HINGHAM, Mass., Jan. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HINGHAM INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS (NASDAQ:HIFS), Hingham, Massachusetts announced earnings for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2022.

Earnings

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $37,519,000 or $17.49 per share basic and $17.04 per share diluted, as compared to $67,458,000 or $31.50 per share basic and $30.65 per share diluted for the same period last year. The Bank's return on average equity for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 10.01%, and the return on average assets was 0.98%, as compared to 20.62% and 2.25% for the same period in 2021. Net income per share (diluted) for 2022 decreased by 44% over the same period in 2021.

Core net income for the year ended December 31, 2022, which represents net income excluding the after-tax gains and losses on securities, both realized and unrealized, and the after-tax gains on the disposal of fixed assets, was $54,569,000 or $25.44 per share basic and $24.78 per share diluted, as compared to $56,563,000 or $26.42 per share basic and $25.70 per share diluted for the same period last year. The Bank's core return on average equity for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 14.56%, and the core return on average assets was 1.43%, as compared to 17.29% and 1.89% for the same period in 2021. Core net income per share (diluted) for 2022 decreased by 4% over the same period in 2021.

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 was $11,965,000 or $5.58 per share basic and $5.44 per share diluted, as compared to $16,674,000 or $7.78 per share basic and $7.56 per share diluted for the same period last year. The Bank's annualized return on average equity for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 12.40%, and the annualized return on average assets was 1.18%, as compared to 19.14% and 2.05% for the same period in 2021. Net income per share (diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased by 28% over the same period in 2021.

Core net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, which represents net income excluding the after-tax gains and losses on securities, both realized and unrealized, was $9,713,000 or $4.53 per share basic and $4.42 per share diluted, as compared to $15,033,000 or $7.02 per share basic and $6.81 per share diluted for the same period last year. The Bank's annualized core return on average equity for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 10.07%, and the annualized core return on average assets was 0.96%, as compared to 17.26% and 1.85% for the same period in 2021. Core net income per share (diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased by 35% over the same period in 2021.

See Page 10 for a Non-GAAP reconciliation between net income and core net income. In calculating core net income, the Bank did not make any adjustments other than those relating to after-tax gains and losses on equity securities, realized and unrealized and after-tax gains on the disposal of fixed assets, as applicable.

Balance Sheet

Total assets increased to $4.194 billion at December 31, 2022, representing 22% growth from December 31, 2021.

Net loans totaled $3.658 billion at December 31, 2022, representing 22% growth from December 31, 2021. Growth was concentrated in multifamily assets in the Bank's commercial real estate portfolio.

Total deposits, including wholesale deposits, increased to $2.505 billion at December 31, 2022, representing 5% growth from December 31, 2021. Total retail and business deposits increased to $1.892 billion at December 31, 2022, representing 11% growth from December 31, 2021. Non-interest bearing deposits, included in retail and business deposits, decreased to $387.2 million at December 31, 2022, representing less than a 1% decline from December 31, 2021. During 2022, the Bank continued to focus on developing relationships to grow its commercial deposits, implemented special time deposit offerings, and used wholesale funds to help fund the strong loan growth experienced during the period.

Book value per share was $179.74 as of December 31, 2022, representing 9% growth from December 31, 2021. In addition to the increase in book value per share, the Bank has declared $3.03 in dividends per share since December 31, 2021, including a special dividend of $0.63 per share declared during the fourth quarter of 2022. The Bank increased its regular dividend per share in each of the last four quarters. The trailing five year compound annual growth rate in book value per share, an important measure of long-term value creation, was 15.5%.

Operational Performance Metrics

The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased 67 basis points to 2.81%, as compared to 3.48% in the prior year. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, the Bank experienced a substantial increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities when compared to the prior year. This was driven primarily by the repricing of the Bank's wholesale borrowings, wholesale deposits, and to a lesser extent, higher rates on the Bank's retail and commercial deposits. During this period, the increase in the cost of funds was combined with a slight decline in the yield on interest-earning assets, driven primarily by a lower yield on loans booked early in 2022, partially offset by an increase in the interest on reserves held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock dividends.

The net interest margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 decreased 137 basis points to 2.09%, as compared to 3.46% in the same quarter in 2021. During this period, the Bank experienced a more significant increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities when compared to the same period in the prior year, driven by the same factors described above. The higher cost of funds was partially offset by an increase in the yield on interest-earning assets, driven primarily by an increase in the interest on reserves held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock dividends, partially offset by a lower yield on loans booked early in 2022.

In a linked quarter comparison, the net interest margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 decreased 67 basis points to 2.09%, as compared to 2.76% in the quarter ended September 30, 2022. This was primarily the result of the continued and significant increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, driven primarily by an increase in the cost of the Bank's wholesale funding sources, partially offset by an increase in the interest on reserve balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and an increase in the yield on loans from the prior quarter. The increase in the yield on loans was driven by both new loan originations at higher rates and the repricing of existing adjustable rate loans.

Key credit and operational metrics remained satisfactory in the fourth quarter. At December 31, 2022, non-performing assets totaled 0.03% of total assets, as compared to 0.01% at December 31, 2021. Non-performing loans as a percentage of the total loan portfolio totaled 0.03% at December 31, 2022, as compared to 0.01% at December 31, 2021.

The Bank recorded $50,000 of net recoveries in 2022, as compared to $1,000 of net charge-offs in 2021.

The Bank did not own any foreclosed property at December 31, 2022 and 2021.

The efficiency ratio, as defined on page 5 below, increased to 24.81% in 2022, as compared to 21.31% in 2021. Operating expenses as a percentage of average assets fell to 0.70% in 2022, as compared to 0.74% in 2021. As the efficiency ratio can be significantly influenced by the level of net interest income, the Bank utilizes these paired figures together to assess its operational efficiency over time. During periods of significant net interest income volatility, the efficiency ratio in isolation may over or understate the underlying operational efficiency of the Bank. The Bank remains focused on reducing waste through an ongoing process of continuous improvement and standard work that supports operational leverage.

These operational metrics reflect the Bank's disciplined focus on credit quality and expense management.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert H. Gaughen Jr. stated, "Returns on equity and assets were modest in 2022 relative to our recent performance, reflecting the substantial pressure on the net interest margin as the Bank's balance sheet adjusted to significantly higher short-term interest rates and the Bank's equity investment holdings fell in value. The Bank has always maintained a relatively liability-sensitive balance sheet and consequently rapid increases in short-term interest rates have a much more significant impact on the Bank's funding costs than its asset yields.

The Bank's business model has been built over time to compound shareholder capital through all stages of the economic cycle, with the understanding that there may be periods where the Bank's short-term performance exceeds or falls short of its long-term performance. During all such periods - whether fair or foul weather - we remain focused on careful capital allocation, defensive underwriting and disciplined cost control - the building blocks for compounding shareholder capital through all stages of the economic cycle. These remain constant, regardless of the macroeconomic environment in which we operate."

The Bank's annual financial results are summarized in the earnings release, but shareholders are encouraged to read the Bank's annual report on Form 10-K, which is generally available several weeks after the earnings release. The Bank expects to file Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on or about March 8, 2023.

The Bank expects to hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Hingham, MA on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in the afternoon. Additional information will follow in the Bank's Proxy Statement later in the first quarter of 2023.

Incorporated in 1834, Hingham Institution for Savings is one of America's oldest banks. The Bank maintains offices in Boston, Nantucket, and Washington, D.C., and provides commercial mortgage and banking services in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Bank's shares of common stock are listed and traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol HIFS.

HINGHAM INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS

Selected Financial Ratios

	Three Months Ended December 31,				Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2021		2022		2021		2022
(Unaudited)

Key Performance Ratios
Return on average assets (1)	2.05	%	1.18	%	2.25	%	0.98	%
Return on average equity (1)	19.14		12.40		20.62		10.01
Core return on average assets (1) (5)	1.85		0.96		1.89		1.43
Core return on average equity (1) (5)	17.26		10.07		17.29		14.56
Interest rate spread (1) (2)	3.39		1.67		3.40		2.60
Net interest margin (1) (3)	3.46		2.09		3.48		2.81
Operating expenses to average assets (1)	0.71		0.70		0.74		0.70
Efficiency ratio (4)	20.62		33.54		21.31		24.81
Average equity to average assets	10.73		9.50		10.93		9.81
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities	127.01		123.20		127.22		124.30

	December 31, 2021			December 31, 2022
(Unaudited)

Asset Quality Ratios
Allowance for loan losses/total loans		0.68	%	0.68		%
Allowance for loan losses/non-performing loans		4,784.78		2,139.39

Non-performing loans/total loans		0.01		0.03
Non-performing loans/total assets		0.01		0.03
Non-performing assets/total assets		0.01		0.03

Share Related
Book value per share	$	165.52		$	179.74
Market value per share	$	419.88		$	275.96
Shares outstanding at end of period		2,142,400			2,147,400

(1) Annualized for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2022.

(2) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(4) The efficiency ratio represents total operating expenses, divided by the sum of net interest income and total other income (loss), excluding gain (loss) on equity securities, net and gain on disposal of fixed assets.

(5) Non-GAAP measurements that represent return on average assets and return on average equity, excluding the after-tax gain (loss) on equity securities, net, and the after-tax gain on disposal of fixed assets.

HINGHAM INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)	December 31, 2021		December 31, 2022
(Unaudited)
ASSETS

Cash and due from banks	$	5,428	$	7,936
Federal Reserve and other short-term investments		265,733		354,097
Cash and cash equivalents		271,161		362,033

CRA investment		9,306		8,229
Other marketable equity securities		79,167		54,967
Securities, at fair value		88,473		63,196
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost		3,500		3,500
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost		29,908		52,606
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $20,431 at December 31, 2021 and $24,989 at December 31, 2022		2,999,096		3,657,782
Foreclosed assets		—		—
Bank-owned life insurance		12,980		13,312
Premises and equipment, net		15,825		17,859
Accrued interest receivable		5,467		7,122
Deferred income tax asset, net		—		4,061
Other assets		4,755		12,328
Total assets	$	3,431,165	$	4,193,799

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Interest-bearing deposits	$	2,003,717	$	2,118,045
Non-interest-bearing deposits		389,148		387,244
Total deposits		2,392,865		2,505,289
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		665,000		1,276,000
Mortgagors' escrow accounts		9,183		12,323
Accrued interest payable		198		4,527
Deferred income tax liability, net		536		—
Other liabilities		8,771		9,694
Total liabilities		3,076,553		3,807,833

Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 2,500,000 shares authorized, none issued		—		—
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 2,142,400 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2,147,400 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022		2,142		2,147
Additional paid-in capital		12,728		13,061
Undivided profits		339,742		370,758
Total stockholders' equity		354,612		385,966
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	3,431,165	$	4,193,799

HINGHAM INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS

Consolidated Statements of Net Income

	Three Months Ended				Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)		2021		2022	2021			2022
(Unaudited)
Interest and dividend income:
Loans	$	29,182	$	35,714	$	109,449		$	132,089
Debt securities		33		33		84			132
Equity securities		134		716		696			1,752
Federal Reserve and other short-term investments		78		2,766		262			5,055
Total interest and dividend income		29,427		39,229		110,491			139,028
Interest expense:
Deposits		1,518		8,793		6,868			16,882
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank advances		300		9,481		1,158			16,012
Total interest expense		1,818		18,274		8,026			32,894
Net interest income		27,609		20,955		102,465			106,134
Provision for loan losses		1,200		600		3,028			4,508
Net interest income, after provision for loan losses		26,409		20,355		99,437			101,626
Other income (loss):
Customer service fees on deposits		192		146		746			602
Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance		79		80		323			332
Gain (loss) on equity securities, net		2,105		2,979		11,820			(21,777	)
Gain on disposal of fixed assets		—		—		2,337			—
Miscellaneous		22		57		82			124
Total other income (loss)		2,398		3,262		15,308			(20,719	)
Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		3,566		4,153		13,988			15,831
Occupancy and equipment		368		350		1,450			1,378
Data processing		571		804		2,003			2,757
Deposit insurance		252		515		933			1,862
Foreclosure and related		2		19		(49	)		24
Marketing		140		279		563			1,031
Other general and administrative		855		1,003		3,188			3,709
Total operating expenses		5,754		7,123		22,076			26,592
Income before income taxes		23,053		16,494		92,669			54,315
Income tax provision		6,379		4,529		25,211			16,796
Net income	$	16,674	$	11,965	$	67,458		$	37,519

Cash dividends declared per share	$	1.30	$	1.26	$	2.83		$	3.03

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		2,142		2,146		2,141			2,145
Diluted		2,206		2,198		2,201			2,202

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	7.78	$	5.58	$	31.50		$	17.49
Diluted	$	7.56	$	5.44	$	30.65		$	17.04

HINGHAM INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS

Net Interest Income Analysis

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2021							2022
	AVERAGE BALANCE			INTEREST		YIELD/ RATE (8)		AVERAGE BALANCE			INTEREST		YIELD/ RATE (8)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Loans (1) (2)	$	2,908,433		$	29,182	4.01	%	$	3,624,745		$	35,714	3.94	%
Securities (3) (4)		82,113			167	0.81			103,033			749	2.91
Federal Reserve and other short-term investments		204,815			78	0.15			287,286			2,766	3.85
Total interest-earning assets		3,195,361			29,427	3.68			4,015,064			39,229	3.91
Other assets		52,128							47,959
Total assets	$	3,247,489						$	4,063,023

Interest-bearing deposits (5)	$	2,087,523			1,518	0.29		$	2,221,963			8,793	1.58
Borrowed funds		428,315			300	0.28			1,036,944			9,481	3.66
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,515,838			1,818	0.29			3,258,907			18,274	2.24
Non-interest-bearing deposits		375,139							408,951
Other liabilities		8,022							9,282
Total liabilities		2,898,999							3,677,140
Stockholders' equity		348,490							385,883
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	3,247,489						$	4,063,023
Net interest income				$	27,609						$	20,955

Weighted average spread						3.39	%						1.67	%

Net interest margin (6)						3.46	%						2.09	%

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities (7)		127.01	%						123.20	%

(1)		Before allowance for loan losses.
(2)		Includes non-accrual loans.
(3)		Excludes the impact of the average net unrealized gain or loss on securities.
(4)		Includes Federal Home Loan Bank stock.
(5)		Includes mortgagors' escrow accounts.
(6)		Net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(7)		Total interest-earning assets divided by total interest-bearing liabilities.
(8)		Annualized.

HINGHAM INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS

Net Interest Income Analysis

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2021							2022
	AVERAGE BALANCE			INTEREST		YIELD/ RATE		AVERAGE BALANCE			INTEREST		YIELD/ RATE
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Loans (1) (2)	$	2,667,812		$	109,449	4.10	%	$	3,404,674		$	132,089	3.88	%
Securities (3) (4)		70,419			780	1.11			105,612			1,884	1.78
Federal Reserve and other short-term investments		204,500			262	0.13			263,606			5,055	1.92
Total interest-earning assets		2,942,731			110,491	3.75			3,773,892			139,028	3.68
Other assets		51,635							47,772
Total assets	$	2,994,366						$	3,821,664

Interest-bearing deposits (5)	$	1,993,863			6,868	0.34		$	2,118,798			16,882	0.80
Borrowed funds		319,193			1,158	0.36			917,252			16,012	1.75
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,313,056			8,026	0.35			3,036,050			32,894	1.08
Non-interest-bearing deposits		346,992							402,890
Other liabilities		7,147							7,857
Total liabilities		2,667,195							3,446,797
Stockholders' equity		327,171							374,867
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,994,366						$	3,821,664
Net interest income				$	102,465						$	106,134

Weighted average spread						3.40	%						2.60	%

Net interest margin (6)						3.48	%						2.81	%

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities (7)		127.22	%						124.30	%

(1)		Before allowance for loan losses.
(2)		Includes non-accrual loans.
(3)		Excludes the impact of the average net unrealized gain or loss on securities.
(4)		Includes Federal Home Loan Bank stock.
(5)		Includes mortgagors' escrow accounts.
(6)		Net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(7)		Total interest-earning assets divided by total interest-bearing liabilities.

HINGHAM INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

The table below presents the reconciliation between net income and core net income, a non-GAAP measurement that represents net income excluding the after-tax gain (loss) on equity securities, net, and after-tax gain on disposal of fixed assets.

	Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(In thousands, unaudited)		2021			2022		2021			2022

Non-GAAP reconciliation:
Net income	$	16,674		$	11,965		$	67,458		$	37,519
(Gain) loss on equity securities, net		(2,105	)		(2,979	)		(11,820	)		21,777
Income tax expense (benefit) (1)		464			727			2,605			(4,727	)
Gain on disposal of fixed assets		—			—			(2,337	)		—
Income tax expense		—			—			657			—
Core net income	$	15,033		$	9,713		$	56,563		$	54,569

(1) The equity securities are mostly held in a tax-advantaged subsidiary corporation. The income tax effect of the gain on equity securities, net, was calculated using the applicable effective tax rates.

CONTACT: Patrick R. Gaughen, President and Chief Operating Officer (781) 783-1761

Hingham Savings Reports 2022 Results