Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Hilltop reported net income of approximately $46 million or $0.74 per diluted share for Q3 2025, with a return on average assets of 1.2% and return on average equity of 8.35% [4] - Net interest income increased by $7.4 million or 7% year-over-year, totaling $112 million, driven by improved deposit costs and growth in higher yielding commercial loans [14] - The allowance for credit losses declined by $2.8 million to $95 million, resulting in a coverage ratio of 1.16% [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - PlainsCapital Bank generated $55 million of pre-tax income on $12.6 billion of average assets, with a return on average assets of 1.34% [4] - PrimeLending reported a pre-tax loss of $7 million due to subdued mortgage origination volumes, with existing home sales at their lowest level in over 30 years [6] - Hilltop Securities Inc. produced pre-tax income of $26.5 million on net revenues of $144.5 million, achieving a pre-tax margin of 18% [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total core deposits at PlainsCapital increased by 6% on a linked quarter basis, attributed to seasonal cash inflows from large balance customers [5] - Average total deposits remained stable at approximately $10.5 billion year-over-year, with a focus on growing interest-bearing products [16] - Mortgage revenues declined by $3.4 million year-over-year, reflecting challenges in the mortgage banking sector due to higher interest rates and home prices [17][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain strong capital levels with a common equity tier one capital ratio of 20% and plans to continue share repurchases to signal confidence in its stock [9][31] - Hilltop Securities is investing in core areas of expertise and leveraging its national brand to enhance client service [9] - The leadership team is focused on optimizing costs and productivity at PrimeLending while growing the client-facing sales team [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the bank's ability to manage competition and maintain a conservative credit culture despite elevated market competition [5][22] - The outlook for 2025 reflects ongoing uncertainties in the market regarding interest rates and inflation, with a focus on producing quality outcomes for clients [24] - Management does not anticipate significant systemic risk across the portfolio but remains vigilant in assessing potential credit risks [13] Other Important Information - The company returned $11 million to stockholders through dividends and repurchased $55 million in shares during the quarter [9] - A leadership transition is occurring at PlainsCapital Bank, with the promotion of Brent Randall to Chief Credit Officer [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: NII guidance and near-term outlook - Management explained that the NII guidance was not increased due to expected rate cuts and potential asset contraction, emphasizing the balance sheet's asset sensitivity [26][28] Question: Stock buybacks and M&A outlook - Management confirmed a consistent approach to share repurchases given excess capital and discussed opportunities for growth through M&A in the Texas market [30][31] Question: Auto portfolio exposure - Management addressed concerns about the auto portfolio, noting a reduction in commitments and ongoing workout efforts for non-accrual clients [32][33] Question: Broker-dealer fee income - Management highlighted strong performance in public finance and structured finance, while acknowledging that some fee growth may not be sustainable [42][43] Question: Effects of government shutdown - Management indicated no primary effects from the government shutdown on the broker-dealer, but noted potential processing delays in the mortgage space [51][52]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Hilltop reported net income of approximately $46 million or $0.74 per diluted share for Q3 2025, with a return on average assets of 1.2% and return on average equity of 8.35% [4][13] - Net interest income increased by $7.4 million or 7% year-over-year, driven by improving deposit costs and growth in higher yielding commercial loans [16][19] - The allowance for credit losses declined by $2.8 million to $95 million, resulting in a coverage ratio of 1.16% [13][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - PlainsCapital Bank generated $55 million of pre-tax income on $12.6 billion of average assets, with a return on average assets of 1.34% [4][5] - PrimeLending reported a pre-tax loss of $7 million due to subdued mortgage origination volumes and pressure on margins [6][8] - Hilltop Securities Inc. generated pre-tax income of $26.5 million on net revenues of $144.5 million, achieving a pre-tax margin of 18% [8][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total core deposits at PlainsCapital increased by 6% on a linked quarter basis, attributed to seasonal cash inflows [5] - Existing home sales across the country reached their lowest level in over 30 years, impacting PrimeLending's performance [7][20] - Hilltop Securities experienced solid growth in public finance, structured finance, and wealth management, with net revenues increasing significantly year-over-year [9][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on reducing fixed expenses and recruiting talented mortgage originators to restore profitability at PrimeLending [8][20] - Hilltop Securities continues to invest in core areas of expertise and leverage its national brand to serve clients effectively [10][21] - The company is exploring opportunities for growth through potential M&A in the Texas market, which has seen increased interest from out-of-market entrants [31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining strong capital levels with a common equity tier one capital ratio of 20% and tangible book value per share increasing to $31.23 [10] - The outlook for 2025 reflects current assessments of the economy and market conditions, with expectations for continued challenges in the mortgage market [25] - Management remains vigilant regarding credit risks and is focused on early detection and aggressive workout strategies [24] Other Important Information - The company returned $11 million to stockholders through dividends and repurchased $55 million in shares during the quarter [10] - A leadership transition is occurring at PlainsCapital Bank, with the promotion of Brent Randall to Chief Credit Officer [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: NII guidance and margin expectations - Management explained that the NII guidance was not increased due to expected rate cuts and potential asset contraction, emphasizing the balance sheet's asset sensitivity [27][28] Question: Stock buyback strategy and M&A outlook - Management confirmed a consistent approach to share repurchases given the current stock price and excess capital, while also exploring M&A opportunities in Texas [30][31] Question: Auto portfolio exposure - Management acknowledged subprime exposure in the auto portfolio but stated that they are closely monitoring and managing the situation [32][38] Question: Broker-dealer fee income and future expectations - Management highlighted strong performance across all broker-dealer business lines in Q3 but anticipated a reversion to lower pre-tax margins in the future [40][41]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $25.7 million or $0.50 per diluted share for Q3 2025, compared to $26.4 million or $0.51 per share in Q2 2025, reflecting an annualized ROAA of 0.97% and an annualized ROATCE of 11.45% [9] - Net interest income increased to $100.6 million from $98.3 million in the previous quarter, with a net interest margin of 4.2% compared to 4.18% in Q2 2025 [10] - The total risk-based capital ratio improved to 16.33% at the end of Q3 2025 from 15.98% at the end of Q2 2025, and tangible book value per share increased by 9.3% year-over-year [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The provision for loan losses was $305,000 in Q3 2025, with net charge-offs totaling $3.3 million, primarily from previously identified credits [11] - Non-interest income decreased to $5 million from $5.8 million in the previous quarter, mainly due to write-downs on foreclosed assets [12] - Non-interest expenses rose to $73.1 million from $70 million in Q2 2025, driven by increased salaries and benefits, including severance expenses related to branch closures [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strong deposit growth, with 51% of new deposits coming from new customers, reflecting improved brand awareness and customer satisfaction [32] - The company reported a significant increase in loan originations, up 62% year-to-date compared to the same period last year, although Q3 originations were lower than Q2 [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance shareholder value through disciplined capital deployment, focusing on building quality assets and maintaining strong credit quality [8] - The management emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive edge in a dynamic market, particularly in Texas, where M&A activity is increasing [13][67] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the stability of credit trends and the overall market, despite some concerns in the industry [7][29] - The company plans to continue optimizing expenses and managing its balance sheet effectively to support growth and maintain financial flexibility [45] Other Important Information - The company repurchased shares and paid down $30 million of subordinated debt after the quarter-end, reinforcing its capital position [8] - The management noted that Q3 expenses were considered an outlier and expected a return to a more typical expense level in Q4 2025 [12][44] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the payoffs and paydowns, and what is the growth outlook? - Payoffs in the last quarter were about $50 million more than the previous quarter, with 44% related to collateral sales and 25% due to refinancing elsewhere. The company remains optimistic about future growth due to a healthy pipeline [20][22] Question: What are the current credit concerns and management's approach? - Management stated that they conduct stress testing and monitor portfolios closely, emphasizing a shift towards more stable C&I credits while maintaining a strong real estate loan portfolio [26][28] Question: What are the drivers behind the strong deposit growth? - The company reported that 51% of new deposits were from new customers, reflecting successful market share gains and improved customer satisfaction [31][32] Question: What are the expectations for seasonal deposit strength in Q4? - The company noted historical seasonal strength in government banking deposits, but it is difficult to predict exact amounts for the upcoming quarter [39][41] Question: What is the outlook for loan growth and M&A activity? - Management indicated that loan growth is expected to manifest in the second half of the year, with ongoing conversations about potential M&A opportunities while being cautious about maintaining a strong balance sheet [65][67]

Financial Performance - The company reported adjusted net income of $72.6 million and adjusted earnings per share of $0.76 for Q3 2025, resulting in an adjusted return on assets of 1.55% and a return on tangible common equity of 19.3% [3][6] - Tangible book value per share increased to $16.19, a rise of 5% from the previous quarter and 14% year-over-year, while tangible common equity ratio rose by 47 basis points to 8.87% [1][12] - The net interest margin remained strong at 4.02%, despite a slight decline from the previous quarter [4][8] Revenue and Income Streams - Total net revenue reached record levels, with adjusted non-interest income accounting for 31% of total net revenue for the quarter [2][3] - Fee income for the quarter was a record $73.6 million, driven by leasing and foreign exchange businesses, as well as higher syndication fees [10][12] Loan and Deposit Activity - Loan balances decreased by $72 million during the quarter, primarily due to lower production in specialty lending areas and increased construction originations [9][32] - Average deposit balances increased by $157 million, driven by higher broker deposits and money market accounts, despite a seasonal decline in public funds [4][9] Expense Management - Total non-interest expenses remained flat compared to the previous quarter, excluding performance-related incentives [2][5] - The company has successfully reduced its full-time equivalents by approximately 200 or 9% over the past two years as part of workforce efficiency efforts [2][49] Outlook and Future Expectations - The company anticipates mid-single-digit loan growth for Q4 2025, with expectations for strong deposit growth driven by core deposit balances and seasonal public fund inflows [14][15] - The net interest margin is expected to remain in the range of 3.92% to 3.97% for the next quarter, assuming a 25 basis point rate cut in both October and December [15][25] - The company is preparing for the integration of pending acquisitions, which are expected to enhance operational efficiencies and revenue growth [16][51]

Core Insights - The company reported strong financial results for the third quarter of 2025, with significant growth in net interest income and non-interest income, leading to a net income of $20.1 million or $0.99 per diluted share [3][4][20] - The company expects to exceed previous guidance for return on average assets (ROAA) and return on equity (ROE), projecting ROAA to exceed 115 basis points and ROE to be greater than 12% [2][20] - Loan growth was primarily driven by commercial lending, particularly in the Upstate New York market, with total commercial loans increasing by 1.6% from June 30, 2025, and 8.3% year over year [1][4][5] Financial Performance - Net interest income reached a record high of $51.8 million, up 5.4% from the previous quarter, while non-interest income increased by 13.6% to $12.1 million [14][15] - The efficiency ratio improved to about 58%, below the targeted 60% threshold, indicating effective expense management [20] - The company anticipates full-year expenses to be approximately $141 million, slightly higher than the original guidance of $140 million [19] Loan and Deposit Growth - Total loans grew by 1.2%, with commercial lending being the main contributor, while total deposits increased by 3.9% to $5.36 billion [4][10] - Consumer indirect loan balances showed a slight increase of 0.6% from the previous quarter, although they were down 4.1% year over year [6] - Residential lending remained flat compared to the previous year, with a healthy pipeline for mortgage and home equity applications, up 12% and 11% year over year, respectively [7] Credit Quality - The company reported a low annualized net charge-off ratio of 18 basis points, significantly lower than the previous quarter and in line with the prior year [8][9] - Non-performing loans increased slightly to 74 basis points but showed a notable decrease from 94 basis points a year ago, indicating overall solid asset quality [9][10] Capital Management - The company has improved its tangible common equity (TCE) to 8.74% and common equity Tier 1 ratio to 11.15%, reflecting strong earnings and active balance sheet management [21][22] - A share repurchase plan was refreshed, indicating confidence in capital levels and a strategy to support share value [21][22] Outlook - The company is optimistic about maintaining loan growth momentum into 2026, with expectations for mid-single-digit growth rates [5][29] - Guidance for net interest margin is tightened to between 350 and 355 basis points, with expectations for modest margin pressure in the fourth quarter due to recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) activities [13][14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted net income for Q3 2025 was $72.6 million, with adjusted earnings per share at $0.76, resulting in an adjusted return on assets of 1.55% and an adjusted return on tangible common equity of 19.3% [4][6] - Record revenue was achieved in Q3, driven by a robust net interest margin of 4.02% and record non-interest income, which represented 31% of total net revenue [4][7] - Tangible book value per share increased to $16.19, a 5% increase from the previous quarter and a 14% increase year-over-year [6][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan balances declined modestly by $72 million during the quarter, primarily due to lower production in specialty lending areas and an increase in construction originations [5][10] - Non-interest income reached a record high of $73.6 million, led by leasing and foreign exchange businesses, with higher syndication fees contributing to the increase [10][11] - Non-interest expenses increased due to higher incentive compensation tied to fee income, but overall expenses were well managed [5][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average deposit balances increased by $157 million, driven by higher broker deposits and money market accounts, despite a seasonal decline in public funds [7][10] - The company maintained 21% of total balances in non-interest bearing accounts, focusing on growing lower-cost deposit balances [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company expects loan growth to return to mid-single digits in Q4 2025, driven by strong commercial lending and seasonal public fund inflows [13][34] - The integration of pending acquisitions, including Westfield and BankFinancial, is anticipated to enhance operational efficiency and expand market reach [15][64] - The company aims to maintain an industry-leading net interest margin and is preparing for potential rate cuts while managing deposit costs [13][52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving strong performance in Q4 2025, with expectations for continued growth in fee income and stable credit costs [14][43] - The company anticipates that credit costs will remain steady, with net charge-offs expected to be in the mid-20 basis points range [43] - Management highlighted the competitive deposit environment but indicated that proactive measures have been taken to manage deposit costs effectively [52] Other Important Information - The company recorded $9.1 million in provision expense during the quarter, driven by net charge-offs, with an allowance for credit losses (ACL) coverage of 1.38% of total loans [8][12] - The company is committed to providing attractive returns to shareholders, with 33% of earnings returned through dividends during the period [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: NDFI loan exposure details - The company has approximately $434 million in the NDFI portfolio, which is conservatively managed and primarily consists of traditional REITs [17][20] Question: Impact of rate cuts on net interest margin - Each 25 basis point rate cut is expected to create about 5 basis points of margin pressure initially, with recovery as deposit costs adjust [21][22] Question: Loan growth expectations and verticals driving growth - Strong commercial lending is expected to drive growth, with specific contributions from Summit funding and commercial real estate [32][34] Question: Fourth quarter fee and expense guidance - The increase in fourth quarter expenses is primarily driven by higher forecasts from Bannockburn and other business segments [40][41] Question: Credit cost outlook - Credit costs are expected to remain steady, with a run rate of mid-20 basis points anticipated [43] Question: Capital management and buyback considerations - The company plans to assess capital ratios post-acquisitions before considering buybacks, especially if trading below tangible book value [45][46] Question: Deposit competition and funding growth - The company expects to manage deposit costs effectively despite competitive pressures, aided by liquidity from acquisitions [52][54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted net income for Q3 2025 was $72.6 million, with adjusted earnings per share at $0.76, resulting in an adjusted return on assets of 1.55% and an adjusted return on tangible common equity of 19.3% [3][5] - Record revenue was achieved in Q3, driven by a robust net interest margin of 4.02% and record non-interest income, which represented 31% of total net revenue [3][6] - Tangible book value per share increased by 5% from the previous quarter to $16.19, and tangible common equity increased by 47 basis points to 8.87% [5][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan balances declined modestly by $72 million during the quarter, primarily due to lower production in specialty businesses and a higher percentage of construction originations [4][9] - Non-interest income reached a record high of $73.6 million, led by leasing and foreign exchange businesses, with higher syndication fees contributing to the increase [6][10] - Non-interest expenses increased due to higher incentive compensation tied to fee income, but overall expenses were well managed [4][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average deposit balances increased by $157 million, driven by higher broker deposits and money market accounts, despite a seasonal decline in public funds [6][9] - The company maintained 21% of total balances in non-interest bearing accounts, focusing on growing lower-cost deposit balances [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company expects loan growth to return to mid-single digits in Q4 2025, with strong commercial lending as the primary driver [12][32] - The integration of pending acquisitions, including Westfield and BankFinancial, is anticipated to enhance operational efficiency and expand market reach [14][63] - The company aims to maintain an industry-leading net interest margin and expects it to range between 3.92% and 3.97% in the next quarter [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving strong performance in Q4 2025, with expectations for increased origination volumes and strong deposit growth [12][14] - Credit costs are expected to remain stable, with annualized net charge-offs projected at 18 basis points [7][42] - The company anticipates a continued focus on expense management while evaluating capital actions to support shareholder returns [11][44] Other Important Information - The company has received regulatory approval for the Westfield transaction, expected to close in early November 2025 [14] - The company is committed to providing attractive returns to shareholders, with 33% of earnings returned through common dividends [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: NDFI loan exposure details - The NDFI portfolio stands at approximately $434 million, conservatively managed with no adversely rated credit, primarily consisting of traditional REITs [16][19] Question: Impact of rate cuts on net interest margin - Each 25 basis point rate cut is expected to create about five basis points of near-term pressure on the margin, with a potential recovery as deposit costs adjust [20][22] Question: Loan growth expectations and verticals driving growth - Strong commercial lending is expected to drive growth, with specific verticals like Summit funding projected to perform well in Q4 [31][32] Question: Fourth quarter fee and expense guidance - The increase in fourth quarter expenses is primarily driven by higher forecasts from Bannockburn and other commission-based businesses [40][41] Question: Credit cost outlook - Credit costs are expected to remain steady, with a run rate of 25 to 30 basis points anticipated [42] Question: Capital management and buyback considerations - The company plans to assess capital ratios post-acquisitions before considering buybacks, particularly if trading below tangible book value [44]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted net income for Q3 2025 was $72.6 million, with adjusted earnings per share at 76 cents, resulting in an adjusted return on assets of 1.55% and an adjusted return on tangible common equity of 19.3% [4][12] - The net interest margin remained strong at 4.02%, despite a slight decline of three basis points from the previous quarter [9][13] - Tangible book value per share increased by 5% from the previous quarter to $16.19, and tangible common equity ratio increased by 47 basis points to 8.87% [7][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Noninterest income reached a record of $73.6 million, representing 31% of total net revenue for the quarter, driven by leasing and foreign exchange businesses [5][10] - Loan balances decreased by $72 million during the quarter, primarily due to lower production in specialty lending areas and increased construction originations [6][14] - Average deposit balances increased by $157 million, driven by higher brokered CDs and money market accounts [10][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Asset quality metrics remained stable, with nonperforming assets flat as a percentage of total assets and annualized net charge-offs at 18 basis points, showing slight improvement from the previous quarter [7][12] - The company maintained 21% of total balances in noninterest-bearing accounts, focusing on growing lower-cost deposit balances [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company expects loan growth to return to mid-single digits by the end of the year, driven by strong commercial lending and seasonal public fund inflows [19][43] - The integration of pending acquisitions, including Westfield, is anticipated to enhance operational efficiency and expand market reach [21][76] - The company is committed to providing attractive returns to shareholders, with 33% of earnings returned through dividends [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving strong origination volumes in Q4, with expectations for continued profitability and growth momentum into 2026 [19][22] - The company anticipates credit costs to remain stable, with a projected charge-off rate of 25 to 30 basis points in the current environment [54] - Management noted competitive deposit market conditions but expects a reduction in deposit costs due to recent rate cuts [66] Other Important Information - The company has received regulatory approval for the Westfield acquisition, expected to close in early November [21] - The allowance for credit losses (ACL) coverage increased slightly to 1.38% of total loans, with a total provision expense of $9.1 million recorded during the quarter [11][17] Q&A Session Summary Question: NDFI loan exposure details - The NDFI portfolio stands at approximately $434 million, primarily composed of traditional REITs and conservatively managed with no adversely rated credits [28] Question: Impact of rate cuts on net interest margin - Each 25 basis point rate cut is expected to exert about five basis points of pressure on the margin, with a potential starting point of around 3.90% for early next year [32] Question: Loan growth expectations and verticals driving growth - Strong commercial lending is expected to be the primary driver of growth, with projections for a 5% annualized growth rate [43] Question: Fourth quarter fee and expense guidance - The increase in fourth quarter guidance is primarily driven by higher forecasts from Bannockburn and Summit, with expectations for continued growth in those areas [52] Question: Capital management and buyback considerations - The company plans to assess capital ratios post-acquisitions before considering stock buybacks, especially if trading below tangible book value [58]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income available to common shareholders of $20.1 million or $0.99 per diluted share for Q3 2025, reflecting strong financial results [4] - Return on average assets (ROAA) and return on average equity (ROAE) improved to 132 basis points and 13.31% respectively, both up notably from previous periods [5] - Full year 2025 guidance for ROAA is now expected to exceed 115 basis points, up from 110 basis points, and ROAE is expected to be greater than 12%, up from 11.25% [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth was 1.2%, driven by commercial lending, while total deposits increased by 3.9% [4] - Total commercial loans reached approximately $3 billion, reflecting a 1.6% increase from the previous quarter and an 8.3% increase year over year [6] - Consumer indirect balances increased by 0.6% from the previous quarter but were down 4.1% year over year [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strong commercial growth in Upstate New York, particularly in the Syracuse region, supported by significant investments in the area [7] - The housing market remains tight in Rochester and Buffalo, with home prices continuing to rise, although new listings and inventory have increased year over year [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for profitable organic growth and anticipates a strong finish to 2025, with incremental performance expected in 2026 [25] - The opening of a satellite office in Sarasota, Florida, is part of the strategy to better serve clients and tap into new markets [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about maintaining momentum heading into 2026, anticipating that pent-up demand for credit will be released with future rate cuts [8] - The company is focused on expense management to maintain positive operating leverage and a favorable efficiency ratio [22] Other Important Information - The company expects total deposits at year-end 2025 to be generally flat compared to the previous year [14] - Noninterest income for the year is expected to exceed the original guidance of up to $42 million [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin outlook with potential rate cuts - Management indicated that while margins may decline modestly in the fourth quarter, they expect a recovery in 2026 as new loan production and cost management continue [27][30] Question: Buyback activity - Management expressed satisfaction with the board's approval of the buyback plan, indicating it as an option to support shares [31] Question: Loan growth expectations - Management is optimistic about achieving mid-single-digit growth rates as they build out their financial plan for 2026 [32][33]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted net income for Q3 2025 was $72.6 million, with adjusted earnings per share at $0.76, resulting in an adjusted return on assets of 1.55% and an adjusted return on tangible common equity of 19.3% [4][10] - Record revenue was achieved in Q3, driven by a robust net interest margin of 4.02% and record non-interest income, which represented 31% of total net revenue [4][8] - Tangible book value per share increased to $16.19, a 5% increase from the previous quarter and a 14% increase year-over-year [6][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan balances declined modestly by $72 million during the quarter, primarily due to lower production in specialty lending areas and an increase in construction originations [5][11] - Non-interest income reached a record high of $73.6 million, led by leasing and foreign exchange businesses, with higher syndication fees contributing to the increase [8][12] - Non-interest expenses increased due to higher incentive compensation tied to fee income, but core expenses remained well managed [9][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average deposit balances increased by $157 million, driven by higher broker deposits and money market accounts, despite a seasonal decline in public funds [8][11] - The company maintained 21% of total balances in non-interest bearing accounts, focusing on growing lower-cost deposit balances [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company expects loan growth to return to mid-single digits in Q4 2025, with strong commercial lending as the primary driver [15][30] - The integration of pending acquisitions, including Westfield and BankFinancial, is anticipated to enhance growth and efficiency, with a focus on expanding into new markets [15][17] - The company aims to maintain an industry-leading net interest margin and is preparing for potential rate cuts while managing deposit costs [15][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving strong performance in Q4 2025, with expectations for increased origination volumes and strong deposit growth [15][17] - Credit costs are expected to remain stable, with net charge-offs projected to be in the mid-20 basis points range [37] - The company is optimistic about its financial performance and the momentum heading into 2026, driven by the pending acquisitions [17][59] Other Important Information - The company has received regulatory approval for the Westfield transaction, expected to close in early November 2025 [15][17] - The allowance for credit losses (ACL) coverage increased slightly to 1.38% of total loans, reflecting a conservative approach to modeling potential losses [9][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: NDFI loan exposure details - The NDFI portfolio stands at approximately $434 million, primarily composed of traditional REITs and conservatively managed with no adversely rated credit [20] Question: Impact of rate cuts on net interest margin - Each 25 basis point rate cut is expected to exert about five basis points of near-term pressure on margin, with a gradual recovery as deposit costs adjust [23] Question: Loan growth expectations and verticals driving growth - Strong commercial lending is anticipated to drive growth, with specific verticals including Summit funding and commercial real estate projected to contribute positively [30] Question: Fourth quarter expense guidance - The increase in expenses for Q4 is primarily driven by higher forecasts from Bannockburn and Summit, with expectations for continued growth in those areas [34] Question: Capital management post-acquisitions - The company plans to assess capital ratios after the acquisitions and may consider buybacks if trading below tangible book value [39]