or about August 25, 2021 to shareholders of record on August 11, 2021.

 

James C. Hagan, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to report that we generated strong earnings for the third consecutive quarter despite the business disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year. Our ongoing and continuing commitment to support our borrowers and small business customers during the pandemic generated $4.0 million in Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) interest and origination fee income (collectively “PPP income”) during the six months ended June 30, 2021. In response to the low interest rate environment and due to the proper positioning of our liability-sensitive balance sheet, we were also able to benefit from the rapid decline in interest rates, significantly reducing our total interest expense by $7.2 million, or 65.2%, year-over-year. We continue to accumulate cash on our balance sheet due to the inflow of deposits from PPP forgiveness and various governmental efforts to support the economy. As a result, total deposits increased $232.7 million, or 12.0%, year-over-year. Due to excess cash on the balance sheet, the net interest margin, excluding PPP income, decreased from 3.03% in the first quarter of 2021 to 2.98% in the second quarter of 2021, but increased 26 basis points from 2.72% during the second quarter of 2020. We are pleased to report an increase in the commercial loan portfolio of $46.3 million, or 4.4%, excluding PPP loans, since year-end 2020, notwithstanding industry-wide pandemic related slowdowns in demand, and the commercial loan pipeline remains strong as we enter the third quarter.

 

We have successfully maintained our asset quality metrics at their historical levels over the course of the pandemic. Loan deferrals decreased from 14.7% on June 30, 2020 to 3.2% on June 30, 2021. Total delinquency and non-performing loans, excluding PPP loans, remain low at acceptable levels of 0.25% and 0.34%, respectively. Year-over-year, total non-performing loans decreased $4.4 million, or 42.4%, to $6.0 million at June 30, 2021. After careful review of our overall asset quality metrics and considering the improving economic trends, we released $1.2 million in reserves during the second quarter of 2021. Even after this release, our allowance for loan losses to total loans, excluding PPP loans, was 1.12% at June 30, 2021, compared to 0.79% at December 31, 2019, pre-COVID-19, evidencing our continuing prudent asset quality practices.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we purchased 1.3 million shares of our common stock at an average price per share of $8.22, representing 95% of our tangible book value at quarter end. We continue to believe that the stock repurchase plan is a solid investment for our shareholders and provides us with the opportunity to leverage our capital and enhance shareholder value.

 

We remain optimistic that over the next 12-24 months, the economy will continue to return to pre-COVID-19 levels as the impacts of the vaccine and government stimulus take effect. We anticipate that we will see an increasing demand for our consumer and commercial loan products and will be able to fully leverage our cash and investment portfolio to benefit our net interest margin and to continue to enhance shareholder value.”

 

 

COVID-19 Response and Actions:

 

As a Preferred Lender with the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), the Company was in a position to react immediately to the PPP component of the March 27, 2020 stimulus bill known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) launched by the U.S Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) and the SBA. The Company received funding approval from the SBA for 2,146 applications totaling $302.2 million. The table below breaks out the Company’s PPP loans as of June 30, 2021:

 

		Original Loan Amount				Original # of Loans				Balance Outstanding				# of Loans Remaining
($ in millions)
Round 1 and 2		$	223.1				1,386			$	33.6				140
Round 3			79.1				760				71.9				665
Total		$	302.2				2,146			$	105.5				805

 

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had processed 1,341 PPP loan forgiveness applications totaling $196.7 million. Total PPP loans decreased $61.7 million, or 36.9%, from $167.3 million at December 31, 2020 to $105.5 million at June 30, 2021. PPP origination fees are recognized into interest income over the term of the respective loan, or sooner if the loans are forgiven by the SBA, or the borrowers otherwise pay down principal prior to the stated maturity.

 

We anticipate that by the end of 2021, the majority of the PPP loan portfolio will be repaid through forgiveness and earnings will continue to be favorably impacted by the additional PPP income over the next two quarters. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recognized $4.0 million of PPP income, compared to $1.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

In addition to participating in the PPP, the Company granted deferred loan payments for impacted commercial, residential and consumer borrowers who experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. The request for additional deferrals has significantly declined since the beginning of the pandemic. As of June 30, 2020, modifications granted under the CARES Act totaled $261.0 million (525 loans), for which principal and interest payments were deferred, and represented 14.7% of the total loan portfolio, excluding PPP loans. As of June 30, 2021, modifications granted under the CARES Act declined to $57.0 million (20 loans), or 3.2% of total loans, excluding PPP loans. Of the $57.0 million in remaining modifications, $46.6 million (14 loans), or 81.6%, have resumed interest only payments. The table below breaks out the remaining modifications granted under the CARES Act at June 30, 2021:

 

											Remaining CARES Act Modifications
Loan Segment(1)(2)			Total Loan Segment Balance at June 30, 2021				% of Total Loans				Modification Balance				# of Loans Modified				% of Loan Segment Balance
($ in millions)
Commercial real estate		$	876.7				49.5	%		$	53.4				13				6.1	%
Commercial and industrial			215.4				12.2	%			2.5				5				1.2	%
Residential real estate			675.1				38.1	%			1.1				2				0.2	%
Consumer			4.6				0.2	%			—				—				—
Total		$	1,771.8				100.0	%		$	57.0				20				3.2	%

 

(1)

Excludes PPP loans of $105.5 million and deferred fees

(2)

Residential includes home equity loans and lines of credit

 

 

On May 28, 2021, the Governor of Massachusetts signed an Executive Order (the “Order”) terminating the Commonwealth’s State of Emergency effective June 15, 2021. The Order also rescinded most COVID-19 restrictions and all industries in the Commonwealth were permitted to open with capacity increased to 100% effective May 29, 2021.

 

The Company continues to monitor COVID-19’s impact on its business and customers, however, the extent to which COVID-19 will impact its results and operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Loans and Deposits

 

At June 30, 2021, total loans were $1.9 billion, a decrease of $50.4 million, or 2.6%, from December 31, 2020. Excluding PPP loans of $105.5 million at June 30, 2021, total loans increased $11.4 million, or 0.6%, from December 31, 2020. Total deposits increased $142.5 million, or 7.0%, from $2.0 billion at December 31, 2020 to $2.2 billion at June 30, 2021. Specifically, core deposits, which include non-interest bearing demand accounts, increased $279.2 million, or 19.3%, from $1.4 billion, or 71.0% of total deposits, at December 31, 2020, to $1.7 billion, or 79.2% of total deposits at June 30, 2021.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

 

At June 30, 2021, excluding PPP loans of $105.5 million, the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans and as a percentage of non-performing loans was 1.12% and 331.8%, respectively. At June 30, 2021, non-performing loans totaled $6.0 million, or 0.34% of total loans, excluding PPP loans, compared to $10.4 million, or 0.59% of total loans, excluding PPP loans, at June 30, 2020, and $7.8 million, or 0.45% of total loans, excluding PPP loans, at December 31, 2020. Total delinquency decreased $9.1 million, or 67.3%, from 0.77% of total loans, excluding PPP loans, at December 31, 2020 to 0.25% of total loans, excluding PPP loans, at June 30, 2021.

