Veritex (US:VBTX)2025-01-29 14:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net operating profit of $2.98 billion or $0.54 per share for Q4 2024, with pre-tax pre-provisioned earnings at $41 million or 1.28% [4] - For the full year 2024, operating earnings were $11.94 billion or $2.17 per share, flat compared to 2023 [5] - The net interest margin (NIM) decreased during the quarter but is expected to increase moving forward [5][23] - The allowance for credit losses (ACL) coverage rose to 125 basis points when excluding the mortgage warehouse [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Funded loans saw a small decrease year-over-year, with expectations for positive loan growth in 2025 projected between low to mid-single digits [6] - Criticized loans declined by nearly 20% year-over-year, with total criticized loans at $36.56 million [12][13] - Operating non-interest income increased by $130,000 to $1.45 million, driven by strong performance in government-guaranteed loans [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a 20% reduction in reliance on wholesale funding over the last year [14] - The loan-to-deposit ratio improved from 104% to 89% over the past two years [19] - The company has seen strong deposit growth, allowing for a reduction in brokered CDs and public funds [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined loan growth and remixing its deposit portfolio to improve profitability [28] - Management aims to achieve a return on average assets (ROA) exceeding 1% by 2025, driven by loan growth and deposit repricing [5][33] - The company is engaging with a consulting firm to improve operational efficiency and leverage in various business areas [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the credit risk profile improving and expects net charge-offs to remain around 20 basis points for 2025 [66] - The company anticipates that 2025 will produce positive operating leverage, driven by improved NIM and stronger fee revenues [29] - Management noted that the pipelines for loan production are strong, particularly in Texas, and expects to maintain robust activity in real estate [38][39] Other Important Information - The Chief Financial Officer, Terry Earley, will retire in June 2025 but will continue to assist in a consulting role [80] - The new CFO will be Will Hofford, who has been with the company for thirteen years [81] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for achieving a 1% ROA in 2025? - Management believes that loan growth and deposit repricing will be the main drivers to achieve the 1% ROA target in 2025 [33] Question: What is the outlook for loan growth given the current payoffs? - Management indicated that while payoffs are expected to continue, the production side of the business is strong, and they are confident in achieving necessary loan growth [39][41] Question: Can you provide details on the dynamics of non-interest bearing deposits? - Management noted that seasonal fluctuations and intentional exits from expensive deposit relationships contributed to the decline, but they expect non-interest bearing deposits to stabilize between 21% and 23% [60] Question: What is the outlook for government guaranteed loans in 2025? - Management is optimistic about the government guaranteed loan business, citing strong pipelines and production [62][75] Question: What is the expected net charge-off ratio for 2025? - Management expects the net charge-off ratio to remain around 20 basis points for 2025, with confidence in continued credit improvement [66]