Starwood Property Trust (NYSE:STWD) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 25, 2026 10:00 AM ET Speaker5Greetings, welcome to the Starwood Property Trust fourth quarter 2025 earnings call. At this time, all participants are on a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Zach Tanenbaum, Director of Investor Relations. Thank you. You ma ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Earnings per share increased by 30% year-over-year, with a return on tangible equity of 20% [3] - Net interest income rose to $600 million, up $22 million from the previous quarter, driven by a tax equivalent margin of 4.06% [6][8] - Charge-offs were reported at 27 basis points for the quarter, with year-to-date charge-offs at 12 basis points [4][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan production reached nearly $3.4 billion, with a 67% increase in loan production in Texas and Colorado since the first quarter [3] - Commercial and industrial lending saw a 9% linked quarter annualized growth, while residential growth was about 6% [19][20] - Non-interest income increased to $99 million from $87 million, with capital markets contributing significantly [36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company identified approximately $90 billion in overlapping deposits in the Southeast, Texas, and Colorado, indicating potential growth opportunities [5] - The loan pipeline in Texas grew from $800 million to $1.2 billion, with Florida and Atlanta also showing significant pipeline growth [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth and recruiting efforts in response to market disruptions, rather than pursuing M&A opportunities [63] - Strategic planning is underway, considering deregulation and market opportunities, with a focus on enhancing the sales force [4][5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates mid-single-digit loan growth for the remainder of 2025, with potential acceleration into 2026 [19] - The company is optimistic about capitalizing on market disruptions and is focused on recruiting talented bankers [5][22] Other Important Information - The company redeemed $405 million in subordinated debt late in the quarter, which is expected to positively impact net interest margin [6][7] - The tangible book value per share increased to $54.48, reflecting strong capital levels despite the merger's dilutive impact [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin dynamics and future rate cuts - Management discussed the impact of higher accretion and the expectations for future rate cuts, indicating a potential deposit beta of around 27% [11][12][43] Question: Loan growth environment - Management guided for mid-single-digit growth, with a focus on commercial and industrial lending as the primary growth driver [19][20] Question: Credit quality and charge-offs - A significant charge-off was attributed to a specific credit, with management expressing confidence in the overall portfolio quality [27][28] Question: Capital management and buyback strategy - The company is maintaining a CET1 ratio of 11.5% and is considering share repurchases as part of its capital management strategy [29] Question: Non-interest income outlook - Management provided insights into the strong performance of correspondent banking services and projected a more stable run rate for non-interest income [36][37] Question: Future expense guidance - The company expects expenses to remain in the $345 million-$350 million range for the fourth quarter, with a focus on cost control [71]