WSFS Reports 2Q 2018 Record Operating Results of 1.65% ROA and EPS of $0.89, an Increase of 39%, Driven by Strong, Balanced, Organic Growth in Net Interest Income, Fee Income, Loans and Deposits


WILMINGTON, Del., July 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WSFS Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:WSFS), the parent company of WSFS Bank, reported net income of $28.7 million, or $0.89 per diluted common share for 2Q 2018 compared to net income of $20.6 million, or $0.64 per share for 2Q 2017, an earnings per share (EPS) increase of 39%, and $37.4 million, or $1.16 per share for 1Q 2018. 1Q 2018 results included an unrealized investment valuation gain of $15.3 million (pre-tax), or $0.36 per share (after-tax), and a fraud recovery of $1.7 million, or $0.04 per share.

Net revenue (which includes net interest income and noninterest income) was $96.0 million for 2Q 2018, an increase of $10.0 million, or 12%, from 2Q 2017. Net interest income was $61.0 million, an increase of $6.7 million, or 12%, from 2Q 2017; and fee income (noninterest income) was $35.0 million, an increase of $3.3 million, or 10%, from 2Q 2017. Noninterest expenses were $57.8 million in 2Q 2018, an increase of $5.1 million, or 10%, from 2Q 2017. This resulted in an efficiency ratio of 60.0% and 2 percentage points of positive of operating leverage from 2Q 2017.

For 2Q 2018, reported return on assets (ROA) was a very strong 1.65%, a 42 basis point (bps) increase compared to 1.23% for 2Q 2017, and return on average equity was 15.2% in comparison with 11.6% at 2Q 2017.

Highlights for 2Q 2018:

  • Core EPS(1) of $0.90 increased $0.27, or 43%, from $0.63 in 2Q 2017.

  • Core ROA(1) was 1.67%, a robust 45 bps increase compared to 1.22% for 2Q 2017.

  • Core return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE)(1) was 20.9% for 2Q 2018, a significant increase compared to 16.0% for 2Q 2017.

  • Core net revenue(1) of $96.0 million increased $10.7 million, or 13% from 2Q 2017, reflecting strong and balanced organic growth, including a $6.7 million, or 12%, increase in core net interest income(1) and a $4.0 million, or 13%, increase in core fee income (noninterest income)(1).

  • The net interest margin increased a meaningful 17 bps to 4.10% from 2Q 2017, primarily as a result of the positive impacts of the higher short-term interest rate environment, pricing discipline, and good balance sheet management, including a planned favorable change in mix of assets and liabilities.

  • Core noninterest expense(1) increased $5.0 million, or 10% from 2Q 2017, with almost half coming from highly variable incentive compensation costs from pay-for-performance plans. WSFS achieved a full 3 percentage points of positive core operating leverage(1), resulting in a core efficiency ratio(1) of 59.6%, a significant improvement compared to 60.9% for 2Q 2017.

Notable items in the quarter:

  • WSFS realized no net gains on sales of securities in 2Q 2018, compared to $0.7 million (pre-tax), or approximately $0.01 per share (after-tax) in 2Q 2017.

  • WSFS recorded $0.5 million (pre-tax), or approximately $0.01 per share (after-tax) in 2Q 2018, in corporate development expenses, compared to $0.4 million (pre-tax), or approximately $0.01 per share (after-tax) in 2Q 2017.

(1) As used in this release, core EPS, core return on average assets (ROA), core return on average tangible common equity core net revenue, core net interest income, core fee income (noninterest income), core noninterest expense, core operating leverage and core efficiency ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of these measures to their comparable GAAP measures, see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" at the end of this press release.

CEO outlook and commentary

Mark A. Turner, Chairman, President and CEO, said, “We are pleased to report another very strong quarter, which positions us to meet or exceed the primary goals in our enhanced 2016-2018 Strategic Plan, including a full year 2018 Core and Sustainable ROA of 1.50%. Our superior ROA, ROTCE, and EPS growth highlights the successful optimization of previous acquisitions, good organic growth, our diversified revenue sources, cost discipline, and the differentiation and sustainability of our business model. For the quarter, we recorded core EPS of $0.90 and a core ROA of 1.67%, which represent significant improvements from the prior year, even before the favorable impact of lower federal tax rates in the current year. Net interest income grew 12%, driven by a net interest margin of 4.10%, and core fee income grew 13% from 2Q 2017, which reflect strong and diversified growth across our core banking and fee income franchises.  Loans and customer deposits grew mid-to-high single digits compared to both 1Q 2018 and 2Q 2017, consistent with our stated growth targets. Our credit quality metrics remained strong and improved across all key ratios, and disciplined expense management was evidenced by a very good 3 percentage points of positive core operating leverage compared to 2Q 2017, and a 2Q 2018 core efficiency ratio of a healthy 59.6%."

Mr. Turner continued, “We firmly believe that our consistent commitment to Associate and Customer engagement continues to be the driver of our sustainable high performance. Our continued robust organic growth, strong financial performance, and marketplace accolades demonstrate our intense focus on and the success of our strategy of ‘Engaged Associates delivering stellar experiences growing Customer Advocates and value for our Owners’.”

Second Quarter 2018 Discussion of Financial Results

Net interest margin increase reflects rising-rate environment and balance sheet management

Net interest margin for 2Q 2018 was 4.10%, an increase of 17 bps from 3.93% for 2Q 2017. Excluding a 7 bps increase related to the redemption of $55.0 million of our senior notes in late 3Q 2017 and a 3 bps reduction from the expected decline in reverse mortgage income, the net interest margin increased organically 13 bps compared to 2Q 2017. The 13 bps increase includes an estimated 11 bps resulting from the higher short-term interest rate environment and disciplined pricing, and approximately 2 bps from prudent balance sheet management, including a planned favorable change in mix of assets and liabilities. The anticipated year-over-year decline in reverse mortgage income was due to the continued run-off of this small and high-yielding purchased loan portfolio. Net interest income for 2Q 2018 was $61.0 million, an increase of $6.7 million, or 12%, compared to 2Q 2017.

Compared with 1Q 2018, net interest margin increased 9 bps from 4.01% and net interest income increased $3.3 million, or 6% (not annualized). The increase in net interest margin resulted primarily from 6 bps of higher purchased loan accretion during the quarter and an estimated 5 bps from the higher short-term rate environment. These increases were offset by an expected 2 bps reduction in the aforementioned reverse mortgage income.

Loan growth balanced and consistent with mid-to high single digit stated goals

At June 30, 2018, WSFS’ net loan portfolio was $4.90 billion, an increase of $79.0 million, or 7% (annualized), from March 31, 2018. The increase includes a $42.9 million, or 7% (annualized), increase in commercial and industrial (C&I) loans and a $36.2 million, or 25% (annualized), increase in consumer loans. The growth in commercial loans was achieved despite an anticipated large amount of loan pay-downs and pay-offs during the quarter and the highly competitive pricing environment. The growth in consumer loans was primarily related to purchases of second-lien home equity installment loans through our partnership with Spring EQ.

Compared to June 30, 2017, net loans increased $285.6 million, or 6%. The increase includes $51.2 million decline in residential mortgages, consistent with our ongoing strategy of selling most newly-originated residential mortgages in the secondary market. Excluding the intentional decrease in residential mortgages, net loans increased $336.8 million, or 8%, including an increase of $180.6 million, or 7%, in C&I loans, and an increase of $126.7 million, or 26%, in consumer loans.

The following table summarizes loan balances and composition at June 30, 2018 compared to March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2017:

       
(Dollars in thousands) June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017
Commercial & industrial $2,613,880  53% $2,570,999  54% $2,433,256  52%
Commercial real estate 1,153,217  24  1,156,955  24  1,139,840  25 
Construction 295,488  6  288,373  6  278,349  6 
Total commercial loans 4,062,585  83  4,016,327  84  3,851,445  83 
Residential mortgage 256,734  5  259,899  5  307,983  7 
Consumer 622,445  13  586,279  12  495,717  11 
Allowance for loan losses (41,037) (1) (40,810) (1) (40,005) (1)
Net Loans $4,900,727  100% $4,821,695  100% $4,615,140  100%
                      

Credit quality remains strong and trends improve across key metrics

Credit quality metrics improved during 2Q 2018 reflecting continued strength in the portfolio.

Total problem assets, which includes all criticized, classified, and nonperforming loans as well as other real estate owned (OREO), were $143.0 million at June 30, 2018, an improvement compared to $151.8 million at March 31, 2018. Classified assets, which are included in total problem assets, improved $8.0 million to $98.7 million at June 30, 2018 compared to $106.7 million at March 31, 2018.

Total delinquencies, which include nonperforming delinquencies, were $26.7 million at June 30, 2018, or 0.54%, of gross loans compared to $27.1 million, or 0.56%, of gross loans at March 31, 2018. Excluding nonperforming delinquencies, performing loan delinquencies were only 0.17% of gross loans at June 30, 2018.

Total nonperforming assets improved $1.7 million, or 3%, to $55.1 million at June 30, 2018, as compared to $56.9 million at March 31, 2018. The nonperforming assets to total assets ratio likewise improved to 0.78% at June 30, 2018 from 0.81% at March 31, 2018.

Net charge-offs for 2Q 2018 were $2.3 million, or 0.19%, (annualized), of average gross loans, an improvement from $3.4 million, or 0.29%, (annualized), for 1Q 2018, and an increase from $1.7 million, or 0.15% (annualized), during 2Q 2017. Total credit costs (provision for loan losses, loan workout expenses, OREO expenses and other credit costs), which can be uneven, were $3.2 million for 2Q 2018, an improvement from $4.1 million during 1Q 2018 and an increase from $2.3 million in 2Q 2017.

The ratio of the ALLL to total gross loans was 0.84% at both June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.  Excluding the balances for acquired loans (marked-to-market at acquisition), the ALLL to total gross loans ratio would have been 0.94% at June 30, 2018 compared with 0.96% at March 31, 2018. The ALLL was 113% of nonaccruing loans at June 30, 2018 compared to 120% at March 31, 2018 and 104% at June 30, 2017.

Customer funding reflects continued core deposit strength and mid-to-high single digit growth

Total customer funding was $5.03 billion at June 30, 2018, an $85.3 million, or 7% (annualized), increase from March 31, 2018, highlighted by a $62.3 million, or 18% (annualized), increase in noninterest bearing accounts. In addition, during 2Q 2018, we continued to take the opportunity to attract longer-term, fixed-rate funding and lengthen our overall funding duration in a rising-rate environment. As a result, Certificates of Deposit (CDs) increased $48.2 million, or 30% (annualized), in 2Q 2018.

