Provident Financial Services, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Earnings, Declaration of Quarterly Cash Dividend and Annual Meeting Date

ISELIN, N.J., Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS) (the “Company”) reported net income of $27.3 million, or $0.36 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $28.5 million, or $0.38 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and $49.0 million, or $0.66 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income totaled $128.4 million, or $1.72 per basic share and $1.71 per diluted share, compared to $175.6 million, or $2.35 per basic and diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022. Net income for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 was largely impacted by a decrease in net interest income, primarily attributable to a decrease in lower-costing deposits and an increase in borrowings, combined with unfavorable repricing of both deposits and borrowings, in addition to increased provisions for credit losses primarily due to a worsened economic forecast compared to the prior year. Transaction costs related to our pending merger with Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (“Lakeland”) totaled $2.5 million and $7.8 million, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023, respectively, compared with transaction costs of $1.2 million and $4.1 million for the respective 2022 periods. In addition, prior year earnings for the year ended December 31, 2022, included an $8.6 million gain on the sale of a foreclosed property.

Performance Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2023

  • The Company’s total loan portfolio increased $206.1 million, or 7.7% annualized, to $10.87 billion at December 31, 2023, from $10.67 billion at September 30, 2023.
  • Net interest income before provision for credit losses remained relatively flat at $95.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior quarter.
  • The net interest margin decreased four basis points to 2.92% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, from 2.96% for the trailing quarter.
  • The average yield on total loans increased 13 basis points to 5.50% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to the trailing quarter, while the average cost of deposits, including non-interest-bearing deposits, increased 21 basis points to 1.95% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
  • At December 31, 2023, the Company’s loan pipeline, consisting of work-in-process and loans approved pending closing, totaled $1.09 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.08%.
  • At December 31, 2023, CRE loans related to office properties totaled $483.1 million, compared to $483.3 million at September 30, 2023. This portfolio constitutes 4.5% of total loans. Approximately 35% of our office loans are to medical offices and we do not have significant central business district exposure. Delinquencies in the office portfolio at December 31, 2023, were limited to one loan totaling $825,000. The portfolio is granular, with an average outstanding loan balance of $1.8 million and just three relationships greater than $10.0 million.
  • The Company recorded a $500,000 provision for credit losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to an $11.0 million provision for the trailing quarter. The decrease in the provision for credit losses for the quarter was primarily attributable to an improved economic forecast for the current quarter within our Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model.
  • The Company’s earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 were negatively impacted by a $3.0 million charge for contingent litigation reserves, a $2.0 million write-down of a foreclosed property and a $775,000 charge for the FDIC special assessment.
  • The Company’s annualized adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision (“PTPP”) return on average assets(1) was 1.25% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 1.48% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
  • Annualized returns on average assets, average equity and average tangible equity(1) were 0.77%, 6.60% and 9.15%, respectively for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared with 0.81%, 6.84% and 9.47%, respectively for the trailing quarter.

Anthony J. Labozzetta, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “Provident produced respectable financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year 2023 despite challenging market conditions throughout the year. We had solid loan growth, including annualized growth in our total loan portfolio of 7.7% during the fourth quarter. Our fee income from the wealth management and insurance agency businesses continue to make significant contributions to our overall financial success. Elevated short-term interest rates and a shift in the funding mix continued to impact our net interest margin, however, we are starting to see stabilization in our funding costs. An increased provision for loan losses largely driven by changes in our CECL economic forecast also impacted the full year’s results, however, our asset quality remains strong.”

Regarding the previously announced pending merger with Lakeland Bancorp, Inc., Labozzetta added, “Provident is actively engaged in discussions with our regulators concerning the merger. Both Provident and Lakeland have agreed to extend the merger deadline to March 31, 2024, to allow additional time to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. Provident looks forward to closing the transaction as soon as possible following receipt of the approvals.”

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per common share payable on February 23, 2024, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 9, 2024.

Annual Meeting Date Set

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on April 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time as a virtual meeting. March 1, 2024 has been established as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Results of Operations

Three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023

For the three months ended December 31, 2023, net income was $27.3 million, or $0.36 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $28.5 million, or $0.38 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income decreased $448,000 to $95.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $96.2 million for the trailing quarter. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to a decrease in lower-costing deposits and an increase in borrowings, combined with unfavorable repricing of both deposits and borrowings, partially offset by originations of new loans at current market rates and the favorable repricing of adjustable-rate loans.

The Company’s net interest margin decreased four basis points to 2.92% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, from 2.96% for the trailing quarter. The average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 increased 15 basis points to 5.04%, compared to the trailing quarter. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 increased 21 basis points to 2.71%, compared to the trailing quarter. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 increased 25 basis points to 2.47%, compared to 2.22% for the trailing quarter. The average cost of total deposits, including non-interest-bearing deposits, was 1.95% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 1.74% for the trailing quarter. The average cost of borrowed funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was 3.71%, compared to 3.74% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Provision for Credit Losses

For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a $500,000 provision for credit losses related to loans, compared with a provision for credit losses of $11.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in the provision for credit losses for the quarter was primarily attributable to an improved economic forecast for the current quarter within our CECL model.

Non-Interest Income and Expense

For the three months ended December 31, 2023, non-interest income totaled $19.0 million, a decrease of $352,000, compared to the trailing quarter. Insurance agency income decreased $465,000 to $2.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $3.2 million for the trailing quarter, largely due to a seasonal decrease in business activity. Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income decreased $176,000 compared to the trailing quarter, to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a benefit claim recognized in the prior quarter, partially offset by higher equity valuations. Additionally, wealth management income decreased $149,000 compared to the trailing quarter, to $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the average market value of assets under management during the period. Partially offsetting these decreases in non-interest income, other income increased $488,000 to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the trailing quarter, primarily due to an increase in net gains on the sale of SBA loans.

Non-interest expense totaled $74.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $7.3 million, compared to $67.2 million for the trailing quarter. Other operating expenses increased $4.9 million to $15.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the trailing quarter. The increase in other operating expenses was largely due to a $3.0 million charge for contingent litigation reserves, combined with a $2.0 million write-down of a foreclosed property. Compensation and benefits expense increased $3.1 million to $38.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $35.7 million for the trailing quarter. The increase in compensation and benefit expense was primarily attributable to increases in the accrual for incentive compensation, post-retirement benefit expense and employee medical benefits, partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation expense. FDIC insurance increased $1.3 million to $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.6 million for the trailing quarter, primarily due to the FDIC special assessment, combined with an increase in the assessment rate. Additionally, data processing expense increased $1.1 million to $6.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the trailing quarter, largely due to an increase in software related expenses. For the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a $1.4 million benefit to the provision for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures, compared to a $1.5 million provision for the trailing quarter. The $2.9 million decrease in the provision for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures for the current quarter was primarily due to a decrease in loans approved and awaiting closing.

The Company’s annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets(1) was 1.98% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 1.80% for the trailing quarter. The efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income)(1) was 61.32% for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to 54.81% for the trailing quarter.

Income Tax Expense

For the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s income tax expense was $12.5 million with an effective tax rate of 31.3%, compared with income tax expense of $8.8 million with an effective tax rate of 23.7% for the trailing quarter. The increase in tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared with the trailing quarter was largely due to an increase in taxable income and a discrete item related to deferred taxes on stock-based compensation in the current quarter. This discrete item was also the primary reason for the increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared with the trailing quarter.

Three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2022

For the three months ended December 31, 2023, net income was $27.3 million, or $0.36 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $49.0 million, or $0.66 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income decreased $18.3 million to $95.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, from $114.1 million for same period in 2022. The decrease in net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to a decrease in lower-costing deposits and an increase in borrowings, combined with unfavorable repricing of both deposits and borrowings, partially offset by originations of new loans and the favorable repricing of adjustable-rate loans.

The Company’s net interest margin decreased 70 basis points to 2.92% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, from 3.62% for the same period last year. The average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 increased 68 basis points to 5.04%, compared to 4.36% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 171 basis points for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 to 2.71%, compared to 1.00% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was 2.47%, compared to 0.90% for the same period last year. The average cost of total deposits, including non-interest-bearing deposits, was 1.95% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared with 0.67% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The average cost of borrowed funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 was 3.71%, compared to 1.74% for the same period last year.

Provision for Credit Losses

For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a $500,000 provision for credit losses related to loans, compared with a $3.4 million provision for credit losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in the provision for credit losses was largely a function of the period-over-period improvement in the economic forecast.

Non-Interest Income and Expense

Non-interest income totaled $19.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $702,000, compared to the same period in 2022. Other income increased $911,000 to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in net gains on the sale of SBA loans. Insurance agency income increased $454,000 to $2.8 million, for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, largely due to strong retention revenue and new business activity, while wealth management income increased $247,000 to $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to an increase in the average market value of assets under management. Partially offsetting these increases in non-interest income, fee income decreased $510,000 to $6.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, largely due to a decrease in commercial loan prepayment fees. Additionally, BOLI income decreased $366,000 to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, largely due to a benefit claim recognized in the same period in 2022.

Non-interest expense totaled $74.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $12.8 million, compared to $61.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. Other operating expenses increased $5.2 million to $15.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in other operating expenses was largely due to a $3.0 million charge for contingent litigation reserves, combined with a $2.0 million write-down of a foreclosed property. Compensation and benefits expense increased $4.2 million to $38.8 million for three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $34.6 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was principally due to increases in salary expense, employee medical benefits and post-retirement benefit expense, partially offset by decreases in the accrual for incentive compensation and stock-based compensation. FDIC insurance increased $1.7 million to $2.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2022, primarily due to an increase in the assessment rate and the FDIC special assessment. Additionally, data processing expense increased $1.3 million to $6.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, largely due to an increase in software related expenses. Merger-related expense increased $1.2 million to $2.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Partially offsetting these increases, net occupancy expenses decreased $507,000 to $7.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, largely due to decreases in maintenance, depreciation and rent expenses.

The Company’s annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets(1) was 1.98% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 1.79% for the same period in 2022. The efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income)(1) was 61.32% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 compared to 46.88% for the same respective period in 2022.

Income Tax Expense

For the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s income tax expense was $12.5 million with an effective tax rate of 31.3%, compared with $18.2 million with an effective tax rate of 27.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared with the same period last year was largely the result of a decrease in taxable income. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared with the three months ended December 31, 2022, was primarily due to a discrete item recorded in the current quarter related to deferred taxes on stock-based compensation.

Year Ended December 31, 2023 compared to the Year ended December 31, 2022

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net income totaled $128.4 million, or $1.72 per basic share and $1.71 per diluted share, compared to net income of $175.6 million, or $2.35 per basic and diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income decreased $18.1 million to $399.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $417.6 million for same period in 2022. The decrease in net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily due to a decrease in lower-costing deposits and an increase in borrowings, combined with unfavorable repricing of both deposits and borrowings, partially offset by originations of new loans and the favorable repricing of adjustable-rate loans. For the year ended December 31, 2023, fees related to the forgiveness of PPP loans decreased $1.4 million to $7,000, compared to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the net interest margin decreased 21 basis points to 3.16%, compared to 3.37% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The average yield on interest earning assets increased 111 basis points to 4.87% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 3.76% for the year ended December 31, 2022, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 170 basis points to 2.24% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 0.54% last year. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits increased 152 basis points to 1.99% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 0.47% in the prior year. Average non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $421.0 million to $2.33 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with $2.75 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, with the majority of the decrease coming from transfers to our Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) product following the March 2023 bank failures. The average cost of total deposits, including non-interest-bearing deposits, was 1.54% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with 0.35% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The average cost of borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 3.41%, compared to 1.23% in the prior year.

Provision for Credit Losses

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a $27.9 million provision for credit losses related to loans, compared with a provision for credit losses of $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in the year-over-year provision for credit losses was primarily attributable to a worsened economic forecast and related deterioration in the projected commercial property price indices used in our CECL model. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net charge-offs totaled $8.1 million, or 8 basis points of average loans, which was primarily attributable to two commercial loans.

Non-Interest Income and Expense

For the year ended December 31, 2023, non-interest income totaled $79.8 million, a decrease of $8.0 million, compared to the same period in 2022. Other income decreased $6.9 million to $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $14.2 million for the same period in 2022, primarily due to an $8.6 million gain realized in the prior year on the sale of a foreclosed commercial office property, partially offset by an increase in gains on sales of SBA loans. Additionally, fee income decreased $3.7 million to $24.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to a decrease in commercial loan prepayment fees. Partially offsetting these decreases in non-interest income, insurance agency income increased $2.5 million to $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $11.4 million for the same period in 2022, largely due to increases in retention revenue and new business activity. BOLI income increased $494,000 to $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, largely due to greater equity valuations, partially offset by a decrease in benefit claims recognized.

Non-interest expense totaled $275.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $18.8 million, compared to $256.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Other operating expense increased $8.5 million to $47.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $38.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in other operating expenses was largely due to a $3.0 million charge for contingent litigation reserves, combined with a $2.0 million write-down of a foreclosed property and an increase in professional fees. Merger-related expense increased $3.7 million to $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022. The Company recorded a $264,000 provision for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures, compared to a $3.4 million negative provision last year. The $3.6 million increase in the provision for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures for the year was primarily due to a period over period decrease in line of credit utilization, combined with a period over period increase in loans approved and awaiting closing. FDIC insurance increased $3.4 million to $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $5.2 million for the trailing year, primarily due to an increase in the assessment rate and the FDIC special assessment. Data processing expense increased $1.3 million to $23.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, mainly due to an increase in software service and core processing expenses. Compensation and benefits expense increased $1.3 million to $148.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $147.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to increases in salary expense, employee medical benefits and post-retirement benefit expense, partially offset by decreases in the accrual for incentive compensation and stock-based compensation. Partially offsetting these increases, net occupancy expense decreased $2.3 million to $32.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, mainly due to decreases in depreciation and maintenance expenses.

Income Tax Expense

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s income tax expense was $47.4 million with an effective tax rate of 27.0%, compared with $64.5 million with an effective tax rate of 26.8% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with the same period last year was largely the result of a decrease in taxable income.

Asset Quality

The Company’s total non-performing loans at December 31, 2023 were $49.6 million, or 0.46% of total loans, compared to $39.5 million or 0.37% of total loans at September 30, 2023 and $58.5 million, or 0.57% of total loans at December 31, 2022. The $10.1 million increase in non-performing loans at December 31, 2023, compared to the trailing quarter, consisted of a $19.6 million increase in non-performing commercial loans and a $138,000 increase in non-performing consumer loans, partially offset by a $6.5 million decrease in non-performing commercial mortgage loans, a $1.5 million decrease in non-performing multi-family loans, a $1.1 million decrease in non-performing construction loans and a $476,000 decrease in non-performing residential loans. At December 31, 2023, impaired loans totaled $42.3 million with related specific reserves of $2.9 million, compared with impaired loans totaling $30.4 million with related specific reserves of $3.4 million at September 30, 2023. At December 31, 2022, impaired loans totaled $42.8 million with related specific reserves of $2.4 million.

At December 31, 2023, the Company’s allowance for credit losses related to the loan portfolio was 0.99% of total loans, compared to 1.01% and 0.86% at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The allowance for credit losses increased $19.2 million to $107.2 million at December 31, 2023, from $88.0 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 was due to a $27.9 million provision for credit losses, partially offset by net charge-offs of $8.1 million. The increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans was primarily due to the weakened economic forecast used in our CECL model, combined with an increase in total loans outstanding.

The following table sets forth accruing past due loans and non-accrual loans on the dates indicated, as well as certain asset quality ratios.

  December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022
    Number
of
Loans
  Principal
Balance
of Loans
    Number
of
Loans
  Principal
Balance
of Loans
    Number
of
Loans
  Principal
Balance
of Loans
  (Dollars in thousands)
Accruing past due loans:                            
30 to 59 days past due:                            
Commercial mortgage loans   1   $ 825         $       2   $ 2,300  
Multi-family mortgage loans   1     3,815       2     5,473       1     790  
Construction loans                       1     905  
Residential mortgage loans   13     3,429       9     1,588       10     1,411  
Total mortgage loans   15     8,069       11     7,061       14     5,406  
Commercial loans   6     998       6     1,959       5     964  
Consumer loans   31     875       27     1,207       18     885  
Total 30 to 59 days past due   52   $ 9,942       44   $ 10,227       37   $ 7,255  
                             
60 to 89 days past due:                            
Commercial mortgage loans     $       2   $ 587       2   $ 412  
Multi-family mortgage loans   1     1,635                      
Construction loans                       1     1,097  
Residential mortgage loans   8     1,208       7     936       9     1,114  
Total mortgage loans   9     2,843       9     1,523       12     2,623  
Commercial loans   3     198       4     228       5     1,014  
Consumer loans   5     275       4     168       4     147  
Total 60 to 89 days past due   17     3,316       17     1,919       21     3,784  
Total accruing past due loans   69   $ 13,258       61   $ 12,146       58   $ 11,039  
                             
Non-accrual:                            
Commercial mortgage loans   7   $ 5,151       9   $ 11,667       10   $ 28,212  
Multi-family mortgage loans   1     744       2     2,258       1     1,565  
Construction loans   1     771       2     1,868       2     1,878  
Residential mortgage loans   7     853       11     1,329       14     1,928  
Total mortgage loans   16     7,519       24     17,122       27     33,583  
Commercial loans   26     41,487       27     21,912       34     24,188  
Consumer loans   10     633       7     495       10     738  
Total non-accrual loans   52   $ 49,639       58   $ 39,529       71   $ 58,509  
                             
Non-performing loans to total loans         0.46 %           0.37 %           0.57 %
Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans         215.96 %           272.11 %           150.44 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans         0.99 %           1.01 %           0.86 %

At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company held foreclosed assets of $11.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were four additions to foreclosed assets with an aggregate carrying value of $15.1 million, four properties sold with an aggregate carrying value of $3.7 million and one write-down of $2.0 million. Foreclosed assets at December 31, 2023 consisted primarily of commercial real estate. Total non-performing assets at December 31, 2023 increased $657,000 to $61.3 million, or 0.43% of total assets, from $60.6 million, or 0.44% of total assets at December 31, 2022.

Balance Sheet Summary

Total assets at December 31, 2023 were $14.2 billion, a $427.4 million increase from December 31, 2022. The increase in total assets was primarily due to a $624.8 million increase in total loans, partially offset by a $127.5 million decrease in total investments.

The Company’s loan portfolio totaled $10.9 billion at December 31, 2023 and $10.2 billion at December 31, 2022. The loan portfolio consists of the following:

  December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022
  (Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage loans:          
Commercial $ 4,512,411     $ 4,411,099     $ 4,316,185  
Multi-family   1,812,500       1,790,039       1,513,818  
Construction   653,246       667,462       715,494  
Residential   1,164,956       1,167,570       1,177,698  
Total mortgage loans   8,143,113       8,036,170       7,723,195  
Commercial loans   2,442,406       2,340,080       2,233,670  
Consumer loans   299,164       302,769       304,780  
Total gross loans   10,884,683       10,679,019       10,261,645  
Premiums on purchased loans   1,474       1,413       1,380  
Net deferred fees and unearned discounts   (12,456 )     (12,820 )     (14,142 )
Total loans $ 10,873,701     $ 10,667,612     $ 10,248,883  

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company experienced net increases of $298.7 million in multi-family loans, $208.7 million in commercial loans and $196.2 million in commercial mortgage loans, partially offset by net decreases of $62.2 million in construction loans and net decreases in residential mortgage and consumer loans of $12.7 million and $5.6 million, respectively. Commercial loans, consisting of commercial real estate, multi-family, commercial and construction loans, represented 86.5% of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2023, compared to 85.6% at December 31, 2022.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, loan funding, including advances on lines of credit, totaled $3.34 billion, compared with $3.95 billion for the same period in 2022.

At December 31, 2023, the Company’s unfunded loan commitments totaled $2.09 billion, including commitments of $1.16 billion in commercial loans, $539.6 million in construction loans and $58.9 million in commercial mortgage loans. Unfunded loan commitments at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 totaled $2.18 billion and $2.06 billion, respectively.

The loan pipeline, consisting of work-in-process and loans approved pending closing, totaled $1.09 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $1.70 billion at September 30, 2023 and $1.29 billion at December 31, 2022.

Total investment securities were $2.13 billion at December 31, 2023, a $127.5 million decrease from December 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily due to repayments of mortgage-backed securities, a decrease in unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities and maturities and calls of certain municipal and agency bonds, partially offset by purchases of mortgage-backed and municipal securities.

Total deposits decreased $270.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, to $10.29 billion. Total savings and demand deposit accounts decreased $615.0 million to $9.20 billion at December 31, 2023, while total time deposits increased $344.5 million to $1.10 billion at December 31, 2023. The decrease in savings and demand deposits was largely attributable to a $440.6 million decrease in non-interest-bearing demand deposits, a $262.9 million decrease in savings deposits and a $216.8 million decrease in money market deposits, partially offset by a $305.3 million increase in interest-bearing demand deposits. During the year ended December 31, 2023, ICS deposits increased $461.3 million to $520.2 million at December 31, 2023, from $58.9 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in time deposits consisted of a $366.4 million increase in retail time deposits, partially offset by a $21.9 million decrease in brokered time deposits.

Borrowed funds increased $632.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, to $1.97 billion. The increase in borrowings was largely due to asset funding requirements. Borrowed funds represented 13.9% of total assets at December 31, 2023, an increase from 9.7% at December 31, 2022.

Stockholders’ equity increased $92.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, to $1.69 billion, primarily due to net income earned for the period and a decrease in unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities, partially offset by cash dividends paid to stockholders. For the year ended December 31, 2023, common stock repurchases totaled 71,781 shares at an average cost of $23.28 per share, all of which were made in connection with withholding to cover income taxes on the vesting of stock-based compensation. At December 31, 2023, approximately 1.1 million shares remained eligible for repurchase under the current stock repurchase authorization. Book value per share and tangible book value per share(1) at December 31, 2023 were $22.38 and $16.32, respectively, compared with $21.25 and $15.12, respectively, at December 31, 2022.

About the Company

Provident Financial Services, Inc. is the holding company for Provident Bank, a community-oriented bank offering “commitment you can count on” since 1839. Provident Bank provides a comprehensive array of financial products and services through its network of branches throughout northern and central New Jersey, Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Queens and Nassau Counties in New York. The Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus, Inc.

Post Earnings Conference Call

Representatives of the Company will hold a conference call for investors on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023. The call may be accessed by dialing 1-888-412-4131 (United States Toll Free) and 1-646-960-0134 (United States Local). Speakers will need to enter conference ID code (3610756) before being met by a live operator. Internet access to the call is also available (listen only) at provident.bank by going to Investor Relations and clicking on “Webcast.”

