Third Federal Continues to Experience Strong Earnings

CLEVELAND, April 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TFS Financial Corporation TFSL (the "Company"), the holding company for Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland (the "Association"), today announced results for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2014.

The Company reported net income of $16.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, compared to net income of $12.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The increase in net income for the quarter is largely the result of a lower provision for loan losses, as loan performance metrics continue to improve. Net income of $32.4 million was reported for the six months ended March 31, 2014, compared to net income of $23.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in net income for the six months is largely the result of a lower provision for loan losses, partially offset by a decrease in the gain on sale of loans.

"It's sunshine and blue skies for Third Federal, our customers and our stockholders," said Marc A. Stefanski, chairman and CEO. "After announcing earlier this month that our Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Reserve has been lifted, we have resumed our three-dimensional approach to providing greater value to our stockholders. We are repurchasing stock, as well as working on the requirements to reinstate a regular dividend. We also continued our efforts to grow Third Federal and are now lending in 17 states, including Ohio and Florida.

"Our latest financial results reflect another quarter of strong earnings, including a 28-percent growth in net income year over year, " Stefanski continued. "We want to again thank our loyal associates, customers, and investors for helping to make our future bright."

Net interest income was slightly higher than in the prior year period. The average cost of our deposits has been reduced by managing retail deposit pricing and gathering additional funds as needed via wholesale channels. The lower interest expense, impacted by lower interest rates on deposits and a shift to more borrowed funds, was essentially offset by lower interest income due to lower yields on interest-earning assets. Net interest income was $69.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and $67.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Net interest income increased $0.5 million, or less than 1%, to $136.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014 from $136.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013. The interest rate spread for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 was 2.32% compared to 2.28% in the same quarter last year. The interest rate spread for the six months ended March 31, 2014 was 2.30% compared to 2.26% in the six month period last year. The net interest margin for each of the quarters and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 was 2.48%.

The Company, as a result of improving loan performance, recorded a lower provision for loan losses of $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The Company reported $6.9 million of net loan charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $14.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Of the $6.9 million of net charge-offs, $3.1 million occurred in the equity loans and lines of credit portfolio, $2.7 million occurred in the residential, non-Home Today portfolio and $1.1 million occurred in the Home Today portfolio. The Home Today portfolio, which has had minimal new originations since 2009, is an affordable housing program targeted toward low and moderate income home buyers, which totaled $165.2 million at March 31, 2014 and $178.4 million at September 30, 2013. The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $11.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $28.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013. The Company reported $20.1 million of net loan charge-offs for the six months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $27.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2013. Of the $20.1 million of net charge-offs in the current fiscal year, $6.4 million occurred in the equity loans and lines of credit portfolio, $9.7 million occurred in the residential, non-Home Today portfolio and $4.0 million occurred in the Home Today portfolio. The allowance for loan losses was $83.4 million, or 0.80% of total loans receivable, at March 31, 2014, compared to $92.5 million, or 0.91% of total loans receivable, at September 30, 2013. 

Non-accrual loans decreased $13.1 million to $142.7 million, or 1.37% of total loans, at March 31, 2014 from $155.8 million, or 1.53% of total loans, at September 30, 2013. The $13.1 million decrease in non-accrual loans for the six months ended March 31, 2014 consisted of a $10.1 million decrease in the residential, non-Home Today portfolio; a $3.3 million decrease in the residential, Home Today portfolio; and a $0.2 million increase in the equity loans and lines of credit portfolio.

Total loan delinquencies decreased $25.8 million to $108.2 million, or 1.03% of total loans receivable, at March 31, 2014 from $134.0 million, or 1.31% of total loans receivable, at September 30, 2013.

Total troubled debt restructurings decreased $12.0 million at March 31, 2014, to $189.7 million from $201.7 million at September 30, 2013. Of the $189.7 million of troubled debt restructurings recorded at March 31, 2014, $63.8 million was in the Home Today portfolio, $104.7 million was in the residential, non-Home Today portfolio and $21.0 million was in the equity loans and lines of credit portfolio. The portion of total troubled debt restructurings included as part of non-accrual loans was $81.5 million at March 31, 2014 and $84.9 million at September 30, 2013.

