CHICAGO, July 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Royal Financial, Inc. (the “Company”) (OTCQX:RYFL), incorporated under the laws of Delaware on December 15, 2004, for the purpose of serving as the holding company of Royal Savings Bank (the “Bank”), announced earnings for the fiscal year ended 2016.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company reported net income of $6.4 million, or $2.55 per common share, compared to $941,000, or $.38 per common share, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015.  The increase in net income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 was primarily the result of two acquisitions that were completed within the fiscal year. The acquisition of PNA Bank and Park Federal Bancorp and Park Federal Savings Bank were finalized on September 30, 2015 and April 29, 2016, respectively.

Comparison of Financial Condition at June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015

The Company’s total assets increased $186.5 million, or 157.5%, to $305.3 million at June 30, 2016, from $118.5 million at June 30, 2015.

Securities available for sale increased $54.9 million, or 377.5%, to $69.4 million at June 30, 2016 from $14.5 million at June 30, 2015.  The increase in the securities portfolio was primarily due to the bank acquisitions in the fiscal year, in addition, $33.0 million of government sponsored non-callable U.S. Government Agency bonds purchased to adequately build the maturity cash flow ladder.

Loans, net of allowance, increased $111.6 million, or 126.7%, to $199.6 million at June 30, 2016, from $88.1 million at June 30, 2015.

Premises and equipment increased $7.6 million, or 162.3%, to $12.2 million at June 30, 2016 from $4.7 million at June 30, 2015. As a result of the acquisitions, six additional branch locations, located in Chicago, Niles and Westmont, Illinois, with a fair value of $9.2 million, were integrated into the Bank’s branch network, partially offset by the sale of the Bank owned three-story office building located in Homewood, Illinois, with a book value of $792,000 which was included in the bulk asset sale of September 30, 2015 and the sale of one branch location in Chicago on May 3, 2016, with a book value of $1.2 million. The Bank continues to retain a leased space in the Homewood property to serve as a lending center and disaster recovery site.

Total deposits increased $171.3 million, or 189.7%, to $261.5 million at June 30, 2016 from $90.3 million at June 30, 2015. The increase is primarily a result of the two bank acquisitions completed during the fiscal year.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $500,000, an increase of $500,000 as there were no advances outstanding as of June 30, 2015. The Company borrows short term advances when necessary.

Total stockholders’ equity increased $6.7 million, or 25.3%, to $33.1 million at June 30, 2016 from $26.5 million at June 30, 2015. The increase is primarily a result of net income of $6.4 million.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Bank has paid cash dividends of $1,485,000 to the Company. The upstream of funds has enabled the Company to pay merger and acquisition costs associated with the two acquisitions that were completed during the fiscal year.

The allowance for loan losses was $1.4 million, or 0.70% of total loans, at June 30, 2016, as compared to $1.4 million, or 1.60% of total loans, at June 30, 2015.  The acquired loans included in the loan portfolio as of June 30, 2016 were recorded at the fair value, and accordingly have a satisfactory rating. Excluding the newly acquired loans, the allowance for loan losses, was at 1.30%. The Company believes, as of June 30, 2016, its allowance for loan losses was adequate to cover probable incurred losses.Nonperforming assets, including restructured loans, were $751,000, or 0.25%, at June 30, 2016 compared to $2.9 million, or 2.46%, at June 30, 2015.

The Bank is required to maintain regulatory capital sufficient to meet the Tier 1 capital leverage ratio, and the risk-based ratios for Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and Total capital of at least 4.0%, 4.5%, 6.0% and 8.0%, respectively.At June 30, 2016, the Bank exceeded each of its capital requirements with ratios of 8.25%, 15.05%, 15.05% and 15.90%, respectively.

 At June 30, 2016, the book value per common share, shares outstanding 2,507,112, was $13.22 compared to the book value per common share, shares outstanding 2,507,112, of $10.55 at June 30, 2015. The tangible book value was $12.81 at June 30, 2016.

Upon the completion of the fiscal year-end audit, the audited consolidated financial statements for 2016 and 2015 will be available at www.royal-bank.us. 

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Fiscal Years EndedJune 30, 2016 and 2015

The net income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 was $6.4 million, an increase in net income of $5.4 million, from June 30, 2015.

The increase in net income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 was primarily due to an increase in net interest income of $3.1 million, an increase in non-interest income of $2.8 million, an increase of $220,000 in the credit for loan losses, and a decrease of $137,000 in provision for income taxes, partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense of $805,000. The increase in net interest income is related to an increase of $3.5 million in loan interest income of which is directly related to acquisitions in the fiscal year which increased the loan portfolio The increase in non-interest income is primarily a result of the recognition of the gain on acquisitions, net of acquisition expenses, of $3.9 million related to the two bank mergers, partially offset by a decrease of $542,000 in the gain on sale of investment securities and a decrease of $267,000 in income on other real estate owned, related to the loss of rental income, a direct result of the sale of the office building in Homewood, Illinois and a bank branch building in Chicago, Illinois, both owned by the Bank.A credit for loan losses of $130,000 was recorded in the first three months of the period, which was partially related to recoveries of previously charged off bad debt,The increase in non-interest expense is primarily due to an increase of $892,000 in salaries and employee benefits, a result of increasing the bank staff due to the bank mergers, partially offset by a decrease of $496,000 in foreclosed asset expense, primarily due to the recognition of the gain of $229,000 on the sale of other real estate owned propertyincluded in the bulk asset sale of September 30, 2015 and the reimbursement of expenses related to those properties.

About Royal Financial, Inc.
Royal Financial, Inc. is the holding company for Royal Savings Bank which was founded in 1887. Royal Savings Bank offers a range of checking and savings products and a full line of home and commercial lending solutions. Royal Savings Bank has been operating continuously in Chicago since 1887, and currently has five branches in Chicago, a branch in Niles and Westmont, Illinois and lending centers in Homewood and St. Charles, Illinois.

Visit Royal Financial, Inc. and Royal Savings Bank at www.royal-bank.us

Safe–Harbor
This press release may include forward-looking statements.These forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions.Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements.Factors that could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Company and the Bank include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates; the economic health of the local real estate market; general economic conditions; continued credit deterioration in our loan portfolio that would cause us to further increase our allowance for loan losses; legislative/regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality or composition of the loan and securities portfolios; demand for loan products in our market areas; deposit flows; competition; demand for financial services in our market areas; and changes in accounting principles, policies, and guidelines.These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

CONTACT: Contact:  Mr. Leonard Szwajkowski
President and CEO
Telephone:  (773) 382-2111
E-mail:  lszwajkowski@royal-bank.us