Blue Foundry Bancorp Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results

RUTHERFORD, N.J., July 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQ:BLFY) (the “Company”), the holding company for Blue Foundry Bank (the “Bank”), today reported a net loss of $2.0 million, or $0.10 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and a net loss of $2.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

James D. Nesci, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are encouraged by the continued improvement experienced this quarter, highlighted by net interest margin expansion, stable expenses, and continued strong credit metrics.”

Mr. Nesci further noted, “The net interest margin expanded due to improvements in both asset yields and the cost of liabilities. We continue to execute on our strategy of diversifying our loan portfolio, emphasizing asset classes that provide higher yields and better risk-adjusted returns. Additionally, our focus on attracting the full banking relationship has contributed to core deposit growth, especially among commercial customers. We believe these efforts will position us well for continued balance sheet and interest income growth.”

Highlights for the second quarter of 2025:

• Loans increased $47.4 million to $1.67 billion.
• Deposits increased $29.1 million to $1.42 billion compared to the linked quarter. Core deposits increased by $25.2 million compared to the linked quarter.
• Net interest margin increased 12 basis points to 2.28% compared to the linked quarter .
• Interest income for the quarter was $23.4 million, an increase of $725 thousand, or 3.2%, compared to the linked quarter.
• Interest expense for the quarter was $11.8 million, a decrease of $171 thousand, or 1.4%, compared to the linked quarter.
• Provision for credit losses of $463 thousand was primarily due to the increase in the provision for off-balance-sheet commitments.
• Book value per share was $14.88 and tangible book value per share was $14.87. See the “Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables below for additional information regarding our non-GAAP measures.
• 406,391 shares were repurchased under our share repurchase plans at a weighted average share price of $9.42 per share.
• On June 20, 2025, the Company commenced its sixth stock repurchase program for up to 1,082,533 shares of its common stock, approximately 5% of the outstanding common stock.
  
  

Loans

Loans increased by $89.6 million during the first six months of 2025. The Company continues to focus on diversifying its lending portfolio by growing its commercial portfolios. Additionally, during the first six months of 2025, we purchased unsecured consumer loans with credit reserves, which is cash collateral held at the Bank in excess of the expected losses. These loans have helped improve yields while having lower exposure to credit loss. During the first six months of 2025, the consumer loan portfolio increased by $76.5 million as a result of these purchases. In addition, the commercial real estate portfolio increased by $33.5 million, of which $20.8 million was owner-occupied properties and the construction portfolio increased by $11.7 million. The multifamily portfolio decreased by $37.3 million.

The details of the loan portfolio are below:

Deposits

Deposits totaled $1.42 billion as of June 30, 2025, an increase of $73.0 million, or 5.43%, from December 31, 2024, driven by increases of $61.9 million and $23.4 million in NOW and demand accounts and time deposits, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in savings accounts of $11.5 million. The Company’s strategy is to focus on attracting the full banking relationship of small- to medium-sized businesses through an extensive suite of deposit products. While there is strong competition for deposits in the northern New Jersey market, we were able to increase core customer deposits by $49.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2025. In addition, commercial deposits increased $25.5 million during year-to-date period. Brokered deposits increased $70.0 million during the first half of 2025 as higher cost customer time deposits matured and were supplemented with brokered deposits. Uninsured deposits to third-party customers totaled approximately 12% of total deposits as of June 30, 2025.

The details of deposits are below:

Financial Performance Overview:

Second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2025

Net interest income compared to the first quarter of 2025:

• Net interest income was $11.6 million for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $10.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 as interest earned on interest-earning assets increased $725 thousand and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased $171 thousand.
• Net interest margin increased by 12 basis points to 2.28%.
• The yield on average interest-earning assets increased seven basis points to 4.58%, while the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities decreased 13 basis points to 2.76%.
• Average interest-earning assets increased by $30.3 million and average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $36.6 million.
  
  

Non-interest expense compared to the first quarter of 2025:

• Non-interest expense decreased $90 thousand primarily driven by a decrease of $94 thousand in occupancy and equipment, largely due to seasonal expenses in the first quarter that were not present in the second quarter. Advertising expense increased by $73 thousand due to increased marketing efforts, which were offset by slight decreases in other categories.
  
  

Income tax expense compared to the first quarter of 2025:

• The Company did not record a tax benefit for the losses incurred during the second quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2025 due to the full valuation allowance required on its deferred tax assets.
• The Company’s current tax position reflects the previously established full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. At June 30, 2025, the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets was $25.6 million.
  
  

Second quarter of 2025 compared to the second quarter of 2024

Net interest income compared to the second quarter of 2024:

• Net interest income was $11.6 million for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $9.6 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was largely due to increases in interest earned on loans and lower interest costs on time deposits.
• Net interest margin increased by 32 basis points to 2.28%.
• The yield on average interest-earning assets increased 21 basis points to 4.58% and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 18 basis points.
• Average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $83.9 million and $111.6 million, respectively. Average loans drove the growth in interest-earning assets, with an increase of $97.0 million. Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $105.4 million.
  
  

Non-interest expense compared to the second quarter of 2024:

• Non-interest expense was $13.5 million and $13.2 million for the second quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively, an increase of $324 thousand. Compensation and benefits expense increased by $185 thousand primarily due to increases in variable compensation accruals. Data processing and advertising expenses increased by $133 thousand and $88 thousand, respectively. As noted above, the Company increased its marketing efforts in the second quarter of 2025.
  
  

Income tax expense compared to the second quarter of 2024:

• The Company did not record a tax benefit for the losses incurred during the second quarters of 2025 and 2024 due to the full valuation allowance required on its deferred tax assets.
• The Company’s current tax position reflects the previously established full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. At June 30, 2025, the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets was $25.6 million.
  
  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024

Net interest income compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024:

• Net interest income was $22.4 million, an increase of $3.4 million.
• Net interest margin increased 28 basis points to 2.22%.
• The yield on average interest-earning assets increased 25 basis points to 4.55% while the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities decreased seven basis points to 2.82%.
• Average loans increased by $71.5 million and average interest-bearing deposits increased by $101.1 million.
• Average borrowings decreased by $10.2 million.
  
  

Non-interest income compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024:

• Non-interest income decreased $188 thousand primarily due to the gains on the sale of loans and REO property that occurred during the first half of 2024.
  
  

Non-interest expense compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024:

• Non-interest expense was $27.2 million, an increase of $711 thousand.
• Compensation and benefits expense increased by $474 thousand and data processing expense increased $233 thousand. Additionally, advertising, FDIC insurance and occupancy and equipment expenses increased by $83 thousand, $61 thousand and $58 thousand, respectively.
  
  

Income tax expense compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024:

• The Company did not record a tax benefit for the losses incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 due to the full valuation allowance required on its deferred tax assets.
• The Company’s current tax position reflects the previously established full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. At June 30, 2025, the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets was $25.6 million.
  
  

Balance Sheet Summary:

June 30, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024

Cash and cash equivalents:

• Cash and cash equivalents decreased $625 thousand to $41.9 million.
  
  

Securities available-for-sale:

• Securities available-for-sale decreased $12.8 million to $284.2 million due to maturities, calls and pay downs, partially offset by purchases and a decrease in unrealized losses of $5.8 million.
  
  

Securities held-to-maturity

• Securities held-to-maturity decreased $4.0 million due to calls and pay downs in the portfolio.
  
  

Total loans:

• Total loans held for investment increased $89.6 million to $1.67 billion.
• Consumer, commercial real estate and construction loans increased $76.5 million, $33.5 million, and $11.7 million, respectively. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in multifamily loans of $37.3 million.
• During the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company purchased consumer and residential loans totaling $80.4 million and $25.5 million, respectively.
  
  

Deposits:

• Deposits increased $73.0 million from $1.34 billion at December 31, 2024 to $1.42 billion at June 30, 2025. This was largely the result of a $61.9 million increase in NOW and demand accounts and a $23.4 million increase in certificates of deposits, partially offset by a decrease of $11.5 million in savings accounts.
• Core deposits (defined as non-interest bearing checking, NOW and demand accounts and savings accounts) increased $49.6 million and represented 48.4% of total deposits at June 30, 2025, compared to 47.3% at December 31, 2024.
• Brokered deposits totaled $225.0 million and $155.0 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The increase in brokered deposits offset the reduction in retail time deposits and helped fund loan growth.
• Uninsured and uncollateralized deposits to third-party customers were $168.6 million, or 12% of total deposits, at the end of the second quarter.
  
  

Borrowings:

• FHLB borrowings increased $3.5 million to $343.0 million.
• As of June 30, 2025, the Company had $256.1 million of additional borrowing capacity at the FHLB, $110.3 million in secured lines at the Federal Reserve Bank and $30.0 million of other unsecured lines of credit.
  
  

Capital:

• Shareholders’ equity was $321.3 million at June 30, 2025, a decrease of $10.9 million from December 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by the repurchase of shares, including shares netted for income tax withholding on vested equity awards, at a cost of $8.5 million. Additionally, the year-to-date loss, partially offset by favorable changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, contributed to the decrease in shareholders’ equity.
• Tangible equity to tangible assets was 15.10% and tangible common equity per share outstanding was $14.87. See the “Supplemental Information - Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables below for additional information regarding our non-GAAP measures.
• The Bank’s capital ratios remain above the FDIC’s “well capitalized” standards.
  
  

Asset quality:

• The allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on loans as a percentage of gross loans was 0.80% as of June 30, 2025.
• The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $463 thousand for the second quarter of 2025. The provision was primarily driven by the increase in loan commitments and the shift in the composition of the loan portfolio. The provision for the ACL on off-balance-sheet commitments was $323 thousand and the net provision for the ACL for loans was $147 thousand, while there was a release of $7 thousand in the ACL for held-to-maturity securities. The provision for credit losses for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $664 thousand. The provision in the ACL for loans totaled $350 thousand and for off-balance-sheet commitments totaled $322 thousand, while there was a release of $8 thousand in the ACL for held-to-maturity securities.
• Non-performing loans totaled $6.3 million, or 0.38% of total loans compared to $5.1 million, or 0.33% of total loans at December 31, 2024.
• Net recoveries for the three months ended June 30, 2025 were $5 thousand and net charge-offs were $11 thousand for the six months ended June 30, 2025.
• The ratio of allowance for credit losses on loans to non-performing loans was 211.81% at June 30, 2025 compared to 254.02% at December 31, 2024.
  
  

About Blue Foundry

Blue Foundry Bancorp is the holding company for Blue Foundry Bank, a place where things are made, purpose is formed, and ideas are crafted. Headquartered in Rutherford NJ, with a presence in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties, Blue Foundry Bank is a full-service, innovative bank serving the doers, movers, and shakers in our communities. We offer individuals and businesses alike the tailored products and services they need to build their futures. With a rich history dating back more than 145 years, Blue Foundry Bank has a longstanding commitment to its customers and communities. To learn more about Blue Foundry Bank visit BlueFoundryBank.com or call (888) 931-BLUE. Member FDIC.

Conference Call Information

A conference call covering Blue Foundry’s second quarter 2025 earnings announcement will be held today, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). To listen to the live call, please dial 1-833-470-1428 (toll free) or +1-404-975-4839 (international) and use access code 243510. The webcast (audio only) will be available on ir.bluefoundrybank.com. The conference call will be recorded and will be available on the Company’s website for one month.

Contact:
James D. Nesci
President and Chief Executive Officer
BlueFoundryBank.com
[email protected]
201-972-8900

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are based on certain current assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins and yields, the fair value of financial instruments or our level of loan originations, or increase in the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans we have made and make; general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected, including potential recessionary conditions, the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies and potential retaliatory responses; changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; our ability to access cost-effective funding; fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; demand for loans and deposits in our market area; our ability to implement and change our business strategies; competition among depository and other financial institutions; adverse changes in the securities or secondary mortgage markets; changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees, capital requirements and insurance premiums; changes in monetary or fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios; technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected; a failure or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyber-attacks; the inability of third party providers to perform as expected; our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic environment; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; our ability to retain key employees; the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; the ability of the U.S. Government to manage federal debt limits; and changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to release publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.