REPEAT — Core One Labs Reaches Definitive Agreement to Acquire Akome Biotech

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Core One Labs Inc. (CSE: COOL), (OTC: CLABF), (Frankfurt: LD62, WKN: A2P8K3) (the “Company”), a biotechnology research and development life sciences enterprise focused on advancing psychedelic medicines to market, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”), dated April 23, 2021, pursuant to which it will acquire all of the outstanding share capital of Akome Biotech Ltd. (“Akome”). The acquisition of Akome further positions the Company at the forefront of development of psychedelic drugs for neurological diseases and mental disorders.

Akome’s CEO, Dr. Santiago Ferro has extensive experience in leading clinical research teams and has been involved in all aspects of a start-up companies and product life cycle: from product development to clinical and regulatory strategies, to sales and marketing opportunities with companies such as Sanofi Pasteur, Novartis and Glaxo Smith Klein. Dr. Fadia Saad is a co-founder of Akome and the inventor of its patents.

The focus at Akome is to develop safe and efficacious treatments for stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and Parkinson’s Disease. 1The Global Stroke Management Market accounted for $22.5 billion USD in 2016, and is estimated to reach $36.7 billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 7.1%. 287% of strokes are ischemic strokes. An ischemic stroke happens when blood flow through the artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain becomes blocked. The current available treatment for acute ischemic strokes is the administration of the thrombolytic agent, tissue-plasminogen activator.

3Global Alzheimer’s Therapeutics Market is projected to reach USD 13.57 billion by 2027 from USD 7.42 billion in 2019 with a substantial CAGR of 9.2% through the forecast period. Currently there are no pharmacologic treatments available today to slow or stop the damage and destruction of neurons that cause Alzheimer’s. No drugs have been specifically approved by the FDA to treat behavioral and psychiatric symptoms that may develop in the moderate and severe stages of Alzheimer’s dementia.

4Depression affects more than 264 million individuals. It is an incapacitating disorder, responsible for the most of the 800,000 annual suicides. In 2008, WHO ranked major depression as the third cause of burden of disease worldwide and projected it will rank first by 2030.

5Parkinson’s disease is a global burden and more than doubled in the past decade. Nearly 1 million people live with Parkinson’s disease in the US and 10 million people worldwide. The Parkinson’s disease treatment market was valued at USD $3.99 billion in 2016, by 2022 it is expected to reach USD $5.69 billion. Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are some therapies available to relieve symptoms. Levodopa is main one drug used to make dopamine to replenish the brains dwindling supply by mimicking dopamine in the brain.

Joel Shacker, CEO of the Company stated, “This acquisition will put us at the forefront of research into the use of psychedelics for treatment across multiple diseases, elevating our company’s portfolio to be comparable with the largest company in the space. Akome’s seasoned management team has experience taking products from their development stage through commercialization. Their current pipeline of four provisional matter of composition patents have us very excited at their prospect of developing into commercial products to help people suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease, Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and Depression, opening us up to a multibillion dollar treatment market.

In consideration for all of the outstanding share capital of Akome, the Company is required to issue 3,500,000 common shares to the existing shareholders of Akome. Following issuance, the shares will be subject to the terms of a pooling arrangement, during which time they may not be transferred or traded without the prior consent of the Company.

The Company is at arms-length from Akome and each of its shareholders. The acquisition will not constitute a fundamental change for the Company, nor will it result in a change of control of the Company, with the meaning of applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Core One Labs Inc.

Core One is a biotechnology research and technology life sciences enterprise focused on bringing psychedelic medicines to market through novel delivery systems and psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. Core One has developed a patent pending thin film oral strip (the “technology”) which dissolves instantly when placed in the mouth and delivers organic molecules in precise quantities to the bloodstream, maintaining excellent bioavailability. The Company intends to further develop and apply the technology to psychedelic compounds, such as psilocybin. Core One also holds an interest in medical clinics which maintain a combined database of over 275,000 patients. Through these clinics, the integration of its intellectual property, R&D related to psychedelic treatments and novel drug therapies, the Company intends to obtain regulatory research approval for the advancement of psychedelic-derived treatments for mental health disorders.

Core One Labs Inc.

Joel Shacker
Chief Executive Officer

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
[email protected]
1-866-347-5058

Cautionary Disclaimer Statement:

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management’s current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s limited operating history and the need to comply with strict regulatory regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

In addition, psilocybin is currently a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) and it is a criminal offence to possess substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) without a prescription or authorization. Health Canada has not approved psilocybin as a drug for any indication. Core One does not have any direct or indirect involvement with illegal selling, production, or distribution of psychedelic substances in jurisdictions in which it operates. While Core One believes psychedelic substances can be used to treat certain medical conditions, it does not advocate for the legalization of psychedelics substances for recreational use. Core One does not deal with psychedelic substances, except within laboratory and clinical trial settings conducted within approved regulatory frameworks.


1
https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/stroke-diagnostics-and-therapeutics-market

2
https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/types_of_stroke.htm

3
https://www.medgadget.com/2021/01/alzheimers-therapeutics-market-to-reach-usd-13-57-billion-by-2027-size-share-industry-analysis-and-global-forecast-to-2027.html



4
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression



5
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/parkinson-disease-treatment-market-47265247.html



DarkPulse, Inc. Solidifies Strategic Partnership with Drone Based A.I. Company Remote Intelligence

NEW YORK, April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dark Pulse, Inc. (OTC Markets: DPLS) (“DarkPulse” and the “Company”), a technology company focused on the manufacture, sale, installation, and monitoring of laser sensing systems based on its patented BOTDA dark-pulse sensor technology (the “DarkPulse Technology”) which provides a data stream of critical metrics for assessing the health and security of infrastructure, announces that the Company has signed a partnership agreement with Remote Intelligence LLC, a firm offering fully integrated, geo-rectified, 3D modeled mapping for industrial applications specializing in the energy and environmental industries.

Integrating the latest tech solutions including artificial intelligence and emissions detection, Remote Intelligence is globally connected firm with their base of operations in Pennsylvania. Remote Intelligence provides premier unmanned aerial services as part of their holistic intelligence consultation and solutions focused on aerial drone systems. Offering rapid comprehensive site mapping and aerial inspection services, Remote Intelligence specializes in fully integrated, geo-rectified, 3D modeled mapping for industrial applications in the energy and environmental industries. Remote also provides aerial survey, video inspection services, emergency support services, wildlife and habitat surveys, and comprehensive system design, training, and sales for both the commercial and private sectors.

“Remote Intelligence’s AI built unmanned platforms will integrate with DarkPulse’s monitoring services providing drone based intelligence solutions,” stated DarkPulse Chairman and CEO Dennis O’Leary. “Remote area deployments such as along national borders and Oil & Gas pipeline right of ways require rapid responses in off grid remote operations. Remote Intelligence’s drone services allow for the immediate visualization of threats or changes to infrastructure to determine a best plan of action.”

About Remote Intelligence LLC

Remote Intelligence provides premier provider unmanned aerial services as part of their holistic intelligence consultation and solutions focused on aerial drone systems offering rapid comprehensive site mapping and aerial inspection services. They specialize in fully integrated, geo-rectified, 3D modeled mapping for industrial applications in the energy and environmental industries. Also providing aerial survey, video inspection services, emergency support services, wildlife and habitat surveys, and comprehensive system design, training, and sales for both the commercial and private sectors. Integrating the latest tech solutions including artificial intelligence and emissions detection. Remote Intelligence is globally connected with their base of operations in Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit https://remote-intelligence.com  

About DarkPulse , Inc.

DarkPulse, Inc. uses advanced laser-based monitoring systems to provide rapid and accurate monitoring of temperatures, strains and stresses. The Company’s technology excels when applied to live, dynamic critical infrastructure and structural monitoring, including pipeline monitoring, perimeter and structural surveillance, aircraft structural components and mining safety. The Company’s fiber-based monitoring systems can assist markets that are not currently served, and its unique technology covers extended areas and any event that is translated into the detection of a change in strain or temperature. In addition to the Company’s ongoing efforts with respect to the marketing and sales of its technology products and services to its customers, the Company also continues to explore potential strategic alliances through joint venture and licensing opportunities to further expand its global market position.

For more information, visit www.DarkPulse.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains “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, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this news release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Media contact:

DarkPulse Solutions, Inc.

[email protected]

 



Progress Named a Leader in Grid Report for Network Management

Progress WhatsUp Gold receives multiple awards and outstanding customer reviews for product quality, ROI and market presence

BEDFORD, Mass., April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Progress (NASDAQ: PRGS), the leading provider of products to develop, deploy and manage high-impact business applications, today announced that the award-winning network monitoring software, Progress® WhatsUp® Gold, has been recognized as a Leader in G2’s Winter 2021 Grid® Report for Network Management, ranking first out of 18 vendors.

G2 is a trusted source of unbiased information that helps business professionals make informed technology decisions through over a million peer reviews. The G2 Grid annual reports are based on user reviews and data collected from various online sources and social networks. Products are evaluated by real users on factors such as features and functionality, market presence and customer satisfaction. In addition to its Leader position for Network Management, WhatsUp Gold ranked third out of 20 in the Mid-Market Grid Report for Network Monitoring and sixth out of 39 in the general Grid Report for Network Monitoring.

In the past 12 months, Progress WhatsUp Gold has earned multiple recognitions and reviews, including:

  • TechValidate – 89% of organizations saw a return on investment within the first 12 months of using WhatsUp Gold, according to a survey of Progress customers
  • SoftwareReviews – 2020 and 2021 “Network Monitoring Emotional Footprint Champion”

  • PC Magazine

    “Best Network Monitoring Software for 2021”

  • IP Insider Awards

    “Silver” recognition in the “Best Network Monitoring Software” category

  • IT Pro
    , Network Computing and PC Pro Magazine – Noted for ease of use and extensive troubleshooting features

“Being recognized as a leader by both the industry and the very people who use WhatsUp Gold every day to manage and protect their infrastructure is a great honor,” said John Ainsworth, SVP, Core Products, Progress. “This acknowledgement is further recognition of our commitment to delivering even more value to our customers, helping them ensure the continuity of their operations with easy-to-use software that enables them to solve any issue that may arise in their network.”

Progress WhatsUp Gold empowers businesses and enterprises to continuously monitor and manage their IT infrastructure and applications, ensuring high levels of performance and availability. With its features and rich functionality, IT admin teams can quickly spot and prevent issues before they impact business users.

For more information about Progress WhatsUp Gold, go to https://www.whatsupgold.com.

Additional Resources

About Progress

Progress (NASDAQ: PRGS) provides the leading products to develop, deploy and manage high-impact business applications. Our comprehensive product stack is designed to make technology teams more productive, and we have a deep commitment to the developer community, both open source and commercial alike. With Progress solutions, organizations can accelerate the creation and delivery of strategic business applications, automate the process by which apps are configured, deployed and scaled, and make critical data and content more accessible and secure — leading to competitive differentiation and business success. Over 1,700 independent software vendors, 100,000+ enterprise customers, and a three-million-strong developer community rely on Progress to power their applications. Learn about Progress at www.progress.com or +1-800-477-6473. 

Progress and WhatsUp Gold are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the US and other countries. Any other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contacts:           
Kim Baker          
Progress        
+1-781-280-4000          
[email protected]



Creator Fund – The First Ever BitClout Fund Nears Launch…

Fund aims to take the #1 position on the BitClout platform…

Marina del Rey, CA, April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (via Blockchain Wire) Following the successful launch of his first BitClout venture, BitClout HoldingsMario Nawfal and his team have already set their sights on a new project, a fund focused solely on BitClout. No one can deny the incredible feat Mario and Co achieved with BitClout Holdings, which raised $1 million in less than 10 minutes and over $5 million in 36 hours, and became the 7th biggest coin on the platform. 

Photo Available: BitClout Holdings

To avoid sell-offs when it reaches the top 10 position, the fund enforced anti-dumping features to ensure it remains there.

This project is also backed by NFT Technologies, an investment vehicle listed on a Canadian Stock Exchange, which will allow the fund to raise more capital and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Mario believes that BitClout is still in its infancy stage, and more fundamental services are needed for the platform to reach its full potential. BitClout Holdings was the first to provide these services, and The Creator Fund will be next in line.

The fund has three primary goals:

  1. To support creators on the platform
  2. To raise more capital than any other investor or Creator Coin
  3. To become the #1 coin on BitClout

1

The fund will support creators on the platform in several ways. First, the fund will find up-and-coming creators who are worth investing in. Once the creators are chosen, the fund will rely on a group of advisors, developers, and creators to make the investment decisions. This group has developed some of the most advanced proprietary technology, with a proven track record that speaks for itself. 

The fund will support the creators financially, which will allow them to invest in themselves and their business, as well as increase their coin’s value on the platform. The fund will also provide marketing support through its partnership with WeAreGrowthHackers.com, the #1 growth hacking agency in the world, to help creators gain more exposure. Lastly, creators will also receive full continuous support and guidance along the way. 

2

The fund aims to raise more capital than any investor or Creator Coin for one simple reason: more capital means more support for the creators. Achieving this however, would require a multi-faceted approach. As mentioned, the fund will be launched in partnership with NFT technologies, a publicly-listed investment vehicle on a Canadian stock exchange. NFT technologies will provide more access to capital and will take the platform to a whole new level.

The fund will rely on a pre-sale to seed value in this exciting new project. The pre-sale is based on a transparent auction mechanism that encourages investors to outbid other investors for early access to the fund’s Creator Coins. Make sure to read the white paper for more details on that matter.

If BitClout Holdings has taught Mario and his team anything, it’s how to retain coin value. The fund’s strategy will focus on incentivizing long-term investors and warding off short-term scalpers. Moreover, there will be a vesting period, which means that the majority of coin holders will have to wait before withdrawing their investment. Finally, anyone who invests in the fund, either in the pre-sale or afterwards, will be paid in dividends down the line.

3

The fund’s goal to become the #1 coin on BitClout is not for vanity or bragging rights, but a necessary step for the fund to be able to support creators on the long term. When the fund’s coin tops the platform’s chart, it will capture significant market attention. As more people find out about the fund, more investments will pour in, and consequently, the capital raised will be invested in more creators.

A rising tide lifts all boats

Mario, his team, NFT technologies, and everyone involved in the creation and deployment of the Creator Fund are firm believers in BitClout’s potential. While many people share the same belief, the ones who are either doubtful or unaware of the platform are plenty as well. Perhaps the fund’s biggest added value is bringing outside capital into the platform. Everyone involved in the Creator Fund is excited to help build the ecosystem of BitClout and contribute to the platform’s growth.



Ross Davis
[email protected]

Jushi Holdings Inc. Announces Participation at Upcoming Events in May 2021

BOCA RATON, Fla., April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jushi Holdings Inc. (“Jushi” or the “Company”) (CSE: JUSH) (OTCMKTS: JUSHF), a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator, announced that Jushi management will participate in three upcoming investor events in May 2021:

  • A Cowen Inc. Institutional Investor Call is being held on Monday, May 3, 2021. Jim Cacioppo, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Founder is scheduled to host a group investor call at 2:00 p.m. ET.
  • Alliance Global Partners’ Spring Consumer Cannabis Conference is being held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Michael Perlman, EVP of Investor Relations & Treasury is scheduled to host small group and one-on-one investor meetings throughout the day.
  • Canaccord Genuity Cannabis Virtual Conference is being held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Erich Mauff, President, Board Member and Founder is scheduled to give a Company Presentation at 11:30 a.m. ET and host small group and one-on-one investor meetings throughout the day.

For more information about the conferences or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Jushi’s management during these events, please contact Jushi’s Investor Relations at [email protected]

About Jushi Holdings Inc.

We are a vertically integrated cannabis company led by an industry-leading management team. In the United States, Jushi is focused on building a multi-state portfolio of branded cannabis assets through opportunistic acquisitions, distressed workouts, and competitive applications. Jushi strives to maximize shareholder value while delivering high-quality products across all levels of the cannabis ecosystem. For more information, please visit www.jushico.com or our social media channels, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact:

Michael Perlman
Executive Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasury
561-281-0247
[email protected]

Media Contact:

Ellen Mellody
MATTIO Communications
570-209-2947
[email protected]



trivago launches new Weekend product in UK and US

Weekend
helps travellers discover nearby locations for unforgettable weekend getaways

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY— 29 April 2021 — trivago, a leading global accommodation search platform, today announced the US and UK launch of trivago Weekend, a brand-new way for users to discover weekend getaways close to home. Weekend, which provides curated content to help travellers find great deals on accommodation and experiences on and near their doorstep, is now available to travellers in the UK and UK.

Weekend highlights close-to-home adventures and experiences in direct response to the travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. The product taps into the need for experiential, memory-making trips coveted by modern travellers. The launch in the US and UK has been timed to make the most of lockdown restrictions easing across the country and the reported uptake in domestic breaks this summer.

“With the pandemic placing restrictions on travel, many of us have become aware of some of the incredible destinations and activities available on our doorstep,” says Axel Hefer, CEO. “To help users understand the potential of their surrounding area, trivago Weekend provides travellers with ideas for those exciting nearby getaways. In addition to helping users find amazing deals on accommodations, we want trivago to become a source of inspiration for weekend getaways, both planned and spontaneous.”

trivago users in the US and UK will be able to click onto Weekend via the homepage and set a search radius of 100-200 miles from their location, with the results showing both deals on accommodations and recommendations of attractions and things to do in the destination area. The platform can be searched by location, dates for travel and number of rooms/guests, so that travellers can tailor the perfect getaway to their needs. The search results give accommodation options, with suggestions of nearby attractions and points of interest for inspiration and planning.

The product is expected to be rolled out to select markets throughout the year.

The launch follows trivago’s acquisition of weekend.com in January. The company has since integrated weekend.com’s content, focused on inspirational weekend getaway packages, into its own platform.

Recent research from trivago reveals that activities and hobbies are increasingly important in choosing breaks and getaways: ‘discovering new things’ was the number one travel inspiration for British consumers, and of those who have picked up a new hobby during the pandemic (56%), more than half (54%) say that it’s at least somewhat likely that they will pick a trip connected to a new hobby once the pandemic ends.

To learn more, visit trivago.com.

                                                                         # # #

About trivago

trivago is a leading global hotel search platform focused on reshaping the way travelers search for and compare hotels and alternative accommodations. Incorporated in 2005 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the platform allows travelers to make informed decisions by personalizing their hotel search and providing them access to a deep supply of hotel information and prices. trivago enables its advertisers to grow their businesses by providing access to a broad audience of travelers via its websites and apps. As of December 31, 2020, trivago has established 54 localized platforms connected to over 5.0 million hotels and alternative accommodations, in over 190 countries. 

Contact:

Press Contact:
Stephanie Lowenthal
[email protected]

Forward looking statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “continue,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and important factors that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For additional information factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, see our risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

As used herein, references to “we”, “us”, the “company”, or “trivago”, or similar terms shall mean trivago N.V. and, as the context requires, its subsidiaries.

Attachment



Record Number of Insurers Join Verisk’s ISO Statistical Database

Growing insurance database features access to advanced insurance analytics and more efficient ways to contribute data

JERSEY CITY, N.J., April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A record number of insurers are gaining access to analytics that are critical to their operations by joining the growing and increasingly diverse roster of insurers contributing premium and loss records to Verisk (Nasdaq:VRSK), a leading global data analytics provider.

Last year 29 insurers decided to contribute to Verisk’s ISO Statistical Database, which contains aggregated data from across the industry. This was the highest number of new participants in a single year over the last 10 years.

“We all benefit as an industry when we collectively contribute data,” said Shane Paltzer, vice president of marketing and personal lines at Acuity Insurance, one of the 29 new contributing companies. “Loss costs and benchmarks derived from a diverse and robust dataset give us more certainty and predictability. The additional insights and analytics allow us to differentiate ourselves and maintain our competitive edge.”

The growth of the database, which now features more than 23 billion statistical records, has continued to increase the value of derived analytics like the ISO Loss Costs and improve the ability of participating insurers to benchmark their experience against the industry. Access to this data and analytics can increase insurers’ actuarial credibility, lower their rate volatility and significantly improve their pricing accuracy.

“The strong growth in new contributors – from InsurTech startups to multi-state carriers – demonstrates how valuable the ISO Statistical Database is as a collective platform to power future innovations in insurance data and analytics,” said ISO President Neil Spector. “As the insurance industry evolves to serve new markets and embraces new technologies, we’re working to help ensure our data processes are responsive to the industry’s needs.”

For 50 years, ISO has been a trusted provider of data management, reporting and analytics for insurers. Focused on innovations that will spur the next 50 years of insurance innovations, ISO has introduced several enhancements to its statistical services, making it more efficient for insurers to contribute, access and analyze data. These enhancements include more flexible data contribution formats, ­automated quality controls to help insurers review and correct their data submissions as well as access to more advanced and customized analytics.

About Verisk 

Verisk (Nasdaq:VRSK) provides predictive analytics and decision-support solutions to customers in the insurance, energy and specialized markets, and financial services industries. More than 70 percent of the FORTUNE 100 relies on the company’s advanced technologies to manage risks, make better decisions and improve operating efficiency. The company’s analytic solutions address insurance underwriting and claims, fraud, regulatory compliance, natural resources, catastrophes, economic forecasting, geopolitical risks, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the company continues to make the world better, safer and stronger, and fosters an inclusive and diverse culture where all team members feel they belong. With more than 100 offices in nearly 35 countries, Verisk consistently earns certification by Great Place to Work. For more: Verisk.com, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Contact:

Brett Garrison
Edelman (for Verisk)
917-639-4903
[email protected]



GE adds Verizon 5G to Testbed to explore Energy, Health Care and Aviation use cases

What you Need to Know:

  • Verizon installs 5G Ultra Wideband network at GE’s Lab on its Niskayuna, NY campus
  • GE researchers eyeing a broad array of applications, including remote patient monitoring, wireless, real-time control of wind farms and predictive maintenance of connected aircraft engines 
  • 5G Ultra Wideband offers reliability, peak throughputs at least 10x faster than 4G, and ultra-low latency for providing near instantaneous response time   

NISKAYUNA, N.Y. and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Signaling the dawn of a new era for smart industrial machines and systems, GE Research, the technology development arm of the General Electric Company (GE), is collaborating with Verizon Business to create a cross industry testbed powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband.

Vic Abate, GE’s Chief Technology Officer, said “Together with Verizon, we are leading the way in innovating on 5G. It marks a pivotal moment for the industrial world, as we finally have a wireless network platform that delivers the speed, scale, reliability and flexibility to connect industrial devices in a truly transformative way.”

“Verizon’s 5G platform capabilities provide the perfect testbed for GE’s research team to build the next-generation, real-time solutions that will transform every industry,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “There’s never been a more critical time to build the 21st century infrastructure built on mobility, broadband and cloud and our 5G sits right at the epicenter.”

5G is the next generation network that finally boasts the high speed and low latency that is required to dynamically manage industrial machines, systems and operations.  The speed of 5G Ultra Wideband is at least 10 times faster than 4G and up to 4 Gbps under ideal conditions in some locations.  

GE Research’s 5G Mission Leader, Dr. SM Hasan, likened the speed and scale of a 5G network to being able to have thousands of people in a room at one time running internet apps on their mobile devices without any delays. “If you’ve ever been in a public area like an airport and experienced a slow Wi-Fi connection, it’s because the network is experiencing heavy traffic that slows everything down.”

Verizon’s 5G will eventually be capable of connecting one million devices per square mile, which is 10x greater than 4G. Hasan added, “For us, it’s about enabling thousands of assets to be managed in real-time at one-time. 5G’s speed, scale, and near-instantaneous response time are opening new levels of capabilities in the management of assets and operations that engineers previously could only dream of using.”    

“The superior network speed and capacity of 5G networks will allow us to take full advantage of a multitude of digital technologies to transform industrial assets and operations,” Hasan added. “From AI and machine learning to digital twins and autonomous technologies, 5G can accelerate the path to everything from self-driving cars and digital health to more resilient, reliable energy grids powered by more carbon-free energy assets like intelligent wind farms.”

Verizon already has begun the process of installing its 5G Ultra Wideband network on GE’s Research campus. Eric Tucker, Sr Director of Technical Products at GE said: “We are excited to work with the GE businesses and key partners like Verizon and the U.S. Department of Defense to translate Research to Reality and showcase the power of digitally connected and 5G enabled solutions for our customers, and the world”.

Learn more information about Verizon’s 5G technology

About GE Research

GE Research is GE’s innovation powerhouse where research meets reality. We are a world-class team of scientific, engineering and marketing minds working at the intersection of physics and markets, physical and digital technologies, and across a broad set of industries to deliver world-changing innovations and capabilities for our customers. To learn more, visit our website athttps://www.ge.com/research/.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control. 

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available athttps://www.verizon.com/about/media-center. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contact: 

Chris Ashraf
[email protected]
(201) 320-4259
@ChrisMoonPR



A Cloud Guru Introduces New Capabilities For Accelerating and Scaling Enterprise Cloud Deployments

New release includes Custom Learning Paths and Azure Skills Assessment to help close the tech skills gap

AUSTIN, Texas, April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Cloud Guru (ACG), the leader in modern tech skills development, today announced the launch of two new product features specifically for businesses looking to manage their cloud transformation efforts at scale. These features – Azure Skills Assessments and Custom Learning Paths – follow the introduction of a suite of product launches for learners and enable enterprises to increase investment in their people through customizable multi-cloud learning.

“To effectively navigate and utilize constantly changing cloud technologies, enterprises need a workforce that is continuously in the loop on updates across multiple cloud environments,” said Sam Kroonenburg, CEO and co-founder of A Cloud Guru. “Our Custom Learning Paths and our Cloud Skills Assessment for AWS and now Azure make it easy to upskill teams with varying needs, ensuring that all employees have the tools and knowledge needed to support their company’s strategic cloud initiatives.”

In response to the growing enterprise demand for expertise in multiple cloud environments, specifically in Microsoft Azure, ACG’s Azure Skills Assessment can now be used in conjunction with ACG’s pre-existing AWS Skills Assessment. Together, the skill assessment features enable businesses to assess cloud readiness, measure Azure and AWS skills across multiple disciplines, and understand where to start when upskilling teams.

ACG’s Custom Learning Paths give organizations the ability to tailor their cloud learning based on their stage of cloud maturity and technology needs. With Custom Learning Paths, enterprises can significantly increase employee engagement and performance through customized and relevant learning programs aligning with team learning goals, upcoming company initiatives, and career development roadmaps.

“The additional functionality of the Custom Learning Paths is a great option for any company who is looking to focus learning in unique or interesting ways,” said Dan Johnson, Cloud Competency Lead at Daugherty Business Solutions. “Building a custom learning path around a specific role within our company or a client’s skills gap is a great use of the tool. For example, we created a custom learning path for our Cloud Architect role that streamlines individual courses and specific certification courses across AWS, Azure, and GCP. By following this coursework, our Cloud Architects are positioned to establish Cloud Communities of Excellence with clients and lead major migrations to AWS, Azure, or GCP.”

A Cloud Guru works with enterprises across the globe who use the platform’s 1,600+ hands-on labs, bite-size content, cloud sandboxes, engaging instructors, and iterative learning content to drive their cloud transformations. These new features solidify ACG’s commitment to giving businesses a competitive edge through an accelerated path to cloud maturity.

For enterprises interested in learning more about A Cloud Guru’s new features, there will be a webinar held on May 5th at 9am PDT / 12pm EDT. To sign up, visit https://get.acloudguru.com/introducing-new-acg-business-tools-webinar

About A Cloud Guru

A Cloud Guru is driven by a simple mission — to teach the world to cloud. We believe people learn best by doing. That’s why our in-house cloud experts go to ridiculous lengths to design fresh, engaging, and hands-on learning tools that empower both individuals and organizations to stay ahead of the technology curve. As the world’s most comprehensive, hands-on, and effective Saas platform for cloud learning, ACG has enabled 2.5 million learners and over 4,500 organizations to achieve a brighter future.

Contact


[email protected]



Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation Reports Strong First Quarter Results, Driven By Noninterest Income Totaling 36% Of Total Revenue

Bedminster, NJ, April 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via NewMediaWire — Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: PGC) (the “Company”) announces its first quarter 2021 results.

This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Q1 2021 Investor Update (and Supplemental Financial Information), a copy of which is available on our website at



www.pgbank.com




and

via a current report on Form 8-K on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. 

The Company recorded total revenue of $49.61 million, net income of $13.18 million and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.67 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to $46.27 million, $1.37 million and $0.07, respectively, for the same three month period ended March 31, 2020.

The 2021 quarter included increased noninterest income, principally wealth management income and income from capital markets activities (which includes mortgage banking income, loan level back-to-back swap income, SBA loan income, and corporate advisory fee income). The 2021 quarter also included a significantly reduced provision for loan losses when compared to the same quarter last year. The 2021 quarter included a $225,000 provision while the 2020 quarter included a $20.0 million provision, which was due to the environment at that time created by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to increased qualitative loss factors when calculating the allowance for loan losses.

The 2021 three-month period also included $1.5 million of severance expense related to certain staff reorganizations within several areas of the Bank.  The 2020 three-month period included a tax benefit of $3.2 million caused by the changes in the treatment of tax net operating losses (“NOL”) under the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act.  

As previously disclosed, on January 28, 2021, the Company authorized the repurchase of up to 948,735 shares, or approximately 5% of its outstanding shares. During the first quarter of 2021 the Company purchased 158,033 shares at an average price of $27.71 for a total cost of $4.4 million under this program.

Douglas L. Kennedy, President and CEO, said, “Our capital is strong and we believe that purchasing the Company’s stock is an opportunity for us to effectively manage our excess capital, while taking advantage of the Company’s discounted valuation relative to peers.”

Mr. Kennedy also said, “During the first quarter of 2021 the Company participated in the 2021 round of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) which created much needed funding to qualifying small businesses and organizations.  We are proud to say that during the quarter we assisted with over $142 million of PPP loans – $47 million processed, closed and funded by the Bank, and another $95 million referred directly to a third party for processing and funding.  The Company plans to sell the $46 million of loans in the second quarter to the same third party, who is extremely proficient in the servicing and forgiveness processes for PPP loans.”


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The following tables summarize specified financial measures for the periods shown.

March 2021 Quarter Compared to Prior Year Quarter

    Three Months Ended       Three Months Ended                  
    March
 
31,
      March
 
31,
    Increase/  
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)   2021       2020     (Decrease)  
Net interest income   $ 31.79       $ 31.75     $ 0.04       0 %
Wealth management fee income (A)     12.13         9.96       2.17       22  
Capital markets activity (B)     3.57         2.84       0.73       26  
Other income     2.12         1.72       0.40       23  
Total other income     17.82         14.52       3.30       23  
Operating expenses (C)     31.59         28.24       3.35       12  
Pretax income before provision for loan losses     18.02         18.03       (0.01 )     (0 )
Provision for loan and lease losses (D)     0.23         20.00       (19.77 )     (99 )
Pretax income     17.79         (1.97 )     19.76     N/A  
Income tax expense/(benefit) (E)     4.61         (3.34 )     7.95     N/A  
Net income (C)   $ 13.18       $ 1.37     $ 11.81       862 %
Diluted EPS   $ 0.6747       $ 0.0700     $ 0.6047       864 %
                                   
Total Revenue (F)   $ 49.61       $ 46.27     $ 3.34       7 %
                                   
Return on average assets annualized     0.89 %       0.11 %     0.78          
Return on average equity annualized     10.03 %       1.08 %     8.95          
  1. The March 2021 quarter included a full quarter of wealth management fee income and expense related to the December lift outs of teams from Lucas Capital Management (“Lucas”) and Noyes Capital Management (“Noyes”) – approximately $600,000 of wealth management fee income and approximately $400,000 of operating expenses were recorded in the 2021 quarter.
  2. Capital markets activity includes loan level back-to-back swap activities, the SBA lending and sale program, corporate advisory activities and mortgage banking activities. There were no fees related to loan level back-to-back swap activities in the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to $1.4 million in the March 2020 quarter.  
  3. The quarter ended March 31, 2021 included $1.5 million of severance expense related to certain staff reorganization within several areas of the Bank. This expense reduced pretax income before provision for loan losses and pretax income by $1.5 million each; and reduced net income by $1.1 million; diluted EPS by $0.06; ROA by 0.08%; and ROE by 0.86%, respectively.  
  4. The March 2020 quarter included a provision for loan and lease losses of $20.0 million, primarily due to the environment at that time created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  5. The March 2020 quarter included a $3.2 million tax benefit related to the carryback of tax NOLs to prior years when the Federal tax rate was 14% higher.
  6. Total revenue equals net interest income plus total other income.

March 2021 Quarter Compared to Linked Quarter

    Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended                    
    March
 
31,
    December
 
31,
      Increase/  
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)   2021     2020       (Decrease)  
Net interest income   $ 31.79     $ 31.74       $ 0.05       0 %
Wealth management fee income (A)     12.13       10.79         1.34       12  
Capital markets activity (B)     3.57       1.90         1.67       88  
Other income     2.12       1.71         0.41       24  
Total other income     17.82       14.40         3.42       24  
Operating expenses (C)     31.59       39.25         (7.66 )     (20 )
Pretax income before provision for loan losses     18.02       6.89         11.13       162  
Provision for loan and lease losses     0.23       2.35         (2.12 )     (90 )
Pretax income     17.79       4.54         13.25       292  
Income tax expense     4.61       1.51         3.10       205  
Net income (C)   $ 13.18     $ 3.03       $ 10.15       335 %
Diluted EPS   $ 0.67     $ 0.16       $ 0.51       319 %
                                   
Total Revenue (D)   $ 49.61     $ 46.14       $ 3.47       8 %
                                   
Return on average assets annualized     0.89 %     0.21 %       0.68          
Return on average equity annualized     10.03 %     2.32 %       7.71          
  1. The March 2021 quarter included a full quarter of wealth management fee income and expense related to the lift outs of teams from Lucas and Noyes – approximately $600,000 of wealth management fee income and approximately $400,000 of operating expenses were recorded in the 2021 quarter.
  2. Capital markets activity includes loan level back-to-back swap activities, the SBA lending and sale program, corporate advisory and mortgage banking activities. 
  3. The quarter ended March 31, 2021 included $1.5 million of severance expense related to certain staff reorganization within several areas of the Bank. This expense reduced pretax income before provision for loan losses and pretax income by $1.5 million each; and reduced net income by $1.1 million; diluted EPS by $0.06; ROA by 0.08%; and ROE by 0.86%, respectively.   The December 31, 2020 quarter included $4.8 million for the prepayment of FHLB advances, $4.4 million for the valuation allowance for a loan held for sale and $210,000 for the consolidation of two private banking locations.
  4. Total revenue equals net interest income plus total other income.

The Company’s near-term priorities include:

  • Actively deploy/manage capital and liquidity by expanding our lending activities and executing on our recently announced stock repurchase program.
  • Continue to grow and expand our core Wealth Management, Commercial Banking and Capital Markets businesses through core operations, strategic hires, lift-outs, and acquisition of wealth management firms.
  • Expand our Net Interest Margin.
  • Investment in digital enhancements.
  • Continue to target fee income at 35% – 45% of total bank revenue.
  • Drive ROA to greater than 1% and return on average tangible common equity to greater than 14%.

Other select highlights for the quarter included:

  • Total noninterest income totaled $17.8 million for the March 2021 quarter, accounting for 36% of total revenue (within our target of 35% to 45% of total revenue).
  • Wealth management fee income, which comprised approximately 24% of the Company’s total revenue for the three-months ended March 31, 2021, continues to contribute significantly to the Company’s diversified revenue sources.
  • The Company completed its first major corporate advisory/investment banking deal. 
  • As of March 31, 2021, total C&I loans (including PPP loans held in portfolio and held for sale) comprised 45% of the total loan portfolio. 
  • Deposits totaled $4.94 billion at March 31, 2021.  This reflected net growth of $504 million or 11% compared to $4.44 billion at March 31, 2020, despite managed reductions in higher cost CDs of $184 million. 
  • The Company’s net interest margin improved in the quarter when compared to the December 2020 quarter (see subsequent discussion of Net Interest Income / Net Interest Margin).
  • In addition to $1.4 billion (23% of total assets) of balance sheet liquidity (investments, interest-earning deposits and cash) as of March 31, 2021, the Company also has access to approximately $2.8 billion of available secured funding at the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve.
  • Nonperforming assets at March 31, 2021 were $11.8 million, or 0.20% of total assets. Loans past due 30 to 89 days totaled $1.6 million at March 31, 2021. Loans on deferral status as of March 31, 2021 were $43 million (less than 1% of total loans).
  • As previously announced, the Company opened a retail location in Boonton/Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. 

  


SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY DETAILS


:

Wealth Management Business

In the March 2021 quarter, the Bank’s wealth management business generated $12.13 million in fee income, compared to $9.96 million for the March 2020 quarter, and $10.79 million for the December 2020 quarter.

The market value of the Company’s AUM/AUA increased from $8.8 billion at December 31, 2020 to $9.4 billion at March 31, 2021.

In the quarter ended March 31, 2021 the Company successfully integrated the previously announced teams from Lucas and Noyes which combined added approximately $400 million in AUM/AUA during the fourth quarter of 2020.

John P. Babcock, President of the Peapack Private Wealth Management division, said, “2021 showed continued strong new business, new client acquisition and client retention. We ended 2020 with a very strong Q4 and this continued into Q1 2021 with gross inflows of over $250 million.” Babcock went on to note, “We continue to look to grow our wealth business organically and through selective acquisition.  At year-end 2020, we combined two of our acquired RIAs – Lassus Wherley Associates and Point View Wealth Management into the Peapack Private bank entity as well as on-boarded two lift outs in Morristown and Red Bank NJ.  We continue to make significant progress on our infrastructure consolidation including launching our new trading platform and a new CRM system, as well as adding more resources to our financial planning team.”

Loans / Commercial Banking

Total loans of $4.44 billion at March 31, 2021 (including PPP loans of $233 million, of which $46 million are held for sale) increased $36 million from $4.40 billion at December 31, 2020. Excluding net PPP loan growth during the March 2021 quarter, loan balances were relatively flat to year-end. Loan origination levels for the March 2021 quarter were approximately $330 million (excluding PPP loans), but paydown and payoff activity remains robust.

Total C&I loans (including the PPP loans) at March 31, 2021 were $1.98 billion or 45% of the total loan portfolio. While C&I origination levels have been strong, as noted just above, paydown and payoff activity has also been robust, including paydowns of several large lines of credit, as well as the Company’s workout and asset recovery efforts, including the workout and recovery of several nonaccrual and/or classified credits in 2021.

Mr. Kennedy noted, “Our commercial loan (C&I, Equipment Finance and CRE/Multifamily) pipelines are strong going into the second quarter, standing at approximately $350 million with likelihood of closing during the second quarter of 2021.”

Mr. Kennedy also noted, “As I have mentioned in the past, our Corporate Advisory business, which gives us the capability to engage in high level strategic debt, capital and valuation analysis, enables us to provide a unique boutique level of service, giving us a competitive advantage over many of our peers. Our Corporate Advisory pipelines are also strong.”

The Company maintains a well-diversified loan portfolio, as noted in the Q1 2021 Investor Update (and Supplemental Financial Information).

Funding / Liquidity / Interest Rate Risk Management

The Company actively manages its deposit base to reduce reliance on wholesale sourced deposits, volatility, and/or operational risk.  Total deposits at March 31, 2021 were $4.94 billion reflecting an increase of $504 million when compared to $4.44 billion at March 31, 2020 and an increase of $126 million from $4.82 billion at December 31, 2020. Compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2020, noninterest bearing demand deposits increased $328 million and interest-bearing demand increased $307 million, while brokered deposits declined $70 million, and higher costing CDs declined $184 million.  Mr. Kennedy noted, “Our noninterest bearing deposits comprise 19% of our customer deposits, and only 17% of our total deposits are not covered by FDIC insurance; both statistics reinforce the ‘core’ nature of our deposit base.”

For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the Company’s balance sheet liquidity (investments, interest-earning deposits and cash) totaled $1.4 billion (or 23% of assets).  In addition to the $1.4 billion of balance sheet liquidity, the Company also had approximately $1.8 billion of secured funding available from the Federal Home Loan Bank. Additionally, the Company had $990 million of secured funding available from the Federal Reserve Discount Window.

Mr. Kennedy noted, “As a commercial bank, a large portion of our loans reprice when the Fed changes rates. The 150-basis point reduction in target Fed Funds near the end of the first quarter of 2020 reduced the Company’s yield earned on assets. However, we were able to and we continue to strategically reprice our deposits over time to offset much of that decline. Further, when interest rates rise, we expect that our net interest income will improve. Our current modeling indicates that net interest income would improve 6.3% with an immediate 100 basis points rise in rates.”

Net Interest Income (NII)/Net Interest Margin (NIM)

  Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
  March 31, 2021     December 31, 2020     March 31, 2020  
  NII     NIM     NII     NIM     NII     NIM  
                                               
NII/NIM excluding the below $ 30,565     2.49%     $ 30,897     2.51%     $ 31,279     2.60%  
Prepayment premiums received on loan paydowns   704     0.05%       413     0.02%       525     0.05%  
Effect of maintaining excess interest earning cash   (195 )   -0.21%       (206 )   -0.24%       (57 )   -0.08%  
Effect of PPP loans   719     -0.05%       631     -0.04%           0.00%  
NII/NIM as reported $ 31,793     2.28%     $ 31,735     2.25%     $ 31,747     2.57%  

 

As shown above, the Company’s reported NIM increased 3 basis points compared to the linked quarter. The Bank strategically lowered its cost of deposits by 8 basis points and generated an additional $291,000 of prepayment premiums compared to the linked quarter. These positives were partially offset by a reduced yield on loans (decline of 4 basis points) and the full 90-day impact from the mid-December 2020 $100 million, 3.5% subordinated debt issuance. 

Future net interest income and net interest margin should benefit from the following:

  • $415 million of CDs at an average rate of 0.76% mature within one year.
  • $67 million of term money market accounts at an average rate of 0.50% are set to reprice on July 1, 2021.
  • $50 million of subordinated debt at a coupon of 6% becomes callable on June 30, 2021.

Income from Capital Markets Activities

Noninterest income from Capital Markets activities (the SBA lending and sale program, mortgage banking activity, corporate advisory activity and loan level back-to-back swap activities) totaled $3.57 million for the March 2021 quarter compared to $1.90 million for the December 2020 quarter and $2.84 million for the March 2020 quarter.  The March 2021 quarter results were driven by a $1.45 million gain on sale of SBA loans, which was benefitted by certain changes to SBA lending requirements. The March 2021 and December 2020 quarters reflected increased mortgage banking activity due to greater refinance activity in the low rate environment. During March 2021, the Company also recorded $1.1 million of corporate advisory fee income.  This included the Company’s first major corporate advisory/investment banking event. These transactions tend to be larger and take longer to complete. As noted previously, the pipeline of such business is fairly robust.  The March 2021 quarter included no income from loan level, back-to-back swap activities, as there has been, and will continue to be, minimal activity for such in the current environment. The March 2020 quarter included $1.4 million of such income.

Other Noninterest Income (other than Wealth Management fee income and Income from Capital Markets Activities)

The March 2021 quarter included approximately $300,000 of additional Bank Owned life Insurance income, compared to prior quarters, due to receipt of life insurance proceeds. Such proceeds were nontaxable. The 2021 quarter also included a $282,000 gain on sale of $8 million of loans that had some past payment issues and were classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2020. Partially offsetting these positives, the Company recorded a $265,000 securities loss related to the valuation of certain community investment equity securities. 

Operating Expenses

The Company’s total operating expenses were $31.59 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to $39.25 million for the December 2020 quarter and $28.24 million for the March 2020 quarter. The March 2021 quarter included $1.5 million of severance expense related to certain staff reorganization within several areas of the Bank, as well as a full quarter’s worth of expense related to Lucas and Noyes (approximately $400,000). The December 2020 quarter included the prepayment of FHLB advances ($4.8 million), a valuation allowance on a loan held for sale ($4.4 million) and consolidation of two private banking offices ($210,000). 

Mr. Kennedy noted, “While we continue to manage expenses closely and prudently, we will invest in digital enhancements to improve the client experience and grow and expand our core wealth management and commercial banking businesses, including lift-outs, strategic hires, and wealth M&A.”

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was 25.94%, as compared to 33.29% for the December 2020 quarter and a tax benefit in the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The March 31, 2021 benefitted from life insurance proceeds that were not taxable and from the vesting of restricted stock at prices higher than grant prices. A tax return to book adjustment recorded in the December 2020 quarter, coupled with reduced pretax income in the that quarter, increased the December 2020 effective tax rate by approximately 5%.    

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a $3.34 million tax benefit, principally due to a $3.2 million Federal income tax benefit that resulted from a tax NOL carryback. The Company had a $23 million operating loss for tax purposes in 2018 (when the Federal tax rate was 21%) resulting from accelerated tax depreciation. Under the CARES Act, the Company was allowed to carry this NOL back to a period when the Federal tax rate was 35%, generating a permanent tax benefit. 

Asset Quality / Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

For further details, see the Q1 2021 Investor Update (and Supplemental Financial Information).

Nonperforming assets at March 31, 2021 (which does not include troubled debt restructured loans that are performing in accordance with their terms) were $11.8 million, or 0.20% of total assets, up slightly from $11.5 million, or 0.19% of total assets, at December 31, 2020 and down significantly from $29.4 million, or 0.50% of total assets, at March 31, 2020.  Total loans past due 30 through 89 days and still accruing declined to $1.6 million at March 31, 2021, from $5.1 million at December 31, 2020 and $8.3 million at March 31, 2020.  During the latter half of 2020 and first quarter of 2021, the Company’s asset recovery and workout efforts reduced nonperforming and classified assets.   

For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the Company’s provision for loan and lease losses was $225,000 compared to $2.35 million for the December 2020 quarter and $20.00 million for the March 2020 quarter. The decreased provision for loan and lease losses in the 2021 quarter when compared to the 2020 quarters reflect the reduced qualitative loss factors when calculating the allowance for loan losses as loan deferrals entered into during the COVID-19 pandemic have come down significantly from prior year (declined from $914 million at June 30, 2020 to $43 million at March 31, 2021). The Company’s provision for loan and lease losses (and its allowance for loan and lease losses) also reflect, among other things, the Company’s assessment of asset quality metrics, net charge-offs/recoveries, and the composition of the loan portfolio.

At March 31, 2021, the allowance for loan and lease losses was $67.54 million (1.52% of total loans), compared to $67.31 million at December 31, 2020 (1.53% of total loans), and $63.78 million at March 31, 2020 (1.44% of total loans).  The Company has elected to take additional time to adopt CECL and will implement effective January 1, 2022.

Capital

The Company’s capital position during the March 2021 quarter was benefitted by net income of $13.18 million which was offset by the purchase of shares through the Company’s stock repurchase program.  The Company purchased 158,033 shares at an average price of $27.71 for a total cost of $4.4 million.  Capital was also impacted by an increase in the unrealized loss on our securities of $13.4 million during the March 2021 quarter, as medium-term market interest rates rose during the quarter impacting the market value of securities.

The Company’s and Bank’s capital ratios at March 31, 2021 all remain strong.  Such ratios remain well above regulatory well capitalized standards.

As previously announced, in the fourth quarter of 2020 the Company successfully completed a private placement of $100 million in fixed-to floating rate subordinated notes due 2030 at a rate of 3.5%. Such funds benefitted the Company’s Regulatory Tier 2 Capital. The proceeds raised will be used for general corporate purposes, which will include stock repurchases and could potentially include redemption of the Company’s existing 6% subordinated debt and acquisitions of wealth management firms.

The Company employs quarterly capital stress testing run under multiple scenarios, including a no growth, severely adverse case. In such case as of December 31, 2020, the Bank remains well capitalized over a two-year stress period. With a Pandemic stress overlay on this case, the Bank still remains well capitalized over the two-year stress period. For further details, see the Q1 2021 Investor Update (and Supplemental Financial Information).

As previously announced, on April 27, 2021, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable on May 25, 2021 to shareholders of record on May 11, 2021.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a New Jersey bank holding company with total assets of $6.0 billion and assets under management/administration of $9.4 billion as of March 31, 2021.  Founded in 1921, Peapack-Gladstone Bank is a commercial bank that provides innovative wealth management, commercial and retail solutions, including residential lending and online platforms, to businesses and consumers.  Peapack Private, the bank’s wealth management division, offers comprehensive financial, tax, fiduciary and investment advice and solutions, to individuals, families, privately-held businesses, family offices and not-for-profit organizations, which help them to establish, maintain and expand their legacy.  Together, Peapack-Gladstone Bank and Peapack Private offer an unparalleled commitment to client service.  Visit www.pgbank.com and www.peapackprivate.com for more information.

The foregoing may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about new and existing programs and products, investments, relationships, opportunities and market conditions.  These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may” or similar statements or variations of such terms.  Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements.  Factors that may cause results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

  • our inability to successfully grow our business and implement our strategic plan, including an inability to generate revenues to offset the increased personnel and other costs related to the strategic plan;
  • the impact of anticipated higher operating expenses in 2021 and beyond;
  • our inability to successfully integrate wealth management firm acquisitions;
  • our inability to manage our growth;
  • our inability to successfully integrate our expanded employee base;
  • an unexpected decline in the economy, in particular in our New Jersey and New York market areas;
  • declines in our net interest margin caused by the interest rate environment and/or our highly competitive market;
  • declines in value in our investment portfolio;
  • impact on our business from a pandemic event on our business, operations, customers, allowance for loan losses and capital levels;
  • higher than expected increases in our allowance for loan and lease losses;
  • higher than expected increases in loan and lease losses or in the level of nonperforming loans;
  • changes in interest rates;
  • decline in real estate values within our market areas;
  • legislative and regulatory actions (including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Basel III and related regulations) that may result in increased compliance costs;
  • successful cyberattacks against our IT infrastructure and that of our IT and third-party providers;
  • higher than expected FDIC insurance premiums;
  • adverse weather conditions;
  • our inability to successfully generate new business in new geographic markets;
  • our inability to execute upon new business initiatives;
  • our lack of liquidity to fund our various cash obligations;
  • reduction in our lower-cost funding sources;
  • our inability to adapt to technological changes;
  • claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility, environmental laws and other matters;
  • our inability to retain key employees;
  • demands for loans and deposits in our market areas;
  • adverse changes in securities markets;
  • changes in accounting policies and practices; and
  • other unexpected material adverse changes in our operations or earnings.

