OFG Bancorp (NYSE: OFG) today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020.
1Q20 Highlights
Conference Call
A conference call to discuss 1Q20 results, outlook and related matters will be held today at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Phone (888) 562-3356 or (973) 582-2700. Conference ID: 555-0929. The call can also be accessed live on www.ofgbancorp.com. Webcast replay will be available shortly thereafter.
CEO Comment
José Rafael Fernández, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Vice Chairman of the Board, said: “The rapid spread around the world of Covid-19 is affecting everybody, personally and financially. Our heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, are ill, or are suffering monetarily.
“Our priority going into the pandemic was to keep our employees safe while maintaining our nimble and proactive approach to business. OFG entered this crisis in a position of strength, and we remain well capitalized and highly liquid with a CET1 ratio of 11.67% and $1.6 billion in liquidity. Coming out of it, our goal is to maintain our strong capital and liquidity positions so we can continue to help customers now and throughout the inevitable recovery.
“Our first quarter performance confirms the strength of our business, balance sheet and franchise during this critical time. This is the direct result of the proactive and customer focused culture we have developed through the years, our ongoing technology investments, and the effective strategies we have put to work.
“We believe we are in a strong position going forward. In addition to closing the Scotiabank acquisition last year, we significantly reduced higher-cost non-core funding and sold a large portion of non-performing loans. During the first quarter, we increased our allowance for loan losses by $114 million, to a total of $231 million, equal to 3.41% of loans.
“In March, for our employees, we implemented a comprehensive program combining workplace safety, technology and special benefits. More than 90% are working on site or remote. For our retail and business customers, we launched payment relief programs, waived late charges and ATM and overdraft fees, and increased amounts that can be withdrawn or transferred electronically. As a result, we have achieved uninterrupted and superior levels of service through all channels while maintaining employee and customer safety and social distancing.
“The investments we made early on in our digital capabilities are helping customers continue to do banking. Our teams worked quickly to design and deploy a new digital forbearance tool as well as one for the SBA’s Payroll Protection Program. More than 43% of retail customers who requested forbearance have done so digitally, and 100% of small businesses applied for PPP loans digitally. Technology is a core part of our strategy, and we will continue to look for new and innovative ways to help our customers.
“All of this has facilitated close communication with our customers, enabling us to provide the financial advice and resources they need to navigate this challenging time. For example, in the first round of PPP, we helped 900 small businesses with more than 25,000 employees access more than $140 million in loans.
“Our deepest appreciation goes to the front line first responders and healthcare professionals dealing with the coronavirus. We also want to thank our teams at OFG and Oriental on the other front line for doing an outstanding job helping consumers and businesses manage the financial challenges during this crisis.
“For more than half a century, we have been there to help customers manage their finances, own homes, buy cars, build businesses, protect themselves with insurance, and save for retirement. We’re ready to help them now and will be for the decades ahead.”
Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL)
On January 1, 2020, the Company implemented the new accounting rules for the measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (CECL). OFG believes CECL makes the allowance for credit losses more comparable between originated and acquired financial assets. The January 1, 2020 or “Day 1” impact was as follows:
Income Statement
Unless otherwise noted, the following compares data for the first quarter 2020 to the first quarter 2019. Balances are quarterly averages.
Balance Sheet
Unless otherwise noted, the following compares data at March 31, 2020 to March 31, 2019. Balances are end-of-period. Because the purchase of Scotiabank closed on December 31, 2019, balances as of and subsequent to that date included those from the acquisition.
Credit Quality
Unless otherwise noted, the following compares data at March 31, 2020 to March 31, 2019.
Capital Position
Financial Supplement & Conference Call Presentation
OFG’s Financial Supplement, with full financial tables for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and the 1Q20 Conference Call Presentation, can be found on the Webcasts, Presentations & Other Files page, on OFG’s Investor Relations website at www.ofgbancorp.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to our financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, management uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures” within the meaning of the SEC Regulation G, to clarify and enhance understanding of past performance and prospects for the future. See Tables 8-1 and 8-2 in OFG’s above-mentioned Financial Supplement for reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Measures and Calculations.
Forward Looking Statements
The information included in this document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to (i) the rate of growth in the economy and employment levels, as well as general business and economic conditions; (ii) changes in interest rates, as well as the magnitude of such changes; (iii) changes to the financial condition of the government of Puerto Rico; (iv) amendments to the fiscal plan approved by the Financial Oversight and Management Board of Puerto Rico; (v) determinations in the court-supervised debt-restructuring process under Title III of PROMESA for the Puerto Rico government and all of its agencies, including some of its public corporations; (vi) the amount of government, private and philanthropic financial assistance for the reconstruction of Puerto Rico’s critical infrastructure, which suffered catastrophic damages caused by hurricane Maria; (vii) the pace and magnitude of Puerto Rico’s economic recovery; (viii) the potential impact of damages from future hurricanes and natural disasters in Puerto Rico; (ix) the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies; (x) changes in federal bank regulatory and supervisory policies, including required levels of capital; (xi) the relative strength or weakness of the commercial and consumer credit sectors and the real estate market in Puerto Rico; (xii) the performance of the stock and bond markets; (xiii) competition in the financial services industry; (xiv) possible legislative, tax or regulatory changes; and (xv) the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
For a discussion of such factors and certain risks and uncertainties to which OFG is subject, see OFG’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Other than to the extent required by applicable law, including the requirements of applicable securities laws, OFG assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
About OFG Bancorp
Now in its 56th year in business, OFG Bancorp is a diversified financial holding company that operates under U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands banking laws and regulations. Its three principal subsidiaries, Oriental Bank, Oriental Financial Services and Oriental Insurance, provide a wide range of retail and commercial banking, lending and wealth management products, services, and technology, primarily in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Visit us at www.ofgbancorp.com.
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Puerto Rico & USVI: Idalis Montalvo ([email protected]) at (787) 777-2847
US: Gary Fishman ([email protected]) and Steven Anreder ([email protected]) at (212) 532-3232