Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fourth quarter net income totaled $10.2 million, or $0.59 per share, stable from the third quarter but more than double the earnings from the same quarter a year ago [3] - Return on Assets (ROA) and Net Interest Margin (NIM) were stable from the third quarter while increasing sharply from a year ago [3] - For the year, net interest income increased by 13% to $112 million due to loan growth and a 38 basis point decline in funding costs [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loans grew at a solid 8.6% for the year, with fourth quarter originations at $145 million, 32% higher than in 2024 [4] - Non-performing loans decreased by 45% and non-performing assets decreased by 34% since the end of the previous year [6] - Fourth quarter pre-tax, pre-provision income was $2.3 million, 21% higher than a year ago [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits increased by 8.6% compared to the fourth quarter a year ago, with strong growth in interest-bearing non-maturity deposits [5] - Average demand deposits remained stable in 2025, comprising 16% of total deposits [5] - The average interest-bearing deposit rate declined by 55 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2024 [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to return to historic performance levels, focusing on resolving remaining non-performing assets [3] - There is an emphasis on maintaining pricing and structuring discipline in loan originations [4] - The company plans to be more active in buyback programs after addressing sub-debt [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that credit performance will continue to improve in future quarters [3] - The competitive landscape for deposits remains intense, impacting deposit costs [6] - Management expects to see incremental improvement in deposit costs in the first quarter of 2026 [9] Other Important Information - Tangible book value per share increased by 7.8% during 2025, ending the year at $26.42 [14] - The effective tax rate in 2026 is expected to be between 27% and 28% [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for deposit beta going forward? - Management indicated that the deposit beta is expected to continue increasing due to a large portion of the funding base maturing over the next year [16] Question: Any updates on sub-debt refreshes in April? - Management is looking at opportunities to rightsize the sub-debt for the balance sheet and capital stack [17] Question: How should we think about the buyback this year? - Management expects to be more active in buyback programs after addressing sub-debt [18] Question: Can you discuss the margin outlook for 2026? - Management believes there is an opportunity for deposit costs to continue to come down, which could lead to margin expansion [26] Question: What is the competition like for commercial real estate loans? - Management noted that competition remains intense, but they are focused on maintaining strong relationships with clients [52]

Core Insights - The discussion highlights the appeal of FDIC insurance among small depositors, emphasizing the importance of digital engagement for banks to retain customers [1] - The conversation also points to the ongoing trend of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the banking sector, driven by the need for digital capabilities and the integration of AI technologies [1] Company Insights - North Shore Trust & Savings Bank, now NSTS Bancorp, is identified as a small bank with a high equity to asset ratio of 29 and trades at 70% of tangible book value, making it an attractive investment opportunity [2][3] - RBB Bancorp, a Korean bank based in Los Angeles, is trading at 77% of book value, offering a 3% dividend and maintaining a 12 equity to asset ratio, indicating potential value for investors [4]

Group 1: Community Banks - Community banks remain a strong investment opportunity due to their local focus and lower exposure to large commercial real estate loans compared to big banks [4][17] - Key metrics for evaluating community banks include capital levels, non-performing assets (NPAs), and book value, with a specific focus on maintaining NPAs below 2% [10][12] - The current environment shows that community banks have low commercial real estate loan losses, indicating their resilience during economic downturns [18][20] Group 2: Regulatory Environment and M&A - The regulatory landscape for banks has shifted, with the current administration being more favorable towards bank mergers and acquisitions, leading to an acceleration in consolidation [26][28] - The previous administration's regulatory stance created a hostile environment for bank M&A, which is now changing, allowing for easier consolidation in the community banking sector [26][28] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Specific community banks are highlighted as attractive investments, such as NSTS Bancorp, which has a high equity-to-asset ratio and trades at 70% of tangible book value [38][39] - RBB Bancorp is noted for its strong ties to the Korean-American community and is considered a potential acquisition target due to its low trading value and solid fundamentals [43][46] Group 4: Global Value Opportunities - Investment opportunities are also identified in international markets, particularly in Japan and Hong Kong, where companies are trading below book value despite strong fundamentals [70][78] - The focus on intangible assets is increasing, with U.S. corporates deploying significant capital towards R&D and other intangible-heavy investments, indicating a shift in capital allocation strategies [53][55]

Financial Performance - Net income for Q2 2025 was $93 million[8] - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) reached $052[8] - Net interest margin (NIM) expanded to 292%[8] - Return on average tangible common equity was 850%[8] Balance Sheet & Loan Portfolio - Gross loans held for investment (HFI) increased to $323 billion[8] - Total deposits amounted to $319 billion[8] - Annualized loan growth was 12%[9, 13] - Loans HFI increased by $916 million[13] Asset Quality - Nonperforming loans (NPLs) decreased by $36 million or 6%[9] - NPLs/Total Loans ratio was 176%[8] - Nonperforming assets (NPAs) decreased to $610 million[8] Capital & Efficiency - Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Ratio was 1761%[8] - Tangible common equity (TCE) ratio was 1107%[8] - Efficiency ratio improved to 5722%[8] Deposits - Deposits increased by $456 million or 6% annualized[13] - Uninsured deposits totaled $15 billion, representing 478% of total deposits[50]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter net income declined to $2.3 million or $0.13 per share, primarily due to strategic actions taken to address non-performing assets [3] - Non-performing assets were reduced by 20% and net exposure to non-performing loans decreased by 32% to $51 million [3] - Net interest income before provisions increased for the third consecutive quarter to $26.2 million [8] - Net interest margin increased by 12 basis points to 2.88% due to a decline in the cost of interest-bearing deposits [6][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loans held for investment grew by $90 million or 12% on an annualized basis, driven by growth in commercial, SBA, and SFR balances [5] - Total first quarter loan originations amounted to $201 million at a blended yield of 6.77% [6] - Non-interest income declined by $4.34 million to $2.3 million due to lower gains on the sale of loans [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits increased at an 8% annualized rate to $3.14 billion, with growth in money market accounts and CDs offsetting a decline in non-interest bearing accounts [13] - The loan portfolio yield remained stable at 6.03% [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on resolving non-performing loans quickly while minimizing the impact on earnings and capital [3] - There is an ongoing effort to reduce reliance on wholesale funding, with a successful CD campaign in the first quarter [46] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in resolving remaining non-performing assets and expects to report additional progress in upcoming quarters [4] - The company anticipates continued loan growth, albeit at a more moderate pace than the first quarter [6] - Management believes that by the second half of 2025, there could be a target for reducing non-performing loans to a normal baseline [54] Other Important Information - The company’s tangible book value per share increased to $24.63 [13] - Capital ratios remain strong, with all capital ratios above regulatory well-capitalized levels [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on potential share repurchase - Management recognizes that a buyback is one of the best uses of excess capital and is working to put a buyback in place [19] Question: Dynamics within the margin and FHLB advances - The FHLB advances are fully priced into the March net interest margin, and the net interest margin is slightly below the quarter's average [21] Question: Margin drag from non-accrual loans - There is a drag on net interest margin from non-accrual loans, with $20 million potentially returning to accrual status [24] Question: Appetite for more problem loan sales - Management is open to sales but believes they are well reserved for future write-offs [29] Question: Exposure to tariff impacts - Management has reached out to top customers and does not observe any potential financial impact from tariffs at this time [34] Question: Loan growth expectations and deposit trends - Management expects to fund loan growth organically and noted some migration into higher-yielding products [46] Question: Non-interest expenses outlook - Management estimates operating expenses to be around $17.5 million to $18 million, with some moderation expected [66]