SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First BanCorp. (the “Corporation” or “First BanCorp.”) (NYSE: FBP), the bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico (“FirstBank” or “the Bank”), today reported a net income of $73.7 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $75.8 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024, and $82.0 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023.

NET INTEREST INCOME

The following table sets forth information concerning net interest income for the last five quarters:

Net interest income amounted to $202.1 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $2.5 million, compared to $199.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, including a net increase of approximately $1.2 million associated with the effect of an additional day in the third quarter of 2024. The increase in net interest income reflects the following:

• A $3.8 million increase in interest income on loans, driven by:

- A $1.6 million increase in interest income on commercial and construction loans, driven by increases of $1.1 million associated with the effect of an additional day in the third quarter of 2024, and a $0.4 million increase associated with a $37.8 million increase in the average balance.

- A $1.4 million increase in interest income on consumer loans and finance leases, of which $0.7 million was associated with a $35.3 million increase in the average balance, mainly in the auto loans and finance leases portfolios, and $0.7 million was associated with the effect of an additional day in the third quarter of 2024.

- An $0.8 million increase in interest income in residential mortgage loans driven by higher interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans that returned to accrual status.

Partially offset by:

• A $1.0 million decrease in interest income from investment securities driven by a $168.7 million decrease in the average balance.

• A $0.3 million decrease in interest income from interest-bearing cash balances driven by a $22.2 million reduction in the average cash balances deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank (the “FED”).

Interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities remained relatively flat during the third and second quarters of 2024, as further explained below.

• A $1.2 million increase in interest expense on time deposits, excluding brokered CDs, mainly due to increases of approximately $0.5 million associated with a $55.8 million increase in the average balance, $0.4 million associated with higher interest rates paid in the third quarter of 2024 on renewals, and $0.3 million associated with the effect of an additional day in the third quarter of 2024. The average cost of non-brokered time deposits in the third quarter of 2024 increased 5 basis points to 3.60% when compared to the previous quarter.

Partially offset by:

• A $1.0 million decrease in interest expense on brokered CDs, primarily related to a $76.1 million reduction in the average balance.

• A $0.2 million decrease in interest expense on interest-bearing checking and saving accounts, mainly due to a decrease of approximately $0.4 million associated with a $99.2 million reduction in the average balance, partially offset by a $0.3 million increase associated with the effect of an additional day in the third quarter of 2024. The average cost of interest-bearing checking and saving accounts, excluding public sector deposits, remained relatively flat at 0.76% in the third quarter of 2024, when compared to 0.75% in the second quarter.

Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2024 was 4.25%, a 3 basis points increase when compared to the second quarter of 2024, mostly reflecting a change in asset mix resulting from the deployment of cash flows from lower-yielding investment securities to fund loan growth while simultaneously repaying higher rate brokered CDs.

NON-INTEREST INCOME

The following table sets forth information concerning non-interest income for the last five quarters:

Non-interest income increased by $0.5 million to $32.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $32.0 million for the second quarter of 2024, mainly due to:

• A $0.3 million increase in other non-interest income driven by $0.8 million in insurance proceeds received in the third quarter of 2024 related to a 2020 outstanding insurance claim, partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease related to lower realized gains from purchased income tax credits.

• A $0.2 million increase in card and processing income, mainly in merchant-related referral fees and interchange income due to higher transactional volumes.

• A $0.2 million increase in insurance commission income.

Partially offset by:

• A $0.2 million decrease in revenues from mortgage banking activities driven by a lower volume of sales of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market. During the third and second quarters of 2024, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) securitization transactions and whole loan sales to U.S. government-sponsored enterprises amounted to $38.2 million and $43.5 million, respectively.

NON-INTEREST EXPENSES

The following table sets forth information concerning non-interest expenses for the last five quarters:

Non-interest expenses amounted to $122.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $4.2 million, from $118.7 million in the second quarter of 2024. Non-interest expenses for the second quarter of 2024 include a $0.2 million charge related to an adjustment to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) special assessment expense. Refer to Non-GAAP Disclosures - Special Items for additional information. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding the effect of this Special Item (as defined below in Non-GAAP Disclosures - Special Items), adjusted non-interest expenses increased by $4.4 million mainly due to:

• A $2.3 million decrease in net gain on OREO operations, driven by the aforementioned $2.3 million realized gain on the sale of a commercial real estate OREO property in the Puerto Rico region in the second quarter of 2024.

• A $1.6 million increase in employees’ compensation and benefits expense, driven by annual salary merit increases and an additional working day in the third quarter of 2024, partially offset by a decrease in payroll taxes due to employees reaching maximum taxable amounts.

• A $0.6 million increase in other non-interest expenses, mainly due to higher charges for operational and fraud losses, partially offset by a decrease in amortization of intangible assets.

• A $0.6 million increase in occupancy and equipment expenses, including a $0.1 million increase in rent expense related to a branch which is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2024.

Partially offset by:

• A $0.5 million decrease in credit and debit card processing expenses, mainly due to higher reimbursements from credit card networks compared to the second quarter of 2024.

INCOME TAXES

The Corporation recorded an income tax expense of $22.7 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $25.5 million for the second quarter of 2024, mainly due to lower pre-tax income and a $0.4 million tax contingency accrual release in connection with the expiration of the statute of limitation on some uncertain tax positions.

The Corporation’s estimated annual effective tax rate, excluding entities with pre-tax losses from which a tax benefit cannot be recognized and discrete items, was 23.7% for the third quarter of 2024, compared to 24.1% for the second quarter of 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the Corporation had a deferred tax asset of $137.5 million, net of a valuation allowance of $121.6 million against the deferred tax assets.

CREDIT QUALITY

Non-Performing Assets

The following table sets forth information concerning non-performing assets for the last five quarters:

Variances in credit quality metrics:

• Total non-performing assets decreased by $7.8 million to $119.1 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $126.9 million as of June 30, 2024. Total nonaccrual loans held for investment decreased by $6.9 million to $89.3 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $96.2 million as of June 30, 2024.

The decrease in non-performing assets was driven by:

- A $9.6 million decrease in nonaccrual commercial and construction loans, mainly associated with the sale of an $8.2 million nonaccrual C&I loan in the Puerto Rico region. The sale resulted in a $1.2 million charge-off that had been previously reserved.

- A $2.3 million decrease in the OREO portfolio balance, mainly attributable to the sale of residential properties in the Puerto Rico region.

Partially offset by:

- A $2.5 million increase in nonaccrual consumer loans, consisting mainly of auto loans.

- A $1.3 million increase in other repossessed property, consisting of repossessed automobiles.

- A $0.3 million increase in nonaccrual residential mortgage loans.

• Inflows to nonaccrual loans held for investment were $38.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of $5.3 million, when compared to the second quarter of 2024. Inflows to nonaccrual commercial and construction loans were $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of $17.1 million when compared to the second quarter of 2024, related to the inflow in the second quarter of a $16.5 million commercial relationship in the Puerto Rico region. Inflows to nonaccrual consumer loans were $33.0 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $10.5 million compared to inflows of $22.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. Inflows to nonaccrual residential mortgage loans were $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $1.3 million compared to inflows of $3.4 million in the second quarter of 2024. See Early Delinquency below for additional information.

• Adversely classified commercial and construction loans decreased by $9.1 million to $77.7 million as of September 30, 2024, also driven by the sale and charge-off of the aforementioned nonaccrual C&I loan.

Early Delinquency

Total loans held for investment in early delinquency (i.e., 30-89 days past due accruing loans, as defined in regulatory reporting instructions) amounted to $143.4 million as of September 30, 2024, a decrease of $4.0 million, compared to $147.4 million as of June 30, 2024. The variances by major portfolio are as follows:

• Consumer loans in early delinquency decreased by $7.9 million to $103.9 million, mainly in the auto loans and finance leases portfolios.

• Residential mortgage loans in early delinquency decreased by $0.4 million to $31.9 million.

