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Sierra Bancorp Reports Strategic Securities Transaction as Well as Fourth Quarter and Year End 2023 Results

Sierra Bancorp (Nasdaq: BSRR), parent of Bank of the Sierra, today announced a strategic securities transaction (“securities strategy”) and unaudited financial results for the three-and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2023. Sierra Bancorp reported consolidated net income in the fourth quarter of 2023 of $6.3 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared to net income of $7.1 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2022.

For the year ended 2023, the Company recognized net income of $34.8 million, or $2.36 per diluted share, as compared to $33.7 million, or $2.24 per diluted share, for the same period in 2022. The Company’s return on average assets and return on average equity for the year ended 2023 was 0.94% and 11.30%, respectively, as compared to 0.97% and 10.66%, respectively, for the same comparative period in 2022.

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2023 (unless otherwise stated):

  • Strategic Branch Sale/Leaseback followed by a Securities Strategy to Improve Future Earnings
    • Entered into contract to sell 13 branches in two tranches on December 21, 2023.
      • First tranche closed in December 2023 at a gain of $15.3 million.
      • Second tranche expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.
    • In early January 2024, sold $196.7 million of bonds in a securities strategy at a $14.5 million loss.
      • Bonds sold had a weighted average book yield of 2.61%.
      • The $14.5 million securities loss was recognized in 2023 due to management’s intention at year end to sell such bonds in January 2024.
    • Proceeds from bond sale were used to pay down short-term borrowings at an average rate of 5.52%.
  • Steady Earnings
    • 2023 Net Income of $34.8 million, up 4% from 2022.
    • 2023 Diluted EPS of $2.36 as compared to $2.24 in 2022, an increase of 6%.
    • 2023 ROAE of 11.30% as compared to 10.66% in 2022.
  • Solid Asset Quality
    • Total Nonperforming Loans at $8.0 million, or 0.38% of total gross loans.
    • Past due loans declined to $0.3 million, the lowest level for the past two years.
    • No foreclosed assets at December 31, 2023.
  • Stable Deposits & Liquidity
    • Overall primary and secondary liquidity sources increased to $2.6 billion at December 31, 2023.
    • Noninterest-bearing deposits stable at 37% of total deposits.
  • Strong Capital and Solid Asset Growth
    • Maintained a diversified investment portfolio designed for interest rate risk management and liquidity.
    • Tangible Book Value per share increased 10% during the quarter to $20.91 per share at year end.
    • Strong regulatory Community Bank Leverage Ratio of 11.29% for our subsidiary Bank.
    • Tangible Common Equity Ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure, of 8.4% on a consolidated basis and 10.3% for our subsidiary bank.
    • Dividend declared of $0.23 per share, payable on February 12, 2024, our 100th consecutive quarterly dividend.

“You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestation of your own blessings.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

“We are proud to share our fourth quarter results as we wrap up 2023,” stated Kevin McPhaill, CEO and President. “Although last year presented a number of challenges, we also uncovered several positive opportunities. As a result, our banking team maintained a high percentage of noninterest bearing deposits, enhanced our lending capabilities, and expanded our treasury efforts. In addition to those ongoing projects, we completed a sale-leaseback agreement covering several of our branch properties. The $15.3 million gain on this sale-leaseback offset the cost of a $196.7 million securities strategy. Together, these strategies enhanced capital, and we expect to improve our financial metrics, including margin, liquidity, and return on average assets and equity. Accordingly, I believe that our Bank is stronger and better positioned to take advantage of expansion possibilities, whether organic or otherwise. We have many reasons to be excited about our prospects and look forward to the new year and beyond!” concluded Mr. McPhaill.

Financial Highlights

Quarterly Changes (comparisons to the fourth quarter of 2022)

  • Net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $0.8 million or 12%, to $6.3 million. Net interest income was negatively impacted by compression in the net interest margin. There was a favorable change in the credit loss expense on loans and improvements made in noninterest income, primarily offset by a realized loss on a securities strategy which identified available-for-sale securities for sale in January 2024, and higher noninterest expenses.
  • The $1.5 million decrease to net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was driven by a 32 basis point decrease in net interest margin. There was a $130.0 million increase in average interest earning assets with an increased yield of 62 basis points; however, this was more than offset by a $198.8 million increase in interest bearing liabilities at 133 bps higher cost.
  • Noninterest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased $0.4 million or 5%. This is primarily due to a $15.3 million gain on the sale of Bank owned branch buildings (subsequently leased back) partially offset by a $14.5 million realized loss on a securities strategy which identified bonds for sale in January 2024.
  • Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by $2.6 million, or 12%. There was a $1.4 million increase in salaries and benefits from the hiring of new lending teams and one new executive officer; additionally, we had severance payments of $0.9 million due a strategic reduction in force on 14 positions eliminated through efficiencies gained from operational reorganization and the deployment of new technologies partially offset by a $0.5 million reduction in bonuses accrued. There was a $0.4 million increase in occupancy expense for normal contractual rent increases and one-time stipends paid to employees for home office expenses, and a $0.8 million increase in other noninterest expense most notably in FDIC assessments, compliance and legal costs, and higher fraud losses primarily due to our debit card conversion from Mastercard to VISA earlier in the year.

Year to-Date Changes (comparisons to the year ended 2022)

  • Net income for 2023 increased by $1.2 million, or 4%. There was an increase of $2.8 million or 3% in net interest income, due mostly to an overall increase in interest rates. We experienced higher yields and balances on loans and investment securities, which were partly offset by higher overall funding costs.
  • We experienced a $6.8 million decrease in credit loss expense on loans, net of taxes due to lower net loan charge-offs in 2023 as compared to 2022.
  • Noninterest income for 2023 decreased by $0.4 million, or 1%. The same large variances discussed in the quarterly comparison apply to the year-to-date comparisons along with a $2.8 million favorable variance in bank-owned life insurance income, $0.4 million positive variance in life insurance proceeds, offset by a $3.2 million negative variance mostly from the sale of VISA stock in 2022 with no like sales in 2023.
  • Noninterest expense increased $7.9 million, or 9%, due mostly to a $3.9 million increase in salary and benefits expense for new lending teams and management staff along with reduction in force severance payments as discussed in the quarterly comparison, an unfavorable variance in director’s deferred compensation expense which is linked to the favorable changes in bank-owned life insurance income, mentioned above in the discussion of noninterest income, a $0.8 million increase in FDIC assessment costs and $0.5 million increase in fraud losses primarily due to our debit card conversion from Mastercard to VISA earlier in the year.