Customer funding increased $382.5 million, or 8%, compared to June 30, 2017. This included a core deposit increase of $227.3 million, or 6%, over the prior year, with $154.1 million of that attributable to no- and low-cost checking deposit accounts. CDs also increased $155.2 million over the prior year consistent with our strategy to attract longer-term, fixed-rate funding in a rising-rate environment.

Core deposits were 86% of total customer deposits, and no- and low-cost checking deposit accounts represented a robust 48% of total customer deposits at June 30, 2018. These core deposits predominantly represent longer-term, less price-sensitive customer relationships, which are especially valuable in a rising-rate environment. The ratio of loans to customer deposits was 97% at June 30, 2018.

The following table summarizes customer funding balances and composition at June 30, 2018 compared to March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2017:

       
(Dollars in thousands) June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017
Noninterest demand $1,434,549  29% $1,372,271  28% $1,319,749  28%
Interest-bearing demand 966,736  19  991,020  20  927,465  20 
Savings 565,074  11  561,432  11  572,476  12 
Money market 1,377,682  27  1,382,178  28  1,297,024  28 
Total core deposits 4,344,041  86  4,306,901  87  4,116,714  88 
Customer time deposits 690,267  14  642,116  13  535,115  12 
Total customer deposits $5,034,308  100% $4,949,017  100% $4,651,829  100%
                      

Core fee income is well diversified, growing a strong 13% year-over-year

Core fee income (noninterest income) increased by $4.0 million, or 13%, to $35.0 million compared to 2Q 2017. This organic growth demonstrates our ability to execute on our high-service, fee-based strategy. These strong results represent growth across most of our businesses, and include increases of $1.8 million from credit/debit card and ATM income, $1.4 million from investment management and fiduciary revenue, and $0.8 million related to our more traditional banking business.

When compared to the seasonally slower 1Q 2018, core fee income increased $2.9 million, or 9% (not annualized), including a $1.1 million increase from investment management and fiduciary revenue, $0.9 million from credit/debit card and ATM income, and $0.9 million from our traditional banking business.

For 2Q 2018, core fee income was 36.3% of core net revenue, compared to 36.0% for 2Q 2017, and was diversified among various sources, including traditional banking, mortgage banking, wealth management and cash logistics services (Cash Connect®).

Noninterest expenses reflect improved efficiency and positive operating leverage

Core noninterest expense for 2Q 2018 was $57.4 million, an increase of $5.0 million, or 10%, from $52.4 million in 2Q 2017. Contributing to the year-over-year increase was $1.3 million of higher variable incentive compensation and $1.0 million of additional performance-based earn-out expense from our recent acquisitions, both as a result of stronger performance against our operating plans. In addition, we incurred $1.4 million of higher compensation and benefit costs to support overall franchise growth, and $1.2 million of higher variable costs to support Cash Connect® revenue growth.

When compared to 1Q 2018, core noninterest expense increased $2.3 million, or $3.2 million after excluding the one-time impact of $0.9 million of net transaction costs incurred from the surrender of our BOLI policies during 1Q 2018. Contributing to the quarter-over-quarter increase was $1.1 million of higher compensation and benefit costs primarily from increased incentive compensation, $0.6 million of higher professional fees, $0.5 million of higher operating costs to support Cash Connect® revenue growth, and $0.3 million from higher marketing costs. The remaining net $0.7 million increase was due primarily to higher variable operating expenses associated with seasonally stronger revenues.

Our core efficiency ratio was 59.6% in 2Q 2018, compared to 61.1% in 1Q 2018, and 60.9% in 2Q 2017. These improvements reflect our focus on optimization of our acquisitions, organic growth and continued economies of scale as we grow.

Income taxes

We recorded a $6.9 million income tax provision in 2Q 2018, compared to provisions of $10.8 million in 1Q 2018 and $10.9 million in 2Q 2017.

The effective tax rate was 19.4% in 2Q 2018, 22.4% in 1Q 2018, and 34.5% in 2Q 2017. The lower tax rate in 2Q 2018 compared to 1Q 2018 resulted primarily from higher benefits realized from increased stock-based compensation activity. The lower tax rates in 2018 compared with 2017 primarily reflects the reduction of the corporate federal tax rate beginning in 1Q 2018.

Selected Business Segments (included in previous results):

Wealth Management segment fee revenue grows 16% over the prior year

The Wealth Management segment provides a broad array of planning and advisory services, investment management, trust services, and credit and deposit products to individual, corporate, and institutional clients through multiple integrated businesses. Combined, these businesses had $19.09 billion in assets under management (AUM) and assets under administration (AUA) as of June 30, 2018.

Total Wealth Management revenue (net interest income, fiduciary fees and other fee income) was $14.3 million for 2Q 2018. This represented an increase of $1.5 million, or 12%, compared to 2Q 2017 and an increase of $1.3 million, or 10% (not annualized), compared to 1Q 2018. The year-over-year increase resulted primarily from a $1.5 million, or 16%, increase in fee revenue, which reflected continued organic growth across our business lines, with particular strength in the capital markets and corporate trust services businesses.

Total noninterest expense (including intercompany allocations and provision for loan losses and credit costs) was $9.2 million in 2Q 2018, an increase of $0.1 million compared to 2Q 2017 and an increase of $1.1 million compared to 1Q 2018. The slight year-over-year increase was primarily the result of higher compensation and benefits costs to support overall growth, partially offset by lower professional fees, which can be uneven. The $1.1 million increase in expenses from 1Q 2018 was primarily due to higher professional fees and provision for loan losses.

Pre-tax income in 2Q 2018 was $5.1 million, reflecting a strong 36% return on revenue, compared to $4.8 million in 1Q 2018 and $3.6 million in 2Q 2017 and was driven by the above mentioned factors.

Cash Connect® net revenue increases 10% over same quarter in 2017

Cash Connect® is a premier provider of ATM vault cash and smart safe cash logistics services in the United States. Cash Connect® services approximately 26,000 non-bank ATMs and retail safes nationwide with approximately $944 million in cash and other fee-based services. Cash Connect® also operates 439 ATMs for WSFS Bank, which has the largest branded ATM network in Delaware.

Our Cash Connect® division recorded $10.0 million of net revenue (fee income less funding costs) in 2Q 2018, an increase of $0.9 million, or 10%, from 2Q 2017, primarily due to continued growth in the bailment, cash management and smart safe lines of business, partially offset by higher funding costs. Compared to 1Q 2018, net revenue increased $0.5 million, or 6% (not annualized), due to higher cash balances, increased ATM managed services, and smart safe fee income.

Non-interest expense (including intercompany allocations of expense) was $8.6 million in 2Q 2018, an increase of $1.3 million compared to 2Q 2017 and an increase of $0.6 million compared to 1Q 2018. The year-over-year increase in expenses was primarily due to higher operating costs associated with growth, higher funding costs, and investment in enhancing our smart safe technology platform. Cash Connect® reported pre-tax income of $1.5 million for 2Q 2018, which was a decrease of $0.4 million, from 2Q 2017 and flat compared to 1Q 2018 as a result of investments in growth and margin compression.

During the first half of 2018, Cash Connect® has been impacted by rising interest rates that have challenged its customers' profitability and created margin compression for the ATM industry.  Cash Connect is focused on optimizing its cash and customers cash balances to maximize efficiency. Cash Connect continues to build its presence in the strategic remote cash capture (smart safe, recycler, and kiosk) space, with approximately 2,000 devices currently under service and a strong pipeline driven by several national channel partners.

Capital management

WSFS’ total stockholders’ equity increased $22.7 million, or 3% (not annualized), to $769.0 million at June 30, 2018 from $746.3 million at March 31, 2018, primarily due to quarterly earnings, partially offset by the impacts of market-value changes on available-for-sale securities, stock buybacks and the payment of the common stock dividend during the quarter.

WSFS’ tangible common equity(2) increased $23.2 million, or 4% (not annualized), to $581.7 million at June 30, 2018 from $558.5 million at March 31, 2018 for the reasons described in the paragraph above.

WSFS’ common equity to assets ratio was 10.81% at June 30, 2018, and its tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio(2) increased by 19 bps during the quarter to 8.40%.  At June 30, 2018, book value per share was $24.25, a $0.53, or 2%, increase from March 31, 2018, and tangible common book value per share(2) was $18.35, a $0.60, or 3%, increase from March 31, 2018.

At June 30, 2018, WSFS Bank’s Tier 1 leverage ratio of 10.36%, Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio and Tier 1 capital ratio of 11.97%, and Total Capital ratio of 12.68% were all substantially in excess of the “well-capitalized” regulatory benchmarks.

In 2Q 2018, WSFS repurchased 50,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $51.56 as part of our 5% buyback program approved by the Board of Directors in 4Q 2015. WSFS has 579,194 shares, or slightly less than 2% of outstanding shares, remaining to repurchase under this current authorization. In addition, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock. This dividend will be paid on August 24, 2018 to stockholders of record as of August 10, 2018.

(2) As used in this release, tangible common equity, tangible common equity to assets and tangible common book value per share are non-GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of these measures to their comparable GAAP measures, see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" at the end of this press release.

Second quarter 2018 earnings release conference call

Management will conduct a conference call to review 2Q 2018 results at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. Interested parties may listen to this call by dialing 1-877-312-5857. A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available beginning at 4 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 until Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 4 pm. by dialing 1-855-859-2056 and using Conference ID #5263058.

About WSFS Financial Corporation

WSFS Financial Corporation is a multi-billion dollar financial services company. Its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and largest locally-managed bank and trust company headquartered in Delaware and the Delaware Valley. As of June 30, 2018, WSFS Financial Corporation had $7.11 billion in assets on its balance sheet and $19.09 billion in assets under management and administration. WSFS operates from 77 offices located in Delaware (46), Pennsylvania (29), Virginia (1) and Nevada (1) and provides comprehensive financial services including commercial banking, retail banking, cash management and trust and wealth management. Other subsidiaries or divisions include Christiana Trust, Christiana Trust of DE, WSFS Wealth Investments, WSFS Wealth Client Management, Cypress Capital Management, LLC, West Capital Management, Powdermill Financial Solutions, Cash Connect®, WSFS Mortgage and Arrow Land Transfer. Serving the Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is one of the ten oldest banks in the United States continuously operating under the same name. For more information, please visit wsfsbank.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains estimates, predictions, opinions, projections and other "forward-looking statements" as that phrase is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, without limitation, references to the Company's predictions or expectations of future business or financial performance as well as its goals and objectives for future operations, financial and business trends, business prospects, and management's outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, capital levels, liquidity levels, asset quality or other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “project” and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be beyond the Company's control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties (which change over time) and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those related to difficult market conditions and unfavorable economic trends in the United States generally, and particularly in the markets in which the Company operates and in which its loans are concentrated, including the effects of declines in housing markets, an increase in unemployment levels and slowdowns in economic growth; the Company's level of nonperforming assets and the costs associated with resolving problem loans including litigation and other costs; possible additional loan losses and impairment of the collectability of loans; changes in market interest rates which may increase funding costs and reduce earning asset yields and thus reduce margin; the impact of changes in interest rates and the credit quality and strength of underlying collateral and the effect of such changes on the market value of the Company's investment securities portfolio; the credit risk associated with the substantial amount of commercial real estate, construction and land development, and commercial and industrial loans in our loan portfolio; the extensive federal and state regulation, supervision and examination governing almost every aspect of the Company's operations including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules and regulations issued in accordance with this statute and potential expenses associated with complying with such regulations; the Company's ability to comply with applicable capital and liquidity requirements (including the finalized Basel III capital standards), including our ability to generate liquidity internally or raise capital on favorable terms; possible changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations and other activities of governments, agencies, and similar organizations; any impairment of the Company's goodwill or other intangible assets; failure of the financial and operational controls of the Company's Cash Connect® division; conditions in the financial markets that may limit the Company's access to additional funding to meet its liquidity needs; the success of the Company's growth plans, including the successful integration of past and future acquisitions; The Company's ability to fully realize the cost savings and other benefits of its acquisitions, manage risks related to business disruption following those acquisitions, and post-acquisition customer acceptance of the Company's products and services and related Customer disintermediation; negative perceptions or publicity with respect to the Company's trust and wealth management business; adverse judgments or other resolution of pending and future legal proceedings, and cost incurred in defending such proceedings; system failure or cybersecurity breaches of the Company's network security; the Company's ability to recruit and retain key employees; the effects of problems encountered by other financial institutions that adversely affect the Company or the banking industry generally; the effects of weather and natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wind, tornadoes and hurricanes as well as effects from geopolitical instability and man-made disasters including terrorist attacks; possible changes in the speed of loan prepayments by the Company's customers and loan origination or sales volumes; possible changes in the speed of prepayments of mortgage-backed securities due to changes in the interest rate environment, and the related acceleration of premium amortization on prepayments in the event that prepayments accelerate; regulatory limits on the Company's ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries and pay dividends to its stockholders; the effects of any reputation, credit, interest rate, market, operational, legal, liquidity, regulatory and compliance risk resulting from developments related to any of the risks discussed above; and the effects other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company disclaims any duty to revise or update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company for any reason, except as specifically required by law.  As used in this press release, the terms "WSFS", "the Company", "registrant", "we", "us", and "our" mean WSFS Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 
 
WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
  Three months ended Six months ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 June 30, 2017
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans $64,442  $60,465  $56,073  $124,907  $110,754 
Interest on mortgage-backed securities 6,190  5,399  4,782  11,589  9,177 
Interest and dividends on investment securities 1,108  1,120  1,136  2,228  2,385 
Other interest income 411  629  343  1,040  844 
  72,151  67,613  62,334  139,764  123,160 
Interest expense:          
Interest on deposits 6,368  5,240  3,341  11,608  6,416 
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances 2,536  2,463  1,797  4,999  3,655 
Interest on senior debt 1,180  1,179  2,121  2,359  4,242 
Interest on trust preferred borrowings 637  557  472  1,194  918 
Interest on other borrowings 441  460  289  901  512 
  11,162  9,899  8,020  21,061  15,743 
Net interest income 60,989  57,714  54,314  118,703  107,417 
Provision for loan losses 2,498  3,650  1,843  6,148  4,005 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 58,491  54,064  52,471  112,555  103,412 
Noninterest income:          
Credit/debit card and ATM income 10,709  9,805  8,925  20,514  17,056 
Investment management and fiduciary revenue 10,244  9,189  8,835  19,433  16,874 
Deposit service charges 4,664  4,630  4,560  9,294  8,957 
Mortgage banking activities, net 1,599  1,737  1,844  3,336  3,029 
Loan fee income 660  599  451  1,259  1,000 
Investment securities gains, net   21  708  21  1,028 
Unrealized gains on equity investment   15,346    15,346   
Bank-owned life insurance income   232  302  232  578 
Other income 7,111  5,908  6,051  13,019  11,246 
  34,987  47,467  31,676  82,454  59,768 
Noninterest expense:          
Salaries, benefits and other compensation 30,944  29,853  28,223  60,797  57,059 
Occupancy expense 5,008  5,248  4,684  10,256  9,846 
Equipment expense 3,176  3,089  3,498  6,265  6,622 
Professional fees 2,320  1,725  2,669  4,045  4,304 
Data processing and operations expense 1,896  1,907  1,750  3,803  3,368 
Marketing expense 1,084  758  932  1,842  1,556 
FDIC expenses 515  599  594  1,114  1,123 
Loan workout and OREO expense 681  426  499  1,107  1,020 
Corporate development expense 457    366  457  704 
(Recovery of) provision for fraud loss   (1,665)   (1,665)  
Other operating expenses 11,750  11,472  9,512  23,222  18,631 
  57,831  53,412  52,727  111,243  104,233 
Income before taxes 35,647  48,119  31,420  83,766  58,947 
Income tax provision 6,907  10,769  10,850  17,676  19,440 
Net income (loss) $28,740  $37,350  $20,570  $66,090  $39,507 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock: $0.89  $1.16  $0.64  $2.05  $1.22 
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for fully diluted EPS 32,263,293  32,259,671  32,311,571  32,225,706  32,324,214 
                
See “Notes”               
                
                


WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - continued
  Three months ended Six months ended
  June 30,
2018
 March 31,
2018
 June 30,
2017
 June 30,
2018
 June 30,
2017
Performance Ratios:          
Return on average assets (a) 1.65% 2.20% 1.23% 1.92% 1.17%
Return on average equity (a) 15.22  20.87  11.56  17.97  11.28 
Return on average tangible common equity (a)(o) 20.61  28.59  16.12  24.46  15.86 
Net interest margin (a)(b) 4.10  4.01  3.93  4.06  3.91 
Efficiency ratio (c) 60.04  50.62  60.81  55.11  61.81 
Noninterest income as a percentage of total net revenue (b) 36.33  44.98  36.53  40.85  35.44 
                
See “Notes”               
                
                


WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands) June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017
Assets:      
Cash and due from banks $111,392  $128,799  $118,555 
Cash in non-owned ATMs 591,845  577,561  623,232 
Investment securities (d) 156,456  160,289  166,211 
Other investments 63,637  66,329  39,356 
Mortgage-backed securities (d) 964,120  907,818  814,882 
Net loans (e)(f)(l) 4,900,727  4,821,695  4,615,140 
Bank owned life insurance 5,750  5,746  102,007 
Goodwill and intangibles 187,259  187,790  189,983 
Other assets 131,361  131,904  153,061 
Total assets $7,112,547  $6,987,931  $6,822,427 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:            
Noninterest-bearing deposits $1,434,549  $1,372,271  $1,319,749 
Interest-bearing deposits 3,599,759  3,576,746  3,332,080 
Total customer deposits 5,034,308  4,949,017  4,651,829 
Brokered deposits 332,247  253,498  182,221 
Total deposits 5,366,555  5,202,515  4,834,050 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 630,339  587,162  823,651 
Other borrowings 266,011  345,035  339,103 
Other liabilities 80,665  106,940  103,000 
Total liabilities 6,343,570  6,241,652  6,099,804 
Stockholders’ equity 768,977  746,279  722,623 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $7,112,547  $6,987,931  $6,822,427 
Capital Ratios:      
Equity to asset ratio 10.81% 10.68% 10.59%
Tangible common equity to tangible asset ratio (o) 8.40  8.21  8.03 
Common equity Tier 1 capital (g) (required: 4.5%; well capitalized: 6.5%) (p) 11.97  11.69  11.42 
Tier 1 leverage (g) (required: 4.00%; well-capitalized: 5.00%) (p) 10.36  10.08  10.06 
Tier 1 risk-based capital (g) (required: 6.00%; well-capitalized: 8.00%) (p) 11.97  11.69  11.42 
Total Risk-based capital (g) (required: 8.00%; well-capitalized: 10.00%) (p) 12.68  12.42  12.14 
Asset Quality Indicators:      
Nonperforming Assets:      
Nonaccruing loans $36,257  $34,060  $38,382 
Troubled debt restructuring (accruing) 16,273  20,248  18,109 
Assets acquired through foreclosure 2,609  2,567  2,121 
Total nonperforming assets $55,139  $56,875  $58,612 
Past due loans (h) 499  555  92 
Allowance for loan losses 41,037  40,810  40,005 
Ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets 0.78% 0.81% 0.86%
Ratio of nonperforming assets (excluding accruing TDRs) to total assets 0.55  0.52  0.59 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total gross loans (i)(n) 0.84  0.84  0.87 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to nonaccruing loans 113  120  104 
Ratio of quarterly net charge-offs to average gross loans (a)(e)(i)(n) 0.19  0.29  0.15 
Ratio of year-to-date net charge-offs to average gross loans (a)(e)(i)(n) 0.24  0.29  0.17 
          
          


WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands) Three months ended
  June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017
  Average
Balance
 Interest &
Dividends
 Yield/
Rate
(a)(b)
 Average
Balance
 Interest &
Dividends
 Yield/
Rate
(a)(b)
 Average
Balance
 Interest &
Dividends
 Yield/
Rate
(a)(b)
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Loans: (e) (j)                  
Commercial real estate loans $1,437,117  $19,394  5.41% $1,440,607  $18,165  5.11% $1,418,957  $17,725  5.01%
Residential real estate loans 239,054  3,516  5.88  247,975  3,832  6.18  274,114  3,980  5.81 
Commercial loans 2,574,777  33,375  5.22  2,562,207  31,209  4.96  2,434,437  28,455  4.72 
Consumer loans 600,683  7,847  5.24  572,977  7,081  5.01  478,326  5,589  4.69 
Loans held for sale 23,680  310  5.25  16,361  178  4.35  32,339  324  4.01 
Total loans 4,875,311  64,442  5.31  4,840,127  60,465  5.07  4,638,173  56,073  4.86 
Mortgage-backed securities (d) 934,411  6,190  2.65  841,880  5,399  2.57  783,007  4,782  2.44 
Investment securities (d) 158,266  1,109  3.41  161,280  1,120  3.39  166,536  1,136  4.05 
Other interest-earning assets 26,815  416  6.22  33,251  629  7.57  33,155  343  4.14 
Total interest-earning assets 5,994,803  72,157  4.85% 5,876,538  67,613  4.69% 5,620,871  62,334  4.50%
Allowance for loan losses (41,682)     (41,464)     (40,546)    
Cash and due from banks 127,293      125,402      127,848     
Cash in non-owned ATMs 531,524      516,259      574,348     
Bank owned life insurance 5,724      87,058      101,809     
Other noninterest-earning assets 354,392      336,051      343,216     
Total assets $6,972,054      $6,899,844      $6,727,546     
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:                  
Interest-bearing liabilities:                  
Interest-bearing deposits:                  
Interest-bearing demand $973,498  $921  0.38% $995,667  $815  0.33% $914,915  $453  0.20%
Money market 1,390,675  1,823  0.53  1,386,836  1,589  0.46  1,286,977  1,061  0.33 
Savings 566,766  260  0.18  553,461  253  0.19  588,610  276  0.19 
Customer time deposits 657,332  1,990  1.21  622,544  1,686  1.10  550,373  1,060  0.77 
Total interest-bearing customer deposits 3,588,271  4,994  0.56  3,558,508  4,343  0.49  3,340,875  2,850  0.34 
Brokered deposits 317,539  1,374  1.74  254,307  897  1.43  211,751  491  0.93 
Total interest-bearing deposits 3,905,810  6,368  0.65  3,812,815  5,240  0.56  3,552,626  3,341  0.38 
FHLB of Pittsburgh advances 516,411  2,536  1.97  601,044  2,463  1.66  639,147  1,797  1.13 
Trust preferred borrowings 67,011  637  3.81  67,011  557  3.37  67,011  472  2.83 
Senior Debt 98,247  1,180  4.80  98,193  1,179  4.80  152,231  2,121  5.57 
Other borrowed funds 131,776  441  1.34  151,288  460  1.23  127,381  289  0.91 
Total interest-bearing liabilities 4,719,255  11,162  0.95% 4,730,351  9,899  0.85% 4,538,396  8,020  0.71%
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 1,420,988      1,350,342      1,404,186     
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities 74,395      93,437      71,183     
Stockholders’ equity 757,416      725,714      713,781     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $6,972,054      $6,899,844      $6,727,546     
Excess of interest-earning assets over interest-bearing liabilities $1,275,548      $1,146,187      $1,082,475     
Net interest and dividend income   $60,995      $57,714      $54,314   
                   
Interest rate spread     3.90%     3.84%     3.79%
                   
Net interest margin     4.10%     4.01%     3.93%
                      
See “Notes”                     
                      
                      


WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three months ended Six months ended
Stock Information: June 30, 2018 March 31,
2018
 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 June 30, 2017
Market price of common stock:          
High $56.70  $53.00  $50.55  $56.70 $50.55
Low  46.65   45.71   42.90   45.71  42.90
Close  53.30   48.55   45.35   53.30  45.35
Book value per share of common stock  24.25   23.72   22.99     
Tangible common book value per share of common stock (o)  18.35   17.75   16.94     
Number of shares of common stock outstanding (000s)  31,704   31,463   31,435     
Other Financial Data:          
One-year repricing gap to total assets (k)  (1.11)%  (0.86)%  (2.66)%    
Weighted average duration of the MBS portfolio  5.4 years   5.4 years   5.0 years     
Unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of taxes $(24,186) $(19,685) $(4,342)    
Number of Associates (FTEs) (m)  1,188   1,148   1,216     
Number of offices (branches, LPO’s, operations centers, etc.)  77   77   76     
Number of WSFS owned ATMs  439   441   445     

Notes:

(a) Annualized.
(b) Computed on a fully tax-equivalent basis.
(c) Noninterest expense divided by (tax-equivalent) net interest income and noninterest income.
(d) Includes securities held to maturity (at amortized cost) and securities available for sale (at fair value).
(e) Net of unearned income.
(f) Net of allowance for loan losses.
(g) Represents capital ratios of Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB and subsidiaries.
(h) Accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more as to principal or interest.
(i) Excludes loans held for sale.
(j) Nonperforming loans are included in average balance computations.
(k) The difference between projected amounts of interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities repricing within one year divided by total assets, based on a current interest rate scenario.
(l) Includes loans held for sale and reverse mortgages.
(m) Includes seasonal Associates, when applicable.
(n) Excludes reverse mortgage loans.
(o) The Company uses non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial information in its analysis of the Company’s performance. The Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations, enhance comparability of results of operations with prior periods and show the effects of significant gains and charges in the periods presented. The Company’s management believes that investors may use these non-GAAP measures to analyze the Company’s financial performance without the impact of unusual items or events that may obscure trends in the Company’s underlying performance. This non-GAAP data should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and is not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. For a reconciliation of these measures to their comparable GAAP measures, see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" at the end of this press release.
(p) Calculated for Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB.
   
