BankUnited's (BKU) Q4 Earnings & Revenues Beat, Costs Down

BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE:BKU) reported fourth-quarter 2019 earnings per share of 91 cents which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents. Also, the bottom line surged 54.2% year -over year.

Results were aided by a decline in expenses. Also, recovery of loan losses in the quarter benefited the bank. Moreover, the company’s capital and balance sheet position remained strong. However, fall in net interest income was a headwind.

Net income was $89.5 million, significantly up from $52.4 million recorded in the prior-year quarter.

For 2019, earnings of $3.13 per share improved 32.6% from the prior year. Also, it outpaced the consensus estimate of $2.95. Net income dropped 3.6% to $313.1 million.

Revenues Fall & Expenses Decline

Net revenues of $223.1 million beat the consensus estimate of $220.6 million. However, the top line declined 32.1% year over year.

For 2019, net revenues were $900 million, down 23.9%. However, the top line outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $894.8 million.

Net interest income totaled $185.3 million, decreasing 37.2% year over year. The decline was due to a fall in interest income along with higher interest expenses.

Net interest margin contracted 160 basis points year over year to 2.41%.

Non-interest income was $37.8 million, up 13.3% from the year-ago quarter. The upswing was due to a rise in deposit service charges and fees, and net gain on investment securities.

Non-interest expenses declined 51.8% from the year-ago quarter to $119 million. The decline resulted from a fall in employee compensation and benefits costs, deposit insurance expenses, professional fees and other expenses. Also, decrease in amortization of the FDIC indemnification asset led to lower expenses.

Credit Quality: A Mixed Bag

As of Dec 31, 2019, the ratio of net charge-offs to average loans was 0.05%, down from 0.28% as of Dec 31, 2018. Also, there was a recovery of loan losses of $0.5 million against the provision for loan losses of $12.6 million in the prior-year quarter. However, as of Dec 31, 2019, the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was 0.88%, up from 0.59%.

Strong Balance Sheet

As of Dec 31, 2019, net loans were $23.1 billion, up from $21.9 billion as of Dec 31, 2018. Total deposits amounted to $24.4 billion, up from $23.5 billion recorded as of Dec 31, 2018.

Capital Position, Profitability Ratios Improve

As of Dec 31, 2019, Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.9%, down from the prior-year quarter figure of 9.0%. Moreover, Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 12.3% down from 12.6%. Further, total risk-based capital ratio was 12.8% down from 13.1% as of Dec 31, 2018.

At the end of the fourth quarter, return on average assets was 1.07%, up from 0.66% reported in the prior-year quarter. Additionally, return on average stockholders’ equity was 12.0%, up from 6.9%.

Share Repurchase Update

During the fourth quarter, the company repurchased nearly 0.1 million shares for approximately $4 million.

Our Take

Continued growth in loan and deposit balances, and efforts to strengthen fee income sources are likely support BankUnited’s top line. Also, backed by a strong balance sheet position, the company’s capital deployment activities seem sustainable. However, despite a decline in expenses in the fourth quarter, rise in overall costs over the past few years is likely to hinder bottom-line growth in the near term. Moreover, lower interest rates remain a concern.

Zacks Rank

BankUnited currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Finance Companies

Washington Federal’s (NASDAQ:WAFD) first-quarter fiscal 2020 (ended Dec 31) adjusted earnings came in at 58 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 60 cents. Results exclude the net positive impact of two significant non-recurring items.

Hancock Whitney Corporation’s (NASDAQ:HWC) fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share of $1.06 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.04. However, the bottom line fell 5.4% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

Shares of Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) gained 6.8%, following the release of its fourth-quarter and 2019 results. Quarterly adjusted earnings of 95 cents per share were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The figure reflects an increase of 3.3% from the year-ago quarter.

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