Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Earnings of $0.32 Per Share; Nine Month 2024 Earnings of $1.07 Per Share

EAU CLAIRE, Wis., Oct. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CZWI), the parent company of Citizens Community Federal N.A. (the “Bank” or “CCFBank”), today reported earnings of $3.3 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.32 for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to $3.7 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.35 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and $2.5 million and $0.24 earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

The Company’s third quarter 2024 operating results reflected the following changes from the second quarter of 2024: (1) no loan forbearance interest income in the third quarter compared to $0.2 million in the second quarter; (2) a $1.1 million decrease in negative provision for credit losses to $0.4 million in the third quarter; and (3) higher non-interest income of $1.0 million due to $0.5 million higher gain on sale of loans and $0.6 million lower net losses on sale of equity securities in the third quarter of 2024.

Book value per share improved to $17.88 at September 30, 2024, compared to $17.10 at June 30, 2024, and $15.80 at September 30, 2023. Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP)¹ was $14.64 at September 30, 2024, compared to $13.91 at June 30, 2024, and a 16.1% increase from $12.61 at September 30, 2023. For the third quarter of 2024, tangible book value was positively influenced by net income, net unrealized gains on the available for sale securities portfolio and intangible amortization. Stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets was 10.01% at September 30, 2024, compared to 9.77% at June 30, 2024. Tangible common equity (“TCE”) as a percent of tangible assets (non-GAAP)¹ was 8.35% at September 30, 2024, compared to 8.09% at June 30, 2024, with the changes above impacted favorably by asset shrinkage.

“We continued to execute on our strategic objectives during the third quarter that further strengthened franchise value. The quarter reflected our balance sheet optimization efforts, which increased tangible common equity levels and allowed for the continued repurchase of shares at prices that were accretive to tangible book value per share and earnings per share. The TCE ratio increased to 8.35%, from 8.09% in the prior quarter, which included the impact of repurchasing 223 thousand shares. Deposits, net of the decrease in brokered deposits, increased $31 million. While credit metrics were impacted by an increase in nonperforming loans, the increase largely reflected one lending relationship. Meanwhile, we continue to maintain a healthy reserve for credit losses to total loans at 1.47%,” stated Stephen Bianchi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

September 30, 2024, Highlights:

• Quarterly earnings were $3.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, a decrease from the quarter ended June 30, 2024, earnings of $3.7 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, and an increase from the quarter ended September 30, 2023, earnings of $2.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.
  
• Net interest income decreased $0.3 million for the current quarter ended September 30, 2024, from $11.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and decreased from $12.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net interest income from the second quarter of 2024 was primarily due to lower non-recurring interest income of $0.2 million recognized in the second quarter from curing technical defaults on performing loans.
  
• The net interest margin was 2.63% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 2.72% for the previous quarter, and 2.79% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The net interest margin declined nine basis points in the third quarter, of which five basis points were due to no interest income recognition from curing technical defaults.
  
• In the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, a negative provision for credit losses of $0.4 million was recorded compared to a negative provision for credit losses of $1.525 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and a negative provision for credit losses of $0.30 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The third quarter’s negative provision was due to decreases in on-balance sheet allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) of $0.1 million and a $0.3 million decrease in off-balance sheet ACL due to a reduction in unfunded loan commitments.
  
• Non-interest income increased $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, due to $0.5 million of higher gain on sale of loans and $0.6 million of lower net losses on equity securities and was $0.4 million higher compared to the third quarter of 2023, due to higher gain on sale of loans.
  
• Non-interest expense increased $122 thousand to $10.4 million from $10.3 million for the previous quarter and increased $452 thousand from $10.0 million one year earlier.
  
• Gross loans decreased by $3.9 million during the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, to $1.43 billion, compared to June 30, 2024.
  
• Total deposits increased $1.1 million, more than offsetting the $30.1 million decrease in brokered deposits during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, to $1.52 billion, compared to June 30, 2024.
  
• Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $10.5 million to $21.0 million at September 30, 2024, from $31.5 million at June 30, 2024.
  
• The effective tax rate was 21.48% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to 22.1% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and 50.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The change in tax rate from 2023 is largely due to the Wisconsin state legislation in the third quarter of 2023, eliminating the Company’s state income tax in Wisconsin.
  
• Nonperforming assets increased to $17.1 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $10.3 million at June 30, 2024. The increase was largely due to one agricultural real estate loan relationship in forestry services that moved from special mention to substandard and was placed on nonaccrual in the third quarter.
  
• Common stock totaling 223 thousand shares were repurchased in the third quarter of 2024 at an average price of $12.91 per share.
  
• The efficiency ratio was 72% for the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024.

Balance Sheet and Asset Quality

Total assets decreased by $3.2 million during the quarter to $1.80 billion at September 30, 2024.

Securities available for sale (“AFS”) increased $3.0 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, to $149.4 million from $146.4 million at June 30, 2024. The increase was due to: (1) pre-tax unrealized gains of $4.6 million; and (2) a purchase of $2.9 million of agency MBS to support the Bank’s CRA program partially offset by principal repayments of $4.5 million.

Securities held to maturity (“HTM”) decreased $1.6 million to $87.0 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, from $88.6 million at June 30, 2024, due to principal repayments.

The on-balance sheet liquidity ratio, which is defined as the fair market value of AFS and HTM securities that are not pledged and cash on deposit with other financial institutions, was 11.46% of total assets at September 30, 2024, compared to 11.48% at June 30, 2024. On-balance sheet liquidity, collateralized new borrowing capacity and uncommitted federal funds borrowing availability was $718 million, or 269%, of uninsured and uncollateralized deposits at September 30, 2024, and $714 million, or 289%, at June 30, 2024.

Gross loans decreased by $3.9 million during the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, due to loan payoffs exceeding origination activity and construction loan fundings.

The office loan portfolio totaled $31.0 million at quarter end and consists of 71 loans. There was one criticized loan in this portfolio during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, totaling $0.2 million and there have been no charge-offs in the trailing twelve months.

The allowance for credit losses on loans decreased by $0.2 million to $21.0 million at September 30, 2024, representing 1.47% of total loans receivable compared to 1.48% of total loans receivable at June 30, 2024. For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Bank recorded negative provision of $0.4 million which included a negative provision on ACL for loans of $0.1 million and a negative provision of $0.3 million on ACL for unfunded commitments.

Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) - Loans Percentage

(in thousands, except ratios)

In addition to the ACL - Loans, the Company has established an ACL - Unfunded Commitments of $0.460 million at September 30, 2024, $0.712 million at June 30, 2024, and $1.571 million at September 30, 2023, classified in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Allowance for Credit Losses - Unfunded Commitments:
(in thousands)

Special mention loans increased by $2.2 million to $11.0 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $8.8 million at June 30, 2024. The increase is largely due to one loan of $8.7 million, which is secured by a multi-family unit. The addition of the multi-family unit to special mention was partially offset by the movement of a $7.7 million agricultural real estate loan relationship in forestry services that moved to substandard and was placed on nonaccrual.

Substandard loans increased by $6.8 million to $21.2 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $14.4 million at June 30, 2024, due to the addition of the forestry services loan relationship noted above.

Nonperforming assets increased to $17.1 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $10.3 million at June 30, 2024 largely due to the previously mentioned forestry services loan relationship.

Total deposits increased $1.1 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, to $1.52 billion. Consumer deposits increased $22.1 million, including an increase in CDs of $17.9 million. Commercial deposits increased by $20.0 million. Brokered deposits decreased $30.1 million as the company decreased brokered MMDAs by $24.6 million and $5.5 million in brokered CDs matured and were not replaced. Public deposits decreased $10.9 million, largely due to expected seasonal outflows.

Deposit Portfolio Composition
(in thousands)

Deposit Composition
(in thousands)

At September 30, 2024, the deposit portfolio composition was 56% consumer, 28% commercial, 12% public, and 4% brokered deposits compared to 54% consumer, 27% commercial, 12% public, and 7% brokered deposits at June 30, 2024.

Uninsured and uncollateralized deposits were $267.1 million, or 18% of total deposits, at September 30, 2024, and $246.7 million, or 16% of total deposits, at June 30, 2024. Uninsured deposits alone at September 30, 2024, were $413.6 million, or 27% of total deposits, and $401.6 million, or 26% of total deposits at June 30, 2024.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $10.5 million to $21.0 million at September 30, 2024, from $31.5 million one quarter earlier.

Common stock totaling 223 thousand shares were repurchased in the third quarter of 2024 at an average price of $12.91 per share. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, 382 thousand shares of common stock were repurchased at an average price of $12.32 per share. There are 333 thousand shares remaining under the July 2024 Board of Director repurchase authorization plan.

Review of Operations

Net interest income decreased $0.3 million for the current quarter ended September 30, 2024, from $11.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and decreased from $12.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in net interest income from the second quarter of 2024 was primarily due to lower non-recurring interest income of $0.2 million recognized from curing technical defaults on performing loans during the prior quarter. The net interest margin declined nine basis points in the third quarter, of which five basis points were due to no interest income recognition from curing technical defaults.

Net interest income and net interest margin analysis:
(in thousands, except yields and rates)

Non-interest income increased $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, due to $0.5 million of higher gain on sale of loans and $0.6 million of lower net losses on equity securities. Non-interest income was $0.4 million higher compared to the third quarter of 2023 due to higher gain on sale of loans.

Non-interest expense increased $122 thousand to $10.4 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $10.3 million for the previous quarter and increased $452 thousand from $10.0 million one year earlier. The increase in the current quarter relative to the second quarter was primarily related to one-time data processing costs, modest REO losses and higher quarterly marketing spending, partially offset by $0.2 million in branch closure costs in the second quarter.

Provision for income taxes decreased to $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2024 largely due to lower pre-tax income. The effective tax rate was 21.48% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, 22.1% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, and 50.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The change in tax rate from 2023 is largely due to the Wisconsin state legislation in the third quarter of 2023, eliminating the Company’s state income tax in Wisconsin.

These financial results are preliminary until Form 10-Q is filed in November 2024.

About the Company

Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: “CZWI”) is the holding company of the Bank, a national bank based in Altoona, Wisconsin, currently serving customers primarily in Wisconsin and Minnesota through 22 branch locations. Its primary markets include the Chippewa Valley Region in Wisconsin, the Twin Cities and Mankato markets in Minnesota, and various rural communities around these areas. The Bank offers traditional community banking services to businesses, ag operators and consumers, including residential mortgage loans.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified using forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimates,” “intend,” “may,” “on pace,” “preliminary,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements in this release are inherently subject to many uncertainties arising in the operations and business environment of the Company and the Bank. These uncertainties include: conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally; the impact of inflation on our business and our customers; geopolitical tensions, including current or anticipated impact of military conflicts; higher lending risks associated with our commercial and agricultural banking activities; future pandemics (including new variants of COVID-19); cybersecurity risks; adverse impacts on the regional banking industry and the business environment in which it operates; interest rate risk; lending risk; changes in the fair value or ratings downgrades of our securities; the sufficiency of allowance for credit losses; competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions; disintermediation risk; our ability to maintain our reputation; our ability to maintain or increase our market share; our ability to realize the benefits of net deferred tax assets; our inability to obtain needed liquidity; our ability to raise capital needed to fund growth or meet regulatory requirements; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; our ability to keep pace with technological change; prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes; the possibility that our internal controls and procedures could fail or be circumvented; our ability to successfully execute our acquisition growth strategy; risks posed by acquisitions and other expansion opportunities, including difficulties and delays in integrating the acquired business operations or fully realizing the cost savings and other benefits; restrictions on our ability to pay dividends; the potential volatility of our stock price; accounting standards for credit losses; legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, adversely affecting the Company or Bank; public company reporting obligations; changes in federal or state tax laws; and changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and their impact on financial performance. Stockholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and other risks that may affect the Company’s performance are discussed further in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 5, 2024 and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

¹ Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, such as net income as adjusted, net income as adjusted per share, tangible book value, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets and return on average tangible common equity, which management believes may be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position and comparing results over different periods.

Net income as adjusted and net income as adjusted per share are non-GAAP measures that eliminate the impact of certain expenses such as branch closure costs and related severance pay, accelerated depreciation expense and lease termination fees, and the gain on sale of branch deposits and fixed assets. Tangible book value, tangible book value per share, tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets and return on average tangible common equity are non-GAAP measures that eliminate the impact of goodwill and intangible assets on our financial position. Management believes these measures are useful in assessing the strength of our financial position.

Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in this press release. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other banks and financial institutions.

Contact: Steve Bianchi, CEO
(715)-836-9994

(CZWI-ER)

Note: Certain items previously reported were reclassified for consistency with the current presentation.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

(in thousands, except per share data)

(1) Branch closure costs include severance pay recorded in compensation and benefits and depreciation and right of use lease asset accelerated expense included in other non-interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations.
(2) Pretax income as adjusted and net income as adjusted are non-GAAP measures that management believes enhances the market’s ability to assess the underlying business performance and trends related to core business activities.
(3) Provision for income tax on net income as adjusted is calculated at our effective tax rate for each respective period presented.

Loan Composition

(in thousands)

Nonperforming Assets
Loan Balances at Amortized Cost

(in thousands, except ratios)

Average Balances, Interest Yields and Rates

(in thousands, except yields and rates)

Key Financial Metric Ratios:

Reconciliation of Return on Average Assets

(in thousands, except ratios)

(1) See Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income and Net Income as Adjusted (non-GAAP)

Reconciliation of Return on Average Equity

(in thousands, except ratios)