Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 2025, the company reported net income of $8.9 million or $0.45 per diluted share, an increase from $6.9 million or $0.35 per share in Q3 2024, representing a 29% year-over-year growth [2][8] - Return on average assets increased to 1.27% from 1.11% a year ago, while return on average equity improved to 15.74% from 13.38% [3][8] - The efficiency ratio strengthened to 52.28%, reflecting disciplined expense management [3][21] - Net interest margin expanded to 3.14% compared to 3.03% in the same quarter last year [3][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income before provision for credit losses was $21.3 million, up $3.2 million or 17.5% from the prior year [3][13] - Loans held for investment grew to $2.1 billion, an increase of more than $199 million or 10.3% from $1.9 billion on September 30, 2024 [4][19] - Non-performing loans declined to 0.06% of total loans, down from 0.14% last year, indicating strong credit quality [4][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets reached $2.8 billion as of September 30, 2025, representing a 10.5% year-over-year growth [3] - Total deposits ended the quarter at $2.5 billion, marking a robust 15.5% year-over-year increase [3][4] - Average deposits increased to $166 million or nearly 29% compared to the prior quarter and are up $380 million or 18% year over year [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on relationship-based growth and has diversified its deposit-focused business verticals, which now account for 27% of total deposits [4][6] - The management emphasized the importance of Florida's strong economy as a key driver of success, with real GDP growth tracking around 2.4% in 2025 [23][24] - The company is optimistic about growth in the association banking vertical, with plans to potentially double the book of business in the next 18 months [38][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in sustaining momentum into 2026, citing solid fundamentals and a vibrant market [57] - The company anticipates improvements in net interest margin as excess cash is put to work in loan volume and securities portfolio [14][47] - Management noted that the current economic environment aligns well with the company's strategy, particularly in serving middle-market businesses and real estate development [24] Other Important Information - The company completed a $40 million subordinated debt issuance, with most proceeds used to repurchase approximately 2 million shares at a weighted average price of $17.19 per share [5][22] - The allowance for credit losses totaled $25 million at year-end, representing 1.17% of total loans, indicating a strong credit position [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you quantify the yacht payoffs in the quarter? - The yacht payoffs were a little over $10 million and occurred in August, impacting loan yields and margin [28] Question: Is the loan production in September a sign of sustained momentum? - Management believes it is a sign of sustained momentum, with a strong pipeline for Q4 [29] Question: How is competition impacting loan pricing? - The market is very competitive, and pricing is based on relationships rather than transactions [30] Question: What is the outlook for the margin in Q4? - A margin of 3.27% is expected for Q4, with potential for further expansion [36] Question: What are the expectations for non-interest income? - Non-interest income is expected to remain stable, with activity in wire fees and swap fees anticipated to continue [37] Question: What growth opportunities exist in the association banking business? - There is significant potential for growth in the association banking vertical, with plans to scale operations [38][39]

Company Overview - Sierra Bancorp's market capitalization is $409 million as of March 5, 2025 [8] - The company repurchased 378,230 shares at an average price of $30 per share YTD in 2025 [8] - The bank has reached $3.6 billion in assets, with 35 offices [12] Financial Performance - The company's Return on Average Assets (ROAA) is 1.12% YTD [19, 28] - Net interest margin improved from 3.31% in Q4 2023 to 3.65% in Q4 2024 [28] - YTD diluted EPS increased from $2.36 in 2023 to $2.82 in 2024 [28] Balance Sheet Repositioning - A sale/leaseback in December 2023 generated a $19.1 million gain [28] - The company sold $250.5 million of low-yielding bonds at a $17.3 million loss [28] Loan Portfolio - Gross loans reached $2.331 billion as of December 31, 2024 [30, 40] - Loan growth YTD was $241.05 million, representing an 11.5% increase [40] - Mortgage warehouse lines totaled $326.4 million, representing 14% of the loan portfolio [40] Deposit Base - Noninterest-bearing deposits represent 33.57% of total deposits, amounting to $1.007 billion as of December 31, 2024 [19, 55]