Company Announcements

TOPEKA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 23, 2025-- Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.^® (NASDAQ: CFFN) (the "Company," "we" or "our"), the parent company of Capitol Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank"), announced results today for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. For best viewing results, please view this release in Portable Document Format (PDF) on our website, https://ir.capfed.com.

Highlights for the current quarter include:

• net income of $15.4 million;
• basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.12;
• net interest margin of 1.92%, an increase of six basis points from the prior quarter; and
• on April 22, 2025, announced a cash dividend of $0.085 per share, payable on May 16, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 2, 2025.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company recognized net income of $15.4 million, or $0.12 per share, which was unchanged from the prior quarter. Net interest income after provision for credit losses was higher in the current quarter than the prior quarter, but was almost entirely offset by higher non-interest expense in the current quarter. The net interest margin increased six basis points, from 1.86% for the prior quarter to 1.92% for the current quarter due mainly to a decrease in the cost of deposits, specifically retail certificates of deposit.

Interest and Dividend Income

The following table presents the components of interest and dividend income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The decrease in interest income on loans receivable was due to a lower average balance during the current quarter compared to the prior quarter. During the current quarter, the loan portfolio continued to shift from one- to four-family loans to commercial loans; however, the commercial loan volume during the current quarter did not offset the decrease in the one- to four-family loan portfolio. As of March 31, 2025, the Bank had $136.5 million of commercial real estate loan commitments which are expected to fund during the June 30, 2025 quarter, mainly during April 2025. See additional discussion regarding the composition of the loan portfolio and management's strategy to shift from one- to four-family loans to commercial loans in the "Financial Condition as of March 31, 2025" section below. The increase in interest income on cash and cash equivalents was due mainly to an increase in the average balance as a higher level of operating cash was maintained during the current quarter to accommodate near-term funding needs for commercial loan activities and to repay borrowings coming due in April 2025.

Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The decrease in interest expense on deposits was due mainly to a decrease in the weighted average rates on retail certificates of deposit and money market accounts, which were partially offset by increases in the weighted average rate and average balance related to savings accounts due to growth in the Bank's high yield savings account. The increase in borrowings expense was due to an increase in the weighted average interest rate as borrowings that renewed in the current quarter and prior quarter were at rates which exceeded that of the overall portfolio.

Provision for Credit Losses

There was no impact to the provision for credit losses during the current quarter as the decrease in the allowance for credit losses ("ACL") was entirely offset by the increase in the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The reduction in the ACL in the current quarter was due primarily to an increase in prepayment speeds on commercial real estate loans. The increase in the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures was due primarily to an increase in commercial off-balance sheet credit exposures. The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $677 thousand during the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in insurance commissions was due primarily to the receipt of annual contingent insurance commissions during the current quarter, which were higher than anticipated and accrued for in the prior quarter. The increase in other non-interest income was due primarily to an increase in bank-owned life insurance related to the receipt of death benefits in the current quarter while none were received in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to compensation-related accrual fluctuations between periods. The increase in information technology and related expense was due mainly to higher software licensing expense and professional services. The increase in regulatory and outside services was due primarily to the timing of outside services. The increase in deposit and loan transaction costs was due mainly to expenses related to calendar year-end statement related processing that occurred during the current quarter. The increase in other non-interest expense was due primarily to higher customer fraud losses in the current quarter, along with higher costs associated with other real estate owned ("OREO") property, largely related to a one- to four-family bulk purchased OREO, and a loss on a property sold during the current quarter related to an acquisition in 2018.

The Company's efficiency ratio was 60.54% for the current quarter compared to 57.86% for the prior quarter. The change in the efficiency ratio was due to higher non-interest expense, partially offset by higher net interest income during the current quarter. The efficiency ratio is a measure of a financial institution's total non-interest expense as a percentage of the sum of net interest income (pre-provision for credit losses) and non-interest income. A higher value generally indicates that it is costing the financial institution more money to generate revenue.

Income Tax Expense

The following table presents pretax income, income tax expense, and net income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent and the effective tax rate.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

The Company recognized net income of $30.8 million, or $0.24 per share, for the current year period, compared to net income of $16.3 million, or $0.12 per share, for the prior year period. The lower net income in the prior year period was primarily a result of the net losses on the sale of securities associated with the securities strategy. See additional discussion regarding the securities strategy in the "Securities Strategy to Improve Earnings" section below. The securities associated with the securities strategy were sold in the prior year period, and in that period the Company incurred $13.3 million ($10.0 million net of tax) of net losses related to the sale of those securities. Excluding the effects of the net loss associated with the securities strategy, earnings per share would have been $0.20 for the prior year period. The increase in earnings per share excluding the effects of the net loss associated with the securities strategy was due primarily to higher net interest income in the current year period.

