NYCB 2017 Annual Report

1 For the purpose of this Annual Report on Form 10- K, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company” are used to refer to New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, including New York Community Bank and New York Commercial Bank (the “Community Bank” and the “Commercial Bank,” respectively, and collectively, the “Banks”). CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING LANGUAGE This report, like many written and oral communications presented by New York Community Bancorp, Inc. and our authorized officers, may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding our prospective performance and strategies 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. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “strive,” “try,” or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, and expectations as reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that they will be achieved or realized. Our ability to predict results or the actual effects of our plans and strategies is inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events, or results to differ significantly from those described in our forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: • general economic conditions, either nationally or in some or all of the areas in which we and our customers conduct our respective businesses; • conditions in the securities markets and real estate markets or the banking industry; • changes in real estate values, which could impact the quality of the assets securing the loans in our portfolio; • changes in interest rates, which may affect our net income, prepayment penalty income, and other future cash flows, or the market value of our assets, including our investment securities; • changes in the quality or composition of our loan or securities portfolios; • changes in our capital management policies, including those regarding business combinations, dividends, and share repurchases, among others; • potential increases in costs if the Company is designated a “Systemically Important Financial Institution” under the Dodd- Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd - Frank Act”); • heightened regulatory focus on CRE concentration and related limits that have been, or may in the future be, imposed by regulators; • changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; • changes in deposit flows and wholesale borrowing facilities; • changes in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services in the markets we serve; • our timely development of new lines of business and competitive products or services in a changing environment, and the acceptance of such products or services by our customers; • our ability to obtain timely shareholder and regulatory approvals of any merger transactions or corporate restructurings we may propose; • our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel we may acquire into our operations, and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames; • potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of companies we have acquired, may acquire, or target for acquisition; • failure to obtain applicable regulatory approvals for the payment of future dividends; • the ability to pay future dividends at currently expected rates; • the ability to hire and retain key personnel; • the ability to attract new customers and retain existing ones in the manner anticipated; • changes in our customer base or in the financial or operating performances of our customers’ businesses;