Bankwell Financial Group Inc.

01/25/2023 | Press release | Archived content

Fourth Quarter 2022 Press Release

NEW CANAAN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWFG) reported GAAP net income of $8.0 million, or $1.04 per share for the fourth quarter of 2022, versus $7.8 million, or $0.99 per share, for the same period in 2021. For the year ended 2022, net income totaled $37.4 million, or $4.79 per share, versus $26.6 million, or $3.36 per share, for the same period in 2021.

The Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.20 per share cash dividend, payable February 23, 2023 to shareholders of record on February 13, 2023.

We recommend reading this earnings release in conjunction with the Fourth Quarter 2022 Investor Presentation, located at http://investor.mybankwell.com/Presentations and included as an exhibit to our January 25, 2023 Current Report on Form 8-K.

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

"I commend my colleagues at Bankwell for truly exceptional performance in 2022. Our Company posted record results, generating a 16.7% Return on Average Equity and a 1.44% Return on Average Assets. Loan balances grew by over 40%, and we continue to diversify our lending book and bring new commercial relationships to the Bank.

"This year's growth has positioned the Company well for the expected continued tightening actions by the Federal Reserve. The average yield of loans originated during 2022 was 6.24% while the average yield on fourth quarter originations was 7.23%.

"The historic actions of the Federal Reserve this year are yet to be played out, but based on a peak Federal Funds rate implied by financial markets, and our planning for no Fed rate cuts in 2023, we re-affirm our expectations for 2023's net interest income to decline by approximately 10% versus 2022.

"Tangible Book Value growth is imperative for value creation to accrue to our shareholders. We are pleased to acknowledge that the Company's Tangible Book Value per share has compounded at a rate of almost 18% since December 31, 2020.

We are proud of the work we have accomplished in transforming our Bank's business model in recent years, and thank our customers and clients who have made this success possible."

Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights:

  • Total gross loans were $2.7 billion, growing $780.6 million, or 41.2%, compared to December 31, 2021.
  • Average yield on 2022 funded loans was 6.24% compared to 4.56% for 2021.
  • Return on average assets was 1.07% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 and 1.44% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
  • Return on average shareholders' equity was 13.38% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 and 16.72% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
  • The net interest margin was 3.70% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 and 3.78% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
  • The efficiency ratio was 45.6% for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 and 45.4% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
  • Investment securities totaled $121.6 million and represent 3.7% of total assets.
  • Fully diluted tangible book value per share rose to $30.51 compared to $25.55 at December 31, 2021.

Earnings and Performance
Revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 were $27.3 million, versus $19.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $97.8 million, versus $73.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in interest and fees on loans due to record loan growth and higher overall loan yields1 for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenues was partially offset by the following: an increase in interest expense; a decrease in noninterest income driven by a reduction in loans sales and the absence of rental income in 2022 due to the disposition of the Company's former headquarters building in the fourth quarter of 2021. Revenues in 2021 also included a one-time federal payroll tax credit for COVID-19 of $0.9 million recognized in the quarter ended March 31, 2021 which did not repeat in 2022.

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was $8.0 million, versus $7.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $37.4 million, versus $26.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in net income was a direct result of the aforementioned increases in revenues. In addition, the increase in net income was partially offset by an increase in the provision for loan losses due to loan growth and an increase in noninterest expense for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $1.04 and $1.04, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $1.00 and $0.99, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $4.84 and $4.79, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $3.38 and $3.36, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021.

The net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent basis) for the quarters ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was 3.70% and 3.43%, respectively. The net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent basis) for the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was 3.78% and 3.17%, respectively. The increase in the net interest margin was due to an increase in overall loan yields, aided in part by elevated loan prepayment fees, partially offset by an increase in funding costs.

1 - The increase in overall loan yields were 122 bps and 68 bps, respectively, for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022.

Provision for Loan Losses

Provision for loan losses was $4.3 million and $5.4 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022, respectively, bringing the total allowance for loan losses to $22.4 million as of December 31, 2022. Provision for loan losses was $0.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 and a credit for loan losses of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in the Provision for loan losses for both the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 was attributable to loan growth.

