BAYONNE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BCB Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ:BCBP) today announced net income of $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014, consistent with the three months ended June 30, 2013. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.29 for each three-month period ended June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2014 for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was approximately 8,353,000 and 8,401,000, respectively. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2013 for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was approximately 8,411,000 and 8,417,000, respectively.

Net income was $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to $5.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.54 and $0.53, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2014, as compared to $0.56 for both measures for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2014 for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was approximately 8,346,000 and 8,396,000, respectively. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2013 for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was approximately 8,446,000 and 8,450,000, respectively.

Total assets increased by $70.4 million, or 5.8%, to $1.278 billion at June 30, 2014, from $1.208 billion at December 31, 2013. Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by $5.5 million, or 18.5%, to $24.3 million at June 30, 2014 from $29.8 million at December 31, 2013. Investment securities classified as held-to-maturity decreased by $6.4 million, or 5.6%, to $107.8 million at June 30, 2014 from $114.2 million at December 31, 2013. Loans receivable, net increased by $75.9 million, or 7.4%, to $1.096 billion at June 30, 2014 from $1.020 billion at December 31, 2013. Deposit liabilities increased by $40.9 million, or 4.2%, to $1.010 billion at June 30, 2014 from $968.7 million at December 31, 2013. The Company had $45.5 million in short-term borrowings at June 30, 2014, compared with $18.0 million at December 31, 2013. Long-term borrowed money remained constant at $110.0 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Stockholders’ equity increased by $2.8 million, or 2.8%, to $102.9 million at June 30, 2014 from $100.1 million at December 31, 2013.

Net income was $2.6 million for each of the three-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2013. Net interest income and non-interest income both were higher in the current-year period, but were offset by higher non-interest expense in the current-year period.

Net interest income increased by $676,000, or 5.8%, to $12.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 from $11.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. The increase in net interest income resulted primarily from an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $78.0 million, or 6.8%, to $1.224 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2014 from $1.146 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2013, partly offset by a decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets of 13 basis points to 4.83% for the three months ended June 30, 2014 from 4.96% for the three months ended June 30, 2013. While yields on the individual components of interest-earning assets generally declined, the overall yield on interest-earning assets increased due to a reallocation of assets into higher yielding loans. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased by $52.8 million, or 5.4%, to $1.023 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2014 from $970.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by nine basis points to 0.99% for the three months ended June 30, 2014 from 1.08% for the three months ended June 30, 2013. The net results of these changes was a slight decline in net interest margin of four basis points to 4.00% for the three months ended June 30, 2014 from 4.04% for the three months ended June 30, 2013.

Total non-interest income increased by $1.2 million, or 131.3%, to $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 from $881,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2013. The increase in non-interest income primarily reflects a gain on the sale of investment securities available for sale totaling $1.2 million within the three-month period ended June 30, 2014, with no comparable transaction occurring in the three-month period ended June 30, 2013.

Total non-interest expense increased by $1.9 million, or 24.7%, to $9.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 from $7.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. Expense increases were incurred in certain areas of the consolidated statements of income including salaries and benefits, occupancy expense, equipment, advertising, REO expense and other non-interest expense.

Net income was $4.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared with $5.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. Net interest income and non-interest income were both higher in the current-year period, but were more than offset by higher non-interest expenses in the current-year period.

Net interest income increased by $1.3 million, or 5.8%, to $24.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 from $23.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The increase in net interest income resulted primarily from an increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets of $66.7 million, or 5.9%, to $1.206 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2014 from $1.139 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2013, partly offset by a decrease in the average yield on interest earning assets of nine basis points to 4.88% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 from 4.97% for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The average balance of interest bearing liabilities increased by $39.6 million, or 4.1%, to $1.009 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2014 from $969.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by eight basis points to 1.01% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 from 1.09% for the six months ended June 30, 2013. Net interest margin was 4.03% for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2013. The increase in the average yield of interest-earning assets and the decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities represents management’s efforts to competitively price certain products to enhance profitability, while maintaining competitive pricing with our peers. The decrease in the average balance of both interest-earning assets and interest bearing liabilities represents a pre-planned minor deleveraging of the balance sheet.

Total non-interest income increased by $1.7 million, or 100.5%, to $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 from $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The increase in non-interest income primarily reflects a gain on the sale of investment securities available for sale totaling $1.2 million within the six-month period ended June 30, 2014, with no comparable transaction in the six-month period ended June 30, 2013, and an increase in gains on sales of loans originated for sale.

Total non-interest expense increased by $3.5 million or 24.4% to $18.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 from $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. Expense increases were incurred in certain areas of the consolidated statement of income including salaries and benefits, occupancy expense, equipment, advertising, REO expense and other non-interest expense.

Donald Mindiak, Chief Executive Officer of BCB Bancorp, Inc., commented, “The successful capital raises in which we have engaged over the last several years have provided us the capacity to leverage that capital and grow our balance sheet with increased levels of interest-earning assets. As a result of the aforementioned, net loan balances increased by $154.1 million, or 16.4%, to $1.096 billion at June 30, 2014, as compared to $942.1 million at June 30, 2013. In addition, interest income on loans increased by $1.3 million or 5.0% to $27.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 from $26.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. This increase in interest income, coupled with a decrease of $196,000 or 3.7% in interest expense, resulted in a net interest spread of 3.86% and a net interest margin of 4.03% for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

Mr. Mindiak continued, “The Board of Directors unanimously declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per common share payable on Monday, August 18, 2014, with a record date of August 6, 2014. The declaration and payment of our quarterly cash dividend is a testament to the confidence our Board has in our ability to deliver value and a competitive return to our shareholders while maintaining our standing as a well capitalized financial institution predicated upon all quantitative measurements promulgated by our regulatory agencies. We remain diligent in our exploration of corporate initiatives that we believe provide the opportunity for growth in both franchise and shareholder value.”

BCB Community Bank operates 12 full service offices in Bayonne, Hoboken, Jersey City, Monroe Township, South Orange, Woodbridge and Colonia.

Questions regarding the content of this release should be directed to either Donald Mindiak, President & Chief Executive Officer of BCB Bancorp or Thomas Coughlin, President & Chief Operating Officer of BCB Community Bank at (201) 823-0700.

Forward-looking Statements and Associated Risk Factors

This release, like many written and oral communications presented by BCB Bancorp, Inc., and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions.

Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “strive,” “try,” or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events, or results to differ significantly from those described in our forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or in some or all of the areas in which we and our customers conduct our respective businesses; conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry; changes in interest rates, which may affect our net income, prepayment penalties and other future cash flows, or the market value of our assets; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services in the markets we serve; changes in the financial or operating performance of our customers’ businesses; changes in real estate values, which could impact the quality of the assets securing the loans in our portfolio; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; changes in our customer base; potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of companies targeted for acquisition; our ability to retain key members of management; our timely development of new lines of business and competitive products or services in a changing environment, and the acceptance of such products or services by our customers; any interruption or breach of security resulting in failures or disruptions in customer account management, general ledger, deposit, loan or other systems; any interruption in customer service due to circumstances beyond our control; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of other matters before regulatory agencies, or of matters resulting from regulatory exams, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; environmental conditions that exist or may exist on properties owned by, leased by, or mortgaged to the Company; changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; changes in legislation, regulation, and policies, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to banking, securities, tax, environmental protection, and insurance, and the ability to comply with such changes in a timely manner; changes in accounting principles, policies, practices, or guidelines; operational issues stemming from, and/or capital spending necessitated by, the potential need to adapt to industry changes in information technology systems, on which we are highly dependent; the ability to keep pace with, and implement on a timely basis, technological changes; changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; war or terrorist activities; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and geopolitical factors affecting our operations, pricing and services.

It also should be noted that the Company occasionally evaluates opportunities to expand through acquisition and may conduct due diligence activities in connection with such opportunities. As a result, acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations, may take place in the future, and acquisitions involving cash, debt, or equity securities may occur. Furthermore, the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of these events may be subject to circumstances beyond the Company’s control.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.

BCB Bancorp, Inc.
Donald Mindiak, 201-823-0700
President & Chief Executive Officer
or
Thomas Coughlin, 201-823-0700
President & Chief Operating Officer

Source: BCB Bancorp, Inc.