ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP (EFSC)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Depository Institutions > SIC 6022 State Commercial Banks
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1025835. Latest filing source: 0001025835-26-000058.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read EFSC's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read EFSC's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 888,410,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
| Net income | 201,374,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
| Assets | 17,300,884,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-27. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001025835.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 149,224,000 | 202,539,000 | 237,802,000 | 305,134,000 | 304,779,000 | 383,230,000 | 515,082,000 | 764,919,000 | 851,051,000 | 888,410,000 |
| Net income | 48,837,000 | 48,190,000 | 89,217,000 | 92,739,000 | 74,384,000 | 133,055,000 | 203,043,000 | 194,059,000 | 185,266,000 | 201,374,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 2.41 | 2.07 | 3.83 | 3.55 | 2.76 | 3.86 | 5.31 | 5.07 | 4.83 | 5.31 |
| Operating cash flow | 82,521,000 | 45,791,000 | 108,808,000 | 92,457,000 | 135,514,000 | 160,575,000 | 216,640,000 | 268,238,000 | 247,400,000 | 193,515,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 2,496,000 | 2,546,000 | 3,035,000 | 6,337,000 | 2,259,000 | 2,500,000 | 1,930,000 | 6,556,000 | 7,475,000 | 11,985,000 |
| Dividends paid | 8,211,000 | 10,249,000 | 10,845,000 | 16,568,000 | 19,795,000 | 26,153,000 | 33,602,000 | 37,368,000 | 39,550,000 | 45,093,000 |
| Share buybacks | 4,889,000 | 16,636,000 | 19,387,000 | 15,526,000 | 15,347,000 | 60,589,000 | 32,923,000 | 0.00 | 29,641,000 | 14,145,000 |
| Assets | 4,081,328,000 | 5,289,225,000 | 5,645,662,000 | 7,333,791,000 | 9,751,571,000 | 13,537,358,000 | 13,054,172,000 | 14,518,590,000 | 15,596,431,000 | 17,300,884,000 |
| Liabilities | 3,694,230,000 | 4,740,652,000 | 5,041,858,000 | 6,466,606,000 | 8,672,596,000 | 12,008,242,000 | 11,531,909,000 | 12,802,522,000 | 13,772,429,000 | 15,261,498,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | 387,098,000 | 548,573,000 | 603,804,000 | 867,185,000 | 1,078,975,000 | 1,529,116,000 | 1,522,263,000 | 1,716,068,000 | 1,824,002,000 | 2,039,386,000 |
| Free cash flow | 80,025,000 | 43,245,000 | 105,773,000 | 86,120,000 | 133,255,000 | 158,075,000 | 214,710,000 | 261,682,000 | 239,925,000 | 181,530,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 32.73% | 23.79% | 37.52% | 30.39% | 24.41% | 34.72% | 39.42% | 25.37% | 21.77% | 22.67% |
| Return on equity | 12.62% | 8.78% | 14.78% | 10.69% | 6.89% | 8.70% | 13.34% | 11.31% | 10.16% | 9.87% |
| Return on assets | 1.20% | 0.91% | 1.58% | 1.26% | 0.76% | 0.98% | 1.56% | 1.34% | 1.19% | 1.16% |
| Liabilities / equity | 9.54 | 8.64 | 8.35 | 7.46 | 8.04 | 7.85 | 7.58 | 7.46 | 7.55 | 7.48 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001025835-26-000058; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001025835-26-000058; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001025835-26-000058; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001025835-26-000058; filed 2026-02-27. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-07-31. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001025835.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 1.32 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 1.46 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 1.29 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 200,906,000 | 44,665,000 | 1.17 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 207,083,000 | 44,529,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 207,723,000 | 40,401,000 | 1.05 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 211,644,000 | 45,446,000 | 1.19 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 216,304,000 | 50,585,000 | 1.32 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 215,380,000 | 48,834,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 211,780,000 | 49,961,000 | 1.31 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 218,967,000 | 51,384,000 | 1.36 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 225,390,000 | 45,235,000 | 1.19 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 232,273,000 | 54,794,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 225,091,000 | 49,362,000 | 1.30 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2026-Q2 | 2026-06-30 | 229,313,000 | 40,927,000 | 1.09 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-06-30; accession 0001025835-26-000146; filed 2026-07-31. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-06-30; accession 0001025835-26-000146; filed 2026-07-31. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-06-30; accession 0001025835-26-000146; filed 2026-07-31. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001025835-26-000146.
ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains information and statements that are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company, and include, without limitation, statements about the Company’s plans, strategies, goals, objectives, expectations, or consequences of statements about the future performance, operations, products and services of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as statements about the Company’s expectations regarding revenue and asset growth, financial performance and profitability, loan and deposit growth, yields and returns, loan diversification and credit management, products and services, stockholder value creation and the impact of acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are typically identified with the use of terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “could,” “continue,” “intend,” and the negative and other variations of these terms and similar words and expressions, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed differently. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. You should be aware that our actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation: the Company’s ability to efficiently integrate acquisitions into its operations, retain the clients of these businesses and grow the acquired operations, the Company’s ability to collect insurance proceeds from claims made related to tax recapture events, credit risk, changes in the appraised valuation of real estate securing impaired loans, outcomes of litigation and other contingencies, exposure to general and local economic and market conditions, high unemployment rates, higher inflation and its impacts (including U.S. federal government measures to address higher inflation), impacts of trade and tariff policies, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters (including the effect of a prolonged U.S. federal government shutdown), and any slowdown in global economic growth, risks associated with rapid increases or decreases in prevailing interest rates, our ability to attract and retain deposits and access to other sources of liquidity, consolidation in the banking industry, competition from banks and other financial institutions, the Company’s ability to attract and retain relationship officers and other key personnel, burdens imposed by federal and state regulation, changes in legislative or regulatory requirements, as well as current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including rules and regulations relating to bank products and financial services, changes in accounting policies and practices or accounting standards, natural disasters (such as wildfires and earthquakes), terrorist activities, war and geopolitical matters (including in Israel, Iran and Ukraine, and the imposition of additional sanctions and export controls in connection therewith), or pandemics, and their effects on economic and business environments in which we operate, including the related disruption to the financial market and other economic activity; and other risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and other reports filed with the SEC, all of which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that the preceding list is not exhaustive of all possible risk factors and other factors could also adversely affect the Company’s results.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis and expectations only as of the date of such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to publicly revise or update forward-looking statements after the date of this report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities law. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Readers should carefully review all disclosures we file from time to time with the SEC which are available on the Company’s website at www.enterprisebank.com under “Investor Relations.”
35
Introduction
The following discussion describes the significant changes to the financial condition of the Company that have occurred during the first six months of 2026 compared to the financial condition as of December 31, 2025. In addition, this discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the results of operations of the Company for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the linked first quarter of 2026 (“linked quarter”) and the results of operations, liquidity and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 (“prior year-to-date period”). In light of the nature of the Company’s business, the Company’s management believes that the comparison to the linked quarter is the most relevant to understand the financial results from management’s perspective. For purposes of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company is presenting a comparison to the corresponding prior year-to-date period. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company’s critical accounting policies are considered important to the understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These accounting policies require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Because these estimates and judgments are based on current circumstances, they may change over time or prove to be inaccurate based on actual experience. If different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending upon the severity of such changes, the possibility of a materially different financial condition and/or results of operations could reasonably be expected.
A full description of our critical accounting policies and the impact and any associated risks related to those policies on our business operations are discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
The Company has prepared all of the consolidated financial information in this report in accordance with GAAP. The Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates include the valuation of loans, goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets, along with assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using loss experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statement in future periods. There can be no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
36
ACL
The Company maintains separate allowances for funded loans, unfunded loans, and held-to-maturity securities, collectively referred to as the ACL. The ACL is a valuation account to adjust the cost basis to the amount expected to be collected, based on management’s experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For purposes of determining the allowance for funded and unfunded loans, the portfolios are segregated into pools that share similar risk characteristics that are then further segregated by credit grades. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are not included in the collective evaluation. The Company estimates the amount of the allowance based on loan loss experience, adjusted for current and forecasted economic conditions, including unemployment, changes in GDP, and commercial and residential real estate prices. The Company’s forecast of economic conditions uses internal and external information and considers a weighted average of a baseline, upside, and downside scenarios. Because economic conditions can change and are difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated loan defaults and losses, and therefore the adequacy of the allowance, could change significantly and have a direct impact on the Company’s credit costs. The Company’s ACL on loans was $139.2 million at June 30, 2026 based on the weighting of the different economic scenarios. As a hypothetical example, if the Company had only used the upside scenario, the allowance would have decreased $26.9 million. Conversely, the allowance would have increased $40.5 million using only the downside scenario.
37
Executive Summary
Below are highlights of the Company’s financial performance for the periods indicated. Comparisons to prior year periods are affected by the acquisition of 12 branches in Arizona and Kansas in the fourth quarter 2025 (the “Branch Acquisition”).
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[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
The objective of this section is to provide an overview of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. It should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and other financial data presented elsewhere in this report, particularly the information regarding the Company’s business operations described in Item 1. A detailed discussion comparing 2024 and 2023 results is incorporated herein by reference to Item 7 of the Company’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2025.
Executive Summary
The Company offers a broad range of business and personal banking services including wealth management. Lending services include C&I, CRE, real estate construction and development, residential real estate, specialty, and consumer loans. A wide variety of deposit products and a complete suite of treasury management and international trade services complement our lending capabilities. The Company’s results of operations are also affected by prevailing economic conditions, competition, government policies and other actions of regulatory agencies.
The Company’s financial condition, operating results and liquidity in 2025 continued to be impacted by monetary policy actions. The Federal Reserve decreased the target federal funds rate 75 basis points in 2025, following a 100 basis point decrease in 2024. This follows the period of 2022 to 2023 when the Federal Reserve increased the target federal funds rate 525 basis points.
31
Financial Performance Highlights
Below are highlights of our financial performance for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | At or for the year ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| EARNINGS | ||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 888,410 | $ | 851,051 | $ | 764,919 | ||||
| Total interest expense | 261,672 | 282,955 | 202,327 | |||||||
| Net interest income | 626,738 | 568,096 | 562,592 | |||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 26,337 | 21,508 | 36,605 | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision for credit losses | 600,401 | 546,588 | 525,987 | |||||||
| Total noninterest income | 113,123 | 69,703 | 68,725 | |||||||
| Total noninterest expense | 429,807 | 385,047 | 348,186 | |||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 283,717 | 231,244 | 246,526 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 82,343 | 45,978 | 52,467 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 201,374 | $ | 185,266 | $ | 194,059 | ||||
| Preferred dividends | 3,750 | 3,750 | 3,750 | |||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 197,624 | $ | 181,516 | $ | 190,309 | ||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 5.34 | $ | 4.86 | $ | 5.09 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 5.31 | $ | 4.83 | $ | 5.07 | ||||
| Return on average assets | 1.24 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.41 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average assets1 | 1.23 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.41 | % | ||||
| Return on average common equity | 10.58 | % | 10.60 | % | 12.27 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average common equity1 | 10.45 | % | 10.71 | % | 12.35 | % | ||||
| Return on average tangible common equity1 | 13.34 | % | 13.58 | % | 16.25 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average tangible common equity1 | 13.17 | % | 13.71 | % | 16.35 | % | ||||
| Net interest margin (tax-equivalent) | 4.21 | % | 4.16 | % | 4.43 | % | ||||
| Efficiency ratio | 58.09 | % | 60.37 | % | 55.15 | % | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 59.32 | % | 58.42 | % | 53.42 | % | ||||
| Common dividend payout ratio2 | 22.98 | % | 21.95 | % | 19.72 | % | ||||
| Book value per common share | $ | 53.22 | $ | 47.37 | $ | 43.94 | ||||
| Tangible book value per common share1 | $ | 41.37 | $ | 37.27 | $ | 33.85 | ||||
| Average common equity to average assets | 11.53 | % | 11.54 | % | 11.24 | % | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 9.07 | % | 9.05 | % | 8.96 | % | ||||
| ASSET QUALITY | ||||||||||
| Net charge-offs | $ | 24,302 | $ | 17,450 | $ | 38,044 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans | 82,809 | 42,687 | 43,728 | |||||||
| Nonaccrual loans | 81,180 | 42,667 | 43,181 | |||||||
| Nonperforming assets | 164,353 | 46,642 | 49,464 | |||||||
| Classified assets | 410,485 | 193,838 | 185,389 | |||||||
| Total assets | 17,300,884 | 15,596,431 | 14,518,590 | |||||||
| Total loans | 11,800,338 | 11,220,355 | 10,884,118 | |||||||
| Classified assets to total assets | 2.37 | % | 1.24 | % | 1.28 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.70 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.40 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.95 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.34 | % | ||||
| ACL on loans to total loans | 1.19 | % | 1.23 | % | 1.24 | % | ||||
| Net charge-offs to average loans | 0.21 | % | 0.16 | % | 0.37 | % |
1Non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2Dividends per common share divided by diluted earnings per common share.
32
2025 Financial Highlights
During 2025, we noted the following significant developments:
•The Company had a return on average assets of 1.24%. This drove a 11.0% increase in tangible book value per share in 2025.
•Dividends paid in 2025 of $1.22 per share increased $0.16 per share, or 15%, compared to $1.06 per share in 2024.
•The Company repurchased 258,739 shares of its common stock at a weighted-average share price of $54.60.
•The Bank acquired 12 branches from First Interstate Bank, including certain deposits and loans, and the owned real estate and fixed and other assets associated with the 12 branches. The Company acquired $609 million in deposits, and certain, mostly commercially-oriented loans with outstanding balances of approximately $292 million as of December 31, 2025. The transaction added 10 branches in Arizona and two branches in Kansas City, and expands the Company’s presence in those markets.
•A solar provider from which the Company had purchased $24.1 million of transferrable solar tax credits declared bankruptcy. The bankrupt solar provider indirectly owned, through a complex structure of multiple entities, the solar projects generating the tax credits that the Company purchased. As part of the bankruptcy, the bankrupt solar provider sold and transferred equity interests in certain of those entities. As a result of this transfer, the $24.1 million of solar tax credits purchased by the Company were recaptured. The Company previously purchased an insurance policy to insure against recapture risk and anticipates proceeds from the insurance policy to cover the $24.1 million of recaptured tax credits and approximately $8.0 million of incremental tax liability attributable to the anticipated insurance proceeds from the insured recaptured credits.
•The Company redeemed $63.3 million of subordinated debt that had a floating rate of three-month Term SOFR plus a spread of 5.66%. The redemption was funded through the issuance of a $63.3 million senior note at a rate of one-month Term SOFR plus a spread of 2.50%.
The Company noted the following trends during 2025:
•The Company reported net income of $201.4 million, or $5.31 per diluted share for 2025, compared to $185.3 million, or $4.83 per diluted share for 2024. PPNR1 for 2025 was $274.7 million, compared to $255.2 million in 2024. PPNR ROAA1 for 2025 and 2024 was 1.70% and 1.72%, respectively. The increase in PPNR1 was primarily due to higher net interest income that benefited from an organic increase in average interest-earning asset balances and liquidity provided through the Branch Acquisition, and lower rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. These increases were partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense due to the Branch Acquisition, merit increases, higher headcount and higher deposit costs from growth in the deposit verticals.
•Net interest income was $626.7 million, an increase of $58.6 million over the prior year. NIM increased to 4.21% in 2025, from 4.16% in 2024, primarily due to higher average loan and securities balances, higher yields on the securities portfolio, and lower short-term interest rates that decreased deposit interest expense. Average loans and securities increased $472.6 million and $753.8 million, respectively, compared to 2024. While the decline in market interest rates reduced the yield on loans 28 basis points, the yield on securities increased 51 basis points compared to 2024. The total cost of deposits was 1.77% in 2025 compared to 2.12% in 2024.
1 PPNR, PPNR ROAA, and the core efficiency ratio are non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
33
•Noninterest income was $113.1 million, an increase of $43.4 million from $69.7 million in 2024. Noninterest income in 2025 includes $32.1 million of anticipated insurance proceeds from a pending claim related to a recapture event during the third quarter 2025 with respect to a $24.1 million solar tax credit. There is an offsetting amount of $32.1 million in income tax expense related to the solar tax credit recapture.
•Noninterest expense was $429.8 million in 2025, a 12% increase from $385.0 million in 2024. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily from higher deposit costs due to an increase in average deposit vertical balances, an increase in compensation due an expanded associate base and the onboarding of the associates from the fourth quarter 2025 Branch Acquisition, along with other expenses related to the Branch Acquisition. The increase was partially offset by a $4.9 million decline in core conversion expenses due to the completion of the core implementation in the fourth quarter 2024. The core efficiency ratio1 was 59.3% in 2025, compared to 58.4% in 2024.
2024 Financial Highlights
During 2024, noted the following significant developments:
•The Company had a return on average assets of 1.25%. This drove a 10.1% increase in tangible book value per share in 2024.
•Dividends paid in 2024 of $1.06 per share increased $0.06 per share, or 6%, compared to $1.00 per share in 2023.
•The Company repurchased 626,778 of its common shares at a weighted-average share price of $46.95.
•In the fourth quarter 2024, the Company successfully completed the conversion of its legacy core system into a new core banking platform.
34
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Average Balance Sheet
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as, the corresponding interest rates earned and paid, all on a tax-equivalent basis. Average balances are presented on a daily average basis.
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans1, 2 | $ | 11,463,410 | $ | 755,222 | 6.59 | % | $ | 10,990,774 | $ | 755,448 | 6.87 | % | $ | 10,324,951 | $ | 688,439 | 6.67 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 2,057,017 | 83,734 | 4.07 | 1,512,132 | 53,167 | 3.52 | 1,320,664 | 40,920 | 3.10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities2 | 1,209,424 | 43,623 | 3.61 | 1,000,558 | 31,963 | 3.19 | 970,888 | 30,209 | 3.11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total securities | 3,266,441 | 127,357 | 3.90 | 2,512,690 | 85,130 | 3.39 | 2,291,552 | 71,129 | 3.10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 418,980 | 17,566 | 4.19 | 368,221 | 18,918 | 5.14 | 260,214 | 13,430 | 5.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 15,148,831 | 900,145 | 5.94 | 13,871,685 | 859,496 | 6.20 | 12,876,717 | 772,998 | 6.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 1,050,172 | 970,005 | 928,519 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 16,199,003 | $ | 14,841,690 | $ | 13,805,236 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 3,311,368 | $ | 68,932 | 2.08 | % | $ | 3,033,616 | $ | 76,932 | 2.54 | % | $ | 2,559,238 | $ | 46,976 | 1.84 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,730,110 | 113,286 | 3.04 | 3,494,497 | 127,651 | 3.65 | 3,043,794 | 92,976 | 3.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 535,021 | 724 | 0.14 | 567,147 | 1,261 | 0.22 | 668,368 | 975 | 0.15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 1,533,608 | 58,156 | 3.79 | 1,371,009 | 58,764 | 4.29 | 1,198,551 | 42,796 | 3.57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 9,110,107 | 241,098 | 2.65 | 8,466,269 | 264,608 | 3.13 | 7,469,951 | 183,723 | 2.46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | 135,809 | 9,543 | 7.03 | 156,260 | 10,497 | 6.72 | 155,702 | 9,781 | 6.28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 75,027 | 3,422 | 4.56 | 30,363 | 1,691 | 5.57 | 54,615 | 2,752 | 5.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 201,001 | 5,829 | 2.90 | 164,959 | 5,667 | 3.44 | 168,745 | 3,647 | 2.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 56,610 | 1,780 | 3.14 | 37,833 | 492 | 1.30 | 71,738 | 2,424 | 3.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 9,578,554 | 261,672 | 2.73 | 8,855,684 | 282,955 | 3.20 | 7,920,751 | 202,327 | 2.55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 4,525,761 | 4,042,368 | 4,131,163 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 155,194 | 159,463 | 130,201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 14,259,509 | 13,057,515 | 12,182,115 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 1,939,494 | 1,784,175 | 1,623,121 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity | $ | 16,199,003 | $ | 14,841,690 | $ | 13,805,236 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 638,473 | $ | 576,541 | $ | 570,671 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest spread | 3.21 | % | 3.00 | % | 3.45 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 4.21 | % | 4.16 | % | 4.43 | % |
1Average balances include nonaccrual loans. Interest income includes loan fees of $7.0 million, $9.6 million, and $13.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 respectively.
2Non-taxable income is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of approximately 25%. The tax-equivalent adjustments were $11.7 million, $8.4 million, and $8.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
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Rate/Volume
The following table sets forth, on a tax-equivalent basis for the periods indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in yield/rates and volume.
| 2025 compared to 2024 | 2024 compared to 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (decrease) due to | Increase (decrease) due to | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest earned on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 31,919 | $ | (32,145) | $ | (226) | $ | 45,473 | $ | 21,536 | $ | 67,009 | ||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 21,260 | 9,307 | 30,567 | 6,347 | 5,900 | 12,247 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities3 | 7,204 | 4,456 | 11,660 | 936 | 818 | 1,754 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 2,402 | (3,754) | (1,352) | 5,549 | (61) | 5,488 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 62,785 | (22,136) | 40,649 | 58,305 | 28,193 | 86,498 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 6,617 | $ | (14,617) | $ | (8,000) | $ | 9,794 | $ | 20,162 | $ | 29,956 | ||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 8,192 | (22,557) | (14,365) | 14,928 | 19,747 | 34,675 | ||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | (68) | (469) | (537) | (165) | 451 | 286 | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 6,562 | (7,170) | (608) | 6,674 | 9,294 | 15,968 | ||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | (1,421) | 467 | (954) | 35 | 681 | 716 | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 2,086 | (355) | 1,731 | (1,326) | 265 | (1,061) | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 1,126 | (964) | 162 | (84) | 2,104 | 2,020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowed funds | 334 | 954 | 1,288 | (839) | (1,093) | (1,932) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 23,428 | (44,711) | (21,283) | 29,017 | 51,611 | 80,628 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 39,357 | $ | 22,575 | $ | 61,932 | $ | 29,288 | $ | (23,418) | $ | 5,870 | ||||||||||
| 1Change in volume multiplied by yield/rate of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2Change in yield/rate multiplied by volume of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3Nontaxable income is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of approximately 25%. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE: The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to rate and volume changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. |
Net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) was $638.5 million for 2025, compared to $576.5 million for 2024, an increase of $61.9 million. The increase in net interest income in 2025 was primarily due to higher average interest-earning asset balances and a decrease in the average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
Total tax-equivalent interest income of $900.1 million increased $40.6 million in 2025 primarily due to a $42.2 million increase in interest income from investment securities. Higher interest income on investment securities was primarily due to a $753.8 million increase in average securities balances and a 51 basis point increase in yield on investment securities. Average securities represented 22% and 18% of earnings assets for 2025 and 2024, respectively. Average loan balances increased $472.6 million during the year primarily from organic loan growth and the Branch Acquisition, partially offset by a 28 basis point decrease in loan yield resulting in a $0.2 million decrease in loan interest income.
Overall, average interest-earning assets increased $1.3 billion, or 9%, to $15.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025. Excess liquidity provided through the Branch Acquisition was deployed into the securities portfolio and other interest-earning assets. Volume growth of the balance sheet drove an increase in interest income on earning assets of $62.8 million, partially offset by a decrease of $22.1 million in yield on interest-earning assets in 2025 compared to 2024.
36
Total interest expense decreased $21.3 million in 2025 primarily due to decreased rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The decrease in deposit interest expense reflects lower rates paid on deposits, partially offset by successful marketing efforts and acquired deposits in connection with the Branch Acquisition that increased average deposit balances. Total average interest-bearing deposits increased to $9.1 billion, an increase of $643.8 million, or 8%, in 2025 over the average for 2024. Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $483.4 million, or 12%, in 2025 compared to the average for 2024. Average noninterest-bearing deposits represented 33% of total average deposits in 2025, compared to 32% in 2024. Overall, average interest-bearing liabilities increased $722.9 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the prior year end. The increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased interest expense in 2025 by $23.4 million, which was partially offset by the decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities that decreased interest expense $44.7 million in 2025.
The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 4.21% for 2025, compared to 4.16% for 2024. The primary driver of the increase in net interest margin from 2024 to 2025 was lower interest expense on the deposit portfolio. Since September 2024, the Federal Reserve has reduced the federal funds target rate 175 basis points. As of December 31, 2025, variable-rate loans comprised approximately 60% of total loans. The earning-asset yield decreased 26 basis points to 5.94% in 2025, compared to 6.20% in 2024. Comparatively, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 47 basis points to 2.73%, from 3.20% in 2024.
Noninterest Income
The following table presents a comparative summary of the major components of noninterest income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2025:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Deposit service charges | $ | 19,376 | $ | 18,344 | $ | 16,559 | $ | 1,032 | $ | 1,785 | ||||||||
| Wealth management revenue | 10,456 | 10,452 | 10,030 | 4 | 422 | |||||||||||||
| Card services revenue | 9,995 | 9,966 | 10,028 | 29 | (62) | |||||||||||||
| Tax credit income | 7,697 | 8,954 | 9,196 | (1,257) | (242) | |||||||||||||
| Anticipated insurance recoveries | 32,112 | — | — | 32,112 | — | |||||||||||||
| Other income | 33,487 | 21,987 | 22,912 | 11,500 | (925) | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | 113,123 | $ | 69,703 | $ | 68,725 | $ | 43,420 | $ | 978 |
Noninterest income increased $43.4 million, or 62%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase in noninterest income was primarily due to $32.1 million of anticipated insurance proceeds from a third quarter 2025 pending claim related to a recapture event with respect to a solar tax credit that the Company purchased and applied to prior taxable periods. Excluding this item, noninterest income increased primarily due to an $11.5 million increase in other income. Other income increased primarily due to higher BOLI income ($3.7 million), an increase in gains on the sale of SBA loans ($2.8 million), and an increase in net gain on OREO ($3.2 million). Private equity and community development income are not consistent sources of income and fluctuate based on distributions and earnings from the underlying funds. In 2025, the Company sold the guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans of $78.2 million for a gain of $4.2 million, compared to $23.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in 2024.
37
Noninterest Expense
The following table presents a comparative summary of the components of noninterest expense:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Employee compensation and benefits | $ | 198,666 | $ | 182,713 | $ | 164,566 | $ | 15,953 | $ | 18,147 | ||||||||
| Deposit costs | 103,231 | 88,645 | 72,293 | 14,586 | 16,352 | |||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 20,154 | 17,231 | 16,526 | 2,923 | 705 | |||||||||||||
| Data processing | 20,239 | 19,671 | 15,196 | 568 | 4,475 | |||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 9,605 | 6,257 | 5,719 | 3,348 | 538 | |||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 77,912 | 70,530 | 73,886 | 7,382 | (3,356) | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 429,807 | $ | 385,047 | $ | 348,186 | $ | 44,760 | $ | 36,861 | ||||||||
| Efficiency ratio | 58.1 | % | 60.4 | % | 55.2 | % | (2.3) | % | 5.2 | % | ||||||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 59.3 | % | 58.4 | % | 53.4 | % | 0.9 | % | 5.0 | % | ||||||||
| 1 A non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Noninterest expense increased $44.8 million, or 12%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase was attributed primarily to an increase in compensation and benefits due to annual merit increases, an expanded associate base, the onboarding of the associates from the Branch Acquisition, and the recruitment of new relationship bankers. The total cost of the Branch Acquisition in noninterest expense was $3.7 million in 2025. The increase from 2024 was also primarily due to a $14.6 million increase in deposit costs due to an increase in average deposit vertical balances. For certain deposit accounts in the Company’s deposit verticals, clients receive an earnings credit allowance on average collected balances that may be used to offset expenses associated with the client’s activities for managing the accounts. These costs are reflected in noninterest expense as deposit costs. Average balances in the deposit verticals were approximately $3.8 billion and $3.1 billion, resulting in an average deposit vertical cost of 2.75% and 2.82% for 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Income Taxes
As part of the normal, ongoing review of state tax apportionment, the Company's state statutory tax rate was increased in the fourth quarter. Due to the increase, the Company’s blended federal and state tax rate was approximately 25.1% in 2025, compared to 24.8% in 2024. Included in tax expense during 2025 was $24.1 million in recaptured tax credits as discussed above and approximately $8.0 million of incremental tax liability attributable to the anticipated insurance proceeds from the insured recaptured credits. Excluding the impact of the recaptured tax credits and related insurance proceeds, the adjusted effective tax rate2 for 2025, after adjusting for permanent tax differences such as tax exempt income and tax credits, is approximately 20.0% compared to 19.9% in 2024. See “Item 8. Note 15 – Income Taxes” for additional information.
2 Adjusted effective tax rate is a non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
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FINANCIAL CONDITION
Summary Balance Sheet
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 681,902 | $ | 764,170 | $ | 433,029 | (10.77) | % | 76.47 | % | |||||||
| Securities | 3,729,992 | 2,791,205 | 2,368,707 | 33.63 | % | 17.84 | % | ||||||||||
| Loans | 11,800,338 | 11,220,355 | 10,884,118 | 5.17 | % | 3.09 | % | ||||||||||
| Assets | 17,300,884 | 15,596,431 | 14,518,590 | 10.93 | % | 7.42 | % | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 14,609,342 | 13,146,492 | 12,176,371 | 11.13 | % | 7.97 | % | ||||||||||
| Liabilities | 15,261,498 | 13,772,429 | 12,802,522 | 10.81 | % | 7.58 | % | ||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 2,039,386 | 1,824,002 | 1,716,068 | 11.81 | % | 6.29 | % |
The table below represents the summary balance sheet shown as a percentage of account class (total assets, total liabilities or total stockholders’ equity), as applicable:
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents to total assets | 3.94 | % | 4.90 | % | 2.98 | % | ||
| Securities to total assets | 21.56 | % | 17.90 | % | 16.31 | % | ||
| Loans to total assets | 68.21 | % | 71.94 | % | 74.97 | % | ||
| Deposits to total liabilities | 95.73 | % | 95.46 | % | 95.11 | % |
Assets
Loans by Type
The Company has a diversified loan portfolio, with no particular concentration of credit in any one economic sector other than those noted in the table of loans by NAICS code below; however, a substantial portion of the portfolio, including the C&I category, is secured by real estate. The ability of the Company’s borrowers to honor their contractual obligations is partially dependent upon the local economy and its effect on the real estate market. Included in total loans at December 31, 2025 are $292.0 million of loans from the Branch Acquisition.
39
The following table sets forth the composition of the loan portfolio by type of loans:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025(1) | 2024 | ||||
| C&I | $ | 5,231,616 | $ | 4,716,689 | ||
| CRE - investor owned | 2,984,858 | 2,606,964 | ||||
| CRE - owner occupied | 2,468,963 | 2,367,823 | ||||
| Construction and land development | 687,584 | 891,059 | ||||
| Residential real estate | 367,682 | 359,263 | ||||
| Consumer | 59,635 | 278,557 | ||||
| Total loans | $ | 11,800,338 | $ | 11,220,355 | ||
| (1)Certain loans were reclassified from Consumer and into other categories in 2025. Prior period amounts were not adjusted. | ||||||
| December 31, | ||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| C&I | 44.3 | % | 42.0 | % | ||
| CRE - investor owned | 25.3 | % | 23.2 | % | ||
| CRE - owner occupied | 20.9 | % | 21.1 | % | ||
| Construction and land development | 5.9 | % | 8.0 | % | ||
| Residential real estate | 3.1 | % | 3.2 | % | ||
| Consumer | 0.5 | % | 2.5 | % | ||
| Total loans | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
C&I loans are made based on the borrower’s ability to generate cash flows for repayment from income sources, general credit strength, experience, and character, even though such loans may also be secured by real estate or other assets. The credit risk related to commercial loans is largely influenced by general economic conditions and the resulting impact on a borrower’s operations.
The Company continues to focus on originating high-quality C&I loan relationships as they allow for cross selling opportunities involving other banking products. Our specialized products, especially sponsor finance, life insurance premium financing, and tax credit lending, consist of primarily C&I loans, and have contributed significantly to the Company’s C&I loan growth. These loans are sourced through relationships developed with wealth and estate planning firms, private equity funds and tax credit specialists and are not bound geographically to our markets. As a result, these specialized loan products offer opportunities to expand and diversify our overall geographic concentration by entering into new markets. C&I also represents loans to state and political subdivisions, loans to nondepository financial institutions, and loans to purchase, or are fully secured by, investment securities.
40
Real estate loans place an emphasis on the estimated cash flows from the operation of the property and/or the underlying collateral value.
•Our CRE loans, including investor-owned and owner-occupied categories, primarily represent commercial property loans on which the primary source of repayment is income from the property for investor-owned and the operating business for owner-occupied. These loans are principally underwritten based on the cash flow coverage of the property, the Company’s loan to value guidelines, and generally require either the limited or full guaranty of principal sponsors of the credit. The Company also maintains standards for amortization and maturity terms. CRE loans also represent owner-occupied C&I loans for which the primary source of repayment is dependent on sources other than the underlying collateral. In an effort to mitigate credit risk, the Company routinely reviews its loan portfolio for various concentrations. Annually, management prepares an assessment of credit risk in the various loan portfolios, with a significant portion of the commercial loan portfolio subject to review. These reviews consider the Company’s collateral position as well as exposure to a given industry sector. The Company performs site visits as part of the underwriting process, in addition to stress tests for vacancy, rental and interest rates on certain property types. The Company believes that the loan portfolio is sufficiently diversified to provide protection from deterioration in any particular industry, geography or devaluation of a specific collateral type.
•Construction and land development loans relating primarily to residential and commercial properties, represent financing secured by real estate under development for eventual sale or undeveloped ground. At December 31, 2025, $378.5 million of these loans include the use of interest reserves and follow standard underwriting guidelines. Construction projects are monitored by the loan officer and a centralized independent loan disbursement function.
•Residential real estate loans include residential mortgages, which are loans that, due to size or other attributes, do not qualify for conventional home mortgages available-for-sale in the secondary market, second mortgages, home equity lines and conventional mortgages that are part of a broad banking relationship with the Company. Residential mortgage loans are usually limited to a maximum of 80% of collateral value at origination.
Consumer loans represent loans to individuals. Credit risk is managed by thoroughly reviewing the creditworthiness of the borrowers prior to origination and thereafter.
41
The following table presents a breakdown of loans by NAICS code at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Outstanding Balance | % | Outstanding Balance | % | |||||||||
| Accommodation and food services | $ | 995,727 | 8 | % | $ | 1,052,105 | 9 | % | |||||
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 217,833 | 2 | % | 207,003 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting1 | 106,535 | 1 | % | 141,339 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 143,315 | 1 | % | 139,256 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Construction | 635,854 | 5 | % | 584,421 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Educational services | 49,753 | NM | 49,942 | NM | |||||||||
| Finance and insurance | 2,540,455 | 22 | % | 2,252,420 | 20 | % | |||||||
| Health care and social assistance | 678,129 | 6 | % | 612,767 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Information | 75,033 | 1 | % | 68,839 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Management of companies and enterprises | 65,127 | 1 | % | 91,890 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Manufacturing | 812,042 | 7 | % | 750,480 | 7 | % | |||||||
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 15,872 | NM | 5,494 | NM | |||||||||
| Other services (except public administration) | 547,447 | 5 | % | 556,325 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 334,802 | 3 | % | 311,160 | 3 | % | |||||||
| Public administration | 13,156 | NM | 11,889 | NM | |||||||||
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 3,091,499 | 26 | % | 2,904,153 | 26 | % | |||||||
| Retail trade | 602,440 | 5 | % | 561,932 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Transportation and warehousing | 254,049 | 2 | % | 286,906 | 3 | % | |||||||
| Utilities | 27,097 | NM | 7,139 | NM | |||||||||
| Wholesale trade | 524,525 | 4 | % | 517,761 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Other | 69,648 | 1 | % | 107,134 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Total loans | $ | 11,800,338 | 100 | % | $ | 11,220,355 | 100 | % | |||||
| 1Includes $40.6 million and $54.2 million in animal production at December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively and $53.4 million and $69.4 million in crop production at December 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. |
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had an agricultural loan portfolio of $69.3 million and $121.8 million, respectively. The Company continues to wind down this portfolio over time as the loans mature or pay down. The Company does not intend to enter into new agricultural loans.
The following table presents a breakdown of C&I loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,828 | $ | 927,862 | $ | 328 | 2,582 | $ | 864,511 | $ | 335 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 347 | 1,110,868 | 3,201 | 343 | 1,114,922 | 3,251 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 173 | 1,197,912 | 6,924 | 145 | 1,001,137 | 6,904 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 105 | 1,994,974 | 19,000 | 95 | 1,736,119 | 18,275 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,453 | $ | 5,231,616 | $ | 1,515 | 3,165 | $ | 4,716,689 | $ | 1,490 |
42
The following table presents a breakdown of CRE loans (investor owned and owner occupied) by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,925 | $ | 1,760,971 | $ | 602 | 2,958 | $ | 1,792,813 | $ | 606 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 481 | 1,478,057 | 3,073 | 443 | 1,363,797 | 3,079 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 136 | 946,589 | 6,960 | 114 | 765,059 | 6,711 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 74 | 1,268,204 | 17,138 | 65 | 1,053,118 | 16,202 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,616 | $ | 5,453,821 | $ | 1,508 | 3,580 | $ | 4,974,787 | $ | 1,390 |
The Company had $574.8 million and $513.7 million of investor owned office real estate loans as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company also had $399.0 million and $322.5 million of multifamily CRE loans as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The following table presents a breakdown of construction loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 284 | $ | 124,221 | $ | 437 | 303 | $ | 128,236 | $ | 423 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 42 | 128,749 | 3,065 | 52 | 162,936 | 3,133 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 15 | 107,813 | 7,188 | 27 | 201,108 | 7,448 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 21 | 326,801 | 15,562 | 25 | 398,779 | 15,951 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 362 | $ | 687,584 | $ | 1,899 | 407 | $ | 891,059 | $ | 2,189 |
The following table presents a breakdown of residential loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 1,998 | $ | 283,183 | $ | 142 | 2,000 | $ | 275,321 | $ | 138 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 17 | 57,858 | 3,403 | 19 | 62,409 | 3,285 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 4 | 26,641 | 6,660 | 3 | 21,533 | 7,177 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,019 | $ | 367,682 | $ | 182 | 2,022 | $ | 359,263 | $ | 178 |
43
The following table presents a breakdown of consumer loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025(1) | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 922 | $ | 57,134 | $ | 62 | 1,023 | $ | 92,471 | $ | 90 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 1 | 2,501 | 2,501 | 20 | 65,074 | 3,254 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | — | — | — | 6 | 38,714 | 6,453 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | — | — | — | 4 | 82,298 | 20,574 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 923 | $ | 59,635 | $ | 65 | 1,053 | $ | 278,557 | $ | 265 | ||||||||||
| (1)Certain loans were reclassified from Consumer and into other categories in 2025. Prior period amounts were not adjusted. |
The following table presents a breakdown of total loans by geographic region at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Midwest | $ | 3,372,474 | $ | 3,201,313 | ||
| Southwest | 2,229,070 | 1,784,824 | ||||
| West | 1,883,236 | 1,855,380 | ||||
| Specialty and Consumer loans | 4,315,558 | 4,378,838 | ||||
| Total | $ | 11,800,338 | $ | 11,220,355 |
The following table presents a breakdown of total loans by MSA, excluding specialty and consumer loans, at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| St. Louis, MO-IL MSA | $ | 2,203,659 | $ | 2,225,856 | ||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA | 1,318,397 | 1,557,990 | ||||
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ MSA | 1,254,713 | 993,239 | ||||
| Kansas City, MO-KS MSA | 1,038,226 | 975,457 | ||||
| San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA MSA | 564,038 | 297,359 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX MSA | 279,196 | 185,242 | ||||
| Albuquerque, NM MSA | 216,130 | 211,642 | ||||
| Santa Fe, NM MSA | 169,771 | 151,883 | ||||
| Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA | 236,047 | 165,485 | ||||
| Tucson-Nogales, AZ MSA | 69,564 | — | ||||
| All other MSAs | 135,039 | 77,364 | ||||
| Specialty and Consumer loans | 4,315,558 | 4,378,838 | ||||
| Total | $ | 11,800,338 | $ | 11,220,355 |
Loan guarantees, primarily on SBA 7(a) loans, totaled $960.1 million and $947.7 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
44
The following table sets forth additional information on certain categories of loans that are included in total loans above at the periods indicated:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA loans | $ | 1,262,456 | 1,298,007 | $ | (35,551) | (3) | % | ||||||
| Sponsor finance | 694,905 | 782,722 | (87,817) | (11) | % | ||||||||
| Life insurance premium finance | 1,187,128 | 1,114,299 | 72,829 | 7 | % | ||||||||
| Tax credits | 802,818 | 760,229 | 42,589 | 6 | % |
The sponsor finance portfolio is primarily comprised of loans in the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors. It includes mid-market company mergers and acquisitions, targeted private equity firms, principally SBICs, and senior debt financing to portfolio companies.
The life insurance premium finance category specializes in financing whole life insurance premiums utilized in high net worth estate planning, through relationships with boutique estate planners throughout the United States.
The tax credit portfolio includes tax credit-related lending on affordable housing projects funded through the use of
federal and state low income housing tax credits. In addition, we provide leveraged and other loans on projects funded through the CDFI New Markets Tax Credit Program. This portfolio also includes tax credit brokerage through 10-year streams of state tax credits from affordable housing development funds. The tax credits are sold to clients and other individuals for tax planning purposes.
SBA loans are originated under the SBA 7(a) program and are primarily owner-occupied, CRE loans secured by a 1st lien. These loans predominantly have a 75% portion guaranteed by the SBA.
Significant loan concentrations are considered to exist for a financial institution when there are amounts loaned to numerous borrowers engaged in similar activities that would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At December 31, 2025, no significant concentrations exceeding 10% of total loans existed in the Company’s loan portfolio, except as described above.
45
The following table presents the maturity distribution of loans at December 31, 2025 categorized by fixed or variable interest rates, net of unearned loan fees:
| ($ in thousands) | Due in One Year or Less (1) | After One Through Five Years | After Five Through Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | Percent of Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed rate loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| C&I | $ | 114,325 | $ | 1,036,964 | $ | 282,917 | $ | 13,419 | $ | 1,447,625 | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 589,463 | 1,843,501 | 316,639 | 278,636 | 3,028,239 | 26 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 28,114 | 58,563 | 84 | 4,999 | 91,760 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 37,295 | 84,957 | 21,424 | 13,160 | 156,836 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 2,618 | 2,915 | 17,862 | 25,581 | 48,976 | NM | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 771,815 | $ | 3,026,900 | $ | 638,926 | $ | 335,795 | $ | 4,773,436 | 40 | % | ||||||||||
| Variable rate loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| C&I | $ | 1,409,356 | $ | 2,062,589 | $ | 295,494 | $ | 16,552 | $ | 3,783,991 | 32 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 243,460 | 680,343 | 409,149 | 1,092,630 | 2,425,582 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 197,167 | 239,263 | 106,014 | 53,380 | 595,824 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 40,355 | 30,708 | 56,463 | 83,320 | 210,846 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 4,181 | 6,221 | 141 | 116 | 10,659 | NM | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,894,519 | $ | 3,019,124 | $ | 867,261 | $ | 1,245,998 | $ | 7,026,902 | 60 | % | ||||||||||
| Total loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| C&I | $ | 1,523,681 | $ | 3,099,553 | $ | 578,411 | $ | 29,971 | $ | 5,231,616 | 44 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 832,923 | 2,523,844 | 725,788 | 1,371,266 | 5,453,821 | 47 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 225,281 | 297,826 | 106,098 | 58,379 | 687,584 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 77,650 | 115,665 | 77,887 | 96,480 | 367,682 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 6,799 | 9,136 | 18,003 | 25,697 | 59,635 | NM | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,666,334 | $ | 6,046,024 | $ | 1,506,187 | $ | 1,581,793 | $ | 11,800,338 | 100 | % |
(1) Includes loans with no stated maturity and overdraft lines of credit.
The majority of variable rate loans are based on the prime rate or SOFR. At December 31, 2025, $4.8 billion or 68% of variable rate loans were subject to an interest rate floor. Most variable rate loan originations have one-to three-year maturities. Management monitors this mix as part of its interest rate risk management. The Company has also entered into interest rate hedges to reduce the cash flow impact of changes in interest rates on the variable rate loan portfolio. These hedges, which include interest rate swaps and collars, had a notional amount of $400.0 million at both December 31, 2025 and 2024. See “Interest Rate Risk” of this MD&A section for additional information.
Provision and ACL
The following table presents the components of the provision for credit losses for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses on loans | $ | 23,076 | $ | 20,629 | ||
| Benefit for off-balance sheet commitments | (100) | (586) | ||||
| Benefit for held-to-maturity securities | (112) | (528) | ||||
| Charge-offs of accrued interest | 3,473 | 1,993 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | $ | 26,337 | $ | 21,508 |
46
The provision for credit losses, which includes a provision for losses on unfunded commitments, is a charge to earnings to maintain the ACL on loans at a level consistent with management’s assessment of expected losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company also records reversals of interest on nonaccrual loans and interest recoveries directly through the provision of credit losses.
The CECL methodology requires economic forecasts to be factored into determining estimated losses. As a result, CECL is designed to typically require a higher level of provision at the start of an economic downturn. The increase in the provision for credit losses in 2025 was primarily due to loan growth, net charge-offs and the increase in nonperforming loans. The higher provision for credit losses in 2024 was also primarily due to loan growth, net charge-offs and the increase in nonperforming loans.
To the extent the Company does not recognize charge-offs and economic forecasts improve in future periods, the Company could recognize a reversal of provision for credit losses. Conversely, if economic conditions and the Company’s forecast worsens, the Company could recognize elevated levels of provision for credit losses. The provision is also reflective of charge-offs in the period.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the ACL on loans:
| December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||
| Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | ||||||||
| C&I | $ | 68,345 | 44.4 | % | $ | 63,231 | 42.1 | % | |||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||
| Commercial | 50,783 | 46.2 | % | 54,617 | 44.3 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | 11,016 | 5.8 | % | 9,837 | 8.0 | % | |||||
| Residential | 8,023 | 3.1 | % | 6,534 | 3.2 | % | |||||
| Consumer | 1,855 | 0.5 | % | 3,731 | 2.4 | % | |||||
| Total allowance | $ | 140,022 | 100.0 | % | $ | 137,950 | 100.0 | % |
The ACL on loans was 1.19% of total loans at December 31, 2025, compared to 1.23%, and 1.24%, at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in the allowance to total loans ratio in 2025 compared to 2024 was primarily due to an improvement in the economic forecast, a reduction in qualitative reserves, and net loan charge-offs of $24.3 million. The Company adopted a new accounting standard in the current quarter that resulted in the $3.3 million credit mark on the acquired loan portfolio from the Branch Acquisition being added directly to the ACL in purchase accounting and no provision for credit losses was recognized on the acquired loans.
47
The following table is a summary of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | |||||||||||||||
| C&I | $ | 15,371 | $ | 5,069,686 | 0.30 | % | $ | 10,425 | $ | 5,602,957 | 0.19 | % | |||||||||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 5,030 | 5,120,288 | 0.10 | % | 3,510 | 3,934,764 | 0.09 | % | |||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 3,240 | 848,995 | 0.38 | % | 3,125 | 792,854 | 0.39 | % | |||||||||||||
| Residential | (70) | 365,429 | (0.02) | % | (264) | 352,754 | (0.07) | % | |||||||||||||
| Consumer | 731 | 58,249 | 1.25 | % | 654 | 306,583 | 0.21 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 24,302 | $ | 11,462,647 | 0.21 | % | $ | 17,450 | $ | 10,989,912 | 0.16 | % |
(1) Excludes loans held for sale.
See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of this MD&A section for more information on the ACL methodology.
Nonperforming loans and assets
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for more information on nonaccrual loans and OREO. The following table presents the categories of nonperforming assets and other ratios, excluding government guaranteed portions, as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Nonaccrual loans | $ | 81,180 | $ | 42,667 | ||
| Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest | 1,629 | 20 | ||||
| Total nonperforming loans | 82,809 | 42,687 | ||||
| OREO | 81,544 | 3,955 | ||||
| Total nonperforming assets | $ | 164,353 | $ | 46,642 | ||
| Total assets | $ | 17,300,884 | $ | 15,596,431 | ||
| Total loans | 11,800,338 | 11,220,355 | ||||
| Total ACL on loans | 140,022 | 137,950 | ||||
| ACL on loans to nonaccrual loans | 172 | % | 323 | % | ||
| ACL on loans to nonperforming loans | 169 | % | 323 | % | ||
| ACL on loans to total loans | 1.19 | % | 1.23 | % | ||
| Nonaccrual loans to total loans | 0.69 | % | 0.38 | % | ||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.70 | % | 0.38 | % | ||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.95 | % | 0.30 | % |
48
Nonperforming loans based on loan type were as follows:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Percent | Number of loans | Amount | Percent | Number of loans | ||||||||||||
| C&I | $ | 27,979 | 34 | % | 19 | $ | 15,821 | 37 | % | 23 | ||||||||
| CRE | 46,326 | 56 | % | 39 | 25,096 | 59 | % | 33 | ||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 155 | NM | 1 | 1,503 | 3 | % | 2 | |||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 8,340 | 10 | % | 5 | 258 | 1 | % | 1 | ||||||||||
| Consumer | 9 | NM | 4 | 9 | NM | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 82,809 | 100 | % | 68 | $ | 42,687 | 100 | % | 63 |
The following table summarizes the changes in nonperforming loans:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, beginning of period | $ | 42,687 | $ | 43,728 | ||
| Additions to nonaccrual loans | 178,029 | 55,747 | ||||
| Charge-offs | (34,516) | (21,874) | ||||
| Principal payments | (26,845) | (29,000) | ||||
| Moved to OREO | (76,546) | (5,914) | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, end of period | $ | 82,809 | $ | 42,687 |
Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2025 increased $40.1 million, or 94%, when compared to December 31, 2024. The addition to nonperforming loans during 2025 was primarily related to seven real estate loans to special purpose entities (each an “SPE Borrower”) affiliated with two commercial banking relationships in Southern California that share some common ownership. Litigation resulting from a business dispute between the owners of the entities resulted in all of the SPE Borrowers filing bankruptcy in the first quarter 2025, which was subsequently dismissed. In the fourth quarter 2025, the Company foreclosed on six of the seven properties serving as collateral for the loans. The six properties were transferred to OREO at fair market value, less selling costs. Based on each individual property’s fair value, a net charge-off of $4.0 million and a gain on transfer of $6.2 million was recorded. The seventh property with a book value of $4.0 million was foreclosed on in the first quarter of 2026. The following table provides a summary of the six properties foreclosed in 2025 by collateral type:
| ($ in thousands) | Fair market value, less selling costs | Carrying value(1) | Charge-off | Gain | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRE - investor owned: | ||||||||||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 13,240 | $ | 17,209 | $ | 3,969 | $ | — | ||||||
| Mixed use | 49,760 | 47,694 | — | 2,066 | ||||||||||
| Total CRE - investor owned | $ | 63,000 | $ | 64,903 | $ | 3,969 | $ | 2,066 | ||||||
| Residential real estate: | ||||||||||||||
| Duplex | $ | 3,520 | $ | 1,953 | $ | — | $ | 1,567 | ||||||
| Condominiums | 6,960 | 4,413 | — | 2,547 | ||||||||||
| Total residential real estate | 10,480 | 6,366 | — | 4,114 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 73,480 | $ | 71,269 | $ | 3,969 | $ | 6,180 | ||||||
| (1) Includes accrued interest. |
49
Other than these foreclosures, the increase in nonperforming loans during 2025 was driven primarily by net charge-offs of $24.3 million and a relationship with two loans totaling $28.0 million that went on nonaccrual. These loans are well-secured with real estate collateral and the Company expects to collect the full value of the outstanding loans. Subsequent to December 31, 2025, $17.5 million in nonperforming loans were fully paid off in the first quarter of 2026.
OREO
The following table summarizes the changes in OREO:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| OREO, beginning of period | $ | 3,955 | $ | 5,736 | ||
| Additions | 84,905 | 6,559 | ||||
| Changes in valuation allowance | — | (156) | ||||
| Sales | (7,316) | (8,184) | ||||
| OREO, end of period | $ | 81,544 | $ | 3,955 |
Investment Securities
At December 31, 2025, our portfolio of investment securities was $3.7 billion, or 22% of total assets, compared to $2.8 billion, or 18% of total assets as of December 31, 2024. The portfolio is comprised of both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.
The table below sets forth the carrying value of investment securities, excluding the ACL:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored enterprises | $ | 182,572 | 4.9 | % | $ | 276,040 | 9.9 | % | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 1,492,904 | 40.0 | % | 1,168,256 | 41.9 | % | |||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 1,753,150 | 47.0 | % | 1,075,306 | 38.5 | % | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 170,984 | 4.6 | % | 128,893 | 4.6 | % | |||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 130,527 | 3.5 | % | 142,967 | 5.1 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 3,730,137 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,791,462 | 100.0 | % |
The ACL on held-to-maturity debt securities was $0.1 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company had no debt securities classified as trading at December 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024.
The following table summarizes contractual maturity and tax-equivalent yields on the investment portfolio at December 31, 2025:
| Within 1 year | 1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years | Over 10 years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | 115,204 | 1.4 | % | $ | 18,246 | 2.4 | % | $ | 40,511 | 4.2 | % | $ | 8,611 | 2.2 | % | $ | 182,572 | 2.2 | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 8,618 | 2.9 | % | 31,266 | 3.5 | % | 504,195 | 3.4 | % | 948,825 | 4.3 | % | 1,492,904 | 4.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 4,489 | 3.1 | % | 15,363 | 2.6 | % | 89,323 | 4.0 | % | 1,643,975 | 4.3 | % | 1,753,150 | 4.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 130,439 | 3.7 | % | 40,545 | 2.9 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | 170,984 | 3.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | — | — | % | 114,587 | 3.4 | % | 15,940 | 5.8 | % | — | — | % | 130,527 | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 258,750 | 2.6 | % | $ | 220,007 | 3.2 | % | $ | 649,969 | 3.6 | % | $ | 2,601,411 | 4.3 | % | $ | 3,730,137 | 3.9 | % |
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Yields on tax-exempt securities are computed on a taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 25.1%. Actual maturities can differ from contractual maturities, as borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
The following table details the balance of FHLB capital stock and other investments. Other investments consist primarily of common stock investments related to our trust preferred securities, community development funds, and investments in private equity funds, primarily SBICs. These investments do not have a stated maturity.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| FHLB capital stock | $ | 9,351 | 11.6 | % | $ | 8,704 | 12.0 | % | |||||
| Other investments | 71,533 | 88.4 | % | 64,080 | 88.0 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 80,884 | 100.0 | % | $ | 72,784 | 100.0 | % |
Deposits
The following table shows the breakdown of deposits by type:
| December 31, | $ Increase (decrease) | % Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2025 vs. 2024 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 4,874,115 | $ | 4,484,072 | $ | 390,043 | 8.7 | % | ||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 3,537,334 | 3,175,292 | 362,042 | 11.4 | % | |||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,991,110 | 3,564,063 | 427,047 | 12.0 | % | |||||||||
| Savings accounts | 537,400 | 553,461 | (16,061) | (2.9) | % | |||||||||
| Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||||
| Brokered | 721,977 | 484,588 | 237,389 | 49.0 | % | |||||||||
| Customer | 947,406 | 885,016 | 62,390 | 7.0 | % | |||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 14,609,342 | $ | 13,146,492 | $ | 1,462,850 | 11.1 | % | ||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits / Total deposits | 33 | % | 34 | % |
Total deposits increased $1.5 billion primarily due to organic deposit growth, as well as $609.5 million of deposits from the Branch Acquisition. Brokered certificates of deposit increased $237.4 million, to $722.0 million at December 31, 2025. Brokered certificates of deposit are used for term liquidity purposes in place of FHLB borrowings. The brokered certificates of deposit balance has a weighted average cost of 3.98% and a weighted average remaining term of six months at December 31, 2025. The Company has a deposit vertical portfolio focusing primarily on property management, community associations, and legal industry and escrow services. These deposits totaled $3.8 billion and $3.4 billion at the end of 2025 and 2024, respectively.
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The following table shows the average balance and average rate of the Company’s deposits by type:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | ||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 4,525,761 | — | % | $ | 4,042,368 | — | % | $ | 4,131,163 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 3,311,368 | 2.08 | % | 3,033,616 | 2.54 | % | 2,559,238 | 1.84 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,730,110 | 3.04 | % | 3,494,497 | 3.65 | % | 3,043,794 | 3.05 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 535,021 | 0.14 | % | 567,147 | 0.22 | % | 668,368 | 0.15 | % | |||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered | 654,786 | 4.34 | % | 519,279 | 4.73 | % | 557,761 | 4.44 | % | |||||||||||
| Customer | 878,822 | 3.39 | % | 851,730 | 4.01 | % | 640,790 | 2.81 | % | |||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | $ | 9,110,107 | 2.65 | % | $ | 8,466,269 | 3.13 | % | $ | 7,469,951 | 2.46 | % | ||||||||
| Total average deposits | $ | 13,635,868 | 1.77 | % | $ | 12,508,637 | 2.12 | % | $ | 11,601,114 | 1.58 | % |
Average total deposits were $13.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $1.1 billion, or 9%, from December 31, 2024. The increase in 2025 was primarily due to acquired deposits related to the Branch Acquisition, and organic growth in noninterest-bearing demand accounts, interest-bearing demand accounts, and money market accounts.
The following table sets forth the maturities of estimated uninsured certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2025. Uninsured deposits are amounts estimated to exceed the FDIC deposit insurance limit and are not subject to any federal or state insurance program.
| ($ in thousands) | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Three months or less | $ | 147,492 |
| Over three through six months | 71,333 | |
| Over six through twelve months | 61,779 | |
| Over twelve months | 9,248 | |
| Total | $ | 289,852 |
Estimated uninsured deposits totaled $5.1 billion, including $289.9 million of certificates of deposit, as of December 31, 2025, and $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2024. Estimated uninsured deposits include $0.4 billion and $0.5 billion of balances that are collateralized or secured with third party insurance at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Stockholders’ equity
Stockholders’ equity totaled $2.0 billion at December 31, 2025, an increase of $215.4 million, or 12%, from December 31, 2024.
Significant activity during the year ended December 31, 2025 included the following:
•Increase from net income of $201.4 million;
•Net increase in fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash flow hedges of $62.1 million;
•Decrease from dividends paid on common stock of $45.1 million and preferred stock of $3.8 million; and
•Decrease from common stock repurchases of $14.1 million, pursuant to the Company’s publicly-announced stock repurchase program.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
The objective of liquidity management is to ensure we have the ability to generate sufficient cash or cash equivalents in a timely and cost-effective manner to meet our commitments as they become due. Typical demands on liquidity are changes in deposit levels, maturing time deposits which are not renewed, and fundings under credit commitments to clients. Funds are available from a number of sources, such as the core deposit base and loan and security repayments and maturities.
Liquidity is provided from lines of credit with the FHLB, the Federal Reserve, and correspondent banks; the ability to acquire large and brokered deposits; sales of the securities portfolio; and the ability to sell loan participations to other banks and loans on the secondary market. These alternatives are an important part of our liquidity plan and provide flexibility and efficient execution of the asset-liability management strategy.
The Company’s Asset-Liability Management Committee oversees our liquidity position, the parameters of which are approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. Our liquidity position is monitored daily. Our liquidity management framework includes measurement of several key elements, such as a loan to deposit ratio, a liquidity ratio, and a dependency ratio. The Company’s liquidity framework also incorporates contingency planning to assess the nature and volatility of funding sources and to determine alternatives to these sources. While core deposits and loan and investment repayments are principal sources of liquidity, funding diversification is another key element of liquidity management and is achieved by strategically varying depositor types, terms, funding markets, and instruments.
Liquidity from assets is available primarily from cash balances and the investment portfolio. Cash and interest-bearing deposits with other banks totaled $681.9 million at December 31, 2025, compared to $764.2 million at December 31, 2024. The decrease in cash balances during 2025 is due to the deployment of liquidity into the investment portfolio. Investment securities are an important tool to the Company’s liquidity objectives. Securities totaled $3.7 billion at December 31, 2025, and included $1.7 billion pledged as collateral for deposits of public institutions, treasury, loan notes, and other requirements. The remaining $2.0 billion could be pledged or sold to enhance liquidity, if necessary.
Available on- and off-balance sheet liquidity sources include the following items:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Reserve borrowing capacity | $ | 3,047,606 |
| FHLB borrowing capacity | 1,603,974 | |
| Unpledged securities | 1,992,864 | |
| Federal funds lines (eight correspondent banks) | 135,000 | |
| Cash and interest-bearing deposits | 681,902 | |
| Holding company line of credit | 25,000 | |
| Total | $ | 7,486,346 |
The Company also has a portfolio of SBA guaranteed loans, a portion of which could be sold in the secondary market to generate earnings and liquidity. The guaranteed portion of SBA loans totaling $78.2 million and $23.1 million were sold during 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Liability funding sources are available to increase financial flexibility. In addition to amounts borrowed at December 31, 2025, the Company could borrow an additional $1.6 billion from the FHLB of Des Moines as of December 31, 2025 under blanket loan pledges and has additional real estate loans that could be pledged. The Company also has $3.0 billion available from the Federal Reserve under a pledged loan agreement. The Company also has unsecured federal funds lines with eight correspondent banks totaling $135 million as of December 31, 2025.
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In the normal course of business, the Company enters into certain forms of off-balance sheet transactions, including unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit. These transactions are managed through the Company’s various risk management processes. Management considers both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet transactions in its evaluation of the Company’s liquidity. The Company has $3.0 billion in unused commitments to extend credit as of December 31, 2025. While this commitment level would exhaust the majority the Company’s current liquidity resources, the nature of these commitments is such that the likelihood of funding them in the aggregate at any one time is low.
At the holding company level, our primary funding sources are dividends and payments from the Bank and proceeds from the issuance of equity (i.e. stock option exercises, stock offerings) and debt instruments. The main use of this liquidity is to provide the funds necessary to pay dividends to stockholders, service debt, invest in subsidiaries as necessary, repurchase common stock and satisfy other operating requirements. In 2025, the holding company maintained a revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount up to $25 million, all of which was available at December 31, 2025. The line of credit has a one-year term that was renewed in February 2026, has an interest rate of one-month Term SOFR plus 185 basis points, and the annual unused commitment fee was 0.40%. The proceeds can be used for general corporate purposes.
Strong capital ratios, credit quality and core earnings are essential to retaining cost-effective access to the wholesale funding markets. Deterioration in any of these factors could have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to access these funding sources and, as a result, these factors are monitored on an ongoing basis as part of the liquidity management process. The Bank is subject to regulations and, among other things, may be limited in its ability to pay dividends or transfer funds to the parent company. Accordingly, consolidated cash flows as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows may not represent cash immediately available for the payment of cash dividends to the Company’s stockholders or for other cash needs.
Through the normal course of operations, the Company has entered into certain contractual obligations and other commitments. Such obligations relate to funding operations through deposits or debt issuances, as well as leases for premises and equipment. As a financial services provider, the Company routinely enters into commitments to extend credit. While contractual obligations represent future cash requirements of the Company, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process accorded to loans made by the Company. The Company also enters into derivative contracts under which the Company either receives cash from or pays cash to counterparties depending on changes in interest rates. Derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with the fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on market interest rates as of the balance sheet date. The fair value of these contracts changes daily as market interest rates change. For additional information on the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments, see the following footnotes in Item 8: “Note 6 – Leases,” “Note 7 – Derivative Financial Instruments,” “Note 11 – Debt,” and “Note 16 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.”
Capital Resources
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements and results of operations of the Company. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and its bank affiliate must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The banking affiliate’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
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Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of tier 1 capital to average assets. To be categorized as “well-capitalized”, banks must maintain minimum capital ratios as noted in the table below. As of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
The Company and the Bank met the definition of “well-capitalized” at each of December 31, 2025 and 2024. Refer to “Item 8. Note 13 – Regulatory Capital” for a summary of our risk-based capital and leverage ratios. The following table summarizes the Company’s and Bank’s capital ratios:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | EFSC | Bank | EFSC | Bank | To Be Well-Capitalized | Minimum Ratio with CCB | ||||||||
| CET1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 11.6 | % | 11.9 | % | 11.8 | % | 12.4 | % | 6.5 | % | 7.0 | % | ||
| Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 12.8 | % | 11.9 | % | 13.1 | % | 12.4 | % | 8.0 | % | 8.5 | % | ||
| Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 13.9 | % | 13.0 | % | 14.6 | % | 13.4 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.5 | % | ||
| Leverage Ratio (Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets) | 10.5 | % | 9.7 | % | 11.1 | % | 10.5 | % | 5.0 | % | N/A | |||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 9.07 | % | 9.05 | % | ||||||||||
| CET1 capital | $ | 1,583,989 | $ | 1,623,652 | $ | 1,505,162 | $ | 1,578,293 | ||||||
| Tier 1 capital | 1,749,635 | 1,623,711 | 1,670,810 | 1,578,353 | ||||||||||
| Total risk-based capital | 1,891,444 | 1,765,520 | 1,864,334 | 1,708,626 | ||||||||||
| 1 Not a required regulatory capital ratio |
At December 31, 2024, total regulatory capital included $63.3 million of subordinated debentures that were issued in 2020 at a fixed rate of 5.75%. Beginning June 1, 2025, the subordinated debentures bore interest at a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate of three-month term SOFR (as defined in the Indenture, dated May 21, 2020, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and subsequent First Supplemental Indenture), plus 566 basis points. On September 2, 2025, the Company redeemed the 2030 Notes funded through the issuance of a $63.3 million senior note at a rate of one-month Term SOFR plus a spread of 250 basis points. Prior to being redeemed, the 2030 Notes bore interest at a floating rate then equal to 9.98% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year.
The Company believes the tangible common equity and regulatory capital ratios are important measures of capital strength. The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is considered a non-GAAP measure. The tables included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” reconcile these ratios to U.S. GAAP.
Risk Management
Market risk arises from exposure to changes in interest rates and other relevant market rate or price risk. The Company faces market risk in the form of interest rate risk through transactions other than trading activities. Market risk from these activities, in the form of interest rate risk, is measured and managed through a number of methods. The Company uses financial modeling techniques to measure interest rate risk. These techniques measure the sensitivity of future earnings due to changing interest rate environments. Guidelines established by the Bank’s Asset/Liability Management Committee and approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors are used to monitor exposure of earnings at risk. General interest rate movements are used to develop sensitivity as management believes it has no primary exposure to a specific point on the yield curve. These limits are based on the Company’s exposure to immediate and sustained parallel rate movements, either upward or downward. The Company does not have any direct market risk from commodity exposures.
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Interest Rate Risk
Our interest rate risk management practices are aimed at optimizing net interest income, while guarding against deterioration that could be caused by certain interest rate scenarios. Interest rate sensitivity varies with different types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We attempt to maintain interest-earning assets, comprised primarily of both loans and investments, and interest-bearing liabilities, comprised primarily of deposits, maturing or repricing in similar time horizons in order to manage any impact from market interest rate changes according to our risk tolerance. The Company uses an earnings simulation model to measure earnings sensitivity to changing rates.
The Company determines the sensitivity of its short-term future earnings to a hypothetical plus or minus 100 to 300 basis point parallel rate shock through the use of simulation modeling. The simulation of earnings includes the modeling of the balance sheet as an ongoing entity. Future business assumptions involving administered rate products, prepayments for future rate-sensitive balances, and the reinvestment of maturing assets and liabilities are included. These items are then modeled to project net interest income based on a hypothetical change in interest rates. The resulting net interest income for the next 12-month period is compared to the net interest income amount calculated using flat rates. This difference represents the Company’s earnings sensitivity to a positive or negative parallel rate shock.
The following table summarizes the projected impact of interest rate shocks on net interest income:
| Annual % change in net interest income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At December 31, | ||||
| Rate Shock | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| + 300 bp | 10.1% | 7.9% | ||
| + 200 bp | 6.9% | 5.4% | ||
| + 100 bp | 3.6% | 2.7% | ||
| - 100 bp | (4.1)% | (3.0)% | ||
| - 200 bp | (7.9)% | (6.0)% | ||
| - 300 bp | (11.0)% | (8.5)% |
In addition to the rate shocks shown in the table above, the Company models net interest income under various dynamic interest rate scenarios. In general, changes in interest rates are positively correlated with changes in net interest income.
The Company occasionally uses interest rate derivative instruments as an asset/liability management tool to hedge mismatches in interest rate exposure indicated by the net interest income simulation described above. They are used to modify the Company’s exposures to interest rate fluctuations and provide more stable spreads between loan yields and the rate on their funding sources. At December 31, 2025, the Company had derivative contracts to manage interest rate risk, including $400.0 million in notional value on derivatives to hedge the cash flows on floating rate loans and $32.1 million in notional value on derivatives on floating rate debt. Derivative financial instruments are discussed in “Item 8. Note 7 – Derivative Financial Instruments.”
The Company had $7.0 billion in variable rate loans as of December 31, 2025. Of these loans, $4.8 billion have an interest rate floor and nearly all of those loans were at or above the floor. Variable rate loans include $2.7 billion indexed to the prime rate, $3.5 billion are indexed to SOFR, and $0.8 billion indexed to other rates.
Changes in interest rates will also have an effect on noninterest expense. Certain deposit accounts receive an earnings credit that provides a reimbursement for costs clients incur on the accounts. As interest rates increase, the amount available for reimbursement also increases, resulting in an increase to noninterest expense. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates would reduce the amount available for reimbursement and decrease noninterest expense.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The following accounting policies are considered most critical to the understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These critical accounting policies require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Because these estimates and judgments are based on current circumstances, they may change over time or prove to be inaccurate based on experience. In the event different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending upon the severity of such changes, the possibility of a materially different financial condition and/or results of operations could reasonably be expected. The impact and any associated risks related to our critical accounting policies on our business operations are described throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
The Company has prepared all of the consolidated financial information in this report in accordance with GAAP. The Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using loss experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. There can be no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
ACL
The Company maintains separate allowances for funded loans, unfunded loans, and held-to-maturity securities, collectively referred to as the ACL. The ACL is a valuation account to adjust the cost basis to the amount expected to be collected, based on management’s experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For purposes of determining the allowance for funded and unfunded loans, the portfolios are segregated into pools that share similar risk characteristics that are then further segregated by credit grades. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are not included in the collective evaluation. The Company estimates the amount of the allowance based on loan loss experience, adjusted for current and forecasted economic conditions, including unemployment, changes in GDP, and commercial and residential real estate prices. The Company’s forecast of economic conditions uses internal and external information and considers a weighted average of a baseline, upside, and downside scenarios. Because economic conditions can change and are difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated loan defaults and losses, and therefore the adequacy of the allowance, could change significantly and have a direct impact on the Company’s credit costs. The Company’s ACL on loans was $140.0 million at December 31, 2025 based on the weighting of the different economic scenarios. As a hypothetical example, if the Company had only used the upside scenario, the allowance would have decreased $29.8 million. Conversely, the allowance would have increased $46.9 million using only the downside scenario.
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Income Taxes
Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, deferred income tax assets and liabilities and income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance may be established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required in the future if the amounts of taxes recoverable through loss carry backs decline, if we project lower levels of future taxable income, or we project lower levels of tax planning strategies. Such valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense that would adversely affect our operating results.
Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for information on recent accounting pronouncements and their impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. GAAP and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, the Company provides other financial measures, such as adjusted return on average assets, adjusted return on average common equity, return on average tangible common equity, adjusted return on average tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, tangible common equity to tangible assets, pre-provision net revenue, pre-provision net revenue return on average assets, core efficiency ratio, and adjusted effective tax rate, in this report that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
The Company considers its adjusted return on average assets, adjusted return on average common equity, return on average tangible common equity, adjusted return on average tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, tangible common equity to tangible assets, pre-provision net revenue, pre-provision net revenue return on average assets, core efficiency ratio, and adjusted effective tax rate, collectively “core performance measures,” presented in this report as important measures of financial performance, even though they are non-GAAP measures, as they provide supplemental information by which to evaluate the impact of certain non-comparable items, and the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. Core performance measures exclude certain other income and expense items, such as acquisition costs, core conversion expenses, FDIC special assessment, net gain or loss on OREO, and net gain or loss on the sale of investment securities, that the Company believes to be not indicative of or useful to measure the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. The attached tables contain a reconciliation of these core performance measures to the GAAP measures. The Company believes that tangible common equity to tangible assets provides useful information to investors about the Company’s capital strength even though it is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure and is not part of the regulatory capital requirements to which the Company is subject.
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The Company believes these non-GAAP measures and ratios, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and ratios, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance and capital strength. The Company’s management uses, and believes investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP measures and ratios in assessing the Company’s operating results and related trends and when forecasting future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures and ratios should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or preferable to, ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP. In the following tables, the Company has provided a reconciliation of, where applicable, the most comparable GAAP financial measures and ratios to the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, or a reconciliation of the non-GAAP calculation of the financial measure for the periods indicated.
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Pre-Provision Net Revenue (PPNR) and Pre-Provision Net Revenue Return on Average Assets (PPNR ROAA)
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 626,738 | $ | 568,096 | $ | 562,592 | ||||
| Noninterest income (GAAP) | 113,123 | 69,703 | 68,725 | |||||||
| FDIC special assessment | (652) | 625 | 2,412 | |||||||
| Core conversion expense | — | 4,868 | — | |||||||
| Acquisition costs | 3,675 | — | — | |||||||
| Less net gain on sale of investment securities | 49 | — | 601 | |||||||
| Less net gain on OREO | 6,255 | 3,089 | 187 | |||||||
| Less insurance recoveries1 | 32,112 | — | — | |||||||
| Less noninterest expense (GAAP) | 429,807 | 385,047 | 348,186 | |||||||
| PPNR (non-GAAP) | $ | 274,661 | $ | 255,156 | $ | 284,755 | ||||
| Average assets | $ | 16,199,003 | $ | 14,841,690 | $ | 13,805,236 | ||||
| PPNR ROAA (non-GAAP) | 1.70 | % | 1.72 | % | 2.06 | % | ||||
| 1 Represents anticipated proceeds from a pending insurance claim related to a third quarter 2025 solar tax credit recapture event. |
Tangible Common Equity, Tangible Book Value per Common Share, and Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Stockholders' equity (GAAP) | $ | 2,039,386 | $ | 1,824,002 | $ | 1,716,068 | ||||
| Less preferred stock | 71,988 | 71,988 | 71,988 | |||||||
| Less goodwill | 416,968 | 365,164 | 365,164 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 21,175 | 8,484 | 12,318 | |||||||
| Tangible common equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,529,255 | $ | 1,378,366 | $ | 1,266,598 | ||||
| Common shares outstanding | 36,965 | 36,988 | 37,416 | |||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 41.37 | $ | 37.27 | $ | 33.85 | ||||
| Total assets (GAAP) | $ | 17,300,884 | $ | 15,596,431 | $ | 14,518,590 | ||||
| Less goodwill | 416,968 | 365,164 | 365,164 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 21,175 | 8,484 | 12,318 | |||||||
| Tangible assets (non-GAAP) | $ | 16,862,741 | $ | 15,222,783 | $ | 14,141,108 | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) | 9.07 | % | 9.05 | % | 8.96 | % |
59
Adjusted Return on Average Common Equity, Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROATCE) and Adjusted Return on Average Assets (ROAA)
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Average stockholder’s equity (GAAP) | $ | 1,939,494 | $ | 1,784,175 | $ | 1,623,121 | ||||
| Less average preferred stock | 71,988 | 71,988 | 71,988 | |||||||
| Less average goodwill | 377,690 | 365,164 | 365,164 | |||||||
| Less average intangible assets | 8,238 | 10,329 | 14,531 | |||||||
| Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,481,578 | $ | 1,336,694 | $ | 1,171,438 | ||||
| Net income (GAAP) | $ | 201,374 | $ | 185,266 | $ | 194,059 | ||||
| FDIC special assessment (after tax) | (488) | 470 | 1,814 | |||||||
| Core conversion expense (after tax) | — | 3,661 | — | |||||||
| Acquisition costs (after tax) | 2,753 | — | — | |||||||
| Less net gain on sale of investment securities (after tax) | 37 | — | 452 | |||||||
| Less net gain on OREO (after tax) | 4,685 | 2,323 | 141 | |||||||
| Net income adjusted (non-GAAP) | $ | 198,917 | $ | 187,074 | $ | 195,280 | ||||
| Less preferred stock dividends | 3,750 | 3,750 | 3,750 | |||||||
| Net income available to common stockholders adjusted (non-GAAP) | $ | 195,167 | $ | 183,324 | $ | 191,530 | ||||
| Return on average common equity (GAAP) | 10.58 | % | 10.60 | % | 12.27 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average common equity (non-GAAP) | 10.45 | % | 10.71 | % | 12.35 | % | ||||
| ROATCE (non-GAAP) | 13.34 | % | 13.58 | % | 16.25 | % | ||||
| Adjusted ROATCE (non-GAAP) | 13.17 | % | 13.71 | % | 16.35 | % | ||||
| Average assets | $ | 16,199,003 | $ | 14,841,690 | $ | 13,805,236 | ||||
| Return on average assets (GAAP) | 1.24 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.41 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average assets (non-GAAP) | 1.23 | % | 1.26 | % | 1.41 | % |
60
Core Efficiency Ratio
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 626,738 | $ | 568,096 | $ | 562,592 | ||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment | 11,735 | 8,445 | 8,079 | |||||||
| Net interest income - FTE (non-GAAP) | 638,473 | 576,541 | 570,671 | |||||||
| Noninterest income (GAAP) | 113,123 | 69,703 | 68,725 | |||||||
| Less insurance recoveries1 | 32,112 | — | — | |||||||
| Less net gain on sale of investment securities | 49 | — | 601 | |||||||
| Less net gain on OREO | 6,255 | 3,089 | 187 | |||||||
| Core revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 713,180 | $ | 643,155 | $ | 638,608 | ||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 429,807 | $ | 385,047 | $ | 348,186 | ||||
| Less amortization on intangibles | 3,724 | 3,834 | 4,601 | |||||||
| Less core conversion expense | — | 4,868 | — | |||||||
| Less FDIC special assessment | (652) | 625 | 2,412 | |||||||
| Less acquisition costs | 3,675 | — | — | |||||||
| Core noninterest expense (non-GAAP) | $ | 423,060 | $ | 375,720 | $ | 341,173 | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 59.32 | % | 58.42 | % | 53.42 | % | ||||
| 1 Represents anticipated proceeds from a pending insurance claim related to a third quarter 2025 solar tax credit recapture event. |
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Income before income tax expense (GAAP) | $ | 283,717 | $ | 231,244 | ||
| Less insurance recoveries1 | 32,112 | — | ||||
| Adjusted income before income tax expense (non-GAAP) | $ | 251,605 | $ | 231,244 | ||
| Income tax expense (GAAP) | $ | 82,343 | $ | 45,978 | ||
| Less tax credit recapture and tax applied to insurance recoveries1 | 32,112 | — | ||||
| Adjusted income tax expense (non-GAAP) | $ | 50,231 | $ | 45,978 | ||
| Effective tax rate (GAAP) | 29.0 | % | 19.9 | % | ||
| Adjusted effective tax rate (non-GAAP) | 20.0 | % | 19.9 | % | ||
| 1Represents $32.1 million of anticipated proceeds from a pending insurance claim related to a third quarter 2025 solar tax credit recapture event included in noninterest income, and $24.1 million of tax liability related to the anticipated recapture plus approximately $8.0 million of estimated tax liability related to the anticipated proceeds from the pending insurance claim included in income tax expense. |
61
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001025835-25-000039.
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
The objective of this section is to provide an overview of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. It should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and other financial data presented elsewhere in this report, particularly the information regarding the Company’s business operations described in Item 1. A detailed discussion comparing 2023 and 2022 results is incorporated herein by reference to Item 7 of the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2024.
Executive Summary
Our Company offers a broad range of business and personal banking services including wealth management. Lending services include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and development, residential real estate, specialty, and other loans. A wide variety of deposit products and a complete suite of treasury management and international trade services complement our lending capabilities. The Company’s results of operations are also affected by prevailing economic conditions, competition, government policies and other actions of regulatory agencies.
The Company’s financial condition, operating results and liquidity in 2024 continued to be impacted by monetary policy actions. The Federal Reserve decreased the target federal funds rate 100 basis points in the fourth quarter 2024, following a 100 basis point increase in 2023. The Federal Reserve has begun to loosen its monetary policy, but has indicated it will continue to reduce its balance sheet namely through a reduction in bond holdings. These actions represent the Federal Reserve’s response to an environment of high inflation and elevated interest rates following a period of highly expansionary fiscal support from the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021.
31
Financial Performance Highlights
Below are highlights of our financial performance for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | At or for the year ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| EARNINGS | ||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 851,051 | $ | 764,919 | $ | 515,082 | ||||
| Total interest expense | 282,955 | 202,327 | 41,179 | |||||||
| Net interest income | 568,096 | 562,592 | 473,903 | |||||||
| Provision (benefit) for credit losses | 21,508 | 36,605 | (611) | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision (benefit) for credit losses | 546,588 | 525,987 | 474,514 | |||||||
| Total noninterest income | 69,703 | 68,725 | 59,162 | |||||||
| Total noninterest expense | 385,047 | 348,186 | 274,216 | |||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 231,244 | 246,526 | 259,460 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 45,978 | 52,467 | 56,417 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 185,266 | $ | 194,059 | $ | 203,043 | ||||
| Preferred dividends | 3,750 | 3,750 | 4,041 | |||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 181,516 | $ | 190,309 | $ | 199,002 | ||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 4.86 | $ | 5.09 | $ | 5.32 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 4.83 | $ | 5.07 | $ | 5.31 | ||||
| Return on average assets | 1.25 | % | 1.41 | % | 1.52 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average assets1 | 1.26 | % | 1.41 | % | 1.52 | % | ||||
| Return on average common equity | 10.60 | % | 12.27 | % | 13.95 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average common equity1 | 10.71 | % | 12.35 | % | 13.95 | % | ||||
| Return on average tangible common equity1 | 13.58 | % | 16.25 | % | 19.10 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average tangible common equity1 | 13.71 | % | 16.35 | % | 19.10 | % | ||||
| Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) | 4.16 | % | 4.43 | % | 3.89 | % | ||||
| Efficiency ratio | 60.37 | % | 55.15 | % | 51.44 | % | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 58.42 | % | 53.42 | % | 49.77 | % | ||||
| Common dividend payout ratio2 | 21.95 | % | 19.72 | % | 16.95 | % | ||||
| Book value per common share | $ | 47.37 | $ | 43.94 | $ | 38.93 | ||||
| Tangible book value per common share1 | $ | 37.27 | $ | 33.85 | $ | 28.67 | ||||
| Average common equity to average assets | 11.54 | % | 11.24 | % | 10.71 | % | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 9.05 | % | 8.96 | % | 8.43 | % | ||||
| ASSET QUALITY | ||||||||||
| Net charge-offs | $ | 17,450 | $ | 38,044 | $ | 3,899 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans | 42,687 | 43,728 | 9,981 | |||||||
| Nonaccrual loans | 42,667 | 43,181 | 9,766 | |||||||
| Classified assets | 193,838 | 185,389 | 99,122 | |||||||
| Total assets | 15,596,431 | 14,518,590 | 13,054,172 | |||||||
| Total loans | 11,220,355 | 10,884,118 | 9,737,138 | |||||||
| Classified assets to total assets | 1.24 | % | 1.28 | % | 0.76 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.38 | % | 0.40 | % | 0.10 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.30 | % | 0.34 | % | 0.08 | % | ||||
| ACL on loans to total loans | 1.23 | % | 1.24 | % | 1.41 | % | ||||
| Net charge-offs to average loans | 0.16 | % | 0.37 | % | 0.04 | % |
1Non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2Common dividends per share divided by diluted earnings per share.
32
The Company noted the following trends during 2024:
•The Company reported net income of $185.3 million, or $4.83 per diluted share for 2024, compared to $194.1 million, or $5.07 per diluted share for 2023. PPNR1 for 2024 was $255.2 million, compared to $284.8 million in 2023. PPNR ROAA1 for 2024 and 2023 was 1.72% and 2.06%, respectively. The decrease in PPNR1 and PPNR ROAA1 was primarily due to increases in employee compensation and benefits, deposit costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the core system conversion, partially offset by an increase in operating revenue. Offsetting the decrease in PPNR1 and PPNR ROAA1 was a $15.1 million decrease in the provision for credit losses in 2024 compared to 2023, due to an improvement in overall asset quality.
•NIM decreased to 4.16% in 2024, from 4.43% in 2023, primarily due to the impact of higher interest expense on the deposit portfolio from an increase in deposit rates and average balances. The total cost of deposits was 2.12% in 2024 compared to 1.58% in 2023. Offsetting the decline in NIM was a $995.0 million increase in average interest earning assets, which resulted in total net interest income of $568.1 million, a $5.5 million increase over the prior year.
•Noninterest income was $69.7 million, an increase of $1.0 million from $68.7 million in 2023. Noninterest expense was $385.0 million in 2024, an 11% increase from $348.2 million in 2023. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily from higher customer deposit servicing costs due to higher average balances and an increase in earnings credit rates, an increase in compensation due to the recruitment of new relationship bankers and annual merit increases, and expenses related to the core system conversion. The core efficiency ratio1 was 58.4% in 2024, compared to 53.4% in 2023.
•The Company’s effective tax rate was 19.9% in 2024 compared to 21.3% in 2023.
2024 Financial Highlights
During 2024, we announced the following significant transactions:
•The Company had a return on average assets of 1.25%. This drove a 10.1% increase in tangible book value per share in 2024.
•Dividends paid in 2024 of $1.06 per share increased $0.06 per share, or 6%, compared to $1.00 per share in 2023.
•The Company repurchased 626,778 of its common shares at a weighted-average share price of $46.95.
•In the fourth quarter 2024, the Company successfully completed the conversion of its legacy core system into a new core banking platform.
2023 Financial Highlights
During 2023, we announced the following significant transactions:
•Dividends paid in 2023 of $1.00 per share increased $0.10 per share, or 11%, compared to $0.90 per share in 2022.
•The process of converting to a leading core operating system was initiated.
1 PPNR, PPNR ROAA, and the core efficiency ratio are non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
33
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Average Balance Sheet
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as, the corresponding interest rates earned and paid, all on a tax equivalent basis. Average balances are presented on a daily average basis.
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans1, 2 | $ | 10,990,774 | $ | 755,448 | 6.87 | % | $ | 10,324,951 | $ | 688,439 | 6.67 | % | $ | 9,193,682 | $ | 456,703 | 4.97 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 1,512,132 | 53,167 | 3.52 | 1,320,664 | 40,920 | 3.10 | 1,228,514 | 29,638 | 2.41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities2 | 1,000,558 | 31,963 | 3.19 | 970,888 | 30,209 | 3.11 | 872,173 | 25,184 | 2.89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total securities | 2,512,690 | 85,130 | 3.39 | 2,291,552 | 71,129 | 3.10 | 2,100,687 | 54,822 | 2.61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 368,221 | 18,918 | 5.14 | 260,214 | 13,430 | 5.16 | 1,074,165 | 10,599 | 0.99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 13,871,685 | 859,496 | 6.20 | 12,876,717 | 772,998 | 6.00 | 12,368,534 | 522,124 | 4.22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 970,005 | 928,519 | 951,090 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 14,841,690 | $ | 13,805,236 | $ | 13,319,624 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 3,033,616 | $ | 76,932 | 2.54 | % | $ | 2,559,238 | $ | 46,976 | 1.84 | % | $ | 2,318,363 | $ | 7,038 | 0.30 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,494,497 | 127,651 | 3.65 | 3,043,794 | 92,976 | 3.05 | 2,781,579 | 19,306 | 0.69 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 567,147 | 1,261 | 0.22 | 668,368 | 975 | 0.15 | 819,043 | 305 | 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 1,371,009 | 58,764 | 4.29 | 1,198,551 | 42,796 | 3.57 | 569,272 | 3,509 | 0.62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 8,466,269 | 264,608 | 3.13 | 7,469,951 | 183,723 | 2.46 | 6,488,257 | 30,158 | 0.46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | 156,260 | 10,497 | 6.72 | 155,702 | 9,781 | 6.28 | 155,160 | 9,166 | 5.91 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 30,363 | 1,691 | 5.57 | 54,615 | 2,752 | 5.04 | 33,467 | 599 | 1.79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 164,959 | 5,667 | 3.44 | 168,745 | 3,647 | 2.16 | 211,039 | 506 | 0.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 37,833 | 492 | 1.30 | 71,738 | 2,424 | 3.38 | 22,812 | 750 | 3.29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 8,855,684 | 282,955 | 3.20 | 7,920,751 | 202,327 | 2.55 | 6,910,735 | 41,179 | 0.60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 4,042,368 | 4,131,163 | 4,805,549 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 159,463 | 130,201 | 104,581 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 13,057,515 | 12,182,115 | 11,820,865 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 1,784,175 | 1,623,121 | 1,498,759 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities & shareholders' equity | $ | 14,841,690 | $ | 13,805,236 | $ | 13,319,624 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 576,541 | $ | 570,671 | $ | 480,945 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest spread | 3.00 | % | 3.45 | % | 3.62 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax equivalent) | 4.16 | % | 4.43 | % | 3.89 | % |
1Average balances include non-accrual loans. Interest income includes net loan fees of $9.6 million, $13.8 million, and $16.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 respectively. Loan fees in 2022 included Paycheck Protection Program fees of $4.1 million.
2Non-taxable income is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of approximately 25%. The tax-equivalent adjustments were $8.4 million, $8.1 million, and $7.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
34
Rate/Volume
The following table sets forth, on a tax-equivalent basis for the periods indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in yield/rates and volume.
| 2024 compared to 2023 | 2023 compared to 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (decrease) due to | Increase (decrease) due to | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest earned on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 45,473 | $ | 21,536 | $ | 67,009 | $ | 61,460 | $ | 170,276 | $ | 231,736 | ||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 6,347 | 5,900 | 12,247 | 2,355 | 8,927 | 11,282 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities3 | 936 | 818 | 1,754 | 2,981 | 2,045 | 5,026 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 5,549 | (61) | 5,488 | (13,192) | 16,023 | 2,831 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 58,305 | 28,193 | 86,498 | 53,604 | 197,271 | 250,875 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 9,794 | $ | 20,162 | $ | 29,956 | $ | 805 | $ | 39,133 | $ | 39,938 | ||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 14,928 | 19,747 | 34,675 | 1,987 | 71,683 | 73,670 | ||||||||||||||||
| Savings | (165) | 451 | 286 | (66) | 736 | 670 | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 6,674 | 9,294 | 15,968 | 7,363 | 31,924 | 39,287 | ||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | 35 | 681 | 716 | 32 | 583 | 615 | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | (1,326) | 265 | (1,061) | 555 | 1,599 | 2,154 | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | (84) | 2,104 | 2,020 | (126) | 3,268 | 3,142 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowed funds | (839) | (1,093) | (1,932) | 1,729 | (56) | 1,673 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 29,017 | 51,611 | 80,628 | 12,279 | 148,870 | 161,149 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 29,288 | $ | (23,418) | $ | 5,870 | $ | 41,325 | $ | 48,401 | $ | 89,726 | ||||||||||
| 1Change in volume multiplied by yield/rate of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2Change in yield/rate multiplied by volume of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3Nontaxable income is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of approximately 25%. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE: The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to rate and volume changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. |
Net interest income (on a tax equivalent basis) was $576.5 million for 2024, compared to $570.7 million for 2023, an increase of $5.9 million. The increase in net interest income in 2024 was primarily due to a higher average yield on interest earning assets and organic loan growth, which was partially offset by an increase in the average cost paid on interest bearing liabilities.
Total tax equivalent interest income increased $86.5 million in 2024 primarily due to a $67.0 million increase in loan interest income. The increase was primarily due to an increase in average loan balances of $665.8 million during the year. In addition, the loan yield increased 20 basis points from 6.67% in 2023 to 6.87% in 2024. Tax equivalent interest income on securities (taxable and non-taxable) in 2024 increased $14.0 million from 2023, primarily due to increases of $7.3 million in interest income on average balances and $6.7 million in yield. Average securities represented 18% of earnings assets in both 2024 and 2023.
Overall, average interest-earning assets increased $995.0 million, or 8%, to $13.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to success in growing the deposit portfolio. The loan portfolio expanded and excess liquidity was deployed into the investment portfolio and other interest-earning assets. Volume growth of the balance sheet drove an increase in interest income on earning assets of $58.3 million, while higher loan and securities yields drove interest income on interest-earning assets up by $28.2 million in 2024 compared to 2023.
Total interest expense increased $80.6 million in 2024 primarily due to increased deposit interest expense. The increase in deposit interest expense reflects higher rates paid on deposits, as well as successful marketing efforts that
35
increased average deposits. Remixing of the deposit portfolio from noninterest-bearing and lower cost accounts into higher cost accounts contributed to the increase in deposit interest expense in 2024. Total average interest-bearing deposits increased to $8.5 billion, an increase of $996.3 million, or 13%, in 2024 over the average for 2023. Average noninterest-bearing deposits declined $88.8 million, or 2%, in 2024 compared to the average for 2023. Average noninterest-bearing deposits represented 31% of total average deposits in 2024, compared to 36% in 2023. Overall, average interest-bearing liabilities increased $934.9 million, or 12%, for the year ended December 31, 2024. The shift in volume from noninterest-bearing deposit accounts into higher cost deposit accounts increased interest expense in 2024 by $29.0 million, while the increase in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased interest expense $51.6 million in 2024.
The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 4.16% for 2024, compared to 4.43% for 2023. The primary driver of the decrease in net interest margin from 2023 to 2024 was higher interest expense on the deposit portfolio. In 2023, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates three times for a total of 100 basis points. In the fourth quarter 2024, the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds target rate by 100 basis points. As of December 31, 2024, variable-rate loans comprised approximately 60% of total loans. The earning-asset yield increased 20 basis points to 6.20% in 2024, compared to 6.00% in 2023. Comparatively, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 65 basis points to 3.20%, from 2.55% in 2023.
Noninterest Income
The following table presents a comparative summary of the major components of noninterest income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2024:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | $ | 18,344 | $ | 16,559 | $ | 18,326 | $ | 1,785 | $ | (1,767) | ||||||||
| Wealth management revenue | 10,452 | 10,030 | 10,010 | 422 | 20 | |||||||||||||
| Card services revenue | 9,966 | 10,028 | 11,551 | (62) | (1,523) | |||||||||||||
| Tax credit income | 8,954 | 9,196 | 2,558 | (242) | 6,638 | |||||||||||||
| Other income | 21,987 | 22,912 | 16,717 | (925) | 6,195 | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | 69,703 | $ | 68,725 | $ | 59,162 | $ | 978 | $ | 9,563 |
Noninterest income increased $1.0 million, or 1%, in 2024 compared to 2023. This increase was primarily due to a $1.8 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts, partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in other income. Other income decreased primarily due to lower private equity and community development income ($3.1 million) and gains on the sale of SBA loans ($0.6 million), offset by an increase in gains on sale of other real estate owned ($2.9 million). Private equity and community development income are not consistent sources of income and fluctuate based on distributions and earnings from the underlying funds. In 2024, the Company sold the guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans of $23.1 million for a gain of $1.4 million, compared to $42.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, in 2023.
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Noninterest Expense
The following table presents a comparative summary of the components of noninterest expense:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Employee compensation and benefits | $ | 182,713 | $ | 164,566 | $ | 147,029 | $ | 18,147 | $ | 17,537 | ||||||||
| Deposit costs | 88,645 | 72,293 | 31,082 | 16,352 | 41,211 | |||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 17,231 | 16,526 | 17,640 | 705 | (1,114) | |||||||||||||
| Data processing | 19,671 | 15,196 | 13,513 | 4,475 | 1,683 | |||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 6,257 | 5,719 | 7,079 | 538 | (1,360) | |||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 70,530 | 73,886 | 57,873 | (3,356) | 16,013 | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 385,047 | $ | 348,186 | $ | 274,216 | $ | 36,861 | $ | 73,970 | ||||||||
| Efficiency ratio | 60.37 | % | 55.15 | % | 51.44 | % | 5.22 | % | 3.71 | % | ||||||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 58.42 | % | 53.42 | % | 49.77 | % | 5.00 | % | 3.65 | % | ||||||||
| 1 A non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Noninterest expense increased $36.9 million, or 11%, in 2024 compared to 2023. The increase was attributed primarily to an increase in compensation and benefits due to annual merit increases and the recruitment of new relationship bankers, a $16.4 million increase in deposit costs, and a $4.5 million increase in data processing primarily related to the core system conversion. The total cost of the core conversion in noninterest expense was $4.9 million in 2024. For certain deposit accounts in the Company’s deposit verticals, clients receive an earnings credit on average collected balances that may be used to offset expenses associated with the client’s activities for managing the accounts. These costs are reflected in noninterest expense as Deposit costs. The increase in deposit costs in 2024 is due to organic growth in the deposit verticals and an increase in market interest rates that increased the earnings credit rate and related expenses for those accounts. Average balances in the deposit verticals were approximately $3.1 billion and $2.6 billion, resulting in an average deposit vertical cost of 2.82% and 2.75% for 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company’s blended federal and state tax rate was approximately 24.8% in 2024 and 2023. The effective tax rate, which is adjusted for permanent differences, such as tax exempt income and tax credits, was 19.9% in 2024 compared to 21.3% in 2023. The effective tax rate decrease was driven by tax credit opportunities the Company has deployed as part of its tax planning strategy. See “Item 8. Note 16 – Income Taxes” for additional information.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Summary Balance Sheet
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 764,170 | $ | 433,029 | $ | 291,359 | 76.47 | % | 48.62 | % | |||||||
| Securities | 2,791,205 | 2,368,707 | 2,245,722 | 17.84 | % | 5.48 | % | ||||||||||
| Loans | 11,220,355 | 10,884,118 | 9,737,138 | 3.09 | % | 11.78 | % | ||||||||||
| Assets | 15,596,431 | 14,518,590 | 13,054,172 | 7.42 | % | 11.22 | % | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 13,146,492 | 12,176,371 | 10,829,150 | 7.97 | % | 12.44 | % | ||||||||||
| Liabilities | 13,772,429 | 12,802,522 | 11,531,909 | 7.58 | % | 11.02 | % | ||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 1,824,002 | 1,716,068 | 1,522,263 | 6.29 | % | 12.73 | % |
37
The table below represents the summary balance sheet shown as a percentage of account class (total assets, total liabilities or total shareholders’ equity), as applicable:
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents to total assets | 4.90 | % | 2.98 | % | 2.23 | % | ||
| Securities to total assets | 17.90 | % | 16.31 | % | 17.20 | % | ||
| Loans to total assets | 71.94 | % | 74.97 | % | 74.59 | % | ||
| Deposits to total liabilities | 95.46 | % | 95.11 | % | 93.91 | % |
Assets
Loans by Type
The Company has a diversified loan portfolio, with no particular concentration of credit in any one economic sector other than those noted in the table of loans by NAICS code below; however, a substantial portion of the portfolio, including the C&I category, is secured by real estate. The ability of the Company’s borrowers to honor their contractual obligations is partially dependent upon the local economy and its effect on the real estate market.
The following table sets forth the composition of the loan portfolio by type of loans:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 4,716,689 | $ | 4,672,559 | ||
| Commercial real estate - investor owned | 2,606,964 | 2,451,953 | ||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 2,367,823 | 2,351,618 | ||||
| Construction and land development | 891,059 | 760,425 | ||||
| Residential real estate | 359,263 | 372,188 | ||||
| Other | 278,557 | 275,375 | ||||
| Total loans | $ | 11,220,355 | $ | 10,884,118 | ||
| December 31, | ||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Commercial and industrial | 42.0 | % | 42.9 | % | ||
| Commercial real estate - investor owned | 23.2 | % | 22.5 | % | ||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 21.1 | % | 21.6 | % | ||
| Construction and land development | 8.0 | % | 7.1 | % | ||
| Residential real estate | 3.2 | % | 3.4 | % | ||
| Other | 2.5 | % | 2.5 | % | ||
| Total loans | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
C&I loans are made based on the borrower’s ability to generate cash flows for repayment from income sources, general credit strength, experience, and character, even though such loans may also be secured by real estate or other assets. The credit risk related to commercial loans is largely influenced by general economic conditions and the resulting impact on a borrower’s operations.
The Company continues to focus on originating high-quality C&I loan relationships as they allow for cross selling opportunities involving other banking products. Our specialized products, especially sponsor finance, life insurance premium financing, and tax credit lending, consist of primarily C&I loans, and have contributed significantly to the Company’s C&I loan growth. These loans are sourced through relationships developed with wealth and estate planning firms, private equity funds and tax credit specialists and are not bound geographically to our markets. As a result, these specialized loan products offer opportunities to expand and diversify our overall geographic concentration by entering into new markets.
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Real estate loans place an emphasis on the estimated cash flows from the operation of the property and/or the underlying collateral value.
•Our commercial real estate loans, including investor-owned and owner-occupied categories, primarily represent commercial property loans on which the primary source of repayment is income from the property for investor-owned and the operating business for owner-occupied. These loans are principally underwritten based on the cash flow coverage of the property, the Company’s loan to value guidelines, and generally require either the limited or full guaranty of principal sponsors of the credit. The Company also maintains standards for amortization and maturity terms. Commercial real estate loans also represent owner-occupied C&I loans for which the primary source of repayment is dependent on sources other than the underlying collateral. In an effort to mitigate credit risk, the Company routinely reviews its loan portfolio for various concentrations. Annually, management prepares an assessment of credit risk in the various loan portfolios, with a significant portion of the commercial loan portfolio subject to review. These reviews consider the Company’s collateral position as well as exposure to a given industry sector. The Company performs site visits as part of the underwriting process, in addition to stress tests for vacancy, rental and interest rates on certain property types. The Company believes that the loan portfolio is sufficiently diversified to provide protection from deterioration in any particular industry, geography or devaluation of a specific collateral type.
•Construction and land development loans relating primarily to residential and commercial properties, represent financing secured by real estate under development for eventual sale or undeveloped ground. At December 31, 2024, $334.2 million of these loans include the use of interest reserves and follow standard underwriting guidelines. Construction projects are monitored by the loan officer and a centralized independent loan disbursement function.
•Residential real estate loans include residential mortgages, which are loans that, due to size or other attributes, do not qualify for conventional home mortgages available-for-sale in the secondary market, second mortgages, home equity lines and conventional mortgages that are part of a broad banking relationship with the Company. Residential mortgage loans are usually limited to a maximum of 80% of collateral value at origination.
Other loans represent loans to individuals, loans to state and political subdivisions, loans to nondepository financial institutions, and loans to purchase or are fully secured by investment securities. Credit risk is managed by thoroughly reviewing the creditworthiness of the borrowers prior to origination and thereafter.
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The following table presents a breakdown of loans by NAICS code at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Outstanding Balance | % | Outstanding Balance | % | |||||||||
| Accommodation and Food Services | $ | 1,052,105 | 9 | % | $ | 975,357 | 9 | % | |||||
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 207,003 | 2 | % | 215,733 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1 | 141,339 | 1 | % | 229,719 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 139,256 | 1 | % | 125,487 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Construction | 584,421 | 5 | % | 692,403 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Educational Services | 49,942 | NM | 54,044 | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Finance and Insurance | 2,252,420 | 20 | % | 2,005,183 | 18 | % | |||||||
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 612,767 | 5 | % | 551,979 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Information | 68,839 | 1 | % | 97,052 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 91,890 | 1 | % | 88,079 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Manufacturing | 750,480 | 7 | % | 704,750 | 7 | % | |||||||
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 5,494 | NM | 32,024 | NM | |||||||||
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 556,325 | 5 | % | 588,449 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 311,160 | 3 | % | 326,176 | 3 | % | |||||||
| Public Administration | 11,889 | NM | 13,774 | NM | |||||||||
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 2,904,153 | 26 | % | 2,766,754 | 25 | % | |||||||
| Retail Trade | 561,932 | 5 | % | 513,763 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Transportation and Warehousing | 286,906 | 3 | % | 284,706 | 3 | % | |||||||
| Utilities | 7,139 | NM | 15,853 | NM | |||||||||
| Wholesale Trade | 517,761 | 5 | % | 535,666 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Other | 107,134 | 1 | % | 67,167 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 11,220,355 | 100 | % | $ | 10,884,118 | 100 | % | |||||
| 1Includes $54.2 million and $95.0 million in animal production at December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively and $69.4 million and $113.8 million in crop production at December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. |
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had an agricultural loan portfolio of $121.8 million and $229.7 million, respectively. The Company continues to wind down this portfolio over time as the loans mature or pay down. The Company does not intend to enter into new agricultural loans.
The following table presents a breakdown of commercial & industrial loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,582 | $ | 864,511 | $ | 335 | 2,466 | $ | 850,849 | $ | 345 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 343 | 1,114,922 | 3,251 | 339 | 1,114,522 | 3,288 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 145 | 1,001,137 | 6,904 | 139 | 984,795 | 7,085 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 95 | 1,736,119 | 18,275 | 97 | 1,722,393 | 17,757 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,165 | $ | 4,716,689 | $ | 1,490 | 3,041 | $ | 4,672,559 | $ | 1,537 |
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The following table presents a breakdown of commercial real estate loans (investor owned and owner occupied) by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,958 | $ | 1,792,813 | $ | 606 | 3,133 | $ | 1,867,452 | $ | 596 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 443 | 1,363,797 | 3,079 | 413 | 1,265,659 | 3,065 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 114 | 765,059 | 6,711 | 118 | 793,837 | 6,727 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 65 | 1,053,118 | 16,202 | 57 | 876,623 | 15,379 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,580 | $ | 4,974,787 | $ | 1,390 | 3,721 | $ | 4,803,571 | $ | 1,291 |
The Company had $513.7 million and $482.0 million of investor owned office real estate loans as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company also had $322.5 million and $271.8 million of multifamily commercial real estate loans as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table presents a breakdown of construction loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 303 | $ | 128,236 | $ | 423 | 355 | $ | 143,461 | $ | 404 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 52 | 162,936 | 3,133 | 60 | 190,857 | 3,181 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 27 | 201,108 | 7,448 | 23 | 160,228 | 6,966 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 25 | 398,779 | 15,951 | 17 | 265,879 | 15,640 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 407 | $ | 891,059 | $ | 2,189 | 455 | $ | 760,425 | $ | 1,671 |
The following table presents a breakdown of residential loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,000 | $ | 275,321 | $ | 138 | 2,130 | $ | 284,594 | $ | 134 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 19 | 62,409 | 3,285 | 18 | 58,337 | 3,241 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 3 | 21,533 | 7,177 | 4 | 29,257 | 7,314 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,022 | $ | 359,263 | $ | 178 | 2,152 | $ | 372,188 | $ | 173 |
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The following table presents a breakdown of other loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 1,023 | $ | 92,471 | $ | 90 | 1,171 | $ | 105,759 | $ | 90 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 20 | 65,074 | 3,254 | 18 | 60,801 | 3,378 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 6 | 38,714 | 6,453 | 7 | 44,593 | 6,370 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 4 | 82,298 | 20,574 | 4 | 64,222 | 16,056 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,053 | $ | 278,557 | $ | 265 | 1,200 | $ | 275,375 | $ | 229 |
The following table presents a breakdown of total loans by geographic region at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Midwest | $ | 3,201,313 | $ | 3,338,308 | ||
| Southwest | 1,784,824 | 1,565,852 | ||||
| West | 1,855,380 | 1,813,239 | ||||
| Specialty and other loans | 4,378,838 | 4,166,719 | ||||
| Total | $ | 11,220,355 | $ | 10,884,118 |
The following table presents a breakdown of total loans by MSA, excluding specialty and other loans, at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| St. Louis, MO-IL MSA | $ | 2,225,856 | $ | 2,382,192 | ||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA | 1,557,990 | 1,561,720 | ||||
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ MSA | 993,239 | 899,768 | ||||
| Kansas City, MO-KS MSA | 975,457 | 953,557 | ||||
| San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA MSA | 297,359 | 234,808 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX MSA | 185,242 | 155,459 | ||||
| Albuquerque, NM MSA | 211,642 | 183,813 | ||||
| Santa Fe, NM MSA | 151,883 | 167,321 | ||||
| Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA | 165,485 | 83,737 | ||||
| All other MSAs | 77,364 | 95,024 | ||||
| Specialty and other loans | 4,378,838 | 4,166,719 | ||||
| Total | $ | 11,220,355 | $ | 10,884,118 |
Loan guarantees, primarily on SBA 7(a) loans, totaled $947.7 million and $932.1 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
42
The following table sets forth additional information on certain categories of loans that are included in total loans above at the periods indicated:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | Increase (decrease) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA loans | 1,298,007 | 1,281,632 | 16,375 | 1 | % | ||||||
| Sponsor finance | 782,722 | 872,264 | (89,542) | (10) | % | ||||||
| Life insurance premium finance | 1,114,299 | 956,162 | 158,137 | 17 | % | ||||||
| Tax credits | 760,229 | 734,594 | 25,635 | 3 | % |
The sponsor finance portfolio is primarily comprised of loans in the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors. It includes mid-market company mergers and acquisitions, targeted private equity firms, principally SBICs, and senior debt financing to portfolio companies.
The life insurance premium finance category specializes in financing whole life insurance premiums utilized in high net worth estate planning, through relationships with boutique estate planners throughout the United States.
The tax credit portfolio includes tax credit-related lending on affordable housing projects funded through the use of
federal and state low income housing tax credits. In addition, we provide leveraged and other loans on projects funded through the CDFI New Markets Tax Credit Program. This portfolio also includes tax credit brokerage through 10-year streams of state tax credits from affordable housing development funds. The tax credits are sold to clients and other individuals for tax planning purposes.
SBA loans are originated under the SBA 7(a) program and are primarily owner-occupied, commercial real estate loans secured by a 1st lien. These loans predominantly have a 75% portion guaranteed by the SBA.
Significant loan concentrations are considered to exist for a financial institution when there are amounts loaned to numerous borrowers engaged in similar activities that would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At December 31, 2024, no significant concentrations exceeding 10% of total loans existed in the Company’s loan portfolio, except as described above.
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The following table presents the maturity distribution of loans at December 31, 2024 categorized by fixed or variable interest rates, net of unearned loan fees:
| ($ in thousands) | Due in One Year or Less (1) | After One Through Five Years | After Five Through Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | Percent of Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 107,243 | $ | 592,690 | $ | 591,926 | $ | 12,247 | $ | 1,304,106 | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 394,125 | 1,823,671 | 343,165 | 180,183 | 2,741,144 | 24 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 20,706 | 129,788 | 15,133 | 2,925 | 168,552 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 28,007 | 88,772 | 13,384 | 22,411 | 152,574 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 928 | 53,078 | 77,201 | 36,309 | 167,516 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 551,009 | $ | 2,687,999 | $ | 1,040,809 | $ | 254,075 | $ | 4,533,892 | 40 | % | ||||||||||
| Variable Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,258,702 | $ | 1,935,810 | $ | 211,279 | $ | 6,792 | $ | 3,412,583 | 30 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 229,130 | 419,591 | 386,634 | 1,198,288 | 2,233,643 | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 372,803 | 171,872 | 97,920 | 79,912 | 722,507 | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 34,294 | 23,049 | 58,288 | 91,058 | 206,689 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 52,632 | 13,054 | 45,237 | 118 | 111,041 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,947,561 | $ | 2,563,376 | $ | 799,358 | $ | 1,376,168 | $ | 6,686,463 | 60 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,365,945 | $ | 2,528,500 | $ | 803,205 | $ | 19,039 | $ | 4,716,689 | 42 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 623,255 | 2,243,262 | 729,799 | 1,378,471 | 4,974,787 | 44 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 393,509 | 301,660 | 113,053 | 82,837 | 891,059 | 9 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 62,301 | 111,821 | 71,672 | 113,469 | 359,263 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 53,560 | 66,132 | 122,438 | 36,427 | 278,557 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,498,570 | $ | 5,251,375 | $ | 1,840,167 | $ | 1,630,243 | $ | 11,220,355 | 100 | % |
(1) Includes loans with no stated maturity and overdraft lines of credit.
The majority of variable loans are based on the prime rate or SOFR. At December 31, 2024, $4.6 billion or 68% of variable rate loans were subject to an interest rate floor. Most variable rate loan originations have one-to three-year maturities. Management monitors this mix as part of its interest rate risk management. The Company has also entered into interest rate hedges to reduce the cash flow impact of changes in interest rates on the variable rate loan portfolio. These hedges, which include interest rate swaps and collars, had a notional amount of $400.0 million and $350.0 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See “Interest Rate Risk” of this MD&A section for additional information.
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Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses
The following table presents the components of the provision for credit losses for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses on loans | $ | 20,629 | $ | 35,883 | ||
| Provision for available-for-sale securities | — | 4,281 | ||||
| Benefit for off-balance sheet commitments | (586) | (5,450) | ||||
| Provision / (Benefit) for held-to-maturity securities | (528) | 50 | ||||
| Charge-offs of accrued interest | 1,993 | 1,841 | ||||
| Provision for credit losses | $ | 21,508 | $ | 36,605 |
The provision for credit losses, which includes a provision for losses on unfunded commitments, is a charge to earnings to maintain the ACL at a level consistent with management’s assessment of expected losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company also records reversals of interest on nonaccrual loans and interest recoveries directly through the provision of credit losses.
The CECL methodology requires economic forecasts to be factored into determining estimated losses. As a result, CECL is designed to typically require a higher level of provision at the start of an economic downturn. The decrease in the provision for credit losses in 2024 was primarily due to improved credit quality, including a reduction in net charge-offs. The higher provision for credit losses in the prior year was primarily due to loan growth, net charge-offs and the increase in nonperforming loans. The provision for credit losses in 2023 also included the impact of the impairment of an available-for-sale investment security, related to a subordinated debt security in a publicly-traded bank that failed in the first quarter of 2023.
To the extent the Company does not recognize charge-offs and economic forecasts improve in future periods, the Company could recognize a reversal of provision for credit losses. Conversely, if economic conditions and the Company’s forecast worsens, the Company could recognize elevated levels of provision for credit losses. The provision is also reflective of charge-offs in the period.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the ACL on loans:
| December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Balance at End of Period Applicable to: | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | |||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 63,231 | 42.1 | % | $ | 58,886 | 42.9 | % | |||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||
| Commercial | 54,617 | 44.3 | % | 54,685 | 44.1 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | 9,837 | 8.0 | % | 10,198 | 7.0 | % | |||||
| Residential | 6,534 | 3.2 | % | 6,142 | 3.4 | % | |||||
| Other | 3,731 | 2.4 | % | 4,860 | 2.6 | % | |||||
| Total allowance | $ | 137,950 | 100.0 | % | $ | 134,771 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance for credit losses was 1.23% of total loans at December 31, 2024, compared to 1.24%, and 1.41%, at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in the allowance to total loans ratio in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to a shift in the mix of the loan portfolio to categories with lower reserve requirements, improvement in the economic forecast and net loan charge-offs of $17.5 million.
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The following table is a summary of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 10,425 | $ | 5,602,957 | 0.19 | % | $ | 33,257 | $ | 4,247,091 | 0.78 | % | |||||||||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 3,510 | 3,934,764 | 0.09 | % | 4,446 | 4,712,037 | 0.09 | % | |||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 3,125 | 792,854 | 0.39 | % | (54) | 712,578 | (0.01) | % | |||||||||||||
| Residential | (264) | 352,754 | (0.07) | % | (323) | 362,641 | (0.09) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 654 | 306,583 | 0.21 | % | 718 | 290,054 | 0.25 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 17,450 | $ | 10,989,912 | 0.16 | % | $ | 38,044 | $ | 10,324,401 | 0.37 | % |
(1) Excludes loans held for sale.
See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of this MD&A section for more information on the allowance for credit losses methodology.
Nonperforming loans and assets
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for more information on nonaccrual loans and other real estate. The following table presents the categories of nonperforming assets and other ratios, excluding government guaranteed portions, as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Non-accrual loans | $ | 42,667 | $ | 43,181 | ||
| Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest | 20 | 547 | ||||
| Total nonperforming loans | 42,687 | 43,728 | ||||
| Other real estate | 3,955 | 5,736 | ||||
| Total nonperforming assets | $ | 46,642 | $ | 49,464 | ||
| Total assets | $ | 15,596,431 | $ | 14,518,590 | ||
| Total loans | 11,220,355 | 10,884,118 | ||||
| Total allowance for credit losses | 137,950 | 134,771 | ||||
| ACL to nonaccrual loans | 323 | % | 312 | % | ||
| ACL to nonperforming loans | 323 | % | 308 | % | ||
| ACL to total loans | 1.23 | % | 1.24 | % | ||
| Nonaccrual loans to total loans | 0.38 | % | 0.40 | % | ||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.38 | % | 0.40 | % | ||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.30 | % | 0.34 | % |
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Nonperforming loans based on loan type were as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2024 | Number of loans | December 31, 2023 | Number of loans | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 15,821 | 37 | % | 23 | $ | 7,756 | 18 | % | 15 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 25,096 | 59 | % | 33 | 33,739 | 77 | % | 27 | ||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 1,503 | 3 | % | 2 | 1,269 | 3 | % | 3 | ||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 258 | 1 | % | 1 | 959 | 2 | % | 1 | ||||||||||
| Other | 9 | NM | 4 | 5 | — | % | 2 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 42,687 | 100 | % | 63 | $ | 43,728 | 100 | % | 48 |
The following table summarizes the changes in nonperforming loans:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, beginning of period | $ | 43,728 | $ | 9,981 | ||
| Additions to nonaccrual loans | 55,747 | 109,766 | ||||
| Charge-offs | (21,874) | (43,215) | ||||
| Principal payments | (29,000) | (25,871) | ||||
| Moved to other real estate | (5,914) | (6,933) | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, end of period | $ | 42,687 | $ | 43,728 |
Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2024 decreased $1.0 million, or 2%, when compared to December 31, 2023. The decrease in nonperforming loans during 2024 was primarily from principal payments of $29.0 million and charge-offs of $21.9 million, partially offset by additions to nonaccrual loans of $55.7 million.
Other real estate
The following table summarizes the changes in other real estate:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Other real estate, beginning of period | $ | 5,736 | $ | 269 | ||
| Additions | 6,559 | 5,736 | ||||
| Changes in valuation allowance | (156) | — | ||||
| Sales | (8,184) | (269) | ||||
| Other real estate, end of period | $ | 3,955 | $ | 5,736 |
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Investments
At December 31, 2024, our portfolio of investment securities was $2.8 billion, or 18% of total assets, compared to $2.4 billion, or 16% of total assets as of December 31, 2023. The portfolio is comprised of both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.
The table below sets forth the carrying value of investment securities, excluding the allowance for credit losses:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored enterprises | $ | 276,040 | 9.9 | % | $ | 296,446 | 12.5 | % | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 1,168,256 | 41.9 | % | 1,007,870 | 42.5 | % | |||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 1,075,306 | 38.5 | % | 752,481 | 31.8 | % | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 128,893 | 4.6 | % | 181,701 | 7.7 | % | |||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 142,967 | 5.1 | % | 130,994 | 5.5 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 2,791,462 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,369,492 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities was $0.3 million and $0.8 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company had no debt securities classified as trading at December 31, 2024, or 2023.
The following table summarizes contractual maturity and tax-equivalent yields on the investment portfolio at December 31, 2024:
| Within 1 year | 1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years | Over 10 years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | 28,053 | 1.0 | % | $ | 207,431 | 1.8 | % | $ | 30,048 | 4.3 | % | $ | 10,508 | 2.1 | % | $ | 276,040 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 1,900 | 3.6 | % | 23,914 | 2.5 | % | 324,161 | 3.4 | % | 818,281 | 3.7 | % | 1,168,256 | 3.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 50,905 | 3.0 | % | 24,719 | 2.9 | % | 59,906 | 3.6 | % | 939,776 | 3.9 | % | 1,075,306 | 3.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 80,060 | 4.1 | % | 48,833 | 2.9 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | 128,893 | 3.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 5,008 | 3.3 | % | 114,163 | 3.3 | % | 23,796 | 4.9 | % | — | — | % | 142,967 | 3.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 165,926 | 3.2 | % | $ | 419,060 | 2.4 | % | $ | 437,911 | 3.6 | % | $ | 1,768,565 | 3.8 | % | $ | 2,791,462 | 3.5 | % |
Yields on tax-exempt securities are computed on a taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 24.8%. Actual maturities can differ from contractual maturities, as borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
Other investments primarily consist of the FHLB capital stock, common stock investments related to our trust preferred securities, community development funds, and other investments in private equity funds, primarily SBICs. These investments do not have a stated maturity.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| FHLB capital stock | $ | 8,704 | 12.0 | % | $ | 7,824 | 11.8 | % | |||||
| Other investments | 64,080 | 88.0 | % | 58,371 | 88.2 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 72,784 | 100.0 | % | $ | 66,195 | 100.0 | % |
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Deposits
The following table shows the breakdown of deposits by type:
| Years ended December 31, | $ Increase (decrease) | % Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 4,484,072 | $ | 3,958,743 | $ | 525,329 | 13.3 | % | ||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 3,175,292 | 2,950,259 | 225,033 | 7.6 | % | |||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,564,063 | 3,399,280 | 164,783 | 4.8 | % | |||||||||
| Savings accounts | 553,461 | 595,175 | (41,714) | (7.0) | % | |||||||||
| Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||||
| Brokered | 484,588 | 482,759 | 1,829 | 0.4 | % | |||||||||
| Customer | 885,016 | 790,155 | 94,861 | 12.0 | % | |||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 13,146,492 | $ | 12,176,371 | $ | 970,121 | 8.0 | % | ||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits / Total deposits | 34 | % | 33 | % |
Total deposits increased $970.1 million, primarily due to client deposit growth. Brokered certificates of deposit increased $1.8 million, to $484.6 million at December 31, 2024. Brokered certificates of deposit are used for term liquidity purposes in place of FHLB borrowings. The brokered certificates of deposit balance has a weighted average cost of 4.50% and a weighted average remaining term of 9 months at December 31, 2024. The Company has a deposit vertical portfolio focusing primarily on property management, community associations, and legal industry and escrow services. These deposits totaled $3.4 billion and $2.8 billion at the end of 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table shows the average balance and average rate of the Company’s deposits by type:
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | ||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposit accounts | $ | 4,042,368 | — | % | $ | 4,131,163 | — | % | $ | 4,805,549 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 3,033,616 | 2.54 | % | 2,559,238 | 1.84 | % | 2,318,363 | 0.30 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,494,497 | 3.65 | % | 3,043,794 | 3.05 | % | 2,781,579 | 0.69 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 567,147 | 0.22 | % | 668,368 | 0.15 | % | 819,043 | 0.04 | % | |||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered | 519,279 | 4.73 | % | 557,761 | 4.44 | % | 128,120 | 1.08 | % | |||||||||||
| Customer | 851,730 | 4.01 | % | 640,790 | 2.81 | % | 441,152 | 0.48 | % | |||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | $ | 8,466,269 | 3.13 | % | $ | 7,469,951 | 2.46 | % | $ | 6,488,257 | 0.46 | % | ||||||||
| Total average deposits | $ | 12,508,637 | 2.12 | % | $ | 11,601,114 | 1.58 | % | $ | 11,293,806 | 0.27 | % |
Average total deposits were $12.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $907.5 million, or 8%, from December 31, 2023. The increase in 2024 was primarily due to organic growth in money market and interest-bearing demand accounts.
49
The following table sets forth the maturities of estimated uninsured certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2024. Uninsured deposits are amounts estimated to exceed the FDIC deposit insurance limit and are not subject to any federal or state insurance program.
| ($ in thousands) | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Three months or less | $ | 142,678 |
| Over three through six months | 52,082 | |
| Over six through twelve months | 51,355 | |
| Over twelve months | 22,102 | |
| Total | $ | 268,217 |
As of December 31, 2024, estimated uninsured deposits totaled $4.5 billion, including $268.2 million of certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2023 estimated uninsured deposits totaled $4.3 billion. Estimated uninsured deposits include $0.5 billion of balances that are collateralized or secured with third party insurance at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Shareholders’ equity
Shareholders’ equity totaled $1.8 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of $107.9 million, or 6%, from December 31, 2023.
Significant activity during the year ended December 31, 2024 included the following:
•Increase from net income of $185.3 million;
•Net decrease in fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash flow hedges of $15.7 million;
•Decrease from dividends paid on common stock of $39.6 million and preferred stock of $3.8 million
•Decrease from share repurchases of $29.6 million, pursuant to the Company’s publicly-announced stock repurchase program.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
The objective of liquidity management is to ensure we have the ability to generate sufficient cash or cash equivalents in a timely and cost-effective manner to meet our commitments as they become due. Typical demands on liquidity are changes in deposit levels, maturing time deposits which are not renewed, and fundings under credit commitments to customers. Funds are available from a number of sources, such as the core deposit base and loan and security repayments and maturities.
Liquidity is provided from lines of credit with the FHLB, the Federal Reserve, and correspondent banks; the ability to acquire large and brokered deposits; sales of the securities portfolio; and the ability to sell loan participations to other banks and loans on the secondary market. These alternatives are an important part of our liquidity plan and provide flexibility and efficient execution of the asset-liability management strategy.
The Company’s Asset-Liability Management Committee oversees our liquidity position, the parameters of which are approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. Our liquidity position is monitored daily. Our liquidity management framework includes measurement of several key elements, such as a loan to deposit ratio, a liquidity ratio, and a dependency ratio. The Company’s liquidity framework also incorporates contingency planning to assess the nature and volatility of funding sources and to determine alternatives to these sources. While core deposits and loan and investment repayments are principal sources of liquidity, funding diversification is another key element of liquidity management and is achieved by strategically varying depositor types, terms, funding markets, and instruments.
Liquidity from assets is available primarily from cash balances and the investment portfolio. Cash and interest-bearing deposits with other banks totaled $764.2 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $433.0 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in cash balances during 2024 is due to deposit growth exceeding loan growth. The
50
increase in market interest rates in 2022 - 2023 increased the competitive environment for deposits, as depositors had more alternatives to bank deposit accounts. Successful marketing efforts increased total deposits in 2024. Investment securities are another important tool to the Company’s liquidity objectives. Securities totaled $2.8 billion at December 31, 2024, and included $1.5 billion pledged as collateral for deposits of public institutions, treasury, loan notes, and other requirements. The remaining $1.3 billion could be pledged or sold to enhance liquidity, if necessary.
Available on- and off-balance sheet liquidity sources include the following items:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Reserve Bank borrowing capacity | $ | 2,751,533 |
| FHLB borrowing capacity | 1,304,235 | |
| Unpledged securities | 1,325,619 | |
| Federal funds lines (7 correspondent banks) | 140,000 | |
| Cash and interest-bearing deposits | 764,170 | |
| Holding Company line of credit | 25,000 | |
| Total | $ | 6,310,557 |
The Company also has a portfolio of SBA guaranteed loans, a portion of which could be sold in the secondary market to generate earnings and liquidity. The guaranteed portion of SBA loans totaling $23.1 million and $42.1 million were sold during 2024 and 2023.
Liability liquidity funding sources are available to increase financial flexibility. In addition to amounts borrowed at December 31, 2024, the Company could borrow an additional $1.3 billion from the FHLB of Des Moines under blanket loan pledges and has additional real estate loans that could be pledged. The Company also has $2.8 billion available from the Federal Reserve Bank under a pledged loan agreement. The Company also has unsecured federal funds lines with seven correspondent banks totaling $140 million.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into certain forms of off-balance sheet transactions, including unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit. These transactions are managed through the Company’s various risk management processes. Management considers both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet transactions in its evaluation of the Company’s liquidity. The Company has $3.1 billion in unused commitments to extend credit as of December 31, 2024. While this commitment level would exhaust the majority the Company’s current liquidity resources, the nature of these commitments is such that the likelihood of funding them in the aggregate at any one time is low.
At the holding company level, our primary funding sources are dividends and payments from the Bank and proceeds from the issuance of equity (i.e. stock option exercises, stock offerings) and debt instruments. The main use of this liquidity is to provide the funds necessary to pay dividends to shareholders, service debt, invest in subsidiaries as necessary, and satisfy other operating requirements. In 2024, the holding company maintained a revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount up to $25 million, all of which was available at December 31, 2024. The line of credit had a one-year term that matured in February 2025, the interest rate was one-month Term SOFR plus 185 basis points, and an annual unused commitment fee of 0.40% was assessed. The proceeds could be used for general corporate purposes.
Strong capital ratios, credit quality and core earnings are essential to retaining cost-effective access to the wholesale funding markets. Deterioration in any of these factors could have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to access these funding sources and, as a result, these factors are monitored on an ongoing basis as part of the liquidity management process. The Bank is subject to regulations and, among other things, may be limited in its ability to pay dividends or transfer funds to the parent company. Accordingly, consolidated cash flows as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows may not represent cash immediately available for the payment of cash dividends to the Company’s shareholders or for other cash needs.
51
Through the normal course of operations, the Company has entered into certain contractual obligations and other commitments. Such obligations relate to funding operations through deposits or debt issuances, as well as leases for premises and equipment. As a financial services provider, the Company routinely enters into commitments to extend credit. While contractual obligations represent future cash requirements of the Company, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process accorded to loans made by the Company. The Company also enters into derivative contracts under which the Company either receives cash from or pays cash to counterparties depending on changes in interest rates. Derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with the fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on market interest rates as of the balance sheet date. The fair value of these contracts changes daily as market interest rates change. For additional information on the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments see the following footnotes in Item 8: “Note 5 – Leases,” “Note 6 – Derivative Financial Instruments,” “Note 10 – Subordinated Debentures and Notes,” “Note 11 – Federal Home Loan Bank Advances,” “Note 12 – Other Borrowings,” and “Note 17 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.”
Capital Resources
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements and results of operations of the Company. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and its bank affiliate must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The banking affiliate’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of tier 1 capital to average assets. To be categorized as “well-capitalized”, banks must maintain minimum total risk-based (10%), tier 1 risk-based (8%), common equity tier 1 risk-based (6.5%), and tier 1 leverage ratios (5%). As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
The Bank met the definition of “well-capitalized” at each of December 31, 2024 and 2023. Refer to “Item 8. Note 14 – Regulatory Capital” for a summary of our risk-based capital and leverage ratios. The following table summarizes the Company’s capital ratios:
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | EFSC | Bank | EFSC | Bank | To Be Well-Capitalized | Minimum Ratio with CCB | ||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 11.8 | % | 12.4 | % | 11.3 | % | 12.2 | % | 6.5 | % | 7.0 | % | ||
| Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 13.1 | % | 12.4 | % | 12.7 | % | 12.2 | % | 8.0 | % | 8.5 | % | ||
| Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 14.6 | % | 13.4 | % | 14.2 | % | 13.2 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.5 | % | ||
| Leverage Ratio (Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets) | 11.1 | % | 10.5 | % | 11.0 | % | 10.6 | % | 5.0 | % | N/A | |||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 9.05 | % | 8.96 | % | ||||||||||
| Common equity tier 1 capital | $ | 1,505,162 | $ | 1,578,293 | $ | 1,387,802 | $ | 1,493,105 | ||||||
| Tier 1 capital | 1,670,810 | 1,578,353 | 1,553,448 | 1,493,163 | ||||||||||
| Total risk-based capital | 1,864,334 | 1,708,626 | 1,732,501 | 1,608,966 | ||||||||||
| 1 Not a required regulatory capital ratio |
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Total regulatory capital includes $63.3 million of subordinated debentures that were issued in 2020 at a fixed rate of 5.75%. The interest rate on these debentures resets to a floating rate based on 3 month term SOFR plus a spread of 5.66% in June of 2025. When the interest rate resets, the debentures become callable and the inclusion in regulatory capital begins to phase out over a five year period.
The Company believes the tangible common equity and regulatory capital ratios are important measures of capital strength. The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is considered a non-GAAP measure. The tables included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” reconcile these ratios to U.S. GAAP.
Risk Management
Market risk arises from exposure to changes in interest rates and other relevant market rate or price risk. The Company faces market risk in the form of interest rate risk through transactions other than trading activities. Market risk from these activities, in the form of interest rate risk, is measured and managed through a number of methods. The Company uses financial modeling techniques to measure interest rate risk. These techniques measure the sensitivity of future earnings due to changing interest rate environments. Guidelines established by the Bank’s Asset/Liability Management Committee and approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors are used to monitor exposure of earnings at risk. General interest rate movements are used to develop sensitivity as management believes it has no primary exposure to a specific point on the yield curve. These limits are based on the Company’s exposure to immediate and sustained parallel rate movements, either upward or downward. The Company does not have any direct market risk from commodity exposures.
Interest Rate Risk
Our interest rate risk management practices are aimed at optimizing net interest income, while guarding against deterioration that could be caused by certain interest rate scenarios. Interest rate sensitivity varies with different types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We attempt to maintain interest-earning assets, comprised primarily of both loans and investments, and interest-bearing liabilities, comprised primarily of deposits, maturing or repricing in similar time horizons in order to manage any impact from market interest rate changes according to our risk tolerance. The Company uses an earnings simulation model to measure earnings sensitivity to changing rates.
The Company determines the sensitivity of its short-term future earnings to a hypothetical plus or minus 100 to 300 basis point parallel rate shock through the use of simulation modeling. The simulation of earnings includes the modeling of the balance sheet as an ongoing entity. Future business assumptions involving administered rate products, prepayments for future rate-sensitive balances, and the reinvestment of maturing assets and liabilities are included. These items are then modeled to project net interest income based on a hypothetical change in interest rates. The resulting net interest income for the next 12-month period is compared to the net interest income amount calculated using flat rates. This difference represents the Company’s earnings sensitivity to a positive or negative parallel rate shock.
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The following table summarizes the projected impact of interest rate shocks on net interest income:
| Annual % change in net interest income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At December 31, | ||||
| Rate Shock | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| + 300 bp | 7.9% | 9.8% | ||
| + 200 bp | 5.4% | 6.6% | ||
| + 100 bp | 2.7% | 3.3% | ||
| - 100 bp | (3.0)% | (3.5)% | ||
| - 200 bp | (6.0)% | (7.3)% | ||
| - 300 bp | (8.5)% | (11.2)% |
In addition to the rate shocks shown in the table above, the Company models net interest income under various dynamic interest rate scenarios. In general, changes in interest rates are positively correlated with changes in net interest income.
The Company occasionally uses interest rate derivative instruments as an asset/liability management tool to hedge mismatches in interest rate exposure indicated by the net interest income simulation described above. They are used to modify the Company’s exposures to interest rate fluctuations and provide more stable spreads between loan yields and the rate on their funding sources. At December 31, 2024, the Company had derivative contracts to manage interest rate risk, including $400.0 million in notional value on derivatives to hedge the cash flows on floating rate loans and $32.1 million in notional value on derivatives on floating rate debt. Derivative financial instruments are discussed in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 6 – Derivative Financial Instruments.”
The FCA ceased publishing the most common USD LIBOR settings (overnight, 1-month. 3-month, 6-month and 12-month) after September 30, 2024. LIBOR was the most liquid and common interest rate index in the world and was commonly referenced in financial instruments. With the cessation of LIBOR, the Company has selected term SOFR as the replacement index for the majority of its variable rate loans and began providing customer notifications in early 2023. The Company ceased using LIBOR and ICE swap rates in new contracts and began issuing SOFR based loans in December 2021.
The Company had $6.7 billion in variable rate loans as of December 31, 2024. Of these loans, $4.6 billion have an interest rate floor and nearly all of those loans were at or above the floor. Variable rate loans include $2.7 billion indexed to the prime rate, $3.2 billion are indexed to SOFR, and $807.4 million indexed to other rates.
Changes in interest rates will also have an effect on noninterest expense. Certain deposit accounts receive an earnings credit that provides a reimbursement for costs clients incur on the accounts. As interest rates increase, the amount available for reimbursement also increases, resulting in an increase to noninterest expense. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates would reduce the amount available for reimbursement and decrease noninterest expense.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The following accounting policies are considered most critical to the understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These critical accounting policies require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Because these estimates and judgments are based on current circumstances, they may change over time or prove to be inaccurate based on experience. In the event different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending upon the severity of such changes, the possibility of a materially different financial condition and/or results of operations could reasonably be expected. The impact and any associated risks related to our critical accounting policies on our business operations are described throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed
54
discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
The Company has prepared all of the consolidated financial information in this report in accordance with GAAP. The Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using loss experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. There can be no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company maintains separate allowances for funded loans, unfunded loans, and held-to-maturity securities, collectively referred to as the ACL. The ACL is a valuation account to adjust the cost basis to the amount expected to be collected, based on management’s experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For purposes of determining the allowance for funded and unfunded loans, the portfolios are segregated into pools that share similar risk characteristics that are then further segregated by credit grades. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are not included in the collective evaluation. The Company estimates the amount of the allowance based on loan loss experience, adjusted for current and forecasted economic conditions, including unemployment, changes in GDP, and commercial and residential real estate prices. The Company’s forecast of economic conditions uses internal and external information and considers a weighted average of a baseline, upside, and downside scenarios. Because economic conditions can change and are difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated loan defaults and losses, and therefore the adequacy of the allowance, could change significantly and have a direct impact on the Company’s credit costs. The Company’s allowance for credit losses on loans was $138.0 million at December 31, 2024 based on the weighting of the different economic scenarios. As a hypothetical example, if the Company had only used the upside scenario, the allowance would have decreased $27.7 million. Conversely, the allowance would have increased $47.4 million using only the downside scenario.
Income Taxes
Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, deferred income tax assets and liabilities and income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance may be established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required in the future if the amounts of taxes recoverable through loss carry backs decline, if we project lower levels of future taxable income, or we project lower levels of tax planning strategies. Such valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense that would adversely affect our operating results.
Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for information on recent accounting pronouncements and their impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
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Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. GAAP and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, the Company provides other financial measures, such as core efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible book value per common share, in this report that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
The Company considers its core efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible book value per common share, collectively “core performance measures,” presented in this earnings release and the included tables as important measures of financial performance, even though they are non-GAAP measures, as they provide supplemental information by which to evaluate the impact of certain non-comparable items, and the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. Core performance measures exclude certain other income and expense items, such as core conversion expenses, FDIC special assessment, merger-related expenses, facilities charges, and the gain or loss on sale of other real estate owned and investment securities, that the Company believes to be not indicative of or useful to measure the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. The attached tables contain a reconciliation of these core performance measures to the GAAP measures. The Company believes that the tangible common equity ratio provides useful information to investors about the Company’s capital strength even though it is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure and is not part of the regulatory capital requirements to which the Company is subject.
The Company believes these non-GAAP measures and ratios, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and ratios, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance and capital strength. The Company’s management uses, and believes investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP measures and ratios in assessing the Company’s operating results and related trends and when forecasting future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures and ratios should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or preferable to, ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company has provided a reconciliation of, where applicable, the most comparable GAAP financial measures and ratios to the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, or a reconciliation of the non-GAAP calculation of the financial measure for the periods indicated.
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Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Pre-Provision Net Revenue (PPNR) and Pre-Provision Net Revenue Return on Average Assets (PPNR ROAA)
| For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 568,096 | $ | 562,592 | $ | 473,903 | ||||
| Noninterest income | 69,703 | 68,725 | 59,162 | |||||||
| FDIC special assessment | 625 | 2,412 | — | |||||||
| Core conversion expense | 4,868 | — | — | |||||||
| Less gain on sale of investment securities | — | 601 | — | |||||||
| Less gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned | 3,089 | 187 | (93) | |||||||
| Less noninterest expense | 385,047 | 348,186 | 274,216 | |||||||
| PPNR (non-GAAP) | $ | 255,156 | $ | 284,755 | $ | 258,942 | ||||
| Average assets | $ | 14,841,690 | $ | 13,805,236 | $ | 13,319,624 | ||||
| PPNR ROAA (non-GAAP) | 1.72 | % | 2.06 | % | 1.94 | % |
Tangible Common Equity, Tangible Book Value per Share, and Tangible Common Equity Ratio
| At December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ and shares in thousands, except per share data) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Shareholders' equity (GAAP) | $ | 1,824,002 | $ | 1,716,068 | $ | 1,522,263 | ||||
| Less preferred stock | 71,988 | 71,988 | 71,988 | |||||||
| Less goodwill | 365,164 | 365,164 | 365,164 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 8,484 | 12,318 | 16,919 | |||||||
| Tangible common equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,378,366 | $ | 1,266,598 | $ | 1,068,192 | ||||
| Common shares outstanding | 36,988 | 37,416 | 37,253 | |||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 37.27 | $ | 33.85 | $ | 28.67 | ||||
| Total assets (GAAP) | $ | 15,596,431 | $ | 14,518,590 | $ | 13,054,172 | ||||
| Less goodwill | 365,164 | 365,164 | 365,164 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 8,484 | 12,318 | 16,919 | |||||||
| Tangible assets (non-GAAP) | $ | 15,222,783 | $ | 14,141,108 | $ | 12,672,089 | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) | 9.05 | % | 8.96 | % | 8.43 | % |
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Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROATCE) and Return on Average Assets (ROAA)
| At or for the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Average shareholder’s equity (GAAP) | $ | 1,784,175 | $ | 1,623,121 | $ | 1,498,759 | ||||
| Less average preferred stock | 71,988 | 71,988 | 71,988 | |||||||
| Less average goodwill | 365,164 | 365,164 | 365,164 | |||||||
| Less average intangible assets | 10,329 | 14,531 | 19,516 | |||||||
| Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,336,694 | $ | 1,171,438 | $ | 1,042,091 | ||||
| Net income (GAAP) | $ | 185,266 | $ | 194,059 | $ | 203,043 | ||||
| FDIC special assessment (after tax) | 470 | 1,814 | — | |||||||
| Core conversion expense (after tax) | 3,661 | — | — | |||||||
| Less gain on sale of investment securities (after tax) | — | 452 | — | |||||||
| Less net gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned (after tax) | 2,323 | 141 | (70) | |||||||
| Net income adjusted (non-GAAP) | $ | 187,074 | $ | 195,280 | $ | 203,113 | ||||
| Less preferred stock dividends | 3,750 | 3,750 | 4,041 | |||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders adjusted (non-GAAP) | $ | 183,324 | $ | 191,530 | $ | 199,072 | ||||
| Return on average common equity (non-GAAP) | 10.60 | % | 12.27 | % | 13.95 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average common equity (non-GAAP) | 10.71 | % | 12.35 | % | 13.95 | % | ||||
| ROATCE (non-GAAP) | 13.58 | % | 16.25 | % | 19.10 | % | ||||
| Adjusted ROATCE (non-GAAP) | 13.71 | % | 16.35 | % | 19.10 | % | ||||
| Average assets | $ | 14,841,690 | $ | 13,805,236 | $ | 13,319,624 | ||||
| Return on average assets (GAAP) | 1.25 | % | 1.41 | % | 1.52 | % | ||||
| Adjusted return on average assets (non-GAAP) | 1.26 | % | 1.41 | % | 1.52 | % |
Core Efficiency Ratio
| For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 568,096 | $ | 562,592 | $ | 473,903 | ||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment | 8,445 | 8,079 | 7,042 | |||||||
| Net interest income - FTE (non-GAAP) | 576,541 | 570,671 | 480,945 | |||||||
| Noninterest income (GAAP) | 69,703 | 68,725 | 59,162 | |||||||
| Less gain on sale of investment securities | — | 601 | — | |||||||
| Less gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned | 3,089 | 187 | (93) | |||||||
| Core revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 643,155 | $ | 638,608 | $ | 540,200 | ||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 385,047 | $ | 348,186 | $ | 274,216 | ||||
| Less amortization on intangibles | 3,834 | 4,601 | 5,367 | |||||||
| Less core conversion expense | 4,868 | — | — | |||||||
| Less FDIC special assessment | 625 | 2,412 | — | |||||||
| Core noninterest expense (non-GAAP) | $ | 375,720 | $ | 341,173 | $ | 268,849 | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 58.42 | % | 53.42 | % | 49.77 | % |
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001025835-24-000017.
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
The objective of this section is to provide an overview of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. It should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and other financial data presented elsewhere in this report, particularly the information regarding the Company’s business operations described in Item 1. A detailed discussion comparing 2022 and 2021 results is incorporated herein by reference to Item 7 of the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2023.
Executive Summary
Our Company offers a broad range of business and personal banking services including wealth management services. Lending services include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and development, residential real estate, specialty, and other loans. A wide variety of deposit products and a complete suite of treasury management and international trade services complement our lending capabilities. The Company’s results of operations are also affected by prevailing economic conditions, competition, government policies and other actions of regulatory agencies.
The Company’s financial condition, operating results and liquidity in 2023 continued to be impacted by the monetary policy actions enacted to address rising inflation. The Federal Reserve increased the target federal funds rate 100 basis points in 2023, following a 425 basis point increase in 2022. The Federal Reserve has continued to tighten their monetary policy by reducing Treasuries and agency mortgage-backed securities held on its balance sheet. This follows a period of highly expansionary fiscal support from the federal government during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021.
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Financial Performance Highlights
Below are highlights of our financial performance for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| EARNINGS | ||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 764,919 | $ | 515,082 | $ | 383,230 | ||||
| Total interest expense | 202,327 | 41,179 | 23,036 | |||||||
| Net interest income | 562,592 | 473,903 | 360,194 | |||||||
| Provision (benefit) for credit losses | 36,605 | (611) | 13,385 | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision (benefit) for credit losses | 525,987 | 474,514 | 346,809 | |||||||
| Total noninterest income | 68,725 | 59,162 | 67,743 | |||||||
| Total noninterest expense | 348,186 | 274,216 | 245,919 | |||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 246,526 | 259,460 | 168,633 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 52,467 | 56,417 | 35,578 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 194,059 | $ | 203,043 | $ | 133,055 | ||||
| Preferred dividends | 3,750 | 4,041 | — | |||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 190,309 | $ | 199,002 | $ | 133,055 | ||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 5.09 | $ | 5.32 | $ | 3.86 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 5.07 | $ | 5.31 | $ | 3.86 | ||||
| Return on average assets1 | 1.42 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.16 | % | ||||
| Return on average common equity1 | 12.39 | % | 13.95 | % | 10.49 | % | ||||
| Return on average tangible common equity1 | 16.40 | % | 19.10 | % | 14.18 | % | ||||
| Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) | 4.43 | % | 3.89 | % | 3.41 | % | ||||
| Efficiency ratio | 55.15 | % | 51.44 | % | 57.47 | % | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 53.42 | % | 49.77 | % | 49.68 | % | ||||
| Common dividend payout ratio | 19.64 | % | 16.89 | % | 19.66 | % | ||||
| Book value per common share | $ | 43.94 | $ | 38.93 | $ | 38.53 | ||||
| Tangible book value per common share1 | $ | 33.85 | $ | 28.67 | $ | 28.28 | ||||
| Average common equity to average assets | 11.76 | % | 11.25 | % | 11.14 | % | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 8.96 | % | 8.43 | % | 8.13 | % | ||||
| At or for the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| ASSET QUALITY | ||||||||||
| Net charge-offs | $ | 38,044 | $ | 3,899 | $ | 11,629 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans | 43,728 | 9,981 | 28,024 | |||||||
| Nonaccrual loans | 43,181 | 9,766 | 23,449 | |||||||
| Classified assets | 185,389 | 99,122 | 100,797 | |||||||
| Total assets | 14,518,590 | 13,054,172 | 13,537,358 | |||||||
| Total loans | 10,884,118 | 9,737,138 | 9,017,642 | |||||||
| Classified assets to total assets | 1.28 | % | 0.76 | % | 0.74 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.40 | % | 0.10 | % | 0.31 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.34 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.23 | % | ||||
| ACL on loans to total loans | 1.24 | % | 1.41 | % | 1.61 | % | ||||
| Net charge-offs to average loans | 0.37 | % | 0.04 | % | 0.14 | % |
1Non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
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The Company noted the following trends during 2023:
•The Company reported net income of $194.1 million, or $5.07 per diluted share for 2023, compared to $203.0 million, or $5.31 per diluted share for 2022. PPNR1 for 2023 was $284.8 million, compared to $258.9 million in 2022. PPNR ROAA1 for 2023 and 2022 was 2.06% and 1.94%, respectively. Organic earning-asset growth and expansion of net interest income due to the increase in market interest rates were the primary contributors to the PPNR increase in 2023. Offsetting the increase in PPNR was a $37.2 million increase in the provision for credit losses in 2023 compared to 2022.
•Net interest income for 2023 totaled $562.6 million, an increase of $88.7 million, or 19%, compared to $473.9 million for 2022. The Company’s asset sensitive balance sheet benefited from the increase in market interest rates during 2023. Net interest margin increased 54 basis points to 4.43% during 2023, compared to 3.89% in 2022. The increase was primarily due to the 6.67% loan yield in 2023, which increased 170 basis points, from 4.97% in 2022.
•Noninterest income was $68.7 million, an increase of 16% from $59.2 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher volumes in tax credit income, private equity and community development income, and gains on the sale of SBA loans. Offsetting these amounts were a decrease in deposit services charges due to higher earnings credit rates, and a decrease in card services income due to the full year impact of the Durbin Amendment.
•Total noninterest expense was $348.2 million in 2023, a 27% increase from $274.2 million in 2022. The increase was primarily from higher customer servicing deposit costs due to higher deposit balances and an increase in earnings credit rates, and an increase in compensation from a larger associate base and annual merit increases. The Company’s core efficiency ratio1 was 53.4% in 2023, compared to 49.8% for the prior year.
•The Company’s effective tax rate was 21.3% in 2023 compared to 21.7% in 2022.
1Non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2023 Significant Transactions
During 2023, we announced the following significant transactions:
•Dividends paid in 2023 of $1.00 per share increased $0.10 per share, or 11%, compared to $0.90 per share in 2022.
•The Company paid $3.8 million, or $50.00 per share, to preferred shareholders in 2023.
•The process of converting to a leading core operating system was initiated. The conversion is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.
2022 Significant Transactions
During 2022, we announced the following significant transactions:
•The Company repurchased 700,473 of its common shares at a weighted-average share price of $47.00.
•Dividends paid in 2022 of $0.90 per share increased $0.15 per share, or 20%, compared to $0.75 per share in 2021.
•Retired 1,980,093 shares of treasury stock.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Average Balance Sheet
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as, the corresponding interest rates earned and paid, all on a tax equivalent basis. Average balances are presented on a daily average basis.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans1, 2 | $ | 10,324,951 | $ | 688,439 | 6.67 | % | $ | 9,193,682 | $ | 456,703 | 4.97 | % | $ | 8,055,873 | $ | 349,112 | 4.33 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 1,320,664 | 40,920 | 3.10 | 1,228,514 | 29,638 | 2.41 | 908,189 | 19,305 | 2.13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities2 | 970,888 | 30,209 | 3.11 | 872,173 | 25,184 | 2.89 | 659,804 | 18,468 | 2.80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total securities | 2,291,552 | 71,129 | 3.10 | 2,100,687 | 54,822 | 2.61 | 1,567,993 | 37,773 | 2.41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 260,214 | 13,430 | 5.16 | 1,074,165 | 10,599 | 0.99 | 1,084,853 | 1,496 | 0.14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 12,876,717 | 772,998 | 6.00 | 12,368,534 | 522,124 | 4.22 | 10,708,719 | 388,381 | 3.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 928,519 | 951,090 | 758,591 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 13,805,236 | $ | 13,319,624 | $ | 11,467,310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 2,559,238 | $ | 46,976 | 1.84 | % | $ | 2,318,363 | $ | 7,038 | 0.30 | % | $ | 2,122,752 | $ | 1,614 | 0.08 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,043,794 | 92,976 | 3.05 | 2,781,579 | 19,306 | 0.69 | 2,557,836 | 4,669 | 0.18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 668,368 | 975 | 0.15 | 819,043 | 305 | 0.04 | 724,768 | 225 | 0.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 1,198,551 | 42,796 | 3.57 | 569,272 | 3,509 | 0.62 | 570,496 | 4,160 | 0.73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 7,469,951 | 183,723 | 2.46 | 6,488,257 | 30,158 | 0.46 | 5,975,852 | 10,668 | 0.18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | 155,702 | 9,781 | 6.28 | 155,160 | 9,166 | 5.91 | 195,686 | 10,960 | 5.60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 54,615 | 2,752 | 5.04 | 33,467 | 599 | 1.79 | 59,945 | 803 | 1.34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 168,745 | 3,647 | 2.16 | 211,039 | 506 | 0.24 | 225,894 | 235 | 0.10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 71,738 | 2,424 | 3.38 | 22,812 | 750 | 3.29 | 26,428 | 370 | 1.40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 7,920,751 | 202,327 | 2.55 | 6,910,735 | 41,179 | 0.60 | 6,483,805 | 23,036 | 0.36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 4,131,163 | 4,805,549 | 3,597,204 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 130,201 | 104,581 | 109,148 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 12,182,115 | 11,820,865 | 10,190,157 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 1,623,121 | 1,498,759 | 1,277,153 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities & shareholders' equity | $ | 13,805,236 | $ | 13,319,624 | $ | 11,467,310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 570,671 | $ | 480,945 | $ | 365,345 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest spread | 3.45 | % | 3.62 | % | 3.27 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax equivalent) | 4.43 | % | 3.89 | % | 3.41 | % |
1Average balances include non-accrual loans. Interest income includes net loan fees of $13.8 million, $16.7 million, and $28.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively. Loan fees in 2022 and 2021 included PPP fees of $4.1 million and $21.7 million, respectively.
2Non-taxable income is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of approximately 25%. The tax-equivalent adjustments were $8.1 million, $7.0 million, and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 respectively.
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Rate/Volume
The following table sets forth, on a tax-equivalent basis for the periods indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in yield/rates and volume.
| 2023 compared to 2022 | 2022 compared to 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (decrease) due to | Increase (decrease) due to | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest earned on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 61,460 | $ | 170,276 | $ | 231,736 | $ | 52,238 | $ | 55,353 | $ | 107,591 | ||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 2,355 | 8,927 | 11,282 | 7,474 | 2,859 | 10,333 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities3 | 2,981 | 2,045 | 5,026 | 6,115 | 601 | 6,716 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | (13,192) | 16,023 | 2,831 | (15) | 9,118 | 9,103 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 53,604 | 197,271 | 250,875 | 65,812 | 67,931 | 133,743 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 805 | $ | 39,133 | $ | 39,938 | $ | 162 | $ | 5,262 | $ | 5,424 | ||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 1,987 | 71,683 | 73,670 | 443 | 14,194 | 14,637 | ||||||||||||||||
| Savings | (66) | 736 | 670 | 31 | 49 | 80 | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 7,363 | 31,924 | 39,287 | (9) | (642) | (651) | ||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | 32 | 583 | 615 | (2,368) | 574 | (1,794) | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 555 | 1,599 | 2,154 | (423) | 219 | (204) | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | (126) | 3,268 | 3,142 | (16) | 287 | 271 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowed funds | 1,729 | (56) | 1,673 | (57) | 437 | 380 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 12,279 | 148,870 | 161,149 | (2,237) | 20,380 | 18,143 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 41,325 | $ | 48,401 | $ | 89,726 | $ | 68,049 | $ | 47,551 | $ | 115,600 | ||||||||||
| 1Change in volume multiplied by yield/rate of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2Change in yield/rate multiplied by volume of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3Nontaxable income is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of approximately 25%. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE: The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to rate and volume changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. |
Net interest income (on a tax equivalent basis) was $570.7 million for 2023, compared to $480.9 million for 2022, an increase of $89.8 million, or 19%. The increase in net interest income in 2023 was primarily due to a higher average yield on interest earning assets and organic loan growth. These increases were offset by an increase in the average cost paid on interest bearing liabilities.
Total tax equivalent interest income increased $250.9 million in 2023 primarily due to a $231.7 million increase in loan interest income. The increase was primarily due to the 6.67% loan yield in 2023, which increased 170 basis points, from 4.97% in 2022. In addition, average loan balances in 2023 increased to $10.3 billion, an increase of $1.1 billion over the average for 2022. Tax equivalent interest income on securities (taxable and non-taxable) in 2023 increased $16.3 million from 2022, primarily due to an $11.0 million increase in yield and a $5.3 million increase in average balances. Average securities represented 18% of earnings assets in 2023 and 17% in 2022.
Overall, average interest-earning assets increased $0.5 billion, or 4%, to $12.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to organic growth in average earning assets in the loan portfolio and a deployment of excess liquidity into the investment portfolio. Volume growth of the balance sheet drove an increase in interest income on earning assets of $53.6 million, while the increase in interest rates drove interest income on interest-earnings assets up by $197.3 million in 2023 compared to 2022.
Total interest expense increased $161.1 million in 2023 primarily due to increased deposit interest expense. The increase in deposit interest expense reflects higher rates paid on deposits, as well as successful marketing efforts that
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increased average deposits. Remixing of the deposit portfolio from non-interest bearing and lower cost accounts into higher cost accounts contributed to the increase in deposit interest expense in 2023. Total average interest-bearing deposits increased to $7.5 billion, an increase of $981.7 million, or 15%, in 2023 over the average for 2022. Average noninterest bearing deposits declined $674.4 million, or 14%, in 2023 compared to the average for 2022. Average noninterest bearing deposits represented 36% of total average deposits in 2023, compared to 43% in 2022. Overall, average interest-bearing liabilities increased $1.0 billion, or 15% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The current mix of interest-bearing liabilities increased interest expense in 2023 by $12.3 million, while the increase in the average cost of interest bearing liabilities increased interest expense $148.9 million in 2023.
The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 4.43% for 2023, compared to 3.89% for 2022. The primary driver of the increase in net interest margin from 2022 to 2023 was an increase market interest rates. In 2023, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates three times. The federal funds target rate increased 100 basis points in 2023. The increase in short-term rates increased the yield on the Company’s variable-rate loan portfolio, as well as the yield earned on new loan production. As of December 31, 2023, variable-rate loans comprised approximately 61% of total loans. The increase in market interest rates also increased the cost on interest bearing liabilities. The earning asset yield increased 178 basis points to 6.00% in 2023, compared to 4.22% in 2022. Comparatively, the cost of interest bearing liabilities increased 195 basis points to 2.55%, from 0.60% in 2022.
Noninterest Income
The following table presents a comparative summary of the major components of noninterest income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | $ | 16,559 | $ | 18,326 | $ | 15,428 | $ | (1,767) | $ | 2,898 | ||||||||
| Wealth management revenue | 10,030 | 10,010 | 10,259 | 20 | (249) | |||||||||||||
| Card services revenue | 10,028 | 11,551 | 11,880 | (1,523) | (329) | |||||||||||||
| Tax credit income | 9,196 | 2,558 | 8,028 | 6,638 | (5,470) | |||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous income | 22,912 | 16,717 | 22,148 | 6,195 | (5,431) | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | 68,725 | $ | 59,162 | $ | 67,743 | $ | 9,563 | $ | (8,581) |
Noninterest income increased $9.6 million, or 16%, in 2023 compared to 2022. This increase was primarily due to a $6.6 million increase in tax credit income and a $6.2 million increase in miscellaneous income. Tax credit income increased due to higher activity and a decline in longer term interest rates that positively impacted tax credits carried at fair value. Miscellaneous income increased due to private equity and community development income and gains on the sale of SBA loans. Private equity and community development income are not consistent sources of income and fluctuate based on distributions and earnings from the underlying funds. In 2023, $42.1 million of SBA loans were sold and a gain of $2.0 million was recognized. No SBA loans were sold in 2022.
Card services revenue declined $1.5 million in 2023. Included in this decline was a decrease of $2.3 million in debit card interchange income, partially offset by a $0.6 million increase in credit card fees. The Durbin Amendment limits the amount of interchange income banks can earn on debit card transactions after total assets exceed $10 billion. This limitation went into effect for the Company at the beginning of the third quarter of 2022 and was the primary driver of the reduction in debit card revenue.
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Noninterest Expense
The following table presents a comparative summary of the components of noninterest expense:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Employee compensation and benefits | $ | 164,566 | $ | 147,029 | $ | 124,904 | $ | 17,537 | $ | 22,125 | ||||||||
| Deposit costs | 72,293 | 31,082 | 14,211 | 41,211 | 16,871 | |||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 16,526 | 17,640 | 16,286 | (1,114) | 1,354 | |||||||||||||
| Data processing | 15,196 | 13,513 | 12,242 | 1,683 | 1,271 | |||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 5,719 | 7,079 | 4,289 | (1,360) | 2,790 | |||||||||||||
| Branch-closure expenses | — | — | 3,441 | — | (3,441) | |||||||||||||
| Merger-related expenses | — | — | 22,082 | — | (22,082) | |||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 73,886 | 57,873 | 48,464 | 16,013 | 9,409 | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 348,186 | $ | 274,216 | $ | 245,919 | $ | 73,970 | $ | 28,297 | ||||||||
| Efficiency ratio | 55.15 | % | 51.44 | % | 57.47 | % | 3.71 | % | (6.03) | % | ||||||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 53.42 | % | 49.77 | % | 49.68 | % | 3.65 | % | 0.09 | % | ||||||||
| 1 A non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Noninterest expense increased $74.0 million, or 27%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase was attributed primarily to a $41.2 million increase in deposit costs, a $17.5 million increase in compensation and benefits, and a $16.0 million increase in other expenses. For certain deposit accounts in the Company’s specialized deposit portfolio, clients receive an earnings credit rate on average collected balances that may be used to offset expenses associated with the client’s activities for managing the accounts. These costs are reflected in noninterest expense as Deposit costs. The increase in deposit costs in 2023 is due to organic growth in specialized deposits and an increase in market interest rates that increased the earnings credit rate and related expenses for those accounts. The Company maintained approximately $2.6 billion and $2.0 billion of average specialty deposits, resulting in an average specialty deposit cost of 2.75% and 1.41% for 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The increase in compensation and benefits was due to annual merit increases and an increase in full time equivalent employees, higher share-based compensation from higher award levels, and higher medical costs due to inflationary increases. The Company expects to continue to invest in its associates and other infrastructure that supports growth. In addition, low unemployment, inflationary pressures and a shift in employee work arrangements to a virtual/hybrid model are expected to continue to have an impact on future operating expenses.
The increase in other expense of $16.0 million was attributed primarily to a $6.1 million increase in FDIC assessment and other insurance, a $1.7 million increase in loan, legal and other real estate expenses, and a $1.6 million increase in marketing and public relations expenses. The increase in FDIC assessment and other insurance is primarily due to an FDIC special assessment in the amount of $2.4 million and an increase due to the growth of the balance sheet. In November 2023, the FDIC issued a Final Rule on Special Assessment Pursuant to Systemic Risk Determination, implementing a special assessment to recover the cost associated with protecting uninsured depositors following the closure of FDIC insured banks earlier in 2023. The FDIC will collect the special assessment at an annual rate of approximately 13.4 basis points over eight quarterly assessment periods beginning in January 2024. The Company’s portion of the special assessment is approximately $2.4 million and was expensed in the fourth quarter of 2023.
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Income Taxes
The Company’s blended federal and state tax rate was approximately 24.8% in 2023 and 25.2% in 2022. The effective tax rate, which is adjusted for permanent differences, such as tax exempt income, was 21.3% in 2023 compared to 21.7% in 2022. In conjunction with the completion of the 2022 tax returns in the fourth quarter of 2023, the effective tax rate decreased due to a lower state tax apportionment. See “Item 8. Note 16 – Income Taxes” for additional information.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Summary Balance Sheet
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents | $ | 433,029 | $ | 291,359 | $ | 2,021,689 | 48.62 | % | (85.59) | % | |||||||
| Securities | 2,368,707 | 2,245,722 | 1,795,687 | 5.48 | % | 25.06 | % | ||||||||||
| Total loans | 10,884,118 | 9,737,138 | 9,017,642 | 11.78 | % | 7.98 | % | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 14,518,590 | 13,054,172 | 13,537,358 | 11.22 | % | (3.57) | % | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 12,176,371 | 10,829,150 | 11,343,799 | 12.44 | % | (4.54) | % | ||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 12,802,522 | 11,531,909 | 12,008,242 | 11.02 | % | (3.97) | % | ||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 1,716,068 | 1,522,263 | 1,529,116 | 12.73 | % | (0.45) | % |
The table below represents the summary balance sheet shown as a percentage of account class (total assets, total liabilities or total shareholders’ equity), as applicable:
| December 31, | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents | 2.98 | % | 2.23 | % | 14.93 | % | ||
| Securities | 16.31 | % | 17.20 | % | 13.26 | % | ||
| Total loans | 74.97 | % | 74.59 | % | 66.61 | % | ||
| Total assets | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | ||
| Deposits | 95.11 | % | 93.91 | % | 94.47 | % | ||
| Total liabilities | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | ||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % | 100.00 | % |
Assets
Loans by Type
The Company has a diversified loan portfolio, with no particular concentration of credit in any one economic sector; however, a substantial portion of the portfolio, including the C&I category, is secured by real estate. The ability of the Company’s borrowers to honor their contractual obligations is partially dependent upon the local economy and its effect on the real estate market.
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The following table sets forth the composition of the loan portfolio by type of loans:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 4,672,559 | $ | 3,859,882 | ||
| Commercial real estate - investor owned | 2,451,953 | 2,357,820 | ||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 2,351,618 | 2,270,551 | ||||
| Construction and land development | 760,425 | 611,565 | ||||
| Residential real estate | 372,188 | 395,537 | ||||
| Other | 275,375 | 241,783 | ||||
| Total loans | $ | 10,884,118 | $ | 9,737,138 | ||
| December 31, | ||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Commercial and industrial | 42.9 | % | 39.6 | % | ||
| Commercial real estate - investor owned | 22.5 | % | 24.2 | % | ||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 21.6 | % | 23.3 | % | ||
| Construction and land development | 7.1 | % | 6.3 | % | ||
| Residential real estate | 3.4 | % | 4.1 | % | ||
| Other | 2.5 | % | 2.5 | % | ||
| Total loans | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
C&I loans are made based on the borrower’s ability to generate cash flows for repayment from income sources, general credit strength, experience, and character, even though such loans may also be secured by real estate or other assets. The credit risk related to commercial loans is largely influenced by general economic conditions and the resulting impact on a borrower’s operations.
The Company continues to focus on originating high-quality C&I loan relationships as they typically have variable interest rates and allow for cross selling opportunities involving other banking products. C&I loan growth also supports our efforts to maintain the Company’s asset-sensitive interest rate risk position. Additionally, our specialized products, especially sponsor finance, life insurance premium financing, and tax credit lending, consist of primarily C&I loans, and have contributed significantly to the Company’s C&I loan growth. These loans are sourced through relationships developed with wealth and estate planning firms, private equity funds and tax credit specialists and are not bound geographically to our markets. As a result, these specialized loan products offer opportunities to expand and diversify our overall geographic concentration by entering into new markets.
Real estate loans place an emphasis on the estimated cash flows from the operation of the property and/or the underlying collateral value.
•Our commercial real estate loans, including investor-owned and owner-occupied categories, primarily represent commercial property loans on which the primary source of repayment is income from the property. These loans are principally underwritten based on the cash flow coverage of the property, the Company’s loan to value guidelines, and generally require either the limited or full guaranty of principal sponsors of the credit. Commercial real estate loans also represent owner-occupied C&I loans for which the primary source of repayment is dependent on sources other than the underlying collateral.
•Construction and land development loans relating primarily to residential and commercial properties, represent financing secured by real estate under development for eventual sale or undeveloped ground. At December 31, 2023, $447.0 million of these loans include the use of interest reserves and follow standard
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underwriting guidelines. Construction projects are monitored by the loan officer and a centralized independent loan disbursement function.
•Residential real estate loans include residential mortgages, which are loans that, due to size or other attributes, do not qualify for conventional home mortgages available-for-sale in the secondary market, second mortgages, home equity lines and conventional mortgages that are part of a broad banking relationship with the Company. Residential mortgage loans are usually limited to a maximum of 80% of collateral value at origination.
Other loans represent loans to individuals, loans to state and political subdivisions, loans to nondepository financial institutions, and loans to purchase or are fully secured by investment securities. Credit risk is managed by thoroughly reviewing the creditworthiness of the borrowers prior to origination and thereafter.
The following table presents a breakdown of loans by NAICS code at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Outstanding Balance | % | Outstanding Balance | % | |||||||||
| Accommodation and Food Services | $ | 975,357 | 9 | % | $ | 880,870 | 9 | % | |||||
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 215,733 | 2 | % | 200,586 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1 | 229,719 | 2 | % | 200,144 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 125,487 | 1 | % | 105,851 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Construction | 692,403 | 6 | % | 555,343 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Educational Services | 54,044 | 1 | % | 51,083 | — | % | |||||||
| Finance and Insurance | 2,005,183 | 18 | % | 1,622,712 | 17 | % | |||||||
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 551,979 | 5 | % | 455,839 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Information | 97,052 | 1 | % | 100,004 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 88,079 | 1 | % | 78,548 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Manufacturing | 704,750 | 7 | % | 694,483 | 7 | % | |||||||
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 32,024 | — | % | 8,106 | — | % | |||||||
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 588,449 | 5 | % | 536,112 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 326,176 | 3 | % | 304,027 | 3 | % | |||||||
| Public Administration | 13,774 | — | % | 9,111 | — | % | |||||||
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 2,766,754 | 25 | % | 2,534,275 | 26 | % | |||||||
| Retail Trade | 513,763 | 5 | % | 517,659 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Transportation and Warehousing | 284,706 | 3 | % | 257,384 | 3 | % | |||||||
| Utilities | 15,853 | — | % | 34,079 | — | % | |||||||
| Wholesale Trade | 535,666 | 5 | % | 491,218 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Other | 67,167 | 1 | % | 99,704 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 10,884,118 | 100 | % | $ | 9,737,138 | 100 | % | |||||
| 1Includes $95.0 million and $94.0 million in animal production at December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively and $113.8 million and $95.6 million in crop production at December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. |
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had an agricultural loan portfolio of $229.7 million and $200.1 million, respectively. The Company has announced its intent to wind down this portfolio over time as the loans mature or pay down. The Company does not intend to enter into new agricultural loans.
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The following table presents a breakdown of commercial & industrial loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,466 | $ | 850,849 | $ | 345 | 2,116 | $ | 771,717 | $ | 365 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 339 | 1,114,522 | 3,288 | 314 | 991,748 | 3,158 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 139 | 984,795 | 7,085 | 124 | 862,427 | 6,955 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 97 | 1,722,393 | 17,757 | 76 | 1,233,990 | 16,237 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,041 | $ | 4,672,559 | $ | 1,537 | 2,630 | $ | 3,859,882 | $ | 1,468 |
The following table presents a breakdown of commercial real estate loans (investor owned and owner occupied) by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 3,133 | $ | 1,867,452 | $ | 596 | 3,170 | $ | 1,872,671 | $ | 591 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 413 | 1,265,659 | 3,065 | 416 | 1,272,977 | 3,060 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 118 | 793,837 | 6,727 | 105 | 727,681 | 6,930 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 57 | 876,623 | 15,379 | 50 | 755,042 | 15,101 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,721 | $ | 4,803,571 | $ | 1,291 | 3,741 | $ | 4,628,371 | $ | 1,237 |
The Company had $482.0 million and $443.1 million of investor owned office real estate loans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table presents a breakdown of construction loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 355 | $ | 143,461 | $ | 404 | 408 | $ | 181,813 | $ | 446 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 60 | 190,857 | 3,181 | 52 | 154,563 | 2,972 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 23 | 160,228 | 6,966 | 14 | 96,194 | 6,871 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 17 | 265,879 | 15,640 | 13 | 178,995 | 13,769 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 455 | $ | 760,425 | $ | 1,671 | 487 | $ | 611,565 | $ | 1,256 |
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The following table presents a breakdown of residential loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,130 | $ | 284,594 | $ | 134 | 2,252 | $ | 293,691 | $ | 130 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 18 | 58,337 | 3,241 | 21 | 70,658 | 3,365 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 4 | 29,257 | 7,314 | 4 | 31,188 | 7,797 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,152 | $ | 372,188 | $ | 173 | 2,277 | $ | 395,537 | $ | 174 |
The following table presents a breakdown of other loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 1,171 | $ | 105,759 | $ | 90 | 1,265 | $ | 125,136 | $ | 99 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 18 | 60,801 | 3,378 | 18 | 59,099 | 3,283 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 7 | 44,593 | 6,370 | 3 | 18,255 | 6,085 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 4 | 64,222 | 16,056 | 3 | 39,293 | 13,098 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,200 | $ | 275,375 | $ | 229 | 1,289 | $ | 241,783 | $ | 188 |
The following table presents a breakdown of total loans by geographic region at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Midwest | $ | 3,338,308 | $ | 3,214,305 | ||
| Southwest | 1,565,852 | 1,242,125 | ||||
| West | 1,813,239 | 1,654,899 | ||||
| Specialty and other loans | 4,166,719 | 3,625,809 | ||||
| Total | $ | 10,884,118 | $ | 9,737,138 |
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The following table presents a breakdown of total loans by MSA, excluding specialty and other loans, at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| St. Louis, MO-IL MSA | $ | 2,382,192 | $ | 2,328,830 | ||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA | 1,561,720 | 1,477,084 | ||||
| Kansas City, MO-KS MSA | 953,557 | 882,499 | ||||
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ MSA | 899,768 | 692,788 | ||||
| San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA MSA | 234,808 | 177,815 | ||||
| Albuquerque, NM MSA | 183,813 | 197,004 | ||||
| Santa Fe, NM MSA | 167,321 | 180,976 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX MSA | 155,459 | 42,545 | ||||
| Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA | 83,737 | 39,477 | ||||
| All other MSAs | 95,024 | 92,311 | ||||
| Specialty and other loans | 4,166,719 | 3,625,809 | ||||
| Total | $ | 10,884,118 | $ | 9,737,138 |
Loan guarantees, primarily on SBA 7(a) loans, totaled $932.1 million and $960.3 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table provides additional information on select specialty lending detail, at the periods indicated:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C&I | $ | 2,186,203 | $ | 1,904,654 | $ | 281,549 | 15 | % | ||||||
| CRE investor owned | 2,291,660 | 2,176,424 | 115,236 | 5 | % | |||||||||
| CRE owner occupied | 1,262,264 | 1,174,094 | 88,170 | 8 | % | |||||||||
| SBA loans* | 1,281,632 | 1,312,378 | (30,746) | (2) | % | |||||||||
| Sponsor finance* | 872,264 | 635,061 | 237,203 | 37 | % | |||||||||
| Life insurance premium finance* | 956,162 | 817,115 | 139,047 | 17 | % | |||||||||
| Tax credits* | 734,594 | 559,605 | 174,989 | 31 | % | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 359,957 | 379,924 | (19,967) | (5) | % | |||||||||
| Construction and land development | 670,567 | 534,753 | 135,814 | 25 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 268,815 | 243,130 | 25,685 | 11 | % | |||||||||
| Total loans | $ | 10,884,118 | $ | 9,737,138 | $ | 1,146,980 | 12 | % | ||||||
| *Specialty loan category |
The sponsor finance portfolio is primarily comprised of loans in the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors. It includes mid-market company mergers and acquisitions, targeted private equity firms, principally SBICs, and senior debt financing to portfolio companies.
The life insurance premium finance category specializes in financing whole life insurance premiums utilized in high net worth estate planning, through relationships with boutique estate planners throughout the United States.
The tax credit portfolio includes tax credit-related lending on affordable housing projects funded through the use of
federal and state low income housing tax credits. In addition, we provide leveraged and other loans on projects funded through the CDFI New Markets Tax Credit Program. This portfolio also includes tax credit brokerage
42
through 10-year streams of state tax credits from affordable housing development funds. The tax credits are sold to clients and other individuals for tax planning purposes.
SBA loans are originated under the SBA 7(a) program and are primarily owner-occupied, commercial real estate loans secured by a 1st lien. These loans predominantly have a 75% portion guaranteed by the SBA.
Significant loan concentrations are considered to exist for a financial institution when there are amounts loaned to numerous borrowers engaged in similar activities that would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At December 31, 2023, no significant concentrations exceeding 10% of total loans existed in the Company’s loan portfolio, except as described above.
The following table presents the maturity distribution of loans at December 31, 2023 categorized by fixed or variable interest rates, net of unearned loan fees:
| ($ in thousands) | Due in One Year or Less (1) | After One Through Five Years | After Five Through Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | Percent of Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 51,175 | $ | 607,919 | $ | 604,659 | $ | 11,859 | $ | 1,275,612 | 12 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 302,811 | 1,647,258 | 461,445 | 147,176 | 2,558,690 | 23 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 30,137 | 56,756 | 3,171 | 2,176 | 92,240 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 18,213 | 92,594 | 13,957 | 25,011 | 149,775 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 2,084 | 26,181 | 86,192 | 55,922 | 170,379 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 404,420 | $ | 2,430,708 | $ | 1,169,424 | $ | 242,144 | $ | 4,246,696 | 39 | % | ||||||||||
| Variable Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,224,975 | $ | 1,985,579 | $ | 180,990 | $ | 5,403 | $ | 3,396,947 | 31 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 217,526 | 415,253 | 384,171 | 1,227,931 | 2,244,881 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 247,919 | 277,764 | 63,959 | 78,543 | 668,185 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 36,337 | 25,351 | 58,760 | 101,965 | 222,413 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 42,902 | 14,713 | 47,261 | 120 | 104,996 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,769,659 | $ | 2,718,660 | $ | 735,141 | $ | 1,413,962 | $ | 6,637,422 | 61 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,276,150 | $ | 2,593,498 | $ | 785,649 | $ | 17,262 | $ | 4,672,559 | 43 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 520,337 | 2,062,511 | 845,616 | 1,375,107 | 4,803,571 | 44 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 278,056 | 334,520 | 67,130 | 80,719 | 760,425 | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 54,550 | 117,945 | 72,717 | 126,976 | 372,188 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 44,986 | 40,894 | 133,453 | 56,042 | 275,375 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,174,079 | $ | 5,149,368 | $ | 1,904,565 | $ | 1,656,106 | $ | 10,884,118 | 100.0 | % |
(1) Includes loans with no stated maturity and overdraft lines of credit.
The majority of variable loans are based on the prime rate or SOFR. At December 31, 2023, $4.2 billion or 64% of variable rate loans were subject to an interest rate floor. Most variable rate loan originations have one-to three-year maturities. Management monitors this mix as part of its interest rate risk management. See “Interest Rate Risk” of this MD&A section.
43
Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses
The following table presents the components of the provision for credit losses for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Provision (benefit) for credit losses on loans | $ | 35,883 | $ | (4,210) | ||
| Provision for available-for-sale securities | 4,281 | — | ||||
| Provision (benefit) for off-balance sheet commitments | (5,450) | 4,462 | ||||
| Provision for held-to-maturity securities | 50 | 121 | ||||
| Charge-offs (recoveries) of accrued interest | 1,841 | (984) | ||||
| Provision (benefit) for credit losses | $ | 36,605 | $ | (611) |
The provision for credit losses, which includes a provision for losses on unfunded commitments, is a charge to earnings to maintain the ACL at a level consistent with management’s assessment of expected losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company also records reversals of interest on nonaccrual loans and interest recoveries directly through the provision of credit losses.
CECL requires economic forecasts to be factored into determining estimated losses. As a result, CECL is designed to typically require a higher level of provision at the start of an economic downturn. The increase in the provision for credit losses in 2023 was primarily due to loan growth, net charge-offs and the increase in nonperforming loans. The provision for credit losses in 2023 also included the impact of the impairment of an available-for-sale investment security. The available-for-sale investment impairment was related to a subordinated debt security in a publicly-traded bank that failed in the first quarter of 2023. The provision benefit in the prior year-to-date period, was primarily due to an improvement in economic factors and the recovery of accrued interest on nonperforming loans.
To the extent the Company does not recognize charge-offs and economic forecasts improve in future periods, the Company could recognize a reversal of provision for credit losses. Conversely, if economic conditions and the Company’s forecast worsens, the Company could recognize elevated levels of provision for credit losses. The provision is also reflective of charge-offs in the period.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the ACL on loans:
| December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Balance at End of Period Applicable to: | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | |||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 58,886 | 42.9 | % | $ | 53,835 | 39.6 | % | |||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||
| Commercial | 54,685 | 44.1 | % | 58,943 | 47.5 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | 10,198 | 7.0 | % | 11,444 | 6.3 | % | |||||
| Residential | 6,142 | 3.4 | % | 7,928 | 4.1 | % | |||||
| Other | 4,860 | 2.6 | % | 4,782 | 2.5 | % | |||||
| Total allowance | $ | 134,771 | 100.0 | % | $ | 136,932 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance for credit losses was 1.24% of total loans at December 31, 2023, compared to 1.41%, and 1.61%, at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decline in the allowance to total loans ratio in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to a shift in the mix of the loan portfolio to categories with lower reserve requirements, improvement in the economic forecast and net loan charge-offs of $38.0 million.
44
The following table is a summary of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 33,257 | $ | 4,247,091 | 0.78 | % | $ | 3,869 | $ | 3,555,483 | 0.11 | % | |||||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 4,446 | 4,712,037 | 0.09 | % | (593) | 4,323,757 | (0.01) | % | |||||||||
| Construction and land development | (54) | 712,578 | (0.01) | % | (53) | 689,048 | (0.01) | % | |||||||||
| Residential | (323) | 362,641 | (0.09) | % | 539 | 382,485 | 0.14 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 718 | 290,054 | 0.25 | % | 137 | 240,816 | 0.06 | % | |||||||||
| Total | 38,044 | 10,324,401 | 0.37 | % | 3,899 | 9,191,589 | 0.04 | % |
(1) Excludes loans held for sale.
To the extent the Company does not recognize charge-offs and economic forecasts improve in future periods, the Company could recognize provision reversals. Conversely, if economic conditions and the Company’s forecast worsens and charge-offs increase, the Company could recognize elevated levels of provision for credit losses. The provision is also reflective of charge-offs (recoveries) in the period.
See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of this MD&A section for more information on the allowance for credit losses methodology.
Nonperforming loans and assets
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for more information on nonaccrual loans and other real estate. The following table presents the categories of nonperforming assets and other ratios, excluding government guaranteed portions, as of the dates indicated.
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Non-accrual loans | $ | 43,181 | $ | 9,766 | ||
| Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest | 547 | 142 | ||||
| Restructured loans | — | 73 | ||||
| Total nonperforming loans | 43,728 | 9,981 | ||||
| Other real estate | 5,736 | 269 | ||||
| Total nonperforming assets | $ | 49,464 | $ | 10,250 | ||
| Total assets | $ | 14,518,590 | $ | 13,054,172 | ||
| Total loans | 10,884,118 | 9,737,138 | ||||
| Total allowance for credit losses | 134,771 | 136,932 | ||||
| ACL to nonaccrual loans | 312 | % | 1,402 | % | ||
| ACL to nonperforming loans | 308 | % | 1,372 | % | ||
| ACL to total loans | 1.24 | % | 1.41 | % | ||
| Nonaccrual loans to total loans | 0.40 | % | 0.10 | % | ||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.40 | % | 0.10 | % | ||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.34 | % | 0.08 | % |
45
Nonperforming loans based on loan type were as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | Number of loans | December 31, 2022 | Number of loans | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 7,756 | 18 | % | 15 | $ | 4,443 | 44 | % | 14 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 33,739 | 77 | % | 27 | 4,200 | 42 | % | 10 | ||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 1,269 | 3 | % | 3 | 1,192 | 12 | % | 2 | ||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 959 | 2 | % | 1 | 73 | 1 | % | 1 | ||||||||||
| Other | 5 | — | % | 2 | 73 | 1 | % | 2 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 43,728 | 100 | % | 48 | $ | 9,981 | 100 | % | 29 |
The following table summarizes the changes in nonperforming loans:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, beginning of period | $ | 9,981 | $ | 28,024 | ||
| Additions to nonaccrual loans | 109,766 | 8,904 | ||||
| Charge-offs | (43,215) | (9,393) | ||||
| Principal payments | (25,871) | (17,554) | ||||
| Moved to other real estate and repossessed assets | (6,933) | — | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, end of period | $ | 43,728 | $ | 9,981 |
Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2023 increased $33.7 million, or 338%, when compared to December 31, 2022. The increase in nonperforming loans during 2023 was primarily from additions to nonaccrual loans of $109.8 million, offset by principal payments of $25.9 million and charge-offs of $43.2 million. The charge-offs of nonperforming loans were primarily in C&I and commercial real estate (investor owned), representing 84% and 11% of gross charge-offs in 2023, respectively.
Other real estate
The following table summarizes the changes in other real estate:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Other real estate, beginning of period | $ | 269 | $ | 3,493 | ||
| Additions | 5,736 | — | ||||
| Writedowns in value | — | (268) | ||||
| Sales | (269) | (2,956) | ||||
| Other real estate, end of period | $ | 5,736 | $ | 269 |
Investments
At December 31, 2023, our portfolio of investment securities was $2.4 billion, or 16%, of total assets, compared to $2.2 billion, or 17%, of total assets as of December 31, 2022. The portfolio is comprised of both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.
46
The table below sets forth the carrying value of investment securities, excluding the allowance for credit losses:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored enterprises | $ | 296,446 | 12.5 | % | $ | 237,785 | 10.6 | % | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 1,007,870 | 42.5 | % | 946,456 | 42.1 | % | |||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 752,481 | 31.8 | % | 716,422 | 31.9 | % | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 181,701 | 7.7 | % | 208,534 | 9.3 | % | |||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 130,994 | 5.5 | % | 137,260 | 6.1 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 2,369,492 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,246,457 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities was $0.8 million and $0.7 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had no debt securities classified as trading at December 31, 2023, or 2022.
The following table summarizes contractual maturity and tax-equivalent yields on the investment portfolio at December 31, 2023:
| Within 1 year | 1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years | Over 10 years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | 19,002 | 2.0 | % | $ | 233,663 | 1.8 | % | $ | 32,821 | 4.2 | % | $ | 10,960 | 2.1 | % | $ | 296,446 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 6,357 | 1.4 | % | 22,167 | 2.4 | % | 214,115 | 3.4 | % | 765,231 | 3.2 | % | 1,007,870 | 3.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 103 | 3.5 | % | 74,432 | 2.9 | % | 67,521 | 3.6 | % | 610,425 | 3.1 | % | 752,481 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 116,225 | 4.2 | % | 63,055 | 3.0 | % | 2,421 | 3.1 | % | — | — | % | 181,701 | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | — | — | % | 72,377 | 3.2 | % | 58,617 | 3.5 | % | — | — | % | 130,994 | 3.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 141,687 | 3.8 | % | $ | 465,694 | 2.4 | % | $ | 375,495 | 3.5 | % | $ | 1,386,616 | 3.2 | % | $ | 2,369,492 | 3.1 | % |
Yields on tax-exempt securities are computed on a taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 24.8%. Actual maturities can differ from contractual maturities, as borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
Other investments primarily consist of the FHLB capital stock, common stock investments related to our trust preferred securities, community development funds, and other investments in private equity funds, primarily SBICs. These investments do not have a stated maturity.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| FHLB capital stock | $ | 7,824 | 11.8 | % | $ | 14,015 | 22.0 | % | |||||
| Other investments | 58,371 | 88.2 | % | 49,775 | 78.0 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 66,195 | 100.0 | % | $ | 63,790 | 100.0 | % |
47
Deposits
The following table shows the breakdown of deposits by type:
| Years ended December 31, | $ Increase (decrease) | % Increase (decrease) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 3,958,743 | $ | 4,642,732 | $ | (683,989) | (14.7) | % | ||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 2,950,259 | 2,256,295 | 693,964 | 30.8 | % | |||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,399,280 | 2,655,159 | 744,121 | 28.0 | % | |||||||||
| Savings accounts | 595,175 | 744,256 | (149,081) | (20.0) | % | |||||||||
| Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||||
| Brokered | 482,759 | 118,968 | 363,791 | 305.8 | % | |||||||||
| Customer | 790,155 | 411,740 | 378,415 | 91.9 | % | |||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 12,176,371 | $ | 10,829,150 | $ | 1,347,221 | 12.4 | % | ||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits / Total deposits | 33 | % | 43 | % |
Brokered certificates of deposit increased $363.8 million, to $482.8 million at December 31, 2023. Brokered certificates of deposit are used for term liquidity purposes in place of FHLB borrowings. The brokered certificates of deposit balance has a weighted average cost of 4.73% and a weighted average remaining term of 7 months at December 31, 2023. The Company has a specialty deposit portfolio focusing primarily on property management, community associations, and escrow companies. These deposits totaled $2.8 billion and $2.1 billion at the end of 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table shows the average balance and average rate of the Company’s deposits by type:
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | ||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposit accounts | $ | 4,131,163 | — | % | $ | 4,805,549 | — | % | $ | 3,597,204 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 2,559,238 | 1.84 | % | 2,318,363 | 0.30 | % | 2,122,752 | 0.08 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 3,043,794 | 3.05 | % | 2,781,579 | 0.69 | % | 2,557,836 | 0.18 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 668,368 | 0.15 | % | 819,043 | 0.04 | % | 724,768 | 0.03 | % | |||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Brokered | 557,761 | 4.44 | % | 128,120 | 1.08 | % | 66,265 | 1.66 | % | |||||||||||
| Customer | 640,790 | 2.81 | % | 441,152 | 0.48 | % | 504,231 | 0.61 | % | |||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | $ | 7,469,951 | 2.46 | % | $ | 6,488,257 | 0.46 | % | $ | 5,975,852 | 0.18 | % | ||||||||
| Total average deposits | $ | 11,601,114 | 1.58 | % | $ | 11,293,806 | 0.27 | % | $ | 9,573,056 | 0.11 | % |
Average total deposits were $11.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $307.3 million, or 3%, from December 31, 2022. The increase in 2023 was primarily due to organic growth in money market and interest-bearing demand accounts.
48
The following table sets forth the maturities of estimated uninsured certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2023. Uninsured deposits are amounts estimated to exceed the FDIC deposit insurance limit and are not subject to any federal or state insurance program.
| ($ in thousands) | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Three months or less | $ | 118,125 |
| Over three through six months | 48,185 | |
| Over six through twelve months | 48,786 | |
| Over twelve months | 19,507 | |
| Total | $ | 234,603 |
As of December 31, 2023, estimated uninsured deposits totaled $4.3 billion, including $234.6 million of certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2022 estimated uninsured deposits totaled $5.9 billion. Estimated uninsured deposits at December 31, 2023 include $0.5 million of balances that are collateralized or secured with third party insurance.
Shareholders’ equity
Shareholders’ equity totaled $1.7 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $193.8 million, or 12.7%, from December 31, 2022.
Significant activity during the year ended December 31, 2023 included the following:
•Increase from net income of $194.1 million;
•Net increase in fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash flow hedges of $29.3 million;
•Decrease from dividends paid on common stock of $37.4 million and preferred stock of $3.8 million, respectively
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
The objective of liquidity management is to ensure we have the ability to generate sufficient cash or cash equivalents in a timely and cost-effective manner to meet our commitments as they become due. Typical demands on liquidity are changes in deposit levels, maturing time deposits which are not renewed, and fundings under credit commitments to customers. Funds are available from a number of sources, such as the core deposit base and loan and security repayments and maturities.
Additionally, liquidity is provided from lines of credit with the FHLB, the Federal Reserve, and correspondent banks; the ability to acquire large and brokered deposits; sales of the securities portfolio; and the ability to sell loan participations to other banks. These alternatives are an important part of our liquidity plan and provide flexibility and efficient execution of the asset-liability management strategy.
The Company’s Asset-Liability Management Committee oversees our liquidity position, the parameters of which are approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. Our liquidity position is monitored daily. Our liquidity management framework includes measurement of several key elements, such as a loan to deposit ratio, a liquidity ratio, and a dependency ratio. The Company’s liquidity framework also incorporates contingency planning to assess the nature and volatility of funding sources and to determine alternatives to these sources. While core deposits and loan and investment repayments are principal sources of liquidity, funding diversification is another key element of liquidity management and is achieved by strategically varying depositor types, terms, funding markets, and instruments.
Liquidity from assets is available primarily from cash balances and the investment portfolio. Cash and interest-bearing deposits with other banks totaled $433.0 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $291.4 million at December 31, 2022. The increase in cash balances during 2023 is due to deposit growth exceeding loan growth. The increase in market interest rates in 2022-2023 increased the competitive environment for deposits, as depositors
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have more alternatives to bank deposit accounts. While client deposit balances declined in the first half of 2023, successful marketing efforts increased total deposits in the last half of the year. Investment securities are another important tool to the Company’s liquidity objectives. Securities totaled $2.4 billion at December 31, 2023, and included $1.6 billion pledged as collateral for deposits of public institutions, treasury, loan notes, and other requirements. The remaining $808.7 million could be pledged or sold to enhance liquidity, if necessary.
Available on- and off-balance sheet liquidity sources include the following items:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Reserve Bank borrowing capacity | $ | 2,533,405 |
| FHLB borrowing capacity | 1,029,921 | |
| Unpledged securities | 808,709 | |
| Federal funds lines (6 correspondent banks) | 120,000 | |
| Cash and interest-bearing deposits | 433,029 | |
| Holding Company line of credit | 25,000 | |
| Total | $ | 4,950,064 |
The Company also has a portfolio of SBA guaranteed loans, a portion of which could be sold in the secondary market to generate earnings and liquidity. SBA loans totaling $42.1 million were sold during 2023.
Liability liquidity funding sources are available to increase financial flexibility. In addition to amounts borrowed at December 31, 2023, the Company could borrow an additional $1.0 billion from the FHLB of Des Moines under blanket loan pledges and has additional real estate loans that could be pledged. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company pledged an additional $495 million of loans to the FHLB to increase the borrowing capacity. The Company also has $2.5 billion available from the Federal Reserve Bank under a pledged loan agreement. Included in the Federal Reserve Bank borrowing capacity at December 31, 2023 is $215.0 million related to the Bank Term Funding Program. On January 24, 2024, the Federal Reserve announced that the program would cease making new loans on March 11, 2024. The Company also has unsecured federal funds lines with six correspondent banks totaling $120 million.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into certain forms of off-balance sheet transactions, including unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit. These transactions are managed through the Company’s various risk management processes. Management considers both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet transactions in its evaluation of the Company’s liquidity. The Company has $3.0 billion in unused commitments to extend credit as of December 31, 2023. While this commitment level would exhaust the majority the Company’s current liquidity resources, the nature of these commitments is such that the likelihood of funding them in the aggregate at any one time is low.
At the holding company level, our primary funding sources are dividends and payments from the Bank and proceeds from the issuance of equity (i.e. stock option exercises, stock offerings) and debt instruments. The main use of this liquidity is to provide the funds necessary to pay dividends to shareholders, service debt, invest in subsidiaries as necessary, and satisfy other operating requirements. In 2023, the holding company maintained a revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount up to $25 million, all of which was available at December 31, 2023. The line of credit has a one-year term that was renewed in February 2024 for an additional one-year term, and the interest rate was amended to one-month Term SOFR plus 185 basis points and the annual unused commitment fee was increased to 0.40%. The proceeds can be used for general corporate purposes.
The Company has an effective automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 allowing for the issuance of various forms of equity and debt securities. The Company’s ability to offer securities pursuant to the registration statement depends on market conditions and the Company’s continuing eligibility to use the Form S-3 under rules of the SEC.
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Strong capital ratios, credit quality and core earnings are essential to retaining cost-effective access to the wholesale funding markets. Deterioration in any of these factors could have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to access these funding sources and, as a result, these factors are monitored on an ongoing basis as part of the liquidity management process. The Bank is subject to regulations and, among other things, may be limited in its ability to pay dividends or transfer funds to the parent company. Accordingly, consolidated cash flows as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows may not represent cash immediately available for the payment of cash dividends to the Company’s shareholders or for other cash needs.
Through the normal course of operations, the Company has entered into certain contractual obligations and other commitments. Such obligations relate to funding of operations through deposits or debt issuances, as well as leases for premises and equipment. As a financial services provider, the Company routinely enters into commitments to extend credit. While contractual obligations represent future cash requirements of the Company, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process accorded to loans made by the Company. The Company also enters into derivative contracts under which the Company either receives cash from or pays cash to counterparties depending on changes in interest rates. Derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with the fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on market interest rates as of the balance sheet date. The fair value of these contracts changes daily as market interest rates change. For additional information on the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments see the following footnotes in Item 8: “Note 5 – Leases,” “Note 6 – Derivative Financial Instruments,” “Note 10 – Subordinated Debentures and Notes,” “Note 11 – Federal Home Loan Bank Advances,” “Note 12 – Other Borrowings,” and “Note 17 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.”
Capital Resources
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements and results of operations of the Company. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and its bank affiliate must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The banking affiliate’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of tier 1 capital to average assets. To be categorized as “well-capitalized”, banks must maintain minimum total risk-based (10%), tier 1 risk-based (8%), common equity tier 1 risk-based (6.5%), and tier 1 leverage ratios (5%). As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
The Bank met the definition of “well-capitalized” at each of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Refer to “Item 8. Note 14 – Regulatory Capital” for a summary of our risk-based capital and leverage ratios.
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The following table summarizes the Company’s capital ratios:
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | EFSC | Bank | EFSC | Bank | To Be Well-Capitalized | Minimum Ratio with CCB | ||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 11.3 | % | 12.2 | % | 11.1 | % | 12.1 | % | 6.5 | % | 7.0 | % | ||
| Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 12.7 | % | 12.2 | % | 12.6 | % | 12.1 | % | 8.0 | % | 8.5 | % | ||
| Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 14.2 | % | 13.2 | % | 14.2 | % | 13.1 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.5 | % | ||
| Leverage Ratio (Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets) | 11.0 | % | 10.6 | % | 10.9 | % | 10.5 | % | 5.0 | % | N/A | |||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 8.96 | % | 8.43 | % | ||||||||||
| Common equity tier 1 capital | $ | 1,387,802 | $ | 1,493,105 | $ | 1,228,786 | $ | 1,333,978 | ||||||
| Tier 1 capital | 1,553,448 | 1,493,163 | 1,394,426 | 1,334,030 | ||||||||||
| Total risk-based capital | 1,732,501 | 1,608,966 | 1,568,332 | 1,444,685 | ||||||||||
| 1 Not a required regulatory capital ratio |
The Company believes the tangible common equity and regulatory capital ratios are important measures of capital strength. The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is considered a non-GAAP measure. The tables included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” reconcile these ratios to U.S. GAAP.
Risk Management
Market risk arises from exposure to changes in interest rates and other relevant market rate or price risk. The Company faces market risk in the form of interest rate risk through transactions other than trading activities. Market risk from these activities, in the form of interest rate risk, is measured and managed through a number of methods. The Company uses financial modeling techniques to measure interest rate risk. These techniques measure the sensitivity of future earnings due to changing interest rate environments. Guidelines established by the Bank’s Asset/Liability Management Committee and approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors are used to monitor exposure of earnings at risk. General interest rate movements are used to develop sensitivity as management believes it has no primary exposure to a specific point on the yield curve. These limits are based on the Company’s exposure to immediate and sustained parallel rate movements, either upward or downward. The Company does not have any direct market risk from commodity exposures.
Interest Rate Risk
Our interest rate risk management practices are aimed at optimizing net interest income, while guarding against deterioration that could be caused by certain interest rate scenarios. Interest rate sensitivity varies with different types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We attempt to maintain interest-earning assets, comprised primarily of both loans and investments, and interest-bearing liabilities, comprised primarily of deposits, maturing or repricing in similar time horizons in order to manage any impact from market interest rate changes according to our risk tolerance. The Company uses an earnings simulation model to measure earnings sensitivity to changing rates.
The Company determines the sensitivity of its short-term future earnings to a hypothetical plus or minus 100 to 300 basis point parallel rate shock through the use of simulation modeling. The simulation of earnings includes the modeling of the balance sheet as an ongoing entity. Future business assumptions involving administered rate products, prepayments for future rate-sensitive balances, and the reinvestment of maturing assets and liabilities are included. These items are then modeled to project net interest income based on a hypothetical change in interest rates. The resulting net interest income for the next 12-month period is compared to the net interest income amount calculated using flat rates. This difference represents the Company’s earnings sensitivity to a positive or negative parallel rate shock.
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The following table summarizes the projected impact of interest rate shocks on net interest income:
| Rate Shock | Annual % change in net interest income | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At December 31, | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| + 300 bp | 9.8% | 11.1% | ||
| + 200 bp | 6.6% | 7.5% | ||
| + 100 bp | 3.3% | 3.8% | ||
| - 100 bp | (3.5)% | (4.1)% | ||
| - 200 bp | (7.3)% | (9.0)% | ||
| - 300 bp | (11.2)% | (15.1)% |
In addition to the rate shocks shown in the table above, the Company models net interest income under various dynamic interest rate scenarios. In general, changes in interest rates are positively correlated with changes in net interest income.
The Company occasionally uses interest rate derivative instruments as an asset/liability management tool to hedge mismatches in interest rate exposure indicated by the net interest income simulation described above. They are used to modify the Company’s exposures to interest rate fluctuations and provide more stable spreads between loan yields and the rate on their funding sources. At December 31, 2023, the Company had derivative contracts to manage interest rate risk, including $250.0 million in notional value on derivatives to hedge the cash flows on floating rate loans and $62.0 million in notional value on derivatives on floating rate debt. Derivative financial instruments are discussed in “Item 8. Note 6 – Derivative Financial Instruments.”
The FCA has announced that the most common USD LIBOR settings (overnight, 1-month. 3-month, 6-month and 12-month) will cease publication after September 30, 2024. LIBOR was the most liquid and common interest rate index in the world and was commonly referenced in financial instruments. With the cessation of LIBOR, the Company has selected term SOFR as the replacement index for the majority of its variable rate loans and began providing customer notifications in early 2023. The Company ceased using LIBOR and ICE swap rates in new contracts and began issuing SOFR based loans in December 2021.
The Company had $6.6 billion in variable rate loans as of December 31, 2023. Of these loans, $4.2 billion have an interest rate floor and nearly all of those loans were at or above the floor. Variable rate loans include $2.8 billion indexed to the prime rate, $2.7 billion are indexed to SOFR, $294.8 million indexed to LIBOR, and $813.3 million indexed to other rates.
Changes in interest rates will also have an effect on noninterest expense. Certain deposit accounts receive an earnings credit that provides a reimbursement for costs clients incur on the accounts. As interest rates increase, the amount available for reimbursement also increases, resulting in an increase to noninterest expense. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates would reduce the amount available for reimbursement and decrease noninterest expense.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The following accounting policies are considered most critical to the understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These critical accounting policies require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Because these estimates and judgments are based on current circumstances, they may change over time or prove to be inaccurate based on experience. In the event different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending upon the severity of such changes, the possibility of a materially different financial condition and/or results of operations could reasonably be expected. The impact and any associated risks related to our critical accounting policies on our business operations are described throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed
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discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
The Company has prepared all of the consolidated financial information in this report in accordance with GAAP. The Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using loss experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. There can be no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company maintains separate allowances for funded loans, unfunded loans, and held-to-maturity securities, collectively referred to the ACL. The ACL is a valuation account to adjust the cost basis to the amount expected to be collected, based on management’s experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For purposes of determining the allowance for funded and unfunded loans, the portfolios are segregated into pools that share similar risk characteristics that are then further segregated by credit grades. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are not included in the collective evaluation. The Company estimates the amount of the allowance based on loan loss experience, adjusted for current and forecasted economic conditions, including unemployment, changes in GDP, and commercial and residential real estate prices. The Company’s forecast of economic conditions uses internal and external information and considers a weighted average of a baseline, upside, and downside scenarios. Because economic conditions can change and are difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated loan defaults and losses, and therefore the adequacy of the allowance, could change significantly and have a direct impact on the Company’s credit costs. The Company’s allowance for credit losses on loans was $134.8 million at December 31, 2023 based on the weighting of the different economic scenarios. As a hypothetical example, if the Company had only used the upside scenario, the allowance would have decreased $27.5 million. Conversely, the allowance would have increased $43.9 million using only the downside scenario.
Income Taxes
Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, deferred income tax assets and liabilities and income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance may be established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required in the future if the amounts of taxes recoverable through loss carry backs decline, if we project lower levels of future taxable income, or we project lower levels of tax planning strategies. Such valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense that would adversely affect our operating results.
Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for information on recent accounting pronouncements and their impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
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Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. GAAP and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, the Company provides other financial measures, such as core efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible book value per common share, in this report that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
The Company considers its core efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible book value per common share, collectively “core performance measures,” presented in this earnings release and the included tables as important measures of financial performance, even though they are non-GAAP measures, as they provide supplemental information by which to evaluate the impact of certain non-comparable items, and the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. Core performance measures exclude certain other income and expense items, such as the FDIC special assessment, merger-related expenses, facilities charges, and the gain or loss on sale of investment securities, that the Company believes to be not indicative of or useful to measure the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. The attached tables contain a reconciliation of these core performance measures to the GAAP measures. The Company believes that the tangible common equity ratio provides useful information to investors about the Company’s capital strength even though it is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure and is not part of the regulatory capital requirements to which the Company is subject.
The Company believes these non-GAAP measures and ratios, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and ratios, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance and capital strength. The Company’s management uses, and believes investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP measures and ratios in assessing the Company’s operating results and related trends and when forecasting future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures and ratios should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or preferable to, ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company has provided a reconciliation of, where applicable, the most comparable GAAP financial measures and ratios to the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, or a reconciliation of the non-GAAP calculation of the financial measure for the periods indicated.
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Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Core Efficiency Ratio
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 562,592 | $ | 473,903 | $ | 360,194 | ||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment | 8,079 | 7,042 | 5,151 | |||||||
| Net interest income - FTE (non-GAAP) | 570,671 | 480,945 | 365,345 | |||||||
| Noninterest income (GAAP) | 68,725 | 59,162 | 67,743 | |||||||
| Less gain on sale of investment securities | 601 | — | — | |||||||
| Less gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned | 187 | (93) | 884 | |||||||
| Core revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 638,608 | $ | 540,200 | $ | 432,204 | ||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 348,186 | $ | 274,216 | $ | 245,919 | ||||
| Less amortization on intangibles | 4,601 | 5,367 | 5,691 | |||||||
| Less branch closure expenses | — | — | 3,441 | |||||||
| Less merger-related expenses | — | — | 22,082 | |||||||
| Less FDIC special assessment | 2,412 | — | — | |||||||
| Core noninterest expense (non-GAAP) | $ | 341,173 | $ | 268,849 | $ | 214,705 | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 53.42 | % | 49.77 | % | 49.68 | % |
Tangible Common Equity, Tangible Book Value per Share, and Tangible Common Equity Ratio
| Period ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ and shares in thousands, except per share data) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Shareholders' equity (GAAP) | $ | 1,716,068 | $ | 1,522,263 | $ | 1,529,116 | ||||
| Less preferred stock | 71,988 | 71,988 | 71,988 | |||||||
| Less goodwill | 365,164 | 365,164 | 365,164 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 12,318 | 16,919 | 22,286 | |||||||
| Tangible common equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,266,598 | $ | 1,068,192 | $ | 1,069,678 | ||||
| Common shares outstanding | 37,416 | 37,253 | 37,820 | |||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 33.85 | $ | 28.67 | $ | 28.28 | ||||
| Total assets (GAAP) | $ | 14,518,590 | $ | 13,054,172 | $ | 13,537,358 | ||||
| Less goodwill | 365,164 | 365,164 | 365,164 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 12,318 | 16,919 | 22,286 | |||||||
| Tangible assets (non-GAAP) | $ | 14,141,108 | $ | 12,672,089 | $ | 13,149,908 | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) | 8.96 | % | 8.43 | % | 8.13 | % |
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Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROATCE)
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Average shareholder’s equity (GAAP) | $ | 1,623,121 | $ | 1,498,759 | $ | 1,277,153 | ||||
| Less average preferred stock | 71,988 | 71,988 | 8,903 | |||||||
| Less average goodwill | 365,164 | 365,164 | 307,614 | |||||||
| Less average intangible assets | 14,531 | 19,516 | 22,460 | |||||||
| Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) | $ | 1,171,438 | $ | 1,042,091 | $ | 938,176 | ||||
| Net income available to common shareholders (GAAP) | $ | 190,309 | $ | 199,002 | $ | 133,055 | ||||
| FDIC special assessment (after tax) | 1,814 | — | — | |||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders adjusted (non-GAAP) | $ | 192,123 | $ | 199,002 | $ | 133,055 | ||||
| Return on average tangible common equity adjusted for FDIC assessment (non-GAAP) | 16.40 | % | 19.10 | % | 14.18 | % | ||||
| Return on average common equity (GAAP) | 12.27 | % | 13.95 | % | 10.49 | % | ||||
| Return on average common equity adjusted for FDIC assessment (non-GAAP) | 12.39 | % | 13.95 | % | 10.49 | % |
Pre-Provision Net Revenue (PPNR) and Pre-Provision Net Revenue Return on Average Assets (PPNR ROAA)
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 562,592 | $ | 473,903 | $ | 360,194 | ||||
| Noninterest income | 68,725 | 59,162 | 67,743 | |||||||
| FDIC special assessment | 2,412 | — | — | |||||||
| Less gain on sale of investment securities | 601 | — | — | |||||||
| Less gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned | 187 | (93) | 884 | |||||||
| Less noninterest expense | 348,186 | 274,216 | 245,919 | |||||||
| PPNR (non-GAAP) | $ | 284,755 | $ | 258,942 | $ | 181,134 | ||||
| Average assets | $ | 13,805,236 | $ | 13,319,624 | $ | 11,467,310 | ||||
| PPNR ROAA (non-GAAP) | 2.06 | % | 1.94 | % | 1.58 | % |
Return on Average Assets (ROAA)
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Net income (GAAP) | $ | 194,059 | $ | 203,043 | $ | 133,055 | ||||
| FDIC special assessment (after tax) | 1,814 | — | — | |||||||
| Net income adjusted (non-GAAP) | 195,873 | 203,043 | 133,055 | |||||||
| Average assets | $ | 13,805,236 | $ | 13,319,624 | $ | 11,467,310 | ||||
| ROAA (GAAP) | 1.41 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.16 | % | ||||
| ROAA adjusted for FDIC special assessment (non-GAAP) | 1.42 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.16 | % |
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001025835-23-000022.
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
The objective of this section is to provide an overview of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. It should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and other financial data presented elsewhere in this report, particularly the information regarding the Company’s business operations described in Item 1. A detailed discussion comparing 2021 and 2020 results is incorporated herein by reference to Item 7 of the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2022.
Executive Summary
Our Company offers a broad range of business and personal banking services including wealth management services. Lending services include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and development, residential real estate, specialty, and other loans. A wide variety of deposit products and a complete suite of treasury management and international trade services complement our lending capabilities. Tax-credit brokerage activities consist of the acquisition of Federal and State tax credits and the sale of these tax credits. The Company’s results of operations are also affected by prevailing economic conditions, competition, government policies and other actions of regulatory agencies.
The Company’s financial condition, operating results and liquidity in 2022 were impacted by the monetary policy actions enacted to address rising inflation. In 2022, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates seven times for a total increase of 425 basis points to the Federal Funds Target Interest Rate during the year, while also changing its accommodative monetary policy through a reduction of Treasuries and agency mortgage-backed securities held on its balance sheet. This follows a period of highly expansionary fiscal support from the federal government during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021.
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Financial Performance Highlights
Below are highlights of our financial performance for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| EARNINGS | ||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 515,082 | $ | 383,230 | $ | 304,779 | ||||
| Total interest expense | 41,179 | 23,036 | 34,778 | |||||||
| Net interest income | 473,903 | 360,194 | 270,001 | |||||||
| Provision (benefit) for credit losses | (611) | 13,385 | 65,398 | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision (benefit) for credit losses | 474,514 | 346,809 | 204,603 | |||||||
| Total noninterest income | 59,162 | 67,743 | 54,503 | |||||||
| Total noninterest expense | 274,216 | 245,919 | 167,159 | |||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 259,460 | 168,633 | 91,947 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 56,417 | 35,578 | 17,563 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 203,043 | $ | 133,055 | $ | 74,384 | ||||
| Preferred dividends | 4,041 | — | — | |||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 199,002 | $ | 133,055 | $ | 74,384 | ||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 5.32 | $ | 3.86 | $ | 2.76 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 5.31 | $ | 3.86 | $ | 2.76 | ||||
| Return on average assets | 1.52 | % | 1.16 | % | 0.90 | % | ||||
| Return on average common equity | 13.95 | % | 10.49 | % | 8.24 | % | ||||
| Return on average tangible common equity1 | 19.10 | % | 14.18 | % | 11.23 | % | ||||
| Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) | 3.89 | % | 3.41 | % | 3.56 | % | ||||
| Efficiency ratio | 51.44 | % | 57.47 | % | 51.51 | % | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 49.77 | % | 49.68 | % | 48.70 | % | ||||
| Dividend payout ratio | 16.89 | % | 19.66 | % | 26.61 | % | ||||
| Book value per common share | $ | 38.93 | $ | 38.53 | $ | 34.57 | ||||
| Tangible book value per common share1 | $ | 28.67 | $ | 28.28 | $ | 25.48 | ||||
| Average common equity to average assets | 11.25 | % | 11.14 | % | 10.94 | % | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 8.43 | % | 8.13 | % | 8.40 | % | ||||
| At or for the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| ASSET QUALITY | ||||||||||
| Net charge-offs | $ | 3,899 | $ | 11,629 | $ | 1,907 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans | 9,981 | 28,024 | 38,507 | |||||||
| Classified assets | 99,122 | 100,797 | 123,808 | |||||||
| Classified assets to total assets | 0.76 | % | 0.74 | % | 1.27 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.10 | % | 0.31 | % | 0.53 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.08 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.45 | % | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans | 1.41 | % | 1.61 | % | 1.89 | % | ||||
| Net charge-offs to average loans | 0.04 | % | 0.14 | % | 0.03 | % |
1Non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
30
The Company noted the following trends during 2022:
•The Company reported net income of $203.0 million, or $5.31 per diluted share for 2022, compared to $133.1 million, or $3.86 per diluted share for 2021. In addition to organic growth, contributing to the increase in net income was a full year of First Choice operations and an increase in market interest rates. Net income in 2022 also benefited from a reduction in the provision for credit losses of $14.0 million and a $25.5 million reduction in merger-related and branch-closure expenses, compared to 2021. Acquisition related provision for credit losses of $25.4 million were included in the provision for credit losses in 2021. This expense, commonly referred to as the “CECL double-count”, is recognized when a loan portfolio is acquired. Excluding the CECL double-count, the benefit for credit losses decreased in 2022 primarily due to loan growth and the forward-looking CECL methodology and the worsening outlook for forecasted economic factors compared to 2021.
•Preferred stock dividends of $4.0 million were declared and paid on the Series A Preferred Stock.
•Net interest income for 2022 totaled $473.9 million, an increase of $113.7 million, or 32%, compared to $360.2 million for 2021. Organic loan growth, higher average loan balances from the First Choice acquisition, and an increase in market interest rates increased net interest income. These increases were partially offset by a decline in PPP interest and fee income as the program wound down. PPP income totaled $5.0 million and $27.3 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
•The net interest margin increased 48 basis points to 3.89% during 2022, compared to 3.41% in 2021. The increase was primarily due to the 4.97% loan yield in 2022, which increased 64 basis points, from 4.33% in 2021.
•Noninterest income decreased $8.5 million, or 13%, to $59.2 million in 2022 compared to $67.7 million in 2021. While the increase in interest rates benefited net interest income, higher interest rates resulted in lower mortgage banking and tax credit income. The Company also became subject to the Durbin Amendment limitation on interchange income in 2022, which reduced card services revenue by approximately $2.0 million.
•Noninterest expenses totaled $274.2 million for 2022, an increase of $28.3 million, or 12%, compared to 2021. A full year of First Choice expenses, higher compensation from merit increases and an expanded associate base, and higher deposit servicing costs were the primary drivers of the increase in noninterest expense. Offsetting these increases were declines in nonrecurring expenses of $22.1 million in merger expenses and $3.4 million in branch-closure expenses recognized in 2021. The Company’s core efficiency ratio1 was stable at 49.8% in 2022, compared to 49.7% for the prior year.
•The Company’s effective tax rate was 21.7% in 2022 compared to 21.1% in 2021.
1Non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2022 Significant Transactions
During 2022, we announced the following significant transactions:
•The Company repurchased 700,473 of its common shares at a weighted-average share price of $47.00.
•Dividends paid in 2022 of $0.90 per share increased $0.15 per share, or 20%, compared to $0.75 per share in 2021.
•Retired 1,980,093 shares of treasury stock.
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2021 Significant Transactions
During 2021, we announced the following significant transactions:
•On July 21, 2021, the Company announced the completion of its acquisition of First Choice, a commercial bank based in Los Angeles, CA, with $2.3 billion in assets. The overall transaction had a value of $346 million.
•Continued supporting customers through PPP, lending an additional $341 million of PPP loans.
•The Company announced the closing of five branch locations in California and St. Louis. A lease and fixed asset impairment charge of $3.8 million was recognized, including $0.4 million reported in merger-related expenses.
•The Company redeemed $50.0 million of 4.75% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes.
•The Company issued and sold 3,000,000 depositary shares, each representing 1/40th interest in a share of 5% noncumulative, perpetual preferred stock totaling $72.0 million, net of issuance costs.
•The Company repurchased 1,299,527 of its common shares at a weighted-average share price of $46.62.
•Dividends paid in 2021 of $0.75 per share increased $0.03 per share, or 4%, compared to $0.72 per share in 2020.
32
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Average Balance Sheet
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as, the corresponding interest rates earned and paid, all on a tax equivalent basis. Average balances are presented on a daily average basis.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans1, 2 | $ | 9,193,682 | $ | 456,703 | 4.97 | % | $ | 8,055,873 | $ | 349,112 | 4.33 | % | $ | 6,071,496 | $ | 270,673 | 4.46 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 1,228,514 | 29,638 | 2.41 | 908,189 | 19,305 | 2.13 | 1,016,100 | 25,524 | 2.51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities2 | 872,173 | 25,184 | 2.89 | 659,804 | 18,468 | 2.80 | 350,501 | 11,151 | 3.18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total securities | 2,100,687 | 54,822 | 2.61 | 1,567,993 | 37,773 | 2.41 | 1,366,601 | 36,675 | 2.68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 1,074,165 | 10,599 | 0.99 | 1,084,853 | 1,496 | 0.14 | 228,760 | 620 | 0.27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 12,368,534 | 522,124 | 4.22 | 10,708,719 | 388,381 | 3.63 | 7,666,857 | 307,968 | 4.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 951,090 | 758,591 | 587,057 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 13,319,624 | $ | 11,467,310 | $ | 8,253,914 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 2,318,363 | $ | 7,038 | 0.30 | % | $ | 2,122,752 | $ | 1,614 | 0.08 | % | $ | 1,494,364 | $ | 2,101 | 0.14 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 2,781,579 | 19,306 | 0.69 | 2,557,836 | 4,669 | 0.18 | 1,977,826 | 7,754 | 0.39 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 819,043 | 305 | 0.04 | 724,768 | 225 | 0.03 | 589,832 | 279 | 0.05 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 569,272 | 3,509 | 0.62 | 570,496 | 4,160 | 0.73 | 676,889 | 10,915 | 1.61 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 6,488,257 | 30,158 | 0.46 | 5,975,852 | 10,668 | 0.18 | 4,738,911 | 21,049 | 0.44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | 155,160 | 9,166 | 5.91 | 195,686 | 10,960 | 5.60 | 179,534 | 9,885 | 5.51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 33,467 | 599 | 1.79 | 59,945 | 803 | 1.34 | 241,635 | 2,673 | 1.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 211,039 | 506 | 0.24 | 225,894 | 235 | 0.10 | 206,338 | 542 | 0.26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 22,812 | 750 | 3.29 | 26,428 | 370 | 1.40 | 32,147 | 629 | 1.96 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 6,910,735 | 41,179 | 0.60 | 6,483,805 | 23,036 | 0.36 | 5,398,565 | 34,778 | 0.64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 4,805,549 | 3,597,204 | 1,854,982 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 104,581 | 109,148 | 97,492 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 11,820,865 | 10,190,157 | 7,351,039 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 1,498,759 | 1,277,153 | 902,875 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities & shareholders' equity | $ | 13,319,624 | $ | 11,467,310 | $ | 8,253,914 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 480,945 | $ | 365,345 | $ | 273,190 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest spread | 3.62 | % | 3.27 | % | 3.38 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax equivalent) | 3.89 | % | 3.41 | % | 3.56 | % |
1Average balances include non-accrual loans. Interest income includes net loan fees of $16.7 million, $28.4 million, and $18.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 respectively. Loan fees in 2022 and 2021 included PPP fees of $4.1 million and $21.7 million, respectively.
2Non-taxable income is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a 25.2% tax rate in each of 2022 and 2021 and a 24.7% tax rate in 2020. The tax-equivalent adjustments were $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, and $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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Rate/Volume
The following table sets forth, on a tax-equivalent basis for the periods indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in yield/rates and volume.
| 2022 compared to 2021 | 2021 compared to 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (decrease) due to | Increase (decrease) due to | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest earned on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 52,238 | $ | 55,353 | $ | 107,591 | $ | 86,183 | $ | (7,744) | $ | 78,439 | ||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 7,474 | 2,859 | 10,333 | (2,541) | (3,678) | (6,219) | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities3 | 6,115 | 601 | 6,716 | 8,799 | (1,482) | 7,317 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | (15) | 9,118 | 9,103 | 1,313 | (437) | 876 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 65,812 | 67,931 | 133,743 | 93,754 | (13,341) | 80,413 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 162 | $ | 5,262 | $ | 5,424 | $ | 689 | $ | (1,176) | $ | (487) | ||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 443 | 14,194 | 14,637 | 1,844 | (4,929) | (3,085) | ||||||||||||||||
| Savings | 31 | 49 | 80 | 55 | (109) | (54) | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | (9) | (642) | (651) | (1,506) | (5,249) | (6,755) | ||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | (2,368) | 574 | (1,794) | 902 | 173 | 1,075 | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | (423) | 219 | (204) | (2,341) | 471 | (1,870) | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | (16) | 287 | 271 | 47 | (354) | (307) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowed funds | (57) | 437 | 380 | (100) | (159) | (259) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | (2,237) | 20,380 | 18,143 | (410) | (11,332) | (11,742) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 68,049 | $ | 47,551 | $ | 115,600 | $ | 94,164 | $ | (2,009) | $ | 92,155 | ||||||||||
| 1Change in volume multiplied by yield/rate of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2Change in yield/rate multiplied by volume of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3Nontaxable income is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 25.2% and 24.7% for 2021 and 2020, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE: The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to rate and volume changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. |
Net interest income (on a tax equivalent basis) was $480.9 million for 2022, compared to $365.3 million for 2021, an increase of $115.6 million, or 32%. Total interest income increased $133.7 million and total interest expense increased $18.1 million. The increase in net interest income in 2022 was primarily due to a higher average yield on interest earning assets and higher loan volumes that benefited from the First Choice acquisition. These increases were offset by a decline in PPP loan income and an increase in the average cost paid on interest bearing liabilities.
Loans issued through the PPP bear interest at 1% and have either a two or five year maturity. The Company also received fees for the issuance of PPP loans that varied based on the size of the loan. Interest income and loan fees included in net interest income from the PPP program totaled $5.0 million and $27.3 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2022, the Company had $7.3 million in PPP loans and $0.1 million in deferred fees, compared to $272.0 million in loans and $4.2 million in fees at the end of 2021.
The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.89% for 2022, compared to 3.41% for 2021. The primary driver of the increase in net interest margin from 2021 to 2022 was an increase market interest rates. In 2022, the Federal Reserve significantly increased interest rates for the first time since 2018. The federal funds target rate increased 425 basis points in 2022. The increase in short-term rates increased the yield on the Company’s variable-rate loan portfolio, as well as the yield earned on new loan production. As of December 31, 2022, variable-rate loans comprised approximately 63% of total loans. The increase in market interest rates also increased the cost on interest bearing liabilities, although at a slower rate than the increase on the earning asset yield. The earning asset yield
34
increased 59 basis points to 4.22% in 2022, compared to 3.63% in 2021. Comparatively, the cost of interest bearing liabilities increased 24 basis points to 0.60%, from 0.36% in 2021.
Average interest-earning assets increased $1.7 billion, or 15%, to $12.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to growth in average earning assets due to the inclusion of a full year of First Choice operations, organic growth in the loan portfolio and a deployment of excess liquidity into the investment portfolio. Average securities represented 17% of earnings assets in 2022 and 15% in 2021. Average interest-earning deposits decreased from 10% to 9% of earning assets, due to the increase in securities. Volume growth of the balance sheet drove an increase in interest income on earning assets of $65.8 million, while the increase in interest rates drove interest income on interest-earnings assets up by $67.9 million in 2022 compared to 2021.
Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $426.9 million, or 7% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase resulted from $512.4 million of growth in interest-bearing deposits, primarily in money market and interest bearing demand deposit accounts due to organic growth and the First Choice acquisition. Average debt and wholesale borrowings declined $85.5 million in 2022 from 2021, due to the redemption of $50.0 million in subordinated debentures at 4.75% in the fourth quarter 2021 and a decreased need for wholesale borrowings due to the growth in average deposits. The total cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 24 basis points, from 0.36% in 2021 to 0.60% in 2022. The shift in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities reduced interest expense in 2022 by $2.2 million, while the increase in the average cost of interest bearing liabilities increased interest expense $20.4 million in 2022.
Noninterest Income
The following table presents a comparative summary of the major components of noninterest income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | $ | 18,326 | $ | 15,428 | $ | 11,717 | $ | 2,898 | $ | 3,711 | ||||||||
| Wealth management revenue | 10,010 | 10,259 | 9,732 | (249) | 527 | |||||||||||||
| Card services revenue | 11,551 | 11,880 | 9,481 | (329) | 2,399 | |||||||||||||
| Tax credit income | 2,558 | 8,028 | 6,611 | (5,470) | 1,417 | |||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous income | 16,717 | 22,148 | 16,962 | (5,431) | 5,186 | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | 59,162 | $ | 67,743 | $ | 54,503 | $ | (8,581) | $ | 13,240 |
Noninterest income decreased $8.6 million, or 13%, in 2022 compared to 2021. This decrease was primarily due to a $5.5 million decrease in tax credit income and a $5.4 million decrease in miscellaneous income. Rising interest rates reduced tax credit income due to the impact on tax credit projects carried at fair value. The rise in interest rates increased the discount rate used in the fair value of these projects, resulting in a lower fair value. The $5.4 million decline in miscellaneous income was primarily due to a $2.6 million decrease in mortgage banking income and a $2.6 million decrease in private equity distributions. The rise in market interest rates in 2022 reduced demand for 1-4 family mortgages, which led to the decline in mortgage banking income. Private equity distributions are not a consistent source of income and fluctuates based on distributions from the underlying funds. Included within miscellaneous income was a $1.0 million increase in swap fee income in 2022 from customer hedging transactions, that was offset by a $1.0 million decrease in gains on the sale of other real estate.
Card services revenue declined $0.3 million in 2022. Included in this decrease was a decline of $2.1 million in debit card interchange income, partially offset by a $1.8 million increase in credit card fees. The Durbin Amendment limits the amount of interchange income banks can earn on debit card transactions after total assets exceed $10 billion. This limitation went into effect for the Company at the beginning of the third quarter of 2022 and was the primary driver of the reduction in debit card revenue.
The decreases in noninterest income described above were partially offset by a $2.9 million increase in service charges on deposit accounts. This increase was due to deposit growth and the number of accounts using the Company’s treasury management products and was also partially attributed to a full year of First Choice deposit service revenue.
35
Noninterest Expense
The following table presents a comparative summary of the components of noninterest expense:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Employee compensation and benefits | $ | 147,029 | $ | 124,904 | $ | 92,288 | $ | 22,125 | $ | 32,616 | ||||||||
| Occupancy | 17,640 | 16,286 | 13,457 | 1,354 | 2,829 | |||||||||||||
| Data processing | 13,513 | 12,242 | 9,050 | 1,271 | 3,192 | |||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 7,079 | 4,289 | 3,940 | 2,790 | 349 | |||||||||||||
| Branch-closure expenses | — | 3,441 | — | (3,441) | 3,441 | |||||||||||||
| Merger-related expenses | — | 22,082 | 4,174 | (22,082) | 17,908 | |||||||||||||
| Deposit costs | 31,082 | 14,211 | 1,246 | 16,871 | 12,965 | |||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 57,873 | 48,464 | 43,004 | 9,409 | 5,460 | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 274,216 | $ | 245,919 | $ | 167,159 | $ | 28,297 | $ | 78,760 | ||||||||
| Efficiency ratio | 51.44 | % | 57.47 | % | 51.51 | % | (6.03) | % | 5.96 | % | ||||||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 49.77 | % | 49.68 | % | 48.70 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.98 | % | ||||||||
| 1 A non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Noninterest expense increased $28.3 million, or 12%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase was attributed primarily to a $22.1 million increase in compensation and benefits, a $16.9 million increase in deposit costs and a $9.4 million increase in other expenses. The increase in compensation and benefits was due to annual merit increases and an increase in full time equivalent employees, higher share-based compensation from higher award levels and higher performance based vesting due to the Company’s financial performance, and a full year of First Choice operations. First Choice operations added $11.2 million in additional noninterest expense in 2022 over 2021.
For certain deposit accounts in the Company’s specialized deposit portfolio, clients receive an earnings credit rate on average collected balances that may be used to offset expenses associated with the client’s activities for managing the accounts. These expenses are reflected in noninterest expense. The increase in deposit costs in 2022 is due to organic growth in specialized deposits and an increase in market interest rates that impacts competitive conditions that those clients can garner in the market.
The increase in other expense of $9.4 million was attributed primarily to a $3.1 million increase in business development, a $2.0 million increase in the amortization of tax credit investments, a $1.4 million increase in SBA repair and denial reserves, a $1.0 million increase in credit/debit card transaction processing expenses, and a $1.0 million increase in FDIC assessment insurance. The increase in business development is primarily due to increased activity as the economy has reopened since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in amortization of tax credit investments is primarily due to new investments in new market tax credits that are amortized in noninterest expense, while the tax benefit is recognized in tax expense. The increase in credit/debit card transaction processing is due to higher volumes of activity and the increase in FDIC assessment insurance is due to the increase in the overall balance sheet of the Company.
Partially offsetting the increases described above were decreases of $22.1 million in merger related expenses on the First Choice acquisition and a $3.4 million decrease in branch-closure expenses from a branch rationalization project that was finalized in 2021.
The Company expects to continue to invest in its associates and other infrastructure that supports growth. In addition, low unemployment, inflationary pressures and a shift in employee work arrangements to a virtual/hybrid model are expected to continue to have an impact on future operating expenses.
36
Income Taxes
The Company’s blended federal and state tax rate was approximately 25.2% at the end of both 2022 and 2021. The effective tax rate, which is adjusted for permanent differences, such as tax exempt income, was 21.7% in 2022 compared to 21.1% in 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher pretax income in 2022 and an increase in state taxable income due to the Company’s expanded geographic footprint. See “Item 8. Note 16 – Income Taxes” for additional information.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Summary Balance Sheet
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents | $ | 291,359 | $ | 2,021,689 | $ | 537,703 | (85.59) | % | 275.99 | % | |||||||
| Securities | 2,245,722 | 1,795,687 | 1,400,039 | 25.06 | % | 28.26 | % | ||||||||||
| Total loans | 9,737,138 | 9,017,642 | 7,224,935 | 7.98 | % | 24.81 | % | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 13,054,172 | 13,537,358 | 9,751,571 | (3.57) | % | 38.82 | % | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 10,829,150 | 11,343,799 | 7,985,389 | (4.54) | % | 42.06 | % | ||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 11,531,909 | 12,008,242 | 8,672,596 | (3.97) | % | 38.46 | % | ||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 1,522,263 | 1,529,116 | 1,078,975 | (0.45) | % | 41.72 | % |
Assets
Loans by Type
The Company has a diversified loan portfolio, with no particular concentration of credit in any one economic sector; however, a substantial portion of the portfolio, including the C&I category, is secured by real estate. The ability of the Company’s borrowers to honor their contractual obligations is partially dependent upon the local economy and its effect on the real estate market.
The following table sets forth the composition of the loan portfolio by type of loans:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,859,882 | $ | 3,392,375 | ||
| Commercial real estate - investor owned | 2,357,820 | 2,141,143 | ||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 2,270,551 | 2,035,785 | ||||
| Construction and land development | 611,565 | 734,073 | ||||
| Residential real estate | 395,537 | 454,052 | ||||
| Other | 241,783 | 260,214 | ||||
| Total loans | $ | 9,737,138 | $ | 9,017,642 | ||
| December 31, | ||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Commercial and industrial | 39.6 | % | 37.6 | % | ||
| Commercial real estate - investor owned | 24.2 | % | 23.8 | % | ||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 23.3 | % | 22.6 | % | ||
| Construction and land development | 6.3 | % | 8.1 | % | ||
| Residential real estate | 4.1 | % | 5.0 | % | ||
| Other | 2.5 | % | 2.9 | % | ||
| Total loans | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
37
C&I loans are made based on the borrower’s ability to generate cash flows for repayment from income sources, general credit strength, experience, and character, even though such loans may also be secured by real estate or other assets. The credit risk related to commercial loans is largely influenced by general economic conditions and the resulting impact on a borrower’s operations. PPP loans of $7.3 million and $272.0 million were included in C&I loans in the tables above at the end of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company continues to focus on originating high-quality C&I relationships as they typically have variable interest rates and allow for cross selling opportunities involving other banking products. C&I loan growth also supports our efforts to maintain the Company’s asset-sensitive interest rate risk position. Additionally, our specialized products, especially sponsor finance, life insurance premium financing, and tax credit lending, consist of primarily C&I loans, and have contributed significantly to the Company’s C&I loan growth. These loans are sourced through relationships developed with wealth and estate planning firms, private equity funds and tax credit specialists and are not bound geographically by our markets. As a result, these specialized loan products offer opportunities to expand and diversify our overall geographic concentration by entering into new markets.
Real estate loans place an emphasis on the estimated cash flows from the operation of the property and/or the underlying collateral value.
•Our commercial real estate loans, including investor-owned and owner-occupied categories, primarily represent commercial property loans on which the primary source of repayment is income from the property. These loans are principally underwritten based on the cash flow coverage of the property, the Company’s loan to value guidelines, and generally require either the limited or full guaranty of principal sponsors of the credit. Commercial real estate loans also represent owner-occupied C&I loans for which the primary source of repayment is dependent on sources other than the underlying collateral.
•Construction and land development loans relating primarily to residential and commercial properties, represent financing secured by real estate under development for eventual sale or undeveloped ground. At December 31, 2022, $351.9 million of these loans include the use of interest reserves and follow standard underwriting guidelines. Construction projects are monitored by the loan officer and a centralized independent loan disbursement function.
•Residential real estate loans include residential mortgages, which are loans that, due to size or other attributes, do not qualify for conventional home mortgages available-for-sale in the secondary market, second mortgages, home equity lines and conventional mortgages that are part of a broad banking relationship with the Company. Residential mortgage loans are usually limited to a maximum of 80% of collateral value at origination.
Other loans represent loans to individuals, loans to state and political subdivisions, loans to nondepository financial institutions, and loans to purchase or are fully secured by investment securities. Credit risk is managed by thoroughly reviewing the creditworthiness of the borrowers prior to origination and thereafter.
38
The following table presents a breakdown of loans by NAICS code at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Outstanding Balance | % | Outstanding Balance | % | |||||||||
| Accommodation and Food Services | $ | 880,870 | 9 | % | $ | 785,485 | 9 | % | |||||
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 200,586 | 2 | % | 176,601 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1 | 200,144 | 2 | % | 195,342 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 105,851 | 1 | % | 120,805 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Construction | 555,343 | 6 | % | 580,731 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Educational Services | 51,083 | — | % | 52,034 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Finance and Insurance | 1,622,712 | 17 | % | 1,344,389 | 15 | % | |||||||
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 455,839 | 5 | % | 372,109 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Information | 100,004 | 1 | % | 64,686 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 78,548 | 1 | % | 84,110 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Manufacturing | 694,483 | 7 | % | 613,725 | 7 | % | |||||||
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 8,106 | — | % | 9,771 | — | % | |||||||
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 536,112 | 6 | % | 593,149 | 7 | % | |||||||
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 304,027 | 3 | % | 329,009 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Public Administration | 9,111 | — | % | 11,358 | — | % | |||||||
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 2,534,275 | 26 | % | 2,462,088 | 27 | % | |||||||
| Retail Trade | 517,659 | 5 | % | 460,763 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Transportation and Warehousing | 257,384 | 3 | % | 214,132 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Utilities | 34,079 | — | % | 25,393 | — | % | |||||||
| Wholesale Trade | 491,218 | 5 | % | 445,771 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Other | 99,704 | 1 | % | 76,191 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 9,737,138 | 100 | % | $ | 9,017,642 | 100 | % | |||||
| 1Includes $94.0 million and $95.5 million in animal production at December 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively and $95.6 million and $92.1 million in crop production at December 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively. |
The following table presents a breakdown of commercial & industrial loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,116 | $ | 771,717 | $ | 365 | 3,326 | $ | 921,537 | $ | 277 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 314 | 991,748 | 3,158 | 289 | 915,656 | 3,168 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 124 | 862,427 | 6,955 | 92 | 627,728 | 6,823 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 76 | 1,233,990 | 16,237 | 60 | 927,454 | 15,458 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,630 | $ | 3,859,882 | $ | 1,468 | 3,767 | $ | 3,392,375 | $ | 901 |
39
The following table presents a breakdown of commercial real estate loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 3,170 | $ | 1,872,671 | $ | 591 | 3,300 | $ | 1,840,760 | $ | 558 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 416 | 1,272,977 | 3,060 | 383 | 1,184,292 | 3,092 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 105 | 727,681 | 6,930 | 90 | 626,733 | 6,964 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 50 | 755,042 | 15,101 | 34 | 525,143 | 15,445 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,741 | $ | 4,628,371 | $ | 1,237 | 3,807 | $ | 4,176,928 | $ | 1,097 |
The following table presents a breakdown of construction loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 408 | $ | 181,813 | $ | 446 | 539 | $ | 212,129 | $ | 394 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 52 | 154,563 | 2,972 | 63 | 200,775 | 3,187 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 14 | 96,194 | 6,871 | 30 | 206,262 | 6,875 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 13 | 178,995 | 13,769 | 8 | 114,907 | 14,363 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 487 | $ | 611,565 | $ | 1,256 | 640 | $ | 734,073 | $ | 1,147 |
The following table presents a breakdown of residential loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 2,252 | $ | 293,691 | $ | 130 | 2,457 | $ | 304,224 | $ | 124 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 21 | 70,658 | 3,365 | 27 | 83,666 | 3,099 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 4 | 31,188 | 7,797 | 8 | 54,019 | 6,752 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | — | — | — | 1 | 12,143 | 12,143 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,277 | $ | 395,537 | $ | 174 | 2,493 | $ | 454,052 | $ | 182 |
The following table presents a breakdown of other loans by size at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||||||||||
| $2 million | 1,265 | $ | 125,136 | $ | 99 | 1,415 | $ | 154,663 | $ | 109 | ||||||||||
| $2-5 million | 18 | 59,099 | 3,283 | 16 | 43,306 | 2,707 | ||||||||||||||
| $5-10 million | 3 | 18,255 | 6,085 | 7 | 41,262 | 5,895 | ||||||||||||||
| $10 million | 3 | 39,293 | 13,098 | 2 | 20,983 | 10,491 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,289 | $ | 241,783 | $ | 188 | 1,440 | $ | 260,214 | $ | 181 |
40
The following table presents a breakdown of total loans by geographic region at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Midwest | $ | 3,214,305 | $ | 2,939,092 | ||
| Southwest | 1,242,125 | 1,084,343 | ||||
| West | 1,654,899 | 1,656,511 | ||||
| Specialty, PPP and Other loans | 3,625,809 | 3,337,696 | ||||
| Total | $ | 9,737,138 | $ | 9,017,642 |
Loan guarantees, primarily on SBA 7(a) loans, totaled $960.3 million and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table provides additional information on select specialty lending detail, at the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| C&I | $ | 1,904,654 | $ | 1,478,689 | $ | 425,965 | 28.8 | % | ||||||
| CRE investor owned | 2,176,424 | 1,955,087 | 221,337 | 11.3 | % | |||||||||
| CRE owner occupied | 1,174,094 | 1,112,463 | 61,631 | 5.5 | % | |||||||||
| SBA loans | 1,312,378 | 1,241,449 | 70,929 | 5.7 | % | |||||||||
| Sponsor finance | 635,061 | 508,469 | 126,592 | 24.9 | % | |||||||||
| Life insurance premium finance | 817,115 | 653,028 | 164,087 | 25.1 | % | |||||||||
| Tax credits | 559,605 | 486,881 | 72,724 | 14.9 | % | |||||||||
| SBA PPP loans | 7,272 | 271,958 | (264,686) | (97.3) | % | |||||||||
| Residential real estate | 379,924 | 430,985 | (51,061) | (11.8) | % | |||||||||
| Construction and land development | 534,753 | 625,526 | (90,773) | (14.5) | % | |||||||||
| Other | 235,858 | 253,107 | (17,249) | (6.8) | % | |||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 9,737,138 | $ | 9,017,642 | $ | 719,496 | 8.0 | % |
The sponsor finance portfolio is primarily comprised of loans in the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors. It includes mid-market company mergers and acquisitions, targeted private equity firms, principally SBICs, and senior debt financing to portfolio companies.
The life insurance premium finance category specializes in financing whole life insurance premiums utilized in high net worth estate planning, through relationships with boutique estate planners throughout the United States.
The tax credit portfolio includes tax credit-related lending on affordable housing projects funded through the use of
federal and state low income housing tax credits. In addition, we provide leveraged and other loans on projects funded through the CDFI New Markets Tax Credit Program. This portfolio also includes tax credit brokerage through 10-year streams of state tax credits from affordable housing development funds. The tax credits are sold to clients and other individuals for tax planning purposes.
SBA loans are originated under the SBA 7(a) program and are primarily owner-occupied, commercial real estate loans secured by a 1st lien. These loans predominantly have a 75% portion guaranteed by the SBA.
SBA PPP loans originated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are guaranteed by the SBA. The loans may be forgivable by the SBA if certain requirements are met.
41
Significant loan concentrations are considered to exist for a financial institution when there are amounts loaned to numerous borrowers engaged in similar activities that would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At December 31, 2022, no significant concentrations exceeding 10% of total loans existed in the Company’s loan portfolio, except as described above.
The following table presents the maturity distribution of loans at December 31, 2022 categorized by fixed or variable interest rates, net of unearned loan fees:
| ($ in thousands) | Due in One Year or Less (1) | After One Through Five Years | After Five Through Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | Percent of Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 60,863 | $ | 449,944 | $ | 464,988 | $ | 11,593 | $ | 987,388 | 10 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 193,033 | 1,416,693 | 554,376 | 19,952 | 2,184,054 | 22 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 41,884 | 73,081 | 4,703 | 3,064 | 122,732 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 8,901 | 87,614 | 17,159 | 29,740 | 143,414 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 6,946 | 2,431 | 98,291 | 81,769 | 189,437 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 311,627 | $ | 2,029,763 | $ | 1,139,517 | $ | 146,118 | $ | 3,627,025 | 37 | % | ||||||||||
| Variable Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,093,647 | $ | 1,584,018 | $ | 165,260 | $ | 29,569 | $ | 2,872,494 | 30 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 155,516 | 487,648 | 412,447 | 1,388,706 | 2,444,317 | 25 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 159,160 | 202,875 | 53,165 | 73,633 | 488,833 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 45,670 | 30,635 | 71,506 | 104,312 | 252,123 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 7,914 | 16,089 | 28,219 | 124 | 52,346 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,461,907 | $ | 2,321,265 | $ | 730,597 | $ | 1,596,344 | $ | 6,110,113 | 63 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,154,510 | $ | 2,033,962 | $ | 630,248 | $ | 41,162 | $ | 3,859,882 | 40 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 348,549 | 1,904,341 | 966,823 | 1,408,658 | 4,628,371 | 47 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 201,044 | 275,956 | 57,868 | 76,697 | 611,565 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 54,571 | 118,249 | 88,665 | 134,052 | 395,537 | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 14,860 | 18,520 | 126,510 | 81,893 | 241,783 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,773,534 | $ | 4,351,028 | $ | 1,870,114 | $ | 1,742,462 | $ | 9,737,138 | 100 | % |
(1) Includes loans with no stated maturity and overdraft lines of credit.
The majority of variable loans are based on the prime rate, LIBOR, or SOFR. At December 31, 2022, $3.7 billion or 60% of variable rate loans were subject to an interest rate floor. Most loan originations have one-to three-year maturities. Management monitors this mix as part of its interest rate risk management. See “Interest Rate Risk” of this MD&A section.
42
Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses
The following table presents the components of the provision for credit losses for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Benefit for loan losses | $ | (4,210) | $ | (10,911) | ||||||
| Provision on acquired loans | — | 23,904 | ||||||||
| Provision for off-balance sheet commitments1 | 4,462 | 1,911 | ||||||||
| Provision for held-to-maturity securities | 121 | 165 | ||||||||
| Recovery of accrued interest | (984) | (1,684) | ||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for credit losses | $ | (611) | $ | 13,385 |
1 2021 includes $1.5 million as part of the First Choice acquired commitments.
The provision for credit losses, which includes a provision for losses on unfunded commitments, is a charge to earnings to maintain the ACL at a level consistent with management’s assessment of expected losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company also records reversals of interest on nonaccrual loans and interest recoveries directly through the provision of credit losses. CECL requires economic forecasts to be factored into determining estimated losses. As a result, CECL is designed to typically require a higher level of provision at the start of an economic downturn. The decrease in the provision for credit losses in 2022 was primarily due to the provision on acquired loans from the First Choice acquisition recognized in 2021, partially offset by a change in economic forecasts that worsened in 2022 and an increase in unfunded commitments. Two of the primary economic loss drivers used in estimating the ACL include the percentage change in GDP and unemployment. At December 31, 2022, the Company’s forecast of the percentage change in GDP included a range of (2.3)% to 3.5% and unemployment included a range of 3.5% to 7.7%. This compares to a range of (2.2)% to 6.7% for the percentage change in GDP and a range of 3.0% to 8.7% for unemployment in 2021. The Company utilizes a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast and a one-year reversion period.
In the acquisition of First Choice in 2021, we recognized an allowance of $7.6 million on PCD loans and an allowance of $23.9 million on non-PCD loans. Pursuant to the CECL accounting methodology, the allowance on PCD loans is recorded as part of the acquired loan portfolio. The allowance on non-PCD loans was established through a charge to the provision for credit losses in the post-combination financial statements. The Company did not recognize an acquisition related provision for credit losses in 2022.
43
To the extent the Company does not recognize charge-offs and economic forecasts improve in future periods, the Company could recognize a reversal of provision for credit losses. Conversely, if economic conditions and the Company’s forecast worsens, the Company could recognize elevated levels of provision for credit losses. The provision is also reflective of charge-offs in the period.
The following table is a summary of the allocation of the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Balance at End of Period Applicable to: | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | |||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 53,835 | 39.6 | % | $ | 63,825 | 37.6 | % | |||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||
| Commercial | 58,943 | 47.5 | % | 53,437 | 46.3 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | 11,444 | 6.3 | % | 14,536 | 8.1 | % | |||||
| Residential | 7,928 | 4.1 | % | 7,927 | 5.1 | % | |||||
| Other | 4,782 | 2.5 | % | 5,316 | 2.9 | % | |||||
| Total allowance | $ | 136,932 | 100.0 | % | $ | 145,041 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance for credit losses was 1.41% of total loans at December 31, 2022, compared to 1.61%, and 1.89%, at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decline in the allowance to total loans ratio in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to an improvement in credit quality, a shift in the mix of the loan portfolio to categories with lower reserve requirements, and net loan charge-offs of $3.9 million.
The following table is a summary of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,869 | $ | 3,555,483 | 0.11 | % | $ | 10,425 | $ | 3,195,017 | 0.33 | % | |||||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | (593) | 4,323,757 | (0.01) | % | 810 | 3,586,773 | 0.02 | % | |||||||||
| Construction and land development | (53) | 689,048 | (0.01) | % | (451) | 673,646 | (0.07) | % | |||||||||
| Residential | 539 | 382,485 | 0.14 | % | 558 | 396,777 | 0.14 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 137 | 240,816 | 0.06 | % | 287 | 197,172 | 0.15 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,899 | $ | 9,191,589 | 0.04 | % | $ | 11,629 | $ | 8,049,385 | 0.14 | % |
(1) Excludes loans held for sale.
See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of this MD&A section for more information on the allowance for credit losses methodology.
Nonperforming loans and assets
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for more information on nonaccrual loans and other real estate.
44
The following table presents the categories of nonperforming assets, excluding government guaranteed portions:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Non-accrual loans | $ | 9,766 | $ | 23,449 | ||
| Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest | 142 | 1,716 | ||||
| Restructured loans | 73 | 2,859 | ||||
| Total nonperforming loans | 9,981 | 28,024 | ||||
| Other real estate | 269 | 3,493 | ||||
| Total nonperforming assets | $ | 10,250 | $ | 31,517 | ||
| Total assets | $ | 13,054,172 | $ | 13,537,358 | ||
| Total loans | 9,737,138 | 9,017,642 | ||||
| Total allowance for credit losses | 136,932 | 145,041 | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans | 1,402 | % | 619 | % | ||
| Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans | 1,372 | % | 518 | % | ||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans | 1.41 | % | 1.61 | % | ||
| Nonaccrual loans to total loans | 0.10 | % | 0.26 | % | ||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.10 | % | 0.31 | % | ||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.08 | % | 0.23 | % |
Nonperforming loans based on loan type were as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2022 | Number of loans | December 31, 2021 | Number of loans | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 4,443 | 44 | % | 14 | $ | 21,538 | 77 | % | 34 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,200 | 42 | % | 10 | 4,414 | 16 | % | 14 | ||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 1,192 | 12 | % | 2 | — | — | % | — | ||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 73 | 1 | % | 1 | 2,048 | 7 | % | 12 | ||||||||||
| Other | 73 | 1 | % | 2 | 24 | — | % | 4 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 9,981 | 100 | % | 29 | $ | 28,024 | 100 | % | 64 |
The following table summarizes the changes in nonperforming loans:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, beginning of period | $ | 28,024 | $ | 38,507 | ||
| Additions to nonaccrual loans | 8,904 | 43,350 | ||||
| Charge-offs | (9,393) | (17,185) | ||||
| Principal payments | (17,554) | (36,648) | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, end of period | $ | 9,981 | $ | 28,024 |
Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2022 decreased $18.0 million, or 64%, when compared to December 31, 2021. The decrease in nonperforming loans during 2022 was primarily from principal payments of $17.6 million and charge-offs of $9.4 million. The charge-offs off nonperforming loans were primarily in C&I and residential real estate, representing 65% and and 22% of gross charge-offs in 2022, respectively.
45
Other real estate
The following table summarizes the changes in other real estate:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Other real estate, beginning of period | $ | 3,493 | $ | 5,330 | ||
| Additions | — | 3,175 | ||||
| Writedowns in value | (268) | (29) | ||||
| Sales | (2,956) | (4,983) | ||||
| Other real estate, end of period | $ | 269 | $ | 3,493 |
Investments
At December 31, 2022, our portfolio of investment securities was $2.2 billion, or 17%, of total assets, compared to $1.8 billion, or 13%, of total assets as of December 31, 2021. The increase in 2022 was due to a reallocation of excess liquidity into the investment portfolio. The portfolio is comprised of both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.
The table below sets forth the carrying value of investment securities, excluding the allowance for credit losses:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored enterprises | $ | 237,785 | 10.6 | % | $ | 173,511 | 9.6 | % | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 946,456 | 42.1 | % | 811,463 | 45.2 | % | |||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 716,422 | 31.9 | % | 581,964 | 32.4 | % | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 208,534 | 9.3 | % | 91,170 | 5.1 | % | |||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 137,260 | 6.1 | % | 138,193 | 7.7 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 2,246,457 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,796,301 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities was $0.7 million and $0.6 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company had no debt securities classified as trading at December 31, 2022, or 2021.
The following table summarizes contractual maturity and tax-equivalent yields on the investment portfolio at December 31, 2022:
| Within 1 year | 1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years | Over 10 years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | — | — | % | $ | 204,217 | 1.32 | % | $ | 18,721 | 2.79 | % | $ | 14,847 | 2.10 | % | $ | 237,785 | 1.48 | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 2,019 | 3.71 | % | 22,340 | 2.29 | % | 111,165 | 3.57 | % | 810,932 | 3.11 | % | 946,456 | 3.15 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 6,141 | 2.80 | % | 64,629 | 3.00 | % | 55,614 | 2.82 | % | 590,038 | 2.64 | % | 716,422 | 2.69 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 102,931 | 3.16 | % | 100,825 | 2.68 | % | 4,778 | 3.07 | % | — | — | % | 208,534 | 2.93 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | — | — | % | 32,486 | 3.11 | % | 104,774 | 3.46 | % | — | — | % | 137,260 | 3.38 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 111,091 | 3.15 | % | $ | 424,497 | 2.09 | % | $ | 295,052 | 3.33 | % | $ | 1,415,817 | 2.90 | % | $ | 2,246,457 | 2.82 | % |
Yields on tax-exempt securities are computed on a taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 25.2%. Actual maturities can differ from contractual maturities, as borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
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Other investments primarily consist of the FHLB capital stock, common stock investments related to our trust preferred securities, community development funds, and other investments in private equity funds, primarily SBICs. These investments do not have a stated maturity.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| FHLB capital stock | $ | 14,015 | 22.0 | % | $ | 12,075 | 20.2 | % | |||||
| Other investments | 49,775 | 78.0 | % | 47,821 | 79.8 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 63,790 | 100.0 | % | $ | 59,896 | 100.0 | % |
Deposits
The following table shows the breakdown of deposits by type:
| Years ended December 31, | % Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 4,642,732 | $ | 4,578,436 | 1.4 | % | ||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 2,256,295 | 2,465,884 | (8.5) | % | ||||||||
| Money market accounts | 2,655,159 | 2,890,976 | (8.2) | % | ||||||||
| Savings accounts | 744,256 | 800,210 | (7.0) | % | ||||||||
| Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||
| Brokered | 118,968 | 128,970 | (7.8) | % | ||||||||
| Other | 411,740 | 479,323 | (14.1) | % | ||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 10,829,150 | $ | 11,343,799 | (4.5) | % | ||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits / Total deposits | 43 | % | 40 | % |
The following table shows the average balance and average rate of deposits by type:
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | ||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposit accounts | $ | 4,805,549 | — | % | $ | 3,597,204 | — | % | $ | 1,854,982 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 2,318,363 | 0.30 | % | 2,122,752 | 0.08 | % | 1,494,364 | 0.14 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 2,781,579 | 0.69 | % | 2,557,836 | 0.18 | % | 1,977,826 | 0.39 | % | |||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 819,043 | 0.04 | % | 724,768 | 0.03 | % | 589,832 | 0.05 | % | |||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 569,272 | 0.62 | % | 570,496 | 0.73 | % | 676,889 | 1.61 | % | |||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | $ | 6,488,257 | 0.46 | % | $ | 5,975,852 | 0.18 | % | $ | 4,738,911 | 0.44 | % | ||||||||
| Total average deposits | $ | 11,293,806 | 0.27 | % | $ | 9,573,056 | 0.11 | % | $ | 6,593,893 | 0.32 | % |
Average total deposits were $11.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $1.7 billion, or 18%, from December 31, 2021. The increase in 2022 was primarily due to a full year of balances from the First Choice acquisition and organic growth. The increase in 2021 was primarily due to the First Choice and Seacoast acquisitions and the high level of liquidity in the economy.
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The following table sets forth the maturities of estimated uninsured certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2022. Uninsured deposits are amounts estimated to exceed the FDIC deposit insurance limit and are not subject to any federal or state insurance program.
| ($ in thousands) | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Three months or less | $ | 27,656 |
| Over three through six months | 22,492 | |
| Over six through twelve months | 48,721 | |
| Over twelve months | 25,702 | |
| Total | $ | 124,571 |
As of December 31, 2022, estimated uninsured deposits totaled $5.9 billion, including $124.6 million of certificates of deposit. Also, at December 31, 2021 estimated uninsured deposits totaled $5.9 billion.
Shareholders’ equity
Shareholders’ equity totaled $1.5 billion at December 31, 2022, a decrease of $6.9 million, or 0.4%, from December 31, 2021.
Significant activity during the year ended December 31, 2022 included the following:
•Increase from net income of $203.0 million;
•Net decrease in fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash flow hedges of $149.1 million;
•Decrease from dividends paid on common stock of $33.6 million and preferred stock of $4.0 million, respectively;
•Decrease from share repurchases of $32.9 million, pursuant to the Company’s publicly-announced stock repurchase program; and
•Retirement of 1,980,093 of treasury stock shares.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
The objective of liquidity management is to ensure we have the ability to generate sufficient cash or cash equivalents in a timely and cost-effective manner to meet our commitments as they become due. Typical demands on liquidity are changes in deposit levels, maturing time deposits which are not renewed, and fundings under credit commitments to customers. Funds are available from a number of sources, such as the core deposit base and loan and security repayments and maturities.
Additionally, liquidity is provided from lines of credit with the FHLB, the Federal Reserve, and correspondent banks; the ability to acquire large and brokered deposits; sales of the securities portfolio; and the ability to sell loan participations to other banks. These alternatives are an important part of our liquidity plan and provide flexibility and efficient execution of the asset-liability management strategy.
The Company’s Asset-Liability Management Committee oversees our liquidity position, the parameters of which are approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. Our liquidity position is monitored daily. Our liquidity management framework includes measurement of several key elements, such as a loan to deposit ratio, a liquidity ratio, and a dependency ratio. The Company’s liquidity framework also incorporates contingency planning to assess the nature and volatility of funding sources and to determine alternatives to these sources. While core deposits and loan and investment repayments are principal sources of liquidity, funding diversification is another key element of liquidity management and is achieved by strategically varying depositor types, terms, funding markets, and instruments.
Liquidity from assets is available primarily from cash balances and the investment portfolio. Cash and interest-bearing deposits with other banks totaled $291.4 million at December 31, 2022, compared to $2.0 billion at
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December 31, 2021. The decline in cash balances during 2022 is due to loan growth and a deployment of liquidity into the investment portfolio, coupled with a decline in total deposits. The increase in market interest rates in 2022 increased the competitive environment for deposits, as depositors have more alternatives to bank deposit accounts. This reverses the trend from 2020-2021, when the low interest rate environment, coupled with an uncertain outlook and government stimulus, increased liquidity within the banking industry. Investment securities are another important tool to the Company’s liquidity objectives. Securities totaled $2.2 billion at December 31, 2022, and included $734 million pledged as collateral for deposits of public institutions, treasury, loan notes, and other requirements. The remaining $1.4 billion could be pledged or sold to enhance liquidity, if necessary.
Liability liquidity funding sources are available to increase financial flexibility. In addition to amounts borrowed at December 31, 2022, the Company could borrow an additional $752 million from the FHLB of Des Moines under blanket loan pledges and has additional real estate loans that could be pledged. The Company also has $1.4 billion available from the Federal Reserve Bank under a pledged loan agreement. The Company also has unsecured federal funds lines with six correspondent banks totaling $90 million.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into certain forms of off-balance sheet transactions, including unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit. These transactions are managed through the Company’s various risk management processes. Management considers both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet transactions in its evaluation of the Company’s liquidity. The Company has $3.2 billion in unused commitments to extend credit as of December 31, 2022. While this commitment level would exhaust the majority the Company’s current liquidity resources, the nature of these commitments is such that the likelihood of funding them in the aggregate at any one time is low.
At the holding company level, our primary funding sources are dividends and payments from the Bank and proceeds from the issuance of equity (i.e. stock option exercises, stock offerings) and debt instruments. The main use of this liquidity is to provide the funds necessary to pay dividends to shareholders, service debt, invest in subsidiaries as necessary, and satisfy other operating requirements. In 2022, the holding company maintained a revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount up to $25 million, all of which was available at December 31, 2022. The line of credit has a one-year term that was renewed in February 2023. The proceeds can be used for general corporate purposes.
The Company has an effective automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 allowing for the issuance of various forms of equity and debt securities. The Company’s ability to offer securities pursuant to the registration statement depends on market conditions and the Company’s continuing eligibility to use the Form S-3 under rules of the SEC.
Strong capital ratios, credit quality and core earnings are essential to retaining cost-effective access to the wholesale funding markets. Deterioration in any of these factors could have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to access these funding sources and, as a result, these factors are monitored on an ongoing basis as part of the liquidity management process. The Bank is subject to regulations and, among other things, may be limited in its ability to pay dividends or transfer funds to the parent company. Accordingly, consolidated cash flows as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows may not represent cash immediately available for the payment of cash dividends to the Company’s shareholders or for other cash needs.
Through the normal course of operations, the Company has entered into certain contractual obligations and other commitments. Such obligations relate to funding of operations through deposits or debt issuances, as well as leases for premises and equipment. As a financial services provider, the Company routinely enters into commitments to extend credit. While contractual obligations represent future cash requirements of the Company, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process accorded to loans made by the Company. The Company also enters into derivative contracts under which the Company either receives cash from or pays cash to counterparties depending on changes in interest rates. Derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with the fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on
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market interest rates as of the balance sheet date. The fair value of these contracts changes daily as market interest rates change. For additional information on the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments see the following footnotes in Item 8: “Note 5 – Leases,” “Note 6 – Derivative Financial Instruments,” “Note 10 – Subordinated Debentures and Notes,” “Note 11 – Federal Home Loan Bank Advances,” “Note 12 – Other Borrowings,” and “Note 17 – Commitments.”
Capital Resources
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements and results of operations of the Company. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and its bank affiliate must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The banking affiliate’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of tier 1 capital to average assets. To be categorized as “well-capitalized”, banks must maintain minimum total risk-based (10%), tier 1 risk-based (8%), common equity tier 1 risk-based (6.5%), and tier 1 leverage ratios (5%). As of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
The Bank met the definition of “well-capitalized” at each of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Refer to “Item 8. Note 14 – Regulatory Capital” for a summary of our risk-based capital and leverage ratios.
The following table summarizes the Company’s capital ratios:
| December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | EFSC | Bank | EFSC | Bank | To Be Well-Capitalized | Minimum Ratio with CCB | ||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 11.1 | % | 12.1 | % | 11.3 | % | 12.5 | % | 6.5 | % | 7.0 | % | ||
| Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 12.6 | % | 12.1 | % | 13.0 | % | 12.5 | % | 8.0 | % | 8.5 | % | ||
| Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 14.2 | % | 13.1 | % | 14.7 | % | 13.5 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.5 | % | ||
| Leverage Ratio (Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets) | 10.9 | % | 10.5 | % | 9.7 | % | 9.3 | % | 5.0 | % | 4.0 | % | ||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 8.4 | % | 8.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Common equity tier 1 capital | $ | 1,228,786 | $ | 1,333,978 | $ | 1,091,823 | $ | 1,201,340 | ||||||
| Tier 1 capital | 1,394,426 | 1,334,030 | 1,257,462 | 1,201,391 | ||||||||||
| Total risk-based capital | 1,568,332 | 1,444,685 | 1,423,036 | 1,303,715 | ||||||||||
| 1 Not a required regulatory capital ratio |
The Company believes the tangible common equity and regulatory capital ratios are important measures of capital strength. The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio is considered a non-GAAP measure. The tables included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” reconcile these ratios to U.S. GAAP.
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Risk Management
Market risk arises from exposure to changes in interest rates and other relevant market rate or price risk. The Company faces market risk in the form of interest rate risk through transactions other than trading activities. Market risk from these activities, in the form of interest rate risk, is measured and managed through a number of methods. The Company uses financial modeling techniques to measure interest rate risk. These techniques measure the sensitivity of future earnings due to changing interest rate environments. Guidelines established by the Bank’s Asset/Liability Management Committee and approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors are used to monitor exposure of earnings at risk. General interest rate movements are used to develop sensitivity as management believes it has no primary exposure to a specific point on the yield curve. These limits are based on the Company’s exposure to immediate and sustained parallel rate movements, either upward or downward. The Company does not have any direct market risk from commodity exposures.
Interest Rate Risk
Our interest rate risk management practices are aimed at optimizing net interest income, while guarding against deterioration that could be caused by certain interest rate scenarios. Interest rate sensitivity varies with different types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We attempt to maintain interest-earning assets, comprised primarily of both loans and investments, and interest-bearing liabilities, comprised primarily of deposits, maturing or repricing in similar time horizons in order to manage any impact from market interest rate changes according to our risk tolerance. The Company uses an earnings simulation model to measure earnings sensitivity to changing rates.
The Company determines the sensitivity of its short-term future earnings to a hypothetical plus or minus 100 to 300 basis point parallel rate shock through the use of simulation modeling. The simulation of earnings includes the modeling of the balance sheet as an ongoing entity. Future business assumptions involving administered rate products, prepayments for future rate-sensitive balances, and the reinvestment of maturing assets and liabilities are included. These items are then modeled to project net interest income based on a hypothetical change in interest rates. The resulting net interest income for the next 12-month period is compared to the net interest income amount calculated using flat rates. This difference represents the Company’s earnings sensitivity to a positive or negative parallel rate shock.
The following table summarizes the projected impact of interest rate shocks on net interest income:
| Rate Shock1 | Annual % change in net interest income | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At December 31, | ||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| + 300 bp | 11.1% | 22.9% | ||
| + 200 bp | 7.5% | 14.1% | ||
| + 100 bp | 3.8% | 5.6% | ||
| - 100 bp | (4.1)% | NA | ||
| - 200 bp | (9.0)% | NA | ||
| - 300 bp | (15.1)% | NA | ||
| 1 Due to the levels of interest rates in 2021, the downward shock scenarios are not shown. |
In addition to the rate shocks shown in the table above, the Company models net interest income under various dynamic interest rate scenarios. In general, changes in interest rates are positively correlated with changes in net interest income.
The Company occasionally uses interest rate derivative instruments as an asset/liability management tool to hedge mismatches in interest rate exposure indicated by the net interest income simulation described above. They are used to modify the Company’s exposures to interest rate fluctuations and provide more stable spreads between loan yields and the rate on their funding sources. At December 31, 2022, the Company had derivative contracts to manage interest rate risk, including $200.0 million in notional value on derivatives to hedge the cash flows on
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floating rate loans and $62.0 million in notional value on derivatives on floating rate debt. Derivative financial instruments are discussed in “Item 8. Note 6 – Derivative Financial Instruments.”
The FCA has announced that the most common USD LIBOR settings (overnight, 1-month. 3-month, 6-month and 12-month) will cease publication after September 30, 2024. LIBOR was the most liquid and common interest rate index in the world and was commonly referenced in financial instruments. With the cessation of LIBOR, the Company has selected term SOFR as the replacement index for the majority of its variable rate loans and has begun providing customer notifications in early 2023. The Company ceased using LIBOR and ICE swap rates in new contracts and began issuing SOFR based loans in December 2021.
We have exposure to LIBOR in various financial contracts. Instruments that may be impacted include loans, debt instruments and derivatives, among other financial contracts indexed to LIBOR and that mature after December 31, 2022. We also have loans that are indirectly linked to LIBOR through reference to the ICE swap rate. We have an internal working group composed of members from legal, credit, finance, operations, risk and audit to monitor developments, develop policies and procedures, assess the impact to the Company from the replacement index for affected contracts that expire after the expected discontinuation of representative LIBOR on June 30, 2023. Amending certain contracts indexed to LIBOR may require consent from the counterparties which could be difficult and costly to obtain in certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s financial contracts indexed to LIBOR included $1.4 billion in loans (including $497.5 million indirectly linked to LIBOR through reference to an ICE swap rate), $74.8 million in borrowings, and $466.9 million (notional) in derivatives.
The Company had $6.1 billion in variable rate loans as of December 31, 2022. Of these loans, $3.7 billion have an interest rate floor and nearly all of those loans were at or above the floor. $1.4 billion in variable rate loans are indexed to LIBOR, $2.9 billion are indexed to the prime rate, $1.4 billion are indexed to SOFR, and $413.4 million are indexed to other rates.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The following accounting policies are considered most critical to the understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These critical accounting policies require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Because these estimates and judgments are based on current circumstances, they may change over time or prove to be inaccurate based on experience. In the event different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending upon the severity of such changes, the possibility of a materially different financial condition and/or results of operations could reasonably be expected. The impact and any associated risks related to our critical accounting policies on our business operations are described throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
The Company has prepared all of the consolidated financial information in this report in accordance with GAAP. The Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using loss experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. There can be no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company maintains separate allowances for funded loans, unfunded loans, and held-to-maturity securities, collectively referred to the ACL. The ACL is a valuation account to adjust the cost basis to the amount expected to
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be collected, based on management’s experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For purposes of determining the allowance for funded and unfunded loans, the portfolios are segregated into pools that share similar risk characteristics that are then further segregated by credit grades. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are not included in the collective evaluation. The Company estimates the amount of the allowance based on loan loss experience, adjusted for current and forecasted economic conditions, including unemployment, changes in GDP, and commercial and residential real estate prices. The Company’s forecast of economic conditions uses internal and external information and considers a weighted average of a baseline, upside, and downside scenarios. Because economic conditions can change and are difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated loan defaults and losses, and therefore the adequacy of the allowance, could change significantly and have a direct impact on the Company’s credit costs. The Company’s allowance for credit losses on loans was $136.9 million at December 31, 2022 based on the weighting of the different economic scenarios. As a hypothetical example, if the Company had only used the upside scenario, the allowance would have decreased $24.1 million. Conversely, the allowance would have increased $40.5 million using only the downside scenario.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions and Business Combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities of the acquired entities have been recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets.
The purchase price allocation process requires an estimation of the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. When a business combination agreement provides for an adjustment to the cost of the combination contingent on future events, the Company includes an estimate of the acquisition-date fair value as part of the cost of the combination. To determine the fair values, the Company relies on third party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques. The results of operations of the acquired business are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the respective date of acquisition. Merger-related costs are costs the Company incurs to effect a business combination. Merger-related expenses include costs directly related to merger or acquisition activity and include legal and professional fees, system consolidation and conversion costs, and compensation costs such as severance and retention incentives for employees impacted by acquisition activity. The Company accounts for merger-related costs as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received.
Income Taxes
Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, deferred income tax assets and liabilities and income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance may be established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required in the future if the amounts of taxes recoverable through loss carry backs decline, if we project lower levels of future taxable income, or we project lower levels of tax planning strategies. Such valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense that would adversely affect our operating results.
Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for information on recent accounting pronouncements and their impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
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Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. GAAP and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, the Company provides other financial measures, such as core efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible book value per common share, in this report that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
The Company considers its core efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible book value per common share, collectively “core performance measures,” presented in this report, as relevant measures of financial performance, even though they are non-GAAP measures, as they provide supplemental information by which to evaluate the impact of certain non-comparable items, and the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. Core performance measures exclude certain other income and expense items such as merger-related expenses, facilities charges, and the gain or loss on sale of investment securities, which the Company believes to be not indicative of or useful to measure the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. The attached tables contain a reconciliation of these core performance measures to the GAAP measures. The Company believes the tangible common equity ratio provides useful information to investors about the Company’s capital strength even though it is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure and is not part of the regulatory capital requirements to which the Company is subject.
The Company believes these non-GAAP measures and ratios, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and ratios, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance and capital strength. The Company’s management uses, and believes investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP measures and ratios in assessing the Company’s operating results and related trends and when forecasting future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures and ratios should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or preferable to, ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company has provided a reconciliation of, where applicable, the most comparable GAAP financial measures and ratios to the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, or a reconciliation of the non-GAAP calculation of the financial measure for the periods indicated.
Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Core Efficiency Ratio
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| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Net interest income (GAAP) | $ | 473,903 | $ | 360,194 | $ | 270,001 | ||||
| Tax-equivalent adjustment | 7,042 | 5,151 | 3,190 | |||||||
| Less incremental accretion income | — | — | 4,083 | |||||||
| Noninterest income (GAAP) | 59,162 | 67,743 | 54,503 | |||||||
| Less gain (loss) on sale of other real estate | (93) | 884 | — | |||||||
| Less gain on sale of investment securities | — | — | 421 | |||||||
| Less other non-core income | — | — | 265 | |||||||
| Core revenue (non-GAAP) | $ | 540,200 | $ | 432,204 | $ | 322,925 | ||||
| Noninterest expense (GAAP) | $ | 274,216 | $ | 245,919 | $ | 167,159 | ||||
| Less amortization on intangibles | 5,367 | 5,691 | 5,673 | |||||||
| Less merger-related expenses | — | 22,082 | 4,174 | |||||||
| Less branch-closure expenses | — | 3,441 | — | |||||||
| Less other non-core expenses | — | — | 57 | |||||||
| Core noninterest expense (non-GAAP) | $ | 268,849 | $ | 214,705 | $ | 157,255 | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio (non-GAAP) | 49.77 | % | 49.68 | % | 48.70 | % |
Tangible Common Equity, Tangible Book Value per Share, and Tangible Common Equity Ratio
| Period ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | $ | 1,522,263 | $ | 1,529,116 | $ | 1,078,975 | ||||
| Less preferred stock | 71,988 | 71,988 | — | |||||||
| Less goodwill | 365,164 | 365,164 | 260,567 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 16,919 | 22,286 | 23,084 | |||||||
| Tangible common equity | $ | 1,068,192 | $ | 1,069,678 | $ | 795,324 | ||||
| Common shares outstanding | 37,253 | 37,820 | 31,210 | |||||||
| Tangible book value per share | $ | 28.67 | $ | 28.28 | $ | 25.48 | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 13,054,172 | $ | 13,537,358 | $ | 9,751,571 | ||||
| Less goodwill | 365,164 | 365,164 | 260,567 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 16,919 | 22,286 | 23,084 | |||||||
| Tangible assets | $ | 12,672,089 | $ | 13,149,908 | $ | 9,467,920 | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets | 8.43 | % | 8.13 | % | 8.40 | % |
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Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROATCE)
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Average shareholder’s equity | $ | 1,498,759 | $ | 1,277,153 | $ | 902,875 | ||||
| Less average preferred stock | 71,988 | 8,903 | — | |||||||
| Less average goodwill | 365,164 | 307,614 | 217,205 | |||||||
| Less average intangible assets | 19,516 | 22,460 | 23,551 | |||||||
| Average tangible common equity | $ | 1,042,091 | $ | 938,176 | $ | 662,119 | ||||
| Net income available to common shareholders (GAAP) | $ | 199,002 | $ | 133,055 | $ | 74,384 | ||||
| Return on average tangible common equity | 19.10 | % | 14.18 | % | 11.23 | % |
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001025835-22-000011.
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
The objective of this section is to provide an overview of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. It should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and other financial data presented elsewhere in this report, particularly the information regarding the Company’s business operations described in Item 1. A detailed discussion comparing 2020 and 2019 results is incorporated herein by reference to Item 7 of the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 19, 2021.
Executive Summary
Our Company offers a broad range of business and personal banking services including wealth management services. Lending services include commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, real estate construction and development, residential real estate, specialty, and other loans. A wide variety of deposit products and a complete suite of treasury management and international trade services complement our lending capabilities. Tax-credit brokerage activities consist of the acquisition of Federal and State tax credits and the sale of these tax credits. The Company’s results of operations are also affected by prevailing economic conditions, competition, government policies and other actions of regulatory agencies.
The Company’s financial condition, operating results and liquidity in 2020 and 2021 were impacted by COVID-19 and the monetary and fiscal policy changes enacted to address the pandemic. Starting in 2020, the Federal Reserve reduced interest rates and reserve requirements, while also increasing quantitative easing through purchases of Treasuries and agency mortgage-backed securities. The federal government’s fiscal support of the economy through the Cares Act, the ARA and other acts have been highly expansionary. Low interest rates, supply chain disruptions and monetary and fiscal policies contributed to higher inflation in 2021, leading the Federal Reserve to begin tapering its quantitative easing in November 2021.
The following table summarizes the significant components of the First Choice and Seacoast transactions at the date of acquisition. See “Item 8. Note 2 – Acquisitions” for more information.
| First Choice | Seacoast | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | July 21, 2021 | November 12, 2020 | ||||
| Loans, net | $ | 1,936,137 | $ | 1,190,441 | ||
| Securities | 34,489 | — | ||||
| Total assets acquired | 2,248,062 | 1,312,037 | ||||
| Deposits | 1,840,429 | 1,081,006 | ||||
| Total liabilities assumed | 2,006,857 | 1,193,595 | ||||
| Consideration paid: | ||||||
| Cash | $ | 2,152 | $ | 1,630 | ||
| Common stock1 | 343,650 | 167,035 | ||||
| Total consideration paid | $ | 345,802 | $ | 168,665 |
1Common stock consideration for First Choice was $342,280, net of $1,370 for shares withheld on the settlement of share-based awards of First Choice employees.
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Financial Performance Highlights
Below are highlights of our financial performance for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| EARNINGS | ||||||||||
| Total interest income | $ | 383,230 | $ | 304,779 | $ | 305,134 | ||||
| Total interest expense | 23,036 | 34,778 | 66,417 | |||||||
| Net interest income | 360,194 | 270,001 | 238,717 | |||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 13,385 | 65,398 | 6,372 | |||||||
| Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 346,809 | 204,603 | 232,345 | |||||||
| Total noninterest income | 67,743 | 54,503 | 49,176 | |||||||
| Total noninterest expense | 245,919 | 167,159 | 165,485 | |||||||
| Income before income tax expense | 168,633 | 91,947 | 116,036 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 35,578 | 17,563 | 23,297 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 133,055 | $ | 74,384 | $ | 92,739 | ||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 3.86 | $ | 2.76 | $ | 3.56 | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.86 | $ | 2.76 | $ | 3.55 | ||||
| Return on average assets | 1.16 | % | 0.90 | % | 1.35 | % | ||||
| Return on average common equity | 10.49 | % | 8.24 | % | 11.66 | % | ||||
| Return on average tangible common equity1 | 14.18 | % | 11.23 | % | 16.08 | % | ||||
| Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) | 3.41 | % | 3.56 | % | 3.80 | % | ||||
| Efficiency ratio | 57.47 | % | 51.51 | % | 57.48 | % | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 51.61 | % | 50.96 | % | 52.36 | % | ||||
| Dividend payout ratio | 19.66 | % | 26.61 | % | 17.87 | % | ||||
| Book value per common share | $ | 38.53 | $ | 34.57 | $ | 32.67 | ||||
| Tangible book value per common share1 | $ | 28.28 | $ | 25.48 | $ | 23.76 | ||||
| Average common equity to average assets | 11.14 | % | 10.94 | % | 11.54 | % | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 8.13 | % | 8.40 | % | 8.89 | % | ||||
| At or for the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||
| ASSET QUALITY | ||||||||||
| Net charge-offs | $ | 11,629 | $ | 1,907 | $ | 6,410 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans | 28,024 | 38,507 | 26,425 | |||||||
| Classified assets | 100,797 | 123,808 | 85,897 | |||||||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.31 | % | 0.53 | % | 0.50 | % | ||||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.23 | % | 0.45 | % | 0.45 | % | ||||
| Allowance for loan losses to total loans | 1.61 | % | 1.89 | % | 0.81 | % | ||||
| Net charge-offs to average loans | 0.14 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.13 | % |
1Non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
The Company noted the following trends during 2021:
•The Company reported net income of $133.1 million, or $3.86 per diluted share for 2021, compared to $74.4 million, or $2.76 per diluted share for 2020. In addition to organic growth, contributing to the
31
increase in net income was a full year of Seacoast operations and a partial year of First Choice operations. Net income also benefited from a reduction in the provision for credit losses of $52.0 million in 2021 compared to 2020, which was partially offset by a $17.9 million increase in merger-related expenses. Acquisition related provision for credit losses of $25.4 million and $8.6 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, were included in the provision for credit losses. This expense, commonly referred to as the “CECL double-count”, is recognized when a loan portfolio is acquired. Excluding the CECL double-count, the provision for credit losses decreased in 2021 primarily due to strong credit quality, the forward-looking CECL methodology and the improved outlook for forecasted economic factors compared to 2020.
•Net interest income for 2021 totaled $360.2 million, an increase of $90.2 million, or 33%, compared to $270.0 million for 2020. PPP interest and fee income totaled $27.3 million and $19.6 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The First Choice acquisition added $37.9 million and the Company benefited from a full year of Seacoast operations in 2021 compared to a partial year in 2020. Organic growth in the loan portfolio also contributed to the current year increase in net interest income.
•Net interest margin decreased 15 basis points to 3.41% during 2021, compared to 3.56% in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in liquidity from deposit growth. Average interest-bearing cash accounts of $1.1 billion had a yield of 0.14% in 2021, compared to $228.8 million at a yield of 0.27% in 2020.
•Noninterest income increased $13.2 million, or 24%, to $67.7 million in 2021 compared to $54.5 million in 2020. This improvement was primarily due to organic growth and the acquisitions of Seacoast and First Choice.
•Noninterest expenses totaled $245.9 million for 2021, an increase of $78.8 million , or 47%, compared to 2020. Seacoast and First Choice increased noninterest expense $51.2 million in 2021 compared to 2020, in addition to a $17.9 million increase in merger-related expenses year-over-year. The Company’s efficiency ratio was 57.5% in 2021, compared to 51.5% for the prior year. The increase in 2021 was primarily due to merger-related expenses. The Company’s core efficiency ratio1 was relatively stable at 51.6% in 2021, compared to 51.0% for the prior year.
•The Company’s effective tax rate was 21.1% in 2021 compared to 19.1% in 2020. The higher rate in 2021 primarily resulted from higher pre-tax income and the Company’s expanded geographic footprint and the related state apportionment.
1Non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2021 Significant Transactions
During 2021, we announced the following significant transactions:
•On July 21, 2021, the Company announced the completion of its acquisition of First Choice, a commercial bank based in Los Angeles, CA, with $2.3 billion in assets. The overall transaction had a value of $346 million.
•Continued supporting customers through PPP, lending an additional $341 million of PPP loans.
•The Company announced the closing of five branch locations in California and St. Louis. A lease and fixed asset impairment charge of $3.8 million was recognized, including $0.4 million reported in merger-related expenses. The Company expects to realize annual cost savings of approximately $2.3 million related to these closures.
•The Company redeemed $50.0 million of 4.75% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes.
32
•The Company issued and sold 3,000,000 depositary shares, each representing 1/40th interest in a share of 5% noncumulative, perpetual preferred stock totaling $72.0 million, net of issuance costs.
•The Company repurchased 1,299,527 of its common shares at a weighted-average share price of $46.62. At December 31, 2021, there were 700,473 shares remaining to be purchased under the existing share repurchase plan.
•Dividends paid in 2021 of $0.75 per share increased $0.03 per share, or 4%, compared to $0.72 per share in 2020.
2020 Significant Transactions
During 2020, we announced the following significant transactions:
•On November 12, 2020, the Company announced the completion of its acquisition of Seacoast which operated five full-service retail and commercial banking offices in California and Nevada as well as SBA loan production offices and deposit production offices in various states. Aggregate consideration at closing was 5.0 million shares of Company common stock to Seacoast shareholders. The overall transaction had a value of $169 million.
•Assisted new and existing customers with navigating and accessing PPP loans through the approval of approximately 3,900 loans totaling $859 million.
•In May 2020, the Company issued $63.3 million of 5.75% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due in 2030. The notes are callable beginning in 2025 and are included in tier 2 capital.
•The Company repurchased 456,251 of its common shares at a weighted-average share price of $33.64.
•Dividends paid in 2020 of $0.72 per share increased $0.10 per share, or 16%, compared to $0.62 per share in 2019.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Average Balance Sheet
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, certain information related to our average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as, the corresponding interest rates earned and paid, all on a tax equivalent basis. Average balances are presented on a daily average basis.
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | Average Balance | Interest Income/Expense | Average Yield/ Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans1, 2 | $ | 8,055,873 | $ | 349,112 | 4.33 | % | $ | 6,071,496 | $ | 270,673 | 4.46 | % | $ | 5,018,568 | $ | 269,864 | 5.38 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Taxable securities | 908,189 | 19,305 | 2.13 | 1,016,100 | 25,524 | 2.51 | 1,064,913 | 30,085 | 2.83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities2 | 659,804 | 18,468 | 2.80 | 350,501 | 11,151 | 3.18 | 131,161 | 4,668 | 3.56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total securities | 1,567,993 | 37,773 | 2.41 | 1,366,601 | 36,675 | 2.68 | 1,196,074 | 34,753 | 2.91 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 1,084,853 | 1,496 | 0.14 | 228,760 | 620 | 0.27 | 107,433 | 2,128 | 1.98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 10,708,719 | 388,381 | 3.63 | 7,666,857 | 307,968 | 4.02 | 6,322,075 | 306,745 | 4.85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-earning assets | 758,591 | 587,057 | 572,216 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 11,467,310 | $ | 8,253,914 | $ | 6,894,291 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 2,122,752 | $ | 1,614 | 0.08 | % | $ | 1,494,364 | $ | 2,101 | 0.14 | % | $ | 1,286,641 | $ | 7,592 | 0.59 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 2,557,836 | 4,669 | 0.18 | 1,977,826 | 7,754 | 0.39 | 1,608,349 | 26,267 | 1.63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 724,768 | 225 | 0.03 | 589,832 | 279 | 0.05 | 489,310 | 841 | 0.17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 570,496 | 4,160 | 0.73 | 676,889 | 10,915 | 1.61 | 799,079 | 15,156 | 1.90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 5,975,852 | 10,668 | 0.18 | 4,738,911 | 21,049 | 0.44 | 4,183,379 | 49,856 | 1.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | 195,686 | 10,960 | 5.60 | 179,534 | 9,885 | 5.51 | 136,950 | 7,507 | 5.48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 59,945 | 803 | 1.34 | 241,635 | 2,673 | 1.11 | 287,474 | 6,668 | 2.32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 225,894 | 235 | 0.10 | 206,338 | 542 | 0.26 | 169,179 | 1,246 | 0.74 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 26,428 | 370 | 1.40 | 32,147 | 629 | 1.96 | 32,392 | 1,140 | 3.52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | 6,483,805 | 23,036 | 0.36 | 5,398,565 | 34,778 | 0.64 | 4,809,374 | 66,417 | 1.38 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest bearing liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Demand deposits | 3,597,204 | 1,854,982 | 1,228,832 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 109,148 | 97,492 | 60,608 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 10,190,157 | 7,351,039 | 6,098,814 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 1,277,153 | 902,875 | 795,477 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities & shareholders' equity | $ | 11,467,310 | $ | 8,253,914 | $ | 6,894,291 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 365,345 | $ | 273,190 | $ | 240,328 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest spread | 3.27 | % | 3.38 | % | 3.47 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin (tax equivalent) | 3.41 | 3.56 | 3.80 |
1Average balances include non-accrual loans. Interest income includes net loan fees of $28.4 million, $18.4 million, and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 respectively. Loan fees in 2021 and 2020 included PPP fees of $21.7 million and $13.8 million, respectively.
2Non-taxable income is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a 25.2% tax rate in 2021 and a 24.7% tax rate in each of 2020 and 2019. The tax-equivalent adjustments were $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, and $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
34
Rate/Volume
The following table sets forth, on a tax-equivalent basis for the periods indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in yield/rates and volume.
| 2021 compared to 2020 | 2020 compared to 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increase (decrease) due to | Increase (decrease) due to | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | Volume1 | Rate2 | Net | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest earned on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | $ | 86,183 | $ | (7,744) | $ | 78,439 | $ | 51,290 | $ | (50,481) | $ | 809 | ||||||||||
| Taxable securities | (2,541) | (3,678) | (6,219) | (1,334) | (3,227) | (4,561) | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-taxable securities3 | 8,799 | (1,482) | 7,317 | 7,027 | (544) | 6,483 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest-earning deposits | 1,313 | (437) | 876 | 1,228 | (2,736) | (1,508) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-earning assets | 93,754 | (13,341) | 80,413 | 58,211 | (56,988) | 1,223 | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 689 | $ | (1,176) | $ | (487) | $ | 1,063 | $ | (6,554) | $ | (5,491) | ||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 1,844 | (4,929) | (3,085) | 4,970 | (23,483) | (18,513) | ||||||||||||||||
| Savings | 55 | (109) | (54) | 145 | (707) | (562) | ||||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | (1,506) | (5,249) | (6,755) | (2,142) | (2,099) | (4,241) | ||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debentures and notes | 902 | 173 | 1,075 | 2,345 | 33 | 2,378 | ||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | (2,341) | 471 | (1,870) | (933) | (3,062) | (3,995) | ||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 47 | (354) | (307) | 229 | (933) | (704) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowed funds | (100) | (159) | (259) | (9) | (502) | (511) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | (410) | (11,332) | (11,742) | 5,668 | (37,307) | (31,639) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 94,164 | $ | (2,009) | $ | 92,155 | $ | 52,543 | $ | (19,681) | $ | 32,862 | ||||||||||
| 1Change in volume multiplied by yield/rate of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2Change in yield/rate multiplied by volume of prior period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3Nontaxable income is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 25.2% and 24.7% for 2021 and 2020, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE: The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated to rate and volume changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each. |
Net interest income (on a tax equivalent basis) was $365.3 million for 2021, compared to $273.2 million for 2020, an increase of $92.2 million, or 34%. Total interest income increased $80.4 million and total interest expense decreased $11.7 million. The increase in net interest income in 2021 was primarily due to higher loan volumes, which benefited from the Seacoast and First Choice acquisitions, PPP loans, and a decline in the interest rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
Loans issued through the PPP bear interest at 1% and have either a two or five year maturity. As a PPP lender, the Company also receives fees for the issuance of PPP loans that vary based on the size of the loan. Interest income and loan fees included in net interest income from the PPP program totaled $27.3 million and $19.6 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. During 2021, the Company received $14.6 million in PPP loan fees for loans originated in the year. These fees are recognized over the life of the loan, or when the loan is repaid or forgiven. At December 31, 2021, the Company has $272.0 million in PPP loans and $4.2 million in deferred fees, compared to $698.6 million in loans and $11.3 million in fees at the end of 2020.
The tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.41% for 2021, compared to 3.56% for 2020. The primary driver of the decline in net interest margin from 2020 to 2021 was an increase in liquidity from deposit growth. Average interest-bearing cash balances grew to $1.1 billion, an increase of $856.1 million from 2020. In addition, 2021 was impacted by a full year of low interest rates following the Federal Reserve’s reduction of interest rates in 2020. The federal funds target rate declined 150 basis points in 2020 and one-month LIBOR declined over 160 basis points. The
35
decline in short-term rates reduced the yield on the Company’s variable-rate loan portfolio, as well as the yield earned on new loan production. As of December 31, 2021, variable-rate loans comprised approximately 63% of total loans. In response to the decline in interest rates, the Company proactively reduced the cost of certain managed money market and interest-bearing accounts, while also reducing certificates of deposit balances and wholesale borrowings.
Average interest-earning assets increased $3.0 billion, or 40%, to $10.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase was due to growth in average earning assets due to the inclusion of a full year of Seacoast operations, a partial year of First Choice operations and the previously mentioned increase in liquidity from deposit generation. Average securities represented 15% of earnings assets in 2021 and 18% in 2020. The acquisitions of Seacoast and First Choice did not include any significant investment security balances. The Company has taken a measured approach to investing excess liquidity into the investment portfolio, increasing the average balance from $1.4 billion in 2020 to $1.6 billion in 2021. Average interest-earning deposits increased from 3% to 10% of earning assets, primarily due to higher liquidity from deposit growth. Volume growth of the balance sheet drove an increase in interest income on earning assets of $93.8 million. Interest income on interest-earnings assets decreased $13.3 million primarily due the decline in interest rates in 2021 compared to 2020.
Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $1.1 billion, or 20% for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase resulted from $1.2 billion of growth in interest-bearing deposits. While average interest-bearing liabilities increased, interest expense declined $11.7 million due to a 26 basis point decline in the cost of deposits, primarily due to the run-off of higher yielding certificates of deposit. The Company issued $63.3 million of subordinated debentures in May 2020 with an interest rate of 5.75% that was included for a full year in 2021. Partially offsetting this additional expense was the redemption of the $50.0 million subordinated debentures at 4.75% in the fourth quarter 2021. The total cost of interest-bearing liabilities declined 28 basis points, from 0.64% in 2021 to 0.36% in 2021. The shift in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities from certificates of deposit and wholesale borrowings to interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing deposits reduced interest expense in 2021 by $0.4 million. Interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities decreased $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 due to lower rates.
Noninterest Income
The following table presents a comparative summary of the major components of noninterest income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | $ | 15,428 | $ | 11,717 | $ | 12,801 | $ | 3,711 | $ | (1,084) | ||||||||
| Wealth management revenue | 10,259 | 9,732 | 9,932 | 527 | (200) | |||||||||||||
| Card services revenue | 11,880 | 9,481 | 9,154 | 2,399 | 327 | |||||||||||||
| Tax credit income | 8,028 | 6,611 | 5,393 | 1,417 | 1,218 | |||||||||||||
| Miscellaneous income | 22,148 | 16,962 | 11,896 | 5,186 | 5,066 | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | $ | 67,743 | $ | 54,503 | $ | 49,176 | $ | 13,240 | $ | 5,327 |
Noninterest income increased $13.2 million, or 24%, in 2021 compared to 2020. This improvement was primarily due to a $5.4 million increase from Seacoast and First Choice, a $3.6 million increase in other income, primarily private equity and community development investments, a $2.4 million increase in card services income, and a $1.4 million increase in tax credit activity.
36
Noninterest Expense
The following table presents a comparative summary of the components of noninterest expense:
| Year ended December 31, | Change from | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Employee compensation and benefits | $ | 124,904 | $ | 92,288 | $ | 81,295 | $ | 32,616 | $ | 10,993 | ||||||||
| Occupancy | 16,286 | 13,457 | 12,465 | 2,829 | 992 | |||||||||||||
| Data processing | 12,242 | 9,050 | 8,242 | 3,192 | 808 | |||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 4,289 | 3,940 | 3,683 | 349 | 257 | |||||||||||||
| Branch-closure expenses | 3,441 | — | — | 3,441 | — | |||||||||||||
| Merger-related expenses | 22,082 | 4,174 | 17,969 | 17,908 | (13,795) | |||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 62,675 | 44,250 | 41,831 | 18,425 | 2,419 | |||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 245,919 | $ | 167,159 | $ | 165,485 | $ | 78,760 | $ | 1,674 | ||||||||
| Efficiency ratio | 57.47 | % | 51.51 | % | 57.48 | % | 5.96 | % | (5.97) | % | ||||||||
| Core efficiency ratio1 | 51.61 | % | 50.96 | % | 52.36 | % | 0.65 | % | (1.40) | % | ||||||||
| 1 A non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation has been included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Noninterest expense increased $78.8 million, or 47%, in 2021 compared to 2020. The acquisitions of Seacoast and First Choice added $57.2 million of operating expenses in 2021, compared to $6.0 million from Seacoast in 2020. Excluding First Choice and Seacoast, employee compensation and benefits increased $7.0 million in 2021 compared to 2020, or 8%. The primary components of the increase in compensation and benefits were $2.7 million in salaries from merit increases and net new positions, $1.3 million in employee benefits, and $1.2 million in equity-based compensation.
The Company announced in the third quarter of 2021 the closure of two branch locations in St. Louis and recognized a lease and fixed asset impairment charge of $3.4 million. The branch closures became effective in January 2022. Merger related expenses of $22.1 million on the First Choice and Seacoast acquisitions, including the cost of closing three California locations, were $17.9 million higher than the $4.2 million recorded in 2020 on the Seacoast acquisition. The Company expects to realize annual cost savings of approximately $2.3 million related to these closures.
The Company did not earn a full year of operating income, or incur a full year of expense, from First Choice in 2021, but will do so in 2022. The Company does not expect to incur any additional merger expenses on First Choice or Seacoast.
The Company expects to continue to invest in its associates and other infrastructure that supports growth. In addition, low unemployment, inflationary pressures and a shift in employee work arrangements to a virtual/hybrid model are expected to impact future operating expenses.
Income Taxes
The Company’s blended federal and state tax rate is approximately 25.2% at the end of 2021, compared to 24.9% at the end of 2020. Permanent differences between pre-tax income and taxable income along with tax planning initiatives reduced the effective income tax rate in 2021 to 21.1% compared to 19.1% in 2020. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2021 was primarily due to higher pretax income in 2021 and an increase in state taxable income due to the Company’s expanded geographic footprint. Additionally, in 2020, the Company was able to carryback a net operating loss to a prior period with a higher tax rate, reducing the effective tax for that year.
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FINANCIAL CONDITION
Summary Balance Sheet
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, | % Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,021,689 | $ | 537,703 | $ | 167,256 | 275.99 | % | 221.49 | % | |||||||
| Securities | 1,795,687 | 1,400,039 | 1,316,483 | 28.26 | % | 6.35 | % | ||||||||||
| Total loans | 9,017,642 | 7,224,935 | 5,314,337 | 24.81 | % | 35.95 | % | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 13,537,358 | 9,751,571 | 7,333,791 | 38.82 | % | 32.97 | % | ||||||||||
| Deposits | 11,343,799 | 7,985,389 | 5,771,023 | 42.06 | % | 38.37 | % | ||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 12,008,242 | 8,672,596 | 6,466,606 | 38.46 | % | 34.11 | % | ||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 1,529,116 | 1,078,975 | 867,185 | 41.72 | % | 24.42 | % |
Assets
Loans by Type
The Company has a diversified loan portfolio, with no particular concentration of credit in any one economic sector; however, a substantial portion of the portfolio, including the C&I category, is secured by real estate. The ability of the Company’s borrowers to honor their contractual obligations is partially dependent upon the local economy and its effect on the real estate market.
The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio by type of loans:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 3,392,375 | $ | 3,088,995 | ||
| Commercial real estate - investor owned | 2,141,143 | 1,589,419 | ||||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 2,035,785 | 1,498,408 | ||||
| Construction and land development | 734,073 | 546,686 | ||||
| Residential real estate | 454,052 | 319,179 | ||||
| Other | 260,214 | 182,248 | ||||
| Total loans | $ | 9,017,642 | $ | 7,224,935 | ||
| December 31, | ||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Commercial and industrial | 37.6 | % | 42.8 | % | ||
| Commercial real estate - investor owned | 23.8 | % | 22.0 | % | ||
| Commercial real estate - owner occupied | 22.6 | % | 20.7 | % | ||
| Construction and land development | 8.1 | % | 7.6 | % | ||
| Residential real estate | 5.0 | % | 4.4 | % | ||
| Other | 2.9 | % | 2.5 | % | ||
| Total loans | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
C&I loans are made based on the borrower’s ability to generate cash flows for repayment from income sources, general credit strength, experience, and character, even though such loans may also be secured by real estate or other assets. The credit risk related to commercial loans is largely influenced by general economic conditions and the resulting impact on a borrower’s operations. PPP loans of $272.0 million and $698.6 million were included in C&I loans in the tables above at the end of 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The Company continues to focus on originating high-quality C&I relationships as they typically have variable interest rates and allow for cross selling opportunities involving other banking products. C&I loan growth also
38
supports our efforts to maintain the Company’s asset-sensitive interest rate risk position. Additionally, our specialized products, especially sponsor finance, life insurance premium financing, and tax credit financing/lending, consist of primarily C&I loans, and have contributed significantly to the Company’s C&I loan growth. These loans are sourced through relationships developed with wealth and estate planning firms and private equity funds and are not bound geographically by our markets. As a result, these specialized loan products offer opportunities to expand and diversify our overall geographic concentration by entering into new markets.
Real estate loans place an emphasis on the estimated cash flows from the operation of the property and/or the underlying collateral value.
•Our commercial real estate loans, including investor-owned and owner-occupied categories, primarily represent multifamily and other commercial property loans on which the primary source of repayment is income from the property. These loans are principally underwritten based on the cash flow coverage of the property, the Company’s loan to value guidelines, and generally require either the limited or full guaranty of principal sponsors of the credit. Commercial real estate loans also represent owner-occupied C&I loans for which the primary source of repayment is dependent on sources other than the underlying collateral.
•Construction and land development loans relating primarily to residential and commercial properties, represent financing secured by real estate under development for eventual sale or undeveloped ground. At December 31, 2021, $289.8 million of these loans include the use of interest reserves and follow standard underwriting guidelines. Construction projects are monitored by the loan officer and a centralized independent loan disbursement function is employed.
•Residential real estate loans include residential mortgages, which are loans that, due to size or other attributes, do not qualify for conventional home mortgages available-for-sale in the secondary market, second mortgages and home equity lines. Residential mortgage loans are usually limited to a maximum of 80% of collateral value at origination.
Other loans represent loans to individuals, loans to state and political subdivisions, loans to nondepository financial institutions, and loans to purchase or are fully secured by investment securities. Credit risk is managed by thoroughly reviewing the creditworthiness of the borrowers prior to origination and thereafter.
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The following table presents a breakdown of loans by NAICS code at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Outstanding Balance | % | Outstanding Balance | % | |||||||||
| Accomodation and Food Services | $ | 785,485 | 9 | % | $ | 577,026 | 8 | % | |||||
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 176,601 | 2 | % | 167,023 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1 | 195,342 | 2 | % | 207,335 | 3 | % | |||||||
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 120,805 | 1 | % | 110,422 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Construction | 580,731 | 6 | % | 451,050 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Educational Services | 52,034 | 1 | % | 53,708 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Finance and Insurance | 1,344,389 | 15 | % | 1,057,888 | 15 | % | |||||||
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 372,109 | 4 | % | 320,556 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Information | 64,686 | 1 | % | 53,696 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 84,110 | 1 | % | 54,563 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Manufacturing | 613,725 | 7 | % | 590,652 | 8 | % | |||||||
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 9,771 | — | % | 3,375 | — | % | |||||||
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 593,149 | 7 | % | 509,006 | 7 | % | |||||||
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 329,009 | 4 | % | 304,701 | 4 | % | |||||||
| Public Administration | 11,358 | — | % | 13,811 | — | % | |||||||
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 2,462,088 | 27 | % | 1,722,630 | 24 | % | |||||||
| Retail Trade | 460,763 | 5 | % | 398,251 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Transportation and Warehousing | 214,132 | 2 | % | 151,273 | 2 | % | |||||||
| Utilities | 25,393 | — | % | 19,321 | — | % | |||||||
| Wholesale Trade | 445,771 | 5 | % | 360,630 | 5 | % | |||||||
| Other | 76,191 | 1 | % | 98,018 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 9,017,642 | 100 | % | $ | 7,224,935 | 100 | % | |||||
| 1Includes $95.5 million in animal production and $92.1 million in crop production at December 31, 2021. |
The following table presents a breakdown of commercial & industrial loans by size at December 31, 2021.
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2 million | 3,326 | $ | 921,537 | $ | 277 | ||||
| $2-5 million | 289 | 915,656 | 3,168 | ||||||
| $5-10 million | 92 | 627,728 | 6,823 | ||||||
| $10 million | 60 | 927,454 | 15,458 | ||||||
| Total | 3,767 | $ | 3,392,375 | $ | 901 |
The following table presents a breakdown of commercial real estate loans by size at December 31, 2021.
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2 million | 3,300 | $ | 1,840,760 | $ | 558 | ||||
| $2-5 million | 383 | 1,184,292 | 3,092 | ||||||
| $5-10 million | 90 | 626,733 | 6,964 | ||||||
| $10 million | 34 | 525,143 | 15,445 | ||||||
| Total | 3,807 | $ | 4,176,928 | $ | 1,097 |
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The following table presents a breakdown of construction loans by size at December 31, 2021.
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2 million | 539 | $ | 212,129 | $ | 394 | ||||
| $2-5 million | 63 | 200,775 | 3,187 | ||||||
| $5-10 million | 30 | 206,262 | 6,875 | ||||||
| $10 million | 8 | 114,907 | 14,363 | ||||||
| Total | 640 | $ | 734,073 | $ | 1,147 |
The following table presents a breakdown of residential loans by size at December 31, 2021.
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2 million | 2,457 | $ | 304,224 | $ | 124 | ||||
| $2-5 million | 27 | 83,666 | 3,099 | ||||||
| $5-10 million | 8 | 54,019 | 6,752 | ||||||
| $10 million | 1 | 12,143 | 12,143 | ||||||
| Total | 2,493 | $ | 454,052 | $ | 182 |
The following table presents a breakdown of other loans by size at December 31, 2021.
| ($ in thousands) | Number of Loans | Outstanding Balance | Average Balance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2 million | 1,415 | $ | 154,663 | $ | 109 | ||||
| $2-5 million | 16 | 43,306 | 2,707 | ||||||
| $5-10 million | 7 | 41,262 | 5,895 | ||||||
| $10 million | 2 | 20,983 | 10,491 | ||||||
| Total | 1,440 | $ | 260,214 | $ | 181 |
The following table presents a breakdown of total loans by geographic region at December 31, 2021:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $ | 2,153,749 |
| Kansas City | 785,342 | |
| Arizona | 545,362 | |
| New Mexico | 538,981 | |
| California | 1,715,978 | |
| Specialty, PPP and Other loans | 3,278,230 | |
| Total | $ | 9,017,642 |
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The following table illustrates selected specialty lending detail, at December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| December 31, | First Choice Acquired Loans | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | % Change | at 12/31/21 | ||||||||||||
| C&I | $ | 1,538,155 | $ | 1,103,060 | $ | 435,095 | 39.4 | % | $ | 298,545 | |||||||
| CRE investor owned | 1,955,087 | 1,420,905 | 534,182 | 37.6 | % | 553,986 | |||||||||||
| CRE owner occupied | 1,112,463 | 825,846 | 286,617 | 34.7 | % | 290,876 | |||||||||||
| SBA loans | 1,241,449 | 895,930 | 345,519 | 38.6 | % | 164,094 | |||||||||||
| Sponsor finance | 508,469 | 396,487 | 111,982 | 28.2 | % | — | |||||||||||
| Life insurance premium financing | 593,562 | 534,092 | 59,470 | 11.1 | % | — | |||||||||||
| Tax credits | 486,881 | 382,602 | 104,279 | 27.3 | % | — | |||||||||||
| SBA PPP loans | 271,958 | 698,645 | (426,687) | (61.1) | % | 149,334 | |||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 430,985 | 318,091 | 112,894 | 35.5 | % | 151,970 | |||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 625,526 | 474,399 | 151,127 | 31.9 | % | 173,969 | |||||||||||
| Other | 253,107 | 174,878 | 78,229 | 44.7 | % | 32,351 | |||||||||||
| Total Loans | $ | 9,017,642 | $ | 7,224,935 | $ | 1,792,707 | 24.8 | % | $ | 1,815,125 |
The sponsor finance portfolio is primarily comprised of loans in the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors. It includes mid-market company mergers and acquisitions, targeted private equity firms, principally SBICs, and senior debt financing to portfolio companies.
The life insurance premium financing category specializes in financing whole life insurance premiums utilized in high net worth estate planning, through relationships with boutique estate planners throughout the United States.
The tax credit portfolio includes tax credit-related lending on affordable housing projects funded through the use of
federal and state low income housing tax credits. In addition, we provide leveraged and other loans on projects funded through the CDFI New Markets Tax Credit Program. This portfolio also includes tax credit brokerage through 10-year streams of Missouri state tax credits from affordable housing development funds. The tax credits are sold to clients and other individuals for tax planning purposes.
SBA 7(a) loans are primarily owner-occupied, commercial real estate loans secured by a 1st lien. These loans predominantly have a 75% portion guaranteed by the SBA.
SBA PPP loans originated in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are guaranteed by the SBA. The loans may be forgivable by the SBA if certain requirements are met.
Significant loan concentrations are considered to exist for a financial institution when there are amounts loaned to numerous borrowers engaged in similar activities that would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At December 31, 2021, no significant concentrations exceeding 10% of total loans existed in the Company’s loan portfolio, except as described above.
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The following table presents the maturity distribution of loans at December 31, 2021 categorized by fixed or variable interest rates, net of unearned loan fees:
| ($ in thousands) | Due in One Year or Less (1) | After One Through Five Years | After Five Through Fifteen Years | After Fifteen Years | Total | Percent of Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 135,942 | $ | 549,283 | $ | 278,445 | $ | 15,871 | $ | 979,541 | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 159,983 | 1,240,531 | 374,708 | 24,532 | 1,799,754 | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 57,205 | 143,742 | 9,336 | 89 | 210,372 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 24,272 | 75,214 | 13,377 | 31,750 | 144,613 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 4,018 | 9,019 | 70,578 | 114,154 | 197,769 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 381,420 | $ | 2,017,789 | $ | 746,444 | $ | 186,396 | $ | 3,332,049 | 37 | % | ||||||||||
| Variable Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 976,252 | $ | 1,217,215 | $ | 206,655 | $ | 12,712 | $ | 2,412,834 | 27 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 191,202 | 414,017 | 450,615 | 1,321,340 | 2,377,174 | 26 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 164,306 | 171,528 | 95,703 | 92,164 | 523,701 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 32,458 | 36,302 | 76,791 | 163,888 | 309,439 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 9,913 | 12,726 | 39,676 | 130 | 62,445 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,374,131 | $ | 1,851,788 | $ | 869,440 | $ | 1,590,234 | $ | 5,685,593 | 63 | % | ||||||||||
| Total Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,112,194 | $ | 1,766,498 | $ | 485,100 | $ | 28,583 | $ | 3,392,375 | 38 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 351,185 | 1,654,548 | 825,323 | 1,345,872 | 4,176,928 | 46 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Construction and land development | 221,511 | 315,270 | 105,039 | 92,253 | 734,073 | 8 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Residential | 56,730 | 111,516 | 90,168 | 195,638 | 454,052 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 13,931 | 21,745 | 110,254 | 114,284 | 260,214 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,755,551 | $ | 3,869,577 | $ | 1,615,884 | $ | 1,776,630 | $ | 9,017,642 | 100 | % |
(1) Includes loans with no stated maturity and overdraft lines of credit.
The majority of variable loans are based on the prime rate or LIBOR. At December 31, 2021, $3.2 billion or 57% of variable rate loans were subject to an interest rate floor. Most loan originations have one-to three-year maturities. Management monitors this mix as part of its interest rate risk management. See “Interest Rate Risk” of this MD&A section.
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Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses
The adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020 increased the ACL on loans by $28.4 million, or 65%, and the allowance for unfunded commitments by $2.4 million as compared to 2019. These increases were offset in retained earnings and did not impact the consolidated statement of operations.
The provision for credit losses, which includes a provision for losses on unfunded commitments, is a charge to earnings to maintain the ACL at a level consistent with management’s assessment of expected losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The Company also records reversals of interest on nonaccrual loans and interest recoveries directly through the provision of credit losses. CECL requires economic forecasts to be factored into determining estimated losses. As a result, CECL will typically require a higher level of provision at the start of an economic downturn. The decrease in the provision for credit losses in 2021 was primarily due to a change in economic forecasts, which has significantly improved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Two of the primary economic loss drivers used in estimating the ACL include the percentage change in GDP and unemployment. At December 31, 2021, the Company’s forecast of the percentage change in GDP included a range of (2.2)% to 6.7% and the percentage change in unemployment included a range of 3.0% to 8.7%. At the beginning of the pandemic at March 2020, the forecast of the percentage change in GDP included a range of (9.6)% to 2.1% and the percentage change in unemployment included a range of 6.0% to 13.0%. The Company utilizes a one-year reasonable and supportable forecast and a one-year reversion period.
In the acquisition of First Choice, we recognized an allowance of $7.6 million on PCD loans and an allowance of $23.9 million on non-PCD loans. Similarly, in the acquisition of Seacoast we recognized an allowance of $3.5 million on PCD loans and $8.6 million on non-PCD loans. Pursuant to the CECL accounting methodology, the allowance on PCD loans is recorded as part of the acquired loan portfolio. The allowance on non-PCD loans is established through a charge to the provision for credit losses in the post-combination financial statements.
To the extent the Company does not recognize charge-offs and economic forecasts improve in future periods, the Company could recognize a reversal of provision for credit losses. Conversely, if economic conditions and the Company’s forecast worsens, the Company could recognize elevated levels of provision for credit losses. The provision is also reflective of charge-offs in the period.
The following table presents the components of the provision for credit losses for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for loan losses | $ | (10,911) | $ | 54,822 | ||||||
| Provision on acquired loans | 23,904 | 8,557 | ||||||||
| Provision for off-balance sheet commitments1 | 1,911 | 2,877 | ||||||||
| Provision for held-to-maturity securities | 165 | 147 | ||||||||
| Recovery of accrued interest | (1,684) | (1,005) | ||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | $ | 13,385 | $ | 65,398 |
1 2021 includes $1.5 million as part of the First Choice acquired commitments.
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The following table is a summary of the allocation of the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Balance at End of Period Applicable to: | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | Amount | Percent of loans in each category to total loans | |||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 63,825 | 37.6 | % | $ | 58,812 | 42.8 | % | |||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||
| Commercial | 53,437 | 46.3 | % | 49,074 | 42.7 | % | |||||
| Construction and land development | 14,536 | 8.1 | % | 21,413 | 7.6 | % | |||||
| Residential | 7,927 | 5.1 | % | 4,585 | 4.4 | % | |||||
| Other | 5,316 | 2.9 | % | 2,787 | 2.5 | % | |||||
| Total allowance | $ | 145,041 | 100.0 | % | $ | 136,671 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance for credit losses was 1.61% of total loans at December 31, 2021, compared to 1.89%, and 0.81%, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decline in the allowance to total loans ratio in 2021 was primarily due to the comparatively lower ACL on the First Choice loan portfolio, net loan charge-offs of $11.6 million, improved credit metrics, and continued improvement in economic forecasts. The increase in the ratio in 2020 compared to 2019 was due to the adoption of CECL and higher provision expense due to the pandemic, partially offset by the acquisition of Seacoast and PPP loans which included $1.3 billion in government-guaranteed loans with no allowance.
The following table is a summary of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans for the periods indicated:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries) | Average Loans(1) | Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)/Average Loans | |||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 10,425 | $ | 3,195,017 | 0.33 | % | $ | 3,533 | $ | 2,917,784 | 0.12 | % | |||||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||||||||
| Commercial | 810 | 3,586,773 | 0.02 | % | (2,607) | 2,179,246 | (0.12) | % | |||||||||
| Construction and land development | (451) | 673,646 | (0.07) | % | (136) | 483,835 | (0.03) | % | |||||||||
| Residential | 558 | 396,777 | 0.14 | % | 842 | 337,759 | 0.25 | % | |||||||||
| Other | 287 | 197,172 | 0.15 | % | 275 | 142,312 | 0.19 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 11,629 | $ | 8,049,385 | 0.14 | % | $ | 1,907 | $ | 6,060,936 | 0.03 | % |
(1) Excludes loans held for sale.
See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of this MD&A section for more information on the allowance for credit losses methodology.
Nonperforming loans and assets
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for more information on impaired loans and other real estate.
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The following table presents the categories of nonperforming assets, excluding government guaranteed portions:
| December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Non-accrual loans | $ | 23,449 | $ | 34,818 | ||
| Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest | 1,716 | 130 | ||||
| Restructured loans | 2,859 | 3,559 | ||||
| Total nonperforming loans | 28,024 | 38,507 | ||||
| Other real estate | 3,493 | 5,330 | ||||
| Total nonperforming assets | $ | 31,517 | $ | 43,837 | ||
| Total assets | $ | 13,537,358 | $ | 9,751,571 | ||
| Total loans | 9,017,642 | 7,224,935 | ||||
| Total allowance for credit losses | 145,041 | 136,671 | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans | 619 | % | 393 | % | ||
| Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans | 518 | % | 355 | % | ||
| Allowance for credit losses to total loans | 1.61 | % | 1.89 | % | ||
| Nonaccrual loans to total loans | 0.26 | % | 0.48 | % | ||
| Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.31 | % | 0.53 | % | ||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.23 | % | 0.45 | % |
Nonperforming loans based on loan type were as follows:
| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2021 | Number of loans | December 31, 2020 | Number of loans | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 21,538 | 77 | % | 34 | $ | 21,770 | 57 | % | 21 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,414 | 16 | % | 14 | 12,519 | 32 | % | 27 | ||||||||||
| Residential real estate | 2,048 | 7 | % | 12 | 4,189 | 11 | % | 3 | ||||||||||
| Other | 24 | — | % | 4 | 29 | — | % | 33 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 28,024 | 100 | % | 64 | $ | 38,507 | 100 | % | 84 |
The following table summarizes the changes in nonperforming loans:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, beginning of period | $ | 38,507 | $ | 26,425 | ||
| Additions to nonaccrual loans | 43,350 | 30,424 | ||||
| Charge-offs | (17,185) | (6,739) | ||||
| Principal payments | (36,648) | (18,385) | ||||
| Nonperforming loans, end of period | $ | 28,024 | $ | 38,507 |
Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2021 decreased $10.5 million, or 27%, when compared to December 31, 2020. The decrease in nonperforming loans during 2021 was primarily from principal payments of $36.6 million and charge-offs of $17.2 million.
The Company implemented several loan programs to assist its customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including providing short-term payment deferrals, primarily for 90 days or less. As of December 31, 2021, substantially all of these loans have returned to a paying status.
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Other real estate
Other real estate at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $3.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively.
The following table summarizes the changes in other real estate:
| Year ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Other real estate, beginning of period | $ | 5,330 | $ | 6,344 | ||
| Additions | 3,175 | 756 | ||||
| Writedowns in value | (29) | (1,104) | ||||
| Sales | (4,983) | (666) | ||||
| Other real estate, end of period | $ | 3,493 | $ | 5,330 |
Writedowns in fair value were recorded in loan, legal, and other real estate expense.
Investments
At December 31, 2021, our portfolio of investment securities was $1.8 billion, or 13%, of total assets, compared to $1.4 million, or 14%, of total assets as of December 31, 2020. The portfolio is comprised of both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.
The table below sets forth the carrying value of investment securities held by the Company:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government sponsored enterprises | $ | 173,511 | 9.6 | % | $ | 15,161 | 1.1 | % | |||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 811,463 | 45.2 | % | 592,556 | 42.3 | % | |||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 581,964 | 32.4 | % | 639,314 | 45.7 | % | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 91,170 | 5.1 | % | 11,466 | 0.8 | % | |||||||
| Corporate debt securities | 138,193 | 7.7 | % | 141,991 | 10.1 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,796,301 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,400,488 | 100.0 | % |
The allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities was $0.6 million and $0.4 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company had no debt securities classified as trading at December 31, 2021, or 2020.
The following table summarizes expected maturity and tax-equivalent yield information on the investment portfolio at December 31, 2021:
| Within 1 year | 1 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years | Over 10 years | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | Amount | Yield | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | $ | — | — | % | $ | 142,292 | 1.03 | % | $ | 19,292 | 1.5 | % | $ | 11,927 | 2.36 | % | $ | 173,511 | 1.18 | % | ||||||||||||
| Obligations of states and political subdivisions | 1,048 | 4.39 | % | 22,870 | 2.35 | % | 39,607 | 2.88 | % | 747,938 | 2.71 | % | 811,463 | 2.71 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | 22,541 | 2.97 | % | 335,215 | 2.83 | % | 205,739 | 1.68 | % | 18,469 | 1.91 | % | 581,964 | 2.40 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills | 80,961 | 0.07 | % | 10,209 | 2.47 | % | — | — | % | — | — | % | 91,170 | 0.34 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt securities | — | — | % | 5,181 | 3.28 | % | 133,012 | 3.37 | % | — | — | % | 138,193 | 3.37 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 104,550 | 0.74 | % | $ | 515,767 | 2.31 | % | $ | 397,650 | 2.36 | % | $ | 778,334 | 2.69 | % | $ | 1,796,301 | 2.39 | % |
Yields on tax-exempt securities are computed on a taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 25.2%. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities, as borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
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Other investments primarily consist of the FHLB capital stock, common stock investments related to our trust preferred securities, community development funds, and other investments in private equity funds, primarily SBICs.
| December 31, | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
| FHLB capital stock | $ | 12,075 | 20.2 | % | $ | 10,774 | 22.1 | % | |||||
| Other investments | 47,821 | 79.8 | % | 37,991 | 77.9 | % | |||||||
| Total | $ | 59,896 | 100.0 | % | $ | 48,765 | 100.0 | % |
The following table summarizes expected maturity and tax-equivalent yield information on other investments at December 31, 2021:
| No Stated Maturity | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | Amount | Yield | ||||
| FHLB capital stock | $ | 12,075 | 4.13 | % | ||
| Other investments | 47,821 | 1.78 | % | |||
| Total | $ | 59,896 | 2.25 | % |
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Deposits
The following table shows the breakdown of the Company’s deposits by type:
| Years ended December 31, | % Increase (decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 vs. 2020 | |||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing demand accounts | $ | 4,578,436 | $ | 2,711,828 | 68.8 | % | ||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 2,465,884 | 1,768,497 | 39.4 | % | ||||||||
| Money market accounts | 2,890,976 | 2,327,066 | 24.2 | % | ||||||||
| Savings accounts | 800,210 | 627,903 | 27.4 | % | ||||||||
| Certificates of deposit: | ||||||||||||
| Brokered | 128,970 | 50,209 | 156.9 | % | ||||||||
| Other | 479,323 | 499,886 | (4.1) | % | ||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 11,343,799 | $ | 7,985,389 | 42.1 | % | ||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposits / Total deposits | 40 | % | 34 | % |
The following table shows the average balance and average rate of the Company’s deposits by type:
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | Average Balance | Average Rate Paid | ||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-bearing deposit accounts | $ | 3,597,204 | — | % | $ | 1,854,982 | — | % | $ | 1,228,832 | — | % | ||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand accounts | 2,122,752 | 0.08 | % | 1,494,364 | 0.14 | % | 1,286,641 | 0.59 | % | |||||||||||
| Money market accounts | 2,557,836 | 0.18 | 1,977,826 | 0.39 | 1,608,349 | 1.63 | ||||||||||||||
| Savings accounts | 724,768 | 0.03 | 589,832 | 0.05 | 489,310 | 0.17 | ||||||||||||||
| Certificates of deposit | 570,496 | 0.73 | 676,889 | 1.61 | 799,079 | 1.90 | ||||||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | $ | 5,975,852 | 0.18 | $ | 4,738,911 | 0.44 | $ | 4,183,379 | 1.19 | |||||||||||
| Total average deposits | $ | 9,573,056 | 0.11 | $ | 6,593,893 | 0.32 | $ | 5,412,211 | 0.92 |
Average total deposits were $9.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $3.0 billion, or 45%, from December 31, 2020. The increase in 2021 was primarily due to the First Choice and Seacoast acquisitions and the high level of liquidity in the economy. The increase in 2020 was primarily due to the Seacoast acquisition and PPP loan fundings.
The following table sets forth the maturities of estimated uninsured certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2021:
| ($ in thousands) | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Three months or less | $ | 15,074 |
| Over three through six months | 9,098 | |
| Over six through twelve months | 47,855 | |
| Over twelve months | 21,645 | |
| Total | $ | 93,672 |
As of December 31, 2021, estimated uninsured deposits totaled $5.9 billion, including $93.7 million of certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2020, estimated uninsured deposits totaled $3.3 billion.
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Shareholders’ equity
Shareholders’ equity totaled $1.5 billion at December 31, 2021, an increase of $450.1 million, or 42%, from December 31, 2020.
Significant activity during the year ended December 31, 2021 included the following:
•increase from the issuance of approximately 7.8 million shares of common stock for the First Choice acquisition reflecting $342.3 million of consideration;
•increase from net income of $133.1 million;
•increase from issuance of preferred stock of $72.0 million, net;
•decrease from share repurchases of $60.6 million, pursuant to the Company’s publicly-announced stock repurchase program;
•decrease from dividends paid on common stock of $26.2 million; and
•net decrease in fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash flow hedges of $18.3 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
The objective of liquidity management is to ensure we have the ability to generate sufficient cash or cash equivalents in a timely and cost-effective manner to meet our commitments as they become due. Typical demands on liquidity are changes in deposit levels, maturing time deposits which are not renewed, and fundings under credit commitments to customers. Funds are available from a number of sources, such as the core deposit base and loan and security repayments and maturities.
Additionally, liquidity is provided from lines of credit with the FHLB, the Federal Reserve, and correspondent banks; the ability to acquire large and brokered deposits; sales of the securities portfolio; and the ability to sell loan participations to other banks. These alternatives are an important part of our liquidity plan and provide flexibility and efficient execution of the asset-liability management strategy.
The Company’s Asset-Liability Management Committee oversees our liquidity position, the parameters of which are approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors. Our liquidity position is monitored daily. Our liquidity management framework includes measurement of several key elements, such as a loan to deposit ratio, a liquidity ratio, and a dependency ratio. The Company’s liquidity framework also incorporates contingency planning to assess the nature and volatility of funding sources and to determine alternatives to these sources. While core deposits and loan and investment repayments are principal sources of liquidity, funding diversification is another key element of liquidity management and is achieved by strategically varying depositor types, terms, funding markets, and instruments.
Liquidity from assets is available primarily from cash balances and the investment portfolio. Cash and interest-bearing deposits with other banks totaled $2.0 billion at December 31, 2021, compared to $537.7 million at December 31, 2020. The low interest rate environment, coupled with an uncertain outlook and government stimulus, such as the PPP, has increased liquidity within the banking industry, including the Company. Investment securities are another important tool to the Company’s liquidity objectives. Securities totaled $1.8 billion at December 31, 2021, and included $753 million pledged as collateral for deposits of public institutions, treasury, loan notes, and other requirements. The remaining $1.0 billion could be pledged or sold to enhance liquidity, if necessary.
Liability liquidity funding sources are available to increase financial flexibility. In addition to amounts borrowed at December 31, 2021, the Company could borrow an additional $709 million from the FHLB of Des Moines under blanket loan pledges and has additional real estate loans of approximately $970.0 million that could be pledged. The Company also has $1.1 billion available from the Federal Reserve Bank under a pledged loan agreement. The Company also has unsecured federal funds lines with six correspondent banks totaling $90 million.
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In the normal course of business, the Company enters into certain forms of off-balance sheet transactions, including unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit. These transactions are managed through the Company’s various risk management processes. Management considers both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet transactions in its evaluation of the Company’s liquidity. The Company has $2.6 billion in unused commitments as of December 31, 2021. While this commitment level would exhaust the majority the Company’s current liquidity resources, the nature of these commitments is such that the likelihood of funding them in the aggregate at any one time is low.
At the holding company level, our primary funding sources are dividends and payments from the Bank and proceeds from the issuance of equity (i.e. stock option exercises, stock offerings) and debt instruments. The main use of this liquidity is to provide the funds necessary to pay dividends to shareholders, service debt, invest in subsidiaries as necessary, and satisfy other operating requirements. In 2021, the holding company maintained a revolving line of credit for an aggregate amount up to $25 million, all of which was available at December 31, 2021. The line of credit has a one-year term that was renewed in February 2022. The proceeds can be used for general corporate purposes.
The Company has an effective automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 allowing for the issuance of various forms of equity and debt securities. The Company’s ability to offer securities pursuant to the registration statement depends on market conditions and the Company’s continuing eligibility to use the Form S-3 under rules of the SEC.
Strong capital ratios, credit quality and core earnings are essential to retaining cost-effective access to the wholesale funding markets. Deterioration in any of these factors could have a negative impact on the Company’s ability to access these funding sources and, as a result, these factors are monitored on an ongoing basis as part of the liquidity management process. The Bank is subject to regulations and, among other things, may be limited in its ability to pay dividends or transfer funds to the parent company. Accordingly, consolidated cash flows as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows may not represent cash immediately available for the payment of cash dividends to the Company’s shareholders or for other cash needs.
Through the normal course of operations, the Company has entered into certain contractual obligations and other commitments. Such obligations relate to funding of operations through deposits or debt issuances, as well as leases for premises and equipment. As a financial services provider, the Company routinely enters into commitments to extend credit. While contractual obligations represent future cash requirements of the Company, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process accorded to loans made by the Company. The Company also enters into derivative contracts under which the Company either receives cash from or pays cash to counterparties depending on changes in interest rates. Derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet with the fair value representing the net present value of expected future cash receipts or payments based on market interest rates as of the balance sheet date. The fair value of these contracts changes daily as market interest rates change. For additional information on the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments see the following footnotes in Item 8: “Note 6 – Leases,” “Note 7 – Derivative Financial Instruments,” “Note 11 – Subordinated Debentures,” “Note 12 – Federal Home Loan Bank Advances,” “Note 13 – Other Borrowings,” and “Note 18 – Commitments.”
Capital Resources
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the financial statements and results of operations of the Company. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and its bank affiliate must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The banking affiliate’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
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Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets, and of tier 1 capital to average assets. To be categorized as “well-capitalized”, banks must maintain minimum total risk-based (10%), tier 1 risk-based (8%), common equity tier 1 risk-based (6.5%), and tier 1 leverage ratios (5%). As of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
The Bank met the definition of “well-capitalized” at each of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Refer to “Item 8. Note 15 – Regulatory Capital” for a summary of our risk-based capital and leverage ratios.
The following table summarizes the Company’s capital ratios:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | EFSC | Bank | EFSC | Bank | To Be Well-Capitalized | Minimum Ratio with CCB | ||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 11.3 | % | 12.5 | % | 10.9 | % | 12.5 | % | 6.5 | % | 7.0 | % | ||
| Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 13.0 | % | 12.5 | % | 12.1 | % | 12.5 | % | 8.0 | % | 8.5 | % | ||
| Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets | 14.7 | % | 13.5 | % | 14.9 | % | 13.7 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.5 | % | ||
| Leverage Ratio (Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets) | 9.7 | % | 9.3 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.3 | % | 5.0 | % | 4.0 | % | ||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets1 | 8.1 | % | 8.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Common equity tier 1 capital | $ | 1,091,823 | $ | 1,201,340 | $ | 795,873 | $ | 913,116 | ||||||
| Tier 1 capital | 1,257,462 | 1,201,391 | 889,527 | 913,169 | ||||||||||
| Total risk-based capital | 1,423,036 | 1,303,715 | 1,094,601 | 1,004,839 | ||||||||||
| 1 Not a required regulatory capital ratio |
The Company believes the tangible common equity and regulatory capital ratios are important measures of capital strength even though they are considered to be non-GAAP measures. The tables included in this MD&A section under the caption “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” reconcile these ratios to U.S. GAAP.
Risk Management
Market risk arises from exposure to changes in interest rates and other relevant market rate or price risk. The Company faces market risk in the form of interest rate risk through transactions other than trading activities. Market risk from these activities, in the form of interest rate risk, is measured and managed through a number of methods. The Company uses financial modeling techniques to measure interest rate risk. These techniques measure the sensitivity of future earnings due to changing interest rate environments. Guidelines established by the Bank’s Asset/Liability Management Committee and approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors are used to monitor exposure of earnings at risk. General interest rate movements are used to develop sensitivity as management believes it has no primary exposure to a specific point on the yield curve. These limits are based on the Company’s exposure to immediate and sustained parallel rate movements, either upward or downward. The Company does not have any direct market risk from commodity exposures.
Interest Rate Risk
Our interest rate risk management practices are aimed at optimizing net interest income, while guarding against deterioration that could be caused by certain interest rate scenarios. Interest rate sensitivity varies with different types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We attempt to maintain interest-earning assets, comprised primarily of both loans and investments, and interest-bearing liabilities, comprised primarily of deposits, maturing or repricing in similar time horizons in order to manage any impact from market interest rate changes according to our risk tolerance. The Company uses an earnings simulation model to measure earnings sensitivity to changing rates.
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The Company determines the sensitivity of its short-term future earnings to a hypothetical plus or minus 100 to 300 basis point parallel rate shock through the use of simulation modeling. The simulation of earnings includes the modeling of the balance sheet as an ongoing entity. Future business assumptions involving administered rate products, prepayments for future rate-sensitive balances, and the reinvestment of maturing assets and liabilities are included. These items are then modeled to project net interest income based on a hypothetical change in interest rates. The resulting net interest income for the next 12-month period is compared to the net interest income amount calculated using flat rates. This difference represents the Company’s earnings sensitivity to a positive or negative parallel rate shock.
The following table summarizes the projected impact of interest rate shocks on net interest income at December 31, 2021:
| Rate Shock1 | Annual % change in net interest income |
|---|---|
| + 300 bp | 22.9% |
| + 200 bp | 14.1% |
| + 100 bp | 5.6% |
| 1 Due to the current levels of interest rates, the downward shock scenarios are not shown. |
In addition to the rate shocks shown in the table above, the Company models net interest income under various dynamic interest rate scenarios. In general, changes in interest rates are positively correlated with changes in net interest income.
The Company occasionally uses interest rate derivative instruments as an asset/liability management tool to hedge mismatches in interest rate exposure indicated by the net interest income simulation described above. They are used to modify the Company’s exposures to interest rate fluctuations and provide more stable spreads between loan yields and the rate on their funding sources. At December 31, 2021, the Company had $62.0 million in derivative contracts used to manage interest rate risk. Derivative financial instruments are also discussed in “Item 8. Note 7 – Derivative Financial Instruments.”
The FCA has announced that the most common USD LIBOR settings (overnight, 1-month. 3-month, 6-month and 12-month) will cease publication after June 30, 2023. LIBOR is the most liquid and common interest rate index in the world and is commonly referenced in financial instruments. The Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rates Committee has proposed that SOFR replace LIBOR. The Company expects to select a replacement index and provide customer notification in early 2023, prior to the cessation of the USD LIBOR settings. While a replacement index has not yet been selected, the Company ceased using LIBOR and ICE swap rates in new contracts and began issuing SOFR based loans in December 2021.
We have exposure to LIBOR in various financial contracts. Instruments that may be impacted include loans, securities, debt instruments and derivatives, among other financial contracts indexed to LIBOR and that mature after December 31, 2021. We also have loans that are indirectly linked to LIBOR through reference to the ICE swap rate. We have an internal working group composed of members from legal, credit, finance, operations, risk and audit to monitor developments, develop policies and procedures, assess the impact to the Company, consider relevant options and to determine an appropriate replacement index for affected contracts that expire after the expected discontinuation of LIBOR on June 30, 2023. We are actively working to amend and address impacted contracts to allow for a replacement index. However, amending certain contracts indexed to LIBOR may require consent from the counterparties which could be difficult and costly to obtain in certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s financial contracts indexed to LIBOR included $2.8 billion in loans (including $618.4 million indirectly linked to LIBOR through reference to an ICE swap rate), $125.3 million in borrowings, and $889.0 million (notional) in derivatives.
In addition, LIBOR is used in the Company’s analysis of the fair value of tax credits and may be referenced in other financial contracts not included in the discussion above.
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The Company had $5.7 billion in variable rate loans as of December 31, 2021. Of these loans, $3.2 billion have an interest rate floor and 95% of those loans were at the floor. $2.8 billion in variable rate loans are indexed to LIBOR, $2.4 billion are indexed to the prime rate, and $382.8 million are indexed to other rates.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The following accounting policies are considered most critical to the understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These critical accounting policies require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Because these estimates and judgments are based on current circumstances, they may change over time or prove to be inaccurate based on actual experience. In the event that different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending upon the severity of such changes, the possibility of a materially different financial condition and/or results of operations could reasonably be expected. The impact and any associated risks related to our critical accounting policies on our business operations are discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
The Company has prepared all of the consolidated financial information in this report in accordance with GAAP. The Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using loss experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods. There can be no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Update 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This standard, referred to as CECL, requires an estimate of lifetime expected credit losses on certain financial assets measured at amortized cost.
The Company maintains separate allowances for funded loans, unfunded loans, and held-to-maturity securities, collectively the ACL. The ACL is a valuation account to adjust the cost basis to the amount expected to be collected, based on management’s estimate of experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For purposes of determining the allowance for funded and unfunded loans, the portfolios are segregated into pools that share similar risk characteristics that are then further segregated by credit grades. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis and are not included in the collective evaluation. The Company estimates the amount of the allowance based on loan loss experience, adjusted for current and forecasted economic conditions, including unemployment, changes in GDP, and commercial and residential real estate prices. The Company’s forecast of economic conditions uses internal and external information and considers a weighted average of a baseline, upside, and downside scenarios. Because economic conditions can change and are difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated loan defaults and losses, and therefore the adequacy of the allowance, could change significantly and have a direct impact on the Company’s credit costs. The Company’s allowance for credit losses on loans was $145.0 million at December 31, 2021 based on the weighting of the different economic scenarios. As a hypothetical example, if the Company had only used the upside scenario, the allowance would have decreased $20.5 million. Conversely, the allowance would have increased $43.9 million using only the downside scenario.
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Acquisitions
Acquisitions and Business Combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities of the acquired entities have been recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets.
The purchase price allocation process requires an estimation of the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. When a business combination agreement provides for an adjustment to the cost of the combination contingent on future events, the Company includes an estimate of the acquisition-date fair value as part of the cost of the combination. To determine the fair values, the Company relies on third party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques. The results of operations of the acquired business are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the respective date of acquisition. Merger-related costs are costs the Company incurs to effect a business combination. Merger-related expenses include costs directly related to merger or acquisition activity and include legal and professional fees, system consolidation and conversion costs, and compensation costs such as severance and retention incentives for employees impacted by acquisition activity. The Company accounts for merger-related costs as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received.
Income Taxes
Management uses certain assumptions and estimates in determining income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, deferred income tax assets and liabilities and income tax expense. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance may be established. We consider the determination of this valuation allowance to be a critical accounting policy because of the need to exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets may be required in the future if the amounts of taxes recoverable through loss carry backs decline, if we project lower levels of future taxable income, or we project lower levels of tax planning strategies. Such valuation allowance would be established through a charge to income tax expense that would adversely affect our operating results.
Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements
See “Item 8. Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for information on recent accounting pronouncements and their impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company’s accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. GAAP and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. However, the Company provides other financial measures, such as core efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible book value per common share, in this report that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
The Company considers its core efficiency ratio, tangible common equity ratio, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible book value per common share, collectively “core performance measures” presented in this report, as relevant measures of financial performance, even though they are non-GAAP measures, as they provide supplemental information by which to evaluate the impact of certain non-comparable items, and the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. Core performance measures exclude certain other income and expense items such as merger-related expenses, facilities charges, and the gain or loss on sale of investment securities, which
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the Company believes to be not indicative of or useful to measure the Company’s operating performance on an ongoing basis. The attached tables contain a reconciliation of these core performance measures to the GAAP measures. The Company believes that the tangible common equity ratio provides useful information to investors about the Company’s capital strength even though it is considered to be a non-GAAP financial measure and is not part of the regulatory capital requirements to which the Company is subject.
The Company believes these non-GAAP measures and ratios, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP measures and ratios, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance and capital strength. The Company’s management uses, and believes investors benefit from referring to, these non-GAAP measures and ratios in assessing the Company’s operating results and related trends and when forecasting future periods. However, these non-GAAP measures and ratios should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or preferable to, ratios prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company has provided a reconciliation of, where applicable, the most comparable GAAP financial measures and ratios to the non-GAAP financial measures and ratios, or a reconciliation of the non-GAAP calculation of the financial measure for the periods indicated.
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Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Core Efficiency Ratio
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 360,194 | $ | 270,001 | $ | 238,717 | ||||
| Less incremental accretion income | — | 4,083 | 4,783 | |||||||
| Core net interest income | 360,194 | 265,918 | 233,934 | |||||||
| Total noninterest income | 67,743 | 54,503 | 49,176 | |||||||
| Less gain on sale of other real estate | 884 | — | — | |||||||
| Less other income from non-core acquired assets | — | — | 1,372 | |||||||
| Less gain on sale of investment securities | — | 421 | 243 | |||||||
| Less other non-core income | — | 265 | 266 | |||||||
| Core noninterest income | 66,859 | 53,817 | 47,295 | |||||||
| Total core revenue | $ | 427,053 | $ | 319,735 | $ | 281,229 | ||||
| Total noninterest expense | $ | 245,919 | $ | 167,159 | $ | 165,485 | ||||
| Less merger-related expenses | 22,082 | 4,174 | 17,969 | |||||||
| Less branch-closure expenses | 3,441 | — | — | |||||||
| Less other non-core expenses | — | 57 | 257 | |||||||
| Core noninterest expense | $ | 220,396 | $ | 162,928 | $ | 147,259 | ||||
| Core efficiency ratio | 51.61 | % | 50.96 | % | 52.36 | % |
Tangible Common Equity and Tangible Common Equity Ratio
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | $ | 1,529,116 | $ | 1,078,975 | $ | 867,185 | ||||
| Less preferred stock | 71,988 | — | — | |||||||
| Less goodwill | 365,164 | 260,567 | 210,344 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 22,286 | 23,084 | 26,076 | |||||||
| Tangible common equity | $ | 1,069,678 | $ | 795,324 | $ | 630,765 | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 13,537,358 | $ | 9,751,571 | $ | 7,333,791 | ||||
| Less goodwill | 365,164 | 260,567 | 210,344 | |||||||
| Less intangible assets | 22,286 | 23,084 | 26,076 | |||||||
| Tangible assets | $ | 13,149,908 | $ | 9,467,920 | $ | 7,097,371 | ||||
| Tangible common equity to tangible assets | 8.13 | % | 8.40 | % | 8.89 | % |
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Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Average shareholder’s equity | $ | 1,277,153 | $ | 902,875 | $ | 795,477 | ||||
| Less average preferred stock | 8,903 | — | — | |||||||
| Less average goodwill | 307,614 | 217,205 | 193,804 | |||||||
| Less average intangible assets | 22,460 | 23,551 | 24,957 | |||||||
| Average tangible common equity | $ | 938,176 | $ | 662,119 | $ | 576,716 | ||||
| Net Income | $ | 133,055 | $ | 74,384 | $ | 92,739 | ||||
| Return on average tangible common equity | 14.18 | % | 11.23 | % | 16.08 | % |
Tangible Book Value Per Common Share
| For the Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ and shares in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Tangible common equity (calculated above) | $ | 1,069,678 | $ | 795,324 | $ | 630,765 | ||||
| Period end shares outstanding | 37,820 | 31,210 | 26,543 | |||||||
| Tangible book value per common share | $ | 28.28 | $ | 25.48 | $ | 23.76 |