Press Release

Net Income of $2.26 Million in the December 2021 Quarter

Loans Held for Investment Increase Slightly from June 30, 2021 to $852.0 Million

Total Deposits Increase 2% from June 30, 2021 to $956.3 Million

Improved Asset Quality with a $1.1 Million Recovery from the Allowance for Loan Losses

Non-Interest Expenses Remain Well-Controlled

RIVERSIDE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. (“Company”), NASDAQ GS: PROV, the holding company for Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B. (“Bank”), today announced second quarter earnings results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported net income of $2.26 million, or $0.30 per diluted share (on 7.48 million average diluted shares outstanding), up 93 percent from net income of $1.18 million, or $0.16 per diluted share (on 7.49 million average diluted shares outstanding), in the comparable period a year ago. Compared to the same quarter last year, the increase in earnings was primarily attributable to a $1.11 million improvement in the provision for loan losses and a $394,000 increase in non-interest income (mainly, higher loan servicing and other fees).

“I am pleased that general economic conditions seem to be improving. I remain confident that Provident is well-positioned to benefit from the improving conditions and that our strong financial foundation will allow us to capitalize on future opportunities as they develop,” said Craig G. Blunden, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “Our loan origination volume is improving, deposits are growing, operating expenses are well-controlled, and credit quality is excellent,” said Mr. Blunden.

Return on average assets for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was 0.76 percent, up from 0.40 percent for the same period of fiscal 2021; and return on average stockholders’ equity for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was 7.11 percent, up from 3.77 percent for the comparable period of fiscal 2021.

On a sequential quarter basis, the $2.26 million net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 reflects a 15 percent decrease from $2.67 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The decrease in earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2022 was primarily attributable to a $1.23 million increase in non-interest expenses and a $225,000 decrease in net interest income, partly offset by a $728,000 increase in the recovery from the allowance for loan losses and a $299,000 increase in non-interest income. The increase in the non-interest expenses was primarily due to higher salaries and employee benefits expenses (mainly attributable to the $1.20 million Employee Retention Tax Credit (“ERTC”) recorded last quarter and not replicated this quarter). The increase in the non-interest income was primarily due to higher loan servicing and other fees attributable primarily to higher prepayment fees. Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 were $0.30 per share, down 14 percent from the $0.35 per share during the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Return on average assets was 0.76 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2022, down from 0.89 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2022; and return on average stockholders’ equity for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was 7.11 percent, down from 8.39 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

For the six months ended December 31, 2021, net income increased $2.27 million, or 85 percent, to $4.93 million from $2.66 million in the comparable period ended December 31, 2020; and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended December 31, 2021 increased 81 percent to $0.65 per share (on 7.53 million average diluted shares outstanding) from $0.36 per share (on 7.47 million average diluted shares outstanding) for the comparable six-month period last year. Compared to the same period last year, the increase in earnings was primarily attributable to a $1.67 million improvement in the provision for loan losses and a $1.33 million decrease in non-interest expense (primarily attributable to the ERTC recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2022) and a $304,000 increase in non-interest income, partly offset by a $253,000 decrease in net-interest income.

Net interest income remained virtually unchanged at $7.66 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to $7.64 million for the same quarter last year. The average balance of interest-earning assets increased by $13.3 million, or one percent, to $1.16 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $1.15 billion in the same quarter last year. The increase in the average balance of interest-earnings assets was due primarily to an increase in interest-earning deposits, partly offset by a decrease in loans held for investment. The net interest margin during the second quarter of fiscal 2022 decreased two basis points to 2.64 percent from 2.66 percent in the same quarter last year. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased by 17 basis points to 2.93 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from 3.10 percent in the same quarter last year and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities also decreased by 17 basis points to 0.32 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from 0.49 percent in the same quarter last year.

Interest income on loans receivable decreased by $424,000, or five percent, to $7.92 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $8.34 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2021. The decrease was due to a lower average yield, and to a lesser extent, a lower average balance. The average yield on loans receivable decreased by 13 basis points to 3.71 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from an average yield of 3.84 percent in the same quarter last year. Net deferred loan cost amortization in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 19 percent to $622,000 from $521,000 in the same quarter last year. The average balance of loans receivable decreased by $14.2 million, or two percent, to $854.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $868.5 million in the same quarter last year. Total loans originated and purchased for investment in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 were $65.3 million, up 121 percent from $29.6 million in the same quarter last year. Loan principal payments received in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 were $72.5 million, up 22 percent from $59.6 million in the same quarter last year.

Interest income from investment securities decreased $15,000, or three percent, to $433,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $448,000 for the same quarter of fiscal 2021. This decrease was attributable to a lower average yield, partly offset by a higher average balance. The average yield on investment securities decreased three basis points to 0.83 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from 0.86 percent for the same quarter last year. The decrease in the average investment securities yield was primarily attributable to the downward repricing of adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities, partly offset by a lower premium amortization during the current quarter in comparison to the same quarter last year ($443,000 vs. $531,000). The average balance of investment securities increased by $1.2 million, or one percent, to $209.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $208.5 million in the same quarter last year.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Federal Home Loan Bank – San Francisco (“FHLB”) distributed a $123,000 cash dividend to the Bank on its FHLB stock, up $23,000 or 23 percent from $100,000 in the same quarter last year. The average balance of FHLB – San Francisco stock in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $185,000, or two percent, to $8.2 million from $8.0 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2021 and the average yield increased to 6.03 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from 5.02 percent in the same quarter last year.

Interest income from interest-earning deposits, primarily cash deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, was $35,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2022, up 106 percent from $17,000 in the same quarter of fiscal 2021. The increase was due to a higher average yield and a higher average balance. The average yield earned on interest-earning deposits in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was 0.15 percent, up five basis points from 0.10 percent in the same quarter last year. The average balance of the Company’s interest-earning deposits, primarily excess cash deposited with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, increased $26.1 million, or 40 percent, to $91.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $64.9 million in the same quarter last year primarily as a result of an increase in deposits, partly offset by a decrease in borrowings.

Interest expense on deposits for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was $302,000 as compared to $468,000 for the same period last year, a decrease of $166,000, or 35 percent. The decrease in interest expense on deposits was attributable to a lower average cost of deposits, partly offset by a higher average balance. The average cost of deposits improved, decreasing by nine basis points to 0.12 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from 0.21 percent in the same quarter last year. Average deposits increased $59.4 million, or seven percent, to $962.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $902.7 million in the same quarter last year, primarily due to increases in transaction accounts, partly offset by a managed run-off of higher cost time deposits.

Transaction account balances or “core deposits” increased $27.2 million, or three percent, to $824.7 million at December 31, 2021 from $797.5 million at June 30, 2021, while time deposits decreased $8.7 million, or six percent, to $131.7 million at December 31, 2021 from $140.4 million at June 30, 2021.

Interest expense on borrowings, consisting primarily of FHLB – San Francisco advances, for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 decreased $257,000, or 32 percent, to $546,000 from $803,000 for the same period last year. The decrease in interest expense on borrowings was the result of a lower average balance, partly offset by a higher average cost. The average balance of borrowings, which consisted of FHLB advances, decreased $45.8 million, or 34 percent, to $89.0 million while the average cost of borrowings increased seven basis points to 2.43 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2022, compared to an average balance of $134.8 million with an average cost of 2.36 percent in the same quarter last year. The decrease in the average balance of borrowings was primarily due to prepayments and maturities of borrowings, while the increase in the average cost was primarily due to higher prepayment fees between the periods ($39,000 vs. $12,000).

During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company recorded a recovery from the allowance for loan losses of $1.07 million, in contrast to a $39,000 provision for loan losses recorded during the same period last year and a $339,000 recovery from the allowance for loan losses recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 (sequential quarter). The recovery from the allowance for loan losses for the current quarter primarily reflects improved credit quality, payoffs of non-performing loans and a decrease in loans receivable during the current quarter as well as improving general economic conditions; while the provision for loan losses recorded in the same quarter last year primarily reflected the deterioration in forecasted economic metrics as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, partly offset by a decrease in loans receivable.

Non-performing assets, comprised solely of non-performing loans with underlying collateral located in California, decreased $5.8 million or 67 percent to $2.8 million, or 0.24 percent of total assets, at December 31, 2021, compared to $8.6 million, or 0.73 percent of total assets, at June 30, 2021. The non-performing loans at December 31, 2021 are comprised of nine single-family loans and two multi-family loans. At both December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, there was no real estate owned.

Net loan recoveries for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 were $262,000 or 0.12 percent (annualized) of average loans receivable, as compared to net loan recoveries of $9,000 or 0.00 percent (annualized) of average loans receivable for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 and net loan recoveries of $165,000 or 0.08 percent (annualized) of average loans receivable for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 (sequential quarter).

Classified assets, comprised solely of loans, were $2.8 million at December 31, 2021, all classified in the substandard category and no loans were classified in the special mention category; while classified assets at June 30, 2021 were $10.4 million, including $1.8 million of loans in the special mention category and $8.6 million of loans in the substandard category.

As of December 31, 2021, the Corporation has no loans in a COVID-19 related forbearance. The Corporation ended its COVID-19 loan forbearance program on March 31, 2021.

The allowance for loan losses was $6.6 million or 0.77 percent of gross loans held for investment at December 31, 2021, down from the $7.6 million or 0.88 percent of gross loans held for investment at June 30, 2021. Management believes that, based on currently available information, the allowance for loan losses is sufficient to absorb potential losses inherent in loans held for investment at December 31, 2021 under the incurred loss methodology.

Non-interest income increased by $394,000, or 40 percent, to $1.37 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $974,000 in the same period last year, primarily due to a $324,000 increase in loan servicing and other fees. The increase was due primarily to higher loan prepayment fees from loan payoffs. On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest income increased $299,000, or 28 percent, primarily as a result of an increase in loan servicing and other fees.

Non-interest expenses decreased slightly to $6.90 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 from $6.92 million in the same quarter last year. On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest expenses increased $1.23 million, or 22 percent, from $5.67 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 due primarily to higher salaries and employee benefits expense resulting from the ERTC recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and not replicated in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.

The Company’s efficiency ratio in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was 76 percent, an improvement from 80 percent in the same quarter last year but higher than the 63 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 (sequential quarter). which was lower primarily due to the reduction in salaries and employee benefits expense resulting from the ERTC.

The Company’s provision for income taxes was $935,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2022, up 94 percent from $481,000 in the same quarter last year primarily due to higher net income before the provision for income taxes. The effective tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 was 29.2 percent, slightly higher than the 29.0 percent in the same quarter last year. The Company believes that the tax provision recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 reflects its current federal and state income tax obligations.

The Company repurchased 102,762 shares of its common stock with an average cost of $16.88 per share during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 pursuant to its stock repurchase plan. As of December 31, 2021, a total of 114,307 shares or 31 percent of the shares authorized for repurchase under the April 2020 stock repurchase plan remain available to purchase until the plan expires on April 27, 2022.

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 Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific) to discuss its financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-226-8189 and referencing access code number 5331748. An audio replay of the conference call will be available through Thursday, February 3, 2022 by dialing 1-866-207-1041 and referencing access code number 9244107.

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 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 the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, including on Company’s credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions and other uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the extent and duration of the impact on public health, the U.S. and global economies, and consumer and corporate customers, including economic activity, employment levels and market liquidity; increased competitive pressures; changes in the interest rate environment; changes in general economic conditions and conditions within the securities markets; legislative and regulatory changes,; including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with 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 2022 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

PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
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PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
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⁽¹⁾ The interest rate described in the rate column is the weighted-average interest rate or yield of all instruments, which are included in the balance of the respective line item.

PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
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⁽¹⁾ The interest rate described in the rate column is the weighted-average interest rate or yield of all instruments, which are included in the balance of the respective line item.

⁽¹⁾ The interest rate described in the rate column is the weighted-average interest rate or cost of all instruments, which are included in the balance of the respective line item.

PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited - Dollars in Thousands)

⁽¹⁾ The interest rate described in the rate column is the weighted-average interest rate or yield/cost of all instruments, which are included in the balance of the respective line item.

⁽¹⁾ The interest rate described in the rate column is the weighted-average interest rate or yield/cost of all instruments, which are included in the balance of the respective line item.

ASSET QUALITY:

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