Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record quarterly adjusted net income of $37 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, reflecting strong performance across core businesses [20] - Earnings per share grew by 26% compared to the second quarter [4] - Net interest income increased by $3 million, or 18% annualized, supported by net interest margin (NIM) expansion and exceptional loan growth [20] - NIM on a tax-equivalent yield basis increased by five basis points from the second quarter [20] - Non-interest income totaled $37 million for the third quarter, driven primarily by capital markets revenue [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Capital markets revenue rebounded to $24 million, up $14 million from the prior quarter [20] - Wealth management revenue surpassed $5 million, an 8% increase over the prior quarter, with year-over-year growth of 15% annualized [24][9] - Loan growth accelerated significantly, increasing by $286 million, or 17% annualized, with a 15% increase net of planned runoff from M2 Equipment Finance loans and leases [5][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core deposits grew at an annual rate of 6% for the quarter, totaling $410 million, or 8% annualized year to date [6][27] - Total criticized loans improved during the quarter, decreasing 9% year to date [18] - Total provision for credit losses was $4 million, slightly up from the previous quarter, due to loan growth partially offset by improved credit quality [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company operates through three primary lines of business: traditional banking, wealth management, and LIHTC lending platform, all of which delivered improved performance [6] - The digital transformation initiative is on track, with key milestones achieved, including the successful conversion of the core operating system for the first charter [8] - The company is increasing guidance for capital markets revenue to a range of $55 million to $65 million over the next four quarters [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about sustaining loan growth momentum, guiding for gross annualized loan growth in a range of 10% to 15% for the fourth quarter [6] - The company remains committed to maintaining strong regulatory capital while assessing its capital structure to support growth objectives [31] - Management noted that the demand for affordable housing remains high, positioning the LIHTC lending business for growth [10] Other Important Information - The company returned $10 million of capital to shareholders through share repurchases [18] - A new share repurchase program was approved, authorizing the repurchase of up to 1.7 million shares of outstanding common stock [19] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 9.5%, up from 5% in the prior quarter, primarily due to higher pre-tax income [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin guidance and rate cuts - Management confirmed that the margin guidance of three to seven basis points of expansion does not include any rate cuts, and each 25 basis point cut could see an additional 2 to 3 basis point increase [35][36] Question: Future buybacks - Management indicated that they will remain active in buybacks due to higher earnings per share and reduced need to retain capital for organic growth [36] Question: Securitization appetite and timing - Management anticipates a large permanent loan securitization in the first half of next year, targeting around $350 million [41] Question: NII impact from loan sales and securitizations - Management stated that any give-up in net interest income (NII) from loan sales would likely be replaced by improved capital markets revenue [45] Question: Loan growth expectations for next year - Management expects loan growth to continue in the double digits, with a more accurate guide to be provided in January [50] Question: One-time costs related to conversions - Management indicated that there will be $4 to $5 million of NII expense in 2025 related to conversions, expected to decrease in subsequent years [58] Question: Reserves trend - Management does not expect the allowance for credit losses to drop significantly, as recent reductions have been due to resolving non-performing assets [61]