Release Details

Continued Increase in Non-Interest-Bearing Deposits Positions the Company Well for A Rising Interest Rate Scenario

Robust Quarterly Loan Originations in Excess of $500 Million

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: DCOM) (the “Company” or “Dime”), the parent company of Dime Community Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income available to common stockholders of $96.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, or $2.45 per diluted common share.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2021, net income available to common stockholders was $33.5 million, or $0.83 per diluted common share, compared to net income available to common stockholders of $3.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, or $0.16 per diluted common share. Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP) totaled $33.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, or $0.84 per diluted share. Adjusted net income available to common stockholders includes $0.5 million of aggregate pre-tax adjustments related to merger expenses and transaction costs, branch restructuring, and net gain on sale of securities and other assets (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” table at the end of this news release).

Kevin M. O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company, stated, “As we close the book on 2021, we can reflect on a successful year for our Company. We integrated our merger transaction seamlessly and delivered on our financial goals as it relates to return on assets and efficiency. During the fourth quarter of 2021, our loan originations increased to $505 million (representing a linked quarter increase of approximately 9%). In addition, we grew our non-interest-bearing deposits to total deposits ratio to 37.5% and have positioned our balance sheet favorably for a rising rate scenario.”

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2021 Included:

• The non-interest-bearing deposits to total deposits ratio increased to 37.5% at December 31, 2021;
• The cost of deposits for the fourth quarter of 2021 declined to 0.11%;     
• Total loans held for investment, net, excluding Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans increased by 1% on an annualized basis versus the linked quarter;
• The reported efficiency ratio for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 49.9%; excluding the impact of merger expenses and transaction costs, branch restructuring, and amortization of other intangible assets, the adjusted efficiency ratio was 48.2%;
• The Company repurchased 850,901 shares of its common stock, which represented approximately 2% of shares outstanding at the beginning of the period, at a weighted average price of $34.44; and
• Non-performing assets represented only 0.33% of total assets as of December 31, 2021.

Management’s Discussion of Quarterly Operating Results

The Company’s results of operations for the third and fourth quarters of 2021 include income for the full quarter from the merger with Bridge Bancorp, Inc. (“Bridge”). The Company’s historical information for the fourth quarter of 2020 does not include the historical GAAP results of Bridge.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $91.7 million compared to $94.8 million for the third quarter of 2021 and $48.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.

The table below provides a reconciliation of the reported Net Interest Margin (“NIM”), the adjusted NIM excluding the impact of PPP loans, and the adjusted NIM excluding the combined impact of PPP loans and purchasing accounting accretion on the loan portfolio.

⁽¹⁾   NIM represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
⁽²⁾   Adjusted NIM excluding PPP represents adjusted net interest income, which excludes net interest income on PPP loans divided by average interest-earning assets excluding PPP loans. The net interest income on PPP loans is calculated using interest income on the PPP balances less an assumed cost of funding the PPP loans, using the overall cost of funds of the Company.
⁽³⁾  Adjusted NIM excluding PPP and PAA represents adjusted net interest income, which excludes net interest income on PPP loans and PAA, divided by adjusted average interest-earning assets excluding PPP loans.

Loan Portfolio

The ending weighted average rate (“WAR”)⁽¹⁾ on the total loan portfolio was 3.73% at December 31, 2021, a 1 basis point increase compared to the ending WAR on the total loan portfolio at September 30, 2021. Excluding the impact of PPP loans, the WAR on the loan portfolio was 3.75% at December 31, 2021, compared to 3.76% at September 30, 2021.

Outlined below are loan balances and WARs for the period ended as indicated.

⁽¹⁾    Weighted average rate is calculated by aggregating interest based on the current loan rate from each loan in the category, adjusted for non-accrual loans, divided by the total amount of loans in the category.
⁽²⁾    Includes multifamily loans underlying cooperatives.
⁽³⁾   While the loans within this category are often considered "commercial real estate" in nature, multifamily and loans underlying cooperatives are here reported separately from commercial real estate loans in order to emphasize the residential nature of the collateral underlying this significant component of the total loan portfolio.

Outlined below are the loan originations, excluding PPP, for the quarter ended as indicated.

Deposits

Total deposits decreased by $215.1 million on a linked quarter basis to $10.5 billion at December 31, 2021. The decline in total deposits was primarily due to the Bank not renewing higher-cost certificates of deposit accounts.

CEO O’Connor stated, “We continued to focus on reducing higher-rate, promotional or rate-sensitive deposits in our portfolio as we prepare for higher interest rates. The weighted-average rate on our deposit portfolio declined to 0.09% at December 31, 2021.”

Non-interest-bearing deposits increased $98.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2021 to $3.9 billion at December 31, 2021, representing 37.5% of total deposits.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $324.9 million of certificates of deposits, with a weighted average rate of 0.29%, that were set to mature during the first quarter of 2022 and $376.3 million of certificates of deposits, with a weighted average rate of 0.69%, that were set to mature during the remainder of 2022.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income was $10.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2021, $9.7 million during the third quarter of 2021, and $2.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2020. Excluding the net gain on sale of securities and other assets, adjusted non-interest income was $9.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2021. The net gain on sale of securities and other assets during the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily due to the sale of a branch property. Excluding the loss on termination of derivatives and net gain on sale of securities and other assets, adjusted non-interest income was $7.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2020 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” table at the end of this news release).

Non-Interest Expense

Total non-interest expense was $50.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2021, $56.8 million during the third quarter of 2021, and $37.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2020. Excluding the impact of merger expenses and transaction costs, branch restructuring, and amortization of other intangible assets, adjusted non-interest expense was $48.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $49.1 million during the third quarter of 2021, and $25.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2020 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” table at the end of this news release).

The ratio of non-interest expense to average assets was 1.64% during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 1.80% during the linked quarter and 2.28% for the fourth quarter of 2020. Excluding the impact of merger expenses and transaction costs, branch restructuring, and amortization of other intangible assets, the ratio of adjusted non-interest expense to average assets was 1.57% during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 1.56% during the linked quarter and 1.53% for the fourth quarter of 2020 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” table at the end of this news release).

The efficiency ratio was 49.9% during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 54.3% during the linked quarter and 73.4% during the fourth quarter of 2020. Excluding the impact of merger expenses and transaction costs, branch restructuring, and amortization of other intangible assets, the adjusted efficiency ratio was 48.2% during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to 46.9% during the linked quarter and 44.8% during the fourth quarter of 2020 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” table at the end of this news release).

Income Tax Expense

The reported effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 30.9%, compared to 27.5% for the third quarter of 2021, and 31.5% for the fourth quarter of 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate during the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily the result of higher non-deductible expenses during the period.

Credit Quality

Non-performing loans at December 31, 2021 were $40.3 million, or 0.44% of total loans.

Excluding the impact of purchased loans with credit deterioration (“PCD loans”), non-performing loans would have been $32.2 million, or 0.36% of total loans (excluding PCD loans).

A credit loss recovery of $132 thousand was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to a credit loss recovery of $5.2 million during the third quarter of 2021, and a credit loss provision of $6.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2020.

The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.91% at December 31, 2021 as compared to 0.88% at September 30, 2021 and 0.74% at December 31, 2020.

Loans with Payment Deferrals

Loans subject to full principal and interest (“P&I”) payment deferrals declined to $5.7 million and represented 0.1% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2021.

Capital Management

The Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios continued to be in excess of all applicable regulatory requirements.

CEO O’Connor commented, “During the fourth quarter, we continued to execute on our share repurchase program and we repurchased $29.3 million of common stock. Our tangible equity to tangible assets ratio increased by 14 basis points in the quarter to 8.64%. Our strong balance sheet and internal stress testing analyses continue to provide support for future capital return to shareholders” (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables at the end of this news release).

Dividends per common share were $0.24 during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Book value per common share was $26.98 and tangible common book value per share (which represents common equity less goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by number of shares outstanding) was $22.87 at December 31, 2021 (see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation” tables at the end of this news release).

Earnings Call Information

The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (ET) on January 28, 2022, during which CEO O’Connor will discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year 2021 performance, with a question and answer session to follow. Dial-in information for the live call is 1-888-348-2672. Upon dialing in, request to be joined into Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. call with the conference operator.

The conference call will be simultaneously webcast (listen only), and archived for a period of one year, at https://services.choruscall.com/links/dcom220128.html. Dial-in information for the replay is 1-877-344-7529 using access code #6633695. Replay will be available beginning on January 28, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. through February 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

ABOUT DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Dime Community Bank, a New York State-chartered trust company with over $12.0 billion in assets and the number one deposit market share among community banks on Greater Long Island⁽¹⁾.

⁽¹⁾ Aggregate deposit market share for Kings, Queens, Nassau & Suffolk counties for community banks less than $20 billion in assets.

This news release contains a number of 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 (the "Exchange Act"). These statements may be identified by use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," “continue,” "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," “likely,” "may," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

Forward-looking statements are based upon various assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of management's experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that could affect our results include, without limitation, the following: the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond the Company’s control; there may be increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins; changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values may adversely affect the business of the Company; unanticipated or significant increases in loan losses may negatively affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause the Company’s financial condition to be perceived differently; changes in corporate and/or individual income tax laws may adversely affect the Company's financial condition or results of operations; general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which the Company conducts business, or conditions in the securities markets or the banking industry may be less favorable than the Company currently anticipates; legislation or regulatory changes may adversely affect the Company’s business; technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; there may be failures or breaches of information technology security systems; success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than the Company anticipates; and litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than the Company anticipates. Further, given its ongoing and dynamic nature, it is difficult to predict what effects the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business and results of operations. The pandemic and related local and national economic disruption may, among other effects, result in a decline in demand for our products and services; increased levels of loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures; branch closures, work stoppages and unavailability of personnel; and increased cybersecurity risks, as employees work remotely. For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent updates set forth in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Contact: Avinash Reddy
Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer
718-782-6200 extension 5909

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In thousands)

⁽¹⁾     Includes loans underlying multifamily cooperatives.
⁽²⁾     While the loans within this category are often considered "commercial real estate" in nature, multifamily and loans underlying cooperatives are here reported separately from commercial real estate loans in order to emphasize the residential nature of the collateral underlying this significant component of the total loan portfolio.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

⁽¹⁾   See "Non-GAAP Reconciliation" table for reconciliation of tangible equity, tangible common equity, and tangible assets. Average balances are calculated using the ending balance for months during the period indicated.
⁽²⁾   The CRE concentration ratio is calculated using the sum of commercial real estate, excluding owner occupied commercial real estate, multifamily, and ADC, divided by consolidated capital. December 31, 2021 amounts are preliminary pending completion and filing of the Company’s regulatory reports.
⁽³⁾   December 31, 2021 amounts are preliminary pending completion and filing of the Company’s regulatory reports.

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED AVERAGE BALANCES AND NET INTEREST INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED SCHEDULE OF NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
(Dollars in thousands)

(1)   Excludes loans held for sale

DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

The following tables below provide a reconciliation of certain financial measures calculated under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (as reported) and non-GAAP measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the United States. The Company’s management believes the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with a greater understanding of the Company’s operating results in addition to the results measured in accordance with GAAP. While management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance, this information should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP or considered to be more important than financial results determined in accordance with GAAP.

The following non-GAAP financial measures exclude pre-tax income and expenses associated with the Company’s merger with Bridge, as well as branch restructuring, and gain on sale of PPP loans.

⁽¹⁾    Adjustments to net income are taxed at the Company's statutory tax rate of approximately 31% unless otherwise noted.
⁽²⁾    Certain merger expenses and transaction costs are non-taxable expense.

The following table presents a reconciliation of operating expense as a percentage of average assets (as reported) and adjusted operating expense as a percentage of average assets (non-GAAP):

The following table presents a reconciliation of efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) and adjusted efficiency ratio (non-GAAP):

_______________
⁽¹⁾   The reported efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing GAAP non-interest expense by the sum of GAAP net interest income and GAAP non-interest (loss) income.
⁽²⁾   The adjusted efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure calculated by dividing adjusted non-interest expense by the sum of GAAP net interest income and adjusted non-interest income.

The following table presents the tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible equity to tangible assets, and tangible common book value per share calculations (non-GAAP):