Balance Sheet Changes (comparisons to December 31, 2022)

  • Total assets increased by $121.2 million, or 3%, to $3.7 billion, during 2023, due mostly to a $68.2 million increase in investment securities, a $37.1 million increase in gross loans, and a $19.0 million increase in operating lease right-of-use assets from the sale and leaseback of 11 bank-owned branch buildings.
  • Investment securities increased $67.5 million, or 5%, to $1.3 billion primarily due to strategic purchases of high-quality AAA, collateralized loan obligations and government agency securities during 2023.
  • Gross loans increased $37.1 million due to a $50.6 million increase in mortgage warehouse line utilization, along with a $51.6 million increase in other commercial loans, and an $18.8 million increase in commercial real estate loans. Organic loan production for the year ending 2023 was $185.3 million, as compared to $292.2 million for the comparative period in 2022. Loan production was negatively impacted by $161.4 million in loan maturities, charge-offs and payoffs, and a decline in credit line utilization of $37.3 million. Counterbalancing these negative variances, we had a $50.6 million increase in mortgage warehouse line utilization as our customers ramped up utilization towards year-end.
  • Deposits totaled $2.8 billion at December 31, 2023, representing a year-to-date decrease of $84.9 million, or 3%. The decline in deposits came primarily from a $175.1 million decrease in transaction accounts, an $80.4 million decrease in savings and money market accounts offset by an increase in customer time deposit balances of $155.5 million as customers moved their funds to higher interest-bearing type accounts and a $15.0 million increase in wholesale brokered deposits.
  • Short-term debt increased by $59.5 million during 2023 to $387.6 million at December 31, 2023. Overnight fed funds increased by $5.0 million, and short term FHLB advances increased $125.0 million while repurchase agreements decreased $2.0 million and FHLB overnight borrowings decreased by $68.5 million.
  • Long term debt in the form of term FHLB advances increased $80.0 million while subordinated debentures were relatively unchanged.

Other financial highlights are reflected in the following table.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except per Share Data, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At or For the

 

 

At or For the

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

 

12/31/2023

 

9/30/2023

 

12/31/2022

 

12/31/2023

 

12/31/2022

Net income

 

$

6,290

 

 

$

9,885

 

 

$

7,113

 

 

$

34,844

 

 

$

33,659

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

0.68

 

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

2.36

 

 

$

2.24

 

Return on average assets

 

 

0.67

%

 

 

1.04

%

 

 

0.79

%

 

 

0.94

%

 

 

0.97

%

Return on average equity

 

 

8.03

%

 

 

12.62

%

 

 

9.62

%

 

 

11.30

%

 

 

10.66

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent) (1)

 

 

3.31

%

 

 

3.30

%

 

 

3.63

%

 

 

3.37

%

 

 

3.47

%

Yield on average loans and leases

 

 

4.78

%

 

 

4.73

%

 

 

4.38

%

 

 

4.69

%

 

 

4.32

%

Yield on investments

 

 

5.35

%

 

 

5.25

%

 

 

4.40

%

 

 

5.09

%

 

 

3.07

%

Cost of average total deposits

 

 

1.24

%

 

 

1.20

%

 

 

0.51

%

 

 

1.09

%

 

 

0.24

%

Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent) (1)(2)

 

 

67.10

%

 

 

61.46

%

 

 

57.55

%

 

 

63.90

%

 

 

60.15

%

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,729,799

 

 

$

3,738,880

 

 

$

3,608,590

 

 

$

3,729,799

 

 

$

3,608,590

 

Loans & leases net of deferred fees

 

$

2,090,384

 

 

$

2,100,973

 

 

$

2,052,817

 

 

$

2,090,384

 

 

$

2,052,817

 

Noninterest demand deposits

 

$

1,020,772

 

 

$

1,059,878

 

 

$

1,088,199

 

 

$

1,020,772

 

 

$

1,088,199

 

Total deposits

 

$

2,761,223

 

 

$

2,869,720

 

 

$

2,846,164

 

 

$

2,761,223

 

 

$

2,846,164

 

Noninterest-bearing deposits over total deposits

 

 

37.0

%

 

 

36.9

%

 

 

38.2

%

 

 

37.0

%

 

 

38.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity / total assets

 

 

9.1

%

 

 

8.3

%

 

 

8.4

%

 

 

9.1

%

 

 

8.4

%

Tangible Common equity ratio (2)

 

 

8.4

%

 

 

7.5

%

 

 

7.7

%

 

 

8.4

%

 

 

7.7

%

Book value per share

 

$

22.85

 

 

$

21.01

 

 

$

20.01

 

 

$

22.85

 

 

$

20.01

 

Tangible book value per share (2)

 

$

20.91

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

18.06

 

 

$

20.91

 

 

$

18.06

 

(1)

Computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a federal income tax rate of 21%.

(2)

See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measurement in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

INCOME STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $27.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, a $1.5 million decrease, or 5% over the fourth quarter of 2022, and increased $2.8 million, or 3%, to $112.4 million for the year ended 2023 relative to the same period in 2022.

For the fourth quarter of 2023, average interest-earning assets totaled $130.0 million, an increase of 4%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. The yield on these balances was 62 basis points higher for the same period due mostly to an increase in yield of investment securities, as well as loan growth at higher yields. This increase in yield was offset by a 133 basis point increase in the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities for the same period. Although most transaction and savings deposit rates have not changed, the change in mix of liabilities caused the costs to increase. This was primarily affected due to average balances of time deposits and borrowed funds, including overnight purchases.

Net interest income for the comparative year-to-date periods increased $2.8 million, or 3%, due to a change in mix of average interest-earning assets. Investment balances, with an average yield of 5.09%, increased $140.4 million, while gross average loan balances yielding 4.69% increased $57.7 million. The overall yield on the average balances of earning assets was 100 basis points higher for the comparative periods, offset by a 161 basis point increase in interest paid on liabilities. The net impact was a 10 basis point decrease in our net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022.

Interest expense was $14.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $8.3 million, relative to the fourth quarter of 2022. For the year ended 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, interest expense increased $38.5 million, to $50.7 million. The increase in interest expense for the quarterly comparison is attributable to a $198.8 million increase in average interest-bearing liabilities with a 133 bps increase in cost. The increase was primarily in higher cost customer time deposits, wholesale brokered deposits and borrowed funds. Lower or no cost average transaction and savings accounts decreased $283.0 million for the quarterly comparison. For the year-to-date comparisons, the increase is attributable to a shift from lower cost transaction accounts to higher cost time accounts as well as an increase in borrowed funds. For the year ended 2023, higher cost customer time deposits increased $210.2 million, wholesale brokered deposits increased $88.5 million and borrowed funds increased $216.3 million, while lower cost or no cost deposits decreased $279.6 million.

In early 2024, the Company initiated a strategic securities transaction by selling $196.7 million of bonds. These securities were identified as an intent to be sold at December 31, 2023. This transaction realized a $14.5 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2023, as discussed previously. The average yield on these bonds was 2.61% and the proceeds were used to paydown short-term borrowings at an average rate of 5.52%. This transaction is expected to increase our earnings stream beginning in 2024 by increasing net interest income as interest expense on borrowed funds will be reduced by more than the reduction in interest income on the securities sold.

