EQB delivers ROE ahead of target with record quarterly revenue and pre-provision pre-tax earnings and a 7% q/q and 22% y/y dividend increase

May 29 2024 22:05 BST

TORONTO , May 29, 2024 /CNW/ - EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) (TSX: EQB.PR.C) today reported record revenue and pre-provision, pre-tax earnings for the three and six months ended April 30, 2024 that reflected growth in revenue from margin expansion and higher non-interest revenue including a full quarter of results from ACM Advisors, increasing loans under management and EQ Bank customers and deposits. Equitable Bank reported a net reduction in total Gross Impaired Loans (GILs) from the first quarter driven by a 22% reduction in commercial banking GILs.

EQB changed its fiscal year in 2023 to end October 31, resulting in a one-time 10-month transition year and a four-month final quarter of 2023. As a result, the comparisons below are shown year-over-year from the first quarter ending March 31, 2023, as the most similar and comparable three-month period ("y/y").

Second quarter 2024 compared to first quarter of 2024 and 2023:

Adjusted ROE¹15.9% (reported 15.1%)
Adjusted diluted EPS¹ $2.81, +2% q/q, +7% y/y (reported $2.67, +0.4% q/q, +4% y/y)
Revenue $317 million, +6% q/q, +20% y/y
Net Interest Margin 2.11%, +10 bps q/q, +16 bps y/y
PPPT: $173.5 million, +5% q/q, +20% y/y (reported $166.2 million, +4% q/q, +18% y/y)
Adjusted net income¹ $111 million, +2% q/q, +9% y/y (reported $106 million, +1% q/q, +6% y/y)
Total AUM + AUA² $123.5 billion, +4% q/q, +18% y/y
EQ Bank customer growth +7% q/q and +36% y/y to over 457,000 customers
Book value per share $73.73, +3% q/q, +14% y/y
Common share dividends $0.45 per share, +7% q/q, +22% y/y
Total capital ratio 15.3% with CET1 of 14.1%

Six months ended April 30, 2024 compared to six months ended March 31, 2023:

Adjusted ROE¹15.7% (reported 15.0%)
Adjusted diluted EPS¹ $5.57, +9% y/y (reported $5.33, +41% y/y)
Adjusted net income¹ $219.4 million, +13% y/y (reported $210.1 million, +45% y/y)

"The execution of our Challenger Bank strategy, guided by our approach to managing risk and allocating capital, is clearly and sustainably delivering exceptional customer and shareholder value," said Andrew Moor, president and CEO. "With the momentum of our Second Chance campaign, over 31,000 new EQ Bank customers joined us for a discernably better banking experience. Arrears in the commercial loan book improved in the quarter, as expected, and we continue to expect moderation in PCLs in the second half of 2024. Continuing development of our EQ Bank digital banking platform with the launches of an innovative Notice Deposit Savings Account and EQ Bank for small business position us to deliver even more value for more customers and expand the value of the Bank's franchise."

¹ Adjusted measures and ratios are Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) measures and ratios. Adjusted measures and ratios are calculated in the same manner as reported measures and ratios, except that financial information included in the calculation of adjusted measures and ratios is adjusted to exclude the impact of the Concentra Bank and ACM acquisition and integration related costs and other non-recurring items which management determines would have a significant impact on a reader's assessment of business performance. For additional information and a reconciliation of reported results to adjusted results, see the "Non-GAAP financial measures and ratios" section.

² These are non-GAAP measures, see the "Non-GAAP financial measures and ratios" section.

EQ Bank added over 31,000 customers in Q2 growing to 457,000, +7% q/q and +36% y/y

The "Second Chance" marketing campaign across English Canada with Eugene and Dan Levy and "Deuxième chance" across Québec with Diane Lavallée et Laurence Leboeuf continued to encourage Canadians to move on from their first-ever bank accounts to EQ Bank / Banque EQ's Personal Account that combines the best features of high interest chequing with no fees
EQ Bank continues to challenge the status quo with the launch of an innovative Notice Deposit Savings Account, providing Canadians a new way to earn higher rates on their savings
An invite-only launch of EQ Bank's Small Business banking solution was completed at the end of Q2, that will help Canadians manage day-to-day transactions, save and earn more with an easy, secure and differentiated experience. Later this summer this experience will be available to millions of eligible small business owners across Canada

Strong funding growth and diversification with EQ Bank increasing 4% q/q to $8.7 billion

Equitable Bank total deposits remain more than 95% term or insured and increased +6% q/q and +7% y/y to $33.6 billion, with EQ Bank deposits increasing $325 million in the second quarter
On April 8, Equitable Bank issued a $300 million fixed rate deposit note. This was the bank's first issuance since 2022. The offer was 4.2 times oversubscribed and attracted a record 47 investors of which one-third were new to the Equitable Bank program. The successful issuance led to significant narrowing of the bank's credit spread
On April 23, Equitable Bank completed the first-ever European Social Covered Bond issued by a Canadian Bank, raising a benchmark €500 million (CAD $735 million) in an 8 times over-subscribed issuance with 100+ investors of which approximately two-thirds are new to Equitable Bank's Covered Bond Programme. Social bond issuance is a natural extension of the Bank's sustainable business practices that enables it to further support lending activities with a social benefit
Equitable Bank holds $4.5 billion in liquid assets for regulatory purposes, which cover 74% of all demand deposits with sufficient contingency funding available to cover the balance

Personal Banking loans under management reach $32.8 billion with strong retention

Single family uninsured portfolio increased to $19.9 billion, +0.5% q/q, as strong customer retention offset the impact of slower housing market activity on new originations
Decumulation lending assets (including reverse mortgages and insurance lending) +10% q/q and +57% y/y to $1.7 billion, with growth accelerating as a result of successful consumer advertising that bolstered public awareness, strong broker service and value to the borrower

Commercial Banking loans under management +$1.5 billion q/q to $32.7 billion

The Bank continues to prioritize multi-unit residential lending in major cities across the country with nearly 77% of its total commercial loans under management ("LUM") insured through various CMHC programs. Insured multi-unit residential LUM +7% q/q and +35% y/y to $22.6 billion
The Canadian commercial office real estate market continues to experience significant economic challenges; however, as part of the Bank's risk appetite, only ~1% of the Bank's loan assets are associated with offices, and those balances declined in the quarter. Equitable Bank's office lending is mostly restricted to properties located in major urban centres and to smaller buildings

Provisions reflect credit risk at this point in the cycle, expected to moderate

The Bank is appropriately reserved for credit losses with net allowances as a percentage of total loan assets of 23 bps, compared to 22 bps at January 31, 2024, and 19 bps at March 31, 2023
Provision for credit losses (PCL) of $22.2 million in Q2 reflected the impacts of both future expected losses driven by macroeconomic forecasts and loss modelling, Stage 3 provisions of $11.1 million associated with residential and commercial lending, and provisions of $14.0 million associated with the equipment financing business. Realized loan losses excluding equipment financing were $1.8 million for the quarter, representing 0.4bps of lending assets
Net impaired loans decreased by $10.8 million to $441.9 million, representing 92 bps of total loan assets compared to 94 bps at January 31, 2024, and +60 bps from March 31, 2023. Net commercial impaired loans (excl. equipment financing) declined by $68.4 million to 133 bps from 183 bps at January 31, 2024 and up from 57 bps at March 31, 2023 with several commercial loans resolving

EQB increases common share dividend

EQB's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.45 per common share payable on June 28, 2024, to shareholders of record as of June 14, 2024, representing a +7% increase from the dividend paid in March 2024 and 22% above the payment made in June 2023
The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.373063 per preferred share, payable on June 28, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business June 14, 2024
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial legislation, dividends declared are eligible dividends, unless otherwise indicated

"The first half of 2024 has been trending to our expectations with strong revenue, earnings growth and ROE well-above target at nearly 16% year-to-date. This reflects how the EQB business model is positioned to perform across economic cycles. We have momentum for strong performance in the second half of the year and have high confidence in the quality of our credit book. We are continuing to invest in growing the long-term value of our Challenger franchise and are pleased to be rewarding our shareholders with another consecutive dividend increase," said Chadwick Westlake, CFO, EQB.

Analyst conference call and webcast: 10:00 a.m. Eastern May 30, 2024

EQB's Andrew Moor, president and CEO, Chadwick Westlake, CFO, and Marlene Lenarduzzi, CRO, will host the company's second quarter conference call and webcast. The listen-only webcast with accompanying slides will be available at: eqb.investorroom.com. To access the conference call with operator assistance, dial 416-764-8609 five minutes prior to the start time.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated balance sheet (unaudited)

($000s) As at	April 30, 2024	October 31, 2023	March 31, 2023
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	657,219	549,474	345,621
Restricted cash	783,148	767,195	666,530
Securities purchased under reverse repurchase agreements	1,399,955	908,833	732,608
Investments	1,817,916	2,120,645	2,483,604
Loans – Personal	32,823,421	32,390,527	32,183,036
Loans – Commercial	15,085,481	14,970,604	14,397,192
Securitization retained interests	663,593	559,271	410,441
Deferred tax assets	14,921	14,230	15,024
Other assets	694,542	652,675	558,962
Total assets	53,940,196	52,933,454	51,793,018
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits	34,123,703	31,996,450	31,589,063
Securitization liabilities	15,181,341	14,501,161	15,311,657
Obligations under repurchase agreements	-	1,128,238	904,658
Deferred tax liabilities	148,549	128,436	92,417
Funding facilities	839,841	1,731,587	768,717
Other liabilities	630,954	602,039	515,871
Total liabilities	50,924,388	50,087,911	49,182,383
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred shares	181,411	181,411	181,411
Common shares	495,707	471,014	463,862
Contributed (deficit) surplus	(24,811)	12,795	12,002
Retained earnings	2,359,116	2,185,480	1,954,394
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,804)	(5,157)	(1,034)
	3,003,619	2,845,543	2,610,635
Non-controlling interests	12,189	-	-
Total equity	3,015,808	2,845,543	2,610,635
Total liabilities and equity	53,940,196	52,933,454	51,793,018

Consolidated statement of income (unaudited)

	Three months ended		Six months ended
($000s, except per share amounts)	April 30, 2024	March 31, 2023	April 30, 2024	March 31, 2023
Interest income:
Loans – Personal	482,299	391,816	951,253	719,412
Loans – Commercial	257,842	241,768	520,723	460,196
Investments	16,879	21,893	34,755	32,647
Other	27,209	17,352	49,308	36,650
	784,229	672,829	1,556,039	1,248,905
Interest expense:
Deposits	366,002	293,231	724,564	537,644
Securitization liabilities	131,776	118,174	259,029	211,337
Funding facilities	13,521	7,918	28,804	18,942
Other	5,592	12,709	20,294	21,860
	516,891	432,032	1,032,691	789,783
Net interest income	267,338	240,797	523,348	459,122
Non-interest revenue:
Fees and other income	20,564	13,898	37,179	24,401
Net gains (losses) on loans and investments	7,129	(3,300)	12,122	(8,514)
Gain on sale and income from retained interests	23,177	14,332	42,586	23,579
Net (losses) gains on securitization activities and derivatives	(1,548)	2,104	197	3,950
	49,322	27,034	92,084	43,416
Revenue	316,660	267,831	615,432	502,538
Provision for credit losses	22,217	6,248	37,752	33,044
Revenue after provision for credit losses	294,443	261,583	577,680	469,494
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits	66,961	58,362	132,330	123,361
Other	83,459	68,186	157,575	142,367
	150,420	126,548	289,905	265,728
Income before income taxes	144,023	135,035	287,775	203,766
Income taxes:
Current	32,734	28,651	71,268	50,805
Deferred	5,573	6,865	6,409	7,623
	38,307	35,516	77,677	58,428
Net income	105,716	99,519	210,098	145,338
Dividends on preferred shares	2,346	2,318	4,703	4,623
Net income available to common shareholders and non- controlling interests	103,370	97,201	205,395	140,715
Net income attributable to:
Common shareholders	103,041	97,201	204,916	140,715
Non-controlling interests	329	-	479	-
	103,370	97,201	205,395	140,715
Earnings per share:
Basic	2.70	2.58	5.38	3.81
Diluted	2.67	2.56	5.33	3.78

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (unaudited)

	Three months ended		Six months ended
($000s)	April 30, 2024	March 31, 2023	April 30, 2024	March 31, 2023
Net income	105,716	99,519	210,098	145,338
Other comprehensive income – items that will be reclassified subsequently to income:
Debt instruments at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income:
Reclassification of losses from AOCI on sale of investments	(30)	-	(143)	-
Net unrealized (losses) gains from change in fair value	(16,240)	14,974	25,321	13,186
Reclassification of net losses (gains) to income	17,217	(12,205)	(18,497)	(8,220)
Other comprehensive income – items that will not be reclassified subsequently to income:
Equity instruments designated at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income:
Reclassification of gains from AOCI on sale of investments	-	-	-	604
Net unrealized gains (losses) from change in fair value	3,132	(793)	1,552	(2,336)
Reclassification of net (gains) losses to retained earnings	-	(22)	-	776
	4,079	1,954	8,233	4,010
Income tax expense	(1,090)	(542)	(2,233)	(727)
	2,989	1,412	6,000	3,283
Cash flow hedges:
Net unrealized gains (losses) from change in fair value	11,961	(15,802)	(269)	(10,752)
Reclassification of net gains to income	(5,070)	(651)	(11,764)	(2,047)
	6,891	(16,453)	(12,033)	(12,799)
Income tax (expense) recovery	(1,879)	4,569	3,282	3,611
	5,012	(11,884)	(8,751)	(9,188)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	8,001	(10,472)	(2,751)	(5,905)
Total comprehensive income	113,717	89,047	207,347	139,433
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Common shareholders	113,388	89,047	206,868	139,433
Non-controlling interests	329	-	479	-
	113,717	89,047	207,347	139,433

Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity (unaudited)

($000s) Three-month period ended	April 30, 2024
	Preferred Shares	Common Shares	Contributed Deficit	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
	Preferred Shares	Common Shares	Contributed Deficit	Retained Earnings	Cash Flow Hedges	Financial Instruments at FVOCI	Total	Attributable to equity holders	Non-controlling interests	Total
Balance, beginning of period	181,411	489,944	(23,055)	2,272,116	29,855	(45,681)	(15,826)	2,904,590	12,460	2,917,050
Net Income	-	-	-	105,387	-	-	-	105,387	329	105,716
Transfer of AOCI losses to income	-	-	-	-	-	21	21	21	-	21
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-	-	-	-	5,012	2,989	8,001	8,001	-	8,001
Exercise of stock options	-	4,881	-	-	-	-	-	4,881	-	4,881
Dividends:
Preferred shares	-	-	-	(2,346)	-	-	-	(2,346)	-	(2,346)
Common shares	-	-	-	(16,041)	-	-	-	(16,041)	(600)	(16,641)
Share tender rights	-	-	(1,974)	-	-	-	-	(1,974)	-	(1,974)
Stock-based compensation	-	-	1,100	-	-	-	-	1,100	-	1,100
Transfer relating to the exercise of stock options	-	882	(882)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Balance, end of period	181,411	495,707	(24,811)	2,359,116	34,867	(42,671)	(7,804)	3,003,619	12,189	3,015,808

($000s) Three -month period ended	March 31, 2023
	Preferred Shares	Common Shares	Contributed Surplus	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
	Preferred Shares	Common Shares	Contributed Surplus	Retained Earnings	Cash Flow Hedges	Financial Instruments at FVOCI	Total	Attributable to equity holders	Non-controlling interests	Total
Balance, beginning of period	181,411	462,561	11,445	1,870,100	42,016	(32,578)	9,438	2,534,955	-	2,534,955
Net Income	-	-	-	99,519	-	-	-	99,519	-	99,519
Realized gain on sale of financial instruments	-	-	-	271	-	-	-	271	-	271
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-	-	-	-	(11,884)	1,412	(10,472)	(10,472)	-	(10,472)
Exercise of stock options	-	3,763	-	-	-	-	-	3,763	-	3,763
Share issuance cost, net of tax	-	(2,908)	-	-	-	-	-	(2,908)	-	(2,908)
Dividends:
Preferred shares	-	-	-	(2,318)	-	-	-	(2,318)	-	(2,318)
Common shares	-	-	-	(13,178)	-	-	-	(13,178)	-	(13,178)
Stock-based compensation	-	-	1,003	-	-	-	-	1,003	-	1,003
Transfer relating to the exercise of stock options	-	446	(446)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Balance, end of period	181,411	463,862	12,002	1,954,394	30,132	(31,166)	(1,034)	2,610,635	-	2,610,635

($000s) Six -month period ended	April 30, 2024
	Preferred Shares	Common Shares	Contributed Surplus (Deficit)	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
	Preferred Shares	Common Shares	Contributed Surplus (Deficit)	Retained Earnings	Cash Flow Hedges	Financial Instruments at FVOCI	Total	Attributable to equity holders	Non-controlling interests	Total
Balance, beginning of period	181,411	471,014	12,795	2,185,480	43,618	(48,775)	(5,157)	2,845,543	-	2,845,543
Non-controlling interests on acquisition	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	12,310	12,310
Net Income	-	-	-	209,619	-	-	-	209,619	479	210,098
Transfer of AOCI losses to income	-	-	-	-	-	104	104	104	-	104
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-	-	-	-	(8,751)	6,000	(2,751)	(2,751)	-	(2,751)
Common shares issued	-	11,000	-	-	-	-	-	11,000	-	11,000
Exercise of stock options	-	11,839	-	-	-	-	-	11,839	-	11,839
Dividends:
Preferred shares	-	-	-	(4,703)	-	-	-	(4,703)	-	(4,703)
Common shares	-	-	-	(31,280)	-	-	-	(31,280)	(600)	(31,880)
Share tender rights	-	-	(37,865)	-	-	-	-	(37,865)	-	(37,865)
Stock-based compensation	-	-	2,113	-	-	-	-	2,113	-	2,113
Transfer relating to the exercise of stock options	-	1,854	(1,854)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Balance, end of period	181,411	495,707	(24,811)	2,359,116	34,867	(42,671)	(7,804)	3,003,619	12,189	3,015,808

($000s) Six -month period ended	March 31, 2023
	Preferred Shares	Common Shares	Contributed Surplus	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
					Cash Flow Hedges	Financial Instruments at FVOCI	Total	Attributable to equity holders	Non- controlling interests	Total
Balance, beginning of period	70,424	236,368	10,908	1,839,561	39,320	(34,928)	4,392	2,161,653	-	2,161,653
Net Income	-	-	-	145,338	-	-	-	145,338	-	145,338
Realized gain on sale of financial instruments	-	-	-	(317)	-	-	-	(317)	-	(317)
Transfer of AOCI losses to retained earnings	-	-	-	-	-	446	446	446	-	446
Investment elimination on acquisition	-	-	-	-	-	33	33	33	-	33
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-	-	-	-	(9,188)	3,283	(5,905)	(5,905)	-	(5,905)
Common shares issued	-	223,112	-	-	-	-	-	223,112	-	223,112
Exercise of stock options	-	7,196	-	-	-	-	-	7,196	-	7,196
Share issuance cost, net of tax	-	(2,908)	-	-	-	-	-	(2,908)	-	(2,908)
Dividend payout from principal	-	(655)	-	-	-	-	-	(655)	-	(655)
Dividends:
Preferred shares	-	-	-	(4,623)	-	-	-	(4,623)	-	(4,623)
Common shares	-	-	-	(25,565)	-	-	-	(25,565)	-	(25,565)
Stock-based compensation	-	-	1,843	-	-	-	-	1,843	-	1,843
Transfer relating to the exercise of stock options	-	749	(749)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Shares on acquisition	110,987	-	-	-	-	-	-	110,987	-	110,987
Balance, end of period	181,411	463,862	12,002	1,954,394	30,132	(31,166)	(1,034)	2,610,635	-	2,610,635

Consolidated statement of cash flows (unaudited)

	Three months ended		Six months ended
($000s)	April 30, 2024	March 31, 2023	April 30, 2024	March 31, 2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	105,716	99,519	210,098	145,338
Adjustments for non-cash items in net income:
Financial instruments at fair value through income	(5,177)	(38,426)	11,360	(46,628)
Amortization of premiums/discount on investments	(34,159)	1,784	(31,029)	2,058
Amortization of capital assets and intangible costs	11,679	12,244	23,120	31,374
Provision for credit losses	22,217	6,248	37,752	33,044
Securitization gains	(17,486)	(12,745)	(32,002)	(19,942)
Stock-based compensation	1,100	1,003	2,113	1,843
Income taxes	38,307	35,516	77,677	58,428
Securitization retained interests	30,701	19,857	58,634	35,054
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	(120,389)	71,126	(15,953)	(36,822)
Securities purchased under reverse repurchase agreements	(594,342)	(532,176)	(491,122)	17,464
Loans receivable, net of securitizations	(222,907)	(54,117)	(715,022)	(1,192,508)
Other assets	(7,205)	(26,449)	(8,531)	149,593
Deposits	1,887,780	503,951	2,089,142	921,190
Securitization liabilities	(205,820)	284,388	677,411	964,786
Obligations under repurchase agreements	(482,574)	239,351	(1,128,238)	155,777
Funding facilities	(493,062)	(470,987)	(891,746)	(385,673)
Subscription receipts	-	-	-	(232,018)
Other liabilities	47,598	(51,115)	41,636	(187,287)
Income taxes paid	(23,962)	(47,517)	(50,074)	(78,426)
Cash flows (used in) from operating activities	(61,985)	41,455	(134,774)	336,645
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	4,881	855	22,839	226,745
Term loan facility	-	-	-	275,000
Dividends paid on preferred shares	(2,346)	(2,318)	(4,703)	(4,622)
Dividends paid on common shares	(16,041)	(13,178)	(31,280)	(25,565)
Cash flows used in financing activities	(13,506)	(14,641)	(13,144)	471,558
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of investments	(8,004)	(547,308)	(344,423)	(1,065,737)
Acquisition of subsidiary	45	-	(75,483)	(495,369)
Proceeds on sale or redemption of investments	191,245	388,062	656,646	669,824
Net change in Canada Housing Trust re-investment accounts	28,954	(8,817)	46,959	168,640
Purchase of capital assets and system development costs	(23,289)	(8,236)	(28,036)	(38,939)
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities	188,951	(176,299)	255,663	(761,581)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	113,460	(149,485)	107,745	46,622
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	543,759	495,106	549,474	298,999
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	657,219	345,621	657,219	345,621
Cash flows from operating activities include:
Interest received	846,075	489,824	1,534,404	1,004,403
Interest paid	(443,052)	(234,912)	(814,672)	(378,241)
Dividends received	564	1,041	1,113	2,086

About EQB Inc.

EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB and EQB.PR.C) is a leading digital financial services company with $123 billion in combined assets under management and administration (as at April 30, 2024). It offers banking services through Equitable Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary and Canada's seventh largest bank by assets, and wealth management through ACM Advisors, a majority owned subsidiary specializing in alternative assets. As Canada's Challenger Bank™, Equitable Bank has a clear mission to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. It leverages technology to deliver exceptional personal and commercial banking experiences and services to over 639,000 customers and more than six million credit union members through its businesses. Through its digital EQ Bank platform (eqbank.ca), its customers have named it one of Canada's top banks on the Forbes World's Best Banks list since 2021.

Please visit eqb.investorroom.com for more details.

Investor contact:
David Lee
Associate Director, Investor Relations
investor_enquiry@eqb.com

Media contact:
Maggie Hall
Director, PR & Communications
maggie.hall@eqbank.ca

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made by EQB in the sections of this news release, in other filings with Canadian securities regulators and in other communications include forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (forward-looking statements). These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about EQB's objectives, strategies and initiatives, financial performance expectations and other statements made herein, whether with respect to EQB's businesses or the Canadian economy. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "planned", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases which state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved", or other similar expressions of future or conditional verbs. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, closing of transactions, performance or achievements of EQB to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to risks related to capital markets and additional funding requirements, fluctuating interest rates and general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory developments, changes in accounting standards, the nature of our customers and rates of default, and competition as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Management" in the MD&A and in EQB's documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All material assumptions used in making forward-looking statements are based on management's knowledge of current business conditions and expectations of future business conditions and trends, including their knowledge of the current credit, interest rate and liquidity conditions affecting EQB and the Canadian economy. Although EQB believes the assumptions used to make such statements are reasonable at this time and has attempted to identify in its continuous disclosure documents important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Certain material assumptions are applied by EQB in making forward-looking statements, including without limitation, assumptions regarding its continued ability to fund its mortgage business, a continuation of the current level of economic uncertainty that affects real estate market conditions, continued acceptance of its products in the marketplace, as well as no material changes in its operating cost structure and the current tax regime. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. EQB does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Financial Measures and Ratios

In addition to GAAP prescribed measures, this news release references certain non-GAAP measures, including adjusted financial results, that we believe provide useful information to investors regarding EQB's financial condition and results of operations. Readers are cautioned that non-GAAP measures often do not have any standardized meaning, and therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

Adjustments listed below are presented on a pre-tax basis:

Q2 2024

$5.7 million non-recurring expenses and acquisition and integration-related costs associated with Concentra and ACM; and
$1.6 million intangible asset amortization.

Q1 2024

$2.1 million acquisition and integration-related costs associated with Concentra and ACM, and
$3.4 million intangible asset amortization.

Q1 2023

$3.2 million net fair value amortization adjustments,
$4.7 million acquisition and integration-related costs, and
$1.5 million intangible asset amortization.

The following table presents a reconciliation of GAAP reported financial results to non-GAAP adjusted financial results.

