CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

TFS Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: TFSL) (the "Company"), the holding company for Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland (the "Association"), today announced results for the three months and nine months ended June 30, 2017.

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Marc A. Stefanski Chairman and CEO Third Federal Savings and Loan (Photo: Business Wire)

The Company reported net income of $22.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared to net income of $20.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The improvement was due to a combination of an increase in net interest income and an increase in the recovery of loan losses, partially offset by a decrease in non-interest income. The Company reported net income of $65.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017, compared to net income of $57.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, with similar individual variances between the two periods, plus lower non-interest expenses in the current period. In addition, results for the current nine month period had the benefit of a lower effective rate used to calculate income tax expense in accordance with recently adopted accounting guidance related to stock-based compensation.

“Another quarter of strong earnings reflect an increasingly healthy housing market,” said Marc A. Stefanski, Chairman and CEO of Third Federal. “Net income was up 10 percent over the same quarter last year. Because consumer confidence has improved, the housing market has strengthened, and we are seeing an increase in purchase mortgage originations, up 30 percent (fiscal) year-to-date, compared to the same three quarters in 2016. At the same time, increasing home values have helped generate overall loan growth, including strong demand for our home equity products.”

Net interest income in the current quarter was higher than the prior year quarter, as $6.7 million of additional interest income in the current period more than offset $3.8 million of additional interest expense. Interest income was higher, as a $900.1 million increase in the three-month average balance of interest-earning assets, mainly loans, more than offset the lower weighted average yield earned on those assets. The average cost of interest-bearing liabilities was higher in the current quarter as a result of increased short-term market interest rates and the use of longer duration funding sources that carried higher costs. Net interest income was $70.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $67.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Net interest income was $208.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and $202.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016. The interest rate spread was 2.02% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2.08% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The interest rate spread for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 was 2.04%, compared to 2.10% for the prior year period. The net interest margin for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was 2.16%, compared to 2.22% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The net interest margin for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 was 2.17%, as compared to 2.24% for the nine months ended June 30, 2016.

The provision for loan losses was a credit of $4.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to a credit of $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The provision for loan losses was a credit of $10.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 compared to a credit of $5.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016. The credit for the current quarter was a result of a combination of favorable trends including lower gross loan charge-offs, higher loan recoveries and lower levels of loans delinquent 90 days or more. Gross loan charge-offs were $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, while loan recoveries were $4.8 million in the current quarter and $3.2 million in the prior year quarter. As a result of loan recoveries exceeding charge-offs, the Company reported net loan recoveries of $2.1 million and $3.1 million for the three months and nine months, respectively, ended June 30, 2017, compared to $0.5 million and $1.8 million of net loan charge-offs for the three months and nine months, respectively, ended June 30, 2016. Of the $3.1 million of net loan recoveries in the current fiscal year, $2.3 million of net recoveries occurred in the residential core portfolio (first mortgage loans other than the Home Today portfolio), $1.6 million of net recoveries occurred in the home equity loans and lines of credit portfolio and $0.7 million of net charge-offs occurred in the Home Today portfolio. The allowance for loan losses was $54.9 million, or 0.45% of total loans receivable, at June 30, 2017, compared to $61.8 million, or 0.52% of total loans receivable, at September 30, 2016. The Home Today portfolio, which essentially has been in run-off status since 2009, totaled $112.0 million at June 30, 2017 and $121.9 million at September 30, 2016.

Non-accrual loans decreased $8.9 million to $81.1 million, or 0.66% of total loans, at June 30, 2017 from $90.0 million, or 0.76% of total loans, at September 30, 2016. The $8.9 million decrease in non-accrual loans for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 consisted of a $6.4 million decrease in the residential core portfolio; a $1.9 million decrease in the home equity loans and lines of credit portfolio and a $0.6 million decrease in the Home Today portfolio.

Total loan delinquencies decreased $6.0 million to $45.9 million, or 0.37% of total loans receivable, at June 30, 2017 from $52.0 million, or 0.44% of total loans receivable, at September 30, 2016. The real estate owned portfolio decreased $1.3 million, or 19.1%, to $5.5 million at June 30, 2017 from $6.8 million at September 30, 2016.

Total troubled debt restructurings decreased $5.1 million, to $165.5 million at June 30, 2017, from $170.6 million at September 30, 2016. Of the $165.5 million of troubled debt restructurings recorded at June 30, 2017, $89.3 million was in the residential core portfolio, $30.8 million was in the home equity loans and lines of credit portfolio and $45.5 million was in the Home Today portfolio. The portion of total troubled debt restructurings included as part of non-accrual loans was $61.5 million at June 30, 2017 and $63.7 million at September 30, 2016.

Total non-interest income decreased $4.2 million, to $14.7 million, for the nine months ended June 30, 2017, from $18.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, with a decrease in the gain on sale of loans and a decrease in death benefits from life insurance contracts being the primary reasons.

Total non-interest expenses decreased $3.8 million to $135.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 from $139.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, with a $3.4 million decrease in real estate owned expenses being the primary reason. Lower levels of real estate owned assets and improved execution on the disposition of those assets helped contribute to the lower overall expenses.

Total income tax expense increased by $2.4 million, to $32.4 million, for the nine months ended June 30, 2017, from $30.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, but the effective tax rate decreased to 33.0% from 34.2% as a result of recognizing $1.0 million of excess tax benefits in the current year period related to stock-based compensation. Effective October 1, 2016, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. Under this standard, excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to stock-based compensation are recognized in the provision for income taxes on the consolidated statement of operations. The amount recognized will vary based on a number of factors including the number of shares vesting or options exercised in the current period and the difference in stock price between grant date and exercise or vest date. Previously the amounts were recognized as part of paid-in capital in shareholders' equity.

Total assets increased by $619.5 million, or 5%, to $13.53 billion at June 30, 2017 from $12.91 billion at September 30, 2016. This change was mainly the result of new loan origination levels exceeding the total of loan sales and principal repayments, combined with a net increase in the combination of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities.

The combination of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities increased $45.4 million, or 6%, to $794.5 million at June 30, 2017 from $749.1 million at September 30, 2016.

The combination of loans held for investment, net and mortgage loans held for sale increased $552.3 million, or 5%, to $12.27 billion at June 30, 2017 from $11.71 billion at September 30, 2016. Residential core mortgage loans, including those held for sale, increased $550.2 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2017, while the home equity loans and lines of credit portfolio decreased $10.6 million. Total first mortgage loan originations were $2.11 billion for the nine months ended June 30, 2017, of which 51% were adjustable rate mortgages and 17% were fixed-rate mortgages with terms of 10 years or less. During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, $221.5 million of fixed-rate loans were sold resulting in a net gain of $1.5 million. Interest rate movements during the current fiscal year contributed to the lower percentage gains recognized than the previous fiscal year. During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, $151.1 million of fixed-rate loans were sold resulting in a net gain of $4.6 million.

Deposits decreased $155.5 million, or 2%, to $8.18 billion at June 30, 2017 from $8.33 billion at September 30, 2016. The decrease in deposits was the result of a $159.8 million decrease in our certificates of deposit ("CDs"), and a $9.6 million decrease in our savings accounts, partially offset by a $13.8 million increase in our checking accounts for the nine months ended June 30, 2017. Total deposits include $539.7 million and $539.8 million of brokered CDs at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.

Borrowed funds, all from the FHLB, increased $824.0 million, to $3.54 billion at June 30, 2017 from $2.72 billion at September 30, 2016, as a combination of loan growth, share repurchases and deposit withdrawals led to increased funding demands. This increase reflects a combination of an additional $700.3 million of five-year term advances and $209.0 million of short-term advances, partially offset by other principal repayments. Of the new five-year term advances, $700.0 million are actually 90 day advances that have an effective duration at inception of five years as a result of interest rate swap contracts. The total balance of borrowed funds of $3.54 billion at June 30, 2017 consisted of short-term advances of $1.06 billion, term advances of $1.18 billion with a remaining weighted average maturity of approximately 1.7 years and term advances of $1.30 billion aligned with interest rate swap contracts with a remaining weighted average effective maturity of approximately 4.4 years. The amount of FHLB stock owned at June 30, 2017 increased $17.2 million from September 30, 2016 to satisfy common stock ownership requirements related to the increase in the balance of FHLB advances.

Total shareholders' equity increased $17.2 million to $1.68 billion at June 30, 2017 from $1.66 billion at September 30, 2016. Activity reflects $65.9 million of net income in the current fiscal year, reduced by $43.3 million of repurchases of outstanding common stock and three quarterly dividends totaling $19.2 million, and was further impacted by a combination of adjustments related to our stock compensation plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan and accumulated other comprehensive loss. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, a total of 1,204,500 shares of our common stock were repurchased at an average cost of $16.10 per share. A total of 2,561,710 shares were repurchased at an average cost of $16.92 per share during the nine months ended June 30, 2017. At June 30, 2017, there were 8,337,790 shares remaining to be purchased under the Company's eighth repurchase program. The Company declared and paid a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share during each of the first three fiscal quarters. As a result of a mutual member vote, Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland, MHC (the "MHC"), the mutual holding company that owns approximately 80% of the outstanding stock of the Company, was able to waive its receipt of its share of each dividend paid. Under current Federal Reserve regulations, the MHC is required to obtain the approval of its members every 12 months for the MHC to waive its right to receive dividends. At a July 19, 2017 special meeting of members of the MHC, the members of the MHC (depositors and certain loan customers of the Association) voted to approve the MHC’s proposed waiver of dividends, aggregating up to $0.68 per share, to be declared on the Company’s common stock during the twelve months subsequent to the members’ approval (i.e., through July 19, 2018). The members approved the waiver by casting 64% of the eligible votes in favor of the waiver. Of the votes cast, 97% were in favor of the proposal. The MHC has filed a notice with, and a request for non-objection from, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland for the proposed dividend waivers. Both the non-objection from the Federal Reserve Bank and the timing of the non-objection are unknown at this point. The MHC has conducted the member vote to approve the dividend waiver each of the past four years under Federal Reserve regulations and for each of those four years, approximately 97% of the votes cast were in favor of the waiver.

The Association operates under the capital requirements for the standardized approach of the Basel III capital framework for U.S. banking organizations (“Basel III Rules”), subject to transitional provisions extending through the end of 2018. The Basel III Rules include a Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio, with a fully phased-in required minimum Common Equity Tier 1 and Capital Conservation Buffer at 7.00%. At June 30, 2017 all of the Association's capital ratios substantially exceed the amounts required for the Association to be considered "well capitalized" for regulatory capital purposes. The Association’s Tier 1 leverage ratio was 11.08%, its Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 ratios, as calculated under the fully phased-in Basel III Rules, were each 20.58% and its total capital ratio was 21.34%. Additionally, the Company's Tier 1 leverage ratio was 12.47%, its Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 ratios were each 23.11% and its total capital ratio was 23.87%.

Presentation slides as of June 30, 2017 will be available on the Company's website, www.thirdfederal.com, under the Investor Relations link, beginning July 28, 2017. As was the case last quarter, the Company will not be hosting a conference call to discuss its operating results.

Third Federal Savings and Loan Association is a leading provider of savings and mortgage products, and operates under the values of love, trust, respect, a commitment to excellence and fun. Founded in Cleveland in 1938 as a mutual association by Ben and Gerome Stefanski, Third Federal’s mission is to help people achieve the dream of home ownership and financial security. It became part of a public company in 2007 and celebrated its 75^th anniversary in May, 2013. Third Federal, which lends in 21 states and the District of Columbia, is dedicated to serving consumers with competitive rates and outstanding service. Third Federal, an equal housing lender, has 21 full service branches in Northeast Ohio, eight lending offices in Central and Southern Ohio, and 17 full service branches throughout Florida. As of June 30, 2017, the Company’s assets totaled $13.53 billion.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of such words as estimate, project, believe, intend, anticipate, plan, seek, expect and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, among other things:

• statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;
• statements regarding our business plans and prospects and growth and operating strategies;
• statements concerning trends in our provision for loan losses and charge-offs;
• statements regarding the trends in factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations, including asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and
• estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including, among other things, the following important factors that could affect the actual outcome of future events:

• significantly increased competition among depository and other financial institutions;
• inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our interest margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;
• general economic conditions, either globally, nationally or in our market areas, including employment prospects, real estate values and conditions that are worse than expected;
• decreased demand for our products and services and lower revenue and earnings because of a recession or other events;
• adverse changes and volatility in the securities markets, credit markets or real estate markets;
• legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business, including changes in regulatory costs and capital requirements and changes related to our ability to pay dividends and the ability of Third Federal Savings, MHC to waive dividends;
• our ability to enter new markets successfully and take advantage of growth opportunities, and the possible short-term dilutive effect of potential acquisitions or de novo branches, if any;
• changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
• changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
• future adverse developments concerning Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac;
• changes in monetary and fiscal policy of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve and changes in the level of government support of housing finance;
• changes in policy and/or assessment rates of taxing authorities that adversely affect us;
• changes in our organization, or compensation and benefit plans and changes in expense trends (including, but not limited to trends affecting non-performing assets, charge-offs and provisions for loan losses);
• the impact of the governmental effort to restructure the U.S. financial and regulatory system, including the extensive reforms enacted in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("DFA") and the continuing impact of our coming under the jurisdiction of new federal regulators;
• the inability of third-party providers to perform their obligations to us;
• a slowing or failure of the moderate economic recovery;
• the adoption of implementing regulations by a number of different regulatory bodies under the DFA, and uncertainty in the exact nature, extent and timing of such regulations and the impact they will have on us;
• the strength or weakness of the real estate markets and of the consumer and commercial credit sectors and its impact on the credit quality of our loans and other assets, and
• the ability of the U.S. Government to manage federal debt limits.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

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