Further, given its ongoing and dynamic nature, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the coronavirus can be controlled and abated and when and whether the gradual reopening of businesses will result in a meaningful increase in economic activity.  As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations:

  • demand for our products and services may decline, making it difficult to grow assets and income;
  • if the economy is unable to substantially reopen, and high levels of unemployment continue for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased charges and reduced income;
  • collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase;
  • our allowance for loan losses may have to be increased if borrowers experience financial difficulties, which will adversely affect our net income;
  • the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us;
  • a material decrease in net income or a net loss over several quarters could result in a decrease in the rate of our quarterly cash dividend;
  • our wealth management revenues may decline with continuing market turmoil;
  • a worsening of business and economic conditions or in the financial markets could result in an impairment of certain intangible assets, such as goodwill;
  • the unanticipated loss or unavailability of key employees due to the outbreak, which could harm our ability to operate our business or execute our business strategy, especially as we may not be successful in finding and integrating suitable successors;
  • we may face litigation, regulatory enforcement and reputation risk as a result of our participation in the PPP and the risk that the SBA may not fund some or all PPP loan guaranties;
  • our cyber security risks are increased as the result of an increase in the number of employees working remotely; and
  • FDIC premiums may increase if the agency experience additional resolution costs.

A discussion of these and other factors that could affect our results is included in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.  We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

 (Tables to follow)

P
EAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in Thousands, except share data)

 (Unaudited)

    For the Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     Dec 31,     Sept 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
    2021     2020     2020     2020     2020  
Income Statement Data:                                        
Interest income   $ 38,239     $ 38,532     $ 40,174     $ 41,649     $ 45,395  
Interest expense     6,446       6,797       8,025       9,678       13,648  
Net interest income     31,793       31,735       32,149       31,971       31,747  
Wealth management fee income     12,131       10,791       10,119       9,996       9,955  
Service charges and fees     846       859       785       695       816  
Bank owned life insurance     611       313       314       318       328  
Gain on loans held for sale at fair value
   (Mortgage banking) (A)
    1,025       1,470       954       550       292  
Gain/(loss) on loans held for sale at lower of cost or
   fair value(B)
    282             7,429             (3 )
Fee income related to loan level, back-to-back
   swaps (A)
                      202       1,418  
Gain on sale of SBA loans (A)     1,449       375       79       258       1,054  
Corporate advisory fee income (A)     1,098       50       75       65       75  
Other income     643       590       456       417       384  
Securities (losses)/gains, net     (265 )     (42 )           125       198  
Total other income     17,820       14,406       20,211       12,626       14,517  
Salaries and employee benefits (C)     21,990       19,902       19,202       19,186       19,226  
Premises and equipment     4,113       4,189       4,109       4,036       4,043  
FDIC insurance expense     585       665       605       455       250  
FHLB prepayment penalty           4,784                    
Valuation allowance loans held for sale (D)           4,425                    
Other expenses     4,906       5,284       4,545       5,337       4,716  
Total operating expenses     31,594       39,249       28,461       29,014       28,235  
Pretax income before provision for loan losses     18,019       6,892       23,899       15,583       18,029  
Provision for loan and lease losses (E)     225       2,350       5,150       4,900       20,000  
Income/(loss) before income taxes     17,794       4,542       18,749       10,683       (1,971 )
Income tax expense/(benefit) (F)     4,616       1,512       5,202       2,441       (3,344 )
Net income   $ 13,178     $ 3,030     $ 13,547     $ 8,242     $ 1,373  
                                         
Total revenue (G)   $ 49,613     $ 46,141     $ 52,360     $ 44,597     $ 46,264  
Per Common Share Data:                                        
Earnings per share (basic)   $ 0.70     $ 0.16     $ 0.72     $ 0.44     $ 0.07  
Earnings per share (diluted)     0.67       0.16       0.71       0.43       0.07  
Weighted average number of common

   shares outstanding:
                                       
Basic     18,950,305       18,947,864       18,908,337       18,872,070       18,858,343  
Diluted     19,531,689       19,334,569       19,132,650       19,059,822       19,079,575  
Performance Ratios:                                        
Return on average assets annualized (ROAA)     0.89 %     0.21 %     0.89 %     0.56 %     0.11 %
Return on average equity annualized (ROAE)     10.03 %     2.32 %     10.53 %     6.56 %     1.08 %
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) (H)     10.94 %     2.51 %     11.41 %     7.13 %     1.17 %
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)     2.28 %     2.25 %     2.20 %     2.27 %     2.57 %
GAAP efficiency ratio (I)     63.68 %     85.06 %     54.36 %     65.06 %     61.03 %
Operating expenses / average assets annualized     2.14 %     2.66 %     1.86 %     1.97 %     2.18 %
  1. Gain on loans held for sale at fair value (mortgage banking), fee income related to loan level, back-to-back swaps, gain on sale of SBA loans and corporate advisory fee income are all included in “capital markets activity” as referred to within the earnings release.
  2. Includes gain on sale of PPP loans of $355 million completed in the September quarter.
  3. The March 2021 quarter included $1.5 million of severance expense related to corporate restructuring.
  4. The December 2020 quarter reflects a $4.4 million write-down of a commercial real estate held for sale loan associated with an assisted living facility.
  5. The March 2020, June 2020 and September 2020 quarters included a higher provision for loan and lease losses primarily due to the environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  6. The March 2020 quarter included a $3.2 million tax benefit related to the carryback of tax NOLs to prior years when the Federal tax rate was 14% higher.
  7. Total revenue equals net interest income plus total other income.
  8. Return on average tangible common equity is calculated by dividing tangible common equity by annualized net income.  See Non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation included in these tables.
  9. Calculated as total operating expenses as a percentage of total revenue.  For Non-GAAP efficiency ratio, see Non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation included in these tables.

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION


(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

    As of  
    March 31,     Dec 31,     Sept 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
    2021     2020     2020     2020     2020  
ASSETS                                        
Cash and due from banks   $ 8,159     $ 10,629     $ 8,400     $ 5,608     $ 6,171  
Federal funds sold     102       102       102       102       102  
Interest-earning deposits     468,276       642,591       670,863       617,117       767,730  
Total cash and cash equivalents     476,537       653,322       679,365       622,827       774,003  
Securities available for sale     875,301       622,689       596,929       539,742       400,558  
Equity security     14,852       15,117       15,159       15,159       14,034  
FHLB and FRB stock, at cost     13,699       13,709       18,433       18,598       40,871  
Residential mortgage     498,884       520,188       532,120       536,015       532,063  
Multifamily mortgage     1,178,940       1,127,198       1,168,796       1,178,494       1,203,487  
Commercial mortgage     697,599       694,034       722,678       761,910       760,648  
Commercial loans (A)     1,982,570       1,975,337       1,930,984       2,316,125       1,810,214  
Consumer loans     36,519       37,016       51,859       53,111       53,365  
Home equity lines of credit     45,624       50,547       52,194       54,006       55,856  
Other loans     199       225       260       272       347  
Total loans     4,440,335       4,404,545       4,458,891       4,899,933       4,415,980  
Less: Allowances for loan and lease losses     67,536       67,309       66,145       66,065       63,783  
Net loans     4,372,799       4,337,236       4,392,746       4,833,868       4,352,197  
Premises and equipment     23,260       21,609       21,668       21,449       21,243  
Other real estate owned     50       50       50       50       50  
Accrued interest receivable     23,916       22,495       22,192       15,956       11,816  
Bank owned life insurance     46,448       46,809       46,645       46,479       46,309  
Goodwill and other intangible assets     43,524       43,891       39,622       39,943       40,265  
Finance lease right-of-use assets     4,143       4,330       4,517       4,704       4,891  
Operating lease right-of-use assets     10,186       9,421       10,011       10,810       11,553  
Other assets (B)     64,912       99,764       110,770       111,630       113,668  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 5,969,627     $ 5,890,442     $ 5,958,107     $ 6,281,215     $ 5,831,458  
                                         
LIABILITIES                                        
Deposits:                                        
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits   $ 908,922     $ 833,500     $ 838,307     $ 911,989     $ 581,085  
Interest-bearing demand deposits     1,987,567       1,849,254       1,858,529       1,804,102       1,680,452  
Savings     141,743       130,731       127,737       123,140       112,668  
Money market accounts     1,256,605       1,298,885       1,251,349       1,183,603       1,163,410  
Certificates of deposit – Retail     474,668       530,222       586,801       629,941       651,000  
Certificates of deposit – Listing Service     31,631       32,128       32,677       35,327       38,895  
Subtotal “customer” deposits     4,801,136       4,674,720       4,695,400       4,688,102       4,227,510  
IB Demand – Brokered     110,000       110,000       130,000       130,000       180,000  
Certificates of deposit – Brokered     33,777       33,764       33,750       33,736       33,723  
Total deposits     4,944,913       4,818,484       4,859,150       4,851,838       4,441,233  
Short-term borrowings     15,000       15,000       15,000       15,000       515,000  
FHLB advances (C)                 105,000       105,000       105,000  
Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (D)     168,180       177,086       183,790       535,837        
Finance lease liability     6,528       6,753       6,976       7,196       7,402  
Operating lease liability     10,509       9,737       10,318       11,116       11,852  
Subordinated debt, net (E)     181,837       181,794       83,585       83,529       83,473  
Other liabilities (B)     120,219       154,466       156,472       163,719       160,173  
Due to brokers                 15,088             10,885  
TOTAL LIABILITIES     5,447,186       5,363,320       5,435,379       5,773,235       5,335,018  
Shareholders’ equity     522,441       527,122       522,728       507,980       496,440  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND                                        
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 5,969,627     $ 5,890,442     $ 5,958,107     $ 6,281,215     $ 5,831,458  
Assets under management and / or administration at

   Peapack-Gladstone Bank

s Private Wealth Management

   Division (market value, not included above-dollars in billions)
  $ 9.4     $ 8.8     $ 7.6     $ 7.2     $ 6.4  

 

  1. Includes PPP loans of $233 million at March 31, 2021, $196 million at December 31, 2020, $202 million at September 30, 2020 and $547 million at June 30, 2020.
  2. The change in other assets and other liabilities was primarily due to the change in the fair value of our back-to-back swap program.
  3. The Company prepaid $105 million of FHLB advances with a weighted-average rate of 3.20% during the December 2020 quarter.
  4. Represents funding provided by the Federal Reserve for pledged PPP loans.
  5. The increase was due to the completion of a $100 million subordinated debt offering in December 22, 2020.

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

    As of  
    March 31,     Dec 31,     Sept 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
    2021     2020     2020     2020     2020  
Asset Quality:                                        
Loans past due over 90 days and still accruing   $     $     $     $     $  
Nonaccrual loans (A)     11,767       11,410       8,611       26,697       29,324  
Other real estate owned     50       50       50       50       50  
Total nonperforming assets   $ 11,817     $ 11,460     $ 8,661     $ 26,747     $ 29,374  
                                         
Nonperforming loans to total loans     0.27 %     0.26 %     0.19 %     0.54 %     0.66 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.20 %     0.19 %     0.15 %     0.43 %     0.50 %
                                         
Performing TDRs (B)(C)   $ 197     $ 201     $ 2,278     $ 2,376     $ 2,389  
                                         
Loans past due 30 through 89 days and still accruing (D)(E)   $ 1,622     $ 5,053     $ 6,609     $ 3,785     $ 8,261  
                                         
Loans subject to special mention   $ 166,013     $ 162,103     $ 129,700     $ 27,922     $ 13,222  
                                         
Classified loans   $ 25,714     $ 37,771     $ 41,263     $ 63,562     $ 58,938  
                                         
Impaired loans   $ 11,964     $ 16,204     $ 15,514     $ 33,708     $ 36,369  
                                         
Allowance for loan and lease losses:                                        
Beginning of period   $ 67,309     $ 66,145     $ 66,065     $ 63,783     $ 43,676  
Provision for loan and lease losses     225       2,350       5,150       4,900       20,000  
(Charge-offs)/recoveries, net     2       (1,186 )     (5,070 )     (2,618 )     107  
End of period   $ 67,536     $ 67,309     $ 66,145     $ 66,065     $ 63,783  
                                         
ALLL to nonperforming loans     573.94 %     589.91 %     768.15 %     247.46 %     217.51 %
ALLL to total loans     1.52 %     1.53 %     1.48 %     1.35 %     1.44 %
General ALLL to total loans (F)     1.45 %     1.47 %     1.48 %     1.26 %     1.30 %
  1. Excludes one commercial loan held for sale of $5.6 million at March 31, 2021. Excludes residential and commercial loans held for sale of $8.5 million at December 31, 2020.  Excludes one commercial loan held for sale of $10.0 million at September 30, 2020.
  2. Amounts reflect TDRs that are paying according to restructured terms.
  3. Amount does not include $3.9 million at March 31, 2021, $4.0 million at December 31, 2020, $5.2 million at September 30, 2020, $23.2 million at June 30, 2020 and $25.9 million at March 31, 2020 of TDRs included in nonaccrual loans.
  4. Excludes a residential loan held for sale of $93,000 at December 31, 2020.
  5. December 31, 2020 includes $1.3 million of residential loans that are classified as delinquent due to an escrow payment shortage due to a recent change in escrow payment requirement.
  6. Total ALLL less specific reserves equals general ALLL.

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

    March
 
31,
    December 31,     March
 
31,
 
    2021     2020     2020  
Capital Adequacy                                    
Equity to total assets (A)(J)         8.75 %         8.95 %         8.51 %
Tangible Equity to tangible assets (B)         8.08 %         8.27 %         7.88 %
Tangible Equity to tangible assets excluding
   PPP loans (C)
        8.41 %         8.55 %         7.88 %
Book value per share (D)       $ 27.45         $ 27.78         $ 26.33  
Tangible Book Value per share (E)       $ 25.16         $ 25.47         $ 24.20  

    March
 
31,
    December 31,     March
 
31,
    2021     2020     2020
Regulatory Capital

Holding Company
                                             
Tier I leverage   $ 491,384     8.66%     $ 483,535     8.53%     $ 458,640     8.93%
Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets     491,384       12.00       483,535     11.93       458,640     10.71
Common equity tier I capital ratio
   to risk-weighted assets
    491,355       12.00       483,500     11.93       458,639     10.71
Tier I & II capital to risk-weighted assets     724,599       17.70       716,210     17.67       595,770     13.91
                                               
Regulatory Capital

Bank
                                             
Tier I leverage (F)   $ 564,533     9.95%     $ 549,575     9.71%     $ 527,433     10.28%
Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets (G)     564,533     13.79       549,575     13.55       527,433       12.33
Common equity tier I capital ratio
   to risk-weighted assets (H)
    564,504     13.78       549,540     13.55       527,432       12.33
Tier I & II capital to risk-weighted assets (I)     615,925     15.04       600,478     14.81       581,025     13.58
  1. Equity to total assets is calculated as total shareholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets at period end.
  2. Tangible equity and tangible assets are calculated by excluding the balance of intangible assets from shareholders’ equity and total assets, respectively. Tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets at period end is calculated by dividing tangible equity by tangible assets at period end.  See Non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation included in these tables.
  3. Tangible equity and tangible assets excluding PPP loans are calculated by excluding the balance of intangible assets from shareholders’ equity and excluding the balance of intangible assets and PPP loans from total assets. Tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets excluding PPP loans at period end is calculated by dividing tangible equity by tangible assets excluding PPP loans at period end.  See Non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation included in these tables.
  4. Book value per common share is calculated by dividing shareholders’ equity by period end common shares outstanding
  5. Tangible book value per excludes intangible assets.  Tangible book value per share is calculated by dividing tangible equity by period end common shares outstanding.  See Non-GAAP financial measures reconciliation tables.
  6. Regulatory well capitalized standard = 5.00% ($284 million)
  7. Regulatory well capitalized standard = 8.00% ($328 million)
  8. Regulatory well capitalized standard = 6.50% ($266 million)
  9. Regulatory well capitalized standard = 10.00% ($410 million)
  10. PPP loans with a balance of $233 million and $196 million increased total assets at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

LOANS CLOSED

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

    For the Quarters Ended
    March 31,     Dec 31,     Sept 30,     June 30,     March 31,
    2021     2020     2020     2020     2020
Residential loans retained   $ 15,814     $ 22,316     $ 32,599     $ 18,627     $ 14,831
Residential loans sold     45,873       64,630       54,521       37,061       19,391
Total residential loans     61,687       86,946       87,120       55,688       34,222
Commercial real estate     38,363             1,613       748       8,858
Multifamily     85,009       1,184       1,500       11,960       61,998
Commercial (C&I) loans (A) (B)     129,141       218,235       118,048       99,294       42,908
SBA (C)     58,730       8,355       4,962       595,651       13,830
Wealth lines of credit (A)     2,475       3,925       2,000       500       3,250
Total commercial loans     313,718       231,699       128,123       708,153       130,844
Installment loans     63       690       253       950       256
Home equity lines of credit (A)     1,899       2,330       4,759       4,280       3,632
Total loans closed   $ 377,367     $ 321,665     $ 220,255     $ 769,071     $ 168,954
  1. Includes loans and lines of credit that closed in the period but not necessarily funded.
  2. Includes equipment finance.
  3. Includes PPP loans of $47 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and $596 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET

UNAUDITED
THREE MONTHS ENDED
(Tax-Equivalent Basis, Dollars in Thousands)

    March
 
31, 2021
    March
 
31, 2020
 
    Average     Income/             Average     Income/          
    Balance     Expense     Yield     Balance     Expense     Yield  
ASSETS:                                                
Interest-earning assets:                                                
Investments:                                                
Taxable (A)   $ 761,187     $ 2,629       1.38 %   $ 411,806     $ 2,459       2.39 %
Tax-exempt (A) (B)     7,980       98       4.91       10,534       131       4.97  
                                                 
Loans (B) (C):                                                
Mortgages     501,590       3,954       3.15       535,114       4,576       3.42  
Commercial mortgages     1,840,363       14,420       3.13       1,955,808       18,483       3.78  
Commercial     1,932,692       16,455       3.41       1,758,137       18,593       4.23  
Commercial construction     15,606       139       3.56       5,629       88       6.25  
Installment     37,695       276       2.93       53,983       464       3.44  
Home equity     48,853       399       3.27       55,654       614       4.41  
Other     246       5       8.13       364       9       9.89  
Total loans     4,377,045       35,648       3.26       4,364,689       42,827       3.92  
Federal funds sold     102             0.25       102             0.25  
Interest-earning deposits     555,331       128       0.09       251,566       552       0.88  
Total interest-earning assets     5,701,645       38,503       2.70 %     5,038,697       45,969       3.65 %
Noninterest-earning assets:                                                
Cash and due from banks     11,129                       5,517                  
Allowance for loan and lease losses     (71,160 )                     (44,368 )                
Premises and equipment     22,634                       21,145                  
Other assets     228,134                       161,452                  
Total noninterest-earning assets     190,737                       143,746                  
Total assets   $ 5,892,382                     $ 5,182,443                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES:                                                
Interest-bearing deposits:                                                
Checking   $ 1,908,380     $ 978       0.20 %   $ 1,540,798     $ 3,447       0.89 %
Money markets     1,259,597       794       0.25       1,192,049       2,981       1.00  
Savings     135,202       17       0.05       110,905       15       0.05  
Certificates of deposit – retail     533,488       1,470       1.10       698,019       3,694       2.12  
Subtotal interest-bearing deposits     3,836,667       3,259       0.34       3,541,771       10,137       1.14  
Interest-bearing demand – brokered     110,000       493       1.79       180,000       923       2.05  
Certificates of deposit – brokered     33,769       261       3.09       33,715       263       3.12  
Total interest-bearing deposits     3,980,436       4,013       0.40       3,755,486       11,323       1.21  
Borrowings     186,006       209       0.45       183,398       1,012       2.21  
Capital lease obligation     6,608       79       4.78       7,475       90       4.82  
Subordinated debt     181,795       2,145       4.72       83,439       1,223       5.86  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     4,354,845       6,446       0.59 %     4,029,798       13,648       1.35 %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                                                
Demand deposits     848,325                       542,557                  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     163,569                       101,662                  
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities     1,011,894                       644,219                  
Shareholders’ equity     525,643                       508,426                  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 5,892,382                     $ 5,182,443                  
Net interest income           $ 32,057                     $ 32,321          
Net interest spread                     2.11 %                     2.30 %
Net interest margin (D)                     2.28 %                     2.57 %
  1. Average balances for available for sale securities are based on amortized cost.
  2. Interest income is presented on a tax-equivalent basis using a 21% federal tax rate.
  3. Loans are stated net of unearned income and include nonaccrual loans.
  4. Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis as a percentage of total average interest-earning assets.


PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET

UNAUDITED
THREE MONTHS ENDED
(Tax-Equivalent Basis, Dollars in Thousands)

    March
 
31, 2021
    December 31, 2020  
    Average     Income/             Average     Income/          
    Balance     Expense     Yield     Balance     Expense     Yield  
ASSETS:                                                
Interest-earning assets:                                                
Investments:                                                
Taxable (A)   $ 761,187     $ 2,629       1.38 %   $ 636,417     $ 2,033       1.28 %
Tax-exempt (A) (B)     7,980       98       4.91       8,137       101       4.96  
                                                 
Loans (B) (C):                                                
Mortgages     501,590       3,954       3.15       520,123       4,372       3.36  
Commercial mortgages     1,840,363       14,420       3.13       1,865,953       14,796       3.17  
Commercial     1,932,692       16,455       3.41       1,943,855       16,587       3.41  
Commercial construction     15,606       139       3.56       10,376       108       4.16  
Installment     37,695       276       2.93       44,581       320       2.87  
Home equity     48,853       399       3.27       51,545       429       3.33  
Other     246       5       8.13       281       6       8.54  
Total loans     4,377,045       35,648       3.26       4,436,714       36,618       3.30  
Federal funds sold     102             0.25       102             0.25  
Interest-earning deposits     555,331       128       0.09       614,024       148       0.10  
Total interest-earning assets     5,701,645       38,503       2.70 %     5,695,394       38,900       2.73 %
Noninterest-earning assets:                                                
Cash and due from banks     11,129                       9,632                  
Allowance for loan and lease losses     (71,160 )                     (68,862 )                
Premises and equipment     22,634                       21,698                  
Other assets     228,134                       238,856                  
Total noninterest-earning assets     190,737                       201,324                  
Total assets   $ 5,892,382                     $ 5,896,718                  
                                                 
LIABILITIES:                                                
Interest-bearing deposits:                                                
Checking   $ 1,908,380     $ 978       0.20 %   $ 1,850,917     $ 1,059       0.23 %
Money markets     1,259,597       794       0.25       1,273,681       811       0.25  
Savings     135,202       17       0.05       128,195       17       0.05  
Certificates of deposit – retail     533,488       1,470       1.10       602,068       2,106       1.40  
Subtotal interest-bearing deposits     3,836,667       3,259       0.34       3,854,861       3,993       0.41  
Interest-bearing demand – brokered     110,000       493       1.79       113,696       514       1.81  
Certificates of deposit – brokered     33,769       261       3.09       33,756       267       3.16  
Total interest-bearing deposits     3,980,436       4,013       0.40       4,002,313       4,774       0.48  
Borrowings     186,006       209       0.45       244,753       616       1.01  
Capital lease obligation     6,608       79       4.78       6,832       82       4.80  
Subordinated debt     181,795       2,145       4.72       94,437       1,325       5.61  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     4,354,845       6,446       0.59 %     4,348,335       6,797       0.63 %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                                                
Demand deposits     848,325                       858,004                  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     163,569                       166,933                  
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities     1,011,894                       1,024,937                  
Shareholders’ equity     525,643                       523,446                  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 5,892,382                     $ 5,896,718                  
Net interest income           $ 32,057                     $ 32,103          
Net interest spread                     2.11 %                     2.10 %
Net interest margin (D)                     2.28 %                     2.25 %
  1. Average balances for available for sale securities are based on amortized cost.
  2. Interest income is presented on a tax-equivalent basis using a 21% federal tax rate.
  3. Loans are stated net of unearned income and include nonaccrual loans.
  4. Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis as a percentage of total average interest-earning assets.

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES RECONCILIATION

Tangible book value per share and tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets at period end are non-GAAP financial measures derived from GAAP-based amounts.  We calculate tangible equity and tangible assets by excluding the balance of intangible assets from shareholders’ equity and total assets, respectively.  We calculate tangible book value per share by dividing tangible equity by period end common shares outstanding, as compared to book value per common share, which we calculate by dividing shareholders’ equity by period end common shares outstanding.  We calculate tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets at period end by dividing tangible equity by tangible assets at period end.  We believe that this is consistent with the treatment by bank regulatory agencies, which exclude intangible assets from the calculation of risk-based capital ratios.

The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure of expense control relative to recurring revenue.  We calculate the efficiency ratio by dividing total noninterest expenses, excluding ORE provision, as determined under GAAP, by net interest income and total noninterest income as determined under GAAP, but excluding net gains/(losses) on loans held for sale at lower of cost or fair value and excluding net gains on securities from this calculation, which we refer to below as recurring revenue.  We believe that this provides one reasonable measure of core expenses relative to core revenue.

We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information that is important to investors and that is useful in understanding our financial position, results and ratios.  Our management internally assesses our performance based, in part, on these measures.  However, these non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental and are not a substitute for an analysis based on GAAP measures.  As other companies may use different calculations for these measures, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titles measures reported by other companies.  A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures of tangible common equity, tangible book value per share and efficiency ratio to the underlying GAAP numbers is set forth below.

Non-GAAP Financial Reconciliation

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     Dec 31,     Sept 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
Tangible Book Value Per Share   2021     2020     2020     2020     2020  
Shareholders’ equity   $ 522,441     $ 527,122     $ 522,728     $ 507,980     $ 496,440  
Less:  Intangible assets, net     43,524       43,891       39,622       39,943       40,265  
Tangible equity     478,917       483,231       483,106       468,037       456,175  
                                         
Period end shares outstanding     19,034,870       18,974,703       18,924,953       18,905,135       18,852,523  
Tangible book value per share   $ 25.16     $ 25.47     $ 25.53     $ 24.76     $ 24.20  
Book value per share     27.45       27.78       27.62       26.87       26.33  
                                         
Tangible Equity to Tangible Assets                                        
Total assets   $ 5,969,627     $ 5,890,442     $ 5,958,107     $ 6,281,215     $ 5,831,458  
Less: Intangible assets, net     43,524       43,891       39,622       39,943       40,265  
Tangible assets     5,926,103       5,846,551       5,918,485       6,241,272       5,791,193  
Less: PPP Loans     232,721       195,574       201,991       547,004        
Tangible Assets excluding PPP Loans     5,693,382       5,650,977       5,716,494       5,694,268       5,791,193  
Tangible equity to tangible assets     8.08 %     8.27 %     8.16 %     7.50 %     7.88 %
Tangible equity to tangible assets excluding PPP loans     8.41 %     8.55 %     8.45 %     8.22 %     7.88 %
Equity to assets (A)     8.75 %     8.95 %     8.77 %     8.09 %     8.51 %
  1. Equity to total assets would be 9.11% if PPP loans of $233 million were excluded from total assets of March 31, 2021. Equity to total assets would be 9.26% if PPP loans of $196 million were excluded from total assets as of December 31, 2020. Equity to total assets would be 9.08% if PPP loans of $202 million were excluded from total assets as of September 30, 2020. Equity to total assets would be 8.86% if PPP loans of $547 million were excluded from total assets as of June 30, 2020.

    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     Dec 31,     Sept 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
Return on Average Tangible Equity   2021     2020     2020     2020     2020  
Net income   $ 13,178     $ 3,030     $ 13,547     $ 8,242     $ 1,373  
                                         
Average shareholders’ equity   $ 525,643     $ 523,446     $ 514,736     $ 502,683     $ 508,426  
Less:  Average intangible assets, net     43,742       40,336       39,811       40,139       40,459  
Average tangible equity     481,901       483,110       474,925       462,544       467,967  
                                         
Return on average tangible common equity     10.94 %     2.51 %     11.41 %     7.13 %     1.17 %

    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     Dec 31,     Sept 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
Efficiency Ratio   2021     2020     2020     2020     2020  
Net interest income   $ 31,793     $ 31,735     $ 32,149     $ 31,971     $ 31,747  
Total other income     17,820       14,406       20,211       12,626       14,517  
Less:  Loss/(gain) on loans held for sale                                        
at lower of cost or fair value     (282 )           (7,429 )           3  
Less:  Income from life insurance proceeds     (302 )                        
Add:  Securities (gains)/losses, net     265       42             (125 )     (198 )
Total recurring revenue     49,294       46,183       44,931       44,472       46,069  
                                         
Operating expenses     31,594       39,249       28,461       29,014       28,235  
Less:                                        
   FHLB prepayment penalty           4,784                    
   Valuation allowance loans held for sale           4,425                    
   Severance expense     1,532                          
Total operating expense     30,062       30,040       28,461       29,014       28,235  
                                         
Efficiency ratio     60.99 %     65.05 %     63.34 %     65.24 %     61.29 %

Contact:

Jeffrey J. Carfora, SEVP and CFO

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation

T: 908-719-4308