RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Citizens BancShares Inc. (Nasdaq: FCNCA) reported strong earnings for the third quarter of 2020. Key results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 are presented below:

ONGOING COVID-19 RESPONSE

BancShares remains in a very strong capital and liquidity position providing stability in navigating the COVID-19 crisis. Our leadership team continues to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect the welfare of our employees and soundness of the organization, while continuing to support our customers. Our branches have re-opened with enhanced safety protocols, and our corporate locations remain at limited occupancy due to current virus trends.

Through September 30, 2020, over 94% of all COVID-19 related loan extensions have begun repayment. Delinquency trends among loans entering repayment are in line with the remainder of the portfolio. We have not seen significant declines in overall credit quality, though the impacts of the SBA-PPP and payment extensions could be delaying signs of credit deterioration.

During 2020, BancShares originated over 23,000 SBA-PPP loans with an outstanding balance of $3.11 billion at September 30, 2020. We collected $117.2 million in SBA-PPP related loan fees per the program terms. These fees were deferred and are being recognized in interest income over the life of the respective loans. We have begun accepting and processing applications for forgiveness during the third quarter, and we anticipate acceleration of the fee income as the volume of approved forgiveness applications increases and payments are received from the SBA.

Strong Liquidity and Capital Position

We maintain a strong level of liquidity. As of September 30, 2020, liquid assets (available cash and unencumbered high quality liquid assets at market value) totaled approximately $8.51 billion, representing 17.5% of consolidated assets as of September 30, 2020.

In addition to liquid assets, we had contingent sources of liquidity totaling approximately $11.37 billion in the form of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowing capacity, Federal Reserve Discount Window availability, fed funds lines and a committed line of credit.

At September 30, 2020, BancShares’ regulatory capital ratios were well in excess of Basel III capital requirements with a total risk-based capital ratio of 13.7%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.5%, a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 10.4%, a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 7.8% and a capital conservation buffer of 5.5%, more than twice the required level of 2.5%.

RECENT MERGER ACTIVITY

On October 15, 2020, BancShares, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, the bank subsidiary of BancShares (“FCB”), FC Merger Subsidiary IX, Inc., a subsidiary of FCB, and CIT Group Inc. (“CIT”) entered into a definitive merger agreement through which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals. The transaction is anticipated to close during the first half of 2021 subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals, the approval of CIT’s and BancShares’ stockholders and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2020 totaled $353.7 million, an increase of $17.2 million, or 5.1%, compared to the third quarter of 2019. This was primarily due to an increase in interest earned on loans, driven by SBA-PPP loans and organic loan growth, and lower rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by declines in yields on interest-earning assets and increased borrowings. SBA-PPP loans contributed $28.9 million in interest and fee income during the quarter. The taxable-equivalent NIM was 3.06% during the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of 71 basis points from 3.77% for the comparable quarter in the prior year. The margin decline was primarily due to a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by a decline in rates paid on deposits and borrowings. The taxable-equivalent NIM declined 8 basis points from 3.14% in the linked quarter primarily related to a decline in yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by a decline in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits.

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, totaled $1.03 billion, an increase of $45.2 million, or 4.6% compared to the same period of 2019. The change was primarily due to SBA-PPP loans and organic loan growth coupled with lower rates paid on deposits and borrowings. This was partially offset by declines in the yield on interest-earning assets and higher deposit and borrowing balances. SBA-PPP loans contributed $47.9 million in interest and fee income during 2020. The taxable equivalent NIM decreased 57 basis points to 3.23% compared to 3.80% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily due to a decline in yield on interest-earning assets coupled with an increase in total borrowings, only partially offset by a decline in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits.

PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Provision expense was $4.0 million and $52.9 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to $6.8 million and $23.7 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The increase in the nine month period was primarily COVID-19 related as loss estimates consider the potential impact of slower economic activity and elevated unemployment, as well as potential mitigants due to government stimulus and loan accommodations. The year-to-date provision expense includes $36.1 million of reserve build for credit losses specifically related to the potential impacts of COVID-19. The decrease in the three month period was due to stabilization in the macroeconomic forecasts, limited movement in credit quality metrics and continued low net charge-offs.

Total net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2020 were $2.6 million, a decrease from $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2019 due to a lower volume of charge-offs and increased recoveries. Net charge-offs were $17.4 million and $20.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The net charge-off ratio was 0.03% and 0.07% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared to 0.10% for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2019. Excluding the impact of SBA-PPP loans on average loan balances, the net charge-off ratio was 0.03% and 0.08% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020.

NONINTEREST INCOME

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2020 totaled $120.6 million compared to $100.9 million for the third quarter of 2019, an increase of $19.7 million, or 19.5%. The third quarter of 2020 included realized gains on available for sale securities totaling $21.4 million and negative fair value adjustments on marketable equity securities totaling $2.7 million. This compares to realized gains on available for sale securities of $1.1 million and negative fair value adjustments on marketable equity securities of $1.0 million for the third quarter of 2019. The remaining $1.1 million increase was primarily driven by a $5.7 million increase in mortgage income due to increased production resulting from lower mortgage interest rates and a $3.8 million increase in cardholder services income, partially offset by a $6.3 million decrease in net service charges on deposits.

Noninterest income for the first nine months of 2020 totaled $350.0 million compared to $311.5 million for the same period of 2019, an increase of $38.5 million, or 12.4%. Year-to-date 2020 noninterest income included realized gains on available for sale securities totaling $55.0 million, positive fair value adjustments on marketable equity securities totaling $10.5 million, and impairment of mortgage servicing rights of $4.3 million. This compares to realized gains on available for sale securities of $6.9 million and positive fair value adjustments on marketable equity securities of $13.5 million for the same period of 2019. The remaining decrease was driven primarily by a $13.2 million decrease in net service charges on deposits and a $13.8 million decrease in purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) recoveries, which following the adoption of CECL, are recorded to the ACL. These declines were partially offset by a $16.3 million increase in mortgage income due to increased production resulting from lower mortgage interest rates and a $4.4 million increase in cardholder services.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Noninterest expense totaled $291.7 million for the third quarter of 2020, a $21.2 million, or 7.9%, increase compared to the same period in 2019. The increase was largely driven by a $12.9 million increase in personnel-related expenses primarily due to increased salaries and wages as a result of personnel from acquisitions and merit increases. In addition, processing fees paid to third parties increased by $4.7 million reflecting continued investment in digital and technological capabilities.

Noninterest expense totaled $883.3 million for the first nine months of 2020, a $71.8 million, or 8.9%, increase compared to the same period of 2019. The increase was largely driven by a $42.0 million increase in personnel expenses as a result of merit increases and personnel from acquisitions, an $11.5 million increase in processing fees paid to third parties reflecting continued investment in digital and technological capabilities and a $6.2 million increase in pension expense as a result of a decline in the discount rate.

INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense totaled $35.8 million and $35.4 million for the third quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively, representing effective tax rates of 20.1% and 22.1% for the respective periods.

Income tax expense totaled $89.5 million and $105.0 million for the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively, representing effective tax rates of 20.2% and 22.8% for the respective nine month periods.

The effective tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 were favorably impacted by $3.5 million and $10.4 million, respectively, due to BancShares’ decision in the second quarter to utilize an allowable alternative for computing its 2020 federal income tax liability. Without this alternative, the effective tax rate would have been approximately 22.0% and 22.6% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively. The allowable alternative provides BancShares the ability to use the federal income tax rate for certain current year deductible amounts related to prior year FDIC-assisted acquisitions that was applicable when these amounts were originally subjected to tax.

LOANS AND DEPOSITS

At September 30, 2020, loans totaled $32.85 billion, an increase of $3.96 billion since December 31, 2019. Of this growth, $3.11 billion was related to SBA-PPP loans originations. Excluding SBA-PPP loans, total loans increased $851.0 million since December 31, 2019, or by 3.9% on an annualized basis.

At September 30, 2020, deposits totaled $42.25 billion, an increase of $7.82 billion since December 31, 2019. This growth includes estimated deposits of $1.30 billion related to the SBA-PPP. Excluding the impact of these deposits, total deposits increased $6.52 billion since December 31, 2019, or by 25.3% on an annualized basis.

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The ACL was $223.9 million at September 30, 2020, compared to $225.1 million at December 31, 2019. The ACL as a percentage of total loans was 0.68% at September 30, 2020, compared to 0.78% at December 31, 2019. The reduction was due primarily to the adoption of CECL, resulting in a $37.9 million reduction in the ACL, partially offset by a reserve build of $36.1 million due to an increase in potential loan losses related to the impact of COVID-19. Excluding SBA-PPP loans, which have no associated ACL, the ACL as a percentage of total loans was 0.75% as of September 30, 2020. The ACL as of September 30, 2020, excluding SBA-PPP loans, covered approximately 9.4 times annualized year-to-date net charge-offs compared to 6.5 times at January 1, 2020 with the adoption of CECL.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

Nonperforming assets, including nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned, were $239.2 million, or 0.73% of total loans and other real estate owned at September 30, 2020, compared to $168.3 million or 0.58% at December 31, 2019. Contributing to the increase was the dissolution of PCI pools as part of the adoption of CECL, which moved loans from performing PCI pools into nonaccrual status, and represents $27.5 million of nonaccrual loans as of September 30, 2020. Excluding the impact of the accounting change, the nonperforming asset ratio at September 30, 2020 would have been relatively consistent with December 31, 2019.

CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS

During the third quarter of 2020, BancShares repurchased 117,700 shares of Class A common stock for $47.1 million at an average cost per share of $399.82 compared to a total of 295,900 shares of Class A common stock for $135.4 million at an average cost per share of $457.50 for the third quarter of 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, BancShares repurchased 813,090 shares of Class A common stock for $333.8 million at an average cost per share of $410.48 compared to 744,400 shares of Class A common stock for $325.9 million at an average cost per share of $437.84 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. All Class A common stock repurchases completed in 2020 and 2019 were consummated under previously approved authorizations. Upon completion of the share repurchase authorization on July 31, 2020, share repurchase activity was suspended.

ABOUT FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES

BancShares is the financial holding company for Raleigh, North Carolina-headquartered First Citizens Bank. First Citizens Bank provides a broad range of financial services to individuals, businesses, professionals and the medical community through branch offices in 19 states, including digital banking, mobile banking, ATMs and telephone banking. As of September 30, 2020, BancShares had total assets of $48.67 billion.

For more information, visit First Citizens’ website at firstcitizens.com.