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Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.(R) Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Results
The highlights for the quarter include:
net income of $13.8 million; basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.11; net interest margin of 1.82%, an improvement of 11 basis points from the prior quarter; paid dividends of $0.085 per share; and on April 23, 2024, announced a cash dividend of $0.085 per share, payable on May 17, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 3, 2024.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized net income of $13.8 million, or $0.11 per share, compared to a net income of $2.5 million, or $0.02 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The higher net income in the current quarter was due primarily to the prior quarter including $13.3 million ($10.0 million net of tax) of net losses related to the strategic securities transaction ("securities strategy") discussed in the "Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023" section below. Excluding the securities strategy, earnings per share would have been $0.10 for the prior quarter. The increase in earnings per share in the current quarter, excluding the net losses on securities sales related to the securities strategy in the prior quarter, was due primarily to an increase in the net interest margin. The net interest margin increased 11 basis points, from 1.71% for the prior quarter to 1.82% for the current quarter due mainly to a full quarter of higher yielding securities that were purchased during the prior quarter in association with the securities strategy.
Interest and Dividend Income
The following table presents the components of interest and dividend income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.
For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, March 31, December 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
-------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
Loans receivable $ $ 76,122 $ 75,941 $ 181 0.2 %
Mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") 7,794 5,859 1,935 33.0
Cash and cash equivalents 4,513 4,778 (265 ) (5.5 )
Federal Home Loan Bank Topeka ("FHLB") stock 2,528 2,586 (58 ) (2.2 )
Investment securities 2,332 2,528 (196 ) (7.8 )
-------------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- ---------- --------------------
The increase in interest income on MBS was due to an increase in the weighted average yield from having a full quarter of securities at higher market yields purchased in association with the securities strategy. The weighted average yield on MBS increased 133 basis points compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in interest income on investment securities was due to a decrease in the average balance of the portfolio, partially offset by a higher weighted average yield, both a result of the securities strategy as not all the proceeds from the securities sale were reinvested into the securities portfolio. See additional discussion regarding the use of the proceeds from the securities sale in the "Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023" section below.
Interest Expense
The following table presents the components of interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.
For the Three Months Ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, December 31, Change Expressed in:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2023 Dollars Percent
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- -------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits $ $ 33,415 $ 32,443 $ 972 3.0 %
Borrowings 18,554 19,656 (1,102 ) (5.6 )
-------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- ---------- ---------
The increase in interest expense on deposits was due primarily to increases in the weighted average rate paid and the average balance of the retail certificate of deposit portfolio, partially offset by decreases in the weighted average rate paid and the average balance of money market accounts. A large portion of the decrease in the average balance of money market accounts during the current quarter was related to the Presidents' Day certificate of deposit campaign as funds from money market accounts moved to certificates of deposit as a result of the campaign. The weighted average rate of the money market portfolio decreased due primarily to management lowering the rates for certain tiers during the current quarter. The decrease in interest expense on borrowings was due mainly to the pay down of $500.0 million of borrowings under the Federal Reserve's Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP"), as part of the securities strategy during the prior quarter.
Provision for Credit Losses
For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Bank recorded a provision for credit losses of $301 thousand, compared to a provision for credit losses of $123 thousand for the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses in the current quarter was comprised of a $456 thousand increase in the allowance for credit losses ("ACL") for loans, partially offset by a $155 thousand release in the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The provision for credit losses associated with the ACL was due primarily to commercial loan growth and disbursements on commercial loans, along with changes in the commercial loan mix. See additional discussion regarding changes to the loan mix in the "Financial Condition as of March 31, 2024" section below. The release of provision for credit losses associated with the reserves for off-balance sheet credit exposures was due primarily to a reduction in the balance of commercial off-balance sheet credit exposures due to loans funding.
Non-Interest Income
The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.