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “continue,” or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Forward-looking statements 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, as supplemented by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates, competitive products and pricing, fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government, the effects of the recent turmoil in the banking industry (including the closing of three financial institutions), changes in accounting policies and practices that may be adopted by the regulatory agencies and the accounting standards setters, changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory fees and capital requirements, changes in prevailing interest rates, potential goodwill impairment, acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses, credit risk management, asset-liability management, the financial and securities markets, the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity, the ability to complete, or any delays in completing, the pending merger between the Company and Lakeland; any failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction when expected or at all; certain restrictions during the pendency of the transaction that may impact the Company’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the completion of the merger and integration of the companies; and the impact of a potential shutdown of the federal government.

The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company advises readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. The Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement.

Footnotes

(1) Annualized adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets, annualized return on average tangible equity, tangible book value per share, annualized adjusted non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets and the efficiency ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the Notes following the Consolidated Financial Highlights which contain the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures and the associated calculations.

                   
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Financial Highlights
(Dollars in Thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)
       
  At or for the
Three Months Ended
  At or for the
Year Ended
  December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2023       2023       2022       2023       2022  
Statement of Income                  
Net interest income $ 95,788     $ 96,236     $ 114,060     $ 399,454     $ 417,552  
Provision for credit losses   497       11,009       3,384       27,904       8,388  
Non-interest income   18,968       19,320       18,266       79,829       87,789  
Non-interest expense   74,491       67,157       61,674       275,600       256,847  
Income before income tax expense   39,768       37,390       67,268       175,779       240,106  
Net income   27,312       28,547       49,034       128,398       175,648  
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.36     $ 0.38     $ 0.66     $ 1.71     $ 2.35  
Interest rate spread   2.33 %     2.39 %     3.36 %     2.63 %     3.22 %
Net interest margin   2.92 %     2.96 %     3.62 %     3.16 %     3.37 %
                   
Profitability                  
Annualized return on average assets   0.77 %     0.81 %     1.42 %     0.92 %     1.29 %
Annualized return on average equity   6.60 %     6.84 %     12.37 %     7.81 %     10.86 %
Annualized return on average tangible equity(2)   9.15 %     9.47 %     17.51 %     10.84 %     15.20 %
Annualized adjusted non-interest expense to average assets(3)   1.98 %     1.80 %     1.79 %     1.90 %     1.88 %
Efficiency ratio(4)   61.32 %     54.81 %     46.88 %     55.19 %     50.68 %
                   
Asset Quality                  
Non-accrual loans     $ 39,529         $ 49,639     $ 58,509  
90+ and still accruing                        
Non-performing loans       39,529           49,639       58,509  
Foreclosed assets       16,487           11,651       2,124  
Non-performing assets       56,016           61,290       60,633  
Non-performing loans to total loans       0.37 %         0.46 %     0.57 %
Non-performing assets to total assets       0.40 %         0.43 %     0.44 %
Allowance for loan losses     $ 107,563         $ 107,200     $ 88,023  
Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans       272.11 %         215.96 %     150.44 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans       1.01 %         0.99 %     0.86 %
Net loan charge-offs $ 863       5,510     $ 4,010     $ 8,129     $ 1,117  
Annualized net loan charge offs to average total loans   0.03 %     0.21 %     0.16 %     0.08 %     0.01 %
                   
Average Balance Sheet Data                  
Assets $ 14,114,626     $ 13,976,610     $ 13,714,201     $ 13,915,467     $ 13,642,849  
Loans, net   10,660,201       10,470,843       10,107,451       10,367,620       9,798,822  
Earning assets   12,823,541       12,735,938       12,406,641       12,637,224       12,412,830  
Savings and demand deposits   9,210,315       9,212,202       10,092,807       9,358,290       10,318,261  
Borrowings   1,873,822       1,780,655       1,031,974       1,636,572       756,275  
Interest-bearing liabilities   10,020,726       9,826,064       9,164,135       9,671,794       9,025,495  
Stockholders’ equity   1,642,854       1,654,920       1,572,572       1,644,529       1,618,090  
Average yield on interest-earning assets   5.04 %     4.89 %     4.36 %     4.87 %     3.76 %
Average cost of interest-bearing liabilities   2.71 %     2.50 %     1.00 %     2.24 %     0.54 %
                   

Notes and Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Dollars in Thousands, except share data)

The Company has presented the following non-GAAP (U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures because it believes that these measures provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is consistent with how the Company evaluates its performance internally and these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the Company’s industry. Investors should recognize that the Company’s presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and the Company strongly encourages a review of its condensed consolidated financial statements in their entirety.

                   
(1) Annualized Adjusted Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision (“PTPP”) Return on Average Assets                  
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2023       2023       2022       2023       2022  
Net income $ 27,312     $ 28,547     $ 49,034     $ 128,398     $ 175,648  
Adjustments to net income:                  
Provision for credit losses   497       11,009       3,384       27,904       8,388  
Credit (benefit) loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposure   (1,360 )     1,532       (1,596 )     264       (3,384 )
Merger-related transaction costs   2,477       2,289       1,242       7,826       4,128  
Contingent litigation reserves   3,000                   3,000        
Income tax expense   12,456       8,843       18,234       47,381       64,458  
Adjusted PTPP income $ 44,382     $ 52,220     $ 70,298     $ 214,773     $ 249,238  
Annualized Adjusted PTPP income $ 176,081     $ 207,177     $ 278,900     $ 214,773     $ 249,238  
Average assets $ 14,114,626     $ 13,976,610     $ 13,714,201     $ 13,915,467     $ 13,642,849  
Annualized Adjusted PTPP return on average assets   1.25 %     1.48 %     2.03 %     1.54 %     1.83 %
                   
(2) Annualized Return on Average Tangible Equity                  
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2023       2023       2022       2023       2022  
Total average stockholders’ equity $ 1,642,854     $ 1,654,920     $ 1,572,572     $ 1,644,529     $ 1,618,090  
Less: total average intangible assets   458,410       459,133       461,402       459,503       462,620  
Total average tangible stockholders’ equity $ 1,184,444     $ 1,195,787     $ 1,111,170     $ 1,185,026     $ 1,155,470  
Net income $ 27,312     $ 28,547     $ 49,034     $ 128,398     $ 175,648  
                   
Annualized return on average tangible equity (net income/total average tangible stockholders’ equity)   9.15 %     9.47 %     17.51 %     10.84 %     15.20 %
                   
(3) Annualized Adjusted Non-Interest Expense to Average Assets                  
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2023       2023       2022       2023       2022  
Reported non-interest expense $ 74,491     $ 67,157     $ 61,674     $ 275,600     $ 256,847  
Adjustments to non-interest expense:                  
Credit (benefit) loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposure   (1,360 )     1,532       (1,596 )     264       (3,384 )
Merger-related transaction costs   2,477       2,289       1,242       7,826       4,128  
Contingent litigation reserves   3,000                   3,000        
Adjusted non-interest expense $ 70,374     $ 63,336     $ 62,028     $ 264,510     $ 256,103  
Annualized adjusted non-interest expense $ 279,201     $ 251,279     $ 246,089     $ 264,510     $ 256,103  
Average assets $ 14,114,626     $ 13,976,610     $ 13,714,201     $ 13,915,467     $ 13,642,849  
                   
Annualized adjusted non-interest expense/average assets   1.98 %     1.80 %     1.79 %     1.90 %     1.88 %
                   
(4) Efficiency Ratio Calculation                  
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2023       2023       2022       2023       2022  
Net interest income $ 95,788     $ 96,236     $ 114,060     $ 399,454     $ 417,552  
Non-interest income   18,968       19,320       18,266       79,829       87,789  
Total income $ 114,756     $ 115,556     $ 132,326     $ 479,283     $ 505,341  
Adjusted non-interest expense $ 70,374     $ 63,336     $ 62,028     $ 264,510     $ 256,103  
                   
Efficiency ratio (adjusted non-interest expense/income)   61.32 %     54.81 %     46.88 %     55.19 %     50.68 %
                   
(5) Book and Tangible Book Value per Share      
                2023       2022  
Total stockholders’ equity             $ 1,690,596     $ 1,597,703  
Less: total intangible assets               457,942       460,892  
Total tangible stockholders’ equity             $ 1,232,654     $ 1,136,811  
                   
Shares outstanding               75,537,186       75,169,196  
                   
Book value per share (total stockholders’ equity/shares outstanding)             $ 22.38     $ 21.25  
Tangible book value per share (total tangible stockholders’ equity/shares outstanding)             $ 16.32     $ 15.12  
                   
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
December 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2022
(Dollars in Thousands)
       
Assets December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
Cash and due from banks $ 180,241     $ 186,490  
Short-term investments   14       18  
Total cash and cash equivalents   180,255       186,508  
Available for sale debt securities, at fair value   1,690,112       1,803,548  
Held to maturity debt securities, net (fair value of $352,601 and $373,468 at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively).   363,080       387,923  
Equity securities, at fair value   1,270       1,147  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   79,217       68,554  
Loans   10,873,701       10,248,883  
Less allowance for credit losses   107,200       88,023  
Net loans   10,766,501       10,160,860  
Foreclosed assets, net   11,651       2,124  
Banking premises and equipment, net   70,998       79,794  
Accrued interest receivable   58,966       51,903  
Intangible assets   457,942       460,892  
Bank-owned life insurance   243,050       239,040  
Other assets   287,768       341,143  
Total assets $ 14,210,810     $ 13,783,436  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
Deposits:      
Demand deposits $ 8,020,889     $ 8,373,005  
Savings deposits   1,175,683       1,438,583  
Certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more   373,701       289,684  
Other time deposits   722,241       423,180  
Total deposits   10,292,514       10,563,024  
Mortgage escrow deposits   36,838       35,705  
Borrowed funds   1,970,033       1,337,370  
Subordinated debentures   10,695       10,493  
Other liabilities   210,134       239,141  
Total liabilities   12,520,214       12,185,733  
Stockholders’ equity:      
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued          
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 83,209,012 shares issued and 75,537,186 shares outstanding at December 31, 2023, and 75,169,196 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022, respectively.   832       832  
Additional paid-in capital   989,058       981,138  
Retained earnings   974,542       918,158  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   (141,115 )     (165,045 )
Treasury stock   (127,825 )     (127,154 )
Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan   (4,896 )     (10,226 )
Common Stock acquired by the Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan   (2,694 )     (3,427 )
Deferred Compensation – Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan   2,694       3,427  
Total stockholders’ equity   1,690,596       1,597,703  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 14,210,810     $ 13,783,436  
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three months ended December 31, 2023, September 30, 2023 (Unaudited) and December, 2022,
and year ended December 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and 2022
(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data)
                   
  Three Months Ended   Year Ended
  December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,
    2023       2023       2022       2023       2022  
Interest and dividend income:                  
Real estate secured loans $ 109,112     $ 104,540     $ 91,140     $ 408,942     $ 304,321  
Commercial loans   34,939       33,806       28,576       128,854       98,961  
Consumer loans   5,020       4,746       4,100       18,439       14,368  
Available for sale debt securities, equity securities and Federal Home Loan Bank stock   12,042       11,886       10,653       46,790       36,619  
Held to maturity debt securities   2,303       2,334       2,393       9,362       9,894  
Deposits, federal funds sold and other short-term investments   755       885       313       3,433       2,018  
Total interest income   164,171       158,197       137,175       615,820       466,181  
Interest expense:                  
Deposits   50,579       44,923       18,383       159,459       38,704  
Borrowed funds   17,527       16,765       4,520       55,856       9,310  
Subordinated debt   277       273       212       1,051       615  
Total interest expense   68,383       61,961       23,115       216,366       48,629  
Net interest income   95,788       96,236       114,060       399,454       417,552  
Provision charge for credit losses   497       11,009       3,384       27,904       8,388  
Net interest income after provision for credit losses   95,291       85,227       110,676       371,550       409,164  
Non-interest income:                  
Fees   6,102       6,132       6,612       24,396       28,128  
Wealth management income   6,843       6,992       6,596       27,669       27,870  
Insurance agency income   2,759       3,224       2,305       13,934       11,440  
Bank-owned life insurance   1,644       1,820       2,010       6,482       5,988  
Net gain on securities transactions   (7 )     13       27       30       181  
Other income   1,627       1,139       716       7,318       14,182  
Total non-interest income   18,968       19,320       18,266       79,829       87,789  
Non-interest expense:                  
Compensation and employee benefits   38,773       35,702       34,621       148,497       147,203  
Net occupancy expense   7,797       8,113       8,304       32,271       34,566  
Data processing expense   6,457       5,312       5,178       22,993       21,729  
FDIC Insurance   2,890       1,628       1,240       8,578       5,195  
Amortization of intangibles   721       720       781       2,952       3,292  
Advertising and promotion expense   1,100       1,133       1,499       4,822       5,191  
Credit loss (benefit) expense for off-balance sheet exposures   (1,360 )     1,532       (1,596 )     264       (3,384 )
Merger-related expenses   2,477       2,289       1,242       7,826       4,128  
Other operating expenses   15,636       10,728       10,405       47,397       38,927  
Total non-interest expense   74,491       67,157       61,674       275,600       256,847  
Income before income tax expense   39,768       37,390       67,268       175,779       240,106  
Income tax expense   12,456       8,843       18,234       47,381       64,458  
Net income $ 27,312     $ 28,547     $ 49,034     $ 128,398     $ 175,648  
Basic earnings per share $ 0.36     $ 0.38     $ 0.66     $ 1.72     $ 2.35  
Average basic shares outstanding   74,995,705       74,909,083       74,380,933       74,844,489       74,700,623  
                   
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.36     $ 0.38     $ 0.66     $ 1.71     $ 2.35  
Average diluted shares outstanding   75,041,545       74,914,205       74,443,511       74,873,256       74,782,370  
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Net Interest Margin Analysis
Quarterly Average Balances
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
  December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023   December 31, 2022
  Average Balance   Interest   Average
Yield/Cost
  Average Balance   Interest   Average
Yield/Cost
  Average Balance   Interest   Average
Yield/Cost
Interest-Earning Assets:                                  
Deposits $ 54,998     $ 745       5.37 %   $ 74,183     $ 884       4.73 %   $ 31,481     $ 310       3.90 %
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments   838       10       4.39 %     57       1       4.00 %     314       3       3.57 %
Available for sale debt securities   1,647,906       9,858       2.39 %     1,724,833       10,127       2.35 %     1,818,356       9,825       2.16 %
Held to maturity debt securities, net(1)   364,433       2,303       2.53 %     373,681       2,334       2.50 %     389,729       2,393       2.46 %
Equity securities, at fair value   1,016             %     1,068             %     938             %
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   94,149       2,184       9.28 %     91,273       1,759       7.71 %     58,372       828       5.67 %
Net loans:(2)                                  
Total mortgage loans   8,028,300       109,112       5.34 %     7,881,193       104,540       5.21 %     7,625,044       91,140       4.70 %
Total commercial loans   2,329,430       34,939       5.90 %     2,289,267       33,806       5.81 %     2,172,358       28,576       5.17 %
Total consumer loans   302,471       5,020       6.58 %     300,383       4,746       6.27 %     310,049       4,100       5.25 %
Total net loans   10,660,201       149,071       5.50 %     10,470,843       143,092       5.37 %     10,107,451       123,816       4.82 %
Total interest-earning assets $ 12,823,541     $ 164,171       5.04 %   $ 12,735,938     $ 158,197       4.89 %   $ 12,406,641     $ 137,175       4.36 %
Non-Interest Earning Assets:                                  
Cash and due from banks   111,610               82,522               134,847          
Other assets   1,179,475               1,158,150               1,172,713          
Total assets $ 14,114,626             $ 13,976,610             $ 13,714,201          
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                                  
Demand deposits $ 5,856,916     $ 39,648       2.69 %   $ 5,741,052     $ 35,290       2.44 %   $ 5,927,504     $ 15,405       1.03 %
Savings deposits   1,183,857       602       0.20 %     1,240,951       592       0.19 %     1,479,260       404       0.11 %
Time deposits   1,095,468       10,329       3.74 %     1,052,793       9,041       3.41 %     714,938       2,574       1.43 %
Total Deposits   8,136,241       50,579       2.47 %     8,034,796       44,923       2.22 %     8,121,702       18,383       0.90 %
Borrowed funds   1,873,822       17,527       3.71 %     1,780,655       16,765       3.74 %     1,031,974       4,520       1.74 %
Subordinated debentures   10,663       277       10.27 %     10,613       273       10.24 %     10,459       212       8.03 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities   10,020,726       68,383       2.71 %     9,826,064       61,961       2.50 %     9,164,135       23,115       1.00 %
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:                                  
Non-interest bearing deposits   2,169,542               2,230,199               2,686,043          
Other non-interest bearing liabilities   281,504               265,427               291,451          
Total non-interest bearing liabilities   2,451,046               2,495,626               2,977,494          
Total liabilities   12,471,772               12,321,690               12,141,629          
Stockholders’ equity   1,642,854               1,654,920               1,572,572          
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 14,114,626             $ 13,976,610             $ 13,714,201          
Net interest income     $ 95,788             $ 96,236             $ 114,060      
Net interest rate spread           2.33 %             2.39 %             3.36 %
Net interest-earning assets $ 2,802,815             $ 2,909,874             $ 3,242,506          
Net interest margin(3)           2.92 %             2.96 %             3.62 %
Ratio of interest-earning assets to total interest-bearing liabilities 1.28x           1.30x           1.35x        
   
(1 ) Average outstanding balance amounts shown are amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses.
(2 ) Average outstanding balances are net of the allowance for loan losses, deferred loan fees and expenses, loan premiums and discounts and include non-accrual loans.
(3 ) Annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
The following table summarizes the quarterly net interest margin for the previous five quarters.      
  12/31/23   9/30/23   6/30/23   3/31/23   12/31/22
  4th Qtr.   3rd Qtr.   2nd Qtr.   1st Qtr.   4th Qtr.
Interest-Earning Assets:                  
Securities   2.79 %     2.67 %     2.53 %     2.52 %     2.32 %
Net loans   5.50 %     5.37 %     5.24 %     5.12 %     4.82 %
Total interest-earning assets   5.04 %     4.89 %     4.73 %     4.63 %     4.36 %
                   
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                  
Total deposits   2.47 %     2.22 %     1.85 %     1.39 %     0.90 %
Total borrowings   3.71 %     3.74 %     3.41 %     2.48 %     1.74 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities   2.71 %     2.50 %     2.13 %     1.54 %     1.00 %
                   
Interest rate spread   2.33 %     2.39 %     2.60 %     3.09 %     3.36 %
Net interest margin   2.92 %     2.96 %     3.11 %     3.48 %     3.62 %
                   
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 1.28x   1.30x   1.31x   1.34x   1.35x
PROVIDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Net Interest Margin Analysis
Average Year to Date Balances
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
                       
  December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
  Average       Average   Average       Average
  Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost   Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost
Interest-Earning Assets:                      
Deposits $ 65,991     $ 3,421       5.18 %   $ 102,505     $ 809       0.79 %
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments   255       12       4.55 %     84,969       1,208       1.42 %
Available for sale debt securities   1,745,105       40,678       2.33 %     1,975,641       34,612       1.75 %
Held to maturity debt securities, net(1)   375,436       9,362       2.49 %     407,236       9,894       2.43 %
Equity securities, at fair value   1,020             %     999             %
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   81,797       6,112       7.47 %     42,658       2,008       4.71 %
Net loans:(2)                      
Total mortgage loans   7,813,764       408,942       5.23 %     7,348,482       304,321       4.14 %
Total commercial loans   2,251,175       128,854       5.72 %     2,131,685       98,961       4.64 %
Total consumer loans   302,681       18,439       6.09 %     318,655       14,368       4.51 %
Total net loans   10,367,620       556,235       5.37 %     9,798,822       417,650       4.26 %
Total interest-earning assets $ 12,637,224     $ 615,820       4.87 %   $ 12,412,830     $ 466,181       3.76 %
Non-Interest Earning Assets:                      
Cash and due from banks   119,232               128,523          
Other assets   1,159,011               1,101,496          
Total assets $ 13,915,467             $ 13,642,849          
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                      
Demand deposits $ 5,747,671     $ 125,471       2.18 %   $ 6,076,653     $ 32,047       0.53 %
Savings deposits   1,282,062       2,184       0.17 %     1,492,046       1,276       0.09 %
Time deposits   994,901       31,804       3.20 %     690,140       5,381       0.78 %
Total deposits   8,024,634       159,459       1.99 %     8,258,839       38,704       0.47 %
Borrowed funds   1,636,572       55,856       3.41 %     756,275       9,310       1.23 %
Subordinated debentures   10,588       1,051       9.92 %     10,381       615       5.92 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 9,671,794     $ 216,366       2.24 %   $ 9,025,495     $ 48,629       0.54 %
Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities:                      
Non-interest bearing deposits   2,328,557               2,749,562          
Other non-interest bearing liabilities   270,587               249,702          
Total non-interest bearing liabilities   2,599,144               2,999,264          
Total liabilities   12,270,938               12,024,759          
Stockholders’ equity   1,644,529               1,618,090          
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 13,915,467             $ 13,642,849          
Net interest income     $ 399,454             $ 417,552      
                       
Net interest rate spread           2.63 %             3.22 %
Net interest-earning assets $ 2,965,430             $ 3,387,335          
Net interest margin(3)           3.16 %             3.37 %
Ratio of interest-earning assets to total interest-bearing liabilities 1.31x           1.38x        
                       
                       
(1) Average outstanding balance amounts shown are amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses.
(2) Average outstanding balance are net of the allowance for loan losses, deferred loan fees and expenses, loan premium and discounts and include non-accrual loans.
(3) Annualized net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
The following table summarizes the year-to-date net interest margin for the previous three years.
           
  Year Ended
  December 31,
2023
  December 31,
2022
  December 31,
2021
Interest-Earning Assets:          
Securities   2.62 %     1.86 %     1.42 %
Net loans   5.37 %     4.26 %     3.82 %
Total interest-earning assets   4.87 %     3.76 %     3.30 %
           
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:          
Total deposits   1.99 %     0.47 %     0.33 %
Total borrowings   3.41 %     1.23 %     1.09 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities   2.24 %     0.54 %     0.41 %
           
Interest rate spread   2.63 %     3.22 %     2.89 %
Net interest margin   3.16 %     3.37 %     3.00 %
           
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities 1.31x   1.38x   1.37x

SOURCE: Provident Financial Services, Inc.
CONTACT: Investor Relations, 1-732-590-9300
Web Site: http://www.Provident.Bank


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