Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported EPS of $0.91 and net income of $35 million for Q3 2025, with ROE and ROA at 1.42%, up 10 basis points from Q2 [6] - PPNR increased to 1.89%, up 16 basis points, aided by NIM expansion to 3.93%, which rose by five basis points [6][8] - Tangible book value grew by more than 3% this quarter, indicating strong capital levels and flexibility for acquisitions and share buybacks [5][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loan balances grew by $47 million or 2.3% annually, primarily driven by commercial real estate (CRE) activities, which saw an increase of $133 million [9] - Consumer loan activity grew by $37 million or approximately 6% annualized, while commercial and industrial (C&I) balances declined by $46 million due to higher payoffs and seasonal reductions [10][11] - Non-interest-bearing deposits represented 28% of total deposits, contributing to net interest income and margin improvements [5][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a slight increase in non-performing assets (NPAs) to 62 basis points of total loans, which remains within an acceptable range [11] - The allowance for credit losses decreased by one basis point, indicating a stable credit risk environment [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for organic growth to exceed $10 billion in the coming quarters, focusing on enhancing its deposit franchise and managing asset sensitivity [5][6] - Strategic initiatives have been implemented to position the company for long-term success, including a focus on improving productivity and leveraging technology [4][42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the current strong performance and future growth, despite some uncertainty in the market due to budget impasses [18][50] - The company anticipates mid-single-digit loan growth in Q4, supported by strong CRE activity and a focus on improving C&I growth [10][18] Other Important Information - The company has a share repurchase authorization in place for $50 million, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [15] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong deposit mix and proactive pricing strategies in response to competitive pressures [28][53] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth outlook and impact of paydowns - Management noted that paydowns were higher than expected, impacting overall loan growth, but CRE activity remains strong with expectations for better growth in Q4 [17] Question: Margin stability amid Fed cuts - Management believes they are well-positioned to handle potential rate cuts due to their funding mix and ability to adjust deposit rates [19] Question: M&A activity and geographic preferences - Conversations regarding M&A remain active, with interest in expanding into faster-growing areas beyond current markets [22][66] Question: Competition and deposit betas - Increased competitive pressure was noted following recent rate cuts, particularly on CDs, but management expects to stabilize margins through effective pricing strategies [27][28] Question: Credit quality and specific exposures - Management reassured that credit quality remains stable, with no significant concerns in specific asset classes or geographies [49][65]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GAAP net income for the third quarter was $10.1 million, or $1.27 per share, up from $9.1 million, or $1.15 per share in the previous quarter [3] - Pre-provision net revenue return on assets increased to 1.7%, up 27 basis points from the prior quarter [3] - Net interest margin expanded to 3.34%, up 24 basis points over the prior quarter, driven by a 13 basis point rise in loan yields [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The SBA division's gains on sale rose to $1.4 million for the quarter, with total SBA originations reaching $22 million [5] - Non-interest income increased to $2.5 million, driven by SBA sales gains, representing a 24% increase compared to the linked quarter [10] - Loan originations totaled $220 million for the quarter, bringing year-to-date fundings to just over $500 million [4][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets fell to 56 basis points compared to 78 basis points last quarter [5][6] - The efficiency ratio improved to 51.4%, down from 56.1% in the previous quarter [6][10] - Total assets reached $3.2 billion, showing slight growth compared to the linked quarter [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to diversify income streams and improve the deposit base while attracting talented banking professionals [16] - The strategic focus includes increasing the proportion of variable rate loans from just over 20% to 35% to mitigate the impact of future interest rate changes [9] - The company is optimistic about the SBA division's potential for further scaling beyond the current production goal of $50 million [34][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed a positive outlook on credit trends, with expectations for continued improvement in non-performing asset ratios [4][16] - The company anticipates that the recent rate cuts will have a short-term impact on net interest margin but expects improvements as term deposits mature [9] - The management is cautious about the potential short-term impacts of the government shutdown on the SBA division but remains optimistic about future growth [34] Other Important Information - The company revised its loan growth guidance to flat for the year due to elevated payoffs [15] - Non-interest income guidance for the full year is affirmed at $7 to $8 million, with net interest income guidance set at $97 to $98 million [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan pricing and elevated payoffs - Management noted that year-to-date originations have a weighted average rate of 7.86% and that elevated payoffs are expected to continue into 2026 [20][21] Question: Update on core deposit initiative - Management reported positive developments with newly hired teams contributing to deposit growth, although full production is expected by 2026 [26] Question: Deposit beta with Fed rate cuts - Management indicated that approximately $1 billion of non-maturity interest-bearing deposits are indexed to Fed funds, with effective beta achieved at 50% on $1 billion of deposits [28]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $65.6 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.20, representing an 18% increase from the same quarter last year [9] - Pre-provision net revenue was $88.3 million, with a return on average assets of 1.47% and a return on common equity of 14.9% [9] - The book value grew by an annualized 14% from the previous quarter, ending at $32.37 per share [10] - Net interest income for the quarter was $133.4 million, with a normalized net interest margin of 3.19% [10][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth was below expectations, with loan paybacks increasing by $500 million over the prior two quarters [3] - The loan pipeline increased by over 10% in October compared to September and is 40% higher than a year ago [3][4] - Non-performing assets rose to $930 million, an increase of approximately $96 million during the quarter [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a reduction in high-cost municipal deposits, offset by large corporate deposit inflows [4] - All markets are now profitable, a first since the company's inception [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to manage down total deposit costs as the Federal Reserve reduces the Fed Funds rate [4] - Focus on organic loan and deposit growth while maintaining competitive pricing [14] - The company is exploring opportunities in Texas, emphasizing the importance of local relationships [43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that lending activity softened in Q3 but has been robust moving into Q4 [6] - The company expects continued margin expansion due to anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts [11][26] - Management expressed confidence in resolving non-performing loans and maintaining credit quality [8][18] Other Important Information - The company recognized a loss of $7.8 million on the sale of bonds and invested in a solar tax credit, benefiting from a reduced tax provision [9][15] - The company has a total NDFI exposure of $71 million, which is less than 1% of the loan portfolio, indicating a cautious approach to risk [16][17] Q&A Session Summary Question: What pushed the borrower to non-performing status? - Management indicated that substantial additional collateral was taken, and a large payment expected did not materialize, leading to the non-accrual status [21] Question: What is the loan-to-value on the loans? - The loan-to-value is believed to be below one-to-one, with adequate security to cover the loans [23] Question: What is the expected margin improvement with upcoming Federal Reserve cuts? - Management expects a 7 to 10 basis points improvement in margin each quarter, with current normalized rates at 3.28% [25][41] Question: Are there new markets of interest for the company? - The company is particularly interested in Texas, emphasizing the need for local relationships to succeed in that market [43] Question: What is the effective tax rate going forward? - The effective tax rate is expected to remain around 18.9% for the year, with efforts to keep it below 20% [39]

Financial Performance - Net income reached $189 million, a 95% increase compared to $173 million in 1Q24[7] - Core net income increased by 110% to $203 million from $182 million in 1Q24[7] - Diluted EPS increased to $055, up from $051 per share in 1Q24[7] - GAAP book value per share increased by 32% to $1619 from $1570 as of December 31, 2024[14] Loan Production and Portfolio - Loan production reached a record of $6404 million in UPB, a 137% increase from 4Q24 and a 691% increase from 1Q24[7] - The total loan portfolio was $54 billion in UPB, a 273% increase from $43 billion in UPB as of March 31, 2024[7] - The UPB of fair value option (FVO) loans was $31 billion, or 577% of total loans[21] Asset Quality and Resolution - Nonperforming loans (NPL) as a % of HFI loans were 108%, relatively consistent with 107% as of December 31, 2024, and 101% as of March 31, 2024[7] - 1Q25 NPA resolutions realized gains of $19 million, or 1024%, of UPB resolved[7] - NPA resolutions totaled $764 million in UPB, realizing 1024% of UPB resolved, compared to $545 million in UPB and realization of 1023% of UPB resolved for 1Q24[32] Financing and Capital - The company completed one securitization during 1Q25, totaling $3428 million of securities issued with a weighted average rate of 67%[7] - Collapsed VCC 2023-1R which released $526 million of marketable retained securities after paying off the associated debt[7] - Issued 16 million common shares, realizing net proceeds of $288 million through Velocity's ATM offering program at an accretive to book value WAP of $1835[7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP fully diluted earnings per share of $0.87, which represents a 135% increase compared to the fourth quarter and an 81% increase year-over-year [5] - Pre-provision net revenue for the first quarter was $9,400,000, or $1.22 per share, reflecting an 11% increase from the previous quarter [9] - The net interest margin for the quarter was 281 basis points, a 21 basis point increase from the linked quarter [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - SBA originations grew during the first quarter, with gain on sale margins exceeding 10% [6] - Non-interest income increased by 56% compared to the linked quarter, driven largely by $424,000 of SBA gain on sale income [11] - The efficiency ratio for the quarter was 59.9%, an increase over the prior quarter, but expected to improve as net interest margin expands [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced elevated payoff activity of $200,000,000, which offset strong origination activity of $130,000,000 funded during the first quarter [6] - Core deposits grew by $43,000,000, including $28,000,000 in non-interest bearing deposits [7] - Brokered deposits declined by $81,000,000 relative to the fourth quarter, with a total reduction of $207,000,000 over the last twelve months [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its SBA business and expects continued growth in SBA gain on sale activity throughout 2025 [6][11] - The addition of new deposit teams in the New York Metro Area is aimed at enhancing customer acquisition and deposit growth [14] - The company plans to selectively add professionals to achieve strategic goals, particularly in technology and banking [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains optimistic about low single-digit loan growth for the full year despite a slower start [6][22] - The company anticipates continued margin expansion as maturing term deposits reprice to lower current rates [9][10] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate changes in the SBA landscape while maintaining growth [37] Other Important Information - The company disposed of two nonperforming credits, which significantly reduced nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets to 83 basis points [5] - The balance sheet remains well-capitalized and liquid, with total assets of $3,200,000,000 [13] - The company repurchased 29,924 shares at a weighted average price of $30.46 during the quarter [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on new teams and their focus - The new teams are primarily focused on deposits, with both teams having books of business over $100,000,000 [19][20] Question: Loan pipeline and growth outlook - The company still expects low single-digit growth, with a robust pipeline despite some unexpected payoffs in the first quarter [22][23] Question: Core loan yield and margin expectations - The core loan yield for the quarter was approximately $6.40, with expectations for continued margin expansion [27][29] Question: SBA gain on sale and future expectations - Originations were better than expected, with the strongest quarter anticipated in Q4 [35] Question: Professional fees and expense outlook - Some professional fees are one-time investments that may shift into employee expenses, but elevated levels are not expected to continue [41] Question: Updates on remaining nonperforming assets - No material updates on the remaining loans, but management is optimistic about their status [45] Question: Share repurchase strategy - The company aims to balance share repurchases with the need to grow consolidated CET1 capital [52]