Preferred Bank Reports Fourth Quarter Results

Core Viewpoint Preferred Bank reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025, showing a net income of $34.8 million, a decrease from the previous quarter but an increase compared to the same quarter last year. The results reflect challenges in net interest income due to declining market interest rates, alongside growth in loans and deposits. Financial Performance - The net income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $34.8 million or $2.79 per diluted share, down $1.1 million from the prior quarter but up $4.6 million year-over-year [1][2] - For the full year 2025, net income was $133.6 million or $10.41 per diluted share, compared to $130.7 million or $9.64 per diluted share in 2024 [12] - The net interest margin for the fourth quarter was 3.74%, down from 3.92% in the previous quarter, primarily due to Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [3][10] Loan and Deposit Growth - Loan growth for the quarter was $182.3 million, representing a 12.4% annualized increase, while deposit growth was $115.8 million, or 7.4% annualized [4] - Total loans at December 31, 2025, were $6.05 billion, an increase of $413.6 million from the previous year, and total deposits were $6.35 billion, up $428.6 million [13] Noninterest Income and Expenses - Noninterest income for the fourth quarter was $8.1 million, significantly higher than $3.6 million in the same quarter last year, driven by a $3.6 million gain on the sale of OREO properties [7] - Total noninterest expense was $24.4 million for the fourth quarter, up from $21.5 million in the previous quarter but down from $28.2 million year-over-year [8][10] Asset Quality - Non-accrual loans and loans 90 days or more past due totaled $51.3 million, an increase from $17.6 million in the prior quarter, primarily due to a large multi-family loan placed into nonaccrual status [14] - Total criticized assets increased to $248.5 million at year-end, up from $151.0 million at the end of the previous quarter [14] Capitalization and Ratios - As of December 31, 2025, the tangible capital ratio was 10.38%, and the total capital ratio was 14.47% [16] - The return on average assets was 1.82%, and the return on average equity was 17.59% for the fourth quarter [9][10]