Santander Bancorp Reports Earnings For the First Quarter of 2005 *
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 reached a
historical high of $25.5 million, or $0.55 per share, from $25.2
million, or $0.54 per share reported for the first quarter of 2004.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Santander
BanCorp (NYSE: SBP; LATIBEX: XSBP) ("the Company"), reported today
its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31,
2005. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 reached a
historical high of $25.5 million, from $25.2 million reported
during the first quarter of 2004. The results for the first quarter
of 2005 included $16.9 million of gains on sale of securities and a
$6.7 million loss on extinguishment of debt, resulting in a net
gain of $10.2 million, compared with $8.9 million for the same
period in 2004. The first quarter results also included a $4.5
million higher provision for income taxes when compared to the
previous year. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2005
reached $25.5 million or $0.55 per common share. This represents an
increase of 1.2% over net income for the quarter ended March 31,
2004 of $25.2 million or $0.54 per common share, and it represents
a 17.3% increase in income before provision for income taxes for
the same period. Annualized Return on Average Common Equity (ROE)
and Return on Average Assets (ROA) were 18.48% and 1.25%,
respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, compared to
21.01% and 1.40%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2004. The
Efficiency Ratio(1) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 reflected
a significant improvement of 235 basis points, reaching 62.34%
compared to 64.69% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Shares and
earnings per share computations for 2004 presented in the
accompanying financial information have been adjusted retroactively
to reflect the 10% stock dividend declared by the Board of
Directors on July 9, 2004. Income Statement The increase in net
income for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to the same
period in 2004 was principally due to an increase of $1.5 million
in net interest income, a decrease in the provision for loan losses
of $2.1 million and an increase in other income of $2.6 million.
These changes were partially offset by an increase in operating
expenses of $1.3 million and an increase in income tax expense of
$4.5 million. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, net interest
income1 amounted to $60.0 million, an increase of 2.2% compared to
$58.7 million for the first quarter in 2004. This improvement was
principally due to an increase in average interest earning assets
of $997.9 million or 14.4%, driven by an increase in average net
loans of $1.3 billion or 30.9% and partially offset by a decrease
in average investment securities of $372.6 million, compared to the
first quarter of 2004. The average investment securities balance
decreased due to the sale of $785 million of securities during the
first quarter of 2005 resulting in a reduction in the yield on
investment securities of 13 basis points from 5.32% for the quarter
ended December 31, 2004 to 5.19% for the quarter ended March 31,
2005. This transaction generated a gain of $16.9 million that was
partially offset by a loss of $6.7 million on the extinguishment of
certain term repo transactions that were funding part of the
securities sold. The increase in average interest earning assets
was partially offset by an increase of $891.1 million in average
interest bearing liabilities. Net interest margin(1) for the first
quarter of 2005 was 3.08% compared with 3.42% for the first quarter
of 2004. This decrease of 34 basis points in net interest margin1
was mainly due to an increase of 53 basis points in the average
cost of interest bearing liabilities due to short-term interest
rate increases. The Federal Reserve increased the discount rate by
175 basis points during the period from June 2004 to March 2005.
The average yield on interest earning assets increased 13 basis
points also as a result of the higher interest rate scenario. The
average yield on the commercial loan portfolio, which has a high
proportion of floating rate loans, increased 69 basis points during
the period. This was partially offset by lower yields on mortgage
and consumer loans. Mr. Jose R. Gonzalez, President and CEO,
commented that the "decrease in the net interest margin(1) when
compared to the sequential quarter ended December 31, 2004 was 16
basis points. This reduction is mainly due to an increase of 22
basis points in the cost of funding earning assets, and a reduction
of 13 basis points in the average yield of the investment
securities portfolio, which is offset by an increase of 12 basis
points in the average yield of the loan portfolio for a total
increase of 6 basis points in the average yield of earning assets".
