On a sequential quarter basis, the $2.14 million net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 reflects a 22 percent increase from $1.76 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to the $1.27 million impact from the change in the provision for credit losses resulting from the $720,000 recovery of credit losses in the current quarter, in contrast to a $545,000 provision for credit losses in the prior sequential quarter and a $124,000 increase in non-interest income (mainly due to loan prepayment fees and other income), partly offset by a $365,000 decrease in net interest income and a $488,000 increase in non-interest expense (mainly as a result of salaries and employee benefits, attributable to a higher adjustment for the supplemental executive retirement plans). The recovery of credit losses was primarily attributable to a shorter estimated life of the loan portfolio resulting from lower market interest rates and higher prepayment estimates. Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 were $0.31 per share, up 24 percent from $0.25 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Return on average assets was 0.66 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, compared to 0.54 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Return on average stockholders’ equity for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was 6.56 percent, compared to 5.40 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

Net income decreased $558,000, or 13 percent, to $3.90 million for the six months ended December 31, 2023 from $4.46 million in the comparable period in 2022. Diluted earnings per share for the six months ended December 31, 2023 decreased eight percent to $0.56 per share (on 7.00 million average diluted shares outstanding) from $0.61 per share (on 7.27 million average diluted shares outstanding) for the comparable six-month period last year. The decrease in earnings was primarily attributable to a $437,000 decrease in net-interest income, a $333,000 decrease in non-interest income (mainly due to loan prepayment fees) and a $461,000 increase in non-interest expense (mainly as a result of salaries and employee benefits, premises and occupancy expenses and deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments), partly offset by a $436,000 change in the provision for credit losses resulting from the $175,000 recovery of credit losses for the six months ended December 31, 2023, in contrast to the $261,000 provision for credit losses for the comparable six-month period last year.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2024, net interest income decreased $611,000, or seven percent, to $8.77 million from $9.39 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily due to a lower net interest margin, partly offset by a higher average balance of interest-earning assets. The net interest margin during the second quarter of fiscal 2024 decreased 27 basis points to 2.78 percent from 3.05 percent in the same quarter last year. The average yield on interest-earning assets increased 70 basis points to 4.33 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from 3.63 percent in the same quarter last year while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased by 106 basis points to 1.69 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from 0.63 percent in the same quarter last year. The average balance of interest-earning assets increased three percent to $1.26 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $1.23 billion in the same quarter last year, primarily due to increases in the average balance of loans receivable, partly offset by a decrease in the average balance of investment securities.

Interest income on loans receivable increased $2.27 million, or 22 percent, to $12.51 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $10.24 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase was due to a higher average loan yield and, to a lesser extent, a higher average loan balance. The average yield on loans receivable increased 65 basis points to 4.66 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from 4.01 percent in the same quarter last year. Adjustable-rate loans of approximately $89.3 million repriced upward in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 by approximately 97 basis points from a weighted average rate of 6.34 percent to 7.31 percent. The average balance of loans receivable increased $53.0 million, or five percent, to $1.07 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $1.02 billion in the same quarter last year. Total loans originated for investment in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 were $20.2 million, down 73 percent from $74.3 million in the same quarter last year. Loan principal payments received in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 were $17.8 million, down 36 percent from $28.0 million in the same quarter last year.

Interest income from investment securities decreased four percent to $524,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $548,000 for the same quarter of fiscal 2023. This decrease was attributable to a lower average balance, partly offset by a higher average yield. The average balance of investment securities decreased $28.0 million, or 16 percent, to $147.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $175.2 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease in the average balance was due to scheduled principal payments on and prepayments of the investment securities. The average yield on investment securities increased 17 basis points to 1.42 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from 1.25 percent for the same quarter last year. The increase in the average yield was primarily attributable to a lower premium amortization during the current quarter in comparison to the same quarter last year ($137,000 vs. $203,000) due to lower total principal repayments ($5.9 million vs. $7.6 million) and, to a lesser extent, the upward repricing of adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2024, the Federal Home Loan Bank – San Francisco (“FHLB”) distributed $197,000 in cash dividends to the Bank on its FHLB stock, up 36 percent from $145,000 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an average yield on FHLB stock of 8.29 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to 7.04 percent in the same quarter last year. The average balance of FHLB – San Francisco stock in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $9.5 million, up from $8.2 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2023.

Interest income from interest-earning deposits, primarily cash deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, was $435,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, up 80 percent from $241,000 in the same quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase was due to a higher average yield and, to a lesser extent, a higher average balance. The average yield earned on interest-earning deposits in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was 5.41 percent, up 152 basis points from 3.89 percent in the same quarter last year. The increase in the average yield was due to a higher average interest rate on the Federal Reserve Bank’s reserve balances resulting from recent increases in the targeted federal funds rate. The average balance of the Company’s interest-earning deposits increased $7.3 million, or 30 percent, to $31.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $24.2 million in the same quarter last year.

Interest expense on deposits for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $2.27 million, a 379 percent increase from $475,000 for the same period last year. The increase in interest expense on deposits was attributable to a higher weighted average cost, partly offset by a lower average balance. The average cost of deposits was 0.99 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, up 79 basis points from 0.20 percent in the same quarter last year. The increase in the average cost of deposits was primarily attributable to an increase in higher costing time deposits, particularly brokered certificates of deposit. The average balance of deposits decreased $47.8 million, or five percent, to $914.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $962.4 million in the same quarter last year.

Transaction account balances or “core deposits” decreased $72.0 million, or 10 percent, to $657.6 million at December 31, 2023 from $729.6 million at June 30, 2023, while time deposits increased $33.4 million, or 15 percent, to $254.3 million at December 31, 2023 from $220.9 million at June 30, 2023. The increase in time deposits was primarily due to an increase in brokered certificates of deposits. As of December 31, 2023, brokered certificates of deposit totaled $122.7 million with a weighted average cost of 5.26 percent (including broker fees), up 15 percent from $106.4 million with a weighted average cost of 4.78 percent at June 30, 2023.

Interest expense on borrowings, consisting of FHLB – San Francisco advances, for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 increased $1.31 million, or 100 percent, to $2.62 million from $1.31 million for the same period last year. The increase in interest expense on borrowings was primarily the result of a higher average balance and a higher average cost. The average balance of borrowings increased $76.8 million, or 50 percent, to $230.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $153.7 million in the same quarter last year and the average cost of borrowings increased by 113 basis points to 4.51 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from 3.38 percent in the same quarter last year.

At December 31, 2023, the Bank had approximately $266.5 million of remaining borrowing capacity at the FHLB – San Francisco. Additionally, the Bank has an unused secured borrowing facility of approximately $183.0 million with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and an unused unsecured federal funds borrowing facility of $50.0 million with its correspondent bank. The total available borrowing capacity across all sources totaled approximately $499.5 million at December 31, 2023.

The Bank continues to work with both the FHLB - San Francisco and Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to ensure that borrowing capacity is continuously reviewed and updated in order to be accessed seamlessly should the need arise.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company recorded a recovery of credit losses of $720,000 (which includes a $41,000 recovery for unfunded commitment reserves), as compared to a $191,000 provision for credit losses recorded during the same period last year and a $545,000 provision for credit losses recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 (sequential quarter). The recovery of credit losses recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was primarily attributable to a shorter estimated life of the loan portfolio resulting from lower market interest rates and higher loan prepayment estimates, while the outstanding balance of loans held for investment at December 31, 2023 remained virtually unchanged from September 30, 2023.

Non-performing assets, comprised solely of non-accrual loans with underlying collateral located in California, increased $450,000 or 35 percent to $1.8 million, or 0.13 percent of total assets, at December 31, 2023, compared to $1.3 million, or 0.10 percent of total assets, at June 30, 2023. The non-performing loans at December 31, 2023 were comprised of eight single-family loans, while the non-performing loans at June 30, 2023 were comprise of six single-family loans. At both December 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, there was no real estate owned and no accruing loans past due 90 days or more. There were no net loan charge-offs for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $1,000 of net loan recoveries for the quarter ended December 31, 2022.

Classified assets were $2.6 million at December 31, 2023 consisting of $866,000 of loans in the special mention category and $1.7 million of loans in the substandard category. Classified assets at June 30, 2023 were $2.3 million, consisting of $509,000 of loans in the special mention category and $1.8 million of loans in the substandard category.

The allowance for credit losses on gross loans held for investment was $7.0 million, or 0.65 percent of gross loans held for investment, at December 31, 2023, up from the $5.9 million, or 0.55 percent of gross loans held for investment, at June 30, 2023. The increase in the allowance for credit losses was due primarily to the adoption of the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) methodology on July 1, 2023, which resulted in a $1.2 million increase in our allowance for credit losses, partly offset by a $175,000 recovery of credit losses in the first six months of fiscal 2024 (which included a $32,000 recovery for unfunded commitment reserves). Results for reporting periods beginning after July 1, 2023 are presented under CECL while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable accounting standards. Management believes that, based on currently available information, the allowance for credit losses is sufficient to absorb potential losses inherent in loans held for investment at December 31, 2023 under the CECL methodology.

Non-interest income decreased by $81,000, or eight percent, to $875,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $956,000 in the same period last year, due primarily to decreases in deposit account fees, card and processing fees and other non-interest income. On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest income increased $124,000 or 17 percent, primarily due to higher loan servicing and other fees.

Non-interest expenses increased $546,000, or eight percent, to $7.34 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $6.80 million for the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher salaries and employee benefits, premises and occupancy and professional expenses. On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest expenses increased $488,000, or seven percent, to $7.34 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 from $6.86 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits, attributable to a higher adjustment for the supplemental executive retirement plans, partly offset by lower incentive compensation expenses.

The Company’s efficiency ratio, defined as non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was 76.11 percent, up from 65.74 percent in the same quarter last year and 69.32 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The deterioration in the efficiency ratio compared to both the sequential quarter and the comparable quarter last year was due to higher non-interest expense, coupled with a decline in revenues, during the current quarter.

The Company’s provision for income taxes was $884,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, down 10 percent from $981,000 in the same quarter last year but up 22 percent from $727,000 for first quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease during the current quarter compared to the same quarter last year was due to a decrease in pre-tax income, while the increase compared to the first quarter of 2024 was due to an increase in pre-tax income. The effective tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was 29.2 percent as compared to 29.3 percent in the same quarter last year and 29.2 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

The Company repurchased 62,710 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $11.96 per share during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, pursuant to its current stock repurchase program. As of December 31, 2023, a total of 287,643 shares remain available for future purchase under the Company’s current repurchase program, which expires on September 28, 2024.

The Bank currently operates 13 retail/business banking offices in Riverside County and San Bernardino County (Inland Empire).

The Company will host a conference call for institutional investors and bank analysts on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific) to discuss its financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-888-412-4131 and referencing Conference ID number 3610756. An audio replay of the conference call will be available through Tuesday, February 6, 2024 by dialing 1-800-770-2030 and referencing Conference ID number 3610756.

For more financial information about the Company please visit the website at www.myprovident.com and click on the “Investor Relations” section.

Safe-Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that the Company believes are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business. You should not place undue reliance on these statements as they are subject to various risks and uncertainties. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements the Company may make. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to the Company. There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: potential adverse impacts to economic conditions in our local market areas, other markets where the Company has lending relationships, or other aspects of the Company's business operations or financial markets, including, without limitation, as a result of employment levels, labor shortages and the effects of inflation, a potential recession or slowed economic growth; changes in the interest rate environment, including the past increases in the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (the “Federal Reserve”) benchmark rate and duration at which such increased interest rate levels are maintained, which could adversely affect our revenues and expenses, the value of assets and obligations, and the availability and cost of capital and liquidity; the impact of continuing inflation and the current and future monetary policies of the Federal Reserve in response thereto; the effects of any federal government shutdown; increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; changes in general economic conditions and conditions within the securities markets; fluctuations in deposits; liquidity issues, including our ability to borrow funds or raise additional capital, if necessary; the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in banking, securities and tax law, in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules; disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, our information technology systems or on the third-party vendors who perform several of our critical processing functions; the effects of climate change, severe weather events, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events on our business; and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) - which are available on our website at www.myprovident.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These risks could cause our actual results for fiscal 2024 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of us and could negatively affect our operating and stock price performance.

Contacts:

Donavon P. Ternes
President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Tam B. Nguyen
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

(951) 686-6060

  

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(1)  Weighted-average yield earned on all instruments, which are included in the balance of the respective line item.

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⁽¹⁾  Weighted-average rate paid on all instruments, which are included in the balance of the respective line item.
⁽²⁾  Includes uninsured deposits of approximately $140.3 million and $177.9 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
⁽³⁾  The average balance of deposit accounts was approximately $34 thousand and $33 thousand at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
⁽⁴⁾  The Bank had approximately $266.5 million and $237.8 million of remaining borrowing capacity at the FHLB – San Francisco, approximately $183.0 million and $142.8 million of borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and $50.0 million and $50.0 million of borrowing capacity with its correspondent bank at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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⁽¹⁾  Weighted-average yield earned or/rate paid on all instruments which are included in the balance of the respective line item.

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⁽¹⁾  Weighted-average yield earned or rate paid on all instruments which are included in the balance of the respective line item.

ASSET QUALITY:

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⁽¹⁾  The non-performing loan balances are net of individually evaluated or collectively evaluated allowances, specifically attached to the individual loans.