Operating Leverage

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Super Group(SGHC) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-07 12:47
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Super Group reported record total revenue of $579 million, up 50% year over year [9] - Adjusted EBITDA reached an all-time high of $157 million, representing 78% year over year growth with a margin of approximately 27% [10][21] - Total sports wagering was $958 million for the quarter, up 15% year over year [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sports betting wages increased by 15% year over year, while casino wages grew by 24% [10] - The BET Builder product contributed significantly to revenue growth [10] - The company achieved a record average of 5.5 million unique monthly active customers, representing 21% year over year growth [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue in Europe surged by 53% year over year, with the UK leading at 83% growth [11] - Africa saw a 59% year over year growth, with Ghana growing 63% and South Africa 31% [12] - North America grew by 23% year over year, with Canada (excluding Ontario) increasing by 22% [14] - APAC faced challenges with a 6% year over year revenue decline, an improvement from a 13% decline in the previous quarter [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is exiting the U.S. high gaming market to focus on capital discipline and long-term profitability [7][18] - A new Group Chief Technology Officer has been appointed to enhance innovation and operational efficiencies [6] - The company is investing in technology platforms and exploring opportunities in the crypto space [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business's momentum, particularly with the upcoming football season [28] - The exit from the U.S. market is seen as a strategic move to reallocate resources to more profitable markets [34] - Future growth is expected from a full calendar of global sporting events and enhanced trading and pricing strategies [23] Other Important Information - The company declared a regular cash dividend of $0.04 per share in June, totaling $0.08 for 2025 [21] - A one-time restructuring cash cost of approximately $15 million is anticipated due to the U.S. exit [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the raised guidance and potential concerns for Q3 - Management indicated that July started strong and emphasized the importance of the upcoming football season as a key driver for growth [28] Question: Reasons for the U.S. exit decision - The decision was based on high operational costs and the lack of a clear path to profitability in the U.S. market [34] Question: Marketing strategies and customer growth - Management highlighted the importance of reallocating marketing budgets to more effective channels and the positive impact of sponsorships like F1 [42] Question: Future gaming margins and opportunities - Management believes that gaming margins could reach closer to 20% with improved product offerings and risk management [49] Question: Competitive pressures in Ontario - Management noted that marketing returns and customer acquisition costs are key challenges in Ontario, but they are optimistic about future growth [58] Question: Cash balance and capital deployment - The company plans to maintain flexibility in capital deployment, focusing on high-return opportunities and consistent dividend payments [65]
IHG(IHG) - 2025 H1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-07 09:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - RevPAR grew by 1.8%, indicating strong performance across geographic regions and brand depth [7] - Gross system growth was 7.7% and net system growth was 5.4%, driven by significant development activity and record openings [7] - EBIT increased by 13% and adjusted EPS grew by 19% [8] - The company has completed 47% of its $900 million share buyback program, with total returns to shareholders exceeding $1.1 billion this year [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas fee revenues decreased by approximately 1% despite a 1.5% RevPAR growth and 1.5% adjusted net unit growth [11] - Openings in the Americas increased by 40% year-over-year, contributing to future fee growth [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a constructive outlook for US demand and growth, with stable inflation and interest rates [15] - In China, the economy is believed to be bottoming out, with GDP growth of about 5% in Q2 and improved RevPAR trends expected in the back half of the year [67][69] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its luxury and lifestyle collection, with significant growth in branded residential properties [32] - Investments in technology and operational efficiencies are ongoing, with a focus on AI and shared services to enhance scalability and cost management [54][96] - The company aims to continue growing both new builds and conversions, with a strong pipeline of openings and signings [110] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving full-year