Core Viewpoint - Garden Stage Limited has entered into a definitive agreement for a registered direct offering of 38,406,345 ordinary shares at a price of $0.11 per share, expected to raise approximately $4.2 million in gross proceeds [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering includes the option for pre-funded warrants at the same price, with an exercise price of $0.001 per share [1]. - The transaction is anticipated to close on or about July 25, 2025, pending customary closing conditions [2]. - The offering is conducted under a shelf registration statement previously filed and declared effective by the SEC [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Garden Stage Limited is a Hong Kong-based financial services provider engaged in placing and underwriting services, securities dealing and brokerage, asset management, and investment advisory services [5]. - The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries, including I Win Securities Limited and I Win Asset Management Limited, both licensed for various regulated activities under Hong Kong's SFO [5].

Core Points - First Community Corporation reported a net income of $5.186 million for Q2 2025, a 29.7% increase from Q1 2025 and a 58.8% increase year-over-year [2][8] - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for Q2 2025 were $0.67, up 31.4% from Q1 2025 and 59.5% from Q2 2024 [2][8] - The company announced a cash dividend of $0.16 per share, marking the 94th consecutive quarter of dividends [4][8] Financial Performance - Year-to-date net income through June 30, 2025, was $9.183 million, a 56.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024 [3][8] - Net interest income for Q2 2025 was $15.3 million, compared to $14.4 million in Q1 2025 and $12.7 million in Q2 2024 [12][27] - Non-interest income for Q2 2025 was $4.206 million, an increase of 5.6% from Q1 2025 and 15.5% from Q2 2024 [14][27] Asset Quality - The non-performing assets ratio was 0.02% as of June 30, 2025, with non-accrual loans totaling $210 thousand [6][8] - The allowance for credit losses (ACL) on loans decreased to 1.06% from 1.09% in Q1 2025 [7][8] Balance Sheet - Total loans increased by $8.1 million in Q2 2025, reflecting an annualized growth rate of 2.6% [8][9] - Total deposits reached $1.754 billion, with customer deposits growing by $28.3 million during Q2 2025, a 6.6% annualized growth rate [9][10] - The company's tangible book value per share increased to $18.28 as of June 30, 2025, from $17.56 at the end of Q1 2025 [5][8] Capital Management - The company’s regulatory capital ratios exceeded the well-capitalized minimum levels, with a Tier 1 capital ratio of 13.04% as of June 30, 2025 [4][8] - A share repurchase plan of up to $7.5 million was approved, representing approximately 5.0% of total shareholders' equity as of March 31, 2025 [4][8] Strategic Initiatives - The company announced an agreement to acquire Signature Bank of Georgia, expected to close in early Q1 2026 [19][8] - This acquisition aims to expand the company's presence in the Atlanta area and add an SBA lending line of business [19][8]

Core Insights - The company reported a net income of $842,000 for Q1 2025, a significant decrease from $2.19 million in Q1 2024, resulting in earnings per share of $0.19 compared to $0.48 a year earlier [2][14] - The decrease in earnings was primarily due to a one-time expense of approximately $1 million related to a consultant for negotiating a contract with the core service provider, which is expected to yield long-term cost savings [4][10] - The company maintained a strong cash position, allowing it to pay off approximately $10 million of capital notes without raising new capital, which will reduce annual interest expenses by about $327,000 [5] Financial Performance - Total interest income increased by 6.90% to $11.23 million in Q1 2025 from $10.51 million in Q1 2024, driven by higher yields on loans and growth in commercial real estate loans [12][14] - Net interest income after provision for credit losses rose to $7.58 million, compared to $7.50 million a year earlier, with a net interest margin improvement to 3.25% from 3.02% [11][15] - Noninterest income was stable at $3.28 million, with contributions from commercial treasury services and wealth management activities [16][14] Asset Quality and Growth - Total assets grew by 3% to $1.01 billion at March 31, 2025, from $979.24 million at December 31, 2024, with loans net of allowance for credit losses increasing to $642.39 million [18][24] - The ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans was 0.28%, indicating strong asset quality, with total nonperforming loans at $1.80 million [22][24] - The company added two experienced commercial relationship managers to enhance its commercial lending capabilities and expand market share [8][9] Shareholder Value - Stockholders' equity increased to $68.35 million at March 31, 2025, up from $64.87 million at December 31, 2024, with a book value per share rising to $15.04 from $14.28 [24][14] - The board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per common share, reflecting the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders [14]

Q1 Earnings Presentation April 24, 2025 Q1 2025 financial highlights Key Metrics Highlights $(217.7) million Net loss $67.5 million Operating net income* | $(1.08) | $0.34 | | --- | --- | | Diluted EPS | Diluted operating EPS* | | 3.38% | 1.48% | | NIM* | Total deposit cost | | 0.51% | 0.26% | | NPLs / total loans | NCOs / avg. loans | | $0.13 per share | | Dividend declared $16.94 $12.01 BV/Share TBV/Share* *Non-GAAP Financial Measure. Please refer to Appendices A-D for applicable reconciliation. 1CET1 rat ...