Reconciliation of reported and adjusted financial results	For the three months ended			For the six months ended
($000, except share and per share amounts)	30-Apr-24	31-Jan-24	31-Mar-23	30-Apr-24	31-Mar-23
Reported results
Net interest income	267,338	256,010	240,797	523,348	459,122
Non-interest revenue	49,322	42,762	27,034	92,084	43,416
Revenue	316,660	298,772	267,831	615,432	502,538
Non-interest expense	150,420	139,485	126,548	289,905	265,728
Pre-provision pre-tax income ⁽³⁾	166,240	159,287	141,283	325,527	236,810
Provision for credit loss	22,217	15,535	6,248	37,752	33,044
Income tax expense	38,307	39,370	35,516	77,677	58,428
Net i ncome	105,716	104,382	99,519	210,098	145,338
Net income available to common shareholders	103,041	101,875	97,201	204,916	140,715
Adjustments
Net interest income – earned on the escrow account	-	-	-	-	(2,220)
Net interest income – fair value amortization/adjustments	-	-	(4,167)	-	(843)
Net interest income – paid to subscription receipt holders	-	-	-	-	(654)
Non-interest revenue – fair value amortization/adjustments	-	-	941	-	876
Non-interest expenses – non-recurring and acquisition-related costs ⁽¹⁾	(5,710)	(2,053)	(4,744)	(7,763)	(41,665)
Non-interest expenses – fair value amortization/adjustments	-	-	(66)	-	(66)
Non-interest expenses – intangible asset amortiz ation	(1,599)	(3,398)	(1,476)	(4,997)	(1,476)
Provision for credit loss – purchased loans	-	-	-	-	(19,020)
Pre-tax adjustments – income before tax	7,309	5,451	3,060	12,760	59,386
Income tax expense – tax impact on above adjustments ⁽²⁾	1,983	1,483	850	3,466	16,121
Income tax expense – 2022 tax rate adjustment	-	-	-	-	(5,621)
Post-tax ad justments – net income	5,326	3,968	2,210	9,294	48,886
Adjusted results
Net interest income	267,338	256,010	236,630	523,348	455,405
Non-interest revenue	49,322	42,762	27,975	92,084	44,292
Revenue	316,660	298,772	264,605	615,432	499,697
Non-interest expense	143,111	134,034	120,262	277,145	222,521
Pre-provision pre-tax income ⁽³⁾	173,549	164,738	144,343	338,287	277,176
Provision for credit loss	22,217	15,535	6,248	37,752	14,024
Income tax expenses	40,290	40,853	36,366	81,143	68,928
Net income	111,042	108,350	101,729	219,392	194,224
Net income available to common shareholders	108,177	105,719	99,411	213,896	189,601
Diluted earnings p er share
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	38,522,025	38,344,339	37,910,348	38,434,002	37,264,510
Diluted earnings per share – reported	2.67	2.66	2.56	5.33	3.78
Diluted earnings per share – adjusted	2.81	2.76	2.62	5.57	5.09
Diluted earnings per sh are – adjustment impact	0.14	0.10	0.06	0.24	1.31

(1) Includes non-recurring and acquisition and integration-related costs associated with Concentra Bank and ACM.
(2) Income tax expense associated with non-GAAP adjustment was calculated based on the statutory tax rate applicable for that period, taking into account the federal tax rate increase.
(3) This is a non-GAAP measure, see Other non-GAAP financial measures and ratios section.

Other non-GAAP financial measures and ratios:

Adjusted return on equity (ROE) is calculated on an annualized basis and is defined as adjusted net income available to common shareholders as a percentage of weighted average common shareholders' equity (reported) outstanding during the period.
Assets under administration (AUA): is sum of (1) assets over which EQB's subsidiaries have been named as trustee, custodian, executor, administrator, or other similar role; (2) loans held by credit unions for which EQB's subsidiaries act as servicer.
Assets under management (AUM): is the sum of total balance sheet assets, loan principal derecognized but still managed by EQB, and assets managed on behalf on investors.
Liquid assets: is a measure of EQB's cash or assets that can be readily converted into cash, which are held for the purposes of funding loans, deposit maturities, and the ability to collect other receivables and settle other obligations.
Loans under management (LUM): is the sum of loan principal reported on the consolidated balance sheet and loan principal derecognized but still managed by EQB.
Net interest margin (NIM): this profitability measure is calculated on an annualized basis by dividing net interest income by the average total interest earning assets for the period.
Pre-provision pre-tax income (PPPT): this is the difference between revenue and non-interest expenses.
Total loan assets: this is calculated on a gross basis (prior to allowance for credit losses) as the sum of both Loans – Personal and Loans – Commercial on the balance sheet and adding their associated allowance for credit losses.

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SOURCE EQB Inc.

Company Announcements

EQB delivers ROE ahead of target with record quarterly revenue and pre-provision pre-tax earnings and a 7% q/q and 22% y/y dividend increase