Astoria Financial Corporation Announces Agreement To Sell Non-Performing Residential Mortgage Loans In Bulk Sale

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Astoria Financial Corporation (NYSE: AF) ("Astoria", the "Company"), the holding company for Astoria Bank ("the Bank"), today announced that the Bank had entered into an agreement to sell certain non-performing residential mortgage loans to Credit Suisse for consideration of approximately $186 million (the "NPL Sale"). The NPL Sale is expected to close on or about July 31, 2014, subject to usual and customary closing conditions.

In anticipation of the NPL Sale, such non-performing loans were designated as held-for-sale as of June 30, 2014 and were written down from their carrying value of approximately $195 million to their estimated fair value of $186 million.  As a result, the Company recorded an $8.7 million charge-off and a $5.7 million loan loss release ($3.7 million, or $0.04 per common share, after tax) in the second quarter.  The full financial impact and additional discussion of the designation of such loans as held-for-sale will be described in the Company's second quarter 2014 earnings release, which we expect to issue on Wednesday, July 23, 2014.  Commenting on the NPL Sale, Monte N. Redman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, said, "We are obviously very pleased with the agreement to sell these non-performing residential loans.  We believe that this sale will have several positive impacts on the Company as we move forward including, but not limited to, an improved risk profile on our loan portfolio and reduced foreclosure related expenses, as well as a positive effect on future FDIC insurance assessment rates."

About Astoria Financial Corporation

Astoria Financial Corporation, with assets of $15.7 billion, is the holding company for Astoria Bank.  Established in 1888, Astoria Bank, with deposits in New York totaling $9.7 billion, is the second largest thrift depository in New York and provides the customers and local communities it serves with quality financial products and services through 86 convenient banking branch locations, one business banking office, and multiple delivery channels, including its enhanced website, www.astoriabank.com.  Astoria Bank commands a significant deposit market share in the attractive Long Island market, which includes Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties with a population exceeding that of 38 individual states.  Astoria Bank originates residential mortgage loans through its banking and loan production offices in New York, a broker network in four states, primarily along the East Coast, and correspondent relationships covering 13 states and the District of Columbia and originates multi-family and commercial real estate loans, primarily on rent controlled and rent stabilized apartment buildings, located in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may be identified by the use of such words as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These factors include, without limitation, the following: the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond our control; there may be increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins or affect the value of our investments; changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values may adversely affect our business; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause our financial condition to be perceived differently; general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which we do business, or conditions in the real estate or securities markets or the banking industry may be less favorable than we currently anticipate; legislative or regulatory changes, including the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, and any actions regarding foreclosures, may adversely affect our business; enhanced supervision and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; effects of changes in existing U.S. government or government-sponsored mortgage programs; technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than we anticipate; success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than we anticipate; or litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may be determined adverse to us or may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than we anticipate. We have no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

SOURCE Astoria Financial Corporation