Fox Chase Bancorp, Inc. Announces Earnings for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011


HATBORO, Pa., Oct. 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fox Chase Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:FXCB), the holding company for Fox Chase Bank (the "Bank"), today announced net income of $1.2 million, or $0.09 per share, and $3.7 million, or $0.28 per share, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to net income of $692,000, or $0.05 per share, and $1.9 million, or $0.13 per share, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.02 per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on or about November 28, 2011 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 11, 2011.

Highlights for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 included:

  • Return on assets improved to 0.46% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to 0.23% for the three months ended September 30, 2010.
  • Net interest income increased $1.0 million, or 14.8%, to $8.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $7.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, and increased $3.3 million, or 16.5%, to $23.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $20.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Net interest margin was 3.10% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to 2.35% for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The improvements in net interest income and margin were primarily driven by decreases in interest expense on deposits as higher rate certificates of deposit matured and other deposit products repriced in the lower rate environment throughout 2010 and the first nine months of 2011. Reduced interest costs on Federal Home Loan Bank (the "FHLB") advances also contributed to the decrease in interest expense as $30.0 million matured during the three months ended September 30, 2011.
  • Net interest income increased $281,000, or 3.6%, to $8.1 million compared to $7.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Net interest margin was 3.10% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to 2.95% for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The improvements in net interest income and margin were primarily due to a decrease in the cost of funds on deposits from 1.50% to 1.40% as well as the maturity of FHLB advances.
  • The efficiency ratio improved to 61.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 64.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 70.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2010.
  • Service charges and other fee income increased $180,000, or 72.6%, and $450,000, or 59.4%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The increases were primarily due to an increase in cash management and commercial fees of $185,000 and $428,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, which included unused lines and letters of credit and international banking transaction fees.
  • The Bank recorded a $160,000 ($106,000 after tax) additional other-than-temporary credit impairment charge on its private label residential mortgage related security in the third quarter of 2011. Total other-than-temporary credit impairment on this security is $361,000 ($238,000 after tax) for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The additional impairment during the three months ended September 30, 2011 was due to continued increases in default rates and reduction in payment speeds on the underlying residential mortgage collateral. The security had a net book value after impairment of $175,000 as of September 30, 2011.
  • Noninterest expense increased $132,000, or 2.4%, to $5.7 million and $528,000, or 3.3%, to $16.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $5.6 million and $15.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Salaries, benefits and other compensation increased $227,000 and $662,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, primarily as a result of increased employee stock ownership benefits implemented in conjunction with the Bank's mutual-to-stock conversion in the second quarter of 2010 and higher incentive compensation accruals. Professional fees increased $103,000 and $321,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, primarily due to legal costs associated with the Bank's nonperforming assets as well as other consulting costs. The Bank recorded a provision for loss on other real estate owned of $310,000 and $410,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. FDIC premiums decreased $173,000 and $434,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The decrease was a result of lower deposit balances and a lower assessment rate. 
  • Total assets were $1.03 billion at September 30, 2011, a decrease of $64.1 million, or 5.8%, from $1.10 billion at December 31, 2010. Total loans were $648.1 million at September 30, 2011, an increase of $5.5 million, or 0.9%, from $642.7 million at December 31, 2010. The Bank's multi-family and commercial real estate portfolio increased $25.9 million and the commercial and industrial portfolio increased $26.2 million, offset by decreases in the one-to four-family real estate portfolio of $29.3 million, commercial construction portfolio of $10.3 million and consumer loan portfolio of $6.9 million.
  • Total loans increased $9.5 million, or 1.5%, from $638.6 million at June 30, 2011 to $648.1 million at September 30, 2011. The Bank's multi-family and commercial real estate portfolio increased $16.7 million and its commercial and industrial portfolio increased $8.0 million, offset by decreases in the one-to four-family real estate portfolio of $10.2 million, consumer loan portfolio of $2.3 million and commercial construction portfolio of $2.5 million.

Credit related items as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 include:

  • The allowance for loan losses was $12.6 million, or 1.90% of total loans, at September 30, 2011, compared to $12.4 million, or 1.91% of total loans, at June 30, 2011 and $12.4 million, or 1.90% of total loans, at December 31, 2010.
  • The provision for loan losses was $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $900,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010.
  • Net loan charge-offs totaled $888,000 and $2.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $3.3 million and $4.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. 
  • Nonperforming assets increased $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and decreased $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $25.7 million, or 2.49% of total assets at September 30, 2011. Nonperforming assets increased during the three months ended September 30, 2011 as a construction borrower continued to experience difficulty in this challenging economy. This borrower had been previously identified as a troubled debt restructuring. 
  • Delinquent loans totaled $4.5 million at September 30, 2011, compared to $2.0 million at June 30, 2011 and $5.1 million at December 31, 2010. 

From July 1, 2011 to October 25, 2011, the Company repurchased 877,900, or 6.0% of its issued shares as part of its current 10% stock repurchase plan announced in April 2011 ("April 2011 Plan").   On October 26, 2011, the Board of Directors approved an additional 5% stock repurchase plan ("October 2011 Plan"). Repurchases related to the October 2011 Plan would begin subsequent to completion of purchases under the April 2011 Plan, subject to market conditions and other factors.

Commenting on the third quarter 2011 performance, Thomas M. Petro, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "We continue to make steady progress towards our strategy of transitioning Fox Chase Bank from a traditional thrift to a commercial bank. Again this quarter, we made progress in our key metrics: return on assets, net interest margin and efficiency ratio. Consistent with our strategy, commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans grew $24.7 million during the quarter, offset by reductions in residential mortgages loans and consumer loan portfolios. We continue to be well positioned to exit this credit cycle with a strong balance sheet and capital to grow."

Fox Chase Bancorp, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2011 results on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 9:00 am EDT. The general public can access the call by dialing (877) 317-6789. A replay of the conference call will be available through November 18, 2011 by dialing (877) 344-7529; use Conference ID: 10005309.

Fox Chase Bancorp, Inc. is the stock holding company of Fox Chase Bank. The Bank is a federally chartered savings bank originally established in 1867. The Bank offers traditional banking services and products from its main office in Hatboro, Pennsylvania and ten branch offices in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania and Atlantic and Cape May Counties in New Jersey. For more information, please visit the Bank's website at www.foxchasebank.com.

The Fox Chase Bancorp, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4080

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words like "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." Statements in this release that are not strictly historical are forward-looking and are based upon current expectations that may differ materially from actual results. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein. These risks and uncertainties involve general economic trends, changes in interest rates, loss of deposits and loan demand to other financial institutions, substantial changes in financial markets; changes in real estate value and the real estate market, regulatory changes, possibility of unforeseen events affecting the industry generally, the uncertainties associated with newly developed or acquired operations, the outcome of pending litigation, and market disruptions and other effects of terrorist activities. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS         
 (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)        
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2011 2010 2011 2010
  (Unaudited)
INTEREST INCOME        
Interest and fees on loans $9,021 $9,382 $26,579 $27,317
Interest on mortgage related securities  2,425 2,691 7,651 9,438
Interest on investment securities available-for-sale        
Taxable 116 142 380 315
Nontaxable 28 84 165 257
Other interest income 16 86 69 249
Total Interest Income 11,606 12,385 34,844 37,576
INTEREST EXPENSE        
Deposits 2,099 3,734 6,769 12,531
Short-term borrowings 2  -- 2  --
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 1,007 1,194 3,314 3,602
Other borrowed funds  437 437 1,296 1,296
Total Interest Expense 3,545 5,365 11,381 17,429
Net Interest Income 8,061 7,020 23,463 20,147
Provision for loan losses 1,034 2,889 2,909 4,855
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses 7,027 4,131 20,554 15,292
NONINTEREST INCOME        
Service charges and other fee income 428 248 1,207 757
Net gain on sale of premises and equipment  -- 6  -- 6
Net gain on sale of other real estate owned 57  -- 77  --
Impairment loss on real estate held for investment (110)  -- (110)  --
Income on bank-owned life insurance 119 119 349 352
Other 133 57 222 152
         
