UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2003
Commission File Number 1-31565
NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
06-1377322
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
615 Merrick Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Registrants telephone number, including area code) 516: 683-4100
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x
No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
138,381,988
Number of shares outstanding at
August 11, 2003
Quarter Ended June 30, 2003
INDEX
Page No.
Part I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Condition as of June 30, 2003 (unaudited) and December 31, 2002
1
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)
2
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders Equity for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 (unaudited)
3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)
4
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
5
Item 2.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
7
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
26
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Part II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
27
Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 5.
Other Information
28
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
32
Exhibits
33
NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (in thousands, except share data)
June 30, 2003
December 31, 2002
(unaudited)
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
114,093
96,497
Money market investments
1,000
1,148
Securities held to maturity (market value of $498,016 and $214,486 pledged at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively)
1,044,259
699,445
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity (market value of $17,334 and $38,489 pledged at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively)
24,481
36,947
Securities available for sale ($3,386,679 and $2,522,419 pledged at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively)
4,276,612
3,952,130
Mortgage loans:
Multi-family
4,939,911
4,494,332
Commercial real estate
535,975
533,327
1-4 family
201,511
265,724
Construction
104,620
117,013
Total mortgage loans
5,782,017
5,410,396
Other loans
72,704
78,787
Less: Unearned loan fees
(3,355
)
(5,111
Allowance for loan losses
(40,500
Loans, net
5,810,866
5,443,572
Premises and equipment, net
73,313
74,531
Goodwill
624,518
Core deposit intangible
48,500
51,500
Deferred tax asset, net
9,855
9,508
Other assets
362,562
323,296
Total assets
12,390,059
11,313,092
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity
Deposits:
NOW and money market accounts
1,178,931
1,198,068
Savings accounts
1,692,704
1,643,696
Certificates of deposit
1,733,074
1,949,138
Non-interest-bearing accounts
495,138
465,140
Total deposits
5,099,847
5,256,042
Official checks outstanding
29,977
11,544
Borrowings
5,861,433
4,592,069
Mortgagors escrow
19,506
13,749
Other liabilities
53,324
116,176
Total liabilities
11,064,087
9,989,580
Stockholders equity:
Preferred stock at par $0.01 (5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued)
Common stock at par $0.01 (300,000,000 shares authorized; 144,299,233 shares issued; 138,679,193 and 140,885,952 shares outstanding at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively) (1)
1,443
1,082
Paid-in capital in excess of par
1,116,482
1,104,899
Retained earnings (substantially restricted)
337,215
275,097
Less: Treasury stock (5,620,041 and 3,413,281 shares, respectively) (1)
(129,088
(69,095
Unallocated common stock held by ESOP
(19,513
(20,169
Common stock held by SERP
(3,113
Unearned common stock held by RRPs
(41
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effect
22,587
34,852
Total stockholders equity
1,325,972
1,323,512
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
(1) Share amounts for 2002 have been adjusted to reflect a 4-for-3 stock split on May 21, 2003.
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended June 30,
For the Six Months Ended June 30,
2003
2002
Interest Income:
Mortgage and other loans
105,710
105,677
208,966
206,130
Securities
22,904
9,469
41,514
17,711
Mortgage-backed securities
33,386
37,004
77,811
69,317
310
153
593
276
Total interest income
162,310
152,303
328,884
293,434
Interest Expense:
2,208
4,063
5,994
7,591
2,889
5,865
7,064
11,692
9,011
15,116
19,787
34,728
39,847
31,819
79,382
60,915
10
Total interest expense
53,955
56,868
112,227
114,936
Net interest income
108,355
95,435
216,657
178,498
Provision for loan losses
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
Other Operating Income:
Fee income
14,723
10,822
26,362
21,983
Net securities gains
10,581
6,253
17,066
7,783
Other
8,375
10,906
16,692
18,009
Total other operating income
33,679
27,981
60,120
47,775
Non-interest Expense:
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits
20,142
19,166
38,868
35,653
Occupancy and equipment
5,443
5,575
11,519
11,668
General and administrative
7,276
7,013
14,906
16,574
1,074
1,570
2,581
3,091
Total operating expenses
33,935
33,324
67,874
66,986
Amortization of core deposit intangible
1,500
3,000
Total non-interest expense
35,435
34,824
70,874
69,986
Income before income taxes
106,599
88,592
205,903
156,287
Income tax expense
34,847
30,463
66,783
51,837
Net income
71,752
58,129
139,120
104,450
Comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized (loss) gain on securities
(19,315
41,642
(12,265
43,209
Comprehensive income
52,437
99,771
126,855
147,659
Basic earnings per share (1)
0.54
0.43
1.03
0.78
Diluted earnings per share (1)
0.53
1.01
0.77
(1) Per share amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2002 have been adjusted to reflect a 4-for-3 stock split on May 21, 2003.
NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2003
Common Stock (Par Value: $0.01):
Balance at beginning of year
Shares issued
361
Balance at end of period
Paid-in Capital in Excess of Par:
Shares issued and fractional shares
(639
Tax benefit effect of stock plans
9,057
Allocation of ESOP stock
3,165
Retained Earnings:
Dividends paid on common stock
(53,930
Exercise of stock options (1,977,678 shares)
(23,072
Treasury Stock:
Purchase of common stock (4,184,437 shares)
(103,753
43,760
Employee Stock Ownership Plan:
Earned portion of ESOP
656
SERP Plan:
Earned portion of SERP
Recognition and Retention Plans:
Earned portion of RRPs
Accumulated Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:
Net unrealized depreciation in securities, net of tax
NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30,
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
3,371
3,260
Amortization of premiums, net
18,972
3,697
(Accretion) amortization of net deferred loan origination fees
(1,756
3,451
(17,066
(7,783
Net gain on sale of loans
(1,684
(1,002
14,727
Allocation/earned portion of ESOP
3,821
2,988
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Goodwill recognized in the Peter B. Cannell & Co., Inc. acquisition and related adjustment
(9,753
(Increase) decrease in deferred income taxes
(347
25,933
Increase in other assets
(39,266
(26,687
Increase (decrease) in official checks outstanding
18,433
(61,399
Decrease in other liabilities
(62,852
(17,423
Total adjustments
(66,317
(66,991
Net cash provided by operating activities
72,803
37,459
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from redemption and prepayments of securities and mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
39,978
45,924
Proceeds from redemption, prepayments, and sales of securities available for sale
2,735,355
962,567
Purchase of securities held to maturity, net
(386,930
(124,350
Purchase of securities available for sale
(3,064,619
(1,382,449
Net increase in loans
(507,684
(595,891
Proceeds from sale of loans
149,045
72,094
Purchase or acquisition of premises and equipment, net
(2,153
(1,687
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,037,008
(1,023,792
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net increase in mortgagors escrow
5,757
13,163
Net decrease in deposits
(156,195
(165,850
Net increase in borrowings
1,269,364
1,038,901
Cash dividends and stock options exercised
(77,002
(89,300
Purchase of Treasury stock, net of stock options exercised
(59,993
5,700
Proceeds from issuance of common stock in secondary offering
95,569
Treasury stock issued in secondary offering
67,303
Common stock acquired by ESOP
(14,790
Cash in lieu of fractional shares in connection with stock split
(278
Net cash provided by financing activities
981,653
950,696
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
17,448
(35,637
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
97,645
178,615
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
115,093
142,978
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for:
Interest
106,038
114,844
Income taxes
92,813
12,925
Non-cash investing activities:
Securitization of mortgage loans to mortgage-backed securities
569,554
Transfer of securities from available for sale to held to maturity
1,011
Reclassification from other loans to securities available for sale
460
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, New York Community Bank (the Bank).
The statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-year financial statements to conform to the 2003 presentation. There are no other adjustments reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for all of 2003.
Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Companys 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders and incorporated by reference into the Companys 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Note 2. Stock-based Compensation
At June 30, 2003 and 2002, the Company had five stock option plans. As the Company applies Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations in accounting for these plans, no compensation cost has been recognized.
Had compensation cost for the Companys stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the date of grant for awards made under those plans, consistent with the method set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-based Compensation--Transition and Disclosure, the Companys net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net Income:
As reported
Deduct :
Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value-based method, net of related tax effects
13,378
447
26,755
894
Pro forma
58,374
57,682
112,365
103,556
Basic Earnings Per Share:
0.44
0.84
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
0.42
0.82
On April 22, 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) voted unanimously that stock options are payments for goods and services and that those costs should be recognized in earnings reports. The FASB anticipates that the process of determining how to measure the value of stock options will be completed in 2004, at which time an effective date will be established. Accordingly, the Company has not yet determined the impact of expensing stock options on its financial condition or results of operations.
Note 3. Impact of Accounting Pronouncements
Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Statement is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after that date. SFAS No. 149 is not expected to have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements when it is adopted in the third quarter of 2003.
Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity, and requires that an issuer classify financial instruments that are considered a liability (or an asset in some circumstances) when that financial instrument embodies an obligation of the issuer.
SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. SFAS No. 150 is not expected to have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements when it is adopted in the third quarter of 2003.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
In January 2003, the FASB released FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46). This interpretation changes the method of determining whether certain entities, including securitization entities, should be included in the Companys consolidated financial statements. An entity is subject to FIN 46 and is called a variable interest entity (VIE) if it has (1) equity that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or (2) equity investors that cannot make significant decisions about the entitys operations, or that do not absorb the expected losses or receive the expected returns of the entity.
The continued consolidation of the subsidiary trusts that issue trust preferred securities and the appropriate balance sheet classification of trust preferred securities is currently under review pursuant to FIN 46. However, the Federal Reserve Board has issued interim guidance that continues to recognize trust preferred securities as a component of Tier 1 capital. The Company does not expect FIN 46 to have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
6
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
New York Community Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) is the holding company for New York Community Bank (the Bank), a New York State-chartered financial institution with 110 banking offices, including 54 in-store branches, serving customers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester County (New York), and New Jersey. In addition to operating the largest supermarket banking franchise in the New York metro region, the Bank is one of the leading producers of multi-family mortgage loans in New York City. The Bank operates its branches through six divisions, each with a strong local identity: Queens County Savings Bank, Richmond County Savings Bank, CFS Bank, First Savings Bank of New Jersey, Ironbound Bank, and South Jersey Bank.
In the six months ended June 30, 2003, the Company continued to emphasize the production of mortgage loans on multi-family buildings while maintaining its strategy of leveraged growth. The Companys assets totaled $12.4 billion at quarters end, signifying a $1.1 billion, or 9.5%, increase from the year-end 2002 balance, which was fueled by a $445.6 million, or 9.9%, rise in multi-family loans to $4.9 billion and by a $669.3 million rise in securities available for sale and held to maturity, combined, to $5.3 billion.
The Company recorded revenues of $142.0 million in the second quarter of 2003, up $18.6 million, or 15.1%, from the level recorded in the second quarter of 2002. The increase stemmed from a $12.9 million, or 13.5%, year-over-year rise in net interest income to $108.4 million, and from a $5.7 million, or 20.4%, year-over-year rise in other operating income to $33.7 million. The combined $18.6 million increase in revenues more than offset a $611,000 rise in non-interest expense to $35.4 million and a $4.4 million rise, to $34.8 million, in income tax expense. The result was a $13.6 million, or 23.4%, year-over-year increase in second quarter 2003 net income to $71.8 million, equivalent to a $0.10, or 23.3%, rise in diluted earnings per share to $0.53.
Recent Events
4-for-3 Stock Split
On April 22, 2003, the Board of Directors (the Board) of the Company declared a 4-for-3 stock split in the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend, payable on May 21, 2003. Cash in lieu of fractional shares was based on $26.37, which was the average of the high and low of the Companys stock on May 5, 2003, as adjusted for the split. As a result of the stock split, 36,066,383 additional shares of common stock were issued by the Company on May 21st.
Dividend Increases
In addition to declaring a 4-for-3 stock split on April 22nd, the Board approved a 12% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.28 per share. The increased dividend was payable on May 21, 2003 to shareholders of record at May 5, 2003, on the number of shares held prior to the split. On a split-adjusted basis, the May 21, 2003 dividend was equivalent to $0.2l per share.
On July 22, 2003, the Board again increased the quarterly cash dividend, to $0.23 per share, signifying a 53% increase in the quarterly cash dividend year-to-date. The $0.23 per share dividend is payable on August 15, 2003 to shareholders of record at August 5, 2003.
Merger with Roslyn Bancorp, Inc.
On June 27, 2003, the Company announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to merge with Roslyn Bancorp, Inc. (Roslyn), the $10.8 billion holding company for The Roslyn Savings Bank. The transaction is valued at $1.6 billion, based on the closing price of the Companys stock at that date. Under the terms of the
merger agreement, Roslyn will merge with and into the Company and The Roslyn Savings Bank will operate as a division of New York Community Bank. Shareholders of Roslyn will receive 0.75 of a share of the Companys common stock for every share of Roslyn common stock held immediately prior to the merger, which is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2003, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.
Following the merger, the combined company is expected to have assets of approximately $20.0 billion, reflecting a projected $3.5 billion downsizing of the securities portfolio. In addition, the combined company is expected to be the largest community bank in the New York metropolitan region, with a pro forma market capitalization of $5.7 billion, based on the closing price of the Companys stock at June 30, 2003. The combined company is also expected to have a network of 145 banking offices with deposits of approximately $11.3 billion.
The Company may, from time to time, repurchase shares of Company common stock and purchase shares of Roslyn common stock, and Roslyn may, from time to time, repurchase shares of Roslyn common stock and purchase shares of Company common stock.
New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and Roslyn Bancorp, Inc. will be filing a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents concerning the merger with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Investors will be able to obtain these documents free of charge at the SECs web site (www.sec.gov). In addition, documents filed with the SEC by New York Community Bancorp, Inc. will be available without charge from the Investor Relations Department, New York Community Bancorp, Inc., 615 Merrick Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590. Documents filed with the SEC by Roslyn Bancorp, Inc. will be available free of charge from the Investor Relations Department, Roslyn Bancorp, Inc., One Jericho Plaza, Jericho, NY 11753.
The directors, executive officers, and certain other members of management of New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and Roslyn Bancorp, Inc. may be soliciting proxies in favor of the merger from the companies respective shareholders. For information about these directors, executive officers, and members of management, shareholders are asked to refer to the most recent proxy statements issued by the respective companies, which are available on their web sites and at the addresses provided in the preceding paragraph.
Share Repurchase Authorization
On June 26, 2003, the Board increased the Companys share repurchase authorization, enabling it to repurchase up to five million shares.
Forward-looking Statements and Associated Risk Factors
This filing, like many written and oral communications presented by the Company and its authorized officials, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding the Companys prospective performance and strategies 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. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions.
Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words plan, believe, expect, intend, anticipate, estimate, project, or similar expressions. The Companys ability to predict results or the actual effects of its plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, changes in market interest rates, general economic conditions, legislation, and regulation;
8
changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the quality or composition of the loan or investment portfolios; changes in deposit flows, competition, and demand for financial services, loan, deposit, and investment products in the Companys local markets; changes in accounting principles and guidelines; war or terrorist activities; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, geopolitical, and technological factors affecting the Companys operations, pricing, and services.
The following factors, among others, could cause the actual results of the proposed merger with Roslyn Bancorp, Inc. to differ materially from the expectations stated in this filing: the ability of the two companies to obtain the required shareholder or regulatory approvals of the merger; the ability to effect the proposed restructuring; the ability of the companies to consummate the merger; the ability to successfully integrate the companies following the merger; a materially adverse change in the financial condition of either company; the ability to fully realize the expected cost savings and revenues; and the ability to realize the expected cost savings and revenues on a timely basis.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this filing. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.
Critical Accounting Policies
The accounting principles followed by the Company and the methods of applying these principles conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), and with general practices within the banking industry.
Critical accounting policies relate to loans, securities, the allowance for loan losses, and accounting for intangible assets and stock option plans. A description of these policies, which significantly affect the determination of the Companys financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, are summarized in Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Companys 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders.
Financial Condition
The Company recorded total assets of $12.4 billion at June 30, 2003, up $1.1 billion, or 9.5%, from the balance recorded at December 31, 2002. Mortgage loans represented $5.8 billion, or 46.7%, of the June 30, 2003 balance, signifying a $371.6 million, or 6.9%, increase over the six-month period. The increase reflects six-month originations totaling $1.5 billion, including $767.8 million in the second quarter of the year. Of the loans produced in the first six months of this year, $1.2 billion were secured by multi-family buildings, including $590.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2003.
The quality of the loan portfolio continued to be solid. The balance of non-performing loans declined to $13.3 million, representing 0.23% of loans, net, at June 30, 2003, from $16.3 million, representing 0.30% of loans, net, at December 31, 2002. At the same time, foreclosed real estate declined $109,000 to $66,000; the combined effect was a $3.1 million reduction in total non-performing assets to $13.4 million, representing 0.11% of total assets at June 30, 2003.
In the absence of any net charge-offs or provisions for loan losses, the loan loss allowance was maintained at $40.5 million, equivalent to 304.15% of non-performing loans and 0.70% of loans, net, at June 30, 2003.
In the second quarter of 2003, the Company continued to capitalize on the steepness of the yield curve, as it did in the first quarter of the year, by investing borrowed funds into securities at attractive spreads. Reflecting this leveraged growth strategy, the portfolio of securities held to maturity rose $344.8 million in the first six months of
9
2003 to $1.0 billion at June 30; the portfolio of securities available for sale rose $324.5 million to $4.3 billion.
Other assets totaled $362.6 million at June 30, 2003, up $39.3 million from the year-end 2002 level. Included in the June 30, 2003 amount was the Companys investment in Bank-owned Life Insurance (BOLI), totaling $240.4 million, accrued interest totaling $65.3 million, and mortgage servicing rights totaling $4.1 million.
In connection with the aforementioned leveraging strategy, the Company increased its borrowings to $5.9 billion at June 30, 2003 from $4.6 billion at December 31, 2002. The increase reflects a $173.6 million increase in Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLB-NY) advances to $2.4 billion and a $1.0 billion rise in reverse repurchase agreements to $3.0 billion. Preferred securities totaling $429.3 million represented the remainder of the balance of borrowings at June 30, 2003.
The Company recorded core deposits of $3.4 billion, representing 66.0% of total deposits, and certificates of deposit (CDs) of $1.7 billion, representing 34.0% of the total, at June 30, 2003. At December 31, 2002, core deposits totaled $3.3 billion, representing 62.9% of the total, while CDs totaled $1.9 billion, representing 37.1%. The shifting concentration of deposits reflects managements focus on attracting lower-cost deposits and the reluctance of customers to commit their savings long-term during a period of historically low market interest rates.
Stockholders equity totaled $1.3 billion at June 30, 2003, up $2.5 million from the balance recorded at December 31, 2002. The increase reflects six-month net income of $139.1 million and additional contributions to tangible stockholders equity totaling $14.8 million, which were offset by dividend distributions totaling $53.9 million and the allocation of $103.8 million toward the repurchase of 4,184,437 shares during the first six months of the year.
At June 30, 2003, the Company continued to significantly exceed the minimum federal requirements for leverage, Tier 1, and total risk-based capital, with leverage capital equal to 9.21% of adjusted average assets, and Tier 1 and total risk-based capital equal to 18.35% and 19.08% of risk-weighted assets, respectively. The Companys June 30, 2003 Tier 1 capital ratio reflects the benefit of its BONUSESSM units offering, which was deemed eligible for Tier 1 leverage capital treatment by the Federal Reserve Board, effective April 14, 2003.
Mortgage and Other Loans
In the second quarter of 2003, the Company continued its long-standing practice of originating multi-family loans on rent-controlled and rent-stabilized buildings, primarily in the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Queens. While the portfolio of multi-family loans continued to grow, together with the portfolio of commercial real estate credits, the portfolios of one-to-four family, construction, and other loans declined in the six months ended June 30, 2003. The reductions were consistent with managements preference for multi-family and commercial real estate lending and, in the case of one-to-four family and other loans, reflect the Companys practice of selling such loans to a third-party conduit within ten days of the loans being closed.
Mortgage and other loans totaled $5.9 billion at June 30, 2003, signifying a $365.5 million, or 6.7%, increase from the balance recorded at December 31, 2002. Mortgage loans rose $371.6 million, or 6.9%, during this time, to $5.8 billion, significantly outweighing a $6.1 million decline in other loans to $72.7 million.
In the first six months of 2003, the Company recorded total mortgage originations of $1.5 billion, including $767.8 million in the second quarter of the year. Multi-family loan originations accounted for $1.2 billion, or 80.9%, of total six-month loan production and $590.2 million, or 76.9%, of the second-quarter amount. Other mortgage originations totaled $293.3 million, including $177.5 million in the second quarter of the year.
Reflecting the volume of loans produced, and the offsetting impact of prepayments, the portfolio of multi-family loans grew $445.6 million, or 9.9%, from the year-end 2002 balance to $4.9 billion at June 30, 2003. Multi-family loans thus represented 85.4% of total mortgage loans at the close of the second quarter, up from 83.1% at December 31, 2002. At June 30, 2003, the average multi-family loan had a principal balance of $2.1 million and a loan-to-value ratio of 57.1%.
At June 30, 2003, the balance of commercial real estate loans rose $2.6 million to $536.0 million, while the balance of one-to-four family and construction loans declined $64.2 million and $12.4 million, respectively, to $201.5 million and $104.6 million.
At July 16, 2003, the Companys pipeline of mortgage loans totaled $723.3 million, and consisted primarily of multi-family loans. While the Company expects to close such loans within the current quarter, its ability to do so may be impacted by a change in market interest rates or economic conditions, or by an increase in competition from other thrifts and banks.
Asset Quality
The Company extended its record of asset quality in the second quarter of 2003. Non-performing loans totaled $13.3 million at June 30, 2003, as compared to $16.3 million at December 31, 2002. Non-performing loans represented 0.23% of loans, net, at the close of the second quarter, an improvement from 0.30% at the earlier date. Included in non-performing loans at June 30, 2003 were mortgage loans in foreclosure totaling $10.7 million and loans 90 days or more delinquent totaling $2.6 million.
The improvement in non-performing loans occurred in tandem with a decline in the balance of foreclosed real estate. At June 30, 2003, foreclosed real estate improved to $66,000 from $175,000 at December 31, 2002. As a result, non-performing assets improved to $13.4 million, representing 0.11% of total assets, at the close of the second quarter from $16.5 million, representing 0.15% of total assets, at year-end.
The quality of the Companys loan portfolio was further conveyed by the absence of any net charge-offs in the current second quarter, making it the 35th consecutive quarter without any net charge-offs being recorded by the Company. In the absence of any net charge-offs, or provisions for loan losses, the loan loss allowance was maintained at $40.5 million, representing 304.15% of non-performing loans and 0.70% of loans, net, at June 30, 2003. At December 31, 2002, the same allowance represented 247.83% of non-performing loans and 0.74% of loans, net.
Asset Quality Analysis
(dollars in thousands)
At or For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003
At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2002
Allowance for Loan Losses:
Balance at beginning of period
40,500
Acquired allowance
Non-performing Assets at Period-end:
Mortgage loans in foreclosure
10,683
11,915
Loans 90 days or more delinquent
2,633
4,427
Total non-performing loans
13,316
16,342
Foreclosed real estate
66
175
Total non-performing assets
13,382
16,517
Ratios:
Non-performing loans to loans, net
0.23
%
0.30
Non-performing assets to total assets
0.11
0.15
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
304.15
247.83
Allowance for loan losses to loans, net
0.70
0.74
11
The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses charged to operations and reduced by reversals or by net charge-offs. Management establishes the allowance for loan losses through a process that begins with estimates of probable loss inherent in the portfolio, based on various statistical analyses. These analyses consider historical and projected default rates and loss severities; internal risk ratings; and geographic, industry, and other environmental factors. In establishing the allowance for loan losses, management also considers the Companys current business strategy and credit process, including compliance with stringent guidelines it has established with regard to credit limitations, credit approvals, loan underwriting criteria, and loan workout procedures.
The allowance for loan losses is composed of five separate categories corresponding to the Banks various loan classifications. The policy of the Bank is to segment the allowance to correspond to the various types of loans in the loan portfolio. These loan categories are assessed with specific emphasis on the underlying collateral, which corresponds to the respective levels of quantified and inherent risk. The initial assessment takes into consideration non-performing loans and the valuation of the collateral supporting each loan. Non-performing loans are risk-weighted based upon an aging schedule that typically depicts either (1) delinquency, a situation in which repayment obligations are at least 90 days in arrears, or (2) serious delinquency, a situation in which legal foreclosure action has been initiated. Based upon this analysis, a quantified risk factor is assigned to each type of non-performing loan. This results in an allocation to the overall allowance for the corresponding type and severity of each non-performing loan category.
Performing loans are also reviewed by collateral type, with similar risk factors being assigned. These risk factors take into consideration, among other matters, the borrowers ability to pay and the Banks past loan loss experience with each type of loan. The performing loan categories are also assigned quantified risk factors, which result in allocations to the allowance that correspond to the individual types of loans in the portfolio.
In order to determine its overall adequacy, the allowance for loan losses is reviewed by management on a quarterly basis and by the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee of the Board of Directors.
Various factors are considered in determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses. These factors include, but are not limited to:
1)
End-of-period levels and observable trends in non-performing loans;
2)
Charge-offs experienced over prior periods, including an analysis of the underlying factors leading to the delinquencies and subsequent charge-offs (if any);
3)
Analysis of the portfolio in the aggregate as well as on an individual loan basis, which considers:
i.
payment history;
ii.
underwriting analysis based upon current financial information; and
iii.
current inspections of the loan collateral by qualified in-house property appraisers/inspectors;
4)
Bi-weekly, and occasionally more frequent, meetings of executive management with the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee (which includes four outside directors, each possessing over 30 years of complementary real estate experience), during which observable trends in the local economy and their effect on the real estate market are discussed;
5)
Discussions with, and periodic review by, various governmental regulators (e.g., the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the New York State Banking Department); and
6)
Full Board assessment of the preceding factors when making a business judgment regarding the impact of anticipated changes on the future level of the allowance for loan losses.
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While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary, based on changes in economic and local market conditions beyond managements control. In addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the Banks loan loss allowance as an integral part of the examination process. Accordingly, the Bank may be required to take certain charge-offs and/or recognize additions to the allowance based on the judgment of the regulators with regard to information provided to them during their examinations. Based upon all relevant and presently available information, management believes that the current allowance for loan losses is adequate.
For more information regarding asset quality and the coverage provided by the loan loss allowance, see the discussion of the provision for loan losses on page 21 of this report.
Securities and Mortgage-backed Securities
The impact of the Companys leveraged growth strategy is primarily apparent in the growth of the Companys securities portfolios at June 30, 2003. Continuing to capitalize on the steepest yield curve in more than a decade, the Company increased its investments in mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Government and agency obligations, and corporate bonds, at attractive spreads.
Securities held to maturity totaled $1.0 billion at June 30, 2003, up $344.8 million from the level recorded at December 31, 2002. The increase stemmed from the purchase of U.S. Government and agency obligations totaling $199.8 million; a $53.3 million increase in corporate bonds to $286.9 million; and a $1.9 million rise in capital trust notes to $275.8 million. In addition, the Company had stock in the FHLB totaling $266.1 million, as compared to $186.9 million at year-end. At June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the market values of securities held to maturity were $1.1 billion and $717.6 million, equivalent to 104.1% and 102.6% of carrying value, respectively.
The Company also increased its portfolio of available-for-sale securities over the six-month period, to $4.3 billion from $4.0 billion at December 31, 2002. Mortgage-backed securities represented $3.5 billion, or 82.8%, of the June 30, 2003 balance, as compared to $3.6 billion, representing 91.0%, at year-end. The remainder of the available-for-sale portfolio consisted primarily of capital trust notes totaling $263.6 million (up from $216.1 million) and U.S. Government and agency obligations totaling $179.2 million (up from $20.0 million). The increase in securities available for sale was partly offset by six-month 2003 sales, prepayments, and redemptions totaling $2.7 billion, providing cash flows for investment into multi-family loans. The sale of securities generated net gains of $17.1 million in the current six-month period, equivalent, on an after-tax basis, to $11.1 million or $0.08 per diluted share.
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity totaled $24.5 million at June 30, 2003, down $12.5 million from the year-end 2002 balance, the result of repayments and the tendency of the Company to classify new investments in mortgage-backed securities as available for sale. At June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the market values of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity were $25.5 million and $38.5 million, equivalent to 104.3% and 104.2% of carrying value, respectively.
Sources of Funds
The Company has four primary sources of funding for the payment of dividends, share repurchases, and other corporate uses: dividends paid to the Company by the Bank; capital raised through the issuance of trust preferred securities; capital raised through the issuance of stock; and maturities of, and income from, investments.
The Banks traditional sources of funds are the deposits it gathers and the line of credit it maintains with the FHLB-NY. The Banks line of credit is collateralized by stock in the FHLB and by certain securities and mortgage loans under a blanket pledge agreement in an amount equal to 110% of outstanding borrowings. In recent quarters, the Bank has obtained additional funding in the form of reverse repurchase agreements. Additional funding has stemmed from the interest and principal payments received on loans and the interest on, and prepayments of, mortgage-backed and other investment securities.
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The Bank gathers its deposits through a network of 110 banking offices serving customers throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and New Jersey. The Bank is the second largest thrift depository in the New York City boroughs of Queens and Staten Island and is a leading depository in several of New Jerseys densely populated communities.
The Company recorded core deposits of $3.4 billion at the close of the second quarter, representing 66.0% of total deposits at June 30, 2003. By comparison, core deposits totaled $3.3 billion, representing 62.9% of total deposits, at December 31, 2002. The increase stemmed from a $49.0 million rise in savings accounts to $1.7 billion and a $30.0 million rise in non-interest-bearing accounts to $495.1 million, which combined to offset a $19.1 million decline in NOW and money market accounts to $1.2 billion. The rise in core deposits since year-end 2002 reflects the Companys focus on attracting lower-cost deposits and a parallel decline in higher-cost depository accounts.
During this time, the balance of CDs declined $216.1 million to $1.7 billion, representing 34.0% of total deposits, from the balance recorded at year-end 2002, which represented 37.1%. The reduction reflects the Companys aforementioned focus on lower-cost deposits and the growing reluctance of customers to commit their funds to long-term savings accounts during a time of historically low market interest rates. In addition to encouraging customers to invest in third-party investment products, which generate fee income, the Company has taken advantage of the steep yield curve by increasing its use of low-cost borrowings.
Consistent with its leveraged growth strategy, the Company recorded total borrowings of $5.9 billion at the close of the second quarter, up $1.3 billion from the balance recorded at December 31, 2002. The increase primarily stemmed from a $173.6 million rise in FHLB-NY advances to $2.4 billion and a $1.0 billion rise in reverse repurchase agreements to $3.0 billion. The balance of borrowings also reflects preferred securities of $429.3 million, including the trust preferred securities issued in connection with the Companys BONUSES units and REIT-preferred securities sold by a Company subsidiary through a private placement in the first quarter of 2003.
In addition, in the second quarter of 2003, the Company entered into four interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert four of its trust preferred securities from fixed to variable rate instruments. Under these agreements, which are designated, and accounted for, as fair value hedges aggregating $65.0 million, the Company receives a fixed interest rate equal to the interest due to the holders of the trust preferred securities and pays a floating interest rate which is tied to the three-month LIBOR. The maturity dates, call features, and other critical terms of these derivative instruments match the terms of the trust preferred securities. As a result, no net gains or losses were recognized in earnings with respect to these hedges. At June 30, 2003, a $518,926 asset, representing the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements, was recorded in other assets. A corresponding adjustment was made to the carrying amount of the trust preferred securities to recognize the change in their fair value.
Asset and Liability Management and the Management of Interest Rate Risk
The Company manages its assets and liabilities to reduce its exposure to changes in market interest rates. The asset and liability management process has three primary objectives: to evaluate the interest rate risk inherent in certain balance sheet accounts; to determine the appropriate level of risk, given the Companys business strategy, operating environment, capital and liquidity requirements, and performance objectives; and to manage that risk in a manner consistent with the Board of Directors approved guidelines.
The Companys primary market risk lies in its exposure to interest rate volatility. The Company accordingly manages its assets and liabilities to reduce its exposure to changes in market interest rates.
In the process of managing its interest rate risk, the Company has pursued the following strategies: (1) emphasizing the origination and retention of multi-family and commercial real estate loans, which tend to refinance within three to five years; (2) originating one-to-four family and consumer loans on a conduit basis and selling them without recourse; and (3) investing in fixed rate mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities with estimated weighted average lives of two to seven years. These strategies take into consideration the stability of the Companys core deposits and its non-aggressive pricing policy with regard to CDs.
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The actual duration of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities can be significantly impacted by changes in prepayment levels and market interest rates. Mortgage prepayments will vary due to a number of factors, including the economy in the region where the underlying mortgages were originated; seasonal factors; demographic variables; and the assumability of the underlying mortgages. However, the largest determinants of prepayments are prevailing interest rates and the related mortgage refinancing opportunities. Management monitors interest rate sensitivity so that adjustments in the asset and liability mix can be made on a timely basis when deemed appropriate. To enhance its management of interest rate risk, the Company engaged in an interest rate swap midway through the second quarter. Under the terms of the swap, the fixed interest rate on the $65.0 million of trust preferred securities was converted to a variable rate. The Company does not currently participate in any other activities involving hedging or the use of off-balance sheet derivative financial instruments.
The matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which such assets and liabilities are interest rate sensitive and by monitoring a banks interest rate sensitivity gap. An asset or liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time period if it will mature or reprice within that period of time. The interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific time frame and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same period of time. In a rising interest rate environment, an institution with a negative gap would generally be expected, absent the effects of other factors, to experience a greater increase in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities than it would in the yield on its interest-earning assets, thus producing a decline in its net interest income. Conversely, in a declining rate environment, an institution with a negative gap would generally be expected to experience a lesser reduction in the yield on its interest-earning assets than it would in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities, thus producing an increase in its net interest income.
In the first six months of 2003, the Company continued to grow its portfolio of multi-family loans while, at the same time, realizing a reduction in the portfolio of one-to-four family and consumer loans. In addition, the Company continued to invest in securities of shorter duration, primarily in the form of mortgage-backed securities and, to a lesser extent, corporate bonds and U.S. Government and agency obligations. At the same time, the Company continued to take advantage of the favorable yield curve, maintaining its strategy of leveraged asset growth. Due to the resultant increase in short-term borrowings, the Companys one-year interest rate sensitivity gap at June 30, 2003 was a negative 17.91%, as compared to a negative 16.03% at December 31, 2002.
The Company also monitors changes in the net present value of the expected future cash flows of its assets and liabilities, which is referred to as the net portfolio value, or NPV. To monitor its overall sensitivity to changes in interest rates, the Company models the effect of instantaneous increases and decreases in interest rates of 200 basis points on its assets and liabilities. As of June 30, 2003, a 200-basis point increase in interest rates would have reduced the NPV by approximately 12.31% (as compared to 8.17% at the end of December). There can be no assurances that future changes in the Companys mix of assets and liabilities will not result in greater changes to the NPV.
Liquidity and Capital Position
Liquidity
Liquidity is managed to ensure that cash flows are sufficient to support the Banks operations and to compensate for any temporary mismatches with regard to sources and uses of funds caused by erratic loan and deposit demand.
As previously indicated, the Banks primary funding sources are deposits and borrowings. Additional funding stems from interest and principal payments on loans, securities, and mortgage-backed securities, and the sale of securities and loans. While borrowings and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable funding sources, deposit flows and mortgage and mortgage-backed securities prepayments are subject to such external factors as market interest rates, competition, and economic conditions and, accordingly, are less predictable.
The principal investing activities of the Bank are the origination of mortgage loans (primarily secured by multi-family buildings) and, to a lesser extent, the purchase of mortgage-backed and other investment securities. In the six months ended June 30, 2003, the net cash used in investing activities totaled $1.0 billion, largely reflecting the purchase of securities available for sale totaling $3.1 billion and a $507.7 million net increase in loans. These items
15
were offset by proceeds from the redemption, prepayment and sale of securities totaling $2.7 billion. The net increase in loans primarily reflects year-to-date mortgage originations of $1.5 billion, offset by repayments and prepayments totaling $1.0 billion.
The Banks investing activities were funded by internal cash flows generated by its operating and financing activities. In the first six months of 2003, the net cash provided by operating activities totaled $72.8 million, while the net cash provided by financing activities totaled $981.7 million. The latter amount largely reflects a $1.3 billion net increase in borrowings, which was consistent with the Companys leveraging strategy.
The Bank monitors its liquidity on a daily basis to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet its financial obligations, including withdrawals from depository accounts, outstanding loan commitments, contractual long-term debt payments, and operating leases. The Banks most liquid assets are cash and due from banks and money market investments, which collectively totaled $115.1 million at June 30, 2003, as compared to $97.6 million at December 31, 2002. Additional liquidity stems from the Banks portfolio of securities available for sale, which totaled $4.3 billion at the close of the second quarter, and from the Banks approved line of credit with the FHLB-NY, which amounted to $5.0 billion at June 30, 2003.
CDs due to mature in one year or less from June 30, 2003 totaled $1.4 billion; based upon recent retention rates as well as current pricing, management believes that a significant portion of such deposits will either roll over or be reinvested in alternative investment products sold through the Banks branch offices.
The Banks off-balance sheet commitments at June 30, 2003 consisted of outstanding mortgage loan commitments of $636.5 million and commitments to purchase mortgage-backed and investment securities in the amount of $1.8 million.
Capital Position
The Company recorded stockholders equity of $1.3 billion at June 30, 2003, up $2.5 million from the balance recorded at December 31, 2002. The 2003 amount was equivalent to 10.70% of total assets and a book value of $9.89 per share, based on 134,028,072 shares; the 2002 amount was equivalent to 11.70% of total assets and a book value of $9.73 per share, based on 136,078,457 shares, as adjusted to reflect the 4-for-3 stock split on May 21, 2003. The Company calculates book value by subtracting the number of unallocated ESOP shares at the end of the period from the number of shares outstanding at the same date. At June 30, 2003, the number of unallocated ESOP shares was 4,651,121; at December 31, 2002, the split-adjusted number of unallocated ESOP shares was 4,807,495. The Company calculates book value in this manner to be consistent with its calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share, both of which exclude unallocated ESOP shares from the number of shares outstanding in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share.
The growth in stockholders equity at June 30, 2003 reflects six-month net income of $139.1 million and additional contributions to tangible stockholders equity totaling $14.8 million, offset by the distribution of cash dividends totaling $53.9 million and the allocation of $103.8 million toward the repurchase of 4,184,437 shares during the first six months of the year. On June 26, 2003, in connection with the signing of the merger agreement with Roslyn, the Board approved an increase in the Companys existing share repurchase authorization, to enable the Company to repurchase up to five million shares of stock. At June 30, 2003, five million shares were available for repurchase, including 1.1 million remaining from the Boards November 12, 2002 authorization and 3.9 million from the authorization approved on June 26, 2003.
The level of stockholders equity at June 30, 2003 significantly exceeded the minimum federal requirements for a bank holding company. The Companys leverage capital totaled $1.1 billion, or 9.21% of adjusted average assets; its Tier 1 and total risk-based capital each amounted to $1.1 billion, representing 18.35% and 19.08% of risk-weighted assets, respectively. At December 31, 2002, the Companys leverage capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, and total risk-based capital amounted to $707.8 million, $707.8 million, and $749.0 million, representing 7.03% of adjusted average assets, 13.90% of risk-weighted assets, and 14.71% of risk-weighted assets, respectively. In addition, as of June 30, 2003, the Bank was categorized as well capitalized under the FDIC regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain a minimum leverage
16
capital ratio of 5.00%, a minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.00%, and a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 10.00%.
The following regulatory capital analyses set forth the Companys and the Banks leverage, Tier 1 risk-based, and total risk-based capital levels in comparison with the minimum federal requirements.
Regulatory Capital Analysis (Company)
At June 30, 2003
Risk-Based Capital
Leverage Capital
Tier 1
Total
Amount
Ratio
Total equity
1,058,680
9.21
18.35
1,100,692
19.08
Regulatory capital requirement
574,776
5.00
346,105
6.00
576,842
10.00
Excess
483,904
4.21
712,575
12.35
523,850
9.08
Regulatory Capital Analysis (Bank Only)
Total savings bank equity
1,065,557
9.29
18.40
1,107,417
19.12
458,710
4.00
231,683
463,367
8.00
606,847
5.29
833,874
14.40
644,050
11.12
In the second quarter of 2003, the Company solicited, and received, the consent of its BONUSES unit holders to an amendment that resulted in the proceeds of its fourth quarter 2002 BONUSES units offering being eligible for Tier 1 capital treatment. The impact of the unit holders consent is reflected in the significant increase in the Companys Tier 1 leverage capital and its ratio of Tier 1 leverage capital to risk-weighted assets at June 30, 2003.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002
Earnings Summary
In the second quarter of 2003, the Company continued to demonstrate its ability to generate earnings in a declining interest rate environment. Despite the ongoing reduction in market interest rates, and the resultant rise in prepayments, the Company realized an increase in net interest income, and extended its record of solid earnings growth.
The Company recorded second quarter 2003 net income of $71.8 million, up 23.4% from $58.1 million in the second quarter of 2002. The 2003 amount provided a 21.45% return on average stockholders equity (ROE) and a 2.36% return on average assets (ROA), as compared to 20.67% and 2.34%, respectively, in the year-earlier three months. On a diluted per share basis, the Companys earnings rose 23.3% to $0.53 in the current second quarter from $0.43 in the second quarter of 2002. The latter per share amount has been adjusted to reflect the 4-for-3 stock split on May 21, 2003.
The Companys second quarter 2003 performance was impacted, in part, by the significant level of appreciation in the value of shares held in its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) during the three months ended June 30, 2003. The value of the Companys shares rose 30.2% during the quarter, contributing to an increase in
17
compensation and benefits expense. In addition, the increase in value had a dilutive effect on the Companys earnings per share calculation, which is performed under the Treasury method of accounting for stock options outlined in SFAS No. 128.
The 23.4% increase in second quarter 2003 earnings was primarily driven by a $12.9 million, or 13.5%, rise in net interest income to $108.4 million, the net effect of a $10.0 million rise in interest income to $162.3 million, and a $2.9 million decline in interest expense to $54.0 million. The growth in interest income stemmed from a $2.3 billion, or 26.4%, rise in the average balance of interest-earning assets to $10.8 billion, which was tempered by a 112-basis point decline in the average yield on such assets to 6.03%. The decline in interest expense was the net effect of a $1.8 billion rise in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $9.7 billion, and a 64-basis point decline in the average cost of such funds to 2.22%.
The growth in net interest income was supported by the leveraged growth of the balance sheet over the past four quarters, which was funded by an increasingly low-cost mix of funds. Reflecting the historically low level of market interest rates, the accelerated rate of prepayments, and the replenishment of the asset mix with lower-yielding loans and investments, the Companys interest rate spread and net interest margin experienced some compression, narrowing by 48 and 46 basis points, respectively, from the year-earlier measures to 3.81% and 4.02%.
Earnings growth was also fueled by a $5.7 million rise in other operating income to $33.7 million, reflecting higher fee income and net securities gains. Fee income rose $3.9 million year-over-year to $14.7 million, while net securities gains rose $4.3 million to $10.6 million. The combined increase served to offset a $2.5 million decline in other income to $8.4 million.
The growth in revenues was more than sufficient to offset a modest increase in each of non-interest expense and income tax expense. Non-interest-expense totaled $35.4 million in the current second quarter, up $611,000 from the year-earlier amount. The amortization of core deposit intangible (CDI) accounted for $1.5 million of non-interest expense in each of the respective second quarters; operating expenses accounted for $33.9 million and $33.3 million, respectively. While compensation and benefits and general and administrative (G&A) expense rose $976,000 and $263,000, respectively, to $20.1 million and $7.3 million, these increases were partly offset by a $132,000 decline in occupancy and equipment expense to $5.4 million and a $496,000 decline in other expenses to $1.1 million. The net effect of the increase in revenues and the more modest increase in operating expenses was a 311-basis point improvement in the efficiency ratio to 23.89%.
Reflecting an $18.0 million rise in pre-tax income to $106.6 million and an effective tax rate of 32.7%, the Company recorded second quarter 2003 income tax expense of $34.8 million, up $4.4 million from the year-earlier amount.
The provision for loan losses had no bearing on the Companys second quarter 2003 or 2002 earnings, having been suspended since the third quarter of 1995.
Interest Income
The level of interest income in any given period depends upon the average balance and mix of the Companys interest-earning assets, the yield on said assets, and the current level of market interest rates.
The Company recorded interest income of $162.3 million in the second quarter of 2003, up $10.0 million, or 6.6%, from the year-earlier amount. The increase was fueled by a $2.3 billion, or 26.4%, rise in average interest-earning assets to $10.8 billion, and tempered by a 112-basis point decline in the average yield to 6.03%. The higher average balance partly reflects second quarter 2003 mortgage originations of $767.8 million and the leveraged growth of the Companys asset mix at lower yields during a time of accelerated prepayments and historically low market interest rates.
Mortgage and other loans generated interest income of $105.7 million in the current and year-earlier second quarters, representing 65.1% and 69.4% of total interest income in the respective periods. In the second quarter of
18
2003, the average balance of mortgage and other loans totaled $5.7 billion, signifying a $156.9 million year-over-year increase, and generated an average yield of 7.45%, down 21 basis points.
Mortgage-backed securities generated interest income of $33.4 million in the current second quarter, down $3.6 million, despite a $1.1 billion rise in the average balance to $3.5 billion. The year-over-year increase in average mortgage-backed securities was partly offset by a 228-basis point reduction in the average yield on such assets to 3.82%, reflecting the replenishment of the portfolio with lower-yielding securities.
The interest income generated by investment securities rose $13.4 million year-over-year to $22.9 million. The increase was fueled by a $1.0 billion rise in the average balance to $1.6 billion and tempered by a 98-basis point decline in the average yield to 5.92%.
Money market investments provided second quarter 2003 interest income of $310,000, up $157,000 from the year-earlier amount. The increase reflects a $26.8 million rise in the average balance to $55.8 million, which offset an 11-basis point decline in the average yield to 2.23%.
Interest Expense
The level of interest expense is a function of the average balance and composition of the Companys interest-bearing liabilities and the respective costs of the funding sources found within this mix. These factors are influenced, in turn, by competition for deposits and by the level of market interest rates.
The Company recorded interest expense of $54.0 million in the current second quarter, down $2.9 million, or 5.1%, from the level recorded in the second quarter of 2002. The reduction was the net effect of a $1.8 billion rise in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $9.7 billion and a 64-basis point decline in the average cost of funds to 2.22%. The Company has pursued a strategy of leveraged growth over the past eight quarters, capitalizing on a yield curve that has grown increasingly steep. While the higher average balance of interest-bearing liabilities corresponds to the leveraged growth of the balance sheet, the significant cost-of-funds reduction is indicative of the steady decline in market interest rates over the past twelve months.
Borrowings contributed $39.8 million to total interest expense in the second quarter of 2003, signifying an $8.0 million year-over-year increase, the net effect of a $1.9 billion rise in the average balance to $5.0 billion and an 86-basis point decline in the average cost to 3.19%. The leveraged growth of the balance sheet has been largely funded through FHLB-NY advances, together with reverse repurchase agreements featuring attractive rates.
CDs generated second quarter 2003 interest expense of $9.0 million, down $6.1 million from the year-earlier amount. The reduction stemmed from a $236.3 million decline in the average balance to $1.8 billion and from a 98-basis point decline in the average cost to 2.04%. The concentration of CDs has declined steadily over the past four quarters, as the Company has placed an emphasis on attracting core deposits with a lower cost of funds.
The interest expense generated by core deposits fell $4.8 million year-over-year to $5.1 million, the net effect of a $136.6 million rise in the average balance to $3.4 billion and a 62-basis point decline in the average cost to 0.61%. Non-interest-bearing deposits accounted for $490.2 million of the average balance in the current second quarter, up $9.5 million from the average balance in the second quarter of 2002. The interest expense generated by NOW and money market accounts declined $1.9 million year-over-year to $2.2 million, the net effect of a $114.7 million rise in the average balance to $1.2 billion and a 77-basis point reduction in the average cost to 0.75%. At the same time, the interest expense generated by savings accounts declined $3.0 million to $2.9 million, as a $12.4 million rise in the average balance to $1.7 billion was offset by a 72-basis point decline in the average cost to 0.68%.
19
Net Interest Income Analysis (dollars in thousands) (unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30,
Average Balance
Average Yield/ Cost
Assets:
Interest-earning assets:
Mortgage and other loans, net
5,692,559
7.45
5,535,656
7.66
1,550,720
5.92
550,168
6.90
3,505,411
3.82
2,433,053
6.10
55,799
2.23
28,992
2.12
Total interest-earning assets
10,804,489
6.03
8,547,869
7.15
Non-interest-earning assets
1,365,065
1,401,646
12,169,554
9,949,515
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
1,186,501
0.75
1,071,799
1.52
1,694,859
0.68
1,682,433
1.40
1,773,848
2.04
2,010,147
3.02
61,686
61,223
0.03
Total interest-bearing deposits
4,716,894
14,108
1.20
4,825,602
25,049
2.08
5,010,725
3.19
3,150,866
4.05
Total interest-bearing liabilities
9,727,619
2.22
7,976,468
2.86
Non-interest-bearing deposits
490,222
480,720
613,727
367,666
10,831,568
8,824,854
Stockholders equity
1,337,986
1,124,661
Net interest income/interest rate spread
3.81
4.29
Net interest-earning assets/net interest margin
1,076,870
4.02
571,401
4.48
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities
1.11
x
1.07
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the Companys primary source of income. Its level is a function of the average balance of interest-earning assets, the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities, and the spread between the yield on said assets and the cost of said liabilities. These factors are influenced by the pricing and mix of the Companys interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which, in turn, may be impacted by such external factors as economic conditions, competition for loans and deposits, and the monetary policy of the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (the FOMC). The FOMC reduces, maintains, or increases the federal funds rate (the rate at which banks borrow funds from one another), as it deems necessary. The federal funds rate was reduced to 1.00% in the second quarter of 2003, 75 basis points below the prevailing rate in the second quarter of 2002.
The Company recorded net interest income of $108.4 million in the second quarter of 2003, up $12.9 million, or 13.5%, from the level recorded in the year-earlier three months. The increase reflects the aforementioned rise in the Companys interest-earning assets, and was achieved despite the marked reduction in market interest rates, which triggered an increase in prepayments, and the subsequent replenishment of the asset mix with lower-yielding investments and loans.
20
While the Companys net interest income rose in spite of these factors, the Companys spread and margin were somewhat compressed. In the second quarter of 2003, the Companys spread was 3.81%, as compared to 4.29% in the year-earlier quarter. Similarly, the Companys net interest margin declined to 4.02% in the current second quarter from 4.48% in the second quarter of 2002. In addition to the year-over-year reduction in market interest rates, the reduction in net interest margin reflects the allocation of $70.5 million toward the repurchase of 2,653,933 shares in the second quarter of 2003.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses is based on managements periodic assessment of the adequacy of the loan loss allowance which, in turn, is based on such interrelated factors as the composition of the loan portfolio and its inherent risk characteristics; the level of non-performing loans and charge-offs, both current and historic; local economic conditions; the direction of real estate values; and current trends in regulatory supervision.
At June 30, 2003, the Company recorded non-performing loans of $13.3 million, down 18.5% from $16.3 million at December 31, 2002. The $3.0 million reduction contributed to a seven-basis point improvement in the ratio of non-performing loans to loans, net, over the six-month period, to 0.23% from 0.30%.
Based on the current and historic quality of the loan portfolio, and on managements assessment of the coverage provided by the allowance for loan losses, the loan loss provision was suspended in the current second quarter, continuing managements practice since the third quarter of 1995.
In the absence of any net charge-offs or provisions for loan losses, the loan loss allowance totaled $40.5 million at June 30, 2003, consistent with the allowance at December 31, 2002. The loan loss allowance was equivalent to 304.15% and 247.83% of non-performing loans, and to 0.70% and 0.74% of loans, net, at the respective period-ends. For additional information about the allowance for loan losses, please see the discussion of Asset Quality beginning on page 11.
Other Operating Income
The Company derives other operating income from several sources which are classified into one of three categories: fee income, which is generated by service charges on loans and traditional banking products; net gains on the sale of securities; and other income, which includes revenues derived from the sale of third-party investment products and through the Companys 100% equity interest in Peter B. Cannell & Co., Inc. (PBC), an investment advisory firm. Also included in other income are the income derived from the Companys investment in BOLI and from the origination of one-to-four family and consumer loans on a conduit basis, as previously discussed under Mortgage and Other Loans on page 10.
The Company recorded other operating income of $33.7 million in the current second quarter, up from $28.0 million in the second quarter of 2002. The 20.4% rise stemmed from a $3.9 million increase in fee income to $14.7 million and from a $4.3 million increase in net securities gains to $10.6 million. The combined $8.2 million increase more than offset a $2.5 million decline in other income to $8.4 million, which was primarily due to a reduction in revenues from third-party investment product sales. During the quarter, the Company increased its focus on attracting core deposits, rather than on the sale of third-party products such as annuities and mutual funds. As a result, third-party product sales generated second quarter 2003 revenues of $2.4 million, as compared to $3.4 million in the year-earlier three months.
The decline in investment product revenues was somewhat offset by increased revenues from the sale of loans originated on a conduit basis, PBC, and the Companys BOLI investment. For the three months ended June 30, 2003, such revenues totaled $822,000, $1.7 million, and $3.3 million, respectively.
Other operating income represented 23.7% of revenues in the current second quarter, up from 22.7% in the year-earlier three months.
21
Non-interest Expense
Non-interest expense has two primary components: operating expenses, consisting of compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment, G&A, and other expenses; and the amortization of the CDI stemming from the Companys July 2001 merger-of-equals with Richmond County Financial Corp., which amounts to $1.5 million per quarter.
The Company recorded total non-interest expense of $35.4 million in the current second quarter, up $611,000 from $34.8 million in the year-earlier three months. Operating expenses accounted for $33.9 million and $33.3 million, respectively, of the second quarter 2003 and 2002 totals, and were equivalent to 1.12% and 1.34% of average assets in the corresponding periods.
The modest increase in second quarter 2003 operating expenses stemmed from a $976,000 rise in compensation and benefits expense to $20.1 million and from a $263,000 increase in G&A expense to $7.3 million. These increases were partly offset by a $132,000 decline in occupancy and equipment expense to $5.4 million and by a $496,000 decline in other expenses to $1.1 million. While the higher level of G&A expense stemmed from various sources, the higher level of compensation and benefits expense was largely due to the year-over-year appreciation of shares held in the Companys ESOP. The decline in occupancy and equipment reflects the benefit of the year-earlier divestiture of 14 in-store branches, which was partly offset by the opening of four de novo branches, improvements to several of the Banks traditional branches, and enhancements to its data processing technology. The $611,000 increase in operating expenses was outweighed by the $18.6 million increase in revenues, resulting in a 311-basis point improvement in the second quarter 2003 efficiency ratio to 23.89%.
The number of full-time equivalent employees at June 30, 2003 was 1,457, as compared to 1,467 at June 30, 2002.
Income Tax Expense
The Company recorded second quarter 2003 income tax expense of $34.8 million, up from $30.5 million in the second quarter of 2002. The year-over-year increase reflects an $18.0 million rise in pre-tax income to $106.6 million and a 170-basis point reduction in the effective tax rate to 32.7%.
Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002
The Company recorded net income of $139.1 million in the first six months of 2003, signifying a 33.2% increase from $104.5 million in the first six months of 2002. The 2003 amount generated a 20.83% ROE and a 2.30% ROA, as compared to 19.83% and 2.18%, respectively, in the year-earlier period, and was equivalent to a 30.7% rise in diluted earnings per share to $1.01 from $0.77.
The Companys six-month 2003 earnings were influenced by the same combination of factors that influenced its second quarter 2003 results: a declining interest rate environment, an accelerated level of mortgage and securities prepayments, and the replenishment of the asset mix with lower-yielding mortgage loans and securities. Reflecting the Companys profitable leveraged growth strategy, the increase in assets was largely funded by short-term borrowings.
Earnings growth was primarily driven by a $38.2 million, or 21.4%, increase in net interest income, the result of a $35.5 million, or 12.1%, rise in interest income to $328.9 million and a $2.7 million decline in interest expense to $112.2 million. The growth in interest income was fueled by a $2.4 billion rise in the average balance of interest-earning assets to $10.7 billion, and tempered by a 92-basis point decline in the average yield to 6.20%. The reduction in interest expense was the net effect of a $1.8 billion rise in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $9.6 billion and a 61-basis point decline in the average cost of funds to 2.36%.
Earnings growth also stemmed from a $12.3 million, or 25.8%, year-over-year rise in other operating income to $60.1 million. The increase was attributable to a $4.4 million rise in fee income to $26.4 million and a $9.3 million
22
rise in net securities gains to $17.1 million. These increases more than offset a $1.3 million decline in other income to $16.7 million, primarily reflecting a reduction in third-party investment product revenues.
The combined $50.5 million increase in total revenues was more than sufficient to offset a modest $888,000 year-over-year increase in non-interest expense to $70.9 million and a $14.9 million increase in income tax expense to $66.8 million over the same period of time.
The increase in non-interest expense reflects a $3.2 million rise in compensation and benefits expense to $38.9 million, which was largely offset by a $2.3 million reduction in occupancy and equipment, G&A, and other expenses, combined. As a result, total operating expenses rose $888,000 to $67.9 million in the current six-month period from $67.0 million in the first six months of 2002.
The increase in income tax expense was attributable to a $49.6 million increase in pre-tax income to $205.9 million and an effective tax rate of 32.4%.
The provision for loan losses had no bearing on the Companys six-month 2003 or 2002 earnings, having been suspended since the third quarter of 1995, as stated previously.
The Company recorded interest income of $328.9 million in the first six months of 2003, up $35.5 million, or 12.1%, from the level recorded in the first six months of 2002. The increase was fueled by a $2.4 billion rise in the average balance of interest-earning assets to $10.7 billion and tempered by a 92-basis point decline in the average yield to 6.20%. As discussed in the analysis of second quarter 2003 interest income, the higher average balance reflects a solid level of mortgage loan production and the investment of borrowed funds into mortgage-backed and investment securities at attractive spreads. The lower yield is indicative of the interest rate environment during the period, with market interest rates having dropped to historic lows.
Mortgage and other loans generated $209.0 million, or 63.5%, of year-to-date interest income, as compared to $206.1 million, or 70.2%, in the first six months of 2002. The increase was fueled by a $145.2 million rise in the average balance of loans to $5.6 billion, which was tempered by a 10-basis point decline in the average yield to 7.50%.
Mortgage-backed securities generated interest income of $77.8 million in the current six-month period, up $8.5 million from the level generated in the first six months of 2002. While the average balance of mortgage-backed securities rose $1.4 billion year-over-year to $3.7 billion, the increase was tempered by a 179-basis point decline in the average yield to 4.28%. The interest income generated by investment securities rose $23.8 million year-over-year to $41.5 million, as an $848.3 million rise in the average balance to $1.4 billion was tempered by an 82-basis point decline in the average yield to 6.16%.
Money market investments generated interest income of $593,000 in the current six-month period, up $317,000 from the year-earlier amount. The increase stemmed from a $19.7 million rise in the average balance to $48.8 million and a 54-basis point rise in the average yield to 2.46%.
The Company recorded total interest expense of $112.2 million in the first six months of 2003, down $2.7 million from the total recorded in the first six months of 2002. The reduction was the net effect of a $1.8 billion rise in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $9.6 billion and a 61-basis point decline in the average cost of funds to 2.36%. The higher average balance is consistent with the leveraged growth strategy mentioned in the second quarter discussion; the lower cost reflects the aforementioned year-over-year decline in market interest rates. In addition, the Company continued to see a transition of customers funds into lower-cost core deposits and away from comparatively higher-cost CDs.
23
Borrowings produced interest expense of $79.4 million in the current six-month period, up $18.5 million from the level produced in the first six months of 2002. The increase was the net effect of a $1.9 billion rise in the average balance to $4.8 billion and a 94-basis point decline in the average cost to 3.30%.
CDs generated six-month 2003 interest expense of $19.8 million, down $14.9 million from the amount generated in the year-earlier six months. The reduction was the combined result of a $311.2 million decline in the average balance to $1.8 billion and a 108-basis point drop in the average cost to 2.17%.
At the same time, core deposits generated interest expense of $13.1 million, down $6.2 million from the level recorded in the first six months of 2002. The reduction was the net effect of a $176.4 million rise in the average balance to $3.3 billion and a 44-basis point decline in the average cost to 0.79%. Non-interest-bearing deposits represented $480.3 million of the current six-month average balance, having risen $16.4 million year-over-year. The interest expense produced by NOW and money market accounts fell $1.6 million to $6.0 million, the net effect of a $157.2 million rise in the average balance to $1.2 billion and a 46-basis point decline in the average cost to 1.02%. Similarly, the interest expense produced by savings accounts declined $4.6 million to $7.1 million, the net effect of a $2.7 million rise in the average balance to $1.7 billion and a 56-basis point drop in the average cost to 0.85%.
5,616,473
7.50
5,471,297
7.60
1,360,044
6.16
511,720
6.98
3,663,462
4.28
2,304,244
6.07
48,809
2.46
29,062
1.92
10,688,788
6.20
8,316,323
7.12
1,410,172
1,285,908
12,098,960
9,602,231
1,190,670
1.02
1,033,429
1.48
1,674,465
0.85
1,671,789
1.41
1,841,243
2.17
2,152,471
3.25
47,442
49,234
0.04
4,753,820
32,845
1.39
4,906,923
54,021
4,847,227
3.30
2,900,325
4.24
9,601,047
2.36
7,807,248
2.97
480,259
463,810
682,174
277,741
10,763,480
8,548,799
1,335,480
1,053,432
3.84
4.15
1,087,741
4.09
509,075
4.33
24
The Company recorded net interest income of $216.7 million in the current six-month period, up $38.2 million, or 21.4%, from the level recorded in the first six months of 2002. The increase is partly indicative of the Companys negative gap position: In a declining rate environment, the Companys interest-earning assets have been repricing downward at a slower pace than its various interest-bearing liabilities. In addition, the Companys net interest income has been fueled by the leveraged growth of its interest-earning assets. The Company has increasingly utilized borrowings in the form of FHLB-NY advances and reverse repurchase agreements to fund the origination of mortgage loans and investments in mortgage-backed and other securities.
Reflecting the decline in market interest rates and the replenishment of the asset mix with lower-yielding loans and investments, the Companys interest rate spread declined 31 basis points from the year-earlier measure to 3.84% in the first six months of 2003. At the same time, the Companys net interest margin declined 24 basis points to 4.09%. In addition to the factors cited in the discussion of the second quarters net interest margin, the reduction in the six-month measure reflects the magnitude of the Companys share repurchase program, with $103.8 million having been allocated toward the repurchase of 4,184,437 shares in the first half of 2003.
As noted in the discussion of the provision for loan losses for the second quarter, the Company has recorded no loan loss provisions since the third quarter of 1995. For additional information about the provision for loan losses, please see the discussion that appears on page 21 of this filing and the discussion of asset quality beginning on page 11.
The Company recorded other operating income of $60.1 million in the first six months of 2003, as compared to $47.8 million in the first six months of 2002. The 25.8% increase stemmed from a $4.4 million rise in fee income to $26.4 million and from a $9.3 million rise in net securities gains to $17.1 million. The combined $13.7 million increase more than offset a $1.3 million decline in other income, largely reflecting a $1.5 million drop in third-party investment product revenues to $4.6 million. This decline was tempered by an increase in revenues from the origination of loans on a conduit basis, PBC, and the Companys BOLI investment. Such revenues totaled $1.7 million, $3.2 million, and $6.5 million, respectively, in the six months ended June 30, 2003.
Other operating income represented 21.7% of total revenues in the current six-month period, as compared to 21.1% in the year-earlier six months.
The Company recorded non-interest expense of $70.9 million in the current six-month period, as compared to $70.0 million in the first six months of 2002. CDI accounted for $3.0 million of the six-month 2003 and 2002 totals, while operating expenses accounted for $67.9 million and $67.0 million, respectively. In the first six months of 2003, operating expenses were equivalent to 1.12% of average assets, as compared to 1.40% of average assets in the first six months of the prior year.
The modest increase in operating expenses was the net effect of a $3.2 million rise in compensation and benefits expense to $38.9 million, and a $2.3 million reduction in the remaining three components combined. Occupancy and equipment expense declined $149,000 year-over-year to $11.5 million, while G&A expense and other expenses fell $1.7 million and $510,000, respectively, to $14.9 million and $2.6 million. The increase in compensation and benefits expense partly reflects the amortization and appreciation of shares held in the Companys ESOP, which amounted to $3.8 million in the current six-month period and $3.0 million in the year-earlier six months.
25
The $888,000 increase in operating expenses was outweighed by the $50.5 million increase in revenues, resulting in a 508-basis point improvement in the efficiency ratio to 24.52%.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $66.8 million in the first six months of 2003, as compared to $51.8 million in the first six months of 2002. The increase reflects a rise in pre-tax income to $205.9 million from $156.3 million and a reduction in the effective tax rate to 32.4% from 33.2%.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the Companys market risk were presented in the discussion and analysis of Market Risk and Interest Rate Sensitivity that appear on pages 20 22 of the Companys 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, filed on March 31, 2003. Subsequent changes in the Companys market risk profile and interest rate sensitivity are detailed in the discussion entitled Asset and Liability Management and the Management of Interest Rate Risk, beginning on page 14 of this quarterly report.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based upon their evaluation of those controls and procedures performed within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were adequate.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls
The Company made no significant changes in its internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation of those controls by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Bank is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business. All such actions, in the aggregate, involve amounts that are believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition and results of operations of the Bank.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
(a)
The Company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 14, 2003. Proxies were solicited with respect to such meeting under Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to proxy materials dated April 10, 2003. Of the 139,891,917 shares eligible to vote at the annual meeting, 124,923,198 were represented in person or by proxy.*
(b)
There was no solicitation in opposition to the Boards nominees for director, and all of such nominees were elected, as follows:
No. of Votes For*
No. of Votes Withheld*
Broker Non-Votes
Joseph R. Ficalora
123,711,965
1,211,233
-0-
Michael F. Manzulli
124,322,446
600,752
Robert S. Farrell
110,563,429
14,359,769
The following directors are serving terms of office that continue through 2004 and 2005, as noted:
Director
Year Term Expires
Donald M. Blake
2004
Howard C. Miller
Anthony E. Burke
John A. Pileski
Max L. Kupferberg
2005
Dominick Ciampa
William C. Frederick, M.D.
James J. ODonovan**
2006
* The number of votes has been adjusted to reflect the 4-for-3 stock split on May 21, 2003.
** Mr. ODonovan was appointed to the Board of Directors on June 26, 2003.
(c) Two additional proposals were submitted for a vote, with the following results:
No. of Votes Against*
No. of Votes Abstaining*
1.
Approval of an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock.
120,294,174
4,291,781
337,241
Not Applicable
2.
Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003.
101,105,550
23,711,433
106,214
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Exhibit 2.1:
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 2003, by and between New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and Roslyn Bancorp, Inc. (1)
Exhibit 3.1:
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (2)
Exhibit 3.2:
Bylaws (3)
Exhibit 4.1:
Specimen Stock Certificate (4)
Exhibit 4.2:
Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of January 16, 1996 and amended on March 27, 2001 and August 1, 2001 between New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent (5)
Exhibit 4.3:
Amendment to Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2003, between New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent (6)
Exhibit 4.4:
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of New York Community Capital Trust V, dated as of November 4, 2002, as amended (7)
Exhibit 4.5:
Indenture relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures between New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated November 4, 2002, as amended (7)
Exhibit 4.6:
First Supplemental Indenture between New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated as of November 4, 2002, as amended (7)
Exhibit 4.7:
Form of Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.4)
Exhibit 4.8:
Form of Warrant (included in Exhibit 4.12)
Exhibit 4.9:
Form of Unit Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.11)
Exhibit 4.10:
Guarantee Agreement, issued in connection with the BONUSES units, dated as of November 4, 2002, as amended (7)
Exhibit 4.11:
Unit Agreement among New York Community Bancorp, Inc., New York Community Capital Trust V, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, Property Trustee and Agent, dated as of November 4, 2002, as amended (7)
Exhibit 4.12:
Warrant Agreement between New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Agent, dated as of November 4, 2002, as amended (7)
Exhibit 4.13:
Registrant will furnish, upon request, copies of all instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt instruments of registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries
Exhibit 10.1:
Stock Option Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2003, between New York Community Bancorp, Inc., as issuer, and Roslyn Bancorp, Inc., as grantee (1)
Exhibit 10.2:
Stock Option Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2003, between New York Community Bancorp, Inc., as grantee, and Roslyn Bancorp, Inc., as issuer (1)
Exhibit 11:
Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings
Exhibit 31.1:
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a)
Exhibit 31.2:
Exhibit 32.1:
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350
Exhibit 32.2:
_________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2003 (Registration No. 333-107498).
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Companys Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2001 and as amended in the Companys Annual Meeting Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2003.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (File No. 0-22278).
(4)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-66852).
(5)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Companys Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 24, 1996, amended as reflected in Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2001 (Registration No. 333-59486) and as reflected in Exhibit 4.3 to the Companys Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2002 (File No. 0-22278).
(6)
To be filed by amendment to the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2003 (Registration No. 333-107498).
(7)
Incorporated by reference to the Companys Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 (File No. 0-22278) and the Companys Form 8-K filed on April 17, 2003 (File No. 1-31565).
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Reports on Form 8-K
On April 2, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the solicitation of the requisite consent of the holders of its BONUSES units to an amendment that would enable the units to be treated as Tier 1 Capital by the Federal Reserve.
On April 14, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the receipt of the requisite consent of the holders of its BONUSES units to an amendment that would enable the units to be treated as Tier 1 Capital by the Federal Reserve.
On April 16, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K reporting its earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2003.
On April 17, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the receipt of the requisite consent of its BONUSES units holders to an amendment that would enable the units to be treated as Tier 1 Capital by the Federal Reserve. Amendments to the instruments governing the units were included by exhibit.
On April 22, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the Board of Directors declaration of a 4-for-3 stock split in the form of a 33-1/3% stock dividend, payable on May 21, 2003 to shareholders of record at May 5, 2003 and a 12% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.28 per share.
On April 28, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding its intention to make available, and distribute, to current and prospective investors a written presentation which discussed the Companys first quarter 2003 financial performance and strategies.
On April 29, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the Companys announcement that its BONUSES units had been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange and would begin trading on the NYSE under the symbol NYB PrU on May 5, 2003.
On May 5, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the Companys announcement that its BONUSES units would begin trading that day on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYB PrU.
On May 14, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K reporting that its shareholders approved all the proposals submitted for their consideration at the annual meeting of shareholders held that day. In addition, the Company reiterated the 2003 earnings guidance it had provided in its first quarter 2003 earnings release.
On May 16, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding its intention to make available and distribute to current and prospective investors a written presentation that would also be posted on its web site. The presentation discussed the Companys current and historic performance and strategies, and reiterated its diluted GAAP EPS projections for 2003.
On May 28, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding its intention to make available and distribute to current and prospective investors a written presentation which was updated to reflect its 4-for-3 stock split on May 21, 2003. The presentation discussed the Companys current and historic performance and strategies, and split-adjusted the Companys diluted GAAP EPS projections for 2003.
On June 16, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding its intention to hold meetings during the week of June 16, 2003 with current and prospective investors, during which it intended to reiterate its diluted GAAP EPS projections for 2003.
On July 16, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K reporting its earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, and raising its diluted GAAP EPS estimates for the full-year 2003 to a range of $2.04 to $2.10.
30
On July 24, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing a 10% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.23 per share.
On July 29, 2003, the Company furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding its intention to make available and distribute to current and prospective investors a written presentation that would also be posted on its web site. The presentation discussed the proposed merger with Roslyn Bancorp, Inc. with and into the Company, and the respective financial performances of the companies for the six months ended June 30, 2003. In addition, the presentation discussed the Companys 2003 diluted GAAP EPS estimates in the range of $2.04 to $2.10 on a stand-alone basis, and the companies pro forma 2004 GAAP EPS estimate of $2.53.
31
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant)
DATE: August 14, 2003
BY:
/s/ JOSEPH R. FICALORA
Joseph R. Ficalora President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ ROBERT WANN
Robert Wann Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer