Blue Foundry Bancorp(US:BLFY)2025-01-29 17:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a quarterly net loss of $2.7 million, an improvement from a net loss of $4 million in the prior quarter [3][7] - Net interest income increased by $386,000, leading to a 7 basis point improvement in net interest margin [7][8] - Tangible book value per share remained flat at $14.74 [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross loans increased by $32.5 million during the quarter, predominantly in owner-occupied commercial real estate [10] - The yield on loans improved by 4 basis points to 4.57% [8] - The company funded $59 million of loans during the quarter, yielding approximately 7.5% [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits grew by $25 million, with a 17% increase in non-interest bearing accounts [3][11] - Non-performing assets declined modestly, with non-performing assets to assets and non-performing loans to loans remaining relatively flat at 25 basis points and 33 basis points respectively [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform into a more commercially oriented institution, focusing on attracting full banking relationships with small to medium-sized businesses [4] - A strategic plan is in place to develop new relationships and deepen existing ones within the communities served [4] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the improvement in yield on interest-earning assets and cost of interest-bearing liabilities, indicating a potential inflection point in net interest margin [4] - The company expects continued balance sheet and interest income growth while remaining disciplined in underwriting standards [5] Other Important Information - The company has robust liquidity with $408 million in untapped borrowing capacity and $211 million in unencumbered available-for-sale securities and unrestricted cash [6] - The allowance for credit losses was released by $301,000, primarily due to loan growth from commitments made in the previous quarter [9][10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations and multifamily sector performance - Management indicated that they are focusing on growing the commercial book and are monitoring concentration limits in the multifamily space [15] Question: Pipeline activity and future growth - Management noted an improvement in the pipeline, with $60 million of commercial loans in letters of intent [16] Question: Deposit cost progression and margin expectations - Management reported a decrease in deposit costs to 2.9% and anticipates further improvements as rates trend lower [17][19] Question: Expense guidance for 2025 - Management expects operating expenses to remain in the mid to high $13 million range for 2025 [28] Question: Variable compensation metrics for 2025 - The compensation metrics are aligned with growth in loans, deposits, and net interest margin [30] Question: Construction portfolio yields - The yields on the construction portfolio are expected to be between 50 to 100 basis points above the prime rate [31]