SB One Bancorp Reports Record Diluted EPS of $0.66 for the Second Quarter 2019

PARAMUS, N.J., July 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SB One Bancorp (the "Company") SBBX, the holding company for SB One Bank (the "Bank"), today reported net income of $6.2 million, or $0.67 per basic and $0.66 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, an increase of 108.7%, as compared to net income of $3.0 million, or $0.38 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. The increase in net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 was driven by a $4.0 million, or 36.5%, increase in net interest income resulting from organic loan and deposit growth, and the merger with Enterprise Bank NJ ("Enterprise"), a $1.5 million gain on sales of securities and a $257 thousand increase in insurance commissions and fees partially offset by a one-time charge of $505 thousand for the disposal of leasehold improvements and rent expense due to the early termination of the lease of the Company's corporate center in Rockaway, NJ, as compared to the same period last year.

The Company reported net income of $12.1 million, or $1.28 per basic and diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2019, an increase of 180.6%, as compared to $4.3 million, or $0.55 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company reported net income, adjusted for a one-time tax effected charge for the disposal of leasehold improvements and rent expense of $353 thousand due to the early termination of the lease of its corporate center in Rockaway, NJ, of $12.4 million, or $1.32 per basic and diluted share, an increase of $5.3 million, or 73.9%, from net income, adjusted for tax effected merger-related expenses and non-recurring rebrand expenses of $2.7 million and $152 thousand, respectively, of $7.1 million, or $0.91 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

The Company's net income increased to $6.2 million, or $0.67 per basic and $0.66 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, an increase of $421 thousand, or 7.2%, as compared to net income of $5.8 million, or $0.62 per basic and diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. For the quarter ended June 30, 2019, the Company reported net income, adjusted for a one-time tax effected charge for the disposal of leasehold improvements and rent expense of $353 thousand due to the early termination of the lease of its corporate center in Rockaway, NJ, of $6.6 million, or $0.70 per basic and diluted share an increase of $774 thousand, or 13.3% from $5.8 million, or $0.62 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

"We continue to realize the financial benefits of our strong organic growth and recent mergers, which are now fully integrated. As such, I am pleased to report another strong quarter of financial performance," said Anthony Labozzetta, President and CEO of SB One Bancorp and SB One Bank. "Our second quarter results were driven by an improved net interest margin, double-digit growth in deposits, particularly non-interest demand, and another strong contribution from our insurance subsidiary. While our commercial loan growth this quarter was light, our commercial loan production pipeline remains robust."

Mr. Labozzetta added, "The health and wellbeing of our Bank is always top of mind, and we are happy to report that we moved our corporate headquarters to Paramus, N.J. The new location is central to the markets we serve, improves our operational efficiencies and reduces operating costs – so important as we continue to grow and expand throughout the region."

Financial Performance
Net Income. For the quarter ended June 30, 2019, the Company reported net income of $6.2 million, or $0.67 per basic and $0.66 per diluted share, an increase of 108.7%, as compared to net income of $3.0 million, or $0.38 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

The increase in net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 was driven by a $4.0 million, or 36.5%, increase in net interest income resulting from organic loan and deposit growth, and the Enterprise merger and a $1.5 million increase in non-interest income. The increase in non-interest income was driven by a $1.5 million gain on sale of securities and a $257 thousand increase in insurance commissions and fees. The gain on sale of securities was the result of the Company taking advantage of a market opportunity within the tax-free municipal securities sector. Non-interest income was partially offset by a one-time tax effected disposal of leasehold improvements and rent expense of $353 thousand as a result of the Company's closure of its former corporate center. Non-interest expenses increased $946 thousand to $10.5 million for the second quarter 2019 as compared to $9.6 million for the second quarter 2018. The increase in non-interest expenses was mainly attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $923 thousand mainly resulting from the merger with Enterprise. In addition, occupancy increased $258 thousand resulting from the merger with Enterprise.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company reported net income of $12.1 million, or $1.28 per basic and diluted share, an increase of 180.6%, as compared to net income of $4.3 million, or $0.55 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year. 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis increased $3.9 million, or 35.2%, to $15.2 million for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to $11.2 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in net interest income was largely due to a $430.6 million, or 32.8%, increase in average interest earning assets, principally loans receivable, which increased $404.5 million, or 36.4%, driven by organic growth and the December 2018 closing of the Enterprise merger. The net interest margin increased 0.06% to 3.49% for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to the same period in 2018, as a result of an increase in deposits, specifically non-interest bearing deposits, as a main source of funding for loan growth of $50.1 million, or 22.5%.

Net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis increased $7.7 million, or 34.5%, to $29.8 million for the first six months of 2019 as compared to $22.2 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in net interest income was largely due to a $449.0 million, or 35.0%, increase in average interest earning assets, principally loans receivable, which increased $420.6 million, or 38.6% driven by organic growth and the Enterprise merger.

Provision for Loan Losses. Provision for loan losses increased $378 thousand, or 95.0%, to $776 thousand for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to $398 thousand for the same period in 2018.

Provision for loan losses increased $441 thousand, or 48.7%, to $1.3 million for the first six months of 2019, as compared to $906 thousand for the same period in 2018.

Non-interest Income. Non-interest income increased $1.5 million, or 52.4%, to $4.4 million for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to the same period in 2018. The growth was largely due to an increase of $1.5 million in gains on sale of securities. In addition, insurance commissions and fees relating to SB One Insurance Agency increased $257 thousand, or 14.0%, for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to the same period in 2018. The aforementioned increases were partially offset by a $390 thousand loss on the disposal of fixed assets relating to closing of the Company's corporate center.

Non-interest income increased $2.3 million, or 39.9%, to $8.0 million for the first six months of 2019 as compared to the same period last year. The increase was principally due to $1.5 million increase in gain on sale of securities. In addition, insurance commissions and fees relating to SB One Insurance Agency increased $924 thousand, or 24.7%, largely attributable to a $373 thousand increase in contingency commission income. The aforementioned increases were partially offset by a $390 thousand loss on the disposal of fixed assets relating to closing of the Company's corporate center.

Non-interest Expense. The Company's non-interest expenses increased $946 thousand, or 9.9%, to $10.5 million for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in non-interest expenses occurred largely in salaries and employee benefits of $923 thousand, occupancy of $258 thousand and FDIC assessment of $181 thousand as result of the Company's growth. The increase in non-interest expenses for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to the same period in 2018, was the result of the Company's continued growth, inclusive of the Enterprise merger net of cost savings. The increase in occupancy was driven by the addition of 4 branches from the Enterprise merger and a one-time charge to rent expense of $123 thousand resulting from the closing the of the Company's corporate center. The aforementioned increases were partially offset by decreases in advertising and promotions and loan collection costs of $162 thousand and $72 thousand, respectively.

The Company's non-interest expenses decreased $470 thousand, or 2.2%, to $20.7 million for the first six months of 2019 as compared to the same period last year. The decrease in non-interest expenses was primarily due to a decrease in merger-related expenses of $3.7 million. The aforementioned decrease was partially offset by increases to salaries and employee benefits of $2.0 million, occupancy expenses of $435 thousand, FDIC assessment of $237 thousand, other expenses of $237 thousand and data processing of $209 thousand.

Income Tax Expense. The Company's income tax expenses increased $940 thousand to $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2019, as compared to the same period last year. The Company's effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2019 and 2018 was 22.7%.

The Company's income tax expenses increased $2.2 million to $3.3 million for the first six months of 2019, as compared to the same period last year as a result of increased pre-tax income. The Company's effective tax rate for the first six months of 2019 was 21.7%, as compared to 20.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Financial Condition
At June 30, 2019, the Company's total assets were $1.9 billion, an increase of $70.6 million, or 3.9%, as compared to total assets of $1.8 billion at December 31, 2018. The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in loans receivable of $55.9 million, or 3.8%, to $1.5 billion.

The Company's total deposits increased $122.5 million, or 9.1%, to $1.5 billion at June 30, 2019, from $1.4 billion at December 31, 2018. The growth in deposits was mostly due to an increase in interest bearing deposits of $104.2 million, or 9.5%, and an increase in non-interest bearing deposits of $18.4 million, or 7.1%, at June 30, 2019, as compared to December 31, 2018.

At June 30, 2019, the Company's total stockholders' equity was $192.4 million, an increase of $7.0 million when compared to December 31, 2018. At June 30, 2019, the leverage, Tier I risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and common equity Tier I capital ratios for the Bank were 10.32%, 12.10%, 12.72% and 12.10%, respectively, all in excess of the ratios required to be deemed "well-capitalized."

Asset and Credit Quality
The ratio of non-performing assets ("NPAs"), which include non-accrual loans, loans 90 days past due and still accruing, troubled debt restructured loans currently performing in accordance with renegotiated terms and foreclosed real estate, to total assets decreased to 1.13% at June 30, 2019 as compared to 1.43% at December 31, 2018. NPAs exclude $2.8 million of Purchased Credit-Impaired ("PCI") loans acquired through the merger with Community Bank of Bergen County ("Community Bank"). NPAs decreased $4.7 million to $21.1 million at June 30, 2019, as compared to $25.8 million at December 31, 2018, resulting from a non-accrual loan payoff of $4.3 million. Non-accrual loans, excluding $2.8 million of PCI loans, decreased $4.5 million, or 21.6%, to$16.2 million at June 30, 2019, as compared to $20.7 million at December 31, 2018. Loans past due 30 to 89 days totaled $8.9 million at June 30, 2019, representing an increase of $5.1 million, or 135.1%, as compared to $3.8 million at December 31, 2018.

The Company continues to actively market its foreclosed real estate properties, the value of which decreased $573 thousand to $3.6 million at June 30, 2019 as compared to $4.1 million at December 31, 2018. The decrease in foreclosed real estate properties was largely attributable to the sale of three properties totaling $902 thousand which was partially offset by one new foreclosed property valued at $335 thousand. At June 30, 2019, the Company's foreclosed real estate properties had an average carrying value of approximately $358 thousand per property.

The Company's allowance for loan losses increased $852 thousand, or 9.7%, to $9.6 million, at June 30, 2019 as compared to $8.8 million at December 31, 2018. The Company's outstanding credit mark recorded on the legacy Community Bank and Enterprise portfolios of $441.5 million totaled $7.3 million at June 30, 2019. The Company's combined coverage of allowance for loan loss and credit mark on the legacy Community Bank and Enterprise portfolios totaled $17.0 million, or 1.11% of the overall loan portfolio, at June 30, 2019. The Company recorded $1.3 million in provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to $906 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Additionally, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $495 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to $23 thousand in net recoveries for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-accrual loans increased to 59.3% at June 30, 2019 from 43.5% at December 31, 2018.

About SB One Bancorp

SB One Bancorp SBBX, is the holding company for SB One Bank, a full-service, commercial bank that operates regionally with 18 branch locations in New Jersey and New York. Established in 1975, SB One Bank's strength is in its ability to build strong personal relationships with its customers and to serve the communities in which it operates. In addition to its branches and loan production offices, SB One Bank offers a full-service insurance agency, SB One Insurance Agency, Inc. and wealth services through SB One Wealth. SB One Bank reinforces its commitment to the communities in which it lives and serves through the SB One Foundation, Inc. which supports various local charitable organizations.

SB One Bancorp was recently added to the Russell 2000® Index and Russell 3000® Index. In 2017, it was recognized as one of the top 29 banks and thrifts nationwide and one of three from New Jersey that comprise the Sandler O'Neill Sm-All Stars Class of 2017. SB One Bancorp is one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in New Jersey as ranked by NJBIZ Magazine. SB One Bancorp President and Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Labozzetta, was named one of America's Business Leaders in Banking by Forbes magazine and American Banker's Community Banker of the Year in 2016.

For more details on SB One Bank, visit: www.SBOne.bank

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward looking and are made pursuant to the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements that may be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "estimate," "assume," "believe," "anticipate," "will," "forecast," "plan," "project" or similar words. Such statements are based on SB One Bancorp's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, (1) difficulties and delays in integrating the business or fully realizing cost savings and other benefits; (2) operating costs, customer loss and business disruption following the mergers with Community Bank and Enterprise, including adverse effects on relationships with employees, may be greater than expected; (3) changes to interest rates; (4) the ability to control costs and expenses; (5) general economic conditions; (6) the success of SB One Bancorp's efforts to diversify its revenue base by developing additional sources of non-interest income while continuing to manage its existing fee-based business; and (7) risks associated with the quality of SB One Bancorp's assets and the ability of its borrowers to comply with repayment. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in SB One Bancorp's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SB One Bancorp undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to those forward looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after this date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SB ONE BANCORP
Anthony Labozzetta, President/CEO
Adriano Duarte, CFO
(p) 844-256-7328