Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.® Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Results

TOPEKA, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.^® (NASDAQ: CFFN) (the “Company”), the parent company of Capitol Federal Savings Bank (the “Bank”), announced results today for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on or about August 8, 2022 and posted on our website, http://ir.capfed.com. For best viewing results, please view this release in Portable Document Format (PDF) on our website.

Highlights for the quarter include:

• net income of $21.2 million;
• basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.16;
• net interest margin of 1.79% (2.11% excluding the effects of the leverage strategy);
• annualized loan growth of 7.2%;
• paid dividends of $38.7 million, or $0.285 per share, including a $0.20 per share True Blue® Capitol dividend; and
• on July 19, 2022, announced a cash dividend of $0.085 per share, payable on August 19, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 5, 2022.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022

For the quarter ended June 30, 2022, the Company recognized net income of $21.2 million, or $0.16 per share, compared to net income of $21.6 million, or $0.16 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in net income was due primarily to a higher provision for credit losses, partially offset by an increase in net interest income and lower income tax expense. The net interest margin increased 10 basis points, from 1.69% for the prior quarter to 1.79% for the current quarter. When the leverage strategy discussed below is in place, it reduces the net interest margin due to the amount of earnings from the transaction in comparison to the size of the transaction. Excluding the effects of the leverage strategy, the net interest margin would have increased 10 basis points, from 2.01% for the prior quarter to 2.11% for the current quarter. The increase in the net interest margin excluding the effects of the leverage strategy was due mainly to an increase in asset yields and a change in the mix of interest-earning assets, as cash was used to fund loan growth.

Leverage Strategy

At times, the Bank has utilized a leverage strategy to increase earnings. The leverage strategy during the current quarter involved borrowing up to $2.10 billion by entering into short-term Federal Home Loan Bank Topeka (“FHLB”) advances. The borrowings were repaid prior to quarter end. The proceeds from the borrowings, net of the required FHLB stock holdings which yielded 6.5% during the current quarter, were deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (“FRB of Kansas City”). Net income attributable to the leverage strategy is largely derived from the dividends received on FHLB stock holdings, plus the net interest rate spread between the yield on the cash deposited at the FRB of Kansas City and the rate paid on the related FHLB borrowings, less applicable federal insurance premiums and estimated taxes. Net income attributable to the leverage strategy was $1.2 million during the current quarter and $1.8 million during the current year-to-date period. Management continues to monitor the net interest rate spread and overall profitability of the strategy. In July 2022, the level of borrowings associated with the leverage strategy was increased to $2.60 billion to further increase earnings, in response to the increase in the dividend rate paid by FHLB. It is expected that the strategy will continue to be utilized as long as it remains profitable.

Interest and Dividend Income

The following table presents the components of interest and dividend income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent. The weighted average yield on loans receivable increased four basis points and the weighted average yield on mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) increased eight basis points compared to the prior quarter.

The increase in interest income on loans receivable was due primarily to a decrease in correspondent loan premium amortization related to a reduction in payoff activity, as well as growth in the correspondent loan portfolio. The increase in interest income on MBS was due mainly to a decrease in premium amortization related to a slowdown in prepayment activity. The increase in dividend income on FHLB stock was due mainly to an increase in the dividend rate paid by FHLB. The increase in interest income on cash and cash equivalents was due to an increase in the yield earned on balances held at the FRB of Kansas City, the majority of which were related to the leverage strategy, due to an increase in market interest rates.

Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent. The weighted average rate paid on deposits and the weighted average rate paid on borrowings not associated with the leverage strategy each decreased three basis points compared to the prior quarter.

The increase in interest expense on borrowings was due primarily to an increase in the rate paid on the short-term borrowings associated with the leverage strategy during the current quarter, due to higher market interest rates. Additionally, the average balance of borrowings not associated with the leverage strategy increased compared to the prior quarter due to new borrowings added near the end of the quarter, totaling $250.0 million at a weighted average rate of 3.51%, which contributed to the increase in interest expense. The decrease in interest expense on deposits was due primarily to a decrease in the weighted average rate paid on retail certificates of deposit and a decrease in the average balance of the portfolio, as maturing accounts either were not renewed or were replaced at offered rates, which were lower than the existing portfolio.

