Provident Financial Services, Inc. Announces First Quarter Earnings and Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend


ISELIN, N.J., April 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS) (the “Company”) reported net income of $44.0 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to $37.3 million, or $0.49 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and $48.6 million, or $0.63 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Anthony J. Labozzetta, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We are proud of our strong first quarter results, marked by solid annualized commercial loan growth of 8.3% and a robust loan pipeline leading into the second quarter. The net interest margin expanded 7 basis points from the trailing quarter reflecting loan growth, deployment of some of our excess liquidity, a rise in rates on new loan production and further improvement in our funding costs. Continued credit quality improvement and a favorable economic forecast supported a negative provision in the quarter.” Labozzetta continued, “Our strong first quarter performance was due in large part to our colleagues’ dedication to our core principles and their continued pursuit of a high-performing and innovative culture. We look forward to further growth of our business lines and financial success built on our commitment to our customers, employees, communities and stockholders.”

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per common share payable on May 27, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 13, 2022.

Performance Highlights for the First Quarter of 2022

  • The Company’s total commercial loan portfolio, excluding Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans, increased $164.9 million, or 8.3% annualized, to $8.13 billion at March 31, 2022, from $7.97 billion at December 31, 2021.
  • The net interest margin increased seven basis points to 3.02% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, from 2.95% for the trailing quarter.
  • The average cost of deposits, including non-interest bearing deposits, declined to 0.19% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared with 0.21% for the trailing quarter.
  • Total average interest bearing savings and demand deposits increased $114.5 million, or 6.1% annualized, to $7.77 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2022, from $7.65 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2021. In addition, total average non-interest bearing demand deposits increased $26.1 million, or 3.8% annualized, to $2.79 billion for the first quarter of 2022, from $2.76 billion for the trailing quarter.
  • Non-performing loans at March 31, 2022 declined to $44.3 million, or 0.46% of total loans, from $48.0 million, or 0.50% of total loans, at December 31, 2021.
  • The Company recorded negative provisions for credit losses and off-balance sheet credit exposures of $6.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to a provision of $397,000 for credit losses and a negative provision of $640,000 for off-balance sheet credit exposures for the trailing quarter. These provision benefits were largely a function of an improved economic forecast and an overall improvement in the Company's asset quality.
  • Annualized returns on average assets and average tangible equity were 1.30% and 14.58%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with 1.08% and 12.04%, respectively for the trailing quarter.
  • The Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of its common stock at an average cost of $23.36 per share, for a total of $29.9 million during the quarter.

Results of Operations

Three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2021

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net income was $44.0 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $37.3 million, or $0.49 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income increased $637,000 to $94.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, from $93.9 million for the trailing quarter. The increase in net interest income was largely attributable to an increase in lower-costing deposits, a reduction in borrowings and favorable repricing of both deposits and borrowings, along with the investment of excess liquidity into higher-yielding available for sale debt securities. This was partially offset by a reduction in the fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans totaled $1.1 million, which are recognized in interest income, compared to $1.8 million for the trailing quarter.

The Company’s net interest margin increased seven basis points to 3.02% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, from 2.95% for the trailing quarter. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 increased four basis points to 3.23%, compared to the trailing quarter. The weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 decreased five basis points to 0.29%, compared to the trailing quarter. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 decreased three basis points to 0.25%, compared to 0.28% for the trailing quarter. Average non-interest bearing demand deposits increased $26.0 million to $2.79 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to the trailing quarter. The average cost of deposits, including non-interest bearing deposits, was 0.19% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 0.21% for the trailing quarter. The average cost of borrowed funds for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 was 0.86%, compared to 0.94% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.

Provision for Credit Losses

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $6.4 million negative provision for credit losses related to loans, compared with a provision for credit losses of $400,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. The provision benefit was largely a function of an improved economic forecast and an overall improvement in the Company's asset quality. Net recoveries totaling $1.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 further contributed to the negative provision for credit losses in the period.

Non-Interest Income and Expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, non-interest income totaled $20.1 million, a decrease of $506,000, compared to the trailing quarter. BOLI income decreased $781,000 to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the trailing quarter primarily due to a benefit claim recognized in the prior quarter and lower equity valuations. Fee income decreased $456,000 to $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the trailing quarter, primarily due to a decrease in commercial loan prepayment fees, partially offset by an increase in debit card revenue. Wealth management income decreased $376,000 to $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the trailing quarter, primarily due to a decrease in the market value of assets under management and a decrease in the level of managed mutual funds. Partially offsetting these decreases in non-interest income, insurance agency income increased $1.2 million to $3.4 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the trailing quarter, mainly due to the receipt of contingent commissions in the current quarter.

Non-interest expense totaled $61.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of $177,000, compared to $62.1 million for the trailing quarter. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $2.4 million negative provision for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures, compared to a $640,000 negative provision for the trailing quarter. The increased negative provision was primarily a function of an improved economic forecast resulting in a decline in projected loss factors. Other operating expenses decreased $1.2 million to $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the trailing quarter. The decrease in other operating expenses was primarily due to decreases in consulting, attorney and loan-related expenses, partially offset by a valuation charge on foreclosed real estate. Partially offsetting these decreases in non-interest expense, net occupancy expense increased $1.6 million to $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the trailing quarter, mainly due to increases in snow removal costs and rent expense. Compensation and benefits expense increased $1.4 million to $37.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $35.6 million for the trailing quarter, primarily due to increases in employee medical benefits, payroll taxes and stock-based compensation, partially offset by a decrease in the accrual for incentive compensation.

The Company’s annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets (1) was 1.90% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 1.81% for the trailing quarter. The efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income) (1) was 56.05% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to 54.74% for the trailing quarter.

Income Tax Expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company's income tax expense was $15.2 million with an effective tax rate of 25.7%, compared with $14.8 million with an effective tax rate of 28.4% for the trailing quarter. The increase in tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the trailing quarter was largely due to an increase in taxable income, while the decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the trailing quarter was primarily due to a discrete item recorded in the trailing quarter resulting in additional tax expense related to the apportionment of income subject to state income taxes.

Three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, net income was $44.0 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $48.6 million, or $0.63 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income increased $4.5 million to $94.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, from $90.0 million for same period in 2021. The increase in net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily driven by an increase in available for sale debt securities funded by growth in lower-costing core deposits and the reinvestment of PPP loan satisfactions. The increase in net interest income attributable to growth in average earning assets was partially offset by modest compression in the net interest margin. Additionally, fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans, which are recognized in interest income, decreased $2.9 million to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

The Company’s net interest margin decreased three basis points to 3.02% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, from 3.05% for the same period last year. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 decreased 18 basis points to 3.23%, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 decreased 20 basis points to 0.29%, compared to the same period last year. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 decreased 14 basis points to 0.25%, compared to 0.39% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Average non-interest bearing demand deposits increased $407.7 million to $2.79 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $2.38 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The average cost of deposits, including non-interest bearing deposits, was 0.19% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 0.30% for the same period last year. The average cost of borrowed funds for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 was 0.86%, compared to 1.12% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Provision for Credit Losses

For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $6.4 million negative provision for credit losses related to loans, compared with a negative provision for credit losses of $15.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in the period-over-period provision benefit was largely a function of the relative change in the economic outlook and the significant favorable impact of the post-pandemic recovery in the prior year period.

Non-Interest Income and Expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, non-interest income totaled $20.1 million, a decrease of $1.5 million, compared to the same period in 2021. BOLI income decreased $1.4 million to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to a benefit claim recognized in the prior year and lower equity valuations. Other income decreased $642,000 to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2021, mainly due to decreases in net gains on sales of loans and net fees on loan-level interest rate swap transactions. Additionally, fee income decreased $303,000 to $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to a decrease in debit card revenue, partially offset by an increase in commercial loan prepayment fees. The decrease in debit card revenue was largely attributable to the interchange transaction fee limitation imposed by the Durbin amendment, which became effective for the Company in the third quarter of 2021. Partially offsetting these decreases in non-interest income, insurance agency income increased $693,000 to $3.4 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, resulting from an increase in contingent commissions. Additionally, wealth management income increased $332,000 to $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to an increase in the market value of assets under management and new business generation.

Non-interest expense totaled $61.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $33,000 from the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $2.4 million negative provision for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures, compared to an $875,000 negative provision for the same period in 2021. The increased negative provision was primarily due to an increase in line of credit utilization. Other operating expenses decreased $736,000 to $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, largely due to decreases in debit card maintenance, attorney and consulting expenses. In addition, FDIC insurance decreased $565,000 to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to a decrease in the insurance assessment rate. Partially offsetting these decreases in non-interest expense, compensation and benefits expense increased $1.8 million to $37.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to $35.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation and an increase in salary expense associated with Company-wide annual merit increases. Data processing expense increased $1.0 million to $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, largely due to increases in software subscription expense and online banking costs.

The Company’s annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets (1) was 1.90% for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to 1.95% for the same period in 2021. The efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income) (1) was 56.05% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to 56.19% for the same respective period in 2021.

Income Tax Expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company's income tax expense was $15.2 million with an effective tax rate of 25.7%, compared with $16.2 million with an effective tax rate of 25.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period last year was largely the result of a decrease in taxable income.

Asset Quality

The Company’s total non-performing loans at March 31, 2022 were $44.3 million, or 0.46% of total loans, compared to $48.0 million, or 0.50% of total loans at December 31, 2021 and $82.1 million, or 0.84% of total loans at March 31, 2021. The $3.7 million decrease in non-performing loans at March 31, 2022, compared to the trailing quarter, consisted of a $6.8 million decrease in non-performing commercial loans, a $676,000 decrease in non-performing residential mortgage loans and a $511,000 decrease in non-performing consumer loans, partially offset by a $2.6 million increase in non-performing commercial mortgage loans and a $1.6 million increase in non-performing multi-family loans. At March 31, 2022, impaired loans totaled $48.3 million with related specific reserves of $2.0 million, compared with impaired loans totaling $52.3 million with related specific reserves of $4.3 million at December 31, 2021 and impaired loans totaling $79.5 million with related specific reserves of $4.8 million at March 31, 2021.

At March 31, 2022, the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to the loan portfolio was 0.79% of total loans, compared to 0.84% and 0.87% at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively. The allowance for credit losses decreased $4.5 million to $76.3 million at March 31, 2022 from $80.7 million at December 31, 2021. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses on loans in the first quarter of 2022 was due to a $6.4 million negative provision for credit losses and net recoveries of $1.9 million. The reduction in the allowance for credit losses on loans was primarily the result of improved asset quality and an improved economic forecast.

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

  March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021  March 31, 2021
  Number
of
Loans
 Principal
Balance
of Loans
 Number
of
Loans
 Principal
Balance
of Loans
 Number
of
Loans
 Principal
Balance
of Loans
  (Dollars in thousands)
Accruing past due loans:            
30 to 59 days past due:            
Residential mortgage loans 18 $2,385  26 $7,229  33 $6,862 
Commercial mortgage loans 2  282  4  720  7  2,183 
Multi-family mortgage loans 1  816      2  1,327 
Construction loans 3  1,659      3  1,123 
Total mortgage loans 24  5,142  30  7,949  45  11,495 
Commercial loans 9  4,019  11  7,229  10  393 
Consumer loans 15  571  24  649  18  1,356 
Total 30 to 59 days past due 48 $9,732  65 $15,827  73 $13,244 
             
60 to 89 days past due:            
Residential mortgage loans 7 $1,354  7 $1,131  20 $6,161 
Commercial mortgage loans     2  3,960  2  520 
Multi-family mortgage loans            
Construction loans         1  1,656 
Total mortgage loans 7  1,354  9  5,091  23  8,337 
Commercial loans 3  318  5  1,289  2  235 
Consumer loans 3  90  7  228  10  277 
Total 60 to 89 days past due 13 $1,762  21 $6,608  35 $8,849 
Total accruing past due loans 61 $11,494  86 $22,435  108 $22,093 
             
Non-accrual:            
Residential mortgage loans 29 $5,396  28 $6,072  41 $7,797 
Commercial mortgage loans 14  19,533  14  16,887  22  33,742 
Multi-family mortgage loans 2  2,053  1  439  1  101 
Construction loans 2  2,366  2  2,365  2  1,392 
Total mortgage loans 47  29,348  45  25,763  66  43,032 
Commercial loans 39  13,793  51  20,582  68  36,042 
Consumer loans 19  1,171  17  1,682  27  3,010 
Total non-accrual loans 105 $44,312  113 $48,027  161 $82,084 
             
Non-performing loans to total loans    0.46%    0.50%    0.84%
Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans    172.13%    168.11%    104.27%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans    0.79%    0.84%    0.87%
                   

At March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, the Company held foreclosed assets of $8.6 million, $8.7 million and $3.6 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, there was one addition to foreclosed assets with an aggregate carrying value of $47,000 and a valuation charge of $200,000. Foreclosed assets at March 31, 2022 consisted primarily of commercial real estate. Total non-performing assets at March 31, 2022 decreased $3.9 million to $52.9 million, or 0.39% of total assets, from $56.8 million, or 0.41% of total assets at December 31, 2021 and $85.6 million, or 0.65% of total assets at March 31, 2021.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets at March 31, 2022 were $13.62 billion, a $164.2 million decrease from December 31, 2021. The decrease in total assets was primarily due to a $279.3 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents and a $10.1 million decrease in total investments, partially offset by an $81.3 million increase in total loans.

The Company’s loan portfolio increased $81.3 million to $9.66 billion at March 31, 2022, from $9.58 billion at December 31, 2021. The loan portfolio consists of the following:

 March 31,
2022
 December 31,
2021
 
Mortgage loans:    
Residential$1,194,613  $1,202,638  
Commercial 3,937,216   3,827,370  
Multi-family 1,394,761   1,364,397  
Construction 699,415   683,166  
Total mortgage loans 7,226,005   7,077,571  
Commercial loans 2,131,326   2,188,866  
Consumer loans 316,589   327,442  
Total gross loans 9,673,920   9,593,879  
Premiums on purchased loans 1,482   1,451  
Net deferred fees and unearned discounts (12,520)  (13,706) 
Total loans$9,662,882  $9,581,624  
         

Total Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans outstanding, which are included in total commercial loans, decreased $66.0 million to $28.9 million at March 31, 2022, from $94.9 million at December 31, 2021. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, excluding the net decrease in PPP loans, the loan portfolio had net increases of $109.8 million in commercial mortgage loans, $30.4 million in multi-family mortgage loans, $16.2 million in construction loans and $8.5 million in commercial loans, partially offset by net decreases of $10.9 million in consumer loans and $8.0 million in residential mortgage loans. Commercial real estate, commercial and construction loans represented 84.4% of the total loan portfolio at March 31, 2022, compared to 84.1% at December 31, 2021.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, loan funding, including advances on lines of credit, totaled $959.4 million, compared with $770.5 million for the same period in 2021.

At March 31, 2022, the Company’s unfunded loan commitments totaled $1.96 billion, including commitments of $958.0 million in commercial loans, $505.9 million in construction loans and $198.2 million in commercial mortgage loans. Unfunded loan commitments at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021 were $2.05 billion and $1.98 billion, respectively.

The loan pipeline, consisting of work-in-process and loans approved pending closing, totaled $1.48 billion at March 31, 2022, compared to $1.09 billion and $1.30 billion at December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively.

Cash and cash equivalents were $433.1 million at March 31, 2022, a $279.3 million decrease from December 31, 2021, which was attributable to the deployment of excess liquidity into commercial loans and available for sale debt securities combined with the repayment of certain wholesale borrowings.

Total investments were $2.52 billion at March 31, 2022, a $10.1 million decrease from December 31, 2021. This decrease was largely due to an increase in unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, repayments of mortgage-backed securities and maturities and calls of certain municipal and agency bonds, partially offset by purchases of mortgage-backed and municipal securities.

Total deposits increased $132.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, to $11.37 billion. Total savings and demand deposit accounts increased $132.9 million to $10.67 billion at March 31, 2022, while total time deposits decreased $860,000 to $691.7 million at March 31, 2022. The increase in savings and demand deposits was largely attributable to a $59.5 million increase in non-interest bearing demand deposits, a $59.6 million increase in money market deposits and a $30.1 million increase in savings deposits, partially offset by a $16.2 million decrease in interest bearing demand deposits. The decrease in time deposits was primarily due to maturities of longer-term retail time deposits, partially offset by an increase in brokered time deposits.

Borrowed funds decreased $227.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, to $399.6 million. The decrease in borrowings for the period was largely due to the maturity and replacement of FHLB borrowings with lower-costing brokered deposits and retail deposits. Borrowed funds represented 2.9% of total assets at March 31, 2022, a decrease from 4.5% at December 31, 2021.

Stockholders’ equity decreased $76.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022, to $1.62 billion, primarily due to dividends paid to stockholders, common stock repurchases and an increase in unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, partially offset by net income earned for the period. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, common stock repurchases totaled 1,282,075 shares at an average cost of $23.36 per share, of which 40,463 shares, at an average cost of $23.56 per share, were made in connection with withholding to cover income taxes on the vesting of stock-based compensation. At March 31, 2022, approximately 1.9 million shares remained eligible for repurchase under the current stock repurchase authorization. Book value per share and tangible book value per share(1) at March 31, 2022 were $21.36 and $15.26, respectively, compared with $22.05 and $16.02, respectively, at December 31, 2021.

About the Company

Provident Financial Services, Inc. is the holding company for Provident Bank, a community-oriented bank offering "commitment you can count on" since 1839. Provident Bank provides a comprehensive array of financial products and services through its network of branches throughout northern and central New Jersey, as well as Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania and Queens County, New York. The Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, SB One Insurance Agency, Inc.

Post Earnings Conference Call

Representatives of the Company will hold a conference call for investors on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The call may be accessed by dialing 1-844-200-6205 (United States), 1-833-950-0062 (Canada Toll Free) or 1-929-526-1599 (All other locations). Speakers will need to enter speaker access code (146826) before being met by a live operator. Internet access to the call is also available (listen only) at provident.bank by going to Investor Relations and clicking on "Webcast."

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” "project," "intend," “anticipate,” “continue,” or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, changes in accounting policies and practices that may be adopted by the regulatory agencies and the accounting standards setters, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management, asset-liability management, the financial and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an uncertain impact on the Company, its customers and the communities it serves. Given its ongoing and dynamic nature, including potential variants, it is difficult to predict the continuing impact of the pandemic on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which remain highly uncertain, including when the pandemic will be controlled and abated, and the extent to which the economy can remain open. As the result of the pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, the Company could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations: the demand for our products and services may decline, making it difficult to grow assets and income; if the economy is unable to remain substantially open, and higher levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased charges and reduced income; collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase; our allowance for credit losses may increase if borrowers experience financial difficulties, which will adversely affect our net income; the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us; our wealth management revenues may decline with continuing market turmoil; we may face the risk of a goodwill write-down due to stock price decline; and our cyber security risks are increased as the result of an increased number of employees working remotely.

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date made. The Company advises readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. The Company does not have any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement.

Footnotes

(1) Tangible book value per share, annualized return on average tangible equity, annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets and the efficiency ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the Notes following the Consolidated Financial Highlights which contain the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures and the associated calculations.

       
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Financial Highlights
(Dollars in Thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)
   
       
 At or for the Three Months Ended 
 March 31, December 31, March 
 2022 2021 2021 
Statements of Income      
Net interest income$94,526  $93,889  $90,000  
Provision for credit losses (6,405)  397   (15,001) 
Non-interest income 20,148   20,654   21,637  
Non-interest expense 61,886   62,063   61,853  
Income before income tax expense 59,193   52,083   64,785  
Net income 43,962   37,303   48,559  
Diluted earnings per share$0.58  $0.49  $0.63  
Interest rate spread 2.94%  2.85%  2.98% 
Net interest margin 3.02%  2.95%  3.10% 
       
Profitability      
Annualized return on average assets 1.30%  1.08%  1.51% 
Annualized return on average equity 10.57%  8.74%  12.02% 
Annualized return on average tangible equity (2) 14.58%  12.04%  16.80% 
Annualized adjusted non-interest expense to average assets (3) 1.90%  1.81%  1.95% 
Efficiency ratio (4) 56.05%  54.74%  56.19% 
       
Asset Quality      
Non-accrual loans$44,312  $48,027  $82,084  
90+ and still accruing         
Non-performing loans 44,312   48,027   82,084  
Foreclosed assets 8,578   8,731   3,554  
Non-performing assets 52,890   56,758   85,638  
Non-performing loans to total loans 0.46%  0.50%  0.84% 
Non-performing assets to total assets 0.39%  0.41%  0.65% 
Allowance for loan losses$76,275  $80,740  $85,591  
Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans 172.13%  168.11%  104.27% 
Allowance for loan losses to total loans 0.79%  0.84%  0.87% 
Net loan (recoveries) charge-offs$(1,935) $(3,574) $875  
Annualized net loan (recoveries) charge offs to average total loans (0.08)%  (0.04)%  0.04% 
       
Average Balance Sheet Data       
Assets$13,693,429  $13,715,235  $13,034,155  
Loans, net 9,481,831   9,479,369   9,723,783  
Earning assets 12,527,409   12,577,181   11,810,639  
Savings and demand deposits 10,551,229   10,410,706   9,064,202  
Borrowings 549,679   628,404   1,015,230  
Interest-bearing liabilities 9,005,985   9,034,078   8,769,268  
Stockholders' equity 1,686,324   1,693,567   1,638,194  
Average yield on interest-earning assets 3.23%  3.19%  3.41% 
Average cost of interest-bearing liabilities 0.29%  0.34%  0.49% 
       

Notes and Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Dollars in Thousands, except share data)

The Company has presented the following non-GAAP (U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures because it believes that these measures provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is consistent with how the Company evaluates its performance internally and these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the Company’s industry. Investors should recognize that the Company’s presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and the Company strongly encourages a review of its condensed consolidated financial statements in their entirety.

(1) Book and Tangible Book Value per Share  
  At March 31, At December 31, At March 31,
  2022 2021 2021
Total stockholders' equity $1,621,131  $1,697,096  $1,647,231 
Less: total intangible assets  463,325   464,183   465,335 
Total tangible stockholders' equity $1,157,806  $1,232,913  $1,181,896 
       
Shares outstanding  75,881,889   76,969,999   77,798,624 
       
Book value per share (total stockholders' equity/shares outstanding) $21.36  $22.05  $21.17 
Tangible book value per share (total tangible stockholders' equity/shares outstanding) $15.26  $16.02  $15.19 
       
(2) Annualized Return on Average Tangible Equity      
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31,
  2022 2021 2021
Total average stockholders' equity $1,686,324  $1,693,567  $1,638,194 
Less: total average intangible assets  463,890   464,740   465,902 
Total average tangible stockholders' equity $1,222,434  $1,228,827  $1,172,292 
       
Net income $43,962  $37,303  $48,559 
       
Annualized return on average tangible equity (net income/total average tangible stockholders' equity)  14.58%  12.04%  16.80%
       
(3) Annualized Adjusted Non-Interest Expense to Average Assets      
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31,
  2022 2021 2021
Reported non-interest expense $61,886  $62,063  $61,853 
Adjustments to non-interest expense:      
Credit loss benefit for off-balance sheet credit exposures  (2,390)  (640)  (875)
Adjusted non-interest expense $64,276  $62,703  $62,728 
Annualized adjusted non-interest expense $260,675  $248,767  $254,397 
       
Average assets $13,693,429  $13,715,235  $13,034,155 
       
Annualized adjusted non-interest expense/average assets  1.90%  1.81%  1.95%
       
(4) Efficiency Ratio Calculation      
  Three Months Ended
  March 31, December 31, March 31,
  2022 2021 2021
Net interest income $94,526  $93,889  $90,000 
Non-interest income  20,148   20,654   21,637 
Total income $114,674   114,543   111,637 
       
Adjusted non-interest expense $64,276  $62,703  $62,728 
       
Efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense/income)  56.05%  54.74%  56.19%


PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
March 31, 2022 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2021
(Dollars in Thousands)
     
AssetsMarch 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 
Cash and due from banks$330,814  $506,270  
Short-term investments 102,332   206,193  
Total cash and cash equivalents 433,146   712,463  
Available for sale debt securities, at fair value 2,072,337   2,057,851  
Held to maturity debt securities, net (fair value of $417,664 at March 31, 2022 (unaudited)
and $449,709 at December 31, 2021)
 421,958   436,150  
Equity securities, at fair value 1,256   1,325  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock 23,973   34,290  
Loans 9,662,882   9,581,624  
Less allowance for credit losses 76,275   80,740  
Net loans 9,586,607   9,500,884  
Foreclosed assets, net 8,578   8,731  
Banking premises and equipment, net 82,987   80,559  
Accrued interest receivable 41,033   41,990  
Intangible assets 463,325   464,183  
Bank-owned life insurance 237,808   236,630  
Other assets 244,006   206,146  
Total assets$13,617,014  $13,781,202  
     
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Deposits:    
Demand deposits$9,183,808  $9,080,956  
Savings deposits 1,490,624   1,460,541  
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more 391,321   368,277  
Other time deposits 300,334   324,238  
Total deposits 11,366,087   11,234,012  
Mortgage escrow deposits 40,184   34,440  
Borrowed funds 399,606   626,774  
Subordinated debentures 10,336   10,283  
Other liabilities 179,670   178,597  
Total liabilities 11,995,883   12,084,106  
     
Stockholders' equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued      
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 83,209,012 shares issued
and 75,881,889 shares outstanding at March 31, 2022 and 76,969,999 outstanding at December 31, 2021.
 832   832  
Additional paid-in capital 972,552   969,815  
Retained earnings 839,807   814,533  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (67,946)  6,863  
Treasury stock (109,581)  (79,603) 
Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (14,533)  (15,344) 
Common Stock acquired by the Directors' Deferred Fee Plan (3,844)  (3,984) 
Deferred Compensation - Directors' Deferred Fee Plan 3,844   3,984  
Total stockholders' equity 1,621,131   1,697,096  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$13,617,014  $13,781,202  


PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) 
(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data)
       
  Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2022
 December 31,
2021
 March 31,
2021
 
Interest income:      
Real estate secured loans$63,835  $64,972  $62,016  
Commercial loans 22,821   23,393   26,143  
Consumer loans 3,139   3,325   3,492  
Available for sale debt securities, equity securities and Federal
Home Loan Bank stock
 7,951   6,587   5,612  
Held to maturity debt securities 2,596   2,621   2,784  
Deposits, federal funds sold and other short-term investments 647   770   484  
Total interest income 100,989   101,668   100,531  
       
Interest expense:      
Deposits 5,187   6,018   7,417  
Borrowed funds 1,168   1,485   2,809  
Subordinated debt 108   276   305  
Total interest expense 6,463   7,779   10,531  
Net interest income 94,526   93,889   90,000  
Provision (benefit) charge for credit losses (6,405)  397   (15,001) 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses 100,931   93,492   105,001  
       
Non-interest income:      
Fees 6,889   7,345   7,192  
Wealth management income 7,466   7,842   7,134  
Insurance agency income 3,420   2,207   2,727  
Bank-owned life insurance 1,179   1,960   2,567  
Net gain (loss) on securities transactions 16   (3)  197  
Other income 1,178   1,303   1,820  
Total non-interest income 20,148   20,654   21,637  
       
Non-interest expense:      
Compensation and employee benefits 37,067   35,628   35,312  
Net occupancy expense 9,330   7,774   9,301  
Data processing expense 5,344   5,126   4,393  
FDIC Insurance 1,205   1,345   1,770  
Amortization of intangibles 859   890   972  
Advertising and promotion expense 1,104   1,365   877  
Credit loss benefit for off-balance sheet credit exposures (2,390)  (640)  (875) 
Other operating expenses 9,367   10,575   10,103  
Total non-interest expense 61,886   62,063   61,853  
Income before income tax expense 59,193   52,083   64,785  
Income tax expense 15,231   14,780   16,226  
Net income$43,962  $37,303  $48,559  
       
Basic earnings per share$0.58  $0.49  $0.63  
Average basic shares outstanding 75,817,971   76,125,889   76,516,543  
       
Diluted earnings per share$0.58  $0.49  $0.63  
Average diluted shares outstanding 75,914,079   76,226,747   76,580,862  


PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Net Interest Margin Analysis
Quarterly Average Balances
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
 March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 March 31, 2021
 Average
Balance
 Interest Average
Yield/Cost
 Average
Balance
 Interest Average
Yield/Cost
 Average
Balance
 Interest Average
Yield/Cost
Interest Earning Assets:                 
Deposits$274,004 $107 0.16% $455,454 $162 0.14% $319,119 $85 0.11%
Federal funds sold and other short-term
investments
 195,598  540 1.12%  207,311  608 1.16%  127,989  399 1.26%
Available for sale debt securities 2,115,852  2,596 1.43%  1,968,628  2,621 1.26%  1,136,885  2,784 1.71%
Held to maturity debt securities, net (1) 428,125  7,577 2.43%  431,295  6,192 2.43%  450,396  4,849 2.47%
Equity securities, at fair value 1,092   %  1,106   %  979   %
Federal Home Loan Bank stock 30,907  374 4.85%  34,018  395 4.64%  51,437  763 5.93%
Net loans: (2)                 
Total mortgage loans 7,061,657  63,835 3.62%  7,035,981  64,972 3.64%  6,808,066  62,016 3.64%
Total commercial loans 2,099,145  22,821 4.38%  2,108,915  23,393 4.37%  2,512,563  26,143 4.20%
Total consumer loans 321,029  3,139 3.97%  334,473  3,325 3.94%  403,154  3,492 3.51%
Total net loans 9,481,831  89,795 3.80%  9,479,369  91,690 3.81%  9,723,783  91,651 3.78%
Total interest earning assets$12,527,409 $100,989 3.23% $12,577,181 $101,668 3.19% $11,810,588 $100,531 3.41%
                  
Non-Interest Earning Assets:                 
Cash and due from banks 122,856      125,539      183,476    
Other assets 1,043,164      1,012,515      1,040,091    
Total assets$13,693,429     $13,715,235     $13,034,155    
                  
Interest Bearing Liabilities:                 
Demand deposits$6,288,544 $4,195 0.27% $6,208,858 $4,747 0.30% $5,314,461 $5,512 0.42%
Savings deposits 1,476,643  291 0.08%  1,441,867  428 0.12%  1,371,376  407 0.12%
Time deposits 680,818  701 0.42%  731,318  843 0.46%  1,043,052  1,498 0.58%
Total deposits 8,446,005  5,187 0.25%  8,382,043  6,018 0.28%  7,728,889  7,417 0.39%
Borrowed funds 549,679  1,168 0.86%  628,404  1,485 0.94%  1,015,230  2,809 1.12%
Subordinated debentures 10,301  108 4.27%  23,631  276 4.64%  25,149  305 4.91%
Total interest bearing liabilities$9,005,985  6,463 0.29% $9,034,078  7,779 0.34% $8,769,268  10,531 0.49%
                  
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:                 
Non-interest bearing deposits$2,786,042     $2,759,981     $2,378,365    
Other non-interest bearing liabilities 215,078      227,609      248,328    
Total non-interest bearing liabilities 3,001,120      2,987,590      2,626,693    
Total liabilities 12,007,105      12,021,668      11,395,961    
Stockholders' equity 1,686,324      1,693,567      1,638,194    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$13,693,429     $13,715,235     $13,034,155    
                  
Net interest income  $94,526     $93,889     $90,000  
                  
Net interest rate spread    2.94%     2.85%     2.92%
Net interest-earning assets$3,521,424     $3,543,103     $3,041,320    
                  
Net interest margin (3) (4)     3.02%     2.95%     3.05%
                  
Ratio of interest-earning assets to total
interest-bearing liabilities
1.39x     1.39x     1.35x    
  
(1) Average outstanding balance amounts shown are amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses.

(2) Average outstanding balances are net of the allowance for loan losses, deferred loan fees and expenses, loan premiums and discounts and include non-accrual loans.

(3) Annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(4) The previously reported average balances of the interest bearing cash and non-interest bearing cash for the three month period ended March 31, 2021 were recalculated. These recalculations resulted in the previously reported net interest margin changing from 3.10% to 3.05%.


The following table summarizes the quarterly net interest margin for the previous five quarters.  
          
 3/31/22 12/31/21 9/30/21 6/30/21 3/31/21
 1st Qtr. 4th Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 1st Qtr.
Interest-Earning Assets:         
Securities1.47% 1.29% 1.32% 1.46% 1.70%
Net loans3.80% 3.81% 3.77% 3.79% 3.78%
Total interest-earning assets3.23% 3.19% 3.21% 3.31% 3.41%
          
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:         
Total deposits0.25% 0.28% 0.30% 0.34% 0.39%
Total borrowings0.86% 0.94% 1.08% 1.18% 1.12%
Total interest-bearing liabilities0.29% 0.34% 0.37% 0.44% 0.49%
          
Interest rate spread2.94% 2.85% 2.84% 2.87% 2.92%
Net interest margin3.02% 2.95% 2.94% 2.99% 3.05%
          
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities1.39x 1.39x 1.38x 1.36x 1.35x
               

Note: The previously reported average balances of interest bearing and non-interest bearing cash for the prior period ended March 31, 2021 in the preceding table were recalculated. This recalculation resulted in the previously reported net interest margin changing from 3.10% to 3.05% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

SOURCE: Provident Financial Services, Inc.

CONTACT: Investor Relations, 1-732-590-9300

Web Site: http://www.Provident.Bank