Waterstone Financial, Inc. Announces Results of Operations for the Quarter and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2025

WAUWATOSA, Wisc., Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Waterstone Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSBF), holding company for WaterStone Bank, reported net income of $7.7 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to $5.2 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Net income totaled $7.9 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. Net income per diluted share was $1.48 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 compared to net income per diluted share of $1.01 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

“We ended 2025 on a high note as net interest margin, deposit growth, and strong asset quality metrics resulted in our best quarterly pretax income since June 2022,” said William Bruss, Chief Executive Officer of Waterstone Financial, Inc. “The Community Banking segment achieved growth in net interest income of $2.6 million, or 20.4%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024 as net interest margin grew to 2.89% for the quarter. The increases were primarily due to growth in yield on our loans held for investment and a reduction of our cost of funds. Strong asset quality and another quarter of net recoveries resulted in a release from our allowance for credit losses. The Mortgage Banking segment recorded a third straight quarter of pre-tax income due to an increase in refinance activity as rates decreased periodically throughout the quarter. We increased our book value per share $0.53 during the quarter with continued strong earnings, share repurchase program, and improving valuations on our investment security portfolio, prior to declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share. In total, $5.3 million was returned to shareholders through buybacks and dividends in the quarter.”

Highlights of the Quarter Ended December 31, 2025

Waterstone Financial, Inc. (Consolidated)

  • Consolidated net income of Waterstone Financial, Inc. totaled $7.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to net income of $5.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Consolidated return on average assets (annualized) was 1.35% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 and 0.94% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Consolidated return on average equity (annualized) was 8.74% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 and 6.05% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Dividends declared during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 totaled $0.15 per common share.
  • During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, we repurchased approximately 174,000 shares at a cost (including the federal excise tax) of $2.7 million, or $15.62 per share.
  • Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets was 0.29% at December 31, 2025, 0.27% at September 30, 2025, and 0.28% at December 31, 2024.
  • Past due loans as a percentage of total loans was 0.86% at December 31, 2025, 0.50% at September 30, 2025, and 0.90% at December 31, 2024.
  • Book value per share was $19.03 at December 31, 2025 and $17.53 at December 31, 2024.

Community Banking Segment

  • Pre-tax income totaled $9.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, which represents a $2.4 million, or 35.5%, increase compared to $6.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Net interest income totaled $15.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, which represents a $2.6 million, or 20.4%, increase compared to $12.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Average loans held for investment totaled $1.71 billion during the quarter ended December 31, 2025, which represents an increase of $30.3 million, or 1.8%, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The increase was primarily due to increases in multi-family and commercial real estate mortgages offset by a decrease in single-family mortgages. Average loans held for investment increased $30.1 million compared to $1.68 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The increase was primarily due to increases in multi-family and commercial real estate mortgages. The ending loan balance decreased $39.3 million from September 30, 2025 due to a few significant construction loan payoffs at year end.
  • Net interest margin increased 47 basis points to 2.89% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to 2.42% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, which was primarily driven by an increase in weighted average yield on loans receivable and held for sale and decreases in the cost of borrowings and weighted average cost of deposits. Net interest margin increased 13 basis points compared to 2.76% for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, which was primarily driven by decreases in cost of borrowings and weighted average cost of deposits.
  • Past due loans at the community banking segment totaled $10.4 million at December 31, 2025, $6.8 million at September 30, 2025, and $12.8 million at December 31, 2024.
  • The segment had a negative provision for credit losses related to funded loans of $252,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to a provision for credit losses related to funded loans of $61,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The current quarter decrease was primarily due to decreases in multi-family and construction loan balances. The negative provision for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments was $266,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to a provision for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments of $270,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The negative provision for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 was due primarily to decreases in the construction loans waiting to be funded and the loan pipeline compared to the prior quarter end.
  • The efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP ratio, was 49.23% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to 51.54% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Average core retail deposits (excluding brokered and escrow accounts) totaled $1.32 billion during the quarter ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $49.0 million, or 3.8%, compared to $1.27 billion during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 due primarily to increases in money market and certificate of deposits balances. Average deposits increased $11.9 million, or 3.6% annualized, compared to $1.31 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The segment had an average of $105.5 million in brokered certificate of deposits during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to $59.3 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

Mortgage Banking Segment

  • Pre-tax income totaled $900,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to a pretax loss of $625,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Loan originations increased $64.0 million, or 13.6%, to $534.6 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to $470.7 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Origination volume relative to purchase activity accounted for 78.9% of originations for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to 82.1% of total originations for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Mortgage banking non-interest income increased $2.7 million, or 15.6%, to $20.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to $17.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Gross margin on loans sold totaled 3.80% for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, compared to 3.74% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.
  • Total compensation, payroll taxes and other employee benefits increased $1.7 million or 12.4%, to $15.5 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2025 compared to $13.8 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The increase primarily related to increased commission expense, manager pay expense, bonus expense, and health insurance expense.

About Waterstone Financial, Inc.

Waterstone Financial, Inc. is the savings and loan holding company for WaterStone Bank, a community-focused financial institution established in 1921. WaterStone Bank offers a comprehensive suite of personal and business banking products and operates 14 branch locations across southeastern Wisconsin. WaterStone Bank is also the parent company of WaterStone Mortgage Corporation, a national lender licensed in 48 states.

With a long-standing commitment to innovation, integrity, and community service, Waterstone Financial, Inc. supports the financial and homeownership goals of customers nationwide. For more information about WaterStone Bank, go to wsbonline.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements or information that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding expected financial and operating activities and results that are preceded by, followed by, or that include words such as “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or “believes.” Any such statements are based upon current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include changes in interest rates; demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and nontraditional competitors; changes in banking regulation or actions by bank regulators; changes in tax laws; the impact of technological advances; governmental and regulatory policy changes; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; changes in local real estate values; changes in the national and local economies; and other factors, including risk factors referenced in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Waterstone’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and as may be described from time to time in Waterstone’s subsequent SEC filings, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect only Waterstone’s belief as of the date of this press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management uses non-GAAP financial information in its analysis of the Company’s performance. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure provides a greater understanding of ongoing operations and enhance comparability of results of operations with prior periods. The Company’s management believes that investors may use this non-GAAP measure to analyze the Company’s financial performance without the impact of unusual items or events that may obscure trends in the Company’s underlying performance. This non-GAAP data should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and is not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in this measure and that different companies might calculate this measure differently.

 
WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
    For The Three Months
Ended December 31,
    For The Twelve Months
Ended December 31,
 
    2025     2024     2025     2024  
    (In Thousands, except per share amounts)  
Interest income:                                
Loans   $ 27,175     $ 26,391     $ 104,753     $ 103,066  
Mortgage-related securities     1,406       1,136       5,215       4,496  
Debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments     1,531       1,525       6,140       5,606  
Total interest income     30,112       29,052       116,108       113,168  
Interest expense:                                
Deposits     10,693       11,410       43,519       40,573  
Borrowings     3,708       4,807       15,855       26,427  
Total interest expense     14,401       16,217       59,374       67,000  
Net interest income     15,711       12,835       56,734       46,168  
Provision (credit) for credit losses     (558 )     367       (1,394 )     (168 )
Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses     16,269       12,468       58,128       46,336  
Noninterest income:                                
Service charges on loans and deposits     461       626       2,085       2,060  
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance     540       407       2,561       1,969  
Mortgage banking income     20,063       17,365       79,225       83,565  
Other     395       607       1,316       1,708  
Total noninterest income     21,459       19,005       85,187       89,302  
Noninterest expenses:                                
Compensation, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits     20,917       18,423       79,619       81,078  
Occupancy, office furniture, and equipment     1,824       1,579       7,194       7,573  
Advertising     696       727       2,877       3,554  
Data processing     1,206       1,233       4,941       4,978  
Communications     232       224       973       922  
Professional fees     219       1,114       2,835       3,184  
Real estate owned     (298 )     12       (312 )     26  
Loan processing expense     571       486       2,996       3,090  
Other     2,310       1,469       8,747       7,231  
Total noninterest expenses     27,677       25,267       109,870       111,636  
Income before income taxes     10,051       6,206       33,445       24,002  
Income tax expense     2,338       996       7,043       5,314  
Net income   $ 7,713     $ 5,210     $ 26,402     $ 18,688  
Income per share:                                
Basic   $ 0.44     $ 0.28     $ 1.48     $ 1.01  
Diluted   $ 0.44     $ 0.28     $ 1.48     $ 1.01  
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                
Basic     17,466       18,335       17,837       18,556  
Diluted     17,507       18,396       17,867       18,589  

 
WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
    December 31,     December 31,


 
    2025     2024


 
    (Unaudited)        
Assets   (In Thousands, except per share amounts)
Cash   $ 63,560     $ 35,182  
Federal funds sold     7,255       4,302  
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions and other short-term investments     292       277  
Cash and cash equivalents     71,107       39,761  
Securities available for sale (at fair value)     230,848       208,549  
Loans held for sale (at fair value)     145,057       135,909  
Loans receivable     1,675,552       1,680,576  
Less: Allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) – loans     17,478       18,247  
Loans receivable, net     1,658,074       1,662,329  
               
Office properties and equipment, net     18,855       19,389  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock (at cost)     19,804       20,295  
Cash surrender value of life insurance     77,353       74,612  
Real estate owned, net     424       505  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     37,985       48,259  
Total assets   $ 2,259,507     $ 2,209,608  
               
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity              
Liabilities:              
Demand deposits   $ 175,595     $ 171,115  
Money market and savings deposits     329,031       283,243  
Time deposits     932,646       905,539  
Total deposits     1,437,272       1,359,897  
               
Borrowings     412,258       446,519  
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes     2,996       5,630  
Other liabilities     57,589       58,427  
Total liabilities     1,910,115       1,870,473  
               
Shareholders’ equity:              
Preferred stock            
Common stock     184       193  
Additional paid-in capital     78,014       91,214  
Retained earnings     292,957       277,196  
Unearned ESOP shares     (9,496 )     (10,682 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes     (12,267 )     (18,786 )
Total shareholders’ equity     349,392       339,135  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 2,259,507     $ 2,209,608  
               
Share Information              
Shares outstanding     18,360       19,343  
Book value per share   $ 19.03     $ 17.53  

 
WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY OF KEY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)
 
    At or For the Three Months Ended  
    December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,  
    2025     2025     2025     2025     2024  
    (Dollars in Thousands, except per share amounts)  
Condensed Results of Operations:                                        
Net interest income   $ 15,711     $ 14,739     $ 13,708     $ 12,576     $ 12,835  
Provision (credit) for credit losses     (558 )     (269 )     (9 )     (558 )     367  
Total noninterest income     21,459       22,302       24,329       17,097       19,005  
Total noninterest expense     27,677       27,466       28,377       26,350       25,267  
Income before income taxes     10,051       9,844       9,669       3,881       6,206  
Income tax expense     2,338       1,918       1,942       845       996  
Net income   $ 7,713     $ 7,926     $ 7,727     $ 3,036     $ 5,210  
Income per share – basic   $ 0.44     $ 0.45     $ 0.43     $ 0.17     $ 0.28  
Income per share – diluted   $ 0.44     $ 0.45     $ 0.43     $ 0.17     $ 0.28  
Dividends declared per common share   $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15  
                                         
Performance Ratios (annualized):                                        
Return on average assets – QTD     1.35 %     1.42 %     1.39 %     0.57 %     0.94 %
Return on average equity – QTD     8.74 %     9.14 %     9.04 %     3.61 %     6.05 %
Net interest margin – QTD     2.89 %     2.76 %     2.60 %     2.47 %     2.42 %
                                         
Return on average assets – YTD     1.19 %     1.13 %     0.99 %     0.57 %     0.84 %
Return on average equity – YTD     7.62 %     7.23 %     6.32 %     3.61 %     5.48 %
Net interest margin – YTD     2.68 %     2.61 %     2.54 %     2.47 %     2.17 %
                                         
Asset Quality Ratios:                                        
Past due loans to total loans     0.86 %     0.50 %     0.69 %     0.67 %     0.90 %
Nonaccrual loans to total loans     0.37 %     0.35 %     0.49 %     0.45 %     0.34 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.29 %     0.27 %     0.37 %     0.35 %     0.28 %
Allowance for credit losses – loans to loans receivable     1.04 %     1.03 %     1.07 %     1.08 %     1.09 %

 
WATERSTONE FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCES AND YIELD/COSTS
(Unaudited)
 
    At or For the Three Months Ended  
    December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,  
    2025     2025     2025     2025     2024  
Average balances   (Dollars in Thousands)  
Interest-earning assets                                        
Loans receivable and held for sale   $ 1,842,908     $ 1,809,600     $ 1,812,065     $ 1,768,617     $ 1,819,574  
Mortgage related securities     180,434       178,063       173,220       170,947       168,521  
Debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments     133,781       131,165       131,710       123,004       124,658  
Total interest-earning assets     2,157,123       2,118,828       2,116,995       2,062,568       2,112,753  
Noninterest-earning assets     107,462       103,434       105,382       105,030       100,627  
Total assets   $ 2,264,585     $ 2,222,262     $ 2,222,377     $ 2,167,598     $ 2,213,380  
                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities                                        
Demand accounts   $ 92,292     $ 90,015     $ 89,548     $ 87,393     $ 92,247  
Money market, savings, and escrow accounts     339,368       334,300       320,908       300,686       306,478  
Certificates of deposit – retail     823,586       823,274       830,550       818,612       810,340  
Certificates of deposit – brokered     105,496       61,814       72,533       97,101       59,254  
Total interest-bearing deposits     1,360,742       1,309,403       1,313,539       1,303,792       1,268,319  
Borrowings     419,541       440,968       437,784       397,053       464,964  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,780,283       1,750,371       1,751,323       1,700,845       1,733,283  
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits     89,673       88,799       85,665       80,372       87,889  
Noninterest-bearing liabilities     44,688       39,136       42,669       44,905       49,645  
Total liabilities     1,914,644       1,878,306       1,879,657       1,826,122       1,870,817  
Equity     349,941       343,956       342,720       341,476       342,563  
Total liabilities and equity   $ 2,264,585     $ 2,222,262     $ 2,222,377     $ 2,167,598     $ 2,213,380  
                                         
Average Yield/Costs (annualized)                                        
Loans receivable and held for sale     5.85 %     5.84 %     5.73 %     5.75 %     5.75 %
Mortgage related securities     3.09 %     3.04 %     2.90 %     2.83 %     2.67 %
Debt securities, federal funds sold and short-term investments     4.54 %     4.74 %     4.74 %     4.90 %     4.85 %
Total interest-earning assets     5.54 %     5.53 %     5.43 %     5.46 %     5.46 %
                                         
Demand accounts     0.11 %     0.11 %     0.11 %     0.11 %     0.11 %
Money market and savings accounts     2.09 %     2.04 %     2.07 %     2.10 %     2.00 %
Certificates of deposit – retail     3.78 %     3.92 %     4.11 %     4.33 %     4.53 %
Certificates of deposit – brokered     3.89 %     4.11 %     4.35 %     4.18 %     4.18 %
Total interest-bearing deposits     3.12 %     3.19 %     3.35 %     3.52 %     3.58 %
Borrowings     3.51 %     3.86 %     3.67 %     3.93 %     4.11 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities     3.21 %     3.36 %     3.43 %     3.62 %     3.72 %

 
COMMUNITY BANKING SEGMENT
SUMMARY OF KEY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)
 
    At or For the Three Months Ended  
    December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,  
    2025     2025     2025     2025     2024  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
Condensed Results of Operations:                                        
Net interest income   $ 15,521     $ 14,617     $ 13,640     $ 12,403     $ 12,886  
Provision (credit) for credit losses     (518 )     (276 )     (19 )     (518 )     331  
Total noninterest income     1,305       1,359       1,686       1,348       1,595  
Noninterest expenses:                                        
Compensation, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits     5,646       5,036       5,027       5,212       4,883  
Occupancy, office furniture and equipment     1,026       907       920       1,076       825  
Advertising     250       213       219       171       204  
Data processing     741       733       806       712       691  
Communications     103       108       99       100       89  
Professional fees     185       200       196       347       196  
Real estate owned     (298 )     4       (8 )     (10 )     12  
Loan processing expense                              
Other     630       617       466       596       563  
Total noninterest expense     8,283       7,818       7,725       8,204       7,463  
Income before income taxes     9,061       8,434       7,620       6,065       6,687  
Income tax expense     2,063       1,518       1,400       1,427       1,399  
Net income   $ 6,998     $ 6,916     $ 6,220     $ 4,638     $ 5,288  
                                         
Efficiency ratio – QTD (non-GAAP)     49.23 %     48.94 %     50.40 %     59.66 %     51.54 %
Efficiency ratio – YTD (non-GAAP)     51.76 %     52.71 %     54.78 %     59.66 %     59.58 %

 
MORTGAGE BANKING SEGMENT
SUMMARY OF KEY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(Unaudited)
 
    At or For the Three Months Ended  
    December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,  
    2025     2025     2025     2025     2024  
    (Dollars in Thousands)  
Condensed Results of Operations:                                        
Net interest income (loss)   $ 205     $ 103     $ 53     $ 152     $ (92 )
Provision (credit) for credit losses     (40 )     7       10       (40 )     36  
Total noninterest income     20,172       20,985       22,643       15,731       17,455  
Noninterest expenses:                                        
Compensation, payroll taxes, and other employee benefits     15,489       15,716       16,312       12,054       13,781  
Occupancy, office furniture and equipment     798       781       833       853       754  
Advertising     446       499       527       552       523  
Data processing     465       475       507       498       542  
Communications     129       141       158       135       135  
Professional fees     33       180       303       1,373       917  
Real estate owned                              
Loan processing expense     571       688       817       920       486  
Other     1,586       1,271       1,230       1,751       814  
Total noninterest expense     19,517       19,751       20,687       18,136       17,952  
Income (loss) before income taxes expense (benefit)     900       1,330       1,999       (2,213 )     (625 )
Income tax expense (benefit)     244       382       531       (588 )     (428 )
Net income (loss)   $ 656     $ 948     $ 1,468     $ (1,625 )   $ (197 )
                                         
Efficiency ratio – QTD (non-GAAP)     95.78 %     93.66 %     91.15 %     114.18 %     103.39 %
Efficiency ratio – YTD (non-GAAP)     97.56 %     98.17 %     100.63 %     114.18 %     97.74 %
                                         
Loan originations   $ 534,646     $ 539,404     $ 588,838     $ 387,729     $ 470,650  
Purchase     78.9 %     90.1 %     91.7 %     87.5 %     82.1 %
Refinance     21.1 %     9.9 %     8.3 %     12.5 %     17.9 %
Gross margin on loans sold(1)     3.80 %     3.87 %     3.84 %     3.98 %     3.74 %
                                         

(1) Gross margin on loans sold equals mortgage banking income (excluding the change in interest rate lock value) divided by total loan originations.

Contact: Mark R. Gerke
Chief Financial Officer
414-459-4012
[email protected]