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Blue Foundry Bancorp Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results

RUTHERFORD, N.J., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQ:BLFY) (the “Company”), the holding company for Blue Foundry Bank (the “Bank”), today reported a net loss of $4.0 million, or $0.19 per diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.06 per diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

James D. Nesci, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The Company continues to maintain its strong capital position and access to liquidity. We executed on our share repurchase program and increased our tangible book value to $14.74 per share.”

Mr. Nesci also noted, “Deposit growth continued in the third quarter. Increases in our construction and commercial and industrial portfolios drove loan growth during the third quarter as we remain focused on growing our commercial portfolio. Credit quality remained strong highlighted by a 17% improvement in non-performing loans. Our 84 basis point allowance for credit losses now covers non-performing loans by over 2.5 times.”

Highlights for the third quarter of 2024:

Loans

The Company continues to focus on diversifying its lending portfolio by growing its commercial portfolios. While total loans decreased by $9.7 million during the first nine months of 2024, our construction portfolio increased by $19.7 million and our commercial real estate portfolio increased by $9.2 million, of which $7.1 million was on owner-occupied properties. In addition, our consumer and other loans increased by $7.7 million as we took advantage of an opportunity to participate in a consumer loan participation at an attractive rate with credit enhancements. The residential and multifamily portfolios decreased by $34.2 million and $16.3 million, respectively.

The details of the loan portfolio are below:

    September 30,
2024
  June 30,
2024
  March 31,
2024
  December 31,
2023
  September 30,
2023
    (In thousands)
Residential   $ 516,754   $ 526,453   $ 540,427   $ 550,929   $ 567,384
Multifamily     666,304     671,185     671,011     682,564     689,966
Commercial real estate     241,711     241,867     244,207     232,505     236,325
Construction     80,081     71,882     63,052     60,414     45,064
Junior liens     24,174     23,653     22,052     22,503     22,297
Commercial and industrial     14,228     12,261     13,372     11,768     9,904
Consumer and other     7,731     83     56     47     50
Total loans     1,550,983     1,547,384     1,554,177     1,560,730     1,570,990
Less: Allowance for credit losses     13,012     13,027     13,749     14,154     13,872
Loans receivable, net   $ 1,537,971   $ 1,534,357   $ 1,540,428   $ 1,546,576   $ 1,557,118
                               

Deposits

As of September 30, 2024, deposits totaled $1.32 billion, an increase of $73.8 million, or 5.93%, from December 31, 2023, mostly due to the increases of $104.6 million in time deposits partially offset by decreases in savings, non-interest bearing deposits and NOW and demand accounts of $21.8 million, $5.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The Company’s strategy is to focus on attracting the full banking relationship of small- to medium-sized businesses through an extensive suite of deposit products. While there is strong competition for deposits in the northern New Jersey market, we were able to increase customer deposits during the quarter. Brokered deposits remain unchanged since year end 2023.

The details of deposits are below:

    September 30,
2024
  June 30,
2024
  March 31,
2024
  December 31,
2023
  September 30,
2023
    (In thousands)
Non-interest bearing deposits   $ 22,254   $ 24,733   $ 25,342   $ 27,739   $ 23,787
NOW and demand accounts     357,503     368,386     373,172     361,139     378,268
Savings     237,651     246,559     250,298     259,402     278,665
Core deposits     617,408     639,678     648,812     648,280     680,720
Time deposits     701,262     671,478     642,372     596,624     572,384
Total deposits   $ 1,318,670   $ 1,311,156   $ 1,291,184   $ 1,244,904   $ 1,253,104
                               

Financial Performance Overview:

Third quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2024

Net interest income compared to the second quarter of 2024:

Non-interest income compared to the second quarter of 2024:

Non-interest expense compared to the second quarter of 2024:

Income tax expense compared to the second quarter of 2024:

Third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023

Net interest income compared to the third quarter of 2023:

Non-interest expense compared to the third quarter of 2023:

Income tax expense compared to the third quarter of 2023:

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023

Net interest income compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

Non-interest income compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

Non-interest expense compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

Income tax expense compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

Balance Sheet Summary:

September 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023

Cash and cash equivalents:

Securities available-for-sale:

Other investments:

Total loans:

Deposits:

Borrowings:

Capital:

Asset quality:

About Blue Foundry

Blue Foundry Bancorp is the holding company for Blue Foundry Bank, a place where things are made, purpose is formed, and ideas are crafted. Headquartered in Rutherford NJ, with a presence in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties, Blue Foundry Bank is a full-service, innovative bank serving the doers, movers, and shakers in our communities. We offer individuals and businesses alike the tailored products and services they need to build their futures. With a rich history dating back more than 145 years, Blue Foundry Bank has a longstanding commitment to its customers and communities. To learn more about Blue Foundry Bank visit BlueFoundryBank.com or call (888) 931-BLUE. Member FDIC.

Conference Call Information

A conference call covering Blue Foundry’s third quarter 2024 earnings announcement will be held today, Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). To listen to the live call, please dial 1-833-470-1428 (toll free) or +1-404-975-4839 (international) and use access code 725750. The webcast (audio only) will be available on ir.bluefoundrybank.com. The conference call will be recorded and will be available on the Company’s website for one month.

Contact:
James D. Nesci
President and Chief Executive Officer
BlueFoundryBank.com
jnesci@bluefoundrybank.com
201-972-8900

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are based on certain current assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins and yields, the fair value of financial instruments or our level of loan originations, or increase in the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans we have made and make; general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected; changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; our ability to access cost-effective funding; fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; demand for loans and deposits in our market area; our ability to implement and change our business strategies; competition among depository and other financial institutions; adverse changes in the securities or secondary mortgage markets; changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees, capital requirements and insurance premiums; changes in monetary or fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios; technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected; a failure or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyber-attacks; the inability of third party providers to perform as expected; our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic environment; our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities; our ability to successfully integrate into our operations any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel we may acquire and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related there to; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; our ability to retain key employees; the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; the ability of the U.S. Government to manage federal debt limits; and changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to release publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

BLUE FOUNDRY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
                 
    September 30,
2024
  June 30,
2024
  March 31,
2024
  December 31,
2023
    (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (audited)
    (Dollars in Thousands)
ASSETS                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 76,109   $ 60,262   $ 53,753   $ 46,025
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value     290,806     297,790     265,191     283,766
Securities held to maturity     33,119     33,169     33,217     33,254
Other investments     18,203     17,942     17,908     20,346
Loans, net     1,537,971     1,534,357     1,540,428     1,546,576
Real estate owned, net             593     593
Interest and dividends receivable     8,386     7,882     8,001     7,595
Premises and equipment, net     30,161     30,858     31,696     32,475
Right-of-use assets     24,190     24,596     24,454     25,172
Bank owned life insurance     22,399     22,274     22,153     22,034
Other assets     13,749     16,322     30,393     27,127
Total assets   $ 2,055,093   $ 2,045,452   $ 2,027,787   $ 2,044,963
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY            
Liabilities                
Deposits   $ 1,318,670   $ 1,311,156   $ 1,291,184   $ 1,244,904
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank     348,500     342,500     342,500     397,500
Advances by borrowers for taxes and insurance     9,909     9,875     9,368     8,929
Lease liabilities     25,870     26,243     26,081     26,777
Other liabilities     12,845     10,081     8,498     11,213
Total liabilities     1,715,794     1,699,855     1,677,631     1,689,323
Shareholders’ equity     339,299     345,597     350,156     355,640
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,055,093   $ 2,045,452   $ 2,027,787   $ 2,044,963
                         
BLUE FOUNDRY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data) (Unaudited)
         
    Three months ended   Nine months ended
    September 30,
2024
  June 30, 2024   September 30,
2023
  September 30,
2024
  September 30,
2023
    (Dollars in thousands)
Interest income:                    
Loans   $ 17,646     $ 17,570     $ 16,728     $ 52,408     $ 48,778  
Taxable investment income     3,850       3,686       3,339       11,150       9,663  
Non-taxable investment income     36       36       106       108       329  
Total interest income     21,532       21,292       20,173       63,666       58,770  
Interest expense:                    
Deposits     9,712       9,132       7,034       27,257       16,361  
Borrowed funds     2,733       2,587       3,263       8,332       9,686  
Total interest expense     12,445       11,719       10,297       35,589       26,047  
Net interest income     9,087       9,573       9,876       28,077       32,723  
Provision for (release of) credit losses     248       (762 )     (717 )     (1,049 )     (597 )
Net interest income after provision for (release of) credit losses     8,839       10,335       10,593       29,126       33,320  
Non-interest income:                    
Fees and service charges     272       296       291       897       833  
Gain on sale of loans                       36       159  
Other income     115       240       78       441       241  
Total non-interest income     387       536       369       1,374       1,233  
Non-interest expense:                    
Compensation and employee benefits     7,306       7,635       6,640       22,490       21,552  
Occupancy and equipment     2,230       2,262       2,104       6,684       6,210  
Data processing     1,412       1,335       1,473       4,134       4,609  
Advertising     87       52       85       211       234  
Professional services     813       623       646       2,166       2,390  
Federal deposit insurance     236       194       263       629       599  
Other     1,183       1,114       1,183       3,410       3,425  
Total non-interest expense     13,267       13,215       12,394       39,724       39,019  
Loss before income tax expense     (4,041 )     (2,344 )     (1,432 )     (9,224 )     (4,466 )
Income tax expense                              
Net loss   $ (4,041 )   $ (2,344 )   $ (1,432 )   $ (9,224 )   $ (4,466 )
Basic loss per share   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.43 )   $ (0.18 )
Diluted loss per share   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.06 )   $ (0.43 )   $ (0.18 )
Weighted average shares outstanding                    
Basic     21,263,482       21,735,002       23,278,490       21,695,895       24,289,599  
Diluted (1)     21,263,482       21,735,002       23,278,490       21,695,895       24,289,599  

(1) The assumed vesting of outstanding restricted stock units had an antidilutive effect on diluted earnings per share due to the Company’s net loss for the 2024 and 2023 periods.

BLUE FOUNDRY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Financial Highlights
(Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data) (Unaudited)
     
    Three months ended
    September 30,
2024
  June 30,
2024
  March 31,
2024
  December 31,
2023
  September 30,
2023
    (Dollars in thousands)
Performance Ratios (%):                    
Return on average assets     (0.79 )     (0.47 )     (0.56 )     (0.57 )     (0.27 )
Return on average equity     (4.68 )     (2.71 )     (3.23 )     (3.25 )     (1.55 )
Interest rate spread (1)     1.29       1.43       1.40       1.33       1.48  
Net interest margin (2)     1.82       1.96       1.92       1.84       1.94  
Efficiency ratio (3) (4)     140.04       130.73       134.19       128.41       120.98  
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     121.37       122.28       122.50       122.93       123.05  
Tangible equity to tangible assets (4)     16.50       16.88       17.25       17.37       17.07  
Book value per share (5)   $ 14.76     $ 14.70     $ 14.61     $ 14.51     $ 14.27  
Tangible book value per share (4)(5)   $ 14.74     $ 14.69     $ 14.60     $ 14.49     $ 14.24  
                     
Asset Quality:                    
Non-performing loans   $ 5,146     $ 6,208     $ 6,691     $ 5,898     $ 6,139  
Real estate owned, net                 593       593       593  
Non-performing assets   $ 5,146     $ 6,208     $ 7,284     $ 6,491     $ 6,732  
Allowance for credit losses to total loans (%)     0.84       0.84       0.88       0.91       0.88  
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans (%)     252.86       209.84       205.48       239.98       225.97  
Non-performing loans to total loans (%)     0.33       0.40       0.43       0.38       0.39  
Non-performing assets to total assets (%)     0.25       0.30       0.36       0.32       0.33  
Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans during the period (%)                             0.01  

(1) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(2) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(3) Efficiency ratio represents adjusted non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income plus non-interest income.
(4) See the “Supplemental Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables below for additional information regarding our non-GAAP measures.
(5) September 30, 2024 per share metrics computed using 22,990,908 total shares outstanding.

