HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “HarborOne”) (NASDAQ: HONE), the holding company for HarborOne Bank (the “Bank”), announced net income of $7.3 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024, compared to a net income of $7.3 million, or $0.17 per diluted share for the preceding quarter, and net income of $7.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share for the same period last year. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $14.6 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to $14.8 million, or $0.33 per diluted share for the same period in 2023.

Selected Financial Highlights:

• Loan growth of $62.5 million, or 5.2% annualized; client deposit growth of $66.9 million, or 6.7% annualized.
• Improved asset quality; nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans were 0.20% compared to 0.25% last quarter.
• Net interest margin improvement to 2.31% from 2.25% on a linked-quarter basis.
• Commenced new share repurchase program to repurchase approximately 5% of outstanding shares over the next year.
• $1.8 million gain on sale of former Bank headquarters, partially offset by a $1.0 million loss on sale of low-yielding securities.

“I am pleased with our team’s execution this quarter, producing 19% annualized revenue growth, and improved net interest margin, through balanced loan and deposit growth,” said Joseph F. Casey, President and CEO. “Additionally, we improved our already solid asset quality.”

Net Interest Income

Net interest and dividend income was $31.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $30.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and $32.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The tax equivalent interest rate spread and net interest margin were 1.66% and 2.31%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to 1.62% and 2.25%, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and 1.89% and 2.45%, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

On a linked-quarter basis, the increase in the net interest margin, interest rate spread and net interest and dividend income reflects average interest-earning assets increasing $1.6 million and the yield on interest-earning assets increasing 7 basis points, while average interest-bearing liabilities decreased $10.9 million and the cost of those liabilities increased 3 basis points. The cost of interest-bearing deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased 10 basis points, primarily due to certificate of deposit rollovers at higher rates. Average checking account balances increased $25.7 million on a linked-quarter basis.

The $750,000 decrease in net interest and dividend income from the prior year quarter reflects an increase of $7.9 million, or 27.5%, in total interest expense, partially offset by an increase of $7.2 million, or 11.8%, in total interest and dividend income. The total cost of funding liabilities increased 53 basis points, while the average balance increased $199.2 million, and the yield on interest-earning assets increased 35 basis points, while the average balance increased $216.7 million.

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income improved $1.2 million, or 11.0%, to $11.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, from $10.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. HarborOne Mortgage, LLC (“HarborOne Mortgage”) capitalized on the seasonal increase in residential real estate sales, with gain on loan sales of $3.1 million from mortgage closings of $173.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $2.0 million from mortgage loan closings of $102.1 million on a linked-quarter basis. Mortgage loan closings for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 were $172.2 million with a gain on loan sales of $3.3 million. The rate-locked pipeline is up $29.0 million on a linked-quarter basis and up $11.5 million compared to June 30, 2023.

The mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) valuation declined $273,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to an increase of $628,000 in the MSR valuation for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Although key benchmark interest rates used in the valuation model increased slightly from the prior quarter, the MSR valuation was negative as a result of model assumption caps. The impact on the MSR valuation of principal payments on the underlying mortgages was $545,000 and $353,000 for the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively. During the first quarter of 2024, HarborOne Mortgage executed an economic hedge to partially mitigate potential MSR valuation losses in a declining rate environment. For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, the hedging loss was $280,000 and $221,000, respectively.

Total noninterest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 included a $1.8 million gain on the sale-leaseback of the building that currently houses HarborOne’s Legion Parkway banking center in downtown Brockton and previously served as the Bank’s headquarters. The sale-leaseback continues the Company’s longtime commitment to Brockton, which was made in conjunction with a partnership to revitalize the downtown area, with plans for a mixed-use property that includes a lease-back by the Company for a state-of-the-art HarborOne banking center. The gain was partially offset by $675,000 in contribution expense from the bargain purchase element of the property sale and a $1.0 million loss on the sale of $17.5 million of available-for-sale securities with a weighted average book yield of 2.84%, as we take opportunities to improve the yield on earning assets. Management utilized the proceeds upon settlement to pay down wholesale funding carrying a rate of approximately 5.53%.

Total noninterest income decreased $743,000, or 5.9%, compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to a $1.6 million, or 27.2%, decrease in mortgage banking income, partially offset by the gain noted above. The prior year quarter also reflected a $915,000 million increase in the MSR valuation.

Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest expense increased $1.3 million, or 4.4%, to $33.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, from $31.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The primary driver was a $1.3 million increase in compensation and benefits expenses due to both an increase in mortgage bankers during the quarter, and an increase in mortgage originator’s commission consistent with the increase in residential real estate mortgage origination volume. Additionally, marketing expense increased $552,000, primarily due to the $675,000 contribution expense noted above.

Total noninterest expense increased $1.4 million, or 4.5%, compared to the prior year quarter of $31.7 million. The primary driver was a $756,000 increase in compensation and benefits expenses due to accruals for incentive expense in the current period and none in the prior year period.

Asset Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses

Total nonperforming assets were $9.8 million at June 30, 2024, compared to $12.2 million at March 31, 2024 and $20.2 million at June 30, 2023. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.17% at June 30, 2024, 0.21% at March 31, 2024, and 0.36% at June 30, 2023. During the second quarter of 2024, a single nonperforming credit, included in the business-oriented hotel loan segment, with a carrying value of $1.8 million, was paid-off.

The Company recorded a $615,000 provision for credit losses for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The provision for loan credit losses was $1.1 million, partially offset by a negative provision of $534,000 for unfunded commitments. For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, a negative provision for credit losses of $168,000 was recorded, a result of $506,000 negative provision for unfunded commitments partially offset by a provision for loan credit losses of $338,000. The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $3.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, driven by a provision for loan credit losses of $3.5 million and a negative $215,000 provision for unfunded commitments. Loan credit loss provisioning primarily reflects replenishment of the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on loans due to charge-offs and loan growth. The June 30, 2024 ACL estimate also includes annually updated model assumptions.

Net charge-offs totaled $195,000, or 0.02%, of average loans outstanding on an annualized basis, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, $125,000, or 0.01% of average loans outstanding on an annualized basis, for the quarter ended March 30, 2024, and $2.7 million, or 0.23% of average loans outstanding on an annualized basis, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

The ACL on loans was $49.1 million, or 1.02% of total loans, at June 30, 2024, compared to $48.2 million, or 1.01% of total loans, at March 31, 2024 and $47.8 million, or 1.02% of total loans, at June 30, 2023. The ACL on unfunded commitments, included in other liabilities on the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, amounted to $2.9 million at June 30, 2024, compared to $3.4 million at March 31, 2024 and $4.8 million at June 30, 2023.

Management continues to closely monitor the loan portfolio for signs of deterioration in light of speculation that commercial real estate values may deteriorate as the market adjusts to higher vacancies and interest rates. The commercial real estate portfolio is centered in New England, with approximately 75% of the portfolio secured by property located in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Approximately 60% of the commercial real estate loans are fixed-rate loans which, in the opinion of management, have limited near-term maturity risk. As of June 30, 2024 and March 31, 2024, commercial loans rated “watch” amounted to $87.7 million and $67.9 million, respectively. Loans are rated “watch” at the point when there are signs of potential weakness. Management performs comprehensive reviews and works proactively with creditworthy borrowers facing financial distress and implements prudent workouts and accommodations to improve the Bank’s prospects of contractual repayment.

Three sub-sectors that management identified as potentially more susceptible to weakness includes business-oriented hotels, non-anchored retail space, and metro office space. As of June 30, 2024, business-oriented hotels loans included 12 loans with a total outstanding balance of $119.7 million, non-anchored retail space loans included 29 loans with a total outstanding balance of $48.6 million, and metro office space loans included one loan with a total outstanding balance of $6.2 million. All of the loans in these groups were performing in accordance with their terms.

Balance Sheet

Total assets decreased $75.2 million, or 1.3%, to $5.79 billion at June 30, 2024, from $5.86 billion at March 31, 2024. The linked-quarter decrease primarily reflects a decrease in cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by loan growth.

Available-for-sale securities decreased $21.9 million to $269.1 million at June 30, 2024 from $291.0 million at March 31, 2024 due to the sale noted above. The unrealized loss on securities available for sale decreased to $65.3 million as of June 30, 2024, as compared to $67.0 million of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2024. Securities held to maturity were flat at $19.7 million, or 0.3% of total assets, at June 30, 2024.

Loans increased $62.5 million, or 1.3%, to $4.84 billion at June 30, 2024, from $4.78 billion at March 31, 2024. The linked-quarter increase was primarily due to increases in commercial and industrial loans of $27.8 million, commercial real estate loans of $25.2 million, and $11.0 million of residential mortgage loans.

Total deposits increased $64.3 million to $4.46 billion at June 30, 2024 from $4.39 billion at March 31, 2024. Compared to the prior quarter, non-certificate accounts decreased $66.0 million and term certificate accounts increased $133.0 million, as a competitive rate environment continued to pressure deposit mix and rates. Brokered deposits decreased $2.7 million. As of June 30, 2024, FDIC-insured deposits were approximately 76% of total deposits, including Bank subsidiary deposits.

Borrowed funds decreased $135.0 million to $619.4 million at June 30, 2024 from $754.4 million at March 31, 2024, as excess liquidity was used to paydown high rate borrowings. As of June 30, 2024, the Bank had $1.16 billion in available borrowing capacity across multiple relationships.

Total stockholders’ equity was $577.3 million at June 30, 2024, compared to $577.7 million at March 31, 2024. Stockholders’ equity decreased 0.1% when compared to the prior quarter, as net income was offset by share repurchases and dividends. The Company continues to implement and execute share repurchase programs, repurchasing 1,230,353 shares at an average price of $10.37, including $0.10 per share of excise tax, during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The tangible-common-equity-to-tangible-assets ratio⁽¹⁾ was 9.03% at June 30, 2024, 8.92% at March 31, 2024, and 9.38% at June 30, 2023. At June 30, 2024, the Company and the Bank had strong capital positions, exceeding all regulatory capital requirements, and are considered well-capitalized.

About HarborOne Bancorp, Inc.

HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for HarborOne Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered trust company. HarborOne Bank serves the financial needs of consumers, businesses, and municipalities throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island through a network of 30 full-service banking centers located in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and commercial lending offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. HarborOne Bank also provides a range of educational resources through “HarborOne U,” with free digital content, webinars, and recordings for small business and personal financial education. HarborOne Mortgage, LLC, a subsidiary of HarborOne Bank, provides mortgage lending services throughout New England and other states.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may also make forward-looking statements in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in our annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by our officers, directors or employees. Such statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “will,” “would,” “expects,” “project,” “may,” “could,” “developments,” “strategic,” “launching,” “opportunities,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets” and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, changes in general business and economic conditions (including inflation and concerns about inflation) on a national basis and in the local markets in which the Company operates, including changes that adversely affect borrowers’ ability to service and repay the Company’s loans; changes in interest rates; changes in customer behavior; ongoing turbulence in the capital and debt markets and the impact of such conditions on the Company’s business activities; increases in loan default and charge-off rates; decreases in the value of securities in the Company’s investment portfolio; fluctuations in real estate values; the possibility that future credit losses may be higher than currently expected due to changes in economic assumptions, customer behavior or adverse economic developments; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and investments; competitive pressures from other financial institutions; cybersecurity incidents, fraud, natural disasters, war, terrorism, civil unrest, and future pandemics; changes in regulation; changes in accounting standards and practices; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s financial statements will become impaired; demand for loans in the Company’s market area; the Company’s ability to attract and maintain deposits; risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings; the risk that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy; changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements and the risk factors described in the Annual Report on Form 10‑K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q as filed with the SEC, which are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, HarborOne’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes, except as required by law.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), this press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. The Company’s management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information, which consists of income statement results excluding the goodwill impairment charge, total adjusted noninterest expense excluding the goodwill impairment charge, diluted earnings per share excluding the goodwill impairment charge, return on average assets (ROAA), excluding the goodwill impairment charge, return on average equity (ROAE), excluding goodwill impairment charge, the efficiency ratio, efficiency ratio excluding the goodwill impairment charge, tangible-common-equity-to-tangible-assets ratio and tangible book value per share, are utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company’s financial condition and therefore, such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names.