Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation Reports a Strong Second Quarter and Declares Its Quarterly Cash Dividend

BEDMINSTER, NJ--(Marketwired - Jul 28, 2016) - Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: PGC) (the "Corporation" or the "Company") recorded record net income of $12.05 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.74 for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $10.25 million and $0.67, respectively, for the same six month period last year, reflecting increases of $1.81 million or 18 percent, and $0.07 per share, or 10 percent, respectively.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Corporation recorded net income of $6.56 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.40, compared to $5.24 million and $0.34 for the same three month period last year, reflecting increases of $1.33 million, or 25 percent, and $0.06 per share, or 18 percent, respectively.

During the second quarter of 2016, similar to the first quarter of 2016, the Company recorded increased FDIC premiums and increased investment in risk management related analytics and practices. The additional FDIC premium was estimated at $950 thousand, which reduced net income by $585 thousand and diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.04 per share, for the quarter.

The following table summarizes specified financial measures for the second quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively:

Mr. Kennedy said, "We had a very strong second quarter of 2016, as we continued to successfully execute our Plan - Expanding Our Reach. We posted record net income and near record earnings per share, despite the additional FDIC premium expense." 

Additional Q2 2016 highlights follow:

• Growth in diluted EPS for Q2 2016 when compared to Q2 2015 was $0.06 per share, or 18 percent, despite the additional expenses incurred in Q2 2016.
• At June 30, 2016, the market value of assets under administration (AUA) at the Private Wealth Management Division of Peapack-Gladstone Bank ("the Bank") stood at $3.42 billion. 
• Fee income from the Private Wealth Management Division totaled $4.9 million for the second quarter of 2016, compared to $4.5 million for the same quarter in 2015. Wealth management fee income, at approximately 15 percent of the Company's total revenue, contributed significantly to the Company's diversified revenue sources.
• Loans at June 30, 2016, including multifamily loans held for sale, totaled $3.21 billion. This reflected net growth of $143 million compared to the prior quarter (5 percent compared to the prior quarter or 19 percent on an annualized basis), and $467 million (17 percent) when compared to the $2.74 billion at June 30, 2015.
• Commercial & Industrial (C&I) loans at June 30, 2016 totaled $576 million. This reflected net growth of $21 million compared to the prior quarter (4 percent compared to the prior quarter or 15 percent on an annualized basis), and net growth of $138 million (31 percent) when compared to the $438 million at June 30, 2015.
• Multifamily whole loans sold totaled $80 million in the second quarter of 2016, which resulted in a net gain on sale of $500 thousand. 
• Total "customer" deposit balances (defined as deposits excluding brokered CDs and brokered "overnight" interest-bearing demand deposits) totaled $2.82 billion at June 30, 2016. This reflected net growth of $65 million compared to the prior quarter (2 percent compared to the prior quarter or 10 percent on an annualized basis), and $539 million (24) when compared to the $2.28 billion at June 30, 2015.
• Asset quality metrics continued to be strong at June 30, 2016. Nonperforming assets at June 30, 2016 were just $8.8 million, or 0.24 percent of total assets. Total loans past due 30 through 89 days and still accruing were $6.6 million or 0.21 percent of total loans at June 30, 2016.
• The Company's net interest income for the second quarter of 2016 was $24.2 million, reflecting growth of $766 thousand (3 percent for the quarter or 13 percent on an annualized basis) when compared to $23.4 million for the March 2016 quarter, and growth of $3.83 million (19 percent) when compared to the $20.34 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.
• The Company's book value per share at June 30, 2016 of $18.08 reflected improvement when compared to $17.02 at June 30, 2015. Year over year growth in book value per share totaled 6 percent.

Mr. Kennedy noted, "We were very pleased with our progress in 2015, and continue to be pleased with our progress thus far in 2016. As I described earlier this year, we did see some headwinds going into 2016. Despite those headwinds, we have delivered solid results again this quarter."

Net Interest Income / Net Interest Margin

Net interest income and net interest margin was $24.18 million and 2.79 percent for the second quarter of 2016, compared to $23.41 million and 2.82 percent for the first quarter of 2016, and compared to $20.34 million and 2.80 percent for the same quarter last year, reflecting growth in net interest income of $3.83 million or 19 percent when compared to the same prior year period. Net interest income for the second quarter of 2016 benefitted from loan growth during 2015 and the first quarter of 2016. Additionally, the June 2016 quarter included approximately $452 thousand of prepayment premiums received on the prepayment of certain multifamily loans, compared to $419 thousand for the March 2016 quarter, and compared to $86 thousand for the June 2015 quarter. The $452 thousand benefitted the net interest margin for the June 2016 quarter by 5 basis points.

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2016 improved considerably compared to the same quarter in 2015, and net interest margin remained relatively flat at 2.79 percent for the 2016 quarter compared to 2.80 percent for the 2015 quarter. The net interest margin continues to be impacted by the effect of the low interest rate environment throughout 2015 and 2016, as well as competitive pressures in attracting new loans and deposits.

The net interest margin is also affected by the maintenance of liquid assets on the Company's balance sheet. Mr. Kennedy said, "In addition to $288 million of cash, cash equivalents and investment securities on our balance sheet, we also have over $1 billion of secured funding available from the Federal Home Loan Bank, of which we only have $113 million drawn as of June 30, 2016."

Wealth Management Business

In the June 2016 quarter, Peapack-Gladstone Bank's wealth management business generated $4.90 million in fee income compared to $4.30 million for the March 2016 quarter, and $4.53 million for the June 2015 quarter.  

Fee income for the June 2016 quarter was $604 thousand higher than the March 2016 quarter. The second quarter (June quarter) of each year historically reflects a high level of tax preparation income related to the Bank's wealth management clients. Additionally, the June 2016 quarter benefitted from continued new business, as well as positive market action relative to March 2016 quarter levels.

Fee income for the June 2016 quarter was $367 thousand, or approximately 8 percent greater than the June 2015 quarter. Growth in fee income was due to several factors including: the acquisition of Wealth Management Consultants, LLC ("WMC") which closed in May 2015; continued healthy new business results; and higher yields on new business as compared to lost/closed business. These contributions to increased revenue were partially offset by the broader market declines in the second half of 2015, as well as the first quarter of 2016, which negatively impacted investment fee revenue. 

The market value of the assets under administration (AUA) of the wealth management division was $3.42 billion at June 30, 2016, increasing by $111 million, or 3 percent (13 percent on an annualized basis), from March 31, 2016 and decreasing $27 million, or less than one percent, from $3.45 billion at June 30, 2015, principally due to the broader market declines noted above.

Mr. John Babcock, President of Private Wealth Management, said, "We continue to incorporate wealth into every conversation we have with all of the Company's clients, across all business lines. We will continue to grow our professional team as well as expand our products, services, and the advice we deliver to our clients, through strategic hires, wealth management acquisitions, and organically." Mr. Babcock went on to note, "While the broader market declines in the second half of 2015 and the beginning of 2016 impacted fee revenue, we were still able to generate fee income in the June quarter greater than the June quarter of 2015 due to new business and positive net flows. We are cautiously optimistic about the market in the medium-to-longer term, we have a healthy new business pipeline and we continue to attract new clients every month. Notwithstanding market fluctuation, our business continues to grow and will be a significant driver to enhancing shareholder value as we move ahead."

Loan Originations / Loans

At June 30, 2016, loans, including multifamily loans held for sale, totaled $3.21 billion compared to $3.07 billion three months ago at March 31, 2016 and compared to $2.74 billion one year ago at June 30, 2015, representing net increases of $143 million compared to the prior quarter (5 percent compared to the prior quarter or 19 percent on an annualized basis), and $467 million (17 percent) compared to the prior year June 30^th period. Mr. Kennedy noted, "We believe we have a very high quality loan portfolio, as evidenced by having no construction loans, and very strong asset quality metrics."

For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, residential mortgage originations totaled $53 million. In 2015, we successfully repositioned our residential mortgage business to serve as a lead product supporting new wealth business, as well as other banking relationships. We believe that residential mortgage volumes will increase through the remainder of 2016.

For the June 2016 quarter, commercial real estate originations (not including multifamily loans) totaled $37 million. When comparing June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2015, commercial real estate mortgage loans (not including multifamily loans) grew $84 million, or 22 percent, to $460 million at June 30, 2016 from $375 million one year ago at June 30, 2015.