Total assets increased by $265.1 million, or 2%, to $11.53 billion at March 31, 2014 from $11.27 billion at September 30, 2013. This change was mainly the result of new loan origination levels exceeding the total of loan sales and principal repayments, partially offset by a net decrease in the combination of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities.

The combination of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities decreased $8.9 million, or 1%, to $754.4 million at March 31, 2014 from $763.4 million at September 30, 2013. 

The combination of loans held for investment, net and mortgage loans held for sale increased $270.1 million, or 3%, to $10.36 billion at March 31, 2014 from $10.09 billion at September 30, 2013. Residential non-Home Today mortgage loans, including those held for sale, increased $365.5 million during the six months ended March 31, 2014, while the equity loans and lines of credit portfolio decreased $99.6 million. As a result of the Company's new state expansion through the use of internet, customer service and direct mail marketing, the Company now originates first mortgage loans in 17 states. Total first mortgage loan originations were $1.03 billion for the six months ended March 31, 2014, of which 38% were adjustable rate mortgages, and 43% were fixed-rate mortgages with terms of 10 years or less. During the six months ended March 31, 2014, loan sales of $42.0 million were completed, consisting of $24.6 million of first mortgage loan originations to Fannie Mae, (as a result of receiving sale eligibility approval from Fannie Mae during the quarter ended December 31, 2013) and $17.4 million of fixed rate loans that qualified under Fannie Mae's Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP II). Net gain on the sale of these loans was $0.9 million. During the six months ended March 31, 2013, loan sales of $222.2 million were completed, consisting of $35.8 million of fixed rate loans that qualified under Fannie Mae's HARP II, $58.3 million of fixed rate non-agency whole loans and $128.1 million of variable rate loans. Net gain on the sale of these loans was $4.3 million.

Deposits decreased $49.0 million, or 1%, to $8.42 billion at March 31, 2014 from $8.46 billion at September 30, 2013. The decrease in deposits was the result of a $17.9 million decrease in our savings accounts, a $23.8 million increase in our checking accounts, and a $55.2 million decrease in our CDs for the six months ended March 31, 2014. To manage our cost of funds, maturing, higher rate CDs were allowed to run off and replaced by other lower rate savings products or borrowed funds from the FHLB, as needed. Total deposits include $217 million and $13 million of brokered CDs at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The brokered CDs had average original funding terms of 53 months.

Borrowed funds, all from the FHLB, increased $325.0 million, to $1.07 billion at March 31, 2014 from $745.1 million at September 30, 2013. This increase reflects a combination of an additional $230 million of mainly four- to five- year term advances and $128 million of higher overnight advances, offset by other principal repayments, as a combination of loan growth and reduced deposits led to increased cash demands during the period. To facilitate the increase in FHLB borrowings, an additional $4.8 million of FHLB stock was purchased during the six months ended March 31, 2014.

Principal, interest and related escrow on loans serviced decreased $22.3 million, or 29%, to $53.4 million at March 31, 2014 from $75.7 million at September 30, 2013. This change primarily reflects the impact of a lower balance in the sold loan portfolio.

Total shareholders' equity increased $12.7 million, or 1%, to $1.88 billion at March 31, 2014 from $1.87 billion at September 30, 2013. Activity reflects $32.4 million of net income in the current fiscal year reduced by $26.1 million of repurchases of outstanding common stock and further impacted by a combination of adjustments related to our stock compensation plan, ESOP and accumulated other comprehensive loss. A total of 2,156,250 shares were repurchased at an average cost of $12.09 per share during the quarter ended December 31, 2013. As previously disclosed, the Company received notice on April 2, 2014 that the Federal Reserve terminated a previous memorandum of understanding that restricted the Company's ability to complete additional stock repurchases and pay dividends. Following that termination, the Company's fifth stock repurchase program, which allows for the purchase of 5,000,000 additional shares, was put into place through the use of a trading plan, effective April 9, 2014. The Company also indicated it was investigating the regulatory steps required to reinstate a dividend, including soliciting a member vote for its mutual holding company to waive the receipt of future possible dividends.

At March 31, 2014, all capital ratios substantially exceed the amounts required for the Association to be considered "well capitalized" for regulatory capital purposes. The tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 21.95% and the total risk-based capital was 23.14% for the Association. The Association's current capital ratios are lower than its ratios at September 30, 2013 (22.85% tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and 24.10% total risk-based capital ratio), due to an $85 million cash dividend payment that the Association made to the Company, its sole shareholder, on December 27, 2013. Because of its intercompany nature, this dividend payment had no impact on the Company's capital ratios or its consolidated statement of condition. Additionally, the tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 26.65% and the total risk-based capital was 27.83% for the Company.

Terence Paulett, the Chief Risk Officer of the Company, has announced that he will be retiring from employment in January 2015. Judy Adam, who has been with the Association since 2000 and has served in various roles including the Chief Accounting Officer, Manager of Internet Services and most recently as Manager of Loan Production, will become the new Chief Risk Officer at that time.  "Terry has been an integral part of our organization for 20 years and helped us to effectively manage our risk as we grew the Company through the recent mortgage crisis," said Chairman and CEO Marc A. Stefanski.  "On behalf of our Board, our management team and our associates, I thank him and wish him the best in his retirement.  We welcome Judy into her new responsibilities, and have confidence that her background and her extensive experience in many areas of the Company have prepared her for her new role."

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Friday April 25, 2014. The toll-free dial-in number is 866-952-1906, Conference ID TFSLQ214. A telephone replay will be available beginning at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on April 25, 2014 by dialing 800-695-0974. The conference call will be simultaneously webcast on the Company's website www.thirdfederal.com under the Investor Relations link under the "About Us" tab, and will be archived for 30 days after the event, beginning April 28, 2014. The slides for the conference call will be available on the Company's website.

Third Federal Savings and Loan Association is a leading provider of savings and mortgage products, and operates under the values of love, trust, respect, a commitment to excellence and fun. Founded in Cleveland in 1938 as a mutual association by Ben and Gerome Stefanski, Third Federal's mission is to help people achieve the dream of home ownership and financial security. It became part of a public company in 2007 and celebrated its 75^th anniversary in May, 2013. Third Federal, which lends in 17 states, is dedicated to serving consumers with competitive rates and outstanding service. Third Federal, an equal housing lender, has 21 full service branches in Northeast Ohio, eight lending offices in Central and Southern Ohio, and 17 full service branches throughout Florida. As of March 31, 2014, the Company's assets totaled $11.5 billion.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of such words as estimate, project, believe, intend, anticipate, plan, seek, expect and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include:

• statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;
• statements regarding our business plans and prospects and growth and operating strategies;
• statements concerning trends in our provision for loan losses and charge-offs;
• statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and
• estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including, among other things, the following important factors that could affect the actual outcome of future events:

• significantly increased competition among depository and other financial institutions;
• inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our interest margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;
• general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, including employment prospects and conditions that are worse than expected;
• decreased demand for our products and services and lower revenue and earnings because of a recession or other events;
• adverse changes and volatility in the securities markets;
• adverse changes and volatility in credit markets;
• legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business, including changes in regulatory costs and capital requirements and changes related to our ability to pay dividends and the ability of Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland, MHC to waive dividends;
• our ability to enter new markets successfully and take advantage of growth opportunities, and the possible short-term dilutive effect of potential acquisitions or de novo branches, if any;
• 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 or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
• future adverse developments concerning Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac;
• changes in monetary and fiscal policy of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury or the Federal Reserve Board and changes in the level of government support of housing finance;
• changes in policy and/or assessment rates of taxing authorities that adversely affect us;
• the timing and the amount of revenue that we may recognize;
• changes in expense trends (including, but not limited to, trends affecting non-performing assets, charge-offs and provisions for loan losses);
• the impact of the continuing governmental effort to restructure the U.S. financial and regulatory system;
• inability of third-party providers to perform their obligations to us;
• adverse changes and volatility in real estate markets;
• a slowing or failure of the moderate economic recovery;
• the extensive reforms enacted in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank Act"), which will continue to impact us;
• the adoption of implementing regulations by a number of different regulatory bodies under the Dodd-Frank Act, and uncertainty regarding the exact nature, extent and timing of such regulations and the impact they will have on us;
• the continuing impact of coming under the jurisdiction of new federal regulators;
• changes in our organization, or compensation and benefit plans;
• the strength or weakness of the real estate markets and of the consumer and commercial credit sectors and their impact on the credit quality of our loans and other assets; and
• the ability of the U.S. Government to manage federal debt limits.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements.