Hanmi Financial (US:HAFC)2025-07-22 22:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income for Q2 2025 was $15.1 million or $0.50 per diluted share, down from $17.7 million and $0.58 in Q1 2025, primarily due to an increase in credit loss expense [5][6] - Return on average assets was 0.79% and return on average equity was 7.8% [6] - Pre-provision net revenues grew 3.7% or $1 million, indicating strength in core business [6] - Net interest margin increased by five basis points to 3.07%, driven by lower funding costs [6][22] - Total loans increased by $6.31 billion, or 0.4% on a linked quarter basis, with a 1.6% annualized growth [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan production for Q2 was $330 million, down 4.7% from the prior quarter, with a weighted average interest rate of 7.1% [14] - Commercial real estate (CRE) production was $112 million, down 24% from the prior quarter [15] - SBA loan production decreased to $47 million but exceeded the high end of the quarterly target range [15] - C&I production increased by 26% to $53 million, attributed to new talent and growth efforts [17] - Residential mortgage loan production was $84 million, up 52% from the previous quarter [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-interest bearing demand deposits increased by over 7% from 2024, representing 31.3% of total deposits [9] - USKC loan and deposit portfolios remained steady, with USKC loans at $842 million, approximately 13% of the total loan portfolio [19] - Deposits increased by 1.7% in Q2, driven by new commercial accounts and contributions from new branches [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to drive loan growth in the low to mid single-digit range, focusing on expanding SBA activities and C&I portfolios while reducing exposure to CRE [11] - The strategy includes strengthening relationships in select deposit-rich markets and driving growth in key regions [28] - The company is optimistic about long-term growth potential despite current economic conditions [10][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to execute effectively and deliver sustained profitable growth [28] - The economic outlook remains dynamic, with many USKC customers taking a wait-and-see approach regarding tariffs and their impact on the economy [10] - The company is well-positioned for growth, leveraging strong liquidity and maintaining robust credit metrics [11] Other Important Information - Asset quality improved significantly, with criticized loans decreasing by 72% and non-accruals decreasing by 27% [21] - The allowance for credit losses stood at 1.06% of loans at the end of Q2 [26] - The company repurchased 70,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $23.26, totaling $1.6 million [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations for the second half of the year - Management indicated that the second half typically sees higher production, with a strong pipeline of new loans already established [32] Question: Insights on margin and deposit costs - Average interest-bearing deposit costs were 3.64% for the quarter, with expectations for net interest margin to continue increasing, albeit at a slowing rate [35][37] Question: Credit quality and criticized assets - Management noted significant success in resolving loans in the special mention category, contributing to improved asset quality metrics [41] Question: C&I production driving loan growth - C&I production is expected to drive loan growth in the second half, supported by a higher pipeline and ongoing efforts to target more C&I opportunities [49] Question: Plans for additional hires in C&I and SBA - Major hires were completed in the first half, and the number of new relationship managers is expected to remain steady [60]