Core Insights - ChoiceOne Financial Services reported strong financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, with net income of $14.68 million, significantly up from $7.35 million in the same period last year, driven by the strategic merger with Fentura Financial [3][7] - The company’s total assets reached $4.3 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion compared to the previous year, primarily due to the merger [4][11] - Diluted earnings per share rose to $0.97 for the third quarter of 2025, compared to $0.85 in the same period last year [3][7] Financial Performance - Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $14.31 million, compared to $19.57 million in the prior year [3][7] - Excluding merger-related expenses, net income was $14.68 million for the third quarter and $37.66 million for the nine months [3][7] - The company’s net interest margin increased to 3.73% from 3.17% year-over-year, with net interest income rising to $37.6 million from $20.2 million [7][9] Asset and Loan Growth - Total assets increased to $4.3 billion, with core loans growing by $1.4 billion due to the merger [4][5] - Core loans, excluding held-for-sale loans, declined by $10.3 million or 1.4% on an annualized basis in Q3 2025 but grew organically by $65.3 million or 4.5% year-over-year [5][7] - Loan interest income increased by $23.9 million in Q3 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 [5][7] Deposit Trends - Deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased by $1.3 billion year-over-year, largely due to the merger [6][8] - Non-interest-bearing deposits decreased by $39.9 million, while interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $73.4 million in Q3 2025 [6][8] - The average balance of non-interest-bearing deposits rose to $930.3 million in Q3 2025, up from $915.6 million in Q2 2025 [6][8] Noninterest Income and Expenses - Noninterest income increased by $2.3 million and $5.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, driven by higher interchange income and trust income [12][13] - Noninterest expenses rose by $10.8 million and $44.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, primarily due to merger-related expenses [13][14] Capital and Asset Quality - Shareholders' equity increased to $449.6 million from $247.7 million year-over-year, driven by the merger [11][12] - The allowance for credit losses to total loans ratio was 1.19% as of September 30, 2025, indicating strong asset quality [10][11] - Nonperforming loans to total loans stood at 0.69%, with 0.39% attributed to loans purchased with credit deterioration through the merger [10][11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 2025, the company reported net earnings of $52.6 million or $0.38 per share, an increase from $50.6 million or $0.37 per share in Q2 2025 and $51.2 million or $0.37 per share in Q3 2024 [4][5] - The return on average tangible common equity was 14.11% and return on average assets was 1.35% for Q3 2025 [4] - Pre-tax pre-provision income increased to $70 million, up 2% from Q2 2025 and 3.5% from Q3 2024 [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income for Q3 2025 was $115.6 million, compared to $111.6 million in Q2 2025 and $113.6 million in Q3 2024 [13] - Noninterest income was $13 million in Q3 2025, down $1.7 million from Q2 2025, but increased by $260,000 when excluding a legal settlement and loss on sale of AFS [7] - Total loans increased by $112 million or 5% annualized from Q2 2025, with growth in nearly all loan categories [9][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits and customer repurchase agreements reached $12.6 billion, a $170 million increase from Q2 2025 and $108 million higher than Q3 2024 [8] - Noninterest-bearing deposits grew by $108 million compared to Q3 2024, while interest-bearing non-maturity deposits and customer repos increased by $100 million [9] - The cost of deposits and repos was 90 basis points for Q3 2025, compared to 87 basis points in Q2 2025 and 101 basis points in Q3 2024 [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on banking small to medium-sized businesses and their owners through all economic cycles, maintaining a consistent performance over 48 years [49] - A new de novo office is being opened in the Temecula-Murrieta area, with a team of four bankers hired from City National Bank [25] - The company continues to invest in technology infrastructure and automation, with a notable increase in software expenses [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The economic forecast indicates lower GDP growth and a slightly lower unemployment rate, with real GDP expected to remain below 1.5% until the end of 2027 [15] - Management expressed confidence in maintaining low single-digit loan growth for the year, despite competitive pressures [28] - The company plans to continue matching deposit rate decreases with Fed funds rate cuts [23] Other Important Information - The allowance for credit loss was $79 million at September 30, 2025, or 0.94% of gross loans, reflecting a slight increase from the previous quarter [15] - The unrealized loss on AFS securities decreased by $31.6 million from June 30, 2025, to September 30, 2025 [16] - Shareholders' equity increased to $2.28 billion, with a tangible common equity ratio of 10.1% [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Interest-bearing deposit costs and beta cycle - Management noted that the recent rate cut impacted the beta cycle, and they plan to reduce rates in line with Fed actions [23][24] Question: M&A updates - There is ongoing dialogue regarding M&A, but no imminent actions; a new office is being opened to enhance market presence [25] Question: Loan growth expectations - Management expects to maintain low single-digit growth, with strong pipelines and opportunities despite seasonal factors [28][29] Question: Pricing competition in loans - The company is willing to compete on pricing for quality relationships, but is cautious about maintaining credit quality [30] Question: Dairy and livestock line utilization - New relationships contributed to increased utilization, and management expects normal seasonal increases in the fourth quarter [33] Question: Interest rate swaps outlook - Management acknowledged potential negative impacts on net interest income from interest rate swaps but plans to maintain the current strategy [34] Question: Deposit gathering competition - Deposit gathering remains strong, with a focus on operating companies rather than high-rate products [38] Question: Cash balances and deployment - The company is preparing for seasonal increases in dairy and evaluating bond market opportunities for cash deployment [44] Question: Expense management heading into 2026 - Management plans to continue closely managing expenses, with a focus on technology investments [46]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The reported net income available to common shareholders for Q3 2025 was $89.2 million, with earnings per common share at $0.63. Adjusted operating earnings were $119.7 million or $0.84 per common share, resulting in an adjusted operating return on tangible common equity of 20.1% and an adjusted operating return on assets of 1.3% [18][19] - The total allowance for credit losses decreased to $320 million, down from $342.4 million in the previous quarter, with the total allowance as a percentage of total loans held for investment decreasing to 117 basis points from 125 basis points [19] - The tax equivalent net interest income was $323.6 million, a decrease of $2.1 million from the previous quarter, while the net interest margin remained steady at 3.83% [20][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly loan growth was approximately 0.5% annualized, with average loan growth quarter over quarter at 4.3% annualized. Non-interest bearing deposits grew by approximately 4% annualized in Q3 [9][10] - Non-interest income decreased by $29.7 million to $51.8 million, primarily due to a loss related to the final CRE loan sale settlement [21] - Reported non-interest expense decreased by $41.3 million to $238.4 million, driven by a decline in merger-related costs associated with the Sandy Spring acquisition [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Greater Washington DC region showed resilience despite concerns over government employment reductions and the government shutdown, with unemployment rates in Maryland and Virginia at 3.6%, below the national average of 4.3% [14][16] - The company maintains a diversified portfolio, with approximately 23% of total loans in the Washington Metro Area, and the remaining 77% across broader markets [14][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on delivering sustainable growth and top-tier financial performance, leveraging strategic advantages from the Sandy Spring acquisition while pursuing organic growth opportunities in Virginia and North Carolina [8][17] - The integration of Sandy Spring is progressing smoothly, with expectations to achieve cost savings targets and enhanced earnings power by 2026 [7][8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's asset quality, with non-performing assets at 0.49% of loans held for investment and a forecast for the full year 2025 net charge-off ratio to remain between 15 and 20 basis points [12][13] - The company anticipates mid-single-digit loan growth for 2026, with potential for high single-digit growth in a more normalized environment [31][32] Other Important Information - The company paid a common stock dividend of $0.34 per share, an increase of 6.3% from the previous year's third quarter dividend [24] - The financial outlook for year-end loan balances is projected to be between $27.7 billion and $28 billion, with deposit balances expected between $30.8 billion and $31 billion [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for loan growth in 2026? - Management expects mid-single-digit loan growth for 2026, with potential for high single-digit growth in a normalized environment [31][32] Question: What is the outlook for expenses and efficiency ratios? - The efficiency ratio is expected to be in the mid-40s for 2026, with a focus on maintaining a flat expense base while expanding in North Carolina [36][37] Question: How is the company addressing competition in the market? - The company is experiencing increased competition, particularly from traditional banks returning to the market, but remains committed to consistent capital provision [90][92] Question: What are the revenue synergies expected from the Sandy Spring acquisition? - The acquisition allows for expanded lending capabilities and additional services such as interest rate hedging, with a focus on new client acquisition [94][96]