Astoria Financial Corporation Reports 6% and 53% Increase In Second Quarter and Six Months Earnings Per Share, Respectively, to $0.18 and $0.46, Respectively

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Astoria Financial Corporation (NYSE: AF) ("Astoria", the "Company"), the holding company for Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association ("Astoria Federal"), today reported net income of $16.8 million, or $0.18 diluted earnings per share ("diluted EPS"), for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, increases of 8% and 6%, respectively, over net income of $15.5 million, or $0.17 diluted EPS, for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  For the six months ended June 30, 2011, net income totaled $44.2 million, or $0.46 diluted EPS, increases of 55% and 53%, respectively, over net income of $28.5 million, or $0.30 diluted EPS, for the comparable 2010 period.  Included in the 2010 second quarter and six month results are net charges totaling $3.2 million (or $2.1 million, or $0.02 per share, after-tax), which are not routine to our core operations.  For further detail, see the "Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures" table included in this release.

Commenting on the second quarter results, Monte N. Redman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Astoria, stated, "While disappointed with the second quarter results, which were negatively impacted by the continued decrease in interest-earning assets and the slightly higher provision for loan losses compared to the first quarter, I continue to remain optimistic that future credit costs will resume their downward trend and loan and balance sheet growth will resume in the second half of this year."

Second Quarter Financial Highlights

• Low cost savings, money market and checking accounts increased $633.5 million, or 14%, from June 30, 2010 and increased $108.2 million, or 9% annualized, from March 31, 2011, to $5.0 billion
• Early stage loan delinquencies (30-89 days past due) decreased to $207.2 million, a decline of $101.2 million, or 33%, from June 30, 2010 and $10.0 million, or 18% annualized, from March 31, 2011
• Total past due loans decreased to $583.5 million, a decline of $140.0 million, or 19%, from June 30, 2010 and $7.5 million, or 5% annualized, from March 31, 2011
• The Company's tangible common equity ratio increased to 6.46%, up 111 basis points from June 30, 2010 and 30 basis points from March 31, 2011
• Astoria Federal's leverage and tangible capital ratios increased to 8.61%, up 146 basis points from June 30, 2010 and 44 basis points from March 31, 2011
• Astoria Federal's tier 1 risk-based capital ratio increased to 14.48%, up 227 basis points from June 30, 2010 and 59 basis points from March 31, 2011

Board Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.13 Per Share

The Board of Directors of the Company, at their July 20, 2011 meeting, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per common share.  The dividend is payable on September 1, 2011 to shareholders of record as of August 15, 2011.  This is the sixty-fifth consecutive quarterly cash dividend declared by the Company.

Second Quarter and Six Months Earnings Summary

Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 totaled $95.7 million compared to $101.5 million for the previous quarter and $111.9 million for the 2010 second quarter.  For the six months ended June 30, 2011, net interest income totaled $197.3 million compared to $226.3 million for the comparable 2010 period.  The decreases in net interest income are due primarily to the significant decreases in average interest-earnings assets of $506.7 million and $2.4 billion on a linked quarter and year over year basis, respectively.  The net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 was 2.34% compared to 2.40% for the previous quarter and 2.37% for the 2010 second quarter.  Approximately 3 basis points of the linked quarter decrease are due to one extra day of interest expense in the 2011 second quarter.  For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the net interest margin was 2.37% compared to 2.38% for the comparable 2010 six month period.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2011, a $10.0 million provision for loan losses was recorded compared to $7.0 million for the previous quarter and $35.0 million for the 2010 second quarter.  For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the provision for loan losses totaled $17.0 million compared to $80.0 million for the comparable 2010 period.   Mr. Redman noted, "With a somewhat weaker economy and slightly higher unemployment, along with the prolonged softness in housing values, we felt it prudent to maintain our strong coverage ratio.  The allowance for loan losses to total loans, or the coverage ratio, remains over 1%, at 1.35% at June 30, 2011."

