Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.® Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.^® (NASDAQ:CFFN) (the "Company"), the parent company of Capitol Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank"), announced results today for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. For best viewing results, please view this release in Portable Document Format (PDF) on our website, http://ir.capfed.com.

Highlights for the quarter include:

• net income of $8.3 million;
• basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.06;
• net interest margin of 1.32% (1.39% excluding the effects of the leverage strategy);
• paid dividends of $0.085 per share; and
• on July 25, 2023, announced a cash dividend of $0.085 per share, payable on August 18, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 4, 2023.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023

For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized net income of $8.3 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to net income of $14.2 million, or $0.11 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in net income was due primarily to higher deposit interest expense in the current quarter, partially offset by lower income tax expense. The net interest margin decreased 24 basis points, from 1.56% for the prior quarter to 1.32% for the current quarter. Excluding the effects of the leverage strategy discussed in the "Leverage Strategy" section below, the net interest margin decreased 32 basis points, from 1.71% for the prior quarter to 1.39% for the current quarter. The decrease in the net interest margin excluding the effects of the leverage strategy was due mainly to an increase in the cost of deposits. Management anticipates the reduction in the net interest margin will continue in the near term. See additional discussion in "Fiscal Year 2023 Outlook" below.

Interest and Dividend Income

The following table presents the components of interest and dividend income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent. The weighted average yield on loans receivable increased nine basis points and the weighted average yield on cash and cash equivalents increased 61 basis points compared to the prior quarter.

The increase in interest income on loans receivable was due to an increase in the weighted average yield, along with an increase in the average balance of commercial loans and correspondent one-to four-family loans. The increase in the weighted average yield was due primarily to originations and purchases/participations at higher market yields, as well as disbursements on commercial construction loans at rates higher than the overall portfolio rate and upward repricing of existing adjustable-rate loans due to higher market interest rates. The decrease in interest income on cash and cash equivalents was due mainly to a decrease in the average balance of cash associated with the leverage strategy compared to the prior quarter due to a reduction in the leverage strategy usage in the current quarter, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of operating cash, as proceeds from the Federal Reserve's Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP") have been held in cash as management evaluates funding and balance sheet management options, and an increase in the yield earned on balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City ("FRB of Kansas City") due to higher market interest rates. The decrease in dividend income on FHLB stock was due mainly to a decrease in the average balance of FHLB stock associated with the leverage strategy, partially offset by an increase in the dividend rate paid by FHLB.

Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent. The weighted average rate paid on deposits increased 59 basis points and the weighted average rate paid on borrowings not associated with the leverage strategy increased 23 basis points compared to the prior quarter.

During the current quarter, interest expense on borrowings associated with the leverage strategy decreased $3.3 million due to a reduction in usage of the leverage strategy. This was almost entirely offset by an increase in interest expense on borrowings not associated with the leverage strategy, due primarily to BTFP borrowings which have been held in cash as management evaluates funding and balance sheet management options. The increase in interest expense on deposits was due primarily to increases in the weighted average rate paid and average balance of the certificate of deposit portfolio and an increase in the weighted average rate paid on money market accounts. Early in the current quarter, management increased the rates offered on the Bank's money market accounts in an effort to slow the outflow of deposit balances.

Provision for Credit Losses

For the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the Bank recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.3 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $891 thousand for the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses in the current quarter was comprised of a $2.5 million increase in the allowance for credit losses ("ACL") for loans, partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The provision for credit losses associated with the ACL was due primarily to worsening economic forecast conditions compared to the prior quarter, commercial loan growth, and a reduction in prepayment speeds related to the commercial loan portfolio. The release of provision for credit losses associated with the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures was due primarily to refining our methodology to account for the estimated credit losses on unfunded commercial construction-to-permanent loans and commitments for the time period after construction is expected to be completed.

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in other non-interest income was due mainly to an increase in income on bank-owned life insurance related to the receipt of death benefits during the current quarter.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in salaries and employee benefits was mainly related to merit increases during the current quarter. The increase in information technology and related expense was due primarily to an increase in professional services related to the Company's digital transformation, discussed below, and other technology-related projects.

