Lakeland Bancorp Announces Quarterly and Year-End 2023 Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. reported a net income of $20.1 million and EPS of $0.30 for Q4 2023, a decrease from the previous year. The annualized return on average assets was 0.73%, and for the year, the net income was $84.7 million, a 21% decrease from 2022. The company experienced a decrease in net interest income, noninterest income, and an increase in provision for credit losses. However, the company's loan growth was 6%, and the deposit base remained resilient. The merger with Provident Financial Services, Inc. is pending regulatory approval, and the deadline has been extended to March 31, 2024.

Positive

• 6% loan growth during the year
• Resilient deposit base
• Merger with Provident Financial Services, Inc. pending regulatory approval

Negative

• Decrease in net income and EPS compared to 2022
• Decrease in net interest income and noninterest income
• Increase in provision for credit losses

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported financial results of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. show a significant year-over-year decline in net income, earnings per share and net interest income. This decline is a noteworthy development for investors and analysts, as it may signal underlying challenges in the company's operations or in the broader economic environment. The decrease in net interest income is particularly concerning as it is a primary revenue driver for financial institutions. Additionally, the increased provision for credit losses suggests a more cautious outlook on potential future loan defaults, which could be indicative of economic headwinds or internal asset quality issues.

From a strategic standpoint, the ongoing merger discussions with Provident Financial Services, Inc. are critical. If successful, the merger could result in cost synergies, expanded market reach and potentially enhanced shareholder value. However, the extension of the merger deadline implies regulatory complexities that need to be navigated carefully. The outcome of this merger will be a key factor in the future financial performance and market positioning of Lakeland Bancorp.

Lastly, the resilience of the deposit base and loan growth amidst a banking crisis is a positive indicator of the company's stability and customer loyalty. However, the shift in customer behavior towards higher rate time deposits due to the rising market rate environment could continue to pressure the net interest margin. Investors should monitor how Lakeland Bancorp manages these headwinds and capitalizes on growth opportunities in the coming quarters.

Market Research Analyst

The financial services sector is highly sensitive to interest rate changes and Lakeland Bancorp's experience reflects the broader trend of margin compression in a rising rate environment. The shift in customer deposit behavior, from low-interest transaction accounts to higher-yielding time deposits, is a natural response to the Federal Reserve's rate hikes and impacts the bank's cost of funds. This behavior has a direct impact on the net interest margin, a key profitability metric for banks.

Moreover, the reported decline in noninterest income, including a drop in investment commission income and service charges, suggests a challenging revenue environment. The Durbin amendment's impact on interchange income also highlights regulatory influences on banking revenue streams. These factors are essential for stakeholders to consider when assessing the bank's revenue diversification and resilience to regulatory changes.

Understanding the bank's asset quality is crucial, particularly the increase in non-performing assets. While still a small percentage of total assets, any uptick in this area warrants close observation as it may reflect broader economic conditions or sector-specific challenges. The bank's capital adequacy, as evidenced by the Tier 1 leverage ratio, remains strong, which is reassuring for investors concerned about the bank's ability to withstand potential losses.

Economist

The reported financials of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. provide insights into the macroeconomic factors at play. The decrease in net interest margin is indicative of the challenges banks face in a rising interest rate environment. As the Federal Reserve continues to combat inflation with rate hikes, banks are caught between increasing costs of deposits and the competitive yield they must offer on loans and securities. This dynamic can compress margins and affect profitability.

The bank's loan growth, particularly in commercial real estate and residential mortgages, suggests a robust demand for credit, which is a positive economic indicator. However, the increase in the provision for credit losses could imply an anticipation of economic downturn or sector-specific vulnerabilities. The bank's approach to managing credit risk in this context will be vital for maintaining asset quality.

Lastly, the extension of the merger deadline with Provident Financial may reflect a cautious regulatory stance in a period of economic uncertainty. The successful navigation of this merger is not only important for the companies involved but could also serve as a bellwether for consolidation trends within the banking sector.

OAK RIDGE, N.J., Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: LBAI) (the “Company”), the parent company of Lakeland Bank (“Lakeland”), reported net income of $20.1 million and earnings per diluted share ("EPS") of $0.30 for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to net income of $33.6 million and diluted EPS of $0.51 for the fourth quarter of 2022. For the fourth quarter of 2023, annualized return on average assets was 0.73%, annualized return on average common equity was 6.97% and annualized return on average tangible common equity was 9.23%.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company reported net income of $84.7 million, a 21% decrease compared to $107.4 million for 2022, resulting in return on average assets of 0.78%, return on average common equity of 7.48%, and return on average tangible common equity of 9.94% for 2023. For 2023, the Company reported diluted EPS of $1.29 compared to diluted EPS of $1.63 for 2022.

