UCFC Announces Net Income of $4.1 Million

  • Return on average assets was 0.88% and return on average equity was 6.73% for the quarter
  • Annualized net loan growth, including loans held for sale, was 20.0% for the second quarter
  • Annualized deposit growth was 9.2% for the second quarter
  • Non-interest income increased 28.1%, or $1.2 million for the second quarter compared to the prior quarter
  • Efficiency ratio improved to 63.4% from 70.1% at March 31, 2015
  • Repurchased 1.5 million shares during the quarter

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio--()--United Community Financial Corp. (Company) (Nasdaq: UCFC), parent company of The Home Savings and Loan Company of Youngstown, Ohio (Home Savings), announced today that net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 totaled $4.1 million, or $.084 per diluted common share. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 totaled $7.8 million, or $0.159 per diluted common share.

Gary M. Small, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Community and Home Savings, commented that, “Strong second quarter performance reflects effective execution of our 2015 business plan, which focuses on commercial loan growth and continuous improvement in operating efficiency. The Home Savings team delivered loan growth of approximately $59.6 million for the quarter, with growth in each business segment.” Small continued, “We are very pleased with our consistent improvement in quarterly earnings, return on average assets and operating efficiency.”

Total Loans

Total outstanding loans, including loans held for sale, increased $90.7 million to $1.3 billion at June 30, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014. The increase was driven by a 23.9% increase, or $60.4 million in commercial loans during the first six months of 2015. Unfunded commercial loan commitments grew by 44.2% to approximately $83.9 million at June 30, 2015. Residential loans, including residential loans held for sale, increased 3.5%, or $26.6 million during the first six months of 2015.

Total Deposits

Total deposits increased $91.4 million to $1.4 billion at June 30, 2015, compared to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2014. Non-interest bearing accounts increased $18.3 million, or 9.7%, since year end. During the same time period interest bearing deposits increased 6.3%, or $73.1 million, which can be attributed to Home Savings’ planned expansion efforts in attracting public funds.

Second Quarter Results

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $13.9 million in the second quarter of 2015 up from the $12.7 million recorded in the second quarter of 2014 and level with the $13.9 million recorded in the previous quarter. The improvement in net interest income, when comparing the second quarter of 2015 to the second quarter of 2014, was due to an increase in average net loan balances totaling approximately $120.8 million. Additionally, funding costs were reduced due to a modification of an FHLB advance and the prepayment of two repurchase agreements late in 2014. Net interest margin was 3.16% for the second quarter of 2015, an increase from 3.09% for the second quarter of 2014, and a decrease from the 3.24% recorded in the previous quarter. The compression of net interest margin from the first quarter of 2015 to the second quarter of 2015 was a result of continued pressure on earning asset yields due to a change in loan mix. The Company expects improvement in the net interest margin during the third quarter as rates have increased from levels seen during the second quarter.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company recognized a provision for loan losses of $753,000 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to a negative provision of $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2014, and a negative provision of $184,000 in the previous quarter. The increase in provision expense during the second quarter of 2015 was substantially driven by strong loan growth. Additionally, the Company incurred chargeoffs that exceeded specific reserves during the quarter which was primarily the result of the charge-off of one commercial construction loan.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income was $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $3.4 million in the second quarter of 2014 and up from $4.1 million in the previous quarter. The increase in non-interest income in comparing the second quarter of 2015 to the second quarter of 2014 was primarily a result of increased mortgage banking income driven by an increase in the volume of loans sold into the secondary market. The increase in noninterest income in comparing the second quarter of 2015 to the first quarter of 2015 is a result of increased mortgage banking production coupled with the recovery of the mortgage servicing rights valuation adjustment.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense was $12.2 million for the second quarter of 2015 compared to $14.2 million for the second quarter of 2014, a decrease of $2.0 million. Significantly impacting this comparison was the recognition of a $923,000 charge related to cost reduction initiatives incurred during the second quarter of 2014. Additionally, all other major expense categories were down. Total non-interest expense also decreased $473,000, when comparing the second quarter of 2015 to the prior quarter.