Partially offset by:

• Commercial and construction loans in early delinquency increased by $4.3 million to $7.6 million, mainly due to a C&I loan in the Florida region that matured and is in the process of renewal but for which the Corporation continued to receive interest and principal payments from the borrower.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The following table summarizes the activity of the ACL for on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet exposures during the third and second quarters of 2024:

Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans and Finance Leases

As of September 30, 2024, the ACL for loans and finance leases was $247.0 million, a decrease of $7.5 million, from $254.5 million as of June 30, 2024. The decrease was mainly related to the ACL for commercial and construction loans, which decreased by $7.5 million, mainly due to releases associated with the improved financial condition of certain commercial borrowers and the improvement in the forecasted CRE price index, as well as the effect of the aforementioned $1.2 million charge-off recorded on the sale of a nonaccrual C&I loan that had been previously reserved. The ACL for residential mortgage loans decreased by $5.4 million, driven by updated macroeconomic variables, mainly in the long-term projection of the unemployment rate in the Puerto Rico region. Meanwhile, the ACL for consumer loans increased by $5.4 million, driven by higher charge-off levels and loan portfolio growth.

The provision for credit losses on loans and finance leases was $16.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $11.9 million in the second quarter of 2024, as detailed below:

• Provision for credit losses for the residential mortgage loan portfolio was a net benefit of $5.5 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a net benefit of $10.6 million for the second quarter of 2024. The net benefit recorded during the third quarter of 2024 was driven by the aforementioned changes in macroeconomic variables. Meanwhile, the net benefit recorded during the second quarter of 2024 was driven by updated historical loss experience used for determining the ACL estimate resulting in a downward revision of estimated loss severities and lower required reserve levels.

• Provision for credit losses for the consumer loan and finance lease portfolios was an expense of $28.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to an expense of $26.7 million for the second quarter of 2024. The increase in provision expense was driven by higher charge-off levels in these portfolios.

• Provision for credit losses for the commercial and construction loan portfolios was a net benefit of $6.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a net benefit of $4.2 million for the second quarter of 2024. The increase in net benefit during the third quarter of 2024 was driven by the aforementioned improvement in the financial condition of certain commercial borrowers, and, to a lesser extent, an improvement in the forecasted CRE price index.

The ratio of the ACL for loans and finance leases to total loans held for investment was 1.98% as of September 30, 2024, compared to 2.06% as of June 30, 2024. The ratio of the total ACL for loans and finance leases to nonaccrual loans held for investment was 276.46% as of September 30, 2024, compared to 264.66% as of June 30, 2024.

Net Charge-Offs

The following table presents ratios of annualized net (recoveries) charge-offs to average loans held-in-portfolio for the last five quarters:

The ratios above are based on annualized net charge-offs and are not necessarily indicative of the results expected in subsequent periods.

Net charge-offs were $24.0 million for the third quarter of 2024, or an annualized 0.78% of average loans, compared to $21.0 million, or an annualized 0.69% of average loans, in the second quarter of 2024. The $3.0 million increase in net charge-offs was driven by the aforementioned $1.2 million charge-off recorded on the sale of a nonaccrual C&I loan in the third quarter of 2024; $1.2 million in recoveries recorded on two commercial loans in the Florida region during the second quarter of 2024; and a $1.0 million increase in net charge-offs in consumer loans and finance leases.

Allowance for Credit Losses for Unfunded Loan Commitments

As of September 30, 2024, the ACL for off-balance sheet credit exposures decreased to $3.5 million, compared to $4.5 million as of June 30, 2024, driven by an improvement on the economic outlook of certain macroeconomic variables, particularly in variables associated with the CRE price index.

Allowance for Credit Losses for Debt Securities

As of September 30, 2024, the ACL for debt securities was $1.6 million, of which $1.1 million related to Puerto Rico municipal bonds classified as held-to-maturity, compared to $1.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2024.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets were approximately $18.9 billion as of September 30, 2024, down $22.2 million from June 30, 2024.

The following variances within the main components of total assets are noted:

• A $99.1 million increase in cash and cash equivalents, mainly related to net cash inflows from the investment securities portfolio, partially offset by repayments of brokered CDs, the redemption of $50.0 million in outstanding trust-preferred securities (“TruPS”) and loan growth funding. The redemption of TruPS was aligned with the Corporation’s plan for optimization of its capital structure while reducing financing costs.

• An $82.3 million decrease in investment securities, driven by maturities of $140.8 million and principal repayments of $117.3 million, which include repayments of $101.7 million of U.S. agencies MBS and debentures and $15.6 million of municipal bonds, partially offset by a $160.1 million increase in the fair value of available-for-sale debt securities attributable to changes in market interest rates and $16.1 million in purchases of Community Reinvestment Act qualified debt securities during the third quarter of 2024.

• A $62.8 million increase in total loans. The growth consisted of increases of $65.3 million in the Puerto Rico region and $47.5 million in the Florida region, partially offset by a $50.0 million decrease in the Virgin Islands region. On a portfolio basis, the variance consisted of increases of $29.4 million in consumer loans, primarily auto loans and finance leases in the Puerto Rico region, $20.7 million in commercial and construction loans, and $12.7 million in residential mortgage loans. The increase in commercial and construction loans was mainly related to growth in the Florida and Puerto Rico regions of approximately $40.8 million and $29.1 million, respectively, partially offset by a $49.2 million decrease in the Virgin Islands region. The increase is net of multiple repayments, including a $54.8 million repayment of a government line of credit in the Virgin Islands region, a $36.3 million repayment of a commercial loan in the Puerto Rico region, and $31.0 million in repayments prior to maturity of three commercial loans in the Florida region.

Total loan originations, including refinancings, renewals, and draws from existing commitments (excluding credit card utilization activity), amounted to $1.2 billion in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $43.1 million compared to the second quarter of 2024.

Total loan originations in the Puerto Rico region amounted to $902.2 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $840.5 million in the second quarter of 2024. The $61.7 million increase in total loan originations was mainly in commercial and construction loans, driven by five C&I originations totaling $107.1 million, each in excess of $10 million, partially offset by decreases in commercial mortgage and construction loan originations.

Total loan originations in the Virgin Islands region amounted to $34.7 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $20.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. The $13.9 million increase in total loan originations was mainly in commercial and construction loans.

Total loan originations in the Florida region amounted to $248.4 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $280.9 million in the second quarter of 2024. The $32.5 million decline in total loan originations consisted of decreases of $23.0 million in commercial and construction loans, mainly in C&I loans; $7.0 million in residential mortgage loans; and $2.5 million in consumer loans.

• An $87.3 million decrease in other assets, in part due to the settlement in the third quarter of 2024 of certain receivables associated with amounts in transit related to customer payments and prepaid assets. 

Total liabilities were approximately $17.2 billion as of September 30, 2024, a decrease of $231.6 million from June 30, 2024.

• Total deposits decreased $181.6 million consisting of:

• A $104.7 million decrease in brokered CDs, mainly in the Puerto Rico region. The decline reflects maturing short-term brokered CDs amounting to $170.2 million with an all-in cost of 5.38% that were paid off during the third quarter of 2024, partially offset by $65.5 million of new issuances with original average maturities of approximately 1 year and an all-in cost of 4.86%.

• A $40.1 million decrease in government deposits, which includes a decline of $47.9 million in the Virgin Islands region, partially offset by increases of $7.6 million in the Puerto Rico region and $0.2 million in the Florida region.

• A $36.8 million decrease in deposits, excluding brokered CDs and government deposits, reflecting decreases of $51.0 million in the Virgin Islands region and $31.5 million in the Puerto Rico region, partially offset by a $45.7 million increase in the Florida region. The decrease in such deposits includes a $96.9 million decrease in non-interest-bearing deposits, partially offset by a $35.9 million increase in time deposits.

• A $50.0 million decrease in other borrowings related to the aforementioned redemption of outstanding TruPS issued by FBP Statutory Trust II.

Total stockholders’ equity amounted to $1.7 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $209.4 million from June 30, 2024, driven by a $160.1 million increase in the fair value of available-for-sale debt securities due to changes in market interest rates recognized as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the net income generated in the third quarter of 2024, partially offset by $26.3 million in common stock dividends declared in the third quarter of 2024.

As of September 30, 2024, capital ratios exceeded the required regulatory levels for bank holding companies and well-capitalized banks. The Corporation’s estimated CET1 capital, tier 1 capital, total capital and leverage ratios under the Basel III rules were 16.18%, 16.18%, 18.25%, and 10.96%, respectively, as of September 30, 2024, compared to CET1 capital, tier 1 capital, total capital, and leverage ratios of 15.77%, 15.77%, 18.21%, and 10.63%, respectively, as of June 30, 2024.

Meanwhile, estimated CET1 capital, tier 1 capital, total capital and leverage ratios of our banking subsidiary, FirstBank, were 16.00%, 16.76%, 18.01%, and 11.36%, respectively, as of September 30, 2024, compared to CET1 capital, tier 1 capital, total capital and leverage ratios of 15.97%, 16.73%, 17.98%, and 11.29%, respectively, as of June 30, 2024.

LIQUIDITY

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $99.1 million to $685.4 million as of September 30, 2024. When adding $1.8 billion of free high-quality liquid securities that could be liquidated or pledged within one day, total core liquidity amounted to $2.5 billion as of September 30, 2024, or 13.32% of total assets, compared to $2.5 billion, or 13.37% of total assets as of June 30, 2024. In addition, as of September 30, 2024, the Corporation had $964.7 million available for credit with the FHLB based on the value of collateral pledged with the FHLB. As such, the basic liquidity ratio (which includes cash, free high-quality liquid assets such as U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises’ obligations that could be liquidated or pledged within one day, and available secured lines of credit with the FHLB to total assets) was approximately 18.43% as of September 30, 2024, compared to 18.50% as of June 30, 2024.

In addition to the aforementioned available credit from the FHLB, the Corporation also maintains borrowing capacity at the FED Discount Window Program. The Corporation had approximately $2.6 billion available for funding under the FED’s Borrower-In-Custody Program as of September 30, 2024. In the aggregate, as of September 30, 2024, the Corporation had $6.1 billion, or 131% of estimated uninsured deposits (excluding fully collateralized government deposits), available to meet liquidity needs.

The Corporation’s total deposits, excluding brokered CDs, amounted to $15.8 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $15.9 billion as of June 30, 2024, which includes $3.2 billion in government deposits that are fully collateralized as of each of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024. Excluding fully collateralized government deposits and FDIC-insured deposits, as of September 30, 2024, the estimated amount of uninsured deposits was $4.6 billion, which represents 29.25% of total deposits, compared to $4.5 billion, or 28.46% of total deposits, as of June 30, 2024. Refer to Table 11 in the accompanying tables (Exhibit A) for additional information about the deposits composition.

Tangible Common Equity (Non-GAAP)

On a non-GAAP basis, the Corporation’s tangible common equity ratio increased to 8.79% as of September 30, 2024, compared to 7.66% as of June 30, 2024, driven by the $160.1 million increase in the fair value of available-for-sale debt securities. Refer to Non-GAAP Disclosures- Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the definition of and additional information about this non-GAAP financial measure.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Corporation’s tangible common equity and tangible assets to the most comparable GAAP items as of the indicated dates:

Exposure to Puerto Rico Government

As of September 30, 2024, the Corporation had $309.0 million of direct exposure to the Puerto Rico government, its municipalities, and public corporations, a decrease of $7.7 million when compared to $316.7 million as of June 30, 2024, mainly due to multiple repayments. As of September 30, 2024, approximately $195.6 million of the exposure consisted of loans and obligations of municipalities in Puerto Rico that are supported by assigned property tax revenues and for which, in most cases, the good faith, credit, and unlimited taxing power of the applicable municipality have been pledged to their repayment, and $50.9 million consisted of loans and obligations which are supported by one or more specific sources of municipal revenues. The Corporation’s total direct exposure to the Puerto Rico government also included $8.8 million in a loan extended to an affiliate of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and $50.7 million in loans to agencies of Puerto Rico public corporations. In addition, the total direct exposure included an obligation of the Puerto Rico government, specifically a residential pass-through MBS issued by the PRHFA, at an amortized cost of $3.0 million (fair value of $1.6 million as of September 30, 2024), included as part of the Corporation’s available-for-sale debt securities portfolio. This residential pass-through MBS issued by the PRHFA is collateralized by certain second mortgages and had an unrealized loss of $1.4 million as of September 30, 2024, of which $0.3 million is due to credit deterioration.

The aforementioned exposure to municipalities in Puerto Rico included $92.1 million of financing arrangements with Puerto Rico municipalities that were issued in bond form but underwritten as loans with features that are typically found in commercial loans. These bonds are accounted for as held-to-maturity debt securities.

As of each of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, the Corporation had $2.7 billion of public sector deposits in Puerto Rico. Approximately 22% of the public sector deposits as of September 30, 2024 were from municipalities and municipal agencies in Puerto Rico, and 78% were from public corporations, the Puerto Rico central government and agencies, and U.S. federal government agencies in Puerto Rico.

NON-GAAP DISCLOSURES

This press release contains GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures are used when management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures enhances the ability of analysts and investors to analyze trends in the Corporation’s business and understand the performance of the Corporation. The Corporation may utilize these non-GAAP financial measures as guides in its budgeting and long-term planning process. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the text or in the tables in or attached to this press release. Any analysis of these non-GAAP financial measures should be used only in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP.

Certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income, and adjusted non-interest expenses exclude the effect of items that management believes are not reflective of core operating performance (the “Special Items”). Other non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net interest income and adjusted net interest income margin, tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, and certain capital ratios. These measures should be read in conjunction with the accompanying tables (Exhibit A), which are an integral part of this press release, and the Corporation’s other financial information that is presented in accordance with GAAP.

Special Items

The financial results for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 included the following Special Items:

Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 and Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2024

FDIC Special Assessment Expense

Charges of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after-tax, calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5%) and $1.1 million ($0.7 million after-tax, calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5%) were recorded in the second quarter of 2024 and nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, respectively, to increase the initial estimated FDIC special assessment resulting from the FDIC’s updates related to the loss estimate in connection with losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund associated with protecting uninsured deposits following the failures of certain financial institutions during the first half of 2023. The aforementioned charges increased the estimated FDIC special assessment to a total of $7.4 million, which was the revised estimated loss reflected in the FDIC invoice for the first quarterly collection period with a payment date of June 28, 2024. The FDIC deposit special assessment is reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of income as part of “FDIC deposit insurance” expenses.

Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2023

Gain Recognized from Legal Settlement

During the second quarter of 2023, the Corporation recognized a $3.6 million ($2.3 million after-tax, calculated based on the statutory tax rate of 37.5%) gain from a legal settlement reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of income as part of other non-interest income.

Gain on Early Extinguishment of Debt

During the second quarter of 2023, the Corporation recognized a $1.6 million gain on the repurchase of $21.4 million in junior subordinated debentures reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of income as “Gain on early extinguishment of debt.” The junior subordinated debentures are reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as “Other borrowings.” The purchase price equated to 92.5% of the $21.4 million par value. The 7.5% discount resulted in the gain of $1.6 million. The gain, realized at the holding company level, had no effect on the income tax expense in the second quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Income

Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income is a non-GAAP performance metric that management uses and believes that investors may find useful in analyzing underlying performance trends, particularly in times of economic stress, including as a result of natural catastrophes or health epidemics. Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income, as defined by management, represents income before income taxes adjusted to exclude the provisions for credit losses on loans, unfunded loan commitments and debt securities. In addition, from time to time, earnings are also adjusted for certain items that management believes are not reflective of core operating performance, which are regarded as Special Items.

Tangible Common Equity Ratio and Tangible Book Value per Common Share

The tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share are non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are generally used by the financial community to evaluate capital adequacy. Tangible common equity is total common equity less goodwill and other intangible assets. Tangible assets are total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets. Tangible common equity ratio is tangible common equity divided by tangible assets. Tangible book value per common share is tangible assets divided by common shares outstanding. Refer to Statement of Financial Condition - Tangible Common Equity (Non-GAAP) for a reconciliation of the Corporation’s total stockholders’ equity and total assets in accordance with GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures of tangible common equity and tangible assets, respectively. Management uses and believes that many stock analysts use the tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per common share in conjunction with other more traditional bank capital ratios to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, typically stemming from the use of the purchase method of accounting for mergers and acquisitions. Accordingly, the Corporation believes that disclosure of these financial measures may be useful to investors. Neither tangible common equity nor tangible assets, or the related measures, should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for stockholders’ equity, total assets, or any other measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which the Corporation calculates its tangible common equity, tangible assets, and any other related measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

Net Interest Income Excluding Valuations, and on a Tax-Equivalent Basis

Net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin are reported excluding the changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and on a tax-equivalent basis in order to provide to investors additional information about the Corporation’s net interest income that management uses and believes should facilitate comparability and analysis of the periods presented. The changes in the fair value of derivative instruments have no effect on interest due or interest earned on interest-bearing liabilities or interest-earning assets, respectively. The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a marginal income tax rate. Income from tax-exempt earning assets is increased by an amount equivalent to the taxes that would have been paid if this income had been taxable at statutory rates. Refer to Table 4 in the accompanying tables (Exhibit A) for a reconciliation of the Corporation’s net interest income to adjusted net interest income excluding valuations, and on a tax-equivalent basis. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis. This adjustment puts all earning assets, most notably tax-exempt securities and tax-exempt loans, on a common basis that management believes facilitates comparison of results to the results of peers.

NET INCOME AND RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME (NON-GAAP)

The following table shows, for the third quarters of 2024 and 2023, net income and earnings per diluted share, and reconciles, for the second quarter of 2024 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, net income to adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share, which are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the significant Special Items discussed in the Non-GAAP Disclosures - Special Items section.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED PRE-TAX, PRE-PROVISION INCOME (NON-GAAP)

The following table reconciles income before income taxes to adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income for the last five quarters and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Conference Call / Webcast Information

First BanCorp.’s senior management will host an earnings conference call and live webcast on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The call may be accessed via a live Internet webcast through the Corporation’s investor relations website, fbpinvestor.com, or through a dial-in telephone number at (833) 470-1428 or (404) 975-4839. The participant access code is 104808. The Corporation recommends that listeners go to the web site at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary software. Following the webcast presentation, a question and answer session will be made available to research analysts and institutional investors. A replay of the webcast will be archived in the Corporation’s investor relations website, fbpinvestor.com, until October 23, 2025. A telephone replay will be available one hour after the end of the conference call through November 22, 2024, at (866) 813-9403. The replay access code is 131916.