The provision for loan losses reflected a decrease of $2.1 million
or 23.4% from $8.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 to
$6.7 million for the first quarter in 2005. The reduction in the
provision for loan losses was due to a 9.4% decrease in
non-performing loans which are down to $84.9 million as of March
31, 2005, from $93.7 million as of March 31, 2004, and $87.5
million as of December 31, 2004. In addition, there was a reduction
in non-performing commercial loans without real estate collateral
of $8.3 million or 24.0%, compared to March 2004 which had a direct
positive impact on the level of the reserve required for this
specific portfolio. Other income increased $2.6 million to $39.1
million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, from $36.5 million
for the same period in 2004. This increase was the result of higher
gains on sales of securities of $8.1 million, higher gains on
derivatives of $2.7 million and higher recognition of mortgage
servicing rights on mortgage loans sold of $0.9 million. These
gains were partially offset by a penalty on extinguishment of
securities purchased under agreements to resell of $6.7 million in
2005, and a non-recurring gain on sale of a building of $2.8
million in 2004. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company
modified its asset/liability mix to adjust for expectations of
further rises in short term rates and a flattening yield curve. The
Company sold $785 million of investment securities and realized a
gain of $16.9 million. This gain was partially offset by a loss of
$6.7 million on the extinguishment of certain term repo
transactions that were funding part of the securities sold. In
addition, the Company engaged in covered call options against other
investment portfolio positions and realized a gain of $1.5 million
on expired swaptions. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, the
Efficiency Ratio(1) improved 235 basis points to 62.34% compared to
64.69% for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. This improvement was
mainly the result of higher revenues (excluding gains on sales of
securities, loss on extinguishment of debt during 2005, and gain on
the sale of a building during 2004.) Operating expenses increased
$1.3 million or 2.5% from $54.1 million for the quarter ended March
31, 2004 to $55.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
This was partially due to an increase in salaries and employee
benefits of $0.6 million due to higher salaries, the in-sourcing of
collection services and a decrease in expenses deferred as loan
origination costs, partially offset by a decrease in commissions
and bonuses. Other operating expenses reflected an increase of $0.7
million as a result of increases in business promotion, occupancy
costs and the reclassification of the provision for undisbursed
commitments, letters of credit and other off-balance sheet items
during the third quarter of 2004 to other operating expenses. These
increases were partially offset by a decrease of $1.4 million in
electronic data processing servicing, amortization and technical
services due to lower servicing costs. Balance Sheet Total assets
as of March 31, 2005 increased by $1.0 billion or 13.7% to $8.4
billion compared to $7.4 billion as of March 31, 2004, and $0.1
million or 0.91% compared to total assets of $8.3 billion as of
December 31, 2004. As of March 31, 2005, there was an increase of
$1.3 billion in net loans, including loans held for sale (further
explained below) compared to March 31, 2004 balances and $205.3
million compared to December 31, 2004 balances. The investment
securities portfolio decreased by $331.2 million, from $2.2 billion
as of March 31, 2004 to $1.8 billion as of March 31, 2005. The net
loan portfolio, including loans held for sale, reflected an
increase of 30.9% or $1.3 billion, reaching $5.7 billion at March
31, 2005, compared to the figures reported as of March 31, 2004.
Compared to December 31, 2004, the loan portfolio grew by $205.3
million or 3.7% from $5.5 billion. The mortgage loan portfolio at
March 31, 2005 grew $1.1 billion or 63.6% compared to March 31,
2004 and $177.2 million or 6.9% compared to December 31, 2004. The
commercial loan portfolio (including construction loans) and the
consumer loan portfolio also reflected increases of $185.5 million
or 7.8% and $88.4 million or 23.1%, respectively, as of March 31,
2005, compared to March 31, 2004. Compared to December 31, 2004 the
commercial and consumer loan portfolios reflected increases of
$10.3 million or 0.4% and $17.8 million or 3.9%, respectively.