For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
-------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, March 31, December 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
-------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Deposit service fees $ $ 2,451 $ 2,575 $ (124 ) (4.8 )%
Insurance commissions 735 863 (128 ) (14.8 )
Net loss from securities transactions -- (13,345 ) 13,345 100.0
Other non-interest income 1,457 1,013 444 43.8
-------------------------- -------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------- -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- ---------- --------------------
The net loss from securities transactions in the prior quarter relates to the securities strategy. There was no similar transaction in the current quarter. The increase in other non-interest income was due mainly to an increase in income on bank-owned life insurance related to the receipt of death benefits in the current quarter while none were received in the prior quarter.
Non-Interest Expense
The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.
For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, March 31, December 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
-------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits $ $ 12,887 $ 12,992 $ (105 ) (0.8 )%
Information technology and related expense 4,954 5,369 (415 ) (7.7 )
Occupancy, net 3,481 3,372 109 3.2
Federal insurance premium 1,727 1,860 (133 ) (7.2 )
Regulatory and outside services 1,380 1,643 (263 ) (16.0 )
Advertising and promotional 1,271 988 283 28.6
Deposit and loan transaction costs 867 542 325 60.0
Office supplies and related expense 419 361 58 16.1
Other non-interest expense 1,459 1,381 78 5.6
-------------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- ---------- --------------------
The decrease in salaries and employee benefits was due mainly to a decrease in loan commissions compared to the prior quarter. The decrease in information technology and related expense was due primarily to lower software licensing expenses and professional services, mainly related to costs associated with the digital transformation. The decrease in regulatory and outside services was due primarily to the timing of external audit expenses. The increase in advertising and promotional expense was due mainly to the timing of campaigns. The increase in deposit and loan transaction costs was due primarily to expenses related to calendar year-end processing.
The Company's efficiency ratio was 61.89% for the current quarter compared to 92.86% for the prior quarter. Excluding the net losses from the securities strategy, the efficiency ratio would have been 64.73% for the prior quarter. The improvement in the efficiency ratio, excluding the securities strategy, was due primarily to higher net interest income. The efficiency ratio is a measure of a financial institution's total non-interest expense as a percentage of the sum of net interest income (pre-provision for credit losses) and non-interest income. A higher value generally indicates that it is costing the financial institution more money to generate revenue, relative to its net interest income and non-interest income.
Income Tax Expense
The following table presents pretax income, income tax expense, and net income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent and the effective tax rate.
For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, March 31, December 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
-------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
Income before income tax expense (benefit) $ $ 17,217 $ 2,068 $ 15,149 732.5 %
Income tax expense (benefit) 3,455 (475 ) 3,930 (827.4 )
-------------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- ---------- --------------------
Net income $ $ 13,762 $ 2,543 $ 11,219 441.2
========================== ==================== ====== ==================== ==================== ====== ==================== ==================== ====== ====================
The income tax benefit in the prior quarter was a result of treating the $13.3 million net loss associated with the securities strategy as a discrete tax benefit in the prior quarter. The tax benefit related to the net loss was $3.3 million. Without the tax benefit, income tax expense would have been $2.8 million and the effective tax rate, without the $13.3 million net pre-tax loss, would have been 18.0% for the prior quarter.
