Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2021 Net Income of $2.2 Million, an Increase of 27.5% over 2020

OSWEGO, N.Y., May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. ("Company") PBHC, the holding company for Pathfinder Bank ("Bank"), announced first quarter 2021 net income of $2.2 million compared to $1.6 million for the same three month period in 2020. First quarter net income available to common shareholders was $1.6 million, or $0.36 per basic and diluted share, compared to $1.3 million, or $0.29 per basic and diluted share for the first quarter of 2020. First quarter 2021 total revenue (net interest income and total noninterest income) of $10.4 million increased $878,000, or 9.2%, compared to $9.5 million for the first quarter of 2020.

2021 First Quarter Performance Highlights

• Total interest-earning assets at March 31, 2021 were $1.2 billion, an increase of $231.2 million, or 23.0%, compared to $1.0 billion at March 31, 2020 and an increase of $77.9 million, or 6.7%, compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2020.
• Total loans at March 31, 2021 were $865.3 million, an increase of $114.8 million, or 15.3%, compared to $750.5 million at March 31, 2020 and an increase of $39.8 million, or 4.8%, compared to $825.5 million at December 31, 2020.
• Total deposits at March 31, 2021 were $1.07 billion, an increase of $169.0 million, or 18.8%, compared to $899.9 million at March 31, 2020 and an increase of $73.0 million, or 7.3%, compared to $995.9 million at December 31, 2020.
• Total net interest income, before the provision for loan losses, for first quarter 2021 increased by $781,000, or 10.0%, to $8.6 million from $7.8 million for the prior year period.
• Funding costs declined to 0.97%, a reduction of 52 basis points from 1.49% in the first quarter of 2020.
  
  

"At the 12-month mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team continues to perform above and beyond expectations, going the extra mile to help our customers weather the pandemic's economic challenges," said Thomas W. Schneider, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Along with helping our customers navigate this difficult time, our team's efforts are providing strong top- and bottom-line results that benefit our shareholders. First quarter total revenue improved by more than 9%, reflecting double-digit improvement to net interest income compared to the first quarter 2020. The bottom-line result was record net income of $2.2 million, an increase of 27.5% over the first quarter of 2020, and an annualized quarterly return on equity of 8.62%." 

"This was another in a series of solid quarterly performances in an economic environment that remains challenging.  We continue to closely monitor credit quality and respond appropriately to evolving customer circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Net loan charge-offs remained minimal at an annualized rate of 0.05% of average loans. While nonperforming loans to period end loans remained higher than we would like at 2.47%, we believe this is more a reflection of technical factors related to the requirements of GAAP and regulatory accounting triggered by the pandemic's restrictions on certain business sectors, than a reflection of a significant deterioration in credit quality. We remain comfortable with our current level of loan loss reserves, but will continue to make prudent provisions in this still uncertain credit environment."

"Loan and deposit growth remained a significant strength in the first quarter, much as it has during the last 12 months. We added more than $39 million in loans in the first quarter, a significant portion of which came from our continued participation in the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"). We are very proud of our team's continued focus on serving the needs of our customer base, and the effort involved in guiding them through the PPP process is an excellent example of that high level of support. Along with helping to drive loan growth, PPP was a catalyst for continued strong deposit growth throughout 2020, as well as during the first quarter of 2021. Year-over-year deposit growth of nearly $170 million has helped to moderate our funding costs and substantially increased liquidity. At current funding levels, we're very well positioned to continue to respond to future organic growth opportunities within our service area."

"During March, our Board of Directors determined that it was appropriate to raise our quarterly cash dividend to $0.07 per share, based on the Bank's continued solid performance and improved profitability. We're pleased to be able to enhance our shareholder's total return through appropriate dividend increases, while we remain focused on building additional tangible equity for the Company."

Income Statement for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2021

Net Interest Income

First quarter 2021 net interest income was $8.6 million, an increase of $781,000, or 10.0%, compared to $7.8 million for the same quarter in 2020, primarily a result of an $882,000, or 27.0%, decrease in total interest expense. Interest and dividend income in the first quarter was $10.9 million, compared to $11.0 million in the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in interest and dividend income was a result of a 70 basis point decrease in the average yield earned on loans in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter in 2020, partially offset by an increase of $176.7 million in the average balance of interest-earning assets. This decrease in the average rate earned on loans was consistent with the general decline in the interest rate environment following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the effect that relatively lower-yielding PPP loan balances had on overall loan portfolio yields. The decrease in the first quarter of 2021 interest expense was primarily a result of a 90 basis point decrease in the average interest rate paid on time deposits. As a result of the factors noted above, the net interest margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 2.85%, an 18 basis point decline compared to 3.03% for the first quarter of 2020. The following table details the components of interest income and interest expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

Provision for Loan Losses

The first quarter 2021 provision for loan losses was $1.0 million, compared to $1.1 million for the prior year quarter. The first quarter provision for loan losses reflects a prudent addition to reserves considering loan growth, asset quality metrics, and continued COVID-19 economic uncertainty. The credit-sensitive portfolios continue to be carefully monitored, and the Bank will consistently apply its proven conservative loan classification and reserve building methodologies to the analysis of these portfolios. Please refer to the asset quality section below for a further discussion of asset quality as it relates to the allowance for loan loss.

