Sandy Spring Bancorp Reports Quarterly Earnings Of $57.3 Million

Core Earnings Increase One Year After Acquisitions

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., (Nasdaq-SASR), the parent company of Sandy Spring Bank, today reported net income of $57.3 million ($1.19 per diluted common share) for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. The current quarter’s result compares to net loss of $14.3 million ($0.31 per diluted common share) for the second quarter of 2020 and net income of $75.5 million ($1.58 per diluted common share) for the first quarter of 2021. The results from the second quarter of the prior year reflected the combined impact of merger and acquisition expense associated with the acquisition of Revere Bank ("Revere") in that quarter, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economic forecast used in the determination of the allowance for credit losses, and the provision for credit losses associated with the Revere acquisition.

For the current quarter, core earnings, which exclude the impact of the provision for credit losses and provision on unfunded loan commitments, merger and acquisition expense, loss on FHLB redemptions, amortization of intangibles and investment securities gains, each on an after-tax basis, were $55.1 million ($1.16 per diluted common share), compared to $51.9 million ($1.10 per diluted common share) for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and $56.9 million ($1.20 per diluted common share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. 

The current quarter's provision for credit losses was a credit of $4.2 million as compared to a credit of $34.7 million for the first quarter of 2021. The current and prior quarter's credits for the provision for credit losses were principally the result of the decline in the forecasted unemployment rate and, to a lesser degree, improvements in other forecasted macroeconomic indicators. 

“Our acquisitions of Revere Bank and Rembert Pendleton Jackson continue to contribute to our strong financial performance,” said Daniel J. Schrider, President and CEO. “This quarter marks one year since Revere Bank became part of Sandy Spring Bank. Our increased size and scale, and our unwavering commitment to personalized service, continue to deliver results for our company and our clients. Our wealth group, which includes Rembert Pendleton Jackson, West Financial Services and Sandy Spring Trust, has also achieved significant year over year growth.”

Second Quarter Highlights:

• Core operating earnings increased 6% to $55.1 million for the second quarter of 2021, compared to $51.9 million for the prior year quarter. 
• Total assets at June 30, 2021, declined 3% to $12.9 billion compared to $13.3 billion at June 30, 2020. The decline in total assets, year-over-year was primarily the result of the $179.2 million net reduction in loans originated under the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP" or "PPP Program") and the $251.5 million decline in the residential mortgage loan portfolio. While the total loan portfolio, excluding PPP loans, decreased 1% due to the combined run-off of residential mortgage and consumer loans, year-over-year organic commercial real estate loan growth was 6%.
• Excluding PPP loans, total loan growth during the current quarter compared to the first quarter of 2021 was 1%, with organic commercial loan growth during the quarter of 2%. Deposits increased 2% during the linked quarter, driven by 6% growth in noninterest-bearing deposits. 
• The net interest margin was 3.63% for the second quarter of 2021, compared to 3.47% for the same quarter of 2020, and 3.56% for the first quarter of 2021. Excluding the impact of the amortization of the fair value marks derived from acquisitions, the current quarter’s net interest margin would have been 3.60%, compared to 3.19% for second quarter of 2020, and 3.46% for the first quarter of 2021.
• The provision for credit losses was a credit of $4.2 million for the current quarter compared to the prior quarter’s credit to the provision of $34.7 million. The credits to the provision continue to be the result of improvements in forecasted economic metrics. The overall credit to the provision for the quarter was partially mitigated by increases in non-PPP loan balances, individual reserves assessed on a few non-accrual loans in the hospitality industry and adjustments to qualitative factors.
• Non-interest income for the current quarter increased by 15% or $3.3 million compared to the prior year quarter, as wealth management income grew 20% and service charges on deposit accounts increased 62%. Bank card fees grew 42% compared to the prior year quarter as a result of transaction volume. Other non-interest income also grew significantly compared to the prior year as a result of the combination of the full payoff of a purchased credit deteriorated loan and activity-based contractual vendor incentives.
• Non-interest expense decreased $22.5 million or 26% for the second quarter of 2021, compared to the prior year quarter. The prior year's quarter included $22.5 million in merger and acquisition expense, in addition to $5.9 million in prepayment penalties from the liquidation of acquired FHLB borrowings. These reductions from the prior year more than offset the increase in salary and benefit expense in the current year quarter as a result of staffing increases associated with strategic business initiatives. 
• Return on average assets (“ROA”) for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 was 1.79% and return on average tangible common equity (“ROTCE”) was 20.44% compared, to 2.39% and 28.47%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2021. On a non-GAAP basis, the current quarter's core ROA was 1.73% and core ROTCE was 19.68% compared to core ROA of 1.80% and core ROTCE of 21.48% for the prior quarter of 2021. The non-GAAP efficiency ratio for the second quarter of 2021 was 45.36% compared to 42.65% for the first quarter of 2021. The change in the efficiency ratio reflects the impact of the decrease in mortgage banking income and the increase in costs related to various strategic initiatives during the current quarter.

Balance Sheet and Credit Quality

Total assets declined 3% to $12.9 billion at June 30, 2021, as compared to $13.3 billion at June 30, 2020. During this period, total loans declined by 2% to $10.1 billion at June 30, 2021, compared to $10.3 billion at June 30, 2020. Excluding PPP loans, total loans declined 1% to $9.2 billion at June 30, 2021 as compared to the prior year quarter. The year-over-year decline in the total loan portfolio was primarily the result of the $179.2 million net reduction of loans originated under the PPP Program and the $251.5 million decline in the residential mortgage loan portfolio, which was partially offset by year-over-year non-PPP commercial loan growth of $276.9 million or 4%. The year-over-year decline in the mortgage loan portfolio resulted from mortgage loan refinance activity driven by the low interest rate environment and the strategic decision to sell the majority of new mortgage loan production.

Compared to March 31, 2021, total loans, excluding PPP, increased 1% or $69.1 million at June 30, 2021. During this same period, commercial real estate loans increased $178.9 million or 3% and non-PPP commercial business loans declined $13.3 million or 1%. 

Deposit growth was 8% during the past twelve months, as noninterest-bearing deposits experienced growth of 16% and interest-bearing deposits grew 3%. This growth was driven primarily by the impact of the PPP program and, to a lesser extent, growth in core deposit relationships.

At June 30, 2021 the remaining outstanding principal balance of PPP loans was $897.2 million. As of July 9, 2021, 4,126 PPP loans totaling $651.2 million have been forgiven and an additional $49.1 million have been repaid by borrowers. At the end of the current quarter, loans with an aggregate balance of $124.2 million remain in deferral status, of which non-accrual loans comprised $56.0 million. Currently, the 93% of loans that had been granted modifications/deferrals due to pandemic-related financial stress have returned to their original payment plans. 

Tangible common equity increased to $1.2 billion or 9.28% of tangible assets at June 30, 2021, compared to $983.4 million or 7.63% at June 30, 2020 as a result of accumulated earnings over the preceding twelve months. Excluding the impact of the PPP program from tangible assets at June 30, 2021, the tangible common equity ratio would be 9.98%. At June 30, 2021, the Company had a total risk-based capital ratio of 15.82%, a common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 12.47%, a tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 12.47%, and a tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.49%. 

The level of non-performing loans to total loans was 0.93% at June 30, 2021, compared to 0.77% at June 30, 2020, and 0.94% at March 31, 2021. At June 30, 2021, non-performing loans totaled $94.3 million, compared to $79.9 million at June 30, 2020, and $98.7 million at March 31, 2021. Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans, accruing loans 90 days or more past due and restructured loans. Loans placed on non-accrual during the current quarter amounted to $1.5 million compared to $27.3 million for the prior year quarter and $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2021. Loans in non-accrual status at quarter end included a few large borrowings within the hospitality sector with an aggregate balance of $40.9 million. These large loans, which are collateral dependent, had individual reserves amounting to $5.7 million at June 30, 2021. 

The Company recorded net charge-offs of $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2021, as compared to net recoveries of $0.4 million for the second quarter of 2020 and net charge-offs of $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in charge-offs in the current quarter compared to the prior quarter and the prior year quarter was primarily the result of the charge-off of an acquired pre-pandemic problem credit. 

At June 30, 2021, the allowance for credit losses was $124.0 million or 1.23% of outstanding loans and 131% of non-performing loans, compared to $130.4 million or 1.25% of outstanding loans and 132% of non-performing loans at March 31, 2021. Excluding PPP loans, the allowance for credit losses to outstanding loans was 1.34% and 1.43%, at June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021, respectively. 

Income Statement Review
Quarterly Results

The Company recorded net income of $57.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to a net loss of $14.3 million for the prior year quarter. The current quarter's results include a credit to the provision for credit losses, the continued positive impact of reduced funding cost, and a 15% increase in non-interest income. The second quarter of the prior year's results reflected the combined impact of merger and acquisition expense associated with the Revere acquisition, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economic forecast used in the determination of the allowance for credit losses, and the additional provision for credit losses associated with the Revere acquisition. Pre-tax, pre-provision, pre-merger income was $71.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $61.5 million for the prior year quarter. 

Net interest income increased $6.5 million or 6% for the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020, as a result of the significant reduction in interest expense during the preceding twelve months. During this period, as general market interest rates declined significantly, interest income remained stable while interest expense on deposits, notably money market and time deposits, declined, resulting in a $6.6 million decrease in interest expense. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits declined $8.4 million, which was partially offset by the $1.8 million increase in interest expense on borrowings. The increase in borrowing costs occurred due to the prior year's inclusion of $5.8 million for accelerated amortization of the purchase premium on FHLB advances due to the prepayment of those borrowings. Excluding the accelerated amortization, borrowing cost would have been lower by $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2021. The PPP program contributed $13.2 million to net interest income for the quarter, of which $10.4 million represented origination fees. The net interest margin for the second quarter of 2021 was 3.63% as compared to 3.47% for the same quarter of the prior year as a result of the decreased funding cost during the period. Excluding the net $0.8 million impact of the amortization of the fair value marks derived from acquisitions, the net interest margin for the current quarter would have been 3.60% compared to the adjusted net interest margin of 3.19% for the second quarter of 2020. 

The provision for credit losses was a credit of $4.2 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to a charge of $58.7 million for the second quarter of 2020. The provision for credit losses for the first quarter of 2021 was a credit of $34.7 million. The credits to the provision during 2021 continue to be the result of the improvement in forecasted economic metrics, predominantly the projected unemployment and business bankruptcies rates. The overall credit to the provision for the second quarter of 2021 was partially mitigated by increases in non-PPP loan balances, individual reserves assessed on a few non-accrual loans in the hospitality industry and adjustments to various qualitative factors.

Non-interest income increased $3.3 million or 15% during the current quarter compared to the same quarter of the prior year, as wealth management income grew 20% and service charges on deposit accounts increased 62%. The growth in wealth management income reflects the continued positive impact of the Rembert Pendleton Jackson ("RPJ") acquisition in 2020 in addition to the performance in the financial markets and the expansion of the wealth management client base. The growth in service charge income reflects the impact of the prior year's temporary suspension of certain service fees as well as lower transaction volume, both a resulting reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic. Bank card fees grew 42% compared to the prior year quarter as a result of transaction volume. Other non-interest income also grew significantly compared to the prior year as a result of the combination of the full payoff of a purchased credit deteriorated loan and activity-based contractual vendor incentives.

