The First of Long Island Corporation Reports Earnings for the First Quarter Of 2022
April 28, 2022 at 08:31 am EDT
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GLEN HEAD, N.Y., April 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The First of Long Island Corporation (Nasdaq: FLIC), the parent company of The First National Bank of Long Island, reported increases in net income and earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022. In the highlights that follow, all comparisons are of the current three-month period to the same period last year unless otherwise indicated.
FIRST QUARTER 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
Net Income and EPS were $12.1 million and $.52, respectively, versus $11.3 million and $.47
ROA and ROE were 1.19% and 11.94%, respectively, compared to 1.11% and 11.17%
Net interest margin was 2.90% versus 2.69%
Strong loan originations of $261 million
Repurchased 202,886 shares at a cost of $4.5 million
Analysis of First Quarter Earnings
Net income for the first quarter of 2022 was $12.1 million, an increase of $816,000, or 7.2%, versus the same quarter last year. The increase is due to growth in net interest income of $2.1 million, or 8.1%, and noninterest income, excluding $606,000 of gains on sales of securities in 2021, of $498,000, or 17.0%, and a decrease in noninterest expense of $680,000, or 4.1%. These items were partially offset by increases in the provision for credit losses of $1.4 million and income tax expense of $440,000.
The increase in net interest income reflects a favorable shift in the mix of funding as an increase in average checking deposits of $172.5 million, or 13.9%, and a decline in average interest-bearing liabilities of $144.4 million, or 6.0%, resulted in average checking deposits comprising a larger portion of total funding. Also contributing to the increase was a decline in interest expense of $1.1 million in 2022 due to the maturity of a $150 million interest rate swap in May 2021 and reductions in the rates paid on non-maturity and time deposits. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined 28 basis points (“bps”) from .82% for the first quarter of 2021 to .54% for the current quarter. The increase in net interest income is also attributable to an increase of $147 million in average loans outstanding to $3.2 billion at March 31, 2022, largely driven by commercial mortgage originations. Although the average balance of loans increased, the loan portfolio yield declined from 3.55% for the 2021 quarter to 3.47% for the current quarter due to a decline in income from SBA Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans of $1.2 million which reduced the portfolio yield by 8 bps. PPP income for the current quarter was $743,000 with a weighted average yield of 14.8% and contributed 8 bps to the current quarter’s loan portfolio yield of 3.47%.
Net interest margin for the first quarter of 2022 was 2.90% as compared to 2.86% and 2.69% for the 2021 fourth and first quarters, respectively. Income on PPP loans improved net interest margin by 6 bps, 11 bps and 9 bps in those quarters, respectively. The current yield curve is favorable to net interest margin. The direction of the margin for the remainder of 2022 is largely dependent on changes in the yield curve and balance sheet mix as well as competitive conditions.
During the first quarter of 2022 we originated $261 million of loans with a weighted average rate of approximately 3.11% which includes $199 million of commercial mortgages at a weighted average rate of 3.13%. The mortgage loan pipeline was $175 million with a weighted average rate of 3.36% at March 31, 2022. While these rates are below the March 31, 2022 loan portfolio yield, current reinvestment rates for both the securities and loan portfolios are generally higher.
The provision for credit losses increased $1.4 million when comparing the first quarter periods from a credit of $986,000 in the 2021 quarter to a charge of $433,000 in the 2022 quarter. The provision for the current quarter was mainly due to an increase in outstanding mortgage loans partially offset by economic conditions and historical loss rates.
The increase in noninterest income of $498,000, excluding $606,000 of gains on sales of securities in 2021, is primarily attributable to a final transition payment of $477,000 from LPL Financial for the conversion of the Bank’s retail broker and advisory accounts. The increase also includes higher fees from debit and credit cards of $199,000 and income from bank-owned life insurance of $163,000. These amounts were partially offset by a decrease in investment services income of $323,000 as the shift to an outside service provider resulted in less assets under management.
The decrease in noninterest expense of $680,000 was primarily due to declines in salaries and benefits expense of $315,000 and occupancy and equipment expense of $326,000, and a decrease in the provision for unfunded commitments. The decrease in salaries and benefits is mainly due to a decline in overtime pay and branch closures in 2021. These decreases were partially offset by salary and benefit costs of our new branch locations and hiring additional experienced banking professionals. The decrease in occupancy and equipment expense was due to lower rent, depreciation and maintenance and repair costs from the 2021 branch closures.
Income tax expense increased $440,000 and the effective tax rate increased from 19.4% to 20.6% when comparing the first quarter of 2021 to the current quarter. The increase in the effective tax rate is mainly due to a decrease in the percentage of pre-tax income derived from tax-exempt assets in 2022. The increase in income tax expense reflects the higher effective tax rate and an increase in pre-tax earnings in the current quarter as compared to the 2021 quarter.
Analysis of Earnings – First Quarter 2022 Versus Fourth Quarter 2021
Net income for the first quarter of 2022 increased $3.1 million, or 34.1%, from $9.0 million earned in the fourth quarter of last year. The increase is mainly attributable to a $3.9 million decrease in noninterest expense attributed largely to our branch optimization and debt extinguishment expenses in the fourth quarter of 2021. The increase also includes growth in net interest income of $634,000 due to loan originations during the fourth and first quarters of 2021 and 2022, respectively, and higher noninterest income from the aforementioned transition payment. Partially offsetting these items was an increase in income tax expense of $1.5 million for the same reasons discussed above with respect to the first quarter periods.
Asset Quality
The Bank’s allowance for credit losses to total loans (reserve coverage ratio) was .94% on March 31, 2022 as compared to .96% at December 31, 2021. The decrease in the reserve coverage ratio was mainly due to economic conditions and historical loss rates. Nonaccrual loans, troubled debt restructurings and loans past due 30 through 89 days are at very low levels.
Capital
The Corporation’s balance sheet remains positioned for lending and growth with a Leverage Ratio of approximately 10.15% at March 31, 2022. The Corporation repurchased 202,886 shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2022 at a cost of $4.5 million. We expect to continue common stock repurchases during 2022. The increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss was due to an increase in interest rates which resulted in a net unrealized loss in the available-for-sale securities portfolio.
Key Initiatives
We continue focusing on strategic initiatives supporting the growth of our balance sheet and a profitable relationship banking business. Such initiatives include improving the quality of technology through continuing digital enhancements, optimizing our branch network across a larger geography, using new branding and “CommunityFirst” focus to improve name recognition, enhancing our website and social media presence including the promotion of FirstInvestments, and ongoing recruitment of additional experienced banking professionals to support our growth and technology initiatives. We also continue to focus on the areas of cybersecurity, environmental, social and governance practices. The Bank began occupying its leased space at 275 Broadhollow Road in Melville, N.Y. in April 2022. The consolidation of back-office staff into this one facility will produce a more collaborative work environment and strengthened culture.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
3/31/22
12/31/21
(dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
85,811
$
43,675
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value
682,984
734,318
Loans:
Commercial and industrial
103,870
90,386
SBA Paycheck Protection Program
12,377
30,534
Secured by real estate:
Commercial mortgages
1,870,546
1,736,612
Residential mortgages
1,191,691
1,202,374
Home equity lines
45,820
44,139
Consumer and other
2,021
991
3,226,325
3,105,036
Allowance for credit losses
(30,287
)
(29,831
)
3,196,038
3,075,205
Restricted stock, at cost
18,123
21,524
Bank premises and equipment, net
37,971
37,523
Right of use asset - operating leases
8,006
8,438
Bank-owned life insurance
108,573
107,831
Pension plan assets, net
19,129
19,097
Deferred income tax benefit
15,338
3,987
Other assets
18,705
17,191
$
4,190,678
$
4,068,789
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Checking
$
1,479,806
$
1,400,998
Savings, NOW and money market
1,736,821
1,685,410
Time
328,763
228,837
3,545,390
3,315,245
Short-term borrowings
50,000
125,000
Long-term debt
186,322
186,322
Operating lease liability
10,609
11,259
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
8,896
17,151
3,801,217
3,654,977
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value $.10 per share:
Authorized, 80,000,000 shares;
Issued and outstanding, 23,106,070 and 23,240,596 shares
2,311
2,324
Surplus
89,362
93,480
Retained earnings
327,785
320,321
419,458
416,125
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(29,997
)
(2,313
)
389,461
413,812
$
4,190,678
$
4,068,789
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
3/31/22
3/31/21
(dollars in thousands)
Interest and dividend income:
Loans
$
27,386
$
26,706
Investment securities:
Taxable
1,668
1,833
Nontaxable
1,968
2,248
31,022
30,787
Interest expense:
Savings, NOW and money market deposits
763
1,066
Time deposits
945
2,304
Short-term borrowings
441
350
Long-term debt
868
1,165
3,017
4,885
Net interest income
28,005
25,902
Provision (credit) for credit losses
433
(986
)
Net interest income after provision (credit) for credit losses
27,572
26,888
Noninterest income:
Bank-owned life insurance
742
579
Service charges on deposit accounts
726
683
Net gains on sales of securities
—
606
Other
1,956
1,664
3,424
3,532
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits
9,755
10,070
Occupancy and equipment
2,951
3,277
Other
3,063
3,102
15,769
16,449
Income before income taxes
15,227
13,971
Income tax expense
3,144
2,704
Net income
$
12,083
$
11,267
Share and Per Share Data:
Weighted Average Common Shares
23,178,475
23,781,326
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock units
99,214
83,423
23,277,689
23,864,749
Basic EPS
$.52
$.47
Diluted EPS
$.52
$.47
Cash Dividends Declared per share
$.20
$.19
FINANCIAL RATIOS
(Unaudited)
ROA
1.19
%
1.11
%
ROE
11.94
%
11.17
%
Net Interest Margin
2.90
%
2.69
%
Dividend Payout Ratio
38.46
%
40.43
%
PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL PROBLEM LOANS AND ASSETS (Unaudited)
3/31/22
12/31/21
(dollars in thousands)
Loans, excluding troubled debt restructurings:
Past due 30 through 89 days
$
1,113
$
460
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing
—
—
Nonaccrual
1,235
1,235
2,348
1,695
Troubled debt restructurings:
Performing according to their modified terms
547
554
Past due 30 through 89 days
—
—
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing
—
—
Nonaccrual
—
—
547
554
Total past due, nonaccrual and restructured loans:
Restructured and performing according to their modified terms
547
554
Past due 30 through 89 days
1,113
460
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing
—
—
Nonaccrual
1,235
1,235
2,895
2,249
Other real estate owned
—
—
$
2,895
$
2,249
Allowance for credit losses
$
30,287
$
29,831
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans
.94
%
.96
%
Allowance for credit losses as a multiple of nonaccrual loans
24.5
x
24.2
x
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET, INTEREST RATES AND INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Average
Interest/
Average
Average
Interest/
Average
(dollars in thousands)
Balance
Dividends
Rate
Balance
Dividends
Rate
Assets:
Interest-earning bank balances
$
27,675
$
14
.21
%
$
155,272
$
39
.10
%
Investment securities:
Taxable
418,871
1,654
1.58
401,531
1,794
1.79
Nontaxable (1)
321,335
2,491
3.10
361,715
2,846
3.15
Loans (1)
3,160,058
27,387
3.47
3,013,009
26,707
3.55
Total interest-earning assets
3,927,939
31,546
3.21
3,931,527
31,386
3.19
Allowance for credit losses
(29,850
)
(32,896
)
Net interest-earning assets
3,898,089
3,898,631
Cash and due from banks
32,482
32,951
Premises and equipment, net
37,882
38,700
Other assets
158,479
134,770
$
4,126,932
$
4,105,052
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Savings, NOW & money market deposits
$
1,688,054
763
.18
$
1,707,546
1,066
.25
Time deposits
277,667
945
1.38
421,394
2,304
2.22
Total interest-bearing deposits
1,965,721
1,708
.35
2,128,940
3,370
.64
Short-term borrowings
124,333
441
1.44
58,661
350
2.42
Long-term debt
186,322
868
1.89
233,224
1,165
2.03
Total interest-bearing liabilities
2,276,376
3,017
.54
2,420,825
4,885
.82
Checking deposits
1,416,223
1,243,728
Other liabilities
24,031
31,401
3,716,630
3,695,954
Stockholders' equity
410,302
409,098
$
4,126,932
$
4,105,052
Net interest income (1)
$
28,529
$
26,501
Net interest spread (1)
2.67
%
2.37
%
Net interest margin (1)
2.90
%
2.69
%
(1) Tax-equivalent basis. Interest income on a tax-equivalent basis includes the additional amount of interest income that would have been earned if the Corporation's investment in tax-exempt loans and investment securities had been made in loans and investment securities subject to federal income taxes yielding the same after-tax income. The tax-equivalent amount of $1.00 of nontaxable income was $1.27 for each period presented using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21%.
Forward Looking Information
This earnings release contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of that term as set forth in Rule 175 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are generally contained in sentences including the words “may” or “expect” or “could” or “should” or “would” or “believe” or “anticipate”. The Corporation cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause future results to vary from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, changing economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in interest rates; deposit flows and the cost of funds; demand for loan products; competition; changes in management’s business strategies; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; changes in real estate values; and other factors discussed in the “risk factors” section of the Corporation’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In addition, the pandemic continues to present financial and operating challenges for the Corporation, its customers and the communities it serves. These challenges may adversely affect the Corporation’s business, results of operations and financial condition for an indefinite period. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
For more detailed financial information please see the Corporation’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The Form 10-Q will be available through the Bank’s website at www.fnbli.com on or about May 5, 2022, when it is electronically filed with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
For More Information Contact: Jay McConie, EVP and CFO (516) 671-4900, Ext. 7404
The First of Long Island Corporation is a one bank holding company. It provides financial services through its wholly owned subsidiary, The First National Bank of Long Island (the Bank). The Bank serves the financial needs of small to middle market businesses, professional service firms, not-for-profits, municipalities and consumers primarily in Nassau and Suffolk Counties of Long Island, and the boroughs of New York City (NYC). The Bankâs loan portfolio is primarily comprised of loans to borrowers on Long Island and in the boroughs of NYC, and its real estate loans are principally secured by properties located in those areas. The Bankâs investment securities portfolio consists of direct obligations of the United States government and its agencies, obligations of the small business administration (SBA), corporate bonds of large United States financial institutions and obligations of states and political subdivisions. The Bank offers trust, estate, custody, and investment services.
THE FIRST OF LONG ISLAND CORPORATION 
