Colony Bank(US:CBAN)2026-01-29 15:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income increase of $675,000 in the fourth quarter, driven by the TC Federal acquisition and improved margins [3][15] - Operating pre-provision net revenue improved significantly compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 [15] - Net interest income increased by approximately $3.2 million compared to the prior quarter, with net interest margin rising 15 basis points to 3.32% [15][16] - The tangible common equity (TCE) ratio at the end of the quarter was 8.30%, up from 8% in the prior quarter [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core loan growth for 2025 was reported at 10.5%, with expectations for 2026 to be closer to the lower end of the 8%-12% target [5][23] - Operating non-interest income for the fourth quarter was $11.1 million, reflecting strong performance in mortgage and SBSL [17] - The company executed a portfolio mortgage pool sale of around $10 million, generating a gain of over $100,000 [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposits increased for the quarter and were organically flat year-over-year, excluding the TC Federal acquisition [6][24] - The company noted increased competition in lending across its footprint, impacting loan growth expectations [5][36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on integrating the TC Federal acquisition and expects to realize cost savings post-systems conversion in the second quarter of 2026 [8][26] - There is an ongoing strategy to enhance performance through disciplined execution and improvement, with a focus on M&A opportunities [12][13] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined approach to pricing and credit while growing core customer relationships [5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the economic environment in the Southeast and the potential for M&A activity to drive growth [39][48] - The company anticipates a modest increase in net interest margin throughout 2026, supported by loan repricing and deposit growth [24][45] - Management acknowledged the competitive landscape and the need to balance growth with margin improvement [36][40] Other Important Information - The board declared an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.12 per share, marking another consecutive year of dividend increases [11] - The company was recognized as one of American Banker's 2025 Best Banks to Work For, highlighting its commitment to culture and team members [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about small business lending and charge-offs - Management acknowledged that small business lending is high-risk but can offer better returns, and they expect it to improve from current levels [28][29] Question: M&A competition and strategy - Management hopes for negotiated transactions rather than competitive bidding, focusing on partnerships that align with their goals [31][33] Question: Organic growth and competitive environment - Management noted increased competition but emphasized a disciplined approach to pricing and maintaining margins [36][38] Question: Deposit growth and funding loan growth - Management is optimistic about organic deposit growth and plans to leverage non-interest-bearing accounts to fund loans [42][44] Question: Future M&A targets and geographic expansion - Management is open to pursuing larger targets and expanding into contiguous states, while also considering the competitive landscape [46][48] Question: Effective tax rate and expense management - Management expects the effective tax rate to remain around 21% and aims to reduce net operating expenses to historical averages later in the year [50]