CSBK Clifton Bancorp Inc. (MM)

Clifton Bancorp Inc. (NasdaqGS:CSBK), the holding company for Clifton Savings Bank (the “Bank”), today announced results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2014. Net income for the third quarter was $1.94 million ($0.08 per diluted share). This compares to net income of $1.76 million ($0.07 per diluted share) for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Net income for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 was $5.04 million ($0.20 per diluted share) as compared to $4.91 million ($0.19 per diluted share) for the same period in 2013.

Notable Items

• Quarterly income of $1.94 million, up 10.5% versus same 2013 period, represents the best quarterly result since December 2011
• Continued investment of financial and human resources in core business; in particular, completion of core system conversion
• Net loans increased 1.9% and 7.6% during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2014, respectively
• Multi-family and commercial real estate loans grew by $22.0 million, or 47.0%, from March 31, 2014
• Nonperforming loans to total gross loans of 0.63% at December 31, 2014, the lowest level since September 30, 2010

Paul M. Aguggia, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We strategically invested time and resources in the third quarter implementing our core system, enabling us to compete more effectively by offering additional products and services. We are pleased to deliver increased earnings while we implement strategies to grow our banking business. We will continue to develop products, services and talent while leveraging our capital prudently and striving to maintain pristine asset quality and expense discipline.”

Balance Sheet and Credit Quality Review

Total assets decreased $67.8 million, or 5.4%, to $1.20 billion at December 31, 2014, from $1.27 billion at March 31, 2014. The decrease in total assets was primarily due to paying down borrowings and managing the cost of funds by allowing controlled deposit runoff. In addition, the stock subscription deposits received in connection with the Bank’s second-step conversion are reflected in total assets at March 31, 2014. The conversion was completed on April 1, 2014.

Net loans increased $44.4 million, or 7.6%, to $628.9 million at December 31, 2014 from $584.5 million at March 31, 2014. One- to four-family real estate loans increased $23.6 million, or 4.5%, while multi-family and commercial real estate loans increased $22.0 million, or 47.0%, for the period. Securities, including both available for sale and held to maturity issues, increased $24.2 million, or 5.7%, to $446.5 million at December 31, 2014 from $422.3 million at March 31, 2014, primarily as a result of the deployment of second- step conversion cash proceeds. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $146.9 million, or 76.3%, to $45.7 million at December 31, 2014 from $192.6 million at March 31, 2014. Stock subscription deposits of $154.3 million are included at March 31, 2014. Cash and cash equivalents were redeployed into higher-yielding assets following the completion of the second-step conversion.

Deposits decreased $52.4 million, or 6.9%, to $711.5 million at December 31, 2014 from $763.9 million at March 31, 2014, mainly due to the downsizing of higher priced, rate-sensitive deposit accounts. In addition, $5.9 million in deposits outstanding on March 31, 2014 were used to purchase stock in the second-step conversion. Borrowed funds decreased $30.0 million, or 21.1%, to $112.5 million at December 31, 2014 from $142.5 million at March 31, 2014, as two borrowings were repaid in accordance with their original terms during the period. The average rate of outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2014 is 2.01% and has an average term of 21 months. All outstanding borrowings are with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $169.7 million, or 87.4%, to $363.8 million at December 31, 2014 from $194.1 million at March 31, 2014. The increase resulted primarily from net proceeds from the second-step conversion of $163.2 million and net income of $5.0 million, partially offset by cash dividends paid of $6.1 million.

Non-accrual loans decreased $1.1 million, or 22.2%, to $4.0 million at December 31, 2014 from $5.1 million at March 31, 2014. Included in non-accrual loans at December 31, 2014 were twelve loans totaling $2.1 million that were current or less than 90 days delinquent, but which were previously 90 days or more delinquent and on a non-accrual status pending a sustained period of repayment performance (generally six months). The percentage of nonperforming loans to total gross loans decreased to 0.63% at December 31, 2014, from 0.88% at March 31, 2014. This percentage is the lowest since September 30, 2010. The percentage of allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans increased to 84.5% at December 31, 2014 from 59.84% at March 31, 2014.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2014, net charge-offs totaled $313,000 as compared to $114,000 during the nine months ended December 31, 2013. For the nine months ended December 31, 2014, the charge-offs related to five one- to four-family residential real estate loans. For the 2013 period, the charge-offs related to two one- to four-family residential real estate loans and one multi-family loan restructuring, net of a partial recovery from a private mortgage insurance claim on a loan charged-off in a previous quarter.

Income Statement Review

Net interest income increased $652,000, or 10.7%, for the three months ended December 31, 2014, to $6.74 million, as compared to $6.09 million for three months ended December 31, 2013, reflecting an increase of $141.1 million in average net interest-earning assets coupled with an increase of 7 basis points in net interest margin. Average interest-earning assets increased $80.9 million, or 7.8%, during the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2013, which consisted of increases of $55.4 million in loans, $10.4 million in investment securities, and $26.4 million in other interest-earning assets, partially offset by a decrease of $11.3 million in mortgage-backed securities. The average balance of loans increased as the Bank continues to emphasize the growth of its loan portfolio; repayment levels remained stable during the quarter. Investment securities increased with the deployment of cash and cash equivalents into higher-yielding agency securities. Other interest-earning assets increased as funds received from calls and principal repayments of investment and mortgage-backed securities were kept in cash and cash equivalents. Mortgage-backed securities decreased due to principal repayments of securities exceeding purchases as funds were redeployed into loans and other investment securities. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $60.2 million, or 6.8%, during the three months ended December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of decreases of $57.7 million in deposits and $2.5 million in borrowings.

Net interest income increased $2.17 million, or 12.3%, for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, to $19.73 million, as compared to $17.56 million for nine months ended December 31, 2013, reflecting an increase of $118.5 million in average net interest-earning assets coupled with an increase of 2 basis points in net interest margin. Average interest-earning assets increased $113.3 million, or 11.4%, during the nine months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2013, and consisted of increases of $90.8 million in loans, $12.9 million in investment securities, and $30.4 million in other interest-earning assets, partially offset by a decrease of $20.8 million in mortgage-backed securities. The average balance of loans increased while repayment levels remained stable. Investment securities increased with the deployment of second-step conversion proceeds into higher-yielding agency and municipal securities. Other interest-earning assets increased as funds received from calls and principal repayments of investment and mortgage-backed securities remained in cash and cash equivalents. Mortgage-backed securities decreased due to principal repayments of securities exceeding purchases as funds were redeployed into loans and other investment securities. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $5.3 million, or 0.6%, during the nine months ended December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of a decrease of $45.8 million in deposits, partially offset by an increase of $40.5 million in borrowings, mostly originated in late 2013, which were used primarily to fund loan growth.

The provision for loan losses increased $50,000, or 39.1%, to $178,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to $128,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2013, but decreased $47,000, or 7.1%, to $617,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to $664,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in the provision for loan losses for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2014 was mainly the result of more overall favorable trends in qualitative factors related to delinquency and charge-off trends considered in the periodic review of the general valuation allowance, even though the actual provision for the 2014 three-month period was higher. During the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, there also were typical recurring adjustments made to the historical loss and other qualitative factor components of the Bank’s general valuation allowance.

Non-interest income increased $86,000, or 27.7%, to $397,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $311,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2013. The increase was mainly due to a $97,000 increase in income from bank owned life insurance. The Bank purchased additional insurance during the 2014 period. Non-interest income decreased $296,000, or 19.5%, to $1.22 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $1.52 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2013. This decrease was mainly due to the inclusion of $464,000 of additional gains on sale of securities in the 2013 period, net of the increase of $174,000 in income from bank owned life insurance in the 2014 period.

