Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. Earnings Increase 44% to $0.47 Per Share in 3Q21 from 3Q20; 2021 Record Nine Month Earnings of $15.2 million; Quarterly Loan Growth of $109 Million Excluding PPP Loan Paydowns

EAU CLAIRE, Wis., Oct. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CZWI), the parent company of Citizens Community Federal N.A. (the “Bank” or “CCFBank”), today reported earnings of $5.0 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.47 for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to $4.7 million and $0.44 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, and $3.5 million and $0.31 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Net income as adjusted (non-GAAP)¹ was $5.0 million and $0.47 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2021, compared to net income as adjusted of $4.7 million and $0.44 per diluted share for the preceding quarter, and $3.3 million and $0.30 per diluted share for the third quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of 2021, earnings increased 66% to a record $15.2 million, or $1.41 per diluted share compared to earnings of $9.2 million or $0.82 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2020.

The Company’s third quarter 2021 operating results reflected the following changes from the second quarter of 2021: (1) increase in loan interest income due to an increase of $0.6 million in the accretion of deferred fees on the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (“SBA PPP”); (2) modest increase in net interest income resulting from an increase in the investment portfolio size and lower deposit cost; (3) decreases in gain on sale of loans of $0.5 million due to lower loan origination and sales activity; (4) an increase in compensation expense of $0.3 million largely due to higher incentive compensation based on performance, including loan growth; and (5) the reversal of MSR impairment of $0.4 million.

Book value per share was $15.77 at September 30, 2021, compared to $15.33 at June 30, 2021, and $14.10 at September 30, 2020. Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)⁵ was $12.37 at September 30, 2021, compared to $11.95 at June 30, 2021 and $10.75 at September 30, 2020. Book value per share increased $1.67 over the past 12 months, an 11.8% increase from September 30, 2020. Tangible book value per share increased $1.62 over the past 12 months, a 15.1% increase from September 30, 2020. These increases were net of the Company’s payment of the annual shareholder dividend in the first quarter of 2021 of $0.23 per share.

“We were pleased with our continued focus on building market share, the significant progress with PPP loan forgiveness for our clients and further improvements in support areas. Our execution has produced strong results, including the 15% increase in tangible book value year over year, 9% year-to-date loan growth rate, and disciplined operational and expense management. Stronger employment dynamics in our markets than national averages and the seasonal strength of summer also contributed to exceptionally strong loan growth in all commercial loan types this quarter. SBA PPP loans decreased by $44 million to $31 million or 16% of the total in SBA PPP loans originated. Our current loan pipeline is understandably softer following the strong quarterly performance and the seasonal slowdown we see in the fall and winter, ” said Stephen Bianchi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.    

September 30, 2021 Highlights: (as of or for the 3-month period ended September 30, 2021 compared to June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020.)

• Quarterly earnings of $5.0 million, or $0.47 per diluted share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, were the highest third quarter earnings in the company’s history and up modestly from the quarter ended June 30, 2021, earnings of $4.7 million or $0.44 per diluted share, and increased from the quarter ended September 30, 2020, earnings of $3.5 million or $0.31 per diluted share. Fiscal 2021 earnings have exceeded fiscal 2020’s previous record earnings. Year-over-year earnings for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021, were $15.2 million, or $1.41 per share compared to $9.2 million, or $0.82 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
• Stockholders’ equity as a percent of total assets was 9.46% at September 30, 2021, compared to 9.57% at June 30, 2021. Tangible common equity (“TCE”) as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)⁵ was 7.58% at September 30, 2021, compared to 7.62% at June 30, 2021. “The modest quarterly asset growth offset the growth in shareholder’s equity. We utilized a portion of our strong quarterly earnings to repurchase 180 thousand shares of stock during the quarter. Repurchases made during the third quarter used all remaining shares authorized under our November 30, 2020 share repurchase program. On July 23, 2021, the Board of Directors adopted a new share repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company may repurchase up to 533 thousand shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of the outstanding shares on that date. As of September 30, 2021, we have approximately 389 thousand shares remaining under this new share repurchase program. We balance the positive effect on earnings per share accretion with the impact on TCE ratio and regulatory capital ratios. The shares repurchased have reduced outstanding shares by above 6% in the past twelve months which impacts earnings per share positively, while reducing TCE ratio growth by approximately 50 basis points.” said James Broucek, Executive Vice President and CFO.
• No loan loss provision was realized during the quarter ended September 30, 2021, or in the quarter ended June 30, 2021, due to lower CARES Act Section 4013 deferrals, low charge-off activity, decreases in criticized assets and improving economic conditions in our markets from those seen in the last quarter of 2020. This has led to improving trends for businesses most impacted by the pandemic, which allowed the Company to reduce its general economic Q-Factor allocation in its allowance calculation. Further reductions in loans deferred under Section 4013 of the CARES Act and improvements in our markets’ business activities due to the timing and efficacy of vaccinations, and related impact on consumer behavior and business activities may allow further reductions in this economic Q-Factor.
• The Bank’s COVID-19 related modifications under Section 4013 of the CARES Act decreased to $20.6 million, or 1.6% of gross loans at September 30, 2021, versus $35.7 million, or 3% of gross loans at June 30, 2021. At September 30, 2021, hotel industry sector loans represent $19.2 million of the approved deferrals.
• The allowance for loan losses on originated loans, excluding SBA PPP loans, decreased to 1.54% at September 30, 2021, from 1.72% at June 30, 2021, due to loan growth and no provision for loan losses. Since SBA PPP loans are guaranteed by the SBA, they are excluded from this reserve calculation. The allowance for loan losses to total loans decreased to 1.35% at September 30, 2021, down from 1.43% at June 30, 2021, and up from 1.21% at September 30, 2020. Additionally, loans resulting from Bank acquisitions were effectively marked to market value at the time of their acquisition and were also excluded from this reserve calculation.
• Nonperforming assets increased modestly to $12.1 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $8.8 million one quarter earlier. This increase was due to a $4.5 million commercial real estate loan secured by a senior living facility in our market. We are working with this borrower on a plan to improve cash flow and return to accrual status. This resulted in substandard assets increasing to $27.1 million at September 30, 2021, compared to $25.9 million at June 30, 2021. These increases were more than offset by the $9.8 million decrease in special mention loans to $2.5 million. The decrease in special mention loans largely related to acquired loans.

Balance Sheet and Asset Quality

Total assets increased $39.0 million during the quarter to $1.75 billion at September 30, 2021, compared to $1.71 billion at June 30, 2021, largely due to loan growth, funded by deposit growth.

Securities available for sale decreased $9.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2021, to $234.4 million from $243.7 million at June 30, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to principal repayments. In addition, the Company sold $7.1 million of securities, primarily consisting of lower yielding trust preferred securities issued by large bank holding companies. This decrease was partially offset by $6.5 million in purchases of subordinated debt issued by banks.

Securities held to maturity increased $8.1 million to $67.7 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2021, from $59.6 million at June 30, 2021, primarily due to a net increase in agency mortgage-backed securities as purchases exceeded principal reductions.

Loans receivable increased by $67.1 million to $1.249 billion at September 30, 2021, from $1.181 billion as of June 30, 2021. The originated loan portfolio before SBA PPP loans increased $128.8 million in the quarter. This growth was largely in multifamily and commercial real estate loans, with almost all categories increasing. Acquired loans decreased by $20.1 million and total SBA PPP loans decreased $43.6 million during the current quarter.

The allowance for loan losses was $16.8 million at September 30, 2021, representing 1.35% of total loans receivable compared to $16.8 million at June 30, 2021, representing 1.43% of total loans receivable. Excluding the SBA PPP loans, which are guaranteed by the SBA, the allowance for loan losses was 1.38% at September 30, 2021, compared to 1.52% at June 30, 2021. Approximately 18% of the loan portfolio, excluding SBA loans at September 30, 2021, consists of loans purchased through whole bank acquisitions resulting in these loans being recorded at fair market value at acquisition. The allowance for loan losses allocated to originated loans as a percent of originated loans excluding SBA PPP loans was 1.54% at September 30, 2021, compared to 1.72% at June 30, 2021, with the decrease due to growth in the originated loan portfolio. For the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Bank had modest net charge-offs of $13 thousand.

Allowance for Loan Losses Percentages

(in thousands, except ratios)

Nonperforming assets increased to $12.1 million or 0.69% of total assets at September 30, 2021, compared to $8.8 million or 0.51% of total assets at June 30, 2021. The increase in non-performing assets was largely due to a $4.5 million loan. This loan is secured by a senior living facility located in one of our markets and the current estimated collateral value of the loan approximates the loan’s carrying value. Included in nonperforming assets at September 30, 2021, are $5.4 million of nonperforming assets acquired during recent whole-bank acquisitions. Originated nonperforming assets were $6.7 million, or 0.38% of total assets for the most recent quarter. Over the past year, nonperforming assets declined 19% from $14.9 million at September 30, 2020, to $12.1 million at September 30, 2021.
Over the past year, total criticized loans decreased 27% from $40.7 million at September 30, 2020, to $29.7 million at September 30, 2021.

Deposits increased $37.1 million to $1.408 billion at September 30, 2021, from $1.371 billion at June 30, 2021. The growth of non-maturity deposits of $70.6 million was partially offset by a decrease in certificates of deposit of $33.5 million. The decrease in certificates of deposit was due to the Company choosing not to match higher rate local retail certificate competition and some of these closed certificates were transferred to money market deposits.

Review of Operations

Net interest income was $13.7 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to $12.8 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, and $11.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. Compared to the second quarter, net interest income benefited from increases in: (1) the accretion on SBA PPP debt forgiveness of $0.6 million; (2) growth in the investment portfolio; and (3) lower deposit costs.

The net interest margin (“NIM”) increased to 3.34% in the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to 3.22% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, and 3.11% for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. This increase in NIM from the second quarter is largely due to a 13 basis point increase in SBA PPP net loan fee accretion and an 8 basis point reduction in deposit costs. This increase was partially offset by lower loan yields, primarily due to the change in nonaccrual loans.

In comparison to the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the current quarter NIM benefited 29 basis points from increased SBA PPP net loan fee accretion and 37 basis points from lower deposit costs. This increase was partially offset by decreases in NIM largely due to lower loan and investment yields due to reductions in market rates, and the increases in the balances of lower yielding investments and interest-bearing cash.

The table below shows the impact of accretion related to purchased credit impaired loans and SBA PPP loans on interest income and NIM.

Net interest income and net interest margin analysis:
(in thousands, except yields and rates)

The table below lists the SBA PPP loans and net deferred loan fee accretion balances related to 2020 and 2021 SBA PPP loan originations:

The Bank continued to manage deposit interest rates, as various non-maturity deposit product rates were reduced, and interest rates on new and renewed certificates of deposit were lower than the previous quarter. These actions reduced the cost of deposits by 8 basis points in the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Some of this reduction was due to the cost of CD’s decreasing 15 basis points from 1.45% at June 30, 2021, to 1.30% at September 30, 2021. At September 30, 2021, the Bank had approximately $47 million of certificate of deposit accounts maturing in the fourth quarter with a weighted average cost of approximately 0.80% and approximately $156 million of certificate of deposit accounts maturing in 2022 with a weighted average cost of approximately 1.50%. Approximately 80% of the 2022 maturities occur in the first half of 2022. The approximate weighted average cost of new certificates in the third quarter of 2021 was below 0.3%.

Loan loss provisions were zero for the quarters ended September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, and $1.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. No loan loss provision was realized during the quarters ended September 30, 2021, and June 30, 2021, due to lower CARES Act Section 4013 deferrals, low charge-off activity, decreases in criticized assets and improving economic conditions in our markets from those seen in the last quarter of 2020. Continued improving economic conditions in our markets, have resulted in improving trends for businesses, especially for those most impacted by the pandemic. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2021, provision for loan losses was zero compared to $5.25 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The year-to-date September 30, 2020, provision for loan losses expense due to the impact of the pandemic was approximately $3.5 million, with the remaining provision split due to loan growth and changes in credit quality.

Non-interest income decreased to $3.4 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared to $3.8 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2021, and $5.1 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The decrease in the third quarter compared to the second quarter was largely due to a reduction in gain on sale of loans of $0.5 million due to lower volume of loans originated and sold. This decrease was modestly offset by the receipt of the Company’s annual debit card incentive in the third quarter of $0.1 million recorded in other income. The decrease in non-interest income during the current quarter compared to the comparable prior year quarter was a result of the following factors: (1) lower gain on sale of loans; (2) lower loan servicing income; and (3) no gain on sale of acquired business lines.

Total non-interest expense increased $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2021 to $10.3 million, compared to $10.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, and decreased from $10.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. The increase from the second quarter was largely due to the increase in compensation, as incentives increased based on performance, including strong loan originations. The reversal of $0.4 million of previously recorded MSR impairment in the third quarter offset other non-interest expense increases. The decrease from the third quarter of 2020 was due to the reversal of MSR impairment in third quarter of 2021 and a modest impairment recorded in the third quarter of 2020. This was partially offset by $0.2 million of higher incentive compensation as discussed above which more than offset the reduction in full time equivalent employees from a year ago.

Provisions for income taxes, increased to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2021 from the second quarter of 2021 at $1.7 million. The effective tax rate for the most recent quarter was 26.7% compared to 26.8% for the prior quarter. The effective tax rate was 26.7% for the comparable prior year quarter.

These financial results are preliminary until the Form 10-Q is filed in November 2021.

About the Company

Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: “CZWI”) is the holding company of the Bank, a national bank based in Altoona, Wisconsin, currently serving customers primarily in Wisconsin and Minnesota through 25 branch locations. Its primary markets include the Chippewa Valley Region in Wisconsin, the Twin Cities and Mankato markets in Minnesota, and various rural communities around these areas. The Bank offers traditional community banking services to businesses, ag operators and consumers, including residential mortgage loans.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimates,” “intend,” “may,” “on pace,” “preliminary,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties arising in the operations and business environment of the Company and the Bank. These uncertainties include the conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally; adverse impacts to the Company or Bank arising from the COVID-19 pandemic; the possibility of a deterioration in the residential real estate markets; interest rate risk; lending risk; the sufficiency of loan allowances; changes in the fair value or ratings downgrades of our securities; competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions; our ability to maintain our reputation; our ability to realize the benefits of net deferred tax assets; our ability to maintain or increase our market share; acts of terrorism and political or military actions by the United States or other governments; legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, adversely affecting the Company or Bank; increases in FDIC insurance premiums or special assessments by the FDIC; disintermediation risk; our inability to obtain needed liquidity; our ability to successfully execute our acquisition growth strategy; risks posed by acquisitions and other expansion opportunities, including difficulties and delays in integrating the acquired business operations or fully realizing the cost savings and other benefits; our ability to raise capital needed to fund growth or meet regulatory requirements; the possibility that our internal controls and procedures could fail or be circumvented; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; our ability to keep pace with technological change; cybersecurity risks; changes in federal or state tax laws; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and their impact on financial performance; restrictions on our ability to pay dividends; and the potential volatility of our stock price. Stockholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and other risks that may affect the Company’s performance are discussed further in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 8, 2021 and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, such as net income as adjusted, net income as adjusted per share, tangible book value, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets, return on average tangible common equity and return on average tangible common equity as adjusted, which management believes may be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position and comparing results over different periods.

Net income as adjusted and net income as adjusted per share are non-GAAP measures that eliminate the impact of certain expenses such as acquisition and branch closure costs and related data processing termination fees, legal costs, severance pay, accelerated depreciation expense and lease termination fees, the gain on sale of branch deposits and fixed assets and the net impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities. Merger related charges represent expenses to either satisfy contractual obligations of acquired entities without any useful benefit to the Company or to convert and consolidate customer records onto the Company platforms. These costs are unique to each transaction based on the contracts in existence at the merger date. Tangible book value, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets and return on average tangible common equity are non-GAAP measures that eliminate the impact of preferred stock equity, goodwill, and intangible assets on our financial position. Management believes these measures are useful in assessing the strength of our financial position.

Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in this press release. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other banks and financial institutions.

Contact: Steve Bianchi, CEO
(715)-836-9994

(CZWI-ER)

CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

                Note: Certain items previously reported were reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.

CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note: Certain items previously reported were reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)
(in thousands, except per share data)

(1) Net gain on sale of acquired business lines resulted from (1) the sale of Wells Insurance Agency and (2) the termination and sale of the wealth management business line sales contract acquired in a former acquisition.
(2) Settlement proceeds includes litigation income from a JP Morgan Residential Mortgage-Backed Security (RMBS) claim. This distribution represents a supplement to the proceeds received in March 2017 from a JP Morgan RMBS previously owned by the Bank and sold in 2011.
(3) FHLB borrowings prepayment fee resulted from the early termination of $8 million in FHLB borrowings at a weighted average rate of 2.19% and weighted average maturity of 8.75 months included in other non-interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.
(4) Net income as adjusted is a non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances the market’s ability to assess the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities.
(5) Provision for income tax on net income as adjusted is calculated at our effective tax rate for each respective period presented.

Nonperforming Originated and Acquired Assets

(in thousands, except ratios)

Nonperforming Total Assets

(in thousand, except ratios)

Deposit Composition
(in thousands)

Average balances, Interest Yields and Rates
(in thousands, except yields and rates)

(1) Fully taxable equivalent (FTE). The average yield on tax exempt securities is computed on a tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21% for the quarters ended September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020. The FTE adjustment to net interest income included in the rate calculations totaled $1, $1 and $0 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

(1) Fully taxable equivalent (FTE). The average yield on tax exempt securities is computed on a tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 21% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. The FTE adjustment to net interest income included in the rate calculations totaled $3 and $1 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

The following table reports key financial metric ratios based on a net income and net income as adjusted basis:

Reconciliation of Return on Average Assets as Adjusted (non-GAAP)
(in thousands, except ratios)

(1) See Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

Reconciliation of Return on Average Equity as Adjusted (non-GAAP)
(in thousands, except ratios)

(1) See Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

Reconciliation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity and Reconciliation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity, as Adjusted (non-GAAP)
(in thousands, except ratios)

(1) See Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio as Adjusted (non-GAAP)
(in thousands, except ratios)

(1) See Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

Reconciliation of tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)
(in thousands, except per share data)

        
Reconciliation of tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)
(in thousands, except ratios)

¹Net income as adjusted and net income as adjusted per share are non-GAAP financial measures that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.

²Return on average assets as adjusted is a non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends relative to average assets. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of Return on Average Assets as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.

³Return on average equity as adjusted is a non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and trends relative to average equity. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of Return on Average Equity as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.

⁴The efficiency ratio as adjusted (non-GAAP) is a non-GAAP measure that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the underlying business performance and the Company’s ability to use what it has to generate the most profit possible for shareholders relative to core business activities. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.

⁵Tangible book value, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets, return on tangible common equity and return on tangible common equity as adjusted are non-GAAP measures that management believes enhances investors’ ability to better understand the Company’s financial position. For a detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results, see the accompanying financial table “Reconciliation of tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)”, “Reconciliation of tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)”, and “Reconciliation of return on average tangible common equity and Reconciliation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity as Adjusted (non-GAAP)”.