Provident Financial Holdings Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2016 Earnings

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

Net Income Rises 12% to $2.8 Million Compared to Same Quarter Last Year

Diluted Earnings Per Share Increases 21% to $0.34 Per Share Compared to Same Quarter Last Year

RIVERSIDE, Calif., July 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. (“Company”), (NASDAQ:PROV), the holding company for Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B. (“Bank”), today announced fourth quarter earnings for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Company reported net income of $2.80 million, or $0.34 per diluted share (on 8.30 million diluted shares outstanding), up from net income of $2.49 million, or $0.28 per diluted share (on 8.88 million diluted shares outstanding), in the comparable period a year ago.  The increase in net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was primarily attributable to an increase in the gain on sale of loans and a higher recovery from the allowance for loan losses as compared to the same period one year ago.

“Mortgage banking fundamentals continued to improve this quarter which resulted in the sequential quarter increase in net income.  Expanding loan sale margins and an increase in sequential quarter loan sale volume both contributed to the better mortgage banking operations,” said Craig G. Blunden, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  “We continue to increase our preferred loan portfolio at a solid pace, up 15 percent from last year, while the legacy single-family portfolio is declining, resulting in what we believe to be a more favorable loan portfolio composition.  Additionally, asset quality continues to improve, resulting in low levels of non-performing assets; the net interest margin is improving as liquidity is redeployed to higher yielding assets; and operating expenses are well-contained.  We are also pleased that we can return capital to our shareholders in the form of cash dividends and common stock repurchases, a low risk strategy to manage capital levels and ratios,” he concluded.

Return on average assets for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 increased to 0.96 percent from 0.84 percent for the same period of fiscal 2015; and return on average stockholders’ equity for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 increased to 8.32 percent from 7.02 percent for the comparable period of fiscal 2015.

On a sequential quarter basis, net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 reflects a $1.31 million, or 88 percent, increase from the net income of $1.49 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016.  The increase in net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2016 was primarily attributable to an increase of $850,000 in net interest income and an increase of $2.17 million in non-interest income, partly offset by an increase of $656,000 in non-interest expense and an increase of $986,000 in the provision for income taxes.  Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 were $0.34 per share, up 89 percent, from the $0.18 per share during the third quarter of fiscal 2016.  Return on average assets increased to 0.96 percent for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from 0.51 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2016; and return on average stockholders’ equity for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was 8.32 percent, compared to 4.36 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2016.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, net income decreased $2.09 million, or 21 percent, to $7.71 million from $9.80 million in the comparable period ended June 30, 2015; and diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 decreased $0.17 per share, or 16 percent, to $0.90 per share from $1.07 per share for the comparable twelve month period last year.

Net interest income decreased $88,000, or one percent, to $8.76 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from $8.85 million for the same quarter of fiscal 2015, attributable to a lower average earning assets balance, partly offset by a slight increase in the net interest margin. The average earning assets balance for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was $1.13 billion, down one percent from $1.14 billion during the same period last year. The net interest margin during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 increased one basis point to 3.10 percent from 3.09 percent in the same quarter last year.  The increase was primarily due to the decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.  The average yield of interest-earning assets decreased by one basis point to 3.69 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from 3.70 percent in the same quarter last year, while the average cost of liabilities decreased by three basis points to 0.66 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from 0.69 percent in the same quarter last year.

The average balance of loans outstanding, including loans held for sale, decreased by $74.7 million, or seven percent, to $960.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from $1.04 billion in the same quarter of fiscal 2015, primarily due to a decrease in average loans held for sale attributable to lower mortgage banking activity.  The average yield on loans receivable increased by 27 basis points to 4.16 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from an average yield of 3.89 percent in the same quarter of fiscal 2015.  The increase in the average loan yield was primarily attributable to $544,000 of interest income received from payoffs of non-performing loans in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.  The average balance of loans held for sale in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was $154.5 million with an average yield of 3.62 percent as compared to $219.8 million with an average yield of 3.63 percent in the same quarter of fiscal 2015.  The outstanding balance of “preferred loans” (multi-family, commercial real estate, construction and commercial business loans) increased by $65.8 million, or 15 percent, to $519.2 million at June 30, 2016 from $453.4 million at June 30, 2015, net of undisbursed loan funds of $11.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively.  The percentage of preferred loans to total loans held for investment at June 30, 2016 increased to 61 percent from 55 percent at June 30, 2015.  Loan principal payments received in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 were $47.1 million, compared to $32.0 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2015. 

The average balance of investment securities increased by $29.2 million, or 188 percent, to $44.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from $15.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2015.  The increase was attributable to the mortgage-backed security purchases during fiscal 2016, partly offset by principal payments received on mortgage-backed securities during the same period.  The average yield on investment securities decreased 67 basis points to 1.11 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from 1.78 percent for the same quarter of fiscal 2015. The decrease in the average yield was primarily attributable to the mortgage-backed security purchases during fiscal 2016 which had lower average yields than the existing portfolio.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) – San Francisco distributed a $179,000 cash dividend to the Bank, a $215,000 decrease from the $394,000 cash dividend (inclusive of a $261,000 special cash dividend) received by the Bank in the same quarter last year.

The average balance of the Company’s interest-earning deposits, primarily cash with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, increased $33.8 million, or 40 percent, to $119.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from $85.2 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2015.  The increase in interest-earning deposits was primarily due to temporarily investing excess cash from ongoing business activities into short-term, highly liquid instruments as part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy.  The average yield earned on interest-earning deposits in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was 0.50 percent, up from 0.25 percent in the same quarter of fiscal 2015 as a result of the impact of the recent increase in the federal funds rate, but significantly lower than the yield that could have been earned if the excess liquidity was deployed in loans or investment securities.

Average deposits increased $8.2 million, or one percent, to $926.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from $918.1 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2015.  The average cost of deposits decreased by five basis points to 0.45 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from 0.50 percent in the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher cost time deposits repricing to lower current market interest rates and a lower percentage of time deposits to the total deposit balance.  Transaction account balances or “core deposits” increased $39.1 million, or seven percent, to $617.5 million at June 30, 2016 from $578.4 million at June 30, 2015, while time deposits decreased $36.8 million, or 11 percent, to $308.9 million at June 30, 2016 from $345.7 million at June 30, 2015, consistent with the Bank’s strategy to decrease the percentage of time deposits in its deposit base and to increase the percentage of lower cost checking and savings accounts.

The average balance of borrowings, which consisted of FHLB – San Francisco advances, decreased $10.2 million, or 10 percent, to $91.3 million and the average cost of advances increased 44 basis points to 2.82 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to an average balance of $101.5 million and an average cost of 2.38 percent in the same quarter of fiscal 2015.  The decrease in the average balance of borrowings was primarily attributable to the maturity of overnight borrowings, partly offset by newly acquired higher cost long-term advances during the second half of fiscal 2015 to protect against rising interest rates.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded a recovery from the allowance for loan losses of $621,000 compared to the recovery of $104,000 recorded during the same period of fiscal 2015 and the $694,000 recovery recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 (sequential quarter).  The increases in the recovery were primarily attributable to further improvement in loan credit quality and an increase in net recoveries of previously charged off loans.

Non-performing assets, with underlying collateral primarily located in California, decreased to $13.0 million, or 1.11 percent of total assets, at June 30, 2016, compared to $16.3 million, or 1.39 percent of total assets, at June 30, 2015.  Non-performing loans at June 30, 2016 decreased $3.6 million or 26 percent since June 30, 2015 to $10.3 million and were primarily comprised of 35 single-family loans ($9.5 million); two multi-family loans ($709,000); and one commercial business loan ($76,000).  Real estate owned acquired in the settlement of loans at June 30, 2016 increased $308,000, or 13 percent, to $2.7 million (four properties) from $2.4 million (three properties) at June 30, 2015.  The real estate owned at June 30, 2016 was comprised of four single-family real estate properties. 

Net recoveries for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 were $1.09 million or 0.45 percent (annualized) of average loans receivable, compared to net recoveries of $116,000 or 0.04 percent (annualized) of average loans receivable for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and net recoveries of $126,000 or 0.05 percent (annualized) of average loans receivable for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (sequential quarter).

Classified assets at June 30, 2016 were $21.9 million, comprised of $8.9 million of loans in the special mention category, $10.3 million of loans in the substandard category and $2.7 million in real estate owned.  Classified assets at June 30, 2015 were $31.1 million, comprised of $8.2 million of loans in the special mention category, $20.5 million of loans in the substandard category and $2.4 million in real estate owned.  For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, no loans were restructured from their original terms or newly classified as a restructured loan.

The allowance for loan losses was $8.7 million at June 30, 2016, or 1.02 percent of gross loans held for investment, compared to $8.7 million at June 30, 2015, or 1.06 percent of gross loans held for investment.  Management believes that, based on currently available information, the allowance for loan losses is sufficient to absorb potential losses inherent in loans held for investment at June 30, 2016.

Non-interest income increased by $79,000, or one percent, to $10.59 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from $10.51 million in the same period of fiscal 2015, primarily as a result of an increase in the gain on sale of loans, partly offset by losses on the disposition of investment securities and losses on the sale and operations of real estate owned during the current quarter as compared to gains on the sale and operations of real estate owned in the comparable period last year.  On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest income increased $2.17 million, or 26 percent, primarily as a result of an increase in the gain on sale of loans.

The gain on sale of loans increased to $9.41 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 from $8.76 million in the comparable quarter last year, reflecting the impact of a higher average loan sale margin, partly offset by a lower loan sale volume.  The average loan sale margin from mortgage banking was 161 basis points for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, up 22 basis points from 139 basis points in the same quarter last year and up four basis points from 157 basis points in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 (sequential quarter).  Total loan sale volume, which includes the net change in commitments to extend credit on loans to be held for sale, was $584.5 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2016, down eight percent, from $636.8 million in the comparable quarter last year. The gain on sale of loans includes a favorable fair-value adjustment on loans held for sale and derivative financial instruments (commitments to extend credit, commitments to sell loans, commitments to sell mortgage-backed securities, and option contracts) that amounted to a net gain of $459,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to an unfavorable fair-value adjustment that amounted to a net loss of $5.34 million in the same period last year.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, a total of $557.2 million of loans were originated and purchased for sale, 23 percent lower than the $720.7 million for the same period last year, but 42 percent higher than the $392.9 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 (sequential quarter).  Total loans sold during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 were $551.1 million, 31 percent lower than the $795.5 million sold during the same quarter last year, but 44 percent higher than the $383.6 million sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 (sequential quarter).  Total loan originations (including loans originated and purchased for investment and loans originated and purchased for sale) were $639.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, a decrease of 15 percent from $747.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2015, but 45 percent higher than the $439.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 (sequential quarter).

The sale and operations of real estate owned acquired in the settlement of loans resulted in a net loss of $83,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to a $294,000 net gain in the comparable period last year.  Four real estate owned properties were sold in the quarter ended June 30, 2016 compared to four real estate owned properties sold in the same quarter last year.  Three real estate owned properties were acquired in the settlement of loans during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to two properties acquired in the comparable period last year.  As of June 30, 2016, the real estate owned balance was $2.7 million (four properties), compared to $2.4 million (three properties) at June 30, 2015.

Non-interest expenses were virtually unchanged, decreasing by $9,000 to $15.14 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from $15.15 million in the same quarter last year.  The decrease was primarily a result of decreases in equipment, sales and marketing and other operating expenses, partly offset by increases in salaries and employee benefits expense and premises and occupancy expenses.

The Company’s efficiency ratio remained unchanged at 78 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 as compared to the same quarter last year.

The Company’s provision for income taxes was $2.04 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, an increase of $207,000 or 11 percent, from $1.83 million in the same quarter last year, as a result of the increase in income before taxes.  The effective income tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was 42.2 percent as compared to 42.4 percent in the same quarter last year.  The Company believes that the tax provision recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 reflects its current income tax obligations.

The Company repurchased 229,633 shares of its common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 at an average cost of $17.95 per share.  As of June 30, 2016, a total of 393,283 shares or 93 percent of the shares authorized in the October 2015 stock repurchase plan have been purchased, leaving 28,350 shares available for future purchases.  The May 2016 stock repurchase plan authorizing the purchase of 397,000 shares will become effective once the Company has completed the October 2015 stock repurchase plan.

The Bank currently operates 14 retail/business banking offices in Riverside County and San Bernardino County (Inland Empire).  Provident Bank Mortgage operates two wholesale loan production offices and 14 retail loan production offices located throughout California.

The Company will host a conference call for institutional investors and bank analysts on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific) to discuss its financial results.  The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-800-230-1093 and requesting the Provident Financial Holdings Earnings Release Conference Call.  An audio replay of the conference call will be available through Wednesday, August 3, 2016 by dialing 1-800-475-6701 and referencing access code number 398198.

For more financial information about the Company please visit the website at www.myprovident.com and click on the “Investor Relations” section.

Safe-Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that the Company believes are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements relate to the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements the Company may make. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to the Company. There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited  to increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; secondary market conditions for loans and our ability to sell loans in the secondary market; changes in general economic conditions and conditions within the securities markets; legislative and regulatory changes; and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) - which are available on our website at www.myprovident.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These risks could cause our actual results for fiscal 2017 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of us and could negatively affect our operating and stock price performance.