• Columbia Financial, Inc. Announces Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2023

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 25 Jan 2024 16:05:01   America/New_York

    FAIR LAWN, N.J., Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbia Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CLBK), the mid-tier holding company for Columbia Bank ("Columbia") and Freehold Bank ("Freehold"), reported net income of $6.6 million, or $0.06 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to net income of $21.9 million, or $0.21 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. Earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 reflected lower net interest income, mainly due to an increase in interest expense, a higher provision for credit losses and higher non-interest expense, which included a one-time Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation special assessment, partially offset by higher non-interest income and a lower income tax expense. For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company reported core net income of $10.1 million, a decrease of $12.0 million, or 54.3%, compared to core net income of $22.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. (Refer to "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to core net income.)

    For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company reported net income of $36.1 million, or $0.35 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $86.2 million, or $0.82 per basic and $0.81 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022. Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2023 reflected lower net interest income, mainly due to an increase in interest expense, lower non-interest income, and higher non-interest expense partially offset by a lower provision for credit losses and a lower income tax expense. Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 included a $10.8 million loss on the sale of available for sale securities. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company reported core net income of $50.8 million, a decrease of $40.1 million, or 44.1%, compared to core net income of $90.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

    Thomas J. Kemly, President and Chief Executive Officer commented: "The Company's balance sheet, asset quality, liquidity position and capital remained strong in 2023. This year was uniquely challenging due to a difficult operating environment resulting from a dramatic rise in interest rates, and new industry concerns that emerged from a few bank failures earlier in the year. We continue to implement prudent strategies that mitigate risks and build a foundation for future success and increased profitability. We are focused on providing outstanding customer service and continue our investment in technology to enhance our products and delivery channels."

    Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

    Net income of $6.6 million was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $15.3 million, or 70.0%, compared to net income of $21.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to a $23.1 million decrease in net interest income and a $3.5 million increase in non-interest expense, partially offset by a $3.7 million increase in non-interest income and a $7.7 million decrease in income tax expense.

    Net interest income was $45.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $23.1 million, or 33.7%, from $68.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net interest income was primarily attributable to a $42.7 million increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings, partially offset by a $19.6 million increase in interest income. The increase in interest income was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets coupled with an increase in average yields due to market interest rate increases that occurred over the previous two years. The increase in interest expense on deposits was driven by these same rate increases coupled with intense competition for deposits in the market and the repricing of existing deposits into higher cost products. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was also impacted by the significant increase in interest rates for new borrowings since interest rates began rising in March 2022, along with an increase in the average balance of borrowings. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income on loans, totaled $419,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

    The average yield on loans for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 increased 61 basis points to 4.66%, as compared to 4.05% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, as interest income was influenced by rising interest rates and loan growth. The average yield on securities for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 increased 13 basis points to 2.58%, as compared to 2.45% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, as a number of adjustable rate securities tied to various indexes continued to reprice higher during the quarter, and new securities purchased during 2023 were at higher interest rates. The average yield on other interest-earning assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 increased 164 basis points to 5.64%, as compared to 4.00% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, due to interest rates paid on cash balances and an increase in the dividend paid on Federal Home Loan Bank stock.

    Total interest expense was $62.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $42.7 million, or 218.4%, from $19.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to a 203 basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, coupled with a 127 basis point increase in the average cost of borrowings, and a significant increase in the average balance of borrowings. Interest expense on borrowings increased $10.8 million, or 135.2%, and interest expense on deposits increased $31.9 million or 275.9% due to the rise in interest rates as noted above.

    The Company's net interest margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 decreased 106 basis points to 1.85%, when compared to 2.91% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets increased 64 basis points to 4.39% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 3.75% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 209 basis points to 3.18% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 1.09% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The increase in yields for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was due to the impact of market interest rate increases between periods. The net interest margin decreased for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as the increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities outweighed the increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets.

    The provision for credit losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was $1.2 million, an increase of $184,000, from $971,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The increase in provision for credit losses during the quarter was primarily attributable to an increase in the outstanding balance of loans, partially offset by a decrease in loan loss rates.

    Non-interest income was $11.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $3.7 million, or 49.5%, from $7.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in bank-owned life insurance income of $2.6 million which included death benefit claims, coupled with a $515,000 increase in the fair value of equity securities.

    Non-interest expense was $48.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $3.5 million, or 7.8%, from $44.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in federal deposit insurance premiums of $4.3 million, an increase in data processing and software expenses of $828,000 and a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $300,000, partially offset by a decrease of $2.1 million in compensation and employee benefits expense. The increase in federal deposit insurance premiums was due to a one-time Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation special assessment recorded in December 2023, and an increase in the assessment rate imposed by the FDIC effective January 1, 2023. The increase in data processing and software expenses mainly related to the increase in core processing expense. During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company prepaid a term note which resulted in a $300,000 loss on the early extinguishment of debt. The decrease in compensation and employee benefits expense was due to the result of a workforce reduction in June 2023, along with other related employee expense cutting strategies implemented during the current year including a reduction in bonus accrual.

