FS Bancorp, Inc. Reports Net Income for the Second Quarter of $2.8 million or $0.96 Per Diluted Share and Fourteenth Consecutive Quarterly Cash Dividend

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash., July 27, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FS Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSBW) (“FS Bancorp” or the “Company”), the holding company for 1st Security Bank of Washington (the “Bank”) today reported 2016 second quarter net income of $2.8 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, unchanged from the prior year net income of $2.8 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, for the same period.

“Strong loan growth in the second quarter resulted in the successful deployment of the liquidity received in connection with the purchase of four retail branch locations on the Olympic Peninsula (“Branch Acquisition”) in the first quarter,” stated Joe Adams, CEO of FS Bancorp.  “In addition to strong profitability, I am pleased to announce that our Board of Directors has approved our fourteenth quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.10 per share.”   The dividend will be paid on August 25, 2016, to shareholders of record as of August 11, 2016.

  2016 Second Quarter Highlights

• Net income increased to $2.8 million during the second quarter of 2016, compared to $1.7 million for the previous quarter, and was unchanged from the comparable quarter one year ago;
• Earnings per diluted share increased to $0.96 for the second quarter of 2016, compared to $0.55 for the preceding quarter in 2016, and $0.93 for the second quarter of 2015;
• Total gross loans increased $31.0 million, or 5.9%, to $560.6 million at June 30, 2016, compared to $529.5 million at March 31, 2016, and $440.0 million at June 30, 2015;
• Relationship-based transactional deposits (noninterest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, and escrow accounts) increased $1.0 million, or 0.5%, to $207.5 million at June 30, 2016, from $206.5 million at March 31, 2016, and increased from $100.5 million at June 30, 2015;
• The Company repurchased 94,000 shares in the second quarter of 2016 at an average share price of $25.00, and has repurchased 192,000 shares for the six months ended June 30, 2016 at an average share price of $24.78.

Balance Sheet and Credit Quality

Total assets decreased $21.5 million, or 2.7% during the quarter to $783.9 million at June 30, 2016, compared to $805.4 million at March 31, 2016, and increased $215.3 million, or 37.9% from $568.6 million at June 30, 2015.  The decrease in total assets from March 31, 2016 was primarily due to a decrease in interest-bearing deposits of $70.7 million, and a decrease in loans available-for-sale of $1.1 million, partially offset by an increase in loans receivable, net of $29.9 million, securities available-for-sale of $17.3 million, and certificates of deposit at other financial institutions of $1.6 million.  The $215.3 million increase in total assets at June 30, 2016, compared to June 30, 2015, was primarily due to increases in loans receivable, net of $117.8 million, securities available-for-sale of $47.3 million, and loans held for sale of $22.7 million.

Loans receivable, net increased $29.9 million, or 5.8%, to $550.1 million at June 30, 2016, from $520.2 million at March 31, 2016, and increased $117.8 million, or 27.3%, from $432.3 million at June 30, 2015.  Total real estate loans increased $11.3 million quarter over quarter including an increase of $9.3 million in portfolio one-to-four-family loans, an increase of $3.5 million in multi-family loans converted from construction loans, and an increase of $2.9 million in home equity real estate loans, partially offset by a decrease of $4.6 million in commercial real estate loans.  Quarter over quarter changes in other loan categories include a $10.2 million increase in commercial and industrial loans, a $5.6 million increase in warehouse lending, and a $3.9 million increase in consumer loans.

One-to-four-family originations of loans held for sale including loans brokered to other institutions increased $73.9 million, or 53.6%, to $211.9 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to $138.0 million for the preceding quarter, and $195.5 million for the same quarter one year ago.  The growth in originations was a result of increased purchase activity associated with seasonal home purchases in the Pacific Northwest and the continued low interest rate environment in the first half of 2016.  The percentage of one-to-four-family mortgage loan originations for home purchases was 75.9% of second quarter volume versus 24.1% of second quarter volume for refinance activity.  This compares to 63.6% of first quarter volume to purchase a home versus 36.4% to refinance their home in the first quarter of 2016.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Company sold $193.4 million of one-to-four-family mortgage loans compared to $118.0 million in sales for the preceding quarter, and sales of $185.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.

The allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) at June 30, 2016 was $9.0 million, or 1.6% of gross loans receivable, excluding loans held for sale, compared to $8.3 million, or 1.6% of gross loans receivable, excluding loans held for sale at March 31, 2016, and $6.9 million, or 1.6% of gross loans receivable, excluding loans held for sale at June 30, 2015.  Non-performing loans, consisting of non-accrual loans, increased slightly to $620,000 at June 30, 2016, from $570,000 at March 31, 2016, and decreased from $1.0 million at June 30, 2015.  Substandard loans decreased $73,000, or 2.3%, to $3.1 million at June 30, 2016, compared to $3.2 million at March 31, 2016, and decreased from $3.9 million at June 30, 2015.  The $719,000 decrease in substandard loans from one year ago was primarily associated with the removal of one commercial real estate loan and one one-to-four-family loan. The majority of loans reported as substandard are a result of the financial performance by the borrowers.  There was no other real estate owned (“OREO”) at June 30, 2016, one residential OREO of $320,000 at March 31, 2016 which sold during the second quarter for a $150,000 gain over book value, and no OREO at June 30, 2015.  At June 30, 2016, the Company had one restructured loan of $58,000 which was performing in accordance with its modified terms, compared to $206,000 at March 31, 2016, and $737,000 at June 30, 2015.

Total deposits decreased $30.6 million, or 4.4%, to $666.1 million at June 30, 2016, from $696.7 million at March 31, 2016, and increased $195.6 million, or 41.6%, from $470.5 million at June 30, 2015, primarily due to the Branch Acquisition.  Relationship-based transactional deposits increased $1.0 million to $207.5 million at June 30, 2016, from $206.5 million at March 31, 2016, and increased from $100.5 million at June 30, 2015.  Money market and savings accounts decreased $8.3 million, or 2.8%, to $282.8 million at June 30, 2016, from $291.1 million at March 31, 2016, and increased $94.7 million, or 50.3%, from $188.1 million at June 30, 2015.  Time deposits decreased $23.3 million, or 11.7%, to $175.8 million at June 30, 2016, from $199.1 million at March 31, 2016, and decreased $6.1 million, or 3.4%, from $181.9 million at the same period last year.  The deposit strategy in the second quarter of 2016 has been structured to runoff higher cost, non relationship-based deposits. Non-retail certificates of deposit which includes brokered certificates of deposit, online certificates of deposit, and public funds, decreased $6.3 million to $38.6 million at June 30, 2016, compared to $44.9 million at March 31, 2016, and decreased $14.6 million from $53.2 million at June 30, 2015.  Management remains focused on growth in lower cost relationship-based deposits.

At June 30, 2016, we had total debt of $29.5 million consisting of borrowings of $19.7 million and a subordinated note, net of $9.8 million.  Borrowings increased $7.0 million, or 55.3%, to $19.7 million at June 30, 2016, from $12.7 million at March 31, 2016, due to the addition of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Fed Funds. The increased borrowings were used to fund held for sale loan production.

Total equity increased $927,000, or 1.2% to $76.1 million at June 30, 2016, from $75.1 million at March 31, 2016, and increased $5.2 million, or 7.3%, from $70.9 million at June 30, 2015.  The increase in equity from the first quarter of 2016 was predominately a result of net income of $2.8 million, and an increase of $398,000 in other comprehensive income (representing unrealized gains in our investment portfolio), primarily offset by common stock repurchases of $2.3 million.  The Company repurchased 94,000 shares of its common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2016, at an average price per share of $25.00.  At June 30, 2016, 133,000 shares remained available for repurchase as authorized pursuant to our July 2015 stock repurchase plan.  Book value per common share was $26.73 at June 30, 2016, compared to $25.90 at March 31, 2016, and $23.80 at June 30, 2015. 

The Bank is well capitalized under the minimum capital requirements established by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation with a total risk-based capital ratio of 14.0%, a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 10.1%, and a common equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) capital ratio of 12.8% at June 30, 2016.  At June 30, 2015, the total risk-based capital ratio was 13.6%, the Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 10.9%, and the CET1 capital ratio was 12.3%.  

The Company exceeded all regulatory capital requirements with a total risk-based capital ratio of 12.8%, a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 9.1%, and a CET1 ratio of 11.5% at June 30, 2016, compared to 15.6%, 12.6%, and 14.3% at June 30, 2015, respectively. 

Operating Results

Net interest income increased $1.2 million, or 17.4%, to $8.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $6.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. Net interest income increased $2.8 million, or 20.9%, to $15.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $13.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

The net interest margin ("NIM") decreased 80 basis points to 4.34% for the three months ended June 30, 2016, from 5.14% for the three months ended June 30, 2015, and decreased 86 basis points to 4.26% for the six months ended June 30, 2016, from 5.12% for the same period of the prior year.  The decreased NIM reflects increased balances in overnight cash balances invested at the overnight Fed Funds rate, and growth in lower yielding loan and investment assets.  As a percentage, consumer loans to total loans were 29.5% at June 30, 2016, compared to 34.0% at June 30, 2015, reflecting our loan diversification strategy.  The average cost of funds decreased 16 basis points to 0.57% for the three months ended June 30, 2016, from 0.73% for the three months ended June 30, 2015, and decreased 13 basis points to 0.60% for the six months ended June 30, 2016, from 0.73% for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  The decrease primarily reflects the growth in transactional non maturity deposits acquired through the Branch Acquisition and the decline in the percentage of higher cost certificates of deposit to total deposits over the last year.  Management remains focused on matching deposit duration with the duration of earning assets where appropriate.

The provision for loan losses was unchanged at $600,000 for both the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. Net recoveries totaled $25,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to net charge-offs of $78,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2015.  The provision for loan losses was also unchanged at $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.  Net charge-offs totaled $34,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $363,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

Noninterest income increased $1.3 million, or 24.2%, to $6.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $5.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015.  This increase was due to an $831,000 increase in gain on sale of loans, and a $393,000 increase in service charges and fee income.  Noninterest income increased $1.5 million, or 16.3%, to $10.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $9.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  The increase during the period was primarily due to an $868,000 increase in gain on sale of loans, and a $666,000 increase in service charges and fee income.

Noninterest expense increased $2.3 million, or 32.3%, to $9.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, from $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015.  The increase in noninterest expense was primarily a result of a $1.1 million, or 27.1% increase in salaries and benefits partially attributable to an increase in employees due to the Branch Acquisition, and also includes $606,000 of commissions and incentives for the loan production staff, as well as stock-based compensation associated with the equity incentive plan.  Most other expense categories also increased due to the Branch Acquisition including a $268,000, or 23.8% increase in operations costs, a $164,000, or 41.7% increase in data processing, a $154,000, or 33.8% increase in occupancy, and a $140,000 increase in amortization of the core deposit intangible.  Increases not associated with the Branch Acquisition include a $221,000, or 53.0% increase in loan costs, and a $214,000 increase in impairment of servicing rights, partially offset by a $150,000 gain on sale of OREO.

Noninterest expense increased $4.7 million, or 33.5%, to $18.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, from $13.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, primarily as a result of the Branch Acquisition including a $2.1 million, or 25.2% increase in salaries and benefits, a $680,000, or 32.5% increase in operations,  a $288,000, or 38.3% increase in data processing, a $287,000, or 32.2% increase in occupancy, and a $199,000, or 25.2% increase in professional fees.  We also incurred $389,000 in acquisition costs, and $241,000 in amortization of the core deposit intangible attributable to the Branch Acquisition during the six months ended June 30, 2016, as compared to none of these types of expenses in the same period last year.  Increases not associated with the Branch Acquisition include a $324,000, or 43.2% increase in loan costs, and a $214,000 increase in impairment of servicing rights, partially offset by a $150,000 gain on sale of OREO.

About FS Bancorp

FS Bancorp, Inc., a Washington corporation, is the holding company for 1st Security Bank of Washington.  The Bank provides loan and deposit services to customers who are predominantly small and middle-market businesses and individuals in western Washington through its eleven branches and four loan production offices in various suburban communities in the greater Puget Sound area, and one loan production office in the market area of the Tri-Cities.  The Bank services home mortgage customers throughout Washington State with an emphasis in the Puget Sound and Tri-Cities home lending markets. The Bank acquired four retail bank branches from Bank of America (two in Clallam and two in Jefferson counties) on January 22, 2016, and the branches opened as 1st Security Bank branches on January 25, 2016.

Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this press release and in other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in press releases or other public stockholder communications, or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “believe,” “will,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “plans,” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management's current expectations and forecasts regarding future events many of which are inherently uncertain and outside of our control.  Actual results may differ, possibly materially from those currently expected or projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, include but are not limited to, the following: increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; changes in general economic conditions and conditions within the securities markets; our ability to execute our plans to grow our residential construction lending, our mortgage banking operations and our warehouse lending and the geographic expansion of our indirect home improvement lending; our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel we may acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and expected cost savings and other benefits within the anticipated time frames or at all, including, in particular, our recent acquisition of four branches from Bank of America, NA; secondary market conditions for loans and our ability to sell loans in the secondary market; 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-which are available on our website at www.fsbwa.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this press release and in the other public statements are based upon management's beliefs and assumptions at the time they are made and may turn out to be wrong because of the inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. Therefore, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. 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. These risks could cause our actual results for 2016 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us and could negatively affect our operating and stock performance.

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