Sound Federal Bancorp, Inc. Announces Second Fiscal Quarter Earnings

Sound Federal Bancorp, Inc. Announces Second Fiscal Quarter Earnings

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sound Federal Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), the holding company for Sound Federal Savings (the "Bank"), announced net income of $1.36 million or diluted earnings per share of $0.12 for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $1.43 million or diluted earnings per share of $0.12 for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. Net income decreased $72,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 which is attributable to a $433,000 increase in non-interest expense and a $158,000 decrease in net interest income, partially offset by a $468,000 increase in non-interest income and a $51,000 decrease in income tax expense. For the six months ended September 30, 2005, net income amounted to $2.5 million or diluted earnings per share of $0.21, as compared to $2.9 million or diluted earnings per share of $0.25 for the same period in 2004, a decrease of 15.2% in net income. The decrease in net income for the six months ended September 30, 2005 is primarily attributable to a $1.1 million increase in non-interest expense, partially offset by a $485,000 increase in non-interest income and a $277,000 decrease in income tax expense.

Bruno J. Gioffre, Chairman of the Board, commented, "The yield curve continues to affect our net interest rate spread and net interest margin, which decreased 14 basis points and 11 basis points respectively from the linked quarter. However, the average balance of net interest-earning assets increased $10.5 million to $114.2 million during the current quarter as compared to $103.7 million during the linked quarter. A significant component of this growth was an 8.9% or $54.6 million increase in total loans during the quarter. Total deposits grew 2.6% or $23.5 million during the same period. Loan production continues to be strong with originations of $91.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. This record loan production has helped Sound Federal to mitigate increasing funding costs that are driven by short-term rates. While the yield curve continues to challenge us, we remain focused on the growth of the Sound Federal franchise. We will continue to strive to grow our customer base -- both deposit and loan products. One of the Company's strengths is the relative affluence and economic diversity of our market area. This provides us with opportunities to increase the Company's income and franchise value as evidenced by our ability to continue to originate loans and increase our deposit base. The yield curve will eventually change -- market forces will dictate how and when. We believe that our continued ability to develop customer relationships in the New York counties of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland and in Fairfield County, Connecticut, is an investment that, if cultivated and nurtured, will return future earnings and increase franchise value. As always, we value and thank you for your continued support of our Company."

The Company's total assets amounted to $1.1 billion at September 30, 2005, as compared to $1.0 billion at March 31, 2005. The $76.1 million increase in assets primarily consisted of a $107.3 million increase in net loans to $668.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in total securities of $18.2 million. Our asset growth was funded principally by an $81.9 million increase in deposits to $913.7 million.

Total stockholders' equity increased $1.0 million to $128.2 million at September 30, 2005 as compared to $127.2 million at March 31, 2005. The increase reflects net income of $2.5 million and an increase in additional paid-in capital of $530,000, partially offset by treasury stock purchases at a cost of $1.3 million and dividends paid of $1.6 million.

The accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.7 million at September 30, 2005 represents the after-tax net unrealized loss on securities available for sale ($4.5 million pre-tax). The Company invests primarily in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as U.S. Government and Agency securities. The unrealized losses at September 30, 2005 were caused by increases in market yields subsequent to purchase. There were no debt securities past due or securities for which the Company currently believes it is not probable that it will collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the security. Because the Company has the ability to hold securities with unrealized losses until a market price recovery (which, for debt securities may be until maturity), the Company did not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2005.

Net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 decreased $158,000 to $6.5 million as compared to $6.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. Our net interest rate spread was 2.27% and 2.71% for the quarters ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Our net interest margin for those respective periods was 2.55% and 2.94%. For the six months ended September 30, 2005, net interest income amounted to $13.1 million as compared to $13.2 million for the prior year. Our interest rate spread was 2.33% and 2.76% and our net interest margin was 2.61% and 2.98% for the respective six month periods. The decreases in interest rate spread and net interest margin are primarily the result of a decrease in the spread between short and long-term market interest rates. The Federal Reserve began raising the Federal funds rate in July 2004. Since that time and through September 30, 2005, the Federal Reserve has raised the Federal funds rate by 250 basis points to 3.50%. However, long term rates have only begun to rise, resulting in a flattening yield curve. Consequently, as short-term interest rates increased, the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities increased faster than the yield on interest-earning assets which are affected by longer-term interest rates.

The provision for loan losses was $75,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 and $150,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. Non-performing loans amounted to $1.3 million or 0.19% of total loans at September 30, 2005, as compared to $963,000 or 0.18% of total loans at September 30, 2004. At March 31, 2005, non-performing loans amounted to $580,000 or 0.10% of total loans. The allowance for loan losses amounted to $3.2 million and $3.0 million at September 30, 2005 and March 31, 2005, respectively. There were no charge-offs or recoveries during the quarters ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. The increase in the allowance for loan losses primarily reflects an increase in the origination of adjustable rate mortgage loans, commercial mortgage loans and commercial loans (not secured by real estate) as well as overall portfolio growth.