The current year results include a $30.9 million decrease in net interest income, a decrease in noninterest income of $3.0 million, and an increase in provision for credit losses of $4.5 million offset in part by a decrease in non-interest expenses of $5.2 million. Fourth quarter 2023 results were negatively impacted by a $16.3 million, or 20%, decrease in net interest income and a $4.7 million increase in the provision for credit losses partially offset by a $2.4 million decrease in non-interest expenses compared to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Thomas Shara, Lakeland Bancorp’s President and CEO commented on the yearly financial results: "Despite a challenging economic environment in 2023, we are very pleased with our continued loan growth of 6% and our continued stellar asset quality as loan charge-offs for the year were negligible. Our deposit base was resilient throughout the banking crisis which speaks to our core deposit customer focus. I want to thank all of the Lakeland associates for their incredible contributions and unwavering customer support during this uncertain period."

Regarding the announced merger with Provident Financial Services, Inc. ("Provident Financial"), Mr. Shara continued, "We are actively engaged in discussions with our regulators concerning the merger. Both Provident Financial and Lakeland have agreed to extend the merger deadline to March 31, 2024, to allow additional time to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. We look forward to closing the transaction as soon as possible following the receipt of the approvals."

Full Year 2023 Highlights

• Loans grew $477.8 million or 6% during the year with commercial real estate loans increasing $263.0 million, or 5%, and residential mortgages increasing $220.2 million, or 29%.
• Net interest margin for 2023 decreased 47 basis points to 2.77% compared to 2022 due primarily to the increase in the market rate environment and the resulting movement of customers from lower rate interest-bearing transaction accounts to higher rate time deposits.

• The provision for credit losses of $13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $4.5 million from $8.5 million for 2022. The Company recorded a charge-off of $6.6 million for subordinated debt securities issued by Signature Bank which failed in first quarter of 2023.
  

Net Interest Margin and Net Interest Income

Net interest margin for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 declined from previous periods as a result of an increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities partially offset by an increase in the yields of interest-earning assets driven by the increase in market interest rates. The increasing rate environment also has resulted in a change to customers' banking behaviors causing them to move funds from lower yielding interest-bearing transaction accounts to higher yielding time deposits.

Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 of $65.3 million decreased $16.3 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Net interest income of $281.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased from $312.6 million for 2022, a decline of $30.9 million, or 10%.

Net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2023 of 2.52% decreased 76 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 and declined 16 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2023. Net interest margin for the full year of 2023 of 2.77% decreased 47 basis points compared to 3.24% for 2022.

The yield on interest-earning assets for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 4.93% compared to 4.31% for the fourth quarter of 2022 and 4.86% for the third quarter of 2023. The yield on interest-earning assets for 2023 was 4.77% compared to 3.77% for 2022 resulting primarily from an increase in the yields on interest-earning assets.

The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 3.25% compared to 1.50% for the fourth quarter of 2022 and 2.96% for the third quarter of 2023. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 2.74% compared to 0.80% during the same period in 2022.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income decreased $237,000 to $6.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 from $7.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Commissions and fees in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $537,000 compared to the same period in 2022 due primarily to decreases in investment commission income. Gain on sales of loans in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased $236,000. Gain on equity securities increased from $11,000 in fourth quarter 2022 to $391,000 in fourth quarter 2023.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, noninterest income decreased $3.0 million to $25.1 million compared to 2022. Gains on sales of loans decreased from $2.8 million in 2022 to $1.5 million in 2023 resulting from lower sale volume of residential mortgages. Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $646,000 compared to 2022 due primarily to decreases in interchange income as a result of the provisions of the Durbin amendment which became effective for Lakeland in the third quarter of 2023. Commissions and fees in 2023 decreased $1.9 million compared to 2022 due to decreases in investment commission income and commercial loan fees. Income on bank owned life insurance decreased $530,000 due primarily to death benefits received during 2022. Offsetting these decreases in noninterest income was an increase in gain (loss) on equity securities which increased to a gain of $110,000 in 2023 from a loss of $1.3 million in 2022.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense totaled $43.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of $2.4 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Compensation and employee benefit expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $1.8 million, or 7%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 as a result of a decline in headcount related to the anticipated merger with Provident Financial. Data processing expense increased $486,000 due primarily to credits received from service providers in the fourth quarter of 2022. FDIC insurance costs increased $660,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023 from $690,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022 relating to Lakeland's asset size exceeding $10 billion. In the fourth quarter of 2023, merger-related costs included $129,000 for the proposed merger with Provident Financial, compared to $533,000 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, noninterest expense decreased $5.2 million to $183.0 million compared to $188.2 million for 2022 due primarily to merger-related expenses of $864,000 for 2023 compared to $8.6 million in 2022. Merger-related expenses in 2022 included $4.6 million related to the Company's acquisition of 1st Constitution Bancorp, as well as $4.0 million related to the anticipated transaction with Provident Financial. Data processing expense increased from $6.2 million to $7.6 million for the same reason noted in the quarterly comparison.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 26.1% compared to 27.1% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The effective tax rate for 2023 and 2022 was 23.5% and 25.4%, respectively. The effective tax rate declined from 2022 to 2023 as a result in a decline in pretax income and the resulting increase of tax advantaged items as a percent of pretax income.

Financial Condition

At December 31, 2023, total assets were $11.14 billion, an increase of $354.7 million, or 3%, compared to December 31, 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, total loans increased $477.8 million to $8.34 billion, while investment securities decreased $184.5 million to $1.85 billion. On the funding side, total deposits increased $13.8 million, while borrowings increased $285.8 million to $1.23 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2023, total loans as a percent of total deposits was 97.2%.

Asset Quality

At December 31, 2023, non-performing assets increased to $26.0 million, 0.23% of total assets, compared to $17.4 million, 0.16% of total assets, at December 31, 2022. Non-performing assets increased $12.5 million from the linked quarter as a result of one construction loan totaling $12.7 million being placed in non-accrual late in fourth quarter. Non-accrual loans as a percent of total loans increased to 0.31% at December 31, 2023 compared to 0.22% at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses was $77.2 million, 0.92% of total loans compared to $70.3 million, 0.89% of total loans, at December 31, 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company had net charge-offs of $242,000, or 0.01% of average loans, annualized, compared to net charge-offs of $79,000, or 0.00% of average loans, annualized, for the same period in 2022. Provision for credit losses on loans for the fourth quarter of 2023 was a provision of $2.2 million compared to a provision of $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. There was no provision for credit losses on investments for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to a benefit of $3.9 million for the same period in 2022.

Capital

At December 31, 2023, stockholders' equity increased 5% to $1.2 billion as compared to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2022. Lakeland Bancorp remains above regulatory “well capitalized” standards, with a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 9.27% at December 31, 2023. Book value per common share and tangible book value per common share were $17.98 and $13.69, respectively, compared to $17.09 and $12.76 at December 31, 2022 (see "Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, including tangible book value). On January 23, 2024, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.145 per share to be paid on February 15, 2024, to shareholders of record as of February 5, 2024.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information disclosed in this document includes various forward-looking statements that are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipates,” “projects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “believes,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are necessarily speculative and speak only as of the date made, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, all of which may change over time. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. In addition to the specific risk factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from such forward-looking statements: changes in the financial services industry and the U.S. and global capital markets; inflation and other changes in economic conditions nationally, regionally and in the Company’s markets; the nature and timing of actions of the Federal Reserve Board and other regulators; the nature and timing of legislation and regulation affecting the financial services industry; government intervention in the U.S. financial system; changes in federal and state tax laws; changes in levels of market interest rates, which may affect demand for our products and the value of our financial instruments; pricing pressures on loan and deposit products; credit risks of the Company’s lending and leasing activities; successful implementation, deployment and upgrades of new and existing technology, systems, services and products; customers’ acceptance of the Company’s products and services; competition; failure to realize anticipated efficiencies and synergies from the merger of 1st Constitution Bancorp into Lakeland Bancorp and the merger of 1st Constitution Bank into Lakeland Bank; and expenses related to our proposed merger with Provident Financial, unexpected delays related to the merger, inability to obtain regulatory approvals or satisfy other closing conditions required to complete the merger, and failure to realize anticipated efficiencies and synergies from the merger. Further, given its ongoing and dynamic nature, it is difficult to predict the continuing effects that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business and results of operations. Any statements made by the Company that are not historical facts should be considered to be forward-looking statements. The Company is not obligated to update and does not undertake to update any of its forward-looking statements made herein.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reported amounts are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This press release also contains certain supplemental non-GAAP information that the Company’s management uses in its analysis of the Company’s financial results.

The Company also provides measurements and ratios based on tangible equity and tangible assets. These measures are utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and, therefore, the Company’s management believes that such information is useful to investors.

Specifically, the Company also uses an efficiency ratio that is a non-GAAP financial measure. The ratio that the Company uses excludes amortization of core deposit intangibles, and, where applicable, long-term debt prepayment fees and merger-related expenses. Income for the non-GAAP ratio is increased by the favorable effect of tax-exempt income and excludes gains and losses from the sale of investment securities, which can vary from period to period. The Company uses this ratio because it believes the ratio provides a relevant measure to compare the operating performance period to period.

These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies. See accompanying "Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Supplemental Information – Reconciliation of Net Income" for a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures.

About Lakeland

Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which had $11.14 billion in total assets at December 31, 2023. With an extensive branch network and commercial lending centers throughout New Jersey and Highland Mills, N.Y., the Bank offers business and retail banking products and services. Business services include commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, loans for healthcare services, asset-based lending, equipment financing, small business loans and lines and cash management services. Consumer services include online and mobile banking, home equity loans and lines, mortgage options and wealth management solutions. Lakeland is proud to be recognized as one of New Jersey's Best-In State Banks by Forbes and Statista, rated a 5-Star Bank by Bauer Financial and named one of New Jersey's 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ. Visit LakelandBank.com or 973-697-6140 for more information.

Thomas J. Shara	Thomas F. Splaine
President & CEO	EVP & CFO

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		2023				2022				2023				2022
Income Statement
Net interest income	$	65,308			$	81,640			$	281,681			$	312,615
(Provision) benefit for credit losses		(1,950	)			2,760				(13,052	)			(8,514	)
Gain on sales of loans		505				269				1,513				2,765
Gain (loss) on equity securities		391				11				110				(1,302	)
Other noninterest income		5,890				6,743				23,515				26,636
Merger-related expenses		(129	)			(533	)			(864	)			(8,606	)
Other noninterest expense		(42,864	)			(44,837	)			(182,110	)			(179,602	)
Pretax income		27,151				46,053				110,793				143,992
Provision for income taxes		(7,083	)			(12,476	)			(26,053	)			(36,623	)
Net income	$	20,068			$	33,577			$	84,740			$	107,369
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.31			$	0.51			$	1.29			$	1.64
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.30			$	0.51			$	1.29			$	1.63
Dividends paid per common share	$	0.145			$	0.145			$	0.580			$	0.570
Weighted average shares - basic		65,064				64,854				65,039				64,624
Weighted average shares - diluted		65,258				65,222				65,217				64,918
Selected Operating Ratios
Annualized return on average assets		0.73	%			1.26	%			0.78	%			1.04	%
Annualized return on average common equity		6.97	%			12.19	%			7.48	%			9.80	%
Annualized return on average tangible common equity (1)		9.23	%			16.42	%			9.94	%			13.17	%
Annualized yield on interest-earning assets		4.93	%			4.31	%			4.77	%			3.77	%
Annualized cost of interest-bearing liabilities		3.25	%			1.50	%			2.74	%			0.80	%
Annualized net interest spread		1.68	%			2.81	%			2.03	%			2.97	%
Annualized net interest margin		2.52	%			3.28	%			2.77	%			3.24	%
Efficiency ratio (1)		58.45	%			49.67	%			58.38	%			51.79	%
Stockholders' equity to total assets										10.50	%			10.28	%
Book value per common share									$	17.98			$	17.09
Tangible book value per common share (1)									$	13.69			$	12.76
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)										8.20	%			7.88	%
Asset Quality Ratios									December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Ratio of allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans										0.92	%			0.89	%
Non-performing loans to total loans										0.31	%			0.22	%
Non-performing assets to total assets										0.23	%			0.16	%
Net charge-offs to average loans										—	%			0.10	%
(1) See Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Selected Balance Sheet Data at Period End										2023				2022
Loans									$	8,343,861			$	7,866,050
Allowance for credit losses on loans										77,163				70,264
Investment securities										1,852,873				2,037,386
Total assets										11,138,567				10,783,840
Total deposits										8,581,238				8,567,471
Short-term borrowings										714,152				728,797
Other borrowings										519,705				219,264
Stockholders' equity										1,169,369				1,108,587

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31,
		2023			2022			2023			2022
Selected Average Balance Sheet Data
Loans	$	8,304,747		$	7,729,510		$	8,094,267		$	7,376,839
Investment securities		1,955,407			2,145,252			2,037,915			2,128,870
Interest-earning assets		10,354,079			9,923,173			10,234,821			9,694,234
Total assets		10,963,641			10,534,884			10,837,396			10,307,245
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		1,829,996			2,240,197			1,918,633			2,267,867
Savings deposits		699,199			1,001,870			803,762			1,094,399
Interest-bearing transaction accounts		4,229,019			4,389,672			4,140,942			4,373,830
Time deposits		1,926,436			1,100,911			1,724,672			922,935
Total deposits		8,684,650			8,732,650			8,588,009			8,659,031
Short-term borrowings		423,629			311,875			649,551			197,557
Other borrowings		519,635			219,202			298,379			218,811
Total interest-bearing liabilities		7,797,918			7,023,530			7,617,306			6,807,532
Stockholders' equity		1,142,031			1,092,720			1,132,656			1,095,861

	Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended December 31,							Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)				2023			2022				2023			2022
Interest Income
Loans and fees			$	114,678		$	95,295			$	432,038		$	325,001
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks				1,293			449				5,309			1,295
Taxable investment securities and other				11,905			10,769				47,476			35,352
Tax exempt investment securities				1,450			1,666				6,215			5,895
	Total Interest Income			129,326			108,179				491,038			367,543
Interest Expense
Deposits				52,175			21,767				163,095			44,253
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase				5,791			2,771				33,564			3,658
Other borrowings				6,052			2,001				12,698			7,017
	Total Interest Expense			64,018			26,539				209,357			54,928
Net Interest Income				65,308			81,640				281,681			312,615
Provision (benefit) for credit losses				1,950			(2,760	)			13,052			8,514
	Net Interest Income after Provision (Benefit) for Credit Losses			63,358			84,400				268,629			304,101
Noninterest Income
Service charges on deposit accounts				2,710			2,840				10,339			10,985
Commissions and fees				1,706			2,243				7,225			9,116
Income on bank owned life insurance				837			862				3,450			3,980
Gain (loss) on equity securities				391			11				110			(1,302	)
Gain on sales of loans				505			269				1,513			2,765
Swap income				482			466				1,596			1,576
Other income				155			332				905			979
	Total Noninterest Income			6,786			7,023				25,138			28,099
Noninterest Expense
Compensation and employee benefits				25,137			26,914				108,874			108,167
Premises and equipment				7,447			7,657				31,304			30,882
FDIC insurance				1,350			690				5,294			2,724
Data processing				1,744			1,258				7,563			6,238
Merger-related expenses				129			533				864			8,606
Other operating expenses				7,186			8,318				29,075			31,591
	Total Noninterest Expense			42,993			45,370				182,974			188,208
Income before provision for income taxes				27,151			46,053				110,793			143,992
Provision for income taxes				7,083			12,476				26,053			36,623
Net Income			$	20,068		$	33,577			$	84,740		$	107,369
Per Share of Common Stock
Basic earnings			$	0.31		$	0.51			$	1.29		$	1.64
Diluted earnings			$	0.30		$	0.51			$	1.29		$	1.63
Dividends			$	0.145		$	0.145			$	0.580		$	0.570

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash		$	293,366			$	223,299
Interest-bearing deposits due from banks			27,289				12,651
Total cash and cash equivalents			320,655				235,950
Investment securities available for sale, at estimated fair value (allowance for credit losses of $0 at December 31, 2023 and $310 at December 31, 2022)			946,282				1,054,312
Investment securities held to maturity (estimated fair value of $702,563 at December 31, 2023 and $760,455 at December 31, 2022, allowance for credit losses of $146 at December 31, 2023 and $107 at December 31, 2022)			836,377				923,308
Equity securities, at fair value			17,697				17,283
Federal Home Loan Bank and other membership stocks, at cost			52,517				42,483
Loans held for sale			664				536
Loans, net of deferred fees			8,343,861				7,866,050
Less: Allowance for credit losses			77,163				70,264
Net loans			8,266,698				7,795,786
Premises and equipment, net			52,846				55,429
Operating lease right-of-use assets			16,008				20,052
Accrued interest receivable			37,508				33,374
Goodwill			271,829				271,829
Other identifiable intangible assets			7,058				9,088
Bank owned life insurance			159,862				156,985
Other assets			152,566				167,425
Total Assets		$	11,138,567			$	10,783,840
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		$	1,781,619			$	2,113,289
Savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts			4,832,171				5,246,005
Time deposits $250 thousand and under			1,458,640				901,505
Time deposits over $250 thousand			508,808				306,672
Total deposits			8,581,238				8,567,471
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase			714,152				728,797
Other borrowings			325,000				25,000
Subordinated debentures			194,705				194,264
Operating lease liabilities			16,891				21,449
Other liabilities			137,212				138,272
Total Liabilities			9,969,198				9,675,253
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, no par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 65,161,310 shares and outstanding 65,030,275 shares at December 31, 2023 and issued 65,002,738 shares and outstanding 64,871,703 shares at December 31, 2022			858,857				855,425
Retained earnings			376,044				329,375
Treasury shares, at cost, 131,035 shares at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022			(1,452	)			(1,452	)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income			(64,080	)			(74,761	)
Total Stockholders' Equity			1,169,369				1,108,587
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	11,138,567			$	10,783,840

