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First BanCorp. Announces Earnings For the Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2019

January 28, 2020 7:00 AM

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First BanCorp. (the “Corporation”) (NYSE: FBP), the bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico (“FirstBank” or “the Bank”), today reported net income of $36.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $46.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019, and $101.1 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2018. The results for the fourth quarter of 2018 included a $53.3 million net tax benefit related to a $63.2 million one-time benefit resulting from the partial reversal of the Corporation’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance, partially offset by a one-time non-cash charge of $9.9 million related to the enactment of the Puerto Rico Tax Reform of 2018.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Corporation reported net income of $167.4 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, compared to $201.6 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2018. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 of $165.6 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $137.1 million, or $0.62 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2018. On a year-over-year basis, the Corporation improved its profitability metrics including: (i) Return on Average Assets (“ROA”) of 1.34% (1.33% adjusted for Special Items) for 2019 compared to 1.65% (1.12% adjusted for Special Items) for 2018; (ii) Net interest margin of 4.85% for 2019 compared to 4.55% for 2018; and (iii) Efficiency ratio of 57.5% (56.6% adjusted for Special Items) for 2019 compared to 58.9% (58.7% adjusted for Special Items) for 2018. In addition, the ratio of NPAs to total assets decreased to 2.5% as of December 31, 2019 from 3.8% as of December 31, 2018, reflecting the effect of a $149.7 million, or 32%, decrease in total NPAs during the year. The total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2019 grew by $140.4 million as compared to the portfolio as of December 31, 2018, and core deposits grew by $312.8 million as compared to the 2018 year-end amount.

Aurelio Alemán, President and Chief Executive Officer of First BanCorp., commented: “2019 was a momentous year for our company and we are working diligently toward the approval, closing and integration of the recently announced acquisition of Banco Santander Puerto Rico. We reported $36.4 million of net income for the fourth quarter of 2019, which included $6.8 million of after-tax merger and restructuring charges. Our adjusted core results of $42.8 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, were slightly below the prior quarter reflecting the impact of the current interest rate environment. Our pre-tax, pre-provision income was stronger at $72.1 million this quarter.

Key franchise metrics continue to move in a positive direction; our loan portfolio grew this quarter with continued reductions in non-performing assets. Loan originations and renewals were solid reaching $1.1 billion. Net of non-performing loan reductions, the performing loan book grew approximately $43 million. Our deposits, net of government and brokered CDs, also grew nicely by $261 million in all regions, although the majority of the growth occurred in both Puerto Rico and Florida.

For the full year 2019, we generated net income of $167.4 million or a 1.34% ROA, we originated and renewed over $4.0 billion in loans and credit facilities, we grew our loan portfolio by $140 million, we grew our core deposits by $313 million, and reduced our non-performing assets by 32%. Our pre-tax, pre-provision earnings increased 13.8% to $284 million in 2019 as compared to prior year.

On the capital front, our capital now exceeds $2.2 billion and we announced a 67% increase in our quarterly common dividend last quarter. We are very pleased with the Corporation’s performance during 2019 and we are excited to move forward with the closing and integration of our recently announced acquisition, pending regulatory approval. We look ahead at 2020 as a transformational year for our company, the earnings power of the combined franchise will drive future capital generation while becoming a stronger competitor with significant capital to support incremental lending activity and ongoing growth initiatives on the expanded footprint.”

SPECIAL ITEMS

The financial results for the fourth and third quarters of 2019 and the fourth quarter of 2018 reflect the following items that management believes are not reflective of core operating performance, are not expected to reoccur with any regularity or may reoccur at uncertain times and in uncertain amounts (the “Special Items”):

Quarter ended December 31, 2019

- Merger and restructuring costs of $10.9 million ($6.8 million after-tax) in connection with the previously announced stock purchase agreement with Santander Holdings USA, Inc., to acquire Banco Santander Puerto Rico (“BSPR”) and related restructuring initiatives. Merger and restructuring costs primarily included advisory, legal, valuation, and other professional service fees associated with the pending acquisition of BSPR, as well as a $3.4 million charge related to a voluntary separation program (the “VSP”) offered to eligible employees during the fourth quarter of 2019 in connection with initiatives to capitalize on expected operational efficiencies from the acquisition. A total of 54 employees elected to participate in the VSP on or before December 6, 2019, the due date established for participation in the program, which represented a participation rate of 53% of eligible employees, with employment separations occurring no later than February 29, 2020.

- A $0.7 million ($0.5 million after-tax) benefit resulting from hurricane-related insurance recoveries related to repairs and maintenance costs incurred on facilities in the Virgin Islands region.

Quarter ended September 30, 2019

- A $3.0 million ($1.8 million after-tax) positive effect in earnings related to the accelerated discount accretion from the payoff of an acquired commercial mortgage loan.

- A $0.4 million ($0.2 million after-tax) benefit resulting from hurricane-related insurance recoveries related to repairs and maintenance costs incurred on facilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

- A $0.5 million OTTI charge on private-label MBS recorded in the tax-exempt international banking entity subsidiary.

- Merger and restructuring costs of $0.6 million ($0.4 million after-tax) associated with the pending acquisition of BSPR.

Quarter ended December 31, 2018

- A $63.2 million one-time benefit resulting from the partial reversal of the Corporation’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

- A $9.9 million one-time charge to income tax expense related to the enactment of the Puerto Rico Tax Reform of 2018, specifically in connection with the reduction of the Corporation’s deferred tax assets as a result of the decrease in the maximum corporate tax rate in Puerto Rico from 39% to 37.5%.

- A $5.7 million ($3.5 million after-tax) positive effect in earnings related to loan loss reserve releases resulting from revised estimates of the hurricane-related qualitative reserves associated with the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, primarily related to consumer and commercial loans.

- A $50 thousand OTTI charge on private-label MBS and a $34 thousand loss on sales of investment securities, both charges recorded in the tax-exempt international banking entity subsidiary.

NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net income, adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income, adjusted net interest income and margin, tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, certain capital ratios, and certain other financial measures that exclude the effect of items that management identifies as Special Items because they are not reflective of core operating performance, are not expected to reoccur with any regularity or may reoccur at uncertain times and in uncertain amounts, and should be read in conjunction with the discussion below in Basis of Presentation – Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and the accompanying tables (Exhibit A), which are an integral part of this press release.

NET INCOME AND RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME (NON-GAAP)

Net income amounted to $36.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $46.3 million for the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted net income amounted to $42.8 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to adjusted net income of $45.1 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019. The following table reconciles for the fourth and third quarters of 2019 and the fourth quarter of 2018 the reported net income to adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the Special Items identified above:

(In thousands, except per share information)

Quarter Ended

Quarter Ended

Quarter Ended

December 31, 2019

September 30, 2019

December 31, 2018

Net income, as reported (GAAP)

$

36,449

$

46,327

$

101,105

Adjustments:
Merger and restructuring costs

10,850

592

-

Accelerated discount accretion due to early payoff of acquired loan

-

(2,953

)

-

OTTI on private-label MBS

-

497

50

Hurricane-related loan loss reserve release

-

-

(5,698

)

Benefit from hurricane-related insurance recoveries

(727

)

(379

)

-

Partial reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance

-

-

(63,228

)

Remeasurement of deferred tax assets due to changes in enacted tax rates

-

-

9,892

Loss on sale of investment securities

-

-

34

Income tax impact of adjustments (1)

(3,796

)

1,028

2,222

Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

$

42,776

$

45,112

$

44,377

Preferred stock dividends

(669

)

(669

)

(669

)

Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders (Non-GAAP)

$

42,107

$

44,443

$

43,708

Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding

$

217,379

217,227

216,952

Earnings Per Share - diluted (GAAP)

$

0.16

$

0.21

$

0.46

Adjusted Earnings Per Share - diluted (Non-GAAP)

$

0.19

$

0.20

$

0.20

(1) See Basis of Presentation for the individual tax impact related to reconciling items.

(See Basis of Presentation – Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional information about this non-GAAP financial measure.)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED PRE-TAX, PRE-PROVISION INCOME (NON-GAAP)

Income before income taxes amounted to $53.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $65.6 million for the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income amounted to $72.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, up $1.4 million from the third quarter of 2019. The following table reconciles income before income taxes to adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income for the last five quarters:

(Dollars in thousands)

Quarter Ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

Income before income taxes

$

53,547

$

65,595

$

59,298

$

60,932

$

59,886

Add: Provision for loan and lease losses

8,473

7,398

12,534

11,820

7,649

Add: Net loss on investments and impairments

-

497

-

-

84

Less: Accelerated discount accretion due to early payoff of acquired loan

-

(2,953

)

-

-

-

Less: Employee retention benefit - Disasater Tax Relief
and Airport Extension Act of 2017

-

-

-

(2,317

)

-

Less: Benefit from hurricane-related insurance recoveries

(727

)

(379

)

(820

)

-

-

Add: Merger and restructuring costs

10,850

592

-

-

-

Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income

$

72,143

$

70,750

$

71,012

$

70,435

$

67,619

Change from most recent prior quarter (amount)

$

1,393

$

(262

)

$

577

$

2,816

$

7,385

Change from most recent prior quarter (percentage)

2.0

%

-1.2

%

0.8

%

4.2

%

12.3

%

Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income is a non-GAAP financial measure that management believes is useful to investors in analyzing the Corporation’s performance and trends. This metric is income before income taxes adjusted to exclude the provision for loan and lease losses and any gains or losses on sales of investment securities and impairments. In addition, from time to time, earnings are also adjusted for certain items regarded as Special Items, such as the merger and restructuring costs in connection with the pending acquisition of BSPR, the accelerated discount from the early payoff of an acquired commercial mortgage loan, a one-time employee retention benefit, and the hurricane-related insurance recoveries reflected above, because management believes these items are not reflective of core operating performance, are not expected to reoccur with any regularity or may reoccur at uncertain times and in uncertain amounts. (See Basis of Presentation – Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Income for additional information about this non-GAAP financial measure).

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income, excluding fair value adjustments on derivatives (“valuations”), and net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis are non-GAAP financial measures. (See Basis of Presentation – Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Net Interest Income, Excluding Valuations, and on a Tax-Equivalent Basis below for additional information about these non-GAAP financial measures). The following table reconciles net interest income in accordance with GAAP to net interest income excluding valuations, and net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis for the last five quarters. The table also reconciles net interest spread and net interest margin to these items excluding valuations, and on a tax-equivalent basis.

