USCB Financial (USCB) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets reached $2.8 billion, up 8.1% year-over-year [2] - Loans grew by $216 million, or 11%, reflecting strong commercial activity [2] - Deposits increased to $171 million, or 7.9%, demonstrating continued franchise growth [2] - Net interest income expanded to 3.27%, improving from 3.16% in the prior year [2] - Non-performing loans stood at 0.14% of total loans, indicating excellent credit quality [3] - Tangible book value per share increased 10.8% year-over-year to $11.97 [3] - GAAP-diluted EPS was $0.07, with operational diluted EPS at $0.44, consistent with the previous quarter [4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average loans increased $31.9 million, or 6.02% annualized compared to the prior quarter [10] - Gross loan production totaled $196 million in Q4, with $83.5 million from correspondent banking [12] - Net interest income increased $933,000 on a linked quarter basis, representing 17.4% annualized growth [13] - Portfolio yield declined modestly to 6.16% due to Federal Reserve rate cuts [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average deposits were stable, down $3.9 million compared to the prior quarter but up $314.6 million year-over-year [10] - Interest-bearing deposit rates decreased 27 basis points to 3.02% [10] - Total deposit costs improved 25 basis points quarter-over-quarter [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand and strengthen its deposit base, focusing on multi-vertical and relationship-driven strategies [26] - Key business lines include Business Banking, Private Client Group, Association Banking, and Correspondent Banking, each with clear growth plans [27][28][29] - The strategy emphasizes building sticky, relationship-anchored deposits and expanding production capacity [27][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the bank's ability to execute its plans for 2026, focusing on profitability and shareholder value [26] - The company anticipates further NIM improvement supported by rate cuts and disciplined deposit pricing strategies [14] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy loan-to-deposit ratio between 90% and 95% [40] Other Important Information - The board approved a 25% increase in quarterly cash dividends to $0.12 per share [5] - The bank's capital ratios exceed regulatory requirements comfortably [5] - The company executed a $40 million subordinated debt issuance, primarily used for share repurchase [3] Q&A Session Summary Question: Deposit trends and shrinkage at year-end - Management noted a significant deposit move of over $100 million from a long-term client, which is expected to rebuild over time [36] - A $50 million swing in correspondent banking deposits was also identified, which has been recovered in January [37] Question: Loan-to-deposit ratio expectations - Management prefers a loan-to-deposit ratio between 90% and 95%, indicating a desire for liquidity [40] Question: SBA vertical opportunity - The SBA initiative has been growing prudently, with plans to increase annual volume to $40 million or $50 million over the next three years [42] Question: Capital strategy and priorities - The focus remains on building capital and returning it to shareholders, with no significant plans for additional actions beyond producing good earnings [48]