Non-interest expense decreased $22.5 million or 26% for the second quarter of 2021, compared to the prior year quarter. The prior year's non-interest expense included $22.5 million in merger and acquisition expense, as well as $5.9 million in prepayment penalties from the liquidation of acquired FHLB borrowings. Salary and benefit expense increased $4.7 million as a result of staffing increases associated with strategic business initiatives and the $1.3 million increase in professional fees and services, primarily consulting fees. Occupancy and equipment expense decreased 8% compared to the prior year due to decreased depreciation and rental expense due to the post-acquisition reduction of banking locations. The cost savings from the post-acquisition location rationalization was offset by increases in advertising costs, outside data services and FDIC insurance.

The non-GAAP efficiency ratio was 45.36% for the current quarter as compared to 43.85% for the second quarter of 2020, and 42.65% for the first quarter of 2021. The modest increase in the efficiency ratio (reflecting a decrease in efficiency) from the second quarter of the prior year to the current year quarter was the result of the 11% growth in non-GAAP expense outpacing the 8% growth in non-GAAP revenue. ROA for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 was 1.79% and ROTCE was 20.44% compared, respectively, to 2.39% and 28.47% for the first quarter of 2021. On a non-GAAP basis, the current quarter's core ROA was 1.73% and core ROTCE was 19.68% compared to core ROA of 1.80% and core ROTCE of 21.48% for the prior quarter of 2021. 

Year to Date Results

The Company recorded net income of $132.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to net loss of $4.4 million for the same period in the prior year. Pre-tax, pre-provision, pre-merger income was $136.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $97.7 million for the prior year. The second quarter of the current year benefited from post-acquisition increased net interest income, a $38.9 million credit to the provision for credit losses, and a 34% increase in non-interest income driven primarily by mortgage banking and wealth management income. The prior year's results reflected the combined impact of merger and acquisition expense associated with the Revere acquisition, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on economic forecast used in the determination of the allowance for credit losses and the additional provision for credit losses associated with the acquisition of Revere during that period.

Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased 28% or $46.8 million compared to the prior year. This increase was driven primarily by the acquisition of Revere in the second quarter of 2020 as interest income grew $30.3 million and, to a lesser extent, reduced funding costs as interest expense declined $16.5 million. Contributing to the growth in net interest income, the PPP program generated $18.6 million, net of its associated funding costs, year-over-year. The net interest margin improved to 3.60% for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to 3.39% for the prior year. Excluding the net $3.8 million impact of the amortization of the fair value marks derived from acquisitions, the net interest margin for the current year would have been 3.53%. The net interest margin for 2020, excluding the amortization of fair value marks, would have been 3.23%. 

The provision for credit losses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 amounted to a credit of $38.9 million as compared to a charge of $83.2 million for the same period in 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the credit for the provision for credit losses, compared to the prior year's charge to the provision, reflects the impact of the improvement in the most recent forecasted economic metrics, most notably the rate of unemployment and anticipated business bankruptcies. Other economic metrics and factors also contributed to growth in the current period's credit to the provision, which were partially offset by qualitative factors applied in the determination of the allowance. The charge to the provision for credit losses for the same period in 2020 predominantly reflected the combined results of the impact of the deteriorated economic forecasts during the first six months of 2020 and the initial allowance on acquired Revere non-purchased credit deteriorated loans. 

Non-interest income increased 34% to $55.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $41.1 million for 2020. During the current year, income from mortgage banking activities increased $4.5 million as a result of the high levels of new mortgage and refinancing activity resulting from historically low mortgage lending rates. Additionally, wealth management income increased $3.3 million year over year as a result of the first quarter 2020 acquisition of RPJ, in addition to the $818 million growth in assets under management during the past twelve months. Service charge income also increased 10% as customer activity increased. As a result of increased transaction volume, bank card fees grew 28% compared to the prior year period. Other non-interest income also grew significantly compared to the prior year as a result of the combination of the full payoff of a purchased credit deteriorated loan and activity-based contractual vendor incentives.

Non-interest expense decreased 2% to $131.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $133.2 million for 2020. The current year included $9.1 million in prepayment penalties on FHLB borrowings compared to $5.9 million in prepayment penalties in the prior year. The prior year also included $23.9 million in merger and acquisition expense. Excluding the impact of these items results in a year-over-year growth rate in non-interest expense of 18%. This growth rate was driven by operational and compensation costs associated with the 2020 acquisitions and staffing increases associated with certain strategic initiatives, increased incentive expense associated with mortgage lending and other volume based activities, increased intangible asset amortization, higher FDIC insurance premiums and a rise in professional fees and services. 

The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was 24.39%, compared to a tax benefit rate of 53.71% for the same period in 2020. The current year's effective tax rate reflects a more normalized rate while the prior year's rate reflected the favorable result of the changes to tax laws in 2020 that expanded the time permitted to utilize previous net operating losses. The Company applied this change to the 2018 acquisition of WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc. to realize a tax benefit of $1.8 million for 2020, resulting in a greater proportional benefit from the operating loss in the first six months of 2020. 

The non-GAAP efficiency ratio for the first half of the current year was 44.01% compared to 48.21% for the same period in the prior year. The improvement in the current year’s efficiency ratio compared to the prior year was the result of the 29% growth in non-GAAP revenue, which outpaced the 18% growth in non-GAAP non-interest expense.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains financial information and performance measures determined by methods other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The Company’s management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information provides a better comparison of period-to-period operating performance. Additionally, the Company believes this information is utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. Non-GAAP measures used in this release consist of the following: 

• Tangible common equity and related measures are non-GAAP measures that exclude the impact of goodwill and other intangible assets.
• The non-GAAP efficiency ratio excludes amortization of intangible assets, loss on FHLB redemption, merger and acquisition expense and investment securities gains and includes tax-equivalent income.
• Core earnings and the related measures of core earnings per share, core return on average assets and core return on average tangible common equity reflect net income exclusive of the provision/(credit) for credit losses, provision/(credit) for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments, merger and acquisition expense, amortization of intangible assets, loss on FHLB redemption, and investment securities gains, on a net of tax basis. 

These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies. Please refer to the non-GAAP Reconciliation tables included with this release for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Conference Call

The Company’s management will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter results today at 2:00 p.m. (ET). A live Webcast of the conference call is available through the Investor Relations section of the Sandy Spring Website at www.sandyspringbank.com. Participants may call 1-866-235-9910. A password is not necessary. Visitors to the Website are advised to log on 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled start of the call. An internet-based replay will be available on the website until August 5, 2021. A replay of the teleconference will be available through the same time period by calling 877.344.7529 under conference call number 10157804. 

About Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Olney, Maryland, is the holding company for Sandy Spring Bank, a premier community bank in the Greater Washington, D.C. region. With over 60 locations, the bank offers a broad range of commercial and retail banking, mortgage, private banking, and trust services throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Through its subsidiaries, Rembert Pendleton Jackson, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation and West Financial Services, Inc., Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of insurance and wealth management services.

For additional information or questions, please contact:

Daniel J. Schrider, President & Chief Executive Officer, or
Philip J. Mantua, E.V.P. & Chief Financial Officer
Sandy Spring Bancorp
17801 Georgia Avenue
Olney, Maryland 20832
800.399.5919  
Email:  
DSchrider@sandyspringbank.com
PMantua@sandyspringbank.com
    
Media Contact:
Jen Schell
301.570.8331
jschell@sandyspringbank.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Sandy Spring Bancorp’s forward-looking statements are subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties: risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the effect of the pandemic on our borrowers and their ability to make payments on their obligations, the effectiveness of vaccination programs, and the effect of remedial actions and stimulus measures adopted by federal, state and local governments; general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan or investment portfolios; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; the Company’s ability to retain key members of management; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties. Sandy Spring Bancorp provides greater detail regarding some of these factors in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, including in the Risk Factors section of that report, and in its other SEC reports. Sandy Spring Bancorp’s forward-looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those that it may discuss elsewhere in this news release or in its filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov.

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