Deposits at March 31, 2005 reflected an increase of $1.2 billion or
27.8% and $553.7 million or 11.7%, compared to deposits of $4.1
billion as of March 31, 2004 and $4.7 billion as of December 31,
2004, respectively. This increase was also in line with the
objective of enhancing customer activity and market share. Total
borrowings at March 31, 2005 (comprised of federal funds purchased
and other borrowings, securities sold under agreements to
repurchase, commercial paper issued, and term and capital notes)
decreased $238.9 million or 9.3% and $529.8 million or 18.5%,
compared to borrowings at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2004,
respectively. Financial Strength Non-performing loans to total
loans as of March 31, 2005 was 1.47%, a 64 basis point improvement
over the reported 2.11% as of March 31, 2004, and a 10 basis point
improvement over the reported 1.57% as of December 31, 2004. Non-
performing loans at March 31, 2005 amounted to $84.9 million, a
9.4% improvement compared to $93.7 million as of March 31, 2004,
and a 3.0% improvement compared to $87.5 million as of December 31,
2004. There had been an improving trend in this indicator during
2004, which has continued throughout the first quarter of 2005. The
annualized ratio of net charge-offs to average loans for the
quarter ended March 31, 2005 improved 13 basis points to 0.49% from
0.62% reported for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Management is
committed and has directed its efforts to continue improving this
ratio. The allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans
at March 31, 2005 improved to 81.55% compared to 77.74% at March
31, 2004 and 79.05% at December 31, 2004. Excluding non-performing
mortgage loans (for which the Company has historically had a
minimal loss experience) this ratio is 160.7% at March 31, 2005
compared to 129.2% as of March 31, 2004 and 135.0% as of December
31, 2004. The allowance for loan losses represents 1.20% of total
loans as of March 31, 2005, a 41 basis point reduction over 1.61%
reported as of March 31, 2004 and a 4 basis point reduction over
the 1.24% reported as of December 31, 2004. The allowance for loan
losses to total loans excluding mortgage loans as of March 31, 2005
was 2.28%. As of March 31, 2005, total capital to risk-adjusted
assets (BIS ratio) reached 11.97% and Tier I capital to
risk-adjusted assets and leverage ratios were 9.40% and 6.18%,
respectively. Customer Financial Assets Under Control As of March
31, 2005, the Company had $13.2 billion in Customer Financial
Assets Under Control, which represents a 17.2% or $1.9 billion
increase over balances as of March 31, 2004. This is a significant
part of the financial assets of Puerto Rico households and reflects
the Company's strong positioning in its primary market. Customer
Financial Assets Under Control include bank deposits (excluding
brokered deposits), broker-dealer customer accounts, mutual fund
assets managed, and trust, institutional and private accounts under
management. The growth in customer financial assets and the
stability of customer deposits is a strong indication of the
Company's successful efforts to regain market share and reposition
itself as a leading provider of financial services. Shareholder
Value During the first quarter of 2005, Santander BanCorp declared
a cash dividend of 16 cents per common share to its shareholders of
record as of March 15, 2005, payable on April 1, 2005, resulting in
a current annualized dividend yield of 2.43%. Market capitalization
reached approximately $1.2 billion as of March 31, 2005. There were
no stock repurchases during the 2004 and the first quarter of 2005
under the Stock Repurchase Program. As of March 31, 2005, the
Company had acquired, as treasury stock, a total of 4,011,260
shares of common stock, amounting to $67.6 million. Institutional
Background Santander BanCorp is a publicly held financial holding
company that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (SBP) and on
Latibex (Madrid Stock Exchange) (XSBP). It has three wholly owned
subsidiaries, Banco Santander Puerto Rico, Santander Securities
Corporation and Santander Insurance Agency. Banco Santander Puerto
Rico has been operating in Puerto Rico for nearly three decades. It
offers a full array of services through 65 branches in the areas of
commercial, mortgage and consumer banking, supported by a team of
over 1,600 employees. Santander Securities offers securities
brokerage services and provides portfolio management services
through its wholly owned subsidiary Santander Asset Management
Corporation. Santander Insurance Agency offers life, health and
disability coverage as a corporate agent and also operates as a
general agent. For more information, visit the Company's website at
http://www.santandernet.com/. Santander BanCorp is an 89%
subsidiary of Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A (Grupo
Santander). Grupo Santander (SAN.MC, STD.N) ranks as the 9th world
bank and is the largest in the Euro Zone by market capitalization.
Founded in 1857, Santander has 63 million clients, 9,970 offices
and presence in over 40 countries. It is the first Financial Group
in Spain and in Latin America and maintains an important business
activity in Europe. Santander has reached a prominent presence in
the United Kingdom through Abbey, in Portugal, where it owns the
third largest banking group, and through Santander Consumer
Finance, a leading consumer finance franchise in Germany, Italy and
eight other European countries. In Latin America, Santander
maintains a leading position where it manages over $120 billion in
business volumes (loans, deposits and off-balance sheet assets
under management) through 4,000 offices in ten countries. In 2004
Grupo Santander recorded net profits of $1.8 billion in Latin
America, an increase of 9% over the previous year and a net
attributable income of $1.6 billion. (1) On a tax equivalent basis.
Projected calendar for SBP reporting 2005 quarterly financial
results Second quarter results - July 28, 2005 Third quarter
results - October 27, 2005 Fourth quarter results - January 27,
2006 This news release contains forward-looking statements that are
based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections
about the industry in which the Company operates, its beliefs and
its management's assumptions. Words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans,"
"believes," "seeks," "estimates" and variations of such words and
similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual
outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed
or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise
required under federal securities laws and the rules and
regulations of the SEC, the Company does not have any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in
assumptions or otherwise. SANTANDER BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) AS OF MARCH 31, 2005 AND
2004 AND DECEMBER 31, 2004 (Dollars in thousands, except share
data) ASSETS Variance 31-Mar-05 31-Mar-04 31-Dec-04 03/05- 12/04
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Cash and due from banks $131,698
$131,001 $110,148 19.56% Interest bearing deposits 25,066 51,671
42,612 -41.18% Federal funds sold and securities purchased under
agreements to resell 327,041 295,725 326,650 0.12% Total cash and
cash equivalents 483,805 478,397 479,410 0.92% INTEREST BEARING
DEPOSITS 51,090 10,000 50,000 2.18% TRADING SECURITIES 38,364
57,808 34,184 12.23% INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE, at
fair value 1,811,147 1,347,181 1,978,132 -8.44% INVESTMENT
SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY, at amortized cost - 832,627 - N/A
OTHER INVESTMENT SECURITIES, at amortized cost 37,500 - 37,500
0.00% LOANS HELD FOR SALE, net 247,003 294,874 271,596 -9.05%
LOANS, net 5,541,819 4,147,714 5,311,936 4.33% ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN
LOSSES (69,205) (71,689) (69,177) 0.04% PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, net
53,102 51,747 52,854 0.47% ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE 45,335
36,472 44,682 1.46% GOODWILL 34,791 34,791 34,791 0.00% INTANGIBLE
ASSETS 8,782 4,454 8,003 9.73% OTHER ASSETS 134,414 178,587 107,869
24.61% $8,417,947 $7,402,963 $8,341,780 0.91% LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY DEPOSITS: Non-interest bearing $736,600
$704,974 $744,019 -1.00% Interest bearing 4,565,231 3,443,773
4,004,120 14.01% Total deposits 5,301,831 4,148,747 4,748,139
11.66% FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED AND OTHER BORROWINGS 730,644 315,000
780,334 -6.37% SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE
1,119,442 1,686,090 1,349,444 -17.0% COMMERCIAL PAPER ISSUED
379,813 374,753 629,544 -39.67% TERM NOTES CAPITAL NOTES 31,560
180,750 31,457 0.33% 72,133 15,925 72,588 -0.63% ACCRUED INTEREST
PAYABLE 30,620 23,884 22,666 35.09% OTHER LIABILITIES 206,958
149,490 151,605 36.51% 7,873,001 6,894,639 7,785,777 1.12%
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Series A Preferred stock, $25 par value;
10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding - - - N/A
Common stock, $2.50 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized;
50,650,364 shares issued in March 2005 and December 2004 and
46,410,214 shares issued in March 2004; 46,639,104 shares
outstanding in March 2005 and December 2004 and 42,398,954 shares
outstanding in March 2004. 126,626 116,026 126,626 0.00% Capital
paid in excess of par value 304,171 211,742 304,171 0.00% Treasury
stock at cost, 4,011,260 shares in March 2005, 2004 and December
2004. (67,552) (67,552) (67,552) 0.00% Accumulated other
comprehensive loss, net of taxes (35,921) (12,521) (6,818) 426.86%
Retained earnings- Reserve fund 127,086 119,432 127,086 0.00%
Undivided profits 90,536 141,197 72,490 24.89% Total stockholders'
equity 544,946 508,324 556,003 -1.99% $8,417,947 $7,402,963
$8,341,780 0.91% SANTANDER BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED MARCH 31,
2005 AND 2004 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) For the
quarters ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 INTEREST INCOME: Loans
$76,735 $57,900 Investment securities 22,457 27,215 Interest
bearing deposits 210 132 Federal funds sold and securities
purchased under agreements to resell 1,348 580 Total interest
income 100,750 85,827 INTEREST EXPENSE: Deposits 22,281 13,180
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings
22,398 18,649 Subordinated capital notes 601 22 Total interest
expense 45,280 31,851 Net interest income 55,470 53,976 PROVISION
FOR LOAN LOSSES 6,700 8,750 Net interest income after provision for
loan losses 48,770 45,226 OTHER INCOME: Bank service charges, fees
and other 10,196 9,645 Broker/dealer, asset management and
insurance fees 12,572 12,451 Gain on sale of securities 16,960
8,903 Loss on extinguishment of debt (6,727) - Gain on sale of
mortgage servicing rights 43 91 Gain on sale of loans 1,081 212
Gain on sale of building - 2,754 Other income 4,963 2,471 Total
other income 39,088 36,527 OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES: Salaries and
employee benefits 24,169 23,549 Occupancy costs 4,024 3,400
Equipment expenses 1,476 1,764 EDP servicing, amortization and
technical expenses 7,233 8,631 Communication expenses 2,016 2,109
Business promotion 2,362 1,680 Other taxes 2,101 2,275 Other 12,010
10,661 Total other operating expenses 55,391 54,069 Income before
provision for income tax 32,467 27,684 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAX
6,958 2,469 NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS $25,509
$25,215 EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE* $0.55 $0.54 *After giving
retroactive effect to the stock dividend declared on July 9, 2004
SANTANDER BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES QTD QTD 2004 As restated March
31, March 31, Fourth SELECTED RATIOS 2005 2004 Year-end Quarter Net
interest margin (1) 3.08% 3.42% 3.27% 3.24% Return on average
assets (2) 1.25% 1.40% 1.10% 1.08% Return on average common equity
(2) 18.48% 21.01% 16.90% 16.04% Efficiency Ratio (1,3) 62.34%
64.69% 63.54% 60.48% Non-interest income to revenues 27.95% 29.85%
24.57% 23.43% Capital: Total capital to risk-adjusted assets 11.97%
11.02% - 12.09% Tier I capital to risk-adjusted assets 9.40% 9.45%
- 9.46% Leverage ratio 6.18% 6.33% - 6.49% Non-performing loans to
total loans 1.47% 2.11% - 1.57% Non-performing loans plus accruing
loans past-due 90 days or more to loans 1.54% 2.18% - 1.63%
Allowance for loan losses to non- performing loans 81.55% 77.74% -
79.05% Allowance for loans losses to period- end loans 1.20% 1.61%
- 1.24% OTHER SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 3/31/2005 3/31/2004
12/31/2004 (dollars in millions) Customer Financial Assets Under
Control: Bank deposits (excluding brokered deposits) $4,402.4
$3,788.7 $4,275.4 Broker-dealer customer accounts 4,735.0 4,053.1
4,543.3 Mutual funds and assets managed 2,671.0 2,065.8 2,640.0
Trust, institutional and private accounts assets under management
1,358.0 1,326.4 1,369.0 Total $13,166.4 $11,234.0 $12,827.7 (1) On
a tax-equivalent basis. (2) Ratios for the quarters are annualized.
(3) Operating expenses divided by net interest income, on a tax
equivalent basis, plus other income, excluding gain on sale of
securities (and gain on sale of building for 1Q04). For the
Quarters Ended March March Dec. 1Q05/1Q4 01Q05/4Q04 31, 31, 31,
2005 2004 2004 Variance Variance Interest Income $100,750 $85,827
$95,527 17.4% 5.5% Tax equivalent adjustment 4,534 4,740 6,022
-4.3% -24.7% Interest income on a tax equivalent basis 105,284
90,567 101,549 16.2% 3.7% Interest expense 45,280 31,851 39,905
42.2% 13.5% Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis 60,004
58,716 61,644 2.2% -2.7% Provision for loan losses 6,700 8,750
4,500 -23.44% 8.9% Net interest income on a tax equivalent basis
after provision 53,304 49,966 57,144 6.7% -6.7% Other operating
income 27,774 24,658 28,707 12.6% -3.3% Gain on sale of securities
16,960 8,903 10 90.5% 169500.0% Loss on extinguishment of debt
(6,727) - - N/A N/A Gain on sale of loans 1,081 212 515 409.9%
09.9% Gain on sale of building - 2,754 - -100.0% N/A Other
operating expenses 55,391 54,069 54,954 2.4% 0.8% Income on a tax
equivalent basis before income taxes 37,001 32,424 31,422 14.1%
17.8% Provision (credit) for income taxes 6,958 2,469 4,070 181.8%
71.0% Tax equivalent adjustment 4,534 4,740 6,022 -4.3% -24.7% NET
INCOME (LOSS) $25,509 $25,215 $21,330 1.2% 19.6% SELECTED RATIOS:
Per share data (1): Earnings (loss) per common share $0.55 $0.54
$0.46 Average common shares outstanding ** 46,639,104 46,639,104
46,639,104 Common shares outstanding at end of period ** 46,639,104
46,639,104 46,639,104 Cash Dividends per Share $0.16 $0.11 $0.16
(1) Per share data is based on the average number of shares
outstanding during the period. * Basic and diluted earnings per
share are the same. **After giving retroactive effect to the stock
dividend declared on July 9, 2004 DATASOURCE: Santander Bancorp
CONTACT: Maria Calero, +1-787-777-4437, or Evelyn Vega,
+1-787-777-4546 Web site: http://www.santandernet.com/
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