Bankwell Financial Group Inc.

10/26/2022 | Press release | Archived content

Third Quarter 2022 Press Release

NEW CANAAN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWFG) reported GAAP net income of $9.2 million, or $1.18 per share, for the third quarter of 2022, versus $6.9 million, or $0.87 per share, for the same period in 2021. During the quarter ended September 30, 2022 the Company experienced another quarter of elevated loan prepayments that positively impacted reported earnings. Adjusting for this, operating earnings per share totaled $1.08 for the third quarter of 2022. Please reference the table below for a reconciliation of reported earnings per share to operating earnings per share.

Earnings Per Common Share

3Q'22 QTD Reported Diluted EPS

$

1.18

Elevated Loan Prepayments(1)

(0.10

)

3Q'22 QTD Operating EPS(2)

$

1.08

(1) 3Q'22 loan prepayments exceeded historical quarterly averages and are not reflective of run rate.

(2) Non-gaap measure.

The Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.20 per share cash dividend, payable November 21, 2022 to shareholders of record on November 11, 2022.

We recommend reading this earnings release in conjunction with the Third Quarter 2022 Investor Presentation, located at http://investor.mybankwell.com/Presentations and included as an exhibit to our October 26, 2022 Current Report on Form 8-K.

Notes Bankwell Financial Group President and CEO, Christopher R. Gruseke:

"The Company had another very strong quarter, growing loans by $230 million. This represents an 11% increase over the prior quarter, and a year to date increase of 21%. Profitability remains strong, with a 1.47% Return on Average Assets and a 15.73% Return on Average Equity.

"The Company's growth in 2021 and 2022 has created an exceptionally strong foundation to grow top line Interest Income in the coming year. We anticipate Interest Income to increase by more than 25% in 2023. The current cycle of tightening by the Federal Reserve will increase our cost of deposits in the quarters ahead. Based on forward market pricing we could expect Net Interest Income to decrease by 10% in 2023 versus 2022.

"We continue to build Book Value for our shareholders. Fully Diluted Book Value per share has increased by 3.2% this quarter and by 16.2% year to date. Importantly, all credit metrics remain benign.

"We thank our employees and clients who have made our success possible, and are confident that we have a great team in place to perform in an increasingly volatile economic environment."

Third Quarter 2022 Highlights (performance metrics are impacted by certain one-time items - please refer to the table following the below highlights for adjusted performance metrics):

  • Return on average assets was 1.47% and return on average equity was 15.73% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
  • The net interest margin was 4.12% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
  • The efficiency ratio was 44.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
  • Total gross loans were $2.3 billion, growing $391.9 million, or 20.7%, compared to December 31, 2021.
  • Average yield on 2022 funded loans was 5.36%.
  • Investment securities totaled $113.1 million and represent 4.2% of total assets.
  • Fully diluted tangible book value per share rose to $29.68 compared to $25.55 at December 31, 2021.
  • The Wilton branch closed, effective October 7, 2022.
  • Shares issued and outstanding were 7,711,843, reflecting repurchases of 53,546 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $31.81 during the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
  • The Company issued 6.00% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due 2032 in the principal amount of $35.0 million.

Quarter Ended September 30, 2022

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

Key metrics

Reported

Operating(1)

Variance

Reported

Operating(1)

Variance

Net interest margin

4.12

%

3.96

%

0.16

%

3.81

%

3.67

%

0.14

%

Efficiency ratio

44.1

%

46.0

%

(1.9

) %

45.3

%

46.9

%

(1.6

) %

Return on average assets

1.47

%

1.34

%

0.13

%

1.59

%

1.38

%

0.21

%

Return on average stockholders' equity

15.73

%

14.40

%

1.33

%

17.94

%

15.57

%

2.37

%

(1) Operating metrics are non-GAAP measures and have been adjusted for elevated loan prepayments for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2022, as noted in the above table. Adjustments also include the release of specific reserves and the historical loss update to the Company's peer group for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Please reference the second quarter 2022 earnings release for more details on these adjustments.

Earnings and Performance

Revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 were $25.0 million, versus $19.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $70.4 million, versus $53.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in interest and fees on loans due to loan growth and higher overall loan yields. The increase in loan yields was aided by elevated loan prepayment fees, which totaled $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, compared to $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decrease in noninterest income driven by a decrease in loans sales and the absence of rental income recognized during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2021, as a result of the disposition of the Company's former headquarters building. In addition, the increase in revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was muted as a result of a one-time federal payroll tax credit for COVID-19 of $0.9 million recognized in the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Finally, the increase in revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 was also partially offset by an increase in interest expense on deposits, resulting from an increase in rates necessary to remain competitive in the current economic environment.

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 was $9.2 million, versus $6.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $29.4 million, versus $18.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increase in net income was primarily impacted by the aforementioned increases in revenues. In addition, the increase in net income was partially offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses primarily driven by loan growth and an increase in noninterest expense for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $1.19 and $1.18, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.88 and $0.87, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $3.80 and $3.75, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $2.38 and $2.37, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

The net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent basis) for the quarters ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 was 4.12% and 3.39%, respectively. The net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent basis) for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 was 3.81% and 3.08%, respectively. The increase in the net interest margin was due to elevated loan prepayment fees and an increase in overall loan yields.

Financial Condition

Assets totaled $2.72 billion at September 30, 2022, compared to assets of $2.46 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase in assets was primarily due to loan growth and a corresponding increase in deposits and borrowings. Gross loans totaled $2.3 billion at September 30, 2022, an increase of $391.9 million compared to December 31, 2021. Deposits totaled $2.3 billion at September 30, 2022, compared to deposits of $2.1 billion at December 31, 2021.

Capital

Shareholders' equity totaled $231.5 million as of September 30, 2022, an increase of $29.5 million compared to December 31, 2021, primarily a result of (i) net income of $29.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and (ii) an $8.4 million favorable impact to accumulated other comprehensive income driven by fair value marks related to hedge positions involving interest rate swaps, partially offset by fair value marks on the Company's investment portfolio. The Company's interest rate swaps are used to hedge interest rate risk. The increase in Shareholders' equity was partially offset by dividends paid of $4.7 million and common stock repurchases of $5.5 million.

About Bankwell Financial Group

Bankwell is a commercial bank that serves the banking needs of residents and businesses throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Connecticut. For more information about this press release, interested parties may contact Christopher R. Gruseke, President and Chief Executive Officer or Penko Ivanov, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bankwell Financial Group at (203) 652-0166.

For more information, visit www.mybankwell.com.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements about the Company. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include, but are not limited to, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, general economic conditions or conditions within the securities markets, uncertain impacts of, or additional changes in, monetary, fiscal or tax policy to address the impact of COVID-19, which could further exacerbate the effects on the Company's business and results of operations, and legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to evaluating the Company's financial performance in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), management may evaluate certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as the efficiency ratio. A computation and reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures used for these purposes is contained in the accompanying Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures tables. We believe that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, our performance trends and financial position. For example, the Company believes that the efficiency ratio is useful in the assessment of financial performance, including noninterest expense control. The Company believes that tangible common equity, tangible book value per share, and return on average tangible common equity are useful to evaluate the relative strength of the Company's performance and capital position. We utilize these measures for internal planning and forecasting purposes. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and we strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

212,175

$

149,522

$

280,471

$

291,598

$

169,417

Federal funds sold

10,947

21,505

19,022

53,084

8,097

Cash and cash equivalents

223,122

171,027

299,493

344,682

177,514

Investment securities

Marketable equity securities, at fair value

1,973

2,126

2,090

2,168

2,185

Available for sale investment securities, at fair value

95,095

94,907

98,733

90,198

87,565

Held to maturity investment securities, at amortized cost

16,027

15,917

15,979

16,043

16,107

Total investment securities

113,095

112,950

116,802

108,409

105,857

Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $18,167, $15,773, $17,141, $16,902 and $16,803 at September 30, 2022, June 30, 2022, March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively)

2,263,432

2,036,626

1,964,567

1,875,167

1,805,217

Accrued interest receivable

9,552

8,047

7,733

7,512

6,911

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost

5,039

5,064

2,870

2,814

3,632

Premises and equipment, net

27,510

27,768

25,661

25,588

35,118

Bank-owned life insurance

49,970

49,699

49,434

49,174

48,903

Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Other intangible assets

-

-

-

-

48

Deferred income taxes, net

5,952

4,768

6,879

7,621

7,718

Other assets

22,734

17,014

20,849

32,708

33,181

Total assets

$

2,722,995

$

2,435,552

$

2,496,877

$

2,456,264

$

2,226,688

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities

Deposits

Noninterest bearing deposits

$

380,365

$

372,584

$

412,985

$

398,956

$

338,705

Interest bearing deposits

1,906,337

1,660,941

1,753,219

1,725,042

1,544,118

Total deposits

2,286,702

2,033,525

2,166,204

2,123,998

1,882,823

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank

90,000

105,000

50,000

50,000

80,000

Subordinated debentures

68,897

34,500

34,471

34,441

15,374

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

45,896

37,060

35,982

45,838

52,314

Total liabilities

2,491,495

2,210,085

2,286,657

2,254,277

2,030,511

Shareholders' equity

Common stock, no par value

114,548

115,599

114,882

118,148

119,588

Retained earnings

117,152

109,523

99,047

92,400

85,992

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(200

)

345

(3,709

)

(8,561

)

(9,403

)

Total shareholders' equity

231,500

225,467

210,220

201,987

196,177

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

2,722,995

$

2,435,552

$

2,496,877

$

2,456,264

$

2,226,688

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

For the Quarter Ended

For the Nine Months Ended

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

September 30,
2022

September 30,
2021

Interest and dividend income

Interest and fees on loans

$

28,128

$

25,141

$

21,428

$

21,081

$

19,795

$

74,697

$

56,961

Interest and dividends on securities

811

774

720

722

731

2,305

2,236

Interest on cash and cash equivalents

747

449

154

90

88

1,350

286

Total interest and dividend income

29,686

26,364

22,302

21,893

20,614

78,352

59,483

Interest expense

Interest expense on deposits

4,092

1,983

2,206

2,198

2,387

8,281

8,245

Interest expense on borrowings

993

558

586

767

503

2,137

2,280

Total interest expense

5,085

2,541

2,792

2,965

2,890

10,418

10,525

Net interest income

24,601

23,823

19,510

18,928

17,724

67,934

48,958

Provision (credit) for loan losses

2,381

(1,445

)

229

125

134

1,165

(182

)

Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses

22,220

25,268

19,281

18,803

17,590

66,769

49,140

Noninterest income

Bank owned life insurance

271

265

260

270

271

796

753

Service charges and fees

240

249

240

257

199

729

615

(Losses) gains and fees from sales of loans

(15

)

608

631

441

924

1,224

2,251

Other

(94

)

30

(173

)

(143

)

43

(237

)

1,213

Total noninterest income

402

1,152

958

825

1,437

2,512

4,832

Noninterest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

5,876

5,433

4,940

4,806

4,782

16,249

13,511

Occupancy and equipment

2,035

2,193

2,150

2,411

2,615

6,378

8,271

Professional services

994

1,000

981

628

498

2,975

1,632

Data processing

626

689

654

432

632

1,969

1,977

Director fees

325

339

352

335

324

1,016

968

FDIC insurance

255

262

223

231

298

740

1,001

Marketing

102

107

45

87

186

254

317

Other

818

913

580

749

1,035

2,311

2,383

Total noninterest expense

11,031

10,936

9,925

9,679

10,370

31,892

30,060

Income before income tax expense

11,591

15,484

10,314

9,949

8,657

37,389

23,912

Income tax expense

2,417

3,462

2,102

2,135

1,802

7,981

5,140

Net income

$

9,174

$

12,022

$

8,212

$

7,814

$

6,855

$

29,408

$

18,772

Earnings Per Common Share:

Basic

$

1.19

$

1.56

$

1.05

$

1.00

$

0.88

$

3.80

$

2.38

Diluted

$

1.18

$

1.55

$

1.04

$

0.99

$

0.87

$

3.75

$

2.37

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:

Basic

7,553,718

7,556,645

7,637,077

7,660,307

7,677,822

7,582,175

7,721,943

Diluted

7,612,421

7,614,243

7,719,405

7,726,420

7,738,758

7,664,123

7,779,632

Dividends per common share

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.18

$

0.18

$

0.60

$

0.46

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)

For the Quarter Ended

For the Nine Months

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

September 30,
2022

September 30,
2021

Performance ratios:

Return on average assets

1.47

%

1.96

%

1.35

%

1.32

%

1.22

%

1.59

%

1.12

%

Return on average shareholders' equity

15.73

%

22.09

%

16.05

%

15.44

%

14.09

%

17.94

%

13.29

%

Return on average tangible common equity

15.91

%

22.36

%

16.25

%

15.65

%

14.29

%

18.16

%

13.48

%

Net interest margin

4.12

%

4.01

%

3.30

%

3.43

%

3.39

%

3.81

%

3.08

%

Efficiency ratio(1)

44.1

%

43.8

%

48.5

%

48.8

%

54.1

%

45.3

%

55.8

%

Net loan charge-offs as a % of average loans

-

%

-

%

-

%

-

%

-

%

-

%

0.24

%

Dividend payout ratio(2)

16.95

%

12.90

%

19.23

%

18.18

%

20.69

%

16.00

%

19.41

%

(1) Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense, less other real estate owned expenses and amortization of intangible assets, divided by our operating revenue, which is equal to net interest income plus noninterest income excluding gains and losses on sales of securities and gains and losses on other real estate owned. In our judgment, the adjustments made to operating revenue allow investors and analysts to better assess our operating expenses in relation to our core operating revenue by removing the volatility that is associated with certain one-time items and other discrete items that are unrelated to our core business.

(2) The dividend payout ratio is calculated by dividing dividends per share by earnings per share.

As of

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

Capital ratios:

Total Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)

11.42

%

11.10

%

11.20

%

11.18

%

10.59

%

Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)

12.16

%

11.80

%

12.00

%

12.00

%

11.44

%

Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)

11.42

%

11.10

%

11.20

%

11.18

%

10.59

%

Tier I Capital to Average Assets(1)

11.31

%

10.15

%

9.80

%

9.94

%

9.61

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

8.41

%

9.16

%

8.32

%

8.13

%

8.70

%

Fully diluted tangible book value per common share

$

29.68

$

28.75

$

26.75

$

25.55

$

24.68

(1) Represents Bank ratios. Current period capital ratios are preliminary subject to finalization of the FDIC Call Report.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
ASSET QUALITY (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

Allowance for loan losses:

Balance at beginning of period

$

15,773

$

17,141

$

16,902

$

16,803

$

16,672

Charge-offs:

Commercial business

-

-

-

(26

)

-

Consumer

(8

)

-

(4

)

(5

)

(15

)

Total charge-offs

(8

)

-

(4

)

(31

)

(15

)

Recoveries:

Commercial real estate

-

77

-

-

-

Commercial business

21

-

13

2

11

Consumer

-

-

1

3

1

Total recoveries

21

77

14

5

12

Net loan recoveries (charge-offs)

13

77

10

(26

)

(3

)

Provision (Credit) for loan losses

2,381

(1,445

)

229

125

134

Balance at end of period

$

18,167

$

15,773

$

17,141

$

16,902

$

16,803

As of

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

Asset quality:

Nonaccrual loans

Residential real estate

$

2,137

$

2,161

$

2,181

$

2,380

$

1,849

Commercial real estate

2,894

2,955

3,365

3,482

16,314

Commercial business

2,380

787

817

1,728

1,754

Construction

9,382

9,382

9,382

8,997

8,997

Total nonaccrual loans

16,793

15,285

15,745

16,587

28,914

Other real estate owned

-

-

-

-

-

Total nonperforming assets

$

16,793

$

15,285

$

15,745

$

16,587

$

28,914

Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans

0.73

%

0.74

%

0.79

%

0.88

%

1.58

%

Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets

0.62

%

0.63

%

0.63

%

0.68

%

1.30

%

Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans

0.79

%

0.77

%

0.86

%

0.89

%

0.92

%

Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonperforming loans

108.18

%

103.19

%

108.87

%

101.90

%

58.11

%

Total past due loans to total loans

0.78

%

1.40

%

0.85

%

1.72

%

1.69

%

Total nonaccrual loans increased $0.2 million to $16.8 million as of September 30, 2022 when compared to December 31, 2021. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased to 0.62% at September 30, 2022, down from 0.68% at December 31, 2021. The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2022 was $18.2 million, representing 0.79% of total loans.

Past due loans decreased to $17.8 million, or 0.78% of total loans, as of September 30, 2022, compared to $32.6 million, or 1.72% of total loans, as of December 31, 2021.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
LOAN & DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

Period End Loan Composition

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

December 31,
2021

Current QTD
% Change

YTD
% Change

Residential Real Estate

$

61,664

$

64,253

$

79,987

(4.0

) %

(22.9

) %

Commercial Real Estate(1)

1,647,928

1,499,364

1,356,709

9.9

21.5

Construction

117,355

111,422

98,341

5.3

19.3

Total Real Estate Loans

1,826,947

1,675,039

1,535,037

9.1

19.0

Commercial Business

443,288

372,361

350,975

19.0

26.3

Consumer

16,558

9,196

8,869

80.1

86.7

Total Loans

$

2,286,793

$

2,056,596

$

1,894,881

11.2

%

20.7

%

(1) Includes owner occupied commercial real estate.

Gross loans totaled $2.3 billion at September 30, 2022, an increase of $391.9 million compared to December 31, 2021.

Period End Deposit Composition

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

December 31,
2021

Current QTD
% Change

YTD
% Change

Noninterest bearing demand

$

380,365

$

372,584

$

398,956

2.1

%

(4.7

) %

NOW

115,200

155,026

119,479

(25.7

)

(3.6

)

Money Market

836,564

833,730

954,674

0.3

(12.4

)

Savings

183,576

196,075

193,631

(6.4

)

(5.2

)

Time

770,997

476,110

457,258

61.9

68.6

Total Deposits

$

2,286,702

$

2,033,525

$

2,123,998

12.5

%

7.7

%

Total deposits were $2.3 billion at September 30, 2022, compared to $2.1 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $162.7 million, or 7.7%. The increase in deposits is primarily a result of an increase in brokered time deposits to fund the significant loan growth during the third quarter of 2022, increasing $338.1 million compared to December 31, 2021.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NONINTEREST INCOME (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

Noninterest income

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

September 30,
2021

Sep 22 vs. June 22
% Change

Sep 22 vs. Sep 21
% Change

Bank owned life insurance

$

271

$

265

$

271

2.3

%

-

%

Service charges and fees

240

249

199

(3.6

)

20.6

(Losses) gains and fees from sales of loans

(15

)

608

924

(102.5

)

(101.6

)

Other

(94

)

30

43

(413.3

)

(318.6

)

Total noninterest income

$

402

$

1,152

$

1,437

(65.1

) %

(72.0

) %

For the Nine Months Ended

Noninterest income

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2021

% Change

Gains and fees from sales of loans

$

1,224

$

2,251

(45.6

) %

Bank owned life insurance

796

753

5.7

Service charges and fees

729

615

18.5

Other

(237

)

1,213

(119.5

)

Total noninterest income

$

2,512

$

4,832

(48.0

) %

Noninterest income decreased by $1.0 million to $0.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Noninterest income decreased by $2.3 million to $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

The decrease in noninterest income was driven by a reduction in loan sales for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2022 when compared to the same periods in 2021. Loan sales decreased $0.9 million and $1.0 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. In addition, noninterest income declined due to the absence of rental income recognized during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2021, as a result of the disposition of the Company's former headquarters building. Noninterest income also declined for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due to a one-time federal payroll tax credit for COVID-19 of $0.9 million recognized in the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NONINTEREST EXPENSE (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

Noninterest expense

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

September 30,
2021

Sep 22 vs. June 22
% Change

Sep 22 vs. Sep 21
% Change

Salaries and employee benefits

$

5,876

$

5,433

$

4,782

8.2

%

22.9

%

Occupancy and equipment

2,035

2,193

2,615

(7.2

)

(22.2

)

Professional services

994

1,000

498

(0.6

)

99.6

Data processing

626

689

632

(9.1

)

(0.9

)

Director fees

325

339

324

(4.1

)

0.3

FDIC insurance

255

262

298

(2.7

)

(14.4

)

Marketing

102

107

186

(4.7

)

(45.2

)

Other

818

913

1,035

(10.4

)

(21.0

)

Total noninterest expense

$

11,031

$

10,936

$

10,370

0.9

%

6.4

%

For the Nine Months Ended

Noninterest expense

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2021

% Change

Salaries and employee benefits

$

16,249

$

13,511

20.3

%

Occupancy and equipment

6,378

8,271

(22.9

)

Professional services

2,975

1,632

82.3

Data processing

1,969

1,977

(0.4

)

Director fees

1,016

968

5.0

FDIC insurance

740

1,001

(26.1

)

Marketing

254

317

(19.9

)

Other

2,311

2,383

(3.0

)

Total noninterest expense

$

31,892

$

30,060

6.1

%

Noninterest expense increased by $0.7 million to $11.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Noninterest expense increased by $1.8 million to $31.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily driven by an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense and professional services expense, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy and equipment expense.

Salaries and employee benefits expense totaled $5.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $1.1 million when compared to the same period in 2021. Salaries and employee benefits expense totaled $16.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $2.7 million when compared to the same period in 2021. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense was driven by an increase in full time equivalent employees, as well as an increase in variable compensation as a result of the Bank's overall growth and improved performance. Full time equivalent employees totaled 140 at September 30, 2022 compared to 134 for the same period in 2021. Average full time equivalent employees totaled 131 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 127 for the same period in 2021. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense was partially offset by higher loan originations, which enabled the bank to defer a greater amount of expenses.

Professional services expense totaled $1.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $0.5 million when compared to the same period in 2021. Professional services expense totaled $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $1.3 million when compared to the same period in 2021. The increase in professional services expense was primarily driven by consulting fees associated with various projects, including our core system conversion.

Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $2.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $0.6 million when compared to the same period in 2021. Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $1.9 million when compared to the same period in 2021. The decrease in occupancy and equipment expense was primarily driven by the curtailment of additional cleaning costs associated with precautions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. In addition, the decrease in occupancy and equipment expense was impacted by a reduction in lease expense as a result of the branch closure in New Canaan, which occurred during the third quarter of 2021.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

As of

Computation of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

Total Equity

$

231,500

$

225,467

$

210,220

$

201,987

$

196,177

Less:

Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Other intangibles

-

-

-

-

58

Tangible Common Equity

$

228,911

$

222,878

$

207,631

$

199,398

$

193,530

Total Assets

$

2,722,995

$

2,435,552

$

2,496,877

$

2,456,264

$

2,226,688

Less:

Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Other intangibles

-

-

-

-

58

Tangible Assets

$

2,720,406

$

2,432,963

$

2,494,288

$

2,453,675

$

2,224,041

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

8.41

%

9.16

%

8.32

%

8.13

%

8.70

%

As of

Computation of Fully Diluted Tangible Book Value per Common Share

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

Total shareholders' equity

$

231,500

$

225,467

$

210,220

$

201,987

$

196,177

Less:

Preferred stock

-

-

-

-

-

Common shareholders' equity

$

231,500

$

225,467

$

210,220

$

201,987

$

196,177

Less:

Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Other intangibles

-

-

-

-

48

Tangible common shareholders' equity

$

228,911

$

222,878

$

207,631

$

199,398

$

193,540

Common shares issued and outstanding

7,711,843

7,752,389

7,761,338

7,803,166

7,842,824

Fully Diluted Tangible Book Value per Common Share

$

29.68

$

28.75

$

26.75

$

25.55

$

24.68

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (unaudited) - Continued
(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

For the Nine Months Ended

Computation of Efficiency Ratio

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

September 30,
2022

September 30,
2021

Noninterest expense

$

11,031

$

10,936

$

9,925

$

9,679

$

10,370

$

31,892

$

30,060

Less:

Amortization of intangible assets

-

-

-

48

9

-

28

Other real estate owned expenses

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Adjusted noninterest expense

$

11,031

$

10,936

$

9,925

$

9,631

$

10,361

$

31,892

$

30,032

Net interest income

$

24,601

$

23,823

$

19,510

$

18,928

$

17,724

$

67,934

$

48,958

Noninterest income

402

1,152

958

825

1,437

2,512

4,832

Less:

Net gain on sale of available for sale securities

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Operating revenue

$

25,003

$

24,975

$

20,468

$

19,753

$

19,161

$

70,446

$

53,790

Efficiency ratio

44.1

%

43.8

%

48.5

%

48.8

%

54.1

%

45.3

%

55.8

%

For the Quarter Ended

For the Nine Months Ended

Computation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

September 30,
2021

September 30,
2022

September 30,
2021

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders

$

9,174

$

12,022

$

8,212

$

7,814

$

6,855

$

29,408

$

18,772

Total average shareholders' equity

$

231,378

$

218,250

$

207,541

$

200,752

$

192,993

$

219,138

$

188,794

Less:

Average Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Average Other intangibles

-

-

-

45

54

-

64

Average tangible common equity

$

228,789

$

215,661

$

204,952

$

198,118

$

190,350

$

216,549

$

186,141

Annualized Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

15.91

%

22.36

%

16.25

%

15.65

%

14.29

%

18.16

%

13.48

%

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS ON A FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS - QTD (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2021

Average
Balance

Interest

Yield/
Rate (4)

Average
Balance

Interest

Yield/
Rate (4)

Assets:

Cash and Fed funds sold

$

130,440

$

747

2.27

%

$

209,500

$

88

0.17

%

Securities(1)

120,092

829

2.76

105,030

766

2.92

Loans:

Commercial real estate

1,512,381

18,830

4.87

1,270,375

14,345

4.42

Residential real estate

62,915

586

3.72

95,100

809

3.40

Construction

116,256

1,512

5.09

88,728

845

3.73

Commercial business

431,917

7,058

6.39

314,484

3,707

4.61

Consumer

12,145

142

4.65

8,870

89

3.99

Total loans

2,135,614

28,128

5.15

1,777,557

19,795

4.36

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

5,021

31

2.51

3,133

16

2.04

Total earning assets

2,391,167

$

29,735

4.87

%

2,095,220

$

20,665

3.86

%

Other assets

89,173

131,670

Total assets

$

2,480,340

$

2,226,890

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:

Interest bearing liabilities:

NOW

$

119,593

$

52

0.17

%

$

111,813

$

51

0.18

%

Money market

828,541

2,346

1.12

824,203

1,053

0.51

Savings

189,279

474

0.99

182,848

96

0.21

Time

557,243

1,220

0.87

448,218

1,187

1.05

Total interest bearing deposits

1,694,656

4,092

0.96

1,567,082

2,387

0.60

Borrowed Money

135,221

993

2.87

72,960

503

2.70

Total interest bearing liabilities

1,829,877

$

5,085

1.10

%

1,640,042

$

2,890

0.70

%

Noninterest bearing deposits

383,048

341,303

Other liabilities

36,037

52,552

Total liabilities

2,248,962

2,033,897

Shareholders' equity

231,378

192,993

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

2,480,340

$

2,226,890

Net interest income(2)

$

24,650

$

17,775

Interest rate spread

3.77

%

3.16

%

Net interest margin(3)

4.12

%

3.39

%

(1) Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.
(2) The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency amounted to $49 thousand and $51 thousand for the quarters ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(3) Annualized net interest income as a percentage of earning assets.
(4) Yields are calculated using the contractual day count convention for each respective product type.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS ON A FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS - YTD (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

For the Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2021

Average
Balance

Interest

Yield/
Rate (4)

Average
Balance

Interest

Yield/
Rate (4)

Assets:

Cash and Fed funds sold

$

240,252

$

1,350

0.75

%

$

315,102

$

286

0.12

%

Securities(1)

117,008

2,392

2.73

103,192

2,315

2.99

Loans:

Commercial real estate

1,433,642

51,104

4.70

1,188,049

40,802

4.53

Residential real estate

67,705

1,810

3.56

104,320

2,669

3.41

Construction

108,249

4,482

5.46

97,828

2,769

3.73

Commercial business

402,876

17,011

5.57

302,019

10,495

4.58

Consumer

7,844

290

4.94

7,601

226

3.97

Total loans

2,020,316

74,697

4.88

1,699,817

56,961

4.42

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

3,715

61

2.19

4,608

72

2.09

Total earning assets

2,381,291

$

78,500

4.35

%

2,122,719

$

59,634

3.70

%

Other assets

89,747

119,098

Total assets

$

2,471,038

$

2,241,817

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:

Interest bearing liabilities:

NOW

$

122,792

$

158

0.17

%

$

110,637

$

148

0.18

%

Money market

909,106

4,672

0.69

781,178

2,944

0.50

Savings

194,013

678

0.47

170,749

313

0.24

Time

487,792

2,773

0.76

532,278

4,840

1.22

Total interest bearing deposits

1,713,703

8,281

0.65

1,594,842

8,245

0.69

Borrowed Money

101,685

2,137

2.77

108,737

2,280

2.77

Total interest bearing liabilities

1,815,388

$

10,418

0.77

%

1,703,579

$

10,525

0.83

%

Noninterest bearing deposits

398,728

303,421

Other liabilities

37,784

46,023

Total liabilities

2,251,900

2,053,023

Shareholders' equity

219,138

188,794

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

2,471,038

$

2,241,817

Net interest income(2)

$

68,082

$

49,109

Interest rate spread

3.58

%

2.87

%

Net interest margin(3)

3.81

%

3.08

%

(1) Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.
(2) The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency amounted to $148 thousand and $151 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(3) Annualized net interest income as a percentage of earning assets.
(4) Yields are calculated using the contractual day count convention for each respective product type.

Christopher R. Gruseke, President and Chief Executive Officer
or
Penko Ivanov, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Bankwell Financial Group
(203) 652-0166

Source: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc