EX-99.1 2 ex991q12024earningsrelease.htm EX-99.1 Document

BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP REPORTS OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER AND DECLARES SECOND QUARTER DIVIDEND
New Canaan, CT – April 24, 2024 – Bankwell Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWFG) reported GAAP net income of $3.8 million, or $0.48 per share for the first quarter of 2024, versus $10.4 million, or $1.33 per share, for the same period in 2023. Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue ("PPNR") was $8.8 million, or $1.14 per share, for the first quarter of 2024, versus $14.4 million, or $1.89 per share for the same period in 2023.
The Company's Board of Directors declared a $0.20 per share cash dividend, payable May 21, 2024 to shareholders of record on May 10, 2024.
We recommend reading this earnings release in conjunction with the First Quarter 2024 Investor Presentation, located at http://investor.mybankwell.com/Presentations and included as an exhibit to our April 24, 2024 Current Report on Form 8-K.
Notes Bankwell Financial Group President and CEO, Christopher R. Gruseke:

"Our first quarter earnings of $0.48 per share include the impact of $3.7 million in charge offs related to previously disclosed non-performing loans. The main components of the charge offs were approximately $2.8 million, attributable to a suburban Connecticut office building, and approximately $0.7 million, attributable to the non-guaranteed portions of 2 SBA loans. We encourage investors to review the accompanying Investor Presentation for further details regarding the Bank’s loan portfolio.

Absent any action from the Federal Reserve, we expect our net interest margin to trough slightly higher and earlier than previously projected at approximately 255 to 265 basis points during 2Q 2024. This margin, coupled with the Company’s consistently efficient expense structure, provides a solid earnings base during this challenging interest rate environment. We also re-affirm prior guidance regarding non-interest expense of $53 to $54 million for the full year 2024."
First Quarter 2024 Highlights:
PPNR was $8.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Net income of $3.8 million reflects the impact of $3.7 million of loan charge offs.
Total gross loans were $2.7 billion, decreasing $39.0 million, or 1.4%, compared to December 31, 2023.
Average yield on total loans was 6.37% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.74% as of March 31, 2024, down from 1.81% as of December 31, 2023.
Deposits were $2.7 billion, decreasing $63.2 million, or 2.3%, compared to December 31, 2023.
Brokered deposits decreased $120.0 million, when compared to December 31, 2023.
Noninterest bearing deposits increased 8.7% to $376.2 million, when compared to December 31, 2023.
FDIC-insured deposits totaled $1.9 billion and represent 71.4% of total deposits as of March 31, 2024.
Return on average assets was 0.47% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Return on average tangible common equity was 5.65% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
The net interest margin was 2.71% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Noninterest expense to average assets was 1.66% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Investment securities totaled $126.2 million and represent 4.0% of total assets.
The Company repurchased 45,924 shares at a weighted average price of $25.33 per share through April 11, 2024.


1


Earnings and Performance

Revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income) for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 were $22.1 million, versus $27.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in revenues for the quarter was attributable to an increase in interest expense and lower gains from loan sales partially offset by an increase in interest on loans, given higher loan yields1 and prepayment fees.
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $3.8 million, versus $10.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in net income for the quarter ended 2024 was primarily due to the aforementioned decrease in revenues and an increase in provision for credit losses.
Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.48 and $0.48, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $1.34 and $1.33, respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
The net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent basis) for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 was 2.71% and 3.24%, respectively. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to an increase in funding costs partially offset by an increase in interest income on earning assets.
Allowance for Credit Losses - Loans ("ACL-Loans")

The ACL-Loans was $28.0 million as of March 31, 2024 compared to $27.9 million as of December 31, 2023. The ACL-Loans as a percentage of total loans was 1.04% as of March 31, 2024 compared to 1.03% as of December 31, 2023. Provision for credit losses was $3.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The provision for credit losses for the quarter was primarily a result of net loan charge offs of $3.7 million.

Financial Condition
Assets totaled $3.2 billion at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $60.2 million or 1.9% compared to December 31, 2023. Gross loans totaled $2.7 billion at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $39.0 million, or 1.4% compared to December 31, 2023. Deposits totaled $2.7 billion at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $63.2 million, or 2.3% compared to December 31, 2023.
Capital
Shareholders’ equity totaled $268.0 million as of March 31, 2024, an increase of $2.3 million compared to December 31, 2023, primarily a result of net income of $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase was partially offset by dividends paid of $1.6 million and share repurchases of $0.9 million.














1 - The increase in overall loan yields was 50 bps for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
2


About Bankwell Financial Group
Bankwell is a commercial bank that serves the banking needs of residents and businesses throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Connecticut. For more information about this press release, interested parties may contact Christopher R. Gruseke, President and Chief Executive Officer or Courtney E. Sacchetti, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bankwell Financial Group at (203) 652-0166.
For more information, visit www.mybankwell.com.
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements about the Company. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future events and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and “intend” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, general economic conditions or conditions within the banking industry or securities markets, and legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business in which the Company and its subsidiaries are engaged.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to evaluating the Company's financial performance in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), management may evaluate certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as the efficiency ratio. A computation and reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures used for these purposes is contained in the accompanying Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures tables. We believe that providing certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with information useful in understanding our financial performance, our performance trends and financial position. For example, the Company believes that the efficiency ratio is useful in the assessment of financial performance, including noninterest expense control. The Company believes that tangible common equity, tangible assets, tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible common shareholders' equity, fully diluted tangible book value per common share, adjusted noninterest expense, operating revenue, efficiency ratio, average tangible common equity, annualized return on average tangible common equity, return on average assets, return on average shareholders' equity, pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue, and the dividend payout ratio are useful to evaluate the relative strength of the Company's performance and capital position. We utilize these measures for internal planning and forecasting purposes. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures and results, and we strongly encourage investors to review our consolidated financial statements in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
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BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks$245,043 $267,521 $249,812 
Federal funds sold2,584 1,636 27,370 
Cash and cash equivalents247,627 269,157 277,182 
Investment securities
Marketable equity securities, at fair value2,069 2,070 2,028 
Available for sale investment securities, at fair value108,417 109,736 103,171 
Held to maturity investment securities, at amortized cost15,739 15,817 15,931 
Total investment securities126,225 127,623 121,130 
Loans receivable (net of ACL-Loans of $27,991, $27,946, and $27,998 at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023, respectively)
2,646,686 2,685,301 2,724,514 
Accrued interest receivable15,104 14,863 14,261 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost5,655 5,696 5,234 
Premises and equipment, net26,161 27,018 27,619 
Bank-owned life insurance51,764 51,435 50,524 
Goodwill2,589 2,589 2,589 
Deferred income taxes, net9,137 9,383 8,692 
Other assets24,326 22,417 20,573 
Total assets$3,155,274 $3,215,482 $3,252,318 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest bearing deposits$376,248 $346,172 $377,667 
Interest bearing deposits2,297,274 2,390,585 2,420,641 
Total deposits2,673,522 2,736,757 2,798,308 
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank90,000 90,000 90,000 
Subordinated debentures69,266 69,205 69,020 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities54,454 53,768 52,683 
Total liabilities2,887,242 2,949,730 3,010,011 
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, no par value118,401 118,247 115,875 
Retained earnings151,350 149,169 127,566 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) (1,719)(1,664)(1,134)
Total shareholders’ equity268,032 265,752 242,307 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$3,155,274 $3,215,482 $3,252,318 
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BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
For the Quarter Ended
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
Interest and dividend income
Interest and fees on loans$43,325 $44,122 $39,723 
Interest and dividends on securities1,130 1,108 1,000 
Interest on cash and cash equivalents3,826 4,164 3,568 
Total interest and dividend income48,281 49,394 44,291 
Interest expense
Interest expense on deposits25,362 25,307 17,033 
Interest expense on borrowings1,772 1,842 1,717 
Total interest expense27,134 27,149 18,750 
Net interest income21,147 22,245 25,541 
Provision (credit) for credit losses3,683 (960)826 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses17,464 23,205 24,715 
Noninterest income
Bank owned life insurance329 316 281 
Service charges and fees304 688 286 
Gains and fees from sales of loans321 79 931 
Other(39)46 28 
Total noninterest income915 1,129 1,526 
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits6,291 6,088 6,081 
Occupancy and equipment2,322 2,231 2,084 
Professional services1,065 1,033 1,322 
Data processing740 747 671 
Director fees900 605 392 
FDIC insurance930 1,026 1,062 
Marketing114 139 151 
Other935 995 928 
Total noninterest expense13,297 12,864 12,691 
Income before income tax expense5,082 11,470 13,550 
Income tax expense1,319 2,946 3,171 
Net income$3,763 $8,524 $10,379 
Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic$0.48 $1.09 $1.34 
Diluted$0.48 $1.09 $1.33 
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic7,663,521 7,603,938 7,554,689 
Diluted7,687,679 7,650,451 7,616,671 
Dividends per common share$0.20 $0.20 $0.20 
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BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)

For the Quarter Ended
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
Performance ratios:
Return on average assets0.47 %1.03 %1.30 %
Return on average shareholders' equity5.59 %12.82 %17.48 %
Return on average tangible common equity5.65 %12.95 %17.67 %
Net interest margin2.71 %2.81 %3.24 %
Efficiency ratio(1)
60.3 %55.0 %46.9 %
Net loan charge-offs as a % of average loans0.11 %0.01 %0.02 %
Dividend payout ratio(2)
41.67 %18.35 %15.04 %
(1)Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense, less other real estate owned expenses and amortization of intangible assets, divided by our operating revenue, which is equal to net interest income plus noninterest income excluding gains and losses on sales of securities and gains and losses on other real estate owned. In our judgment, the adjustments made to operating revenue allow investors and analysts to better assess our operating expenses in relation to our core operating revenue by removing the volatility that is associated with certain one-time items and other discrete items that are unrelated to our core business.
(2)The dividend payout ratio is calculated by dividing dividends per share by earnings per share.

As of
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
Capital ratios:
Total Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)
11.60 %11.30 %10.00 %
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)
12.63 %12.32 %10.98 %
Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets(1)
11.60 %11.30 %10.00 %
Tier I Capital to Average Assets(1)
10.09 %9.81 %9.22 %
Tangible common equity to tangible assets8.42 %8.19 %7.38 %
Fully diluted tangible book value per common share$33.57 $33.39 $30.56 
(1)Represents Bank ratios. Current period capital ratios are preliminary subject to finalization of the FDIC Call Report.

6


BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
ASSET QUALITY (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Quarter Ended
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
ACL-Loans:
Balance at beginning of period$27,946 $29,284 $22,431 
Day 1 CECL Adjustment on January 1, 2023— — 5,079 
Beginning balance January 1, 202327,946 29,284 27,510 
Charge-offs:
Residential real estate(132)— — 
Commercial real estate(3,306)(824)— 
Commercial business(197)— (440)
Consumer(49)(15)(12)
Total charge-offs(3,684)(839)(452)
Recoveries:
Commercial real estate— — — 
Commercial business27 464 — 
Consumer
Total recoveries31 467 
Net loan (charge-offs) recoveries(3,653)(372)(446)
Provision (credit) for credit losses - loans3,698 (966)934 
Balance at end of period$27,991 $27,946 $27,998 
As of
March 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
Asset quality:
Nonaccrual loans
Residential real estate$1,237 $1,386 $1,443 
Commercial real estate19,083 23,009 1,912 
Commercial business16,841 15,430 1,528 
Construction9,382 9,382 9,382 
Consumer— — — 
Total nonaccrual loans46,543 49,207 14,265 
Other real estate owned— — — 
Total nonperforming assets$46,543 $49,207 $14,265 
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans1.74 %1.81 %0.52 %
Nonperforming assets as a % of total assets1.48 %1.53 %0.44 %
ACL-loans as a % of total loans1.04 %1.03 %1.01 %
ACL-loans as a % of nonperforming loans60.14 %56.79 %196.27 %
Total past due loans to total loans1.44 %0.78 %0.94 %
Total nonaccrual loans decreased $2.7 million to $46.5 million as of March 31, 2024 when compared to December 31, 2023. The reduction is primarily due to charge-offs taken during the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased to 1.48% at March 31, 2024 from 1.53% at December 31, 2023. The ACL-Loans at March 31, 2024 was $28.0 million, representing 1.04% of total loans.
7


BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
LOAN & DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
Period End Loan CompositionMarch 31,
2024
December 31, 2023 
Current QTD
% Change
Residential Real Estate$49,098 $50,931 (3.6)%
Commercial Real Estate(1)
1,927,636 1,947,648 (1.0)
Construction151,967 183,414 (17.1)
Total Real Estate Loans2,128,701 2,181,993 (2.4)
Commercial Business508,912 500,569 1.7 
Consumer41,946 36,045 16.4 
Total Loans$2,679,559 $2,718,607 (1.4)%
(1) Includes owner occupied commercial real estate.
Gross loans totaled $2.7 billion at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $39.0 million or 1.4% compared to December 31, 2023.
Period End Deposit CompositionMarch 31,
2024
December 31, 2023 
Current QTD
% Change
Noninterest bearing demand$376,248 $346,172 8.7 %
NOW95,227 90,829 4.8 
Money Market818,408 887,352 (7.8)
Savings92,188 97,331 (5.3)
Time1,291,451 1,315,073 (1.8)
Total Deposits$2,673,522 $2,736,757 (2.3)%

Total deposits were $2.7 billion at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $63.2 million, or 2.3%, when compared to December 31, 2023. Brokered deposits have decreased $120.0 million, when compared to December 31, 2023.

8


BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NONINTEREST EXPENSE (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Quarter Ended
Noninterest expenseMarch 31,
2024
December 31, 2023March 31,
2023
Mar 24 vs. Dec 23
% Change
Mar 24 vs. Mar 23
% Change
Salaries and employee benefits$6,291 $6,088 $6,081 3.3 %3.5 %
Occupancy and equipment2,322 2,231 2,084 4.1 11.4 
Professional services1,065 1,033 1,322 3.1 (19.4)
Data processing740 747 671 (0.9)10.3 
Director fees900 605 392 48.8 129.6 
FDIC insurance930 1,026 1,062 (9.4)(12.4)
Marketing114 139 151 (18.0)(24.5)
Other935 995 928 (6.0)0.8 
Total noninterest expense$13,297 $12,864 $12,691 3.4 %4.8 %

Noninterest expense increased by $0.6 million to $13.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily driven by an increase in director fees related to timing of compensation and accelerated vestings in connection with the death of a director.














9



BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
As of
Computation of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible AssetsMarch 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
Total Equity$268,032 $265,752 $242,307 
Less:
Goodwill2,589 2,589 2,589 
Other intangibles— — — 
Tangible Common Equity$265,443 $263,163 $239,718 
Total Assets$3,155,274 $3,215,482 $3,252,318 
Less:
Goodwill2,589 2,589 2,589 
Other intangibles— — — 
Tangible Assets$3,152,685 $3,212,893 $3,249,729 
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets8.42 %8.19 %7.38 %
As of
Computation of Fully Diluted Tangible Book Value per Common ShareMarch 31,
2024
December 31, 2023March 31,
2023
Total shareholders' equity$268,032 $265,752 $242,307 
Less:
Preferred stock— — — 
Common shareholders' equity$268,032 $265,752 $242,307 
Less:
Goodwill2,589 2,589 2,589 
Other intangibles— — — 
Tangible common shareholders' equity$265,443 $263,163 $239,718 
Common shares issued and outstanding7,908,180 7,882,616 7,843,438 
Fully Diluted Tangible Book Value per Common Share$33.57 $33.39 $30.56 
For the Quarter Ended
Computation of PPNRMarch 31,
2024
December 31, 2023March 31,
2023
Income before income tax expense$5,082 $11,470 $13,550 
Add:
Provision (credit) for credit losses3,683 (960)826 
PPNR$8,765 $10,510 $14,376 



10


BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
EARNINGS PER SHARE ("EPS") (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20242023
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net income$3,763 $10,379 
Dividends to participating securities(1)
(40)(42)
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities(1)
(66)(230)
Net income for earnings per share calculation$3,657 $10,107 
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic7,664 7,555 
Effect of dilutive equity-based awards(2)
24 62 
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted7,688 7,617 
Net earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share$0.48 $1.34 
Diluted earnings per common share$0.48 $1.33 
(1)    Represents dividends paid and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested stock-based awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends.
(2)    Represents the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted shares, as applicable, utilizing the treasury stock method.

11


BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NONINTEREST INCOME (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Quarter Ended
Noninterest incomeMarch 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2023
Mar 24 vs. Dec 23
% Change
Mar 24 vs. Mar 23
% Change
Bank owned life insurance$329 $316 $281 4.1 %17.1 %
Service charges and fees304 688 286 (55.8)6.3 
Gains and fees from sales of loans321 79 931 306.3 Unfavorable
Other(39)46 28 UnfavorableUnfavorable
Total noninterest income$915 $1,129 $1,526 (19.0)%(40.0)%
Noninterest income decreased $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in noninterest income was driven by lower gains as a result of fewer SBA loan sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
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BANKWELL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
NET INTEREST MARGIN ANALYSIS ON A FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT BASIS - QTD (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Quarter Ended
March 31, 2024March 31, 2023
Average
Balance
Interest
Yield/
Rate (4)
Average
Balance
Interest
Yield/
Rate (4)
Assets:
Cash and Fed funds sold$292,662 $3,826 5.26 %$315,566 $3,568 4.59 %
Securities(1)
134,737 1,060 3.15 129,881 956 2.49 
Loans:
Commercial real estate1,922,413 28,643 5.89 1,918,551 25,585 5.33 
Residential real estate50,213 718 5.72 59,444 643 4.33 
Construction161,047 2,973 7.30 166,254 2,825 6.80 
Commercial business517,102 10,284 7.87 542,399 10,421 7.68 
Consumer39,964 707 7.12 18,536 249 5.45 
Total loans2,690,739 43,325 6.37 2,705,184 39,723 5.87 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock5,702 121 8.51 5,271 94 7.27 
Total earning assets3,123,840 $48,332 6.12 %3,155,902 $44,341 5.62 %
Other assets90,905 84,063 
Total assets$3,214,745 $3,239,965 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Interest bearing liabilities:
NOW$91,674 $39 0.17 %$92,918 $37 0.16 %
Money market883,851 9,146 4.16 907,739 6,385 2.85 
Savings92,972 714 3.09 136,333 727 2.16 
Time1,317,069 15,463 4.72 1,252,564 9,883 3.20 
Total interest bearing deposits2,385,566 25,362 4.28 2,389,554 17,032 2.89 
Borrowed Money159,226 1,772 4.48 161,202 1,717 4.26 
Total interest bearing liabilities2,544,792 $27,134 4.29 %2,550,756 $18,749 2.98 %
Noninterest bearing deposits337,020 403,920 
Other liabilities62,356 44,406 
Total liabilities2,944,168 2,999,082 
Shareholders' equity270,577 240,883 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$3,214,745 $3,239,965 
Net interest income(2)
$21,198 $25,592 
Interest rate spread1.83 %2.64 %
Net interest margin(3)
2.71 %3.24 %
(1)Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.
(2)The adjustment for securities and loans taxable equivalency amounted to $51 thousand and $50 thousand for the quarters
ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(3)Annualized net interest income as a percentage of earning assets.
(4)Yields are calculated using the contractual day count convention for each respective product type.
13