CIT Group Inc. CIT recorded adjusted loss per share of 62 cents in second-quarter 2020. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegged at a loss of 63 cents. The reported figure excluded noteworthy items such as merger and integration-related costs in connection with the acquisition of Mutual of Omaha Bank, and other restructuring charges.
Results were hurt because of a significant increase in provisions, higher expenses and a decline in revenues. Nevertheless, the balance sheet position remained strong in the quarter.
Net loss available to common shareholders (GAAP basis) was $97.6 million or 99 cents per share compared with net income available to common shareholders of $128.2 million or $1.33 per share recorded in the year-ago quarter.
Revenues Decline, Expenses Rise
Total net revenues (non-GAAP) were $410.7 million, down 12{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49} year over year. Moreover, the figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $442 million.
Net interest revenues were $244.4 million, down 10.4{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49} year over year.
Total non-interest income was $303.5 million, down 4.9{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49} from the year-ago quarter. The decline was due to a fall in both components of fee income.
Net finance margin contracted 99 basis points year over year to 2.14{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49}.
Operating expenses (excluding noteworthy items and intangible asset amortization) were $295 million, up 12.6{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49} from the prior-year quarter.
Credit Quality Deteriorates
Provision for credit losses increased significantly year over year from $28.6 million to $223.6 million. The figure for the reported quarter reflected the continued adverse impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Non-accrual loans increased significantly year over year to $556 million. Net charge-offs were $170 million, up significantly from $31 million recorded in the prior-year quarter.
Balance Sheet Strong, Capital Ratios Worsen
As of Jun 30, 2020, average interest bearing cash and investment securities amounted to $13.8 billion, comprising $8.1 billion in interest bearing cash, and $5.7 billion in investment securities and securities purchased under the agreement to resell.
As of Jun 30, 2020, Common Equity Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios (as calculated under the fully phased-in Regulatory Capital Rules) were 10{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49} and 13.2{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49}, respectively, compared with 11.6{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49} and 14.3{09c3c849cf64d23af04bfef51e68a1f749678453f0f72e4bb3c75fcb14e04d49} at the end of the prior-year quarter.
2020 Guidance
Given that the company is realizing cost savings and Mutual of Omaha Bank cost synergies ahead of schedule, it reduced 2020 operating expense target by $25 million.
Our Viewpoint
Business streamlining initiatives along with the acquisition of Mutual of Omaha Bank are expected to keep supporting CIT Group. Given a solid liquidity position, it is expected to continue enhancing shareholder value through efficient capital deployment activities. However, continuously increasing expenses (as witnessed in the second quarter as well) will likely hurt bottom-line growth in the near term.
CIT Group Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

CIT Group Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
CIT Group Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | CIT Group Inc. Quote
Currently, CIT Group carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Companies
PNC Financial PNC reported second-quarter 2020 loss from continuing operations per share of $1.90 as against earnings of $2.47 reported in the prior-year quarter. Higher provisions due to the coronavirus pandemic’s crippling impact on the economy resulted in the dismal performance. The Zacks Consensus Estimate was pegged at 88 cents.
A significant improvement in trading and mortgage banking businesses drove JPMorgan’s JPM second-quarter earnings of $1.38 per share. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.34. The results included provision builds due to deterioration in the macro-economic backdrop, bridge book markups and gains related to funding spread tightening on derivatives. Excluding these, earnings per share amounted to $3.27.
Wells Fargo WFC reported second-quarter 2020 loss per share of 66 cents, which resulted from a reserve build of $8.4 billion for the coronavirus outbreak-related crisis. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same was pegged at a loss of 7 cents.