(MENAFN- GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) Successfully completed a $98.0 million equity capital raise through an underwritten public offering. Maintained well-capitalized regulatory capital levels. Reduced credit risk through the sale of $204.3 million of portfolios of certain problem loans. Transferred an additional $100.9 million of loans to held-for-sale. Enhanced Board oversight and governance with the addition of two new independent directors. Further reorganization of C-Suite to align governance and executive responsibilities.
BAYONNE, N.J., Oct. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BCB Bancorp, Inc. (the“Company”), (NASDAQ: BCBP), the holding company for BCB Community Bank (the“Bank”), today reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $132.5 million for the third quarter of 2026, compared to a net loss of $14.8 million in the second quarter of 2026, and net income of $3.8 million for the third quarter of 2025. The Company's loss per diluted share for the third quarter was ($6.92) compared to a loss per diluted share of ($0.85) in the preceding quarter. The Company had earnings per share of $0.22 in the third quarter of 2025. The Company's reported net loss attributable to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was $142.8 million, compared to a net loss of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. The Company's loss per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was ($7.98) compared to a loss per diluted share of ($0.11) for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
Executive Summary
Net interest margin was 3.03 percent for the third quarter of 2026, compared to 3.03 percent for the second quarter of 2026, and 2.88 percent for the third quarter of 2025. Total yield on interest-earning assets was 5.14 percent for the third quarter of 2026, compared to 5.25 percent for the second quarter of 2026, and 5.23 percent for the third quarter of 2025.
Total cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 10 basis points to 2.77 percent for the third quarter of 2026, compared to 2.87 percent for the second quarter of 2026, and decreased 29 basis points from 3.06 percent for the third quarter of 2025. The efficiency ratio for the third quarter was 78.5 percent compared to 96.8 percent in the prior quarter, and 62.6 percent in the third quarter of 2025. The annualized return on average assets ratio for the third quarter was (17.0) percent, compared to (1.83) percent in the prior quarter, and 0.50 percent in the third quarter of 2025. The annualized return on average equity ratio for the third quarter was (172.7) percent, compared to (19.2) percent in the prior quarter, and 5.4 percent in the third quarter of 2025. The provision for credit losses was $115.0 million in the third quarter of 2026 compared to $19.0 million for the second quarter of 2026. In the third quarter of 2025, the Bank recorded a provision of $4.1 million. Total criticized and classified loans was $198.9 million in the third quarter compared to $367.4 million at June 30, 2026. The allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of non-accrual loans was 313.4 percent at September 30, 2026, compared to 73.5 percent for the prior quarter-end and 40.4 percent at September 30, 2025. Total non-accrual loans were $22.4 million at September 30, 2026, $61.2 million at June 30, 2026 and $93.5 million at September 30, 2025. Total loans receivable, net of the allowance for credit losses on loans, of $2.180 billion at September 30, 2026, decreased from $2.588 billion at June 30, 2026. Total deposits were $2.609 billion at September 30, 2026, compared to $2.636 billion at June 30, 2026. The Bank's leverage capital ratio at September 30, 2026 was 9.0% and the Company's consolidated leverage capital ratio was 8.4%.
The net loss for the third quarter of 2026 was primarily driven by a $115.0 million provision for credit losses and the $59.9 million in valuation allowance established against the Company's deferred tax asset which is reflected in the calculation of our income tax provision for the quarter. The net charge-offs during the quarter totaled $89.7 million. As part of its strategy to meaningfully de-risk the balance sheet, the Bank completed a series of loan sales totaling $204.3 million of problem loans, the majority of which were risk-rated criticized or classified under the Bank's internal risk rating system. The sold portfolio included commercial and multifamily real estate loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of approximately $179.7 million, commercial and industrial loans of approximately $14.6 million, and construction loans of approximately $10.0 million, resulting in a $42.3 million charge-off to the allowance for credit losses on loans.
During the quarter, the Bank also transferred $70.2 million of cannabis loans, $29.8 million of commercial real estate loans, and $874 thousand of commercial and industrial loans to held-for-sale status and recorded a related $44.2 million charge-off to the allowance for credit losses on loans based on the lower of cost or market. Excluding loans sold or transferred to held-for-sale status, charge-offs were primarily attributable to $3.2 million in the commercial business portfolio and $1.0 million in the Business Express loan portfolio.
Management also completed a comprehensive review of the commercial and multifamily real estate portfolio, resulting in additional reserves for that segment. These actions follow the successful completion of the Company's equity offering, which generated $91.4 million of net proceeds, including the exercise of the underwriters' option due to strong investor demand, and position the Bank with a substantially de-risked balance sheet and improved credit profile going forward.
