Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ITEM 2
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (“1933 Act”), as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“1934 Act”), as amended. Those sections of the 1933 Act and 1934 Act provide a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their financial performance as long as important factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from projected results are identified with meaningful cautionary statements. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “projects,” “intends,” and “estimates” or variations of such words and similar expressions, as well as future or conditional verbs preceded by “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on certain underlying assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance, as they could be impacted by several potential risks and developments that cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty.
These statements are based on Management’s current expectations regarding economic, legislative, regulatory, and other environmental issues that may affect earnings in future periods. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecast in, or implied by such forward-looking statements.
A variety of factors could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations and should be considered when evaluating the Company’s potential future financial performance. They include, but are not limited to:
● risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, including the impact on other comprehensive income, the ability for customers to repay on floating or adjustable rates loans, and the impact on costs and demand of deposits and funding, the impact on interest income on earning assets, the impact on valuations of collateral on loans, and the impact on fair value of longer-term assets;
● risks associated with inflation (including efforts by the FOMC of the FRB to control the same);
● the risk of unfavorable economic conditions in the Company’s market areas, or the impact on the Company’s market areas of national or international economic conditions or changes to economic policies, including tariffs and trade agreements;
● liquidity risks, including the ability to effectively manage the potential loss of deposits, the ability to maintain funding lines of credit, and the loss of value of unencumbered investment securities;
● increases in nonperforming assets and credit losses that could occur, particularly in times of weak economic conditions or rising interest rates;
● the impact of adverse developments at other banks, including bank failures, which impact general sentiment regarding the stability and liquidity of banks;
● risks associated with the multitude of or changes to current and prospective banking laws and regulations, and related interpretations, to which the Company is and will be subject;
● operational risks including the ability to detect and prevent financial reporting errors, operations errors, and fraud;
● the Company’s ability to diversify and grow its loan portfolio;
● the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled employees;
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● the Company’s ability to successfully deploy new technology and manage cyber security risks;
● the risk to the Company’s operations and ability to serve customers due to the inability of a vendor to meet its service level agreements;
● the outcome of any existing or future legal action for which the Company or Bank is a defendant;
● the effects of severe weather events, pandemics, other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events; and
● the success of acquisitions or branch expansions, closures or consolidations.
Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from results that might be implied by forward-looking statements include the risk factors detailed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in Item 1A, herein. The Company does not update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The financial information and disclosures contained within those statements are significantly impacted by Management’s estimates and judgments, which are based on historical experience and incorporate various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under current circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates under divergent conditions.
Critical accounting policies are those that involve the most complex and subjective decisions and assessments which have the greatest potential impact on the Company’s stated results of operations. In Management’s opinion, the Company’s critical accounting policies deal with the following areas:
● the establishment of the allowance for credit losses, including the valuation of individually evaluated loans, as explained in detail in Notes 8 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements and in the “Provision for Credit Losses” and “Allowance for Credit Losses” sections of this discussion and analysis.
Critical accounting areas are evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure that the Company’s financial statements incorporate its most recent expectations regarding those areas.
OVERVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS SUMMARY
Second Quarter 2025 Compared to Second Quarter 2024
Second quarter 2025 net income was $10.6 million, and $0.78 per diluted share as compared to $10.3 million, and $0.71 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2024. The Company’s annualized return on average equity was 12.08% and annualized return on average assets was 1.16% for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, compared to 11.95% and 1.14%, respectively, for the same quarter in 2024. The primary drivers behind the variance in first quarter net income are as follows:
● Net income for the second quarter of 2025 increased $0.4 million, or 4%, to $10.6 million. Net interest income improved $0.5 million and noninterest income increased $0.9 million, or 12%. These favorable changes were partially offset by an increase in the provision for credit losses of $0.3 million, and an increase in noninterest expense of $1.1 million, or 5%.
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● The $0.5 million increase in net interest income for the quarter was mostly driven by a 23 basis point decrease in the cost of deposits and borrowings. The yield on interest earning assets declined 20 basis points, counterbalancing some of the improvements in the cost of funds.
● Included in the above $0.9 million increase in noninterest income and $1.1 million increase in noninterest expense was an $0.8 million increase in bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) designed to offset changes to deferred compensation expense. Deferred compensation expense increased $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024 primarily due to increases in the value of participants accounts as a result of market conditions.
FINANCIAL CONDITION SUMMARY
June 30, 2025 Relative to December 31, 2024
The Company’s assets totaled $3.8 billion at June 30, 2025, an increase of $156.0 million, or 4.0% from December 31, 2024. The following provides a summary of key balance sheet changes during the first six months of 2025:
● Investment securities increased $5.8 million, or 1.0%, to $967.3 million primarily due to purchases of mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds. Corporate bonds have preferential yields over other types of securities, and fixed-rate mortgage backed securities fit the Company’s asset neutrality position. Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), continue to aggressively payoff due to tightening spreads and the ability of the issuers to reissue with a lower spread.
● Gross loans increased $103.3 million, or 4%, due to a $75.5 million increase in mortgage warehouse loans, a $34.1 million increase in commercial real estate loans, a $6.3 million increase in construction loans and an $8.4 million increase in other commercial loans, partially offset by declines in other categories. Specifically, there was an $11.1 million decrease in residential real estate loans, a $9.6 million decrease in farmland loans, and a $0.4 million reduction in consumer loans. In addition to strong favorable growth in mortgage warehouse, new credit extended, including new fundings on non-mortgage warehouse lines of credit, was $114.5 million year-to-date in 2025 versus $75.3 million year-to-date in 2024.
● Deposits increased by $82.8 million, or 3%. The growth in deposits came primarily from noninterest bearing demand deposits. There was also a $15.0 million increase in brokered deposits. Overall customer deposits increased $67.8 million.
● Other interest-bearing liabilities increased $92.0 million; $74.4 million from an increase in overnight borrowings, and $17.6 million from increased customer repurchase balances. Overnight borrowings are used to fund mortgage warehouse line advances.
● Total capital of $355.7 million at June 30, 2025, reflects a decrease of $1.6 million, relative to year-end 2024. The decrease in equity during the first half of 2025 was due to the addition of $19.7 million in net income, a $2.6 million favorable swing in accumulated other comprehensive income/loss due principally to changes in investment securities’ fair value, $18.0 million in share repurchases and $7.0 million in dividends paid. The remaining difference is related to stock options exercised and restricted stock compensation recognized during the quarter.
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EARNINGS PERFORMANCE
The Company earns income from two primary sources. The first is net interest income, which is interest income generated by earning assets less interest expense on deposits and other borrowed money. The second is noninterest income, which primarily consists of customer service charges and fees but also comes from non-customer sources such as BOLI, equity investments, and investment gains. The majority of the Company’s noninterest expense is comprised of operating costs that facilitate offering a full range of banking services to its customers.
NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN
Net interest income was $30.7 million for the second quarter of 2025, a $0.5 million increase, or 2%, over the second quarter of 2024. This increase in net interest income for the quarterly comparison was due primarily to a 23 basis point decrease in interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities.
For the second quarter of 2025, although the balance of average interest-earning assets was $58.5 million higher, the yield was 20 basis points lower as compared to the same period in 2024. The primary reason for the decrease in yield came from variable rate investments, in the form of CLO, that had rate resets due to the 100 basis decline in the prime rate in late 2024, and CLO prepayments where the funds could not be reinvested at the original spread or similar rate. There was a 23 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the same period, which had a greater impact than the lower yields on the interest-earning asset side of the balance sheet.
Net interest income for the comparative year-to-date periods increased $1.9 million. As with the quarterly comparison the decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was greater than the decrease in yield on interest-bearing assets. There was a $61.7 million, or 2%, increase in average interest-earning asset balances yielding 10 basis points lower for the same period, while average interest-bearing liability balances increased $1.7 million, yielding 20 basis points lower for the same period. The favorable net impact of the mix and rate change was a five basis point increase in our net interest margin for the six months ending June 30, 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024.
Interest expense was $12.1 million for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of $1.3 million, relative to the second quarter of 2024. For the first six months of 2025, compared to the first six months of 2024, interest expense decreased $2.2 million, to $23.4 million. The decrease in interest expense for the quarterly comparison is primarily attributable to a $49.8 million average volume decrease in interest-bearing deposit balances and a 31 basis point decrease in interest rates paid on those balances. This positive variance was partially offset by $45.6 million in higher average balances of borrowed funds, combined with an 11 basis point increase in cost. There was a favorable shift in the deposit mix in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024 with transaction accounts increasing $112.6 million while higher cost time and brokered deposits decreased. Higher cost customer time deposits decreased by $46.6 million, and wholesale brokered deposits decreased by $63.6 million. There was also a $10.5 million decrease in the average balance of savings and money market accounts. For the first half of 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, customer time deposits and wholesale brokered deposits decreased $38.6 million, and $12.1 million respectively, while borrowed funds increased $5.5 million. Other deposits increased $74.2 million for the year-to-date comparison.
The Company had $1.7 billion in adjustable and variable rate loans and $359.7 million in floating rate bonds, as compared to $255.3 million in floating rate CDs and $35.9 million in floating rate trust preferred securities at June 30, 2025. The adjustable-rate loans have repricing frequencies ranging from 30-days to 10-years. Of the $1.7 billion in adjustable and variable rate loans, $751.8 million of such adjustable and variable rate loans reprice or mature in the next twelve months. In addition, there are $710.2 million of fixed-term deposits that reprice or mature within twelve months. Based on current rates, of the $751.8 million in adjustable and variable rate loans that reprice or mature over the next twelve months, $263.1 million, or 35%, have a pricing index rate higher than the current index, while $14.3 million, or 2%, have a pricing index rate lower than the current index. The remaining balance of $474.5 million are priced at the current index rate or are expected to mature.
The Company’s net interest margin was 3.68% for the second quarter of 2025, as compared to 3.69% for the second quarter of 2024. Although there was a 20 basis point decrease in the yield on interest earning assets, there was a 23 basis point
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decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. The decrease in cost mitigated most of the decrease in yield on earning assets resulting in a one basis point decrease in net interest margin.
The level of net interest income recognized in any given period depends on a combination of factors including the average volume and yield for interest-earning assets, the average volume and cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and the mix of products which comprise the Company’s earning assets, deposits, and other interest-bearing liabilities.
The following tables show average balances for significant balance sheet categories and the amount of interest income or interest expense associated with each category for the noted periods. The tables also display calculated yields on each major component of the Company’s investment and loan portfolios, average rates paid on each key segment of the Company’s interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest margin for the noted periods .
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Average Balances and Rates
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
For the three months ended
For the three months ended
June 30, 2025
June 30, 2024
Assets
Average
Balance (1)
Income/
Expense
Average
Rate/Yield (2)
Average
Balance (1)
Income/
Expense
Average
Rate/Yield (2)
Investments:
Interest-earning due from banks
$
18,122
$
211
4.67%
$
43,407
$
598
5.54%
Taxable
770,413
9,295
4.84%
866,270
12,787
5.94%
Non-taxable
196,364
1,577
4.08%
199,942
1,592
4.05%
Total investments
984,899
11,083
4.68%
1,109,619
14,977
5.58%
Loans: (3)
Real estate
1,849,725
22,589
4.90%
1,802,190
20,463
4.57%
Agricultural
72,933
915
5.03%
75,825
1,406
7.46%
Commercial
109,407
1,612
5.91%
77,224
1,174
6.11%
Consumer
3,214
64
7.99%
3,698
79
8.59%
Mortgage warehouse lines
368,592
6,440
7.01%
261,768
5,382
8.27%
Other
2,351
14
2.39%
2,291
14
2.46%
Total loans
2,406,222
31,634
5.27%
2,222,996
28,518
5.16%
Total interest-earning assets (4)
3,391,121
42,717
5.10%
3,332,615
43,495
5.30%
Other earning assets
17,062
17,058
Non-earning assets
280,045
286,020
Total assets
$
3,688,228
$
3,635,693
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Interest-bearing deposits:
Demand deposits
$
224,649
$
1,420
2.54%
$
131,510
$
733
2.24%
NOW
375,695
140
0.15%
398,001
148
0.15%
Savings accounts
354,798
97
0.11%
371,961
80
0.09%
Money market
146,193
608
1.67%
139,507
476
1.37%
Time deposits
516,970
4,283
3.32%
563,526
6,051
4.32%
Brokered deposits
244,401
2,778
4.56%
307,995
3,544
4.63%
Total interest-bearing deposits
1,862,706
9,326
2.01%
1,912,500
11,032
2.32%
Borrowed funds:
Federal funds purchased
46,214
517
4.49%
181
3
6.67%
Repurchase agreements
124,636
79
0.25%
131,478
66
0.20%
Short term borrowings
24,716
277
4.50%
18,550
262
5.68%
Long term FHLB advances
80,000
780
3.91%
80,000
777
3.91%
Long-term debt
49,424
430
3.49%
49,335
430
3.51%
Subordinated debentures
35,899
655
7.32%
35,723
755
8.50%
Total borrowed funds
360,889
2,738
3.04%
315,267
2,293
2.93%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
2,223,595
12,064
2.18%
2,227,767
13,325
2.41%
Demand deposits - noninterest-bearing
1,020,374
978,602
Other liabilities
91,191
83,886
Shareholders' equity
353,068
345,438
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
3,688,228
$
3,635,693
Interest income/interest-earning assets
5.10%
5.30%
Interest expense/interest-earning assets
1.42%
1.61%
Net interest income and margin (5)
$
30,653
3.68%
$
30,170
3.69%
(1) Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
(2) Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 21% effective federal tax rate.
(3) Loans are gross of the allowance for expected credit losses. Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Net loan (costs) fees and loan acquisition FMV amortization were $(0.4) million and $(0.3) million for the quarters ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
(4) Nonaccrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of computing total earning assets.
(5) Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
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Average Balances and Rates
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
For the six months ended
For the six months ended
June 30, 2025
June 30, 2024
Assets
Average
Balance (1)
Income/
Expense
Average
Rate/Yield (2)
Average
Balance (1)
Income/
Expense
Average
Rate/Yield (2)
Investments:
Interest-earning due from banks
$
36,281
$
799
4.44%
$
30,202
$
839
5.59%
Taxable
752,903
18,435
4.94%
879,720
26,090
5.96%
Non-taxable
196,957
3,153
4.09%
222,469
3,581
4.10%
Total investments
986,141
22,387
4.75%
1,132,391
30,510
5.59%
Loans:(3)
Real estate
1,837,146
44,576
4.89%
1,804,187
40,653
4.53%
Agricultural
74,615
1,945
5.26%
68,622
2,544
7.46%
Commercial
106,296
3,127
5.93%
78,216
2,357
6.06%
Consumer
3,250
133
8.25%
3,830
160
8.40%
Mortgage warehouse lines
341,075
11,970
7.08%
199,595
8,203
8.26%
Other
2,356
32
2.74%
2,312
28
2.44%
Total Loans
2,364,738
61,783
5.27%
2,156,762
53,945
5.03%
Total interest-earning assets (4)
3,350,879
84,170
5.12%
3,289,153
84,455
5.22%
Other earning assets
17,062
17,202
Non-earning assets
277,002
278,403
Total assets
$
3,644,943
$
3,584,758
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Interest-bearing deposits:
Demand deposits
$
216,258
$
2,712
2.53%
$
134,736
$
1,431
2.14%
NOW
377,009
259
0.14%
398,320
232
0.12%
Savings accounts
353,727
187
0.11%
374,148
153
0.08%
Money market
145,646
1,180
1.63%
138,597
886
1.29%
Time Deposits
524,095
8,694
3.35%
562,733
12,241
4.37%
Brokered deposits
244,480
5,665
4.67%
256,543
5,733
4.49%
Total interest-bearing deposits
1,861,215
18,697
2.03%
1,865,077
20,676
2.23%
Borrowed funds:
Federal funds purchased
23,325
519
4.49%
7,554
247
6.58%
Repurchase agreements
118,533
148
0.25%
121,932
106
0.17%
Short term borrowings
14,437
323
4.51%
21,549
613
5.72%
Long term FHLB advances
80,000
1,550
3.91%
80,000
1,555
3.91%
Long-term debt
49,413
860
3.51%
49,324
861
3.51%
Subordinated debentures
35,877
1,308
7.35%
35,700
1,510
8.51%
Total borrowed funds
321,585
4,708
2.95%
316,059
4,892
3.11%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
2,182,800
23,405
2.16%
2,181,136
25,568
2.36%
Demand deposits - noninterest-bearing
1,011,895
984,489
Other liabilities
96,967
77,210
Shareholders' equity
353,281
341,923
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
3,644,943
$
3,584,758
Interest income/interest-earning assets
5.12%
5.22%
Interest expense/interest-earning assets
1.41%
1.56%
Net interest income and margin (5)
$
60,765
3.71%
$
58,887
3.66%
(1) Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
(2) Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 21% effective federal tax rate.
(3) Loans are gross of the allowance for possible loan losses. Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Net loan fees and loan acquisition FMV amortization were $(0.7) million and $(0.7) million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, and 2024, respectively.
(4) Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of computing total earning assets.
(5) Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
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The Volume and Rate Variances table below sets forth the dollar difference for the comparative periods in interest earned or paid for each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the amount of such change attributable to fluctuations in average balances (volume) or differences in average interest rates. Volume variances are equal to the increase or decrease in average balances multiplied by prior period rates, and rate variances are equal to the change in rates multiplied by prior period average balances. Variances attributable to both rate and volume changes, calculated by multiplying the change in rates by the change in average balances, have been allocated to the rate variance.
Volume & Rate Variances
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
Three months ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
2025 over 2024
2025 over 2024
Increase (decrease) due to
Increase (decrease) due to
Assets:
Volume
Rate
Mix
Net
Volume
Rate
Mix
Net
Investments:
Federal funds sold/due from time
$
(348)
$
(93)
$
54
$
(387)
$
169
$
(174)
$
(35)
$
(40)
Taxable
(1,415)
(2,335)
258
(3,492)
(3,761)
(4,550)
656
(7,655)
Non-taxable
(7)
14
(22)
(15)
(519)
(20)
111
(428)
Total investments (1)
(1,770)
(2,414)
290
(3,894)
(4,111)
(4,744)
732
(8,123)
Loans:
Real estate
540
1,545
41
2,126
743
3,123
57
3,923
Agricultural
(54)
(454)
17
(491)
222
(755)
(66)
(599)
Commercial
489
(36)
(15)
438
846
(56)
(20)
770
Consumer
(11)
(5)
1
(15)
(24)
(3)
—
(27)
Mortgage warehouse
2,196
(808)
(330)
1,058
5,814
(1,198)
(849)
3,767
Other
—
—
—
—
1
3
—
4
Total loans (1)
3,160
242
(286)
3,116
7,602
1,114
(878)
7,838
Total interest-earning assets (1)
$
1,390
$
(2,172)
$
4
$
(778)
$
3,491
$
(3,630)
$
(146)
$
(285)
Liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits:
Demand deposits
$
519
98
70
$
687
$
865
$
259
157
$
1,281
NOW
(8)
—
—
(8)
(13)
42
(2)
27
Savings accounts
(4)
22
(1)
17
(8)
44
(2)
34
Money market
23
104
5
132
45
237
12
294
Time deposits
(500)
(1,382)
114
(1,768)
(840)
(2,907)
200
(3,547)
Brokered deposits
(732)
(43)
9
(766)
(270)
212
(10)
(68)
Total interest-bearing deposits (1)
(702)
(1,201)
197
(1,706)
(221)
(2,113)
355
(1,979)
Borrowed funds:
Federal funds purchased
763
(1)
(248)
514
516
(79)
(165)
272
Repurchase agreements
(3)
17
(1)
13
(3)
46
(1)
42
Short term borrowings
87
(54)
(18)
15
(202)
(131)
43
(290)
Long-term FHLB Advances
—
3
—
3
—
(5)
—
(5)
Long term debt
1
(1)
—
—
2
(3)
—
(1)
Subordinated debentures
4
(103)
(1)
(100)
7
(208)
(1)
(202)
Total borrowed funds (1)
852
(139)
(268)
445
320
(380)
(124)
(184)
Total interest-bearing liabilities (1)
150
(1,340)
(71)
(1,261)
99
(2,493)
231
(2,163)
Net interest income (1)
$
1,240
$
(832)
$
75
$
483
$
3,392
$
(1,137)
$
(377)
$
1,878
(1) Subtotals are a sum of the categories above and are not recalculated on the portfolio totals.
The volume variance calculated for the second quarter of 2025 relative to the second quarter of 2024 was a favorable $0.5 million; this is primarily from the net impact of a favorable loan volume variance of $3.1 million augmented by a favorable rate reduction in interest bearing liabilities. There was an overall unfavorable rate and volume variance on investment securities, which mostly came from the variable rate investments, in the form of CLOs, partially offsetting the favorable variances in loans and interest-bearing liabilities. There was a modest favorable mix variance of $0.1 million. The
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Company’s net interest margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 3.68%, as compared to 3.69% for the second quarter of 2024.
Average interest earning cash balances for the quarterly comparisons have decreased and have a positive impact on the net interest margin since cash balances have been earning approximately 4.7% and have been deployed into mortgage warehouse line advances yielding 7.01%. Average interest-earning cash and due from banks was $18.1 million, a decrease of $25.3 million for the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the same period last year.
Overall average investment securities decreased by $99.4 million for the second quarter of 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, as paydowns and maturities, exceeded purchases, with the excess used to partially offset brokered deposit maturities. The overall investment portfolio had a tax-equivalent yield of 4.68% at June 30, 2025, with an average life of 5.99 years and average effective duration of 2.09 years for available-for-sale securities. Approximately $320.4 million of the investment securities reprice every 90 days and $80.1 million are subordinated debt with an initial fixed rate period of 5 years and floating thereafter.
Variances in interest expense were the result of changes discussed under the “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin” heading.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS
Credit risk is inherent in the business of making loans. The Company sets aside an allowance for credit losses on loans, a contra-asset account, through periodic charges to earnings, which are reflected in the income statement as the provision for credit losses on loans. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable loan losses are immediately charged off against the allowance, with subsequent recoveries reflected as an increase to the allowance. The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2025, as compared to $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in net charge-offs in the second quarter of 2025, as compared to the second quarter of 2024, was primarily related to the $5.3 million prior allowance on an individually-evaluated agricultural production loan. The allowance for credit losses on loans is at a level that, in Management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable credit losses on loans related to individually-identified loans as well as probable credit losses in the remaining loan portfolio.
The Company’s policies for monitoring the adequacy of the allowance, determining loan balances that should be charged off, and other detailed information with regard to changes in the allowance are discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, and below, under “Allowance for Credit Losses.” The process utilized to establish an appropriate credit allowance for losses on loans can result in a high degree of variability in the Company’s credit loss provision, and consequently in net earnings.
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NONINTEREST INCOME AND NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Noninterest Income/Expense
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
Three months ended June 30,
Six months ended June 30,
Noninterest income:
2025
2024
2025
2024
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts
$
5,855
$
6,184
$
11,436
$
11,909
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities available-for-sale
1
—
124
(2,883)
(Loss) gain on sale of fixed assets
(19)
—
(22)
3,799
Bank-owned life insurance
1,316
523
1,051
1,738
Other
1,400
923
2,606
1,656
Total noninterest income
$
8,553
$
7,630
$
15,195
$
16,219
As a % of average interest-earning assets (1)
1.01%
0.92%
0.91%
0.99%
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits
$
12,544
$
12,029
$
25,547
$
25,226
Occupancy and equipment costs
3,142
3,152
6,120
6,177
Advertising and marketing costs
405
338
753
680
Data processing costs
1,566
1,680
3,064
3,189
Deposit services costs
2,118
2,019
4,109
4,152
Loan services costs
Loan processing
113
89
251
240
Foreclosed assets
(2)
—
2
—
Other operating costs
1,078
1,094
2,006
2,021
Professional services costs
Legal & accounting services
419
714
1,070
1,240
Director's costs
1,257
646
1,123
1,899
Other professional service
711
582
1,417
1,582
Stationery & supply costs
132
115
233
263
Sundry & tellers
284
234
489
549
Total noninterest expense
$
23,767
$
22,692
$
46,184
$
47,218
As a % of average interest-earning assets (1)
2.81%
2.74%
2.78%
2.89%
(1) Annualized
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Noninterest Income:
Total noninterest income increased by $0.9 million, or 12%, for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to the same quarter in 2024 and decreased $1.0 million, or 6%, for the comparable year-to-date periods. The quarterly comparison increase primarily resulted from a $0.7 million positive variance in the value of separate account corporate-owned life insurance assets tied to non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and a $0.5 million increase in death benefit on life insurance proceeds, partially offset by lower service charges on deposit accounts. The year-to-date decrease reflects the net impact of the loss on the sale of investment securities in 2024, offset by the gain on the sale/leaseback of bank owned branch locations, with no like transactions in 2025. There was also an unfavorable variance of $0.8 million associated with the decrease in value of separate account corporate-owned life insurance assets tied to non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and a decrease of $0.5 million in service charges on deposits. These unfavorable variances to the year-to-date comparisons were partially offset by $0.8 million in additional life insurance death benefits.
Within noninterest income and noninterest expense are mostly offsetting amounts related to bank owned life insurance and non-qualified deferred compensation. This created a year-over-year unfavorable variance of $0.8 million within noninterest income and a favorable year-over-year $0.8 million variance for noninterest expense. The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for officers and directors, which allows the participant to defer a portion of their earnings tax-free. Participants are allowed to choose different hypothetical investment alternatives to determine their individualized return on their deferred compensation. The Company has chosen to offset the cost of this liability with BOLI which is funded based on deferral elections from the participants. Although the BOLI is not directly tied to the deferred compensation plan, the BOLI is invested in similar fund types as those selected by the participants. There is some inefficiency in net earnings of the BOLI asset, as compared to the deferred compensation liability, created by the cost of insurance, differences in balances, and differences in individual fund performance.
Service charges and fees on customer deposit accounts declined by $0.3 million, or 5%, to $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the second quarter of 2024, and declined by $0.5 million, or 4% for the year-to-date comparison. Lower analysis fees, returned check charges, and interchange on debit cards were the primary drivers of the unfavorable variance in both the quarterly and year-to-date variances.
In the “other” category of noninterest income there was a $0.5 million increase in the second quarter of 2025 as compared to the second quarter of 2024, and a $1.0 million increase for the first six months of 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024. Life insurance proceeds accounted for most of the favorable variance for both the quarterly and year-to-date comparisons.
Noninterest Expense:
Total noninterest expense increased by $1.1 million, or 5%, in the second quarter of 2025, relative to the second quarter of 2024, but favorably declined by $1.0 million, or 2%, in the first six months of 2025, as compared to the first six months of 2024.
Salaries and Benefits were $0.5 million, or 4%, higher in the second quarter of 2025, as compared to the second quarter of 2024, and were $0.3 million, or 1%, higher for the first six months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The quarterly increase is due to increased officer bonus and group health insurance costs. The year-over-year increase is primarily due to the same reasons as the quarterly but also included an overall increase in officer salary costs and 401(k) company contributions, partially offset by an increase in deferred salary loan costs, due to the hiring of lending and lending support officers. Full-time equivalent employees were 494 at June 30, 2025, as compared to 485 at December 31, 2024, and 501 at June 30, 2024. Included in the June 30, 2025, figures were 10 summer interns and temporary employees.
Occupancy expenses were mostly unchanged for the second quarter and the first half of 2025, as compared to the same periods in 2024.
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Other noninterest expense increased $0.6 million, or 8%, for the second quarter 2025, as compared to the second quarter in 2024, and decreased $1.3 million, or 8%, for the first half of 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024. Deferred compensation expense for directors increased $0.7 million for the quarterly comparison but decreased $0.7 million for the year-to-date comparison, which is linked to the changes in life insurance income. For the year-to-date comparison there were also decreases in marketing expenses.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The Company sets aside a provision for income taxes on a monthly basis. The amount of that provision is determined by first applying the Company’s statutory income tax rates to estimated taxable income, which is pre-tax book income adjusted for permanent differences, and then subtracting available tax credits. Permanent differences include, but are not limited to, tax-exempt interest income, BOLI income, and certain book expenses that are not allowed as tax deductions. Tax credits consist primarily of those generated by investments in low-income housing tax credit funds. The Company's provision for income taxes was 25.3% of pre-tax income in the second quarter of 2025, relative to 27.8% in the second quarter of 2024, and 25.5% of pre-tax income for the first half of 2025 relative to 27.1% for the same period in 2024.
The decrease in effective tax rate for both the quarterly and year-to-date comparisons is due to the tax credits and tax-exempt income representing a larger percentage of total taxable income.
BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS
EARNING ASSETS
The Company’s interest-earning assets are comprised of loans and investments, including overnight investments and surplus balances held in interest-earning accounts in its FRB account. The composition, growth characteristics, and credit quality of both of those components are significant determinants of the Company’s financial condition. Investments are analyzed in the section immediately below, while the loan portfolio and other factors affecting earning assets are discussed in the sections following investments.
INVESTMENTS
The Company’s investments may at any given time consist of debt securities and marketable equity securities (together, the “investment portfolio”), investments in the time deposits of other banks, surplus interest-earning balances in its FRB account, and overnight fed funds sold. The Company’s investments can serve several purposes, including the following: 1) they can provide liquidity for potential funding needs; 2) they provide a source of pledged assets for securing public deposits, bankruptcy deposits and certain borrowed funds which require collateral; 3) they constitute a large base of assets with structural characteristics that can be changed more readily than loan or deposit portfolios, as might be required for interest rate risk management purposes; 4) they are another interest-earning option for the placement of surplus funds when loan demand is light; and 5) they can provide partially tax exempt income.
The investment portfolio is reflected on the balance sheet as investment securities and totaled $967.3 million, or 26% of total assets at June 30, 2025, and $961.5 million, or 27% of total assets at December 31, 2024. The decrease was due to maturities and paydowns, partially used to offset brokered deposit maturities.
The Company carries “available-for-sale” investments at their fair market values and “held-to-maturity” investments at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses. The Company currently has the intent and ability to hold investment securities to maturity, but the securities are all marketable. The expected effective duration was 2.1 years for available-for-sale investments and 6.1 years for held-to-maturity investments at June 30, 2025, as compared to 1.5 years for available-for-sale investments and 6.0 years for held-to-maturity investments at December 31, 2024.
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The following table sets forth the carrying amount for available-for-sale securities, at fair value, and held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost, net of the allowance for credit losses of the Company’s investment portfolio by investment type as of the dates noted:
Investment Portfolio
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
June 30, 2025
December 31, 2024
Carrying Amount
Percent
Carrying Amount
Percent
Available for sale
U.S. government agencies
$
50,356
5.21%
$
50,153
5.22%
Mortgage-backed securities
178,451
18.45%
93,503
9.72%
State and political subdivisions
39,492
4.08%
40,803
4.24%
Corporate bonds
80,110
8.28%
58,562
6.09%
Collateralized loan obligations
320,425
33.13%
412,946
42.95%
Total available for sale
668,834
69.15%
655,967
68.22%
Held to maturity
U.S. government agencies
4,678
0.48%
4,819
0.50%
Mortgage-backed securities
122,149
12.62%
128,974
13.41%
State and political subdivisions
171,657
17.75%
171,721
17.87%
Total held to maturity
298,484
30.85%
305,514
31.78%
Total securities
$
967,318
100.00%
$
961,481
100.00%
Investment securities pledged as collateral for borrowings and/or potential borrowings from the FHLB and the FRB, customer repurchase agreements, and other purposes as required or permitted by law totaled $433.8 million at June 30, 2025, and $403.4 million at December 31, 2024, leaving $533.5 million in unpledged debt securities at June 30, 2025, and $558.1 million at December 31, 2024. Securities pledged in excess of actual pledging needs and thus available for liquidity purposes, if needed, totaled $253.4 million at June 30, 2025, and $242.2 million at December 31, 2024.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES – AFS INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The allowance for credit losses on AFS investment securities, a contra-asset, is established through periodic provisions for credit losses on AFS investment securities. It is maintained at a level that is considered adequate to measure expected losses across the classes of major investment security types related to fluctuations in market conditions, primarily interest rates, and not reflective of a deterioration in credit value. The Company maintains it has intent and ability to hold these securities until the amortized cost basis of each security is recovered and likewise concluded as of both June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, that it was not more likely than not that any of the securities in an unrealized loss position would be required to be sold. The following bullets outline additional support for Management’s conclusion that no amount of the unrealized loss of the securities in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024, was attributable to credit deterioration and a risk of loss, requiring an allowance for credit losses.
● U.S. government agencies are supported by the full faith and creditworthiness of the U.S. federal government and Management did not consider a default, much less a loss on these securities to be a reasonable possibility as of either June 30, 2025, or December 31, 2024.
● Mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises (“GSEs”) carry an implicit guarantee by the U.S. federal government, as the GSEs can draw funds from the U.S. federal government up to a limit, with an implied ability to draw funds beyond the limit. Management did not consider a default, much less a loss on these securities to be a reasonable possibility as of either June 30, 2025, or December 31, 2024.
● Management routinely monitors third party credit grades of the municipal issuers in the Company’s state and political subdivisions portfolio. On a quarterly basis Management receives financial information from a third-party service in order to monitor the underlying issuer’s financial stability. In addition, Management performs annual reviews of the underlying municipal issuers financial statements in order to evaluate stability and
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repayment capacity and has noted no concerns with any of the bonds in the Company’s state and local portfolio. As of both June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 Management concluded that no allowance for credit losses was warranted on any of the Company’s municipal securities and the unrealized loss position of each of the securities reflected fluctuations in market conditions, primarily interest rates, since the time of purchase.
● The Company has invested in corporate debt issuances of other financial institutions. Various financial metrics, including credit quality, reserve adequacy, profitability and capital, of each of the issuing financial institutions are reviewed by Management quarterly. Following review of the financial metrics available for each of the underlying institutions as of June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024, Management concluded the unrealized loss position of these securities were related exclusively to the fluctuation in market conditions, primarily interest rates, from the date of purchase, and were not reflective of any credit concerns with the issuing financial institution. These bonds were subject to a credit review by the credit administration department prior to their purchase and are subject to ongoing quarterly reviews.
● The Company has invested exclusively in AA and AAA tranches of various collateralized loan obligations, which are securitizations of commercial loans. Each purchase is subject to a credit, concentration, and structure review by the credit administration department prior to their purchase and are subject to ongoing quarterly reviews. Management monitors the credit rating, in addition to various performance metrics available through a third-party informational service, of these investments on a quarterly basis. Following review of financial metrics as of both June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024, Management concluded that the unrealized loss position of these securities related exclusively to the fluctuation in market conditions, primarily interest rate spreads due to changes in supply or demand, from the date of purchase, and were not reflective of any credit concerns with the tranches comprising the Company’s investments.
LOAN PORTFOLIO
A distribution of the Company’s loans showing the balance and percentage of loans by type is presented for the noted periods in the table below. The balances in the table are after deferred or unamortized loan origination, extension, or commitment fees, and deferred origination costs. While not reflected in the loan totals and not currently comprising a material segment of lending activities, the Company also occasionally originates and sells, or participates out portions of loans to non-affiliated investors.
Loan Distribution
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
June 30, 2025
December 31, 2024
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
371,415
15.26%
$
382,507
16.41%
Commercial real estate
1,392,075
57.18%
1,357,833
58.25%
Other construction/land
11,662
0.48%
5,472
0.23%
Farmland
67,967
2.79%
77,547
3.33%
Total real estate
1,843,119
75.71%
1,823,359
78.22%
Other commercial
186,620
7.67%
178,331
7.64%
Mortgage warehouse lines
401,896
16.50%
326,400
14.00%
Consumer loans
2,974
0.12%
3,344
0.14%
Total loans
$
2,434,609
100.00%
$
2,331,434
100.00%
Gross loan balances at $2.4 billion, increased $103.3 million, or 4%, during the first half of 2025. Organic loan growth contributed to increases of $34.1 million in commercial real estate loans, $6.3 million in construction loan balances, and $8.4 million in other commercial loans. Mortgage warehouse line utilization increased $75.5 million, or 23%. Consumer loans had a modest decline, while residential real estate loans decreased $11.1 million, and farmland loans decreased $9.6 million.
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As indicated in the loan rollforward below, new credit extended for the second quarter of 2025 decreased $18.2 million over the linked quarter comparison and increased $7.8 million over the same period in 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, new credit extended increased $39.2 million, or 52% over the same period in 2024. For the first six months ended 2025, we had $77.2 million in loan paydowns and maturities, along with a $9.5 million decrease in line of credit utilization, partially offset by a $75.5 million increase in mortgage warehouse utilization for the first half of 2025.
LOAN ROLLFORWARD
(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)
For the three months ended:
For the six months ended:
June 30, 2025
March 31, 2025
June 30, 2024
June 30, 2025
June 30, 2024
Gross loans beginning balance
$
2,306,762
$
2,331,341
$
2,156,864
$
2,331,341
$
2,090,075
New credit extended
48,147
66,370
40,313
114,517
75,279
Changes in line of credit utilization (1)
2,587
(12,129)
(10,412)
(9,542)
(35,340)
Change in mortgage warehouse
118,665
(43,169)
70,498
75,496
158,060
Pay-downs, maturities, charge-offs and amortization
(41,556)
(35,651)
(22,735)
(77,207)
(53,546)
Gross loans ending balance
$
2,434,605
$
2,306,762
$
2,234,528
2,434,605
2,234,528
(1) Change does not include new balances on lines of credit extended during the respective periods as such balances are included as part of “New credit extended” line above.
At June 30, 2025, the total regulatory CRE concentration ratio of total CRE over Tier 1 Capital plus allowance was 243.6% as compared to 236.3% at December 31, 2024, and 241.1% at June 30, 2024. The overall level of construction and land development lending is 2.6% of regulatory capital plus allowance for credit losses at June 30, 2025. At June 30, 2025, non-owner occupied commercial real estate includes $306.5 million of retail; $145.6 million of warehouse/industrial; $155.5 million of office; and $222.0 million of hospitality. Approximately $35.8 million, or 23% of the office real estate matures in less than two years.
The mortgage warehouse lines are structured as repurchase agreement lines. The repurchase agreement structure provides stronger credit protection to the Company, as well as more favorable regulatory capital treatment, as these repurchase lines are not considered off-balance sheet commitments for regulatory capital purposes as they are unconditionally cancellable.
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NONPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonperforming assets is currently comprised of loans for which the Company is no longer accruing interest but can include OREO and other foreclosed assets, when applicable.
Nonperforming assets
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
June 30, 2025
December 31, 2024
June 30, 2024
Nonperforming Loans:
Real estate:
Residential real estate
$
270
$
23
$
67
Commercial real estate
1,872
—
—
Other construction/land
—
—
—
Farmland
1,717
5,105
6,370
Total Real Estate nonperforming loans
3,859
5,128
6,437
Other commercial
11,122
14,540
36
Consumer loans
—
—
—
Total nonperforming Loans
14,981
19,668
6,473
Foreclosed assets
—
—
—
Total Nonperforming Assets
$
14,981
$
19,668
$
6,473
Nonperforming loans as a % of total gross loans
0.62%
0.84%
0.29%
Nonperforming assets as a % of total gross loans and foreclosed assets
0.62%
0.84%
0.29%
Total nonperforming assets, comprised of nonaccrual loans and foreclosed assets, decreased by $4.7 million to $15.0 million for the first half of 2025. The Company's ratio of nonperforming loans to gross loans decreased to 0.62% at June 30, 2025, from 0.84% at December 31, 2024. The decrease resulted from a decrease in non-accrual loan balances, due to the partial charge-off of one agricultural production loan. All the Company's nonperforming assets are individually evaluated for credit loss quarterly and Management believes the established allowance for credit loss on such loans is appropriate.
There were no foreclosed assets at June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024. However, when the Company does own foreclosed assets, they are periodically evaluated and written down to their fair value less expected disposition costs, if lower than the then-current carrying value.
An action plan is in place for each non-accruing loan, and they are all being actively managed. Collection efforts are continuously pursued for all nonperforming loans, but the Company cannot provide assurance that they will be resolved in a timely manner or that nonperforming balances will not increase.
The Company had $3.0 million in loans past due 30-89 days and still accruing at June 30, 2025. This is an increase of $1.7 million over the balance at December 31, 2024. All of these past due loans are under Management supervision and every effort is being taken to assist the borrowers and manage credit risk in this regard.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES – LOANS
The allowance for credit losses on loans, a contra-asset, is established through periodic provisions for credit losses on loans. It is maintained at a level that is considered adequate to measure expected losses on individually identified loans, as well as expected losses inherent in the remaining loan portfolio. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable losses are immediately charged off against the allowance; recoveries are generally recorded only when sufficient cash payments are received subsequent to the charge-off.
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The Company's allowance for credit losses on loans was $21.7 million at June 30, 2025, as compared to $24.8 million at December 31, 2024, and $21.6 million at June 30, 2024. The decrease for the first half of 2025 is primarily attributable to a decrease in the allowance for loans individually evaluated and was specifically related to the partial charge-off of one agricultural production loan, reflected in the other commercial category in the table below. The allowance as a percentage of gross loans was 0.89%, 1.07%, and 0.97%, at June 30, 2025, December 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024, respectively. Management's detailed analysis indicates that the Company's allowance for credit losses on loans should be sufficient to cover credit losses for the life of the loans outstanding as of June 30, 2025, but no assurance can be given that the Company will not experience substantial future losses relative to the size of the credit loss allowance for loans. The total allowance for credit losses on loans of $21.7 million at June 30, 2025, included $0.5 million of allowance related to $401.9 million of mortgage warehouse lines. A separate allowance of $0.8 million for potential credit losses inherent in unused commitments is included in other liabilities at June 30, 2025, an increase of $0.1 million, from December 31, 2024.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
For the three
months ended
For the three
months ended
For the six
months ended
For the six
months ended
For the year ended
June 30,
June 30,
June 30,
June 30,
December 31,
Balances:
2025
2024
2025
2024
2024
Average gross loans outstanding during period (1)
$
2,406,222
$
2,222,996
$
2,364,738
$
2,156,762
$
2,225,402
Gross Loans outstanding at end of period
$
2,434,605
$
2,234,528
$
2,434,605
$
2,234,528
$
2,331,341
Allowance for credit losses on loans:
Balance at beginning of period
$
27,050
$
23,140
$
24,830
$
23,500
$
23,500
Provision charged to expense
1,210
921
3,171
1,018
4,593
Charge-offs
Real estate
Commercial real estate
1,147
2,448
1,147
2,468
2,438
Farmland
—
—
—
410
410
Total real estate
1,147
2,448
1,147
2,878
2,848
Other commercial
5,418
40
5,475
326
529
Consumer loans
166
326
496
738
1,484
Total
$
6,731
$
2,814
$
7,118
$
3,942
$
4,861
Recoveries
Real estate
Residential real estate
$
—
$
60
$
—
$
60
$
60
Farmland
—
—
410
—
—
Total real estate
—
60
410
60
60
Other commercial
11
103
24
544
655
Consumer loans
140
230
363
460
883
Total
$
151
$
393
$
797
$
1,064
$
1,598
Net loan charge-offs
$
6,580
$
2,421
$
6,321
$
2,878
$
3,263
Balance at end of period
$
21,680
$
21,640
$
21,680
$
21,640
$
24,830
RATIOS
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)
1.10%
0.44%
0.54%
0.27%
0.59%
Allowance for credit losses on loans to gross loans at end of period
0.89%
0.97%
0.89%
0.97%
1.07%
Net loan charge-offs to allowance for credit losses on loans at end of period
30.35%
11.19%
29.16%
13.30%
13.14%
Net loan charge-offs to provision for credit losses on loans
543.80%
262.87%
199.34%
282.71%
71.04%
(1) Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Company maintains commitments to extend credit in the normal course of business, as long as there are no violations of conditions established in the outstanding contractual arrangements. It is unlikely that all unused commitments will ultimately be drawn down. Unused commitments to extend credit, which included standby letters of credit, totaled $671.4 million at June 30, 2025, and $641.5 million at December 31, 2024, representing approximately 28% of gross loans outstanding at both June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024. Included in unused commitments are mortgage warehouse
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lines, which are mostly in the form of repurchase lines and are unconditionally cancellable. Unused commitments on mortgage warehouse lines were $334.6 million at June 30, 2025, and $311.6 million at December 31, 2024, while mortgage warehouse utilization was 55% and 51%, respectively.
The increase in mortgage warehouse utilization during the first half of 2025 was due to new customers added in the mortgage warehouse product that ramped up their utilization. Unused commitments, exclusive of mortgage warehouse lines and overdraft lines of credit, were flat at 57% at December 31, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Total mortgage warehouse commitments increased by $38.5 million and $98.5 million for the three-and-six-month periods ending June 30, 2025, respectively.
The Company also had undrawn letters of credit issued to customers totaling $5.3 million at June 30, 2025, and $5.0 million at December 31, 2024. The effect on the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash flows and liquidity from the unused portion of commitments to provide credit cannot be reasonably predicted because there is no guarantee that the lines of credit will ever be used. However, the “Liquidity” section in this Form 10-Q outlines resources available to draw upon should the Company be required to fund a significant portion of unused commitments.
In addition to unused commitments to provide credit, the Company is utilizing a $125 million letter of credit issued by the FHLB on the Company’s behalf as security for certain local agency deposits which totaled $112.2 million at June 30, 2025. That letter of credit is backed by loans pledged to the FHLB by the Company. For more information on the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements, see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements located elsewhere herein.
OTHER ASSETS
Interest-earning cash balances were discussed above in the “Investments” section, but the Company also maintains a certain level of cash on hand in the normal course of business, as well as non-earning deposits at other financial institutions. The Company’s balance of cash and due from banks depends on the timing of collection of outstanding cash items (checks), the amount of cash held in the branches, and the reserve requirement among other things, and it is subject to significant fluctuations in the normal course of business. While cash flows are normally predictable within limits, those limits are fairly broad and the Company manages its short-term cash position through the utilization of overnight loans to, and borrowings from, correspondent banks, including the FRB and the FHLB. Should a large “short” overnight position persist for any length of time, the Company typically raises money through focused retail deposit gathering efforts or by adding brokered time deposits. If a “long” position is prevalent, the Company could let brokered deposits or other wholesale borrowings roll off as they mature, or invest excess liquidity into investments or loans, subject to the Company’s risk tolerances. The Company’s balance of non-earning cash and due from banks was $112.9 million at June 30, 2025, relative to $79.6 million at December 31, 2024.
Foreclosed assets are discussed above in the section titled “Nonperforming Assets.”
Net premises and equipment decreased by $0.1 million during the first half of 2025, to $15.3 million. This decline was mostly a result of depreciation in the first half of 2025.
Goodwill was $27.4 million at June 30, 2025, unchanged during the first half of 2025. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, unless events and circumstances exist which indicate that an impairment test should be performed. The annual goodwill impairment test was last performed on October 1, 2024, and it was determined that no impairment existed. Management continues to evaluate whether or not a triggering event occurs, or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the Company below its carrying amount before the next annual test in 2025.
Bank-owned life insurance, with a balance of $67.7 million at June 30, 2025, increased $14.5 million during the first half of 2025, primarily due to the purchase of additional life insurance policies. Additional details are discussed above in the “Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense” section.
The remainder of other assets consists primarily of right-of-use assets tied to operating leases, accrued interest receivable, deferred taxes, investments in bank stocks, prepaid assets, investments in low-income housing credits, investments in SBA
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loan funds, and other miscellaneous assets. Bank stocks include Pacific Coast Bankers Bank (PCBB) stock (marked to market value annually) and restricted stock related to the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLB SF) stock held in conjunction with our FHLB borrowings. Both the PCBB and FHLB SF stock are not deemed to be marketable or liquid. Our net deferred tax asset is evaluated as of every reporting date pursuant to FASB guidance, and we have determined that no impairment exists.
DEPOSITS AND INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
DEPOSITS
Deposits represent a key balance sheet category impacting the Company’s profitability metrics. Deposits provide liquidity to fund growth in earning assets, and the Company’s net interest margin is improved to the extent that growth in deposits is concentrated in less volatile and typically less costly non-maturity accounts, such as demand deposit accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, and money market demand accounts. Information concerning average balances and rates paid by deposit type is included in the Average Balances and Rates tables appearing above, in the section titled “Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin.” A distribution of the Company’s deposits by type, showing the period-end balance and percentage of total deposits, is presented as of the dates indicated in the following table.
Deposit Distribution
(dollars in thousands, unaudited)
June 30, 2025
December 31, 2024
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
$
1,065,742
35.83%
$
1,007,208
34.83%
Interest-bearing demand deposits
228,430
7.68%
206,766
7.15%
NOW
374,864
12.60%
380,987
13.18%
Savings
352,803
11.86%
347,387
12.01%
Money market
148,084
4.98%
140,793
4.87%
Time
514,596
17.30%
533,577
18.45%
Brokered deposits
289,950
9.75%
274,950
9.51%
Total deposits
$
2,974,469
100.00%
$
2,891,668
100.00%
Deposit balances increased by $82.8 million, or 3%, during the first half of 2025 to $3.0 billion at June 30, 2025. Core non-maturity deposits increased $86.8 million, or 4%, for the first half of 2025, while customer time deposits decreased by $19.0 million. Brokered deposits increased $15.0 million to fund mortgage warehouse lines. Noninterest-bearing deposits as a percent of total deposits increased to 35.8% at June 30, 2025, compared to 34.8% at December 31, 2024, and from 33.5% at June 30, 2024.
Overall uninsured deposits are estimated to be $751.1 million, or 26% of total deposit balances, excluding public agency deposits that are subject to collateralization through a letter of credit issued by the FHLB. In addition, uninsured deposits of the bank’s customers are eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance if the customer opens an IntraFi Insured Cash Sweep account or a reciprocal time deposit through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry System (CDARS). IntraFi allows for up to $285 million of combined pass-through FDIC insurance which would more than cover each of the Bank’s deposit customers if a customer desired to have such pass-through insurance. The Bank maintains a diversified deposit base with no significant customer concentrations and does not bank any cryptocurrency companies. At June 30, 2025, the Company had approximately 118,000 accounts, and the 25 largest deposit balance customers had balances of approximately 11% of overall deposits .
OTHER INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Customer repurchase agreements were $126.5 million at June 30, 2025, as compared to $108.9 million at December 31, 2024. Customer repurchase agreements allow customers to sweep excess deposit balances over the FDIC insurance limit each day into a separate repurchase agreement account. Monies in that account are used daily by the customer to purchase specific government debt securities from the Company under an agreement from the Company to repurchase the same
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securities from the customer on the next business day. These accounts are not deposits and are not FDIC insured. However, the repurchase agreement provides a customer with a larger account balance to have their account effectively secured with US government securities.
The Company’s non-deposit borrowings may, at any given time, include fed funds purchased from correspondent banks, borrowings from the FHLB, advances from the FRB, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, subordinated notes and/or junior subordinated debentures. The Company uses short-term FHLB advances and fed funds purchased on unsecured lines to support liquidity needs created by seasonal deposit flows, to temporarily satisfy funding needs from increased loan demand, and for other short-term purposes. The FHLB line consists of both a secured and unsecured component. The secured component depends on the level of pledged collateral.
At June 30, 2025 the Company had $74.4 million in overnight borrowings, and $80.0 million of term FHLB borrowings, as compared to $80.0 million of term FHLB borrowings on December 31, 2024.
Long-term debt at June 30, 2025, consisted of $49.4 million of subordinated debt. This remained relatively unchanged from December 31, 2024. Subordinated debentures related to $35.9 million of trust preferred securities at June 30, 2025, was $0.1 million higher than at December 31, 2024. The small increase resulted from the amortization of discount on junior subordinated debentures that were part of the Company’s acquisition of Coast Bancorp in 2016. Trust preferred securities are variable rate instruments benchmarked against the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).
OTHER NONINTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Other liabilities are principally comprised of operating lease right-of-use liabilities, accrued interest payable, other accrued but unpaid expenses, and certain clearing amounts. The Company’s balance of other liabilities was $73.0 million at June 30, 2025, as compared to $90.5 million at December 31, 2024, a decrease of $17.5 million or 19%. The decrease was primarily driven by investment security purchases in process that settled, ICS transactions in process that settled, funds advanced on low-income housing tax credit investments, and a decrease in accrued interest on time deposits.
LIQUIDITY AND MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
LIQUIDITY
The Company continues to have substantial liquidity through unencumbered assets and available borrowings. In addition, the Company’s loan-to-deposit ratio was 82% at June 30, 2025, and 81% at December 31, 2024, compared to an internal policy guideline of less than 90%.
Liquidity management refers to the Company’s ability to maintain cash flows that are adequate to fund operations and meet other obligations and commitments in a timely and cost-effective manner. Detailed cash flow projections are reviewed by Management on a monthly basis, with various stress scenarios applied to assess the Company’s ability to meet liquidity needs under unusual or adverse conditions. Liquidity ratios are also calculated and reviewed on a regular basis. While those ratios are merely indicators and are not measures of actual liquidity, they are closely monitored, the Company is committed to maintaining adequate liquidity resources to draw upon should unexpected needs arise.
The Company, on occasion, experiences cash needs as the result of loan growth, deposit outflows, asset purchases or liability repayments. To meet these short-term needs, the Company can borrow overnight funds from other financial institutions, draw advances via FHLB lines of credit, or solicit brokered deposits if customer deposits are not immediately obtainable from local sources.
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At June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024, the Company had the following sources of primary and secondary liquidity (dollars in thousands):
Primary and secondary liquidity sources
June 30, 2025
December 31, 2024
Cash and cash equivalents
$
130,012
$
100,664
Unpledged investment securities
529,292
552,098
Excess pledged securities
253,365
242,519
FHLB borrowing availability
605,571
629,134
Unsecured lines of credit
445,785
479,785
Secured lines of credit
25,000
25,000
Funds available through fed discount window
321,368
298,296
Totals
$
2,310,393
$
2,327,496
Available funding sources, detailed above of, $2.3 billion represented 77% of total deposits and 307% of estimated uninsured and/or uncollateralized deposits as of June 30, 2025. Unpledged investment securities include $123.2 million of CLOs. As CLO rates reset every 90 days to current rates, the volatility of pricing of these securities is limited and the Company could sell such securities for liquidity at a significantly lower loss than selling lower-rate fixed term securities such as US government bonds or municipal bonds.
The Company performs regular stress tests on its liquidity, and at this time, Management believes it has sufficient primary and secondary liquidity sources for operations.
The Company has a higher level of actual balance sheet liquidity than might otherwise be the case since the Company utilizes a letter of credit from the FHLB rather than investment securities for certain pledging requirements. That letter of credit, which is backed by loans pledged to the FHLB by the Company, totaled $125 million at June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024. Other sources of liquidity include the brokered deposit market, deposit listing services, Intrafi, and the ability to offer local time-deposit campaigns. Management is of the opinion that available investments and other potentially liquid assets, along with standby funding sources it has arranged, are more than sufficient to meet the Company’s current and anticipated short-term liquidity needs.
The Company’s primary liquidity ratio was 21% at June 30, 2025, as compared to an internal policy guideline of “greater than 15%” Ratios and sub-limits for the various components comprising wholesale funding, which were all well within policy guidelines at June 30, 2025, are also periodically reviewed by Management and the Board. The Company has been able to maintain a robust liquidity position in recent periods, but no assurance can be provided that the liquidity position will continue at current strong levels.
The holding company’s primary uses of funds include operating expenses incurred in the normal course of business, interest on trust preferred securities and subordinated debt, shareholder dividends, and share repurchases. Its primary source of funds is dividends from the Bank since the holding company does not conduct regular banking operations. As of June 30, 2025, the holding company maintained a cash balance of $8.6 million. Management anticipates that the holding company has sufficient liquidity to meet its funding requirements for the foreseeable future. Both the holding company and the Bank are subject to legal and regulatory limitations on dividend payments, as outlined in Item 5(c) Dividends in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC.
INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
Market risk arises from changes in interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The Company does not engage in the trading of financial instruments, nor does it have exposure to currency exchange rates. The Company’s market risk exposure is primarily that of interest rate risk and has established policies and procedures to monitor and limit earnings and balance sheet exposure to changes in interest rates. The principal objective of interest rate risk management is to manage the financial components of the Company’s balance sheet in a manner that will optimize the risk/reward equation for earnings and capital under a variety of interest rate scenarios.
To identify areas of potential exposure to interest rate changes, the Company utilizes commercially-available modeling software to perform monthly earnings simulations using a dynamic balance sheet and calculate the Company’s market value of portfolio equity under varying interest rate scenarios. The model imports relevant information for the Company’s financial instruments and incorporates Management’s assumptions on pricing, duration, and optionality for anticipated
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new volumes. Assumptions regarding deposit betas in the up cycles can range from 25% to 100% and from 0% to 75% in the down cycles, depending on the deposit type. Deposit decay rate assumptions range from 5% to 26% and are based on the Company’s own historical averages. Prepayment speeds are based on actual three-year historical averages. Various rate scenarios consisting of key rate and yield curve projections are then applied in order to calculate the expected effect of a given interest rate change on interest income, interest expense, and the value of the Company’s financial instruments. The rate projections can be shocked (an immediate and parallel change in all base rates, up or down), ramped (an incremental increase or decrease in rates over a specified time period), economic (based on current trends and econometric models) or stable (unchanged from current actual levels).
In addition to a stable rate scenario, which presumes that there are no changes in interest rates, the Company typically uses at least eight other interest rate scenarios in conducting rolling 12-month net interest income simulations: upward shocks of 100, 200, 300, and 400 basis points, and downward shocks of 100, 200, 300, and 400 basis points. Those scenarios may be supplemented, reduced in number, or otherwise adjusted as determined by Management to provide the most meaningful simulations considering economic conditions and expectations at the time. The Company’s guideline is to limit any projected decline in net interest income relative to the stable rate scenario to no more than 10% for a 100 basis point interest rate shock, 15% for a 200 basis point shock, 20% for a 300 basis point shock, and 25% for a 400 basis point shock.
The Company had the following estimated net interest income sensitivity profiles over one year, without factoring in any potential negative impact on spreads resulting from competitive pressures or credit quality deterioration (dollars in thousands, unaudited):
June 30, 2025
June 30, 2024
Immediate change in Interest Rates (basis points)
% Change in Net Interest Income
$ Change in Net Interest Income
% Change in Net Interest Income
$ Change in Net Interest Income
+400
4.9%
$
6,787
10.0%
$
13,133
+300
3.8%
$
5,239
7.5%
$
9,865
+200
2.7%
$
3,695
5.0%
$
6,616
+100
1.5%
$
2,020
2.5%
$
3,349
Base
-100
(3.93)%
$
(5,437)
(5.78)%
$
(7,612)
-200
(8.07)%
$
(11,156)
(11.78)%
$
(15,512)
-300
(12.47)%
$
(17,242)
(17.41)%
$
(22,922)
-400
(16.94)%
$
(23,424)
(21.87)%
$
(28,798)
The above table is for parallel interest rate shocks for all rate curves and represents an extreme scenario. Management utilizes this as a starting point for determining its overall interest rate risk strategy. Based on the interest rate shocks, for the period ending June 30, 2025, Management believes that the Company is asset sensitive and is, slightly less asset sensitive than the same period a year ago.
The incremental changes in net interest income are similar between the up 100, 200, 300, and 400 basis point scenarios. If there were an immediate and sustained upward adjustment of 100 basis points in interest rates, all else being equal, net interest income over the next 12 months is projected to increase by $2.0 million, or 1.5%, relative to a stable interest rate scenario, with the favorable variance increasing as interest rates rise higher.
If there was an immediate downward adjustment of 100 basis points in interest rates for all rate curves, net interest income would drop $5.4 million, or a negative variance of 3.9% over 12 months. The change in net interest income in the down 200 basis point scenario is a decrease of $11.2 million or 8.1%. As a significant portion of the Company’s deposits remain in noninterest-bearing accounts or low-cost deposit accounts, in a downrate scenario, these rates would not change or only change slightly. However, floating rate earning assets (loans and deposits) would reprice downward more than the decline in floating rate liabilities. All interest rate shock scenarios are within internal policy guidelines.
Management also models other interest rate scenarios that do not assume a simultaneous and parallel shock of all points on the yield curve including short-term and long-term rates. One of these alternate rate change scenarios uses rate forecasts, from a known economist over the next twelve months, which reflect overnight rates moving differently than longer-term treasury rates. Using this forecast of interest rates, net interest income models close to the base case scenario, indicating that based on a most-likely interest rate forecast the Company’s net interest income is expected to be close to the same level modeled in an unchanged rate environment. This use of a most-likely interest rate forecast suggests we are less sensitive to interest rate changes, when compared to use of an interest rate shock.
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As the Company utilizes a dynamic balance sheet for its interest rate modeling, the Company also uses a static, or no-growth, balance sheet to assess the reasonableness of the interest rate sensitivity in the dynamic balance sheet model; no significant changes in interest rate risk outside of the base case were noted. In addition, the Company runs stress scenarios for stresses to average deposits, higher deposit betas than the base case, deposit migration from low cost to high cost deposits, and both higher and slower prepayment speeds. The most significant impact to net interest income in the net interest income simulations is the reduction or migration of low-cost deposits.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company had total shareholders’ equity of $355.7 million at June 30, 2025, comprised of $105.0 million in common stock, $5.0 million in additional paid-in capital, $274.4 million in retained earnings, and accumulated other comprehensive loss of $28.7 million. At the end of 2024, total shareholders’ equity was $357.3 million.
The $1.6 million, or 0.4%, decrease in equity during the first half of 2025 is due to a $7.0 million dividend paid to shareholders and, $18.0 million in share repurchases, mostly offset by net income of $19.7 million, and a $2.6 million favorable swing in other comprehensive income/loss due principally to positive changes in investment securities’ fair value. The remaining difference is related to equity compensation recognized during the first half of 2025.
At June 30, 2025, the Company had a 2024 Share Repurchase Plan authorizing 1,000,000 shares of common stock, with an expiration date of October 31, 2025. At June 30, 2025, 190,342 shares of common stock remain available for repurchase under the 2024 Share Repurchase plan.
The Company uses a variety of measures to evaluate its capital adequacy, including the leverage ratio which is calculated separately for the Company and the Bank. Management reviews these capital measurements on a quarterly basis and takes appropriate action to help ensure that they meet or surpass established internal and external guidelines. As permitted by the regulators for financial institutions that are not deemed to be “advanced approaches” institutions, the Company has elected to opt out of the Basel III requirement to include accumulated other comprehensive income in risk-based capital. The following table sets forth the Company’s regulatory capital ratios as of the dates indicated:
Regulatory Capital Ratios
Minimum
Minimum
Requirement
Required
June 30,
December 31,
to be
Community Bank
2025
2024
Well Capitalized
Leverage Ratio (1)
Bank of the Sierra
Tier 1 Capital to Adjusted Average Assets ("Leverage Ratio") (2)
11.75
%
11.80
%
9.00
%
9.00
%
Sierra Bancorp
Tier 1 Capital to Adjusted Average Assets ("Leverage Ratio") (2)
10.69
%
10.93
%
9.00
%
N/A
(1) If the subsidiary bank’s leverage ratio exceeds the minimum ratio under the community bank leverage ratio framework, it is deemed to be “well capitalized” under all other regulatory capital requirements. The Company may revert back to the regulatory framework for Prompt Corrective Action if the subsidiary bank’s leverage ratio falls below the minimum under the community bank leverage ratio framework.
(2) The Company has elected to phase in the impact of implementing CECL on regulatory capital over a three-year period, which ended December 31, 2024.
The federal banking agencies provide a simplified measure of capital adequacy for qualifying community banking organizations by allowing such banking organizations to opt into the community bank leverage ratio framework. The Company’s subsidiary has opted into the community bank leverage ratio framework. This means that if the Company’s subsidiary maintains a leverage ratio greater than 9% , it will be considered to have met the minimum capital requirements, the capital ratio requirements for the well capitalized category under the Prompt Corrective Action framework, and any other capital or leverage requirements to which the qualifying banking organization is subject. A qualifying community banking organization with a leverage ratio of greater than 9% may opt into the community bank leverage ratio framework if has average consolidated total assets of less than $10 billion, has off-balance-sheet exposures of 25% or less of total consolidated assets, and has total trading assets and trading liabilities of 5% or less of total consolidated assets. Further, the bank must not be an advanced approaches banking organization.
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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 3
QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is included in Part I, Item 2 above. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Market Risk Management.”
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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.