WEST ORANGE, N.J., April 26, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- PennFed Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:PFSB), the $2.2 billion holding company for New Jersey-based Penn Federal Savings Bank, reported earnings for its third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2006 of 23 cents per diluted share compared to 28 cents per diluted share for the comparable prior year quarter.
For the first nine months ended March 31, 2006, PennFed reported earnings of 79 cents per diluted share, compared to 82 cents per diluted share for the comparable nine-month period of fiscal 2005.
Joseph L. LaMonica, PennFed's President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "We continue to experience net interest margin compression due to the flat yield curve and the extremely competitive New Jersey deposit market." Net interest margin contracted to 1.74% for the current quarter from 1.89% last quarter and 2.26% for the quarter a year ago as a result of the continuing rise in short term rates and the further flattening of the yield curve. While the challenging operating environment and flat yield curve will likely improve at some point in the future, the expectation is that the improvement will be slow and the current environment will remain for the near term.
"Given this difficult operating environment, PennFed is even more focused on productivity and efficiency," LaMonica stated.
Total assets at March 31, 2006 of $2.237 billion reflected growth of approximately 12% on an annualized basis from June 30, 2005. Loans receivable showed 14% growth annualized.
Total loan production was $108 million for the March 2006 quarter. "Focus continues to be placed on loan production, with a particular emphasis on the origination of home equity loans in addition to one- to four-family mortgage loans and commercial real estate loans," said LaMonica. Reaching a record level, consumer loan originations totaled $36.8 million for the current quarter -- a 55% increase from the prior year quarter.
The Company continues to experience strong competition for deposits. Furthermore, a shift in the mix of deposits continues as savings account customers move "parked" funds to other higher yielding alternatives. Checking and money market balances have increased by over 27% since June 30, 2005. With the pricing on retail deposits driven increasingly higher by competition, wholesale borrowings have been and will continue to be periodically used as a lower costing alternative source of funds. Nevertheless, the rate paid on interest bearing liabilities increased 20 basis points over the linked quarter due to the continued rise in short term rates and very strong competitive deposit pricing.
On February 27, 2006, the Company notified customers of its planned May 31, 2006 closing of its branch located at 493 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, New Jersey. The decision to close the branch was principally due to economies of scale. Deposits will be transferred to a branch located less than two miles from the branch to be closed.
Asset quality has been and continues to be a priority for PennFed. Underwriting standards are strong and the relaxing of such standards for the sake of improving margin is not an option. The Company closely monitors non-performing assets and charge-offs continue to be minimal.
The Company is recognized as an efficient and low cost provider of financial services. For the current quarter, the non-interest expense ratio of just 1.04% continued to be very strong and reflects an improvement from 1.24% for the three months ended March 31, 2005.
PennFed continues to employ stock repurchases as a means of managing capital. During the March 2006 quarter, the Company repurchased 163,100 shares for a total cost of $3.0 million.
PennFed stockholders of record as of May 12, 2006 will be paid a cash dividend of $0.07 per share on May 26, 2006. The Company's dividend policy will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis.
Penn Federal Savings Bank maintains 25 New Jersey branch offices. The Bank's deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
This release contains words or phrases, such as "will," "expect," "anticipate," "continue" and similar expressions, that are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, changes in economic and competitive conditions in the Company's market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates and demand for loans in the Company's market area, the relationship of short-term interest rates to long-term interest rates, competition and terrorist acts that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected.
The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above, as well as other factors, 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.
PennFed Financial Services, Inc. (Holding Company for Penn Federal Savings Bank) Selected Consolidated Financial Information (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) March 31, December 31, June 30, March 31, 2006 2005 2005 2005 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Selected Financial Condition Data: Cash and cash equivalents $ 17,393 $ 17,988 $ 15,220 $ 12,757 Investments, net 445,332 425,405 410,509 424,491 Mortgage-backed securities, net 65,749 68,978 78,201 83,079 Loans held for sale 520 242 4,826 0 Loans receivable: One- to four-family mortgage loans 1,256,817 1,222,023 1,143,663 1,093,072 Commercial and multi-family real estate loans 166,321 170,653 169,765 167,783 Consumer loans 186,124 166,723 144,423 132,543 Allowance for loan losses (5,898) (5,913) (6,050) (6,054) Other, net 9,972 9,592 8,853 8,101 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Loans receivable, net 1,613,336 1,563,078 1,460,654 1,395,445 FHLB stock 26,261 25,028 22,391 21,733 Other assets 68,755 60,546 58,750 58,859 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total assets $2,237,346 $2,161,265 $2,050,551 $1,996,364 ========== ========== ========== ========== Deposits: Checking and money market $ 289,638 $ 266,674 $ 227,031 $ 210,327 Savings 318,834 335,367 385,360 419,112 Certificates of deposit and accrued interest 763,687 784,334 727,100 655,028 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total deposits 1,372,159 1,386,375 1,339,491 1,284,467 FHLB advances 465,465 450,465 415,465 425,465 Other borrowings 214,334 141,770 107,952 103,059 Junior subordinated debentures 42,115 42,104 42,082 42,070 Other liabilities 19,688 16,379 21,507 17,074 Stockholders' equity 123,585(a) 124,172 124,054 124,229 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $2,237,346 $2,161,265 $2,050,551 $1,996,364 ========== ========== ========== ========== Book value per share $ 9.59 $ 9.54 $ 9.34 $ 9.20 Equity to assets 5.52% 5.75% 6.05% 6.22% Asset Quality Data: Non-performing loans $ 2,611 $ 2,718 $ 2,619 $ 1,611 Real estate owned, net 0 502 0 0 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total non-performing assets $ 2,611 $ 3,220 $ 2,619 $ 1,611 ========== ========== ========== ========== Non-performing loans to total loans 0.16% 0.17% 0.18% 0.11% Non-performing assets to total assets 0.12% 0.15% 0.13% 0.08% Allowance for loan losses to non- performing loans 225.89% 217.55% 231.00% 375.79% Allowance for loan losses to total gross loans 0.36% 0.38% 0.41% 0.43% Regulatory Capital Ratios (of the Bank): Tangible capital ratio (requirement - 1.50%) 7.57% 7.80% 8.28% 8.51% Core capital ratio (requirement - 4.00%) 7.57% 7.80% 8.28% 8.51% Risk-based capital ratio (requirement - 8.00%) 14.39% 14.89% 15.84% 16.43% (a) Common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2006 totaled 12,891,478 shares. For the For the Three months ended Nine months ended March 31, March 31, Selected Operating ----------------------- ----------------------- Data: 2006 2005 2006 2005 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Interest and dividend income $ 28,973 $ 26,167 $ 85,006 $ 77,971 Interest expense 19,762 15,300 55,968 45,094 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest and dividend income 9,211 10,867 29,038 32,877 Provision for loan losses 0 0 0 0 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses 9,211 10,867 29,038 32,877 Non-interest income: Service charges 778 703 4,952 2,296 Net gain (loss) from real estate operations (3) 0 (4) 157 Net gain on sales of loans 0 172 143 266 Income on BOLI 239 217 674 466 Other 201 152 535 514 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total non-interest income 1,215 1,244 6,300 3,699 Non-interest expenses: Compensation & employee benefits 3,134 3,135 9,460 9,407 Net occupancy expense 664 643 1,843 1,741 Equipment 530 516 2,039 1,594 Advertising 168 155 467 549 Amortization of intangible assets 0 454 0 1,361 Federal deposit insurance premium 45 44 132 128 Extinguishment of debt 0 0 1,351 0 Other 1,119 1,196 3,509 3,663 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total non-interest expenses 5,660 6,143 18,801 18,443 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 4,766 5,968 16,537 18,133 Income tax expense 1,717 2,114 5,902 6,511 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income $ 3,049 $ 3,854 $ 10,635 $ 11,622 ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted avg. no of diluted common shares 13,349,234 13,959,738 13,520,805 14,099,360 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.23 $ 0.28 $ 0.79 $ 0.82 Return on average common equity 9.87% 12.44% 11.37% 12.68% Return on average assets 0.56% 0.78% 0.66% 0.79% Average total assets $2,184,365 $1,985,274 $2,136,358 $1,965,031 Average earning assets $2,111,183 $1,913,274 $2,065,194 $1,898,462 Yield on average interest-earning assets 5.51% 5.48% 5.48% 5.47% Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities 3.90% 3.34% 3.72% 3.27% ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest rate spread 1.61% 2.14% 1.76% 2.20% ========== ========== ========== ========== Net interest margin 1.74% 2.26% 1.89% 2.32% Non-interest exp. as a % of avg. assets 1.04% 1.24% 1.17% 1.25% Efficiency ratio 54.27% 46.97% 53.20% 46.90% Loan originations and purchases: One- to four- family mortgage loans $ 64,637 $ 63,610 $ 255,927 $ 242,753 Commercial and multi-family real estate loans 7,005 8,110 29,707 30,142 Consumer loans 36,791 23,681 95,257 61,507 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total loan originations and purchases $ 108,433 $ 95,401 $ 380,891 $ 334,402 ========== ========== ========== ========== PennFed Financial Services, Inc. (Holding Company for Penn Federal Savings Bank) Selected Consolidated Financial Information (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME ---------------------------------- For the For the Three months ended Nine months ended March 31, March 31, ---------------------- ---------------------- 2006 2005 2006 2005 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Reported net income $ 3,049 $ 3,854 $ 10,635 $ 11,622 Adjustments: Commercial loan prepayment premium 0 0 (2,688) 0 Prepayment penalty on FHLB advances 0 0 1,351 0 Acceleration of depreciation on branch automation system software 0 0 372 0 Increase in obligation under certain long-term benefit plans 0 0 259 0 Net tax effect 0 0 247 0 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Adjustments, net of taxes 0 0 (459) 0 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- "Adjusted" net income $ 3,049 $ 3,854 $ 10,176 $ 11,622 ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted avg. no of diluted common shares 13,349,234 13,959,738 13,520,805 14,099,360 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.23 $ 0.28 $ 0.75 $ 0.82 Return on average common equity 9.87% 12.44% 10.88% 12.68% Return on average assets 0.56% 0.78% 0.64% 0.79% Non-interest exp. as a % of avg. assets 1.04% 1.24% 1.05% 1.25% Efficiency ratio 54.27% 46.97% 51.51% 46.90% PennFed Financial Services, Inc. (Holding Company for Penn Federal Savings Bank) Selected Consolidated Financial Information (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) For the three months ended ------------------------------------ Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, 2006 2005 2005 ---------- ---------- ---------- Selected Operating Data: Interest and dividend income $ 28,973 $ 28,350 $ 27,683 Interest expense 19,762 18,715 17,491 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest and dividend income 9,211 9,635 10,192 Provision for loan losses 0 0 0 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses 9,211 9,635 10,192 Non-interest income: Service charges 778 704 3,470 Net gain (loss) from real estate operations (3) 2 (3) Net gain on sales of loans 0 21 122 Income on BOLI 239 219 216 Other 201 153 181 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total non-interest income 1,215 1,099 3,986 Non-interest expenses: Compensation & employee benefits 3,134 3,067 3,259 Net occupancy expense 664 594 585 Equipment 530 538 971 Advertising 168 165 134 Amortization of intangible assets 0 0 0 Federal deposit insurance premium 45 45 42 Extinguishment of debt 0 0 1,351 Other 1,119 979 1,411 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total non-interest expenses 5,660 5,388 7,753 ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 4,766 5,346 6,425 Income tax expense 1,717 1,892 2,293 ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income $ 3,049 $ 3,454 $ 4,132 ========== ========== ========== Weighted avg. no. of diluted common shares 13,349,234 13,509,140 13,700,349 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.23 $ 0.26 $ 0.30 Return on average common equity 9.87% 11.09% 13.12% Return on average assets 0.56% 0.65% 0.79% Average total assets $2,184,365 $2,137,449 $2,087,261 Average earning assets $2,111,183 $2,066,915 $2,017,484 Yield on average interest- earning assets 5.51% 5.46% 5.47% Cost of average interest- bearing liabilities 3.90% 3.70% 3.55% ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest rate spread 1.61% 1.76% 1.92% ========== ========== ========== Net interest margin 1.74% 1.89% 2.05% Non-interest exp. as a % of avg. assets 1.04% 1.01% 1.49% Efficiency ratio 54.27% 50.20% 54.67% Loan originations and purchases: One- to four-family mortgage loans $ 64,637 $ 73,061 $ 118,229 Commercial and multi-family real estate loans 7,005 14,387 8,315 Consumer loans 36,791 27,996 30,470 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total loan originations and purchases $ 108,433 $ 115,444 $ 157,014 ========== ========== ========== For the three months ended ------------------------ Jun. 30, Mar. 31, 2005 2005 ---------- ---------- Selected Operating Data: Interest and dividend income $ 26,751 $ 26,167 Interest expense 16,290 15,300 ---------- ---------- Net interest and dividend income 10,461 10,867 Provision for loan losses 0 0 ---------- ---------- Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses 10,461 10,867 Non-interest income: Service charges 800 703 Net gain (loss) from real estate operations (1) 0 Net gain on sales of loans 128 172 Income on BOLI 224 217 Other 146 152 ---------- ---------- Total non-interest income 1,297 1,244 Non-interest expenses: Compensation & employee benefits 2,856 3,135 Net occupancy expense 578 643 Equipment 546 516 Advertising 170 155 Amortization of intangible assets 0 454 Federal deposit insurance premium 44 44 Extinguishment of debt 0 0 Other 1,534 1,196 ---------- ---------- Total non-interest expenses 5,728 6,143 ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 6,030 5,968 Income tax expense 2,158 2,114 ---------- ---------- Net income $ 3,872 $ 3,854 ========== ========== Weighted avg. no. of diluted common shares 13,742,337 13,959,738 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.28 $ 0.28 Return on average common equity 12.50% 12.44% Return on average assets 0.76% 0.78% Average total assets $2,029,268 $1,985,274 Average earning assets $1,959,481 $1,913,274 Yield on average interest-earning assets 5.46% 5.48% Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities 3.44% 3.34% ---------- ---------- Net interest rate spread 2.02% 2.14% ========== ========== Net interest margin 2.14% 2.26% Non-interest exp. as a % of avg. assets 1.13% 1.24% Efficiency ratio 48.71% 46.97% Loan originations and purchases: One- to four-family mortgage loans $ 107,521 $ 63,610 Commercial and multi-family real estate loans 8,470 8,110 Consumer loans 29,301 23,681 ---------- ---------- Total loan originations and purchases $ 145,292 $ 95,401 ========== ========== PennFed Financial Services, Inc. (Holding Company for Penn Federal Savings Bank) Selected Consolidated Financial Information (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME ---------------------------------- For the three months ended ------------------------------------ Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, 2006 2005 2005 ---------- ---------- ---------- Reported net income $ 3,049 $ 3,454 $ 4,132 Adjustments: Commercial loan prepayment premium 0 0 (2,688) Prepayment penalty on FHLB advances 0 0 1,351 Acceleration of depreciation on branch automation system software 0 0 372 Increase in obligation under certain long-term benefit plans 0 0 259 Additional Sarbanes Oxley compliance costs 0 0 0 Net tax effect 0 0 247 ---------- ---------- ---------- Adjustments, net of taxes 0 0 (459) ---------- ---------- ---------- "Adjusted" net income $ 3,049 $ 3,454 $ 3,673 ========== ========== ========== Weighted avg. no. of diluted common shares 13,349,234 13,509,140 13,700,349 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.23 $ 0.26 $ 0.27 Return on average common equity 9.87% 11.09% 11.66% Return on average assets 0.56% 0.65% 0.70% Non-interest exp. as a % of avg. assets 1.04% 1.01% 1.11% Efficiency ratio 54.27% 50.20% 50.21% For the three months ended -------------------------- Jun. 30, Mar. 31, 2005 2005 ---------- ---------- Reported net income $ 3,872 $ 3,854 Adjustments: Commercial loan prepayment premium 0 0 Prepayment penalty on FHLB advances 0 0 Acceleration of depreciation on branch automation system software 0 0 Increase in obligation under certain long-term benefit plans 0 0 Additional Sarbanes Oxley compliance costs 208 0 Net tax effect (73) 0 ---------- ---------- Adjustments, net of taxes 135 0 ---------- ---------- "Adjusted" net income $ 4,007 $ 3,854 ========== ========== Weighted avg. no. of diluted common shares 13,742,337 13,959,738 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.28 Return on average common equity 12.93% 12.44% Return on average assets 0.79% 0.78% Non-interest exp. as a % of avg. assets 1.09% 1.24% Efficiency ratio 46.94% 46.97%