(Dollars in thousands) Quarter Ended
December 31, 2019 September 30, 2019 June 30, 2019 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net Interest Income
Interest income - GAAP

$

167,620

$

172,295

$

169,510

$

166,472

$

162,424

Unrealized loss (gain) on
derivative instruments

-

1

1

4

(22

)

Interest income excluding valuations

167,620

172,296

169,511

166,476

162,402

Tax-equivalent adjustment

5,050

4,964

4,929

5,322

6,135

Interest income on a tax-equivalent basis and excluding valuations

$

172,670

$

177,260

$

174,440

$

171,798

$

168,537

Interest expense - GAAP

27,691

27,870

26,964

26,291

24,726

Net interest income - GAAP

$

139,929

$

144,425

$

142,546

$

140,181

$

137,698

Net interest income excluding valuations

$

139,929

$

144,426

$

142,547

$

140,185

$

137,676

Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis and excluding valuations

$

144,979

$

149,390

$

147,476

$

145,507

$

143,811

Average Balances
Loans and leases

$

8,952,209

$

9,026,725

$

9,035,618

$

8,912,874

$

8,761,306

Total securities, other short-term investments and interest-bearing cash balances

2,865,530

2,691,584

2,641,185

2,634,055

2,685,654

Average interest-earning assets

$

11,817,739

$

11,718,309

$

11,676,803

$

11,546,929

$

11,446,960

Average interest-bearing liabilities

$

7,845,104

$

7,819,008

$

7,714,393

$

7,615,212

$

7,654,622

Average Yield/Rate
Average yield on interest-earning assets - GAAP

5.63

%

5.83

%

5.82

%

5.85

%

5.63

%

Average rate on interest-bearing liabilities - GAAP

1.40

%

1.41

%

1.40

%

1.40

%

1.28

%

Net interest spread - GAAP

4.23

%

4.42

%

4.42

%

4.45

%

4.35

%

Net interest margin - GAAP

4.70

%

4.89

%

4.90

%

4.92

%

4.77

%

Average yield on interest-earning assets excluding valuations

5.63

%

5.83

%

5.82

%

5.85

%

5.63

%

Average rate on interest-bearing liabilities excluding valuations

1.40

%

1.41

%

1.40

%

1.40

%

1.28

%

Net interest spread excluding valuations

4.23

%

4.42

%

4.42

%

4.45

%

4.35

%

Net interest margin excluding valuations

4.70

%

4.89

%

4.90

%

4.92

%

4.77

%

Average yield on interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis and excluding valuations

5.80

%

6.00

%

5.99

%

6.03

%

5.84

%

Average rate on interest-bearing liabilities excluding valuations

1.40

%

1.41

%

1.40

%

1.40

%

1.28

%

Net interest spread on a tax-equivalent basis and excluding valuations

4.40

%

4.59

%

4.59

%

4.63

%

4.56

%

Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis and excluding valuations

4.87

%

5.06

%

5.07

%

5.11

%

4.99

%

Net interest income amounted to $139.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, a decrease of $4.5 million compared to net interest income of $144.4 million for the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in net interest income was mainly due to:

Partially offset by:

Net interest margin was 4.70%, compared to 4.89% for the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to: (i) the aforementioned effect of the $3.0 million accelerated discount accretion from the payoff of a commercial mortgage loan in the third quarter, which accounted for approximately 10 basis points of the decrease in the net interest margin; (ii) pressure on variable rate commercial and credit card loan yields from lower short-term market interest rates; and (iii) the declines in the Federal Funds target rate.

PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

The provision for loan and lease losses for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $8.5 million, compared to $7.4 million for the third quarter of 2019. The $1.1 million increase in the provision for loan and lease losses was driven by the following factors:

Partially offset by:

See Credit Quality – Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses below for additional information regarding the allowance for loan and lease losses, including variances in net charge-offs.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

The following table sets forth information concerning non-interest income during the periods indicated:

Quarter Ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

Service charges on deposit accounts

$

6,205

$

6,108

$

5,887

$

5,716

$

5,666

Mortgage banking activities

4,640

4,396

4,395

3,627

3,677

Net loss on investments and impairments

-

(497

)

-

-

(84

)

Other operating income

13,560

11,394

11,941

13,200

11,272

Non-interest income

$

24,405

$

21,401

$

22,223

$

22,543

$

20,531

Non-interest income amounted to $24.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $21.4 million for the third quarter of 2019. The $3.0 million increase in non-interest income was primarily due to:

Partially offset by:

NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

The following table sets forth information concerning non-interest expenses during the periods indicated:

Quarter Ended

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

Employees' compensation and benefits

$

40,856

$

41,409

$

40,813

$

39,296

$

40,012

Occupancy and equipment

16,151

15,129

15,834

16,055

14,431

Deposit insurance premium

1,674

1,465

1,482

1,698

1,750

Other insurance and supervisory fees

919

960

547

1,170

996

Taxes, other than income taxes

3,864

3,904

3,737

3,820

3,680

Professional fees:
Collections, appraisals and other credit-related fees

2,345

1,797

1,946

1,717

2,106

Outsourcing technology services

6,036

6,206

5,798

5,520

5,610

Other professional fees

3,652

3,872

3,927

3,073

4,026

Credit and debit card processing expenses

3,734

4,764

3,820

4,154

4,096

Business promotion

4,060

4,004

3,940

3,706

4,356

Communications

1,591

1,834

1,714

1,752

1,666

Net loss on other real estate owned ("OREO") operations

3,280

2,578

5,043

3,743

4,247

Merger and restructuring costs

10,850

592

-

-

-

Other

3,302

4,319

4,336

4,268

3,718

Total

$

102,314

$

92,833

$

92,937

$

89,972

$

90,694

Non-interest expenses amounted to $102.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of $9.5 million from $92.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. The $9.5 million increase in non-interest expenses was primarily due to:

Partially offset by:

INCOME TAXES

The Corporation recorded an income tax expense of $17.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $19.3 million for the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily related to lower earnings generated during the fourth quarter, partially offset by a higher than previously estimated effective tax rate for the year.

The Corporation’s effective tax rate, excluding entities with pre-tax losses from which a tax benefit cannot be recognized and discrete items, increase to 30%, compared to the estimated effective tax rate of 29% as of the end of the third quarter of 2019. As of December 31, 2019, the Corporation had a deferred tax asset of $264.8 million (net of a valuation allowance of $86.6 million, including a valuation allowance of $55.6 million against the deferred tax assets of the Corporation’s banking subsidiary, FirstBank).

Credit Quality
Non-performing Assets
(Dollars in thousands)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

Nonaccrual loans held for investment:
Residential mortgage

$

121,408

$

127,040

$

129,501

$

132,049

$

147,287

Commercial mortgage

40,076

42,525

77,495

93,192

109,536

Commercial and Industrial

18,773

20,725

21,327

22,507

30,382

Construction

9,782

6,358

6,936

7,700

8,362

Consumer and Finance leases

20,629

19,579

17,846

17,330

20,406

Total nonaccrual loans held for investment

210,668

216,227

253,105

272,778

315,973

OREO

101,626

103,033

118,081

129,716

131,402

Other repossessed property

5,115

5,932

5,744

5,032

3,576

Total non-performing assets, excluding nonaccrual loans held for sale

$

317,409

$

325,192

$

376,930

$

407,526

$

450,951

Nonaccrual loans held for sale

-

6,906

7,144

7,381

16,111

Total non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans held for sale (1)

$

317,409

$

332,098

$

384,074

$

414,907

$

467,062

Past-due loans 90 days and still accruing (2)

$

135,490

$

144,787

$

142,113

$

148,625

$

158,527

Nonaccrual loans held for investment to total loans held for investment

2.34

%

2.41

%

2.78

%

3.03

%

3.57

%

Nonaccrual loans to total loans

2.33

%

2.48

%

2.85

%

3.10

%

3.73

%

Non-performing assets, excluding nonaccrual loans held for sale,
to total assets, excluding nonaccrual loans held for sale

2.52

%

2.60

%

3.01

%

3.29

%

3.69

%

Non-performing assets to total assets

2.52

%

2.65

%

3.06

%

3.35

%

3.81

%

(1

)

Purchased credit impaired ("PCI") loans of $136.7 million accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 310-30 as of December 31, 2019, primarily mortgage loans acquired from Doral Bank in the first quarter of 2015 and from Doral Financial in the second quarter of 2014, are excluded and not considered nonaccrual loans due to the application of the accretion method, under which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using an estimated cash flow analysis.

(2

)

Amount includes PCI loans with individual delinquencies over 90 days and still accruing with a carrying value as of December 31, 2019 of approximately $27.0 million, primarily related to the loans acquired from Doral Bank in the first quarter of 2015 and from Doral Financial in the second quarter of 2014.
Variances in credit quality metrics:

  • Total non-performing assets decreased by $14.7 million to $317.4 million as of December 31, 2019, compared to $332.1 million as of September 30, 2019. Total nonaccrual loans, including nonaccrual loans held for sale, decreased by $12.4 million to $210.7 million as of December 31, 2019, compared to $223.1 million as of September 30, 2019.

The decrease in non-performing assets was mainly due to:

- A $7.9 million decrease in nonaccrual commercial and construction loans, including the sale of the $6.7 million nonaccrual commercial mortgage loan held for sale, collections of $2.8 million in the fourth quarter, approximately $3.4 million of loans brought current and restored to accrual status during the fourth quarter, and charge-offs and foreclosures totaling $1.1 million. These variances were partially offset by inflows of $6.3 million as further discussed below.

- A $5.6 million decrease in nonaccrual residential mortgage loans, driven by collections, foreclosures, charge-offs, and, to a lesser extent, loans brought current that, in the aggregate, offset a lower amount of inflows in the fourth quarter.

- A $1.4 million decrease in the OREO portfolio balance. The decrease was driven by sales of $8.3 million, primarily residential OREO properties in the Puerto Rico region, and write-down adjustments to the OREO value of $3.8 million, partially offset by additions of $10.7 million.

- A $0.8 million decrease in non-real estate repossessed assets, primarily repossessed automobiles.

Partially offset by:

- A $1.1 million increase in nonaccrual consumer loans, primarily auto loans.

  • Inflows to nonaccrual loans held for investment were $33.5 million, a $1.7 million increase compared to inflows of $31.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. Inflows to non-performing commercial and construction loans were $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of $4.1 million, compared to inflows of $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2019, primarily related to the inflow of a $6.0 million construction relationship in the Virgin Islands region. Inflows to non-performing consumer loans were $16.8 million, an increase of $1.9 million, compared to inflows of $14.9 million in the third quarter of 2019. Inflows to non-performing residential mortgage loans were $10.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, a decrease of $4.4 million, compared to inflows of $14.8 million in the third quarter of 2019.

  • Adversely classified commercial and construction loans, including loans held for sale, decreased by $34.6 million to $220.5 million as of December 31, 2019. The decrease was driven by the aforementioned sale of a $6.7 million nonaccrual commercial mortgage loan in the Puerto Rico region and the upgrade in the credit risk classification of several commercial loans totaling $24.5 million.

  • Total Troubled Debt Restructured (“TDR”) loans held for investment were $488.0 million as of December 31, 2019, down $7.8 million from September 30, 2019. Approximately $398.3 million of total TDR loans held for investment were in accrual status as of December 31, 2019. These figures exclude $60.1 million of TDR residential mortgage loans guaranteed by the U.S. federal government (i.e., Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Administration loans).

Early Delinquency

Total loans in early delinquency (i.e., 30-89 days past due loans, as defined in regulatory report instructions) amounted to $162.7 million as of December 31, 2019, a decrease of $27.8 million, compared to $190.5 million as of September 30, 2019. The variances by major portfolio categories were as follow:

- Commercial and construction loans in early delinquency decreased in the fourth quarter by $44.7 million to $5.5 million as of December 31, 2019, primarily related to the refinancing of loans that were contractually current as to principal and interest payments but had final balloon payments that were over 30 days past due as of September 30, 2019.

- Residential mortgage loans in early delinquency increased by $9.4 million to $87.6 million as of December 31, 2019, and consumer loans in early delinquency increased by $7.4 million to $69.6 million as of December 31, 2019.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The following table sets forth information concerning the allowance for loan and lease losses during the periods indicated:

Quarter Ended
(Dollars in thousands)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

Allowance for loan and lease losses, beginning of period

$

165,575

$

172,011

$

183,732

$

196,362

$

200,563

Provision for loan and lease losses

8,473

7,398

12,534

11,820

(1

)

7,649

Net (charge-offs) recoveries of loans:
Residential mortgage

(5,930

)

(4,414

)

(4,188

)

(5,547

)

(6,009

)

Commercial mortgage

(103

)

(717

)

(11,598

)

(2,272

)

4,193

Commercial and Industrial

208

1,439

(83

)

(5,216

)

(168

)

Construction

(8

)

211

237

(166

)

60

Consumer and finance leases

(13,076

)

(10,353

)

(8,623

)

(11,249

)

(9,926

)

Net charge-offs

(18,909

)

(13,834

)

(24,255

)

(24,450

)

(11,850

)

Allowance for loan and lease losses, end of period

$

155,139

$

165,575

$

172,011

$

183,732

$

196,362

Allowance for loan and lease losses to period end total loans held for investment

1.72

%

1.85

%

1.89

%

2.04

%

2.22

%

Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans outstanding during the period

0.84

%

0.61

%

1.07

%

1.10

%

0.54

%

Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs during the period 0.45x 0.53x 0.52x 0.48x 0.65x
Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs during the period,
excluding effect of the hurricane-related qualitative reserve releases
in the first quarter of 2019 and fourth quarter of 2018 0.45x 0.53x 0.52x 0.75x 1.13x
(1) Net of a $6.4 million net loan loss reserve release associated with the effect of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
(2) Net of a $5.7 million net loan loss reserve release associated with the effect of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The following table sets forth information concerning the composition of the Corporation’s allowance for loan and lease losses as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, by loan category and by whether the allowance and related provisions were calculated individually for impairment purposes or through a general valuation allowance:

(Dollars in thousands) Residential Mortgage Loans Commercial Loans (including Commercial Mortgage, C&I, and Construction) Consumer and Finance Leases Total
As of December 31, 2019
Impaired loans:
Principal balance of loans, net of charge-offs

$

377,240

$

166,512

$

25,420

$

569,172

Allowance for loan and lease losses

17,037

14,731

4,347

36,115

Allowance for loan and lease losses to principal balance

4.52

%

8.85

%

17.10

%

6.35

%

PCI loans:
Carrying value of PCI loans

133,744

2,956

-

136,700

Allowance for PCI loans

11,063

371

-

11,434

Allowance for PCI loans to carrying value

8.27

%

12.55

%

-

8.36

%

Loans with general allowance:
Principal balance of loans

2,422,789

3,617,311

2,256,233

8,296,333

Allowance for loan and lease losses

16,706

41,660

49,224

107,590

Allowance for loan and lease losses to principal balance

0.69

%

1.15

%

2.18

%

1.30

%

Total loans held for investment:
Principal balance of loans

$

2,933,773

$

3,786,779

$

2,281,653

$

9,002,205

Allowance for loan and lease losses

44,806

56,762

53,571

155,139

Allowance for loan and lease losses to principal balance

1.53

%

1.50

%

2.35

%

1.72

%

As of September 30, 2019
Impaired loans:
Principal balance of loans, net of charge-offs

$

381,868

$

164,746

$

26,756

$

573,370

Allowance for loan and lease losses

17,411

15,026

4,561

36,998

Allowance for loan and lease losses to principal balance

4.56

%

9.12

%

17.05

%

6.45

%

PCI loans:
Carrying value of PCI loans

135,922

3,330

-

139,252

Allowance for PCI loans

11,063

371

-

11,434

Allowance for PCI loans to carrying value

8.14

%

11.14

%

-

8.21

%

Loans with general allowance:
Principal balance of loans

2,480,163

3,602,644

2,172,991

8,255,798

Allowance for loan and lease losses

17,558

50,128

49,457

117,143

Allowance for loan and lease losses to principal balance

0.71

%

1.39

%

2.28

%

1.42

%

Total loans held for investment:
Principal balance of loans

$

2,997,953

$

3,770,720

$

2,199,747

$

8,968,420

Allowance for loan and lease losses

46,032

65,525

54,018

165,575

Allowance for loan and lease losses to principal balance

1.54

%

1.74

%

2.46

%

1.85

%

Net Charge-Offs

The following table presents annualized net charge-offs to average loans held-in-portfolio:

Quarter Ended
December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, December 31,

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

Residential mortgage

0.80%

0.58%

0.54%

0.71%

0.77%

Commercial mortgage

0.03%

0.19%

2.97%

0.59%

-1.10%

Commercial and Industrial

-0.04%

-0.26%

0.01%

0.96%

0.03%

Construction

0.03%

-0.81%

-1.03%

0.78%

-0.22%

Consumer and finance leases

2.34%

1.92%

1.68%

2.27%

2.10%

Total loans

0.84%

0.61%

1.07%

1.10%

0.54%

The ratios above are based on annualized net charge-offs and are not necessarily indicative of the results expected in subsequent periods.

Net charge-offs were $18.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, or an annualized 0.84% of average loans, compared to $13.8 million, or an annualized 0.61% of average loans, in the third quarter of 2019. The increase of $5.1 million in net charge-offs was mainly related to:

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets were approximately $12.6 billion as of December 31, 2019, up $80.6 million from September 30, 2019.

The following variances were noted:

The increase in total loans in the Puerto Rico region consisted of an $85.6 million growth in consumer loans, partially offset by a $40.0 million decrease in residential mortgage loans and a $33.3 million reduction in the balance of commercial and construction loans. The decrease in commercial and construction loans was mainly related to the early payoff of three large commercial and industrial relationships totaling $37.0 million, the aforementioned sale of a $6.7 million nonaccrual commercial mortgage loan held for sale, and principal repayments received during the fourth quarter that reduced by $30.1 million the balance of fourth large commercial and industrial credit lines. These variances were partially offset by new originations, including a new commercial and industrial line of credit with an outstanding balance of approximately $20.0 million as of December 31, 2019, and a $16.7 million increase in the total balance of floor plan lines of credit. The decrease in residential mortgage loans in the Puerto Rico region reflects the effect of collections, charge-offs and approximately $10.3 million of foreclosures recorded in the fourth quarter, which more than offset non-conforming residential mortgage loan originations. Approximately 89% of the $112.0 million in residential mortgage loan originations in the Puerto Rico region during the fourth quarter of 2019 consisted of conforming loan originations and refinancings. The increase in consumer loans was driven by new loan originations.

The increase in total loans in the Florida region consisted of a $44.9 million increase in the balance of commercial and construction loans, partially offset by reductions of $16.2 million in residential mortgage loans and $4.7 million in consumer loans. The increase in commercial and construction loans was driven by new originations, including $98.9 million on seven large facilities individually in excess of $10 million, partially offset by the early payoff of three large facilities totaling $52.6 million.

The decrease in total loans in the Virgin Islands region reflects reductions of $4.0 million in residential mortgage loans and $2.4 million in commercial and construction loans, partially offset by an increase of $1.0 million in consumer loans.

Total loan originations, including refinancings, renewals and draws from existing commitments (excluding credit card utilization activity), increased by $86.3 million to $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $1.0 billion in the third quarter of 2019. The increase reflects both an increase in new commercial loan originations, primarily in the Florida region, and an increase in utilization of floor plan lines of credit, partially offset by a lower dollar amount of commercial loan refinancings and renewals in the Puerto Rico region.

Total loan originations in the Puerto Rico region decreased by $86.6 million to $793.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $880.3 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decline in the Puerto Rico region consisted of a decrease of $104.7 million in commercial and construction loan originations, partially offset by increases of $16.4 million in residential mortgage loan originations and $1.8 million in consumer loan originations. The decrease in commercial and construction loan originations primarily reflects a lower dollar amount of refinancings, as the third quarter originations included the refinancing of approximately $171.1 million related to three large commercial relationships. The decrease in refinancings was partially offset by an increase of approximately $65.5 million related to higher utilization of floor plan lines of credit during the fourth quarter.

Total loan originations in the Florida region increased by $142.3 million to $295.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $153.3 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase in the Florida region consisted of an increase of $147.5 million in commercial and construction loan originations, primarily new originations, as discussed above, partially offset by a $5.2 million decrease in residential mortgage loan originations.

Total loan originations in the Virgin Islands region increased by $30.5 million to $42.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $12.0 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increase in the Virgin Islands region consisted of a $29.6 million increase in commercial and construction loan originations and a $1.0 million increase in consumer loan originations. The increase in commercial and construction loan originations was primarily related to refinancings and renewals of certain credit facilities of government-related entities totaling $27.8 million.

Total liabilities were approximately $10.4 billion as of December 31, 2019, up $53.1 million from September 30, 2019.

The increase in total liabilities was mainly due to:

Partially offset by:

Total stockholders’ equity amounted to $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2019, an increase of $27.5 million from September 30, 2019. The increase was mainly driven by the earnings generated in the fourth quarter and a $1.6 million increase in the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities recorded as part of “Other comprehensive income,” partially offset by common and preferred stock dividends declared in the fourth quarter of 2019 totaling $11.6 million.

The Corporation’s common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 capital, total capital and leverage ratios under the Basel III rules were 21.60%, 22.00%, 25.22% and 16.15%, respectively, as of December 31, 2019, compared to common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 capital, total capital and leverage ratios of 21.61%, 22.02%, 25.27%, and 16.04%, respectively, as of September 30, 2019.

Meanwhile, the common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 capital, total capital and leverage ratios of our banking subsidiary, FirstBank Puerto Rico, were 20.09%, 23.49%, 24.74%, and 17.26%, respectively, as of December 31, 2019, compared to common equity tier 1 capital, tier 1 capital, total capital and leverage ratios of 20.07%, 23.52%, 24.78% and 17.16%, respectively, as of September 30, 2019.

Tangible Common Equity

The Corporation’s tangible common equity ratio increased to 17.15% as of December 31, 2019, compared to 17.03% as of September 30, 2019.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Corporation’s tangible common equity and tangible assets over the last five quarters to the comparable GAAP items:

(In thousands, except ratios and per share information)

December 31,

September 30,

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

2019

2019

2019

2019

2018

Tangible Equity:
Total equity - GAAP

$

2,228,073

$

2,200,595

$

2,152,976

$

2,100,457

$

2,044,704

Preferred equity

(36,104

)

(36,104

)

(36,104

)

(36,104

)

(36,104

)

Goodwill

(28,098

)

(28,098

)

(28,098

)

(28,098

)

(28,098

)

Purchased credit card relationship intangible

(3,615

)

(4,137

)

(4,659

)

(5,180

)

(5,702

)

Core deposit intangible

(3,488

)

(3,695

)

(3,903

)

(4,096

)

(4,335

)

Insurance customer relationship intangible

(470

)

(508

)

(546

)

(584

)

(622

)

Tangible common equity

$

2,156,298

$

2,128,053

$

2,079,666

$

2,026,395

$

1,969,843

Tangible Assets:
Total assets - GAAP

$

12,611,266

$

12,530,713

$

12,537,196

$

12,376,780

$

12,243,561

Goodwill

(28,098

)

(28,098

)

(28,098

)

(28,098

)

(28,098

)

Purchased credit card relationship intangible

(3,615

)

(4,137

)

(4,659

)

(5,180

)

(5,702

)

Core deposit intangible

(3,488

)

(3,695

)

(3,903

)

(4,096

)

(4,335

)

Insurance customer relationship intangible

(470

)

(508

)

(546

)

(584

)

(622

)

Tangible assets

$

12,575,595

$

12,494,275

$

12,499,990

$

12,338,822

$

12,204,804

Common shares outstanding

217,359

217,361

217,328

217,332

217,235

Tangible common equity ratio

17.15

%

17.03

%

16.64

%

16.42

%

16.14

%

Tangible book value per common share

$

9.92

$

9.79

$

9.57

$

9.32

$

9.07

Adoption of the Current Expected Credit Loss Model

As of January 1, 2020, the Corporation is required to adopt Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as amended (“ASC 326”). ASC 326 replaces the incurred loss methodology with a methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model to estimate the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) for the remaining estimated life of a financial asset.

The Corporation is adopting ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans held for investment and held-to-maturity debt securities, and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Based on current macro-economic assumptions, the Corporation expects an initial incremental adjustment to the ACL of approximately $93 million related to the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 326 as of January 1, 2020. The resulting one-time increase to the ACL as a result of adopting the CECL model, will be recorded, net of applicable income taxes, as an adjustment to decrease retained earnings effective January 1, 2020. The Corporation is adopting the option that permits institutions to limit the initial regulatory capital day-one impact by allowing a three-year phase in period for this impact, on a straight-line basis. Based on the three-year phase in option allowed by the regulatory framework, the day one impact of adopting CECL is expected to result in a decrease in the Corporation’s common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of approximately 13 basis points on January 1, 2020. All capital ratios will still be well in excess of minimum capital ratios.

Exposure to Puerto Rico Government

As of December 31, 2019, the Corporation had $204.5 million of direct exposure to the Puerto Rico Government, its municipalities and public corporations, compared to $204.8 million as of September 30, 2019. Approximately $182.5 million of the exposure consisted of loans and obligations of municipalities in Puerto Rico that are supported by assigned property tax revenues and for which, in most cases, the good faith, credit and unlimited taxing power of the applicable municipality have been pledged to their repayment. The Corporation’s total direct exposure to the Puerto Rico Government also included a $13.8 million loan extended to an affiliate of a public corporation and obligations of the Puerto Rico Government, specifically bonds of the Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority, at an amortized cost of $8.2 million (fair value of $7.3 million as of December 31, 2019), included as part of the Corporation’s available-for-sale investment securities portfolio.

The aforementioned exposure to municipalities in Puerto Rico included $138.7 million of financing arrangements with Puerto Rico municipalities that were issued in bond form, but underwritten as loans with features that are typically found in commercial loans. These bonds are accounted for as held-to-maturity investment securities.

As of December 31, 2019, the Corporation had $826.9 million of public sector deposits in Puerto Rico, compared to $768.2 million as of September 30, 2019. Approximately 37% is from municipalities and municipal agencies in Puerto Rico and 63% is from public corporations and the central government and agencies in Puerto Rico.

Conference Call / Webcast Information

First BanCorp’s senior management will host an earnings conference call and live webcast on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The call may be accessed via a live Internet webcast through the investor relations section of the Corporation’s web site: www.1firstbank.com or through a dial-in telephone number at (877) 506-6537 or (412) 380–2001 for international callers. The Corporation recommends that listeners go to the web site at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary software. Following the webcast presentation, a question and answer session will be made available to research analysts and institutional investors. A replay of the webcast will be archived in the investor relations section of First BanCorp’s web site, www.1firstbank.com, until January 28, 2021. A telephone replay will be available one hour after the end of the conference call through February 28, 2020 at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088 for international callers. The replay access code is 10138404.

Safe Harbor

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” concerning the Corporation’s future economic, operational and financial performance. The words or phrases “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “look forward,” “should,” “would,” “believes” and similar expressions are meant to identify “forward-looking statements” 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, and are subject to the safe harbor created by such sections. The Corporation cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors, including, but not limited to, the following could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements: risks, uncertainties and other factors related to the proposed acquisition of BSPR, including the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and meet other closing conditions to the acquisition on a timely basis, the risk that deposit attrition, customer loss and/or revenue loss prior to or following the acquisition may exceed expectations, the risk that significant costs, expenses, and resources associated with or in funding the acquisition may be higher than expected, the ability to successfully complete the integration of systems, procedures, and personnel of BSPR into FirstBank that are necessary to make the transaction economically successful, the risk that the Corporation may not be able to effectively integrate BSPR into the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting and the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the acquisition may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; uncertainty as to the ultimate outcomes of actions taken, or those that may be taken, by the Puerto Rico government, or the oversight board established by the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (“PROMESA”) to address the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s financial problems, including the court-supervised debt restructuring process similar to U.S. bankruptcy protection undertaken pursuant to Title III of PROMESA, the designation by the PROMESA oversight board of Puerto Rico municipalities as instrumentalities covered under PROMESA, the effects of measures included in the Puerto Rico government fiscal plan, or any revisions to it, on our clients and loan portfolios, and any potential impact from future economic or political developments in Puerto Rico; changes in general economic and business conditions, including those caused by past or future natural disasters, such as the recent earthquakes that have affected Puerto Rico’s southern coast, that may directly or indirectly affect the financial health of the Corporation’s customer base in the geographic areas we serve and may result in increased costs or losses of property and equipment and other assets; the actual pace and magnitude of economic recovery in the Corporation’s service areas that were affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria during 2017 compared to management’s current views on the economic recovery; uncertainty as to the timing of the receipt of disaster relief funds allocated to Puerto Rico; a decrease in demand for the Corporation’s products and services, resulting in lower revenues and earnings because of the continued economic recession in Puerto Rico; uncertainty as to the availability of certain funding sources, such as brokered CDs; the Corporation’s reliance on brokered CDs to fund operations and provide liquidity; the weakness of the real estate markets and of the consumer and commercial sectors and their impact on the credit quality of the Corporation’s loans and other assets, which have contributed and may continue to contribute to, among other things, higher than targeted levels of non-performing assets, charge-offs and provisions for loan and lease losses, and may subject the Corporation to further risk from loan defaults and foreclosures; the impact of changes in accounting standards or assumptions in applying those standards, including the new credit loss accounting standard that is effective in 2020; the ability of FirstBank to realize the benefits of its net deferred tax assets; the ability of FirstBank to generate sufficient cash flow to make dividend payments to the Corporation; adverse changes in general economic conditions in Puerto Rico, the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands, including the interest rate environment, market liquidity, housing absorption rates, real estate prices, and disruptions in the U.S. capital markets, which may reduce interest margins, affect funding sources and demand for all of the Corporation’s products and services, and reduce the Corporation’s revenues and earnings and the value of the Corporation’s assets; uncertainty related to the likely discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate at the end of 2021; an adverse change in the Corporation’s ability to attract new clients and retain existing ones; the risk that additional portions of the unrealized losses in the Corporation’s investment portfolio are determined to be other-than-temporary, including additional impairments on the Corporation’s remaining $8.2 million exposure to the Puerto Rico government’s debt securities held as part of the available-for-sale securities portfolio; uncertainty about legislative, tax or regulatory changes that affect financial services companies in Puerto Rico, the U.S., and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, which could affect the Corporation’s financial condition or performance and could cause the Corporation’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from prior results and anticipated or projected results; changes in the fiscal and monetary policies and regulations of the U.S. federal government and the Puerto Rico and other governments, including those determined by the Federal Reserve Board, the New York FED, the FDIC, government-sponsored housing agencies, and regulators in Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands; the risk of possible failure or circumvention of the Corporation’s internal controls and procedures and the risk that the Corporation’s risk management policies may not be adequate; the Corporation’s ability to identify and address cyber-security risks such as data security breaches, malware, “denial of service” attacks, “hacking” and identity theft, a failure of which could disrupt our business and may result in misuse or misappropriation of confidential or proprietary information, and could result in the disruption or damage to our systems, increased costs and losses or an adverse effect to our reputation; the risk that the FDIC may increase the deposit insurance premium and/or require special assessments to replenish its insurance fund, causing an additional increase in the Corporation’s non-interest expenses; the impact on the Corporation’s results of operations and financial condition of business acquisitions, such as the pending acquisition of BSPR, and dispositions; a need to recognize impairments on the Corporation’s financial instruments, goodwill and other intangible assets relating to business acquisitions; the effect of changes in the interest rate scenario on the Corporation’s businesses, business practices and results of operations; the risk that the impact of the occurrence of any of these uncertainties on the Corporation’s capital would preclude further growth of the Bank and preclude the Corporation’s Board of Directors from declaring dividends; uncertainty as to whether FirstBank will be able to continue to satisfy its regulators regarding, among other things, its asset quality, liquidity plans, maintenance of capital levels and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and related requirements; and general competitive factors and industry consolidation. The Corporation does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any “forward-looking statements” to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by the federal securities laws.

Basis of Presentation

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures are used when management believes they will be helpful to an investor’s understanding of the Corporation’s results of operations or financial position. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the text or in the tables in or attached to this earnings release. Any analysis of these non-GAAP financial measures should be used only in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP.

Tangible Common Equity Ratio and Tangible Book Value per Common Share

The tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share are non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are generally used by the financial community to evaluate capital adequacy. Tangible common equity is total equity less preferred equity, goodwill, core deposit intangibles, and other intangibles, such as the purchased credit card relationship intangible and the insurance customer relationship intangible. Tangible assets are total assets less goodwill, core deposit intangibles, and other intangibles, such as the purchased credit card relationship intangible and the insurance customer relationship intangible. Management and many stock analysts use the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share in conjunction with more traditional bank capital ratios to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, typically stemming from the use of the purchase method of accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Accordingly, the Corporation believes that disclosure of these financial measures may be useful to investors. Neither tangible common equity nor tangible assets, or the related measures, should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for stockholders’ equity, total assets, or any other measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which the Corporation calculates its tangible common equity, tangible assets, and any other related measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

Adjusted Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Income

Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income is a non-GAAP performance metric that management uses and believes that investors may find useful in analyzing underlying performance trends, particularly in times of economic stress, including as a result of natural catastrophes such as the hurricanes that affected the Corporation’s service areas in 2017 and the earthquakes experienced in Puerto Rico in early 2020. Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income, as defined by management, represents net income excluding income tax expense (benefit) and the provision for loan and lease losses, as well as Special Items that management believes are not reflective of core operating performance, are not expected to reoccur with any regularity or may reoccur at uncertain times and in uncertain amounts.

Net Interest Income, Excluding Valuations, and on a Tax-Equivalent Basis

Net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin are reported excluding the changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and on a tax-equivalent basis in order to provide to investors additional information about the Corporation’s net interest income that management uses and believes should facilitate comparability and analysis of the periods presented. The changes in the fair value of derivative instruments have no effect on interest due or interest earned on interest-bearing liabilities or interest-earning assets, respectively. The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a marginal income tax rate. Income from tax-exempt earning assets is increased by an amount equivalent to the taxes that would have been paid if this income had been taxable at statutory rates. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis. This adjustment puts all earning assets, most notably tax-exempt securities and tax-exempt loans, on a common basis that facilitates comparison of results to the results of peers.

Financial measures adjusted to exclude the effect of Special Items that management believes are not reflective of core operating performance, are not expected to reoccur with any regularity or may reoccur at uncertain times and in uncertain amounts.

To supplement the Corporation’s financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, the Corporation uses, and believes that investors would benefit from disclosure of, non-GAAP financial measures that reflect adjustments to net income to exclude items that management identifies as Special Items because management believes they are not reflective of core operating performance, are not expected to reoccur with any regularity or may reoccur at uncertain times and in uncertain amounts. This press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures for the fourth and third quarters of 2019, the fourth quarter of 2018, and the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 that reflect the described items that were excluded for one of those reasons:

  • Adjusted net income for the fourth and third quarters of 2019 and, the fourth quarter of 2018 reflect the following exclusions:

- Merger and restructuring costs of $10.9 million and $0.6 million recorded in the fourth and third quarters of 2019, respectively, related to transaction costs and restructuring initiatives in connection with the pending acquisition of BSPR.

- Total benefit of $0.7 million and $0.4 million recorded in the fourth and third quarters of 2019, respectively, resulting from hurricane-related insurance recoveries related to impairments, repairs and maintenance costs incurred on facilities affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

- The accelerated discount accretion of $3.0 million resulting from the early payoff of an acquired commercial mortgage loan in the third quarter of 2019.

- OTTI charges of $0.5 million and $0.1 million on private-label MBS recorded in the third quarter of 2019 and fourth quarter of 2018, respectively.

- Reserve release of $5.7 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 related to the hurricane-related qualitative reserves associated with the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

- Tax benefit of $63.2 million resulting from the partial reversal of the Corporation’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the fourth quarter of 2018.

- Exclusion of the one-time charge to tax expense of $9.9 million related to the enactment of the Puerto Rico Tax Reform of 2018 in the fourth quarter of 2018.

- Loss of $34 thousand on sales of U.S. agencies MBS and bonds in the fourth quarter of 2018.

- The tax related effects of all of the pre-tax items mentioned in the above bullets as follows:

  • Tax benefit of $4.1 million and $0.2 million in the fourth and third quarters of 2019, respectively, related to merger and restructuring costs in connection with the pending acquisition of BSPR (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5% for 2019).
  • Tax expense of $0.3 million and $0.1 million in the fourth and third quarters of 2019, respectively, related to the benefit of hurricane-related insurance recoveries (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5% for 2019).
  • Tax expense of $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2019 related to the accelerated discount accretion from the payoff of an acquired commercial mortgage loan (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5% for 2019).
  • Tax expense of $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 related to reserve releases associated with the hurricane-related qualitative reserve (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 39% for 2018).
  • No tax benefit was recorded for the OTTI charges on private-label MBS recorded in the third quarter of 2019 and fourth quarter of 2018 and for the loss on sales of U.S. agencies MBS and bonds in the fourth quarter of 2018. Those charges were recorded at the tax-exempt international banking entity subsidiary level.

  • Adjusted net income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 reflect the following exclusions:

- Merger and restructuring costs of $11.4 million in 2019 related to transaction costs and restructuring initiatives in connection with the pending acquisition of BSPR.

- Total benefit of $1.9 million and $0.5 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, resulting from hurricane-related insurance recoveries related to impairments, repairs and maintenance costs incurred on facilities affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

- Reserve releases of $6.4 million and $16.9 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to the hurricane-related qualitative reserves associated with the effect of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

- The exclusion of hurricane-related expenses of $2.8 million in 2018.

- Expense recovery of $2.3 million in 2019 related to an employee retention benefit payment received by the Bank under the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport Extension Act of 2017, as amended.

- The accelerated discount accretion of $3.0 million resulting from the early payoff of an acquired commercial mortgage loan in 2019.

- OTTI charges of $0.5 million and $0.1 million on private-label MBS recorded in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

- Tax benefit of $63.2 million resulting from the partial reversal of the Corporation’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance in 2018.

- Exclusion of the one-time charge to tax expense of $9.9 million in 2018 related to the enactment of the Puerto Rico Tax Reform of 2018.

- Loss of $34 thousand on sales of U.S. agencies MBS and bonds in 2018.

- Gain of $2.3 million on the repurchase and cancellation of $23.8 million in trust-preferred securities in 2018.

- The tax related effects of all of the pre-tax items mentioned in the above bullets as follows:

  • Tax benefit of $4.3 million in 2019 related to merger and restructuring costs in connection with the pending acquisition of BSPR (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5% for 2019).
  • Tax expense of $0.7 million and $0.2 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to the benefit of hurricane-related insurance recoveries (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5% for 2019 and 39% for 2018).
  • Tax expense of $2.4 million and $6.6 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to reserve releases associated with the hurricane-related qualitative reserve (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5% for 2019 and 39% for 2018).
  • Tax benefit of $1.1 million in 2018 related to hurricane-related expenses (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 39% for 2018).
  • Tax expense of $1.1 million in 2019 related to the accelerated discount accretion from the payoff of an acquired commercial mortgage loan (calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5% for 2019).
  • No tax benefit was recorded for the OTTI charges on private-label MBS recorded in 2019 and 2018 and for the loss on sales of U.S. agencies MBS and bonds in 2018. Those charges were recorded at the tax-exempt international banking entity subsidiary level.
  • The employee retention benefit recognized in 2019 will not be treated as taxable income by virtue of the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport Extension Act of 2017.
  • The gain realized on the repurchase and cancellation of trust-preferred securities in 2018 recorded at the holding company level, had no effect on the income tax expense in 2018.

Management believes that the presentation of adjusted net income enhances the ability of analysts and investors to analyze trends in the Corporation’s business and understand the performance of the Corporation. In addition, the Corporation may utilize this non-GAAP financial measure as a guide in its budgeting and long-term planning process.

The following table reconciles for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 the reported net income to adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, and adjusted ROA, non-GAAP measures that exclude the Special Items identified above:

Year Ended Year Ended
(In thousands, except per share information) December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Net income, as reported (GAAP)

$

167,377

$

201,608

Adjustments:
Merger-related transaction costs

11,442

-

Accelerated discount accretion due to early payoff of acquired loan

(2,953

)

-

OTTI on private-label MBS

497

50

Hurricane-related loan loss reserve release

(6,425

)

(16,943

)

Benefit from hurricane-related insurance recoveries

(1,926

)

(478

)

Hurricane-related expenses

-

2,783

Employee retention benefit - Disaster Tax Relief and Airport Extension Act of 2017

(2,317

)

-

Partial reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance

-

(63,228

)

Remeasurement of deferred tax assets due to changes in enacted tax rates

-

9,892

Loss on sale of investment securities

-

34

Gain on early extinguishment of debt

-

(2,316

)

Income tax impact of adjustments (1)

(52

)

5,708

Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

$

165,643

$

137,110

Preferred stock dividends

(2,676

)

(2,676

)

Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders (Non-GAAP)

$

162,967

$

134,434

Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding

$

217,379

216,677

Earnings Per Share - diluted (GAAP)

$

0.76

$

0.92

Adjusted Earnings Per Share - diluted (Non-GAAP)

$

0.75

$

0.62

Average Assets

$

12,452,159

$

12,206,201

Return on Average Assets (GAAP)

1.34

%

1.65

%

Adjusted Return on Average Assets (Non-GAAP)

1.33

%

1.12

%

(1) See Basis of Presentation for the individual tax impact related to reconciling items.

The following table reconciles the ratio of the adjusted provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs for the fourth quarter of 2018 and years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, excluding the hurricane-related qualitative reserve releases, which the Corporation regards as a Special Item:

Provision for loan and lease losses to Net Charge-Offs (GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation)

Quarter Ended December 31, 2018
(In thousands) Provision for Loan and Lease Losses Net Charge-Offs
Provision for loan and lease losses and net charge-offs (GAAP)

$

7,649

$

11,850

Less Special Item:
Hurrricane-related qualitative reserve release

5,698

-

Provision for loan and lease losses and net charge-offs, excluding special item (Non-GAAP)

$

13,347

$

11,850

Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs (GAAP)

64.55

%

Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs, excluding special item (Non-GAAP)

112.63

%

Provision for loan and lease losses to Net Charge-Offs (GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation) Provision for loan and lease losses to Net Charge-Offs (GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation)
Year Ended December 31, 2019 Year Ended December 31, 2018
(In thousands) Provision for Loan and Lease Losses Net Charge-Offs Provision for Loan and Lease Losses Net Charge-Offs
Provision for loan and lease losses and net charge-offs (GAAP)

$

40,225

$

81,448

$

59,253

$

94,734

Less Special Item:
Hurrricane-related qualitative reserve release

6,425

-

16,943

-

Provision for loan and lease losses and net charge-offs, excluding special item (Non-GAAP)

$

46,650

$

81,448

$

76,196

$

94,734

Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs (GAAP)

49.39

%

62.55

%

Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs, excluding special item (Non-GAAP)

57.28

%

80.43

%

FIRST BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
As of

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

(In thousands, except for share information)

2019

2019

2018

ASSETS
Cash and due from banks

$

546,391

$

878,206

$

578,613

Money market investments:
Time deposits with other financial institutions

300

300

300

Other short-term investments

97,408

97,431

7,290

Total money market investments

97,708

97,731

7,590

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value

2,123,525

1,736,563

1,942,568

Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost

138,675

138,676

144,815

Equity securities

38,249

45,228

44,530

Total investment securities

2,300,449

1,920,467

2,131,913

Loans, net of allowance for loan and lease losses of $155,139
(September 30, 2019 - $165,575; December 31, 2018 - $196,362)

8,847,066

8,802,845

8,661,761

Loans held for sale, at lower of cost or market

39,477

42,470

43,186

Total loans, net

8,886,543

8,845,315

8,704,947

Premises and equipment, net

149,989

151,185

147,814

Other real estate owned

101,626

103,033

131,402

Accrued interest receivable on loans and investments

50,205

47,122

50,365

Deferred tax asset, net

264,842

273,845

319,851

Other assets

213,513

213,809

171,066

Total assets

$

12,611,266

$

12,530,713

$

12,243,561

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing deposits

$

2,367,856

$

2,270,250

$

2,395,481

Interest-bearing deposits

6,980,573

6,862,649

6,599,233

Total deposits

9,348,429

9,132,899

8,994,714

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

100,000

100,000

150,086

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)

570,000

740,000

740,000

Other borrowings

184,150

184,150

184,150

Accounts payable and other liabilities

180,614

173,069

129,907

Total liabilities

10,383,193

10,330,118

10,198,857

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 22,828,174 shares;
outstanding 1,444,146 shares; aggregate liquidation value of $36,104

36,104

36,104

36,104

Common stock, $0.10 par value, authorized 2,000,000,000 shares; issued, 222,103,721 shares
(September 30, 2019 - 222,103,721 shares issued; December 31, 2018 - 221,789,509 shares issued)

22,210

22,210

22,179

Less: Treasury stock (at par value)

(474

)

(474

)

(455

)

Common stock outstanding, 217,359,337 shares outstanding
(September 30, 2019 - 217,360,587 shares outstanding; December 31, 2018 - 217,235,140 shares outstanding)

21,736

21,736

21,724

Additional paid-in capital

941,652

940,700

939,674

Retained earnings

1,221,817

1,196,931

1,087,617

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

6,764

5,124

(40,415

)

Total stockholders' equity

2,228,073

2,200,595

2,044,704

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

12,611,266

$

12,530,713

$

12,243,561

FIRST BANCORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Quarter Ended Year Ended

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

(In thousands, except per share information)

2019

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net interest income:
Interest income

$

167,620

$

172,295

$

162,424

$

675,897

$

624,967

Interest expense

27,691

27,870

24,726

108,816

99,584

Net interest income

139,929

144,425

137,698

567,081

525,383

Provision for loan and lease losses

8,473

7,398

7,649

40,225

59,253

Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses

131,456

137,027

130,049

526,856

466,130

Non-interest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts

6,205

6,108

5,666

23,916

21,679

Mortgage banking activities

4,640

4,396

3,677

17,058

17,228

Net loss on investments and impairments

-

(497

)

(84

)

(497

)

(84

)

Gain on early extinguishment of debt

-

-

-

-

2,316

Other non-interest income

13,560

11,394

11,272

50,095

41,171

Total non-interest income

24,405

21,401

20,531

90,572

82,310

Non-interest expenses:
Employees' compensation and benefits

40,856

41,409

40,012

162,374

159,494

Occupancy and equipment

16,151

15,129

14,431

63,169

57,942

Business promotion

4,060

4,004

4,356

15,710

14,808

Professional service fees

12,033

11,875

11,742

45,889

43,497

Taxes, other than income taxes

3,864

3,904

3,680

15,325

14,707

Insurance and supervisory fees

2,593

2,425

2,746

9,915

13,512

Net loss on other real estate owned operations

3,280

2,578

4,247

14,644

14,452

Merger and restructuring costs

10,850

592

-

11,442

-

Other non-interest expenses

8,627

10,917

9,480

39,588

39,390

Total non-interest expenses

102,314

92,833

90,694

378,056

357,802

Income before income taxes

53,547

65,595

59,886

239,372

190,638

Income tax (expense) benefit

(17,098

)

(19,268

)

41,219

(71,995

)

10,970

Net income

$

36,449

$

46,327

$

101,105

$

167,377

$

201,608

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$

35,780

$

45,658

$

100,436

$

164,701

$

198,932

Earnings per common share:
Basic

$

0.17

$

0.21

$

0.46

$

0.76

$

0.92

Diluted

$

0.16

$

0.21

$

0.46

$

0.76

$

0.92

About First BanCorp.

First BanCorp. is the parent corporation of FirstBank Puerto Rico, a state-chartered commercial bank with operations in Puerto Rico, the U.S. and the British Virgin Islands and Florida, and of FirstBank Insurance Agency. Among the subsidiaries of FirstBank Puerto Rico are First Federal Finance Corp. and First Express, both small loan companies. First BanCorp’s shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FBP. Additional information about First BanCorp. may be found at www.1firstbank.com.

EXHIBIT A

Table 1 – Selected Financial Data

(In thousands, except per share amounts and financial ratios)
Quarter Ended Year Ended

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2019

2018

2019

2018

Condensed Income Statements:
Total interest income

$

167,620

$

172,295

$

162,424

$

675,897

$

624,967

Total interest expense

27,691

27,870

24,726

108,816

99,584

Net interest income

139,929

144,425

137,698

567,081

525,383

Provision for loan and lease losses

8,473

7,398

7,649

40,225

59,253

Non-interest income

24,405

21,401

20,531

90,572

82,310

Non-interest expenses

102,314

92,833

90,694

378,056

357,802

Income before income taxes

53,547

65,595

59,886

239,372

190,638

Income tax (expense) benefit

(17,098

)

(19,268

)

41,219

(71,995

)

10,970

Net income

36,449

46,327

101,105

167,377

201,608

Net income attributable to common stockholders

35,780

45,658

100,436

164,701

198,932

Per Common Share Results:
Net earnings per share - basic

$

0.17

$

0.21

$

0.46

$

0.76

$

0.92

Net earnings per share - diluted

$

0.16

$

0.21

$

0.46

$

0.76

$

0.92

Cash dividends declared

$

0.05

$

0.03

$

0.03

$

0.14

$

0.03

Average shares outstanding

216,750

216,690

216,284

216,614

215,709

Average shares outstanding diluted

217,379

217,227

216,952

217,134

216,677

Book value per common share

$

10.08

$

9.96

$

9.25

$

10.08

$

9.25

Tangible book value per common share (1)

$

9.92

$

9.79

$

9.07

$

9.92

$

9.07

Selected Financial Ratios (In Percent):
Profitability:
Return on Average Assets

1.15

1.47

3.32

1.34

1.65

Interest Rate Spread (2)

4.40

4.59

4.56

4.55

4.34

Net Interest Margin (2)

4.87

5.06

4.99

5.02

4.74

Return on Average Total Equity

6.48

8.39

20.75

7.75

10.64

Return on Average Common Equity

6.59

8.53

21.14

7.88

10.85

Average Total Equity to Average Total Assets

17.73

17.55

15.98

17.35

15.52

Total capital

25.22

25.27

24.00

25.22

24.00

Common equity Tier 1 capital

21.60

21.61

20.30

21.60

20.30

Tier 1 capital

22.00

22.02

20.71

22.00

20.71

Leverage

16.15

16.04

15.37

16.15

15.37

Tangible common equity ratio (1)

17.15

17.03

16.14

17.15

16.14

Dividend payout ratio

30.29

14.24

6.46

18.41

3.25

Efficiency ratio (3)

62.26

55.98

57.32

57.49

58.88

Asset Quality:
Allowance for loan and lease losses to loans held for investment

1.72

1.85

2.22

1.72

2.22

Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans

0.84

0.61

0.54

0.91

1.09

Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs (4)

44.81

53.48

64.55

49.39

62.55

Non-performing assets to total assets

2.52

2.65

3.81

2.52

3.81

Nonaccrual loans held for investment to total loans held for investment

2.34

2.41

3.57

2.34

3.57

Allowance to total nonaccrual loans held for investment

73.64

76.57

62.15

73.64

62.15

Allowance to total nonaccrual loans held for investment,
excluding residential real estate loans

