Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2009

Commission File Number 1-31565

 

 

NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   06-1377322

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

615 Merrick Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) (516) 683-4100

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer  x    Accelerated Filer  ¨    Non-accelerated Filer  ¨    Smaller Reporting Company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ¨    No  x

345,208,226

Number of shares of common stock outstanding at

May 6, 2009

 

 

 


Table of Contents

NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

Quarter Ended March 31, 2009

 

INDEX

        Page No.

Part I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements   
   Consolidated Statements of Condition as of March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008    1
   Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)    2
   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited)    3
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)    4
   Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements    5

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    18

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    43

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    44

Part II.

   OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    45

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    45

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    45

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    45

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    45

Item 5.

   Other Information    46

Item 6.

   Exhibits    46

Signatures

   47

Exhibits

  


Table of Contents

NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     March 31,
2009
(unaudited)
    December 31,
2008
 

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 167,281     $ 203,216  

Securities available for sale:

    

Mortgage-related ($798,845 and $811,152 pledged, respectively)

     814,112       833,684  

Other securities ($77,063 and $78,847 pledged, respectively)

     156,680       176,818  
                

Total available-for-sale securities

     970,792       1,010,502  
                

Securities held to maturity:

    

Mortgage-related ($2,983,965 and $3,131,098 pledged, respectively)

(fair value of $3,079,533 and $3,199,414, respectively)

     3,017,364       3,164,856  

Other securities ($1,354,689 and $1,359,912 pledged, respectively)

(fair value of $1,642,920 and $1,628,387, respectively)

     1,766,344       1,726,135  
                

Total held-to-maturity securities

     4,783,708       4,890,991  
                

Total securities

     5,754,500       5,901,493  

Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs

     22,293,413       22,192,212  

Less: Allowance for loan losses

     (95,302 )     (94,368 )
                

Loans, net

     22,198,111       22,097,844  

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB-NY”) stock, at cost

     416,724       400,979  

Premises and equipment, net

     213,395       217,762  

Goodwill

     2,436,401       2,436,401  

Core deposit intangibles, net

     82,093       87,780  

Bank-owned life insurance

     695,396       691,429  

Other assets

     438,651       430,002  
                

Total assets

   $ 32,402,552     $ 32,466,906  
                

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Deposits:

    

NOW and money market accounts

   $ 3,615,300     $ 3,818,952  

Savings accounts

     2,630,724       2,629,168  

Certificates of deposit

     6,778,509       6,796,971  

Non-interest-bearing accounts

     1,068,210       1,047,363  
                

Total deposits

     14,092,743       14,292,454  
                

Borrowed funds:

    

FHLB-NY advances

     8,057,946       7,708,064  

Repurchase agreements

     4,275,000       4,485,000  

Federal funds purchased

     220,000       150,000  

Junior subordinated debentures

     484,102       484,216  

Other borrowings

     669,459       669,430  
                

Total borrowed funds

     13,706,507       13,496,710  
                

Mortgagors’ escrow

     159,521       83,194  

Other liabilities

     207,895       375,302  
                

Total liabilities

     28,166,666       28,247,660  
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock at par $0.01 (5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued)

     —         —    

Common stock at par $0.01 (600,000,000 shares authorized; 344,985,111 shares issued; 344,946,651 and 344,985,111 shares outstanding at the respective dates)

     3,450       3,450  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     4,186,602       4,181,599  

Retained earnings

     126,121       123,511  

Treasury stock (38,460 and 0 shares at the respective dates)

     (467 )     —    

Unallocated common stock held by Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

     (1,734 )     (1,995 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

    

Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

     (24,633 )     (32,506 )

Net unrealized loss on securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity, net of tax

     (4,549 )     (4,706 )

Net unrealized loss on pension and post-retirement obligations, net of tax

     (48,904 )     (50,107 )
                

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (78,086 )     (87,319 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     4,235,886       4,219,246  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 32,402,552     $ 32,466,906  
                

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2009    2008  

Interest Income:

     

Mortgage and other loans

   $ 321,717    $ 312,988  

Securities

     78,383      86,974  

Money market investments

     6      2,362  
               

Total interest income

     400,106      402,324  
               

Interest Expense:

     

NOW and money market accounts

     7,563      14,168  

Savings accounts

     4,181      5,979  

Certificates of deposit

     52,723      76,574  

Borrowed funds

     128,689      144,118  

Mortgagors’ escrow

     35      26  
               

Total interest expense

     193,191      240,865  
               

Net interest income

     206,915      161,459  

Provision for loan losses

     6,000      —    
               

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     200,915      161,459  
               

Non-interest Income:

     

Fee income

     9,291      10,584  

Bank-owned life insurance

     6,840      6,745  

Gain on debt repurchases

     —        926  

Other

     6,045      10,242  
               

Total non-interest income

     22,176      28,497  
               

Non-interest Expense:

     

Operating expenses:

     

Compensation and benefits

     42,422      43,066  

Occupancy and equipment

     18,736      17,710  

General and administrative

     22,753      18,042  
               

Total operating expenses

     83,911      78,818  

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

     5,687      6,032  
               

Total non-interest expense

     89,598      84,850  
               

Income before income taxes

     133,493      105,106  

Income tax expense

     44,804      32,735  
               

Net Income

   $ 88,689    $ 72,371  
               

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

     

Change in net unrealized gain (losses) on securities

     8,030      (11,552 )

Change in pension and post-retirement obligations

     1,203      101  
               

Total comprehensive income, net of tax

   $ 97,922    $ 60,920  
               

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.26    $ 0.22  
               

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.26    $ 0.22  
               

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
 

Common Stock (Par Value: $0.01):

  

Balance at end of period

   $ 3,450  

Paid-in Capital in Excess of Par:

  

Balance at beginning of year

     4,181,599  

Allocation of ESOP stock

     698  

Restricted stock activity

     2,396  

Exercise of stock options

     22  

Tax effect of stock plans

     1,887  
        

Balance at end of period

     4,186,602  
        

Retained Earnings:

  

Balance at beginning of year

     123,511  

Net income

     88,689  

Dividends paid on common stock ($0.25 per share)

     (86,079 )
        

Balance at end of period

     126,121  
        

Treasury Stock:

  

Balance at beginning of year

     —    

Purchase of common stock (51,380 shares)

     (624 )

Exercise of stock options (2,320 shares)

     28  

Shares issued for restricted stock grants (10,600 shares)

     129  
        

Balance at end of period

     (467 )
        

Unallocated Common Stock Held by ESOP:

  

Balance at beginning of year

     (1,995 )

Earned portion of ESOP

     261  
        

Balance at end of period

     (1,734 )
        

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax:

  

Balance at beginning of year

     (87,319 )

Change in net unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of tax of $(5,034)

     7,873  

Amortization of net unrealized loss on securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity, net of tax of $(104)

     157  

Change in pension and post-retirement obligations, net of tax of $(769)

     1,203  
        

Balance at end of period

     (78,086 )
        

Total stockholders’ equity at end of period

   $ 4,235,886  
        

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 88,689     $ 72,371  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

    

Provision for loan losses

     6,000       —    

Depreciation and amortization

     5,024       5,040  

Accretion of discounts, net

     (532 )     (2,995 )

Net change in net deferred loan origination costs and fees

     (322 )     4,827  

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

     5,687       6,032  

Net gain on sale of loans

     (108 )     (64 )

Stock plan-related compensation

     3,485       3,138  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

(Increase) decrease in deferred tax asset, net

     (2,879 )     2,481  

Increase in other assets

     (15,602 )     (2,107 )

Decrease in other liabilities

     (165,410 )     (17,767 )

Origination of loans held for sale

     (17,661 )     (11,409 )

Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale

     15,446       8,043  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (78,183 )     67,590  
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Proceeds from repayment of securities held to maturity

     929,929       1,074,790  

Proceeds from repayment of securities available for sale

     52,966       111,785  

Purchase of securities held to maturity

     (822,245 )     (1,100,611 )

Purchase of securities available for sale

     —         (5,250 )

Net (purchase) redemption of FHLB-NY stock

     (15,745 )     2,880  

Net increase in loans

     (103,622 )     (194,952 )

Purchase of loans

     —         (45,500 )

Proceeds from sale of loans

     —         25,035  

Purchase of premises and equipment, net

     (657 )     (2,450 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     40,626       (134,273 )
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Net (decrease) increase in deposits

     (199,711 )     361,583  

Net increase in short-term borrowings

     159,900       —    

Net increase (decrease) in long-term borrowings

     49,897       (75,430 )

Net increase in mortgagors’ escrow

     76,327       73,740  

Tax effect of stock plans

     1,887       277  

Cash dividends paid on common stock

     (86,079 )     (80,927 )

Treasury stock purchases

     (624 )     (12 )

Net cash received from stock option exercises

     25       3,960  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,622       283,191  
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (35,935 )     216,508  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     203,216       335,743  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 167,281     $ 552,251  
                

Supplemental information:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 190,489     $ 246,260  

Cash paid for income taxes

     66,053       139  

Non-cash investing activities:

    

Mortgage loans securitized and transferred to mortgage-related securities
available for sale

   $ —       $ 71,307  

Transfer to other real estate owned from loans

     561       —    

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), including its two principal banking subsidiaries, New York Community Bank (the “Community Bank”) and New York Commercial Bank (the “Commercial Bank”). The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. There are no other adjustments reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for all of 2009.

Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Note 2. Stock-based Compensation

At March 31, 2009, the Company had 6,340,309 shares available for grant as options, restricted stock, or other forms of related rights under the New York Community Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2006 Stock Incentive Plan”). Under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, the Company granted 30,000 shares of restricted stock in the three months ended March 31, 2009, with an average fair value of $12.47 per share on the date of grant and a vesting period of five years. Compensation and benefits expense related to restricted stock grants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, and totaled $2.5 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

A summary of activity with regard to restricted stock awards in the three months ended March 31, 2009 is presented in the following table:

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
     Number of Shares     Weighted Average
Grant Date

Fair Value

Unvested at January 1, 2009

      2,346,345     $ 14.95

Granted

   30,000       12.47

Vested

   (157,400 )     15.12

Forfeited

   (15,650 )     13.11
             

Unvested at March 31, 2009

   2,203,295       14.92
             

As of March 31, 2009, unrecognized compensation cost relating to unvested restricted stock totaled $26.4 million. This amount will be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of 3.6 years.

In addition, the Company had eleven stock option plans at March 31, 2009: the 1993 and 1997 New York Community Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Plans; the 1993 and 1996 Haven Bancorp, Inc. Stock Option Plans; the 1998 Richmond County Financial Corp. Stock Compensation Plan; the T R Financial Corp. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan; the Roslyn Bancorp, Inc. 1997 and 2001 Stock-based Incentive Plans; the 1998 Long Island Financial Corp. Stock Option Plan; and the 2003 and 2004 Synergy Financial Group, Inc. Stock Option Plans (all eleven plans collectively referred to as the “Stock Option Plans”). All stock options granted under the Stock Option Plans expire ten years from the date of grant.

 

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Table of Contents

In connection with its adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-based Payment” on January 1, 2006, and using the modified prospective approach, the Company recognizes compensation costs related to share-based payments at fair value on the date of grant, and recognizes such costs in the financial statements over the vesting period during which the employee provides service in exchange for the award. However, as there were no unvested options at any time during 2008 or the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company did not record any compensation and benefits expense relating to stock options during these periods.

Generally, the Company issues new shares of common stock to satisfy the exercise of options. The Company may also use common stock held in Treasury to satisfy the exercise of options. In such event, the difference between the average cost of Treasury shares and the exercise price is recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings or paid-in capital on the date of exercise. At March 31, 2009, there were 13,465,311 stock options outstanding. The number of shares available for future issuance under the Stock Option Plans was 800 at March 31, 2009.

The status of the Company’s Stock Option Plans at March 31, 2009 and the changes that occurred during the three months ended at that date are summarized in the following table:

 

     For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
     Number of Stock
Options
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price

Stock options outstanding and exercisable at January 1, 2009

   13,702,712     $ 15.50

Exercised

   (2,320 )     10.78

Forfeited

   (235,081 )     15.25
        

Stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2009

   13,465,311       15.51
        

Total stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2009 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.99 years, a weighted average exercise price of $15.51 per share, and an aggregate intrinsic value of $1.4 million. The intrinsic values of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were $1,000 and $2.2 million, respectively.

 

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Note 3. Securities

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair values of the Company’s held-to-maturity securities at the dates indicated:

 

     March 31, 2009    December 31, 2008
(in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value

Mortgage-related securities:

           

GSE (1) certificates

   $ 273,575    $ 288,786    $ 282,441    $ 294,956

GSE CMOs (2)

     2,737,152      2,784,110      2,875,878      2,897,921

Other mortgage-related securities

     6,637      6,637      6,537      6,537
                           

Total mortgage-related securities

   $ 3,017,364    $ 3,079,533    $ 3,164,856    $ 3,199,414
                           

Other securities:

           

GSE debentures

   $ 1,412,787    $ 1,416,184    $ 1,372,593    $ 1,376,167

Corporate bonds

     133,170      102,304      133,165      106,757

Capital trust notes

     220,387      124,432      220,377      145,463
                           

Total other securities

   $ 1,766,344    $ 1,642,920    $ 1,726,135    $ 1,628,387
                           

Total securities held to maturity

   $ 4,783,708    $ 4,722,453    $ 4,890,991    $ 4,827,801
                           

 

(1) Government-sponsored enterprises
(2) Collateralized mortgage obligations

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair values of the Company’s available-for-sale securities at the dates indicated:

 

     March 31, 2009    December 31, 2008
(in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value

Mortgage-related securities:

           

GSE certificates

   $ 173,861    $ 180,601    $ 180,132    $ 185,292

GSE CMOs

     496,494      507,804      519,389      528,962

Private label CMOs

     128,739      125,707      139,332      119,430
                           

Total mortgage-related securities

   $ 799,094    $ 814,112    $ 838,853    $ 833,684
                           

Other securities:

           

GSE debentures

   $ 57,809    $ 60,052    $ 59,478    $ 61,959

Corporate bonds

     44,811      26,173      44,812      28,203

State, county, and municipal

     6,529      6,145      6,528      6,141

Capital trust notes

     30,339      20,662      30,339      20,413

Preferred stock

     31,400      14,237      31,400      17,540

Common stock

     42,199      29,411      53,343      42,562
                           

Total other securities

   $ 213,087    $ 156,680    $ 225,900    $ 176,818
                           

Total securities available for sale

   $ 1,012,181    $ 970,792    $ 1,064,753    $ 1,010,502
                           

 

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The following tables present held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities having a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months or for twelve months or longer as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

At March 31, 2009    Less than Twelve
Months
   Twelve Months
or Longer
   Total
(in thousands)    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss

Temporarily Impaired Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities:

                 

GSE debentures

   $ 151,504    $ 1,017    $ —      $ —      $ 151,504    $ 1,017

GSE CMOs

     167,139      1,054      275,323      7,352      442,462      8,406

Corporate bonds

     65,047      12,584      14,709      19,020      79,756      31,604

Capital trust notes

     43,909      17,401      69,318      79,064      113,227      96,465
                                         

Total temporarily impaired held-to-maturity debt securities

   $ 427,599    $ 32,056    $ 359,350    $ 105,436    $ 786,949    $ 137,492
                                         

Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities:

                 

Debt Securities:

                 

Private label CMOs

   $ —      $ —      $ 69,529    $ 4,106    $ 69,529    $ 4,106

Corporate bonds

     20,101      4,963      6,072      13,675      26,173      18,638

State, county, and municipal

     1,227      188      4,918      196      6,145      384

Capital trust notes

     10,276      7,524      7,162      2,177      17,438      9,701
                                         

Total temporarily impaired available-for-sale debt securities

   $ 31,604    $ 12,675    $ 87,681    $ 20,154    $ 119,285    $ 32,829

Equity securities

     11,580      11,370      19,283      19,080      30,863      30,450
                                         

Total temporarily impaired available-for-sale securities

   $ 43,184    $ 24,045    $ 106,964    $ 39,234    $ 150,148    $ 63,279
                                         

 

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At December 31, 2008    Less than Twelve
Months
   Twelve Months
or Longer
   Total
(in thousands)    Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss

Temporarily Impaired Held-to-Maturity Debt Securities:

                 

GSE CMOs

   $ 10,223    $ 279    $ 637,364    $ 18,622    $ 647,587    $ 18,901

Corporate bonds

     71,224      20,080      5,350      6,481      76,574      26,561

Capital trust notes

     69,478      15,405      75,985      59,509      145,463      74,914
                                         

Total temporarily impaired held-to-maturity debt securities

   $ 150,925    $ 35,764    $ 718,699    $ 84,612    $ 869,624    $ 120,376
                                         

Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities:

                 

Debt Securities:

                 

GSE CMOs

   $ —      $ —      $ 39,603    $ 154    $ 39,603    $ 154

Private label CMOs

     —        —        119,430      19,902      119,430      19,902

Corporate bonds

     18,953      6,120      9,250      10,489      28,203      16,609

State, county, and municipal

     1,137      276      5,004      111      6,141      387

Capital trust notes

     10,328      7,470      6,885      2,456      17,213      9,926
                                         

Total temporarily impaired available-for-sale debt securities

   $ 30,418    $ 13,866    $ 180,172    $ 33,112    $ 210,590    $ 46,978

Equity securities

     15,950      11,850      20,376      13,092      36,326      24,942
                                         

Total temporarily impaired available-for-sale securities

   $ 46,368    $ 25,716    $ 200,548    $ 46,204    $ 246,916    $ 71,920
                                         

 

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Among the factors considered in determining that an unrealized loss is temporary in nature are management’s intent and ability to hold each investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in fair value. For the investments in the preceding tables, management has determined that the unrealized losses are temporary in nature, given that it has the positive intent and ability to hold each investment until the earlier of its anticipated recovery or maturity. Other factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost; the severity of the impairment; the cause of the impairment; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; activity in the market of the issuer which may indicate adverse credit conditions; and the forecasted recovery period using current estimates of volatility in market interest rates (including liquidity and risk premiums).

Management’s assertion regarding its intent and ability to hold investments considers a number of factors, including a quantitative estimate of the expected recovery period (which may extend to maturity), and management’s intended strategy with respect to the identified security or portfolio. If management does not have the intent and ability to hold the security for a sufficient time period to recovery, the unrealized loss is charged directly to earnings in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income.

The unrealized losses on the Company’s GSE CMOs were primarily caused by movements in market interest rates and spread volatility, rather than credit risk. The Company purchased these investments either at par or at a discount relative to their face amount, and the contractual cash flows of these investments are guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. Accordingly, it is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Because the Company has the ability and positive intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be at maturity, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2009.

The Company’s unrealized losses in corporate bonds and capital trust notes relate to investments in various financial institutions. The unrealized losses were primarily caused by market interest rate volatility and a significant widening of interest rate spreads across market sectors relating to the continued illiquidity and uncertainty in the financial markets. These securities were purchased based on an individual assessment of the financial institutions issuing such securities. This assessment included, but was not limited to, a review of credit ratings (if any), as well as an underwriting process designed to determine the financial institutions’ creditworthiness.

The Company reviews quarterly financial information as well as other information that is released by each financial institution to determine the continued creditworthiness of the securities issued by them. The contractual terms of these investments do not permit settling the securities at prices that are less than the amortized costs of the investments; therefore, the Company expects that these investments would not be settled at a price that is less than their amortized costs. The Company continues to monitor these investments and currently believes that it is probable that it will be able to collect all amounts due according to their contractual terms. Because the Company has the ability and positive intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be at maturity, it did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2009. It is possible that these securities will perform worse than is currently expected, which could lead to adverse changes in cash flows on these securities and potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses in the future. Events that may occur in the future at the financial institutions that issued these securities may trigger material unrecoverable declines in fair values for the Company’s investments and therefore future potential OTTI losses. Such events include, but are not limited to, government intervention, deteriorating asset quality and significantly higher loan loss provisions, net operating losses, and further illiquidity in the financial markets.

The unrealized losses on the Company’s private label CMOs were primarily caused by market interest rate volatility and a significant widening of interest rate spreads across market sectors relating to the continued illiquidity and uncertainty in the financial markets, rather than to credit risk. Current characteristics of each security owned, such as delinquency and foreclosure levels, credit enhancement, and projected losses and coverage, are reviewed periodically by management. Accordingly, it is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Because the Company has the ability and positive intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be until maturity, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2009. It is possible that the underlying loan collateral of these securities will perform worse than is currently expected, which could lead to adverse changes in

 

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cash flows on these securities and future OTTI losses. Events that could trigger material unrecoverable declines in fair values, and therefore potential OTTI losses for these securities in the future, include, but are not limited to: deterioration of credit metrics, significantly higher levels of default and severity of loss on the underlying collateral, deteriorating credit enhancement, and further illiquidity in the financial markets.

At March 31, 2009, the equity securities portfolio consisted of perpetual preferred and common stock, and mutual funds. In analyzing its investments in perpetual preferred stock for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company uses an impairment model that is applied to debt securities, consistent with recent guidance provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The unrealized losses on the Company’s equity securities were primarily caused by market volatility and a significant widening of interest rate spreads across market sectors related to the continued illiquidity and uncertainty in the marketplace. The Company evaluated the near-term prospects of a recovery of fair value for each security in the portfolio, together with the severity and duration of impairment to date. Based on this evaluation, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time sufficient to realize a near-term forecasted recovery of fair value, the Company did not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired at March 31, 2009.

Nonetheless, it is possible that these equity securities will perform worse than currently expected, which could lead to adverse changes in their fair value or the failure of the securities to fully recover in value as presently forecasted by management, causing the Company to record OTTI losses in future periods. Events that could trigger material declines in the fair values of these securities in the future include, but are not limited to, deterioration in the equity markets; a decline in the quality of the loan portfolios of the companies in which the Company has invested; and the recording of higher loan loss provisions and net operating losses by such companies.

 

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Note 4. Loans, net

The following table provides a summary of the Company’s loan portfolio at the dates indicated:

 

     March 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
(dollars in thousands)    Amount     Percent
of Total
    Amount     Percent
of Total
 

Mortgage loans:

        

Multi-family

   $ 15,859,459     71.12 %   $ 15,728,264     70.85 %

Commercial real estate

     4,608,218     20.66       4,553,550     20.51  

Acquisition, development, and construction

     724,336     3.25       778,364     3.51  

1-4 family

     256,358     1.15       266,307     1.20  
                            

Total mortgage loans

     21,448,371     96.18       21,326,485     96.07  

Net deferred loan origination fees

     (6,969 )       (6,940 )  
                    

Mortgage loans, net

     21,441,402         21,319,545    
                    

Other loans:

        

Commercial and industrial

     702,311         713,099    

Consumer

     148,889         158,907    

Lease financing, net

     1,232         1,433    
                    

Total other loans

     852,432     3.82       873,439     3.93  

Net deferred loan origination fees

     (421 )       (772 )  
                    

Total other loans, net

     852,011         872,667    

Less: Allowance for loan losses

     95,302         94,368    
                            

Loans, net

   $ 22,198,111     100.00 %   $ 22,097,844     100.00 %
                            

The following table provides a summary of activity in the allowance for loan losses at the dates indicated:

 

(in thousands)    At or For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
    At or For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2008
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 94,368     $ 92,794  

Provision for loan losses

     6,000       7,700  

Charge-offs

     (5,072 )     (6,168 )

Recoveries

     6       42  
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 95,302     $ 94,368  
                

Note 5. Borrowed Funds

The following table provides a summary of the Company’s borrowed funds at the dates indicated:

 

(in thousands)    March 31, 2009    December 31, 2008

Wholesale borrowings:

     

FHLB-NY advances

   $ 8,057,946    $ 7,708,064

Repurchase agreements

     4,275,000      4,485,000

Federal funds purchased

     220,000      150,000
             

Total wholesale borrowings

     12,552,946      12,343,064
             

Junior subordinated debentures

     484,102      484,216

Senior debt

     601,659      601,630

Preferred stock of subsidiaries

     67,800      67,800
             

Total borrowed funds

   $ 13,706,507    $ 13,496,710
             

At March 31, 2009, the Company had $484.1 million of outstanding junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“junior subordinated debentures”) held by nine statutory business trusts (the “Trusts”) that issued guaranteed capital securities. The capital securities qualified as Tier 1 capital of the Company at that date. The Trusts are accounted for as unconsolidated subsidiaries in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Revised December 2003).” The proceeds of each issuance are invested in a series of junior subordinated debentures of the Company. The underlying asset of each statutory

 

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business trust is the relevant debenture. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations under each trust’s capital securities to the extent set forth in a guarantee by the Company to each trust. The Trusts’ capital securities are each subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the debentures at their stated maturity or earlier redemption.

The following table provides a summary of the outstanding capital securities issued by each trust and the carrying amounts of the junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company to each trust as of March 31, 2009:

 

Issuer

   Interest Rate of
Capital Securities
and Debentures(1)
    Junior
Subordinated
Debenture
Carrying
Amount
   Capital
Securities
Amount
Outstanding
   Date of
Original Issue
   Stated Maturity    First Optional
Redemption Date
           (dollars in thousands)               

Haven Capital Trust II

   10.250 %   $ 23,333    $ 22,550    May 26, 1999    June 30, 2029    June 30, 2009

Queens County Capital Trust I

   11.045       10,309      10,000    July 26, 2000    July 19, 2030    July 19, 2010

Queens Statutory Trust I

   10.600       15,464      15,000    September 7, 2000    September 7, 2030    September 7, 2010

New York Community Capital Trust V

   6.000       191,972      183,467    November 4, 2002    November 1, 2051    November 4, 2007(2)

New York Community Capital Trust X

   2.920       123,712      120,000    December 14, 2006    December 15, 2036    December 15, 2011

LIF Statutory Trust I

   10.600       7,907      7,675    September 7, 2000    September 7, 2030    September 7, 2010

PennFed Capital Trust II

   10.180       13,466      13,094    March 28, 2001    June 8, 2031    June 8, 2011

PennFed Capital Trust III

   4.570       30,928      30,000    June 2, 2003    June 15, 2033    June 15, 2008(3)

New York Community Capital Trust XI

   2.882       67,011      65,000    April 16, 2007    June 30, 2037    June 30, 2012
                        
     $ 484,102    $ 466,786         
                        

 

(1) Excludes the effect of purchase accounting adjustments.
(2) Callable subject to certain conditions as described in the prospectus filed with the SEC on November 4, 2002.
(3) Callable at anytime subsequent to this date.

Note 6. Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits

The following table sets forth certain disclosures for the Company’s pension and post-retirement plans for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  
(in thousands)    Pension
Benefits
    Post-
retirement
Benefits
    Pension
Benefits
    Post-
retirement
Benefits
 

Components of net periodic expense (credit):

        

Interest cost

   $ 1,611     $ 228     $ 1,604     $ 234  

Service cost

     —         —         —         2  

Expected return on plan assets

     (2,576 )     —         (3,752 )     —    

Unrecognized past service liability

     50       (62 )     50       (62 )

Amortization of unrecognized loss

     1,746       76       49       34  
                                

Net periodic expense (credit)

   $ 831     $ 242     $ (2,049 )   $ 208  
                                

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements presented in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company expects to contribute to its pension and post-retirement plans in 2009.

 

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Note 7. Computation of Earnings per Share (1)

The following table presents the Company’s computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)    2009    2008

Net income

   $ 88,689    $ 72,371

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     343,323,162      322,719,037
             

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.26    $ 0.22
             

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     343,323,162      322,719,037

Additional dilutive shares using the average market value for the period when utilizing the treasury stock method (2)

     77,847      1,269,392
             

Total shares for diluted earnings per share computation

     343,401,009      323,988,429

Diluted earnings per common share and common share equivalents

   $ 0.26    $ 0.22
             

 

(1) In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted In Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities,” which clarifies that unvested stock-based compensation awards containing non-forfeitable rights to dividends, are considered participating securities and therefore are included in the two-class method calculation of earnings per share. Under the two-class method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. The Company grants restricted stock to certain employees under its stock-based compensation programs. Recipients receive cash dividends during the vesting periods of these awards. Since these dividends are non-forfeitable, the unvested awards are considered participating securities and will have earnings allocated to them. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 on January 1, 2009 had an immaterial effect on the Company’s earnings per share.
(2) Options to purchase 13,127,433 shares and 2,988,234 shares of the Company’s common stock at a weighted average price of $15.73 and $19.18, respectively, were outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and 2008 but were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the respective quarters because the exercise prices of the stock options exceeded the average market prices of the Company’s common shares during these periods.

Note 8. Fair Value Measurement

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No.  157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which, among other things, defines fair value; establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value; and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. SFAS No.  157 clarifies that fair value is an “exit” price, representing the amount that would be received when selling an asset, or paid when transferring a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is thus a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, SFAS No.  157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

   

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

 

   

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

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A financial instrument’s categorization within this valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following table presents, by SFAS No.  157 valuation hierarchy, assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2009, and that were included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Condition at that date:

 

     Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2009 Using
(in thousands)    Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total Fair Value

Securities available for sale

   $ 29,411    $ 924,433    $ 16,948    $ 970,792
                           

Instruments for which unobservable inputs are significant to their fair value measurement (i.e., Level 3) include certain less liquid securities. Level 3 assets accounted for 0.05% of the Company’s total assets at March 31, 2009.

The Company reviews and updates the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes from one quarter to the next that are related to the observability of inputs to a fair value measurement may result in a reclassification from one hierarchy level to another.

A description of the methods and significant assumptions utilized in estimating the fair value of available-for-sale securities follows:

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government securities and exchange-traded securities.

If quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. These pricing models primarily use market-based or independently sourced market parameters as inputs, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, equity or debt prices, and credit spreads. In addition to observable market information, models also incorporate transaction details, such as maturity and cash flow assumptions. Securities valued in this manner would generally be classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and primarily include such instruments as mortgage-related securities and corporate debt.

In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. In valuing collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which include pooled trust preferred securities and income notes, the determination of fair value may require benchmarking to similar instruments or analyzing default and recovery rates. Therefore, CDOs are valued using a model based on the specific collateral composition and cash flow structure of the security. Key inputs to the model consist of market spread data for each credit rating, collateral type, and other relevant contractual features. In instances where quoted price information is available, that price is considered when arriving at the security’s fair value. CDOs are classified within Level 3.

Each of the methods described above may produce a fair value estimate that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those of other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

 

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Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents information for recurring assets classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2009:

 

     Available-for-sale
Securities
     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
(in thousands)     

Beginning balance

   $ 14,590

Change in unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income

     2,358
      

Ending balance

   $ 16,948
      

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Such instruments are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances (e.g., when there is evidence of impairment). For the Company, such assets include goodwill, core deposit intangibles, other real estate owned, other long-lived assets, loans held for sale, certain impaired loans, and mortgage servicing rights, all of which are generally classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. With the exception of a $5.7 million fair value adjustment relating to impaired loans (which was taken into consideration in computing the required balance for the allowance for loan losses), no amounts were recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 due to fair value adjustments on such assets. The fair values of impaired loans are determined using various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow modeling, in addition to considering pertinent real estate market data.

Note 9. Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2009, the FASB issued three final FSPs that are intended to provide additional application guidance and to enhance disclosures regarding fair value measurements and impairments of securities. FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly,” provides guidelines for making fair value measurements more consistent with the principles presented in SFAS No.  157. FSP FAS No.  107-1 and Accounting Principle Board (“APB”) 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” enhances consistency in financial reporting by increasing the frequency of fair value disclosures. FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” provide additional guidance that was designed to create greater clarity and consistency in accounting for, and presenting, impairment losses on securities.

FSP FAS 157-4 addresses the determination of fair values when there is no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. It reaffirms the objective of fair value measurement, as set forth in SFAS No.  157, i.e., to reflect how much an asset would be sold for in an orderly transaction (as opposed to a distressed or forced transaction) at the date of the financial statements and under current market conditions. It specifically reaffirms the need to use judgment in ascertaining if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when markets have become inactive.

FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 relate to fair value disclosures for any financial instruments that are not currently reflected on a company’s balance sheet at fair value. Prior to issuing this FSP, fair values for such assets and liabilities were disclosed only once a year. The FSP now requires quarterly disclosures that provide qualitative and quantitative information about fair value estimates for all those financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value.

FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, which relate to other-than-temporary impairment, are intended to bring greater consistency to the timing of impairment recognition, and to provide greater clarity to investors about the credit and non-credit components of impaired debt securities that are not expected to be sold. The measure of impairment in comprehensive income remains fair value. The FSP also requires increased and more timely disclosure regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and the aging of securities with unrealized losses. A cumulative effect adjustment is required to be recorded at the FSP’s adoption date with respect to certain previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment losses.

 

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Each of the aforementioned FSPs is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, but entities may adopt these FSPs for the interim and annual periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company did not adopt these FSPs for the interim period ended March 31, 2009.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active,” with an immediate effective date, including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. FSP FAS 157-3 amends SFAS No.  157 to clarify the application of fair value in inactive markets and allows for the use of management’s internal assumptions about future cash flows, with appropriately risk-adjusted discount rates, when relevant observable market data does not exist. The objective of SFAS No.  157 has not changed and continues to be the determination of the price that would be received in an orderly transaction that is not a forced liquidation or distressed sale at the measurement date. The adoption of FSP FAS 157-3 has not had a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. FSP FAS 157-3 will be superseded upon adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 in the second quarter of 2009.

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted In Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities,” which clarifies that unvested stock-based compensation awards containing non-forfeitable rights to dividends, are considered participating securities and therefore are included in the two-class method calculation of earnings per share. Under the two-class method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. The Company grants restricted stock to certain employees under its stock-based compensation programs. Recipients receive cash dividends during the vesting periods of these awards. Since certain of these dividends are non-forfeitable, the unvested awards are considered participating securities and will have earnings allocated to them. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 on January 1, 2009 had an immaterial effect on the Company’s earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No.  161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of SFAS No.  133.” SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about derivative instruments and hedged items that are accounted for under SFAS No.  133 and related interpretations. SFAS No.  161 is effective for interim and annual financial statements for periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early adoption permitted. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No.  161 on January 1, 2009 did not have an impact on its financial statement disclosures as the Company does not currently engage in such activities.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No.  141R, “Business Combinations (revised 2007).” SFAS No.  141R improves reporting by creating greater consistency in the accounting and financial reporting of business combinations, resulting in more complete, comparable, and relevant information for investors and other users of financial statements. To achieve this goal, the new standard requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose the information necessary to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS No.  141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first fiscal year that commences after December 15, 2008. The Company will apply SFAS No.  141R to any business combinations that may occur after the effective date, and believes that the standard could have a material impact on its accounting for such acquisitions.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No.  160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements.” SFAS No.  160 improves the relevance, comparability, and transparency of financial information provided to investors by requiring all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way, i.e., as equity in the consolidated financial statements. In addition, SFAS No.  160 eliminates the diversity that existed in accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests by requiring that they be treated as equity transactions. SFAS No.  160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No.  160 on January 1, 2009 did not have a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

 

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NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the purpose of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” are used to refer to New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, including New York Community Bank and New York Commercial Bank (the “Community Bank” and the “Commercial Bank,” respectively, and collectively, the “Banks”).

Forward-looking Statements and Associated Risk Factors

This report, like many written and oral communications presented by New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions.

Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “strive,” “try,” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events, or results to differ significantly from those described in our forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

General economic conditions and trends, either nationally or in some or all of the areas in which we and our customers conduct our respective businesses;

 

   

Conditions in the securities and real estate markets or the banking industry;

 

   

Changes in interest rates, which may affect our net income, prepayment penalty income, and other future cash flows, or the market value of our assets, including our investment securities;

 

   

Changes in real estate values, which could impact the quality of the assets securing the loans in our portfolio;

 

   

Changes in the quality or composition of our loan or securities portfolios;

 

   

Changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions;

 

   

Changes in our customer base or in the financial or operating performances of our customers’ businesses;

 

   

Changes in the demand for our deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services in the markets we serve;

 

   

Changes in deposit flows and wholesale borrowing facilities;

 

   

Changes in our credit ratings or in our ability to access the capital markets;

 

   

Changes in our estimates of future reserves based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements;

 

   

Changes in our capital management policies, including those regarding business combinations, dividends, and share repurchases, among others;

 

   

Our ability to retain key members of management;

 

   

Changes in legislation, regulation, policies, or administrative practices, whether by judicial, governmental, or legislative action, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to banking, securities, taxation, rent regulation and housing, environmental protection, and insurance; and the ability to comply with such changes in a timely manner;

 

   

Changes in accounting principles, policies, practices, or guidelines;

 

   

Changes in the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors;

 

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Our timely development of new lines of business and competitive products or services in a changing environment, and the acceptance of such products or services by our customers;

 

   

Operational issues stemming from, and/or capital spending necessitated by, the potential need to adapt to industry changes in information technology systems, on which we are highly dependent;

 

   

Any interruption or breach of security resulting in failures or disruptions in customer account management, general ledger, deposit, loan, or other systems;

 

   

Any interruption in customer service due to circumstances beyond our control;

 

   

Potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of companies we have acquired or target for acquisition;

 

   

The outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of other matters before regulatory agencies, or of matters resulting from regulatory exams, whether currently existing or commencing in the future;

 

   

Environmental conditions that exist or may exist on properties owned by, leased by, or mortgaged to the Company;

 

   

War or terrorist activities; and

 

   

Other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and geopolitical factors affecting our operations, pricing, and services.

In addition, it should be noted that we routinely evaluate opportunities to expand through acquisition and frequently conduct due diligence activities in connection with such opportunities. As a result, acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations, may take place at any time, and acquisitions involving cash, debt, or equity securities may occur.

Furthermore, the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond our control.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.

Reconciliations of Stockholders’ Equity and Tangible Stockholders’ Equity, Total Assets and Tangible Assets, and the Related Measures

Although tangible stockholders’ equity, adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity, tangible assets, and adjusted tangible assets are not measures that are calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), our management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of our performance. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are important indications of our ability to grow both organically and through business combinations and, with respect to tangible stockholders’ equity and adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity, our ability to pay dividends and to engage in various capital management strategies.

We calculate tangible stockholders’ equity by subtracting from stockholders’ equity the sum of our goodwill and core deposit intangibles (“CDI”), and calculate tangible assets by subtracting the same sum from our total assets. To calculate our ratio of tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets, we divide our tangible stockholders’ equity by our tangible assets, both of which include the accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (“AOCL”). The AOCL consists of after-tax net unrealized losses on securities and pension and post-retirement obligations, and is recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Condition. We also calculate our ratio of tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets excluding the AOCL, as its components are impacted by changes in market conditions, including interest rates, which fluctuate. This ratio is referred to below and earlier in this report as the ratio of “adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity to adjusted tangible assets.”

Neither tangible stockholders’ equity, adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity, tangible assets, adjusted tangible assets, nor the related tangible capital measures should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for stockholders’ equity or any other capital measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate these non-GAAP capital measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures of capital with similar names.

 

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Reconciliations of our stockholders’ equity, tangible stockholders’ equity, and adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity; our total assets, tangible assets, and adjusted tangible assets; and the related capital measures at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 follow:

 

(dollars in thousands)    March 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 4,235,886     $ 4,219,246  

Less: Goodwill

     (2,436,401 )     (2,436,401 )

Core deposit intangibles

     (82,093 )     (87,780 )
                

Tangible stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,717,392     $ 1,695,065  
                

Total assets

   $ 32,402,552     $ 32,466,906  

Less: Goodwill

     (2,436,401 )     (2,436,401 )

Core deposit intangibles

     (82,093 )     (87,780 )
                

Tangible assets

   $ 29,884,058     $ 29,942,725  
                

Stockholders’ equity to total assets

     13.07 %     13.00 %
                

Tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets

     5.75 %     5.66 %
                

Tangible stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,717,392     $ 1,695,065  

Add back: Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     78,086       87,319  
                

Adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,795,478     $ 1,782,384  
                

Tangible assets

   $ 29,884,058     $ 29,942,725  

Add back: Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     78,086       87,319  
                

Adjusted tangible assets

   $ 29,962,144     $ 30,030,044  
                

Adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity to adjusted tangible assets

     5.99 %     5.94 %
                

Critical Accounting Policies

Certain accounting policies are considered to be critically important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, since they require management to make complex or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. The inherent sensitivity of our consolidated financial statements to these critical accounting policies, and the judgments, estimates, and assumptions used therein, could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

We have identified the following to be critical accounting policies: the determination of the allowance for loan losses; the determination of whether an impairment of securities is other than temporary; the determination of the amount, if any, of goodwill impairment; and the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

The judgments used by management in applying these critical accounting policies may be affected by a further and prolonged deterioration in the economic environment, which may result in changes to future financial results.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is increased by provisions for loan losses that are charged against earnings, and is reduced by net charge-offs and/or reversals, if any, that are credited to earnings. A separate loan loss allowance is established for the Community Bank and the Commercial Bank and, except as otherwise noted below, the process for establishing the allowance for loan losses is the same for each.

Management establishes the allowances for loan losses through an assessment of probable losses in each of the respective loan portfolios. Several factors are considered in this process, including the level of defaulted loans at the close of each quarter; recent trends in loan performance; historical levels of loan losses; the factors underlying

 

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such loan losses and loan defaults; projected default rates and loss severities; internal risk ratings; loan size; economic, industry, and environmental factors; and loan impairment, as defined under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No.  114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan,” as amended by SFAS No.  118, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan/Income Recognition and Disclosures.”

Under SFAS No.  114, a loan is classified as “impaired” when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect both the principal and interest due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. We apply SFAS No.  114 as necessary to certain larger multi-family; commercial real estate; acquisition, development, and construction; and commercial and industrial loans, and exclude smaller balance homogenous loans and loans carried at the lower of cost or fair value, if any. We generally measure impairment by comparing the loan’s outstanding balance to the fair value of the collateral, less the estimated cost to sell, or to the present value of expected cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate.

A valuation allowance is established when the fair value of the collateral, net of estimated costs, or the present value of the expected cash flows is less than the recorded investment in the loan. In addition, the process of determining the appropriate levels for the Banks’ loan loss allowances for those loans not considered for impairment under SFAS No.  114 includes, but is not limited to:

 

  1. Periodic inspections of the loan collateral by qualified in-house property appraisers/inspectors, as applicable;

 

  2. Regular meetings of executive management with the pertinent Board committee, during which observable trends in the local economy and/or the real estate market are discussed;

 

  3. Assessment by the pertinent Board of Directors of the aforementioned factors when making a business judgment regarding the impact of anticipated changes of the future level of the allowance for loan losses; and

 

  4. Analysis of the portfolio in the aggregate, as well as on an individual loan basis, taking into consideration payment history, underwriting analyses, and internal risk ratings.

In establishing the loan loss allowances, management also considers the Banks’ current business strategies and credit processes, including compliance with conservative guidelines established by the respective Boards of Directors with regard to credit limitations, loan approvals, underwriting criteria, and loan workout procedures.

In accordance with the pertinent policies, the loan loss allowances are segmented to correspond to the various types of loans in the loan portfolios. These loan categories are assessed with specific emphasis on the internal risk ratings, underlying collateral, credit underwriting, and loan type, and these factors correspond to the respective levels of quantified and inherent risk.

The assessments take into consideration loans that have been adversely rated, primarily through the valuation of the collateral supporting each loan. “Adversely rated” loans are loans that are either non-performing or that exhibit certain weaknesses that could jeopardize payment in accordance with the original terms. Larger loans are assigned risk ratings based upon a periodic review of the credit files, while smaller loans exceeding 90 days in arrears are assigned risk ratings based upon an aging schedule. Quantified risk factors are assigned for each risk-rating category to provide an allocation to the overall loan loss allowance.

The remainder of each loan portfolio is then assessed, by loan type, with similar risk factors being considered, including the borrower’s ability to pay and our past loan loss experience with each type of loan. These loans are also assigned quantified risk factors, which result in allocations to the allowances for loan losses for each particular loan or loan type in the portfolio.

In order to determine their overall adequacy, each of the respective loan loss allowances is reviewed quarterly by management and by the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee of the Community Bank’s Board of Directors or the Credit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Commercial Bank, as applicable.

 

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While management uses the best available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the respective loan loss allowances may be necessary, based on changes in economic and local market conditions beyond management’s control, including declines in real estate values, and increases in vacancy rates and unemployment. In addition, the Community Bank and/or the Commercial Bank may be required to take certain charge-offs and/or recognize additions to their loan loss allowances, based on the judgment of regulatory agencies with regard to information provided to them during their examinations.

We recognize interest income on loans using the interest method over the life of the loan. Using this method, we defer certain loan origination and commitment fees, and certain loan origination costs, and amortize the net fee or cost as an adjustment to the loan yield over the term of the related loan. When a loan is sold or repays, the remaining net unamortized fee or cost is recognized in interest income.

A loan generally is classified as a “non-accrual” loan when it is 90 days past due. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, the Company ceases the accrual of interest owed, and previously accrued interest is charged against interest income. A loan is generally returned to accrual status when the loan is less than 90 days past due and/or the Company has reasonable assurance that the loan will be fully collectible. Interest income on non-accrual loans is recorded when received in cash.

We charge off loans, or portions of loans, in the period that these loans, or portions thereof, are deemed uncollectible. The collectability of individual loans is determined through an estimate of the fair value of the underlying collateral and/or an assessment of the financial condition of the borrower.

Investment Securities

The securities portfolio primarily consists of mortgage-related securities and, to a lesser extent, debt and equity (“other”) securities. Securities that are classified as “available for sale” are carried at their estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders’ equity. Securities that we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and carried at amortized cost.

The fair values of our securities—and particularly our fixed-rate securities—are affected by changes in market interest rates and spreads. In general, as interest rates rise, the fair value of fixed-rate securities will decline; as interest rates fall, the fair value of fixed-rate securities will increase. We conduct a periodic review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if the decline in the fair value of any security below its carrying value is other than temporary. If we deem any decline in value to be other than temporary, the security is written down to its current fair value, creating a new cost basis, and the resultant loss is charged against earnings and recorded in non-interest income.

At March 31, 2009, the net unrealized losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities were $41.4 million and $61.3 million, respectively. The respective impairments were principally deemed to be temporary based on the direct relationship of the declines in fair value to the movements in interest rates, including wider credit spreads in some cases; the effect of illiquidity on the market; the estimated remaining life and the credit quality of the investments; and our ability and intent to hold these investments until there is a full recovery of the unrealized loss, which may not be until maturity.

Goodwill Impairment

Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite useful life and is tested for impairment, rather than amortized, at the reporting unit level, at least once a year. The goodwill impairment analysis is a two-step test. The first step (“Step 1”) is used to identify potential impairment, and involves comparing each reporting unit’s estimated fair value to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment and the second step (“Step 2”) is performed to measure the amount.

Step 2 involves calculating an implied fair value of goodwill for each reporting unit for which impairment was indicated in Step 1. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to the amount of goodwill calculated in a business combination, i.e., by measuring the excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in Step 1, over the aggregate estimated fair values of the individual assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangibles, as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination at the impairment test date. If the

 

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implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess. An impairment loss cannot exceed the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit, and the loss establishes a new basis in the goodwill. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted.

According to SFAS No.  142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” quoted market prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and are to be used as the basis for measurement, when available. Other acceptable valuation methods include present-value measurements based on multiples of earnings or revenues, or similar performance measures. Differences in the identification of reporting units and in valuation techniques could result in materially different evaluations of impairment.

For the purpose of goodwill impairment testing, management has determined that the Company has one reporting unit. We performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of January 1, 2009, and determined that the fair value of the reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value. Accordingly, as of the annual impairment test date, there was no indication of goodwill impairment.

Income Taxes

We estimate income taxes payable based on the amount we expect to owe the various taxing authorities (i.e., federal, state, and local). Income taxes represent the net estimated amount due to, or to be received from, such taxing authorities. In estimating income taxes, management assesses the relative merits and risks of the tax treatment of transactions, taking into account statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of our tax position. In this process, management also relies on tax opinions, recent audits, and historical experience. Although we use the best available information to record income taxes, underlying estimates and assumptions can change over time as a result of unanticipated events or circumstances such as changes in tax laws and judicial guidance influencing our overall or transaction-specific tax position.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and the carryforward of certain tax attributes such as net operating losses. A valuation allowance is maintained for deferred tax assets that we estimate are more likely than not to be unrealizable, based on available evidence at the time the estimate is made. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we estimate future taxable income, considering the feasibility of tax planning strategies and the realizability of tax loss carryforwards. Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets can be affected by changes to tax laws, statutory tax rates, and future taxable income levels. In the event that we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or a portion of our net deferred tax assets in the future, we would reduce such amounts through a charge to income tax expense in the period in which that determination was made. Conversely, if we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net carrying amounts, we would decrease the recorded valuation allowance through a decrease in income tax expense in the period in which that determination was made. Subsequently recognized tax benefits associated with valuation allowances recorded in a business combination would be recorded as an adjustment to goodwill.

Recent Events

Dividend Payment

On April 28, 2009, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on May 19, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 8, 2009.

Executive Summary

With assets of $32.4 billion at March 31, 2009, New York Community Bancorp, Inc. is the 24th largest bank holding company in the nation. We serve the region’s consumers and businesses through two primary subsidiaries: New York Community Bank, a New York State-chartered savings bank with 178 locations in New York City, Long

 

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Island, Westchester County, and New Jersey; and New York Commercial Bank, a New York State-chartered commercial bank with 37 locations in New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island, including 18 branches that operate under the name “Atlantic Bank.”

Reflecting our growth through a series of accretive business combinations, we currently operate our Community Bank franchise through five local divisions—four in New York and one in New Jersey. In New York, our divisional banks are: Queens County Savings Bank, with 33 branches in Queens County; Roslyn Savings Bank, with 56 branches on Long Island; Richmond County Savings Bank, with 22 branches on Staten Island; and Roosevelt Savings Bank, with eight branches in Brooklyn. We also have two branches each in the Bronx and Westchester County that operate directly under the New York Community Bank name. In New Jersey, we operate Garden State Community Bank, with 54 branches in Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union counties.

First Quarter 2009 Performance Highlights

Our first quarter 2009 performance was highlighted by several notable achievements, despite the continued weakness of our local and national economy. Year-over-year, we achieved:

 

   

A $16.3 million, or 22.5%, increase in earnings to $88.7 million, equivalent to a $0.04, or 18.2%, increase in diluted earnings per share;

 

   

A $45.5 million, or 28.2%, increase in net interest income, to $206.9 million;

 

   

A 48-basis point improvement in our net interest margin, to 2.89%; and

 

   

A 486-basis point improvement in our efficiency ratio, to 36.63%.

These year-over-year improvements in our performance were largely driven by increased loan production, together with a substantial decline in our funding costs. Loan originations totaled $666.0 million in the current first quarter, bringing the trailing twelve-month total to $5.2 billion. While the average yield on interest-earning assets declined 38 basis points year-over-year, to 5.66% in the current first quarter, the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities fell 93 basis points to 2.92% during the same time. Although the substantial decline in our funding costs was facilitated by the year-over-year reduction in the federal funds rate by the Federal Open Market Committee (the “FOMC”) of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, it also reflects our strategic reduction of higher-cost retail and wholesale funds over the past twelve months.

In addition, these improvements were achieved despite an increase in our provision for loan losses, higher pension expense, and an increased FDIC assessment, which together totaled $14.5 million, pre-tax, in the first quarter of 2009.

Another highlight of our first quarter 2009 performance was the continued strength of our balance sheet at March 31, 2009:

 

   

Loans totaled $22.3 billion and represented 68.8% of total assets;

 

   

Multi-family loans totaled $15.9 billion and represented 71.1% of total loans;

 

   

Acquisition, development and construction loans, one- to four-family loans, and other loans together totaled $1.8 billion, representing an $85.0 million, or 4.4%, reduction from the balance at December 31, 2008;

 

   

Net charge-offs totaled $5.1 million in the quarter, representing 0.02% of average loans;

 

   

Non-performing assets totaled $176.8 million and represented 0.55% of total assets at quarter-end;

 

   

Non-performing loans totaled $175.3 million and represented 0.79% of total loans at the end of the quarter;

 

   

Tangible stockholders’ equity totaled $1.7 billion, representing a $22.3 million increase from the year-end 2008 balance;

 

   

Tangible stockholders’ equity represented 5.75% of tangible assets, a nine-basis point increase from the measure at year-end 2008; and

 

   

Excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (“AOCL”), adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity represented 5.99% of adjusted tangible assets, a five-basis point increase from the measure at year-end. (Please see the reconciliations of stockholders’ equity and tangible stockholders’ equity, total assets and tangible assets, and the related capital measures earlier in this report.)

 

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Our ability to generate increased earnings, despite the pressures of the now year-long recession, stems in large part from our consistency. In the first quarter of 2009, we maintained our focus on three of the key components of our business model: (1) emphasizing the production of multi-family mortgage loans on below-market rental apartment buildings in New York City; (2) maintaining prudent underwriting standards that historically have supported our record of asset quality; and (3) operating efficiently.

The Economic Environment

The degree to which our region has been affected by the recession is reflected in certain recent statistics regarding unemployment and real estate values in the marketplace we serve. For example, in March 2008, New York State, Long Island, and New York City had unemployment rates of 5.0%, 4.5%, and 4.6%, respectively. In March 2009, the respective rates for these regions were 8.1%, 7.3%, and 8.2%. In New Jersey, the unemployment rate for Essex County, where 15 of our 54 New Jersey-based branches are located, was 6.1% in March 2008 and 9.5% in March 2009. For the State of New Jersey, the unemployment rate rose from 5.1% to 8.7% during this time.