Provision for Credit Losses

For the quarter ended June 30, 2022, the Bank recorded a provision for credit losses of $937 thousand, compared to a negative provision for credit losses of $3.2 million for the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses in the current quarter was comprised of a $796 thousand increase in the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) for loans and a $141 thousand increase in reserves for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The provision for credit losses was due primarily to selecting a weighted economic forecast to incorporate a recessionary outlook into the model, as well as commercial loan growth.

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in deposit service fees was due mainly to increases in debit card income and service charges as a result of higher transaction activity. The increase in insurance commissions was due primarily to the receipt of annual contingent insurance commissions in the prior quarter, which were lower than expected, and the related accrual adjustments. The increase in other non-interest income was due mainly to an increase in income on bank-owned life insurance related to the receipt of death benefits.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in salaries and employee benefits was due mainly to an increase in commissions due to an increase in loan origination activity, along with annual merit increases during the current quarter. The increase in regulatory and outside services was due primarily to the timing of external audit expenses, as well as an increase in consulting expenses related to the Bank’s upcoming implementation of a new core processing system. The decrease in advertising and promotional expense was due primarily to the timing of campaigns and sponsorships.

The Company’s efficiency ratio was 50.61% for the current quarter compared to 53.24% for the prior quarter. The improvement in the efficiency ratio was due primarily to higher net interest income. The efficiency ratio is a measure of a financial institution’s total non-interest expense as a percentage of the sum of net interest income (pre-provision for credit losses) and non-interest income. A lower value indicates that it is costing the financial institution less money to generate revenue, relative to the net interest margin and non-interest income.

Income Tax Expense

The following table presents pretax income, income tax expense, and net income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent and the effective tax rate.

The decrease in income tax expense was due primarily to lower pretax income in the current quarter, along with a decrease in the effective tax rate as a result of higher deductible expenses associated with dividends paid on allocated Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares due to the True Blue Capitol dividend paid in June 2022. Management anticipates the effective tax rate for fiscal year 2022 will be approximately 21%.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

The Company recognized net income of $65.0 million, or $0.48 per share, for the current year period compared to net income of $57.5 million, or $0.42 per share, for the prior year period. The increase in net income was due to an increase in net interest income, partially offset by higher income tax expense and a lower negative provision for credit losses. The net interest margin decreased six basis points, from 1.88% for the prior year period to 1.82% for the current year period. Excluding the effects of the leverage strategy, the net interest margin would have increased 16 basis points, from 1.88% for the prior year period to 2.04% for the current year period. The increase in net interest margin excluding the effects of the leverage strategy was due mainly to a reduction in the weighted average cost of retail certificates of deposit and borrowings, which outpaced the decrease in weighted average asset yields.

Interest and Dividend Income

The following table presents the components of interest and dividend income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The decrease in interest income on loans receivable was due to a decrease in the weighted average rate on the originated and correspondent one- to four-family loan portfolio, partially offset by the increase in the average balance of the loan portfolio. The decrease in the weighted average rate was due to endorsements, refinances, originations and purchases at lower market rates at the time of the transactions between periods, which are being fully reflected in the current year. Premium amortization related to the one- to four-family correspondent loan portfolio decreased significantly compared to the prior year period due to the slow-down in prepayments and endorsements resulting from an increase in market interest rates, partially offsetting the decrease in the weighted average rate.

The decrease in interest income on the MBS portfolio was due primarily to a decrease in the weighted average yield as a result of purchases at lower market yields between periods, along with a decrease in the average balance of the portfolio.

The increase in dividend income on FHLB stock and the increase in interest income on cash and cash equivalents were due mainly to the leverage strategy being utilized during the current year period and not being utilized during the prior period.

The increase in interest income on investment securities was due primarily to an increase in the average balance of the portfolio.

Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in interest expense on borrowings was due to the leverage strategy being utilized during a portion of the current year period and not being utilized during the prior year period. Interest expense on borrowings associated with the leverage strategy totaled $4.9 million during the current year period. This was partially offset by a lower cost of FHLB borrowings not associated with the leverage strategy due primarily to terminating or not renewing certain interest rate swap agreements, not replacing certain maturing FHLB advances, and prepaying certain advances during fiscal year 2021.

The decrease in interest expense on deposits was due mainly to a decrease in the weighted average rate paid on retail certificates of deposit, along with a decrease in the average balance of the portfolio. Retail certificates of deposit repriced downward between periods as they were renewed or were replaced at lower offered rates, along with some certificates of deposit not renewing.

Provision for Credit Losses

The Bank recorded a negative provision for credit losses during the current year period of $5.7 million, compared to a negative provision for credit losses of $7.2 million during the prior year period. The negative provision in the current year period was comprised of a $3.8 million decrease in the ACL for loans and a $1.9 million decrease in reserves for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The negative provision for credit losses associated with the ACL in the current year period was due primarily to a reduction in commercial loan qualitative factors, partially offset by an increase in ACL related to loan growth during the current year period. The negative provision for credit losses associated with the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures in the current year period was due primarily to a reduction in commercial loan qualitative factors.

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in deposit service fees was due primarily to an increase in debit card income and service charges as a result of higher transaction and settlement volume, in addition to an increase in the average transaction amount. The decrease in insurance commissions was due primarily to the receipt of annual contingent insurance commissions, which were lower than expected, and the related accrual adjustments. During the prior year period, the Bank sold its Visa Class B shares, resulting in a $7.4 million gain, with no similar transaction during the current year period. The increase in other non-interest income was due primarily to a gain on a loan-related financial derivative agreement.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in salaries and employee benefits was due primarily to merit increases and an increase in incentive compensation, partially offset by a decrease in commissions due to a reduction in loan origination activity compared to the prior year period. The increase in federal insurance premium expense was due mainly to an increase in average assets as a result of the leverage strategy being utilized during the current year period. During the prior year period, the Bank terminated $200.0 million of interest rate swaps, resulting in a loss of $4.8 million which was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to earnings. The decrease in other non-interest expense was due primarily to the write-down during the prior year period of a property that had previously served as one of the Bank’s branch locations.

The Company’s efficiency ratio was 51.99% for the current year period compared to 57.36% for the prior year period. The improvement in the efficiency ratio was due primarily to higher net interest income.

Management intends to implement a new core processing system for the Bank by September 2023. The replacement system is expected to better position the Bank for the future and allow for the introduction of new products and services to enhance customer experiences. The implementation of the new core system and related conversion of data may result in increased third party expenses later in fiscal year 2022 and during fiscal year 2023.

Income Tax Expense

The following table presents pretax income, income tax expense, and net income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent and effective tax rate.

The increase in income tax expense was due primarily to higher pretax income in the current year period. Additionally, the effective tax rate increased slightly compared to the prior year period, and is in line with management’s anticipation of an effective tax rate of approximately 21% for fiscal year 2022.

Financial Condition as of June 30, 2022

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial condition at the dates indicated.

During the current quarter and current year period, total assets decreased as cash and/or securities were partially reinvested in loans receivable. Deposit outflows, the majority of which occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2022, were replaced by an increase in borrowings. The decrease in stockholders’ equity from September 30, 2021 and March 31, 2022 to June 30, 2022 was due mainly to a reduction in AOCI as a result of changes in the fair value of AFS securities, along with the payment of a $0.20 per share True Blue Capitol dividend in June 2022.

During the current quarter, the deposit portfolio decreased $284.9 million, or 17.2% annualized. The decrease was primarily in retail certificates of deposit ($83.9 million), checking accounts ($70.0 million), public unit deposits ($67.0 million), and commercial certificates of deposit ($45.7 million). The decrease in checking accounts was mainly in retail accounts, as depositors used accumulated savings for other purposes during the quarter. The decrease in public unit deposits was due to the rapidly increasing costs of available funds in this category, to the point that rates were in excess of other funding sources available to the Bank.

Contacts

Kent Townsend

Executive Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(785) 231-6360

ktownsend@capfed.com

Investor Relations

(785) 270-6055

investorrelations@capfed.com

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