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Bank of Marin, a subsidiary of Bank of Marin Bancorp (Nasdaq: BMRC), has sold $293 million in available-for-sale securities as a part of its strategic plan to enhance future earnings, EPS growth, and return on equity. According to CEO Tim Myers, the bank's robust capital allows for proactive balance sheet repositioning to create additional shareholder value. The securities, accounting for 56% of the AFS portfolio with an average yield of 1.94%, were sold, leading to an estimated after-tax loss of $23 million to be recorded in Q2 2024. The proceeds will be reinvested into higher-yielding loans and short-duration securities, expected to yield 5.75% on average, improving net interest margin by 30 basis points annually, and adding $0.46 to EPS over the next four quarters.
Positive
The strategic repositioning is expected to increase earnings per share (EPS) by $0.46 over the next four quarters.
Repositioning will likely improve the annualized net interest margin by 30 basis points.
The reinvested proceeds are expected to yield an average return of 5.75%.
Proactive balance sheet repositioning is aimed to enhance shareholder value through increased earnings.
Negative
The sale of securities will result in an estimated after-tax loss of $23 million to be recorded in Q2 2024.
Bank of Marin's decision to sell $293 million in available-for-sale (AFS) securities is a strategic move aimed at improving its future earnings profile. The securities being sold had an average yield of 1.94, rather low considering current interest rates. By repositioning these assets into higher-yielding loans and short-duration securities, which have an expected average yield of 5.75, the bank plans to significantly enhance its net interest margin (NIM).
The estimated after-tax loss of $23 million will be recorded in Q2 2024, which represents a short-term downside. However, the projected accretion of $0.46 in earnings per share over the next four quarters showcases the long-term benefits. The bank anticipates a capital earn-back period of approximately three years, which appears reasonable for such a sizable transaction.
From a financial stability perspective, this move underscores the bank's robust capital levels, allowing it to absorb the immediate loss for future gain. Investors should view this as a signal that management is proactive and forward-thinking, although the immediate impact on earnings might be initially negative. Long-term, the strategy could contribute to more sustainable and higher earnings growth.
The implications of Bank of Marin's asset repositioning are significant for its market positioning. By selling 56 of its AFS securities, the bank is not only adjusting its asset mix but also aiming to capitalize on higher-yielding investment opportunities. This move is expected to add approximately 30 basis points to the annualized net interest margin starting from Q3. Such an increase can significantly boost the bank's competitive positioning in terms of profitability and shareholder returns.
Moreover, the timing of this strategic repositioning is notable. With the current interest rate environment, transitioning to higher-yielding assets could lead to better financial outcomes compared to remaining in low-yield securities. This is an indication of the management's adeptness at navigating prevailing market conditions and utilizing them for the bank's advantage.
For retail investors, this indicates a potential for improved profitability and higher dividends in the future. However, they should also be aware of the immediate after-tax loss, which will reflect in the near-term financial statements. Understanding this balance between short-term pain and long-term gain is critical for assessing the overall impact on stock value.
NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Bank of Marin, the wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Marin Bancorp (Nasdaq: BMRC), announced today that it sold $293 million in available-for-sale securities (AFS) as part of a strategy designed to improve future earnings, drive earnings per share (EPS) growth, and increase its return on equity.
“Our robust capital levels allow us to proactively reposition our balance sheet, which will create additional value for the Bank and our shareholders through increased earnings and improved net interest margin,” said Tim Myers, Bank of Marin president and CEO. “We have already redeployed some of the proceeds and expect to reinvest the remainder into higher yielding loans and short-duration securities.”
The securities sold represented 56% of the AFS portfolio and had an average yield of 1.94%. The sale will result in an estimated after-tax loss of approximately $23 million that will be recorded in the second quarter of 2024. Assuming a 5.75% average yield on reinvestment, the securities repositioning is expected to have an approximate 3-year capital earn back and contribute approximately 30 basis points to annualized net interest margin beginning third quarter, resulting in $0.46 estimated earnings per share accretion over the next four quarters.
Management believes that the execution of this strategy positions Bank of Marin well for future profitable growth and will further enhance the value of the franchise.
About Bank of Marin Bancorp
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Novato, Bank of Marin is the wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Marin Bancorp (Nasdaq: BMRC). A leading business and community bank with assets of $3.8 billion, Bank of Marin provides commercial and personal banking, specialty lending, and wealth management and trust services throughout its network of 27 branches and 7 commercial banking offices serving Northern California. Specializing in providing legendary service to its customers and investing in its local communities, Bank of Marin has consistently been ranked one of the “Top Corporate Philanthropists" by San Francisco Business Times since 2003, was inducted into NorthBay Biz’s “Best of” Hall of Fame in 2024, and ranked top 10 in Sacramento Business Journal’s Corporate Direct Giving List for philanthropic efforts in 2023. Bank of Marin Bancorp is included in the Russell 2000 Small-Cap Index and Nasdaq ABA Community Bank Index. For more information, visit www.bankofmarin.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations regarding economic, legislative, and regulatory issues that may impact Bancorp's earnings in future periods. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “designed” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may.” Factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions and the economic uncertainty in the United States and abroad, including economic or other disruptions to financial markets caused by acts of terrorism, war, impacts from inflation, supply chain disruptions, changes in interest rates (including the actions taken by the Federal Reserve to control inflation), California's unemployment rate, deposit flows, real estate values, and expected future cash flows on loans and securities; the impact of adverse developments at other banks, including bank failures, that impact general sentiment regarding the stability and liquidity of banks; costs or effects of acquisitions; competition; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; natural disasters (such as wildfires and earthquakes in our area); adverse weather conditions; interruptions of utility service in our markets for sustained periods; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors (including external fraud and cybersecurity threats) affecting our operations, pricing, products and services; and successful integration of acquisitions. These and other important factors are detailed in various securities law filings made periodically by Bancorp, copies of which are available from Bancorp without charge. Bancorp undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
What is the strategic balance sheet repositioning announced by Bank of Marin (BMRC)?
Bank of Marin (BMRC) announced the sale of $293 million in available-for-sale securities to enhance future earnings, EPS growth, and return on equity.
How much did Bank of Marin (BMRC) sell from its available-for-sale securities portfolio?
Bank of Marin (BMRC) sold $293 million in available-for-sale securities, representing 56% of its AFS portfolio.
What is the expected financial impact of Bank of Marin's (BMRC) securities sale?
The sale is expected to incur an estimated after-tax loss of $23 million to be recorded in Q2 2024 but will improve net interest margin by 30 basis points and add $0.46 to EPS over the next four quarters.
How will Bank of Marin (BMRC) use the proceeds from the securities sale?
The proceeds will be reinvested into higher-yielding loans and short-duration securities with an expected average yield of 5.75%.
When will the after-tax loss from the securities sale be recorded by Bank of Marin (BMRC)?
The estimated after-tax loss of $23 million will be recorded in the second quarter of 2024.
What is the expected effect on Bank of Marin's (BMRC) EPS from the strategic repositioning?
The repositioning is expected to contribute approximately $0.46 to earnings per share (EPS) over the next four quarters.