On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASC 326 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ("CECL"). Upon adoption of CECL, the Company will record a one-time cumulative effect, pre-tax adjustment range of $3.4 million to $4.2 million to the Allowance for loan losses and a corresponding net of tax adjustment to beginning retained earnings. This impact will be reflected in the Company's first quarter 2023 financial statements.

Financial Condition

Assets totaled $3.25 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to assets of $2.46 billion at December 31, 2021. The increase in assets was primarily due to loan growth. Gross loans totaled $2.7 billion at December 31, 2022, an increase of $780.6 million or 41.2% compared to December 31, 2021. Deposits totaled $2.8 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to deposits of $2.1 billion at December 31, 2021.

Capital

Shareholders' equity totaled $238.5 million as of December 31, 2022, an increase of $36.5 million compared to December 31, 2021, primarily a result of (i) net income of $37.4 million for the year ended December 31, 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 of $16.8 million, partially offset by fair value marks on the Company's investment portfolio of $8.4 million. 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 $6.2 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 Courtney E. Sacchetti, 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 increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, general economic conditions or conditions within the securities markets, and legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect Bankwell Financial Group, its customers, counterparties, employees, and third party service providers, and the ultimate extent of the impacts on its business, financial position, results of operations, liquidity, and prospects is unknown.

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 assets, tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible common shareholders' equity, fully diluted tangible book value per common share, adjusted non interest expense, operating revenue, efficiency ratio, average tangible common equity, annualized return on average tangible common equity, return on average assets, return on average shareholders' equity, and the dividend payout ratio 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)

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

344,925

$

212,175

$

149,522

$

280,471

$

291,598

Federal funds sold

10,754

10,947

21,505

19,022

53,084

Cash and cash equivalents

355,679

223,122

171,027

299,493

344,682

Investment securities

Marketable equity securities, at fair value

1,988

1,973

2,126

2,090

2,168

Available for sale investment securities, at fair value

103,663

95,095

94,907

98,733

90,198

Held to maturity investment securities, at amortized cost

15,983

16,027

15,917

15,979

16,043

Total investment securities

121,634

113,095

112,950

116,802

108,409

Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $22,431, $18,167, $15,773, $17,141 and $16,902 at December 31, 2022, September 30, 2022, June 30, 2022, March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)

2,646,384

2,263,432

2,036,626

1,964,567

1,875,167

Accrued interest receivable

13,070

9,552

8,047

7,733

7,512

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost

5,216

5,039

5,064

2,870

2,814

Premises and equipment, net

27,199

27,510

27,768

25,661

25,588

Bank-owned life insurance

50,243

49,970

49,699

49,434

49,174

Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Deferred income taxes, net

7,422

5,952

4,768

6,879

7,621

Other assets

23,013

22,734

17,014

20,849

32,708

Total assets

$

3,252,449

$

2,722,995

$

2,435,552

$

2,496,877

$

2,456,264

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities

Deposits

Noninterest bearing deposits

$

404,559

$

380,365

$

372,584

$

412,985

$

398,956

Interest bearing deposits

2,396,259

1,906,337

1,660,941

1,753,219

1,725,042

Total deposits

2,800,818

2,286,702

2,033,525

2,166,204

2,123,998

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank

90,000

90,000

105,000

50,000

50,000

Subordinated debentures

68,959

68,897

34,500

34,471

34,441

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

54,203

45,896

37,060

35,982

45,838

Total liabilities

3,013,980

2,491,495

2,210,085

2,286,657

2,254,277

Shareholders' equity

Common stock, no par value

115,018

114,548

115,599

114,882

118,148

Retained earnings

123,640

117,152

109,523

99,047

92,400

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(189

)

(200

)

345

(3,709

)

(8,561

)

Total shareholders' equity

238,469

231,500

225,467

210,220

201,987

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

3,252,449

$

2,722,995

$

2,435,552

$

2,496,877

$

2,456,264

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

For the Quarter Ended

For the Year Ended

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

December 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

Interest and dividend income

Interest and fees on loans

$

36,545

$

28,128

$

25,141

$

21,428

$

21,081

$

111,242

$

78,042

Interest and dividends on securities

898

811

774

720

722

3,203

2,958

Interest on cash and cash equivalents

2,150

747

449

154

90

3,500

376

Total interest and dividend income

39,593

29,686

26,364

22,302

21,893

117,945

81,376

Interest expense

Interest expense on deposits

11,083

4,092

1,983

2,206

2,198

19,364

10,443

Interest expense on borrowings

1,701

993

558

586

767

3,838

3,047

Total interest expense

12,784

5,085

2,541

2,792

2,965

23,202

13,490

Net interest income

26,809

24,601

23,823

19,510

18,928

94,743

67,886

Provision (credit) for loan losses

4,272

2,381

(1,445

)

229

125

5,437

(57

)

Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses

22,537

22,220

25,268

19,281

18,803

89,306

67,943

Noninterest income

Bank owned life insurance

273

271

265

260

270

1,069

1,023

Service charges and fees

343

240

249

240

257

1,072

872

Gains (losses) and fees from sales of loans

12

(15

)

608

631

441

1,236

2,692

Other

(100

)

(94

)

30

(173

)

(143

)

(337

)

1,070

Total noninterest income

528

402

1,152

958

825

3,040

5,657

Noninterest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

5,988

5,876

5,433

4,940

4,806

22,237

18,317

Occupancy and equipment

1,919

2,035

2,193

2,150

2,411

8,297

10,682

Professional services

912

994

1,000

981

628

3,887

2,260

Data processing

663

626

689

654

432

2,632

2,409

Director fees

378

325

339

352

335

1,394

1,303

FDIC insurance

898

255

262

223

231

1,638

1,232

Marketing

112

102

107

45

87

366

404

Other

1,601

818

913

580

749

3,912

3,132

Total noninterest expense

12,471

11,031

10,936

9,925

9,679

44,363

39,739

Income before income tax expense

10,594

11,591

15,484

10,314

9,949

47,983

33,861

Income tax expense

2,573

2,417

3,462

2,102

2,135

10,554

7,275

Net income

$

8,021

$

9,174

$

12,022

$

8,212

$

7,814

$

37,429

$

26,586

Earnings Per Common Share:

Basic

$

1.04

$

1.19

$

1.56

$

1.05

$

1.00

$

4.84

$

3.38

Diluted

$

1.04

$

1.18

$

1.55

$

1.04

$

0.99

$

4.79

$

3.36

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:

Basic

7,507,540

7,553,718

7,556,645

7,637,077

7,660,307

7,563,363

7,706,407

Diluted

7,563,116

7,612,421

7,614,243

7,719,405

7,726,420

7,640,218

7,761,811

Dividends per common share

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.18

$

0.80

$

0.64

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)

For the Quarter Ended

For the Year Ended

December 31,

2022

September 30,

2022

June 30,

2022

March 31,

2022

December 31,

2021

December 31,

2022

December 31,

2021

Performance ratios:

Return on average assets

1.07

%

1.47

%

1.96

%

1.35

%

1.32

%

1.44

%

1.17

%

Return on average shareholders' equity

13.38

%

15.73

%

22.09

%

16.05

%

15.44

%

16.72

%

13.86

%

Return on average tangible common equity

13.52

%

15.91

%

22.36

%

16.25

%

15.65

%

16.91

%

14.05

%

Net interest margin

3.70

%

4.12

%

4.01

%

3.30

%

3.43

%

3.78

%

3.17

%

Efficiency ratio(1)

45.6

%

44.1

%

43.8

%

48.5

%

48.8

%

45.4

%

53.9

%

Net loan charge-offs as a % of average loans

-

%

-

%

-

%

-

%

-

%

-

%

0.23

%

Dividend payout ratio(2)

19.23

%

16.95

%

12.90

%

19.23

%

18.18

%

16.70

%

19.05

%

(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

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

Capital ratios:

