FLORENCE, S.C., July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (OTC:FSRL), the holding company for First Reliance Bank (collectively, "First Reliance" or the "Company"), today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025.Second Quarter 2025 Highlights Net income increased 88.1% for the second quarter of 2025 to $3.7 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $1.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025 ...

Core Insights - Ally Financial reported strong Q2 2025 earnings, with adjusted EPS of $0.99 exceeding estimates of $0.81 and revenue of $2,064 million surpassing the consensus of $2,038 million, reflecting a 36% increase in adjusted EPS year-over-year [1][2] - The sale of its credit card business in April 2025 allowed the company to enhance its capital ratios and focus on core strengths, resulting in a net income attributable to common shareholders of $324 million, up from $191 million in Q2 2024, marking a 69.6% increase [1][2][5] Financial Performance Metrics - Adjusted EPS (Non-GAAP) reached $0.99, a 35.6% increase from $0.73 in Q2 2024 [2] - GAAP EPS was reported at $1.04, up 67.7% from $0.62 in the previous year [2] - Revenue (GAAP) was $2.1 billion, a 4.0% increase from $2.02 billion in Q2 2024 [2] - Adjusted tangible book value per share increased by 13.0% to $37.30 from $33.01 a year ago [2] Business Strategy and Focus - Ally Financial has shifted its strategy to concentrate on core areas such as Dealer Financial Services, Corporate Finance, and Deposits, following the divestiture of non-core businesses [4] - The company aims to maintain prudent credit standards, leverage technology for customer acquisition, manage costs effectively, and preserve capital buffers to remain competitive [4] Segment Performance Highlights - In the Auto Finance segment, GAAP pre-tax income fell by $112 million year-over-year to $472 million, attributed to lower lease gains, while consumer auto loan originations increased to $11.0 billion from a record 3.9 million applications [6] - The Insurance segment reported a GAAP pre-tax profit of $28 million, an improvement of $68 million from the previous year, with written premiums rising to $349 million, a 2% increase [7] - Corporate Finance pre-tax income was $96 million, down $13 million from last year, with a focus on secured lending to mid-sized businesses [8] Digital Banking Growth - Retail deposits totaled $143.2 billion, up $1.1 billion year-over-year, with 92% of retail deposits insured by the federal government [9] - The company added 30,000 net new customers, bringing the total to 3.4 million, marking 65 consecutive quarters of retail deposit customer growth [10] - The net interest margin (non-GAAP) rose by 10 basis points to 3.45%, aided by successful deposit repricing and a favorable funding mix [11] Cost Management and Provisions - Provision for credit losses decreased by $73 million to $384 million, driven by the sale of the credit card business and lower retail auto net charge-offs [12] - Controllable expenses have declined for the seventh consecutive year-over-year quarter, indicating effective cost management [12] Future Outlook - The company expects to offset headwinds from the sale of the credit card business through strategic deposit repricing and funding improvements [15] - No changes to the forward dividend policy were announced, maintaining a quarterly payout of $0.30 per share [16]

Core Viewpoint - Lesaka Technologies, Inc. has announced the acquisition of Bank Zero Mutual Bank, aiming to enhance its fintech platform and banking capabilities, with a transaction value of up to ZAR 1,091 million ($61.4 million) [1][5][6] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Lesaka will acquire 100% of Bank Zero's issued ordinary shares, with Bank Zero shareholders expected to own approximately 12% of Lesaka's fully diluted shares post-transaction [1][5] - The acquisition consideration includes newly issued shares and up to ZAR 91 million ($5.1 million) in cash, based on an assumed share price of ZAR 88.26 ($4.97) [1][5] - The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including those from the South African Reserve Bank and Competition Commission [2] Group 2: Bank Zero Overview - Bank Zero is a South African digital bank founded in 2018, offering a zero-fee banking model and a secure app-driven platform [3][16] - As of April 2025, Bank Zero had a deposit base exceeding ZAR 400 million and over 40,000 funded accounts [3] Group 3: Strategic Rationale - The acquisition is a strategic move for Lesaka to build a vertically integrated fintech platform, combining Bank Zero's digital banking infrastructure with Lesaka's fintech capabilities [4][8] - Expected benefits include optimized balance sheets, reduced reliance on bank debt, and potential gross debt reduction of over ZAR 1.0 billion post-completion [4][6] Group 4: Leadership and Governance - Following the acquisition, key Bank Zero leaders, including Michael Jordaan and Yatin Narsai, will join Lesaka's board and continue in their current roles [9][10] - The transaction reflects a long-term strategic partnership aimed at enhancing customer service and operational efficiency [13]

Core Insights - Fulton Bank emphasizes its commitment to translating values into tangible benefits for stakeholders, including customers, employees, communities, and shareholders [2][5] Community Engagement - In 2024, Fulton Bank received an "Outstanding" rating in its Community Reinvestment Act performance evaluation, reflecting its efforts to meet the credit needs of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods [3] - The bank made $303 million in community development investments in 2024 [5] - Fulton Bank provided $220 million in mortgage loans to low- to moderate-income buyers from 2023 to 2024 [5] - The bank originated $135 million in Small Business Administration loans from 2023 to 2024 [5] - Fulton Bank contributed $11.7 million in charitable donations during 2023-2024, including $6.5 million to the Fulton Forward Foundation [5] - Employees volunteered over 11,000 hours in 2024 [5] Corporate Responsibility - Fulton Bank focuses on expanding digital capabilities while maintaining personalized service [5] - The bank engages in community volunteering to promote financial literacy and job skills [5] - Fulton Bank is committed to environmental sustainability by minimizing resource consumption and supporting customers' sustainability efforts [5] - The bank fosters a strong corporate culture with professional development opportunities and an inclusive workplace [5] - Responsible governance is a priority, with a focus on risk management, ethical conduct, and fair banking practices [5] Company Overview - Fulton Bank is a premier community bank in the Mid-Atlantic region, part of Fulton Financial Corporation, which has over $30 billion in assets [4] - The bank operates more than 200 financial centers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia [4] - Fulton Bank aims to change lives for the better by building strong customer relationships and providing significant community support [4]

Core Insights - Nubank, headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, is the largest fintech bank in Latin America with approximately 118.6 million customers, primarily in Brazil [1] Company Overview - Nubank is best known for its digital banking services, which have contributed to its significant customer base in the region [1] Market Position - The company has established itself as a leading player in the fintech sector within Latin America, indicating strong growth potential in the digital banking space [1]

Group 1 - Nu Holdings is a Brazilian digital bank operating in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, serving over 114 million customers [1] - On April 24, the company announced to investors that it had obtained regulatory approval [1]

Group 1: Earnings Performance - Alkami Technology reported quarterly earnings of $0.13 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.09 per share, and up from $0.04 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 44.44% [1] - The company posted revenues of $97.84 million for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.83%, compared to year-ago revenues of $76.13 million [2] - Alkami has surpassed consensus EPS estimates for four consecutive quarters [2] Group 2: Stock Performance and Outlook - Alkami shares have declined approximately 28% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 5.5% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.09 on revenues of $108.12 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.41 on revenues of $442.89 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Alkami is currently unfavorable, resulting in a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Group 3: Industry Context - The Internet - Software industry, to which Alkami belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 44% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges for stock performance [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can impact investor sentiment [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, adjusted earnings per share were 58 cents, with core pre-tax income of $247 million and adjusted net revenue of $2.1 billion, reflecting solid execution across core businesses [14][15] - Net interest margin for the quarter was 3.35%, up two basis points compared to the previous quarter [14][36] - The company reported a GAAP loss per share of 82 cents for the quarter, primarily due to a pre-tax loss related to securities repositioning [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the auto finance business, consumer originations reached $10.2 billion, driven by 3.8 million applications, the highest quarterly application volume ever [19] - Insurance written premiums were $385 million, representing a 9% year-over-year increase, with the average number of insurance products sold per dealer increasing to 2.2% [21][22] - Corporate finance delivered pre-tax income of $76 million with a 25% return on equity, maintaining zero net charge-offs [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The digital bank served 3.3 million customers with balances reaching $146 billion, up nearly $3 billion quarter-over-quarter [26] - The company expects tax payments to result in lower deposits in Q2, aiming for approximately flat balances for the full year [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on simplifying its organization and prioritizing resources in areas with demonstrated competitive advantage, including dealer financial services, corporate finance, and deposits [12] - A multi-year partnership with the WNBA was announced, reinforcing the company's commitment to brand strength and community engagement [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strong position despite macroeconomic uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of focus and strategic execution [13][73] - The company anticipates some near-term volatility due to changes in trade policy but remains optimistic about long-term economic benefits [73] Other Important Information - The transfer of the credit card business to held for sale was completed, which is expected to strengthen the balance sheet [16][17] - The company has taken steps to manage interest rate risk and improve net interest income through strategic repositioning of its securities portfolio [42][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: How do tariffs impact the business? - Management acknowledged the evolving uncertainty regarding tariffs but emphasized the company's strong balance sheet and strategic positioning to navigate the environment [82][84] Question: Can you discuss the NIM outlook? - Management reiterated guidance of 3.4% to 3.5% for 2025, considering various rate scenarios and emphasizing resilience in the business model [92][93] Question: What is the outlook for credit performance? - Management indicated that while there are positive trends in delinquency and flow-to-loss rates, caution is warranted due to macroeconomic uncertainties [116] Question: What is the used car price outlook? - Management noted that used car prices are expected to remain elevated, potentially benefiting the business, but emphasized the uncertainty surrounding future price movements [126][127]