 

Net Interest Margin

 

The net interest margin was 3.06% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 3.24% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.08% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 3.26% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Excluding PPP income of $1.6 million and $2.4 million, the net interest margin was 2.98% and 3.03% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively, due to excess cash on the balance sheet during both periods.

 

Repurchases

 

On October 27, 2020, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan (the “2020 Plan”) under which the Company was authorized to purchase up to 1.3 million shares, or 5% of its outstanding common stock. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company repurchased 326,936 shares of common stock under the 2020 Plan and completed the 2020 Plan on May 20, 2021. On April 27, 2021, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan (the “2021 Plan”) under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 2.4 million shares, or 10% of its outstanding common stock. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company repurchased 308,985 shares of common stock under the 2021 Plan. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company repurchased 1,344,355 shares at an average price of $8.22. At June 30, 2021, there were 2,091,015 shares available for purchase under the 2021 Plan.

 

 

The table below breaks out the Company’s repurchase activity under the 2020 Plan and the 2021 Plan:

 

2020 Plan						2021 Plan
Period		Average price per share ($)		Total number of shares purchased		Period		Average price per share ($)		Total number of shares purchased
10/27/20 – 12/31/20		6.58		264,630		05/20/21 – 6/30/21		8.30		308,985
01/01/21 – 03/31/21		8.12		708,434
04/01/21 – 05/20/21		8.37		326,936
Total		7.87		1,300,000		Total		8.30		308,985

 

The shares purchased under the 2021 Plan will be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, depending upon market conditions. There is no guarantee as to the exact number, or value, of shares that will be repurchased by the Company, and the Company may discontinue repurchases at any time that management determines additional repurchases are not warranted. The timing and amount of share repurchases under the 2021 Plan will depend on a number of factors, including the Company’s stock price performance, ongoing capital planning considerations, general market conditions, and applicable legal requirements.

 

Net Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

 

The Company reported net income of $5.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to net income of $5.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.92% and 10.16%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to 0.98% and 10.35%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

 

On a sequential quarter basis, net interest income decreased $222,000, or 1.2%, to $17.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, from $18.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to a $381,000, or 1.9%, decrease in interest and dividend income, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $159,000, or 7.9%. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a $268,000, or 15.5%, decrease in interest expense on deposits and a decrease of $88,000, or 32.2%, in interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowings, partially offset by interest expense on subordinated debt of $197,000.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021 and the three months ended March 31, 2021, interest and dividend income included PPP income of $1.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recorded $33,000 in negative purchase accounting adjustments, compared to negative purchase accounting adjustments of $45,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2021. In addition, during the three months ended June 30, 2021, interest and dividend income included prepayment penalties from commercial loan payoffs of $117,000, compared to $35,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Excluding PPP income, prepayment penalties and purchase accounting adjustments, net interest income increased $468,000, or 3.0%, from the three months ended March 31, 2021 to the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

The net interest margin was 3.06% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 3.24% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.08% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 3.26% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Excluding PPP income of $1.6 million, the net interest margin was 2.98% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 3.03% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, prepayment penalties totaled $117,000, which contributed to an increase in the net interest margin of two basis points, compared to $35,000, or one basis point, during the three months ended March 31, 2021. During the three months ended June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021, the Company recorded $33,000 and $45,000 in negative purchase account adjustments, both of which decreased the net interest margin by one basis point during each period. Excluding the adjustments discussed above, the net interest margin decreased from 3.03% during the three months ended March 31, 2021 to 2.97% during the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

 

The average yield on interest-earning assets was 3.40% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 3.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The average loan yield was 3.87% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 4.05% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Excluding the adjustments discussed above, the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 11 basis points from 3.44% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to 3.33% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, while the average loan yield decreased 6 basis points from 3.88% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to 3.82% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The decreases in average yields were primarily due to the repricing of variable rate loans and lower average yields on new loan originations as well as increases in cash from PPP loan payoffs and deposits. Total average loans were 82.0% of total average interest-earning assets for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 85.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Average PPP loans decreased $11.0 million, or 6.6%, from $166.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to $155.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, average interest-earning assets increased $74.8 million, or 3.3%, to $2.3 billion, primarily due to an increase in average securities of $66.7 million, or 29.3%, an increase in average short-term investments of $19.9 million, or 20.9%, partially offset by a decrease in average loans of $12.2 million, or 0.6%. Excluding average PPP loans of $155.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021 and $166.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, average loans decreased $1.2 million, or 0.1%, from the three months ended March 31, 2021 to the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

The average cost of funds, including non-interest bearing accounts and borrowings, decreased five basis points from 0.38% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to 0.33% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The average cost of core deposits, including non-interest bearing demand deposits, decreased two basis points to 0.19% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, from 0.21% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The average cost of time deposits decreased 11 basis points from 0.67% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to 0.56% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The average cost of borrowings increased 71 basis points from 2.10% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to 2.81% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, due to the issuance of $20.0 million in subordinated debt.

 

Average FHLB borrowings decreased $13.8 million, or 26.1%, from $52.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to $38.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Average demand deposits, an interest-free source of funds, increased $41.7 million, or 7.4%, from $561.6 million, or 27.0% of total average deposits, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, to $603.3 million, or 27.9% of total average deposits, for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

The Company recorded a credit for loan losses of $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to a provision for loan losses of $75,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in the provision for loan losses was primarily driven by changes in the qualitative factors related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic trends used in the Company’s allowance calculation. Management continues to assess the exposure of the Company’s loan portfolio to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic trends and their potential effect on asset quality. The Company has deferred the adoption of the Current Expected Credit Loss Impairments Model, as permitted by its classification as a Smaller Reporting Company by the Securities and Exchange Commission. For a breakout of the Company’s credit concentration, please see the “Credit Quality” section in this release. Management will continue to closely monitor portfolio conditions and reevaluate the adequacy of the allowance.

 

The Company recorded net charge-offs of $157,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to net charge-offs of $5,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. At June 30, 2021, non-performing loans totaled $6.0 million, or 0.32% of total loans, and total delinquency as a percentage of total loans was 0.24%. Excluding PPP loans of $105.5 million at June 30, 2021, non-performing loans to total loans was 0.34%, and total delinquency as a percentage of total loans was 0.25%. Excluding PPP loans of $170.1 million at March 31, 2021, non-performing loans to total loans was 0.39% and total delinquency as a percentage of total loans was 0.53%. As of June 30, 2021, the Company’s delinquency and nonperforming assets have not been materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Non-Interest Income

 

On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest income decreased $595,000, or 19.8%, to $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, from $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recognized a loss on interest rate swap termination of $402,000 representing the unamortized portion of a $3.4 million loss associated with the previous termination of a $32.5 million interest rate swap on March 16, 2016. The unamortized portion of the loss was previously reported in accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized through interest expense, however, as the previously hedged item was discontinued, the Company accelerated the remaining unamortized loss. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company reported a gain of $546,000 on non-marketable equity investments. Excluding these items, non-interest income increased $353,000, or 14.4%, from $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 to $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, service charges and fees on deposits increased $192,000, or 10.2%, primarily due to a $142,000, or 14.4%, increase in ATM debit card interchange income from increased card-based transaction usage across our checking account base. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, mortgage banking income from the sale of fixed rate residential real estate loans totaled $242,000, compared to $227,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Income from bank-owned life insurance increased $59,000, or 13.4%, and other income from loan-level swap fees on commercial loans decreased $58,000 from the three months ended March 31, 2021 to the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported unrealized gains on marketable equity securities of $6,000, compared to unrealized losses of $89,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company also reported realized losses on the sale of securities of $12,000 and $62,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2021 and the three months ended March 31, 2021, respectively. Gains and losses from the investment portfolio vary from quarter to quarter based on market conditions, as well as the related yield curve and valuation changes.

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, non-interest expense increased $347,000, or 2.6%, to $13.7 million, from $13.3 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Salaries and employee benefits costs increased $372,000, or 4.8%, to $8.1 million. The increase in salary related expenses was partially due to a $146,000, or 29.2%, decrease in deferred direct origination costs associated with Round 3 of PPP loans. The origination costs were recorded against salary expense during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Other non-interest expense increased $79,000, or 4.0%, professional fees increased $45,000, or 8.3%, data processing increased $37,000, or 5.1%, furniture and equipment expenses increased $23,000, or 4.7%, and advertising expense increased $9,000, or 2.7%. Occupancy expense decreased $190,000, or 14.7%, due to a $144,000, or 99.4%, decrease in seasonal snow removal costs. In addition, FDIC insurance expense decreased $73,000, or 24.5%. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company prepaid $32.5 million of FHLB borrowings, which resulted in a loss of $45,000. For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the efficiency ratio was 66.1%, compared to 64.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

 

Income Tax Provision

 

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $2.1 million, representing an effective tax rate of 27.0%, compared to $1.8 million, representing an effective tax rate of 24.1%, for three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in the effective tax rate reflects higher projected pre-tax income for the year ending December 31, 2021.

 

 

Net Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

The Company reported net income of $5.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to net income of $2.0 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Return on average assets and return on average equity was 0.92% and 10.16%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to 0.35% and 3.54%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in net income of $3.6 million, or 179.7%, was due to a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $3.7 million and an increase in net interest income of $2.7 million, or 18.0%, partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense of $1.4 million, or 11.7%.

 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

 

Net interest income increased $2.7 million, or 18.0%, to $17.8 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2021, from $15.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase was due to a decrease in interest expense of $3.4 million, or 64.7%, partially offset by a decrease of $678,000, or 3.3%, in interest and dividend income. Interest expense on deposits decreased $2.4 million, or 61.6%, and interest expense on borrowings decreased $1.0 million, or 73.1%.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, net interest income included $1.6 million PPP income, compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Excluding PPP income, net interest income increased $2.3 million, or 17.0%, primarily due to a decrease in interest expense of $3.4 million, or 64.7%.

 

The net interest margin was 3.06% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 2.74% for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.08% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 2.76% for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in the net interest margin was due to the continuing trend of market interest rates falling to historically low levels, allowing the Company to reprice interest-bearing liabilities.

 

The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 31 basis points from 3.71% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 to 3.40% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the average cost of funds, including non-interest-bearing demand accounts and borrowings, decreased 68 basis points from 1.01% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 to 0.33% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The average cost of core deposits, which include non-interest-bearing demand accounts, decreased eight basis points from 0.27% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 to 0.19% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The average cost of time deposits decreased 131 basis points from 1.87% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 to 0.56% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The average cost of FHLB borrowings decreased 64 basis points during the same period. For the three months ended June 30, 2021, average demand deposits, an interest-free source of funds, increased $98.4 million, or 19.5%, to $603.3 million, or 27.9% of total average deposits, from $504.9 million, or 27.0% of total average deposits for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, average interest-earning assets increased $116.3 million, or 5.3%, to $2.3 billion compared to the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to an increase in average securities of $76.2 million, or 35.0%, and an increase in short-term investments of $94.2 million, or 456.7%. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $48.5 million, or 2.5%, in average loans. Excluding average PPP loans, average interest-earning assets increased $113.7 million, or 5.5%, and average loans decreased $51.1 million, or 2.8%, from the three months ended June 30, 2020 to the three months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

The Company recorded a credit for loan losses of $1.2 million for three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to a provision for loan losses of $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Company recorded net charge-offs of $157,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to net charge-offs of $34,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in the provision for loan losses during the three months ended June 30, 2021 was primarily due to an improvement in economic forecasts for the quarter, compared to the same quarter in 2020. Management continues to assess the exposure of the Company’s loan portfolio to the COVID-19 pandemic related factors, economic trends and their potential effect on asset quality.

 

 

Non-Interest Income

 

Non-interest income increased $322,000, or 15.4%, to $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, from $2.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Excluding the loss on interest rate swap termination discussed above, non-interest income increased $724,000, or 34.7%, during the same period. Service charges and fees increased $516,000, or 33.1%, primarily due to an increase in ATM and debit card interchange income of $287,000, or 34.0%, due to increased transaction usage across our checking account base. Income from bank-owned life insurance increased $20,000, or 4.2%, and mortgage banking income from the sale of fixed rate residential real estate loans to the secondary market totaled $242,000. The Company did not sell loans to the secondary market during the three months ended June 30, 2020.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported unrealized gains on marketable equity securities of $6,000, compared to unrealized gains of $35,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. In addition, during the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported losses on the sale of securities of $12,000, compared to realized gains on the sale of securities of $13,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, non-interest expense increased $1.4 million, or 11.7%, to $13.7 million from $12.2 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in non-interest expense was partially due to an increase in salaries and benefits of $887,000, or 12.4%, due to normal annual salary increases and a higher number of positions to support our branch expansion compared to the same period in 2020, and higher compensation incentive costs to support the overall franchise growth. Other non-interest expense increased $252,000, or 14.1%, furniture and equipment increased $150,000, or 41.3%, advertising expense increased $128,000, or 58.4%, data processing increased $51,000, or 7.2%, and occupancy expense increased $27,000, or 2.5%. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company prepaid $32.5 million of FHLB borrowings resulting in a loss of $45,000. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in FDIC insurance expense of $63,000, or 21.9%, and a decrease in professional fees of $48,000, or 7.5%. For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the efficiency ratio was 66.1%, compared to 71.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

 

Income Tax Provision

 

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $2.1 million, representing an effective tax rate of 27.0%, compared to $463,000, representing an effective tax rate of 18.6%, for three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate is a result of higher pre-tax projected income for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

 

Net Income for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported net income of $11.4 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared to $4.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Return on average assets and return on average equity were 0.95% and 10.25% for the six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to 0.36% and 3.58% for the six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.

 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, net interest income increased $6.2 million, or 20.9%, to $35.8 million, compared to $29.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in net interest income was due to a $7.2 million, or 65.2%, decrease in interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in interest and dividend income of $1.0 million, or 2.5%. The decrease in interest expense was due to a $4.9 million, or 60.3%, decrease in interest expense on deposits and a decrease of $2.4 million, or 78.3%, in interest expense on borrowings. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, interest and dividend income included $4.0 million in PPP income, compared to $1.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. Excluding PPP income, net interest income increased $3.4 million, or 12.0%.

 

 

The net interest margin for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was 3.15%, compared to 2.80% during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.17% for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 2.82% for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Excluding the PPP income, the net interest margin increased from 2.78% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to 3.01% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in the net interest margin was due to the continuing trend of market interest rates falling to historically low levels, allowing the Company to reprice interest-bearing liabilities.

 

The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 36 basis points from 3.87% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to 3.51% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the average cost of funds, including non-interest-bearing demand accounts and borrowings, decreased 75 basis points from 1.11% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to 0.36% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the average cost of core deposits, including non-interest-bearing demand deposits, decreased 10 basis points from 0.30% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to 0.20% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The average cost of time deposits decreased 136 basis points from 1.98% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to 0.62% during the same period in 2021. The average cost of borrowings, which include FHLB advances and subordinated debt, decreased 21 basis points from 2.68% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to 2.47% for the six months ended June 20, 2021. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, average demand deposits, an interest-free source of funds, increased $135.8 million, or 30.4%, from $446.7 million, or 25.1% of total average deposits, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to $582.5 million, or 27.4% of total average deposits, for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, average interest-earning assets increased $164.7 million, or 7.7%, to $2.3 billion. The increase in average interest-earning assets was due to an increase in average loans of $46.2 million, or 2.5%, an increase in average securities of $39.0 million, or 17.6%, and an increase of $85.9 million, or 449.8%, in short-term investments, partially offset by a $6.4 million, or 39.1%, decrease in average other investments. Excluding average PPP loans, average interest-earning assets increased $80.2 million, or 3.9%, and average loans decreased $38.3 million, or 2.1%.

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the provision for loan losses decreased $5.7 million, or 124.7%, from $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to a credit for loan losses of $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease in the provision for loan losses was primarily driven by changes in the qualitative factors related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic trends used in the Company’s allowance calculation.

 

The Company recorded net charge-offs of $162,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to net charge-offs of $399,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recorded charge-offs of $224,000, compared to $493,000 during the same period in 2020.

 

Non-Interest Income

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, non-interest income was $5.4 million, an increase of $801,000, or 17.4%, compared to $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Excluding the gain on equity investments of $546,000 and the loss on interest rate swap termination of $402,000 during the 2021 period, non-interest income increased $657,000, or 14.2%. Service charges and fees increased $625,000, or 18.8%, primarily due to a $529,000, or 33.3%, increase in ATM debit card interchange income due to increased card-based transaction usage across our checking account base. Mortgage banking income was $469,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, due to the sale of fixed rate residential real estate loans to the secondary market. The Company did not sell any fixed rate residential real estate loans during the six months ended June 30, 2020. Other income from loan-level swap fees on commercial loans decreased $127,000, or 68.6%, and income from bank-owned life insurance increased $20,000, or 2.2%.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported unrealized losses on marketable equity securities of $83,000, compared to unrealized gains of $137,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported realized losses on the sale of securities of $74,000, compared to realized gains of $36,000 on the sale of securities during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, non-interest expense increased $2.4 million, or 9.9%, to $27.0 million, compared to $24.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $1.4 million, or 9.7%, due to normal annual salary increases and a higher number of positions to support our branch expansion compared to the same period in 2020, as well as higher compensation incentive costs to support the overall franchise growth. Other non-interest expense increased $350,000, or 9.6%, furniture and equipment increased $249,000, or 33.0%, occupancy expense increased $149,000, or 6.7%, data processing expenses increased $57,000, or 4.0%, advertising expense increased $214,000, or 45.4%, and FDIC insurance expense increased $84,000, or 19.1%. The increase in FDIC insurance expense aligns with the growth of the average assets on which the insurance assessment is based. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in professional fees of $103,000, or 8.3%. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the efficiency ratio was 65.3%, compared to 72.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

Income Tax Provision

 

Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $3.9 million, representing an effective tax rate of 25.5%, compared to $1.0 million, representing an effective tax rate of 20.3%, for six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in the Company’s effective tax rate was primarily due to the effect of higher projected pre-tax income for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

 

Balance Sheet

 

At June 30, 2021, total assets were $2.5 billion, an increase of $110.7 million, or 4.7%, from December 31, 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, cash and cash equivalents increased $18.1 million, or 20.6%, to $105.5 million; investment securities increased $137.0 million, or 64.1%, to $350.9 million and net loans decreased $49.1 million, or 2.6%, to $1.9 billion. The high level of cash and cash equivalents is due to an increase in core deposits and PPP loan payoffs.

 

Investments

 

At June 30, 2021, the Company’s available-for-sale securities portfolio increased $29.3 million, or 14.5%, from $201.9 million at December 31, 2020 to $231.2 million at June 30, 2021. The held-to-maturity securities portfolio, recorded at amortized cost, totaled $107.8 million at June 30, 2021. The primary objective of the investment portfolio is to provide liquidity and maximize income while preserving the safety of principal.

 

Loans

 

Total loans were $1.9 billion as of June 30, 2021, a decrease of $50.4 million, or 2.6%, from December 31, 2020, primarily due to a decrease in PPP loans of $61.7 million, or 36.9%. Excluding PPP loans, total loans increased $11.4 million, or 0.6%, driven by an increase in commercial real estate loans of $42.7 million, or 5.1%, and an increase in commercial and industrial loans of $3.5 million, or 1.7%. Residential real estate loans, which include home equity loans, decreased $33.5 million, or 4.7%, as we continue to focus on diversifying our loan mix and reducing our exposure to long-term fixed rate one to-four family residential loans.

 

In accordance with the Company’s asset/liability management strategy and in an effort to reduce interest rate risk, during the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company sold $18.0 million of fixed rate, low coupon residential real estate loans to the secondary market. There were no loans sold during 2020. As of June 30, 2021, the Company serviced $50.9 million in loans sold to the secondary market, compared to $38.1 million at December 31, 2020. Servicing rights will continue to be retained on all loans written and sold to the secondary market.

 

 

The following table is a summary of our outstanding loan balances for the periods indicated:

 

		June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate loans		$	876,672			$	833,949
Residential real estate loans:
Residential			574,207				604,719
Home equity			100,891				103,905
Total residential real estate loans			675,098				708,624
Commercial and industrial loans
PPP loans			105,513				167,258
Commercial and industrial loans			215,361				211,823
Total commercial and industrial loans			320,874				379,081
Consumer loans			4,615				5,192
Total gross loans			1,877,259				1,926,846
Unamortized PPP loan fees			(3,179	)			(3,050	)
Unamortized premiums and net deferred loans fees and costs			2,908				3,587
Total loans		$	1,876,988			$	1,927,383

 

Credit Quality

 

Management continues to remain attentive to any signs of deterioration in borrowers’ financial conditions and is proactive in taking the appropriate steps to mitigate risk. At June 30, 2021, nonperforming loans totaled $6.0 million, or 0.34% of total loans, excluding PPP loans, compared to $7.8 million, or 0.45% of total loans, excluding PPP loans, at December 31, 2020. At June 30, 2021, there were no loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest. Nonperforming assets to total assets, excluding PPP loans, was 0.25% at June 30, 2021, compared to 0.36% at December 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, excluding PPP loans which do not require an allowance for loan losses, was 1.12% at June 30, 2021, compared to 1.20% at December 31, 2020. At June 30, 2021, the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 331.8%, compared to 269.8% at December 31, 2020.

 

 

The following table provides some insight into the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio and loan modifications, excluding PPP loans, as of June 30, 2021:

 

Commercial Real Estate Loans		% of Total Loans (1)				% of Bank Risk-Based Capital				% of Segment Balance Modified (2)
Apartment			10.0	%			67.9	%			—
Office			8.1	%			54.8	%			—
Industrial			7.1	%			48.3	%			0.2	%
Retail/Shopping			6.6	%			44.8	%			—
Hotel			3.1	%			20.8	%			5.9	%
Residential non-owner			3.4	%			23.2	%			—
Auto sales			2.2	%			15.2	%			—
Mixed-use			2.0	%			13.9	%			—
Adult care/Assisted living			2.2	%			14.8	%			—
College/school			1.6	%			10.8	%			—
Other			1.5	%			9.0	%			—
Auto service			0.6	%			3.7	%			—
Gas station/convenience store			0.6	%			4.0	%			—
Restaurant			0.5	%			3.4	%			—
Total commercial real estate loans			49.5	%							6.1	%

 

Commercial and Industrial Loans		% of Total Loans (1)				% of Bank Risk-Based Capital				% of Segment Balance Modified (2)
Manufacturing			2.5	%			17.2	%			—
Wholesale trade			2.2	%			14.6	%			—
Specialty trade			0.8	%			5.3	%			—
Heavy and civil engineering construction			1.0	%			6.9	%			—
Educational services			1.1	%			7.5	%			—
Transportation and warehouse			0.3	%			2.3	%			0.8	%
Healthcare and social assistance			0.3	%			2.1	%			—
Auto sales			0.4	%			2.8	%			—
Hotel			0.1	%			1.1	%			0.3	%
All other C&I (3)			3.5	%			22.5	%			0.1	%
Total commercial and industrial loans			12.2	%							1.2	%

 

 

Residential and Consumer Loans		% of Total Loans (1)				% of Bank Risk-Based Capital				% of Segment Balance Modified (2)
Residential real estate			38.1	%			257.8	%			0.2	%
Consumer			0.2	%			1.8	%			—
Total residential and consumer loans			38.3	%							0.2	%

 

Loan Segment		% of Total Loans (1)				% of Bank Risk-Based Capital				% of SegmentBalance Modified (2)
Commercial real estate			49.5	%			334.7	%			6.1	%
Commercial and industrial			12.2	%			82.2	%			1.2	%
Residential real estate			38.1	%			257.8	%			0.2	%
Consumer			0.2	%			1.8	%			—
Total			100.0	%							3.2	%

 

(1)

Excludes PPP loans of $105.5 million as of June 30, 2021.

(2)

Modified balances as of June 30, 2021 (Commercial real estate loans $53.4 million; Commercial and industrial loans $2.5 million; and Residential real estate loans $1.1 million).

(3)

Other consists of multiple industries.

 

Although the Bank’s loan portfolio contains impacted sectors, the concentration limits remain acceptable, with no sector, excluding commercial and residential real estate, representing more than 100% of the Bank’s total risk-based capital. The Company monitors lending exposure by industry classification to determine potential risk associated with industry concentrations, if any, that could lead to additional credit loss exposure. As stated above, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company identified sectors that have been materially impacted including, but not limited to: hospitality, retail, and restaurants and food service. These sectors potentially carry a higher level of credit risk, as many of these borrowers have incurred a significant negative impact to their businesses resulting from the governmental stay-at-home orders as well as travel limitations.

 

Deposits

 

At June 30, 2021, total deposits were $2.2 billion, an increase of $142.5 million, or 7.0%, from December 31, 2020, primarily due to an increase in core deposits of $279.2 million, or 19.3%. Core deposits, which the Company defines as all deposits except time deposits, increased from $1.4 billion, or 71.0% of total deposits, at December 31, 2020, to $1.7 billion, or 79.2% of total deposits, at June 30, 2021. Non-interest-bearing deposits increased $58.1 million, or 10.7%, to $599.9 million, interest-bearing checking accounts increased $32.6 million, or 34.3%, to $127.5 million, savings accounts increased $33.5 million, or 19.7%, to $203.8 million, and money market accounts increased $155.0 million, or 24.2%, to $795.7 million. The increase in core deposits can be attributed to the government stimulus, lower consumer spending, PPP loan proceeds deposited into borrower checking accounts, as well as the three new branches opened in 2020.

 

Time deposits decreased $136.7 million, or 23.2%, from $590.3 million at December 31, 2020 to $453.6 million at June 30, 2021. Brokered deposits, which are included within time deposits, were $25.3 million at June 30, 2021 and $55.3 million at December 31, 2020.

 

 

FHLB and Subordinated Debt

 

At June 30, 2021, total borrowings decreased $33.2 million, or 57.3%, from $57.9 million at December 31, 2020, to $24.6 million. FHLB advances decreased $52.9 million, or 91.4%, to $5.0 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company prepaid $32.5 million of FHLB borrowings with a weighted average rate of 2.03%. The prepayment took place on June 30, 2021 and was accounted for as an early extinguishment of debt, resulting in a loss of $45,000 reported within non-interest expense. The extinguishment had no negative effect on our regulatory capital ratios since we reduced the size of our balance sheet. The extinguishment of the high-cost FHLB borrowings is expected to benefit the Company’s net interest margin and net interest income compared to what we otherwise would have expected.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company successfully completed an offering of $20.0 million in subordinated debt.

 

Capital

 

At June 30, 2021, shareholders’ equity was $223.7 million, or 9.0% of total assets, compared to $226.6 million, or 9.6% of total assets, at December 31, 2020. The decrease in shareholders’ equity reflects $11.1 million for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock, the payment of regular cash dividends of $2.4 million and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $1.9 million, partially offset by net income of $11.4 million. Total shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021 were 24,070,399.

 

Capital Management

 

The Company’s book value per share was $9.29 at June 30, 2021 compared to $8.97 at December 31, 2020, while tangible book value per share increased $0.30, or 3.6%, from $8.36 at December 31, 2020 to $8.66 at June 30, 2021. As of June 30, 2021, the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios continued to exceed the levels required to be considered “well-capitalized” under federal banking regulations.

 

Dividends

 

Although the Company has historically paid quarterly dividends on its common stock and currently intends to continue to pay such dividends, the Company’s ability to pay such dividends depends on a number of factors, including restrictions under federal laws and regulations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends, and as a result, there can be no assurance that dividends will continue to be paid in the future.

 

About Western New England Bancorp, Inc.

 

Western New England Bancorp, Inc. is a Massachusetts-chartered stock holding company and the parent company of Westfield Bank, CSB Colts, Inc., Elm Street Securities Corporation, WFD Securities, Inc. and WB Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Western New England Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries are headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts and operate 25 banking offices throughout western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. To learn more, visit our website at www.westfieldbank.com.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, future performance, business, measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the COVID-19 impact on the Company’s business. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.” Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

●

the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and the local, national and global impact of COVID-19;

●

actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;

●

the speed and effectiveness of vaccine and treatment developments and their deployment, including public adoption rates of COVID-19 vaccines;

●

the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides;

●

changes in the interest rate environment that reduce margins;

●

the effect on our operations of governmental legislation and regulation, including changes in accounting regulation or standards, the nature and timing of the adoption and effectiveness of new requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”), Basel guidelines, capital requirements and other applicable laws and regulations;

●

the highly competitive industry and market area in which we operate;

●

general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality;

●

changes in business conditions and inflation;

●

changes in credit market conditions;

●

the inability to realize expected cost savings or achieve other anticipated benefits in connection with business combinations and other acquisitions;

●

changes in the securities markets which affect investment management revenues;

●

increases in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance premiums and assessments;

●

changes in technology used in the banking business;

●

the soundness of other financial services institutions which may adversely affect our credit risk;

●

certain of our intangible assets may become impaired in the future;

●

our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented;

●

new lines of business or new products and services, which may subject us to additional risks;

●

changes in key management personnel which may adversely impact our operations;

●

severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events which could significantly impact our business; and

●

other factors detailed from time to time in our SEC filings.

 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We do not undertake any obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.

 

 

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Net Income and Other Data

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended																				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				March 31,				December 31,				September 30,				June 30,				June 30,
		2021				2021				2020				2020				2020				2021				2020
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
Loans		$	18,321			$	19,120			$	20,727			$	19,364			$	18,999			$	37,441			$	37,746
Securities			1,277				854				825				953				1,165				2,131				2,564
Other investments			28				35				130				118				157				63				339
Short-term investments			26				24				26				12				9				50				71
Total interest and dividend income			19,652				20,033				21,708				20,447				20,330				39,685				40,720
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits			1,466				1,734				2,257				3,190				3,817				3.200				8,053
Long-term debt			185				273				656				789				874				458				1,888
Subordinated debt			197				—				—				—				—				197				—
Short-term borrowings			—				—				—				478				547				—				1,134
Total interest expense			1,848				2,007				2,913				4,457				5,238				3,855				11,075
Net interest and dividend income			17,804				18,026				18,795				15,990				15,092				35,830				29,645
(CREDIT) PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES			(1,200	)			75				500				2,725				2,450				(1,125	)			4,550
Net interest and dividend income after (credit) provision for loan losses			19,004				17,951				18,295				13,265				12,642				36,955				25,095
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Service charges and fees			2,075				1,883				1,970				1,764				1,559				3,958				3,333
Income from bank-owned life insurance			500				441				444				444				480				941				921
(Loss) gain on sales of securities, net			(12	)			(62	)			—				1,929				13				(74	)			36
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable equity securities			6				(89	)			(24	)			(4	)			35				(83	)			137
Gain on sale of mortgages			242				227				—				—				—				469				—
Gain on non-marketable equity investments			—				546				—				—				—				546				—
Loss on interest rate swap termination			(402	)			—				—				(2,353	)			—				(402	)			—
Other income			—				58				72				397				—				58				185
Total non-interest income			2,409				3,004				2,462				2,177				2,087				5,413				4,612
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employees benefits			8,054				7,682				7,806				7,204				7,167				15,736				14,339
Occupancy			1,099				1,289				1,161				1,120				1,072				2,388				2,239
Furniture and equipment			513				490				362				421				363				1,003				754
Data processing			758				721				711				768				707				1,479				1,422
Professional fees			589				544				521				615				637				1,133				1,236
FDIC insurance			225				298				300				293				288				523				439
Advertising			347				338				309				326				219				685				471
Loss on prepayment of borrowings			45				—				987				—				—				45				—
Other			2,044				1,965				2,181				2,106				1,792				4,009				3,659
Total non-interest expense			13,674				13,327				14,338				12,853				12,245				27,001				24,559
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			7,739				7,628				6,419				2,589				2,484				15,367				5,148
INCOME TAX PROVISION			2,087				1,837				1,406				488				463				3,924				1,047
NET INCOME		$	5,652			$	5,791			$	5,013			$	2,101			$	2,021			$	11,443			$	4,101
Basic earnings per share		$	0.24			$	0.24			$	0.20			$	0.08			$	0.08			$	0.47			$	0.16
Weighted average shares outstanding			23,722,903				24,486,146				24,754,681				24,945,670				24,927,619				24,102,416				25,246,378
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.24			$	0.24			$	0.20			$	0.08			$	0.08			$	0.47			$	0.16
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding			23,773,562				24,543,554				24,763,022				24,945,670				24,927,619				24,156,450				25,272,769
Other Data:
Return on average assets (1)			0.92	%			0.98	%			0.83	%			0.35	%			0.35	%			0.95	%			0.36	%
Return on average equity (1)			10.16	%			10.35	%			8.62	%			3.61	%			3.54	%			10.25	%			3.58	%
Efficiency ratio (2)			66.09	%			64.58	%			62.74	%			69.12	%			71.48	%			65.34	%			72.05	%
Net interest margin, on a fully tax-equivalent basis			3.08	%			3.26	%			3.32	%			2.83	%			2.76	%			3.17	%			2.82	%

 

(1)

Annualized.

(2)

The efficiency ratio represents the ratio of operating expenses divided by the sum of net interest and dividend income and non-interest income, excluding realized and unrealized gains and losses on securities, gain on non-marketable equity investments, loss on interest rate swap termination and loss on prepayment of borrowings.

 

 

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

		June 30,				March 31,				December 31,				September 30,				June 30,
		2021				2021				2020				2020				2020
Cash and cash equivalents		$	105,494			$	132,124			$	87,444			$	172,112			$	62,832
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value			231,166				195,454				201,880				191,569				224,509
Securities held to maturity, at cost			107,783				63,960				—				—				—
Marketable equity securities, at fair value			11,936				11,906				11,968				6,965				6,941
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and other restricted stock - at cost			4,036				4,492				5,160				9,252				10,870
Loans			1,876,988				1,924,868				1,927,383				1,974,387				1,999,533
Allowance for loan losses			(19,870	)			(21,227	)			(21,157	)			(20,692	)			(18,253	)
Net loans			1,857,118				1,903,641				1,906,226				1,953,695				1,981,280
Bank-owned life insurance			73,801				73,301				72,860				72,416				71,972
Goodwill			12,487				12,487				12,487				12,487				12,487
Core deposit intangible			2,750				2,844				2,937				3,031				3,125
Other assets			70,035				63,320				64,924				65,261				60,890
TOTAL ASSETS		$	2,476,606			$	2,463,529			$	2,365,886			$	2,486,788			$	2,434,906
Total deposits		$	2,180,648			$	2,154,133			$	2,038,130			$	2,011,291			$	1,947,901
Short-term borrowings			—				—				—				—				35,000
Long-term debt			4,990				42,676				57,850				151,258				188,164
Subordinated debt			19,614				—				—				—				—
Securities pending settlement			461				152				160				57,226				—
Other liabilities			47,222				43,712				43,106				36,792				34,321
TOTAL LIABILITIES			2,252,935				2,240,673				2,139,246				2,256,567				2,205,386
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY			223,671				222,856				226,640				230,221				229,520
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	2,476,606			$	2,463,529			$	2,365,886			$	2,486,788			$	2,434,906

 

 

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Other Data

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

		Three Months Ended
		June 30,				March 31,				December 31,				September 30,				June 30,
		2021				2021				2020				2020				2020
Shares outstanding at end of period			24,070,399				24,583,958				25,276,193				25,595,557				25,644,334
Operating results:
Net interest income		$	17,804			$	18,026			$	18,795			$	15,990			$	15,092
(Credit) provision for loan losses			(1,200	)			75				500				2,725				2,450
Non-interest income			2,409				3,004				2,462				2,177				2,087
Non-interest expense			13,674				13,327				14,338				12,853				12,245
Income before income provision for income taxes			7,739				7,628				6,419				2,589				2,484
Income tax provision			2,087				1,837				1,406				488				463
Net income			5,652				5,791				5,013				2,101				2,021
Performance Ratios:
Net interest margin, on a fully tax-equivalent basis			3.08	%			3.26	%			3.32	%			2.83	%			2.76	%
Interest rate spread, on a fully tax-equivalent basis			2.94	%			3.10	%			3.11	%			2.51	%			2.38	%
Return on average assets			0.92	%			0.98	%			0.83	%			0.35	%			0.35	%
Return on average equity			10.16	%			10.35	%			8.62	%			3.61	%			3.54	%
Efficiency Ratio			66.09	%			64.58	%			62.74	%			69.12	%			71.48	%
Per Common Share Data:
Basic earnings per share		$	0.24			$	0.24			$	0.20			$	0.08			$	0.08
Diluted earnings per share			0.24				0.24				0.20				0.08				0.08
Cash dividend declared			0.05				0.05				0.05				0.05				0.05
Book value per share			9.29				9.07				8.97				8.99				8.95
Tangible book value per share			8.66				8.44				8.36				8.39				8.34
Asset Quality:
30-89 day delinquent loans		$	2,607			$	7,216			$	11,403			$	3,754			$	6,929
Total delinquent loans			4,415				9,274				13,522				6,678				12,041
Total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans			0.24	%			0.48	%			0.70	%			0.34	%			0.60	%
Total delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans, excluding PPP			0.25	%			0.53	%			0.77	%			0.38	%			0.68	%
Nonperforming loans		$	5,989			$	6,782			$	7,841			$	9,208			$	10,400
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans			0.32	%			0.35	%			0.41	%			0.47	%			0.52	%
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans, excluding PPP			0.34	%			0.39	%			0.45	%			0.53	%			0.59	%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets			0.24	%			0.28	%			0.33	%			0.37	%			0.43	%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets, excluding PPP			0.25	%			0.30	%			0.36	%			0.41	%			0.47	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans			331.77	%			312.99	%			269.83	%			224.72	%			175.51	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans			1.06	%			1.10	%			1.10	%			1.05	%			0.91	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, excluding PPP			1.12	%			1.21	%			1.20	%			1.18	%			1.03	%
Net loan charge-offs		$	157			$	5			$	35			$	286			$	34
Net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average assets			0.01	%			0.00	%			0.00	%			0.02	%			0.00	%

 

The following tables set forth the information relating to our average balances and net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and June 30, 2020 and reflect the average yield on interest-earning assets and average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated.

 

		Three Months Ended
		June 30, 2021												March 31, 2021												June 30, 2020
		Average								Average Yield/				Average								Average Yield/				Average								Average Yield/
		Balance				Interest(8)				Cost(9)				Balance				Interest(8)				Cost(9)				Balance				Interest(8)				Cost(9)
		(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS:
Interest-earning assets
Loans(1)(2)		$	1,911,323			$	18,425				3.87	%		$	1,923,477			$	19,220				4.05	%		$	1,959,790			$	19,106				3.92	%
Securities(2)			293,991				1,278				1.74				227,330				854				1.52				217,816				1,170				2.16
Other investments			10,114				28				1.11				9,663				35				1.47				15,728				157				4.01
Short-term investments(3)			114,883				26				0.09				95,004				24				0.10				20,637				9				0.18
Total interest-earning assets			2,330,311				19,757				3.40				2,255,474				20,133				3.62				2,213,971				20,442				3.71
Total non-interest-earning assets			147,545												144,588												141,310
Total assets		$	2,477,856											$	2,400,062											$	2,355,281
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing checking accounts		$	100,455				92				0.37	%		$	90,503				105				0.47	%		$	83,345				86				0.42	%
Savings accounts			206,302				47				0.09				187,217				37				0.08				148,566				37				0.10
Money market accounts			766,378				650				0.34				675,662				653				0.39				496,245				720				0.58
Time deposit accounts			487,712				677				0.56				567,102				939				0.67				640,129				2,974				1.87
Total interest-bearing deposits			1,560,847				1,466				0.38				1,520,484				1,734				0.46				1,368,285				3,817				1.12
Short-term borrowings and long-term debt			54,459				382				2.81				52,670				273				2.10				221,057				1,421				2.59
Total interest-bearing liabilities			1,615,306				1,848				0.46				1,573,154				2,007				0.52				1,589,342				5,238				1.33
Non-interest-bearing deposits			603,270												561,581												504,885
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities			36,043												38,360												31,214
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities			639,313												599,941												536,099
Total liabilities			2,254,619												2,173,095												2,125,441
Total equity			223,237												226,967												229,840
Total liabilities and equity		$	2,477,856											$	2,400,062											$	2,355,281
Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment (2)							(105	)											(100	)											(112	)
Net interest and dividend income						$	17,804											$	18,026											$	15.092
Net interest rate spread (4)											2.92	%											3.08	%											2.37	%
Net interest rate spread, on a tax-equivalent basis (5)											2.94	%											3.10	%											2.38	%
Net interest margin (6)											3.06	%											3.24	%											2.74	%
Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis (7)											3.08	%											3.26	%											2.76	%
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities											144.26	%											143.37	%											139.30	%

 

 

The following tables set forth the information relating to our average balances and net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 and reflect the average yield on interest-earning assets and average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated.

 

		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2021												2020
		Average Balance				Interest (8)				Average Yield/ Cost(9)				Average Balance				Interest (8)				Average Yield/ Cost(9)
		(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS:
Interest-earning assets
Loans(1)(2)		$	1,917,366			$	37,648				3.96	%		$	1,871,145			$	37,981				4.08	%
Securities(2)			260,845				2,131				1.65				221,875				2,575				2.33
Other investments			9,889				63				1.28				16,245				339				4.20
Short-term investments(3)			104,999				50				0.10				19,097				71				0.75
Total interest-earning assets			2,293,099				39,892				3.51				2,128,362				40,966				3.87
Total non-interest-earning assets			146,709												139,487
Total assets		$	2,439,808											$	2,267,849
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing checking accounts		$	95,507				198				0.42	%		$	76,777				161				0.42	%
Savings accounts			196,812				83				0.09				140,217				71				0.10
Money market accounts			721,270				1,303				0.36				471,240				1,473				0.63
Time deposit accounts			527,188				1,616				0.62				645,776				6,348				1.98
Total interest-bearing deposits			1,540,777				3,200				0.42				1,334,010				8,053				1.21
Short-term borrowings and long-term debt			53,569				655				2.47				226,523				3,022				2.68
Total interest-bearing liabilities			1,594,346				3,855				0.49				1,560,533				11,075				1.43
Non-interest-bearing deposits			582,541												446,738
Other non-interest-bearing liabilities			37,829												30,340
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities			620,370												477,078
Total liabilities			2,214,716												2,037,611
Total equity			225,092												230,238
Total liabilities and equity		$	2,439,808											$	2,267,849
Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment (2)							(207	)											(246	)
Net interest and dividend income						$	35,830											$	29,645
Net interest rate spread (4)											3.00	%											2.42	%
Net interest rate spread, on a tax-equivalent basis (5)											3.02	%											2.44	%
Net interest margin (6)											3.15	%											2.80	%
Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis (7)											3.17	%											2.82	%
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities											143.83	%											136.39	%

 

 

(1)

Loans, including non-accrual loans, are net of deferred loan origination costs and unadvanced funds.

(2)

Loan and securities income are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21%. The tax-equivalent adjustment is deducted from tax-equivalent net interest and dividend income to agree to the amount reported on the consolidated statements of net income.

(3)

Short-term investments include federal funds sold.

(4)

Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(5)

Net interest rate spread, on a tax-equivalent basis, represents the difference between the tax-equivalent weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the tax-equivalent weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(6)

Net interest margin represents net interest and dividend income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

(7)

Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, represents tax-equivalent net interest and dividend income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

(8)

Acquired loans, time deposits and borrowings are recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition. The fair value marks on the loans, time deposits and borrowings acquired accrete and amortize into net interest income over time. For the three months ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the loan accretion income and interest expense reduction on time deposits and borrowings (decreased) increased net interest income $(33,000), ($45,000) and $(54,000), respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the loan accretion income and interest expense reduction on time deposits and borrowings (decreased) increased net interest income ($78,000) and $28,000, respectively. Excluding these items, net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, for the three months ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020 was 3.09%, 3.27% and 2.77%, respectively, and the net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 was 3.18% and 2.82%, respectively.

(9)

Annualized.