Blue Foundry Bancorp Announces Completion of Fourth Stock Repurchase Program and Adoption of Fifth Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQ: BLFY) has completed its fourth stock repurchase program and announced a new fifth program to buy back up to 1,139,420 shares (5% of outstanding stock) starting November 8, 2024. Since July 2022, the company has repurchased 6,659,303 shares (23.3%) at an average price of $10.14. The company's tangible book value per share was $14.74 as of September 30, 2024. The new program allows repurchases through open market, private transactions, or block trades, with timing and amount depending on market conditions and other factors.

Positive

• Shares being repurchased at significant discount to tangible book value ($10.14 vs $14.74)
• Strong capital position enabling continued share repurchases
• Substantial 23.3% reduction in share count since July 2022 enhancing shareholder value

Negative

• Significant capital expenditure on buybacks may limit funds for other growth opportunities

Insights

Financial Analyst

This stock repurchase program represents significant value creation potential. Having completed four previous buybacks totaling $67.5 million at an average price of $10.14, well below the $14.74 tangible book value, the company has effectively increased shareholder value. The new 5% repurchase authorization signals continued confidence in the stock's undervaluation.

The aggressive buyback strategy, having reduced outstanding shares by 23.3% since July 2022, demonstrates strong capital allocation and management's commitment to returning value to shareholders. With shares trading below book value, these repurchases are immediately accretive to book value per share and earnings per share for remaining shareholders.

RUTHERFORD, N.J., Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQ: BLFY), the holding company for Blue Foundry Bank, announced that as of November 7, 2024, it had completed its fourth stock repurchase program and had adopted another program to repurchase up to 1,139,420 shares of its common stock, which is approximately 5% of its outstanding common stock. The program commenced on November 8, 2024. This is the Company’s fifth stock repurchase program since completing its mutual-to-stock conversion and related stock offering in July 2021.

Since announcing its first stock repurchase program on July 20, 2022, through the completion of the fourth stock repurchase program, the Company has repurchased 6,659,303 shares, or 23.3% of its common shares, at a weighted average price of $10.14. The Company’s tangible book value per share was $14.74 as of September 30, 2024.

The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or private transactions, through block trades or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The timing and amount of any repurchases will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of stock, general market conditions, the trading price of the stock, alternative uses for capital, and the Company’s financial performance. Open market purchases will be made in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any particular number of shares or any shares in any specific time period.

James D. Nesci, President and CEO of the Company, remarked that “We are pleased to announce our fifth repurchase program. Our prior repurchase programs have allowed us to repurchase shares at a discount to tangible book value. We believe that share repurchases are a prudent use of capital and are pleased to have the strong capital position that allows us the ability to purchase stock.”

About Blue Foundry Bancorp

Blue Foundry Bancorp is the holding company for Blue Foundry Bank, a place where things are made, purpose is formed, and ideas are crafted. Headquartered in Rutherford NJ, with a presence in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties, Blue Foundry Bank is a full-service, innovative bank serving the doers, movers, and shakers in our communities. We offer individuals and businesses alike the tailored products and services they need to build their futures. With a rich history dating back more than 145 years, Blue Foundry Bank has a longstanding commitment to its customers and communities. To learn more about Blue Foundry Bank visit BlueFoundryBank.com or call (888) 931-BLUE. Member FDIC.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are 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”) and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are based on certain current assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins and yields, the fair value of financial instruments or our level of loan originations, or increase in the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans we have made and make; general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected; changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; our ability to access cost-effective funding; fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; demand for loans and deposits in our market area; our ability to implement and change our business strategies; competition among depository and other financial institutions; adverse changes in the securities or secondary mortgage markets; changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees, capital requirements and insurance premiums; changes in monetary or fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios; technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected; a failure or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyber-attacks; the inability of third party providers to perform as expected; our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic environment; our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities; our ability to successfully integrate into our operations any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel we may acquire and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related there to; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; our ability to retain key employees; the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; the ability of the U.S. Government to manage federal debt limits; and changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to release publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Contact Information

Elyse D. Beidner
Investor Relations
BlueFoundryBank.com
ebeidner@bluefoundrybank.com
201-939-5000

FAQ

How many shares will Blue Foundry Bancorp (BLFY) repurchase in its fifth buyback program?

Blue Foundry Bancorp will repurchase up to 1,139,420 shares, representing approximately 5% of its outstanding common stock.

What is the average price BLFY paid for shares in previous buyback programs?

Through its previous buyback programs, BLFY repurchased shares at a weighted average price of $10.14 per share.

How many shares has BLFY repurchased since July 2022?

Since July 2022, BLFY has repurchased 6,659,303 shares, representing 23.3% of its common shares.

What was BLFY's tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2024?

BLFY's tangible book value per share was $14.74 as of September 30, 2024.