In addition, home prices fell 18.6% year-over-year through February 2009 in the New York metropolitan region. Furthermore, the overall office vacancy rate in Manhattan rose from 7.7% in the first quarter of 2008 to 11.9% in the first quarter of 2009.

While we have not been immune to the impact of the decline in the financial and housing markets, we believe that the composition of our loan portfolio, the nature of our multi-family lending niche, and our conservative underwriting standards have contributed to the above-average quality of our loan portfolio to date. To further reduce our exposure to credit risk, we remain actively engaged in monitoring the quality of our assets, and have limited our production of acquisition, development, and construction loans and commercial and industrial loans. We continue to deploy most of our cash flows into multi-family loans on buildings with a preponderance of below-market rental apartments, as such loans have historically been our best performing assets, and to sell the one- to four-family loans we originate to a third-party conduit shortly after they close. In addition, we generally base our multi-family and commercial real estate loans on current rent rolls and on conservative loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios.

Summary of Financial Condition at March 31, 2009

Assets totaled $32.4 billion at the end of March, and were down $64.4 million from the balance recorded at December 31, 2008.

Loans

Loans represented $22.3 billion, or 68.8%, of total assets at the close of the first quarter, representing a $101.2 million increase from the balance recorded at December 31, 2008.

Multi-family Loans

Multi-family loans accounted for $317.8 million of loans produced in the current first quarter, as compared to $854.4 million and $707.6 million, respectively, in the trailing and year-earlier three months. The linked-quarter decline was attributable to the accelerated closing of multi-family loans in the trailing quarter; the year-over-year decline reflects the adverse economic environment and the significant changes that have occurred in the real estate market over the past twelve months.

Multi-family loans represented $15.9 billion, or 71.1%, of total loans at the close of the current first quarter, and were up $131.2 million from the balance recorded at year-end 2008. At March 31, 2009, the average multi-family loan had a principal balance of $3.9 million, and the portfolio had an average LTV of 61.0%. In addition, 97.0% of our multi-family loans were secured by properties in the Metro New York region at quarter-end.

Multi-family loans are typically made to long-term owners of buildings with apartments that are subject to certain rent-control and –stabilization laws. The funds we lend are typically used by the borrower to make improvements to the building and the apartments within. Upon completion of the improvements, the property owner has the opportunity to increase the rents paid by the tenants and, in doing so, creates more cash flows to borrow against in future years.

 

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In addition to underwriting a multi-family loan on the basis of the building’s income and condition, we consider the borrower’s credit history, profitability, and building management expertise. Borrowers are required to present evidence of their ability to repay the loan from the building’s current rent rolls, their financial statements, and related documents.

Our multi-family loans typically feature a term of ten years, with a fixed rate of interest for the first five years of the loan, and an alternative rate of interest in years six through ten. The rate charged in the first five years is generally based on the five-year Constant Maturity Treasury rate (the “five-year CMT”) plus a spread. During years six through ten, the borrower has the option of selecting an annually adjustable rate that is tied to the prime rate of interest, as reported in The New York Times, plus a spread, or a fixed rate that is tied to the five-year CMT, plus a spread. For new originations, the fixed rate is now tied to the fixed advance rate of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (the “FHLB-NY”) plus a spread. The fixed-rate option also requires the payment of an amount equal to one percentage point of the then-outstanding loan balance. In either case, the minimum rate at repricing is equivalent to the rate in the initial five-year term.

As the rent roll increases, the typical property owner seeks to refinance the mortgage, and generally does so before the loan reprices in year six. Accordingly, the expected weighted average life of the multi-family loan portfolio was 3.7 years at March 31, 2009. While this refinancing cycle has repeated itself over the course of many decades, regardless of market interest rates and conditions, refinancing activity was constrained by economic uncertainty in the first quarter of 2009, as it was in 2008.

Multi-family loans that refinance within the first five years are typically subject to an established prepayment penalty schedule. Depending on the remaining term of the loan at the time of prepayment, the penalties normally range from five percentage points to one percentage point of the then-current loan balance. If a loan extends past the fifth year, and the borrower selects the fixed rate option, the prepayment penalties typically reset to a range of five points to one point over years six through ten.

Prepayment penalties are recorded as interest income and are therefore reflected in the average yields on our loans and assets, as well as our interest rate spread and net interest margin.

Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) Loans

CRE loans accounted for $4.6 billion, or 20.7%, of total loans at the close of the current first quarter, and were up $54.7 million from the balance recorded at December 31, 2008. The increase was due to organic loan production, with three-month originations totaling $135.3 million, as compared to $328.9 million and $189.1 million, respectively, in the trailing and year-earlier three months. At March 31, 2009, the average CRE loan had a principal balance of $2.5 million and the CRE loan portfolio had an average LTV of 54.7%. In addition, 97.7% of our CRE loans were secured by properties in the Metro New York region at quarter-end.

The pricing of our CRE loans is structured along the same lines as our multi-family credits, i.e., with a fixed rate of interest for the first five years of the loan that is generally tied to the five-year CMT, plus a spread. For years six through ten, the borrower generally has the option of selecting an annually adjustable rate that is based on the prime rate of interest, or a fixed rate that is tied to the five-year CMT, plus a spread. For new CRE loan originations, the fixed rate is now tied to the fixed advance rate of the FHLB-NY, plus a spread. The fixed-rate option also requires the payment of one percentage point of the then-outstanding loan amount. The minimum rate at repricing is equivalent to the rate featured in the initial five-year term.

Prepayment penalties also apply, with five percentage points of the then-current balance generally being charged on loans that refinance in the first year, scaling down to one percentage point of the then-current balance on loans that refinance in year five. Our CRE loans tend to refinance within five years of origination. Accordingly, the expected weighted average life of the portfolio was 3.4 years at March 31, 2009. If a loan extends into a sixth year and the borrower selects the fixed-rate option, a schedule of prepayment penalties ranging from five points to one point begins again in year six.

 

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Acquisition, Development, and Construction (“ADC”) Loans

In contrast to the increases in multi-family and CRE loans outstanding, the balance of ADC loans continued to decline in the first quarter of 2009. ADC loans represented $724.3 million, or 3.3%, of total loans at the end of March, a $54.0 million reduction from the balance recorded at December 31, 2008.

In the interest of reducing our exposure to credit risk at a time when real estate values have been declining, we have been limiting our production of ADC loans. ADC loan originations totaled $21.7 million in the current first quarter, down from $89.3 million and $139.6 million, respectively, in the trailing and year-earlier three months. In addition, at March 31, 2009, 94.5% of our ADC loans were secured by properties in the Metro New York region. The loans that we have originated outside our immediate market have generally been made to developers and builders with whom we have had successful lending relationships within our local marketplace.

The ADC loans we originate are primarily used for land acquisition, development, and construction of multi-family and residential tract projects and, to a lesser extent, for the construction of owner-occupied one- to four-family homes and commercial properties. Such loans are typically originated for terms of 18 to 24 months and feature a floating rate of interest tied to prime, and a floor. They also generate origination fees that are recorded as interest income and amortized over the life of the loan. At March 31, 2009, 55.4% of the loans in our portfolio were for land acquisition and development; the remaining 44.6% consisted of loans that were provided for the construction of homes and commercial properties.

Because ADC loans are generally considered to have a higher degree of credit risk, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle, borrowers are required to provide a personal guarantee of repayment and completion during construction. The risk of loss on an ADC loan is largely dependent upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value upon completion of construction, as compared to the estimated cost of construction, including interest, and upon the estimated time to sell or lease such property. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, or the length of time to sell or lease it is greater than anticipated, the property could have a value upon completion that is insufficient to assure full repayment of the loan.

When applicable, it is our practice to require that residential properties be pre-sold or that borrowers secure permanent financing commitments from a recognized lender for an amount equal to, or greater than, the amount of our loan. In some cases, we ourselves may provide permanent financing. We typically require pre-leasing for loans on commercial properties.

One- to Four-Family Loans

One- to four-family loans represented $256.4 million, or 1.1%, of total loans at the close of the current first quarter, and were down $9.9 million from the December 31, 2008 amount. The three-month decline was due to repayments. In addition, while we originate one- to four-family loans as a customer service, we do not retain the loans we produce. Rather, one- to four-family loans are originated on a pass-through basis and sold without recourse to a third-party conduit shortly after they close.

Other Loans

Other loans represented $852.4 million, or 3.8%, of outstanding loans at the end of March, signifying a three-month decrease of $21.0 million. Commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans accounted for $702.3 million of other loans at the end of the current first quarter, and were down $10.8 million from the balance recorded at year-end 2008. C&I loan originations totaled $167.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009.

A broad range of C&I loans, both collateralized and unsecured, are made available to small and mid-size businesses for working capital, business expansion, and the purchase or lease of machinery and equipment. The purpose of the loan is considered in determining its term and structure, and the pricing is generally tied to LIBOR or the prime rate of interest plus a spread.

 

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Asset Quality

Net charge-offs totaled $5.1 million in the current first quarter, as compared to $3.4 million and $396,000, respectively, in the trailing and year-earlier three months. Notwithstanding the three- and twelve-month increases, the level of net charge-offs recorded in the current first quarter continued to represent a modest percentage of average loans. In the first quarter of 2009, net charge-offs represented 0.02% of average loans, as compared to 0.02% and 0.00% in the trailing and year-earlier three-month periods. In addition, our net charge-offs consisted primarily of ADC and C&I loans in the first three months of 2009.

Non-performing loans represented $175.3 million, or 0.79%, of total loans at the close of the current first quarter, as compared to $113.7 million, or 0.51% of total loans, at December 31, 2008. Included in the respective amounts were non-accrual mortgage loans of $160.6 million and $101.9 million, and non-accrual other loans of $14.7 million and $11.8 million, respectively.

Other real estate owned totaled $1.5 million at the end of March, representing a $360,000 increase from the amount recorded at December 31, 2008. Other real estate owned refers to properties that are acquired by foreclosure, and is recorded at the lower of the unpaid principal balance or fair value at the date of acquisition, less the estimated cost of selling the property at that time.

Reflecting the increase in non-performing loans and other real estate owned, non-performing assets rose to $176.8 million at the close of the current first quarter, from $114.8 million at December 31, 2008. The respective amounts were equivalent to 0.55% and 0.35% of total assets at the corresponding dates.

In accordance with our methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses, we recorded a loan loss provision of $6.0 million in the current first quarter, as compared to $5.6 million in the trailing three-month period. No loan loss provision was recorded in the first quarter of 2008. Reflecting the current first quarter provision and the aforementioned net charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses rose from $94.4 million at December 31, 2008 to $95.3 million at March 31, 2009. The respective loan loss allowances were equivalent to 54.35% and 83.00% of non-performing loans and to 0.43% and 0.43% of total loans.

The manner in which the allowance for loan losses is established and the assumptions made in that process are considered critical to our financial condition and results of operations. Such assumptions are based on judgments that are difficult, complex, and subjective, regarding various matters of inherent uncertainty. Accordingly, the policies that govern management’s assessment of the allowance for loan losses are considered “Critical Accounting Policies” and are discussed under that heading earlier in this report.

 

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The following table presents information regarding our consolidated allowance for loan losses and non-performing assets at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

(dollars in thousands)    At or For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
    At or For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2008
 

Allowance for Loan Losses:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 94,368     $ 92,794  

Provision for loan losses

     6,000       7,700  

Charge-offs:

    

Multi-family

     (262 )     (175 )

Commercial real estate

     —         (16 )

Acquisition, development, and construction

     (3,199 )     (2,517 )

1-4 family

     (203 )     —    

Other loans

     (1,408 )     (3,460 )
                

Total charge-offs

     (5,072 )     (6,168 )

Recoveries

     6       42  
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 95,302     $ 94,368  
                

Non-performing Assets:

    

Non-accrual mortgage loans:

    

Multi-family

   $ 76,607     $ 53,153  

Commercial real estate

     25,439       12,785  

Acquisition, development, and construction

     45,437       24,839  

1-4 family

     13,123       11,155  
                

Total non-accrual mortgage loans

     160,606       101,932  

Other non-accrual loans

     14,731       11,765  
                

Total non-performing loans

     175,337       113,697  

Other real estate owned

     1,467       1,107  
                

Total non-performing assets

   $ 176,804     $ 114,804  
                

Ratios:

    

Non-performing loans to total loans

     0.79 %     0.51 %

Non-performance assets to total assets

     0.55       0.35  

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans

     54.35       83.00  

Allowance for loan losses to total loans

     0.43       0.43  

Net charge-offs to average loans

     0.02       0.03  
                

Securities

Securities represented $5.8 billion, or 17.8%, of total assets at the close of the current first quarter, and were down $147.0 million from the balance recorded at December 31, 2008.

Available-for-sale securities represented $970.8 million, or 16.9%, of total securities at the end of March, representing a three-month reduction of $39.7 million. Held-to-maturity securities accounted for the remaining $4.8 billion of total securities at March 31st, a $107.3 million reduction from the balance at year-end 2008. In view of the volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets, we have been limiting our securities investments to government-sponsored enterprise (“GSE”) securities for several quarters. Accordingly, approximately 90% of the securities portfolio consisted of GSE securities at March 31, 2009.

Mortgage-related securities represented $814.1 million, or 83.9%, of available-for-sale securities and $3.0 billion, or 63.1%, of held-to-maturity securities at the close of the current first quarter. Other securities accounted for $156.7 million of available-for-sale securities and for $1.8 billion of held-to-maturity securities at the same date. At March 31, 2009, the respective market values of mortgage-related securities and other securities held to maturity were $3.1 billion and $1.6 billion, representing 102.1% and 93.0% of their respective carrying values.

The estimated weighted average life of the available-for-sale securities portfolio was 5.1 years at the close of the current first quarter, as compared to 5.6 years at December 31, 2008. The estimated weighted average life of available-for-sale mortgage-related securities was 4.1 years at March 31, 2009, as compared to 5.0 years at year-end.

Sources of Funds

On a stand-alone basis, the Company has four primary funding sources for the payment of dividends, share repurchases, and other corporate uses: dividends paid to the Company by the Banks; capital raised through the issuance of stock; funding raised through the issuance of debt instruments; and repayments of, and income from, investment securities.

 

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On a consolidated basis, our funding primarily stems from the cash flows generated through the repayment of loans and securities; the cash flows generated through the sale of securities; deposits that are acquired in our business combinations or gathered through our branch network, as well as brokered deposits; and the use of borrowed funds, particularly in the form of wholesale borrowings. Our primary sources of wholesale borrowings are FHLB-NY advances and repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements with Wall Street brokerage firms.

Depending on the availability and attractiveness of wholesale funding sources, we have typically refrained from pricing our retail deposits at the higher end of the market in order to contain our funding costs. While we have the capacity to increase deposits through our extensive branch network, we often opt to utilize wholesale funds, including brokered deposits, when such funding is more attractively priced than retail funds.

Deposits totaled $14.1 billion at the close of the current first quarter, signifying a three-month decrease of $199.7 million. The reduction was attributable to declines in certificates of deposit (“CDs”) and money market accounts.

CDs totaled $6.8 billion at the end of March and were down $18.5 million from the year-end 2008 balance. Included in the March 31, 2009 amount were brokered CDs of $1.3 billion, signifying a three-month decrease of $284.6 million.

Core deposits (defined as all deposits other than CDs) represented $7.3 billion, or 51.9%, of total deposits at the close of the current first quarter, and were down $181.2 million from the balance recorded at December 31, 2008. The three-month decline was primarily due to a $203.7 million reduction in NOW and money market accounts to $3.6 billion, primarily reflecting a $185.1 million decline in brokered money market accounts to $1.4 billion. The reduction in NOW and money market accounts was partly offset by a $20.8 million increase in non-interest-bearing accounts to $1.1 billion and by a $1.6 million increase in savings accounts to $2.6 billion.

At March 31, 2009, borrowed funds totaled $13.7 billion, representing a three-month increase of $209.8 million. Wholesale borrowings accounted for $12.6 billion of the March 31, 2009 total, and were up $209.9 million from the December 31, 2008 amount. FHLB-NY advances and repurchase agreements accounted for $8.1 billion of total wholesale borrowings at the end of the current first quarter, as compared to $7.7 billion of the total at December 31, 2008.

Junior subordinated debentures totaled $484.1 million at the close of the current first quarter, comparable to the balance recorded at year-end 2008. Other borrowings totaled $669.5 million at the end of March, comparable to the December 31, 2008 balance of $669.4 million.

Loan repayments generated cash flows of $565.2 million in the current first quarter, while securities generated cash flows of $982.9 million during this time. The cash flows from each of these sources were primarily invested in organic loan production and, to a lesser extent, in GSE securities.

Asset and Liability Management and the Management of Interest Rate Risk

We manage our assets and liabilities to reduce our exposure to changes in market interest rates. The asset and liability management process has three primary objectives: to evaluate the interest rate risk inherent in certain balance sheet accounts; to determine the appropriate level of risk, given our business strategy, operating environment, capital and liquidity requirements, and performance objectives; and to manage that risk in a manner consistent with guidelines approved by the Boards of Directors of the Company, the Community Bank, and the Commercial Bank.

Market Risk

As a financial institution, we are focused on reducing our exposure to interest rate volatility, which represents our primary market risk. Changes in market interest rates represent the greatest challenge to our financial performance, as such changes can have a significant impact on the level of income and expense recorded on a large portion of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and on the market value of all interest-earning assets, other than those possessing a short term to maturity. To reduce our exposure to changing rates, the Board of Directors and management monitor interest rate sensitivity on a regular and as needed basis so that adjustments in the asset and liability mix can be made when deemed appropriate.

 

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The actual duration of mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities can be significantly impacted by changes in prepayment levels and market interest rates. The volume of prepayments may be impacted by a variety of factors, including the economy in the region where the underlying mortgages were originated; seasonal factors; demographic variables; and the assumability of the underlying mortgages. However, the largest determinants of prepayments are market interest rates and the availability of refinancing opportunities.

To manage our interest rate risk in the current first quarter, we continued to pursue certain core components of our business model: (1) We placed an emphasis on the origination and retention of intermediate-term assets, primarily in the form of multi-family and CRE loans; (2) We utilized the cash flows from loan and securities repayments to fund our loan production, as well as our more limited investments in GSE securities; (3) We capitalized on the decline in the federal funds rate to reduce our retail funding costs; and (4) We utilized wholesale funding sources, most notably FHLB-NY advances and brokered deposits, to support our loan production when such funding presented an attractively priced alternative to retail funds.

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

The matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which such assets and liabilities are “interest rate sensitive” and by monitoring a bank’s interest rate sensitivity “gap.” An asset or liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time frame if it will mature or reprice within that period of time. The interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific time frame and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same period of time.

In a rising interest rate environment, an institution with a negative gap would generally be expected, absent the effects of other factors, to experience a greater increase in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities than it would in the yield on its interest-earning assets, thus producing a decline in its net interest income. Conversely, in a declining rate environment, an institution with a negative gap would generally be expected to experience a lesser reduction in the yield on its interest-earning assets than it would in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities, thus producing an increase in its net interest income.

In a rising interest rate environment, an institution with a positive gap would generally be expected to experience a greater increase in the yield on its interest-earning assets than it would in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities, thus producing an increase in its net interest income. Conversely, in a declining rate environment, an institution with a positive gap would generally be expected to experience a lesser reduction in the cost of its interest-bearing liabilities than it would in the yield on its interest-earning assets, thus producing a decline in its net interest income.

At March 31, 2009, our one-year gap was a negative 0.37%, comparable to the positive 0.16% we recorded at December 31, 2008.

The following table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at March 31, 2009 which, based on certain assumptions stemming from our historical experience, are expected to reprice or mature in each of the future time periods shown. Except as stated below, the amounts of assets and liabilities shown as repricing or maturing during a particular time period were determined in accordance with the earlier of (1) the term to repricing, or (2) the contractual terms of the asset or liability. The table provides an approximation of the projected repricing of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2009 on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated prepayments (including anticipated calls on wholesale borrowings), and scheduled rate adjustments within a three-month period and subsequent selected time intervals. For loans and mortgage-related securities, prepayment rates were assumed to range up to 18% annually. Savings accounts, Super NOW accounts, and NOW accounts were assumed to decay at an annual rate of 5% for the first five years and 15% for the years thereafter. With the exception of those accounts having specified repricing dates, money market accounts were assumed to decay at an annual rate of 20% for the first five years and 50% in the years thereafter.

 

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Prepayment and deposit decay rates can have a significant impact on our estimated gap. While we believe our assumptions to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that the assumed prepayment and decay rates noted above will approximate actual future loan prepayments and deposit withdrawal activity.

 

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Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

 

    At March 31, 2009
(dollars in thousands)   Three
Months

or Less
    Four to
Twelve
Months
    More Than
One Year

to Three Years
    More Than
Three Years

to Five Years
    More Than
Five Years

to 10 Years
    More
Than
10 Years
    Total

INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:

             

Mortgage and other loans (1)

  $ 3,283,315     $ 4,157,633     $ 8,811,527     $ 5,127,787     $ 630,297     $ 107,517     $ 22,118,076

Mortgage-related securities (2)(3)

    271,290       521,683       1,051,899       745,981       1,025,745       214,878       3,831,476

Other securities (2)

    1,214,781       —         42,485       184,250       882,237       15,995       2,339,748

Money market investments

    6,093       —         —         —         —         —         6,093
                                                     

Total interest-earning assets

    4,775,479       4,679,316       9,905,911       6,058,018       2,538,279       338,390       28,295,393
                                                     

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITES:

             

Savings accounts

    330,154       87,363       215,788       194,748       1,002,816       799,855       2,630,724

NOW and Super NOW accounts

    12,462       37,385       92,342       83,338       429,134       342,281       996,942

Money market accounts

    1,432,208       187,287       359,591       230,138       396,349       12,785       2,618,358

Certificates of deposit

    2,642,956       3,329,838       595,468       169,513       40,734       —         6,778,509

Borrowed funds

    1,512,766       935       2,938,751       1,365,024       7,538,858       350,173       13,706,507
                                                     

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    5,930,546       3,642,808       4,201,940       2,042,761       9,407,891       1,505,094       26,731,040
                                                     

Interest rate sensitivity gap per period (4)

  $ (1,155,067 )   $ 1,036,508     $ 5,703,971     $ 4,015,257     $ (6,869,612 )   $ (1,166,704 )   $ 1,564,353
                                                     

Cumulative interest sensitivity gap

  $ (1,155,067 )   $ (118,559 )   $ 5,585,412     $ 9,600,669     $ 2,731,057     $ 1,564,353    
                                                 

Cumulative interest sensitivity gap as a percentage of total assets

    (3.56 )%     (0.37 )%     17.24 %     29.63 %     8.43 %     4.83 %  

Cumulative net interest-earning assets as a percentage of net interest-bearing liabilities

    80.52 %     98.76 %     140.55 %     160.69 %     110.83 %     105.85 %  
                                                 

 

(1) For the purpose of the gap analysis, non-performing loans and the allowance for loan losses have been excluded.
(2) Mortgage-related and other securities, including FHLB-NY stock, are shown at their respective carrying values.
(3) Expected amount based, in part, on historical experience.
(4) The interest rate sensitivity gap per period represents the difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 

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Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the preceding Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. The interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of the market, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market interest rates. Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable-rate loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates both on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. Furthermore, in the event of a change in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels would likely deviate from those assumed in calculating the table. Finally, the ability of some borrowers to repay their adjustable-rate loans may be adversely impacted by an increase in market interest rates.

Management also monitors interest rate sensitivity through the use of a model that generates estimates of the change in our net portfolio value (“NPV”) over a range of interest rate scenarios. NPV is defined as the net present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts. The model makes assumptions regarding estimated loan prepayment rates, reinvestment rates, and deposit decay rates.

To monitor our overall sensitivity to changes in interest rates, we model the effect of instantaneous increases and decreases in interest rates on our assets and liabilities. While the NPV analysis provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to, and do not, provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income, and may very well differ from actual results.

Based on the information and assumptions in effect at March 31, 2009, the following table reflects the estimated percentage change in our NPV, assuming the changes in interest rates noted:

 

      Change in
    Interest Rates
(in basis points) (1)

       

Estimated Percentage Change in
Net Portfolio Value

+200 over one year

      (18.68)%

+100 over one year

      (10.89)    

 

(1)    The impact of 100- and 200-basis point reductions in interest rates is not presented in view of the current level of the federal funds rate and other short-term interest rates.

We also utilize an internal net interest income simulation to manage our sensitivity to interest rate risk. The simulation incorporates various market-based assumptions regarding the impact of changing interest rates on future levels of our financial assets and liabilities. The assumptions used in the net interest income simulation are inherently uncertain. Actual results may differ significantly from those presented in the table below, due to the frequency, timing, and magnitude of changes in interest rates; changes in spreads between maturity and repricing categories; and prepayments, among other factors, coupled with any actions taken to counter the effects of any such changes.

Based on the information and assumptions in effect at March 31, 2009, the following table reflects the estimated percentage change in future net interest income for the next twelve months, assuming a gradual increase or decrease in interest rates during such time:

 

        Change in
      Interest Rates
(in basis points)(1)(2)

       

Estimated Percentage Change in
Future Net Interest Income

+200 over one year

      (1.16)%

+100 over one year

      (0.46)    

 

(1)    In general, short- and long-term rates are assumed to increase or decrease in parallel fashion across all four quarters and then remain unchanged.

(2)    The impact of 100- and 200-basis point reductions in interest rates is not presented in view of the current level of the federal funds rate and other short-term interest rates.

 

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No assurances can be given that future changes in our mix of assets and liabilities will not result in greater changes to our gap, NPV, or net interest income simulation.

Liquidity, Off-balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Commitments, and Capital Position

Liquidity

We manage our liquidity to ensure that cash flows are sufficient to support our operations, and to compensate for any temporary mismatches between sources and uses of funds caused by erratic loan and deposit demand.

We monitor our liquidity daily to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet our financial obligations. Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, which totaled $167.3 million at March 31, 2009, as compared to $203.2 million at December 31, 2008. Additional liquidity stems from our portfolio of available-for-sale securities, which totaled $970.8 million at the end of March.

In the first three months of 2009, our loan and securities portfolios continued to be significant sources of liquidity, with loan repayments generating cash flows of $565.2 million and the securities portfolio generating cash flows of $982.9 million during the same time.

Additional liquidity stemmed from the deposits we gathered through our 215 branches and from our use of wholesale funding sources, including brokered deposits and wholesale borrowings. We also have access to the Banks’ approved lines of credit with various counterparties, including the FHLB-NY.

Our primary investing activity is loan production, and in the first three months of 2009, the volume of loans originated exceeded the volume of loan repayments received. In the three months ended March 31, 2009, the net cash provided by investing activities totaled $40.6 million. During this time, our financing activities provided net cash of $1.6 million. In addition, our operating activities used net cash of $78.2 million in the first three months of 2009.

CDs due to mature in one year or less from March 31, 2009 totaled $6.0 billion, representing 88.1% of total CDs at that date. Our ability to retain these CDs and to attract new deposits depends on numerous factors, including customer satisfaction, the rates of interest we pay on our deposits, the types of products we offer, and the attractiveness of their terms. As previously mentioned, there are times that we may choose not to compete for deposits, depending on the availability of lower-cost funding sources, the competitiveness of the market and its impact on pricing, and our need for such deposits to fund loan demand.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Commitments

At March 31, 2009, we had outstanding loan commitments of $1.1 billion and outstanding letters of credit totaling $52.0 million. In addition, we continue to be obligated under numerous non-cancelable operating lease and license agreements. The amounts involved in our operating lease and license agreements at the close of the current first quarter were comparable to the amounts at December 31, 2008, as disclosed in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Capital Position

Stockholders’ equity rose $16.6 million from the balance recorded at December 31, 2008 to $4.2 billion at March 31, 2009. The March 31st balance was equivalent to 13.07% of total assets and a book value of $12.30 per share. By comparison, the December 31, 2008 balance was equivalent to 13.00% of total assets and a book value of $12.25 per share.

We calculate book value by subtracting the number of unallocated Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) shares at the end of a period from the number of shares outstanding at the same date, and then divide our total stockholders’ equity by the resultant number of shares. At March 31, 2009, the number of unallocated ESOP shares was 548,289; at December 31, 2008, the number of unallocated ESOP shares was 631,303. We calculate

 

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book value in this manner to be consistent with our calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share, both of which exclude unallocated ESOP shares from the number of shares outstanding in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.”

Excluding goodwill and CDI from stockholders’ equity at the close of the current and trailing quarters, tangible stockholders’ equity rose $22.3 million from the balance at the end of December to $1.7 billion at March 31, 2009. The year-end 2008 balance was equivalent to 5.66% of tangible assets and a tangible book value of $4.92 per share; the March 31, 2009 balance was equivalent to 5.75% of tangible assets and a tangible book value of $4.99 per share. Excluding AOCL of $87.3 million and $78.1 million, respectively, from the calculations, the ratio of adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity rose from 5.94% of adjusted tangible assets at the end of December to 5.99% of adjusted tangible assets at March 31st. (Please see the reconciliations of stockholders’ equity, tangible stockholders’ equity, and adjusted tangible stockholders’ equity; total assets, tangible assets, and adjusted tangible assets; and the related capital measures provided earlier in this report.)

Consistent with our historical performance, our capital levels exceeded the minimum federal requirements for a bank holding company at March 31, 2009. On a consolidated basis, our leverage capital equaled $2.3 billion, representing 7.86% of adjusted average assets, and our Tier 1 and total risk-based capital equaled $2.3 billion and $2.4 billion, representing 11.42% and 11.89%, respectively, of risk-weighted assets. At December 31, 2008, our leverage capital, Tier 1 risk-based capital, and total risk-based capital amounted to $2.3 billion, $2.3 billion, and $2.4 billion, representing 7.84% of adjusted average assets, 11.49% of risk-weighted assets, and 11.96% of risk-weighted assets, respectively.

In addition, as of March 31, 2009, both the Community Bank and the Commercial Bank were categorized as “well capitalized” under the FDIC’s regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, a bank must maintain a minimum leverage capital ratio of 5.00%, a minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.00%, and a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 10.00%.

The following regulatory capital analyses set forth the leverage, Tier 1 risk-based, and total risk-based capital levels at March 31, 2009 for the Company, the Community Bank, and the Commercial Bank, each in comparison with the minimum federal requirements.

Regulatory Capital Analysis (the Company)

 

     At March 31, 2009  

(dollars in thousands)

   Leverage Capital     Risk-based Capital  
     Tier 1     Total  
   Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio  

Total capital

   $2,345,287    7.86 %   $2,345,287    11.42 %   $2,440,590    11.89 %

Regulatory capital requirement

   1,193,946    4.00     821,221    4.00     1,642,443    8.00  
                                 

Excess

   $1,151,341    3.86 %   $1,524,066    7.42 %   $   798,147    3.89 %
                                 

Regulatory Capital Analysis (the Community Bank)

 

     At March 31, 2009  

(dollars in thousands)

   Leverage Capital     Risk-based Capital  
     Tier 1     Total  
   Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio  

Total capital

   $1,989,687    7.11 %   $1,989,687    10.55 %   $2,075,620    11.00 %

Regulatory capital requirement

   1,118,879    4.00     754,665    4.00     1,509,329    8.00  
                                 

Excess

   $   870,808    3.11 %   $1,235,022    6.55 %   $   566,291    3.00 %
                                 

 

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Regulatory Capital Analysis (the Commercial Bank)

 

     At March 31, 2009  

(dollars in thousands)

   Leverage Capital     Risk-based Capital  
     Tier 1     Total  
   Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio     Amount    Ratio  

Total capital

   $260,167    11.28 %   $260,167    14.06 %   $269,651    14.57 %

Regulatory capital requirement

   92,287    4.00     74,025    4.00     148,051    8.00  
                                 

Excess

   $167,880    7.28 %   $186,142    10.06 %   $121,600    6.57 %
                                 

Earnings Summary for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

We generated earnings of $88.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the current first quarter, as compared to $72.4 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the three months ended March 31, 2008. The first quarter 2008 amount was increased by a $1.6 million gain stemming from the Company’s membership interest in Visa Inc. (the “Visa-related gain”) and a $926,000 gain on the repurchase of certain debt. On an after-tax basis, the combined gains were equivalent to $2.2 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, we generated earnings of $102.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share. Included in these amounts was a $16.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, non-taxable gain on debt repurchase, which offset the impact of a $6.2 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, after-tax loss on the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of certain securities.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is our primary source of income. Its level is largely a function of the average balance of our interest-earning assets, the average balance of our interest-bearing liabilities, and the spread between the yield on such assets and the cost of such liabilities. These factors are influenced by the pricing and mix of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which, in turn, may be impacted by such external factors as economic conditions, competition for loans and deposits, market interest rates, and the monetary policy of the FOMC.

The cost of our deposits and borrowed funds is largely based on short-term rates of interest, the level of which is partially impacted by the actions of the FOMC. The FOMC reduces, maintains, or increases the target federal funds rate as it deems necessary. As a result of the economic crisis, the federal funds rate was reduced in 2008 from 4.25% at the start of January to an historical range of zero to 0.25% on December 16th, where it still remains.

While the federal funds rate generally impacts the cost of our short-term borrowings and deposits, the yields on our loans and other interest-earning assets are typically impacted by intermediate-term market interest rates. As previously indicated, the pricing of our multi-family and CRE loans is generally based on the five-year CMT plus a spread, with the interest rate fixed at the date of origination for the first five years of the loan. The yields on the multi-family and CRE loans originated during the first quarter of this year exceeded the average five-year CMT by 438 basis points on average, as compared to an average of 384 basis points in the trailing quarter and 302 basis points in the first quarter of 2008.

The level of net interest income we record is also significantly influenced by the level of prepayment penalty income recorded, primarily in connection with the prepayment of multi-family and CRE loans. Since prepayment penalty income is recorded as interest income, an increase or decrease in its level will also be reflected in the average yields on our loans and interest-earning assets, and therefore, in the levels of our interest rate spread and net interest margin. Reflecting the slowdown in refinancing activity over the past four quarters, prepayment penalty income declined to $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $2.4 million in the trailing quarter and from $10.3 million in the first quarter of 2008.

Notwithstanding the decline in prepayment penalty income, net interest income rose both year-over-year and on a linked-quarter basis in the first quarter of 2009. The increases were driven not only by our loan growth but also by the substantial reduction in our retail and wholesale funding costs.

 

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Year-over-Year Comparison

In the first quarter of 2009, net interest income totaled $206.9 million, representing a $45.5 million, or 28.2%, increase from the year-earlier amount. The increase was driven by marked reductions in the average costs of borrowed funds and interest-bearing deposits, and by the substantial growth of the Company’s loan portfolio during this time.

While the average balance of interest-earning assets rose $1.6 billion year-over-year to $28.3 billion, the benefit was tempered by a 38-basis point decline in the average yield, to 5.66%. As a result, the interest income produced by interest-earning assets in the current first quarter, $400.1 million, was down $2.2 million from the interest income produced in the first quarter of 2008. The latter decline was exceeded by a $47.7 million reduction in interest expense to $193.2 million, resulting in the year-over-year improvement in net interest income.

Loans generated interest income of $321.7 million in the current first quarter, an $8.7 million increase from the year-earlier amount. The increase was the net effect of a $1.9 billion rise in the average balance of loans to $22.1 billion and a 36-basis point reduction in the average yield of such assets to 5.83%. The reduction in the average yield was partially due to the $9.0 million decline in prepayment penalty income on multi-family and CRE loans to $1.2 million, as economic uncertainty discouraged many property owners from refinancing their loans.

Meanwhile, the interest income produced by securities fell $8.6 million to $78.4 million, as a $64.0 million increase in the average balance to $6.2 billion was offset by a 61-basis point reduction in the average yield on such assets to 5.07%. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company reinvested the substantial cash flows from accelerated repayments that were received toward the end of the trailing quarter into securities that featured lower yields.

Largely reflecting our focus on lending over the past four quarters, the average balance of money market investments fell from $293.2 million in the year-earlier quarter to $11.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. In addition, the average yield on such assets declined from 3.23% to 0.22% during this time. As a result, the interest income produced by money market investments declined from $2.4 million to $6,000 year-over-year.

The reduction in funding costs not only reflects the decline in the federal funds rate over the past four quarters, but also our strategic replacement of higher-cost retail and wholesale deposits with lower-cost retail deposits and wholesale borrowings. Interest expense declined by $47.7 million, or 19.8%, from the year-earlier level, to $193.2 million in the first quarter of 2009. While the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities rose $1.8 billion year-over-year to $26.8 billion, the average cost of such funds fell 93 basis points to 2.92%.

Borrowed funds accounted for $128.7 million of interest expense in the current first quarter, a $15.4 million reduction from the year-earlier amount. While the average balance of such funds rose $1.2 billion year-over-year to $14.0 billion, the impact was offset by a 78-basis point decline in the average cost to 3.71%. Similarly, interest-bearing deposits accounted for $64.5 million of the interest expense produced in the current first quarter, a $32.2 million reduction from the year-earlier amount. While the average balance of such funds rose $582.3 million year-over-year to $12.8 billion, the average cost fell 113 basis points during this time, to 2.05%.

NOW and money market accounts generated interest expense of $7.6 million in the current first quarter, a year-over-year reduction of $6.6 million. Although the average balance of NOW and money market accounts rose $1.0 billion during this time, to $3.7 billion, the average cost of such funds fell 133 basis points, to 0.84%. Savings accounts generated first quarter 2009 interest expense of $4.2 million, down $1.8 million from the year-earlier amount. The reduction was the net effect of a $113.8 million increase in the average balance to $2.6 billion and a 31-basis point reduction in the average cost to 0.65%.

In addition, the interest expense produced by CDs fell $23.9 million year-over-year, to $52.7 million, as the average balance of such funds declined $580.1 million to $6.4 billion and the average cost of such funds fell 106 basis points to 3.35%. With $6.0 billion of CDs having an average interest rate of 2.80% scheduled to mature in the next four quarters, the Company expects to see a further decline in the cost of such funds during this time.

 

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Linked-quarter Comparison

Net interest income rose $5.3 million on a linked-quarter basis, as an $11.0 million decline in interest income was exceeded by a $16.3 million reduction in interest expense.

The linked-quarter decline in interest income was the net effect of a $129.4 million increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets and a 17-basis point decline in the average yield. While the interest income produced by loans rose $1.6 million over the course of the quarter, the increase was exceeded by a $12.5 million reduction in the interest income produced by securities.

The linked-quarter increase in the interest income produced by loans was the net effect of a $499.7 million rise in the average balance and a nine-basis point decline in the average yield. The linked-quarter reduction in the interest income produced by securities was the result of a $357.9 million decline in the average balance, coupled with a 48-basis point decline in the average yield. While the reduction in the average yield on loans was partly due to a $1.2 million decline in prepayment penalty income, the reduction in the average yield on securities reflects the deployment of cash flows from accelerated repayments into lower-yielding securities over the last three months. In addition, the interest income produced by money market investments fell to $6,000 from $58,000 over the course of the quarter, as the average balance of such assets declined by $12.4 million and the average yield on such assets fell 75 basis points.

The linked-quarter decline in interest expense was the net effect of a $152.8 million rise in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities and a 21-basis point reduction in the average cost of funds. While the interest expense produced by borrowed funds fell a modest $410,000 over the course of the quarter, the interest expense produced by interest-bearing deposits fell a more robust $15.9 million during this time. Although the average balance of borrowed funds rose $878.3 million in the current first quarter, the average cost of such funds declined by 19 basis points. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits declined $725.5 million from the trailing-quarter level, and was coupled with a 32-basis point reduction in the average cost.

CDs accounted for $540.4 million of the linked-quarter reduction in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits, with NOW and money market accounts representing $88.5 million of the linked-quarter decline. The average cost of CDs fell 21 basis points in the current first quarter, while the average cost of NOW and money market accounts fell 64 basis points. In addition, the average balance of savings accounts dropped $39.4 million on a linked-quarter basis, coupled with a two-basis point drop in the average cost. As a result, the interest expense produced by CDs, NOW and money market accounts, and savings accounts in the current first quarter declined by $9.2 million, $6.4 million, and $285,000, respectively, from the levels produced in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Interest Rate Spread and Net Interest Margin

The same factors that contributed to the year-over-year and linked-quarter increases in our first quarter 2009 net interest income contributed to the expansion of our interest rate spread and net interest margin over the corresponding periods. At 2.74%, our spread was four and 55 basis points wider than the measures recorded in the trailing and year-earlier quarters; at 2.89%, our margin was up two and 48 basis points, respectively.

Prepayment penalty income contributed one basis point to the current first quarter margin, as compared to three basis points in the trailing quarter and 15 basis points in the first quarter of 2008.

The tables that follow set forth certain information regarding our average balance sheet for the periods indicated, including the average yields on our interest-earning assets and the average costs of our interest-bearing liabilities. Average yields are calculated by dividing the interest income produced by the average balance of interest-earning assets. Average costs are calculated by dividing the interest expense produced by the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. The average balances for the period are derived from average balances that are calculated daily. The average yields and costs include fees that are considered adjustments to such average yields and costs.

 

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Net Interest Income Analysis (Year-over-Year Comparison)

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  
     Average
Balance
   Interest    Average
Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
   Interest    Average
Yield/
Cost
 

Assets:

                

Interest-earning assets:

                

Mortgage and other loans, net (1)

   $ 22,108,647    $ 321,717    5.83 %   $ 20,244,263    $ 312,988    6.19 %

Securities (2)(3)

     6,189,513      78,383    5.07       6,125,558      86,974    5.68  

Money market investments

     11,263      6    0.22       293,229      2,362    3.23  
                                        

Total interest-earning assets

     28,309,423      400,106    5.66       26,663,050      402,324    6.04  

Non-interest-earning assets

     3,887,498           3,997,616      
                        

Total assets

   $ 32,196,921         $ 30,660,666      
                        

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

                

Interest-bearing deposits:

                

NOW and money market accounts

   $ 3,662,920    $ 7,563    0.84 %   $ 2,616,675    $ 14,168    2.17 %

Savings accounts

     2,599,310      4,181    0.65       2,485,517      5,979    0.96  

Certificates of deposit

     6,390,655      52,723    3.35       6,970,738      76,574    4.41  

Mortgagors’ escrow

     125,279      35    0.11       122,922      26    0.08  
                                        

Total interest-bearing deposits

     12,778,164      64,502    2.05       12,195,852      96,747    3.18  

Borrowed funds

     14,041,521      128,689    3.71       12,869,126      144,118    4.49  
                                        

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     26,819,685      193,191    2.92       25,064,978      240,865    3.85  

Non-interest-bearing deposits

     1,021,458           1,226,621      

Other liabilities

     193,567           261,631      
                        

Total liabilities

     28,034,710           26,553,230      

Stockholders’ equity

     4,162,211           4,107,436      
                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 32,196,921         $ 30,660,666      
                        

Net interest income/interest rate spread

      $ 206,915    2.74 %      $ 161,459    2.19 %
                                

Net interest-earning assets/net interest margin

   $ 1,489,738       2.89 %   $ 1,598,072       2.41 %
                                

Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities

         1.06 x           1.06  x
                        

 

(1) Amounts are net of net deferred loan origination costs/(fees) and the allowance for loan losses, and include loans held for sale and non-performing loans.
(2) Amounts are at amortized cost.
(3) Includes FHLB-NY stock.

 

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Net Interest Income Analysis (Linked-Quarter Comparison)

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended  
     March 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
     Average
Balance
   Interest    Average
Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
   Interest    Average
Yield/
Cost
 

Assets:

                

Interest-earning assets:

                

Mortgage and other loans, net (1)

   $ 22,108,647    $ 321,717    5.83 %   $ 21,608,984    $ 320,127    5.92 %

Securities (2)(3)

     6,189,513      78,383    5.07       6,547,368      90,921    5.55  

Money market investments

     11,263      6    0.22       23,687      58    0.97  
                                        

Total interest-earning assets

     28,309,423      400,106    5.66       28,180,039      411,106    5.83  

Non-interest-earning assets

     3,887,498           3,936,392      
                        

Total assets

   $ 32,196,921         $ 32,116,431      
                        

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

                

Interest-bearing deposits:

                

NOW and money market accounts

   $ 3,662,920    $ 7,563    0.84 %   $ 3,751,383    $ 13,941    1.48 %

Savings accounts

     2,599,310      4,181    0.65       2,638,730      4,466    0.67  

Certificates of deposit

     6,390,655      52,723    3.35       6,931,005      61,968    3.56  

Mortgagors’ escrow

     125,279      35    0.11       182,571      25    0.05  
                                        

Total interest-bearing deposits

     12,778,164      64,502    2.05       13,503,689      80,400    2.37  

Borrowed funds

     14,041,521      128,689    3.71       13,163,191      129,099    3.90  
                                        

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     26,819,685      193,191    2.92       26,666,880      209,499    3.13  

Non-interest-bearing deposits

     1,021,458           1,062,786      

Other liabilities

     193,567           201,678      
                        

Total liabilities

     28,034,710           27,931,344      

Stockholders’ equity

     4,162,211           4,185,087      
                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 32,196,921         $ 32,116,431      
                        

Net interest income/interest rate spread

      $ 206,915    2.74 %      $ 201,607    2.70 %
                                

Net interest-earning assets/net interest margin

   $ 1,489,738       2.89 %   $ 1,513,159       2.87 %
                                

Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities

         1.06 x           1.06  x
                        

 

(1) Amounts are net of net deferred loan origination costs/(fees) and the allowance for loan losses, and include loans held for sale and non-performing loans.
(2) Amounts are at amortized cost.
(3) Includes FHLB-NY stock.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is based on management’s assessment of the adequacy of the loan loss allowance. This assessment is made periodically and considers several factors, including the current and historical performance of the loan portfolio and its inherent risk characteristics; the level of non-performing loans and charge-offs; local economic conditions; the direction of real estate values; and current trends in regulatory supervision.

As a result of management’s assessment, we recorded loan loss provisions of $6.0 million and $5.6 million, respectively, in the three months ended March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. No loan loss provision was recorded in the first quarter of 2008.

Reflecting the current first quarter provision and net charge-offs of $5.1 million, the allowance for loan losses rose to $95.3 million at March 31, 2009 from $94.4 million at December 31, 2008. Together with management, the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee of the Community Bank’s Board of Directors and the Credit Committee of the Commercial Bank’s Board of Directors monitor the loan loss allowance on a regular basis, and believe that the balance at March 31, 2009 represents the best estimate of losses inherent in the portfolio, given the nature of our lending niche, the standards we follow in underwriting our loans, and our evaluation of the other factors considered in determining its adequacy.

 

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Please see “Critical Accounting Policies” earlier in this report for a detailed discussion of the factors considered by management in determining the allowance for loan losses, together with the discussion of asset quality in the balance sheet summary.

Non-interest Income

We have three primary components of non-interest income: fee income, income from Bank-owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”), and other income, primarily consisting of revenues from the sale of third-party investment products and revenues from our investment advisory subsidiary, Peter B. Cannell & Co., Inc. (“PBC”). Together, these three primary sources of non-interest income totaled $22.2 million in the current first quarter, as compared to $23.5 million in the trailing quarter and to $27.6 million in the year-earlier three months.

The year-over-year reduction was primarily due to a $4.2 million decline in other income to $6.0 million, including a $1.5 million reduction in revenues from PBC. In addition, we recorded a $1.6 million Visa-related gain in the year-earlier first quarter; no such gain was recorded in the first quarter of 2009. Fee income also fell year-over-year, to $9.3 million from $10.6 million, more than offsetting a modest rise in BOLI income to $6.8 million during this time.

The linked-quarter reduction was due to declines of $704,000 and $904,000, respectively, in fee income and BOLI income, which were only partly offset by a $240,000 increase in other income over the three-month period. The latter increase was primarily the net effect of a $406,000 rise in revenues from the sale of third-party investment products and a $185,000 decline in revenues from PBC.

In addition to fee income, BOLI income, and other income, we generated non-interest income through certain other sources in the three months ended December 31 and March 31, 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we recorded total non-interest income of $29.0 million, as a $10.6 million loss on the OTTI of securities was exceeded by a $16.0 million gain on the repurchase of certain debt. In the first quarter of 2008, our non-interest income was boosted by a $926,000 gain on debt repurchase, bringing the total non-interest income recorded during that quarter to $28.5 million

The following table summarizes the components of non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2009, December 31, 2008, and March 31, 2008:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
(in thousands)    March 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008
    March 31,
2008

Fee income

   $ 9,291    $ 9,995     $ 10,584

BOLI income

     6,840      7,744       6,745

Net gain on sale of securities

     —        5       —  

Gain on debt repurchase

     —        16,036       926

Loss on other-than-temporary impairment of securities

     —        (10,562 )     —  

Other income:

       

PBC

     2,226      2,411       3,702

Third-party investment product sales

     2,761      2,355       2,942

Visa-related gain

     —        —         1,647

Other

     1,058      1,039       1,951
                     

Total other income

     6,045      5,805       10,242
                     

Total non-interest income

   $ 22,176    $ 29,023     $ 28,497
                     

 

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Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense generally consists of two primary components: operating expenses, which include compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment, and general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses; and the amortization of the CDI stemming from our business combinations.

Non-interest expense totaled $89.6 million in the current first quarter, up $2.9 million on a linked-quarter basis and $4.7 million year-over-year. Operating expenses accounted for $83.9 million of non-interest expense in the current first quarter, and were up $3.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively, from the levels recorded in the trailing and year-earlier three months.

Included in first quarter 2009 operating expenses was compensation and benefits expense of $42.4 million, signifying a $1.6 million linked-quarter increase and a $644,000 reduction year-over-year. The year-over-year reduction reflects the benefit of certain cost control initiatives that were put in place over the twelve-month period, and that served to temper the linked-quarter impact of higher pension expenses, normal salary increases, and expenses relating to incentive stock awards.

Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $18.7 million in the current first quarter, representing three- and twelve-month increases of $589,000 and $1.0 million. G&A expense totaled $22.8 million in the current first quarter, and was up $773,000 and $4.7 million over the corresponding periods. The three- and twelve-month increases in G&A expense were due to the expected rise in FDIC insurance premiums. In the first quarter of 2009, our FDIC assessment equaled $6.2 million, as compared to $2.3 million and $585,000, respectively, in the three months ended December 31 and March 31, 2008. In addition to the increase in our FDIC insurance premiums, the higher assessment in the current first quarter reflects the expiration of one-time credits that had been provided in the trailing and year-earlier quarters by the FDIC Reform Act of 2005. An additional 10-basis point special assessment has been proposed by the FDIC and is currently expected to be expensed in the second quarter of 2009.

CDI amortization totaled $5.7 million in the current first quarter, down $46,000 and $345,000, respectively, over the quarter and the year.

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded income tax expense of $44.8 million in the current first quarter, up $8.7 million and $12.1 million, respectively, from the levels recorded in the trailing and year-earlier three months. The linked-quarter increase was the net effect of a $4.9 million reduction in pre-tax income to $133.5 million and a higher effective tax rate in the current first quarter which was primarily the result of a change in the New York State tax laws and a higher level of forecasted income subject to tax at our marginal tax rate. Furthermore, in the trailing quarter, the effective tax rate was reduced by the $16.0 million non-taxable gain on debt repurchase and by the $10.6 million OTTI charge, which reduced tax expense at our marginal tax rate.

The year-over-year rise in income tax expense was the result of a $28.4 million increase in pre-tax income and the increase in the effective tax rate in the current first quarter, as discussed above.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the Company’s market risk were presented on pages 77 – 81 of our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 2, 2009. Subsequent changes in the Company’s market risk profile and interest rate sensitivity are detailed in the discussion entitled “Asset and Liability Management and the Management of Interest Rate Risk” in this quarterly report.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b), as adopted by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

(b) Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as such factors could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition, or future results. In the three months ended March 31, 2009, there were no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risks described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks that the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company, or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial, also may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, or results.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Share Repurchase Program

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company allocated $624,000 toward the repurchase of shares of its common stock, as outlined in the following table:

 

Period    (a)
Total Number
of Shares (or
Units)
Purchased(1)
   (b)
Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
   (c)
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
   (d) Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value)
of Shares (or Units) that May
Yet Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(2)

Month #1:

January 1, 2009 through

January 31, 2009

   51,380    $ 12.15    51,380    1,298,912

Month #2:

February 1, 2009 through

February 28, 2009

   —        —      —      1,298,912

Month #3:

March 1, 2009 through

March 31, 2009

   —        —      —      1,298,912
                   

Total

   51,380    $ 12.15    51,380   
                   

 

(1) All shares were purchased in privately negotiated transactions.
(2) On April 20, 2004, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to an additional five million shares. Of this amount, 1,298,912 shares were still available for repurchase at March 31, 2009. Under said authorization, shares may be repurchased on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions until completion or the Board’s earlier termination of the repurchase authorization.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

 

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Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 3.1:   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (1)
Exhibit 3.2:   Certificates of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (2)
Exhibit 3.3:   Bylaws, as amended and restated (3)
Exhibit 4.1:   Specimen Stock Certificate (4)
Exhibit 4.2:   Registrant will furnish, upon request, copies of all instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt instruments of the registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Exhibit 31.1:   Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Exhibit 31.2:   Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Exhibit 32:   Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2001 (File No. 000-22278).
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 001-31565).
(3) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 2007 (File No. 001-31565).
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-66852).

 

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NEW YORK COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

  (Registrant)
DATE: May 11, 2009   BY:  

/s/ Joseph R. Ficalora

    Joseph R. Ficalora
    Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
DATE: May 11, 2009   BY:  

/s/ Thomas R. Cangemi

    Thomas R. Cangemi
    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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