Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net loss of $7.7 million for the second quarter, compared to a net income of $6.9 million in the first quarter [5][6] - Adjusted pre-provision net revenue was $3.6 million, representing a 12 basis point return on assets [6][21] - The net interest margin (NIM) for the second quarter was 1.68%, a slight increase from the previous quarter [17][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reduced its commercial real estate (CRE) held for sale loans by a total of $858 million during the second quarter [6][10] - New loan balances funded in the quarter amounted to $256 million, with an average yield of 7.18%, primarily in commercial and industrial (C&I) loans [8][10] - Non-performing loans remained stable at 35 basis points, and net charge-offs were low at $135,000 [8][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Assets under management at the end of the quarter were $5.3 billion, slightly up from the previous quarter [10] - Trust assets under advisement were stable at $1.2 billion [10] - Digital banking deposits surpassed $1 billion for the first time, representing 12% of total deposits as of June 30 [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reducing its CRE concentration and growing C&I loans, which is expected to result in a higher allowance for credit losses (ACL) over time [10][24] - The strategic initiatives include improving core funding and accelerating growth in private banking and wealth management [10][11] - The company aims to be fully exited from the held for sale CRE portfolio by the end of 2025 [7][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about future performance despite the current net loss, citing strong core financial performance [6][27] - The company remains well-capitalized with a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 11.1% and a leverage ratio of 8.3% [12][25] - Management anticipates continued margin expansion and expects the NIM to exit 2025 between 1.8% and 2.2% [26] Other Important Information - The company experienced a modest gain from the June securitization of $481 million of CRE loans, which was more favorable than the earlier loan sale [15][17] - Customer service costs decreased to $12.9 million from $15.1 million in the prior quarter, primarily due to a reduction in MSR deposits [23][24] - The company is undergoing management changes, with searches for key executive positions ongoing [13][46] Q&A Session Summary Question: Optimization of the balance sheet and future sales - Management indicated a focus on reducing CRE concentration and stabilizing the balance sheet, with no immediate plans for further asset sales [31][33] Question: Private banking initiative and talent acquisition - Management expressed optimism about the private banking initiative, highlighting ongoing recruitment efforts and early successes in client acquisition [36][38] Question: Balance sheet contraction and future asset levels - Management expects the balance sheet to reach a trough by the end of the year, with potential for growth into 2026 [40][42] Question: Management turnover and filling key roles - Management acknowledged turnover as part of the transition and emphasized the need for new leadership to align with the company's strategic direction [45][46] Question: Plans for reducing high-cost deposits - Management plans to continue reducing high-cost deposits, with expectations for further reductions in the coming months [49][52] Question: Loan yields and cash position - Total loan yields exited the quarter just under 4.70%, and management is comfortable with the current cash position, anticipating stability moving forward [58][62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a GAAP net income of $51.1 million for Q2 2025, with diluted EPS of $1.20, resulting in a 1.04% return on assets and a 6.68% return on average common equity [21] - Adjusted operating net income for the quarter was $53.5 million or $1.25 diluted EPS, representing a 1.09% return on assets [21] - Tangible book value per share increased by $0.99 during the quarter, reflecting solid earnings retention [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - C&I loans increased by 3.4% in the second quarter, while CRE and construction loan balances decreased by 1.7% [8][10] - Total loans increased modestly, with C&I balances driving growth, while transactional CRE balances experienced attrition [24] - Wealth Management business grew AUA by 4% to $7.4 billion, driven mostly by market appreciation [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-performing loans decreased significantly from $89.5 million to $56.2 million, representing 39 basis points of total loans [24] - The cost of deposits was reported at 1.54%, highlighting the value of the deposit franchise [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reduce its CRE concentration below 300%, with a current concentration of 274% expected to rise to 310-315% post-acquisition of Enterprise Bank [10] - The strategic focus includes growing C&I loans to reduce dependence on CRE and drive deposit and fee income growth [10][20] - The company is preparing for a core conversion scheduled for May 2026, which is expected to enhance technology infrastructure and support future growth [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while economic uncertainty has improved, the impact of tariffs and federal government actions remains unclear, causing customers to pause significant expansion initiatives [7] - The management expressed confidence in the ability to unlock earnings power through prudent expense and capital management, alongside the benefits from the Enterprise acquisition [20] Other Important Information - The company announced a $150 million stock buyback plan to be opportunistic in buying back stock [5] - The acquisition of Enterprise Bank is expected to enhance shareholder value and provide cross-sell opportunities [15][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Where were new loan originations during the quarter? - Management indicated good loan originations across most segments, with a competitive landscape remaining challenging [37][38] Question: Why has small business lending been successful? - The success is attributed to experienced bankers and a centralized underwriting unit that enables quick loan request turnaround [40] Question: What is the outlook for the net interest margin? - Management expects the margin to gradually rise, particularly if the Fed cuts rates, with a focus on asset repricing [49] Question: Is the worst behind for credit? - Management is cautious, acknowledging progress but not ready to declare that the worst is over [50][51] Question: Can you provide details on a large loan modification? - A large syndicated loan was restructured into a Note A and Note B structure, with no cash payments until mid-2026 [55][56] Question: What is the expected pro forma CET1 ratio? - The pro forma CET1 ratio is expected to be in the mid-12% range, around 12.5% [92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fourth quarter GAAP losses per common share were $1.90, while distributable earnings showed a loss of $0.03. Excluding realized losses on asset sales, distributable earnings were $0.23 per common share, representing a 7.1% return on average stockholders' equity [32] - Book value per share decreased to $10.61 from $12.59 in the previous quarter, primarily due to an increase in combined CECL and valuation allowance [40] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core portfolio contracted by $1.3 billion, with new production limited to $485 million, resulting in an 840 basis points contribution to distributable ROE before realized losses [15] - Small business lending operations experienced significant origination growth of 1.7%, with fourth quarter originations of $350 million, capping a record year of $1.2 billion [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The CRE loan portfolio totaled $7.2 billion, split into 83% core and 17% non-core assets. The core portfolio has a contractual yield of 8% with a 93% pay rate [13] - 60-day plus delinquencies in the core portfolio were only 2%, with an average risk rating of 2.2% [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has undertaken aggressive actions to reset the balance sheet, including a $284 million combined CECL and valuation allowances, marking 100% of non-performing loans to current values [9] - The strategy involves bifurcating the CRE portfolio into core and non-core assets to enhance transparency and track asset management strategies [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects recovery in net interest margin and ROE over the succeeding year, with a focus on aggressive liquidation of the non-core portfolio [10][29] - The company anticipates originating between $1 billion and $1.5 billion of new production in lower middle market CRE loans in 2025 [15] Other Important Information - The company has a strong liquidity position with $185 million of unrestricted cash and has raised $350 million of corporate financing across two transactions [41] - The company plans to execute a $150 million share repurchase program to enhance shareholder returns [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will cash earnings cover the new dividend level? - Management expects to cover the dividend approximately 1.5 times over the course of the year, with earnings ramping up as the year progresses [46] Question: What is the rationale behind the UDF acquisition? - The acquisition is viewed as highly accretive on an EPS basis, with a strong historical performance of the loans involved [78] Question: How does the company plan to address 2026 maturities? - The company plans to access markets for refinancing and has already started addressing some maturities with recent senior secured notes [72] Question: What are the credit trends in the SBA business? - The company has seen strong credit trends in its SBA portfolio, with 60-plus delinquencies remaining at a moderate level of 2.8% [89]