profit and EPS consensus, despite uncertainties in the short term [15][87] - The outlook for the US hospitality market remains positive, with expectations of continued demand growth [15] - The company is optimistic about the long-term prospects in China, anticipating a recovery in RevPAR trends [67][69] Other Important Information - The company has seen a significant increase in loyalty program enrollments, which is expected to drive future revenue growth [108] Q&A Session Summary Question: Current trading outlook for Q3 and Q4 - Management noted that uncertainties from earlier in the year are subsiding, and they are comfortable with full-year profit and EPS consensus [15][16] Question: Explanation for the decline in Americas fee revenues - Management attributed the decline to high-fee hotels exiting the system and ongoing renovations, but expressed confidence in future fee growth as new hotels ramp up [21][22][25] Question: Insights on branded residential contributions - Management highlighted the growth trajectory in branded residential, with significant demand and early cash flow from sales [32] Question: Technology investment focus - Management emphasized ongoing investments in technology, particularly in PMS and RMS systems, to enhance operational efficiency [35][39] Question: Update on the Garner brand - Management reported strong progress with the Garner brand, with 51 hotels open and a robust pipeline for future growth [80] Question: On the Books revenue visibility - Management indicated that short booking windows make it challenging to provide long-term visibility, but they remain comfortable with current consensus expectations [86][87] Question: Cost savings and margin performance - Management confirmed disciplined cost management practices and expected continued margin expansion through cost savings and ancillary revenue growth [98][99]
There's clear sector bifurcation in earnings, says Barclays' Venu Krishna
CNBC Television· 2025-08-06 18:12
Earnings Season & Market Performance - S&P 500 盈利报告显示,每股收益超出预期,增长优于平均水平 [1] - 销售额增长超过 5%,盈利增长约 85% 表明市场存在积极的运营杠杆 [3] - 大型科技公司盈利增长 27%,净利润率提高近 200 个基点,超出预期 12 个百分点 [4] - 预计明年盈利增长将加速近 9% [7] Market Outlook & Strategy - 短期内市场可能出现波动,但总体前景良好 [2] - 建议关注大型科技公司和金融板块,其他板块需谨慎 [4] - 普遍预期认为,除金融、大型科技和房地产外,大多数行业的盈利表现都低于长期平均水平 [4] - 预计到 2025 年 S&P 500 的价格目标为 6050 点,但目前已超过该目标,达到 6341 点,上限为 6600 点 [5] - 政策不确定性、关税风险和地缘政治风险达到顶峰后,预计明年经济增长将放缓但优于今年,消费将改善但弱于长期平均水平,通胀将朝着正确的方向发展但仍高于美联储目标 [6]
Vestis (VSTS) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-06 13:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the quarter was $674 million, down $24 million or 3.5% year over year compared to 2024, primarily due to an $18 million decrease in rental revenue and $6 million lower direct sales [14][15] - Cost of services was $492 million, with a gross margin of 27%, down approximately 200 basis points year over year [16] - Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $64 million, representing an adjusted margin of 90.5% [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rental revenue saw a decline, with growth from new business contributing approximately $45 million or 6.7% year over year, while churn resulted in a revenue impact of approximately $60 million [14][15] - Direct sales revenue decreased by $6 million or 14% year over year, primarily due to the loss of a large national account in 2024 [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Business retention as measured in revenue dollars was 91.9% at the end of Q3, a slight decrease compared to the previous quarter [15] - The company observed an increase in sales from both field and national account sales organizations, which collectively installed 20% more recurring revenue year over year [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on commercial processes, operational discipline, and a clear strategy to unlock operating leverage through value-based pricing, favorable product mix, and efficient cost of service [6][11] - There is a shift in sales approach to prioritize profitability over volume, with a focus on margin-accretive growth [8][9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged ongoing revenue pressure as churn outpaces conversion but expressed confidence that improvement initiatives will yield positive results [12][20] - The expectation for near-term performance is to remain similar to the last quarter, with a commitment to improving in 2026 [13][20] Other Important Information - The company generated $23 million of operating cash flow and $8 million of free cash flow during the quarter, reflecting positive improvement [18] - As of the end of the third quarter, debt was $1.32 billion, with a strong liquidity position and no debt maturities until 2027 [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Initial assessment of strengths and weaknesses - Management highlighted the importance of creating operating leverage and emphasized the need for reliable plants and strong service to customers [26][28] Question: Shift from volume growth to profitability - Management confirmed a focus on creating value for customers to drive penetration growth and improve churn [31][32] Question: Hiring behavior among customer base - Management characterized the hiring behavior as neutral, indicating a focus on managing headwinds and tailwinds effectively [36] Question: Sales environment in end markets - Management noted that the sales environment remains stable across key sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and retail, with a positive outlook on non-programmer growth [44][46] Question: Updates on strategic advisors and potential transactions - Management clarified that the focus is on optimizing the core business rather than pursuing transactions at this stage [48][49]