The net interest margin increased 13 basis points, from 1.76% for the prior year period to 1.89% for the current year period. The increase was due mainly to higher yields on loans and the continued shift of loan balances from the one- to four-family loan portfolio to the higher yielding commercial loan portfolio, which outpaced the increase in the cost of deposits, largely in retail certificates of deposit.

Securities Strategy to Improve Earnings

In October 2023, the Company initiated a securities strategy (the "securities strategy") by selling $1.30 billion of securities, representing 94% of its securities portfolio. Since the Company did not have the intent to hold the $1.30 billion of securities to maturity at September 30, 2023, the Company recognized an impairment loss on those securities of $192.6 million which was reflected in the Company's financial statements for the quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. The securities strategy allowed the Company to improve its earnings stream going forward, beginning in the quarter ended December 31, 2023, by redeploying most of the proceeds into then current market rate securities and to provide liquidity to deleverage the balance sheet utilizing the remaining proceeds. During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Company completed the sale of securities and recognized $13.3 million ($10.0 million net of tax), or $0.08 per share, of additional loss. See additional information regarding the impact of the securities strategy on our financial measurements in "Average Balance Sheets" below. The $1.30 billion of securities sold had a weighted average yield of 1.22% and an average duration of 3.6 years. With the proceeds from the sale of the securities, the Company purchased $632.0 million of securities yielding 5.75%, paid down $500.0 million of borrowings with a weighted average cost of 4.70%, and held the remaining cash at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City ("FRB") earning interest at the reserve balance rate until such time as it could be used to fund commercial activity or for other Bank operations.

Interest and Dividend Income

The following table presents the components of interest and dividend income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in interest income on loans receivable was due primarily to the continued shift of loan balances from the one- to four-family loan portfolio to higher yielding commercial loans. See additional discussion regarding the composition of the loan portfolio in the "Financial Condition as of March 31, 2025" section below. The increase in interest income on MBS securities was due mainly to an increase in the average balance of the portfolio, along with an increase in the weighted average yield compared to the prior year period. The increase in the average balance was due mainly to securities purchases between periods. The higher weighted average yield was due mainly to the securities strategy, as the securities that were sold during the prior year period were reinvested into higher yielding securities, and securities purchased between periods were also at higher market yields. Interest income on cash and cash equivalents decreased due largely to a decrease in the average balance as a result of cash balances being drawn down during the prior fiscal year to fund commercial loans and other operational needs. The decrease in interest income on investment securities was due to a decrease in average balance, partially offset by an increase in the weighted average yield. The decrease in the average balance was due primarily to the securities purchased as part of the securities strategy being called or maturing during fiscal year 2024 and not being replaced in their entirety. The increase in the weighted average yield was due to higher yields than the portfolio yields on the securities purchased between periods.

Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in interest expense on deposits was due primarily to an increase in the weighted average rate paid on retail certificates of deposit and savings accounts, specifically the high yield savings account product, partially offset by a decrease in the weighted average rate paid on money market accounts. To a lesser extent, the increase in the average balance of retail certificates of deposit also increased interest expense on deposits.

The decrease in interest expense on borrowings was due to a decrease in the average balance, which was partially offset by a higher weighted average interest rate. The decrease in the average balance of borrowings was due mainly to FHLB borrowings that matured between periods and were not renewed, along with a decrease in borrowings under the Federal Reserve's Bank Term Funding Program ("BTFP"), which were repaid during the prior year period using some of the proceeds from the securities strategy. The increase in the weighted average interest rate was due primarily to higher market interest rates on borrowings that matured and were renewed between periods.

Provision for Credit Losses

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $677 thousand during the current year period compared to a provision for credit losses of $424 thousand for the prior year period. The provision for credit losses in the current year period was comprised of a $1.0 million increase in the ACL for loans, partially offset by a $365 thousand decrease in the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The increase in ACL was due mainly to commercial loan growth during the current year period, partially offset by an increase in prepayment rates in the current quarter for commercial real estate loans. The decrease in the reserve for off-balance sheet credit exposures was due primarily to a reduction in the ACL/loan ratio applied to commercial construction off-balance sheet credit exposures, partially offset by an increase in commercial off-balance sheet exposures.

Non-Interest Income

The following table presents the components of non-interest income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The net loss from securities transactions in the prior year period was related to the securities strategy.

Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents the components of non-interest expense for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent.

The increase in salaries and employee benefits was mainly attributable to raises and salary adjustments to remain market competitive, an increase in the number of employees between periods, and a higher accrual of incentive compensation during the current year period than the prior year period related to the Bank's short-term performance plan. The decrease in information technology and related expense was due mainly to a decrease in usage of third party professional services along with a decrease in depreciation expense during the current year period. The decrease in regulatory and outside services was due to a reduction in usage related to certain outside services compared to the prior year period. The decrease in the federal insurance premium was due primarily to a decrease in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") assessment rate as a result of the way the assessment rate was adjusted in fiscal year 2024 for the occurrence of the Bank's net loss during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in advertising and promotional expense was due mainly to the timing of campaigns compared to the prior year period. The decrease in other non-interest expense was due mainly to higher customer fraud losses in the prior year period and the maturity of an interest rate swap agreement during the current year period which reduced the expense associated with the collateral held in relation to the interest rate swap.

The Company's efficiency ratio was 59.23% for the current year period compared to 74.29% for the prior year period. Excluding the net losses from the securities strategy, the efficiency ratio would have been 63.28% for the prior year period. The improvement in the efficiency ratio, excluding the net losses from the securities strategy, was due primarily to higher net interest income compared to the prior year period.

Income Tax Expense

The following table presents pretax income, income tax expense, and net income for the time periods presented, along with the change measured in dollars and percent and effective tax rate.

Included in the prior year period income tax expense and effective tax rate are tax benefits associated with the net loss on the securities strategy. Absent the tax benefits associated with the net loss on the securities strategy, the effective tax rate would have been 19.1% and income tax expense would have been $6.2 million in the prior year period. Income tax expense was higher in the current year period compared to the prior year period, excluding the tax benefits associated with the net losses on the securities strategy, due to higher pretax income in the current year period.

Fiscal Year 2025 Outlook

The Bank continues its work to transition from a retail oriented financial institution to one with an increasing focus on commercial customers. The Bank is active in local markets for lending, commercial deposit and treasury management relationships, even when the lending opportunity may be for locations outside of the Bank's and the customers' local footprint. For the remainder of fiscal year 2025, it is anticipated that the Bank's net interest margin will continue to improve, assuming the continuation of decreasing deposit costs and increasing yields on our loan portfolio. All areas of the Bank's operations continue to focus on the management of costs.

Financial Condition as of March 31, 2025

The following table summarizes the Company's financial condition at the dates indicated.

During the current quarter, total assets increased $180.0 million, to $9.72 billion at March 31, 2025, due primarily to increases in cash and cash equivalents and securities, partially offset by a decrease in the loan portfolio. The loan portfolio mix continued to shift from one- to four-family loans to commercial loans during the current quarter, with a $96.0 million decrease in one- to four-family loans due primarily to decreases of $46.6 million and $43.9 million in one- to four-family correspondent loans and one- to four-family originated loans, respectively, partially offset by commercial loan growth of $21.8 million.

As a result of continued high interest rates and lack of housing inventory, which has reduced housing market transactions, our single-family origination and refinance activity has slowed which directly impacts the Bank's one- to four-family loan portfolio. The Bank suspended its one- to four-family correspondent lending channels during fiscal year 2024 for the foreseeable future. Management expects the Bank's one- to four-family originated loan portfolio will continue to decrease as the affordability of housing remains challenging and there is a limited supply of homes for sale. Excess cash flows generated from the one- to four-family portfolio are currently being used to fund commercial loan growth.

Deposits increased $166.4 million, or 10.7% annualized, during the current quarter due mainly to the Bank's high yield savings account offering, which increased $112.4 million during the quarter, to $284.1 million at March 31, 2025. Management has continued to focus on retaining and growing deposits through its high yield savings account product which as of March 31, 2025 had an annual percentage yield of 4.30% for accounts that meet the $10 thousand balance minimum.

Total assets increased $190.6 million from September 30, 2024, due mainly to increases in cash and cash equivalents and securities, partially offset by a decrease in the loan portfolio. The one- to four-family loan portfolio decreased $186.9 million during the current year period, partially offset by commercial loan growth of $159.3 million, primarily in the commercial real estate portfolio.

Deposits increased $242.6 million from September 30, 2024 due mainly to the Bank's high yield savings account offering and retail checking accounts, partially offset by a decrease in retail certificates of deposit. Borrowings decreased $36.6 million during the current year period due to principal payments made on the Bank's amortizing advances. Management estimates that the Bank had $2.96 billion in liquidity available at March 31, 2025, based on the Bank's blanket collateral agreement with FHLB and unencumbered securities.

The following table summarizes loan originations and purchases, deposit activity, and borrowing activity, along with certain related weighted average rates, during the periods indicated. The borrowings presented in the table have original contractual terms of one year or longer.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' equity totaled $1.04 billion at March 31, 2025, an increase of $4.8 million from September 30, 2024. Consistent with our goal to operate a sound and profitable financial organization, we actively seek to maintain a well-capitalized status for the Bank in accordance with regulatory standards. As of March 31, 2025, the Bank's capital ratios exceeded the well-capitalized requirements and the Bank exceeded internal policy thresholds for sensitivity to changes in interest rates. As of March 31, 2025, the Bank's community bank leverage ratio was 9.5%.

During the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Company paid regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $22.1 million, or $0.17 per share. On April 22, 2025, the Company announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share, or approximately $11.1 million, payable on May 16, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 2, 2025.

At March 31, 2025, Capitol Federal Financial, Inc., at the holding company level, had $27.3 million in cash on deposit at the Bank. For fiscal year 2025, it is the intention of the Company's Board of Directors to pay out the regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.085 per share, totaling $0.34 per share for the year. To the extent that earnings in fiscal year 2025 exceed $0.34 per share, the Board of Directors will consider the payment of additional dividends. Dividend payments depend upon a number of factors, including the Company's financial condition and results of operations, regulatory capital requirements, regulatory limitations on the Bank's ability to make capital distributions to the Company, the Bank's tax current earnings and accumulated earnings and profits, and the amount of cash at the holding company level.

It is the intention of management and the Board of Directors to not make distributions from the Bank to the Company during fiscal year 2025 to limit the tax associated with the pre-1988 bad debt recapture which is related to the Bank's tax accumulated earnings and profits. It is currently anticipated that the Bank will have sufficient taxable income during fiscal year 2025 to replenish the Bank's tax accumulated earnings and profits to a positive level allowing the Bank to make earnings distributions to the Company during fiscal year 2026 and not have those distributions subject to the pre-1988 bad debt recapture tax.

The Company currently has $75.0 million authorized under an existing stock repurchase plan. Shares may be repurchased from time to time based upon market conditions, available liquidity and other factors. This plan has no expiration date; however, the FRB's current approval for the Company to repurchase shares expires in February 2026. There were no share repurchases during the current year period. Because the cash at the holding company is limited based on our capital management plan, the Company does not expect to repurchase shares until such time that an excess cash balance is rebuilt at the holding company level.

The following table presents a reconciliation of total to net shares outstanding as of March 31, 2025.

Capitol Federal Financial, Inc. is the holding company for the Bank. The Bank has 46 branch locations in Kansas and Missouri, and is one of the largest residential lenders in the State of Kansas.News and other information about the Company can be found at the Bank's website, http://www.capfed.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained in this press release, the matters discussed herein may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements about our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. The words "may," "could," "should," "would," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: changes in policies or the application or interpretation of laws and regulations by regulatory agencies and tax authorities; other governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; fluctuations in interest rates and the effects of inflation or a potential recession, whether caused by Federal Reserve action or otherwise; the potential imposition of new or increased tariffs or changes to existing trade policies that could affect economic activity or specific industry sectors; the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor or depositor sentiment; demand for loans in the Company's market areas; the future earnings and capital levels of the Bank and the impact of the pre-1988 bad debt recapture, which could affect the ability of the Company to pay dividends in accordance with its dividend policies; competition; and other risks detailed from time to time in documents filed or furnished by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those currently expected. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Average Balance Sheets

The following tables present the average balances of our assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity, and the related annualized weighted average yields and rates on our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated, as well as selected performance ratios and other information for the periods shown. Weighted average yields are derived by dividing annualized income by the average balance of the related assets, and weighted average rates are derived by dividing annualized expense by the average balance of the related liabilities, for the periods shown. Average outstanding balances are derived from average daily balances. The weighted average yields and rates include amortization of fees, costs, premiums and discounts, which are considered adjustments to yields/rates. Weighted average yields on tax-exempt securities are not calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis.