NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valley National Bancorp (NASDAQ:VLY), the holding company for Valley National Bank, today reported net income for the third quarter 2023 of $141.3 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share, as compared to the second quarter 2023 net income of $139.1 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share, and net income of $178.1 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, for the third quarter 2022. Excluding all non-core income and charges, our adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) was $136.4 million, or $0.26 per diluted common share, for the third quarter 2023, $147.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted common share, for the second quarter 2023, and $181.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted common share, for the third quarter 2022. See further details below, including a reconciliation of our non-GAAP adjusted net income, in the "Consolidated Financial Highlights" tables.

Key financial highlights for the third quarter 2023:

• Loan Portfolio: Loan growth in most categories slowed as expected during third quarter 2023 largely due to the impact of higher market interest rates. Total loans increased $220.3 million, or 1.8 percent on an annualized basis, to $50.1 billion at September 30, 2023 from June 30, 2023 mainly as a result of select new loan originations in the commercial real estate loan portfolio. Annualized loan growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 totaled 9.0 percent. See the "Loans" section below for more details.
• Allowance and Provision for Credit Losses for Loans: The allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $462.3 million and $458.7 million at September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively, representing 0.92 percent of total loans at each respective date. For the third quarter 2023, the provision for credit losses for loans totaled $9.1 million as compared to $6.3 million and $1.8 million for the second quarter 2023 and third quarter 2022, respectively.
• Credit Quality: Net loan charge-offs totaled $5.5 million for the third quarter 2023 as compared to $8.6 million for the second quarter 2023 and net recoveries of loan charge-offs of $5.6 million for the third quarter 2022. Total accruing past due loans increased $17.8 million to $79.5 million, or 0.16 percent of total loans, at September 30, 2023 as compared to $61.8 million, or 0.12 percent of total loans, at June 30, 2023. Non-accrual loans represented 0.52 percent and 0.51 percent of total loans at September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively. See the "Credit Quality" section below for more details.
• Deposits: Total deposits increased $265.5 million to $49.9 billion at September 30, 2023 as compared to $49.6 billion at June 30, 2023 largely due to increases in direct customer interest bearing deposits, partially offset by a net decrease of $338.5 million in indirect customer deposits driven by maturity of certain indirect CDs. See the "Deposits" section below for more details.
• Net Interest Income and Margin: Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis of $413.7 million for the third quarter 2023 decreased $7.6 million compared to the second quarter 2023 and decreased $41.7 million as compared to the third quarter 2022. Our net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis decreased by 3 basis points to 2.91 percent in the third quarter 2023 as compared to 2.94 percent for the second quarter 2023. The decline in both net interest income and margin as compared to the linked second quarter reflects the impact of rising market interest rates on interest bearing deposits, net of a 23 basis point increase in the yield of average interest earnings assets for the third quarter 2023. See the "Net Interest Income and Margin" section below for more details.
• Non-Interest Income: Non-interest income decreased $1.4 million to $58.7 million for the third quarter 2023 as compared to the second quarter 2023 mainly due to a $9.8 million decrease in capital market fees, largely offset by an increase of $6.5 million in net gains on sales of assets (mostly related to the sale of non-branch offices located in Wayne, New Jersey) and higher card fee income. The decrease in capital market fees was largely driven by the lower volume of interest rate swap transactions executed for new commercial loan customers during the third quarter 2023.
• Non-Interest Expense: Non-interest expense decreased $15.8 million to $267.1 million for the third quarter 2023 as compared to the second quarter 2023 largely due to $11.2 million of severance expense (non-core charges) recorded within salary and employee benefits expense in the second quarter 2023 and third quarter declines in both professional and legal fees and our FDIC insurance assessment. Technology, furniture and equipment expense increased $4.8 million for the third quarter 2023 largely due to higher data processing costs.
• Efficiency Ratio: Our efficiency ratio was 56.72 percent for the third quarter 2023 as compared to 55.59 percent and 49.76 percent for the second quarter 2023 and third quarter 2022, respectively. See the "Consolidated Financial Highlights" tables below for additional information regarding our non-GAAP measures.
• Performance Ratios: Annualized return on average assets (ROA), shareholders’ equity (ROE) and tangible ROE were 0.92 percent, 8.56 percent and 12.39 percent for the third quarter 2023, respectively. Annualized ROA, ROE, and tangible ROE, adjusted for non-core income and charges, were 0.89 percent, 8.26 percent and 11.95 percent for the third quarter 2023, respectively. See the "Consolidated Financial Highlights" tables below for additional information regarding our non-GAAP measures.
  

Ira Robbins, CEO commented, "I am extremely proud of the strength, stability, and resiliency reflected in our balance sheet during the third quarter. Our asset quality remains exceptional, and slower loan growth during the quarter contributed to improved capital ratios. Higher customer deposit balances enabled an incremental reduction in indirect CDs, while we paid off short-term borrowings to normalize our overnight cash position which was elevated in the second quarter."

Mr. Robbins continued, "In early October we completed our transformational core conversion. This was an incredible accomplishment for our organization against a challenging backdrop. We now have the appropriate technology infrastructure to support sustainable growth and better efficiency going forward. In my tenure we have built our robust service capabilities and have a significant opportunity to leverage these new technologies."

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis totaling $413.7 million for the third quarter 2023 decreased $7.6 million and $41.7 million as compared to the second quarter 2023 and third quarter 2022, respectively. The decrease as compared to the second quarter 2023 was mainly due to increased interest rates on most interest bearing deposit products, partially offset by higher loan yields and a reduction in average short-term borrowings. As a result of the higher cost of deposits, total interest expense increased $32.9 million to $400.6 million for the third quarter 2023 as compared to the second quarter 2023. Interest income on a tax equivalent basis increased $25.3 million to $814.3 million in the third quarter 2023 as compared to the second quarter 2023. The increase was mostly due to higher yields on both new originations and adjustable rate loans in our portfolio and a $561.5 million increase in average loan balances driven by organic new loan volumes over the last six months and a continuation of slower loan prepayments in the third quarter 2023.

Net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis of 2.91 percent for the third quarter 2023 decreased by 3 basis points and 69 basis points from 2.94 percent and 3.60 percent, respectively, for the second quarter 2023 and third quarter 2022. The decrease as compared to the second quarter 2023 was largely driven by higher interest rates on interest bearing deposits, partially offset by a 23 basis point increase in the yield on average interest earning assets. The yield on average loans increased by 25 basis points to 6.03 percent for the third quarter 2023 as compared to the second quarter 2023 largely due to higher interest rates on new originations and adjustable rate loans. Our cost of total average deposits was 2.94 percent for the third quarter 2023 as compared to 2.45 percent and 0.59 percent for the second quarter 2023 and the third quarter 2022, respectively. The overall cost of average interest bearing liabilities also increased 33 basis points to 3.92 percent for the third quarter 2023 as compared to the second quarter 2023 primarily driven by the continued rise in the market interest rates on deposits.

Loans, Deposits and Other Borrowings

Loans. Loans increased $220.3 million to approximately $50.1 billion at September 30, 2023 from June 30, 2023 mainly due to slower, but continued organic loan growth in the commercial real estate loan category and low levels of prepayment activity during the third quarter 2023. Total commercial real estate (including construction) increased $265.5 million, or 3.4 percent on an annualized basis during the third quarter 2023. Home equity loans also increased $13.4 million or 10.0 percent on an annualized basis during the third quarter 2023 due to higher utilization of lines of credit. Automobile loans decreased by $46.9 million, or 11.5 percent on an annualized basis during the third quarter 2023 largely due to continued low demand for vehicle financing because of the high interest rate environment. During the third quarter 2023, we sold $80.8 million of residential mortgage loans originated for sale as compared to $44.5 million in the second quarter 2023.

Deposits. Total deposits increased $265.5 million to $49.9 billion at September 30, 2023 from June 30, 2023 mainly due to increases of $833.5 million in savings, NOW and money market deposits and $194.8 million in time deposits, partially offset by a $762.8 million decrease in non-interest bearing deposits. The increase in savings, NOW and money market deposits was driven by increases in digital and national specialized deposits, as well as some shift in customer balances from non-interest bearing deposits during the third quarter 2023. The increase in time deposits was largely due to successful retail deposit campaigns, partially offset by the maturity of indirect time deposits. Non-interest bearing balances continued to be challenged by the high level of market interest rates which has caused some customers to pursue attractive investment alternatives, including our interest bearing products, or use cash in place of financing. Non-interest bearing deposits; savings, NOW and money market deposits; and time deposits represented approximately 24 percent, 46 percent and 30 percent of total deposits as of September 30, 2023, respectively, as compared to 25 percent, 45 percent and 30 percent of total deposits as of June 30, 2023, respectively.

Other Borrowings. Short-term borrowings decreased $1.0 billion to $89.8 million at September 30, 2023 as compared to June 30, 2023 mainly due to maturities and repayment of FHLB advances and a decrease in our excess overnight cash positions as part of our liquidity management strategies during the third quarter 2023. Long-term borrowings totaled $2.3 billion at September 30, 2023 as compared to $2.4 billion at June 30, 2023. The decrease was largely due to the maturity and repayment of $125.0 million of 5.125 percent subordinated notes issued in September 2013 and due on September 27, 2023, which had already been fully disallowed from a regulatory capital perspective.

Credit Quality

Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). Total NPAs, consisting of non-accrual loans, other real estate owned (OREO) and other repossessed assets, increased $4.2 million to $260.3 million at September 30, 2023 as compared to June 30, 2023 mostly driven by an increase in non-accrual loans. Non-accrual commercial and industrial loans increased $3.2 million to $87.7 million at September 30, 2023 mainly due to one new non-performing loan relationship totaling $4.2 million at September 30, 2023. Non-accrual loans represented 0.52 percent of total loans at September 30, 2023 compared to 0.51 percent at June 30, 2023.

Accruing Past Due Loans. Total accruing past due loans (i.e., loans past due 30 days or more and still accruing interest) increased $17.8 million to $79.5 million, or 0.16 percent of total loans, at September 30, 2023 as compared to $61.8 million, or 0.12 percent of total loans at June 30, 2023.

Loans 30 to 59 days past due increased $13.6 million to $47.4 million at September 30, 2023 as compared to June 30, 2023 mainly due to increases in commercial and (secured) consumer loans within this early stage delinquency category.

Loans 60 to 89 days past due increased $6.8 million to $19.8 million at September 30, 2023 as compared to June 30, 2023 largely due to higher residential mortgage delinquencies and a $2.3 million commercial real estate loan that migrated from the 30-59 days past due category reported at June 30, 2023.

Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest decreased $2.6 million to $12.4 million at September 30, 2023 as compared to June 30, 2023. All loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest are well-secured and in the process of collection.

Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans and Unfunded Commitments. The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for credit losses to loan categories and the allocation as a percentage of each loan category at September 30, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022:

Our loan portfolio, totaling $50.1 billion at September 30, 2023, had net loan charge-offs totaling $5.5 million for the third quarter 2023 as compared to $8.6 million for the second quarter 2023 and net recoveries of loan charge-offs of $5.6 million for the third quarter 2022. Gross charge-offs totaled $8.9 million for the third quarter 2023 and included a $4.0 million partial charge-off of one commercial and industrial loan relationship.

The allowance for credit losses for loans, comprised of our allowance for loan losses and unfunded credit commitments, as a percentage of total loans was 0.92 percent at both September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023, and 1.10 percent at September 30, 2022. During the third quarter 2023, the provision for credit losses for loans totaled $9.1 million as compared to $6.3 million and $1.8 million for the second quarter 2023 and third quarter 2022, respectively. The provision for credit losses for the third quarter 2023 reflects, among other factors, higher quantitative reserves related to classified loans within the commercial portfolios and specific reserves associated with collateral dependent loans, partially offset by a negative (credit) provision for unfunded credit commitments driven by a decline in these obligations at September 30, 2023. Our economic forecast related reserves at September 30, 2023 remained relatively unchanged from June 30, 2023.

Capital Adequacy

Valley's total risk-based capital, common equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 leverage capital ratios were 11.68 percent, 9.21 percent, 9.64 percent and 8.08 percent, respectively, at September 30, 2023.

Investor Conference Call

Valley will host a conference call with investors and the financial community at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Savings Time, today to discuss the third quarter 2023 earnings and related matters. Interested parties should preregister using this link: https://register.vevent.com to receive the dial-in number and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call. The teleconference will also be webcast live: https://edge.media-server.com and archived on Valley’s website through Monday, November 27, 2023.

About Valley

As the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp, Valley National Bank is a regional bank with $61 billion in assets. Valley is committed to giving people and businesses the power to succeed. Valley operates many convenient branch locations and commercial banking offices across New Jersey, New York, Florida, Alabama, California, and Illinois, and is committed to providing the most convenient service, the latest innovations and an experienced and knowledgeable team dedicated to meeting customer needs. Helping communities grow and prosper is the heart of Valley’s corporate citizenship philosophy. To learn more about Valley, go to www.valley.com or call our Customer Care Center at 800-522-4100.

Forward Looking Statements

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about our business, new and existing programs and products, acquisitions, relationships, opportunities, taxation, technology, market conditions and economic expectations. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “intend,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “view,” “opportunity,” “allow,” “continues,” “reflects,” “would,” “could,” “typically,” “usually,” “anticipate,” “may,” “estimate,” “outlook,” “project,” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• the impact of Federal Reserve actions affecting the level of market interest rates and increases in business failures, specifically among our clients, as well as on our business, our employees and our ability to provide services to our customers;
• the impact of a potential U.S. Government shutdown on economic activity in the markets in which we operate and, in general, on levels of end market demand in the economy;
• the impact of possible future bank failures on the business environment in which we operate and resulting market volatility and reduced confidence in depository institutions, including impact on stock price, customer deposit withdrawals from Valley National Bank, or business disruptions or liquidity issues that have or may affect our customers;
• the impact of unfavorable macroeconomic conditions or downturns, instability or volatility in financial markets, unanticipated loan delinquencies, loss of collateral, decreased service revenues, and other potential negative effects on our business caused by and factors outside of our control, such as geopolitical instabilities or events (including the recent conflict in Israel and Gaza); natural and other disasters (including severe weather events) and health emergencies, acts of terrorism or other external events;
• risks associated with our acquisition of Bank Leumi Le-Israel Corporation (Bank Leumi USA), including (i) the inability to realize expected cost savings and synergies from the acquisition in the amounts or timeframe anticipated and (ii) greater than expected costs or difficulties relating to integration matters;
• the loss of or decrease in lower-cost funding sources within our deposit base;
• the need to supplement debt or equity capital to maintain or exceed internal capital thresholds;
• the inability to attract new customer deposits to keep pace with loan growth strategies;
• a material change in our allowance for credit losses under CECL due to forecasted economic conditions and/or unexpected credit deterioration in our loan and investment portfolios;
• greater than expected technology related costs due to, among other factors, prolonged or failed implementations, additional project staffing and obsolescence caused by continuous and rapid market innovations;
• cyber-attacks, ransomware attacks, computer viruses or other malware that may breach the security of our websites or other systems to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage our systems;
• damage verdicts or settlements or restrictions related to existing or potential class action litigation or individual litigation arising from claims of violations of laws or regulations, contractual claims, breach of fiduciary responsibility, negligence, fraud, environmental laws, patent or trademark infringement, employment related claims, and other matters;
• changes to laws and regulations, including changes affecting oversight of the financial services industry; changes in the enforcement and interpretation of such laws and regulations; and changes in accounting and reporting standards;
• higher or lower than expected income tax expense or tax rates, including increases or decreases resulting from changes in uncertain tax position liabilities, tax laws, regulations and case law;
• results of examinations by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, require us to increase our allowance for credit losses, write-down assets, reimburse customers, change the way we do business, or limit or eliminate certain other banking activities;
• our inability or determination not to pay dividends at current levels, or at all, because of inadequate earnings, regulatory restrictions or limitations, changes in our capital requirements or a decision to increase capital by retaining more earnings;
• a prolonged downturn in the economy, as well as an unexpected decline in commercial real estate values collateralizing a significant portion of our loan portfolio; and
• unexpected significant declines in the loan portfolio due to the lack of economic expansion, increased competition, large prepayments, changes in regulatory lending guidance or other factors.

A detailed discussion of factors that could affect our results is included in our SEC filings, including the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and in Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in our expectations. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

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