M&T Bank Corporation’s (MTB) first quarter operating earnings of $ 1.67 per share exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $ 1.41. Earnings significantly expanded from $ 1.23 per share earned in the prior-year quarter, aided by an increase in the net interest income on the back of net interest margin expansion coupled with substantially lower provision for credit losses.
On a GAAP basis, M&T Bank reported a net income of $ 206 million or $ 1.59 per share, up from net income of $ 151 million or $ 1.15 per share in the prior-year quarter.
M&T Bank’s net interest income came in at $ 575 million, up 2% year over year. The growth stems from a 14 basis point expansion in the net interest margin, which improved to 3.92% from 3.78% in the year-earlier quarter. However, the growth was partially offset by a 1% decline in average earning assets.
Loans and leases, net of unearned discount, increased 1.4% to $ 52.1 billion at the end of first quarter 2011, compared with $ 51.4 billion at prior-year quarter. However, total deposits advanced 6% from the prior-year quarter to $ 50.5 billion.
M&T Bank’s non-interest income increased 21.7% year over year to $ 314 million. This reflects net gains from investment securities. Excluding the merger-related gain realized on the K Bank transaction during the prior quarter, non-interest income came in at $ 291 million, up 2.5% from $ 284 million in the prior-year quarter.
The results increased due to higher residential mortgage banking revenues and higher trading account and foreign exchange gains and credit-related fees, partially offset by lower service charges on deposit accounts.
M&T Bank’s non-interest expense were $ 500 million, up from $ 489 million in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding non-operating expenses and other merger-related costs, non-interest operating expenses came in at $ 483 million, up 2.1% year over year. Efficiency ratio slightly improved to 55.8% from 55.9% in the year-earlier quarter.
Credit metrics improved during the quarter, witnessing a 29% year over year decline in provision for credit losses to $ 75 million and a 22% reduction in net charge-offs to $ 74 million. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding were 0.58%, down from 0.74% in the year-ago quarter. Moreover, the ratio of nonperforming assets to total loans plus real estate and other foreclosed assets slightly moved down to 2.73% from 2.78% a year earlier.
M&T Bank’s net operating income expressed as an annualized rate of return on average tangible assets and average tangible common shareholders' equity was 1.36% and 20.16%, respectively, compared with 1.00% and 17.34% in the comparable prior-year period. M&T Bank's tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 6.44% at March 31, 2011, compared with 5.43% at March 31, 2010.
Similar to M&T Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), which released its first quarter financial results last week, reported a jump in earnings owing to lower loan loss provisions. We look forward to this week when a number of the Wall Street biggies such as Wells Fargo Inc. (WFC) (April 20) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) (April 19) are scheduled to report.
M&T Bank managed to put solid quarters even during the financial crisis and continues to enjoy growth in net interest margin. The acquisition of Provident and Bradford in the Mid-Atlantic region has proved to be meaningful, both in terms of customer base and profitability.
Last quarter, the company also purchased K Bank, Randallstown, Maryland through an FDIC assisted deal. The deal would help the company in expanding its network in the Mid-Atlantic region. The company has also signed a deal with Wilmington Trust under which the latter will merge with M&T. This deal, which is expected to close by mid-2011, is expected to be accretive to the company s earnings in 2012.
Credit quality challenges also seem to have lessened. Though the tepid recovery of the economy and challenges from the legislative actions remains headwind for the stock, a sound capital position with a growing core deposit will uphold the bank in the long run.
M&T Bank shares are maintaining a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term ‘Hold’ recommendation.
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