Wintrust Financial Corporation Reports Record Year-to-Date Net Income

ROSEMONT, Ill., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wintrust Financial Corporation (“Wintrust”, “the Company”, “we” or “our”) (Nasdaq: WTFC) announced record net income of $334.9 million or $5.18 per diluted common share for the first six months of 2023 compared to net income of $221.9 million or $3.56 per diluted common share for the same period of 2022, an increase in diluted earnings per common share of 46%. Pre-tax, pre-provision income (non-GAAP) for the first six months of 2023 totaled $506.5 million as compared to $329.9 million in the first six months of 2022, an increase in pre-tax, pre-provision income of 54%.

The Company recorded quarterly net income of $154.8 million or $2.38 per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2023, a decrease in diluted earnings per common share of 15% compared to the first quarter of 2023. Pre-tax, pre-provision income (non-GAAP) totaled $239.9 million as compared to $266.6 million for the first quarter of 2023.

Timothy S. Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are very pleased with our record net income for the first half of 2023. Our margin stabilized in the second quarter of 2023 and we continue to believe that maintaining such level will allow for strong financial performance in the coming quarters. Specifically, the repricing of our premium finance receivables portfolios in the second quarter helped offset increases in deposit pricing. Strong and balanced deposit growth as well as prudent liquidity management provided stability in our balance sheet through this period of volatility. Credit performance within the portfolio remained strong.”

Highlights of the second quarter of 2023:
Comparative information to the first quarter of 2023, unless otherwise noted

• Total deposits grew by $1.3 billion, or 12.4% annualized.
• Non-deposit borrowings decreased by $208.2 million.
• Total loans increased by $1.5 billion, or 14.8% annualized.
• Net interest margin decreased to 3.64% (3.66% on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the second quarter of 2023 due to higher deposit costs. Importantly, however, net interest margin remained relatively stable throughout the second quarter of 2023.
• Provision for credit losses totaled $28.5 million in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to a provision for credit losses of $23.0 million in the first quarter of 2023.
• Net charge-offs totaled $17.0 million or 17 basis points of average total loans on an annualized basis in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to $5.5 million or six basis points of average total loans on an annualized basis in the first quarter of 2023.
• Non-performing assets remained at a low level and represent 0.22% of total assets.

Mr. Crane noted, “By effectively leveraging our strong customer relationships, unique market position, diversified products and competitive rates, Wintrust experienced significant deposit growth, with increased deposits of approximately $1.3 billion, or 12% on an annualized basis. This included outstanding balances of our MaxSafe® products increasing approximately $1.7 billion since the end of the first quarter of 2023. Deposit growth provided enhanced liquidity and reduced our reliance on other borrowings such as FHLB advances. Non-deposit borrowings decreased approximately $208.2 million during the quarter. Growth in deposits helped fund approximately $1.5 billion of loan growth during the quarter. This growth came primarily from approximately $1.0 billion in the commercial premium finance receivables portfolio and approximately $370 million largely from draws on existing commercial real estate loan facilities. We remain prudent in our review of credit prospects ensuring our loan growth stays within our conservative credit standards.”

Mr. Crane commented, “As noted in our first quarter earnings release, our net interest margin was approximately 3.70% at the end of March of 2023. Despite continued acceleration in deposit pricing and the impact of hedging activity, our net interest margin remained relatively stable throughout the second quarter of 2023. Due to our relatively short-term and asset sensitive balance sheet, we believe that we can maintain the net interest margin between 3.60% and 3.70% for the remainder of the year as we expect further upward repricing primarily in our premium finance receivable portfolios to mitigate higher deposit costs as deposit pricing stabilizes. Net interest income decreased by $10.5 million in the second quarter of 2023, however, we expect net interest income to increase in the third quarter given the aforementioned strong balance sheet growth paired with a stable net interest margin.”

Commenting on credit quality, Mr. Crane stated, “Credit metrics remained strong. The Company has a well-diversified commercial real estate portfolio with exposures primarily consisting of stabilized, income-producing properties. Additionally, the commercial real estate office portfolio represents a small portion of our loan portfolio. In the second quarter of 2023, we took a proactive approach to exit certain credits we considered to be vulnerable to existing market conditions. The resolution of these credits through a sale to external parties resulted in approximately $8.0 million in charge-offs. Net charge-offs totaled $17.0 million or 17 basis points of average total loans on an annualized basis in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to $5.5 million or six basis points of average total loans on an annualized basis in the first quarter of 2023. The allowance for credit losses on our core loan portfolio as of June 30, 2023 was approximately 1.50% of the outstanding balance (see Table 12 for additional information). We believe that the Company’s reserves remain appropriate and we remain diligent in our review of credit.”

Mr. Crane concluded, “Our second quarter of 2023 results continued to demonstrate the benefits of the diversified, multi-faceted nature of our business model. Net income for the quarter was the second highest in our history, behind only net income from the first quarter of 2023. We remain focused on continuing to grow deposits to enhance liquidity and support future asset growth while remaining well positioned for higher interest rates. Total loans as of June 30, 2023 were $917 million higher than average total loans in the second quarter of 2023, which is expected to benefit the third quarter. We are pleased by our position in the markets we serve to continue to grow deposit and loan relationships and believe we are situated well to expand our net revenues and earnings in the coming quarters.”

The graphs below illustrate certain financial highlights of the second quarter of 2023 as well as historical financial performance. See “Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios” at Table 17 for additional information with respect to non-GAAP financial measures/ratios, including the reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP financial measures/ratios.

Graphs available at the following link:
http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/92e4bba1-fb72-4c4a-8da7-f33effeda53f

SUMMARY OF RESULTS:

BALANCE SHEET

Total assets increased $1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2023. Total loans increased by $1.5 billion as compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to growth in the property and casualty insurance premium finance receivables and commercial real estate loan portfolios. The growth in the commercial real estate portfolio was largely driven by draws on previously-established credit facilities. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2023, the Company received settlement proceeds related to securities called and previously recognized as a trade date receivable of $940 million as of March 31, 2023. Proceeds received increased interest bearing cash on the balance sheet in the second quarter of 2023.

Total liabilities increased by $1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to a $1.3 billion increase in total deposits. In the second quarter of 2023, the deposit mix shift continued as non-interest bearing deposits made up 24% of total deposits at June 30, 2023 compared to 26% at March 31, 2023. This included growth of $1.7 billion in the Company’s unique MaxSafe® product balances. The majority of the Company’s deposits are insured as approximately 74% of the total deposit balance is either fully FDIC-insured or fully collateralized as of June 30, 2023.

For more information regarding changes in the Company’s balance sheet, see Consolidated Statements of Condition and Table 1 through Table 3 in this report.

NET INTEREST INCOME

For the second quarter of 2023, net interest income totaled $447.5 million, a decrease of $10.5 million as compared to the first quarter of 2023. The $10.5 million decrease in net interest income in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2023 was primarily due to net interest margin compression driven by an increase in deposit costs and the impact from hedges of our loan portfolio established to protect against the impact of lower rates.

Net interest margin was 3.64% (3.66% on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the second quarter of 2023 compared to 3.81% (3.83% on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the first quarter of 2023. The net interest margin decrease as compared to the first quarter of 2023 was due to a 66 basis point increase in the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. This decrease was partially offset by a 34 basis point increase in yield on earning assets and a 15 basis point increase in the net free funds contribution. The 66 basis point increase on the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a 74 basis point increase in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits primarily related to the increasing rate environment. The 34 basis point increase in the yield on earning assets in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2023 was primarily due to a 42 basis point expansion on loan yields, which included an unfavorable eight basis point impact from the Company’s existing hedging positions.

For more information regarding net interest income, see Table 4 through Table 8 in this report.

ASSET QUALITY

The allowance for credit losses totaled $387.8 million as of June 30, 2023, an increase of $11.5 million as compared to $376.3 million as of March 31, 2023. A provision for credit losses totaling $28.5 million was recorded for the second quarter of 2023 as compared to $23.0 million recorded in the first quarter of 2023. For more information regarding the provision for credit losses, see Table 11 in this report.

Management believes the allowance for credit losses is appropriate to account for expected credit losses. The Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) accounting standard requires the Company to estimate expected credit losses over the life of the Company’s financial assets as of the reporting date. There can be no assurances, however, that future losses will not significantly exceed the amounts provided for, thereby affecting future results of operations. A summary of the allowance for credit losses calculated for the loan components in each portfolio as of June 30, 2023, March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022 is shown on Table 12 of this report.

Net charge-offs totaled $17.0 million in the second quarter of 2023, as compared to $5.5 million of net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in net charge-offs during the second quarter of 2023 was partially the result of the sale to external parties of certain credits within the commercial real estate portfolio, which resulted in approximately $8.0 million in charge-offs. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans were reported as 17 basis points in the second quarter of 2023 on an annualized basis compared to six basis points on an annualized basis in the first quarter of 2023. For more information regarding net charge-offs, see Table 10 in this report.

The Company’s delinquency rates remain low and manageable. For more information regarding past due loans, see Table 13 in this report.

Non-performing assets totaled $120 million and comprised only 0.22% of total assets as of June 30, 2023, as compared to $110 million as of March 31, 2023. Non-performing loans were slightly higher totaling $109 million, or 0.26% of total loans, at June 30, 2023. For more information regarding non-performing assets, see Table 14 in this report.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

Wealth management revenue increased by $3.9 million in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to increased asset management fees from the acquisition of two asset management businesses at the beginning of the second quarter, offset by lower fees associated with our tax-deferred like-kind exchange business. Wealth management revenue is comprised of the trust and asset management revenue of The Chicago Trust Company and Great Lakes Advisors, the brokerage commissions, managed money fees and insurance product commissions at Wintrust Investments and fees from tax-deferred like-kind exchange services provided by the Chicago Deferred Exchange Company.

Mortgage banking revenue increased by $11.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to increased loan volume and favorable adjustments to the fair value of certain mortgage assets. The Company recorded net positive fair value adjustments of $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 related to fair value changes in certain mortgage assets. This included a $2.0 million favorable adjustment in the value of mortgage servicing rights related to changes in fair value model assumptions, net of economic hedges, offset by a $739,000 unfavorable adjustment on the Company’s held-for-sale portfolio of early buy-out exercised loans guaranteed by U.S. government agencies which are held at fair value. The Company intends to monitor the relationship of these assets and will seek to minimize the earnings impact of fair value changes in future quarters.

The Company recognized nominal net gains on investment securities in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to net gains of $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2023 related to changes in the value of equity securities.

Fees from covered call options decreased by $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2023. The Company has typically written call options with terms of less than three months against certain U.S. Treasury and agency securities held in its portfolio for liquidity and other purposes. Management has entered into these transactions with the goal of economically hedging security positions and enhancing its overall return on its investment portfolio. These option transactions are designed to mitigate overall interest rate risk and do not qualify as hedges pursuant to accounting guidance.

For more information regarding non-interest income, see Table 15 in this report.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased by $8.1 million in the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2023. The $8.1 million increase is primarily related to higher incentive compensation expense due to elevated commissions and bonus accruals in the second quarter of 2023 and increased employee insurance costs.

Advertising and marketing expenses in the second quarter of 2023 totaled $17.8 million, which is a $5.8 million increase as compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to an increase in seasonal media advertising and sponsorship costs. Marketing costs are incurred to promote the Company’s brand, commercial banking capabilities and the Company’s various products, to attract loans and deposits and to announce new branch openings as well as the expansion of the Company’s non-bank businesses. The level of marketing expenditures depends on the timing of sponsorship programs utilized which are determined based on the market area, targeted audience, competition and various other factors. Generally, these expenses are elevated in the second and third quarters of each year.

Lending expenses, net of deferred origination costs, increased by $4.8 million as compared to the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to increased loan originations in the second quarter of 2023.

Miscellaneous expense in the second quarter of 2023 decreased by $2.3 million as compared to the first quarter of 2023. Miscellaneous expense includes ATM expenses, correspondent bank charges, directors’ fees, telephone, postage, corporate insurance, dues and subscriptions, problem loan expenses and other miscellaneous operational losses and costs.

For more information regarding non-interest expense, see Table 16 in this report.

INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded income tax expense of $56.7 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $63.4 million in the first quarter of 2023. The effective tax rates were 26.81% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to 26.01% in the first quarter of 2023. The effective tax rates were partially impacted by the tax effects related to share-based compensation which fluctuate based on the Company’s stock price and timing of employee stock option exercises and vesting of other share-based awards. The Company recorded net excess tax benefits of $12,000 in the second quarter of 2023, compared to net excess tax benefits of $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2023 related to share-based compensation.

BUSINESS UNIT SUMMARY

Community Banking

Through its community banking unit, the Company provides banking and financial services primarily to individuals, small to mid-sized businesses, local governmental units and institutional clients residing primarily in the local areas the Company services. In the second quarter of 2023, this unit expanded its commercial real estate and residential real estate loan portfolios and grew consumer deposits.

Mortgage banking revenue was $30.0 million for the second quarter of 2023, an increase of $11.7 million as compared to the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to higher production volume. Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $13.6 million in the second quarter of 2023, an increase of $705,000 as compared to the first quarter of 2023, primarily due to higher fees associated with commercial account activity. The Company’s gross commercial and commercial real estate loan pipelines remained solid as of June 30, 2023 indicating momentum for expected continued loan growth in the third quarter of 2023.

Specialty Finance

Through its specialty finance unit, the Company offers financing of insurance premiums for businesses and individuals, equipment financing through structured loans and lease products to customers in a variety of industries, accounts receivable financing and value-added, out-sourced administrative services and other services. Originations within the insurance premium financing receivables portfolio were $5.0 billion during the second quarter of 2023 and average balances increased by $370.0 million as compared to the first quarter of 2023. The Company’s leasing portfolio balance remained steady in the second quarter of 2023, with its portfolio of assets, including capital leases, loans and equipment on operating leases, totaling $3.1 billion as of June 30, 2023 as compared to $3.1 billion as of March 31, 2023. Revenues from the Company’s out-sourced administrative services business were $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of $296,000 from the first quarter of 2023.

Wealth Management

Through four separate subsidiaries within its wealth management unit, the Company offers a full range of wealth management services, including trust and investment services, tax-deferred like-kind exchange services, asset management, securities brokerage services and 401(k) and retirement plan services. Wealth management revenue totaled $33.9 million in the second quarter of 2023, an increase of $3.9 million compared to the first quarter of 2023. The increase in wealth management revenue in the second quarter of 2023 was primarily related to higher asset management fees from the acquisition of two asset management businesses at the beginning of the second quarter, offset by lower fees associated with our tax-deferred like-kind exchange business. At June 30, 2023, the Company’s wealth management subsidiaries had approximately $44.5 billion of assets under administration, which included $7.6 billion of assets owned by the Company and its subsidiary banks, representing an increase from the $35.2 billion of assets under administration at March 31, 2023. The increase in assets under administration was primarily the result of the acquisition of two asset management businesses in the second quarter of 2023.

ITEMS IMPACTING COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL RESULTS

Business Combination

On April 3, 2023, the Company completed its acquisition of Rothschild & Co Asset Management US Inc. and Rothschild & Co Risk Based Investments LLC from Rothschild & Co North America Inc. As of the acquisition date, the Company acquired approximately $12.6 million in assets. As the transaction was determined to be a business combination, the Company recorded goodwill of approximately $2.6 million on the purchase.

Common Stock Offering

In June 2022, the Company sold through a public offering a total of 3,450,000 shares of its common stock. Net proceeds to the Company totaled approximately $285.7 million, net of estimated issuance costs.

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Key Operating Measures

Wintrust’s key operating measures and growth rates for the second quarter of 2023, as compared to the first quarter of 2023 (sequential quarter) and second quarter of 2022 (linked quarter), are shown in the table below:

(1) Period-end balance sheet percentage changes are annualized.
(2) See Table 17: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.
(3) Net revenue is net interest income plus non-interest income.
(4) The net overhead ratio is calculated by netting total non-interest expense and total non-interest income, annualizing this amount, and dividing by that period’s average total assets. A lower ratio indicates a higher degree of efficiency.
(5) Excludes mortgage loans held-for-sale.

Certain returns, yields, performance ratios, or quarterly growth rates are “annualized” in this presentation to represent an annual time period. This is done for analytical purposes to better discern, for decision-making purposes, underlying performance trends when compared to full-year or year-over-year amounts. For example, a 5% growth rate for a quarter would represent an annualized 20% growth rate. Additional supplemental financial information showing quarterly trends can be found on the Company’s website at www.wintrust.com by choosing “Financial Reports” under the “Investor Relations” heading, and then choosing “Financial Highlights.”

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Selected Financial Highlights

(1) Excludes mortgage loans held-for-sale.
(2) Net revenue is net interest income and non-interest income.
(3) See Table 17: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.
(4) The net overhead ratio is calculated by netting total non-interest expense and total non-interest income, annualizing this amount, and dividing by that period’s average total assets. A lower ratio indicates a higher degree of efficiency.
(5) Capital ratios for current quarter-end are estimated.
(6) The allowance for credit losses includes the allowance for loan losses, the allowance for unfunded lending-related commitments and the allowance for held-to-maturity securities losses.

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

WINTRUST FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

TABLE 1: LOAN PORTFOLIO MIX AND GROWTH RATES

(1) NM - Not meaningful.
(2) Annualized.

TABLE 2: DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO MIX AND GROWTH RATES

(1) Annualized.
(2) Represents deposit balances of the Company’s subsidiary banks from brokerage customers of Wintrust Investments, Chicago Deferred Exchange Company, LLC (“CDEC”), trust and asset management customers of the Company.

TABLE 3: TIME CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT MATURITY/RE-PRICING ANALYSIS
As of June 30, 2023

(1) Weighted-average rate excludes the impact of purchase accounting fair value adjustments.

TABLE 4: QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCES

(1) Includes interest-bearing deposits from banks and securities purchased under resale agreements with original maturities of greater than three months. Cash equivalents include federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements with original maturities of three months or less.
(2) Investment securities includes investment securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity, and equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are included within other assets.
(3) See Table 17: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.
(4) Other earning assets include brokerage customer receivables and trading account securities.
(5) Loans, net of unearned income, include non-accrual loans.
(6) Net free funds are the difference between total average earning assets and total average interest-bearing liabilities. The estimated contribution to net interest margin from net free funds is calculated using the rate paid for total interest-bearing liabilities.

TABLE 5: QUARTERLY NET INTEREST INCOME

(1) Interest income on tax-advantaged loans, trading securities and investment securities reflects a taxable-equivalent adjustment based on the marginal federal corporate tax rate in effect as of the applicable period.
(2) See Table 17: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.

TABLE 6: QUARTERLY NET INTEREST MARGIN

(1) Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield earned on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(2) See Table 17: Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures/Ratios for additional information on this performance measure/ratio.
(3) Net free funds are the difference between total average earning assets and total average interest-bearing liabilities. The estimated contribution to net interest margin from net free funds is calculated using the rate paid for total interest-bearing liabilities.

TABLE 7: YEAR-TO-DATE AVERAGE BALANCES, AND NET INTEREST INCOME AND MARGIN