Business fundamentals drive performance

ROCKLAND, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Independent Bank Corp. (Nasdaq Global Select Market: INDB), parent of Rockland Trust Company, today announced 2022 first quarter net income of $53.1 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, reported for the fourth quarter of 2021. Financial results for the first quarter 2022 and fourth quarter 2021 included pre-tax merger-related costs of $7.1 million and $37.2 million, respectively, associated with the acquisition of Meridian Bancorp, Inc. ("Meridian") and its subsidiary, East Boston Savings Bank ("EBSB"). Excluding these merger-related costs in both quarters, as well as the initial provision for credit losses recorded on acquired loans in the fourth quarter of 2021, and the related tax effects, operating net income was $58.2 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2022 compared to operating net income of $65.7 million, or $1.63 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2021. Please refer to "Reconciliation of Net Income (GAAP) to Operating Net Income (Non-GAAP)" below for a reconciliation of net income to operating net income.

“We are off to a great start in 2022. We are very pleased with the outcome of all our hard work on the integration of East Boston Savings Bank and are enjoying building relationships with our new colleagues, customers, and communities,” said Christopher Oddleifson, the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Bank Corp. and Rockland Trust Company. “We continue to strengthen the bank in a variety of ways through my colleagues’ tireless dedication to bringing our vision of being the Bank Where Each Relationship Matters^® to life; I am proud to work alongside each of them every day. ”

BALANCE SHEET

Total assets of $20.2 billion at March 31, 2022 decreased by $264.2 million, or 1.3%, from the prior quarter, and increased by $6.4 billion, or 46.4%, as compared to the year ago period, inclusive of the accretive impact of the Meridian acquisition.

Total loans at March 31, 2022 of $13.6 billion were essentially flat compared to the prior quarter level. Excluding $116.6 million of net paydowns associated with the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), the loan portfolio increased by $109.4 million, or 3.3% on an annualized basis, compared to the prior quarter. Organic loan growth was primarily driven by line utilization increases within the commercial and industrial portfolio as well as a healthy increase in the residential real estate portfolio as a higher portion of loan closings were retained on the balance sheet. Partially offsetting these growth drivers were ongoing reductions in the acquired EBSB portfolio which led to a decrease in commercial real estate balances, while continued low utilization rates and attrition continue to negate strong home equity closing volumes.

Deposit balances of $16.8 billion at March 31, 2022 decreased by $153.7 million, or 0.9%, from the prior quarter primarily attributable to continued runoff in higher-cost time deposits. The total cost of deposits for the quarter remained at 0.05%. Core deposits comprised 85.8% of total deposits at March 31, 2022, a slight increase from 84.5% at December 31, 2021.

The securities portfolio increased by $196.9 million, or 7.4%, when compared to the prior quarter, reflecting the Company's ongoing strategy to deploy a portion of excess cash balances into investment securities. Total purchases for the quarter were $365.2 million, offset by an unrealized loss of $81.6 million related to the available for sale portfolio, as well as paydowns, calls, and maturities. Total securities represent 14.2% of total assets as of March 31, 2022, as compared to 13.0 % at December 31, 2021

Total borrowings decreased by $14.0 million, or 9.2%, when compared to the prior quarter due primarily to the re-payment of a revolving loan credit facility.

Stockholders' equity at March 31, 2022 decreased 1.8% when compared to the prior quarter, as strong earnings retention was countered by elevated levels of unrealized losses on available for sale investment securities included in other comprehensive income. As a result, book value per share decreased by $1.16, or 1.8%, to $62.59 during the first quarter as compared to the prior quarter. The Company's ratio of common equity to assets of 14.71% at March 31, 2022 represented a decrease of 7 basis points from the prior quarter and an increase of 226 basis points from the year ago period. The Company's tangible book value per share at March 31, 2022 declined by $1.10, or 2.6%, from the prior quarter to $41.15, but represented an increase of 14.4% from the year ago period inclusive of the accretive impact of the Meridian acquisition. The Company's ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets of 10.18% at March 31, 2022 represents a decrease of 13 basis points from the prior quarter and an increase of 122 basis points from the year ago period. Please refer to Appendix A for a detailed reconciliation of Non-GAAP metrics.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income for the first quarter increased 12.2% to $137.4 million compared to $122.5 million for the prior quarter, reflecting primarily the full quarter impact of the Meridian acquisition, partly offset by decreased PPP fee recognition and purchase accounting loan accretion. The reported net interest margin increased by 4 basis points from the prior quarter to 3.09%, and increased 17 basis points on a core basis when excluding PPP fees, purchase accounting, and other non-recurring items. Please refer to Appendix C for additional details regarding the net interest margin.

NONINTEREST INCOME

Noninterest income of $26.3 million for the first quarter of 2022 was $2.9 million, representing a 10.0% decrease compared to the prior quarter. Significant changes in noninterest income for the first quarter compared to the prior quarter included the following:

• Deposit account fees increased by $452,000, or 9.0%, driven by increased activity.

• Interchange and ATM fees decreased by $149,000, or 4.0%, reflecting a seasonal decrease in volume.

• Investment management income decreased by $285,000, or 3.2%, compared to the prior quarter due primarily to decreased market valuations during the first quarter. As of March 31, 2022, total assets under administration had rebounded back to the December 31, 2021 level of $5.7 billion.

• Mortgage banking income decreased by $648,000, or 32.2%, primarily reflecting overall reduced volumes, as well as a greater portion of new originations retained in the Company's portfolio versus being sold in the secondary market as compared to the prior quarter. The reduced gain on sale was partially offset by a $257,000 increase in income associated with the mortgage servicing asset valuation.

• The cash surrender value of life insurance policies declined by $128,000, or 6.7%, in the first quarter due primarily to annual dividend income on policies received during the fourth quarter of 2021, partially offset by the full quarter impact of policies acquired from Meridian.

• Loan level derivative income decreased by $1.8 million, or 74.6%, to $604,000, due primarily to lower customer volume.

• Other noninterest income decreased by $372,000, or 7.3%, primarily attributable to decreases in capital gain distributions on equity securities, income from like-kind exchanges, and discounted purchases of Massachusetts historical tax credits, partially offset by increased rental income from equipment leases.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Noninterest expense of $95.5 million for the first quarter of 2022 was $21.6 million, representing an 18.5% decrease compared to the prior quarter. Significant changes in noninterest expense for the first quarter compared to the prior quarter included the following:

• Salaries and employee benefits increased by $884,000, or 1.9%, primarily due to the full quarter impact of the increased workforce base following the Meridian acquisition, offset partially by decreases in incentive compensation.

• Occupancy and equipment increased by $3.6 million, or 36.8%, driven by $1.3 million of snow removal costs, in addition to a full quarter of costs associated with the Company's expanded branch network, real estate and other fixed assets resulting from the Meridian acquisition.

• Data processing increased $497,000, or 26.5%, due primarily to timing of certain initiatives and general increases associated with the Company's higher transaction volume.

• FDIC assessment increased by $630,000, or 53.6%, primarily due to an increased assessment base resulting from the Meridian acquisition.

• Merger and acquisition costs incurred in relation to the Meridian acquisition were $7.1 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $37.2 million for the prior quarter. The majority of first quarter 2022 costs related to lease terminations associated with exited branch locations, along with additional integration costs and professional fees incurred during the quarter.

• Other noninterest expense increased by $2.8 million, or 14.7%, primarily due to a full quarter of general increases associated with the Meridian acquisition, along with elevated unrealized losses on equity securities.

The Company generated a return on average assets and a return on average common equity of 1.06% and 7.16%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2022, as compared to 0.04% and 0.28%, respectively, for the prior quarter. On an operating basis, return on average assets and return on average common equity were 1.17% and 7.85%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2022 as compared to 1.47% and 10.75%, respectively for the prior quarter.

The Company’s tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 24.4%.

ASSET QUALITY

During the 2022 first quarter, the Company recorded total net charge-offs of $404,000, equating to 0.01% of average loans on an annualized basis. Nonperforming loans increased to $56.6 million, or 0.42% of total loans at March 31, 2022, as compared to $27.8 million, or 0.20% of total loans, at December 31, 2021. The increase primarily reflects the migration to nonaccrual status during the quarter of a single syndicated credit facility which is in an active workout process. Delinquency as a percentage of total loans decreased 5 basis points from the prior quarter to 0.29% at March 31, 2022.