Total other-than-temporary impairment loss (206)  -- (407)  --
Less: Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes) 46  -- 46  --
Net other-than-temporary impairment loss (160)  -- (361)  --
Net gains on sale of investment securities  -- 1,963  -- 1,963
Net investment securities (losses) gains (160) 1,963 (361) 1,963
         
Total Noninterest Income 467 2,393 1,384 3,230
NONINTEREST EXPENSE        
Salaries, benefits and other compensation 3,297 3,070 9,678 9,016
Occupancy expense 457 455 1,388 1,394
Furniture and equipment expense 107 113 314 346
Data processing costs 439 408 1,277 1,237
Professional fees 410 307 1,245 924
Marketing expense 95 75 240 241
FDIC premiums 170 343 682 1,116
Provision for loss on other real estate owned 310 345 410 379
Other real estate owned expense 5 46 49 75
Other 400 396 1,185 1,212
Total Noninterest Expense 5,690 5,558 16,468 15,940
Income Before Income Taxes 1,804 966 5,470 2,582
Income tax provision 572 274 1,735 731
Net Income  $1,232 $692 $3,735 $1,851
Earnings per share:        
Basic $0.09 $0.05 $0.28 $0.13
Diluted $0.09 $0.05 $0.28 $0.13
     
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION     
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data)    
  September 30, December 31,
  2011 2010
  (Unaudited)  
ASSETS    
Cash and due from banks $132 $156
Interest-earning demand deposits in other banks 5,327 38,158
Total cash and cash equivalents 5,459 38,314
     
Investment securities available-for-sale 24,343 32,671
Mortgage related securities available-for-sale 258,562 278,632
Mortgage related securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $46,309 at September 30, 2011 and $50,817 at December 31, 2010) 45,517 51,835
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $12,581 at September 30, 2011 and $12,443 at December 31, 2010 648,149 642,653
Other real estate owned 2,907 3,186
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost 8,499 9,913
Bank-owned life insurance 13,487 13,138
Premises and equipment 10,549 10,693
Real estate held for investment 1,620 1,730
Accrued interest receivable 4,626 4,500
Mortgage servicing rights, net 329 448
Deferred tax asset, net 854 1,376
Other assets 6,547 6,414
Total Assets $1,031,448 $1,095,503
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
LIABILITIES    
Deposits $666,522 $711,763
Short-term borrowings 24,000  --
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 89,423 122,800
Other borrowed funds 50,000 50,000
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance 1,109 1,896
Accrued interest payable 435 580
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 2,588 2,760
Total Liabilities 834,077 889,799
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Preferred stock ($.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and
December 31, 2010)
 --   -- 
Common stock ($.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, 13,772,410 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011
and 60,000,000 shares authorized, 14,547,173 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010)
146 145
Additional paid-in capital 134,540 133,997
Treasury stock, at cost (789,800 shares at September 30, 2011 and 0 shares at December 31, 2010) (10,398)  -- 
Common stock acquired by benefit plans (11,699) (9,283)
Retained earnings 77,132 74,307
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net 7,650 6,538
Total Stockholders' Equity 197,371 205,704
     
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $1,031,448 $1,095,503
 
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA OF THE COMPANY (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)        
         
  September 30, June 30, December 31, September 30,
  2011 2011 2010 2010
CAPITAL RATIOS:        
Total stockholders' equity (to total assets) (1) 19.14% 19.29% 18.78% 18.13%
         
Tier 1 capital (to adjusted assets) (2) 14.95  14.01 13.60 13.09
Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets) (2) 23.27  23.19 22.53 22.48
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets) (2) 24.28  24.18 23.76 23.70
         
