Record Annual Net Income
Reported highest annual net income in company history of $80.9 million, or $4.18 per diluted share; annual ROE 14.76% and ROA 1.49%.
Strong Quarterly Earnings
Fourth quarter net income of $21.5 million, or $1.11 per diluted share; quarterly ROA 1.55% and ROE 14.7%.
Healthy Net Interest Margin and Guidance
Reported net interest margin of 4.04% (4.00% in Q4 vs 4.11% in Q3); management projects 2026 NIM in the 3.90%–4.00% range and expects core margin to stabilize.
Fee and Noninterest Income Growth
Annual fee income $52.3 million (21% of operating income). Q4 noninterest income $14.4 million (up from $13.4M prior quarter); noninterest income represented ~22% of operating revenue in Q4 and the third straight quarter above 20%.
Loan Growth and Robust Pipeline
Loans grew 4% in the quarter with $207 million of loan production; management expects 2026 loan growth of 5% or better and describes a strong pipeline and middle-market traction.
Solid Credit Metrics and Low Losses
Minimal provision expense (~$0.075–$0.1 million) in Q4, net charge-offs of $0.5 million, allowance for credit losses at 1.19% (vs 1.21% prior quarter), and classified loans decreased by $5.7 million quarter‑to‑quarter.
Capital Build and Shareholder Returns
Capital ratios increased quarter-to-quarter; tangible common equity (TCE) ~9% and tangible book value per share growing. Board increased quarterly dividend by $0.03 to $0.30 (11.1% increase quarter-over-quarter; dividend up 50% since merger).
Strategic Investment Portfolio Actions
Purchased $125 million of Agency MBS and CMO (average yield on purchases ~4.92%) and sold ~$42 million of securities to address asset sensitivity; investment portfolio yield 4.58% (down from 4.67%) and positioned to generate earnings as rates decline.
Ongoing Talent Investments and Business Expansion
Hired a Chief Wealth Officer and expanded middle-market lending team; management emphasized investments in wealth, merchant services (now ~17% of treasury management revenue), CRM/technology and recruitment to drive future fee and loan growth.