PCB Bancorp Posts 44% EPS Jump in Q2

Core Viewpoint - PCB Bancorp reported strong growth and profitability in Q2 2025, with earnings per share of $0.62, exceeding analyst estimates, despite some emerging credit quality concerns in consumer lending [1][2]. Financial Performance - Earnings per share (EPS) for Q2 2025 was $0.62, beating the estimate of $0.56 and showing a year-over-year increase of 44.2% from $0.43 in Q2 2024 [2]. - Net interest income was reported at $26.0 million, below the consensus estimate of $28.63 million, but up 19.6% from $21.7 million in Q2 2024 [2]. - Net income available to common shareholders reached $9.0 million, a 46.3% increase from $6.1 million in the same quarter last year [2]. - The efficiency ratio improved to 50.6%, down from 62.7% a year earlier, indicating better cost management [2]. Lending and Deposit Growth - Loans held-for-investment increased to $2.80 billion, a 14.1% rise year-over-year, with commercial real estate loans comprising 66.7% of total loans [5]. - Commercial real estate loans grew by 15.6% year-over-year, while commercial and industrial loans rose by 18.1% [5]. - Total deposits reached $2.82 billion, reflecting a 17.3% increase from the previous year, although the proportion of noninterest-bearing deposits decreased to 20.4% [7]. Fee Income and Efficiency - The bank achieved notable fee income from SBA loan sales, totaling $26.9 million, nearly double the previous year's amount, with gains of $1.5 million, a 92% increase year-over-year [6]. - The net interest margin improved compared to the previous year, contributing to overall earnings growth [6]. Credit Quality Concerns - The allowance for credit losses rose to 1.20% of loans, with non-performing loans increasing to $8.9 million, or 0.32% of loans held-for-investment [8]. - There was a significant increase in nonaccrual residential mortgages, up 402.4% year-over-year, and classified assets nearly doubled compared to the previous quarter [8]. Management Outlook - Management expressed optimism about continued organic growth, emphasizing loan and deposit momentum, a solid liquidity position, and strong capital ratios [9]. - No numeric forward guidance was provided for the remainder of fiscal 2025, but external risks such as inflation and trade uncertainty were acknowledged [9].