Customers Bancorp Reports Results for Third Quarter 2022

Customers Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:CUBI)

Third Quarter 2022 Highlights

• Q3 2022 net income available to common shareholders was $61.4 million, or $1.85 per diluted share; ROAA was 1.24% and ROCE was 19.33%.
• Q3 2022 core earnings* were $82.3 million, or $2.48 per diluted share; Core ROAA* was 1.64% and Core ROCE* was 25.91%.
• Q3 2022 core earnings excluding Paycheck Protection Program* ("PPP") were $76.4 million, or $2.30 per diluted share, up 134.9% over Q3 2021, and bringing year-to-date core earnings (excluding PPP)* to $5.15.
• Q3 2022 adjusted pre-tax pre-provision net income* was $101.0 million; ROAA* was 1.95%, ROCE* was 31.01%.
• Year-over-year loan growth (excluding loans to mortgage companies and PPP*) was $4.5 billion, or 57.3%, led by our low-risk variable rate specialty lending verticals.
• Year-over-year deposit growth was $551.4 million, up 3.2%. Total demand deposits increased $141.0 million, or 1.4% year-over-year. Time deposits increased $1.3 billion, or 220.0%. CBIT-related deposits had a balance of $1.9 billion at September 30, 2022, down $191.7 million from June 30, 2022.
• Q3 2022 net interest margin, tax equivalent* was 3.16%. Q3 2022 net interest margin, tax equivalent, excluding the impact of PPP loans* was 3.18%.
• Onboarded 111 new CBIT customers in Q3 2022, bringing total customers to 301.
• Total operating expenses were flat in Q3 2022 compared to Q2 2022 and down $3.8 million over Q3 2021.
• Q3 2022 benefit to provision for credit losses on loans and leases of $7.8 million was largely driven by the sale of $500.0 million of consumer installment loans, offset in part by the impact of loan growth and our recognition of weaker macroeconomic forecasts.
• Non-performing assets were $28.0 million, or 0.14% of total assets, at September 30, 2022 compared to $28.2 million, or 0.14% of total assets, at June 30, 2022 and $52.4 million, or 0.27% of total assets, at September 30, 2021. Allowance for credit losses on loans and leases equaled 466% of non-performing loans at September 30, 2022, compared to 558% at June 30, 2022 and 253% at September 30, 2021.
• Extended one-year common stock repurchase program an additional year, resulting in approximately 2.0 million shares available to be repurchased through September 2023.
• Tangible book value per share* grew year over year by $3.23, or 9.2%, despite increased AOCI losses of $157.6 million over the same time period. Tangible book value per share* has grown by 74.5% over the past 5 years.

CEO Commentary

West Reading, PA, October 26, 2022 - “We delivered another solid quarter and are extremely pleased with our third quarter results despite the challenging interest rate and economic environment,” remarked Customers Bancorp Chairman and CEO, Jay Sidhu. “We remain laser focused on our responsible organic growth strategy and have taken prudent risk management strategic actions over the past several quarters to ensure we are well positioned from a capital, credit, liquidity and earnings perspective. We are also pleased to report that we have already beat our 2022 core earnings per share, excluding PPP* target of $4.75 - $5.00. Core earnings per share, excluding PPP* for third quarter 2022 were $2.30, bringing year-to-date September 2022 core earnings per share, excluding PPP* to $5.15. In addition, core ROAA* was 1.64% and core ROCE* was 25.91% for the third quarter. Q3 2022 net interest income generated by the core bank was up 2% (~10% annualized) over Q2 2022 and 38% year-over-year. Core loan growth was led by increases in low-risk variable rate specialty lending verticals of $0.5 billion, which were largely offset by a decline in loans to mortgage companies of $0.3 billion and a sale of $0.5 billion of consumer installment loans executed as part of our balance sheet optimization initiatives. Asset quality remains exceptional and credit reserves are robust. Our loan and deposit pipelines remain strong and we are very focused on maintaining our margins, moderating our growth, improving our capital ratios, and controlling our expenses. We remain very optimistic about our future,” Mr. Jay Sidhu continued.

Financial Highlights

Customers Bank Instant Token (CBIT^™)

"Despite significant market volatility that continues in the digital asset space, we are very pleased with our progress to date. In Q3 2022, we onboarded 111 new CBIT-related customers to the Digital Bank, once again beating our internal target, and bringing total customers to 301. Our digital asset-related deposits have stabilized and ended the third quarter at $1.9 billion. We continue to expect digital asset-related deposits to grow in fourth quarter 2022 as our pipelines remain strong, giving us an opportunity to further transform our deposits into a high quality, low-cost, stable and growing deposit franchise. We believe our technology, compliance and customer service and support systems remain among the best in the country," commented Mr. Sam Sidhu, President and CEO of Customers Bank.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

We funded, either directly or indirectly, about 256,000 PPP loans totaling $5.2 billion in 2021, bringing total PPP loans funded to approximately 358,000 and $10.3 billion. We also earned close to $350 million of deferred origination fees from the SBA through the PPP loans, which is significantly accretive to our earnings and capital levels as these loans are forgiven by the government. In Q3 2022, we recognized $11 million of these fees in earnings, bringing total fees recognized to date to $318 million, resulting in approximately $30 million remaining to be recognized throughout 2022 and early 2023. "As we've stated previously, it is difficult to predict the timing of PPP forgiveness. We expect most of the fees to be recognized over the next two quarters," commented Customers Bancorp CFO, Carla Leibold.

Key Balance Sheet Trends

Loans and Leases

The following table presents the composition of total loans and leases as of the dates indicated:

C&I loans and leases, including specialty lending, increased $3.6 billion, or 136.8% year-over-year, to $6.2 billion. Practically all of the increases in outstanding balances were in the low-risk variable rate secured categories of Fund Finance and Lender Finance. Multi-family loans increased $880.2 million, or 63.5%, to $2.3 billion, residential loans increased $206.1 million, or 79.0%, to $466.9 million, commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans increased $118.6 million, or 10.4% year-over-year to $1.3 billion and commercial real estate owner occupied loans increased $70.6 million, or 10.8%, to $726.7 million. These increases in loans and leases were partially offset by a decrease in total consumer installment loans of $226.5 million, or 13.9%, to $1.4 billion primarily due to the sale of a $500.0 million of consumer installment loans and a decrease in construction loans of $62.5 million, or 31.5%, to $136.1 million.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans and Leases

The following table presents allowance for credit losses on loans and leases (information as of the dates and periods indicated):

The increase in net charge-offs in Q3 2022 compared to Q2 2022 was primarily due to a partial charge-off of $7.0 million for one performing commercial real estate collateral dependent loan that we felt prudent in exiting at this time. Our consumer net charge-offs were flat in Q3 2022 compared to Q2 2022.

Provision (Benefit) for Credit Losses

The benefit to provision for credit losses on loans and leases in Q3 2022 was $7.8 million, compared to provision expense of $24.2 million in Q2 2022. The benefit to provision in Q3 2022 was primarily due to the sale of $500.0 million of unsecured consumer installment loans in connection with the Company's balance sheet optimization initiatives, partially offset by loan growth and our recognition of weaker macroeconomic forecasts. This sale transaction resulted in approximately $36.8 million of release in allowance for credit losses, which is included in core earnings*. The benefit to provision for credit losses on available for sale investment securities in Q3 2022 was $0.2 million compared to $0.3 million in Q2 2022.

Asset Quality

The following table presents asset quality metrics as of the dates indicated:

Over the last decade, we have developed a suite of commercial loan products with one particularly important common denominator: relatively low credit risk assumption. The Bank’s C&I, loans to mortgage companies, corporate and specialty lending lines of business, and multi-family loans for example, are characterized by conservative underwriting standards and low loss rates. Because of this emphasis, the Bank’s credit quality to date has been incredibly healthy despite a highly adverse economic environment. Maintaining strong asset quality also requires a highly active portfolio monitoring process. In addition to frequent client outreach and monitoring at the individual loan level, we employ a bottom-up data driven approach to analyze the commercial portfolio. Exposure to industry segments and CRE significantly impacted by COVID-19 initially is not substantial.

Total consumer installment loans were approximately 6.9% of total assets at September 30, 2022 and 9.9% of core loans* were supported by an allowance for credit losses of $71.7 million. At September 30, 2022, our consumer installment portfolio had the following characteristics: average original FICO score of 736, average debt-to-income of 17.9% and average borrower income of $106 thousand.

Non-performing loans at September 30, 2022 were essentially flat at 0.18% of total loans and leases, compared to 0.18% at June 30, 2022 and 0.34% at September 30, 2021.

Deposits

The following table presents the composition of our deposit portfolio as of the dates indicated:

Total deposits increased $551.4 million, or 3.2%, to $17.5 billion at September 30, 2022 as compared to a year ago. Time deposits increased $1.3 billion, or 220.0%, to $1.9 billion and total demand deposits increased $141.0 million, or 1.4%, to $10.1 billion. These increases were offset partially by decreases in savings deposits of $718.3 million, or 54.8%, to $592.0 million and money market deposits of $176.2 million, or 3.5%, to $4.9 billion. The total cost of deposits increased by 106 basis points to 1.48% in Q3 2022 from 0.42% in the prior year primarily due to higher market interest rates and a shift in deposit mix.

Capital

The following table presents certain capital amounts and ratios as of the dates indicated:

Customers Bancorp's tangible common equity* increased $102.8 million to $1.2 billion at September 30, 2022 compared to a year ago, as earnings of $291.4 million more than offset a negative impact to accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") from increased unrealized losses on investment securities of $157.6 million (net of taxes). Similarly, tangible book value per common share* increased to $38.35 at September 30, 2022 from $35.12 at September 30, 2021. Customers remains well capitalized by all regulatory measures.

At the Customers Bancorp level, the total risk based capital ratio (estimate) and tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio ("TCE ratio"), excluding PPP loans*, were 12.8% and 6.48%, respectively, at September 30, 2022. "We expect our TCE ratio to be about 7.5% over the next 3 - 4 quarters, supported by growth in retained earnings and prudent balance sheet management," stated Mr. Sam Sidhu.

At the Customers Bank level, capital levels remained strong and well above regulatory minimums. At September 30, 2022, estimated Tier 1 capital and total risk-based capital were 11.7% and 13.0%, respectively.

Key Profitability Trends

Net Interest Income

Net interest income totaled $159.0 million in Q3 2022, a decrease of $5.8 million from Q2 2022, primarily due to lower PPP interest income of $5.9 million resulting from reduced recognition of deferred fees of $4.8 million driven by lower loan forgiveness in Q3 2022. This decrease was offset in part by increased net interest income earned by the core bank of $3.5 million, up 2% (~10% annualized) over Q2 2022, including increased interest income on investment securities and core loans* of $5.1 million and $37.4 million, respectively, mostly due to higher average balances. In addition, higher expenses paid on deposits, fed funds, FHLB advances and other borrowings of $45.4 million resulted mainly from a shift in deposit mix and higher interest rates during Q3 2022. Excluding PPP loans, average interest-earning assets increased $1.0 billion. Interest-earning asset growth was primarily driven by increases in C&I loans and leases, mostly in specialty lending, and some lower-yielding multi-family loans that didn't close until Q3 2022. Compared to Q2 2022, total loan yields increased 54 basis points to 5.08% primarily due to higher interest rates on variable rate loans in specialty lending. Excluding PPP loans, the Q3 2022 total loan yield was 59 basis points higher than Q2 2022 reflecting increased interest rates and the variable rate nature of the loan portfolio.

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents details of non-interest income for the periods indicated:

Non-interest income totaled $(9.0) million for Q3 2022, a decrease of $21.8 million compared to Q2 2022. The decrease was primarily due to $23.5 million of loss realized from the sale of $500 million of consumer installment loans as part of our balance sheet optimization initiatives, which included the write-off of deferred origination costs and other transaction-related expenses, and lower gains realized on sales of SBA loans in Q3 2022 compared to Q2 2022, partially offset by higher bank-owned life insurance income primarily due to death benefits, lower realized losses from the sale of investment securities and higher commercial lease income and loan fees from continued growth.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents details of non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

The management of non-interest expenses remains a priority for us. However, this will not be at the expense of not making adequate investments with new technologies to support efficient and responsible growth.

Non-interest expenses totaled $76.2 million in Q3 2022, relatively unchanged from Q2 2022 and $3.8 million lower than Q3 2021. The offsetting items this quarter included a $3.2 million decrease in technology, processing and deposit servicing-related expenses mostly due to lower deposit servicing fees paid to BM Technologies, $1.7 million decrease in occupancy mostly due to $0.9 million of impairment charges for consolidation of five branches into other existing locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania recorded in Q2 2022 and $1.1 million decrease in professional fees primarily associated with the PPP loan forgiveness. These decreases were offset in part by higher salaries and employee benefits of $5.9 million primarily due to higher average headcount, incentives and $1.4 million in one-time severance expenses.

Taxes

Income tax expense from continuing operations decreased by $1.0 million to $17.9 million in Q3 2022 from $18.9 million in Q2 2022 primarily due to higher investment tax credits and death benefits on bank owned life insurance policies. The effective tax rate from continuing operations for Q3 2022 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 22%. Customers expects the full-year 2022 effective tax rate from continuing operations to be approximately 21% to 23%.

Outlook

“Looking ahead, we envision moderate sustainable and responsible organic core growth, maintenance of our margins, improved capital ratios, and higher profitability and are very optimistic about the prospects of our company. We are focused on improving the quality of our balance sheet and deposit franchise and are not focused on growth just for the sake of growth. With about $500 million of loan growth expected in our low-risk specialty lending verticals in fourth quarter 2022, we will have mostly completed our portfolio remix into lower credit risk variable rate loans. As such, we believe that our margin will likely trough in 2022 and we expect margin expansion in 2023 or through the projected rate-hike cycle. Through a combination of revenue growth and prudent expense management, we expect our efficiency ratio to be in the low to mid 40's by early 2023. Customers Bancorp stock at the close of business on October 21, 2022 was trading at $31.17, only 0.8 times tangible book value* at September 30, 2022. Even after selling $500 million of higher yielding consumer installment loans, we continue to expect over $6.00 of core earnings in 2023, two to three years ahead of our previous guidance of $6.00 by 2025/2026,” concluded Mr. Jay Sidhu.

Webcast

Date: Thursday, October 27, 2022

Time: 9:00 AM EDT

The live audio webcast, presentation slides, and earnings press release will be made available at https://www.customersbank.com/investor-relations/ and at the Customers Bancorp 3rd Quarter Earnings Webcast.

You may submit questions in advance of the live webcast by emailing our Communications Director, David Patti at dpatti@customersbank.com; questions may also be asked during the webcast through the webcast application.

The webcast will be archived for viewing on the Customers Bank Investor Relations page and available beginning approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event.

Institutional Background

Customers Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:CUBI) is one of the nation’s top-performing banking companies with over $20 billion in assets, making it one of the 100 largest bank holding companies in the US. Through its primary subsidiary, Customers Bank, commercial and consumer clients benefit from a full suite of technology-enabled tailored product experience delivered by best-in-class customer service. A pioneer in Banking-as-a-Service and digital banking products, Customers Bank is one of the very few banks that provides a blockchain-based 24/7/365 digital payment solution. In addition to traditional lines such as C&I lending, commercial real estate lending, and multi-family lending, Customers Bank also provides a number of national corporate banking services for Lender Finance, Fund Finance, Financial Institutions, Technology and Venture, and Healthcare clients. Major accolades include:

• #3 top-performing bank with over $10 billion in assets at year-end 2021 per S&P Global S&P Global Market Intelligence,
• #6 in top-performing banks with assets between $10 billion and 50 billion in 2021 per American Banker, and
• #21 out of the 100 largest publicly traded banks in 2022 per Forbes.

A member of the Federal Reserve System with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Customers Bank is an equal opportunity lender. Learn more: www.customersbank.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement

In addition to historical information, this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to Customers Bancorp, Inc.’s strategies, goals, beliefs, expectations, estimates, intentions, capital raising efforts, financial condition and results of operations, future performance and business. Statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “pro forma,” “looking forward,” “would,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” or similar expressions generally indicate a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which, in whole or in part, are beyond Customers Bancorp, Inc.’s control). Numerous competitive, economic, regulatory, legal and technological events and factors, among others, could cause Customers Bancorp, Inc.’s financial performance to differ materially from the goals, plans, objectives, intentions and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements, including: the impact of the ongoing pandemic on the U.S. economy and customer behavior, the impact that changes in the economy have on the performance of our loan and lease portfolio, the market value of our investment securities, the continued success and acceptance of our blockchain payments system, the demand for our products and services and the availability of sources of funding; the effects of actions by the federal government, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other government agencies, that affect market interest rates and the money supply, actions that we and our customers take in response to these developments and the effects such actions have on our operations, products, services and customer relationships, higher inflation and its impacts, and the effects of any changes in accounting standards or policies. Customers Bancorp, Inc. cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive, and neither such factors nor any such forward-looking statement takes into account the impact of any future events. All forward-looking statements and information set forth herein are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions as of the date hereof and speak only as of the date they are made. For a more complete discussion of the assumptions, risks and uncertainties related to our business, you are encouraged to review Customers Bancorp, Inc.’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, including any amendments thereto, that update or provide information in addition to the information included in the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings, if any. Customers Bancorp, Inc. does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by Customers Bancorp, Inc. or by or on behalf of Customers Bank, except as may be required under applicable law.

Q3 2022 Overview

The following table presents a summary of key earnings and performance metrics for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 and the preceding four quarters: