Bedminster, NJ, Jan. 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: PGC) (the “Company”) announces its fourth quarter 2022 results.

This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Q4 2022 Investor Update, a copy of which is available on our website at www.pgbank.com and via a current report on Form 8-K on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. 

The Company recorded total revenue of $64.85 million, net income of $20.58 million and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $1.12 for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to revenue of $56.17 million, net income of $14.86 million and diluted EPS of $0.78 for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

The Company’s return on average assets, return on average equity, and return on average tangible equity totaled 1.33%, 15.73% and 17.30%, respectively, for the December 2022 quarter, reflecting significant increases from the December 2021 quarterly levels.

The December 2022 quarter results were driven by continued improvement in net interest income and net interest margin, which improved $10.8 million and 66 basis points, when compared to the December 2021 quarter (and $2.5 million and 14 basis points when compared to the September 2022 quarter). This increase was partially offset by a decline in noninterest income, principally wealth management fee income and capital markets activity fee income, due to volatility in the markets.

Douglas L. Kennedy, President and CEO said, “Our fourth quarter results represent a fitting end to a tremendous year for our Company. The consistent improvement of net interest income throughout the year reflects the asset sensitivity of our loan portfolio, as loans continued to reprice upward in the rising rate environment. For the 2022 fiscal year, net income grew 31% and earnings per share improved by 37%. I am extremely pleased with our financial performance and look forward to the year ahead as every member of our team continues to focus on delivering the highest levels of client service and enhancing our differentiated model."

The December 2022 quarter included the following items: 1) $28,000 positive fair value adjustment on an equity security held for CRA investment purposes; 2) $275,000 gain on sale of a property; 3) $25,000 income from life insurance proceeds; 4) $200,000 expense related to accelerated restricted stock vesting related to one employee; and 5) $563,000 income tax expense (net of Federal benefit) related to the first nine months of 2022 brought about by a recent New York City nexus determination change. These items increased total revenue by $328,000, reduced net income by $469,000 and EPS by $0.03, for the December 2022 quarter.

The following are select highlights:

Peapack Private Wealth Management:

• AUM/AUA in our Peapack Private Wealth Management Division totaled $10 billion at December 31, 2022.

• Gross new business inflows for Q4 2022 totaled $295 million ($236 million managed).

• For the year ended December 31, 2022 gross new business inflows totaled $1 billion ($741 million managed).

• Wealth Management fee income of $13.0 million for Q4 2022 comprised 20% of total revenue for the quarter.

Commercial Banking and Balance Sheet Management:

• The net interest margin ("NIM") improved by 14 basis points in Q4 2022 compared to Q3 2022 and improved 66 basis points when compared to Q4 2021.

• Noninterest-bearing demand deposits comprised 24% of total deposits as of December 31, 2022.

• Core deposits (which includes noninterest-bearing demand and interest-bearing demand, savings and money market accounts) totaled 92% of total deposits at December 31, 2022.

• Total loans were $5.30 billion at December 31, 2022 reflecting growth of $112 million (2.2% linked quarter or 8.7% annualized) when compared to $5.19 billion at September 30, 2022, and growth of $457 million (9.4%) when compared to $4.84 billion at December 31, 2021.

• Commercial & industrial lending (“C&I”) loan/lease balances comprised 42% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2022.

• Fee income on unused commercial lines of credit totaled $732,000 for Q4 2022.

Capital Management:

• Repurchased 140,700 shares of Company stock for a total cost of $5.2 million during Q4 2022. (930,977 shares of Company stock for a total cost of $32.7 million were repurchased during 2022).

• At December 31, 2022, Regulatory Tier 1 Leverage Ratio stood at 10.9% for Peapack-Gladstone Bank (the "Bank") and 8.9% for the Company; and Regulatory Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio (to Risk-Weighted Assets) stood at 13.5% for the Bank and 11.0% for the Company. These ratios are significantly above well capitalized standards, as capital has benefitted from strong net income generation.

SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT DETAILS:

The following tables summarize specified financial details for the periods shown.

December 2022 Year Compared to Prior Year

(A) The twelve months ended December 31, 2022 included twelve months of wealth management fee income and expense related to the July 2021 acquisition of Princeton Portfolio Strategies Group, while the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 included six months.
(B) Capital markets activity includes fee income from loan level back-to-back swaps, the Small Business Association ("SBA") lending and sale program, corporate advisory and mortgage banking activities.
(C) Other income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 included a $6.6 million loss on sale of securities associated with a balance sheet repositioning executed in the first quarter of 2022, gain on sale of property of $275,000, income from life insurance proceeds of $25,000 and a $1.7 million negative fair value adjustment on a CRA equity security.  The December 2021 twelve months included a cost of $842,000 related to the termination of interest rate swaps; a $1.1 million gain on sale of Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans; $722,000 of fee income related to the referral of PPP loans to a third party; $455,000 of additional Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI") income related to the receipt of life insurance proceeds; and a $432,000 negative fair value adjustment on a CRA equity security.
(D) The years ended December 2022 and 2021 each included $1.5 million of severance expense related to certain staff reorganizations within several areas of the Bank.  The year ended December 31, 2021 also included $648,000 of expense related to the redemption of subordinated debt; and $2.2 million related to a swap valuation allowance.
(E) The year ended December 31, 2022 included $750,000 of income tax expense (net of Federal benefit) related to recent approval of legislation that changed the nexus standard for New York City business tax.
(F) Total revenue equals the sum of net interest income plus total other income.

December 2022 Quarter Compared to Prior Year Quarter

(A) Capital markets activity includes fee income from loan level back-to-back swaps, the SBA lending and sale program, corporate advisory and mortgage banking activities.
(B)  Other income for the December 2022 quarter included a gain on sale of property of $275,000 and income from life insurance proceeds of $25,000. Other income for the December 2022 and 2021 quarters included a fair value adjustment on a CRA equity security of positive $28,000 and negative $139,000, respectively.
(C) The December 2022 quarter included $200,000 of expense related to accelerated vesting of restricted stock related to one employee. The December 2021 quarter included $893,000 of expense related to a swap valuation allowance.
(D) The three months ended December 31, 2022 included $750,000 of income tax expense (net of Federal benefit) related to the recent approval of legislation that changed the nexus standard for New York City business tax.   ($563,000 of that amount related to the first nine months of 2022).
(E) Total revenue equals the sum of net interest income plus total other income.

December 2022 Quarter Compared to Linked Quarter

(A) Capital markets activity includes fee income from loan level back-to-back swaps, the SBA lending and sale program, corporate advisory and mortgage banking activities.
(B) Other income for the December 2022 quarter included gain on sale of property of $275,000 and income from life insurance proceeds of $25,000. Other income for the December 2022 and September 2022 quarters included a fair value adjustment on a CRA equity security of positive $28,000 and negative $571,000, respectively.
(C) The December 2022 quarter included $200,000 of expense related to accelerated vesting of restricted stock related to one employee.
(D) The three months ended December 31, 2022 included $750,000 of income tax expense (net of Federal benefit) related to the recent approval of legislation that changed the nexus standard for New York City business tax.   ($563,000 of that amount related to the first nine months of 2022).
(E) Total revenue equals the sum of net interest income plus total other income.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY DETAILS:

Peapack Private Wealth Management

AUM/AUA in the Bank’s Peapack Private Wealth Management (“PPWM”) Division totaled $10 billion at December 31, 2022.  For the December 2022 quarter, PPWM generated $12.98 million in fee income, compared to $12.94 million for the September 30, 2022 quarter and $13.96 million for the December 2021 quarter. The equity market generally improved during Q4 2022, while on a full year basis for 2022, the equity market declined nearly 20%.

John Babcock, President of Peapack Private Wealth Management noted, “Notwithstanding broad market forces that have negatively impacted both the equity and bond markets in 2022, and with economic challenges ahead, our business remains sound and we continue to attract new clients as well as additional funds from existing relationships.  In Q4 2022, total new accounts and client additions totaled $295 million ($236 million managed), which brings our 2022 total to $1 billion ($741 million managed).  As we enter 2023, our new business pipeline is healthy and we remain focused on delivering excellent service and advice to our clients as well as continuing to integrate and advance our internal operating and technology infrastructure. Our highly skilled professionals, our fiduciary powers and expertise, our financial planning capabilities and our high-touch client service model distinguishes PPWM in our market and are the drivers behind our continued growth and success.”

Loans / Commercial Banking

Total loans were $5.30 billion at December 31, 2022, reflecting growth of $112 million (2.2% linked quarter or 8.7% annualized) when compared to $5.19 billion at September 30, 2022, and growth of $457 million (9.4%) when compared to $4.84 billion at December 31, 2021.

Total C&I loans and leases at December 31, 2022 were $2.21 billion or 42% of the total loan portfolio.

Mr. Kennedy noted, “Our loan growth has historically been strong, however, given economic uncertainty and rising interest rates, we believe loan demand will subside somewhat as we look ahead to 2023. Further, we have tightened our initial underwriting given the higher rate environment and in anticipation of a potential economic downturn. Given that, we believe we will achieve modest loan growth in 2023, resulting in mid-single digit loan growth for the coming year.”

Mr. Kennedy also noted, “We are proud to have built a leading middle market commercial banking franchise, as evidenced by our C&I Portfolio, Treasury Management services, and Corporate Advisory and SBA businesses.  Additionally, we are encouraged by the expansion into the Life Insurance Premium Finance business and believe it will prove to be a safe and profitable business line that aligns with the Company's strategy.”

Net Interest Income (NII)/Net Interest Margin (NIM)

The Company’s NII of $48.0 million and NIM of 3.12% for Q4 2022 increased $2.5 million and 14 basis points from NII of $45.5 million and NIM of 2.98%, for the linked quarter (Q3 2022) and increased $10.8 million and 66 basis points from NII of $37.2 million and NIM of 2.46% for the prior year quarter (Q4 2021). When comparing Q4 2022 to Q4 2021, the Bank benefitted from the increases in LIBOR and the Prime rate during 2022. Additionally, the Bank grew its loan portfolio at rates/spreads beneficial to NIM, while reducing lower-yielding liquidity.

Funding / Liquidity / Interest Rate Risk Management

The Company actively manages its deposit base to reduce reliance on wholesale funding, volatility, and/or operational risk.  Total deposits decreased $61 million to $5.21 billion at December 31, 2022 from $5.27 billion at December 31, 2021. The deposit outflows for the quarter and year included large relationships strategically utilizing their funds, including investing into our Wealth Management business, acquisitions, further investing in their business, and purchasing real estate and other investments. As noted previously, during the third quarter of 2022, the Company successfully migrated $287 million of interest-bearing checking into noninterest-bearing demand deposits.

Mr. Kennedy noted, “92% of our deposits are demand, savings, or money market accounts, and our noninterest bearing deposits comprise 24% of our total deposits; both metrics reflect the core nature of our deposit base.”

At December 31, 2022, the Company’s balance sheet liquidity (investments available for sale, interest-earning deposits and cash) totaled $788.4 million (or 12% of assets).

The Company maintains backup liquidity of approximately $1.5 billion of secured available funding with the Federal Home Loan Bank and $1.8 billion of secured funding from the Federal Reserve Discount Window.  The available funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve are secured by the Company’s loan and investment portfolios.

Income from Capital Markets Activities

Noninterest income from Capital Markets activities (detailed below) totaled $950,000 for the December 2022 quarter compared to $784,000 for the September 2022 quarter and $3.52 million for the December 2021 quarter. The December 2021 quarter results were driven by $2.18 million in Corporate Advisory income.

Other Noninterest Income (other than Wealth Management fee income and Income from Capital Markets Activities)

Other noninterest income was $2.88 million for Q4 2022 compared to $2.66 million for Q3 2022 and $1.48 million for Q4 2021. Q4 2022 included $732,000 of unused line fees compared to $818,000 for Q3 2022 and $179,000 for Q4 2021. Q4 2022 included a gain on sale of property of $275,000. Additionally, Q4 2022 included $294,000 of income recorded by the Equipment Finance Division related to equipment transfers to lessees while Q3 2022 included $547,000 of such income.

Operating Expenses

The Company’s total operating expenses were $33.41 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to $33.56 million for the September 2022 quarter and $31.70 million for the December 2021 quarter. The 2022 quarters included increased costs related to employee health insurance and corporate insurance, as well as normal annual merit increases and year-end bonuses. The December 2021 quarter included $893,000 related to a swap valuation allowance.

Mr. Kennedy noted, “While we continue to manage expenses closely and prudently, we have and will continue to invest in our existing team as the market demands in order to retain the talent we have acquired. We will also grow and expand our core wealth management and commercial banking businesses, including strategic hires and lift-outs, and invest in digital and other enhancements to further enhance the client experience.”

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was 30.26%, as compared to 27.47% for the September 2022 quarter and 28.31% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.  The three months ended December 31, 2022 includes $750,000 of income tax expense (net of Federal benefit) related to the recent approval of legislation that changed the nexus standard for New York City business tax.  ($563,000 of that amount related to the first nine months of 2022).

Asset Quality / Provision for Credit Losses

Nonperforming assets (which does not include troubled debt restructured loans that are performing in accordance with their terms) were $19.1 million, or 0.30% of total assets at December 31, 2022.  Loans past due 30 to 89 days and still accruing were $7.6 million, which included a $4.5 million outstanding loan to US governmental entities.

Criticized and classified loans totaled $107.8 million at December 31, 2022, reflecting declines from both December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2022 levels. The Company currently has no loans or leases on deferral and accruing.

On January 1, 2022, the Company implemented Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) methodology for calculating the Company’s Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”). The day one CECL adjustment totaled $5.5 million which resulted in a reduction to the December 31, 2021 ACL, and benefit to Capital, net of tax effect.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2022, the Company’s provision for credit losses was $1.9 million compared to $599,000 for the September 2022 quarter and $3.8 million for the December 2021 quarter. The provision for credit losses in the December 2022 quarter was driven principally by loan growth.

At December 31, 2022, the ACL was $60.83 million (1.15% of total loans), compared to $59.68 million (1.15% of loans) at September 30, 2022. The ALLL at December 31, 2021 (before adoption of CECL) was $61.70 million (1.27% of loans).

Capital

The Company’s capital position during the December 2022 quarter was benefitted by net income of $20.58 million which was partially offset by the repurchase of 140,700 shares through the Company’s stock repurchase program at a total cost of $5.2 million and the quarterly dividend of $896,000.

Mr. Kennedy noted, “Our tangible book value per share improved during Q4 2022 to $27.26 at December 31, 2022 from $26.10 at September 30, 2022.”

The Company’s and Bank’s regulatory capital ratios as of December 31, 2022 remain strong, and generally reflect increases from September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 levels. Where applicable, such ratios remain well above regulatory well capitalized standards.

The Company employs quarterly capital stress testing – adverse case and severely adverse case. In the most recent completed stress test (as of September 30, 2022), under the severely adverse case, and no growth scenario, the Bank remains well capitalized over a two-year stress period. With an additional stress overlay (impacting the industries most affected by the Pandemic more severely), the Bank still remains well capitalized over the two-year stress period.

On January 26, 2023, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable on February 23, 2023 to shareholders of record on February 9, 2023.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a New Jersey bank holding company with total assets of $6.4 billion and assets under management/administration of $10 billion as of December 31, 2022.  Founded in 1921, Peapack-Gladstone Bank is a commercial bank that provides innovative wealth management, commercial and retail solutions, including residential lending and online platforms, to businesses and consumers.  Peapack Private, the bank’s wealth management division, offers comprehensive financial, tax, fiduciary and investment advice and solutions to individuals, families, privately-held businesses, family offices and not-for-profit organizations, which help them to establish, maintain and expand their legacy.  Together, Peapack-Gladstone Bank and Peapack Private offer an unparalleled commitment to client service.  Visit www.pgbank.com and www.peapackprivate.com for more information.

The foregoing may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about new and existing programs and products, investments, relationships, opportunities and market conditions.  These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may” or similar statements or variations of such terms.  Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements.  Factors that may cause results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• our ability to successfully grow our business and implement our strategic plan, including our ability to generate revenues to offset the increased personnel and other costs related to the strategic plan;

• the impact of anticipated higher operating expenses in 2023 and beyond;

• our ability to successfully integrate wealth management firm acquisitions;

• our ability to manage our growth;

• our ability to successfully integrate our expanded employee base;

• an unexpected decline in the economy, in particular in our New Jersey and New York market areas, including potential recessionary conditions;

• declines in our net interest margin caused by the interest rate environment and/or our highly competitive market;

• declines in the value in our investment portfolio;

• impact from a pandemic event on our business, operations, customers, allowance for credit losses and capital levels;

• the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and results of operation;

• higher than expected increases in our allowance for credit losses;

• higher than expected increases in loan and lease losses or in the level of delinquent, nonperforming, classified and criticized loans;

• inflation and changes in interest rates, which may adversely impact or margins and yields, reduce the fair value of our financial instruments, reduce our loan originations and lead to higher operating costs;

• decline in real estate values within our market areas;

• legislative and regulatory actions (including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Basel III and related regulations) that may result in increased compliance costs;

• successful cyberattacks against our IT infrastructure and that of our IT and third-party providers;

• higher than expected FDIC insurance premiums;

• adverse weather conditions;

• the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events;

• our inability to successfully generate new business in new geographic markets;

• a reduction in our lower-cost funding sources;

• our inability to adapt to technological changes;

• claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility, environmental laws and other matters;

• our inability to retain key employees;

• demands for loans and deposits in our market areas;

• adverse changes in securities markets;

• changes in governmental regulation, including, but not limited to, any increase in FDIC insurance premiums and changes in the monetary policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

• changes in accounting policies and practices; and

• other unexpected material adverse changes in our operations or earnings.

A discussion of these and other factors that could affect our results is included in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.  We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Contact:

Frank A. Cavallaro, SEVP and CFO

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation

T: 908-306-8933

 (Tables to follow)

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in Thousands, except share data)
 (Unaudited)

(A) Gain on loans held for sale at fair value (mortgage banking), fee income related to loan level, back-to-back swaps, gain on sale of SBA loans and corporate advisory fee income are all included in “capital markets activity” as referred to within the earnings release.
(B) Loss on sale of securities was a result of a balance sheet repositioning employed in the March 2022 quarter.
(C) The March 2022 quarter included $1.5 million of severance expense related to corporate restructuring.
(D) Commencing on January 1, 2022, the allowance calculation is based on the CECL methodology.  Prior to January 1, 2022, the calculation was based on the incurred loss methodology.
(E) The three months ended December 31, 2022 included $750,000 income tax expense (net federal benefit) related to the twelve months of 2022 brought about by a recent New York City nexus determination change which included $563,000 from prior quarters.
(F) Total revenue equals the sum of net interest income plus total other income.
(G) Return on average tangible common equity is calculated by dividing tangible common equity by annualized net income.  See Non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation included in these tables.
(H) Calculated as total operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue.  For Non-GAAP efficiency ratio, see the Non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation included in these tables.

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(Dollars in Thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)