Financial Performance - MetroCity Bankshares reported net income of $16.8 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for Q2 2025, an increase from $16.3 million in Q1 2025 and a slight decrease from $16.9 million in Q2 2024 [1][3] - For the first half of 2025, net income was $33.1 million, up from $31.6 million in the same period of 2024, representing a 4.9% increase [4] Revenue and Expenses - Net interest income for Q2 2025 was $32.2 million, an increase of $1.6 million from Q1 2025, driven by a rise in interest income [3][5] - Noninterest income for Q2 2025 was $5.7 million, a 5.1% increase from Q1 2025, attributed to higher gains on mortgage loans [9] - Noninterest expense totaled $14.1 million in Q2 2025, an increase of 2.3% from Q1 2025, primarily due to higher loan-related expenses and merger-related costs [13][14] Asset Quality - The provision for credit losses was $129,000 in Q2 2025, slightly down from $135,000 in Q1 2025, indicating stable asset quality [24] - Nonperforming assets decreased to $15.2 million, or 0.42% of total assets, down from $18.5 million in Q1 2025 [25][26] Balance Sheet - Total assets were $3.62 billion as of June 30, 2025, a decrease of $44 million from March 31, 2025, primarily due to declines in loans held for sale and investment [18] - Loans held for investment were $3.12 billion, a slight decrease from $3.13 billion in Q1 2025, but an increase from $3.09 billion in Q2 2024 [20] - Total deposits were $2.69 billion, down 1.7% from Q1 2025, reflecting a decrease in interest-bearing demand deposits [21][22] Merger Activity - MetroCity completed the acquisition of First IC Corporation and First IC Bank, with all regulatory approvals received, and the merger is expected to finalize in early Q4 2025 [2]

Investment Rating - The report indicates a dovish outlook for G10 policy rates through 2026, suggesting a significant decline in rates, particularly in the US, where 10-year Treasury yields are expected to reach 4.00% by the end of 2025 and just above 3.00% by the end of 2026 [6][27]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes that the US dollar is expected to weaken significantly, with the DXY forecasted to fall an additional 9% over the next 12 months to 91, driven by a convergence in US rates and growth to peers, alongside increased FX hedging flows [6][69]. - The report outlines a bearish outlook for global growth, particularly in the US, where real GDP growth is projected to decline from 2.5% in 2024 to 1.0% in both 2025 and 2026, influenced by tariffs and immigration restrictions [15][23]. - Inflation is expected to moderate globally, with core PCE in the US forecasted to reach 4.5% before declining, while the euro area is projected to undershoot the ECB's inflation target due to sluggish growth [23][34]. Interest Rate Strategy - In the US, Treasury yields are expected to range trade through 3Q25 before declining, with a forecast of 10-year yields at 4.00% by the end of 2025 and a larger decline in 2026 as the Fed is anticipated to cut rates by 175 basis points [3][27]. - The euro area is projected to see the 10-year Bund yield fall to 2.40% by 4Q25 and 2.20% by 4Q26, influenced by more ECB easing than currently priced in [3][35]. - In the UK, 10-year gilt yields are expected to end 2025 at 4.35% and 2026 at 3.80%, with the Bank Rate projected to decline further due to a slowdown in economic activity [41][43]. Currency & Foreign Exchange - The report forecasts continued weakness in the USD, with significant declines against safe-haven currencies such as EUR, JPY, and CHF, as the DXY is expected to fall to 91 by mid-2026 [8][69]. - Specific currency pairs are projected to move as follows: EUR/USD to rise to 1.25, GBP/USD to 1.45, and AUD/USD to 0.69 by mid-2026, reflecting various economic factors [8][69]. Inflation-Linked Bonds - In the US, breakevens are expected to remain elevated until 3Q25 due to tariff-induced inflation, with a tightening forecast around 2Q26 as inflationary pressures begin to cool [9]. Sovereign Supply Outlook - The report anticipates a decrease in net coupon bond supply across the G7, amounting to US$2.72 trillion in 2025, down 5% year-over-year, influenced by fiscal policy uncertainties [53][62].