William Penn Bancorporation Announces Quarter End Results and Cash Dividend to Shareholders

BRISTOL, PA / ACCESSWIRE / April 17, 2024 / William Penn Bancorporation ("William Penn" or the "Company") (NASDAQ CM:WMPN), the parent company of William Penn Bank (the "Bank"), today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024. William Penn recorded net income of $136 thousand, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and recorded net income of $326 thousand, or $0.04 per basic share and $0.03 per diluted share, for the nine months ended March 31, 2024, compared to net income of $183 thousand and $2.3 million, or $0.01 and $0.17 per basic and diluted share, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively. William Penn recorded core net income of $21 thousand, or $0.00 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and a core net loss⁽¹⁾ of $25 thousand, or $(0.00) per basic and diluted share, for the nine months ended March 31, 2024, compared to core net income⁽¹⁾ of $443 thousand and $2.3 million, or $0.04 per basic share and $0.03 per diluted share and $0.17 per basic and diluted share, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2023, respectively.

In addition, William Penn announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.03 per share, payable on May 9, 2024, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on April 29, 2024.

Kenneth J. Stephon, William Penn's Chairman, President, and CEO, stated, "We remain focused on delivering the maximum value to our shareholders. During our third fiscal quarter, we continued to repurchase shares under our existing stock repurchase programs and we repurchased 205,649 shares at a total cost of $2.5 million, an average cost of $12.22 per share. We are authorized to repurchase a total of 6,433,769 shares under our previously announced stock repurchase programs and, as of March 31, 2024, we have repurchased a total of 6,201,969 shares at a total cost of $72.5 million, an average of $11.69 per share."

Mr. Stephon added, "The Company continues to maintain a robust capital level, posting a stockholders' equity to assets ratio of 15.09% and a tangible common equity ratio⁽²⁾ of 14.56% at March 31, 2024. Our healthy capital position has provided us with the flexibility to pay dividends and return excess capital to shareholders through share repurchases. The current interest rate environment, which is very difficult for banks with respect to profitability, is possibly going to remain with us longer than many people had anticipated. As we face these challenges, we continue to manage our expenses diligently, evaluate every opportunity to improve our financial results, and remain committed to maximizing stockholder value."

Highlights for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024 are as follows:

• During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we repurchased 205,649 shares at a total cost of $2.5 million, an average of $12.22 per share. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had repurchased a total of 6,433,769 shares under its previously announced repurchase programs at a total cost of $72.5 million, or $11.69 per share.
• William Penn recorded net income of $136 thousand, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, and core net income⁽¹⁾ of $21 thousand, or $0.00 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
• The accumulated other comprehensive loss component of equity related to the unrealized loss on available for sale securities decreased $1.3 million, or 5.7%, during the nine months ended March 31, 2024.
• During the nine months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded a $475 thousand recovery for credit losses primarily due to consistently low levels of net charge-offs, strong asset quality metrics and continued conservative lending practices. Non-performing assets to total assets decreased to 0.41% as of March 31, 2024 from 0.49% as of June 30, 2023 and William Penn recorded $16 thousand of net recoveries, or (0.00)% of average loans, during the nine months ended March 31, 2024.
• Book value per share measured $13.30 as of March 31, 2024 compared to $12.91 as of June 30, 2023. Tangible book value per share⁽³⁾ measured $12.74 as of March 31, 2024 compared to $12.48 as of June 30, 2023. The increase in both book value per share and tangible book value per share was primarily due to a $1.3 million decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss component of equity related to the unrealized loss on available for sale securities and the repurchase of 3,021,498 shares at a total cost of $36.8 million, or $12.18 per share.

Statement of Financial Condition

Total assets decreased $14.4 million, or 1.7%, to $833.2 million at March 31, 2024, from $847.6 million at June 30, 2023, primarily due to a $13.3 million decrease in available for sale and held to maturity investments. The Company used $36.8 million of cash during the nine months ended March 31, 2024 to repurchase shares of stock under its previously announced stock repurchase programs.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $2.8 million, or 13.7%, to $18.0 million at March 31, 2024, from $20.8 million at June 30, 2023. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to the repurchase of 3,021,498 shares at a total cost of $36.8 million and a $9.5 million decrease in deposits, partially offset by a $31.0 million increase in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of Pittsburgh and approximately $15.0 million of investment principal paydowns.

Total investments decreased $12.9 million, or 4.9%, to $253.5 million at March 31, 2024, from $266.4 million at June 30, 2023. The decrease in investments was primarily due to approximately $15.0 million of principal paydowns of securities included in the available for sale and held to maturity portfolios, partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in the gross unrealized loss on available for sale securities. The Company remains focused on maintaining a high-quality investment portfolio that provides a steady stream of cash flows.

Net loans increased $714 thousand, or 0.1%, to $478.3 million at March 31, 2024, from $477.5 million at June 30, 2023. The interest rate environment has caused a slowdown in borrower demand and the Company continues to maintain conservative lending practices and pricing discipline.

Deposits decreased $9.5 million, or 1.5%, to $625.8 million at March 31, 2024, from $635.3 million at June 30, 2023. The decrease in deposits was primarily due to a $22.6 million decrease in money market accounts and a $7.1 million decrease in savings accounts, partially offset by an $11.8 million increase in interest bearing checking accounts and a $9.3 million increase in certificate of deposit accounts. The interest rate environment has created significant pricing competition for deposits within our market.

Borrowings increased $31.0 million, or 91.2%, to $65.0 million at March 31, 2024, from $34.0 million at June 30, 2023. During the nine months ended March 31, 2024, the Company borrowed from the FHLB of Pittsburgh to fund a portion of the $36.8 million of share repurchases.

Stockholders' equity decreased $34.9 million, or 21.8%, to $125.8 million at March 31, 2024, from $160.7 million at June 30, 2023. The decrease in stockholders' equity was primarily due to the repurchase of 3,021,498 shares at a total cost of $36.8 million, or $12.18 per share, during the nine months ended March 31, 2024 under the Company's previously announced stock repurchase programs, the payment of three $0.03 per share quarterly cash dividends totaling $900 thousand, and a $226 thousand one-time cumulative effect decrease to retained earnings from the adoption of the Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL") accounting standard. These decreases to stockholders' equity were partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss component of equity related to the unrealized loss on available for sale securities and $326 thousand of net income during the nine months ended March 31, 2024. Book value per share measured $13.30 as of March 31, 2024 compared to $12.91 as of June 30, 2023, and tangible book value per share⁽³⁾ measured $12.74 as of March 31, 2024 compared to $12.48 as of June 30, 2023.

Net Interest Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net interest income was $4.0 million, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 27.5%, from the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings, partially offset by an increase in interest income on loans. The net interest margin measured 2.15% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 2.84% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of borrowings and the rise in interest rates that caused an increase in the cost of borrowings and deposits that exceeded the increase in interest income on loans.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2024, net interest income was $13.0 million, a decrease of $4.8 million, or 27.2%, from the nine months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in interest expense on deposits and borrowings, partially offset by an increase in interest income on loans. The net interest margin measured 2.32% for the nine months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 3.04% for the nine months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in the net interest margin during the nine months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, was primarily due to an increase in the average balance of deposits and the rise in interest rates that caused an increase in the cost of borrowings and deposits that exceeded the increase in interest income on loans and investments.

Non-interest Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, non-interest income totaled $725 thousand, an increase of $551 thousand, or 316.7%, from the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $585 thousand increase in the unrealized gain on equity securities from a $435 thousand unrealized loss during the three months ended March 31, 2023 to a $150 thousand unrealized gain during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2024, non-interest income totaled $2.2 million, an increase of $845 thousand, or 62.2%, from the nine months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $1.0 million increase in the unrealized gain on equity securities from a $654 thousand unrealized loss during the nine months ended March 31, 2023 to a $371 thousand unrealized gain during the nine months ended March 31, 2024, as well as a $99 thousand increase in earnings on bank-owned life insurance. These increases to non-interest income were partially offset by a $396 thousand net gain on the sale of premises and equipment primarily associated with the sale of two properties recorded during the nine months ended March 31, 2023.

Non-interest Expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, non-interest expense totaled $5.3 million, a decrease of $231 thousand, or 4.1%, from the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in non-interest expense was primarily due to a $226 thousand decrease in salaries and employee benefits primarily due to a reduction in the number of full-time employees consistent with the Company's expense management initiatives.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2024, non-interest expense totaled $15.6 million, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 6.9%, from the nine months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in non-interest expense was primarily due to an $893 thousand decrease in salaries and employee benefits primarily due to a reduction in the number of full-time employees consistent with the Company's expense management initiatives and a $245 thousand decrease in occupancy and equipment expense consistent with the closure of the Bank's branch office located in Collingswood, New Jersey effective December 31, 2022.

Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded a $230 thousand income tax benefit, reflecting an effective tax rate of (244.7)%, compared to an income tax benefit of $45 thousand, reflecting an effective tax rate of (32.6)%, for the same period in 2023. The income tax benefit recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due to the $94 thousand loss before income taxes coupled with the $319 thousand of federal tax-exempt income recorded on bank-owned life insurance. The Company recorded an income tax benefit during the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to $276 thousand of federal tax-exempt income recorded on bank-owned life insurance.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded a $313 thousand income tax benefit, reflecting an effective tax rate of (2407.7)%, compared to a provision for income taxes of $105 thousand, reflecting an effective tax rate of 4.4%, for the same period in 2023. The income tax benefit recorded during the nine months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due to $13 thousand of income before income taxes coupled with the $922 thousand of federal tax-exempt income recorded on bank-owned life insurance. The Company recorded a $211 thousand income tax benefit related to a refund received associated with the carryback of net operating losses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act during the nine months ended March 31, 2023.

Asset Quality

Asset quality metrics remain strong with non-performing assets to total assets decreasing to 0.41% as of March 31, 2024 from 0.49% as of June 30, 2023. During the nine months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded a $475 thousand recovery for credit losses primarily due to consistently low levels of net charge-offs, strong asset quality metrics and continued conservative lending practices. During the nine months ended March 31, 2023, we did not record a provision for credit losses due to improved asset quality metrics and continued low levels of net charge-offs and non-performing assets. Our allowance for credit losses ("ACL") totaled $3.1 million, or 0.65% of total loans, as of March 31, 2024, compared to $3.3 million, or 0.69% of total loans, as of June 30, 2023. Our total credit losses coverage ratio⁽⁴⁾, including $2.2 million of fair value marks on acquired loans and the $3.1 million allowance for credit losses, was 1.10% as of March 31, 2024 compared to 1.20% as of June 30, 2023, including $2.5 million of fair value marks on acquired loans and the $3.3 million allowance for credit losses.

Capital and Liquidity

As of March 31, 2024, William Penn's stockholders' equity to assets ratio totaled 15.09% and tangible capital to tangible assets ratio⁽²⁾ totaled 14.56%. The Bank's capital position remains strong relative to current regulatory requirements. The Bank has elected to follow the community bank leverage ratio framework and, as of March 31, 2024, the Bank had a community leverage ratio of 16.01% and is considered well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action framework.

The Bank continues to have substantial liquidity that has been retained in cash or invested in high quality government-backed securities. In addition, at March 31, 2024, we had the ability to borrow up to $280.8 million from the FHLB of Pittsburgh, $10.0 million from the Atlantic Community Bankers Bank, and $4.1 million from the Federal Reserve Bank.

About William Penn Bancorporation and William Penn Bank

William Penn Bancorporation, headquartered in Bristol, Pennsylvania, is the holding company for William Penn Bank, which is a community bank that serves the Delaware Valley area through twelve full-service branch offices in Bucks County and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Camden and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. The Company's executive offices are located at 10 Canal Street, Suite 104, Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007. William Penn Bank's deposits are insured up to the legal maximum (generally $250,000 per depositor) by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The primary federal regulator for William Penn Bank is the FDIC. For more information about the Bank and William Penn, please visit www.williampenn.bank.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements and all other statements that are not historic facts are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions (including higher inflation and its impact on national and local economic conditions), changes in the interest rate environment, legislative or regulatory changes that may adversely affect our business, changes in accounting policies and practices, changes in competition and demand for financial services, changes to consumer and business confidence, investor sentiment, or consumer spending of savings behavior, adverse changes in the securities markets, changes in deposit flows, changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios and our ability to successfully integrate the business operations of acquired businesses into our business operations, the ability to attract, develop and retain qualified employees, our ability to maintain the security of our data processing and information technology systems, and that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy. Additionally, other risks and uncertainties may be described in William Penn's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, which is available through the SEC's EDGAR website located at www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize, actual results may vary from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, William Penn assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.