Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF
OPERATIONS
General
Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding
company registered with the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the
“BHC Act”). The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1990, and in
1994 it succeeded its Alabama predecessor as the
bank holding company controlling AuburnBank, an Alabama state member
bank with its principal office in Auburn,
Alabama (the “Bank”). The Company and its predecessor have controlled
the Bank since 1984.
As a bank holding
company, the Company
may diversify into a broader range of financial services and other business activities than
currently
are permitted to the Bank under applicable laws and regulations.
The holding company structure also provides greater
financial and operating flexibility than is presently permitted to the
Bank.
The Bank has operated continuously since 1907 and currently conducts its business
primarily in East Alabama, including
Lee County and surrounding areas.
The Bank has been a member of the Federal Reserve System since April 1995.
The
Bank’s primary regulators are the
Federal Reserve and the Alabama Superintendent of Banks (the “Alabama
Superintendent”).
The Bank has been a member of the FHLB of Atlanta since 1991. Certain of the statements
made in this
discussion and analysis and elsewhere, including information incorporated
herein by reference to other documents, are
“forward-looking statements” as more fully described under “Special Cautionary
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements” below.
The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide a better understanding
of various factors related to the results
of operations and financial condition of the Company and the Bank.
This discussion is intended to supplement and
highlight information contained in the accompanying unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements and related
notes for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024,
as well as the information contained in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q.
Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Various
of the statements made herein under the captions “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations”, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
Market Risk”, “Risk Factors” “Description of
Property” and elsewhere, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
and protections of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans,
objectives, goals, expectations,
anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance,
and involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control,
and which may cause the actual results, performance,
achievements or financial condition of the Company to be materially different
from future results, performance,
achievements or financial condition expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements.
You
should not expect us to
update any forward-looking statements.
All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could
be forward-looking statements.
You
can
identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such
as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,”
“assume,”
“should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,”
“estimate,” “continue,” “designed,” “plan,” “point to,”
“project,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “seek” and other
similar words and expressions of the future.
These forward-looking
statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including,
without limitation:
●
the effects of future economic, business and market conditions and
changes, foreign, domestic and locally,
including inflation, seasonality,
natural disasters or climate change, such as rising sea and water levels, hurricanes
and tornadoes, epidemics or pandemics including supply chain disruptions,
inventory volatility, and changes in
consumer behaviors;
●
the effects of war or other conflicts, acts of terrorism, trade restrictions, tariffs,
sanctions, the value of the U.S.
dollar against other currencies, or other events that may affect general
economic conditions, including inflation,
and consumer and business confidence;
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26
●
governmental monetary and fiscal policies, including taxes, federal
deficit spending and the debt required to fund
such spending, changes in monetary policies in response to inflation
and changes in prices and unemployment,
including changes in the Federal Reserve’s
target federal funds rate and changes in the Federal Reserve’s
holdings
of securities through quantitative tightening or easing; and the duration that
the Federal Reserve will keep its
targeted federal funds rates at or above current target
ranges in furtherance of its long-term inflation target of 2%
while supporting maximum employment;
●
legislative, executive branch and regulatory changes, including changes
by executive orders, the possible
reorganization and/or consolidation of the bank regulatory
agencies, the SEC and/or the CFPB, changes in the
leadership and personnel, including reductions in the number and experience
of personnel, at the bank and
securities regulators and the CFPB, oversight by the Office of Management
and Budget of these agencies, freezes
on changes in regulations and interpretations, numerous new Executive
Orders, and the uncertain effects of all
these, including the costs and benefits of such changes;
●
the effects of the potential privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
and their release from conservatorship on
the mortgage markets and us as an originator,
seller and servicer of residential mortgage loans;
●
recent Supreme Court rulings that may lead to more court challenges to regulations
and regulatory actions, which
may cause uncertainty,
wasted implementation costs and time by the industry,
and lengthy delays until ultimate
resolution;
●
changes in banking, securities and tax laws, regulations and rules and their
application and enforcement by the
regulators, including capital and liquidity requirements, and changes in
the scope and cost of FDIC insurance;
●
changes in accounting pronouncements and interpretations;
●
the failure of assumptions and estimates, including those used in the Company’s
CECL models to establish our
allowance for credit losses and estimate asset impairments, as well as differences
in, and changes to, economic,
market and credit conditions, including changes in borrowers’ credit
risks and payment behaviors from those used
in our CECL models and loan portfolio reviews;
●
the risks of changes in market interest rates and the shape of the yield curve on customer
behaviors; the levels,
composition and costs of deposits, loan demand and mortgage loan originations;
the values and liquidity of loan
collateral, our securities portfolio and interest-sensitive assets and
liabilities; and the risks and uncertainty of the
amounts realizable on collateral;
●
the risks of increases in market interest rates creating unrealized losses on our
securities available for sale, which
adversely affect our stockholders’ equity for financial
reporting purposes and our tangible equity;
●
changes in borrower liquidity and credit risks, and changes in savings, deposit and
payment behaviors;
●
changes in the availability and cost of credit and capital in the financial markets, and
the types of instruments that
may be included as capital for regulatory purposes;
●
changes in the prices, values and sales volumes of residential and commercial
real estate;
●
the effects of competition from a wide variety of local, regional,
national and other providers of financial,
investment and insurance services, including the disruptive effects
of financial technology and other competitors
who are not subject to the same regulation, including capital and liquidity
requirements, internal controls, and
supervision and examination, as the Company and the Bank, and competition
from credit unions, which are not
subject to federal income taxation;
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27
●
legislation such as the federal GENIUS Act on stablecoins signed into law on
July 18, 2025, and the proposed
CLARITY Act and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance Act bills being considered
by Congress, more permissive
regulation and/or enforcement regarding digital assets, such as cyber currency
and stable coins that creates
additional competition to banks, and greater risks to the payment systems that the
banking industry,
including the
Company, relies on,
and greater risks of fraud and theft of digital assets and their effects
on customers, other
financial institutions, including our counterparties, financial stability
and confidence in the financial system,
generally;
●
the timing and amount of rental income from third parties from office
space in our Auburn Center headquarters
and in former office locations;
●
the risks of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, including, without
limitation, the related time and costs of
implementing such transactions, integrating operations as part of these
transactions and possible failures to achieve
expected gains, revenue growth and/or expense savings from such transactions;
●
changes in technology or products that may be more difficult, costly,
or less effective than anticipated;
●
cyber-attacks and data breaches that may compromise our systems, our
vendors’ systems or customers’
information;
●
the risks that our deferred tax assets (“DTAs”)
included in “other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets, if
any, could be reduced
if estimates of future taxable income from our operations and tax planning strategies
are less
than currently estimated, and sales of our capital stock could trigger a reduction
in the amount of net operating loss
carry-forwards that we may be able to utilize for income tax purposes;
●
the risks that our dividends, share repurchases and discretionary
bonuses are limited by regulation requiring the
maintenance of capital, including a capital conservation buffer
of 2.5% and to the amount of our future earnings
and “eligible retained earnings” over rolling four calendar quarter periods;
●
other factors and risks described under “Risk Factors” herein and in any of our
subsequent reports that we make
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission” or
“SEC”) under the Exchange Act.
All written or oral forward-looking statements that we make or are
attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety
by this cautionary notice.
We have no obligation
and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-
looking statements after the date of this report, or after the respective dates on
which such statements otherwise are made.
