Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income of $71.7 million or $0.69 per diluted share for the second quarter, compared to $50.2 million or $0.49 per diluted share in the first quarter [10] - Net interest income increased to $207.2 million, up by $2.2 million from the prior period, primarily due to a reduction in interest expense [10][11] - The net interest margin was 3.32% on a fully tax equivalent basis, with an increase of 12 basis points from the prior quarter [11] - Non-interest income decreased to $41.1 million, down by $0.9 million from the prior quarter [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a decline in loans held for investment by $1 billion, influenced by strategic moves including the Arizona and Kansas transaction [16] - Non-interest expense declined by $5.5 million to $155.1 million, attributed to lower seasonal payroll taxes and reductions in incentive-based compensation [12] - Net charge-offs totaled $5.8 million, representing 14 basis points of average loans on an annualized basis [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits declined by $102.2 million in the second quarter, remaining approximately flat compared to the prior year [17] - The company ended the quarter with a 72% loan to deposit ratio, indicating strong liquidity [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is refocusing capital investment, optimizing the balance sheet, and improving core profitability [6][24] - Strategic actions include outsourcing the consumer credit card product and ceasing new originations in indirect lending [6][7] - The company aims for organic growth through relationship banking and anticipates a high single-digit increase in net interest income in 2026 [8][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about stabilizing loan balances and returning to growth in the medium term despite near-term declines [16][19] - The company is focused on proactive credit risk management, with stability in nonperforming asset levels and a disciplined approach to repricing maturing assets [7][8] Other Important Information - The common equity tier one capital ratio improved to 13.43%, with expectations for continued accretion [17][19] - The company declared a dividend of $0.47 per share, yielding 7% [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timing on loan portfolio stabilization - Management anticipates modestly lower loans in the third quarter but is hopeful for stability in the fourth quarter [28][29] Question: Earning asset levels at year-end - The third quarter is expected to be the bottom for earning asset levels, with a shift towards investment securities [32][33] Question: Capital priorities and CET1 expectations - CET1 is expected to increase by approximately 40 basis points from the branch transaction, with strong capital levels providing flexibility for various options [34][35] Question: Special mention migration in classified loans - The increase in criticized loans was driven by new information on multifamily projects, but management remains confident in the underlying collateral [41][42] Question: Expense guidance and reinvestment of savings - Management anticipates higher reported expenses in the third and fourth quarters due to various timing factors, with no branch divestitures included in the guidance [43][44] Question: High single-digit growth in net interest income for 2026 - This growth expectation does not include the impact of the branch divestiture, which is not expected to materially alter the figure [47][48] Question: Loan portfolio and relationship-based loans - Most deliberate runoff has already occurred, with a focus on replacing loans with production and growth [69] Question: Capital deployment options - The company is considering various capital deployment options, including share buybacks and balance sheet restructuring, to enhance shareholder value [76][77]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total net sales for 2024 were just over $3 billion, with conversion revenue at $1.46 billion, a decrease of $10 million or 1% compared to 2023 [8][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $217 million, up approximately $7 million from 2023, with adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of conversion revenue improving by approximately 60 basis points to 14.9% [11][12] - Reported net income for 2024 was $47 million, or $2.87 per diluted share, consistent with 2023 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerospace and high strength conversion revenue totaled $530 million, down $4 million or approximately 1%, reflecting a 4% decline in shipments [9] - Packaging conversion revenue was $490 million, down $13 million or approximately 3%, with a 3% decline in shipments [9] - General engineering conversion revenue for 2024 was $313 million, up 3% year over year due to a 6% increase in shipments [9] - Automotive conversion revenue was $120 million, up 3% over 2023 despite a 3% decline in shipments [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market backdrop in 2024 was complex and rapidly changing, with challenges in each end market, particularly in packaging [6][7] - The company expects market conditions to stabilize and become more favorable as it moves through 2025 [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on niche areas in served markets with significant barriers to entry, building strong competitive positions through product differentiation [16] - Investments are being made to upgrade facilities and expand capacity, particularly in the packaging and aerospace sectors [17][21][23] - The company anticipates a transformational year in 2025, driven by strategic investments and strong market positions [32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of customer contracts and the potential for increased demand in the second half of 2025 [41][42] - The company expects to see meaningful EBITDA and EBITDA margin uplift in the second half of 2025, with around 60% of full-year EBITDA expected to come in during that period [31][59] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $51 million to shareholders through dividend payments in 2024, marking the eighteenth consecutive year of dividends [15] - The company is assessing alternative inventory accounting methods and expects to provide an update prior to the release of first-quarter 2025 results [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the assumptions regarding scrap spreads and their impact on EBITDA? - The company modeled EBITDA improvement based on last year's performance, expecting 150 to 200 basis points of improvement from scrap spreads [35][36] Question: What is the outlook for the aerospace market and inventory levels? - Management expects build rates to increase with large OEM airframers, leading to a potential uptick in demand in the second half of the year [42] Question: What is the impact of pricing in the packaging segment? - The fourth quarter pricing decline was attributed to a mix impact, with strong demand anticipated for higher value-added products in the second half of the year [44][46] Question: What is the expected CapEx for 2025? - The company expects CapEx to be around $125 million for 2025, including finalizing investments in the RollCoat line and Trentwood expansion [61] Question: What is the status of NOLs and cash tax payments? - The company has utilized its NOLs and expects cash tax payments in 2025 to be in the range of $5 million to $7 million [62]