Cleveland, Ohio – TFS Financial Corporation, a company established in 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio, is facing significant challenges in terms of its lending practices and profitability. Despite these issues, the stock price of the company does not accurately reflect the concerns raised regarding its earnings and book value premiums.

As a relatively small financial institution, TFS Financial Corporation, also known as TFSL, had $17 billion in assets by the end of 2023, with a market capitalization of around $3.3 billion. The company primarily focuses on originating residential mortgage loans through its four loan production offices and 37 branches, with a majority of branches located in Ohio and Florida.

Competition in the financial sector is fierce, with TFS holding $6.5 billion in deposits in Ohio and $2.6 billion in Florida, ranking 11th and 34th among financial institutions based on deposits in their respective states. The company’s market share in Ohio is 1.19% and 0.31% in Florida, highlighting the competitive landscape the company operates within.

Despite the majority of its loan portfolio being comprised of first mortgages, TFS Financial Corporation also has significant exposure to home equity loans. While the company has shown steady growth in its loan portfolio over the years, certain key performance indicators like net interest income growth and tangible book value growth have been less than impressive in the last decade.

Furthermore, the company’s recent financial results indicate challenges in managing its interest income and net interest margin, leading to a decrease in profitability metrics such as return on assets and return on equity. While the company appears to be well-capitalized according to regulatory requirements, concerns remain regarding its ability to navigate a bank-run scenario due to a high loan-to-deposit ratio.

In terms of dividends and valuation, TFSL currently pays a quarterly dividend with a high forward yield, but the recent decrease in profitability raises questions about the sustainability of these dividend payments. Additionally, the stock price of TFSL has been under pressure recently, raising concerns about the company’s valuation relative to its financial performance.

In conclusion, investors may find better opportunities with other bank stocks that offer more attractive valuations and stronger underlying businesses. As such, TFSL may be considered a hold for investors looking to assess the risks and rewards associated with its current financial position.