Summary of Results of Operations
Quarter ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2025
2024
2025
2024
Net interest income (a)
$
7,363
$
6,728
$
14,425
$
13,405
Less: tax-equivalent adjustment
19
19
36
39
Net interest income (GAAP)
7,344
6,709
14,389
13,366
Noninterest income
789
896
1,536
1,783
Total revenue
8,133
7,605
15,925
15,149
Provision for credit losses
113
(123)
103
211
Noninterest expense
5,702
5,519
11,582
11,194
Income tax expense
485
475
877
639
Net earnings
$
1,833
$
1,734
$
3,363
$
3,105
Basic and diluted earnings per share
$
0.52
$
0.50
$
0.96
$
0.89
(a) Tax-equivalent.
See "Table 1 - Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
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28
Financial Summary
The Company’s net earnings were $3.4
million for the first six months of 2025, compared to $3.1 million
for the first six
months of 2024.
Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.96 per share for the first six months of 2025,
compared to
$0.89 per share for the first six months of 2024.
Net interest
income (tax-equivalent) was $14.4 million for the first six months
of 2025, an 8% increase compared to $13.4
million for the first six months of 2024.
This increase was primarily due to an increase in the Company’s
net interest
margin and an increase in average interest-earning assets.
The Company’s net interest margin
(tax-equivalent) was 3.24%
for the first six months of 2025 compared to 3.05% for the
first six months of 2024.
This increase was primarily due to
improvements in our yields on interest-earning assets, which outpaced increase
s
in the cost of our interest-bearing deposits.
See “Results of Operations – Average
Balance Sheet and Interest Rates” and “Net Interest Income and Margin”
below.
At June 30, 2025, the Company’s allowance
for credit losses was $7.0 million, or 1.24% of total loans, compared to $6.9
million, or 1.22% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, and $7.1
million, or 1.24% of total loans, at June 30, 2024.
The Company recorded a provision for credit losses during the first six months
of 2025 of $103 thousand, compared to
$211 thousand during the first six months of 2024.
The provision for credit losses under CECL reflects the Company’s
evaluation of its credit risk profile and its future economic outlook
and forecasts.
Our CECL model is largely influenced by
economic factors including, the anticipated Alabama unemployment
rate, which may be affected by government policies,
including monetary,
fiscal and other policies, including tariffs.
Noninterest income was $1.5 million in the first six months of 2025,
compared to $1.8 million in the first six months of
2024.
The decrease was primarily related to a decrease in mortgage lending income
and other noninterest income.
Noninterest expense was $11.6 million in the
first six months of 2025, compared to $11.2 million for
the first six months of
2024.
The increase was primarily related to increases in salaries and benefits expense.
Income tax expense was $0.9 million for the first six months of 2025
compared to $0.6 million for the first six months of
2024.
The Company's effective tax rate for the first six months of 2025
was 20.68%, compared to 17.07% in the first six
months of 2024.
The Company’s effective
income tax rate is affected principally by tax-exempt earnings from
the
Company’s investments
in municipal securities and loans, bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”),
and New Markets Tax
Credits (“NMTCs”).
The Company paid cash dividends of $0.54 per share in the first six months of 2025
and 2024.
At June 30, 2025, the
Bank’s regulatory capital ratios were
well above the minimum amounts required to be “well capitalized” under
current
regulatory standards with a total risk-based capital ratio of 16.35%,
a tier 1 leverage ratio of 10.64% and a common equity
tier 1 (“CET1”) ratio of 15.32% at June 30, 2025.
See “Balance Sheet Analysis – Capital Adequacy”.
For the second quarter of 2025, net earnings were $1.8 million,
or $0.52 per share, compared to $1.7 million, or $0.50 per
share, for the second quarter of 2024.
Net interest income (tax-equivalent) was $7.4 million for the second quarter of 2025
compared to $6.7 million for the second quarter of 2024.
The increase was due to growth in average interest-earning assets
and improvements in our net interest margin.
The Company’s net interest margin
(tax-equivalent) was 3.27% in the second
quarter of 2025 compared to 3.06% in the second quarter of 2024.
The increase was primarily due to improved yields on
interest-earning assets, and a decrease in our cost of interest-bearing
deposits.
The Company recorded a charge to provision
for credit losses of $113 thousand in
the second quarter of 2025, compared to a negative provision for credit losses of $123
thousand in the second quarter of 2024.
Noninterest
income was $0.8 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to
$0.9
million for the second quarter of 2024.
This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in mortgage lending income and
other noninterest income.
Noninterest expense was $5.7 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $5.
5
million
for the second quarter of 2024.
The increase in noninterest expense was primarily due to routine increases
in salaries and
benefits expense and increases in professional fees expense.
Income tax expense was $0.5
million for the second quarter of
2025 and 2024, respectively.
The Company’s effective
tax rate for the second quarter of 2025 was 20.92%, compared to
21.50% in the second quarter of 2024.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting principles we follow and our methods of applying
these principles conform with U.S. GAAP and with
general practices within the banking industry.
There have been no significant changes to our Critical Accounting
Policies as
described in our Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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29
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Average Balance
Sheet and Interest Rates
Six months ended June 30,
2025
2024
Average
Yield/
Average
Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
Rate
Balance
Rate
Loans and loans held for sale
$
563,086
5.45%
$
567,434
5.12%
Securities - taxable
231,201
2.21%
252,623
2.21%
Securities - tax-exempt
9,180
3.80%
10,294
3.65%
Total securities
240,381
2.27%
262,917
2.27%
Federal funds sold
26,282
4.38%
17,669
5.50%
Interest bearing bank deposits
68,777
4.44%
36,171
5.33%
Total interest-earning
assets
898,526
4.49%
884,191
4.29%
Deposits:
NOW
204,069
1.37%
193,755
1.37%
Savings and money market
248,233
0.93%
248,227
0.71%
Time deposits
187,763
3.27%
195,863
3.34%
Total interest-bearing
deposits
640,065
1.76%
637,845
1.72%
Short-term borrowings
55
5.27%
1,262
0.48%
Total interest-bearing
liabilities
640,120
1.76%
639,107
1.71%
Net interest income and margin (tax-equivalent)
$
14,425
3.24%
$
13,405
3.05%
See Tables 4 and 5 –
Average Balances and Net Interest
Income Analysis for the quarters and six months ended June 30,
2025 and 2024, and Table
6 – Volume
and Rate Variance
Analysis.
Net Interest Income and Margin
Net interest income (tax-equivalent) was $14.4 million for the first six months
of 2025, an 8% increase compared to $13.4
million for the first six months of 2024.
This increase was primarily due to an increase in the Company’s
net interest
margin and an increase in average interest-earning assets.
The Company’s net interest margin
(tax-equivalent) was 3.24%
in the first six months of 2025 compared to 3.05% in the first six months of 2024.
This increase was primarily due to
improvements in our yields on interest-earning assets, which outpaced increases in
the cost of our interest-bearing deposits.
Since March 2022, the Federal Reserve increased the target federal
funds rate by 525 basis points before announcing a 50-
basis points rate reduction on September 18, 2024, its first decrease in
rates since its March 2020 COVID rate reduction,
followed by two 25 basis points reductions in October and December
2024.
At June 30, 2025, the target federal funds rate
ranged from 4.25% - 4.50%, which was maintained at the July 31, 2025
meeting of the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open
Market Committee (“FOMC”) meeting.
The tax-equivalent yield on total interest-earning assets increased by
20 basis points to 4.49% in the first six months of
2025 compared to 4.29% in the first six months of 2024.
This increase was primarily due to changes in our asset mix, as
cash and cash equivalents increased and securities declined.
Average interest-earning
assets were $898.5 million during the
first six months of 2025, a 2% increase compared to $884.2 million during
the first six months of 2024.
The cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 5 basis points in the first
first six months of 2025 to 176 basis points,
compared to 171 basis points in the first first six months of 2024.
Our deposit costs may continue to increase as we
compete for deposit funds against other banks, money market mutual funds, Treasury
securities and other interest-bearing
alternative investments.
The Company continues to deploy various asset liability management
strategies to manage its risks from interest rate
fluctuations. Deposit and loan pricing remain competitive in our
markets.
We believe this challenging
rate environment
will continue throughout the remainder of 2025.
Our ability to compete and manage our deposit costs until our interest-
earning assets reprice and we generate new loans with current market interest
rates will be important to our net interest
margin during the remainder of 2025.
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30
Provision for Credit Losses
The Company recorded a provision for credit losses during the first six months
of 2025 of $103 thousand, compared to
$211 thousand during the first six months
of 2024.
Provision expense is affected by organic loan growth in our loan
portfolio, our internal assessment of the credit quality of the loan portfolio, our
expectations about future economic
conditions and net charge-offs.
Our CECL model is largely influenced by economic factors including,
the anticipated
Alabama unemployment rate, which may be affected by
government policies, including monetary,
fiscal and other policies,
including tariffs.
Our allowance for credit losses reflects an amount we believe appropriate,
based on our allowance assessment
methodology, to adequately
cover all expected credit losses as of the date the allowance is determined.
At June 30, 2025,
the Company’s allowance for credit
losses was $7.0 million, or 1.24% of total loans, compared to $6.9 million, or 1.22% of
total loans, at December 31, 2024, and $7.1 million, or 1.24% of total loans, at June 30,
2024.
Noninterest Income
Quarter ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
2025
2024
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
152
$
153
$
307
$
309
Mortgage lending income
131
180
224
330
Bank-owned life insurance
101
99
206
201
Other
405
464
799
943
Total noninterest income
$
789
$
896
$
1,536
$
1,783
The Company’s mortgage
lending income includes income from the (1) origination and sale of mortgage
loans and (2)
servicing of mortgage loans. Origination income, net, is comprised
of gains or losses from the sale of the mortgage loans
originated, origination fees, underwriting fees, and other fees associated with
the origination of loans, which are netted
against the commission expense associated with these originations. The
Company’s normal practice is to originate
mortgage loans for sale in the secondary market and to either sell or retain
the associated MSRs when the loan is sold.
MSRs are recognized based on the fair value of the servicing right on
the date the corresponding mortgage loan is sold.
The Company has elected to measure its MSRs under the amortization
method.
Servicing fee income is reported net of any
related amortization expense.
The Company evaluates MSRs for impairment on a quarterly basis.
Impairment is determined by grouping MSRs by
common predominant characteristics, such as interest rate and loan type.
If the aggregate carrying amount of a particular
group of MSRs exceeds the group’s
aggregate fair value, a valuation allowance for that group is established.
The valuation
allowance is adjusted as the fair value changes.
An increase in mortgage interest rates typically results in an increase in the
fair value of the MSRs while a decrease in mortgage interest rates typically results
in a decrease in the fair value of MSRs.
The following table presents a breakdown of the Company’s
mortgage lending income.
Quarter ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
2025
2024
Origination income
$
49
$
85
$
57
$
142
Servicing fees, net
82
95
167
188
Total mortgage lending
income
$
131
$
180
$
224
$
330
The Company’s mortgage
lending income typically fluctuates as mortgage interest rates, housing
sales and refinancings
change.
Origination income decreased in the first six months of 2025 compared to the first six months
of 2024 due to a
decrease in mortgage lending demand in our primary market area.
Other noninterest income was $0.8 million for the first six months of 2025, compared
to $0.9 million for the first six
months of 2024.
The decrease in other noninterest income was primarily due to decreased fee income
on reciprocal
deposits sold through the Intrafi network.
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31
Noninterest Expense
Quarter ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
2025
2024
Salaries and benefits
$
3,258
$
3,140
$
6,568
$
6,211
Net occupancy and equipment
604
603
1,318
1,366
Professional fees
385
314
672
640
Other
1,455
1,462
3,024
2,977
Total noninterest expense
$
5,702
$
5,519
$
11,582
$
11,194
The increase in salaries and benefits expense was primarily due to routine
annual increases in salaries and wages.
Income Tax
Expense
Income tax expense was $0.9 million for the first six months of 2025
compared to $0.6 million for the first six months of
2024.
The Company's effective tax rate for the first six months of 2025
was 20.68%, compared to 17.07% in the first six
months of 2024.
The Company’s effective
income tax rate is affected principally by tax-exempt earnings from
the
Company’s investments
in municipal securities and loans, BOLI, and NMTCs.
BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS
Securities
Securities available-for-sale were $239.7 million at June 30, 2025
,
compared to $243.0 million at December 31, 2024.
This
decrease reflects an $11.7 million decrease
in the amortized cost basis of securities available-for-sale and an increase in the
fair value of securities available-for-sale of $8.4 million.
The average annualized tax-equivalent yields earned on total
securities were 2.27%
in the first six months of 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Loans
2025
2024
Second
First
Fourth
Third
Second
(In thousands)
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Commercial and industrial
$
59,773
59,061
63,274
61,510
77,627
Construction and land development
93,820
86,403
82,493
77,956
73,688
Commercial real estate
282,868
288,353
289,992
297,773
297,232
Residential real estate
117,159
117,500
118,627
118,582
119,427
Consumer installment
9,094
9,333
9,631
9,878
10,094
Total loans
$
562,714
560,650
564,017
565,699
578,068
Total loans were $562.7
million at June 30, 2025, a slight decrease compared to $564.0 million at December
31, 2024.
Four loan categories represented the majority of the loan portfolio at June
30, 2025: commercial real estate (50%),
residential real estate (21%), construction and land development (17%)
and commercial and industrial (11%).
Approximately 22% of the Company’s
commercial real estate loans were classified as owner-occupied at June 30, 2025.
Within the residential real estate portfolio segment,
the Company had junior lien mortgages of approximately $11.7
million,
or 2% of total loans,
and $11.2 million, or 2%, of total loans at June 30, 2025 and
December 31, 2024, respectively.
For
residential real estate mortgage loans with a consumer purpose, the Company
had no loans that required interest only
payments at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. The Company’s
residential real estate mortgage portfolio does not
include any option or hybrid ARM loans, subprime loans, or any material
amount of other consumer mortgage products
which are generally viewed as high risk.
The average yield earned on loans and loans held for sale was 5.45% in the first six months
of 2025 and 5.12% in the first
six months of 2024.
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32
The specific economic and credit risks associated with our loan portfolio include,
but are not limited to, the effects of
current economic conditions, including the levels of market interest rates, supply
chain disruptions, commercial office
occupancy levels, housing supply shortages, and effects of
inflation on our borrowers’ cash flows, real estate market sales
volumes and liquidity,
valuations used in making loans and evaluating collateral, availability and
cost of financing
properties, real estate industry concentrations, competitive pressures from
a wide range of other lenders, deterioration in
certain credits, interest rate fluctuations, reduced collateral values or
non-existent collateral, title defects, in accurate
appraisals, financial deterioration of borrowers, fraud, and any violation
of applicable laws and regulations. Various
projects financed earlier that were based on lower interest rate assumptions than
currently in effect may not be as profitable
or successful at the higher interest rates currently in effect and which
may exist in the future.
The Company attempts to reduce these economic and credit risks through its loan-to-value
guidelines for collateralized
loans, investigating the creditworthiness of borrowers and monitoring borrowers’
financial position. Also, we have
established and periodically review,
lending policies and procedures. Banking regulations limit a bank’s
credit exposure by
prohibiting unsecured loan relationships that exceed 10% of its capital; or
20% of capital, if loans in excess of 10% of
capital are fully secured. Under these regulations, we are prohibited from having
secured loan relationships in excess of
approximately $23.1 million.
Furthermore, we have an internal limit for aggregate credit exposure (loans
outstanding plus
unfunded commitments) to a single borrower of $20.8 million. Our
loan policy requires that the Loan Committee of the
Board of Directors approve any loan relationships that exceed this internal
limit.
At June 30, 2025, the Bank had no loan
relationships exceeding our internal limit.
We periodically
analyze our commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loan portfolios
to determine if a
concentration of credit risk exists in any one or more industries. We
use classification systems broadly accepted by the
financial services industry in order to categorize our commercial borrowers.
Loans to borrowers in each of the following
classes exceeded 25% of the Bank’s
total risk-based capital at June 30, 2025 (and related balances at December
31, 2024).
June 30,
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2025
2024
Lessors of 1-4 family residential properties
$
57,947
$
58,228
Multi-family residential properties
42,807
43,556
Shopping centers/strip malls
35,960
37,349
Hotel/motel
34,064
35,210
Office Buildings
25,960
29,780
Allowance for Credit Losses
Our allowance for credit losses was approximately $7.0 million and $6.9
million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024,
respectively, which our
management believed
to be adequate at each of the respective dates. Our allowance for credit losses
as a percentage of total loans was 1.24%
at June 30, 2025, compared to 1.22% at December 31, 2024.
Our CECL models rely largely on projections of macroeconomic
conditions to estimate future credit losses.
Macroeconomic factors used in the model include the Alabama unemployment
rate, the Alabama home price index, the
national commercial real estate price index and the Alabama gross state product.
Projections of these macroeconomic
factors, obtained from an independent third party,
are utilized to predict quarterly rates of default.
Under the CECL methodology the allowance for credit losses is measured on
a collective basis for pools of loans with
similar risk characteristics, and for loans that do not share similar risk characteristics
with the collectively evaluated pools,
evaluations are performed on an individual basis. Losses are predicted over
a period of time determined to be reasonable
and supportable, and at the end of the reasonable and supportable period
losses are reverted to long term historical averages.
At June 30, 2025, reasonable and supportable periods of four quarters
were utilized followed by an eight quarters straight
line reversion period to long term averages.
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33
A summary of the changes in the allowance for credit losses and certain
asset quality ratios for the second quarter of 2025
and the previous four quarters is presented below.
2025
2024
Second
First
Fourth
Third
Second
(Dollars in thousands)
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Balance at beginning of period
$
6,750
6,871
6,876
7,142
7,215
Charge-offs:
Commercial and industrial
(3)
(99)
—
—
(9)
Residential real estate
(6)
(1)
(7)
(54)
—
Consumer installment
(9)
—
(31)
(40)
(19)
Total charge
-offs
(18)
(100)
(38)
(94)
(28)
Recoveries
67
36
54
34
19
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
49
(64)
16
(60)
(9)
Provision for credit losses - Loans
166
(57)
(21)
(206)
(64)
Ending balance
$
6,965
6,750
6,871
6,876
7,142
as a % of loans
1.24
%
1.20
1.22
1.22
1.24
as a % of nonperforming loans
2,306
%
1,298
1,366
887
900
Net charge-offs (recoveries) as % of average
loans (a)
(0.03)
%
0.05
(0.01)
0.04
0.01
(a) Net charge-offs (recoveries) are annualized.
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34
The allowance for credit losses by loan category for the second quarter of 2025 and the previous
four quarters is presented
below.
2025
2024
Second Quarter
First Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Third Quarter
Second Quarter
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
%*
Amount
%*
Amount
%*
Amount
%*
Amount
%*
Commercial and industrial
$
1,212
10.6
$
1,219
10.5
$
1,244
11.2
$
1,160
10.9
$
1,366
13.4
Construction and land
development
1,613
16.7
1,401
15.4
1,059
14.6
985
13.8
942
12.7
Commercial real estate
3,151
50.3
3,153
51.4
3,842
51.5
3,989
52.6
4,091
51.5
Residential real estate
866
20.8
861
21.0
588
21.0
595
21.0
603
20.7
Consumer installment
123
1.6
116
1.7
138
1.7
147
1.7
140
1.7
Total allowance for
credit losses
$
6,965
$
6,750
$
6,871
$
6,876
$
7,142
* Loan balance in each category expressed as a percentage of total loans.
Nonperforming Assets
At June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had $0.3 million
and $0.5 million, respectively,
in nonperforming
assets.
The table below provides information concerning total nonperforming
assets and certain asset quality ratios for the second
quarter of 2025 and the previous four quarters.
2025
2024
Second
First
Fourth
Third
Second
(Dollars in thousands)
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Nonperforming assets:
Nonaccrual loans
$
302
520
503
775
794
Total nonperforming
assets
$
302
520
503
775
794
as a % of loans and OREO
0.05
%
0.09
0.09
0.14
0.14
as a % of total assets
0.03
%
0.05
0.05
0.08
0.08
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans
0.05
%
0.09
0.09
0.14
0.14
Accruing loans 90 days or more past due
$
—
77
—
—
—
The table below provides information concerning the composition of
nonaccrual loans for the second quarter of 2025 and
the previous four quarters.
2025
2024
Second
First
Fourth
Third
Second
(In thousands)
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial and industrial
$
—
3
99
—
—
Construction and land development
—
404
404
—
—
Commercial real estate
119
—
—
735
753
Residential real estate
183
113
—
40
41
Total nonaccrual
loans
$
302
520
503
775
794
The Company discontinues the accrual of interest income when (1)
there is a significant deterioration in the financial
condition of the borrower and full repayment of principal and interest is not
expected or (2) the principal or interest is
90 days or more past due, unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of
collection.
The Company had no loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing at June 30, 2025 or December
31, 2024.
The Company had no OREO at June 30, 2025 or December 31, 2024.
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35
Deposits
(In thousands)
2025
2024
Noninterest bearing demand
$
268,468
260,874
NOW
199,398
199,883
Money market
203,791
153,916
Savings
86,476
89,904
Certificates of deposit under $250,000
99,995
103,594
Certificates of deposit and other time deposits of $250,000 or more
81,723
87,653
Total deposits
$
939,851
895,824
Total deposits were $939.9
million at June 30, 2025, compared to $895.8 million at December 31, 2024.
The 5% increase
in deposits compared to December 31, 2024 was primarily related to a decrease
in reciprocal customer deposits sold
through the Intrafi network.
At June 30, 2025
the Company had no reciprocal deposits sold, compared to $74.1 million at
December 31, 2024.
The Company had no brokered deposits at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Noninterest-
bearing deposits were $268.5 million, or 30% of total deposits, at June 30,
2025, compared to $260.9 million, or 29% of
total deposits at December 31, 2024.
The average rate paid on total interest-bearing deposits was 1.76% in the first
six months of 2025, compared to 1.72% in
first six months of 2024.
At June 30, 2025, estimated uninsured deposits totaled $362.2 million,
or 39% of total deposits, compared to $359.7
million, or 40% of total deposits at December 31, 2024.
The Bank participates in the Certificates of Deposit Account
Registry Service (the “CDARS”) and the Insured Cash Sweep product
(“ICS”), which provide for reciprocal (“two-way”)
transactions among banks facilitated by IntraFi for the purpose of
improving the FDIC insurance coverage for our
depositors.
The Company had reciprocal deposits on balance sheet of $55.2 million at June 30,
2025, compared to $6.9
million at December 31, 2024.
Uninsured amounts are estimated based on the portion of account balances in excess
of
FDIC insurance limits.
The Bank’s estimated uninsured
deposits at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 include
approximately $202.6 million and $223.1 million, respectively,
of deposits of state, county and local governments that are
collateralized by securities having an equal fair value to such deposits.
Excluding estimated uninsured deposits of state,
county and local governments,
our estimated uninsured deposits would have been 15% of total deposits
at both June 30,
2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
The estimated uninsured time deposits by maturity as of June 30,
2025 is presented below.
(Dollars in thousands)
June 30, 2025
Maturity of:
3 months or less
$
13,116
Over 3 months through 6 months
37,317
Over 6 months through 12 months
2,398
Over 12 months
2,392
Total estimated uninsured
time deposits
$
55,223
Other Borrowings and Available
Credit
The Company had no long-term debt at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
The Bank utilizes short and long-term non-
deposit borrowings from time to time. Short-term borrowings generally
consist of federal funds purchased and securities
sold under agreements to repurchase with an original maturity of one year or less.
The Bank had available federal funds
lines totaling $65.2 million with no federal funds borrowings outstanding
at June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024,
respectively. The
Company had no securities sold under agreements to repurchase,
which generally have been entered into
on behalf of certain customers at both June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
The Bank is eligible to borrow from the
FRB’s discount window,
but had no such borrowings at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
The Bank never borrowed
from the Federal Reserve’s Bank
Term Facility Program
(“BTFP”), which ceased making new loans on March 11,
2024.
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36
The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Atlanta and has borrowed, and may in the future
borrow from time to time under the
FHLB of Atlanta’s advance progr
am.
FHLB advances include both fixed and variable rates and are taken out with varying
maturities, and are generally secured by eligible assets.
The Bank had no borrowings under FHLB of Atlanta’s
advance
program at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
At those dates, the Bank had $298.9 million and $296.9
million, respectively,
of available lines of credit at the FHLB of Atlanta.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
The Company’s consolidated
stockholders’ equity was $86.1 million and $78.3 million as of June 30,
2025 and December
31, 2024, respectively.
The increase from December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by net earnings of $3.4
million and
other comprehensive income due to the change in unrealized gains/losses on
securities available-for-sale, net of tax of $6.3
million, partially offset by cash dividends of $1.9 million.
Unrealized losses do not affect the Bank’s
capital for regulatory
capital purposes.
The Company paid cash dividends of $0.54 per share for both the first
six months of 2025 and the first six months of 2024.
Federal Reserve rules require a capital conservation buffer
of CET1 capital of 2.5% that is added to the minimum
requirements for capital adequacy purposes.
A banking organization with a capital conservation buffer
of 2.5% or less is
subject to limitation on “distributions” from “eligible retained earnings”,
including dividend payments, share repurchases
and certain discretionary bonus payments.
The Federal Reserve has treated us as a “small bank holding company’ under the Federal Reserve’s
Small Bank Holding
Company Policy.
Accordingly, our capital
adequacy is evaluated at the Bank level, and not for the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries.
The Bank’s tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.64
%, CET1 risk-based capital ratio was 15.32%, tier 1
risk-based capital ratio was 15.32%, and total risk-based capital ratio was 16.35%
at June 30, 2025. These ratios exceed the
minimum regulatory capital percentages of 5.0% for tier 1 leverage
ratio, 6.5% for CET1 risk-based capital ratio, 8.0% for
tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and 10.0% for total risk-based capital ratio
to be considered “well capitalized.”
The Bank’s
capital conservation buffer was 8.35%
at June 30, 2025.
MARKET AND LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT
Management’s objective is to manage
assets and liabilities to provide a satisfactory,
consistent level of profitability within
the framework of established liquidity,
loan, investment, borrowing, and capital policies. The Bank’s
Asset Liability
Management Committee (“ALCO”) is charged with the
responsibility of monitoring these policies, which are designed to
ensure an acceptable asset/liability composition. Two
critical areas of focus for ALCO are interest rate risk and liquidity
risk management.
Interest Rate Risk Management
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to market risk arising
from fluctuations in interest rates. ALCO
measures and evaluates interest rate risk so that the Bank can meet customer demands
for various types of loans and
deposits. Measurements used to help manage interest rate sensitivity include
an earnings simulation model and an economic
value of equity (“EVE”) model.
Earnings simulation
. Management believes that interest rate risk is best estimated by our earnings
simulation modeling.
Forecasted levels of earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities, and
off-balance sheet financial instruments are combined
with ALCO forecasts of market interest rates for the next 12 months and other factors
in order to produce various earnings
simulations and estimates. To
help limit interest rate risk, we have guidelines for earnings at risk which seek to
limit the
variance of net interest income from gradual changes in interest rates.
For changes up or down in rates from management’s
flat interest rate forecast over the next 12 months, policy limits for net interest income
variances are as follows:
●
+/- 20% for a gradual change of 400 basis points
●
+/- 15% for a gradual change of 300 basis points
●
+/- 10% for a gradual change of 200 basis points
●
+/- 5% for a gradual change of 100 basis points
While a gradual change in interest rates was used in the above analysis to provide an
estimate of exposure under these
scenarios, our modeling under both a gradual and instantaneous change in
interest rates indicates our balance sheet is
liability sensitive over the forecast period of 12 months.
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37
At June 30, 2025, our earnings simulation model indicated that we were
in compliance with the policy guidelines noted
above.
Economic Value
of Equity
. EVE measures the extent that the estimated economic values of our
assets, liabilities, and off-
balance sheet items will change as a result of interest rate changes. Economic values
are estimated by discounting expected
cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet
items, which establishes a base case EVE. In contrast with our
earnings simulation model, which evaluates interest rate risk over a 12-month
timeframe, EVE uses a terminal horizon
which allows for the re-pricing of all assets, liabilities, and off-balance
sheet items. Further, EVE is measured using values
as of a point in time and does not reflect any actions that ALCO might take in responding
to or anticipating changes in
interest rates, or market and competitive conditions.
To help limit interest rate risk, we have
stated policy guidelines for an
instantaneous basis point change in interest rates, such that our EVE should not decrease
from our base case by more than
the following:
●
35% for an instantaneous change of +/- 400 basis points
●
30% for an instantaneous change of +/- 300 basis points
●
25% for an instantaneous change of +/- 200 basis points
●
15% for an instantaneous change of +/- 100 basis points
At June 30, 2025, our EVE model indicated that we were in compliance
with our policy guidelines.
Each of the above analyses may not, on its own, be an accurate indicator of how our
net interest income will be affected by
changes in interest rates. Income associated with interest-earning
assets and costs associated with interest-bearing liabilities
may not be affected uniformly by changes in interest rates.
In addition, the magnitude and duration of changes in interest
rates may have a significant impact on net interest income. For example,
although certain assets and liabilities may have
similar maturities or periods of repricing, they may react in different
degrees to changes in market interest rates, and other
economic and market factors, including market perceptions. Interest
rates on certain types of assets and liabilities fluctuate
in advance of changes in general market rates, while interest rates on other types
of assets and liabilities may lag behind
changes in general market rates. In addition, certain assets, such as adjustable-rate
mortgage loans, have features (generally
referred to as “interest rate caps and floors”) which limit changes in interest rates.
Prepayments
and early withdrawal levels
also could deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the maturity of
certain instruments. The ability of many
borrowers to service their debts also may decrease during periods of rising interest
rates or economic stress, which may
differ across industries and economic sectors. ALCO reviews each
of the above interest rate sensitivity analyses along with
several different interest rate scenarios in seeking satisfactory,
consistent levels of profitability within the framework of the
Company’s established liquidity,
loan, investment, borrowing, and capital policies.
The Company may also use derivative financial instruments to improve
the balance between interest-sensitive assets and
interest-sensitive liabilities, and as a tool to manage interest rate sensitivity while
continuing to meet the credit and deposit
needs of our customers. From time to time, the Company also may
enter into back-to-back interest rate swaps to facilitate
customer transactions and meet their financing needs. These interest rate swaps
qualify as derivatives, but are not
designated as hedging instruments. At June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024,
the Company had no derivative contracts
designated as part of a hedging relationship to assist in managing its interest rate
sensitivity.
Liquidity Risk Management
Liquidity is the Company’s
ability to convert assets into cash equivalents in order to meet daily cash flow
requirements,
primarily for deposit withdrawals, loan demand and maturing obligations.
The Company seeks to manage its liquidity to
manage or reduce its costs of funds by maintaining liquidity believed
adequate to meet its anticipated funding needs, while
balancing against excessive liquidity that likely would reduce earnings
due to the cost of foregoing alternative higher-
yielding assets.
Liquidity is managed at two levels. The first is the liquidity of the Company.
The second is the liquidity of the Bank. The
management of liquidity at both levels is essential, because the Company and
the Bank are separate and distinct legal
entities with different funding needs and sources, and
each are subject to regulatory guidelines and requirements.
The
Company depends upon dividends from the Bank for liquidity to pay its operating
expenses, debt obligations and
dividends,
and Federal Reserve Regulation W restricts Company borrowings from, and other
transactions with, the Bank.
The Bank’s payment of dividends
depends on its earnings, liquidity,
capital and the absence of regulatory restrictions on
such dividends.
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38
The primary source of funding and liquidity for the Company has been dividends
received from the Bank.
If needed, the
Company could also borrow money,
or issue common stock or other securities.
Primary uses of funds by the Company
include payment of Company expenses, dividends paid to stockholders
and Company stock repurchases.
Primary sources of funding for the Bank include customer deposits, other borrowings,
interest payments on earning assets,
repayment
and maturity of securities and loans,
sales of securities, and the sale of loans, particularly residential mortgage
loans.
The Bank has access to federal funds lines from various banks and borrowings
from the Federal Reserve discount
window. In addition to
these sources, the Bank is eligible to participate in the FHLB of Atlanta’s
advance program to obtain
funding for growth and liquidity.
Advances include both fixed and variable terms and may be taken out with varying
maturities. At June 30, 2025, the Bank had no FHLB of Atlanta advances
outstanding and available credit from the FHLB
of $298.9 million. At June 30, 2025, the Bank also had $65.2 million
of available federal funds lines with no borrowings
outstanding. Primary uses of funds include repayment of maturing obligations
and growing the loan portfolio.
The
Company also has access to the FRB discount window.
Management believes that the Company and the Bank have adequate
sources of liquidity to meet all their respective known
contractual obligations and unfunded commitments, including loan
commitments and reasonably
expected borrower,
depositor, and creditor requirements over
the next twelve months.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Commitments, Contingencies and Contractual
Obligations
At June 30, 2025, the Bank had outstanding standby letters of credit of $0.8 million
and unfunded loan commitments
outstanding of $64.5 million.
Because these commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and
many will expire
without being drawn upon, the total commitment level does
not necessarily represent future cash requirements. If needed to
fund these outstanding commitments, the Bank could use its cash and
cash equivalents,
deposits with other banks, liquidate
federal funds sold or a portion of our securities available-for-sale, or
draw on its available credit facilities or raise deposits.
Mortgage lending activities
We generally
sell residential mortgage loans in the secondary market to Fannie Mae while retaining
the servicing of these
loans. The sale agreements for these residential mortgage loans with Fannie Mae
and other investors include various
customary representations and warranties regarding the origination
and characteristics of the residential mortgage loans.
Although the representations and warranties vary among investors, they
typically cover ownership of the loan, validity of
the lien securing the loan, the absence of delinquent taxes or liens against the property
securing the loan, compliance with
loan criteria set forth in the applicable agreement and compliance with applicable
federal, state, and local laws, among other
matters.
As of June 30, 2025, the aggregate unpaid principal balance of residential
mortgage loans, which we have originated and
sold, but retained the servicing rights, was $196.3 million.
Although these loans are generally sold on a non-recourse basis,
we may be obligated to repurchase residential mortgage loans or reimburse
investors for losses incurred (make whole
requests) if a loan review reveals a potential breach of our seller representations
and warranties.
Upon receipt of a
repurchase or make whole request, we work with investors to arrive at a mutually
agreeable resolution. Repurchase and
make whole requests are typically reviewed on an individual loan by loan
basis to validate the claims made by the investor
and to determine if a contractually required repurchase or make whole event has occurred.
We seek to reduce
and manage
the risks of potential repurchases, make whole requests, or other claims by mortgage
loan investors through our
underwriting and quality assurance practices and by servicing mortgage
loans to meet investor and secondary market
standards.
The Company was not required to repurchase any loans during the first six months
of 2025 as a result of representation and
warranty provisions contained in the Company’s
sale agreements with Fannie Mae, and had no pending repurchase or
make-whole requests at June 30, 2025.
We service all residential
mortgage loans originated and sold by us to Fannie Mae.
As servicer, our primary duties are to:
(1) collect payments due from borrowers;
(2) advance certain delinquent payments of principal and interest;
(3) maintain
and administer any hazard, title, or primary mortgage insurance policies relating
to the mortgage loans;
(4) maintain any
required escrow accounts for payment of taxes and insurance and
administer escrow payments;
and (5) foreclose on
defaulted mortgage loans or take other actions to mitigate the potential
losses to investors consistent with the agreements
governing our rights and duties as servicer.
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39
Our mortgage servicing agreements
generally specify our standards
of responsibility as servicer and provide protection
against expenses and liabilities incurred by us when acting in compliance with these
servicing agreements.
However, if we
commit a material breach of our obligations as servicer,
we may be subject to termination if the breach is not cured within a
specified period following notice.
The standards governing servicing and the possible remedies for violations
of such
standards are determined by our agreements
with Fannie Mae and Fannie Mae’s mortgage servicing
guides.
Remedies
could include repurchase of an affected loan.
Although repurchase and make whole requests related to representation
and warranty provisions and servicing activities
have been limited to date, it is possible that requests to repurchase mortgage loans or reimburse
investors for losses incurred
(make whole requests) may increase in frequency if investors more aggressively pursue
all means of recovering losses on
their purchased loans.
As of June 30, 2025, we do not believe that this exposure is material due to the historical level
of
repurchase requests and loss trends, in addition to the fact that 99% of our residential
mortgage loans serviced for Fannie
Mae was current as of such date.
We maintain ongoing
communications with our mortgage purchasers and will continue to
evaluate this exposure by monitoring the level and number of repurchase
requests as well as the delinquency rates in our
investor portfolios.
The Bank sells mortgage loans to Fannie Mae and services these on an actual/actual basis.
As a result, the Bank is not
obligated to make any advances to Fannie Mae on principal and interest
on such mortgage loans where the borrower is
entitled to forbearance.
Effects of Inflation and Changing Prices
The consolidated financial statements and related consolidated financial
data presented herein have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP and practices within the banking industry which
require the measurement of financial position and
operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering
the changes in the relative purchasing power of money
over time due to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all the
assets and liabilities of a financial institution
are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact
on a financial institution’s performance
than the effects of general levels of inflation.
Inflation can increase our noninterest expenses. It also can affect
our customers’ behaviors, the mix of deposits between
interest and noninterest bearing, the levels of interest rates we have to pay on
our deposits and other borrowings, and the
interest rates we earn on our earning assets. The difference between
our interest expense and interest income is also affected
by the shape of the yield curve and the speeds and amounts at which our various assets and
liabilities, respectively, reprice
in response to interest rate changes. The yield curve was inverted during most of
2024, until September, when it began to
normalize. An inverted yield curve means shorter term interest rates are higher
than longer term interest rates. This results
in a lower spread between our costs of funds and our interest income. In addition,
net interest income could be affected by
asymmetrical changes in the different interest rate indexes,
given that not all of our assets or liabilities are priced with the
same index. Higher market interest rates and reductions in the securities held by
the Federal Reserve to reduce inflation
generally reduce economic activity and may reduce loan demand and growth,
and may adversely affect unemployment
rates. Inflation and related changes in market interest rates, as the Federal Reserve
maintains interest rates to meet its
longer-term inflation goal of 2%, also can adversely affect the values
and liquidity of our loans and securities, the value of
collateral securing loans to our borrowers, and the success of our borrowers and
such borrowers’ available cash to pay
interest on and principal of our loans to them.
Beginning in September 2024, in light of inflation moderating, the FOMC had
three reductions in its target federal funds
rate range totaling 100 basis points to 4.25% to 4.50%. While the FOMC reaffirmed
its target inflation rate of 2% over the
longer run, it indicated it was “recalibrating” its policy based on decreasing
inflation rates and the risks of increasing
unemployment, but would act on incoming data, the evolving outlook
and the balance of the risks of inflation and
unemployment levels. In the future, the Federal Reserve could further
decrease target interest rates, or could increase such
target rates, depending on the data and its outlook.
The FOMC stated on March 19, 2025 that its “assessments will take
into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market
conditions, inflation pressures and inflation
expectations, and financial and international developments.”
On July 31, 2025, the FOMC, stated that the “Committee
seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over
the longer run.
Uncertainty about the
economic outlook remains elevated.
The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate. … The
[FOMC’s] assessments will take
into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market
conditions,
inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international
developments.”
Table of Contents
40
CURRENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS
The following ASU has been issued by the FASB
but is not yet effective.
●
ASU 2023-09,
Income Taxes
(Topic 740):
Improvements to Income Tax
disclosures
ASU 2023-09 seeks to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income
tax disclosures.
For public business
entities, the new standard is effective for annual periods beginning
after December 15, 2024.
The Company does not
expect the new standard to have a material impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
Table of Contents
41
Table 1
– Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP), this quarterly
report on Form 10-Q includes certain designated net interest income
amounts presented on a tax-equivalent basis, a non-
GAAP financial measure, including the presentation and calculation
of the efficiency ratio.
The Company believes the presentation of net interest income on a tax-equivalent
basis provides comparability of net
interest income from both taxable and tax-exempt sources and facilitates comparability
within the industry. Although
the
Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures enhance investors’
understanding of its business and performance,
these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative
to GAAP.
The reconciliations
of these non-
GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures
are presented below.
2025
2024
Second
First
Fourth
Third
Second
(In thousands)
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Net interest income (GAAP)
$
7,344
7,045
6,969
6,790
6,709
Tax-equivalent adjustment
19
17
19
21
19
Net interest income (Tax
-equivalent)
$
7,363
7,062
6,988
6,811
6,728
Six months ended June 30,
(In thousands)
2025
2024
Net interest income (GAAP)
$
14,389
13,366
Tax-equivalent adjustment
36
39
Net interest income (Tax
-equivalent)
$
14,425
13,405
Table of Contents
42
Table 2
- Selected Quarterly Financial Data
2025
2024
Second
First
Fourth
Third
Second
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Quarter
Results of Operations
Net interest income (a)
$
7,363
7,062
6,988
6,811
6,728
Less: tax-equivalent adjustment
19
17
19
21
19
Net interest income (GAAP)
7,344
7,045
6,969
6,790
6,709
Noninterest income
789
747
845
846
896
Total revenue
8,133
7,792
7,814
7,636
7,605
Provision for credit losses
113
(10)
(48)
(127)
(123)
Noninterest expense
5,702
5,880
5,472
5,500
5,519
Income tax expense
485
392
830
531
475
Net earnings
$
1,833
1,530
1,560
1,732
1,734
Per share data:
Basic and diluted net earnings
$
0.52
0.44
0.45
0.50
0.50
Cash dividends declared
0.27
0.27
0.27
0.27
0.27
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted
3,493,699
3,493,699
3,493,699
3,493,699
3,493,699
Shares outstanding, at period end
3,493,699
3,493,699
3,493,699
3,493,699
3,493,699
Book value
$
24.64
23.79
22.41
24.14
21.53
Common stock price
High
$
25.28
23.37
24.57
24.35
19.25
Low
19.48
20.36
20.06
17.50
16.63
Period end
25.00
21.59
23.49
22.90
18.29
To earnings ratio (b)
13.09
x
11.42
12.77
91.60
101.61
To book value
101
%
91
105
95
85
Performance ratios:
Return on average equity
9.00
%
7.83
7.49
9.10
9.63
Return on average assets
0.74
%
0.62
0.63
0.71
0.71
Dividend payout ratio
51.92
%
61.36
60.00
54.00
54.00
Asset Quality:
Allowance for credit losses as a % of:
Loans
1.24
%
1.20
1.22
1.22
1.24
Nonperforming loans
2,306
%
1,298
1,366
887
900
Nonperforming assets as a % of:
Loans and other real estate owned
0.05
%
0.09
0.09
0.14
0.14
Total assets
0.03
%
0.05
0.05
0.08
0.08
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans
0.05
%
0.09
0.09
0.14
0.14
Annualized net (recoveries) charge-offs as a % of average loans
(0.03)
%
0.05
(0.01)
0.04
0.01
Capital Adequacy: (c)
CET 1 risk-based capital ratio
15.32
%
15.04
14.80
14.75
14.47
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
15.32
%
15.04
14.80
14.75
14.47
Total risk-based capital ratio
16.35
%
16.05
15.81
15.76
15.49
Tier 1 leverage ratio
10.64
%
10.52
10.49
10.43
10.39
Other financial data:
Net interest margin (a)
3.27
%
3.20
3.09
3.05
3.06
Effective income tax rate
20.92
%
20.40
34.73
23.46
21.50
Efficiency ratio (d)
69.95
%
75.30
69.86
71.83
72.39
Selected average balances:
Securities
$
240,177
240,588
255,168
251,723
258,228
Loans, net of unearned income
559,770
566,082
567,634
571,651
573,443
Total assets
990,523
987,272
991,275
982,656
978,107
Total deposits
905,227
906,805
904,605
904,860
900,673
Total stockholders’ equity
81,447
78,158
83,325
76,113
72,059
Selected period end balances:
Securities
$
239,681
242,468
243,012
258,285
254,359
Loans, net of unearned income
562,714
560,650
564,017
565,699
578,068
Allowance for credit losses
6,965
6,750
6,871
6,876
7,142
Total assets
1,029,224
996,786
977,324
990,143
1,025,054
Total deposits
939,851
910,503
895,824
901,724
946,405
Total stockholders’ equity
86,071
83,115
78,292
84,336
75,209
(a) Tax-equivalent. See "Table 1 - Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
(b) Calculated by dividing period end share price by
earnings per share for the previous four quarters.
(c) Regulatory capital ratios presented are for the Company's
wholly-owned subsidiary, AuburnBank.
(d) Efficiency ratio is the result of noninterest expense divided by
the sum of noninterest income and tax-equivalent net interest income.
See Table 1 - Explanation of Non-GAAP Measures.
Table of Contents
43
Table 3
- Selected Financial Data
Six months ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
2025
2024
Results of Operations
Net interest income (a)
$
14,425
13,405
Less: tax-equivalent adjustment
36
39
Net interest income (GAAP)
14,389
13,366
Noninterest income
1,536
1,783
Total revenue
15,925
15,149
Provision for credit losses
103
211
Noninterest expense
11,582
11,194
Income tax expense
877
639
Net earnings
$
3,363
3,105
Per share data:
Basic and diluted net earnings
$
0.96
0.89
Cash dividends declared
0.54
0.54
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted
3,493,699
3,493,681
Shares outstanding, at period end
3,493,699
3,493,699
Book value
$
24.64
21.53
Common stock price:
High
$
25.28
21.55
Low
19.48
16.63
Period end
25.00
18.29
To earnings ratio (b)
13.09
x
101.61
To book value
101
%
85
Performance ratios:
Annualized return on average equity
8.26
%
8.34
Annualized return on average assets
0.68
%
0.64
Dividend payout ratio
56.25
%
60.67
Asset Quality:
Allowance for credit losses as a % of:
Loans
1.24
%
1.24
Nonperforming loans
2,306
%
900
Nonperforming assets as a % of:
Loans and other real estate owned
0.05
%
0.14
Total assets
0.03
%
0.08
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans
0.05
%
0.14
Annualized net recoveries as a % of average loans
0.01
%
(0.02)
Capital Adequacy: (c)
CET 1 risk-based capital ratio
15.32
%
14.47
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
15.32
%
14.47
Total risk-based capital ratio
16.35
%
15.49
Tier 1 leverage ratio
10.64
%
10.39
Other financial data:
Net interest margin (a)
3.24
%
3.05
Effective income tax rate
20.68
%
17.07
Efficiency ratio (d)
72.56
%
73.70
Selected average balances:
Securities
$
240,381
262,917
Loans, net of unearned income
562,909
567,100
Total assets
988,907
977,518
Total deposits
906,011
898,862
Total stockholders’ equity
81,447
74,503
Selected period end balances:
Securities
$
239,681
254,359
Loans, net of unearned income
562,714
578,068
Allowance for credit losses
6,965
7,142
Total assets
1,029,224
1,025,054
Total deposits
939,851
946,405
Total stockholders’ equity
86,071
75,209
(a) Tax-equivalent. See "Table 1 - Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
(b) Calculated by dividing period end share price by
earnings per share for the previous four quarters.
(c) Regulatory capital ratios presented are for the Company's
wholly-owned subsidiary, AuburnBank.
(d) Efficiency ratio is the result of noninterest expense divided by
the sum of noninterest income and tax-equivalent net interest income.
See Table 1 - Explanation of Non-GAAP Measures.
Table of Contents
44
Table 4
- Average
Balances and Net Interest Income Analysis
Quarter ended June 30,
2025
2024
Interest
Interest
Average
Income/
Yield/
Average
Income/
Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
Expense
Rate
Balance
Expense
Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Loans and loans held for sale (1)
$
559,939
$
7,676
5.50%
$
573,926
$
7,451
5.22%
Securities - taxable (2)
231,078
1,250
2.17%
248,018
1,371
2.22%
Securities - tax-exempt (2)(3)
9,098
87
3.81%
10,210
93
3.66%
Total securities
240,176
1,337
2.23%
258,228
1,464
2.28%
Federal funds sold
25,705
280
4.37%
17,357
234
5.42%
Interest bearing bank deposits
76,237
836
4.40%
34,553
454
5.28%
Total interest-earning
assets
902,057
$
10,129
4.50%
884,064
$
9,603
4.37%
Cash and due from banks
15,936
18,072
Other assets
72,530
75,971
Total assets
$
990,523
$
978,107
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
NOW
$
198,973
$
649
1.31%
$
190,861
$
676
1.42%
Savings and money market
253,704
646
1.02%
254,663
532
0.84%
Time deposits
184,666
1,471
3.19%
192,164
1,666
3.49%
Total interest-bearing
deposits
637,343
2,766
1.74%
637,688
2,874
1.81%
Short-term borrowings
110
1
5.27%
931
1
0.43%
Total interest-bearing
liabilities
637,453
$
2,767
1.74%
638,619
$
2,875
1.81%
Noninterest-bearing deposits
267,884
262,985
Other liabilities
3,739
4,444
Stockholders' equity
81,447
72,059
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity
$
990,523
$
978,107
Net interest income and margin (tax-equivalent)
$
7,362
3.27%
$
6,728
3.06%
(1) Average loan
balances are shown net of unearned income and loans on nonaccrual status have
been included
in the computation of average balances.
(2) Includes average net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available
for sale
(3) Yields on tax-exempt securities have been
computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal income
tax rate of 21%.
Table of Contents
45
Table 5
- Average
Balances and Net Interest Income Analysis
Six months ended June 30,
2025
2024
Interest
Interest
Average
Income/
Yield/
Average
Income/
Yield/
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
Expense
Rate
Balance
Expense
Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Loans and loans held for sale (1)
$
563,086
$
15,219
5.45%
$
567,434
$
14,441
5.12%
Securities - taxable (2)
231,201
2,531
2.21%
252,623
2,782
2.21%
Securities - tax-exempt (2)(3)
9,180
173
3.80%
10,294
187
3.65%
Total securities
240,381
2,704
2.27%
262,917
2,969
2.27%
Federal funds sold
26,282
571
4.38%
17,669
483
5.50%
Interest bearing bank deposits
68,777
1,514
4.44%
36,171
959
5.33%
Total interest-earning
assets
898,526
$
20,008
4.49%
884,191
$
18,852
4.29%
Cash and due from banks
17,001
17,922
Other assets
73,380
75,405
Total assets
$
988,907
$
977,518
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
NOW
$
204,069
$
1,391
1.37%
$
193,755
$
1,316
1.37%
Savings and money market
248,233
1,147
0.93%
248,227
872
0.71%
Time deposits
187,763
3,044
3.27%
195,863
3,256
3.34%
Total interest-bearing
deposits
640,065
5,582
1.76%
637,845
5,444
1.72%
Short-term borrowings
55
1
5.27%
1,262
3
0.48%
Total interest-bearing
liabilities
640,120
$
5,583
1.76%
639,107
$
5,447
1.71%
Noninterest-bearing deposits
265,946
261,017
Other liabilities
3,030
2,891
Stockholders' equity
79,811
74,503
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity
$
988,907
$
977,518
Net interest income and margin (tax-equivalent)
$
14,425
3.24%
$
13,405
3.05%
(1) Average loan
balances are shown net of unearned income and loans on nonaccrual status have
been included
in the computation of average balances.
(2) Includes average net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available
for sale
(3) Yields on tax-exempt securities have been
computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal income
tax rate of 21%.
Table of Contents
46
Table 6
–Volume
and Rate Variance
Analysis
Quarter ended June 30, 2025 vs. 2024
Six months ended June 30, 2025 vs. 2024
Net
Due to change in
Net
Due to change in
(Dollars in thousands)
Change
Rate (2)
Volume (2)
Change
Rate (2)
Volume (2)
Interest income:
Loans and loans held for sale
$
226
396
(170)
$
778
933
(155)
Securities - taxable
(121)
(33)
(88)
(251)
(9)
(242)
Securities - tax-exempt (1)
(8)
2
(10)
(14)
7
(21)
Total securities
(129)
(31)
(98)
(265)
(2)
(263)
Federal funds sold
46
(45)
91
88
(98)
186
Interest bearing bank deposits
383
(76)
459
554
(161)
715
Total interest income
$
526
244
282
$
1,155
672
483
Interest expense:
Deposits:
NOW
$
(27)
(55)
28
$
75
8
67
Savings and money market
114
115
(1)
275
277
(2)
Certificates of deposit
(194)
(138)
(56)
(214)
(74)
(140)
Total interest-bearing
deposits
(107)
(78)
(29)
136
211
(75)
Short-term borrowings
—
7
(7)
(2)
20
(22)
Long-term debt
—
—
—
—
—
—
Total interest expense
(107)
(71)
(36)
134
231
(97)
Net interest income
$
633
315
318
$
1,021
441
580
(1) Yields on tax-exempt securities have been
computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an income
tax rate of 21%.
See "Table 1 - Explanation
of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
(2) Changes that are not solely a result of volume or rate have been allocated
to volume.
Table of Contents
47
ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information called for by ITEM 3 is set forth in ITEM 2 under the
caption “MARKET AND LIQUIDITY RISK
MANAGEMENT” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.