General Dynamics (GD) Q2 2025 Earnings Transcript
The Motley Fool· 2025-08-05 17:54
Core Insights - General Dynamics reported Q2 2025 revenue of $13 billion, an 8.9% increase year-over-year, with three of four business segments showing gains [5][10] - The company raised its FY2025 revenue and earnings guidance, citing strong order flow and record backlog [7][46] - The Marine Systems segment saw a significant backlog increase of $14.6 billion, or 38%, primarily from Virginia class submarine contracts [7][28] Financial Performance - Operating earnings for Q2 2025 were $1.3 billion, reflecting nearly 13% growth year-over-year [8][10] - Net income was slightly over $1 billion, a 12% increase, with diluted EPS of $3.74, up 14.7% compared to the previous year [8][10] - The backlog reached a record level of $103.7 billion, up 14% from a year ago, with a total estimated contract value exceeding $160 billion [8][13] Segment Performance - **Marine Systems Segment**: Revenue of $4.22 billion, up 22.2% year-over-year, with a backlog increase of $14.6 billion [8][27] - **Aerospace Segment**: Revenue of $3.06 billion, a 4.1% increase, with operating earnings of $403 million, up 26.3% [8][18] - **Combat Systems Segment**: Revenue was $2.28 billion, flat year-over-year, but operating earnings increased by 3.5% [8][30] - **Technologies Segment**: Revenue of $3.5 billion, up 5.5%, with operating margin at 9%, down 10 basis points [8][35] Order Activity and Backlog - The company achieved a book-to-bill ratio of 2.2, driven by $28 billion in orders, particularly in Marine Systems [8][12] - The Marine segment's strong order activity was highlighted, with significant contracts for submarine construction [12][28] - GDIT experienced significantly lower contract award adjudications in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, which may impact second-half results [6][39] Guidance and Future Outlook - The company expects approximately $51.2 billion in revenue for 2025, with an operating margin of 10.3% and EPS between $15.05 and $15.15 [46] - Capital expenditures were $198 million in Q2 2025, expected to exceed 2% of sales for the full year [16][46] - The first G800 deliveries are anticipated in Q3 2025, with about 13 deliveries expected for the year [8][20]
Ventas(VTR) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-31 15:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a normalized FFO per share of $0.87, representing a year-over-year growth of approximately 9% [31] - Total company same store cash NOI grew nearly 7%, with the SHOP segment increasing over 13% [31][34] - The full year normalized FFO guidance midpoint was raised to $3.44 per share, indicating an 8% year-over-year growth at the midpoint [7][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The SHOP communities in the U.S. delivered 18% same store cash NOI growth in Q2, with revenue growing over 8% for the entire same store SHOP portfolio [9][16] - The outpatient medical and research business reported same store cash NOI growth of 1.7% year-over-year, led by outpatient medical, which grew NOI by 2.2% [31] - The research business, representing about 8% of NOI, experienced a decline of less than 1% year-over-year due to lower rents on certain tenants [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average occupancy in SHOP communities improved by 240 basis points year-over-year, with the U.S. leading with a growth of 290 basis points [16][19] - The outpatient medical segment increased same store occupancy by 20 basis points sequentially and 30 basis points year-over-year to 90.1% [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is executing a "one two three" strategy aimed at driving organic growth, making value-creating investments, and maximizing performance across its portfolio [6][7] - The focus is on expanding the SHOP footprint, with expectations that SHOP NOI will represent over half of the business by year-end [13] - The company anticipates significant demand growth in senior housing due to an aging population, with the 80+ population expected to grow by 28% in the next five years [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's positioning to capitalize on the growing aging population and the favorable supply-demand dynamics in the senior housing market [6][14] - The management team highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships with operators to drive performance and growth [21][22] - The company expects to continue experiencing strong occupancy and revenue growth, particularly in the SHOP segment, supported by data analytics and operational improvements [16][19] Other Important Information - The company raised its full year 2025 senior housing investment volume guidance to $2 billion, reflecting a growing pipeline of investment opportunities [10][28] - The balance sheet showed improvement, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 5.6 times, indicating a 40 basis point improvement since the start of the year [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide additional color on the sequential occupancy gain in Q2 2025? - Management noted a strong movement activity throughout the year, particularly in June, with a sequential occupancy growth of 60 basis points [39] Question: How is the competitive landscape affecting your transaction activity? - Management indicated that while competition has increased, they have been able to maintain momentum in investment activity and continue to pursue high-performing communities [42][44] Question: Can you discuss the initiatives to improve move-ins? - Management highlighted the importance of data analytics and collaboration with operators to drive sales and improve occupancy rates [48] Question: What is the historical high for outpatient medical occupancy? - The historical high for outpatient medical occupancy is around 93-94%, with current occupancy hovering around 90% [58] Question: How does the company view the impact of the new healthcare bill? - Management expects minimal immediate impact from the bill, as many changes will take effect over a long period [53][54] Question: What are the expectations for the Brookdale transition? - The transition of 45 communities from triple net to SHOP is expected to double the NOI over time, with operators already engaged in the process [90][92]
UMB(UMBF) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-30 14:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The reported net income available for common shareholders was $215.4 million, which included $13.5 million of acquisition expenses, compared to $53.2 million in the first quarter [5] - The second quarter net operating income was $225.4 million or $2.96 per share, reflecting strong performance [5] - There was a pretax gain of $37.7 million on prior investments, including a $29.4 million gain from Voyager Technologies, resulting in a multiple on invested capital of 5.8 times and an internal rate of return of 59% [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average loans increased by 12.7% to $36.4 billion, while average deposits increased by 10.7% to $55.6 billion, indicating solid organic growth [7] - Legacy UMB average loan balances increased by 15.3% on an annualized basis from the prior quarter, outperforming many peer banks [7] - Quarterly top line production reached a record of $1.9 billion in the second quarter, with strong growth in commercial and industrial (C&I) and commercial real estate (CRE) [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total net charge-offs attributed to the legacy UMB portfolio were $9 million, or just 13 basis points of average UMB loans for the quarter [10] - Nonperforming loans to total loans improved by two basis points from the prior quarter to 26 basis points, with legacy UMB nonperforming loans at just 10 basis points [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on leveraging its business model, which has proven effective in various economic environments, and is optimistic about future growth opportunities [4][5] - The company is actively working on integrating Heartland's operations and expects to see continued strong production from both legacy UMB and Heartland teams [22][24] - The company plans to continue aligning portfolios and expects that any resulting payoffs will not materially affect the balance sheet [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that borrower sentiment remains strong despite uncertainties, and they are focused on controllable factors [5] - The company expects charge-off levels to remain near or below historical averages in the second half of the year [10] - Management expressed confidence in the integration of Heartland and the potential for future growth from this acquisition [86] Other Important Information - The company completed a Series B preferred stock offering, netting $294 million of Tier one capital [11] - The CET1 ratio increased by 28 basis points to 10.39% as the company continues to rebuild capital following the acquisition [11] - The company made charitable contributions of $8.3 million in the quarter, significantly higher than $524,000 in the first quarter [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you deconstruct the loan growth and its sources? - Management indicated that the loan production number aligns with expectations, with strong contributions from both Heartland and legacy UMB teams [22][24] Question: How much alignment is left to do between the two portfolios? - Management expects continued alignment without significant impact on payoff levels [28] Question: What is the impact of HSA changes under the new budget bill? - Management views it as a marginal opportunity, with a limited number of new eligible accounts [30][31] Question: What is the long-term expense growth rate post-integration? - Management indicated that they will achieve targeted cost savings from the acquisition and maintain positive operating leverage [32][33] Question: How much of the $124 million cost savings have been realized? - Management reported $17 million in quarterly savings so far, with more expected in the fourth quarter [41][42] Question: What is the outlook for deposit competition? - Management noted that they can grow commercial deposits easily but expect moderate growth in consumer deposits due to increased branch presence [72][74]
Ameris Bancorp(ABCB) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-29 14:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $109.8 million or $1.6 per diluted share in the second quarter, a notable 21% increase year-over-year [11] - Return on assets (ROA) improved to 1.65% and return on tangible common equity increased to 15.8% [12] - Efficiency ratio improved to 51.63% from 52.83% in the previous quarter, indicating better operational efficiency [11][12] - Tangible book value per share increased to $41.32, reflecting a strong 15.5% annualized growth [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth was primarily driven by commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, with a total loan production of $1.9 billion, up from $1.5 billion in the previous quarter [17] - Non-interest income increased by approximately $4.9 million, largely due to a 36% growth in mortgage production [15] - Total non-interest expense rose by $4.2 million, mainly due to higher salaries and employee benefits related to increased mortgage production [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-interest bearing deposits grew over 3% annualized, maintaining a core focus on this segment [6][8] - The company’s capital ratios strengthened, with common equity Tier 1 increasing to 13% and tangible common equity ratio rising to 11.09% [6][12] - The company experienced a seasonal decline in cyclical municipal deposits, offset by an increase in broker deposits [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on organic growth, with a strong emphasis on enhancing revenue generation and maintaining a positive operating leverage [5][10] - Management expressed optimism about future growth opportunities in the Southeastern markets, leveraging a strong deposit base and capital position [9][10] - The company is open to stock buybacks and dividend increases, but M&A activities are not a priority unless a unique opportunity arises [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a resurgence of activity in loan production, with expectations for continued growth through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026 [22][9] - There is cautious optimism regarding competition, with indications that competition is becoming more aggressive but manageable [44] - The company anticipates loan and deposit growth in the mid-single-digit range moving forward [18] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $12.8 million of common stock during the quarter [12] - The provision for credit losses was $2.8 million, with reserves remaining strong at 162% of loans [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth trends and competition - Management indicated that there is a resurgence of activity in loan production, particularly in mortgage warehouse lending, and expects this trend to continue [22][23] Question: Future growth opportunities and capital deployment - Management emphasized a focus on organic growth, with new hires and potential stock buybacks being considered, while M&A is not a priority [25][26] Question: Margin outlook and deposit costs - Management expects some pressure on deposit costs as loan growth picks up, but remains optimistic about maintaining a strong margin [39][40] Question: Competitive landscape and market challenges - Management noted increased competition across various business lines, with a shift towards more structural underwriting standards rather than just pricing [44] Question: Mortgage segment capacity and trends - Management stated that the mortgage team is prepared for a potential refinancing wave and expects third-quarter production to be consistent with the second quarter [54][56]
AmeriServ Incurs Q2 Loss Amid Credit Provision Surge, Stock Down 8%
ZACKS· 2025-07-28 18:56
Core Insights - AmeriServ Financial, Inc. reported a net loss of 2 cents per share for Q2 2025, unchanged year over year, while its stock declined 7.7% since the earnings report, contrasting with a 1.3% growth in the S&P 500 index during the same period [1][2] Financial Performance - Net interest income increased by $1.5 million to $10.4 million, driven by a 36-basis-point expansion in net interest margin to 3.10% [3] - Total interest income rose by $1.2 million, or 7.1%, due to higher average loan balances and repricing of commercial real estate loans [3] - Provision for credit losses surged to $3.1 million from $0.4 million a year earlier, primarily due to a $2.8 million charge-off related to a problematic commercial real estate loan [4] - Total non-interest income decreased by $0.3 million, or 6.3%, with significant declines in wealth management fees and mortgage banking revenues [5] Expense Management - Non-interest expenses were reduced by $1.6 million, or 11.9%, with notable decreases in professional fees and other expense categories [6] - The company experienced slight increases in salaries and healthcare costs, but these were offset by lower incentive compensation and headcount reductions [6] Management Perspective - CEO Jeffrey Stopko highlighted positive operating leverage achieved in both quarters of 2025, with expectations for continued improvement in net interest income and margin [7] - Management is focused on cost control while selectively investing in growth areas, although no formal earnings guidance was provided [7] Balance Sheet and Capital Position - As of June 30, 2025, total loans were $1.1 billion and deposits reached $1.2 billion, with non-performing assets rising 9.7% to $16.4 million [9] - Capital ratios remain strong, with a tangible common equity ratio of 6.78% and book value per share increasing to $6.71, up 6.8% year over year [9] Dividend Declaration - The board declared a quarterly cash dividend of 3 cents per share, representing a 3.9% annualized yield and a 60% payout ratio based on year-to-date earnings [10]
Primis(FRST) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-25 15:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the second quarter, the company reported net income of approximately $8.4 million, or $0.34 per share, which included a pretax gain of $7.5 million [4][5] - The effective cost of deposits was $2.89, which is 32% lower than the same quarter a year ago [7] - Core net interest margin (NIM) was 3.15%, up from 3.13% in the previous quarter and 280 basis points from a year ago [21] - Non-interest income increased to $10.6 million from $8.5 million in the previous quarter [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core bank remains nearly 70% of the total balance sheet, with a return on assets (ROA) of approximately $138 million supported by low-cost deposits [11] - Premise Mortgage closed $323 million in the quarter, up about 52% from the same quarter in 2024 [12] - Panacea Financial grew to over $500 million in outstanding credit, focusing on deposit growth [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-interest bearing deposits increased by $22 million or 19% annualized in the quarter [21] - The company experienced a 12% annualized increase in gross loans held for investment from March 31 to June 30 [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth and has not engaged in mergers and acquisitions since 2017 [9] - The strategy includes maintaining low operating expenses while leveraging digital platforms to enhance deposit growth [8][10] - The company aims to achieve a 1% ROA goal by 2026, with expectations of growing pre-tax, pre-provision earnings to over $13 million [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's positioning and ability to generate attractive earnings in the coming quarters [26] - The company does not foresee any negative influences that would cause earnings pressure [16] - Management indicated that the second quarter was the last quarter to bear significant noise due to the consumer program [25] Other Important Information - The company has negotiated a solution with its core provider that will save approximately $300,000 per month starting in August [8] - The company is in the early stages of ramping up its SBA lending activities, with gains of $210,000 recorded in the second quarter [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations for the back half of the year and overall 2026 - Management expects Mortgage Warehouse to average between $250 million to $350 million next year, with Panacea potentially reaching $100 million to $150 million on the balance sheet [31][34] Question: Anticipated improvement or compression in core NIM - Management expects core NIM to creep up to the mid-320s by the end of the year, assuming no rate cuts [39] Question: Growth in core bank deposits and loans - Management believes the core bank will outgrow digital deposits, with a focus on low-cost deposit growth [43] Question: Impact of interest rates on mortgage volume - Management indicated that mortgage volume could increase significantly if interest rates drop into the low sixes [47] Question: Expectations for charge-offs - Management does not anticipate a significant decrease in net charge-offs, as they are already at industry levels [49] Question: Appropriate growth rate for core expenses - Management aims to reduce core expenses to around $18 million, with expected normal inflation of 3% to 4% thereafter [53][55]