First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Orlando Berges: Yes, the answer — question number one, definitely. As we said, before, we would like to give the optionality. And we’ve been doing that and we adjust, how much we do a recorder based on several factors while we see including macro uncertainty. At this stage, we continue to execute, we probably, I will say the most probable number for this quarter is similar to last quarter, based on what we see today, that can be adjusted, things that they became a concern to the market. On the other hand, we don’t have a limit to when to use a 125. So, we can do it now, or do it in three quarters or do in two quarters, there’s no expiration. On the other hand, answer to the question number two, yes, our cycle two to three, basically, the capital plan, we’re on a three step. See the numbers and decide finally, how much more we’re going to do forward? It’s going to be April. So yes, we do expect to make an updated announcement on capitals during April, that is correct.

Alex Twerdahl: Okay, great. Thanks for clarifying that. And then, as you think about credit and net charge offs and provisioning, I think we’re all trying to figure out what the new level of a normalized level of charge offs are for you guys. I’m just curious, if you have any more insights, clearly charge offs have been running much lower than what you had probably thought would be a normalized range and if whether or not 46 basis points kind of getting closer to what you consider normalized or how you see that shaking out.

Aurelio Aleman: We are — I think there’s levels of normalization, we use pre pandemic as a metric, but things have change. The unemployment rate is better is lower. We see more activity in the economy in different sectors. So, we — when we say normalize, to be honest, it has to be a number between where we are today, and where we were in 2019, not sure, if we’re going to reach the 2019, it doesn’t look like based on early indications. So, obviously, early delinquencies is a great indicator or classified asset is a great indicator. And NPAs are a great indicator, you know, so far, so good. And it’s something that we monitor very, very closely, especially performance. We have a large consumer segment, we have a material portfolio, and a diversify commercial portfolio.

I don’t, — all of them are performing well, and you see the asset quality metrics. We are very disciplined in not accumulating classify assets. And every time we see something that we’re like, we got to take too long to solve, as we did this quarter, we’re moving out so that create some noise in the charger rate, but not necessarily it’s a trend.

Orlando Berges: The key components as Aurelio mentioned Alex that are very stable at this point. So we don’t proceed as early unless there is a dramatic change on expectations that trends will change too much from the most recent ones.

Alex Twerdahl: Okay. Can you give us some color on?

Aurelio Aleman: We have — I will say we have very good coverage in our revenues , yes.

Alex Twerdahl: Can you give us some color on the pricing that you’re seeing on new loan generation?

Aurelio Aleman: Pricing, I think it’s reasonable is being adjusted by the funding costs and by the curve and by the forward curve. Commercial CRE in the mid-six. And when you go to other large segment or multivariable, you move to mid 7s, when you go to the middle market, probably closer to eight. And when you do look at a blender consumer products are already approaching mid-9. So, I think competition has been fair adjusting what we’re all suffering from, which is definitely increasing the cost of funding. So, obviously, the timing is like, some of this, but, I think — we don’t see pressure, we see more competitive pressure on deposit pricing now within the loan pricing.