Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Sustained Core Funding and Balance Sheet Growth Demonstrates Disciplined Approach to Balance Sheet Management

Quarterly Financial Highlights

• Total deposits at September 30, 2023 were $5.5 billion, an increase of $233.0 million from June 30, 2023 and an increase of $243.7 million from December 31, 2022.
• Strong prudent loan growth, with net loan growth of $204.9 million from June 30, 2023 and $514.0 million from December 31, 2022.
• Asset quality remains strong.
• Stable net interest income of $53.6 million.
• Return on average equity of 13.9% and return on average tangible common equity1 of 14.1%.
• Liquidity remains strong. At September 30, 2023, cash on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and available secured funding capacity totaled $3.1 billion, which was 223.7% of uninsured deposit balances and 56.9% of total deposits.
• The Company and Bank are “well capitalized” across all measures of regulatory capital, with total risk-based capital ratios of 13.1% and 12.8%, respectively, at September 30, 2023, well above regulatory minimums.

1 Non-GAAP financial measure. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures on page 13.

Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (the “Company”) (NYSE: MCB), the holding company for Metropolitan Commercial Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income of $22.1 million, or $1.97 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2023 compared to net income of $25.0 million, or $2.23 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2022.

Mark DeFazio, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented,

“I am pleased with our results this quarter, particularly given the continuing challenges facing the banking industry. Notwithstanding the sustained high interest rate environment, we had a strong quarter which demonstrated a disciplined approach to balance sheet management and net interest income stability.

“We continue to be well positioned to support our clients and to enhance shareholder value.”

Balance Sheet

Total cash and cash equivalents were $177.4 million at September 30, 2023, a decrease of $24.4 million, or 12.1%, from June 30, 2023 and a decrease of $531.4 million from September 30, 2022. The decrease from June 30, 2023, primarily reflected the $204.9 million net deployment into loans and $88.0 million decline in borrowings partially offset by the $233.0 million increase in deposits. The decrease from September 30, 2022, reflected the $737.2 million net deployment into loans and the $209.9 million outflow of deposits primarily due to the decrease in crypto-related deposits.

Total loans, net of deferred fees and unamortized costs, were $5.4 billion, an increase of $204.9 million, or 4.0%, from June 30, 2023, and an increase of $737.2 million, or 16.0%, from September 30, 2022. Loan production was $333.5 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $425.4 million for the prior linked quarter and $423.6 million for the prior year period. The increase in total loans from June 30, 2023, was due primarily to an increase of $165.8 million in CRE loans (including owner-occupied) and $22.1 million in commercial and industrial (C&I) loans. The increase in total loans from September 30, 2022, was due primarily to an increase of $651.6 million in CRE loans (including owner-occupied) and $107.6 million in C&I loans, partially offset by a $34.2 million decrease in construction loans.

Total deposits were $5.5 billion at September 30, 2023, an increase of $233.0 million, or 4.4% from June 30, 2023, and a decrease of $209.9 million or 3.7% from September 30, 2022. The increase from June 30, 2023, was due primarily to an aggregate net increase of $286.1 million in deposit verticals, partially offset by a decrease of $53.1 million in crypto corporate-related deposits. The decrease in crypto corporate-related deposits reflects the Company’s final exit from the crypto-related vertical. The decrease in deposits from September 30, 2022, was primarily due to a decrease of $757.3 million in crypto-related deposits, partially offset by an aggregate net increase of $547.3 million in deposit verticals. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits declined to 31.6% of total deposits at September 30, 2023, compared to 32.7% at June 30, 2023 and 53.4% at September 30, 2022, primarily reflecting the outflow of crypto-related deposits.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, was $60.2 million, an increase of $9.2 million, from June 30, 2023, and $6.3 million from September 30, 2022. The increase from June 30, 2023 was due to an increase in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities due to prevailing market interest rates. The increase from September 30, 2022 was due primarily to an increase in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities due to the prevailing market interest rates, partially offset by the increases in unrealized gains on cash flow hedges prior to their termination in the third quarter of 2022.

At September 30, 2023, the Company had $3.0 billion in available secured wholesale funding capacity. The Company and the Bank each met all the requirements to be considered “Well-Capitalized” under applicable regulatory guidelines. Total non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans were 374.8% of total risk-based capital at September 30, 2023, compared to 363.2% and 343.3% at June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

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(1) The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, include a $3.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively, reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.
(2) Total revenues equal net interest income plus non-interest income.
(3) Ratios are annualized.
(4) Net income divided by average tangible common equity. Non-GAAP financial measure. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures on page 13.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income of $53.6 million for the third quarter of 2023 was stable compared to $53.8 million for the prior linked quarter, notwithstanding the prevailing interest rate environment. The $194,000 decrease was primarily due to changes in prevailing market interest rates, and the shift from non-interest bearing deposits to interest bearing funding primarily related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical, partially offset by loan growth and the increase in loan yields.

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $9.8 million from the prior year period. The decrease from the prior year period was primarily due to the 258 basis point increase in total cost of funds and the increase in the average balance of borrowed funds related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical, partially offset by loan growth and the increase in loan yields.

Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2023 was 3.27% compared to 3.44% and 3.85% for the prior linked quarter and prior year period, respectively. The 17 basis point decrease from the prior linked quarter was due primarily to the shift from non-interest bearing deposits to interest bearing funding related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical and to changes in prevailing interest rates, which were partially offset by loan growth and the increase in loan yields. The 58 basis point decrease from the prior year period was driven largely by the increase in the average balance of borrowed funds and the shift from non-interest bearing deposits to interest bearing deposits related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical, partially offset by loan growth and the increase in loan yields.

Total cost of funds for the third quarter of 2023 was 303 basis points compared to 252 basis points and 45 basis points for the prior linked quarter and prior year period, respectively, which primarily reflects higher short term borrowing balances and the shift from non-interest bearing deposits to interest bearing deposits related to the final exit from the crypto-related deposit vertical, and to changes in prevailing market interest rates.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income was $6.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $1.3 million from the prior linked quarter and an increase of $695,000 from the prior year period. The decrease from the prior linked quarter was primarily driven by the final exit from the digital currency business. The increase from the prior year period was primarily driven by other service charges and fees.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense was $30.9 million for the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $1.5 million from the prior linked quarter and a decrease of $266,000 from the prior year period. The decrease from the prior linked quarter was due primarily to the $3.0 million reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the $1.1 million reduction in professional fees, partially offset by the $1.9 million increase in compensation and benefits. The decrease from the prior year period was due primarily to the $3.0 million reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the $2.2 million reduction in professional fees, partially offset by the $2.6 million increase in compensation and benefits.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2023 was 22.2% compared to 37.4% for the prior linked quarter, which reflects a discrete tax item related to the exercise of stock options in the third quarter of 2023 and the reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve. The effective tax rate was 30.6% for the prior year period.

Asset Quality

Credit quality remains strong. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was 0.58% at September 30, 2023 compared to 0.47% at June 30, 2023 and 0.00% at September 30, 2022, respectively. The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) was $52.3 million at September 30, 2023, an increase of $648,000 from June 30, 2023 and an increase of $9.8 million from September 30, 2022. The increase from the prior linked quarter was due primarily to loan growth, partially offset by improved macroeconomic factor forecasts. The increase from the prior year period was due primarily to loan growth and the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (ASC 326) effective January 1, 2023. ASU No. 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost to be based on historical experience, current condition, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a $2.3 million increase to the ACL for loans, a $777,000 increase to the ACL for loan commitments, and a $2.1 million decrease to retained earnings, net of taxes.

Conference Call

The Company will conduct a conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET on Friday, October 20, 2023, to discuss the results. To access the event by telephone, please dial 800-343-5172 (US), 203-518-9814 (INTL), and provide conference ID: MCBQ323 approximately 15 minutes prior to the start time (to allow time for registration).

The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet and accessible at MCB Quarterly Results Conference Call and in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at MCB News. To listen to the live webcast, please visit the site at least 15 minutes prior to the start time to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to join for the live presentation, a replay of the webcast will also be available later that day accessible at MCB Quarterly Results Conference Call.

About Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.

Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (NYSE: MCB) is the parent company of Metropolitan Commercial Bank (the “Bank”), a New York City based full-service commercial bank.

The Bank provides a broad range of business, commercial and personal banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, private and public middle-market and corporate enterprises and institutions, municipalities and local government entities.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank’s Global Payments Group is an established leader in providing payments services to domestic and international non-bank financial service companies. The Bank continues to grow its presence as a valued, trusted and innovative strategic partner across payments, custodial and money services businesses worldwide.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank’s EB-5 / E-2 International Group delivers banking services and products for United States Citizen and Immigration Services EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program investors, developers, Regional Centers, government agencies, law firms and consulting companies that specialize in EB-5 and E-2.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank was ranked by Independent Community Bankers of America among the top ten successful loan producers for 2023 by loan category and asset size for commercial banks with more than $1 billion in assets. The Bank finished ninth in S&P Global Market Intelligence’s annual ranking of the best-performing community banks with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion for 2022 and eighth among top-performing community banks in the Northeast region for 2022. The Bank is also a member of the Piper Sandler Sm-All Stars Class of 2022 and Kroll affirmed a BBB+ (investment grade) deposit rating on January 25, 2023.

The Bank is a New York State chartered commercial bank, a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and an equal housing lender.

For more information, please visit the Bank’s website at MCBankNY.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the Company’s future financial condition and capital ratios, results of operations and the Company’s outlook and business. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts. Such statements may be identified by the use of such words as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue” or similar terminology. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control and may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause our forward-looking statements to be materially inaccurate include, but are not limited to the following: the interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; inflation; an unexpected deterioration in our loan or securities portfolios; changes in liquidity, including the size and composition of our deposit portfolio, including the percentage of uninsured deposits in the portfolio; further deterioration in the financial condition or stock prices of financial institutions generally; unexpected increases in our expenses; different than anticipated growth and our ability to manage our growth; the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operation; unanticipated regulatory action or changes in regulations; potential recessionary conditions; unanticipated volatility in deposits; unexpected increases in credit losses or in the level of delinquent, nonperforming, classified and criticized loans; our ability to absorb the amount of actual losses inherent in our existing loan portfolio; an unanticipated loss of key personnel or existing customers; competition from other institutions resulting in unanticipated changes in our loan or deposit rates; an unexpected adverse financial, regulatory or bankruptcy event experienced by our non-bank financial service partners; unanticipated increases in FDIC costs; changes in regulations, legislation or tax or accounting rules, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government including policies of the U.S. Treasury; impacts related to or resulting from recent bank failures; an unexpected failure to successfully manage our credit risk and the sufficiency of our allowance, the credit and other risks from borrower and depositor concentrations (by geographic area and by industry); the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; the costs, including possibly incurring fines, penalties or other negative effects (including reputational harm), of any adverse judicial, administrative, or arbitral rulings or proceedings, regulatory enforcement actions, or other legal actions; a failure in or breach of the Company’s operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyberattacks; the failure to maintain current technologies, or to implement new technologies; the failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; the failure to retain or attract employees; and unanticipated adverse changes in our customers’ economic conditions or general economic conditions, as well as those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. We do not undertake (and expressly disclaim) any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as may be required by law.

Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)

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(1) Includes adoption impact of ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842) effective January 1, 2022.

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(1) The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, include a $3.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively, reversal of the regulatory settlement reserve recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.
(2) Ratios are annualized.
(3) Net income divided by average tangible common equity. Non-GAAP financial measure. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures on page 13.
(4) Total non-interest expense divided by total revenues.

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(1) Ratios are annualized.
(2) Amount includes deferred loan fees and non-performing loans.
(3) Determined by subtracting the annualized average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities from the annualized average yield on total interest-earning assets.
(4) Determined by dividing annualized net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(5) Determined by dividing annualized interest expense on deposits by total average interest-bearing and non-interest bearing deposits.
(6) Determined by dividing annualized interest expense by the sum of total average interest-bearing liabilities and total average non-interest-bearing deposits.