173.81

185.65

116.41

173.81

116.41

Other Information:
Common Stock Price: End of period

$

10.59

$

9.98

$

8.60

$

10.59

$

8.60

1- Non-GAAP financial measure. See page 19 for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.
2- On a tax-equivalent basis and excluding changes in the fair value of derivative instruments (Non-GAAP financial measure). See page 7 for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations and refer to discussion in Tables 2 and 3 below.
3- Non-interest expenses to the sum of net interest income and non-interest income. The denominator includes non-recurring income and changes in the fair value of derivative instruments.
4- The ratio of the provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs, excluding the hurricane-related qualitative reserve releases was 112.63% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, and 57.28% and 80.43% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Table 2 – Quarterly Statement of Average Interest-Earning Assets and Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities (On a Tax-Equivalent Basis)

(Dollars in thousands)
Average volume Interest income (1) / expense Average rate (1)

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

Quarter ended

2019

2019

2018

2019

2019

2018

2019

2019

2018

Interest-earning assets:
Money market & other short-term investments

$

748,672

$

762,934

$

436,964

$

3,042

$

4,081

$

2,311

1.61

%

2.12

%

2.10

%

Government obligations (2)

462,015

588,287

791,654

4,818

6,752

7,574

4.14

%

4.55

%

3.80

%

Mortgage-backed securities

1,613,488

1,295,189

1,413,853

12,736

9,820

12,642

3.13

%

3.01

%

3.55

%

FHLB stock

37,256

41,779

40,047

669

660

692

7.12

%

6.27

%

6.86

%

Other investments

4,099

3,395

3,136

12

7

6

1.16

%

0.82

%

0.76

%

Total investments (3)

2,865,530

2,691,584

2,685,654

21,277

21,320

23,225

2.95

%

3.14

%

3.43

%

Residential mortgage loans

2,960,727

3,018,603

3,131,759

39,884

40,610

41,958

5.34

%

5.34

%

5.32

%

Construction loans

108,082

104,816

109,861

1,722

1,691

1,468

6.32

%

6.40

%

5.30

%

C&I and commercial mortgage loans

3,644,319

3,748,186

3,625,395

50,049

55,543

50,847

5.45

%

5.88

%

5.56

%

Finance leases

400,645

378,866

320,759

7,680

7,192

5,990

7.61

%

7.53

%

7.41

%

Consumer loans

1,838,436

1,776,254

1,573,532

52,058

50,904

45,071

11.23

%

11.37

%

11.36

%

Total loans (4) (5)

8,952,209

9,026,725

8,761,306

151,393

155,940

145,334

6.71

%

6.85

%

6.58

%

Total interest-earning assets

$

11,817,739

$

11,718,309

$

11,446,960

$

172,670

$

177,260

$

168,559

5.80

%

6.00

%

5.84

%

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Brokered CDs

$

468,715

$

502,569

$

588,478

$

2,724

$

2,843

$

2,778

2.31

%

2.24

%

1.87

%

Other interest-bearing deposits

6,450,902

6,290,767

6,077,309

18,122

17,498

13,949

1.11

%

1.10

%

0.91

%

Other borrowed funds

284,476

284,150

290,683

3,372

3,651

4,576

4.70

%

5.10

%

6.25

%

FHLB advances

641,011

741,522

698,152

3,473

3,878

3,423

2.15

%

2.07

%

1.95

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

7,845,104

$

7,819,008

$

7,654,622

$

27,691

$

27,870

$

24,726

1.40

%

1.41

%

1.28

%

Net interest income

$

144,979

$

149,390

$

143,833

Interest rate spread

4.40

%

4.59

%

4.56

%

Net interest margin

4.87

%

5.06

%

4.99

%

1- On a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent yield was estimated by dividing the interest rate spread on exempt assets by 1 less the Puerto Rico statutory tax rate of 37.5% (39% for the quarter ended December 31, 2018) and adding to it the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. When adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis, yields on taxable and exempt assets are comparable. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are excluded from interest income because the changes in valuation do not affect interest paid or received. See page 7 for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.
2- Government obligations include debt issued by government-sponsored agencies.
3- Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from the average volumes.
4- Average loan balances include the average of non-performing loans.
5- Interest income on loans includes $2.8 million, $2.4 million and $2.0 million for the quarters ended December 31, 2019, September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively, of income from prepayment penalties and late fees related to the Corporation's loan portfolio.

Table 3 – Year-to-Date Statement of Average Interest-Earning Assets and Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities (On a Tax-Equivalent Basis)

(Dollars in thousands)

Average volume

Interest income (1) / expense

Average rate (1)

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

Year Ended

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Interest-earning assets:
Money market & other short-term investments

$

649,065

$

623,892

$

13,392

$

11,120

2.06

%

1.78

%

Government obligations (2)

632,959

799,358

26,300

28,044

4.16

%

3.51

%

Mortgage-backed securities

1,382,589

1,347,979

44,769

45,311

3.24

%

3.36

%

FHLB stock

40,661

40,389

2,682

2,728

6.60

%

6.75

%

Other investments

3,403

2,881

32

15

0.94

%

0.52

%

Total investments (3)

2,708,677

2,814,499

87,175

87,218

3.22

%

3.10

%

Residential mortgage loans

3,043,672

3,179,487

163,663

170,751

5.38

%

5.37

%

Construction loans

97,605

117,993

6,253

4,729

6.41

%

4.01

%

C&I and commercial mortgage loans

3,731,499

3,629,329

213,567

192,632

5.72

%

5.31

%

Finance leases

370,566

287,400

27,993

21,126

7.55

%

7.35

%

Consumer loans

1,738,745

1,512,984

197,517

169,978

11.36

%

11.23

%

Total loans (4) (5)

8,982,087

8,727,193

608,993

559,216

6.78

%

6.41

%

Total interest-earning assets

$

11,690,764

$

11,541,692

$

696,168

$

646,434

5.95

%

5.60

%

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Brokered CDs

$

500,766

$

816,229

$

11,036

$

14,493

2.20

%

1.78

%

Other interest-bearing deposits

6,238,255

6,057,778

66,746

53,158

1.07

%

0.88

%

Other borrowed funds

294,798

352,729

16,071

18,384

5.45

%

5.21

%

FHLB advances

715,433

705,000

14,963

13,549

2.09

%

1.92

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

7,749,252

$

7,931,736

$

108,816

$

99,584

1.40

%

1.26

%

Net interest income

$

587,352

$

546,850

Interest rate spread

4.55

%

4.34

%

Net interest margin

5.02

%

4.74

%

1- On a tax-equivalent basis. The tax-equivalent yield was estimated by dividing the interest rate spread on exempt assets by 1 less the Puerto Rico statutory tax rate of 37.5% (39% for the year ended December 31, 2018) and adding to it the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. When adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis, yields on taxable and exempt assets are comparable. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are excluded from interest income because the changes in valuation do not affect interest paid or received. See page 7 for GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation.
2- Government obligations include debt issued by government-sponsored agencies.
3- Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from the average volumes.
4- Average loan balances include the average of non-performing loans.
5- Interest income on loans includes $9.5 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, of income from prepayment penalties and late fees related to the Corporation's loan portfolio.

Table 4 - Non-Interest Income

Quarter Ended

Year Ended

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

2019

2019

2018

2019

2018

Service charges on deposit accounts

$

6,205

$

6,108

$

5,666

$

23,916

$

21,679

Mortgage banking activities

4,640

4,396

3,677

17,058

17,228

Insurance income

1,928

1,983

1,801

10,186

8,429

Other operating income

11,632

9,411

9,471

39,909

32,742

Non-interest income before net loss on investments
and gain on early extinguishment of debt

24,405

21,898

20,615

91,069

80,078

Net loss on sale of investments

-

-

(34

)

-

(34

)

OTTI on debt securities

-

(497

)

(50

)

(497

)

(50

)

Net loss on investments

-

(497

)

(84

)

(497

)

(84

)

Gain on early extinguishment of debt

-

-

-

-

2,316

$

24,405

$

21,401

$

20,531

$

90,572

$

82,310

Table 5 - Non-Interest Expenses

Quarter Ended

Year Ended

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

(In thousands)

2019

2019

2018

2019

2018

Employees' compensation and benefits

$

40,856

$

41,409

$

40,012

$

162,374

$

159,494

Occupancy and equipment

16,151

15,129

14,431

63,169

57,942

Deposit insurance premium

1,674

1,465

1,750

6,319

8,909

Other insurance and supervisory fees

919

960

996

3,596

4,603

Taxes, other than income taxes

3,864

3,904

3,680

15,325

14,707

Professional fees:
Collections, appraisals and other credit related fees

2,345

1,797

2,106

7,805

7,505

Outsourcing technology services

6,036

6,206

5,610

23,560

21,075

Other professional fees

3,652

3,872

4,026

14,524

14,917

Credit and debit card processing expenses

3,734

4,764

4,096

16,472

15,546

Business promotion

4,060

4,004

4,356

15,710

14,808

Communications

1,591

1,834

1,666

6,891

6,372

Net loss on OREO operations

3,280

2,578

4,247

14,644

14,452

Merger and restructuring costs

10,850

592

-

11,442

-

Other

3,302

4,319

3,718

16,225

17,472

Total

$

102,314

$

92,833

$

90,694

$

378,056

$

357,802

Table 6 - Selected Balance Sheet Data

(In thousands) As of

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2019

2018

Balance Sheet Data:
Loans, including loans held for sale

$

9,041,682

$

9,010,890

$

8,901,309

Allowance for loan and lease losses

155,139

165,575

196,362

Money market and investment securities

2,398,157

2,018,198

2,139,503

Intangible assets

35,671

36,438

38,757

Deferred tax asset, net

264,842

273,845

319,851

Total assets

12,611,266

12,530,713

12,243,561

Deposits

9,348,429

9,132,899

8,994,714

Borrowings

854,150

1,024,150

1,074,236

Total preferred equity

36,104

36,104

36,104

Total common equity

2,185,205

2,159,367

2,049,015

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

6,764

5,124

(40,415

)

Total equity

2,228,073

2,200,595

2,044,704

Table 7 - Loan Portfolio

Composition of the loan portfolio including loans held for sale at period-end.

(In thousands) As of

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2019

2018

Residential mortgage loans

$

2,933,773

$

2,997,953

$

3,163,208

Commercial loans:
Construction loans

111,317

108,862

79,429

Commercial mortgage loans

1,444,586

1,439,362

1,522,662

Commercial and Industrial loans

2,230,876

2,222,496

2,148,111

Commercial loans

3,786,779

3,770,720

3,750,202

Finance leases

414,532

391,373

333,536

Consumer loans

1,867,121

1,808,374

1,611,177

Loans held for investment

9,002,205

8,968,420

8,858,123

Loans held for sale

39,477

42,470

43,186

Total loans

$

9,041,682

$

9,010,890

$

8,901,309

Table 8 - Loan Portfolio by Geography

(In thousands) As of December 31, 2019

Puerto Rico

Virgin Islands

United States

Consolidated

Residential mortgage loans

$

2,136,818

$

230,769

$

566,186

$

2,933,773

Commercial loans:
Construction loans

36,102

12,144

63,071

111,317

Commercial mortgage loans

1,012,523

67,377

364,686

1,444,586

Commercial and Industrial loans

1,285,594

105,819

839,463

2,230,876

Commercial loans

2,334,219

185,340

1,267,220

3,786,779

Finance leases

414,532

-

-

414,532

Consumer loans

1,776,675

49,924

40,522

1,867,121

Loans held for investment

6,662,244

466,033

1,873,928

9,002,205

Loans held for sale

33,709

350

5,418

39,477

Total loans

$

6,695,953

$

466,383

$

1,879,346

$

9,041,682

(In thousands) As of September 30, 2019

Puerto Rico

Virgin Islands

United States

Consolidated

Residential mortgage loans

$

2,182,413

$

235,164

$

580,376

$

2,997,953

Commercial loans:
Construction loans

31,189

12,739

64,934

108,862

Commercial mortgage loans

975,883

68,914

394,565

1,439,362

Commercial and Industrial loans

1,353,520

106,110

762,866

2,222,496

Commercial loans

2,360,592

187,763

1,222,365

3,770,720

Finance leases

391,373

-

-

391,373

Consumer loans

1,714,247

48,942

45,185

1,808,374

Loans held for investment

6,648,625

471,869

1,847,926

8,968,420

Loans held for sale

35,056

-

7,414

42,470

Total loans

$

6,683,681

$

471,869

$

1,855,340

$

9,010,890

(In thousands) As of December 31, 2018

Puerto Rico

Virgin Islands

United States

Consolidated

Residential mortgage loans

$

2,313,230

$

252,363

$

597,615

$

3,163,208

Commercial loans:
Construction loans

26,069

11,303

42,057

79,429

Commercial mortgage loans

1,014,023

74,585

434,054

1,522,662

Commercial and Industrial loans

1,351,661

95,900

700,550

2,148,111

Commercial loans

2,391,753

181,788

1,176,661

3,750,202

Finance leases

333,536

-

-

333,536

Consumer loans

1,505,720

46,838

58,619

1,611,177

Loans held for investment

6,544,239

480,989

1,832,895

8,858,123

Loans held for sale

41,794

199

1,193

43,186

Total loans

$

6,586,033

$

481,188

$

1,834,088

$

8,901,309

Table 9 – Non-Performing Assets

As of
(Dollars in thousands)

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2019

2018

Nonaccrual loans held for investment:
Residential mortgage

$

121,408

$

127,040

$

147,287

Commercial mortgage

40,076

42,525

109,536

Commercial and Industrial

18,773

20,725

30,382

Construction

9,782

6,358

8,362

Consumer and Finance leases

20,629

19,579

20,406

Total nonaccrual loans held for investment

210,668

216,227

315,973

OREO

101,626

103,033

131,402

Other repossessed property

5,115

5,932

3,576

Total non-performing assets, excluding nonaccrual loans held for sale

$

317,409

$

325,192

$

450,951

Nonaccrual loans held for sale

-

6,906

16,111

Total non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans held for sale (1)

$

317,409

$

332,098

$

467,062

Past-due loans 90 days and still accruing (2)

$

135,490

$

144,787

$

158,527

Allowance for loan and lease losses

$

155,139

$

165,575

$

196,362

Allowance to total nonaccrual loans held for investment

73.64

%

76.57

%

62.15

%

Allowance to total nonaccrual loans held for investment, excluding residential real estate loans

173.81

%

185.65

%

116.41

%

(1

)

Purchased credit impaired loans of $136.7 million accounted for under ASC 310-30 as of December 31, 2019, primarily mortgage loans acquired from Doral Bank in the first quarter of 2015 and from Doral Financial in the second quarter of 2014, are excluded and not considered nonaccrual loans due to the application of the accretion method, under which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using an estimated cash flow analysis.

(2

)

Amount includes purchased credit impaired loans with individual delinquencies over 90 days and still accruing with a carrying value as of December 31, 2019 of approximately $27.0 million, primarily related to loans acquired from Doral Bank in the first quarter of 2015 and from Doral Financial in the second quarter of 2014.

Table 10 – Non-Performing Assets by Geography

As of
(In thousands)

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2019

2018

Puerto Rico:
Nonaccrual loans held for investment:
Residential mortgage

$

97,214

$

104,112

$

120,707

Commercial mortgage

23,963

25,515

44,925

Commercial and Industrial

16,155

17,096

26,005

Construction

2,024

4,309

6,220

Finance leases

1,354

1,340

1,329

Consumer

18,129

16,989

18,037

Total nonaccrual loans held for investment

158,839

169,361

217,223

OREO

96,585

97,520

124,124

Other repossessed property

4,810

5,700

3,357

Total non-performing assets, excluding nonaccrual loans held for sale

$

260,234

$

272,581

$

344,704

Nonaccrual loans held for sale

-

6,906

16,111

Total non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans held for sale (1)

$

260,234

$

279,487

$

360,815

Past-due loans 90 days and still accruing (2)

$

129,463

$

138,860

$

153,269

Virgin Islands:
Nonaccrual loans held for investment:
Residential mortgage

$

10,903

$

10,041

$

12,106

Commercial mortgage

16,113

17,010

19,368

Commercial and Industrial

2,303

2,347

4,377

Construction

7,758

2,049

2,142

Consumer

467

625

710

Total nonaccrual loans held for investment

37,544

32,072

38,703

OREO

4,909

5,381

6,704

Other repossessed property

146

128

76

Total non-performing assets, excluding nonaccrual loans held for sale

$

42,599

$

37,581

$

45,483

Nonaccrual loans held for sale

-

-

-

Total non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans held for sale

$

42,599

$

37,581

$

45,483

Past-due loans 90 days and still accruing

$

5,898

$

5,927

$

5,258

United States:
Nonaccrual loans held for investment:
Residential mortgage

$

13,291

$

12,887

$

14,474

Commercial mortgage

-

-

45,243

Commercial and Industrial

315

1,282

-

Construction

-

-

-

Consumer

679

625

330

Total nonaccrual loans held for investment

14,285

14,794

60,047

OREO

132

132

574

Other repossessed property

159

104

143

Total non-performing assets, excluding nonaccrual loans held for sale

$

14,576

$

15,030

$

60,764

Nonaccrual loans held for sale

-

-

-

Total non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans held for sale

$

14,576

$

15,030

$

60,764

Past-due loans 90 days and still accruing

$

129

$

-

$

-

(1

)

Purchased credit impaired loans of $136.7 million accounted for under ASC 310-30 as of December 31, 2019, primarily mortgage loans acquired from Doral Bank in the first quarter of 2015 and from Doral Financial in the second quarter of 2014, are excluded and not considered nonaccrual loans due to the application of the accretion method, under which these loans will accrete interest income over the remaining life of the loans using an estimated cash flow analysis.

(2

)

Amount includes purchased credit impaired loans with individual delinquencies over 90 days and still accruing with a carrying value as of December 31, 2019 of approximately $27.0 million, primarily related to loans acquired from Doral Bank in the first quarter of 2015 and from Doral Financial in the second quarter of 2014.

Table 11 – Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

Quarter Ended

Year Ended

(Dollars in thousands)

December 31,

September 30,

December 31,

December 31,

December 31,

2019

2019

2018

2019

2018

Allowance for loan and lease losses, beginning of period

$

165,575

$

172,011

$

200,563

$

196,362

$

231,843

Provision for loan and lease losses

8,473

7,398

7,649

(1

)

40,225

(2

)

59,253

(3

)

Net (charge-offs) recoveries of loans:
Residential mortgage

(5,930

)

(4,414

)

(6,009

)

(20,079

)

(21,383

)

Commercial mortgage

(103

)

(717

)

4,193

(14,690

)

(15,986

)

Commercial and Industrial

208

1,439

(168

)

(3,652

)

(7,885

)

Construction

(8

)

211

60

274

(7,962

)

Consumer and finance leases

(13,076

)

(10,353

)

(9,926

)

(43,301

)

(41,518

)

Net charge-offs

(18,909

)

(13,834

)

(11,850

)

(81,448

)

(94,734

)

Allowance for loan and lease losses, end of period

$

155,139

$

165,575

$

196,362

$

155,139

$

196,362

Allowance for loan and lease losses to period end total loans held for investment

1.72

%

1.85

%

2.22

%

1.72

%

2.22

%

Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans outstanding during the period

0.84

%

0.61

%

0.54

%

0.91

%

1.09

%

Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs during the period 0.45x 0.53x 0.65x 0.49x 0.63x
Provision for loan and lease losses to net charge-offs during the period, excluding effect of the hurricane-related qualitative reserve releases in the year ended December 31, 2019, and the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018 0.45x 0.53x 1.13x 0.57x 0.80x
(1) Net of a $5.7 million net loan loss reserve release associated with the effect of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
(2) Net of a $6.4 million net loan loss reserve release associated with the effect of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
(3) Net of a $16.9 million net loan loss reserve releases associated with the effect of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Table 12 – Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans

December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31,

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Residential mortgage

0.66%

0.67%

0.79%

0.93%

0.55%

Commercial mortgage

0.97%

1.03%

2.42%

1.28%

3.12%

Commercial and Industrial

0.16%

0.38%

0.66%

1.11%

1.32%

Construction

-0.28%

6.75%

2.05%

1.02%

1.42%

Consumer and finance leases

2.05%

2.31%

2.12%

2.63%

2.85%

Total loans

0.91%

1.09%

1.33%

1.37%

1.68%

First BanCorp.

John B. Pelling III

Investor Relations Officer

[email protected]

(787) 729-8003

Source: First BanCorp.

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