The Company's efficiency ratio was 72.32% for the current quarter compared to 60.86% for the prior quarter. The change in the efficiency ratio was due primarily to lower net interest income. The efficiency ratio is a measure of a financial institution's total non-interest expense as a percentage of the sum of net interest income (pre-provision for credit losses) and non-interest income. A higher value indicates that it is costing the financial institution more money to generate revenue, relative to the net interest margin and non-interest income.

Income Tax Expense

The following table presents pretax income, income tax expense, and net income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent and the effective tax rate.

The decrease in income tax expense was due primarily to lower pretax income in the current quarter and partially to a lower effective tax rate. The decrease in effective tax rate was due primarily to lower projected pretax income, as the Company's permanent differences, which generally reduce our tax rate, have a larger impact on the overall effective rate.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

The Company recognized net income of $38.7 million, or $0.29 per share, for the current year period compared to net income of $65.0 million, or $0.48 per share, for the prior year period. The decrease in net income was due primarily to lower net interest income, along with recording a provision for credit losses of $5.9 million for the current year period compared to a release of provision of $5.7 million for the prior year period, partially offset by lower income tax expense. The net interest margin decreased 32 basis points, from 1.82% for the prior year period to 1.50% for the current year period. Excluding the effects of the leverage strategy, the net interest margin decreased 38 basis points, from 2.04% for the prior year period to 1.66% for the current year period. The decrease in the net interest margin excluding the effects of the leverage strategy was due mainly to an increase in the cost of borrowings and deposits, which exceeded the increase in loan yields.

Interest and Dividend Income

The following table presents the components of interest and dividend income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in interest income on loans receivable was due to an increase in the average balance and weighted average yield of the loan portfolio. The increase in the average balance was mainly in the correspondent one-to four-family and commercial real estate loan portfolios. The increase in the weighted average yield was due primarily to originations and purchases at higher market yields, as well as disbursements on commercial construction loans at rates higher than the overall portfolio rate and upward repricing of existing adjustable-rate loans due to higher market interest rates. The increase in interest income on cash and cash equivalents was due mainly to a higher yield on cash related to an increase in FRB interest rates. The increase in dividend income on FHLB stock was due mainly to a higher FHLB dividend rate compared to the prior year period, along with an increase in the average balance of FHLB stock due to an increase in FHLB borrowings.

Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in interest expense on borrowings was due primarily to an increase in the average balance and weighted average rate on borrowings not associated with the leverage strategy, along with an increase in the weighted average rate on the borrowings associated with the leverage strategy compared to the prior year period. Interest expense on borrowings not associated with the leverage strategy increased due to new borrowings added between periods, at market interest rates higher than the overall portfolio rate, to fund operational needs. Interest expense on borrowings associated with the leverage strategy increased $31.6 million compared to the prior year period. The increase in interest expense on deposits was due to an increase in the weighted average rate paid on the deposit portfolio, primarily certificates of deposit and money market accounts, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of these portfolios.

Provision for Credit Losses

The Bank recorded a provision for credit losses during the current year period of $5.9 million, compared to a release of provision of $5.7 million during the prior year period. The provision for credit losses in the current year period was comprised of a $6.1 million increase in the ACL for loans and a $179 thousand decrease in reserves for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The provision for credit losses associated with the ACL was due primarily to worsening economic forecast conditions, along with a reduction in the projected prepayment speeds used in the model for all loan categories.