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

10.28

%

11.42

%

11.10

%

11.20

%

11.18

%

Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)

11.07

%

12.16

%

11.80

%

12.00

%

12.00

%

Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)

10.28

%

11.42

%

11.10

%

11.20

%

11.18

%

Tier I Capital to Average Assets(1)

9.88

%

11.31

%

10.15

%

9.80

%

9.94

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

7.26

%

8.41

%

9.16

%

8.32

%

8.13

%

Fully diluted tangible book value per common share

$ 30.51

$ 29.68

$ 28.75

$ 26.75

$ 25.55

(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

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

Allowance for loan losses:

Balance at beginning of period

$

18,167

$

15,773

$

17,141

$

16,902

$

16,803

Charge-offs:

Commercial business

-

-

-

-

(26

)

Consumer

(11

)

(8

)

-

(4

)

(5

)

Total charge-offs

(11

)

(8

)

-

(4

)

(31

)

Recoveries:

Commercial real estate

-

-

77

-

-

Commercial business

-

21

-

13

2

Consumer

3

-

-

1

3

Total recoveries

3

21

77

14

5

Net loan (charge-offs) recoveries

(8

)

13

77

10

(26

)

Provision (credit) for loan losses

4,272

2,381

(1,445

)

229

125

Balance at end of period

$

22,431

$

18,167

$

15,773

$

17,141

$

16,902

As of

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

Asset quality:

Nonaccrual loans

Residential real estate

$

2,152

$

2,137

$

2,161

$

2,181

$

2,380

Commercial real estate

2,781

2,894

2,955

3,365

3,482

Commercial business

2,126

2,380

787

817

1,728

Construction

9,382

9,382

9,382

9,382

8,997

Total nonaccrual loans

16,441

16,793

15,285

15,745

16,587

Other real estate owned

-

-

-

-

-

Total nonperforming assets

$

16,441

$

16,793

$

15,285

$

15,745

$

16,587

Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans

0.61

%

0.73

%

0.74

%

0.79

%

0.88

%

Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets

0.51

%

0.62

%

0.63

%

0.63

%

0.68

%

Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans

0.84

%

0.79

%

0.77

%

0.86

%

0.89

%

Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonperforming loans

136.43

%

108.18

%

103.19

%

108.87

%

101.90

%

Total past due loans to total loans

0.60

%

0.78

%

1.40

%

0.85

%

1.72

%

Total nonaccrual loans decreased $0.1 million to $16.4 million as of December 31, 2022 when compared to December 31, 2021. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased to 0.51% at December 31, 2022, down from 0.68% at December 31, 2021. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2022 was $22.4 million, representing 0.84% of total loans.

Past due loans decreased to $16.1 million, or 0.60% of total loans, as of December 31, 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

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

December 31,
2021

Current QTD
% Change

YTD
% Change

Residential Real Estate

$

60,588

$

61,664

$

79,987

(1.7

)%

(24.3

)%

Commercial Real Estate(1)

1,921,252

1,647,928

1,356,709

16.6

41.6

Construction

155,198

117,355

98,341

32.2

57.8

Total Real Estate Loans

2,137,038

1,826,947

1,535,037

17.0

39.2

Commercial Business

520,447

443,288

350,975

17.4

48.3

Consumer

17,963

16,558

8,869

8.5

102.5

Total Loans

$

2,675,448

$

2,286,793

$

1,894,881

17.0

%

41.2

%

(1) Includes owner occupied commercial real estate.

Gross loans totaled $2.7 billion at December 31, 2022, an increase of $780.6 million or 41.2% compared to December 31, 2021.

