Carver Bancorp, Inc. Announces Fiscal Year 2010 and Fourth Quarter Earnings

Reports Fiscal Year 2010 Net Loss of $1.0 Million and Fourth Quarter Net Loss of $2.2 Million; Board Reduces Quarterly Dividend to $0.025 Per Common Share

Restates Results for Second Quarter 2010 to Reflect the Correct Estimated Fair Value of Certain Residential Mortgage Loans

NEW YORK, July 15, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carver Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:CARV), the holding company for Carver Federal Savings Bank ("Carver" or the "Bank"), today announced financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 ("fiscal 2010") and its fourth quarter ended March 31, 2010.

The Company reported a net loss of $2.2 million, or loss per diluted share of $0.97, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to a net loss of $1.1 million, or loss per diluted share of $0.48, for the prior year period.  The Company reported a net loss of $1.0 million, or loss per diluted share of $0.79, for fiscal 2010 compared to a net loss of $7.0 million, or loss per diluted share of $2.87, for fiscal 2009. The net loss for fiscal 2010 reflects an increase in provision for loan losses which were partially offset by an improved net interest margin and higher fee revenue resulting primarily from Carver's New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) transactions. In addition, fiscal 2009 included a $7.1 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge.

Deborah C. Wright, the Company's Chairman and CEO, stated: "Our focus at Carver this fiscal year has been on managing credit, reducing risk in the total loan portfolio, and enhancing liquidity and capital in a deteriorating environment. Even with these achievements, our fiscal 2010 loss largely reflects ongoing challenges in the regional and national economy, with which the banking industry continues to grapple. Since New York City lagged the national recession, its recovery is also delayed. As a consequence, our business markets, particularly credit conditions, continue to face significant challenges."

"Our loan loss provision of $4.6 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.9 million year-over year and $1.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010, reflects deteriorating credit conditions and market valuations and were predominantly related to our construction and commercial real estate portfolios. The total loan loss provision for fiscal 2010 was $7.8 million compared to $2.7 million for fiscal 2009. In addition, this quarter's loss includes a one-time item, namely an $850,000 charge related to the alleged theft of cash entrusted to Carver's armored car vendor. We continue to pursue all avenues available to us for the return of our funds."

"Total delinquencies decreased year over year by 1.52% to $70.7 million or 8.78% of total assets. However, non-performing assets were up 81.9% to $47.6 million or 5.9% of total assets as delinquencies over 90 days and other impaired loans increased. The largest component of our nonperforming assets are comprised of loans originated and serviced by the Community Preservation Corporation ("CPC"), an non-profit organization with whom over 70 financial institutions participate in providing mortgage, construction and other lending for affordable housing. While demand for affordable housing in our markets remains substantial, dislocations in the secondary markets over the past two years have presented significant challenges. As a result we increased charge offs to $2.9 million, or 0.43% of total loans in fiscal 2010 compared to $0.5 million, or 0.08% of loans during fiscal 2009. The total allowance of $12.0 million represents 1.8% of the total loan portfolio and 25.2% of non-performing loans. We continue to take a very proactive approach to problem loan resolution, which is yielding positive results. However the economic recovery remains uneven and challenging for the communities we serve. Our work to resolve these issues is likely to continue over the course of the next fiscal year, before we reach pre-recession delinquency levels."

"In addition to credit resolution we have focused on strengthening our balance sheet. We continue to make progress in reducing concentrations in certain asset classes, including construction loans, and have revised our concentration guidelines for all asset classes.  For example, through payoffs and problem loan resolution, our construction portfolio is now 16.6% of total loans, down from 21.8%, in fiscal 2009. On the liability side of the balance sheet, total deposits are flat, however the mix improved as core deposit growth was utilized to replace certain institutional deposits. Based on promising results from our new Flatbush Avenue Branch and our relocated Bedford-Stuyvesant Branch, we expect to continue to deploy new deposit growth to reduce borrowings, in furtherance of our desire to enhance liquidity and better position our balance sheet for anticipated increases in interest rates. Finally, we also enhanced liquidity by participating in the FDIC's Term Liquidity Guarantee Program, raising $14.1 million at an attractive interest rate."

"Carver's margin remains strong at 3.92% up from 3.55% in fiscal 2009. Fee income is growing modestly but steadily as we add new retail customers.  We also achieved significant fee income by investing Carver's New Markets Tax Credits in community development projects providing business financing, housing and retail and community facilities in our communities. Finally, we continued to make progress in reducing costs, despite ever escalating regulatory, credit and other expenses including substantially increased FDIC premiums."

Board Reduces Quarterly Dividend to $0.025 Per Common Share

On July 14, 2010, the Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on its common stock of two and one-half cents ($0.025) per share for the fourth quarter.  The dividend will be payable on July 30, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 16, 2010. Ms Wright said: "On the capital front, our Board has taken the difficult step of reducing the quarterly dividend to stockholders. We believe this decision is prudent and consistent with industry peers to preserve capital in recognition of the challenging economic environment we continue to face."  We encourage our stockholders to review our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed previously, for a more extensive discussion of these important matters related to your company.

Income Statement Highlights

Fourth Quarter Results

The Company reported a net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 of $2.2 million compared to a net loss of $1.1 million for the prior year period. The increased net loss is the result of a higher provision for loan losses partially offset by an increase in net interest margin, an increase in non-interest income, and a decrease in non-interest expense

Net Interest Income

Interest income was essentially flat for the fourth quarter compared to the prior year quarter as earnings on higher average loan balances were offset by the effect of a higher balance of non-performing loans, lower average loan yields and lower average balances and yields on securities.

Interest expense decreased by $0.7 million, or 22.4%, to $2.6 million for the fourth quarter compared to $3.3 million for the prior year period. The decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in interest expense on deposits of $0.9 million. This decrease in interest expense reflects a 49 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 1.49% for the fourth quarter compared to an average cost of 1.98% for the prior year period. The decrease in the average cost of interest bearing liabilities was primarily due to downward re-pricing of certificates of deposits and an increase in money market balances which generally carry lower interest rates than certificates of deposit.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company recorded a $4.6 million provision for loan losses for the fourth quarter compared to $1.9 million for the prior year period. The provision is in response to the Company's current levels of delinquencies and non-performing loans and the uncertainty caused by the uneven economic recovery in the real estate market and the New York City economy.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income increased $1.0 million, or 148.1%, to $1.7 million for the fourth quarter compared to $0.7 million for the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to the completion of several NMTC transactions which generated $0.5 million of fee income compared to a loss on sale of loans of $0.3 million in the prior year period.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense decreased by $0.7 million, or 8.7%, to $7.6 million compared to $8.4 million for the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to lower occupancy and equipment expense of $0.6 million resulting from the Company's branch optimization strategy and a $0.1 million decrease in other non-interest expense. 

Income Taxes

The income tax benefit was $1.1 million for the fourth quarter compared to a $1.9 million tax benefit for the prior year period and is primarily due to the Company's  lower loss before income taxes in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter. The current quarter reflects tax credits of $0.6 million on NMTC investment transactions versus tax credits on NMTC transactions of $0.5 million in the prior year quarter.

Restatement of Second Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results to Reflect the Correct Estimated Value of Certain Residential Mortgage Loans

The Company has restated its previously reported operating results for the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009 to adjust the estimated fair value of certain residential mortgage loans that were classified as Held for Sale and reported at the lower of cost or fair value as of September 30, 2009. The loans were transferred from Held for Sale to Held for Investment, effective October 1, 2009. As a result of the correction  net income for the second fiscal quarter was adjusted from an $819,000 profit to a $309,000 loss for the quarter. The Company disclosed details on the financial impact in a previously filed 8-K. This restatement of second fiscal quarter results is reflected in the operating results reported for the full year ended March 31, 2010.  For additional information, please review the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010.

Fiscal Year 2010 Results

The net loss for fiscal 2010, was $1.0 million compared to a net loss of $7.0 million for the prior fiscal year.  The smaller net loss for fiscal 2010 was the result of an increase in provision for loan losses mostly offset by an increase in net interest income, an increase in non-interest income, and a decrease in non-interest expense primarily due to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in fiscal 2009.

Net Interest Income

Interest income decreased $1.5 million, or 3.7%, to $40.5 million for fiscal 2010 compared to $42.0 million for the prior year period.  The decrease was primarily the result of a $1.9 million decrease in interest income on loans partially offset by an increase in interest income on securities.  The decrease in interest income reflects a reduction in the yield on interest-earning assets of 46 basis points to 5.39% for fiscal 2010 compared to a yield of 5.85% for the prior year period.  This decrease in yield on interest earning assets was primarily the result of a 47 basis point reduction in the yield on loans of which 19 basis points was due to a higher level of non-performing loans and the remainder primarily due to new loan originations coming on at lower interest rates.  The increase in interest income on mortgage-backed securities was primarily the result of an increase in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities from $50.0 million in the prior year period to $64.7 million in the current period.

Interest expense decreased $5.5 million, or 33.3%, to $11.0 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $16.5 million for the prior year. The decrease in interest expense resulted primarily from an 88 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 1.63% for fiscal 2010 compared to an average cost of 2.51% for the prior year as higher cost institutional deposits were replaced by lower cost core deposits and transactional accounts.  This improvement was partially offset by growth in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities of $17.5 million, or 2.7%, to $675.6 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $658.1 million for the prior year.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Bank recorded a $7.8 million provision for loan losses in fiscal 2010 compared to $2.7 million for the prior year period. The increased provision is in response to the Company's current levels of delinquencies and non-performing loans and the uncertainty caused by the uneven economic recovery in the real estate market and the New York City economy.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income decreased $0.1 million to $5.1 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $5.2 million for the prior year period. The decrease is primarily due to the reduction of the carrying value of 1-4 family mortgages previously held for sale of $2.1 million, offset by $1.0 million of fees recognized during fiscal 2010 related to several NMTC transactions, a gain on the sale of securities of $0.4 million and a $1.2 million gain on the sale of a Bank-owned building. The sale of this building was part of the Bank's strategy to optimize branch locations.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense decreased $7.3 million, or 19.2%, to $30.6 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $37.8 million for the prior year period. This improvement is primarily due to the $7.1 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge incurred in the prior year period. Additionally, expenses decreased $0.9 million for employee compensation and benefits on lower staffing levels and discretionary compensation, $0.5 million in occupancy and equipment costs resulting from the branch optimization strategy, and $0.4 million in consulting fees.  These decreases in expense were partially offset by an increase of $1.1 million in FDIC insurance premiums.

Income Taxes

The Bank recorded a tax benefit of $2.9 million in fiscal 2010 compared to a tax benefit of $3.2 million for the prior year period. The lower tax benefit in fiscal 2010 is a result of the taxable income generated versus the taxable loss in the prior year period.  The total tax benefit for fiscal 2010 reflects tax credits of $2.3 million generated by NMTC investment transactions versus $2.0 million in fiscal 2009.

Financial Condition Highlights

At March 31, 2010, total assets increased $14.0 million, or 1.8%, to $805.4 million compared to $791.4 million at March 31, 2009.  Cash and cash equivalents increased $25.0 million, net loans increased $2.9 million, other assets increased $4.6 million, and the deferred tax asset increased $4.1 million.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in investment securities of $19.4 million and a decrease in office properties and equipment of $3.2 million.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $25.0 million, or 187.4%, to $38.3 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $13.3 million at March 31, 2009. This increase was driven by a $29.3 million increase in cash and due from banks, partially offset by a $4.3 million decrease in money market investments.  The Company took steps in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2010 to expand liquidity through its $14.1 million participation in the FDIC's Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, a successful deposit campaign focused on increasing the Bank's core deposit base, investing in shorter duration liquid investments and reducing the Bank's outstanding borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. The Company expects to maintain excess liquidity until more unconstrained access to funding returns to the markets. By maintaining this extra liquidity on our balance sheet, the Company chose to forego $0.1 million in potential revenue during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Total securities decreased $19.4 million, or 25.9%, to $55.4 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $74.8 million at March 31, 2009, reflecting a decrease of $16.9 million in available-for-sale securities and a $2.5 million decrease in held-to-maturity securities. Cash flows generated from the Bank's securities portfolio were not immediately reinvested in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 in an effort to maintain flexibility during a period of higher than normal volatility in the securities markets.

Total loans receivable, increased $7.8 million, or 1.2%, to $670.0 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $662.2 million at March 31, 2009.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in commercial business loans of $17 million, offset by a decrease in real estate mortgage loans (including loans held for sale) of $8 million (adjusted for a $7 million reclassification made between commercial business loans and commercial non-residential mortgage loans for regulatory reporting purposes). Construction loans decreased $27 million as Carver ceased originations of new construction loans given both the extended downturn in the local real estate markets and our efforts to reduce risk in this asset class. One-to-four family residential mortgage loans decreased $14 million as loan pay downs exceeded new loan originations. These reductions were offset by growth in commercial non-residential mortgage loans which increased $22 million and multifamily mortgage loans which increased $9 million on net new originations.

Office properties and equipment decreased $3.1 million, or 20.7%, to $12.1 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $15.2 million at March 31, 2009, primarily due to the sale of a Bank-owned building and the write-down of certain fixed assets as a result of the relocation and closure of two other branches.  An integral part of this strategy was the opening of Carver's two newest branches located at 1392 Fulton Street at Restoration Plaza and at 833 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. These branches are located in historically high growth neighborhoods in Brooklyn and represent a tremendous opportunity for Carver given the substantial presence of small businesses, non-profit institutions, and consumers, in communities where Carver's brand is well recognized.

The deferred tax asset increased $4.1 million, or 40.2%, to $14.3 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $10.2 million at March 31, 2009 primarily due to increased tax credits on NMTC investments. The Company expects to receive additional NMTC tax credits of approximately $7.8 million through the period ending March 31, 2014. The Company's ability to utilize the deferred tax asset generated by NMTC as well as other deferred tax assets, depends on its ability to generate sufficient taxable income from operations or from potential tax strategies to generate taxable income in the future.

Other assets increased $4.6 million, or 92.7%, to $9.6 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $5.0 million at March 31, 2009, primarily due to an increase in prepaid expenses of $4.0 million related to the prepayment of FDIC insurance premiums.

Total liabilities increased $16.8 million, or 2.3%, to $743.9 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $727.1 million at March 31, 2009. The increase in total liabilities was primarily due to a $14.1 million two-year term borrowing issued under the FDIC's TLGP in the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

Deposits decreased $0.2 million, or 0.03%, to $603.2 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $603.4 million at March 31, 2009.  Deposits were essentially flat year over year as we replaced $25 million of certain institutional deposits with core deposits, money market accounts, and operating accounts.

Advances from the FHLB-NY and other borrowed money increased $16.6 million, or 14.4%, to $131.6 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $115.0 million at March 31, 2009.  The increase in advances and other borrowed money was primarily the result of issuing a $14.1 million two-year term borrowing under the FDIC's TLGP via a private placement to take advantage of the low interest rate environment.  The interest rate on the TLGP borrowing of 1.69% is substantially lower than the weighted average rate of 3.40% on the remainder of the Bank's borrowings.

Total stockholders' equity decreased $2.8 million, or 4.3%, to $61.6 million at March 31, 2010, compared to $64.3 million at March 31, 2009. The decrease in total stockholders' equity was primarily attributable to a net loss for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010 totaling $0.2 million plus dividends paid of $1.9 million (common dividends of $0.9 million and U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program ("TARP") Capital Purchase Program ("CPP") dividends of $1.0 million). The Bank's capital levels exceed all regulatory requirements of a well-capitalized financial institution.

In February 2010, the U.S. Treasury announced the creation of the Community Development Capital Initiative ("CDCI") in recognition of the unique role of Community Development Financial Institutions ("CDFI's") as lenders in disadvantaged communities. CDFI's that are participants in the TARP CPP may apply to exchange existing TARP CPP for CDCI capital. Carver's application is currently under review by the U.S. Treasury and if approved would decrease dividend payments by $560,000 annually. In additional the capital is available for an additional seven years from issuance.

Asset Quality

At March 31, 2010, non-performing assets totaled $47.6 million, or 5.91% of total assets compared to $26.2 million or 3.31% of total assets at March 31, 2009. The Company continues to proactively manage delinquent loans to address the impact of non-performing assets.

The allowance for loan losses was $12.0 million at March 31, 2010, which represents a ratio of the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans of 25.2% compared to 27.40% at March 31, 2009.  The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.79% at March 31, 2010 up from 1.10% at March 31, 2009.

About Carver Bancorp, Inc.

Carver Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Carver Federal Savings Bank, a federally chartered stock savings bank, founded in 1948 to serve African-American communities whose residents, businesses and institutions had limited access to mainstream financial services.  Carver, the largest African- and Caribbean-American run bank in the United States, operates nine full-service branches in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.  For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.carverbank.com.

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.  These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances.  Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, risks and uncertainties. More information about these factors, risks and uncertainties is contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.