In addition, total loans subject to a payment deferral decreased to $304.5 million, or 2.2% of total loans, at March 31, 2022, as compared to $383.1 million, or 2.8% of total loans, at December 31, 2021. All loans subject to a payment deferral at March 31, 2022 were performing in accordance with the modified terms.

The Company recorded credit reserve releases of $2.0 million during the first quarter of 2022, reflecting a stabilized credit quality environment. The allowance for credit losses on total loans was $144.5 million, or 1.06% of total loans, at March 31, 2022, as compared to $146.9 million, or 1.08% of total loans, at December 31, 2021.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

Christopher Oddleifson, Chief Executive Officer, Robert Cozzone, Chief Operating Officer, and Mark Ruggiero, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss first quarter earnings at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 22, 2022. Internet access to the call is available on the Company’s website at https://INDB.RocklandTrust.com or via telephonic access by dial-in at 1-888-336-7153 reference: INDB. A replay of the call will be available by calling 1-877-344-7529, Replay Conference Number: 5499216 and will be available through April 29, 2022. Additionally, a webcast replay will be available on the Company's website until April 22, 2023.

ABOUT INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.

Independent Bank Corp. (NASDAQ Global Select Market: INDB) is the holding company for Rockland Trust Company, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Massachusetts. Rockland Trust was named to The Boston Globe's "Top Places to Work" 2021 list, an honor earned for the 13th consecutive year. In 2021, Rockland Trust was ranked the #1 Bank in Massachusetts according to Forbes World's Best Banks list for the second year in a row. Rockland Trust has a longstanding commitment to equity and inclusion. This commitment is underscored by initiatives such as Diversity and Inclusion leadership training, a colleague Allyship mentoring program, and numerous Employee Resource Groups focused on providing colleague support and education, reinforcing a culture of mutual respect and advancing professional development, and Rockland Trust's sponsorship of diverse community organizations through charitable giving and employee-based volunteerism. In addition, Rockland Trust is deeply committed to the communities it serves, as reflected in the overall "Outstanding" rating in its most recent Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluation. Rockland Trust offers a wide range of banking, investment, and insurance services. The Bank serves businesses and individuals through over 120 retail branches, commercial and residential lending centers, and investment management offices in eastern Massachusetts, including Greater Boston, North Shore, South Shore, Cape Cod and Islands, Worcester County, and Rhode Island. Rockland Trust also offers a full suite of mobile, online, and telephone banking services. Rockland Trust is an FDIC member and an Equal Housing Lender. To find out why Rockland Trust is the bank "Where Each Relationship Matters®," please visit RocklandTrust.com.

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “achieve,” “plan,” “believe,” “future,” “positioned,” “continued,” “will,” “would,” “potential,” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Actual results may differ from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements.

Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• further weakening in the United States economy in general and the regional and local economies within the New England region and the Company’s market area, including any future weakening caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and any uncertainty regarding the length and extent of economic contraction as a result of the pandemic;
• the potential effects of inflationary pressures, labor market shortages and supply chain issues;
• instability or volatility in financial markets and unfavorable general economic or business conditions, globally, nationally or regionally, caused by geopolitical concerns, including as a result of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, could have an adverse effect on the Company's business or results of operations;
• unanticipated loan delinquencies, loss of collateral, decreased service revenues, and other potential negative effects on our business caused by severe weather, pandemics or other external events;
• adverse changes or volatility in the local real estate market;
• adverse changes in asset quality and any unanticipated credit deterioration in our loan portfolio including those related to one or more large commercial relationships;
• acquisitions may not produce results at levels or within time frames originally anticipated and may result in unforeseen integration issues or impairment of goodwill and/or other intangibles;
• additional regulatory oversight and related compliance costs;
• changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
• higher than expected tax expense, resulting from failure to comply with general tax laws and changes in tax laws;
• changes in market interest rates for interest earning assets and/or interest bearing liabilities and changes related to the phase-out of LIBOR;
• increased competition in the Company’s market areas;
• adverse weather, changes in climate, natural disasters, geopolitical concerns, including those arising from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the emergence of widespread health emergencies or pandemics, including the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, other public health crises or man-made events could negatively affect our local economies or disrupt our operations, which would have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations;
• a deterioration in the conditions of the securities markets;
• a deterioration of the credit rating for U.S. long-term sovereign debt;
• inability to adapt to changes in information technology, including changes to industry accepted delivery models driven by a migration to the internet as a means of service delivery;
• electronic fraudulent activity within the financial services industry, especially in the commercial banking sector;
• adverse changes in consumer spending and savings habits;
• the effect of laws and regulations regarding the financial services industry;
• changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) generally applicable to the Company’s business;
• the Company's potential judgments, claims, damages, penalties, fines and reputational damage resulting from pending or future litigation and regulatory and government actions, including as a result of our participation in and execution of government programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• changes in accounting policies, practices and standards, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and other accounting standard setters including, but not limited to, changes to how the Company accounts for credit losses;
• cyber security attacks or intrusions that could adversely impact our businesses; and
• other unexpected material adverse changes in our operations or earnings.