The Company had $1.3 billion in adjustable and variable rate loans, $570.7 million in floating rate CLOs and $35.7 million in floating rate trust preferred securities at December 31, 2023, as compared to $1.3 billion in adjustable and variable rate loans, $498.4 million in floating rate CLOs and $35.5 million in floating rate trust preferred securities at December 31, 2022. The next rate adjustment date on the adjustable-rate loans vary and can be up to ten years. It is expected that $388.7 million of the Company’s adjustable and variable rate loans will reprice in the next twelve months.

Our net interest margin was 3.31% for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to 3.30% for the linked quarter and 3.63% for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Credit Loss Expense

The Company recorded expenses related to credit losses on loans of $3.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 relative to an expense of $6.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and a year-to-date credit loss expense on loans of $4.1 million in 2023 as compared to a $10.9 million for the same period in 2022. The Company's $2.9 million favorable decrease in credit loss expense on loans in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, and the $6.8 million favorable decrease for the year ending 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 are primarily due to the impact of lower net charge-offs during the year ending 2023. The elevated net charge-offs in 2022 were mostly due to two loan relationships; one dairy loan relationship with total charge-offs of $8.7 million and a single office building loan relationship that was sold at a discount due to an increased risk of default that would have likely led to a prolonged collection period. In the fourth quarter of 2023, there was a $2.3 million charge-off related to commercial real estate.

All debt securities in an unrealized loss position were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and volatility in the financial markets and not a result of an expected credit loss.

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income reflects increases of $0.4 million or 5%, for the quarter ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same quarter in 2022, and decreased of $0.4 million or 1%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. The quarterly and year-to-date comparisons were both impacted by favorable fluctuations in income on bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) with underlying investments mapped directly to the Company’s deferred compensation plan. The quarterly and year-to-date comparisons were also favorably impacted by a $15.3 million gain on the sale of Bank owned branch buildings (subsequently leased back), partially offset by realizing a $14.5 million loss on a securities strategy which identified $196.7 million in available-for-sale securities to be sold in January 2024. The year-to-date decrease was also unfavorably impacted by 2022 events that did not recur in 2023, including $3.6 million from gains on the sale of other assets, and the recovery of prior period legal expenses.

Service charges on customer deposit account income increased $0.3 million, or 6%, to $6.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. This increase is primarily due to higher overdraft income, ATM fees, and analysis income during the comparable periods. This service charge income was relatively unchanged at $23.1 million for the year ending December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022.

Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest expense increased by $2.6 million, or 12%, in the fourth quarter of 2023 relative to the fourth quarter of 2022, and increased by $7.9 million, or 9%, for the year ended 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022.

Salaries and Benefits were $1.4 million, or 12%, higher in the fourth quarter of 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 and $3.9 million, or 8%, higher for the year ended 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. We had severance payments of $0.9 million due to a strategic reduction in force on 14 positions eliminated through efficiencies gained from operational reorganization and the deployment of new technologies, partially offset by a $0.5 million reduction in the bonus accrual. Overall full-time equivalent employees were 485 at December 31, 2023 as compared to 491 at December 31, 2022. The decrease in FTE was due to the reduction in force during the fourth quarter of 2023, as several management positions were eliminated due to operational efficiencies.

Occupancy expenses were $0.4 million higher for both the fourth quarter of 2023 and year-to-date as compared to the same periods in 2022. The primary reason for increase in the quarterly and year-to-date comparisons was a one-time payment of $0.2 million for home office stipends for staff that work remotely and regular rent escalations.

Other noninterest expense increased $0.8 million, or 12%, for the fourth quarter 2023 as compared to the fourth quarter in 2022, and increased $3.5 million, or 12%, for the year ended 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. The variance for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily driven by higher FDIC assessment costs, increased marketing costs associated with a deposit acquisition campaign, higher travel costs due to our expanded remote work force, and elevated debit card losses. These increased expenses were partially offset by lower costs in core processing and internet banking costs. For the year-over-year comparison, the categories of increase were the same as with the quarterly comparison, along with a $2.0 million unfavorable variance in directors deferred compensation expense, linked to the changes in BOLI income, a $0.6 million increase in foreclosed asset costs related to the foreclosure and subsequent sale of one large loan relationship in the first quarter of 2023. Positive variances for the year-over-year comparison included a $0.2 million decrease in deposit statement costs and a $0.3 million decrease in miscellaneous losses due to restitution payments made to customers in 2022 who were charged nonsufficient funds fees on representments.

The Company's provision for income taxes was 23.8% of pre-tax income in the fourth quarter of 2023 relative to 21.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022, and 25.0% of pre-tax income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The increase in effective tax rate in the fourth quarter is due to tax credits and tax-exempt income representing a smaller percentage of total taxable income. The decline in tax-exempt income is due mostly to tax exempt municipal securities representing a smaller portion of total taxable securities.

Balance Sheet Summary

Balance sheet changes for the year ended December 31, 2023 include an increase in total assets of $121.2 million, or 3%, primarily as a result of a $67.5 million increase in investment securities, a $37.1 million increase in gross loans, a $19.8 million increase in other assets, net of a $5.6 million decrease in Bank owned premises and equipment.

The increase in investment securities of $68.2 million in 2023 consisted primarily of increases in AAA tranches of collateralized loan obligations of $72.3 million and in callable government agency securities for $51.6 million, partially offset by decreases in mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds and state and municipal bonds.

Gross loan balances increased $37.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily a result of a $50.6 million increase in mortgage warehouse utilization, $18.8 million increase in commercial real estate, and a $51.6 million increase in other commercial loans. Negatively impacting these positive variances were loan paydowns and maturities resulting in net declines in many categories even with solid loan production. In particular there was a $46.1 million decrease in farmland, $12.2 million decrease in other construction and $25.4 million decrease in residential real estate. Further, SBA PPP loan forgiveness resulted in a $1.3 million decline in loan balances, included in the other commercial loan variance noted above.

As indicated in the loan roll forward below, new credit extended for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased $40.5 million over the same period in 2022 and decreased $106.9 million for the year-to-date comparisons. This decline in organic loan growth is attributable to extensive competition for quality new loans coupled with reduced demand in the current elevated rate environment. Contributing to this negative variance, we did not purchase any loans during 2023, had $161.4 million in loan paydowns and maturities, and a $37.3 million decrease in line of credit utilization. Offsetting a portion of these negative variances we experienced a $50.6 million increase in mortgage warehouse line utilization.

