Core Viewpoint - Hancock Whitney Corp. (HWC) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $1.37, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.34, and reflecting a 4.6% increase from the prior year quarter [1][10]. Financial Performance - The company's total revenues reached $375.5 million, marking a 4.4% year-over-year increase and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $371.3 million [4]. - Net interest income (NII) rose 2.3% year over year to $279.5 million, with a net interest margin (NIM) of 3.49%, which expanded by 12 basis points [4]. - Non-interest income totaled $98.5 million, up 10.5%, driven by increases across almost all components [5]. - Total non-interest expenses increased by 4.8% to $216 million, while adjusted expenses rose by 2% [5]. Loan and Deposit Trends - As of June 30, 2025, total loans were $23.5 billion, up 1.6% from the prior quarter, while total deposits slightly declined to $29 billion [6]. Credit Quality - The provision for credit losses was $14.9 million, a significant increase of 71.1% from the prior-year quarter [7]. - Net charge-offs (annualized) were 0.31% of average total loans, up 19 basis points from the prior-year quarter [7]. Capital and Profitability Ratios - The Tier 1 leverage ratio improved to 11.39% from 10.71% year over year, and the common equity Tier 1 ratio increased to 14.03% from 13.25% [8]. - The return on average assets remained stable at 1.32%, while the return on average common equity decreased to 10.63% from 12.04% [8]. Share Repurchase Activity - In the reported quarter, HWC repurchased 0.75 million shares at an average price of $52.36 per share [11]. Strategic Outlook - The company's strategic expansion initiatives, including the acquisition of Sabal Trust Company, are expected to support top-line growth, while bond restructuring efforts and higher rates may aid NII and NIM expansion [12].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a fully diluted EPS of $0.38, a 65% increase over the prior year [4] - Net income for the quarter was $0.38 per diluted share, up 65% over the prior year [8] - Return on average assets was 1.19% and return on average equity was 14.15% [9] - Net interest margin (NIM) was 3.1%, down slightly from the prior quarter [9] - The efficiency ratio improved to 52.79% [9] - Tangible book value per share increased by $0.42 to $11.23 [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average loans increased by $205.3 million or 11.5% compared to Q1 2024 [5] - Average deposits grew by $166.6 million or 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year [5] - The loan pipeline remains robust and diversified, with expectations for high single-digit to low double-digit loan and deposit growth in Q2 [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Florida economy is forecasted to grow steadily in 2025, with a growing labor force and low unemployment [5] - The company surpassed the $2 billion loan mark, achieving a significant milestone [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes relationship-driven organic growth and has onboarded additional senior bankers to support business lending and deposit production [6][29] - The strategic focus is on maintaining credit quality and carefully vetting new loan production amid economic uncertainties [4][29] - The company plans for disciplined expense control to improve operating leverage [29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the economic environment, particularly in light of recent trade deal progress [4] - The company anticipates continued growth in loans and deposits, tempered by economic uncertainties related to trade policies [29] - The management team is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet while returning capital to investors through dividends [6][28] Other Important Information - The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share, to be paid on June 5, 2025 [6] - Noninterest income was 16.3% of total revenue, consistent with prior quarters [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What drove the deposit growth in the quarter? - Management noted positive growth in Correspondent Banking and business banking, contributing to balanced deposit growth [36] Question: What is the outlook for NIM given the current conditions? - Management expects NIM to be flat to slightly up, anticipating potential rate cuts that could benefit deposit costs [38][40] Question: What is the impact of specialty verticals on deposits? - New hires in various verticals are expected to enhance deposit growth, particularly in HOA and business banking [46][48] Question: How should the expense base be viewed moving forward? - The expense base is expected to gradually increase due to new hires and performance-based bonuses [50] Question: What is the focus regarding capital growth? - The focus remains on organic growth rather than buybacks, given solid growth prospects [52]