    Income tax expense was $865,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $7.7 million, as compared to $8.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, mainly due to a decrease in pre-tax income and a decrease in the Company's effective tax rate. The Company's effective tax rate was 11.6% and 28.1% for the quarters ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The effective tax rate for the 2023 period was primarily impacted by lower net interest income and higher actual tax-exempt income.

    Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

    Net income of $36.1 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $50.1 million, or 58.1%, compared to net income of $86.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to a $60.9 million decrease in net interest income, a $3.0 million decrease in non-interest income, and a $7.6 million increase in non-interest expense, partially offset by a $698,000 decrease in provision for credit losses and a $20.7 million decrease in income tax expense.

    Net interest income was $205.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $60.9 million, or 22.8%, from $266.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net interest income was primarily attributable to a $146.2 million increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings, partially offset by a $85.3 million increase in interest income. The increase in interest income was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of total interest-earning assets coupled with an increase in average yields due to market interest rate increases in 2022 and 2023. The increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings was driven by these same rate increases coupled with intense competition for deposits in the market and the repricing of existing deposits into higher cost products. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was also impacted by the significant increase in interest rates for new borrowings since interest rates began rising in March 2022, along with an increase in the average balance of borrowings. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income on loans, totaled $817,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

    The average yield on loans for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 64 basis points to 4.44%, as compared to 3.80% for the year ended December 31, 2022, as interest income increased due to rising rates and loan growth. The average yield on securities for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 20 basis points to 2.46%, as compared to 2.26% for the year ended December 31, 2022 as $124.6 million of higher yielding securities were purchased, and a number of adjustable rate securities tied to various indexes continued to reprice higher during the year. The average yield on other interest-earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 267 basis points to 5.54%, as compared to 2.87% for the year ended December 31, 2022, due to the rise in interest rates, as noted above.

    Total interest expense was $189.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $146.2 million, or 340.9%, from $42.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to a 158 basis point increase in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits and an increase in the average balance of deposits, coupled with an increase in interest on borrowings of $48.9 million due to a 218 basis point increase in the cost of total borrowings and an increase in the average balance of borrowings.

    The Company's net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased 82 basis points to 2.16%, when compared to 2.98% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The weighted average yield on interest-earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 68 basis points to 4.14%, as compared to 3.46% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 188 basis points to 2.52% for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 0.64% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in yields for the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the impact of market rate increases between periods. The net interest margin decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as the average cost of interest- bearing liabilities outweighed the increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets.

    The provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $4.8 million, a decrease of $698,000, from $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in provision for credit losses during the year was primarily attributable to a decrease in loan loss rates, partially offset by an increase in the outstanding balance of loans.

    Non-interest income was $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $3.0 million, or 9.9%, from $30.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in the loss of securities transactions of $11.1 million, partially offset by an increase in bank-owned life insurance income of $2.7 million due to death benefit claims, an increase in the change in fair value of equity securities of $1.1 million, an increase in the gain on sale of loans of $1.0 million and an increase in other non-interest income of $3.8 million, primarily related to swap income.

    Non-interest expense was $182.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $7.6 million, or 4.3%, from $174.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in compensation and employee benefits expense of $3.9 million, an increase in federal deposit insurance premiums of $6.0 million, and a loss on extinguishment of debt of $300,000, resulting from the prepayment of a term note. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in merger-related expenses of $2.2 million and a decrease in other non-interest expense of $4.1 million. The increase in compensation and employee benefits expense for the 2023 period was due to normal annual increases in employee related compensation, increased staff levels due to the May 2022 merger with RSI Bank, and severance expense recorded in June 2023 as a result of a workforce reduction. The federal deposit insurance premium expense increased due to the one-time Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation special assessment recorded in December 2023, and an increase in the assessment rate imposed by the FDIC effective January 1, 2023. The decrease in other non-interest expense was primarily related to non-recurring litigation settlements included in the 2022 period and the decrease in expenses related to swap transactions.

    Income tax expense was $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $20.7 million, as compared to $30.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, mainly due to a decrease in pre-tax income, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in the Company's effective tax rate. The Company's effective tax rate was 21.6% and 26.3% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The effective tax rate for the 2023 period was primarily impacted by lower net interest income and the loss on the sale of securities, and higher tax-exempt income.

    Balance Sheet Summary

    Total assets increased $237.4 million, or 2.3%, to $10.6 billion at December 31, 2023 from $10.4 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase in total assets was primarily attributable to an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $244.0 million, an increase in loans receivable, net, of $194.7 million, an increase in Federal Home Loan Bank stock of $22.9 million, and an increase in other assets of $23.7 million, partially offset by decrease in debt securities available for sale of $235.1 million.

    Cash and cash equivalents increased $244.0 million, or 136.2%, to $423.2 million at December 31, 2023 from $179.2 million at December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to $277.0 million in proceeds from the sale of debt securities available for sale, and an increase in borrowings of $401.6 million, or 35.6%, partially offset by purchases of debt securities available for sale of $124.6 million, a decrease in total deposits of $154.6 million and $80.5 million in repurchases of common stock under our stock repurchase program.

    Debt securities available for sale decreased $235.1 million, or 17.7%, to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2023 from $1.3 billion at December 31, 2022. The decrease was attributable to sales of securities of $277.0 million which resulted in a realized loss of $10.8 million, and repayments on securities of $100.9 million, which was partially offset by purchases of U.S. government obligations of $124.6 million and a decrease in the gross unrealized loss on securities of $30.3 million. The Bank sold U.S. government obligations at a weighted average rate of 2.36%, and mortgage-backed securities at a weighted average rate of 3.12% during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Bank sold predominantly fixed rate, low-yielding debt securities and used the proceeds to repay high costing short term borrowings to improve net interest rate margin.

    Loans receivable, net, increased $194.7 million, or 2.6%, to $7.8 billion at December 31, 2023 from $7.6 billion at December 31, 2022. Multifamily real estate loans, construction loans, and commercial business loans increased $170.0 million, $106.5 million, and $35.6 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases in one-to-four family real estate loans, commercial real estate loans and home equity loans and advances of $67.4 million, $36.3 million and $7.7 million, respectively. The allowance for credit losses for loans increased $2.3 million to $55.1 million at December 31, 2023 from $52.8 million at December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the increase in the allowance for credit losses for loans was primarily due to an increase in the outstanding balance of loans and an increase in qualitative factors, partially offset by a decrease in loan loss rates.

    Federal Home Loan Bank stock increased $22.9 million, or 39.4%, to $81.0 million at December 31, 2023 from $58.1 million at December 31, 2022. The increase was due to the purchase of stock required upon acquiring new FHLB borrowings.

    Other assets increased $23.7 million, or 8.3%, to $308.4 million at December 31, 2023 from $284.8 million at December 31, 2022, primarily due to a $15.1 million increase in the Company's pension plan balance, as the return on plan assets outpaced the growth in the plan’s obligations, and a $10.0 million increase in a low income housing tax credit asset.

    Total liabilities increased $250.7 million, or 2.7%, to $9.6 billion at December 31, 2023 from $9.4 billion at December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in borrowings of $401.6 million, or 35.6%, partially offset by a decrease in total deposits of $154.6 million, or 1.9%. The $401.6 million increase in borrowings was primarily driven by a net increase in long-term borrowings of $494.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in short-term borrowing of $93.2 million. The decrease in total deposits primarily consisted of decreases in non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits and savings and club accounts of $368.8 million, $626.4 million, and $213.4 million, respectively, partially offset by increases in money market accounts of $537.0 million and certificates of deposit of $517.0 million. The Bank has priced select money market and certificates of deposit accounts very competitively to the market, but there continues to be strong competition for funds from other banks and non-bank investment products.

    Total stockholders’ equity decreased $13.3 million, or 1.3%, to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2023 from $1.1 billion December 31, 2022. The decrease in equity was primarily attributable to the repurchase of 4,242,693 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $80.5 million, or $18.97 per share, under our stock repurchase program, partially offset by net income of $36.1 million, and a decrease of $21.8 million in unrealized losses on debt securities available for sale, net of taxes, included in other comprehensive income.

    Asset Quality

    The Company's non-performing loans at December 31, 2023 totaled $12.6 million, or 0.16% of total gross loans, as compared to $6.7 million, or 0.09% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2022. The $5.9 million increase in non-performing loans was primarily attributable to an increase in non-performing commercial business loans of $5.7 million and an increase in non-performing one-to-four family real estate loans of $410,000. The increase in non-performing commercial business loans was due to an increase in the number of loans from three non-performing loans at December 31, 2022 to ten loans at December 31, 2023, including a $3.7 million loan to a technology company. The increase in non-performing one-to-four family real estate loans was due to an increase in the number of loans from 12 non-performing loans at December 31, 2022 to 17 loans at December 31, 2023. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets totaled 0.12% at December 31, 2023 as compared to 0.06% at December 31, 2022.

    For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, net charge-offs totaled $173,000, as compared to $59,000 in net charge-offs recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net charge-offs totaled $2.5 million, as compared to $45,000 in net charge-offs recorded for the year ended December 31, 2022.

    The Company's allowance for credit losses on loans was $55.1 million, or 0.70% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2023, compared to $52.8 million, or 0.69% of total gross loans, at December 31, 2022. The increase in the allowance for credit losses for loans was primarily due to an increase in the outstanding balance of loans and an increase in qualitative factors, partially offset by a decrease in loan loss rates.

    Stock Repurchase Program

    During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 4,242,693 shares of common stock at a cost of $80.5 million, or $18.97 per share, and during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 138,620 shares of common stock at a cost of $2.2 million, or $15.88 per share. On May 25, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the Company's sixth stock repurchase program to acquire up to 2,000,000 shares, or approximately 1.9% of the Company's then issued and outstanding common stock. As of January 19, 2024, there are 1,106,841 shares remaining to be repurchased under the existing program. Management has slowed repurchase activity to maintain higher capital and due to the increased value of the stock during the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Additional Liquidity, Loan, and Deposit Information

    The Company services a diverse retail and commercial deposit base through its 67 branches. With over 215,000 accounts, the average deposit account balance was approximately $36,000 at December 31, 2023.