ASSET QUALITY INDICATORS:        
Nonperforming Assets:        
Nonperforming loans $20,629 $18,679 $26,637 $27,672
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more (4) 2,117  --  --  --
Total nonperforming loans and accruing loans 90 days or more past due $22,746 $18,679 $26,637 $27,672
Other real estate owned 2,907 3,024 3,186 3,786
Total nonperforming assets $25,653 $21,703 $29,823 $31,458
         
Ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans (3) 3.44% 2.87% 4.07% 4.15%
Ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets 2.49 1.99 2.72 2.78
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.90 1.91 1.90 1.70
 Ratio of allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans (3) 55.3 66.6 46.7 40.9
         
Impaired Loans:        
Nonperforming loans (3) $22,746 $18,679 $26,637 $ 27,672 
Troubled debt restructurings 6,856 11,321 8,617 985
Other impaired loans  --  -- 3,894  --
Total impaired loans $29,602 $30,000 $39,148 $28,657
         
Past Due Loans:        
30 - 59 days $846 $1,578 $5,001 $5,638
60 - 89 days  3,612 442 144 82
Total $4,458 $2,020 $5,145 $5,720
         
(1) Represents stockholders' equity ratio of Fox Chase Bancorp, Inc.        
(2) Represents capital ratios of Fox Chase Bank.        
(3) Includes nonaccruing loans and accruing loans past due 90 days or more.        
(4) Accruing loans past due 90 days or more includes $2.1 million of consumer loans that matured during the September quarter and are currently in the process of being sold or liquidated.  Management anticipates the loans will be paid off in full.        
       
  At or for the Three Months Ended
  September 30, June 30, September 30,
  2011 2011 2010
PERFORMANCE RATIOS (5):      
Return on average assets  0.46% 0.47% 0.23%
Return on average equity  2.42 2.41 1.34
Net interest margin  3.10 2.95 2.35
Efficiency ratio (6) 61.6 64.0 70.0
OTHER:      
Tangible book value per share $14.33 $14.41 $14.10
Employees (full-time equivalents) 135 133 139
       
       
  At or for the Nine Months Ended  
  September 30, September 30,  
  2011 2010  
PERFORMANCE RATIOS (5):      
Return on average assets  0.46% 0.21%  
Return on average equity  2.41 1.61  
Net interest margin  2.96 2.33  
Efficiency ratio (6) 63.6 72.7  
       
       
(5) Annualized.
(6) Represents noninterest expense, excluding provision for loss on other real estate owned, divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, excluding gains or losses on the sale of securities, premises and equipment and other real estate owned and excluding impairment loss on real estate held for investment.
             
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET            
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)            
             
  Three Months Ended September 30,
  2011 2010
    Interest     Interest  
  Average and  Yield/ Average and  Yield/
  Balance Dividends Cost (2) Balance Dividends Cost (2)
Assets: (Dollars in thousands)          
Interest-earning assets:            
Interest-earning demand deposits $28,268 $16 0.22% $137,373 $86 0.25%
Mortgage related securities 315,815 2,425 3.07% 338,400 2,691 3.18%
Taxable securities 31,516 116 1.47% 32,823 142 1.73%
Nontaxable securities 2,105 28 5.30% 8,206 84 4.09%
Loans (1) 652,669 9,021 5.45% 672,041 9,382 5.52%
Allowance for loan losses (12,834)     (12,005)    
Net loans 639,835 9,021   660,036 9,382  
Total interest-earning assets 1,017,539 11,606 4.46% 1,176,838 12,385 4.13%
Noninterest-earning assets 44,186     47,787    
Total assets $1,061,725     $1,224,625    
Liabilities and equity:            
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Interest-bearing deposits 596,979 2,099 1.40% 755,477 3,734 1.96%
Borrowings 160,201 1,446 3.53% 174,590 1,631 3.65%
Total interest-bearing liabilities 757,180 3,545 1.85% 930,067 5,365 2.28%
Noninterest-bearing deposits 91,414     73,206    
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities 9,176     14,155    
Total liabilities 857,770     1,017,428    
Stockholders' equity 195,957     197,571    
Accumulated comprehensive income 7,998     9,626    
Total stockholder's equity 203,955     207,197    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,061,725     $1,224,625    
             
Net interest income   $8,061     $7,020  
Interest rate spread     2.61%     1.85%
Net interest margin     3.10%     2.35%
             
             
(1)  Nonperforming loans are included in average balance computation.
(2)  Yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis. 
           
