Earnings and Profitability Trend
Diluted EPS of $1.60 for the March quarter (down $0.02 sequentially but up $0.21 year-over-year); return on assets above 1.40% for the last two quarters, supporting management's confidence in earnings durability.
Net Interest Margin and Net Interest Income Expansion
Net interest margin of 3.67%, up 10 basis points sequentially and 23 basis points year-over-year; net interest income increased just under 1% quarter-over-quarter and just over 9% year-over-year, driven by earning asset growth and NIM expansion.
Strong Loan Growth and Originations
Gross loans grew $96 million in the quarter and nearly $300 million (7.4%) year-over-year; quarterly originations were ~$282 million, up $94 million versus the same quarter a year ago; loan pipeline for next 90 days increased to $178 million from $159 million.
Balance Sheet and Deposit Movement
Deposit balances rose about $33 million in the quarter and ~$80 million (~2%) year-over-year; management reduced brokered funding versus prior year and highlighted plans to launch a new business account to attract lower-cost operating deposits.
Capital and Shareholder Returns
Tangible book value per share of $45.80, up $5.43 or 13.5% year-over-year; repurchased 156,000 shares for $9.7 million at an average price of $61.97 (135% of tangible book value); capacity to retire $7.5 million of subordinated debt when callable.
Noninterest Income Improvement
Noninterest income rose $314,000 (4.6%) sequentially and fee income increased $424,000 (6.4%) year-over-year, supported by a gain on sale of a tax credit investment, BOLI earnings and higher deposit-related fees and interchange.
Allowance and Provisioning Discipline
Allowance for credit losses increased modestly to $55.9 million (1.29% of gross loans and 186% of NPLs) reflecting targeted reserve increases for pooled/ag exposure; provision for credit losses was $2.1 million, and management characterized PCLs as returning to more normalized levels.