    The Company had uninsured deposits totaling $1.8 billion at both December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, excluding municipal deposits of $825.9 million and $810.8 million, respectively, which are collateralized, and intercompany deposits of $3.5 billion and $3.6 billion, respectively.

    The Company had uninsured deposits as summarized below:

     At December 31, 2023 At September 30, 2023
     (Dollars in thousands)
        
    Uninsured deposits$1,837,083  $1,773,116 
    Uninsured deposits to total deposits 23.4%  23.0%
            

    Deposit balances are summarized as follows:

     At December 31, 2023  At September 30, 2023
     Balance Weighted
    Average
    Rate    		 Balance Weighted
    Average
    Rate
     (Dollars in thousands)
            
    Non-interest-bearing demand$1,437,361 —% $1,439,517 —%
    Interest-bearing demand 1,966,463 2.07   2,001,260 1.77 
    Money market accounts 1,255,528 3.28   1,196,983 3.09 
    Savings and club deposits 700,348 0.48   736,558 0.38 
    Certificates of deposit 2,486,856 3.91   2,328,848 3.27 
    Total deposits$7,846,556 2.31% $7,703,166 1.97%
                

    The Company continues to maintain strong liquidity and capital positions. The Company has not utilized the Federal Reserve’s Bank Term Funding Program and had no outstanding borrowings from the Federal Reserve Discount Window at December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had immediate access to approximately $3.0 billion of funding, with additional unpledged loan collateral available to pledge in excess of $1.4 billion. Available sources of liquidity include but are not limited to:

    • Cash and cash equivalents of $423.2 million;
    • Borrowing capacity based on unencumbered collateral pledged at the FHLB totaling $617.2 million;
    • Borrowing capacity based on unencumbered collateral pledged at the Federal Reserve Bank totaling $2.0 billion; and
    • Available correspondent lines of credit of $339.0 million with various third parties.

    At December 31, 2023, the Company's non-performing commercial real estate loans totaled $2.7 million, or 0.03%, of the total loans receivable loan portfolio balance.

    The following table presents multifamily real estate, owner occupied commercial real estate, and the components of investor owned commercial real estate loans included in the real estate loan portfolio.

     At December 31, 2023
     (Dollars in thousands)
     Balance % of
    Gross Loans    		 Weighted Average
    Loan to
    Value Ratio    		 Weighted Average
    Debt Service
    Coverage
    Multifamily Real Estate$1,409,187 18.0% 62.2% 1.54x
            
    Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate$485,968 6.2% 50.4% 1.95x
            
    Investor Owned Commercial Real Estate:       
    Retail / Shopping centers$489,777 6.3% 52.5% 1.51x
    Mixed Use 312,410 4.0  58.6  1.52
    Industrial / Warehouse 400,945 5.1  53.2  1.73
    Non-Medical Office 219,284 2.8  51.6  1.58
    Medical Office 138,964 1.8  58.9  1.70
    Single Purpose 81,780 1.0  56.9  2.31
    Other 248,984 3.2  50.2  1.80
    Total$1,892,144 24.2% 53.9% 1.65
            
    Total Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate Loans$3,787,299 48.4% 56.6% 1.65x
               

    Annual Meeting of Stockholders

    On January 25, 2024, the Company also announced that its annual meeting of stockholders will be held on June 6, 2024.

    About Columbia Financial, Inc.

    The consolidated financial results include the accounts of Columbia Financial, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries Columbia Bank and Freehold Bank, and their wholly-owned subsidiaries. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized as Columbia Bank's mid-tier stock holding company. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Columbia Bank, MHC. Columbia Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey that operates 65 full-service banking offices. Freehold Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey that operates 2 full-service banking offices. Both banks offer traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in their market areas.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “will,” “would,” “expects,” “projects,” “may,” “could,” “developments,” “strategic,” “launching,” “opportunities,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets” and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, adverse conditions in the capital and debt markets and the impact of such conditions on the Company’s business activities; changes in interest rates, higher inflation and their impact on national and local economic conditions; changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and other governmental entities; the impact of legal, judicial and regulatory proceedings or investigations, competitive pressures from other financial institutions; the effects of general economic conditions on a national basis or in the local markets in which the Company operates, including changes that adversely affect a borrowers’ ability to service and repay the Company’s loans; the effect of acts of terrorism, war or pandemics,, including on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions; changes in the value of securities in the Company’s portfolio; changes in loan default and charge-off rates; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and securities; legislative changes and changes in government regulation; changes in accounting standards and practices; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements will become impaired; cyber-attacks, computer viruses and other technological risks that may breach the security of our systems and allow unauthorized access to confidential information; the inability of third party service providers to perform; demand for loans in the Company’s market area; the Company’s ability to attract and maintain deposits and effectively manage liquidity; risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings; the risk that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy, or its integration of acquired financial institutions and businesses, and changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements which are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, those set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and those set forth in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes, except as required by law.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Reported amounts are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This press release also contains certain supplemental non-GAAP information that the Company’s management uses in its analysis of the Company’s financial results. Specifically, the Company provides measures based on what it believes are its operating earnings on a consistent basis and excludes material non-routine operating items which affect the GAAP reporting of results of operations. The Company’s management believes that providing this information to analysts and investors allows them to better understand and evaluate the Company’s core financial results for the periods presented. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