Non-interest expenses increased $462,000, or 12.8%, to $4.08 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $3.61 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, and $1.83 million, or 16.8%, to $12.74 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 as compared to $10.91 million for the same 2013 period. The increases for the three- and nine-month periods were primarily the result of increases of $258,000, or 12.5%, and $1.02 million, or 16.6%, respectively, in salaries and employee benefits, $61,000, or 19.7%, and $207,000, or 22.5%, respectively, in equipment expense, $88,000, or 195.6%, and $74,000, or 37.8%, respectively, in advertising and marketing expenses, and $130,000, or 33.6%, and $410,000, or 31.6%, respectively, in other miscellaneous expenses. There was also a $141,000, or 21.7%, increase in directors compensation for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The increases in salaries and employee benefits in the 2014 periods were mainly due to an increase in costs associated with the transition and expansion of our management team, along with annual salary and benefit expense increases, including an increase of $171,000 and $500,000, respectively, in employee stock ownership plan expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2014. The increases in equipment expense for the three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2014 were related to $97,000 and $263,000, respectively, in expenditures associated with the core processor change. Advertising and marketing expenses increased for the periods as management has intensified efforts to offer new products and expand the Bank’s current customer base. Miscellaneous expenses include typical annual increases in operational expenses, as well as expenses associated with consultants and new investments in the Bank’s core business and in expenses related to the core processor change during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2014. The increase in directors’ compensation for the nine-month period related to a charge recorded as a result of a one-time payment from the directors’ retirement plan.

About Clifton Bancorp Inc.

Clifton Bancorp Inc. is the holding company of Clifton Savings Bank, a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey. Clifton Savings Bank is an organization with dedicated people serving communities, residents and businesses. Clifton Savings operates 12 full-service banking offices located in the diverse and vibrant Northeastern counties of New Jersey.

Forward-Looking Statements

Clifton Bancorp makes forward-looking statements in this news release. These forward-looking statements may include: statements of goals, intentions, earnings expectations, and other expectations; estimates of risks and of future costs and benefits; assessments of probable loan and lease losses; assessments of market risk; and statements of the ability to achieve financial and other goals.

Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project” and other similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Clifton Bancorp does not assume any duty and does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those that Clifton Bancorp anticipated in its forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

Clifton Bancorp’s forward-looking statements are subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; the ability to retain key members of management; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties. Clifton Bancorp provides greater detail regarding some of these factors in the “Risk Factors” section of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed on June 6, 2014. Clifton Bancorp’s forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those that it may discuss elsewhere in this news release or in its filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

          Selected Consolidated Financial Condition Data  

At December 31,

At March 31, 2014     2014 (In thousands) Financial Condition Data: Total assets $1,198,171 $1,265,990 Loans receivable, net 628,872 584,507 Cash and cash equivalents 45,668 192,581 Securities 446,511 422,295 Deposits 711,486 763,912 FHLB advances 112,500 142,500 Stock subscription deposits - 154,345 Total stockholders' equity 363,765 194,137                       Selected Consolidated Operating Data Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2014 2013 2014 2013 (In thousands, except share and per share data) Operating Data: Interest income $ 8,993 $ 8,583 $ 26,604 $ 25,080 Interest expense   2,249   2,491   6,877   7,519 Net interest income 6,744 6,092 19,727 17,561 Provision for loan losses   178   128   617   664 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 6,566 5,964 19,110 16,897 Non-interest income 397 311 1,219 1,515 Non-interest expenses   4,075   3,613   12,744   10,910 Income before income taxes 2,888 2,662 7,585 7,502 Income taxes   948   907   2,544   2,594 Net income $ 1,940 $ 1,755 $ 5,041 $ 4,908 Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.08 $ 0.07 $ 0.20 $ 0.19   Average shares outstanding - basic 25,594 25,387 25,391 25,325 Average shares outstanding - diluted 25,728 25,643 25,565 25,570                         Average Balance Table Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 2013 Interest Interest Average and Yield/ Average and Yield/ Balance Dividends Cost Balance Dividends Cost Assets: (Dollars in thousands) Interest-earning assets: Loans receivable $624,831 $5,919 3.79% $569,387 $5,471 3.84% Mortgage-backed securities 302,989 2,281 3.01% 314,301 2,492 3.17% Investment securities 150,325 704 1.87% 139,956 569 1.63% Other interest-earning assets 37,554 89 0.95% 11,142 51 1.83% Total interest-earning assets 1,115,699 8,993 3.22% 1,034,786 8,583 3.32%   Non-interest-earning assets 85,720 61,952 Total assets $1,201,419 $1,096,738   Liabilities and stockholders' equity: Interest-bearing liabilities: Demand accounts $55,006 18 0.13% $57,625 19 0.13% Savings and Club accounts 138,601 59 0.17% 160,750 135 0.34% Certificates of deposit 514,687 1,594 1.24% 547,575 1,755 1.28% Total interest-bearing deposits 708,294 1,671 0.94% 765,950 1,909 1.00% FHLB Advances 112,500 578 2.06% 115,000 582 2.02% Total interest-bearing liabilities 820,794 2,249 1.10% 880,950 2,491 1.13%   Non-interest-bearing liabilities: Non-interest-bearing deposits 10,662 16,527 Other non-interest-bearing liabilities 9,744 9,904 Total non-interest-bearing liabilities 20,406 26,431   Total liabilities 841,200 907,381 Stockholders' equity 360,219 189,357 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,201,419 $1,096,738   Net interest income $6,744 $6,092 Interest rate spread 2.12% 2.19% Net interest margin 2.42% 2.35% Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 1.36 x 1.17 x         Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014     2013   Interest       Interest     Average and Yield/ Average and Yield/ Balance Dividends Cost Balance Dividends Cost Assets: (Dollars in thousands) Interest-earning assets: Loans receivable $611,422 $17,394 3.79% $520,633 $15,433 3.95% Mortgage-backed securities 304,587 6,985 3.06% 325,402 7,822 3.20% Investment securities 147,308 1,960 1.77% 134,441 1,692 1.68% Other interest-earning assets 46,572 265 0.76% 16,159 133 1.10% Total interest-earning assets 1,109,889 26,604 3.20% 996,635 25,080 3.36%   Non-interest-earning assets 115,236 68,720 Total assets $1,225,125 $1,065,355   Liabilities and stockholders' equity: Interest-bearing liabilities: Demand accounts $55,862 55 0.13% $57,798 61 0.14% Savings and Club accounts 140,499 183 0.17% 151,375 339 0.30% Certificates of deposit 525,402 4,875 1.24% 558,358 5,551 1.33% Total interest-bearing deposits 721,763 5,113 0.94% 767,531 5,951 1.03% FHLB Advances 123,000 1,764 1.91% 82,500 1,568 2.53% Total interest-bearing liabilities 844,763 6,877 1.09% 850,031 7,519 1.18%   Non-interest-bearing liabilities: Non-interest-bearing deposits 11,458 15,094 Other non-interest-bearing liabilities 11,527 11,812 Total non-interest-bearing liabilities 22,985 26,906   Total liabilities 867,748 876,937 Stockholders' equity 357,377 188,418 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,225,125 $1,065,355   Net interest income $19,727 $17,561 Interest rate spread 2.11% 2.18% Net interest margin 2.37% 2.35% Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 1.31 x 1.17 x       Asset Quality Data     Nine Months Year Ended Ended December 31,

     March 31,     

2014 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Allowance for loan losses: Allowance at beginning of period $ 3,071 $ 2,500 Provision for loan losses 617 777   Charge-offs (313 ) (222 ) Recoveries   -     16   Net charge-offs (313 ) (206 )     Allowance at end of period $ 3,375   $ 3,071     Allowance for loan losses to total gross loans 0.54 % 0.52 % Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans 84.50 % 59.84 %     At December 31, At March 31, 2014 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Nonperforming Assets: Nonaccrual loans: One- to four-family real estate $ 3,481 $ 4,848 Commercial real estate 440 247 Consumer real estate   73     37  

Total nonaccrual loans

3,994 5,132 Real estate owned   -     -  

Total nonperforming assets

$ 3,994   $ 5,132     Total nonperforming loans to total gross loans 0.63 % 0.88 % Total nonperforming assets to total assets 0.33 % 0.41 %                   Selected Consolidated Financial Ratios     Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended December 31, December 31,

Selected Performance Ratios (1):

2014 2013 2014 2013 Return on average assets 0.65% 0.64% 0.55% 0.61% Return on average equity 2.15% 3.71% 1.88% 3.47% Interest rate spread 2.12% 2.19% 2.11% 2.18% Net interest margin 2.42% 2.35% 2.37% 2.35% Non-interest expenses to average assets 1.36% 1.32% 1.39% 1.37% Efficiency ratio (2) 57.06% 56.43% 60.84% 57.19% Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities 1.36x 1.17x 1.31x 1.17x Average equity to average assets 29.98% 17.27% 29.17% 17.69% Dividend payout ratio 78.87% 88.26% 120.49% 94.68% Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans during the period 0.03% 0.02% 0.07% 0.03%  

Capital Ratios (3):

Core (tier 1) capital 21.09% 15.27% 21.09% 15.27% Tier 1 risk-based capital 46.72% 15.15% 46.72% 35.15% Total risk-based capital 47.37% 35.79% 47.37% 35.79%     (1) Performance ratios are annualized.

(2) Represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest

income including gains and losses on the sale of assets.

(3) Ratios are for Clifton Savings Bank and subsidiary only.             Quarterly Data Quarter Ended     December 31,   September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31, 2014 2014 2014 2014 2013 (In thousands except shares and per share data)

Operating Data

Interest income $ 8,993 $ 8,899 $ 8,712 $ 8,657 $ 8,583 Interest expense   2,249     2,317     2,311     2,343     2,491   Net interest income 6,744 6,582 6,401 6,314 6,092 Provision for loan losses   178     301     138     113     128   Net interest income after provision for loan losses 6,566 6,281 6,263 6,201 5,964 Non-interest income 397 474 348 352 311 Non-interest expenses   4,075     4,532     4,137     4,171     3,613   Income before income taxes 2,888 2,223 2,474 2,382 2,662 Income taxes   948     744     852     825     907   Net income $ 1,940   $ 1,479   $ 1,622   $ 1,557   $ 1,755    

Share Data

Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.08 $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.07 Dividends per share $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.12 $ - $ 0.06 Average shares outstanding - basic 25,594 25,333 25,244 25,590 25,387 Average shares outstanding - diluted 25,728 25,521 25,413 25,817 25,643 Shares outstanding at period end 27,145 26,676 26,596 26,529 26,470  

Financial Condition Data

Total assets $ 1,198,171 $ 1,211,527 $ 1,231,730 $ 1,265,990 $ 1,099,073 Loans receivable, net 628,872 617,024 610,950 584,507 577,388 Cash and cash equivalents 45,668 74,979 85,042 192,581 11,901 Securities 446,511 454,595 470,605 422,295 450,203 Deposits 711,486 731,070 736,557 763,912 774,529 FHLB advances 112,500 112,500 127,500 142,500 122,500 Stock subscription deposits - - - 154,345 - Total stockholders' equity 363,765 357,693 356,491 194,137 191,460  

Assets Quality:

Total nonperforming assets $ 3,994 $ 4,509 $ 5,595 $ 5,132 $ 4,561 Total nonperforming loans to total gross loans 0.63 % 0.73 % 0.89 % 0.88 % 0.79 % Total nonperforming assets to total assets 0.33 % 0.37 % 0.45 % 0.41 % 0.41 % Allowance for loan losses $ 3,375 $ 3,250 $ 3,125 $ 3,071 $ 3,050 Allowance for loan losses to total gross loans 0.54 % 0.53 % 0.51 % 0.52 % 0.53 % Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans 84.50 % 72.08 % 57.12 % 59.84 % 66.87 %   As a result of the completion of the second-step conversion on April 1, 2014, share and per share data, as appropriate, was adjusted to reflect the 0.9791 exchange ratio for preceding periods.  

Clifton Bancorp Inc.Bart D’Ambra, 973-473-2200