BCB Bancorp, Inc., Announces Net Income of $1.9 Million for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 and $3.7 Million for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015


BAYONNE, N.J., July 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BCB Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ:BCBP) today announced net income of $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared with $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.20 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015, and $0.29 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2014. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2015 for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was approximately 8,421,000 and 8,447,000, respectively. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2014 for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was approximately 8,353,000 and 8,401,000, respectively.

Net income was $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.40 and $0.39, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, as compared to $0.54 and $0.53, respectively, for six months ended June 30, 2014. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2015 for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was approximately 8,410,000 and 8,434,000, respectively. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2014 for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was approximately 8,346,000 and 8,396,000, respectively.

Total assets increased by $195.1 million, or 15.0 percent, to $1.497 billion at June 30, 2015 from $1.302 billion at December 31, 2014. Total cash and cash equivalents increased by $13.8 million, or 42.9 percent, to $45.9 million at June 30, 2015 from $32.1 million at December 31, 2014. Loans receivable, net increased by $180.9 million, or 15.0 percent, to $1.389 billion at June 30, 2015 from $1.208 billion at December 31, 2014. Deposit liabilities increased by $149.8 million, or 14.6 percent, to $1.178 billion at June 30, 2015 from $1.029 billion at December 31, 2014. The Company had $2.0 million in short-term borrowings at June 30, 2015, compared with $26.0 million at December 31, 2014. Long-term borrowed money increased by $67.0 million, or 50.4 percent, to $200.0 million at June 30, 2015 from $133.0 million at December 31, 2014. Stockholders' equity increased by $1.4 million, or 1.3 percent, to $103.6 million at June 30, 2015 from $102.2 million at December 31, 2014.

Thomas Coughlin, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We had another very active quarter with significant loan growth, as the Bank continues to invest in the communities we serve. While our net income was less than the same period last year, this is attributable to our continued investment in growth, which is positioning the Bank for long-term success. We are expanding our footprint and continually seeking new opportunities for business development. Four new branches have been added during the last 15 months. As the Bank continues to grow, our investment in infrastructure positions BCB for another successful year in 2016.

"Reaffirming this business model, BCB has attained the level of being a $1.5 billion asset Bank in just our 15th year in business. This achievement also is a reflection of our commitment to providing outstanding customer service as delivered by our employees."

Mr. Coughlin continued, "The Board of Directors unanimously declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.14/common share payable on August 17, 2015, with a record date of August 3, 2015. The continuation of our quarterly cash dividend reflects the prospective confidence our board has in our ability to deliver value and a competitive return to our shareholders while maintaining our standing as a well-capitalized financial institution based upon quantitative measurements as defined by our regulatory agencies. We remain diligent in our exploration of initiatives that we believe provide the opportunity for growth in both franchise and shareholder value."

Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared with the three months ended June 30, 2014

Net income decreased by $749,000, or 28.5 percent, to $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared with net income of $2.6 million for three months ended June 30, 2014. The decrease in net income was primarily related to increases in non-interest expense and the provision for loan losses, partly offset by an increase in net interest income and a decrease in the income tax provision.

Net interest income increased by $1.5 million, or 11.9 percent, to $13.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from $12.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in net interest income resulted primarily from an increase in the average balance of interest earning assets of $189.1 million, or 15.5 percent, to $1.413 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from $1.224 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2014, partly offset by a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets of 1 basis point to 4.82 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from 4.83 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2014. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased by $168.9 million or 16.5 percent to $1.192 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from $1.023 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2014.The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased by 13 basis points to 1.12 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from 0.99 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2014, partly relating to an increase in certificate of deposit balances.

Average net loan balances increased by 14.3 percent, when comparing the three-month periods ending June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and by 24.3 percent, when comparing the three-month periods ending June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014. As a result of this loan growth, interest income on loans increased by $3.0 million, or 21.5 percent, to $16.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from $13.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. This increase in interest income, partly offset by an increase of $801,000, or 31.5 percent, in interest expense, resulted in a net interest spread of 3.70 percent and a net interest margin of 3.88 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The deployment of funds received from the sale of investment securities in the third quarter of 2014 into higher yielding loan assets contributed to the increase in net interest income.

Total non-interest income decreased by $251,000, or 12.3 percent, to $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Non-interest income reflected a decrease of $1.2 million in gain on sale of securities available for sale, partly offset by an increase of $1.0 million, in gain on sale of loans originated for sale to $1.2 million for the three months ended June 31, 2015 from $230,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2014.

Total non-interest expense increased by $1.7 million, or 17.9, percent to $11.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from $9.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Expense increases were incurred in several areas of the income statement, which included salaries and employee benefits, occupancy expense, equipment, other real estate-owned expense and other non-interest expense, much of which resulted from branch expansion.

Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared with the six months ended June 30, 2014

Net income decreased by $1.2 million, or 23.4 percent, to $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared with net income of $4.9 million for six months ended June 30, 2014. The decrease in net income was primarily related to an increase in non-interest expense, and provision for loan loss, and lower non-interest income, partially offset by an increase in net interest income and a lower income tax provision compared to the prior period.

Net interest income increased by $2.0 million, or 8.1 percent, to $26.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from $24.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in net interest income resulted primarily from an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $154.0 million, or 12.8 percent, to $1.360 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from $1.206 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2014, primarily related to loan growth. The increase in net interest income was partly offset by a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets of nine basis points to 4.79 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from 4.88 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2014, as a result of the low interest rate environment. The average balance of interest bearing liabilities increased by $135.5 million, or 13.4 percent, to $1.144 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from $1.009 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased by nine basis points to 1.10 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from 1.01 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2014, partly relating to an increase in certificate of deposit balances.

Average net loan balances increased by 22.4 percent, when comparing the six-month periods ending June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014. As a result of this loan growth, interest income on loans increased by $4.7 million, or 16.9 percent, to $32.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from $27.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the average balance of loans receivable of $239.6 million, or 22.4 percent, to $1.308 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from $1.068 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2014. This was partially offset by a decrease in the average yield on loans receivable to 4.93 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from 5.16 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in the average balance of loans receivable was the result of our comprehensive loan growth strategy. The decrease in average yield reflects the competitive price environment prevalent in the Company's primary market area on loan facilities as well as the re-pricing downward of certain variable rate loans.

Total non-interest income decreased by $346,000, or 10.4 percent, to $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Non-interest income reflected a decrease of $1.2 million in the gain on sale of securities available for sale, partly offset by an increase of $906,000, or 90.0 percent, in gain on sale of loans originated for sale to $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 from $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014.

Total non-interest expense increased by $3.1 million, or 17.3 percent, to $21.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 from $18.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Expense increases were incurred in several areas of the income statement, which included salaries and employee benefits, occupancy expense, equipment, advertising, other real estate-owned expense and other non-interest expense, much of which resulted from branch expansion.

BCB Community Bank presently operates 15 full-service offices in Bayonne, Colonia, Hoboken, Fairfield, Jersey City, Monroe Township, Rutherford, South Orange, and Woodbridge, New Jersey, and Staten Island, New York.

Questions regarding the content of this release should be directed to Thomas Coughlin, President and Chief Executive Officer, or Thomas Keating, Chief Financial Officer at (201) 823-0700.

Forward-looking Statements and Associated Risk Factors

This release, like many written and oral communications presented by BCB Bancorp, Inc., and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies 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. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions.

Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "seek," "strive," "try," or future or conditional verbs such as "could," "may," "should," "will," "would," or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events, or results to differ significantly from those described in our forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or in some or all of the areas in which we and our customers conduct our respective businesses; conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry; changes in interest rates, which may affect our net income, prepayment penalties and other future cash flows, or the market value of our assets; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services in the markets we serve; changes in the financial or operating performance of our customers' businesses; changes in real estate values, which could impact the quality of the assets securing the loans in our portfolio; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; changes in our customer base; potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of companies targeted for acquisition; our ability to retain key members of management; our timely development of new lines of business and competitive products or services in a changing environment, and the acceptance of such products or services by our customers; any interruption or breach of security resulting in failures or disruptions in customer account management, general ledger, deposit, loan or other systems; any interruption in customer service due to circumstances beyond our control; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of other matters before regulatory agencies, or of matters resulting from regulatory exams, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; environmental conditions that exist or may exist on properties owned by, leased by, or mortgaged to the Company; changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; changes in legislation, regulation, and policies, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to banking, securities, tax, environmental protection, and insurance, and the ability to comply with such changes in a timely manner; changes in accounting principles, policies, practices, or guidelines; operational issues stemming from, and/or capital spending necessitated by, the potential need to adapt to industry changes in information technology systems, on which we are highly dependent; the ability to keep pace with, and implement on a timely basis, technological changes; changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; war or terrorist activities; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and geopolitical factors affecting our operations, pricing and services.

It also should be noted that the Company occasionally evaluates opportunities to expand through acquisition and may conduct due diligence activities in connection with such opportunities. As a result, acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations, may take place in the future, and acquisitions involving cash, debt, or equity securities may occur. Furthermore, the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of these events may be subject to circumstances beyond the Company's control.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.

BCB BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data, Unaudited)
 
  June 30, December 31,
  2015 2014
     
ASSETS    
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions $ 12,377  $ 11,202 
Interest-earning deposits  33,514   20,921 
Total cash and cash equivalents  45,891   32,123 
     
Interest-earning time deposits  993   993 
Securities available for sale  8,963   9,768 
Loans held for sale  794   3,325 
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $17,712 and $16,151, respectively  1,388,781   1,207,850 
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock, at cost  10,711   8,830 
Premises and equipment, net  15,905   14,295 
Accrued interest receivable  4,926   4,454 
Other real estate owned  2,113   3,485 
Deferred income taxes  10,392   9,703 
Other assets  7,549   7,074 
Total Assets $ 1,497,018  $ 1,301,900 
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
     
LIABILITIES    
Non-interest bearing deposits $ 148,357  $ 127,308 
Interest bearing deposits  1,029,989   901,248 
Total deposits  1,178,346   1,028,556 
Short-term Debt  2,000   26,000 
Long-term Debt  200,000   133,000 
Subordinated Debentures  4,124   4,124 
Other Liabilities  8,924   7,968 
Total Liabilities  1,393,394   1,199,648 
     
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Preferred stock: $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding 1,343 shares of series A and B 6% noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (liquidation value $10,000 per share)  --  --
Additional paid-in capital preferred stock  13,326   13,326 
Common stock; $0.064 stated value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, issued 10,960,399 and 10,924,054 shares at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively outstanding 8,431,136 shares and 8,393,791 shares, respectively  701   699 
Additional paid-in capital common stock  93,139   92,686 
Retained earnings  26,955   25,983 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)  (1,401)  (1,337)
Treasury stock, at cost, 2,529,263 and 2,530,263 shares, respectively  (29,096)  (29,105)
Total Stockholders' Equity  103,624   102,252 
     
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 1,497,018  $ 1,301,900 
 
BCB BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In Thousands, except for per share amounts, Unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
  2015 2014 2015 2014
         
Interest income:        
Loans, including fees $ 16,864  $ 13,881  $ 32,231  $ 27,562 
Investments, taxable  152   878   298   1,793 
Investments, non-taxable  --  13   --  25 
Other interest-earning assets  20   11   27   24 
Total interest income  17,036   14,783   32,556   29,404 
         
Interest expense:        
Deposits:        
Demand  227   127   399   248 
Savings and club  94   91   216   182 
Certificates of deposit  1,382   1,049   2,503   2,141 
   1,703   1,267   3,118   2,571 
Borrowed money  1,637   1,272   3,151   2,525 
Total interest expense  3,340   2,539   6,269   5,096 
         
Net interest income  13,696   12,244   26,287   24,308 
Provision for loan losses  1,130   450   1,850   1,450 
         
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  12,566   11,794   24,437   22,858 
         
Non-interest income:        
Fees and service charges  533   528   1,033   1,032 
Gain on sales of loans  1,237   230   1,913   1,007 
Gain on sales of securities held to maturity  --  39   --  39 
Gain on sale of securities available for sale  --  1,223   --  1,223 
Other  17   18   46   37 
Total non-interest income  1,787   2,038   2,992   3,338 
         
Non-interest expense:        
Salaries and employee benefits  5,616   5,042   10,841   9,503 
Occupancy expense of premises  1,378   964   2,688   1,944 
Equipment  1,574   1,341   3,106   2,698 
Professional fees  304   533   406   1,023 
Director fees  200   194   379   362 
Regulatory assessments  265   282   540   534 
Advertising  237   266   675   440 
Other real estate owned, net  120   32   169   40 
Other  1,469   812   2,343   1,478 
Total non-interest expense  11,163   9,466   21,147   18,022 
         
Income before income tax provision  3,190   4,366   6,282   8,174 
Income tax provision  1,309   1,736   2,555   3,309 
         
Net Income $ 1,881  $ 2,630  $ 3,727  $ 4,865 
Preferred stock dividends  201   204   403   397 
Net Income available to common stockholders $ 1,680  $ 2,426  $ 3,324  $ 4,468 
         
Net Income per common share-basic and diluted        
Basic $ 0.20  $ 0.29  $ 0.40  $ 0.54 
Diluted $ 0.20  $ 0.29  $ 0.39  $ 0.53 
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding        
Basic  8,421   8,353   8,410   8,346 
Diluted  8,447   8,401   8,434   8,396