Laurentian Bank Financial Group reports first quarter 2021 results

Highlights of first quarter 2021
Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $47.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared with $36.9 million for the first quarter of 2020.Reported net income of $44.8 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared with $32.2 million for the first quarter of 2020.Adjusted diluted earnings per share⁽¹⁾ of $1.03 for the first quarter of 2021, compared with $0.79 for the first quarter of 2020.Diluted earnings per share of $0.96 for the first quarter of 2021, compared with $0.68 for the first quarter of 2020.
MONTREAL, March 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Laurentian Bank Financial Group reported net income of $44.8 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.96 for the first quarter of 2021, compared with $32.2 million and $0.68 for the first quarter of 2020. Return on common shareholders’ equity was 7.1% for the first quarter of 2021, compared with 5.0% for the first quarter of 2020. On an adjusted basis, net income was $47.6 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.03 for the first quarter of 2021, up from $36.9 million and $0.79 for the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted return on common shareholders’ equity was 7.5% for the first quarter of 2021, compared with 5.8% a year ago. Reported results include adjusting items, as detailed in the Non-GAAP and Key Performance Measures section.“I am pleased to report that we had a good start to the year. Our results were driven by a strong performance in capital market activities, the resumption of growth in commercial banking and our strong cost discipline.” said Rania Llewellyn, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We will take the experiences of the past year to propel us forward, as we renew our leadership team and create an organization that is agile, efficient and above all customer centric.” 
Consolidated ResultsNon-GAAP measuresManagement uses both generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and non-GAAP measures to assess the Bank’s performance. Results prepared in accordance with GAAP are referred to as “reported” results. Non-GAAP measures presented throughout this document are referred to as “adjusted” measures and exclude amounts designated as adjusting items. Adjusting items relate to restructuring plans and to business combinations and have been designated as such as management does not believe they are indicative of underlying business performance. Non-GAAP measures are considered useful to readers in obtaining a better understanding of how management analyzes the Bank’s results and in assessing underlying business performance and related trends. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are unlikely to be comparable to any similar measures presented by other issuers.The following table shows adjusting items and their impact on reported results.
Three months ended January 31, 2021 financial performanceNet income was $44.8 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.96 for the first quarter of 2021, compared with $32.2 million and $0.68 for the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted net income was $47.6 million for the first quarter of 2021 up 29% from $36.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.03, up 30% compared with $0.79 for the first quarter of 2020.Total revenueTotal revenue was $247.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, up 4% compared with $238.7 million for the first quarter of 2020.Net interest income increased by $4.3 million to $173.1 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared with $168.8 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly due to improved funding costs, mostly as the utilization of secured funding increased, as well as to higher prepayment penalties on residential mortgage loans. Net interest margin was 1.84% for the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 3 basis points compared with the first quarter of 2020, essentially for the same reasons.Other income increased by $4.4 million or 6% to $74.3 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared with $69.9 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was mainly due to the strong contribution from capital market activities, which improved by $7.8 million compared with the first quarter of 2020. This was partly offset by a decrease in service charges and VISA card service revenues due to ongoing changes to the retail banking environment, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.Provision for credit lossesThe provision for credit losses amounted to $16.8 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with $14.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, an increase of $1.9 million. The increase year-over-year was mainly due to an increase in allowances on impaired commercial loans.Refer to the “Risk Management” section of the MD&A and to Note 5 to the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on provision for credit losses and allowances for credit losses.Non-interest expensesNon-interest expenses amounted to $174.1 million for the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of $14.8 million or 8% compared with the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted non-interest expenses amounted to $170.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of $12.4 million or 7% compared with the first quarter of 2020.Salaries and employee benefits amounted to $95.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, essentially unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2020. Year-over-year, higher performance-based compensation related to strong capital market activities was mostly offset by a decrease in salaries reflecting the headcount reduction implemented in 2020.Premises and technology costs were $48.5 million for the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of $1.3 million compared with the first quarter of 2020, mainly as a result of continued efforts to streamline costs, as well as a slowdown of the pace of IT projects.Other non-interest expenses were $29.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of $11.6 million compared with the first quarter of 2020. The improvement mainly resulted from lower regulatory costs, as well as lower advertising, business development and travel expenses, ensuing from efficiency measures and current economic conditions.Restructuring charges were $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2021 and mainly included severance charges and professional fees.Efficiency ratioThe adjusted efficiency ratio was 68.9% for the first quarter of 2021, compared with 76.6% for the first quarter of 2020, as a result of lower adjusted expenses and an increase in total revenue. Adjusted operating leverage was positive year-over-year. The efficiency ratio on a reported basis was 70.4% for the first quarter of 2021, compared with 79.1% for the first quarter of 2020, as a result of lower expenses and an increase in total revenue.Income taxesFor the quarter ended January 31, 2021, the income tax expense was $11.7 million, and the effective tax rate was 20.7%. The lower tax rate, compared to the statutory rate, is attributed to a lower taxation level of revenue from foreign operations, as well as from the favourable effect of holding investments in Canadian securities that generate non-taxable dividend income. For the quarter ended January 31, 2020, income tax expense was $2.5 million, and the effective tax rate was 7.2%. Year-over-year, the higher income tax rate is mainly attributed to the proportionally higher domestic income.Financial ConditionAs at January 31, 2021, total assets amounted to $45.2 billion, a 2% increase from $44.2 billion as at October 31, 2020, mostly due to the higher level of liquid assets.Liquid assetsLiquid assets consist of cash, deposits with banks, securities and securities purchased under reverse repurchase agreements. As at January 31, 2021, these assets totalled $10.5 billion, an increase of $0.9 billion compared with $9.6 billion as at October 31, 2020.The Bank continues to prudently manage its level of liquid assets. The Bank’s funding sources remain well diversified and sufficient to meet all liquidity requirements. Liquid assets represented 23% of total assets as at January 31, 2021, compared with 22% as at October 31, 2020.LoansLoans and bankers’ acceptances, net of allowances, stood at $33.0 billion as at January 31, 2021, unchanged compared with the level as at October 31, 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, commercial loan growth resumed, which was offset by reductions in personal loans and residential mortgage loans.Commercial loans and acceptances amounted to $13.2 billion as at January 31, 2021, an increase of 3% since October 31, 2020. Growth in inventory financing volumes resumed in the quarter, reflecting seasonality as dealers begin to restock their inventories despite continued supply chain challenges. Real estate lending also contributed to growth and continued to show resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the lower interest rate environment.Personal loans amounted to $4.0 billion as at January 31, 2021, a decrease of $0.1 billion or 4% since October 31, 2020, mainly as a result of the continued reduction in the investment loan portfolio, reflecting the continued reduction in the use of leverage by consumers.Residential mortgage loans amounted to $16.1 billion as at January 31, 2021, a decrease of $0.2 billion or 1% since October 31, 2020. The acquisition of mortgage loans from third parties, as part of the Bank’s program to optimize the usage of the National Housing Act mortgage-backed securities allocations, has contributed to mitigating the impact of other repayments.DepositsDeposits decreased by $0.3 billion or 1% to $23.6 billion as at January 31, 2021 compared with $23.9 billion as at October 31, 2020, mainly as the Bank optimized its funding sources to align with its asset level. Personal deposits stood at $18.3 billion as at January 31, 2021, down $0.5 billion compared with October 31, 2020. The decrease resulted mainly from lower term deposits sourced through intermediaries managed down as the Bank increased its debt related to securitization activities to optimize funding costs as described below, partly offset by higher volumes of demand deposits generated through the various direct to customer distribution channels of the Bank.Business and other deposits increased by $0.2 billion over the same period to $5.3 billion, mostly due to an increase in wholesale funding as the Bank took advantage of favourable market conditions to augment its term funding.Personal deposits represented 77% of total deposits as at January 31, 2021, compared with 79% as at October 31, 2020, and contributed to the Bank’s good liquidity position.Debt related to securitization activitiesDebt related to securitization activities increased by $0.4 billion or 4% compared with October 31, 2020 and stood at $10.6 billion as at January 31, 2021. Since the beginning of the year, mortgage loan securitization through the CMHC programs, supplemented by other secured funding, more than offset maturities of liabilities related to the Canada Mortgage Bond program, as well as normal repayments.Shareholders’ equity and regulatory capitalShareholders’ equity amounted to $2,644.9 million as at January 31, 2021, compared with $2,611.2 million as at October 31, 2020.Compared to October 31, 2020, retained earnings increased by $44.3 million as the net income contribution of $44.8 million and other gains related to employee benefit plans and equity securities designated at fair value through other comprehensive income of $19.9 million were partly offset by dividends amounting to $20.4 million. Accumulated other comprehensive income decreased by $14.3 million, essentially as a result of a reduction in the cumulative foreign currency translation amount. For additional information, please refer to the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity in the Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.The Bank’s book value per common share was $54.42 as at January 31, 2021 compared to $53.74 as at October 31, 2020.The Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio stood at 9.8% as at January 31, 2021, compared with 9.6% as at October 31, 2020. The increase compared with October 31, 2020 mainly results from internal capital generation. This level of capital provides the Bank with the necessary operational flexibility to resume growth and to pursue key initiatives prudently, considering the economic conditions.Caution Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThe Bank may, from time to time, make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including in this document and the documents incorporated by reference herein, and in other documents filed with Canadian regulatory authorities or in other written or oral communications. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding business plans and strategies, priorities and financial objectives, the regulatory environment in which the Bank operates, the anticipated impact of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic on the Bank’s operations, earnings results and financial performance and statements under the headings “Outlook”, “COVID-19 Pandemic” and “Risk Appetite and Risk Management Framework” contained in the Bank’s 2020 Annual Report, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements typically are identified with words or phrases such as “believe”, “assume”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “outlook”, “project”, “vision”, “expect”, “foresee”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “goal”, “aim”, “target”, “may”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “intend” or the negative of these terms, variations thereof or similar terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature. Material economic assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained in this document are set out in the 2020 Annual Report under the heading “Outlook”. There is significant risk that the predictions, forecasts, projections or conclusions will prove to be inaccurate, that the Bank’s assumptions may not be correct, and that actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, projections or conclusions.The Bank cautions readers against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as a number of factors, many of which are beyond its control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict, could influence, individually or collectively, the accuracy of the forward-looking statements and cause actual future results to differ significantly from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to risks relating to: the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Bank, its business, financial condition and prospects; technology, information systems and cybersecurity; technological disruption, competition and its ability to execute on its strategic objectives; the economic climate in the U.S. and Canada; accounting policies, estimates and developments; legal and regulatory compliance; fraud and criminal activity; human capital; insurance; business continuity; business infrastructure; environmental and social risk and climate change; and its ability to manage operational, regulatory, legal, strategic, reputational and model risks, all of which are described in more detail in the section titled “Risk Appetite and Risk Management Framework” beginning on page 43 of the 2020 Annual Report including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.The Bank further cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that the Bank currently deems to be immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on its financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation. Any forward-looking statements contained in this document represent the views of Management only as at the date hereof, are presented for the purposes of assisting investors and others in understanding certain key elements of the Bank’s current objectives, strategic priorities, expectations and plans, and in obtaining a better understanding of the Bank’s business and anticipated operating environment and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Bank does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether oral or written, made by the Bank or on its behalf whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities regulations. Additional information relating to the Bank can be located on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.Access to Quarterly Results MaterialsThis press release can be found on our website at www.lbcfg.ca, under the Press Room tab, and our Report to Shareholders, Investor Presentation and Supplementary Financial Information under the Investor Centre tab, Financial Results.Conference CallLaurentian Bank Financial Group invites media representatives and the public to listen to the conference call to be held at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on March 3, 2021. The live, listen-only, toll-free, call-in number is 1-800-239-9838, code 9371678. A live webcast will also be available on the Group’s website under the Investor Centre tab, Financial Results.The conference call playback will be available on a delayed basis from 1:00 p.m. (ET) on March 3, 2021 until 12:00 p.m. (ET) on April 2, 2021, on our website under the Investor Centre tab, Financial Results.The presentation material referenced during the call will be available on our website under the Investor Centre tab, Financial Results.       About Laurentian Bank Financial GroupFounded in 1846, Laurentian Bank Financial Group is a diversified financial services provider whose mission is to help its customers improve their financial health. The Laurentian Bank of Canada and its entities are collectively referred to as Laurentian Bank Financial Group (the “Group” or the “Bank”).With more than 2,900 employees guided by the values of proximity, simplicity and honesty, the Group provides a broad range of advice-based solutions and services to its personal, business and institutional customers. With pan-Canadian activities and a presence in the U.S., the Group is an important player in numerous market segments.The Group has $45.2 billion in balance sheet assets and $29.2 billion in assets under administration.