The June 2016 quarter included $151 million of multifamily loan originations, slightly higher than the previous quarter, but down significantly from the same 2015 quarter.

At June 30, 2016, the multifamily loan portfolio, including multifamily loans held for sale, totaled $1.56 billion (or 48.7 percent of total loans) compared to $1.53 billion (or 49.8 percent of total loans) three months ago at March 31, 2016 and compared to $1.50 billion (or 50.0 percent of total loans) at December 31, 2015. The increases were net of whole loans sold and participations, including $80 million of whole loans sold in the June 2016 quarter bringing the total whole loans sold or participated for 2016 to $138 million. These loan sales and participations were part of the Company's balance sheet management strategy and will likely continue in 2016.

Mr. Kennedy said, "As I explained over the last several quarters, we anticipated multifamily loan originations and growth would be less than prior years, as we manage our balance sheet such that multifamily loans decline as a percentage of the overall loan portfolio and C&I loans become a larger percentage of the overall loan portfolio. We made progress on this front late in 2015, and we are pleased this has continued into 2016." "Mr. Kennedy further noted that, "This balance sheet management will likely not be linear each quarter, but will rather be apparent over periods of time."

For the quarter ended June 30, 2016 the Company closed $61 million of commercial loans. When comparing June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2015, commercial loans grew $138 million, or 31 percent, to $576 million at June 30, 2016 from $438 million one year ago at June 30, 2015. At June 30, 2016 the commercial loan portfolio comprised 18 percent of the overall loan portfolio, up from 16 percent one year ago at June 30, 2015. 

Mr. Kennedy said, "As a result of our continued investment in and commitment to C&I banking, including the addition in 2015 and 2016, as well as future planned additions, of highly regarded bankers with industry and capital markets expertise, and the addition of Eric H. Waser, Head of Commercial Banking in 2015, we have seen, and believe will continue to see, our C&I client base and corresponding loan portfolio grow."

Mr. Kennedy went on to say, "Our private banking business model of addressing the sophisticated needs and expectations of successful business owners and entrepreneurs is being well received. The ability to engage in high level strategic debt, capital and valuation analysis coupled with succession, estate and wealth planning strategies, enables us to provide a unique boutique level of service to business owners and middle market clients." 

Deposits / Funding / Balance Sheet Management

In June 2016, the Company issued $50 million of subordinated debt ($48.7 million net of underwriting fees and expenses) bearing interest at an annual rate of 6 percent for the first five years, and thereafter at an adjustable rate and until maturity in June 2026 or earlier redemption.  

During the June 2016 quarter, customer deposit growth of $65 million (principally noninterest-bearing and money market), the subordinated debt issuance of $49 million (net), and increased capital of $12 million, basically funded net asset growth of $139 million.

Brokered interest-bearing demand ("overnight") deposits continued to be managed flat at $200 million at June 30, 2016. The interest rate paid on these deposits allowed the Bank to fund at attractive rates and engage in interest rate swaps as part of its asset-liability interest rate risk management. The Company ensures ample available collateralized liquidity as a backup to these short term brokered deposits.

From a liquidity/funding perspective, such brokered deposits, at a direct cost of approximately 55 basis points (excluding costs of hedging), are generally a more cost effective alternative than borrowings which require pledged collateral when drawn, as secured wholesale borrowings do. From a balance sheet management perspective, the rate paid on these short term brokered deposits enables their use in swap transactions for an efficient hedging/interest rate risk management program. As of June 30, 2016, the Company had transacted pay fixed, receive floating interest rate swaps totaling $180 million notional amount.

Mr. Kennedy noted, "The Company will continue to place an intense focus on providing high touch client service and growing its core deposit base. Our full array of treasury management solutions will help support both core deposit growth and commercial lending opportunities."

Other Noninterest Income

Service charges and fees for the June 2016 quarter were $818 thousand, compared to $807 thousand for the March 2016 quarter and $837 thousand for the June 2015 quarter. Several categories have reflected improvement, including income from debit card usage as well as account analysis fees, however, overdraft/NSF fees have declined considerably.

The June 2016 quarter included $309 thousand of income from the sale of newly originated residential mortgage loans (mortgage banking), compared to $121 thousand for the March 2016 quarter, and $161 thousand in the June 2015 quarter. Originations of residential mortgage loans for sale were much higher in the June 2016 quarter, compared to the other noted periods.

There were $18 thousand of securities gains for the June 2016 quarter compared to $101 thousand for the March 2016 quarter, and $176 thousand for the June 2015 quarter. Sales of securities have been generally employed to benefit interest rate risk, prepayment risk, and/or liquidity risk. Given the shorter duration of our investment portfolio and the interest rate environment, as well as the future outlook, we anticipate such sales will continue to be a very small component of the Company's operations.

Gain on sale of multifamily loans held for sale at lower of cost or fair value was $500 thousand for the June 2016 quarter, compared to $124 thousand for the March 2016 quarter. There were no such gains in the June 2015 quarter. During the first quarter of 2016 the Company began selling whole multifamily loans, in addition to participations. The Company anticipates that it will continue to employ both of these strategies throughout 2016, and potentially beyond.

Other income was $559 thousand for the June 2016 quarter compared to $473 thousand for the March 2016 quarter, and $545 thousand for the June 2015 quarter. The second quarter of 2016 included $212 thousand of income related to the Company's SBA lending and sale program, compared to $47 thousand generated in the March 2016 quarter. The SBA program was implemented in the March 2016 quarter, and the Company anticipates it will be a part of its normal ongoing operations. The June 2015 quarter included $373 thousand of loan level, back-to-back swap income. This program is also a part of the Company's normal ongoing operations. Due to the nature of this program, it is difficult to predict timing and amount of future income.

Other improvements in other income in the June 2016 quarter included greater loan servicing fees due principally to continued multifamily loan participations, and higher unused line of credit fees associated with the C&I lending business.  

Operating Expenses

The Company's total operating expenses were $18.78 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to $19.21 million for the March 2016 quarter and $16.27 million for the same quarter in 2015. During the second quarter of 2016, similar to the first quarter of 2016, the Company recorded increased FDIC premiums of approximately $950 thousand.  

Salary and benefits expenses for the June 2016 quarter were $11.10 million compared to $10.91 million for the March 2016 quarter, and $9.87 million for the June 2015 quarter. Strategic hiring that was in line with the Company's Plan, the acquisition of WMC, normal salary increases and increased bonus/incentive accruals associated with the Company's growth, all contributed to the increase from the June 2015 quarter to the June 2016 quarter. 

Premises and equipment expense totaled $2.74 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to $2.86 million for the March 2016 quarter, and $2.78 million for the same quarter last year. 

FDIC insurance expense for the June 2016 quarter was $1.58 million, compared to $1.56 million for the March 2016 quarter, and $431 thousand for the June 2015 quarter. As noted previously, the June 2016 and March 2016 quarters were impacted by the increased FDIC premiums. Mr. Kennedy noted, "I said at the beginning of this year that we generally expected an approximate $950 thousand increase in our quarterly FDIC premium going forward (approximately $3.8 million for 2016). The increased expense recognized for the second and first quarters of 2016 were in line with that guidance. While we believe this increased cost will be temporary, we cannot predict when the additional FDIC premium will be eliminated."

Other expenses for the June 2016 quarter were $3.35 million, compared to $3.88 million for the March 2016 quarter and $3.19 million for the June 2015 quarter. 

Mr. Kennedy noted, "Total expenses for our second quarter of 2016 came in under budget, as we worked to manage our expenses closely." Mr. Kennedy went on to note, "At the beginning of this year I said that given our significant growth and high concentration in multifamily lending, Management had decided to accelerate approximately $2.0 million of costs over the next 3 to 12 months to ensure we adhere to best in class risk management practices. I also said that, we had originally planned for such expenditures over the next 24 to 30 months, but we felt it prudent to pull them forward."  

Provision for Loan Losses / Asset Quality

For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, the Company's provision for loan losses was $2.20 million, which is greater than the March 2016 quarter, and flat to the June 2015 quarter. Charge-offs, net of recoveries, for the second quarter of 2016 were only $302 thousand. The larger provision in the June 2016 quarter compared to the March 2016 quarter was due to loan growth, as well as greater qualitative factor allocations of the allowance, principally to C&I and Commercial Real Estate loans.

At June 30, 2016 the allowance for loan losses was $29.22 million, 363 percent of nonperforming loans and 0.93 percent of total loans, compared to $27.32 million, 375 percent of nonperforming loans and 0.90 percent of total loans at March 31, 2016, and $22.97 million, 323 percent of nonperforming loans and 0.84 percent of total loans one year prior, at June 30, 2015.

The Company's provision for loan losses and its allowance for loan losses continue to track consistently with the Company's net loan growth and asset quality metrics.

Nonperforming assets at June 30, 2016 (which does not include TDR loans that are performing in accordance with their terms) were just $8.8 million or 0.24 percent of total assets, compared to $8.1 million at both March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015. Total loans past due 30 through 89 days and still accruing were $6.6 million at June 30, 2016, compared to $1.4 million at March 31, 2016 and $1.7 million at June 30, 2015. There were no multifamily loans past due at quarter end. The increase in past due loans in the June 2016 quarter was due to one commercial real estate loan and one jumbo residential mortgage loan, with a combined total of $4.7 million, both of which became 30 days past due. The Company believes that there is adequate collateral coverage on both loans.

Capital / Dividends

The Company's capital position in the June 2016 quarter was benefitted by net income of $6.6 million and also by $5.7 million of voluntary share purchases in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, which continue to be a source of capital for the Company.

At June 30, 2016, the Company's GAAP capital as a percent of total assets was 8.20 percent. The Company's regulatory leverage, common equity tier 1, tier 1 and total risk based capital ratios were 8.19 percent, 10.28 percent, 10.28 percent and 12.99 percent, respectively. The Bank's regulatory leverage, common equity tier 1, tier 1 and total risk based capital ratios were 9.21 percent, 11.56 percent, 11.56 percent and 12.58 percent, respectively. The Bank's regulatory capital ratios are all above the ratios to be considered well capitalized under regulatory guidance.

The Company's regulatory total risk based capital ratio at June 30, 2016 was benefitted by the $49 million (net) subordinated debt issuance that closed in June 2016. The Company down-streamed approximately $40 million of those proceeds to the Bank as capital, benefitting all the Bank's regulatory capital ratios.

On July 28, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable on August 25, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 11, 2016.

Mr. Kennedy said, "We continue to believe we have sufficient common equity to support our planned growth and expansion for the immediate future."

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a New Jersey bank holding company with total assets of $3.60 billion as of June 30, 2016. Founded in 1921, Peapack-Gladstone Bank is a commercial bank that provides innovative private banking services to businesses, non-profits and consumers, which help them to establish, maintain and expand their legacy. Through its private banking locations in Bedminster, Morristown, Princeton and Teaneck, its wealth management division, and its branch network and online platforms, Peapack-Gladstone Bank offers an unparalleled commitment to client service.

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management's confidence and strategies and management's expectations about new and existing programs and products, investments, relationships, opportunities and market conditions. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as "expect", "look", "believe", "anticipate", "may", or similar statements or variations of such terms. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to

• inability to successfully grow our business and implement our strategic plan, including an inability to generate revenues to offset the increased personnel and other costs related to the strategic plan;
• the impact of anticipated higher operating expenses in 2016 and beyond;
• inability to manage our growth;
• inability to successfully integrate our expanded employee base;
• a continued or unexpected decline in the economy, in particular in our New Jersey and New York market areas;
• declines in our net interest margin caused by the low interest rate environment and highly competitive market;
• declines in value in our investment portfolio
• higher than expected increases in our allowance for loan losses;
• higher than expected increases in loan losses or in the level of nonperforming loans;
• unexpected changes in interest rates;
• a continued or unexpected decline in real estate values within our market areas;
• legislative and regulatory actions (including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Basel III and related regulations) subject us to additional regulatory oversight which may result in increased compliance costs;
• successful cyberattacks against our IT infrastructure and that of our IT providers;
• higher than expected FDIC insurance premiums;
• adverse weather conditions;
• inability to successfully generate new business in new geographic markets;
• inability to execute upon new business initiatives;
• lack of liquidity to fund our various cash obligations;
• reduction in our lower-cost funding sources;
• our inability to adapt to technological changes;
• claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility, environmental laws and other matters; and
• other unexpected material adverse changes in our operations or earnings.

A discussion of these and other factors that could affect our results is included in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Corporation's expectations.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

(Tables to follow)