Customers Bancorp Announces Record Earnings for the Second Quarter 2013

WYOMISSING, Pa., July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Customers Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUBI) today reported net income of $8,225,662 or $0.38 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2013.  Highlights for the second quarter 2013 included:

• Compared to second quarter, 2012 which included $8.8 million of security gains, net income increased $1.7 million or 26.5% in the second quarter, 2013.
• Diluted EPS in the second quarter, 2012 was $0.56 compared to $0.38 in the second quarter, 2013.
• For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, ROA was 0.98% and ROE was 10.11%.  Total assets at June 30, 2013 were $3.8 billion.
• Capital ratios¹ remained strong with Tier 1 Leverage of 11.20% and Total Risk Based Capital of 12.52% at June 30, 2013.
• Asset quality remained strong as NPA's in originated portfolio were $ 20.6 million or 0.61% of average assets at June 30, 2013.
• Loans and deposits continued strong growth.
• Book value per common share was $15.40 at June 30, 2013 compared to $13.99 at June 30, 2012.

"We are pleased to announce that continued execution of our business strategy resulted in strong loan demand through organic growth that generated significant increases in revenues," stated Jay Sidhu, Chairman and CEO of Customers Bancorp, Inc.  "The Bank continues to see consistent growth in our loan portfolios while maintaining our margin.  During the second quarter ended June 30, 2013, net loans, including loans held for sale, grew from approximately $1.9 billion at June 30, 2012 to $3.2 billion at June 30, 2013, a 68.5% increase.  Total deposits at June 30, 2012 were approximately $1.9 billion compared to $2.8 billion at June 30, 2013, a 44.0% increase.  In addition to strong earnings in the second quarter of 2013, we raised $103.5 million in gross proceeds from the sale of our voting common stock.  We plan to remain very focused on building shareholder value through our organic growth strategy and continue to build a strong balance sheet and profitable franchise."

James Hogan, Executive Vice President and CFO, stated, "Our second quarter earnings continued the pattern of growth we saw in the first quarter.  Maintaining margins while growing the balance sheet has directly contributed to the strong earnings.  Our net interest margin has remained strong at 3.26%.  Since we are asset sensitive, we believe we can maintain our margins in a rising rate environment.  Fee income continued to grow as fees were 23.9% of net revenue.  Fees from the lending areas as well as BOLI income also showed significant growth.  Although expenses grew 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year to accommodate the growth and the expansion into New York and New England, we continue to grow revenue faster than expenses.  The Bank's efficiency ratio was 49.44% in the second quarter of 2013 which reflects favorably on the Bank's goal of growing revenue twice as fast as expenses."

Our provision for loan losses was $4.6 million in the second quarter compared to $2.7 million in the same quarter last year.  Charge offs were $3.1 million, including $2.0 million that was eighty-percent guaranteed by the FDIC.  (Expected reimbursement from the FDIC is $1.6 million.)

In addition, Mr. Sidhu continued, "The foundation of our business strategy is built upon providing exceptional service to our customers delivered by very experienced bankers who are supported by state of the art technology.  Our organic growth in the second quarter indicates that we can attract new customers and provide the services they need."

As we stated in our press release of June 26, 2013, we believe we have a unique opportunity with our relationship with Religare Enterprises Limited (Religare) to serve businesses and professionals from East Asia doing business or living in the United States, and businesses who want to take advantage of opportunities in South East Asia.  We also expect our relationship with Religare to serve as a continuing source of referrals between our two companies.  We are optimistic this investment², over the long term will help increase shareholders' value, add to our earnings and better serve our customer base.

Net Income and Revenue Growth

Even including securities gains of $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2012, the growth in total net revenue during the second quarter 2013 increased 24.8% over the same period in 2012, driven by increases in net interest income and non-interest income. Net interest income increased by $11.8 million which was primarily the result of growth in the loan portfolio and planned reduction in funding costs.  Non-interest income declined by $5.1 million related primarily due to security gains realized in the second quarter of 2012 offset by an increase in warehouse lending fees of $0.5 million and $2.5 million of accretion related to the FDIC loss sharing receivable, offsetting some of our provision for loan loss expense.  Non-interest expenses were up approximately 15.9% in the second quarter 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily driven by higher costs for staffing, occupancy and technology infrastructure related to bringing on our New York and New England lending teams and to support continued growth of our balance sheet.

Loan Growth

Loan growth year over year was primarily attributable to growth in warehouse loans of $336.9 million, commercial loans of $361.7 million, consumer loans of $77.4 million and multi-family loans of $542.8 million, which was a business function still in the building phase in early 2012.

Deposit Growth

The average cost of deposits fell 40 basis points from the second quarter of 2012 due to a focus on pricing down higher cost money market accounts and CDs.  Non-interest demand deposits also contributed to the decrease in cost of deposits with growth of 72% over the same period in 2012 as we introduced new cash management products, and brought on escrow deposits related to our multi-family customers and warehouse lending related accounts.

Asset Quality

Total non-performing assets in the originated loan portfolio decreased by $4.4 million from March 31, 2013 to $20.5 million at June 30, 2013.  Other real estate owned in the originated portfolio increased approximately $1.4 million during the second quarter to $4.5 million at June 30, 2013 compared to $3.1 million at March 31, 2013. Total non-performing assets in the covered portfolio decreased by $2.7 million to $12.3 million at June 30, 2013 from $15.0 million at March 31, 2013 relating primarily to the charge off previously mentioned.  New originations continue to perform very well with almost no delinquencies or charge offs.

Interest rate risk position helps in a higher rate environment. The Bank remained asset sensitive at June 30, 2013 and expects to benefit from rising rates.  Due to the extremely short term nature of the mortgage warehouse loans, Customers Bank maintains a relatively minor investment portfolio, decreasing any significant impact from mark to market with rising rates.

Customers Bancorp, Inc. listed on the Nasdaq in late May 2013 and trades under the symbol CUBI.  Its closing price on July 12, 2013 was $17.50, reporting about 113% of June 30, 2013 book value and 11.5x annualized 2013 earnings.

About Customers Bancorp, Inc. and Customers Bank

Customers Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company for Customers Bank based in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Customers Bank is a state-chartered, full-service bank headquartered in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Customers Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). With assets of approximately $3.8 billion at June 30, 2013, Customers Bank provides a full range of banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, individuals and families through branch locations in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Customers Bancorp, Inc. has one pending acquisition, CMS Bancorp, Inc. in White Plains, NY. Customers Bank is focused on serving its targeted markets with a growth strategy that includes strategically placed branches throughout its market area and continually expanding its portfolio of loans to small businesses, multi-family projects, mortgage companies and consumers.

"Safe Harbor" Statement

In addition to historical information, this press release may contain "forward-looking statements" which are made in good faith by Customers Bancorp, Inc., pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to Customers Bancorp, Inc.'s strategies, goals, beliefs, expectations, estimates, intentions, capital raising efforts, financial condition and results of operations, future performance and business. Statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "may," "could," "should," "pro forma," "looking forward," "would," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," or similar expressions generally indicate a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which, in whole or in part, are beyond Customers Bancorp, Inc.'s control). Numerous competitive, economic, regulatory, legal and technological factors, among others, could cause Customers Bancorp, Inc.'s financial performance to differ materially from the goals, plans, objectives, intentions and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. Customers Bancorp, Inc. cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive, and neither such factors nor any such forward-looking statement takes into account the impact of any future events. All forward-looking statements and information set forth herein are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions as of the date hereof and speak only as of the date they are made. For a more complete discussion of the assumptions, risks and uncertainties related to our business, you are encouraged to review Customers Bancorp, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as well as any changes in risk factors that may be identified in its quarterly or other reports filed with the SEC. Customers Bancorp, Inc. does not undertake to update any forward looking statement whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by Customers Bancorp, Inc. or by or on behalf of Customers Bank.

¹ Risk Weighted Assets is an estimate of $3.0 billion pending the final Call Report.
² This gives us and our partners access to the third largest economy in the world.

SOURCE Customers Bancorp, Inc.

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED