ARTICLE
Valley National Bancorp (NASDAQ:VLY), the holding company for Valley National Bank, today reported net income for the second quarter 2020 of $95.6 million, or $0.23 per diluted common share, as compared to the second quarter 2019 earnings of $76.5 million, or $0.22 per diluted common share, and net income of $87.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted common share, for the first quarter 2020. Key financial highlights for the second quarter: • Loan Portfolio: Loans increased $1.9 billion to $32.3 billion at June 30, 2020 from March 31, 2020. The increase was largely due to approximately $2.2 billion of SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans originated under the CARES Act to aid small- and medium-sized businesses in the second quarter. We also sold approximately $237 million of residential mortgage loans originated for sale rather than investment, resulting in total pre-tax gains of $8.3 million in the second quarter 2020, as compared to $196 million of residential mortgage loans sold in the linked quarter with total pre-tax gains of $4.6 million. See the "Loans" section below for more details. • Net Interest Income and Margin: Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis of $283.5 million for the second quarter 2020 increased $17.2 million as compared to the first quarter 2020. The increase was driven by several factors in the second quarter 2020 including, a 46 basis point decline in our funding costs largely resulting from the lower interest rate environment and a $2.0 billion increase in average loan balances mostly due to the PPP loan originations. Our net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis of 3.00 percent for the second quarter 2020 decreased by 7 basis points from 3.07 percent for the first quarter 2020. See the "Net Interest Income and Margin" section below for additional information. • Allowance and Provision for Credit Losses for Loans: Our allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $319.7 million and $293.4 million at June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively. During the second quarter 2020, the provision for credit losses for loans was $41.1 million as compared to $33.9 million for the first quarter 2020 and a pre-CECL provision of $2.1 million for the second quarter 2019. The reserve build in the second quarter 2020 mainly reflects deterioration in Valley's view of the macroeconomic outlook since the end of the first quarter, higher specific reserves associated with our taxi medallion loan portfolio and additional qualitative management adjustments to reflect the potential for higher levels of credit stress related to COVID-19 impacted borrowers. • Credit Quality: Net loan charge-offs totaled $14.8 million for the second quarter 2020 as compared to $4.8 million for the first quarter 2020 primarily due to the partial charge-off of one impaired commercial loan relationship and lower collateral valuations related to non-performing taxi medallion loans. Non-accrual loans increased $4.7 million during the second quarter 2020 as compared to the first quarter 2020 and represented 0.65 percent and 0.68 percent of total loans at June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, respectively. See the "Credit Quality" Section below for more details. • Non-interest Income: Non-interest income increased $3.4 million to $44.8 million for the second quarter 2020 as compared to the first quarter 2020. The increase was largely due to a $3.8 million increase in net gains on sales of residential mortgage loans and a $2.7 million increase in BOLI income, partially offset by a $2.1 million decline in service charges mostly caused by waived fees related to COVID-19 customer relief efforts. • Non-interest Expense: Non-interest expense increased $1.5 million to $157.2 million for the second quarter 2020 as compared to the first quarter 2020 partly due to moderate increases in technology transformation consulting services, pension, cash incentive compensation and FDIC insurance assessment expenses. Merger related expenses totaled $366 thousand and $1.3 million for the second quarter 2020 and first quarter 2020, respectively. COVID-19 related expenses also totaled $2.2 million and $2.1 million for second quarter 2020 and first quarter 2020, respectively. During the second quarter 2020, these expenses consisted of certain PPP loan costs, such as advertising, additional remote work readiness costs, special cleaning and other COVID-19 safety related costs, while the first quarter 2020 expense was largely a special bonus for hourly employees. • Efficiency Ratio: Our efficiency ratio was 48.01 percent for the second quarter 2020 as compared to 50.75 percent and 57.19 percent for the first quarter 2020 and second quarter 2019, respectively. Our adjusted efficiency ratio was 46.84 percent for the second quarter 2020 as compared to 49.26 percent and 54.57 percent for the first quarter 2020 and second quarter 2019, respectively. See the "Consolidated Financial Highlights" tables below for additional information regarding our non-GAAP measures. • Performance Ratios: Annualized return on average assets (ROA), average shareholders’ equity (ROE) and average tangible shareholders' equity (ROTE) were 0.92 percent, 8.54 percent, and 12.66 percent for the second quarter 2020, respectively. Annualized ROA, ROE and ROTE, adjusted for non-core charges, was 0.92 percent, 8.57 percent, and 12.70 percent for the second quarter 2020, respectively. See the "Consolidated Financial Highlights" tables below for additional information regarding our non-GAAP measures. Ira Robbins, CEO and President commented, "While the uncertain economic environment is less than ideal, I am very pleased with our second quarter earnings, especially on a pre-provision net revenue basis, and the quality of our balance sheet. Our second quarter net interest margin and income reflected this quality and our ability to significantly reduce the cost of our funding sources. As a result of the strong performance of our margin and laser-focus on managing operating expenses, the adjusted efficiency ratio was below 50 percent for the second consecutive quarter." Robbins continued, "During the quarter, we remained deeply committed to being a trusted partner and solution provider for our customers, originating over $2 billion in PPP loans, providing loan forbearances and waiving fees when appropriate for those significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m extremely proud of Valley's tireless commitment, flexibility and drive to make a difference for our customers, employees and communities."