Non-interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 totaled $17.0 million compared to $18.0 million for the previous quarter and $23.2 million for the 2010 second quarter.  Non-interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled $35.1 million compared to $41.9 million for the comparable 2010 period.  For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, non-interest income includes a $6.2 million gain relating to a litigation settlement, partially offset by a $1.5 million impairment write-down of premises and equipment.  The linked quarter decrease is due to lower mortgage banking income, net, including lower net gain on sales of loans.  The decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2011 is also due to customer service fees decreasing $2.8 million.

General and administrative ("G&A") expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 totaled $76.0 million compared to $69.6 million for the previous quarter and $75.8 million for the 2010 second quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, G&A expense totaled $145.6 million compared to $144.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, G&A expense includes a $7.9 million litigation settlement.  Commenting on the 2011 second quarter expenses, Mr. Redman stated, "The 2011 second quarter G&A expense was impacted by a $5.7 million, or 103%, increase in FDIC insurance premium expense from the previous quarter.  We are anticipating the FDIC insurance premium expense to be lower starting in either the third or fourth quarter of this year."

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets decreased $586.8 million from March 31, 2011 and $968.9 million from December 31, 2010 and totaled $17.1 billion at June 30, 2011.  The decline is due to a decrease in loans and securities.

The one-to-four family portfolio totaled $10.6 billion at June 30, 2011 and March 31, 2011 compared to $10.9 billion at December 31, 2010.  For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011, one-to-four family loan originations for portfolio totaled $636.2 million and $1.3 billion, respectively, compared to $758.5 million and $1.6 billion, respectively, for the comparable 2010 periods.  The loan-to-value ratio of the one-to-four family loan production for portfolio for the 2011 second quarter and six months averaged approximately 62% and 61%, respectively, at origination and the loan amount averaged approximately $785,000 and $754,000, respectively.  One-to-four family loan prepayments for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled $610.5 million and $1.4 billion, respectively, compared to $748.4 million and $1.5 billion, respectively, for the comparable 2010 periods.

The combined multi-family/commercial real estate ("CRE") portfolio totaled $2.6 billion at June 30, 2011 compared to $2.7 billion at March 31, 2011 and $3.0 billion at December 31, 2010.  Multi-family/CRE loan prepayments for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled $133.3 million and $326.4 million, respectively, compared to $76.7 million and $116.3 million for the comparable 2010 periods.  

As previously anticipated, our expectation for loan and balance sheet growth starting in the second half of this year is predicated on several factors.  The one-to-four family loan pipeline, excluding our own customer loan refinances, is 50%, or almost $300 million, higher than it was at March 31, 2011.  In addition, we expect that residential conforming loan limits will be significantly reduced on October 1, 2011, and we have resumed accepting multi-family loan applications.

The securities portfolio declined $192.4 million from March 31, 2011 and totaled $2.4 billion at June 30, 2011, due to the absence of purchase activity in the second quarter.  We expect to maintain our securities portfolio at June 30, 2011 levels, or slightly higher, throughout the remainder of 2011.        

Deposits decreased $264.7 million from the previous quarter and $388.4 million from December 31, 2010 to $11.2 billion at June 30, 2011.  Importantly, low-cost savings, money market and checking account deposits increased $108.2 million, or 9% annualized, from March 31, 2011 and $229.3 million, or 10% annualized, from December 31, 2010.  CD accounts (including Liquid CDs) decreased $372.9 million from the previous quarter and $617.7 million from December 31, 2010.  Notwithstanding the decline in CDs, during the first half of 2011, we extended $538.2 million of CDs for terms of two years or more in an effort to help limit our exposure to future increases in interest rates.  At June 30, 2011, our one-year interest rate sensitivity gap was positive 1.38%.

Borrowings decreased $290.9 million from the previous quarter and $582.8 million from December 31, 2010 to $4.3 billion at June 30, 2011.

Stockholders' equity totaled $1.3 billion, or 7.47% of total assets at June 30, 2011.  Astoria Federal continues to be designated as well-capitalized with leverage, tangible, total risk-based and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios of 8.61%, 8.61%, 15.78% and 14.48%, respectively, at June 30, 2011.

Asset Quality

Non-performing loans ("NPLs"), including troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") of $45.6 million, totaled $376.3 million, or 2.20% of total assets at June 30, 2011, an increase of $2.5 million from the previous quarter.  During the 2011 second quarter, $15.3 million of NPLs were either sold or classified as held-for-sale.  One-to-four family NPLs totaled $329.6 million, multi-family/CRE/construction NPLs totaled $41.6 million and consumer and other NPLs totaled $5.2 million compared to $333.0 million, $35.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively, at March 31, 2011.  Of the $329.6 million of one-to-four family NPLs, $250.8 million, or 76%, represent residential loans which, at 180 days delinquent and annually thereafter, were reviewed and charged-off, as needed, to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral at such time, less estimated selling costs.

The following table illustrates loan migration trends from 30 days delinquent to 90+ days delinquent:

The table below details, as of June 30, 2011, the ten largest concentrations by state of one-to-four family loans and the respective non-performing loan totals in those states.  More comprehensive state details are included in the "One-to-Four Family Residential Loan Portfolio-Geographic Analysis" table included in this release.  

Net loan charge-offs for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled $16.8 million and $35.8 million, respectively, compared to $34.7 million and $63.1 million, respectively, for the comparable 2010 periods.  Included in the 2011 second quarter one-to-four family net loan charge-offs are $12.1 million of charge-offs on $46.9 million of NPLs which, at 180 days delinquent and annually thereafter, were reviewed in the 2011 second quarter and charged-off, as needed, to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated selling costs.  "While we expect NPL levels will remain elevated for some time, especially in those states requiring judicial foreclosure, it is important to note that the loss potential remaining has been greatly reduced as a result of our having already reviewed, marked down, and charged-off as necessary, 76% of the residential NPLs to their adjusted fair value less estimated selling costs," Mr. Redman noted.

Future Outlook  

Commenting on the near-term outlook, Mr. Redman stated, "The road to sustained U.S. economic growth has proven to be a bumpy one as evidenced by the slower than expected growth and slightly higher unemployment in the 2011 second quarter.  And, although the operating environment for residential mortgage portfolio lenders remains challenging, we are optimistic that together, the increase in our loan pipeline, coupled with the anticipated reduction in the expanded conforming loan limits in October 2011 and the resumption of multi-family/commercial real estate lending in the second half of 2011, should facilitate future loan and balance sheet growth in 2011 and strong growth starting in 2012.  With interest rates remaining lower than anticipated, and loan repayments and modifications higher than expected, we now project the 2011 margin to be slightly lower than the 2010 margin of 2.35%. We expect capital levels to continue to increase which should support loan and balance sheet growth in the second half of 2011 and next year."

Earnings Conference Call July 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. (ET)

The Company, as previously announced, indicated that Monte N. Redman, President & CEO will host an earnings conference call Thursday morning, July 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. (ET).   The toll-free dial-in number is (888) 562-3356, ID# 74366611.  A telephone replay will be available on July 21, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. (ET) through midnight July 30, 2011 (ET).   The replay number is (800) 642-1687, ID# 74366611.  The conference call will also be simultaneously webcast on the Company's website www.astoriafederal.com and archived for one year.

Astoria Financial Corporation, with assets of $17.1 billion, is the holding company for Astoria Federal Savings and Loan Association.  Established in 1888, Astoria Federal, with deposits in New York totaling $11.2 billion, is the largest thrift depository in New York and embraces its philosophy of "Putting people first" by providing the customers and local communities it serves with quality financial products and services through 85 convenient banking office locations and multiple delivery channels, including its enhanced website, www.astoriafederal.com.  Astoria Federal commands the fourth largest 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 Federal originates mortgage loans through its banking and loan production offices in New York, an extensive broker network covering fourteen states, primarily along the East Coast, and the District of Columbia, and through correspondent relationships covering fifteen states and the District of Columbia.

Forward Looking Statements

This document 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, may adversely affect our business; 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 document.

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SOURCE Astoria Financial Corporation