Safe Harbor

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” concerning the Corporation’s future economic, operational, and financial performance. The words or phrases “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “plans,” “forecast,” “believe,” and similar expressions are meant to identify “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, and are subject to the safe harbor created by such sections. The Corporation cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and advises readers that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates, and assumptions by us that are difficult to predict. Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the uncertainties more fully discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as updated in the Corporation’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the following, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements: the effect of the current global interest rate environment (including the potential for ongoing reductions in interest rates) and inflation levels on the level, composition and performance of the Corporation’s assets and liabilities, and corresponding effects on the Corporation’s net interest income, net interest margin, loan originations, deposit attrition, overall results of operations, and liquidity position; the effects of changes in the interest rate environment, including any adverse change in the Corporation’s ability to attract and retain clients and gain acceptance from current and prospective customers for new products and services, including those related to the offering of digital banking and financial services; volatility in the financial services industry, including failures or rumored failures of other depository institutions, and actions taken by governmental agencies to stabilize the financial system, which could result in, among other things, bank deposit runoffs, liquidity constraints, and increased regulatory requirements and costs; the effect of continued changes in the fiscal and monetary policies and regulations of the U.S. federal government, the Puerto Rico government and other governments, including those determined by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the FDIC, government-sponsored housing agencies and regulators in Puerto Rico, the U.S., and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, that may affect the future results of the Corporation; uncertainty as to the ability of FirstBank to retain its core deposits and generate sufficient cash flow through its wholesale funding sources, such as securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances, and brokered CDs, which may require us to sell investment securities at a loss; adverse changes in general political and economic conditions in Puerto Rico, the U.S., and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, including in the interest rate environment, unemployment rates, market liquidity, housing absorption rates, real estate markets, and U.S. capital markets, which may affect funding sources, loan portfolio performance and credit quality, market prices of investment securities, and demand for the Corporation’s products and services, and which may reduce the Corporation’s revenues and earnings and the value of the Corporation’s assets; the impact of government financial assistance for hurricane recovery and other disaster relief on economic activity in Puerto Rico, and the timing and pace of disbursements of funds earmarked for disaster relief; the ability of the Corporation, FirstBank, and third-party service providers to identify and prevent cyber-security incidents, such as data security breaches, ransomware, malware, “denial of service” attacks, “hacking,” identity theft, and state-sponsored cyberthreats, and the occurrence of and response to any incidents that occur, which may result in misuse or misappropriation of confidential or proprietary information, disruption, or damage to our systems or those of third-party service providers on which we rely, increased costs and losses and/or adverse effects to our reputation; general competitive factors and other market risks as well as the implementation of existent or planned strategic growth opportunities, including risks, uncertainties, and other factors or events related to any business acquisitions, dispositions, strategic partnerships, strategic operational investments, including systems conversions, and any anticipated efficiencies or other expected results related thereto; uncertainty as to the implementation of the debt restructuring plan of Puerto Rico and the fiscal plan for Puerto Rico as certified on June 5, 2024, by the oversight board established by the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, or any revisions to it, on our clients and loan portfolios, and any potential impact from future economic or political developments and tax regulations in Puerto Rico; the impact of changes in accounting standards, or determinations and assumptions in applying those standards, and of forecasts of economic variables considered for the determination of the ACL; the ability of FirstBank to realize the benefits of its net deferred tax assets; the ability of FirstBank to generate sufficient cash flow to pay dividends to the Corporation; environmental, social, and governance matters, including our climate-related initiatives and commitments; the impacts of natural or man-made disasters, the emergence or continuation of widespread health emergencies, geopolitical conflicts (including sanctions, war or armed conflict, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and the possible expansion of such conflicts in surrounding areas and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorist attacks, or other catastrophic external events, including impacts of such events on general economic conditions and on the Corporation’s assumptions regarding forecasts of economic variables; the risk that additional portions of the unrealized losses in the Corporation’s debt securities portfolio are determined to be credit-related, resulting in additional charges to the provision for credit losses on the Corporation’s debt securities portfolio, and the potential for additional credit losses that could emerge from the downgrade of the U.S.’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating to ‘AA+’ from ‘AAA’ in August 2023 and subsequent negative ratings outlooks; the impacts of applicable legislative, tax, or regulatory changes or changes in legislative, tax, or regulatory priorities, potential government shutdowns, and political impasses, including uncertainties regarding the U.S. debt ceiling and federal budget, as well as of the 2024 U.S. and Puerto Rico general election, on the Corporation’s financial condition or performance; the risk of possible failure or circumvention of the Corporation’s internal controls and procedures and the risk that the Corporation’s risk management policies may not be adequate; the risk that the FDIC may further increase the deposit insurance premium and/or require further special assessments, causing an additional increase in the Corporation’s non-interest expenses; any need to recognize impairments on the Corporation’s financial instruments, goodwill, and other intangible assets; the risk that the impact of the occurrence of any of these uncertainties on the Corporation’s capital would preclude further growth of FirstBank and preclude the Corporation’s Board of Directors from declaring dividends; and uncertainty as to whether FirstBank will be able to continue to satisfy its regulators regarding, among other things, its asset quality, liquidity plans, maintenance of capital levels, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and related requirements. The Corporation does not undertake to, and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any “forward-looking statements” to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as required by the federal securities laws.

About First BanCorp.

First BanCorp. is the parent corporation of FirstBank Puerto Rico, a state-chartered commercial bank with operations in Puerto Rico, the U.S., and the British Virgin Islands and Florida, and of FirstBank Insurance Agency. First BanCorp.’s shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FBP. Additional information about First BanCorp. may be found at www.1firstbank.com.

EXHIBIT A

Table 1 – Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

Table 2 – Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income