LOAN ROLLFORWARD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

For the twelve months ended:

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

September 30, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

December 31, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

Gross loans beginning balance

 

$

2,100,810

 

 

$

2,094,391

 

 

$

2,020,364

 

 

$

2,052,940

 

 

$

1,989,726

 

New credit extended

 

 

26,704

 

 

 

68,980

 

 

 

67,170

 

 

 

185,323

 

 

 

292,224

 

Loan purchases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

173,082

 

Changes in line of credit utilization

 

 

4,377

 

 

 

(22,517

)

 

 

(3,361

)

 

 

(37,308

)

 

 

(48,562

)

Change in mortgage warehouse

 

 

8,415

 

 

 

(3,032

)

 

 

18,885

 

 

 

50,561

 

 

 

(35,745

)

Pay-downs, maturities, charge-offs and amortization (1)

 

 

(50,231

)

 

 

(37,012

)

 

 

(50,118

)

 

 

(161,441

)

 

 

(317,785

)

Gross loans ending balance

 

$

2,090,075

 

 

$

2,100,810

 

 

$

2,052,940

 

 

$

2,090,075

 

 

$

2,052,940

 

(1)

Includes $1.6 million from the sale of a performing loan during the second quarter of 2022.

Unused commitments, excluding mortgage warehouse and overdraft lines, were $203.6 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $219.7 million at December 31, 2022. Total line utilization, excluding mortgage warehouse and overdraft lines, was 62% at December 31, 2023 and 59% at December 31, 2022 and was 53% at December 31, 2023 and 32% at December 31, 2022, including mortgage warehouse lines. Mortgage warehouse utilization increased to 36% at December 31, 2023, as compared to 10% at December 31, 2022. Total mortgage warehouse availability declined to $204.5 million at December 31, 2023 as compared to $594.6 million at December 31, 2022. With current industry volumes down due to decreased purchase and refinance activity we experienced some lenders leaving the Bank and others decreasing their lines of credit to match their current volumes.

Deposit balances declined $84.9 million, or 3%, during the year ended December 31, 2023. Core non-maturity deposits decreased by $255.4 million, or 11%, while customer time deposits increased by $155.5 million, or 39%. Although there has been some attrition, our customers are becoming more rate sensitive in the current higher rate environment and have moved funds from lower or no cost transaction accounts into higher cost time deposits. Wholesale brokered deposits increased by $15.0 million to $135.0 million. Overall noninterest-bearing deposits as a percent of total deposits at December 31, 2023, decreased to 37.0%, as compared to 38.2% at December 31, 2022.

Other interest-bearing liabilities of $467.6 million on December 31, 2023 consisted of $80.0 million in FHLB long term advances, $107.1 million in customer repurchase agreements, $130.0 million in overnight fed funds purchased, and $150.5 million in short term and overnight FHLB advances. Proceeds from the securities strategy, which involved selling $196.7 million in available-for-sale securities yielding 2.61% in January 2024 went to paydown a portion of these borrowed funds with an average rate of 5.52%. Other interest-bearing liabilities at December 31, 2022 consisted of $109.2 million in customer repurchase agreements, $125.0 million in overnight fed funds purchased, and $94.0 million in overnight FHLB advances.

The Company continues to have substantial liquidity. At December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the Company had the following sources of primary and secondary liquidity (Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary and Secondary Liquidity Sources

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

Cash and due from banks

 

$

78,602

 

$

77,131

Unpledged investment securities

 

 

792,965

 

 

1,097,164

Excess pledged securities

 

 

382,965

 

 

43,096

FHLB borrowing availability

 

 

586,726

 

 

718,842

Unsecured lines of credit

 

 

374,785

 

 

237,000

Funds available through fed discount window

 

 

392,034

 

 

42,278

Totals

 

$

2,608,077

 

$

2,215,511

Total capital of $338.1 million at December 31, 2023 reflects an increase of $34.5 million, or 11%, relative to year-end 2022. The increase in equity during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due $34.8 million in net income and a $20.6 million favorable swing in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) partially offset by $13.7 million in dividends paid, and $8.5 million in share repurchases. The remaining difference is related to stock options exercised and restricted stock activity during the year.

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets, comprised of nonaccrual loans, decreased by $11.6 million to $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company's ratio of nonperforming loans to gross loans decreased to 0.38% at December 31, 2023 from 0.95% at December 31, 2022. The decrease resulted from a decrease in non-accrual loan balances, primarily as a result of the foreclosure and sale of one loan relationship in the dairy industry consisting of four separate loans in the first quarter of 2023. At December 31, 2023, nonaccrual loans totaled $8.0 million compared to $19.6 million at December 31, 2022. All the Company's nonperforming assets are individually evaluated for credit loss quarterly and management believes the established allowance for credit loss on such loans is appropriate. The nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2023, are mostly due to a single commercial real estate relationship of $7.4 million.

The Company's allowance for credit losses on loans was $23.5 million at December 31, 2023, as compared to a balance of $23.1 million at December 31, 2022. The allowance was 1.12% of total loans at both December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Although the Company experienced fewer net charge offs during the year, a specific allowance on one single commercial real estate relationship was the primary reason for the increase.

Management's detailed analysis indicates that the Company's allowance for credit losses on loans should be sufficient to cover credit losses inherent in loan portfolio balances outstanding as of December 31, 2023, but no assurance can be given that the Company will not experience substantial future losses relative to the size of the credit loss allowance on loans.

About Sierra Bancorp

Sierra Bancorp is the holding Company for Bank of the Sierra (www.bankofthesierra.com), which is in its 47th year of operations and is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. Bank of the Sierra is a community-centric regional bank, which offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking services through full-service branches located within the counties of Tulare, Kern, Kings, Fresno, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. The Bank also maintains an online branch and provides specialized lending services through an agricultural credit center in Templeton, California, and a dedicated loan production office in Roseville, California. In 2023, Bank of the Sierra was recognized as one of the strongest and top-performing community banks in the country, with a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial and a BBB+ rating from Kroll.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward looking statements. Actual results may differ from those projected. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including but not limited to the health of the national and local economies, loan portfolio performance, the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled employees, customers' service expectations, the Company's ability to successfully deploy new technology, the success of acquisitions and branch expansion, changes in interest rates, and other factors detailed in the Company's SEC filings, including the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's most recent Form 10‑K and Form 10‑Q.

STATEMENT OF CONDITION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

12/31/2023

 

9/30/2023

 

6/30/2023

 

3/31/2023

 

12/31/2022

Cash and due from banks

 

$

78,602

 

 

$

88,542

 

 

$

103,483

 

 

$

83,506

 

 

$

77,131

 

Investment securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale, at fair value

 

 

1,019,201

 

 

 

1,010,377

 

 

 

1,027,538

 

 

 

1,040,920

 

 

 

934,923

 

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses

 

 

320,057

 

 

 

323,544

 

 

 

328,478

 

 

 

332,728

 

 

 

336,881

 

Real estate loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate

 

 

412,063

 

 

 

418,782

 

 

 

426,608

 

 

 

433,185

 

 

 

437,446

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

1,328,224

 

 

 

1,334,663

 

 

 

1,317,945

 

 

 

1,318,627

 

 

 

1,311,158

 

Other construction/land

 

 

6,256

 

 

 

7,320

 

 

 

16,020

 

 

 

15,653

 

 

 

18,412

 

Farmland

 

 

67,276

 

 

 

90,993

 

 

 

92,728

 

 

 

92,906

 

 

 

113,394

 

Total real estate loans

 

 

1,813,819

 

 

 

1,851,758

 

 

 

1,853,301

 

 

 

1,860,371

 

 

 

1,880,410

 

Other commercial

 

 

156,272

 

 

 

137,407

 

 

 

126,360

 

 

 

101,118

 

 

 

102,967

 

Mortgage warehouse lines

 

 

116,000

 

 

 

107,584

 

 

 

110,617

 

 

 

68,472

 

 

 

65,439

 

Consumer loans

 

 

3,984

 

 

4,061

 

 

4,113

 

 

4,007

 

 

4,124

 

Gross loans

 

 

2,090,075

 

 

 

2,100,810

 

 

 

2,094,391

 

 

 

2,033,968

 

 

 

2,052,940

 

Deferred loan fees

 

 

309

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

(123

)

Allowance for credit losses on loans

 

 

(23,500

)

 

(23,060

)

 

(23,010

)

 

(23,090

)

 

(23,060

)

Net loans

 

 

2,066,884

 

 

 

2,077,913

 

 

 

2,071,454

 

 

 

2,010,902

 

 

 

2,029,757

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank premises & equipment

 

 

16,907

 

 

 

21,926

 

 

 

22,072

 

 

 

22,321

 

 

 

22,478

 

Other assets

 

 

228,148

 

 

216,578

 

 

209,436

 

 

203,607

 

 

207,420

 

Total assets

 

$

3,729,799

 

$

3,738,880

 

$

3,762,461

 

$

3,693,984

 

$

3,608,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES & CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest demand deposits

 

$

1,020,772

 

 

$

1,059,878

 

 

$

1,066,498

 

 

$

1,041,748

 

 

$

1,088,199

 

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

 

 

533,947

 

 

 

561,257

 

 

 

584,263

 

 

 

637,549

 

 

 

641,581

 

Savings deposits

 

 

370,806

 

 

 

400,940

 

 

 

415,793

 

 

 

441,758

 

 

 

456,981

 

Money market deposits

 

 

145,591

 

 

 

130,914

 

 

 

124,834

 

 

 

123,162

 

 

 

139,795

 

Customer time deposits

 

 

555,107

 

 

 

551,731

 

 

 

552,371

 

 

 

519,771

 

 

 

399,608

 

Wholesale brokered deposits

 

 

135,000

 

 

165,000

 

 

175,000

 

 

185,000

 

 

120,000

 

Total deposits

 

 

2,761,223

 

 

 

2,869,720

 

 

 

2,918,759

 

 

 

2,948,988

 

 

 

2,846,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

49,304

 

 

 

49,281

 

 

 

49,259

 

 

 

49,236

 

 

 

49,214

 

Junior subordinated debentures

 

 

35,660

 

 

 

35,615

 

 

 

35,570

 

 

 

35,526

 

 

 

35,481

 

Other interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

467,621

 

 

411,865

 

 

398,922

 

 

310,861

 

 

328,169

 

Total deposits & interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

3,313,808

 

 

 

3,366,481

 

 

 

3,402,510

 

 

 

3,344,611

 

 

 

3,259,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments

 

 

510

 

 

 

600

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

850

 

 

 

840

 

Other liabilities

 

 

77,384

 

 

 

62,940

 

 

 

49,609

 

 

 

41,513

 

 

 

45,140

 

Total capital

 

 

338,097

 

 

308,859

 

 

309,592

 

 

307,010

 

 

303,582

 

Total liabilities & capital

 

$

3,729,799

 

$

3,738,880

 

$

3,762,461

 

$

3,693,984

 

$

3,608,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOODWILL & INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

6/30/2023

 

 

3/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

Goodwill

 

$

27,357

 

 

$

27,357

 

 

$

27,357

 

 

$

27,357

 

 

$

27,357

 

Core deposit intangible

 

 

1,399

 

 

1,618

 

 

1,837

 

 

2,056

 

 

2,275

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

28,756

 

$

28,975

 

$

29,194

 

$

29,413

 

$

29,632

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT QUALITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

6/30/2023

 

 

3/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

Non-accruing loans

 

$

7,985

 

 

$

781

 

 

$

1,141

 

 

$

938

 

 

$

19,579

 

Foreclosed assets

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Total nonperforming assets

 

$

7,985

 

$

781

 

$

1,141

 

$

938

 

$

19,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net charge offs (recoveries)

 

$

3,619

 

 

$

67

 

 

$

157

 

 

$

220

 

 

$

7,268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past due & still accruing (30-89)

 

$

255

 

 

$

806

 

 

$

1,873

 

 

$

1,241

 

 

$

1,203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-performing loans to gross loans

 

 

0.38

%

 

 

0.04

%

 

 

0.05

%

 

 

0.05

%

 

 

0.95

%

NPA's to loans plus foreclosed assets

 

 

0.38

%

 

 

0.04

%

 

 

0.05

%

 

 

0.05

%

 

 

0.95

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to gross loans

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

1.10

%

 

 

1.10

%

 

 

1.14

%

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELECT PERIOD-END STATISTICS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

6/30/2023

 

 

3/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

Shareholders equity / total assets

 

 

9.1

%

 

 

8.3

%

 

 

8.2

%

 

 

8.3

%

 

 

8.4

%

Gross loans / deposits

 

 

75.7

%

 

 

73.2

%

 

 

71.8

%

 

 

69.0

%

 

 

72.1

%

Noninterest-bearing deposits / total deposits

37.0

%

36.9

%

36.5

%

 

35.3

%

 

38.2 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

 

For the year ended:

 

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

Interest income

 

$

42,443

 

 

$

42,384

 

 

$

35,603

 

 

$

163,121

 

 

$

121,819

 

Interest expense

 

 

14,573

 

 

 

14,297

 

 

 

6,240

 

 

 

50,716

 

 

 

12,204

 

Net interest income

 

 

27,870

 

 

 

28,087

 

 

 

29,363

 

 

 

112,405

 

 

 

109,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit loss expense - loans

 

 

3,615

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

6,538

 

 

 

4,058

 

 

 

10,898

 

Credit loss benefit - unfunded commitments

 

 

(90

)

 

 

(150

)

 

 

(100

)

 

 

(330

)

 

 

(294

)

Credit loss expense (benefit) - debt securities held-to-maturity

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

(47

)

 

 

63

 

Net interest income after credit loss expense

 

 

24,345

 

 

 

28,120

 

 

 

22,880

 

 

 

108,724

 

 

 

98,948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges

 

 

5,977

 

 

 

6,055

 

 

 

5,635

 

 

 

23,103

 

 

 

23,100

 

Gain on sale of investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

456

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

1,487

 

Gain (loss) on sale of fixed assets

 

 

15,255

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

15,270

 

 

 

(8

)

BOLI income (loss)

 

 

379

 

 

 

558

 

 

 

255

 

 

 

1,767

 

 

 

(996

)

Realized loss on available for sale securities

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

-

 

Other noninterest income

 

 

934

 

 

 

1,148

 

 

 

1,312

 

 

 

4,364

 

 

 

7,187

 

Total noninterest income

 

 

8,045

 

 

 

7,762

 

 

 

7,656

 

 

 

30,400

 

 

 

30,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries & benefits

 

 

13,410

 

 

 

12,623

 

 

 

11,983

 

 

 

50,977

 

 

 

47,053

 

Occupancy expense

 

 

2,909

 

 

 

2,482

 

 

 

2,549

 

 

 

10,160

 

 

 

9,718

 

Other noninterest expenses

 

 

7,817

 

 

 

7,457

 

 

 

6,990

 

 

 

31,523

 

 

 

28,032

 

Total noninterest expense

 

 

24,136

 

 

 

22,562

 

 

 

21,522

 

 

 

92,660

 

 

 

84,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

 

 

8,254

 

 

 

13,320

 

 

 

9,014

 

 

 

46,464

 

 

 

44,915

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

1,964

 

 

 

3,435

 

 

 

1,901

 

 

 

11,620

 

 

 

11,256

 

Net income

 

$

6,290

 

 

$

9,885

 

 

$

7,113

 

 

$

34,844

 

 

$

33,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAX DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax-exempt municipal income

 

$

2,675

 

 

$

2,679

 

 

$

2,879

 

 

$

10,909

 

 

$

8,805

 

Interest income - fully tax equivalent

 

$

43,154

 

 

$

43,096

 

 

$

36,368

 

 

$

166,021

 

 

$

124,160 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER SHARE DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

 

For the year ended:

 

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

0.68

 

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

2.37

 

 

$

2.25

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.43

 

 

$

0.68

 

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

2.36

 

 

$

2.24

 

Common dividends

 

$

0.23

 

 

$

0.23

 

 

$

0.23

 

 

$

0.92

 

 

$

0.92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

14,539,701

 

 

 

14,583,132

 

 

 

14,998,567

 

 

 

14,706,141

 

 

 

14,955,756

 

Weighted average diluted shares

 

 

14,588,027

 

 

 

14,636,477

 

 

 

15,039,973

 

 

 

14,737,870

 

 

 

15,022,755

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book value per basic share (EOP)

 

$

22.85

 

 

$

21.01

 

 

$

20.01

 

 

$

22.85

 

 

$

20.01

 

Tangible book value per share (EOP)

 

$

20.91

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

18.06

 

 

$

20.91

 

 

$

18.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding (EOP)

 

 

14,793,832

 

 

 

14,702,079

 

 

 

15,170,372

 

 

 

14,793,832

 

 

 

15,170,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

 

For the year ended:

 

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

Return on average equity

 

 

8.03

%

 

 

12.62

%

 

 

9.62

%

 

 

11.30

%

 

 

10.66

%

Return on average assets

 

 

0.67

%

 

 

1.04

%

 

 

0.79

%

 

 

0.94

%

 

 

0.97

%

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent) (1)

 

 

3.31

%

 

 

3.30

%

 

 

3.63

%

 

 

3.37

%

 

 

3.47

%

Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent) (1)(2)

 

 

67.10

%

 

 

61.46

%

 

 

57.55

%

 

 

63.90

%

 

 

60.15

%

Net charge-offs to avg loans (not annualized)

 

 

0.15

%

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

0.36

%

 

 

0.18

%

 

 

0.58

%

(1)

Computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a federal income tax rate of 21%.

(2)

See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measurement in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

Total stockholders' equity

 

$

338,097

 

 

$

308,859

 

 

$

303,582

 

Less: goodwill and other intangible assets

 

 

28,756

 

 

 

28,975

 

 

 

29,632

 

Tangible common equity

 

$

309,341

 

 

$

279,884

 

 

$

273,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,729,799

 

 

$

3,738,880

 

 

$

3,608,590

 

Less: goodwill and other intangible assets

 

 

28,756

 

 

 

28,975

 

 

 

29,632

 

Tangible assets

 

$

3,701,043

 

 

$

3,709,905

 

 

$

3,578,958

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

 

 

14,793,832

 

 

 

14,702,079

 

 

 

15,085,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book value per common share

 

$

22.85

 

 

$

21.01

 

 

$

20.12

 

Tangible book value per common share

 

$

20.91

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

18.16

 

Equity ratio - GAAP (total stockholders' equity / total assets)

 

 

9.06

%

 

 

8.26

%

 

 

8.41

%

Tangible common equity ratio (tangible common equity / tangible assets)

 

 

8.36

%

 

 

7.54

%

 

 

7.65

%

 

 

For the three months ended:

 

 

For the year ended:

Efficiency Ratio:

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

Noninterest expense

 

$

24,136

 

 

$

22,562

 

 

$

21,522

 

 

$

92,660

 

 

$

84,803

 

Divided by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest income

 

 

27,870

 

 

 

28,087

 

 

 

29,363

 

 

 

112,405

 

 

 

109,615

 

Tax-equivalent interest income adjustments

 

 

711

 

 

 

712

 

 

 

765

 

 

 

2,900

 

 

 

2,341

 

Net interest income, adjusted

 

 

28,581

 

 

 

28,799

 

 

 

30,128

 

 

 

115,305

 

 

 

111,956

 

Noninterest income

 

 

8,045

 

 

 

7,762

 

 

 

7,656

 

 

 

30,400

 

 

 

30,770

 

Less gain on sale of securities

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

456

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

1,487

 

Less gain (loss) on sale of fixed assets

 

 

15,255

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

15,270

 

 

 

(8

)

Less realized loss on available-for-sale securities

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

 

Tax-equivalent noninterest income adjustments

 

 

101

 

 

 

148

 

 

 

68

 

 

 

470

 

 

 

(265

)

Noninterest income, adjusted

 

 

7,391

 

 

 

7,909

 

 

 

7,270

 

 

 

29,704

 

 

 

29,026

 

Net interest income plus noninterest income, adjusted

 

$

35,972

 

 

$

36,708

 

 

$

37,398

 

 

$

145,009

 

 

$

140,982

 

Efficiency Ratio (tax-equivalent)

 

 

67.10

%

 

 

61.46

%

 

 

57.55

%

 

 

63.90

%

 

 

60.15 

%

NONINTEREST INCOME/EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For three months ended:

 

 

For twelve months ended:

Noninterest income:

 

 

12/31/2023

 

 

9/30/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

 

 

12/31/2023

 

12/31/2022

Service charges on deposit accounts

 

$

5,977

 

 

 

6,055

 

 

 

5,635

 

 

$

23,103

 

 

 

23,100

 

Gain on sale of securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

456

 

 

 

396

 

 

 

1,487

 

Gain (loss) on sale of fixed assets

 

 

15,255

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

15,270

 

 

 

(8

)

Bank-owned life insurance

 

 

379

 

 

 

558

 

 

 

255

 

 

 

1,767

 

 

 

(996

)

Realized loss on available for sale securities

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,500

)

 

 

 

Other

 

 

934

 

 

 

1,148

 

 

 

1,312

 

 

 

4,364

 

 

 

7,187

 

Total noninterest income

 

$

8,045

 

 

$

7,762

 

 

$

7,656

 

 

$

30,400

 

 

$

30,770

 

As a % of average interest earning assets (1)

 

 

0.93

%

 

 

0.89

%

 

 

0.92

%

 

 

0.89

%

 

 

0.95

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

$

13,410

 

 

$

12,623

 

 

$

11,983

 

 

$

50,977

 

 

$

47,053

 

Occupancy costs

 

 

2,909

 

 

 

2,482

 

 

 

2,549

 

 

 

10,160

 

 

 

9,718

 

Advertising and marketing costs

 

 

569

 

 

 

723

 

 

 

407

 

 

 

2,215

 

 

 

1,729

 

Data processing costs

 

 

1,397

 

 

 

1,369

 

 

 

1,627

 

 

 

5,831

 

 

 

6,202

 

Deposit services costs

 

 

2,207

 

 

 

2,048

 

 

 

2,380

 

 

 

8,775

 

 

 

9,492

 

Loan services costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan processing

 

 

144

 

 

 

174

 

 

 

124

 

 

 

597

 

 

 

550

 

Foreclosed assets

 

 

 

 

 

(60

)

 

 

 

 

 

665

 

 

 

84

 

Other operating costs

 

 

1,118

 

 

 

765

 

 

 

781

 

 

 

4,362

 

 

 

4,661

 

Professional services costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal & accounting

 

 

615

 

 

 

493

 

 

 

380

 

 

 

2,238

 

 

 

2,133

 

Director's costs

 

 

504

 

 

 

732

 

 

 

416

 

 

 

2,237

 

 

 

113

 

Other professional service

 

 

708

 

 

 

707

 

 

 

476

 

 

 

2,760

 

 

 

1,892

 

Stationery & supply costs

 

 

117

 

 

 

148

 

 

 

172

 

 

 

531

 

 

 

486

 

Sundry & tellers

 

 

438

 

 

 

358

 

 

 

227

 

 

 

1,312

 

 

 

690

 

Total noninterest expense

 

$

24,136

 

 

$

22,562

 

 

$

21,522

 

 

$

92,660

 

 

$

84,803

 

As a % of average interest earning assets (1)

 

 

2.80

%

 

 

2.58

%

 

 

2.59

%

 

 

2.71

%

 

 

2.63

%

Efficiency ratio (2)(3)

 

 

67.10

%

 

 

61.46

%

 

 

57.55

%

 

 

63.90

%

 

 

60.15

%

(1)

Annualized.

(2)

Computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a federal income tax rate of 21%

(3)

See reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measurement in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

AVERAGE BALANCES AND RATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

For the quarter ended

 

For the quarter ended

 

For the quarter ended

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

September 30, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

Average Balance (1)

Income/ Expense

Yield/ Rate (2)

 

Average Balance (1)

Income/ Expense

Yield/ Rate (2)

 

Average Balance (1)

Income/ Expense

Yield/ Rate (2)

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-earning due from banks

 

$

13,661

$

193

5.61

%

 

$

23,760

$

415

6.93

%

 

$

5,548

$

52

3.72

%

Taxable

 

 

994,814

 

14,520

5.79

%

 

 

1,005,372

 

14,375

5.67

%

 

 

884,020

 

10,176

4.57

%

Non-taxable

 

 

334,836

 

2,675

4.01

%

 

 

345,645

 

2,679

3.89

%

 

 

362,621

 

2,879

3.99

%

Total investments

 

 

1,343,311

 

17,388

5.35

%

 

 

1,374,777

 

17,469

5.25

%

 

 

1,252,189

 

13,107

4.40

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and Leases: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

 

1,835,890

 

20,683

4.47

%

 

 

1,854,055

 

20,764

4.44

%

 

 

1,865,426

 

19,916

4.24

%

Agricultural Production

 

 

49,052

 

859

6.95

%

 

 

37,096

 

649

6.94

%

 

 

32,125

 

368

4.54

%

Commercial

 

 

97,962

 

1,533

6.21

%

 

 

90,348

 

1,392

6.11

%

 

 

74,370

 

1,032

5.51

%

Consumer

 

 

4,218

 

85

7.99

%

 

 

4,303

 

87

8.02

%

 

 

4,267

 

92

8.55

%

Mortgage warehouse lines

 

 

88,316

 

1,878

8.44

%

 

 

100,549

 

2,004

7.91

%

 

 

60,408

 

1,069

7.02

%

Other

 

 

2,331

 

17

2.89

%

 

 

2,381

 

19

3.17

%

 

 

2,356

 

19

3.20

%

Total loans and leases

 

 

2,077,769

 

25,055

4.78

%

 

 

2,088,732

 

24,915

4.73

%

 

 

2,038,952

 

22,496

4.38

%

Total interest earning assets (4)

 

 

3,421,080

 

42,443

5.00

%

 

 

3,463,509

 

42,384

4.94

%

 

 

3,291,141

 

35,603

4.38

%

Other earning assets

 

 

25,738

 

 

 

 

17,355

 

 

 

 

22,411

 

 

Non-earning assets

 

 

267,451

 

 

 

 

275,883

 

 

 

 

259,860

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,714,269

 

 

 

$

3,756,747

 

 

 

$

3,573,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

 

$

137,827

$

698

2.01

%

 

$

141,745

$

413

1.16

%

 

$

159,206

$

128

0.32

%

NOW

 

 

406,970

 

74

0.07

%

 

 

427,278

 

68

0.06

%

 

 

510,776

 

78

0.06

%

Savings accounts

 

 

386,275

 

73

0.07

%

 

 

408,158

 

69

0.07

%

 

 

470,858

 

69

0.06

%

Money market

 

 

144,296

 

419

1.15

%

 

 

127,649

 

194

0.60

%

 

 

142,861

 

25

0.07

%

Time Deposits

 

 

551,287

 

6,172

4.44

%

 

 

557,504

 

6,514

4.64

%

 

 

367,164

 

2,859

3.09

%

Wholesale Brokered Deposits

 

 

150,326

 

1,407

3.71

%

 

 

162,065

 

1,509

3.69

%

 

 

115,652

 

554

1.90

%

Total interest bearing deposits

 

 

1,776,981

 

8,843

1.97

%

 

 

1,824,399

 

8,767

1.91

%

 

 

1,766,517

 

3,713

0.83

%

Borrowed funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

 

 

441,442

 

4,535

4.08

%

 

 

413,443

 

4,339

4.16

%

 

 

253,384

 

1,519

2.38

%

Long-Term Debt

 

 

49,290

 

429

3.45

%

 

 

49,268

 

429

3.45

%

 

 

49,201

 

429

3.46

%

Subordinated Debentures

 

 

35,632

 

766

8.53

%

 

 

35,590

 

762

8.49

%

 

 

35,454

 

579

6.48

%

Total borrowed funds

 

 

526,364

 

5,730

4.32

%

 

 

498,301

 

5,530

4.40

%

 

 

338,039

 

2,527

2.97

%

Total interest bearing liabilities

 

 

2,303,345

 

14,573

2.51

%

 

 

2,322,700

 

14,297

2.44

%

 

 

2,104,556

 

6,240

1.18

%

Demand deposits - Noninterest bearing

 

 

1,041,989

 

 

 

 

1,064,962

 

 

 

 

1,116,622

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

58,255

 

 

 

 

58,340

 

 

 

 

58,959

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

310,680

 

 

 

 

310,745

 

 

 

 

293,275

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

3,714,269

 

 

 

$

3,756,747

 

 

 

$

3,573,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income/interest earning assets

 

 

 

5.00

%

 

 

 

4.94

%

 

 

 

4.38

%

Interest expense/interest earning assets

 

 

 

1.69

%

 

 

 

1.64

%

 

 

 

0.75

%

Net interest income and margin (5)

 

 

$

27,870

3.31

%

 

 

$

28,087

3.30

%

 

 

$

29,363

3.63

%

(1)

Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.

(2)

Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis utilizing a 21% effective tax rate.

(3)

Loans are gross of the allowance for possible credit losses. Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Net loan fees and loan acquisition FMV amortization were $(0.3) million and $(0.005) million for the quarters ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $0.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

(4)

Non-accrual loans have been included in total loans for purposes of computing total earning assets.

(5)

Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

AVERAGE BALANCES AND RATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the twelve months ended

 

 

For the twelve months ended

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

Average

Balance (1)

 

Income/

Expense

 

Yield/ Rate (2)

 

Average

Balance (1)

 

Income/

Expense

 

Yield/ Rate (2)

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest-earning due from banks

 

$

19,527

 

$

1,054

 

5.40

%

 

$

91,420

 

$

519

 

0.57

%

Taxable

 

 

992,187

 

 

54,367

 

5.48

%

 

 

808,750

 

 

25,789

 

3.19

%

Non-taxable

 

 

348,551

 

 

10,909

 

3.96

%

 

 

319,682

 

 

8,805

 

3.49

%

Total investments

 

 

1,360,265

 

 

66,330

 

5.09

%

 

 

1,219,852

 

 

35,113

 

3.07

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and leases:(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

$

1,854,300

 

$

82,174

 

4.43

%

 

$

1,831,874

 

$

77,708

 

4.24

%

Agricultural

 

 

35,724

 

 

2,438

 

6.82

%

 

 

31,565

 

 

1,176

 

3.73

%

Commercial

 

 

85,572

 

 

5,096

 

5.96

%

 

 

81,798

 

 

4,383

 

5.36

%

Consumer

 

 

4,249

 

 

348

 

8.19

%

 

 

4,301

 

 

638

 

14.83

%

Mortgage warehouse lines

 

 

81,675

 

 

6,658

 

8.15

%

 

 

54,606

 

 

2,695

 

4.94

%

Other

 

 

2,415

 

 

77

 

3.19

%

 

 

2,139

 

 

106

 

4.96

%

Total loans and leases

 

 

2,063,935

 

 

96,791

 

4.69

%

 

 

2,006,283

 

 

86,706

 

4.32

%

Total interest earning assets (4)

 

 

3,424,200

 

 

163,121

 

4.85

%

 

 

3,226,135

 

 

121,819

 

3.85

%

Other earning assets

 

 

16,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,685

 

 

 

 

 

Non-earning assets

 

 

272,930

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

243,340

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,713,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,485,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest bearing deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand deposits

 

$

143,428

 

$

1,429

 

1.00

%

 

$

195,192

 

$

485

 

0.25

%

NOW

 

 

442,819

 

 

289

 

0.07

%

 

 

532,692

 

 

322

 

0.06

%

Savings accounts

 

 

419,834

 

 

269

 

0.06

%

 

 

476,128

 

 

278

 

0.06

%

Money market

 

 

132,748

 

 

710

 

0.53

%

 

 

150,378

 

 

95

 

0.06

%

Time deposits

 

 

527,965

 

 

23,214

 

4.40

%

 

 

317,806

 

 

4,914

 

0.00

%

Brokered deposits

 

 

163,382

 

 

5,643

 

3.45

%

 

 

74,917

 

 

725

 

1.55

%

Total interest bearing deposits

 

 

1,830,176

 

 

31,554

 

1.72

%

 

 

1,747,113

 

 

6,819

 

0.97

%

Borrowed funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other interest-bearing liabilities

 

 

374,142

 

 

14,561

 

3.89

%

 

 

158,095

 

 

2,069

 

1.31

%

Long-term debt

 

 

49,257

 

 

1,715

 

3.49

%

 

 

49,172

 

 

1,713

 

3.49

%

Subordinated debentures

 

 

35,567

 

 

2,886

 

3.87

%

 

 

35,387

 

 

1,603

 

3.87

%

Total borrowed funds

 

 

458,966

 

 

19,162

 

4.18

%

 

 

242,654

 

 

5,385

 

2.22

%

Total interest bearing liabilities

 

 

2,289,142

 

 

50,716

 

2.22

%

 

 

1,989,767

 

 

12,204

 

0.61

%

Demand deposits - noninterest bearing

 

 

1,057,041

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,121,060

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

59,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58,538

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

308,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

315,795

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

3,713,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,485,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income/interest earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.85

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.85

%

Interest expense/interest earning assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.48

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.38

%

Net interest income and margin(5)

 

 

 

 

$

112,405

 

3.37

%

 

 

 

 

$

109,615

 

3.47

%

(1)

Average balances are obtained from the best available daily or monthly data and are net of deferred fees and related direct costs.

(2)

Yields and net interest margin have been computed on a tax equivalent basis.

(3)

Loans are gross of the allowance for possible credit losses. Net loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income. Net loan fees and loan acquisition FMV amortization were $(1.0) million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(4)

Non-accrual loans are slotted by loan type and have been included in total loans for purposes of total interest earning assets.

(5)

Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets (tax-equivalent).

 

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