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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 3, 2022

 

 

STERLING BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  

 

 

Michigan   001-38290   38-3163775

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File No.)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

One Towne Square, Suite 1900

Southfield, Michigan 48076

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (248) 355-2400 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each
class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which
registered
Common Stock SBT Nasdaq Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On February 3, 2022, Sterling Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial highlights for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02.

 

The information provided in Item 2.02 of this Current Report, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding the Company’s plans, expectations, thoughts, beliefs, estimates, goals and outlook for the future that are intended to be covered by the protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “expect,” “attribute,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “goal,” “target,” “outlook,” “aim,” “would” and “annualized,” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and they are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The risks, uncertainties and other factors detailed from time to time in our public filings, including those included in the disclosures under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2021, subsequent periodic reports and future periodic reports, could affect future results and events, causing those results and events to differ materially from those views expressed or implied in the Company’s forward-looking statements. Should one or more of the foregoing risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those projected in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, revise, or correct any forward-looking statements based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information or otherwise.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

No.   Description
99.1   Company press release dated February 3, 2022
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File.  The cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document (contained in Exhibit 101)

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  Sterling Bancorp, Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Karen Knott  
    Karen Knott
    Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: February 3, 2022

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Sterling Bancorp Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

 

Southfield, Michigan, February 3, 2022 — Sterling Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SBT) (“Sterling” or the “Company”), the holding company of Sterling Bank and Trust, F.S.B. (the “Bank”), today reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2021 Highlights

 

·Fourth quarter net income of $4.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share; full year net income of $20.1 million, or $0.40 per diluted share
·Fourth quarter net interest margin of 2.94%; full year net interest margin of 2.71%
·Fourth quarter non-interest expense of $19.9 million; full year non-interest expense of $72.2 million, includes $6.5 million of employee retention credits under the CARES Act
·Fourth quarter recovery of loan losses of $1.6 million, ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans held for investment of 2.8%; full year recovery of loan losses of $3.8 million
·Shareholders’ equity of $340.4 million
·Bank capital ratios continue to be in excess of minimum ratios required to be considered “well-capitalized” with a leverage ratio of 12.66%, a total risk-based capital ratio of 27.93% and a common equity tier one ratio of 26.65%
·The Company’s consolidated leverage ratio of 11.36%, total risk-based capital ratio of 28.89% and common equity tier one ratio of 23.94% continue to exceed minimum regulatory capital requirements
·Total deposits of $2.3 billion
·Total gross loans were $2.1 billion
·Nonperforming loans and troubled debt restructurings were $65.3 million (or 3.25% of total loans held for investment) compared to $80.1 million (or 3.58% of total loans held for investment) at September 30, 2021

 

The Company reported net income of $4.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to net loss of $(11.7) million, or $(0.23) per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, net income was $20.1 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, as compared to net loss of $(13.0) million, or $(0.26) per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

“Sterling’s fourth quarter results reflect a continuation of the trends we have witnessed over recent periods. We have made some remarkable progress on the credit front, improving margin, and completing several major undertakings. We completed the extensive look-back project pursuant to our formal agreement with the OCC, completed an IT platform conversion and also completed an entire AML monitoring system installation. Each of these is critical to successfully addressing the action items in the formal agreement with the OCC. In this quarter, we also reduced higher cost deposits and redeemed $150 million of long-term financing at no penalty,” said Thomas M. O’Brien, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

 

During 2021, we successfully settled a class action lawsuit stemming from our Advantage Loan Program, with the $12.5 million settlement amount for the benefit of our shareholders funded entirely from insurance proceeds. In addition, in January 2022 we entered into a final settlement agreement with respect to a shareholder demand originally received in 2020 and which resulted in a derivative lawsuit. The settlement agreement provides for certain corporate governance reforms and payment of legal fees for the shareholders’ counsel which will be fully covered by insurance proceeds, but no other monetary payments. The previously disclosed government investigations with respect to our former Advantage Loan Program are ongoing and we continue to cooperate fully with these investigations at significant expense to the Company.

 

 

Throughout 2021, the Company continued to repurchase the Advantage Loan Program loans previously sold to third-party investors. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company had repurchased Advantage Loan Program loans with an aggregate principal balance of $173.8 million and had outstanding commitments to repurchase an additional $73.0 million over the next 18 months. Advantage Loan Program loans previously sold that are still outstanding and not repurchased at December 31, 2021, totaled $142.8 million, which includes the loans committed to be repurchased. The loans repurchased during 2021 utilized $5.5 million of our loan repurchase liability. The loan repurchase liability is $3.0 million at December 31, 2021.

 

Furthermore, we reclassified approximately $61.7 million of commercial real estate loans as held for sale during the fourth quarter of 2021 with the intent to liquidate that exposure in the next few months. In reclassifying these loans to held for sale, we recorded a $12.4 million write-down applied against our allowance for loan losses to reflect these loans at their estimated fair value of $49.3 million.

 

Balance Sheet

 

Total Assets – Total assets of $2.9 billion at December 31, 2021 reflected a decrease of $265.4 million, or 8%, from $3.1 billion at September 30, 2021 and a decrease of $1.0 billion, or 27%, from $3.9 billion at December 31, 2020.

 

Cash and due from banks decreased $197.7 million, or 32%, to $411.7 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $609.4 million at September 30, 2021 and decreased $586.8 million, or 59% from $998.5 million at December 31, 2020. Investment securities, which we consider part of our liquid assets, increased $109.2 million, or 53%, to $313.9 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $204.7 million at September 30, 2021 and increased $8.9 million, or 3%, from $305.0 million at December 31, 2020.

 

Total loans held for investment of $2.0 billion at December 31, 2021 reflected a decline of $226.0 million, or 10%, from $2.2 billion at September 30, 2021 and a decline of $493.9 million, or 20%, from $2.5 billion at December 31, 2020. Loan repayments have outpaced loan production for the fourth quarter of 2021 and year ended December 31, 2021. The impact of the excess loan repayments was partially offset by the repurchase of Advantage Loan Program loans pursuant to previously disclosed offers to repurchase 100% of previously sold Advantage Loan Program loans from third-party investors. Such repurchases of Advantage Loan Program loans totaled $173.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. No Advantage Loan Program loans were repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2021. The repurchased Advantage Loan Program loans were evaluated and considered to be performing at the acquisition date. Such repurchases have been funded through our cash on hand, which helped to reduce our excess liquidity position during the year.

 

Total Deposits – Total deposits of $2.3 billion at December 31, 2021 reflected a decrease of $86.4 million, or 4%, from September 30, 2021 and a decrease of $868.8 million, or 28%, from December 31, 2020. The decrease in deposits from December 31, 2020, reflects our decision to continue to reduce our significant liquidity position through planned deposit runoff.

 

Money market, savings and NOW deposits of $1.3 billion were relatively unchanged from September 30, 2021 and decreased $87.8 million, or 6%, compared to December 31, 2020. Time deposits decreased $78.6 million, or 8%, compared to September 30, 2021 and decreased $780.2 million, or 47%, compared to December 31, 2020. Noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $1.7 million, or 3%, compared to September 30, 2021 and decreased $0.7 million, or 1%, compared to December 31, 2020. Brokered deposits included in time deposits were $20.1 million and $20.0 million at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively, and were $42.8 million at December 31, 2020.

 

Capital – Total shareholders’ equity was $340.4 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $336.6 million at September 30, 2021 and $319.6 million at December 31, 2020. The Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements required to be considered “well-capitalized” as of December 31, 2021, and the Company exceeded all applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements as of such date, as summarized in the following tables:

 

 

Company Capital  Company Minimum Requirements   Company Actual
at December 31,
2021
 
Total adjusted capital to risk-weighted assets   8.00%   28.89%
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk-weighted assets   6.00%   23.94%
Common Tier 1 (CET 1)   4.50%   23.94%
Tier 1 (core) capital to adjusted tangible assets (leverage ratio)   4.00%   11.36%

 

Bank Capital  To Be Well Capitalized   Bank Actual
at December 31,
2021
 
Total adjusted capital to risk-weighted assets   10.00%   27.93%
Tier 1 (core) capital to risk-weighted assets   8.00%   26.65%
Common Tier 1 (CET 1)   6.50%   26.65%
Tier 1 (core) capital to adjusted tangible assets (leverage ratio)   5.00%   12.66%

 

Asset Quality and Provision (Recovery) for Loan Losses – A recovery of loan losses of $(1.6) million was recorded for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to a provision for loan losses of $0.4 million for the prior quarter and $27.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. A recovery of loan losses of $(3.8) million was recorded for the full year of 2021 compared to a provision for loan losses of $54.9 million for the full year of 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, our provision for loan losses was primarily driven by credit weaknesses in our loan portfolios and certain qualitative components within our allowance for loan losses methodology that took on increased significance as a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the reduction in our provision for loan losses reflects the overall reduction in our loan portfolio that has resulted from the decline in our loan production as a result of the discontinuance of the Advantage Loan Program and the absence of new loan production, as well as some improvement in the credit quality of our loans held for investment in 2021.

