CLEVELAND, January 30, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TFS Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: TFSL) (the "Company"), the holding company for Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland (the "Association"), today announced results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

"Our earnings of $22.4 million this quarter show our success in managing margin compression and expenses," said Chairman and CEO Marc A. Stefanski. "We’ve also developed creative deposit products, leading to more than $350 million growth in our promotional CDs in December alone. Additionally, our Tier I capital ratio remains a source of strength at nearly 11%. As I look forward in 2025, I am encouraged by the economic forecast, interest rates, and their effect on the housing industry."

Financial Results for the Quarter ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Quarter ended September 30, 2024

The Company reported net income of $22.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to $18.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The increase in net income was mainly due to a release of provision for credit losses and a decrease in non-interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income.

Net interest income decreased $0.4 million, or 0.58%, to $68.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, primarily driven by a decrease in the average balance and yield of interest-earning cash and cash equivalents, the latter being impacted by a decline in short-term interest rates. The interest rate spread for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was 1.34% compared to 1.36% for the preceding quarter. The net interest margin was 1.66% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and 1.67% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, there was a $1.5 million release of provision for credit losses compared to a $1.0 million provision for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The total allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2024 was $97.8 million, or 0.64% of total loans receivable, unchanged from the prior quarter. Net loan recoveries were $1.4 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to $1.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. The total allowance for credit losses included a liability for unfunded commitments of $27.2 million at December 31, 2024 and $27.8 million at September 30, 2024.

Total loan delinquencies increased $4.4 million to $36.3 million, or 0.24% of total loans receivable, at December 31, 2024 from $31.9 million, or 0.21% of total loans receivable, at September 30, 2024. Non-accrual loans increased $2.9 million to $36.5 million, or 0.24% of total loans receivable, at December 31, 2024 from $33.6 million, or 0.22% of total loans receivable, at September 30, 2024.

Total non-interest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 decreased $3.2 million, or 6.26%, from the prior quarter to $47.9 million, mainly due to a $1.7 million decrease in marketing costs and a $1.5 million decrease in other expenses. Marketing costs are recognized when incurred. The decrease in other expenses is primarily due to a combined $1.0 million decrease in down payment assistance and other community programs, due to some seasonality in those activities, and a $0.4 million increase in positive adjustment to the defined benefit plan related to an increase in the expected long-term return on plan assets.

Financial Results for the Quarter ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Quarter ended December 31, 2023

The Company reported net income of $22.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to $20.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The improvement in net income was mainly due to an increase in the release of provision for credit losses and lower non-interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income. Additionally, non-interest income increased slightly over the same period a year ago.

Net interest income decreased $0.8 million, or 1.16%, to $68.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to $69.1 million for the same quarter a year ago. When comparing the two periods, the average balance and cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased $93.2 million and 26 basis points while the average balance and cost of interest earning assets increased $80.1 million and 21 basis points. The interest rate spread for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was 1.34% compared to 1.39% for the year-ago quarter. The net interest margin was 1.66% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and 1.68% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, there was a $1.5 million release of provision for credit losses compared to a $1.0 million release of provision for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The total allowance for credit losses was $97.8 million, or 0.64% of total loans receivable, at December 31, 2024 compared to $94.6 million, or 0.62% of total loans receivable, at December 31, 2023.

Total non-interest income increased by $0.2 million, to $6.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, from $6.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The increase was mainly the result of a $0.5 million increase in fees and service charges and a $0.6 million increase in net gain on the sale of loans, partially offset by decreases of $0.5 million in benefits realized on bank owned life insurance contracts and $0.4 million in other income. The decrease in other income was primarily related to changes in the fair value of interest rate commitments on loans originated for the held for sale portfolio.

Total non-interest expense decreased $2.4 million to $47.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 from $50.3 million for the same quarter a year ago. The decrease was mainly due to decreases of $0.5 million in salaries and employee benefits, $0.7 million in marketing costs and $0.7 million in other expenses. The decrease in other expenses was primarily due to a $0.3 million decrease in telecommunications expense, due to renegotiated contracts, and a $0.4 million increase in positive adjustment to the defined benefit plan related to an increase in the expected long-term return on plan assets.

Financial Position at December 31, 2024 Compared to September 30, 2024

Total assets decreased $33.2 million, or less than 1%, to $17.06 billion at December 31, 2024 from $17.09 billion at September 30, 2024. This change was mainly the result of decreases in investment securities available for sale and other assets.

Investment securities available for sale decreased $18.6 million, or 3.53%, to $507.7 million at December 31, 2024 from $526.3 million at September 30, 2024. This decrease was due to the combined effect of cash flows from security repayments and maturities exceeding purchases during the period and a decline in fair values, the result of interest rate changes during the quarter.

Loans held for investment, net of deferred loan fees and allowance for credit losses, increased $20.9 million, or less than 1%, to $15.34 billion at December 31, 2024 from $15.32 billion at September 30, 2024. The increase was offset by a $17.0 million decrease in the portfolio of loans held for sale, which totaled $0.8 million at December 31, 2024. During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the home equity loans and lines of credit portfolio increased $236.2 million and residential core mortgage loans decreased $214.4 million as repayments and sales outpaced the volume of residential mortgage loans originated and purchased.

The changes in loans held for sale and loans held for investment were affected by the volume of loans originated, purchased and sold. During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, total first mortgage loan originations were $176.5 million compared to $255.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and $273.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Of total residential mortgage loans originated during the current period, $146.3 million (83%) were purchase transactions and $23.8 million (14%) were adjustable rate loans. Commitments originated for home equity loans and lines of credit were $559.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 compared to $655.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and $436.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. The portfolio of residential first mortgage loans was reduced by $82.4 million of loans delivered to Fannie Mae on contracts settled during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 with a net gain of $1.4 million recognized at the time loans were committed for sale.

Other assets decreased $15.8 million, or 13.84%, to $98.3 million at December 31, 2024 from $114.1 million at September 30, 2024. This decrease was primarily the result of a $12.9 million decrease in current and deferred income tax assets, which were liabilities at December 31, 2024, and a $2.2 million decrease in accounts receivable related to funds held by the benefit plan administrator for the employee stock ownership plan.

Deposits increased by $12.2 million, or less than 1%, to $10.21 billion at December 31, 2024 from $10.20 billion at September 30, 2024. The increase in deposits included a $14.2 million increase in checking accounts and a $13.2 million increase in savings accounts, partially offset by a $15.5 million decrease in money market accounts. During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, a special certificate of deposit ("CD") offering drew $350.0 million in deposits and assisted with retail deposit growth and retention, while the weighted average cost of CDs decreased 11 basis points. The growth in retail CDs was offset by a decrease of $120.8 million in brokered CD accounts. The CD portfolio increased $2.4 million in total. At December 31, 2024, brokered CDs totaled $1.10 billion and included $725.0 million of three-month certificates of deposit accounts aligned with pay-fixed interest rate swap contracts, with a remaining weighted average effective maturity of approximately 2.3 years.

Borrowed funds decreased $136.5 million, or 2.85%, to $4.66 billion at December 31, 2024 from $4.79 billion at September 30, 2024. The total balance of borrowed funds at December 31, 2024 consisted of $1.63 billion of long-term advances with a weighted average maturity of approximately 2.0 years and $2.93 billion of three-month advances, aligned with interest rate swap contracts, with a remaining weighted average effective maturity of approximately 3.0 years, and $81.0 million in overnight borrowings, all from the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Total shareholders' equity increased $51.7 million, or 2.78%, to $1.91 billion at December 31, 2024 from $1.86 billion at September 30, 2024. Activity during the quarter reflects $22.4 million of net income, a $42.4 million net increase in accumulated other comprehensive income, a quarterly dividend of $14.8 million and a net positive adjustment of $1.6 million related to stock compensation and employee stock ownership plans. The change in accumulated other comprehensive income is primarily due to a net positive change in unrealized gains and losses on swap contracts. There were no stock repurchases during the quarter. The Company's eighth stock repurchase program allows for a total of 10,000,000 shares to be repurchased and 4,808,049 shares have been repurchased as of December 31, 2024.

Other Noteworthy Items for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2024

The Company declared and paid a quarterly dividend of $0.2825 per share during the quarter ended December 31, 2024. As a result of a mutual member vote, Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland, MHC (the "MHC"), the mutual holding company that owns approximately 81% of the outstanding stock of the Company, was able to waive its receipt of its share of the dividend paid. Under current Federal Reserve regulations, the MHC is required to obtain the approval of its members every 12 months for the MHC to waive its right to receive dividends. As a result of a July 9, 2024 member vote and the subsequent non-objection of the Federal Reserve, the MHC has the approval to waive receipt of up to $1.13 per share of possible dividends to be declared on the Company’s common stock during the twelve months subsequent to the members’ approval (i.e., through July 9, 2025), including a total of up to $0.565 remaining. The MHC has conducted the member vote to approve the dividend waiver each of the past eleven years under Federal Reserve regulations and for each of those eleven years, approximately 97% of the votes cast were in favor of the waiver.

The Company operates under the capital requirements for the standardized approach of the Basel III capital framework ("Basel III Rules"). At December 31, 2024 all of the Company's capital ratios exceeded the amounts required for the Company to be considered "well capitalized" for regulatory capital purposes. The Company's Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.89%, its Common Equity Tier 1 and Tier 1 ratios, as calculated under the fully phased-in Basel III Rules, were each 18.31% and its total capital ratio was 19.15%.

Presentation slides as of December 31, 2024 will be available on the Company's website, thirdfederal.com, under the Investor Relations link under the "Latest Presentation" heading, beginning January 31, 2025. The Company will not be hosting a conference call to discuss its operating results.

Third Federal Savings and Loan Association is a leading provider of savings and mortgage products, and operates under the values of love, trust, respect, a commitment to excellence and fun. Founded in Cleveland in 1938 as a mutual association by Ben and Gerome Stefanski, Third Federal’s mission is to help people achieve the dream of home ownership and financial security. It became part of a public company in 2007 and celebrated its 85^th anniversary in May 2023. Third Federal, which lends in 27 states and the District of Columbia, is dedicated to serving consumers with competitive rates and outstanding service. Third Federal, an equal housing lender, has 21 full service branches in Northeast Ohio, two lending offices in Central and Southern Ohio, and 16 full service branches throughout Florida.

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Contacts

Jennifer Rosa (216) 429-5037