Proactive Resolution of Challenged Office Loans and Structural Industry Changes
The company is actively addressing long-term, structural issues in the office sector, including valuation pressures and nonperforming loans.
Significant provisioning was made, with a 31.2% reserve for substandard office loans and an 11.5% coverage ratio.
Progress includes restructuring a large nonaccrual office loan into an AB note, with some loans moved to 'held for sale' and an expected sale closing in Q3.
Management emphasizes that these are deliberate, strategic steps to normalize provisioning and mitigate long-term risks.
Strategic Expansion into Residential Business Purpose Lending via Constructive Acquisition
NYMT completed the full acquisition of Constructive on July 15, marking a milestone in expanding into residential business purpose loans.
Constructive's origination of over $5.2 billion in loans across 48 states, with a focus on high-quality, diversified portfolio including 93% rental loans and 7% bridge loans.
The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to EAD and will enhance recurring earnings and gain on sale income.
Management emphasized the long-term growth potential of the platform, with plans to scale origination volume and expand geographic footprint, aiming for a 15% annual equity return.
Adjusted earnings per share were $0.74, with a return on assets of 1.54% and return on tangible common equity of 20%.
Adjusted noninterest expenses increased 1% from Q1, with expense management efforts keeping year-over-year increases under 2% excluding leasing expenses.
Adjusted noninterest income increased 11% over the linked quarter to $67.8 million, driven by mortgage, bankcard, leasing, and foreign exchange income.
Asset quality remained stable with net charge-offs declining 15 basis points to 21 basis points of total loans and classified assets flat at 1.15% of total assets.
First Financial Bancorp achieved record revenue of $226.3 million in Q2 2025, a 5% increase year-over-year.
Loan growth was 2% annualized, with broad-based growth except for commercial real estate which declined due to higher payoffs.
Net interest margin was strong at 4.05%, up 17 basis points from Q1, driven by a 5 basis point increase in asset yields and a 12 basis point decline in funding costs.
Tangible common equity increased 16% year-over-year to 8.4%, and tangible book value per share rose 4% sequentially to $15.40.
The Board approved a 4.2% increase in the common dividend to $0.25 per share, maintaining a payout ratio of approximately 35% of net income.
Dafinchi