 

The allowance for loan losses was $56.5 million, or 2.81% of total loans held for investment, a decrease from $70.2 million, or 3.14% of total loans held for investment, and $72.4 million, or 2.89%, of total loans held for investment, at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

Net charge offs during the fourth quarter of 2021 were $12.1 million compared to net charge offs of $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2021 and $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Net charge offs during the full year of 2021 were $12.1 million compared to $4.2 million during the full year of 2020. Net charge offs in the fourth quarter of 2021 primarily reflects the $12.4 million in write-downs of our recorded investment on those commercial real estate loans reclassified as held for sale, which also contributed to the decrease in our allowance for loan losses.

 

Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2021 totaled $82.4 million, or 2.87% of total assets, a decrease from $88.9 million, or 2.83% of total assets, at September 30, 2021 and a decrease from $114.3 million, or 2.92% of total assets, at December 31, 2020. Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2021 included $62.6 million of nonperforming loans held for investment, $17.1 million of nonaccrual loans held for sale and $2.7 million of troubled debt restructurings. Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2021 included $77.4 million of nonperforming loans held for investment, $8.7 million of nonaccrual loans held for sale and $2.7 million of troubled debt restructurings. Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2020 included $86.5 million of nonperforming loans held for investment, $19.4 million of nonaccrual loans held for sale and $8.4 million of troubled debt restructurings.

 

Total gross loans delinquent 30 days or more decreased during the fourth quarter of 2021 to $117.8 million, or 5.7% of total gross loans, from $134.0 million, or 6.0% of total gross loans, at September 30, 2021 due primarily to a $8.2 million decrease in delinquent residential loans, and an $8 million decrease in delinquent commercial real estate loans. Total gross loans delinquent 30 days or more at December 31, 2020 were $174.6 million, or 6.9% of total gross loans.

 

 

“Improvements in credit quality have been driven primarily by our focus on addressing legacy risk acceptance standards. Our credit department has made meaningful progress in exiting several higher risk credit facilities. In addition, during the fourth quarter, we reclassified a substantial portion of the legacy SRO portfolio as held for sale which is now carried on our balance sheet at fair value,” said Mr. O’Brien.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin – Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $21.7 million compared to $22.6 million for the third quarter of 2021 and $24.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The net interest margin of 2.94% for the fourth quarter of 2021 increased from the prior quarter’s net interest margin of 2.83% and the fourth quarter of 2020 of 2.51%. The decrease in net interest income during the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to the immediately prior quarter was primarily due to a decline of $148.8 million in our average loan balance, which was partially offset by a decrease in our average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits from 0.58% in the third quarter of 2021 to 0.47% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Our average interest-bearing deposits decreased from $2.4 billion in the third quarter of 2021 to $2.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021. Our net interest margin was positively impacted in the fourth quarter of 2021 by a decrease in the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of 10 basis points, while our yield on interest-earning assets remained relatively flat compared to the third quarter of 2021.

 

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $91.2 million, a decrease of $14.6 million from the year ended December 31, 2020. The net interest margin of 2.71% for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased from the prior year’s net interest margin of 2.94%. The declines in net interest income and net interest margin were due primarily to a shift in the balance sheet mix as average loans decreased $418.5 million from the year ended December 31, 2020, while the average balance of lower-yielding securities and other interest-earning liquid assets increased $185.7 million during the same period. Net interest margin was also impacted by a decrease in the average rate on interest earning assets of 74 basis points, partially offset by a decrease in the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of 58 basis points.

 

Non-Interest Income – Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $3.6 million which increased from $2.1 million for the prior quarter and increased from $1.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. Non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2021 included $2.9 million received from one of our insurance carriers in settlement of one of our policies at the same time as the settlement of the class action lawsuit. In the third quarter of 2021, we recorded a gain of $1.4 million on the sale of the Bellevue, Washington branch office which was completed in July 2021.

 

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $5.8 million, an increase from $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase of $1.5 million from the year ended December 31, 2020 is primarily attributable to the gain of $1.4 million recorded on the sale of the Bellevue, Washington branch office and $2.9 million received from one of our insurance carriers as discussed above, partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in gains recognized on sale of loans and a $1.1 million decrease in investment management and advisory fees, as we discontinued offering such services after the sale of that business in December 2020.

 

Non-Interest Expense – Non-interest expense of $19.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 reflected an increase of $8.8 million, or 79%, compared to the third quarter of 2021, and an increase of $5.0 million, or 34%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase from the third quarter of 2021 was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $6.1 million and professional fees of $2.2 million. In the third quarter of 2021, the Company recorded $6.5 million in employee retention credits, which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes, for the first three quarters of 2021, which were available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and which resulted in a net reduction of salaries and employee benefits expense for the third quarter. These benefits were not available for the fourth quarter of 2021 because the program was terminated for periods following the third quarter of 2021. The increase in professional fees in the fourth quarter of 2021 from the prior quarter is primarily due to legal and consulting fees incurred to assist with the previously disclosed litigations, investigations and compliance efforts. The Company received a reimbursement of $1.4 million from its insurance carrier related to certain litigation expenses previously incurred by the Company which is recorded as a reduction of professional fees for the third quarter of 2021.

 

 

Non-interest expense of $72.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased $1.9 million, or 3%, compared to $74.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in non-interest expense was primarily attributable to decreases in professional fees of $7.9 million and salaries and employee benefits expense of $2.4 million. In addition, non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 included an increase of $2.5 million in our contingent liability and the establishment of an insurance recovery of $12.5 million as a result of the awards related to our previously disclosed litigation and investigations stemming from the Advantage Loan Program. Salaries and employee benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 included $6.5 million in employee retention credits, as discussed above, which resulted in a net reduction of salaries and employee benefits expense. Absent realizing the payroll tax credit, salaries and employee benefits expense would have increased. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense is primarily attributable to adding qualified personnel in key positions in 2021. The decrease in professional fees was primarily due to a reduction in incurred legal fees in connection with the settlement of the class action lawsuit, the completion of significant projects that were required by our formal agreement with the OCC and reimbursements of $3.8 million that were received from our insurance carriers related to litigation expenses previously incurred by the Company. Non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 included a $1.0 million accrual for certain errors during the years 2009 through 2020 that were identified during our systems conversion project, as previously disclosed in the second quarter of 2021.

 

Mr. O’Brien said, “We believe that 2022 will provide additional opportunities to further reduce our high expenses with the previously noted completion of major projects and additional progress in the governmental investigations. This has been a long and expensive process. We have provided full transparency and cooperation to the various authorities in an effort to bring these matters to conclusion.”

 

Income Tax Expense – The effective tax rate was 31.9% for the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to 27.7% for the third quarter of 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $8.4 million, or an effective tax rate of 29.5%, compared to an income tax benefit of ($5.9) million, or an effective tax rate of (31.3)%, for the same period in 2020.

 

Conference Call and Webcast

 

Management will host a conference call on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Companys unaudited financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021. The conference call number for U.S. participants is (833) 535-2201 and the conference call number for participants outside the United States is (412) 902-6744. Additionally, interested parties can listen to a live webcast of the call in the Investor Relations” section of the Companys website at www.sterlingbank.com. An archived version of the webcast will be available in the same location shortly after the live call has ended.

 

A replay of the conference call may be accessed through February 10, 2022 by dialing (877) 344-7529, using conference ID number 4587788.

 

About Sterling Bancorp, Inc.

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc. is a unitary thrift holding company. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Sterling Bank and Trust, F.S.B., has primary branch operations in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California and New York City. Sterling offers loan products to the residential and commercial markets, as well as retail and business banking services. Sterling also has an operations center and a branch in Southfield, Michigan. For additional information, please visit the Companys website at http://www.sterlingbank.com.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding the Company’s plans, expectations, thoughts, beliefs, estimates, goals and outlook for the future that are intended to be covered by the protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “expect,” “attribute,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “goal,” “target,” “outlook,” “aim,” “would” and “annualized,” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and they are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The risks, uncertainties and other factors detailed from time to time in our public filings, including those included in the disclosures under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2021, subsequent periodic reports and future periodic reports, could affect future results and events, causing those results and events to differ materially from those views expressed or implied in the Company’s forward-looking statements. Should one or more of the foregoing risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those projected in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, revise, or correct any forward-looking statements based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information or otherwise.

 

Investor Contact:

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.

Karen Knott

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(248) 359-6624

kzaborney@sterlingbank.com

 

 

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.                    
Consolidated Financial Highlights (Unaudited)                    

 

   At and for the Three Months Ended   At and for the Year Ended 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)  December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2021
   December 31,
2020
   December 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
Net income (loss)  $4,798   $9,557   $(11,693)  $20,132   $(12,967)
Income (loss) per share, diluted  $0.10   $0.19   $(0.23)  $0.40   $(0.26)
Net interest income  $21,718   $22,637   $24,370   $91,180   $105,765 
Net interest margin   2.94%   2.83%   2.51%   2.71%   2.94%
Non-interest income  $3,564   $2,058   $1,373   $5,806   $4,336 
Non-interest expense  $19,864   $11,076   $14,856   $72,218   $74,112 
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses  $1,956,266   $2,168,544   $2,434,356   $1,956,266   $2,434,356 
Total deposits(1)  $2,261,735   $2,348,179   $3,130,513   $2,261,735   $3,130,513 
Nonperforming loans  $62,654   $77,397   $86,470   $62,654   $86,470 
Allowance for loan losses to total loans   2.81%   3.14%   2.89%   2.81%   2.89%
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans   90%   91%   84%   90%   84%
Provision (recovery) for loan losses  $(1,625)  $397   $27,592   $(3,771)  $54,865 
Net charge offs  $12,065   $828   $3,463   $12,068   $4,208 
Return on average assets   0.64%   1.18%   (1.19)%   0.59%   (0.35)%
Return on average shareholders' equity   5.65%   11.50%   (13.92)%   6.08%   (3.85)%
Efficiency ratio   78.57%   44.85%   57.71%   74.46%   67.31%
Capital Ratios                         
Regulatory and Other Capital Ratios— Consolidated:                         
    Total adjusted capital to risk-weighted assets   28.89%   26.40%   22.58%   28.89%   22.58%
    Tier 1 (core) capital to risk-weighted assets   23.94%   21.74%   17.68%   23.94%   17.68%
    Common Tier 1 (CET 1)   23.94%   21.74%   17.68%   23.94%   17.68%
    Tier 1 (core) capital to adjusted tangible assets (leverage ratio)   11.36%   10.32%   8.08%   11.36%   8.08%
                          
Regulatory and Other Capital Ratios—Bank:                         
    Total adjusted capital to risk-weighted assets   27.93%   26.37%   21.56%   27.93%   21.56%
    Tier 1 (core) capital to risk-weighted assets   26.65%   25.07%   20.27%   26.65%   20.27%
    Common Tier 1 (CET 1)   26.65%   25.07%   20.27%   26.65%   20.27%
    Tier 1 (core) capital to adjusted tangible assets (leverage ratio)   12.66%   11.85%   9.20%   12.66%   9.20%

 

 

(1) Refer to note to the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

 

 

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.                    
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)                    

 

(dollars in thousands)  December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2021
   %
change
   December 31,
2020
   %
change
 
Assets                         
Cash and due from banks  $411,676   $609,412    (32)%  $998,497    (59)%
Interest-bearing time deposits with other banks   1,183    805    47%   7,021    (83)%
Investment securities   313,879    204,689    53%   304,958    3%
Loans held for sale   60,493    12,744    N/M    22,284    N/M 
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $56,548, $70,238 and $72,387   1,956,266    2,168,544    (10)%   2,434,356    (20)%
Accrued interest receivable   7,696    8,355    (8)%   10,990    (30)%
Mortgage servicing rights, net   2,722    2,873    (5)%   5,688    (52)%
Leasehold improvements and equipment, net   7,421    8,931    (17)%   8,512    (13)%
Operating lease right-of-use assets   18,184    18,889    (4)%   19,232    (5)%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost   22,950    22,950    0%   22,950    0%
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance   33,033    32,899    0%   32,495    2%
Deferred tax asset, net   19,246    23,379    (18)%   24,326    (21)%
Other assets   18,823    24,494    (23)%   22,736    (17)%
   Total assets  $2,873,572   $3,138,964    (8)%  $3,914,045    (27)%
                          
Liabilities                         
Noninterest-bearing deposits(1)  $63,760   $65,456    (3)%  $64,509    (1)%
Interest-bearing deposits(2)   2,197,975    2,282,723    (4)%   3,066,004    (28)%
   Total deposits   2,261,735    2,348,179    (4)%   3,130,513    (28)%
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   150,000    307,000    (51)%   318,000    (53)%
Subordinated notes, net   65,343    65,360    0%   65,341    0%
Operating lease liabilities   19,400    20,106    (4)%   20,497    (5)%
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(1)(2)   36,725    61,754    (41)%   60,103    (39)%
   Total liabilities   2,533,203    2,802,399    (10)%   3,594,454    (30)%
Shareholders’ Equity                         
Preferred stock, authorized 10,000,000 shares; no
   shares issued and outstanding
                    
Common stock, no par value, authorized 500,000,000 shares;
   issued and outstanding 50,460,932 shares at December 31,
   2021, 50,475,064 shares at September 30, 2021, and 49,981,861
   shares at December 31, 2020
   82,157    82,157    0%   80,807    2%
Additional paid-in capital   14,124    13,992    1%   13,544    4%
Retained earnings   244,985    240,187    2%   224,853    9%
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (897)   229    N/M    387    N/M 
   Total shareholders’ equity   340,369    336,565    1%   319,591    7%
   Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $2,873,572   $3,138,964    (8)%  $3,914,045    (27)%

 

 

N/M- not meaningful

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. The Company has (1) reclassified custodial escrow balances maintained with serviced loans of $6,051 from accrued expenses and other liabilities to non-interest bearing deposits in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 and (2) reclassified accrued interest on outstanding time deposits of $8,684 and $25,496 from accrued expenses and other liabilities to interest-bearing deposits in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

 

 

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Year Ended 
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2021
   %
change
   December 31,
2020
   %
change
   December 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
   %
change
 
Interest income                                        
Interest and fees on loans  $25,106   $27,348    (8)%  $33,758    (26)%  $113,822   $146,702    (22)%
Interest and dividends on investment securities and restricted stock   644    375    72%   646    0%   1,794    3,618    (50)%
Other interest   182    253    (28)%   257    (29)%   925    1,043    (11)%
Total interest income   25,932    27,976    (7)%   34,661    (25)%   116,541    151,363    (23)%
Interest expense                                        
Interest on deposits   2,637    3,541    (26)%   8,254    (68)%   18,116    37,482    (52)%
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   607    826    (27)%   857    (29)%   3,118    3,403    (8)%
Interest on subordinated notes   970    972    0%   1,180    (18)%   4,127    4,713    (12)%
Total interest expense   4,214    5,339    (21)%   10,291    (59)%   25,361    45,598    (44)%
Net interest income   21,718    22,637    (4)%   24,370    (11)%   91,180    105,765    (14)%
Provision (recovery) for loan losses   (1,625)   397    N/M    27,592    N/M    (3,771)   54,865    N/M 
Net interest income after provision (recovery) for loan losses   23,343    22,240    5%   (3,222)   N/M    94,951    50,900    87%
Non-interest income                                        
Service charges and fees   86    120    (28)%   153    (44)%   509    426    19%
Gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale   15    151    (90)%   593    (97)%   634    2,050    (69)%
Gain on sale of branch office       1,417    (100)%           1,417        100%
Net servicing income (loss)   161    (31)   N/M    (85)   N/M    (1,208)   (1,324)   9%
Income on cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance   326    325    0%   198    65%   1,286    1,160    11%
Other   2,976    76    N/M    514    N/M    3,168    2,024    57%
Total non-interest income   3,564    2,058    73%   1,373    N/M    5,806    4,336    34%
Non-interest expense                                        
Salaries and employee benefits   8,920    2,774    N/M    9,049    (1)%   28,220    30,655    (8)%
Occupancy and equipment   2,268    2,395    (5)%   2,243    1%   9,108    8,788    4%
Professional fees   6,209    4,024    54%   8,859    (30)%   24,709    32,646    (24)%
FDIC assessments   393    417    (6)%   553    (29)%   2,029    1,768    15%
Data processing   711    403    76%   380    87%   1,900    1,458    30%
Net provision (recovery) of mortgage repurchase liability   (271)   (298)   9%   2,502    N/M    (1,234)   2,527    N/M 
Recovery for contingent losses               (10,000)   100%       (10,000)   100%
Other   1,634    1,361    20%   1,270    29%   7+,486    6,270    19%
Total non-interest expense   19,864    11,076    79%   14,856    34%   72,218    74,112    (3)%
Income (loss) before income taxes   7,043    13,222    (47)%   (16,705)   N/M    28,539    (18,876)   N/M 
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,245    3,665    (39)%   (5,012)   N/M    8,407    (5,909)   N/M 
Net income (loss)  $4,798   $9,557    (50)%  $(11,693)   N/M   $20,132   $(12,967)   N/M 
Income (loss) per share, basic and diluted  $0.10   $0.19        $(0.23)       $0.40   $(0.26)     
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                                        
Basic   50,167,295    50,167,295         49,843,925         50,049,902    49,840,882      
Diluted   50,316,155    50,262,686         49,843,925         50,139,310    49,840,882     

 

N/M- not meaningful                                        

 

 

 

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.
Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Year Ended 
Performance Ratios:  December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2021
   December 31,
2020
   December 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
Return on average assets   0.64%   1.18%   (1.19)%   0.59%   (0.35)%
Return on average shareholders' equity   5.65%   11.50%   (13.92)%   6.08%   (3.85)%
Yield on average interest earning assets   3.51%   3.50%   3.57%   3.47%   4.21%
Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities   0.66%   0.76%   1.18%   0.86%   1.44%
Net interest spread   2.85%   2.74%   2.39%   2.61%   2.77%
Net interest margin   2.94%   2.83%   2.51%   2.71%   2.94%
Efficiency ratio(1)   78.57%   44.85%   57.71%   74.46%   67.31%

 

 

(1) Efficiency Ratio is computed as the ratio of non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.

 

 

 

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.                        
Yield Analysis and Net Interest Income (Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 31, 2021   September 30, 2021   December 31, 2020 
(dollars in thousands)  Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
 
Interest-earning assets                                             
Loans(1)                                             
Residential real estate and other consumer  $1,775,663   $19,593    4.41%  $1,900,611   $22,002    4.63%  $2,126,605   $26,766    5.03%
Commercial real estate   281,844    3,351    4.76%   285,055    3,422    4.80%   256,534    3,168    4.94%
Construction   114,974    2,139    7.44%   135,292    1,896    5.61%   209,911    3,580    6.82%
Commercial lines of credit   1,622    23    5.67%   1,947    28    5.75%   15,387    244    6.34%
Total loans   2,174,103    25,106    4.62%   2,322,905    27,348    4.71%   2,608,437    33,758    5.18%
Securities, includes restricted stock   300,435    644    0.86%   213,945    375    0.70%   324,978    646    0.80%
Other interest-earning assets   484,631    182    0.15%   664,747    253    0.15%   950,405    257    0.11%
Total interest-earning assets   2,959,169    25,932    3.51%   3,201,597    27,976    3.50%   3,883,820    34,661    3.57%
Noninterest-earning assets                                             
Cash and due from banks   4,216              7,376              9,162           
Other assets   36,201              41,360              52,590           
Total assets  $2,999,586             $3,250,333             $3,945,572           
Interest-bearing liabilities                                             
Money Market, Savings and NOW  $1,304,133   $711    0.22%  $1,329,832   $771    0.23%  $1,371,194   $1,554    0.45%
Time deposits(3)   927,129    1,926    0.82%   1,075,598    2,770    1.02%   1,704,937    6,700    1.56%
Total interest-bearing deposits   2,231,262    2,637    0.47%   2,405,430    3,541    0.58%   3,076,131    8,254    1.06%
FHLB borrowings   233,413    607    1.02%   307,733    826    1.06%   318,000    857    1.05%
Subordinated debt   65,354    970    5.94%   65,372    972    5.95%   65,316    1,180    7.23%
Total borrowings   298,767    1,577    2.07%   373,105    1,798    1.91%   383,316    2,037    2.08%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,530,029    4,214    0.66%   2,778,535    5,339    0.76%   3,459,447    10,291    1.18%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities                                             
Demand deposits   65,083              66,566              72,766           
Other liabilities(3)   64,841              72,694              77,239           
Shareholders' equity   339,633              332,538              336,120           
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $2,999,586             $3,250,333             $3,945,572           
Net interest income and spread(2)       $21,718    2.85%       $22,637    2.74%       $24,370    2.39%
Net interest margin(2)             2.94%             2.83%             2.51%

 

 

(1) Nonaccrual loans are included in the respective average loan balances. Income, if any, on such loans is recognized on a cash basis.
(2) Interest income does not include taxable equivalent adjustments.
(3) Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.  The Company has reclassified accrued interest on outstanding time deposits from accrued expenses and other liabilities to interest-bearing deposits in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

 

   Year Ended 
   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
(dollars in thousands)  Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest   Average
Yield/
Rate
 
Interest-earning assets                              
Loans (1)                              
Residential real estate and other consumer  $1,910,078   $89,985    4.71%  $2,273,146   $117,686    5.18%
Commercial real estate   270,564    13,400    4.95%   264,006    13,374    5.07%
Construction   154,920    10,235    6.61%   202,132    14,454    7.15%
Commercial lines of credit   2,873    202    7.03%   17,632    1,188    6.74%
Total loans   2,338,435    113,822    4.87%   2,756,916    146,702    5.32%
Securities, includes restricted stock   274,339    1,794    0.65%   251,003    3,618    1.44%
Other interest-earning assets   747,837    925    0.12%   585,484    1,043    0.18%
Total interest-earning assets   3,360,611    116,541    3.47%   3,593,403    151,363    4.21%
Noninterest-earning assets                              
Cash and due from banks   6,652              11,364           
Other assets   40,881              60,288           
Total assets  $3,408,144             $3,665,055           
Interest-bearing liabilities                              
Money Market, Savings and NOW  $1,340,083   $3,224    0.24%  $1,281,880   $9,435    0.74%
Time deposits(3)   1,244,116    14,892    1.20%   1,515,703    28,047    1.85%
Total interest-bearing deposits   2,584,199    18,116    0.70%   2,797,583    37,482    1.34%
FHLB borrowings   294,095    3,118    1.06%   308,368    3,403    1.10%
Subordinated debt   65,367    4,127    6.31%   65,255    4,713    7.22%
Total borrowings   359,462    7,245    2.02%   373,623    8,116    2.17%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   2,943,661    25,361    0.86%   3,171,206    45,598    1.44%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities                              
Demand deposits(4)   62,875              77,509           
Other liabilities(3) (4)   70,725              79,362           
Shareholders' equity   330,883              336,978           
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  $3,408,144             $3,665,055           
Net interest income and spread (2)       $91,180    2.61%       $105,765    2.77%
Net interest margin (2)             2.71%             2.94%

 

 

(1) Nonaccrual loans are included in the respective average loan balances. Income, if any, on such loans is recognized on a cash basis.
(2) Interest income does not include taxable equivalent adjustments.
(3) (4) Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.  The Company has (3) reclassified accrued interest on outstanding time deposits from accrued expenses and other liabilities to interest-bearing deposits and (4) reclassified custodial escrow balances maintained with serviced loans from accrued expenses and other liabilities to non-interest bearing deposits in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.

Loan Composition (Unaudited)

 

(dollars in thousands)  December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2021
   %
change
   December 31,
2020
   %
change
 
Residential real estate  $1,704,231   $1,818,633    (6)%  $2,033,526    (16)%
Commercial real estate   201,240    291,649    (31)%   259,958    (23)%
Construction   106,759    126,571    (16)%   206,581    (48)%
Commercial lines of credit   363    1,923    (81)%   6,671    (95)%
Other consumer   221    6    N/M    7    N/M 
Total loans held for investment   2,012,814    2,238,782    (10)%   2,506,743    (20)%
Less:  allowance for loan losses   (56,548)   (70,238)   (19)%   (72,387)   (22)%
Loans, net  $1,956,266   $2,168,544    (10)%  $2,434,356    (20)%
                          
Loans held for sale  $60,493   $12,744    N/M   $22,284    N/M 
Total gross loans  $2,073,307   $2,251,526    (8)%  $2,529,027    (18)%

 

 

N/M- not meaningful

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.

Allowance for Loan Losses (Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Year Ended 
(dollars in thousands)  December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2021
   December 31,
2020
   December 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
Balance at beginning of period  $70,238   $70,669   $48,258   $72,387   $21,730 
Provision (recovery) for loan losses   (1,625)   397    27,592    (3,771)   54,865 
Charge offs   (12,415)   (1,965)   (3,486)   (14,380)   (4,301)
Recoveries   350    1,137    23    2,312    93 
Balance at end of period  $56,548   $70,238   $72,387   $56,548   $72,387 

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.

Deposit Composition (Unaudited)

 

(dollars in thousands)  December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2021
   %
change
   December 31,
2020
   %
change
 
Noninterest-bearing deposits(1)  $63,760   $65,456    (3)%  $64,509    (1)%
Money Market, Savings and NOW   1,306,155    1,312,348    0%   1,393,985    (6)%
Time deposits(2)   891,820    970,375    (8)%   1,672,019    (47)%
Total deposits  $2,261,735   $2,348,179    (4)%  $3,130,513    (28)%

 

 

(1) The Company has included custodial escrow balances maintained with serviced loans of $6,051 in noninterest-bearing deposits at December 31, 2020 to conform to the September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2021 presentation.

(2) The Company has included accrued interest on outstanding time deposits of $8,684 and $25,496 in interest-bearing deposits at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, to conform to the December 31, 2021 presentation.

 

 

 

 

Sterling Bancorp, Inc.

Credit Quality Data (Unaudited)

 

   At and for the Three Months Ended 
(dollars in thousands)  December 31,
2021
   September 30,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
Nonperforming residential real estate loans(1)  $45,714   $41,687   $20,775 
Nonperforming commercial loans(1) (2)   16,940    35,710    65,695 
Total nonperforming loans(1)  $62,654   $77,397   $86,470 
Nonperforming loans to total loans(1)   3.11%   3.46%   3.45%
Other troubled debt restructurings(2)  $2,664   $2,718   $8,246 
Nonaccrual loans held for sale  $17,108   $8,744   $19,375 
Nonperforming assets(3)  $82,426   $88,859   $114,258 
Nonperforming assets to total assets   2.87%   2.83%   2.92%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans   2.81%   3.14%   2.89%
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans   90%   91%   84%
Net charge offs to average loans   0.55%   0.04%   0.13%

 

 

(1) Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans (including troubled debt restructurings on nonaccrual status) and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest but exclude nonaccrual loans held for sale.

(2) Other troubled debt restructurings exclude those loans presented as nonaccrual or past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest.

(3) Nonperforming assets include nonperforming loans, nonaccrual loans held for sale, other troubled debt restructurings and other loan collateral acquired through foreclosure or repossession.