Year to Date Results

Net Interest Income and Margin

Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $27.7 million in the first six months of 2015, an increase of $2.4 million from the same period in 2014. Net interest margin was 3.20% for the first half of 2015 compared to 3.08% in the first half of 2014. As in the second quarter of 2015, the net interest margin continues to be positively impacted by the modification of an FHLB advance and the prepayment of two repurchase agreements that occurred at the end of 2014.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company recognized a provision for loan losses of $569,000 in the first six months of 2015 compared to a negative provision of $1.6 million in first half of 2014. The increase in provision for loan losses was caused by an overall increase in outstanding loans during the first half of 2015. Also affecting the comparison, during this time period, a large commercial real estate loan paid off in the second quarter of 2014, releasing approximately $748,000 in reserves at that time.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income was $9.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $6.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. This favorable comparison is a result of mortgage banking income increasing. During the period, the Company realized a high level of mortgage loan production being sold into the secondary market along with improved pricing on loans sold.

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense was $24.9 million in the first half of 2015, a decrease of $2.9 million over the first half of 2014. All major expense categories declined as a result of aggressive process improvements and cost reduction efforts.

Asset Quality

Measures of asset quality continued to improve during the first half of 2015 with delinquent loans, nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets all moving in a positive direction. For the first six months of 2015, the allowance for loan loss as a percentage of total loans was 1.36% at June 30, 2015 compared with 1.52% at December 31, 2014 and 1.65% at June 30, 2014.

Conference Call

United Community Financial Corp. will host an earnings conference call on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. ET., to provide an overview of the Company's second quarter 2015 results and highlights. The conference call may be accessed by calling 1-877-272-7661 ten minutes prior to the start time. Please ask to be joined into the United Community Financial Corp. (UCFC) call. Additionally, a live webcast may be accessed from the Company’s website ir.ucfconline.com. Click on 2nd Quarter 2015 Conference Call on our corporate profile page to join the webcast.

United Community Financial Corp.

Home Savings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and operates 32 retail banking offices and nine loan production centers in Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Additional information on the Company and Home Savings may be found on the Company’s web site: www.ucfconline.com.

When used in this press release, the words or phrases “believes,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project”, “will have”, “can expect” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including changes in economic conditions in the Company’s market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates, demand for loans in the Company’s market area, and competition that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company advises readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements.

The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

       
UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Unaudited)
 
June 30, December 31,
2015 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Cash and deposits with banks $ 25,575 $ 21,152
Federal funds sold   23,408     11,828  
Total cash and cash equivalents 48,983 32,980
Securities:
Available for sale, at fair value 472,972 499,790
Held to maturity (fair value of $4,679 and $0, respectively) 4,775 -
Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or market 25,263 20,730
Loans held for sale, at fair value 9,839 -
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $16,881 and $17,687 1,224,468 1,148,093
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost 18,068 18,068
Premises and equipment, net 20,567 21,002
Accrued interest receivable 5,768 5,763
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets 3,361 3,467
Core deposit intangible 56 84
Cash surrender value of life insurance 54,073 46,401
Other assets   34,596     37,172  
Total assets $ 1,922,789   $ 1,833,550  
 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest bearing $ 1,233,019 $ 1,159,871
Non-interest bearing   206,228     187,965  
Total deposits 1,439,247 1,347,836
Borrowed funds:
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
Long-term advances 46,585 46,194
Short-term advances   145,500     140,000  
Total Federal Home Loan Bank advances 192,085 186,194
Repurchase agreements and other   30,546     30,558  
Total borrowed funds 222,631 216,752
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance 15,085 19,904
Accrued interest payable 227 185
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   9,137     8,738  
Total liabilities   1,686,327     1,593,415  
 
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred stock-no par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized and no shares outstanding - -
Common stock-no par value; 499,000,000 shares authorized; 54,138,910 shares
issued and 47,763,154 and 49,239,004 shares, respectively, outstanding 174,076 174,385
Retained earnings 134,820 128,512
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (22,045 ) (19,998 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 6,375,756 and 4,899,906 shares, respectively   (50,389 )   (42,764 )
Total shareholders’ equity   236,462     240,135  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,922,789   $ 1,833,550  
 
