Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP earnings per share of $1.04, an increase of $0.21 or 25.3% year over year and an increase of $0.07 or 7.2% from the linked second quarter [8] - Operating earnings per share were $1.09, compared to $0.88 one year prior and $1.04 in the linked second quarter [8] - Total operating revenues reached a record high of $206.8 million, increasing $7.6 million or 3.8% from the linked second quarter and $17.7 million or 9.4% from one year prior [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The pre-tax tangible returns for the quarter were 63% for insurance services, 62% for employee benefit services, 48% for wealth management services, and 25% for banking and corporate [5] - Net interest income was $128.2 million, representing a $3.4 million or 2.7% increase over the linked second quarter and a $15.4 million or 13.7% improvement over the third quarter of 2024 [9] - Operating non-interest revenues increased $2.3 million or 3% compared to the prior year's third quarter, reflecting revenue growth in all four business lines [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ending loans increased $231.1 million or 2.2% during the third quarter and increased $498.6 million or 4.9% from one year prior [12] - Total deposits increased $580.7 million or 4.3% from one year prior and increased $355.1 million or 2.6% from the end of the linked second quarter [12] - The company's liquidity position remains strong with readily available sources of liquidity totaling $6.6 billion, or 240% of the estimated uninsured deposits [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on diversified, higher growth, subscription-like revenue streams in insurance, benefits, and wealth management, while also pursuing strong funding and liquidity in attractive high-priority markets [5] - The company anticipates closing on the acquisition of seven Santander branches, which will accelerate its retail strategy in the banking services business [16] - A minority investment in Leap Holdings Inc. was announced, complementing the insurance services business [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about continued growth, particularly in insurance and wealth businesses, and highlighted strong capital deployment opportunities [5][6] - The company expects to maintain a strong earnings growth foundation due to its diversified revenue profile, strong liquidity, and stable core deposit bank [16] - Management noted that the effective tax rate increased to 24.7% from 23% in the prior year's third quarter, driven by increases in certain state income taxes [12] Other Important Information - The company recorded a $5.6 million provision for credit losses during the third quarter, down from $7.7 million in the prior year's third quarter [10] - Non-performing loans totaled $56.1 million or 52 basis points of total loans outstanding at the end of the third quarter, a decrease from $62.8 million or 61 basis points one year prior [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: On the minority investment into Leap - Management indicated that the investment is seen as a first step and is expected to be roughly neutral in financial impact for 2026 [19][20] Question: On deposit costs and legacy footprint - Management noted no dramatic difference in deposit costs between legacy and De Novo markets, with expectations for overall deposit costs to trend down [21] Question: On spread compression on incremental CRE loans - Management discussed current CRE loan yields and indicated a trend towards lower rates due to market evolution and competition [22][24] Question: On loan growth and pipeline - Management remains optimistic about loan growth, with the commercial pipeline at its highest level ever and expectations for a strong fourth quarter [28][30] Question: On NIM and investment portfolio - Management explained that the investment portfolio yield decreased due to timing of dividends and provided cash flow projections for future years [38][40]