BLUE FOUNDRY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
Analysis of Net Interest Income
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
     
    Three Months Ended,
    September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   September 30, 2023
    Average
Balance
  Interest   Average
Yield/Cost
  Average
Balance
  Interest   Average
Yield/Cost
  Average
Balance
  Interest   Average
Yield/Cost
    (Dollars in thousands)
Assets:                                    
Loans (1)   $ 1,548,962   $ 17,646   4.53 %   $ 1,550,736   $ 17,570   4.56 %   $ 1,577,173   $ 16,728   4.21 %
Mortgage-backed securities     181,596     1,186   2.60 %     167,219     960   2.31 %     170,326     840   1.96 %
Other investment securities     173,008     1,527   3.51 %     175,394     1,688   3.87 %     194,953     1,507   3.07 %
FHLB stock     17,666     406   9.15 %     17,223     447   10.44 %     21,047     456   8.60 %
Cash and cash equivalents     61,507     767   4.96 %     51,290     627   4.92 %     51,884     642   4.91 %
Total interest-earning assets     1,982,739     21,532   4.32 %     1,961,862     21,292   4.37 %     2,015,383     20,173   3.97 %
Non-interest earning assets     61,787             56,826             58,042        
Total assets   $ 2,044,526           $ 2,018,688           $ 2,073,425        
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:                                    
NOW, savings, and money market deposits   $ 598,048     1,925   1.28 %   $ 611,931     1,955   1.28 %   $ 684,228     2,123   1.23 %
Time deposits     688,570     7,787   4.50 %     655,755     7,177   4.40 %     558,252     4,911   3.49 %
Interest-bearing deposits     1,286,618     9,712   3.00 %     1,267,686     9,132   2.90 %     1,242,480     7,034   2.25 %
FHLB advances     347,076     2,733   3.13 %     336,742     2,587   3.09 %     395,359     3,263   3.27 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,633,694     12,445   3.03 %     1,604,428     11,719   2.94 %     1,637,839     10,297   2.49 %
Non-interest bearing deposits     23,421             25,076             25,540        
Non-interest bearing other     43,713             41,061             44,628        
Total liabilities     1,700,828             1,670,565             1,708,007        
Total shareholders’ equity     343,698             348,123             365,418        
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,044,526           $ 2,018,688           $ 2,073,425        
Net interest income       $ 9,087           $ 9,573           $ 9,876    
Net interest rate spread (2)           1.29 %           1.43 %           1.48 %
Net interest margin (3)           1.82 %           1.96 %           1.94 %

(1) Average loan balances are net of deferred loan fees and costs, premiums and discounts and include non-accrual loans.
(2) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(3) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

BLUE FOUNDRY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
Analysis of Net Interest Income
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
     
    Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2024   2023
    Average
Balance
  Interest   Average
Yield/Cost
  Average
Balance
  Interest   Average
Yield/Cost
    (Dollars in thousands)
Assets:                        
Loans (1)   $ 1,551,734   $ 52,408   4.50 %   $ 1,571,204   $ 48,778   4.15 %
Mortgage-backed securities     169,765     3,022   2.37 %     174,742     2,789   2.13 %
Other investment securities     177,455     4,867   3.65 %     197,522     4,523   3.06 %
FHLB stock     18,335     1,345   9.77 %     21,343     1,106   6.93 %
Cash and cash equivalents     54,810     2,024   4.92 %     46,363     1,574   4.54 %
Total interest-earning assets     1,972,099     63,666   4.30 %     2,011,174     58,770   3.91 %
Non-interest earning assets     59,245             56,762        
Total assets   $ 2,031,344           $ 2,067,936        
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity:                        
NOW, savings, and money market deposits   $ 608,677   $ 5,816   1.27 %   $ 753,419   $ 6,350   1.13 %
Time deposits     654,639     21,441   4.36 %     472,866     10,011   2.83 %
Interest-bearing deposits     1,263,316     27,257   2.87 %     1,226,285     16,361   1.78 %
FHLB advances     352,544     8,332   3.15 %     395,800     9,686   3.27 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,615,860     35,589   2.93 %     1,622,085     26,047   2.15 %
Non-interest bearing deposits     24,992             23,092        
Non-interest bearing other     42,120             44,572        
Total liabilities     1,682,972             1,689,749        
Total shareholders’ equity     348,372             378,187        
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,031,344           $ 2,067,936        
Net interest income       $ 28,077           $ 32,723    
Net interest rate spread (2)           1.37 %           1.76 %
Net interest margin (3)           1.90 %           2.18 %

(1) Average loan balances are net of deferred loan fees and costs, premiums and discounts and include non-accrual loans.
(2) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(3) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

BLUE FOUNDRY BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
Supplemental Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

This press release contains certain supplemental financial information, described in the table below, which has been determined by methods other than U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) that management uses in its analysis of Blue Foundry’s performance. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding Blue Foundry’s financial results. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results and Blue Foundry strongly encourages investors to review its 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.

Net income, as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, includes the provision for credit losses and income tax expense, while pre-provision net revenue does not.

    Three months ended
    September 30,
2024
  June 30, 2024   March 31,
2024
  December 31,
2023
  September 30,
2023
    (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Pre-provision net revenue and efficiency ratio:                
Net interest income   $ 9,087     $ 9,573     $ 9,417     $ 9,196     $ 9,876  
Other income     387       536       451       572       369  
Total revenue     9,474       10,109       9,868       9,768       10,245  
Operating expenses     13,267       13,215       13,242       12,543       12,394  
Pre-provision net loss   $ (3,793 )   $ (3,106 )   $ (3,374 )   $ (2,775 )   $ (2,149 )
Efficiency ratio     140.0 %     130.7 %     134.2 %     128.4 %     121.0 %
                     
Core deposits:                    
Total deposits   $ 1,318,670     $ 1,311,156     $ 1,291,184     $ 1,244,904     $ 1,253,104  
Less: time deposits     701,262       671,478       642,372       596,624       572,384  
Core deposits   $ 617,408     $ 639,678     $ 648,812     $ 648,280     $ 680,720  
Core deposits to total deposits     46.8 %     48.8 %     50.2 %     52.1 %     54.3 %
                     
Total assets   $ 2,055,093     $ 2,045,452     $ 2,027,787     $ 2,044,963     $ 2,101,055  
Less: intangible assets     300       386       473       557       644  
Tangible assets   $ 2,054,793     $ 2,045,066     $ 2,027,314     $ 2,044,406     $ 2,100,411  
                     
Tangible equity:                    
Shareholders’ equity   $ 339,299     $ 345,597     $ 350,156     $ 355,640     $ 359,149  
Less: intangible assets     300       386       473       557       644  
Tangible equity   $ 338,999     $ 345,211     $ 349,683     $ 355,083     $ 358,505  
                     
Tangible equity to tangible assets     16.50 %     16.88 %     17.25 %     17.37 %     17.07 %
                     
Tangible book value per share:                    
Tangible equity   $ 338,999     $ 345,211     $ 349,683     $ 355,083     $ 358,505  
Shares outstanding     22,990,908       23,505,357       23,958,888       24,509,950       25,174,412  
Tangible book value per share   $ 14.74     $ 14.69     $ 14.60     $ 14.49       14.24  


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