Period End Deposit Composition

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

December 31,
2021

Current QTD
% Change

YTD
% Change

Noninterest bearing demand

$

404,559

$

380,365

$

398,956

6.4

%

1.4

%

NOW

104,057

115,200

119,479

(9.7

)

(12.9

)

Money Market

913,868

836,564

954,674

9.2

(4.3

)

Savings

151,944

183,576

193,631

(17.2

)

(21.5

)

Time

1,226,390

770,997

457,258

59.1

168.2

Total Deposits

$

2,800,818

$

2,286,702

$

2,123,998

22.5

%

31.9

%

Total deposits were $2.8 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $2.1 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $676.8 million, or 31.9%. The increase in deposits is primarily a result of an increase in brokered time deposits to fund the significant loan growth during the second half of 2022, increasing by $727.1 million compared to December 31, 2021.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

NONINTEREST INCOME (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

Noninterest income

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

December 31,
2021

Dec 22 vs. Sep 22 % Change

Dec 22 vs. Dec 21 % Change

Bank owned life insurance

$

273

$

271

$

270

0.7

%

1.1

%

Service charges and fees

343

240

257

42.9

33.5

Gains (losses) and fees from sales of loans

12

(15

)

441

180.0

(97.3

)

Other

(100

)

(94

)

(143

)

6.4

30.1

Total noninterest income

$

528

$

402

$

825

31.3

%

(36.0

)%

For the Year Ended

Noninterest income

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

% Change

Gains and fees from sales of loans

$

1,236

$

2,692

(54.1

)%

Bank owned life insurance

1,069

1,023

4.5

Service charges and fees

1,072

872

22.9

Other

(337

)

1,070

(131.5

)

Total noninterest income

$

3,040

$

5,657

(46.3

)%

Noninterest income decreased by $0.3 million to $0.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Noninterest income decreased by $2.6 million to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021.

The decrease in noninterest income was driven by a reduction in loan sales for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the same periods in 2021. Noninterest income also declined for the year ended December 31, 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. The decrease in noninterest income was also due to the absence of $0.7 million of rental income in 2022 due to the disposition of the Company's former headquarters building in the fourth quarter of 2021.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

Noninterest expense

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

December 31,
2021

Dec 22 vs. Sep 22 % Change

Dec 22 vs. Dec 21 % Change

Salaries and employee benefits

$

5,988

$

5,876

$

4,806

1.9

%

24.6

%

Occupancy and equipment

1,919

2,035

2,411

(5.7

)

(20.4

)

Professional services

912

994

628

(8.2

)

45.2

Data processing

663

626

432

5.9

53.5

Director fees

378

325

335

16.3

12.8

FDIC insurance

898

255

231

252.2

288.7

Marketing

112

102

87

9.8

28.7

Other

1,601

818

749

95.7

113.8

Total noninterest expense

$

12,471

$

11,031

$

9,679

13.1

%

28.8

%

For the Year Ended

Noninterest expense

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

% Change

Salaries and employee benefits

$

22,237

$

18,317

21.4

%

Occupancy and equipment

8,297

10,682

(22.3

)

Professional services

3,887

2,260

72.0

Data processing

2,632

2,409

9.3

Director fees

1,394

1,303

7.0

FDIC insurance

1,638

1,232

33.0

Marketing

366

404

(9.4

)

Other

3,912

3,132

24.9

Total noninterest expense

$

44,363

$

39,739

11.6

%

Noninterest expense increased by $2.8 million to $12.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2021. Noninterest expense increased by $4.6 million to $44.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily driven by an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, professional services expense, FDIC insurance, and customer fraud reimbursement and deposit account fraud within Other. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in occupancy and equipment expense.

Salaries and employee benefits expense totaled $6.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $1.2 million when compared to the same period in 2021. Salaries and employee benefits expense totaled $22.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $3.9 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 136 at December 31, 2022 compared to 126 for the same period in 2021. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense was partially offset by an increase in deferred loan costs due to higher loan originations.

Professional services expense totaled $0.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $0.3 million when compared to the same period in 2021. Professional services expense totaled $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $1.6 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.

FDIC insurance expense totaled $0.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $0.7 million when compared to the same period in 2021. FDIC insurance expense totaled $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $0.4 million when compared to the same period in 2021. The higher FDIC insurance expense is attributed to the overall balance sheet growth and increased use of brokered deposits.

Other expense totaled $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $0.9 million when compared to the same period in 2021. Other expense totaled $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $0.8 million. The increase was mainly attributable to four events of customer reimbursed fraud and deposit account fraud recognized in the quarter ended December 31 2022, the largest of which was a $189 thousand customer reimbursement.

Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $1.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $0.5 million when compared to the same period in 2021. Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $2.4 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 year ended December 31, 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

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

Total Equity

$

238,469

$

231,500

$

225,467

$

210,220

$

201,987

Less:

Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Other intangibles

-

-

-

-

-

Tangible Common Equity

$

235,880

$

228,911

$

222,878

$

207,631

$

199,398

Total Assets

$

3,252,449

$

2,722,995

$

2,435,552

$

2,496,877

$

2,456,264

Less:

Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Other intangibles

-

-

-

-

-

Tangible Assets

$

3,249,860

$

2,720,406

$

2,432,963

$

2,494,288

$

2,453,675

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

7.26

%

8.41

%

9.16

%

8.32

%

8.13

%

As of

Computation of Fully Diluted Tangible Book Value per Common Share

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

Total shareholders' equity

$

238,469

$

231,500

$

225,467

$

210,220

$

201,987

Less:

Preferred stock

-

-

-

-

-

Common shareholders' equity

$

238,469

$

231,500

$

225,467

$

210,220

$

201,987

Less:

Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Other intangibles

-

-

-

-

-

Tangible common shareholders' equity

$

235,880

$

228,911

$

222,878

$

207,631

$

199,398

Common shares issued and outstanding

7,730,699

7,711,843

7,752,389

7,761,338

7,803,166

Fully Diluted Tangible Book Value per Common Share

$

30.51

$

29.68

$

28.75

$

26.75

$

25.55

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (unaudited) - Continued

(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

For the Year Ended

Computation of Efficiency Ratio

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

December 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

Noninterest expense

$

12,471

$

11,031

$

10,936

$

9,925

$

9,679

$

44,363

$

39,739

Less:

Amortization of intangible assets

-

-

-

-

48

-

76

Other real estate owned expenses

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Adjusted noninterest expense

$

12,471

$

11,031

$

10,936

$

9,925

$

9,631

$

44,363

$

39,663

Net interest income

$

26,809

$

24,601

$

23,823

$

19,510

$

18,928

$

94,743

$

67,886

Noninterest income

528

402

1,152

958

825

3,040

5,657

Less:

Net gain on sale of available for sale securities

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Operating revenue

$

27,337

$

25,003

$

24,975

$

20,468

$

19,753

$

97,783

$

73,543

Efficiency ratio

45.6

%

44.1

%

43.8

%

48.5

%

48.8

%

45.4

%

53.9

%

For the Quarter Ended

For the Year Ended

Computation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

December 31,
2022

September 30,
2022

June 30,
2022

March 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

December 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders

$

8,021

$

9,174

$

12,022

$

8,212

$

7,814

$

37,429

$

26,586

Total average shareholders' equity

$

237,922

$

231,378

$

218,250

$

207,541

$

200,752

$

223,874

$

191,808

Less:

Average Goodwill

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

2,589

Average Other intangibles

-

-

-

-

45

-

59

Average tangible common equity

$

235,333

$

228,789

$

215,661

$

204,952

$

198,118

$

221,285

$

189,160

Annualized Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

13.52

%

15.91

%

22.36

%

16.25

%

15.65

%

16.91

%

14.05

%

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS ON A FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS - QTD (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

Average Balance

Interest

Yield/

Rate (4)

Average

Balance

Interest

Yield/

Rate (4)

Assets:

Cash and Fed funds sold

$

231,767

$

2,150

3.68

%

$

233,196

$

90

0.15

%

Securities(1)

123,274

887

2.88

104,797

756

2.89

Loans:

Commercial real estate

1,828,306

24,998

5.35

1,337,147

15,104

4.42

Residential real estate

61,057

599

3.92

83,763

694

3.31

Construction

138,552

2,185

6.17

95,611

972

3.98

Commercial business

499,030

8,549

6.70

347,394

4,222

4.75

Consumer

16,875

214

5.05

8,904

89

3.97

Total loans

2,543,820

36,545

5.62

1,872,819

21,081

4.40

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

5,371

64

4.72

2,814

16

2.28

Total earning assets

2,904,232

$

39,646

5.34

%

2,213,626

$

21,943

3.88

%

Other assets

76,703

130,512

Total assets

$

2,980,935

$

2,344,138

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:

Interest bearing liabilities:

NOW

$

107,118

$

45

0.17

%

$

114,158

$

51

0.18

%

Money market

837,486

4,158

1.97

874,352

1,097

0.50

Savings

170,903

581

1.35

190,118

100

0.21

Time

1,002,012

6,299

2.49

438,627

950

0.86

Total interest bearing deposits

2,117,519

11,083

2.08

1,617,255

2,198

0.54

Borrowed Money

170,202

1,701

3.91

89,726

767

3.35

Total interest bearing liabilities

2,287,721

$

12,784

2.22

%

1,706,981

$

2,965

0.69

%

Noninterest bearing deposits

407,923

383,557

Other liabilities

47,369

52,848

Total liabilities

2,743,013

2,143,386

Shareholders' equity

237,922

200,752

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

2,980,935

$

2,344,138

Net interest income(2)

$

26,862

$

18,978

Interest rate spread

3.12

%

3.19

%

Net interest margin(3)

3.70

%

3.43

%

(1)

Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.

(2)

The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency amounted to $52 thousand and $50 thousand for the quarters ended December 31, 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 Year Ended

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

Average

Balance

Interest

Yield/

Rate (4)

Average

Balance

Interest

Yield/

Rate (4)

Assets:

Cash and Fed funds sold

$

238,233

$

3,500

1.47

%

$

294,471

$

376

0.13

%

Securities(1)

118,591

3,280

2.77

103,592

3,071

2.96

Loans:

Commercial real estate

1,532,971

76,103

4.90

1,225,770

55,995

4.51

Residential real estate

66,028

2,408

3.65

99,101

3,363

3.39

Construction

115,902

6,666

5.67

97,163

3,780

3.84

Commercial business

427,178

25,561

5.90

313,422

14,589

4.59

Consumer

10,121

504

4.98

7,929

315

3.97

Total loans

2,152,200

111,242

5.10

1,743,385

78,042

4.42

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

4,132

124

3.00

4,156

88

2.12

Total earning assets

2,513,156

$

118,146

4.64

%

2,145,604

$

81,577

3.75

%

Other assets

86,485

120,955

Total assets

$

2,599,641

$

2,266,559

Liabilities and shareholders' equity:

Interest bearing liabilities:

NOW

$

118,837

$

203

0.17

%

$

111,515

$

198

0.18

%

Money market

891,095

8,830

0.99

804,679

4,042

0.50

Savings

188,186

1,259

0.67

175,629

413

0.23

Time

617,480

9,072

1.47

508,651

5,790

1.14

Total interest bearing deposits

1,815,598

19,364

1.07

1,600,474

10,443

0.65

Borrowed Money

118,960

3,838

3.18

103,919

3,047

2.89

Total interest bearing liabilities

1,934,558

$

23,202

1.20

%

1,704,393

$

13,490

0.79

%

Noninterest bearing deposits

401,005

323,648

Other liabilities

40,204

46,710

Total liabilities

2,375,767

2,074,751

Shareholders' equity

223,874

191,808

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

2,599,641

$

2,266,559

Net interest income(2)

$

94,944

$

68,087

Interest rate spread

3.44

%

2.96

%

Net interest margin(3)

3.78

%

3.17

%

(1)

Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.

(2)

The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency amounted to $200 thousand and $201 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

(3)

Yields are calculated using the contractual day count convention for each respective product type.

Christopher R. Gruseke, President and Chief Executive Officer
or
Courtney E. Sacchetti, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Bankwell Financial Group
(203) 652-0166

Source: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc