GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP), the holding company of Independent Bank, a Michigan-based community bank, announced that it expects to issue its 2025 third quarter results on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at approximately 8:00 am ET. The release will be available on the Internet at IndependentBank.com within the “News” section of the “Investor Relations” area of the Company’s website. Brad Kessel, President and CEO, Gavin Mohr, CFO and Joel R ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's fourth quarter revenue was $244 million, up 12% year-over-year, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of growth [8] - Adjusted EBITDA loss for the fourth quarter was $3 million, an improvement from a loss of $13 million in the prior year, with a full year adjusted EBITDA loss of $27 million, improving by $53 million over 2023 [9][30] - Net loss for the fourth quarter was $36 million, compared to a net loss of $23 million in the prior year, which was below the guidance range [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Real estate services generated $149 million in revenue, up 12% year-over-year, with brokerage revenue increasing by 13% [32] - The rentals segment posted revenue of $52 million, a 5% increase, marking its ninth consecutive quarter of growth [35] - The mortgage segment generated $30 million in revenue, up 15% year-over-year, with gross margin improving from 4.6% to 10.9% [37][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Real estate services market share was 0.72%, flat year-over-year, despite a significant increase in the sales force [12] - The company expects growth in U.S. home sales to strengthen across the summer, particularly if inventory increases and sellers become less aggressive on pricing [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to aggressively expand its sales force and improve monetization across all business segments, including a partnership with Zillow to enhance rental listings [13][19] - The company aims to increase real estate gross margins to approximately 30% in 2025, despite a decline in margins in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to unexpected costs [15][16] - The focus is on gaining market share and improving profitability through strategic advertising and partnerships, while managing costs effectively [49][50] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the housing market, noting that while a significant recovery in home sales is unlikely in 2025, the worst of the downturn may be behind [25][27] - The company anticipates a significant adjusted EBITDA profit in 2025, driven by increased advertising and a larger, more effective sales force [14][50] Other Important Information - The company expects total revenue for the first quarter of 2025 to be between $214 million and $225 million, with real estate services revenue projected between $126 million and $131 million [40] - The partnership with Zillow is expected to enhance the rentals segment's financials significantly once fully implemented by July 2025 [43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding ad spending and marketing strategy - Management indicated that advertising is being ramped up early to capture homebuyer interest, with expectations of significant profitability in 2025 [48][50] Question: On lead agent count and hiring - The lead agent count has increased by 25% from the previous quarter, with a focus on hiring experienced agents who are outperforming tenured agents [60][61] Question: About the economics of Redfin Next - Management noted that agents earn higher splits on self-sourced business, and adjustments have been made to offset higher-than-expected costs [110][111] Question: On the Zillow partnership and traffic for rentals - Management expects immediate traffic benefits from the Zillow partnership, which will enhance rental inventory and overall marketplace growth [96][97] Question: On market share trends in Next markets - Management expressed optimism about market share gains in both older and newer Next markets, with a focus on recruiting high-performing agents [78][80]