Blue Foundry Bancorp Announces Adoption of Sixth Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Blue Foundry Bancorp (NASDAQ: BLFY) has announced its sixth stock repurchase program, authorizing the buyback of up to 1,082,533 shares (approximately 5% of outstanding common stock) starting June 20, 2025. The company has successfully completed five previous repurchase programs since July 2022, buying back 7,798,723 shares (27.3%) at an average price of $10.09 per share.

The company's tangible book value stands at $14.81 per share as of March 31, 2025, indicating the repurchases are being made at a significant discount. The program allows for open market or private transactions, with timing and volume dependent on market conditions and other factors.

Positive

• Previous successful repurchase of 27.3% of common shares at $10.09 average price
• Current repurchase price represents significant discount to tangible book value of $14.81
• Strong capital position enables continued share repurchases
• Program demonstrates commitment to returning value to shareholders

Negative

• Reduction in total market capitalization and float could affect stock liquidity
• Capital used for buybacks may limit other growth opportunities

Insights

Financial Analyst

Blue Foundry's sixth buyback program represents effective capital deployment, purchasing shares at 32% below book value, enhancing shareholder returns.

Blue Foundry's announcement of their sixth stock repurchase program authorizes buying back approximately 1.08 million shares (5% of outstanding stock), continuing their aggressive capital return strategy. Since initiating buybacks in 2022, the company has repurchased an impressive 27.3% of its common shares at an average price of $10.09 per share.

What makes this particularly compelling is the significant discount to tangible book value (TBV). With a current TBV of $14.81 per share as of March 31, their historical repurchases represent a 32% discount to book value. This creates immediate value for remaining shareholders, as each repurchased share essentially transfers $4.72 in equity value to continuing shareholders.

This capital allocation strategy demonstrates management's confidence in the bank's financial position and represents an efficient use of excess capital. The company maintains flexibility in execution timing through open market purchases and block trades without specific time commitments, allowing them to opportunistically acquire shares when pricing is most favorable.

For investors, these repurchases effectively increase ownership stakes without requiring additional investment. The continued commitment to buybacks signals management's belief that the shares remain undervalued and that returning capital through this method currently exceeds the value of alternative uses for their capital.

RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Foundry Bancorp (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BLFY), announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the adoption of its sixth stock repurchase program to repurchase up to 1,082,533 shares of the Company’s common stock, which is approximately 5% of its outstanding common stock. The new program commenced on June 20, 2025.

Since announcing its first stock repurchase program on July 20, 2022, through the completion of the fifth stock repurchase program, the Company has repurchased 7,798,723 shares, or 27.3% of its common shares, at a weighted average price of $10.09. The Company’s tangible book value per share was $14.81 as of March 31, 2025.

The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or private transactions, through block trades or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The timing and amount of any repurchases will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of stock, general market conditions, the trading price of the stock, alternative uses for capital, and the Company’s financial performance. Open market purchases will be made in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any particular number of shares or any shares in any specific time period.

James D. Nesci, President and CEO of the Company, remarked that “We are happy to announce our sixth repurchase program. We have been successful in our prior repurchase programs, which have allowed us to repurchase shares at a significant discount to tangible book value. We believe that share repurchases are a prudent use of capital and are pleased to have the strong capital position that allows us the ability to purchase our stock and provide value to our shareholders.”

About Blue Foundry Bancorp

Blue Foundry Bancorp is the holding company for Blue Foundry Bank, a place where things are made, purpose is formed, and ideas are crafted. Headquartered in Rutherford NJ, with a presence in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties, Blue Foundry Bank is a full-service, innovative bank serving the doers, movers, and shakers in our communities. We offer individuals and businesses alike the tailored products and services they need to build their futures. With a rich history dating back more than 145 years, Blue Foundry Bank has a longstanding commitment to its customers and communities. To learn more about Blue Foundry Bank visit BlueFoundryBank.com or call (888) 931-BLUE. Member FDIC.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements 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 (the “Exchange Act”) and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are based on certain current assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins and yields, the fair value of financial instruments or our level of loan originations, or increase in the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans we have made and make; general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected, including potential recessionary conditions, the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies; including potential recessionary conditions, the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies; changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; our ability to access cost-effective funding; fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; demand for loans and deposits in our market area; our ability to implement and change our business strategies; competition among depository and other financial institutions; adverse changes in the securities or secondary mortgage markets; changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees, capital requirements and insurance premiums; changes in monetary or fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios; technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected; a failure or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyber-attacks; the inability of third party providers to perform as expected; our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic environment; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; our ability to retain key employees; the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; the ability of the U.S. Government to manage federal debt limits; and changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to release publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Contact Information

Elyse D. Beidner
Investor Relations
BlueFoundryBank.com
ebeidner@bluefoundrybank.com
201-939-5000

FAQ

How many shares will BLFY repurchase in its sixth buyback program?

Blue Foundry Bancorp will repurchase up to 1,082,533 shares, representing approximately 5% of its outstanding common stock.

What is Blue Foundry's (BLFY) history with share repurchases?

Since July 2022, BLFY has repurchased 7,798,723 shares (27.3% of common shares) at an average price of $10.09 through five previous programs.

What is BLFY's current tangible book value per share?

Blue Foundry's tangible book value per share was $14.81 as of March 31, 2025.

When did Blue Foundry's sixth stock repurchase program begin?

The sixth stock repurchase program commenced on June 20, 2025.

How will BLFY execute its share repurchase program?

The program allows shares to be repurchased through open market purchases, private transactions, block trades, or Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, in accordance with SEC regulations.