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
		For the Quarter Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Income Statement
Net interest income		$	65,308			$	68,906			$	71,542			$	75,925			$	81,640
(Provision) benefit for credit losses			(1,950	)			(1,262	)			(1,947	)			(7,893	)			2,760
Gain on sales of loans			505				349				229				430				269
Gain (loss) on equity securities			391				(294	)			(135	)			148				11
Other noninterest income			5,890				5,363				6,575				5,687				6,743
Merger-related expenses			(129	)			(198	)			(242	)			(295	)			(533	)
Other noninterest expense			(42,864	)			(44,170	)			(46,766	)			(48,310	)			(44,837	)
Pretax income			27,151				28,694				29,256				25,692				46,053
Provision for income taxes			(7,083	)			(6,455	)			(6,628	)			(5,887	)			(12,476	)
Net income		$	20,068			$	22,239			$	22,628			$	19,805			$	33,577
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.31			$	0.34			$	0.34			$	0.30			$	0.51
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.30			$	0.34			$	0.34			$	0.30			$	0.51
Dividends paid per common share		$	0.145			$	0.145			$	0.145			$	0.145			$	0.145
Dividends paid		$	9,521			$	9,521			$	9,529			$	9,500			$	9,505
Weighted average shares - basic			65,064				65,064				65,059				64,966				64,854
Weighted average shares - diluted			65,258				65,222				65,173				65,228				65,222
Selected Operating Ratios
Annualized return on average assets			0.73	%			0.81	%			0.84	%			0.75	%			1.26	%
Annualized return on average common equity			6.97	%			7.76	%			8.03	%			7.17	%			12.19	%
Annualized return on average tangible common equity (1)			9.23	%			10.29	%			10.67	%			9.57	%			16.42	%
Annualized net interest margin			2.52	%			2.68	%			2.83	%			3.07	%			3.28	%
Efficiency ratio (1)			58.45	%			58.43	%			58.82	%			57.84	%			49.67	%
Common stockholders' equity to total assets			10.50	%			10.16	%			10.38	%			10.40	%			10.28	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)			8.20	%			7.86	%			8.02	%			8.02	%			7.88	%
Tier 1 risk-based ratio			11.51	%			11.31	%			11.43	%			11.33	%			11.24	%
Total risk-based ratio			14.11	%			13.87	%			14.03	%			13.93	%			13.83	%
Tier 1 leverage ratio			9.27	%			9.24	%			9.17	%			9.13	%			9.16	%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio			11.00	%			10.80	%			10.90	%			10.81	%			10.71	%
Book value per common share		$	17.98			$	17.46			$	17.40			$	17.33			$	17.09
Tangible book value per common share (1)		$	13.69			$	13.17			$	13.10			$	13.01			$	12.76

(1) See Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
		For the Quarter Ended
(dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Selected Balance Sheet Data at Period End
Loans		$	8,343,861			$	8,294,057			$	8,101,287			$	7,952,553			$	7,866,050
Allowance for credit losses on loans			77,163				75,159				73,965				71,403				70,264
Investment securities			1,852,873				1,860,996				1,938,611				1,994,927				2,037,386
Total assets			11,138,567				11,176,809				10,897,966				10,837,241				10,783,840
Total deposits			8,581,238				8,602,503				8,444,681				8,536,943				8,567,471
Short-term borrowings			714,152				728,769				938,718				813,328				728,797
Other borrowings			519,705				519,596				219,486				219,376				219,264
Stockholders' equity			1,169,369				1,135,627				1,131,702				1,126,580				1,108,587
Loans
Non owner occupied commercial		$	2,987,959			$	2,980,811			$	2,991,124			$	2,943,897			$	2,906,014
Owner occupied commercial			1,283,221				1,299,977				1,201,049				1,205,635				1,246,189
Multifamily			1,408,905				1,361,628				1,314,255				1,275,771				1,260,814
Non owner occupied residential			213,986				208,560				205,818				210,203				218,026
Commercial, industrial and other			638,507				632,531				594,401				562,287				606,276
Paycheck Protection Program			387				388				389				390				435
Construction			302,745				333,998				354,918				404,994				380,100
Equipment finance			179,171				174,946				173,469				161,889				151,575
Residential mortgages			985,768				956,535				922,109				857,427				765,552
Consumer and home equity			343,212				344,683				343,755				330,060				331,069
Total loans		$	8,343,861			$	8,294,057			$	8,101,287			$	7,952,553			$	7,866,050
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing		$	1,781,619			$	1,857,324			$	1,866,252			$	1,998,590			$	2,113,289
Savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts			4,832,171				4,862,246				4,775,184				4,918,041				5,246,005
Time deposits			1,967,448				1,882,933				1,803,245				1,620,312				1,208,177
Total deposits		$	8,581,238			$	8,602,503			$	8,444,681			$	8,536,943			$	8,567,471
Total loans to total deposits ratio			97.2	%			96.4	%			95.9	%			93.2	%			91.8	%
Selected Average Balance Sheet Data
Loans		$	8,304,747			$	8,167,362			$	7,999,285			$	7,900,426			$	7,729,510
Investment securities			1,955,407				2,013,153				2,068,073				2,117,076				2,145,252
Interest-earning assets			10,354,079				10,276,375				10,214,142				10,091,341				9,923,173
Total assets			10,963,641				10,875,553				10,808,261				10,698,807				10,534,884
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits			1,829,996				1,871,516				1,935,776				2,040,070				2,240,197
Savings deposits			699,199				759,232				830,836				928,796				1,001,870
Interest-bearing transaction accounts			4,229,019				4,103,217				4,007,867				4,224,024				4,389,672
Time deposits			1,926,436				1,856,266				1,722,935				1,385,661				1,100,911
Total deposits			8,684,650				8,590,231				8,497,414				8,578,551				8,732,650
Short-term borrowings			423,629				744,582				813,471				617,611				311,875
Other borrowings			519,635				232,573				219,425				219,308				219,202
Total interest-bearing liabilities			7,797,918				7,695,870				7,594,534				7,375,400				7,023,530
Stockholders' equity			1,142,031				1,137,387				1,130,563				1,120,356				1,092,720

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
		For the Quarter Ended
(dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Average Annualized Yields (Taxable Equivalent Basis) and Costs
Assets
Loans			5.48	%			5.42	%			5.22	%			5.10	%			4.84	%
Taxable investment securities and other			2.87	%			2.84	%			2.74	%			2.61	%			2.41	%
Tax-exempt securities			2.49	%			2.49	%			2.45	%			2.41	%			2.36	%
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing cash accounts			5.46	%			5.41	%			5.41	%			4.00	%			3.68	%
Total interest-earning assets			4.93	%			4.86	%			4.71	%			4.56	%			4.31	%
Liabilities
Savings accounts			0.20	%			0.24	%			0.26	%			0.28	%			0.29	%
Interest-bearing transaction accounts			2.89	%			2.60	%			2.16	%			1.85	%			1.46	%
Time deposits			4.34	%			3.78	%			3.39	%			2.71	%			1.77	%
Borrowings			4.91	%			5.04	%			4.80	%			4.46	%			3.52	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			3.25	%			2.96	%			2.59	%			2.11	%			1.50	%
Net interest spread (taxable equivalent basis)			1.68	%			1.90	%			2.12	%			2.45	%			2.81	%
Annualized net interest margin (taxable equivalent basis)			2.52	%			2.68	%			2.83	%			3.07	%			3.28	%
Annualized cost of deposits			2.38	%			2.08	%			1.73	%			1.38	%			0.99	%
Asset Quality Data
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
Balance at beginning of period		$	75,159			$	73,965			$	71,403			$	70,264			$	68,879
Provision for credit losses on loans			2,246				1,327				2,422				1,213				1,464
Charge-offs			(265	)			(217	)			(148	)			(139	)			(138	)
Recoveries			23				84				288				65				59
Balance at end of period		$	77,163			$	75,159			$	73,965			$	71,403			$	70,264
Net Loan Charge-Offs (Recoveries)
Non owner occupied commercial		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—
Owner occupied commercial			—				—				(6	)			—				—
Multifamily			—				—				—				—				—
Non owner occupied residential			—				—				—				—				—
Commercial, industrial and other			(7	)			—				(163	)			(35	)			(24	)
Construction			—				—				13				—				—
Equipment finance			83				136				12				46				51
Residential mortgages			128				—				—				—				—
Consumer and home equity			38				(3	)			4				63				52
Net (recoveries) charge-offs		$	242			$	133			$	(140	)		$	74			$	79

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
		For the Quarter Ended
(dollars in thousands)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Non-Performing Assets
Non owner occupied commercial		$	769			$	798			$	864			$	908			$	618
Owner occupied commercial			6,849				7,026				8,076				8,757				9,439
Multifamily			1,096				1,106				266				584				—
Non owner occupied residential			—				—				41				—				441
Commercial, industrial and other			401				217				1,737				2,221				2,978
Construction			12,698				—				—				980				980
Equipment financing			518				626				644				379				114
Residential mortgages			2,400				2,319				1,954				1,918				2,011
Consumer and home equity			1,232				1,331				2,486				1,131				781
Total non-accrual loans			25,963				13,423				16,068				16,878				17,362
Total non-performing assets		$	25,963			$	13,423			$	16,068			$	16,878			$	17,362
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—
Loans restructured and still accruing			—				—				—				—				2,640
Ratio of allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans			0.92	%			0.91	%			0.91	%			0.90	%			0.89	%
Total non-accrual loans to total loans			0.31	%			0.16	%			0.20	%			0.21	%			0.22	%
Total non-performing assets to total assets			0.23	%			0.12	%			0.15	%			0.16	%			0.16	%
Annualized net (recoveries) charge-offs to average loans			0.01	%			0.01	%			(0.01)	%			—	%			—	%

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
		At or for the Quarter Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		December 31, 2023				September 30, 2023				June 30, 2023				March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Calculation of Tangible Book Value Per Common Share
Total common stockholders' equity at end of period - GAAP		$	1,169,369			$	1,135,627			$	1,131,702			$	1,126,580			$	1,108,587
Less: Goodwill			271,829				271,829				271,829				271,829				271,829
Less: Other identifiable intangible assets			7,058				7,559				8,060				8,572				9,088
Total tangible common stockholders' equity at end of period - Non-GAAP		$	890,482			$	856,239			$	851,813			$	846,179			$	827,670
Shares outstanding at end of period			65,030				65,030				65,028				65,017				64,872
Book value per share - GAAP		$	17.98			$	17.46			$	17.40			$	17.33			$	17.09
Tangible book value per share - Non-GAAP		$	13.69			$	13.17			$	13.10			$	13.01			$	12.76
Calculation of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets
Total tangible common stockholders' equity at end of period - Non-GAAP		$	890,482			$	856,239			$	851,813			$	846,179			$	827,670
Total assets at end of period - GAAP		$	11,138,567			$	11,176,809			$	10,897,966			$	10,837,241			$	10,783,840
Less: Goodwill			271,829				271,829				271,829				271,829				271,829
Less: Other identifiable intangible assets			7,058				7,559				8,060				8,572				9,088
Total tangible assets at end of period - Non-GAAP		$	10,859,680			$	10,897,421			$	10,618,077			$	10,556,840			$	10,502,923
Common equity to assets - GAAP			10.50	%			10.16	%			10.38	%			10.40	%			10.28	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets - Non-GAAP			8.20	%			7.86	%			8.02	%			8.02	%			7.88	%
Calculation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
Net income - GAAP		$	20,068			$	22,239			$	22,628			$	19,805			$	33,577
Total average common stockholders' equity - GAAP		$	1,142,031			$	1,137,387			$	1,130,563			$	1,120,356			$	1,092,720
Less: Average goodwill			271,829				271,829				271,829				271,829				271,829
Less: Average other identifiable intangible assets			7,383				7,887				8,353				8,904				9,386
Total average tangible common stockholders' equity - Non-GAAP		$	862,819			$	857,671			$	850,381			$	839,623			$	811,505
Return on average common stockholders' equity - GAAP			6.97	%			7.76	%			8.03	%			7.17	%			12.19	%
Return on average tangible common stockholders' equity - Non-GAAP			9.23	%			10.29	%			10.67	%			9.57	%			16.42	%
Calculation of Efficiency Ratio
Total noninterest expense		$	42,993			$	44,368			$	47,008			$	48,605			$	45,370
Less:
Amortization of core deposit intangibles			500				501				512				516				581
Merger-related expenses			129				198				242				295				533
Noninterest expense, as adjusted		$	42,364			$	43,669			$	46,254			$	47,794			$	44,256
Net interest income		$	65,308			$	68,906			$	71,542			$	75,925			$	81,640
Total noninterest income			6,786				5,418				6,669				6,265				7,023
Total revenue		$	72,094			$	74,324			$	78,211			$	82,190			$	88,663
Tax-equivalent adjustment on municipal securities			385				408				422				436				443
Total revenue, as adjusted		$	72,479			$	74,732			$	78,633			$	82,626			$	89,106
Efficiency ratio - Non-GAAP			58.45	%			58.43	%			58.82	%			57.84	%			49.67	%

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
		For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands)			2023				2022
Calculation of Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
Net income - GAAP		$	84,740			$	107,369
Total average common stockholders' equity - GAAP		$	1,132,656			$	1,095,861
Less: Average goodwill			271,829				270,246
Less: Average other identifiable intangible assets			8,127				10,192
Total average tangible common stockholders' equity - Non-GAAP		$	852,700			$	815,423
Return on average common stockholders' equity - GAAP			7.48	%			9.80	%
Return on average tangible common stockholders' equity - Non-GAAP			9.94	%			13.17	%
Calculation of Efficiency Ratio
Total noninterest expense		$	182,974			$	188,208
Less:
Amortization of core deposit intangibles			2,029				2,351
Merger-related expenses			864				8,606
Noninterest expense, as adjusted		$	180,081			$	177,251
Net interest income		$	281,681			$	312,615
Noninterest income			25,138				28,099
Total revenue		$	306,819			$	340,714
Tax-equivalent adjustment on municipal securities			1,652				1,567
Total revenue, as adjusted		$	308,471			$	342,281
Efficiency ratio - Non-GAAP			58.38	%			51.79	%

FAQ

What was Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.'s net income for Q4 2023?

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. reported a net income of $20.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

What was the annualized return on average assets for the year ended December 31, 2023?

The annualized return on average assets for 2023 was 0.78%.

What was the percentage change in net income for Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. for 2023 compared to 2022?

The company reported a 21% decrease in net income for 2023 compared to 2022.

What is the status of the merger with Provident Financial Services, Inc.?

The merger is pending regulatory approval, and the deadline has been extended to March 31, 2024.