Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. Reports 3Q2023 Earnings of $0.24 Per Share Reflecting Tax Changes; Lower Future Effective Tax Rate Expected; Non-Performing Assets Decline: Net Interest Margin Expands

EAU CLAIRE, Wis., Oct. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) ( CZWI), the parent company of Citizens Community Federal N.A. (the “Bank” or “CCFBank”), today reported earnings of $2.5 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.24 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to $3.2 million and $0.31 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and $4.0 million and $0.38 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, respectively. For the first nine months of 2023, earnings were $9.4 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $13.1 million, or $1.24 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2022.

The Wisconsin state budget, signed by Governor Evers on July 5, 2023, provides financial institutions a tax exemption on income earned on Wisconsin commercial and agricultural loans less than $5 million retroactive to January 1, 2023. The change is expected to lower the Company’s future effective tax rate.

The Company’s third quarter 2023 operating results reflected the following changes from the second quarter of 2023: (1) a one-time $1.8 million tax expense related to a reduction in the carrying value of the net deferred tax asset due to the impact of the Wisconsin taxation change decreasing the incremental tax rate, partially offset by a $0.6 million tax benefit due to a lower tax rate; (2) higher net interest income due to the recognition of $0.4 million of interest income on the payoff of a nonaccrual loan, with positive asset repricing and higher non-interest bearing checking balances offsetting the impact of higher liability costs; (3) a negative provision for credit losses resulting from a recovery related to a nonaccrual loan payoff and two other larger loan payoffs; (4) $0.3 million lower non-interest income, primarily due to lower gains on sale of loans.

Absent the Wisconsin state tax law change, earning per share for the three-month and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2023, would have been $0.36 and $1.02, respectively.

“We continue efforts to improve franchise value notwithstanding a challenging economic climate and yield curve inversion. During the third quarter, we decreased special mention, substandard and non-performing loans. The decrease in nonperforming loans helped increase net interest income and increased the negative provision. The allowance for credit losses remained elevated at 1.59% of total loans. Operationally, we continue to control expenses to lessen the impact of net interest margin compression and its impact on our efficiency ratio,” stated Stephen Bianchi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. “Deposits grew modestly, and loan growth was muted, reflecting other business priorities.”

Book value per share was $15.80 at September 30, 2023, compared to $15.81 at June 30, 2023, and $15.59 at September 30, 2022. Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)¹ was $12.61 at September 30, 2023, compared to $12.61 at June 30, 2023, and $12.32 at September 30, 2022. For the quarter, tangible book value was positively influenced by net income and intangible amortization, offset by higher accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”). The AOCI loss reflected the impact of higher interest rates.

September 30, 2023 Highlights: (as of or for the 3-month period ended September 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.)

• Quarterly earnings of $2.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, decreased from the quarter ended June 30, 2023, earnings of $3.2 million or $0.31 per diluted share, and decreased from the quarter ended September 30, 2022, earnings of $4.0 million or $0.38 per diluted share.
• Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, were $9.4 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, which is a decrease from $13.1 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, for the same period in the prior year.
• Net interest income increased $0.4 million to $12.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, from $11.7 million the previous quarter and decreased $2.3 million from the third quarter of 2022. The increase in net interest income from the second quarter of 2023 is due to $0.4 million recognized from a nonaccrual loan payoff, with positive asset repricing and higher non-interest-bearing checking balances offsetting higher liability costs.
• The net interest margin without loan purchase accretion was 2.76% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to 2.69% for the previous quarter and 3.33% for the comparable quarter one year earlier. The impact of the nonaccrual loan payoff of $0.4 million was approximately 10 basis points.
• In the third quarter, we recorded a negative provision for credit losses of $0.3 million due to net recoveries from the payoff of a nonaccrual agricultural loan and the reversal of reserves as a result of the payoff of two larger loans. The favorable impact of improved forecasted general economic conditions from the second quarter offsets the provision for loan growth. The provision was $0.5 million for the preceding quarter and $0.4 million was recorded during the third quarter a year ago.
• The effective tax rate increased to 50.5% for the third quarter from 25.5% in the second quarter. “The increase in the tax rate is due to a Wisconsin budget signed July 5, 2023, effective January 1, 2023, which makes originated loans in Wisconsin for business purposes of up to $5.0 million non-taxable. The third quarter reflects three quarters of the benefit, retroactive to January 1, 2023, reducing income tax expense $0.6 million. This positive impact was more than offset by a one-time $1.8 million expense, related to a reduction in the carrying value of the deferred tax asset, due to the impact of the Wisconsin law decreasing the incremental tax rate. The tax rate is assumed to approximate 21% in the fourth quarter.” said Jim Broucek, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer.
• The efficiency ratio was 67% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to 66% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
• Gross loans increased by $22.6 million during the third quarter ended September 30, 2023, to $1.45 billion from $1.43 billion at June 30, 2023. Gross loans increased $35.7 million or 2.5% from December 31, 2022, and $71.5 million from September 30, 2022, or 5.2%.
• Nonperforming assets were $15.5 million at September 30, 2023, compared to $17.4 million at June 30, 2023. The decrease is due to 1) the payoff of a nonaccrual agricultural loan; 2) payments on nonaccrual loans and 3) modest new nonaccrual additions and modest additions of ninety day plus delinquent loans still accruing.
• Substandard loans decreased by $3.0 million to $16.2 million at September 30, 2023, compared to $19.2 million at June 30, 2023. The decrease was due to 1) the payoff of a long-term agricultural nonaccrual loan, 2) other net reductions in non-performing loans and 3) the payoff of another accruing agricultural real estate loan.
• Our office loan portfolio is $40.9 million and consists of 74 loans. There are no criticized loans in this portfolio and there have been no charge-offs in the trailing twelve months.
• Stockholders’ equity as a percent of total assets was 9.03% at September 30, 2023, compared to 9.05% at June 30, 2023. Tangible common equity (“TCE”) as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)¹ was 7.34% at September 30, 2023, compared to 7.35% at June 30, 2023. The positive impact of net income and amortization of intangibles was largely offset by an increase in the unrealized losses in the available for sale (AFS) investment portfolio.
• At September 30, 2023, our deposit portfolio composition was 54% consumer, 29% commercial, 11% public and 6% brokered deposits compared to 54% consumer, 27% commercial, 12% public and 7% brokered deposits at June 30, 2023.
• Uninsured and uncollateralized deposits were $277.9 million, or 19% of total deposits, at September 30, 2023, and $268.1 million, or 18% of total deposits, at June 30, 2023. Uninsured deposits alone at September 30, 2023, were $412.9 million, or 28% of total deposits, and $413.0 million, or 28% of total deposits at June 30, 2023.
• On-balance sheet liquidity, collateralized new borrowing capacity and uncommitted federal funds borrowing availability was 221% of uninsured and uncollateralized deposits at September 30, 2023, and 228% at June 30, 2023.
• On-balance sheet liquidity, collateralized new borrowing capacity and uncommitted federal funds borrowing availability was $604.9 million at September 30, 2023, and $611.1 million at June 30, 2023.
  

Balance Sheet and Asset Quality

Total assets increased modestly by $1.3 million during the quarter remaining at $1.83 billion at September 30, 2023.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $10.4 million during the quarter to $32.5 million at September 30, 2023, partially due to a decrease in interest-bearing deposits of $5.4 million. The decrease was used to reduce FHLB advances.

Securities available for sale decreased $7.7 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, to $153.4 million from $161.1 million at June 30, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to principal repayments, and a decrease in the market value of the portfolio.

Securities held to maturity decreased $1.5 million to $92.3 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, from $93.8 million at June 30, 2023, due to principal repayments.

Gross loans increased by $22.6 million during the third quarter of 2023. The Bank grew the commercial real estate and multi-family portfolio’s $17.8 million and $11.0 million, respectively. As a result of the current interest rate environment, residential 10/1 ARM loan originations were added to the portfolio which resulted in residential mortgage loan growth of $6.2 million. Commercial and industrial loans decreased $12.7 million as commercial customers reduced amounts drawn on lines of credit.

The allowance for credit losses on loans decreased modestly by $0.2 million to $23.0 million at September 30, 2023, representing 1.59% of total loans receivable compared to 1.63% of total loans receivable at June 30, 2023. For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, the Bank had net recoveries of $161 thousand.

Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) - Loans Percentage

(in thousands, except ratios)

Allowance for Credit Losses - Unfunded Commitments:

In addition to the ACL - Loans, the Company has established an ACL - Unfunded Commitments of $1.571 million at September 30, 2023 and $1.544 million at June 30, 2023, classified in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Nonperforming assets decreased $1.9 million to $15.5 million or 0.85% of total assets at September 30, 2023, compared to $17.4 million or 0.95% at June 30, 2023. The decrease was due to 1) the payoff of a nonaccrual agricultural loan: 2) payments on nonaccrual loans: and 3) modest new nonaccrual additions and modest additions of ninety day plus delinquent loans still accruing.

Special mention loans decreased $0.5 million from June 30, 2023, due to reductions with no new additions.

Substandard loans decreased by $3.0 million to $16.2 million at September 30, 2023, compared to $19.2 million at June 30, 2023. The decrease was due to 1) the payoff of a nonaccrual loan, 2) other net reductions in non-performing loans and 3) the payoff of an agricultural real estate loan.

Total deposits increased $8.6 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, to $1.47 billion. Commercial deposits grew $28.2 million, largely due to growth in non-interest-bearing checking and retail deposits grew $4.5 million. Brokered deposits decreased $12.1 million largely due to CD maturities not replaced due to organic deposit growth. Public deposits declined $12.1 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, from the previous quarter due to seasonal outflows. Deposit composition changed during the third quarter, as both business and retail depositors sought higher yields on deposit accounts.

Deposit Portfolio Composition
(in thousands)

Deposit Composition
(in thousands)

Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $8.0 million to $114.5 million at September 30, 2023, from $122.5 million one quarter earlier, as deposit growth and reductions in cash and securities more than funded loan growth, allowing advances to decrease.

The Company did not repurchase any shares of the Company’s common stock in the third quarter of 2023. As of September 30, 2023, approximately 229 thousand shares remain available for repurchase under the current share repurchase authorization.

Review of Operations

Net interest income increased to $12.1 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 from $11.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and decreased from $14.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The increase in net interest income in the third quarter of 2023, compared to the second quarter, is due to the recognition of $0.4 million of interest income on the payoff of a nonaccrual loan, with higher non-interest bearing deposit balances and positive asset repricing offsetting the impact of higher liability costs. From the third quarter of 2022, the decrease in net interest income is due to liability costs increasing more than asset yields.

Net interest income and net interest margin analysis:

The third quarter provision for credit losses was a negative $0.3 million due to net recoveries from the payoff of a nonaccrual agricultural loan and the reversal of collectively evaluated reserves on the payoff of two larger loans. The favorable impact of improved forecasted general economic conditions from the second quarter offsets the provision for loan growth. The provision was $0.45 million for the preceding quarter and $0.38 million was recorded during the third quarter a year ago.

Non-interest income decreased to $2.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to $2.9 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and increased from $2.5 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The decrease from the second quarter of 2023 was largely due to lower gains on sale of loans as gain on sale returned to a more normal run rate in the current economic environment.

Total non-interest expense increased $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2023 to $10.0 million, compared to $9.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, and decreased from $11.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Non-interest expense decreased $1.5 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the comparable prior year period, largely due to (1) lower incentive compensation resulting in $0.6 million lower compensation expense, (2) reduction in amortization of intangible assets of $0.2 million and (3) new market tax credit depletion.

Provision for income taxes increased to $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2023 due primarily to the Wisconsin budget change making income on commercial loans under $5 million non-taxable. The lower incremental tax rate resulted in a one-time $1.8 million tax expense related to a reduction in the carrying value of the deferred tax asset, recorded in the third quarter of 2023. The tax benefit of this lower tax rate was $0.6 million and reflects three quarters of benefit due to this lower tax rate. The effective tax rate was 50.5 % for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, 25.5% for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and 24.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company early adopted ASU 2023-02. This guidance results in new market tax credit depletion being reclassified from non-interest expense to tax expense and changes the amortization method to be proportional to the tax credit realized. As a result, retained earnings increased $130 thousand, effective January 1, 2023, and non-interest expense decreased by $163 thousand from the prior year third quarter result.

These financial results are preliminary until Form 10-Q is filed in November 2023.

About the Company

Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. ( “CZWI”) is the holding company of the Bank, a national bank based in Altoona, Wisconsin, currently serving customers primarily in Wisconsin and Minnesota through 23 branch locations. Its primary markets include the Chippewa Valley Region in Wisconsin, the Twin Cities and Mankato markets in Minnesota, and various rural communities around these areas. The Bank offers traditional community banking services to businesses, ag operators and consumers, including residential mortgage loans.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimates,” “intend,” “may,” “on pace,” “preliminary,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the nega