The Company also announced today that it has undergone a further reorganization of its C-Suite. Ryan Blake, the former Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank has been transitioned into the newly established role of Chief Banking Officer of the Bank. His new role will entail oversight of retail banking, banking operations and marketing. Sandra Sievewright, the former Chief Compliance Officer of the Company and the Bank has been transitioned to Chief Administrative Officer of the Bank, where she will have oversight over the Bank's BSA area, facilities, security, CRA as well as the Bank's compliance function. These position changes better align the Bank's leadership structure with its strategic priorities and the core experience and leadership strengths of these executives. In addition, the Bank has appointed Eleni Willis as Chief Risk Officer. Eleni has served in various risk positions, including chief risk officer, at previous financial institutions. The Bank expects to appoint a new chief audit officer before the end of the year. Finally, Karen Duran has been appointed the Company's principal accounting officer reporting to the Company's Chief Financial Officer, in addition to her role as Chief Accounting Officer.
Thomas M. O'Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank, stated“I am pleased with the successful execution of several strategic initiatives during the third quarter that we believe meaningfully de-risked our balance sheet and strengthened the Company's financial position. In a very short period of time, we identified key credit challenges, assessed our capital needs, successfully raised capital, and completed loan sale transactions that reduced risk and improved the quality of our balance sheet. In addition, the comprehensive credit reviews completed during the second and third quarters resulted in an increase in our allowance for credit losses to address losses embedded in the portfolio and position the Bank for the future.
The capital raise allowed us to absorb the losses recognized in our loan portfolio while maintaining solid capital ratios. The capital raise also significantly enhanced liquidity at the holding company level, with approximately $20 million of the proceeds retained at the holding company. While substantial progress has been made toward creating a safer and stronger institution, our work is far from complete. We remain focused on strengthening our risk management culture, improving operating performance, and working toward returning the Bank to sustainable profitability while creating long-term value for our shareholders.”
Balance Sheet Review
Total assets decreased by $258.4 million, or 7.9 percent, to $3.021 billion at September 30, 2026, from $3.279 billion at December 31, 2025. The decrease in total assets was mainly related to a decrease in net loans primarily due to our loan sales in the third quarter, offset by an increase in cash.
Total cash and cash equivalents increased by $223.8 million, or 80.9 percent, to $500.3 million at September 30, 2026, from $276.6 million at December 31, 2025. The increase in cash was primarily due to proceeds from the loan sales and from the capital raise executed in the third quarter.
Gross loans receivable held for investment decreased by $475.0 million, or 17.4 percent, to $2.252 billion at September 30, 2026, from $2.691 billion at December 31, 2025 due to the loan sales, the transfer of certain loans to held-for-sale, payoffs, paydowns and charge-offs. Total loan decreases during the period included decreases of $287.2 million in commercial and multifamily loans, $65.2 million in cannabis loans, $55.1 million in construction loans, $42.3 million in commercial business loans, $12.0 million in 1-4 family residential loans, $10.4 million in business express loans, and $2.8 million in home equity and consumer loans. The Bank had $67.6 million in loans held for sale at September 30, 2026.
The allowance for credit losses on loans increased $36.6 million to $70.3 million, or 313.4 percent of non-accruing loans and 3.12 percent of gross loans held for investment, at September 30, 2026, as compared to an allowance for credit losses on loans of $33.7 million, or 53.3 percent of non-accruing loans and 1.24 percent of gross loans held for investment, at December 31, 2025.
Total investment securities decreased by $594 thousand, or 0.4 percent, to $135.0 million at September 30, 2026, from $135.6 million at December 31, 2025, representing current year sales and paydowns, offset by current year purchases.
Deposits decreased by $64.4 million, or 2.4 percent, to $2.609 billion at September 30, 2026, from $2.674 billion at December 31, 2025. Brokered deposits, certificates of deposit accounts and savings accounts decreased $80.5 million, $18.0 million and $14.6 million, respectively, and were offset by increases in transaction accounts and money market accounts of $27.1 million and $21.5 million, respectively.
FHLB Advances decreased by $135.0 million to $100.0 million at September 30, 2026, from $235.0 million at December 31, 2025, due to maturities and paydowns. The weighted average interest rate of FHLB advances was 4.03 percent at September 30, 2026, and 4.53 percent at December 31, 2025. The weighted average maturity of FHLB advances as of September 30, 2026, was less than ninety days. The interest rate of the Company's subordinated debt balances was 9.25 percent at September 30, 2026, and at December 31, 2025.