   


WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Non-GAAP Reconciliation (o): Three months ended Six months ended
  June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 June 30, 2017
Net interest income (GAAP) $60,989  $57,714  $54,314  $118,703  $107,417 
Core net interest income (non-GAAP) $60,989  $57,714  $54,314  $118,703  $107,417 
Noninterest income (GAAP) $34,987  $47,467  $31,676  $82,454  $59,768 
Less: Securities gains   21  708  21  1,028 
Less: Unrealized gains on equity investment   15,346    $15,346  $ 
Core fee income (non-GAAP) $34,987  $32,100  $30,968  $67,087  $58,740 
Core net revenue (non-GAAP) $95,976  $89,814  $85,282  $185,790  $166,157 
Core net revenue (non-GAAP)(tax-equivalent) $96,316  $90,158  $86,000  $186,474  $167,607 
Noninterest expense (GAAP) $57,831  $53,412  $52,727  $111,243  $104,233 
(Plus)/less: (Recovery of)/provision for fraud loss   (1,665)   (1,665)  
Less: Corporate development costs 457    366  457  704 
Core noninterest expense (non-GAAP) $57,374  $55,077  $52,361  $112,451  $103,529 
Core efficiency ratio (c) 59.6% 61.1% 60.9% 60.3% 61.8%
           
  Three months ended    
Calculation of core operating leverage: June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017    
Core net revenue growth (year over year) 13% 11% 20%    
Core non interest expense growth (year over year) 10% 8% 19%    
Core operating leverage (non-GAAP) 3% 3% 1%    
           
  End of period    
  June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017    
Total assets $7,112,547  $6,987,931  $6,822,427     
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets 187,259  187,790  189,983     
Total tangible assets $6,925,288  $6,800,141  $6,632,444     
Total stockholders’ equity $768,977  $746,279  $722,623     
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets 187,259  187,790  189,983     
Total tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $581,718  $558,489  $532,640     
           
Calculation of tangible common book value per share:        
Book value per share (GAAP) $24.25  $23.72  $22.99     
Tangible common book value per share (non-GAAP) 18.35  17.75  16.94     
Calculation of tangible common equity to tangible assets:        
Equity to asset ratio (GAAP) 10.81% 10.68% 10.59%    
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (non-GAAP) 8.40  8.21  8.03     
              
              


  Three months ended Six months ended
  June 30, 2018 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2018 June 30, 2017
GAAP net (loss) income $28,740  $37,350  $20,570  $66,090  $39,507 
Plus (less): Pre-tax adjustments: Securities gains,
unrealized gains, recovery of/provision for fraud
loss, and corporate development costs
 457  (17,032) (342) (16,575) (324)
(Plus)/less: Tax impact of pre-tax adjustments (108) 4,071  120  3,963  128 
Non-GAAP net income $29,089  $24,389  $20,348  $53,478  $39,311 
           
GAAP return on average assets (ROA) 1.65% 2.20% 1.23% 1.92% 1.17%
Plus (less): Pre-tax adjustments: Securities gains,
unrealized gains, recovery of/provision for fraud
loss, and corporate development costs
 0.03  (1.01) (0.02) (0.48) (0.02)
(Plus) less: Tax impact of pre-tax adjustments (0.01) 0.24  0.01  0.12  0.01 
Core ROA (non-GAAP) 1.67% 1.43% 1.22% 1.56% 1.16%
           
EPS (GAAP) $0.89  $1.16  $0.64  $1.56  $1.22 
Plus (less): Pre-tax adjustments: Securities gains,
unrealized gains, recovery of/provision for fraud
loss, and corporate development costs
 0.01  (0.53) (0.01) (0.52) (0.01)
(Plus) less: Tax impact of pre-tax adjustments   0.13    0.13   
Core EPS (non-GAAP) $0.90  $0.76  $0.63  $1.17  $1.21 
           
Calculation of return on average tangible common equity:        
GAAP net (loss) income $28,740  $37,350  $20,570  $66,090  $39,507 
Plus: Tax effected amortization of intangible assets 543  541  474  1,084  1,063 
Net tangible income (non-GAAP) $29,283  $37,891  $21,044  $67,174  $40,570 
Average shareholders’ equity $757,416  $725,714  $713,781  $741,652  $706,169 
Less: average goodwill and intangible assets 187,577  188,209  190,125  187,891  190,361 
Net average tangible common equity $569,839  $537,505  $523,656  $553,761  $515,808 
Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) 20.61% 28.59% 16.12% 24.46% 15.86%
           
Calculation of core return on average tangible common equity:
Non-GAAP net income $29,089  $24,389  $20,348  $53,478  $39,311 
Plus: Tax effected amortization of intangible assets 543  541  474  1,084  1,063 
Core net tangible income (non-GAAP) $29,632  $24,930  $20,822  $54,562  $40,374 
Net average tangible common equity $569,839  $537,505  $523,656  $553,761  $515,808 
Core return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) 20.85% 18.81% 15.95% 19.87% 15.78%
                

Investor Relations Contact: Dominic C. Canuso
(302) 571-6833
dcanuso@wsfsbank.com
Media Contact: Jimmy A. Hernandez
(302) 571-5254
jhernandez@wsfsbank.com