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in insurance commissions was due primarily to annual contingent insurance commissions received being higher than anticipated and the related accrual adjustments, along with overall commissions being higher in the current year. The decrease in other non-interest income was due mainly to the prior year period including gains on a loan-related financial derivative agreement, with no such gains in the current year period, along with a decrease in income on bank-owned life insurance compared to the prior year period due to a reduction in the yield and death benefits received between the two periods.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The decrease in salaries and employee benefits was attributable mainly to a decrease in incentive compensation, along with a reduction in loan commissions due to a reduction in loan origination activity, and an increase in capitalized payroll costs related to the digital transformation project. The increase in information technology and related expenses was due mainly to third-party project management expenses associated with the Bank's ongoing digital transformation project, along with higher software licensing expenses due to agreement renewals at higher costs. The increase in federal insurance premium expense was due mainly to an increase in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") assessment rate. The increase in office supplies and related expense was due primarily to the write-off of the Bank's remaining inventory of unissued non-contactless debit cards, which have now become obsolete, as well as to an increase in supplies and postage expense. The increase in other non-interest expense was due mainly to expenses associated with the collateral received on the Bank's interest rate swap agreements.

The Company's efficiency ratio was 61.78% for the current year period compared to 51.99% for the prior year period. The change in the efficiency ratio was due primarily to lower net interest income in the current year period.

Income Tax Expense

The following table presents pretax income, income tax expense, and net income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent and effective tax rate.

The decrease in income tax expense was due primarily to lower pretax income in the current year period and partially to a decrease in the effective tax rate. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due primarily to lower projected pretax income in the current year, as the Company's permanent differences, which generally reduce our tax rate, have a larger impact on the overall effective rate.

Financial Condition as of June 30, 2023

The following table summarizes the Company's financial condition at the dates indicated.

During the current quarter, total assets increased by $208.4 million largely due to an increase in operating cash related to proceeds from BTFP borrowings being held in cash as management evaluates funding and balance sheet management options. While the total loan portfolio balance remained relatively unchanged, there was a shift in the mix as commercial loans increased $42.5 million, partially offset by a $36.1 million decrease in one- to four-family loans, including a $26.9 million decrease in one- to four-family correspondent loans. The Bank continues to reduce purchases of correspondent loans with the intention of correspondent purchases near zero, which will result in a continued decrease in the balance of that portfolio. The securities portfolio decreased $60.9 million during the current quarter as cash flows from securities were used for other operational needs.

Total liabilities increased $219.1 million during the current quarter due to an increase in borrowings of $289.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in deposits of $51.6 million. The increase in borrowings was due primarily to proceeds from new BTFP borrowings totaling $500.0 million, partially offset by a reduction in FHLB borrowings as the FHLB line of credit balance was paid off and a maturing $100.0 million FHLB advance was not renewed. Management continues to evaluate funding and balance sheet management options and may pay down additional maturing FHLB advances using proceeds from BTFP borrowings. The decrease in deposits was due primarily to non-maturity deposits, which decreased $217.6 million, partially offset by a $123.8 million increase in retail certificates of deposit and a $41.9 million increase in public unit certificates of deposit.

Total assets increased $669.2 million from September 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The increase was mainly composed of a $499.2 million increase in the loan portfolio and a $280.2 million increase in operating cash, partially offset by a $118.4 million decrease in securities. Deposits decreased $102.0 million during that same time period, so the balance sheet growth was funded with additional borrowings. The decrease in deposits during the current year period was mainly in non-maturity deposits which decreased $538.2 million, largely money market accounts, partially offset by a $350.1 million increase in retail certificates of deposit and $78.5 million increase in public unit certificates of deposit. During the March 2023 quarter, the Bank held a certificate of deposit promotional campaign which resulted in $177.3 million in new retail certificates of deposit with the majority of the funds coming from customer transfers from existing deposits within the Bank. The additional decrease in non-maturity deposit balances above the certificate of deposit promotional campaign was likely due to depositors moving funds to alternative, higher yielding investment products and/or withdrawing funds for customer spending. The increase in borrowings was composed of $500.0 million in BTFP borrowings with a term of one year and a rate of 4.70%, and a net increase of $354.0 million in FHLB borrowings. While it is still management's expectation that we will stay under $10 billion in total assets at September 30, 2023, that threshold was exceeded at March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023.

We are working to limit the growth in total assets and are evaluating funding options as FHLB borrowings mature and other balance sheet management opportunities. We are expecting to reduce the size of the one- to four-family correspondent loan portfolio over the coming months and use that cash to pay down borrowings. Slower growth or no growth in our one- to four-family originated loan portfolio will help to conserve cash as well. There were $75.4 million and $86.2 million in one-to four-family originated commitments at June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023 respectively, and $3.2 million and $14.9 million of one-to four-family correspondent commitments at June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023 respectively. The Bank continues to receive good commercial loan opportunities from strong borrowers and as these opportunities present themselves, we may sell select securities at a loss to help stay under $10 billion in assets for the foreseeable future and provide capacity in the balance sheet to fund these loan opportunities. At June 30, 2023, there was $418.2 million of undisbursed funds related to commercial real estate and construction loans and $17.8 million of commercial real estate and construction commitments. Funding deposit run-off continues to be a challenge and could require the use of longer-term funding.

The following table summarizes loan originations and purchases, deposit activity, and borrowing activity, along with certain related weighted average rates, during the periods indicated. The borrowings presented in the table have original contractual terms of one year or longer.

Leverage Strategy

At times, the Bank has utilized a leverage strategy to increase earnings which entails entering into short-term FHLB advances and depositing the proceeds from the borrowings, net of the required FHLB stock holdings, at the FRB of Kansas City. The borrowings were repaid prior to quarter end. The average balance of leverage strategy borrowings was $604.4 million and $979.2 million during the quarters ended June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively, and $1.16 billion for the nine months ended June 30, 2023. At times during the current quarter, the leverage strategy was not profitable and therefore was not utilized, resulting in a decrease in the average outstanding balance of leverage strategy borrowings compared to the prior quarter. Net income attributable to the leverage strategy was $86 thousand and $959 thousand for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. When the leverage strategy is in place, it reduces the net interest margin due to the amount of earnings from the transaction in comparison to the size of the transaction. Management continues to monitor the net interest rate spread and overall profitability of the strategy.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' equity totaled $1.06 billion at June 30, 2023. During the nine months ended June 30, 2023, the Company paid cash dividends totaling $71.8 million. These cash dividends totaled $0.535 per share and consisted of a $0.28 per share cash true-up dividend related to fiscal year 2022 earnings and three regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.085 per share.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss was $126.7 million at June 30, 2023 of which $136.1 million was attributable to unrealized losses on AFS securities, partially offset by $9.4 million of unrealized gains on derivatives. The unrealized loss on AFS securities increased at June 30, 2023 from $125.3 million at March 31, 2023, due mainly to changes in market interest rates.

On July 25, 2023, the Company announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share, or approximately $11.3 million, payable on August 18, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 4, 2023. In the long run, management considers the Bank's equity to total assets ratio of at least 9% an appropriate level of capital. At June 30, 2023, this ratio was 9.1%.

Consistent with our goal to operate a sound and profitable financial organization, we actively seek to maintain a well-capitalized status for the Bank in accordance with regulatory standards. As of June 30, 2023, the Bank's community bank leverage ratio ("CBLR") was 9.6%, which exceeded the minimum requirement of 9.0%. The CBLR is based on average assets. The leverage strategy increases average assets which in turn reduces the Bank's CBLR. As of June 30, 2023 the Bank exceeded all internal policy thresholds for sensitivity to changes in interest rates, and the Bank's risk-based tier 1 capital ratio was 18.6%.

At June 30, 2023, Capitol Federal Financial, Inc., at the holding company level, had $87.3 million in cash on deposit at the Bank. For fiscal year 2023, it is the intention of the Board of Directors to pay out the regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share, as well as all of the Company's earnings in excess of that amount. Dividend payments depend upon a number of factors, including the Company's financial condition and results of operations, regulatory capital requirements, regulatory limitations on the Bank's ability to make capital distributions to the Company, and the amount of cash at the holding company level.

There remains $22.5 million authorized under the existing stock repurchase plan for additional purchases of the Company's common stock. Shares may be repurchased from time to time based upon market conditions, available liquidity and other factors. This plan has no expiration date; however, the FRB of Kansas City's existing approval for the Company to repurchase shares expires in August 2023.

The following table presents a reconciliation of total to net shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023.

Fiscal Year 2023 Outlook

The rapid increase in short-term rates led by the Federal Reserve and the resulting inverted yield curve has caused decreases in the Bank's net interest margin. There has been a runoff in deposit balances and management has increased certificate of deposit and money market account rates to help mitigate the outflow. Higher mortgage loan rates have made the purchase of homes less affordable, which lowers the likelihood of existing one- to four-family loans at lower rates being paid off as a result of housing turnover. These dynamics have caused our balance sheet to change faster than what would typically occur in more stable rate environments. Net interest margin compression is anticipated to continue, and the margin is expected to compress more in the near term, possibly up to 10 basis points during the September 30, 2023 quarter. The continued net interest margin compression is due to the Federal Reserve continuing to increase short-term interest rates which is impacting the shape of the yield curve, the pace at which liabilities are repricing compared to assets, and deposit funds moving from lower costing deposit accounts to certificates of deposit. Loan growth is occurring at market interest rates that are higher than the overall loan portfolio rate; however, the pace at which the interest rate increases are occurring for liabilities is more than offsetting the benefit of the higher loan rates. As with managing the size of the balance sheet discussed above, management continues to evaluate funding options and plans to continue using shorter term advances, as necessary, with the anticipation that when rates begin to decrease, those borrowings can be repaid or repriced to lower cost alternatives.

Management intends to implement a new core processing system ("digital transformation") for the Bank by September 2023. The digital transformation is expected to better position the Bank for the future and allow for the introduction of new products and services to enhance customer experiences. Management anticipates information technology and related expenses will be approximately $5 million higher in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 due to the digital transformation. In addition, it is expected there will be approximately $1 million more of information technology and related expenses in fiscal year 2023 related to projects outside of the digital transformation and due to general cost increases. Overall, it is anticipated that information technology and related expenses will be approximately $6 million higher in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022, or approximately $24 million for the year. In fiscal year 2024, information technology and related expense is expected to decrease approximately $3 million from fiscal year 2023 levels due primarily to a reduction in professional service costs. Salaries and employee benefits are expected to be approximately $1 million lower in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022. Federal insurance premium expense is anticipated to be approximately $1.3 million higher in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022, due to the increase in the assessment rate that began in January 2023. Management anticipates the effective tax rate for fiscal year 2023 will be approximately 18%. This is lower than the previously provided projection of 19%, due mainly to lower projected pretax income as the Company's permanent differences, which generally reduce our tax rate, have a larger impact on the overall effective rate.

Capitol Federal Financial, Inc. is the holding company for the Bank. The Bank has 51 branch locations in Kansas and Missouri, and is one of the largest residential lenders in the State of Kansas. News and other information about the Company can be found at the Bank's website, http://www.capfed.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained in this press release, the matters discussed herein may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements about our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. The words "may," "could," "should," "would," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: changes in policies or the application or interpretation of laws and regulations by regulatory agencies and tax authorities; other governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; fluctuations in interest rates and the effects of inflation or a potential recession, whether caused by Federal Reserve action or otherwise; the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor or depositor sentiment; demand for loans in the Company's and its correspondent banks' market areas; the future earnings and capital levels of the Bank, which could affect the ability of the Company to pay dividends in accordance with its dividend policies; competition; and other risks detailed from time to time in documents filed or furnished by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results may differ materially from those currently expected. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Average Balance Sheets

The following tables present the average balances of our assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity, and the related annualized weighted average yields and rates on our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated, as well as selected performance ratios and other information for the periods shown. Weighted average yields are derived by dividing annualized income by the average balance of the related assets, and weighted average rates are derived by dividing annualized expense by the average balance of the related liabilities, for the periods shown. Average outstanding balances are derived from average daily balances. The weighted average yields and rates include amortization of fees, costs, premiums and discounts, which are considered adjustments to yields/rates. Weighted average yields on tax-exempt securities are not calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis.