Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Foreign tourists enjoy tour in Beijing during Spring Festival
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Foreign tourists enjoy tour in Beijing during Spring Festival
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Shenzhou-19 astronauts share details of work and life in space with mission halfway through
BEIJING, Jan. 31 — As China’s Shenzhou-19 mission reaches its halfway, the three astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station, orbiting 400 kilometers above Earth, have shared their experiences during the Spring Festival, offering a glimpse into their unique lives in space.
SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS AND SPACEWALKS
The crew commander Cai Xuzhe, who returned to the space station after about two years, described the feeling as “warm and familiar” in a video released on China’s CCTV on Thursday.
This is Cai’s second time working and living in China’s space station, but his first time celebrating the Spring Festival there. In 2022, he spent six months in space during the Shenzhou-14 mission.
The Shenzhou-19 astronauts entered the space station on Oct. 30, 2024. According to Cai, over the past three months, the crew has completed a series of tasks, including the handover with the Shenzhou-18 crew, routine maintenance of the space station, and two spacewalks.
These extravehicular activities (EVAs), commonly known as spacewalks, are essential for repairs, experiments, and testing equipment outside the station.
Cai emphasized the importance of their training, including system-wide emergency pressure drills and medical rescue exercises.
“These exercises have significantly improved our ability to handle unexpected situations, allowing us to work more efficiently and safely,” he said.
Supported by ground teams, the astronauts have also advanced scientific experiments, such as cutting-edge research on human brain organoids and new material exposure tests in the harsh environment of space.
“We are steadily progressing with our scientific missions, focusing on space life science, microgravity physics, space material science, and aerospace medicine,” Cai noted.
Song Lingdong, who participated in two spacewalks, shared his awe-inspiring experience.
“Before my first EVA, I imagined what it would be like, but nothing prepared me for the moment I opened the hatch and saw Earth. It was breathtaking,” he recalled. “Climbing on the module walls, I felt as if I was walking on clouds.”
“I was mesmerized by the beauty of space, but at the same time, I felt the weight of our mission,” he added.
Their first nine-hour spacewalk proved China’s new-generation spacesuits to be both safe and effective, according to Song.
Addressing public curiosity, Song explained how astronauts stay energized during long EVAs. “We eat high-calorie meals beforehand and drink functional beverages during the task. We highly concentrate on the tasks and don’t feel hungry,” he said.
FAMILY, SPACE, GYM AND PRIDE
Life aboard the space station is not all work. During the Spring Festival, the crew took time to rest, call their families, and capture stunning photos of Earth and space.
“We sent Chinese New Year greetings from space and recorded videos to cherish these moments,” said Song, who plans to document his experiences for his children.
Wang Haoze, China’s first female space engineer working in the space station, expressed pride in China’s space achievements, marveling at the sophisticated systems of their “space home.”
Despite the busy schedule, the astronauts find joy in simple activities. “We float freely like ‘sky flyers,’ lift heavy objects effortlessly, interact with our AI assistant, and even grow vegetables and raise fruit flies,” Wang said.
Wang enjoys writing space diaries. Her favorite pastime, however, is gazing at Earth through the porthole, admiring Earth’s landscapes, from vast oceans to majestic mountains.
“Seeing our homeland from space fills me with excitement, pride, and longing,” said Wang.
To combat the effects of weightlessness, the crew followed a strict exercise regimen using specialized equipment like the space treadmill, stationary bike and resistance devices.
“These exercises keep our bones, muscles and hearts healthy. And with balanced meals, we feel strong and energized,” Wang explained.
The crew also finds time to bond over meals, share humor, and maintain their spirits.
As they celebrated three months in orbit during the Spring Festival, Wang sent a heartfelt message: “May our nation thrive, and may we achieve new heights together, from space to Earth.”
This is the third Spring Festival since the full completion of the Chinese space station. Nine crew members from Shenzhou-15, Shenzhou-17 and Shenzhou-19 have welcomed the New Year and the Spring Festival in space.
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants of the meeting
On January 29, a meeting of the scientific and technical council of the Housing Committee of the Government of St. Petersburg was held at SPbGASU. The presidium of the meeting included Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Evgeny Razumishkin, Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Council of the Housing Committee, Head of the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Utilities of SPbGASU Veronika Asaul, Chairman of the Housing Committee Denis Udod, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the Improvement of St. Petersburg Sergey Malinin. More than one hundred specialists in the housing and utilities sector took part in the meeting.
Chief Engineer of the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution “Central Administration of Regional Roads and Improvement” Igor Mishustin spoke about the use of new models of municipal equipment for road cleaning. He reviewed the universal municipal machines used in the Northern capital, emphasized their positive characteristics and voiced proposals to manufacturers for technical improvement. “Interaction between road agencies and factories-manufacturers of municipal cleaning equipment continues on an ongoing basis,” the specialist noted.
The head of the investment and technology center “Vympel” Yuri Murzin spoke about the results of testing an innovative electric loader in snowfall conditions. The speaker noted that the loader is distinguished by a high level of localization of production.
Elena Aleksandrova, Head of the Educational and Methodological Department of SPbGASU, reported on how our university is training personnel for the housing and utilities sector. “Since the 2024/2025 academic year, SPbGASU, together with the self-regulatory organization “Association of Builders of St. Petersburg” as part of the work of the Consortium of the Construction Industry of the Northwestern Federal District, continues to work in school construction classes,” she said in particular.
Elena Aleksandrova focused on the proposals of SPbGASU for the implementation of the Concept of training personnel for the construction industry and housing and utilities until 2025, approved by the Russian government. The university has introduced new educational programs for the industry, modules for developing competencies in the field of information modeling technologies, and increased the share of practical classes. Practitioners, including future employers of graduates, are widely involved in the educational process. The programs have been brought into line with the current needs of the industry. “Industrial partners play a significant role in our educational process,” she noted.
Director of OOO ECOTERMIX SPB Konstantin Baranov reported on the results of the implementation of an innovative building material based on polyurethane. It has a wide range of applications both in new construction and in the improvement of already built facilities requiring routine and major repairs.
At the end of the meeting, those gathered agreed on further cooperation between all participants in the housing and utilities sector of St. Petersburg in scientific research, the introduction of new technology and personnel training.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
UNECE has joined hands with the Economic Council to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova to help integrate Moldova and Ukraine in a seamless multimodal digital data and document exchange using the e-business standards of UNECE subsidiary body – the UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT).
With Moldova and Ukraine becoming a bridge between two large UNECE subregions – the European Union and Central Asia – and with UN/CEFACT standards becoming a digital lingua franca for cross-border trade and transport, digital connectivity is key to enhancing regional trade and economic integration. This is particularly relevant as total trade between the European Union and Central Asia has grown by 38.8% over the last decade, from €34.2 billion in 2012 to €47.5 billion in 2022, with two-thirds of total trade being imports to the European Union.
To advance on this goal, UNECE and the Economic Council recently organized a seminar in Chisinau, Moldova, on the practical application of such UN/CEFACT standards. Intended for Moldovan and Ukrainian policymakers and experts, as well as international specialists and representatives of development partners (European Commission, GIZ, the Transport Community, UNCTAD – ASYCUDA), the seminar advanced the understanding on the practical steps to implement the UN/CEFACT standards, which underpin the European Union’s Electronic Freight Transport Information Regulation (eFTI) and the SPECA Trans-Caspian Roadmap on Digitalization of Multimodal Data and Document Exchange.
Participants also reviewed progress on the implementation of the pilot project led by TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) on the digital transformation of the railway consignment note in the Trans-Caspian Corridor. Moldovan and Ukrainian railways representatives, along with international experts agreed to work on aligning the exchange of railway consignment notes with UN/CEFACT standards.
Other key initiatives discussed include:
UNECE’s ongoing work in Moldova and Ukraine strengthens the digital connectivity of transit corridors through standardized information exchange. By enabling uniform and seamless electronic data exchange across trade, transport and logistics sectors, these standards help significantly reduce cost, speed up transactions, and minimize errors. This is particularly relevant in the context of UN/CEFACT’s ongoing efforts to develop a policy recommendation aimed at enhancing digital connectivity along transit corridors while addressing gaps in soft infrastructure. As a result, regional economies can integrate more effectively into global value chains, fostering growth and sustainable development.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
The combined value of all investment products tracking the NDX® ecosystem globally exceeds $500 billion
94 Exchange Traded Products track NDX® in over 20 countries across 6 continents
NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ) proudly marks the 40th anniversary of the Nasdaq-100 Index® (NDX®), the world’s preeminent large-cap growth benchmark. Since its inception on January 31, 1985, the index has redefined innovation and transformed the global investment landscape. Over the past four decades, it has evolved into a powerful symbol of growth, resilience, and the groundbreaking spirit of its constituent companies, shaping industries, inspiring entrepreneurs and investors worldwide.
The Nasdaq-100 Index® tracks 100 of the largest, non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. These companies have an enduring legacy of disruption in their respective markets, empowering growth and prosperity across the globe. The index has delivered a 14.25% compound annualized return since its inception, allowing investors around the world to share in that success. This exceptional performance underscores the transformative power of these businesses and their ability to drive long-term value for investors through public markets.
The Nasdaq-100® has had over 500 members, with six original members still in the index today: Apple, Micron Technology Inc., Intel Corporation, KLA Corporation, PACCAR, and Costco Wholesale Corporation. When the Nasdaq-100® first launched, the median market capitalization of a company in the NDX® was $455 million and the average market capitalization was $580 million. As of December 31, 2024, the median market capitalization of a company in the NDX® was $74 billion, and the average market capitalization was $268 billion.
Driving the Innovation Economy Through Research and Development
The companies in the Nasdaq-100® have a history of accelerating change. As a driving force of innovation and economic growth, they spend between 600-1,200% more on research and development compared to companies residing in broad-based US large cap equity indexes1. Moreover, companies that invest more in research and development have delivered above-average performance across much of the 21st century2, and proven to be resilient over time through different market environments.
“AMD congratulates Nasdaq on celebrating 40 years of the Nasdaq-100 Index,” said Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, AMD. “We share Nasdaq’s commitment to growth and innovation to deliver value for our stakeholders and are proud to stand alongside the trailblazing companies within this elite group. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Nasdaq to drive technological and economic advancements in the years to come.”
“Over the past 40 years, the Nasdaq-100 Index® has grown into a powerful embodiment of innovation, resilience, and unparalleled growth. By providing investors with access to the groundbreaking companies shaping the global economy, the index has not only fueled innovation but also enabled the creation of generational wealth,” said Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO at Nasdaq. “From trendsetting startups to global industry giants, the index is a testament to Nasdaq’s unwavering commitment to support companies at all stages of their journey. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are not only honored by the extraordinary achievements of the companies within the index, but also reaffirm our mission to champion innovation, empower growth and support the companies and investors that shape the future of markets worldwide.”
“Today we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nasdaq-100 Index®, a globally recognized benchmark of the companies accelerating our economy,” said Emily Spurling, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Indexes at Nasdaq. “This milestone marks a significant moment in our journey as a transparent, rules-based index provider. By creating access to the value chain of leading technology companies across multiple industries, NDX® empowers investors to support and benefit from the next generation of innovation, ensuring they are at the forefront of transformative growth.”
The Expansive Nasdaq-100® Global Ecosystem
The characteristics, strength, and significance of the Nasdaq-100® have generated considerable investor demand for access to the index. Subsequently, a global financial ecosystem has developed around NDX®, enabling investors to gain exposure through various investment vehicles tailored to market participants worldwide.
The combined value of all products tracking the NDX® ecosystem globally exceeds $500 billion. Among the investment vehicles growing at an accelerated rate are Exchange Traded Products, with 94 different Nasdaq-100® products currently trading in over 20 countries across 6 continents. The first and largest of these is the Invesco QQQ ETF, which is the second most liquid ETF in the US and has served as a foundational financial product by providing investors with access to the Nasdaq-100®3.
“Congratulations to Nasdaq on the 40th anniversary of the Nasdaq-100 Index®,” said Brian Hartigan, Global Head of ETFs and Index Investments, Invesco. “The evolution of the Nasdaq-100 Index® and Invesco QQQ mirrors the growth and development of technology and innovation, positioning the QQQ as one of the most important large-cap growth strategies with an ever-growing investment audience. We are happy that the long-standing Nasdaq and Invesco collaboration continues to contribute to success of the innovative Nasdaq-100 Index®.”
Beyond Exchange Traded Products, the NDX® ecosystem has also experienced large scale growth and evolution in other asset classes, including index options and futures. From 2023 to 2024 index options that tracked NDX® have seen a 39.5% volume increase in contracts. Additionally, CME’s Nasdaq 100® futures have seen their average notional value traded daily exceed $200 billion in 20244. These products provide investors with additional avenues to gain exposure to the index, while continuing to trade in ways that are familiar, cost effective, or provide risk management abilities.
Nasdaq Global Indexes has been creating innovative, market-leading, transparent indexes since 1971. Today, there are over 10,000 indexes that span geographies, asset classes, and diverse families. The indexes are tracked by financial product sponsors across a wide spectrum of investable products and for asset managers to measure risk and performance. Nasdaq also provides exchange listing, custom index, and design solutions to financial organizations worldwide.
To celebrate the occasion, Nasdaq will host a special closing bell ceremony on Friday, January 31, 2025, commemorating this moment with its long-time clients and partners.
To learn more about the Nasdaq-100® ecosystem, click here.
About Nasdaq
Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.
Nasdaq Media Contacts:
The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular financial product or an overall investment strategy. Neither The Nasdaq OMX Group, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any financial product or any representation about the financial condition of any company or fund. Statements regarding Nasdaq’s proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.
-NDAQG-
1 Refers to the S&P 500, Nasdaq US 500 Large Cap Index, and other indexes comprised of the largest few hundred companies listed in the US weighted by market cap.
2 Refers to https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/docs/NDX%20Extended%20Presentation.pdf.
3 According to Nasdaq ETF Intel as of January 28, 2025.
4 Refers to https://www.cmegroup.com/openmarkets/equity-index/2024/The-Growth-of-Tech-and-25-Years-of-Nasdaq-Futures.html.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
New York, NY, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our company,” or “MFH”) (Nasdaq: MFH), a digital fintech group, is pleased to announce that effective February 1, 2025, Wilfred Daye will be joining MFH as Chief Strategy Officer and will also serve as the CEO of JVDA, LLC, a subsidiary of MFH and doing business as “Chaince Securities”.
In his dual leadership roles, Daye will focus on driving strategic innovation and operational excellence across both organizations. As Chief Strategy Officer at MFH, Daye will lead the company’s efforts in global expansion and digital asset adoption, bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and market expertise to accelerate the firm’s growth initiatives. His leadership will ensure MFH remains at the forefront of innovation in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. In his capacity as CEO of Chaince Securities, Daye will run a client-centric investment banking and capital formation practice. His vision is to deliver tailored solutions that meet the needs of an increasingly dynamic and sophisticated market.
With a forward-thinking mindset and extensive expertise in structured credit trading and financial innovation, Daye brings over two decades of leadership at the crossroads of Wall Street and digital innovation. He previously served as CEO of Securitize Capital, the asset management arm of Securitize, a trailblazer in Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, and a recognized leader in blockchain-enabled financial solutions. Under his leadership, Securitize successfully tokenized private equity assets for industry giants such as KKR and Hamilton Lane, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of digital assets.
Daye has also held pivotal roles at some of the world’s leading financial institutions. As a trader at UBS, he specialized in complex cash and synthetic structured products, driving advancements in financial engineering. He also held senior positions at Deutsche Bank and Barclays Capital, where he focused on global credit products. Additionally, he was a key member of the structured credit team at D.B. Zwirn after beginning his career at Lehman Brothers.
“What excites me most about joining MFH and Chaince Securities is the unique opportunity to shape the future of finance at a time when innovation and tradition are finding powerful new synergies,” said Wilfred. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen how transformative the right combination of technology and financial expertise can be. I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to build something truly exceptional—a bridge between traditional financial services and the digital future that creates lasting value for our clients and partners.”
Shi Qiu, CEO of Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc., further commented, “When we envisioned the next chapter of MFH’s growth, we knew we needed a leader who not only understands the complexities of both traditional and digital finance but also shares our commitment to innovation with purpose. In Wilfred, we’ve found that rare combination. His genuine passion for financial innovation and deep understanding of institutional markets makes him the perfect architect for our future. We’re delighted to welcome him to our leadership team.”
About Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc.
Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc. is a digital fintech company with subsidiaries specializing in distributed computing and business consultation across North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Our focus is on delivering innovative financial solutions while adhering to principles of compliance, professionalism, and operational efficiency. Our aim is to contribute to the evolution of digital finance by providing secure and innovative financial services to individuals and businesses. Our dedication to compliance, professionalism, and operational excellence ensures that we remain a trusted partner in the rapidly transforming financial landscape. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at https://mercurityfintech.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.
For more information, please contact:
International Elite Capital Inc.
Vicky Chueng
Tel: +1(646) 866-7989
Email: mfhfintech@iecapitalusa.com
Source: City of Wolverhampton
It is an opportunity for the public to take part in Come As You Really Are, the largest ever exhibition of the UK’s hobbies. From makers and modifiers to crafters and collectors, Wolverhampton Art Gallery are working alongside Artangel and award winning artist and Spiderman enthusiast Hetain Patel to invite audiences to exhibit their hobbies in an exhibition at the gallery from 12 July to 5 October, 2025.
The exhibition will bring together objects created, modified or collected by Midland based hobbyists, alongside contributions from people across the UK and a new artist film by Patel. Each hobby represents a decision to commit valuable time to living life on one’s own terms in a society dominated by consumerism. On display will be hundreds of unique hand crafted objects loaned by hobbyists of any discipline, such as costume and cosplay makers, crocheters and knitters, wood carvers and model makers, ceramicists, robotics engineers, origami specialists, augmented car enthusiasts and many more.
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, Councillor Chris Burden, said: “The joy of hobbies lies in their power to bring people together while celebrating individuality. Come As You Really Are is a unique opportunity to spotlight the incredible creativity and dedication of hobbyists in Wolverhampton, the Midlands and beyond. From cosplay to ceramics, every object tells a story of passion, perseverance, and self expression.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Hetain Patel and Artangel to showcase these hidden talents and invite the public to share their own creations in this celebration of living life on one’s own terms. This exhibition promises to be as diverse and inspiring as the communities it represents.”
Hetain Patel said: “I’ve always been obsessed by handmade things. Growing up in Bolton, in a working class culturally Indian household, we ate with our hands, and many of my relatives worked as part of the manual labour force in local factories. The empowering thing about hobbies is choice and doing something on our own terms. The creative act is really hopeful with huge benefits to us individually and something that connects us to others regardless of our differences.”
For the chance to be a part of the upcoming exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and to find out more information visit Wolverhampton Arts & Culture. It only takes a couple of minutes and all you need is a picture or two from your phone.
To be eligible, respondents must be based in the UK and self identify as a hobbyist. The Wolverhampton exhibition aims to showcase hobbies across the Midlands region. By hobbyist we mean someone who engages with an activity on an ongoing basis. This might be daily, weekly or a couple of times a year.
People may have many different ideas of what constitutes a hobby. On the form you will see a very comprehensive list of hobbies. Some are object based in that they result in the creation of an object e.g. knitting or woodworking. Others might be more ephemeral, such as skateboarding or gardening. All are eligible for the project. If a hobby is not on the list, respondents will be able to add it to the database by clicking, ‘my hobby isn’t in this list’ and typing it in when prompted.
Hobbyists have until 30 March, 2025 to submit their hobbies for a chance to be part of the exhibition. Come As Your Really Are will open from Saturday 12 July until Sunday 5 October, 2025. The exhibition is free to the public. Wolverhampton Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. For more information, please visit Wolverhampton Arts & Culture.
The Gaza ceasefire deal proves that Israeli politics can only survive if it’s engaged in perpetual war.
US President Donald Trump has unsettled Arab leaders with his obscene suggestion that Egypt and Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza.
Both Egypt and Jordan have stated that this is a non-starter and will not happen.
Israeli extremists have welcomed Trump’s comments with the hope that the forced expulsion of Palestinians would pave the way for Jewish settlements in Gaza.
But the truth is that Israeli leaders likely feel deceived by Trump more than anything else. Benjamin Netanyahu and most of Israeli society were once clamouring for Donald Trump.
All that has changed since President Trump sent his top Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to Israel in which Witkoff reportedly lambasted Benjamin Netanyahu and forced him to accept a ceasefire agreement.
Since then, Israeli leaders and Israeli society, are seemingly taken aback by Trump’s more restrained approach toward the Middle East and desire for a ceasefire.
While the current ceasefire in place is a precarious endeavour at best, Israeli reactions to the cessation of hostilities highlight a profound point: not only did Netanyahu misread Trump’s intentions, but the entire Israeli political system itself seemingly only thrives during conflict in which the US provides it with unfettered military and diplomatic support.
Geostrategic calculus
Firstly, Israel believed that Trump’s second term would likely be a continuation of his first — where the US based its geostrategic calculus in the Middle East around Israel’s interests. This gave Israeli leaders the impression that Trump would give them the green light to attack Iran, resettle and starve Gaza, and formally annex the West Bank.
However, Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist ilk failed to take into consideration that Trump likely views blanket Israeli interests as liabilities to both the United States and Trump’s vision for the Middle East.
Trump blessing an Israel-Iran showdown seems to be off the table. Trump himself stated this and is backing up his words by appointing Washington-based analyst Mike DiMino as a top Department of Defence advisor.
DiMino, a former fellow at the non-interventionist think tank Defense Priorities, is against war with Iran and has been highly critical of US involvement in the Middle East. Steve Witkoff will also be leading negotiations with Iran.
The appointment of DiMino and Witkoff has enraged the Washington neoconservative establishment and is a signal to Tel Aviv that Trump will not capitulate to Israel’s hawkish ambitions.
The Trump effect
As it pertains to his vision for the Middle East, Trump has been adamant about expanding the Abraham Accords, deepening US military ties with Saudi Arabia, and possibly pioneering Saudi-Israeli “normalisation”.
The Saudi government has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling it a genocide and also made it clear that they will not normalise relations with Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state.
While there is an explicit pro-Israel angle to all these components, none of Trump’s objectives for the Middle East would be feasible if the genocide in Gaza continued or if the US allowed Israel to formally annex the occupied West Bank, something Trump stopped during his first term.
It is unlikely that a Palestinian state will arise under Trump’s administration; however, Trump has been in contact with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.
Trump’s Middle East Adviser Massad Boulos has also facilitated talks between Abbas and Trump. Steve Witkoff has also met with PA official Hussein al-Sheikh in Saudi Arabia to discuss where the PA fits into a post-October 7 Gaza and a possible pathway to a Palestinian state.
Witkoff’s willingness to meet with PA, along with the quiet yet growing relationship between Trump and Abbas, was likely something Netanyahu did not anticipate and may have also factored into Netanyahu’s acquiescence in Gaza.
Of equal importance, the Gaza ceasefire deal proves that Israeli politics can only survive if it’s engaged in perpetual war.
Brutal occupation
This is evidenced by its brutal occupation of the Palestinians, destroying Gaza, and attacking its neighbours in Syria and Lebanon. Now that Israel is forced to stop its genocide in Gaza, at least for the time being, fissures within the Israeli government are already growing.
Jewish extremist Itamar Ben Gvir resigned from Netanyahu’s coalition due to the ceasefire after serving as Israel’s national security minister. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also threatened to leave if a ceasefire was enacted.
Such dynamics within the Israeli government and its necessity for conflict are only possible because the US allows it to happen.
In providing Israel with unfettered military and diplomatic support, the US allows Israel to torment the Palestinian people. Now that Israel cannot punish Gaza, it has shifted their focus to the West Bank.
Since the ceasefire’s implementation, the Israeli army has engaged in deadly raids in the Jenin refugee camp which had displaced over 2000 Palestinians. The Israeli army has also imposed a complete siege on the West Bank, shutting down checkpoints to severely restrict the movement of Palestinians.
All of Israel’s genocidal practices are a direct result of the impunity granted to them by the Biden administration; who willingly refused to impose any consequences for Israel’s blatant violation of US law.
Joe Biden could have enforced either the Leahy Law or Section 620 I of the Foreign Assistance Act at any time, which would ban weapons from flowing to Israel due to their impediment of humanitarian aid into Gaza and use of US weapons to facilitate grave human rights abuses in Gaza.
Instead, he chose to undermine US laws to ensure that Israel had everything it facilitate their mass slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza.
The United States has always held all the cards when it comes to Israel’s hawkish political composition. Israel was simply the executioner of the US’s devastating policies towards Gaza and the broader Palestinian national movement.
Abdelhalim Abdelrahman is a freelance Palestinian journalist. His work has appeared in The New Arab, The Hill, MSN, and La Razon. Tis article was first published by The New Arab and is republished under Creative Commons.
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA
World Wetlands Day highlights the importance of the conservation and sustainability of one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems for the health of people and the planet. The IAEA is helping to protect them with isotopic techniques.
This video was first published on 23 January 2024.
Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis
Personal income increased $92.0 billion (0.4 percent at a monthly rate) in December, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable personal income (DPI)—personal income less personal current taxes—increased $79.7 billion (0.4 percent) and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $133.6 billion (0.7 percent).
Personal outlays—the sum of PCE, personal interest payments, and personal current transfer payments—increased $129.5 billion in December. Personal saving was $843.2 billion in December and the personal saving rate—personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income—was 3.8 percent.
The increase in current-dollar personal income in December primarily reflected an increase in compensation.
The $133.6 billion increase in current-dollar PCE in December reflected an increase of $78.2 billion in spending for services and $55.4 billion in spending for goods.
From the preceding month, the PCE price index for December increased 0.3 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.2 percent.
From the same month one year ago, the PCE price index for December increased 2.6 percent. Excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 2.8 percent from one year ago.
* * *
Next release: February 28, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EST
Personal Income and Outlays, January 2025
The increase in personal income in December primarily reflected an increase in compensation, led by private wages and salaries, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Current Employment Statistics (CES).
Revisions to Personal Income
Estimates have been updated for October and November, reflecting updated BLS CES data.
Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve
Let me begin by saying my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the passengers and crew who perished in the tragic flight accident in Washington, D.C. Wednesday evening.
Thank you for the invitation to speak to you today.1 It is a pleasure to be with you virtually for your CEO Summit. I always enjoy the opportunity to meet bankers from across the country, especially New England, to learn about the issues that are important to you. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) concluded its January meeting earlier this week, so I will begin by offering some brief remarks on the economy, and then share my views on a number of mutual and community bank issues, before addressing some questions that were submitted by your members in advance of today’s meeting.
Update on the Most Recent FOMC MeetingAt our FOMC meeting this week, my colleagues and I voted to hold the federal funds rate target range at 4-1/4 to 4‑1/2 percent and to continue to reduce the Federal Reserve’s securities holdings. I supported this action because, after recalibrating the level of the policy rate towards the end of last year to reflect the progress made since 2023 on lowering inflation and cooling the labor market, I think that policy is now in a good place to position the Committee to pay closer attention to the inflation data as it evolves.
Looking ahead to 2025, in my view, the current policy stance also provides the opportunity to review further indicators of economic activity and get clarity on the administration’s policies and their effects on the economy. It will be very important to have a better sense of the actual policies and how they will be implemented, in addition to greater confidence about how the economy will respond.
Brief Remarks on the EconomyThe U.S. economy remained strong through the end of last year, with solid growth in economic activity and a labor market near full employment. Core inflation remains elevated, but my expectation is that it will moderate further this year. Even with this outlook, I continue to see upside risks to inflation.
The rate of inflation declined significantly in 2023, but it slowed by noticeably less last year. Without having seen the December data released this morning, I estimate that the 12-month measure of core personal consumption expenditures inflation—which excludes food and energy prices—likely remained unchanged at 2.8 percent in December, only slightly below its 3.0 percent reading at the end of 2023. Progress has been slow and uneven since the spring of last year mostly due to a slowing in core goods price declines.
After increasing at a solid pace, on average, over the initial three quarters of last year, gross domestic product appears to have risen a bit more slowly in the fourth quarter, reflecting a large drop in inventory investment, which is a volatile category. In contrast, private domestic final purchases, which provide a better signal about underlying growth in economic activity, maintained its strong momentum from earlier in the year, as personal consumption rose robustly again in the fourth quarter.
Some measures of consumer sentiment appear to have improved recently but are still well below pre-pandemic levels, likely because of higher prices. And since housing, food, and energy price increases have far outpaced overall inflation since the pandemic, lower-income households have experienced the negative impacts of inflation hardest, especially as these households have limited options to trade down for lower-cost goods and services.
Payroll employment gains rebounded strongly in December and averaged about 170,000 per month in the fourth quarter, a pace that is somewhat above average gains in the prior two quarters. The unemployment rate edged back down to 4.1 percent in December and has moved sideways since last June, remaining slightly below my estimate of full employment.
The labor market appears to have stabilized in the second half of last year, after having loosened from extremely tight conditions. The rise in the unemployment rate since mid-2023 largely reflected weaker hiring, as job seekers entering or re-entering the labor force are taking longer to find work, while layoffs have remained low. The ratio of job vacancies to unemployed workers has remained close to the pre-pandemic level in recent months, and there are still more available jobs than available workers. The labor market no longer appears to be especially tight, but wage growth remains somewhat above the pace consistent with our inflation goal.
I hope the revision of the Bureau of Labor Statistics labor data, which will be released next week, will more accurately capture the changing dynamics of immigration and net business creation and bring more clarity on the underlying pace of job growth. It is crucial that U.S. official data accurately capture structural changes in labor markets in real time, such as those in recent years, so we can more confidently rely on these data for monetary and economic policymaking. In the meantime, given conflicting economic signals, measurement challenges, and significant data revisions, I remain cautious about taking signal from only a limited set of real-time data releases.
Assuming the economy evolves as I expect, I think that inflation will slow further this year. Its progress may be bumpy and uneven, and the upcoming inflation data for the first quarter will be an important indication of how quickly this will happen. That said, I continue to see greater risks to price stability, especially while the labor market remains near full employment.
Despite the prospect for some reduction in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia, global supply chains continue to be susceptible to disruptions, which could result in inflationary effects on food, energy, and other commodity markets. In addition, the release of pent-up demand following the election, especially with improving consumer and business sentiment, could lead to stronger economic activity, which could increase inflationary pressures.
The Path ForwardAs we enter a new phase in the process of moving the federal funds rate toward a more neutral policy stance, I would prefer that future adjustments to the policy rate be gradual. We should take time to carefully assess the progress in achieving our inflation and employment goals and consider changes to the policy rate based on how the data evolves.
Given the current stance of policy, I continue to be concerned that easier financial conditions over the past year may have contributed to the lack of further progress on slowing inflation. In light of the ongoing strength in the economy and with equity prices substantially higher than a year ago, it seems unlikely that the overall level of interest rates and borrowing costs are exerting meaningful restraint.
I am also closely watching the increase in longer-term Treasury yields since we started the recalibration of our policy stance at the September meeting. Some have interpreted it as a reflection of investors’ concerns about the possibility of tighter-than-expected policy that may be required to address inflationary pressures. In light of these considerations, I continue to prefer a cautious and gradual approach to adjusting policy.
There is still more work to be done to bring inflation closer to our 2 percent goal. I would like to see progress in lowering inflation resume before we make further adjustments to the target range. We need to keep inflation in focus while the labor market appears to be in balance and the unemployment rate continues to be at historically low levels. By the time of our March meeting, we will have received two inflation and two employment reports. I look forward to reviewing the first quarter inflation data, which, as I noted earlier, will be key to understanding the path of inflation going forward. I do expect that inflation will begin to decline again and that by year-end it will be lower than where it now stands.
Looking forward, it is important to note that monetary policy is not on a preset course. At each FOMC meeting, my colleagues and I will make our decisions based on the incoming data and the implications for and risks to the outlook and guided by the Fed’s dual-mandate goals of maximum employment and stable prices. I will also continue to meet with a broad range of contacts as I assess the appropriateness of our monetary policy stance.
Bringing inflation in line with our price stability goal is essential for sustaining a healthy labor market and fostering an economy that works for everyone in the longer run.
Perspective on Mutual and Community BanksTurning to banking, I will start with a brief discussion of the important role of mutual banks in the banking system before addressing other bank regulatory issues. One of the unique characteristics of the U.S. banking system is the broad scope of institutions it includes and the wide range of customers and communities it serves. Given this institutional diversity, regulators must strive to foster a financial system that enables each and every bank, no matter its size, to thrive, supporting a vibrant economy and financial system.
Mutual Bank IssuesIn the Northeast, everyone is familiar with mutual banks given their significant presence in this region. Since the early 1800s, these banks have been dedicated to serving their local communities.2 Their ownership structure differs from traditional banks in that mutuals are owned by their depositors, rather than by shareholders. Like other community banks, they focus on local issues that are important to their communities and to their depositors.
Many of the challenges mutual banks face are similar to those faced by other financial institutions, including competition from other banks, credit unions, and non-banks. But mutual banks also face unique issues that can add cost and expense to their operations. Two issues I would like to discuss are the challenges mutual institutions face raising capital, and unique procedural hurdles mutuals face in managing the dividend process. While these issues are unique to mutuals, both highlight the challenges of a lack of transparency, and insufficient focus on efficiency.3
Just as with other community banks, a challenge for many mutuals is the difficulty of raising additional capital. This difficulty is exacerbated by their ownership structure, which typically requires mutuals to rely heavily on retained earnings. Although mutual institutions have historically been more highly capitalized relative to their stock-owned peers, if a mutual capital raise is needed, it would be helpful to provide some regulatory flexibility in the process. Recently, some mutuals have issued subordinated debt as a form of capital, but another form of regulatory capital may be preferable: mutual capital certificates.
To date, it has been unclear whether mutual capital certificates qualify as regulatory capital. These instruments could provide mutual banks an additional way to raise capital without disrupting their mutual structure. In my view, the banking agencies should be receptive to these kinds of instruments to ensure that mutual banks can both raise capital and maintain their depositor-owned structure. Mutuals need clarity and transparency about the regulatory treatment of these instruments and whether they qualify as regulatory capital.
Another concern for mutuals is the annual requirement to receive regulatory approval for a mutual holding company’s waiver of a dividend issued by its subsidiary bank.4 The Board practice is to require a mutual holding company to submit an application each year to implement a waiver. This prior approval requirement is complex and imposes significant costs on these small institutions, reducing the investment they can make in their communities. Because of the time and expense of these waiver requirements, it is possible that the inefficiencies of the required application process erode the value of a mutual holding company structure, which would further constrain a mutual bank’s ability to raise capital.
Since the Board has nearly 20 years of experience considering these waiver requests, it seems appropriate to consider whether the applications process for these waivers is efficient. What lessons have we learned? Is the prior approval requirement effective in its review of holding companies waiving receipt of their dividends, or can this be resolved in a more efficient and cost effective manner? In my view, the Board should consider whether this process is effective and efficient in addressing concerns related to dividend waivers.
Mutual banks, like all community banks, are vital to the economic success of their communities. It is critical that our applications process not act as a limit on a particular type of institution simply due to regulatory inaction or lack of clarity and transparency. Regulators must find efficient and effective ways to support a vibrant and diverse banking system that enables these and other small institutions to thrive while supporting and investing in their local economy.
TailoringTransparency and efficiency are just two of the necessary components of a regulatory approach that promotes a healthy and vibrant banking system. Another component that I speak about frequently is the use of “tailoring” in the regulatory framework. For those familiar with my philosophy on bank regulation and supervision, my interest and focus on tailoring will come as no surprise.5 In its most basic form, it is difficult to disagree with the virtue of regulatory and supervisory tailoring—calibrating the requirements and expectations imposed on a firm based on its size, business model, risk profile, and complexity—as a reasonable, appropriate and responsible approach for bank regulation and supervision. In fact, tailoring is embedded in the statutory fabric of the Federal Reserve’s bank regulatory responsibilities.6
The bank regulatory framework inherently includes significant costs—both the cost of operating the banking agencies, and the cost to the banking industry of complying with regulations, the examination process, and supplying information to regulators both through formal information collections and through one-off requests. In the aggregate, these costs can ultimately affect the price and availability of credit, geographic access to banking services, and the broader economy. The cost of this framework—both to regulators and to the industry—reflects layers of policy decisions over many years. But this framework could be more effective in balancing the mandate to promote safety and soundness with the need to have a banking system that promotes economic growth.
For example, let’s consider costs. As regulatory and supervisory demands grow, there is often parallel growth in the staff and budgets of the banking agencies. We should not only be cognizant of these costs, but we should act in a way that requires efficiency while ensuring safety and soundness. Some degree of elasticity in regulator capacity is necessary to respond to evolving economic and banking conditions, as well as emerging risks, but there must be reasonable constraints on growth. Expansion of the regulatory framework is not a cost-free endeavor, and the costs are shouldered by taxpayers, banks, and, ultimately, bank customers.
The bank regulatory framework has great potential to provide significant benefits, including supporting an innovative banking system that enhances trust and confidence in our institutions, and promotes safety and soundness. When we consider the benefits and the costs, we can institute greater efficiencies in both banking regulation and in the banking industry itself. The bank regulatory framework is complex, and the various elements of this framework are intended to work in a complementary way. As banks evolve—by growing larger, or by engaging in new activities—tailoring can help us to quickly recalibrate requirements in light of the new risks posed by the firm.
But the regulatory framework, especially how supervisors prioritize its application to the banking industry, can pose a serious threat to a bank’s viability. For example, imposing the same regulatory requirements on banks with assets of $2 billion to $2 trillion under the new rules implementing the Community Reinvestment Act demonstrated a missed opportunity to promote greater effectiveness and efficiency.7 I question the wisdom of applying the same evaluation standards to banks within such a broad range.
Likewise, supervisory guidance can provide fertile ground to differentiate supervisory expectations under a more tailored approach. While supervisory guidance is not binding on banks as a legal matter, it can signal how regulators think about particular risks and activities, and often drives community banks to reallocate resources in a way that may not be necessary or appropriate. The Fed’s guidance on third-party risk management is an example of this. Originally, this guidance was published in a way that applied to all banks, including community banks. Yet, it was acknowledged even at the time of publication that it had known shortcomings, particularly in terms of its administration and lack of clarity for community banks.8
Tailoring is important for all banks, but it is particularly important for community banks. There are real costs not only to banks, but to communities, when the framework is insufficiently tailored, as community banks faced with excessive regulatory burdens may be forced to raise prices or shut their doors completely. These banks often reach unbanked or underbanked corners of the U.S. economy, not only in terms of the customers they serve but also in terms of their geographic footprint. We are all familiar with banking deserts and the challenges many legitimate and law-abiding businesses and consumers have in accessing basic banking services and credit. It is difficult to imagine that a system with far fewer banks would as effectively serve U.S. banking and credit needs and sufficiently to support economic growth.
It is imperative that we keep the benefits of tailoring in focus as the bank regulatory framework evolves. A tailored regulatory and supervisory approach can help inform our policies on a wide range of industry issues that are likely to emerge in the coming years.
Problem-Based SolutionsOne of the most difficult challenges on the regulatory front is prioritization, both for banks managing their businesses and for regulators deciding how to fulfill their responsibilities. At a basic level, the role of regulators is dictated by statute. Congress granted the Federal Reserve and other banking agencies broad statutory powers but has constrained how those powers may be directed through the use of statutory mandates, including to promote a safe and sound banking system, and broader U.S. financial stability. In the execution of these responsibilities, the Federal Reserve must also balance the need to act in a way that enables the banking system to serve the U.S. economy and promote economic growth. While these objectives are not incompatible, they do require us to consider tradeoffs when establishing policy.
How can regulators best meet these responsibilities? As many of you may already know, I strongly believe in a pragmatic approach to policymaking.9 This requires us to identify the problem we are trying to solve, determine whether we are the appropriate regulator to address the problem based on our statutory mandates and authorities, and explore options for addressing the identified issue.
As a first step, we must be attuned to the banking system and how regulatory actions affect that system. We oversee a wide range of banks of varying sizes, activities, affiliates, and complexity. These banks interact with a range of service providers, financial market utilities, payments providers, and non-bank partners, regularly competing with non-bank financial intermediaries. The banking system can be a key driver of business formation, economic expansion, and opportunity.
As we look at the banking system, including the regulatory framework, we must focus on those issues that are most important to advancing statutory priorities. There is always the risk of misidentification and mis-prioritization, and that we fail to take appropriately robust action on key issues or focus on issues that are less material to a bank’s safety and soundness. Our goal should be to develop a better filter to promote appropriate and effective prioritization.
FraudWe have seen several instances where this filter did not produce appropriate results, as we have recently seen with fraud. The incidence of fraud, particularly check fraud, has been rising substantially over the past few years, causing harm to banks, damaging the perceived safety of the banking system, and importantly hurting consumers who are the victims of fraudulent activity. Sometimes these efforts target vulnerable populations, like the elderly, who are particularly susceptible to certain forms of fraud.
Despite this known problem, efforts by regulators have been frustratingly slow to advance, and seem to have done little to address the underlying root causes of this increase in fraud. Why has this important issue failed to garner greater attention from all of the appropriate regulatory and law enforcement bodies? Different governmental agencies may share an important role in addressing this problem, but the need for a joint and coordinated solution does not excuse collective inaction.
Climate-Related Financial RiskOf course, not every issue falls within the scope of the Federal Reserve’s responsibilities. Even when policymakers identify an issue or priority that they would like to pursue, it is imperative to ask whether that priority falls within the scope of our mandate and authorities. Statutes and regulations, paired with the “soft” power of examination, can be deployed in ways that may not be primarily directed towards the priorities mandated for banking regulators. I’ve noted previously that the banking agencies’ climate-related financial risk guidance arguably pushes the boundaries of appropriate regulatory responsibilities. Banks have long been required to manage all material risks, including weather- and climate-related risks. And while this additional guidance seemed to do little to advance the goals of promoting the safe and sound operation of banks it, in effect, posed significant risks of influencing credit allocation decisions. Ultimately, banking regulators should not dictate credit allocation decisions, either by rule or through supervision. Bank regulatory policy should be used to address the needs of the unbanked and expand the availability of banking services. It should not be used to limit or exclude access to banking services for legitimate customers and businesses in a way that is meant to further unrelated policy goals, sometimes referred to as “de-banking.”
Once we have identified problems and determined that they are within the Fed’s responsibility, we must consider alternative approaches to address them, focusing on identifying efficient solutions. New technologies and services often require novel regulatory and supervisory approaches, and we recognize that past approaches may not be effective. Often regulators take a “more is better” approach to regulation and guidance. Over the past several years, the banking industry has faced an onslaught of proposed and final regulations and guidance, materials that require a significant time commitment to review, to comment on, and to implement. Many times, these require changes to policies and procedures or risk management practices.
It is critical that in our urgency to address issues in the banking system—particularly for community banks—that we consider not just the direct and indirect effects of regulatory action but also this cumulative burden. Community banks are resilient and dedicated to serving their communities, but at some point, the cumulative burden of the bank regulatory framework can adversely affect the availability and pricing of banking services and threaten the ongoing viability of the community bank model. The community banks in this country are important economically and to their communities, and we should strive to support these institutions and their ongoing viability.
Other Notable Issues and ConcernsIn preparation for today’s event, conference attendees were asked to submit questions in advance. So before concluding my remarks I’d like to address a few of these, since we won’t be able to do a live Q&A session in this virtual format. Thank you for submitting your questions in advance.
As community bankers, we are deeply invested in supporting the growth and resilience of our local economies. With ongoing regulatory pressures, what specific actions can the Federal Reserve take to ensure smaller institutions like ours remain competitive and capable of delivering the personalized service that our communities depend on?One of the things I think is critical in identifying how to support community banks is listening to the industry—which issues are top-of-mind for you? Being an effective regulator requires a degree of humility, and receptiveness to hearing about issues that affect the business of banking, particularly when there are alternative ways that regulators can better promote safety and soundness, or where regulatory actions have resulted in unintended consequences. At the same time, during my conversations with banks, a few themes have emerged that deserve attention. This will be a non-exclusive list, but hopefully will give you a sense of the types of issues and concerns that I hear about most frequently when talking to community banks.
First, I think there is room to improve the transparency of regulatory communication. Banks should not be left to guess what regulators think about the permissibility of particular activities, or what parameters and rules should apply to those activities. Uncertainty discourages investments in innovation and the expansion of banking activities, products, and services, and can call into question whether internal processes and procedures are consistent with supervisory expectations. Banks already must confront the challenges of dealing with evolving economic and credit conditions, regulators should not compound these challenges through opaque expectations and standards.
Second, I think we need to address shortcomings in the processing of banking applications, employing a more nimble and predictable approach specifically in the de novo formation and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) contexts. Today, the process to obtain regulatory approval can be influenced by many factors under a bank’s control—for example, the completeness of the application filed and responsiveness to addressing questions and providing necessary additional information. However, the timeline for application decisions is often uncertain and beyond the bank’s control. This can be due to questions about the minimum amount of capital needed and early-stage supervisory expectations (for a de novo bank), or uncertainty about the competitive effects of a transaction, or the filing of a public comment raising concerns about an application in the M&A context.
Finally, I think regulatory and supervisory “trickle-down” is real and it has significantly harmed community banks. I am referring to regulators conveying expectations to community banks (for example, during the examination process) that lack a foundation in applicable rules or guidance, or that were designed for larger institutions, or based on a horizontal review of unique banks.
It is very difficult to insulate community banks from the harmful consequences of “trickle-down,” and broader structural changes may be needed to shield them from inapplicable and unreasonable expectations. At the same time, we must preserve strong supervisory standards as banks cross asset thresholds, so banks that grow larger and riskier are subject to appropriately tailored and calibrated requirements and expectations. I would also note that some degree of “trickle down” has occurred over time because the regulatory asset “line” defining community banks has remained constant at $10 billion in assets for over a decade. During that time, the economy has grown significantly, and inflation has rendered this asset definition obsolete. Many “community banks”—as defined by business model and activities rather than asset size—now exceed the threshold and must comply with broader regulatory requirements that may be excessive.
What support or guidance can community banks expect from the Federal Reserve as we navigate technological innovation and increased cybersecurity threats?Both innovation and cybersecurity are issues that are top of mind for me. Innovation has always been a priority for banks of all sizes and business models. Banks in the U.S. have a long history of developing and implementing new technologies, and innovation has the potential to make the banking and payments systems faster and more efficient, to bring new products and services to customers, and even to enhance safety and soundness.
Regulators must be open to innovation in the banking system. Our goal should be to build and support a clear and sensible regulatory framework that anticipates ongoing and evolving innovation—one that allows the private sector to innovate while also maintaining appropriate safeguards. We must promote innovation through transparency and open communication, including demonstrating a willingness to engage during the development process. By providing clarity and consistency, we can encourage long-term business investment, while also continuing to support today’s products and services. A clear regulatory framework would also empower supervisors to focus on safety and soundness, while ensuring a safe and efficient banking and payment system.
On cybersecurity, banks often note cybersecurity and third-party risk management as areas that raise significant concerns. Cyber-related events, including ransomware attacks and business email compromises, are costly in terms of expense and reputation, and are time-consuming events that pose unique challenges for community banks.
The maintenance of cyber assets and technology resources required to support a successful cybersecurity program are often difficult for smaller banks. Regulators can promote cybersecurity, and stronger cyber-incident “resilience” and response capabilities by identifying resources and opportunities, such as exercises, for banks to develop “muscle memory” in cyber incident response.
The Federal Reserve plays an important role in supervising banks and supporting risk management practices. For example, the Federal Reserve hosts the Midwest Cyber Workshop, with the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis.10 Over the past couple of years, this workshop has provided a forum to discuss cyber risk among community bankers, regulators, law enforcement, and other industry stakeholders. Community banks can also turn to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) website, which includes the FFIEC Cybersecurity Resource Guide and links to other external cybersecurity resources.
We know well that cyber threats pose real risks to the banking system, and we recognize that community banks may have unique needs in preventing, remediating, and responding to cyber threats. Regulators should, therefore, ensure that a range of resources are available to support banks and seek further opportunities to help build bank resilience against these threats.
Community banks are integral to rural and underserved communities. How can the Federal Reserve support us in maintaining our presence in these areas, particularly amid ongoing consolidation trends?As I noted earlier, it is essential that the U.S. banking system is broad and diverse, including institutions of all sizes serving all the different markets across the country. Community banks play a particularly valuable role in rural and underserved communities, and we need to ensure that the community banking model remains viable into the future.
To do that, we need to have a regulatory system in which both de novo bank formations and M&A transactions are possible. Viable formation and merger options for banks of all sizes are necessary to avoid creating a “barbell” of the very largest and very smallest banks in the banking system, with the number of community banks continuing to erode over time.
M&A ensures that banks have a meaningful path to transitioning bank ownership. In the absence of a viable M&A framework, there is potential for additional risks, including limited opportunities for succession planning, especially in smaller or rural communities. Uncertainty related to the M&A process also may act as a deterrent to de novo bank formation, as potential bank founders may stay on the sidelines knowing that future exit strategies—like the strategic acquisition of a de novo bank by a larger peer—may face long odds of success.
Another challenge particularly in rural markets are the competitive “screens” that are used to evaluate the competitive effects of a proposed merger. Using these screens often results in a finding that M&A transactions in rural markets can have an adverse effect on competition and should therefore be disallowed.11 Even when these transactions are eventually approved, the mechanical approach to analyzing competitive effects often requires additional review or analysis and can lead to extensive delays in the regulatory approval process. Reducing the efficiency of the bank M&A process can be a deterrent to healthy bank transactions—it can reduce the effectiveness of M&A and de novo activity that preserves the presence of community banks in underserved areas, prevent institutions from pursuing prudent growth strategies, and actually undermine competition by preventing firms from growing to a larger scale.
1. The views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily those of my colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Open Market Committee. Return to text
2. The first mutual banks in the United States were chartered in 1816. The Provident Institution for Savings and the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society were both chartered that year. See https://www.jstor.org/stable/2123609; https://www.mass.gov/info-details/history-of-the-division-of-banks. Return to text
3. Michelle W. Bowman, “Reflections on 2024: Monetary Policy, Economic Performance, and Lessons for Banking Regulation” (speech at the California Bankers Association 2025 Bank Presidents Seminar, Laguna Beach, California, January 9, 2025). Return to text
4. 12 CFR § 239.8(d). Return to text
5. See, e.g., Michelle W. Bowman, “Tailoring, Fidelity to the Rule of Law, and Unintended Consequences (PDF)” (speech at the Harvard Law School Faculty Club, Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 5, 2024). Return to text
6. See, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. No. 115-174, § 401(a)(1) (amending 12 U.S.C. § 5365), 132 Stat. 1296 (2018). Return to text
7. See dissenting statement, “Statement on the Community Reinvestment Act Final Rule by Governor Michelle W. Bowman,” news release, October 24, 2023. Return to text
8. See “Statement on Third Party Risk Management Guidance by Governor Michelle W. Bowman,” news release, June 6, 2023. Return to text
9. Michelle W. Bowman, “Approaching Policymaking Pragmatically (PDF)” (remarks to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida, November 20, 2024). Return to text
10. See Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, “Midwest Cyber Workshop 2024,” June 25‑26, 2024. Return to text
11. Michelle W. Bowman, “The Role of Research, Data, and Analysis in Banking Reforms (PDF)” (speech at the 2023 Community Banking Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, October 4, 2023); Michelle W. Bowman, “The New Landscape for Banking Competition (PDF),” (speech at the 2022 Community Banking Research Conference, St. Louis, MO, September 28, 2022). Return to text
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
HONOLULU, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Hawaiian, Inc. (NASDAQ:FHB), (“First Hawaiian” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its quarter ended December 31, 2024.
“I’m pleased to report that we finished 2024 with a very strong quarter that was highlighted by good performance across our key earnings drivers. Our loan and deposit balances grew, net interest margin expanded, expenses were well controlled and credit quality remained excellent. We also maintained our commitment to supporting our communities with a $1 million contribution to the First Hawaiian Foundation,” said Bob Harrison, Chairman, President, and CEO. “During the fourth quarter we took action to strengthen our balance sheet and increase our future earnings power by restructuring a portion of our investment portfolio. This action, along with the positive trends we saw in the fourth quarter, positions us very well entering 2025.”
On January 29, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share. The dividend will be payable on February 28, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 14, 2025.
Additionally, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program for up to $100.0 million of its outstanding common stock during 2025.
Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights:
Balance Sheet
Total assets were $23.8 billion at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
Gross loans and leases were $14.4 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $166.9 million, or 1.2%, from $14.2 billion as of September 30, 2024.
Total deposits were $20.3 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $94.5 million, or 0.5%, from $20.2 billion as of September 30, 2024.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $158.8 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 1.3%, compared to $156.7 million for the prior quarter.
The net interest margin was 3.03% in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 8 basis points compared to 2.95% in the prior quarter.
Provision Expense
During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, we recorded a $0.8 million negative provision for credit losses. In the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a $7.4 million provision for credit losses.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income was $29.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $23.9 million compared to noninterest income of $53.3 million in the prior quarter. Noninterest income in the fourth quarter of 2024 included a $26.2 million loss on the sale of investment securities.
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense was $124.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $2.0 million compared to noninterest expense of $126.1 million in the prior quarter.
The efficiency ratio was 65.5% and 59.8% for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
Taxes
The effective tax rate was 18.9% and 19.6% for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
Asset Quality
The allowance for credit losses was $160.4 million, or 1.11% of total loans and leases, as of December 31, 2024, compared to $163.7 million, or 1.15% of total loans and leases, as of September 30, 2024. The reserve for unfunded commitments was $32.8 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $33.7 million as of September 30, 2024. Net charge-offs were $3.4 million, or 0.09% of average loans and leases on an annualized basis, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $3.9 million, or 0.11% of average loans and leases on an annualized basis, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Total non-performing assets were $20.7 million, or 0.14% of total loans and leases and other real estate owned, on December 31, 2024, compared to total non-performing assets of $17.8 million, or 0.13% of total loans and leases and other real estate owned, on September 30, 2024.
Capital
Total stockholders’ equity was $2.6 billion on December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
The tier 1 leverage, common equity tier 1 and total capital ratios were 9.14%, 12.80% and 13.99%, respectively, on December 31, 2024, compared with 9.14%, 13.03% and 14.25%, respectively, on September 30, 2024.
The Company repurchased 1.5 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $40.0 million under the stock repurchase program in the fourth quarter. The average cost was $27.14 per share repurchased. Total repurchases in 2024 were $40.0 million.
As to the stock repurchase program approved for 2025, repurchases of shares of the Company’s common stock may be conducted through open-market purchases, which may include purchases under a trading plan adopted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1, or through privately negotiated transactions. The timing and exact amount of share repurchases, if any, will be subject to management’s discretion and various factors, including the Company’s capital position and financial performance, as well as market conditions. The repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason.
First Hawaiian, Inc.
First Hawaiian, Inc. (NASDAQ:FHB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Its principal subsidiary, First Hawaiian Bank, founded in 1858 under the name Bishop & Company, is Hawaii’s oldest and largest financial institution with branch locations throughout Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. The company offers a comprehensive suite of banking services to consumer and commercial customers including deposit products, loans, wealth management, insurance, trust, retirement planning, credit card and merchant processing services. Customers may also access their accounts through ATMs, online and mobile banking channels. For more information about First Hawaiian, Inc., visit the Company’s website, www.fhb.com.
Conference Call Information
First Hawaiian will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s results today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 8:00 a.m. Hawaii Time.
To access the call by phone, please register via the following link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI80003c73e95b445aa5fe62db794097bb, and you will be provided with dial in details. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.
A live webcast of the conference call, including a slide presentation, will be available at the following link: www.fhb.com/earnings. The archive of the webcast will be available at the same location.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may”, “might”, “should”, “could”, “predict”, “potential”, “believe”, “expect”, “continue”, “will”, “anticipate”, “seek”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “projection”, “would”, “annualized” and “outlook”, or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, there can be no assurance that actual results will not prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of important factors could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including (without limitation) the risks and uncertainties associated with the domestic and global economic environment and capital market conditions and other risk factors. For a discussion of some of these risks and important factors that could affect our future results and financial condition, see our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Return on average tangible assets, return on average tangible stockholders’ equity, tangible book value per share and tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that these measurements are useful for investors, regulators, management and others to evaluate financial performance and capital adequacy relative to other financial institutions. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results or financial condition as reported under GAAP. Investors should consider our performance and capital adequacy as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing our performance and capital adequacy.
Table 14 at the end of this document provides a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures with their most directly comparable GAAP measures.
| Financial Highlights | Table 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, |
September 30, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands, except per share data) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating Results: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 158,753 | $ | 156,707 | $ | 151,793 | $ | 622,738 | $ | 636,127 | ||||||||||
| (Benefit) provision for credit losses | (750 | ) | 7,400 | 5,330 | 14,750 | 26,630 | ||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income | 29,376 | 53,288 | 58,347 | 185,803 | 200,815 | |||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | 124,143 | 126,147 | 142,307 | 501,189 | 501,138 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | 52,496 | 61,492 | 47,502 | 230,129 | 234,983 | |||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | 0.41 | 0.48 | 0.37 | 1.80 | 1.84 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | 0.41 | 0.48 | 0.37 | 1.79 | 1.84 | |||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared per share | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.26 | 1.04 | 1.04 | |||||||||||||||
| Dividend payout ratio | 63.41 | % | 54.17 | % | 70.27 | % | 58.10 | % | 56.52 | % | ||||||||||
| Performance Ratios(1): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 3.03 | % | 2.95 | % | 2.81 | % | 2.95 | % | 2.92 | % | ||||||||||
| Efficiency ratio | 65.51 | % | 59.77 | % | 67.28 | % | 61.57 | % | 59.48 | % | ||||||||||
| Return on average total assets | 0.88 | % | 1.02 | % | 0.77 | % | 0.96 | % | 0.95 | % | ||||||||||
| Return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP)(2) | 0.92 | % | 1.06 | % | 0.81 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.99 | % | ||||||||||
| Return on average total stockholders’ equity | 7.94 | % | 9.45 | % | 7.94 | % | 9.00 | % | 10.01 | % | ||||||||||
| Return on average tangible stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP)(2) | 12.78 | % | 15.35 | % | 13.66 | % | 14.74 | % | 17.39 | % | ||||||||||
| Average Balances: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Average loans and leases | $ | 14,276,107 | $ | 14,304,806 | $ | 14,349,322 | $ | 14,312,759 | $ | 14,266,291 | ||||||||||
| Average earning assets | 21,079,951 | 21,328,882 | 21,688,816 | 21,284,169 | 21,952,009 | |||||||||||||||
| Average assets | 23,795,735 | 24,046,696 | 24,404,727 | 23,996,723 | 24,625,445 | |||||||||||||||
| Average deposits | 20,249,573 | 20,367,805 | 20,908,221 | 20,373,975 | 21,160,155 | |||||||||||||||
| Average stockholders’ equity | 2,629,600 | 2,588,806 | 2,374,669 | 2,557,215 | 2,346,713 | |||||||||||||||
| Market Value Per Share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Closing | 25.95 | 23.15 | 22.86 | 25.95 | 22.86 | |||||||||||||||
| High | 28.80 | 26.18 | 23.22 | 28.80 | 28.28 | |||||||||||||||
| Low | 22.08 | 20.28 | 17.18 | 19.48 | 15.08 | |||||||||||||||
| As of | As of | As of | ||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands, except per share data) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||||||
| Loans and leases | $ | 14,408,258 | $ | 14,241,370 | $ | 14,353,497 | ||||||
| Total assets | 23,828,186 | 23,780,285 | 24,926,474 | |||||||||
| Total deposits | 20,322,216 | 20,227,702 | 21,332,657 | |||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | 250,000 | 250,000 | 500,000 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 2,617,486 | 2,648,034 | 2,486,066 | |||||||||
| Per Share of Common Stock: | ||||||||||||
| Book value | $ | 20.70 | $ | 20.71 | $ | 19.48 | ||||||
| Tangible book value (non-GAAP)(2) | 12.83 | 12.92 | 11.68 | |||||||||
| Asset Quality Ratios: | ||||||||||||
| Non-accrual loans and leases / total loans and leases | 0.14 | % | 0.13 | % | 0.13 | % | ||||||
| Allowance for credit losses for loans and leases / total loans and leases | 1.11 | % | 1.15 | % | 1.09 | % | ||||||
| Capital Ratios: | ||||||||||||
| Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio | 12.80 | % | 13.03 | % | 12.39 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Capital Ratio | 12.80 | % | 13.03 | % | 12.39 | % | ||||||
| Total Capital Ratio | 13.99 | % | 14.25 | % | 13.57 | % | ||||||
| Tier 1 Leverage Ratio | 9.14 | % | 9.14 | % | 8.64 | % | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity to total assets | 10.98 | % | 11.14 | % | 9.97 | % | ||||||
| Tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)(2) | 7.10 | % | 7.25 | % | 6.23 | % | ||||||
| Non-Financial Data: | ||||||||||||
| Number of branches | 48 | 48 | 50 | |||||||||
| Number of ATMs | 273 | 273 | 275 | |||||||||
| Number of Full-Time Equivalent Employees | 1,997 | 2,022 | 2,089 | |||||||||
(1) Except for the efficiency ratio, amounts are annualized for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
(2) Return on average tangible assets, return on average tangible stockholders’ equity, tangible book value per share and tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets are non-GAAP financial measures. We compute our return on average tangible assets as the ratio of net income to average tangible assets, which is calculated by subtracting (and thereby effectively excluding) amounts related to the effect of goodwill from our average total assets. We compute our return on average tangible stockholders’ equity as the ratio of net income to average tangible stockholders’ equity, which is calculated by subtracting (and thereby effectively excluding) amounts related to the effect of goodwill from our average total stockholders’ equity. We compute our tangible book value per share as the ratio of tangible stockholders’ equity to outstanding shares. Tangible stockholders’ equity is calculated by subtracting (and thereby effectively excluding) amounts related to the effect of goodwill from our total stockholders’ equity. We compute our tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets as the ratio of tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets, each of which we calculate by subtracting (and thereby effectively excluding) the value of our goodwill. For a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, see Table 14, GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation.
| Consolidated Statements of Income | Table 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans and lease financing | $ | 198,347 | $ | 205,682 | $ | 196,276 | $ | 805,941 | $ | 748,053 | ||||||||||
| Available-for-sale investment securities | 12,767 | 12,850 | 19,033 | 54,306 | 74,241 | |||||||||||||||
| Held-to-maturity investment securities | 17,071 | 16,937 | 17,987 | 69,376 | 73,497 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 11,977 | 14,527 | 7,734 | 50,421 | 27,788 | |||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | 240,162 | 249,996 | 241,030 | 980,044 | 923,579 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | 78,465 | 87,500 | 82,215 | 335,717 | 258,221 | |||||||||||||||
| Short-term and long-term borrowings | 2,685 | 5,397 | 6,232 | 19,988 | 26,289 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 259 | 392 | 790 | 1,601 | 2,942 | |||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | 81,409 | 93,289 | 89,237 | 357,306 | 287,452 | |||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 158,753 | 156,707 | 151,793 | 622,738 | 636,127 | |||||||||||||||
| (Benefit) provision for credit losses | (750 | ) | 7,400 | 5,330 | 14,750 | 26,630 | ||||||||||||||
| Net interest income after (benefit) provision for credit losses | 159,503 | 149,307 | 146,463 | 607,988 | 609,497 | |||||||||||||||
| Noninterest income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Service charges on deposit accounts | 7,968 | 7,783 | 7,646 | 31,090 | 29,647 | |||||||||||||||
| Credit and debit card fees | 14,834 | 17,533 | 16,381 | 64,401 | 63,888 | |||||||||||||||
| Other service charges and fees | 13,132 | 11,790 | 9,535 | 45,862 | 37,299 | |||||||||||||||
| Trust and investment services income | 9,449 | 9,077 | 9,645 | 38,306 | 38,449 | |||||||||||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance | 5,713 | 4,502 | 5,063 | 17,861 | 15,326 | |||||||||||||||
| Investment securities (losses) gains, net | (26,171 | ) | — | 792 | (26,171 | ) | 792 | |||||||||||||
| Other | 4,451 | 2,603 | 9,285 | 14,454 | 15,414 | |||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest income | 29,376 | 53,288 | 58,347 | 185,803 | 200,815 | |||||||||||||||
| Noninterest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | 59,003 | 59,563 | 55,882 | 235,565 | 225,755 | |||||||||||||||
| Contracted services and professional fees | 14,472 | 14,634 | 16,219 | 60,912 | 66,423 | |||||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 7,708 | 6,945 | 7,561 | 28,971 | 29,608 | |||||||||||||||
| Equipment | 14,215 | 13,078 | 12,547 | 53,902 | 45,109 | |||||||||||||||
| Regulatory assessment and fees | 3,745 | 3,412 | 20,412 | 19,091 | 32,073 | |||||||||||||||
| Advertising and marketing | 1,529 | 1,813 | 1,441 | 7,719 | 7,615 | |||||||||||||||
| Card rewards program | 7,926 | 8,678 | 7,503 | 33,831 | 31,627 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 15,545 | 18,024 | 20,742 | 61,198 | 62,928 | |||||||||||||||
| Total noninterest expense | 124,143 | 126,147 | 142,307 | 501,189 | 501,138 | |||||||||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 64,736 | 76,448 | 62,503 | 292,602 | 309,174 | |||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 12,240 | 14,956 | 15,001 | 62,473 | 74,191 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 52,496 | $ | 61,492 | $ | 47,502 | $ | 230,129 | $ | 234,983 | ||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 1.80 | $ | 1.84 | ||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 1.79 | $ | 1.84 | ||||||||||
| Basic weighted-average outstanding shares | 127,350,626 | 127,886,167 | 127,612,734 | 127,702,573 | 127,567,547 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares | 128,167,502 | 128,504,035 | 128,028,964 | 128,325,865 | 127,915,873 | |||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | Table 3 | |||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands, except share amount) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||
| Cash and due from banks | $ | 258,057 | $ | 252,209 | $ | 185,015 | ||||||
| Interest-bearing deposits in other banks | 912,133 | 820,603 | 1,554,882 | |||||||||
| Investment securities: | ||||||||||||
| Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $2,190,448 as of December 31, 2024, $2,290,781 as of September 30, 2024 and $2,558,675 as of December 31, 2023) | 1,926,516 | 2,055,959 | 2,255,336 | |||||||||
| Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $3,262,509 as of December 31, 2024, $3,475,143 as of September 30, 2024 and $3,574,856 as of December 31, 2023) | 3,790,650 | 3,853,697 | 4,041,449 | |||||||||
| Loans held for sale | — | — | 190 | |||||||||
| Loans and leases | 14,408,258 | 14,241,370 | 14,353,497 | |||||||||
| Less: allowance for credit losses | 160,393 | 163,700 | 156,533 | |||||||||
| Net loans and leases | 14,247,865 | 14,077,670 | 14,196,964 | |||||||||
| Premises and equipment, net | 288,530 | 287,036 | 281,461 | |||||||||
| Accrued interest receivable | 79,979 | 81,875 | 84,417 | |||||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance | 491,890 | 490,135 | 479,907 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | |||||||||
| Mortgage servicing rights | 5,078 | 5,236 | 5,699 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 831,996 | 860,373 | 845,662 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,828,186 | $ | 23,780,285 | $ | 24,926,474 | ||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||
| Deposits: | ||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing | $ | 13,347,068 | $ | 13,427,674 | $ | 13,749,095 | ||||||
| Noninterest-bearing | 6,975,148 | 6,800,028 | 7,583,562 | |||||||||
| Total deposits | 20,322,216 | 20,227,702 | 21,332,657 | |||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | 250,000 | 250,000 | 500,000 | |||||||||
| Retirement benefits payable | 97,135 | 100,448 | 103,285 | |||||||||
| Other liabilities | 541,349 | 554,101 | 504,466 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 21,210,700 | 21,132,251 | 22,440,408 | |||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||||||
| Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued/outstanding: 141,748,847 / 126,422,898 shares as of December 31, 2024, issued/outstanding: 141,735,601 / 127,886,167 shares as of September 30, 2024 and issued/outstanding: 141,340,539 / 127,618,761 shares as of December 31, 2023) | 1,417 | 1,417 | 1,413 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 2,560,380 | 2,558,158 | 2,548,250 | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | 934,048 | 915,062 | 837,859 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net | (463,994 | ) | (452,658 | ) | (530,210 | ) | ||||||
| Treasury stock (15,325,949 shares as of December 31, 2024, 13,849,434 shares as of September 30, 2024 and 13,721,778 shares as of December 31, 2023) | (414,365 | ) | (373,945 | ) | (371,246 | ) | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 2,617,486 | 2,648,034 | 2,486,066 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 23,828,186 | $ | 23,780,285 | $ | 24,926,474 | ||||||
| Average Balances and Interest Rates | Table 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average | Income/ | Yield/ | Average | Income/ | Yield/ | Average | Income/ | Yield/ | |||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions) | Balance | Expense | Rate | Balance | Expense | Rate | Balance | Expense | Rate | ||||||||||||||||
| Earning Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Banks | $ | 948.9 | $ | 11.3 | 4.75 | % | $ | 1,020.4 | $ | 13.9 | 5.40 | % | $ | 568.0 | $ | 7.8 | 5.39 | % | |||||||
| Available-for-Sale Investment Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 1,987.7 | 12.7 | 2.56 | 2,062.6 | 12.8 | 2.48 | 2,598.4 | 19.0 | 2.92 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-Taxable | 1.4 | — | 5.30 | 1.5 | — | 5.06 | 1.9 | — | 5.12 | ||||||||||||||||
| Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 3,224.8 | 13.9 | 1.72 | 3,288.2 | 13.8 | 1.67 | 3,472.1 | 14.8 | 1.70 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-Taxable | 601.7 | 3.9 | 2.56 | 602.3 | 3.7 | 2.46 | 603.9 | 3.9 | 2.58 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Investment Securities | 5,815.6 | 30.5 | 2.10 | 5,954.6 | 30.3 | 2.03 | 6,676.3 | 37.7 | 2.25 | ||||||||||||||||
| Loans Held for Sale | 1.3 | — | 5.75 | 2.2 | — | 5.64 | 0.7 | — | 7.41 | ||||||||||||||||
| Loans and Leases(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 2,157.8 | 35.2 | 6.50 | 2,165.3 | 38.0 | 6.98 | 2,148.1 | 36.7 | 6.78 | ||||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,333.1 | 68.9 | 6.33 | 4,278.3 | 71.6 | 6.67 | 4,356.3 | 71.4 | 6.51 | ||||||||||||||||
| Construction | 990.7 | 17.4 | 6.99 | 1,040.7 | 20.3 | 7.74 | 888.7 | 16.7 | 7.45 | ||||||||||||||||
| Residential: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | 4,183.5 | 40.8 | 3.90 | 4,204.5 | 40.4 | 3.84 | 4,294.8 | 38.8 | 3.61 | ||||||||||||||||
| Home equity line | 1,157.1 | 13.3 | 4.55 | 1,158.5 | 13.2 | 4.52 | 1,174.8 | 11.3 | 3.83 | ||||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 1,033.2 | 19.0 | 7.29 | 1,035.3 | 18.7 | 7.19 | 1,132.4 | 18.4 | 6.43 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lease financing | 420.7 | 4.4 | 4.18 | 422.2 | 4.0 | 3.72 | 354.2 | 3.6 | 4.03 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases | 14,276.1 | 199.0 | 5.55 | 14,304.8 | 206.2 | 5.74 | 14,349.3 | 196.9 | 5.45 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other Earning Assets | 38.1 | 0.7 | 6.73 | 46.9 | 0.7 | 5.83 | 94.5 | — | 0.06 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Earning Assets(2) | 21,080.0 | 241.5 | 4.56 | 21,328.9 | 251.1 | 4.69 | 21,688.8 | 242.4 | 4.44 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and Due from Banks | 226.2 | 242.3 | 240.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Assets | 2,489.5 | 2,475.5 | 2,475.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 23,795.7 | $ | 24,046.7 | $ | 24,404.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings | $ | 5,940.3 | $ | 21.1 | 1.42 | % | $ | 5,963.1 | $ | 23.6 | 1.57 | % | $ | 6,067.2 | $ | 22.4 | 1.46 | % | |||||||
| Money Market | 4,053.6 | 26.6 | 2.61 | 4,179.5 | 31.9 | 3.04 | 3,905.0 | 27.5 | 2.79 | ||||||||||||||||
| Time | 3,362.0 | 30.8 | 3.64 | 3,327.3 | 32.0 | 3.83 | 3,390.7 | 32.3 | 3.78 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Deposits | 13,355.9 | 78.5 | 2.34 | 13,469.9 | 87.5 | 2.58 | 13,362.9 | 82.2 | 2.44 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other Short-Term Borrowings | 250.0 | 2.7 | 4.27 | 451.1 | 5.4 | 4.76 | 515.2 | 6.2 | 4.80 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 25.3 | 0.2 | 4.07 | 22.4 | 0.4 | 6.97 | 42.1 | 0.8 | 7.44 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 13,631.2 | 81.4 | 2.38 | 13,943.4 | 93.3 | 2.66 | 13,920.2 | 89.2 | 2.54 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | 160.1 | $ | 157.8 | $ | 153.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Rate Spread(3) | 2.18 | % | 2.03 | % | 1.90 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Margin(4) | 3.03 | % | 2.95 | % | 2.81 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-Bearing Demand Deposits | 6,893.7 | 6,897.9 | 7,545.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 641.2 | 616.6 | 564.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | 2,629.6 | 2,588.8 | 2,374.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 23,795.7 | $ | 24,046.7 | $ | 24,404.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) Non-performing loans and leases are included in the respective average loan and lease balances. Income, if any, on such loans and leases is recognized on a cash basis.
(2) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent basis adjustments of $1.4 million, $1.1 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
(3) Interest rate spread is the difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis.
(4) Net interest margin is net interest income annualized for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, divided by average total earning assets.
| Average Balances and Interest Rates | Table 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Average | Income/ | Yield/ | Average | Income/ | Yield/ | ||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions) | Balance | Expense | Rate | Balance | Expense | Rate | |||||||||||||||
| Earning Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Banks | $ | 900.8 | $ | 47.3 | 5.25 | % | $ | 512.3 | $ | 26.5 | 5.18 | % | |||||||||
| Available-for-Sale Investment Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 2,090.0 | 54.2 | 2.60 | 2,871.8 | 73.8 | 2.57 | |||||||||||||||
| Non-Taxable | 1.5 | 0.1 | 5.45 | 10.2 | 0.6 | 5.55 | |||||||||||||||
| Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable | 3,321.6 | 56.6 | 1.70 | 3,579.0 | 60.7 | 1.70 | |||||||||||||||
| Non-Taxable | 602.6 | 15.6 | 2.58 | 607.7 | 15.9 | 2.61 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Investment Securities | 6,015.7 | 126.5 | 2.10 | 7,068.7 | 151.0 | 2.14 | |||||||||||||||
| Loans Held for Sale | 1.3 | 0.1 | 6.02 | 0.4 | — | 6.63 | |||||||||||||||
| Loans and Leases(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 2,172.4 | 148.6 | 6.84 | 2,182.3 | 141.0 | 6.46 | |||||||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,310.1 | 282.3 | 6.55 | 4,257.9 | 266.0 | 6.25 | |||||||||||||||
| Construction | 985.4 | 73.5 | 7.46 | 877.7 | 62.1 | 7.08 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | 4,220.2 | 163.4 | 3.87 | 4,308.0 | 156.4 | 3.63 | |||||||||||||||
| Home equity line | 1,162.9 | 51.0 | 4.39 | 1,131.1 | 39.3 | 3.47 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 1,051.5 | 73.4 | 6.98 | 1,178.6 | 71.5 | 6.07 | |||||||||||||||
| Lease financing | 410.3 | 16.3 | 3.98 | 330.7 | 14.1 | 4.26 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases | 14,312.8 | 808.5 | 5.65 | 14,266.3 | 750.4 | 5.26 | |||||||||||||||
| Other Earning Assets | 53.6 | 3.1 | 5.88 | 104.3 | 1.3 | 1.20 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Earning Assets(2) | 21,284.2 | 985.5 | 4.63 | 21,952.0 | 929.2 | 4.23 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash and Due from Banks | 238.3 | 265.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Assets | 2,474.2 | 2,408.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 23,996.7 | $ | 24,625.4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Savings | $ | 5,990.7 | $ | 91.6 | 1.53 | % | $ | 6,124.7 | $ | 71.5 | 1.17 | % | |||||||||
| Money Market | 4,064.0 | 117.8 | 2.90 | 3,869.1 | 86.1 | 2.22 | |||||||||||||||
| Time | 3,324.8 | 126.3 | 3.80 | 3,040.0 | 100.6 | 3.31 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Deposits | 13,379.5 | 335.7 | 2.51 | 13,033.8 | 258.2 | 1.98 | |||||||||||||||
| Federal Funds Purchased | — | — | — | 17.2 | 0.8 | 4.45 | |||||||||||||||
| Other Short-Term Borrowings | 424.9 | 20.0 | 4.70 | 261.9 | 13.0 | 4.98 | |||||||||||||||
| Long-Term Borrowings | — | — | — | 261.6 | 12.5 | 4.78 | |||||||||||||||
| Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 29.6 | 1.6 | 5.39 | 57.1 | 3.0 | 5.15 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities | 13,834.0 | 357.3 | 2.58 | 13,631.6 | 287.5 | 2.11 | |||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | $ | 628.2 | $ | 641.7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest Rate Spread(3) | 2.05 | % | 2.12 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Margin(4) | 2.95 | % | 2.92 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Noninterest-Bearing Demand Deposits | 6,994.5 | 8,126.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Liabilities | 611.0 | 520.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | 2,557.2 | 2,346.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 23,996.7 | $ | 24,625.4 | |||||||||||||||||
(1) Non-performing loans and leases are included in the respective average loan and lease balances. Income, if any, on such loans and leases is recognized on a cash basis.
(2) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent basis adjustments of $5.4 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(3) Interest rate spread is the difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis.
(4) Net interest margin is net interest income annualized for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, divided by average total earning assets.
| Analysis of Change in Net Interest Income | Table 6 | |||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Compared to September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions) | Volume | Rate | Total (1) | |||||||||
| Change in Interest Income: | ||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Banks | $ | (1.0 | ) | $ | (1.6 | ) | $ | (2.6 | ) | |||
| Available-for-Sale Investment Securities | ||||||||||||
| Taxable | (0.5 | ) | 0.4 | (0.1 | ) | |||||||
| Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities | ||||||||||||
| Taxable | (0.3 | ) | 0.4 | 0.1 | ||||||||
| Non-Taxable | — | 0.2 | 0.2 | |||||||||
| Total Investment Securities | (0.8 | ) | 1.0 | 0.2 | ||||||||
| Loans and Leases | ||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | (0.1 | ) | (2.7 | ) | (2.8 | ) | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | 0.9 | (3.6 | ) | (2.7 | ) | |||||||
| Construction | (1.0 | ) | (1.9 | ) | (2.9 | ) | ||||||
| Residential: | ||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | (0.2 | ) | 0.6 | 0.4 | ||||||||
| Home equity line | — | 0.1 | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Consumer | — | 0.3 | 0.3 | |||||||||
| Lease financing | — | 0.4 | 0.4 | |||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases | (0.4 | ) | (6.8 | ) | (7.2 | ) | ||||||
| Other Earning Assets | (0.1 | ) | 0.1 | — | ||||||||
| Total Change in Interest Income | (2.3 | ) | (7.3 | ) | (9.6 | ) | ||||||
| Change in Interest Expense: | ||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits | ||||||||||||
| Savings | (0.1 | ) | (2.4 | ) | (2.5 | ) | ||||||
| Money Market | (0.9 | ) | (4.4 | ) | (5.3 | ) | ||||||
| Time | 0.3 | (1.5 | ) | (1.2 | ) | |||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Deposits | (0.7 | ) | (8.3 | ) | (9.0 | ) | ||||||
| Other Short-Term Borrowings | (2.2 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (2.7 | ) | ||||||
| Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities | — | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||
| Total Change in Interest Expense | (2.9 | ) | (9.0 | ) | (11.9 | ) | ||||||
| Change in Net Interest Income | $ | 0.6 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 2.3 | ||||||
(1) The change in interest income and expense not solely due to changes in volume or rate has been allocated on a pro-rata basis to the volume and rate columns.
| Analysis of Change in Net Interest Income | Table 7 | |||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Compared to December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions) | Volume | Rate | Total (1) | |||||||||
| Change in Interest Income: | ||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Banks | $ | 4.6 | $ | (1.1 | ) | $ | 3.5 | |||||
| Available-for-Sale Investment Securities | ||||||||||||
| Taxable | (4.1 | ) | (2.2 | ) | (6.3 | ) | ||||||
| Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities | ||||||||||||
| Taxable | (1.1 | ) | 0.2 | (0.9 | ) | |||||||
| Total Investment Securities | (5.2 | ) | (2.0 | ) | (7.2 | ) | ||||||
| Loans and Leases | ||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 0.1 | (1.6 | ) | (1.5 | ) | |||||||
| Commercial real estate | (0.4 | ) | (2.1 | ) | (2.5 | ) | ||||||
| Construction | 1.8 | (1.1 | ) | 0.7 | ||||||||
| Residential: | ||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | (1.0 | ) | 3.0 | 2.0 | ||||||||
| Home equity line | (0.1 | ) | 2.1 | 2.0 | ||||||||
| Consumer | (1.7 | ) | 2.3 | 0.6 | ||||||||
| Lease financing | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.8 | |||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases | (0.6 | ) | 2.7 | 2.1 | ||||||||
| Other Earning Assets | — | 0.7 | 0.7 | |||||||||
| Total Change in Interest Income | (1.2 | ) | 0.3 | (0.9 | ) | |||||||
| Change in Interest Expense: | ||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits | ||||||||||||
| Savings | (0.6 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (1.3 | ) | ||||||
| Money Market | 1.0 | (1.9 | ) | (0.9 | ) | |||||||
| Time | (0.2 | ) | (1.3 | ) | (1.5 | ) | ||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Deposits | 0.2 | (3.9 | ) | (3.7 | ) | |||||||
| Other Short-Term Borrowings | (2.9 | ) | (0.6 | ) | (3.5 | ) | ||||||
| Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities | (0.3 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.6 | ) | ||||||
| Total Change in Interest Expense | (3.0 | ) | (4.8 | ) | (7.8 | ) | ||||||
| Change in Net Interest Income | $ | 1.8 | $ | 5.1 | $ | 6.9 | ||||||
(1) The change in interest income and expense not solely due to changes in volume or rate has been allocated on a pro-rata basis to the volume and rate columns.
| Analysis of Change in Net Interest Income | Table 8 | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Compared to December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions) | Volume | Rate | Total (1) | |||||||||
| Change in Interest Income: | ||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Banks | $ | 20.4 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 20.8 | ||||||
| Available-for-Sale Investment Securities | ||||||||||||
| Taxable | (20.4 | ) | 0.8 | (19.6 | ) | |||||||
| Non-Taxable | (0.5 | ) | — | (0.5 | ) | |||||||
| Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities | ||||||||||||
| Taxable | (4.1 | ) | — | (4.1 | ) | |||||||
| Non-Taxable | (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||
| Total Investment Securities | (25.1 | ) | 0.6 | (24.5 | ) | |||||||
| Loans Held for Sale | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | |||||||||
| Loans and Leases | ||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | (0.7 | ) | 8.3 | 7.6 | ||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 3.3 | 13.0 | 16.3 | |||||||||
| Construction | 7.9 | 3.5 | 11.4 | |||||||||
| Residential: | ||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | (3.2 | ) | 10.2 | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Home equity line | 1.1 | 10.6 | 11.7 | |||||||||
| Consumer | (8.2 | ) | 10.1 | 1.9 | ||||||||
| Lease financing | 3.2 | (1.0 | ) | 2.2 | ||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases | 3.4 | 54.7 | 58.1 | |||||||||
| Other Earning Assets | (0.9 | ) | 2.7 | 1.8 | ||||||||
| Total Change in Interest Income | (2.1 | ) | 58.4 | 56.3 | ||||||||
| Change in Interest Expense: | ||||||||||||
| Interest-Bearing Deposits | ||||||||||||
| Savings | (1.6 | ) | 21.7 | 20.1 | ||||||||
| Money Market | 4.5 | 27.2 | 31.7 | |||||||||
| Time | 10.0 | 15.7 | 25.7 | |||||||||
| Total Interest-Bearing Deposits | 12.9 | 64.6 | 77.5 | |||||||||
| Federal Funds Purchased | (0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.8 | ) | ||||||
| Other Short-Term Borrowings | 7.7 | (0.7 | ) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Long-Term Borrowings | (6.3 | ) | (6.2 | ) | (12.5 | ) | ||||||
| Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities | (1.5 | ) | 0.1 | (1.4 | ) | |||||||
| Total Change in Interest Expense | 12.4 | 57.4 | 69.8 | |||||||||
| Change in Net Interest Income | $ | (14.5 | ) | $ | 1.0 | $ | (13.5 | ) | ||||
(1) The change in interest income and expense not solely due to changes in volume or rate has been allocated on a pro-rata basis to the volume and rate columns.
| Loans and Leases | Table 9 |
|||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 2,247,428 | $ | 2,110,077 | $ | 2,165,349 | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | 4,463,992 | 4,265,289 | 4,340,243 | |||||||||
| Construction | 918,326 | 1,056,249 | 900,292 | |||||||||
| Residential: | ||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | 4,168,154 | 4,187,060 | 4,283,315 | |||||||||
| Home equity line | 1,151,739 | 1,159,823 | 1,174,588 | |||||||||
| Total residential | 5,319,893 | 5,346,883 | 5,457,903 | |||||||||
| Consumer | 1,023,969 | 1,030,044 | 1,109,901 | |||||||||
| Lease financing | 434,650 | 432,828 | 379,809 | |||||||||
| Total loans and leases | $ | 14,408,258 | $ | 14,241,370 | $ | 14,353,497 | ||||||
| Deposits | Table 10 |
|||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Demand | $ | 6,975,148 | $ | 6,800,028 | $ | 7,583,562 | ||||||
| Savings | 6,021,364 | 5,896,029 | 6,445,084 | |||||||||
| Money Market | 4,027,334 | 4,129,381 | 3,847,853 | |||||||||
| Time | 3,298,370 | 3,402,264 | 3,456,158 | |||||||||
| Total Deposits | $ | 20,322,216 | $ | 20,227,702 | $ | 21,332,657 | ||||||
| Non-Performing Assets and Accruing Loans and Leases Past Due 90 Days or More | Table 11 |
|||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Non-Performing Assets | ||||||||||||
| Non-Accrual Loans and Leases | ||||||||||||
| Commercial Loans: | ||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 329 | $ | 934 | $ | 970 | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | 411 | 152 | 2,953 | |||||||||
| Total Commercial Loans | 740 | 1,086 | 3,923 | |||||||||
| Residential Loans: | ||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | 12,768 | 9,103 | 7,620 | |||||||||
| Home equity line | 7,171 | 7,645 | 7,052 | |||||||||
| Total Residential Loans | 19,939 | 16,748 | 14,672 | |||||||||
| Total Non-Accrual Loans and Leases | 20,679 | 17,834 | 18,595 | |||||||||
| Total Non-Performing Assets | $ | 20,679 | $ | 17,834 | $ | 18,595 | ||||||
| Accruing Loans and Leases Past Due 90 Days or More | ||||||||||||
| Commercial Loans: | ||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | $ | 1,432 | $ | 529 | $ | 494 | ||||||
| Commercial real estate | — | 568 | 300 | |||||||||
| Construction | 536 | — | — | |||||||||
| Total Commercial Loans | 1,968 | 1,097 | 794 | |||||||||
| Residential mortgage | 1,317 | 931 | — | |||||||||
| Consumer | 2,734 | 2,515 | 2,702 | |||||||||
| Total Accruing Loans and Leases Past Due 90 Days or More | $ | 6,019 | $ | 4,543 | $ | 3,496 | ||||||
| Total Loans and Leases | $ | 14,408,258 | $ | 14,241,370 | $ | 14,353,497 | ||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Commitments | Table 12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at Beginning of Period | $ | 197,397 | $ | 193,930 | $ | 192,570 | $ | 192,138 | $ | 177,735 | ||||||||||
| Loans and Leases Charged-Off | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | (851 | ) | (1,178 | ) | (910 | ) | (3,615 | ) | (3,482 | ) | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | — | (400 | ) | (2,500 | ) | (400 | ) | (2,500 | ) | |||||||||||
| Total Commercial Loans | (851 | ) | (1,578 | ) | (3,410 | ) | (4,015 | ) | (5,982 | ) | ||||||||||
| Residential Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | — | — | — | — | (122 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Home equity line | — | — | (20 | ) | — | (292 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Total Residential Loans | — | — | (20 | ) | — | (414 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Consumer | (4,774 | ) | (4,192 | ) | (4,147 | ) | (18,002 | ) | (17,110 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases Charged-Off | (5,625 | ) | (5,770 | ) | (7,577 | ) | (22,017 | ) | (23,506 | ) | ||||||||||
| Recoveries on Loans and Leases Previously Charged-Off | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and industrial | 298 | 160 | 171 | 919 | 3,346 | |||||||||||||||
| Residential Loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential mortgage | 30 | 31 | 31 | 119 | 141 | |||||||||||||||
| Home equity line | 32 | 86 | 163 | 274 | 702 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Residential Loans | 62 | 117 | 194 | 393 | 843 | |||||||||||||||
| Consumer | 1,858 | 1,560 | 1,450 | 7,057 | 7,090 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Recoveries on Loans and Leases Previously Charged-Off | 2,218 | 1,837 | 1,815 | 8,369 | 11,279 | |||||||||||||||
| Net Loans and Leases Charged-Off | (3,407 | ) | (3,933 | ) | (5,762 | ) | (13,648 | ) | (12,227 | ) | ||||||||||
| (Benefit) Provision for Credit Losses | (750 | ) | 7,400 | 5,330 | 14,750 | 26,630 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at End of Period | $ | 193,240 | $ | 197,397 | $ | 192,138 | $ | 193,240 | $ | 192,138 | ||||||||||
| Components: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses | $ | 160,393 | $ | 163,700 | $ | 156,533 | $ | 160,393 | $ | 156,533 | ||||||||||
| Reserve for Unfunded Commitments | 32,847 | 33,697 | 35,605 | 32,847 | 35,605 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Allowance for Credit Losses and Reserve for Unfunded Commitments | $ | 193,240 | $ | 197,397 | $ | 192,138 | $ | 193,240 | $ | 192,138 | ||||||||||
| Average Loans and Leases Outstanding | $ | 14,276,107 | $ | 14,304,806 | $ | 14,349,322 | $ | 14,312,759 | $ | 14,266,291 | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Net Loans and Leases Charged-Off to Average Loans and Leases Outstanding(1) | 0.09 | % | 0.11 | % | 0.16 | % | 0.10 | % | 0.09 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans and Leases to Loans and Leases Outstanding | 1.11 | % | 1.15 | % | 1.09 | % | 1.11 | % | 1.09 | % | ||||||||||
| Ratio of Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans and Leases to Non-accrual Loans and Leases | 7.76x | 9.18x | 8.42x | 7.76x | 8.42x | |||||||||||||||
(1) Annualized for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
| Loans and Leases by Year of Origination and Credit Quality Indicator | Table 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revolving | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Converted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term Loans | Revolving | to Term | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year | Loans | Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized | Amortized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Prior | Cost Basis | Cost Basis | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Lending | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial and Industrial | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Risk rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | 163,980 | $ | 73,554 | $ | 185,433 | $ | 249,532 | $ | 17,775 | $ | 256,119 | $ | 1,118,075 | $ | 14,336 | $ | 2,078,804 | |||||||||
| Special Mention | 808 | 2,385 | 1,209 | 68 | 300 | 1,322 | 41,520 | — | 47,612 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard | — | — | 8,096 | 196 | 309 | 1,114 | 26,089 | — | 35,804 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other (1) | 17,132 | 8,928 | 6,937 | 2,797 | 765 | 1,279 | 47,370 | — | 85,208 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Commercial and Industrial | 181,920 | 84,867 | 201,675 | 252,593 | 19,149 | 259,834 | 1,233,054 | 14,336 | 2,247,428 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | — | 578 | 335 | 105 | 221 | 2,376 | — | — | 3,615 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial Real Estate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Risk rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | 322,405 | 369,948 | 832,005 | 634,722 | 308,156 | 1,720,243 | 116,682 | 7,703 | 4,311,864 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | 9,014 | 2,252 | 7,510 | 41,399 | 3,265 | 10,860 | 11,861 | — | 86,161 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard | — | — | 54,952 | 1,002 | — | 9,732 | 148 | — | 65,834 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other (1) | — | — | — | — | — | 133 | — | — | 133 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Commercial Real Estate | 331,419 | 372,200 | 894,467 | 677,123 | 311,421 | 1,740,968 | 128,691 | 7,703 | 4,463,992 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | — | — | — | — | — | 400 | — | — | 400 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Risk rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | 91,583 | 198,382 | 332,000 | 186,682 | 41,596 | 13,824 | 14,972 | — | 879,039 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | — | — | — | — | — | 155 | — | — | 155 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other (1) | 12,482 | 9,688 | 10,861 | 1,561 | 1,199 | 2,644 | 697 | — | 39,132 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Construction | 104,065 | 208,070 | 342,861 | 188,243 | 42,795 | 16,623 | 15,669 | — | 918,326 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lease Financing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Risk rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass | 149,615 | 101,684 | 60,898 | 14,328 | 17,703 | 84,663 | — | — | 428,891 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Special Mention | — | — | — | 220 | — | — | — | — | 220 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Substandard | 4,657 | 565 | 317 | — | — | — | — | — | 5,539 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Lease Financing | 154,272 | 102,249 | 61,215 | 14,548 | 17,703 | 84,663 | — | — | 434,650 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Commercial Lending | $ | 771,676 | $ | 767,386 | $ | 1,500,218 | $ | 1,132,507 | $ | 391,068 | $ | 2,102,088 | $ | 1,377,414 | $ | 22,039 | $ | 8,064,396 | |||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | $ | — | $ | 578 | $ | 335 | $ | 105 | $ | 221 | $ | 2,776 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,015 | |||||||||
| Revolving | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Converted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term Loans | Revolving | to Term | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year | Loans | Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (continued) | Amortized | Amortized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | Prior | Cost Basis | Cost Basis | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Lending | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residential Mortgage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FICO: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 740 and greater | $ | 168,067 | $ | 187,710 | $ | 492,845 | $ | 946,390 | $ | 498,443 | $ | 1,115,557 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,409,012 | |||||||||
| 680 – 739 | 18,368 | 34,901 | 65,735 | 103,622 | 57,369 | 138,469 | — | — | 418,464 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 620 – 679 | 1,726 | 4,380 | 23,556 | 19,355 | 14,058 | 40,471 | — | — | 103,546 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 550 – 619 | — | 820 | 6,526 | 7,745 | 4,042 | 13,783 | — | — | 32,916 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 550 | — | 734 | 775 | 2,264 | 1,559 | 6,342 | — | — | 11,674 | ||||||||||||||||||
| No Score (3) | 13,211 | 6,719 | 16,839 | 9,916 | 5,518 | 45,604 | — | — | 97,807 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other (2) | 9,456 | 12,404 | 16,564 | 14,311 | 10,769 | 28,812 | 2,419 | — | 94,735 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Residential Mortgage | 210,828 | 247,668 | 622,840 | 1,103,603 | 591,758 | 1,389,038 | 2,419 | — | 4,168,154 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Home Equity Line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FICO: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 740 and greater | — | — | — | — | — | — | 925,749 | 1,652 | 927,401 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 680 – 739 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 161,523 | 1,030 | 162,553 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 620 – 679 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39,235 | 1,220 | 40,455 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 550 – 619 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13,006 | 416 | 13,422 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 550 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5,993 | 563 | 6,556 | ||||||||||||||||||
| No Score (3) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,352 | — | 1,352 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Home Equity Line | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,146,858 | 4,881 | 1,151,739 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Residential Lending | $ | 210,828 | $ | 247,668 | $ | 622,840 | $ | 1,103,603 | $ | 591,758 | $ | 1,389,038 | $ | 1,149,277 | $ | 4,881 | $ | 5,319,893 | |||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
| Consumer Lending | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FICO: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 740 and greater | 92,329 | 65,738 | 84,007 | 44,192 | 14,607 | 6,897 | 101,938 | 106 | 409,814 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 680 – 739 | 68,371 | 46,533 | 44,504 | 21,829 | 7,652 | 5,278 | 86,935 | 509 | 281,611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 620 – 679 | 30,618 | 17,728 | 19,942 | 10,252 | 4,195 | 4,152 | 50,544 | 775 | 138,206 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 550 – 619 | 6,108 | 6,768 | 9,312 | 5,702 | 2,574 | 3,106 | 15,641 | 778 | 49,989 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 550 | 2,012 | 3,950 | 5,572 | 3,594 | 1,591 | 1,830 | 5,311 | 593 | 24,453 | ||||||||||||||||||
| No Score (3) | 1,881 | 106 | 38 | — | 7 | 9 | 38,932 | 176 | 41,149 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other (2) | — | — | 277 | 887 | 99 | 956 | 76,528 | — | 78,747 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Consumer Lending | $ | 201,319 | $ | 140,823 | $ | 163,652 | $ | 86,456 | $ | 30,725 | $ | 22,228 | $ | 375,829 | $ | 2,937 | $ | 1,023,969 | |||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | $ | 732 | $ | 2,055 | $ | 2,606 | $ | 1,388 | $ | 676 | $ | 2,685 | $ | 7,168 | $ | 692 | $ | 18,002 | |||||||||
| Total Loans and Leases | $ | 1,183,823 | $ | 1,155,877 | $ | 2,286,710 | $ | 2,322,566 | $ | 1,013,551 | $ | 3,513,354 | $ | 2,902,520 | $ | 29,857 | $ | 14,408,258 | |||||||||
| Current period gross charge-offs | $ | 732 | $ | 2,633 | $ | 2,941 | $ | 1,493 | $ | 897 | $ | 5,461 | $ | 7,168 | $ | 692 | $ | 22,017 | |||||||||
(1) Other credit quality indicators used for monitoring purposes are primarily FICO scores. The majority of the loans in this population were originated to borrowers with a prime FICO score (680 and above). As of December 31, 2024, the majority of the loans in this population were current.
(2) Other credit quality indicators used for monitoring purposes are primarily internal risk ratings. The majority of the loans in this population were graded with a “Pass” rating. As of December 31, 2024, the majority of the loans in this population were current.
(3) No FICO scores are primarily related to loans and leases extended to non-residents. Loans and leases of this nature are primarily secured by collateral and/or are closely monitored for performance.
| GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation | Table 14 | |||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Income Statement Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 52,496 | $ | 61,492 | $ | 47,502 | $ | 230,129 | $ | 234,983 | ||||||||||
| Average total stockholders’ equity | $ | 2,629,600 | $ | 2,588,806 | $ | 2,374,669 | $ | 2,557,215 | $ | 2,346,713 | ||||||||||
| Less: average goodwill | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | |||||||||||||||
| Average tangible stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,634,108 | $ | 1,593,314 | $ | 1,379,177 | $ | 1,561,723 | $ | 1,351,221 | ||||||||||
| Average total assets | $ | 23,795,735 | $ | 24,046,696 | $ | 24,404,727 | $ | 23,996,723 | $ | 24,625,445 | ||||||||||
| Less: average goodwill | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | |||||||||||||||
| Average tangible assets | $ | 22,800,243 | $ | 23,051,204 | $ | 23,409,235 | $ | 23,001,231 | $ | 23,629,953 | ||||||||||
| Return on average total stockholders’ equity(1) | 7.94 | % | 9.45 | % | 7.94 | % | 9.00 | % | 10.01 | % | ||||||||||
| Return on average tangible stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP)(1) | 12.78 | % | 15.35 | % | 13.66 | % | 14.74 | % | 17.39 | % | ||||||||||
| Return on average total assets(1) | 0.88 | % | 1.02 | % | 0.77 | % | 0.96 | % | 0.95 | % | ||||||||||
| Return on average tangible assets (non-GAAP)(1) | 0.92 | % | 1.06 | % | 0.81 | % | 1.00 | % | 0.99 | % | ||||||||||
| As of | As of | As of | ||||||||||
| December 31, | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| Balance Sheet Data: | ||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 2,617,486 | $ | 2,648,034 | $ | 2,486,066 | ||||||
| Less: goodwill | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | |||||||||
| Tangible stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,621,994 | $ | 1,652,542 | $ | 1,490,574 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 23,828,186 | $ | 23,780,285 | $ | 24,926,474 | ||||||
| Less: goodwill | 995,492 | 995,492 | 995,492 | |||||||||
| Tangible assets | $ | 22,832,694 | $ | 22,784,793 | $ | 23,930,982 | ||||||
| Shares outstanding | 126,422,898 | 127,886,167 | 127,618,761 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity to total assets | 10.98 | % | 11.14 | % | 9.97 | % | ||||||
| Tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) | 7.10 | % | 7.25 | % | 6.23 | % | ||||||
| Book value per share | $ | 20.70 | $ | 20.71 | $ | 19.48 | ||||||
| Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) | $ | 12.83 | $ | 12.92 | $ | 11.68 | ||||||
(1) Annualized for the three months ended December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo (NYSE: APO) today announced an agreement for Apollo-managed affiliates, funds and clients to invest USD $500 million in Subordinated Notes issued by Aldar Properties PJSC (“Aldar”). The transaction represents one of the region’s largest-ever corporate hybrid private placements and brings aggregate investment in Aldar led by Apollo to approximately USD $1.9 billion across four transactions since 2022.
Apollo Partner Jamshid Ehsani said, “We are pleased to broaden our partnership and provide another scaled capital solution to Aldar by investing in a leading real estate franchise that we believe offers an attractive investment opportunity for our clients. Apollo’s fourth investment in Aldar underscores our strong partnership with the company as well as our commitment to serving as a leading capital provider to the broader Abu Dhabi ecosystem.”
The hybrid private placement marks Apollo’s latest commitment to Abu Dhabi and the UAE and follows an August 2022 transaction in which Apollo-managed funds and clients invested a total of USD $1.4 billion in strategic capital in Aldar, including a USD $400 million equity investment in Aldar Investment Properties. In November 2024, Apollo also announced a multi-year extension of the firm’s multi-billion-dollar partnership with Mubadala Investment Company focused on global origination opportunities.
Since 2020, under its High-Grade Capital Solutions strategy, Apollo has originated nearly $100 billion of bespoke capital solutions for leading companies such as Intel, Sony, Air France, AB InBev and more.
About Apollo
Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade credit to private equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of September 30, 2024, Apollo had approximately $733 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com.
Contacts
Noah Gunn
Global Head of Investor Relations
Apollo Global Management, Inc.
(212) 822-0540
Joanna Rose
Global Head of Corporate Communications
Apollo Global Management, Inc.
(212) 822-0491
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Southampton, PA , Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quaint Oak Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (OTCQB: QNTO), the holding company for Quaint Oak Bank (the “Bank”), announced today net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 of $1.6 million, or $0.60 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $1.1 million, or $0.49 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2023. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $2.8 million, or $1.08 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $2.0 million, or $0.90 per basic and $0.89 per diluted share, for the same period in 2023.
Robert T. Strong, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “I am pleased to report that our quarterly net income for the period ended December 31, 2024, of $1.6 million was an increase of 38.3% when compared to the income of the same period ended December 31, 2023. I am, additionally, pleased to report that our annual net income for the year ended December 31, 2024, of $2.8 million was an increase of 38.4% when compared to the income for the year ended December 31, 2023.”
Mr. Strong added, “Our non-interest income continued to improve for both the quarter ended December 31, 2024, and the year-end December 31, 2024, when compared to the same periods ended December 31, 2023. We completed the sale-leaseback of our property in Allentown, Pennsylvania during the fourth quarter of 2024 that resulted in a one-time $1.5 million gain.”
Mr. Strong continued, “As previously reported, we experienced a continuing minor weakness in the small business sector. Our non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans receivable, net was 1.07% at December 31, 2024. Our non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets at December 31, 2024, was 0.83%. Although not rising to a level of concern but one of continued monitoring, we have, however, increased our allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans receivable to 1.20% at year-end December 31, 2024. We also carry a percentage of 113.61% allowance for credit losses as a percent of non-performing loans.”
Mr. Strong commented, “As of year-end December 31, 2024, Quaint Oak Bank’s total risk-based capital ratio was 14.34%. In conjunction with earnings and improved liquidity and capital ratios, the Board of Directors, as previously announced, declared a dividend in the amount of $0.13 per share payable February 10, 2025.”
Mr. Strong concluded, “In closing, I am pleased that our stockholders’ equity from continuing operations improved by over $4.0 million during the year 2024. As always, our current and continued business strategy focuses on long-term profitability and maintaining healthy capital ratios both of which reflect our strong commitment to shareholder value.”
On March 29, 2024, Quaint Oak Bank sold its 51% interest in Oakmont Capital Holdings, LLC (“OCH”). The decision was based on a number of strategic priorities and other factors. As a result of this action, the Company classified the operations of OCH as discontinued operations under ASC 205-20. The Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income present discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and retrospectively at December 31, 2023 and for prior periods. Included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 was a pretax gain of $1.4 million on the sale of the Company’s 51% interest in OCH.
Also on March 29, 2024, the Company discontinued the operations of Quaint Oak Real Estate, LLC (“Quaint Oak Real Estate”), a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank. Quaint Oak Real Estate was engaged in the real estate brokerage business.
Comparison of Quarter-over-Quarter Operating Results
Net income amounted to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $437,000, or 38.3%, compared to net income of $1.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net income on a comparative quarterly basis was primarily the result of an increase in non-interest income of $1.8 million, a decrease in interest expense of $756,000, and a decrease in the net provision for income taxes of $166,000, partially offset by a decrease in interest income of $1.0 million, an increase in the provision for credit losses of $619,000, a decrease in net loss from discontinued operations of $488,000, and an increase in non-interest expense of $308,000.
The $1.0 million, or 9.5%, decrease in interest income was primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of loans receivable, net, which decreased $94.3 million from $702.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $608.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and had the effect of decreasing interest income $1.4 million. This decrease was partially offset by a 27 basis point increase in the average yield on loans receivable, net from 6.05% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to 6.32% for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and had the effect of increasing interest income $412,000, and a $9.4 million increase in the average balance of due from banks – interest earning, which increased from $22.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $31.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and had the effect of increasing interest income $92,000.
The $756,000, or 11.4%, decrease in interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 was driven by a $310,000, or 96.0%, decrease in the interest on Federal Home Loan Bank long-term borrowings due to a $29.8 million, or 89.5%, decrease in the average balance of Federal Home Loan Bank long-term borrowings which decreased from $33.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $3.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, combined with a $295,000, or 91.0%, decrease in the interest on Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings due to an $18.1 million, or 88.9%, decrease in the average balance of Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings which decreased from $20.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $2.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. Also contributing to the decrease in interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was a $192,000, or 3.5%, decrease in interest expense on deposits. The average interest rate spread increased from 1.52% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to 1.88% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 while the net interest margin increased from 2.39% for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to 2.54% for the three months ended December 31, 2024.
The $619,000, or 204.3%, increase in the provision for credit losses for the three months ended December 31, 2024 over the three months ended December 31, 2023 was due to an increase in charge-offs during the three months ended December 31, 2024, partially offset by a decrease in loans receivable, net.
The $1.8 million, or 82.6%, increase in non-interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 was primarily attributable to a $1.5 million gain on the sale and leaseback of the Company’s office building at 1710 Union Boulevard in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a $290,000, or 20.6%, increase in net gain on sale of loans, a $103,000, or 57.5%, increase in mortgage banking, equipment lending, and title abstract fees, an $80,000, or 65.6%, increase in gain on sale of SBA loans, and a $41,000, or 23.2%, increase in insurance commissions. These increases were partially offset by a $184,000, or 86.0%, decrease in other fees and service charges, and a $6,000, or 100.0%, decrease in real estate sales commissions, net.
The $308,000, or 5.7%, increase in non-interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 was primarily due to a $392,000, or 11.4%, increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, a $111,000, or 33.1%, increase in professional fees, a $90,000, or 28.7%, increase in data processing expense, a $47,000 increase in directors’ fees and expenses, and a $25,000, or 33.3%, increase in advertising expense. These increases were partially offset by a $183,000, or 33.5%, decrease in other expense, a $96,000, or 18.5%, decrease in occupancy and equipment expense, and a $78,000, or 39.4%, decrease in FDIC deposit insurance assessment.
The provision for income tax from continuing operations decreased $166,000, or 24.3%, from $682,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 to $516,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 due primarily to a decrease in state taxes related to subsidiary activity in additional states.
Comparison of Year-End Operating Results
Net income amounted to $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $775,000, or 38.4%, compared to net income of $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net income on a comparative year-end basis was primarily the result of an increase in non-interest income of $2.9 million, a decrease in net loss from discontinued operations of $668,000, and a decrease in the net provision for income taxes from continuing operations of $298,000, partially offset by a decrease in interest income of $1.5 million, an increase in the provision for credit losses of $1.4 million, an increase in non-interest expense of $101,000, and an increase in interest expense of $93,000. The decrease in the net loss from discontinued operations was driven by the after-tax gain on the sale of the Company’s 51% interest in OCH.
The $1.5 million, or 3.3%, decrease in interest income was primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of loans receivable, net, which decreased $116.0 million from $737.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $621.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and had the effect of decreasing interest income $6.9 million. This decrease was partially offset by a 51 basis point increase in the yield on average loans receivable, net, including loans held for sale, which increased from 5.94% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 6.45% for the year ended December 31, 2024, and had the effect of increasing interest income $3.1 million, a $51.8 million increase in the average balance of due from banks – interest earning, which increased from $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $61.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and had the effect of increasing interest income $2.1 million, and a 93 basis point increase in the average yield on due from banks – interest earning which increased from 4.03% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 4.96% for the year ended December 31, 2024, and had the effect of increasing interest income $577,000.
The $93,000, or 0.4%, increase in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 was driven by a 106 basis point increase in the rate on average certificate of deposit accounts which increased from 3.09% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 4.15% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and had the effect of increasing interest expense by $2.5 million. Also contributing to the increase in interest expense was an increase in the average balance of business checking accounts which increased from $49.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $93.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and had the effect of increasing interest expense by $2.2 million. The Bank pays interest on business checking accounts received through a correspondent banking relationship. Also impacting the increase in interest expense was a 28 basis point increase in the rate on average money market accounts which increased from 4.16% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 4.44% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and had the effect of increasing interest expense by $604,000. Partially offsetting the increase in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, was a $71.3 million, or 98.3%, decrease in the average balance of Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings which decreased from $72.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and had the effect of decreasing interest expense $3.8 million. The average interest rate spread decreased from 1.91% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 1.84% for the year ended December 31, 2024 while the net interest margin increased from 2.56% for the year ended December 31, 2023 to 2.59% for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The $1.4 million, or 877.1%, increase in the provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2024 over the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to an increase in the amount of non-performing loans. There were seventeen individually evaluated loans which increased the provision for credit losses by $809,000. Also contributing to the increase in the provision for credit losses was $1.8 million in charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2024. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of loans receivable, net.
The $2.9 million, or 54.1%, increase in non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 was primarily attributable to the $1.5 million gain on sale-leaseback transaction in the fourth quarter of 2024, described above, a $1.1 million, or 41.2%, increase in net gain on sale of loans, a $309,000, or 51.5%, increase in mortgage banking, equipment lending, and title abstract fees, a $102,000, or 20.0%, increase in other fees and services charges, and an $81,000, or 12.2%, increase in insurance commissions. These increases were partially offset by a $119,000 or 50.6%, decrease in net loan servicing income, a $74,000, or 78.7%, decrease in real estate sales commissions, net, and a $15,000, or 3.2%, decrease in gain on sale of SBA loans. The $1.1 million increase in the net gain on sale of loans was due primarily to increased sales volume from Quaint Oak Mortgage, LLC and Oakmont Commercial, LLC.
The $101,000, or 0.5%, increase in non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 was primarily due to a $786,000, or 5.7%, increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, a $247,000, or 23.5%, increase in data processing expense, and a $19,000, or 6.7%, increase in advertising expense, partially offset by a $253,000, or 29.2%, decrease in FDIC deposit insurance assessment, a $238,000, or 14.4%, decrease in occupancy and equipment expense, a $182,000, or 9.5%, decrease in other expenses, a $163,000, or 17.5%, decrease in professional fees, and a $115,000, or 36.4%, decrease in directors’ fees and expenses. The decrease in directors’ fees and expenses was primarily due to a reduction in director rates for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The provision for income tax on continuing operations decreased $298,000, or 22.4%, from $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 due primarily to a decrease in taxable income from continuing operations.
Comparison of Financial Condition
The Company’s total assets at December 31, 2024 were $685.2 million, a decrease of $69.0 million, or 9.1%, from $754.1 million at December 31, 2023. This decrease in total assets was primarily due to an $84.7 million, or 13.7%, decrease in loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses. The largest decreases within the loan portfolio occurred in commercial real estate loans which decreased $34.9 million, or 10.5%, commercial business loans which decreased $12.9 million, or 10.1%, construction loans which decreased $17.3 million, or 48.5%, one-to-four family non-owner occupied loans which decreased $6.9 million, or 17.0%, and multi-family residential loans which decreased $1.3 million, or 2.7%. Partially offsetting these decreases were one-to-four family owner occupied loans which increased $2.7 million, or 12.0%. Also contributing to the decrease in assets was a $1.0 million, or 38.8%, decrease in premises and equipment, net. Partially offsetting the decrease in total assets was a $29.5 million, or 80.9%, increase in loans held for sale, a $5.0 million, or 8.6%, increase in cash and cash equivalents, a $740,000, or 50.2%, increase in investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost, a $459,000, or 13.1%, increase in accrued interest receivable, and a $118,000, or 2.7%, increase in bank-owned life insurance. The decrease in loans receivable, net was due to the transfer of $59.5 million of loans held for investment into loans held for sale.
Loans held for sale increased $29.5 million, or 80.9%, from $36.4 million at December 31, 2023 to $65.9 million at December 31, 2024 as the Bank originated $51.6 million in equipment loans held for sale and sold $71.6 million of equipment loans during the year ended December 31, 2024. Partially offsetting this increase was $8.5 million of loan amortization and prepayments. On March 29, 2024, the Bank transferred $4.4 million of equipment loans held for sale into loans receivable as part of the discontinued operations of OCH. Additionally, the Bank’s mortgage banking subsidiary, Quaint Oak Mortgage, LLC, originated $134.3 million of one-to-four family residential loans during the year ended December 31, 2024 and sold $131.4 million of loans in the secondary market during this same period. In the fourth quarter of 2024, management identified $49.2 million of commercial real estate loans and $10.3 million of SBA loans within the loan portfolio and transferred them to loans held for sale at amortized cost.
Total deposits decreased $78.4 million, or 12.4%, to $553.3 million at December 31, 2024 from $631.7 million at December 31, 2023. This decrease in deposits was primarily attributable to a decrease of $57.4 million, or 55.0%, in interest bearing checking accounts, a decrease of $56.2 million, or 25.7%, in money market accounts, a decrease of $31.6 million, or 34.2%, in non-interest bearing checking accounts, and a $349,000, or 41.5%, decrease in savings accounts. These decreases in deposits were partially offset by an increase of $67.0 million, or 31.1%, in certificates of deposit. The total decrease in interest bearing checking accounts was due to reduced correspondent banking activity.
Total Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings increased $18.8 million, or 64.9%, to $47.9 million at December 31, 2024 from $29.0 million at December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company borrowed $110.0 million of FHLB short-term borrowings, paid down $65.0 million of FHLB short-term borrowings, and paid down $26.2 million of FHLB long-term borrowings.
Total stockholders’ equity from continuing operations increased $4.1 million, or 8.5%, to $52.6 million at December 31, 2024 from $48.5 million at December 31, 2023. Contributing to the increase was net income for the year ended December 31, 2024 of $2.8 million, shares of common stock issued of $2.4 million, amortization of stock awards and options under our stock compensation plans of $242,000, the reissuance of treasury stock under the Bank’s 401(k) Plan of $118,000, and other comprehensive income, net of $10,000. The increase in stockholders’ equity was partially offset by dividends paid of $1.3 million, and $150,000 of purchases of treasury stock. In addition, there was a $3.1 million, or 100.0%, decrease in noncontrolling interest from discontinued operations. The $2.4 million of shares issued were due to two private placement offerings to two investors.
Non-performing loans at December 31, 2024 totaled $5.7 million, or 1.07%, of total loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, consisting of $3.9 million of loans on non-accrual status and $1.8 million of loans 90-days or more delinquent. Non-accrual loans consist of one commercial real estate loan, and ten commercial business loans. Included in the ten commercial business loans is one pool of equipment loans. Loans 90-days or more past due include one one-to-four family residential owner occupied loan and two commercial real estate loans, all of which are still accruing. All non-performing loans are either well-collateralized or adequately reserved for. During the year ended December 31, 2024, 19 commercial business loans totaling $1.6 million, and one construction loan of $187,000, that were previously on non-accrual were charged-off through the allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans receivable was 1.20% at December 31, 2024 and 1.11% at December 31, 2023. Non-performing loans at December 31, 2023 consisted of one SBA loan on non-accrual status in the amount of $51,000 and one one-to-four family owner occupied loan that was 90 days or more past due but still accruing in the amount of $401,000. During the year ended December 31, 2023, two commercial business loans, one SBA loan, one multi-family residential loan, and two equipment loans totaling $272,000 that were previously on non-accrual were charged-off through the allowance for credit losses. In addition, there was one commercial business loan in the amount of $652,000 that was partially charged off by $603,000.
Quaint Oak Bancorp, Inc., a Financial Services Company, is the parent company for the Quaint Oak Family of Companies. Quaint Oak Bank, a Pennsylvania-chartered stock savings bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is headquartered in Southampton, Pennsylvania and conducts business through three regional offices located in the Delaware Valley, Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia markets. Quaint Oak Bank’s subsidiary companies include Quaint Oak Abstract, LLC, Quaint Oak Insurance Agency, LLC, Quaint Oak Mortgage, LLC, and Oakmont Commercial, LLC, a specialty commercial real estate financing company. All companies are multi-state operations.
Statements contained in this news release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. Factors which could result in material variations include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates which could affect net interest margins and net interest income, competitive factors which could affect net interest income and noninterest income, changes in demand for loans, deposits and other financial services in the Company’s market area; changes in asset quality, general economic conditions as well as other factors discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.
In addition to factors previously disclosed in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and those identified elsewhere in this press release, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts its operations; general economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities including the effects of the Tax Reform Act; changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, demand for loan products and the demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan, investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolios; geographic concentration of the Company’s business; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s financial statements will become impaired; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and fees.
| QUAINT OAK BANCORP, INC. |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets |
| (In Thousands) |
| At December 31, | At December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 62,989 | $ | 58,006 | ||||
| Investment in interest-earning time deposits | 912 | 1,912 | ||||||
| Investment securities available for sale at fair value | 1,666 | 2,341 | ||||||
| Loans held for sale | 65,939 | 36,448 | ||||||
| Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses (2024: $6,476; 2023: $6,758) | 533,035 | 617,701 | ||||||
| Accrued interest receivable | 3,961 | 3,502 | ||||||
| Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost | 2,214 | 1,474 | ||||||
| Bank-owned life insurance | 4,447 | 4,329 | ||||||
| Premises and equipment, net | 1,626 | 2,656 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 515 | 515 | ||||||
| Other intangible, net of accumulated amortization | 77 | 125 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 7,787 | 5,134 | ||||||
| Assets from discontinued operations | – | 19,975 | ||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 685,168 | $ | 754,118 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||
| Deposits | ||||||||
| Non-interest bearing | $ | 59,783 | $ | 92,215 | ||||
| Interest-bearing | 493,469 | 539,484 | ||||||
| Total deposits | 553,252 | 631,699 | ||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings | 45,000 | – | ||||||
| Federal Home Loan Bank long-term borrowings | 2,855 | 29,022 | ||||||
| Subordinated debt | 22,000 | 21,957 | ||||||
| Accrued interest payable | 937 | 541 | ||||||
| Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance | 3,122 | 3,730 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 5,385 | 2,438 | ||||||
| Liabilities from discontinued operations | – | 13,166 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities | 632,551 | 702,553 | ||||||
| Total Quaint Oak Bancorp, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity | 52,617 | 48,491 | ||||||
| Noncontrolling Interest from Discontinued Operations | – | 3,074 | ||||||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity | 52,617 | 51,565 | ||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 685,168 | $ | 754,118 | ||||
| At December 31, | ||||
| 2023 | ||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||
| Assets from Discontinued Operations | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,121 | ||
| Loans held for sale | 9,580 | |||
| Premises and equipment, net | 277 | |||
| Goodwill | 2,058 | |||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 3,939 | |||
| Total Assets from Discontinued Operations | $ | 19,975 | ||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity from Discontinued Operations | ||||
| Liabilities from Discontinued Operations | ||||
| Other short-term borrowings | $ | 5,549 | ||
| Accrued interest payable | 565 | |||
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 7,052 | |||
| Total Liabilities from Discontinued Operations | 13,166 | |||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity from Discontinued Operations | 6,809 | |||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity from Discontinued Operations | $ | 19,975 | ||
QUAINT OAK BANCORP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In Thousands, except share data)
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Interest and Dividend Income | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest on loans, including fees | $ | 9,613 | $ | 10,629 | $ | 40,058 | $ | 43,812 | ||||||||
| Interest and dividends on time deposits, investment securities, interest-bearing deposits with others, and Federal Home Loan Bank stock | 333 | 359 | 3,379 | 1,109 | ||||||||||||
| Total Interest and Dividend Income | 9,946 | 10,988 | 43,437 | 44,921 | ||||||||||||
| Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest on deposits | 5,346 | 5,538 | 23,141 | 18,811 | ||||||||||||
| Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank short-term borrowings | 29 | 324 | 61 | 3,907 | ||||||||||||
| Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank long-term borrowings | 13 | 323 | 484 | 1,326 | ||||||||||||
| Interest on Federal Reserve Bank short-term borrowings | – | 4 | – | 34 | ||||||||||||
| Interest on subordinated debt | 473 | 428 | 1,934 | 1,449 | ||||||||||||
| Total Interest Expense | 5,861 | 6,617 | 25,620 | 25,527 | ||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | 4,085 | 4,371 | 17,817 | 19,394 | ||||||||||||
| Provision for (Recovery of) Credit Losses – Loans | 279 | (324 | ) | 1,506 | (45 | ) | ||||||||||
| Provision for Credit Losses – Unfunded Commitments | 37 | 21 | 28 | 202 | ||||||||||||
| Total Provision for (Recovery of) Credit Losses | 316 | (303 | ) | 1,534 | 157 | |||||||||||
| Net Interest Income after Provision for (Recovery from) Credit Losses | 3,769 | 4,674 | 16,283 | 19,237 | ||||||||||||
| Non-Interest Income | ||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage banking, equipment lending and title abstract fees | 282 | 179 | 909 | 600 | ||||||||||||
| Real estate sales commissions, net | – | 6 | 20 | 94 | ||||||||||||
| Insurance commissions | 218 | 177 | 744 | 663 | ||||||||||||
| Other fees and services charges | 30 | 214 | 612 | 510 | ||||||||||||
| Net loan servicing income | 111 | 88 | 116 | 235 | ||||||||||||
| Income from bank-owned life insurance | 31 | 27 | 118 | 102 | ||||||||||||
| Net gain on sale of loans | 1,701 | 1,411 | 3,699 | 2,620 | ||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of SBA loans | 202 | 122 | 453 | 468 | ||||||||||||
| Gain on sale-leaseback transaction | 1,485 | – | 1,485 | – | ||||||||||||
| Total Non-Interest Income | 4,060 | 2,224 | 8,156 | 5,292 | ||||||||||||
| Non-Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | 3,818 | 3,426 | 14,636 | 13,850 | ||||||||||||
| Directors’ fees and expenses | 48 | 1 | 201 | 316 | ||||||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment | 422 | 518 | 1,418 | 1,656 | ||||||||||||
| Data processing | 404 | 314 | 1,298 | 1,051 | ||||||||||||
| Professional fees | 446 | 335 | 769 | 932 | ||||||||||||
| FDIC deposit insurance assessment | 120 | 198 | 614 | 867 | ||||||||||||
| Advertising | 100 | 75 | 302 | 283 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of other intangible | 12 | 12 | 48 | 48 | ||||||||||||
| Other | 364 | 547 | 1,732 | 1,914 | ||||||||||||
| Total Non-Interest Expense | 5,734 | 5,426 | 21,018 | 20,917 | ||||||||||||
| Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes | $ | 2,095 | $ | 1,472 | $ | 3,421 | $ | 3,612 | ||||||||
| Income Taxes | 516 | 682 | 1,032 | 1,330 | ||||||||||||
| Net Income from Continuing Operations | $ | 1,579 | $ | 790 | $ | 2,389 | $ | 2,282 | ||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations | – | 488 | 564 | (364 | ) | |||||||||||
| Income Tax (Benefit) | – | 136 | 158 | (102 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations | $ | – | $ | 352 | $ | 406 | $ | (262 | ) | |||||||
| Net Income | $ | 1,579 | $ | 1,142 | $ | 2,795 | $ | 2,020 | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, |
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Per Common Share Data: | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share from continuing operations – basic | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.02 | ||||||||
| Earnings per share from discontinued operations – basic | $ | – | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.16 | $ | (0.12 | ) | |||||||
| Earnings per share, net – basic | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 0.90 | ||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – basic | 2,631,851 | 2,352,133 | 2,578,804 | 2,254,444 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings per share from continuing operations – diluted | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.00 | ||||||||
| Earnings per share from discontinued operations – diluted | $ | – | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.16 | $ | (0.11 | ) | |||||||
| Earnings per share, net – diluted | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 0.89 | ||||||||
| Average shares outstanding – diluted | 2,631,851 | 2,352,133 | 2,578,804 | 2,275,034 | ||||||||||||
| Book value per share, end of period | $ | 20.03 | $ | 20.15 | $ | 20.03 | $ | 20.15 | ||||||||
| Shares outstanding, end of period | 2,626,535 | 2,407,048 | 2,626,535 | 2,407,048 | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended December 31, |
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Selected Operating Ratios: | (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
| Average yield on interest-earning assets | 6.19 | % | 6.01 | % | 6.32 | % | 5.93 | % | ||||||||
| Average rate on interest-bearing liabilities | 4.30 | % | 4.48 | % | 4.48 | % | 4.02 | % | ||||||||
| Average interest rate spread | 1.88 | % | 1.52 | % | 1.84 | % | 1.91 | % | ||||||||
| Net interest margin | 2.54 | % | 2.39 | % | 2.59 | % | 2.56 | % | ||||||||
| Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities | 118.00 | % | 123.90 | % | 120.08 | % | 119.37 | % | ||||||||
| Efficiency ratio | 70.40 | % | 82.28 | % | 80.93 | % | 84.73 | % | ||||||||
| Asset Quality Ratios (1): | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-performing loans as a percent of total loans receivable, net | 1.07 | % | 0.07 | % | 1.07 | % | 0.07 | % | ||||||||
| Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets | 0.83 | % | 0.06 | % | 0.83 | % | 0.06 | % | ||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percent of non-performing loans | 113.61 | % | n/m | 113.61 | % | n/m | ||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans receivable | 1.20 | % | 1.11 | % | 1.20 | % | 1.11 | % | ||||||||
| Texas Ratio (2) | 8.77 | % | 0.80 | % | 8.77 | % | 0.80 | % | ||||||||
(1) Asset quality ratios are end of period ratios.
(2) Total non-performing assets divided by tangible common equity plus the allowance for credit losses.
n/m – not meaningful
Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “The greatest danger for the population of Goma is the so-called ‘Wazalendo’ militiamen,” local church observers told Fides about the situation in the capital of the Congolese province of North Kivu, which has fallen into the hands of the M23 rebel movement supported by the Rwandan army.The so-called “Wazalendo” are members of pro-government militias who are fighting alongside the regular army against the advance of the M23. While most of the regular soldiers surrendered after the capture of Goma or turned themselves over to the MONUSCO Blue Helmets, the “Wazalendo” militiamen went into hiding.”The Wazalendo are breaking into the homes of ordinary people in search of food, which is a problem for everyone given the shortage of supplies. If they do not find anything to loot, they threaten to take their children away. And it is easy to imagine what they can do to women and girls,” the observers report. “M23 members and Rwandans are trying to restore order. At the moment, there are reports of occasional shootings near the airport.””The humanitarian situation in Goma remains difficult because there is no electricity and no water pumped and filtered from Lake Kivu. Without electricity, the pumps and sewage treatment plants do not work. The most difficult conditions are for the displaced people (an estimated one million internally displaced people live in Goma). In the parish of Saint Francis Xavier in Ndosho, a suburb on the outskirts of the city, around 2,000 displaced people live without water and in precarious conditions; in addition, there are around 1,600 people housed in the nearby school,” the observers report. Meanwhile, the rebels are slowly advancing towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. “The M23 units are 115 km from the city, but are advancing slowly as they still suffer heavy losses,” the sources said. “In recent days, ambulances have been travelling between Goma and Rwanda to bring the remains of the soldiers who fell on the streets of the city to their families and to ensure a dignified burial, as otherwise they would have ended up in mass graves that are currently being dug.In addition, it is slowly getting hot in Goma and this is another reason why it is urgent to bury the bodies lying on the streets.” “In Bukavu, the situation remains calm for the moment after the withdrawal of foreign aid workers (see Fides, 30/1/2025), but people live in uncertainty,” the observers concluded. Meanwhile, Burundian soldiers have also been sent by the government in Bujumbura to support the Congolese forces. On the political level, yesterday, January 30, Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance, held a press conference in Goma, where he reiterated his will to march to Kinshasa to overthrow President Félix Tshisekedi. The British Embassy in Kinshasa, meanwhile, issued a communiqué in English and French condemning the occupation of Goma by the M23 rebel movement and the Rwandan army, and threatening a possible cessation of UK support to Rwanda if hostilities do not cease. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 31/1/2025)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – “Catholics hope that the state of emergency will not be extended and pray for justice and peace,” Joseph Kung, a Catholic from Yangon who works in the National Human Rights Commission, told Fides. In the country, February 1 marks the fourth anniversary of the coup in which the military junta overthrew the democratic government and dissolved parliament. According to observers, General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the junta, is about to extend the state of emergency, while reiterating his intention to hold elections by 2025.The civil war, which has left more than 50,000 dead and 3.5 million internally displaced, has led to a food emergency and the situation will worsen in 2025, according to estimates by the United Nations World Food Programme, while more than 15 million people will suffer from hunger and 20 million inhabitants (more than a third of the total population) will need humanitarian aid for food and disease.The number of displaced people will also rise to 4.5 million. The civilian population is also threatened by landmines, which, according to the ‘Landmine Monitor 2024’, are causing victims in all 14 states and regions of Myanmar and in about 60 percent of cities (692 in the first six months of 2024). As observers tell Fides, the army is placing landmines in villages,farms, rice and corn fields and near military camps. When farmers go to the fields to harvest food, they risk their lives. Catholic communities and religious orders, meanwhile, report on the plight of children: on the one hand, there is a growing phenomenon of child labor, where children are employed in sectors such as clothing, agriculture, catering, domestic work, construction and street vending, which is a blatant violation of children’s rights. On the other hand, the closure of schools and educational institutions denies children and young people the fundamental right to education, with serious implications for the future of the nation. Many religious orders and Catholic parishes are therefore setting up small informal schools where they try to provide children with an education. Father Terence Anthony, parish priest of the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in the southern part of the Archdiocese of Yangon, told Fides: “We entrust ourselves to the Lord in prayer and do our best with concrete actions. In many areas of the country, where there is fighting or where there is no violence, priests, religious and catechists dedicate themselves tirelessly to the service of wounded and tried humanity. We comfort the afflicted and give bread to the hungry. We place ourselves at the service of the poor, the displaced and the weakest, trying to give a concrete witness of the love of God.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 31/1/2024)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Friday, 31 January 2025
IMC
Toribio (Agenzia Fides) – “Thank you for having walked with us, for being part of our history,” were some of the words that resonated during the Mass of thanksgiving celebrated on Sunday, January 26, which marked the 41 years of presence of the Consolata Missionaries in Toribío, in northern Cauca.”The end of the presence of the missionaries in Toribío marked the end of a historic stage, but not the end of a mission,” reads a note released by the missionaries. “The seed sown for more than four decades continues to bear fruit in community leaders, families strengthened in their faith and a local Church committed to justice and peace.”For more than four decades, the Consolata Missionaries have walked alongside the communities of Toribío, a territory rich in indigenous cultural heritage, but also marked by deep social and political difficulties. The missionaries have witnessed resistance, solidarity and commitment to the indigenous, peasant and Afro-descendant communities of the Nasa indigenous people.”Dear family, we greet you from this parish church of San Giovanni Battista and from this town of Toribío: ‘We did what we had to do’,” said Father Venanzio Mwangi, Regional Superior, citing the teachings of their Founder San Giuseppe Allamano.The ceremony brought together a large crowd of faithful, community leaders and representatives of local organizations, who expressed their gratitude for the pastoral and social work of the missionaries. They recalled the history shared with the community, evoking moments of joy and pain, the struggles for social justice, the defense of the territory and the promotion of peace in the midst of armed conflict.In Toribío, the Consolata Missionaries arrived after the violent death in 1984 of Father Álvaro Ulcué Chocué, the first indigenous priest of the Nasa ethnic group, ordained in the Church of the Archdiocese of Popayán, whose example has inspired their work and whose legacy lives on in the region.Over the years, the missionaries have integrated themselves into the communities, not only as spiritual guides, but also as allies in building a more dignified future. They have built parishes, trained community leaders and strengthened an inculturated spirituality that respects and values the ancestral traditions of the Nasa people.The Cauca region is particularly strategic because it brings together in one place all the phases of work and marketing: illicit crops, processing workshops and the important routes, the paths that drugs take to leave the country illegally. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 31/1/2025)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Friday, 31 January 2025
by Gianni ValenteHoms (Agenzia Fides) – “A new era has begun for Syria. And it is a difficult time again,” said Archbishop Jacques Mourad. The monk of the Deir Mar Musa community, spiritual son of Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, was held hostage for months by jihadists of the Islamic State in 2015. Perhaps this experience made his Christian vision even clearer. And today, as Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Homs, what he sees and hears about the new suffering in Syria does not correspond to the dominant narrative in the media, especially in the West, which reports on a “regime change”, a successful and peaceful regime change with new Islamist leaders seeking international recognition after more than 50 years of the Assad clan ruling the country.The dominant media coverage, for example, fails to mention the widespread violence and fear that once again overshadows the days of a large part of the Syrian population. A violence that – as Jacques Mourad admits – “seems to be a trap that all those who come to power here fall into”.In recent weeks – the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Homs told Fides – people have disappeared, prisons are filling up “and we do not know who is still alive and who is dead”. Those accused of having colluded with the collapsed regime are being tortured in public. And he also reports “several cases of young Christians being threatened and tortured in the streets in front of everyone, in order to instill fear and force them to renounce their faith and become Muslims”. Crimes that are taking place far from Damascus.Things are not going well and Father Mourad feels that “nobody can do anything” to get out of this new period of fear and revenge. “I try to encourage people, to console them, to ask for patience and to look for solutions,” said Archbishop Jacques Mourad. “During the Christmas period, I visited our 12 parishes and also went to the villages to encourage them, to keep hope together. There were beautiful meetings with different groups. But when the violence increases, our words and our calls for patience will no longer convince them.”Meanwhile, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, visited Syria in recent days as the Pope’s envoy to testify to the closeness of the Successor of Peter to the Christian communities who are experiencing this moment of the tormented Syrian affair with an additional burden of worries, compared to those suffered by other Syrians.”The previous regime,” explains Archbishop Mourad, “presented itself as the defender of Christians. They always said: if we leave, the fanatics will return. Now many priests are pessimistic about the future. My answer is always the same: the situation is definitely incomparable to that of the past, when there were unimaginable crimes. But since the new violence, there are also those who say: ‘You saw that what Bashar al Assad said is true.’ The result is that many Christians now, more than ever, see no other way than to emigrate. To leave Syria. And it is difficult for us to say that we must not lose hope. We try, but people do not believe what we say. What they experience and what they see are too different.”In the churches, since the fall of the Assad regime, in many ways everything seems to continue as before: services, processions, prayers and works of charity. The new rulers have not issued any compulsory regulations that in any way affect the everyday life of the church. The recognized leader Ahmad Sharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad Dscholani, leader of the armed jihadist group “Hayat Tahrir al Sham”, who declared himself “interim president” of Syria on January 29, met with Father Ibrahim Faltas and the Franciscans at the end of 2024 and found words of praise for Pope Francis, stressing that the Christians who emigrated during and after the civil war should return to Syria. The violence suffered by the young Christians took the form of attacks on individuals. “But,” says Jacques Mourad, “when the confiscation of weapons began, the Christian and Alawite soldiers were disarmed. Nobody took the weapons away from the Sunnis.” “And the reality,” he adds, “is that there is no government. There are different armed groups. Some are fanatics, others are not. And each has its own power and imposes its own rule in the areas it controls. And they have many weapons, having also acquired those of the old regime”. Like other bishops, Archbishop Mourad met with representatives of the new forces. He heard reassuring words, but then things did not change.Jacques Mourad says he does not know how things can go on. In the meantime, he himself is moving on.”We continue our life as parishes and as a diocese, day after day,” he says. Since April last year, the Archbishop has been responsible for catechism in all of Syria. Even then, the situation was serious: no work, society and Christian communities still torn apart by the consequences of the war. “I thought the most important thing was to start again with the children. You can only start again with children and young people after the war has somehow wiped out everything. And together with them you have to start again with the essential, original things,” the Archbishop continued.The regional church committees were re-established to work together on the training of catechists, because “many who had experience had left. Now there are young people who are enthusiastic, but who still need to make a spiritual journey and a catechetical and biblical formation”. The dioceses, the Jesuits and the Bible Society have joined forces “to set out together. We thank the Lord because so many young people show such desire, such courage and such generosity”. The same goes for the liturgies and the resumption of pilgrimages to Mar Musa and to all the other monasteries, “to revive the memory, in this situation of poverty and suffering, which is still very serious. And to see if something is reborn, like a new sprout”. (Agenzia Fides, 31/1/2025)
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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
ABERDEEN, Wash., Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pacific Financial Corporation (OTCQX: PFLC), (“Pacific Financial”) or the (“Company”), the holding company for Bank of the Pacific (the “Bank”), reported net income of $2.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $2.6 million, or $0.25 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2024, and $2.9 million, or $0.28 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company reported net income of $9.5 million, or $0.92 per share compared to $14.6 million, or $1.40 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Except for year-end December 31, 2023, all results are unaudited.
The board of directors of Pacific Financial declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share on January 22, 2025. The dividend will be payable on February 28, 2025 to shareholders of record on February 14, 2025.
“During the quarter we finalized the closure of our mortgage banking division recording termination costs of $773,000 impacting our fourth quarter 2024 operating results. Excluding those expenses adjusted net income was $2.8 million for the fourth quarter, an increase from the prior quarter. As we begin 2025, we expect the benefit of this closure to translate to improved efficiency of our operations moving forward,” said Denise Portmann, President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Though the loan portfolio increased at a slower rate during the quarter, we continue to have healthy customer activity as pipelines began to improve with the decrease in index rates experienced early in the quarter. In addition, earnings for the year benefited from solid year over year growth in average loan balances. Our history of a strong net interest margin continued to be supported by solid relationships with our depositors with a strong core deposit base. Core deposits represented 87% of total deposits at year end,” said Portmann. “In addition, our overall credit quality metrics remained strong with nonperforming assets remaining low at $1.1 million or 0.09% of total assets and with a net recovery to the ACL for the quarter. Our capital base and ratios continue to be robust and exceed regulatory well-capitalized ratios. This robust capital base allowed for the continued repurchase of shares during the year. With our strong capital ratios and strong balance sheet, we believe we remain well-positioned for the future.”
Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:
Balance Sheet Review
Total assets decreased slightly to $1.15 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $1.16 billion at September 30, 2024, and was unchanged relative to December 31, 2023.
Liquidity metrics continued to remain strong with total liquidity, both on and off balance sheet sources, at $550.6 million as of December 31, 2024. The Bank has established collateralized credit lines with borrowing capacity from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB) and from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, as well as $60.0 million in unsecured borrowing lines from various correspondent banks. There was no balance outstanding on any of these facilities at quarter-end. The Company’s available liquidity sources at December 31, 2024 represented a coverage of short-term funds available to uninsured and uncollateralized deposits of 217%. Uninsured or uncollateralized deposits were 25% of total deposits at December 31, 2024.
The following table summarizes the Bank’s available liquidity:
| LIQUIDITY (unaudited) | Period Ended | Change from | % of Deposits | |||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
| Short-term Funding | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 67,951 | $ | 85,430 | $ | 95,781 | $ | (17,479 | ) | -20% | $ | (27,830 | ) | -29% | 7% | 8% | 9% | |||
| Unencumbered AFS Securities | 158,472 | 154,565 | 140,049 | 3,907 | 3% | 18,423 | 13% | 16% | 15% | 14% | ||||||||||
| Secured lines of Credit (FHLB, FRB) | 324,187 | 336,771 | 327,264 | (12,584 | ) | -4% | (3,077 | ) | -1% | 32% | 33% | 32% | ||||||||
| Short-term Funding | $ | 550,610 | $ | 576,766 | $ | 563,094 | $ | (26,156 | ) | -5% | $ | (12,484 | ) | -2% | 55% | 57% | 56% | |||
Investment securities: The investment securities portfolio increased 3% to $304.5 million, compared to $296.8 million at September 30, 2024 and increased 4% compared to the like period a year ago. The increase from the prior quarter was primarily due to the purchase of $19.8 million of collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage backed securities. These purchases were partially offset by an increase in net unrealized losses on available for sale investments which increased $7.6 million to $22.4 million ($17.5 million after-tax) at December 31, 2024, which represents 7% of the AFS portfolio.
U.S. Treasury bonds and securities issued by the U.S. Government sponsored agencies accounted for 86%, 85%, and 85%, of the investment portfolio as of December 31, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023. The largest investment category is collateralized mortgage obligations which accounted for 48% of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2024, compared to 43% one year earlier. The average adjusted duration to reset of the investment securities portfolio was 4.19 years at December 31, 2024.
Gross loans balances increased $5.3 million, or 1%, to $704.9 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $699.6 million at September 30, 2024. During the fourth quarter, new multi-family loans more than offset the decline in construction and development loans and the decline in residential 1-4 family loans.
Year-over-year loan growth was 3%, or $19.5 million, with the largest increases in residential 1-4 family and multi-family loans increasing $7.2 million and $18.0 million, respectively. Loans classified as commercial real estate for regulatory concentration purposes totaled $267.9 million at December 31, 2024, or 192% of total risk-based capital.
The Company continues to manage concentration limits that establish maximum exposure levels by certain industry segments, loan product types, geography and single borrower limits. In addition, the loan portfolio continues to be well-diversified and is collateralized with assets predominantly within the Company’s Western Washington and Oregon markets.
Credit quality: Nonperforming assets were minimal and remained at $1.1 million, or 0.09% of total assets at December 31, 2024, compared to $664,000, or 0.06% at December 31, 2023. The Company has zero other real estate owned as of December 31, 2024 and accruing loans past due more than 30 days represent only 0.14% of total loans. Total loans designated as special mention increased by $6.0 million to $10.8 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $4.8 million at September 30, 2024 and was primarily related to a downgrade of one agriculture credit relationship of $4.2 million.
Allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) for loans was $8.9 million, or 1.26% of gross loans at December 31, 2024, compared to $8.9 million or 1.27% of loans at September 30, 2024 and $8.5 million or 1.24% at December 31, 2023. A benefit for credit losses on loans of $119,000 was recorded in the current quarter. This compares to a provision for credit losses on loans of $27,000 in the third quarter of 2024 and a provision for credit losses on loans of $162,000 for the fourth quarter of 2023. The benefit for credit losses in the current quarter largely reflects net loan recoveries of $73,000 realized during the quarter, compared to a net recovery of $11,000 for the preceding quarter and $21,000 for the fourth quarter one year ago. Provisions for unfunded loans was $16,000 for the fourth quarter compared to a benefit of $93,000 the previous quarter and a benefit of $51,000 one year earlier.
Total deposits remained at $1.01 billion at December 31, 2024 compared to the prior quarter and one year earlier. Deposit composition between non-maturity deposits and time deposit CDs also remained relatively unchanged for the quarter. Within non-maturity deposits, non-interest bearing demand deposits decreased which was more than offset by the growth in interest bearing demand deposits and reflects the Bank’s continued focused efforts on retaining core customer relationships. Pacific Financial continues to benefit from a strong core deposit base which positively impacts our net interest margin. Non-interest bearing deposits continues to remain the largest concentration of deposits and represented 38% of deposits at December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024. Interest-bearing demand and money market deposits both represent 19% of total deposits at December 31, 2024.
Year-over-year the deposit composition changed slightly, primarily as a result of customers transferring balances to higher yielding accounts, and as a result, time deposits increased to $135.5 million, or 13% of total deposits at December 31, 2024 compared to $100.8 million or 10% of total deposits at December 31, 2023.
Shareholders’ equity was $113.9 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $121.1 million at September 30, 2024, and $114.7 million at December 31, 2023. The decrease in shareholders’ equity during the current quarter was due to repurchases of common stock, dividend payments and an increase in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities due to increases in interest rates. Net unrealized losses (after-tax) included in shareholders’ equity on available-for-sale securities was $17.5 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $11.5 million at September 30, 2024, and $16.1 million at December 31, 2023.
Book value per common share was $11.26 at December 31, 2024, compared to $11.78 at September 30, 2024, and $11.04 at December 31, 2023. The Company’s tangible common equity ratio was 8.8% at December 31, 2024 and 9.4% at September 30, 2024, compared to 8.9% at December 31, 2023. Regulatory capital ratios of both the Company and the Bank continue to exceed the well-capitalized regulatory thresholds, with the Company’s leverage ratio at 11.3% and total risk-based capital ratio at 17.5% as of December 31, 2024. These regulatory capital ratios are estimates, pending completion and filing of regulatory reports.
In anticipation of the expiration of the stock repurchase plan authorized in 2023, in September 2024, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $2.6 million toward future repurchases; approximately 2.0% of total shares outstanding.
Income Statement Review
Net interest income decreased $353,000 to $10.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $11.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, and decreased $801,000 compared to $11.7 million for the fourth quarter a year ago. The change in the current quarter compared to the preceding quarter reflects lower overall loan and interest bearing cash yields. Though yields for newly originated loans and other variable rate loans plus purchased investments were recorded at higher yields, the downward repricing of floating rate loans and interest-earning cash tied to short term rate indexes as well as decreased balances of interest earning cash and increasing deposit costs impacted total net interest income.
The decrease in net interest income compared to the year ago quarter reflects the increase in funding costs, with interest income remaining relatively flat, reflecting lower interest earning deposit balances offset by increased loan interest income as the Bank re-deployed interest earning deposit balances into higher yielding assets including both loans and investments.
Though decreasing from 4.19% for the preceding quarter and 4.34% for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, the Bank’s net interest margin continued to remain strong at 3.99% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Yields on total interest earning assets decreased 19 basis points to 5.10% for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 5.29% for the prior quarter and 5.14% in the like quarter a year ago. Average loan yields decreased 15 basis points to 5.84% during the current quarter, compared to 5.99% for the preceding quarter and 5.80% for the fourth quarter 2023. The Bank’s total cost of funds increased only 2 basis points to 1.17% for the current quarter, compared to 1.15% for the preceding quarter, and 0.83% for the fourth quarter 2023. The small increase in the costs of deposits was due to retention efforts and competitive pricing of deposit products. As mentioned earlier, the large balance of non-interest bearing deposits at 38% has helped minimize volatility in deposit costs.
Noninterest income increased to $1.8 million for the current quarter, compared to $1.7 million for the linked quarter and increased from $1.5 million a year earlier. The increase compared to the linked quarter was primarily due to $60,000 of death benefit income from a bank-owned life insurance policy. Fee and service charge income increased slightly in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $1.3 million compared to $1.2 million in the previous quarter and the fourth quarter of 2023.
The company closed its mortgage banking division in the fourth quarter. The elimination of the mortgage banking division is expected to improve the efficiency of the company in 2025.
Noninterest expenses increased to $10.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $9.7 million for the prior quarter and increased from $9.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The current quarter reflects increased expenses associated with closing the mortgage division. Salaries and employee benefit expenses were elevated in the current quarter due to severance and retention payments while occupancy expenses were also elevated due to lease contract termination costs associated with our mortgage operations center. In addition, data processing and IT costs increased related to the termination of mortgage origination software contracts. Overall, expenses associated with closing the mortgage division were approximately $773,000. Excluding the mortgage division termination costs, total non-interest expenses would have been $9.3 million for the current quarter.
The company’s efficiency ratio increased to 79.80% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 75.48% in the preceding quarter and increased from 72.22% in the same quarter a year ago. The efficiency ratio is expected to decline in 2025 with the elimination of expenses associated with the closed mortgage division.
Income tax expense: Federal and Oregon state income tax expenses totaled $492,000 for the current quarter, and $633,000 for the preceding quarter, resulting in effective tax rates of 18.5% and 19.6%, respectively. These income tax expenses reflect the benefits of tax exempt income on tax-exempt loans and investments, affordable housing tax credit financing, and investments in bank-owned life insurance.
| FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited) | Quarter Ended | Change From | Twelve Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (In 000s, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Dec 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| Earnings Ratios & Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 2,162 | $ | 2,594 | $ | 2,942 | $ | (432 | ) | -17% | $ | (780 | ) | -27% | $ | 9,532 | $ | 14,605 | $ | (5,073 | ) | -35% | |||
| Return on average assets | 0.74% | 0.90% | 1.02% | -0.16% | -0.28% | 0.84% | 1.22% | -0.38% | |||||||||||||||||
| Return on average equity | 7.27% | 8.77% | 10.88% | -1.50% | -3.61% | 8.20% | 13.48% | -5.28% | |||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency ratio(1) | 79.80% | 75.48% | 72.22% | 4.32% | 7.58% | 76.69% | 66.56% | 10.13% | |||||||||||||||||
| Net-interest margin %(2) | 3.99% | 4.19% | 4.34% | -0.20% | -0.35% | 4.18% | 4.39% | -0.21% | |||||||||||||||||
| Share Ratios & Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.28 | $ | (0.04 | ) | -16% | $ | (0.07 | ) | -25% | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.40 | $ | (0.47 | ) | ||||
| Diluted earning per share | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.28 | $ | (0.04 | ) | -16% | $ | (0.07 | ) | -25% | $ | 0.92 | $ | 1.40 | $ | (0.48 | ) | ||||
| Book value per share(3) | $ | 11.26 | $ | 11.78 | $ | 11.04 | $ | (0.52 | ) | -4% | $ | 0.22 | 2% | ||||||||||||
| Tangible book value per share(4) | $ | 9.93 | $ | 10.47 | $ | 9.75 | $ | (0.54 | ) | -5% | $ | 0.18 | 2% | ||||||||||||
| Common shares outstanding | 10,110 | 10,283 | 10,389 | (173 | ) | -2% | (279 | ) | -3% | ||||||||||||||||
| PFLC stock price | $ | 12.45 | $ | 11.65 | $ | 10.70 | $ | 0.80 | 7% | $ | 1.75 | 16% | |||||||||||||
| Dividends paid per share | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.14 | $ | – | 0% | $ | – | 0% | $ | 0.56 | $ | 0.53 | $ | 0.03 | 6% | ||||||
| Balance Sheet Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | $ | 1,153,563 | $ | 1,158,410 | $ | 1,148,899 | $ | (4,847 | ) | 0% | $ | 4,664 | 0% | ||||||||||||
| Portfolio Loans | $ | 704,865 | $ | 699,603 | $ | 685,349 | $ | 5,262 | 1% | $ | 19,516 | 3% | |||||||||||||
| Deposits | $ | 1,014,731 | $ | 1,011,473 | $ | 1,009,292 | $ | 3,258 | 0% | $ | 5,439 | 1% | |||||||||||||
| Investments | $ | 304,502 | $ | 296,792 | $ | 293,579 | $ | 7,710 | 3% | $ | 10,923 | 4% | |||||||||||||
| Shareholders equity | $ | 113,856 | $ | 121,087 | $ | 114,691 | $ | (7,231 | ) | -6% | $ | (835 | ) | -1% | |||||||||||
| Liquidity Ratios | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term funding to uninsured | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| and uncollateralized deposits | 217% | 229% | 243% | -12% | -26% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Uninsured and uncollateralized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| deposits to total deposits | 25% | 25% | 23% | 0% | 2% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio loans to deposits ratio | 69% | 69% | 67% | 0% | 2% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Quality Ratios | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-performing assets to assets | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.06% | -0.01% | 0.03% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-accrual loans to portfolio loans | 0.16% | 0.16% | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.06% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan losses to avg portfolio loans | -0.04% | -0.01% | -0.01% | -0.03% | -0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% | -0.03% | |||||||||||||||||
| ACL to portfolio loans | 1.26% | 1.27% | 1.24% | -0.01% | 0.02% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Ratios (PFC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total risk-based capital ratio | 17.5% | 17.9% | 17.7% | -0.4% | -0.2% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio | 16.3% | 16.7% | 16.5% | -0.4% | -0.2% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common equity tier 1 ratio | 14.7% | 15.0% | 14.9% | -0.3% | -0.2% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Leverage ratio | 11.3% | 11.6% | 11.3% | -0.3% | 0.0% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tangible common equity ratio | 8.8% | 9.4% | 8.9% | -0.6% | -0.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) Non-interest expense divided by net interest income plus noninterest income. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis at a rate of 21%. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (3) Book value per share is calculated as the total common shareholders’ equity divided by the period ending number of common stock shares outstanding. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (4) Tangible book value per share is calculated as the total common shareholders’ equity less total intangible assets and liabilities, divided by the period ending number of common stock shares outstanding. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| INCOME STATEMENT (unaudited) | Quarter Ended | Change From | Twelve Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Dec 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan interest & fee income | $ | 10,340 | $ | 10,520 | $ | 9,872 | $ | (180 | ) | -2% | $ | 468 | 5% | $ | 41,192 | $ | 37,037 | $ | 4,155 | 11% | |||||||
| Interest bearing cash income | 942 | 1,108 | 1,440 | (166 | ) | -15% | (498 | ) | -35% | 3,833 | 9,109 | (5,276 | ) | -58% | |||||||||||||
| Investment income | 2,590 | 2,503 | 2,501 | 87 | 3% | 89 | 4% | 9,978 | 9,334 | 644 | 7% | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income | 13,872 | 14,131 | 13,813 | (259 | ) | -2% | 59 | 0% | 55,003 | 55,480 | (477 | ) | -1% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits interest expense | 2,796 | 2,684 | 1,914 | 112 | 4% | 882 | 46% | 9,829 | 5,351 | 4,478 | 84% | ||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings interest expense | 225 | 243 | 247 | (18 | ) | -7% | (22 | ) | -9% | 951 | 929 | 22 | 2% | ||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense | 3,021 | 2,927 | 2,161 | 94 | 3% | 860 | 40% | 10,780 | 6,280 | 4,500 | 72% | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income | 10,851 | 11,204 | 11,652 | (353 | ) | -3% | (801 | ) | -7% | 44,223 | 49,200 | (4,977 | ) | -10% | |||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for credit losses | (103 | ) | (66 | ) | 111 | (37 | 56% | (214 | ) | -193% | 168 | 520 | (352 | ) | -68% | ||||||||||||
| Net Interest Income after provision | 10,954 | 11,270 | 11,541 | (316 | ) | -3% | (587 | ) | -5% | 44,055 | 48,680 | (4,625 | ) | -10% | |||||||||||||
| Non-Interest Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fees and service charges | 1,267 | 1,225 | 1,242 | 42 | 3% | 25 | 2% | 4,791 | 4,937 | (146 | ) | -3% | |||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of investments, net | – | – | – | – | -100% | – | -100% | 121 | (154 | ) | 275 | -179% | |||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of loans, net | 267 | 267 | 95 | – | 0% | 172 | 181% | 1,132 | 635 | 497 | 78% | ||||||||||||||||
| Income on bank-owned insurance | 250 | 188 | 176 | 62 | 33% | 74 | 42% | 800 | 685 | 115 | 17% | ||||||||||||||||
| Other non-interest income | (9 | ) | 7 | 16 | (16 | ) | -229% | (25 | ) | -156% | 25 | 69 | (44 | ) | -64% | ||||||||||||
| Non-Interest Income | 1,775 | 1,687 | 1,529 | 88 | 5% | 246 | 16% | 6,869 | 6,172 | 697 | 11% | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-Interest Expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and employee benefits | 6,288 | 6,341 | 5,787 | (53 | ) | -1% | 501 | 9% | 24,944 | 22,793 | 2,151 | 9% | |||||||||||||||
| Occupancy | 768 | 601 | 679 | 167 | 28% | 89 | 13% | 2,574 | 2,215 | 359 | 16% | ||||||||||||||||
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | 289 | 286 | 301 | 3 | 1% | (12 | ) | -4% | 1,127 | 1,109 | 18 | 2% | |||||||||||||||
| Marketing & donations | 149 | 201 | 169 | (52 | ) | -26% | (20 | ) | -12% | 680 | 549 | 131 | 24% | ||||||||||||||
| Professional services | 267 | 233 | 342 | 34 | 15% | (75 | ) | -22% | 1,163 | 1,283 | (120 | ) | -9% | ||||||||||||||
| Data Processing & IT | 1,380 | 1,185 | 1,223 | 195 | 16% | 157 | 13% | 4,921 | 4,713 | 208 | 4% | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | 934 | 883 | 1,019 | 51 | 6% | (85 | ) | -8% | 3,775 | 4,194 | (419 | ) | -10% | ||||||||||||||
| Non-Interest Expense | 10,075 | 9,730 | 9,520 | 345 | 4% | 555 | 6% | 39,184 | 36,856 | 2,328 | 6% | ||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 2,654 | 3,227 | 3,550 | (573 | ) | -18% | (896 | ) | -25% | 11,740 | 17,996 | (6,256 | ) | -35% | |||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 492 | 633 | 608 | (141 | ) | -22% | (116 | ) | -19% | 2,208 | 3,391 | (1,183 | ) | -35% | |||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 2,162 | $ | 2,594 | $ | 2,942 | $ | (432 | ) | -17% | (780 | ) | -27% | $ | 9,532 | $ | 14,605 | $ | (5,073 | ) | -35% | ||||||
| Effective tax rate | 18.5% | 19.6% | 17.1% | -1.1% | 1.4% | 18.8% | 18.8% | 0.0% | |||||||||||||||||||
| BALANCE SHEET (unaudited) | Period Ended | Change from | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash on hand and in banks | $ | 18,136 | $ | 20,621 | $ | 16,716 | $ | (2,485 | ) | -12% | $ | 1,420 | 8% | 2% | 2% | 1% | |||||||
| Interest bearing deposits | 62,015 | 80,522 | 91,355 | (18,507 | ) | -23% | (29,340 | ) | -32% | 6% | 7% | 8% | |||||||||||
| Investment securities | 304,502 | 296,792 | 293,579 | 7,710 | 3% | 10,923 | 4% | 26% | 26% | 26% | |||||||||||||
| Loans held-for-sale | – | 140 | 1,103 | (140 | ) | -100% | (1,103 | ) | -100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |||||||||||
| Portfolio Loans, net of deferred fees | 704,248 | 698,974 | 684,554 | 5,274 | 1% | 19,694 | 3% | 61% | 60% | 60% | |||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | (8,851 | ) | (8,897 | ) | (8,530 | ) | 46 | -1% | (321 | ) | 4% | -1% | -1% | -1% | |||||||||
| Net loans | 695,397 | 690,077 | 676,024 | 5,320 | 1% | 19,373 | 3% | 60% | 60% | 59% | |||||||||||||
| Premises & equipment | 16,952 | 17,124 | 15,579 | (172 | ) | -1% | 1,373 | 9% | 1% | 1% | 1% | ||||||||||||
| Goodwill & Other Intangibles | 13,435 | 13,435 | 13,435 | – | 0% | – | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | |||||||||||||
| Bank-owned life Insurance | 28,333 | 28,084 | 27,497 | 249 | 1% | 836 | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% | |||||||||||||
| Other assets | 14,793 | 11,615 | 13,611 | 3,178 | 27% | 1,182 | 9% | 2% | 2% | 2% | |||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 1,153,563 | $ | 1,158,410 | $ | 1,148,899 | $ | (4,847 | ) | 0% | $ | 4,664 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |||||||
| Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | $ | 1,014,731 | $ | 1,011,473 | $ | 1,009,292 | $ | 3,258 | 0% | $ | 5,439 | 1% | 88% | 88% | 88% | ||||||||
| Borrowings | 13,403 | $ | 13,403 | $ | 13,403 | – | 0% | – | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | |||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 11,573 | $ | 12,447 | $ | 11,513 | (874 | ) | -7% | 60 | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | ||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 113,856 | $ | 121,087 | $ | 114,691 | (7,231 | ) | -6% | (835 | ) | -1% | 10% | 10% | 10% | |||||||||
| Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity | $ | 1,153,563 | $ | 1,158,410 | $ | 1,148,899 | $ | (4,847 | ) | 0% | $ | 4,664 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |||||||
| INVESTMENT COMPOSITION & CONCENTRATIONS (unaudited) | Period Ended | Change from | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Investment Securities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collateralized mortgage obligations | $ | 147,262 | $ | 141,842 | $ | 126,949 | $ | 5,420 | 4% | $ | 20,313 | 16% | 48% | 48% | 43% | ||||||||
| Mortgage backed securities | 46,112 | 41,264 | 38,103 | 4,848 | 12% | 8,009 | 21% | 15% | 14% | 13% | |||||||||||||
| U.S. Government and agency securities | 67,716 | 68,961 | 83,748 | (1,245 | ) | -2% | (16,032 | ) | -19% | 22% | 23% | 29% | |||||||||||
| Municipal securities | 43,412 | 44,725 | 44,779 | (1,313 | ) | -3% | (1,367 | ) | -3% | 15% | 15% | 15% | |||||||||||
| Investment Securities | $ | 304,502 | $ | 296,792 | $ | 293,579 | $ | 7,710 | 3% | $ | 10,923 | ) | 4% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |||||||
| Held to maturity securities | $ | 41,442 | $ | 42,301 | $ | 55,454 | $ | (859 | ) | -2% | $ | (14,012 | ) | -25% | 14% | 14% | 19% | ||||||
| Available for sale securities | $ | 263,060 | $ | 254,491 | $ | 238,125 | $ | 8,569 | 3% | $ | 24,935 | 10% | 86% | 86% | 81% | ||||||||
| Government & Agency securities | $ | 261,063 | $ | 252,039 | $ | 248,768 | $ | 9,024 | 4% | $ | 12,295 | 5% | 86% | 85% | 85% | ||||||||
| AAA, AA, A rated securities | $ | 42,773 | $ | 44,084 | $ | 43,687 | $ | (1,311 | ) | -3% | $ | (914 | ) | -2% | 14% | 15% | 15% | ||||||
| Non-rated securities | $ | 666 | $ | 669 | $ | 1,124 | $ | (3 | ) | 0% | $ | (458 | ) | -41% | 0% | 0% | 0% | ||||||
| AFS Unrealized Gain (Loss) | $ | (22,437 | ) | $ | (14,804 | ) | $ | (20,808 | ) | $ | (7,633 | ) | 52% | $ | (1,629 | ) | 8% | -7% | -5% | -7% | |||
| PORTFOLIO LOAN COMPOSITION & CONCENTRATIONS (unaudited) | Period Ended | Change from | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Portfolio Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial & agriculture | $ | 75,240 | $ | 73,002 | $ | 75,444 | $ | 2,238 | 3% | $ | (204 | ) | 0% | 10% | 10% | 11% | |||||||
| Real estate: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction and development | 42,725 | 46,569 | 48,720 | (3,844 | ) | -8% | (5,995 | ) | -12% | 6% | 7% | 7% | |||||||||||
| Residential 1-4 family | 103,489 | 105,298 | 96,301 | (1,809 | ) | -2% | 7,188 | 7% | 15% | 15% | 14% | ||||||||||||
| Multi-family | 68,978 | 60,773 | 51,025 | 8,205 | 14% | 17,953 | 35% | 10% | 9% | 7% | |||||||||||||
| CRE — owner occupied | 165,120 | 167,086 | 164,443 | (1,966 | ) | -1% | 677 | 0% | 23% | 24% | 24% | ||||||||||||
| CRE — non owner occupied | 159,582 | 157,347 | 155,280 | 2,235 | 1% | 4,302 | 3% | 23% | 22% | 23% | |||||||||||||
| Farmland | 26,864 | 26,553 | 27,273 | 311 | 1% | (409 | ) | -1% | 4% | 4% | 4% | ||||||||||||
| Consumer | 62,867 | 62,975 | 66,863 | (108 | ) | 0% | (3,996 | ) | -6% | 9% | 9% | 10% | |||||||||||
| Portfolio Loans | 704,865 | 699,603 | 685,349 | 5,262 | 1% | 19,516 | 3% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||||
| Less: ACL | (8,851 | ) | (8,897 | ) | (8,530 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: deferred fees | (617 | ) | (629 | ) | (795 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loans | $ | 695,397 | $ | 690,077 | $ | 676,024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Regulatory Commercial Real Estate | $ | 267,857 | $ | 261,292 | $ | 252,493 | $ | 6,565 | 3% | $ | 15,364 | 6% | 38% | 37% | 37% | ||||||||
| Total Risk Based Capital(1) | $ | 139,458 | $ | 140,971 | $ | 138,449 | $ | (1,513 | ) | -1% | $ | 1,009 | 1% | ||||||||||
| CRE to Risk Based Capital(1) | 192% | 185% | 182% | 7% | 10% | ||||||||||||||||||
| CRE–MULTI-FAMILY & NON OWNER OCCUPIED COMPOSITION (unaudited) | Period Ended | Change from | % of Total | |||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
| Collateral Composition(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Multifamily | $ | 73,575 | $ | 63,099 | $ | 59,557 | $ | 10,476 | 17% | $ | 14,018 | 24% | 30% | 27% | 27% | |||||
| Retail | 36,813 | 37,685 | 29,470 | (872 | ) | -2% | 7,343 | 25% | 15% | 16% | 13% | |||||||||
| Hospitality | 31,369 | 30,844 | 31,657 | 525 | 2% | (288 | ) | -1% | 13% | 13% | 14% | |||||||||
| Mini Storage | 25,028 | 25,758 | 21,625 | (730 | ) | -3% | 3,403 | 16% | 10% | 11% | 10% | |||||||||
| Office | 23,921 | 22,921 | 23,626 | 1,000 | 4% | 295 | 1% | 10% | 10% | 11% | ||||||||||
| Mixed Use | 22,662 | 22,708 | 26,329 | (46 | ) | 0% | (3,667 | ) | -14% | 9% | 10% | 12% | ||||||||
| Industrial | 14,723 | 13,912 | 11,410 | 811 | 6% | 3,313 | 29% | 6% | 6% | 5% | ||||||||||
| Warehouse | 7,531 | 7,582 | 6,169 | (51 | ) | -1% | 1,362 | 22% | 3% | 3% | 3% | |||||||||
| Special Purpose | 6,921 | 6,968 | 7,102 | (47 | ) | -1% | (181 | ) | -3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | ||||||||
| Other | 3,155 | 3,174 | 3,326 | (19 | ) | -1% | (171 | ) | -5% | 1% | 1% | 2% | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 245,698 | $ | 234,651 | $ | 220,271 | $ | 11,047 | 5% | $ | 25,427 | 12% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |||||
| (1) Bank of the Pacific | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) Includes loans in process of construction | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CREDIT QUALITY (unaudited) | Period Ended | Change from | ||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | ||||||||||
| Risk Rating Distribution | ||||||||||||||||
| Pass | $ | 691,350 | $ | 691,199 | $ | 674,992 | $ | 151 | 0% | $ | 16,358 | 2% | ||||
| Special Mention | 10,811 | 4,789 | 4,669 | 6,022 | 126% | 6,142 | 132% | |||||||||
| Substandard | 2,704 | 3,615 | 5,688 | (911 | ) | -25% | (2,984 | ) | -52% | |||||||
| Portfolio Loans | $ | 704,865 | $ | 699,603 | $ | 685,349 | $ | 5,262 | 1% | $ | 19,516 | 3% | ||||
| Nonperforming Assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Nonaccruing loans | 1,094 | 1,138 | 664 | $ | (44 | ) | -4% | 430 | 65% | |||||||
| Other real estate owned | – | – | – | – | 0% | – | 0% | |||||||||
| Nonperforming Assets | $ | 1,094 | $ | 1,138 | $ | 664 | $ | (44 | ) | -4% | 430 | 65% | ||||
| Credit Metrics | ||||||||||||||||
| Classified loans1 to portfolio loans | 0.38% | 0.52% | 0.83% | -0.14% | -0.45% | |||||||||||
| ACL to classified loans1 | 327.33% | 246.11% | 149.96% | 81.22% | 177.37% | |||||||||||
| Loans past due 30+ days to portfolio loans2 | 0.14% | 0.03% | 0.08% | 0.11% | 0.06% | |||||||||||
| Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.06% | -0.01% | 0.03% | |||||||||||
| Nonaccruing loans to portfolio loans | 0.16% | 0.16% | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.06% | |||||||||||
| (1) Classified loans include loans rated substandard or worse and are defined as loans having a well-defined weakness or weaknesses related to the borrower’s financial capacity or to pledged collateral that may jeopardize the repayment of the debt. They are characterized by the possibility that the Bank may sustain some loss if the deficiencies giving rise to the substandard classification are not corrected. | ||||||||||||||||
| (2) Excludes non-accrual loans | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPOSIT COMPOSITION & CONCENTRATIONS (unaudited) | Period Ended | Change from | % of Total | |||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
| Deposits | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing demand | $ | 194,526 | $ | 183,337 | $ | 183,436 | $ | 11,189 | 6% | $ | 11,090 | 6% | 19% | 18% | 18% | |||||
| Money market | 193,324 | 192,185 | 179,344 | 1,139 | 1% | 13,980 | 8% | 19% | 19% | 18% | ||||||||||
| Savings | 115,520 | 117,131 | 136,408 | (1,611 | ) | -1% | (20,888 | ) | -15% | 11% | 12% | 13% | ||||||||
| Time deposits (CDs) | 135,485 | 133,995 | 100,832 | 1,490 | 1% | 34,653 | 34% | 13% | 13% | 10% | ||||||||||
| Total interest-bearing deposits | 638,855 | 626,648 | 600,020 | 12,207 | 2% | 38,835 | 6% | 62% | 62% | 59% | ||||||||||
| Non-interest bearing demand | 375,876 | 384,825 | 409,272 | (8,949 | ) | -2% | (33,396 | ) | -8% | 38% | 38% | 41% | ||||||||
| Total deposits | $ | 1,014,731 | $ | 1,011,473 | $ | 1,009,292 | $ | 3,258 | 0% | $ | 5,439 | 1% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |||||
| Insured Deposits | $ | 629,600 | $ | 636,725 | $ | 647,330 | $ | (7,125 | ) | -1% | $ | (393,526 | ) | -61% | 62% | 63% | 64% | |||
| Collateralized Deposits | 131,327 | 122,448 | 129,895 | 8,879 | 7% | 1,432 | 1% | 13% | 12% | 13% | ||||||||||
| Uninsured Deposits | 253,804 | 252,300 | 232,067 | 1,504 | 1% | 397,533 | 171% | 25% | 25% | 23% | ||||||||||
| Total Deposits | $ | 1,014,731 | $ | 1,011,473 | $ | 1,009,292 | $ | 3,258 | 0% | $ | 5,439 | 1% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |||||
| Consumer Deposits | $ | 466,826 | $ | 458,097 | $ | 470,425 | $ | 8,729 | 2% | $ | (3,599 | ) | -1% | 46% | 45% | 46% | ||||
| Business Deposits | 406,308 | 420,845 | 398,977 | (14,537 | ) | -3% | 7,331 | 2% | 40% | 42% | 40% | |||||||||
| Public Deposits | 141,597 | 132,531 | 139,890 | 9,066 | 7% | 1,707 | 1% | 14% | 13% | 14% | ||||||||||
| Total Deposits | $ | 1,014,731 | $ | 1,011,473 | $ | 1,009,292 | $ | 3,258 | 0% | $ | 5,439 | 1% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |||||
| NET INTEREST MARGIN (unaudited) | Quarter Ended | Change From | Twelve Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Dec 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| Average Interest Bearing Balances | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio loans | $ | 703,811 | $ | 697,904 | $ | 675,622 | $ | 5,907 | 1% | $ | 28,189 | 4% | $ | 697,527 | $ | 659,165 | $ | 38,362 | 6% | ||||||
| Loans held for sale | $ | 1,033 | $ | 1,276 | $ | 709 | $ | (243 | ) | -19% | $ | 324 | 46% | $ | 1,125 | $ | 628 | $ | 497 | 79% | |||||
| Investment securities | $ | 302,501 | $ | 285,947 | $ | 289,245 | $ | 16,554 | 6% | $ | 13,256 | 5% | $ | 291,133 | $ | 286,473 | $ | 4,660 | 2% | ||||||
| Interest-bearing cash | $ | 78,296 | $ | 81,755 | $ | 105,177 | $ | (3,459 | ) | -4% | $ | (26,881 | ) | -26% | $ | 72,893 | $ | 180,781 | $ | (107,888 | ) | -60% | |||
| Total interest-earning assets | $ | 1,085,641 | $ | 1,066,882 | $ | 1,070,753 | $ | 18,759 | 2% | $ | 14,888 | 1% | $ | 1,062,678 | $ | 1,127,047 | $ | (64,369 | ) | -6% | |||||
| Non-interest bearing deposits | $ | 388,227 | $ | 383,332 | $ | 419,994 | $ | 4,895 | 1% | $ | (31,767 | ) | -8% | $ | 388,561 | $ | 448,234 | $ | (59,673 | ) | -13% | ||||
| Interest-bearing deposits | $ | 628,475 | $ | 615,388 | $ | 593,464 | $ | 13,087 | 2% | $ | 35,011 | 6% | $ | 607,678 | $ | 620,026 | $ | (12,348 | ) | -2% | |||||
| Total Deposits | $ | 1,016,702 | $ | 998,720 | $ | 1,013,458 | $ | 17,982 | 2% | $ | 3,244 | 0% | $ | 996,239 | $ | 1,068,260 | $ | (72,021 | ) | -7% | |||||
| Borrowings | $ | 13,403 | $ | 13,403 | $ | 13,403 | $ | – | 0% | $ | – | 0% | $ | 13,403 | $ | 13,401 | $ | 2 | 0% | ||||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | $ | 641,878 | $ | 628,791 | $ | 606,867 | $ | 13,087 | 2% | $ | 35,011 | 6% | $ | 621,081 | $ | 633,427 | $ | (12,346 | ) | -2% | |||||
| Yield / Cost $(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio loans | $ | 10,336 | $ | 10,509 | $ | 9,879 | $ | (173 | ) | -2% | $ | 457 | 5% | $ | 41,169 | $ | 37,088 | $ | 4,081 | 11% | |||||
| Loans held for sale | $ | 16 | $ | 22 | $ | 12 | $ | (6 | ) | -27% | $ | 4 | 33% | $ | 71 | $ | 39 | $ | 32 | 82% | |||||
| Investment securities | $ | 2,622 | $ | 2,535 | $ | 2,536 | $ | 87 | 3% | $ | 86 | 3% | $ | 10,107 | $ | 9,489 | $ | 618 | 7% | ||||||
| Interest-bearing cash | $ | 942 | $ | 1,108 | $ | 1,440 | $ | (166 | ) | -15% | $ | (498 | ) | -35% | $ | 3,833 | $ | 9,109 | $ | (5,276 | ) | -58% | |||
| Total interest-earning assets | $ | 13,916 | $ | 14,174 | $ | 13,867 | $ | (258 | ) | -2% | $ | 49 | 0% | $ | 55,180 | $ | 55,725 | $ | (545 | ) | -1% | ||||
| Interest-bearing deposits | $ | 2,796 | $ | 2,684 | $ | 1,914 | $ | 112 | 4% | $ | 882 | 46% | $ | 9,829 | $ | 5,351 | $ | 4,478 | 84% | ||||||
| Borrowings | $ | 225 | $ | 243 | $ | 247 | $ | (18 | ) | -7% | $ | (22 | ) | -9% | $ | 951 | $ | 929 | $ | 22 | 2% | ||||
| Total interest-bearing liabilities | $ | 3,021 | $ | 2,927 | $ | 2,161 | $ | 94 | 3% | $ | 860 | 40% | $ | 10,780 | $ | 6,280 | $ | 4,500 | 72% | ||||||
| Net interest income | $ | 10,895 | $ | 11,247 | $ | 11,706 | $ | (352 | ) | -3% | $ | (811 | ) | -7% | $ | 44,400 | $ | 49,445 | $ | (5,045 | ) | -10% | |||
| Yield / Cost %(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yield on portfolio loans | 5.84% | 5.99% | 5.80% | -0.15% | 0.04% | 5.90% | 5.63% | 0.27% | |||||||||||||||||
| Yield on investment securities | 3.45% | 3.53% | 3.48% | -0.08% | -0.03% | 3.47% | 3.31% | 0.16% | |||||||||||||||||
| Yield on interest-bearing cash | 4.79% | 5.39% | 5.44% | -0.60% | -0.65% | 5.26% | 5.04% | 0.22% | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of interest-bearing deposits | 1.77% | 1.74% | 1.28% | 0.03% | 0.49% | 1.62% | 0.86% | 0.76% | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of borrowings | 6.68% | 7.21% | 7.31% | -0.53% | -0.63% | 7.10% | 6.93% | 0.17% | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of deposits and borrowings | 1.17% | 1.15% | 0.83% | 0.02% | 0.34% | 1.07% | 0.58% | 0.49% | |||||||||||||||||
| Yield on interest-earning assets | 5.10% | 5.29% | 5.14% | -0.19% | -0.04% | 5.19% | 4.94% | 0.25% | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of interest-bearing liabilities | 1.87% | 1.85% | 1.41% | 0.02% | 0.46% | 1.74% | 0.99% | 0.75% | |||||||||||||||||
| Net interest spread | 3.23% | 3.44% | 3.73% | -0.21% | -0.50% | 3.45% | 3.95% | -0.50% | |||||||||||||||||
| Net interest margin | 3.99% | 4.19% | 4.34% | -0.20% | -0.35% | 4.18% | 4.39% | -0.21% | |||||||||||||||||
| (1) Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis at a rate of 21%. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (ACL) (unaudited) | Quarter Ended | Change From | Twelve Months Ended | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in 000s) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, | Sep 30, | Dec 31, | Sep 30, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, | Dec 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | $ | % | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for Credit Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of period balance | $ | 8,897 | $ | 8,859 | $ | 8,347 | $ | 38 | 0% | $ | 550 | 7% | $ | 8,530 | $ | 8,236 | $ | 294 | 4% | |||||||||||
| Impact of CECL Adoption (ASC 326) | – | – | – | – | -100% | – | -100% | – | (157 | ) | 157 | -100% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Charge-offs | (32 | ) | (5 | ) | (20 | ) | (27 | ) | 540% | (12 | ) | 60% | (129 | ) | (279 | ) | 150 | -54% | ||||||||||||
| Recoveries | 105 | 16 | 41 | 89 | 556% | 64 | 156% | 124 | 96 | 28 | 29% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (charge-off) recovery | 73 | 11 | 21 | 62 | 564% | 52 | 248% | (5 | ) | (183 | ) | 178 | -97% | |||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) | (119 | ) | 27 | 162 | (146 | ) | -541% | (281 | ) | -173% | 326 | 634 | (308 | ) | -49% | |||||||||||||||
| End of period balance | $ | 8,851 | $ | 8,897 | $ | 8,530 | $ | (46 | ) | -1% | $ | 321 | 4% | $ | 8,851 | $ | 8,530 | $ | 321 | 4% | ||||||||||
| Net charge-off (recovery) to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| average portfolio loans | -0.04% | -0.01% | -0.01% | -0.03% | -0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% | -0.03% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACL to portfolio loans | 1.26% | 1.27% | 1.24% | -0.01% | 0.02% | 1.26% | 1.24% | 0.02% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for unfunded loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of period balance | $ | 524 | $ | 617 | $ | 749 | $ | (93 | ) | -15% | $ | (225 | ) | -30% | $ | 698 | $ | 203 | $ | 495 | 244% | |||||||||
| Impact of CECL Adoption (ASC 326) | – | – | – | – | -100% | – | -100% | – | 609 | (609 | ) | -100% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) | 16 | (93 | ) | (51 | ) | 109 | -117% | 67 | -131% | (158 | ) | (114 | ) | (44 | ) | 39% | ||||||||||||||
| End of period balance | $ | 540 | $ | 524 | $ | 698 | $ | 16 | 3% | $ | (158 | ) | -23% | $ | 540 | $ | 698 | $ | (158 | ) | -23% | |||||||||
ABOUT PACIFIC FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Pacific Financial Corporation of Aberdeen, Washington, is the bank holding company for Bank of the Pacific, a state chartered and federally insured commercial bank. Bank of the Pacific offers banking products and services to small-to-medium sized businesses and professionals in western Washington and Oregon. At December 31, 2024, the Company had total assets of $1.15 billion and operated fifteen branches in the communities of Grays Harbor, Pacific, Thurston, Whatcom, Skagit, Clark and Wahkiakum counties in the State of Washington, and three branches in the communities of Clatsop and Clackamas counties in Oregon. The Company also operated loan production offices in the communities of Burlington, Washington and Salem, Oregon. Visit the Company’s website at www.bankofthepacific.com. Member FDIC.
Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other laws, including all statements in this release that are not historical facts or that relate to future plans or events or projected results of Pacific Financial Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of the Pacific. Such statements are based on information available at the time of communication and are based on current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied, and could negatively impact the Company’s operating and stock price performance. These risks and uncertainties include various risks associated with growing the Bank and expanding the services it provides, development of new business lines and markets, competition in the marketplace, general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, extensive and evolving regulation of the banking industry, and many other risks. Any forward-looking statements in this communication are based on information at the time the statement is made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Readers of this release are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Patria Investments Limited (“Patria”) (NASDAQ: PAX), a global alternative asset manager, announced that Patria Infrastructure Fund III (“IS Fund III”) has substantially met the conditions precedent necessary for the sale of Aguas Pacifico, a multi-client water desalination project under construction in Chile, to Patria Infrastructure Fund V (“IS Fund V”) and other investors. The agreement for the transaction was signed in December 2024.
The sale of this asset is expected to be completed in 1Q25 and will be supported by a number of global investors, including sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors, in addition to IS Fund V, highlighting the long-term attractiveness of this platform.
The transaction reflects Patria’s long-term commitment to investing across infrastructure sectors in Latin America that address structural bottlenecks and generate positive impact on local economies and populations. Aguas Pacifico is located in Chile’s central region and is positioned for additional growth considering the strong demand and severe water scarcity in the region. It also illustrates the power of Patria’s strategic approach to infrastructure investment in the region, demonstrating our ability to develop and de-risk high-quality assets, partner with global investors, and generate attractive investment returns.
About Patria Investments
Crafting attractive returns for its clients and building a legacy in the regions where it operates. Patria is a leading alternative investment firm with over 35 years of history specializing in key resilient sectors. Its unique approach combines the knowledge from macro analysts, investment leaders, operating partners and on the ground team. With over U$44 billion in assets under management and a global presence, it aims to provide consistent returns in attractive long term investment opportunities while creating sustainable value for society.
Asset Classes: Private Equity, Infrastructure, Credit, Public Equities, Real Estate and Global Private Markets Solutions
Investment Regions: Latin America, Europe and United States
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain 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. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “indicator,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “can,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe these factors include but are not limited to those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 20-F, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in our periodic filings. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Media Contact:
Burson / +44 20 7113 3468 / patria@hillandknowlton.com
Patria Shareholder Relations:
+1 917 769 1611 / PatriaShareholderRelations@patria.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Acropolis Enterprise Video and Data Management Platform Supports Operational and Physical Security Requirements for Global Locations
REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AISP) (“Airship AI” or the “Company”), a leader in AI-driven video, sensor, and data management surveillance solutions, today announced it has been awarded an additional one (1) year system maintenance and sustainment contract for an existing Fortune 100 customer leveraging the Company’s Acropolis Enterprise Video and Data Management platform supporting operational and physical security requirements.
“Our follow-on expansion contract with this flagship customer is a testament to the Acropolis eco-system’s ability to enhance physical security at the scale needed for the large-scale operations of the world’s largest corporations,” said Paul Allen, President of Airship AI. “This allows the customer to continue to federate and manage global logistical operations from a single security operations center.
“The seven-figure contract includes ongoing health monitoring, technical and engineering support, and software maintenance, demonstrating the ability to provide revenue from a mix of professional services in addition to our traditional software and hardware offerings. With employee safety and operational efficiency a key mission for this global Fortune 100 company, we look forward to further developing our suite of AI driven offerings to create additional efficiencies and continual improvements to operational effectiveness,” concluded Allen.
Airship AI’s Acropolis backend enterprise management system enables customers to manage devices and sensors across their entire digital eco-system, via hardware deployed on-premises or in the cloud, while utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the edge and or the backend to optimize operational efficiency and improve real-time decision-making capabilities. Combining the sensor-agnostic nature of our Acropolis platform with an edge-based AI platform Outpost AI, customers can efficiently add “smarts” to existing edge sensors, avoiding costly and operationally disruptive rip and replace requirements.
To experience how Airship AI and its suite of enterprise video and data management solutions can help your organization solve your complex video and data management challenges, please email your request to info@airship.ai.
About Airship AI Holdings, Inc.
Founded in 2006, Airship AI (NASDAQ: AISP) is a U.S. owned and operated technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Airship AI is an AI-driven video, sensor and data management surveillance platform that improves public safety and operational efficiency for public sector and commercial customers by providing predictive analysis of events before they occur and meaningful intelligence to decision makers. Airship AI’s product suite includes Outpost AI edge hardware and software offerings, Acropolis enterprise management software stack, and Command family of visualization tools.
For more information, visit https://airship.ai.
Forward-Looking Statements
The disclosure herein includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, (1) statements regarding estimates and forecasts of financial, performance and operational metrics and projections of market opportunity; (2) changes in the market for Airship AI’s services and technology, expansion plans and opportunities; (3) the projected technological developments of Airship AI; and (4) current and future potential commercial and customer relationships. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Airship AI’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are also subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, as set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024, and the other documents that the Company has filed, or will file, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
Investor Contact:
Chris Tyson/Larry Holub
MZ North America
949-491-8235
AISP@mzgroup.us
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
New ‘Global Center of Excellence’ to Drive Artificial Intelligence Operations and Service Offerings in the Business Process Outsourcing Industry
SINGAPORE and SAN DIEGO, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Helport AI Limited (NASDAQ: HPAI) (“Helport AI”), an AI technology company serving enterprise clients with intelligent customer communication software, services, and solutions, today announced the grand opening of its new office in the Philippines. Located at the IBM Plaza in Eastwood City, Quezon City, this facility is expected to establish Helport AI’s Global Center of Excellence for AI operations and training.
The new office represents Helport AI’s commitment to fostering innovation in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry and supporting the growing demand for advanced AI solutions in Southeast Asia. The office will serve as a hub for Helport AI’s research and development efforts.
A Strategic Step for Helport AI
Guanghai Li, CEO of Helport AI, highlighted the significance of this milestone during the opening ceremony. “Our decision to establish a presence in the Philippines underscores the immense potential of this region,” said Li. “The Philippines is home to a thriving BPO sector and a highly skilled workforce. We believe this office will play a pivotal role in advancing our AI-driven solutions, helping our clients achieve greater efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, and anticipating potential industry disruption.”
The Philippines office will focus on refining Helport AI’s flagship product, an intelligent co-pilot software for call center agents. This technology provides real-time guidance to agents, optimizing customer interactions while reducing onboarding time and training costs. As an integral part of Helport AI’s portfolio, this tool has already proven its scalability, with clients reporting improved agent performance and operational efficiency.
A Celebration of Innovation and Collaboration
The grand opening event featured a series of keynotes and discussions, including a presentation on “The Future of AI in BPO” and a live demonstration of Helport AI’s software. The program concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a networking session attended by industry leaders, government officials, and alliance partners.
Over fifty guests, including representatives from local BPO companies, investors, industry associations, and members of the news media, attended the gathering. They expressed interest in Helport AI’s solutions and demonstrated a desire for future collaboration, signaling the potential for partnerships in the region.
Looking Ahead
This new office marks another chapter in Helport AI’s journey toward redefining the future of AI in the BPO sector. With robust in-house AI training capabilities and a growing global footprint, Helport AI aspires to empower businesses, transform customer interactions, and drive sustainable growth.
About Helport AI
Helport AI (NASDAQ: HPAI) is an AI technology company dedicated to optimizing customer communication through its digital platform and intelligent software solutions. Offering enterprise level customer contact services, Helport AI’s mission is to empower everyone to work as an expert. Learn more at www.helport.ai.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, Helport AI’s business plan and outlook. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on Helport AI’s current expectations and projections about future events that Helport AI believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. Helport AI undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Helport AI believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and Helport AI cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in Helport AI’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Helport AI Investor Relations:
Website: https://ir.helport.ai/
Email: ir@helport.ai
External Investor Relations Contact:
Chris Tyson
Executive Vice President
MZ North America
Direct: 949-491-8235
HPAI@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9fdedad8-fef3-4e3b-8b9e-40960895c3a5
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the final January 2025 cash distribution for the Ninepoint Cash Management Fund – ETF Series. The record date for the distribution is January 31, 2025. This distribution is payable on February 7, 2025.
The per-unit final January distribution is detailed below:
| Ninepoint ETF Series | Ticker | Cash Distribution per unit |
Notional Distribution per unit |
CUSIP | ||
| Ninepoint Cash Management Fund | NSAV | $0.14673 | $0.00000 | 65443X105 | ||
About Ninepoint Partners
Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets
For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.
Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.
Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.
The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.
Sales Inquiries:
Ninepoint Partners LP
Neil Ross
416-945-6227
nross@ninepoint.com
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Robert Botha, Research Fellow at the Impumelelo Economic Growth Lab. The Impumelelo Economic Growth Lab is a unit of the Bureau for Economic Research (BER), Stellenbosch University
South Africa’s fiscal trajectory paints a concerning picture. Public expenditure exceeds revenue. As a result sovereign debt is building up and interest on this debt is increasing.
This raises concerns over the South African government’s financial sustainability. The debt-to-GDP ratio has skyrocketed from 23.6% in 2008/09 to a projected 74.7% in 2024/25. The International Monetary Fund has recommended that, over the long term, South Africa should reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio to 60% of GDP, in line with that of peers.
Arguably more important than the debt level is how quickly debt has accumulated. Debt servicing costs, which consist of the interest on government debt and other costs directly associated with borrowing, have been the fastest-growing line item in the national budget. Rising interest payments have been crowding out critical expenditures on services such as health, education and infrastructure.
As I argue in a recently published report titled “A fiscal anchor for South Africa: Avoiding the mistakes of the past”, establishing a credible fiscal anchor (or fiscal rule) could be step towards avoiding a debt spiral and regaining fiscal sustainability and credibility.
Fiscal rules are constraints on fiscal policy, designed to impose numerical limits. For example, a limit on the allowable debt-to-GDP ratio, or the allowable balance after accounting for government expenditure and revenue. Fiscal rules are widely used – 105 countries have adopted them so far.
Failing to address the country’s fiscal challenges risks plunging South Africa into a debt trap. This happens when a country finds it difficult to escape a cycle of debt and has to borrow more to pay off old debt. If debt-servicing costs continue to rise, essential public services will come under even greater strain.
Several emerging markets have experienced the severe consequences of unchecked debt accumulation and debt servicing costs. Argentina is one example. Without a credible plan to stabilise and reduce debt and debt servicing costs, the risk of economic stagnation and financial instability grows quickly.
The roots of South Africa’s current predicament lie in years of mistakes. These include:
spending beyond its means
questionable political decisions like bailing out state-owned entities
poor governance and oversight at municipal and local government level, which led to inefficient public spending.
These factors were underpinned by an underperforming economy, unrealised forecasts and arguably weak institutional checks.
For the last 15 years South Africa’s National Treasury has undertaken to stabilise the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio. This would have required keeping the ratio constant. But these commitments have consistently been deferred. Debt stabilisation targets have been revised upwards 13 times, from 40% in 2015/16 to the current 75.5%. The stabilisation year has been pushed back 10 times, from the initial year of 2015/16 to the current target of 2025/26. This has created a perception of inconsistent policy.
Over-optimistic macroeconomic forecasting has undermined credibility. Over the last ten years, GDP growth projections have routinely overshot actual performance by an average of 0.5 percentage points in the first year of forecasts and even more in subsequent years. In defence of the National Treasury, the South African economy has performed worse than more forecasters expected in recent years.
Adding to the fiscal strain are rising social expenditures, the public sector wage bill and repeated bailouts of state-owned enterprises. This spending relieves short-term political and social pressures, but undermines the country’s long-term fiscal health.
Without credible mechanisms to constrain spending, South Africa’s fiscal framework lacks the discipline needed to ensure sustainability, and to restore credibility.
Fiscal rules are there to promote discipline, ensure that debt can be paid and enhance credibility. The experience in the 105 countries that have adopted them suggests that strong, well-designed rules can signal a government’s commitment to fiscal prudence.
It’s difficult to establish whether there is a causal relationship between fiscal rules and fiscal performance. But there’s at least a correlation. As a practical example of enforcing fiscal rules, in November 2023, the German constitutional court overruled a budget that was passed in the Bundestag but breached Germany’s fiscal rules.
However, fiscal rules are not a panacea. Poorly designed or inadequately enforced rules can make the problems worse. For South Africa, this risk is acute.
Political commitment and strong institutional frameworks are needed too. Also, a shift in how fiscal policy is conceived and implemented.
Drawing lessons from global best practices, South Africa’s fiscal rules must be enforceable, flexible and simple. A well-designed rule should:
stabilise and eventually reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio
target government spending as a share of GDP, emphasising consumption spending like salaries and goods and services, rather than capital expenditure
have political buy-in
be overseen independently
be legally binding and enforceable.
South Africa’s low economic growth rate is a complication. Average interest rates on government debt are higher than the nominal GDP growth rate. But reining in spending too much could stifle growth, creating a vicious cycle.
That’s why stabilising debt first would make more sense than aiming to reduce debt too rapidly.
South Africa’s fiscal rules must also have some flexibility. For instance, they could allow for shocks such as natural disasters or global economic crises.
Fiscal rules could follow a phased approach to initially focus on stabilising debt, and then to move towards reducing debt. Both of these phases would entail expenditure rules to guide annual budget processes and to place limits on spending.
Credible fiscal rules could have a number of benefits.
Firstly, they could improve South Africa’s credibility by signalling to markets and international institutions that South Africa is committed to fiscal discipline.
Secondly, fiscal credibility is associated with reduced sovereign risk premiums, which translates into lower debt-servicing costs. In turn this would free up resources for critical development priorities.
Third, they can foster a more stable economic environment for investment and growth.
Fourth, they would help coordinate policies. South Africa enjoys rule-based monetary policy in the form of inflation targeting but lacks the same for fiscal policy. This can lead to sub-optimal outcomes. For example, the central bank can keep interest rates too high, not necessarily because it thinks the treasury’s policies are inflationary, but because it cannot predict the treasury’s actions.
Adopting fiscal rules in South Africa comes with risks. Weak institutional capacity, especially in oversight bodies like the Parliamentary Budget Office, could undermine rule enforcement.
To shield against these risks, South Africa should have stronger institutions. It could create an independent statutory fiscal council, possibly falling under Parliament, the National Treasury or as an independent constitutional advisory body.
Oversight bodies would also need to build their capacity.
Robert Botha is a Research Fellow at the Impumelelo Economic Growth Lab. The Impumelelo Economic Growth Lab is a unit of the Bureau for Economic Research (BER)
– ref. South Africa’s debt has skyrocketed – new rules are needed to manage it – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-debt-has-skyrocketed-new-rules-are-needed-to-manage-it-248355
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul O’Connor, Senior lecturer in Sociology, University of Exeter
The sound of a skateboard trick communicates a world of sensory information to skateboarders. The power of “skatesound” – the noises of the board and the environment it comes into contact with – is so distinct because it relates to an experience that is both heard and felt.
Despite the sound of skateboarding frequently being an issue of public complaint, many skaters find it therapeutic, calming and a source of joy.
The visually spectacular activity of skateboarding is often presented as an exciting, iconoclastic pursuit. Despite its inclusion in the last two summer Olympics, it remains sub-culturally distinct. Some skateboarding practices are perhaps even arcane and cult-like in their reverence for banal concrete steps and metal benches.
Research my colleagues and I conducted argues that the niche world of skateboarding endures because of its dense sensory culture – one that is heard and felt by skateboarders.
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For skateboarders, skatesound is an augmented experience of the world multilayered with insights about the body, movement and the texture of the city.
Imagine the skateboard itself as an amplifying tool, one that gives fine and detailed information about terrain, efficacy and possibility. It is as if the skateboard is an extended sensory appendage, to feel and hear the world at large.
A series of research on sport and sound has explored how physical ability can be enhanced by music, the motivation and communal experience of spectator chants and even hearing loss.
Our research in skateboarding highlights new areas of consideration. One of the most distinct issues relates to how skateboarders have a dynamic understanding of skateable urban spaces that are unknown to other street denizens.
What skateboarders hear is also what they feel – the sound of the pavements or office plazas becomes part of their sensory world. Skateboarders can hear the sound of a skateboard and be aware of not just the environment it is being ridden through, but also the embodied experience, “the feel” of it for the rider.
One middle-aged Canadian skateboarder told us that when she heard the sound of someone skateboarding it both gave her joy and a sense of connection to the rider. Sound might therefore tell us something of the shared community and bond skaters report. They connect with each other because they share such a wealth of specialised knowledge.
Generally, skateboarders love the sound of skateboarding, describing it with a range of adjectives as the “sound of freedom”, “happiness”, or simply “lovely”. Yet, they are also keenly aware that, by some, skateboarding is considered unpleasant noise.
The paradox of skatesound is that skateboarders are able to hold both opposing notions simultaneously. We collected numerous accounts of skateboarders deliberately avoiding certain locations and times so as not to disturb, startle and annoy other city users. Yet, their own experience of hearing skatesound unexpectedly while at work, or in the street below at home, was always met with excitement.
A universal among skateboarders is what we have termed the “head whip” – the immediate instinctual turn of the head to seek out the origin of skatesound. The association of this sound was reported as an invitation to adventure, a feeling of fraternity with an unseen but clearly heard member of the tribe.
A surprising feature of our research was that several participants reported some form of neurodiversity, either being on the autism spectrum or having ADHD. The sensory experience of skateboarding, of feeling what you see and hear, was reported in positive terms as a way to calm sometimes overpowering senses.
For these skaters, skatesound has become part of a full-body connecting experience engaging the physical, mental and emotional with the board and the world at large. It represents some form of craft and mastery of the chaos of everyday life.
For the past 15 years, the A-Skate foundation provided skateboarding opportunities for children on the autism spectrum in recognition of these therapeutic processes. A range of therapists worldwide are incorporating elements of skateboarding into their support of people’s needs, spanning anxiety to learning disabilities.
Bridging the gap between skateboarder and non-skateboarder, artist Max Boutin’s Texturologies art installation (2022) enables those curious about the sensory world to get a no-risk taster.
Using dynamic sound, large visual screens and static boards that pulse with the skatesound being played underneath, Boutin’s art offers a sensory experience of the skateboarder’s unique relationship to urban space. As a consequence, hearing like a skateboarder becomes one of the simplest ways to feel like a skateboarder.
Boutin’s work advocates for the specific knowledge embedded in the act of skateboarding. It speaks of those who find joy and revelry in often neglected and unloved urban realms that have lost their enchantment to a public chaperoned endlessly into spaces of consumption.
As contempt for the city deepens, skatesound can allow us to feel our urban spaces in new ways.
Paul O’Connor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. The sound of skateboarding offers skaters a therapeutic way to connect with the city – https://theconversation.com/the-sound-of-skateboarding-offers-skaters-a-therapeutic-way-to-connect-with-the-city-247866
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniele D’Alvia, Lecturer in Banking and Finance Law, Queen Mary University of London
The AI revolution is well under way and two companies – DeepSeek and Nvidia – stand out among those competing to lead it. Outside the financial world, the story might seem distant – but it really does have consequences for everyone. It comes down to why investors are paying so much attention to AI, and how this competition could affect the technology we use daily.
Developments in AI investment will shape the capabilities of the next generation of apps, smart assistants, self-driving technology and business practices.
DeepSeek, the new player on the scene, is a Chinese company that has been making huge waves in AI development. Its powerful technology could change things such as healthcare, finance – and even the way we interact with the internet. Investors are excited because they see DeepSeek as a potential leader in shaping the next generation of AI tools.
Meanwhile, Nvidia has long been a giant in AI hardware, producing the graphics processing units (GPUs, or chips) that power many AI applications. However, the rise of DeepSeek has made some investors rethink their bets, leading to a sell-off in Nvidia shares, and wiping almost US$300 billion (£242 billion) off the company’s value.
Why does this matter? To put it simply, the AI race isn’t just about corporate profits. The technology developed by companies such as DeepSeek and Nvidia is what powers voice assistants, recommendation systems on streaming platforms, self-driving car software and even medical breakthroughs. As investment flows into AI, it means that innovation could become more advanced and accessible – much faster than we previously expected.
When investors hear about a new company like DeepSeek making big advances, they often react by shifting their investments. This is what happened with Nvidia. Some investors sold their shares, fearing that DeepSeek might take away some of Nvidia’s dominance in AI. This does not necessarily mean the company is struggling – only that markets move based on expectations, rather than just current success.
Speculation – where investors accept uncertainty and high risks in return for potentially big returns – plays a key role in these shifts. Investors do not always wait for solid proof that a company will succeed, instead they often act based on excitement, predictions or just fear of missing out. This can cause rapid changes in stock prices, even before new technology is widely available.
Read more:
Why Donald Trump’s election win fuelled a stock market surge
Speculation can sometimes lead to instability, but it also helps to drive innovation. When investors put money into AI companies, it allows those companies to develop technology that could improve people’s daily lives. This has happened before – during the dotcom boom of the 1990s, investment rushed into internet startups. While many companies failed, others like Amazon and Google became global leaders.
Similarly, cryptocurrency investment surged in the past decade. While the hype led to many failures, blockchain technology – one of its key innovations – has since become a major part of modern finance and security systems.
With so much excitement around AI, some experts worry that the industry is experiencing a speculative bubble. A bubble happens when investors pour money into a sector too quickly, driving up prices beyond their real value. This happened in the early 2000s with the dotcom crash that followed the boom years of the previous decade. Many internet companies received huge investments, but when they failed to deliver on their promises markets crashed.
Could the same happen with AI? It’s possible – but unlike some past bubbles, AI is already being widely used in everyday life. The key question is not whether AI is important, but whether current investments reflect realistic long-term growth or over-optimistic speculation.
The sell-off of Nvidia shares does not necessarily mean it is losing its place in AI. Instead, it could reflect investors trying to hedge their bets, moving some of their money to newer companies such as DeepSeek while still keeping Nvidia in their portfolios.
In other words, investors are looking into the potential “next big thing” (Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, for example, is touting a new AI model that claims to be superior to those of DeepSeek and Meta). Savvy investors often shop around like this to spread risk to avoid relying too much on a single company to bring them returns.
Beyond Nvidia and DeepSeek, there is a larger global race for AI dominance. Countries, including the United States, China and some European states, are investing heavily in AI research because they recognise how much power and influence this technology could bring. Governments are funding AI initiatives, and businesses are pouring resources into being the first to create groundbreaking AI systems.
But while speculation and innovation drive growth, regulation is needed to prevent market and financial instability. The history of economic crashes shows that unchecked hype can lead to over-investment and eventual collapse. Regulators need to ensure that AI companies and investors operate responsibly, balancing growth with stability.
For example, regulators should provide clear AI investment guidelines, endorse transparency around the financial risks of investing, and be on the lookout for possible AI investment bubbles. Importantly, they should also introduce consumer protection policies to shield retail (non-professional) investors. And they should encourage international cooperation around regulation, working towards common principles.
The battle between DeepSeek and Nvidia is a sign of how AI is transforming the world. Investors, regulators and everyday consumers all have a stake in how this technology develops. While financial speculation can be unpredictable, it is also one of the driving forces behind the innovation that’s shaping the future.
Daniele D’Alvia does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. DeepSeek, Nvidia and the AI race that’s shaping the future – https://theconversation.com/deepseek-nvidia-and-the-ai-race-thats-shaping-the-future-248626
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dhritiraj Sengupta, Earth Observation Scientist, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Satellite-derived Earth observation (EO) data helps researchers like me unlock new insights into monitoring both environmental and human health.
I’m working with the European Space Agency’s EO4Health Resilience project to integrate information about different types of disease into one digital platform. Due to launch in summer 2025, this project aims to improve accessibility to EO data for medical professionals, support more informed decision-making in public health and hopefully prevent more deaths from disease in the future.
Environmental and animal health are both closely linked to human health. Climate change has a huge influence on these connections, as it can make disease outbreaks such as the 2003 Sars virus and the recent H5N1 bird flu more likely.
By increasing the chance of human-wildlife contact, disruptions like deforestation can increase the risk of disease (like COVID-19) transferring from wildlife to people. Many other factors beyond medicine also determine health, such as sanitation, water supply and farming practices.
The World Health Organization adopted the One Health approach to inspire a joint response to health threats by connecting efforts by veterinary, public health and environmental sectors.
At a time when governments are struggling to come to grips with the growing costs of healthcare, avoiding outbreaks of infectious diseases is crucial. So, the importance of identifying and monitoring areas of high risk, and of communicating the means of avoiding risks to the public rise to the fore.
Satellite data can improve environmental and human health monitoring for three different categories of disease:
There is growing concern about the impact of climate change and human migration. This intensifies the global spread of major bacterial waterborne infectious diseases. EO technology plays a key role in tracking climate change by monitoring big areas over long periods, often in enough detail to spot changes clearly.
Many bacteria, like Vibrio cholerae which causes cholera, thrive in stagnant water. My team worked with the European Space Agency to show that its presence can be modelled using the concentration of chlorophyll found on the surface of bodies of water. Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that helps them use sunlight to make their food and grow.
Risk maps for an entire lake can be created using satellite-derived chlorophyll data. Zoonotic diseases that spread from animals to humans such as leptospirosis (a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria) have an animal origin, but reach humans through contaminated floodwater in cities.
Bacteria such as Escherichia coli are often present in sewage pollution and can cause of diarrhoea and gastrointestinal illness. These infections typically occur through activities like drinking or swimming in contaminated water.
A recent study predicts that US cases of non-cholera Vibrio infections could rise by 50% by 2090 compared to 1995. That’s because sea surface temperatures are increasing due to climate change and bacterial populations can grow and spread at warmer temperatures. Satellites could help monitor those temperature changes and therefore identify places most prone to outbreaks.
One recent report highlights the value of satellites studying waterborne diseases. The ability to measure and monitor water quality across large areas makes it much easier and quicker to deliver near real-time information.
Vector-borne diseases, such as the West Nile virus and malaria, pose
significant global health threats. They are transmitted by
mosquitoes and can lead to severe neurological diseases. Vector-borne diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in tropical regions.
My colleagues in Italy used EO data to unlock new insights about the transmission of West Nile virus. Models based on satellite data that showed temperature, humidity and vegetation – all of which influence mosquito populations and disease transmission patterns – can help forecast the next outbreak.
The malaria atlas is a collaborative project that involves scientists from around the world. By collating EO data, mosquito breeding sites can be mapped, while climate change can be tracked as it affects the habitats that disease-carrying mosquitoes live in. Maps like this enhance the effectiveness of public health strategies by pinpointing where best to focus efforts and resources to control and prevent the spread of these diseases.
Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases
exacerbated by heatwaves, rank among the top global causes of death. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can strain the heart, increasing risks of heart attacks and strokes. So, isolating locations most at risk of heatwaves could help target aid and reduce the risk of widespread heatstroke and other conditions.
Environmental factors like urbanisation, climate change and air pollution amplify health risks. Several EO projects funded by the European Space Agency use AI and satellite data to map land surface temperatures, greenhouse gas emissions, green spaces, rivers and lakes.
For example, poor air quality caused by high levels of emissions in urban areas can lead to respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Long-term exposure to pollutants like fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide may increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and even premature death.
Read more:
Why ocean pollution is a clear danger to human health
Mapping air quality using satellite data helps identify particulate pollution hotspots. This supports targeted interventions to improve public health.
In the future, satellites could track plastic pollution in oceans. Marine life consumes plastic particles that humans ingest through seafood. Chemicals present in plastics can lead to hormone disruption in humans and may increase cancer risk or immunity, for example. So tracking pollution distribution around the globe could identify sources and the places where people and wildlife are at most risk of exposure to chemical contaminants like those in plastic.
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Dhritiraj Sengupta receives funding from The European Space Agency and The Welcome Trust. He is affiliated with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Group of Earth Observation (GEO) Aqua Watch, International Geographical Union, and Future Earth-Coasts.
– ref. How satellites have become Earth’s new health and nature watchdogs – https://theconversation.com/how-satellites-have-become-earths-new-health-and-nature-watchdogs-247319
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, January 31, 2025/APO Group/ —
Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain and France have unveiled new or additional contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, demonstrating strong support for the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org)-managed fund as it expands energy access across Africa, including through the Mission 300 partnership. Another new donor – Japan –joined in December 2024 with a $5 million contribution under AGIA (https://apo-opa.co/3Eju6LT).
SEFA is a multi-donor Special Fund that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. It aims to contribute to universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa in line with the New Deal on Energy for Africa and Mission 300.
Mission 300 (https://apo-opa.co/4hDAJqx), an ambitious new partnership of the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group and other development partners, aims to provide access to electricity to an additional 300 million Africans by 2030.
France, a new donor to SEFA, will provide €10 million. Denmark, the UK and Spain will increase existing contributions by DKK 100 million (€13.4 million), £8.5 million (€10.13) and €3 million, respectively.
France’s contribution will bolster the Africa Green Infrastructure Alliance (AGIA) (https://apo-opa.co/4aHQE4M), a platform of the African Development Bank, Africa 50 and other partners that will develop transformative sustainable infrastructure projects for investment.
These contributions come as SEFA enjoyed its best year on record in 2024, with $108 million approved for 14 projects. SEFA now boasts a portfolio of over $300 million in highly impactful investments and technical assistance programmes, which is expected to unlock up to $15 billion in investments and deliver approximately 12 million new electricity connections.
Denmark’s Acting State Secretary for Development Policy, Ole Thonke, said: “Africa is endowed with enormous untapped potential for renewable energy, which can fuel green industrialisation. The latest Danish financial contribution to SEFA will focus on the newly established Africa-led Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), further supporting the continent’s ambitious development and climate goals.”
“We are halfway through this decisive decade to achieve the sustainable development goals and get on track to tackle climate change,” said Rachel Kyte, UK Special Representative for Climate, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. “Achieving our collective goals of reliable, affordable and clean power is a golden thread that links economic growth, greater investment, strengthened resilience and climate ambition. By accelerating the roll-out of clean power, the UK and Mission 300 are putting green and inclusive growth at the heart of our partnerships with Africa. Our announcement of an additional £8.5 million in UK funding for the AfDB’s SEFA will mobilise the much-needed private sector investment so that more Africans can access clean power right across the continent.”
Inés Carpio San Román, Alternate Governor of Spain for the African Development Bank, said, “We are pleased that Spain has decided to renew its support for the SEFA fund with a contribution of €3 million. This reaffirms our commitment to the crucial sector of renewable energy, which plays a key role in fostering sustainable development across Africa.”
“As a strong supporter of Africa’s green infrastructure investments with financial tools that mobilise private finance, France is proud to contribute €10 million to the AGIA through SEFA,” stated Bertrand Dumont, Director General of the French Treasury and Governor for France at the African Development Bank. “This very first contribution is our first step towards reinforcing Africa’s sustainable development and accelerating the continent’s path to a low-carbon economy. By investing in green infrastructure in Africa, we are investing for the future.”
Dr Daniel Schroth, Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, said, “We welcome the new commitments from donors whose support underscores the impactful work of SEFA. These contributions are essential in enabling SEFA to fulfil its role as a key delivery vehicle for Mission 300 at this pivotal moment.”
Source: European Central Bank
31 January 2025
A timely build-up of capital buffers that can be released in times of stress is essential for financial stability. One way to achieve this is by setting a positive countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) rate early in the cycle when cyclical systemic risks are neither subdued nor elevated. Understanding how authorities can apply this “positive neutral” approach is essential to advancing the use of the CCyB.
The European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) today published a joint report aimed at deepening our knowledge of the implementation of positive neutral approaches to setting the CCyB in the European Economic Area (EEA).
The report describes the experience of countries that have adopted a positive neutral CCyB approach, as well as the views of those that have not. It outlines the perceived costs and benefits, implications for setting the CCyB through the cycle, calibration methods, conditions for build-up and release, interactions with other capital instruments, buffer usability and reciprocity.
Motivations for the adoption of a positive neutral CCyB approach mostly relate to three areas. The first is the need to build up the CCyB in a timely manner, not only to address uncertainty in the identification of systemic risks, but also to ensure that releasable capital buffers are available in the early stages of the financial cycle. The second is to allow for a more gradual, and therefore less costly, build-up of the buffer. The third is increasing the amount of releasable buffers, also to boost resilience against a wider spectrum of potentially large shocks.
The report highlights three common elements in the positive neutral CCyB approaches adopted by EEA countries. First, a positive neutral CCyB approach is not intended as a new buffer, but rather as an earlier activation of the CCyB in an environment where cyclical systemic risks are neither subdued nor elevated. Second, in most countries, adopting a positive neutral CCyB approach is not expected to yield higher CCyB requirements at the peak of the cycle. This is in line with the objective of building up the CCyB early in the cycle. Third, for most countries, this more proactive and flexible use of the CCyB does not need to be offset by lowering other requirements, consistent with the risk-based nature of the CCyB.
Finally, the report describes what ESRB member institutions see as the challenges and obstacles to implementing a positive neutral CCyB approach, and presents potential avenues for overcoming them. First, more clarity on the objectives of a positive neutral CCyB could alleviate concerns about potential overlaps with the objectives of other instruments, most notably the systemic risk buffer. Second, some countries view a lack of clarity in EU legislation as an obstacle to adopting a positive neutral CCyB approach. In this context, it would be helpful to clarify the European macroprudential framework to ensure that the CCyB can be used more flexibly and proactively. This could be done notably by reducing the prominence of the credit-to-GDP gap and other credit indicators to guide the setting of the CCyB rate.
The report could serve as a useful reference for countries within and outside the EEA region that are considering adopting such an approach. It may also provide valuable information to regulatory bodies looking at issuing further guidance on positive neutral CCyB approaches.
For media queries, please contact Ettore Fanciulli tel.: +49 69 1344 95012.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Star has re-imbursed a tenant £5,832 for costs the tenant was ordered to pay in arbitration because of the PCA’s intervention.
What happened?
In 2023, a tenant referred a dispute with Star to the PCA for arbitration. As part of this dispute, the tenant alleged that Star had breached regulation 46 of the Pubs Code, relating to premises insurance.
The PCA appointed an alternative arbitrator to decide the dispute. During the arbitration, Star did not tell the tenant or the arbitrator that it had admitted breaches of regulation 46 of the Pubs Code, or that the PCA was in the process of reviewing those breaches at the time of the arbitration. Star also told the arbitrator that it believed its communications to tenants had satisfied Star’s obligations under regulation 46.
The arbitrator decided that the tenant’s complaints, including about regulation 46, were vexatious, and ordered the tenant to pay the arbitrator’s fee of £5,832. In Pubs Code arbitrations, the pub-owing business must pay the reasonable fees and expenses of an arbitrator, except if the arbitrator decides that the referral was vexatious, in which case they can require the tenant to pay some or all of those costs.
The PCA has legal powers to request information or documents from an arbitration for regulatory purposes. Upon reviewing the arbitrator’s award of costs against the tenant and the reasons for it, the PCA contacted Star to express concern with Star’s conduct in this arbitration. In particular, the PCA was concerned that Star’s lack of transparency about its admitted breaches of regulation 46 may have influenced the arbitrator’s decision to order the tenant to pay costs.
Action taken by Star
Star now agrees that it should have informed the arbitrator and the tenant about its breaches of regulation 46, and that the PCA was reviewing those breaches. Star also acknowledges that it is possible that this information could have influenced the arbitrator’s decision in the arbitration, including in respect of costs.
As a result, Star has now reimbursed the tenant for the costs the tenant was ordered to pay.
The PCA’s expectations of pub-owning businesses in Pubs Code Arbitrations
The PCA expects all pub-owning businesses participating in Pubs Code arbitrations will actively seek to avoid any practice which may result in unfairness.
For this reason, the PCA expects all pub-owning businesses will draw information about regulatory engagement with the PCA to the attention of a tenant and arbitrator where that information is relevant to the issues in dispute.
The PCA office can be contacted at office@pubscodeadjudicator.gov.uk.
Published 31 January 2025