Stockholders' equity decreased by $58.2 million, or 19.1 percent, to $246.1 million at September 30, 2026, from $304.3 million at December 31, 2025. The decline was primarily attributable to the Company's year-to-date net loss, partially offset by proceeds from the aforementioned capital raise.
Asset Quality
The Bank had non-accrual loans totaling $22.4 million, or 1.00 percent of gross loans held for investment, at September 30, 2026, as compared to $61.2 million, or 2.33 percent of gross loans held for investment, at June 30, 2026, and $63.3 million, or 2.32 percent of gross loans held for investment at December 31, 2025. The Bank had total past due loans totaling $52.2 million, or 2.32 percent of gross loans held for investment, at September 30, 2026, as compared to $122.8 million, or 4.66 percent of gross loans held for investment, at June 30, 2026, and $99.1 million, or 3.64 percent of gross loans held for investment, at December 31, 2025. The Bank had total classified and criticized loans totaling $198.9 million, or 8.84 percent of gross loans held for investment, at September 30, 2026, as compared to $367.4 million, or 13.96 percent of gross loans held for investment, at June 30, 2026, and $359.5 million, or 13.19 percent of gross loans held for investment, at December 31, 2025.
The allowance for credit losses on loans of $70.3 million, as of September 30, 2026, increased by $25.3 million, or 56.2 percent, compared to June 30, 2026, and increased by $36.6 million, or 108.6 percent, compared to December 31, 2025. The $25.3 million increase from June 30, 2026 was primarily driven by higher reserves in the commercial and multifamily real estate portfolio following a comprehensive review conducted by the Bank's lending and credit teams.
The allowance for credit losses was 313.4 percent of non-accrual loans at September 30, 2026, compared to 73.5 percent of non-accrual loans at June 30, 2026, and 53.3 percent of non-accrual loans at December 31, 2025, respectively. The allowance for credit losses was 152.4 percent of classified loans held for investment at September 30, 2026, compared to 28.0 percent of classified loans at June 30, 2026, and 17.9 percent of classified loans at December 31, 2025, respectively.
Third Quarter 2026 Income Statement Review
The Company reported a net loss of $132.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, compared to net income of $4.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. This decline was primarily due to a $110.9 million increase in loan loss provisioning. The net loss also reflects a $21.9 million increase in tax provision, a $2.1 million increase in professional fees and a $1.6 million increase in salaries and employee benefits.
Interest income decreased by $4.7 million, or 10.8 percent, to $38.4 million for the third quarter of 2026 from $43.0 million for the third quarter of 2025. The average balance of interest-earning assets decreased $302.7 million, or 9.3 percent, to $2.962 billion for the third quarter of 2026 from $3.265 billion for the third quarter of 2025. The average yield decreased 9 basis points to 5.14 percent for the third quarter of 2026 from 5.23 percent for the third quarter of 2025.
Interest expense decreased by $3.6 million to $15.8 million for the third quarter of 2026 from $19.3 million for the third quarter of 2025. The decrease resulted from a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities of 29 basis points to 2.77 percent for the third quarter of 2026 from 3.06 percent for the third quarter of 2025, while the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by $249.6 million to $2.256 billion for the third quarter of 2026 from $2.505 billion for the third quarter of 2025.
The net interest margin was 3.03 percent for the third quarter of 2026 compared to 2.88 percent for the third quarter of 2025. The increase in the net interest margin compared to the third quarter of 2025 was the result of the decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities exceeding the decline in the average rate earned on earning assets.
The provision for credit losses was $115.0 million for the third quarter of 2026 compared to $4.1 million for the third quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily driven by elevated net charge-offs recognized during the quarter related to loan sale transactions and the transfer of loans to held-for-sale status, as well as higher loan loss reserves for the commercial and multifamily portfolio resulting from a detailed loan review. During the third quarter of 2026, the Company recognized $89.7 million in net charge-offs compared to $16.9 million in net charge-offs in the third quarter of 2025. The Bank had non-accrual loans totaling $22.4 million, or 1.00 percent of gross loans held for investment, at September 30, 2026, as compared to $63.3 million, or 2.32 percent of gross loans, at December 31, 2025. The allowance for credit losses on loans was $70.3 million, or 3.12 percent of gross loans, at September 30, 2026, and $33.7 million, or 1.24 percent of gross loans, at December 31, 2025.
Non-interest income increased by $2.4 million to $5.2 million for the third quarter of 2026, compared to $2.7 million for the third quarter of 2025. The increase in total non-interest income was primarily attributable to a $3.3 million gain on the sale of OREO, offset by a decrease in gains/losses on equity securities of $427 thousand. Service charges and fee income also declined by $305 thousand.
Non-interest expense increased by $5.2 million, or 31.6 percent, to $21.8 million for the third quarter of 2026 compared to $16.6 million for the third quarter of 2025. The increase was driven by professional fees, salaries and benefits and other expenses which increased $2.1 million, $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The increase in other expenses can be attributed to the expenses associated with the aforementioned loan sales.
The income tax provision for the third quarter of 2026 was $23.5 million compared to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2025. The substantial change was primarily attributable to a non-cash charge of $59.9 million related to the establishment of a full valuation allowance against the Company's deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance reflects management's assessment of the Company's recent operating results including losses associated with loan sale activity and loans transferred to held-for-sale at the lower of cost or market.
Year-to-Date Income Statement Review
Net loss for the first nine months of 2026 was $142.3 million compared to a net loss of $498 thousand for the first nine months of 2025. The increased net loss was primarily attributable to the Bank recording $106.9 million more in loan loss provisioning and recording $13.0 million more in non-interest expense.
Net interest income for the first nine months of 2026 decreased $37 thousand, as interest income decreased by $11.2 million, or 8.6 percent, to $119.2 million compared to $130.4 million for the first nine months of 2025 and interest expense decreased $11.1 million to $50.5 million for the first nine months of 2026, compared to $61.6 million for the first nine months of 2025. The average balance of interest-earning assets decreased $272.5 million, or 8.2 percent, to $3.065 billion for the first nine months of 2026 compared to $3.338 billion for the first nine months of 2025. The average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 2 basis points to 5.20 percent for the first nine months of 2026 compared to 5.22 percent for the first nine months of 2025. The decline in average interest-earning assets was primarily due to a $283.1 million decrease in average loans, partially offset by a $17.0 million increase in average investment securities. The decrease in interest expense was driven by declines in interest expense on borrowings and deposits of $5.8 million and $5.3 million, respectively. Average borrowings decreased $194.2 million, while the average rate paid on borrowings increased by 74 basis points to 5.60 percent. Average deposits declined $30.1 million and the average rate paid on deposits declined 29 basis points to 2.58 percent.
Net interest margin was 3.00 percent for the first nine months of 2026 compared to a net interest margin of 2.76 percent for the first nine months of 2025. The increase in the net interest margin compared to the prior period was the result of a decrease in the cost of the Company's interest-bearing liabilities, by 33 basis points to 2.86 percent offset by a decrease in the rate earned on earning assets, by 2 basis points to 5.20 percent.
The provision for credit losses for the first nine months of 2026 was $136.7 million compared to $29.8 million for the same period in 2025. Net charge-offs for the first nine months of 2026 were $100.2 million compared to $26.8 million for the same period in 2025. The higher provision primarily reflected elevated loan losses recognized during the year and increased reserves within the commercial and industrial and commercial and multifamily loan portfolios. Reserve levels were increased following detailed credit reviews conducted by the lending and credit teams, resulting in the allowance for commercial and industrial loans increasing from $6.7 million at December 31, 2025 to $16.0 million at September 30, 2026, and the allowance for commercial and multifamily loans increasing from $12.1 million to $38.7 million over the same period.
Non-interest income increased by $191 thousand to $6.8 million for the first nine months of 2026 compared to $6.6 million for the same period in 2025. The increase in total non-interest income was primarily attributable to a $3.3 million gain on the sale of OREO and $412 thousand more in income on Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”), partially offset by an increase in loss on sale of loans of $2.6 million and an increase in losses on equity securities of $545 thousand.
Non-interest expense increased by $13.0 million, or 27.9 percent, to $59.5 million for the first nine months of 2026 from $46.5 million for the same period in 2025. The increase was driven by a $5.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge and a $4.2 million increase in salaries and employee benefits expense. The increase in salaries and benefits included $1.5 million in severance costs recognized during the first nine months of the year. Professional fees, other expenses, advertising expenses and OREO expenses increased $1.8 million, $1.2 million, $417 thousand and $454 thousand, respectively. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in director fees and regulatory assessments of $302 thousand and $277 thousand, respectively.
The income tax provision for the first nine months of 2026 was $21.7 million compared to an income tax benefit of $386 thousand for the same period in 2025. The substantial change was primarily attributable to a non-cash charge of $59.9 million related to the establishment of a full valuation allowance against the Company's deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance reflects management's assessment of the Company's recent operating results including losses associated with loan sale activity and loans transferred to held-for-sale at the lower of cost or market.
Investor Conference Call
Management will host a conference call on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.
Interested investors are invited to dial 1-833-461-5787 using conference ID 505095944 to participate in the call.
A replay of the call will be available at .
About BCB Bancorp, Inc.
Established in 2000 and headquartered in Bayonne, N.J., BCB Community Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of BCB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCBP). The Bank has twenty-two branch offices in Bayonne, Edison, Hoboken, Fairfield, Holmdel, Jersey City, Lyndhurst, Maplewood, Monroe Township, Newark, Plainsboro, River Edge, Rutherford, South Orange, Union, and Woodbridge, New Jersey, and four branches offices in Hicksville and Staten Island, New York. The Bank provides businesses and individuals a wide range of loans, deposit products, and retail and commercial banking services. For more information, please go to
Forward-Looking Statements
This release, like many written and oral communications presented by BCB Bancorp, Inc., and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies 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. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of words“anticipate,”“believe,”“estimate,”“expect,”“intend,”“plan,”“project,”“seek,”“strive,”“try,” or future or conditional verbs such as“could,”“may,”“should,”“will,”“would,” or similar expressions. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
The most significant factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements include the global impact of the United States military conflict with Iran, the periodic Federal budget and funding stalemates in Congress, the ongoing impact of global tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, higher inflation levels, changes in market interest rates and general economic concerns, all of which could impact our customers' businesses and the economy and could cause increased loan delinquencies, a reduction in financial transactions and business activities, including decreased deposits and reduced loan originations. Other factors that could cause future results to vary materially from current management expectations as reflected in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: global economic trends and geopolitical risks, including the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and changes in the rate of investment or economic growth, including as a result of sanctions, tariffs or other measures; supply chain disruptions and labor shortages; the impact of any future pandemics or other natural disasters; unfavorable economic conditions in the United States generally and particularly in our primary market area and those of our customers; including the periodic Federal budget and funding stalemates in the U.S. Congress; the Company's ability to effectively attract and deploy deposits; changes in the Company's corporate strategies, the composition of its assets, or the way in which it funds those assets;the pending sale of the Company's cannabis business, which may not be completed in accordance with expected plans or the currently contemplated timeline, or at all, and may be disruptive to the Company and/or reduce the Company's profitability in future periods; our ability to complete our proposed reincorporation from New Jersey to Delaware, including our ability to receive shareholder approval of the proposed reincorporation, and our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed reincorporation; shifts in investor sentiment or behavior in the securities, capital, or other financial markets, including changes in market liquidity or volatility; the effects of declines in real estate values that may adversely impact the collateral underlying our loans; increase in unemployment levels and slowdowns in economic growth; changes in the credit performance of our loan portfolio, including levels of criticized and classified loans, nonaccrual loans, and charge-offs; the impact of changes in interest rates and the credit quality and strength of underlying collateral and the effect of such changes on the market value of our loan and investment securities portfolios; the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio; changes in the quality and composition of the Bank's loan and investment portfolios; changes in liquidity levels, funding sources, or funding costs, and our ability to manage our liquidity risks; deposit flows; legislative and regulatory changes, including increases in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insurance rates; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal and state governments; changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities; demands for our loan products; demand for financial services; competition; changes in the securities or secondary loan markets; changes in management's business strategies; our ability to enter new markets successfully; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses; changes in consumer spending; our ability to hire and retain key employees; the effects of any reputational, credit, interest rate, market, operational, legal, liquidity, or regulatory risk; potential impact of regulatory requirements, matters, litigation, or other legal actions which could adversely affect operating results; failure to identify and adequately and promptly address cybersecurity risks, including data breaches and cyberattacks; developments in technology, such as artificial intelligence, and our ability to incorporate innovative technologies in our business and provide products and services that satisfy our customers' expectations for convenience and security; civil unrest in the communities that we serve; changes in accounting principles and guidelines; and other factors discussed elsewhere in this report, and in other reports we filed with the SEC, including under“Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2025, and our other periodic reports that we file with the SEC.
Annualized, pro forma, projected and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results.
Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Reported amounts are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). This press release also contains certain supplemental Non-GAAP information that the Company's management uses in its analysis of the Company's financial results. The Company's management believes that providing this information to analysts and investors allows them to better understand and evaluate the Company's financial results for the periods in question.
The Company provides measurements and ratios based on tangible stockholders' equity and efficiency ratios. These measures are utilized by regulators and market analysts to evaluate a company's financial condition and, therefore, the Company's management believes that such information is useful to investors. For a reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release, see“Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
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