BHLB Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc

PITTSFIELD, Mass., Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) reported record net income totaling $41 million in 2013, an increase of 24% compared to $33 million in the prior year.  Earnings per share increased by 11% to $1.65 and included the impact of shares issued in 2012 for bank acquisitions.  Core earnings increased to a record $47 million in 2013 primarily due to the benefit of growth in New York and Eastern Massachusetts.  Core earnings exclude net non-core charges for acquisitions, restructuring, and systems conversions.  Core earnings per share totaled $1.87 in 2013, compared to $1.98 in the prior year.

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For the fourth quarter of 2013, Berkshire reported net income of $10.5 million ($0.42 per share), an increase of 13% over $9.3 million ($0.38 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2012.   Core earnings totaled $10.0 million ($0.40 per share) compared to $13.2 million ($0.54 per share) in 2012.  Year over year fourth quarter mortgage banking fees decreased by $5.4 million due to the decline in refinancing volumes driven by higher mortgage interest rates compared to the record low rates seen in the second half of 2012.

FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• 16% annualized loan growth
• 14% annualized growth in total commercial loans
• 3% decrease in core non-interest expense compared to prior quarter
• 7% decrease in core non-interest expense compared to second quarter
• 0.53% non-performing assets/total assets
• 0.31% net loan charge-offs/average loans

CEO Michael Daly stated, "We produced record revenue and earnings in 2013 due to ongoing expansion in our New England and New York footprint.  Loan growth was strong in all major categories in recent quarters and our goal is to produce further market share gains in 2014.  Fee revenues increased in the final months of the year and we further reduced operating expenses through our restructuring strategies.  We remain closely focused on the revenue and efficiency opportunities that we see for positive operating leverage based on the benefit of our expanded footprint and upgraded systems."

Mr. Daly continued, "We enter 2014 with further initiatives to build on our progress.  We recently completed the acquisition of 20 New York branches from Bank of America.  We welcomed more than 65,000 new customers, deepening our presence in the communities between Albany and Syracuse.  The Bank opened a new office in Loudonville, New York this month as part of our ongoing organic expansion.  The Bank has also expanded our brand awareness across our footprint through strategic media partnerships.  We will continue to be flexible and judicious in managing our growth with the objective of reliable and attractive returns to investors seeking a quality investment in these uncertain financial markets."

BOARD CHANGE

Berkshire also announced that Richard J. Murphy has been appointed to the Board of Directors, replacing Geno Auriemma, effective January 23, 2014.  Mr. Murphy serves as Vice President and General Manager of the Tri-City ValleyCats, a minor league baseball team based in Troy, New York.  With over 25 years of experience in professional sports management, Mr. Murphy brings to the Board a strong financial acumen, a solid background in brand and marketing, and close ties to the Albany, NY community. 

While Mr. Auriemma is stepping down from the Board, he will continue to serve as a spokesperson for Berkshire Bank.  As Board Chairman, Mr. Daly stated, "The Board thanks Mr. Auriemma for his significant contribution to expanding the America's Most Exciting Bank brand in Connecticut and we are pleased to be continuing that relationship.  We also congratulate him on his reappointment as the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Basketball Team and we wish him much success in his current season at the University of Connecticut."

ANNUAL MEETING DATE SET

The Board of Directors voted that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders shall be held on May 8, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, One West Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts at 10:00 a.m. The date of March 13, 2014 was established as the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.

DIVIDEND DECLARED

The Board of Directors voted to declare a cash dividend of $0.18 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 13, 2014, payable on February 27, 2014.  This dividend equates to a 2.8% annualized yield based on the $25.97 average closing price of Berkshire's common stock during the fourth quarter of 2013.   

NEW YORK BRANCH ACQUISITION

On January 17, 2014, Berkshire acquired approximately $450 million in deposits from Bank of America, together with related assets, including approximately $4 million in loans.  Berkshire expects to use the proceeds to pay down certain borrowings and to purchase investment securities.  As part of this transaction, Berkshire acquired 20 branches in Central New York, two of which were consolidated as part of the transaction. 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Berkshire increased its total assets by $223 million (4%) to $5.7 billion in the most recent quarter due to growth in loans and investment securities funded by borrowings.  For the year, total assets increased by 7%.  At year-end, measures of asset quality, liquidity, and capital remained within targets.  As of December 31, 2013, tangible book value per share increased to $16.27 and total book value per share grew to $27.08. 

Total loans increased by $157 million (16% annualized) in the fourth quarter, including double digit annualized growth in all major categories.  Berkshire's loan growth accelerated in the second half of the year, reflecting higher originations and a decline in runoff after the yield curve steepened in mid-year.  For the full year, loan growth was approximately 5% in total and in most major categories.  Growth of 15% in commercial business loans included contributions from new commercial banking teams recruited in Hartford, Syracuse, and Eastern Massachusetts.  In the latter market, Berkshire consolidated its commercial banking team into a new regional headquarters located on Route 128 in Burlington, and moved its Westborough regional team into a well located new commercial office.  During the year, Berkshire added a commercial leasing team and new leadership for its expanded small business lending program.  Berkshire also recruited additional mortgage loan originations leadership and expanded its automobile lending operations across its footprint under the direction of its Syracuse consumer lending team from the acquired Beacon Federal Bank. 

Berkshire increased its investment securities by $81 million in the fourth quarter, following a slightly larger increase in the prior quarter due to improved securities market conditions.  Investments have been concentrated in medium term U.S. agency mortgage backed instruments.  Berkshire is further increasing its portfolio with agency mortgage backed securities in conjunction with the New York branch acquisition subsequent to year-end.

Asset quality metrics remained favorable at year-end.  Annualized net loan charge-offs measured 0.31% of average loans in the final quarter and 0.29% for the year. Year-end non-performing assets were 0.53% of total assets, compared to 0.52% at the start of the year.  Accruing delinquent loans decreased to 0.73% of total loans from 1.11% during the year.  The loan loss allowance measured 0.80% of total loans at year-end, compared to 0.83% at the start of the year.  Approximately 24% of year-end loans were balances recorded at fair value in recent bank acquisitions.

Total non-maturity deposits increased by $29 million (4% annualized) in the fourth quarter, while time account balances decreased by $62 million (23% annualized) as higher yielding time accounts matured.  For the year, deposits decreased by $252 million (6%) due to the outplacement of non-relationship acquired balances and certain higher costing commercial balances primarily in the second quarter.   These changes were in anticipation of the New York branch purchase announced mid-year, which resulted in approximately a $450 million increase in deposits shortly after year-end.  The loan/deposit ratio measured 109% at year-end, and the pro-forma loan/deposit ratio was estimated at approximately 97% including the benefit of these acquired branches.  Total borrowings increased by $234 million in the fourth quarter to support the growth in earning assets.  Proceeds from the acquired deposits were planned to be used in part to repay certain borrowings. 

Total equity increased by $5 million during the fourth quarter and $11 million for the full year, including the benefit of retained earnings and net of stock repurchases earlier in the year.  The ratio of total equity/assets decreased to 12.0% from 12.6% during the year due to the 7% increase in total assets in 2013.  The ratio of tangible equity/assets decreased to 7.5% from 7.8% during the year. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Berkshire posted record revenue and earnings for the year due to expansion from organic and acquisition growth strategies, including team recruitment, de novo branch expansion, and business combinations.  Most categories of revenue and expense increased as a result of this expansion.  GAAP earnings include the impact of net non-core charges for acquisitions, restructuring, and systems conversions. The reconciliation of net income and core income, together with related financial measures, is shown on financial tables F-9 and F-10.  In the fourth quarter, the return on assets measured 0.77% and the return on equity measured 6.18%, with minor impact from non-core items. 

Berkshire's fourth quarter net revenue decreased by $4.1 million (7%) year over year.  This was primarily due to the $5.4 million decrease in mortgage banking fees from record volumes last year before rates increased near mid-year 2013.  Compared to the prior quarter, total net revenue decreased by $2.4 million (4%) as lower net interest income was partially offset by higher securities gains. 

Net interest income includes purchased loan accretion related to loans acquired in business combinations.  Purchased loan accretion totaled $2.4 million in the most recent quarter, compared to $8.5 million in the prior quarter; prior quarter results included elevated recoveries of purchased impaired loans together with an out-of-period accounting adjustment.  The net interest margin was 3.26% in the fourth quarter compared to 3.93% in the prior quarter.  Excluding purchased loan accretion, the net interest margin was 3.07% and 3.21% in these two quarters, respectively, due to lower earning asset yields in the most recent quarter.  The income impact of the margin change was partially offset by the 5% increase in average earning assets compared to the prior quarter. 

Total fee income increased at a 6% annualized rate in the fourth quarter compared to the linked quarter, including double digit annualized growth in several major categories.  Net securities gains increased to $3.4 million from $0.4 million due to the realization of gains on certain bank equity securities as a result of improved market conditions. 

The allowance for loan losses increased slightly to $33.3 million from $33.2 million during the year.  The provision for loan losses also increased in 2013 to $11.4 million from $9.6 million in the prior year.  Total net loan charge-offs increased to $11.3 million from $8.8 million primarily due to portfolio growth.  In the most recent quarter, the provision was $3.1 million and net charge-offs were $3.0 million.

Fourth quarter core non-interest expense decreased by 3% from the linked quarter and by 7% from the second quarter of 2013 due to the restructuring program initiated shortly after mid-year.  Most major categories of core expense decreased after mid-year.  Full time equivalent employees totaled 939 at year-end.  Total fourth quarter GAAP non-interest expense decreased by 16% year over year and 13% compared to the linked quarter including the impact of lower non-core charges.  The effective income tax rate was 31% for the most recent quarter and 29% for the full year 2013. 

CONFERENCE CALL

Berkshire will conduct a conference call/webcast at 10:00 a.m. eastern time on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 to discuss the results for the quarter and provide guidance about expected future results. Participants should dial-in to the call a few minutes before it begins. Information about the conference call follows:

A telephone replay of the call will be available through Wednesday, February 5, 2014 by calling 877-344-7529 and entering conference number: 10038874. The webcast will be available at Berkshire's website above for an extended period of time.

BACKGROUND

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank – America's Most Exciting Bank^®.  Including New York branches acquired in January, the Company has approximately $6.0 billion in assets and 92 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  There are several factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such factors, please see Berkshire's most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.  Berkshire does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This document contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").  These non-GAAP measures provide supplemental perspectives on operating results, performance trends, and financial condition.  They are not a substitute for GAAP measures; they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company's GAAP financial information.  A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures is included in the accompanying financial tables.  In all cases, it should be understood that non-GAAP per share measures do not depict amounts that accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders.  The Company utilizes the non-GAAP measure of core earnings in evaluating operating trends, including components for core revenue and expense.  These measures exclude amounts which the Company views as unrelated to its normalized operations, including merger costs, restructuring costs, and systems conversion costs.  Similarly, the efficiency ratio is also adjusted for these non-core items and for tax preference items.  The Company also adjusts certain equity related measures to exclude intangible assets due to the importance of these measures to the investment community.  Non-GAAP expense adjustments are primarily related to charges related to merger and acquisition activity.  These charges consist primarily of severance/benefit related expenses, contract termination costs, and professional fees.  There are additionally non-GAAP adjustments related to non-recurring securities gains, discontinued operations, the disposition of excess properties, and core systems conversion costs.  In the second half of 2013, non-core restructuring charges are related to severance costs as a result of management and staffing changes, along with facilities costs related to excess facilities where the bank is exiting its occupancy and investment.  Non-core items recorded in the third quarter of 2013 also included the after-tax impact of an out-of-period accounting adjustment, along with an adjustment of variable compensation based on the additional revenue recognition.

CONTACTS

Investor Relations Contact 
Allison O'Rourke; Vice President - Investor Relations; 413-236-3149

Media Contact 
Ray Smith; Assistant Vice President - Marketing; 413-236-3756