The increase in the effective tax rate from 18.0% for the prior quarter, without the tax benefit related to the securities strategy, to 20.1% for the current quarter was due primarily to recording income taxes on the current quarter distribution of earnings from the Bank to the Company. The tax on the earnings distribution was due to the recapture of a portion of the Bank's bad debt reserves which were established prior to September 30, 1988, and are included in the Bank's retained earnings ("pre-1988 bad debt reserves"). The federal tax regulations prior to September 30, 1988 allowed banks to deduct, up to specified formula limits, a certain percentage of income as bad debts, for which the Bank was not required to establish a deferred tax liability. Rather, the difference was recorded in the Bank's retained earnings. The pre-1988 bad debt reserves in retained earnings are subject to recapture by the Bank on the occurrence of certain distributions in excess of earnings and profits accumulated in tax years beginning after December 31, 1951 ("accumulated earnings and profits"). For federal tax return purposes, the net loss on the securities strategy in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 will be reported on the Company's September 30, 2024 federal tax return, as the actual sales of the securities occurred during fiscal year 2024. Therefore, it is anticipated that a taxable net loss will be reported on the Company's September 30, 2024 federal tax return which will result in the Bank and Company having a negative current and accumulated earnings and profit position. This requires the Bank to draw upon the pre-1988 bad debt reserves for any distributions from the Bank to the Company during the current fiscal year. The Bank is required to pay taxes on the reductions to the pre-1988 bad debt reserves equal to the current corporate tax rate at the time of the distribution of the amount of Bank earnings paid to the Company. Management and the board of directors are evaluating alternatives regarding additional fiscal year 2024 earnings distributions from the Bank to the Company as well as the implications of negative current and accumulated earnings and profit. At March 31, 2024, Capitol Federal Financial, Inc., at the holding company level, had $46.3 million in cash on deposit at the Bank.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
The Company recognized net income of $16.3 million, or $0.12 per share, for the current year period, compared to net income of $30.4 million, or $0.23 per share, for the prior year period. The lower net income for the current year period was primarily a result of the $13.3 million net loss on the securities sales associated with the securities strategy, along with lower net interest income, partially offset by lower provision for credit losses and income tax expense in the current year period. Excluding the effects of the securities strategy, earnings per share would have been $0.20 for the current year period. See "Securities Strategy to Improve Earnings" section below for additional discussion.
Periodically at management's discretion, we have utilized a strategy to increase earnings which entails entering into short-term FHLB borrowings and depositing the proceeds from these FHLB borrowings, net of the purchases of FHLB stock made to meet FHLB stock holding requirements, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City ("FRB") (the "leverage strategy"). See additional information regarding the leverage strategy in the "Financial Condition as of March 31, 2024 - Leverage Strategy" section below. When the leverage strategy is in place, it reduces the net interest margin due to the amount of earnings from the transaction in comparison to the size of the transaction.
The net interest margin increased 17 basis points, from 1.59% for the prior year period to 1.76% for the current year period, due primarily to the leverage strategy being in place during the prior year period but not in place during the current year period. The leverage strategy negatively impacted the net interest margin for the prior year period by 20 basis points. The absence of the leverage strategy during the current year period was partially offset by the negative effect on the net interest margin of an increase in the costs of deposits and borrowings, which exceeded the increase in yields on securities and loans.
Securities Strategy to Improve Earnings
In October 2023, the Company initiated a securities strategy by selling $1.30 billion of securities, representing 94% of its securities portfolio. Since the Company did not have the intent to hold the $1.30 billion of securities to maturity at September 30, 2023, the Company recognized an impairment loss on those securities, $192.6 million of which was reflected in the Company's financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The securities strategy was designed to allow the Company to improve its earnings stream going forward, beginning in the current fiscal year, by redeploying most of the proceeds into current market rate securities and to provide liquidity to deleverage the balance sheet utilizing the remaining proceeds. During the quarter ended December 31, 2023 the Company completed the sale of securities and recognized $13.3 million ($10.0 million net of tax), or $0.08 per share, of additional loss related to the sale of the securities. See additional information regarding the impact of the securities strategy on our financial measurements in "Average Balance Sheets" below. The $1.30 billion of securities sold had a weighted average yield of 1.22% and an average duration of 3.6 years. With the proceeds from the sale of the securities, the Company purchased $632.0 million of securities yielding 5.75%, paid down $500.0 million of borrowings with a cost of 4.70%, and held the remaining cash at the FRB earning interest at the reserve balance rate until such time as it can be used to fund commercial activity or other Bank operations.
Interest and Dividend Income
The following table presents the components of interest and dividend income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.
For the Six Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
------------------------ ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
Loans receivable $ $ 152,063 $ 134,138 $ 17,925 13.4 %
MBS 13,653 9,559 4,094 42.8
Cash and cash equivalents 9,291 27,648 (18,357 ) (66.4 )
FHLB stock 5,114 7,765 (2,651 ) (34.1 )
Investment securities 4,860 1,776 3,084 173.6
------------------------ -------------------- ------- -------------------- -------------------- ------- -------------------- -------------------- ------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
The increase in interest income on loans receivable was due to an increase in the weighted average yield and the average balance of the loan portfolio. The increase in the weighted average yield was due primarily to originations and purchases at higher market yields between periods, as well as disbursements on commercial construction loans at rates higher than the overall portfolio rate and upward repricing of existing adjustable-rate loans due to higher market interest rates. The increase in the average balance was mainly in the commercial real estate loan portfolio. The increase in interest income on MBS and investment securities was due to an increase in the weighted average yield, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance, both a result of the securities strategy. The decrease in interest income on cash and cash equivalents and the decrease in dividend income on FHLB stock were due mainly to the leverage strategy being utilized during the prior year period and not being utilized during the current year period. Interest income on cash and cash equivalents related to the leverage strategy decreased $27.2 million and dividend income on FHLB stock related to the leverage strategy decreased $2.8 million compared to the prior year period. Interest income on cash and cash equivalents not associated with the leverage strategy increased $8.8 million related to an increase in the average balance of cash and cash equivalents as a result of the securities strategy.
Interest Expense
The following table presents the components of interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.
For the Six Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- -------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits $ $ 65,858 $ 28,044 $ 37,814 134.8 %
Borrowings 38,210 65,055 (26,845 ) (41.3 )
------------------------ -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------- -------------------- ---------- ---------
The increase in interest expense on deposits was due almost entirely to an increase in the weighted average rate paid on the deposit portfolio, specifically retail certificates of deposit and money market accounts. Interest expense on borrowings associated with the leverage strategy decreased $28.5 million compared to the prior year period due to the leverage strategy being in place during the prior year period and not being in place during the current year period. Interest expense on borrowings not associated with the leverage strategy increased $1.7 million due to new borrowings added between periods, at market interest rates higher than the overall portfolio rate, to replace maturing advances and to fund operational needs.
Provision for Credit Losses
The Bank recorded a provision for credit losses of $424 thousand during the current year period, compared to a provision for credit losses of $4.6 million for the prior year period. The provision for credit losses in the current year period was comprised of an $856 thousand increase in the ACL for loans, partially offset by a $432 thousand release in the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The provision for credit losses associated with the ACL was due primarily to commercial loan growth. The release of provision for credit losses associated with the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures was due primarily to a reduction in the balance of commercial off-balance sheet credit exposures due to construction loans funding and converting to permanent loans.
Non-Interest Income
The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.
For the Six Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
------------------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
Deposit service fees $ $ 5,026 $ 6,583 $ (1,557 ) (23.7 )%
Insurance commissions 1,598 1,672 (74 ) (4.4 )
Net loss from securities transactions (13,345 ) -- (13,345 ) N/A
Other non-interest income 2,470 2,180 290 13.3
------------------------ -------------------- ------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
The decrease in deposit service fees was due primarily to a change in the fee structure of certain deposit products after the digital transformation. The net loss from securities transactions relates to the securities strategy, with no similar transaction in the prior year period. The increase in other non-interest income was due mainly to an increase in income on bank-owned life insurance related to the receipt of death benefits in the current year period while none were received in the prior year period.
Non-Interest Expense
The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.
For the Six Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits $ $ 25,879 $ 26,487 $ (608 ) (2.3 )%
Information technology and related expense 10,323 10,859 (536 ) (4.9 )
Occupancy, net 6,853 7,042 (189 ) (2.7 )
Federal insurance premium 3,587 2,058 1,529 74.3
Regulatory and outside services 3,023 2,838 185 6.5
Advertising and promotional 2,259 2,166 93 4.3
Deposit and loan transaction costs 1,409 1,301 108 8.3
Office supplies and related expense 780 1,264 (484 ) (38.3 )
Other non-interest expense 2,840 2,389 451 18.9
------------------------ -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- ---------- --------------------
The decrease in salaries and employee benefits was a result of a decrease in full-time equivalent employees between the two periods as a result of management's decision to not backfill non-critical employees through natural attrition, along with a reduction in loan commissions. During fiscal year 2023, the Bank moved to a new branch staffing model comprised of decision makers and well-rounded employees that is intended to add an elevated experience for customers who choose in-person banking activities. The decrease in information technology and related expenses was due mainly to lower third-party project management expenses related to the Bank's digital transformation project during the prior year period, partially offset by higher software licensing expenses resulting from new agreements associated with the digital transformation project. The increase in the federal insurance premium was due to an increase in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") assessment rate as a result of the way the rate is adjusted for the occurrence of a net loss during the quarter ending September 30, 2023, along with an FDIC rule that increased the FDIC initial base deposit assessment rate approximately two basis points on January 1, 2023. The decrease in office supplies and related expense was due primarily to the timing of office supply purchases and lower postage expense in the current year period, along with the write-off of the Bank's remaining inventory of unissued non-contactless debit cards during the prior year period which had become obsolete. The increase in other non-interest expense was due mainly to an increase in fraud losses and other miscellaneous expenses.
The Company's efficiency ratio was 74.29% for the current year period compared to 57.43% for the prior year period. Excluding the net losses from the securities strategy, the efficiency ratio would have been 63.28% for the current year period. The change in the efficiency ratio, excluding the securities strategy, was due primarily to lower net interest income in the current year period compared to the prior year period.
Income Tax Expense
The following table presents pretax income, income tax expense, and net income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent and effective tax rate.
For the Six Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
March 31, March 31, Change Expressed in:
------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 2024 2023 Dollars Percent
------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
Income before income tax expense $ $ 19,285 $ 37,267 $ (17,982 ) (48.3 )%
Income tax expense 2,980 6,838 (3,858 ) (56.4 )
------------------------ -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------ -------------------- -------------------- ------- - ---------- ---------
Net income $ $ 16,305 $ 30,429 $ (14,124 ) (46.4 )
======================== ==================== ====== ==================== ==================== ====== ==================== ==================== ======= =
The lower income tax expense in the current year period was a result of treating the $13.3 million net loss on the securities sale associated with the securities strategy as a discrete tax benefit. The tax benefit related to the net loss was $3.3 million. Without the tax benefit, income tax expense would have been $6.2 million and the effective tax rate, would have been 19.1% for the current year period.
Financial Condition as of March 31, 2024
The following table summarizes the Company's financial condition at the dates indicated.
Annualized Annualized
March 31, March 31, December 31, Percent September 30, Percent
2024 2024 2023 Change 2023 Change
--------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Dollars and shares in thousands) (Dollars and shares in thousands)
Total assets $ $ 9,721,286 $ 9,576,064 6.1 % $ 10,177,461 (9.0 )%
Available-for-sale ("AFS") securities 842,950 740,462 55.4 1,384,482 (78.2 )
Loans receivable, net 7,877,569 7,947,510 (3.5 ) 7,970,949 (2.3 )
Deposits 6,141,711 6,021,595 8.0 6,051,220 3.0
Borrowings 2,351,022 2,373,064 (3.7 ) 2,879,125 (36.7 )
Stockholders' equity 1,024,903 1,034,121 (3.6 ) 1,044,054 (3.7 )
Equity to total assets at end of period 10.5 % 10.8 % 10.3 %
Average number of basic shares outstanding 130,536 132,353 (5.5 ) 133,225 (4.0 )
During the current quarter, total assets increased $145.2 million, to $9.72 billion at March 31, 2024, due primarily to increases in cash and securities, partially offset by a decrease in the loan portfolio. The loan portfolio mix continued to shift from one- to four-family loans to commercial loans during the current quarter with an $88.0 million decrease in one- to four-family loans, including a $46.4 million decrease in one- to four-family correspondent loans and a $36.4 million decrease in one- to four-family originated loans, partially offset by a $20.3 million increase in commercial loans. As a result of rising interest rates and lack of housing inventory, there has been a slowdown in the housing market which has impacted the demand for residential loans and has directly impacted the Bank's one- to four-family loan portfolio. Origination and refinance activity has slowed considerably and there has been a reduction in one- to four-family loan balances through scheduled repayments and loan payoffs. While the Bank's loan activity levels are down, partially due to the interest rate environment and seasonality, management expects the Bank's one- to four-family loan portfolio will continue to decrease as cash flows from the one- to four-family portfolio will be used to fund commercial loan growth. During the current quarter, several commercial loans were prepaid which contributed to the slower growth in the balance of commercial loans. Management anticipates the balance of commercial loans will trend upward in future periods.
Total liabilities increased $154.4 million during the current quarter due primarily to a $120.1 million increase in deposits. The increase in deposits was primarily in retail certificates of deposit, all in the 14 months or shorter term category, partially offset by a decrease in retail money market accounts. During the current quarter, the Bank held a Presidents' Day certificate of deposit campaign which resulted in some customers electing to move funds from money market accounts at the Bank into the certificate of deposit portfolio. The Presidents' Day certificate of deposit campaign resulted in $147.0 million in new certificates of deposit at a weighted average rate of 5.27% and a weighted average term of 7 months. Total borrowings decreased $22.0 million during the current quarter as not all maturing FHLB borrowings were replaced. Management estimates that the Bank had $2.87 billion in additional liquidity available at March 31, 2024 based on the Bank's blanket collateral agreement with FHLB and unencumbered securities.
Total assets decreased $456.2 million from September 30, 2023 due primarily to the securities strategy. The loan portfolio decreased $93.4 million due mainly to a $154.4 million decrease in one- to four-family loans, partially offset by a $62.5 million increase in commercial loans during the current year period.
Total liabilities decreased $437.0 million from September 30, 2023 due primarily to a decrease in borrowings as some of the funds from the securities strategy were used to repay $500.0 million of BTFP borrowings. Total deposits increased $90.5 million from September 30, 2023 primarily in retail certificates of deposit, all in the 14 months or shorter term category, partially offset by a decrease in retail money market accounts.
The following table summarizes loan originations and purchases, deposit activity, and borrowing activity, along with certain related weighted average rates, during the periods indicated. The borrowings presented in the table have original contractual terms of one year or longer.
For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
March 31, 2024 March 31, 2024 March 31, 2024
-------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Amount Rate Amount Rate
-------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
Loan originations, purchases, and participations
One- to four-family and consumer:
$ $ 53,752 6.86 % $ 134,818 7.01 %
Originated
-- -- 3,497 5.91
Purchased
Commercial:
32,567 7.60 52,903 7.20
Originated
24,447 8.09 24,447 8.09
Participations/Purchased
-------------------------- -------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------- -------------------- ---------- --------------------
$ $ 110,766 7.35 $ 215,665 7.16
========================== ==================== ============== ==================== ==================== ======== ====================
Deposit Activity
$ $ (47,347 ) $ (85,607 )
Non-maturity deposits
162,294 198,132
Retail/Commercial certificates of deposit
Borrowing activity
(72,418 ) 2.84 (229,836 ) 3.26
Maturities and repayments
Leverage Strategy
Periodically, the Bank has utilized a leverage strategy to increase earnings which entails entering into short-term FHLB borrowings and depositing the proceeds from these FHLB borrowings, net of the purchases of FHLB stock made to meet FHLB stock holding requirements, at the FRB. The leverage strategy is not a core operating business for the Company. It provides the Company the ability to utilize excess capital to generate earnings. Additionally, it is a strategy that can be exited quickly without additional costs. The profitability of the leverage strategy is attributable to net income derived from the dividends received on the increased FHLB stock holdings, plus the net interest rate spread between the yield on the leverage strategy cash at the FRB and the rate paid on the leverage strategy FHLB borrowings, less applicable FDIC premiums and estimated income tax expense. Leverage strategy borrowings are repaid prior to each quarter end so there is no impact to quarter end capital ratios. The leverage strategy was not in place during the current year period due to the strategy being unprofitable, but it was in place at points during the prior year period. During the prior year period, the average balance of cash associated with the leverage strategy was $1.37 billion and interest earned on that cash was $27.2 million, the average balance of FHLB stock associated with the leverage strategy was $64.4 million and dividends earned on that stock were $2.8 million, and the average balance of FHLB borrowings associated with the leverage strategy was $1.43 billion and the related interest expense was $28.6 million. Additionally, the Company recognized $286 thousand of FDIC premiums and $197 thousand of income tax expenses during the prior year period related to the leverage strategy. When the leverage strategy is in place, it reduces the net interest margin due to the amount of earnings from the transaction in comparison to the size of the transaction. Management continues to monitor the net interest rate spread and overall profitability of the leverage strategy.
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' equity totaled $1.02 billion at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $19.2 million from September 30, 2023. The decrease in stockholders' equity during the current year period was due to a $19.6 million decrease in additional paid-in capital, due mainly to share repurchases. During the current year period, the Company paid regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $22.4 million, or $0.17 per share. On April 23, 2024, the Company announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share, or approximately $11.0 million, payable on May 17, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 3, 2024.
Consistent with our goal to operate a sound and profitable financial organization, we actively seek to maintain a well-capitalized status for the Bank in accordance with regulatory standards. As of March 31, 2024, the Bank's capital ratios exceeded the well-capitalized requirements and the Bank also exceeded all internal policy thresholds for sensitivity to changes in interest rates. As of March 31, 2024, the Bank's community bank leverage ratio was 9.1%.
At March 31, 2024, Capitol Federal Financial, Inc., at the holding company level, had $46.3 million in cash on deposit at the Bank. For fiscal year 2024, it is the intention of the Board of Directors to pay out the regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share, totaling $0.34 per share for the year. To the extent that earnings in fiscal year 2024 exceed $0.34 per share, the Board of Directors will consider the payment of additional dividends. Dividend payments depend upon a number of factors, including the Company's financial condition and results of operations, regulatory capital requirements, regulatory limitations on the Bank's ability to make capital distributions to the Company, and the amount of cash at the holding company level.
During the current year period, the Company repurchased 3,280,110 shares of common stock at an average price of $5.87 per share. There remains $2.0 million authorized under the existing stock repurchase plan for additional purchases of the Company's common stock. Shares may be repurchased from time to time based upon market conditions, available liquidity and other factors. This plan has no expiration date; however, the FRB's existing approval for the Company to repurchase shares expires in August 2024. In February 2024, the Company notified the FRB of its intent to authorize the repurchase of up to $75 million in additional common stock over a period of time, depending upon market conditions, cash balances at the Company level, and after the completion of the Company's existing share repurchase program. This plan has no expiration date; however, the FRB's new approval for the Company to repurchase shares expires in February 2025.
The following table presents a reconciliation of total to net shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024.
Total shares outstanding 132,685,065 132,685,065
Less unallocated Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") shares and unvested restricted stock (2,824,976 (2,824,976 )
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Capitol Federal Financial, Inc. is the holding company for the Bank. The Bank has 49 branch locations in Kansas and Missouri, and is one of the largest residential lenders in the State of Kansas. News and other information about the Company can be found at the Bank's website, http://www.capfed.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained in this press release, the matters discussed herein may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements about our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. The words "may," "could," "should," "would," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions ar