    The Company also provides measurements and ratios based on tangible stockholders' equity. These measures are commonly utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and, therefore, the Company’s management believes that such information is useful to investors.

    A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are included at the end of this press release. See "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

     
    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
    (In thousands)
     
     December 31,
      2023  2022
    Assets(Unaudited)  
    Cash and due from banks$423,140 $179,097
    Short-term investments 109  131
    Total cash and cash equivalents 423,249  179,228
        
    Debt securities available for sale, at fair value 1,093,557  1,328,634
    Debt securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $357,177, and $370,391 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively) 401,154  421,523
    Equity securities, at fair value 4,079  3,384
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock 81,022  58,114
        
    Loans receivable 7,874,537  7,677,564
    Less: allowance for credit losses 55,096  52,803
    Loans receivable, net 7,819,441  7,624,761
        
    Accrued interest receivable 39,345  33,898
    Office properties and equipment, net 83,577  83,877
    Bank-owned life insurance 268,362  264,854
    Goodwill and intangible assets 123,350  125,142
    Other assets 308,432  284,754
    Total assets$10,645,568 $10,408,169
        
    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   
    Liabilities:   
    Deposits$7,846,556 $8,001,159
    Borrowings 1,528,695  1,127,047
    Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance 43,509  45,460
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities 186,473  180,908
    Total liabilities 9,605,233  9,354,574
        
    Stockholders' equity:   
    Total stockholders' equity 1,040,335  1,053,595
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$10,645,568 $10,408,169
        


    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)
     
     Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
      2023  2022   2023   2022 
    Interest income:(Unaudited) (Unaudited)  
    Loans receivable$91,744 $76,159  $343,770  $263,559 
    Debt securities available for sale and equity securities 7,077  8,480   28,120   34,221 
    Debt securities held to maturity 2,370  2,471   9,708   9,694 
    Federal funds and interest-earning deposits 4,828  229   8,188   474 
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends 1,531  593   5,192   1,722 
    Total interest income 107,550  87,932   394,978   309,670 
    Interest expense:       
    Deposits 43,429  11,552   125,162   27,878 
    Borrowings 18,782  7,987   63,940   15,015 
    Total interest expense 62,211  19,539   189,102   42,893 
            
    Net interest income 45,339  68,393   205,876   266,777 
            
    Provision for credit losses 1,155  971   4,787   5,485 
            
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses 44,184  67,422   201,089   261,292 
            
    Non-interest income:       
    Demand deposit account fees 1,330  1,164   5,145   5,293 
    Bank-owned life insurance 4,456  1,892   10,126   7,393 
    Title insurance fees 560  635   2,400   3,423 
    Loan fees and service charges 1,144  996   4,510   3,924 
    (Loss) gain on securities transactions —  —   (10,847)  210 
    Change in fair value of equity securities 446  (69)  695   (401)
    Gain on sale of loans 154  69   1,214   178 
    Other non-interest income 3,159  2,839   14,136   10,380 
    Total non-interest income 11,249  7,526   27,379   30,400 
            
    Non-interest expense:       
    Compensation and employee benefits 28,463  30,533   120,846   116,926 
    Occupancy 5,590  5,751   22,927   22,589 
    Federal deposit insurance premiums 5,015  669   8,639   2,591 
    Advertising 498  650   2,805   2,865 
    Professional fees 3,083  2,431   9,824   8,158 
    Data processing and software expenses 4,154  3,326   15,039   13,362 
    Merger-related expenses 326  134   606   2,810 
    Loss on extinguishment of debt 300  —   300   — 
    Other non-interest expense 570  1,014   1,431   5,515 
    Total non-interest expense 47,999  44,508   182,417   174,816 
            
    Income before income tax expense 7,434  30,440   46,051   116,876 
            
    Income tax expense 865  8,549   9,965   30,703 
            
    Net income$6,569 $21,891  $36,086  $86,173 
            
    Earnings per share-basic$0.06 $0.21  $0.35  $0.82 
    Earnings per share-diluted$0.06 $0.21  $0.35  $0.81 
    Weighted average shares outstanding-basic 101,656,890  105,997,676   102,656,388   105,580,823 
    Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted 101,817,194  106,631,357   102,894,969   106,193,161 
            



    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Average Balances/Yields
     
     For the Three Months Ended December 31,
      2023   2022 
     Average
    Balance    		 Interest and
    Dividends    		 Yield / Cost Average
    Balance    		 Interest and
    Dividends    		 Yield / Cost
     (Dollars in thousands)
    Interest-earnings assets:           
    Loans$7,816,272  $91,744 4.66% $7,458,467  $76,159 4.05%
    Securities 1,453,863   9,447 2.58%  1,774,890   10,951 2.45%
    Other interest-earning assets 447,369   6,359 5.64%  81,592   822 4.00%
    Total interest-earning assets 9,717,504   107,550 4.39%  9,314,949   87,932 3.75%
    Non-interest-earning assets 854,857       842,571     
    Total assets$10,572,361      $10,157,520     
                
    Interest-bearing liabilities:           
    Interest-bearing demand$2,000,406  $12,308 2.44% $2,684,095  $4,882 0.72%
    Money market accounts 1,119,290   8,962 3.18%  709,591   1,244 0.70%
    Savings and club deposits 714,664   846 0.47%  932,732   121 0.05%
    Certificates of deposit 2,416,773   21,313 3.50%  1,937,489   5,305 1.09%
    Total interest-bearing deposits 6,251,133   43,429 2.76%  6,263,907   11,552 0.73%
    FHLB advances 1,494,794   18,592 4.93%  821,141   7,558 3.65%
    Notes payable 916   23 9.96%  29,885   297 3.94%
    Junior subordinated debentures 7,013   167 9.45%  6,992   130 7.38%
    Other borrowings —   — —%  163   2 4.87%
    Total borrowings 1,502,723   18,782 4.96%  858,181   7,987 3.69%
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 7,753,856  $62,211 3.18%  7,122,088  $19,539 1.09%
                
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:           
    Non-interest-bearing deposits 1,441,005       1,759,372     
    Other non-interest-bearing liabilities 247,545       244,504     
    Total liabilities 9,442,406       9,125,964     
    Total stockholders' equity 1,129,955       1,031,556     
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$10,572,361      $10,157,520     
                
    Net interest income  $45,339     $68,393  
    Interest rate spread    1.21%     2.66%
    Net interest-earning assets$1,963,648      $2,192,861     
    Net interest margin    1.85%     2.91%
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 125.32%      130.79%    
                    



    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Average Balances/Yields
     
     For the Years Ended December 31,
      2023   2022 
     Average
    Balance    		 Interest and
    Dividends    		 Yield / Cost Average
    Balance    		 Interest and
    Dividends    		 Yield / Cost
     (Dollars in thousands)
    Interest-earnings assets:           
    Loans$7,748,096  $343,770 4.44% $6,939,419  $263,559 3.80%
    Securities 1,540,726   37,828 2.46%  1,943,459   43,915 2.26%
    Other interest-earning assets 241,520   13,380 5.54%  76,500   2,196 2.87%
    Total interest-earning assets 9,530,342  $394,978 4.14%  8,959,378  $309,670 3.46%
    Non-interest-earning assets 840,215       782,444     
    Total assets$10,370,557      $9,741,822     
                
    Interest-bearing liabilities:           
    Interest-bearing demand$2,183,333  $37,774 1.73% $2,685,675  $11,307 0.42%
    Money market accounts 951,174   24,296 2.55%  695,849   2,593 0.37%
    Savings and club deposits 793,303   2,231 0.28%  922,916   466 0.05%
    Certificates of deposit 2,229,042   60,861 2.73%  1,834,876   13,512 0.74%
    Total interest-bearing deposits 6,156,852   125,162 2.03%  6,139,316   27,878 0.45%
    FHLB advances 1,315,401   62,398 4.74%  547,158   13,449 2.46%
    Notes payable 22,780   918 4.03%  30,084   1,194 3.97%
    Junior subordinated debentures 7,054   624 8.85%  6,984   370 5.30%
    Other borrowings —   — —%  55   2 3.64%
    Total borrowings 1,345,235   63,940 4.75%  584,281   15,015 2.57%
    Total interest-bearing liabilities 7,502,087  $189,102 2.52%  6,723,597  $42,893 0.64%
                
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:           
    Non-interest-bearing deposits 1,539,354       1,742,607     
    Other non-interest-bearing liabilities 231,018       210,280     
    Total liabilities 9,272,459       8,676,484     
    Total stockholders' equity 1,098,098       1,065,338     
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$10,370,557      $9,741,822     
                
    Net interest income  $205,876     $266,777  
    Interest rate spread    1.62%     2.82%
    Net interest-earning assets$2,028,255      $2,235,781     
    Net interest margin    2.16%     2.98%
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 127.04%      133.25%    
                    



    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Components of Net Interest Rate Spread and Margin
     
     Average Yields/Costs by Quarter
     December 31,
    2023    		 September 30,
    2023    		 June 30,
    2023    		 March 31,
    2023    		 December 31,
    2022
    Yield on interest-earning assets:         
    Loans4.66% 4.47% 4.36% 4.24% 4.05%
    Securities2.58  2.37  2.33  2.53  2.45 
    Other interest-earning assets5.64  5.91  6.08  4.22  4.00 
    Total interest-earning assets4.39% 4.17% 4.07% 3.93% 3.75%
              
    Cost of interest-bearing liabilities:         
    Total interest-bearing deposits2.76% 2.31% 1.90% 1.13% 0.73%
    Total borrowings4.96  4.70  4.72  4.60  3.69 
    Total interest-earning liabilities3.18% 2.70% 2.42% 1.74% 1.09%
              
    Interest rate spread1.21% 1.47% 1.65% 2.19% 2.66%
    Net interest margin1.85% 2.06% 2.17% 2.58% 2.91%
              
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities125.32% 127.46% 126.86% 128.60% 130.79%
                   



    COLUMBIA FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Selected Financial Highlights
     
     December 31,
    2023    		 September 30,
    2023    		 June 30,
    2023    		 March 31,
    2023    		 December 31,
    2022
              
    SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS (1):         
    Return on average assets0.25% 0.36% 0.06% 0.73% 0.86%
    Core return on average assets0.38% 0.36% 0.46% 0.77% 0.87%
    Return on average equity2.31% 3.23% 0.61% 7.20% 8.42%
    Core return on average equity3.55% 3.24% 4.29% 7.59% 8.52%
    Core return on average tangible equity3.99% 3.64% 4.89% 8.61% 9.70%
    Interest rate spread1.21% 1.47% 1.65% 2.19% 2.66%
    Net interest margin1.85% 2.06% 2.17% 2.58% 2.91%
    Non-interest income to average assets0.42% 0.33% (0.02)% 0.31% 0.29%
    Non-interest expense to average assets1.80% 1.67% 1.85% 1.71% 1.74%
    Efficiency ratio84.82% 75.12% 94.07% 63.68% 58.63%
    Core efficiency ratio76.93% 75.09% 75.68% 62.35% 58.26%
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities125.32% 127.46% 126.86% 128.60% 130.79%
    Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans0.01% 0.09% 0.03% 0.01% —%
              
    (1) Ratios for the three months are annualized when appropriate.
     


    ASSET QUALITY:         
     December 31,
    2023    		 September 30,
    2023    		 June 30,
    2023    		 March 31,
    2023    		 December 31,
    2022
     (Dollars in thousands)
              
    Non-accrual loans$12,618  $15,150  $11,091  $6,610  $6,721 
    90+ and still accruing —   —   —   —   — 
    Non-performing loans 12,618   15,150   11,091   6,610   6,721 
    Real estate owned —   —   —   —   — 
    Total non-performing assets$12,618  $15,150  $11,091  $6,610  $6,721 
              
    Non-performing loans to total gross loans 0.16%  0.19%  0.14%  0.09%  0.09%
    Non-performing assets to total assets 0.12%  0.15%  0.11%  0.06%  0.06%
    Allowance for credit losses on loans ("ACL")$55,096  $54,113  $53,456  $52,873  $52,803 
    ACL to total non-performing loans 436.65%  357.18%  481.98%  799.89%  785.64%
    ACL to gross loans 0.70%  0.69%  0.69%  0.68%  0.69%
                        


    LOAN DATA:         
     December 31,
    2023    		 September 30,
    2023    		 June 30,
    2023    		 March 31,
    2023    		 December 31,
    2022
     (In thousands) 
    Real estate loans:         
    One-to-four family$2,792,833  $2,791,939  $2,789,269  $2,860,964  $2,860,184 
    Multifamily 1,409,187   1,417,233   1,376,999   1,315,143   1,239,207 
    Commercial real estate 2,377,077   2,374,488   2,386,896   2,393,918   2,413,394 
    Construction 443,094   390,940   378,988   374,434   336,553 
    Commercial business loans 533,041   546,750   505,524   516,682   497,469 
    Consumer loans:         
    Home equity loans and advances 266,632   267,016   269,310   271,620   274,302 
    Other consumer loans 2,801   2,586   2,552   2,322   3,425 
    Total gross loans 7,824,665   7,790,952   7,709,538   7,735,083   7,624,534 
    Purchased credit deteriorated ("PCD") loans 15,089   15,228   16,107   16,245   17,059 
    Net deferred loan costs, fees and purchased premiums and discounts 34,783   34,360   34,791   35,744   35,971 
    Allowance for credit losses (55,096)  (54,113)  (53,456)  (52,873)  (52,803)
    Loans receivable, net$7,819,441  $7,786,427  $7,706,980  $7,734,199  $7,624,761 
                        


    CAPITAL RATIOS:   
     December 31,
     2023 (1) 2022 
    Company:   
    Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)14.08% 15.39%
    Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)13.32% 14.59%
    Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)13.23% 14.49%
    Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)10.04% 10.68%
        
    Columbia Bank:   
    Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)14.02% 14.12%
    Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)13.22% 13.32%
    Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)13.22% 13.32%
    Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)9.48% 9.74%
        
    Freehold Bank:   
    Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)22.49% 22.92%
    Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)21.81% 22.19%
    Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)21.81% 22.19%
    Tier 1 capital (to adjusted total assets)15.27% 15.19%
        
    (1) Estimated ratios at December 31, 2023.   
        


    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
        
    Book and Tangible Book Value per Share
     December 31,
      2023   2022 
     (Dollars in thousands)
    Total stockholders' equity$1,040,335  $1,053,595 
    Less: goodwill (110,715)  (110,715)
    Less: core deposit intangible (11,155)  (13,505)
    Total tangible stockholders' equity$918,465  $929,375 
        
    Shares outstanding 104,918,905   108,970,476 
        
    Book value per share$9.92  $9.67 
    Tangible book value per share$8.75  $8.53 
            


    Reconciliation of Core Net Income
     Three Months Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31,
      2023  2022  2023  2022 
     (In thousands)
    Net income$6,569 $21,891 $36,086 $86,173 
    Add/less: loss (gain) on securities transactions, net of tax —  —  9,249  (156)
    Less: insurance settlement, net of tax —  —  —  (486)
    Add: FDIC special assessment, net of tax 3,009  —  3,009  — 
    Add: severance expense from reduction in workforce, net of tax —  —  1,390  — 
    Add: merger-related expenses, net of tax 288  168  529  2,210 
    Add: loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax 265  —  265  — 
    Add: litigation expense, net of tax —  46  262  2,913 
    Add: branch closure expense, net of tax —  58  —  199 
    Core net income$10,131 $22,163 $50,790 $90,853 
                 


    Return on Average Assets
     Three Months Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31,
      2023   2022   2023   2022 
     (Dollars in thousands)
    Net income$6,569  $21,891  $36,086  $86,173 
            
    Average assets$10,572,361  $10,157,520  $10,370,557  $9,741,822 
            
    Return on average assets 0.25%  0.86%  0.35%  0.88%
            
    Core net income$10,131  $22,163  $50,790  $90,853 
            
    Core return on average assets 0.38%  0.87%  0.49%  0.93%
                    


    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (continued)  
            
    Return on Average Equity
     Three Months Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31,
      2023   2022   2023   2022 
     (Dollars in thousands)
    Total average stockholders' equity$1,129,955  $1,031,556  $1,098,098  $1,065,338 
    Add/Less: loss (gain) on securities transactions, net of tax —   —   9,249   (156)
    Less: insurance settlement, net of tax —   —   —   (486)
    Add: FDIC special assessment, net of tax 3,009   —   3,009   — 
    Add: severance expense from reduction in workforce, net of tax —   —   1,390   — 
    Add: merger-related expenses, net of tax 288   168   529   2,210 
    Add: loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax 265   —   265   — 
    Add: litigation expenses, net of tax —   46   262   2,913 
    Add: branch closure expense, net of tax —   58   —   199 
    Core average stockholders' equity$1,133,517  $1,031,828  $1,112,802  $1,070,018 
            
    Return on average equity 2.31%  8.42%  3.29%  8.09%
            
    Core return on core average equity 3.55%  8.52%  4.56%  8.49%
                    


    Return on Average Tangible Equity
     Three Months Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
      2023   2022   2023   2022 
     (Dollars in thousands)
    Total average stockholders' equity$1,129,955  $1,031,556  $1,098,098  $1,065,338 
    Less: average goodwill (110,715)  (111,115)  (110,715)  (103,477)
    Less: average core deposit intangible (11,524)  (13,905)  (12,398)  (11,352)
    Total average tangible stockholders' equity$1,007,716  $906,536  $974,985  $950,509 
            
    Core return on average tangible equity 3.99%  9.70%  5.21%  9.56%
                    


    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (continued)  
            
    Efficiency Ratios
     Three Months Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31,
      2023   2022   2023   2022 
     (Dollars in thousands)
    Net interest income$45,339  $68,393  $205,876  $266,777 
    Non-interest income 11,249   7,526   27,379   30,400 
    Total income$56,588  $75,919  $233,255  $297,177 
            
    Non-interest expense$47,999  $44,508  $182,417  $174,816 
            
    Efficiency ratio 84.82%  58.63%  78.20%  58.83%
            
    Non-interest income$11,249  $7,526  $27,379  $30,400 
    Add/less: loss (gain) on securities transactions —   —   10,847   (210)
    Less: insurance settlement —   —   —   (650)
    Core non-interest income$11,249  $7,526  $38,226  $29,540 
            
    Non-interest expense$47,999  $44,508  $182,417  $174,816 
    Less: FDIC special assessment (3,840)  —   (3,840)  — 
    Less: severance expense from reduction in workforce —   —   (1,605)  — 
    Less: merger-related expenses (326)  (134)  (606)  (2,810)
    Less: loss on extinguishment of debt (300)  —   (300)  — 
    Less: litigation expense —   (62)  (317)  (3,916)
    Less: branch closure expense —   (78)  —   (266)
    Core non-interest expense$43,533  $44,234  $175,749  $167,824 
            
    Core efficiency ratio 76.93%  58.26%  72.00%  56.64%
                    

    Columbia Financial, Inc.
    Investor Relations Department
    (833) 550-0717


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