Further, the foregoing factors may be exacerbated by the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which remains unknown at this time due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable and, in many cases, beyond the Company's control, including the scope, duration and extent of the pandemic and any further resurgences, the efficacy, availability and public acceptance of vaccines, boosters or other treatments, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic and the direct and indirect impact of these actions and the pandemic generally on the Company’s employees, customers, business and third-parties with which the Company conducts business.

The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as the Company’s business and its forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (“Risk Factors”). Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise. Any public statements or disclosures by the Company following this release which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this release. In addition to the information set forth in this press release, you should carefully consider the Risk Factors.

This press release contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). This information includes operating net income and operating earnings per share ("EPS"), operating return on average assets, operating return on average common equity, operating return on average tangible common equity, core net interest margin ("core margin"), tangible book value per share and the tangible common equity ratio.

Operating net income, operating EPS, operating return on average assets and operating return on average common equity, exclude items that management believes are unrelated to the Company's core banking business such as merger and acquisition expenses, provision for credit losses on acquired loan portfolios, and other items, if applicable. Management uses operating net income and related ratios and operating EPS to measure the strength of the Company’s core banking business and to identify trends that may to some extent be obscured by such items. Management reviews its core margin to determine any items that may impact the net interest margin that may be one-time in nature or not reflective of its core operating environment, such as out-sized cash balances, unique low-yielding loans originated through government programs in response to the pandemic, or significant purchase accounting adjustments. Management believes that adjusting for these items to arrive at a core margin provides additional insight into the operating environment and how management decisions impact the net interest margin. Similarly, management reviews certain loan metrics such as growth rates and allowance as a percentage of total loans, adjusted to exclude loans that are not considered part of its core portfolio, which includes loans originated in association with government sponsored and guaranteed programs in response to the pandemic, to arrive at adjusted numbers more representative of the core growth of the portfolio and core reserve to loan ratio.

Management also supplements its evaluation of financial performance with analysis of tangible book value per share (which is computed by dividing stockholders' equity less goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, or "tangible common equity", by common shares outstanding), the tangible common equity ratio (which is computed by dividing tangible common equity by "tangible assets", defined as total assets less goodwill and other intangibles), and return on average tangible common equity (which is computed by dividing net income by average tangible common equity). The Company has included information on tangible book value per share, the tangible common equity ratio and return on average tangible common equity because management believes that investors may find it useful to have access to the same analytical tools used by management. As a result of merger and acquisition activity, the Company has recognized goodwill and other intangible assets in conjunction with business combination accounting principles. Excluding the impact of goodwill and other intangibles in measuring asset and capital values for the ratios provided, along with other bank standard capital ratios, provides a framework to compare the capital adequacy of the Company to other companies in the financial services industry.

These non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results and other financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. An item which management excludes when computing these non-GAAP measures can be of substantial importance to the Company’s results for any particular quarter or year. The Company’s non-GAAP performance measures, including operating net income, operating EPS, operating return on average assets, operating return on average common equity, core margin, tangible book value per share and the tangible common equity ratio, are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies.

Category: Earnings Releases