Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a quarterly revenue increase of 21% year-over-year, with net interest income growing by 30% year-over-year [4][20] - Adjusted total revenue for the fourth quarter was $42.1 million, reflecting a 21% increase over the same period in 2024 [20] - Net income for the fourth quarter was $5.3 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, with adjusted net income at $5.6 million, or $0.64 per diluted share [20][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The banking-as-a-service (BaaS) initiatives generated over $1.3 billion in new deposits for 2025, more than tripling the amount from the prior year [6] - The SBA business maintained its position as a top 10 SBA 7(a) lender with nearly $580 million in funded originations during 2025 [7] - The company processed over $165 billion in payments volume, an increase of over 225% from 2024 [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans as of December 31, 2025, were $3.7 billion, an increase of $143 million or 4% compared to the linked quarter [25] - Total deposits as of December 31, 2025, were $4.8 billion, representing a decrease of $76 million, or 2%, compared to September 30, 2025 [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a digital-first banking model, emphasizing operational efficiency and disciplined expense management [4][10] - A strategic sale of approximately $850 million in single-tenant lease financing loans was completed to strengthen capital position and enhance rate risk profile [6] - The company plans to prioritize credit quality over volume in its SBA production, anticipating a more measured approach in 2026 [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to deliver strong financial performance while building long-term shareholder value through disciplined execution of strategic priorities [10][30] - The company expects continued loan growth in the range of 15%-17% for 2026, driven by strong pipelines across commercial lending verticals [27] - A higher provision for credit losses is anticipated for 2026 to address problem loans, with expectations for gradual credit improvement in the second half of the year [9][29] Other Important Information - The company recognized a provision for credit losses of $12 million in the fourth quarter, with non-performing loans increasing to $58.5 million [23][24] - The company executed a share buyback program, purchasing 27,998 shares at an average price of $18.64 per share [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the expected impact of SBA loans on the balance sheet? - Management indicated that they expect to retain a greater percentage of guaranteed originations on the balance sheet, priced at prime plus 1.5 [41] Question: What are the expectations for deposit repricing? - Management expects continued decreases in deposit costs throughout the year, particularly benefiting from maturing CDs [40] Question: What is the outlook for net charge-offs and provisions? - Management expects that about half of the provision for credit losses will be related to charge-offs, with expectations for elevated levels in the first half of the year [60][61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a quarterly revenue increase of 21% year-over-year, with net interest income growing by 30% year-over-year [4][20] - Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter was $5.6 million, translating to adjusted earnings per share of $0.64, reflecting strong operational execution [20] - Net interest margin improved to 2.22%, up 55 basis points year-over-year, driven by higher loan yields and declining deposit costs [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The banking-as-a-service (BaaS) initiatives generated over $1.3 billion in new deposits for 2025, more than tripling from the previous year [6] - The SBA business maintained its position as a top 10 SBA 7(a) lender with nearly $580 million in funded originations during 2025 [7] - Payments volume processed exceeded $165 billion, an increase of over 225% from 2024 [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans as of December 31, 2025, were $3.7 billion, a 4% increase from the linked quarter but a 10% decrease from the previous year [24] - Total deposits were $4.8 billion, reflecting a 2% decrease compared to both the linked quarter and the previous year [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a digital-first banking model, emphasizing operational efficiency and disciplined expense management [4][10] - Strategic initiatives include enhancing underwriting standards and improving servicing capabilities in the SBA business to drive long-term growth [7][13] - The company aims to achieve a 1% return on average assets and is actively managing its balance sheet to optimize asset mix [6][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to deliver strong financial performance while building long-term shareholder value through disciplined execution of strategic priorities [10][29] - The company anticipates continued net interest margin expansion and robust fintech partnership growth, with credit stabilization expected in the second half of 2026 [10][28] Other Important Information - The company executed a share buyback program, purchasing 27,998 shares at an average price of $18.64 per share [8] - A higher provision for credit losses is expected in 2026 to address problem loans, with an estimated provision of $50 million to $53 million for the full year [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the expected impact of SBA loans on the balance sheet and their yield? - Management indicated that they expect to retain a greater percentage of guaranteed originations on the balance sheet, priced at prime plus 1.5, which will positively impact loan yields [31][41] Question: What are the repricing opportunities on the funding side? - Management expects continued decreases in deposit costs, particularly in the first quarter, due to recent Federal Reserve rate cuts [37][39] Question: What is the outlook for criticized loans, particularly in the SBA and franchise finance buckets? - Criticized loans increased by approximately $16 million, predominantly in the SBA portfolio, with ongoing monitoring and proactive engagement with borrowers [42][44] Question: How does the company model interest reversals in relation to net interest income? - Management confirmed that interest reversals are factored into net interest income forecasts, with an estimated impact of $300,000 to $400,000 in the fourth quarter [54][56] Question: What is the expected tax rate for the EPS guidance? - The tax rate is expected to be around 7% to 8.5% in the first half of the year, ramping up to 10% to 12% in the second half as earnings improve [65][66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a quarterly revenue increase of 21% year-over-year, with net interest income growing by 30% year-over-year [5][21] - Adjusted total revenue for Q4 2025 was $42.1 million, reflecting a 21% increase over Q4 2024 [21] - Net interest margin improved to 2.22%, up 55 basis points year-over-year [22] - Net income for Q4 2025 was $5.3 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, with adjusted net income of $5.6 million, or $0.64 per diluted share [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The banking-as-a-service (BaaS) initiatives generated over $1.3 billion in new deposits for 2025, more than tripling from the previous year [6] - The SBA business maintained a strong position with nearly $580 million in funded originations during 2025, despite industry challenges [7] - The company processed over $165 billion in payments volume, an increase of over 225% from 2024 [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans as of December 31, 2025, were $3.7 billion, a 4% increase from the linked quarter but a 10% decrease from the previous year [26] - Total deposits as of December 31, 2025, were $4.8 billion, representing a 2% decrease compared to both September 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024 [26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a digital-first banking model, emphasizing operational efficiency and disciplined expense management [5] - Strategic sale of approximately $850 million in single-tenant lease financing loans to Blackstone improved capital position and reduced exposure to lower-yielding assets [6] - The company aims to enhance credit quality by prioritizing higher credit quality borrowers in its SBA production, projecting a more measured production of approximately $500 million for 2026 [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver strong financial performance while building long-term shareholder value [11] - The company anticipates continued loan growth of 15%-17% in 2026, driven by strong pipelines across commercial lending verticals [27] - Management expects credit conditions to stabilize as problem loans are resolved and enhanced underwriting standards take effect [10] Other Important Information - The company recognized a provision for credit losses of $12 million in Q4 2025, primarily due to net charge-offs [25] - Non-performing loans increased to $58.5 million, with a ratio of 1.56% of total loans, primarily related to SBA guaranteed balances [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the expected yield on SBA loans retained on the balance sheet? - Management indicated that they expect to hold an additional $94 million of guaranteed SBA loans on the balance sheet, priced at prime plus 1.5 [42] Question: What are the expectations for deposit repricing in the first half of the year? - Management expects continued decreases in deposit costs, particularly in the first quarter, due to maturing CDs and lower market rates [39][40] Question: What is the outlook for net charge-offs relative to the provision guidance? - Management indicated that approximately half of the provision guidance would be for charge-offs, with expectations for elevated levels in the first half of the year [60][61]