Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. Announces Record Third Quarter 2022 Net Income of $14.5 Million, $0.47 Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BWB) (the Company), the parent company of Bridgewater Bank (the Bank), today announced record net income of $14.5 million for the third quarter of 2022, a 12.7% increase over net income of $12.9 million for the second quarter of 2022, and a 26.1% increase over net income of $11.5 million for the third quarter of 2021. Earnings per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2022 were $0.47, a 14.6% increase compared to $0.41 per diluted common share for the second quarter of 2022, and a 19.4% increase compared to $0.40 per diluted common share for the same period in 2021.

“Bridgewater’s ability to produce consistent financial results remained evident in the third quarter with record pre-provision net revenue and continued growth of tangible book value per share,” said Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, Jerry Baack. “Our impressive profitability was driven by robust loan growth, well controlled expenses and the hard work of our team members to expand and deepen our client relationships.

“While the current economic environment creates an elevated level of uncertainty, we remain confident in our business model. As the rise in interest rates drives deposit costs higher and creates near-term net interest margin pressure, we believe our proven ability to grow the balance sheet can support our continued focus on overall revenue growth. Couple this with our superb credit quality and an efficiency ratio among the best in the industry and we have a story that is poised to continue driving sustained shareholder value.”

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Third Quarter 2022 Highlights

• Diluted earnings per common share were $0.47, compared to $0.41 per common share for the second quarter of 2022.
• Tangible book value per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, increased $0.30, or 10.8% annualized, to $11.33, compared to $11.03 at June 30, 2022, despite the market value depreciation of the securities portfolio due to rapidly rising interest rates, which continues to negatively impact accumulated other comprehensive income.
• Record pre-provision net revenue (PPNR), a non-GAAP financial measure, of $21.4 million, compared to $20.4 million for the second quarter of 2022, an increase of $1.0 million, or 4.9%. PPNR ROA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 2.15%, compared to 2.19% for the second quarter of 2022.
• Annualized return on average assets (ROA) and annualized return on average shareholders’ equity (ROE) for the third quarter of 2022 were 1.46% and 14.99%, compared to ROA and ROE of 1.38% and 13.55%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2022. Annualized return on average tangible common equity, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 17.03% for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 15.26% for the second quarter of 2022.
• Gross loans increased $154.2 million, or 19.0% annualized, from the end of the second quarter of 2022.
• Deposits increased $103.1 million, or 12.8% annualized, from the end of the second quarter of 2022.
• Net interest margin (on a fully tax-equivalent basis) was 3.53%, compared to 3.58% in the second quarter of 2022. Core net interest margin (on a fully tax-equivalent basis), a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes the impact of loan fees and PPP balances, interest, and fees, was 3.38%, compared to 3.34% in the second quarter of 2022.
• Adjusted efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes the impact of certain non-routine income and expenses from noninterest expense, was 39.4%, compared to 40.0% for the second quarter of 2022.
• A loan loss provision of $1.5 million was recorded to support strong organic loan growth. The allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.38% at September 30, 2022, compared to 1.39% at June 30, 2022.
• Annualized net loan charge-offs (recoveries) as a percentage of average loans were (0.03)% for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 0.00% for the second quarter of 2022.

Year-Over-Year Highlights

• Net income was $14.5 million for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $11.5 million for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $3.0 million, or 26.1%.
• Diluted earnings per common share for the third quarter of 2022 were $0.47, compared to $0.40 for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 19.4%.
• Net interest margin (on a fully tax-equivalent basis) was 3.53% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 3.54% for the third quarter of 2021. Core net interest margin (on a fully tax-equivalent basis), a non-GAAP financial measure, was 3.38% for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 3.22% for the third quarter of 2021.
• Gross loans increased $668.1 million at September 30, 2022, or 24.6%, compared to September 30, 2021.
• Deposits increased $450.9 million at September 30, 2022, or 15.8%, compared to September 30, 2021.

Income Statement

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $34.1 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $1.6 million, or 4.8%, from $32.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of $5.4 million, or 18.9%, from $28.7 million in the third quarter of 2021. The linked-quarter increase in net interest income was primarily due to growth in average interest earning assets and higher yields on investment securities and loans, offset partially by higher rates paid on deposits. The year-over-year increase in net interest income was primarily due to growth in average interest earning assets and higher yields on investment securities and core loans, offset partially by higher rates paid on deposits and lower PPP fee recognition. Average interest earning assets were $3.87 billion for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $200.1 million, or 5.5%, from $3.67 billion for the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of $637.6 million, or 19.7%, from $3.23 billion for the third quarter of 2021. The linked-quarter and year-over-year increases in average interest earning assets were primarily due to strong organic growth in the loan portfolio and continued purchases of investment securities, offset partially by the forgiveness of PPP loans and the reduction of cash balances.

Net interest margin (on a fully tax-equivalent basis) for the third quarter of 2022 was 3.53%, a five basis point decrease from 3.58% in the second quarter of 2022, and a modest one basis point decline from 3.54% in the third quarter of 2021. Core net interest margin (on a fully tax-equivalent basis), a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes the impact of loan fees and PPP balances, interest, and fees, for the third quarter of 2022 was 3.38%, a four basis point increase from 3.34% in the second quarter of 2022, and a 16 basis point increase from 3.22% in the third quarter of 2021. The Company remains focused on managing the impact of continued interest rate hikes and the evolving shape of the yield curve during this unique interest rate environment.

As the PPP loan portfolio has almost fully paid off, the recognition of fees associated with the originations has decreased significantly, which impacts comparability between periods. The Company recognized $90,000 of PPP origination fees during the third quarter of 2022, compared to $244,000 during the second quarter of 2022, and $1.6 million during the third quarter of 2021. Remaining PPP origination fees to be recognized as of September 30, 2022 were $45,000.

Interest income was $42.4 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $4.6 million, or 12.1%, from $37.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of $8.8 million, or 26.4%, from $33.5 million in the third quarter of 2021. The yield on interest earning assets (on a fully tax-equivalent basis) was 4.37% in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 4.16% in the second quarter of 2022, and 4.14% in the third quarter of 2021. The linked-quarter expansion in the yield on interest earning assets was primarily due to the rapid increase in market interest rates resulting in new loan originations and investment purchases at yields accretive to the existing portfolios. The year-over-year increase in the yield on interest earning assets was primarily due to growth and repricing of the loan and securities portfolios in the rising interest rate environment, offset partially by the lower recognition of PPP origination fees.

Loan interest income and loan fees remain the primary contributing factors to the changes in the yield on interest earning assets. The aggregate loan yield, excluding PPP loans, increased to 4.59% in the third quarter of 2022, which was 16 basis points higher than 4.43% in the second quarter of 2022, and eight basis points higher than 4.51% in the third quarter of 2021. While loan fees have maintained a relatively stable contribution to the aggregate loan yield, the current period was impacted by fewer loan prepayments, which historically has accelerated the recognition of loan fees. Despite the decrease in fee recognition, the Company is encouraged that the core loan yield continues to rise as new loan originations and the existing portfolio reprice in the higher rate environment.

A summary of interest and fees recognized on loans, excluding PPP loans, for the periods indicated is as follows:

Interest expense was $8.3 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $3.0 million, or 57.3%, from $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of $3.4 million, or 70.6%, from $4.8 million in the third quarter of 2021. The cost of interest bearing liabilities increased 44 basis points on a linked-quarter basis from 0.86% in the second quarter of 2022 to 1.30% in the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to the rapid increase in market interest rates that occurred during the quarter. On a year-over-year basis, the cost of interest bearing liabilities increased 42 basis points from 0.88% in the third quarter of 2021 to 1.30% in the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher rates paid on deposits and the increased utilization of federal funds purchased and FHLB advances in the rising interest rate environment.

Interest expense on deposits was $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $2.5 million, or 73.1%, from $3.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of $2.6 million, or 75.1%, from $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2021. The cost of total deposits increased 27 basis points on a linked-quarter basis from 0.46% in the second quarter of 2022, to 0.73% in the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to the rapid increase in rates in 2022. On a year-over-year basis, the cost of total deposits increased 25 basis points from 0.48% in the third quarter of 2021, to 0.73% in the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to the upward repricing of the deposit portfolio in the higher interest rate environment.

A summary of the Company’s average balances, interest yields and rates, and net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2022, June 30, 2022, and September 30, 2021 is as follows:

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of $1.5 million from $3.0 million for the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of $200,000 from $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2021. The provision recorded in the third quarter of 2022 was primarily attributable to the strong growth of the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.38% at September 30, 2022, compared to 1.39% at June 30, 2022, and 1.43% at September 30, 2021.

As an emerging growth company, the Company is not subject to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments,“ or CECL, until January 1, 2023.

The following table presents the activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income was $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of $263,000 from $1.7 million for the second quarter of 2022, and a decrease of $23,000 from $1.4 million for the third quarter of 2021. The linked-quarter decrease was primarily due to a decrease in letter of credit fees and other income, offset partially by an increase in bank-owned life insurance income. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to decreased letter of credit fees and gains on sales of securities, offset partially by an increase in bank-owned life insurance income.

The following table presents the major components of noninterest income for the periods indicated:

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense was $14.2 million for the third quarter of 2022, an increase of $405,000 from $13.8 million for the second quarter of 2022, and an increase of $921,000 from $13.2 million for the third quarter of 2021. The linked-quarter increase was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits and technology expenses, offset partially by a decrease in professional and consulting fees, marketing and advertising expenses, and other expenses. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to increases in salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment, and other expenses, offset partially by a decrease in debt prepayment fees.

The following table presents the major components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated:

The Company continues to add key talent across the organization, reaching 246 full-time equivalent employees at September 30, 2022, compared to 236 employees at June 30, 2022, and 219 employees at September 30, 2021.

The efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 39.8% for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 40.2% for the second quarter of 2022, and 43.9% for the third quarter of 2021. Excluding the impact of certain non-routine income and expenses, the adjusted efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 39.4% for the third quarter of 2022, 40.0% for the second quarter of 2022 and 41.5% for the third quarter of 2021.

Income Taxes

The effective combined federal and state income tax rate for the third quarter of 2022 was 26.8%, a slight increase from 26.0% for the second quarter of 2022 and 26.0% for the third quarter of 2021.

Balance Sheet

Total assets at September 30, 2022 were $4.13 billion, a 6.3% increase from $3.88 billion at June 30, 2022, and a 21.8% increase from $3.39 billion at September 30, 2021. The linked-quarter increase in total assets was primarily due to strong organic loan growth and continued purchases of investment securities. The year-over-year increase in total assets was primarily due to robust organic loan growth and purchases of investment securities, offset partially by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

Total gross loans at September 30, 2022 were $3.38 billion, an increase of $154.2 million, or 4.8%, over total gross loans of $3.23 billion at June 30, 2022, and an increase of $668.1 million, or 24.6%, over total gross loans of $2.71 billion at September 30, 2021. The increase in the loan portfolio during the third quarter of 2022 was primarily due to growth in the commercial and multifamily segments, offset partially by a decrease in the construction and land development segment which was the result of completed construction projects migrating to permanent financing. While the Company’s loan growth in the third quarter of 2022 remained strong, the pace began to moderate slightly, compared to the first half of 2022 due to active balance sheet management to align loan growth with the funding outlook, sales of participations on larger originations to manage growth, and the impact of the higher interest rate environment on the number of deals that made financial sense.

The following table presents the dollar composition of the Company’s loan portfolio, by category, at the dates indicated:

Total deposits at September 30, 2022 were $3.31 billion, an increase of $103.1 million, or 3.2%, over total deposits of $3.20 billion at June 30, 2022, and an increase of $450.9 million, or 15.8%, over total deposits of $2.85 billion at September 30, 2021. Deposit growth in the third quarter of 2022 was primarily due to an increase in savings and money market deposits and time deposits, offset partially by a decline in interest bearing transaction deposits and brokered deposits. In addition to the continued growth of core deposits, brokered deposits are also being used as a supplemental funding source, as needed, for the robust loan portfolio growth. Given the rapid rise in interest rates in 2022 and the prospect for more, management believes deposits could experience fluctuations in future periods.

The following table presents the dollar composition of the Company’s deposit portfolio, by category, at the dates indicated:

Capital

Total shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2022 was $382.0 million, an increase of $7.1 million compared to total shareholders’ equity of $374.9 million at June 30, 2022, and an increase of $14.2 million, or 3.9%, over total shareholders’ equity of $367.8 million at September 30, 2021. The linked-quarter increase was due to net income retained and unrealized gains in the derivatives portfolio, offset partially by unrealized losses in the securities portfolio. The year-over-year increase was due to net income retained and unrealized gains in the derivatives portfolio, offset partially by an increase in stock repurchases made under the Company’s stock repurchase program and an increase in unrealized losses in the securities portfolio.

During the third quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased 99,310 shares of its common stock. Shares were repurchased at a weighted average price of $16.27 per share, for a total of $1.6 million. On August 18, 2022, the Company announced that its board of directors approved a new stock repurchase program which authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $25.0 million of its common stock, subject to certain limitations and conditions. The new stock repurchase program replaced and superseded the $40.0 million stock repurchase program, under which approximately $1.6 million remained. As of September 30, 2022, no shares have been repurchased under the new plan. The Company remains committed to maintaining strong capital levels while enhancing shareholder value as it strategically executes its stock repurchase program based on various factors including valuation, capital levels and other uses of capital.

Tangible book value per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $11.33 as of September 30, 2022, an increase of 2.7% from $11.03 as of June 30, 2022, and an increase of 6.6% from $10.62 as of September 30, 2021. The linked-quarter and year-over-year increase occurred despite the market value depreciation of the securities portfolio driven by the rapidly rising interest rate environment, which continues to negatively impact accumulated other comprehensive income. Tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets, a non-GAAP financial measure, was 7.57% at September 30, 2022, compared to 7.87% at June 30, 2022, and 8.81% at September 30, 2021.

Today the Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its 5.875% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A ("Series A Preferred Stock"). The quarterly cash dividend of $36.72 per share, equivalent to $0.3672 per depositary share, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share of the Series A Preferred Stock (Nasdaq: BWBBP), is payable on December 1, 2022 to shareholders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock at the close of business on November 15, 2022.

Asset Quality

Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percent of average loans were (0.03)% for the third quarter of 2022, compared to 0.00% for each of the previous four quarters. At September 30, 2022, the Company’s nonperforming assets, which include nonaccrual loans, loans past due 90 days and still accruing, and foreclosed assets, were $663,000, or 0.02% of total assets, as compared to $688,000, or 0.02% of total assets at June 30, 2022, and $734,000, or 0.02% of total assets at September 30, 2021.

Loans that have potential weaknesses that warrant a watchlist risk rating at September 30, 2022 totaled $22.8 million, compared to $34.7 million at June 30, 2022, and $67.4 million at September 30, 2021. The linked-quarter decrease was primarily due to the migration of one relationship to substandard and the payoff of one other relationship. Loans that warranted a substandard risk rating at September 30, 2022 totaled $30.8 million, compared to $27.0 million at June 30, 2022, and $7.7 million at September 30, 2021.

The following table presents a summary of asset quality measurements at the dates indicated: