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WYOMISSING, PA—(Marketwired – October 28, 2015) –

Q3 2015 Net Income up 23% and EPS up 19% over Q3 2014

Q3 2015 Net Income of $0.50 Per Fully Diluted Share

Nine Months 2015 Net Income up 31% and EPS up 27% over Nine Months 2014

Tangible Book Value up 12.8% from Q3 2014 to $17.81 Per Share

Deposits Grew by 35% and Loans Grew by 18% from Q3 2014

Asset Quality Remains Very Strong

BankMobile Expected to Meet its 1–Year Customer Acquisition Goal

2016 Fully Diluted EPS Estimated to be Between $2.40 and $2.50

Customers Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: CUBI), the parent company of Customers Bank (collectively “Customers”), reported net income to common shareholders of $14.3 million for third quarter of 2015 (“Q3 2015″) compared to net income to common shareholders of $11.7 million for third quarter of 2014 (“Q3 2014″), an increase of $2.6 million, or 23%. Fully diluted earnings per share for Q3 2015 was $0.50 compared to $0.42 fully diluted earnings per share for Q3 2014, an increase of $0.08 per share, or 19%. Average fully diluted shares for Q3 2015 were 28.7 million compared to average fully diluted shares for Q3 2014 of 28.0 million.

Customers also reported earnings of $39.3 million for the first nine months of 2015 compared to earnings of $30.0 million in the first nine months of 2014, an increase of $9.3 million, or 31%. Fully diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2015 was $1.37 compared to $1.08 for the first nine months of 2014, an increase of $0.29 per share, or 27%. Customers' 2015 earnings for the first nine months of 2015 includes a $6.0 million pre–tax provision for loan losses related to a fraudulent loan recorded in the second quarter of 2015.

Commenting on the record net income levels for the third quarter and nine months of 2015, Jay Sidhu, Chairman and CEO of Customers stated, “Customers is very pleased to report record earnings, $0.50 per share net income for the third quarter of 2015. As a company we set ambitious performance goals, build strategies to achieve those goals, and work hard to execute our plans. While maintaining superior risk management discipline, we continue to track toward achieving both our short–term and long–term goals. We believe we will report in excess of $1.00 per share in earnings for the second half of 2015, we expect to earn between $2.40 and $2.50 per share in 2016, and achieve our goals of reaching about a 1.0% return on assets, and 12.0% return on common equity in the next two years.”

Other financial and business highlights for Q3 2015 include:

Customers achieved a return on assets of 0.82% in Q3 2015 compared to 0.77% in Q3 2014, and achieved a return on common equity of 11.83% in Q3 2015 compared to 10.97% in Q3 2014, as earnings increased in Q3 2015.

Total loans, including loans held for sale, increased $1.0 billion, or 18%, to $6.5 billion as of September 30, 2015 compared to total loans as of September 30, 2014 of $5.5 billion. Loans to mortgage companies increased $469 million, commercial and industrial loans (including owner occupied commercial real estate) increased $194 million, multi–family loans increased $287 million, non–owner occupied commercial real estate loans increased $84 million, and consumer loans decreased $40 million over the prior year.

Total deposits increased $1.5 billion, or 35%, to $5.8 billion as of September 30, 2015 compared to total deposits of $4.3 billion as of September 30, 2014. Demand deposits increased $154 million, money market deposits increased $537 million and CDs increased $806 million over the prior year.

Customers reported a $2.1 million provision for loan losses in Q3 2015.

Non–performing loans totaled $17.8 million as of September 30, 2015, or 0.27% of total loans, compared to $14.0 million as of September 30, 2014, or 0.25% of total loans. The increase in the amount of non–performing loans reflects the $3.7 million net remaining balance of the fraudulent loan reported in Q2 2015 ($9.0 million original loan balance less $5.3 million charged off during Q3 2015). The total credit reserve for loan losses was 197% of the non–performing loan balance as of September 30, 2015.

The Q3 2015 efficiency ratio was 54.0% compared to a 54.5% Q3 2014 efficiency ratio. The Q3 2015 efficiency ratio includes $1.6 million of net expense for BankMobile. Excluding BankMobile net expenses, the efficiency ratio would have been 51.2% for Q3 2015.

Capital levels continue to exceed the “well–capitalized” thresholds established by regulation at both the holding company and bank.

Consistent with Customers' stated intent to moderate balance sheet growth, Customers maintained total assets of $7.6 billion during Q3 2015 compared to Q2 2015, improving its capital ratios.

The tangible book value per common share continued to increase, reaching $17.81 at September 30, 2015, compared to $16.43 at December 31, 2014 and $15.79 at September 30, 2014, an increase of 12.8% year–over–year.

Q3 2015 compared to Q2 2015:

Customers' Q3 2015 net income available to common shareholders of $14.3 million increased $3.3 million, or 30%, from earnings of $11.0 million for the second quarter of 2015 (“Q2 2015″). The increase in Q3 2015 compared to Q2 2015 earnings resulted primarily from recording a $6.0 million pre–tax provision for loan losses in Q2 2015 related to the identification of a fraudulent loan (considering the effect of income taxes, the effect of the provision for loan losses related to the fraudulent loan was to decrease net income $3.9 million in Q2 2015). During Q3 2015, Customers charged–off $5.3 million of the $9.0 million loan balance.

Other financial highlights for Q3 2015 compared to Q2 2015 include:

Net interest margin in Q3 2015 of 2.79% increased approximately 6 basis points compared to the net interest margin for Q2 2015 of 2.73%. The net interest margin increase resulted primarily from continued discipline in pricing and an increase of $1.0 million in prepayment fees on multi–family loans in Q3 2015.

Q3 2015 non–interest expense of $30.3 million was up approximately $4.6 million from Q2 2015 primarily due to net benefits received in Q2 2015 of $0.6 million from real estate owned sales and valuation adjustments compared to net costs in Q3 2015 of $1.7 million resulting primarily from the non–guaranteed portion of losses recognized on REO valuation adjustments, and reduction of the Pennsylvania shares tax expense (expense was reduced $2.3 million) in Q2 2015.

Customers continued its planned strategy to moderate its balance sheet growth, with total assets largely unchanged as of September 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2015 at $7.6 billion. Total loans, including loans held for sale, also remained flat as of September 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2015 at $6.5 billion, with increases in commercial and industrial loans (including owner occupied commercial real estate) of $48 million, non–owner occupied real estate loans of $17 million and multi–family loans of $136 million offset by a decrease in loans to mortgage companies of $266 million.

Deposits increased during Q3 2015 by $308 million, or 5.6%, to $5.8 billion.

Customers sold approximately $36 million of multi–family loans at approximately a 1.0% gain during Q3 2015. There were no multi–family loan sales during Q2 2015.

The following table presents a summary of key earnings metrics for the three quarters ending September 30, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014:

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CUSTOMERS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES       Â

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EARNINGS SUMMARY – UNAUDITED       Â

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(Dollars in thousands, except per–share data)

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Q3

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Q2

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Q3

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2015

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2015

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2014

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Net income available to common shareholders

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$

14,309

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$

11,049

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$

11,662

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Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”)

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$

0.53

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$

0.41

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$

0.44

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Diluted EPS

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$

0.50

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$

0.39

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$

0.42

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Average common shares outstanding – basic

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26,872,787

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26,839,799

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26,730,347

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Average common shares outstanding – diluted

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28,741,129

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28,680,664

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27,984,840

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Return on average assets

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0.82

%

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0.65

%

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0.77

%

Return on average common equity

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11.83

%

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9.44

%

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10.97

%

Net interest margin, tax equivalent

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2.79

%

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2.73

%

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2.79

%

Efficiency ratio

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54.00

%

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48.40

%

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54.50

%

Non–performing loans to total loans (including held–for–sale and FDIC–covered loans)

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0.27

%

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0.16

%

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0.25

%

Reserves to non–performing loans (NPLs)

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197.01

%

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369.90

%

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246.40

%

Net charge–offs

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$

5,657

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$

999

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$

325

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Tangible book value per common share (period end) (1)

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$

17.81

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$

17.28

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$

15.79

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Period end stock price

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$

25.70

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$

26.89

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$

17.96

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(1) Calculated as total equity less preferred stock and goodwill and other intangibles divided by common shares outstanding at period end.

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Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin (“NIM”) was flat at 2.79% in Q3 2015 compared to Q3 2014, and increased 6 basis points from Q2 2015, as Customers maintained its NIM over a period in which the industry NIM has been rapidly contracting. The flat NIM of Q3 2015 compared to Q3 2014 resulted from a 6 basis point reduction in portfolio yields offset by an increase in prepayment fees on multi–family loans and FHLB dividends of $1.3 million, or approximately 6 basis points. The 6 basis point NIM increase in Q3 2015 compared to Q2 2015 resulted from higher prepayment fees on multi–family loans of $1.0 million. As the multi–family loan portfolio that was built largely in 2013 and 2014 seasons, it is expected that prospectively Customers will receive prepayment fees regularly.

Non–Interest Income

Q3 2015 non–interest income of $6.2 million increased $1.1 million compared to non–interest income of $5.1 million in Q3 2014, and decreased $0.2 million compared to non–interest income of $6.4 million in Q2 2015. The $1.1 million increase in Q3 2015 non–interest income compared to Q3 2014 non–interest income resulted primarily from a $0.6 million increase in mortgage warehouse transactional fees as a result of higher processing volume and a $0.4 million gain realized from the sale of multi–family loans. The $0.2 million Q3 2015 decrease in non–interest income compared to Q2 2015 resulted primarily from a $0.6 million credit valuation adjustment for derivative counterparty risk as the value of derivative receivable increased, offset in part by the $0.4 million gain realized from the sale of multi–family loans. Customers anticipates that it will continue with a low level of multi–family loan sales for the next several quarters.

Non–Interest Expense

Q3 2015 operating expenses of $30.3 million increased $5.6 million, or 22.8%, compared to Q3 2014, and increased $4.6 million compared to Q2 2015 operating expenses of $25.7 million. The Q3 2015 compared to Q3 2014 operating expense increase of $5.6 million resulted primarily from the $1.0 billion growth in Customers' loan portfolio, requiring increased staffing for loan origination and administrative support, higher occupancy expense, and technology fees (up $3.1 million), a $1.1 million increase in other real estate owned expense primarily resulting from the non–guaranteed portion of losses recognized on write–downs of REO in Q3 2015 and a $1.0 million increase in professional services primarily for consulting fees paid for loan reviews, legal services, and outsourcing of certain accounting and internal audit work and other expenses. The $4.6 million increase in Q3 2015 compared to Q2 2015 non–interest expenses resulted from a $2.3 million increase in other real estate owned expense reflecting the non–guaranteed portion of losses recognized on REO valuation adjustments in Q3 2015 compared to a net recovery of previous REO charge–offs and expenses in Q2 2015, and $2.3 million for reduction of the Pennsylvania shares tax expense estimate (expense was reduced $2.3 million) during Q2 2015.

Provision for Loan Losses and Asset Quality

The Q3 2015 provision for loan losses of $2.1 million includes a $1.2 million provision for third quarter net growth in the held–for–investment loan portfolio (predominately multi–family loans) of approximately $250 million. Non–performing loans as of September 30, 2015 were 0.27% of total loans. The September 30, 2015 total credit reserves of $35.0 million was 197% of total non–performing loans.

Other real estate owned decreased approximately $4.9 million in Q3 2015 to $8.4 million primarily due to valuation adjustments recorded on real estate properties covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's purchase and assumption agreement based on agreed upon sales prices for properties under contract or current valuations. Total non–performing assets of $26.2 million as of September 30, 2015 was 0.34% of total assets.

Customers separates its loan portfolio into “covered” and “non–covered” loans for purposes of analyzing and managing asset quality. Covered loans are those loans that are covered by FDIC purchase and assumption, or loss sharing, agreements, and for which Customers is reimbursed 80% of allowable incurred losses. The FDIC guarantees of covered non–single family loans expired during Q3 2015, although the FDIC guarantees of residential mortgage loans will continue through Q3 2017. All non–single family loans have been reviewed and risk rated based on Customers' underwriting standards, and any estimated losses have been submitted to the FDIC for reimbursement. Guaranteed residential mortgage loans still covered under the FDIC guarantee totaled $13.8 million as of September 30, 2015.

Diversified Loan Portfolio

Customers is a Business Bank that principally focuses on four lending activities; commercial and industrial loans to privately held businesses, multi–family loans principally to high net worth families in the New York City area, selected commercial real estate loans, and banking services to privately held mortgage companies. Commercial and industrial loans, including owner–occupied commercial real estate loans, and non–owner–occupied commercial real estate loans, were approximately $900 million and $1.0 billion, respectively at September 30, 2015. Multi–family loans and mortgage warehouse loans, also considered commercial loans, were approximately $2.5 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, at September 30, 2015.

Looking Ahead

“Building on the record third quarter earnings, we believe the fourth quarter of 2015 is positioned to be a strong quarter, and Customers expects to report in excess of $0.50 earnings per share for the period,” Mr. Sidhu said. “We have worked hard to position our Company to meet its financial targets irrespective of the slope of the yield curve or level of short term rates and to sustain profitable operations when the markets are stressed,” stated Mr. Sidhu. “We will continue our focus on our core businesses at Customers, growing commercial loans and core deposits, as we look to build our franchise value by building an exceptional business bank. BankMobile development also remains on plan. We expect to attract about 25,000 new customers within the first 12 months of operation of BankMobile,” Sidhu concluded.

Conference Call

Date: Thursday, October 29, 2015

Time: 10:00 am ET

US Dial–in: 1–800–254–2821

International Dial–in: 1–913–312–1450

Conference ID: 370158

Webcast: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=116371

Please dial in at least 10 minutes before the start of the call to ensure timely participation. Slides accompanying the presentation will be available on the Company's website at http://customersbank.com/investor_relations.php prior to the call.

Institutional Background

Customers Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company located in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania engaged in banking and related businesses through its bank subsidiary, Customers Bank. Customers Bank is a community–based, full–service bank with assets of approximately $7.6 billion. A member of the Federal Reserve System with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Customers Bank provides a range of banking services to small and medium–sized businesses, professionals, individuals and families through offices in Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Committed to fostering customer loyalty, Customers Bank uses a High Tech/High Touch strategy that includes use of industry–leading technology to provide customers better access to their money, as well as Concierge Banking® by appointment at customers' homes or offices 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers Bank offers a continually expanding portfolio of loans to small businesses, multi–family projects, mortgage companies and consumers.

Customers Bancorp, Inc. voting common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CUBI. Additional information about Customers Bancorp, Inc. can be found on the Company's website, www.customersbank.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement

In addition to historical information, this press release may contain “forward–looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward–looking statements include statements with respect to Customers Bancorp, Inc.'s strategies, goals, beliefs, expectations, estimates, intentions, capital raising efforts, financial condition and results of operations, future performance and business. Statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “pro forma,” “looking forward,” “would,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” or similar expressions generally indicate a forward–looking statement. These forward–looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which, in whole or in part, are beyond Customers Bancorp, Inc.'s control). Numerous competitive, economic, regulatory, legal and technological factors, among others, could cause Customers Bancorp, Inc.'s financial performance to differ materially from the goals, plans, objectives, intentions and expectations expressed in such forward–looking statements. Customers Bancorp, Inc. cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive, and neither such factors nor any such forward–looking statement takes into account the impact of any future events. All forward–looking statements and information set forth herein are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions as of the date hereof and speak only as of the date they are made. For a more complete discussion of the assumptions, risks and uncertainties related to our business, you are encouraged to review Customers Bancorp, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10–K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10–Q. Customers Bancorp, Inc. does not undertake to update any forward–looking statement whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by Customers Bancorp, Inc. or by or on behalf of Customers Bank.

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CUSTOMERS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED – UNAUDITED

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

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Q3

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Q2

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Q3

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2015

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2015

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2014

Interest income:

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Loans receivable, including fees

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$

46,291

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$

42,801

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$

39,640

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Loans held for sale

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14,006

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13,522

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8,503

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Investment securities

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2,283

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2,253

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2,361

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Other

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1,156

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1,107

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Â

794

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Total interest income

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63,736

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59,683

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51,298

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Interest expense:

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Deposits

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9,022

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8,145

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6,179

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Other borrowings

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1,539

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1,496

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1,494

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FHLB advances

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1,556

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1,799

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1,711

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Subordinated debt

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1,685

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1,685

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1,700

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Total interest expense

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13,802

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13,125

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11,084

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Net interest income

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49,934

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46,558

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40,214

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Provision for loan losses

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2,094

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9,335

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5,035

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Net interest income after provision for loan losses

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47,840

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37,223

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35,179

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Non–interest income:

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Mortgage warehouse transactional fees

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2,792

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2,799

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2,154

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Gain on sale of loans

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1,131

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827

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695

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Bank–owned life insurance

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1,177

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1,169

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Â

976

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Deposit fees

Â

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265

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247

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