Noninterest Income

First quarter 2021 noninterest income was $1.8 million, an increase of $97,000, or 5.5%, compared to $1.7 million for the same three-month period in 2020. Recurring noninterest income for the first quarter of 2021 was $1.3 million, reflecting a $46,000, or 3.7%, improvement over the first quarter of the prior year. Recurring noninterest income in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 excludes unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, and gains on sales of loans, investment securities, foreclosed real estate and fixed assets.

The following table details the components of noninterest income for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2021 was $6.6 million, an increase of $391,000, or 6.3%, in comparison to $6.2 million for the same three-month period in 2020. The increase was primarily a result of higher professional and other services fees, salaries and employee benefit expense and audits and exams expense. Management believes that the increases in professional and other services fees and audits and exams expense are primarily related to the Bank's first year of increased internal controls testing under FDICIA requirements for institutions with assets greater than $1 billion and additional requirements placed on the Company as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the increases within these two categories of expenses are not expected to be representative of the levels of expenses in the remaining quarters of 2021.

The following table details the components of noninterest expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021

The Company's total assets at quarter end were $1.3 billion, an increase of $79.7 million, or 6.5%, from $1.2 billion at December 31, 2020. This increase was primarily driven by increase in total loans and investment securities balances. Total loans of $865.3 million grew by $39.8 million, or 4.8%, compared with $825.5 million at December 31, 2020, primarily due to the Bank's participation in the second round of the PPP. Investment securities totaled $326.8 million, an increase of $25.4 million compared to $301.3 million at December 31, 2020.

Total deposits at March 31, 2021 were $1.1 billion, an increase of $73.0 million, or 7.3%, from $995.9 million at December 31, 2020. Noninterest-bearing deposits totaled $197.5 million at March 31, 2021, an increase of $35.4 million, or 21.9%, from the 2020 year end. Interest-bearing deposit growth was a result of municipal deposit inflows related to seasonal tax collections, as well as increases in retail and commercial deposits.  The increase in noninterest-bearing deposits was primarily a result of the Bank's participation in the PPP, as well as ongoing growth in business banking relationships.

Subordinated loans were $39.4 million at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company exercised its option to redeem $10.0 million of subordinated loans that were outstanding at March 31, 2021 on April 1, 2021. The redemption of this $10.0 million component of the Company's outstanding subordinated debt will prospectively reduce interest expense after April 1, 2021 by $625,000 annually.

Shareholders' equity was $99.9 million at March 31, 2021, compared with $97.5 million on December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily a result of a $1.7 million increase in retained earnings, a $468,000 decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss, a $234,000 increase in additional paid in capital, and a $45,000 increase due to ESOP shares earned.

Asset Quality

The Bank's asset quality metrics, as measured by net loan charge-offs to average loans, remained stable for the first quarter of 2021. Annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans were 0.05% for the first quarter 2021, compared with 0.07% for the first quarter of 2020 and 0.08% for the full year 2020. Nonperforming loans to total loans were 2.47% at March 31, 2021, a decrease of 11 basis points compared to 2.58% at December 31, 2020.

Nonaccrual loans represented 2.47% of the total loan portfolio at March 31, 2021 as compared to 2.58% at December 31, 2020. The nonperforming loan portfolio was relatively unchanged at March 31, 2021, as compared to December 31, 2020. The decrease in the nonperforming loans to totals loans was due to the increase in overall loans, with nonperforming loans remaining relatively consistent. Management is monitoring these entities closely and has incorporated our current estimate of the ultimate collectability of these loans into the reported allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2021.

The following table summarizes nonaccrual loans by category and status at March 31, 2021:

(Unaudited)        

The allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans at March 31, 2021 was 64.16%, compared with 59.89% at December 31, 2020 and 205.87% at March 31, 2020. The change in the allowance for loans losses to non-performing loans is primarily due to the changes in nonaccrual loans discussed above.

COVID-19 Additional Discussion

Pathfinder Bank has participated in all rounds of the Payroll Protection Program ("PPP") to date. The Program was initially established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act, and is a specialized low-interest loan program funded by the U.S. Treasury Department and administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA"). The PPP was renewed under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. While these legislative actions, and the programs that resulted therefrom, appear to have significantly reduced the negative near-term economic impact of the pandemic, the future trajectory of the economy and the economy's effect on the financial condition and results of the Company's operations cannot be predicted with certainty.

Supplemental Disclosure – Deferred Loan Statistics

Beginning in late March 2020, as part of the its response to the realized and potential economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank granted loan payment deferrals to the substantial majority of commercial and consumer customers who had made requests for such accommodations.  These deferrals were granted following individual discussions with each borrower and were generally for periods of 90 or 180 days at the outset.  Following discussions with certain borrowers, additional loan payment deferral periods of up to 90 days were granted following the expiration of the initial 90- to 180-day deferral periods.  Typically, scheduled interest payments placed into deferred status have been added to future scheduled payments and are expected to be collected in total at the original maturity date of the loan.  

As of March 31, 2021, the Bank had active deferrals on a total of 17 loans with aggregated outstanding balances of $8.4 million.  Of that total, eight deferred loans were either residential mortgage loans or consumer loans. These two categories of deferred loans had outstanding loan principal balances totaling $793,000 at March 31, 2021. Of the eight residential mortgage loans or consumer loans in deferral status at March 31, 2021, one loan, representing $107,000 is also in nonaccrual status at that date and has been included in the nonaccrual loan totals disclosed in the table above. Due to the substantially smaller outstanding balances of individual loan within these categories and the presence of significant collateralization in the case of residential mortgage loans, management does not consider the loans in these categories to be at increased risk of impairment as a result of their recent or current deferral status.

Of the nine remaining loans granted deferral status at March 31, 2021, $7.6 million were commercial real estate and commercial & industrial loans (collectively, "commercial" loans).  Of the nine commercial loans in deferral status at March 31, 2021, six loans, representing $6.2 million are also in nonaccrual status at that date and have been included in the nonaccrual loan totals disclosed in the table above. Of this $6.2 million in deferred commercial loans, $500,000 have deferral periods that have been extended beyond a cumulative total of 180 days.

Cash Dividend Declared    

On March 29, 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had declared a cash dividend of $0.07 per share on the Company's common and preferred stock, and a cash dividend of $0.07 per notional share for the issued common stock warrant relating to the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2021. This represents an increase of $0.01, or 16.7%, compared to the prior dividend of $0.06 per share. The dividend will be payable to all shareholders of record on April 15, 2021 and will be paid on May 7, 2021. Based on the closing price of the Company's common stock of $14.80 on April 30, 2021, the implied dividend yield is 1.9%. The quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 equates to a dividend payout ratio of 18.4%.

About Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.

Pathfinder Bank is a New York State chartered commercial bank headquartered in Oswego, whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ SmallCap Market; symbol: PBHC).  The Bank has ten full-service offices located in its market areas consisting of Oswego and Onondaga County and one limited purpose office in Oneida County.  Through its subsidiary, Pathfinder Risk Management Company, Inc., the Bank owns a 51% interest in the FitzGibbons Agency, LLC.  At March 31, 2021, there were 4,540,520 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, as well as 1,380,283 shares of convertible perpetual preferred stock issued and outstanding. The Company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ market under the symbol "PBHC."  At March 31, 2021, the Company and subsidiaries had total consolidated assets of $1.31 billion, total deposits of $1.07 billion and shareholders' equity of $99.9 million.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements contained herein are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project" or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs, such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may."   This release may contain certain forward-looking statements, which are based on management's current expectations regarding economic, legislative, and regulatory issues that may impact the Company's earnings in future periods.  Factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, pricing, products, and services.  

As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following additional risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations:

• demand for our products and services may decline, making it difficult to grow assets and income;
• if the economy is unable to substantially reopen, and high levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased charges and reduced income;
• collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase;
• our allowance for loan losses may have to be increased if borrowers experience financial difficulties beyond forbearance periods, which will adversely affect our net income;
• the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us;
• as the result of the decline in the Federal Reserve Board's target federal funds rate to near 0%, the yield on our assets may decline to a greater extent than the decline in our cost of interest-bearing liabilities, reducing our net interest margin and spread and reducing net income;
• a material decrease in net income or a net loss over several quarters could result in a decrease in the rate of our quarterly cash dividend;
• our cyber security risks are increased as the result of an increase in the number of employees working remotely;
• we rely on third party vendors for certain services and the unavailability of a critical service due to the COVID-19 outbreak could have an adverse effect on us; and
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premiums may increase if the agency experiences additional resolution costs.

The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect future events or developments.

Investor/Media Contacts

Thomas W. Schneider – President, CEO
Walter F. Rusnak, Senior Vice President, CFO
Telephone:  (315) 343-0057

PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars and shares in thousands except per share amounts)

PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars and shares in thousands except per share amounts)

* Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated based upon the two-class method for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
                
Weighted average shares outstanding do not include unallocated ESOP shares.                

PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars and shares in thousands except per share amounts)

The following table sets forth information concerning average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the yields and rates thereon. Interest income and resultant yield information in the table has not been adjusted for tax equivalency. Averages are computed on the daily average balance for each month in the period divided by the number of days in the period. Yields and amounts earned include loan fees. Nonaccrual loans have been included in interest-earning assets for purposes of these calculations.    

PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars and shares in thousands except per share amounts)

Net interest income can also be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing interest rates on interest-earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, and changes in the volume or amount of these assets and liabilities. The following table represents the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected the Company's interest income and interest expense during the years indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to: (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume); and (iii) total increase or decrease. Changes attributable to both rate and volume have been allocated ratably. Tax-exempt securities have not been adjusted for tax equivalency.

The above information is preliminary and based on the Company's data available at the time of presentation.