Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $22.5 million or $0.44 per diluted common share, with operating earnings per share increasing to $0.88, an increase of $0.08 compared to the prior quarter [11] - Operating return on assets was 1.19%, return on equity was 10.5%, and ROTCE was 15.25%, showing continued improvement [5] - Revenues grew approximately 10.5% from the prior quarter and 22% from the same quarter last year, driven by improvements in net interest income [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added approximately $1.7 billion in loans from the Evans merger, with total loans growing nearly 1% from December 2024, despite some decreases in residential mortgage and commercial real estate [12] - Non-interest income was $46.8 million, reflecting a seasonal decrease of 1.5% compared to the previous quarter but an increase of 8% from the previous year [16] - Total deposits increased to $13.5 billion, up almost $2 billion from December 2024, with a notable increase in demand deposits and savings accounts [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is actively engaged in the semiconductor chip corridor in Upstate New York, supporting customers and communities involved in semiconductor and advanced electronics manufacturing [6] - The company noted a positive response from customers and communities following the Evans merger, indicating strong market engagement [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to support strategic growth initiatives through continued capital strength and diversification of revenue streams [5] - The management expressed a focus on enhancing shareholder value and growing stronger together post-merger [10] - The company is evaluating M&A opportunities while ensuring integration and cultural alignment following the Evans acquisition [67] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that uncertainty in the market has caused some hesitation in business activity, but the loan pipeline remains strong [42] - The company expects to see continued growth in net interest income and fee-based income, contributing to positive operating leverage [19] - Management indicated that while competition remains, they are focused on supporting customers and building holistic banking relationships [46] Other Important Information - The company completed the sale of a $255 million securities portfolio, contributing to increased liquidity [13] - The merger with Evans Bancorp added significant assets, including $1.9 billion in deposits and approximately 100,000 new accounts [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: What does a 25 basis point rate cut mean for your margin? - Management indicated a neutral position regarding rate cuts, with about $2.5 billion in loans repricing immediately and 40% of the deposit base also able to reprice downward [24][25] Question: How are you thinking about the net interest margin for Q3? - Management expects a slight improvement in net interest margin due to additional accretion from the Evans acquisition and continued repricing of earning assets [27][72] Question: What is the size of the opportunity for revenue synergies post-Evans deal? - Management sees significant opportunities in wealth management and insurance, with plans to expand their advisor base and services [30][31] Question: Are there any lending areas of concern? - Management stated there are no significant concerns regarding asset quality but emphasized a focus on building banking relationships [33] Question: What is the expected run rate for non-interest expenses in Q3? - Management estimated non-interest expenses to be around $105 million, with an additional $11 million to $12 million from the Evans acquisition [35] Question: What are the plans for liquidity deployment? - Management noted increased liquidity post-Evans transaction and plans to support loan growth while maintaining strong balance sheet liquidity [58][59] Question: What is the outlook for M&A in the current environment? - Management is focused on integration post-Evans and is methodically evaluating M&A opportunities that align with their community banking culture [67]