Signature Bank Reports 2018 Third Quarter Results

Signature Bank Reports 2018 Third Quarter Results

• Net Income for the 2018 Third Quarter Was $155.4 Million, or $2.84 Diluted Earnings Per Share Versus $124.5 Million, or $2.29 Diluted Earnings Per Share, Reported in the 2017 Third Quarter
• The Bank Declared a Cash Dividend of $0.56 Per Share, Payable on or After November 15, 2018 to Common Stockholders of Record at the Close of Business on November 1, 2018
• On October 17^th, Bank Stockholders Approved the Bank’s Stock Repurchase Program
• Total Deposits in the Third Quarter Grew $1.10 Billion to $36.09 Billion. Total Deposits Have Grown $2.41 Billion, or 7.2 Percent, Since the End of the 2017 Third Quarter. Average Deposits Increased $1.27 Billion, or 3.7 Percent, in the 2018 Third Quarter
• For the 2018 Third Quarter, Loans Increased $979.7 Million, or 2.9 Percent, to $35.13 Billion. Since the End of the 2017 Third Quarter, Loans Have Increased 12.6 Percent, or $3.94 Billion
• Non-Accrual Loans were $134.2 Million, or 0.38 Percent of Total Loans, at September 30, 2018, Versus $158.1 Million, or 0.46 Percent, at the End of the 2018 Second Quarter and $376.9 Million, or 1.21 Percent, at the End of the 2017 Third Quarter. Excluding Taxi Medallion Loans, Which Were All Placed on Non-Accrual in the 2017 Second Quarter, Non-Accrual Loans Were $22.5 Million, or Six Basis Points of Total Loans
• Net Interest Margin on a Tax-Equivalent Basis Was 2.88 Percent, Compared with 2.94 Percent for the 2018 Second Quarter and 3.05 Percent for the 2017 Third Quarter. Core Net Interest Margin on a Tax-Equivalent Basis Excluding Loan Prepayment Penalty Income Decreased Four Basis Points to 2.85 Percent for the 2018 Third Quarter when Compared with the Previous Quarter
• Tier 1 Leverage, Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based, Tier 1 Risk-Based and Total Risk-Based Capital Ratios were 9.67 Percent, 12.13 Percent, 12.13 Percent and 13.44 Percent, Respectively, at September 30, 2018. Signature Bank Remains Significantly Above FDIC “Well Capitalized” Standards. Tangible Common Equity Ratio Was 9.15 Percent
• Four Private Client Banking Teams Joined During the 2018 Third Quarter Bringing the Total Teams Hired to Eight in 2018.

Signature Bank (Nasdaq: SBNY), a New York-based full-service commercial bank, today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2018. Net income for the 2018 third quarter was $155.4 million, or $2.84 diluted earnings per share, versus $124.5 million, or $2.29 diluted earnings per share, for the 2017 third quarter. The increase in net income for the 2018 third quarter, versus the comparable quarter last year, is primarily due to an increase in net interest income and a decrease in the provision for loan losses and income tax expense.

Net interest income for the 2018 third quarter reached $324.8 million, up $16.0 million, or 5.2 percent, when compared with the 2017 third quarter. This increase is primarily due to growth in average interest-earning assets. Total assets reached $45.87 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $4.54 billion, or 11.0 percent, from $41.33 billion at September 30, 2017. Average assets for the 2018 third quarter reached $45.48 billion, an increase of $4.60 billion, or 11.3 percent, compared with the 2017 third quarter.

Deposits for the 2018 third quarter rose $1.10 billion, or 3.1 percent, to $36.09 billion at September 30, 2018. When compared with deposits at September 30, 2017, overall deposit growth for the last twelve months was 7.2 percent, or $2.41 billion. Average deposits for the 2018 third quarter reached $35.78 billion, an increase of $1.27 billion, or 3.7 percent.

“During the past few quarters, Signature Bank has executed several growth initiatives paving the way for the future direction of this institution. These strategies include taking our successful single-point-of-contact model outside of the metro-New York area -- where we spent 17 years building the foundation of our business -- and bringing it to San Francisco after we identified a glaring need. In the 2018 first quarter, we appointed a digital asset banking team because we want to be nimble and ready to change as the market evolves. Just recently, we hired a nine-person team focusing on capital call and subscription finance for private equity firms. And lastly, we have been heavily investing in our infrastructure with the implementation of new systems for loan operations (now in place), credit approvals and foreign exchange as well as an enhanced payments platform,” explained Joseph J. DePaolo, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Our success since our founding in 2001 is predicated on our ability to attract seasoned bankers who serve as client contacts for all banking needs. This client-centric philosophy is at the crux of all we do. The advancements we are making are all accomplished with client satisfaction at their core. At the same time, we are expanding our reach in new business activities, geography and capabilities. We must take measured risks to fuel future growth, but they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction. We believe the initiatives upon which we are embarking today will set the stage for the Signature Bank of tomorrow,” DePaolo concluded.

Scott A. Shay, Chairman of the Board, said: “Signature Bank has grown into the 40th largest bank in the U.S., without performing any mergers or acquisitions. Instead, we built our business methodically and organically -- banker by banker -- partnering with those individuals who attract, build and nurture an expansive portfolio of loyal banking clients. We are proud that even after 17+ years in operation, we are still the bank of choice amongst veteran bankers who are passionate about delivering best-in-class service to clients. Every team we attract brings along an unwavering commitment to catering to clients.”

“While we recognize the maxim that ‘what got you here, won't get you there,’ we are constantly on the lookout for new ideas adjacent to our business strategy, including those we can thoughtfully expand upon and which allow us to continue to execute on our service hallmark. This is evidenced by our recent San Francisco expansion. We also recognize that banking and payment technologies are rapidly advancing, and are focused on incorporating evolving technologies relevant to our clients’ needs. While the banking landscape always seems to be increasingly more competitive and challenging, Signature Bank remains stable and at the forefront of both thought- and action-based leadership that positively influences the success of clients,” Shay stated.

Capital

The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage, common equity Tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and total risk-based capital ratios were approximately 9.67 percent, 12.13 percent, 12.13 percent, and 13.44 percent, respectively, as of September 30, 2018. Each of these ratios is well in excess of regulatory requirements. The Bank’s strong risk-based capital ratios reflect the relatively low risk profile of the Bank’s balance sheet. The Bank’s tangible common equity ratio remains strong at 9.15 percent. The Bank defines tangible common equity ratio as the ratio of total tangible common shareholders’ equity to total tangible assets.

The Bank declared a cash dividend of $0.56 per share, payable on or after November 15, 2018 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on November 1, 2018. In the third quarter of 2018, the Bank paid a cash dividend of $0.56 per share to common stockholders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2018.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the 2018 third quarter was $324.8 million, an increase of $16.0 million, or 5.2 percent, versus the same period last year, primarily due to growth in average interest-earning assets. Average interest-earning assets of $44.86 billion for the 2018 third quarter represent an increase of $4.56 billion, or 11.3 percent, from the 2017 third quarter. Yield on interest-earning assets for the 2018 third quarter increased 19 basis points, to 3.85 percent, compared with the 2017 third quarter.

Average cost of deposits and average cost of funds for the third quarter of 2018 increased by 33 and 39 basis points, to 0.88 percent and 1.06 percent, respectively versus the comparable period a year ago.

Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis for the 2018 third quarter was 2.88 percent versus 3.05 percent reported in the same period a year ago. On a linked quarter basis, net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis decreased six basis points. Excluding loan prepayment penalties in both quarters, linked quarter core net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis decreased four basis points to 2.85 percent.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Bank’s provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2018 was $7.4 million, compared with $8.0 million for the 2018 second quarter and $14.3 million for the 2017 third quarter.

Net charge-offs for the 2018 third quarter were $11,000, or less than one basis point of average loans on an annualized basis, versus $3.0 million, or 0.04 percent, for the 2018 second quarter and $3.8 million, or 0.05 percent, for the 2017 third quarter.

Non-Interest Income and Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest income for the 2018 third quarter was $4.5 million, down $3.6 million when compared with $8.1 million reported in the 2017 third quarter. The decrease was primarily due to a $4.0 million increase in tax credit investment amortization. These investments positively impact our effective tax rate.

Non-interest expense for the third quarter of 2018 was $117.2 million, an increase of $11.6 million, or 11.0 percent, versus $105.6 million reported in the 2017 third quarter. The increase was primarily a result of the addition of new private client banking teams, as well as an increase in costs in our risk management and compliance related activities.

The Bank’s efficiency ratio was 35.6 percent for the 2018 third quarter versus 33.3 percent for the comparable period last year and 34.5 percent for the 2018 second quarter.

Loans

Loans, excluding loans held for sale, grew $979.7 million, or 2.9 percent, during the third quarter of 2018 to $35.13 billion, compared with $34.15 billion at June 30, 2018. At September 30, 2018, loans accounted for 76.6 percent of total assets, versus 75.5 percent at the end of both the 2018 second quarter and the 2017 third quarter. Average loans, excluding loans held for sale, reached $34.53 billion in the 2018 third quarter, growing $854.4 million, or 2.5 percent, from the 2018 second quarter and $3.84 billion, or 12.5 percent, from the 2017 third quarter. The increase in loans for the quarter was primarily driven by growth in specialty finance, commercial real estate and multi-family loans.

At September 30, 2018, non-accrual loans were $134.2 million, representing 0.38 percent of total loans and 0.29 percent of total assets, compared with non-accrual loans of $158.1 million, or 0.46 percent of total loans, at June 30, 2018 and $376.9 million, or 1.21 percent of total loans, at September 30, 2017. Excluding non-accruing loans secured by taxi medallions of $111.7 million, non-accrual loans for the remainder of the entire portfolio are $22.5 million, or six basis points of total loans. At September 30, 2018, the ratio of allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans was 0.63 percent, versus 0.62 percent for June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017. Additionally, the ratio of allowance for loan and lease losses to non-accrual loans, or the coverage ratio, was 164 percent for the 2018 third quarter versus 135 percent for the second quarter of 2018 and 51 percent for the 2017 third quarter.

Conference Call

Signature Bank’s management will host a conference call to review results of the 2018 third quarter on Thursday, October 18, 2018, at 10:00 AM ET. All participants should dial 866-359-8135 at least ten minutes prior to the start of the call and reference conference ID #1869699. International callers should dial 901-300-3484.

To hear a live web simulcast or to listen to the archived web cast following completion of the call, please visit the Bank’s web site at www.signatureny.com, click on "Investor Information," then, under "Company News," select "Conference Calls" to access the link to the call. To listen to a telephone replay of the conference call, please dial 800-585-8367 or 404-537-3406 and enter conference ID #1869699. The replay will be available from approximately 1:00 PM ET on Thursday, October 18, 2018 through 11:59 PM ET on Monday, October 22, 2018.

About Signature Bank

Signature Bank, member FDIC, is a New York-based full-service commercial bank with 30 private client offices throughout the New York metropolitan area, including those in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, Long Island, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Connecticut. In 2018, the Bank expanded its footprint on the West Coast with the opening of its first full-service private client banking office in San Francisco. The Bank’s growing network of private client banking teams serves the needs of privately owned businesses, their owners and senior managers.

Signature Bank’s specialty finance subsidiary, Signature Financial, LLC, provides equipment finance and leasing. Signature Securities Group Corporation, a wholly owned Bank subsidiary, is a licensed broker-dealer, investment adviser and member FINRA/SIPC, offering investment, brokerage, asset management and insurance products and services.

Signature Bank is ranked the 40^th largest bank in the U.S. from nearly 6,000, based on deposits (SNL Financial). The Bank recently earned several third-party recognitions, including: appeared on Forbes' Best Banks in America list for the eighth consecutive year in 2018; named Best Business Bank, Best Private Bank and Best Attorney Escrow Services provider by the New York Law Journal in the publication’s annual “Best of” survey for 2018, earning it a place in the New York Law Journal’s Hall of Fame, awarded to companies that have ranked in the “Best of” Survey for at least three of the past four years.

For more information, please visit www.signatureny.com.

This press release and oral statements made from time to time by our representatives contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future results, interest rates and the interest rate environment, loan and deposit growth, loan performance, operations, new private client teams and other hires, new office openings and business strategy. These statements often include words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," “potential,” “opportunity,” “could,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” "plan," "estimate" or other similar expressions. As you consider forward-looking statements, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or in our control. These factors include but are not limited to: (i) prevailing economic conditions; (ii) changes in interest rates, loan demand, real estate values and competition, any of which can materially affect origination levels and gain on sale results in our business, as well as other aspects of our financial performance, including earnings on interest-bearing assets; (iii) the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans made by us, whether held in portfolio or sold in the whole loan secondary markets, which can materially affect charge-off levels and required credit loss reserve levels; (iv) changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (v) changes in the banking and other financial services regulatory environment and (vi) competition for qualified personnel and desirable office locations. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, beliefs and expectations, if a change occurs or our beliefs, assumptions and expectations were incorrect, our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Additional risks are described in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the FDIC. You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statements made by Signature Bank speak only as of the date on which they were made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and we cannot predict these events or how they may affect the Bank. Signature Bank has no duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements after the date on which they are made. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made in this release or elsewhere might not reflect actual results.

SIGNATURE BANK
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited)

Management believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures assist investors when comparing results period-to-period in a more consistent manner and provides a better measure of Signature Bank's results. These non-GAAP measures include the Bank's (i) tangible common equity ratio, (ii) efficiency ratio, (iii) yield on interest-earning assets, tax-equivalent basis, and (iv) core net interest margin, tax-equivalent basis excluding loan prepayment penalty income. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP-basis measures and results. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

Signature Bank
Investor Contact:
Eric R. Howell, 646-822-1402
Executive Vice President – Corporate & Business Development
ehowell@signatureny.com
or
Media Contact:
Susan J. Lewis, 646-822-1825
slewis@signatureny.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181018005193/en/