Origin Bank(US:OBK)2026-01-29 15:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share of $0.95 and net income of $29.5 million, achieving a run rate on average assets of 1.19%, exceeding the targeted 1% [10] - Net interest income (NII) increased by 10.2%, while revenue, excluding notable items, rose by 8.8% [5] - Non-interest expense, excluding notable items, decreased by 0.7% [5] - The annualized pre-tax, pre-provision return on assets (ROA) increased to 1.7% from 1.63% [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan origination increased by approximately $500 million, or 37% year-over-year, with loan and swap fees rising by 57% during the same period [6] - The company achieved 20% ownership of Argent Financial and restructured mortgage delivery [5] - Non-interest income for Q4 was reported at $16.7 million, declining to $16.3 million when excluding notable items [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added over 10 production bankers in Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, indicating a strategic focus on market disruption [7] - Total past dues at year-end were 0.96% of total loans, reflecting no change from the prior quarter [8] - Non-performing assets declined from 1.07% at year-end, showing an approximately $7 million reduction [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on "Optimize Origin," aiming for a top quartile ROA and leveraging market disruptions from recent M&A activity [3][4] - The strategy includes investing approximately $10 million in new bankers and banking teams throughout the year to drive growth [7] - The company plans to intensify focus on client delivery models for additional revenue growth in 2026 [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing significant momentum and a strong earnings profile as they enter 2026 [17] - The company anticipates loan growth to be more weighted to the second half of the year, targeting mid to high single-digit growth for loans and deposits [12][11] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline in growth to ensure profitability and ROA targets [54] Other Important Information - The tangible book value grew sequentially to $35.04, marking the 13th consecutive quarter of growth [15] - The company redeemed approximately $145 million in subordinated debt and repurchased about $16 million worth of common stock while maintaining strong capital ratios [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the target for new producer hires this year? - Management indicated that the $10 million budget allows for hiring additional producers beyond the initial 10, with ongoing strategic conversations in various markets [21][22] Question: How does the net interest margin outlook look for the upcoming quarters? - Management noted that while there may be slight margin compression in Q1 due to timing differences, they expect net interest margin to stabilize in the 3.70%-3.80% range by Q4 [13][33] Question: What types of lenders are being targeted for new hires? - The focus is on C&I-focused lenders, treasury management officers, and private bankers, with a consistent opportunity for hiring expected throughout the year [39][41] Question: How does the company plan to manage expenses with new hires? - Management is committed to reducing expenses while bringing in new hires, ensuring that the impact on profitability is neutralized [42][43] Question: What is the company's approach to loan growth and credit quality? - Management is focused on improving credit quality by shifting towards better-performing loans and managing non-performing assets effectively [73]