Comerica (CMA) 2025 Conference June 11, 2025 09:00 AM ET Speaker0 All right, we're excited to have Comerica up next here. I'll get our usual disclosure out of the way. For important disclosures, please see the Morgan Stanley Research disclosure website at morganstanley.com/researchdisclosures. The taking of photographs and use of recording devices is not allowed. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Morgan Stanley sales representative. Now we're delighted to have with us today Jim Herzog, Chi ...

SB Financial Group (SBFG) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 02, 2025 11:00 AM ET Company Participants Carol Robbins - Senior VP & ControllerMark Klein - Chairman, President & CEOAnthony Cosentino - Executive VP & CFOBrian Martin - Director - Banks & ThriftsSteven Walz - Executive VP & Chief Lending Officer Operator Good morning, and welcome to the SB Financial First Quarter twenty twenty five Conference Call and Webcast. I would like to inform you that this conference call is being recorded. We will begin with rema ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income for Q1 2025 was $2.7 million, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.42, representing a 27% increase compared to the prior year quarter [5] - Tangible book value per share increased to $15.79, up from $14.93 last year, reflecting a 5.8% increase [5] - Net interest income totaled $11.3 million, a 23% increase from $9.2 million in Q1 2024 [5][19] - Operating expenses rose approximately 3.5% from the linked quarter, totaling $12.4 million, which includes $726,000 in acquisition-related costs [7][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth for the quarter was $97 million, up 9.8% from the prior year, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of sequential loan growth [6][13] - Mortgage originations for the quarter were $40 million, down from the prior year and linked quarters, but the current pipeline is approximately $50 million [6][41] - Noninterest income increased by 3.9% from the prior year quarter to $4.1 million, driven by gains on mortgage loans and commercial loan swap revenue [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits grew over 10%, including $56 million from the Marblehead acquisition, while excluding Marblehead, growth was 5.4% [6][12] - The core deposit base grew just under 5% this year, with an annualized growth rate of 15% when excluding public funds and the Marblehead book [13] - Total loans ended the quarter at $1.09 billion, including $19 million from the Marblehead acquisition [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on five key initiatives: growing and diversifying revenue, expanding footprint, operational excellence, and maintaining asset quality [7] - The Marblehead acquisition, completed on January 17, 2025, is expected to enhance market presence and client relationships in Ottawa County, Ohio [11] - The company is committed to digital innovation and enhancing client care initiatives, including appointing a digital banking officer [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in loan growth despite economic uncertainties, with a budgeted growth of 8% to 10% for the year [39] - The company anticipates a strong performance in the second half of the year, driven by the integration of Marblehead and a robust loan pipeline [28] - Management expects funding costs to decrease further, which will positively impact net interest margin [23][54] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 26,500 shares at an average price of just under $21, representing approximately 130% of tangible book value [25] - The allowance for credit losses remained robust at 1.41% of total loans, providing 254% coverage of nonperforming loans [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about loan growth and tariffs - Management expressed confidence in the loan pipeline, indicating no significant concerns regarding tariffs affecting client decisions [36][38] Question: Outlook for loan growth this year - The company maintains a budgeted growth of 8% to 10%, including contributions from the Marblehead acquisition [39] Question: Mortgage pipeline and full-year expectations - The current mortgage pipeline is healthy, and management is optimistic about achieving budgeted production levels for 2025 [41] Question: Trends in deposits and liquidity - Management anticipates some seasonal fluctuations in deposits but expects core deposits to continue growing [45][47] Question: Credit quality and reserve levels - Management is bullish on credit quality and plans to provision for anticipated loan growth while maintaining a strong reserve level [56][59] Question: Capital management and buyback plans - The company plans to resume share buybacks when opportunities arise, while also focusing on integrating the Marblehead acquisition [64]

Core Viewpoint - Franklin Financial Services Corporation (FRAF) has shown resilience in its stock performance despite a recent decline, reflecting renewed investor confidence driven by solid quarterly results [1] Earnings & Revenue Performance - The company reported a first-quarter 2025 net income of $3.9 million, or 88 cents per diluted share, a 16.7% increase from $3.4 million, or 77 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2024 [2] - Total revenue increased, with net interest income rising 15.2% to $15.6 million from $13.6 million year-over-year, and non-interest income improving 8.9% to $4.6 million, primarily due to higher wealth management fees [3] Balance Sheet Expansion - Total assets grew 12.2% year-over-year to $2.26 billion as of March 31, 2025, with net loans increasing 14% to $1.44 billion, driven by commercial real estate loans [4] - Deposit balances expanded 19.8% year-over-year to $1.87 billion, with significant growth in money management and non-interest-bearing checking accounts [5] Management Commentary - Outgoing CEO Tim Henry attributed the improved performance to previous groundwork, including infrastructure development and disciplined balance sheet management [6] - Henry expressed satisfaction with the strong first-quarter results and emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and profitability [7] Performance Drivers - Loan growth of $57.3 million from the end of 2024 necessitated a provision for credit losses of $779,000, reflecting a cautious lending posture consistent with rising loan balances [8] - The yield on interest-earning assets improved to 5.25% from 5.03%, while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased to 2.64%, compressing spreads [8] Expense Management - Non-interest expenses rose 9.7% year-over-year to $14.6 million due to higher salaries, data processing, and FDIC insurance costs, but the bank's efficiency remains manageable relative to income generation [9] Dividend and Shareholder Value - The company declared a dividend of 33 cents per share for the second quarter, a 3.1% increase from the first quarter, indicating management's confidence in sustained earnings [10] - An open market repurchase plan for up to 150,000 shares was authorized, reflecting management's intent to enhance shareholder value [12] Future Outlook - With a stable capital base, a growing asset portfolio, and a disciplined expense structure, Franklin Financial is well-positioned for continued growth under new leadership [13]

Core Insights - CW Bancorp reported a consolidated net income of $2,935,000 for Q1 2025, representing a slight decrease of 2% compared to $2,993,000 in Q1 2024, with earnings per share (EPS) increasing by 1% to $0.97 [1][11] Financial Performance - Total assets increased by $51.8 million, or 5%, reaching $1,151.6 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to the previous year [3][13] - Total loans rose by $84.5 million, a 12% increase year-over-year, totaling $802.2 million [3][13] - Total deposits grew by $44.5 million, or 5%, amounting to $1,002.1 million, with interest-bearing deposits increasing by 12% [4][13] Income and Expenses - Interest income for Q1 2025 was $13,437,000, up 10% from $12,242,000 in Q1 2024, while interest expense increased by 9% to $3,393,000 [5][14] - Net interest income for the quarter was $10,044,000, reflecting a 10% growth compared to $9,128,000 in the same period last year [6][14] - Non-interest income increased by 3% to $1,245,000, while non-interest expenses rose by 16% to $7,175,000 [7][14] Efficiency and Ratios - The efficiency ratio for Q1 2025 was 63.22%, up from 59.42% in the previous year, indicating increased costs relative to income [8][11] - The allowance for credit losses (ACL) to total loans ratio stood at 1.42%, with no provisions for credit losses reported for both Q1 2025 and Q1 2024 [6][11] - Capital ratios remained strong, with a tier 1 leverage ratio of 12.35% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 18.01% as of March 31, 2025 [9][11] Business Strategy - The company aims to redefine banking for small and medium-sized businesses by offering customized products and services, supported by a digital banking platform [10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $13.1 million, with a return on average assets of 1.3% and return on average equity of 13.28% [10] - Average loan yields increased by one basis point to 6.02%, while net interest margin improved to 3.45% from 3.36% in the previous quarter [10] - Total loans held for investment rose by $89.1 million or 2.52% from the prior quarter [4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The commercial real estate segment of the loan portfolio increased to 81.11% from 80.75% quarter over quarter [5] - Loan originations for the first quarter were $259.3 million, with payoffs and pay downs totaling $65.6 million and $104.6 million respectively [5] - Non-performing loans remained stable at 0.05% of loans held for investment [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits increased by $178.4 million or 5% compared to the previous quarter, driven by increases in non-interest bearing demand and various types of interest-bearing deposits [6][7] - Non-wholesale deposits increased by $48.4 million or 1.61% quarter over quarter [8] - The cost of total deposits decreased by 10 basis points to 2.48% during the first quarter [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth and disciplined business practices, aiming to benefit customers, employees, community, and shareholders [14] - Expansion into the San Francisco Bay Area is supported by adding seasoned professionals and increasing core deposit accounts [4] - The company aims to maintain a fortress balance sheet with a target of 10% cash and a loan-to-deposit ratio below 100% [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's resilience and ability to adapt to changing economic conditions, projecting loan growth of 10% to 12% for the remainder of the year [19][20] - Concerns regarding tariffs and economic slowdown were acknowledged, but management believes the bank is well-positioned due to the composition of its loan portfolio [30] - The company remains optimistic about the demand for its services, particularly in the mobile home park and RV park sectors [29] Other Important Information - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share, expected to be paid on May 12, 2025 [9] - Five Star Bancorp was ranked third on the S&P Global Market Intelligence List of best-performing community banks among banks with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion [61] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook for the year - Management is bullish on loan growth, projecting 10% to 12% for the remainder of the year due to a strong sales force and solid pipelines [19][20] Question: Reason for higher cost wholesale funding - Management indicated that core deposit growth is expected to match loan growth, and they do not anticipate additional wholesale funding [22] Question: Impact of tariffs on RV manufactured housing business - Management feels comfortable with their portfolio's performance in the face of tariffs, citing historical resilience during economic downturns [30] Question: Changes in allowance for loan losses - The increase in allowance was driven by portfolio growth and revised economic forecasts from the FOMC [35] Question: Loan pricing competition - Management acknowledged competitive pricing but remains satisfied with their current loan spreads [40] Question: Customer hesitancy to borrow - Management noted strong demand in certain asset classes and emphasized their robust sales team as a key factor in maintaining loan growth [46][47] Question: Loan demand differences across regions - Management reported no significant challenges in the Bay Area, highlighting strong opportunities and a growing client base [49][50] Question: Small business borrowers' response to economic uncertainty - Management indicated that small business borrowers face high costs of borrowing, but they maintain a high level of reserves against this book [52][54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $13.1 million, with a return on average assets of 1.3% and return on average equity of 13.28% [10] - The net interest margin improved to 3.45% from 3.36% in the previous quarter, driven by lower average cost of deposits [10] - Total loans held for investment increased by $89.1 million or 2.52% from the prior quarter [4][10] - Non-performing loans remained stable at 0.05% of loans held for investment [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The commercial real estate segment of the loan portfolio increased from 80.75% to 81.11% quarter over quarter [5] - Loan originations during the first quarter were $259.3 million, while payoffs and pay downs were $65.6 million and $104.6 million respectively [5] - Non-interest income decreased to $1.4 million from $1.7 million in the previous quarter, primarily due to a reduction in income from equity investments [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits increased by $178.4 million or 5% compared to the previous quarter, driven by increases in non-interest bearing demand and various types of interest-bearing deposits [6][7] - Non-wholesale deposits increased by $48.4 million or 1.61% quarter over quarter [8] - Local agency deposits accounted for 22.4% of total deposits as of March 31, 2025 [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth and disciplined business practices, aiming to benefit customers, employees, community, and shareholders [13] - Expansion into the San Francisco Bay Area is a key strategic initiative, supported by the addition of seasoned professionals [4][12] - The company aims to maintain a fortress balance sheet with a target of 10% in cash and a loan-to-deposit ratio below 100% [21] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's resilience and ability to adapt to changing economic conditions [13] - The company anticipates loan growth of 10% to 12% for the remainder of the year, supported by a strong sales force [18][19] - Concerns regarding tariffs and economic slowdown were acknowledged, but management believes the company is well-positioned relative to competitors [30] Other Important Information - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share, expected to be paid on May 12, 2025 [9] - Five Star Bancorp was ranked third on the S&P Global Market Intelligence List of best-performing community banks in the nation [61] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook for the year - Management is bullish on loan growth, expecting 10% to 12% for the remainder of the year, supported by a strong sales force [18][19] Question: Reason for higher cost wholesale funding - Management indicated that core deposit growth is expected to match loan growth, and they do not anticipate additional wholesale funding [21] Question: Impact of tariffs on RV manufactured housing business - Management feels comfortable about the portfolio's performance, citing historical resilience during economic downturns [30] Question: Changes in allowance for loan losses - The increase in allowance was driven by portfolio growth and revised economic forecasts from the FOMC [34][35] Question: Loan pricing competition - Management acknowledged competitive pricing but remains satisfied with current spreads [38][39] Question: Customer hesitancy to borrow - Management noted strong demand in certain asset classes and emphasized the effectiveness of their sales force [46][47] Question: Small business borrowers' response to economic uncertainty - Management indicated that small business borrowers face high costs of borrowing, but reserves against this book remain high [53][55]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $4.9 million for Q1 2025, which is a 67% increase year-over-year, translating to $0.30 per share [10] - The net interest margin improved by 36 basis points year-over-year, driven by a 7 basis point decrease in the cost of deposits [4][10] - The total risk-based capital ratio stood at 16.69%, with a tangible common equity (TCE) ratio of 9.82% [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loan originations for the quarter were $63 million, with commercial loan originations at $49 million, marking a fivefold increase from the same quarter last year [6] - Non-interest income increased by over $100,000 from the prior quarter, primarily due to higher earnings on Bank-Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) [13] - Non-interest expense rose by $2.9 million from the prior quarter, mainly due to seasonal increases in salaries and employee benefits [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits reached $3.3 billion, an increase of $82 million from the prior quarter, with non-interest bearing deposits comprising 43% of total deposits [13] - The average cost of deposits declined by 7 basis points in Q1, with continued reductions observed into April [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue generating solid financial performance in 2025, focusing on improving net interest margin and revenue [16] - There is an emphasis on adding banking talent to support profitable growth and investing in innovation and technology to enhance service quality [16] - The company is evaluating share repurchase options as part of its capital management strategy [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while there is economic uncertainty, they expect a higher level of loan growth driven by new hires rather than a significant increase in market-wide loan demand [16] - The company has not observed any meaningful increase in risk within its loan portfolio despite broader macroeconomic concerns [5] Other Important Information - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, marking the 80th consecutive dividend payment [15] - Charitable contributions in Q1 were $403,000, significantly higher than previous quarters, as the timing of contributions was pulled forward [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations around the buyback moving forward - Management is contemplating capital actions and is waiting for discussions with regulators regarding their capital plan [20][22] Question: Details on classified loans - The majority of classified loans were related to two borrowers, a contractor and a multifamily real estate entity, with unique performance issues [23][24] Question: Expense expectations for upcoming quarters - The expense base is expected to normalize, with a historical compound annual growth rate of about 4% [25][26] Question: Deposit growth sustainability - The deposit growth was attributed to new accounts and inflows from existing clients, though some seasonal outflows are expected [31] Question: Future loan production trends - Loan production remains strong, driven by new hires, with a healthy pipeline expected to sustain growth [36][39] Question: Concerns regarding the wine industry exposure - The company has minimal exposure to the wine industry, with loans secured and closely monitored [87][88] Question: Client movement from larger banks to smaller institutions - There is a trend of clients moving from larger banks to community-oriented institutions, benefiting the company [90][92] Question: Investment portfolio and cash management - The company is balancing its investment portfolio and cash levels, with no immediate need to stockpile cash [94][96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $4.9 million for Q1 2025, which is a 67% increase year-over-year, translating to $0.30 per share [11] - The net interest margin improved by 36 basis points year-over-year, driven by a decrease in the cost of deposits [5][11] - Total risk-based capital ratio stood at 16.69% and tangible common equity (TCE) ratio at 9.82% [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loan originations for the quarter were $63 million, with commercial loan originations at $49 million, marking a fivefold increase from the same quarter last year [8] - Non-interest income increased by over $100,000 from the prior quarter, primarily due to higher earnings on Bank-Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits reached $3.3 billion, an increase of $82 million from the previous quarter, with non-interest bearing deposits comprising 43% of total deposits [14][9] - The average cost of deposits declined by seven basis points in Q1 2025, reflecting effective management of deposit rates [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue generating solid financial performance in 2025, focusing on net interest margin and revenue growth [18] - Plans to add banking talent and invest in innovation and technology to enhance service quality and operational efficiency [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the stability of the loan portfolio despite macroeconomic concerns, noting no significant increase in risk within their portfolio [6][18] - The company anticipates a healthy loan pipeline and expects to see improving loan growth driven by new hires rather than a general increase in market demand [18] Other Important Information - The company declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, marking the 80th consecutive dividend payment [17] - Charitable contributions in Q1 2025 were $403,000, significantly higher than previous quarters due to a shift in timing for contributions [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations around the buyback moving forward - Management is contemplating capital actions post-regulatory exam and has authorization for buybacks, but no immediate plans were disclosed [22][24] Question: Details on classified loans - The majority of classified loans were related to two borrowers with unique operational issues, and management does not expect further deterioration [25][26] Question: Expense expectations for upcoming quarters - The expense base is expected to normalize, with a historical compound annual growth rate of about 4% [27][29] Question: Deposit growth sustainability - Management noted that while there were seasonal inflows, the growth is attributed to new client relationships and ongoing efforts in commercial lending [34] Question: Future loan production trends - The company is not seeing a delay in deals despite macro uncertainty, with a healthy loan pipeline driven by new hires [40][42] Question: Credit management approach amidst uncertainty - Management confirmed that their conservative credit management approach remains unchanged despite economic uncertainties [64] Question: Plans for deploying excess liquidity - The company has accelerated securities purchases and is monitoring loan growth and tax-related outflows before further actions [66] Question: Concerns regarding the wine industry exposure - The company has minimal exposure to the wine industry and is closely monitoring clients in that sector, with no major issues reported [86] Question: Trends in client movement from larger banks - Management noted a trend of clients moving from larger institutions to community-oriented banks, although it is difficult to predict cyclicality [90]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $24.7 million or $0.46 per diluted share, with an annualized return on average assets of 94 basis points and an annualized return on average tangible common equity of 11.48% [10] - Net interest income for the quarter was $99.3 million, a decrease from $103 million in the previous quarter, resulting in a net interest margin of 4.2% compared to 4.25% in the fourth quarter of 2024 [11][12] - Non-interest expense decreased to $70.2 million from $75.3 million in the previous quarter, reflecting a focus on managing expenses [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a provision for loan losses of $3.6 million, with minimal net charge-offs of $163,000, bringing the allowance for credit losses on loans to $83.7 million or 1.15% of loans [13] - Non-interest income increased to $5.5 million from $5 million in the previous quarter, benefiting from small gains on asset sales [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a competitive market for deposits, with a focus on new account origination, onboarding more accounts in both number and dollar amount compared to the previous quarter [30][31] - The company maintained a strong proportion of non-interest bearing deposits, representing over 37% of the deposit base, and achieved a 14 basis point improvement in the cost of funds [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build a strong foundation for growth while managing capital to benefit shareholders, including share repurchases totaling 1.4 million shares at an average price of $27.99 [15][17] - The management expressed a cautious but optimistic outlook for growth, expecting it to be pushed to the latter half of the year due to current economic uncertainties [9][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged economic uncertainty introduced by the administration but noted no immediate signs of impact on their communities [7] - The company remains focused on customer acquisition and is optimistic about the growth potential in the second half of the year, despite challenges [9][28] Other Important Information - The total risk-based capital ratio was 15.94% at the end of the first quarter, slightly down from 16% at the end of 2024, but the regulatory capital ratios at the bank increased year-over-year [14] - The Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program allowing up to $65 million in shares to be repurchased through May 2026 [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the current sentiment from clients regarding loan growth? - Management indicated a cautious optimism about potential loan growth, noting that the pipeline is building positively and that payoffs have been significant, around $275 million to $300 million per quarter [22][27] Question: Can you elaborate on the competitive deposit market? - Management confirmed that the market is intensely competitive, but they have successfully onboarded new accounts, with a significant portion being new customers [30][31] Question: What are the current trends in credit quality? - Management noted some migration in non-accruals, particularly in owner-occupied commercial real estate, but emphasized a cautious approach to credit evaluation [34][37] Question: What are the company's plans regarding capital management? - Management stated they are considering various options for capital utilization, including potential debt redemption and continued share buybacks, while remaining open to M&A opportunities [44][46] Question: How do you see the interest margin evolving? - Management expressed a goal to achieve a core net interest margin of over 4%, while acknowledging that improvements may be incremental due to current economic conditions [56][58]