Bankwell Financial Group Reports Record Net Income for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021; Increases Dividend by 11%; Provides Guidance For 2022

Rhea-AI Summary

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWFG) reported record GAAP net income of $7.8 million, or $0.99 per share, for Q4 2021, up from $0.3 million in Q4 2020. For the full year 2021, net income reached $26.6 million, or $3.36 per share, compared to $5.9 million in 2020. The Board declared a $0.20 per share cash dividend, an 11% increase from the previous quarter. Core deposits grew 31.7% year-over-year, and non-interest bearing deposits rose 47.6%. The company expects net interest income to grow 12-14% in 2022, citing strong loan and deposit pipelines.

Positive

• Record GAAP net income of $7.8 million for Q4 2021, up from $0.3 million in Q4 2020.
• Full year net income increased to $26.6 million from $5.9 million in 2020.
• Declared a $0.20 per share cash dividend, an 11% increase from the prior quarter.
• Core deposits increased by 31.7% year-over-year.
• Non-interest bearing deposits rose by 47.6%.
• Expectations for net interest income growth of 12-14% in 2022.

Negative

• None.

NEW CANAAN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWFG) reported record GAAP net income for the fourth quarter and year ended 2021. For the fourth quarter of 2021 net income totaled $7.8 million, or $0.99 per share, versus $0.3 million, or $0.04 per share, for the same period in 2020. For the year ended 2021 net income totaled $26.6 million, or $3.36 per share, versus $5.9 million, or $0.75 per share, for the same period in 2020.

The Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.20 per share cash dividend, payable February 24, 2022 to shareholders of record on February 14, 2022, representing an 11% increase when compared to the prior quarter’s dividend.

We recommend reading this earnings release in conjunction with the Fourth Quarter 2021 Investor Presentation, located at http://investor.mybankwell.com/Presentations and included as an exhibit to our January 26, 2022 Current Report on Form 8-K.

Notes Bankwell Financial Group President and CEO, Christopher R. Gruseke:

“We are proud to announce record performance for the fourth quarter and full year of 2021. In addition to generating a Return on Average Equity of 14% for the year, the Company made significant strides in all aspects of its business. While originating approximately $800 million in loans, we also continued to diversify our asset base. Core deposits grew by 31.7%, year over year, and non-interest bearing deposits increased by 47.6% over the same period.

“I offer my heartfelt gratitude and sincere congratulations to every member of our team. Their hard work and commitment, during a time of historic disruption, has made these impressive achievements possible.

“We enter the year ahead with confidence and momentum and look forward to another outstanding year. Loan and deposit pipelines remain strong. Inclusive of four expected rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, we expect net interest income to grow by 12-14% in 2022.”

Fourth Quarter 2021 Highlights:

• Return on average assets was 1.32% and return on average equity was 15.44% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021.
• The net interest margin improved to 3.43% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 and 3.17% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
• Total gross loans were $1.9 billion, growing $303.9 million excluding Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans, or 19.1%, compared to December 31, 2020. On a quarterly basis, loans grew $71.7 million, or 3.9% compared to September 30, 2021.
• Gains from loan sales totaled $0.4 million and $2.7 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.
• Total deposits were $2.1 billion compared to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2020.
• Noninterest bearing deposits increased by $128.7 million, or 47.6% compared to December 31, 2020.
• The percentage of noninterest bearing deposits to total deposits increased to 18.8% compared to 14.8% at December 31, 2020.
• The cost of interest bearing deposits decreased approximately 35 basis points to 0.54% for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 when compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2020.
• Investment securities totaled $108.4 million and represent 4.4% of total assets.
• Tangible book value per share rose to $26.19 compared to $22.43 at December 31, 2020.
• Shares issued and outstanding were 7,803,166, reflecting repurchases of 59,338 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $31.29 during the quarter ended December 31, 2021.
• The Company issued a 3.25% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated note due 2031 in the principal amount of $35.0 million. Part of the proceeds were used to repay $15.5 million of previously issued subordinated notes.

Earnings and Performance

Revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 were $19.8 million, versus $14.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $73.5 million, versus $57.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to lower interest expense on deposits, an increase in interest and fees on loans due to loan growth and from the resumption of loan sales.

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 was $7.8 million, versus $0.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $26.6 million, versus $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in net income was primarily impacted by the aforementioned increases in revenues, a decrease in noninterest expense, and a decrease in the provision for loan losses resulting from lower loan loss reserves in 2021 when compared to 2020, which saw a large increase in reserves due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $1.00 and $0.99, respectively, for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.04 each for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $3.38 and $3.36, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.75 each for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent basis) for the quarters ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was 3.43% and 2.66%, respectively. The net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent basis) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was 3.17% and 2.77%, respectively. The increase in the net interest margin was due to lower interest expense from a decrease in rates on interest bearing deposits and a greater proportion of noninterest bearing deposits.

Financial Condition

Assets totaled $2.46 billion at December 31, 2021, compared to assets of $2.25 billion at December 31, 2020. The increase in assets was primarily due to loan growth, partially offset by a decrease in excess liquidity. Gross loans totaled $1.9 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $269.3 million compared to December 31, 2020. Excluding PPP loans, gross loans increased by $303.9 million at December 31, 2021 when compared to December 31, 2020. Deposits totaled $2.1 billion at December 31, 2021, compared to deposits of $1.8 billion at December 31, 2020.

Capital

Shareholders’ equity totaled $202.0 million as of December 31, 2021, an increase of $25.4 million compared to December 31, 2020, primarily a result of (i) net income of $26.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and (ii) a $7.0 million favorable impact to accumulated other comprehensive income driven by fair value marks related to hedge positions involving interest rate swaps. The Company's interest rate swaps are used to hedge interest rate risk. The Company's current interest rate swap positions will cause a decrease to other comprehensive income in a falling interest rate environment and an increase in a rising interest rate environment. The increase in Shareholders’ equity was partially offset by dividends paid of $5.0 million and common stock repurchases of $5.1 million.

About Bankwell Financial Group

Bankwell is a commercial bank that serves the banking needs of residents and businesses throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Connecticut. For more information about this press release, interested parties may contact Christopher R. Gruseke, President and Chief Executive Officer or Penko Ivanov, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bankwell Financial Group at (203) 652-0166.

For more information, visit www.mybankwell.com.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements about the Company. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “intend” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include, but are not limited to, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, general economic conditions or conditions within the securities markets, uncertain impacts of, or additional changes in, monetary, fiscal or tax policy to address the impact of COVID-19, prolonged measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 or premature easing of such containment measures, either of which could further exacerbate the effects on the Company’s business and results of operations, and legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to evaluating the Company's financial performance in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), management may evaluate certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as the efficiency ratio. A computation and reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures used for these purposes is contained in the accompanying Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures tables. We believe that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, our performance trends and financial position. For example, the Company believes that the efficiency ratio is useful in the assessment of financial performance, including noninterest expense control. The Company believes that tangible common equity, tangible book value per share, and return on average tangible common equity are useful to evaluate the relative strength of the Company's performance and capital position. We utilize these measures for internal planning and forecasting purposes. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and we strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	291,598			$	169,417			$	297,851			$	351,194			$	405,340
Federal funds sold		53,084				8,097				4,036				10,811				4,258
Cash and cash equivalents		344,682				177,514				301,887				362,005				409,598
Investment securities
Marketable equity securities, at fair value		2,168				2,185				2,192				2,178				2,207
Available for sale investment securities, at fair value		90,198				87,565				90,983				83,218				88,605
Held to maturity investment securities, at amortized cost		16,043				16,107				16,166				16,225				16,078
Total investment securities		108,409				105,857				109,341				101,621				106,890
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $16,902, $16,803, $16,672, $20,545, and $21,009 at December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively)		1,875,167				1,805,217				1,719,274				1,650,127				1,601,672
Accrued interest receivable		7,512				6,911				6,661				7,306				6,579
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost		2,814				3,632				3,844				6,446				7,860
Premises and equipment, net		25,588				35,118				33,916				33,386				21,762
Bank-owned life insurance		49,174				48,903				48,632				42,881				42,651
Goodwill		2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589
Other intangible assets		—				48				58				67				76
Deferred income taxes, net		7,621				7,718				8,208				8,908				11,300
Other assets		32,708				33,181				35,415				29,131				42,770
Total assets	$	2,456,264			$	2,226,688			$	2,269,825			$	2,244,467			$	2,253,747
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest bearing deposits	$	398,956			$	338,705			$	328,473			$	280,947			$	270,235
Interest bearing deposits		1,725,042				1,544,118				1,610,829				1,578,861				1,557,081
Total deposits		2,123,998				1,882,823				1,939,302				1,859,808				1,827,316
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank		50,000				80,000				75,000				125,000				175,000
Subordinated debentures		34,441				15,374				15,366				25,271				25,258
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		45,838				52,314				49,362				46,445				49,571
Total liabilities		2,254,277				2,030,511				2,079,030				2,056,524				2,077,145
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, no par value		118,148				119,588				120,451				120,398				121,338
Retained earnings		92,400				85,992				80,543				75,418				70,839
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(8,561	)			(9,403	)			(10,199	)			(7,873	)			(15,575	)
Total shareholders’ equity		201,987				196,177				190,795				187,943				176,602
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,456,264			$	2,226,688			$	2,269,825			$	2,244,467			$	2,253,747

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
	For the Quarter Ended																		For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021			June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020			December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Interest and dividend income
Interest and fees on loans	$	21,081			$	19,795		$	19,266			$	17,900			$	18,194		$	78,042			$	73,665
Interest and dividends on securities		722				731			736				769				835			2,958				3,237
Interest on cash and cash equivalents		90				88			90				108				117			376				585
Total interest and dividend income		21,893				20,614			20,092				18,777				19,146			81,376				77,487
Interest expense
Interest expense on deposits		2,198				2,387			2,744				3,114				3,557			10,443				18,180
Interest expense on borrowings		767				503			769				1,008				1,285			3,047				4,472
Total interest expense		2,965				2,890			3,513				4,122				4,842			13,490				22,652
Net interest income		18,928				17,724			16,579				14,655				14,304			67,886				54,835
Provision (credit) for loan losses		125				134			(20	)			(296	)			709			(57	)			7,605
Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses		18,803				17,590			16,599				14,951				13,595			67,943				47,230
Noninterest income
Gains and fees from sales of loans		441				924			814				513				16			2,692				43
Bank owned life insurance		270				271			251				231				241			1,023				967
Service charges and fees		257				199			217				199				210			872				788
Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net		—				—			—				—				—			—				19
Other		(143	)			43			158				1,013				154			1,070				1,067
Total noninterest income		825				1,437			1,440				1,956				621			5,657				2,884
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		4,806				4,782			3,960				4,769				5,453			18,317				21,355
Occupancy and equipment		2,411				2,615			3,250				2,406				4,516			10,682				10,926
Professional services		628				498			547				587				591			2,260				2,110
Data processing		432				632			833				512				1,658			2,409				3,216
Director fees		335				324			327				317				331			1,303				1,214
FDIC insurance		231				298			300				403				262			1,232				791
Marketing		87				186			140				(9	)			118			404				630
Other		749				1,035			695				653				774			3,132				2,571
Total noninterest expense		9,679				10,370			10,052				9,638				13,703			39,739				42,813
Income before income tax expense		9,949				8,657			7,987				7,269				513			33,861				7,301
Income tax expense		2,135				1,802			1,759				1,579				177			7,275				1,397
Net income	$	7,814			$	6,855		$	6,228			$	5,690			$	336		$	26,586			$	5,904
Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic	$	1.00			$	0.88		$	0.79			$	0.72			$	0.04		$	3.38			$	0.75
Diluted	$	0.99			$	0.87		$	0.79			$	0.71			$	0.04		$	3.36			$	0.75
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic		7,660,307				7,677,822			7,722,481				7,758,540				7,726,926			7,706,407				7,728,328
Diluted		7,726,420				7,738,758			7,768,026				7,800,777				7,728,206			7,761,811				7,748,453
Dividends per common share	$	0.18			$	0.18		$	0.14			$	0.14			$	0.14		$	0.64			$	0.56

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
	For the Quarter Ended															For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2021			September 30, 2021			June 30, 2021			March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Performance ratios:
Return on average assets(1)	1.32	%		1.22	%		1.11	%		1.02	%		0.06	%		1.17	%		0.28	%
Return on average stockholders' equity(1)	15.44	%		14.09	%		13.06	%		12.67	%		0.75	%		13.86	%		3.35	%
Return on average tangible common equity(1)	15.65	%		14.29	%		13.25	%		12.86	%		0.76	%		14.05	%		3.40	%
Net interest margin	3.43	%		3.39	%		3.12	%		2.74	%		2.66	%		3.17	%		2.77	%
Efficiency ratio(2)	48.8	%		54.1	%		55.7	%		58.0	%		91.2	%		53.9	%		73.9	%
Net loan charge-offs as a % of average loans	—	%		—	%		0.23	%		0.01	%		—	%		0.23	%		0.01	%
Dividend payout ratio(3)	18.18	%		20.69	%		17.72	%		19.72	%		350.00	%		19.05	%		74.67	%

(1)		2020 performance ratios were negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic related loan loss reserves and $3.9 million in one-time charges related to office consolidation, contract termination and employee severance costs recognized in the fourth quarter of 2020.
(2)		Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense, less other real estate owned expenses and amortization of intangible assets, divided by our operating revenue, which is equal to net interest income plus noninterest income excluding gains and losses on sales of securities and gains and losses on other real estate owned. In our judgment, the adjustments made to operating revenue allow investors and analysts to better assess our operating expenses in relation to our core operating revenue by removing the volatility that is associated with certain one-time items and other discrete items that are unrelated to our core business.
(3)		The dividend payout ratio is calculated by dividing dividends per share by earnings per share.

	As of
	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Capital ratios:
Total Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)		11.18	%			10.59	%			10.95	%			11.02	%			11.06	%
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)		12.00	%			11.44	%			11.84	%			12.17	%			12.28	%
Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)		11.18	%			10.59	%			10.95	%			11.02	%			11.06	%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets(1)		9.94	%			9.61	%			9.19	%			8.82	%			8.44	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		8.13	%			8.70	%			8.30	%			8.27	%			7.73	%
Tangible book value per common share(2)	$	26.19			$	25.25			$	24.40			$	23.99			$	22.43

(1)		Represents Bank ratios. Current period capital ratios are preliminary subject to finalization of the FDIC Call Report.
(2)		Excludes unvested restricted shares of 190,359, 178,797, 184,548, 186,485, and 163,369 as of December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. ASSET QUALITY (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	For the Quarter Ended
	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Allowance for loan losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$	16,803			$	16,672			$	20,545			$	21,009			$	20,372
Charge-offs:
Commercial real estate		—				—				(3,814	)			(163	)			—
Commercial business		(26	)			—				(51	)			—				(75	)
Consumer		(5	)			(15	)			(4	)			(14	)			(11	)
Total charge-offs		(31	)			(15	)			(3,869	)			(177	)			(86	)
Recoveries:
Commercial business		2				11				16				—				14
Consumer		3				1				—				9				—
Total recoveries		5				12				16				9				14
Net loan charge-offs		(26	)			(3	)			(3,853	)			(168	)			(72	)
Provision (credit) for loan losses		125				134				(20	)			(296	)			709
Balance at end of period	$	16,902			$	16,803			$	16,672			$	20,545			$	21,009

	As of
	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Asset quality:
Nonaccrual loans
Residential real estate	$	2,380			$	1,849			$	1,160			$	1,289			$	1,492
Commercial real estate		3,482				16,314				15,392				19,277				21,093
Commercial business		1,728				1,754				1,780				1,803				1,834
Construction		8,997				8,997				8,997				8,997				8,997
Total nonaccrual loans		16,587				28,914				27,329				31,366				33,416
Other real estate owned		—				—				—				—				—
Total nonperforming assets	$	16,587			$	28,914			$	27,329			$	31,366			$	33,416
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans		0.88	%			1.58	%			1.57	%			1.87	%			2.06	%
Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets		0.68	%			1.30	%			1.20	%			1.40	%			1.48	%
Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans		0.89	%			0.92	%			0.96	%			1.23	%			1.29	%
Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonperforming loans		101.90	%			58.11	%			61.00	%			65.50	%			62.87	%

Total nonaccrual loans declined $16.8 million to $16.6 million as of December 31, 2021 when compared to December 31, 2020, primarily a result of $11.0 million of previously reported nonaccrual loans becoming performing loans during the fourth quarter of 2021. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets was 0.68% at December 31, 2021, down from 1.48% at December 31, 2020. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2021 was $16.9 million, representing 0.89% of total loans.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. LOAN & DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
Period End Loan Composition	December 31, 2021			September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020			Current QTD % Change			YTD % Change
Residential Real Estate	$	79,987		$	90,110		$	113,557		(11.2	) %		(29.6	) %
Commercial Real Estate(1)		1,356,709			1,337,896			1,148,383		1.4			18.1
Construction		98,341			94,665			87,007		3.9			13.0
Total Real Estate Loans		1,535,037			1,522,671			1,348,947		0.8			13.8
Commercial Business(2)		350,975			292,825			276,601		19.9			26.9
Consumer		8,869			9,050			79		(2.0	)		N/M(3)
Total Loans	$	1,894,881		$	1,824,546		$	1,625,627		3.9	%		16.6	%

(1)		Includes owner occupied commercial real estate.
(2)		Includes $0.2 million, $1.6 million, and $34.8 million of PPP loans at December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
(3)		Metric not meaningful.

Gross loans totaled $1.9 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $269.3 million compared to December 31, 2020. Excluding PPP loans, gross loans increased by $303.9 million, or 19.1%, at December 31, 2021 when compared to December 31, 2020.

Period End Deposit Composition	December 31, 2021			September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020			Current QTD % Change			YTD % Change
Noninterest bearing demand	$	398,956		$	338,705		$	270,235		17.8	%		47.6	%
NOW		119,479			103,180			101,737		15.8			17.4
Money Market		954,674			835,210			669,364		14.3			42.6
Savings		193,631			188,581			158,750		2.7			22.0
Time		457,258			417,147			627,230		9.6			(27.1	)
Total Deposits	$	2,123,998		$	1,882,823		$	1,827,316		12.8	%		16.2	%

Total deposits were $2.1 billion at December 31, 2021, compared to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2020, an increase of $296.7 million, or 16.2%. Noninterest bearing deposits grew by $128.7 million, or 47.6%, as of December 31, 2021, compared to December 31, 2020.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. NONINTEREST INCOME (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	For the Quarter Ended
Noninterest income	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020			Dec 21 vs. Sep 21 % Change			Dec 21 vs. Dec 20 % Change
Gains and fees from sales of loans	$	441			$	924		$	16		(52.3	) %		2,656.3	%
Bank owned life insurance		270				271			241		(0.4	)		12.0
Service charges and fees		257				199			210		29.1			22.4
Other		(143	)			43			154		(432.6	)		(192.9	)
Total noninterest income	$	825			$	1,437		$	621		(42.6	) %		32.9	%

	For the Year Ended
Noninterest income	December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			% Change
Gains and fees from sales of loans	$	2,692		$	43		6,160.5	%
Bank owned life insurance		1,023			967		5.8
Service charges and fees		872			788		10.7
Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net		—			19		(100.0	)
Other		1,070			1,067		0.3
Total noninterest income	$	5,657		$	2,884		96.2	%

Noninterest income increased by $0.2 million to $0.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2020. Noninterest income increased by $2.8 million to $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.

The increase in noninterest income was driven by resumed loan sales, totaling $0.4 million and $2.7 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively. The increase for the year was also impacted by a one-time federal payroll tax credit for COVID-19 of $0.9 million, partially offset by a $0.2 million loss on the sale of the Company's former headquarters building. In addition, in 2020 the Company recognized a $0.4 million benefit of non-recurring interest rate swap fees.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. NONINTEREST EXPENSE (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	For the Quarter Ended
Noninterest expense	December 31, 2021			September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020			Dec 21 vs. Sep 21 % Change			Dec 21 vs. Dec 20 % Change
Salaries and employee benefits	$	4,806		$	4,782		$	5,453		0.5	%		(11.9	) %
Occupancy and equipment		2,411			2,615			4,516		(7.8	)		(46.6	)
Professional services		628			498			591		26.1			6.3
Data processing		432			632			1,658		(31.6	)		(73.9	)
Director fees		335			324			331		3.4			1.2
FDIC insurance		231			298			262		(22.5	)		(11.8	)
Marketing		87			186			118		(53.2	)		(26.3	)
Other		749			1,035			774		(27.6	)		(3.2	)
Total noninterest expense	$	9,679		$	10,370		$	13,703		(6.7	) %		(29.4	) %

	For the Year Ended
Noninterest expense	December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			% Change
Salaries and employee benefits	$	18,317		$	21,355		(14.2	) %
Occupancy and equipment		10,682			10,926		(2.2	)
Data processing		2,409			3,216		(25.1	)
Professional services		2,260			2,110		7.1
Director fees		1,303			1,214		7.3
FDIC insurance		1,232			791		55.8
Marketing		404			630		(35.9	)
Other		3,132			2,571		21.8
Total noninterest expense	$	39,739		$	42,813		(7.2	) %

Noninterest expense decreased by $4.0 million to $9.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in noninterest expense was primarily driven by a decrease in salaries and employee benefits expense, occupancy and equipment expense and data processing expense.

Noninterest expense decreased by $3.1 million to $39.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in noninterest expense was primarily driven by a decrease in salaries and employee benefits expense and data processing expense.

Salaries and employee benefits expense totaled $4.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $0.6 million when compared to the same period in 2020. Salaries and employee benefits expense totaled $18.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $3.0 million when compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease in salaries and employee benefits expense was primarily driven by a decrease in full time equivalent employees as a direct result of the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Plan offered to eligible employees and other employee actions taken during the fourth quarter of 2020. Average full time equivalent employees totaled 126 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to 146 for the same period in 2020. In addition, salaries and employee benefits expense also benefited by one-time deferrals of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 related to costs associated with the implementation of a new online banking and other systems. Salaries and employee benefits were also favorably impacted as higher loan originations enabled the Bank to defer a greater amount of expenses.

Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $2.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $2.1 million when compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease in occupancy and equipment expense was primarily due to costs associated with office and branch consolidation, recognized during the fourth quarter of 2020.

Data processing expense totaled $0.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $1.2 million when compared to the same period in 2020. Data processing expense totaled $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $0.8 million when compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease in data processing expense was primarily driven by a $1.1 million one-time charge related to early termination fees payable to a legacy technology vendor recognized during the fourth quarter of 2020.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except share data)
	As of
Computation of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Total Equity	$	201,987			$	196,177			$	190,795			$	187,943			$	176,602
Less:
Goodwill		2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589
Other intangibles		—				48				58				67				76
Tangible Common Equity	$	199,398			$	193,540			$	188,148			$	185,287			$	173,937
Total Assets	$	2,456,264			$	2,226,688			$	2,269,825			$	2,244,467			$	2,253,747
Less:
Goodwill		2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589
Other intangibles		—				48				58				67				76
Tangible Assets	$	2,453,675			$	2,224,051			$	2,267,178			$	2,241,811			$	2,251,082
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets		8.13	%			8.70	%			8.30	%			8.27	%			7.73	%

	As of
Computation of Tangible Book Value per Common Share	December 31, 2021			September 30, 2021			June 30, 2021			March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Total shareholders' equity	$	201,987		$	196,177		$	190,795		$	187,943		$	176,602
Less:
Preferred stock		—			—			—			—			—
Common shareholders' equity	$	201,987		$	196,177		$	190,795		$	187,943		$	176,602
Less:
Goodwill		2,589			2,589			2,589			2,589			2,589
Other intangibles		—			48			58			67			76
Tangible common shareholders' equity	$	199,398		$	193,540		$	188,148		$	185,287		$	173,937
Common shares		7,803,166			7,842,824			7,895,101			7,908,630			7,919,278
Less:
Shares of unvested restricted stock		190,359			178,797			184,548			186,485			163,369
Common shares less unvested restricted stock		7,612,807			7,664,027			7,710,553			7,722,145			7,755,909
Book value per share	$	26.53		$	25.60		$	24.74		$	24.34		$	22.77
Less:
Effects of intangible assets	$	0.34		$	0.34		$	0.34		$	0.34		$	0.34
Tangible Book Value per Common Share	$	26.19		$	25.25		$	24.40		$	23.99		$	22.43

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (unaudited) - Continued (Dollars in thousands)
	For the Quarter Ended																				For the Year Ended
Computation of Efficiency Ratio	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Noninterest expense	$	9,679			$	10,370			$	10,052			$	9,638			$	13,703			$	39,739			$	42,813
Less:
Amortization of intangible assets		48				9				9				9				84				76				138
Other real estate owned expenses		—				—				—				—				—				—				6
Adjusted noninterest expense	$	9,631			$	10,361			$	10,043			$	9,629			$	13,619			$	39,663			$	42,669
Net interest income	$	18,928			$	17,724			$	16,579			$	14,655			$	14,304			$	67,886			$	54,835
Noninterest income		825				1,437				1,440				1,956				621				5,657				2,884
Less:
Net gain on sale of available for sale securities		—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net		—				—				—				—				—				—				19
Operating revenue	$	19,753			$	19,161			$	18,019			$	16,611			$	14,925			$	73,543			$	57,700
Efficiency ratio		48.8	%			54.1	%			55.7	%			58.0	%			91.2	%			53.9	%			73.9	%

	For the Quarter Ended																				For the Year Ended
Computation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity	December 31, 2021				September 30, 2021				June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders	$	7,814			$	6,855			$	6,228			$	5,690			$	336			$	26,586			$	5,904
Total average shareholders' equity	$	200,752			$	192,993			$	191,224			$	182,058			$	178,439			$	191,808			$	176,489
Less:
Average Goodwill		2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589				2,589
Average Other intangibles		45				54				64				73				153				59				180
Average tangible common equity	$	198,118			$	190,350			$	188,571			$	179,396			$	175,697			$	189,160			$	173,720
Annualized Return on Average Tangible Common Equity		15.65	%			14.29	%			13.25	%			12.86	%			0.76	%			14.05	%			3.40	%

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS ON A FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS - QTD (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	For the Quarter Ended
	December 31, 2021									December 31, 2020
	Average Balance			Interest			Yield/ Rate (4)			Average Balance			Interest			Yield/ Rate (4)
Assets:
Cash and Fed funds sold	$	233,196		$	90		0.15	%		$	424,327		$	117		0.11	%
Securities(1)		104,797			756		2.89				105,422			814		3.09
Loans:
Commercial real estate		1,337,147			15,104		4.42				1,096,912			12,753		4.55
Residential real estate		83,763			694		3.31				115,104			1,009		3.51
Construction		95,611			972		3.98				93,909			910		3.79
Commercial business		347,394			4,222		4.75				311,995			3,520		4.41
Consumer		8,904			89		3.97				96			2		7.41
Total loans		1,872,819			21,081		4.40				1,618,016			18,194		4.40
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		2,814			16		2.28				7,859			74		3.75
Total earning assets		2,213,626		$	21,943		3.88	%			2,155,624		$	19,199		3.48	%
Other assets		130,512									123,435
Total assets	$	2,344,138								$	2,279,059
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Interest bearing liabilities:
NOW	$	114,158		$	51		0.18	%		$	93,126		$	42		0.18	%
Money market		874,352			1,097		0.50				644,685			858		0.53
Savings		190,118			100		0.21				168,307			164		0.39
Time		438,627			950		0.86				686,827			2,493		1.44
Total interest bearing deposits		1,617,255			2,198		0.54				1,592,945			3,557		0.89
Borrowed Money		89,726			767		3.35				200,250			1,285		2.51
Total interest bearing liabilities		1,706,981		$	2,965		0.69	%			1,793,195		$	4,842		1.07	%
Noninterest bearing deposits		383,557									255,843
Other liabilities		52,848									51,582
Total liabilities		2,143,386									2,100,620
Shareholders' equity		200,752									178,439
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	2,344,138								$	2,279,059
Net interest income(2)				$	18,978								$	14,357
Interest rate spread							3.19	%								2.41	%
Net interest margin(3)							3.43	%								2.66	%

(1)		Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.
(2)		The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency amounted to $50 thousand and $53 thousand for the quarters ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(3)		Annualized net interest income as a percentage of earning assets.
(4)		Yields are calculated using the contractual day count convention for each respective product type.

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS ON A FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS - YTD (unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
	For the Year Ended
	December 31, 2021									December 31, 2020
	Average Balance			Interest			Yield/ Rate (3)			Average Balance			Interest			Yield/ Rate (3)
Assets:
Cash and Fed funds sold	$	294,471		$	376		0.13	%		$	261,689		$	585		0.22	%
Securities(1)		103,592			3,071		2.96				98,938			3,103		3.14
Loans:
Commercial real estate		1,225,770			55,995		4.51				1,095,367			51,218		4.60
Residential real estate		99,101			3,363		3.39				129,585			4,645		3.58
Construction		97,163			3,780		3.84				97,230			4,262		4.31
Commercial business		313,422			14,589		4.59				295,662			13,530		4.50
Consumer		7,929			315		3.97				121			10		8.00
Total loans		1,743,385			78,042		4.42				1,617,965			73,665		4.48
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		4,156			88		2.12				7,625			346		4.53
Total earning assets		2,145,604		$	81,577		3.75	%			1,986,217		$	77,699		3.85	%
Other assets		120,955									125,261
Total assets	$	2,266,559								$	2,111,478
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Interest bearing liabilities:
NOW	$	111,515		$	198		0.18	%		$	80,805		$	141		0.17	%
Money market		804,679			4,042		0.50				516,527			4,071		0.79
Savings		175,629			413		0.23				169,763			1,368		0.81
Time		508,651			5,790		1.14				712,461			12,600		1.77
Total interest bearing deposits		1,600,474			10,443		0.65				1,479,556			18,180		1.23
Borrowed Money		103,919			3,047		2.89				190,463			4,472		2.31
Total interest bearing liabilities		1,704,393		$	13,490		0.79	%			1,670,019		$	22,652		1.36	%
Noninterest bearing deposits		323,648									215,073
Other liabilities		46,710									49,897
Total liabilities		2,074,751									1,934,989
Shareholders' equity		191,808									176,489
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	2,266,559								$	2,111,478
Net interest income(2)				$	68,087								$	55,047
Interest rate spread							2.96	%								2.49	%
Net interest margin							3.17	%								2.77	%

(1)		Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.
(2)		The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency amounted to $201 thousand and $212 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(3)		Yields are calculated using the contractual day count convention for each respective product type.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220126005957/en/

Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.

Christopher R. Gruseke, President and Chief Executive Officer

or

Penko Ivanov, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(203) 652-0166

Source: Bankwell Financial Group, Inc.

FAQ

What are the latest financial results for Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG)?

Bankwell Financial Group reported a net income of $7.8 million for Q4 2021 and $26.6 million for the full year.

When is the next dividend payment for Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG)?

The next dividend payment is $0.20 per share, payable on February 24, 2022, to shareholders of record on February 14, 2022.

What was the increase in core deposits for Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG)?

Core deposits grew by 31.7% year-over-year.

What is the expected net interest income growth for Bankwell Financial Group (BWFG) in 2022?

The company expects net interest income to grow by 12-14% in 2022.