Evans Bank(EVBN) - 2022 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported third-quarter revenue of $25 million, with quarterly earnings of $5.9 million, an increase from the second quarter [6][20] - Year-over-year earnings were impacted by a single charge-off credit, resulting in a higher provision during the quarter [7] - Net income was $5.9 million or $1.06 per diluted share, compared to $7 million or $1.27 per diluted share in the same quarter last year [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income increased by $1.1 million or 6% from the second quarter, driven by rising loan rates [21] - Non-interest income was $5.8 million, up approximately 12% year-over-year and 25% sequentially, primarily due to higher insurance commissions [26] - Total loans grew by $13 million, with commercial loans increasing by $7.5 million net of PPP [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total deposits decreased by $95 million or 5% from the sequential second quarter, attributed to seasonal municipal client balances [34] - Year-over-year, total deposits were down less than 1% [34] - The commercial and industrial lending sector showed resilience, contributing to a strong pipeline despite headwinds in commercial real estate [9][33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on operational effectiveness, investing approximately $1 million in technology to enhance efficiency and client engagement [17][42] - A public-private partnership initiative aims to construct and market single-family homes in underserved areas, reflecting the company's commitment to community development [12][13] - The company is also adapting to changes in the regulatory environment regarding overdraft fees, anticipating a $500,000 annual impact on service charge income [18][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the local economy and the company's diversified portfolio, positioning it well for various economic conditions [20] - The company expects further expansion in net interest margin (NIM) with anticipated Fed rate hikes [36] - Management noted that the increase in non-performing loans was due to a unique situation and does not reflect the overall credit quality of the portfolio [24][52] Other Important Information - The efficiency ratio improved to 63.3%, a 270 basis point improvement year-over-year [29] - The company has upgraded or paid off more than half of its criticized hotel portfolio, leaving $38 million in criticized status [10][11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the liquidity and cash flows from the securities portfolio? - Management indicated that liquidity decreased due to seasonal factors but expected inflows from municipal deposits in the upcoming quarter [38] Question: What is the outlook for expenses and loan demand? - Management expects salaries to decrease in the fourth quarter due to bonus accrual differences and noted a shift towards commercial and industrial lending [46][48] Question: Are there opportunities for acquisitions in the current market? - Management stated that the market is consolidated with limited acquisition opportunities, preferring organic growth in existing markets [56][60]