Blue Hills Bancorp (BHBK) Updates on Problem Loans; Approves 1.35M Share Stock Buyback

Blue Hills Bancorp (Nasdaq: BHBK) announced an update on problem loans to one commercial customer. As previously disclosed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on August 4, 2016, loans with a balance of $4.1 million to one commercial customer were placed on nonaccrual status in the second quarter of 2016 and a specific reserve of $558,000 was established against the loans at that time. The Company had a full commercial relationship with this customer, including an owner-occupied commercial real estate loan and loans to finance other business assets. The specific reserve of $558,000 was established based upon information available at such time. Based on the information currently available to the Company regarding the borrower and collateral securing these loans, the Company expects to record a charge-off of $3.3 million related to such loans during the third quarter. This charge-off, when combined with the effect of the previously established specific reserve, is expected to result in a pre-tax charge against income of approximately $2.7 million relating to these loans for the third quarter.

The Company has initiated foreclosure and liquidation proceedings on such collateral that had been pledged to the Company as security for the loans. In addition, the Company is conducting a thorough review and investigation, including the use of forensic accountants, related to the origination of the loans and the representations made by this customer to the Bank. The Company believes the customer made fraudulent misrepresentations about its financial condition and the collateral securing the loans and the Company intends to pursue all legal remedies against the customer for losses and costs related to the loans. There can be no assurance, however, that these efforts will result in significant recoveries. Additional developments on this matter, if any, will be provided when the Company releases third quarter 2016 earnings, which is currently planned for the week of October 24.

Blue Hills Bancorp also announced today that the Board of Directors has authorized the Company’s third stock repurchase program pursuant to which the Company intends to purchase up to 1,345,087 shares of its issued and outstanding shares of common stock, which represents approximately 5% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares. The timing of the purchases will depend on certain factors, including but not limited to, market conditions and prices, available funds and alternative uses of capital. The stock repurchase program may be carried out through open-market purchases, block trades, negotiated private transactions and pursuant to a trading plan that will be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any repurchased shares will be held by the Company as authorized but unissued shares. The repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason, including market conditions, the cost of repurchasing shares, the availability of alternative investment opportunities, liquidity, and other factors deemed appropriate. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any particular number of shares. The third repurchase program will commence upon completion of the second repurchase program. Currently, the Company has repurchased 84% of the 1,119,000 shares authorized under the second program, which was announced in February 2016. The first repurchase program, which was announced in July 2015, was completed in February 2016. Total repurchases under the first and second program amount to 2,359,540 shares as of September 13, 2016.

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