Non-interest income totaled $778,000 and $310,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. For the six months ended September 30, 2005, non-interest income amounted to $1.1 million as compared to $662,000 for the six months ended September 30, 2004. The increases in non-interest income were primarily due to a $325,000 gain on the sale of real estate which was completed in September 2005. The property was contiguous to an existing branch site. Management determined that this property was not going to be used in connection with the operation of the branch.

Non-interest expense totaled $5.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $4.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. This increase is primarily due to increases of $379,000 in compensation and benefits expense, $90,000 in occupancy and equipment expense and $90,000 in data processing servicing fees. For the six months ended September 30, 2005, non-interest expense increased $1.1 million to $10.0 million as compared to $8.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004. This increase is due primarily to increases of $794,000 in compensation and benefits, $194,000 in occupancy and equipment expense, and $82,000 in data processing servicing fees. The increases include costs attributable to the three new branches opened during fiscal 2005.

The Bank is a federally-chartered savings bank offering traditional financial services and products through its New York branches in Mamaroneck, Harrison, Rye Brook, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Yorktown, Somers, Cortlandt and Carmel in Westchester County and New City in Rockland County, and in Connecticut in Greenwich, Stamford, Brookfield and Bethel.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements consisting of estimates with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and the Bank. These estimates are subject to various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates. Such factors include (i) the effect that an adverse movement in interest rates could have on net interest income, (ii) customer preferences, (iii) national and local economic and market conditions, (iv) higher than anticipated operating expenses and (v) a lower level of or higher cost for deposits than anticipated. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly announce future events or developments that may affect the forward-looking statements herein.

Balance sheets, statements of income and other financial data are attached.

  Sound Federal Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary
  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
  (Unaudited)
  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  September 30,    March 31,
                                                         2005         2005

  Assets
  Cash and due from banks                             $10,850      $11,512
  Federal funds sold and other
   overnight deposits                                  18,037       31,095
  Securities:
     Available for sale, at fair value                242,657      276,154
     Held to maturity, at amortized cost               94,741       79,489
              Total securities                        337,398      355,643
  Loans, net:
    Mortgage loans                                    664,447      558,662
    Other loans                                         6,733        5,100
    Allowance for loan losses                          (3,161)      (3,011)
              Total loans, net                        668,019      560,751

   Accrued interest receivable                          4,741        4,277
   Federal Home Loan Bank stock                         6,385        5,738
   Premises and equipment, net                          5,902        6,214
   Goodwill                                            13,970       13,970
   Bank-owned life insurance                           10,652       10,464
   Prepaid pension costs                                3,078        3,057
   Deferred income taxes                                2,431        2,236
   Other assets                                         1,602        1,993
              Total assets                         $1,083,065   $1,006,950

  Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  Liabilities:
    Deposits                                         $913,722     $831,768
    Borrowings                                         35,000       38,000
    Mortgagors' escrow funds                            3,368        5,264
    Due to brokers for securities purchased                -         2,513
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities              2,796        2,245
              Total liabilities                       954,886      879,790
  Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred stock ($0.01 par value;
      1,000,000 shares authorized; none
      issued and outstanding)                              -            -
     Common stock ($0.01 par value;
      24,000,000 shares authorized;
      13,636,170 shares issued;
      12,310,206 and 12,377,206 shares
      outstanding at September 30, 2005
      and March 31, 2005, respectively)                   136          136
     Additional paid-in capital                       104,258      103,728
     Treasury stock, at cost (1,325,964
      and 1,258,964 shares at September
      30, 2005 and March 31, 2005, respectively)      (19,186)     (18,131)
     Common stock held by Employee
      Stock Ownership Plan                             (5,801)      (6,053)
     Unearned stock awards                             (3,844)      (4,435)
     Retained earnings                                 55,325       54,638
     Accumulated other comprehensive
      loss, net of taxes                               (2,709)      (2,723)
              Total stockholders'equity               128,179      127,160
              Total liabilities and
               stockholders' equity                $1,083,065   $1,006,950


  Sound Federal Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
  (Unaudited)
  (In thousands, except per share data)
                                         For the Three    For the Six
                                          Months Ended     Months Ended
                                          September 30,    September 30,
                                          2005    2004     2005     2004
  Interest and Dividend Income
   Loans                                $8,874  $7,354  $17,138  $14,251
   Mortgage-backed and other securities  3,184   3,024    6,226    5,816
   Federal funds sold and other
    overnight deposits                     195      73      376      132
   Other earning assets                     85      34      152       55
   Total interest and dividend income   12,338  10,485   23,892   20,254

  Interest Expense
   Deposits                              5,423   3,384   10,091    6,325
   Borrowings                              361     390      722      755
   Other interest-bearing liabilities        6       5       11       10
   Total interest expense                5,790   3,779   10,824    7,090

   Net interest income                   6,548   6,706   13,068   13,164
   Provision for loan losses                75      75      150      150
   Net interest income after provision
    for loan losses                      6,473   6,631   12,918   13,014

  Non-Interest Income
   Service charges and fees                359     220      634      496
   Income on bank-owned life insurance      94      90      188      166
   Gain on sale of assets                  325      -       325       -
   Total non-interest income               778     310    1,147      662

  Non-Interest Expense
   Compensation and benefits             2,841   2,462    5,668    4,874
   Occupancy and equipment                 751     661    1,488    1,294
   Data processing service fees            354     264      646      564
   Advertising and promotion               187     239      525      490
   Other                                   901     975    1,677    1,671
   Total non-interest expense            5,034   4,601   10,004    8,893

   Income before income tax expense      2,217   2,340    4,061    4,783
   Income tax expense                      858     909    1,578    1,855
   Net income                           $1,359  $1,431   $2,483   $2,928

  Earnings per share:
     Basic earnings per share            $0.12   $0.12    $0.22    $0.25
     Diluted earnings per share          $0.12   $0.12    $0.21    $0.25


  Sound Federal Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

  Other Financial Data
  (Unaudited)
  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                    At or for the Quarter Ended

                     Sept. 30,    June 30,   March 31,   Dec. 31,  Sept. 30,
                         2005        2005        2005       2004       2004

  Net interest income  $6,548      $6,520      $6,584     $6,675     $6,706
  Provision for loan
   losses                  75          75          75         75         75
  Non-interest income     778         369         403        382        310
  Non-interest expense:
   Compensation and
    benefits            2,841       2,827       2,533      2,538      2,462
   Occupancy and
    equipment             751         737         750        673        661
   Other non-interest
    expense             1,442       1,406       1,792      1,389      1,478
  Total non-interest
   expense              5,034       4,970       5,075      4,600      4,601
  Income before income
   tax expense          2,217       1,844       1,837      2,382      2,340
  Income tax expense      858         720         722        956        909
  Net income           $1,359      $1,124      $1,115     $1,426     $1,431
  Total assets     $1,083,065  $1,060,811  $1,006,950   $984,372   $965,388
  Loans, net          668,019     613,481     560,751    541,955    529,638
  Mortgage-backed
   securities
   Available for sale 165,474     184,491     199,746    216,133    231,986
   Held to maturity    60,530      60,314      59,777     54,717     30,691
  Other securities
   Available for sale  77,183      76,988      76,408     79,364     84,986
   Held to maturity    34,211      23,713      19,712     14,713     10,640
  Deposits            913,722     890,191     831,768    802,990    789,794
  Borrowings           35,000      35,000      38,000     38,000     38,000
  Stockholders'
   equity             128,179     128,084     127,160    131,134    129,439

  Performance Data:
  Return on average
   assets(1)             0.51%       0.44%       0.46%      0.58%      0.60%
  Return on average
   equity(1)             4.14%       3.57%       3.51%      4.38%      4.56%
  Net interest rate
   spread(1)             2.27%       2.41%       2.62%      2.63%      2.71%
  Net interest
   margin(1)             2.55%       2.66%       2.85%      2.85%      2.94%
  Efficiency ratio(2)   71.90%      72.14%      73.61%     65.18%     65.58%

  Per Common Share Data:
  Basic earnings
   per common share     $0.12       $0.10       $0.10      $0.12      $0.12
  Diluted earnings
   per common share     $0.12       $0.10       $0.10      $0.12      $0.12
  Book value
   per share(3)        $10.41      $10.41      $10.27     $10.40     $10.29
  Tangible book value
   per share(3)         $9.28       $9.28       $9.15      $9.29      $9.18
  Dividends per share  $0.070      $0.065       $0.06      $0.06      $0.06

  Capital Ratios:
  Equity to total assets
   (consolidated)       11.83%      12.07%      12.63%     13.32%     13.41%
  Tier 1 leverage
   capital (Bank)        9.80%       9.85%      10.24%     10.37%     10.40%

  Asset Quality Data:
  Total non-performing
   loans               $1,285      $2,183        $580       $734       $963
  Total non-performing
   assets              $1,285      $2,183        $580       $734       $963

  (1) Ratios are annualized.
  (2) Computed by dividing non-interest expense by the sum of net interest
      income and non-interest income.
  (3) Computed based on total common shares issued, less treasury shares.
Website: http://www.soundfed.com/



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