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET          
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)          
             
             
  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
  September 30, 2011 June 30, 2011
    Interest     Interest  
  Average and  Yield/ Average and  Yield/
  Balance Dividends Cost (2) Balance Dividends Cost (2)
Assets: (Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:            
Interest-earning demand deposits $28,268 $16 0.22% $43,479 $25 0.23%
Mortgage related securities 315,815 2,425 3.07% 329,439 2,665 3.24%
Taxable securities 31,516 116 1.47% 32,032 124 1.54%
Nontaxable securities 2,105 28 5.30% 5,271 67 5.07%
Loans (1) 652,669 9,021 5.45% 638,747 8,726 5.43%
Allowance for loan losses (12,834)     (12,926)  --   
Net loans 639,835 9,021   625,821 8,726  
Total interest-earning assets 1,017,539 11,606 4.46% 1,036,042 11,607 4.40%
Noninterest-earning assets 44,186     45,334    
Total assets $1,061,725     $1,081,376    
Liabilities and equity:            
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Interest-bearing deposits 596,979 2,099 1.40% 600,405 2,242 1.50%
Borrowings 160,201 1,446 3.53% 171,268 1,585 3.66%
Total interest-bearing liabilities 757,180 3,545 1.85% 771,673 3,827 1.98%
Noninterest-bearing deposits 91,414     91,511    
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities 9,176     9,588    
Total liabilities 857,770     872,772    
Stockholders' equity 195,957     201,636    
Accumulated comprehensive income 7,998     6,968    
Total stockholder's equity 203,955     208,604    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,061,725     $1,081,376    
             
Net interest income   $8,061     $7,780  
Interest rate spread     2.61%     2.42%
Net interest margin     3.10%     2.95%
             
             
(1)  Nonperforming loans are included in average balance computation.
(2)  Yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.
             
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET            
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)            
             
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2011 2010
    Interest     Interest  
  Average and  Yield/ Average and  Yield/
  Balance Dividends Cost (2) Balance Dividends Cost (2)
Assets: (Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:            
Interest-earning demand deposits $40,141 $69 0.23% $89,233 $249 0.37%
Mortgage related securities 325,387 7,651 3.14% 365,720 9,438 3.44%
Taxable securities 32,464 380 1.56% 25,820 315 1.63%
Nontaxable securities 4,767 165 4.62% 8,538 257 4.02%
Loans (1) 646,002 26,579 5.45% 657,860 27,317 5.51%
Allowance for loan losses (12,851)     (11,304)    
Net loans 633,151 26,579   646,556 27,317  
Total interest-earning assets 1,035,910 34,844 4.41% 1,135,867 37,576 4.35%
Noninterest-earning assets 42,140     47,476    
Total assets $1,078,050     $1,183,343    
Liabilities and equity:            
Interest-bearing liabilities:            
Interest-bearing deposits 606,981 6,769 1.49% 776,417 12,531 2.16%
Borrowings 167,949 4,612 3.62% 176,789 4,898 3.65%
Total interest-bearing liabilities 774,930 11,381 1.95% 953,206 17,429 2.44%
Noninterest-bearing deposits 90,021     67,244    
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities 6,686     9,334    
Total liabilities 871,637     1,029,784    
Stockholders' equity 199,263     145,232    
Accumulated comprehensive income 7,150     8,327    
Total stockholder's equity 206,413     153,559    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,078,050     $1,183,343    
             
Net interest income   $23,463     $20,147  
Interest rate spread     2.46%     1.91%
Net interest margin     2.96%     2.33%
             
             
(1)  Nonperforming loans are included in average balance computation.
(2)  Yields are not presented on a tax-equivalent basis.


            

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