         
UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
     
For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2015 2015 2014 2015 2014
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income
Loans $ 12,890 $ 12,691 $ 12,361 $ 25,581 $ 24,483
Loans held for sale 341 294 74 635 123
Securities:
Available for sale 2,679 2,861 3,125 5,540 6,366
Held to maturity, nontaxable 12 - - 12 -
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends 178 182 230 360 497
Other interest earning assets   11     6     21     17     47  
Total interest income 16,111 16,034 15,811 32,145 31,516
Interest expense
Deposits 1,639 1,533 1,627 3,172 3,304
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 302 305 524 607 1,042
Repurchase agreements and other   319     316     919     635     1,827  

Total interest expense

  2,260     2,154     3,070     4,414     6,173  
Net interest income 13,851 13,880 12,741 27,731 25,343
Taxable equivalent adjustment   6     -     -     6     -  
Net interest income (FTE) (1) 13,857 13,880 12,741 27,737 25,343
Provision (recovery) for loan losses   753     (184 )   (1,614 )   569     (1,581 )
Net interest income after provision for loan losses (FTE)   13,104     14,064     14,355     27,168     26,924  
Non-interest income
Non-deposit investment income 248 292 407 540 748
Service fees and other charges:
Mortgage servicing fees 681 674 686 1,355 1,375
Deposit related fees 1,341 1,065 1,331 2,406 2,529
Mortgage servicing rights valuation 206 (161 ) (5 ) 45 (6 )
Mortgage servicing rights amortization (462 ) (443 ) (432 ) (905 ) (824 )
Other service fees 20 17 - 37 -
Net gains (losses):
Securities available for sale - 11 31 11 34
Mortgage banking income 2,041 1,553 312 3,594 924
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets charges, net (102 ) (90 ) (42 ) (192 ) (425 )
Card fees 925 816 852 1,741 1,624
Other income   377     384     298     761     683  
Total non-interest income   5,275     4,118     3,438     9,393     6,662  
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits 6,898 7,176 8,282 14,074 15,862
Occupancy 768 918 815 1,686 1,748
Equipment and data processing 1,719 1,672 1,963 3,391 3,761
Financial institutions tax 326 326 198 652 396
Advertising 221 142 247 363 436
Amortization of core deposit intangible 13 14 16 27 35
FDIC insurance premiums 307 326 327 633 580
Other insurance premiums 85 84 135 169 272
Professional fees:
Legal and consulting fees 311 217 177 528 338
Other professional fees 386 376 617 762 1,009
Real estate owned and other repossessed asset expenses 18 141 137 159 350
Other expenses   1,156     1,289     1,312     2,445     2,982  
Total non-interest expenses   12,208     12,681     14,226     24,889     27,769  
Income before income taxes 6,171 5,501 3,567 11,672 5,817
Taxable equivalent adjustment 6 - - 6 -
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,040     1,815     (38,837 )   3,855     (38,681 )
Net income $ 4,125   $ 3,686   $ 42,404   $ 7,811   $ 44,498  
 
Earnings per common share:
Basic $ 0.085 $ 0.075 $ 0.839 $ 0.160 $ 0.881
Diluted 0.084 0.074 0.835 0.159 0.878
 

(1) Net interest income is also presented on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis, as the Company believes this non-GAAP measure is the preferred industry measurement for this item.

 
     
UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.
SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
 
At or for the quarters ended
June 30, March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30,
2015 2015 2014 2014 2014
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Financial Data
Total assets $ 1,922,789 $ 1,860,620 $ 1,833,550 $ 1,801,540 $ 1,789,939
Total loans, net 1,224,468 1,168,434 1,148,093 1,119,955 1,086,771
Total securities 477,747 492,412 499,790 507,125 516,637
Total deposits 1,439,247 1,406,744 1,347,836 1,346,377 1,375,474
Total shareholders' equity 236,462 247,104 240,135 233,706 235,049
Net interest income 13,851 13,880 13,351 12,725 12,741
Net interest income (FTE) (1) 13,857 13,880 13,351 12,725 12,741
Provision (recovery) for loan losses 753 (184 ) 194 116 (1,614 )
Noninterest income 5,275 4,118 2,905 4,174 3,438
Noninterest expense 12,208 12,681 13,939 14,252 14,226
Income tax expense (benefit) 2,040 1,815 (685 ) (369 ) (38,837 )
Net income 4,125 3,686 2,808 2,900 42,404
 
Share Data
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.085 $ 0.075 $ 0.057 $ 0.058 $ 0.839
Diluted earnings per common share 0.084 0.074 0.056 0.058 0.835
Book value per common share 4.95 5.01 4.88 4.70 4.66
Tangible book value per common share 4.95 5.01 4.88 4.70 4.66
Market value per common share 5.35 5.46 5.37 4.68 4.13
 
Common shares outstanding at end of period 47,763 49,309 49,239 49,682 50,452
Weighted average shares outstanding--basic 48,359 49,022 49,244 49,698 50,274
Weighted average shares outstanding--diluted 48,634 49,295 49,531 49,958 50,495
 
Key Ratios
Return on average assets (2) 0.88 % 0.80 % 0.62 % 0.66 % 9.67 %
Return on average equity (3) 6.73 % 5.99 % 4.70 % 4.99 % 84.84 %
Net interest margin 3.16 % 3.24 % 3.16 % 3.06 % 3.09 %
Efficiency ratio 63.40 % 70.07 %

72.85

%

(4)

76.55 %

(4)

87.77 %
Nonperforming loans to net loans, end of period 1.55 % 1.72 % 1.78 % 1.85 % 1.87 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets, end of period 1.16 % 1.25 % 1.30 % 1.40 % 1.39 %
Allowance for loan loss as a percent of loans, end of period 1.36 % 1.45 % 1.52 % 1.59 % 1.65 %
Delinquent loans to total net loans, end of period 1.45 % 1.66 % 1.82 % 2.10 % 1.86 %
 
 
 

(1) Net interest income is also presented on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis, as the Company believes this non-GAAP measure is the preferred industry measurement for this item

(2) Net income divided by average total assets
(3) Net income divided by average total equity
(4) Excludes penalty on the prepayment of repurchase agreements
 
         
UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.
SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
 
At or for the quarters ended
June 30, March 31,

December 31

September 30

June 30,
2015 2015

2014

2014

2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Loan Portfolio Composition
Commercial loans
Multi-family $ 69,485 $ 63,597 $ 60,546 $ 56,445 $ 52,938
Owner/nonowner occupied commercial real estate 148,025 132,305 121,595 123,260 122,066
Land 10,231 9,437 9,484 9,487 9,635
Construction 16,265 11,030 16,064 4,667 1,010
Commercial and industrial   69,269     54,036     45,222     39,853     39,127  

Total

313,275 270,405 252,911 233,712 224,776
Residential mortgage loans
Real estate 709,342 696,387 694,105 669,270 645,211
Construction   34,074     37,293     37,113     52,735     51,974  
Total 743,416 733,680 731,218 722,005 697,185
Consumer loans
Consumer   183,696     180,735     180,754     181,474     182,027  
Total   183,696     180,735     180,754     181,474     182,027  
Total loans 1,240,387 1,184,820 1,164,883 1,137,191 1,103,988
Less:
Allowance for loan losses 16,881 17,221 17,687 18,132 18,264
Deferred loan costs, net   (962 )   (835 )   (897 )   (896 )   (1,047 )
Total   15,919     16,386     16,790     17,236     17,217  
Total loans, net 1,224,468 1,168,434 1,148,093 1,119,955 1,086,771
Loans held for sale, net   35,102     31,243     20,730     10,567     9,290  
Total loans $ 1,259,570   $ 1,199,677   $ 1,168,823   $ 1,130,522   $ 1,096,061  
 
 
At or for the quarters ended
June 30, March 31, December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

2015 2015 2014

2014

2014

(Dollars in thousands)
Deposit Portfolio Composition
Checking accounts
Interest bearing checking accounts $ 179,969 $ 184,029 $ 137,511 $ 131,266 $ 133,999
Non-interest bearing checking accounts   206,228     199,512     187,965     181,631     185,411  
Total checking accounts 386,197 383,541 325,476 312,897 319,410
Savings accounts 282,737 282,643 274,149 273,192 277,404
Money market accounts   313,602     310,983     312,911     313,513     326,738  
Total non-time deposits 982,536 977,167 912,536 899,602 923,552
Retail certificates of deposit   456,711     429,576     435,300     446,774     451,922  
Total certificates of deposit   456,711     429,576     435,300     446,774     451,922  
Total deposits $ 1,439,247   $ 1,406,743   $ 1,347,836   $ 1,346,376   $ 1,375,474  
 
Certificates of deposit as a percent of total deposits 31.73 % 30.54 % 32.30 % 33.18 % 32.86 %
 
         
UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.
SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Unaudited)
 
At or for the quarters ended

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

2015

2015

2014

2014

2014

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Allowance For Loan Losses
Beginning balance $ 17,221 $ 17,687 $ 18,132 $ 18,264 $ 20,554
Provision (recovery) 753 (184 ) 194 116 (1,614 )
Net chargeoffs   (1,093 )   (282 )   (639 )   (248 )   (676 )
Ending balance $ 16,881   $ 17,221   $ 17,687   $ 18,132   $ 18,264  
 
At or for the quarters ended

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

2015

2015

2014

2014

2014

(Dollars in thousands)
Net (Charge-offs) Recoveries
Commercial loans
Multi-family $ (64 ) $ 13 $ - $ - $ (135 )
Owner/nonowner occupied commercial real estate (31 ) 9 (25 ) (9 ) 56
Land - - - - -
Construction (603 ) - - - -
Commercial and industrial   127     75     199     158     218  
Total (571 ) 97 174 149 139
Residential mortgage loans
Real estate (306 ) 20 (141 ) (278 ) (181 )
Construction   -     -     (488 )   (90 )   (330 )
Total (306 ) 20 (629 ) (368 ) (511 )
Consumer loans
Consumer   (216 )   (399 )   (184 )   (29 )   (304 )
Total   (216 )   (399 )   (184 )   (29 )   (304 )
Total net chargeoffs $ (1,093 ) $ (282 ) $ (639 ) $ (248 ) $ (676 )
 
 
At or for the quarters ended

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

2015

2015

2014

2014

2014

(Dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming Loans
Commercial loans
Multi-family $ 85 $ 85 $ 93 $ 114 $ 134
Owner/nonowner occupied commercial real estate 5,637 5,700 5,781 6,804 4,902
Land 496 531 531 531 532
Construction 415 1,051 1,051 2,453 2,550
Commercial and industrial   4,016     4,016     4,016     4,144     4,151  
Total 10,649 11,383 11,472 14,046 12,269
Residential mortgage loans
Real estate 6,475 6,652 6,816 4,700 5,380
Construction   -     -     -     -     -  
Total 6,475 6,652 6,816 4,700 5,380
Consumer loans
Consumer   1,887     2,061     2,163     1,960     2,663  
Total   1,887     2,061     2,163     1,960     2,663  
Total nonperforming loans $ 19,011   $ 20,096   $ 20,451   $ 20,706   $ 20,312  
 
 
Total Nonperforming Loans and Nonperforming Assets
Past due 90 days and on nonaccrual status $ 14,246 $ 15,357 $ 16,018 $ 18,114 $ 16,637
Past due 90 days and still accruing   -     -     -     -     -  
Past due 90 days 14,246 15,357 16,018 18,114 16,637
Past due less than 90 days and on nonaccrual   4,765     4,739     4,433     2,592     3,675  
Total nonperforming loans 19,011 20,096 20,451 20,706 20,312
Other real estate owned 3,127 2,908 3,345 4,445 4,546
Repossessed assets   234     211     122     42     2  
Total nonperforming assets $ 22,372   $ 23,215   $ 23,918   $ 25,193   $ 24,860  
 

Contacts

Media:
Home Savings
Colleen Scott, 330-742-0638
Vice President of Marketing
cscott@homesavings.com
or
Investors:
United Community Financial Corp.
Gary M. Small, 330-742-0472
President and Chief Executive Officer

Contacts

Media:
Home Savings
Colleen Scott, 330-742-0638
Vice President of Marketing
cscott@homesavings.com
or
Investors:
United Community Financial Corp.
Gary M. Small, 330-742-0472
President and Chief Executive Officer