(Loan Growth of 19.6% (annualized) for the second quarter 2022 (excluding PPP loans¹))

SOUDERTON, Pa., July 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Univest Financial Corporation (�Univest� or the "Corporation") (NASDAQ: UVSP), parent company of Univest Bank and Trust Co. and its insurance, investments and equipment financing subsidiaries, today announced net income for the quarter ended June�30, 2022 was $13.2 million, or $0.45 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $20.9 million, or $0.71 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended June�30, 2021. Net income for the six months ended June�30, 2022 was $33.5 million, or $1.13 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $53.5 million, or $1.81 diluted earnings per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Loans
Gross loans and leases, excluding Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans¹, increased $265.9 million, or 19.6% (annualized), from March�31, 2022, $378.2 million, or 14.4% (annualized), from December�31, 2021 and $582.0 million, or 11.5%, from June�30, 2021 primarily due to increases in commercial, commercial real estate, construction, residential mortgage loans, and lease financings. As of June�30, 2022, $5.4 million in PPP loans remained outstanding.

Deposits
Total deposits decreased $484.9 million, or 32.0% (annualized), from March�31, 2022 and $492.1 million, or 16.2% (annualized), from December�31, 2021 primarily due to a seasonal decrease in public funds deposits as well as decreases in commercial and consumer deposits. Total deposits increased $244.3 million, or 4.6%, from June�30, 2021, primarily due to increases in commercial, consumer and public funds deposits.

Net Interest Income and Margin
Net interest income of $51.5 million for the three months ended June�30, 2022 increased $4.8 million, or 10.3%, from the three months ended March�31, 2022, and $4.7 million, or 10.1%, from the three months ended June�30, 2021. The increase in net interest income for the three months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the same period of 2021 was due to an increase in the average balance of loans and investments, increased asset yields and a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities and a decrease in PPP loan income.

Net interest income of $98.1 million for the six months ended June�30, 2022 increased $6.0 million, or 6.5%, from the six months ended June�30, 2021. The increase in net interest income for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the same period of 2021 was due to loan and investment average balance growth outpacing declines in asset yields and a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities and a decrease in PPP loan income.

Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.19% for the second quarter of 2022, compared to 2.89% for the first quarter of 2022 and 3.15% for the second quarter of 2021. Excess liquidity reduced net interest margin by approximately 23 basis points for the quarter ended June�30, 2022 compared to 33 basis points for the quarter ended March�31, 2022 and ten basis points for the quarter ended June�30, 2021. During the quarter ended June 30, 2022, our excess liquidity diminished and we returned to a pre-pandemic liquidity level at the end of the quarter. PPP loans had a favorable impact on net interest margin of one basis point for the quarter ended June�30, 2022 compared to three basis points for the quarter ended March�31, 2022 and eleven basis points for the quarter ended June�30, 2021. Excluding the impact of excess liquidity and PPP loans, the net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.41% for the quarter ended June�30, 2022 compared to 3.19% for the quarter ended March�31, 2022 and 3.14% for the quarter ended June�30, 2021.

During the second quarter, the Bank entered into a 4-year $250 million interest rate swap (representing approximately 13% of the Bank's variable rate loans), whereby the Bank receives a fixed rate of 5.99% and pays a variable rate equal to the Prime Rate. During the second quarter of 2022, the swap contributed $707 thousand to net interest income and four basis points to net interest margin.

Net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.04% for the six months ended June�30, 2022, compared to 3.14% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Excess liquidity reduced net interest margin by approximately 28 basis points for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to ten basis points for the six months ended June�30, 2021. PPP loans had a favorable impact on net interest margin of two basis points for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to seven basis points for the six months ended June�30, 2021. Excluding the impact of excess liquidity and PPP loans, the net interest margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, was 3.30% for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to 3.17% for the six months ended June�30, 2021.

Noninterest Income
Noninterest income for the quarter ended June�30, 2022 was $19.0 million, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 6.1%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. Noninterest income for the six months ended June�30, 2022 was $39.5 million, a decrease of $4.0 million, or 9.2%, from the comparable period in the prior year.

Net gain on mortgage banking activities decreased $2.2 million, or 64.5%, for the quarter and $6.2 million, or 66.4%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year, primarily due to a decrease in loan sales and a contraction of margins. Bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") decreased $915 thousand, or 56.5%, for the quarter and $933 thousand, or 39.9%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year, primarily due to a death benefit claim of $893 thousand in the second quarter of 2021.

Insurance commission and fee income increased $790 thousand, or 20.6%, for the quarter and $1.4 million, or 16.0%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year, primarily due to incremental revenue attributable to the insurance agency the Corporation acquired in the fourth quarter of 2021. Investment advisory commission and fee income increased $254 thousand, or 5.6%, for the quarter and $709 thousand, or 7.7%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year, primarily due to new customer relationships and appreciation of assets under management, as a majority of investment advisory fees are billed based on the prior quarter-end assets under management balance.

Other service fee income increased $561 thousand, or 20.4%, for the quarter and $1.1 million, or 22.8%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year. Mortgage servicing fees increased $357 thousand for the quarter and $619 thousand for the six months ended June�30, 2022 driven by reduced amortization as a result of a decrease in prepayment speeds. Interchange fee income increased $115 thousand for the quarter and $291 thousand for the six months ended June�30, 2022 due to increased customer activity.

Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense for the quarter ended June�30, 2022 was $47.4 million, an increase of $6.1 million, or 14.7%, compared to the second quarter of 2021. Noninterest expense for the six months ended June�30, 2022 was $92.8 million, an increase of $12.0 million, or 14.8%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The results for the three and six months ended June�30, 2022 include approximately $1.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in expenses related to our digital transformation initiative, a comprehensive digital platform which will blend our core operating systems together and allow Univest to seamlessly sell existing products and services, digitally, across an expanded footprint.

Salaries, benefits and commissions increased $3.7 million, or 14.7%, for the quarter and $7.2 million, or 14.4%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year. These increases reflect our continued investment in revenue producing staff across all business lines, including the acquisition of the Paul I. Schaeffer insurance agency, and annual merit increases. Additionally, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $353 thousand and $740 thousand, respectively, of short-term incremental guaranties related to the hiring of new producers in our mortgage banking line of business. Finally, during the six months ended June 30, 2021 salaries, benefits and commissions expense was benefited by $616 thousand of incremental capitalized compensation related to the origination of PPP loans.

Professional fees increased $829 thousand, or 41.1%, for the quarter and $1.2 million, or 32.4%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year. The increase for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was primarily attributable to $1.2 million of consultant fees spent related to the previously discussed digital transformation initiative, as compared to our $230 thousand investment in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training initiatives for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was primarily attributable to $1.9 million of consultant fees spent related to the previously discussed digital transformation initiative, as compared to our $506 thousand investment in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training initiatives for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Deposit insurance premiums increased $199 thousand, or 32.5%, for the quarter and $456 thousand, or 36.5%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year, driven by an increased assessment base.

Data processing expenses increased $644 thousand, or 21.0%, for the quarter and $1.2 million, or 19.0%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year, primarily due to continued investments in our end-to-end loan origination solution for loans below $1.0 million, customer relationship management software, internal infrastructure improvements, outsourced data processing solutions, and $155 thousand and $258 thousand in support of the previously discussed digital transformation initiative for the respective periods.

Other expense increased $676 thousand, or 11.7%, for the quarter and $1.7 million, or 15.3%, for the six months ended June�30, 2022 compared to the comparable periods in the prior year. Recruiting costs increased $138 thousand and $420 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, due to increased hiring activity, including the entry into our two new expansions markets. Travel and entertainment expenses increased $309 thousand and $574 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, as related activities have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, the six months ended June 30, 2022 includes incurred costs of $330 thousand as a result of a customer who was defrauded.

Tax Provision
The effective income tax rate was 19.8% for the quarter ended June�30, 2022, compared to an effective income tax rate of 19.0% for the quarter ended June�30, 2021. The effective income tax rate was 19.5% for the six months ended June�30, 2022, compared to an effective income tax rate of 19.2% for the six months ended June�30, 2021.The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June�30, 2022 and 2021 reflects the benefits of tax-exempt income from investments in municipal securities and loans and leases.

Asset Quality and Provision for Credit Losses
Nonperforming assets were $34.8 million at June�30, 2022, compared to $31.5 million at March�31, 2022 and $38.5 million at June�30, 2021. During the quarter, a nonaccrual commercial real estate loan was transferred to other real estate owned ("OREO") with a carrying value of $18.3 million.

Net loan and lease charge-offs were $1.7 million and $1.8 million for the three and six months ended June�30, 2022, respectively. Net loan and lease charge-offs were $243 thousand and $531 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. During the second quarter of 2022, a $1.7 million charge-off was recorded against an existing nonaccrual commercial real estate loan.

The provision for credit losses was $6.7 million for the second quarter of 2022 primarily driven by a $5.5 million increase (after-tax charge of $4.3 million), or $0.15 diluted earnings per share, in reserves due to loan growth, a specific reserve of $1.1 million related to a commercial real estate loan that was placed on nonaccrual status during the second quarter and an incremental provision of $736 thousand related to the previously mentioned $1.7 million charge-off. The reversal of provision for credit losses was $59 thousand for the second quarter of 2021 driven by a $2.7 million increase (after-tax charge of $2.1 million), or $0.07 diluted earnings per share, in reserves due to loan growth outpaced by favorable changes in economic-related assumptions within the Corporation�s CECL model.

The provision for credit losses was $3.2 million for the six months ended June�30, 2022 primarily driven by a $6.8 million increase (after-tax charge of $5.4 million), or $0.18 diluted earnings per share, in reserves due to loan growth and specific reserves of $2.8 million on two nonaccrual commercial real estate properties. These increases were partially offset by $7.3 million (after-tax benefit of $5.8 million), or $0.19 diluted earnings per share, of changes in economic-related assumptions within the Corporation�s CECL model. Additionally, reserves on unfunded commitments and investment securities increased $990 thousand during the six months ended June 30, 2022. The reversal of provision for credit losses was $11.3 million for the comparable period in the prior year, of which $15.8 million (after-tax benefit of $12.5 million), or $0.42 diluted earnings per share, was attributable to favorable changes in economic-related assumptions within the Corporation�s CECL model, partially offset by a reserve increase attributable to loan growth.

The allowance for credit losses on loans and leases as a percentage of loans and leases held for investment was 1.27% at June�30, 2022, compared to 1.26% at March 31, 2022, and 1.34% at June�30, 2021. The allowance for credit losses on loans and leases as a percentage of loans and leases held for investment, excluding PPP loans¹, was 1.27% at June�30, 2022 compared to 1.27% at March 31, 2022 and 1.41% at June�30, 2021.

Share Repurchases
As previously announced, the Corporation began to repurchase its common stock on the open market. During the second quarter of 2022, the Corporation repurchased 300,000 shares at an average price of $25.23, for an aggregate cost of $7.6 million. As of June�30, 2022, the Corporation has 379,174 shares remaining to repurchase under the current approved plan.

Dividend
On July 27, 2022, Univest declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share to be paid on August 24, 2022 to shareholders of record as of August 10, 2022.

Conference Call
Univest will host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2022 results on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Participants may preregister at https://ige.netroadshow.com/registration/q4inc/11282/univest-financial-corporation-to-hold-second-quarter-2022-earnings-call/. The general public can access the call by dialing 1-844-200-6205; using Access Code 571585.�A replay of the conference call will be available through August 27, 2022 by dialing 1-866-813-9403; using Access Code: 134898.

¹Non-GAAP metric. A reconciliation of this and other non-GAAP financial measures is included within this document.

About Univest Financial Corporation
Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP), including its wholly-owned subsidiary Univest Bank and Trust Co., Member FDIC, has approximately $6.7 billion in assets and $4.1 billion in assets under management and supervision through its Wealth Management lines of business at June�30, 2022. Headquartered in Souderton, Pa. and founded in 1876, the Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a full range of financial solutions for individuals, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Region.�Univest delivers these services through a network of more than 50 offices and online at www.univest.net.��

This press release and the reports Univest files with the Securities and Exchange Commission often contain "forward-looking statements" relating to trends or factors affecting the financial services industry and, specifically, the financial condition and results of operations, business and strategies of Univest. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties in that there are a number of important factors that could cause Univest's future results, business or strategies to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) competition; (2) inflation and/or changes in interest rates, which may adversely impact our margins and yields, reduce the fair value of our financial instruments, reduce our loan originations or lead to higher operating costs; (3) changes in asset quality, prepayment speeds, loan sale volumes, charge-offs and/or credit loss provisions; (4) changes in economic conditions nationally and in our market; (5) economic assumptions that may impact our allowance for credit losses calculation; (6) legislative, regulatory or tax changes; (7) technological issues that may adversely affect our operations or those of our customers; (8) changes in the securities markets; (9) the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; or (10) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration statements Univest files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Additionally, it is difficult to predict the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the coronavirus can be controlled and abated. As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations: (1) demand for our products and services may decline; (2) if economic conditions worsen, loan delinquencies, problem assets, and foreclosures may increase and our allowance for credit losses may have to be increased; (3) collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value; (4) the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us; (5) a material decrease in net income or a net loss over several quarters could result in the elimination of or a decrease in the rate of our quarterly cash dividend; (6) our wealth management revenues may decline with market turmoil; and (7) our cyber security risks may increase as the result of an increase in the number of employees working remotely. Univest undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

(UVSP - ER)

CONTACT: CONTACT: Brian J. Richardson
UNIVEST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Chief Financial Officer
215-721-2446, [email protected]� �