Signature Bank (Nasdaq: SBNY), a New York-based full-service commercial bank, today announced results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

Net income for the 2021 second quarter was $214.5 million, or $3.57 diluted earnings per share, versus $117.2 million, or $2.21 diluted earnings per share, for the 2020 second quarter. The increase in net income for the 2021 second quarter, versus the comparable quarter last year, is primarily the result of an increase in net interest income, fueled by strong average deposit and loan growth, as well as the absence of a higher provision for credit losses booked in the second quarter of 2020, which was predominantly due to the effects of COVID-19 on the U.S. economy. Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings were $308.6 million, representing an increase of $60.6 million, or 24.5 percent, compared with $247.9 million for the 2020 second quarter.

Net interest income for the 2021 second quarter reached $457.2 million, up $70.1 million, or 18.1 percent, when compared with the 2020 second quarter. This increase is primarily due to growth in average interest-earning assets. Total assets reached $96.89 billion at June 30, 2021, an increase of $36.54 billion, or 60.5 percent, from $60.35 billion at June 30, 2020. Average assets for the 2021 second quarter reached $91.86 billion, an increase of $34.19 billion, or 59.3 percent, compared with the 2020 second quarter.

Deposits for the 2021 second quarter increased $11.59 billion to $85.56 billion at June 30, 2021. When compared with deposits at June 30, 2020, overall deposit growth for the last twelve months was 70.3 percent, or $35.33 billion. Average deposits for the 2021 second quarter reached $80.74 billion, a record increase of $11.93 billion.

"The success of Signature Bank’s single-point-of-contact service model has resulted in yet another quarter of significant organic growth. Since our founding more than 20 years ago, the Bank has grown dramatically and transformed organically, particularly during the past three years. During this time, we set and achieved specific goals of becoming asset sensitive, increasing both credit and geographic diversification and continuing to grow core deposits. As a result, we shifted to asset sensitive from liability sensitive, with 38 percent of our loan portfolio now variable rate. We reduced our CRE concentration from nearly 600 percent to 345 percent of capital. Our loan to deposit ratio -- which peaked at 104 percent -- has moved to a low 64 percent. Additionally, we entered new markets through the hiring of veteran bankers for our West Coast private client offices while continuing to increase deposits across our New York operations. The speed at which this institution achieved all of these objectives organically is extraordinary within the banking industry. It clearly demonstrates the power of our founding single-point-of-contact entrepreneurial model,” explained Signature Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph J. DePaolo.

“Throughout the second quarter of 2021, we saw the same strong growth trends we witnessed during the past several quarters. Our record deposit growth of $11.6 billion emanates from all our business units and teams within the institution, demonstrating the broad-based strength of our franchise. Record loan growth of $3.6 billion was driven by our well-established Fund Banking Division, and we put more cash to use than ever before through a record $2.7 billion in securities purchased in our investment portfolio. Our strong growth profile, coupled with the expansion of fee income and contained expenses, led to the third consecutive quarter of both record net income as well as a return on common equity ratio of more than 13 percent. We continue to focus on the pure organic growth that has made this institution successful,” DePaolo concluded.

Scott A. Shay, Chairman of the Board, added: “Signature Bank continues to fire on all cylinders as we stay true to our core principles of providing relationship-based, client-centric service and sleep-at-night safety. While our deposit growth has been truly extraordinary, we remain prudent in the deployment of new funds. We believe the value of building long-term client relationships is most important to sustaining our growth, which is what we encourage our long-term investors to remember. It is always a distinct pleasure to hear so many clients compliment the service of individual colleagues or banking groups for providing positive, prompt and diligent service. This has been our core differentiator, since inception and all along the way, as we built this enterprise organically.

It is also prudent for Signature Bank to maintain its focus on leading and experimenting with the newest technologies in a disciplined yet vigorous manner. In an era of rapid technological change in the financial and payments world, we are on the cutting-edge of adoption and expansion of our digital assets business, especially since the launch of Signet™, our blockchain-based payments platform.

We have always been – and continue to be – willing to do things differently and embrace change, which has not gone unnoticed by our clients, colleagues or investors."

Capital

The Bank’s Tier 1 leverage, common equity Tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and total risk-based capital ratios were approximately 7.86 percent, 10.03 percent, 11.15 percent, and 12.72 percent, respectively, as of June 30, 2021. Each of these ratios is well in excess of regulatory requirements. The Bank’s strong risk-based capital ratios reflect the relatively low risk profile of the Bank’s balance sheet. Given our robust total risk-based ratio, we redeemed $260.0 million of subordinated debt at a rate of 5.3 percent on April 19, 2021. The Bank’s tangible common equity ratio remains strong at 6.31 percent. The Bank defines tangible common equity ratio as the ratio of tangible common equity to adjusted tangible assets and calculates this ratio by dividing total consolidated common shareholders’ equity by consolidated total assets.

The Bank declared a cash dividend of $0.56 per share, payable on or after August 13, 2021 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on July 30, 2021. The Bank also declared a cash dividend of $12.50 per share payable on September 30, 2021 to preferred shareholders of record at the close of business on September 17, 2021. In the second quarter of 2021, the Bank paid a cash dividend of $0.56 per share to common stockholders of record at the close of business on May 3, 2021. The Bank also paid a cash dividend of $12.50 per share to preferred shareholders of record at the close of business on June 18, 2021.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the 2021 second quarter was $457.2 million, an increase of $70.1 million, or 18.1 percent, versus the same period last year, primarily due to growth in average interest-earning assets. Average interest-earning assets of $90.99 billion for the 2021 second quarter represent an increase of $34.53 billion, or 61.2 percent, from the 2020 second quarter. Yield on interest-earning assets for the 2021 second quarter decreased 107 basis points to 2.37 percent, compared to the second quarter of last year.

Average cost of deposits and average cost of funds for the second quarter of 2021 decreased by 29 and 35 basis points, to 0.27 percent and 0.38 percent, respectively, versus the comparable period a year ago.

Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis for the 2021 second quarter was 2.02 percent versus 2.77 percent reported in the 2020 second quarter and 2.10 percent in the 2021 first quarter. Excluding loan prepayment penalties in both quarters, linked quarter core net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis decreased eight basis points to 1.99 percent. The 2021 second quarter net interest margin was negatively affected by 55 basis points due to significant excess cash balances driven by record deposit growth.

Provision for Credit Losses

The Bank’s provision for credit losses for the second quarter of 2021 was $8.3 million, compared with $30.9 million for the 2021 first quarter and $93.0 million for the 2020 second quarter. The decrease in the provision for credit losses for the second quarter was predominantly attributable to improved macroeconomic conditions compared with the same period last year.

Net charge offs for the 2021 second quarter were $15.3 million, or 0.12 percent of average loans, on an annualized basis, versus $17.9 million, or 0.15 percent, for the 2021 first quarter and net charge offs of $4.6 million, or 0.04 percent, for the 2020 second quarter.

Non-Interest Income and Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest income for the 2021 second quarter was $23.4 million, up $10.7 million when compared with $12.7 million reported in the 2020 second quarter. The increase was driven by growth of $6.3 million in fees and service charges.

Non-interest expense for the second quarter of 2021 was $172.0 million, an increase of $20.1 million, or 13.3 percent, versus $151.9 million reported in the 2020 second quarter. The increase was predominantly due to a rise of $13.7 million in salaries and benefits from the significant hiring of private client banking teams, and operational support to meet the Bank's growing needs.

The Bank’s efficiency ratio improved to 35.8 percent for the 2021 second quarter compared with 38.0 percent for the same period a year ago, and 37.9 percent for the first quarter of 2021.

Loans

Loans, excluding loans held for sale, grew $3.56 billion, or 7.0 percent, during the second quarter of 2021 to $54.51 billion, compared with $50.95 billion at March 31, 2021. Core loans (excluding Paycheck Protection Program loans) grew a record $3.92 billion, or 8.1 percent, during the second quarter of 2021 to $52.20 billion, compared with $48.28 billion at March 31, 2021. Average loans, excluding loans held for sale, reached $52.48 billion in the 2021 second quarter, growing $3.12 billion, or 6.3 percent, from the 2021 first quarter and $9.74 billion, or 22.8 percent, from the 2020 second quarter.

At June 30, 2021, non-accrual loans were $136.1 million, representing 0.25 percent of total loans and 0.14 percent of total assets, compared with non-accrual loans of $133.7 million, or 0.26 percent of total loans, at March 31, 2021 and $46.9 million, or 0.10 percent of total loans, at June 30, 2020. The ratio of allowance for credit losses for loans and leases to total loans at June 30, 2021 was 0.94 percent, versus 1.02 percent at March 31, 2021 and 0.98 percent at June 30, 2020. Additionally, the ratio of allowance for credit losses for loans and leases to non-accrual loans, or the coverage ratio, was 378 percent for the 2021 second quarter versus 390 percent for the first quarter of 2021 and 947 percent for the 2020 second quarter.

COVID-19 Related Loan Modifications

As of July 15, 2021, total non-payment deferrals were $308.7 million, or 0.57 percent of the Bank’s total loan portfolio, compared with non-payment deferrals of $982.8 million, or 1.9 percent of total loans, at April 15, 2021, and $11.08 billion, or 24.5 percent of total loans at their peak level as of June 30, 2020. The positive trend is the result of the Bank’s ability to work closely with its clients toward reasonable resolutions.

Additionally, the Bank has made other COVID-19 related modifications that have resulted in the receipt of modified principal and interest payments totaling 7.0 percent of the loan book.

Conference Call

Signature Bank’s management will host a conference call to review results of the 2021 second quarter on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 10:00 AM ET. All participants should dial 866-359-8135 at least ten minutes prior to the start of the call and reference conference ID #6246928. International callers should dial 901-300-3484.

To hear a live web simulcast or to listen to the archived web cast following completion of the call, please visit the Bank’s web site at www.signatureny.com, click on “Investor Information,” "Quarterly Results/Conference Calls" to access the link to the call. To listen to a telephone replay of the conference call, please dial 800-585-8367 or 404-537-3406 and enter conference ID #6246928. The replay will be available from approximately 1:00 PM ET on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 through 11:59 PM ET on Friday, July 23, 2021.

About Signature Bank

Signature Bank, member FDIC, is a New York-based full-service commercial bank with 37 private client offices throughout the metropolitan New York area, as well as those in Connecticut, California and North Carolina. Through its single-point-of-contact approach, the Bank’s private client banking teams primarily serve the needs of privately owned businesses, their owners and senior managers. The Bank has two wholly owned subsidiaries: Signature Financial, LLC, provides equipment finance and leasing; and, Signature Securities Group Corporation, a licensed broker-dealer, investment adviser and member FINRA/SIPC, offers investment, brokerage, asset management and insurance products and services. Signature Bank was the first FDIC-insured bank to launch a blockchain-based digital payments platform. Signet™ allows commercial clients to make real-time payments in U.S. dollars, 24/7/365 and was also the first solution to be approved for use by the NYS Department of Financial Services.

Signature Bank placed 22nd on S&P Global’s list of the largest banks in the U.S., based on deposits.

For more information, please visit https://www.signatureny.com/.

This press release and oral statements made from time to time by our representatives contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future results, interest rates and the interest rate environment, loan and deposit growth, loan performance, operations, new private client teams and other hires, new office openings, our business strategy and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on each of the foregoing and on our business overall. These statements often include words such as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," “potential,” “opportunity,” “could,” “project,” “seek,” “target”, “goal”, “should,” “will,” “would,” "plan," "estimate" or other similar expressions. As you consider forward-looking statements, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or in our control. These factors include but are not limited to: (i) prevailing economic conditions; (ii) changes in interest rates, loan demand, real estate values and competition, any of which can materially affect origination levels and gain on sale results in our business, as well as other aspects of our financial performance, including earnings on interest-bearing assets; (iii) the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans made by us, whether held in portfolio or sold in the whole loan secondary markets, which can materially affect charge-off levels and required credit loss reserve levels; (iv) changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (v) changes in the banking and other financial services regulatory environment, (vi) our ability to maintain the continuity, integrity, security and safety of our operations and (vii) competition for qualified personnel and desirable office locations. All of these factors are subject to additional uncertainty in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having an unprecedented impact on all aspects of our operations, the financial services industry and the economy as a whole. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, beliefs and expectations, if a change occurs or our beliefs, assumptions and expectations were incorrect, our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Additional risks are described in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the FDIC. You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statements made by Signature Bank speak only as of the date on which they were made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and we cannot predict these events or how they may affect the Bank. Signature Bank has no duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements after the date on which they are made. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made in this release or elsewhere might not reflect actual results.

FINANCIAL TABLES ATTACHED

SIGNATURE BANK
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(unaudited)

Management believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures assists investors when comparing results period-to-period in a more consistent manner and provides a better measure of Signature Bank's results. These non-GAAP measures include the Bank's (i) tangible common equity ratio, (ii) efficiency ratio, (iii) yield on interest-earning assets, tax-equivalent basis, (iv) core net interest margin, tax-equivalent basis excluding loan prepayment penalty income, (v) pre-tax, pre-provision earnings, and (vi) loans and leases to core loans (excluding Paycheck Protection Program loans). These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP-basis measures and results. We strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.

The following table presents the tangible common equity ratio calculation:

The following table presents the efficiency ratio calculation:

The following table reconciles yield on interest-earning assets to the yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis:

The following table reconciles net interest margin (as reported) to core net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis excluding loan prepayment penalty income:

The following table reconciles net income (as reported) to pre-tax, pre-provision earnings:

The following table reconciles loans and leases (as reported) to core loans (excluding Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans):

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