Berkshire Hills Reports Core EPS Growth; Announces Corporate Restructuring; Dividend Declared

PITTSFIELD, Mass., July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) reported second quarter core earnings per share totaling $0.48 in 2013, which was an increase over 2012 second quarter core EPS of $0.47.  Second quarter GAAP earnings per share were $0.48 in 2013 compared to $0.37 in 2012.  GAAP earnings included the impact of non-core merger and systems conversion expenses in both years, together with gains on equity securities in 2013.  Core EPS for the first half of the year totaled $1.01 in 2013 compared to $0.92 in 2012.  Net of non-core items, GAAP earnings per share were $0.90 and $0.65 in the two periods, respectively.

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SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• 17% annualized increase in commercial business loans during quarter
• 20% increase in net revenue, compared to second quarter of 2012
• 3.63% net interest margin, compared to 3.73% in the prior quarter
• 0.56% non-performing assets/total assets
• 0.27% annualized net loan charge-offs/average loans

CEO Michael Daly stated, "Organic and acquisition growth strategies contributed to higher revenues and earnings in 2013 and we produced year-over-year EPS growth for the second quarter and the first half of the year.  Notably, our second quarter return on assets was 0.93%, compared to 0.80% in the prior quarter and to 0.73% a year ago."

"We had anticipated better results for the quarter.  We made a decision late last year not to book assets or keep assets that could be uneconomic in the future, and we relied on expected fee income from mortgage operations to supplement revenue.  An abrupt and unexpected change in the yield curve in the second half of the quarter removed that supplement.  Going forward, we will look to expense reduction and resumption of earning asset growth to contribute to our earnings objectives while we maintain our disciplined standards."

Mr. Daly continued, "I am pleased to report that our Chief Risk Officer Richard Marotta has been promoted to the additional position of Chief Administrative Officer.  Richard joined us in 2010 and has provided strong leadership in risk management as evidenced by our strong asset quality.  In addition to directing our project management team over the last year, Richard will now also be implementing a centralized operations group.  This will allow us to achieve the best data driven process improvements and efficiencies and consolidate the benefits of our recent growth. 

"We are also implementing a restructuring initiative in order to reduce our core operating costs, starting with a reorganization and including a comprehensive review of our branch network.  This restructuring will enable us to execute with greater speed, efficiency and capabilities in a changing environment, and encourage more collaboration across business units.  I believe that the process engineering costs that we have already incurred up to this point will facilitate the achievement of our objectives.  We also continue to strive for overall service improvements based on our systems upgrades and operations integrations." 

"I'd like to thank Patrick Sullivan, who joined us at the time of our Legacy acquisition as EVP Commercial Banking and who has contributed to our growth since then.  Pat has resigned to pursue other business opportunities.  Over the past several years Berkshire has attracted very seasoned and capable senior leadership in commercial banking and we are poised to move forward with the support of this team." 

CEO Daly concluded, "This morning we announced an agreement for the acquisition of 20 branch offices to deepen our New York footprint.  We are excited about our growing New York franchise, and we expect to put these new deposits to work expeditiously to generate additional shareholder return when we complete the transaction early in 2014.  We have invested in technology systems and other infrastructure to position ourselves for future growth, and this acquisition allows us to positively leverage those investments." 

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 August 8, 2013, payable on August 22, 2013. This dividend equates to a 2.7% annualized yield based on the $26.39 average closing price of Berkshire's common stock during the second quarter of 2013.    

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Berkshire continued to adjust its balance sheet during the second quarter based on its risk disciplines, post-acquisition adjustments, and rising interest rates.  Total assets decreased slightly due to restructuring of acquired loan portfolios.  Total deposits decreased by 7% due primarily to targeted reductions of marginal commercial balances and non-core acquired balances.  These balances were replaced by lower-cost short-term borrowings.  Measures of asset quality, liquidity, and capital remained within targets.  The Company continued to maintain an asset sensitive interest rate risk profile.  Book value per share grew at a 2% annualized rate.

Total commercial loans benefited from 17% annualized growth in commercial business loans during the second quarter, following 12% annualized growth in the prior quarter. 

Berkshire is building business loan volume in its markets and targeting relationships with middle market customers who require a full range of products and services provided by a responsive local banking partner.  Collections from acquired impaired and other targeted commercial credit balances were $33 million in the second quarter and $52 million for the first half of the year.  Total commercial loans increased at a 4% annualized rate in the first half of the year before these collections and decreased at a 2% annualized rate including the impact of these targeted reductions.  Commercial real estate balances also declined as certain credits were refinanced into structures that did not satisfy the Company's risk and return objectives.  Berkshire continued to increase its commercial business loan originations and pipeline during the most recent quarter and is targeting to resume overall commercial loan growth in the second half of the year including the contribution of its recently expanded commercial banking teams in Eastern Massachusetts, Central New York, and Connecticut.

Asset quality metrics remained favorable in the most recent quarter.  Quarter-end non-performing assets were 0.56% of total assets, compared to 0.52% at the start of the year.  Quarterly annualized net loan charge-offs measured 0.27% of average loans, and have remained below 0.30% in each of the last five quarters.  Accruing delinquent loans were 1.10% of total loans at midyear, compared to 1.11% at the start of the year.  The loan loss allowance increased slightly to 0.86% of total loans from 0.83% during the first half of the year.  For loans from business activities (excluding acquired loans), net charge-offs were 0.25% of average loans and the related allowance measured 1.19% of these loans. 

Total deposits decreased by $285 million (7%) in the most recent quarter.  This included a $208 million reduction in money market balances which were primarily rate sensitive commercial balances.  These amounts were replaced with borrowings to reduce funding costs and utilization of Berkshire's supplemental deposit insurance program.  The balance of the deposit reduction was primarily related to the restructuring of brokered and other non-core deposit sources following the integration of Beacon Federal operations in March 2013.  Reflecting these activities, the cost of funds decreased to 0.77% in the most recent quarter, compared to 0.81% in the prior quarter.  The loan/deposit ratio stood at 101% at midyear.  The acquisition of branches in New York will provide an additional $640 million in low cost core deposits as we enter 2014. 

Stockholders' equity was flat in the second quarter, following an increase in the first quarter resulting from retained earnings.  As a result of the interest rate spike in the second quarter, the net after-tax reduction in the fair value of securities and derivatives offset the benefit of second quarter retained earnings.  Tangible book value per share measured $15.96 at midyear, compared to $15.63 at the start of the year.  Total book value per share measured $26.82 and $26.53 at these dates, respectively.  The ratio of tangible equity/assets improved to 8.1% from 7.8% during the first half of the year, and total equity/assets improved to 12.9% from 12.6%. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Berkshire posted growth in net revenue, earnings, and earnings per share in the second quarter and first half of 2013 compared to 2012.  Berkshire is achieving these results while bearing the costs of maintaining its asset sensitive interest rate risk profile, absorbing charges related to its branch and team expansion, and investing in technology and other infrastructure.  Results in 2013 included the operations of The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company and mortgage operations in Eastern Massachusetts (acquired in the second quarter of 2012) and the operations of Beacon Federal Bancorp (acquired in the fourth quarter of 2012).  GAAP earnings include the impact of net non-core charges related to mergers and the systems conversion, along with the impact of securities gains.  The reconciliation of net income and core income, together with related financial measures, is shown on table F-9 of the financial tables.  Berkshire's second quarter core results decreased from the prior quarter due primarily to the revenue and expense impacts of the interest rate spike that occurred during the second quarter.

Berkshire's second quarter revenue increased by $9.4 million (20%) from year-to-year due to its organic and acquisition growth strategies.  Net revenue was unchanged compared to the linked quarter.  Second quarter net interest income increased by $6.1 million from year-to-year and decreased by $0.8 million compared to the linked quarter.  This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in loan purchase accounting accretion to $3.4 million from $3.8 million in these periods, respectively.  Of note, this accretion included the benefit of recoveries related to acquired impaired loans which totaled $2.4 million in the most recent quarter and $2.3 million in the prior quarter.  The net interest margin was 3.63% in the most recent quarter, compared to 3.73% in the linked quarter and to 3.70% in the second quarter of 2012. 

Non-interest income increased by $3.3 million compared to the prior year and by $0.8 million compared to the linked quarter.  Results in the most recent quarter included $1.0 million in non-core securities gains resulting from the sale of certain bank common stock investments in order to realize gains from the strong market appreciation in recent months.  Total fee income decreased by $0.4 million from the prior quarter.  Mortgage banking revenue was $2.1 million in the most recent quarter, compared to $2.2 million in the prior quarter and $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.  The anticipated seasonal increase in the most recent quarter did not materialize due to lower volume and margins resulting from the interest rate spike. 

The second quarter provision for loan losses increased to $2.7 million in 2013 from $2.4 million in the linked quarter and from $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2012.  Net loan charge-offs totaled $2.7 million, $2.3 million, and $2.0 million for these periods, respectively.  There were no significant changes in the Company's charge-off metrics, which remain low compared to long term industry standards.  Following the loan loss provision, the loan loss allowance remained unchanged at $33.2 million during the most recent quarter and for the first half of the year. 

Second quarter non-interest expense increased from year-to-year due to Berkshire's acquisition and organic growth initiatives.  Compared to the linked quarter, non-interest expense decreased by $1.5 million.  Excluding non-core merger charges following the Beacon integration, core non-interest expense increased by $2.7 million.  Core expenses increased over the prior run rate including seasonal factors, lending team expansion, and various systems and process re-engineering projects.  These projects are expected to immediately contribute to improved efficiencies and expense management.

Asset resolution costs rose as resolution opportunities were pursued while market conditions remained favorable. Full time equivalent staff totaled 1,014 at midyear, compared to 1,012 at the start of the year.   The effective income tax rate was 25% in the most recent quarter, compared to 30% in the prior quarter and to 27% in the second quarter of 2012.  Tax expense in the most recent quarter included a $0.9 million benefit from a reduction in the capital gains valuation allowance as a result of improved equity securities values; the tax rate was 31% before this adjustment.

CONFERENCE CALL

Berkshire will conduct a conference call/webcast at 10:00 a.m. eastern time on Thursday, July 25, 2013 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 Friday, August 2, 2013 by calling 877-344-7529 and entering conference number: 10030709.  The webcast and a podcast will be available at Berkshire's website above for an extended period of time. 

A PDF version of this release is available at Berkshire'sInvestor Relations web site.

BACKGROUND

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank – America's Most Exciting Bank^®. The Company has approximately $5.2 billion in assets and 74 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 may contain 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.  Tax adjustments are based on an analysis of tax accruals for core income and for GAAP income, with the net difference included with non-core items and reflecting the timing impacts of tax expense estimates.

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